The Words in My Hands By Asphyxia

In a futurized (but realistic) Australian society, most people are entirely dependent on "recon", which is essentially a meal delivery service, but has medicines in the food that cure cancer and other diseases. When the food cannot come due to massive oil and gas shortages and the economy falls apart, 16-year old deaf teen Piper is faced with figuring out how to survive. When getting her old bike repaired, she meets Marley, who introduces her to sign language, a deaf community she didn't know existed, and how to grow food. Communicating with others is difficult enough, never mind the constant headaches. Facing a corrupt government oppressing freedom of speech and a right to grow their own food? Now that's something else. But Piper is finding her own power.

I grabbed this book off of the shelf at the library because I have never seen anything like it nor read a book with so much art on it. Every page is watercolored with drawings on most of them. I would have read the book no matter what the topic was, just because of how impressive the art in the book is. That alone helped to entice turning the next page in the story, to see what the art on the next page looked like! It was cool to also have the art drawn be used in the plot of book. This would be a fantastic book for someone who enjoys more so comic books than ordinary reading, or a fellow artist. I wish I could draw like that! Art can have meaning that moves people. Being deaf didn’t make her any less able to inspire a revolution/movement.  It was helpful to have capital letters versus lowercase letters for differentiating between sign language and oral dialogue.

Example of art in the book

Without the art, I'm confident I still would have read the book and liked it. The story tackles social and environmental justice, political corruption, survival, implicit biases against the deaf and hard of hearing, and finding what you stand for in the world as a teenager. With each new obstacle in her way, Piper's development as a character grew, as she discovered herself and found her voice and confidence. Part of why Piper felt so real is because the author is also deaf and poured that cultural identity and experience into the pages. 

I didn't really like Marley as a character, it felt like he more so served as a prop to escalate Piper's character development and be an introduction to the community who would shape her and take up the rebellion. That didn't bother me a lot though because I was much more focused on the dynamic between Piper and her mother. This wasn't just your ordinary rebellious mother-daughter relationship. The book added another complicated layer of trust issues where her mother is the scientist behind recon, who's company is the one controlling the government and spreading propaganda about the dangers of "wild food". On top of that, there's the issue of wanting her daughter to be normal and against learning sign language to the point where Piper felt like she had to hide. It's one of the most dynamic, complicated parent-child relationships I've read.

I wouldn't label the book as a dystopian because the scenario is true in some places around the world and will be true for others that rely on unrenewable resources. As someone passionate about sustainability, I liked the focus on growing your own food. Growing your own produce and community gardens reduces carbon footprints, improves air quality and biodiversity. Composting your own backyard, growing your own food is one thing that everyday people can do to improve the environment- crisis or not. There are also some helpful diagrams drawn in the book for anyone interested. :)

I highly recommend this book!

Title: The Words in My Hands
Author: Asphyxia
Publisher: Annick Press
Pages: 388
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Author's cool website

Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O'Clover

Seven Precent of Ro Devereux is a YA realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the publisher. This book was released today! High school senior Ro Devereux designed the app MASH that can predict various parts of your future with 93% accuracy upon completing a 100-question survey. She never imagined that it would go viral and attract the attention of a tech firm in Silicon Valley. Partnered with XLR8, she is instructed to take the survey that predicts a romantic partner and prove to the world that it works by appearing to fall in love with them. Ro is shocked when the result is Miller, her childhood best friend with whom she had a falling out with and haven't spoken to in 3 years.

I do not usually read romance, but what drew me to this book was the unusual twist of Ro and Miller being forced to pretend to be in a relationship and how that eventually may turn into a real one while exploring what went wrong in their prior friendship. I liked the storyline more of XLR8 and how mass media and the tech industry manipulates statistics and invests more in screen time and amount of downloads than scientific accuracy. As the app took off, I enjoyed seeing the effect of the fame and business on Ro and how she handled it. Ro and Miller both made some mistakes, and I appreciate imperfect protagonists. Quick note that I also love women in STEM!

I think everyone at some point in time has wondered what their future would look like. If you google "predict my future", there are dozens, maybe even hundreds, of surveys that claim to predict your future career, number and gender of kids, where you would live, pets, etc. Even if the 93% accuracy gave a happy ending for Ro and Miller, there is still a 7% chance that the result would not be correct for someone else. What happens if you guide your future and make decisions based on what the app tells you, or if you had your future carefully planned out and the app tells you that your passion is wrong? I was glad that in addition the romance, O'Clover tackled mental health issues, family relationship challenges, and both the positives and negatives of glimpsing the future.

I highly recommend this book!

Title: Seven Percent of Ro Devereux
Author: Ellen O'Clover
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 320
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Dark Room Etiquette by Robin Roe

Dark Room Etiquette is a YA thriller that was sent to me by the publisher. This book will be released in two weeks on October 11. 

Sayer Wayte has grown up with a life of money and privilege. One day, a man run Sayer off the road and kidnaps him. This man, Caleb, chains Sayer and tells him that he is his real father, that Sayer's parents kidnapped him when he was 10 and that his real name is Daniel. He eventually acts the part of Daniel to survive, as the months go by and his escape attempts continue to fail. But eventually, he loses himself. Eventually faced with a re-entry into society, Sayer must rediscover who he is.

I'll admit, I had trouble caring about Sayer in the beginning, when he was a bully. But nobody deserves what happened to him. I haven't read a book that made me cry, really cry, in a long time. I'm not sure if that is embarrassing or not, but Dark Room Etiquette is emotionally jarring with how real it feels. There was one particular scene in the classroom with crayons that stirred something inside me. I don't think I have ever read a book so accurate about Stockholm Syndrome and the lasting trauma that follows, likely due to Roe's experience in psychology and special education. It also makes me upset that the school didn't offer him more support. The nerve of that guidance counselor! Doesn't he know what Sayer went through? 

Many books surrounding kidnappings end pretty quickly after the person is found or escaped, but I loved that a good chunk of the book focused on the aftermath of that event. The dynamic between Sayer and Evan was particularly interesting to me, and I was so happy that he had someone to talk to, to help him make sense of what he went through in that house. Dealing with this trauma has a different component when his memories became distorted, when everything that he thought was true and his beliefs about himself and the people he loved were challenged. For some parts that I was reading, I actually wondered if Caleb was telling the truth. Roe manipulated Sayer just as the reader. We are both in the dark and battling the same lack of knowledge. 

I highly recommend this book! I already re-read it, as I loved it so much.

Title: Dark Room Etiquette 
Author: Robin Roe
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 512
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

The Memories of Eskar Wilde by E.H. Wilde

The Memories of Eskar Wilde is a YA realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the author. Eskar Wilde had just turned 18, and faced with grief and uncertainty, he sits down to write a memoir of his life over the past few years. From his father's suspicious death to his unfortunate love life, Eskar tells a story filled with mystery and mistakes.

While organized as a memoir, the author explained that too much of it was fictionalized to be labeled that way. E.H. Wilde is also a pen name.

Despite the informal tone, the writing still felt sophisticated. I tend to enjoy books that are structured as journals and where the reader feels valued by the protagonist. Eskar is a good person who highly values his family, and I enjoyed reading the passages that focused on the relationship between him and his mother. I was pleased that he acknowledged his mistakes and had a matured sense of self-reflection. I was initially concerned that he wasn't allowing himself to feel grief, anger, and sadness, but I was happy with Eskar's emotional development towards the end. 

The Memories of Eskar Wilde isn't particularly exciting, but it is still an intriguing and perhaps a calming story. I am not a person who understands French, and I am grateful that the translations to French dialogue were given in the footer. I am a person who highly values background information, but the one complaint that I would have is that at times it felt like too much information, and at times I skimmed some pages in a rush to find out what happens next! The ending was most certainly bittersweet. While I was secretly hoping for a happily-ever-after, I appreciate how it stuck to realistic outcomes. 

I recommend that you read this book!

Title: The Memories of Eskar Wilde
Author: E.H Wilde
Publisher: Tablo Pubishing
Pages: 384
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

The Prince of Infinite Space by Giano Cromley

The Prince of Infinite Space is a New Adult realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the publisher and is released today! 

A few years later in a sequel to The Last Good Halloween,  Kirby is doing well at the military school and has found a passion for journalism. But when the top editor position for the school newspaper is given to someone just because of their socioeconomic status, he loses his progress. He stumbles on a newspaper clipping that shows Izzy, his once-girlfriend, homeless in Chicago. When his father randomly shows up at the school and wants to take him to meet his dying grandmother near Chicago, Kirby seizes the moment to find her.

Kirby based his self-worth and purpose in life based on journalism, and I can understand how this loss sent him spiraling into depression and defiance. Getting in a dark car with someone you've never met, that claims to be your father, is definitely not something I would do, but I can understand and appreciate his motives. To be honest, I skimmed some of the middle passages about his biological father because I was just so excited to see Izzie again! I loved Kirby being on the streets searching for Izzie, but unfortunately their reunion was not what I was imagining and hoping for.

It is a shorter read than the first book, and I do wish that the author had made the book longer; instead of listing examples of what happened, it would have been nice to experience them. I also wish the ending was more concrete. However, The Prince of Infinite Dreams was still well-written and its depiction of homelessness and mental illness was accurate. To be honest, I liked the first book much better than the sequel. However, I am still glad that I read it!

I recommend this book! While the publisher advertised it as a possible stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the first book first to have adequate background knowledge.

Title: The Prince of Infinite Space
Author: Giano Cromley
Publisher: Propertius Press
Pages: 171
Series: Yes, Book 2 of 2
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

The Last Good Halloween by Giano Cromley

The Last Good Halloween is a New Adult realistic fiction story set in the 1980s. This book was set to me by the author. Kirby Russo returns from summer camp to find his stepfather missing and his mother having already moved on with one of their neighbors. Angry and conflicted with his missing father figure and all the new changes in his life, he makes some impulsive decisions that include deciding to steal the car of his friend's parents and running away to find his stepfather. 

The Last Good Halloween feels like a classic written in the 1980s and not one written about the 1980s in 2013. I was impressed with how realistic the setting felt. The publisher compared Kirby to Holden Caulfield in her email to me, and I can imagine an essay prompt now to compare and contrast the two characters. I also enjoyed the literary references to Hamlet. 

When I was reading The Last Good Halloween, I couldn't stop thinking about the song "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance, as Kirby's situation seems to mirror the song in some ways. The same fears that follow the son in the song are similar to Kirby's, with the missing of his father figure, the fear of loss, his fixation on what others think of him/how he would be remembered, and his confliction over religion. I also appreciated the diversity of the characters, and I particularly was fond of Izzy's story. I'm excited to see the continuation of her story. A prequel from her perspective would also be nice. The strength of a novel is often heavily identified by how relatable and likable the protagonist is. I wouldn't say Kirby is easily likable with his attitude, but he is very relatable. 

I highly recommend this book and am excited to read the sequel, The Prince of Infinite Space, that will be released on August 2nd!

Title: The Last Good Halloween
Author: Giano Cromley
Publisher: Tortoise Books
Pages: 240
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

The First to Die at the End By Adam Silvera (Death-Cast #0)

The First to Die At The End is the prequel to the bestseller YA realistic/science fiction book They Both Die at the End. This book was sent to me by the publisher, and it will be released on October 4, 2022. 

Have you ever played Would You Rather and have had one of the questions be if you would rather know how you are going to die or when? Death-Cast cannot predict how you are going to die, but they can mysteriously predict when. On the first night that Death-Cast goes live in New York City, Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince bump into each other, and feel a connection. Unfortunately, one of them receives a call from Death-Cast, and the other doesn't. They decide to spend their last day together, forging a relationship surely to end in heartbreak.

When I wrote my review in 2019 of They Both Die at the End, I wrote that I was conflicted regarding the lack of background knowledge on the Death-Cast system. I am very pleased with the prequel, which answered many of my questions. I assume that many people shared the same concerns that I had since a prequel instead of a sequel was written. I did not find out how specifically the company's software predicted the deaths. However, the more I think about it, the more I think that maybe it was a good idea to let us wonder.

It is unrealistic to think that the author listened to my feedback on the speed and forcefulness of the romance between Rufus and Mateo, but this book was a major improvement. Orion and Valentino took their romantic relationship slowly, and built up to being a couple through friendship. While the specific scenario in the book seemed a bit of a stretch, it all seemed reasonable considering the sad circumstances. I loved both Valentino and Orion; their dedication to being kind to others and supporting each other, even though they had only just met, is admirable. 

I am happy in particular that the book explored the childhoods of the two main characters in the first book. When I realized that the prequel starred two different boys than the first book, I was a little concerned about how the two books would connect. I was surprised by the multiple perspectives and how they all overlapped in the end. Normally, I hate books where characters die, especially when I become attached to them. But Silvera did a good job of making the ending empowering and also hopeful, despite the loss. 

I highly recommend this book! Read my review of They Both Die at the End, and also More Happy Than Not, also by Silvera. 

Title: The First to Die at the End
Author: Adam Silvera
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 416
Series: Yes, Book 0 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Blue Feathers, Bright Flames by Adrienne Mayse

Blue Feathers, Bright Flames is a YA magical realism short story that was sent to me by the author. Leigh Carpenter can't seem to get herself out of bed, and struggles with depression when she is awake. But when Leigh is asleep, she dreams of a land called Green where she feels lighter and has magic powers. She befriends a fox and bird, who help her fight the Darkness that is destroying it. While her real world and dream world start to blend together, Leigh seeks help from a psychiatrist. 

What's unique about this short story is that the reader actually isn't sure in the end if she really was psychotic and hallucinating (she likely has Bipolar Disorder with Psychotic Features) or if she really did/does have powers. It is common to have vivid dreams where you have powers and can control the surroundings, and it is true that elements and things from your dreams can be hallucinated. However, the author wove in her hallucinations with actual events in the story; is she hallucinating that another person could see the blue feather, or did she have powers to bring it out of her dreams? Or did she find the feather while walking to school one day and didn't remember it? 

Regardless of that question, the author did a great job in drawing a parallel between her fight with depression in the present and her fight with the Darkness in her dream world. The depiction of depression and the thoughts that go through one's head during their struggle with it was accurate. It is a quick read, but a worthwhile one if someone is looking to learn about depression or Bipolar disorder.

I highly recommend this short story and look forward to more from the author!

Title: Blue Feathers, Bright Flames
Author: Adrienne Mayse
Publisher: Adrienne Mayse via Kindle Direct Publishing
Pages: 98
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

The Scientist's Daughter (Silvertree Book 2) by Marian Dribus

The Scientist's Daughter is the sequel to The Patient From Silvertree, a YA realistic fiction book. This romantic thriller was sent to me by the author.

Lisa returns from college on break 4 years after The Patient from Silvertree took place, still attempting to cope with the ramifications of her traumatic experience from Graham and Sophie. Unfortunately for her and Josh's family, the past isn't behind them. Graham, Sophie, and their psychopathic boss reappear in Silvertree with a new agenda and new kidnapping and murder victims. More complicated is that Lisa's boyfriend has close family connections with them. When Lisa and everyone she loves is put in deadly danger again, she must find a way to overcome her fear and speak her truth in order to save them.

Dribus's depiction of Lisa's PTSD was extremely realistic, as was her reluctance to come forward. Victims of prior abuse or trauma are more susceptible to ending up in abusive relationships in the future, and the writing of David was also accurate. While Lisa's mental health and relationships were not the prime focus of The Scientist's Daughter, it is likely the most impactful on the reader and leaves a lasting impression and education on the impacts of trauma and PTSD. 

Veronica behaved exactly as a sister should; she loved Lisa unconditionally and was incredibly patient. Veronica stood up for Lisa and took tremendous risks to keep her safe. She defined the hope and love in the tragic story. She was definitely my favorite character. In my review of the first book, I talked about Graham's moral compass. The book, as was the first, is divided in to alternating third-person perspectives of all the main characters. Graham's background story and motivation for his criminal actions are fascinating on a psychological level. Contrary to Sophie and the boss (who's name I won't reveal as that is part of the mystery), he is capable of emotion and love. His love for the boss is partially what drives his actions. While he is just as guilty as the others, in life or death final moments, his capacity for a bit of empathy makes the most game-changing impact.

I am not sure that tragic is the right word to describe The Scientist's Daughter, but describing this book is somewhat difficult due to all the unique aspects. Dribus combined inspirational realistic fiction with a thriller, a mystery, a romance, and even aspects of science fiction into just an action-packed 288 pages! It felt so much longer that that! I might have read some parts in the middle too quickly in anticipation to find out what happens in the end and who survived! (I did go back and read those parts again.)

I highly recommend this book and am very excited for the prequel, Help Me (https://www.mariandribus.com/), which takes place in 1972 and tells the origin story of fourteen-year-old Agnes' cancer and the relationship between Peterson and Richard. My review of the first book can be seen here.

Title: The Scientist's Daughter
Author: Marian Dribus
Publisher: Marian Dribus
Pages: 288
Series: Yes, Book 2 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

We Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley

We Can Be Heroes is a YA inspirational realistic fiction book with a fantasy twist. This book was sent to me by the author and is released today!

Cassie Queen's life was taken by her abusive boyfriend Nico Bell when he took a firearm to school. After, he shot himself. Nobody cared that he was physically abusive and threatened to kill her, because Nico's father runs Bell Firearms, the company that controls their small town. Cassie's friends, Vivian and Beck, are angry. They want to tell Cassie's truth and hold Steven Bell and anyone who caters to him responsible. Beck decides to paint murals throughout the town of Greek mythology symbolic to the truth about Cassie's life and how she fell through the cracks. Oh, and one more plot twist; Cassie comes back as a ghost who lives in Beck's van.

We Can Be Heroes is a powerful, relevant story that illuminates how the rich and powerful can take control of the system. It establishes a clear link between domestic violence and gun control. McCauley paints a picture (no pun intended) of all the signs that were missed leading up to the murder and what should have been done when the abuse started. The police continued to cover up her cries for help because they couldn't let domestic violence be tied to Steven Bell. His father witnessed the abuse, heard the threats, and still left extremely powerful guns within his son's reach.

Having Cassie present as a ghost was a skillful part on the author. Rather than chapters simply explaining what happened in the past, the author created sections for Cassie's poetry, reflecting on her life and relationship with him. Even though she is technically dead, she does have her own character development of growing courage and strength through the activism of Beck and Vivian. We Can Be Heroes embraces the title; anyone can use their voice, art, or writing to make a difference in the world, no matter how powerful the person is you are going up against.

I highly recommend this book!

Title: We Can Be Heroes
Author: Kyrie McCauley
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 368
Series: No

Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Tangled Tongue: A F.U.S.E. Adventure by Jean Husband

Tangled Tongue is a middle grade realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the author. 12-year-old Duff struggles with speech disfluency, and his father invents FUSE, a focused ultrasound electronic. This device sends micro-focused sound waves into sensory-motor systems of Duff's brain to smooth his speech. When the device works, it attracts some negative attention from other scientists nearby who want to steal the rights to the technology. When his father is kidnapped, he manages to communicate with Duff through the FUSE. Duff teams up with an old friend and a new one to get his dad back- no matter the danger. 

I really enjoyed the story! While it is just 162 pages, a lot happened and was suspenseful and fascinating. Duff's character development was strong, and I liked watching him become more confident, stand up for himself, and even embrace openness to new friends and forgiveness outside of the soccer field. Duff's bravery and love for his father was strong, and I love that he never gave up hope. Kids can be more resourceful than adults give them credit for. The book is mostly fun to read, and the kidnapping is not gory or anything like that. Tangled Tongue could also create an interest in STEM. 

I like this cover better than the other version, but they still need some work, especially as the style of the art makes it seem for a younger audience and easier reading level than it can be. While I understand the symbolism, it also is a bit misleading with the illustration of the tongue when stuttering is usually caused by abnormalities in the pathways in the brain responsible for language, not controllable by moving your tongue differently. 

I won't go into the technicalities of the specific differences of gray and white matter and fractional anisotropy, but the book actually does a good job of condensing some of the science into an easily understandable way. Focused ultrasound neuromodulation, the basis of the FUSE invention in the book, is currently used to treat psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injuries, dysmotility disorders, chronic pain, and epilepsy. Neuromodulation is actually fascinating and is one of the fastest growing areas of medicine. Most research supporting non-invasive neuromodulation's use for speech impairments and stuttering use transcranial direct current stimulation, as focused ultrasound is rarer and mostly proven for behavioral disorders, however there is no reason not to assume that it could still work. In the future, these devices could become much more prevalent in society. The book was also realistic in which letters people who stutter struggle with the most.

I recommend that you read this book and I am excited to read the next book whenever it is ready!

Here's information on the technology if you are interested: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6881273/ 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-28320-1

https://www.neuromodulation.com/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123742483000021

Title: Tangled Tongue: A F.U.S.E. Adventure
Author: Jean Husband

Publisher: Jean Husband
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

The Patient from Silvertree (Silvertree Book 1) by Marian Dribus

The Patient from Silvertree is a YA realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the author. 40 years ago, a brilliant scientist named Peterson invented a new drug to treat cancer. However, his experiments were unethical, and so he went to jail. Sixteen-year-old Lisa's father is an oncologist. One day an old friend of her father's comes to visit, delivering an ultimatum to treat her cancer with the drug Peterson invented. When he agrees to illegally treat her, it draws unwanted attention that puts Lisa and everyone she loves in danger. 

The Patient from Silvertree is one moral dilemma after another, where nearly each impossible decision brought them one step closer to losing their conscience or humanity. This story goes down a darker path of medical ethics and the life-and-death sacrifices one is willing to make for the ones they love- or the ones they loathe. While I tend to love inspirational stories, ones that show the darker side of humanity are just as- if not more- important.

Graham, one of the main antagonists, is my favorite character. He is not evil, but is held in an impossible situation and is forced to commit horrific acts. He does have a moral compass and seems to do his best to avoid violence. I love it when the "villain" has internal conflicts. I hope in the sequel his backstory is revealed. The book also touches on emotional issues, which were mostly depicted realistically. As far as the romance between Lisa and Josh goes, it was predictable, but also pressured and unusual. For the plot, that turns out to be an advantage.

This was one of the more interesting, skillful endings that I have read in a long time. Quite the contrary from happily ever after, this ending is perfect for the story's darker tone and setting with a perfect balance between resolution and the unknown. At the end of the day we want all the bad guys to be caught and the good guys to win- but is that realistic, or purely a false hope? I would argue that the cover needs to be adjusted to highlight that ominous focus, but that is the only critique I have.

I highly recommend this book and am excited to read the sequel that takes place four years later, The Scientist's Daughter. 

Title: The Patient from Silvertree
Author: Marian Dribus
Publisher: Marian Dribus
Pages: 275
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Signs in the Dark by Susan Miura

Signs in the Dark is a YA mystery thriller novel that was sent to me by the publisher. 17-year-old Haylie Summers is kidnapped one night after getting a text that (supposedly) came from a classmate she liked, Nathan. Now she is tied up, gagged, and blindfolded for ransom. While Haylie tries to stay alive and piece together why she ended up there, Nathan tries to clear his name and fight to get Haylie back by any means necessary. Oh, by the way: Haylie is deaf.

Nathan is selfless and caring. He risked his life to find Haylie. Some might call him rebellious; I call him heroic. I have no doubt that he would make a great firefighter. Haylie is bright and a wonderful girl despite her being deaf. She leads mostly a normal life, and Signs in the Dark does tackle some audism and other stereotypes. I liked the diversity of characters' personalities. Mr. Kingsman, the hilarious and nutty neighbor, is my favorite supporting character. Particularly with Mr. Kingsman, I enjoyed the emphasis on how people are not always how they seem- or speak, for that matter. Haylie's involvement in the local Wildlife Rescue Center was a nice touch, especially with the signing gorillas.

The plot made sense, which is sometimes a concern with mystery novels. I enjoy watching crime shows like Chicago PD and NCIS, and as far as kidnappings go Signs in the Dark portrayed the crime and the kidnappers well. However, I will say that at times it felt like information-overload, and the reader can easily interpret and come to many of the drawn-out conclusions and explanations. Never underestimate the intelligence of the reader!

Title: Signs in the Dark
Author: Susan Miura
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Pages: 203
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

Starvation by Molly Fennig

Starvation is a YA realistic fiction book that was sent to me by the author. Told in alternating chapters between the past and the present, Starvation illustrates the progression of 16-year-old Wes McCoy's anorexia and the path to getting better. When Wes learns that his girlfriend, Caila, is starving herself, Wes does everything he can to help her and understand why she is hurting herself. After his brother dies in a car accident, Wes ends up turning to her habits to gain control, and becomes trapped in a downward spiral.

I screamed at my computer screen "No! That's it???" There has to be more. I want more! Do they both get better? Do they get married? Get to go to college? However, I suppose the emphasis on uncertainty matches with the unpredictability of eating disorders and other mental illness. Relapse is extremely common in anorexia patients.

Starvation portrays the most accurate and realistic view of the development of eating disorders that I have ever read, and I definitely learned more about the motivations behind anorexia. The counter-argument against why a person cannot just put food in their mouth and swallow was powerful and the utter fear was astonishing and eye-opening.

I love that Starvation is told from a male perspective, as there is an issue of eating disorders being viewed as victims to mostly girls, as well as other mental illnesses. Its incorporation of suicide was also very accurate and did tackle frequent misunderstandings of why someone would end their life, as well as teach some of the warning signs of suicide and other mental conditions. 

I highly recommend this book!

If you are interested in this book, I recommend that you also read What I Lost.

Title: Starvation
Author: Molly Fennig
Publisher: Immortal Works
Pages:
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

A Summer Taken (Council of Friends Book 1) by Jason Milgram

A Summer Taken is the first book in the Council of Friends series. This YA realistic fiction book was sent to me by the publisher. It is 2041, and 14-year-old Julia must return to Camp Auctus to write a speech honoring her cousin Lizzie, who was shot two summers ago shortly after leaving the camp. But Julia is still struggling with her shyness and feels lost without Lizzie beside her. This summer, Julia will find the words to express the vast range of emotions bottled inside her and find the strength to speak for change.

I enjoyed the story and Julia's character development over the course of the novel. Readers see her initially shy and reclusive, torn apart over her cousin's murder to being an inspiring force for change in gun violence laws. Milgram was skilled at depicting the stages and the complicated range of emotions one experiences while grieving a loved one, like anger, guilt, numbness, and sadness. The added element of Julia's struggle with anorexia only made it more insightful. A Summer Taken also explores common obstacles that occur in friendships. This book could teach one to become a better friend. I was impressed with the level of detail and imagery in some of the flashback scenes, and how the book still had a nice flow despite alternating from the past and present.

One of my concerns, however, would be that setting the book in 2041 was strange and somewhat distracting from the plot at hand. I understand that it draws attention to the fact that gun violence is still an issue and will still be for many decades, however there was not much in the story that made that year make sense. The only cue that it didn't take place in 2020 was one talking typewriter. I was hoping for more creative integration of the future setting.

Despite my issue with the setting, I do recommend this book! The second book, A Summer Remembered, will be released in October 2020.

Title: A Summer Taken (Council of Friends Book 1)
Author: Jason Milgram
Publisher: Gaby Triana
Pages: 129
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 4 Stars
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Death by Midnight (The Secret Life of Anna Goode Book 1) by Nicole Nadeau

Death by Midnight is a YA realistic fiction mystery book that I received from the author. Anna Goode is a teenage genius and secretly uses her intelligence to build gadgets and other miscleansious inventions. When Russian terrorists kidnap her parents, they make a demand- Anna and her best friend Jake must build a bioweapon and outsmart the CIA- or else her parents die.

Jake is the best friend one could ask for. He's one of the most loyal characters I have ever read, and I love his strive to save Anna no matter the mortal danger to himself. Anna is truly remarkable, not just for her genius IQ and invention skills, but for her moral drive to save her parents and her vastly creative critical thinking skills. Her courage is extraordinary and I admire her ability to stay calm and logical in extreme situations. Everybody's moral compass is a little off, and I enjoyed the internal conflict on Anna's part of doing the right thing or getting her family back. In the coming books, I hope a romance between Anna and Jake can be explored.

Death by Midnight is quite a Goode, (see what I did there) fun read! This book is also very relevant today with the Covid-19 outbreak. It is extremely action-packed with plenty of gripping fight scenes. The fights are very detailed and are thrilling in its fast pace. My only complaint is that some of them seem a little unbelievable. I love the suspense and anxiety of the time limit and guessing the mysterious parts along the way. The writing is clean and descriptive. Death by Midnight is a story I will totally read again!

I recommend that you read this book!

Title: Death by Midnight (The Secret Life of Anna Goode Book 1)
Author: Nicole Nadeau
Publisher: Nicole Nadeau
Pages: 303
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Into White by Randi Pink

Into White is a YA realistic fiction book with a fantasy twist. This book explores what happens when African American teenager Toya has enough of being bullied and prays to Jesus to make her "anything but black". The next day, she is shocked and happy to find herself a white girl with blond hair and blue eyes. But her wish comes with unexpected consequences.

I found the concept fascinating and quite relevant in society today. This book exposed the vast cultural differences between races and what it truly means to be Black or White. It is also eye-opening to understand the cultures and issues of African Americans, and the book brought up injustices and stereotypes that I was not aware of. I was surprised by the immense involvement of religion in their culture. Despite being a book on a serious topic, there was a strong element of humor present, which I loved!

Toya definitely makes some bad choices, but I loved watching her learn from them and grow. Anyone suffering from an identity crisis of their race should read this book.  Due to the amount of racism in our country, many minorities hate themselves and wish to be white, but this book proves the importance of staying true to who you are and following your family and culture, no matter what others tell you. Into White teaches one to love themselves and accept who they are.

I highly recommend this book!

Title: Into White
Author: Randi Pink
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 288
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Blog Tour: Escape Galápagos (The Wonder List Adventures Book 1) by Ellen Prager

Today is Darwin Day, a perfect occasion to participate in Dr. Prager's blog tour for her latest book, Escape Galápagos that was sent to me by the publisher. When twelve-year-old Ezzy and her younger brother Luke travel to the Galápagos to honor their mother's wish, they end up taken captive at gunpoint by illegal fisherman and poachers. Ezzy must rely on bravery she didn't know she had to not only escape alive- but to save the animals, too.

I enjoyed Ezzy's character development as she grew braver and more courageous. Initially she was terrified of the animals and seemed as an introvert. But as the book went on, she grew more comfortable around nature and the other animals. I loved watching her smile for the first time and relax around the Booby and take that one more step closer to the Iguanas and Penguins. She had many clever ideas and I enjoyed watching her come out of her shell, so to speak. I love how, despite her fear, she became moved by the idea of social activism and risked her life for those animals.

Escape Galápagos' scientific accuracy is incredible and this book is a great educational tool for young students interested in science or wildlife. I enjoyed the timely conflict of illegal fishing and the kidnapping of these precious animals. Galapagos' sharks and giant tortoises are especially in danger. For example, In August 2017 over 6,000 sharks were illegally fished and slaughtered in that area. In addition to this specific issue pertaining to that island, Prager revealed a larger problem of humanity's greed and disrespect for the planet and its wildlife.

I highly recommend this book! Prager has also written Tristan Hunt and the Sea Guardians, a middle grade fantasy series, as well as nonfiction adult books like Dangerous Earth and The Oceans. Continue reading below for an interview with the author!

Title: Escape Galápagos
Author: Ellen Prager
Publisher: Tumblehome, Inc.
Pages: 180
Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Interview with Dr. Prager:

1. What inspired you to start writing? (ever since back in 1999 with your first Furious Earth)

"Throughout my career I have been incredibly fortunate to experience amazing science and nature firsthand and meet wonderful scientists as mentors and colleagues. Most people never have these opportunities and often to them, science is boring and hard to understand. So, I wanted share my passion for science and nature with more people, combat science illiteracy, and show that it could be done in a way to retain accuracy, be informative and yet entertaining as well."

2. How do you feel about the issue of illegal net fishing and the capture of animals? Is there anything we can do to help protect the Galapagos?

"Of course, I am strongly against illegal net fishing and the capture of wild animals for entertainment purposes - especially whales and dolphins. We need to better protect our wild places, wild animals, and biodiversity. The Galapagos National Park Directorate and their licensed naturalist system do a pretty good job protecting the Galapagos. No one can go on an island without a permit and guide (the guides must report any irregularities), they have capped the number of visitors by ships (need to do more about land-based visitors), and are improving environmental regulations as well. They do however need support to control illegal fishing, over development, and again, control of land-based tourism. Sometimes people suggest stopping tourism in the Galapagos, but I am against this. I strongly believe that well managed tourism provides an important economic incentive for the Ecuadorian government and people to protect the islands, animals, and promote conservation efforts."

3. What inspired you to become a scientist?

"I loved nature as a kid growing up and was inspired by Jacque Cousteau on the television. Then, when I discovered science and in high school - scuba diving - I was so to speak, hooked! The combination of nature, science, and scuba diving was along with great teachers and mentors what really pushed me toward becoming a scientists. I am also endlessly curious and that is, in some ways, what science is all about."

4. When did you first visit the Galapagos?

"In the 1980s, I went to the Galapagos as part of a team studying the impact of El Ninos on corals in the area. We spent two months scuba diving and doing surveys of corals to determine the impact of the strong 1982/1983 El Nino. Unfortunately, the corals in the Galapagos are acclimated to relatively cool water and during strong El Ninos the water temperatures rise. In the 1982/1983 El Nino some 95% of the corals died."

5. What advice would you give for future scientists and/or authors?

"Be pro-active, take risks, discover your passion, strengths and weakness, ask for opportunities and remember perseverance is important. Almost anything is possible with hard work, dedication and a good attitude along with the healing power of laughter."

About the Author:


Dr. Prager is a marine scientist, and author, and spokesperson on earth and ocean science issues. She currently works as a freelance writer, consultant, and science advisor to Celebrity Cruises in the Galapagos Islands. She was previously the Chief Scientist for the Aquarius Reef Base program in Key Largo, FL, which includes the world’s only undersea research station, and the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

She has appeared on The Today Show and NBC News, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, CBS Early Show, The Weather Channel, in shows for the Discovery Channel, and was a consultant for the Disney movie, Moana. You can learn more about her at www.earth2ocean.net.

Also be sure to check out other blog tour features!

2/12: http://kidsbookshelf.com
2/17: http://tonjadrecker.blogspot.com/
2/18: http://bookread2day.wordpress.com
2/18: http://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/

What I Lost by Alexandra Ballard

What I Lost is a YA inspirational story about a girl's journey to recovery from her battle with anorexia. Elizabeth is obsessed with losing as much weight as possible and achieving becoming a size 0. She is proud of herself for having the strength to keep going long hours without eating and pleasing her mother, who has the same unhealthy habits that she does. But after her body starts failing, she is taken to Wallingfield, a psychiatric hospital, where she begins the long and harsh road to recovery.

What I Lost might be my favorite YA book featuring a character with an eating disorder ever- more than Sad Perfect or Wintergirls. My favorite element of this book is the raw honesty of it. A few scenes left me near tears.

This book is extremely honest in clearly showing the signs of developing an eating disorder as well as the tips and tricks that people can use to get away with not eating- but also explains all the long-term consequences of anorexia to discourage readers from even thinking of engaging in those behaviors. Rather than focusing on the illness, however, the main goal and theme of this novel is that it is possible to heal. What I Lost preaches the idea of never being alone. I adored the journey to self-confidence and healing that the characters embark. It is certainly not easy- however What I Lost proves that those in the darkest of places can still find light and healing.

What I Lost showcases some of the proper ways to encourage watching weight while still instilling beliefs of being beautiful and building self-confidence. This would be an awesome parenting guide on how to avoid reinforcing negative thoughts. Even if one is overweight and is trying to be healthier, Elizabeth's parents and friends clearly made some mistakes. Speaking of Elizabeth's mother, she clearly had issues with eating disorders herself, whose unhealthy ideals spread to Elizabeth. I love how all the characters in this book were extremely complex and had multiple layers. I cannot pick out anything regarding the plot or setting or characters to critique- I wouldn't change a thing.

I highly recommend this book!

Title: What I Lost
Author: Alexandra Ballard
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Pages: 400
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

Gym Candy is a YA realistic fiction book that exposes the dangers of steroids and the mental/physical consequences of playing football. Mick Johnson is a Runningback for his school football team, and he has dreams of being a hero and winning games instead of being the reason the team loses- because he isn't strong enough. Fast enough. Desperate to fit and become better, he tries steroids. After that one dose, his life is changed forever and begins to deteriorate.

Gym Candy emphasizes one of the many dangers of football and one of the main reasons why I dislike the sport. Aside from physical injury, this book explores emotional and psychological damage. More than most sports, Football encourages its players to be the absolute best and is the nightmare of body image and peer pressure. The immense pressure involved in the popularity and idolization of the game leads to body image issues and a desperation to be accepted by any means possible. Football is by far the most cruel sport there is, and I love how Gym Candy thoroughly showcases these risks and consequences.

This was an extremely intense and sad books that I know will move others to change themselves and their beliefs. The end of this book can make you cry. Mick has a conscious and he is an extremely intelligent boy. He just made a mistake and became sucked into a fantasy with strong ideals that ended in catastrophe- but he is still an inspirational, good person who simply gave into peer pressure and made a mistake. Deuker will keep you on your toes until the very end, and I came to care immensely for Mick.

I cannot wait to read even more books by Deuker! I highly recommend this book!

Read my review of another book by this author, Gutless! If you are interested in other books portraying the negative effects of football, I recommend that you read Hit Count and Second Impact.

Title: Gym Candy
Author: Carl Deuker
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Pages: 320
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads