Teens Write Reviews

These are all book and music reviews written by teens and librarians in our community. Click on the titles to find the items in the Sarasota County Library Catalog.

You can send your reviews to us at this e-mail address: jhitchco@scgov.net. Please include the title and author or artist, a three or four sentence review, and your first name.

Jan 22
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The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa This was a brilliant finish to the Iron Fey series. Julie Kagawa has created this dazzling fairy world, and has delivered her story incredibly. This final installment was seriously epic. Both the Summer and Winter Courts, who otherwise despised each other, came together and battled beside each other for what they loved and had to protect. Meghan, who in the first two books was struggling to understand who she was and where she fit in with all this chaos has finally shown what she is capable of. No longer is she playing Damsel in Distress waiting for her love, Ash or best friend Puck to swoop in and save her, she has the power and knows exactly what she must do to save the NeverNever. Until the very last word, you are completely immersed in the story, it is intense, exciting, heart wrenching, and sad. Once again, Kagawa has made her readers very happy with the story, characters, and her amazing writing skills. This series is a must read! -Annmarie

The Iron Queen
by Julie Kagawa

This was a brilliant finish to the Iron Fey series. Julie Kagawa has created this dazzling fairy world, and has delivered her story incredibly. This final installment was seriously epic. Both the Summer and Winter Courts, who otherwise despised each other, came together and battled beside each other for what they loved and had to protect. Meghan, who in the first two books was struggling to understand who she was and where she fit in with all this chaos has finally shown what she is capable of. No longer is she playing Damsel in Distress waiting for her love, Ash or best friend Puck to swoop in and save her, she has the power and knows exactly what she must do to save the NeverNever. Until the very last word, you are completely immersed in the story, it is intense, exciting, heart wrenching, and sad. Once again, Kagawa has made her readers very happy with the story, characters, and her amazing writing skills. This series is a must read!

-Annmarie

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The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa Book two of the Iron Fey trilogy by Julie Kagawa, is as big of a success as the first book. The bold, mystic fairy world is still very much an amazing picture in your mind. Meghan, who first ventured to the NeverNever to rescue her brother, has in fact, saved him but it’s from who she saved him from that puts the NeverNever in huge risk. Meghan, who has learned she is actually half Summer fey and half human, and Winter Court Prince, Ash have discovered a new type of fey, the Iron fey. Bringing this information back to the Summer and Winter Courts was so important, but the Kings and Queens do not believe these Iron fey actually exist. Meghan still has so much to learn about this new world, and herself. There are many revelations in The Iron Daughter that make it impossible to put down. It is just as action packed as the first book, and the third book is anything but a let down. -Annmarie

The Iron Daughter
by Julie Kagawa

Book two of the Iron Fey trilogy by Julie Kagawa, is as big of a success as the first book. The bold, mystic fairy world is still very much an amazing picture in your mind. Meghan, who first ventured to the NeverNever to rescue her brother, has in fact, saved him but it’s from who she saved him from that puts the NeverNever in huge risk. Meghan, who has learned she is actually half Summer fey and half human, and Winter Court Prince, Ash have discovered a new type of fey, the Iron fey. Bringing this information back to the Summer and Winter Courts was so important, but the Kings and Queens do not believe these Iron fey actually exist. Meghan still has so much to learn about this new world, and herself. There are many revelations in The Iron Daughter that make it impossible to put down. It is just as action packed as the first book, and the third book is anything but a let down.

-Annmarie

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The Iron King by Julie Kagawa Julie Kagawa has done a fantastic job at creating a magical, fairy world. The mythical creatures, overly-vivid colored plants, exaggerated facial features of the fairies really allows the reader to picture this world perfectly in their imagination. The protagonist, Meghan, is a very relatable character who has one mission in mind while traveling to the NeverNever, to save her brother, who was captured by a magical someone. However, Meghan creates quite a stir in the NeverNever, discovering that she has more of a connection to this strange world than she once thought. The Iron King is quite an easy and fun read. It makes many references to previous literature, including Shakepeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream and Peter Pan. It is very action packed but also includes romance and humor, which really help to liven the plot and keep the reader’s interest. This is just the first book in Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey trilogy, and I’m sure the other books will be just as good! -Annmarie

The Iron King
by Julie Kagawa

Julie Kagawa has done a fantastic job at creating a magical, fairy world. The mythical creatures, overly-vivid colored plants, exaggerated facial features of the fairies really allows the reader to picture this world perfectly in their imagination. The protagonist, Meghan, is a very relatable character who has one mission in mind while traveling to the NeverNever, to save her brother, who was captured by a magical someone. However, Meghan creates quite a stir in the NeverNever, discovering that she has more of a connection to this strange world than she once thought. The Iron King is quite an easy and fun read. It makes many references to previous literature, including Shakepeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream and Peter Pan. It is very action packed but also includes romance and humor, which really help to liven the plot and keep the reader’s interest. This is just the first book in Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey trilogy, and I’m sure the other books will be just as good!

-Annmarie

Jan 03
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Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are the victors of Panem’s 74th annual Hunger Games. Citizens of the Districts are thrilled, and look to Katniss and Peeta as the face of rebellion against the Capitol. However, President Snow (ruler of Panem and the Capitol) communicates to Katniss that he is watching her and is keeping an eye on the possibility of another uprising. Katniss must be careful of the things she says or does, if not, people she cares about will get hurt. In the next year’s Hunger Games, the Quarter Quel which is a special kind of games, the victors of past games must return to the arena. Of course, Katniss and Peeta are returning and each has one mission – keep the other alive. In Catching Fire you can see much more of the political storyline than in The Hunger Games that really develops the plot. Fans of the series would most definitely be pleased. -Annmarie

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are the victors of Panem’s 74th annual Hunger Games. Citizens of the Districts are thrilled, and look to Katniss and Peeta as the face of rebellion against the Capitol. However, President Snow (ruler of Panem and the Capitol) communicates to Katniss that he is watching her and is keeping an eye on the possibility of another uprising. Katniss must be careful of the things she says or does, if not, people she cares about will get hurt. In the next year’s Hunger Games, the Quarter Quel which is a special kind of games, the victors of past games must return to the arena. Of course, Katniss and Peeta are returning and each has one mission – keep the other alive. In Catching Fire you can see much more of the political storyline than in The Hunger Games that really develops the plot. Fans of the series would most definitely be pleased.

-Annmarie

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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Katniss Everdeen grew up in District 12 of Panem. District 12 is the poorest of all the districts ran by the Capitol. Due to a previous uprising the Capitol holds an annual event to remind people of the Districts who is the boss, called the Hunger Games. In the Hunger Games one boy and one girl from each District, ages 12-18, are chosen to participate in a fight to the death. A series of unfortunate events lands 16-year-old Katniss a spot in the games. This book is very fast paced and intense, in turn making it nearly impossible to put down. Author Suzanne Collins, makes all of the characters, especially Katniss, likeable, extremely relatable and easy to sympathize with. Some scenes are quite graphic, but it just adds to the imagery and emphasizes the severity of the Hunger Games. -Annmarie

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen grew up in District 12 of Panem. District 12 is the poorest of all the districts ran by the Capitol. Due to a previous uprising the Capitol holds an annual event to remind people of the Districts who is the boss, called the Hunger Games. In the Hunger Games one boy and one girl from each District, ages 12-18, are chosen to participate in a fight to the death. A series of unfortunate events lands 16-year-old Katniss a spot in the games. This book is very fast paced and intense, in turn making it nearly impossible to put down. Author Suzanne Collins, makes all of the characters, especially Katniss, likeable, extremely relatable and easy to sympathize with. Some scenes are quite graphic, but it just adds to the imagery and emphasizes the severity of the Hunger Games.

-Annmarie

Oct 30
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Night World By L.J. Smith I recommend Night World because it is a very good book. It is one of the best immortal/romance books I have ever read and I have read a lot of immortal/romance books. I loved it so much I read the whole series! It is a series that presents a story in which vampires, witches, werewolves and shape-shifters live among humans without their knowledge. These supernatural races make up a secret society known as the Night World, which enforces two fundamental laws to prevent discovery: 1) Never allow humans to gain knowledge of the Night World’s existence and, 2) Never fall in love with one of them. In all of the story’s a Night Worlder breaks both of the 2 fundamental laws.The book is 3 stories put together but all are as good as the other. - Arlyce

Night World
By L.J. Smith

I recommend Night World because it is a very good book. It is one of the best immortal/romance books I have ever read and I have read a lot of immortal/romance books. I loved it so much I read the whole series! It is a series that presents a story in which vampires, witches, werewolves and shape-shifters live among humans without their knowledge. These supernatural races make up a secret society known as the Night World, which enforces two fundamental laws to prevent discovery: 1) Never allow humans to gain knowledge of the Night World’s existence and, 2) Never fall in love with one of them. In all of the story’s a Night Worlder breaks both of the 2 fundamental laws.The book is 3 stories put together but all are as good as the other.

- Arlyce

Oct 29
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City of Bones By Cassandra Clare I defiantly recommend City of Bones because it is my favorite book. It is suspenseful, never boring and it has the best plot. It is a funny, dark and romantic book. Its about Clary Fray finding out some information that she never thought possible. she always thought all that stuff was only fairy tales, it could never be true. It all started one night at an all-age club, called Pandemonium. - Arlyce

City of Bones
By Cassandra Clare

I defiantly recommend City of Bones because it is my favorite book. It is suspenseful, never boring and it has the best plot. It is a funny, dark and romantic book. Its about Clary Fray finding out some information that she never thought possible. she always thought all that stuff was only fairy tales, it could never be true. It all started one night at an all-age club, called Pandemonium.

- Arlyce

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The Bar Code Rebellion By Suzanne Weyn I recommend The Bar Code Rebellion. It is even better than the first book, The Bar Code Tattoo! It is suspenseful and fun to read. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. I finished it within a week. I loved it so much I wish there was another one! This book is never boring, it always has something to keep you engrossed in it. It doesn’t have a predictable plot in any way, it keeps you guessing, wondering and reading. This is a book once you pick it up you can’t put it down. So, I recommend The Bar Code Rebellion and everyone should read this book. It is a must Read! - Arlyce

The Bar Code Rebellion
By Suzanne Weyn

I recommend The Bar Code Rebellion. It is even better than the first book, The Bar Code Tattoo! It is suspenseful and fun to read. Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. I finished it within a week. I loved it so much I wish there was another one! This book is never boring, it always has something to keep you engrossed in it. It doesn’t have a predictable plot in any way, it keeps you guessing, wondering and reading. This is a book once you pick it up you can’t put it down. So, I recommend The Bar Code Rebellion and everyone should read this book. It is a must Read!

- Arlyce

Oct 22
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The Hunger games by Suzanne Collins. I usually try to stay away from all the really popular, books because they all seem cliche and over read. Out of boredom one day, I thought, I should try the hunger games I mean why not? As soon as I started reading i couldn’t stop, It was a serious addiction. All day I would think of when I could read the book again. Suzanne Collins has an amazing way with words, and if you like a good action book, I would recommend you read this right away! -Stephie

The Hunger games
by Suzanne Collins.

I usually try to stay away from all the really popular, books because they all seem cliche and over read. Out of boredom one day, I thought, I should try the hunger games I mean why not? As soon as I started reading i couldn’t stop, It was a serious addiction. All day I would think of when I could read the book again. Suzanne Collins has an amazing way with words, and if you like a good action book, I would recommend you read this right away!

-Stephie

Aug 10
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Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare I would recommend this book because it was never boring. It is about a human girl who finds she has “shape-shifting” powers, which are coveted by many evil people. She finds a protected home in Shadow Hunter Institute. Overall Clockwork Angel is an amazing book. -Jesse

Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare

I would recommend this book because it was never boring. It is about a human girl who finds she has “shape-shifting” powers, which are coveted by many evil people. She finds a protected home in Shadow Hunter Institute. Overall Clockwork Angel is an amazing book.

-Jesse

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Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play by Ridley Pearson The five Kingdom Keepers go through more adventures to save Disney and keep each other alive. With Maleficent and Chernabog locked up, Cruella DeVille and the Evil Queen from “Sleeping Beauty” take charge to help Maleficent and Chernabog escape. This book is great and exciting! -Jenna

Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play
by Ridley Pearson

The five Kingdom Keepers go through more adventures to save Disney and keep each other alive. With Maleficent and Chernabog locked up, Cruella DeVille and the Evil Queen from “Sleeping Beauty” take charge to help Maleficent and Chernabog escape. This book is great and exciting!

-Jenna

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The Dragon Princess by E.D. Baker Princess Emma and Prince Eadric had a daughter named Millie. The only thing about Millie is that she turns into a dragon when she gets mad. She needs to learn how to control this and goes to see the Blue Witch who her friend said could help. She meets awesome new friends and goes through fun adventures in “The Dragon Princess”. -Jenna

The Dragon Princess
by E.D. Baker

Princess Emma and Prince Eadric had a daughter named Millie. The only thing about Millie is that she turns into a dragon when she gets mad. She needs to learn how to control this and goes to see the Blue Witch who her friend said could help. She meets awesome new friends and goes through fun adventures in “The Dragon Princess”.

-Jenna

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No Place For Magic by E.D. Baker Princess Emma has gotten married to a prince named Eadric. Prince Eadric’s brother has been kidnapped by evil trolls and Princess Emma and Prince Eadric need to get him back. They go through many thrilling/exciting adventures in “No Place For Magic”. -Jenna

No Place For Magic
by E.D. Baker

Princess Emma has gotten married to a prince named Eadric. Prince Eadric’s brother has been kidnapped by evil trolls and Princess Emma and Prince Eadric need to get him back. They go through many thrilling/exciting adventures in “No Place For Magic”.

-Jenna

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Once Upon A Curse by E.D. Baker There is a family curse on a princess named Emma, making anyone who’s a girl in her family turn into a mean ugly person if they touch flowers after their 16th birthday. Emma’s almost 16 and her beloved Aunt has just fallen under the curse. Emma goes out on a quest to end the family curse in “Once Upon A Curse”. I really enjoyed this book! -Jenna

Once Upon A Curse
by E.D. Baker

There is a family curse on a princess named Emma, making anyone who’s a girl in her family turn into a mean ugly person if they touch flowers after their 16th birthday. Emma’s almost 16 and her beloved Aunt has just fallen under the curse. Emma goes out on a quest to end the family curse in “Once Upon A Curse”. I really enjoyed this book!

-Jenna

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Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker Princess Emma’s aunt’s husband was turned into an otter, and they need to turn him back. There is a list of items to get before they can. They go on many fun adventures in this fun book, “Dragon’s Breath”. -Jenna

Dragon’s Breath
by E.D. Baker

Princess Emma’s aunt’s husband was turned into an otter, and they need to turn him back. There is a list of items to get before they can. They go on many fun adventures in this fun book, “Dragon’s Breath”.

-Jenna