PRE-PUBLICATION Review of Advanced Reader Copy by Hayden
Review date: February 1, 2021 - Publish date: February 2, 2021

Review by Hayden
This is Not the Jess Show by Anna Carey

This Is Not the Jess Show, written by Anna Carey, is a newly-published young adult thriller novel. It is a very fast-paced book with lots of action, written in the first person point of view of Jess Flynn. The plot-twisting story begins with seventeen-year-old Jess Flynn simply living through her junior year of high school.
Jess is a seemingly average high school student in the ‘90s. Her daily life consists of dealing with strict parents, a new crush on her old friend, and her sister’s rare blood disease. However, things start to get very weird at school. She hears strange chanting when she wakes up in the morning, and half the school is absent from a strange flu epidemic. Suddenly, Jess’s own dog seems off, and a tiny device with an Apple logo has fallen from her friend’s backpack. At this point in the novel, the story completely changes direction as Jess starts to pick up and put together all of the unnatural things in her town.
PRE-PUBLICATION Review of Advanced Reader Copy by Hiba
Review date: November 30, 2020 - Publish date: January 21, 2021


Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall
Desmond Hall’s "Your Corner Dark" is an action-packed thriller following the story of a young man as he faces some of the most tragic events in his life. I would give this book four stars for its intriguing plot and eye-opening setting that shows the actual situation of Jamaica.
The story begins by introducing the main character, Frankie, and showing the reality of his country, Jamaica. Frankie has great dreams and plans to escape his poverty through his scholarship to the University of Arizona. He has worked hard his entire life, so he could become an engineer in America.
Review by Katie
January 25, 2021


The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Secret History by Donna Tartt begins with its climax: The murder of a dear friend is revealed with equal parts remorse and resign, creating an immediate sense of intrigue before it circles back to the birth of this chronicle. The Secret Historyis a murder mystery dressed in pompousness. It tells the story of Richard, a young man studying classics in college with a group of people who are excited to step over boundaries of morality to pursue their fantasies. The consequences of their unbelievable actions prove to be repulsive, yet each character is addicting in their own way.
PRE-PUBLICATION Review of Advanced Reader Copy by Katie
Review date: December 2, 2020 - Publish date: March 2, 2021


Yolk by Mary H. K. Choi
Mary H.K. Choi’s Yolk opens with a warning of the book’s descriptions of disordered eating and body dysmorphia. The warning is written personally and tenderly, indicative of the entire book’s cathartic and human story. Yolk is a young adult novel that follows Jayne, a college student living in New York. It chronicles her life cracking open upon the revelation that her estranged sister, June, has cancer. The diagnosis chaotically brings them together, opening the floodgates of their relationship, Jayne’s view of herself and her world, and the ultimate totality of death and loss.
Review by Paige

One of Us Is Lying, by Karen McManus

Karen McManus’ award-winning debut novel, “One of Us Is Lying,” is a thrilling and intriguing take on the classic murder mystery. The gripping story follows Bronwyn, Cooper, Nate, and Addy, who are suspected in the murder of their fellow classmate, Simon Kelleher.
Review by Samantha
January 27, 2021


The Do-Over by Jennifer Honeybourn
The Do-Over by Jennifer Honeybourn stars Emilia, a high school girl who loves spending time with her best friends Marisol and Alistair. Emilia’s life seems to be perfect, but then she is asked to prom by two guys: her crush Ben (the most popular boy in school), and her best friend Alistair. Not wanting to mess up her friendship, Emilia chooses Ben, but after dating for a few months, Emilia realizes that she isn’t content with her choice. When a fortune teller at the town fair offers Emilia a crystal that will take her back in time to redo a moment in her life, Emilia jumps at the chance to take it and reverse her choice. Although it seems like a good decision, going back in time and making changes doesn’t turn out the way Emilia expects. When one small tweak begins to unravel her life, Emilia doesn’t know what to do. This book explores Emilia’s life and the difference that each small choice truly makes.
Review by Samantha
February 25, 2021


The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black is a novel about a normal girl named Jude who was kidnapped by her parents’ murderer to live in the High Court of Faerie. Jude and her two sisters, Taryn and Vivi, are raised by their kidnapper - a military general named Madoc who is Vivi’s biological father. However, Jude’s life isn’t without complications. She is human, which means she is despised by the fey living in Faerie, especially Prince Cardan. Ten years after being taken from her home and parents, Jude realizes she wants to win a place at the Court, but in order to do this she must take a huge risk and defy both Cardan and Madoc. On her journey, Jude quickly realizes that Faerie isn’t what she thought, and that betrayal, danger, and deception play a larger part in the Court than she had ever known.