Ashes by M. K. Harkins - OPTIONAL

Ashes by M. K. Harkins, 303 pages MK Harkins, 2022. $13.

Language: R (121 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Ashley is a high school senior living for graduation when she can go to college far away from her stepmother and stepsisters. The last thing Ashley thinks she needs is to get involved with the drama around pop singer Harry James coming to her high school. But a fairy godmother-in-training has a different idea.

Harkins’ modern spin on Cinderella includes actual fairies, which I found odd since the rest of the story is set in our world. The story itself felt shallow as the characters go through ridiculous situations and readers slog through a handful of inconsistencies. Harkins is also very explicit in the prologue about the negative aspects of our society right now, especially regarding social media and how we are our biggest obstacles in life, which is why we – and Ashley – need fairy help to find happiness.

Ashley is half Irish, half Polynesian, and the other characters were implied white. The mature content rating is for mentions of drugs and alcohol, mention of vape, mention of rape, illegal activity, and innuendo. The violence rating is for murder and attempted murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

All Signs Point to Yes by G. Haron Davis, Cam Montgomery, and Adrianne White - OPTIONAL

All Signs Point to Yes by G. Haron Davis, Cam Montgomery, and Adrianne White, 336 pages. SHORT STORIES. Inkyard Press. 2022. $20.

Language: R (113 swears, 18 “f"); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Thirteen authors share love stories – one for each star sign. Ranging from romantic love to familial love and from fantastical settings to realistic ones, there is a story for every believer of stars – and even for those who do not yet believe.

Overall, the stories were good. I have a couple favorites, but not all of them were engaging and two stories had me confused by the end. The authors are clear about the diversity of their non-white main characters. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, drug abuse, innuendo, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for mention of guns and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater - OPTIONAL

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater, 367 pages. Disney Press, 2022. $20.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

The Cailleach, goddess of creation, and Feradach, a god of ruin, have opposing intentions for DunBroch. Unwittingly, Princess Merida gets tangled up in the middle, thanks to her sometimes un-princess-like choices and a little bit of trickery. Now she has a bargain with Feradach that will determine whether creation or ruin succeeds in directing the future of her clan, her castle, and her kingdom.

Stiefvater sets this book several years after the movie, though the exact amount of time that has passed is ambiguous. Merida is still headstrong and needs to do things her way, but I didn’t enjoy reading this book as much as I wanted to – maybe because most of the characters felt too flat, maybe because I didn’t like Merida’s attitude, maybe because I felt like some of the characters were changed too much from the movie, and probably a combination of those things. I did love reading about the god of ruin: how he tries to show Merida the necessary role of ruin in our lives and the miracle of change even if it doesn’t first appear to be a miracle.

Merida, her family, her kingdom, and those they visit in the book are all Scottish. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol, and the violence rating is for death and battle scenes.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan - OPTIONAL

A Show for Two by Tashie Bhuiyan, 416 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $19.

Language: R (139 swears, 39 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Mina, a high school senior, will have time to figure out her emotions and mental health later. Right now, she needs to focus on avoiding her parents, getting into USC, and winning the Golden Ivy student film competition – all the things that will make her life better. Unfortunately, Mina just made an enemy out of her best chance at winning the film competition via insulting him. Multiple times.

Bhuiyan has written a good book with realistic characters – and I especially loved the occasional use of beautiful Arabic words. But I did not like Mina because of how she treats people. At first, just those she deems aren’t worth her time are those she treats poorly, but then she extends poor treatment to those she counts as loved ones because Mina blinds herself to other’s needs. I understand how it happened and how it fits into her character growth, but it was still hard to read with a protagonist I didn’t like. Also, you should read the author’s note.

Mina and her family are Bangladeshi Muslims, and Emmitt is half Chinese, half Spanish. There are a few other non-white side characters mentioned, including Nigerian and Brazilian. The mature content rating is for mention of alcohol, making out, and innuendo.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Reclaim the Stars by Zoraida Cordova - OPTIONAL

Reclaim the Stars: 17 Tales Across Realms and Space by Zoraida Cordova, 432 pages. SHORT STORIES. Wednesday Books, 2022. $20.

Language: R (60 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Seventeen stories with protagonists who don’t usually get time in the spotlight. These scifi and fantasy stories go beyond my imagination and include new cultures and ideas to amaze each reader.

The variety of culture and characters and stories included here makes me wish I knew what prompt was given to spark their creation. A lot of Spanish is used in the text, and the usage ranged in stories from being cool to being a little irritating because I don’t know Spanish. I liked over half the stories, but I loved stories 6 and 17 – they are simply beautiful.

True to the mission of the authors, the characters depicted are not white, coming from a variety of backgrounds. The mature content rating is for innuendo, harassment, scary descriptions, partial nudity, abortion, and mentions of sex. The violence rating is for blood, gun use, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen 

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly - ADVISABLE

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly, 295 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2022. $27.

Language: PG (7 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Captain Rostron is captain of a fine ship – even if Carpathia isn’t the Titanic everyone is raving about. He and his crew are at the end of a regular day when they receive news that Titanic is sinking. Doing everything they can to go to the Titanic’s aid, Captain Rostron worries that everything won’t be enough.

Connolly writes about the Titanic and the only ship that goes to assist them, and, yet, the inevitable tragedy felt sudden and urgent. Sorrow is as tangible as the tears that will run down your face, and your knowledge of the Titanic wars with your hope that these characters – portraying real people – will live.

The characters are from a variety of European and American backgrounds, the majority being implied white. The mature content rating is for mention of alcohol use; the violence rating is for suggestion of suicide and descriptions of dead bodies.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The House With Chicken Legs - ESSENTIAL

The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson, 272 pgs. Scholastic Press, 2018. $17

Language: G (no swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (parental death off page)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

12-year-old Marinka lives an unusual life. Her grandmother is a Yaga, which means they have an important duty to guide people to the afterlife. It also means they live in a house with chicken legs that moves them all over as they find the souls in need. While her grandmother is kind and the house is fun, playing many games like hide-and-seek and tag with Marinka, she longs for a human friend her own age. When her chance comes to finally make a friend, Marinka will take risks and break all the rules resulting in devastating consequences. 

An absolutely charming telling of the Baba Yaga legend. While it is placed in a contemporary setting, none of the folklore feel or magic of the original myth is lost. The reader will be taken on a journey through a story that brings both whimsy, with a personified house that plays and protects Marinka, and moments that explore grief and the process of moving forward from loss.  

Reviewer: AEB 

Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti - OPTIONAL

Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti, 352 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Random House Graphic, 2022. $24

Language: G (1 swear); Mature Content: PG; Violence: R (repeated sci-fi fighting and killing)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW 

Fassen is a genderqueer teen who is fighting with a rebel group, the Firebacks, against a cold, militaristic Ever-Blossoming Empire; and their friend, Lu, a pacifist scientist living in a peaceful commune outside the fighting from either group. Over the course of the novel, Fassen must come to terms about the costs of living in the rebel society and what is really worth fighting for. 

Science fiction is a great genre that can sometimes more easily analyze current society than contemporary fiction can. This book does a great job of exploring the different ways society can operate and what different cultures place value in, even in space. I give a lot of kudos to the text for the many different kinds of ethnic and gender-identity representation in this graphic novel, but the sci-fi setting and complex world-building might be a hard sell to the casual reader. 

 #BookswithBeddes https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9780593124130

Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park - OPTIONAL

Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park, 352 pages. Sourcebooks, 2021. $11

Language: R (35 swears, 4 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking, minor drug references, one off-screen allusion to sex); Violence: G; 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Korean-American teenager Sunny Song is an up and coming social media star based in LA, but after a live baking disaster goes viral for all the wrong reasons, Sunny is shipped off to a digital detox summer camp on a farm in Iowa. Sunny is determined to hang onto her sliver of fame, even going as far as to smuggle a burner phone and WiFi signal booster onto the premises so she can compete in a content creator competition. But the longer she is unplugged, the more she realizes how important IRL connections can be. 

 I wanted to like this more than I did. There is a lot going on in this book - social media addiction, bullying, mean girls, parental relationship drama, teen summer romance, and dealing with insta-fame - but the book doesn’t deal meaningfully with any of it. The best part of the book was the small group sessions, where there are some insightful lessons touched on but they are fleeting and not really incorporated well into the rest of the plot. The main character doesn’t really grow, the teen romance is superficial, and everything wraps up all too neatly in the end. It’s a cute fish-out-of-water tale, but not much more than that. 

Reviewer: #BookswithBeddes 

A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth - ADVISABLE

A Rush of Wings by Laura E. Weymouth, 322 pages. McElderry Books (Simon), 2021. $15 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (witches, sexism); Violence: PG-13 (monsters, demons, some blood) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

All of Rowenna's life she has dreamed of fulfilling her role within her Scottish village by being the local craft maker- or what the village people call her- witch. But her mom, Mairead does not believe Rowenna is ever ready to tap into her craft and the magic within her. But when a strong storm leads the death of Mairead, Rowenna is left to figure out how to use her power without her mother's help. Soon after, Mairead is on her doorstep, not dead. But Rowenna senses foul play, and knows that whatever thing entered her home, is not her mother and possibly the most dangerous thing she'll ever encounter. 

 In A Rush of Wings I enjoyed the lush setting of Scotland that I got transported to and go to be apart of, it really seemed beautiful- the rolling hills and the stony cliffs! The main character, Rowenna, had spunk and I found a lot of myself in her which I enjoyed. For me, the overall pacing just seemed slow and didn't really have a sense of purpose, it was a very character driven plot and focused more on the character development and relationships which isn't always something I am interested in. 

 Kenzie Hoehne Student Reviewer 

Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur - HIGH

 Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur, 234 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. Aladdin (Simon), 2022. $21. 9781534480292 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (mother leaving); Violence: PG (bullying, superhero fighting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Middle school superhero Wyatt wants to help people, but his dad wants him to hide his superpowers. Younger sister, Adeline, who is super smart, has just moved up 2 grades to start in Wyatt’s class, which is lucky, because while Wyatt is a great executor, she is a great planner. Together, Wyatt and A+ (Adeline’s superhero name) solve a mystery of missing animals that their father, a police detective, has been trying to solve for weeks. 

 The colorful illustrations sold me on this book. I found the beginning a little confusing as to whether Wyatt was actually a superhero or just a kid with a great imagination, but to my 12 year old son, it was clear that Wyatt had superpowers. He loved the suspense, action, and overall the entire story. This debut graphic novel for this author had the feel of a Marvel superheroes graphic novel, but with younger teens. Overall, a book that I think many middle grade students would enjoy. 

Reviewer J. Rosskopf 

The Lost Language by Claudia Mills - AVERAGE

 The Lost Language by Claudia Mills. 304 pages. Holiday House, 2021. $17

 Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (alcoholism, attempted suicide); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - AVERAGE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In Benson Colorado, 11yo Betsy (Elizabeth) and her very outspoken best friend Lizard (also Elizabeth) try to save the dying language Guernesiais (the native language of people from the British Isle of Guernsey) as a surprise for Betsy’s mom who is a linguist who studies dying languages. Through their journey of trying to learn the lost language and help other 7th graders learn the language, they discover the need to use their own language (English) to express their own feelings to save friendships and family relationships. 

The book was written in verse. It was a very effective way of presenting the story as it allowed for the main characters thoughts to be expressed in an organized and poignant fashion. So many aspects of their families, friendships, and their middle school experience were relatable. The reader cheers for Betsy when she says what she feels. There is excellent catharsis, especially at the end. The Lost Language would be great for a poetry unit or a psychology class. School councilors could also use this book. 

Reviewer: Julia N. 

Breaking Time by Sasha Alsberg - OPTIONAL

Breaking Time by Sasha Alsberg. 343 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $20 

Language: PG-13 (27 swears 0 F’s); Mature Content: PG-13 (sensual kissing scenes, alcohol use); Violence: PG-13 (descriptive murder, intense fight scenes) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

In Scotland, 1568, 19yo Cullum watches his best friend Thomas get murdered by what seems to be a superhuman being. While trying to avenge his friend, Callum gets sucked into a time warp that drops him on the highway in front of 19yo Klara in the year 2022. Klara is almost murdered by the same supernatural entity that killed Thomas (the demi-god Llaw) because she unknowingly had been given power by the goddess Arianrhod and Llaw wants the power. She must stay alive past Samhain (Scottish Halloween) or Llaw will use her powers to disrupt the very fabric of time in every universe. Klara and Callum travel to the mystic centers of Scotland to unlock Klara’s power and gain answers. Romance blooms between Klara and Callum. Sacrifices are made, but together they save the worlds. 

 It took 38 pages to become interested. The book is brain candy. Breaking time is a romance, fantasy, book with a few intense action sequences. Fans of Outlanders would like it. Descriptions of the sexual tension was very effective. The descriptions of the areas visited in Scotland were spot on. Alsberg left the ending open to a sequel. High School girls who like fantasy would probably love this book. I can’t see a teenage boy picking up this book unless they looked past the cover. 

Reviewer: Julia N. 

Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao - HIGH

Winnie Zeng Unleashes a Legend by Katie Zhao, 288 pages. Random House Children’s Books, 2022. $17. 

Language: PG (3 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

11yo Winnie Zeng is facing her biggest challenge yet: middle school! But no amount of research into middle school survival tactics could have prepared her for a sixth grade year like this one. Entirely by accident, Winnie discovers that she has inherited special powers that she has to embrace and learn to use quickly, or there’s no telling what amount of havoc and chaos the legendary evil spirits might wreak! 

Winnie is an instantly likable, relatable pre-teen girl. She loves manga and anime, she wants to please her parents and teachers, she has an ongoing competition with her arch nemesis (who always seems to best her), she deals with an angsty older sister and has to tolerate a mean clique of girls, all while trying to figure out how to navigate middle school and hold on to her Chinese culture (but not stand out because of it). Her story is action-packed, humor-filled, and gives the reader a glimpse into Chinese legends, history and culture. Some of the timeline felt a little rushed and confusing, but overall it was a fun read that grabbed my attention right away and I suspect students who are fans of Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan Presents books will enjoy it, too. Supernatural elements, some battle scenes and slightly frightening situations, plus a bit of mild language give this book a PG rating. 

Reviewer: Angie Campbell, EL Librarian 

Fred & Marjorie: ...the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel and Angela Poon - ADVISABLE

 Fred & Marjorie: A Doctor, A Dog, and the Discovery of Insulin by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Angela Poon. 54 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL, NON-FICTION. Owlkids Books, 2021. $19. ISBN 9781771474115 

Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG (animal testing, diabetes); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

It’s fall of 1920. Fred Banting, a young surgeon and animal lover, who recently finished up his residency at Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, comes up with a great idea for how to treat juvenile diabetes, which up to this point is a deadly disease. Fred and student assistant, Charles Best, are given a small lab at the University of Toronto to test their theory on stray dogs. Marjorie, one of the strays, plays an essential part, as she is the dog who lives the longest without a pancreas, leading to the belief that insulin is indeed a life saving treatment for diabetes. 

 This heartwarming story about how insulin was discovered as a treatment for diabetes was such a cute read. The illustrations are simple and realistic looking. There is not too much going on on each page, which I think makes a good graphic novel. The spine, which only shows Fred & Marjorie, is not going to sell this book on its own, but anyone with a connection to diabetes will surely love this story, as well as those interested in the sciences and discovery of cures. Animal lovers should be aware. The dogs are heroes, but they do die. At the end of the story is included an author’s note that gives both a history of diabetes, but also describes the ethical dilemma of animal testing. 

Reviewer: J. Rosskopf https://www.kingsenglish.com/book/9781771474115

An Unfamiliar Duke by Sian Ann Bessey - OPTIONAL

An Unfamiliar Duke by Sian Ann Bessey, 290 pages. Covenant Communications, 2022. $17.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Despite knowing her twenty-first birthday would be celebrated with an arranged marriage, Rosalind has held out hope that her groom-to-be would release her from the contract. Sebastian has avoided society as much as possible, which, unfortunately, also means he’s avoided his bride-to-be. Meeting again for the first time in years, neither is sure of the other, but a spark of hope encourages them to move forward.

Bessey has put together one of the most realistic relationships I’ve ever read. Rosalind and Sebastian are both hesitant about their arranged marriage, but they are also both committed to making it work, and none of their words or actions felt forced. Though there are hurts along the way, nothing super dramatic happens to add conflict to their relationship – though the antagonist certainly adds some drama from outside the relationship. It’s refreshing to read a book where the main characters choose to look for the good and make unideal situations work.

Both main characters are English. The mature content rating is for kissing; the violence rating is for illegal activity and gun use.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon - OPTIONAL

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon, 432 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2022. $20.

Language: R (209 swears, 88 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Everything will be different – better – at college, at least, that’s what Barrett (18yo) told herself. And then she burned down a house on the first day of classes. Thankfully, she woke up on the morning of the first day of classes a second time for a redo from the universe. But then it happened again. And again.

Most of what I didn’t like about this book are the frequency of Barrett’s dirty jokes and the sex scene, but I loved the story – a new take on Groundhog Day – and how brilliantly Solomon wove everyone’s lives together. I enjoyed the two very different perspectives that Barrett and Miles have, and their relatable struggles with life and relationships and fear. For better or worse, Solomon has dated her book with a few contemporary references, like Baby Yoda, that make the story that much more fun for readers of today.

Barrett is Jewish, and Miles is both Jewish and Japanese. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, innuendo, mentions of drugs, illegal activity, mentions of genitalia, mentions of masturbation and orgasms, nudity, and sex. The violence rating is for severe bullying, threats, and death.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Savage City by L. Penelope - NO

Savage City by L. Penelope, 281 pages. OrangeSky Audio, 2022. $20.

Language: PG (12 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - NO

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Talia (23yo) is surprised to find herself in a world that looks like hers – besides the magical creatures and powers, of course – because the last thing she remembers is dying. In this world, those around her keep insisting that she is the missing princess, and Talia hopes to help the kingdom and those who are enslaved by going along with the charade. The longer she pretends, though, the more disheartened Talia becomes; she is nothing like the princess and maybe she doesn’t want to be.

Overall, Talia’s story is well written. The world building of a fantastical futuristic San Francisco is interesting, especially with the separation of races by how they use the magic system involved. However, Talia is Mary Sue-ish and there is an explicit sex scene that was unnecessary. If you stop reading at the end of the last chapter, the story wraps up very nicely; reading the epilogue leads to a cliffhanger. Also, I listened to the audiobook version, and the two narrators did a very good job.

Talia is portrayed on the cover as Black and is described as having brown skin. Ryin is described as having freckled, cinnamon skin. Shad is described as African-Korean in appearance. Penelope also includes descriptions of various skin colors and races of side characters. The mature content rating is for intense makeout sessions, nudity, foreplay, and sex. The violence rating is for mentions of child abuse, blood, battle gore, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Corpse Queen by Heather M. Herrman - OPTIONAL

The Corpse Queen by Heather M. Herrman, 401pgs. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2021. $19

Language: R (44 swears, 4 ‘f’s); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (attempted murder, abuse of a corpse, traumatic birth, murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

In 1855, Seventeen-year-old Molly Green’s fortunes suddenly change when a woman she has never met sends for her, allowing her to leave the orphanage behind and embark on a mysterious adventure. The tasks she agrees to perform for her new benefactor will enable her to live in luxury and attempt an education usually closed to women, but at what cost?

While the subject matter, grave robbing and corpse dissection, is gruesome, the character development and setting create a story that readers will enjoy. Molly’s adventures are compelling, even at times terrifying. Secondary characters are also well developed and likable leaving the reader with many choices for favorite protagonist and villain.

Reviewer: AEB

The Perfect Place to Die by Bryce Moore - NO

The Perfect Place to Die by Bryce Moore, 320 pgs. Sourcebooks, 2021. $11

Language: G (No Swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (murder and violence against women)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - NO

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Zuretta’s sister, Ruby,  has run away to the big city of Chicago. Fearing for her safety, Zuretta leaves small town life to find her. Soon Zuretta will discover that dangers lurk in the fast paced excitement of the big city. Between the chaos of the World Fair and an unnamed terror stalking young women, Zuretta must find her sister before it is too late. 

Blatant historical mistakes, a plot that is dependent on coincidence and convenience, and a main character who is presented as strong and brave, but whose actions and behavior are in fact ridiculous, create a story that is not worth the reader’s time. Knowing that the intended audience is young and more than likely unaware of one of the most infamous serial killers in the history of the United States does not entirely excuse the unmasking of said serial killer being the “twist” that is supposed to leave the reader stunned. 

Reviewer: AEB

Belle Morte by Bella Higgin - OPTIONAL

Belle Morte by Bella Higgin, 336 pages. Wattpad Books, 2022. $19.

Language: R (81 swears, 20 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Vampires have been made into celebrities, thanks to the mysterious and ethereal image they keep up with the media. If it wasn’t for her sister, June, Renie (18yo) would continue enjoying her life far away from vampires. But June went into one of the vampire houses and hasn’t been heard from in months. Renie is determined to figure out what happened, and she isn’t going to let anyone – not even a houseful of vampires – keep her from finding her sister.

Since this book was originally a Wattpad story, it has a more soap-opera-y feel than a typical novel. Each chapter is like an episode that has its own conflict, which makes for an odd flow, inconsistencies, and lots of eye rolling from this reader. I like Higgin’s take on vampires, and Renie’s story can still be entertaining as long as its Wattpad weaknesses don’t bother you.

Renie is implied white, and most of the vampires are French – and, of course, have pale skin. At least one side character is of a non-white race. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, nudity, discussions of sex, groping, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for blood and vampires feeding, mention of suicide, battle gore, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

How to Be the Best Third Wheel by Loridee De Villa - OPTIONAL

How to Be the Best Third Wheel by Loridee De Villa, 336 pages. Wattpad Books, 2022. $11.

Language: R (39 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Getting back from summer vacation with the fam in the Philippines, Lara is surprised on the first day of senior year that all three of her best friends got boyfriends. Even worse, the three boyfriends are friends with Lara’s mortal enemy: James. With betrayals stacked on top of being guilted into tutoring James and pressure to prepare for her future, Lara feels more out of place than ever.

The vomit of background information in chapter one introduced the book as amateur writing. With that knowledge up front, De Villa’s silly and ridiculous writing style was able to be more entertaining than annoying – though still in an eye rolling kind of way. Lara’s story feels exaggerated, like it’s not meant to be realistic but just continual funny scenes as Lara tries to figure out what she wants to do with her life.

Lara is Filipino, James is half-Filipino, and De Villa wrote a very diverse set of supporting characters: Jasmine is Chinese, Carol is Indian, Kiera is white, Logan is white, Mark is Peruvian, and Daniel is Black. This diversity is shown on the front cover. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, innuendo, and mentions of sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen