Teen Review: The Host, by Stephanie Meyer

Teen Reviewer Ling Xiong, 14, discovered Stephanie Meyer's The Host through a library booklist and ended up loving it. This dystopian adventure, a departure from the vampire books, centers on an alien parasite determined to take control of the body and mind of Melanie, a human woman, so she can help her race take over Earth. But Melanie isn't willing to give up without a fight...and the parasite learns humans are nothing like she suspected.

"The Host is an amazing book that deserves more credit. The feelings were easy to understand and had some deep meaning, and the love story is epic and heart-warming. There are moments where you shed a tear or two. People are biased over this book because of the movie and the author's other 'cliche' books" --Ling Xiong

Ling recommends The Host for ages 13 and up.

Teen Review: The Luxe, by Annna Godbersen

Teen Reviewer Kati Flanagan, 18, read, re-read, and re-re-read Anna Godbersen's The Luxe (the first in a 4-book series) and loved it just as much the third time around if not more. Set in 1899 Manhattan, The Luxe centers on Elizabeth and Diana, sisters and members of the city's most elite class. But despite their position within society, life is far from rosy for these girls.

"(The Luxe) is a true work of art. The immense romantic detail included in the entire novel allowed me to catch something new each time. This novel is ab exhilarating, extravagant twist on an old-fashioned plot. The appeal lies not only in the romance, but also in the thrill which accompanies each plotted suspense. Anna Godbersen possesses the ability to write with such vibrancy and depth that I feel the characters are my own personal friends and foes." --Kati Flanagan

Although she Kati originally chose The Luxe for it's pretty cover, it seems as if this historical romance/drama/suspense story has become a favorite she wouldn't hesitate to give to a friend. Recommended for teens age 16 and up.

We Are The Goldens, by Dana Reinhardt

Layla has a secret: She's in love. But she can't tell anyone. Not her best friends. Certainly not her parents. Not even her younger sister, Nell, who idolizes her and with whom she's closer to than anyone else in the world. They wouldn't understand. Because this is not just the average high school relationship. Layla is in love with one of her teachers--and he feels the same way (apparently) about her. She's been sneaking out to be with him, lying about where she's been, ignoring her friends, and making excuses to get out of plans (so she can be with him). 

And Nell is the only one who suspects something is wrong. She just doesn't know what. Of course there are the rumors (there are always rumors about this particular teacher), but she doesn't start to believe they might be true until she investigates...

...and what she finds is shocking even beyond what she suspected.

Told from Nell's point of view in an open narrative addressed toward Layla, We Are The Goldens, by Dana Reinhardt is nonstop action. No, not the car chases and explosions type of action, but the dramatic sort that keeps you turning pages. Readers discover along with Nell the mystery of what's wrong with Layla, they learn how she feels moment-to-moment, and share the shock of her final discovery, the one that may finally push her to break her silence.

An awesome book! Read it! --AJB

Teen Review: Since You've Been Gone, by Morgan Matson

Teen Reviewer Mandalyn Sterner, 16, loved Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson, a story about overcoming fears, daring to break out of your comfort zone, and discovering things about yourself you didn't know you were capable of.

When shy, cautious Emily's best friend Sloane leaves without saying goodbye at the beginning of summer, Emily doesn't know what to do. Sloane was always the one to plan their fun and crazy adventures. It's shaping up to be the worst summer ever when Emily receives a mysterious "to do" list of crazy tasks only Sloane could think up. As Emily tackles the tasks, she gains confidence and learns she doesn't need Sloane to have fun.

"The book was really good. It was a fiction book, but it seemed so realistic. I thought it kept you at the edge of your seat, wondering what would happen next and what the outcome would be. It had a good base, so you didn't get lost."

Mandalyn recommends Since You've Been Gone for teens 16 and up.

Teen Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Just as we love when our patrons discover a hidden treasure within our collection, we like just as much when a newcomer to the department re-discovers an old classic. This is what happened when Teen reviewer Gargi Ramekar, 10, read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first book in J.K. Rowling's now-iconic fantasy series about how the "Boy Who Lived" defeated "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" and had many fantastic adventures in the process.

"This is a great story about Harry Potter, his friends, and the Hogwarts school. I loved the way the author wrote the story and how she built up the suspense. I would recommend this book for all ages. I think you're never too young or too old to read it."

Teen Review: Keturah and Lord Death

It's always great discovering a fantastic book that's NOT something seemingly every single person has read or is reading. Teen reviewer Tabitha, 14, discovered this sort of hidden gem in Martine Leavitt's gorgeous romance Keturah and Lord Death.

In this story, which was a National Book Award finalist, Keturah becomes hopelessly lost in the forest. Near death, she meets a handsome stranger who turns out to be Death himself, come to collect her for his own. But Death takes pity on Keturah, giving her a day to find her true love. If she is successful, she may go free. If not, she must come with him. Keturah eagerly embarks on this quest, assisting other relationships along the way. But as her time runs out she realizes that she'd already found her true love and has no need to look further.

"This book was very good and had a solid plot. It was well-written and makes me wish it would become a movie even though the movie couldn't possibly be half as good as the book because of how great it is."

Tabitha recommends Keturah and Lord Death for all ages. She is happy this book was suggested to her.

Teen Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Lately, there's been a lot of hype surrounding Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy--particularly with the release of the movie adaption a few months back. At the library, the trilogy is so popular we can barely keep the books on the shelves! But is this dystopian story of a teen who rebels against society's rules and regulations worth all that acclaim? Teen reviewer Jack Butzu, 11, thinks so.

"I like this book because the setting is a world where society is divided into fractions that believe different things. The main character, Beatrice, is faced with the problem of choosing a fraction. I liked how Beatrice develops as a character by being herself."

Jack recommends Divergent for teens 13 and older.