Review: Of Curses and Kisses

Of Curses and Kisses
by Sandhya Menon

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 18th, 2020

Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon centers around the star-crossed romance between uptight and responsible Princess Jaya Rao, and the brooding, reserved, and introverted son of aristocrats, Grey Emerson. Jaya and Grey are both really interesting and realistic characters, and there are lots of relatable and funny moments in this book where I actually found myself laughing out loud. There’s also a lot of internal character monologues, but it ends up adding a hefty portion of depth to the characters. It’s super sappy, but as long as you’re ready for that, it’s a really fun read!

Review: Sky Without Stars

Sky Without Stars
by Jessica Brody & Joanne Rendell

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: March 26, 2019

Set on the planet Laterre, SKY WITHOUT STARS explores the world as revolution begins to spark, in a very “Les Mis in space” way. But whether it was the breathtaking setting, or the deep phenomenal writing, I couldn’t get enough. Although the book does fall into some of the same YA cliches that could hurt a book like this, the interesting direction it takes left me surprised and hungry for more. Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Review: Girls With Sharp Sticks

Girls With Sharp Sticks
by Suzanne Young

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: March 19, 2019

GIRLS WITH SHARP STICKS is a beautifully relevant novel that tells the story of the young women of Innovations Academy. A boarding school for girls run by men, this school prepares these girls for their lives with husbands chosen for them by the academy. The girls are taught to never speak out, to look perfect at all times, and that the men in control of them are superior to any of their own ideas and aspirations. As the girls fight to stay close with one another, making the most out of their separation from families and the challenge of day to day confinement in perfection, they start to see that maybe Innovations might not have their best interests at heart, and the education they’d always dreamed of having might be a facade. Told from the perspective of a girl with high hopes for her future, GIRLS WITH SHARP STICKS explores with her the challenges of their lives, first loves, and friendships. This book was absolutely amazing, and with these characters the author explored very real issues and controversies that are prevalent today in our world. 

Review: The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried
by Shaun David Hutchinson

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 19, 2019

Shaun David Hutchinson’s newest novel, THE PAST AND OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD STAY BURIED, is a stunning portrait of friendship and love in the face of loss. There are many things that can be said about this novel, but one thing you cannot say is that it is a young adult trope. In an age where it feels every YA book has the same plot, this novel is a delightful exception. A young adult, aptly named Dino, is working at his family’s funeral home when his ex-best friend July, who died, suddenly comes back to life in front of him. In a whirlwind of a night, Dino and July must come to terms with their hatred of each other and learn to value the important things in life.

This was the first Hutchinson book I’ve read, and upon finishing it, I immediately went searching for another book of his to read. He has an inexplicable talent for storytelling and not for a second did I want to put this book down. It was a thrilling read that kept me interested throughout while expanding on the relationship between Dino and July in a fascinating manner. Hutchinson writes with such emotional precision that I never doubt for a second that the characters are real, despite the unlikelihood of someone rising from the dead. In the end, THE PAST AND OTHER THINGS THAT SHOULD STAY BURIED is a wonderful book with a wildly original concept that is a must-read for lovers of young adult fiction.

Review: A Heart in a Body in the World

A Heart in a Body in the World
by Deb Caletti

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: September 18th, 2018

A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD is a timely and gut-wrenching novel by Deb Caletti that follows high school senior Annabelle on her run across America, as she tries to outrun her grief. Following a personal tragedy in her hometown of Seattle that is slowly revealed as the story progresses, Annabelle, a cross-country runner, sees no other solution than taking a 27,000 mile trek to Washington DC. As she powers through the physical toll, she comes to term with her own emotional trauma.  In doing so, she accidentally becomes the face of a nationwide cause, but only ever intended to run away from the memories of the past that plague her mind. Hers is a raw and passionate cry for justice in a time of Never Again and mental health activism, and leaves behind a strong message. 

I have never so strongly wanted to reach into a book and give a character a hug. I felt like I too was on her emotional journey (but not the actual running part, thank god), and could see her struggle on every page. Caletti tapped into what it feels like to grieve and rage, as well as the inner conflict that comes with wanting to move on, and manifested that into Annabelle. This is a must-read book, but be warned, have a box of tissues ready.

Review: The Year of Living Awkwardly

The Year of Living Awkwardly: Sophomore Year
by Emma Chastain

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: July 10, 2018

THE YEAR OF LIVING AWKWARDLY: SOPHOMORE YEAR by Emma Chastain follows Chloe as she navigates her sophomore year of high school. Over the summer she works as a lifeguard with Grady, an incoming freshman, who she finds to be stupid and silly, not at all boyfriend material even though he has a massive crush on her. But when the school year begins and she’s trying to figure out her place, from theater to friends to boys, she starts to realize her cheating ex, Mac, maybe isn’t what she deserves. Throughout this relatable and hilarious novel, we see the importance of family and acceptance, the value of always sticking by your friends, and many more lessons. I thought this book was well written and a good easy light read. Written from Chloe's perspective, it feels like the reader is right there with her, making it fun!

Review: American Panda

American Panda
by Gloria Chao

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 6, 2018

AMERICAN PANDA is about Mei Lu and her family. Mei Lu should be in her senior year of high school, but is instead a freshman at MIT. Her family insists that she live by the set of Golden Lu Rules: be a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, become a doctor, marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, have Taiwanese future Ivy Leaguer children. (Sons are preferred.) Don’t date anyone from any other culture. Don’t fail classes or get bad grades. Don’t lie. Dance. But not too much. Mei breaks some rules and begins to understand others in her quest to define herself and find her own path.

I really loved this book. On behalf of all non-Taiwanese people who don’t go to MIT everywhere, I must say, this book is highly educational on the perspectives of both Taiwanese people and MIT students. I’m not joking. I now know more about MIT and its weird traditions than Mei did when she first got there. (Thanks, Gloria!) I know that this book doesn’t reflect every Taiwanese experience; the author said this herself in the Author’s Note. But it is the beginning of a necessary education on racial sympathy, which is highly timely in the age of Mr. Trump - and it will continue being timely after his reign ends. I felt the tone of this book very strongly. It was cinematic. Lots of twists and near misses and uncomfortable falls from grace (literally and figuratively). The romance did not feel tiring or cliched or anti-feminist in any way. It actually felt very open, empowering, realistic, and very fresh. Overall, even without thinking solely about the difference in racial experiences and refreshing romance, AMERICAN PANDA is quite simply a fine, well-written piece of teen-age literature.

Review: The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza
by Shaun David Hutchinson 

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 6, 2018

THE APOCALYPSE OF ELENA MENDOZA by Shaun David Hutchinson provides a story that deals with the rights of one to choose one’s own fate. The main character, Elena Mendoza, is a product of a virgin birth and, as the story begins, she finds that she has the power to heal by touch. The catch is that everytime she heals someone, alien forces that appear to her as voices from inanimate objects are able to “rapture” people in beams of light to who knows where. Elena struggles with the decision to save the lives of those in pain who seek her “miracles” or let them suffer and prevent any more people from being taken. The aliens claim that they are saving people from the end of the world, but there is no way for Elena to know where the people really go. 

Throughout the entire book Elena hesitates to take any sort of action. Despite advice from her best friend, the girl she likes, and her mom, she can’t make a definite choice. If the voices are right, then not healing anyone is dooming them all, but if the voices lie, then she's allowing the aliens to take innocent people without consent. Elena is frustrated that  she is forced to make choices for people she doesn’t even know. Stuck in this perfectly crafted trap it seems there is no way for her to resolve this impossible problem.

Hutchinson presents an interesting book that, despite its surface level plot, focuses on emotions more than action. Emotions such as the weight of responsibility, indecision and uncertainty (both with her situation and her love life), and the pain of not being able to help someone in need. Even with such a difficult problem, Hutchinson wraps up the story nicely and leaves the reader satisfied.