The Iron Trial, by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are both great writers, but when they team up they create something fantastic. The Iron Trial, is the first book in their Magisterium series and I was blown away when I read it. I loved that the main character, Callum, didn’t want anything to do with magic. He tried so very hard to fail the tests that would grant him entry to the Magisterium, that when he was accepted I felt just as scared and angry as he was. Many fantastical stories have a main character that loves their new world and their role in it, at least at first. But Callum always hated the idea of magic and didn’t want to take his place in that world. This is a very refreshing take on traditional fantasy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loved the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series. The Iron Trial has a lot of the same elements, but with twists that you won’t see coming and that will keep you interested enough to finish the book in record time.

-Reviewed by Dani

A Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones is the first book in the series. I love this novel because it always had me wanting to read more and not wanting to put the book down. The author describes the scenario so clearly that it almost feels as if you were there. The characters' feelings and thoughts are described so thoroughly it makes them seem lifelike. A Game of Thrones is a science fiction book which also includes the political system of lords and lordships. I highly recommend this book to those of you who have liked the books in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan, and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, and the book Eragon by Christopher Paolini . -Reviewed by Olivia

Never Ever Getting Back Together, by Sophie Gonzales

. Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales is a near perfect novel. It’s off to an amazing start right from the title, extrapolated from a song by Taylor Swift, the mother of modern romance. The story is told from alternating points of view, featuring two women competing against each other on a reality dating show, where the prize is their mutual ex. The only problem: while one of them is still head-over-heels in love, the other is plotting to take down the man that cheated on her and broke her heart. As the competition progresses, truths are revealed and unexpected relationships are established right up until the ending. While a little predictable, Never Ever Getting Back Together is a feel-good celebration of queer love, reality TV...

The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson

The Hill House is a place of horror and madness. Stories of ghost sightings, death, and other supernatural events fill its history. Naturally, where there is a mystery, there are always people to solve it. Meet Dr. Montague: a philosopher. He set out to the Hill House to find a scientific explanation for all the supernatural events. He needed assistants however, so he chose three people: Eleanor, Theodora, and Luke. This group then experiences terrifying events during their week-long stay, while experiencing conflict between them. This was an amazing read. I felt very engaged while reading. I love how I was able to see what type of people they are thanks to Shirley Jackson’s work. I recommend this to people who are into horror topics, or people who are looking for something continuously engaging. -Reviewed by Aaron

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