The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

 The 17-year-old protagonist of The Inheritance Games, Avery Grambs (Full Name: Avery Kylie Grambs), was not born into an affluent family.  In the midst of high school, Avery finds out that she has inherited the majority of Tobias Hawthorne, the world's sole multi-billionaire, bequest. The only problem was that Avery had never met this individual and was in no way related to him. She is now left with Tobias Hawthorne's four grandsons, who had anticipated receiving the will themselves. While Jameson Hawthorne, one of the younger Hawthornes, thinks that their grandfather left Avery to them as a riddle to solve, Grayson Hawthorne, one of the older Hawthornes, believes that Avery is a scam artist and will do whatever to keep her away from his family. In order to discover the mysteries and secrets based on Tobias Hawthorne's choices, Avery will have to play the inheritance game. 

I am in love with The Inheritance Games, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, beyond words. I wasn't sure whether to start the series at first, but reading this was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Everything in the story—the characters, the narrative, the hints and mysteries—was spot on. The love triangle between Avery, Jameson, and Grayson was one thing I didn't enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I adore Avery with all of them, but it's difficult to decide between them because she can't BE with both of them. I was incredibly engrossed in the story, and since the one question Avery was seeking an answer to wasn't entirely resolved, I'm eager to read the next books in the trilogy to learn what happens next. Despite the cliffhanger ending, I wholeheartedly suggest this book to anyone and everyone. 

Reviewed by Agapi, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library 

Free Marcus Katz: A Curated Collection of Yelp Reviews, by Howard Marc Chesley

 

Free Marcus Katz!!! is about a man with autism who is fighting for custody of himself. After the death of his mother, Marcus just wants to live by himself and his dog, writing Yelp reviews and enjoying life. However, his sister is after his inheritance money and wants to trap him in a conservatorship, which would suck the money out of his account. Instead of sacrificing his freedom and independence, Marcus runs away in search of a friend he made on Yelp. However, he is framed in a car accident, so he must evade the police, his court-appointed lawyer, and his sister to find freedom.

 This entire book is written in Yelp reviews, so there was kind of a lot of filler material. Otherwise, the format was new and refreshing. I liked the Aspie representation that portrayed Marcus as neither a crazy, unstable person nor a pitiful child who needs constant attention. Instead, he was just a person with ups and downs like everyone else. the book showed both positive and negative portrayals of autism, which was nice. However, one thing that was weird was that the book itself said it was nonfiction, but none of the yelp reviews were real. It seemed like Marcus Katz and his struggles as an autistic person were autobiographical, but he was just fiction. I couldn't find whether the real author was autistic, but it was weird to say the book was written by Marcus Katz, a person with autism, when it wasn't.

Reviewed by LL, Grade 11

Glendale Central LIbrary

People We Meet on Vacation ,by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacationis a collection of travel memories made by Poppy and Alex before they stopped talking to one another. Poppy and Alex are complete opposites, but fortunately, they've also been best friends forever, and ever since college, they've taken an annual summer vacation together, from the scary low-budget trips to luxury getaways. However, something happens in Croatia, and they don’t speak for two years. Now wanting to regain her love for travel, Poppy invites Alex on one last trip.

People We Meet On Vacation, by Emily Henry, is a very playful book with elements that make it a quick read in the way it's able to hook you in from the beginning. Usually, I don't enjoy going from the past to the present in a book , but this book does a fine job at it. The characters Poppy and Alex are raw and real and know how to be playful and full of life, but also serious when need be. Due to this book, I miss summer vacation more than ever and it's a book I will be taking with me to my next vacation.

Reviewed by Ariana G., Grade 11

Montrose Library  

Normal People, by Sally Rooney

 Normal People, by Sally Rooney follows Connell and Marianne in their high school and college years, as they struggle with self-esteem, new relationships, as well as maintaining their own friendship. Connell and Marianne live in Dublin, and after graduating high school, they both attend Trinity College. When they reconnect, they realize that the two of them have branched out and branched in. Marianne has blossomed into a new social crowd and isn't the outcast anymore. Connell, however, who used to be the more social of the two has become more solitary and is struggling with self-esteem.

This book was gut-wrenching. It was heartbreaking, but it was real. Rooney does a great job of portraying the internal conflicts that both characters go through. While the story was frustrating at parts, it was a beautiful story of people loving each other, and what that love takes. The passing of time was just as frustrating, as both characters' actions didn't really align with their established character which became confusing at times, but it just showed how time affects people. I would read up trigger warnings before you read the book, as heavy topics are discussed and are major themes in the story.

Reviewed by Vanya, Grade 11

Glendale Central People  

Dark Visions, by L.J. Smith

 Dark Visions is an outstanding book written by none other than Lj. Smith. The book consists of a protagonist named Kaitlyn Fairchild who happens to possess psychic powers, whatever she draws ends up happening in real life, whether it be in the next few days or years later. Because of her powers, Jouce Piper an aspiring scientist invites her to attend the Zetes institute where she will learn control over her powers. At the institute, she meets four other psychics named Anna, Rob, Gabrial, and Lewis, and quickly upon meeting them, our protagonist instantly becomes friends with them, well asides from the prickly Gabrial Wolfe and she even finds herself falling in love with the kind-hearted Rob during her stay. However, not everything at this inside is pitch perfect, weeks into attending the institute they attain some information that leaves the now-established group of friends with a multitude of questions unanswered.

I really enjoyed Dark Visions, by L.J. Smith, it was a very fun read that had many twists and turns that leaves the reader wanting more. After reading the book I kept on wishing for a novella about the characters' lives after everything the events that take place in the book. The author did an amazing job at really helping me connect with all of the characters, so much so that by the end of the book I felt as though I really knew each of the main characters personally. Overall I would say it is a must-read even though it is an older book, and unfortunately, we will not be getting a continuation of this trilogy.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 11

Glendale Central Library