Young Adult Fiction – Liz Helfrich

The Anatomy Duology

Anatomy: A Love Story and Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz Overall: I hadn’t ever read a duology, so I was excited to dive into this pair of books. In Anatomy we meet Hazel Sinnett, a young woman of good background who wants to become a surgeon. Unfortunately, in early 19th century Edinburgh, sheContinue reading “The Anatomy Duology”

Lies We Sing to the Sea

by Sarah Underwood Lies We Sing to the Sea is a YA fantasy that takes The Odyssey and Greek mythology as a jumping-off point to tell a new tale about love and sacrifice. Centuries after the events of The Odyssey, all is not well on the island of Ithaca. Every year, the community sacrifices twelveContinue reading “Lies We Sing to the Sea”

I Must Betray You

by Ruta Sepetys Overall: I knew almost nothing about Romania going into this book, which fortunately is the presumed starting place for the reader. Cristian Florescu, the teenage narrator, is an able guide, showing how a typical teenager (unsure about girls, trying to do well in school, figuring himself out through diary entries) attempted toContinue reading “I Must Betray You”

With the Fire On High

by Elizabeth Acevedo Overall: I can see why this book drew rave reviews from a bunch of my favorite bookstagrammers, including @claudiaslibrarycard, @motherdaughterbookshelf, and @danielsreadingthoughts. This YA story tackles mature topics like family responsibility and teen motherhood with grace, humor, and sensitivity. Emoni, the main character, is a high school senior trying to balance figuringContinue reading “With the Fire On High”