Book Review - The Hobbit

 📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reviewed by Scared Heart Academy 9th Grader Michelle V.

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and the dwarves set out on an adventure to get the dwarves kingdom back from an evil dragon. But they have a few problems along the way.

It was a very long book. But, it was interesting because day after day they were on that mission there was always someone standing in their way. Whether it was goblins, wolves, or a giant evil dragon they still found a way out alive.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Hood

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Hood

by Jenny Elder Moke

Reviewed by Asiyyah M. 9th Grader at Baldwin HS

It was about a girl named Isabelle who was arrested and in prison and her mom helps her escape and tells her she has to run away or else they will find her. She goes to another town and meets a lot of people like Thomas whom she's related to. She is very experienced with her bow and arrow and believes she is brave enough to go on an adventure to find her father Robin Hood.

I didn't like how it was worded so much like I feel the story was a bit dry with vocabulary. What I like about the book was the suspense and the character development in Helena. The plot was good too. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio 

Book Review - Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

  📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow was born on the unluckiest day of the year. Being born on Eventide means being cursed, blamed when things go wrong, and doomed to die on her eleventh birthday. On the night of her birthday, a mysterious and magical stranger, Jupiter North, comes to Crow Manor and whisks Morrigan to Nevermoor. Jupiter has selected Morrigan as his patron to compete for a spot in the Wunderous Society. Those vying for a spot must compete in a series of trials, the last showing their knack. The problem is, Morrigan doesn’t know what her knack is and why Jupiter wants to help her.

If you are a fan of fantasy books, you should give this one a try. This is the first in a series but ends on an excellent conclusion if you don’t want to read the rest. The author has created a fun world, and readers will enjoy envisioning it for themselves. The characters are likable, and as it’s a fantasy include some interesting ones such as a giant talking cat. Readers may notice similarities to other fantasy stories, but this brilliantly done book can hold its own.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Raybearer

  📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Raybearer

by Jordan Ifueko

Half-human and half-ehru, Tarisai has always longed for a family. Her mother, known as The Lady, is often absent from her life and shelters Tarisai in an estate with only tutors and servants. One day, The Lady shows up and tells Tarisai she will be going to the capital to try her shot at becoming one of the eleven on the prince's council. Except she doesn't exactly tell her like that; instead, she tells her when the boy in the portrait selects her to be by his side, she must kill him. Due to a wish made before Tarisai's birth, she is compelled to do what her mother ordered. Upon arriving at the palace and learning the truth, Tarasi finds herself in a world of complication.

This is an intriguing and incredible high fantasy story in the first of a planned series or duology. While there isn't a ton of action, the story isn't dull, and the world created is one readers will enjoy. There are numerous characters in the book, and the minor ones will be hard to keep track of, but the important ones shouldn't be too complicated to remember. The book's back contains a guide to help readers with the pronunciation of all the character names. Though there will be at least one other book following this one, the ending is relatively conclusive enough to leave readers satisfied if they don't wish to continue.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Theme Graphic - Fantastical Reads

 

Book Review - Sisters of Sword and Song

  📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Sisters of Sword and Song

by Rebecca Ross

When her sister Halcyon is sentenced to fifteen years for murder (and running away like a coward), Evadne offers to take half her sentence. The judge won't allow her to take half but will allow her to serve the five years of her sentence. The part Evadne takes on is the time at Halcyon's commander's home and the father of the boy she killed, working as a servant. Now Evadne finds herself not only wrapped up in her sister's sentence but the mission she had been on before her conviction.

 This story is a standalone high fantasy novel that alternates between both sister's perspectives. There are many twists and turns and trying to figure out which characters were good and evil. The books include a map and a list of the magical artifacts mentioned in the book to assist readers in the story. Those looking for a great fantasy read but don't want to take on a whole series should be sure to give this a read.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - A Song Below Water

  📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

A Song Below Water

by Bethany C. Morrow

Tavia and Effie are like sisters, and each has secrets and challenges they must face. Tavia is a siren, but she has to keep her powers a secret as most people do not like sirens. Effie faces demons from her past and isn't sure what she is, just that she might not be merely human. When a siren is murdered, and the trial rocks the nation, their world begins to unravel.

 In Tavia and Effie's alternate narratives, this story takes on real-world discrimination but as fantastical elements in an interesting way. There are different mythical creatures in this book. Some are basically celebrated, some tolerated, and others discriminated against, such as sirens, which are exclusively Black females. Warning, though, these groups may be a little hard to keep track of while reading. Readers will enjoy figuring out what happened too Effie in the past and what her story is. As for Tavia, readers will be intrigued by her story as well.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

E-books - More Fantasy

• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
• A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
• The Young Elites by Marie Lu
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
• Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

E-books

• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
• The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
• Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
• Also available on Hoopla
• Everless by Sara Holland
• Also available on Hoopla
• Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Book Review - The Queen of Nothing

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

The Queen of Nothing

by Holly Black

Jude Duarte, High Queen of Faerie, has been exiled by High King Carden to the mortal world until pardoned by the crown. When Jude’s twin sister Taryn shows up announcing her husband Locke is dead, she asks Jude to pretend to be her in the trail. Returning to Faerie is risky for Jude. If anybody discovers she isn’t Taryn, she could be killed for coming back before allowed. Jude, though, is eager to return, but her homecoming proves anything but simple.
Jude’s story that started in The Cruel Prince, and continued in The Wicked King does not disappoint in its ending. Characters that are loved and loved to be hated are back and true to form. There are many surprises throughout the book, including a few draw-dropping ones. A fantastical read that will have readers turning the pages to find out how it all ends.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Theme Graphic - Try Your Hand at Drawing

Book Review - The Poppy War

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Book Review from the Bookster

Title: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang & Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller

Book Edition: Audiobook (Physical Copy Available)

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, & War. (Magic Realism)

Warnings: Violence, drugs, and child soldiers.

Series: Yes. Book 1 of 2 of the Poppy War.

The Poppy War is a dark read with a focus on religion, social class, and politics. The book reads like a pseudo history book based in Asia and when ruling families still controlled the empire. When the religion was polytheistic and changed regionally so that these gods were brought to life by what the region focused on the most (a fishing region has a god specific in help of fishing that they prayed and gave tribute too). The origin stories of the gods and heroes are a major part of the world and where the possible magic realism comes in. As the main character discovers through meditation and spiritual awakening the world of the gods. Although, her actions do have real world effect it’s not the majority belief that magic or the god’s ability are real. (Similar to the Boxer rebellion were they trained themselves spirtualy to be able to fight against those that where conquering their land. Read-Alike: Boxer by Gene Luen Yang.)

The main character Rin lived in the country side as a war orphan putting her in the lowest of the social scale in a society where upward progression is pretty much a fantasy that the nobles use to keep the lower class from rebelling. By scoring high on the Keju she becomes an enemy to the social order and is dragged in to politics of the land.      

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio
*Please note UPL does not currently own this title but those interested are encouraged to ask about inter-loaning it from another library. Also, Bookster listened to this on a different platform and it is not currently available through Nassau Digital Library.

Book Review - Summoner: The Novice

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Book Review from the Bookster

Title: Summoner: The Novice by Taran Matharu & Narrated by Ralph Lister

Book Edition: Audiobook* (Physical Copy Available)

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, & supernatural

Warnings: Demons.

Series: Yes. Book 1 of 2 of the Summoner.

The Novice is a nice easy read for those who want a younger version of John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series. Based in the middle ages, orphan Fletcher goes on a journey of magic and discovery when he is given a book to summon demons. The ability to summon demons has its on math behind it and those the highest numbers are the best summoners. Fletcher is outcast in the town that he is raised in and outcast in summoning school he is brought to. As summoners are never found in the region he came from and if anyone found out about his criminal record he would everything.  

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio
*Please note the Bookster listened to this in audio not via Nassau Digital Doorway. The library does not currently own this title in audio form.

Book Review - Opposite of Always

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Opposite of Always

by Justin A. Reynolds

            While visiting the college he plans to attend, Jack meets Kate and the pair spend the night bonding. Over the course of a few months, their relationship is met with ups and downs that end with Kate dying. Then Jack falls downs the stairs at home and wakes up on a different set of stairs, the same stairs he was sitting on when he met Kate. Jack has another chance to get the girl, but with the same ending. Jack finds himself repeating his months spent with Kate until he can get it right.

            A time-traveling love story readers with either love or be bored with. While Jack and Kate are both black, their race is often lost and easily forgotten in the story. Jack can be whiney and annoying at times and isn’t the best leading male, which some readers may understand, but others are likely to get frustrated with. Ultimately, this is a book you need to make your own decisions about.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Fire and Blood

📖Recommend for Grades 11 and up📖

Fire and Blood

by George R.R. Martin

Reviewed by 11th Grader Ananya S. 

Hundreds of years before the game of thrones, Aegon Targaryen and his two sister-wives lay siege upon Westeros with their three dragons. They became rulers of the 7 Kingdoms and will be succeeded by the children and grandchildren. Some good but others will be the most vicious rulers to ever be.

Overall it’s an interesting book. The first few chapters are a bit slow, but once past that, you can’t stop reading. Especially if you are a fan of the show, you need to read this book Maybe even twice since there are so much info and events in it.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Wolf Children

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Wolf Children

by Hosoda, Mamoru

Reviewed by 8th Grader Carlos U.

When a young Hana falls in love with someone she sees in her college, the last thing she would have known is he’s part wolf. Soon they become a family but not seen after the father of Hana’s children soon perishes. Soon, Hana will have to overcome the life as a single mom of wolf children.

This book put me on an extremely emotional roller coaster. I loved how Hana did her best for her kids and I just fell in love with the story. It was a great graphic novel.  

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - The Wicked King

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

The Wicked King

by Holly Black

            It’s been five months since the events that took place at the end of The Cruel Prince where Jude learned that Oak is an heir of faery and has placed Carden on the throne till Oak is older. Jude may have Carden’s allegiance for seven more months but that doesn’t mean things will go smoothly in the land of faery. The Queen of the Undersea has her own plans and Jude is finding herself betrayed by those she thought she could trust.

            While some series and trilogies fall flat with their second book, this one does not. The Wicked King is as wonderful and entertaining as The Cruel Prince. Readers will enjoy Jude and Carden’s humorous interactions. This book has a few twists and turns that will keep you wondering what happens next. The ending will have readers anxiously awaiting the third book due out in 2020.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Heartless

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Heartless

by Marissa Meyer

Cath would rather be a baker and marry somebody she loves than marry the King of Hearts and be Wonderland's Queen. At the ball where she is supposed to accept the King's marriage proposal she meets Jest, whom she finds herself attracted to. The two begin a secret romance but in a land of magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

            While Cath is an intriguing character and the story is filled with a lot going on, this may not be a hit with everyone. If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland though, this prequel is highly recommended. Fans of classic retellings and prequels are also most likely to enjoy this tale. 

LibraryCatalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Three Dark Crowns

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Three Dark Crowns

by Kendra Blake

On the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born in every generation; three queens, each one possessing her own magic. However, becoming the Queen Crowned comes at a price. Each sister must fight until only one remains.

A wonderfully crafted fantasy world is the setting of this captivating novel with some twists and turns. Each of the sister’s get a chance to share their story and readers will get insight into what their lives were like growing up and what it is today.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Children of Blood and Bone

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Children of Blood and Bone

by Tomi Adeyemi

Believing that magic was evil the King of Orisha thought he destroyed it. When a magical relic resurfaces his daughter, Princess Amari, steals it. Zélie has the ability to use magic if it were to return so she, along with her brother and the princess, set out on a quest to restore magic to the land.

Get swept away in the intriguing world that Tomi Adeyemi creates. The story alternates between the perspectives of Amari, Zélie, and Inan (the Prince). Certain elements of the stories may cause frustration but they will not take away from a wonderful story. Readers will also discover textures of West Africa infused into the story.
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio