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John, Antony
7 Reviews
(4)
YA
When eighteen-year-old Seth is cast as the lead in a new type of "scripted reality" movie, he can't believe his luck. But when things only Seth knows show up in the tabloids, he realizes the movie might be more reality than scripted. The first-person-limited point of view draws out the drama and suspense, but the story loses momentum with its predictable ending.
Reviewer: Lana Barnes
(4)
YA
Thomas, whose "elemental" power causes pain to others and makes him an outcast, leads his band of misfit refugees through pirate chases, plague scares, and aggressive rat hordes, intent on reuniting his fractured community. The underlying emotions are more told than shown, and while the plot twists lose their power through overuse, action aplenty keeps the pages turning in this series conclusion.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
(4)
YA
Following a devastating attack, the ragtag remnants of an island whose residents all have elemental powers--their ancestors' attempt to help them survive post-apocalypse--land on a nearby refugee island with deadly secrets. The love triangle continues to drag in this sequel to Elemental, but the teens' constantly thwarted yearning to rebuild gives urgency to their trials and underscores John's expanding world-building.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
(4)
YA
After Luke Dorsey pens a surprise bestseller, a sort of Gospel according to, well, Luke, the sixteen-year-old embarks on a book tour with his brother and his former crush (a goody-goody Christian girl gone bad). On the road, Luke questions his religious beliefs--and his fans question him. Characters' back stories come out too slowly, but Luke's experiences are eye-opening and frequently funny.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
(4)
YA
When the Elders of his isolated island society are kidnapped by pirates, Thom joins the other teens in mounting a rescue even though he's the only islander without an elemental (water, fire, etc.) power. Despite the book's slow start and tepid romance, the intricate unraveling of the island's backstory and Thom's nature is an impressive feat of plotting.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
(3)
YA
Piper, who has a hearing disability, has one month to book gigs and create revenue for the high school band, Dumb. Managing more than just the band, she develops a new outlook on her deafness, her less-than-perfect relationship with her family, and newfound friends. Piper's growing self-confidence is inspirational--as is her atomic pink hair.
Reviewer: Sophie Williamson
(4)
YA
Hotshot Brandon entrusts band geek Kevin with the senior ritual of obtaining measurements of the girls in their class. Kevin's newfound popularity comes at the expense of the women in his life, including his mom and the pretty girl next door. The book gets across its message without being too preachy, but cardboard characters--virtuous girls vs. juvenile boys--reinforce stereotypes.
Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith
7 reviews
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