Shine By Lauren Myracle

“Shine” is an intense novel by Lauren Myracle which is set in a very small, backwoods town in the south. After her former best friend falls victim to a hate crime where he is beaten half to death and thrust into a coma, Cat faces her own fears and sets off to find the perpetrator. When she finds herself in the middle of a much larger story full of drugs, sex, lies, and hate, Cat ends up being a target for next victim. In this book Cat learns that everything and everyone she thought she knew is not as they seem. This novel is incredibly gripping and a great suspense. I loved every second of “Shine,” it was a story of hate, bravery, and self-discovery. I recommend this book to anyone who can get their hands on it.

Reveiwed By Cheyenne Newberry

Awake at Dawn By C.C. Hunter

“Awake at Dawn” is the second novel in C.C Hunter’s “Shadow Falls” series. The “Shadow Falls” series bases itself around Kylie Galen, a girl who once thought she was just a normal girl who happened to see ghosts. When she arrives at the Shadow Falls summer camp, she soon learns otherwise. In book one, “Born at Midnight”, Kylie finds out she has supernatural talents but is given no indication to what she is. Her first few weeks are not easy at the camp. Kylie constantly plays peer mediator to her cabin roommates, finds herself in the middle of a love triangle, and has to deal with her ghosts  and the mysterious dead animals showing up. “Awake at Dawn” picks up where Kylie left off in the first book; stuck in a love triangle and still without a clue of what she is. In “Awake at Dawn” Kylie’s powers intensify as do her problems. With a new ghost following her, Kylie must save a loved one from death, sort out her feelings, and figure out what she is. I love the “Shadow Falls” series. C.C Hunter has created a relatable character with a sense of humor that had me laughing every page. If you’re a fan of the paranormal genre this book has a little of everything; from vampires to fairies, were-wolfs, and shape shifters. Great Read!  -Reveiwed By Cheyenne Newberry

Beneath the Meth Moon By Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson’s “Beneath the Meth Moon” is written from the perspective of 15-year-old recovering meth addict, Laurel Daneau. In this gripping novel Laurel is writing an elegy to her past in an attempt to gain control of her life again. I devoured every word in “Beneath the Meth Moon.”The novel is a quick read of only about 200 pages and sucks you in from the very first. I believe that Woodson has created a book that appeals to readers of all kinds; I especially recommend this book to those who are fans of Ellen Hopkins’ books.

Reveiwed by Cheyenne Newberry

The Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon

Ben Campbell was fourteen when his father announced he was gay. Ben’s mother left and Ben spiraled down a dark path of drugs and anarchy. Three years later Ben runs into trouble again which pushes his dad to the breaking point. His dad decides that the only way to keep Ben out of trouble is to get him away from the city. Next thing Ben knows he’s packing his bags to go live with his “momdad’s” mother in rural Montana. If being a skater-punk with two dads in back country Montana wasn’t bad enough, Ben soon discovers how even little towns can hold very dark secrets. It is a very deep and entertaining book that brings up several contentious issues. For example, what it’s like to have a parent come out and how it can completely change a family. The book definitely does a great job illustrating how a mixed up punk from the city deals with and integrates into a rural society.

Reviewed by David Downes