**Crossposted from the Circulation Desk** When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland Union Square & Co, 2024 ISBN 978-1-4549-5231-2 ISBN 978-1-4549-5232-9 (e-book) Available: Paperback, Kindle edition Buy: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland is an engaging murder mystery. A beautiful, young, white woman is bludgeoned to death in rural South Carolina church. A young black accountant, […]
Category: YA books
ISBN: 9781643973579 BHC Press, 2023 Generation Annihilation is a bitter, dark YA horror book that starts with a murder, specifically main character Shaun Treadway killing his step father. More complicated than that, the killing comes after his stepfather has put his mother in the hospital again, and launches Shaun into a journey into adulthood […]
BOOK REVIEW: HOW TO SUCCEED IN WITCHCRAFT BY AISLINN BROPHY
March 27, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readees, 2022 ISBN-13: 978-0593354520 Available: Hadcover, paperback, Kindle edition, audiobook Buy: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com Shay is one of the few students of color at T.K. Anderson Prep. In a world where only licensed magic users can get top […]
BOOK REVIEW: NETTLE & BONE BY T. KINGFISHER
March 25, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher Tor, 2023 ISBN-13 978-125024404 Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, audiobook. Buy: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com There is a thin line between fantasy and horror, and between YA and adult fiction. Nettle and Bone dances on that line in this dark fairytale by T. Kingfisher, closer in tone to The […]
**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosoko Jackson Quill Tree Books, 2023 ISBN-13: 978-0063260795 Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook, audio CD Buy: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com I have enjoyed Kosoko Jackson’s previous YA books, the dystopian Survive the Dome and the time travel novel Yesterday is History, both with Black queer boys as protagonists. The […]
BOOK REVIEW: THE MIDNIGHT GIRLS BY ALICIA JASINSKA
February 21, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska Sourcebooks Fire, 2022 ISBN-13: 978-1728209753 Available: Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, Kindle edition. Buy: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com The Midnight Girls takes place in a fantasy kingdom based on the Kingdom of Poland at the end of the 18th century, which was torn apart by wars with […]
BOOK REVIEW: IN THE LAIR OF LEGENDS BY DAVID BUZAN
February 12, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** In The Lair of Legends by David Buzan Black Rose Writing, 2023 ISBN: 978-1-68513-250-7 (Paperback), 978-1-68513-331-3 (Hardcover) Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition Buy: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com In The Lair of Legends by David Buzan is a well-written, exciting tale that combines action, myth and history. Jolon Winterhawk is a Nez Perce warrior who […]
BOOK REVIEW: SHADOW RUNNER BY K.J. FIELER
February 7, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** Shadow Runner by K.J. Fieler Black Rose Writing, 2023 9781685132040 Available: Paperback, Kindle edition Buy (pre-order): Bookshop.org | Amazon.com The only negative to Shadow Runner is that eventually, like all great stories, it ends. It would be tougher to put together a better YA fantasy/thriller than this. Like the Harry Potter series, Shadow Runner has the ability to […]
BOOK REVIEW: THE MEMORY EATER BY REBECCA MAHONEY
February 1, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney Razorbill, 2023 ISBN-13 : 978-0593524602 Available: Hardcover ( Bookshop.org ) Whistler Beach in Maine is a magical place, but frightening for those who know the truth. When was the last time Maine wasn’t like this? Stephen King didn’t invent the spookiness and weirdness […]
BOOK REVIEW: THE LAST DAYS OF SALTON ACADEMY BY JENNIFER BROZEK
January 8, 2024**Cross posted from The Circulation Desk** The Last Days of Salton Academy by Jennifer Brozek. Speaking Volumes, 2022 ISBN-13 : 978-1645406822 Available: Paperback, Kindle edition ( Bookshop.org | Amazon.com ) I at first thought this might be dark academia, and it technically qualifies, but really it’s zombie survival horror that happens to take place mostly at an isolated boarding […]