Book Review: Jack Templar, Monster Hunter, by Jeff Gunhus

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Evan G.

Jack Templar is just an ordinary 13 year-old boy. His biggest concerns in life are girls, growing pains, and trying to keep decent grades at school. The day before his 14th birthday, Jack wakes up astounded to find that he has gained superhuman strength, not unlike Peter Parker in the Hollywood Spiderman film. That morning in his garage, he lifts a 48lb dumbbell with one hand. Then, on the way to school he makes an easy slam dunk. He also impresses his crush by beating up a bully in front of the school. He is definitely loving life!

Then, disaster hits! His school Principal turns into a bat creature and threatens him. He then bumps into a 3,000 year old vampire and goes on to save a strange girl from being killed by a troll. As the day goes on, he finds himself fighting for his life against spirits, demons and monsters galore.

This exciting book reveals the author’s point of view about survival of the fittest and how friendship conquers all. Gunhus also shows how some sacrifices are worth making and some aren’t. This epic novel causes the reader to think about other possibilities, about how many things go unnoticed in the world. There is a whole civilization of monsters in his story that has gone unnoticed by the human population. It makes fun of how many little details or big happenings occur without anybody ever knowing.

I would recommend this book because of the main character’s realistic reactions and the overall authentic tone of the story even though it is make believe. It is appropriate for all ages since it is pretty clean considering it is a book about hunting monsters. I absolutely loved it!

Evan G., 6th grade

Book Review: Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Phillip Xiang

Shadow and Bone is Leigh Bardugo’s first book, and a stunning success.

The story is about an orphaned girl named Alina Starkov. Her only friend, Mal, keeps her company as they grow up, playing in and around the property. When the magicians called Grisha come to test children for powers, the two are found to be perfectly ordinary, and must serve in the King’s First Army of commoners.

Years later, a troupe of soldiers and Grisha prepare to travel through the Shadow Fold, a deadly and strip of land created by the magic of the ancient Black Heretic. The swath of land is a cut of stifling darkness, slashing through the land. Within the regions, there are swarms of terrifying winged demons called Volcra, making travel deadly. When Alina and Mal’s troupe is attacked, Mal is brutally injured, and Alina unknowingly calls upon a storied and legendary power hidden within her.

With lancing beams of blinding sunlight, she drives away the monsters, then promptly passes out. As the first Sun Summoner in generations, Alina is doomed and destined to become far greater than the scrawny and average peasant she used to be.

From the scenes Leigh Bardugo paints, we readers picture a vast, fairytale version of Russia. From the intricate descriptions of palaces to forests, every page seems dreamy and enchanting. This story is a unique use of the “Finding inner greatness” theme. It’s amazing how smoothly and quickly the storyline develops, how a typical child is whisked off to a world of broader horizons. Alina slowly becomes accustomed, and grasps the full scope of things that a commoner could never understand. The Grisha magic is both revered and powerful, including mastery over fire, wind, darkness, even the ability to destroy human flesh. These make for a thrilling and action-packed scenes necessary for great fantasy books. In addition, Shadow and Bone includes a haunting romantic side, in which Alina is torn between her childhood love, Mal, and the land’s most powerful magician, the Darkling.

With that, I implore you to read this mysterious fairytale. A movie is supposed to follow soon, so you’ll have that to look forward to also. Cheers!

-Phillip X., 9th grade

Book Review: Wake, by Amanda Hocking

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Megan V.

What story portrays a beautiful setting of the modern world, Greek myths, horror, a Frozen-like sister bond, and a few love stories that seem at have many obstacles thrown at it? Why, of course, it’s Wake, the first book of the Watersong series.

Gemma is an ordinary teenage girl, with an older sister named Harper who is proper, a dad who is torn, a mom who lost her memories after an accident, a crush on the nerdy boy next door, Alex, and a love for swimming. She lives in a small town called Capri, in which there are no strangers. So when four absolutely beautiful girls that no one knows about arrive in town, people become suspicious, especially when one goes missing and the three girls take an interest in Gemma. That’s when Gemma drinks a mysterious potion given to her by the same three girls that turns her into a mythical siren, with a tail, love for swimming, ability to attract any boy, and a desire to eat human flesh.

This story has an excellent plot, with real-life characters and surprising twists. For those who love mythology, there aren’t just sirens; there are mentions of the Olympians, the Minotaur, and Orpheus. But the thing I feel that others would like most is the important messages, such as why we should only have sex with the right person, the corruption of power, and the importance of bonds with others. However, this book does have some more adult scenes, so anybody under the age of 13 should wait to read it.

-Megan V., 10th grade

Book Review: The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Samantha S.

Here is the story of Mr. Bilbo Baggins:

Bilbo, a creature who doesn’t really have a taste for adventure and never travels further than his cupboards, is greeted by a wizard, Gandalf, and fourteen dwarves. Gandalf had chosen Mr. Baggins to join them on their adventure to The Lonely Mountains as the burglar. He becomes very hesitant but agrees. The visitors have a feast and stayed the night inside the hobbit’s cozy hole. Bilbo wakes up and finds that he is alone. At 10:45 Gandalf comes by and tells Bilbo that the dwarves left a note saying to meet them at the Dragon Inn, Bywater at eleven sharp. Mr. Baggins races there and arrives just in time. With everyone on their horses their journey begins.

Along the way they get themselves into quite a few mishaps, such as being caught by trolls and goblins, almost being eaten by spiders, and many more. Many months later, they finally reach the mountains. The group is there for the treasure inside, but it is guarded by a fearsome dragon. Will they be able to retrieve the loot they came all this way for? Or will something else happen?

I really liked this book because it has unique places and page-turning chapters. It has adventure, cliff-hangers, and a bit of fantasy. I hope you enjoy this story.

-Samantha S., 8th grade

Book Review: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Danielle K.

Do you ever wish that fiction could be turned into reality? That you could just jump inside a story and live there instead–in a world considerably more interesting than your own? That you could be whatever you wanted to be, anytime you wanted to be it? I know I have. And that is precisely the case for Delilah McPhee, a fifteen year-old, book-wormish girl who happens across a strangely addictive fairy tale.

Despite the fact that it was initially meant for children, Delilah inexplicably falls in love with the story and finds she is able to empathize with the protagonist, who also lost a father at a very young age. I won’t say anything more, for this novel can be easily spoiled and if you have any intent of reading it, I do not wish to do so. That being said, I absolutely love this book. It is both thought-provoking and whimsical, and I recommend it to anyone who who enjoys reading or writing, which I hope is every one of you. Also, this book was co-written by high school student Samantha Van Leer, who originally pitched the book idea to her mom, bestselling author and co-writer (of Between the Lines) Jodi Picoult.

While reading Between the Lines, I began thinking a lot about literature (more specifically, fiction) and its effects on our lives, and I came to the realization: that is precisely why it exists. Writers do not write because they feel like it or because someone told them they should: they write because they have something they need to say; something they wish for others to hear.

There is a quote by bestselling author Dani Shapiro that goes, “Why write? To shine a light; to right a wrong; to shape chaos into art; to know what we think; to pose difficult questions; to challenge our own beliefs; to connect. Because we have to.” Me, I write because I cannot not write. I read because I want to explore.

In retrospect, I am amazed at how heavily literature has impacted my life.

What if Tolkien had gotten precariously ill and never regained enough strength to complete Lord of the Rings?
What if C. S. Lewis had decided he fancied a medical career rather than a literary one?
What if John Green had become a biochemist alongside his brother Hank?
What if J. K. Rowling had never written Harry Potter?

What if all of our favorite authors, the essential beacons of the abundant knowledge we have obtained through reading, had not ever considered writing in the first place? Would your life be the same?

Comment and share what books/series/authors you couldn’t live without. 🙂

-Danielle K., 9th grade

Manga Introduction: Black Butler, by Yana Toboso

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Sarah J.

Black Butler (aka Kuroshitsuji in the original Japanese) is a tale of a contract between a demon butler and a child in Victorian-era London…

After a dangerous happening in his childhood, Ciel Phantomhive is left an orphan with a demon contracted to him as a butler. The demon, named Sebastian Michaelis by Ciel, will take Ciel’s soul when Ciel’s goal is reached. Known as the “Queen’s Watchdog,” 12-year-old Ciel Phantomhive solves crimes at the Queens orders from mysterious deaths to insane nobles, while trying to reach is goal of avenging his family murder.

Black Butler is an simply amazing manga with wonderful drawings. Here are a few facts about this manga:

Published in September of 2006, it rose in popularity and is still popular today. It is also still being produced.
There are 19 tankobon volumes (manga books) with 4-5 chapters each. All of which are titled: “That Butler,_______”
The title Black Butler is used for the America, Germany, France, Italy and Spain releases while the original Japanese title Kuroshitsuji is used in the Japan, Poland, and Finland releases.
Published once a month by Square Enix in a magazine called Monthly GFantasy.
Has two seasons of animes as well as a OVA (original video animation). A live action movie was also produced and released this year. It also has had three two musical productions and a third run as a reprise of the second musical.

This is one of my favorites among the many mangas around. For one, this has simply incredible drawings. The main character’s development during helps to bring much of the story together with a mix of trying to solve mysteries and the emotions and feeling that come with being a human.

This does contain demons, shinigami (death reapers), as well as many other mystical elements. It also contains many deaths and some other more gruesome happening due to some of the more insane characters included in the story. It also has a lot that deals with how human being act and why, which many be hard to understand. This is best for a slightly more mature audience.

I can’t decide everything so read it yourself and find the adventure waiting for you.

-Sarah J, 9th grade

Book Review: Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Sarah J.

“Rebekah Cooper. Your six-times-great-grandmother. Famed in her day for her service as a Provost’s Guard. She was fierce and law-abiding and loyal…”- An excerpt from Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Terrier, which is the first book of the Provost’s Dog series, is the fifteenth book of the many series set in the Kingdom of Tortall. Though this story starts many years before the first book, Alanna: First Adventure.

Rebakah “Beka” Cooper writes in her journal relaying the her tale of her training to become a Dog in the Provost’s Guard also known as the Provost’s Dog. In this era of Tortall, the city is divided into districts with the Provost’s Guards and the lawkeeper. She chose to train in the worst part of the city, the Lower City. She is assigned to be Puppy(Dog in training) to the most renowned pair of Dogs in the city, Clara “Clary” Goodwin and Matthias “Mattes” Tunstall. She encounters many friends and foes in the Lower City as well as many crimes and mysteries. Beka come to discover a series of crime spread over years connected to an old bedtime tale about the Shadow Snake along with the mysterious appearance of the rare opals and the disappearance to the ones connected to it. Along with her help of her friend ghost carrying pigeons, and dust spinners, Beka pursues the answers to the mysteries.

Terrier is another wonderful tale by Tamora Pierce with a strong female protagonist. Compared to her other books this contains more of a mystery side to it. It also has less focused on what are the changes that come when growing up. Another difference is that this book is written in a journal style with different days being each chapter. Also due to the fact that it is a journal and Beka does come from a different time it has a special terminology. These terminology might be hard to understand at first but added to the character of the book. Beka is a well written character. With sharp senses and magic Gift, Beka seems to be a flawless character but she struggles with talking to others and her personality tends to lead her into sticky situations. This makes her more real to the readers.

This is only what I think of course, read it to decide for yourself.

In case you missed it, my other reviews of Tamora Pierce’s books:

First Test

Battle Magic

Alanna: The First Adventure

-Sarah J., 9th grade

Book Review: Blackbringer, by Laini Taylor

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Linna C.

Magpie Windwitch is the granddaughter of the West Wind, and also a demon hunter, just like her idol, Bellatrix, djinn champion. Magpie and her faithful clan of crows, led by one named Calypso, track down demons and seal them into bottles from which they can only be freed by one kind of creature: humans. They fish them out of the ocean and open them up, hoping to get three wishes, as one lucky human once got.

One day, Magpie comes across a very strange sight: a fishing boat, completely empty except for a few pairs of shoes. Magpie uses her “memory touch” on one of the pairs, hoping to find a clue as to what happened before their wearers disappeared. All she feels is hunger and darkness. Upon closer inspection, after the memory touch wears off, Magpie discovers a bottle used for sealing demons in the boat. With a shock, she realizes that the bottle was sealed by the Magruwen, king of djinn himself! She then heads to the Dreamdark, home of most faeries, to see if she can find any other clues to this puzzling incident.

This book is a book like no other, with charming characters and fearsome foes. It, like many other fantasy books, contains mythical creatures and a sort of afterlife, also known as the Moonlit Gardens, where all creatures go after they die. This is the reason why demons are bottled instead of killed, as not to disturb the peace there.

I would read it again and again without ever getting tired of it. 10 out of 10 is what this book deserves, being probably in the top ten that I have ever read.

-Linna C., 7th grade

Book Review: Just Ella, by Annette K. Larsen

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Becka O.

I really like fantasy books. A lot. It’s pretty much all I read. The big ball gowns, the fancy table manners and the magical elements are something I have loved since I was very young. But this book was different for me because it doesn’t have a typical plot. The heroine is so strong and independent it took me by surprise. I mean, usually these girls forgive their prince for being stupid, get married and live happily ever after. But Ariella isn’t like that. She is bold, daring, rash, and strong. She is a princess that is more complex than Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. Her character development is stunning.

Ella is just looking for a distraction from palace life when she meets Gavin, a gardener, on the grounds and they quickly form a relationship. But there are so many more twists and turns than that. Ella’s suitor is not just slimy but practically a criminal, her dad is a little bipolar, and her mother may never be completely happy in her role as queen, not to mention her spiteful sister who says mean things to watch Ariella squirm. The layers that Larsen uses to develop her plot are intense and colorful.

I have plenty of praise for Just Ella. It is a charming book with so much intense emotion and so much drama, yet it never feels really cheesy. The word choice is nice even though the sentence structure is a little awkward. But where I think Larsen really excels is her character development. Every character has their own story and with that story comes a book in and of itself.

I really loved this book and if you love romance or fantasy or princesses at all, I suggest you give it a read. Even if you don’t, this one is different.

-Becka O., 8th grade

Book Review: Under the Never Sky, by Veronica Rossi

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Becka O.

I don’t know if you have heard of this book. It’s become bigger recently but it isn’t the most popular title in my library. However, it is an interesting read and a very unique take on dystopian lit.

This isn’t the ordinary, “girl lives in society – society is corrupt – girl rebels and becomes an outcast. – falls in love with a rebel boy – take down corrupt society or government together – the end.” There are definitely those elements in this book, but there’s also cool new technology and a fresh new writing style. It does share elements with Divergent,
The Hunger Games, The Selection, Uglies, etc. However, I thought it was more than the generic dystopian book that has seemed to take Barnes and Noble by storm.

This book takes place in a world where civilized people live in pods and for them to go outside would mean certain death. Aether, the energy that fills the sky, has been zapping the ground for 6 generations. First it started fires and then it started plagues. There are tribes that live in the wild, savages, but for the average citizen, outside the pods is called the death shop. Even to breathe the air is certain death. So when Aria gets dropped off in the middle of the desert after an attempt to find her mom that kills three of her peers she is certain she will die and never see her mother again. But with the help from a Savage named Perry, she learns to survive and fight. But she continues to hunt for her mother.

This book was not extremely well written but the world Veronica Rossi creates is a fascinating concept that has not really been touched by a lot of dystopian authors. I thought that the storyline was good and the plot twists came out of nowhere. I would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian or wants to try something new.