From start to finish, Bonesmith’s storyline is thrilling, captivating, mysterious, and emotional. There are several twists and turns that made reading an exciting experience, its ending leaving me satisfied but wanting more. I was constantly on the edge of my seat! … More Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
Review by Lisa Matthewson Orca Book Publishers, August, 2023 96 pages, paperback, $10.95 CAD, 9781459837218 Young Adult, Ages 12+ (Hi-Lo) Action/Adventure, Survival I wonder what time it is. My phone battery died hours ago, and I don’t have a watch. The rain clouds make it seem gloomy. Is it nearly night? I’m pretty tired. My … More Aftershock by Gabrielle Prendergast
At the centre of the story, Adina is a fascinating character that doesn’t demand you to like her, but to understand her motivations. Still, it’s impossible not to admire how her stubbornness in holding onto her dreams translates into loyalty toward others and upholding her own dignity. … More Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
This graphic novel is not only a brilliant addition to the horror genre, but a sincere attempt to capture the complexities of modern Indigenous life. … More Bad Medicine by Christopher Twin
Carole Boston Weatherford’s Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe covers Marilyn’s expansive influence, but attempts to do so through Norma Jeane, the real woman behind the so-called blonde bombshell. … More Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe by Carole Boston Weatherford
What I really appreciated about Someone is Always Watching is the strength of Blythe’s voice. As the main character, the story is told from her first-person point of view, and I could feel her feelings with her, moment by shocking moment. … More Someone is Always Watching by Kelley Armstrong
Loyalty, sacrifice, loss, and love form the foundations of Chain of Thorns, exploring relatable themes of grief and relationships in a fantasy world. … More Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
Decoding Dot Grey is a tender story about a teenage girl navigating personal loss for the first time, distancing herself from her worst memories, and trying to find refuge in animals instead. … More Decoding Dot Grey by Nicola Davison
Have you ever watched Romeo and Juliet and waited the entire play hoping that the ending would be different this time? After the crippling heartbreak, faked deaths, real deaths, and gang wars of the Shakespeare retelling These Violent Delights come two novellas with the happily-ever-after both characters and readers deserve. … More Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong
Told alongside three carefully illustrated fairy tales, The Magic Fish is a profound reflection on the ways our stories—both those we’ve lived, and those we’ve read—are integral to our identities, and how we can use them as avenues of connection and compassion, even in the most difficult times. … More The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
YOUNG ADULTING 