Crashing Through by Robert Kurson (review by Zina J. '14)

Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See by Robert Kurson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Crashing Through shares Paralympic winner Mike May’s journey from blindness into a world of sight, the struggles of this journey, the science behind the surgery that made Mike’s vision possible, and his ultimate destiny. The book excellently increases the reader’s understanding of blindness both on a scientific and social level. Kurson thoroughly fleshes out Mike’s emotions, thoughts, and choices. On the flip side, the author spends about a third of the book explaining why Mike chose to have the surgery, yet determining Mike’s choice was pretty obvious just by looking at the cover of the book. The book did, however, become increasingly more interesting in the second half. Considering that Mike May’s story is rare, as this surgery has only been given to a selected few before, the book leaves an insight not only on blindness but also on the surgery. As a result, this book can appeal to any reader but is particularly interesting for those interested in blindness. – Zina J. ‘14

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Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk (review by Elisabeth S. '16)

Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Invisible Monsters follows a small group of fashion models trekking across the states trying to find themselves. The unnamed main character, a former fashion model, is disfigured -- crippled by a mysterious accident. She hides under a veil and is known to others as a monster. In speech therapy, she meets supermodel Brandy Alexander, and the story unfolds from there. This book is fast-paced and not for the faint of heart. It starts with a house fire and only gains speed. The imagery is shocking and offensive with its brutal clarity. Palahniuk’s details land like punches without let up. His plots are artful and ingenious; the twists nearly impossible to see coming. Highly recommended. 5 – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton (review by Elisabeth S. '16)

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Outsiders details the conflicts of adolescent Ponyboy as he and tries to find his way among the street gangs of his hometown. Hinton’s novel is weak. Artless prose replaces the jolting grittiness necessary to carry the toughness. The violence is bland and unrevealing. Hinton doesn't convey the wrenching, heartfelt sentiment behind these events. The book ends up an expressionless shopping list of incidents of Ponyboy's youth. The Outsiders may excite younger audiences, but will more likely irritate the more jaded readers. – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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A Countess Below the Stairs by Eva Ibbotson (review by Sophia S. '15)

A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Although Eva Ibbotson's matter-of-fact writing takes some getting used to, I wish more authors would adopt her unique style of frank writing. The narrator’s humor is understated – not unlike a terribly funny joke delivered with a poker face. A Countess Below the Stairs delves into a servant's world in the early 1900's and revolves around Anna, an impoverished Russian countess posing as a housemaid in household of an engaged English earl. Unsurprisingly, the earl and the countess fall in love. In the meantime, the inhabitants of Mersham Manor discover that the earl's fiancée’s glamor is only skin deep. The gem of the book is the delightfully wicked plan a determined butler concocts to drive the shallow woman away. Although the plot is captivating, the romance is not. Anna and Rupert's love blooms from so astonishingly few meaningful encounters as to render it unreal. While it’s unlikely Ibbotson’s title will resonate for long, readers will enjoy the story. – Sophia S. ‘15

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Fire by Kristine Cashore (review by Anushka D. '15)

Fire by Kristin Cashore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I first picked up Fire, I was expecting a typical story dealing with a girl with magical powers who is suddenly embroiled in an action-packed plot to fight evil with a gorgeous male by her side. However, although the book does feature a girl with magical mind-reading powers, Cashore manages to create a wonderful and unique fantasy world of her own full of princes, dragons, and magic. In the land of Dells, Fire, a monster in the shape of a beautiful woman, is forced to face hatred and jealousy because of her supernatural abilities. When asked to help the king defeat his enemies, Fire must face her fears and prove herself, not as a monster, but as a human. The plot grasps the reader with its innovative and emotional personality, and the characters each find their own space in the reader’s hearts. Although there is a gorgeous male, Cashore sprinkles in just the right amount of romance to keep the readers entertained. This book is a companion book to Cashore’s debut novel, Graceling, and definitely a worthy sequel. Fans of fantasy, magic, and mystery will enjoy both books! – Anushka D. ‘15

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