Icebreaker by Hannah Grace is a different kind of romance novel. Telling from the cover, it adds a refreshing air of sports and emotional depth between the two main characters Anastasia and Nathan. Anastasia is the main protagonist in this novel. She is a likable, socially awkward, figure skater just trying to qualify for ice skating nationals. Nathan on the other hand, is popular, well-liked, and the star hockey player.
The Scarlet Letter was a piece of literature that I was required to read for my junior year English class, and I ended up really enjoying it. The book explored themes of human emotion, guilt, regret, and judgment, and it really forced me to reflect on the differences in society back then and now. Hawthorne did a beautiful job with displaying imperfect characters that he wanted the audience to connect with in some way.
If I could read this book all over again for the first time, I would. Delia Owens did such a beautiful job capturing themes of isolation, love, and trust. The captivating imagery and word choice throughout the book contributed to the whole plot of the story, and it made me feel as though I was with Kya in the marsh. At first, I didn’t think I would enjoy the book. The build-up to the climax was more of a slow burn.
Percy Jackson, an ordinary kid who struggles with ADHD and Dyslexia, soon finds out he’s not just some ordinary kid. After his mom is taken to the underworld and his life is flipped upside down does he find out he’s the kid of a Greek God. His dad is Poseidon, the God of the sea. Percy learns of a place for kids just like him, Camp Halfblood. Percy must go on a quest to find the stolen thunderbolt of King Zeus and rescue his mom from Hades, the God of the underworld.
This is my favorite book I have ever read. The book is about two emergency room doctors, Brianna and Jacob. They get off on the wrong foot but, Jacob’s kind gestures start to slowly win Brianna over. While they both navigate personal challenges, they find support in each other. The book dives into their journey and digs into themes of love and trust, also the importance of vulnerability and communication in relationships. Personally, I loved the book for how anxiety is portrayed through one of the characters.
The Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo is a fantasy novel, the second in the Six of Crows Duology and part of the greater Grishaverse series. Following the first book where the group of teenagers broke into the Ice Court to free the chemist who created jurda parem, this book follows the group again as they attempt to get the money they were promised after being double-crossed by the lord who sent them on the mission. At the same time, there are conflicts between the different countries as well.
The Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is a fantasy novel, the first in the Six of Crows Duology and part of the greater Grishaverse series. It is about a group of teenagers who set out on a mission to free a Grisha chemist who has made a drug that can greatly enhance Grisha's Powers. Grisha are people born with magical powers, highly valued in most countries. However, the country of Fjerda considers them witches and wizards and wants to do away with them.
The Crimson Fortress by Akshaya Raman is a young adult fantasy novel, the sequel to The Ivory Key, mildly inspired by Indian culture and mythology. It features the main character — Vira, Queen of Ashoka, and her journey to recover the Ivory Key and solve its riddle to unlock the hidden quarries. However, the Ivory Key is not what they thought it was. It is bound to unlock more horrors than magic, at least at first.
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is a young adult fantasy novel, mildly inspired by Indian culture and mythology. It features the main character — Vira, Queen of Ashoka. Having grown up in the palace with her three siblings, destined to be the next queen, she idolized her mother’s extroverted personality and grace. She was awed at how her mother was able to gain respect and love from her citizens. Vira, however, is not as perfect and struggles to prove her capabilities to be the perfect queen.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a classic novel set in North Carolina during the mid to late 1900s. It follows Kya, a young girl who lives in a marsh with her poor family. Abandoned by her mom and eventually her siblings at the tender age of six, leaving her alone with her abusive and alcoholic father. He too eventually abandoned her at the age of seven.
