Review: These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

These Deadly Games by Diana Urban

These Deadly Games
Diana Urban
Wednesday Books
Published February 1, 2022

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About These Deadly Games

Let’s play a game.

You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. And if you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.

Are you ready?

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, … Continue reading

16 Amazing YA Books Coming Winter 2022

16 Amazing YA Books Coming Winter 2022

16 Amazing YA Books Coming Winter 2022

I imagined posting this list the first or second week of January, but here we are on February first, and I’m finally getting it posted. But here it is! These are some of the books I’m most excited about reading this winter.

At the end of the year last year, someone asked if there are just not any good YA books coming out anymore, which sparked some debate on Book Twitter. While I think everyone is allowed their opinion on the books they love (or don’t), I gotta say, I’m still seeing some incredible books hitting shelves these days in the YA market. If you missed it, … Continue reading

Review: For the Good of All by M. B. Dahl

For the Good of All by M. B. Dahl

For the Good of All
M. B. Dahl
Elk Lake Publishing
Published August 8, 2021

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About For the Good of All

“For the good of all, we give ourselves.”

At least that’s how the mantra goes. Everyone knows the refrain. Everyone responds to it. But Ren seriously doubts how killing off people who are different is good for anyone, especially when she’s hiding her own difference.

Just graduated, Ren follows her friend Bala’s advice, “blend in.” Being overlooked isn’t a problem until a cute guy asks her out. Owen’s handsome, funny, and sees her. He treats her like an equal, not a … Continue reading

Review: Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller

Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller

Blade of Secrets (Bladesmith #1)
Tricia Levenseller
Feiwel & Friends
Published May 4, 2021

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About Blade of Secrets

Eighteen-year-old Ziva prefers metal to people. She spends her days tucked away in her forge, safe from society and the anxiety it causes her, using her magical gift to craft unique weapons imbued with power.

Then Ziva receives a commission from a powerful warlord, and the result is a sword capable of stealing its victims’ secrets. A sword that can cut far deeper than the length of its blade. A sword with the strength to topple kingdoms. When Ziva learns of the warlord’s intentions to use the … Continue reading

Review: Making Waves by Albert Bates

Making Waves by Albert Bates

Making Waves: Saving Our Oceans
Albert Bates
Groundswell
Published August 5, 2021

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About Making Waves

This book provides an educational and engaging look at the interdependent relationship between the oceans and ourselves, and what is needed to protect the oceans’ ecosystems. Young adults learn about a variety of human activities that affect water temperature, oxygen levels, acidity, ice density, sea levels and sea-life populations.

Bates explains how measures such as blue carbon initiatives to prohibit deep-sea mining, replanting mangroves, protecting salt marshes and seagrasses and restoring coral reefs have benefits that have a multiplier effect–and that it is more cost-effective and financially rewarding to do … Continue reading

Review: The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada’s Reef by Michael D. Beil

The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada's Reef by Michael D. Beil

The Swallowtail Legacy: Wreck at Ada’s Reef
Michael D. Beil
Pixel + Ink
Published February 1, 2022

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About Wreck at Ada’s Reef

Twelve-year-old Lark Heron-Finch is steeling herself to spend the summer on Swallowtail Island off the shores of Lake Erie. It’s the first time that she and her sister will have seen the old house since their mom passed away. And while her stepfather and his boys are okay, the island’s always been full of happy memories–and now everything is different.

When Nadine, a close family friend, tells Lark about a tragic boat accident that happened off the … Continue reading