Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren

Olivia Torres considers herself as the most unluckiest person alive, until she's met with over 200 people throwing up while she gives her toast during his twin sister's wedding. Unhoneymooners is a book written by Christina Lauren, which illustrates a stress baker and twin named Olivia Torres and a charming math loving geek named Ethan Thomas, because of food poisoning at her twin sister and younger brother's wedding. Both Olivia and Ethan end up at the island of Maui due to her sister's lucky streak at winning contests despite becoming in-laws, they aren't so friendly with each other. As soon as they arrive at Maui problems arise with both Olivia and Ethan, but both must put aside their differences and overcome this blocked path together as they enjoy their 10 day honeymoon as Mr. and Mrs. Thomas.

Unhoneymooners written by Christina Lauren is a great rom-com book for anyone who wants to test the waters before diving deep into the vast sea of romance comedy novels. Despite hating each other, Olivia and Ethan slowly warm up while on Maui trip, which really portrays their character development as they get to know each other. This book is a great read for long car rides or relaxing at the beach, although the book has a lot of pages, you'll soon want to dive more into the book because of it's addicting charisma portrayed in both Olivia the semi-introvert and Ethan the charming extrovert.

Reviewed by P.K., Grade 11

Downtown Central Library

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir

When researchers find an unexplained decrease in the Sun's output, a probe is sent to Venus to find out what is going on. It finds extraterrestrial life - a single-celled organism called an astrophage that is stealing the energy of our star. Gone unchecked, the Sun will die in mere decades.

When Ryland Grace wakes up, he can't remember a thing. Not even his own name. Adrift in a spacecraft in the middle of an unknown star system, he must find out why he is here and what he is meant to do. Slowly, things start coming back to him. He is on board the Hail Mary, on a mission to figure out how to stop this celestial outbreak and save humanity. With a combination of his wits and the help of an unlikely partner, Grace must find the solution to the astrophage problem.

I really enjoyed Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. It was an extremely thrilling read and kept me turning pages for hours on end. As always, Weir did an exceptional job at creating a scientifically accurate but also gripping tale. I loved the story and enjoyed seeing the character's progression through memories and flashbacks. I would definitely recommend this novel to people who love science fiction. I would also recommend Weir's other novels, as they are similar in tone and subject and very well written.

Reviewed by NK, Grade 11

Montrose Library 

Yesterday Again, by Barry Lyga

The third and final novel from the archvillain series is all about time travel. A 12-year-old Kyle Camden, aka Azure Avenger devises a plan to expose his nemesis (Mighty Mike) by traveling back in time by creating a time machine (he calls it a chronic vessel). Kyle uses his superintelligence which he gained from a plasma storm to build the time machine so he can go back in time a few months and video Mike emerging from the plasma, proving he came from space, is an alien, and can do harm. Things go wrong in the present and everyone in Kyle's home town's residents turns into zombies and Kyle time travels to 1987 instead of a couple months ago). His chronovessel destroyed, Kyle learns a few things about his dad and his grandfather, all while saving the world!

Yesterday Again, by Barry Lyga, is slower than the other two books in the series and a little more complicated and harder to follow, however the time travel aspect is well thought out and the book is a page turner. The book is very funny and the characters develop much more than the other books. It also nicely closes many of the mysteries from the last book but still leaves the reader pondering at the end. Also the reader does not really need to read the other books in order to understand this one but it would be better to read in order.

Reviewed by Emil, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library 

My Hero Academia, Vol. 21: Why He Gets Back Up, by Kohei Horikoshi

We cut back to the fight with Endeavor giving it his all against this particularly intelligent nomu. The battle is very intense, and it doesn't seem like Endeavor will be able to win. But, in that moment, he remembers all the people watching him, putting all the spirit and hope they have in their heart's for his victory. With his newfound strength, he gives it one last try.

But, when he thinks that the battle is finished, he's encountered by someone, someone from the League of Villains.

After the battle, Deku has a dream, a dream about the past processors of One for All. In this dream he learns about his quirk's origins, and All for One. He learns more about the history of quirks, and even about the original wielder of One for All.

Later, the competition begins between class 1-A and class 1-B. They're split into 10 teams, 5 teams for class 1-A, and 5 for class 1-B. Shinso will also be participating, as this is a test to see if he'll be admitted into the hero course next year. But Shinso is not here to play games, he's here to win his spot in the hero course and strives for victory. The first match will prove if he has the fire and strength in his heart to become a hero. 

I absolutely love this series, it makes me so happy. The art for this volume is absolutely stunning, my god the fight scenes are drawn with such passion it's wonderful. I love looking at this volume in general, it's just so appealing to me. I also adore the plot, it was very nice to see how Endeavor managed to do the impossible, and I loved seeing more about One for All. Finally, after 20 volumes we can finally see how it originated and where exactly it came from. My favorite part in the manga My Hero Academia, Vol. 21: Why He Gets Back Up, by Kohei Horikoshi,  was the battles between class 1-A and 1-B because I love them so much, they're so wholesome! I loved seeing the new strategies they came up with, some of them made me laugh about how ridiculous yet useful they served to be. Overall, not just this volume, but give this entire series a read (or a watch), it's amazing, the art is stunning and so are the character designs. Despite it being years since I first picked this series up, it has an important place in my heart, and I'm sure it'll have one in yours's too.

Reviewed by Arpi, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

My Hero Academia, Vol. 22: That Which Is Inherited, by Kohei Horikoshi

As the second round comes to a quick end, the third round begins. Class 1-A has a tough time against this match, and even one of the best students, Todoroki, has some trouble. Honenuki's softening quirk makes it all the harder. Aware that Todoroki is a threat, Tetsutetsu decides to fight him, one on one. Todoroki attempts to use his flames, but to no avail. Tetsutetsu's quirk allows him to go into Todoroki's flames without breaking a sweat. That;s when Todoroki decides that his flames need to step up a notch. Their battle is close, and very intense, until it gets interrupted by something unexpected.

While this battle was going on, both classes were having a difficult time against each other. One minute it seems like class 1-A is in the lead, but in the next 1-B is already on a path to victory. This continues until the time elapses and the team who won is revealed.

Match 4 begins. It automatically seems like class 1-A has the disadvantage, having Bakugo on their team who's known for his hot-headedness. 1-B think's that since their "leader" will most likely be Bakugo, they'll all fall behind him and fail. But to their surprise, this is not the case. Despite not seeming like it, their team has great cooperation and synergy. This battle is starting to get interesting in the book My Hero Academia, Vol. 22: That Which Is Inherited, by Kohei Horikoshi. 

In the final match, match 5, Deku is ready to go all out. The battle starts like any other, a bit challenging and intense, but average. That is until suddenly, something happens to Deku's quirk. Something that had to do with One for All.

This still is one of my absolute favorite volumes in the entire series. If you read any of my other reviews, I really like the heroes storyline, and this volume was all about that! Also Bakugo gets a lot of screen time which I really appreciate. Honestly, I loved seeing the heroes try to devise their own plans to victory, and see how well they work with each other. There are always unexpected things that can happen in each battle that you can never take account of. That's what I really love about this volume. It's so entertaining, and we can see the characters' thought process and strategizing skills. The art is beautiful, as always, and I love it very much. The ending was great too, and very surprising. Overall, 100%, if you like this series, please read this volume. It's great, personally I really enjoyed it, and I think you will too!

Reviewed by Arpi, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

My Hero Academia, Vol. 23: Our Brawl, by Kohei Horikoshi

The fight between class 1-A and 1-B continues as Deku's dilemma is solved. Deku manages to use his unknown new power for a split second and is finally in control. The battle is full of passion and heart, and you can tell that our young heroes are really giving it their all. Despite both teams trying their best, there can only be one victor.

Deku and Bakugo attempt to lure out this new power once again, but to no avail. We learn more about it and it's origins.
Meanwhile, we meet a new character, Detnerat, who seems to want to get his hands on the League of Villains. While that's going down, the League of Villains is battling Gigantomachia to gain his trust and to put him on their side. During this they get teleported away from Gigantomachia and we get bits and pieces of Shigaraki's childhood. Afterwards the league get an unexpected call that will eventually lead them to great danger.

I like all the books in this series, including My Hero Academia, Vol. 23: Our Brawl, by Kohei Horikoshi. I liked seeing how Deku's and Shinso's battle eventually played out and to see who came out on top in the end. I really enjoyed the interactions between the two classes, I thought it was really funny at times and put a smile on my face. At the same time it covered some darker themes. Detnerat is up to no good and needs to be stopped, even if it is by the League of Villains. I'm just a really big fan of the heroes so volumes with less screen time with them make me less invested, but overall it was great. I recommend giving it a read, half the volume is about the villains so all of the villain fans will enjoy it! I still really adore the art style and how everything is drawn, I think it looks beautiful.

Reviewed by Arpi, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

Heidi, by Johanna Spyri

Heidi by Johanna Spyri is a story set in the Swiss Alps near Frankfurt, Germany in the 1800s. Five-year-old orphan named Heidi has been living with her Aunt Dete, but when Dete is offered a job in a new city, she can no longer care for Heidi, so she takes Heidi to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The only problem is that Heidi’s grandfather, whom everyone calls Alm-Uncle, is known to be a crabby old man who isolates himself from everybody else. However, Heidi is always joyful and energetic and reminds Alm-Uncle of his long-lost son, Heidi’s father, so Heidi quickly wins him over. Heidi loves her life in the Alps and spends most of her time with Peter, the local goat-herd, and the goats up in the mountains. Then when Dete’s new employers need a companion for Clara, the Boss’s handicapped daughter, Dete takes Heidi away from Alm-Uncle and away from the Alps. Readers will need to find out for themselves what it will take to reunite Heidi and her beloved grandfather!

I liked reading Heidi because although the older language was challenging, I enjoyed the descriptions of Heidi’s life with her grandfather. Heidi’s enthusiasm for sleeping in a loft on fresh hay, as well as for the fresh goat’s milk and cheese toast made me curious about what it would be like to live in the Alps. Also, I enjoyed when Heidi makes friends with the goats and stops them from getting in trouble. I was amazed by Heidi’s constant positive attitude, especially for such a young girl. Heidi isn’t afraid of Uncle and even melts his heart while almost everyone in the village is scared of him. I would recommend this book to kids of all ages because it is a fun book and a classic which people do not read as much.

Reviewed by Hope C., Grade 6

Glendale Library

My Hero Academia, Vol. 27: One's Justice, by Kohei Horikoshi

Pro Heroes Endeavor, Miriko, EraserHead, and more decide that it’s time to raid the hospital and capture Kyudai Garaki, also known as “doctor”. Their goal here is to find out what he’s hiding, and eventually capture him. They attempt to capture him, but he manages to slip away after being exposed to only be the double of the real Kyudai Garaki. As they look for the real Kyudai they are faced with something unexpected, and most importantly, dangerous.

Meanwhile, as the other Pro Heroes are continuing their fight at the hospital, UA’s hero course is waiting for the rest of the Pro Heroes to finish their fight with the Liberation Army. The Pros take some heroes from class 1-A as well, such as Kaminari and Fumikage. The battle is intense, but the heroes have the upper hand. While the heroes on the battlefield are giving it their all, another hero is waiting in the shadows, for their time to strike. Dreams, friendships and lives are ended as you even start to question who the hero even is in this situation.

I really like the My Hero Academia series. Though I'm not too up to date on it because of school, I still do love and cherish it. My Hero Academia, Vol. 27: One's Justice, by Kohei Horikoshi made me cry near the end because of what happened to one of the characters, as I mentioned in the review about "lives ending". The art in this volume is stunning and I love how much we learn about the Nomu and how intelligent they can really get. Personally, if I'm being honest, this book might not be enjoyed by everybody, not just because it's a part of a series and reading one volume may not make any sense. I say this because the themes it covers, world, and story might be seen as odd or somewhat childish to some readers because it's mostly about heroes. I still do recommend reading it though, the art is fantastic and I really like the world building in this manga series. It was really fun to read and still manages to make me smile now.

Reviewed by Apri, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

Last Call, by Tim Powers

 

Scott Crane is a man whose life has been decided by fate and chance. He is something special - professional gambler, recently turned widower, and the son of a man who wants to kill him. Set in Las Vegas in the late 1900s, Scott has unwittingly lost his soul to his father, the current King, through a poker-style game called Assumption. Scott is what is known as a Jack - a powerful figure that could claim the throne and rise to power in a world where ancient Egyptian mythos and tarot cards have an underlying control over reality. Hounded on all sides by both his father and others wishing to rise to the throne, Crane must figure out a way to get his soul back and win this final game of poker.

I really enjoyed reading Last Call, by Tim Powers. I thought that the magic system and the world-building that Tim Powers implemented were extremely interesting and well-made. The story was also very good, albeit sometimes a little confusing due to the extensive world-building. It was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. The book was great at incorporating neo-western themes with a pagan magical undertone. Overall, I loved reading this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys neo-western books or hard fiction.

Reviewed by NK, Grade 12

Glendale Library