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.
Missing
by Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
MISSING by Kelley Armstrong is a chilling mystery novel set in Reeve’s End, a destitute small town in rural Kentucky. College-bound Winter Crane is eager to follow in the footsteps of countless other teenagers who have left Reeve’s End seeking a better life elsewhere, but when she discovers Lennon, a teenager assaulted and abandoned in the woods, she finds herself thrust into an intense game of cat-and-mouse with Lennon’s attacker. The mystery only escalates when Lennon suddenly goes missing, his brother Jude shows up asking questions, and Winter is drawn into the boys’ complicated family life. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel; it did an excellent job at balancing page-turning suspense with character development. I found Winter particularly likeable as a character, she is intelligent, compassionate, and incredibly resourceful. I would highly recommend this novel to fans of THE NATURALS.
Bang
by Barry Lyga
Publisher: Little Brown
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
BANG by Barry Lyga
is about a boy named Sebastian who shot his baby sister with his
fathers gun when he was 4 years old. The book takes place 10 years
later, when Sebastian is a suicidal teen. He meets a girl named
Aneesa who makes him forget about his past and he altogether forgets
about committing suicide. This is a very eye opening story and I
truly loved it. It actually brought me to tears. It was so real and
beautifully written. It is very heavy. I really enjoyed the plot. It
is a hard book to face but once you start reading it, you get wrapped
up. BANG is a totally amazing book you must read.
Literally
by Lucy Keating
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
In LITERALLY by Lucy
Keating, Annabelle is a character by Lucy Keating— as in, she is
aware of that fact. After a class lecture by Keating herself,
Annabelle discovers that everything she’s known her whole life…
is just for a book Keating’s about to write. LITERALLY has a very
interesting concept, yet the way it is delivered does not stray too
far from the genre’s tropes. Cute and fun, LITERALLY is the perfect
read for anyone who just wants a nice, familiar YA romance novel.
Guaranteed to have you smiling throughout your read, it's perfect for everyone, whether you are green to the genre, or an experienced veteran looking for something comfortable!
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.
Beck
by Mal Peet and Meg Rosoff
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
BECK, by Meg Rosoff
and Mal Peet, is a story that follows the life of a boy named Beck,
an orphan who is shipped from England to Canada and escapes to
America, where he struggles to make a life for himself. The story
takes place in the early 1900s which is intriguing to me because I am
a bit of a history buff. I liked the character development and the side
characters. I also enjoyed the book's realistic nature and how it is
unique, as it deals with an interesting journey; I have not really read anything similar to this. I would recommend this
book to older audiences, as in high schoolers, because there are some
intense scenes that are not really appropriate for younger kids. However, I
really enjoyed the book and definitely think it is worth reading.
Keeping the Beat
by Marie Powell and Jeff Norton
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
KEEPING THE BEAT by
Marie Powell and Jeff Norton follows an all girl rock band on their
rise to fame that brings them from England to LA, and the path each
girl takes once they get there. The hodgepodge group of five girls
barely talked at school, but an opportunity on Britain's newest
reality show to become a world famous band throws them together into
living a SoCal life of nonstop partying and celebrity status. Yet
each girl faces their own personal problems that threaten to tear the
band apart, and possibly the lives of those around them.
Though the
premise seemed a bit cliché, the writing and dialogue was fresh
enough to keep it a fun and exciting read. The characters were an
interesting take on old tropes and felt well developed and layered.
While some of the plot points seemed to be a little out of place and
the last few chapters were a bit rushed, it all came together
cohesively in a way that kept my attention. Each of the girls brought
a unique viewpoint to the story at large and helped tie the book
together. I really enjoyed this book as a fun suspenseful read that I
would definitely recommend to someone who is looking for the same
kind of exciting easy reading experience.
The Last Thing You Said
by Sara Biren
Publisher: Amulet Press
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
THE LAST THING YOU
SAID by Sara Biren is a romance novel about the healing power of love
and friendship when confronting grief. It follows Lucy and Ben as
they struggle to cope with the untimely death of Trixie, Lucy’s
best friend and Ben’s younger sister. Though this story obviously
deals with some heavy subject matter, it is ultimately light and
uplifting. While Lucy and Ben’s relationship is at the forefront of
the plot, I found Lucy’s relationships with the other female
characters to be much more compelling than I had anticipated at
first; these complex characters provided such a support network to
Lucy and added depth to the plot. That being said, I did feel as if
Lucy and Ben’s romance seemed unrealistic at times, and it wasn’t
as genuine as I would have liked it to be. Overall, I would recommend
this book to anyone seeking a lighter read.
The End of Our Story
by Meg Haston
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Ex-best friends Wil and Bridge used to date, until a drunken mistake by Bridge ended their relationship during junior year. In the midst of their senior year of high school, a tragedy strikes Wil’s family and the two friends attempt to rediscover their connection. Though the novel seems simply like a romance, it explores the complexity of relationships, from friendships, to romance, to family. Throughout the novel, both Bridge and Wil wrestle with their individual family situations, yet they are able to support one another along the way. My favorite aspect of THE END OF OUR STORY was its unique layout. The story is told from two perspectives and two different timelines, but it is always clear who is narrating. This format allows readers to piece together the connecting elements of each character’s story, and to get a complete sense of Wil and Bridge as both individuals and as a pair. Overall, THE END OF OUR STORY by Meg Haston is an excellent read and will encourage readers to think about how a person’s actions and relationships define them.
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.
Alex Approximately
by Jenn Bennett
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
ALEX, APPROXIMATELY
by Jenn Bennett is about an east coast teenage girl who moves to Los
Angeles and has to navigate her parents' divorce, getting her first
job, and of course, love. When she lived in Washington, her life was
simple and she started to develop a storybook romance with Alex, her
online boyfriend. But when she moves across the country to meet him
for the first time she falls for Porter, a risk taking surfer. Who
will she choose? Or is there even a decision to make... I thought
this book was very well written, playful, and definitely a page
turner. If you're into rom-com's and books about teens this is for
you.
Geekerella
by Ashley Poston
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
GEEKERELLA tells the
story of Elle, a young fangirl who’s obsessed with Starfield, a
Star Trek-like show filled with romance and adventure. Although she
doesn’t like the choice for the main actor in the reboot, she still
hopes to win ExcelsiCon’s costume contest so she can meet him and
get the tickets to L.A so she can finally get away from her
stepmother and step sisters. Meanwhile, Darien is the new main actor
for Starfield, and although it is his dream role, he is written off
as just a teenage heartthrob with no respect for the fandom. Now, as
he must judge a costume contest at ExcelsiCon, the place he used to
love before he was famous, he begins to feel more like a fake, until
he meets a girl who makes him think otherwise.
I honestly picked this book up expecting it to be horrible. But it wasn’t. I loved its developed characters and
jokes, and how it very much was a Cinderella story, yet wasn’t. I
also loved how it had the true essence of a fandom book, which will
make all fandom obsessed readers relate to it.
It is
very much one of those books that is super cheesy, yet addictive. And
while it is just one of those feel-good books that you finish in a
day, the characters and overall essence will stick with you. I would
recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and fun read to
brighten up their day. And even if you are not in a fandom, you’ll
wish you were after reading this.
