Review Crew Book Reviews by Genre: Fantasy

Queen of Shadows book jacket
Maas, Sarah J.
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"Queen of Shadows" by Sarah J. Maas is a continuation of the Throne of Glass series, delivering non-stop action, intricate political intrigue, and romance. As Celaena embraces her true identity as Aelin Galathynius, she returns to Adarlan with vengeance, determined to free her kingdom from tyranny. Maas skillfully orchestrates alliances and betrayals, keeping readers guessing with every twist. From thrilling battles to heart-wrenching reunions, the stakes are higher than ever as Aelin confronts her enemies head-on. With its dynamic characters, gripping plot, and powerful themes of sacrifice and redemption, "Queen of Shadows" is an epic fantasy that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Aelin's journey.

Reviewer's Name: Addison
Heir of Fire book jacket
Maas, Sarah J.
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"Heir of Fire" by Sarah J. Maas is an addition to the Throne of Glass series that takes readers on a journey of self discovery, magic, and redemption. As Celaena Sardothien ventures to Wendlyn, she grapples with her identity, haunted by her past and uncertain of her future. Maas intricately weaves together multiple storylines, introducing new characters and expanding the richly detailed world of Erilea. From the breathtaking landscapes of Wendlyn to the intense training sessions with a Fae warrior, Rowan, every moment is filled with suspense and emotion. With its gripping plot twists, powerful character development, and heart-pounding action, "Heir of Fire" is a great continuation of the series.

Reviewer's Name: Addison
Awards:
The Assassin's Blade book jacket
Maas, Sarah J.
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"The Assassin's Blade" by Sarah J. Maas is a collection of prequel novellas that delve into the backstory of Celaena Sardothien, the assassin of the Throne of Glass series. Through a series of interconnected tales, Maas unravels the intricacies of Celaena's past, exploring her early exploits, friendships, and the events that shaped her into the formidable assassin she is. From the dangerous pirate-infested seas to the courts of rival kingdoms, each novella presents adventures filled with action, intrigue, and unexpected twists. Maas expertly balances character development with excitement, drawing readers deeper into Celaena's world with every story. "The Assassin's Blade" serves as both a prelude to the main series and a standalone masterpiece, offering fans a richer understanding of Celaena's journey and leaving them hungry for more.

Reviewer's Name: Addison
Crown of Midnight book jacket
Maas, Sarah J.
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"Crown of Midnight" by Sarah J. Maas is a continuation of the Throne of Glass series, diving deeper into the complex world of Celaena Sardothien and the kingdom of Adarlan. As Celaena takes on her role as the king's assassin, she grapples with moral dilemmas, political intrigue, and her own dark past. Maas masterfully crafts a story filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with every chapter. The stakes are higher, the action is more intense, and the emotional depth of the characters is revealed, making this installment a page-turner. With its blend of magic, romance, and high-stakes drama, "Crown of Midnight" is a great continuation of the series.

Reviewer's Name: Addison
Awards:
Throne of Glass book jacket
Maas, Sarah J.
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of Celaena Sardothien, a deadly assassin who is offered a chance at freedom in exchange for competing to become the king's champion. Maas creates a tale of intrigue, magic, and romance as Celaena navigates the dangerous politics of the royal court while uncovering dark secrets about her own past. The novel is filled with action-packed scenes, intricate world-building, and a diverse cast of characters that is very engaging. With its strong female protagonist and unpredictable plot twists, "Throne of Glass" is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of epic fantasy. Maas's dynamic storytelling and immersive writing style make this book a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling adventure.

Reviewer's Name: Addison
Awards:
One Hundred Years of Solitude book jacket
Garcia Marquez, Gabriel
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez is a novel that spans generations, blending magical realism with themes of love, family, and the cyclical nature of history. Set in the fictional town of Macondo, the novel follows the Buendía family through triumphs, tragedies, and the passage of time. García Márquez's prose and vivid imagery create a picture of Colombian culture and folklore, immersing readers in a world where the extraordinary is commonplace. As the Buendía family grapples with their destinies and the ghosts of the past, García Márquez creates a narrative that transcends time and place, offering insights into the human condition. "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a masterpiece of literature that enchants, leaving a mark on all who read it.

Reviewer's Name: Addison
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes book jacket
Collins, Suzanne
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the first book The Hunger Games. This book shines a new light on how you see the overall world of the Hunger Games. The main protagonist in this book is Coriolanus Snow the ruler over the Capitol in the original Hunger Games. It was an odd spin on the book, but it works out perfectly. The number of characters from the original book that are in this book helps it feel more connected to the original series. It also shows how in this world the richest stay the richest and hardly anyone new climbs up the ranks to become wealthy and powerful. In The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the Hunger Games are also viewed a different way. It is viewed as a way of power over the districts, so they don't have any of the tributes perform, unlike the 74th Hunger Games. I picked this book because I wanted to know what happened before the original Hunger Games. I enjoyed the world-building the most in this book. This book surprised me quite a bit because I didn't think I would like it as much as I did. This is definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
Mockingjay book jacket
Collins, Suzanne
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Mockingjay is the third book in The Hunger Games series. After the events of the 75th Hunger Games District 12 was destroyed, leading to even more uprisings across the districts. In the book Katniss and her allies try to recruit districts to their cause with the help of the newly rediscovered District 13. After everything is planned out the districts start an all-out war with the capitol. With both sides fighting fiercely, it could go any way. I chose to review this book because it is the 3rd book in The Hunger Games series. I enjoyed the war between the Capitol and the Districts the most in this book. This book is fairly predictable. I could relate to Katniss Everdeen in this book because she stands up for what's right even if it's not the easiest route to take like I do.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
Catching Fire book jacket
Collins, Suzanne
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review:

The Hunger Games Catching Fire is a sequel to the first book in the series The Hunger Games. The book takes place after the 74th Hunger Games where Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from District Twelve unexpectedly won the Hunger Games. Katniss, Peeta, and their loved ones were far from safe even after The Hunger Games due to their defiance against the Capitol. The districts were starting to rebel against the Capitol because of what happened in the 74th Hunger Games. President Snow (the leader of the Capitol) forces Katniss and Peetah to make the districts as well as himself believe that they weren't trying to defy the Capitol. After several failed attempts to calm the districts down President Snow took action when the Third Quarter Quell (75th Hunger Games) took place. I picked this book because it is a prequel to The Hunger Games. I enjoyed getting to know the aftermath of the 74th Hunger Games the most. My least favorite part of the book is how they handled The Hunger Games. I didn't feel like it was nearly as intense or interesting as the 74th Hunger Games. This book is also fairly predictable. I could relate to Katniss Everdeen in this book because she didn't know her allies from her enemies in the book, and I'm not too good at reading people in real life. This isn't one of my favorite books but it's definitely a solid book.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
The Hunger Games book jacket
Collins, Suzanne
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian world where the Capitol controls 12 districts. Every year each district is required to send in 2 tributes to compete in the Hunger Games. One female and one male between the ages of 12-18 are drawn at random to compete in the hunger games. The Hunger Games takes place in an arena where all tributes fight to the death until one tribute is last standing and crowned the winner. Tributes can also earn an advantage over other tributes before the games even begin by becoming liked by the general audience of the Hunger Games. If the audience likes a tribute in the Hunger Games, they are more likely to get a sponsor to send them supplies while they are in the arena. I read this book because of the dystopian genre. I enjoyed reading about the tributes in the arena the most in this book. This book is fairly predictable but that doesn't make it any less good to read. This is probably my favorite book of all time.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
Coraline book jacket
Gaiman, Neil
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

This book is about a young girl named Coraline. When Coraline moves into her new house, she finds a weird door in her house that is supposedly bricked off. Later she revisits the door to find out that the bricks are randomly gone. She goes through the door which leads her to an alternate life where everything seems creepily perfect. Everything seems much better in the other world. One weird detail is that everyone in the other world, except for Coraline has button eyes. Is the other world as good as it seems? I picked this book because of the genre. I enjoyed how creative and creepy the book was the most. This book surprised me when I found out about what the other world was. This is one of the best books I've read this year and recommend it.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Rowling, J.K.
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

At the start of the book, we are introduced to the character Harry Potter. Harry Potter was an orphan who was adopted by an abusive family. We soon discover that Harry Potter is a wizard and is invited to a school for wizards like himself called Hogwarts. During Harry's time at Hogwarts, he learned more about magic and befriended some of the students attending the school. Throughout Harry's time at Hogwarts, he finds out more about how his biological parents died. I picked this book because it is extremely popular, and I've heard a lot of good things about the book. I enjoyed the world-building the most from this book. This book was fairly predictable for me because I've already seen the movies. This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
Genres:
Animal Farm book jacket
Orwell, George
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Orwell wrote this book to examine the early years of the Soviet Union and the real result of the Russian Revolution. He uses Manor Farm as the setting and uses the farm animals as characters to convince the reader how the leaders of a country could put in place a system that would not be the utopia they promise. These promises may turn out to create a situation much worse than existed before. Orwell wanted a farm where “All Animals Are Equal.” Unfortunately, “Some Are More Equal Than Others.” The reader will recognize some of the characters as representing historical figures such as Stalin, Marx, Lenin, and Trotsky. If you are interested in economic and political systems and how they impact the citizens, you will not be able to put this book down! Animal Farm is one of my favorite books.

Reviewer's Name: Andrew
Restore Me book jacket
Mafi, Tahereh
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

"Restore Me" by Tahereh Mafi is a breathtaking continuation of the Shatter Me series, deserving a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Mafi's prose is as mesmerizing as ever, drawing readers into Juliette's tumultuous world with its vivid imagery and emotional depth. The character development is superb, as Juliette grapples with the weight of her newfound power and the responsibilities that come with it. The dynamic between Juliette and Warner crackles with intensity, adding a layer of complexity to their relationship that is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Mafi expertly balances action and introspection, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while delving into the inner workings of her characters' minds. The plot twists and turns with unpredictable ferocity, culminating in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will leave readers clamoring for more. "Restore Me" is a masterful addition to the series, showcasing Mafi's talent for storytelling and cementing her status as a powerhouse in the YA genre.

Reviewer's Name: Caroline
You've Reached Sam book jacket
Thao, Dustin
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"You've Reached Sam" by Dustin Thao is a heart-wrenching contemporary romance that earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. Thao's writing is emotionally resonant, capturing the complexities of grief and healing with sensitivity and depth. The protagonist, Julie, navigates the aftermath of losing her boyfriend, Sam, with authenticity and grace, allowing readers to empathize with her journey of self-discovery. Thao's exploration of love and loss is both profound and thought-provoking, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The themes of forgiveness and letting go are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding layers of emotional depth to the story. The pacing is steady, immersing readers in Julie's world as she grapples with her grief and finds solace in unexpected places. Overall, "You've Reached Sam" is a beautifully written debut novel that will tug at your heartstrings and linger in your thoughts long after you've finished reading.

Reviewer's Name: Caroline
Ignite Me book jacket
Mafi, Tahereh
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

"Ignite Me" by Tahereh Mafi is an electrifying conclusion to the Shatter Me series, earning a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Mafi's poetic prose and raw emotion ignite the pages, drawing readers into the tumultuous world of Juliette Ferrars. The character development is exceptional, as Juliette evolves from a fragile girl into a fierce and empowered leader. The chemistry between Juliette and Warner sizzles with intensity, adding an extra layer of tension to the narrative. Mafi's exploration of power, identity, and love is profound, resonating long after the final page is turned. The action-packed plot is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. Overall, "Ignite Me" is a breathtaking conclusion that will leave fans of the series completely satisfied.

Reviewer's Name: Caroline
The Inheritance Games book jacket
Barnes, Jennifer Lynn
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a captivating rollercoaster of mystery and intrigue. Barnes masterfully weaves together a tangled web of secrets, puzzles, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the very end. The protagonist, Avery Kylie Grambs, is a complex character whose journey from obscurity to inheriting a billionaire's fortune is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The dynamic between Avery and the Hawthorne family is filled with tension and suspicion, adding layers of depth to the plot. Barnes's writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue that bring the story to life. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that there's never a dull moment as Avery navigates the treacherous waters of the Hawthorne estate. Overall, "The Inheritance Games" is a gripping read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this thrilling series.

Reviewer's Name: Caroline
Fracture Me book jacket
Mafi, Tahereh
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

"Fracture Me" is a novella that delves into the depths of despair and resilience with intense emotional impact, earning its place as a pivotal addition to the Shatter Me series. Tahereh Mafi crafts a raw through the eyes of Adam Kent, offering readers a glimpse into his inner turmoil and shattered heart. As Adam grapples with loss and betrayal, his journey becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Mafi's prose is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the essence of pain and longing with exquisite precision. The exploration of Adam's relationships, particularly his complex dynamic with Juliette, adds layers of complexity to the story, enriching the reader's understanding of the characters' motivations and struggles. "Fracture Me" is a masterful portrayal of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.

Reviewer's Name: Caroline
Unravel Me book jacket
Mafi, Tahereh
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

"Unravel Me" is an electrifying sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but surpasses it in every aspect. Tahereh Mafi's writing is as intoxicating as ever, pulling readers into a world of chaos, romance, and inner turmoil. Juliette's journey of self-discovery continues to unfold with breathtaking intensity, as she grapples with her newfound powers and the weight of her past. The dynamic between Juliette and Warner sizzles with undeniable chemistry, adding layers of complexity to an already gripping narrative. Mafi masterfully explores themes of identity, love, and sacrifice, making every page a visceral experience that resonates long after the book is finished. The plot twists and turns with relentless momentum, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. "Unravel Me" is a triumph of young adult literature, a rollercoaster ride of emotions that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next installment!

Reviewer's Name: Caroline
Where the Forest Meets the Stars book jacket
Vanderah, Glendy
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

"Where the Forest Meets the Stars" by Glendy Vanderah is a mesmerizing blend of heart-wrenching reality and whimsical fantasy that left me utterly captivated. Set against the backdrop of a serene forest, the story weaves a tale of grief, healing, and unexpected connections that transcend the ordinary. The characters, Joanna, Ursa, and Gabriel, form an unlikely trio whose interactions are enchanting. As they unravel the mysteries of the stars and confront their own inner demons, the line between reality and fantasy blurs beautifully, inviting readers into a world where anything seems possible. The author's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid scenes that linger in the mind long after the final page. With its rich narrative and emotionally resonant themes, "Where the Forest Meets the Stars" is a masterpiece that reminds us of the magic inherent in everyday life. It's a book that stays with you, stirring your soul and igniting your imagination with every turn of the page.

Reviewer's Name: Caroline