Caraval is about a teenage girl named Scarlett Dragna, who, from a young age, has always been deeply interested in the Caraval games. Her grandmother used to tell her and her sister, Donatella, stories of these magical games, and Scarlett has always dreamed of being able to attend one. They seem straight out of a fairytale. These games are hosted by a mysterious man named “Legend”, also known as Caraval’s Game Master. Scarlett sent letters to Legend each year, requesting an invitation to the games.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a dystopian novel about a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen who lives in the poorest region of her country, District 12. Every year, her country holds a competition called the Hunger Games where people are randomly selected and asked to fight to the death to win the games. Katniss is chosen to participate in the games for her district, along with a boy named Peeta. She must leave everything behind, including her friend Gale, to go fight in a game she might not live through.
Maia Tamarin is a secret seamstress from a small coastal town within the empire. Her father was a master tailor, but age has crippled his ability to sew. Maia stepped up in his absence, and her talent is unmatched, with offers from everywhere coming in for her work. Or her father’s work. It is illegal for women to have a trade, so she works under her father’s name. This angers Maia, but she understands the consequences if she were to come clean.
Geekerella is a realistic fiction book written by Ashley Poston. It also happens to be the first book in the Once Upon a Con series. The book revolves around Elle Wittimer, a girl who lives with her step-monster and two stepsisters. Her only escape is a show called Starfield, and yet, now even her favorite show is about to be ruined. She has been patiently waiting for the cast decisions in the new live-action remake-and that excitement falls flat on its face.
The Hunger Games details the adventure of Katniss Everdeen, who is forced to engage in a fight-to-the-death tournament against other children. One reason I love this book is that it is very captivating and is very well thought out. From the interesting characters, to the amazing plot, this book is sure to have you at the edge of your seat at every page. I would recommend this book to people who love books that spare no detail, and create an imaginary world.
Lightlarkby Alex Aster is a young adult fantasy novel. It follows the story of the magical island Lightlark, in which all the inhabitants are cursed based on which part of the island they live on. Isla Crown, especially young leader of Wildling, has been training her whole life for the Centennial, the competition that occurs every 100 years between the six leaders of the Lightlark. Isla must battle her enemies, her powerlessness, and her heart.
The Selection by Kiera Cass is one of my all-time favorite books. It tells the story of a dystopian society in which what used to be the United States is known as Illea. There is a caste system that regulates the wealth people have the jobs they possess. America Singer, a young girl living as a Five, gets randomly selected to compete in a competition for the Crown Prince Maxon’s heart. However, all she wants to do is stay home with who she thinks is the love of her life, Aspen, who happens to be a caste beneath her.
Catching Fire is the second book of The Hunger Games Series. The Capital is mad at Katniss for what she pulled off in the 74th game. Gale and Peeta are keeping their distance from her. Not only this but there are rumors of a rebellion, that Katniss and Peeta have helped accidentally create. Now she has to worry about the Quelle, a game only held every 25 years, but this time the rules have changed. “Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading, and The Capital still wants revenge”.
The Serpent & The Wings of Night, written by Carissa Broadbent, is a fantasy story that follows the character Oraya. Oraya is the adopted human daughter of the Nightborne vampire king, and she has been training all her life to fight in the Kejari. The Kejari is a legendary tournament, where people compete against each other to win a grand prize. Oraya, forced to partner with the vampire Raihn, then has to try to win over warriors from other vampire houses, or suffer the fate of death.
