Murder/Mystery
The Killer of Little Shepherds
Review by Sydney Loder
Douglas Starrs The Killer Of Little Shepherds is a detailed retelling of Joseph Vachers crimes and the forensic technology that was used at the time. It is a must read for all true crime fans due to the interesting hold it has on the readers while still allowing for a chance to learn and discover. This book is an easy and short read for all those who would choose to pick it up. After reading my overall rating is an 7.5/10.
One of Us is Lying
Review by Madison Church
One of Us is lying by Karen McManus is a mystery novel with bits of romance and comedy. it starts in a small high school when one of five high school students dies unexpectedly, and the police rule it to be murder. The students tell the book from varying viewpoints as the students and the reader simultaneously try to figure out who is responsible for his death. While the secrets about his death are revealed, more and more secrets about the other students' lives are brought to life. This book is one of my favorites because the characters feel like real people, not made-up. Reading it feels like you are living it right alongside the characters, and it keeps you guessing. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. Another aspect of this book I enjoyed was how it flipped points of view between all the main characters. It allowed you to connect with all of them, not just one central person. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone, not just those who read mysteries. Although the main focus is the question of who is guilty, it also reveals a larger story. One of Us is Lying allows the reader to see that behind every perfect persona that people put on is a secret. That secret could be big or small, but either way, it shows that no one is perfect, and that's what I love the most about this book.
The Inheritance Games
Review by Sydney Loder
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes holds a special place in my heart. It is the perfect novel to read when trying to get out of a book block as it provides a sense of mystery with romance, mind games, and murder. This novel lays out a puzzle of winding roads, hidden messages, and more. It forces the reader to think of every key detail they've read and posses a challenge that could never be won. Along with this, the story follows a love triangle of two brothers and our main character, Avery Grambs. The novel is enticing from beginning to end and easily became one of my favorites which is why it will forever and always receive a perfect rating from me.
We Were Liars
Review by Brynn Hinegardner
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart tells the story of the wealthy and seemingly perfect Sinclair family who spends every summer on their private island just off of the coast of Massachusetts. The main character, Cadence, suffers a head injury and forgets everything from the previous summer spent on the island. Two years later, during the summer, Cadence can tell that things are different among her family and slowly begins to remember details that led up to her injury. Cadence remembers events that are haunting and shocking. If you are looking for a good, mysterious page turner, this book is for you. Overall, I would rate this book a 4.5/5.
Review by Sydney Loder
The Hawthorne Legacy, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the sequel to the, Inheritance Games, and has even more tricks up its sleeve. This novel was just as good if not better than the first as it dives into why Avery Grambs received billionaire, Tobias Hawthorne's, entire legacy and the danger that comes with it. Furthermore, the novel depicts more of the love triangle between Jameson and Grayson Hawthorne, their mental struggles, and even their point of view. This story comes with new twists and turns that will pull you in from the very beginning. Barnes keeps you guessing the entire time which is what makes this book so wonderful. I would rate the novel a 5/5 and cannot wait for the next!
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The Hawthorne Legacy
Romance
Review by Cara Butler
The Unhoneymooners is a perfect embodiment of the "enemies to lovers" trope. Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas, the main characters of the book and sworn enemies, are the maid of honor and best man in the wedding of their close friends; however, after food poisoning struck the wedding party, Olive and Ethan were forced to take the two-person honeymoon trip to Maui together. While in Maui, they take on the role of a "married couple;" this is when the love rises, along with the sexual tension, and the supposed hatred lessens. As Olive and Ethan Navigate their feelings and engage in continuous hilarious and witty banter, the reader is left to fall in love with the romance and story built between the characters and the characters themselves. With an ending that satisfies the reader's heart, Olive and Ethan easily become a book couple I would read about forever.
Our Finest Hour
Review by Cara Butler
Our Finest Hour has the ability to shatter your heart then pick up all the pieces and put it back together. Coming off an unexpected breakup, heartbroken Aubrey Reynolds is forced to endure a night at the bar by her close friend. At the bar Audrey sees Isaac Cordova; they gravitate towards each other without even realizing. Isaac, a sweet, handsome, sultry man, has the abilities to take Aubrey's worries away. With this the two leave the bar and end up having a one-night stand, more like a "one hour stand" if you will, but Aubrey establishes her desire to not share last names. Not long after, Aubrey winds up pregnant but when she returns to Isaac's apartment, he had moved out. With no way to contact him, Aubrey embraces the role of a single mom, until years later when Aubrey's baby girl Claire experiences an injury, and guess who the doctor is, none other than Isaac Cordova! The love between Isaac and Aubrey is undeniable from the beginning, but with Aubrey's guarded heart, Isaac has to break down the walls. Isaacs' patients, devotion, and love not only towards Aubrey but towards Claire is unmatched, as well as Aubrey's bravery and strength. These two and their relationship will make your heart melt.
The Unhoneymooners
Love on the Brain
Review by Cara Butler
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood is a 5/5 star book. Told from the perspective of Bee Konigswasser, a neuroscientist, as she navigates working with her arch nemesis Levi ward, an engineer, on a project for NASA. Bee swears Levi is disgusted by her and her studies, but as the two work together more and more, the supposed hatred is second guessed. Levi is constant, gentle, sincere, hard working, and loving, which is everything Bee is scared to commit to. The book has many details that all tie in together perfectly, as well as a shocking twist towards the end of the book. Love on the brain exceeded my expectations and is more than deserving of a perfect rating!
Review by Faren Wilson
Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon tells the love story between two high school academic rivals. Solomon's choice in writing the book to only cover a 24 hour period was very captivating. In these 24 hours, Rowan and Neil, our main characters, partner together in order to win their high school scavenger hunt. Rowan and Neil go from judgmental nemesis to having a deep appreciation and understanding of each other. I loved this book so much that I read it twice, which is really unusual for me, and has me giving it a 5 out 5 star rating.
Today, Tonight, Tomorrow
Review by Sydney Loder
Madeline Millers', The Song of Achilles, details the love story of Patroclus and Achilles from the perspective of the former. This story dives into destiny and the fight to prevent it, life without ones partner, gender roles and relations, and forgiveness. This story was beyond amazing to the point where I couldn't put it down, but didn't want it to end. Millers writing was poetic and made the story feel like a dream while still allowing the reader to learn the history of Achilles' story. I would recommend this story to all romance readers if they are looking for mystifying, wholesome heartbreak.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Review by Sydney Loder
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid details the glamourous life of Hollywood throughout the late 20th Century. The novel portrays deep and controversial issues surrounding identity, sexuality, and body image. Furthermore, it displays the aspect of love and loss along with the mental turmoil's that fight the aspect of grieving and pain within a public life. I found this story to be beyond moving and heartbreaking but quite breathtaking as well. The writing and character development were amazing making the story feel real and personal. This story is as strong as Evelyn herself and I would recommend it to anyone who has even the slightest interest.
The Song of Achilles
Review by Rhyan Harris
Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston is an interesting novel about a woman who slowly finds her identity throughout the book. This book showcases the independence of a black woman, Janie, in the early 20th century time period of America. The book focuses on how Janie’s many different relationships with the men in her life helped shape her as a person and helped her find her true self. Overall the book was pretty good and I would rate it a 7.5/10.
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Their Eyes Were Watching God
SCIENCE FICTION
Janissaries
Review by Riley Geddes
Jerry Pournelle kicks off the first novel of his science fiction tetralogy, "Janissaries" with a mysterious and spacefaring adventure for Rick Galloway and his Platoon. The story begins when Rick and his men are pinned in an undisclosed African tropic highland. As enemy forces draw nearer, Rick and his Lieutenant "Parsons," are forced to decide between certain death for them and their platoon or an escape among the stars. They chose the ladder, and their confusing and uncertain cosmic adventure begins. If you like wars, weaponry, bureaucracy, The Medieval Era, space, history. ethics, love, mystery, and science fiction then I highly recommend this story. I look forward to reading the remining three books in the series.
Carve The Mark
Review by Emme Linkous
Author of the Divergent series, Veronica Roth, writes Carve the Mark and its sequel The Fates Divide. The sci-fi pair follows the story of Cyra Noavek, a teenage girl who lives in a world where one’s power defines who they are. Her friendship with a citizen of her nation’s rival, Akos Kereseth, leads to hostility between Cyra and her brother, Ryzek, who is the ruler of their nation. Cyra and Akos have to learn to work together to defeat a common enemy and they realize that they may be more alike than their history would like them to believe.
Summary: In this above-Earth sci-fi, Veronica Roth alludes to a higher power flowing through all citizens in the galaxy known as the current. The current supplies citizens with strength, but can also cause weaknesses. Every citizen receives a unique currentgift upon birth. Cyra Noavek’s currentgift is pain. She can inflict pain as well as be in a constant state of pain. While most people’s currentgifts are not physically viewable, dark streaks cover Cyra’s skin as a sign of the pain of which she is capable to endure and inflict. She needs to be trained as a fighter to be considered a valid member of the royal family but can’t be trained because no one else can touch her without feeling her pain. Akos Kereseth is from the other side of the planet, from a nation who rivals Cyra’s country. Akos’ currentgift is seemingly a lack of gift. He can suppress and diminish any currentgift, including Cyra’s. Cyra needs someone to train her who doesn’t feel the pain she causes upon contact, and after Akos is taken prisoner, he is the perfect candidate for the job. Akos and Cyra share stories of their childhoods in their respective nations. Slowly, the pair realizes the oppression and dictatorial state of Cyra’s nation, and they decide it needs to be changed. Together, their currentgift balance gives them the strength to take down Ryzek and restore freedom to their neighboring nations. At the end of the novel, Ryzek takes Akos prisoner and drains him of his currentgift by starving and overworking him. Ryzek decides that the only way for the two teens to pay for their treacherous acts against him is to use Cyra’s pain to kill Akos. Ryzek forces them together and Cyra’s currentgift rapidly draws the life out of Akos. To save Akos’ life, Cyra- for the first time- is able to constrain her currentgift to her own body. She directs the pain inward instead of towards Akos, nearly killing herself in the process. Cyra’s currentgift that was presented on her skin now floats over her like a mist, relieving most of the pain she’s been tormented by her entire life. This currentgift is more controllable, allowing her to knock Ryzek unconscious. She and Akos seek refuge his native land and are finally safe.
Fantasy
These Violent Delights
Review by Sydney Loder
The Roaring Twenties have taken over Shanghai, along with two rival gangs...This Romeo and Juliet retelling follows two star crossed lovers into the battle to save their beloved home. I found that the overall story was quite repetitive and never was able to fully pull me in. The novel was okay, especially if you are reading it to just read something, but I found it to be slightly boring at times. I would give it a 3.5/5 as it didn't live up to all my expectations.
Serpent and Dove
Review by Sydney Loder
Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin is easily one of my favorite fantasy books, allowing it to have a great rating of 9.5/10. This book captured my attention with it's amazing setting in 15th Century France, and Mahurin's ability to tie in fantastical experiences, romance, and a whole lot of action. If you are interested in an enemies to lovers trope in a realm of magic and fantasy, I would definitely recommend this book to you!
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Review by Hannah Yando
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is one of the best books I'll ever read. The book follows a young, headstrong girl named Feyre through her journey in a completely new world. She meets a very powerful being who needs her help to break the curse that's been put on his lands. Maas does an amazing job of showing fully rounded characters, who begin to change into their true selves as the book goes on. This book made me want to be strong and brave, just like Feyre. It also emphasizes the importance of love and how it can get us through anything. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Six of Crows
Review by Haley Hylton
I've always had a hard time picking a favorite book. I mean, how could you? There are so many factors that play into it and it's just nearly impossible. But after I read this book, I knew I had found it. Six of Crows is written by Leigh Bardugo. A YA fantasy following a group of six kids who undergo a major heist. A world wind of events with intriguing characters who will steal your heart. This book had me hooked from the beginning. Bardugo has such an interesting writing style with multiple points of view. Each Character is distinct and complex. I'd recommend this book to almost anyone. Definitely a 5/5 stars.
Hunter of Legends
Review by Bradey Loder
The book that I will be reviewing is called Hunter of Legends. It was written by Clayton Wood, and it is the first book in the series of four and was written for his second son. This story takes place in a separate world where everything that you are surrounded by affects the way you think, feel, act, and even look. There is great character development with the main character hunter and the people that he finds himself surrounded by on his journey to find his mother. If you enjoy action books then you will not be disappointed, for this book is filled with it. The author does a great job moving you through different events and makes this book a easy, fast, and fun read. Overall, I would rate this book a 8 out of 10.
Seeker of Legends
Review by Bradey Loder
Seeker of Legends is the second book in the Legends series, and was written by Clayton Wood. Being the second book in the series it takes off right where the first book stopped. There are plenty of new characters and the main story takes a new, but interesting turn. In this book you get to travel to new places and learn more about how the world itself works. Just like in the first book, there is plenty of good action, and it helps to make this book a easy and fun read. Overall, I would rate this book a 7 out of 10.