Category: Young Adult

Review: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

Title: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London’s Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What’s more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa’s power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm’s length…everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world…and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

Review:

1870: Tessa Gray travelled from New York to London to find her brother after the death of their aunt. She was greeted by two women who said they were sent to retrieve her. The women, called the Dark Sisters, kept Tessa locked up until she learned how to use her secret ability, which was to transform into any person. Just before Tessa is sent to marry the mysterious Magister, she is rescued by the Shadowhunters. With their help, Tessa has to find her brother and help save everyone from the Magister.

I love historical fiction and fantasy, so this story was the perfect combination. It was actually quite creepy at the beginning, when Tessa was learning how to use her power. The setting of Victorian London had a dark atmosphere, which added to the fantasy plot.

This was such a great story. I wish I had read it sooner. I can’t wait to read the next one!

What to read next:

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

Other books in the series:

  • Clockwork Prince
  • Clockwork Princess

Have you read Clockwork Angel? What did you think of it?

Review: City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3)

Title: City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments #3)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 24, 2009
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

To save her mother’s life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters — never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and her best friend, Simon, has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family’s past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he’s willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City — whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the final installment of the New York Times bestselling The Mortal Instruments.

Review:

Clary, Jace, and the Lightwoods have to travel to the City of Glass, the home of the Shadowhunters, for an urgent meeting following the events of the last book. At the last minute, Jace changes the plans, and tells Clary’s friend Simon to keep her at home while they go there. They are suddenly attacked, which leads them to bring Simon, a Downworlder who isn’t allowed in the City, through the portal with them, leaving Clary behind. Clary tries to sneak into the city, but it isn’t easy to do. Meanwhile, Simon is thrown into prison for illegally entering the city. All of the Shadowhunters are brought together in their battle against Valentine, and they have to decide if they can work with the Downworlders to finally defeat him.

This was such a fast paced story. It was set during just a couple of days, which is hard to believe when so much happened. I don’t want to give away any spoilers for the series, but there were two characters who were falling in love with each other, but then they discovered that they were related. Somehow, I was still rooting for these two to be together, even though they were related. I usually wouldn’t want characters who were related to be together but I loved seeing them as a couple. I was glad that in this story, they figured out a way to fix this problem.

The one good thing about entering the Shadowhunters series this late is that there are so many books in this series and all of the spin off series. I’m really looking forward to starting a new trilogy set in this world before returning to The Mortal Instruments.

This was such a good story!

What to read next:

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments #4) by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Other books in the series:

Have you read City of Glass? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: This Golden Flame

Title: This Golden Flame
Author: Emily Victoria
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, LGBT
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 2, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Orphaned and forced to serve her country’s ruling group of scribes, Karis wants nothing more than to find her brother, long ago shipped away. But family bonds don’t matter to the Scriptorium, whose sole focus is unlocking the magic of an ancient automaton army.

In her search for her brother, Karis does the seemingly impossible—she awakens a hidden automaton. Intelligent, with a conscience of his own, Alix has no idea why he was made. Or why his father—their nation’s greatest traitor—once tried to destroy the automatons.

Suddenly, the Scriptorium isn’t just trying to control Karis; it’s hunting her. Together with Alix, Karis must find her brother…and the secret that’s held her country in its power for centuries.

Review:

Karis is an orphan who is learning to be a scribe in the Scriptorium, a group who are searching for the secret to unlock the magic of the automatons. When she was sent to that island after being orphaned, she was separated from her older brother. Now, seven years later, she will do anything to find him. One day, she finds a cave with an automaton inside, and she accidentally awakens it. The automaton is an intelligent creature named Alix. His final memories are from two hundred years in the past, and his father is now remembered as a traitor. Karis now has something the Scriptorium wants: Alix. She runs away with Alix, and her friend Dane, to find her brother and learn the secrets of Alix’s existence.

This story was set in a unique world. Many aspects seemed ancient, with the scribes and the old buildings with columns. At the same time, there were some futuristic aspects, such as the automatons. The automatons, that could come to life, were powered by runes, so even they seemed like a mix of ancient and future.

This was an own voices story with an asexual main character. This wasn’t a major part of the story, but Karis mentioned it a couple of times. Karis felt different from everyone else, and she had never even seen anyone kiss until the end of the book. I liked that this was part of her character but it wasn’t treated as an entire plot point in the story. I also liked that this was a fantasy story that didn’t have a romance for the main character. She had other important, meaningful relationships that didn’t involve a romantic partner. It’s important to have all kinds of representation in all genres of stories.

This was a great fantasy story!

Thank you Inkyard Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell

Dark Shores by Danielle L. Jensen

About the author:

Emily Victoria lives on the Canadian prairies with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, works at her public library, and has just finished her Masters of Library and Information Studies.

Have you read This Golden Flame? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: Wench

Title: Wench
Author: Maxine Kaplan
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Amulet Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 19, 2021
Rating: ★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A funny, fiercely feminist YA epic fantasy—following the adventures of a tavern wench

Tanya has worked at her tavern since she was able to see over the bar. She broke up her first fight at 11. By the time she was a teenager she knew everything about the place, and she could run it with her eyes closed. She’d never let anyone—whether it be a drunkard or a captain of the queen’s guard—take advantage of her. But when her guardian dies, she might lose it all: the bar, her home, her purpose in life. So she heads out on a quest to petition the queen to keep the tavern in her name—dodging unscrupulous guards, a band of thieves, and a powerful, enchanted feather that seems drawn to her. Fast-paced, magical, and unapologetically feminist, Wench is epic fantasy like you’ve never seen it before.

Content warning: Some magic in the book involves self-harm.

Review:

Tanya has worked at a tavern with her adopted father for the past ten years. When he suddenly dies one day, she loses the tavern. The Queen’s guard takes it from her, so she decides to travel with them to see the Queen and get the title for her tavern back. On their journey to the city, Tanya finds a magical quill that the guard is also transporting. Tanya ends up connecting herself to the quill through blood magic, which leads her on an epic journey through different worlds.

This was quite an extensive magical journey. Tanya went to many different kinds of lands, including forests, a palace, and a volcano. The blood magic was intriguing because it was irreversible. She was connected to the quill in a very intimate way that also had complications.

This story focused on Tanya, but it was written from a third-person perspective, rather than a first-person perspective. I think I would have felt more of a connection to Tanya if it had been written from her point of view. Tanya also seemed to get distracted from her goal of retrieving her tavern. She became focused on the quill and magic, rather than just working towards getting her tavern back. If she had stayed focused on her original goal, she could have completed it much quicker. Also, since it was called “Wench” I thought there would be more of a focus on her working at the tavern. That was a small part of the story, with most of it being about the quill and magic, so the title is deceiving.

This was a good epic fantasy story, but it could have been presented in a more accurate way.

Thank you Amulet Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

About the author:

Maxine Kaplan was born in Washington, DC. She and her twin sister spent their early childhoods trotting behind their journalist parents as they traveled around the world, eventually settling in Brooklyn, NY. Maxine graduated from Oberlin College in 2007. Following a long stint in the world of publishing, she has worked as a private investigator since 2009. She lives in her adopted hometown of Brooklyn, NY, with her dimwitted, but soulful cat.Her first novel The Accidental Bad Girl received a starred review in Publishers Weekly and will be available in paperback January 5, 2021. Her sophomore novel, Wench, is coming in January 19, 2021. 

Giveaway:

One person will win a finished copy of Wench. The giveaway starts on January 25th and ends on February 1st.

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/fc15a59520/

Have you read Wench? What did you think of it?

Review: The Meet-Cute Project

Title: The Meet-Cute Project
Author: Rhiannon Richardson
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: January 12, 2021
Rating: ★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Save the Date in this sweet and hijinks-filled rom-com about a teen girl who will do whatever it takes to find a date for her sister’s wedding.

Mia’s friends love rom-coms. Mia hates them. They’re silly, contrived, and not at all realistic. Besides, there are more important things to worry about—like how to handle living with her bridezilla sister, Sam, who’s never appreciated Mia, and surviving junior year juggling every school club offered and acing all of her classes.

So when Mia is tasked with finding a date to her sister’s wedding, her options are practically nonexistent.

Mia’s friends, however, have an idea. It’s a little crazy, a little out there, and a lot inspired by the movies they love that Mia begrudgingly watches too.

Mia just needs a meet-cute.

Review:

Mia needs to find a date to her sister’s wedding so that she isn’t paired with her future brother-in-law’s younger brother for the wedding party. Mia already has a lot to deal with, including math team, swim team, AP classes, and volunteering at the community garden, so she doesn’t have time to look for her own date. Her friends decide to each try to create a meet-cute moment for Mia, so she can “spontaneously” meet the perfect guy for her. It seems like a simple solution, until something goes wrong with each meeting, making Mia wonder if she will ever get her meet-cute moment.

This was a light, fun romance. Mia had to deal with typical high school things, like homework and teams, but she also had to deal with her bridezilla sister who insisted that Mia find a date for her wedding. I don’t really think it was that necessary for Mia to have a date to the wedding when she didn’t already have a partner, but it made for some funny moments.

I liked that though Mia is Black, it wasn’t the entire part of her personality or the story. It is definitely important to have stories about race, but it doesn’t have to be the main focus of every story. Mia didn’t have to deal with racism or racial issues. She was just a teenage girl who was trying to find a date.

This was a fun young adult romance!

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

Have you read The Meet-Cute Project? What did you think of it?

Review: You Have a Match

Title: You Have a Match
Author: Emma Lord
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 12, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she’ll never forget. 

From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord’s You Have a Match, a hilarious and heartfelt novel of romance, sisterhood, and friendship…

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

Review:

Abby Day signs up for a DNA service to support her adopted friend Leo who is doing the test to possibly find out more about his birth parents. When Abby gets her results back, she’s shocked to find out that she has a full sister in the system, who she never knew existed. Abby and her newly found sister Savannah meet and decide to go to a summer camp to get to know each other and to figure out why Abby’s parents had a daughter who they gave up for adoption a year and a half before Abby was born.

The Parent Trap was one of my favourite movies when I was a kid, so I was so excited to read this book with a similar premise. In the movie, two twin sisters meet each other at a camp, and realize that their parents split up and each took one of the twins. This story is a little different since the girls weren’t twins and one was adopted to another family, but it had the same theme of finding a sister that you never knew you had.

This story was also a little suspenseful because of the mystery surrounding Savannah’s adoption. It seemed unusual that Abby’s parents would have a child who was given up for adoption and then a year and a half later have another child who they kept. I couldn’t figure out why that happened, so it was a surprise when it was revealed. I have heard of cases like this happening with adopted children before, where parents give up a child for adoption and then have more children later. DNA services are also making it more common for people to find relatives that they didn’t know existed, which I think will be a common story in many books in the future.

I really enjoyed this fun summer story!

Thank you Wednesday Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Have you read You Have a Match? What did you think of it?

Review: Love and War (Alex and Eliza #2)

Title: Love and War (Alex and Eliza #2)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

1780. Albany, New York. 

As the war for American Independence carries on, two newlyweds are settling into their new adventure: marriage. But the honeymoon’s over, and Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler are learning firsthand just how tricky wedded life can be. Alex is still General George Washington’s right-hand man and his attention these days is nothing if not divided–much like the colonies’ interests as the end of the Revolution draws near. Alex & Eliza’s relationship is tested further by lingering jealousies and family drama. 

Review:

1780: Newlyweds Alexander and Eliza Hamilton are settling into their new life. They haven’t been able to settle into their own home yet because of Alex’s unstable job and traveling around. He has been General Washington’s right hand man, but he’s ready to take a bigger role for himself. While Alex decides to take some chances with his job, Eliza has to deal with family drama at home.

Though this story takes place almost 250 years ago, there were some timely aspects of it. America is still fighting in the Revolutionary War in the story. Alex has ideas about how America should be governed after the war. He believes the states should be united, using the same currency and laws. This theme of unity is prevalent today in the President Joe Biden’s plans for his presidency. There was a quote from Eliza at the end of the book which is so relevant today: “[The United States of America] is a shared space and a shared vision, and only when we learn that our different points of view give us a special strength will we tap into the full potential of our unique, united sensibilities.” Our differences make the world special, and they shouldn’t divide us.

I learned a lot about American history in this story. I didn’t know the details about how the country was formed during the Revolutionary War. I also found it fascinating how these historical problems, like the division between two groups of people, are still so relevant today.

This is a beautiful historical series!

What to read next:

All for One by Melissa de la Cruz

Hamilton and Peggy!: A Revolutionary Friendship by L.M. Elliott

Other books in the series:

Have you read Love and War? What did you think of it?

Review: Red School (Part 1)

Title: Red School (Part 1)
Author: Victoria Aveyard, Soman Chainai, Joel Gennari (illustrator)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Publisher: N/A
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: October 27, 2020
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Fantasy titans Victoria Aveyard and Soman Chainani team up in a two-part graphic novel event! Featuring your favourite characters from ‘Red Queen’ and ‘The School for Good and Evil’ series.

Review:

The royalty from Norta, including Mare, Cal, and Maven, go to The School for Good and Evil for a special ball. While they are celebrating, the school is taken over by a red fog that infects people from both sides and posses them. The characters from Red Queen (Mare, Cal, and Maven) and the characters from The School for Good and Evil (Agatha, Sophie, and Tedros) have to work together to find the source of the fog.

This is such a fun graphic novel that combines the worlds of two of my favourite series. This story doesn’t give any spoilers to the series (all the characters are alive, even if they died at some point during either series) so this graphic novel could be read at any point during the series. However, it would be useful to have some knowledge of the characters and read at least one book from both series before reading this graphic novel because the characters aren’t really introduced.

I loved seeing these characters illustrated. There are images of the characters from The School for Good and Evil on those book covers, but I had never seen authentic illustrations of the characters from the Red Queen series. It was so much fun to see all of these characters work together.

This was such a fun graphic novel! I can’t wait to read the next one!

What to read next:

Red School (Part 2) by Victoria Aveyard, Soman Chainani, Joel Gennari (illustrator)

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Other books in the series:

  • Red School (Part 2)

Have you read Red School (Part 1)? What did you think of it?

Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)

Title: A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

FEYRE WILL BRING VENGEANCE.

She has left the Night Court – and her High Lord – and is playing a deadly game of deceit. In the Spring Court, Tamlin is making deals with the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees, and Feyre is determined to uncover his plans. But to do so she must weave a web of lies, and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As mighty armies grapple for power, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places. 

BUT WHILE WAR RAGES, IT IS HER HEART THAT WILL FACE THE GREATEST BATTLE.

THE THRILLING THIRD BOOK IN #1 NEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLING FANTASY SERIES FROM SARAH J. MAAS.

Review:

Feyre has left the Night Court, Rhysand, and her newly fae sisters, and returned to Tamlin and the Spring Court. She’s pretending that the mating bond between her and Rhys has been broken so she can learn the war plans of Tamlin and Hybern. Feyre has to figure out how to defeat Hybern with his magical cauldron, while also uniting the High Lords in war.

This was an epic conclusion to Feyre’s story. The story continues in a novella and another novel, which will focus on another couple. However, this book ended Feyre’s main story arc, which had an exciting finale.

There were some heart-pounding moments at the end of the book. I really didn’t know how it was going to end and who was going to survive. Even though this story ended most of the main story, there were still some loose ends that can continue in the upcoming books.

I loved this thrilling third book!

What to read next:

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Other books in the series:

Have you read A Court of Wings and Ruins? What did you think of it?

Blog Tour Review: One of the Good Ones

Title: One of the Good Ones
Author: Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★

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Goodreads Synopsis:

The Hate U Give meets Get Out in this honest and powerful exploration of prejudice in the stunning novel from sister-writer duo Maika and Maritza Moulite, authors of Dear Haiti, Love Alaine.

ISN’T BEING HUMAN ENOUGH?

When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic.

One of the good ones.

Even as the phrase rings wrong in her mind—why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed?—Happi and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way, using an heirloom copy of The Negro Motorist Green Book as their guide. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could’ve ever expected—one that will change everything all over again.

Review:

Kezi Smith, a teenage vlogger and activist, was killed during a social justice rally. Her younger sister, Happi, and her older sister, Genny, are left to their grief. Kezi is called “one of the good ones,” and is recognized as an idol by the media because she wasn’t a troublemaker. Kezi had planned on doing a road trip after she finished high school along Route 66, following the guide book The Negro Motorist Green Book. Genny and Happi decide to do this trip with two of Kezi’s best friends to commemorate her life, but what they find is something only Kezi could give them.

This was a fantastic story! I already know it’s going to be one of my favourites of the year and perhaps of all time. It brings up some important questions that are timely but also have historical significance. Why are some deaths condemned because the victim was “one of the good ones”? Just because someone has made some mistakes, does that mean they deserve to be brutally murdered? Since Kezi was popular and fighting for social justice, she was called “one of the good ones,” who didn’t deserve to die as a result of the rally. That implies that the “bad ones” deserve those deaths. It also brings into question, what determines if someone is good or bad, and who makes this decision.

This book blended many different genres. There were some historical chapters, which looked back on Kezi’s ancestors and the way they were treated because they were Black. Most of the story had a contemporary setting. The final part of the story was extremely suspenseful. There were some thriller aspects which I wasn’t expecting, but they just made this story even more tense and exciting.

I could not put this book down. It had something for everyone and I believe everyone should read this book!

Thank you Inkyard Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What to read next:

Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

About the authors:

MAIKA MOULITE is a Miami native and the daughter of Haitian immigrants. She earned a bachelor’s in marketing from Florida State University and an MBA from the University of Miami. When she’s not using her digital prowess to help nonprofits and major organizations tell their stories online, she’s sharpening her skills as a PhD student at Howard University’s Communication, Culture and Media Studies program. Her research focuses on representation in media and its impact on marginalized groups. She’s the eldest of four sisters and loves young adult novels, fierce female leads, and laughing.

MARITZA MOULITE graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in women’s studies and the University of Southern California with a master’s in journalism. She’s worked in various capacities for NBC News, CNN, and USA TODAY. Maritza is a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania exploring ways to improve literacy in under-resourced communities after being inspired to study education from her time as a literacy tutor and pre-k teacher assistant. Her favorite song is “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Have you read One of the Good Ones? What did you think of it?