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.

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 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: Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn

Amazon Summary:

By now, twelve-year-old Spirit Holden should have inherited the family gift: the ability to see the future. But when she holds a house key in her hand like her dad does to read its owner's destiny, she can't see anything. Maybe it's because she can't get over the loss of her beloved dog, Sky, who died mysteriously. 

Sky was Spirit's loyal companion, one of the wild dogs that the local islanders believe possess dangerous spirits. As more dogs start dying and people become sick, too, almost everyone is convinced that these dogs and their spirits are to blame--except for Spirit. 

Then Sky's ghost appears, and Spirit is shaken. But his help may be the key to unlocking her new power and finding the cause of the mysterious illness before it's too late. Spirit's Key is Edith Cohn's debut novel.

Book Review:

Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn is filled with mystery, passion, bravery and love. Spirit, the main character in the book, is a brave, caring and a understanding teenager who goes out of her way to find a way to discover the future that lies in keys. 

Spirit lives on a low populated island called Bald Island. The local towns people are afraid of Spirit's dog and what hides in its body: some people call it an evil spirit, as well locals think the same about the  "baldies" that  are  hidden in the woods. 

As the story enfolds, you will learn more about the history of Bald Island and what all the towns people are afraid of. The author does a great job with expressing all feelings in each character as well each" Baldie". 

One of my favorite parts of  the book is when Spirit rides down  a dirt road to the beach with Sky and a friend named Nector. She is riding her bike so fast she feels like she is flying. But Nector doesn't see Sky like Spirit does or see Sky at all. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little romance, happiness and a thirst for mystery.  This book is about  Spirit's Past and everyone's Future and it all lies in the hands of Spirit!

Jillian W. (Teen 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)

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

SPOILER ALERT!!!  This review may contain spoilers!!

Amazon Summary

Caden Bosch is on a ship that's headed for the deepest point on Earth: Challenger Deep, the southern part of the Marianas Trench.

Caden Bosch is a brilliant high school student whose friends are starting to notice his odd behavior.

Caden Bosch is designated the ship's artist in residence, to document the journey with images.

Caden Bosch pretends to join the school track team but spends his days walking for miles, absorbed by the thoughts in his head.

Caden Bosch is split between his allegiance to the captain and the allure of mutiny.
Caden Bosch is torn.

A captivating and powerful novel that lingers long beyond the last page, Challenger Deep is a heartfelt tour de force by one of today's most admired writers for teens.

Book Review

Challenger Deep is a fascinating novel focusing on the life of 15 year old Caden who suffers from a mental illness.  His story takes a series of twists and turns as his perception of normal life mixes with illusions of make believe. 

Caden believes that he is on a boat ride to the Marianas Trench, ultimately ending up in a dark and foreboding place called Challenger Deep. But in reality, Caden has been placed in a psychiatric facility due to his erratic behaviour.  Even under the treatment of psychiatrists and medication Caden continues to struggle with his own inner demons and sanity. 

Through his travels within his mind, Caden eventually has an epiphany that allows him to escape from his trip. This brings a sense of calmness and enlightenment to Caden allowing him to move forward and return home. 

This book had a much darker aspect then I originally expected at the onset. I found Caden to be an interesting character and his experiences insightful. I would recommend this book as I enjoyed reading Challenger Deep. I would rate this novel a four out of five.

Joshua (Teen Reviewer)

BOOK REVIEW: The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler

Good Reads Summary:

When Alice's father goes down in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon--an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within.

It seems her uncle is more than he says he is. But then so is Alice.

Book Review:

The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler is filled with adventure, a little romance and fantasy. Alice, the main character in the book is a studious young lady who after losing her father goes to live with one of her uncles who she has never met. In her new home, a mansion also known as "The Library" she meets Emma, a plain looking girl who is a servant on the estate. As Alice begins to settle in and explore her new home, she starts to question what happened to her father and looks to the others in "The Library" for answers, this is where the book gets interesting.

 

 

Django Wexler does a good job describing Alice and the other characters in the book so that it is easy to build a picture in your mind of what the characters are doing and expressing. The author chose the right number of characters so that the reader would not be confused about where they fit in. There are lots of plot twists that keep you interested. Each twist had lots of detail, and many supporting ideas that helped you feel connected to the novel. The chapters are the right length for reading in the car and the right length for capping over what was happening, enough detail so it was a good story but not too much that you would lose interest. It was an easy book to read and understand. I liked that the author put some images in the book. As the book goes on, Alice's adventures become more extreme. Alice moves into a fantasy world full of fairies, magic, and monsters. One of my favourite quotes from the book is:

 

"Ashes," Alice said, in a tone of extremely strained patience. "Where are we?" He sighed, which was an odd sound to hear from a cat.

"We're inside the book, of course. The one you read; The Swarm." Alice laughed.

"You're not serious."

"Don't ask questions if you don't want to hear the answers," Ashes said. He swished his tail, offended, and started off down one of the corridors. Alice, feeling the first thrills of fear, hurried after him.

"All right, all right," she said. "We're inside the book. How did we get here?"

"You brought us," the cat said. "You have the gift, apparently. You're a reader."

 

If you like fantasy books, action and mysteries, then this would be a great book for you to try to unravel. Once you begin you won't want to put the book down!

By Jillian (Teen Reviewer)

Teen Book Review: The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan & Maureen Johnson

 

Amazon Summary:

     Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.

     This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.

     Originally released one-by-one as e-only short stories by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Rees Brennan, this compilation presents all ten together in print for the first time and includes a never-before-seen eleventh tale, as well as new illustrated material.

Book Review:

     The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Sarah Rees Brennan, and Maureen Johnson is an extra to both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. It’s about important life events of one of the most interesting and mysterious characters in the books; a powerful warlock named Magnus Bane. There’s 11 stories to explain how he came to be who he is, how he formed relationships with certain people, where he’s stood in positions of power and important events, just many different components to his character. It answers a lot of what hadn’t been said about him.

     I found this book read like a movie more than anything. I didn’t particularly relate with any characters, but it was entertaining and made me want to keep reading more. I liked how there was a lot of humour to it but kept it serious enough to have a story to it. In the previous mentioned series, there were many instances where an event would be mentioned but not fully explained. Many of those events were explained in The Bane Chronicles. I would recommend this book if you have read the other series. It was a fun and entertaining read and I enjoyed it.

Ian (Teen Reviewer)

Teen Book Review: Galgorithm by Aaron Karo

 

Amazon Summary:

A romantic comedy that’s “a good choice for fans of John Green” (Booklist) about high school, heartbreak, and having all the answers.

What if the secrets of dating and love were revealed in one simple formula? That’s the tantalizing proposition high school senior Shane Chambliss offers the hopeless and hapless guys who come to him for relationship advice.

After the girl of his dreams breaks his heart, Shane devises a mysterious formula called the Galgorithm and establishes himself as the resident dating guru at Kingsview High School. But his attempts to master the art of romance go outrageously awry.

As Shane tries to navigate the ensuing drama, he must follow his heart, abandon all the rules, and ignore his own advice in a quest for true love. What he discovers, no formula could ever predict...

 

Book Review:

     Galgorithm is a book about a boy named Shaun who has had a terrible break-up, and has tried to make an algorithm to help fellow guys on how to get the girl of their dreams.  But... He seems to be having trouble with his own love life.  Though he has calculated everything to the last smile and batting eyelash, he soon discovers that no one can figure out the inner workings of the female mind.

 

     I would rate this book a nine out of ten, because of the originality and how the author describes the characters.  I also like how the chapters weren't extremely long and every time you started a new chapter it was like the author introduced a new problem that needed fixing.  I would most definitely recommend this book to people who love a good comedy and romance because every time I opened the book and started reading I was laughing to myself, and the occasional scandal occurred.  Overall, this book is one of my new favourites.  It is a must read and I hope you read it this summer.

Margaret (Teen Reviewer)

Teen Book Review: Prison Boy by Sharon E. McKay

Amazon Summary:

     Little Kai is brought to the orphanage run by Bell, a fearsome Englishwoman whose dedication to her charges is unflinching. There, an older child, Pax, immediately takes Kai under his wing. It soon becomes apparent that Kai is a brilliant child, and given the right circumstances, could go on to achieve great things.
      Penniless and living amidst political strife and constant uncertainty, the children are nonetheless taken care of and protected -- until Bell dies and they are left on their own. Pax is determined to keep Kai safe, and to make sure he gets the education he deserves. But life on the streets is tough -- and dangerous.
      In a desperate attempt to make enough money to keep Kai in school, Pax agrees to work for a shady character known only as Mister. Mister sends Pax on a "special" mission -- carry a very heavy box to a pre-arranged location, and wait there. At the very last minute, Pax realizes that the box contains a bomb; it explodes, killing and maiming hundreds of people.
      Pax and Kai escape the deadly explosion, only to be arrested soon after and charged with terrorism. What follows is a descent into the hellish prison where brutal guards stop at nothing to make Pax talk. As a means of survival, he retreats into a magnificent fantasy world and finds himself on a journey of hope and discovery.
     This haunting novel brings home the tragic situation in which children in over 40 countries are tortured with impunity. But it also speaks to the strength of love under the most dire of circumstances.

 

Book Review:

      Prison Boy by Sharon E. McKay is an interesting look at the struggle for life in an unfortunate situation. It follows the story of an orphan living in a slum and doing whatever he can to keep himself and his brother-like friend safe, fed, and as comfortable as they can be. It shows just how important money can be for those without it, and how harsh the world can be.

     Though this isn’t a very big book, I found myself easily attached to the characters, hoping that something would work out in their favour and seeing why they would feel a certain way. In Orillia we don’t know how bad the character's conditions really could be but it was descriptive enough to give a good idea, and that contributed to connecting with the characters. I would recommend this book because it’s a better look into lives of the less fortunate that’s more understandable than different campaigns to raise money for places like in the book, so it gives more meaning to those things. I also thought it started out slowly but later on the storyline consistently progressed, so it was exciting.

 

Ian (Teen Reviewer)