Reviews by Category: Fantasy

Teen Review
Aurora Burning by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Aurora Rising

By Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Rated by
Abigail R. from MO YA Lit Council
Jul 29, 2019

The action is intense and the storyline is fast-paced; there is always something going on. The setting in intergalactic space and the unforgettable characters make for a perfect storm of events that draws you in deeper the more you read. The writing style is beautiful and the slang feels so natural it's like the culmination of 7 people's autobiographies thrown backward in time.

Teen Review
The Beholder by Anna Bright

The Beholder

By Anna Bright

Rated by
Bryn D.
Jul 24, 2019

This book details a young girl's journey that every teenager goes on at some point- one of family responsibilities and new friends and loves, all mixed with self discovery and coming out of a childhood persona.

Teen Review
You Must Not Miss by Katrina Leno

You Must Not Miss

By Katrina Leno

Rated by
Liz N.
Jun 27, 2019

You Must Not Miss will take you into a teenager’s messy life, and the perfect life she creates in her notebook. When Magpie is tired of all the problems life has dealt her, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She starts writing and creates her perfect world: Near.

Teen Review
We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bartlett

We Rule the Night

By Claire Eliza Bartlett

Rated by
Nate N. from BV YA Lit Council
Jun 6, 2019

In the world described in this book, there are two types of magic: spark, which is the "legal" and "good" magic, and weave, which, in essence, is weaving the strands of the fabric that makes up the world. However, it is illegal due to its "bad" nature. When two girls, Revna and Linné are brought together by the government, they find that their government is getting desperate to win a war and will cross lines it needs to do so. 

Teen Review
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

Descendant of the Crane

By Joan He

Rated by
Kailey S from LE YAAC
May 6, 2019

In this book Hesina, the princess, takes the throne and immediately begins investigating her fathers death, believing him to have been murdered. She enlists the help of a convict who is much more than he seems. Hesina also learns who can be trusted and who can't be, and those who betray her are not who you would expect

Teen Review
The Soul Keepers by Devon Taylor

The Soul Keepers

By Devon Taylor

Rated by
Emma J. From Blue Valley YAAC
Mar 18, 2019

When teenager Rhett dies, he becomes a skelletor on the Harbinger, which is a ship that collects souls when people die. Suddenly, a demon appears and wants some special power that Rhett seems to have. What could it be? How will Rhett and his new friends stop her? Or can they even? 

Teen Review
The Wicked King by Holly Black

The Wicked King

By Holly Black

Rated by
Kaitlin G. from Blue Valley YAAC
Mar 7, 2019

Although this book was a sequel, it draws readers in even more than its predecessor, The Cruel Prince. Characters will be faced with even more difficult decisions, alliances will be formed and broken, all while Black manages to wow the audience with an even more intriguing world than before. I really enjoyed the cover. It well reflects the tensions in this book with the main characters and the Kingdom of the Sea, and between Cardan and Jude over the crown.

Teen Review

Prince and the Dressmaker

By Jen Wang

Rated by
Olivia from Leawood Pioneer Library YAAC
Jul 25, 2018

Prince Sebastian has a secret, one no one can ever find out. At night, he wears beautiful dresses and takes Paris by storm as a fashion icon named Lady Crystallia. Only two people know his dangerous secret, and one of them is his best friend, Frances, his dressmaker. But she dreams of greatness as a fashion designer, but as long as she remains a secret, she will never be able to gain recognition for her work. But how long can she put her dreams on hold to protect her friend?

Teen Review

Ruins of Gorlan

By John Flanagan

Rated by
Ivan
Jul 4, 2018

Will Treaty was a young slender man growing up in an orphanage. Both of his parents were killed in the past. Growing up all his wardmates new what occupation they were suited for and prepared for them. However, Will had not the slightest idea of what he was for, and was worried he might have to be a farmer. This all changes when he gets a letter saying he has been selected as the new ranger's apprentice. He gets his exciting position not long before the evil Lord Morgorath starts assembling his army.

Staff Review

Spellbook of the Lost and Found

By Moira Fowley-Doyle
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Chris K.
May 15, 2018

If you don't close your mouth, a fly will fly in, and then you'll have to swallow a spider to catch the fly, and then a cat to catch the spider, and then a dog to catch the cat, and then a goat to catch the dog, and then a cow to catch the goat, and then a horse to catch the cow, and then a lost soul to catch the horse.

Enchanting. Atmospheric. Mysterious. (a lost soul to catch the horse) Lush. Gritty. Suspenseful. There are so many good words I can think of to describe the beguiling collection of words that is this book. Dark. Mature. Sensual.

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