Ash Princess
by Laura Sebastian
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
Ever since her mother and country were taken from her at the age of six, Theodosia has lived as a captive in her own palace. Only kept alive to keep her people under control and nicknamed the Ash Princess after her murdered mother, the Fire Queen, she suffers from constant abuse and never-ending ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. But just when she thinks her grueling life could not get any worse, Theodosia is forced by the Kaiser to destroy her last chance at returning to the crown. But Theodosia is not as alone as she thinks, realizing that she still has one last person that she can rely on to help set her free: herself.
This book is definitely one of those that go above and beyond what is described in the summary. So many issues were touched upon in this book and so many aspects of my ideal book were featured in it, that I would not hesitate for a second to call this my new all-time favorite! For one, the author was able to cover issues that are not easily talked about in YA fantasy, like sexual harassment and racism. These issues are hard to discuss in YA because they are so big, and are instead often skimmed over or just written in a bad way. But by creating a peaceful nation of people quickly enslaved by a greedy king and his people, the author was able to discuss these topics successfully. Not only that, but Sebastian was able to integrate them into her plot in a beautiful and interesting way. The integration of these topics made the book feel that much more real--as these are topics often talked about today--connecting things that readers see in the news to this fantasy world.
The next aspect of the book that I really enjoyed was the plot itself. Far from the traditional story of a girl in need of help who then discovers super-powerful magic that was just buried deep inside of her (like what the summary might imply), Sebastian was able to utilize another power for the main character to wield: her mind. Though this might seem obvious for a character to use, in YA fantasy it is more common to see girls using hidden magic as their weapon, something the main character actually flat out refuses to do because of her religion. I loved that the author wrote Theodosia this way because it made her more relatable and also enhanced the plot. Instead of going through magical battle scenes, I instead read brilliantly thought out plots, tricks, and conversations where Theodosia's words and ability to act are her weapons. These types of scenes were common throughout the book, leaving me desperate to read more and creating sleepless nights of late night reading.
Another aspect of the plot that I really enjoyed was the way Sebastian was able to steer clear of YA book tropes. At several points of this book, I thought that she was about to fall into a trope (and ruin the book for me). But boy was I wrong. Every time that Sebastian was getting close to something that would be considered a book trope, she was able to beautifully move away from it, making ASH PRINCESS unique and that much more interesting because it was harder to predict.
Lastly, I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Each one was able to follow their own path and each lead to their own unique plot points. I can’t say much without spoiling it, but this book was definitely one that you could not predict, a great trait for a book to have. No two characters were the same and each had their own beautifully constructed story line.
I would recommend this book for YA fantasy lovers looking for a new take on the genre. ASH PRINCESS was able to combine so many factors that make a great book. If you are interested in seeing modern day issues such as sexual harassment play out in a fantasy novel and actually done realistically to bring attention to the issue, this book is for you.
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
by Julie C. Dao
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication Date: October 10, 2017
Xifeng is a peasant girl who’s been told all her life that she would one day be Empress of Feng Lu. Yet, to sit on the throne, she will have to give up her friends, her family, and possibly even herself.
FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS by Julie C. Dao is, without a doubt, one of the best debut novels I’ve ever read! Though a retelling of The Evil Queen legend, Dao manages to make every aspect of the story her own. The world of Feng Lu that Dao paints is masterful -- every page bristles with culture and history -- and the complex characters within it ooze life and passion. Xifeng is both someone you root for and fear for her success. If you’re looking for a book with strong historical influences, a protagonist you’ll hate to love, and a gripping plot that, simply put, will make it nearly impossible to stop reading, FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS is the book for you!
Ace of Shades
by Amanda Foody
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 10, 2018
Arriving in the city of New Reynes, the so-called city of sin, prim and proper Enne Salta only cares for one thing: finding her missing mother before it’s too late. Alone and unprepared for the city’s dark corners, she searches for the only clue given to her, the name of Levi Glaisyer. But Levi is as far from a gentleman as you can get as he is a notorious street lord and con man. But being only one payment away from the end of an unraveling scam, he agrees to help Enne in the promise of a payout of his dreams. Yet the search for Enne’s mother is not how she expected, bringing her through the darkest depths of the city of sin. And as traps snare around them and secrets are unveiled, it becomes clear that neither of them will be able to make it out without losing something, or someone, dear to them. With lives as the prize and souls the betting tokens, the game of death is one that they must play until the end.
From the very first words, I was addicted to this book. Written in a descriptive style that seems to bring the words off of the page, I was in love with every word. Foody has a way of writing each and every detail in such a way that the words seem to come alive. Every detail in the book seemed purposely placed, every word adding to the meaning, and every gesture one of hidden meanings. In a book such of this with a smoky city of mystery and suspense, this only made me question what I thought would happen next. This type of writing goes greatly with another aspect of ACE OF SHADES, the world building.
Even within the first few pages of this book, I can already tell that the author is a queen of building new worlds. When I first read through her opening scene of Enne entering through the city and being asked about her family, I was confused. But then the author quickly explained the reason for it: each family has a particular inherited talent and while it is sometimes something like dance (like the main character) or math, it could also be something like fire or electricity, it could be magic. When I first discovered this I literally mumbled to myself ‘oh my god she’s doing this’. It’s safe to say that I was incredible impressed with this. I know that this is something often done in fantasy books and an element like this should not be something so unexpected for me; but I still found it so incredibly unique that it almost felt like the perfect fantasy element for me, if authors could create things for specific readers. Besides this, the author created this great universe with an amazing backdrop and history that went well with the setting. Foody clearly knows how to outline a story.
The next aspect of the book that I really liked was the character development. So many books nowadays have books with plain beginning to end character arcs where minimal character development is achieved. But in ACE OF SHADES, Foody clearly put in time and effort to make each character perfect. One example of this is Enne, who started out as a prim and proper young lady who I just could not stop despising. It wasn’t just who she was that bugged me, but her personality. But throughout the book, I actually began to like her and I felt like she truly was a main character that I can enjoy. While her personality did not change so much that she felt like a different person, it did change enough that it was clear that she grew with the story. Another character who did this was Levi whose entire moral standard changed through the book. This type of character growth is hard to come by in books and even though it is often attempted, it frequently comes off half-baked.
Another thing that I enjoyed about the characters was that Foody made sure to stay away from the stereotypes that they could easily be associated with. Levi was not your typical street lord baddy whose only thirst is for guts and gold. Enne is not your typical graceful dancer who seeks grace and cleanliness over survival. Foody paid special attention to her characters to make sure that they don’t become their stereotypes and instead stay as their own personalities. And just because Foody spent so much effort on her main characters, does not mean that she spent any less on her side ones. I truly cannot imagine better written side characters. She clearly did not waste any effort with them as each grew into their own spots in the book and left it feeling like the book would be incomplete without them. Each of them were well written and incredibly entertaining leaving me to laugh, smile, and cry beside them.
Lastly, I really enjoyed the plot. With hidden agendas and unexpected betrayal at every turn, Foody keeps the reader constantly entertained throughout the book. I was so entertained that I even stayed up all night to finish it. The author also made sure not to only have one main plot as she created numerous subplots that all intertwined at some point. Reading ACE OF SHADES felt like I was in a giant maze and with each page, I got closer to the middle. Though one aspect of the book was a bit obvious, it was still minor and so much of the book still shocked me with each chapter.
I would recommend this book for fans of SIX OF CROWS because ACE OF SHADES has a familiar atmosphere to it. This book is best suited for readers thirteen and up. If you a seeking a book that will grip you tight and won’t let you go until the last page, this one is for you.
Sam and Ilsa's Last Hurrah
by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Publication Date: April 10, 2018
SAM AND ILSA'S LAST HURRAH by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan was a delightful, sweet, and hilarious short novel about twins saying goodbye to their pasts and jumping into their new lives after high school. When given the chance, twins Ilsa and Sam hold extravagant dinner parties at their grandmother's penthouse in New York. To make things interesting they each invite three secret guests that the other sibling doesn’t know. At the close of their high school days they hold their final dinner party which turns out to be a wacky, magical night during which secrets are professed, glass is shattered, and the truth comes out whether or not it was meant to be shared!
This story had me laughing out loud. Its plot was so absurd yet emotional and meaningful. In one scene, a sock puppet might be trash talking a toddler while other characters seriously consider the impact their lives have on the environment and how life will change as sea levels rise and the polar ice caps melt. As the events follow a whirlwind pattern, both Sam and Ilsa experience a rollercoaster of emotion throughout the book. They fight, change their minds, and change them back. Each party guest adds another layer of turmoil for the narrators. The cast of characters includes ex-boyfriends, new potential boyfriends, new potential girlfriends, horrible best friends, a sock puppet, dance partners, and neighbors. Overall this book is crazy and fun, a good short read!
The Diminished
by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 10, 2018
After the Gods destroyed the Earth and split the moon, everyone is born with a twin, save a few every generation. Those who are unfortunate enough to have their twin die become Diminished, doomed to have their grief overtake them in a violent rage. The few who are Singleborn are destined to rise to the Throne and rule Alskad. Vi, a diminished, is just trying to survive unnoticed, despite the fact that she has been without her twin since birth and has never succumbed to her grief. Bo is Singleborn, heir to the throne of Alskad.
I really liked THE DIMINISHED. It is interesting to see how the mythology of the world has shaped, and it seems intentionally unclear whether the myths are true (like in Percy Jackson), or if they are just religious beliefs that almost everyone believes. While a good story, the plot twist was extremely predictable, but this does not make the book unenjoyable. The created world is rich with mythology, lore, and conspiracy, both politically and religiously!
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.
Someday, Somewhere
by Lindsay Champion
Publisher: KCP Loft
Publication Date: April 3, 2018
SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE is about two cool teens takin’ on New York. Their names are Dominique and Ben, and they both appreciate jazz. Ben is a violinist. An amazing, high-strung, mischievously sexy violinist. Dominique wants to be a dancer. She danced when she was young, he played when he was even younger. She stopped for financial and social reasons, he didn’t. Dominique lives in Jersey, Ben, in the most "high-life" part of New York. She does something worthy of an episode of Crazy Ex-Gilfriend. She gets on the train–-the A Train, to be exact-–and tracks this boy down, a boy who she only met once before. She does not tell him where she comes from, or why she’s not seen around there often. He does something in return that is equally wildly romantic. I’m not going to tell you what it is, though. It’ll ruin the surprise. Trust me, it’s worth it. Even though the whole of “New York Dominique” is a lie, Ben isn’t picture perfect either, and his secret could be the one that tears them--not to mention him--apart.
SOMEDAY, SOMEWHERE is a really good book. Every single book that I review happens to be good enough that I’ll buy it when it comes out-–or after if I’m lazy--to have in my own home library, and force my future adopted kids to read it. But especially this book. Dominique and Ben are the two of the most sympathetic protagonists I’ve read in a long time. And the book taught me something: privilege never leaves. It is everywhere. Unlike Dominique, I have never once heard from my parents that I cannot do exactly what I want to, for any reason. My plan in life is to own a chain of bed-and-breakfasts and be a writer. I’ve heard, and I am very well aware, that it will require 99% of my passion and time to have one bed-and-breakfast, not to mention a chain. I’ve heard that it will be hard. But I’ve never heard my least favorite word… "Impossible." I am a young white lady-appearing agender chicken nugget living in one of the most liberal cities in the U.S. I have a lot of privilege. It won’t get me all the way to my goals, but at least I’m in a position where I can have (slightly) feasible, actual goals, and not just pipe dreams. I’ve never heard, "You can’t. Not because I don’t want you to…we just can’t do it." Dominique has. You get used to what you’re given, I guess, so that could explain why, in general, Dominique is easy-going and joyous. She is critical of life, and for good reason, but she’s held onto her dream for this long, in her heart, in the back of her heart, and that is only something someone with a strong resolution can do. Ben is also strong, but in a completely different way – they match well. I put myself in his shoes with ease. I haven’t been through anything like he has, but y'know, everybody’s got somethin'. I empathize with him because he looks for art in the dark…and maybe that keeps him in the dark…but he is a shining light. Not all the way. But enough to be. Not "be happy," or "be perfect." Just…be.
MUNMUN
by Jesse Andrews
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: April 3, 2018
Jesse Andrews’ latest novel, MUNMUN, delves into a dystopian world where a person’s height directly corresponds to their wealth, or “munmun.” The richest in the world stand at skyscraper height while the poorest are the size of mere rats. Warner and his sister, Prayer, are littlepoors, the very smallest of the citizens. After the accidental murder of their father, Warner and Prayer set off to try and find Prayer a wealthy husband who will share his wealth and “scale up” Warner’s family. And so begins an epic adventure of hope, humor, and important motifs that are far more serious than how they are presented.
Personally, I enjoyed MUNMUN. Andrews describes this made up world with such precision that I began to believe that it really existed. The roller-coaster ride of Warner and Prayer kept me on the edge of my seat--well, bed--and kept me happily turning the page. The syntax of this book is unique in that many words are pushed together, all acronyms are spelled out phonetically, and more. While it is hard to get used to at first, this style of writing perfectly encapsulates the narrator, Warner. Despite having an ending that left much to be desired, MUNMUN is a well-written, passionate book about the struggles of the poor that I recommend to any interested readers.
The Window
by Amelia Brunskill
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 3, 2018
When Jess’s twin sister, Anna, dies suddenly, everyone from her parents to the police are all too willing to write it off as a tragic accident. But Jess knows something else was going on that night. Jess knows she is being lied to. She decides to investigate the night of Anna’s death herself. As Jess learns more about the truth, she begins to question if she really knew Anna at all.
THE WINDOW traces the sickening downward spiral of a teen girl whose demons are invisible to everyone else in her life. The plot is steeped in sex, drinking, rule-breaking, and general teenage recklessness. This guarantees that readers won’t be able to put it down. Although the author resorts to the occasional clichéd turn of phrase, the thrilling, rapid-fire plot twists more than make up for it. Ultimately, THE WINDOW ends up as more of a soap opera than the layered psychological thriller that Brunskill was going for; but it’s still certainly worth reading for anyone in the mood for a novel with secrets, melodrama, heartbreak, and sinister undertones.
Folded Notes from High School
by Matt Boren
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: April 3, 2018
FOLDED NOTES FROM HIGH SCHOOL by Matt Boren follows Tara, the biggest mean girl at South High. She seemingly has everything: a gorgeous jock boyfriend, best friend, and she’s the star of her school theater department. But this year there’s a new freshman, Matthew. She’s having fun being his mentor, almost like his older sister, but then it gets complicated when she starts feeling things she never thought she was capable of... but there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to keep her status as queen bee.
This book is written in the witty slang of high school notes being passed between the South High students, which I thought was very clever and is easy to relate to. The story was fun and light; definitely recommend!
