Soundless~ Reviewed by Hailey Hinrichs

 

 

 

"Some things don't need words. Sometimes it's enough to just feel. You don't have to label and articulate all that's around you."

 

           Fei has lived in a village that is soundless. For as long as she can remember the village has been silent due to everyone being deaf and sign language being the only any of communicating. But when her sister Zhang Jing and many other people in her village soon start loosing their sight, their village is in even more trouble then before. Living off little food as it is, rations are cut short from the supply line running up to their village on a mountain. With little silver being produced from blind and elderly miners, the villages finds less and less food coming and it seems like everyone will soon die of starvation if something isn't done.

            But one night, Fei wakes up to a strange sound. It has to be a dream, right? No one has been able to hear anything in decades, so how can she finally hear things? She sees this as her opportunity to do something about the food supply being cut short, and with the help of Li Wei, a young miner who just lost his father, she sets out to find the Line Keeper and beg for more food to be sent. Though they seek more food Fei and Li Wei discover a power that can save her village.

 

            I liked this book! I thought it was different because we never really think about what life would be like without being to hear or see until it actually happens. This book definitely makes you realize how much we take simples senses for granted. The way Richelle Mead can even make sound and sight sound so beautiful was definitely interesting. We can really take sound and sight for granted and this book really shows you the ways life could be like without it. I really liked the characters and how there was an interesting story behind each character. There were definitely parts that caught me off guard and they were really good and made me want to keep reading. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone I know.

These Shallow Graves~ Reviewed by Hailey Hinrichs

"If you're going to bury the past, bury it deep girl. Shallow graves always give up their dead."

           Jo Montfort has always lived a simple life. Growing up in a rich, sophisticated family, Jo's life has mostly been laid out for her. She'll get married, have a family, and live the rest of her life in the shadows of her husband. But she doesn't want that kind of life. Reading the articles from world renowned Nellie Bly has made her strive to become a reporter. But when her father suddenly dies, the cops say it is due to him accidentally shooting himself in the head with a revolver while he was cleaning it, but Jo knows her father was too smart to make that mistake. When she meets Eddie- a handsome, young reporter- she pairs with him to solve the real cause of her fathers murder. As she uncovers more and more truths about his death, she learns no ones past ever stays buried.

    

            I LOVED this book so I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. I've never really tried to read many murder-mystery books, but this one grabbed my attention so quickly. I never wanted to put it down. The characters were amazingly developed, the plot was so interesting, and every time they uncovered some type of clue, it left you wondering what was going to happen next. I love Jennifer Donnelly's writing style and I'll definitely be looking into more of her books. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers or mystery books. You will not be disappointed reading this book.

Illuminae~ Reviewed by Hailey Hinrichs

                                                

               The year is 2575. The morning before Kady’s planet was invaded, she thought breaking up with her boyfriend Ezra would be the hardest thing about the day to come. Soon after two rival corporations declare war on each other, she realizes she was very wrong. Now that her planet is invaded, she is forced to evacuate with Ezra on a warship. As she thinks things can’t get any worse, a plague breaks out. As Kady tries to find answers, she can’t seem to learn anything because the people in charge don’t want to talk about what’s really going on. She soon resolves to hacking into the database to find the truth. What she comes to find is that Ezra seems to be the only one who can really help her. Can they overcome their awkward past to help save their planet?

                I liked this book so I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I usually am not into outer space books or a lot of books that have to do much with science. But I really enjoyed this one. I LOVED the layout of it. (Mostly because of reminded me of The Dead House). I like the different fonts and styles of the pages, which always helps with such long books. I loved all the plot twists which I did not see coming. I also love books that are realistic and I really thought events and ways the characters reacted to things really was realistic, unlike other books where things are instantly perfect again and all is well. Because come on, we all know it doesn’t happen like that. This was a good read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about outer space and fantasy.

Dreamland~ Reviewed by Hailey Hinrichs

“All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream”

–Edgar Allan Poe

            Odea Donahue is not like most kids her age. Traveling from town to town with her mother her whole life and not knowing her father aren’t the only strange things about her.

            She has the ability to walk through people’s dreams.

            After being able to walk in people’s dreams since she was six years old, she knows that there are rules that she MUST follow. Never be seen, never interfere in the person’s dream, and never walk through someone’s dream more than once. Her mother was able to enforce these rules until she meets Conner, a new kid who has secrets of his own. Conner’s past makes her even more interested in him and she begins to break the rules in hopes that she’ll uncover the truth behind Conner’s past. But the rules were made so that the monsters would never find her. Once the rules were broken, they found her and took her mother hoping that it would lure her to their world. In her journey to find her mother, she uncovers more about Conner’s past, and her own.

            I really enjoyed this book so I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the whole plot of the book. I think the author did an amazing job creating a good view of the world she created in the book. The plot twists were ones I did not see coming at all. One thing that wasn’t so great about the book was that it took a little bit to really get into. Although I liked that some parts did leave you questioning something and made you what to read even more. Also, I liked the originality of the book. There aren’t any many books that I’ve seen about people dream-walking and other worlds being created from the monsters that are in nightmares. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers.

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.

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. 

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!

Confessions of a Murder Suspect Review by Paige Espinosa

     In this book, Tandoori "Tandy" Angel and her siblings, Harry, Matty, and Hugo, are the prime suspects in their parents' murder. Tandy can't rule anyone out, even herself, when she realizes she needs to uncover her family's secrets. Tandy's parents, Malcolm and Maud Angel, were millionaires who seemingly had everything, so why were they killed? Who could possibly benefit from their deaths?
     I gave this book three out of five stars because the names of the characters in this book were just too ridiculous for me at times and I couldn't stand reading them. "Royal Rampling" and "Capricorn Caputo" made me cringe while reading them. This book should have been an easy, quick read, but the story just wasn't intriguing enough, the characters were way too weird, and I called the ending before I got to page 50. I might recommend it to a pre-teen but it seems just too simple for most high schoolers.

The Bone Season- Review by Paige Espinosa

     Paige Mahoney is a gutsy 19 year old criminal with a high-ranking position in a wanted gang. Her rare ability to leave her body and enter the minds- or dreamscapes- of others around her makes her a valuable ally- and a dangerous enemy. In 2059 London, the governrment is now called Scion and it is searching for all people, like Paige, who have these special abilities. These clairvoyants are hunted and, when caught, are presumably tortured and put to death or given an option to join a law enforcement division dedicated to hunting other clairvoyants; however, option number two means being under the thumb of Scion, turning in your own, and being given thirty years to live before being "put down" like a sick animal. 

     When Paige is captured, all she knows about Scion is suddenly tested when she finds herself in a city that was wiped off the map 200 years ago after a devastating fire. Scion's secrets are unearthed with her discovery of an ancient race, the Rephaim, who value clairvoyants for their fight against the flesh-eating Emim. Paige's only options are obey the Rephaim and join their army against the Emim- leading to an almost certain death in the jaws of a fearsome creature- or to fight back and most likely be killed by her captors. Find out what happens by reading The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon!

     I enjoyed The Bone Season and gave it three and a half stars. The story was exceptionally original however the brief appearance of a love triangle took away from the quality of the story for me. The continuance of hinting at this love triangle after a shocking revelation that should have ended it also grew old and boring by the end of the book. Paige Mahoney was a likable character, similar to Katniss Everdeen (from The Hunger Games trilogy). Both are strong female roles, coming from livelihoods made on the black market to situations where you have to fight to survive and your sanity is pushed to its limits. Other characters, however, such as Warden, Paige's master, weren't quite as likable. Warden felt a little too cliche, almost like another Edward Cullen- dark, mysterious, immortal stalker. (from the Twilight series) Personally, I felt that most of the characters weren't developed fully throughout the story and at the end of the book I honestly didn't feel like I really knew much about most of them. Hopefully in sequels to come, Samantha Shannon will continue to develop these characters as they have the potential to be extremely intriguing- if not likable- characters.  

Deadly Little Voices--reviewed by Nallely S.

Deadly Little Voices

by Laurie Stolarz

*** Stars

If you've read any of the other Touch books...I'm pretty sure you'll love and hate this new installment in the Touch Series. ")

Camelia has only ever known the difference between her and the world. Growing up not knowing and knowing, Camelia has a near-death experience that changes her future forever.

In this new installment, Camelia starts hearing voices. Voices telling her she would be better off dead, she's a fool and doesn't deserve to live. If only that was the only problem. Ben, her ex-boyfriend, is seeing someone new. Camelia tries to act like it doesn't bother her ,but Ben is comeone special because they both share a secret noone can know. To make matters worse...Ben could possibly be Cammie's soulmate yet, it seems far too late. Camelia has special powers. Powers that make her see things. Premonitions of a sort. When Cammie starts sculting a figure skater, she doesn't know what to do. With the creepy voices getting harder to tune out. It's only a matter of time before something goes wrong....again.

Read Deadly Little Voices.....a book that will keep you hungry for more! XP

I rate Deadly Little Voices...3 Stars because I was so disappointed with the ending....actually with everything really. I enjoyed the first installments but when I got to the climax of this story...I just about wanted to shot myself! I'm so sad! I did like seeing that Cammie is jealous and it's obvious there's still something between Ben and her. Hopefully in the next, and final(?), book there is hope and happiness!

Ruined -- A Review by Sarah Gnefkow

Ruined

by Paula Morris

*** Stars

Rebecca has to go live in New Orleans with her Aunt because her father is away on business in China. The house she is staying at is really creepy because her Aunt is a tarot card reader so she is a strong believer in the after-life and warding off any evil spirits. It doesn't help that it is also across the street from an old cemetery. A cemetery where Lisette, a ghost, has hung around for over 100 years now and will remain to stay there until she gets revenge for her untimely death. Now in New Orleans Rebecca must attend a school for mean rich girls. The only good thing that seems to have come her way is Anton Grey , who is very cute. But is he such a good thing after all...?

I thought that this book was pretty good, I'm just not that into the ghost thing. It wasn't one of those books where I just couldn't put it down. But I honestly did want to know what was going to happen next. So if you are into ghosts, mystery, and shocks I definitely recommend this to you.

Across the Universe -- review by Hope Austin

Across the Universe
by Beth Revis
**** stars

When Amy is cryogenically frozen she leaves behind her boyfriend, her friends, and the rest of Earth for an unknown planet 300 years away. The only thing that comforts her is the fact that her parents will be there when she wakes up. So, when she is woken up 5o years before she was supposed to, she is understandably angry. She finds herself aboard Godspeed, which now has its own government and society, and is in direct opposition with the leader, something people didn't know was possible. Her whole is once again shaken when she learns her un-freezing wasn't an accident; someone tried to kill her.

At the same time, Elder, a boy about Amy's age, is learning how to become the leader of the ship after his superior, Eldest, passes. While he's always been rebellious and somewhat of a free-thinker, Amy's arrival prompts some serious questions from Elder to Eldest. The answers are more haunting than he could ever imagine.

This book was great read. It had good pacing and multiple layers. On the surface it seems like the setup for a romance, with a murder mystery thrown in. Once you dig a little deeper, the book is all about asking questions, thinking outside the box, being your own person. Nearly all of it is impossible under the rule of a tyrannical dictator. People who like sci-fi, mysteries, or dyspotian societies will love this one.

Rosebush - Review by Halea Coulter

Rosebush

by Michelle Jaffe

* * * and half stars

Jane Freeland is pretty, popular, rich, and on the verge of death when she is found in a rosebush. When Jane wakes up in the hospital, her head is heavily bandaged and swollen; she is also paralyzed and unable to talk. Jane remembers nothing other than going to a party kissing her boyfriend, and going off to talk to her friends, after that her memory is gone. The doctors tell her she was hit by a car because she was either drugged or trying to commit suicide; but Jane knows that can't be right, she is positive someone is trying to kill her. Over the next four days, Jane get visits from all her friends, which includes a creepy stalker, and all of them have different versions of the story. During that time, Jane is repeatedly threatened by her killer, and each time something comes back to her, such as her voice, and the use of her arms. Everyone thinks Jane is going nuts because of the medication she is on, and after awhile, Jane thinks she is too, and with only a cute orderly named Pete to help her, she knows she is in for some trouble.

I found this book interesting, but in the end, nothing special. The story was told from Jane's point of view and her tone, surprisingly enough, didn't bother me. The only things that really bothered me about this book were her boyfriend, who just wasn't nice, and of course, the mother came off looking like the bad guy which is way too typical in YA fiction. Also the lack of direction bothered me, I felt like the book went off on way too many tangents, it just introduced too many story lines, which all ended up being necessary but it was annoying to push through. Overall it wasn't a book that I just couldn't put down, but it was good enough that I wanted to finish it because it really did wait 'till almost the last page to reveal if she was just crazy or if there was someone trying to kill her. I would recommend the book if you have time for it, but if you feel like you have better things to read, then go with those instead.

Somewhere in the Darkness-- a review by Maquille Gatlin

Somewhere in the Darkness
by: Walter Dean Myers
***** stars


Jimmy Little, a 14 year old African American kid from New York City has gone through a lot of pain, but being surrounded by ones who love him; he has learned to accept life and be happy. Jimmy lives with his grandmother, Mama Jean in a run down tenement. The tenant is described as being filled with junkies and drug sellers. Jimmy goes through seeing these things everyday. Jimmy is described as being a very smart individual, but in a very weird way. Jimmy daydreams about things like unicorns and other mythological creatures. Mama Jean loves Jimmy to death and would do anything she could for him.

When Jimmy was a little boy his mother died and he finds out that is father is locked up. Towards the middle of the story Jimmy's father, Crab makes a surprise visit to the tenement and tells Jimmy that he's his father. At this point I was wondering why Crab would think that Jimmy would believe he was his father and Jimmy can't even recognize him. Crab tells Mama Jean he has a job in Chicago and has to take Jimmy with him. Jimmy and Mama Jean are iffy about this but Crab "promises he'll keep Jimmy safe." Somewhere in the Darkness consists of characters that you can really understand because of how life-like their feelings are. The ways they speak to each other and hold conversations is very similar to a real life dialogue.

Jimmy and Crab go to Chicago. Jimmy figures out that Crab has been acting very weird on the way there. Crab admits to Jimmy that he is wanted and being looked for by the police! This puts Jimmy in tears and now the two are on the run and Jimmy has to make the decision of staying with his father or going back to NY with his grandmother. I won't tell why he's being chased by the police, this is for you to figure out, but I will say that he was accused for robbery and murder. Read Somewhere in the Darkness and find out if Jimmy survives being pitted in the crime filled life of his father crab.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were very relating and understandable. The story had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait for what happened next. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.