March 2, 2022
Review by Kelly


This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
In the novel This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp, two characters, Sylv and Autumn, are held hostage by Autumn’s brother due to mental issues and violence at home. Meanwhile, Tomas and Clarie are outside trying to find ways to help rescue the hostages taken by Autumn’s brother, Tyler, in the gym. This book is a rollercoaster of emotions and tells the tale of a school shooting spun with grief, death, and raises questions on the negative consequences of school shootings. In addition to the tweets and blog posts between each chapter, the writing really absorbs the reader into thinking this type of situation could occur to them in their school.
Tags: teen blog
YA fiction
Teen Book Review
Thiss Where It Ends
Marie Nijkamp
School Shootings
Read more: Kelly's Review of "This Is Where It Ends" by Marieke Nijkamp
January 20, 2022
Review by Alanna


The Lost, written by New York Times bestselling author Natasha Preston, is a fantastic young adult thriller and a gripping tale of a small-town case that must be cracked from the inside out.
The novel follows Piper, a teenage girl interested in mysteries and puzzles, on an amateur sleuthing adventure. With secrets thickening the air, teenagers in her hometown continue to disappear one by one and are labeled by the town as runaways. However, after one of their own classmates vanishes, Piper and her best friend Hazel become increasingly doubtful of the town’s assumption and most determined to uncover the truth about the disappearances. Ultimately, their discoveries lead them directly to the missing teens… and, less fortunately, to their captors. Can they all escape?
Tags: Mystery
YA fiction
suspense
Teen Book Review
The Lost
Natasha Preston
Page-turner
cliffhangers
Read more: Alanna’s Review of “The Lost” by Natasha Preston
January 14, 2022
Review by Carina



The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a beautiful story of two heroes who share an unbreakable bond. It is a retelling of The Iliad, but through the eyes of Patroclus, friend of the great hero, Achilles. Set in Ancient Greece, Patroclus, son of Menoitius, is a disappointment to his father. He is small and slight, unfit to be prince. At age ten, he is exiled after his unintentional killing of a boy. He is sent to be fostered in the small country of Phthia where he meets Achilles, son of the sea goddess, Thetis. Patroclus and Achilles quickly become the best of friends and try to persevere through the war at Troy. But they have no idea what the cruel Fates have in store for them.
Tags: Teen Book Review
The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller
Greek Mythology
Fiction
Friendship
Character Depth
Families
Fathers and Sons
Read more: Carina’s Review of "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller