Teen Book Reviews

Shatter Me follows the life of a 17 year old girl named Juliette as she grows up in a dystopian world ravaged by hunger, erratic weather, and chaos. However, that is not the only struggle Juliette faces as she is unable to touch anyone without causing them harm. Throughout her journey, Juliette discovers more about herself, love, and the world around her.

I would highly recommend this book if you are interested in the dystopian genre, romance, or both. Shatter Me encapsulates both of these aspects in a perfect balance. The author’s writing style is rather unique as she attempts to convey to the reader the thoughts that are going through Juliette’s head, including the ones she struggles to admit to herself. As we follow the story, we get to see how Juliette is developing as a person and changing her perspective on her circumstances. In addition to her own personal journey, Juliette navigates her first romantic relationship, which is a position she never thought she’d find herself. If you are someone who enjoyed the Divergent series, I believe you would enjoy reading the Shatter Me series.

In a world where Reds and Silvers live segregated, a seventeen-year-old girl named Mare Barrow discovers that she has a superpower. Despite her blood being Red, she holds a power that only Silvers can have. Mare used to live in poverty and was a thief, now she plays a key role in the safety of her homeland. To keep Mare safe from outside dangers, the King and Queen rule to marry her to their younger son, Maven.

Red Queen is very mysterious and thought-provoking. The book showcases Mare, the female main character, who is born into poverty and was a thief. She finds out that she wields a superpower that she shouldn’t have. Victoria Aveyard showed the distinct difference between the Reds and the Silvers beautifully. Mare’s resentment towards the Silvers builds her character up and gives her motivation for her future up ahead. I think Red Queen was a good read, but I wish there was more of a twist in it. The plot was predictable and it wasn’t very shocking. Most aspects of the book were well written and enjoyable to read, it was some certain parts that made it boring sometimes. This all being said, Red Queen is a good book for readers who like dystopian novels.

In Paper Towns, Quentin Jacobson's adventure begins when Margo invites him on a night filled with revenge. The next day, he arrives at school and realizes that his Margo is missing, and he was the last person to see her. With the help of his friends, he embarks on a journey in search of Margo, but the closer he gets to finding her, the more confused he is about why she went missing.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a binge-worthy book to read. As a fan of John Green's work, I feel that this stands out from many of his other books. The story was very well-paced and it was extremely hard to put the book down because each chapter revealed new information. The main character's arc is extremely well thought out. The story made sense and fit together well. Characters were well developed and readers will feel an attachment to the main character as he gets to know Margo more throughout the book.

The Screaming Staircase is about three teenage ghost hunters named Anthony Lockwood, George Cubbins, and Lucy Carlyle. This story is set in an alternate universe where there are ghosts coming back from the dead tormenting the living and the only people who can stop them are kids. The trio begin to solve the murder of a young woman, but they quickly find out that there is more to the story than they realize.

As someone who enjoys genres such as thriller and murder mystery, I think this is an excellent book that incorporates the two genres and makes for an enjoyable read. The story is very unique and opens up a whole new world for the reader to explore. I especially liked the first person point of view which follows the main character Lucy Carlyle because it allows the reader to feel immersed within this eerie and action packed world. Another thing that I enjoyed about this book was the complex world of ghost hunting and psychic abilities that the author, Jonathan Stroud, created. These key details really elevated the story and had me thinking even after I finished the book. I recommend people read this book because it is entertaining and has a unique plot.

Catching Fire is the sequel of the highly respected book series, The Hunger Games, and immediately follows the arrival of the 74th Hunger Games’ victors, Katniss and Peeta. Due to the actions pulled by Katniss and Peeta in their recent games, a rebellion has been sparked in each district. The new victors are faced with challenges within their hometown and the capitol. Katniss has the choice to obey orders or risk her and her loved ones to danger.

As someone who thoroughly enjoys dystopian novels, Catching Fire has been the most compelling story I have ever read. The message conveyed by Suzanne Collins about classism can be reflected and compared to the world around us. The connection of violence to entertainment is a concept the author uses to show the disconnection of classes between the rich and the poor. The main character, Katniss, is the perfect embodiment of rage and rebellion towards injustice. The plot was engaging and riveting, as there were an adequate amount of twists and turns to advance the story and its significance. The story was built on symbolism and messages as a way to convey its main theme to the audience. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys moving pieces regarding social justice and futuristic societies.