Hikaru No Go, by Yumi Hotta

Hikaru No Go, by Yumi Hotta, follows the life of Hikaru Shindo, who's life gets flipped upside down as he becomes bound to the spirit of a long dead Go master who taught and trained the Emperor of Japan the art of playing Go. Hikaru now trained by dead Go master, Fujiwara-no-Sai, set of to make Hikaru a better Go player so that he may have a chance of playing the Divine Move. Hikaru meets friends and rivals such as Go prodigy, Akira Toya as he makes his debut in the Go community and even catching the interest of professional Go player, Koyo Toya.

The story is actually very interesting, it takes the real world beard game Go, and implements real life strategies, rules, and trivia on the game which has sparked global interest in it. This manga is a great story if you want to relax and read while learning something new, even if you don't put that much effort into learning it you will still passively learn through the events of the story. It is a semi realistic manga with the only real fantasy related element being the ghost of Sai guiding Hikaru, that sheds some light on a game not many know about in the US while giving us likable characters as you watch them grow and excel.

Reviewed by Wes, Grade 9
Pacific Park Library

Mobile Suit Gundam Origin 1: Activation, by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko

 The way characters act and feel and somewhat gritty setting emphasizes the conflict between the Federation and Zion. The story is well written and is a great retelling of the original Gundam story. Its a tale of survival and politics on both sides as treaties are broken and wills are tested. The art of the manga itself is a great callback to older styles of manga in contrast to the modern style, giving it a classic feel as Gundam is. If you like Sci-Fi with space action, robots, and some politics sprinkled on top, then you'll probably enjoy the Gundam series.

 Mobile Suit Gundam Origin 1: Activation, by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, is a widely praised franchise and this manga is no different. In the distant future, a space colony has declared independence from Earth and has donned the name, Principality of Zeon. White Base, a Earth Federation warship gets followed by a team of Zaku mobile suits, mobile suits are large piloted vehicles or mechas that can be used for space combat. The Zaku team was sent by the Principality of Zion on a reconnaissance mission to check for anything suspicious from the Federation. The Zakus end up finding a powerful prototype mobile suit known as the RX-78 Gundam which was being transported from a facility at a Earth colony. The Zakus attack and destroy the colony where 15 year old Amuro Ray lived, after seeing the destruction of his home Amuro quickly enters and pilots the Gundam to take out the Zakus. With the Zakus gone Amuro joins the other refugees on the White Base, which took in evacuees from the colony. Amuro then joins forces with the ship crew in order to use the Gundam as defense against Zion forces and get the ship to safety.

Reviewed by Wes, Grade 9
Pacific Park Library

Michael Vey: Fall of Hades, by Richard Paul Evans

The book Michael Vey: Fall of Hades, by Richard Paul Evans. is about a teenage boy with unusual electric superpowers. At the start, the Electroclan are introduced to another glow who can make muscles freeze. This power does not work on Michael though because he just absorbs electricity because that's the thing that he does. One of Hatch's officers also ends up escaping and joining the Electroclan. After that things get much more interesting and I just wont spoil it.

I'd suggest the book to anyone who likes science fiction. The story was well written and conflicts are well presented. It is easy to understand and is a good book to sit back and enjoy after a long day. The characters are relatable and the book doesn't get boring even after an hour of reading it. I think its overall a good book and I'd suggest it to almost anyone.

Reviewed by Anton V., Grade 9
Montrose Library

Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon, by Richard Paul Evans

The book "Michael Vey, Hunt for Jade Dragon " by Richard Paul Evans is about a teenage boy with unusual electric superpowers. In this book, the Electroclan are sent to Taiwan to to save Jade Dragon, a child. While they are there, the team got to try new food that some, but not all, enjoyed. Things however take an unexpected turn. I think its overall a good book and id suggest it to almost anyone.

I think "Michael Vey: Hunt for Jade Dragon, by Richard Paul Evans was a good book.  I'd suggest it to anyone who likes science fiction. The story was well written and conflicts are well presented. It is easy to understand and is a good book to sit back and enjoy after a long day. The characters are relatable and the book doesn't get boring even after an hour of reading it. I think its overall a good book and id suggest it to almost anyone.

Reviewed by Anton V., Grade 9
Montrose Library

Michael Vey: Battle Of the Ampere, by Richard Paul Evans

The book Michael Vey, Battle Of the Ampere, by Richard Paul Evans, is about a teenage boy with unusual electric superpowers. After the events of the previous book, the Elgen are furious with the loss of one of their power plants. The Elecrtoclan's new allies inform them that the Ampere, Elgen's base of operations, will be stopping at a port which will be the perfect time to destroy it and possibly end the Elgen and their threat to the world. Things however take an unexpected turn.

The book was very good. I'd suggest it to anyone who likes science fiction. The story was well written and conflicts are well presented. It is easy to understand and is a good book to sit back and enjoy after a long day. The characters are relatable and the book doesn't get boring even after an hour of reading it. I think its overall a good book and id suggest it to almost anyone.

Reviewed by Anton V., Grade 9
Montrose Library 

The Eye of Minds, by James Dashner

The Eye of Minds, by James Dashner is a story about a video game. A group of friends play a virtual video game where you are able to do anything you could ever want without consequences. In the game there is a terrorist of sorts that threatens to ruin life in the game. These three friends are set on a quest that leads them to the darkest corners of the game to find and defeat this player and save the game that they love so much. As they traverse through the various environments and settings they slowly come to find themselves in more and more dangerous situations until near the end where they have to make the ultimate choice.

In my opinion I think that this book is a very good and creative story with many amazing plots and twists. To be fully honest the book does start off a little slow and does not explain the details of the world very well. Other than that the story is perfectly written and the plot really draws you in if you make it past the first twenty pages. I was left in shock after the end of the book because the ending holds a twist that you would never think of. Over all I can highly recommend this book to who ever enjoys science fiction and thrilling plot twists.

Reviewed by Kevin N., Grade 9
Grandview Library 

Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen, by Richard Paul Evans

The book Michael Vey: Rise of the Elgen, by Richard Paul Evans is about a teenage boy with unusual electric superpowers. Him and his friends go up against a criminal organisation that want to give cheep power and make the world a better place. We are also introduced to the electricity generating rats in this book that eat people and make electricity. In the end all is well and we cant wait for the next book.

The book was really good. I'd suggest it to anyone who likes science fiction. The story was well written and conflicts are well presented. It is easy to understand and is a good book to sit back and enjoy after a long day. The characters are relatable and the book doesn't get boring even after an hour of reading it. I think its overall a good book and id suggest it to almost anyone.

Reviewed by Anton V., Grade 9
Montrose Library

Michael Vey, The Prisoner of Cell 25, by Richard Paul Evans

The book Michael Vey The Prisoner of Cell 25, by Richard Paul Evans is about a teenage boy with unusual electric superpowers. He and his only friend, Ostin go on an adventure with his school bully Jack and his friend, Wade to save his girlfriend, Taylor. Upon arriving to the place where the bad guys of this book kept Taylor, Michael discovered that he is not the only electric child and the real adventure begins.

The book was good. I'd suggest it to anyone who likes science fiction. The story was well written and conflicts are well presented. It is easy to understand and is a good book to sit back and enjoy after a long day. The characters are relatable and the book doesn't get boring even after an hour of reading it. I think its overall a good book and id suggest it to almost anyone.

Reviewed by Anton V., Grade 9
Montrose Library