Patroclus is a young prince, thrown out of his kingdom after a display of violence that leaves no room for mercy. He is sent to a foreign place where he is unknown, with other exiled boys of the land. There they live together, training and eating as a group, until they are deemed worthy to return to their respectful kingdoms. While in this group, Patroclus notices one boy who stands out. His name is Achilles, and he glows with life in whatever room he’s in. Patroclus is drawn to him, as a young boy and later during adolescence.
Crown of Midnight is the second book in the Throne of Glass series. After winning the competition, Celaena is the King’s Champion and is sent to assassinate the King of Adarlan’s rivals. Celaena and Chaol, captain of the guard, explore the darkness roaming the castle and the continent while also exploring their relationship with each other. Secrets are exposed and Celaena is forced into a battle for the people she cares most for.
The Assassin’s Blade is the prequel to Sarah J Maas’s book series Throne of Glass. The Assassin’s Blade follows young assassin Celaena Sardothien and how she ended up in a slave camp called Endovier. It was the third book written in the series and is personally one of my favorites because of the character development and introduction to new characters. It includes multiple short stories about adventures she went on and different people she met.
Throne of Glass is the first book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. It is definitely the worst book in the series, but it is still a fantastic and interesting book. This book follows enslaved assassin Celaena Sardothien who is chosen to compete in a tournament for the prince of Adarlan. She has to compete against other fighters and mercenaries to achieve the title of King’s Champion. While competing, she makes new friends and uncovers a terrible darkness that is killing off her competitors.
House of Sky and Breath is the second book in the Crescent City series and is definitely a downgrade from the first one. The story follows Bryce, Hunt and their friends after surviving the attack of Hel, a demon realm, in the first book. Bryce takes risks in her relationship with both Hunt and the rebel rebellion that is fighting against the unjust rule of the Asteri. Secrets are exposed and new enemies are revealed as Bryce and Hunt explore their future.
House of Earth and Blood is the first book in the Crescent City series written by Sarah J Maas. The story follows a half human, half fae female named Bryce Quinlan who is trying to solve the murder of her best friend. In a world full of magic, Bryce has very little and has to rely on her wits and her new companion and assigned protector, Hunt Athalar. Bryce and Hunt work together to uncover the truth about her friend's murder and what power lurks beneath the city.
The Great Gatsby is a phenomenal novel that is well worth its notoriety. It takes place in the Roaring twenties in east coast America, specifically New York’s Long Island. It follows Nick Carraway, a prospective stockbroker who isn’t rich, but has acquaintances in the ultra wealthy social circle. These “old-money” people look down upon the “new-money” individuals who are trying to join their social class. Nick meets his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and he seems to want to take Nick under his wing.
The Devil’s Arithmetic is a novel written by Jane Yolen. It begins with Hannah Stern, a 12 year old Jewish girl from current day New Rochelle, celebrating Passover with her relatives. Suddenly, Hannah is transported to 1941, where she is mistaken for a girl named Chaya. Hannah and the other Jewish people in her village are then tricked into going to a Nazi concentration camp. Hannah and her new friends go through all kinds of torture and eventually can’t take it anymore.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is a fantastic book that really connects with readers through its honest look at average teenage struggles. It follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who feels lost and frustrated by the world around him. Salinger writes in a way that makes Holden’s thoughts and feelings relatable, capturing the challenges of growing up and advancing through life. The themes of innocence and the search for genuine connections are powerful throughout the story.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic read that explores the American Dream through the story of Jay Gatsby and his deep love for Daisy Buchanan. Set in the Roaring Twenties, Fitzgerald captures the era’s exquisite lavishness and moral decay. The theme of longing prompts the reader to reflect on their own desires. Overall, it is a masterful exploration of wealth and its association with identity, making it a must-read in American literature.
