Teen Picks - Reviews

Reviewed by Annabelle Porter: “They will not use my tears for their entertainment.” Haymitch Abernathy is unfairly chosen to be a part of the 50th annual Hunger Games, where he has to fight to survive against 47 other tributes and be the last one standing. As Haymitch struggles both in and outside the games, he works to defy the Capitol and keep his loved ones back home safe. Will Haymitch choose to be a good ally or play the games solo? Sunrise on the Reaping is the 5th book in the Hunger Games Series and a prequel to the original story, The Hunger Games. This story is not only an emotional rollercoaster but also heartbreakingly relevant. If you enjoy reading about dystopian societies or heart-racing suspense, becoming emotionally attached to characters, and uncovering political allegories, this book is perfect for you!

Reviwed by Taylor Bell: Poppy’s life has never really been her own. In a world that rests on her shoulders, as she is Maiden, the chosen one who must be worthy to the gods, Poppy must be prim and proper in every way. However, complications arise when a new guard, Hawke, is assigned to protect her and ensure she is able to do her duties as the Maiden. She finds herself in an internal conflict between her duty to her world and her want to be free from this life that isn't really hers. Battling this conflict she uncovers shocking truths of a world she thought she knew, changing everything. Those who enjoyed this book would also enjoy authors Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa along with other page-turners such as A Winters Promise by Christelle Dabos.

Reviewed by Annabelle Porter: “Nothing you can take from me was ever worth keeping.” 64 years before the 74th Hunger Games, soon-to-be president, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow is surprised to learn that for his final school assignment, he must mentor a tribute from the districts during the 10th Hunger Games and win to receive the high honor of the Plinth Prize. Not only does Coryo believe this is an impossible feat, but the task becomes even more difficult when he falls for his tribute from District 12, musician and member of the Covey Lucy Gray Baird. Coryo must act fast and prepare Lucy Gray to win at all costs, even if that means sending others to their deaths. Will Coryo find a way to save Lucy Gray and keep their romance alive? If you enjoy edge-of-your-seat action, complicated relationships between the rich and the poor, or dystopian societies, this book would be perfect for you! If you’ve read the original Hunger Games trilogy, I would also highly recommend this book to you, because you get insight into the main villain, President Snow's, backstory. Other books you may want to check out after reading this one are the original Hunger Games Trilogy and the prequel to that trilogy, which comes after “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, called “Sunrise on the Reaping”.

Reviewed by Annabelle Porter: “Whatever you are made of, Charlotte Regan, I am made of it too.” In this romance-mental health literary novel by Bestselling author Olivie Blake, struggling artist Charlotte Regan and math professor Aldo Damiani form an unlikely romantic connection after meeting at the Art Institute of Chicago. Together, over the course of their relationship, they overcome not only their own internal struggles but also the vulnerability of sharing your soul to another human being. This novel covers complicated relationships, family dynamics, and the everyday struggle of being alive but not truly living. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading about relatable morally gray characters, messy relationships, and chaotic POVs. If you’re looking for stories similar to this one after reading and really enjoyed Blake's style of writing, her books like "One For My Enemy" and "Masters of Death" might be just the ones for you! If you want to branch out and read similar books from other authors, two books about complex mental health-love stories, "Talking at Night" by Claire Daverley and "Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams would be perfect picks.

Reviwed by Taylor Bell: This adventurous love story begins with the pairing of two completely opposite people. Lou is a strong-willed free-spirited independent witch, whereas Reid lives by the rules of religion and thinks a life devoted to killing witches is a life well-lived. Through these two being in the wrong place at the wrong time they are forced to wed, neither knowing the other at all. Lou must hide the biggest part of herself to stay alive in a place built to train people to kill others like her. Lou’s plans for survival quickly complicate, as her life does, in this new place. On top of that, learning to live with each other is quite the experience for the newlyweds. Lou and Reid's opposing personalities and beliefs make for an amazing enemies-to-lovers thriller. Lou’s past also leads to many page-turning points in the book. Every chapter leaves you wanting more of the story. Fans of Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson and Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller would also enjoy this story.

Reviewed by Annabelle Porter: “The one thing I know is, wherever you are, that's where I belong. I'll never belong anywhere like I belong with you.” Poppy and Alex are polar opposites, and when they’re forced to carpool home from college together, the chaotic trip just further confirms their mismatched personalities until they begin to form an unlikely bond. Before they get to their destination, the pair decides to get together once every summer for a vacation as friends, since both dream of traveling the world and exploring new places. After 10 years of close friendship and tension-filled summer vacations, a kiss in Croatia changes everything, ending in the two who once used to be inseparable now no longer speaking. Fast forward to the present day, where Poppy plans one last trip to try and rekindle their friendship while secretly hoping for something more, even if she doesn’t know that herself. In this friends-to-lovers romance, you are bound to get all in the feels while simultaneously laughing at the comedic dialogue said between characters. I deeply enjoyed Poppy and Alex’s story, not only because of their affectionate, slow-burning romance but also because of how well-written and relatable Emily Henry’s characters are.