Friday, November 20, 2015

Wither Book Review

Wither by Lauren DeStefano
    Set in a dystopian world, women die at 20 and men at 25, as a result of trying to perfect the race. Girls are married off as brides to keep the population going. Rhine Ellery has just been kidnapped and sold off as a bride to rich Linden Vaughn, who introduces her to a lavish world of wealth that captivates and stuns her. However, Rhine knows one thing: It’s all an illusion. She needs to get out and find her twin brother, and not be trapped in this world. Aided, by Linden’s servant Gabriel, she tries to get out of the illusion, but finds it may be harder to escape the gilded cage she is trapped in than she thinks.

     The world building in this book is very complex, and DeStefano fails on that front. She skimps on some of the more important descriptions of clothes. It all feels too forced. I didn’t enjoy this book, and I don’t feel that many others will. It begs comparison to The Hunger Games, but pales in its shadow. It simply sets a too big goal, and cannot live up to it. It treats a subject that can be expanded on to become a great novel, and only half expands it. It could be better, but with its mediocre plot and vocabulary, is simply not.   Briana B.; Teen Reviewer


We Were Liars Book Review

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

We Were Liars centers on Cadence Sinclair, an 18 year old, part of a wealthy family who vacations each summer on an island off the coast of Maine. Cadence has just been in an accident, and can’t remember much of the past two years, and hasn’t visited the island in two years. Back for the first time, she discovers that there is a secret tearing the Sinclair family apart. Aided by her cousins, she tries to discover what it is- until she discovers that everything she knows is false.


     This book is so good. There aren’t enough adjectives to describe how amazing of a read this is. It has very good imagery, and brings you into the world quickly. Although it is a small book, it feels like a long novel. 30 pages feels like 70. There are twists and turns at every page, and it constantly surprises you. It is a mystery to the end, and keeps you guessing. It’s meant for teenagers, who will definitely like it. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
Briana B.; Teen Reviewer

Since You've Been Gone Book Review

Since You’ve Been Gone, by Morgan Matson

     Emily and Sloane have been best friends since eight grade. However, the summer before twelfth grade, Sloane suddenly disappears, leaving Emily with only a list of 13 things to do. Desperate to find her best friend, Emily tries to complete the list with Frank Porter, the attractive and charismatic student president who has a girlfriend. Emily goes into completing the list trying to find her best friends and discover why she left, but ends up finding more about herself.


     This book was highly enjoyable. It is a fun read, perfect for the summer. I think many high-school age students would enjoy it, and can connect to it. Emily is a very relate-able teenager who experiences many of the things a normal teen would. However, the list takes her out of her comfort zone, in a way that many teens would like to read about. What she experiences will change her, and inspire others. Morgan Matson does a good job of weaving a story together and getting the reader invested in it. Overall, I would recommend it to a reader who wants a quick, fun and cutesy read without committing too hard. Briana B.; Teen Reviewer

The Selection Book Review

The Selection by Kiera Cass

     In our near future, North and South America has joined to be a country named Illea, ruled by a king. Illea’s citizens are organized into castes, with 1 being the royals, and 8 being the untouchables. The only way to move up is to marry someone in a higher caste, or to enter the Selection. The Selection is a competition for 35 girls to compete for the heart of the Prince, and become the future Queen. America Singer enters with her heart belonging to another, and no real desire to win. However, she quickly falls in love with Prince Maxon. The problem? There’s 34 other girls ready to fight nail and tooth to become a 1.


    Kiera Cass delivers a quick and easy read. It’s funny, believable, and the world building isn’t forced on the reader. It’s a very girly book, with a lot of descriptions of the dresses. It isn’t too complex. There aren’t many other books of this topic, so it isn’t truly comparable. This book is marketed for pre-teens, who I l believe would like it. I would pick up this book if you want to simply have a fun read. Briana B.; Teen Reviewer

Monday, November 16, 2015

The Lightning Thief


The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan

                There are many books out there I liked but this one happened to be my favorite.  I enjoy reading about Gods and Goddesses because I love thinking a long time ago people made up these stories and now people are telling them still!  The Lightning Thief is about this boy who finds out that he is Poseidon’s son and someone stole Zeus’s lightning bolt and the boy (Percy Jackson) has to find it.
 I would rate this book an 8 (ten being great, one being bad).  I also love this book because it’s an action/adventure/humor book.  It is very funny and very serious at times.  I love books like that and it doesn’t take forever to get to the point.  I would definitely suggest this book for 5th or 6th graders to read.  I can’t wait to read the next one!!! Olivia H., Teen Reviewer