Teen Review by Uly B

Glass Sword is a bone chilling sequel to The Red Queen.A craft-fully chosen plot with an emotional edge is what I love about this book. The book opens with Mare and Cal being rescued..but is it worth it? Mare discovers some rather unsavory secrets about those who are closest to her which makes her trust the ones she never would've though of. In this book Mare prepares for war, with the Silvers,and with herself. She doesn't know what to feel..or if to feel at all. In this tragic story of love, fear and war, Mare must face much toil and suffering in order to save those whom she loves. But the question is, is she able to scarify so much and face her biggest enemy? In this chilling novel  Mare Barrow, not Red and not Silver yet stronger then both, will face her biggest fears and will try to prove herself worthy of the title she earned, "Red Queen". This book was a good one yet not as interesting as its prequel Red Queen and I have to say I quiet enjoyed it. I will give this book a solid 7/10.

 

Alexis Verdon's Teen REview of The Hill By Karen Bass

I read "The hill" by Karen Bass. I would rate it 3 and a half stars out of 5. The entire idea of the book is really unique. At times it was hard to follow because of how it was wrote. Your constantly trying to figure things and by the end of the book it leaves you with many questions. The book genre was horror/thriller. I will definitely remember this book because of how unique it was. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a very different kind of read. I'm not familiar with this author but after reading "The hill" I would read more books wrote by her.

Taylor Tomlinson's Teen Review for Ghostopolis

   Garth Hale seems completely okay with the fact that he's dying, and with his luck he accidentally gets transported to Ghostopolis - the land of the dead.

   I've read this book a few years ago, but entirely forgotten the plot, so I decided to read it again. Ghostopolis is a very light read, and I'm glad I picked it. I have a huge appreciation towards graphic novels specifically because authors are able to put your imagination into drawings and pictures, which I think Doug TenNapel did a great job of doing so. Personally, I relate to Frank Gallows more than any other character. He's clumsy and stubborn, yet passionate and heroic. I did love this book, but at times it was a bit all over the place. I was absorbing a lot of information in such a small amount of time. I couldn't process what was going on at certain times throughout the book.

   I would recommend this book to my friends, but my friends actually recommended it to me, so I can't exactly tell them to read it they've already have. Overall, this was an enjoyable book. I clearly liked it - I mean, this is my third time reading it. Therefore, I'm giving this book a well-deserved 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Sam Buck's Teen Review 

Invaded My Melissa Landers

Even though this was the second book in the series and I had not read the first book, the author does a good job of pointing out the majors facts from the first book. The way the author intertwines alien and human life together makes a little part of you believe it could be true. From a readers perspective it was good and well though out. Each character was unique and very developed. I feel like if I had read the first book, I would have enjoyed this book a little more. I would give this book a 6/10.

Teen Reviews By

Vatsal

“The boy at the Top of the Mountain” by John Boyne is a masterpiece of a novel which juggles the horrors of WWII with the innocence of childhood. The novel is about 7 year old Pierrot, who had just became an orphan and has to leave his home to live in Paris, with his Aunt. She is a servant in a in an upper class house. This is taken time during 1936, the uprising of Hitler and the Nazis and the start of World War 2. They are quickly taken under Nazi control and Pierrot is thrown into a world of horror and terror. This is an amazing novel and I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13, I say that because of some of the violence in this novel might not be safe for the younger audience. My favorite component of the novel is the story and the theme. The author does a fantastic job at  showing how hatred and power can beat innocence. This was an amazing novel written by John Boyne and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. I hope to read more novels from the author in the near future.  

 

 

 

I personally dislike the novel, “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews. I gave this book a shot because i had read a book by Jesse Andrews before and it was amazing (the book was, “Me and Earl and the dying girl”). The story is about a couple of kids that love bands that are sent to a Jazz camp over the summer. They hate it and so does another girl named Ash. So they decide to run away from camp and start a band. The only problem is, they are haters. They hate everything. They hate the music others make. They even hate their own music. What i dislike about the book are the characters. They make stupid decisions and what i hate the most is the fact that they can’t appreciate what they have. They must find a way to hate on everything. They don’t look at pros and cons, they just look at the cons at everything. I thought this book would be about haters that would maybe change their ways. But I was wrong. The characters contain the same amount of hate as some politicians. I like the style the book was written in. I really like the author Jesse Andrews but this book was a disappointment for me. I do not recommend this book to any of my friends or family members. I’m usually optimistic when it come to giving reviews to book but i really did not enjoy this book. So therefore I give this book a poor 2 out of 5 stars.  

 

I think the book You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan is an amazing book for teens to read this summer. This is a novel tracing the powerful friendship of two lovesick teenagers—a gay boy, Mark, and a lesbian girl, Katie—over the course of Pride Week in San Francisco. Told in alternating chapters, You Know Me Well explores how Mark and Katie help one another overcome heartbreak, fractured friendships and the dizzying speeds of change. I would recommend this book for every teen. It is a great book for teens confused about their own sexualities. This is a two-perspective novel written with the concept of pride and LGBTQ happiness. The authors have done a great job at developing characters like Mark and Katie. They have also made the story poetic and lyrical. There are a few issues I have with the plot like the unrealistic world they were living in where everyone was accepting of the LGTBQ community, especially in high school where they are more likely to be made fun of their sexualities. There are a few problems with the plot at times and it often had me reading pages more than twice over  but other than that this is actually a really good novel. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. I didn’t give it 5 out of 5 because of the confusing plot at times but the authors did a great job writing this book.



 

The book, “This Book Love You” is a comedy and advice book written by youtube phenom PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg) full of amazing colourful illustrations that are sure to appeal to his millions of followers. I’m not really a fan of PewDiePie and his videos and I was a bit skeptical when picking this book because of the lack of text but i gave it a shot. The book is full of hilarious advice and quotes by PewDiePie and is full of nice and bright illustrations. The Illustrations go well with the funny quotes. However, the advice in this book should not be taken seriously. They are for laughs and are parodying popular quotes on the internet to suit PewDiePie’s sense of humor. This book made me feel better about myself and made me laugh at a few parts. After reading this book, I realized that Felix Kjellberg is a better person than I thought, he thinks positive and has a great sense of humor. In my opinion, the greatest aspects of this book has to be the nice, creative illustrations and the witty humor. The only negative part about this book is when Felix sometimes tries to boast his ego, which is already massive. But other than that, I would recommend this book to someone who wants a quick read for a humorous book. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of PewDiePie and a fan of his humor. Personally, I would recommend this book to a friend or family because it is funny. So to conclude, this is a humorous advice book with amazing illustrations and is a great book for anyone looking for a quick and easy read. I give this book a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. This book is well designed and is a great quick read.

 

 

 

Long Walk to Valhalla by Adam Smith Inspired Two Teen Reviews!

This graphic novel is about a boy and his strange brother, a dead baby and an awful father. Emotionally moving and slightly scary this graphic novel moved me to deep thoughts and actually made me cry.
Long Walk To Valhalla is an amazing graphic novel and I give in a 7/10. -Uly B


Long walk to Valhalla by Adam Smith is a must read graphic novel for anyone. I picked this book because it was a graphic novel and I really enjoy reading graphic novels. This book has an amazing, well written story. It made me want to keep reading and wanting the authors to write a sequel to the book. It made me want to read more and more, wanting to know what is going to happen next This book is about Rory, who grew up in rural Arkansas with his abusive father and his mentally challenged older brother, Joe. Rory  is often called brave by people for staying close with his, “retarded” (What their father called Joe) brother. But Joe is Rory’s best friend and loves him more than anyone else. But one day while Rory was driving for a new job interview, his car broke and noticed a young girl named Sylvia appears from the corn fields. Sylvia is a Valkyrie sent by the Norse god Odin to deliver Rory to Valhalla. And that was where Rory’s perception of life completely changes. My favourite part about the book is the sad yet happy ending, the well written story and the well developed characters.  I would recommend this book to anyone. I give this amazing graphic novel a 5/5 stars.   -Vatsal

Check Out These Bullet Reviews by Uly B

Fever by Lauren DeStefano is a fast paced sequel to Wither, with even more action and secrets. Fever is a dark and disturbing read following the life of Rhine Ellery after she escaped the clutches of her housemaster,and her misfortunes on the way to trying to find her twin. I thought this book was very well written and with a very interesting plot. I'll give this book a 8/10.

 

A slightly darker twist on Peter Pan, Unhooked (by Lisa Maxwell) is no Disney fairytale. In this Neverland nothing is ever what it seems. An intense novel of survival ,friendship and a very inicritly woven web of secrets ,this book is much more then I expected. I adored this book and I'll give it a 9/10.

This novel is about magical sirens luring people towards their deaths. But sirens are people too.With hearts that ache and love. Kallen has always been faithful to the Ocean but a turn of events changes everything. A darker twist on the little Mermaid this book is everything I've been looking for. Just enough fairy tale, dark secrets and heartbreak to get me on the edge of my seat. This book is really amazing and I give it a 9.5/10.

New Reviews in this Week

By Uly. B

The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim by Shane Peacock

Good Reads Summary

Edgar Brim is a sensitive orphan who, exposed to horror stories from his father as a young child, is afraid of almost everything and suffers from nightly terrors. His stern new guardian, Mr. Thorne, sends the boy to a gloomy school in Scotland where his dark demons only seem to worsen and he is bullied and ridiculed for his fears. But years later, when sixteen-year-old Edgar finds a journal belonging to his novelist father, he becomes determined to confront his nightmares and the bullies who taunt him. After the horrific death of a schoolmate, Edgar becomes involved with an eccentric society at the urging of a mysterious professor who believes that monsters from famous works of literature are real and whose mandate is to find and destroy these creatures. With the aid of a rag-tag crew of friends, the fear-addled teen sets about on his dark mission, one that begins in the cemetery on the bleak Scottish moors and ends in a spine-chilling climax on the stage of the Royal Lyceum Theatre in London with Henry Irving, the infamous and magnetic actor, and his manager, Bram Stoker, the author of the most frightening and sensational novel of the day, Dracula. Can Edgar Brim truly face his terror and conquer his fears?

Teen Review

The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim is an exciting tale of a young boy and some very real monsters. This book is a masterpiece I couldn't put down. There were enough twists and turns to make my head spin! A very unexpected twist on some very known fairy tales, this book made me wish there was a sequel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would give it a 9/10.

 23 Minutes by Vivian Velde

 Good Reads Summary

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret ability: she can travel back in time twenty-three minutes to relive events she wants to change. But Zoe has learned from experience that this is more curse than gift. Things almost never end well and people just tend to think she’s crazy.

But when she steps into a bank to get out of the rain and finds herself in the middle of a robbery gone horrifyingly wrong, Zoe knows she’s the only one who can help. The problem is, she has only a limited number of tries to make things right. Plus, a single mistake could get her killed—and not even time travel could bring her back from that.

Zoe has always considered herself a loser, about as far from a heroine as a girl can get. Now she has to dig deep to find a strength she never thought she possessed.  

 Teen Review

23 Minutes is an emotional thriller about a sort of normal girl with a exceptional ability. That ability being, she could turn back time 23 minutes. And when she gets caught up in a bank robbery her ability becomes vital.
With loads of action and a very charming young man, this book is an edge of your seat read. I really liked this book and I'll give it a 8/10.

Wither By Lauren DeStefano

 Good Reads Summary

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

Teen Review

This book is an emotional roller coaster all the way through. But it's not just romance blooming in this book..it's also dark and dangerous secrets. When Rhine Ellery gets chosen to become a bride of one of the richest men in her County, she is forced to leave her family and her life behind. Because the new generation lives only 20 years female and 25 years male, the old generation is frantic to find the antidote in the children of the new generation.
Rhine seeks the secrets of the dark mansion she is forced to live in with 2 other brides while her new father in law plans something sinister ..
Wither is a slightly disturbing read but overall quite exciting.
Overall I give this book a 6/10.

Red Queen

Good Reads Summary

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.  

Teen Review

In a world where everyone is divided by the colour of their blood ,silver and red ,lives Mer. Being a red blood she is forced to work for and worship the silvers. A sudden change of events makes her see the world with a new colour. And what she sees makes her more scared of the silvers then ever.
With romance ,action and a lot of unexpected events, this book has a cliffhanger on every chapter.
I loved this book and I'll give it a 9.5/ 10.



       Teen Book Review: Fall of the Butterflys by Andrea Potter

 

 

Good Reads Summary

Willa Parker, 646th and least popular resident of What Cheer, Iowa, is headed east to start a new life.

Did she choose this new life? No, because that would be too easy—and nothing in Willa’s life is easy. It’s her famous genius mother’s idea to send her to ultra-expensive, ultra-exclusive Pembroke Prep, and it’s only the strength of her name that got Willa accepted in the first place.

But Willa has no intentions of fitting in at Pembroke. She’s not staying long, she decides. Not at this school—and not on this planet. But when she meets peculiar, glittering Remy Taft, the richest, most mysterious girl on campus, she starts to see a foothold in this foreign world—a place where she could maybe, possibly, sort of fit.

When Willa looks at Remy, she sees a girl who has everything. But for Remy, having everything comes at a price. And as she spirals out of control, Willa can feel her spinning right out of her grasp.

In Willa’s secret heart, all she’s ever wanted is to belong. But if Remy, the girl who gave her this world, is slip-sliding away, is Willa meant to follow her down?

Teen Review

 

The Fall of Butterflies written by the brilliant, Andrea Portes, whom of which wrote my personal favorite novel, The Anatomy of a Misfit. I had a feeling her second young adult novel would  be good and (spoiler alert!) It was! It tells a story of a young girl who has given up on life, for good. She is forced into moving away to a boarding school, a school she got into because of her demeaning and entitled mother, who just happens to be very famous. As soon as she gets to this school she has plans to end it all, but then she meets someone quite amazing. A beautiful, adventurous and very mysterious girl who was born with wings and has the need to fly. She shows our main character, Willa, just how great life can be and how great you can pretend it to be. Before long, this great person shows Willa and the audience that some lives, even if they may seem perfect on the outside, they are most often screwed up, and can be toxic to those around them. However, this book was not as amazing as her first but, nonetheless, this book speaks beautifully about friendship, life, love and adventure and left me with something that will never fly away. I give this book ⅘ stars.

Teen Reviewer-Ella Raine



Teen Book Review: Dumplin' by Julie Murphy 

 

 

 

Good Reads Summary

 

Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.

Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.  

 

 

 

Teen Review

 

When I started this book, I was skeptical. It's based in Texas and is about beauty pageants which aren't really my thing, but then I picked it up. Reading this story helped changed my point of view and way of thinking about some things and that's why I love it so much.  This book is about relationships between a boy and a girl, best friends, mother and daughter and the protagonist and herself. It showed how you can love your own skin and hate it, be sure of yourself and unsure of yourself, all at the same time. The way she refused to change who she was, no matter what anyone else said but still managed to develop as a character was remarkable. All of the characters are wonderful and make you wish you lived in that little town in Texas.  I would recommend this book to anyone who's ever felt uncomfortable in their skin, who's ever had passion for something and for anyone who's ever loved before. I wouldn't give this five stars completely, just because the book can move a little slowly at times, so I'd have to give it a solid 4/5. 

 

Teen Reviewer Ella



TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Bloodwitch (#1 Maeve'ra Series) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Goodreads Summary

A gripping tale about loyalty, power, and the quest for freedom
Vance Ehecatl was raised with every luxury he could imagine in a beautiful greenhouse within the powerful empire of Midnight. Vampires are the only guardians Vance has ever known since he was abandoned by his shapeshifter family as a baby quetzal, and he is grateful to them for generously providing for all of his needs. When an act of violence forces Vance from his sheltered home, he is startled to meet Malachi Obsidian, a fellow shapeshifter with conflicting ideas about Midnight and its leader, Mistress Jeshickah.



Malachi claims Vance is a bloodwitch, who Jeshickah and her trainers, Jaguar and Taro, are trying to control. Vance doesn't know anything about the rare and destructive magic Malachi says he possesses, and he can't believe Jeshickah would use it to hurt others. But when his friends begin falling ill, Vance starts to realize his perfect world may not be as flawless as it seems. Now Vance must decide who to trust-the vampires he's always relied upon, or the shapeshifters who despise them.

Teen Review

Bloodwitch is a fantasy that will keep the reader on his/her seat. Vance, the main character is a fourteen year old shapeshifter who can change from human form to Quetzal. A Quetzal is a bird like creature that models for his master and is the keeper of the greenhouse where he lives. Vance's Mistress Jeshickah, is in charge of Midnight, the empire where they live. 

In this fantasy world, there is another twist- the leaders of the town are all vampires. When Vance is forced to leave the safety of the greenhouse because of a tragedy, the story really starts to get interesting. At this point the author does a fantastic job of introducing new characters, with great detail that allows you to picture the characters even when some of them exist only in her imagination and would not appear in the real world. 

The one thing I found difficult about the book was how strange the names where and how hard it was to follow at times.  As the book goes on, the main character Vance learns things about himself that he never knew. He has to choose between the life he knew and a life of unknowns. 

 "I think we'll found out what you are together", Jaguar answered. "As it happens, I remember being your age, and am of the opinion that a young man's full potential is rarely obvious at this point in his life." 


Teen Reviewer: Jillian       

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Goodreads summary

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”


Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

Teen Review

99 Days, by Katie Cotugno is a roller coaster ride. An epic one at that. This romance novel had me hooked from the first chapter, not only in its story but in its brilliant writing as well. Katie Cotugno didn’t once fail to intrigue throughout this entire novel. I was constantly on edge, trying to keep up.

This story is difficult to compare to any other. There are many novels that portray a young couple falling in love, but this one is the only one that perfectly portrays the exhilarating highs and the stomach-dipping lows of falling in love. 

I was excited to read this book as soon as I had picked it up. I had read the synopsis and thoroughly looked over the cover, however, I discovered that the synopsis (though intriguing) did not do the book justice. This romance novel allowed me to feel like I was right beside the main character. I was given a front row seat as she cycled through all of the obstacles that her journey held for her, watching closely as she made the decisions I had been eagerly anticipating.

This truly brilliant romance novel lets us witness the beautiful, ambitious roller coaster ride, that we call love.

Teen Reviewer: Rachel

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brokenbrough

Good Reads Summary

Antony and Cleopatra. Helen of Troy and Paris. Romeo and Juliet. And now... Henry and Flora.
For centuries Love and Death have chosen their players. They have set the rules, rolled the dice, and kept close, ready to influence, angling for supremacy. And Death has always won. Always.

Could there ever be one time, one place, one pair whose love would truly tip the balance?
Meet Flora Saudade, an African-American girl who dreams of becoming the next Amelia Earhart by day and sings in the smoky jazz clubs of Seattle by night. Meet Henry Bishop, born a few blocks and a million worlds away, a white boy with his future assured—a wealthy adoptive family in the midst of the Great Depression, a college scholarship, and all the opportunities in the world seemingly available to him.

The players have been chosen. The dice have been rolled. But when human beings make moves of their own, what happens next is anyone’s guess.
Achingly romantic and brilliantly imagined, The Game of Love and Deathis a love story you will never forget.

Teen Review

The Game of Love and Death written by author Martha Brockenbrough follows the lives of two star-crossed lovers. Flora, an African-American girl who aspires to become the next Amelia Earhart while working as a jazz singer in Seattl;, and Henry, a Caucasian boy who comes from a wealthy adoptive family, spends his day focusing on school, baseball, and his love of music. Although their backgrounds and the prejudices of the 1930s separate them in many ways, they have one thing in common, they are both pawns in a game that is played by love and death.

The Game of Love and Death is a complex and intense love story that will keep you guessing till the very end. Author Martha Brockenbrough not only writes about the complexities of love and death and their impact on the human experience, she also discusses issues that impacted both people in the 1930s and in modern day such as racism, mortality, poverty, and accepting one's self for who they truly are. Because such issues are prevalent in today’s society the novel allows the reader to bond with the characters and their struggles.

In short, The Game of Love and Death is a novel that should be put on every avid reader’s “must read list”. Whether someone is new to the genre of romance or has read thousands of romance novels this novel is sure to be a fantastic read with a message about life that will stick with the reader for years to come.

Stephanie (Teen Reviewer)

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Good Reads Summary

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other. 

Vanishing Girls has a magnificent plot line and story. The characters in this novel we’re great, they were very relatable and had unique personalities. The main character “Nick” who was the oldest sister was a great character to follow throughout the story, her determination and willpower to find her sister made her the best character to lead us through this novel.

The ending of this novel will really have you gasping. It has the most unexpected ending and will keep you wanting more. The novel is extremely well written and the grammar was extremely good as well.

Lauren Oliver is an amazing and creative author. This novel will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, till the very last page.

I highly recommend this novel to teens who like a mystery thriller read.

Teen Review

 

“Vanishing Girls” is an amazing novel written by Lauren Oliver. This novel is about two sisters, in which one goes missing and the other sets out to find her, whether her sister was kidnapped or ran away she’ll have to find out the truth the hard way. Vanishing Girls will always have your jaw dropping, with its unimaginable twists and unexpected events. The ending will definitely shock you.

Vanishing Girls has a magnificent plot line and story. The characters in this novel we’re great, they were very relatable and had unique personalities. The main character “Nick” who was the oldest sister was a great character to follow throughout the story, her determination and willpower to find her sister made her the best character to lead us through this novel.

The ending of this novel will really have you gasping. It has the most unexpected ending and will keep you wanting more. The novel is extremely well written and the grammar was extremely good as well.

Lauren Oliver is an amazing and creative author. This novel will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, till the very last page.

I highly recommend this novel to teens who like a mystery thriller read.

Anissa (Teen Reviewer)

Teen Book Reviewer Information

How to I become a Teen Book Reviewer?

Fill out an Orillia Public Library Teen Volunteer form available at the volunteer desk in the front lobby or in the Teen Section on the second floor. Hand in the completed review to a staff member at the Youth Services desk or at the Children’s and Youth Department on the first floor. If you don’t hear back right away don’t be afraid to stop by and ask about volunteering in person!

What books are available for review?

Most “New” books in the teen section are available for review.

How do I write a book review?

Whether you've read something you loved or couldn't stand, tell everyone about it!  A quick review is fine - share your overall impression or rate the book out of 5 stars.

We are looking for a review that is ½ to 1 page double spaced maximum! Be sure to tell everyone what you liked or didn’t like about the book any why without giving everything away!

Make sure you proof read your review.  Sometimes it’s helpful for a friend or family member to look it over. When you are all done email your completed review to ltoutant@orilliapubliclibrary.ca.

If you're not sure what to say about the book, here are some questions and ideas to think about:

• Is the book memorable or forgettable? Why or why not?
• What books, movies, or TV shows did the book remind you of? How does it compare?
• Are you familiar with this author? If yes, how does this book compare to the author's other books? If not, would you want to read another book by this author?
• Would you recommend this book to anyone? Describe the person you think would like this book.
• How would you describe the writing style?
• Could you tell what themes or moods the author was trying to express? Do you think they accomplished their goals?
• Were the characters interesting or believable?

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer

Good Reads Summary

Then: That is, until the fateful flash of a photo booth camera transports the four of them back in time, to the summer they were fifteen—the summer everything changed.

Now: The girls must recreate the past in order to return to the present. As they live through their second-chance summer, the mystery behind their lost friendship unravels, and a dark secret threatens to tear the girls apart all over again.

Always: Summers end. But this one will change them forever.

Before: It was the perfect summer of first kisses, skinny-dipping, and bonfires by the lake. Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe knew their final summer at Camp Okahatchee would come to an end, but they swore they’d stay friends.

After: Now, two years later, their bond has faded along with those memories.

Teen Review

Proof of Forever is a heartwarming story that reveals what true friendship is, and that having it can affect you as a person. Four girls named Zoe, Tali, Joy and Luce, are all bound to Camp Okahatchee. Every summer they attend, as it is significant to their friendship. When their last summer at camp rolls around, they promise each other to be friends forever. Then, Joy leaves, and their friendship falls apart. Two years later, Camp Okahatchee has a reunion night, which they all attend. The four girls are transported back to that last summer at camp. This crazy, unexpected experience reveals secrets, gives the girls a second chance, and leaves them all asking one important question.

Are they stuck in the past?

In this beautiful, touching, and inspirational tale, Lexa Hillyer shows her readers the truths of friendship, and that when you receive a second chance, take it, as you may be surprised by what it leads to.

Overall, Proof of Forever was the most developed and complex book I've read this summer, even though it was Hillyer's first novel. I strongly recommend this novel to those looking for a soulful read, or those who like books that are thought-provoking. Hillyer's story will not disappoint, and will leave you breathless at the end. I guarantee you will not only enjoy, but learn something important from this book.

"What would you give for a second chance?"

Enjoy,

Tamara (Teen Book Reviewer) 

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Beware of the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Amazon Summary:

There's something about the swamp in Sticks, Louisiana. Something different, something haunting . . . something alive. Everyone knows this, and everyone avoids going near it. And even the Mardi Gras-bead-decorated fence that surrounds it keeps people away.

Until one morning when Sterling Saucier's older brother, Phineas, runs into the swamp . . .

And doesn't return.

Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out in his place, and all of a sudden, no one in Sticks remembers Phin at all. They treat Lenora May as if she's been Sterling's sister forever.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance-but first she's got to find someone who believes her.

Heath Durham might be that someone. A loner shrouded behind rumors of drug addiction, Heath has had his own strange experience with the swamp. He and Sterling will have to piece together enough bits of memory and ancient swamp lore to get to the truth. But as the wild swamp encroaches on their town, Sterling and Heath may find a lot more than they expected . . . and Phin may be lost to them forever.

Book Review:

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker was surprisingly fantastic, especially considering it's her first novel. Parker puts together love, humour, friendship, loyalty and action into this book, who's title reveals its true nature. 

Beware the Wild takes place in a small town in Louisiana named Sticks. Like most towns near this part of the U.S., Sticks holds its own myths and secrets, regarding the swamp that everyone is deadly afraid of. The swamp is said to hold unimaginable terrors, such as monsters, witches, and the like. One day, Sterling Saucier's brother, Phin, goes missing, and she becomes involved with the swamp in the worst way possible. Her brother is replaced by a girl from the swamp named Lenora May. Everyone but Sterling forgets about Phin, as if he never existed. Lenora May takes over his life and no one seems to notice she shouldn't be there. Then, Sterling meets a boy named Heath, who not only believes her story, but has one of his own. 

Sterling and Heath must struggle to face the swamp's mysteries in order to get their loved ones back. In an action packed, nail biting, edge of your seat tale, Parker teaches her readers that taking risks can lead to so much more than a good outcome, as long as you're willing to go all in.

I strongly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fantasy, a bit of thrill and mild humor. You will not regret reading it. Parker's novel will open your eyes, and show you not to take things for advantage because you never know when they might disappear. I give this book a nine out of ten for Parker's intriguing way of exploring this type of genre, and the messages it leaves behind.

"Secrets are never so dangerous as when they've been forgotten"- Sterling

Enjoy, 
Tamara (Teen Book Reviewer) 

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

Amazon Summary:

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this darkly funny novel from the critically acclaimed author of The Beginning of Everything.

Up until his diagnosis, Lane lived a fairly predictable life. But when he finds himself at a tuberculosis sanatorium called Latham House, he discovers an insular world with paradoxical rules, med sensors, and an eccentric yet utterly compelling confidante named Sadie—and life as Lane knows it will never be the same.

Robyn Schneider's Extraordinary Means is a heart-wrenching yet ultimately hopeful story about the miracles of first love and second chances.

Book Review:

Hands down, my favourite book of the summer. This endearing tale of two thriving tuberculosis teens definitely puts the “awwww” in astounding. In this story, Teen Latham House (a tuberculosis sanatorium) patients Sadie and Lane explore the wonders of taking a path less travelled. This book had my undivided attention all the way through and overall was wonderfully written; Chapters not too long, not too short, characters of all personalities, and a plotline that will warm your heart. 

No doubt, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good novel to read the night away. Robyn Schneider did a fantastic job at fully capturing the heart and soul feelings of these two very strong characters. Overall, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars because I did really enjoy the story but would have loved to known a bit more background on Sadie… but despite that I really loved reading this book; and kudos to Robyn on a written masterpiece. Wonderful job! “Life goes on, until it doesn’t.”~ Robyn Schneider, Extraordinary Means~ 2015

Jenna (Teen Reviewer)

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

Amazon Summary:

In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.

Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose

Book Review:

Daughter of Deep Silence is an intriguing, breathtaking and rather mysterious read. For those who applaud the Horror and Suspense genre, this book is calling your name and demands to be read! I find it incredibly hard to compare this book to any other I have ever read. Its originality has rendered me speechless, which is saying a lot. Sure, there are many books featuring shipwrecks and all that is left in its wake, but this book strays from the others with its powerful story that kept me on edge. Carrie Ryan strayed from the standard Horror and Suspense novels and left me thoroughly satisfied with my new choice in genre.

When Frances and her best friend Libby are the only living beings left in the wake of the “deadly devastation” of the Persephone, it’s a climb for life on the slope of death. Though this book may be hard to relate to on a literal sense, we can see ourselves faced with many of the same problems that Frances is faced with and are empathetic of her situation.

We never know what lengths Frances will go to, to avenge the deaths of her loved ones and everyone else aboard the Persephone, including her best friend Libby. I cannot stress the extent of this book’s suspense; the best way to understand would be to indulge in the novel, which is exactly what I would recommend. 

Rachel S (Teen Reviewer)

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff

Amazon Summary:

Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is. 


If only Trent could make that fresh start happen.


It isn’t until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little—the girl with the mysterious scar across her face—that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren’t always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it.

Book Review:

Lost in the Sun, written by Lisa Graff, is a story about Trent, a young boy in the 6^th grade, who accidentally killed someone. The book revolves around his life after he was affected by this incident. Things such as, friends leaving him, siblings of the victim scolding him and Trent himself, having trouble getting past this tragic event.

I found this book very interesting. The characters seemed realistic and alive, expressing believable  emotions for the appropriate moment. Trent himself felt so real because of the emotions and thoughts he expresses. Also, throughout the story, Trent really only has one friend, Fallon. She too is going through troubles in life because of a scar across her forehead. I enjoyed how they both kept each other at bay because of their similar situations, with Trent being hated by almost everyone and Fallon being made fun of because of a scar across her face.

The story was also quite nice; the tale of a boy who just wants to live a normal life, but because of a tragic event, almost everyone around him dislikes or is even scared of him. I also enjoyed how Trent had to fix issues with friends and even family because of the “event”. It made me happy to see all these characters slowly getting along.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I regularly read it and it was hard for me to put it down. In short, the characters were amazing and realistic; the story kept me at the edge of my seat and the whole atmosphere was fantastic. Overall, I give this book an 8.5/10.

Michael C. (Teen Reviewer)