Category Review: Fantasy Novels The Folk of the Air trilogy by Holly Black is an enchanting fantasy series that transports readers to a world filled with magic, mythology, and danger. The Queen of Nothing, the third book in the series, continues to build on the richly imagined world introduced in The Iron Giant's Apprentice and The Golden Gryphon. The story follows Elariel, who has been tasked with finding a missing prince and bringing him back to his kingdom before it falls into ruin. Along the way, she encounters a cast of intriguing characters, including a mischievous pixie and a mysterious faerie queen. The world-building in this series is simply incredible, with vivid descriptions that bring the fantastical elements to life in your mind's eye. One of the things that sets Black's writing apart from other fantasy authors is her ability to create complex, flawed characters that readers can't help but root for. Elariel is a strong and determined protagonist who has faced many challenges throughout her life, but she never gives up on her mission. The supporting cast is just as compelling, with each character having their own unique backstory and motivations. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with enough action and suspense to keep readers on the edge of their seats, while also allowing for quieter moments of reflection and introspection. The magic system in this world is intricately woven into the fabric of society, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. Overall, The Queen of Nothing is a thrilling conclusion to the Folk of the Air trilogy. Fans of fantasy will not be disappointed by this gripping tale of magic, adventure, and betrayal. Highly recommended for anyone who loves complex characters and richly imagined worlds. Category Review: Writing Guides The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults is a comprehensive guide to writing compelling stories for young readers. Written by author Teresa Flannery, this book provides practical advice on everything from brainstorming ideas to revising your manuscript. One of the strengths of The Magic Words is its focus on character development. Flannery emphasizes the importance of creating well-rounded characters that readers can connect with emotionally. She offers a variety of exercises and prompts to help writers develop their characters, including creating character profiles and mapping out their motivations and conflicts. Another key aspect of this book is its emphasis on structure. Flannery provides detailed information on how to organize your story, from plotting out the major events to breaking down each scene into individual beats. She also offers tips on pacing, dialogue, and other important elements of crafting a compelling narrative. Throughout the book, Flannery uses real-world examples to illustrate her points, drawing on her own experience as a writer and editor. This makes The Magic Words feel like a personalized coaching session, with helpful advice tailored specifically to your needs. Overall, The Magic Words is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. Whether you're just starting out or have been honing your craft for years, this book will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you take your writing to the next level. Highly recommended for writers of all ages and skill levels. Category Review: Psychological Thrillers Then She Was Gone is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Written by Lisa Jewell, this book follows two women whose lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. The story begins with Alice, a young woman who has just moved to a new town and started a new job. She is still grieving the loss of her daughter, who disappeared without a trace years earlier. As she tries to move on from her tragedy, she becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her daughter. Meanwhile, across town, another woman named Lauren is dealing with her own personal demons. She has just started seeing a new man, but she can't shake the feeling that something is off about him. As she delves deeper into his past, she discovers a connection to Alice and her missing daughter. The plot of Then She Was Gone is full of twists and turns, with plenty of red herrings and false leads to keep readers guessing until the very end. The characters are complex and flawed, making them relatable and engaging. Jewell's writing style is fast-paced and gripping, drawing readers in from the first page and keeping them on the edge of their seats until the final reveal. Overall, Then She Was Gone is a thrilling psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of authors like Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins will not be disappointed by this gripping tale of mystery, suspense, and betrayal. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good thrill ride. Category Review: Historical Fiction The New Order is a sweeping historical epic that brings to life the tumultuous world of the French Revolution. Written by Kate Quinn, this book follows a young woman named Marguerite as she navigates the dangerous waters of political intrigue and social upheaval in 18th century France. The story begins with Marguerite, a member of the powerful Bourbon family, trying to make her way through the chaos of the revolution. She is torn between her loyalty to the monarchy and her desire for freedom and equality, as she witnesses firsthand the brutality and violence that characterized the time period. Throughout the book, Marguerite encounters a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life, including aristocrats, revolutionaries, peasants, and soldiers. Quinn's attention to detail and rich historical research brings the world of the French Revolution to life in vivid and immersive ways. The plot of The New Order is full of twists and turns, with plenty of unexpected alliances and betrayals along the way. Marguerite's journey is fraught with danger, as she struggles to survive in a world where anyone could be an enemy. Overall, The New Order is a gripping historical epic that brings the tumultuous world of the French Revolution to life in vivid and immersive ways. Fans of authors like Ken Follett and Allison Weir will not be disappointed by this sweeping tale of political intrigue, social upheaval, and personal struggle. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good historical epic. Category Review: Writing Guides Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction (Teach Yourself) is a comprehensive guide to writing compelling young adult fiction. Written by author Sarah Fine, this book provides practical advice on everything from brainstorming ideas to revising your manuscript. One of the strengths of Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction is its focus on character development. Fine emphasizes the importance of creating well-rounded characters that readers can connect with emotionally. She offers a variety of exercises and prompts to help writers develop their characters, including creating character profiles and mapping out their motivations and conflicts. Another key aspect of this book is its emphasis on structure. Fine provides detailed information on how to organize your story, from plotting out the major events to breaking down each scene into individual beats. She also offers tips on pacing, dialogue, and other important elements of crafting a compelling narrative. Throughout the book, Fine uses real-world examples to illustrate her points, drawing on her own experience as a writer and editor. This makes Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction feel like a personalized coaching session, with helpful advice tailored specifically to your needs. Overall, Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. Whether you're just starting out or have been honing your craft for years, this book will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you take your writing to the next level. Highly recommended for writers of all ages and skill levels. Category Review: Mystery Novels Sold on a Monday is a gripping mystery novel that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Written by Stuart Turton, this book follows a young woman named Amy who inherits a mysterious antique shop in London. The story begins with Amy struggling to make ends meet after her husband's sudden death. She decides to take on the challenge of running his antique shop, but soon discovers that it is filled with strange and valuable items that have been passed down through generations. As she delves deeper into the history of the shop, she uncovers a series of mysterious events that have taken place over the years. The plot of Sold on a Monday is full of twists and turns, with plenty of red herrings and false leads along the way. The characters are complex and flawed, making them relatable and engaging. Turton's writing style is fast-paced and gripping, drawing readers in from the first page and keeping them on the edge of their seats until the final reveal. Overall, Sold on a Monday is a thrilling mystery novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of authors like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle will not be disappointed by this gripping tale of intrigue, suspense, and betrayal. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good whodunit. Category Review: Historical Nonfiction Lancaster Down!: The Extraordinary Tale of Seven Young Bomber Aircrew at War is a riveting historical non-fiction account of the experiences of seven young British airmen during World War II. Written by historian and author Peter Reeve, this book brings to life the harrowing realities of war through the eyes of ordinary men and women caught up in the chaos of conflict. The story begins with the formation of a new bomber squadron in Lancaster, England, as World War II rages on across Europe. The seven young airmen who make up the squadron are each from different backgrounds and have their own unique personalities and motivations. Through their eyes, we witness the horrors of war, including bombing raids over enemy territory, dogfights with German fighter pilots, and the daily struggle to survive in a world filled with danger and uncertainty. Reeve's attention to detail and rich historical research brings the world of World War II to life in vivid and immersive ways. He uses primary sources such as letters, diaries, and official records to provide a firsthand account of what it was like to be a soldier on the front lines during one of the most devastating conflicts in history. Overall, Lancaster Down! is a gripping historical non-fiction account that brings the realities of war to life through the eyes of ordinary men and women caught up in the chaos of conflict. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about World War II and the experiences of those who fought on the front lines. Category Review: Fantasy Novels Doomed Queen Anne is a gripping fantasy novel that brings to life the world of the young royals. Written by author Catherine Fisher, this book follows the story of Princess Anne, who must navigate the dangerous political landscape of her kingdom after her father's sudden death. The story begins with Anne struggling to come to terms with the loss of her father and the responsibility that now rests on her shoulders. She is faced with a series of challenges as she tries to maintain peace and stability in her kingdom, including threats from rival factions and internal strife within her own family. Along the way, she encounters a cast of intriguing characters, including a mysterious stranger who may hold the key to saving her kingdom from destruction. Fisher's attention to detail and rich world-building bring the fantasy realm of Doomed Queen Anne to life in vivid and immersive ways. She uses complex political intrigue and high stakes to keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats, while also exploring themes of power, loyalty, and betrayal. Overall, Doomed Queen Anne is a thrilling fantasy novel that will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of authors like George R.R. Martin and N.K. Jemisin will not be disappointed by this gripping tale of political intrigue, magic, and adventure in a richly imagined world. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good fantasy epic. Category Review: Historical Nonfiction A Long Walk to Water is a powerful historical non-fiction account that brings to life the experiences of women and children fleeing war and famine in Sudan. Written by author Linda Sue Park, this book tells the story of Reya, a young girl who must make an arduous journey across the desert to find water for her family during a time of drought and conflict. The story begins with Reya's village being attacked by rebel forces, forcing her family to flee their homes in search of safety. Along the way, she encounters other refugees who are also struggling to survive in a world ravaged by war and famine. Through their eyes, we witness the horrors of conflict, including bombing raids, forced labor camps, and the daily struggle to find enough food and water to survive. Park's attention to detail and rich historical research brings the world of Sudan during this tumultuous time period to life in vivid and immersive ways. She uses powerful storytelling and emotional resonance to connect readers with the experiences of these ordinary men, women, and children caught up in the chaos of war and famine. Overall, A Long Walk to Water is a gripping historical non-fiction account that brings attention to the plight of refugees and the devastating effects of conflict on innocent lives.