John Staughton, Senior Reviewer

The trials and tribulations of high school and heartache take center stage in April’s Heart by Shilah Ferr. An intense look at the repetitive rise and fall of two seemingly star-crossed lovers, this novel will tickle notes of memory for anyone who has had, lost, or managed to hold on to their great love in life. Ferr doesn’t romanticize the tale into something unrealistic – she explores complex emotions with delicacy and grace, without diminishing her characters’ experience. Despite the choppy prose, unembellished language, and occasional reliance on romantic cliches, this is a book with strong lessons for young people […]

Janice Boekhoff kicks off her savage and exotic Jurassic Judgment series with Extinction Island, an adrenaline-fueled adventure thriller. Boosted by a wild premise that blends “Survivor,” “Jurassic Park,” and a dash of “The Hunger Games,” this first installment is gripping from the start and doesn’t let go. Driven by an unlikely heroine, the prose is snappy and the descriptions are lush, while the secondary characters shine with mystery and malice. While some of the plot points feel slightly forced or overly convenient, the pace is addictive and the story is a wickedly fun puzzle to unravel.

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A powerful book with a controversial title, Stuck in F*ck is a brutally honest take on the fate of modern parents written by Michael A. Brown. Unafraid to look at the dark side of parenting, and the emotional turmoil it can wreak, this is an unconventional story, but a relatable message for many struggling parents. The subject matter is blunt, as is the language used throughout, asterisks and all, but the format makes the book’s message more immediate, and so more visceral. Some may take issue with some of these issues being conveyed in such a childlike format, but the […]

An unlikely group of teenagers discover powers beyond their imagination, and are plunged into a battle for the fate of the world in The Last Alignment: Cry of the Scorpions by Nathaniel Stewart, the first book of what promises to be an exciting series. A slow-burning adventure heavily reliant on its diverse characters, this short novel feels like a careful setup for a long-game thrill, exploring intertwined histories, dangerous family legacies, and the tension that only raging hormones can provide. The dialogue is snappy and believable, but the narration is less lively and sometimes overly procedural. As a whole, despite […]

Author Garfield Whyte transports readers to the wild minds and mischief of a Jamaican all-girls boarding school in She Was Born a Good Girl. With a witty pen and an ear for colloquial language, Whyte carefully explores the complexity of young girls growing into women, navigating the pressures of sex and beauty, while also coming of age in a world that will constantly throw obstacles in their way. The premise is simple, and some of the moments of conflict feel forced, particularly in the use of dialogue, but the writing to improves as the story progresses. Most importantly, Whyte’s […]

Steve Amoia offers a deep and varied catalogue of his literary critiques in A Collection of Book Reviews. Dominated primarily by reviews of business and professional career advice, Amoia also turns his critical eye on sports, historical figures, and martial arts. At times amusing, and other times serious, all of these reviews are refreshingly honest, evidence of a clear thinker and an impartial mind. Many of these pieces are also conveniently and creatively formatted, featuring relevant quotes and key takeaways. Though some of Amoia’s points of critique are repetitive, whether you are looking for some forthright book recommendations, or to […]