Author: lamadelyn

“Blue Sargent forgot how many times she’d been told she would kill her true love.”

The Raven Boys, written by Maggie Stiefvater, is a fantasy novel set in Henrietta, Virginia that follows the story of teenager Blue Sargent as she goes on a quest with new-found friends. Blue lives in a big house full of psychic aunts and her mother. She has been told since she was a little kid that her true love will die if she kisses him. Every year, Blue stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them but this year, she sees a boy who speaks directly to her; his name is Gansey. Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school, and becomes friends with Gansey and his group of loyal friends as they journey to find ley lines (a.k.a. spiritual energy lines) and the buried Welsh king, Glendower. This journey, however, is not an easy one and challenges each character in the group as they battle a common enemy.

As a whole, I did enjoy this book. The plot itself hooked me in and I could not stop reading. There is a bit of a romantic twist hidden in the plot as well which I loved; it was slow-burning and grabbed my attention. I’m a fan for the action-packed romantic books and this one definitely hit that mark. The only thing that I didn’t particularly enjoy was the fact that it was very slow and a little confusing at first. It took me until halfway through to really understand what was going on. After I finally understood, though, everything became more clear and then I could enjoy the book. If you just stick through to the end, I can guarantee you that this book is quite enjoyable.

As for the pacing of the book…not my favorite. As mentioned before, it had a very slow start and I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere for awhile. It did pick up, however, about halfway through and that was when the pacing was a little more enjoyable. I just wish the plot had started to progress sooner to make the beginning of the book a little more pleasurable to the reader. Sadly, I didn’t really enjoy the characters individually. It was a very classic “quirky loner girl meets privileged rich boy and things start to kick off from there.” I know, that sounds super critical and kind of mean, but that was my honest opinion when Blue and Gansey met. I do have to say, though, their romantic and friendly interactions were good enough for me to have fun reading the book.

This is a great YA read and people who have read books like Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (a personal favorite!!!) and City of Bones by Cassandra Clare would enjoy this. There is not an age limit to this book, however, younger readers may not find the plot enjoyable.

“…as in when I forget about the mirrors the windows the eyes looking at me judging me telling me what they think I should do – when I forget about the fear of pain of something coming soon to hurt me – I am in possession of my whole body…”

Every Body Looking is an autobiographical novel in verse. It was a finalist for the National Book Awards for Young People’s Literature in 2020 and was a Michael L. Printz Award Nominee in 2021. A contemporary fiction read, this novel explores a young woman’s struggle to discovering confidence, freedom, and the ability to accept her black Nigerian-American body as she ventures into her freshman year of college. This novel takes the reader on a journey to revealing Ada’s earliest childhood memories to her new life as a college student. Past abuse at the hands of a younger cousin, a mother with a growing addiction, and a persistent religious father down her throat all contribute to the stress Ada feels in her daily life. However, Ada soon has the ability to evaluate this stress and go on an adventure of self discovery during her time at college. The most important connection that Ada makes during her time at college leads her to a new best friend and a more in depth relation to her one hobby: dancing.

Every Body Looking is one of those books that is a quick read but still packs a powerful punch and makes you feel true emotion for the main character. Due to the trauma presented throughout the book I can’t say I “enjoyed” it, but it was a story that needed to be told and one that I do not regret reading. That being said, I did think Ada’s story was written beautifully and it was refreshing to finally read a novel about what self discovery looks like for a young woman who’s starting college. There aren’t many books out there that evaluate all the stressors that come with starting college and the fact that Ada gets to practically experience a new life made me want to say: “Yes, there you go! Go get ’em tiger!” From the very first chapter, there is this instant connection Ada that makes you sympathize with her situation and what she’s dealt with so far. As the reader, you get to go on this adventure with Ada and watch her grow and this fact was what made me appreciate this book so much.

I don’t read many novels in verse so at first the pacing was a bit odd for me. It felt very rushed due to the formatting of the book but I did get used to it rather quickly. Just having the book being in verse made it a lot easier for me to understand what exactly was happening and put an emphasis on the big events that Ada had experienced. I do not think there was one part of this book that I didn’t like. Sure, it was very sad to read what Ada went through growing up, but it was a story that the world needs to read and one that made me realize the importance of self-acceptance in the modern world. Iloh did such a fabulous job highlighting the most important details of all the characters in such a short amount of time that I felt like I understood all of the characters equally and their individual importance to Ada. Iloh’s choice of formatting, pacing, characters, and overall writing style all contributed to Ada’s story and made the reader build a deep connection to Ada’s life.

Personally, I think that anyone that has a heartbeat and a stable mind should read this book. I mean it. Especially in today’s society where acceptance and equality is becoming more and more popular, I think it’s super important for everyone to understand what hardships and struggles look like for a young woman growing up in America; a black Nigerian-American at that! Ada’s story deserves to be shared with the world and Iloh’s message deserves to be spread just the same. I definitely did not expect to like this book as much as I did and I am just so glad I chose to read it. Please, if you are reading this right now, read Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh. It will force you to have a connection to modern society that you maybe weren’t expecting and will surely pack an emotional punch.

 

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”

A historical fiction novel, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak follows the narration of Death who tells a story of Liesel Meminger, a girl who is growing up in Germany during World War II through the years 1939-1943. Throughout the story, Liesel steals many books, learns to read, and finds a comfort in words through this tough time period. Liesel lives with foster parents Hans and Rosa; Hans and Rosa are not Jewish. However, they do not agree with the Nazi regime and quietly fight against it by hiding Max, a Jewish boy, in their basement. She and Max grow to be very close over the period of the book and end up as a couple after a tragic incident leaves them to find comfort in each other.

What surprised me the most about this book was that it was set during World War II and I actually enjoyed it. Usually I am not a fan of historical fiction novels but the narration in this story really made it enjoyable. Just the fact that the book is narrated by Death is a hook in itself! How often do you get to hear what Death has to say? This factor was my favorite part of the book just because of how unique it is. On another not, this book was definitely a tear jerker for me; easily one of the saddest books I’ve read by far. Despite the fact that it was so achingly emotional, this was what made it such a good read. I would elaborate more on why this book is so emotional but I wouldn’t want to share any spoilers. The fact is, if you’re looking for a nice, sad, emotional, and honest book, The Book Thief is meant for you.

Everything about this book was perfect; the pacing, plot development, writing style, characters…literally everything. I don’t think there is anything about this book that I didn’t like. Yes, it was sad and yes, I may have cried. However, that’s what made it so good! The Book Thief is easily in my top 20 reads just because of the emotion that forced its way into my heart. I cannot stress enough how important this book is; it will open your heart and eyes to the tragedy of World War II and it will make you cry. Believe me on that.

This book is definitely not meant for children but it is most surely a YA book. Even though it is classified as YA, I think it is a great read for adults and older readers as well. Just the pure amount of emotion that a reader can take away from this book is proof in itself that it is most suitable for YA and older readers. Yes, a younger reader could attempt to read The Book Thief, but they would not be able to understand the depth and seriousness that this book presents. As long as you are ready to have your heart torn out of your chest and to cry for 3+ hours (in the best way possible), then you are ready for The Book Thief.

Beautiful yet terrifying artwork?

Chilling tales of murderers and monsters?

What else could someone possibly want from a horror graphic novel?

Through the Woods, a graphic novel written and illustrated by Emily Carroll, is a series of five short horror stories that takes “creepiness” to another level. The stories are as follows: A man with a big smile and a wide brimmed hat who kidnaps girls one by one. A wife who discovers the chopped up body parts of her husband’s ex buried throughout their house. A brotherly betrayal that leads to a murder. Two best friends who fake communication with the dead which backfires. A girl uncovering the truth behind her brother’s fiance and what lies beneath her skin. Five different short stories, five different horror tales. Each which leaves you with a sense of uneasiness.

There was one short story in particular that caught my attention. “The Nesting Place,” the last story in the book, is about a girl who visits her brother and his fiance in the countryside. His fiance is not exactly…human. She got lost in the woods years ago and was basically used as a vessel for a creature ever since. Now, the brother’s sister who is visiting experiences the same thing only this time is not possessed. However, she does find out the true nature of her brother’s fiance and this freaks her out. That’s the gist of that story. I would elaborate more on the ending but I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise…

As a horror fan, I was fairly surprised by how creepy this book was. Because it was a graphic novel, I wasn’t sure if there would be enough context to creep me out but I was wrong. The creepiest factor was the art. It was so beautifully done and fit with the stories perfectly. Another surprising factor was that this book is made up of short stories. I thought this book was one big story but it was a very pleasant surprise to discover that there were multiple.

The pacing of the stories were decent. The first four stories were about the same length and so it was fairly steady. However, the last story was unusually long so I didn’t really like the inconsistency there. The writing was very vague but in this situation, because it is a horror book, it worked out very well and added to the creepiness. One thing that I didn’t enjoy was the lack of diversity in the characters; they were mostly just white young girls. There was only one story that had male characters (the brothers and beast story) but in general there was little to no diversity.

I wouldn’t recommend this book to someone who is devoted to horror such as myself. Although it was quite creepy, the stories were not classic horror stories and therefore did not present the reader with true terror (in comparison to thriller novels and films). If you’re just getting into creepy books, I would highly recommend this read though. The artwork is magnificent and terrifying in its own way. Overall, Through the Woods is a great series of short and creepy stories that deliver just the right amount of “spook” for beginner horror fans.

Focused on the educational and societal normalities of high school, this article, written by Robin A. Moeller, explores the involvement of both genders within graphic novels and how graphic novels are stereotyped by society. At an unnamed high school, Moeller conducted a study which included fifteen student volunteers, 8 females and 7 males, to read three graphic novels and discuss their thoughts in a group discussion. She initially wanted to explore the relation to perceived gender differences in graphic novels and how students would view graphic novels being used in a school context. The results of this research showed that stereotyping gender in graphic novels is more complex than it seems. Both genders, male and female, enjoy reading graphic novels equally; the only reason why it is stereotyped in the first place is because of society’s views on what a “nerd” should look like. If these judgements are introduced to a child at a young age, then they’re going to continue to have these views on what people are supposed to look like and how they’re supposed to act.

In regards to the possible educational purpose behind graphic novels, it was found that students had mixed opinions on whether or not they should be allowed in certain classes. The main feedback was that some graphic novels for an english class would be beneficial but at the same time odd; students are used to traditional ways of learning with novels. In terms of school libraries, having more graphic novels added would not make much of a difference; students agreed that it would be nice to have as an option but they weren’t sure if they would actually check the graphic novels out and read them. Getting graphic novels more involved as part of a school’s curriculum would however be worth looking into, especially if it would broaden society’s enclosed vision of what type of person is “supposed” to read graphic novels.

Moeller’s perspective throughout the article is a neutral position; she is merely the conductor of the study. However, her initial curiosity that sparked her study is highly admirable in the sense that she noticed gender differences in graphic novels, providing proof that she was engaged throughout the study because she was unearthing information that she actually wanted to unearth. Before reading this article, I had not even thought of gender differences surrounding graphic novels. There just never seemed to be a problem or a distinct separation of the genders surrounding graphic novels that pulled my attention. However, after reading this article, I do understand better what Moeller meant; there are differences in the reading world with genders. Children even recognize the differences as is proven with Moeller’s study. Gender differences in YA literature is a relevant issue that needs to be discussed more. It is relevant at this day and age because of how society is becoming more and more developed in terms of acceptance and equality. As society is changing, it’s important for there to be equality in everything, including books!

Citation:

Moeller, Robin A. “‘Aren’t These Boy Books?’: High School Students Readings of Gender in Graphic Novels.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, vol. 54, no. 7, 2011, pp. 476–484., https://doi.org/10.1598/jaal.54.7.1.

“As Natalie moved closer to the door, she heard whispers. Girls’ voices hissed around the frame. ‘Natalie,’ they said. ‘Natalie.’ She opened the door to blackness colder than the pits of January.”

A YA paranormal thriller, The Door to January follows the story of sixteen-year-old Natalie Payson and her younger cousin Teddy as she moves back to her hometown of Bernier, Maine to discover the reason behind her repeated nightmares. Ever since she moved away from Benier, Natalie has had a recurring nightmare about a strange house that leads her to experiencing visions of ugly murders and crying girls. However, it is unclear how Natalie is connected to any of this. Meanwhile, her return to town hasn’t gone unnoticed by her and Teddy’s former bullies who revive their old practices by threatening Natalie’s life. Through different storylines and POVs, the mystery behind Natalie’s nightmares, and the mystery of her past bullying incident, slowly pieces itself together and creates one big chilling tale.

The beginning of this book had a very slow start, one that immediately informed the reader of the setting and the characters before diving into the plot right away, which surprisingly, I really enjoyed. The pacing was very enjoyable as well; I didn’t feel like I was trapped in one scene for days on end. The plot moved right along but didn’t leave the reader feeling rushed or overwhelmed in the least. I truly appreciated the slow building suspense because that was the main factor that kept me hooked in. Another aspect that hooked me in, but not necessarily in a good way, was the idea of time travel. The aspect of time travel itself was crafted into Natalie’s nightmares by traveling back into the past to slowly reveal the initial mystery. This was my least favorite part of the book; the dueling POVs were messy and yet at the same time those POVs were what kept the plot moving along and functioning. What I’m saying is that the plot was a little hard to follow sometimes due to these POVs but, in the end, everything fit together.

I very rarely read mystery/thriller novels and when I do, I’m not usually a fan. However, with The Door to January, I was so hooked that I finished this read within two days. It was so unlike the previous mystery books I had read in the past mainly due to the initial mystery that included a paranormal aspect; it was just so unique to me! This novel was ever-changing; every time I thought I had the mystery pinned down and explained, it grew and grew and turned in a direction I was never expecting. The slow unfolding of the house’s history and the elevating tension around Natalie’s flashbacks to a mysterious crime both merge together to create a electrifying and suspenseful tale. Even though the plotlines never quite fuse, there’s enough eerie mystery to satisfy the thrill-seekers of the reader world.

If you’re looking for something that will spice up your usual style of books, I recommend giving this one a try. Although there are some difficult topics covered with the kidnapping of young girls, it is still a great and enjoyable read. I felt the incorporation of tragic events was very becoming and nothing was too over the top in an unwarranted form with graphic content. This is a very quick read as well, only 191 pages so, if you’re not looking for a book you’ll be too attached to, then The Door to January will give you that short connection that will still leave you with a fulfilled feeling.

“History gorges itself on women raised high and then brought low by men grasping for their power.”

A YA fantasy novel, Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard is a standard fiction read for beginner readers exploring the YA genre. Set in the imaginative world of immortals, Spindles, and Corbloods, Realm Breaker explores the journey of 17-year-old Corayne, an immortal named Domacridhan, 30-year-old Sorasa Sarn, and 17-year-old Andry Trelland as they set out to close a Spindle and to stop an evil force from taking over their world.

Although a great novel filled with an adventurous plot, Realm Breaker was a very repetitive book similar to Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. As a loyal Sarah J. Maas fan, I was not very happy to find such a similar plot line: immortals, assassins, different realms, magic, and royalty were present in this book as well. Aveyard’s writing was not as enjoyable as I remember; I read her Red Queen series when it first released. Even with the Red Queen series the plot dragged on and on and I am concerned that the following books in the Realm Breaker series will do the same. I did not enjoy the pacing either; pages and pages were filled with unnecessary descriptions that dragged the book on for what seemed like forever.

As a romance fan, it’s sad to say that I did not enjoy the slow-burn romance in this novel as well. Again, the plot seemed to drag on with very little space for romantic relationships despite the possible love triangle between Dom, Andry, and Corayne. Romance in YA novels are a very important aspect and I was very disappointed when there was barely any room for romantic scenes as there was for Red Queen. On the bright side, I did enjoy the characters! I always love a good, stubborn female role and Corayne was just that. Sorasa, the assassin, reminded me a little too much of Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass but she was still a great character that added just the right amount of sass to the plot. Andry Trelland was an okay character; I felt like he wasn’t that developed as a character and could have used more time focused around his life but he was still an enjoyable character to read about. Lastly, Domacridhan. He was my least favorite character just because of the uncanny resemblance to another Throne of Glass character. Despite this, I do have to say Aveyard did a great job developing his character and showing the reader how an immortal’s view of life differs from that of a mortal.

Even though I did not enjoy this book, I still think it’s a great read for beginner YA readers who are looking for a book in the fantasy/adventure genre. I don’t believe that books have an age limit but for the sole reason that there are some gruesome descriptions, I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 15. Even though I was not a fan of this book, I do believe that many YA readers will find this book a great read.