Review: Broken Things

Broken Things
by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 2, 2018

BROKEN THINGS by Lauren Oliver follows ex-best friends Mia and Brynn as they reconnect five years after the murder of their best friend, Summer. Mia and Brynn were the prime suspects in Summer’s death at the time, but are determined to solve the case years later and prove themselves innocent. The pair decides to dig into their past in order to do this, and the story alternates between their time in high school and the present. BROKEN THINGS was actually more like two books than one: the novel itself, and another story that is twisted into the girls’ relationships and Summer’s death. I loved how this collision between fiction and reality and the connection between past and present heightened the story’s eerie tone. While the actual mystery aspect of the novel seemed predictable at times, the dynamics and tension between Brynn, Summer, and Mia kept me engaged in the story. Overall, BROKEN THINGS is an excellent choice for fans of Oliver, and for readers looking for a captivating thriller.

Review: Life Inside My Mind

Life Inside My Mind
Edited by Jessica Burkhart

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: April 10, 2018

LIFE INISDE MY MIND is an essay anthology focused on YA authors’ personal experiences with mental health. Each “chapter” is a story written by a different author, and each has a vastly different focus: the topics ranged from anxiety to depression to OCD to Alzheimer's. While some of the stories were deeply personal, some were more of a reflection on societal issues and the stigma around mental health. This book was different from any I had ever read. At first, it was hard for me to make the constant switch in tone as the authors shifted, but eventually, I was able to adapt to the format, and I’m so glad I did! This book offers some incredible insights, and I really appreciated the fact that so many of the authors emphasized that there is no one “right way” to manage mental illness. 

My personal favorite essay was written in a poetry format called “This Is How You Unravel” by E.K. Anderson, which told the story of a girl living with bipolar disorder. I loved this chapter in particular because of its ability to genuinely portray the negative aspects of mental illness while offering a hopeful message. There were many essays that had a profound impact on me, though, not just this one! Even though I was skeptical about this collection at first, I would highly recommend this collection to anyone, regardless of whether they have personally experienced any of these conditions. Although I personally haven’t, I was still able to relate to all of the authors because of the honest, candid emotions that they shared with readers. Because of frequent references to suicide, addiction, abuse and violence, this book is probably best suited to older teens.

Review: Replica

Replica
by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 4, 2016

Replica by Lauren Oliver tells the story of two different girls, intertwined by one word: clones (or shall I say replicas?). Half of the book follows Lyra, a girl who grew up in Haven Institutes, who escapes with another clone, 72, and sees the real world for the first time in her life. The other half follows Gemma, a regular girl whose life soon becomes entwined with Lyra's as she hopes to find out the truth behind what exactly goes on at Haven.

While I read this book, I really enjoyed how you can see the two different sides of the story, and how different characters experienced different versions of the same events. One thing that kind of bothered me though, was how practically entire conversations were repeated, just with slightly different commentary, which could have been avoided in order to make the book shorter and the plot more in-depth. I liked how the two sides complemented each other, and how there were equal parts of, science and romance. In the end, there was also a twist which was very well thought out, with the seeds of it even reaching back in both girls’ stories, which really helped bring the two stories together.

I would read the next book of this duology, to see exactly where Gemma and Lyra end up next in this not-so-far future tale! I would recommend this for science fiction lovers who hope to have a little romance in their next read!

Review: Panic

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publishing date: March 4, 2014

PANIC, by Lauren Oliver, is a story about an unspoken game played by the graduating seniors during the the summer in a poor town in the middle of nowhere. Heather and her friends compete in this game where the stakes are high and the reward is even higher, but only to some. It is a game where you have to be smart and brave, but not too courageous, because that will elicit consequences which can be deadly. This game changes people; it teaches them bravery, maturity, selflessness, and sacrifice. I loved Lauren Oliver's new book PANIC and how brilliantly she taught valuable lessons on growing up, and learning about what sacrifices to take, and which not to risk, for the greater good of others. The game Panic is not just about the reward, or the courage and macho required to participate; it is a game of wit and dedication, and the characters who go far, are those who are willing to take themselves to the next level. Those who participate develop and mature as they make it through the dangerous levels and come out of it a new person ready for anything the world has to offer, with an understanding of the greater goal.