The Ranger’s Apprentice: Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan follows the journey of an orphan boy named Will when he begins his journey as a Ranger. Will follows his mysterious mentor, Halt, on the assignments that he receives, all varying from assisting a farmer to following an order from the king to investigate the possible revival of a man long thought to be dead. Throughout his journey, Will learns more about what exactly being a Ranger means, and whether he wants to continue along the path of becoming one.
The House of Hades, the 4th book of the Heroes of Olympus, stands out as the most engaging book in the series. Every chapter offers another engaging story of Annabeth and Percy’s journey through Tartarus or the Argo II’s journey to save them. With fun characters like Leo and Frank as well as dramatic characters like Annabeth or Nico, there is not a single forgettable character in the story. Riordan’s way of blending ancient mythology and modern life leads to an incredible read.
Many avid readers of today may know author Tahereh Mafi, creator of the Book Tok-popular series, Shatter Me. While I love Shatter Me as much as the next person, I have another book that I believe to be Mafi’s most eloquent work.
Have you ever read a fairytale, or remembered a favorite fable from your childhood, and wished for more? More characters, more backstories, and more truth. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani, tells the story of two girls, Sophie and Agatha, who grow up in a dull, dreary village. Sophie’s greatest desire is to become a princess and escape from her father and his new wife’s family. Agatha lives in a graveyard with only her mother and cat for company.
The Dragonslayer is a graphic novel, the fourth book of a 7-book series called Bone. At the end of the third book, Thorn finds out that she is the technical princess of the Atheia, and that a war might start with the rat creatures again. They decide to leave the barn in case the rat creatures try to track them. Now, in this book, as they journey through the forest, they get attacked by the rat creatures and Kingdok, who they fight back against.
The Salt Grows Heavy follows a silent mermaid, abused and tired of captivity, who leaves her castle to wander the dying the world. Her daughters, thousands of horrible teeth-filled creatures roam what’s left of the world. The mermaid finds companionship in an androgenous plague doctor, who’s spend their life being pulled apart and pieced back together. What kind of chaos will the two get into together?
Throne of Glass is a novel written by Sarah J. Maas. The main character, Assassin Celaena Sardothien, is given a chance to earn her freedom from grueling labor in the Endovier mines. Her one shot at freedom depends on her winning a competition that will make her the kingdom of Adarlan’s Royal Assassin. After a year in the mines, she is already weak and malnourished putting her far behind the rest of the competition.
“My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage."
After the sudden death of their parents, two sisters move to a sleepy Massachusetts town to live with their eccentric aunts. The family has a secret, an affinity with magic which makes them live town pariahs. Growing up the sisters must learn to work together, as nothing binds people quite like magic.
“When you truly love someone and they love you in return, you ruin your lives together. That is not a curse, it’s what life is, my girl. We all come to ruin, we turn to dust, but whom we love is the thing that lasts.”
Caraval is a story of the love of two sisters, Scarlett and Tella. Scarlett has always dreamed of going to the magical performance of Caraval. The only thing stopping her and her sister is their cruel father, who hasn't let them leave the island. Now Scarlett's father has arranged a marriage for her as well. However, Scarlett's dream has come true, as she receives an invitation to the show. With the help of a mysterious sailor, she and her sister leave the island.
