Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Title: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Rating: 4 stars
Review Writer: Ava P.

Heartbroken Evangeline Fox makes a desperate deal with the mysterious Prince of Hearts, Jacks, to stop her true love from marrying another. The bargain leads her into a world of magic, dangerous curses, and tangled secrets. As she journeys through enchanted realms, Evangeline must outwit cursed princes, face treacherous enemies, and confront her own heart’s desires. Along the way, she discovers that the price of her wishes may be more than she ever imagined.
 
I enjoyed how the author creates such an unusual world with so many intricate and intriguing characters who are unlike any that I have read about before. I really liked that the storyline is so unique and really fun and light-hearted. The only thing I disliked about the book was that it had a slower start which made it harder for me to get pulled into in the beginning.
 
I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a fantasy that is light-hearted and adventure-filled with strong and unique characters. Overall I rate this book a 4/5 stars.
 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

 

Title: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Rating: 4 stars

Review Writer: Ava P.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black follows Jude, a mortal girl living in the treacherous world of Faeries, where deception and power struggles define everyday life. When she and her sisters are brought to the realm of Faerie, Jude must navigate its dangerous politics and cruel inhabitants, including the charming but ruthless Prince Cardan. Determined to earn a place in the faerie court, Jude faces unimaginable challenges that test her loyalty, ambition, and strength. I liked the complex and detailed descriptions of the book’s settings - it really gives the reader a clear view of what the unusual world of Faerie looks like and helps the reader understand and almost see how magical the mysterious world is. Additionally, I really liked how Holly Black made Jude so empowering.  Jude is fearless, strong, and incredibly cunning which I really liked because it made the story more entertaining. One of the only things I disliked about the book was how sometimes the plot was a little hard to understand as it was so intricately written - at points, I was very confused about what was going on. In addition to that, not much information is given at the beginning which makes it even more confusing as readers almost have to figure out certain parts on their own. I would recommend this book to readers who like political fantasies and plot twists on every page with a very small romance subplot. Overall I rate this book 4/5 stars.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Title: Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

Rating: 4 stars

Review Writer: Ava P.

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace is a fantasy about Signa, an orphan who has a strange connection to Death himself. When she is invited to her remaining relatives’ secluded estate, she uncovers dark secrets about her family and it all ties to Death. As she grapples with newfound powers and the dangerous secrets they uncover, Signa must navigate the new world she has been accepted into while uncovering the truth about her mysterious past. I liked how the author was very detailed in her descriptions and had complicated characters throughout the book. The characters are intricately written which makes it harder to determine who is behind the mysteries Signa must uncover. The only thing I disliked about the book was how at times, it felt rather rushed and too fast-paced for my taste. Otherwise the story was really thrilling and exciting to read. I would recommend this book to people who like to try and solve mysteries themselves when they are reading a book, this particular book has so many twists and turns that it will always keep them guessing. Overall, I rate this a 4 out of 5 stars.

The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo

Title: The Beatryce Prophecy

Rating: 4 stars 

Review Writer: Quinn T.

“The Beatryce Prophecy” by Kate DiCamillo takes place in a medieval setting, centered around a young girl named Beatryce, who has no memory of her life and is said to be involved in an ancient prophecy. In her adventures, she becomes acquainted with Brother Edik, a monk, along with a lion and a young boy. Together, they embark on a mission to discover Beatryce’s secret identity. Along the way, she begins to visit sites that cause her to recollect her past; I think the author weaves these moments into the story beautifully, and each character is written in a unique way. Despite the peculiar setting, the protagonists in this story are relatable and distinct. Though DiCamillo is more well-known for “The Tale of Despereaux” and “Because of Winn Dixie”, I think her less prevalent novels, such as “The Beatryce Prophecy” are equally enticing and worth reading. Though the plot of this story could be viewed as cliche, I think it is well written and memorable. I recommend this novel to fantasy and historical fiction readers, along with fans of Kate DiCamillo. This story has relevant, timeless, magical themes and amazing imagery.

Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor

Book: Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor

Rating: 4 stars

Review writer: Quinn T.

Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor is set in a small, rural town in Australia. The small community of Durton, or ‘dirt town’ as referred to by the residents, is shaken when a 12 year old girl, Esther Bianchi, goes missing. In each chapter, the perspective switches to a new character, such as Esther's friend Lewis, her mother, and the lead detective on the case. With each new point of view, new and shocking details about Esther’s life and disappearance are revealed. Constance, Esther’s mother, begins uncovering astonishing stories about Esther’s father and the history of Durton. This novel gives a haunting portrayal of this decaying town and a deep view into the complexities of each character. Despite the horrifying nature of this story, it is incredibly realistic. I recommend Dirt Creek to fans of mystery and horror fiction; the author does an amazing job of keeping the reader on their toes while also creating realistic and yet twisted characters. Though I think it could be hard to keep track of the switching points of views and various characters, this novel is highly enthralling and will leave you awestruck.

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

Book: Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma 

Rating: 4 stars 

Review Writer: Vihaan J

Immortal Dark is a dark fantasy novel about Kidan Adane, an orphan who wants to discover the truth behind her sister's disappearance. The book is set in a world where humans can gain powers through vampire companions, which means Kidan must infiltrate Uxlay University and live with the vampire she believes is responsible for her sister's tragedy. Kidan finds herself caught in a power struggle between humans and vampires as she unravels many secrets about a hidden society. One thing I liked about the book was its blend of mythology and vampire lores. All of the characters feel complex and relatable. Although the book slows down at some times, it all eventually builds up to the tension and the thrill of the book fans of The Cruel Prince and other fantasy books would enjoy this novel

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Book: Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Rating: 4 stars

Review Writer: Vihaan J

    “Past Present Future” is a heartfelt sequel to “Today Tonight Tomorrow” by Rachel Lynn Solomon. This story follows Rowan and Neil, high school rivals turned lovers. It follows their journey into their first year at college in different cities. Rowan is in Boston, attempting to become a novelist, while Neil is in New York, trying to navigate his mental health issues. Throughout the story, we see how their relationship is tested through new life challenges. One thing I liked about this book was the characters Rowan and Neil. They were both relatable in their unique ways as they were adjusting to college life. I enjoyed reading about Rowan finding her voice as a writer and Neil’s in-depth mental health battle. However, there was one thing that I didn’t like about the story. Some parts of it were very repetitive, especially their doubts about their relationship. I also wish there were more resolutions to some of the other side plots in the story. Overall, I would recommend this book to older teens who enjoy personal growth stories.