Brutal Youth -- Review by Arinze Mgbemena

"Brutal Youth" is a story of a group of kids Peter Davidek, Noah Stein, and Lorelei Paskal being introduced to their first year of high school. It also talks about their horrible experience with bullying in their freshmen year. For Peter it brings us to how he saw bullying on his first day of school and how he immediately tried to avoid it at all cost. In Lorelei's case she tries as hard as she can to fit in with the popular upperclassmen in the school. So she won't have to be treated as the others getting bullied she joins a group of girls called the "Miss St.Mikes". The group of freshmen decide it'd be best for them to gang up to make up ways to keep them all out of the way of the bullies. They try to befriend everybody the best way they can. But while trying too accomplish that task in some situations they make bad decisions that cost them.

This book truly didn't remind me allot of my own freshmen year. From the bullying standpoint of the book I can not remember myself getting bullied like that by upperclassman. Although I can remember other freshmen getting bullied in some of the ways the book talks about. This book did teach me that I should be thankful of my freshmen year high school. Because it could've been as bad as these freshmen in the book. It also taught me that as a freshmen you start to procrastinate on how to fit in, in high school. It seems as if that's what most freshmen think worry about the most. This book would probably be a very good book for most freshmen kids in high school. I myself would recommend it to anyone.

Conversion -- Review by Arinze Mgbemena

 

     The book "Conversion" by Katherine Howe, is story about a girl named Colleen going through her senior year of high school. She is trying to focus on school and stay stable through the stress of her life at that moment. One day in class, a girl named Clara began having vigorous twitches and tics which was very awkward. Later on, Clara’s friends, and then other girls, started having horrible and strange diseases and events happening to them which soon concerns people in the town. The media commences to cover stories on the girls problems. Colleen tries not to let the girls' problems affect her while she is being stressed out from her last year of high school. Until one of her own friends gets sick. Colleen starts reading "The Crucible" for extra credit, given to her by a substitute teacher. Colleen begins to see similarities between the historical Salem and the events happening on the same area she lives on. This makes her go deeper into the subject and wonder if the girls are faking all of what's happened or if the girls are in an actual dangerous situation.

       "Conversion" was an interesting book mostly because of all the mystery put in it. I enjoyed how the author at the beginning of the story talked about the stresses of high school work. Then she moves on to the mysteries of the Salem witch trials and how it is affecting the high school student life. It was also intriguing how she brought us back to the Salem ages and modern day throughout the whole book. It let you know the differences between those times and how they were reacting to the same type of event. I really enjoyed this book and i would recommended it to anyone one of my friends. 

Secrets of the Cancer-Slaying Superman -- Reviewed by Arinze Mgbemena

 Benjamin Rubenstein was sixteen years old trying to make the varsity tennis team at his high school. He was in the middle of his teenage years and was enjoying his life. One day,  Benjamin started feeling a horrible pain in his left hip. He told his brother about the pain, but his brother told him to give it a few days to see if it would go away. Benjamin decided to fight through it to be able to play tennis, but the pain became unbearable, so he reported it to his parents.  A few days later, Benjamin and his parents went to the hospital to see what was wrong with him. They found out that Benjamin had Ewing's Sarcoma a horrible bone cancer in his left hip.

Throughout the story, Benjamin reflects about his experiences with radiation and chemotherapy and being around children and young adults that he called the "sick kids". He tells us about his emotions of going through cancer the first time. He also describes how he saw people with cancer acting like it was normal to have it. He also remembers how positive they were about it even though they were close to death. Not only did Benjamin go through cancer twice, he also lost his left hip because of the disease. 

 Furthermore, he reminisces about his second encounter with cancer when he had leukemia at the University of Minnesota. He developed this disease as a complication from his treatment from all the radiation he was exposed to. He also discuses his experience with his bone marrow transplant and how he felt alone and in pain all the time. He speaks about his strength mentally and how he tried to stay calm and determined through his second fight with the disease.I enjoyed this book very much because it gave me insight into the life of a young man with cancer. 

The book is interesting. It taught how to be positive about life at its hardest moments. It gave me a look at a teenager with cancer who became an adult with cancer. It was interesting to see the types of maturity through the different times of Benjamin's life when experiencing this disease. This book also did scare me a little because Ben was diagnosed as a teenager with Ewing's Sarcoma which is found in teenage boys. Which makes me more cautious about my health. It also surprised me how Benjamin went through it all. Knowing most teenage boys at that age would've been terrified and probably would've acted different from the way Benjamin did. Me personally would've been deeply scared if it was me or even if it was for a close family member I would fear strongly for them.

Half BROTHER -- ARINZE MGBEMENA

         

           Ben Tomlin is a 13 year old boy, growing up in Canada in 1973 and experiencing everything that life as a 13 year old boy would normally experience. Zan is an infant chimp, literally pulled away from his mother  just eight days of age. He is now being raised as part of Ben's family for a university experiment on primates and language, which Ben’s father is leading. This experiment was performed to discover if another species can be taught to understand and communicate the human language. From the very first day Zan is with their family, Ben’s parents tell him about what the experiment is for and why Zan is living with them. His father talks about the importance of Zan being brought up to believe that he is a human. Zan wears clothes, eats at the table with the Ben's family , and plays with Ben’s toys, just like a normal human child. The Tomlins teach Zan how to communicate using American Sign Language  so they can talk to him more and he can interact more with them. Ben understands the experiment, but he is kind of confused on how his father’s and his mother’s interacting with Zan. His father, opposed to even giving Zan a name. He never leaves the boundary of the experiment, and does not try to listen to anyone or anything that challenges his ideas of how the experiment should go. His mother is more nurturing. She recognizes that Zan’s need confronting and  tries to be a mother figure for Zan, while at the same time not messing with the experiment.
As Zan gets older , and the experiment becomes more difficult to work with, the Zan Project begins to spiral out of control. At this point, Ben finds an friend in Peter, an student research assistants working on the project. Like Ben, Peter sees Zan is a living being with real needs and emotions.  Peter and Ben attempt to find a way out of what has become a tragic trap for Zan.

         What was most interesting thing to me about the book is how they treated Zan as a human child and he acted like a one too. I also liked how Ben was trying to take Zan away from the experimentation and show that he is just a living being not an experiment . I enjoyed the book very much and i would recommend it to anyone.  

dEAD CONNECTION -- BY ARINZE MGBEMENA

         This book talks about two very different characters trying to discover the fate of a high school cheerleader who disappeared from a small California town. This cheerleaders' name was Nikki. When she goes missing without a trace, her disappearance devastates the community. A boy named Murray, a loner in high school, who quietly conserves himself and Murray also talks with the spirits of dead children and adolescents in the local cemetery, hears a voice one day while in the cemetery and he wonders whether it could be Nikki.The sheriff Gates thinks that a man who has come through social services may know more than anyone suspects . Throughout the book, Murray and Gates work separately to discover Nikki's case, while also going through their own individual problems. The book also demonstrates how each exchange alters not only Murray and Gates but those with whom they are in involved with them through the journey. Even people like the cemetery caretaker and his daughter, both play big roles in Murray's journey through the book.
     
       An interesting thing about Dead Connections it was never boring it gave a full background check about the characters and the plot. It was a very great mystery book the, characters were very interesting to read about especially Murray. Learning that he listens to ghosts and talks to them and how dedicated he is to knowing what happened to Nikki was very nice to read about. I would recommend this book to anyone It is a great book. 

Ella Minnow Pea -- review by Arinze Mgbemena

      In the book Ella MINNOW PEA there is a girl named Ella who lives on an island Nollopton. On this island, they are not well educated with modern day technology and there a small island. The island has a letter written about 100 years ago hung up for everyone to see, this note has every letter in the alphabet on it it says "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." One day, one of letters falls down the letter Z and the council of the island decides that no one should ever use that letter again so everyone is now scared to talk, and the letter Q falls, people are getting more scared except for a man named William Crevy he says what he wants and his caught saying a word with the letter Q in it and he was banished from the island. In the story Ella writes notes to her pen pal Tessie about the whole situation and as time goes by more letters fall off and Ella tells Tessie that what the council is doing maybe wrong so she goes to the council and ask them if she can make another sentence that has all the letters in the alphabet they say if she can do that then everyone can talk normal again. More and more letters fall off and the council finally decides to just take the sign off and everyone is allowed to talk normal again.
   
     This book was very strange to me because throughout most of the book were letters written to Ella and Tessie, but i thought  the book was very interesting how the island people were and how they lived their lives. It was  a great read and I'd recommend it to anyone.  
  

Rucker Park Setup -- reviewed by Arinze Mgbemena

          This book is an interesting read for those who enjoy basketball and emotional readings. The book talks about these two boys named J.R and Mackey. J.R has known Mackey ever since they were in preschool. They have been through so much together especially when J.R.'s mother died,Mackey was there with him crying with his father by there sides holding them. The boys have dreams of winning a Rucker park tournament, this has been their dream ever since they were little and watching some of the great street ball players play their game on the Rucker Park Court, and they have worked their way into finally getting on a team and into a tournament. But while getting ready and prepared for the tournament, 2 horrible deaths occur first the death of J.R.'s father and then the murder of J.R., Mackey knows J.R's murderer and the murderer knows that Mackey is well aware of what he did to his friend J.R. With those deaths happening Mackey is forced to go through life and the tournament without of the two most important people in his life, and to also keep clear of J.R.'s killer who is watching Mackey's every move while he is playing in the tournament. 
          I really enjoyed this book because it talked about two friends that were following their dreams until one of them left which made things difficult for one, but also inspired him to work hard and win it for his loved ones. It also talks about loneliness and having no one with you when you're following and leaving your dream while at the same time it talks about fear of someone watching you and making sure you keep quiet or they will hurt you. This book is a very great book to read if you're searching for a book to read about achievements in memory of those who have passed away.

Loud Awake and Lost by Adele Griffin

  "Who was I, just before I almost died?"


Ember Leferrier is 17 years old when she returns home after spending over 8 months recovering from a near fatal accident. She sustained severe body injuries, and because of traumatic brain damage, has also lost the memory of six weeks of her life before the car crash. Although her body is mostly healed, the amnesia persists and Ember feels compelled to seek some answers -- especially when she finds that she "forgot" that a boy she can't remember much about was in the car beside her when she slid off the bridge that night. Who was she, and who was Anthony?

AOHS Book Club

Do you love to read and discuss the books with others? If so, please consider joining the AOHS Book Club. We meet once every month, during Advisory period, in the library. If you would like to be a member, please send an email to dcrawford@oharahs.org and I will send an invite to the Schoology group with the access code. Hope to see you at the first meeting, September 23, 2014.

Ms C.

Ball Don't Lie -- reviewed by Arinze Mgbenema

          Travis Richard nicknamed "Sticky" is an extremely skilled basketball player who has a great future in the profession, but until the age of 6 years old Sticky had lived with a troubled and drug addicted mother and no father. He and his mother were poor and had no money. His mother was a prostitute and had an abusive boyfriend for some time so Sticky experienced some shocking things most children under 6 do not experience. His mother ended up committing suicide and Sticky was forced to move to several foster homes and began to build up an awkward social attitude towards people. As Sticky gets older he gets interested in basketball and works to perfect his skill in it every day. His goal is to play for UCLA and go to the NBA to play for the Lakers. Sticky has also gone into life of crime. When he was robbing a store he met a female cashier named Ahn -thu and she becomes his girlfriend.

        Throughout the book Sticky goes through many stressful events basketball, his girlfriend, and struggled to keep away from trouble it's all hard for him. Sticky decided that the only things that were important in his life at the moment is basketball and his girlfriend's birthday. Sticky tries to buy his girlfriend a necklace for her birthday but learns that he does not have the money, so he decides to rob a man for his money at night but surprisingly the man had a gun and shoots Sticky in the hand, Sticky is found and taken to a hospital in the hospital sticky thinks about life while his girlfriend sits by him. While his hand heals he thinks about the dumb decision that he made that could've cost him basketball and/or life.

I enjoyed this book very much. It was an interesting and a very satisfying read. As I went deeper and deeper into the the book I truly didn't want to stop mostly because it was a book that at some points I can relate to. This is a true book for basketball players and people just trying to find a good book to read.  

If I Stay -- movie coming!

IF I STAY   The critically acclaimed, bestselling novel from Gayle Forman is now a major motion picture starring Chloe Grace Moretz! The movie tie-in book includes exclusive interviews with Chloe Grace Moretz and her co-star Jamie Blackley. Movie opens Friday, August 22. Read more about the book »

Above -- Reviewed by Paige Espinosa

          Imagine being abducted from a fair with you whole town right there but no one notices you leaving. Blythe Hallowell is taken from her small town's annual Horse Thieves Picnic by the school's weird, survivalist librarian, who she learns has been planning on keeping her hidden and safe from the impending apocalypse. This is the story of Blythe's life hidden underground in an abandoned missile silo, kept by a mad man, and of how she comes to find her way back above.
     I gave this  book three and a half out of five stars because it was good, I just had a hard time really getting into it. It was definitely original and unlike most books I've read though which I really liked. I really liked how no main character was really truly likable or totally despicable. Even Dobbs- a crazy kidnapping madman- wasn't all bad. He was really just wrong in the head because his intentions were, arguably, good. Blythe starts going a little bit crazy underground and by the end she isn't anything close to the sweet sixteen year old that got kidnapped; she's a thirty-something year old woman who lost her whole childhood and had her future dreams crushed as well, which made me not even like her character's attitude and thoughts at time. I would recommend this to anyone who wanted to read a new, original dystopian novel.

Brutal Youth: Reviewed by Jack Berney

   

  

      Peter Davidek is in eighth grade when he first visits St. Michael the Archangel High School. The school's reputation is far from shining: grossly underfunded, filled with delinquent students, religious zealots, and downtrodden kids desperate to fit in. Not to mention that the building is literally falling apart. After witnessing something especially horrible on the day of his visit, Peter’s parents shock him by mysteriously deciding to send him there. When the first day rolls around, Davidek meets and bonds with some other new freshman. Noah Stein is quick to become his friend: somewhat cynical yet not averse to a fight or a laugh, his scarred face hides a scarred past. Together the two boys face the campy villain Ms Bromine, who loves detention-giving more than life, and the scheming Father Mercedes. We also see events through the eyes of their fellow student Lorelei Pascal, a girl who seems to be good at heart but will also risk anything to fit in, as well as a horde of bullies bent on hazing and a faculty that is strangely supportive of it. If they are to survive, they might have to unlearn what they thought they knew.
I tried and tried to give this book a chance, but reading it honestly got to be like pulling teeth. It seemed as though it was part Mean Girls, part American Horror Story, with some of the protagonists being moderately dynamic and somewhat relatable. That is, except when they are driven to extreme violence and cruelty .The antagonists were clearly not written to be liked; their negative actions and influences dominate the book's tone, which may explain why I had such a difficult time enjoying it. The egotistical football player with the perfect but cruel valedictorian as his girlfriend, the teacher who hates kids and loves detentions, the bully who only bullies to feel better about himself. Breznican makes a great effort to weave in themes of teen angst and the struggle for identity, and to this end has characters frequently spell out their motivations directly during dialog. Though does get his point across, I quickly felt as if he was beating me over the head with it. I did find this book to be somewhat thought-provoking, it was anything but a feel good read. Those interested in fiction written about young adults (this book is definitely not suitable for children), might enjoy it more than I did; hopefully not everyone will find brutal youth so brutal.

The Fever reviewed by: Portia Rockers

Deenie is a teenage girl who lives in a small community. She is part the Nash family who is very close. Tom is  her father, he is a single father and a science teacher. Eli, is Deenies brother, he is a star hockey player and a womanizer. Lise is one of Deenies best friend who collapsed during a quiz and had a series of seizures. Deenie skips the rest of school to see her only to see her have another one. Lise is now in a coma and in the hospital. The whole town has its theories, but then her other friend Gabby has a similar incident, and then her other friend Kim. Though none of her other friends were as bad as Lise parents are freaking out, some thinks its HPV others think its the toxic lake, everyone wants an answer, but can they handle the truth?

I gave this book four stars because, while I really enjoyed the plot, I felt it switched P.O.Vs to often and there was a lot of short paragraphs that skipped around and got confusing. Also the end wasn't as dramatic as I wanted. I really liked the plot though, it showed a more dramatic way of version of high school. But at the same time it was realistic, the book showed jealousy and how fast rumors spread. I felt the girls were really believable with the problems they faced during high school, and the author did a great job at writing bad girls. If you liked this book then you might like The Crucible or Megan Abbotts other books.    

The Here And Now - reviewed by Maggie Devero

The Here And Now by Ann Brashares

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

Seventeen year old Prenna James' life takes a supposed change for the better one day: she and a few other specified people from the time period 2090s travel back in time to the year 2014. Their plan is to change the future without affecting the present, as hard as that will be. They must eradicate the mosquito-borne epidemic that dominates the world in futures, leaving the world and the little people left alive, fortunately immune to the disease, in tatters. But in order for this to work out, they must not interfere with too much of the future, lest they change everything in the course of their history. So they strictly follow twelve rules, but the thing is....Prenna begins to question their means. Little by little she stops listening to the people she's with, and begins following this boy that has taken her under his wing since the beginning, Ethan Jarves. The two of them must save the future, and make the most of the present.

Okay, so when I first started this book, the intro really had me getting into the idea of the storyline. Time travel, bending time and space, saving the world from a disease that is ruining the earth and destroying its people?? Sounds so cool, and interesting and action packed! And then literally within the next couple chapters, you could tell the entire story was going to revolve around the relationship between Ethan and Prenna, and it just got SO ANNOYING. I was so excited for this action, thriller type book with maybe a little bit of romance, but then that was all it was and it just killed the story for me. Everything seemed to play out too easily, and too well, and it was just too convenient. I guess that's the reason I ended up giving it two stars, because I was hoping for a four star book. I just wish they had played a little more on the scifi aspects of the book, instead of the romance. But if you're into romance with a twist of something unusual, then I would recommend this book for you!

Panic - reviewed by: Portia Rockers

                                      

Heather is a young girl in her teens who lives in a town called Carp. Carp only has a population of 12,000 people, and is in the middle of nowhere. Since there isn't much to do in Carp the graduating seniors play a game called panic. Heather has never found interest in the game but, the thought of the large cash prize starts to change her mind. Even though the game is dangerous and her sister is paralyzed from last years game she decides to play. Dodge who isn't afraid of the game enters as well, and even though Heather is seen as one of the weaker competitors he and her form an alliance. And maybe something more. 

I thought this book was great and I really liked it. I gave the book four stars because I thought the concept of the game was a bit like Hunger Games, but the author was able to make it different and unique. I really liked the chemistry between Dodge and Heather, they were so cute. Heather was a really unique voice and you can really feel the emotions she goes through as the book progresses. I also like how the book is realistic, it takes place in modern times, and I like how she shows the flaws that the characters have. I would recommend this book to people who like thrill, action, and some romance. They are also making this book into a movie, which I'm excited to see how it will turn out. 

Monsters of Men - reviewed by Maggie Devero

Chaos Walking Book #3

Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

In this thrilling finale to Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking Trilogy, Todd and Viola are back at it again to try and bring peace to the New World, in the midst of the most chaotic event that either of them have experienced up to then: a second Spackle War. Any previous riots the native inhabitants of the New World were nothing compared to this....a full blown battle between three armies: The Ask, The Answer, and the Spackle. Todd and Viola are forced to walk a fine line in making choices that will lead to continuous battle or possible peace. The duo are also forced to work together with the Ask and the Answer in order to fend off the formidable foe of Spackle, while still very aware of just the kind of enemies they are falling in ranks with. They understand though, that something must be done in order for the convoy of new settlers to land in a place they can eventually call home. And in a new POV, we are reintroduced to Spackle 1017, who helps lead the Land, better known as the Spackle army to most, into battle, giving them images in their Noise worth fighting for. Years of oppression and mistreatment, and they will as a whole put up with it no more...they will take back their planet from these invaders. Who will win this war, and what will become of the New World, the settlers, and Todd and Viola themselves? Read the book to find out!

Seriously, you think I would have broke and given something less than five stars lately, but honestly all three books in this trilogy deserved them. They were fantastic reads, and this conclusion wrapped it all up in a absolutely fascinating and exciting way. I'm much a person for action stories, so when they started off this book with a full blown war I was worried I would become bored at the repeated battle scenes and constant debate on when and where to strike from the characters. But it wasn't like that at all, what the the constant changing of POVs, including the new one from Spackle 1017, which I was not expecting to read form in the least. It was great though, seeing the battle from three different perspectives, how they all found something to fight for, all seemingly justified. And the change in each battle, bringing in new weapons or adding some twist to the story to complicate things kept the story interesting. Watching Todd and Viola's characters grow from the first book until now, and the relationship between the two is stunning, and very interesting because it's like your learning and growing along with them. With an amazing ending to a fantastic trilogy, I give the entire series five out of five stars and would recommend them to ANYONE. I'm keeping my eye out for anything new to come out by Patrick Ness, for sure.

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands- reviewed by: Portia Rockers

                                         

Emily Shepard is a 16-year-old girl who lives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. She's in the middle of her junior year of high school when the power plant has a meltdown. Her parents were both killed during the meltdown, and what's worse is her dad was in charge at the time. Emily is at an evacuation camp with others from her school when she hears that her father is being blamed for the meltdown. Emily, who feels alone and is hurt by the accusations, decides to run away. She's now living on the streets and is comforted by the words of her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson.   

I absolutely loved this book because it was so sad and original. Emily was such a unique character, she was strong and made adult decisions. But, at the same time, I could tell that she was a teenager. A lot of times teenagers are written too mature so that they seem like adults or they are written as so naive that they look like children. I thought Emily had the perfect balance of character traits. The story itself was tragic, and it was something that could happen in the future and has occurred in the past, which is why it was so terrifying. I would recommend this book to everyone I know, it's such a heartbreaking story. Even though the story is not being marketed as YA, I do feel that teens will enjoy this book.   

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands - reviewed by Maggie Devero

Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

When your whole world comes crashing down around you, can you ever find the will to live on?

Emily Shepard is on her second to last day of junior year at Reddington Academy, when the school receives some devastating news -- the nuclear power plant called Reactor One, located on Cape Abenaki in the Northern Kingdom, had exploded and caused a radiation blow to the entire area. Now known as the Exclusion Zone, with radiation levels unfit for an living being, has left Emily homeless and orphaned, with her parents being the main directors of the plant and obviously killed in the explosion. Instead of seeking the help that would have reached out to her at the time, she chooses to avoid the general public who blames her parents for coming to work inebriated and causing this problem, and lives on the streets. She takes on the alias Abby Bliss, friend of her idol Emily Dickinson, and roams the streets taking up stealing and some others destructive habits. She struggles between survival and suicide...that is until she meets Cameron, a nine year old runaway who gives her a reason to live for.

I did in fact, like this book very much. Emily was the most accurately portrayed teenage girl in a disastrous situation, unlike characters in the many other YA books I've read before. Her panic and struggle, the solace she finds in the poetry and life of Emily Dickinson was very relatable to the reader,  and the sisterly love she gives to Cameron is one of the most endearing aspects of the story. Even so, she still makes mistakes like a human being (leaving Cameron while he's sick, doing drugs, cutting) which enhances the realistic aspects of her character. How Bohjalian depicts the setting gets you right there on the streets with Emily, in her garbage bag igloo. Beautiful wording, and accurate usage of modern social networks brings the story up to date, and puts you right in it. It was an amazingly written novel, and even without the perfectly happy ending it's an enjoyable read. Five out of five stars.

Book Club Meets Monday, April 28, in the Library!

Denise Crawford Hello book club members! See you on Monday with some special books to share. Bring your own...

I'll be talking about an upcoming release -- CLOSE YOUR EYES, HOLD HANDS by Chris Bohjalian.
How about the rest of you??

Portia Rockers

I will be showing Above by Isla Morley.

Maggie Devero

I'll be raving about my adoration for the trilogy called, Chaos Walking, by Patrick Ness!

Paige Espinosa

I will be talking about The Quick by Lauren Owen

Review of The Quick by Paige Espinosa

     After growing up in a calm country lifestyle, James Norbury has to learn how to make his way through life in London at the turn of the century, the 1890s. After leaving Oxford and preparing to start his career as a writer, James gets mixed up in a curious crowd of people. After he suddenly disappears, his sister, Charlotte, is drawn from her comfy country living into the big city to find her brother. Along the way, she runs into vampires and ends up fighting for her own life as well as that of her brother.
     I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because the idea seemed original enough but after about two plot twists it became too predictable. Some of the characters, like Charlotte, were relatable and realistic while others, like Mould aka Doctor Knife, a human who experimented on campus and was accepted into an exclusive vampire club weren't realistic at all. It's hard enough for vampires to get into the club, yet a simple human, a mere bedtime snack, can walk into a room of vampires and be mostly accepted? After awhile, the book started getting confusing and there were a few too many loose ends not tied up at the end. Honestly, reading it made me feel like the author didn't rally know where she was going with her story and she rambled on for 500 pages until realizing maybe that was long enough to be an acceptable novel. It took a good 450 pages to get to the real climax but then nothing really happened, few questions were answered, and new mysteries and cryptic hints were still being added. (Like hints of corpses being reanimated but not as vampires? Almost like zombies but the book didn't mention that the corpses wanted to kill you, just that they were difficult to put down. But that, point was never elaborated on and was brought up once or twice more and then forgotten.) overall, despite the lack of planning involved in writing this and the insanely predictable ending, it was an okay book. It would be perfect for anyone looking for a different, less twilight-sequel vampire story.

The Golden World reviewed by: Portia Rockers

Morgan Monetti is an average teenager, she's super smart and people have high expectations for her. Morgan's mother Dinah has her hands full with twin new born babies, so trusting that Morgan is mature enough she ignores Morgan and lets her do what she wants. Morgan is feeling down because she is rejected by her ex-boyfriend and her crush turned out to be gay. She seeks comfort in her young calculus teacher, T.J. Hill, but he quickly turns it into an affair. Morgan who believes that she is an adult doesn't see it as T.J. taking advantage of her and even in the court room she stands by him. Rain who is T.J.s wife is depressed because she wants to be pregnant, and has no idea that her husband is cheating on her.

I gave this book four stars because the plot was really interesting, but some of the characters were really annoying. Morgan was really cocky and needed to be told that she is not an adult nor is she old enough to make the chioces she made, and thoughts about T.J. Dinah was a bit neglectful and maybe if she paid more attention to Morgan then it might not have happened. Rain was a bit niave and I think she refused to see the flaws in her husband. I think the way the book was written well and it was really interesting. We get to see T.J through the eyes of Rain and what she thinks. I recommend this book to anyone who likes scandals. 

The Ask and The Answer - Reviewed by Maggie Devero

Chaos Walking Series; Book #2

The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

What is one supposed to do when their safe Haven....doesn't end up being that safe after all?

In this continuation of Chaos Walking trilogy, Todd and Viola have made it to their destination; a city called Haven in which they are supposed to find safety from the impending army of Prentisstown, and welcome the next set of settlers from the Old World into their new life. But even before they manage a step into this place, it's already not what it's supposed to be: Mayor Prentiss has beat them there and removed the old leader from his position, declaring himself the Mayor of NEW Prentisstown, and even better yet the PRESIDENT of the entire New World. Todd and Viola are separated, and must face their own struggles separately. Viola learns the trade of being a healer, and also how Mistress Coyle the head healer, is plotting against Mayor Prentiss as her old position of leader of revolutionary group the Answer. Todd is forced to work for Mayor Prentiss alongside the Spackle, original inhabitants of the New World and slaves of the settlers, doing hard labor and realizing just how much they hate their masters. He eventually works his way to right-hand-man of Mayor Prentiss, just as Viola joins ranks with the Answer to take him down. The two believe they have joined opposite sides, and must act accordingly. But once reunited, everything changes, and takes another turn for the worse....

Aaaaaand I'm back with the review for the second amazing book in this trilogy.  As expected, this book was just as amazingly written as the first; none of that second book let down I have experienced a lot in the past. As before, the writing style just absorbs you into the New World, right into Haven/New Prentisstown and all the changes they're having to adapt to, due to horrible Mayor Prentiss. The POV of the story goes back and forth between Todd and Viola, accentuating the separation of the two and the different sides they've taken. I also really like the way Ness plays these two together; in need of one another, but hasn't brought it completely into the romantic spectrum yet. God forbid he's almost making me want a romance between the two, hinting at it like he does, but not making the whole story rely on the fact that they are romantically involved with each other. Love it. I also adore how completely different the setting is from the first book to this one. The first in the swamps, and then to an actual civilization in this book. The contrast between the two and how they affect the story is striking. I cannot explain how much I'm loving this series...I've already worked my way into the final book before even posting this review! If you've read the first book, and loved it continue on, my friend. A great adventure awaits you. Five stars without a doubt.

Above - Reviewed by Maggie Devero

Above by Isla Morley

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

Sixteen year old Blythe is going about her average business in the small town of Eudora, Kansas; arguing with her siblings, falling for a boy named Arlo, and enjoying the town's annual picnic and just growing up a regular teenage girl, with nothing out of the ordinary. That is until the town's librarian, Dobbs Hordin, kidnaps her the night of the Horse Thieves Picnic and hids her away from her normal world, preaching the End of all as we know it. He keeps her held captive in an abandoned missile silo in the vast fields of Kansas, where he has made his survivalist home of sorts, to wait out the end, and then repopulate the vacant world as the Remnant of humankind. Blythe struggles with the idea of no one coming to her rescue, and deals with failed attempts of escape; she is stuck and no one is going to save her. She fights off and eventually succumbs to some kind of insanity, accepting that this is where she will reside until she passes from this life, but it will never be a home. She deals with many traumatic events during her time down under, until miraculously she finds escape seventeen years later. But the world she returns to is so different than the one she had previously known, will she be able to return to life above ground? Was escape really worth it in the end?

I LOVED this book, it was just as good as I had expected it to be. Starting right in the midst of the drama from the very first line, and working its way through the storyline until the very end this book keeps you on your toes. Blythe's character grows, maybe not in the happiest or most positive way, but seeing how Morley writes her changing while stuck in this hidden silo is crazy because she sticks with the initial passion to escape, but eventually settles with the fact that this is her life now, and escape will not happen. Also seeing Dobbs go from Blythe's captor who won't lay a hand on her, to a crazed man who even through all this, might have loved her all along, is just so weird. Also all the different means of escape, states of minds, and drama that Blythe endures is just mindblowing to experience as a reader. The writing style of Morley was detailed, breathtaking and enrapturing for me. The only fact that kept me from giving this book five stars is that after Blythe manages to get out of the silo, the setup of the plot just seems to be random and not as well thought through and put together. It bored me in comparison to what I had just previously read, and had me skimming the pages multiple times before i completely grasped what was going on. Overall, though, a fantastic book that I would recommend to any apocalyptic/thriller genre fans! Great book!

Breaking Beautiful - Reviewed by Maggie Devero

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

One day you wake up, and everything you know about your life had changed....but you can't remember any of it?

Allie wakes up in the hospital after being in a fatal car wreck, lucky to be alive. Only she doesn't feel all as lucky as she probably should; her boyfriend Trip was also in the same car when the accident happened and he did not end up surviving.  Overwhelmed with grief for her lost boyfriend, and anger at herself, Allie struggles to remember what exactly took place that evening that caused Trip to lose control of the wheel and send the two plummeting over the side of a cliff. But the real question is, does she even really want to remember? Or is it better off that the unpleasant series of events that took place that night are lost on her forever? Allie decides to do all she can to try to remember, as she slowly involves herself in the real world again, after a couple months or so, when the Pacific Cliffs Police Force reopens the case. They hound Allie, and her friend Blake for any information, that Allie is just unable to give them. Will Allie be able to heal over time, or with this torturous past haunt her forever? Read the book to find out!

I honestly didn't have much hope for this book when I first picked it up, but once I got into it a little bit it actually turned out quite to my liking! I was between giving it three and a four star rating, but I figured I'd be nice and since the plot was pretty decent I'd give it a four, since overall it wasn't too bad. When you first pick it up, it's a bit slow to start off, with the struggle Allie is facing of just getting out of bed and back into a normal life. But then it picks back up after a third of the way into it or so. The major twist of the storyline is easy to miss (like I did) but also really easy to pick up on if you're focused and intuitive, and it adds a nice change of pace to the story. The writing style was decent, and the characters were very individual and their development throughout the story helped it along. I liked the book! Four stars! 

Don't Turn Around reviewed by: Portia Rockers

                                        

Nao is sixteen and is a victim of the system. She is always changing foster parents growing up, along the way she becomes great with computer hacking. To get out of the system she creates a fake foster family, and makes a lot of money under her fake foster fathers name. She is now living in an apartment off the grid. Because no one knows about her and pays attentions she is targeted by a group that performs illegal medical experiments on human subject. She wakes up with a huge scar on her chest and no memory of how she got there. Can she escape? And what happened to her apartment and money? Peter is a rich kid that is not really interested in anything but his website he created for his group of hacktivists. But when his house gets broken into by armed men he gets scared but interested, can Peter and Nao helpeach other? 

Don't turn around is written in dual perspective, which I happened to find interesting. I gave this book four stars because in the book Nao is suppose to be sixteen but her personality was like she was in her mid 20s. I found the plot really interesting, it was full of action and leaves you wanting more. One thing I did not like about the book was that it seemed like the author wanted to force romance between the two main characters, when it was clear they did not trust each other. The ending of the book isn't really satisfying, nothing gets resolved but it's not a cliffhanger. It is part of a trilogy so I will want to read the next books to see what happens. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes adventure and thrilling books.

Feed by M.T. Anderson Reviewed by Paige Espinosa

     Titus lives in a world run by consumerism. He even has a chip, the feed, implanted in his brain that keeps him up-to-date on all the latest trends and sales at his favorite stores. All he has to do is look at something he might like and the feed automatically tells him things like it, where he can buy them, and all the great sales he could get if he buys them now! His life revolves around the feed until he goes to the moon for spring break with some friends and a hacker forces them to live without their feeds for a few days while doctors make sure they'll be safe to turn the feeds back on. During those few days, Titus becomes close with a girl named Violet, a girl who is less fortunate than he is and has a whole new take on the life they live. She got her feed later in life and neither of her parents ever got it so she is familiar with a world without it. Titus begins to question the world he lives in and even some of the things he does.
     I gave this book four out of five stars because certain passages were just insanely thought-provoking. Some of it was too unrealistic for me but other parts I could totally imagine happening in our world. Although it is another dystopian novel, it isn't just like everything else that has been popular and being turned into movies. One part I really liked was that it wasn't from the perspective of a teen girl who was head-over-heels for this new boy she met on the moon. Instead, it was from Titus's point of view and he's just your average teenage boy. He isn't looking for anything lasting or any type of commitment and overall it was a realistic teen relationship that didn't give the reader high expectations for romance in their real life outside the book. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian or sci-fi and is looking for something a little more out-of-the-box than the average dictatorship-built-on-the-ruins-of-The-United-States-of-America-until-one-girl-brings-down-the-government-to-save-the-people-while-she-falls-in-love-at-the-same-time sort of series that everyone seems to love right now.

Under The Never Sky Reviewed by Paige Espinosa

     Reverie is a secure, well-guarded bubble, protecting its inhabitants from the outside world, known as the Death Shop, because of all the different ways to die. Aria is just living her normal life until she finds herself kicked out of Reverie and living outside in the Death Shop, trying to survive with an outsider who is just as unhappy about being stuck with her as she is about being stuck with him. 

     I gave this book three out of five stars because it took forever to get into but by the end it was alright. The characters weren't super intriguing and the big "plot twist" at the end wasn't as shocking as the author probably thought it would be. I wish the author had been clearer about her description of the world in this book because even now, I have absolutely no idea what the Aether is even though it was a big deal in the book. Sometimes I would be sure that this world was a future version of our own world but then things like the Aether would confuse me and make me wonder if maybe this world wasn't actually like Earth but something completely made up. There are more books in this series but I'm not planning on reading them. Some girls might really like this book, every single chapter is half awkward romantic/sexual tension and half macho-wilderness-survival. Honestly, I'm just getting tired of these types of books and wondering about their dental hygiene the whole time they're making out... 

Above reviewed by: Portia Rockers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is about a sixteen year old named Blythe who lives a normal every day life, she goes to school and hangs out with friends. Until one day she is abducted by the schools librarian Dobbs, who is a survivalist. Dobbs believes that the End is coming and makes a shelter in an abandon missile silo. Blythe must now learn to deal with being locked under ground trying to find away to escape and dealing with insanity. But is Dobbs right about The End? Is her family still looking for her after all this time? And how will she escape with a child?

 

I liked this book a lot! The plot was of the story was really good. In the beginning it was one shock after another. There was a few spots in the book where was a bit dry and boring, but it picked right back up again. I felt really sorry for Blythe and it made me think what I would do if I were in her situation. I found Dobbs interesting as well, though he was creepy I think he loved Blythe. If you like this book you might also like The Lovely Bones, I thought there were some similar aspects in both the books. I recommend this book for some one who likes apocalyptic type books along with kidnapping and mystery.