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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Night She Disappeared - Reviewed by Maggie Devero

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

Working at Pete's Pizza is a norm for most teenagers in this area of Oregon, and a good part time job for those who need it. Kayla, Drew, and Gabie aren't necessarily friends, but as coworkers they all get along and work together to accomplish the tasks at hand. Coming from different backgrounds, they don't necessarily relate, but Drew and Gabie grow closer when a tragedy takes place within their own work place: Kayla is kidnapped and possibly murdered while on a pizza delivery one night. When the areas police department seems to just hit a dead end, Drew and Gabie decide the investigate he disappearance of their coworker for themselves. Little by little, with the help of evidence gathered by the police and investigation crews and others they meet along the way, they uncover what exactly did happen to Kayla. 

I gave this book two stars, out of five. Okay, listen it wasn't truly THAT awful. The storyline, characters, and turnout of the book were just so completely predictable that it wasn't much of an interest to read for me. It was also very short, and the writing style was unimpressive. Certain parts weren't detailed enough, and others it seemed like the author was trying REALLY HARD to impress the details on the reader. Also there were random characters thrown in and taken out that didn't seem to really have an effect on the storyline, which I threw me off. The book was alright, a short story to cure someone of momentary boredom, but I'm not giving it anything it doesn't deserve. Two stars for an average, mediocre kidnap mystery story. I did like though, how the author dedicated pages to "evidence" pieces of paper filled out or phone conversations to help the story along. That part I enjoy in any books that have it. So, two stars and I would recommend this book to someone who's really looking to kill some time, haha.

Trafficked Review by Paige Espinosa

     Imagine finally being given the opportunity to better your life and then finding out it was all a sham. Hannah is just a simple girl from Moldova, trying to help her ailing grandmother while working through the deaths of her parents and disappearance of her uncle. When given the chance to go to America and work as a nanny while attending school and learning English, Hannah's only option is to say yes! She never would have guessed that she would be sold into a human trafficking operation and kept as a modern-day slave in a country that for so long had represented freedom to her.
     I gave this book four out of five stars because it was different from any other book I've read recently. It was refreshing to read something out of the ordinary and something that was so realistic! It really inspired me to think about all the immigrants I come into contact with on a daily basis at work and just out and about around the city and wonder what they went through to come here. At times, I was irritated by the halting English spoken by the characters but overall it was a well-written book! The story wasn't bogged down with unnecessary romance and although the ending left a lot to the reader's imagination, it didn't hint at a sequel which I appreciate since almost every book turns into a series that gets way too dragged out. Although it took a little while for me to really get into this book, it was worth the read and I would recommend it to anyone looking for something different to read.

Red Rising reviewed by: Portia Rockers

 

Red Rising is about a guy named Darrow who is a Helldiver and a Red. A Helldiver is a person who lives in a cave under the surface of Mars, there are about a thousand people who are Helldivers. In this society it is a color coded caste system, red being the lowest. Many generations of Helldivers have worked in the mines all their lives for precious minerals that will allow the planet to be transformed. For the mine workers knowing the planet will some day be habitual is enough for there sacrifice. The Earth is dying out, and Mars is the only hope the human race has left. But when Darrow finds out that Mars has been inhabited for generations, by a group called the Golds. They think of the Helldivers as slave labor, and don't realize all the good that they do. The Helldivers have a rebellion, and disguise Darrow as a Gold and goes to there school, planning to be the eyes on the inside. The command school is basically a battle field, and no one can really be trusted.

I gave Red Rising five stars because this book really deserves it. Every page made me want to find out more about the book. The story had some gruesome aspects to it, but I think they were really important to the story. A lot of story was high stakes, and the way the society was set up reminded me of the Hunger games without totally copying it. I did like that the author did not try and squeeze a love triangle in the book like so many authors do. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story. If you like this book you would also like The Hunger Games and The Enders Game. Red Rising is also part of a trilogy, the second book is called The Rising Son and the third is not out yet, but I cant wait to read the second.