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The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
by Abby Lalonde
Blue Sargent, the female protagonist The Raven Cycle is the only member of her household who does not possess psychic abilities. She shouldn’t be able to see the dead, but she does see him. His name is Gansey, he’s a rich private school boy who attends Aglionby. Blue has a rule to stay away from Aglionby boys, or Raven Boys. But she’s drawn to Gansey, his quest and the three other Raven Boys he’s roped into his search: Adam who goes to Aglionby on scholarship and resents his friends’ privilege, Ronan, a boy with a trouble streak who experiences intense negative emotions, and Noah, the quiet one who knows much more than he lets on. Ever since Blue was a child, she’s been told she would kill her true love if she kissed him. She never thought it would be a problem, until now, as she becomes entwined in the lives of four Raven Boys.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater is the first book in my favourite series of all time, The Raven Cycle. The plot is interesting, the characters are so fleshed out, and the mythology that provides the background for the main plot is incredibly unique. What makes this book so great, in my opinion, is the writing. The story is told in third person omniscient, which gives a captivating way to understand the characters and offers a less popular writing style. One of my favorite parts about the writing is the subtle foreshadowing that is blatantly obvious while rereading the story. Steifvater also spends time focusing on privilege, feminism, and poverty in this book, which is refreshing for a fantasy. All in all, if you’re looking for a unique and quirky urban fantasy with incredible characters and writing, you should definitely check out The Raven Boys.
A Discovery of Witches
By: Paige Stacey
“The leather-bound volume was nothing remarkable. To an ordinary historian, it would have looked no different from hundreds of other manuscripts in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, ancient and worn. But I knew there was something odd about it from the moment I collected it.”
- Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy.
Diana Bishop is a historian and a powerful witch, but due to her parents' untimely death she refrains from the use of her magic and ignores the sparks that settle underneath her skin. Upon calling up a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, she is pushed back into the world of sorcery in order to uncover the secrets that lay within Ashmole 782. Help is offered by Matthew Clairmont, a mystifying geneticist and vampire.
First published in 2011, the series suits a wide variety of genres; fantasy, romance, alchemy and even a bit of history as there are many allusions all the way from the Salem witch trials to Christopher Marlowe.
Some say it’s a mix between Twilight and Harry Potter, but I’d say against that. Unlike those series (no hate to them), the All Souls Trilogy holds a much higher complexity and maturness that those do not.
Currently there are four books out: A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, the Book of Life and Time’s Convert: A Novel, with more underway. Although I am only through the second book, I would highly recommend giving it a read even if you’re hesitant. I was at first, but now I can’t stop reading it.
If you’re one of those people who are totally against reading, there is a miniseries that can be found on Amazon Prime. With a third season in production, the interpretation is overall satisfactory. In my opinion, it was rushed and many of the key details and events from the novels were left out which left me feeling discontent in that aspect. However, there were things added to the drama that kept me entranced, and physically seeing Harkness’ work played out on screen pleased my need for visual representation.
“It begins with absence and desire.
It begins with blood and fear.
It begins with a discovery of witches.”
The All Souls Trilogy is one of my favourite series so far, and I would at least recommend you put it on your list. The books are amazingly well-written and Deborah’s intricact, enchanting, and perfect balance of words will keep you wanting more through and through.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
By Caitlin Croskery
May 3, 2021
If you’re like me, and most of the world, your usage of Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services has shot up drastically since the start of the pandemic. All the newest releases on these platforms are viewed within the first week or so, and eventually, one must resort to scrolling through the backwaters for something new to see. Disney, and in particular Marvel, has stepped up to address this increased demand with WandaVision, and other upcoming shows and movies like Loki, Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, there is another series that just aired its final episode on April 23rd, and is ready to be enjoyed: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
WARNING! Significant spoilers ahead for Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
Mackie, Emily Van Camp and Stan in action
Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan star as the Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame, everyone who was dusted in the blip has now returned five years later, and the world is in a state of reconstruction and general displacement. Among those who have returned are Sam Wilson, the Falcon, and Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Soldier. Both have suffered the personal loss of their close friend, Steve Rogers, who has passed on the shield and the heavy mantle of Captain America to Sam. Bucky, for his part, is still coming to terms with his past actions as the Winter Soldier and Hydra’s weapon; now alone in his 106-year-old life without his best friend. Together, Sam and Bucky must face the newest global threat, and work to make peace with the past and their futures. And tolerate each other while they’re at it.
As a true Marvel production, one of the best parts of the series are the special effects. The abilities of each of the main characters allows for some interesting, dynamic confrontations such as fighting on moving vehicles or flying through the air and attacking helicopters. These scenes are very well done, and spectacular even on the smaller screens that are found at home. Another highlight is the relationship between the two main characters. Despite having a mutual friend, Sam and Bucky have bickered back and forth for two or three movies in little bouts—and that’s not counting the time they spent actually fighting each other back in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This series does an excellent job of showcasing not only their individual character growth, but how their relationship blossoms while still maintaining a certain level of sarcastic charm.
While the characters we’ve grown to love are certainly a highlight, there were some strange inconsistencies in the storyline. The plot seems to take precedence over everything else—like the characters’ strength and abilities are fit into a model of how the scene should play out instead of the characters initiating a course of action themselves. There were a couple logic or power mismatches that didn’t seem quite right when compared to other Marvel films. Also, the pacing is uneven from episode to episode, with some consisting of mainly filler without much else or a spike of action followed by a lull.
As a side note, ensure that you’re either a die-hard Marvel fan, have binged the entire MCU in the past couple months, or looked up a few wiki pages before viewing. There are a lot of references to events in previous movies, and it can get more than a little confusing if you’re not completely up to date.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is an entertaining continuation of the MCU saga that addresses current topics such as racism, propaganda, and trauma. There are heart-warming moments and epic fights, with Marvel’s typical sarcastic one-liners littered throughout. This is one for those who have been there since the beginning—let’s say goodbye to the originals, and make way for the next superheroes to pick up the mantle.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
By Varya Kataria
April 26, 2021
“What do we call visible light?” asks the French man on the illegal radio. “We call it color. But the electromagnetic spectrum runs to zero in one direction and infinity in the other, so really, children, mathematically, all of light is invisible.”
“All the Light We Cannot See,” published in 2014, is a lyrical and poignant story written by Anthony Doerr. It is a historical fiction that takes place during World War II, going back and forth between before and during the German occupation of France. It is told from the perspective of two characters living drastically different lives. In Paris, Marie-Laure lives with her father, a museum locksmith. In Germany, Werner and Jutta live in an orphanage with no one caring for them save for each other. And yet, somehow, Doerr intertwines the children's lives together, braiding their invisible rays of light and binding them together.
Introduced as a 16-year-old in 1944, Marie-Laure is blind, which is one way to interpret the title. Her story, however, starts when she is losing her eyesight to cataracts at six-years-old. But even without sight, she sees better than most sighted people do. Doerr relies on her ability to see the beauty in the world to include his lyrical descriptions throughout the novel.
“To shut your eyes is to guess nothing of blindness. Beneath your world of skies and faces and buildings exists a rawer and older world, a place where surface planes disintegrate and sounds ribbon in shoals through the air.”
The girl’s father cares immensely for her and helps her navigate through her disability. He carves out a miniature model of the city where they live. Marie-Laure familiarizes herself with her city by feeling it under her hands and tracing every ridge, brick and hole her father carved for her. Every year, on her birthday, her father also gifts her a small, inconspicuous wooden house. In reality, the house is a puzzle for her to solve, for her true present lies inside it. That’s another way to interpret the title—not everything is as it seems.
18-year-old Werner is introduced mere blocks away from Marie-Laure, the sound of cannons firing indicating that Saint-Malo is under siege. Doerr transports the reader a decade into the past to begin seven-year-old Werner’s story. Werner doesn’t have much, but he makes good use of what he has. He rebuilds a radio and demonstrates an overall aptitude for science and technology. His efforts do not go unnoticed and he quickly finds himself in a fierce school that trains youth for the Third Reich.
At first, Werner is in awe of the vast amount of knowledge presented to him in the form of teachers, books and other intelligent students. He learns more about the radio, unknowingly forming a connection to Marie-Laure in France. It isn’t until Werner undergoes a rude awakening that he begins to question what is truly being taught at the school behind a mask of science and technology.
In 1940, Marie-Laure and her father flee to Saint-Malo, where she lives during the siege many years later. Her father, an unsuspecting locksmith, is given the Sea of Flame, a precious stone, to safeguard and return to the museum when it is safe.
Marie-Laure and Werner’s childhoods are devastated during the war, like many others’ during the tragic period. Doerr draws both of them closer together all the while pitting light against dark, vision against true sight all against a backdrop of humanism and morality. Fans of “The Book Thief” and historical fiction will be entranced by this story.
While the short, punchy chapters were appreciated, the writing often felt overly flowery. Much of the praise for this novel is for its lyrical prose, but it may have been slightly overdone. Still, the story is absorbing, which makes it possible to overlook the extra words to find out what lies ahead for Marie-Laure, Werner and all the other characters Doerr shines light on along the way.
At its core, “All the Light We Cannot See” explores the different ways people make sense of the world. Marie-Laure feels and breathes in the world in all of its beauty whereas Werner means to understand the science behind how it turns. The French man in the radio asks, “how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?” And the answer, be as it may rooted in science, cannot be found without taking the pieces apart.
Are they as good as we remember?
By: Charlotte Brooks
When I was young, I loved reading, and so did my classmates. We would always run to the school library to get the first pick out of all the books it had to offer, and I remember many series in particular would fly off the shelves almost immediately. A while ago, I decided to reread one of my favourite books from when I was a kid to see what I missed the first time around. I was shocked at how different the reading experience was as I got older, so I thought it would be fun to go back and take a look at some of the popular books we loved, and how well they held up. Please remember: you are entitled to your own opinion, and are allowed to disagree with this article. Your perspective is valid, this is merely my point of view. Enjoy!
Big Nate
Author: Lincoln Peirce
Big Nate tells the life of Nate Wright, a sixth grade student who loves to doodle and hang out with his friends, but is always running into trouble. I remember loving these books because they were funny and relatable. It's still a fun story enjoyed by many. Even though some of the ideas are repeated multiple times across the series, I find it still works. The characters fit the ‘middle school student’ mold, but also manage to make it their own. Nate has flaws and is a well-rounded character who is actually interesting and worth reading about. I still find his doodling style unique and amusing, and I like that his story is realistic, but also entertaining. Looking back, Big Nate was a good series of books to read from the school library, and I still think it’s an enjoyable read if you’re looking for something light.
Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Divergent by Veronica Roth follows the story of sixteen-year-old Tris looking to find where she belongs in a dystopian world, where society is split into five factions, each with their respective roles and specialties. Tris is eligible for many factions, which is considered dangerous and must be hidden. This was the book I decided to read again after a few years, and I don’t really remember why I loved it so much. Looking back, the concept was strange. Especially because having multiple traits is completely normal, so having our protagonist face near-death experiences so often because she is an ordinary girl seems a bit pointless. The end of the series felt forced, unfinished, and I didn’t find it satisfying. Of course, the concept of factions was a lot of fun, but reading it a second time made me realize how much I didn’t care for the story or the writing style.
Dork Diaries
Author: Rachel Renée Russell
Going into this review, I was planning to talk about Nikki Maxwell’s backward character progression, but I realized that there actually wasn’t any to begin with. I liked this series when I was younger, but even then, some of the flaws were obvious, and even more so now. I have seen this series actively do harm to young readers, especially young girls. Kids are very impressionable, and reading a series like this, or any other problematic series for that matter, can be destructive. Nikki is popularity-obsessed, materialistic, unappreciative, careless, and selfish. The only growth she has throughout the books is the enhancement of these traits, but she always paints herself to be in the right. When I read this the first time, maybe in grade four, I remember wondering if this is how girls are supposed to act. I didn’t know how wildly inaccurate this representation was until I was almost the same age as the protagonist. I would consider this experience harmful. These books wouldn’t be a problem if they weren’t marketed to children, or seen as the ‘girl version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid’. I also dislike the writing. If you enjoy this series, there is no issue, but I would think twice about handing a copy of Dork Diaries to anyone under the age of eleven.
Percy Jackson
Author: Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson was a series I really loved. It had fresh ideas most of us hadn’t yet seen, countless compelling characters full of magic, and attention-grabbing adventures that always kept your eyes glued to the page. I haven’t read it in a while, but I’m certain of one thing: Percy Jackson had, and still has, the potential to be massive. If we look at the success of the Harry Potter series, the books were already very popular and reached new audiences with the stunning movie adaptations which entailed theme parks, video games, merchandise, and more. The movies, without a doubt, helped elevate the series. Percy Jackson was already a well-known series, and having it available on the screen could have enhanced those concepts through film to attain new levels of success. Unfortunately, the movies weren’t what fans had hoped for, running into audio inconsistencies and inaccuracies to the original story and characters. The project had ultimately been abandoned after only two books. If the movies were as great as we had hoped, it would have been huge, but instead, I’m left disappointed and wondering if Percy Jackson could have been more successful if the movies had properly brought the story I loved to life.
To summarize, Big Nate is still lots of fun, I find Divergent strange, but entertaining, Dork Diaries should be for older audiences, and Percy Jackson was wonderful, but had missed potential. Thank you for reading to the bottom. If you found this article interesting, I am writing a second part where I cover The Hunger Games, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter, and La Vie Compliquée de Léa Olivier. Keep an eye out for it in upcoming editions of The Paw Print!
Louis Tomlinson's Walls
by Abby Lalonde
Walls, by Louis Tomlinson, needs to be one of the most underrated albums of last year. The One Direction hitmaker released his first solo album, Walls, in January of 2020. The singer’s emotive and honest lyrics, alongside his unique voice, make Walls the masterpiece it is.
Walls
My interpretation of the title track is that the song is about moving on, but still missing people.Some fans believe that the song is about Louis’ relationships with his ex-bandmates, because he seems to be the one who misses the band the most.The more I listen to this song, the more I’m convinced that is the case.
Two of Us
Louis has spoken about this song and confirmed that it’s about his late mother, Johannah Deakin, who passed away from leukemia in 2016. Tomlinson said in an interview, “My mom wasn’t about feeling sorry for herself. Again, that’s what gives me pride and comfort singing the chorus”. He also stated that she would’ve loved the song.
Defenceless
Louis’ fans had Denfenceless hitting the number one spot on the iTunes worldwide chart a year after its release. The song is about honesty, vulnerability, and confusion. This song is probably my favourite out of the whole album.
Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
by Saja Elkurtehi
Love from A to Z by S.K Ali is a love story that tackles the contentious topics of Islamophobia, and racism. Zeynab is an intelligent and outspoken, hijabi senior who stands up against the injustice she sees around her and demands that it be corrected. Adam is an independent, sensitive, secretive Muslim university student who has his own way of dealing with his stress and the pains of discrimination. Zeynab and Adam slowly fall in love with each other, but their different ways of dealing with their suffering and troubles could prove to be a problem for them. I very much enjoyed this novel. It was especially nice to see two Muslims portrayed as the main characters for a change. I love that this novel covers the main issues that Muslims have to go through without portraying Islam in a stereotypical way. Overall, I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a character-centered, romance novel!
The Marvels by Brian Selznick
By Ella Walker
I have always been a fan of Brian Selznick’s novels, and The Marvels was no exception. With its beautiful drawings and lyrical writing, this book is a gorgeous work of art. Although it is a children’s book, I believe it can be enjoyed by any age. I love how the author seamlessly connects the drawings and writing into one story. Every character in this book is so lovable, and I found myself getting swept away into the Marvels’ world quite easily. I would recommend this book to anybody who is looking for a quick, but gorgeously-told story.
My Favourite Quotes
“Joseph looked at the back window. It had grown dark outside, and the glass turned into a mirror.” (pg. 554)
“Maybe Shakespeare was saying that even in a world where miracles can happen, there’s still going to be pain, and loss, and regret. Because sometimes people die and you can’t bring them back. That’s what life is, Joseph realized, miracles and sadness, side by side.” (pg. 599)
It's Diverse, Funny, Odd, Quirky... and Endearing
by Paige Stacey
Superstore is an american sitcom created by Justin Spitzer. The show stars America Ferrera, who some may know as Astrid Hofferson from How to Train Your Dragon, along with Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash and Mark Mckinney. Superstore began airing in late 2015, and has continuously released new episodes weekly throughout 2021. They are now running their sixth season and as of February 11th, 107 episodes have aired.
The story follows a group of employees working at a big-box store in St Louis, Missouri, called Cloud 9. Within the episodes we see the workers face several challenges or obstacles while dealing with customers in addition to their personal needs. It can be found on many streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, and it is also currently streaming on NBC.
Overall it has received fairly high reviews; 91% from Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.8/10 from IMDb. Currently, I am halfway through the second season and am very much enjoying it. It is light-hearted and provides much comedic relief while still giving us a touch of drama. It is a great show for both teenagers and adults as it touches on many different aspects and contains a wide range of different aged characters within the cast. If you are someone that enjoyed shows such as The Office or Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I highly recommend you add this series to your watchlist; But make sure you carry on watching after the first few episodes as it gets better further in. Although it may not seem too interesting just from this brief review, Superstore truly is amusing and entertaining, and it never hurts to give it a try.
Stalking Jack the Ripper: A Review
By Abby Lalonde
Kerri Maniscalco utilizes a true crime theme in her debut historical fiction novel, Stalking Jack the Ripper. If you don’t already know, Jack the Ripper was a serial killer in London, 1888, and was responsible for the Whitechapel murders, a series of killings targeting women around Whitechapel.
Maniscalco uses the unidentified real-life murderer as an opportunity to take creative liberties with the character. However, many of the victims in the story were based off real women, something Maniscalco writes in her author’s note.
The narrative is from the perspective of Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a brilliant forensics student. In the novel, we follow Audrey Rose and her colleague, Thomas, as they use their forensic analysis and deductive reasoning skills to uncover the identity of the infamous Jack the Ripper. The book brings to light the realistic lack of women’s opportunity and the roles they played in Victorian society, as well as the taboos associated with forensic science. Maniscalco meshes both these topics, by focusing the story around a female main character determined to succeed in a controversial profession at the time. These themes were some of my favourite aspects of the book. But, what many agree made the story, was Thomas’ character, whose unrelenting wit, humor, and what Audrey Rose likes to call “blatant disregard for propriety” helped to lighten the oftentimes dark tone of the story.
Overall, Stalking Jack the Ripper was one of the best books I’ve read this year with a digestible writing style and fast-paced narrative, there was never a dull moment.
My thoughts on BTS' BE: Is it worth the recognition?
By Charlotte B
During quarantine, many of us found ourselves inside with little to do, and a nearly overwhelming amount of time on our hands. While we spent hours on FaceTime, or making whipped coffee, musical artists all over the world have taken this opportunity to create new music. Saying 2020 wasn’t a good year would be an understatement, but it was an interesting time for music. Quarantine albums were being released seemingly at random one after the other. One of the most notable being BE released on November 20th, 2020 by BTS. Whether you are a fan of them or not, their impact on the music industry is undeniable, and at their current popularity, anything they release will be successful. This brings up the question, is the BE album worth a listen, or a skip? Here is a breakdown of the tracklist and some of my own thoughts. Please remember: I am not a professional critic, and you may disagree with me. Art is up for your own interpretation, and you are entitled to your individual thoughts and opinions regarding this album. Without further ado, let’s take a look at BE:
Life Goes On (Title track)
Genre: Alternative Hip-hop, Synth-pop
My thoughts: In my opinion, this was the perfect quarantine song. The sound is calm and nostalgic and the lyrics are comforting, reminding us that we are not alone in facing struggles throughout the pandemic. Even though the song has only been out for a few months, I can tell that it’s going to be a timeless one.
Most memorable parts: Instrumental, pre-chorus
Fly To My Room
Genre: Pop
My thoughts: This song took me a few listens to fully enjoy, but I’ve grown to like it. It’s a fun song about finding comfort in your bedroom and finally being at peace after a long day. It’s another chill pop track, but has an enjoyable chorus with the right balance of energy.
Most memorable part: Chorus
Blue & Grey
Genre: Pop
My thoughts: To put it plainly, I adore this song. It breaks all the boundaries of language and delivers pure, raw emotion and vulnerability. It is by far my favourite song on this album. It can pinpoint a very specific feeling of a mixture of sadness, nostalgia, and hopelessness, and brings it out with no warning. The vocals are soft, bold, and impactful at the same time, and the raps are emotional and gripping. Blue & Grey is simply stunning.
Most memorable part: The whole thing
Telepathy
Genre: Pop, Hip-hop
My thoughts: This song is for the fans. Admittedly, I did not like it at first. I thought the use of autotune was a bit too much, but with time, my opinion has changed, and I realize that it really fits; I can’t imagine the song without it. It’s not my favourite off of the album, but I’ll nod my head or do a little dance to it when it comes on shuffle.
Most memorable part: Rap
Dis-ease
Genre: Hip-hop, Pop
My thoughts: Dis-ease is easily one of my favourites off this album. It explains the complicated relationship many people experience with their career, especially in the music industry: knowing you need a break, but the nagging feeling that you should be working never quite leaves you alone. It has a cool hip-hop sound with memorable raps, but still finds the time for vocals that have me in awe. The bridge has amazing duality and vocals. It is simply fantastic.
Most memorable part: Bridge
Stay
Genre: Pop
My thoughts: When giving the album a first listen, I didn’t think much of this song. It took me a little while to fully appreciate it, but I listen to it a lot now. The lyrics describe how the pandemic isolated us from each other, yet despite the distance, those you love will always stay by your side. It’s a fun song with awesome vocals and rap, as well as a beautiful meaning behind it all.
Most memorable parts: Rap, instrumental
Dynamite (Single)
Genre: Disco, Pop
My thoughts: This song is so much fun, it’s like a party in your earbuds. It's colourful, catchy, bright, and sweet. It makes you want to get up and dance and gets stuck in your head all day after listening to it just once. The energy is explosive, no wonder they call it “Dynamite”. I don’t listen to it much, but I understand why it is loved by fans all over the world and the radio can’t leave it alone.
Most memorable part: Final chorus
This album has a little something for everyone, and I definitely recommend it. It's overflowing with brilliant lyrics written by the members themselves, emotion, gorgeous vocals, incredible raps, and catchy beats, making for a truly remarkable album. So, is BE worth a listen? That’s ultimately up to you. Let’s hope 2021 brings us hope and even more phenomenal tracks!
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
By Varya Kataria
February 15, 2021
“War doesn’t determine who’s right,” protagonist Rin states in a discussion of battle strategy, “War determines who remains.”
The Poppy War is the first installment in a grimdark fantasy trilogy by R.F. Kuang, published in 2018. Congruous with its title, this is a book about war, with evident parallels to the second Sino-Japanese war—a gruesome era of Chinese history. Even the word “poppy” is not to be taken as a symbol of lightness, as it is in reference to opium and not the pretty flower.
The story follows Rin, a 14-year-old orphan, aiming to attend Sinegard, the most prestigious military academy in the empire, and the only one with free tuition. In order to gain admission, she must be among the highest scorers in a standardized test called the Keju. Students all across Nikan, an empire of 12 provinces, must take the test to be accepted into the academies and join the war machine.
The Keju, favouring the rich aristocrats with tutors, demands high feats from Rin, a poor girl in a farming province. Determined to avoid an arranged marriage and a life running drugs for her adoptive parents in the small village of Tikany, Rin begins to cram a decade of missed tutoring into two years. After nights of scarring herself to remain awake and sneaking in lessons, Rin places at the top of her province. This message of merit through hard work rather than natural skill carries throughout the story.
Rin’s troubles, however, do not end at Sinegard. She faces harassment due to her dark skin colour and poor upbringing from other students and even teachers. Outcast by all but few, Rin leans into friendships and guidance in the few places she encounters it. When she discovers her aptitude at the mythical art of shamanism, she realizes that she may have greater problems than just surviving school.
To me, it felt as though the book was divided into two parts: before the war and after the war. News of a third Poppy War reaches the school and students transform into soldiers. “Children ceased to be children when you put a sword in their hands,” Rin deliberates. And the rest is history, literally.
Despite its dark themes, reading The Poppy War was the highlight of my year. Though, if you have a distaste for violence, you may fare better reading a different book. Fans of Brandon Sanderson, speculative fiction and historical fantasy will be glued to the pages of this novel perspective on war.
“They were monsters!" Rin shrieked. "They were not human!"
"Have you ever considered" he said slowly "that that was exactly what they thought of us?”
Kuang writes spectacularly! There is not one lost word or scene; nothing seems to be there just to push the story along. The Poppy War seems to move along on its own through events that I could have never imagined someone conjuring up. It moved at a graceful pace, not lingering anywhere and allowing us to spend years watching Rin and all the other characters develop.
While the idea of a fantasy militarily school and powerful shamans reeled me in, the carefully-crafted characters kept me turning the pages. Rin, who grows into a powerful cog in the war machine, refuses to be controlled. Her morals are shaped by her experiences and as a result, I found myself empathising with her even as she committed unforgivable acts.
I cared immensely about each character, so much so that I experienced heart palpitations each time there was a fight scene or a character was in peril. As for romance between characters, there isn’t any. That is not to be mistaken for the lack of love. Platonic love. The love between a master and student. The kinship between soldiers.
The world-building was captivating. Despite the evident parallels to 20th century China, Nikan was a country with a life of its own. An empress with unknown powers sits at its throne, trying to hold the 12 provinces together. The mythical history behind shamanism is enthralling, but it’s only a myth, right?
Rin and her peers studying hard at Sinegard to become esteemed generals only for an unforeseen war to shatter their plans was all too relatable. As a high school student who’s spent her fair share of late nights studying, I felt the students’ constant tiredness in my soul. The Coronavirus pandemic changed my future as unpredictably as the Third Poppy War altered Rin’s.
If war doesn’t discriminate between who is right and who is wrong, R.F. Kuang asks, innocent and guilty, good and evil, then who deserves to win? The truth is that there is no simple answer to that question, not in fiction nor in history.
We Were Liars, the Summer Time Mystery
By Emily Pears
February 15, 2021
We Were Liars is a twisty, mysterious book written in 2014 by E. Lockhart, the pen name of author Emily Jenkins, best known for the “Boyfriend List” series as well as co-creating the Upside Down Magic book series later turned into a Disney-produced TV show. Filled with endless adventure as well as some possible romantic and heartbreaking moments, this story follows the large Sinclair family through their lives showing the ups and downs of living on a private island every summer. Beechwood island is just off the coast of Masssachuttes and holds the secrets and memories of many generations, some good and some not so good.
This book shows how the Sinclair family is maybe not so perfect, learning the lessons about possibly deadly consequences that mistakes can have. It portrays a representation of teenage years spent without the use of cell phones or technology, only writing letters and writing stories, as well as reading books. We Were Liars is a New York Times bestseller and has become very popular among the younger teenage crowd interested in all things mystery with detail and description.
This book can be confusing to follow in some parts and may require a more advanced reading level, as it is targeted to an older audience. The novel won Goodreads Choice Awards Best Young Adult Fiction the year the book came out in 2014 as well as being Amazon's #1 YA novel of 2014. The novel was also shown as an ALA Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults in 2015.
This book is definitely a 10/10, a must read for any teenager interested in summer time mystery filled with secrets and some lies. We Were Liars can be found on Amazon, Audible, and found at your local bookseller.
A Literary Masterpiece
By Varya Kataria
February 8, 2021
Taylor Swift's Quarantine Albums Show Some Unexpected Influences
“To put it plainly, we just couldn’t stop writing songs,” wrote Taylor Swift as she announced evermore, her second surprise album written during quarantine, following folklore released only months earlier. In true Taylor fashion, the tracklists are filled with catchy tunes that we just can’t shake off, but weaved into each song, are an abundance of literary references that pull on book-lovers’ heart strings. Literally.
“Isn’t it just so pretty to think, all along there was some invisible string tying you to me.”
invisible string, folklore, Taylor Swift
Several allusions were made to prevalent themes in nineteenth century literature, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë being one of them. “I have a strange feeling with regard to you,” Rochester said to Jane, “As if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you.” I wasn’t kidding about those heart strings.
Speaking of nineteenth century literature, the next song on the tracklist, mad woman, is all about a hysterical woman straight out of classics like The Yellow Wallpaper, a short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. The Yellow Wallpaper is known as an important piece since it challenged mainstream opinions about mental health in women.
“No one likes a mad woman.”
mad woman, folklore, Taylor Swift
The idea of the “mad woman” is alluded to in older pieces, such as Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew as well as in our current day music industry. Negative connotations associated with Taylor Swift’s name were usually presented by men. “Everytime you call me crazy,” Swift sings, “I get more crazy.”
“I knew you tried to change the ending, Peter losing Wendy.”
cardigan, folklore, Taylor Swift
In the music video for cardigan, Swift follows a golden rope (otherwise known as the invisible string) into her piano. The string leads her lyrics straight to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. If you are unfamiliar with the story, Peter never wants to grow up and wants Wendy to stay in Neverland to be his “mother” forever. Swift uses this story to delicately describe the difference between youthful relationships and those that last forever.
The string also unwinds and branches out a thread to poetry. A skinny, long thread that weaves and winds itself through history and beneath the foundation of the classics. It begins with an elegy—a poem for the dead.
“Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry.”
the lakes, folklore, Taylor Swift
The Lake Poets, including William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, were English poets in the nineteenth century. Wordsworth himself referenced the peaks when he wrote, “Standing alone, as from a rampart’s edge, I overlooked the bed of Windermere.” And if that isn’t enough evidence of an allusion, Swift delivers this clever verse shortly after, “I’ve come too far to watch some name dropping sleaze, tell me what are my words worth.” Get it? Wordsworth!
“Take the road less traveled by, tell yourself you can always stop.”
illicit affairs, folklore, Taylor Swift
The thin thread continues its journey into Robert Frost’s pages of The Road Not Taken. Frost writes, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” folklore and evermore are unlike anything Taylor Swift has ever written. And yet, they were consumed by fans at astonishing speeds. She acknowledges this particular success in evermore where she writes, “The road not taken looks real good now.”
Ah, yes. evermore. Swifties all over the world were taken aback to find out that they were going to hear a sequel album to folklore with only a few hours warning. Taylor Swift encounters the same golden string from cardigan in the willow music video, cementing the connection between the two albums.
Returning to a literary perspective, evermore was released on Emily Dickinson’s birthday. Coincidence? Methinks not. Dickinson wrote, “Sue - forevermore!” in One Sister have I in our House. Definitely worthy of being an album title.
Finally, Taylor’s thread wraps itself around a murder mystery stretched between two songs: tolerate it and no body, no crime. Allow me introduce you to Rebecca. No, not a person, but a novel written by Daphne du Maurier about a woman who marries a man who is still in love with his dead ex-wife, Rebecca. The relationships in the novel seem to heavily influence the themes in tolerate it. Swift takes it a step farther when she writes,”Using my best colours for your portrait.” In Rebecca, the main character dresses up in the same way (same colours) as a portrait of Rebecca on the wall.
“Good thing my daddy made me get a boating license when I was fifteen and I’ve cleaned enough houses to know how to cover up a scene”
no body, no crime, evermore, Taylor Swift
As for the analysis of no body, no crime, I would have to spoil Rebecca entirely. Let’s just say that there was a murder and a boat was definitely involved.
Taylor Swift weaved a masterpiece from all the threads of literature she incorporated into her albums. Her lyrics told stories, epic tales of love and murder and adventure. It was an ode to stories of the past and writers old who continue to influence the music industry today through various other artists. The albums came out when we needed them most and provided a much-needed escape from mundane quarantine. This is an ode to folklore and evermore. And to Taylor Swift.
The Trojan Horse Strikes Again
By Sequoia Laybourne
February 1, 2021
The show, The Queen’s Gambit is a TV series that was released on October 23rd, 2020. It’s based on the 1983 novel written by Walter Tevis. The TV series is about how the major character; Beth Harmon, who was an orphan, becomes a chess prodigy. The series shows the obstacles that she overcomes as a woman playing chess and competing in chess tournaments in the 1950s and 1960s because at the time, only men competed. Personally, this show changed my entire perspective on how women were treated in that era and also on the complete game of chess itself. This is a wonderful series, with astonishing acting and an intriguing storyline. It is definitely a show that must be watched. The series stars the actress, Anya Taylor-Joy, who has been in multiple popular movies and shows including Split, The Witch, Glass, and many others. It was directed by Scott Frank, who also directed movies like The Ring, Logan, and many more. This series includes quite a lot of drugs and alcohol use, smoking, and sexual content, and is rated TV-MA. I’d recommend this series to teenagers and young adults who are interested in History-dramas. The Queen’s Gambit won the “Best Drama TV series of the year” in 2020 and was nominated for 3 other awards.
This Movie Brings Out the Dangers of Social Media
by Emily Pears
February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021
The “Social Dilemma” is a very popular movie released January 26th, 2020 that changed the point of view of many users on social media platforms. This movie shows how social media companies and creators use your personal information to get you attached to their app, ultimately trying to create FOMO which stands for “fear of missing out”. This movie also shows real life situations in which this FOMO affects young children and teens using social media. It was directed by Jeff Orlowsk, who is an American film-maker. Orlowski is the director, cinematographer and producer of the award-winning films: Chasing Ice and Chasing Coraland.
The “Social Dilemma” is a very popular movie released January 26th, 2020 that changed the point of view of many users on social media platforms. This movie shows how social media companies and creators use your personal information to get you attached to their app, ultimately trying to create FOMO which stands for “fear of missing out”. This movie also shows real life situations in which this FOMO affects young children and teens using social media. It was directed by Jeff Orlowsk, who is an American film-maker. Orlowski is the director, cinematographer and producer of the award-winning films: Chasing Ice and Chasing Coraland.
This is a good movie for children and teenagers as well as parents who would like to learn more about the dangers and mental health issues phones and social media can cause. Parents usually don’t understand the effects and problems that technology has on their young children and how much it can affect how we live on a daily basis. Although this movie is very informative, the concepts are hard to grasp as the examples they use are slightly complicated and advanced for young children.
This is a good movie for children and teenagers as well as parents who would like to learn more about the dangers and mental health issues phones and social media can cause. Parents usually don’t understand the effects and problems that technology has on their young children and how much it can affect how we live on a daily basis. Although this movie is very informative, the concepts are hard to grasp as the examples they use are slightly complicated and advanced for young children.
This movie should be rated 9/10, it is very informative and it gets the point across using real life examples. The movie can be found on Netflix, under the documentary section. To get just a little peek into what this movie offers, you can watch the trailer on YouTube or right here.
This movie should be rated 9/10, it is very informative and it gets the point across using real life examples. The movie can be found on Netflix, under the documentary section. To get just a little peek into what this movie offers, you can watch the trailer on YouTube or right here.
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