Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel is a post-apocalyptic novel that intertwines the lives of several characters before, during and after a flu pandemic wipes out most of the world's population. The story centers on a traveling theater troupe that performs Shakespearean plays for the scattered survivors. Exploring themes of art, memory and the importance of human connections in a world where civilization has collapsed.
In The Darkest Minds, we meet a sixteen year old Ruby Daly, who is lives in a world where the only children still alive after the disease, are teenagers with uncontrollable, and some times dangerous abilities. She and other kids plagued with this curse were sent to abusive “rehabilitation camps” put together by the government to separate them from society.
Kazi, a former thief, is sent on a mission by the queen to locate a dangerous criminal in the threatening land of the Ballengers. A series of sudden events bring Kazi and Jase Ballenger closer together, revealing that there is more to each other than they thought. In this thrilling adventure, they must work to succeed in their tasks, even as they are drawn closer to each other.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is a great tale of love and loss. In a house on Egypt street, a china rabbit named Edward was owned by a young girl named Abilene. Edward was cared for like a royal prince and was loved very much by Abliene. Then one day he disappeared. Through the depths of the ocean to the top of a garbage dump. And from the solitude of a homeless camp to the busy streets of memphis, Edward traveled alongside many to try and complete his journey back to his Abilene.
The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks is a Romance Novel about a hometown hero and a city girl. Taylor McAden, a volunteer firefighter, is faced with one of the biggest challenges when rescuing Denise Holton’s son after a car accident in the forest during one of the worst storms possible. During the search for Kyle, Taylor gives all he has not to give up the fight when he gets an idea. A few weeks later Denise and Taylor reconnect sparking an interesting love story.
Death-Cast has just made its latest calls to the people who will die sometime in the next twenty-four hours. Goodbyes are being said, and last minute wishes are being fulfilled. For Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, total strangers before the call that changed their lives, all they want is a friend who understands. Through an app especially for people on their last day, they get to talking, and decide to meet up. Their goal? To live their future in their last moments.
Laia and her family have simple rules. Do good work, be on time, and hail the Martial Empire. Usually, they’re pretty easy rules to abide by. Everything changes when Laia’s brother gets arrested for treason, and her parents are killed trying to save him. Laia escapes, but barely. With vengeance in her heart and a vindication for saving her only family left, Laia goes undercover as a slave. As she gathers intel for the rebel cell, she meets Elias, a soldier in training at the top of his class, and who secretly hates the Empire.
Lena Wise is a high school senior with a lot on her plate. From college applications to friend drama, she has a stereotypical teenage life. Except for the fact that she’s been in love with her best friend for years. Sebastian has been there for Lena since they were kids, although nothing has gone past good friends. The new year for Lena is one of taking chances, and maybe, just maybe, she’ll tell Sebastian how she feels. Until one stupid decision ruins everything, and she doesn’t think Sebastian will ever forgive her. Not for what happened, not for what was entirely her fault.
Crescent City is the first in the newest series of critically acclaimed Sarah J. Maas’s works. It’s arguably the most confusing series of Maas’s to start, purely because you don’t really know what’s going on for a hot second. Bryce Quinlan is a young woman who is half-Fae, and is quite the party-goer. One thing unfortunately leads to another, and Bryce finds her friend, Danika, dead in their apartment. A couple years later, Bryce is investigating the murder.
The book’s good, with slight plot holes that aren’t detrimental to the enjoyment of reading it. I would give the novel 5 out of 5 stars. If the synopsis even just slightly interests you, please do give it a read and stick with it for around 10 chapters.
LONGER REVIEW
Ready Player One was an absolutely fantastic dystopian Sci-Fi read filled with countless references to old school videogames, movies, books, and media in general.
