For years, the world has been fascinated with Yale's Skull & Bone society and other secret groups like it. There are all kinds of rumors about what happens in these elite and mysterious groups. However, no one could ever guess that their source of power is magic. These societies are some of the last in the word with a direct link to magic, and each group can perform different dark rituals to gain power. Due to a few "unfortunate" deaths in the past, these societies are now supervised by the Ninth House, the society whose job it is to make sure that their magic is not used to hurt others. Darlington is the student in charge of Ninth House. His new second is Alex Stern, a girl whose life has been defined and destroyed by her ability to see and communicate with ghosts. This gift has almost killed her, but it also was the reason why she was given a full-ride to Yale to work for Ninth House. Alex has been living on the streets of LA, using, and barely surviving high school, and now she is trying to survive ivy league coursework and the society's dark workings, a world she doesn't fit in with. Just as Alex is starting to find her footing, Darlington disappears and a local girl is found dead on Yale's campus. All the societies claim they weren't involved, and Alex is told not to investigate. However, Alex's instincts are screaming at her that this is exactly what the Ninth House should investigate and that perhaps even Darlington's disappearance is tied to the case. She is willing to use any means necessary to get justice for this forgotten girl and bring Darlington home, and it is sure to get bloody. This dark and atmospheric mystery builds slowly at first as you are introduced to Alex and her dark past, Darlington and his love of magic, and the dark rituals of the different secret societies. The action and suspense really pick up when Alex starts actively investigating the murder. Bardugo has filled the plot with dark and surprising twists that will make your zip through the second half of the book. The damaged Alex Stern reminds me a lot of Stieg Larsson's Liz Salender; both survived unspeakable tragedy to become fierce defenders of the defenseless. Both are powerful women who are willing to die to get the truth. Both make you fall in love with them even though they are sure to break you. By the end of the book, you will be dying for the next one, which doesn't release for at least another year. Bardrugo has always been a master of atmospheric language to build mood and complex and compelling characters, and this, her first adult work, cements her reputation. Highly, highly recommended!
NInth House by Leigh Bardugo
For years, the world has been fascinated with Yale's Skull & Bone society and other secret groups like it. There are all kinds of rumors about what happens in these elite and mysterious groups. However, no one could ever guess that their source of power is magic. These societies are some of the last in the word with a direct link to magic, and each group can perform different dark rituals to gain power. Due to a few "unfortunate" deaths in the past, these societies are now supervised by the Ninth House, the society whose job it is to make sure that their magic is not used to hurt others. Darlington is the student in charge of Ninth House. His new second is Alex Stern, a girl whose life has been defined and destroyed by her ability to see and communicate with ghosts. This gift has almost killed her, but it also was the reason why she was given a full-ride to Yale to work for Ninth House. Alex has been living on the streets of LA, using, and barely surviving high school, and now she is trying to survive ivy league coursework and the society's dark workings, a world she doesn't fit in with. Just as Alex is starting to find her footing, Darlington disappears and a local girl is found dead on Yale's campus. All the societies claim they weren't involved, and Alex is told not to investigate. However, Alex's instincts are screaming at her that this is exactly what the Ninth House should investigate and that perhaps even Darlington's disappearance is tied to the case. She is willing to use any means necessary to get justice for this forgotten girl and bring Darlington home, and it is sure to get bloody. This dark and atmospheric mystery builds slowly at first as you are introduced to Alex and her dark past, Darlington and his love of magic, and the dark rituals of the different secret societies. The action and suspense really pick up when Alex starts actively investigating the murder. Bardugo has filled the plot with dark and surprising twists that will make your zip through the second half of the book. The damaged Alex Stern reminds me a lot of Stieg Larsson's Liz Salender; both survived unspeakable tragedy to become fierce defenders of the defenseless. Both are powerful women who are willing to die to get the truth. Both make you fall in love with them even though they are sure to break you. By the end of the book, you will be dying for the next one, which doesn't release for at least another year. Bardrugo has always been a master of atmospheric language to build mood and complex and compelling characters, and this, her first adult work, cements her reputation. Highly, highly recommended!
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Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds When the school bell rings at 3:00, that is when the best stories happen. Stories about the power of spare change, the importance of watching where you are going, the security of having a friend who always has your back, and more. In a series of vignettes, Reynolds gives us 10 tales covering the complicated lives of kids who live on 10 blocks in the same neighborhood. Each story is a brilliant gem that shines a light on the real lives of kids. Some tales will make you chuckle, and others will have you reaching for a tissue. Reynolds, a genius storyteller, has once again created a book that appeals to all ages: upper elementary, middle school, high school, and adults will not be able to help stepping into the shoes of each of these characters. It is also whiplash fast read that you cannot put down. Jason Reynolds is magic, and this latest work reinforces this. Highly, highly recommended! Internment by Samira Ahmed Things started to get bad when American citizens were asked to identify their religious affiliation. Those who reported being Muslim are now facing terrible consequences. Layla's dad lost his job as a professor, and Layla has to be homeschooled. Layla keeps thinking it can't get worse, but it does. She and her parents are spirited away in the middle of the night to an internment camp. Instead of being treated like an American citizen, she and other Muslims are being treated like prisoners of war. Layla is angry with adults around who keep complying with the craziness. She and her friends are going to resist. With the help of many, Layla plans to let the world know what is happening to American citizens at this camp and will protest until their American rights are restored. Layla is playing a dangerous game, and if she doesn't win, she and her friends may lose more than their rights. They may lose their life. This thought-provoking dystopian will terrify you with how close our hate-speech society is transforming this fiction into reality. I think it is an essential text for students to think about and discuss, and it would be especially good paired with George Takei's new graphic novel about his experiences in a Japanese internment camp in They Called Us Enemy. Highly recommended! American Royals by Katharine McGee After the Revolutionary War, George Washington was offered a crown. He turned them down, but what would happen if he didn't. In this alternate history novel, George Washington was the first King of America, and his descendants still sit on the throne. Princess Beatrice is first in line to inherit the throne. She will be the first woman to become Queen regnant in America, so her parents have expected her to be perfect. Usually, she can handle the pressure, but when her parents decide she needs a royal husband, Beatrice struggles with doing what is best for America and following her own heart. Her younger siblings, Princess Samantha and Prince Jefferson, are just the spares, so they have become experts at breaking the rules to get attention. As Samantha falls for a boy who is completely off-limits and Jefferson is juggling two girls, America will soon find just how much love can change history. This fascinating alternate retelling of American history is perfect for fans of The Selection. Filled with treachery, heartbreak, and dreams, American Royals will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. I can't wait to see what awaits the Washington family in the next book. Highly recommended! There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon Sweetie is tired of her mother telling her what she can do, who she can date, what she should eat, and what she can wear all because she is not tiny. Ashish, a former playboy, is tired of his broken heart keeping him from finding joy in anything, even his favorite activity - basketball. They both need a kickstart to get control of their lives. The perfect solution. Sweetie should date a mom her does not approve of (Ashish). Ashish should finally date a girl that his parents choose (Sweetie). Neither are looking for love, but as the two grow closer, they will have trust each other and their own hearts if they are to find happiness. This feel-good story is a celebration of being true to yourself, loving yourself the way you are, and trusting others can love you too. I couldn't put this book down as I cheered for both Sweetie and Ashish to believe in themselves and their relationship. I was so angry at Sweetie's mom for making her feel like she was never enough just because of her weight, and I loved watching Sweetie take back her life. The swoon-worthy scenes with Ashish perfectly spiced up the narrative. This story features Rishi's brother, Ashish, from Menon's first novel, When Dimple Met Rishi. This latest book brought me pure joy. If you are looking for a book that will encourage you to love yourself just as you are, this romantic comedy is exactly what you need. Highly, highly recommended! Cracking the Bell by Geoff Herbach Football saved Isaiah's life. After his sister's and his grandfather's unexpected deaths, Isaiah was out of control and heading to juvie. HIs dad convinced him football would help, and football brought control back to his life. In football, it was good to hit hard and take no prisoners. With his dedication and natural talent for violence, Isaiah has become good, so good that he is fielding D-1 offers to play college ball. During one of the final games of his senior season, Isaiah gets hit hard. When his mother discovers this was his 3rd concussion, she wants him to quit football. Isaiah doesn't know if he can keep his life together without the game. With pressure from teammates, parents, an coaches, Isaiah has to decide what will be the right cal for his future. This is my new favorite football book. I know so many boys like Isaiah, whose frenetic energy leads them to make terrible choices. Boys that find success in sports that teach them discipline while celebrating their physical nature. What is a boy like that to do when he the game that saves him is also the one that may kill him? You will cheer for Isaiah as he struggles to make the right choice for him when it feels like his world is falling apart. Highly recommended! A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer Prince Rhen is cursed to repeat his 18th year over and over again until he finds a girl who will fall in love with him. It seemed easy at first to break the curse, but at the end of each season, he transforms until a mindless beast. Now Rhen must live with the guilt that he has killed his entire family and most of his court while in beast form. No girl has loved this beast, but Rhen, desperate to save his kingdom from himself, continues to kidnap a girl each season in hopes that one will be different. He never expected to find a girl like Harper. A lifetime of tough luck has taught Harper to be strong, even though everyone underestimates her because she has cerebral palsy. While trying to stop a kidnapping, Harper ends up being the one chosen to go to Rhen's world. A world of magic and chivalry seems absurd to Harper, but as she meets Rhen's people, she discovers they are just as real as she is. Harper is torn between wanting to get back home to her dying mother and wanting to do what she can to help Rhen's people and save him from this curse. With the time running out, how can this Beauty and her Beast find a happy ending? Within the pages of this book lies the one of best re-imaginings of the Beauty and the Beast story, and like a beast, you will want to devour this book. Both Harper and Rhen are complex characters that fiercely fight for the people they love. I love that Kemmerer's main character has CP, but the book is not about CP. I also loved the idea of a beast who truly becomes an inhuman monster. With no control over his actions, it makes the consequences even more heartbreaking. The romance between Harper and Rhen is swoon-worthy, and at the end, you will be dying to for the sequel, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, which comes out January 7, 2020. Highly, highly recommended! With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo Emoni became a mom in 9th grade, and she has been forced to put her dreams on the back burner in order to be the best parent to her daughter. Now a Senior, Emoni is facing big decisions about her future. She has always loved created decadent and delicious dishes for her friends and family, and Emoni dreams of becoming a chef. Taking a special cooking class in school has her even more excited. However, night hours and being a single mom are not a great combination. With her future on the line, Emoni has to decide if she can be a parent and follow her passion in life, love, and food. I loved multi-award winning Acevedo's second book. The flavors Emoni creates waft from the pages of the book, and I dream of their being a tasting menu to match the book's recipes. The characters of the book have a lot of heart as they fight for their dreams, including Emoni's mixed emotions as she falls for a boy when she doesn't really want the drama dating could bring. Highly recommended! Superman: Dawnbreaker by Matt De La Pena Clark Kent loved football, but he learned freshman year that he was too strong and fast to play. His football buddies are still mad at him for leaving the team, but as Clark continues to get new, strange powers, he knows he made the right decision. When people in Smallville start to go missing, Clark decides it is time to use his powers to help others. Meet Superman as he is discovering his history and beginning his hero's journey. In the 1930's, Superman helped fight the Klu Klux Klan, and now his story is tackling the issues of immigrants and refugees. Matt De LA Pena is one of my favorite authors, and his writing is superb as he compares Superman's story to that of any immigrant or refugee. Should Superman be put in a detention camp because he did not have the correct paperwork? This action-packed and thought-provoking story is perfect for superhero fans! Highly recommended! Again!! by Mitsurou Kubo At the start of high school, everyone assumes new student Kinichiro Imamura is a gangster due to his bleached hair and narrow eyes, so they don't speak to him. Now about to graduate, Imamura is still a friendless outsider in his school. Because he is shy and a bit apathetic, he didn't join any clubs and has no direction for his future. On the day of graduation, he runs into a girl, and they both are knocked unconscious when they fall down the stairs. When he wakes up, he discovers he has been transported back in time and now has to relive his high school years all over again. However, this time, he decides to try to join the one club he was intrigued by: the Ouden club, a Japanese group that leads cheers with drums, megaphones, and synchronized movements. In his time, the Ouden club disbanded, but now Imamura has a goal. He wants to keep the Ouden club together, but he is going to have to step way outside of his comfort zone if he is going to make a difference. I think Again!! is my favorite new manga series. The plot line is funny and original; I felt like I was reading something exciting and new, not some half-rate remix. I loved Kubo's style, which mixes shojo and shonen style drawings. I enjoy the juxtaposition of Imamura always looks like a mess but the girls in his life looking gorgeous. It is adorable watching Imamura get pulled out of his shell by new friends and adventures as he fights to right the wrongs of not just his past life, but of others at his school. It is the antihero's hero's journey. I can't wait to find out what other transformations will take place and where they will lead our sweet and sour bumbling boy. Highly, highly recommended! |
AuthorMs. Smith has been the librarian at Washington HS in Sioux Falls, SD, since 2005. She enjoys reading, watching K-Dramas, Harry Potter and hanging out with her family. Archives
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