Book Reviews
H2O by Virginia Bergin
Reviewed by S. Cox, June 2021
What do you do when all of the water in the world is contaminated, when a single drop of the contaminated water will kill you?
That’s what 15 year old Ruby Morris finds herself wondering in the time following a certain day in Britain; the day that the rain came down, and with it, death. Even as the government...
Read moreThe Whisper Man by Alex North
Reviewed by B. Ullsvik, June 2021
After the death of his wife, Tom and Jake Kennedy believe the town of Featherbank can give them a new, fresh start. Featherbank is a small and quiet little town with a dark past. Almost 20 years ago, Frank Carter, a serial killer, kidnapped and murdered five residents. Known for kidnapping kids by whispering through...
Read morePercy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Reviewed By M. Koopmans, June 2021
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a mythological fantasy story about Percy Jackson. Percy finds out that he is a half blood, half mortal and half god. This causes the 12 year old to be launched into a life of Greek “myths” that he could’ve never assumed were real. Once he arrives at Camp Half-...
Read moreShadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Reviewed by M. Koopmans, June 2021
Shadow and Bone is a young adult fantasy novel that takes place in the Ravka. In Ravka there are normal people (called otkazat’sya) and people with the power to control materials, life, and aspects of the world. These special people are called Grisha. Alina Starkov, the main character, has always believed that she...
Read moreCaraval by Stephanie Garber
Reviewed by M. Koopmans, June 2021
Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a young adult fantasy novel. This fantasy novel takes place in a fictional world and revolves around two young girls, Tella and Scarlette. The two sisters are trapped by their father who became abusive and manipulative after their mother left. However, Scarlette has hope that they can...
Read moreAlias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Reviewed by E. Mankowski, May 2021
Alias Grace, written by Margaret Atwood, depicts the story of Grace Marks. Grace is plagued by amnesia, unable to remember events surrounding the murders of her employer and his mistress. Her narration is from the first person, juxtaposed with a third person narration by Dr. Simon Jordan; a man who seeks to...
Read moreThe Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Reviewed by E. Mankowski, May 2021
During the early 2000s, the United States was still recovering from the terrorist attacks in 2001 on the twin towers. The Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, is a work of historical fiction intended to demonstrate the issues Afghanistan culture has with assimilation, identity, and power. Throughout the...
Read moreThe Round House by Louise Erdrich
Reviewed by E. Mankowski, May 2021
The Round House, written by Louise Erdrich, follows the main character Joe as he narrates the summer when his life changed irreparably. Throughout the novel, Joe is faced with the increasing responsibility of being an adult, despite only being thirteen years old. When his mother is attacked and almost killed...
Read moreThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Reviewed by M. Koopmans, May 2021
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is an adult novel that outlines the life of Adeline LaRue, born in 1691 in a small town in France. On the eve of her wedding she makes a forbidden deal, trading her soul for the chance to experience the world and life without worry. Little does she know that...
Read moreThe Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Reviewed by H. McNicol, March 2021
The Gladers have escaped the maze, and have taken refuge in a dorm-like facility. Their moment of safety is over when a group of cranks, zombie-like humans, attack the facility and kill the group's rescuers. Thomas stumbles upon Aris inplace of Theresa, a boy who claims he was in another maze. A strange man then...
Read more