To Read or Not To Read

A BookTok fantasy novel that indeed lives up to the hype, The Priory of the Orange Tree is epic in more ways than one. An intense behemoth of a book that centers female narratives is certainly not for the faint of heart, but those who read it succeed at finding a fantastic escape. Samantha Shannon's writing will grip you, and your curiosity about where these women's (and men's) journeys take them will carry you all the way through the end, and still leave you wishing for more. Samantha Shannon studied English Language and Literature at St. Anne's College, Oxford. The Bone Season , the first in a seven-book series, was a New York Times bestseller and the inaugural Today Book Club selection. The Mime Order followed in 2015 and The Song Rising in 2017. Her work has been translated into twenty-six languages. She lives in London. You can find her @say_shannon or on her website at www.samanthashannon.co.uk .  The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still u...

Sabaa Tahir's All My Rage is the young adult novel I wish I had access to when I was a young adult reading YA. All My Rage is a gorgeously crafted novel about surviving as a young adult when it feels like the entire world is working against you. This is a story that needed to be told, demands to be read, and will refuse to let you go.  Sabaa Tahir is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series , which has been translated into over thirty-five languages. She grew up in California's Mojave Desert at her family's eighteen-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother's comic book stash, and playing guitar badly. She began writing books while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks, and all things nerd. Visit Sabaa online at SabaaTahir.com and follow her on Instagram @SabaaTahir. You can find more of my reviews of Sabaa's works here .  Lahore, Pakistan. Then....

V. E. Schwab strikes again with a thought provoking, compelling young adult fantasy titled Gallant . This is a story surrounding an orphan who is trying to figure out where she belongs, crafted to feel like there's a scream building up in your throat, and only once Olivia finds the answers will you be free.  V. E. Schwab is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, ranging from middle grade to teen to adult. Her books have garnered critical acclaim and been featured in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, the Washington Post , and on NPR; have been translated into more than a dozen languages; and have been optioned for television and film. V. E. Schwab, an avid traveler, received her mFA from the University of Edinburgh, where her thesis was about the presence of monsters in medieval art. She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and on her website www.VESchwab.com . You can find more of my reviews o...

A novel that dives into complicated relationships and the consequences of neglect, with a magical realism twist, The Wicker King is a read one won't easily forget—especially since the novel itself is an art object. For young adults looking for something a bit grittier, The Wicker King is your next read. K. Ancrum grew up in Chicago, Illinois, under the illusory rigor of the Chicago public school system. She attended Dominican University to study fashion merchandising, but was lured into getting an English degree after spending too many nights experimenting with hard literary criticism and hanging out with unsavory types, like poetry students. Currently, she lives in Andersonville and writes books at work when no one is looking. You can find Ancrum at kancrum.com .  August and Jack have never lived in the same world. August is a misfit with a pyro streak and Jack is a golden boy on the varsity rugby team—but their intense friendship goes way back. It's something they keep for th...

In this imaginative and poetic debut, Somaiya Daud builds a world full of strong female relationships. In a world defined by colonialism, one girl finds herself on an unwelcome yet unexpected path that leads her to question how to make her best way forward. Somaiya Daud is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington. She is passionate about Arabic poetry and the cosmos. Mirage is her debut. You can find her on Twitter @somaiyadaud or on Instagram @somaiiiya.  In a world dominated by the brutal Vathek Empire, eighteen-year-old Amani is a dreamer. She dreams of what life was like before the occupation, of writing poetry, of receiving a sign from Dihya that one day she, too, will had adventure and travel beyond her isolated moon. But when adventure comes for Amani, it is not what she expects. She is kidnapped by the regime and taken in secret to the royal palace, where she discovers that she looks nearly identical to the cruel half-Vathek princess Maram. The princess is so hated...

Kacen Callender writes with heart, wit, and ferocity in telling Felix's story in the young adult novel, Felix Ever After . A beautiful story about finding one's identity, finding love of all kinds, and learning how to stand up for oneself, Felix Ever After is more than just a necessary read, but an empowering one.  Kacen Callender is originally from Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Kacen has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MFA from the New School's writing for children program. They are also the author of the young adult novel This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story and the middle grade novels King and the Dragonflies  and Hurricane child, winner of the Stonewall Book Award and the Lambda Literary Award. They can be found online at www.kacencallender.com , and on Twitter.  Felix Love has never been in  love—and, yes, he's painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it's like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. ...

A (dare I say) delectable story from the much beloved Elizabeth Acevedo, With the Fire on High is a heartwarming, mouthwatering story about teenage Emoni Santiago, who is unsure about her dreams but loves her daughter and family, and knows her way best around a kitchen. Perfect especially for young adults uncertain of their futures but knowledgeable about their passions, With the Fire on High is sure to inspire, and calm, and overall remind us of what is truly important in life. Elizabeth Acevedo is the author of The Poet X , which won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Pura Belpré Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. She is a National Poetry Slam champion and holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Maryland. Acevedo lives with her partner in Washington, DC. You can find out more about her at www.acevedowrites.com. You can also follow Elizabeth Acevedo on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. You can ...

I completely devoured this book! Definitely one of the best books of 2022, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea whisks you away on an unforgettable adventure, full of love and intrigue, monsters and spirits, and everything in between! Written with the biggest amount of heart, and in the most spellbinding way, this is Axie Oh's masterpiece.  Axie Oh is a first-generation Korean American, born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California San Diego and holds an MFA in writing for young people from Lesley University. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationary supplies, and milk tea, and she currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her dog, Toro (named after Totoro). You can find Axie at AxieOh.com .  Deadly storms have ravaged Mina's homeland for generations. Her people believe the Sea God, once their protector, now curses them. Each year a beautiful maiden is sacrificed to the sea in...

The compulsively readable sequel to the immensely lovable Loveboat, Taipei has more in store than just romance—indeed, Loveboat Reunion is full of young adult disasters, personal revelations, and drama from all sides. If you loved Loveboat, Taipei , or if you love stories where drama and character development go hand in hand, then Loveboat Reunion is the book for you this February! Abigail Hing Wen is the New York Times bestselling author of Loveboat, Taipei , which is being adapted for film. She holds a BA from Harvard, a JD from Columbia Law School, and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and, like some of her characters, is obsessed with musicals and dancing. When she's not writing stories or listening to her favorite scores, she is busy working in artificial intelligence in Silicon Valley, where she lives with her family. You can learn more about her at www.abigailhingwen.com . You can also find her on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. You can find more of my reviews of A...