Captured by Erica Stevens (review by Anushka D. '15)

Captured by Erica Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Aria, daughter of the head of the human resistance, is captured by members of the vampire race, she hopes for a quick death. Just as she is about to be sold to a malicious vampire, however, a member of the ruling class claims her for himself. Although she is curious as to his reason -- he has no need for a blood slave -- Aria is determined to hate him for the destruction his race has caused and for his princely title. But as he opens up to her and reveals a side that she never believed could exist in a vampire, she cannot help but fall for him even as she struggles to maintain her identity as a member of the resistance. Captured takes on a typical plotline: Human girl and vampire boy fall in love. While building a strong romance, Stevens maintains a focused, fresh and surprisingly interesting story line and fully develops her characters. Readers looking for a twist on the clichéd human-vampire love tragedy will enjoy Captured and will likely be hooked to follow up quickly with the second in Stevens’ series, Renegade. - Anushka D. '15

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Crank by Ellen Hopkins (review by Anushka D. '15)

Crank by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good girl Kristina Georgia Snow begs to visit her father in New Mexico so she can reconnect with the man wrenched from her life and once again be his little princess. When she arrives her dreams crash as she takes in the drug addict her father has become along with his less-than-kingly castle and job. Before long, however, she falls in love with a boy and is swept into the dangerous world of drugs, a world that follows her when she returns home to her mother. Written creatively and realistically, Crank follows Kristina's descent into a hell that ravages her family, friends, and life. Although she is difficult to understand and often unlikeable, the narration accurately depicts her addiction, pain, and struggle. Based on a true story, the book makes the reader think about what many teens face today. The sequel should be just as tumultuous and dark, and just as worthy a read! – Anushka D. ‘15

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Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (review by Anushka D. '15)

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year dreading to see the people she once called her best friends. She ruined any chances of being popular or even having friends when she called the cops during a summer party. But what no one knows is that Melinda is hiding something about what happened at the party, something that devastated her. Anderson uses heartbreakingly beautiful prose to deliver a story about a reality many teens have to face. By concealing the horrible truth even from the readers, she leaves them no choice but to read as Melinda falls apart. While Melinda is distant from everyone, she manages to create a strong impression on the readers, capturing their hearts with her loneliness and despair. Anderson keeps the plot focused, never straying to include petty romance or overcomplicated plotlines. Speak is wonderfully delivered and hard to put down. – Anushka D. ‘15

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The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (review by Kai A. '17)

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Indentured orphan Jennifer Strange is a witty teenager working as secretary for Kazam Mystical Arts Management, which offers its magical services in a world where magic, once powerful, has recently started to wane. Suddenly, she becomes the last dragonslayer and must save the world's magic. Author Jasper Fforde specializes in building believable worlds and creating realistic but fantastic characters while maintaining a light and comical tone. His unpredictable and intricate plot has some inconsistencies and gaps of logic noticeable to the meticulous reader. In addition to an exciting ride, the plot becomes a vehicle of commentary on the corruption and greed of mankind. Overall, this is a enjoyable read and the first in the Chronicles of Kazam series that promises much more. – Kai A. ‘17

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Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (review by Daphne Y. '16)

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder on the Orient Express is a page-turner! While reading it, I suspected everyone Hercule Poirot interviewed and every situation possible... except for the actual result. Although a bit hard to understand at times, Agatha Christie's writing is eloquent and mysterious: never revealing too much but just enough to keep a reader reading. The book is flawless in its intricate characterization, as each suspect mentioned in the story has a distinct and imaginable personality. Readers of all ages will pick up this book thinking they will solve the mystery before Poirot, but guaranteed no way of avoiding the plot twists that await! – Daphne Y. ‘16

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