Fantasy

Book Review: Mockingjay

Author
Collins, Suzanne
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Mockingjay is the third book in The Hunger Games series. After the events of the 75th Hunger Games District 12 was destroyed, leading to even more uprisings across the districts. In the book Katniss and her allies try to recruit districts to their cause with the help of the newly rediscovered District 13. After everything is planned out the districts start an all-out war with the capitol. With both sides fighting fiercely, it could go any way. I chose to review this book because it is the 3rd book in The Hunger Games series. I enjoyed the war between the Capitol and the Districts the most in this book. This book is fairly predictable. I could relate to Katniss Everdeen in this book because she stands up for what's right even if it's not the easiest route to take like I do.

Reviewer's Name
Andrew

Book Review: Catching Fire

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

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

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

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author
Rowling, J.K.
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

At the start of the book, we are introduced to the character Harry Potter. Harry Potter was an orphan who was adopted by an abusive family. We soon discover that Harry Potter is a wizard and is invited to a school for wizards like himself called Hogwarts. During Harry's time at Hogwarts, he learned more about magic and befriended some of the students attending the school. Throughout Harry's time at Hogwarts, he finds out more about how his biological parents died. I picked this book because it is extremely popular, and I've heard a lot of good things about the book. I enjoyed the world-building the most from this book. This book was fairly predictable for me because I've already seen the movies. This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

Reviewer's Name
Andrew
Genres

Book Review: Animal Farm

Author
Orwell, George
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

Orwell wrote this book to examine the early years of the Soviet Union and the real result of the Russian Revolution. He uses Manor Farm as the setting and uses the farm animals as characters to convince the reader how the leaders of a country could put in place a system that would not be the utopia they promise. These promises may turn out to create a situation much worse than existed before. Orwell wanted a farm where “All Animals Are Equal.” Unfortunately, “Some Are More Equal Than Others.” The reader will recognize some of the characters as representing historical figures such as Stalin, Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. If you are interested in economic and political systems and how they impact the citizens, you will not be able to put this book down! Animal Farm is one of my favorite books.

Reviewer's Name
Andrew

Book Review: Restore Me

Author
Mafi, Tahereh
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

"Restore Me" by Tahereh Mafi is a breathtaking continuation of the Shatter Me series, deserving a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Mafi's prose is as mesmerizing as ever, drawing readers into Juliette's tumultuous world with its vivid imagery and emotional depth. The character development is superb, as Juliette grapples with the weight of her newfound power and the responsibilities that come with it. The dynamic between Juliette and Warner crackles with intensity, adding a layer of complexity to their relationship that is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Mafi expertly balances action and introspection, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while delving into the inner workings of her characters' minds. The plot twists and turns with unpredictable ferocity, culminating in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will leave readers clamoring for more. "Restore Me" is a masterful addition to the series, showcasing Mafi's talent for storytelling and cementing her status as a powerhouse in the YA genre.

Reviewer's Name
Caroline

Book Review: You've Reached Sam

Author
Thao, Dustin
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

"You've Reached Sam" by Dustin Thao is a heart-wrenching contemporary romance that earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. Thao's writing is emotionally resonant, capturing the complexities of grief and healing with sensitivity and depth. The protagonist, Julie, navigates the aftermath of losing her boyfriend, Sam, with authenticity and grace, allowing readers to empathize with her journey of self-discovery. Thao's exploration of love and loss is both profound and thought-provoking, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The themes of forgiveness and letting go are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding layers of emotional depth to the story. The pacing is steady, immersing readers in Julie's world as she grapples with her grief and finds solace in unexpected places. Overall, "You've Reached Sam" is a beautifully written debut novel that will tug at your heartstrings and linger in your thoughts long after you've finished reading.

Reviewer's Name
Caroline

Book Review: Ignite Me

Author
Mafi, Tahereh
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

"Ignite Me" by Tahereh Mafi is an electrifying conclusion to the Shatter Me series, earning a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Mafi's poetic prose and raw emotion ignite the pages, drawing readers into the tumultuous world of Juliette Ferrars. The character development is exceptional, as Juliette evolves from a fragile girl into a fierce and empowered leader. The chemistry between Juliette and Warner sizzles with intensity, adding an extra layer of tension to the narrative. Mafi's exploration of power, identity, and love is profound, resonating long after the final page is turned. The action-packed plot is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. Overall, "Ignite Me" is a breathtaking conclusion that will leave fans of the series completely satisfied.

Reviewer's Name
Caroline

Book Review: The Inheritance Games

Author
Barnes, Jennifer Lynn
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

"The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a captivating rollercoaster of mystery and intrigue. Barnes masterfully weaves together a tangled web of secrets, puzzles, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the very end. The protagonist, Avery Kylie Grambs, is a complex character whose journey from obscurity to inheriting a billionaire's fortune is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The dynamic between Avery and the Hawthorne family is filled with tension and suspicion, adding layers of depth to the plot. Barnes's writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue that bring the story to life. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that there's never a dull moment as Avery navigates the treacherous waters of the Hawthorne estate. Overall, "The Inheritance Games" is a gripping read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this thrilling series.

Reviewer's Name
Caroline