Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

 BY: Gabrielle Zevin

Location: FIC ZEV

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

If Naomi had picked tails, she would have won the coin toss. She wouldn't have had to go back for the yearbook camera, and she wouldn't have hit her head on the steps. She wouldn't have woken up in an ambulance with amnesia. She certainly would have remembered her boyfriend, Ace. She might even have remembered why she fell in love with him in the first place. She would understand why her best friend, Will, keeps calling her "Chief." She'd know about her mom's new family. She'd know about her dad's fiancée. She never would have met James, the boy with the questionable past and the even fuzzier future, who tells her he once wanted to kiss her. She wouldn't have wanted to kiss him back.

But Naomi picked heads.

After her remarkable debut, Gabrielle Zevin has crafted an imaginative second novel all about love and second chances.

• A few triggers here:
• Amnesia & memory loss
• Graphic attempted suicide
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking mentioned

Finding Phoebe

 By: Gavin Extence

Location: FIC EXT

Genre:  ASD, Youth Fiction, Mental Health, Autism

This is an adventure tale about resilience and agency—building one and realizing the other—and a survival story that will empower young people   ‘We’ll be on the ground shortly, Spence,’ he said into his headset. ‘Thanks for coming up with me. Can’t imagine a better flight companion.’ Spencer grinned at him. ‘Don’t lose it now, Dad. Get this thing back on the ground safe and sound, okay?’   Spencer Gray is 12 and finally old enough to join dad in his glider. His friends are going to be so jealous! Going up is awesome, but when disaster strikes, Spencer will need to be nothing short of amazing.

Extence writes with such genuine heart and thoughtfulness. We follow Phoebe, a teenager with ASD as she navigates her journey into adulthood. I particularly enjoyed that Phoebe knew of her neurodivergence and the strengths she offered, especially to her friendship with secondary character Bethany. I’ve read a few books where the mc is neurodivergent, but I often find them to have an uncomfortable blur between writing for awareness and writing for reader’s entertainment through a cheap laugh. However, in the author’s note Extence tells us that his daughter has ASD and the book is for her; making for a beautiful and educational read into neurodivergence that’s full of love, kindness and warmth. ELLIE

REVIEW:  Kristel- Phoebe has autism, prefers a comforting routine, and dislikes change. Her days are content when she can walk her dog, immerse herself in a fantasy novel or delve into the imaginary worlds she is writing. She is out of her depth in most social arenas and feels she barely keeps up with the ever-changing worlds of school and teenage life. Up until now, she has managed by avoidance, but she is about to be faced with situations she hadn’t planned for.


Her best and only friend Bethany, daughter of the local vicar, decides to break some of her father’s rules and gets a secret boyfriend. This starts as a daily annoyance to Phoebe at school but leads to her becoming their alibi when they meet up. Phoebe is not comfortable with deception but goes along with it. Things become complicated and though Phoebe is not used to handling unknown situations, she uncovers hidden abilities that allow her to work through what’s happening. However, by lying for her friend, and dealing with new school activities and upcoming exams, Phoebe is tested past her limits and may not cope with the fallout of a betrayal and a deep personal discovery.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟I loved this book and its emotional rollercoaster plot. I adored Phoebe and her incredible personal journey. The topics of autism, sexuality, growing up and religious beliefs are explored through Phoebe’s letters to her deceased mother. She chronicles her life as she tries to grapple with everyday societal situations and how they affect her mentally and physically. I have noticed that characters with autism or other developmental conditions don’t feature frequently in stories, therefore I feel this is an important book for teens and adults alike as autistic people are part of society and need to have better representation and understanding through fiction. There were a few teary moments as I felt for Phoebe as she faced her problems both unique to her circumstances and those that everyone can relate to. Overall, an additive yet intriguingly sentimental read, and I highly recommend it to all.

Spencer Gray

 By: Deb Fitzpatrick

Location: FIC FIT

Genre:  Mystery, Adventure

Spencer Gray is just an ordinary kid, but he manages to get into some pretty extraordinary situations.

When Spencer stumbles on a sinister operation in the bush, his life goes into overdrive – midnight rescue missions, super-endangered animals, hair-raising adventures.

To survive, Spencer will need to pull off something spectacular.

This is an adventure tale about resilience and agency—building one and realizing the other—and a survival story that will empower young people   ‘We’ll be on the ground shortly, Spence,’ he said into his headset. ‘Thanks for coming up with me. Can’t imagine a better flight companion.’ Spencer grinned at him. ‘Don’t lose it now, Dad. Get this thing back on the ground safe and sound, okay?’   Spencer Gray is 12 and finally old enough to join dad in his glider. His friends are going to be so jealous! Going up is awesome, but when disaster strikes, Spencer will need to be nothing short of amazing.

Dragon Rider

 By: Taran Matharu

Location: FIC MAT

Genre: DRAGONS!! EPIC FANTASY

Series: Soulbound Saga #1

Cover art !!! So good!

From the ashes of an empire, a hero will rise…

Jai has spent his life forced to serve the cruel empire that killed his family and now rules his people.

To grow ever more powerful, the emperor’s young son is betrothed to Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom. An unconquerable realm, where ancient beasts roam. The princess brings with her a priceless gift: dragons. Only Dansk Royalty can bond with these magical beasts to draw on their power and strength. Until now.

When the betrothal goes wrong, a bloody coup leads to chaos at court. Finally, Jai has a chance to escape. He flees with a fierce Dansk warrior, Frida, but not before stealing a dragon egg.

To vanquish the empire, he must do the impossible: bond with a dragon. Only then he can seize his destiny, and seek his revenge …

An epic new fantasy, where dragons fly and empires fall.

Rachel reviews it this way

What an absolutely amazing ride this was!

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that a lot of new releases in the fantasy genre have been lacking in terms of the writing quality - Dragon Rider was a much needed reminder for me of why I adore this genre.

Dragon Rider was an EPIC adventure of survival, friendships, learning to love unconditionally, betrayal and self discovery. This world has some of the most complex and believable politics I’ve seen in the fantasy genre in a long time with a beautifully complex history that we are getting to see glimmers of (I love it when a world has been this well developed and it’s clear there are just a myriad of untold stories in this world already).

We enter this world when the Sabine Empire has dominated the majority of the continent and is set to bring the last defiant country into the empire through marriage rather than the savage and brutal war and subjugation of people it has previously used to conquer the continent.

In steps Jai, our MC, and a really enjoyable MC at that. He’s not perfect, he’s not all knowing or all powerful, but neither is he completely stupid or useless - he’s believable and I absolutely bought into him as our MC. Jai is the third son of the late leader of the Steppefolk who died trying to fight the empire. Which basically means Jai was important enough to be living in the palace but not so important that he has any power or standing at all really. Jai’s primary role is that of carer for the previous emperor - the man who killed his own father. Matharu showed us the many layers of their complex dynamic beautifully and this was something I felt was really well done throughout - relationships were allowed to be complex and flawed.

I’ve seen a couple of people mention that the opening chunk is a little slow - and it is. BUT, I didn’t mind that in the slightest, and I actually think the pacing was a really important element here. This is a detailed and well built world and there needed to be a slower opening to allow us to find our feet in this world. I also feel like the pacing perfectly reflected how Jai’s world turned upside down so suddenly and his quiet, albeit deeply unhappy, life overnight became action filled as he toed the line of survival and ruin.

I also loved that Matharu didn’t skip over the magic system or the complexities of this world - he did a great job teaching us about the magic system as Jai learnt it and I thought the references to the past were just expertly interwoven here.

I can’t believe I have to wait for the next installment now as I just need to know more! If you’re up for an epic high fantasy read with a fascinating world and a solid plot PLEASE give this a read as I am desperate for someone I can talk to about this one!!

Not Like Other Girls

 By: Meredith Adamo

Location: FIC ADA

Genre: Dragons!

 " I showed up for the mystery and stayed for the great writing and the thoughtful exploration of consent. It encompasses everything from joyful connection to how sexual assault sometimes isn't named as such and how it affects the the victim". April Henry

Cheats. Liars. Fakes. Friends? A breathtaking contemporary YA thriller – serious questions and hot romance in an irresistible twisty mystery. Perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying.

Jo used to be the perfect high-school girl – class president, popular, bright and successful. But when nude photos of her were leaked to the entire school, her grades plummeted, her friends fell away and now she's a reckless, difficult social outcast. The girl who 'deserved' it.

Then her former best friend Maddie disappears. Everyone else assumes Maddie has just run away but that doesn't add up to Jo. To discover the truth, Jo needs to get back in with the group of classmates who have shut her out: the boys who betrayed her and the clique of girls who whisper behind her back. And she has to make it look as if she wants to be there.

The only way back in is through Hudson. An old fling with his own reasons for finding Maddie, he persuades Jo to fake date him. And it works. But as the truth about Maddie's disappearance comes to light, so do long-hidden secrets from Jo's past. Who is Jo really trying to find-Maddie, or the girl she herself used to be?

A gripping read, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying, We Were Liars and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.

Jaenine

I was surprised at how much I like this one. Jo-Lynn (she often goes by Jo Hyphen Lynn) used to be one of the popular girls who could do no wrong until an online betrayal of nude photos gone viral. When her former friend, now nemesis Maddy reaches out for help and then disappears, Jo-Lynn doesn't know what to believe, even wondering if Maddy has been murdered. She knows something is off and a great deal more is going on than what the authorities say, so she finds a way to work her way back into Maddy's group and start asking questions.

There is so much more than this to the novel. Jo-Lynn is one of the most real characters I have met. She is smart but deeply wounded and distrustful, and has become her own worst enemy. While looking for what happened to Maddy, she begins to discover more about her own past while learning more about herself, and being able to once again trust. It is a very complex psychological and emotional story, with very authentic characters who leap off the page. Once you start, you won't be able to stop. Outstanding.

Talons Series #1 and #2

  By: Sophie Kim 

Location: FIC KIM

Genre: Dragons and Fantasy, Myth and Romance

Epic Reads Pick for The 30 Must-Read YA Books for the Rest of 2022

BookRiot Pick for 12 Amazing Asia-Inspired Fantasy Books

“ Last of the Talons is a stunning blend of dark romance and Korean mythology. Sophie Kim writes enemies to lovers with heart-pounding intensity, blurring the line between love and hate. Bloodthirsty, addictive, and searingly romantic.” ―Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina―the Reaper of Sunpo―is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…

Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life―if she kills him first.

Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina's swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister...all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.

Because one way or another, she'll take Rui's heart.

Even if it means giving up her own.

 Carti sees it this way

You should pick up this series if you love:
🗡️ badass female mc
🪈 fantasy softie male mc
🐉 Korean historical fantasy
💔 enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies
😭 emotional damage
🌝 mythological characters
🍵 political drama

By The Book

 By: Jasmine Guillory 

Location: FIC GUI

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Series: Meant to Be

In this reimagining of Beauty and The Beast, Izzy didn’t think she’d still be living at home, working as an editorial assistant at 25. To prove she deserves a promotion, Izzy takes it upon herself to give a jaded high-profile author a pep talk to push him to complete his late manuscript. Soon these two find they have more in common than they thought. Jasmine’s books are always a treat! Taylor Reid

Sometimes to truly know a person, you have to read between the lines.

Isabelle is completely lost. When she first began her career in publishing after college, she did not expect to be twenty-five, still living at home, and one of the few Black employees at her publishing house. Overworked and underpaid, constantly torn between speaking up or stifling herself, Izzy thinks there must be more to this publishing life. So when she overhears her boss complaining about a beastly high-profile author who has failed to deliver his long-awaited manuscript, Isabelle sees an opportunity to prove her worth and finally get the recognition she deserves. All she has to do is go to the author's Santa Barbara mansion and give him a quick pep talk or three. How hard could it be?

But Izzy quickly finds out she is in over her head. Beau Towers is not some celebrity lightweight writing a tell-all memoir. He is jaded and withdrawn and—it turns out—just as lost as Izzy. But despite his standoffishness, Izzy needs Beau to deliver, and with her encouragement, his story begins to spill onto the page. They soon discover they have more in common than either of them expected, and as their deadline nears, Izzy and Beau begin to realize there may be something there that wasn't there before.

Best-selling author Jasmine Guillory's reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is a tale as old as time . . . for a new generation.

Navola

 By: Paolo Bacigalupi 

Location; FIC BAC

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Dragons

Recommended for people looking for their next Game of Thrones fix, and fans of Brandon Sanderson.

Navola masterfully blends intricate world-building with a gripping narrative, immersing readers in an Italy-esque city-state brimming with power struggles and hidden dangers. The setting, reminiscent of Renaissance Italy, adds authenticity and creates a world that is both familiar and unique.- Charles

"You must be as sharp as a stilettotore’s dagger and as subtle as a fish beneath the waters. This is what it is to be Navolese, this is what it is to be di Regulai."

In Navola, a bustling city-state dominated by a handful of influential families, business is power, and power is everything. For generations, the di Regulai family—merchant bankers with a vast empire—has nurtured tendrils that stretch to the farthest reaches of the known world. And though they claim not to be political, their staggering wealth has bought cities and toppled kingdoms. Soon, Davico di Regulai will be expected to take the reins of power from his father and demonstrate his mastery of the games of Navolese knowing who to trust and who to doubt, and how to read what lies hidden behind a smile. But in Navola, strange and ancient undercurrents lurk behind the gilt and grandeur—like the fossilized dragon eye in the family’s possession, a potent symbol of their raw power and a talisman that seems to be summoning Davico to act.

As tensions rise and the events unfold, Davico will be tested to his limits. His fate depends on the eldritch dragon relic and on what lies buried in the heart of his adopted sister, Celia di Balcosi, whose own family was destroyed by Nalova’s twisted politics. With echoes of Renaissance Italy, The Godfather , and Game of Thrones , Navola is a stunning feat of world-building and a mesmerizing depiction of drive and will.

Black Shield Maiden

 By: Willow Smith and Jess Hendel

Location: FIC SMI

Genre: Mythology, Vikings, Fantasy

" Intimate, tender and fiercely epic"

From Willow Smith and Jess Hendel comes a powerful and groundbreaking historical epic about an African warrior in the world of the Vikings.

Lore, legend, and history tell us of the Vikings: warrior-kings on epic journeys of conquest and plunder. But the stories we know are not the only stories to tell. There is another story, one that has been lost to the mists of time: the saga of the dark queen.

That saga begins with Yafeu, a defiant yet fiercely compassionate young warrior who is stolen from her home in the flourishing Ghānaian empire and taken as a slave to a distant kingdom in the North. There she is thrust into a strange, cold world of savage shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods.

And there she also finds something unexpected: a kindred spirit. She comes to serve Freydis, a shy princess who couldn’t be more different than the confident and self-possessed Yafeu.

But they both want the same thing: to forge their own fate. Yafeu inspires Freydis to dream of a future greater than the one that the king and queen have forced upon her. And with the princess at her side, Yafeu learns to navigate this new world and grows increasingly determined to become one of the legendary shield maidens.

For Yafeu may have lost her home, but she still knows who she is, and she’s not afraid to be the flame that burns a city to the ground so a new world can rise from the ashes. She will alter the course of history—and become the revolutionary heroine of her own myth.

"Black Shield Maiden" is an inspiring tale that explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the quest for one’s place in the world. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fantasy that both entertains and enlightens, celebrating the unsung heroes of our past.

James

 By: Percival Everett

Location: FIC EVE

Genre:  Historical Fiction, retelling of Huck Finn,  Barak Obama read!

BOOKER LONG LIST 2024

 This is a masterpiece and the reason that classic retellings exists. It is subversive, smart, daring, and supremely executed. 

A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view

When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.

Brimming with electrifying humor and lacerating observations, James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature.

 REVIEW BY DIANE S

Before I started reading this I had the thought that maybe I should re-read Huck Finn. I decided not to and shortly after I started reading I remembered more and more of the original. What Everett has done here could not be done by many authors. He is, quite frankly, brilliant. He has made James a person in his own right. A multi layered, intelligent, deeply caring man who just happens to be a slave. His sorrow, his empathy for Huck, even some wry humor as Huck and James try to find a world of acceptance for whom they are.

I loved how though Huck knew James was black, was a slave, he didn't know what that meant. His acceptance of James for who he was, his innocence shines through his short life of heartache and abuse at the hands of his father.

I in no way think my review can possibly do this novel justice. One really must experience this book for oneself. Everett has quickly become a favorite of mine and I am looking forward to what he chooses to write about next. It is hard to write acceptable alternative histories. Comparisons often fall short, but not in this case. He has, in fact, made Huck and James story even better.

The narration was perfect. Hearing the story in James words, made this reading experience even better.

Tiger, Tiger

 By: James Patterson

Location: NF 920 PAT

Genre: Tiger and Golf

How did Tiger Woods become the greatest of all time?And how did he fall so spectacularly? Tiger Woods is unrivalled as an athlete. He made the ultimate commitment to his chosen sport - and transformed it. Before the age of twenty-five, he rose to phenomenon twice named 'Sportsman of the Year' by Sports Illustrated, champion of more than thirty professional tournaments and the youngest player to win all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Tiger, Tiger taps into the transformative moments of Woods's life, revealing in vivid, dramatic scenes what he saw and felt on the course and in his inner life - from his only 'perfect' shot to his missed first putt at the 1995 Masters through his recent comeback tours. Through a compelling series of original interviews, passionate golfer James Patterson and golf reporter Peter de Jonge get inside the impossible mystery of a global star.

review by Kirk

I’m a big Tiger Woods fan so my bias is toward both reverence and compassion when reading anything about him. And I’ve read books, articles, snippets, and then watched long form filmed pieces about him as well. And then Patterson is among the greatest writers of all time, proving often enough that whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, he always brings it! So, this book nicely chronicles Tiger’s life, motivations, ups and downs, and the multiple Hero’s Journey’s in his life. The book avoids salacious detail but doesn’t ignore Tiger’s humanness and struggles, and effectively captures what matters most in understanding this living legend. Bravo!

Luck of the Titanic

 By: Stacy Lee

Location: FIC LEE

Genre: Titanic, Asian, Historical Fiction

Read this book if: you loved The Titanic (the movie), if you love historical fiction, if you love the found family trope, just read this book please- Julia

Valora Luck has two things: a ticket for the biggest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world, and a dream of leaving England behind and making a life for herself as a circus performer in New York. Much to her surprise, though, she's turned away at the gangway; apparently, Chinese people aren't allowed into America.

But Val has to get on that ship. Her twin brother, Jamie, who has spent two long years at sea, is on board, as is an influential circus owner. Thankfully, there's not much a trained acrobat like Val can't overcome when she puts her mind to it.

As a stowaway, Val should keep her head down and stay out of sight. But the clock is ticking and she has just seven days as the ship makes its way across the Atlantic to find Jamie, audition for the circus owner, and convince him to help get them both into America.

Then one night, the unthinkable happens, and suddenly Val's dreams of a new life are crushed under the weight of the only thing that matters: survival.

Simone- Goodreads.com review

I also loved that this story was loosely based off the six Titanic survivors who are of Chinese descent. It blew my mind reading the author's note at the end and seeing the inspiration for the story. Personally, as a Korean American, I never imagined someone who looked like me on board the Titanic. I think the biggest depiction of life then was that big blockbuster movie we all know and love. And in many ways, I was worried with the direction this story went. I was worried she would fall in love with some rich white guy and abandon her plans to be independent, but it didn't turn out that way! It actually made me so happy that she was so stubborn!

This book also deals a bit in grief/loss. When Valora boards the ship, there's a lot of recall to her mother and father who both tragically passed away. It fueled her determination to follow her dream especially since it was her parents that got her and Jamie into acrobatics in the first place.

The ending was definitely where all the action was. I mean, this is the Titanic and I don't think it's a spoiler with what happens to that ship at the end. But it was interesting to see this represented. I appreciate so much what Stacey Lee was able to do with this book. I loved the story and imagining myself in such a historical moment. Although, I am glad I wasn't on that boat in real life.

Flags of the Bayou

 By: James Lee Bourke

Location: FIC BUR

Genre: Historical Fiction, Civil War

“It’s meant to be a historical book, and it is meant to be about today. The same monsters are still out there.”

From American master James Lee Burke comes a novel set in Civil War-era Louisiana as the South transforms and a brilliant cast of characters – enslaved and free women, plantation gentry, and battle-weary Confederate and Union soldiers – are caught in the maelstrom

In the fall of 1863, the Union army is in control of the Mississippi river. Much of Louisiana, including New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is occupied. The Confederate army is in disarray, corrupt structures are falling apart, and enslaved men and women are beginning to glimpse freedom.

When Hannah Laveau, a formerly enslaved woman working on the Lufkin plantation, is accused of murder, she goes on the run with Florence Milton, an abolitionist schoolteacher, dodging the local constable and the slavecatchers that prowl the bayous. Wade Lufkin, haunted by what he observed—and did—as a surgeon on the battlefield, has returned to his uncle’s plantation to convalesce, where he becomes enraptured by Hannah. Flags on the Bayou is an engaging, action-packed narrative that includes a duel that ends in disaster, a brutal encounter with the local Union commander, repeated skirmishes with Confederate irregulars led by a diseased and probably deranged colonel, and a powerful story of love blossoming between an unlikely pair. As the story unfolds, it illuminates a past that reflects our present in sharp relief.

I Hope This Doesn't Find You

 By: Ann Liang

Location: FIC LIA

Genre: Romance, Young Adult

i used to imagine what it would be like to be someone who had somebody else. i would imagine tenderness. the concept of infinite. of endless patience. imagine them chasing after me even when i run. cradling my sorrows in the palm of their hands. imagine them caring, trying to understand. and now there’s you.

✔️ Academic rivals to lovers
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Slow burn

Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn't Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters. Sadie Wen is perfect on school captain, valedictorian, and a "pleasure to have in class." It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. She'd never send them of course -- she'd rather die than hurt anyone's feelings -- but it's a relief to let loose on her power-hungry English teacher or a freeloading classmate taking credit for Sadie's work. All her most vehemently worded emails are directed at her infuriating co-captain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive streak have irked Sadie since they were kids. "You're attention starved and self-obsessed and unbearably vain . . . I really hope your comb breaks and you run out of whatever expensive hair products you've been using to make your hair appear deceptively soft..."Sadie doesn't have to hold back in her emails, because nobody will ever read them... that is, until they're accidentally sent out. Overnight, Sadie’s carefully crafted, conflict-free life is turned upside down. It's her worst nightmare -- now everyone at school knows what she really thinks of them, and they're not afraid to tell her what they really think of her either. But amidst the chaos, there's one person growing to appreciate the "real" Sadie -- Julius, the only boy she's sworn to hate...

The Shadow Sister

 By: Lily Meade

Location:  FIC MEA

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Sutton going missing is the worst thing to happen to Casey, to their family. She’s trying to help find her sister, but Casey is furious. And she can’t tell anyone about their argument before Sutton disappeared. Everyone paints a picture of Sutton’s perfection: the popular cheerleader with an entourage of friends, a doting boyfriend, and a limitless future. But Sutton manipulated everyone around her, even stole an heirloom bracelet from Casey. People don’t look for missing Black girls--or half-Black girls--without believing there is an angel to be saved.

When Sutton reappears, Casey knows she should be relieved. Except Sutton isn’t the same. She remembers nothing about while she was gone—or anything from her old life, including how she made Casey miserable. There’s something unsettling about the way she wants to spend time with Casey, the way she hums and watches her goldfish swim for hours.

What happened to Sutton? The more Casey starts uncovering her sister’s secrets, the more questions she has. Did she really know her sister? Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? And what will it take to uncover the truth?

Katzenjammer

 By: Francesca Zappia

Location: FIC ZAP

Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery

“Cat is stuck in her high school with a small group of other teens, none of whom can find any doors that lead out. Some have retained their humanity while others, Cat included, have morphed into something . . . less so. . . . Cat’s memories come back with glacial slowness as she tries to piece together why they are all trapped there and to use those clues to try to escape, all while fighting to stay alive . . . An eerie, savage novel.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

American Horror Story meets the dark comedy of Kafka's The Metamorphosis as Cat searches for a way to escape her high school. A tale of family, love, tragedy, and masks--the ones others make for us, and the ones we make for ourselves. Katzenjammer will haunt fans of Chelsea Pitcher's This Lie Will Kill You and E. Lockhart's We Were Liars.

Cat lives in her high school. She never leaves, and for a long time her school has provided her with everything she needs. But now things are changing. The hallways contract and expand along with the school's breathing, and the showers in the bathroom run a bloody red. Cat's best friend is slowly turning into cardboard, and instead of a face, Cat has a cat mask made of her own hardened flesh.

Cat doesn't remember why she is trapped in her school or why half of them--Cat included--are slowly transforming. Escaping has always been the one impossibility in her school's upside-down world. But to save herself from the eventual self-destruction all the students face, Cat must find the way out. And to do that, she'll have to remember what put her there in the first place.

Using chapters alternating between the past and the present, acclaimed author Francesca Zappia weaves a spine-tingling, suspenseful, and haunting story about tragedy and the power of memories. Fans of Marieke Nijkamp's This Is Where It Ends and Karen McManus's One of Us Is Lying will lose themselves in the pages of this novel--or maybe in the treacherous hallways of the school.

Katzenjammer by Francesca Zappia is a gripping horror novel that lingered with me long after I finished reading. With its eerie premise and gorgeous prose, I was initially impressed by how quickly the author drew me in. However, I had some issues with the book’s disturbing ending, making this a difficult review to write. I have mixed feelings about this one, but I would recommend it to those looking for a thought-provoking and suspenseful read.

Trapped in their school with no recollection of how they got there, Cat and her classmates are slowly transforming in gruesome ways. When a killer roams the school in search of their next target, Cat works to uncover their identity to hopefully find a way out. As the story alternates between the past and the present and Cat slowly pieces together what happened, shocking truths rise to the surface.

❀ GORGEOUS WRITING STYLE

I absolutely adored the writing style of this book and the way it sucked me in. While this is a horror novel, there are some really beautiful descriptions throughout the story that provide an interesting contrast to the gore in the content, and I was in awe of how easily Francesca Zappia immersed me in Cat’s terrifying world. The story is also told through short, fragmented chapters, which makes it incredibly difficult to put down, and I devoured every page, on the edge of my seat.

❀ INTENSE ENDING

While I was gripped by the premise and the prose, I had some major issues with the ending of this book that left me with mixed feelings. Without spoiling the final twist, I will say that it took me by surprise, but not in the most positive way. The ending is incredibly intense and contains topics that I am not comfortable reading about, and if I had been aware of this, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up. I understand where the author was going with this twist, and the ending does explain a lot of plot, but I wished that I had been more prepared going into it.

❀ A SUSPENSEFUL READ

Katzenjammer by Francesca Zappia is a suspenseful read with a shocking ending. I was hooked by the strange premise, and the writing style left me in awe. While I was initially loving this one, I was uncomfortable with the ending, and I urge readers to check the content warnings before diving in.