Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Reviewer: Mikayla P.

Star Rating: 4 stars

Carve the Mark takes place in a futuristic society in which humans have left Earth in search of more space to expand their race. On their journey to other galaxies, they discovered the current, a force that flows through everything and everyone, granting everyone a “currentgift,” or a “power” given to them by the current. Those gifted with the ability to tell the future become oracles and, in addition to predicting the immediate future, they declare fates, futures that belong to certain people that cannot be changed no matter what. Cyra and her brother, both the children of the leaders of the Shotet, a society on the planet Thuvhe, both have fates. Akos, the son of the oracle in the Thuvhesit society, the rival society to the Shotet on Thuvhe, and his siblings are also fated. Due to their unique fates, Cyra and Akos are brought together in an unlikely pairing, filled with passionate rage and a spark of something more. I loved that, despite being a science fiction novel by the author of Divergent, it was not set in a futuristic, dystopian society that can only be saved by the teenagers. The novel explores societal conflicts stemming from different religious and cultural practices, as well as a generational hatred for the “others” that turns out to be less fact-based than the characters originally believed. Despite enjoying the world however, it is important to note that, like Divergent, there is no scientific backing to the premise of this story. As long as you go into it expecting something between a fantasy novel and a science fiction, however, it doesn’t interfere with the story. It was a fast and entertaining read, though it did lack some substance and the characters were not as developed as they could have been. The plot was exciting, so I found certain major plot points to be beyond the realm of believability. Overall, however, Carve the Mark is the perfect read for anyone looking for a fast-paced, entertaining adventure!

Emergency Contact by Mary HK Choi

Emergency Contact by Mary HK Choi

Reviewer: Mikayla P.

Star Rating: 5 stars

Emergency Contact centers around Sam, a young man living in Austin, Texas and trying desperately to make it through film school while working at House Cafe, and Penny, a freshman in college in Austin. Sam’s still not over his wild and unpredictable ex who keeps disappearing and reappearing in his life. Penny just wants to get away from her mom, who acts more like a teenager than Penny herself does. When they exchange numbers after Penny helps Sam through a panic attack, they become each others’ emergency contacts and spend every spare minute texting as an escape from their daily lives. Emergency Contact took a bit to really get into the story, but once it did it did not disappoint. Both Sam, Penny, and the other characters are very realistic, flawed people. Penny really just wants to wear old leggings and not go outside of her dorm room; Sam is too broke to replace his laptop. They deal with real world struggles and none of them are resolved so easily or neatly that it feels fake or forced. I laughed with them, cried with them, and was incredibly sad to see them go when I turned the last page. Emergency Contact is a great read for anyone who likes realistic fiction, contemporary romances, and young adults dealing with real world problems in both hilarious and beautiful ways.

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Reviewer: Grace Wade-Stein

Star Rating: 5 stars

Recently adapted into a movie, The Hate U Give is a stunning bestseller about Starr Carter, a teenage black girl who lives in the predominantly poor, black neighborhood of Garden Heights and attends Williamson Prep, a private school in a neighboring affluent, white community. Starr is mostly able to keep her two worlds apart, presenting one version of herself to her white friends and boyfriend and another to her childhood friends and family, until she witnesses the shooting of her best friend by a white police officer.

The shooting turns Starr’s life upside down. She is forced to navigate her grief and stand up for Khalil as the only witness to his murder while protecting her family from retribution, both from the police and local drug lords. Ultimately, she must find her voice in a world that is doing everything it can to silence her.

Everyone should read this book. It is politically and socially relevant and manages to be alternately shattering and uplifting. It masterfully weaves together themes of adolescence, race, violence, police brutality, protection, sacrifice, love, and friendship to paint a nuanced portrait of our world’s complex issues. Readers of all backgrounds will empathize and identify with Starr’s struggle to find her voice and benefit from the perspective of this book.  

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Reviewer: Grace Wade-Stein
Star Rating: 4 stars

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is a fast-paced dystopian fantasy novel set in a world divided by blood color. Silvers rule with the help of their unique supernatural abilities while Reds are forced to find employment or be conscripted. Mare Barrow is a Red working to support her family alongside her seamstress sister Gisa while their three brothers are away at war. When a plan to pickpocket a Silver goes awry, Mare finds herself working at the Silver Palace, where she discovers her own supernatural abilities.

Mare’s discovery is a revelation that threatens to destroy the balance of power that has governed her world for centuries. Fearful of what her power might mean for their own, Silvers authorities forge a new identity for Mare as a long-lost Silver princess. In the high-stakes masquerade that ensues, Mare finds herself caught between two worlds, two princes, and two courses of action: keep up the charade and protect her family or smash the Silver regime from the inside out.

This book’s intrigue, rebellion, and betrayal made it riveting. I would recommend it to fans of fantasy and dystopian favorites such as Divergent and The Hunger Games.

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

Reviewer: Luka K.

Star Rating: 4

The Burning Maze is the third book in Rick Riordan’s Trials of Apollo series, a series based upon the mythological god Apollo from the Greek myths. Apollo has been cast away by his father Zeus, and must complete a series of quests as a mortal to become a god again. In this book, Apollo must venture into Daedalus’’ labyrinth and try to free his third oracle. With the help of some demigods, he fights his way through angry sorceresses and gods, while his son Nero tries to thwart him at every end.

As always, Rick Riordan delivered another gripping book, with amazing characterization and dialogue that sets it apart from the average fantasy. He is the only well-known author that uses the myth in a way that are not only interesting but also informative. It may be my fondness for his writing, but I honestly found nothing wrong or off-putting in this book.

This book would appeal to lovers of Rick Riordan’s writing, and also fantasy lovers. This is a strictly fantasy book with no other genres. Fans of the Fablehaven series will find this book especially to their taste.

I would rate this book as a 5, but that is a bit biased. I believe an appropriate rating for this book is a 4.5 stars.

Hooper by Geoff Harbach

Book: Hooper by Geoff Herbach

Reviewer: Luka K.

Star Rating: 4

Hooper is a book about Adam Reed, a Polish immigrant in high school whose passion is basketball. He is amazing on the court, but not so off of it. Adam must find a way to balance all the things that come along with moving halfway across the globe. With the help of newfound friends, Adam follows new pathways that lead to new experiences and opportunities.

This is a feel good book, so the characters are especially real and heartwarming. The story feels like it could have happened in real life. One of the most intriguing points was the theme of immigrants and how they are treated here. Adam experienced bullying no matter where he was, but eventually everybody warmed up to him. Another great part about this piece is even though there was no stand out pieces of imagery, the setting was easy to imagine. I kept the pages turning even though this was not a mystery or action book.

The one problem I found in this book was that the plot repeated itself again and again in different settings. It got monotonous after a while. Other than that, this was a solid read. This is a good book for anyone wanting a break from action and fantasy novels, or just a feel good story. I would rate this 3.5 stars, but I feel it deserves more because of the themes it points out. Therefore, I would give Hooper 4 stars.

Once and for All by Sarah Dessen

Once and for All by Sarah Dessen

Reviewer: Langley N.

Star rating: 4

Once and for All, by Sarah Dessen, is the author’s latest coming of age drama. The story focuses on Louna Barrett, the daughter of an esteemed wedding planner. Having grown up with her mother’s business taking center stage, Louna has dealt with every kind of love story. She’s comforted brides with cold feet, found runaway ring-bearers, and even dealt with full-on disasters. Because of this lifestyle, her own mother’s failed love story, and the tragic tale of her first love, Louna has developed a rather cynical attitude towards love. But when Louna’s mother takes on a new client, and the brother of the bride (a Casanova named Ambrose) weasels his way into Louna’s life, things change for them both.

In a general sense, Once and for All has the same storyline as almost every other Sarah Dessen book. A teenage girl falls for a boy, and the effects of that relationship change the girl in some way. However stereotypical this story is, it still hooks the reader to the very end in typical Dessen fashion. The characters are relatable, complex, and the details of the story are full of originality. I would recommend this book to fans of John Green and romantic comedies. Overall, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. The ending left room for possibilities, but tied up the story nicely. Though it may be nothing outside of the author’s comfort zone, Once and for All had me crying, smiling, and overall satisfied.