Following four siblings who have been told the exact day they will die, and how that shapes the outcomes of their lives, The Immortalists is a truly incredible book. Benjamin seamlessly takes you from the life of a troubled young man suffering through the AIDS crisis to his wild and free sister who dreams of becoming a magician. Their older brother feels responsibility for the family, and the oldest sister watches from her solitude as everything falls apart.
Cordelia Mai Yin and four other women with the middle name “Mai” find an apartment with the help of a mysterious man. As a second generation Vietnamese immigrant in 1959 Los Angeles, Cordi struggles to find a job and earn enough money to live off. So when the man who helped the Mais, as the roommates dub themselves, offers them a way to make all their dreams come true through magic, they jump on the chance. But, “nothing good comes for free" (pg. 69) and as the Mais dreams and wishes come true, so does the price they must pay for them.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsfollows four high school girls and their journey through a summer of discovery, excitement and friendship. Carmen, Tibby, Lena and Bridget have been friends forever, and this summer is the first they will spend apart. As the group celebrates their last night together they discover "The Pants," a pair of magical jeans that somehow fit each of them. The pants help create their sisterhood. With ten rules and a declaration of self love, a special bond is created.
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is an enthralling novel following the lives of Clara del Valle and her family as well as Esteban Trueba. Allende’s epic follows the lives of the Del Valle family from the time that Clara is born and through the rest of her life.
Summary: A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab is a captivating fantasy novel set in a world with parallel Londons, each existing in a different dimension and possessing varying degrees of magic. The story follows Kell, one of the last Travelers capable of moving between these Londons, who smuggles magical artifacts between the worlds. When a forbidden artifact from a dangerous London falls into his possession, Kell becomes entangled in a perilous conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of the multiverse.
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami is a complex contemporary novel with elements of mystery and magical realism. The story follows a young man named Toru Okada who, at the beginning of the novel, is told by his wife to look for their missing cat. His journey takes him from the suburbs of Tokyo to a supposedly haunted house to the bottom of a well to a strange dream world that somehow affects reality. In the process of looking for their lost cat, he loses his wife as well.
Ashes of Gold by J. Elle is teen fiction but heavily focused on fantasy with ties to our world. The book is a continuation of Rue’s journey to reclaim Ghizon from the Chancellor and give it back to the Ghizoni people. Not only does Rue struggle in the fight against the Chancellor, she also struggles to connect with her people and herself. I love the compelling plot and the character growth in this book.
Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat is the first novel in a young adult fantasy series of the same name. The world of ancient magic has been forgotten, but not by everyone. Set in London, Will Kempen is on the run from the man who killed his mother, but he is quickly rushed back into the world of magic to follow his destiny and fight among the Stewards. This novel was refreshingly unique. The characters were distinctive, the plot was full of twists, and the world-building was flawless.
Join friends Alex and Anthony in a long journey that forces them to face their feelings. In a small town where basic necessities were taken away, lives Alex and her best friend Anthony. Alex, having her own regrets about family, decides to help Anthony find his mom. As they both walk ten miles to the next town over, they come across some unusual sights. This book is full of raw emotion and friendship, perfect for those who want a glimpse of reality.
