Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I feel an enormous amount of pressure writing this review, but probably not for the reason that you might think. “Noughts and Crosses” tackles very difficult subjects in a multidimensional, emotional way. It features a relationship that has deeper implications than one may … Continue reading »
Ghost Hands by T.A. Barron My rating: 4 of 5 stars Quick, lovely read. I went to the library to look up some stories based in Argentina and found a children’s book based in Patagonia. “Ghost Hands” is written by T.A. Barron, and the beautiful, color illustrations were drawn by William Low. The tale is … Continue reading »
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell My rating: 3 of 5 stars Initial reaction: I think this book was as good as it was in terms of my reading experience because of the audiobook. I liked that part of it, but I’m a little torn on my experience of the story. Parts of it I … Continue reading »
Deadly Drive by Justine Korman Fontes My rating: 1 of 5 stars Justine Korman Fontes’ “Deadly Drive” is a part of a series of novels called “Surviving South Side”. I definitely appreciate that this story is directed toward reluctant teen readers and tackling such a tough subject. But there were a lot of things in … Continue reading »
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sherri L. Smith’s “Flygirl” is a gem of a novel, taking place during the middle of World War II where a young woman enlists as a pilot in the army. However, in doing so, she not only faces the dangers that await her in … Continue reading »
Enemy Territory by Sharon E. McKay My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Wow, this book was very good. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and I thought it was a very realistic, eye-opening look at two boys with rooted prejudices that learn to become friends over some rather … Continue reading »
The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson My rating: 2 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Oh man. Considering this was one of my most anticipated reads of this year, I feel a bit at a loss for words. It really disappointed me despite going through the collective novel because of the lack of flow in … Continue reading »
Saraswati’s Way by Monika Schroder My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: Very unexpected surprise. I didn’t expect to enjoy this novel as much as I did, particularly with it being a random read that I picked up from my local library. I thought the environment and details with respect to India were a … Continue reading »
Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson My rating: 4 of 5 stars “Alif the Unseen” completely took me by surprise by how engaging and captivating the story was from beginning to end. I usually enjoy stories that involve sci-fi and suspense/thriller elements with a cultural twist, and I think this first read I’ve had … Continue reading »
Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: So “Unspoken” was the first book by Sarah Rees Brennan I’ve ever read and I have to say it impressed me as far as the structure of the narrative, the characters, the mystery and paranormal elements, as well as the overarching flow … Continue reading »
Pinned by Sharon G. Flake My rating: 3 of 5 stars Sharon G. Flake’s “Pinned” has so much heart and authentic voices behind it, and I think that’s one of the reasons why I enjoyed reading it as much as I did. Taking perspectives of two teens who struggle with their respective limitations and rounding … Continue reading »
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry My rating: 3 of 5 stars “Pushing the Limits” is a solid coming of age, romantic story between two teens who have some very major issues to contend with. Noah and Echo swing in very different social circles but have more colliding points together than they thought possible. They … Continue reading »
Transcendence by C.J. Omololu My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial reaction: “Transcendence” had many elements that intrigued me – mystery, suspense, romance, loose ties to Egyptian lore, a decent time travel story, and nice characterization. It does start a little sluggish with setting the pieces and people in the story in place, but once … Continue reading »
The Good Braider by Terry Farish My rating: 4 of 5 stars Terry Farish’s “The Good Braider” is a beautiful, lyrical novel that tugged on my heartstrings in many moments. It’s the story of a teenage African girl named Viola who survives hardships in her homeland to travel with her family to America in search … Continue reading »
Liar by Justine Larbalestier My rating: 4 of 5 stars Initial Thoughts: Wow, interesting novel indeed, and not quite what I expected coming into it. I think part of my enjoyment of this novel came from listening to the narration by Channie Waites, but the other part was certainly following how interesting a narrator Micah … Continue reading »
