Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

A book review by Madeline Soucie



Poison Princess is the first book in The Arcana Chronicles. 







Evangeline or "Evie" as her friends call her, is a normal girl living in Louisiana. Her mother owns one of the oldest houses and farms in the state, she has a great boyfriend, is a cheerleader, and one of the most popular girls in school. What is she hiding?

The previous year, Evie starting having nightmares and seeing apocalypse scenes so her mother sent her to a corrective facility over the summer. Only one problem -- getting help didn't help because Evie isn't crazy, she's having visions of the end of the world -- the Flash -- something her grandmother warned her about. Evie's mother put her grandmother away eight years
ago and told Evie her grandmother was crazy. 

The only one that knows her secrets is a Cajun transfer and trouble maker Jackson Daniels.  Evie is part of a group of teenagers who each represent a different card in a tarot deck and are part of an ancient game. Not everyone knows who they are though, something very dangerous.

The Flash kills almost everyone, and those who survive find food and resources extremely scarce and water almost extinct. Evie and Jack find themselves running for their lives for food and from their enemies. While on the run, Evie is trying to find the source of her visions and her grandmother in hopes that either one will explain her powers and why they have them. The only problems -- whether or not Evie will survive and whether or not she'll learn about her powers the hard way, and of course what she'll do with Jack.


Find it in APL TEEN New Books YA FIC Cole, K.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

A book review by Kat Seevers

I absolutely loved The Maze Runner! 

The maturity of the characters despite their age and circumstances is astounding. They were organized and worked together to create a mini society in the middle of the Maze where they're trapped. Complete with a farm, canteen, and designated jobs, they still manage to keep searching for a way out. Why were the boys put in the Maze in the first place? Who created it? Is there an escape? Why just boys? 

The pace of the story is very slow at first but speeds up in some places, giving it a real-time quality. This suited me just fine as I’m not fond of stories with constant action that doesn’t give you time to really become aware of the situation and the setting. The pace gave me the time to ‘get to know’  the main characters and my way around the maze extremely well. There was, of course, added twists, which were generally unpredictable and unexpected. 

Overall, a great book!

Find it in APL Teen Fiction YA FIC Dashner, J.

All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

A book review by Madeline Soucie


Judith lives in Roswell Station as an outcast. Four years ago, she and her friend were taken, days apart. Her friend was killed. Judith was held captive, but released after two years, and returned to her home with her tongue cut out. She could talk, but her words were garbled and near impossible to understand. Because of this, her mother told Judith not to speak, ever. Her mother was too ashamed to want Judith to speak, and so she became the mute outcast of the town; everyone knew she existed, but refused to acknowledge her.

Life went on like this for two years until ships were spotted downstream, coming to invade Roswell Station. Judith is now faced with a choice -- keep silent and let people die and her town be taken over, or speak up and face her old captor, the only person who knows how to save the town and more importantly, Judith's family and the boy she loves.

This book is captivating from page one, and I hated having to put it down. It is unlike the historical fiction I have read before and is such a good read! I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good book to read.

Find it in APL TEEN New Books YA FIC Berry, J.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

A book review by Kat Seevers

This is one of the most entertaining young adult books I’ve read in awhile. It’s fast paced, funny,  romantic, and there’s a lot happening. Cinder is a fascinating character with enough smarts and spunk to carry the story. The affection between her and Kai is real, even amidst secrets and betrayal. 

(This is book 1 of The Lunar Chronicles trilogy.  Look for book 2 -- Scarlett -- and book 3 -- Cress.)

Find it in APL Teen Fiction YA FIC Meyer, M.

The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

A book review by Kat Seevers

The Book of Blood and Shadow really surprised me in a good way. It’s a little bit murder mystery with some historical fiction. It began slow. We followed Nora as she began going to a new school, met some new people, and became a teacher’s aide. The teacher had an obsession with an ancient manuscript. It was Nora's and her friend’s job to translate and decipher it, only after a while strange things start to happen. The only thing Nora can think is that it all has something to do with what’s in the manuscript, and Nora is determined to figure out the secrets hidden in it. It takes her on a journey deep into Prague where she uncovers secrets that others would prefer to be left undiscovered. Uncovering those secrets

may just get her killed.

Find it in APL Teen New Books YA FIC Wasserman, R.

Frost by Marianna Baer

A book review by Madeline Soucie



Leena Thomas is starting her senior year at her boarding school, and everything should be great. She and her best friends are staying in the very cute Victorian dorm, Frost House. But Leena finds out last minute that she and her friends have an unexpected roommate, Celeste Lazar. Celeste isn't Leena's first choice for a roommate, but it's just one semester right? Besides, Celeste has a brother that's perfect for Leena. 


As her senior year starts, Leena finds out its not all it's cracked up to be. She soon has to play peacemaker between her friends and Celeste, which could cost her. Not to mention the strange happenings in Frost House -- falling pictures, locking doors, and trashed rooms behind locked doors. Leena finds herself struggling to keep the peace with her housemates -- and within her own mind -- as Frost House might become Haunted House.


Find it in APL Teen Fiction YA FIC Baer, M.

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

A book review by Kat Seevers

The Moon and More doesn’t contain that much romance. It’s more about change, family relationships, and figuring out who you are in the midst of all of that.  As a general rule, Emaline doesn’t like change, but she’s forced to deal with it over and over again.  I really enjoyed her character because while she’s struggling, she’s still very focused and true to herself.  She’s trying to balance her mom holding on to her -- and not wanting her to make the same mistakes she did -- along with new friendships and her biological father visiting for the summer.  Emaline's character stood out in different ways depending on who she was dealing with.  She’s patient with her mom and sisters, she’s pretty strong with her biological father, she’s tough around Ivy, and she’s trying out a different version of Emaline with Theo.  All of it connects and changes as the story progresses.

Find it in APL Teen New Fiction YA FIC Dessen, S.