Furbyborn, by Claire Legrand

 

Furbyborn, by Claire Legrand, is a young adult fantasy book about two young women that live centuries apart. The book alternates between third person point of view of the lives of the two main characters, Rielle and Eliana. Eliana's point of view takes places 1,020 years after Rielle's point of view. In this book, it starts with Queen Rielle of Celdaria giving birth to her daughter and the healer's son comes and he is hoping that him and his father can leave the city, but his father ends up throwing himself out the window. The healer is asked by Rielle to take her daughter and leave the city. An angel named Corian comes into the room and demands Rielle to give him her daughter. The rest of the chapters alternate between third person point of view of Rielle's and Eliana's lives.

I personally did not enjoy this book. I found the different point of views and the major year gap confusing to understand. I would give this book a one out of five stars and I would not read again because the plot was boring to me. Although I did not enjoy this book, other readers may enjoy it. I would recommend this book to readers that like the young adult fantasy genre

Reviewed by PM, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library

Forging Silver Into Stars, by Brigid Kemmerer

For as long as closest buddies Jax and Callyn can remember, magic has been forbidden in the country of Syhl Shallow in the fantasy novel Forging Silver Into Stars, by Brigid Kemmerer. They previously adored tales of mighty magesmiths and legendary scravers who could summon fire or manipulate ice, but they have now discovered that magic only brings peril because it was magic that killed Callyn's parents and left her to care her younger sister on her own. Jax's leg was broken in an accident for which his father has already been tormenting him ever since, but magic was unable to heal. When the officer calls and threatens to seize their properties if they can't afford what they owe, magic won't be able to save either one of them.

Kemmerer creates fantastic YA fantasy novels that never fail to pull at my heartstrings. You name it—her writing, her characters, etc. The Cursebreaker show continues to be my favorite series for the time being, but this turned trilogy now has the capacity to do the same.

You might expect a love triangle involving Jax, Callyn, and Tycho in this book, which has three points of view. However, let me allay your fears: if you've read the Cursebreaker story arc, you already realize Tycho, who was 15 at the time and is now 19; as the King's courier, he frequently moves among both Rhen through Emberfall and Grey in Syhl Shallow. 

Reviewed by Natali <3, Grade 11

Glendale Central Library

Blade Breaker, by Victoria Aveyard

More portals into nightmare realms are opened as the army of Queen Erida marches over Allward with her consort Taristan right beside them, razing entire kingdoms to the ground.

If Corayne wants to rescue the kingdom as she knows, she must put together her own army. But dangerous terrain awaits her and her allies, and as they unite a united Ward to fight alongside them, they must battle with assassins, strange monsters, and stormy seas.

However, Taristan has let loose a scourge far more vile than his corpse army. Before there is any chance of success, something horrible lurks in the shadows and could destroy the entire world. 

I loved the storyline in the fantasy novel Blade Breaker, by Victoria Aveyard. The world building itself is huge and rich.

I still had some concerns with the first book when I read the sequel, and I just don't find Corayne or Andry to also be particularly compelling protagonists. Although I adore POV chapters, I mostly found myself uninterested in theirs. I was far more interested in following the development of side characters like Sorasa and Dom.

Overall, I think this is a highly entertaining epic fantasy that could be more appealing to older young adults. I am eager to read the upcoming chapter. 

Reviewed by Natali <3

Grade 11, Glendale Central Library

How To Fake It In Hollywood, by Ava Wilder

A brilliant Hollywood actress and charming A-lister start a pretend romance, but they soon realize that their love may be deeper beyond just a publicity stunt. With her lengthy youth drama coming to a stop, Grey Brooks is once more hitting the streets in an attempt to maintain her reputation. The heated connection of Grey and Ethan quickly begins to appear genuine, despite the fact that their steamy on-screen romance is lower from ideal off-screen.

Considering that I enjoy the trope of a pretend relationship and was curious to see how their celebrity lives would affect the whole romantic balance, I was very eager to start this book. I was hoping for a charming summertime book that would be a playful, cheerful love with staged encounters for the media. The author’s writing was excellent, together with establishing the scene with these two characters from the outset and providing the ideal circumstances for their initial encounter. How To Fake It In Hollywood, by Ava Wilder, is for anyone who is seeking a story with a compelling plot, memorable individuals, and a sluggish tale that may captivate you.

Reviewed by Alex C., Grade 10

Montrose Library  

Demon Slayer Volume 5, by Koyoharu Gotouge

Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke fight a fearsome clan of spider Demons at Natagumo Mountain. Tanjiro must use all of his talent and good fortune to defeat such powerful foes as he and his allies struggle to free Nezuko from the spider's web. Other Demon Slayers are joining the fight, but not all of those will survive or emerge from Natagumo Mountain intact. Later, Tanjiro the others would encounter two strong demons who are of a greater rank than any demons the slayers saw.

Demon Slayer Volume 5, by Koyoharu Gotouge, book was fantastic. The emphasis on the Spider Demon clan caught my attention because of the variety of their abilities, perspectives, and personalities. I continue to love the complexity and humane elements that are provided and explored among the villains in this manga, as I have stated in previous reviews. With the Spider Demons and his family, this is investigated even further. These monsters, broadly speaking, were once people like Tanjiro. I like learning more about Shinobu as well as how she fights the demons she encounters by using poisons. I'm eager and see where the tale and the adventure go from here, as usual.

Reviewed by Natali <3, Grade 10

Montrose Library