YA Bookshelf: 4 Book Reviews

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November 5, 2020 by thewashingteenian

by Z.H., Teen Reviewer

• A Thousand Pieces of You, by Claudia Gray

         I enjoyed this book enough to finish it, but not enough to continue the series. The reason for this was there was too much romance for me. I enjoyed the mystery and dimensional travel in the book but it was not enough to overpower the romance. If you are into romance and sappy stuff, then this would be a great book for you. Throughout this book, we follow Marguerite in a goose chase across dimensions to find her father’s killer. As this happens, a love triangle forms and makes everything more complicated. This book is too complex for me and I would recommend this for ages 15 and up due to sexual content, mature themes, profanity, and mild violence.

• I Am The Weapon, by Allen Zadoff

         I enjoyed this book because there was a lot of action and adventure. In “I Am The Weapon,” the main character travels in and out of places in just enough time for people to mysteriously die. The main character in this book is an assassin for the Program, which is a corporation that eliminates enemies of the United States. One high-profile assignment makes him wonder if he is doing the smart thing, or if he should quit his dangerous job. Bridges are burned, relationships are broken, and new ones are formed. I recommend this book to middle schoolers and up because of violence, mild profanity, and some mature themes. 

• All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

         I liked this book because it was very moving and was told in many perspectives. This book takes place in a divided environment that has a lot of racial tension. It tells a story of a victim of racism and police brutality and also of a bystander who is conflicted between doing the right thing or defending his friend. Throughout the book, the characters, Rashad and Quinn, grow closer together and eventually take action. I would recommend this book to mature audiences like high schoolers because of intense profanity, mature themes, and violence. This book relates to what is happening in the US today and is a good way to find the truth. #BlackLivesMatter

• Legend, by Marie Lu

         I liked this book because it had a lot of twists, turns and adventure. This dystopian novel’s setting takes places in the future and the city of Los Angeles is split into sectors. The sectors in the city were based on wealth and power. One of the main characters who is named Day, who is from a poor family and is well-known as a thief.  The other main character who is named June is a wealthy sister to a police officer, and he is very committed. This police officer is killed by Day, and June feels rage and bitterness towards him for this act. They endure a ton of adventures and hardships together and finally become friends after Day saves June’s life multiple times. This book is the first in a series, and I recommend it to preteens and up because of violence, mild profanity, and mature themes.