This fantasy novel by Rick Riordan (Book 3 in The Trials of Apollo series) is a book that lifted my spirits and crushed my soul. In The Burning Maze, we go back to Meg’s roots and the “people” there help Lester (Apollo) and his friends defeat the burning maze. Lester and his friends help him get on the enemy’s ship to steal a valuable object.
Steelheart is an amazing book written by Brandon Sanderson. There is no way to predict what is going to happen in this novel. It is action packed, funny, and a good overall book.
Suzanne Collins’ YA dystopian novel, The Hunger Games, is absolutely perfect. Panem, future ruins of North America, is ruled by the rich in the Capitol and split into twelve districts. Each year, two tributes of ages ranging from twelve to eighteen years old, from each district are forced to compete in a deadly competition known as the Hunger Games.
One of Using Is Lying, by Karen M. McManus, is a Mystery/Thriller novel. The story unfolds around four teens after their classmate, Simon Kellhelro, dies. Brownyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper become suspects in the murder. The four suspects each had a motive to kill Simon. Slowly by slowly, the supposed murder reveals the secrets of the four students. The four suspects become closer and vouch for each other.
You-Know-Who is back. Harry did not think he would return, but he did. Harry has to go back to Hogwarts, thankfully, and has protection from his professors. Until he doesn’t. A new professor has joined the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, where Harry learns all about new spells and new techniques to defend himself from Voldemort. But, this professor is not a good one. She teaches in the “safety” of her classroom. The pink might look like she is friendly, but trust me, she is not.
Restore Me is the fourth novel in Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me series. This book is primarily based around Juliette's struggles as she tries to lead with almost no knowledge of how to do so. As the children of the other Supreme Commanders come to visit and her past is uncovered, Juliette must figure out who to trust. My opinions on this book are mainly based on structure.
Lord of the Flies is an allegorical novel which focuses on a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a remote island. They start off with rules and a form of government, but their situation quickly turns chaotic and savage. They split into two groups, one more civilized and attempting to follow a basic moral code under the leadership of Ralph, and the other wild hunters under the control of Jack. These two groups clash with each other and this results in more than one death.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a classic historical fiction novel about a mysterious figure, after whom the title is named, who rescues French nobility from the guillotine. He is famous both in France and England for his cunning disguises and daring rescues of the aristocrats from under the very noses of the people who want them dead. His identity is a secret which both his archnemesis, Chauvelin, and his great admirer, Marguerite Blakeney, desire to know.
Lone Survivor is a true eyewitness account of Operation Redwing written by SEAL Marcus Luttrell. In it, he tells the remarkable and tragic story of how he became the only surviving member of SEAL team ten. Near the beginning of the book, to help explain the phenomenal stamina, strength, and courage SEALs have, the author describes his experiences in SEAL training.
When Robin of Locksley dies in the Crusades, Lady Marian of Edwinstowe is left without her best friend in a world that expects her to be little, quiet, and defenseless—everything she is not. While trying to help her maid’s brother, Marian is mistaken for the dead Robin— and she doesn’t correct them. With taxes rising to pay for the King’s crusade and the people of Robin’s land starving, Marian teams up with outlaws Will, Alan, and John under her new identity to do as she believes Robin would have done to help his people.
