Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb (review by Elisabeth S. '16)

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ship of Magic is the first book of a delightful trilogy that details the adventures of 7 or 8 POV characters, featuring the headstrong Althea Vestrit as the catalyst in a fictional world shared by Robin Hobb's other series. Due to the ambitions of her brother-in-law, Althea has been stiffed out of her inheritance, the prized Vestrit family liveship that she has spent her entire life aspiring to captain. She will stop at nothing to regain her birthright. Meanwhile, out at sea Captain Kennit has goals of his own, which involve stealing a liveship of his own. The wills of beautifully written and believable characters clash in this adult fantasy novel which guarantees to keep all readers on the edge of their seats. With the character of Wintrow, a thirteen-year-old priest made a slave by his own father, and the seemingly sentient liveships, Ship of Magic raises interesting ethical questions about what is moral and what isn't, concerning the ownership of another sentient being. All in all, this book is strongly recommended to high fantasy fans looking for a wonderfully inventive series to keep them occupied for awhile. - Elisabeth S. '16

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The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan (review by Nikita R. '16)

The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thirteen-year-old Percy Jackson is once again brought into a world full of danger and uncertainty when he undertakes a dangerous quest to rescue his best friend Grover from a vulgar, monstrous Cyclops. Traveling with his half-brother Tyson and his comrade Annabeth, the trio experiences a lifetime of adventures as they encounter the mythological foes of legends, from the cunning sorceress Circe to the fearsome monster Charybdis. Full of engrossing, distinct characters, the strongest point of Sea of Monsters is the rich, humorous dialogue that reveals a phenomenal level of characterization, while also making the reader chuckle. Riordan’s world of mythological wonder mixed with relatable personal struggle makes this novel a must-read for teenagers and adults alike. - Nikita R. '16

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Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (review by Allison W. '16)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind, Daniel tries to uncover the truth about Julian Carax, an author whose books are being burnt. As he visits people in Barcelona who know about Carax, he learns that some people do not want him to discover what happened to Carax and his work. At the same time, Daniel grows up and finds many parallels between his life and Carax’s life as he makes new friends and finds the danger in his quest for knowledge. Daniel’s maturation during his search also serves to make the story more realistic than other books which cover many events and realizations in a short period of time. By itself, The Shadow of the Wind is a wonderfully gripping story, though it is similar to some of Zafon’s other books, such as The Midnight Palace. - Allison W. '16

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The Hunger Pains by The Havard Lampoon (review by Kai A. '17)

The Hunger Pains: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Based on The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Pains follows Kantkiss as she unwittingly accepts being volunteered for the Hunger Games in place of her sister, Princess, and proceeds to the Capital with the affable but pudgy Pita. The Harvard Lampoon pokes fun at Collins’s sensation, distorting it into a laughable story revolving around Kantkiss’s obliviousness, which allows The Lampoon to mock the characters and plot in a sneering, sarcastic tone. The Hunger Pains begins with an introduction of the main characters and a creatively expanded historical background, though a little too much emphasis on names and an incredible amount of stereotyping. Additionally, the humor is enjoyable but sometimes limited, starting out as juvenile and transforming into inappropriate. In summary, The Hunger Pains is a quick, easy read made for those who are easily amused and need a laugh, but nothing more. - Kai A. '17

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Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy by James T. Patterson (review by Zina J. '14)

Brown V. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy by James T. Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book, Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone and Its Troubled Legacy, contextualizes the landmark Supreme Court case, establishes the prerequisite stance of African Americans, and analyzes the effects of the court case educationally, socially, politically, and economically. James T. Patterson excellently supports his arguments with a variety of evidence, such as pictures, primary evidence, secondary evidence, and charts. For example, Patterson cites a shocking statistic regarding the huge investment difference for African Americans and white students prior to the court case - 228.05 vs. 570 dollars. However, the book would have been even stronger if he expanded more on the effects of Brown v. Board on other underrepresented groups and movements, such as the feminist wave. Nevertheless, a Brown University professor, Patterson is clearly an expert in the subject. The book is a must-read for all Americans, especially historians, to greatly appreciate the civil rights movement and better understand the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Case. - Zina J. '14

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Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (review by Cynthia H. '16)

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It all starts with comic books and mixtapes. This is the star-crossed love story of Eleanor Douglas and Park Sheridan, two 1986 teens who don't fit anywhere but together. They find themselves sharing a seat on the school bus and have refused to look back since. The amazing pacing of the book makes it extremely hard to put down; however, it is the realistic voices of Rainbow Rowell’s characters and the genuine ordeals they must endure that will have readers falling in love with Eleanor and Park as hard and fast as they fall for each other. Be prepared to root for this couple until the beautifully heartrending yet hopeful final chapters, and remember: Nothing ever ends. – Cynthia H. ‘16

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Night Film by Marisha Pessl (review by Mrs. Vaughan, Harker librarian)

Night Film by Marisha Pessl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Down on his luck journalist Scott McGrath teams up with perky coat-check girl Nora and spoiled, strung-out and fiercely handsome Hopper to investigate the mysterious death of the brilliant Ashley Cordova, daughter of reclusive horror film director Stanislas Cordova. Wending their way through the tangle of her father’s cultish fans, dysfunctional family history and their own personal baggage, the quirky trio stumbles upon circumstances that suggest abduction, black magic and murder. Pessl’s willingness to weave in trendy New York settings and fictional connections to the truly famous adds an immediacy to her story. So too, do the inclusion of pages featuring screen shots of websites, police reports and a myriad of other pretend, but authentic looking documents. For all that, the mystery is less satisfying than Pessl’s previous title, Special Topics in Calamity Physics which was brilliantly paced and highly believable. Unfortunately, the mystery of Miss Cordova fails to build and reads like one trip to sexy NYC destination to the next. Night Film will appeal to folks who want to feel like they are a part of the in crowd of Manhattan society – so much that this reader wonders if the positive reviews are a result of Pessl’s successful stroking of her critics’ egos. Still, patient readers who enjoy a creepy tale that doesn’t get especially bloody and isn’t big on intriguing twists or satisfying endings will enjoy Night Film. Let’s hope Pessl is back on her game next time around. – Mrs. Vaughan, Harker librarian

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Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman Jurman (review by Maya V. '17)

Alicia by Alicia Appleman-Jurman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alicia: My Story by Alicia Appleman-Jurman is a World War II memoir of the author’s experience as a young Jewish girl during the holocaust. After her brothers are brutally murdered by the Nazis, Alicia begins to realize the gravity of the situation around her. She and her remaining family members flee to ghettos, hide from the gestapo in underground barracks, and trek across the country, but still cannot find refuge. Alicia’s entire family is soon gone, and she is left to fend for herself. Appleman-Jurman is a true master of detail and description as displayed throughout the novel. The heart wrenching details of her emotional and physical pain are agonizing. Her description of the rage and cruelty the Nazis showed towards her and others makes you question if people with such dark hearts could have ever existed. Every aspect of this novel is written with clarity, honesty, and depth, which allows you to feel like you are in the position of the main character. Alicia: My Story is a must-read for young-adults. While the story is very tragic and may not suit every reader, it forces you to appreciate even the smallest luxuries of life. If you are a fan of historical non-fiction and gorgeous descriptions, this book is definitely for you. - Maya V '17

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Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor (review by Maya V. '17)

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Days of Blood and Starlight does not disappoint. Karou is now in the Middle East, living with the only chimaera left in the land of Eretz. After finding out about her past life and true identity as a part of the chimaera race, she feels that she must take action and save her people in the war against the angels. After her forbidden romance with the enemy, she is completely focused on helping the chimaera army grow stronger. However, she struggles to prove herself worthy to the others, who do not believe she can handle being a leader. She does not know which path to take: Should she continue to fight for power and lead the chimaera army to victory, or should she return to her mundane life as an average teenager? Should she seek help from the enemy, who she once trusted? This novel is a wonderful continuation of the first book in the series. The storyline grows more intense, nerve racking, and addictive after only the first few pages. Having read the second book with the same passion as the first, I can barely wait until the third is released in spring! – Maya V. ‘17

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