The Traitor's Game
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: February 26, 2018
In the newest fantasy novel by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Kestra Dallisor has been in exile for three years from the kingdom where her father serves as the king’s second in command. But as she is on the journey to come home, she is stopped by a band of rebels who blackmail her into finding the Olden Blade, the one thing that could kill the seemingly immortal king and change the kingdom forever. As she goes on this mission, filled with ulterior motives and mysterious secrets, Kestra now must decide if the regime she once protected is really worth it, and if she can do what it takes to save her kingdom.
I really enjoyed this book! Filled with magic and warring families, the author was able to build up a wonderful world for the reader to be immersed in. For one thing, this book had some of the best character development I have ever read! Starting as a strict loyalist, then becoming an amazing heroine, the character of Kestra changed so much as the book went on, making her feel real and fleshed out. The side characters as well were like this as the author did not miss a single chance to make each character shine.
Another aspect of this book that was enjoyable was the world itself. Filled with just the right amount of magic, it never felt like it was too crazy. I could easily see myself reading more of this series because it is just so immersive and makes you constantly want to further explore the world.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves royal intrigue mixed with magic. Despite the novel sometimes doing things that seem stereotypical at the start, the author keeps you hooked with secrets and plot twists that you will never see coming.
Hooper
by Geoff Herbach
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: February 20, 2018
HOOPER by Geoff Herbach is about a Polish teen named Adam Reed. In Poland his mom died and his dad left him. He was adopted and moved to Minnesota. He loves playing basketball more than anything else in his life. When trouble arises he has to keep a level head or lose everything.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a real page turner, at times I couldn't put the book down. The plot was fast, moving, and interesting. There were many layers and I thought the writing style was interesting.
When Light Left Us
by Leah Thomas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: February 13, 2018
WHEN LIGHT LEFT US by Leah Thomas is a thrilling, contemporary novel that is incredibly hard to put down. When the father of Milo, Ana, and Hank Vasquez inexplicably deserted his family, the three siblings were suddenly left with a gaping hole in their lives. But in the darkness of their backyard one summer night, that hole was filled. A foreign, shimmering light entered into the three bodies of the Vasquez children and slowly took control of their actions. After doing irreversible damage on the three children, this light abandons them, much like their father. When the light left them, the children were forced them to embrace the things that made them human and learn to live again without the alien presence that they had become so familiar with.
WHEN LIGHT LEFT US took my breath away. Leah Thomas brilliantly captured the separate thoughts and personalities of three very different children while characterizing them in such a way that I forgot they weren’t actually real. The setting was designed in a way that made me feel like I too was in rural New Mexico. At its heart, WHEN LIGHT LEFT US is not an alien book, it is a coming-of-age story about how an alien presence forever changed the perspectives of a family. In the end, this is an utterly engrossing story that I never wanted to end.
Honor Among Thieves
by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: February 13, 2018
One hundred years after the Leviathans, living alien ships, came to Earth to help humanity, Zara is selected for a year long trip aboard one of them. Zara, not used to trusting anyone, is unsure of how to proceed or if she can trust the Leviathans. The trip is to ideally prepare Zara for the Journey, which no one seems to know much about and is surrounded by mystery throughout the book. It is interesting to read from the perspective of an alien ship, and how this book explores communication between Leviathans and Humans: Leviathans have basic telepathy but sometimes have trouble ‘translating’ their thoughts into something understood by the humans. I also found it interesting how Leviathans are biologically able to do what they do. They are biological, yet they are able to be upgraded and modified by technology and are aware of what goes on inside themselves. There is a lot of mystery surrounding what exactly the purpose of the trip is, and Zara does not appreciate how little she is informed.
HONOR AMONG THIEVES heavily draws elements from DIVERGENT, LEGEND, THE HUNGER GAMES, and DOCTOR WHO. While at times the similarities can be annoying, I mostly enjoyed how it takes many familiar ideas and puts them into one story.
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.
The Last to Let Go
by Amber Smith
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
When 16-year-old Brooke Winter arrives home from school one day to see her abusive father dead and her mother holding the murder weapon, she cannot begin to fathom all the ways her life is about to spiral out of control. Over the next year, she struggles to come to terms with her father’s death and her mother’s involvement in it. But she must also deal with all the problems, big and small, that characterize the life of your average 16-year-old: first kisses, first loves, breakups, schoolwork, friends. But she is not, and will never be, your average 16-year-old. For how long can she keep up the charade?
Despite the dark subject matter, THE LAST TO LET GO is not a depressing read. It is funny, sweet, and ultimately hopeful. The author, Amber Smith, ensures the plot is not overshadowed by violence and despair. Brooke is a well-drawn character, complicated and multidimensional. She makes decisions that are so frustrating you will find it hard to keep reading, but you’ll also be so invested in her that you’ll force yourself to turn the pages. Smith’s prose flows easily. THE LAST TO LET GO is a completely worthwhile read.
All We Can Do Is Wait
by Richard Lawson
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 6, 2018
ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT by Richard Lawson follows the different perspectives of a group of teenagers in the aftermath of a horrible tragedy. In a hospital waiting room in Boston, five strangers wait to hear news of their loved ones, and find solace in each other. Though taking course over a single night, their diverse pasts are explored, leading to realizations and breakthroughs on behalf of the characters. More than just a disaster story, ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT sheds a light on the effect of the relationships we have with others and the idea of unity in the face of catastrophe.
Lawson brings energy and excitement into each page, yet is able to keep the narrative grounded in reality. Each character is vastly different and allows for a multitude of experiences to be shown, and are all relatable in their own ways. The revelations that occur throughout the story are done in the most realistic and effective ways, creating dimensional portrayals of characters rather than used simply for dramatic effect. However, all the events are merely a backdrop to the connections they create with each other, the real star of the story. I loved this book and the way it conveyed emotions and relationships, and would highly recommend it!
