Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (review by Elisabeth S. '16)

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A solid urban fantasy novel, Moon Called gives readers a healthy dose of independent, headstrong female characters, solid world building, and complex character depth. It succeeds in avoiding the usual tropes of urban fantasy or giving them new twists to keep things fresh. The series details the life of skinwalker Mercedes Thompson, a mechanic who toes the line that divides the society of fae, werewolves, vampires, and other monsters from normal humans. As a skinwalker, Mercedes can turn at will into a coyote--though she is not entirely a werewolf, she was raised by the werewolf community as one of their own until she leaves of her own accord after a decisive incident. Trouble brews when the neighboring pack has one of their children stolen. Overall, I would recommend Moon Called to fans of all fantasy, whether specifically urban or otherwise, for a fast-paced and entertaining read. - Elisabeth S. '16

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Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes (review by Maya V. '17)

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The sequel to Falling Kingdoms, Rebel Spring is extraordinary. The first novel, following the stories of young adults from different kingdoms of Mytica, ended at the point in which all of the characters met. Now, the teenagers live in a time of greater turmoil than they had lived in before. Whether controlled by murderous parents or harassed by brutal soldiers of other kingdoms, they must constantly watch their backs to avoid death. In such circumstances, the characters have to find a way to not only bring back peace to their land, but also manage their personal issues. If you expect a typical continuation of the story in which the teens team up and fight resistance as best friends forever, you are most definitely mistaken. You will be stunned at the turn of events that occur instead. Incorporating the side characters from the previous novel as main characters in the sequel, one can develop a broader view of the situation, given the several new perspectives. Containing even more gut-gripping moments, horrific murders, mystery, romance, and excellent writing, Rebel Spring is a must read! – Maya V. ‘17

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Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson (review by Elisabeth S. '16)

Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anne Carson's compelling language makes this book a masterpiece in verse. Autobiography of Red is a coming-of-age story loosely based on the story of Herakles' tenth labor (stealing the cattle of the monster Geryon). This version is set in the modern day--Geryon is still a red monster with wings, but he's also a photographer with his own familial troubles and thirst for adventure. He meets Herakles, and they fall in love, but Herakles departs from his life shortly after, not to be seen again until years later when Geryon is taking a trip through South America. Carson's use of unlikely yet apt description and Geryon's singular, confused voice makes this book utterly unforgettable. His trials with an abusive brother, a feeble mother, and lost love make it surprisingly easily to empathize with the red monster. Overall, this book is recommended to all fans of poetry and mythology. - Elisabeth S. '16

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For the Win by Cory Doctorow (review by Andrew R. '17)

For the Win by Cory Doctorow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On the one hand, For the Win reads like a video game ad. Cory Doctorow describes, with childlike delight, his ideas for massive multi-player online role-playing games with titles like “Svartalfheim Warriors” and “Zombie Mecha” in such painstaking detail that the reader has to wonder why he chose a career as a novelist instead of a game designer. But then the other face of the book shows itself, the professional, educational side that balances out Doctorow’s nerdy fantasies with lessons on economics, of all things. At first, pairing unions and finance with video games seems an odd strategy, but when Doctorow starts drawing parallels between the two, the offline world he’s created is fleshed out as fully as his online ones. There are characters, mostly impoverished gold farmers and corrupt businessmen; there’s a plot, even if it only appears between video game descriptions and economics lessons. But the real meat of the book, the part that Cory Doctorow fans old and new will recognize as part of the author’s style, has nothing to do with the characters or plot. Rather, all the substance lies in novel’s empowering message, its inspiring moral about equality, freedom—and video games. Andrew R. '17

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