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Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (review by Allison K. ’15)

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Gone GirlGone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gillian Flynn strikes again with her latest mystery novel Gone Girl, a story of wife gone missing, Amy Dunne, and her husband, suspect Nick Dunne. After finding his house ransacked and Amy gone on the day of their fifth anniversary, Nick appears to be curiously dishonest to authorities and dispassionate about his wife’s absence. Throughout the investigation of Amy’s disappearance, the reader kept guessing as the present intertwines with the past. Amy and Nick’s dueling narrations draw disparate pictures of their marriage. With a touch of Alexandre Dumas a la Montecristo, Flynn takes the reader into a rabbit box of deception and secrets, where seemingly trifling details go unnoticed until they add up to the grand reveal. Even so, despite the novel’s unpredictable twists, the ending falls flat, leaving the reader wishing for further vindication on the behalf of either of the characters. Nevertheless, disturbing as it may be, Gone Girl is one work that ought not to be missed for adults in search of a mind-blowing thriller. – Allison K. ‘15

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The List by Siobhan Vivian (review by Joyce Z. ’17)

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The ListThe List by Siobhan Vivian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The List is a brutally realistic, relatable story of eight girls who all suddenly have the undivided attention of the whole high school. Abby Warner, the prettiest girl in the freshman year is understandably ecstatic about her new title but has to work through her sister’s jealousy. Danielle DeMarco has never thought of herself as especially ugly or masculine until she is dubbed Dan the Man by this year’s list. Lauren Finn, the new girl, embraces the newfound popularity received from being the prettiest sophomore. Candace Kincaid, is enraged about being named the ugliest because she’s just not ugly, not even close – on the outside. Bridget Honeycutt knows that her summer transformation is only a result of starving herself the whole summer. Sarah Singer has never cared about beauty and now goes even farther to prove her point by neglecting hygiene for a whole week. Margo Gable, the prettiest senior, might just have her expected title of homecoming queen stolen from her by Jennifer Briggis, the ugliest senior. I recommend this interesting read to anyone who enjoys a light drama of high school girls struggling to fit in. The List is an honest novel that reveals society’s true perception of beauty and how other peoples’ opinion can change one’s feeling of self-worth. – Joyce Z. ‘17

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The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston (review by Kacey F. ’15)

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The Woman WarriorThe Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kingston’s memoir speaks through first person only sometimes, defies chronological order, and thoroughly succeeds as an unconventional and thought-provoking work that presses the boundaries of a typical autobiography. As a Chinese-American girl of immigrant parents, Kingston recounts growing up in California amidst a confusing clash of cultures. The subject matter sounds dangerously close to other Chinese-American books save for the fact that Kingston places emphasis on dreams, imagination, and ghosts as much as real events. Her prose plays out with real and intriguing art, propelling the reader from one seamless narrative to another with subtle fluidity. She navigates through fact and fiction, blurring the line between the two while still beautifully encapsulating the emotional essence of her childhood to adult years. Poignant, bittersweet, and sometimes disturbing, The Woman Warrior is a recommended masterpiece for all mature readers, especially those appreciative of the postmodern style of literature. – Kacey F. ‘15

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The Magicians by Lev Grossman (review by Monica K. ’14)

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The Magicians (The Magicians, #1)The Magicians by Lev Grossman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Lev Grossman’s The Magicians is almost impossible to enjoy. The darker, more mature cross between The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, The Magicians follows the school years of Quentin Coldwater, a miserable, isolated genius who is admitted into a secret university of magic. It unflinchingly (and increasingly depressingly) depicts his constant quest for happiness as he navigates his way through classic adult rites of passage. Despite its admirably ambitious thematic goals, the book fails to maintain a strong, engaging plot and ultimately loses the reader. – Monica K. ‘14

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Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson (review by Elisabeth S. ’16)

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Snow CrashSnow Crash by Neal Stephenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In a novel that practically invented its own genre, Stephenson brings to life the engaging, fast-paced Metaverse, Hiro Protagonist’s virtual reality. The world-building is top-notch, set in some pocket of a distant time ahead that remains unstilted — unlike dystopian classics such as Brave New World. Snow Crash is refreshingly free of cloying allegory or philosophy, which seem to accompany any novel set in the future nowadays. It teems with energy that casts a vice-like hold on readers and refuses to let go. Hiro and YT (Yours Truly) make brilliant, edgy and flawed protagonists that truly have no parallel. Recommended to budding science fiction or cyberpunk fans. And – if you are already a hardcore fan of either but still haven’t read this — where on earth have you been? – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (review by Akshay B. ’16)

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A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Game of Thrones is the first book in George R. R. Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire, set in the land of Westeros in times of magic, dragons, and knights. The story has several lead characters, each with their own story, yet everything they do is connected. The major characters fight for their lives, either against enemies who would slay every living creature, or against enemies who compete for the Iron Throne. Martin’s brilliant writing allows the readers to feel the emotions of the characters and care for them. As the queen of Westeros says “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” If you watch or plan to watch the mini-series, you’ll want to read A Game of Thrones first. – Akshay B. ‘16

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The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor (review by Monica K. ’14)

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The Shadow SpeakerThe Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Born after the Great Change, fourteen year old Ejii has had to deal with complex family issues, her erratic shadow speaker powers, and the mistrust of other West African villagers all her life. Now, in order to control her emerging powers she must travel into the desert, where she will encounter strange and mystical creatures in her journey of self-discovery. In The Shadow Speaker, Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu creates a wonderfully rich world while balancing Ejii’s personal growth and overarching social commentary. This book features a strong, likable female lead as well as interesting cultural elements Highly recommended to anyone in the mood for a refreshing yet layered read. – Monica K. ‘14

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Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (review by Elisabeth S. ’16)

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Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush, #1)Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Hush, Hush may have the dubious honor of being one of the worst books I’ve ever read. While chock-full of mixed metaphors, corny fight scenes, unintelligent dialogue, purple prose, and pointless descriptions, the novel also embodies YA rape culture. The relationship between Nora, the main character, and her love interest, Patch, is built off of her being terrified of him, while he dreams about killing her. Nora is noticeably uncomfortable as he continues to pursue her, harassing her in the middle of biology class as those around her pay no heed to her complaints. A heroine in any genre should not have to be terrified that her love interest is going to rape her. The rest of the personalities are two-dimensional stock-characters at best and disastrous at worst. Marcie Millar is made out to be the classic “mean girl,” even though she is demonized for flirting rather than actually being mean. The plot is flat and uninteresting. I would not recommend anyone approach Hush, Hush with a ten-foot pole. – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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The Elite by Kiera Cass (review by Nitya M. ’15)

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The Elite (The Selection, #2)The Elite by Kiera Cass
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Only six of thirty-five girls remain in The Selection, the cutthroat competition to become the wife of Prince Maxon and princess of Illea. Yet America Singer holds the power in her hands to end the battle instantly by telling the prince that she can return the love he bestows upon her. Floundering in a sea of uncertainty, America is unable to decide between the dangerous romance and memories of Aspen, guard and longtime friend, and the breathtaking experiences that shape her relationship with Maxon. Each time she thinks she’s made up her mind, her world is brought crashing down. The Elite, the second book in Kiera Cass’s trilogy, continues the fast paced style of its prequel, but ultimately forsakes action for a love triangle that slows the story of The Selection to a crawl. While The Elite is still a page-turner, this second novel, like Suzanne Collins’ Catching Fire, loses its appeal to sappy romance. – Nitya M. ‘15

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City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (review by Lavinia D. ’17)

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City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Brooklyn teenager Clary Fray goes with her best friend Simon Lewis to a nightclub, the last thing she expects is to witness a murder – and to be the only one who sees it. Seeking answers, she meets Jace Wayland at the club, but suddenly, she is thrown into an unknown world fraught with danger, followed up with the news that her mother, Jocelyn, has been kidnapped by a man named Valentine in his search to find an object known as the Mortal Cup. Along with Jace and his adoptive siblings, Alec and Isabelle Lightwood, Clary starts to search for her mother and uncovers the truth about herself: she, along with Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, are part of a race called Shadowhunters – half-angel and half-human. In order to save her mother from Valentine’s evil clutches and retrieve the Mortal Cup, Clary must master her powers before it is too late. City of Bones was extremely riveting and had comedy thrown in at the perfect time. However, an overwhelming number of characters introduced in a short amount of time, made following along a bit difficult in the beginning. – Lavinia D. ‘17

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