A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “A Court of Silver Flames” written by Sarah J. Maas is the fifth book in the ACOTAR. This final novel has different points of views. No longer is it Feyre and Rhysand, but Cassian and Nesta. Nesta is in bad shape; she has completely isolated herself regardless of Feyre’s pleadings. She drinks and engages in risky activities with people who mean nothing to her. She is alone, but she puts that on herself. However, Feyre and her court especially are done with Nesta’s behavior so they give her an ultimatum. Either Nesta goes back to the human lands or she will have to reside in the House of Wind and will be training with Cassian every day and working in the house’s library. She can’t go to the human lands, which would be torture for her, so she reluctantly chooses the latter option. Her journey is quite interesting actually. She is awful and personally I still don’t like her.  As much as she’s been through, Feyre has probably been through more, and yet Nesta has the audacity to blame Feyre for everything. I know I love my High Lady of the Night Court, but she is amazing and she deserves everything. I’m not saying Nesta doesn’t but she should be less rude to the people who stood by her regardless of their own issues and problems that they were going through. Anyhow, Nesta forms quite a bond with the House and soon she becomes friends with two females who have gone through some traumatic things as well (though it seems everybody in this series has gone through hell and back). She starts to train with Cassian and convinces other females to join; she forms a bond with him and she helps find the last two objects of the trove so the queen from the human realm has no more power than she already has. 

I recommend this book because I like how Nesta has a huge character change for the better. I love how Cassian and Nesta were able to finally be on the same page with their mating bond. It was starting to get annoying because Nesta kept on ignoring the mating bond and Cassian didn’t know what to do but finally at the end they figured it out, thank god. This book has a lot of spicy scenes and thoughts, just to let you know. There is so much cute and funny banter between Nesta and Cassian. They are both so strong and fierce which makes me a proud mom as Nesta grew from her drunken state to a powerful Valkyrie. 9/10.

-Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

The One Ring has been lost and forgotten for thousands of years but is now being sought by Sauron, who intends to use the Ring’s power to rule over Middle Earth and all of its free people. Fate leaves the Ring in the hands of a hobbit, named Frodo Baggins, who inherits it from his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. He and a group of companions, including the wizard Gandalf, take up the challenging task to take the Ring to the fires of Mount Doom and destroy it once and for all and save the people of Middle Earth.  

This trilogy was amazing! Another one of Tolkien’s greatest works. I would highly recommend it to others. And don’t feel discouraged by all the pages because they are action packed with many battles, many laughs, and teach many lessons such as perseverance and the great bond of true friendship. The characters and story touches the reader and it stays with them for a long time. It was truly a great book.

Written by Priya, Teen Volunteer

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by JRR Tolkien

Hobbits are a race of peaceful, short human-like creatures who love food, but when the circumstances call for it, they can be very courageous and pack a punch. Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who is quite happy living his normal, unadventurous life in his homey hobbit hole. One day, unexpected guests arrive for an unexpected party in his house. He agrees to be a burglar and go on a journey with 13 dwarves and a wizard to recover the lost treasure of the Dwarf King, Thorin Oakenshield, that was stolen by the dragon Smaug. On their journey, the company comes across many creatures and beings, friend and foe, or even a little in between, and make their way over high mountains and through dangerous forests. Bilbo finds his courage and explores the lands outside of his home in the Shire. He even finds a ring deep down in the goblin caves — its significance unknown to Bilbo — that can make him invisible when it comes time for him to be a burglar.

I loved this book so much! Even though it may seem like a bedtime story for the little ones, it is still a great read for teens who want to get away from the piles of homework and relax their minds with a fun adventure. And if you really liked the characters and places of Middle Earth, the story doesn’t have to end with Bilbo returning to the Shire. The Tolkien Legendarium is a collection of tales and adventures imagined and written by Tolkien, taking place  in and beyond the lands of  Middle Earth. One of the other well known works of Tolkien is The Lord of the Rings which is also a great book worth reading.

Written by Priya, Teen Volunteer