Review: Queer, There, and Everywhere

Queer, There, and Everywhere
by Sarah Prager

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 23, 2017

While there has been amazing progress in the both publicity and support for the LGBTQ+ community, it is still considered a “minority” group, outside of the norm. The best gift that QUEER, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE gives everyone, regardless of their identity, is the normalization of being LGBTQ+. Exploring twenty-three figures throughout history, this fascinating and easy-to-read set of biographies reveals just how diverse our world is. From First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (lesbian) to an ancient Roman transgender empress, QUEER, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE forces us to confront our own assumptions about history that we may not even realize we have.

I found this to be both fascinating and humbling. The breadth and depth of the LGBTQ+ community is rarely explored in conventional history classes, and this book helped me see the world through an entirely new lens. The writing is very accessible and fun, though the author tries a little too hard to be “hip”—the attempted use of slang can be a little cringe-worthy at times. Overall, however, I think this book isn’t just a good read, but a necessary one, giving LGBTQ+ folks amazing examples of influential world-changers with struggles and triumphs to identify with, and helping allies better understand how we need to view the world in order to be compassionate, understanding, and supportive.

Review: The Whole Thing Together

The Whole Thing Together
by Ann Brashares

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Ray and Sasha live in the same house, share the same room, and sleep in the same bed...but they've never even met each other. Sasha's dad was once married to Ray's mom, but a bitter divorce has left the families splitting the same beachfront property (on alternating weekends) and three older daughters, but not much else. Their older daughters are determined to change this and bring the families back together, and Sasha and Ray are caught in the tidal wave of change that follows.

Back after her acclaimed SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS series, Ann Brashares pens a beautifully poignant novel about family, sorrow, and forgiveness in THE WHOLE THING TOGETHER. Each character is unique and well-crafted, every interaction powerful and distinct. While reflective and incredibly rich in both detail and depth, this novel still manages to be bright, funny, and engaging, making it unquestionably one of the best books of this year.

Review: Defy the Stars

Defy the Stars
by Claudia Gray

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 4, 2017

DEFY THE STARS is a fast-paced action novel that adds a new immersive universe to the world of sci-fi. Noemi is a soldier born and bred to protect the world from an ancient and powerful race that sends machines to fight battles. The twist? Noemi's enemy is none other than Earth, which hungers to regain control over her rogue colony. After a disastrous surprise attack leaves her stranded, Noemi stumbles across one such machine soldier, Abel, whose programming forces him to help Noemi execute a plan to save her world. As the two traverse the galaxy, Noemi learns that the struggle for freedom is far more complex than it seems, and Abel questions his creation in the wake of new feelings.

While in some ways a typical "Beauty and the Beast"-esque romance, it is the writing that sets DEFY THE STARS apart. The universe in which Noemi and Abel live is rich, engaging, and impossible to look away from. Each planet and moon is so distinct and is filled with incredible detail that both supports character development and captivates our imagination in the best way possible.

Review: Blood Rose Rebellion

Blood Rose Rebellion
by Rosalyn Eves

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 28, 2017

Anna Arden should have it all. Born into Britain's high society, she has looks, brains, and wealth.  But the only thing that matters in Rosalyn Eves' BLOOD ROSE REBELLION is the one thing Anna doesn't have: magic. Born into the Luminate, a social class of magic wielders, Anna's "barrenness" makes her a pariah, and her family sends her to Hungary in exile. There, she learns that magic is not all that it seems, and must choose between the magic she desires among the Luminate...or revolution.

This book was a thrilling mix of LES MISERABLES, REIGN, and DIVERGENT, and is definitely one of this year's strongest fantasy books. The characters and the plot are both very well-written, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. While certain characters are unrealistic in their lack of geopolitical knowledge, it doesn't detract from the novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Review: City of Saints and Thieves

City of Saints and Thieves
by Natalie C. Anderson

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: January 24, 2017

CITY OF SAINTS AND THIEVES is the action-packed story of Tiny, a refugee from the Congo and a formidable thief. For years, Tiny has been planning to avenge her mother, who was murdered by her lover, but when the opportunity arises, things don't go to plan. Tiny must travel through Africa to discover the real story, accompanied by none other than the murderer's son...who is also Tiny's childhood best friend. This story contains a riveting plot with a good pace and well-developed characters, and is a great new spin on the Ocean's Eleven "thief on a mission" storyline while also addressing several important global issues, such as the refugee crisis and systemic poverty. Overall, a great read.

Review: Iron Cast

Iron Cast

by Destiny Soria

Publisher: Abrams/ Amulet

Publication Date: October 11, 2016

Nightclubs. Jazz. Flappers. And magic? IRON CAST artfully combines all of the above, following two best friends employed by Boston’s most notorious gangster, Johnny Dervish. On the surface, Ada and Corrinne could not be more different: multiracial Ada is the first in her family to be born in America, while Corrine is an heiress with nothing to lose. However, both are “hemopaths”, born with the ability to create magical illusions: Ada through music and Corinne through her voice. They perform in the Cast Iron nightclub by night and con rich folks by day for mob boss Dervish, but their entire existence is threatened when Ada is trapped by those who would use her powers for far more sinister means. Sora’s world of magic, mobsters, and the glamorous forbidden nightclubs of the 1920’s combines the forbidden decadence of the Prohibition Era that has captivated audience for decades with fresh, complex characters and an exciting plot. Her writing itself is enthrallingly descriptive and tempered with just the right amount of darkness to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The action-packed plot also incorporates social issues of the time, such as racial equality and women’s rights, in a way that is informative without disrupting the flow of the novel. I highly recommend this book to fans of all genres.

Review: Love & Gelato

Love & Gelato
By Jenna Evans Welch 

Publisher: Simon Pulse 
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016 

LOVE & GELATO by Jenna Evans Welch is an uplifting and light read that will restore your faith in love, friendship, and the power of dessert. Sixteen-year-old Lina has just begun recovering from her mother’s death when she is sent to live with her father, a man she has never met, who lives in a graveyard, in Italy. However, she soon discovers her mother’s journal, filled with glimpses into a past that Lina never knew existed. She also finds family, romance, and bakeries as she begins to explore not just her mother’s past, but herself, her future, and the beautiful country of Italy.
LOVE & GELATO is an absolutely wonderful read that gives contrast to the stampede of dark dystopian teenage fiction that seems to fill bookshelves these days. While it remains cheerful and funny throughout, there’s an element of depth to it, but it’s written without feeling heavy handed or overly moralistic. I genuinely enjoyed both the plot and the characters and loved watching both develop throughout the story. The descriptions of the setting are equally enrapturing; the author’s attention to detail adds another dimension to the novel. I really appreciated taking the time to read this book and I highly recommend it.

Review: The Steep and Thorny Way

The Steep and Thorny Way

by Cat Winters

Publication Date: March 8th, 2016

Publisher: Amulet

THE STEEP AND THORNY WAY is an enlightening new look at discrimination, belief, and the challenges we face in trying to find our sense of identity. Based on Hamlet and told from the perspective of a biracial young woman living in small town Oregon, this haunting novel explores American views on race and sexuality in Prohibition-era America. Everyone in Elston knows that Hanalee Denney’s father was killed by Joe Adder, who was driving drunk on Christmas Eve. When Joe is released from prison and Hanalee confronts him, he tells her that he is innocent, framed by a conspiracy engineered by the rising KKK and led by Hanalee’s own stepfather. But Joe has his own secrets as well, and Hanalee’s  investigation of her father’s murder will become inextricably entangled with them as she unravels what is really going on in her deceptively peaceful community and discovers that people aren’t who they seem… especially after she is visited by her father’s ghost.

This book had distinct pros and cons for me. I loved the fact that it was centered on the West Coast during Prohibition, especially since most historical fiction novels exploring race focus on the Deep South. The incorporation of the discrimination experienced by homosexuals and the psychological recruiting methods of the KKK were both new topics that I never had read about in depth before, and were both fascinating and horrifying in equal measure. However, I was disappointed by the lack of complexity in the writing regarding multiracial identity and felt the author could have done a much better job. Often, the main character’s thoughts on this subject read as preachy, simplistic, and altogether fake, making her “voice” a little inconsistent. Regardless, I think it one of the better books currently out there on this particular subject and I encourage everyone to pick up this book and give it a read, especially because it illustrates complex social issues of the time in both accessible and gripping ways. The plot is suspenseful and hair-raising from start to finish and it is absolutely unlike anything you’ve ever read before.

Review: Passenger

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken 

Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 

PASSENGER is a captivating and refreshing look at exploration and adventure. Violin prodigy Etta Spencer is about to make her solo concert debut when she suddenly finds herself on board a privateer ship in the 1700’s. Etta discovers that she is part of a family of time travelers led by a ruthless and cutthroat patriarch, who will do anything to control the past, present, and future. In order to do that, he needs Etta to locate a priceless object that can potentially change history forever. With her mother’s life in the hands of the family, Etta has no choice but to journey through time and follow the clues scattered throughout history. Accompanied by a ship captain named Nicholas, who has his own complicated history, she is determined to save her mother and make everything right. But all is not what it seems, and everyone has a hidden agenda, including Etta herself.

While this may sound like a run-of-the-mill YA adventure novel, the writing style and characters really make this book stand out. It The author does a good job of incorporating time travel without making it too confusing, overbearing, or hard to follow, making it an excellent recommendation for realistic and historical fiction readers who are looking for a little variety. It reads much more poetically and fluidly than your average thriller novel, though there are still exciting action scenes. Every character is believable and complex, and issues with time traveling that would have never occurred to me, such as racism, are addressed in a thought-provoking manner. There’s even a little romance involved! 

Review: The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place

The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry
Publication date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Poison has struck St. Etheldreda's School for Young Ladies! When the cantankerous headmistress and her scoundrel of a brother mysteriously drop dead during Sunday dinner, the seven girls who attend the school face a new and difficult challenge. While the demise of their frankly unlikable guardians causes the girls little grief, they have no desire to be split apart and sent home. Led by the clever and ambitious Kitty, the group uses wit and talent to cover up the murders and maintain the facade of uninterrupted normal life. In order to remain both safe and undiscovered, the sisterhood must discover the killer and his (or her) plot before the killer discovers them.

Review: I'll Give You the Sun

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Publication date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Dial

I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN is the emotional journey of two twins who grow apart and find their way back together. Jude and her brother Noah are completely different, but still share an incredibly strong bond as children. Jude is an extroverted social butterfly and Noah is a reclusive artist, but they are inseparable as children. A few years later they have completely switched places and they rarely talk to each other. Neither feels whole without the support of a twin, but family tragedy, jealousy, secrets, and unfinished stories keep them from healing and forgiving. After struggling through the issues that keep them apart, the twins finally get the courage to accept both each other and themselves.

I found this book incredibly poetic and beautifully written. The plot alternates between present day and flashbacks to weave an intricate story with twists and turns I didn't see coming. The author does a good job of making sure the transitions between past and present tense are clear and not confusing. I also liked the character development throughout the book and the author did a very good job distinguishing between the different voices of the twins, who alternate in telling the story. I do think that the internal monologues of the characters could have been condensed because they made the book feel overly long and sometimes the plot dragged. There is some content regarding sexuality and I would recommend this book for 15+ readers.

Review: This Star Won't Go Out

This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl
Publication date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Penguin

THIS STAR WON'T GO OUT is a heartwarming collection of diary entries, journals, and thoughts revolving around a thyroid cancer victim named Esther Earl. Despite her passing in 2010, she led a life full of creativity, laughter, and Internet fame though her YouTube videos and involvement in online communities. Esther's charity has raised over $125,000 to help those in need and with the endorsement of personal friend and bestselling author John Green, she spearheaded the campaign to win a $100,000 grant that gives children around the world access to free books.

The book itself is quite interesting. Esther's diary entries are interspersed with thoughts from her family and friends, pages from her parents' blog that chronicled her illness, her drawings and school projects, and even text from her huge internet group chat known as "Catitude"-a group of intellectual young adults that worked closely with the, primarily, online movement known as "nerdfighteria". Esther was very religious and her father is a Christian minister, so the book has strong overtones of faith and belief in God, which some readers may find uncomfortable. In addition, the book is very long. This is mainly because there are so many accounts of Esther's compassion and intelligence and, while I don't doubt them, it would have been nice to read more about her specific actions. These issues, however, are easily overlooked when reading about an amazing girl whose life and death touched so many people, including me.

• If you want to donate to Esther's charity This Star Won't Go Out, go to http://tswgo.org/donate.html 
• Also, International Esther Day, which honors platonic love between family members and friends "like a Valentine's Day, but not for romantic love", occurs on August 3rd, so please celebrate!!!

The Fault in Our Stars Movie Review

The Fault in Our Stars is a humorous but poignant tear-jerker that stayed incredibly true to the novel's storyline. Fans of the John Green story about two cancer-stricken lovers who journey to Amsterdam won't be disappointed by the movie adaptation. The movie is clearly an interpretation of the book (unlike movies such as the ill fated Percy Jackson) and while I didn't agree with all the directorial choices, it follows the ideas and beliefs both behind and in the book perfectly. Shailene Woodley (essentially the new Jennifer Lawrence) portrays an adequately matter-of-fact and truthful Hazel Grace, the narrator/main character. Ansel Elgort, on the other hand, presents a fantastic surprise in his adorable and moving interpretation of Augustus Waters. The metaphorically inclined, one-legged love interest completely steals the show with his clever facial expressions and heartbreaking dramatic acting. The movie is not quite as deep as the book, but therein lies the challenge of translating any John Green book to a broader audience via the cinema; it is impossible to be that philosophical without making the movie 8 hours long. Despite that, The Fault in Our Stars is an excellent movie that will have viewers laughing through their tears and I highly recommend it whether or not you have read the book. Note: there is a scene of not so brief partial nudity and sexual implications.

Review: Scan

Scan by Walter Jury and Sarah Fine
Publisher: Putnam Children's
Publication date: May 1, 2014

SCAN is an exciting and fast paced sci-fi thriller that is a quick and fun read. It centers around a teenager named Tate, who is anything but typical. His demanding father requires him to learn more than most professors, but his father's strict schedule and boundaries cause a lot of conflict between the two. It turns out, however, that Tate has a good reason for learning all those things; aliens called H2 have infiltrated the human population and Tate is one of the few humans left on Earth. Tate is entrusted with dangerous technology wanted by the H2 and "The Fifty" -a group of human families (including his) that are combating the invasion- but he is surrounded by suspicious individuals on both sides who have dark ulterior motives. With only the aid of his mother, his girlfriend, and his training, Tate must keep the technology safe from everyone.

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun read with intriguing moral undertones about supremacy, labeling, and perspective. The plot and the protagonist's journey was fairly typical, but the supporting characters were very strong and well-developed, especially the women. It contains moderate violence and likely caters more to boys than girls, but it was quite a good book.