My 2 Cents on the Top Ten Books of 2021

What’s new, everyone? As of this writing, 2021 is just one day away from its official conclusion! Plenty of notable events have unfolded over the past year: the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Bennifer getting back together, the premiere of the Disney+ MCU shows, Paul Rudd being named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, the numerous COVID variants that … Continue reading My 2 Cents on the Top Ten Books of 2021

2 Cents Critic Podcast – Steelstriker by Marie Lu

Tune in for Arthur’s thoughts on Steelstriker, the second and final entry in the Skyhunter Duology by Marie Lu (Legend, Warcross). Like the first book, this sequel brings out the dystopian YA tropes: “special rebel youngsters lead an insurrection against a dictatorial government,” “post-apocalyptic world built on the ashes of a technologically advanced civilization,” and … Continue reading 2 Cents Critic Podcast – Steelstriker by Marie Lu

2 Cents Critic Podcast – Skyhunter by Marie Lu 

Tune in for Arthur’s thoughts on Skyhunter by Marie Lu (Legend, Warcross, The Young Elites). An 18-year-old mute soldier, a despotic government that controls an army of genetically engineered beasts, a viscerally post-apocalyptic backdrop, and more can be found in this refreshing and action-packed take on the dystopian YA genre. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JAHNwi7eV6BWYsSgk1Tcj?si=eYadpnYNQhSsbPFzYOKWnA

2 Cents Critic Podcast – Five Queer Must-Reads for Young Adults

What’s new, everyone? On the 2 Cents Critic podcast, check out this episode on five queer books for the young adult audience. • Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz • What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera • Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron • … Continue reading 2 Cents Critic Podcast – Five Queer Must-Reads for Young Adults

My 2 Cents on Steelstriker by Marie Lu

What’s new, everyone? If you’ve been following my reviews long enough, you know that one of my top reads of 2020 was Skyhunter by Marie Lu (Legend, The Kingdom of Back). With its eighteen-year-old heroine Talin Kanami devoting herself as a loyal Striker to her homeland of Mara’s mission of beating back the occupying regime of the … Continue reading My 2 Cents on Steelstriker by Marie Lu

My 2 Cents on The Block by Ben Oliver

What’s new, folks? Last year I read The Loop, a YA dystopian novel by debut author Ben Oliver that kicked off in the future on first-person narrator Luka Kane’s sixteenth birthday. But he couldn’t really enjoy himself while behind bars in the Loop, a death-row prison that the World Government used to run experiments on and … Continue reading My 2 Cents on The Block by Ben Oliver

My 2 Cents on Five Queer Must-Reads for Young Adults

What’s new, folks? June is here, which means it’s also Pride Month! The publishing industry is continuing to prosper with more and more queer-centric books targeted at young adults. It’s vital to have these books around as enthralling stories that promote inclusion, compassion, and self-love to their growing readers. Here are five picks I recommend. … Continue reading My 2 Cents on Five Queer Must-Reads for Young Adults

My 2 Cents on Netflix’s Shadow and Bone

What’s new, folks? On April 23 Netflix dropped the eight-episode first season of Shadow and Bone, the series adaptation of the Grishaverse young adult fantasy novels launched by author Leigh Bardugo in 2012. For newcomers who are unfamiliar with these books, the Grishaverse currently consists of three series: the Grisha Trilogy, also known as the Shadow … Continue reading My 2 Cents on Netflix’s Shadow and Bone

My 2 Cents on Concrete Rose

What’s new, readers? As a massive fan of The Hate U Give—both the young adult novel with which author Angie Thomas debuted in 2017 and the 2018 film adaptation driven by Amandla Stenberg’s propulsive performance as teenage lead Starr Carter—I was thrilled upon learning a few months ago that Thomas’ next novel would be a prequel … Continue reading My 2 Cents on Concrete Rose

Project Super Nex – Chapter Twenty – Finally Home

“Morning, Maykal.”  Her voice slides through the darkness and into my ears. I feel her sit on the side of my bed seconds before my eyelids drag open. Mom looks so youthful and carefree in her cardigan and beige corduroys. Her smooth olive skin and chocolate ombré hair seem to glow in the gray light … Continue reading Project Super Nex – Chapter Twenty – Finally Home