Format: Young Adult

All Paths Lead to Paris

All Paths Lead to ParisAll Paths Lead to Paris by Sabrina Fedel
ISBN: 0593900278
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“All Paths Lead to Paris” is a young adult romance novel by Sabrina Fedel. Aurie is a teenage fashion influencer in Paris with an American dad and a French mother. Aurie has had a lot of success as an influencer, but her manager wants her to fake date another of the manager’s clients, Remy, a Paris musician. The book is quick and fun, especially if you enjoy fake-dating premises and love triangles, and the setting is beautiful, but the characters feel a little thin. Overall a cute, quick read. An additional purchase for YA fiction collections where romance is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

three-stars

My Mother the Mermaid Chaser

My Mother the Mermaid ChaserMy Mother, the Mermaid Chaser by Jamie Jo Hoang
ISBN: 0593643003
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“My Mother the Mermaid Chaser” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Jamie Jo Hoang. It is a sequel to the book “My Father the Panda Killer,” but can be read as a standalone. The book switches between the son, Paul, and his mother, Ngọc Lan, who walked out on their family over a decade ago, leaving Paul and his sister to deal with their abusive father. In this book, Paul goes to Vietnam to learn about their mother. Chapters switch between Paul and his mother, as they both experienced Vietnam in different ways.

The book deals with a lot of trauma and difficult topics. There is a content warning at the front of the book and a list of resources at the back of the book. Themes about family relationships and mental health make this book a good, but challenging read. Recommended for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

An Embroidery of Souls

An Embroidery of SoulsPublished by Knopf Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Format: Young Adult
four-stars

Jade, a thread speaker, has the rare skill of being able to control souls using embroidery. A remarkable talent, but one she is reluctant to use given the consequences it can have. Lukas is trying to do right by his family after the deaths of his father and sister, and is wary of thread speakers due to a family tragedy. When these two meet and find themselves working together to track down a mysterious murderer whose modus operandi involves eye gouging, they find that their histories are as intertwined as the colors Jade sees in human souls.

Inspired by German and Mexican folklore, An Embroidery of Souls is a YA romantasy with a touch of pirate adventure. The romance is slow-going, but the mystery stays intriguing, and the kaleidoscope of emotions and attributes that Jade can see in the human soul is beautifully inventive. Romantasy fans will enjoy this but those looking for more action might find themselves tuning in and out.

Note: Probably best not to recommend this to those with emetophobia.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to MurderThe Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder by Kate Emery
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on October 21, 2025 (USA)
Genres: Family, Humor, Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

When Ruth’s step-grandmother is found dead – murdered! – on the very morning that everyone is meant to head home after a long weekend at the remote family ranch, she knows it’s time to turn all her crime-reading hours into crime-solving expertise.

Teaming up with her too-cute-for-comfort and newly sort-of cousin Dylan as the Hastings to her Poirot, Ruth begins her investigation. Of course, the fact that the likely murderer is someone in the house – and therefore family (or family adjacent) is less than ideal. But Ruth doesn’t let that stop her. The real problem, she explains to the reader, is that there will be a second body before the end.

This younger YA/older middle grade Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit set in Western Australia is a lot of fun, and perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy a twisty mystery with an engaging, tell-it-like-it-is heroine. While there are two dead bodies, it avoids any goriness that might put some readers off and (spoiler alert!) in the end it transpires that neither death was actually murder – both were accidental. However, that plot point cleverly unfolds in a way that allows for a happy resolution, without disappointing the reader or feeling anticlimactic.

Highly recommend; an excellent addition to library shelves. 5 stars.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Where Shadows Bloom

Where Shadows BloomWhere Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell
Published by Harper on February 11, 2025
ISBN: 0063359081
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadows – deadly monsters that move silently in the night – keep Ofelia little more than a prisoner in her well-guarded home. One of those guards is Lope, who has trained her entire life to be a knight defending Ofelia. Over the years, as their friendship has grown strong, other feelings have grown between them as well, though the difference in their stations prevents Lope from acting on those feelings, and Ofelia from understanding them.

Only the king’s palace offers a safe refuge from the Shadows. Driven by the increasing danger, Ofelia’s mother agrees to go there to ask for shelter for herself and Ofelia. But when she doesn’t return, Ofelia and Lope set out after her. When they arrive, they find her mother has mysteriously disappeared. Revelations unfold; Ofelia learns she is the daughter of the king himself, and he lays claim to her affection while promising her mother is safe. At first she believes him, but Lope, left to her own devices, begins to uncover strange inconsistencies in the king’s highly controlled and madly festive court. The Shadows, she realizes, originate from the palace itself. The king is not the protector of the land, chosen by the will of beneficent gods; he rules because of a deal struck with the Lord of the Underworld and is, in fact, the villain.

Now Lope is trying to protect Ofelia from herself, and the power-hungry king, as well as from the Shadows. Ofelia refuses to believe Lope’s assertion that the king is behind the world’s evil, causing a rift between them. Finally – though now apart – both realize the deadly truth behind the king’s illusions, and that the only way forward is into the underworld, where they might be able to save the other, if not themselves. But a whole new adventure awaits them there, and it is soon clear that sacrificing their lives is not what will change the world above.

Bakewell’s magical, atmospheric novel builds in intensity as the protagonists begin to more deeply understand both the world they exist in, and the depth of their feelings for one another. Unexpected twists allow the reader to get lost in the sometimes dreamy, fairy-tale quality of the story as well as to appreciate the thoughtful world-building and hopeful resolution. Will appeal to readers of sapphic romance, dark-ish fantasy, and satisfying endings.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Immortal Consequences by I.V. Marie

Immortal Consequences by I.V. MarieImmortal Consequences (The Souls of Blackwood Academy, #1) by I.V. Marie
on July 29, 2025
ISBN: 059389880X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Immortal Consequences is a dark academia fantasy about a group of students in school at a magical academy in the afterlife. Each of them is responsible for finding souls who can’t pass on for some reason and helping them move on to their afterlife. Every ten years there’s a Decennial where a student is chosen to be the next ascended. Ascended students have special magic and help manage the school. However, as the students start the Decennial, it turns into a competition, and the dark secrets of the school and each of the contestants start to come to light.

This book has a lot of elements that other popular YA novels have: a competition, a magical academy, elements of suspense and mystery, alternating points of view, and young adults realizing that they’re actually living in a dystopia. Though this is fantasy, there are plenty of realistic elements — suspense, mystery, friendship and romance dynamics, feeling good enough, etc.—that would appeal to those who don’t love fantasy. A few of the characters are in love with each other, which will appeal to romantasy lovers, but, since it’s not the main storyline, it also won’t deter those who aren’t looking for romance.

This book was solidly four stars for me: Though it was engaging and fast paced in some parts —and I really appreciated the twists and turns, especially the ones I didn’t see coming—some other parts felt slow and over-explained or overly complicated. On the whole, though, this would be a great purchase for any library that serves young adults, particularly those who like romantasy, dark academia, competitions, or alternating points of view.

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

four-stars

Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal Stories

Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal StoriesLegendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories by A.J. Eversole, Andrea L. Rogers, Angeline Boulley, Brian Young, Byron Graves, Cheryl Isaacs, Christine Hartman Derr, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Darcie Little Badger, David Alexander Robertson, Eric Gansworth, Jen Ferguson, K.A. Cobell, Karina Iceberg, Kate Hart, Kaua Māhoe Adams, Marcella Bell
on August 26, 2025
ISBN: 0063314266
Genres: Short Stories
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Legendary Frybread Drive-in: Intertribal Stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith

This is a series of short stories connected by the location of the frybread drive-in, which seems to have a mystical quality to it — it’s there whenever Indigenous people need it, regardless of the space-time continuum. The stories are well-written and engaging, but it may be hard for some readers to access or stay engaged with, as the stories keep changing. On the other hand, this could be a good fit for a teacher looking for a few short stories or for a student who likes to dip in and out of a book without having to remember earlier parts of the book. 

This was a four-star read for me: The Indigenous representation and authorship are so valuable, and the stories are enjoyable for teens and adults alike — but a collection of short stories often struggles to find an audience, and I think readers, like myself, may struggle to stay engaged with changing characters and plots. This would be a good addition to any library serving readers in grade 8 and above. 

Reviewed by Katy Jones, Gardiner Area High School Library, Gardiner

four-stars

Bad Creek

Bad CreekBad Creek by Peyton June
on June 3, 2025
ISBN: 1324082933
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Bad Creek brings a chill to its summer setting, full of superstitions in the spirit of campfire stories and societal horror against a conservative town’s backdrop. 

Iris is not excited to return to Bad Creek after the death of her older sister the previous summer: something she doesn’t believe was accidental. However, when her friends don’t believe her gut feeling that something sinister is at play in the small, religious town, they come to find that the real evil forces are often human… 

This book is great for students that love mysteries but perhaps haven’t quite dipped their toes into horror yet. Its well-paced story line remains engaging as it builds feelings of dread in the reader and ultimately concludes with an unpredictable yet extremely satisfying twist. Bad Creek also offers reflections on privilege, identity, and handling grief, with trigger warnings for family death and homophobia. Recommended for 8th grade and up.  

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Girls of Dark Divine

Girls of Dark DivineGirls of Dark Divine by E.V. Woods
on August 5, 2025
ISBN: 0593812123
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
two-stars

E.V. Wood’s debut novel, Girls of Dark Divine, will entice readers with its unique premise and descriptive writing style, but the story’s weak character development and lack of world building might let them down. Though it is written in the 3rd person, Wood only gives you the perspective of Emberlyn, the star ballerina in a legendary troupe that is being magically controlled by an evil puppet master, Malcom, who calls the troupe his “Marionettes”. Malcom controls what they eat, what they can talk about, where they go, and he beats them viciously. The curse that controls the Marionettes also took all of their pre-Marionette memories, and is slowly killing them from the inside out. The stakes are high, but everyone except Emberlyn has submitted to their doomed situation. Her only hope for breaking the curse and saving more girls from harm is to kill Malcolm, which Emberlyn decides she must do alone.

The limited perspective really hinders the story. Because Emberlyn has no memories, can’t go outside, and isolates herself from the other dancers she considers sisters, the reader only hears her thoughts for almost 400 pages. A big disappointment is the lack of character development for the other dancers who are little more than their names. Many of the girls don’t even have one line of dialog in the book, let alone a personality. A love interest who turns to dust in the light and sneaks around the theater, also cursed by Malcolm, is introduced halfway through the story, but their insta-love hidden romance barely affects the plot. Wood’s writing style could really make or break the reader’s enjoyment of Girls of Dark Divine. On the one hand, Wood’s flowery writing style paired with the slightly gothic, romantic vibes of the story will be enough to please some readers. On the other hand, the near constant repetition of previously established facts, the brutal descriptions of physical violence, and the incredibly slow build of the plot will have many readers putting it down only a few chapters in.

Skip Girls of Dark Divine unless you have readers who only want to read about beautiful, sad ballerinas.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

two-stars

Make Me a Monster

Make Me a MonsterMake Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron
on September 30, 2025
ISBN: 1547615869
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron 

Though a unique take on the classic Frankenstein, the unsteady pacing of this book may distract readers from the important reflections on grief and love that it provides. 

Meka is your average teen: close friend group, supportive parents, adoring boyfriend. So what if she spends most of the time with the deceased as a mortician’s assistant at her family’s funeral home? When a sudden tragedy strikes someone closest to her, she struggles to adjust to her new normal. Everything feels so strange afterwards, made worse by the fact that those around her aren’t staying dead… 

This story is great for readers who like retellings of classic tales and are looking for relatable and personable characters. Its strength lies in these relationships the characters have: great examples of healthy, supportive parents and a sweet first romance that could appeal to younger teens. Though the pacing is steady for most of the book, readers may get frustrated at how drastically the plot escalates into “what is even happening” territory. Overall, I’d recommend this book less to horror fans as the plot gets a bit murky and more to those just looking for a tender read. 

Reviewed by Hannah Doktor, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

three-stars