The Prince of Nowhere by Rochelle Hassan

Title: The Prince of Nowhere by Rochelle Hassan 

Reader: James, Grade 7

Rating: 4 stars

The Prince of Nowhere is a book about mythical creatures and magic. This novel is about a mysterious person and trying to figure out a mystery. The book is set in the Aerlands where the main characters, Ignis and Roda, must find out about a mysterious person named Anonymous. I really like the way the author makes the dialogue feel realistic and the way she makes the setting seem so real. I like how she was able to leave a chapter feeling complete, but made you want to read on. I also liked how she made each character very relatable and different. I think there could be few improvements to the book personally. I thought that the ending was too perfect it probably could have had some more dialogue and maybe a tiny bit more of action. I also think that it needs a bit more characters because there are only a few. Finally I think that the main characters should have some more encounters with monsters. I personally think that people who like magic, mystical creatures, and mystery should read this book. Also if you like to read the Harry Potter series this book would be perfect for you.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faiszal

 

Title: We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Reader: Yasmin, Grade 12

Rating: 4 stars

 

We Hunt The Flame is the first book of the Sands of Arawiya duology which follows the story of a young woman who becomes the only hope of her country in the face of certain death. Zafira is a hunter, and one of the few who can travel into the mystical but deadly forest that is slowly encroaching upon her village. Her unique abilities land her with an important mission: to journey into the deadly deserts of Arawiya and retrieve an artifact that can restore magic to her country and destroy the forest. But, forces in the kingdom are also working against her as the twisted sultan sends his son, Nasir, to assassinate Zafira and retrieve the artifact to bolster his own tyrannical power. Set in a world based on Arab geography and culture, We Hunt the Flame is a story I’ve never seen before, which makes it both unique and intriguing to read. It effortlessly combines classic fantasy elements with modern plots and gives a look at a culture often under- and misrepresented in the media. I would highly recommend this book to fans of Victoria Aveyard, Sarah J Maas, and fans of the fantasy/ romance genre in general.

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Title: Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Reader: Katherine, Grade 7

Rating: 4 Stars

Ghost by Jason Reynolds is a book about a boy named Castle (called Ghost) in middle school troubled with his past. A bad run-in with his dad puts his dad behind bars. That night was when Ghost learned to run. Ghost has always been a trouble maker until he spontaneously races Lu on a track team catching the attention of the team's coach. Coach eventually convinces him to join track. Despite this new motivation to stay out of trouble Ghost struggles with his ups and downs. I enjoyed the book. It kept you wrapped in the story and it didn’t drag out over long periods of time. It gives you insight into lots of characters' lives and not just Ghost’s. There are things you don’t see coming and it presents perseverance and strength. The book ended in a satisfactory way not leaving it perfect and not leaving you grappling for more information. Through the good and bad decisions, Ghost makes you are able to sympathize with and understand him. The way in which Reynolds had Ghost speak helps you understand his character and why he acts in the ways he does. The book isn't a read that would challenge most teens but it is engaging and interesting. If I were to rate this book out of 5 stars I would give it a 4.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Title: The Old Man and the Sea

Reader: Katherine, Grade 7

Rating: 4 Stars

Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is a truly inspiring tale about perseverance in the most ruthless situations. An old man and a young boy are both baseball-loving fishermen and long-time friends. Having been down on his luck the old man no longer fishes with the boy due to the boy's mother's disapproval. One day as the old man goes out he may find the great fish he’s been looking for. Through the rough conditions and memories the old man brings to the mind will he be able to capture such a great fish?  I would rate this book out of 5 stars a 4. I enjoyed the depth of it and the picture painting vocabulary. Hemingway does a fantastic job of encouraging the imagination to set the scenery for oneself. This book teaches a story of perseverance we all could benefit from though it’s not for the faint of heart. This book is definitely a more difficult read, great for those seeking a challenge. At times it may make you feel as though the book is dragging on.  This book is one you may not entirely enjoy if you are looking for an easier read.

Title: The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Reader: Jaya, Grade 10

Rating: 5 Stars

In The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron, Stefania Podgorska is a cheerful, Catholic, 16-year-old, Polish girl living with a Jewish family, selling chocolates in their grocery store, and enjoying a secret first romance, right up until the Nazis invade Poland during World War II. Starting by just trying to help her beloved employers when they are taken to the Jewish ghetto, Stefania eventually makes the courageous decision to save Jews from extermination or camps by hiding them in her home while also trying to care for her younger sister and deal with Nazi surprises. The Light in Hidden Places is a heart-wrenching story that is very realistic in showing the horrors and stress that Stefania witnessed and suffered. Because it is based on a true story, I constantly found myself wondering what I would have done in those situations and whether I could have been as brave and selfless as Stefania. The book reminded me of a reverse The Diary of a Young Girl/The Diary of Anne Frank, where a teenage girl is experiencing a lot of firsts in life during Nazi occupation, but in this case, Stefania is the savior hiding others, rather than the one hiding. I give the book 5/5 stars and enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Title: Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Reader: Jaya, Grade 10

Rating: 5 Stars

Sixteen-year-old Simon Spier, the main character in Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, is secretly gay, and although he loves his family and friends, it sometimes feels like they just don’t get him. So, it is a big deal when Simon starts chatting anonymously online with “Blue”, someone from his high school who seems to understand him perfectly. As they get closer through emails, Simon must deal with falling for someone online while puzzling out Blue’s true identity, and deal with the challenges of high school, being gay, and coming out to his family. One of my favorite things about this book is how relatable the characters are, as Simon’s struggles and insecurities are both heartwarming and understandably nerve-racking. Some young adult books only portray the stereotypes of high school, but Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda isn’t one of them. The author does an excellent job of conveying how high schoolers really act, think, and feel, especially when faced with troubles. She also does not belittle typical teenage issues and realistically shows the ups and downs of high school. I love this book, give it 5/5 stars, and recommend it to readers who enjoy teen romance, LGBTQ+ stories, or realistic fiction. 

Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao

Title: Blood Heir by Amelie Wen Zhao

Reader: Jaya, Grade 10

Rating: 4 Stars

In Amelie Wen Zhao’s Blood Heir, Crown Princess Anastacya Mikhailov, a secret Affinate with a feared and reviled ability to control others through their blood, fled the royal palace months ago after being framed for her father’s murder and named a traitor to the Cyrilian Empire. Desperate to find her father’s true killer, Ana enlists the help of crime lord Ramson Quicktongue, but soon discovers through Ramson’s underground world that life for Affinates in Cyrilia is not what she had believed. Corruption is engulfing the empire and Ana becomes involved in a mission greater than simply clearing her name. Blood Heir is a fast-paced story filled with interesting characters, impressive fight scenes, cons and double crosses that kept me engaged and surprised. I liked how the author used this fictional adventure to explore serious, real-world problems like oppression and exploitation, and to ask the reader to think about choices and injustice. Since this is the first book in the series though, do not expect satisfying closure because Blood Heir ends without wrapping up any of the storylines. I give the book 4/5 stars and recommend it to middle to high-school fans of fantasy adventure who can tolerate loose-ends and appreciate some social commentary.