It’s time for another post from the Beta Books club at my library, which reads, reviews, and generally has a grand time discussing ARCs (Advanced Reading Copies) of upcoming teen books. Our review form includes a cover discussion, space to share thoughts on the book, and 1-5 star rating. Thanks to today’s reviewers for agreeing to share their thoughts on The Hub! SPOILER ALERT: Some reviews mention plot points.
Reviewer: Piper
Book: The Gospel of Winter, by Brendan Kiely
What did you think of the cover? I really liked the cover, I really think it fit the story quite well. Also I would change nothing about the cover.
What did you think of the book? I enjoyed the overall storyline but at times it could be slow and a bit dragged on. Yes, I would tell a friend to read this book.
How would you rate this book? 3 stars: Pretty good. I wanted to see how it ended.
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Reviewer: Izzy
Book: Splintered, by A. G. Howard
What did you think of the cover? I liked the cover, I think it matched the story. No, I would not change anything about the cover.
What did you think of the book? I thought it was really good. I liked the romance. I wish it described more with better details. My favorite part was when her mom got better. Yes, I would recommend this to a friend!
How would you rate this book? 5 stars. Unbelievable! I’d rather read this book than sleep!
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Reviewer: Chioma
Book: Rites of Passage, by Joy N. Hensley
What did you think of the cover? I actually really liked the cover. It didn’t match the story at all. I would keep the cover the same, but for another version, it could be someone doing a dangerous dare.
What did you think of the book? The summary on the back is good, and so is the first couple pages. I would totally recommend this to a friend.
How would you rate this book? 4 stars: Awesome. I loved it and would give it to a friend.
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Reviewer: Mveno
Book: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, by Matthew Quick (2014 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults)
What did you think of the cover? It fit I suppose, the colors were serious so right off the bat I knew it’d have a heavy topic.
What did you think of the book? Meh – I liked it, however in all honesty, I felt like I’ve read this story before, about five times when it comes to a somewhat generic suicide book, I also saw the ending/climax coming, I’d say that his future notes were interesting, but they were given to the reader too soon, to the point where I actually thought he was from the future, or something along those lines…
How would you rate this book? 3 stars: Pretty good. I wanted to see how it ended.
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Reviewer: Piper
Book: Freak Boy, by Kristin Clark (2014 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults)
What did you think of the cover? I liked the cover quite well and I think it truly matched the story. I wouldn’t change anything at all about the cover.
What did you think of the book? I liked the book because it told the story of how being trans might end up, in a true manner. I only wish I could find out what happened to Brandon in the end. Yes, I would recommend this book to most of my friends.
How would you rate this book? 3 stars. Pretty good. I wanted to see how it ended.
-Becky O’Neil, currently reading The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti, by Rafael Schacter