Category: Young Adult

Books, contemporary, Crime, fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, Young Adult

People make mistakes in Karen M. McManus’ “You’ll Be the Death of Me”

I always get excited when I hear that Karen M. McManus is releasing a new book – she is such an incredible writer. All of her stories are incredibly unique and fast paced. One thing I enjoy most about them though is that they’re really clever, and she reminds us that not all young adult stories are romance-led. McManus creates suspense with her mysteries and … Continue reading People make mistakes in Karen M. McManus’ “You’ll Be the Death of Me”

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Books, contemporary, Crime, fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, Young Adult

Karen M. McManus’ important message about forgiveness in “The Cousins”

Reading a novel by Karen M. McManus is like a breath of fresh air – her stories are incredibly unique and fast paced, and with all of her mysteries, she reminds us that young adult doesn’t always equate to romance. She creates suspense, has us guessing what’s coming next, and has us sitting on the edge of our seats as mystery unfolds. And her novel, The Cousins, … Continue reading Karen M. McManus’ important message about forgiveness in “The Cousins”

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Books, contemporary, fantasy, fiction, Magic Realism, Romance, Young Adult

“Instructions for Dancing” by Nicola Yoon: Love doesn’t have to last a lifetime, to last a lifetime

Nicola Yoon’s newest novel Instructions for Dancing is the story I have been waiting for – this young adult tale of passion, growing up, and discovering love and limitations, will have you laughing and crying right along with the characters. This powerful, beautiful book tells the story of a girl who discovers for the first time that sometimes love doesn’t last forever, and struggles to … Continue reading “Instructions for Dancing” by Nicola Yoon: Love doesn’t have to last a lifetime, to last a lifetime

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Books, contemporary, Crime, fiction, mystery, Romance, suspense, thriller, Young Adult

Secrets, mystery and redemption in Karen M. McManus’ “Two Can Keep a Secret”

Reading a novel by Karen M. McManus is like a breath of fresh air – her stories are incredibly unique and fast paced, and with her murder mysteries, she reminds us that young adult doesn’t always equate to romance. She creates suspense, has us guessing what’s coming next, and has us sitting on the edge of our seats as mystery unfolds. Her novel, Two Can … Continue reading Secrets, mystery and redemption in Karen M. McManus’ “Two Can Keep a Secret”

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adventure, Books, fantasy, fiction, mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Claudia Gray explores fate and destiny in her Firebird series

Claudia Gray’s Firebird series is without a doubt one of the best trilogies I have ever read. These young adult, science fiction novels are incredibly underrated and offer everything you’re looking for in a young adult story: a passionate romance, chaotic family drama, a coming-of-age story, a riveting plot, and, of course, an emotional rollercoaster journey. With it being science fiction, there’s also added elements … Continue reading Claudia Gray explores fate and destiny in her Firebird series

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Books, contemporary, fiction, health, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

Five Feet Apart: Live life to the fullest, you never know what tomorrow will bring

We all go through life putting things on the back burner because we assume that we have more time. We think there will be more time to do all the things we want to do. We think we have forever, but we don’t. And nothing drives this point home more than when we are faced with the possibility of an early death. It really wakes … Continue reading Five Feet Apart: Live life to the fullest, you never know what tomorrow will bring

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Books, contemporary, fiction, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

Jennifer Niven’s latest novel will leave you feeling “Breathless”

I have a lot of respect for Jennifer Niven. She is an incredibly brave writer. She writes from her heart, from her soul, from her own personal experiences. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to write the kind of stories she does, about life and love and heartbreak and disappointments and… well, pretty much everything that makes us human. Niven’s latest novel, Breathless, is … Continue reading Jennifer Niven’s latest novel will leave you feeling “Breathless”

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Books, contemporary, fantasy, fiction, Magic Realism, paranormal, Romance, Young Adult

“Layoverland” by Gabby Noone: Our guard doesn’t keep people out, it fences us in

Recently I’ve become captivated with books about the afterlife. It’s not as morbid as it sounds, it’s just that no one knows what happens after we die. In terms of fiction stories, this allows for infinite possibilities. In Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library, in the in-between we each find our own library where endless books give us stories about the other lives we lived in … Continue reading “Layoverland” by Gabby Noone: Our guard doesn’t keep people out, it fences us in

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Books, contemporary, Crime, fiction, mystery, Realistic Fiction, thriller, Young Adult

“Looking for JJ”: Anne Cassidy reminds us that not everything is as it seems

Anne Cassidy’s Looking for JJ is one of the most brilliant yet disturbing novels I have read to date. It’s a clever story that reminds us that not everything is at it seems. Cassidy explores the interesting topic of a juvenile offender attempting to integrate into society in a way that forces us to confront and question our own attitudes to contemporary issues. In Looking … Continue reading “Looking for JJ”: Anne Cassidy reminds us that not everything is as it seems

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adventure, Books, fantasy, fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” sparks an old debate: Who are human beings?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Suzanne Collins most recent Hunger Games novel set 65 years prior to her first book, is riveting. It’s incredibly fascinating and delves into the mind of a soon-to-be tyrant. Instead of the venomous President Snow we know him to be, Collins presents our all-powerful character as the tragic but charming and witty 18-year-old boy who is still working out … Continue reading “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” sparks an old debate: Who are human beings?

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