Young Adult
Young Adult (or YA) books are aimed at readers aged 12-18. Fun fact, though! Over half of YA novels are purchased by adults for their own enjoyment.
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Book Review: Thorns Among Shadows
I will admit that fantasy is not my most-read genre. For me to give a fantasy story five stars is a big deal, but Thorns Among Shadows earned every one of them.
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Book Review: The 4midables: How They Came to Be
When a former writer for the Inspector Gadget television series decides to write a novel, you can bet it's going to be full of gadgetry, right?
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Book Review: Lost Kingdom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Laurel Black has created a fantasy tale with a nail-bitingly difficult and twisty quest, multi-faceted dual protagonists, and an impressive array of secondary characters. And, she believes…
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Book Review: The Last Dragonslayer
My book club chose this as our June read, and wow, am I glad we did. Our discussion was very lively, as all of us agreed that Jasper Fforde has created a fantastic…
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Book Review: A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking
In Mona's world, wizards exist, each with a distinct specialty. Mona's specialty is, well, bread. Actually, she always just says 'bread', but wait till you see what she can do with gingerbread men.
- Action and Adventure, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Detective and Mystery, Dystopian, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Suspense and Thriller, Young Adult
Book Review: Back in the USSR
The back-cover synopsis had me lunging for this book, which I easily read in just a couple of evenings. It's quite the page-turner! Now, I'm not going to write a book report describing…
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Book Review: Gargoyle
College life is difficult. Now, add on the extra challenge of being Mattie, a young gay man with a huge crush on a straight quarterback.
- Biographies and Autobiographies, Book Reviews, History, Middle Grade, Non-Fiction, Womens Literature, Young Adult
Book Review: The Rebel Girls Handbook
This colorful, engaging book provides an introduction to 300-plus notable women throughout history, along with a few facts about each of them and what they've accomplished.
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Book Review: Crudrat
This charmer of a story highlights relationships between lifeforms, first and foremost. It's a YA story filled with intimate bonds that aren't romantic, family dynamics that are both adversarial and caring, and even…
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Book Review: The Professor Wore Prussian Blue
It's hard to believe we've come to the end of this wild and twisty Victorianish-steampunky adventure, following along with Freddie and Daisy Linden and their friends as they searched for their missing father,…
- Black Authors, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Realist Fiction, Womens Literature, Young Adult
Book Review: Flygirl
I expected to like this book, as it deals with topics dear to my heart. I enjoy learning more about the lives of those who experienced World War II, and as a woman,…
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Book Review: Ready Player Two
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline My rating: 3 of 5 stars I loved Ready Player One. It hit all the marks for me, so of course—like most fans—I had high expectations for…
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Book Review: A Born Angel
A Born Angel by Jenn A. Morales My rating: 4 of 5 stars It’s clear the author put a lot of thought into worldbuilding and character development. From the first pages of the…
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Book Review: The Sun Is Also a Star
I devoured this book in two sittings. The 'what happens next' factor is SO strong that I had no choice in the matter.
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Book Review: You’re Welcome, Universe
You’re Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner My rating: 4 of 5 stars Julia is a rebellious, troubled teenager with one passion in her life: Street art. Graffiti. She spends most of her time…
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Book Review: Girl Gone Viral
Girl Gone Viral by Arvin Ahmadi My rating: 3 of 5 stars Well, let’s get the comparison out of the way first – I’m calling this one a mashup of Ready, Player One…
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Book Review: Defy or Defend
By far my favorite of the Delightfully Deadly series! I gobbled this one up in no time and could easily have spent another two wacky weeks with the Supernatural and Spy Sets.
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Book Review: Poison or Protect
Poison or Protect by Gail Carriger My rating: 4 of 5 stars “After four marriages, and four deaths, she had everything in life a woman might desire: titled position, swollen coffers, the freedom…
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Book Review: Ambush or Adore
Ambush or Adore by Gail Carriger My rating: 3 of 5 stars I highly recommend that you read Gail Carriger’s Finishing School series before reading the three stories that make up the Delightfully…
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Book Review: Cyrus LongBones and the Curse of the Sea Zombie
Loads of thrilling adventure, violent fights, and fantastical worldbuilding excitement for teenagers. I have a few issues with this one, though.
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Book Review: Gwynn Place
This short story is the fourth and final book of the “Manor House” tales. To read all my reviews for the Manor House series, here are the links. Book One: Carrick House ~…
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Book Review: Holly Cottage
Holly Cottage: A short steampunk adventure by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars The third of four “Manor House” tales, Holly Cottage may be a short story, but I believe it…
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Book Review: Selwyn Place
Selwyn Place: A short steampunk adventure by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars Selwyn Place is the second of four “Manor House” short stories. The series makes a fine introductory ‘taste…
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Book Review: Carrick House
Carrick House: A short steampunk adventure by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars I recently finished reading the fifth book in the Mysterious Devices saga, The Judge Wore Lamp Black, which…
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Book Review: The Judge Wore Lamp Black
The Judge Wore Lamp Black: Mysterious Devices 5 by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve eagerly anticipated book five in the Mysterious Devices mystery series. After traveling around the Americas…
- Black Authors, Book Reviews, Coming of Age, Realist Fiction, Romance, Suspense and Thriller, Womens Literature, Young Adult
Book Review: Hurricane Summer
Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield My rating: 3 of 5 stars As if coming of age isn’t already one of the toughest transitions a girl has to make, Tilla’s experiencing it in a…
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Book Review: The Case of the Missing Marquess
The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer My rating: 5 of 5 stars After watching the Enola Holmes movie on Netflix, I decided that I quite liked this twist on the…
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Book Review: Bad Hand (Aces High, Jokers Wild Book 3.5)
This queer cyberpunk short for Halloween is a thank you from the author to loyal readers.
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Book Review: Blood Calls
At first glance, you might think Blood Calls is a vampire novel, but you’d be wrong. At second glance, you might think it’s the story of a boy and his dragon, but you’d…
