Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Kingdom of Ash” written by Sarah J. Maas is the last book in the series “Throne of Glass”. Aelin is imprisoned in an iron box by Maeve and must rely on the reason why she endures these tortures; Terrasen. Though her willpower continues to fray with each session of abuse, whether it’s Maeve’s illusions or Carin’s physical torment, knowing that surrendering to Maeve will doom those she loves stops her from breaking. Fortunately Fenrys is there with Aelin, but unfortunately he hates having to watch her suffer and not be able to do anything about it. But while Aelin is no longer there, the others must fight for their queen. Aedion and Lysandra are Terrasen’s last line of defense against total devastation. They quickly learn, however, that the large number of allies they’ve recruited to fight Erawan’s armies may not be enough to save them. Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are all trying to complete different sets of tasks all over Erilea and finding that they don’t have the time. Rowan and his cadre and Elide are desperately searching for Aelin. 

This novel definitely broke my heart, especially close to the end. So much happens; the last and final battle determine everything and so much is lost but the finale is something that cannot be missed. The emotion and passion put into this last novel is impressive, and because this book ending is so amazing you will have to read it yourself to fully understand the extent of my enthusiasm. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy around the teenage phase to the young adult phase.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Queen of Shadows” written by Sarah J. Maas is the fourth book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In the previous novel we find out that Maeve is truly evil and after the wyrdkeys herself. We also know that Aelin freed Rowan from Maeve’s blood oath, and surprisingly he pledges a blood oath to her right there and then. Aelin now embarks on a journey back to Rifthold, accepting her title as Queen of Terrasen so she can fight for her people. She seeks out Arobynn Hamel, her former master during her time as an assassin to use his forces and knowledge to delay the King of Adarlan’s cruelty and his demonic Valg minions. She also finds Chaol, but he is upset with her and won’t tell her how to restore magic. Additionally, Aelin’s cousin Aedion Ashryver has been captured for treason and will be executed, so Aelin crafts a plan to rescue him and tries to help Dorian who has a Valg Prince in his body, and not by choice. Lorcan Salvaterre comes hunting for Aelin under the command of Maeve. Lysandra, once a rival with Aelin, begins to develop a friendship with her. Also returning is Manon Blackbeak, a witch with her own point of view in Morath where she is a commander of the thirteen and heir to the Blackbeak line. Her grandmother, the Blackbeak Matron, has been offered a deal of wyverns to take back to the Wastes in exchange for fighting alongside the King of Adarlan and his army of Valg demons. This book introduces Elide Lochan, a crippled servant who is trying to escape Morath and find Aelin, her queen. 

I definitely recommend this novel because it is very exciting with new points of views from several characters. I especially love Manon’s confidence, Elide’s courage, Aelin’s mind; she makes plans ahead of time and thinks of everything. I love all these women; they are so powerful and in turn make me feel all these qualities they possess. This book would be for teens and young adults, but honestly anyone could try it, especially if they enjoy reading a good book about everyone’s tales, regardless of whether they are Fae, human, shifter, etc.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler

The novel, “Cool for the Summer” written by Dahlia Adler is about a girl named Larissa Bogdan who is head over heels over a boy named Chase Harding but suddenly a girl over the summer might be the one who changes her mind. Larissa was supposed to have a typical summer job, which included babysitting and working at a bookshop, however her mother dragged her to the Outer Banks for work purposes. She stayed in a lavish house with her mom, her mom’s boss, and Jasmine, her mom’s boss’s daughter. Almost immediately they hit it off. Jasmine brought her to parties, outings, and they hung out alot together. They became best friends and started what some may call a summer fling. They kissed and fooled around, but when the summer ended Larissa went back to New York and continued her crush on Chase. But then as Chase starts to show his feelings, Larissa sees Jasmine walking into her school. Not knowing what to do, she and Jasmine both ignore each other, they didn’t talk much, and when they do it’s very awkward. Larissa is really confused and doesn’t understand her feelings, especially since she now has Chase, a perfect gentleman as her boyfriend. Yet Jasmine keeps infiltrating her thoughts. Her emotions are spiraling and she doesn’t know whether Jasmine wants what she wants or whether she’s just being crazy because it’s Chase, the guy she has been mooning over forever.

I definitely recommend this book for ages 13 and up, as well as anyone who loves a contemporary romance read. It was light and to be honest I read it in a day. I love the LGBTQ+ component, because it’s Lara accepting herself and who she is and that is so important. I also love that her mom is so accepting because we know in this world most people shun their kids just for something they can’t control. Anyway, I enjoyed this book.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

“The Assassin’s Blade” written by Sarah J. Maas is the prequel to the series “Throne of Glass”. This book includes five novellas; The Assassin and The Pirate Lord, The Assassin and The Healer, The Assassin and The Desert, The Assassin and The Underworld, and The Assassin and The Empire. The Assassin and The Pirate Lord is about Celaena and Sam, both assassins from Arobynn’s guild that were sent to set up a deal for their boss. However, they find that this deal required slaves and both Sam and Celaena hated that their master was getting profit from slavery. So Celaena, being who she is, puts her mind to freeing these slaves with the help of Sam, which is shocking because both these assassins have been at each other’s throats for so long. The Assassin and The Healer is about her punishment for freeing the slaves in the previous novella, which is to go to the Red Desert. But to get there, she travels through a small town, waiting for a passage which is several days late. While staying at this inn for the time being, a barmaid catches her attention, whom she saves and teaches how to fight. The girl somehow brings up memories from her past as well. The Assassin and The Desert is about her time at the Red Desert training with the Mute Master. Her punishment requires her to retrieve a letter stating that the Mute Master approves of her skills and whatnot. She also finds acquaintances, her feelings for Sam spark up, and she makes her “first real” friend who may or may not last. The Assassin and The Underworld is her arrival from the Red Desert, where she throws herself into a big mission to distract herself from Arobynn and Sam. The Assassin and The Empire is about what happens to Sam, and it’s not pretty. If you read “Throne of Glass” you would think you would be ready for this sadness, but you won’t be. 

I recommend this book to 13 years and up and that you read this before the actual series because there were so many connections that I didn’t understand. For example Celaena said “I am Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid” multiple times during “Throne of Glass” but it didn’t register in my head that it was Sam who said that to help himself and now she says it to help herself. She has that memory that stays with her when she says that phrase. Also there are multiple times where they talk about Sam and reading this prequel allows you to see the love she had for him. Without it, I feel like you wouldn’t be able to understand these emotions. Throughout the rest of the series, there are people from this prequel that come back later in her storyline like Ansel from The Red Desert and Yerene from The Healer. 

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Piscine Molitor Patel, or “Pi” for short, is the 16-year-old son of a zookeeper in Pondicherry, India. Through growing up at the zoo, Pi learns how the animals live by habit. His father also teaches him that animals are ferocious, but by providing for their needs and establishing dominance, circus trainers can tame animals. Although Pi’s parents are secular, he is raised as a Hindu and eventually begins practicing Christianity and Islam as well, just wanting to love God no matter the religion. When his father decides to move to Canada, they close the zoo and board the Japanese Cargo ship Tsimtsum, bringing the animals along to North America to be sold. A few days after their departure however, the Tsimtsum sinks and Pi ends up stranded on a lifeboat with a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a tiger named Richard Parker in the middle of the Pacific.

I loved this book because of how thought-provoking it was. Pi’s journey was a mystical coming-of-age story that was interesting enough on its own, but the ending ties the story together in an incredible way that was genuinely shocking when I read it for the first time. I thought the book’s story and theme were handled beautifully by Yann Martel, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting read.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

It’s been 14 years since the zombie outbreak that sent the world into chaos, and Benny Imura is now 15 years old. He doesn’t have time to celebrate however, because now he has to start working if he wants to keep earning food rations. With no better options, he reluctantly asks his older brother Tom to train him as a zombie killer. Benny expects some boring job with his boring brother, but what he sees beyond the walls of the town of Mountainside shatters his worldview and forces him to consider whether the zombies are the real monsters in this apocalypse. As Benny continues to train with his brother, his strength and his morals are challenged again and again as he learns the truth about what lies in the Rot and Ruin.

I loved this book because it was an interesting take on a zombie story that I hadn’t seen before. It was fascinating to look at the more human aspects of the apocalypse and to look at the apocalypse through the eyes of someone who’s too young to remember anything before the outbreak. The story managed to be very suspenseful and intense at times, and it evoked a lot of different emotions and deep thoughts for me. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the genre.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

Emily, Navin, and their mother move to their mother’s great grandfather’s home after a family tragedy in a brand new town. On their first night, they decide to explore and clean the house up, as it had been abandoned for years. However, while exploring they discover this tentacled creature who kidnaps Emily and Navin’s mom and it is now up to them both to save their mother’s life and bring her back safely. Taking a mysterious Amulet before they set off on their journey, they come to discover many new creatures and friends, such as a talking robot and stuffed animal. Little do they know, the Amulet has magical powers that are able to save them in times of need. What they also do not know is that Emily and Navin are not the only ones who know about the Amulet. They have enemies doing anything it takes to get their hands on it.

Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi is a suspenseful comic with a simple plot but with an amazing execution. Each panel is beautifully drawn with utmost detail. This is a great read if you would like to enjoy reading a book with an interesting plot and great characters.

Written by Aishi, Teen Volunteer

Demon Slayer by Koyoharu Gotouge

Taking place in Japan, Tanjiro Kamado was a regular boy living with his family helping with tasks such as making food, gathering firewood, or just playing with his siblings. They have to be careful at night however, as that is when demons with a variety of powers come out. These demons will burn in the daylight, therefore the only time they can come out from hiding is during the nighttime. One evening, Tanjiro left the house to gather firewood and come back. When he finally reached his home, he could not believe his eyes. All he saw was pools of red, with his family members laying in the middle of them. The only one left was Nezuko, his younger sister; but she was not human anymore. She had been transformed into a demon. However, she was not hostile. She seemed to recognize Tanjiro and did not attack him as other demons would. Tanjiro made his decision right then and there; he would set out to try and find a cure to turn his sister back into a human to end her suffering and get revenge for his family. 

With a bittersweet start, this story follows Tanjiro, Nezuko, and friends he meets along the way on his journey for revenge. I loved this series as it had a great plot and amazing characters. If you love action with a little hint of comedy, this series would be great for you.

Written by Aishi, Teen Volunteer

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood by Hirohiko Araki

Jonathan Joestar, born into a family with natural powers passed down from generation to generation is met with Dio Brando, an orphan who was adopted into the Joestar family. While Jonathan was a gentleman who did most things right, Dio was better than him in everything else; looks, physique, personality, everything. Trying his best to stay in good relations with Dio despite everything, he felt he could not continue when he finally realized the truth behind a mysterious stone mask which fell into Dio’s hands that gave anyone who touched it superhuman powers.

This series is action packed and has lots of suspense. With a wide range of characters with different personalities and powers, this series is bound to pull you in. It may seem slow at first, but the more you read, the better the story gets. With plot twists any reader would not be able to guess, this series is an interesting read with compelling visuals and a great storyline.

Written by Aishi, Teen Volunteer

One Punch Man by ONE

Saitama, a man with the power to defeat any foe with just one punch, roams City Z hoping to find a formidable enemy that does not take just one punch to defeat. He decides to become a superhero just for the fun of it and cleanses his city one enemy at a time.

This series is filled with comedy with a little bit of action. While some readers may think this series is boring as it can become a little bit repetitive (Saitama defeats all opponents in one punch starting off), the premise of the story grows to a point where enemies do not in fact, take just one punch to defeat. With every new enemy also comes new fighting abilities and backstories of each foe, keeping the series interesting. If you want to read a light-hearted action series and get a few laughs, this would be a great read.

Written by Aishi, Teen Volunteer