Book Review: Unwind

Title of Book
Author
Shusterman, Neal
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

What if your parents could choose to just ... get rid of you? If their child is 13-18 years old, the parents in this book can. The children are put to good use, essentially used as organ donors for those who need it. This young-adult novel details the adventures of Connor, Risa, and Lev, three children who were chosen to be unwound. This was for different reasons in different situations, but it results in their lives being thrown together on the same path.

Shusterman is very good at creating realistic, living characters that interact in a detailed web of situations and settings. I would recommend this book to anyone, but warn that some of the scenes can be scary for those who don't do well with too much suspense. Every part of it was engaging, and it manages to perfectly add philosophy and moral dilemma to an excellent story without compromising the believability or soul of the book. This is definitely worth a read, and it is the first installation of a series, so if you enjoy it as much as I do, check out the rest.

Reviewer's Name
Kelsey

Book Review: The Secret Life of Bees

Title of Book
Author
Kidd, Sue Monk
Rating
2 stars = Meh
Review

This book is about a motherless fourteen year old white girl named Lily. She must learn to overcome her own prejudice and grief, in addition to her struggles at home, which would not be possible without the help of three African-American beekeeper sisters and their unwillingness to give up on her. Although there is some adventure (there are conflicts with racists and Lily's father), mostly this book is a coming-of age novel and about Lily's search for a place where she belongs, growing up in the American South of 1964.
I personally strongly disliked this book, because I found the main character insufferable, but I can appreciate the writing style and
the thoughtfulness that was put into it. If you are looking for a coming-of-age story in which the writing is very descriptive and honest, maybe this book is for you.

Reviewer's Name
Kelsey

Book Review: This Is Where It Ends

Title of Book
Author
Nijkamp, Marieke
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

If I could recommend any book I've ever read, its this one. This book is a minute by minute recount of a school shooting at a high school, which as a teenager in America, feels like a very real situation that can feel almost bound to happen. The storytelling is unparalleled, and as a reader I felt as if I was in that high school, sitting on the bleachers, waiting to see what was going to happen next. It has such good raw emotion- fear, anger, sadness, terror. From the second I started reading I could not put it down, and by the end you feel neither unsatisfied nor satisfied, just as I believe the author intended. It does cover a very dark topic, and is very descriptive, so be careful if you are sensitive to that kind of material.

Reviewer's Name
Emily

Book Review: If I Stay

Title of Book
Author
Forman, Gayle
Rating
2 stars = Meh
Review

In "If I Stay," Gayle Forman crafts a narrative that delves into themes of life, death, and the power of choice. While the novel has garnered praise for its emotional resonance and exploration of complex emotions, it may not appeal to all readers. Some critics have cited issues with pacing and character development, feeling that certain aspects of the story lacked depth. Additionally, the nonlinear structure of the narrative has been divisive, with some finding it engaging while others found it disjointed. Overall, "If I Stay" offers a thought-provoking examination of grief and love, but its execution may leave some readers wanting more coherence and depth.

Reviewer's Name
Caroline

Book Review: Heir of Fire

Title of Book
Author
Maas, Sarah J.
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

"Heir of Fire" by Sarah J. Maas is an addition to the Throne of Glass series that takes readers on a journey of self discovery, magic, and redemption. As Celaena Sardothien ventures to Wendlyn, she grapples with her identity, haunted by her past and uncertain of her future. Maas intricately weaves together multiple storylines, introducing new characters and expanding the richly detailed world of Erilea. From the breathtaking landscapes of Wendlyn to the intense training sessions with a Fae warrior, Rowan, every moment is filled with suspense and emotion. With its gripping plot twists, powerful character development, and heart-pounding action, "Heir of Fire" is a great continuation of the series.

Reviewer's Name
Addison
Awards

Book Review: Crown of Midnight

Title of Book
Author
Maas, Sarah J.
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

"Crown of Midnight" by Sarah J. Maas is a continuation of the Throne of Glass series, diving deeper into the complex world of Celaena Sardothien and the kingdom of Adarlan. As Celaena takes on her role as the king's assassin, she grapples with moral dilemmas, political intrigue, and her own dark past. Maas masterfully crafts a story filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with every chapter. The stakes are higher, the action is more intense, and the emotional depth of the characters is revealed, making this installment a page-turner. With its blend of magic, romance, and high-stakes drama, "Crown of Midnight" is a great continuation of the series.

Reviewer's Name
Addison
Awards

Book Review: Throne of Glass

Title of Book
Author
Maas, Sarah J.
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

"Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin who is offered a chance at freedom in exchange for competing to become the king's champion. Maas creates a tale of intrigue, magic, and romance as Celaena navigates the dangerous politics of the royal court while uncovering dark secrets about her own past. The novel is filled with action-packed scenes, intricate world-building, and a diverse cast of characters that is very engaging. With its strong female protagonist and unpredictable plot twists, "Throne of Glass" is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of epic fantasy. Maas's dynamic storytelling and immersive writing style make this book a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling adventure.

Reviewer's Name
Addison
Awards

Book Review: Catching Fire

Title of Book
Author
Collins, Suzanne
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

The Hunger Games Catching Fire is a sequel to the first book in the series The Hunger Games. The book takes place after the 74th Hunger Games where Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from District Twelve unexpectedly won the Hunger Games. Katniss, Peeta, and their loved ones were far from safe even after The Hunger Games due to their defiance against the Capitol. The districts were starting to rebel against the Capitol because of what happened in the 74th Hunger Games. President Snow (the leader of the Capitol) forces Katniss and Peetah to make the districts as well as himself believe that they weren't trying to defy the Capitol. After several failed attempts to calm the districts down President Snow took action when the Third Quarter Quell (75th Hunger Games) took place. I picked this book because it is a prequel to The Hunger Games. I enjoyed getting to know the aftermath of the 74th Hunger Games the most. My least favorite part of the book is how they handled The Hunger Games. I didn't feel like it was nearly as intense or interesting as the 74th Hunger Games. This book is also fairly predictable. I could relate to Katniss Everdeen in this book because she didn't know her allies from her enemies in the book, and I'm not too good at reading people in real life. This isn't one of my favorite books but it's definitely a solid book.

Reviewer's Name
Andrew

Book Review: The Hunger Games

Title of Book
Author
Collins, Suzanne
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian world where the Capitol controls 12 districts. Every year each district is required to send in 2 tributes to compete in the Hunger Games. One female and one male between the ages of 12-18 are drawn at random to compete in the hunger games. The Hunger Games takes place in an arena where all tributes fight to the death until one tribute is last standing and crowned the winner. Tributes can also earn an advantage over other tributes before the games even begin by becoming liked by the general audience of the Hunger Games. If the audience likes a tribute in the Hunger Games, they are more likely to get a sponsor to send them supplies while they are in the arena. I read this book because of the dystopian genre. I enjoyed reading about the tributes in the arena the most in this book. This book is fairly predictable but that doesn't make it any less good to read. This is probably my favorite book of all time.

Reviewer's Name
Andrew

Book Review: Coraline

Title of Book
Author
Gaiman, Neil
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

This book is about a young girl named Coraline. When Coraline moves into her new house, she finds a weird door in her house that is supposedly bricked off. Later she revisits the door to find out that the bricks are randomly gone. She goes through the door which leads her to an alternate life where everything seems creepily perfect. Everything seems much better in the other world. One weird detail is that everyone in the other world, except for Coraline has button eyes. Is the other world as good as it seems? I picked this book because of the genre. I enjoyed how creative and creepy the book was the most. This book surprised me when I found out about what the other world was. This is one of the best books I've read this year and recommend it.

Reviewer's Name
Andrew
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