Teen Book Reviews

In this book a kittypet (housecat) named Rusty ventures off into the wilderness to explore and try to catch a mouse, but before he can get back another cat finds him and takes him back to the clan. Later Rusty learns that there are other clans in the forest and he has the option to join Thunderclan or leave the forest and never return.

I would recommend this book because it really dives deep into the life of cats and the storyline connects all the books and prophecies perfectly. Another reason I would recommend this book is due to the fact that it has tons of detail so nothing is confusing. Since there is a lot of detail you can take a break from the books and still remember what happened.

After the horrifying ending of her latest investigation, main character Pippa Fitz-Amobi is haunted by flashbacks and memories. Dead eyes follow her everywhere, and she can’t get the feeling of blood off her hands. She’s struggling to get back to normal when she realizes someone might be stalking her. Called crazy by everyone except Ravi, Pip starts to fall back into her old routine of obsessive investigating. Through research, she uncovers some unsettling similarities to this stalker and a case that happened in her town years ago. Will Pip catch the killer before it’s too late? Or will he catch her before she can uncover the truth?

This book was absolutely amazing. It had me on the very edge of my seat the whole time! The way Holly Jackson writes Pip’s trauma and flashbacks is utterly captivating. I had to set this book down multiple times because of how anxious it made me, which is exactly what I want in a book. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes a completely unhinged thriller that you won’t be able to put down!

Gregor the Overlander is a fantasy book where Gregor tries to rescue his father from rats who have taken him captive. Gregor and his sister fall through a grate in their apartment into the Underland, an underground society with various giant creatures. When they arrive, they are met by cockroaches who take them to humans. These humans have an underground society, where a Prophecy calls for them to go on a quest to help defeat the rats.

I would recommend this book for people who like fantasy stories, animal stories, or if they have read Percy Jackson and enjoyed that book series. This is a very good fantasy story because it includes elements like wondrous cities and lands. If you enjoy animal stories, then this is a good book for you because it has various animals including bats, rats, and mice. Assuming that you enjoyed Percy Jackson, you should enjoy this book because it has a similar level of action, and adventure, with similar character development like being thrust into an unusual and frightening place. Both books also develop leadership skills. This is also like Percy Jackson because both main characters are relatable. They are relatable in the way that they are neither rich or poor, but they are ordinary. I would also recommend this story to people who enjoy certain levels of confusion and deceit. I enjoyed this book, and I think you will as well.

On Thin Ice follows Ked, a middle school boy living with scoliosis who struggles to fit in while dealing with a tough home life. When things start falling apart with his dad losing his job and kids teasing him at school, Ked turns to building a minibike as his way to escape reality and prove himself. This story captures the hardships and strength it takes to keep going, even when life feels unfair.

I recommend On Thin Ice because it shows how powerful courage can be when everything feels impossible. Ked might feel like his world is collapsing, but as the book continues, you get to see the perspective of multiple characters, including his friends. It shows that there's always a new story when you get a new perspective. The book does a really good job in showing what it feels like to be different and how everyone can become a bad guy depending on the scenario. I liked how real Ked’s emotions were and how the story balanced sadness with hope. It reminded me that everyone has struggles we don’t see, but that doesn't mean we should just leave it at that. The story also shows how creativity and determination can turn pain into something positive. I think anyone who’s ever felt alone, scared of the reality outside of their dreams, or wants a book that gives a lot of foreshadowing and emotion will really connect to this book. It’s honest, down to earth, and definitely worth reading.

About a year after her sister, Claire’s, death, Meredith’s cousin is getting married, and the family gathers at a family homestead. This is the first gathering without Claire. To honor Claire, the bride announces that they will be playing her favorite game, Assassin. As Meredith reunites with her family, she realizes how much she pushed them away after Claire died. She’s also slowly starting to have quite strong affections for an extremely attractive groomsman, Wit.

I would recommend this book to any girl 13-16 who enjoys romance and realistic fiction. It’s a lovely book if you love a good summer romance! It’s based off of Taylor Swift songs, so if you're a swiftie, you’d enjoy the little mentions; however, you don’t need to like Taylor at all to enjoy it. This book is totally fictional-men coded! Wit is a total heartthrob, and you’ll definitely end it with a crush! I love how this book isn’t just all fluff, and it travels into recovery after losing someone, and how it affects those around you. It has beachy vibes that’ll make you feel warm no matter what the temperature is, and you’ll find yourself invested in a game of Assassin! Wondering who’s targeting whom, and when and where they’ll strike!