The Obsession
by Natasha Preston

-You can find this book here.

A teenage girl struggles with the question of whom to trust in the age of social media exposure.

Thanks to Connie’s mom’s family vlog, her life is anything but private. She enjoyed it at first, but now, between the mean comments online and the cruel mockery from peers in real life, Connie feels like she’s in a prison. Her sister, Isla, says it’s worth it for the money, but Connie isn’t sure if that’s really true. Connie’s anger over Mom’s refusal to heed warnings that revealing so much puts them in danger continues to build. When she’s left alone for two weeks while Mom and Isla go on a college road trip, local girls start dying, and a fan reaches out on social media in an unsettling way, leaving Connie worried about her safety. White-presenting Connie’s sense of humor is charming, and her insights will earn readers’ sympathy as the tension builds. As emotions rise, Preston’s poetic language beautifully captures Connie’s feelings about her mom’s obsession with social media and her confusion about who is worthy of her trust. The topics of safety and the uncharted waters of social media are skillfully woven into the plot. However, some inconsistencies weaken the overall story: Apart from Connie, the characters are too lightly developed, and some plot points don’t align with earlier events and motivations, making the ultimate revelation a disappointment.

A suspenseful story that starts off with great promise but fails to deliver. (Thriller. 12-18)

Review found here.



MINDWORKS
by Neal Shusterman

-You can find this book here.

More than three dozen tales—several of them previously unpublished—make up this varied short story collection of fantastical speculative fiction.

From playful entries involving a malevolent Christmas tree or a hot tub–dwelling monster to more disturbing vignettes, such as one in which a boy, neglected by his VR-gaming–obsessed parents, is led to violence, these stories shift easily between goofiness and real terror. Grouped into seven sections that provide a loose thematic structure, some of the stories are short, punchy, and sweet, and others are expansive, immersive, and prickly with atmosphere. They’re unified by their overwhelming sense of the uncanny; they explore interesting philosophical and ethical questions but never take themselves too seriously. Most of the stories have appeared in other anthologies; a few are co-written, one with Terry Black and three with the author’s son Brendan Shusterman. The entries are distinctive and original, but the sheer length of this collection may make it better for dipping into than for a through-read. Two new stories set in the world of the Arc of a Scythe close out the book and are not to be missed by fans of that series. The final one is a witty and fascinating meta-interview that imagines its characters—including the artificial intelligence entity the Thunderhead—answering questions from a reporter and in turn putting questions to Shusterman himself. There’s some ethnic diversity among the characters.

A thoroughly enjoyable arrangement of short fiction at once eerie, absurd, and thought-provoking. (Short stories. 13-18)

Review found here.

Catching Fire: The Illustrated Edition
by Suzanne Collins

-You can find this book here.

Back to the Games—and some really beautiful art.

Following the release of The Hunger Games: Illustrated Edition (2024), this new edition of the second series entry (originally released in 2009) once again pairs Delort’s impressive scratchboard artwork with Collins’ enduringly popular text to create a work that will be treasured by old and new fans alike. In this installment, Hunger Games victors Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark return to their economically depressed district of Panem, a country run by the elderly totalitarian dictator President Snow. The teens’ enjoyment of their time as victors is cut short when they’re unexpectedly recruited to again participate in the cutthroat annual competition, all while maintaining a fictitious version of their relationship to win support from viewers. While the storyline may be familiar to many, the illustrations in this new edition enhance the plot. Delort makes use of interesting angles and perspectives to create tension: A portrait of President Snow is cropped to emphasize his mouth and hands; Peeta’s on-air proposal to Katniss is depicted from a distance, highlighting the cameras capturing every moment; and the introduction of Finnick Odair, standing beside his horse, emphasizes his physical prowess and beauty. Those familiar with the movie will appreciate this new visual interpretation, and those who love the books will marvel at the artistic additions to the story.

This book is lit! (Dystopian. 12-18)

Review found here.

The Same Backward as Forward
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

-You can find this book here.

You’ve fallen in love with the Hawthorne brothers, now discover the love story of the lost scion of Hawthorne House. Read Hannah’s side of the story, then flip the book over to experience their love anew through Toby’s eyes in this deluxe novel that you can read backward or forward! The lush edition includes designed edges, a special case, and illustrated endpapers.

Hannah Rooney knows how to be invisible. At twenty, she keeps her head down and her eyes open, and so far, she’s managed to avoid being pulled into the dealings of her notorious criminal family. Hannah lives her life in countdown mode, biding her time in nursing school as she waits for her beloved sister, Kaylie, to turn eighteen so Hannah can get them both far, far away from Rockaway Watch and start a new life.

Tobias Hawthorne II acts every inch the entitled heir that he is. As the only son of one of the country's richest men, there isn't a door that isn't open to him. Yet behind his razor sharp cheekbones and devil-may-care attitude, Toby is guarding a nest of deadly secrets and a fiery anger fierce enough to burn everything in his path.

Their lives collide in one tragic, stormy night, where an act of arson and nature leave Kaylie and two others dead and Toby just barely alive—with no memory of who he is. The fisherman who pulls him from the ocean enlists Hannah to help save the very person who she knows took away her sister. Fueled by her hatred, Hannah is determined to deny Toby's death wish by keeping him alive. He is the last person that she should ever develop feelings for, and she is the first thing he ever remembers seeing.

Some things cannot happen—and some things cannot be stopped.

*Hannah’s side of the story was previously published as a novella in Games Untold

Review found here.

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