Pet Sematary is about tragedy and evil, and how the allure of 'something more' can overcome logic. A man named Louis Creed moves into a new home in Ludlow, Maine. The neighbors, an elderly couple, are nice, but Mr. Crandall has some secrets about the makeshift cemetery near their backyard. Or, more specifically, what's beyond the gravesite.

Pet Sematary was a great book because of the space in between the tragedy. Stephen King describes the happy parts of the Creeds' lives, making them think everything's alright, while foreshadowing to the reader that something else is going to happen. He writes the devolution into insanity well in every book, but what stands out here is that Louis tries to rationalize his actions, and admits to knowing that what he's doing is wrong, but always goes back to 'But it's fine'.

If you enjoy Stephen King's other works, or are interested in which book scared the famous writer the most, you would enjoy Pet Sematary by Stephen King.

Mischa, 15

Rating:  

 Suggest the Library purchase this book

Gone Girl is a young adult novel that takes place in current times. It details the aftermath of Amy Dunne’s disappearance and her husband Nick looking like the obvious suspect. The book flips through the two perspectives of Amy’s diary entry before she went missing and Nick in the present. Gone Girl is constantly interesting with its big twists and themes of mystery, suspense and revenge.

I adored this book. Flynn was able to capture how some women may feel in society and what would happen if they decided to exact their revenge. She was easily able to bring the emotions and feelings of the characters off the page with their realistic motives and flaws. I enjoyed how Gone Girl’s changing perspectives made you question what really is the truth and if people are really who they present themselves as.

I would recommend this book for a mature audience. The book has dark themes and strong language. Despite this, the book makes the reader question what really is the truth in a fun and entertaining way.

Rylie, 15

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

After going through The Hollowing, a large group of people now need human flesh to keep their humanity intact but a synthetic flesh has been created as a substitute. When four girls go to a music festival one of the group goes feral and eats someone. They must figure out why this is happening and how to stop it before it's too late.

I liked this book a lot because of the combination of mystery and romance. The author's writing style gave the reader a glimpse of each character's experience with the hollowing and I found that to be helpful in understanding the characters' motivations.

The book is good for people who aren't bothered by blood and gore. I would also recommend this book to those looking to read LGBTQ+ romance.

Cambrie, 14

Rating:  

 Suggest the Library purchase this book

Project Hail Mary is a Sci-Fi book about a man who wakes up and doesn't know who he is. Gradually, throughout the book, he starts to remember certain things. The main character was written very realistically, so he's easy to relate to, and he's very funny.

Project Hail Mary is an awesome book because of the way it's told. It shifts from the current events surrounding the main character to memories that occur to him as he's trying to remember who he is. This way of story-telling is not unique to this book, but the fact that we only know as much as he does makes you feel like you're there with him as he tries to figure things out.

If you like Science Fiction, funny characters, and some good old suspense, then you should definitely read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Mischa, 15

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

It was about two sisters, the older one went missing and the other sister blamed herself and would not stop looking for her sister until she was found. She found another girl in the middle of the road and brought her to her home and realized this girl might know where her sister is.

I really enjoyed it because it was similar to murder mystery and the book was really intriguing. It makes me realize that I may not have forever with someone so I need to spend my time with them wisely.

I would really recommend the book The Sisterhood by A.J. Grainger to anyone who really enjoys mysteries. For anyone who is into horror or missing stories.

Jaedyn, 15

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

Caraval by Stephanie Garber is a fantasy novel following two sisters, Scarlett and Tella, who enter a mysterious game called Caraval to escape their father's control. When Tella goes missing, Scarlett must navigate through illusions and secrets within Caraval to find her.

I had mixed feelings about Caraval. The best aspect was the imaginative world-building, with its whimsical descriptions and magical atmosphere. The twists and turns added suspense, but at times it felt overwhelming and confusing. Additionally, character development could have been stronger, leaving me wanting more depth and connection to the protagonists.

I would cautiously recommend Caraval to fans of fantasy who appreciate vivid settings and a suspenseful plot. If you enjoy books that immerse you in enchanting worlds and don't mind sacrificing some character development for a fast-paced adventure, then Caraval might be worth a read. However, if you prefer more well-rounded characters and a clearer narrative, this book might not fully satisfy your expectations.

Jane, 13

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

A group of six teenagers go on a trip for spring break. Their RV breaks down in the middle of nowhere where there is no cell service or town nearby. They find out this was a planned attack to uncover a secret one of them is keeping. Only five will survive the night.

It was an excellent book. I enjoyed the suspense as they uncovered everyone's secrets and work to figure out why they were targeted.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. It is great for people who like thrillers.

Cambrie, 14

Rating: 

 Suggest the Library purchase this book

Jason Dessen has happy life with a lovely family and an ordinary job. Everything was great until he was kidnapped, drugged, and suddenly woke up in a place that wasn't his own. For that moment onward, his life turns into an array of perilous incidents that prevent him from meeting with his wife and son.

Dark Matter is the dictionary definition of an explosive page-turner, I finished it in one and a half days and tended to re-read the whole thing immediately, but I know how to contain myself. The plot is another great take on the multiverse concept, and the science combines both actuality and imagination seamlessly which hooks you on the story. You know this is a great book when you strip all of the sci-fi stuff, and the story boils down to a father who got separated from his family and tries his everything best to be with them, it is a personal and heartful story that is strengthened with multiverse travel which is enormously bonkers.  The prose is simple enough that it plays into the strength of the book, making it a certified page-turner.

I absolutely recommend Dark Matter to anyone who wants to break out of a reading slump. If you enjoy the multiverse concept, read it because it is another fresh take on the idea. Also, check your schedule because this book will keep you up all night, so be careful.

Minh, 16

Rating:  

  Find at the Library

A cute ghost story about a girl named Nene Yashiro who goes into the legendary bathroom stall of school mystery No. 7, Hanako San. What she finds there is very different than she is expecting. She ends up becoming the assistant of Hanako Kun and together they solve the school mysteries.

I loved this book and it's a wonderful start to the world of manga. The characters have adorable personalities the setting is cute. One of my favorites.

I would totally recommend this book to any manga or anime fan. This is totally worth reading.

Analise, 12

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is a novel bout mystery and of a girl named Pippa who becomes obsessed with solving a 5-year-old case. Along the way, she uncovers years' worth of dark secrets.

I thought it was a really crazy roller coaster ride. I finished it in less than a week because I was so eager to solve the case with the main character, Pippa.

I would recommend this book to any teenagers or young adults who love a good mystery book.

Victoria, 17

Rating:  

 Suggest the Library purchase this book

A retired, depressed cop gets a letter one day. This letter is a definite taunt to him. It is signed, 'Mr. Mercedes'. The letter's message is obvious: Do it. Kill yourself. The letter spurs the cop, Bill Hodges, to investigate the Mercedes massacre and find who the killer was.

I really enjoyed this book, because Stephen King made the plot twists intriguing, but not whack you in the face twists. Looking back, you can see 'Oh! That's how it ties together', which is, in my opinion, the best way to reveal a plot twist.

I would recommend this book to people who like murder mysteries, and don't mind gore or language that could be considered 'adult language'. This book would most likely appeal to older teens, but I read it at 14 and found it truly exciting.

Mischa, 14

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

Two different timelines collide in an attempt at murder to cover up a successful murder that occurred decades before. Finders Keepers is the sequel to Mr. Mercades, and introduces multiple new characters, as well as adds a touch of supernatural to its predecessor.

This book was very good, but very confusing at first. You originally have no idea how to two timelines tie into each other and it can get confusing, keeping track of all the characters, but, in typical Stephen King fashion, it all works out in the end. I liked this because of how the timelines slowly converged, eventually becoming one.

If you like complicated books that force you to pay attention and end in cliffhangers, then you will definitely love Finders Keepers.

Mischa, 14

Rating:  

 Find at the Library

The book followed an elderly women finding a note about a dead body in her woods. The majority of the story takes place in the women's mind and her thoughts, as she creates a story for the unknown victim. She ventures to uncover the mystery.

The book isn't unbearable, but it wasn't my favorite. It lacked a lot of action and just took place in the women's mind. Towards the end the book got a little more exciting, but the ending was rather lackluster.

I would recommend the book to those who read a little bit of everything. It's an interesting concept. I would not recommend to someone who is more interested in stories.

Grettel, 18

Rating: 

 Find at the library

A woman who one day murders her husband, shooting him in the face, out of nowhere then never talks again. Theo, her new doctor, is persistent on finding out her story.

I really loved it! I loved the twist and turns this book had. You never know what's going to happen next.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers and loves plot twists.

Victoria, 17

Rating:  

 Find at the library

Verity is a thriller book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next thing to happen. The book is about a man that lost everything and is trying to fix it. The ghost writer comes to visit his house to learn about his wife. While she’s visiting she finds something not related to the book at all but will change everything.

Verity is a intense book that’s amazing. Once you start reading you can’t stop because you want to know what happens next. Verity has lots of jump scares in book version. It’s a great thriller book.

I would recommend the book to anyone that likes to solve the mystery before the book ends, that’s very passionate about things and tries to find evidence to back it up. This is definitely for horror and thriller lovers. I’d recommend if you want to be scared a little and have a debate with others that read it.

Nadia, 15

Rating:  

Find at the library

Young Vega Jane lives in a confined world called Wormwood. Past its boarders lies a great unknown filled with horrors and nightmares. After one of her colleagues vanishes into the unknown, Vega is left with hints of where he might of gone and of the mysteries that lie outside of Wormwood.

I was a bit hesitant about this book at first but after I got past the first couple of chapters, I was hooked. The plot is similar to some novels but it is delivered in a unique way that doesn't make it sound repetitive.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves stories with rebellion and mystery. I would recommend it to those who are fans of The Maze Runner by James Dashner because it reminds me so much of it.

Gavin, 15

Rating: 

 Find at the library

I read this book for the first time last summer. I was living in Italy for half a year when I came across a small book store. John Greens Paper Towns was the only book they had in English. In middle school I had read The Fault in Our Stars and I remember 13 year old me being gutted by Greens writing. So with all of these factors, I bought the book. I took with me on a train ride from the city I was living in, Turin, to Rome. The train ride was 4 hours long and I read the whole book front to back. The entire time I was gaining respect for Margo Roth Spiegelman and admiration for Quentin. 

This book kept me planted on the edge of my seat. I found my self in the character Margo. She did only what I've dreamt of. running away. just escaping my very own paper town. Green writes about this surreal moment between the two main characters. they are looking over their town. Margo refers to it as a Paper Towns and although I read this many moons ago, that moment stays with me. I highly highly recommend this book.

Anna, 16

Rating:  

Find at the Library