Teen and Staff Reviews

Teen Review
A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

A Dance With Dragons

By George R.R. Martin
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Taylor E.
Jul 19, 2021

The fifth book in George R.R. Martin’s famous A Song of Ice and Fire series was just okay. This novel is essentially a repeat of the events from A Feast for Crows but from different characters’ perspectives. I was excited to revisit some of my favorite characters that I didn’t get to hear from in the last book, but they didn’t really add anything to the story. Daenerys had the most exciting scenes, in my opinion, but even she didn’t further the storyline; basically, in over 1,000 pages, nothing was accomplished.

Teen Review
Dragonslayer by Tui T. Sutherland

Dragonslayer

By Tui T. Sutherland
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Paranjay S.
Jul 18, 2021

Dragonslayer follows the story of three children and their experiences with dragons in the land of Pyrrhia. Wren was left by her village as a sacrifice for the dragons. She runs away and finds a lost dragon, and the two of them travel the world together. Leaf is distraught by her sister being eaten by dragons, and swears revenge against them. He sets out to become a dragonslayer and protect humans from what happened to his sister. Ivy thinks her father, Dragonslayer, is not trustworthy.

Teen Review
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit

By J.R.R. Tolkien
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Eric S.
Jul 17, 2021

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien is a story about friendship in the face of adversary, a story about loyalty to others, a story about destiny. Tolkien’s world building and character development is extremely well executed. Bilbo Baggins as a character works extremely well with the obstacles presented to him and the characters that he meets, allowing the reader to get engaged with the story and with Bilbo.

Teen Review
Scare Me by K.R. Alexander

Scare Me

By K.R. Alexander
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Saathwika A.
Jul 16, 2021

Every year, teams of kids compete against each other to see which team can frighten people. But, the kids are all going to lose, because the haunted house has awakened. The house will eat everyone and will not be happy until it does. Even though it started as a game, it will not end like one.

Teen Review
Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm

By George Orwell
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Eric S.
Jul 15, 2021

Animal Farm by George Orwell is a metaphor for human society and a commentary on the communist governments of the pre-Cold War era. A bold novel opposing some of the pro-communism sentiment in the country at the time, Animal Farm tells the story of the USSR and other communist countries from the viewpoint of the citizens within, and the ones that control from above.

Teen Review
The Collector K.R. Alexander

The Collector

By K.R. Alexander
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Saathwika A.
Jul 14, 2021

Sixth grader Josie, her sister, and her mother both moved to their grandmother's house. Even though Josie does not like the town, she has to adjust to it. Weird things happen once her grandmother starts giving off warnings and rules. Then, one day at school, Josie meets a new girl named Vanessa. They become best friends. Suddenly, people from her school start to disappear. What or who is behind the disappearance?

Teen Review
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca

By Dame Daphne de Maurier
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Saathwika A.
Jul 12, 2021

Rebecca is the first wife of Maxim De Winter. He lost his first wife due to a tragic incident. Maxim married another woman. When she enters Manderlery, she notices that Rebecca is everywhere. She fears that everyone loves Rebecca and hates her. But, one she realizes and learns things about the true Rebecca, her intentions and feelings change. Both Maxim and his new wife realize that Rebecca is haunting their memories.

Teen Review
Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab

Our Dark Duet

By Victoria Schwab
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Lisa J.
Jul 11, 2021

Our Dark Duet is the sequel to This Savage Song. It’s been six months since August Flynn fell. Six months since Kate Harker fled V-City. Six months since the world they knew was ripped apart. Kate is working as a monster hunter in the neighboring territory of Prosperity, while August is learning to embrace his duty as a monster, reaping the souls of sinners in South Verity.

Teen Review
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae

By Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Paranjay S.
Jul 10, 2021

Illuminae follows Kady Grant and Ezra Mason, two teenagers living on the planet Kerenza in the year 2575. They broke up the day before a fleet of BeiTech ships attack their planet, where they are forced into three different ships; the Alexander (where Ezra ends up), the Hypatia (where Kady ends up), and the Copernicus. The Alexander is damaged and unable to make a wormhole gate, meaning the three ships have to travel six months to the nearest jump station, the Heimdall.

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