Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Royal Scandal ramps up the intrigue as Evan Bright navigates danger, family tension, and nonstop media scrutiny inside the palace. Reviewer Sara Tripp shares that the twists, attempted assassination, and shifting loyalties keep readers guessing until the final pages. With royal drama, suspense, and a cliffhanger ending, this sequel delivers high stakes and fast paced mystery. A great pick for teens who enjoy modern royalty, scandal, and gripping whodunits.
The Dark We Know is a debut novel that offers a mysterious and pensive look at the cyclical nature of trauma, wrapped in a spooky horror package. While the excellent premise—an art student confronting a supernatural entity linked to her past—will appeal to fans of Hill House, the book suffers from vague backstories and a lack of character development.
This graphic novel adaptation of Grand Master of Demonic Cultivation offers fast paced mystery, reincarnation, and magic, though it loses some of the depth and character nuance found in the original novel. The reviewer notes that while the art conveys key moments, the story moves quickly and can be hard to follow. Featuring music based magic through instruments like the flute and guqin, it offers unique classroom connections and an engaging blend of fantasy, ghosts, and mystery.
The Wilderness of Girls starts strong with an intriguing mix of mystery, identity, and survival. Reviewer Tami Rigling notes that while the opening captivates, the story becomes confusing as major details go unresolved, especially the question of who Mother is. Simple black and white illustrations add atmosphere but not clarity. With its emotional intensity and ambiguous ending, this book may appeal to readers who enjoy darker, unresolved stories but may frustrate others.
Welcome to the Grandest Game, a high stakes competition designed to give anyone a chance at fortune. Seven golden ticket holders enter with different motives, secrets, and ambitions. As challenges grow more dangerous, tensions rise and alliances shift. Each puzzle pushes the players mentally and physically, revealing who is willing to bend the rules to win.