![]() Warning: Spoilers ahead for Scythe, book one of the Arc of a Scythe trilogy by Neal Shusterman In Thunderhead, the sequel to Scythe, Rowan is on the run. He is attacking and killing corrupt scythes under the moniker of “Scythe Lucifer.” Meanwhile, Citra has become Scythe Anastasia, living as a junior Scythe with Scythe Curie. There is an attempt on Curie’s and Anastacia’s lives, but they survive and investigate the attempt. The reader also follows Greyson Tolliver, a Nimbus agent who is given a special task by the Thunderhead itself. The characters all meet in a dramatic finale that ends with a massive cliffhanger. I read this book because I read Scythe, the first book of the series, as a book group book. I was completely hooked on the story and the characters, but the best part was and is the masterfully constructed world of the future. This seemingly ridiculous premise of immortal humans and legally ordained killers is made believable through Shusterman’s masterful writings. I highly recommend this book, this series, and anything written by Neal Shusterman. -RB, grade 10
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![]() The City of Bones written by Cassandra Clare, is the first book in the Mortal Instruments series. The story follows the main character Clary Fray in modern day New York City as she faces a new reality after discovering she is associated with Shadowhunters; a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. In 24 hours, Clary's mother is kidnapped, she nearly escapes a demon, and ends up under the care of the Institute, a common ground for Shadowhunters. Determined to retrieve her mother, Clary explores her newfound abilities and braves her way through a new world with a whirlwind of emotions. I discovered this book through my sister, who has thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. I thought the book was entertaining, but it was not my favorite. I prefer reading more realistic novels than fantasy. Nonetheless, it contained much action and suspense. I have heard there is a movie about the first novel, so I am excited to watch it and relate the events to the book. -GH, grade 10 ![]() Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collin, is the third book of the Hunger Games trilogy. The book continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, who agrees to unify the districts of Panem in a rebellion against the Capitol, no matter the cost. Her home has been demolished, Gale has escaped, and importantly Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. We find out that the District 13 actually does exist. There are rebels, there are new leaders, a revolution is happening. The book is filled with emotion and action. I chose this book because I really liked the previous two books of the trilogy. I would give the book a 3.2/5. A lot of people who have read this book were extremely disappointed by it, but I thought it was an okay end to the trilogy. Overall, I thought it was pretty decent even though I felt it could’ve had a lot more. It was a bit fast paced and some things seemed to happen so fast and unclear, but besides that it was ok. -AH, grade 12 ![]() The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan is the third novel in the third series about greek and roman demigods that was made famous by Percy Jackson. This series, called The Trials of Apollo, follows the god Apollo who has been made into a mortal by Zeus. Apollo is also forced to listen to a 12 year old girl which adds to the humour of the series. In The Burning Maze, Apollo must travel across the United States to save the Roman demigod camp and an ancient oracle. Apollo has many companions that help him along the way, including the aforementioned 12 year old girl and multiple characters that appeared in the previous two series. This novel, like all of Riordan’s works, keeps the reader engaged with constant action and plenty of humour throughout. Whether it is fighting a group of deadly birds while half paralyzed, or fighting an emperor while consulting an arrow that speaks Shakespearean english, there is never a dull moment in this book. I received this book as a birthday present because I have been keeping up with Riordan’s series since 2012. I found this novel to be an incredibly enjoyable, albeit easy, read. I particularly enjoyed the different ways that Riordan uses humor throughout the story. The book also has a nostalgia factor because it brings back characters that haven’t been mentioned in over 5 books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it but it is difficult to recommend because it has 12 books that came before it in the 3 series. If you have time to read 13 books then I would recommend reading this book and its predecessors, but it doesn’t serve well as a stand-alone novel. -CG, grade 12 ![]() Many people see graphic novels as childish and light but through this reading experience I discovered quite the opposite."March" by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell perfectly executed how to make this inspiring story incredibly powerful in the graphic format which conveyed the proper mood and emotion. In March we take a first-hand look at the struggles of the Civil Rights era through the eyes of United States Congressman John Lewis. This graphic novel brings the unjust trials and tribulations forced onto black americans by white americans in the rather recent civil rights era to the forefront of the readers attention by following Lewis' life from his hard working farming childhood, to his college years where he joined the civil rights movement for black americans to eliminate social segregation based on racial discrimination. It also follows his present day life as a U.S. Congressman while preparing for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. This novel gave me an in depth look at the crucial role John Lewis played in negating the harmful effects of segregation using non-violent methods like his idol Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. although the same non-violent ways were not always used in return. I chose this book because I’m always intrigued to learn more about Black history when given the chance. This book did not disappoint at all especially with it being a graphic novel it helped me better understand what was going on and kept me interested. I give this book a 5/5 because I got to learn about the amazing sacrifices in the fight for basic civil rights for black americans by Congressman John Lewis. It’s truly inspiring story that proves classic values such as hard work pays off to be true. I can for sure say I recommend this novel. -CJH, grade 12 ![]() Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier is a part of a trilogy. This story about a high school girl named Gwyneth Shepherd who lives in England. Her cousin, Charlotte, prepared her entire life for traveling through time. It ends up to be Gwyneth who is the time traveler. Gwyneth now has to learn why her mother would lie about her birthday to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with a boy named Gideon. He is a time traveler from a family that passes the time travel gene through its male line. Gwyneth and Gideon travel through time to discover who they can trust. My mom ordered this book for my sister a few years ago. I chose this book because my sister really liked this book. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and thought that the character development was very good. The love story between Gwyneth and Gideon was really cute. It ended with a cliffhanger, so I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy. -GP, grade 10 ![]() The Rose Society written by Marie Lu, is the second book in the Young Elites series. Following the first book The Young Elites, the main character Adelina and her sister Violetta are on the run from being hunted by the Inquisition back in Kenettra. In her search for other Young Elites, her goal is to get revenge on the Inquisition. However, Adelina is slowly being consumed by her dark power, and does not trust any of her new found Young Elites. The Rose Society is a story on Adelina's revenge and spiral into darkness. I found this book through a recommendation via my sister (consequently she also recommended me the first book which I thought was OK). I definitely enjoyed this book more than the first book because it builds on the characters of Adelina and Violetta while also being very descriptive on how her powers look. It really immerses you into the world that Marie Lu has created. I’ve heard from a friend that the third book is even better, so I am very excited. -CC, grade 10 ![]() The Giver by Lois Lowry is about this utopian society where they are exposed to certain events in life. There’s only one person, called the Giver, in the society where he knows everything. For example, he would know the worse event that happened in life to the best thing that could happen to you. The society has limited things they can see, hear, and touch. If they are exposed to anything that was not supposed to be obtained, they were to be punished in different ways. The Giver is the only one that knows about everything, affection, wars, color, and many other things that the community doesn’t know. Jonas, the main character, was chosen to be the next Giver, but no one is allowed to know that he has all these memories being transferred to him through the original Giver. Jonas would ask why the community doesn’t know any of these memories he is obtaining, and they should know. Later in the story, no one is allowed to leave the community, but Jonas wanted to. If he leaves the community, his memories will be released to the society and they would learn about the events that Jonas did. I chose this book because I wasn’t into the first book I was reading in class. This book was on my parent’s bookshelf. Overall, I thought it was a good book even though I felt like there should have been more. I would give it a 4.5/5 stars. Five stars being the best book. I gave it a 4.5 because I didn’t like the ending of the book and I thought that there should’ve been more to the ending. There’s also a movie to this book and it showed a different ending. All in all, I think this book was a great book. -RV, grade 12 ![]() SPY SCHOOL SECRET SERVICE puts 13-year-old spy-in-training Ben Ripley back on the trail of the super secret (and super devious) criminal organization SPYDER. His mission is to uncover and thwart a plot to kill the president, but Ben ends up becoming the prime suspect in an assassination attempt. I love this series, you are always on your toes. You will understand parts of SPYDER’s plan, but it will piece itself all together at the end. Ben is not the most athletic or skillful individual at spy school, however that doesn’t stop him from getting the task done in time. These books make you think, ‘is this happening in our world today, and we are just in the dark?’ -ZW 12th grade ![]() Never Fade is the second book in the Darkest Minds series, which is a dystopian series that focuses on a protagonist named Ruby. In the first book the reader is introduced to IAAN, a disease which wiped out most American children, and left those unaffected which unexplainable powers. This book focuses on Ruby’s mission to free the super teens from the concentration camps which the government has placed them in, and to find the love of her life. I bought the first book in the series on a whim when I was in Barnes & Noble last year. I started reading it over the summer, and from the first time I picked it up I was hooked. I could hardly set the book down long enough to eat. When I got close to finishing it, I went and bought the next two books in the series. Bracken’s writing style is engaging, and the plot is very interesting. The book is an easy read, and I promise time will slip from under you when reading it. I strongly recommend (but read the Darkest Minds first). -LWH, grade 10 |
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