Teen Book Reviews

17-year-old Kiva has been locked in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, for ten years. Coded notes from her family are the only connection to the outside world she has, and hope of a rescue is what fuels Kiva to continue working as the prison healer. But when a mysterious prisoner arrives and rumors start to speculate that she may be the Rebel Queen, Kiva receives a note from her family that changes everything. Kiva has no choice but to take the woman’s place in the Trial By Ordeal, a death sentence focusing on the four elements that nobody has ever survived.

This is by far my favorite book! The plot is so interesting and the twists had my jaw on the floor. Usually I am quite good at guessing what will happen, but the end had me absolutely shocked! The very realistic love interest and backstories completely stole my heart. Lynette Noni’s writing style is beautiful and never boring. This nail-biting first book in the amazing trilogy really had me on my toes!

A Door in the Dark is a book about a girl named Ren who struggles to succeed in a classicist world full of magic. When Theo Brood, a member of one of the most important magical families, commits a crime that he is not held accountable for, it sets into motion a whirlwind of events leading to a disastrous malfunction of the Waxways, the transportation system left behind by dragons and used in daily transit.

I recommend this book; the worldbuilding and magic system is very well written and interesting. The characters could be more fully fleshed out, but overall the plot is very good and the dynamics between the characters are interesting as well. The main character especially is very complex, and portrays a more morally grey personality than main characters usually have which makes for a nice change. The author shows a dynamic for Ren that she will do anything for her greater cause, and how it plays out and the costs that her drive has are very well written. The plot twists are very good as well. The one at the end is very unexpected and definitely makes you want to know what happens next.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is a practical self-help book to help teens be more successful. It describes seven key habits: Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand Then to be Understood, Synergize and Sharpen the Saw. The book uses stories that teens can relate to and provides action steps for teens to follow. Sean Covey’s advice helps teens develop strong decision-making skills, set goals, build relationships, and boost confidence.

I would recommend this book to other teenagers because it is an interactive book with real stories that I was able to relate to. Because the book is entertaining while also teaching me tools to be more productive, I had an easy time staying engaged. This self-help book is completely focused on teenagers unlike other self-help books I have read on similar topics. I also liked that this book was not just about how to improve academically, but it provided guidance on how to become a well-rounded, resilient, and responsible person. I think this would also be a good book for parents, guidance counselors and teachers to read to help teenagers reach their full potential. Whether you are desiring to improve relationships, self-esteem, time management, or prioritizing tasks, this book provides clear steps to follow. This book is a must read for any teenager trying to improve in goal setting, confidence boosting, prioritizing, time management, or relationship building.

Dungeons and Drama follows Riley Morris, a girl who loves all things theatre. While working at her dad’s tabletop game store as a punishment, she meets another teen employee: Nathan Wheeler. They decide to fake-date so that Riley can show her ex that she’s better without him, and so Nathan can get the attention of his crush. On top of this, Riley is also trying to bring back her school's spring musical.

I would recommend this book because it is a very satisfying romance. It’s got a frenemies to lovers plot; the characters aren’t quite rivals, but they definitely don’t like each other. The story is full of miscommunication that will leave you wishing people would just say what’s on their mind. It depicts high school and different family dynamics in an accurate and pleasing way. There is a lot of fun banter, but also deeper conversations, which are so important. This book has a little bit of something for everyone, but is still different from other romances out there. I like how it focuses on people with unique passions and hobbies that they care a lot about. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a wholesome romance novel.

In More Than This, 16-year-old Seth suddenly wakes up in a strange world after a near-fatal drowning accident. When Seth starts to remember events from his life before the accident, he realizes that the house he has been staying in was once his own, and he is forced to remember the tragic events that shaped his childhood. Seth, with the help of newfound friends, must figure out the truth of where he is.

I recommend this book because it’s reminiscent of many popular dystopian novels, as the author uses an intriguing coming-of-age story as a mask for a commentary about our modern world. Despite the unique plot, I believe many teens can find a way to relate to Seth’s story. Due to the complex issues that this book tackles, I do believe that readers should be at least 12 years old before reading this.