My Book Reviews

Category: Young Adult

This category contains any posts published in reference to books of Young Adult genre.

  • Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick

    Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick

    Trick or Treat

    Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick
    Release: October 1989
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Scholastic
    Source: Amazon

    Trick or Treat



     

    Trick or Treat Synopsis:

    From the author of The Lifeguard comes the exciting suspense novel about Martha. Not long after Martha moved into the Bedford house, the phone calls began: Trick or treat, Martha. You’re dead. Elizabeth Bedford had been murdered one year earlier, on Halloween night, in the very same room. The murderer was never found, and now the killer is back–for Martha.

    Review:

    Watch my detailed video review of Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rd47eQP1gY[/embedyt]

    This book was ok, but not really the best. First of all, I feel like the author is a tamed version of R.L. Stine without the gore and chills. It has your creepy houses, cemeteries, whispers and shadows, and even a scene in an empty school. All the elements are there and there are some very eerie and suspenseful moments. However, nothing really shocking happens where you feel like it stands out from other Point Horror books.

    But there are some things which are fun to read this book. The book starts off really well and is very atmospheric where each chapter ends in a cliffhanger where you want to find out what happens next. Furthermore, Martha is annoying in the beginning but I eventually started liking her as the protagonist and could relate to how she was feeling.

    Overall, I feel like if I had read this book when it first came out, I would have LOVED it because it was new and fresh and one of the first in the point horror series. But re-reading this now after having read tons of such books, I thought it was very clichéd and outdated.

  • The Once and Future Geek (The Camelot Code #1) by Mari Mancusi

    The Once and Future Geek (The Camelot Code #1) by Mari Mancusi

    Camelot

    The Once and Future Geek (The Camelot Code #1) by Mari Mancusi
    Release: July 25th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Disney Hyperion
    Source: Netgalley

    Camelot



     

    The Once and Future Geek Synopsis:

    Young King Arthur accidentally time travels to the 21st century and googles himself, discovering the not-so-happily ever after in store for him once he pulls the sword from the stone. He decides he’d much rather stay here–and join the football team instead.

    Now modern day gamer geeks Sophie and Stu, with the help of Merlin, find themselves in a race against time to pull a Camelot-size caper–get that sword pulled from the stone and the stubborn once and future king back to the past where he belongs. While Arthur takes on the role of wide-receiver in an attempt to save the football team from a losing season, Sophie and Stu sword-fight, joust, and horseback ride their way through Camelot as they fight to save the timeline. If they fail, the world as they know it (not to mention the existence of pepperoni pizza!) will cease to exist forever.

     

    Review:

    Watch my booktube video review of “The Once and Future Geek (The Camelot Code #1) ” by Mari Mancusi!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwEwQTEQ3fM[/embedyt]

    A BIG thank you to Disney Hyperion and Netgalley for providing an ebook ARC copy of this book. This book was amazing! I loved reading every minute of it. The story is fast paced and has a lot happening to all the characters, so there’s never a dull moment. It has adventure, fantasy, romance, humor, video games, and even history trivia making it so entertaining! I have become a fan of Mari Mancusi and cannot wait to read her other novels after this. Overall, this is one of my favorite reads of 2018 and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is wanting to read a light-hearted adventure/fantasy novel.

    P.S. I apologize for butchering Guinevere’s name in the video 🤐

  • Witch by Christopher Pike

    Witch by Christopher Pike

    Witch

    Witch by Christopher Pike
    Release: December 1st 1990
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Pocket Books
    Source: Bookstore

    Witch



     

    Witch Synopsis:

    She Was A Good Witch. Julia is a young woman with extraordinary powers. She has the ability to heal people with her touch. Julia also knows things that are happening in far-off places when she looks in water that has sunlight shining on it. She comes from a tradition of witches — good witches. But before Julia’s mother died, she warned her daughter never to look in water that had moonlight shining on it.Unfortunately, almost by accident, Julia does. What she sees is a vision of the future, a scene in which a young man she doesn’t know is shot in a hold-up and dies in her arms.

    Only later, when Julia attends a football game at school, does she meet the young man.He is her girlfriend’s new boyfriend.Julia immediately falls for the guy, but it is an ill-fated love. He does not belong to her and he is supposed to die. Or does he have to die? Julia doesn’t know if her vision of the future is set, or if it can be changed. She doesn’t know why the gunman in her vision evokes such hatred in her, and why she feels she must destroy him at all costs. But using the supernatural powers at her command, and risking her own life plus the lives of her friends, Julia will find the answers to all these questions, at a terrible cost.

     

    Review:

    Watch my booktube review of “Witch” by Christopher Pike!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9cqyPbNgtM[/embedyt]

    Firstly, I loved “Witch” by and it is one of my top three of Pike novels, along with “Whisper of Death” and “Road to nowhere”. I loved Julia and all the supporting characters like Amy, Scott, Jim and Randy. Furthermore, there’s a good blend of suspense and thriller elements, along with heart breaking emotional scenes. The characters are stereotypical, but are still fun to read. Probably the only thing that threw me off was the shift Julia’s love interest between Jim and Scott. Overall, I enjoyed reading “Witch”.

  • I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall

    I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall

    Alive

    I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall
    Release: July 24th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Viking Books
    Source: Amazon

    Everlasting



     

    I Am Still Alive Synopsis:

    After
    Jess is alone. Her cabin has burned to the ground. She knows if she doesn’t act fast, the cold will kill her before she has time to worry about food. But she is still alive—for now.

    Before
    Jess hadn’t seen her survivalist, off-the-grid dad in over a decade. But after a car crash killed her mother and left her injured, she was forced to move to his cabin in the remote Canadian wilderness. Just as Jess was beginning to get to know him, a secret from his past paid them a visit, leaving her father dead and Jess stranded.

    After
    With only her father’s dog for company, Jess must forage and hunt for food, build shelter, and keep herself warm. Some days it feels like the wild is out to destroy her, but she’s stronger than she ever imagined.

    Jess will survive. She has to. She knows who killed her father… and she wants revenge.

     

    Review:

    Watch my booktube review on I Am Still Alive!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIXnP3OgJCc[/embedyt]

    I enjoyed reading “I am still alive” by Kate Alice Marshall! It was fast paced, was well written, and was realistically told. Moreover, I especially liked Jess’s interactions with her father and her reaction after he passes away. However, If the character development had been better, I would have loved it! The main thing I didn’t like about the book was how immature and silly Jess comes off as. Even after spending so many weeks in the wilderness, she’s still unfocused and clumsy. Overall though, it is a gripping, survival story and a good page turner. I loved Bo and he was the main highlight of the book for me.

  • You May Now Kill the Bride (Return to Fear Street #1) by R.L. Stine

    You May Now Kill the Bride (Return to Fear Street #1) by R.L. Stine

    Bride

    You May Now Kill the Bride (Return to Fear Street #1) by R.L. Stine
    Release: July 24th 2018
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: HarperTeen
    Source: Amazon

    Bride



     

    You May Now Kill the Bride Synopsis:

    NEW Fear Street stories with a retro look, perfect for fans of Stranger Things!

    Two sisters, divided by time. Each with a terrible resentment she can barely contain.

    Two Fear family weddings, decades apart… Each bride will find that the ancient curse that haunts the Fears LIVES ON. It feeds off the evil that courses through their blood. It takes its toll in unexpected ways, and allows dark history to repeat itself.

    In this all-new Fear Street story, family ties bind sisters together—till DEATH do they part.

     

    Review:

    Watch my video review on the You May Now Kill the Bride!

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhTWWZpIKfY[/embedyt]

    I enjoyed reading “You May Now Kill the Bride” and thought it was a great start to the new Fear Street series! Firstly, I loved the cover design. It has a very creepy, vintage look to it that makes it look like a classic Fear Street novel. Moreover, there are many twists and turns that make you keep guessing as to what is happening to the Fear sisters. The story really picked up in the second half once Harmony starts looking for Marissa. Also, the reveal in the ending also makes sense unlike a lot of the other books in the Fear Street series. Overall, it was a fun read!

  • The Betrayal (The Fear Street Saga Trilogy #1)

    The Betrayal (The Fear Street Saga Trilogy #1)

    Betrayal

    The Betrayal (The Fear Street Saga Trilogy #1) by R.L. Stine
    Release: August 1st 1993
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Simon Pulse
    Source: Amazon

    Betrayal



     

    Fear Street Saga #1: The Betrayal Synopsis:

    The Secret is Out!

    Why do so many horrifying things happen on Fear Street? Nora knows.

    She knows how the terror began. Nora knows about the young girl who burned at the stake–and the bloody feud between two families that caused the unspeakable horror that has lasted 300 years!

    She knows, and she wants to tell.

    Are you sure you want to hear it?

     

    Review:

    I remember reading the Fear Street Saga trilogy when I was a teenager and getting scared from its creepiness. I decided to re-read them along with the continuing “Sagas” series to see if they still had that effect on me now.

    While this book did not have the same effect on me this time, I still enjoyed reading it. The main highlight of “The Betrayal” is in its plot. The overall pacing is fast and consistent and never gets boring at any time. I didn’t care for the character’s love stories because it just went by way too quickly. Instead, the story of revenge, malice and betrayal made this book an enjoyable read. The story spans across generations and it was interesting to read how the feud between the Fiers and the Goodes started. There are still some eerier elements like when the skeleton falls on Ezra, and when Edward sees Susannah’s ghost in the forest. More than Susannah, I felt sorry for Mary and hoped that she got somewhat of a happy ending.

    There were a few minor problems with this book though. Firstly, there are a lot of characters involved, and the pacing is also very fast, so it takes time to a hang of who’s who. There are also a few sexist remarks which are uncomfortable to read, with dialogues like ‘a woman’s place is in the kitchen’. However, I guess that was true for that time so really can’t complain about that. I would have liked to see more details on how William practiced his magic to get revenge on the Fiers. It would have been fun to also get a backstory on Benjamin and how the trials got started.

    Overall, “The Betrayal” is still a fun book to read and I think those reading it for the first time will still find it intriguing and suspenseful.

  • Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina #1) by Robert Beatty

    Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina #1) by Robert Beatty

    Serafina

    Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina #1) by Robert Beatty
    Release: July 14th 2015
    Format: Kindle
    Publisher: Disney•Hyperion
    Source: Amazon

    Serafina


    Serafina and the Black Cloak Synopsis:

    “Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.”

    Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember.

    But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.

    Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

     

    Review:

    I’m a bit late in reading this series, but better late than never, right? Having said that, I really enjoyed reading this book.

    Serafina is a great character that you want to root for from the first page. She has such an innocent yet brave quality in her that you cannot help but like her. Serafina believes in herself even though she knows she is different from others. She is independent and takes charge to do what is right without depending on anyone else. There are so many qualities in her that make her an inspiring role model. I also enjoyed Braedan’s character, and liked the friendship between the two. Also, I loved Serafina’s father and felt that he was an underrated character. Moreover, I was fascinated and scared by the Man in the Black Cloak. There are hardly any memorable villains in recently published novels, and I think that’s one of the main reasons this book held my interest.

    However, there were two aspects that bothered me a bit while reading Serafina. The first reason is the number of characters. The author introduces a lot of characters in the beginning and it takes time to get used to it. Due to this, I found the story to be initially slow at times, but it picked up as soon as Braeden and Serafina meet. The second reason that had me rolling my eyes was how Serafina managed to escape unbelievably fantastic situations and came out barely scratched. True that this is a magical fantasy novel, but I just couldn’t connect to the character during these scenes. There are so many instances where you feel that she should be breaking a few bones from her actions, but seconds later, she is perfect with just a few minor bruises.

    However, apart from these small details, I really liked this middle grade novel. Robert Beatty has a beautiful style of writing and it reminded me a lot of JK Rowling. There are so many wonderful messages and themes included to make this an engaging read. It’s one of those books that readers of any age would enjoy. I also think it would be a great adaptation to a movie someday. Overall, “Serafina and the Black Cloak” is a wonderful start to the series and I cannot wait to pick up “The Twisted Staff”!

  • In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2) by Adam Gidwitz

    In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2) by Adam Gidwitz

    Glass

    In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2) by Adam Gidwitz
    Release: September 27th 2012
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Puffin Books
    Source: Edelweiss+

    Glass


    In a Glass Grimmly Synopsis:

    More Grimm tales await in the harrowing, hilarious companion to a beloved new classic

    Take caution ahead—
    Oversize plant life, eerie amphibious royalty, and fear-inducing creatures abound.

    Lest you enter with dread.
    Follow Jack and Jill as they enter startling new landscapes that may (or may not) be scary, bloody, terrifying, and altogether true.

    Step lively, dear reader . . .
    Happily ever after isn’t cutting it anymore.

     

    Book Trailer:

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2iJBXxhzDI[/embedyt]

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to Edelweiss+, Puffin Books and Penguin Publishing Group for providing me a copy of “In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2)” by Adam Gidwitz in exchange for my review. Edelweiss+ only had a snippet preview of this book, but I loved the first book in this series so much that I decided to purchase the remaining two. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with “In a Glass Grimmly”.

    My main problem was with the lead characters. I didn’t enjoy Jack and Jill as much as Hansel and Gretel from Book 1. In the first book, Hansel and Gretel become this brave, mature duo who risk it all to save their loved ones. Moreover, in the first book, a lot of things happen to the two without their control, like Hansel turning into a monster. In this book, I really couldn’t stand Jack for most part. Jill is tolerable as she acts wise and learns from her mistakes. Jack, on the other hand, comes off as a whiny person who keeps pouting and getting into trouble. Sure, he has his moments where he acts smart, but it’s very few.

    *POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD*. Furthermore, I really didn’t like the way the characters were written towards the end. What particularly irked me was how the kids start acting like their old selves once they go back, only to randomly realize their foolishness one day and walk away. It seemed very awkward that this just happened out of the blue. Even the parents suddenly wake up on hearing about their children and decide to love them again. How did this magic suddenly take place? I feel that the author got lazy towards the end and just wanted to conclude the book with a happy ending.

    However, apart from the characters, I actually loved the plot of this book. In some ways, the storylines mentioned in this are much better than the first book. This author has blended so many of our favorite classics like the little Mermaid, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack and Jill, The Emperor’s New Clothes and even Mother Goose. There are a lot of wonderful supporting characters like the Frog and the man with the red beard. I also loved the idea of people getting ‘con-fused’. The story provides a great moral to just be yourself and do what makes you happy, and not what others think about you.

    Overall, I felt like this would have been an amazing book had the characters been more strong and likable.

    [Read my Review on Book 1: A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm #1)]

  • Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files #1) by Carolyn Keene

    Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files #1) by Carolyn Keene

    Secrets

    Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files #1) by Carolyn Keene
    Release: August 1st 1986
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster
    Source: Amazon

    Secrets


    Secrets Can Kill Synopsis:

    Nancy poses as a student and goes undercover to investigate a series of thefts at Bedford High.

     

    Review:

    I used to love reading “Nancy Drew Files” when I was growing up. It’s one of the series that got me hooked into reading. I decided to re-read some these books in order to see if they are still as good as they were then. I am glad to say that this book still holds the charm as it did years ago. It’s so much fun to read about your favorite characters again like Bess, George, Ned and Hannah.

    The story starts off easy where Nancy is just investigating petty vandalism in a school. However, once she goes undercover, she realizes the case is just the tip of espionage, blackmail and even murder among other things. The story has a few twists and turns that are fun and suspenseful to read. I guessed who the prime suspect to the murder would be midway, but it was still interesting to see how it turned out. I’m not sure if the new generation would be keen on this though because it contains some outdated reference like videotapes and audio cassettes.

    I also liked reading on Ned and Nancy’s relationship even when she has feelings for Daryl. It would have been interesting to see a love triangle between the three. Maybe Daryl will show up again later in the series. However, there were some scenes where Nancy seemed out of character. For starters, she falls head over heels over Daryl from just looking at him, which is very unlike her. Then, she swoons over Daryl over the oddest moments. For instance, Nancy seems to be infatuated with Daryl even when their car is out of control and blows up. Also, I don’t see how cool the girls can be when there is a crazy Government official chasing and threatening to kill them. I have to admit though, Bess is hilarious and always knows how to add humor, even when she is involved in a high speed car chase.

    Overall, this was a good start to the series and hold well even today!

  • Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

    Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

    Scared

    Born Scared by Kevin Brooks
    Expected Release: September 11th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Candlewick Press
    Source: Netgalley

    Scared


    Born Scared Synopsis:

    Elliot has lived his first thirteen years confined to his home, incapacitated by fear. Now he’s out of pills, snow is falling, and his only safe person is missing. A terrifying thriller from Carnegie Medalist Kevin Brooks.

    From the moment of his birth, Elliot’s life has been governed by fear of almost everything, even of his own fear — a beast that holds him prisoner in his room. The beast is kept at bay, though not eliminated, with a daily regimen of pills. But on Christmas Eve, a mix-up at the pharmacy threatens to unleash the beast full force, and his mother must venture out in a raging snowstorm to a store that should be only minutes away.

    Hours later, when she still hasn’t returned, Elliot sees no choice but to push through his terror, leave the house, and hunt for her. What happens if the last of his medication wears off and the beast starts scratching at the doors of his mind? Everyone has a breaking point — will Elliot come to his? With plot twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats, multi-award-winning author Kevin Brooks offers a high-suspense exploration of fear and what it means to truly be afraid.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for providing me a copy of “Born Scared” by Kevin Brooks in exchange for my review. I had high expectations for this book! A YA psychological thriller about mental illness, with an awesome cover? I knew I had to read this one! However, it didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.

    The main aspect I loved about this book was the dark and eerie atmosphere it creates. The author has beautifully blended the fairy tale fantasies with the horrors of adult life. I felt like I was in a backdrop of a very creepy and dark version of “Twin Peaks”. A town where everyone is a little strange and odd things keep occurring. There are also some terrifying moments that had me to the edge of my seat. I tensed when Elliot stumbled into the house in the woods with the two strange men with gun. Also, I thought that the other two villains dressed as Santa Claus were comical but eerie because I didn’t know how they would react. I also loved Ellamay as the mysterious character, and still don’t know if she is a ghost or a figment of Elliot’s conscious.

    However, I had a few problems while reading this novel. The main trouble I had with this story was it was very hard to relate with Elliot. He fears over the most minuscule things, and while it’s interesting to read, it’s difficult to connect with. Also, since Elliot fears everything, it is  difficult to digest the transformation that suddenly occurs. It hits the readers the same time it hits Elliot, and I found it very hard to believe. The book also gets repetitive and monotonous at times where we keep hearing how tormented Elliot is over his fears.

    Also, I really felt like Gordon’s character and his story-line was completely out of place. I guess he’s acts to be the comic relief in the plot but it didn’t fit right. When the main story-line is so suspenseful, I felt frustrated by the change of mood and setting when Gordon appeared.

    Frankly, I enjoyed Kevin Brook’s style of writing and am interested in picking up some of his other novels. I think he is a wonderful storyteller, and this book would have been amazing if the characters were relatable. While I love reading books about psychology and mental illness, I felt that “Born Scared” was a little too out there, especially as a YA Novel. Overall, “Born Scared” was a good read with some suspenseful moments, but it was not what I had expected.