The Rapid Reader

Purchase these books on Amazon here! The Unwind Dystology is a series of YA dystopian novels by Neal Shusterman. Connor, Risa, and Lev are the three main characters in this four book series. The Second Civil War is over after new reproductive laws are passed. Abortions are no longer legal, but when a child is between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, their families can choose to have them "unwound." Unwinding takes all of a person's organs and transplants them into new donors. Unwinding can happen for several reasons. Connor was a problem child whose family just couldn't "handle" him anymore. Risa is the victim of an overcrowded group home. Lev is a tithe, a child designated by his parents from birth for unwinding. But these three manage to escape and start to challenge the way society views them. Will things ever change? Sex: Sex is not a big aspect of this series, despite it's coverage of reproductive rights. There is a near sexual assault ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Warcross is a YA science fiction novel by Marie Lu. The world no longer revolves around reality: it revolves around Warcross. More than just a game, Warcross is a virtual reality that has a fan base that spans the entire world. When Emika Chen hacks the opening game of the international Warcross Championships, she becomes an overnight celebrity. Not only that, but she catches the attention of the Warcross creator, Hideo Tanaka. Hideo immediately gives her a job and a place in the championship games. But Emika's investigation will unearth secrets she wasn't expecting. Sex: There are a couple of mildly sensual scenes. They never go too far, but they have the potential to in future novels or even in the reader's imagination. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: A few instances of drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several fights and battles. A couple of deaths are talked about in the past tense as...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Renegades is a YA science fiction novel by New York Times' Bestselling Author Marissa Meyer. The first in a series, Renegades tells the story of Nova and Adrian, two teenagers with extraordinary abilities and secret identities. Nova, also known as Nightmare, the niece of a well-known Anarchist, hates the Renegades. Her one mission in life: to take them down. Especially their newest member, the Sentinel. Adrian, also known as the Sentinel, is the adopted son of the two most famous Renegades. He's also on a mission: to find the true identity of Nightmare.  Sex: None. There are some flirty scenes and Adrian was adopted by two dads, but romance isn't a huge aspect of this book. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several battle scenes, fights, and deaths. Final Note: This series is going to be amazing! I couldn't put this book down. Marissa Meyer is a phenome...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Wizards of Once is the latest middle grade novel by Cressida Cowell, the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. Wizards and warriors have always been taught to hate each other. The wizards stay in the forbidden Badwoods and the warriors live in their iron castle. But when Xar, a wizard, and Wish, the warrior queen's daughter, meet each other in the woods, they find that they must work together to fight the one thing everyone is afraid of: witches. Sex: None. Language: None. Xar uses his own cursing. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few suspenseful scenes and battles, but nothing too over the top. Final Note: This book was cute, but it wasn't my favorite. It would be a good stepping stone for younger readers who are showing an interest in things like Harry Potter , but who aren't quite old or mature enough for that particular series.

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers is a nonfiction YA book by Deborah Heiligman. This biography tells the story of Vincent and Theo Van Gogh, not only brothers, but best friends. Heiligman did extensive research, reading all 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during their lives. Brilliantly weaved together, this is a tale of love and friendship. Sex: Both brothers had encounters with prostitutes. While not described in detail, these incidences are recorded in the book. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: There was some minor drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several deaths are covered in this book. There's also the infamous ear loss scene. Final Note: One of the best biographies I've ever read. I didn't have much knowledge of the Van Gogh brothers before reading this and I came away feeling like I actually knew them. I highly recommend this book!

Purchase this book on Amazon here! When Dimple Met Rishi is a YA contemporary novel by Sandhya Menon. Dimple can't wait for summer. She has finally convinced her traditional Indian parents to let her pursue her dreams and attend a program for aspiring web developers. She won't have to listen to her mother constantly nag her about finding a nice, Indian husband. Rishi is also anxious for summer. He is attending the same summer program, but not to learn about web development. He's there to finally meet the woman his parents arranged for him to marry: Dimple. Sex: Dimple and Rishi's parents have very traditional views on sex before marriage. While Dimple and Rishi don't necessarily share those same views 100%, they want to be respectful of their parents, Rishi especially. While sex is discussed, there are no explicit scenes. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: None. Final Note: This book is much mo...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Orphan Island is a middle grade fantasy novel by Laurel Snyder. Nine children live on a perfect island. Everything is wonderful and nothing ever changes, except one day a year. On this day, a boat arrives, carrying a new young child. The children on the island take the new boy or girl in, and the oldest child on the island leaves in the boat, never to be seen again. Where does the boat go? Where does it come from? No one knows and no one seems to wonder, except Jinny. When it's Jinny's turn to leave, she decides she doesn't want to go. But will the island stay perfect if she doesn't follow the rules?  Sex: There is no sex, but a character starts her period and this is something parents need to be aware of in case they haven't had that discussion with their child. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few frightening scenes and a few instances where kids a...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Scar Island is a middle grade fiction novel by Dan Gemeinhart. Jonathan has been sentenced to ten weeks at the Slabhenge Reformatory School for Troubled Boys. On an island in the middle of the sea, Slabhenge is far from civilization. When an accident leaves the prisoners without adult supervision, the "troubled boys" must figure out how to survive on their own. Will they make it out alive? Sex: None. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: One of the adults is seen drinking near the beginning of the book. The boys talk about getting into his "booze" later, but it doesn't happen. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: This is a very suspenseful book. There are a few violent scenes between the boys and several frightening scenes. There are also some deaths.  Final Note: Once again, Gemeinhart has written an awesome middle grade novel that both boys and girls will enjoy! Reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, thi...

Purchase this book on Amazon here! It's Kind of a Funny Story is a YA fiction novel by Ned Vizzini. It was selected by the ALA as a Best Book for Young Adults in 2007 and was named one of the 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels by NPR. Ned Vizzini penned this novel after a 5 day stay in the adult psychiatric ward at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. This book was turned into a movie in 2010. Craig is overwhelmed with his desire to succeed. After successfully studying his way into the top high school around, he suddenly finds himself unable to eat or sleep. Struggling with the pressure he feels, Craig begins to contemplate suicide. Instead, he calls a suicide hotline and ends up checking himself into psychiatric care for five days. This book is about those five days. Sex: There are some sexually explicit conversations and scenes in this book. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: Craig and his friends often drink and smoke marijuana. They are 15 years old. Violence/Gore/...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Looking for Alaska is a New York Times' Bestselling YA novel by John Green. It also won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2006. Although this book was published in 2005, it continues to be extremely popular and is often on required reading lists for high school students. There's a rumor floating around that it may become a movie sometime in the near future as well. Miles leaves his home in Florida to attend a boarding school in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, he develops close friendships with his roommate, "The Colonel", and a girl down the hall named Alaska. Throughout the year, they spend their time sneaking around and playing pranks on the "rich" kids. When tragedy strikes, Miles is determined to find answers and figure out how to move forward. Sex: This book is extremely sexually explicit. There are several graphic conversations and one scene in particular that is very detailed. Language: High. Drug/Alco...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a YA National Book Award Winner by Sherman Alexie. Junior has grown up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. But after being encouraged by a teacher, he decides to go to school at an all-white high school nearby. Loosely based on author Sherman Alexie's real life, this story shows what it's like to follow your dreams, even in the midst of heartache and loneliness. Sex: There are no sex scenes, but the narrator talks about masturbation several times and he makes comments about sex on numerous occasions. Language: Moderate to high. Drug/Alcohol Use: Lots of drinking. Junior blames alcohol for most of the problems on the Reservation. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several fights and deaths. Junior faces lots of loss and heartache. Final Note: I'm not going to lie, this book had a lot of mature material. Normally I wouldn't even be able to finish, but I was extremel...

  Purchase these books on Amazon here! *Disclaimer: I read the first book in this series several years ago. This review is mostly over the second and third books because I can't remember exact details from the first one. The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, and We'll Always Have Summer are the three books in a YA trilogy by Jenny Han. Isabel, better known as Belly, has always spent her summers at the Cousins beach house with her family and her mom's best friend's family. As she gets older, she finds herself developing feelings for both Conrad and Jeremiah, Beck's boys. But when tragedy strikes the families, Belly must learn how to move forward and to follow her heart, no matter which way it leads. Sex: There are no actual sex scenes. Belly remains a virgin for the entire series. But sex is discussed on several occasions. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: There are instances of underage drinking and casual marijuana use in thi...

Eliza and Her Monsters is a YA fiction novel by Francesca Zappia. Eliza is the creator of a web comic called Monstrous Sea. Monstrous Sea has a huge following and the fans know everything there is to know about it: except who the creator is. Eliza prefers to be completely anonymous. One day at school she meets Wallace, a huge fan of Monstrous Sea. They quickly become close, but Eliza holds on to her secret. When she is accidentally exposed, Eliza isn't sure how to move forward. Her life is no longer a secret. What will Wallace think? Sex: There are no sex scenes, but Eliza's parents make a doctor's appointment for birth control when they find out she's hanging out with a boy. Eliza, as the narrator, often describes very vividly how she feels physically. Language: Moderate. There isn't a lot, but it's strong when used. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Suicide is discussed. A past death comes up in several conversations. E...

RoseBlood is a YA fantasy novel by A.G. Howard. It was inspired by The Phantom of the Opera. Rune Germain has the voice of an angel. But every time she sings, she becomes physically ill. When her aunt arranges to send her to RoseBlood, a French arts conservatory, Rune is terrified because of the building's links to the Phantom. Can she learn to control her voice and discover the truth about the Phantom? Sex: While there's no actual sex, there are many very sensual scenes. Language:I don't remember any bad language. If there was, it was mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Just a very strange Rave experience. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The entire book is very suspenseful, mysterious, and frightening. Final Note: I'm not going to lie. I didn't enjoy this book at all. Although I'm a Phantom of the Opera Fan, the twists in this book were just too far-fetched for me to enjoy. Teens who enjoy fantasy will either love or hate this book.

Trouble Makes a Comeback is a YA fiction novel by Stephanie Tromly. It is the sequel to Trouble is a Friend of Mine. It's been a few months since Zoe has seen or heard from Digby. She's moved on with her life: new friends, new boyfriend. But when Digby shows up again, Zoe is pulled back in to his wild life. There are more clues to follow and more mysteries to solve. Sex: Nothing explicit. Sex is mentioned but it's not a large focus in these books. Language: Moderate. Drug/Alcohol Use: Underage drinking. There's also an illegal drug ring for performance enhancing steroids. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Just like the first book, there are some high suspense scenes and violence. Final Note: I've really enjoyed these books. Digby is such an interesting character and I love the comedic aspect. The writing is lighthearted and although there's definitely some romance, it's not the main focus of the story. I think both teenage boys and girls w...

The Names They Gave Us is a YA fiction novel by Emery Lord. Lucy is your typical Preacher's Kid. She does everything right and sticks to the rules. But when her mom's cancer reappears, Lucy finds herself questioning everything she believes in. Instead of spending the summer at church camp, she becomes a counselor at the secular camp next door. Lucy spends the summer finding her own faith, learning more about herself and her parents, and building friendships. Sex: There is a trans character. Teenage pregnancy and prevention are also discussed. Language: There isn't much language, but when it's used, it's strong. Drug/Alcohol Use: Several instances of underage drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: A few suspenseful scenes and many discussions about death. Final Note: As a Christian myself, I could find both positive and negative things in this novel. I believe every teenager raised in a Christian home comes to a point where they begin to quest...

The Siren is a YA fiction novel by Kiera Cass, the author of The Selection series. Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean in exchange for 100 years of servitude as a Siren. Kahlen makes it 80 years before the unthinkable happens: she falls in love. What can she do? And what will the Ocean do when she discovers the truth? Sex: There are no sex scenes, but sex is discussed and implied. Language: I don't recall any strong language. Drug/Alcohol Use: Minor drinking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The Sirens sing people to their death to feed the Ocean. This affects the main character, Kahlen, very deeply. Final Note: This book was completely different than the Selection series, but still very enjoyable. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. A very interesting take on sirens, especially after reading Daughter of the Pirate King.

The Whole Thing Together is a YA fiction novel by New York Times' Bestselling Author Ann Brashares. Sasha and Ray live in the same place, but never together. They share sisters and a room at the beach house, but they've never officially met. Ray's mother and Sasha's dad used to be married. When they divorced, a feud ensued over the beach house and now the two families share it, alternating weeks in the summer. But when disaster strikes, their families are forced to come together and put their differences aside. Sex: There is a sex scene at the end of the book. Besides that, sex isn't discussed much. Language: Moderate to strong. Drug/Alcohol Use: Some drinking at an engagement party. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is a pretty devastating death. Final Note: I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. I love Ann Brashares. She's the author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and several other books I've enjoyed. The ide...

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book is a YA fantasy novel by Jennifer Donnelly. A retelling of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lost in a Book tells the story of Belle as she adventures through the Beast's library. When she finds a book called Nevermore, Belle discovers that she can enter the book and escape the prison of the Beast's castle. But fantasy is not always better, and sometimes things are not quite what they seem. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several suspenseful scenes near the end of the book, but nothing too scary. Final Note: This was a delightful addition to the Beauty and the Beast story! It kept all of the well loved aspects and added a special spin to Belle. It was interesting to read Belle's perspective and feelings about her captivity and how she started to love the Beast.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before, P.S. I Still Love you, and Always and Forever, Lara Jean are the three YA fiction novels in a series by Jenny Han. Lara Jean has had many loves. She wrote them all letters and kept them safely hidden in a hatbox in her room, or so she thought. When her little sister Kitty mails the letters, Lara Jean finds herself having to face everyone. Will it help her find the one she truly loves? **Disclaimer: I've read this entire series but it's been awhile since I read the first book. My content reviews will be over the second and third books in the series. Sex: Lara Jean and her boyfriend aren't sexually active, but sex is talked about a lot. A video of her and her boyfriend in a hot tub circulates around school and it appears to be more than it actually is. While the characters do discuss sex often, and there's a scene that comes close, there are no actual sex scenes in the last two books. Language: Moderate to strong. (I say mod...