The Deep Dark

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag, 480 pages

Mags is a teenager with some very adult problems on her hands — she's the primary caregiver for her ailing grandmother while juggling work and school too and her kinda-relationship with a girl must be hidden from the girl's boyfriend. Oh yeah, there's also a secret monster in the basement that leaves her bleeding and exhausted every night, and could kill people if it got out. But when a childhood friend returns, Mags finally gets some of the support she needs, and she begins to realize that things don't have to be the way they are.

This graphic novel beautifully tells a complex story of identity, family prejudice, and finding comfort with who you are. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is so thought-provoking (and is obviously so personal to Ostertag) that I'm still turning it over in my mind more than a month after reading it. Highly recommended.

With the Fire on High

 With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo, 395 pages.

High school senior Emoni Santiago has what feels like an impossible amount on her plate. She has a daughter to raise, a grandmother to support, and no idea what she's going to do with her life after high school. The only things on her plate that don't stress her is the actual food. Emoni is magical in the kitchen, with an instinctual understanding for what goes together and a gift for making people feel things with her food. A culinary arts program at her school (complete with a trip to Spain) could be completely life-changing for her, but can she afford to care about what she wants with so many people depending on her?

This book by the same author as The Poet X had many of the same things I loved about that book. In some ways they are similar books, with Afro-Caribbean protagonist dealing with complex family relationships that are still very rooted in love, but they are also different enough characters and problems that it didn't feel like reading the same book again. Emoni's problems feel very real, and it would be hard not to get deeply invested in her. The imagery in this book is vibrant, and the voice is deeply engaging. This was probably further strengthened by the fact that I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by the author and helps Emoni feel very real. This is an excellent young adult novel, I would recommend it widely, but especially to teens. 

The Maze Runner Trilogy

The Maze Runner series by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009), 375 pgs.
Imagine waking up in a dark elevator, ascending to God-knows-where, with no memory of how you got there or--more importantly--who you are. That is what happened to Thomas when he entered the Maze. After arriving in "the Box," as the other boys called it, Thomas stepped out into a world entirely new to him, but somehow slightly familiar. The group of guys who greeted him explained that he was the newest member of the Gladers, a group of teenagers who lived in the center of a huge maze with no memory of why they are there. Thomas knew he must have a purpose, and when the newest arrival came up in the Box, that purpose became all the more clear: he must escape the Maze. 

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner (2010), 360 pgs.
After the dramatic conclusion to The Maze Runner, Thomas and his closest friends find themselves once again trapped in another large test, grasping for ways to survive. This time, the team of teenage boys--and some new friends--are given a mission: cross the desert and receive the cure for a deadly disease to which they have all been exposed. As the friends fight their way across the "Scorch," encountering other desperate, infected people, they begin to see more clearly the terrible state of the world outside of the Maze, and they start to uncover more about the mystery of why they were put there.

The Death Cure by James Dashner (2011), 325 pgs.
In this third and final installment of The Maze Runner series, Thomas faces all that has happened. He must finally confront the corporation which has been running experiments on him and his friends in the name of scientific discovery. He must determine what his role will be going forward, and how he will save his friends--those who are still alive--and the rest of society. It all comes down to Thomas, and after the trials he has been put through, he better be ready.

This series very much runs in the same vein as other YA dystopian novels-turned-movies from the early 2010s like Hunger Games and Divergent, but beyond similarities in terms of setting and overall themes, The Maze Runner books are nowhere near as good as those other genre legends. The first book is the strongest, with the most interesting and well put-together plot, but after that the series loses focus and wanders in different directions, seemingly without a point or destination in sight. The characters and their relationships are pretty shallowly written. The main character especially is also reallllyyy annoying in my opinion. Dylan O'Brien plays him much more likeable in the movies than he is written. I was not a big fan of this series on my re-reading, but the first one is still a fun pick if you're craving a nostalgia read from that era of YA dystopia (although you would be much better off just reading The Hunger Games).

Gallant

 Gallant by V.E. Schwab (2022, 338 pages)

Olivia Prior has spent most of her life in a strict boarding school. She has no family that she knows of, only her mother's journal. Until she receives a letter from her uncle, inviting her to Gallant: a mansion in the countryside with a hostile cousin and two gentle and welcoming staff. Olivia discovers the secrets of Gallant, who called her there, and what being a Prior means.

What I liked:
✨Really interesting world and supernatural things
✨Inclusion of visual art and letters to provide context
✨Disability representation
✨Family drama is universal lol

What I didn't like:
💤A little confusing at times, not everything is explained in black and white. Which could be a good thing for you!
💤Has some aspects of fantasy that don't make a lot of sense if you think about it too hard, but it is kinda young adult-y

⭐⭐⭐⭐
 

The Poet X

 The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, 368 pages.

Xiomara Batista often feels like no one is on her side. She's Afro-Latina and in possession of a body that gets her more attention from men than either she or her traditional catholic Mami would like. Which is just one in a long list of things her Mami blames her for, a tension that would explode if she ever finds out Xiomara is questioning her faith. It feels like the only place she can feel safe being herself and expressing her true thoughts is in the poetry she writes in her journal. But Xiomara is not the type of girl who is content to live her life quietly forever. 

This was an astonishing young adult novel. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author and really makes this novel in verse come to life, which is exactly what I would expect for a book of poetry read by an award-winning slam poet. I found this book startlingly honest, tackling hard issues for young adults without ever feeling exaggerated or implausible. Xiomara's troubles are undoubtedly hard, and sometimes seem impossible to solve from inside, but they never seem even a little hard to believe. Their resolution feels similarly believable. I would recommend this very widely to teens, but also to anyone else.   

Our Infinite Fates

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven, 352 pages

For thousands of years, Evelyn and Arden have found each other as they've been reincarnated, and every time they've fallen in love, and every time, one of them has killed the other (and subsequently died themself) just before their shared 18th birthday. EVERY TIME. Evelyn has no idea why it has to happen, as she can only remember the last few lives, but for some reason, Arden can remember all the way back to the beginning. Told in chapters alternating between their current situation and flashbacks to their previous deaths, this book weaves a tale that questions fate, love, and whether we can ever do anything to change those things. It's an angst-filled story, and it's perfect for teens who would like a bit of substance to their dramatic love stories.

Sunrise on the Reaping

 Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, 387 pages.

Haymitch Abernathy makes the most of a hard life: doing chores for is Ma, spending time with his girl, and hoping not to make enough trouble to be noticed by the peacekeepers. Then he makes himself too visible and ends up in the 50th Hunger Games, sentenced to fight to the death with 49 other kids. Haymitch is determined not to let them turn him into their propaganda, but some things are so much bigger than him.

This was a very solid edition to the Hunger Games series, and I liked it much better than the last prequel. It was very thematically consistent, and felt sharp and cutting. Collins was considering very literally the political principles of David Hume, in a way that still made a compelling novel. This book did, however, suffer from a problem common in prequels of popular series. It felt like it was filled with as many characters from the original books as possible, which often creates connections that strain believability to believe weren't mentioned in the original source material. That being said, none of these cameos cause any problems at all within the novel itself, and I almost like this book more in isolation than as part of a series. I would definitely recommend this novel for fans of the original series, but also for anyone who's looking for some less than subtle criticism of tyrannical government. 

The Hunger Games Trilogy

 The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, 1155 pages.

Every year two children are selected from the twelve poor and exploited districts that surround the luxurious capital of Panem. These 24 children are then sent into televised death matches where one winner will receive fame and fortune, and everyone else will just die. Katniss Everdeen volunteers, not because she thinks she will win, but to save her little sister from having to go. Acts of survival are interpreted as acts of rebellion until they become exactly that, and Katniss finds herself the figurehead of a long-overdue revolution. A revolution that may still cost her everything. 

I first read these books fifteen years ago, and I was a little surprised how remarkably well they still held up this much later. Suzanne Collins had a lot to say about systems of power and control, as well as plenty of other political issues, on a more complex level then you would expect from books written for teenagers, and especially books that are regularly marketed as a girl caught between two boys. Also, on a narrative level, these books are still emotionally devastating on a reread. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who passed them up because they're outside of their usual genre, or because they were unimpressed by the many imitators that came later. 

Holy Terrors

 Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen, 560 pages.

In the nearly two years since Vanja destroyed the cult she accidentally started, she has been trying to do as much good as possible. Even if it may never entirely make up for the things that she has done, or the way that she hurt Emeric. The reformed Pfennigeist is a Robin Hood type figure, answering prayers for the poor, powerless, and abused. Which makes it a real problem for Vanja when nobles start turning up murdered with her signature red penny in their mouths. When the blessed empress herself shows up murdered in the same way, Vanja is forced into the investigation to clear the name she worked so hard to make. Even if it means working with Journeyman Prefect Emeric Conrad again. 

This intense conclusion to the Little Thieves trilogy is a much more blood-soaked addition. I wrote about the first book here in 2021, and continue to endorse the series whole-heartedly. Even with the frankly slightly excessive amount of murders, this is still a very character focused book. More specifically, it's focused on characters I love, bringing back characters from the first book who were mostly absent in the second. I'm not sure I entirely loved the heavier tone of this book, but I did think the final act was phenomenal, and served as a worthy send-off for a beloved series. 

The Baker and the Bard

 The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught, 147 pages.

Juniper is a talented young baker who dreams of owning her own bakery, and her friend Handley dreams of adventure and improving their bardic craft. Together, they go on a trip to gather some rare glowing mushrooms for a special baked treat, and are immediately distracted by the mystery of some missing vegetables. They have a very rewarding adventure of discovery and friendship. 

This was a very simple and wholesome little graphic novel. There's not all that much to the plot of the characters, but what was there was solid. I especially liked the art and all of the colorful background details throughout. I don't know that I would consider this a must-read book, but I do think it's worth the half hour it takes to read. Wholesome and imaginative. 

The Raven Boys

 The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, 409 pages.

Blue Sargent comes from a family of psychics, but her own supernatural gifts have always been limited to making other people's gifts stronger. Until one St. Mark's Eve, when she sees the spirit of a boy who's destined to die in the next year, who she must either kill or love to see him. That boy is Gansey, a student at the local boarding school for rich and privileged boys who is on an obsessive quest for a long buried Welsh king he believes is buried along the leyline in Virginia. Soon Blue's path crosses with Gansey and his friends' search and things begin to move very quickly.

This young adult novel came very highly recommended, and I'm afraid I found it a little middling. There wasn't anything wrong with it, and I did genuinely really like all of the characters, but I found the pacing a little slow and it didn't really shine for me. This is book one of a quartet, and I'm intrigued enough by some of the open questions that I might pick up the next, but I'm not sure I'll finish the series. Fans of young adult literature and magical realism might like this book. 

The Vinyl Underground

The Vinyl Underground by Rob Rufus (2020) 328 pages

I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla narrated by Nick Mondelli. It is 1968 and Ronnie is still grieving the death of his brother over in Vietnam the year before. He's now a senior and questioning his future plans. Does he still want to pursue his brother's dream of being a radio DJ in California, or go to college to pursue his own path? Will either of those even be an option if he is drafted? Ronnie's brother had sent him a series of letters each with a recommended song on a 45rpm. He privately cherished these letters and his brother's stash of great albums. With his best friend Milo, their new neighbor Hana, who is half-Japanese, and a fellow star wrestler Louis, who has already failed his first senior-year to defer being called in the draft, Ronnie forms the Vinyl Underground. They form the record club to share righteous songs and chat about school and the war while drinking and smoking weed. They also plan how to dodge the draft. Ronnie finds it is better to work through his grief when he shares his brother's letters and recommended songs. Hana's family is new to town and faces a lot of racism. A bully at school constantly accuses her of being a spy for the Vietnamese. There is a scene of a sickening attack on Hana that is racially motivated. Milo wants to be a filmmaker and has recorded the attack, but the police doubt the identity of the assailant. This sets in motion the boys planning a super secret prank at the school prom. I loved the name-dropping of musicians from this decade. I could hear most of them in my head. I loved the exploration of courage in the face of pro-war forces and those who protest the war machine.
 

So Let Them Burn

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole, 400 pages

Five years ago, Faron was 12 years old and chosen by the gods to wield their power and win a war of independence against the Langley empire that had long suppressed the people of San Irie. The war was won, thanks to Faron's power, the newfound queen Adeline, and Faron's sister Elara's work with the San Irie military. Now Faron and Elara have a new challenge on their hands, as Elara's been unwillingly bonded to one of Langley's dragons and thrust into the hands of the colonizers. Faron can still channel the power of San Irie's gods, but she's learning that their methods won't work to free Elara, and she may have to make some reckless moves to break her sister's bonds.

This Jamaican-inspired YA fantasy is intriguing, though nothing that really stands out from the crowd. It's supposed to be the first in a duology, and given the absolute cliffhanger this one ends on, I may pick up the second when it becomes available. It's OK, but not my favorite by a long shot.

This book will be released January 16, 2024.

Sabriel

Sabriel by Garth Nix, 292 pages

Sabriel is a young woman on the brink of graduation when a mysterious message from her father sends her on a quest to find his body and stop the unquiet dead from taking over the land. (Did I mention Sabriel and her dad are necromancers? They are.) Soon, she's left the safety of the modern land of Ancelstierre and ventured into the magic heavy Old Kingdom, where her magical powers (and the dead) are stronger. Throw in a talking cat that's not actually a cat, a formerly-frozen-in-time queensguard, and a slew of zombie-esque evil contructs, and you've got yourself a classic fantasy novel.

This has been on my radar as something I'd like to read for years (it was originally published in 1996), and only now did I get around to picking it up. It's not my favorite fantasy novel, but it's definitely not bad — and I particularly liked the aforementioned not-a-cat, Mogget, who deserves a place in the fantasy cat hall of fame (I'm creating this just now, if it doesn't already exist). Glad I finally read this one!

Tegan & Sara: Junior High

Tegan & Sara: Junior High by Tegan & Sara Quin, art by Tillie Walden, 298 pages

Canadian indie rock duo Tegan & Sara is one of my favorite bands, and when I heard they were teaming up with the amazing artist Tillie Walden for this middle school graphic memoir, I knew I'd have to check it out. (After all, I loved their adult non-graphic memoir, High School.) 

This one presents the trials and tribulations of being a girl in seventh grade, switching to a new school, finding new friends, puberty, and all the good and bad stuff that comes with it — as well as managing all of that with a twin sister. While the Quins went through this back in the early 1990s, I appreciate that they reset their junior high years in the 2020s, as that will certainly help the kids who read this connect with it (cell phones and Taylor Swift and Netflix certainly have more impact with today's kids than corded wall phones and Nirvana and VCRs). 

I really dug this book, and appreciated the clever color-coding way that Walden distinguished between the twins in her artwork — Tegan is blue, Sara is red, and most pages that take place outside of their bedrooms are a wash of pale purple. There's another book on the horizon (focusing on eighth grade), and you can bet I'll pick up that one too.

The Night in Question

The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow & Liz Lawson, 401 pages

In this excellent sequel to The Agathas, super-smart Iris and former popular girl Alice team up to solve a decades-old mystery of a Hollywood starlet's untimely death, which somehow led to the assault of one of Iris and Alice's classmates. It had been a minute since I'd read The Agathas, so it took me a bit to remember who everyone was, but really, that's my only complaint about this book. The first book has been described as "Veronica Mars meets Nancy Drew," and I'd say that description still holds up here. A great sequel to a great book. Can't wait to read more of their adventures!

Painted Devils

 Painted Devils by Margaret Owen, 512 pages.

In this sequel to Little Thieves, which I wrote about here, we catch back up with Vanja several months later, and she is not doing well. Her own self-destructive tendencies make her flee the friends and loved ones she had by the end of Little Thieves, believing herself unworthy of them and going off on her own to try to learn some honest skills that will make her feel worthy of love. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and she accidentally starts a cult instead. This becomes an even bigger problem when the god she made up manifests and demands human sacrifice. It is an even bigger problem when she demands the sacrifice be Emeric Conrad, Vanja's (ex?)boyfriend, who was in town to investigate if divine fraud was being committed and finally earn full admittance to the prefects. A quest follows trying to find a way to resolve the multiple situations that are implied there, which soon begins to show ties to Vanja's past.

This was an excellent sequel. Although it wasn't quite as much my thing as the first book, Owen is a good enough writer that things that would drive me crazy in other books (such as a lot of pages dedicated to the sex lives of teenagers) are handled well and feel like they contribute significantly to the themes of the book overall. This is slated to be the second book in a trilogy, and it definitely reads like one. There is a lot of time spent developing relationships, establishing problems, and a less than satisfying ending. This book is written with craft and maturity, and is a great example of literary merit in young adult novels. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one!

The Silence of Bones

 

The Silence of Bones by June Hur, 336 pages

This young adult historical mystery takes place in 1800 Joseon (Korea). Seol is an orphaned teenager, indentured to the capital's police bureau. As men are forbidden from touching women they are not related to, damos like Seol are used to investigate crimes against women. She gets involved in the murder investigation of a noblewoman found with her throat slit, and forms a friendship with the lead investigator, Inspector Han. But the murder of the woman is only the first, and both Seol and the inspector have secrets in their backgrounds that may or may not have bearing on the case.

June Hur's prose is beautiful, and I loved all of the period detail she put into this novel. I had no idea that Korea had such advanced techniques for solving crime in 1800, and about how the introduction of Catholicism from China influenced many of the events during this time period. It really shone a light on a place that we do not study here in the West, and I always appreciate broadening my historical knowledge. I really liked that Seol is the narrator of this story, and we can hear her thoughts and observations of the world around her. I actually cried at the end (and not just because the book was over). I have two more of June Hur's books at home to read, and am really looking forward to being immersed in Joseon-era Korea again!

The Q

 The Q by Amy Tintera, 352 pages

You're probably thinking--why in the world would I want to read a novel about a horrible pandemic right after a horrible pandemic? Well, I love dystopian science fiction, so that doesn't bother me. However, if you do not want to read about people getting sick and dying, skip this one for now!

This young adult novel takes place in what used to be Austin, TX. It is now known only as "The Q," the quarantine zone where a horrible virus first started spreading, and the United States reacted by walling everyone in the city inside. No one can leave, and no one can enter. The citizens inside who survived the virus have limited immunity, but most of them stay alive due to artificial organs. The main characters are Maisie Rojas, a daughter of the family who controls the South Q, and Lennon Pierce, the son of the Democratic nominee for president. He is kidnapped and dropped into the middle of the quarantine zone at the beginning of the book, and Maisie is tasked with helping him cross the North and escape through the only exit.

This novel was fast-paced, sometimes violent, and blessed with two likable main characters. I especially liked Maisie and her fiery personality. The world they inhabit is not black-and-white, but there is always a reason behind their actions. I'm also a big fan of banter in my young adult novels, and this one had some great moments. I actually would have liked for it to be longer, because I wanted to know more about this place and these characters, but the ending was satisfying. If you are a fan of young adult dystopia, then give this title a chance!

The Heartbreak Bakery

The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta, 352 pages

Regan wrote a great review of this charming book here, and I'll happily admit that her review is what made me pick up this fantastic book. So go read that review — I agree with everything said there and the only thing I would add is that I love the inclusion of the recipes, some of which I *really* want to try out at home.