Reviews written by Leah Miller, Staff Reviewer

20 results - showing 1 - 15
1 2
Ordering
March 01, 2024
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Riveting Multi-Genre Crossover Story

This book combines elements of multiple genres beautifully, heavily leaning on horror, mystery, and fantasy, while weaving in coming-of-age and paranormal themes to the story. Albert creates such rich and well-developed characters, both the main characters and the side characters. Readers get to see how the friendship develops between Nora...

December 01, 2023
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
The Perfect Book to End the Series

This is a fast-paced story that’s full of action. In addition to the overarching good vs. evil plot, there are numerous subplots that keep readers engaged and intrigued. There’s a found family dynamic that changes throughout the story, slow-burn queer romance that sizzles off the pages but isn’t graphic, and...

November 02, 2023
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Fate Comes To Town

This is a fast-paced and exciting book, that also allows room for relationships and character development. The bond between Signa and Blythe really changes a lot in the story, and Grace provides a perspective from both of them so we can get insight into what each of them are thinking...

August 04, 2023
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Impressive and Creative Debut

The writing is strong and easily conveys both images and emotions to the reader. It flowed smoothly and made it easy to fly through this book. As far as the world-building goes, Burton creates a mystical and dangerous world, where sirens have all been wiped out except for one, and...

April 12, 2023
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Fun and Lighthearted Romeo and Juliet Retelling

This is a story that focuses on finding and creating magic in your everyday life, despite all the worries that weigh us down. In this book, Liya and Kai are a modern, Chinese-American version of Romeo and Juliet that are fun, fluffy, and sweet, as well as compulsively readable. ...

March 11, 2023
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Coming-Of-Age Story

The connection between Ocean and her roommates, Georgie and Tashya, and how she relates to them changes throughout the story, and it plays a major role in Ocean’s growth throughout the book. Watching Ocean mature was one of my favorite parts of the book, although it comes rather late in...

March 07, 2023
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Lighthearted and Fun Fairy Tale Mashup

This is a fun and light read that was fast-paced and quick. Micah is easy to fall in love with. He’s the “Prince of Chicago,” but he’s relatively down to earth, with the same issues as everyone else. He’s super shy, and since he struggles to talk to his crushes,...

March 02, 2023
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Engaging Story That Packs an Emotional Punch

I have fond memories of playing MASH when growing up, and seeing a story based on a senior who creates an app based on this game that can predict various aspects of your life with nearly perfect accuracy immediately caught my interest. While Ro simply created the app for her...

February 28, 2023
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Sweet Sapphic Hallmark-Style Romance

The writing flows beautifully, making this book a quick read that feels much shorter than it really is. It’s easy to like all of the characters, who make a diverse and entertaining cast. They’re well-rounded and have unique personalities, and they interact in realistic ways with each other. Shani and...

January 11, 2023
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Emotional, Twisty Story

The way the story is written is fantastic. The author discusses a lot of realistic issues and how they play out in real life. Having two Asian-American, queer characters in the main roles allows the author to dismantle the “model minority” stereotype in different ways, as well as talking about...

December 14, 2022
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Light and Fun Hanukkah Romance

This book has great Jewish representation, and made me feel seen as a Jewish reader who hasn’t always felt seen when reading holiday books. It’s a sweet, fun, and funny holiday romance that incorporates not only Hanukkah, but also Christmas and New Years, making this the perfect winter holiday read....

December 06, 2022
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Fun, Fast-Paced Read

This is a fun, fresh, fast-paced read that has nostalgic vibes for 2000s YA novels. There’s a lot of action and the way the main character worked hard to develop her skills felt realistic. I love a character who has strengths and flaws, and Winnie fits the bill—she’s stubborn, smart,...

November 10, 2022
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Enchanting and spicy journey through Hell

This book immediately draws readers in with a continuation of an already exciting series. Maniscalco’s writing shines with vivid and beautifully rendered scenes that allow readers to easily visualize scenes, complete with lush scenery of each of the houses in Hell and descriptions of Emilia’s over-the-top outfits. Readers are provided...

November 07, 2022
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Intriguing fantasy based on Celtic mythology

The premise and setting of this book intrigued me, especially the incorporation of Celtic mythology. It almost felt like reading historical fiction in some places, especially since a historical landmark was central to the story, and the action, fast pace, likable characters, and plot twists were enough to overcome some...

November 03, 2022
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Chilling rework of a classic

This story is a dark homage to Stephen King’s Carrie, with Jackson’s unique voice and spin on it. It pulls the reader into the story immediately, flashing between the events of 2014 and a podcast attempting to analyze the events critically. It is intriguing to get to know Maddy, both...

20 results - showing 1 - 15
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