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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (review by Sean K. ’14)

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The Count of Monte CristoThe Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dumas’ second masterpiece is a work of gothic brilliance and has become the quintessential novel of revenge. The eternal protagonist, Edmond Dantes, begins as an ambitious, accomplished sailor in the service of an esteemed trading company in France. He is brutally betrayed, resulting in a wretched 14 years of imprisonment, only to escape, stumble upon an immense fortune, and return to France to pursue a ruthless path of retribution against his perpetrators. Originally written in French, the English translation is in itself a display of eloquent language. A certain level of density accompanies this sophistication, through which some impatient readers may have difficulty traveling. However, action and adventure abound, and the long-awaited moments of revenge stemming from Dantes’ tortuous plans imbue a vindictive ecstasy unsurpassed in literature. Furthermore, Dumas’ periodic philosophical questions on power, fidelity, and revenge offer pensive breaths in between sequences of high suspense. The Count of Monte Cristo is a lengthy read, and many will have to persevere to traverse its many rich pages. But those who do will be enriched by one of the greatest novels of all time and the lessons that it relays. “Only one who has undergone ultimate suffering may experience ultimate bliss.” – Sean K. ‘14

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The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche (review by Sean K. ’14)

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The Tibetan Book of Living and DyingThe Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rinpoche introduces and applies the values of Tibetan Buddhism to the Western world in a revolutionarily practical way, drawing from his lifetime experience as a monk. Contrary to many religion-oriented texts, Rinpoche’s spiritual classic does not attempt to convert the reader. Rather, it seeks to draw from Buddhist teachings and texts (primarily The Tibetan Book of the Dead) to create a guide to life and death from which people of all religions and faiths can draw upon for peace and consciousness. Moreover, Rinpoche’s frequent excerpts from the lessons of his teachers add a charming personality to his own wise writings. His use of modern scientific research and acknowledgement of current global realities make the book accessible to even the most skeptical Westerners. To the reader who must cope with a recent or near death, or just to someone who might appreciate a refreshing approach to dealing with the stressful ordeals of our materialistic society, I highly recommend this book. – Sean K. ‘14

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The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (review by Elisabeth S. ’16)

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The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastards, #1)The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lies of Locke Lamora involves author Scott Lynch taking the classic fantasy tropes of rugged thief and medieval Venice and going for a joyride. The protagonist and antihero, Locke Lamora, delights in totally robbing members of the Venice-like Camorr’s noble class, assisted by his companions and best friends. He participates as part of the city’s mafia, yet he doesn’t steal to get rich — he steals because it’s “heaps of […] fun!” One day, he gets in way, way over his head. The voices Scott Lynch has crafted for each of his characters are so unique that they linger on and make dialogue tags almost unnecessary. The book was snarky, smart, and written with a skilled hand, yet remained surprisingly poignant and touching at key points. This book is highly recommended to fans of fantasy, or anyone who is looking for a fun read. (If you are not comfortable with strong language, this book is not for you.) – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (review by Agata S. ’15)

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The Master and MargaritaThe Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nothing extraordinary happens in 1930s Moscow until Satan, also known as Professor Woland, arrives with his eerie crew of followers. Soon enough, chaos engulfs the city; Russian citizens are captured by the Soviet police, get sent to the insane asylum, and run in the streets stark naked. Surprisingly, this is just the beginning of Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, and the masterpiece develops a story within a story that focuses on Pontius Pilate in ancient Jerusalem. Keeping readers glued to the novel’s pages, the genius author intertwines the two tales until they converge at the very end. In my opinion, The Master and Margarita is a must-read with an unparalleled plotline and characters that transform – even physically – in completely unpredictable ways. – Agata S. ‘15

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Jinx by Meg Cabot (review by Anahita F. ’17)

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JinxJinx by Meg Cabot
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To escape recent troubles in Iowa Jean Honeychurch, nicknamed Jinx, flies to Manhattan to stay with her Uncle Ted and Aunt Evelyn. She believes the change will be a fresh start and will make life easier for her, right? Wrong. Jean does not fit in with her upscale, posh cousin Tory and her friends who pass time doing drugs and practicing witchcraft. Jean refuses to join in either pursuit, knowing the dangers of witchcraft from experience. This outrages Tory, and she decides to plot against Jean. To make things worse, Tory and Jean start falling for the next door neighbor, Zack. The difference in culture between Jean’s hometown and Manhattan was well portrayed and I deeply sympathized with Jean as she adjusted to her new environment. In my opinion, the rivalry between the cousins was taken too far. Jinx is a bit cliché. Two girls are in love with the same boy and become enemies. Sound familiar? Nevertheless, Cabot plausibly captures the conflict between Jean and her cousin Tory without making the novel too fantastic and keeping the reader interested. – Anahita F. ‘17

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Insurgent by Veronica Roth (review by Anahita F. ’17)

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Insurgent (Divergent, #2)Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Insurgent picks up where the Divergent leaves off. The five factions have broken up, and Erudite and Dauntless have united against the Abnegation. Tris and Four are forced to flee. They seek help from the two remaining neutral factions, Amity and Candor. Tris does what she feels is right, but will her actions be the ruin of everyone’s plans? Could her rash decisions hurt others? There is much more conflict in comparison to the first book, making it a bit hard to follow at times, but the sentimental portions made the novel well-balanced. I could really relate to all the characters’ feelings of loss, love, and fear throughout the book. It is nice to see that Roth does not incorporate the overused love triangle romance in her books. Overall, Insurgent’s utterly addictive, action-filled, and suspenseful storyline is an invigorating read. – Anahita F. ’17

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Matched by Ally Condie (review by Anahita F. ’17)

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Matched (Matched, #1)Matched by Ally Condie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Matched, by Ally Condie, is the first of a dystopian fiction trilogy that will have you hooked to the end. Can you imagine every little part of your life planned out for you? Your lifestyle, future relationship, and the day of your death predetermined? That is the world Cassia lives in – until the day of her matching ceremony, when she is assigned her soulmate and best friend Xander. However, a glitch in the system momentarily reveals another boy’s face to her, Ky. Suddenly, Cassia questions her fate. Is it possible to love someone else? Her grandfather’s message dares Cassia to examine her options and shake up years of tradition. In the meantime, the consequences of her forbidden love stir up trouble. In many ways, the strict rules and futuristic feel in Matched reminded me of The Hunger Games and Divergent. I was disappointed to see Condie author create a love triangle, making Cassia choose between the mysterious and dangerous Ky, or the familiar and sweet Xander. However, Matched appealed to me because of how well written and thought out it is. It is not hard to follow, and the romance is enticing! – Anahita F. ’17

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The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (review by Allison K. ’15)

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The Lovely BonesThe Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sebold’s novel is a refreshing take on the emotional aspects of life after death; when fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon is raped and murdered by neighbor George Harvey, she watches as her family is forced to carry on without her, slowly crumbling apart. Her father and little sister Lindsey, the only ones to suspect Harvey of her murder, try to investigate and gain closure, while omniscient Susie is helpless to direct them towards her killer. The work possesses a tragically poignant affect that impresses the importance of second chances and absolution. Sebold delicately weaves together her austere version of the afterlife, the innate ties of a grieving family and her projection of Susie’s feelings and reactions onto the the living world. The Lovely Bones is bound to draw in any reader with its capability to both invoke mystery and compel empathy for Susie on her journey for inner peace, vindication, and completion. – Allison K. ‘15

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The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak (review by Shivani A. ’17)

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The Book ThiefThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Markus Zusack’s novel, The Book Thief revolves around Liesel Meminger’s life during the time period of World War II in Nazi Germany. The novel is narrated by an overworked personification of Death, who provides an interesting point of view throughout the story. Liesel first meets Death when she is nine years old, when she is forced to bury her six year old brother. This is also the first time she steals a book, called The Grave Diggers Handbook, the catch is Liesel is unable to read. Later she is deposited into a foster home as Liesel’s mother is unable to take care of her for mysterious reasons, and is handed into the care of the Hubermans. Liesel immediately warms to Hans Huberman with his gentle smile and his harmonious accordion playing. Their bond is only strengthened when Hans begins giving Liesel reading lessons. Through many twists and turns, Liesel soon befriends finds herself rebelling against Hitler in small ways. I found this book extraordinary with cunning wordplay, and depicting a variety of emotions including abandonment, insecurity, fear, and loss. Though the book was long, the emotions it evokes make it unforgettable. I found it an amazing, captivating read, as it kept me up for a ten hour plane ride. In my opinion, this book is more than worthy of five stars. – Shivani A. ‘17

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A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge (review by Shivani A. ’17)

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A Face Like GlassA Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In Caverna, a land underground our own, live the most skilled artists. They create wines that reveal truth, cheeses that can tell the future, and many more delicacies. However the one downside to living in Caverna is the people there are incapable of forming facial expressions. Facesmiths teach the people how to display their different emotions, at an expensive cost. It is here that Neverfell appears, with no memory, and a face so unlike the others she is forced to wear a mask, and never leave the safety of her home. One day Neverfell, thirsty for a glimpse of the outside world, strays away from her safe haven and is sent on a wild journey. This book is a good read if you are looking for a novel with a bit of childish innocence, revolving around a darker force. This book will cause you to shake and snicker both as you travel with Neverfell on her journey. Neverfell is immature and gullible. At times I felt the storyline was forced. However towards the second half of the book, the plot picked up pace and I found it much more enjoyable. If you are looking for a book different from the popular dystopian society novels on the shelves right now, yet still want a good book for the weekend, I would recommend A Face Like Glass. – Shivani A. ‘17

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