Reviews written by Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer

It's always fun to find a book that gives an unique twist to a dystopian novel. There's so many out there right now it's hard to find one that stands out among all the others. THE BODIES WE WEAR got my attention with the premise of...

I'm a huge fan of diversity in YA novels. For this reason I'm always on the look out for fantasy worlds that are based on other cultures besides the usual Anglo ones. Seriously, there are other cultures out there! We need to see them! ...

A great tale of the love of sisters set in a futuristic world under the sea. I loved Condie’s dystopian series MATCHED and once again she delivers an amazing new tale! What worked: I loved the twist on ‘The Little Mermaid’ set in a future world...

Cute alien. Action. Suspense. Romance. Sign me up! What worked: I really enjoyed the alien backdrop with hints of Roswell the TV series meets ET. Only in this case the alien just happens to be sizzling hot. Not only...

A girl with an ability to see the dead. An English house with one very hot guy who just happens to be dead. A beautiful ghost that is able to cause havoc. All these are included in GHOST HOUSE. What worked: I'm a huge...

Creepy, haunting retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER told through the eyes of Madeline Usher. What worked: Griffin once again weaves magic in her retelling of a Poe novel. This novel starts off with a horrific scene and then goes...

I'm always a sucker for a good witchy tale. So I was really excited to get a copy of HEXED to read. What worked: The writing is fun, catchy, that reminded me of CHARMED meets SECRET CIRCLE only with witty dialogue and a reluctant heroine. ...

The premise of this novel sounded intriguing--young girl goes to Paris, goes undercover as a model as she searches the mystery behind a top designer's disappearance. Oh, did I mention the backdrop is Paris? What worked: There's lots of insight into what goes on behind...

What worked: Donnelly shows readers Miromara, a rich ocean world filled with mermaids, subjects, and sea animals. The creatures and language in this world are imaginative and give Ariel of Disney's Little Mermaid a run for it's money. There's some humor and light moments throughout which will bring...

Contemporary YA romances are hot right now. The Bridge From Me to You uses an unique approach by alternating between prose and poetry to deliver a heart felt story of two lost teens and the magic of believing in not only yourself but others. What worked:...

Four girls get together and form a secretive group to combat bullying on their campus only they didn't realize that in the process they'd made some deadly enemies. What worked: I loved the whole premise of four classmates with nothing in common who get together to fight...

I'm a huge fan of Kimberly Derting's THE PLEDGE series and was really excited to be able to read her latest novel. Mysterious and suspenseful, this novel shows us sixteen-year-old Kyra waking up and finding out she's lost five years. This is more than a Sleepy...

Talk about whirlwind suspense, tension, and adventure that doesn't stop! I was hooked on the very first page of the latest Diana Renn novel. With all the talk lately on a lack of diversity in YA, this one is a perfect addition to that collection. ...

I'm huge on historicals with a paranormal element. Add a hint of romance and suspense and I'm hooked. WANTED-DEAD or IN LOVE takes a historical couple, Bonnie & Clyde and weaves an unique twist that is equal parts engaging and intriguing. What worked: I totally...

Love graphic novels! This latest from First:Second continues the Olympians series with Aphrodite. It starts with her 'birth' and then forced marriage to Hephaistos and a contest that ends up starting an infamous war. So much to love about this graphic novel! Aphrodite is not so...