Blood Countess
by Lana Popović
Publisher: Abrams
Publication Date: January 28th, 2020
Blood Countess, by Lana Popovic, is an excellent book. Full of interesting and creative characters, this book tells the story of love and madness. Anna must provide for her family after her father dies, and when she gets an invitation from the countess to work for her, Anna jumps at the opportunity. As they get close, however, Anna starts to realize that Elizabeth Báthory might not be as perfect as she seems. Dark and fascinating, this book will draw you in and hold you tight. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and has a stomach for a little bit of creepiness, however, for readers that are not into horror, it might be hard to read.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
by Jesse Andrews
Publisher: Abrams Books
Publication Date: March 1, 2012
Jesse Andrew’s much-revered debut novel, ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL, was the perfect sardonic counterbalance to what seemed like a wave of “fake-deep” books about illnesses that seemed to not only populate the 2012 bookshelves, but dominate them. It isn’t hard to describe the essential Early 2010’s Cancer Book; a main character has an illness, a romance ensues, a life lesson is learned, and none of them are over the age of 19. Allow me to tell you why ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is different: it acknowledges that its characters are teenagers.
Greg Gaines, the protagonist, doesn’t speak like some third-rate philosopher; he’s funny, he’s selfish, he’s flawed; Greg is a real teenager. He doesn’t know how to deal with Rachel, his old childhood friend who he’s only talking to again because she has cancer. He doesn’t even know if he should be dealing with her at all. This imperfection is what makes him such a compelling character. (That, and the fact that he’s hil-ar-ious.)
This ability to tap into the real feelings of teens makes ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL a book that will make you cry tears of laughter, and just cry in general. While it’s familiar in the sense of subject matter, it’s nothing that you’ve ever read before. ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL is a book that everyone must read, and trust me, you’ll thank me for suggesting it once you have!
She, Myself, and I
by Emma Young
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Publication Date: September 5, 2017
SHE, MYSELF, AND I by Emma Young is a fresh and unique new release that tells the tale of Rosa, a paraplegic who takes part in a new innovative surgery that transplants her brain into the body of a donor. As she struggles to come to terms with who she has become, Rosa becomes obsessed with knowing more about Sylvia, the girl whose body she took. Along with the help of a new romantic interest, Rosa explores the story of the dead stranger who allowed her to live.
This book was such a fun yet intriguing read, and I couldn't put it down. The philosophical debate on what makes a person who they are, and the difference between one's brain, body, and potential soul was such an interesting plot, and I thought about it for days after I finished reading the book. It is not that common for YA books to be so intellectually fascinating, and this theme of what people are at the most basic level was one I don't think I've ever read about before. The characters felt genuine and their struggles realistic, and though the romance aspect was a bit cheesy, it was still a delight to follow. I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to see what Young writes next.
Maresi
by Maria Turtschaninoff
Publisher: Abrams
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Maresi is a young
girl living at an abbey situated on an isolated island and only
inhabited by women. However, the arrival of a newcomer named Jai will
soon disturb this haven of peace away from the violence and poverty
of the rest of the world. Let yourself be transported into Maria
Turtschaninoff's truly feminist dystopian world. MARESI is a
one-sitting book that stays away from any cliché; you will certainly
enjoy it even if you are not a fantasy fan.
Blood Countess, by Lana Popovic, is an excellent book. Full of interesting and creative characters, this book tells the story of love and madness. Anna must provide for her family after her father dies, and when she gets an invitation from the countess to work for her, Anna jumps at the opportunity. As they get close, however, Anna starts to realize that Elizabeth Báthory might not be as perfect as she seems. Dark and fascinating, this book will draw you in and hold you tight. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction and has a stomach for a little bit of creepiness, however, for readers that are not into horror, it might be hard to read.
