I recommend GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE not only as a compelling, gorgeously written YA novel, but also as an exceptional world building mentor text.
Category: Book Reviews – Young Adult
YA Book Review: Of Fire and Stars / Of Ice and Shadows / Inkmistress
Of Fire and Stars, Of Ice and Shadows and Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst all take place in a long ago faraway kingdom with magic –
Teen Book Review: Song of the Abyss by Makiia Lucier
In SONG OF THE ABYSS, the second installment of Makiia Lucier’s TOWER OF WINDS series, 17-year-old orphan and apprentice mapmaker Reyna’s ship is raided by
THE KINGDOM by Jess Rothenberg
I’m not typically drawn to SCI FI, but the cover photo of THE KINGDOM, by author/freelance editor Jess Rothenberg, drew me in like a moth
Teen Book Review: Here There Are Monsters by Amelinda Berube
A slow burn that is ultimately compelling…but may leave you feeling like you have no idea what actually happened in the end.
The Clockwork Ghost, By Laura Ruby
“…Cipheriests knew less than Theo himself. Once, that would have made Theo feel proud. Finally, he was the expert! He didn’t feel like an expert.
YA Book Review: IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE
Just two days after the cover reveal for IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting happened. The Christchurch, New Zealand mosque shooting was
Teen Book Review: I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST by debut author Mason Deaver is a contemporary coming of age that’s out from Scholastic/Push in May 2019. *I
YA Book Review: To Best The Boys by Mary Weber
TO BEST THE BOYS features lush world-building, a spunky, dynamic heroine with a mile-a-minute mind and voice reminiscent of Felicity Montague of Mackenzi Lee’s Petticoats & Piracy, and a plot as nail-bitingly intense as Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games.
Show and Tell for Writers
SHOW, DON’T TELL! Most of us have received that advice at least once in our writing careers. What does it mean? And how should you
Cat Winters delivers a speculative jaunt into the historical life of Edgar Allan Poe with The Raven’s Tale
The Raven’s Tale is a Young Adult Historical Fiction infused with a fun speculative streak that takes the narrative to interesting and unexpected places.
REVIEW: How to Make Friends with the Dark #YA novel by Kathleen Glasgow
One of the things I like best about being a writer actively involved in critique groups is the opportunity to review ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies).
Falling for Wonder Boy
This past week, the companion novel for Kristine Carlson Asselin’s ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT, FALLING FOR WONDER BOY, released. For anyone who loves sporty
YA Book Review: PROPHECY by Ellen Oh
As someone who dabbles in (writing about) demons, I was drawn to Prophecy by talented author Ellen Oh. In the words of Legend author Marie Lu,
WRITERS' RUMPUS 