Teen Read + Review

The book is really well-written and makes you think about important stuff. Jordan Ifueko creates an amazing, magical world, but also talks about real things like fairness and how we make choices. Sade’s journey is super interesting because she learns to accept who she is and how powerful she can be. The story has a great mix of emotional moments and exciting action, so it keeps you hooked the whole time!

The idea of curse-eating is really cool and makes the story stand out in a big way. It’s not just a part of the plot, but it also shows how Sade takes charge of her own life and changes the fates of others. It’s such a unique concept, and it really helps show how powerful she becomes as she learns to use her gift. The way curse-eating works is super interesting and adds a lot of depth to the story. Plus, the city of Oluwan is really memorable, too. It's full of magic, but also has a big contrast between the rich and poor, which makes it feel real and complicated. The social differences in Oluwan make Sade’s journey even more important and give the story a lot of meaning. All of these elements together really make the book unforgettable and make you think about the choices people make in the world.

Shelby Mahurin’s writing style in this book will be one of my all-time favorites. Although this book had a mediocre and slightly confusing beginning, she brought her characters to life with her exotic imagery. Her situations were well thought out and fit into the plot and the characters’ style perfectly. Even though this is a fantasy novel, her characters seemed so real to me. When I was reading the book, I felt like I was an invisible person in their world watching them silently. I loved every sentence in the book and the way it spoke to me.

Michal’s personality is one thing I will never forget. Although, From Celie’s point of view, he seemed crazy, cruel, and had all the attributes that a villain ought to have, he was still a good person. I especially noticed that he cared about Dimitri and his sister. In fact, one of the main reasons he was searching for Celie was because of the need to talk to his sister. His personality was very touching, but also painful to read about. In some moments, he would act contradictory to his usual self and that made me confused. Overall, Michal’s personality is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy is a remarkable book that deeply resonates on multiple levels. The plot centers on a dedicated Ryan Fox, who is not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn't until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big with thoughts of becoming a doctor to assist the individuals around him. The setting vividly captures the life on a modern-day reservation, providing a backdrop that is both rich in cultural heritage and fraught with contemporary challenges. The main character, a compassionate and resilient young boy, who soon becomes a doctor, is an epitome the spirit of service and determination as he navigates the complexities of his role and personal identity. The supporting characters, including young Ryan Fox, further enrich the narrative by offering diverse perspectives and contributing to the overarching themes of healing and community. From my perspective, this book is both an intimate journey and a broader commentary on the importance of cultural heritage and service. The book's exploration of cultural heritage and identity through the lens of healthcare is both thought-provoking and enlightening for myself. The emotional depth and authenticity of the characters' experiences make the story relatable and impactful. Additionally, the narrative's balance of personal growth and community service is inspiring, encouraging myself to reflect on the characters' contributions to society.

One memorable aspect of The Rez Doctor is its vivid portrayal of Ryan's unwavering commitment to his community. The author's ability to highlight Ryan's dedication to addressing healthcare disparities and his determination to make a positive impact despite numerous challenges is inspiring. This theme of resilience and purpose resonates deeply, underscoring the powerful connection between personal identity and community service.

As for what I liked and disliked: The characters are exceptionally well-developed, each bringing a unique perspective to the narrative. The protagonist's journey is both touching and thought-provoking, and young Ryan Fox's dreams and aspirations add a hopeful dimension to the story. The situations presented in the book are realistic and relatable, offering a genuine glimpse into the life on a modern-day Indigenous reservation. The writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for me to connect with the story. However, I felt that some parts could have delved deeper into the secondary characters' backstories, providing a more intricate view of the community. Overall, the book's strengths far outweigh its minor shortcomings, making it a compelling and meaningful read.

Gallant has the air of a fairytale or classical retelling, and kept me guessing for awhile before I realized that it wasn't one. It's story just has the ring of a centuries old epic within a two-year-old novel. It is a gothic YA with no creepy romance, no simpering, faux-everywoman heroine, none of the endemic problems of its brethren. Every word is calculated, for all of Schwab's customary sleepy, dreamlike prose style. It casts every stock character in a new light and makes every trope feel fresh.

Though it borrows from classical mythology, gothic novels, horror, fairytales, and even contemporary works, it has a few unique tricks of its own. Olivia's superpowers are, as far as I can tell, completely original to her.

I really loved the premise of this book and thought it made for a nice, juicy mystery. The suspense was present very early on which I enjoyed and there was a bit of action, though I would have liked to see a bit more. The author's choice to set the entire story in just one week made the story flow very smoothly, while also integrating conflict frequently, which continuously kept my interest. I additionally found the climax to be very thrilling and I could not put the book down for this whole section. Though, the climax seemed to have a pattern: the suspense would zigzag in a sense, where conflict would be repeatedly introduced then quickly resolved. This didn't really sit right with me, especially the end of the climax, as it resolved in an anticlimactic way. What's more, during this part, some of the characters seemed to behave in ways that either did not fit their character or the circumstances. What I also did not love was that some of the revelations the characters had were a bit too easy, to the point that the reader could reach the conclusions faster than the characters. Some of these revelations would also be disproportionally described as very dramatic twists which did not come off well. I also found a few issues with the writing style in some parts where the wording seems amiss. All in all, I found this book to be pretty typical for the author, with lots of drama and twists, but more of a thriller than I was anticipating, culminating in a very exciting book.

The most memorable thing about this book was definitely the climax. When the author establishes the stakes of the climax, it is apparent that it is going to be the most exhilarating point of the story. This has your heart racing going into the scene, making the experience of reading it invigorating.

In my opinion, No Time Like Now definitely could improve. The book has its good parts, but there were so many plot holes in it. One problem was that Hazeem already was experienced in using his powers by the time the reader was introduced to it. That meant it had a lot of confusion surrounding it. Also, the Chronosphere, which is what Hazeem and Time uses to travel around different points of time. However, it is apparently a metal object that could fit in someone’s hand, but it is used as a universal portal. Also, the whole Time is a them is very confusing and hard to grasp. Overall, the book isn’t the worst. However, there are places that need improvement.

My favorite point in the book is when Hazeem reconnects with his dad. After Time uses the Chronosphere to let Hazeem meet his dad, the two have a wholesome father son moment. Hazeem first tries to prevent his fathers heart attack. However, in the end, he comes to terms with it and spends a lot of time with his dad. He learns the meaning of his important last words, count not the years, but the tears.