Book Review: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Lam T.

Sixteen-year-old Aza Holmes wasn’t expecting to be investigating the disappearance of billionaire Russell Pickett, but a hundred thousand dollar reward is looming and her best friend Daisy is ready to solve the mystery. Aza and Daisy become acquainted with Russell’s son Davis, and together, they collect evidence and gather information to figure out what truly happened to Russell Pickett.

But within this external conflict lies Aza’s true endeavor as she struggles as a student, friend, and daughter. Aza struggles with OCD and anxiety, causing her to get lost in what she calls her thought spiral. She is consumed by paranoia of death by bacterial infection and is unable to live in the present and form real relationships with her loved ones.

Throughout the story, Aza struggles in finding herself and getting better, even when it seems impossible. As her world spins out of control, Aza loses her grip and regains it, learning how to cope with the uncontrollable storms of mental illness.

Turtles All the Way Down is an absolutely heart wrenching, raw, real, and painful story that accurately portrays mental illness. As Aza strives to separate from her intrusive thoughts, readers find that healing from mental illness isn’t a linear journey where one can simply choose to get better. The novel is realistic in its portrayal of life, love, friendship, illness, and healing. Overall, I loved Turtles All the Way Down, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to read thought-provoking realistic fiction stories that allow them to look at life with a different lens.

-Lam T.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Everless by Sara Holland

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Leah O.

Sara Holland’s Everless was a fresh perspective on time and living life to its fullest.

In the city of Sempura, time is exchanged for blood, and many of its citizens are constantly living in fear of displacement or death.

The main character, Jules Ember, is an audacious young woman who cares deeply for her father and their survival. All her life, he has sheltered her from the process of exchanging blood for money. When her father’s health declines, Jules must forge her own path and do what it takes to survive.

As a child, she was raised on palace grounds alongside the kingdom’s princes, until she and her father were suddenly forced to flee. When Jules begins work at Everless at the princes’ estate, she forms new bonds with them

Everless was a somewhat complex novel, as the realm was intricate and elaborate. As the reader understands Jules and how she perceives her life, reading the novel flows more easily.

Holland also presents the difference in social status and stereotypes in her novel. The contrast between the nobles and commoners are visible in the blithe actions of the nobility and the scrounging lifestyle of those in the streets.

Overall, Everless consisted of a thorough plot, exciting characters, and captivating ideas. This was a great book!

Everless by Sara Holland is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Leah O.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman was actually more meaningful and emotional than I initially thought it would be. I borrowed this book after reading the synopsis and found the idea of experiencing life through a comatose state intriguing.

Mia Hall has a promising path ahead of her filled with Julliard, standing ovation, and her skills as a cellist. After a terrifying car accident occurs and leaves her all alone in the world, she is able to see her own life unfold from afar—as a spectator.

She sees her body transported to a hospital and all the aftereffects of the traumatic event. Her friends and family are all there to support her as she remains in a hospital bed, broken and unconscious.

The times where she goes back into her memories and rediscovers the moments that she had forgotten made me realize just how fleeting life can be and how we must treasure what we have in the present with the people around us.

There were a few sections of the novel that made me tear up, because the encouragement and understanding that her friends and family showed her during their visits made me feel for them, too.

I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for Mia to lose touch with reality and to watch as the people she loves will her to keep living. She has to make a difficult decision: to stay in the world, where she doesn’t know if she can manage every day, or to let herself go and let down everyone she knows.

If I Stay was an eye-opening novel that made me see life differently. The unexpected can happen at any time, and I now know that one should not let life pass them by.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Spoiler Free Review of Lockwood and Company Book 1: The Screaming Staircase

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Alexander U.

I read the first book of Lockwood and Company after watching and liking the Netflix adaptation. The first book, written by Jonathan Stroud, is titled The Screaming Staircase. It is an urban fantasy novel with some horror elements.

The world is one where 50 years prior to the events of the novel (which takes place in an unclear time but may take place in a technologically-stagnant early 2010’s) a catastrophe referred to as the Problem caused ghosts to start appearing and killing many people, only requiring a touch to cause a kind of quickly-fatal spreading necrotic toxin. However, the only people that can catch more than a glimpse of a ghost are children, who lose their psychic powers by their 20’s. This, of course, means children have to work.

One such child is Lucy Carlyle, the narrator, who is an expert in hearing ghosts and telepathically communicating with them. She is the newest member of the group and is generally competent, but messes up due to a lack of knowledge on occasion.

The titular company is owned by Anthony Lockwood, who is arrogant but also the only person on the team who can talk to people. He is best at seeing ghosts and places where people died.

The last protagonist is George Cubbins, who is not particularly good at any paranormal power and gets in to fights with the other members over nothing, but he’s also the only one who bothers preparing for anything and do any research.

While Lockwood and Company may seem incompetent, the ghost hunting groups run by adults are even more incompetent, with added bureaucracy and a lack of care for human life. The children end up having to deal with adults who are incompetent but also extremely overconfident and condescending, which drives the half of the conflict in the story that is not caused by Lockwood and Co. themselves. The story is full of mystery and twists which is why I will not spoil it here. Lockwood and Co. is a great read for anyone who likes urban fantasy and can handle injury, death, peril, and horror.

– Alexander U.

Lockwood and Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Leah O.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass was a fantastical read. Princess Annika, who is much more than just a pretty face, and closed-off Lennox were an unplanned pair that reminded me of my childhood wonders of princesses and true love. But Annika and Lennox’s story is somewhat different than most fairy-tales.

I appreciated how Annika’s life as a princess did not change her brave, composed character. Throughout the story, Lennox’s softer side comes out when the narrations are told from his perspective.

This fiction novel was unlike the stereotypical fantasy story. Instead, Annika and Lennox almost entirely party ways and were initially unfriendly towards each other. In fact, the two met when Lennox and his band of men kidnapped Annika.

To add to the plot of the story, Cass included Nickolas, a practical man whom Annika’s father has chosen for her to marry for the better of their country. Annika and Lennox’s obvious feelings for each other are prevented by duty, fear, and family.

While Annika and Lennox have their own problems and pains, they both help each other through it all; Annika’s warm light helps the shadow of Lennox’s past fade away and Lennox’s encouragement gives Annika the hope she needs to lead.

In the end of the novel, after having braved many hardships that test their love for each other, Annika and Lennox’s love is sealed. The tender moments and intense times they have had together all come together in a beautiful ending. I especially enjoyed reading the epilogue of A Thousand Heartbeats, where the reader gets a glimpse of Annika and Lennox’s blissful futures.

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Dark Ascension Series: The Wicked Ones by Robin Benway

Posted on May 3, 2023 by Leah O.

“The sky was glorious that morning, so blue and sharp that it looked like it could shatter, raining shards down on all of them, but instead it stayed in place while the rest of their world fell apart.”

We all know the story of Cinderella, enslaved by her evil stepmother and ugly stepsisters when her beloved father passes. She wishes upon a star, and, poof! Her dreams become true and she can finally escape from her horrible stepsisters to a land of charming royalty.

But before the two sisters became wicked, what changed them? They had a father who left them one day, a callous mother with a terrible temper, and a feeble stepsister unable to protect herself from their mother’s wrath. Scrutinized and criticized by even their own mother and villagers, the two sisters were misunderstood and abandoned.

Drizella, the older of the sisters, is a sensible young woman who is almost entirely sure that life is meant to be difficult and struggled through. It’s not like life is perfectly mapped out and lined up like the constellations that secretly fascinate her. Besides, a woman’s expected duties are pointless without learning anything new.

Anastasia is a dreamer who sees the world not for the cruelty and struggles it forces her to endure, but as a vast place to explore and even find romance in. Unfortunately, her sympathetic nature is muted by despair.

Though they are determined not to let evil lead them down a forlorn, empty path, can they remain hopeful forever?

I found this novel pleasant and a change of pace from the fantasy-fairytale books I usually read. I do remember reading another book—Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly—that was a more challenging read with a complicated storyline but had a similar idea to The Wicked Ones.

The stepsisters’ lives weren’t handed to them tied with a bow, it was paved through resentment and struggle. The reader can sympathize with the stepsisters and see their perspective and growth as characters.

Originally, I thought this book was simple and predictable, but it is really just a good novel to sit back and read. The fairytale sweeps you away and you can learn about the stepsisters’ detestable characters.

Through this novel of suffering and strife, the reader learns how the past of the stepsisters’ fostered the black-hearts that they have today.

The Wicked Ones by Robin Benway is available to download for free from Libby.

The Liar’s Crown Book Review

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Aleena C.

This novel was a quick read for me and is what I think a little confusing of a fantasy plot.

It is about two magical princess twins: Meren and Tabra. Tabra lives a royal life in the palace, enjoying all royal amenities, while Meren lives with her grandma hidden in one of the slums.

Meren is supposed to protect Tabra at all costs from King Eidolon, the evil king who has been alive for centuries. He is made out of shadow and sheds a new body every few hundred years to ensure that he lives and reigns forever.

When suddenly their grandma dies, Meren is taken by a shadow wraith (Reven), a mysterious man who is made out of shadows and has many dark secrets. They go through a long journey to get to his home which is apparently full of people he has saved and Meren realizes that he needs her help to save his people.

Of course, Meren falls in love with him along the way and figures out that he is not that bad after all. But, they hear news from her sister Tabra who has fallen into the trap of King Eidolon and Meren is intent on taking her place (since they are twins) and it is her duty to protect her. Oh yeah, forgot to tell you all, Reven thinks Meren is still Tabra.

Anyway, the plot just continues to get more confusing until Meren confronts Eidolon and she casts as Tabra to save her sister.

So, the book pretty much just ends with her marrying the King Eidolon and Reven trying to save her from his wrath (yes, there is a book 2).

Honestly, rating wise I would give this book a 5 out of 10. The plot was a little confusing and it just wasn’t as intricate as I wanted it to be. If you are looking for quick fantasy to pick up, it’ll give you a quick fun read.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Aysha H.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt is narrated by Richard Papen, a new student attending a school called Hampden College in Vermont. Upon arriving, he is given the opportunity to take an ancient Greek class, in which he meets five Classics students: Charles, Camilla, Henry, Richard, and Bunny, who he grows close with within the first few months of the year. However, from the very first line in the prologue, Tartt spoils the fact that Bunny is eventually murdered, leading the novel to center around this event and how it was dealt with by the rest of the group.

Throughout the course of the story, Tartt alludes to several themes concerning the dangers of appearance and the romanticization of the elite class. For example, Richard is initially attracted to the group due to their wealthy, or as he describes, “magnificent,” appearances. He even fabricates aspects of his past in order to better fit in. However, as the group’s secrets, out-of-touch personalities, and extreme flaws slowly begin to unfold, it shows how their beauty never went beyond surface-level. No matter how rich they were, they were unable to cover up the guilt they felt from the damage they’ve caused.

What I found most intriguing and unique about this plot compared to others is that although Richard provides a well-paced, extremely detailed description of the course of events before and after Bunny’s death, he constantly alludes to the fact that he is a great liar, causing readers to question how valid his perspective truly is. Especially since he isn’t as involved in the group’s plans as others, the audience is left feeling as if they need to know more, and that there are gaps in the narration that can be filled by another character’s point of view. Therefore, I found myself continuing to contemplate the story days after I had finished it, making the novel an extremely memorable read that I see myself recommending to almost everyone.

-Aysha H.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

Image

“My life at Claflin has inevitably been easier, better, because of the company I keep. The Ivies opened a door, and I stepped through it.”

–Olivia Winters

Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, UPenn, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Columbia. The eight Ivy League schools for five teenage girls set on attending these schools, by any means necessary.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne is an exciting murder mystery that follows Olivia Winters, a scholarship senior at Claflin Academy, as she navigates life under the wing of the Ivies—an elite, ambitious group of girls who eliminate all chances of competition to claim first place. But karma is real… and it’s coming to get them.

Donne’s approach to the life of a high school student is overwhelmingly perceptive. From the way the characters act to the way they talk, their personality is established within the first few pages of meeting them.

This novel breaks stereotypes that center around class and social privilege. For instance, Avery Montfort, a Harvard legacy student who at first seems conceited and arrogant, offers the reader a glimpse of her not-so-perfect life and the weight she carries.

Together, the Ivies work to sabotage other top college material students. Their conniving actions reveal the ugliness behind their riches. They demonstrate just how far people go to get what they want, including murder.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Ivies by Alexa Donne. My suspicions jumped from person to person; I never stopped guessing until the very end. Everyone should have the opportunity to meet these brilliant, but back-stabbing girls with twisted priorities.

The Ivies by Alexa Donne is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Aysha H.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath revolves around the story of Esther Greenwood, a young college student who dreams of a bright future as a poet. During a summer internship in New York, Esther is held back in pursuing her dreams as she struggles with identity and societal expectations. The reader is give a deep look at her mental processes as she slowly falls into a suicidal state. In other words, Esther is stuck in a “bell jar” of her own thoughts, where she feels as if she is unable to connect with the world around her.

The most impactful aspect of this novel would be the overall message it shares to its audience on the struggles faced by those with clinical depression. Esther’s narration is given through elaborate imagery and effective analogies, causing the audience to both pity and understand the situation she is going through to a much greater extent. Additionally, Plath’s subtle comments on the societal pressure put on women in the 60s further adds to the complexity of the novel.

Overall, I would recommend this book to most people as it is both beautifully written and very eye-opening. However, I would remain cautious of some potentially triggering material such as mentions of suicide.