Fahrenheit 451  by Ray Bradbury
	Reviewed by Ariana Cervantez  August 8, 2024 Grade 11

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Sci-fi, dystopian, male protagonist, dark, morals

Plot Summary: "It was a pleasure to burn." This startling line is the opening of Ray Bradbury's sci-fi thriller Fahrenheit 451... the temperature at which paper catches fire... Guy Montag lives in a world dedicated to pleasure, where there is simply no time for truth or beauty or goodness, and certainly no time for the truth, beauty, and goodness found in literature. He is a fireman, and his job is simple: find fellow-citizens who are hiding books in their homes, and burn them. It's only until he meets young Clarisse, a girl who introduces him to the small things in life, that he begins to question himself and the reality of his dystopian world. With a masterful style and tone, Ray Bradbury weaves a tale of how one man -for the first time in his life- chooses to defy the norms of his society and begins to forge his own identity. The reader joins Montag in his quest for truth, and in the danger of his final decision.

Personal Review: Okay. So, I have a lot to say about this book, and I could go on and on raving about it! In any case, I absolutely LOVE Fahrenheit 451! First of all, the style of writing is incredible, the author's way with words being very unique for a novel. Even though the book is relatively short, the plot itself is brilliant, and has got to be one of the most fantastic, most eerie, and most profound stories I have read before. The dystopian society that Montag lives in (supposedly a futuristic America) is pretty scary- kids driving around at 120 mph, huge, blinding TVs that take up entire walls, Fun Parks where you go to smash windows and cars just for fun. Yeesh. The character Mildred (Montag's wife) is a good example of the kind of people who inhabit the place; she's shallow, preferring her TV "family" to anything else, and doesn't have any qualms about her later actions regarding Montag's decisions. The young character Clarisse, on the other hand, sees the world in a different perspective, and often shocks Montag by showing him things he hadn't known before, especially by her sincere question, "Are you happy?" Montag's job is pretty freaky, too. In his society, books are forbidden (suspected that within their pages is plain nonsense) and anyone discovered hiding books in their homes are reported to the "firemen." At the beginning of the book, Montag takes great pride in his profession, jokingly saying that kerosene was simply perfume to him, believing along with the rest of society that it was for the greater good that books were made illegal. Of course, Montag comes to realize all of the false things he has been taught his whole life, which ultimately makes him better prepared for his role at the story's climax and gives him the strength he must have in the end. All in all, Fahrenheit 451 is a must-read! I encourage you to read it (it's a relatively short book) and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do! 

Similar Reads: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins is a good read! Both Katniss' world and Montag's are torn by war (although the heroine Katniss experiences the worst of it while Montag is lucky enough to live in safety) and live in dystopian societies.

	Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
	Reviewed by Anonymous February 9, 2024 Grade 10

Your Rating: ☆☆★★★

Book Tags: war, grief, science fiction

Plot Summary: Katniss has just experienced her home (District 12) being destroyed by the Capitol’s bombs. As a result, she escapes to District 13 which is underground and the district that first rebelled against the Capitol. In District 13, she is given food, water, shelter, and training, since people 14 and older can become soldiers. She remembers how President Snow was hunting her down because she caused a rebellion to happen. Peeta is at the Capitol taken prisoner while Katniss is at 13. The president of 13 and other refugees call Katniss the Mockingjay because many people looked up to her to help rebel against the government. She visits injured people in District 8 only to experience another bombing from the Capitol. After that, many districts rebel but end up being attacked by the Capitol. So, Katniss goes on a mission to overthrow the government of Panem along with Gale, the president of 13, Plutarch, and other friends of Katniss. While Katniss is doing her mission, the Capitol television crew film Katniss traveling and fighting in combat. Multiple times she has been injured and sent to the hospital. Will Katniss be able to overthrow the government in time before things get any worse?

Personal Review: This book was pretty good but it wasn’t as good as Hunger Games and Catching Fire. This one talked a bit too much about how they got to the Capitol to overthrow the government. It was still pretty action packed which made the book sound good too. It was really interesting seeing how much Katniss has grown throughout the trilogy from being a regular citizen of District 12 to being the Mockingjay for the citizens in the districts. It was unfortunate that Katniss wasn’t able to stay with Gale but at least the story ended happily. The whole trilogy was really cool and interesting as I never imagined that the events in The Hunger Games would be a possible future. I liked how Katniss was willing to do whatever it took to save herself and every one of Panem. I like how the author was able to explain and add up to an ending. The last chapter of this book surprised me. So, this book was still great, and I still enjoyed it so I would recommend it. Readers will like the storyline and the action in it. I can’t wait to read the prequel!

Similar Reads: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and The Giver by Lois Lowry

	Star Wars: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray
	Reviewed by Anonymous June 3, 2023 Grade 10

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Star Wars, romance, Romeo and Juliet recreation

Plot Summary: The plot follows the lives of Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree, two childhood friends, as they experience the upheaval of the Galactic Empire's ascent and the following revolt. Despite coming from different backgrounds, Thane and Ciena have a similar love of aviation and aspire to work as Imperial pilots. Together, they register in the Imperial Academy and advance through the ranks, displaying their extraordinary abilities and constant loyalty to the Empire. Thane starts to doubt the Empire's tactics and the effects they have on the galaxy, while Ciena is steadfastly devoted to upholding the Empire's rule and bringing about order. Their friendship is put to the test as a result of their diverging pathways being caused by their divergent perspectives. Despite being on different sides of the conflict, Thane and Ciena remain close, even as they become embroiled in a perilous game of lies and intrigues. Readers are led on a trip that explores the effects of the Empire's repressive authority and the seeds of rebellion that start to take root as Thane and Ciena navigate the complexity of their allegiance and the constantly shifting tides of the galactic struggle.

Personal Review: This was one of the only books that I read in a matter of 3 days...It was difficult to put the book down. By focusing on the experiences of characters who are neither Jedi nor Sith but rather common people attempting to find their place in a galaxy at war, it offers a new viewpoint on the Star Wars universe. It's so cool seeing the behind the scenes of events from the original trilogy in the Star Wars movies. This book has friendship, romance, loyalty and so much more. Claudia Gray writes in such a beautiful and
meticulous way that allows the reader to feel and connect with the characters. My favorite character was Ciena Ree because I connected to her point of view most of all and her way of thinking. I definitely recommend this book to all Star Wars fans who enjoyed the original trilogy!

Similar Reads: Stars Wars: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn or Star Wars: Dark Disciple by Christie Golden

	Divergent by Veronica Roth
	Reviewed by Jocelyne Perez May 20, 2023 Grade 10

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: rebelliion, identity

Plot Summary: The plot of Divergent is fast-paced and action-packed, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Tris's initiation into the Dauntless faction is filled with adrenaline fueled challenges, dangerous encounters, and the constant threat of faction rivalry. The intense training sequences and gripping action scenes are balanced with moments of introspection, as Tris questions the society she lives in and grapples with her newfound identity. Roth tackles thought-provoking themes throughout the novel. The exploration of identity, conformity, and societal expectations raises important questions about the value of individuality and the dangers of suppressing one's true nature. The factions serve as a metaphor for the limitations and dangers of labeling and categorizing people based on singular attributes. These themes resonate deeply with readers and invite contemplation long after the final page is turned. While Divergent is an enthralling read, it does have some minor flaws. At times, the pacing feels uneven, with slower sections in between the more action-packed sequences. Additionally, some plot developments may appear predictable to seasoned readers of the dystopian genre. Nevertheless, these minor shortcomings do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Personal Review: I loved it! I really enjoyed this book because it had a thrilling plot, well developed characters, and thought-provoking themes. The story was set in a society where people are divided into fractions based on their personalities. One of the parts I enjoyed the most was how these characters had to navigate through society while also discovering their own personality. In fact, some of my all-time favorite characters in this book are Tris and Four. The multiple themes carried out about identity and individualism were also thought-provoking. However, I didn't enjoy how predictable some plot points were, it took away from the overall suspense carried out through the book. Another thing I didn't like was how the book didn’t give much background information as to how this society came about. I’d say it just jumped right into the action and failed to provide more details about the society. Despite these two minor dislikes, the book is one of my overall favorite books to read. Overall, it's an engaging and amazing read that I would highly recommend to my peers.

Similar Reads: Some similar reads that I would recommend are The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

	Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
	Reviewed by Lexi Aakre April 24, 2023 Grade 7

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: fairy tale adaptation, science fiction, female protagonist

Plot Summary: This is the 2nd book in the Lunar Chronicles about a girl named Scarlet who lives in Rieux, France in the future. She works at Benoit farms, which is owned and run by her grandmother. When her grandmother suddenly goes missing one day, Scarlet goes on a mission to find her. She gets help from a street fighter named Wolf and they head to Paris, France. Separately, a cyborg named Cinder and Carswell Thorne are also looking for Michelle Benoit, who is Scarlet's grandmother. Scarlet goes through a difficult
journey of betrayals and obstacles which end in a tragedy, but her friends help her through it.

Personal Review: I had already enjoyed the first Lunar Chronicles book, Cinder, so I thought I would like this one as well and I was right. I liked the fractured fairy-tale and futuristic aspect of this series. In this particular book, I especially liked the way they conveyed Wolf, as he was a very complex character. His character arch was very interesting to read about. The book was creatively written, and the plot was suspenseful. I personally liked the way the two plot lines tied together at the end, with Cinder and Thorne meeting with Scarlet and Wolf. I also liked the descriptions and there were many memorable scenes. Scarlet is based off of the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and while it stuck to that basic plot, it was much more interesting and entertaining. Some parts of the plot were more devastating than others, and the book got darker towards the end. If you like science fiction and fractured fairy tales, this is a great book for you.

Similar Reads: The 5 other books that make up the Lunar Chronicles are very similar to Scarlet.

	The Giver by Lois Lowry
	Reviewed by Anonymous April 18, 2023 Grade 9

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags: male protagonist; utopian fiction ; dystopian

Plot Summary: The novel is set in a utopian society with the protagonist Jonas receiving his career. This sets him on a complicated path that leads to a series of horrifying revelations about his community, his family, and the parts of human history that have been removed from collective memory. These various events make Jonas second guess himself about everyone, even his own parents. He starts to spiral and is unsure if he can carry himself with his chosen career. Everyone who lives there is content with the way things are and yet completely in the dark in regard to what life used to be like and the emotions, colors, and experiences they have all been stripped of.

Personal Review: This book is a good book making you think differently over our life and a utopian life. It truly makes you wonder; the book did make me feel quite unsettled when I read it, with a couple of the weird scenes. without a doubt it is still a very good book. The plot and setting just makes it better. The way the author explains it in detail is not hard to imagine Jonas in his society. Not only that, but the visions Jonas is also receiving and the author's description and attention to detail just makes it better. I would rate this book a 6.5/10 only because of the disturbing and unsettling events that occur. Which consists of a chunk of the novel, but this book would be as good as it is without these events. They fit into this futuristic perfect society where somethings have to change to see the better.

Similar Reads: Similar books that I have read are Divergent by Veronica Roth and The Hunger Games series.

	I Have  No Mouth & I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison
	Reviewed by Alexandria Douglas Rejon February 24, 2023 Grade 10

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Science fiction

Plot Summary: In this universe, the cold war turned into WW3 and because of advancements in technology, the war became so complicated because of many different components. So, 3 countries created Master computers to fight for them, The American Master computer (AM) gained sentience and killed all humans, except for 5 of them. There is Ted who is our narrator and our primary character. There is Nimdok who was a conman, Gorrister who is now apathetic, Benny who was once very smart but has been physically and mentally destroyed by AM and finally Ellen my favorite character and also the only woman in the group. 
So now that you have the entire setting, let's get into the plot. We open with all of our characters (except Gorrister) looking at the ceiling at the suspended dead body of Gorrister. It turns out that this is a fake body that AM had created to mess with them. The real Gorrister appears and is troubled by the sight of this. It is then explained to us that the group has been inside AM for 109 years. AM has made our group unable to die of natural causes, However, they still feel the pains of hunger and thirst. It amuses AM when they must go without food and water for months and sometimes years. Sometimes AM will give them disgusting “food” like worms or decomposing meat, just so he can watch them eat and they become terrified because they are going to get hungry again eventually. They are continuously tortured by AM. So, you might be thinking why don't they kill themselves? It is because AM refused to let them die permanently. 
Nimdok says he has visions of an ice cave with canned food in it and the group decides they have nothing better to do and so they might as well walk to it. Ted says that the ice caves are only 100 miles away, but they have been alive for so long that the distance doesn’t bother them. We learn that Benny has de-evolved, He is basically half human, half ape with the thought capacity of a toddler. Ted hates Ellen, Ellen is a beacon of hope.

Personal Review: I Have No Mouth & I Must Scream was written by Harlan Ellison and released in 1967. The story was adapted into a video game in 1995. Everything we see in sci-fi horror is either inspired or directly influenced by this book. This was the pioneer of Sci-Fi horror. Most people view the book as a piece of nihilistic literature, but I'd argue the opposite. This story is a presentation of the undeniable persistence of the human spirit. And yes, if you read this beat by beat, it appears like this is a torture fantasy. I look at it as a triumph of humanity.

Similar Reads:  They're Made Out of Meat by Terry Bisson; The Jaunt by Stephen King; The Veldt by Ray Bradbury; Second Variety by Philip K. Dick

	Scythe by Neal Shusterman
	Reviewed by Anonymous December 21, 2022

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: science fiction, dystopian, adventurous

Plot Summary: In a conflict-free world where humans have conquered so many things, including death, there are "Scythes" that are elected who must keep the population under control, as they are the only ones able to give death. Two teens find themselves volunteered as apprentices to become Scythes, they are named Citra and Rowan. Neither of them want to become Scythes but are forced to volunteer as their lives are put in danger.

Personal Review: This book had a very original story in my opinion, it made me wonder what would happen in a universe where humanity had conquered all of our biggest obstacles. This science fiction world was very interesting to explore and I really enjoyed the Scythes as characters. I think this book will really get you to reflect as you go through the themes and moral dilemmas within. Best news is that there are two more books after this one! So if you love it, you have so much more to read!

Similar Reads: Matched By: Ally Condie; The Program By: Suzanne Young; The Hunger Games By: Suzanne Collins