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To everyone’s dismay, summer has come to an end. The official autumnal commencement is around the corner and we are here to recommend summer-y reads. Whether you aren’t a reader, or devour a variety of novels, something could be here for you. Enjoy our list of books we believe scream summer, or just scream, “Read me!” You’re welcome, now you have something to look forward to for next summer. 

[/bt_bb_text][bt_bb_headline supertitle_position=”outside” font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=” ★A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h3″ align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=”” size=”inherit”][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_row_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_image lazy_load=”yes” image=”2122″ size=”full” image_height=”” shape=”square” align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” caption=”” url=”” target=”_self” hover_style=”simple” content_display=”always” content_background_color=”” content_background_opacity=”” content_align=”middle” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_image][/bt_bb_column_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_text]

• I would like to start off this mini review/recommendation by saying that this book is a masterpiece. From the insane world building, the plot, and the characters (Kell is my favorite. What a man.) there is clearly no room for argument. The first installment of the Shades of Magic trilogy introduces us to Kell. Living up to his creative name, he is the last Antari – magicians with a rare ability to travel between parallel Londons;  Red, Grey, White, and Black. And each one comes with a unique “ambiance” if you will. Yes, they’re British. I’m sorry. 

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Anyways, Kell was raised in Red London and officially serves as a royal ambassador, frequently traveling between the regime changes in White London and the dull George III in Grey London. Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler. Servicing people willing to pay hefty prices for the smallest taste of magic. But after an exchange predictably goes awry, Kell runs to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard. A lovely thief with big dreams. After robbing him blind (as you do) and later saving his life, she forces Kell to spirit her away to another world for a chance at adventure. 

• Wow, what a summary. If you can’t tell already this book, or trilogy rather, is a perfect first read for Adult Fantasy. While some may argue that A Darker Shade of Magic is YA (Young Adult), the author herself has tweeted that it’s an adult book. So there. If you love suspense, magic, adventure, and murder…I highly reccomend. And if you (for some outlandish reason) disagree with my recommendation, I’d like to see you even try to argue with me and my 5/5 star rating on Goodreads. Trigger warning (TW): Sexual assault, torture, self-harm, self-mutilation, violence, blood, talk of parental abuse. ★★★★★

[/bt_bb_text][/bt_bb_column][/bt_bb_row][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes” width=”1/1″ width_lg=”1/1″ width_md=”1/1″ width_sm=”1/1″ width_xs=”1/1″][bt_bb_headline supertitle_position=”outside” font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=” ★Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h3″ align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=”” size=”inherit”][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_row_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_image lazy_load=”yes” image=”2125″ size=”full” image_height=”” shape=”square” align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” caption=”” url=”” target=”_self” hover_style=”simple” content_display=”always” content_background_color=”” content_background_opacity=”” content_align=”middle” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_image][/bt_bb_column_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_text]

• This book follows Lina, a teenage girl whose mother’s dying wish was for Lina to get to know her absent father. The catch? He lives in Tuscany, Italy. Lina wants nothing more than to go home and deal with her grief in private, but when she finds her mother’s old journal, she is suddenly whisked around the rolling landscape to trace her mother’s footsteps. It carries her to a secret midnight bakery and magical romances. With the help of a charming Italian boy named Ren, Lina searches to uncover a secret that will change all that she thought she knew about her family, including herself. 

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• I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet, fluffy, YA contemporary book, but with a layer of depth. A quick read to transport you away from our new covid reality, what’s not to love? Also love, from familial love and romantic love, all of it is present and enjoyable. I would recommend this to anyone who wants something quick, fun, transportative, with a hint of romance. End up wanting more? I have good news — there are two more companion novels, Love & Luck and the newest, Love & Olives. I gave this a four out of five stars. TW: grief ★★★★☆

[/bt_bb_text][/bt_bb_column][/bt_bb_row][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes” width=”1/1″ width_lg=”1/1″ width_md=”1/1″ width_sm=”1/1″ width_xs=”1/1″][bt_bb_headline supertitle_position=”outside” font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=” ★The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
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• If I’m being completely honest with you all, I threw this one in here for some nice variety between the books that I, Rowan, are recommending. If I wrote about all of the books that I absolutely loved reading during the summer (As in I gave them 5/5 stars, don’t judge me) almost all of them would be of the YA Fantasy/Adventure/Romance group. That’s called “taste” for anyone wondering. To move on from my superiority, The Grace Year is a feminist YA dystopia/sci-fi stand alone following our protagonist, Tierney James, as she discovers the secrets of the Grace Year. 

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(The time when young women from Garner Country are banished into the wild to expel the dangerous “magic” they receive once they hit sixteen.) Sadly, yet naturally, this “Grace Year” was put in place by the men in the county with the intent of “purification” before returning to the County to get married. However, to the horror (or sometimes happiness) of the girls, not all of them will make it home alive. 

• Is this my favorite book? No. Is it worth the read? Absolutely. The Grace Year is a good recommendation for anyone looking for a darker dystopian that touches on very real subjects as well as diving deeper into problems within the patriarchy. There were some scenes that made me genuinely uncomfortable, so trigger warnings will be included at the end of the review. That being said, I have a final critique. The characters all seem to default to white. For a book that screams “Pro-woman!” I would’ve liked to see the author add a less narrow view of the world with many more women of color. However, I did end up giving it a 4 out of 5. TW: Hanging, burning alive, cannibalism, starvation, gendered violence, gore, forced marriage, femicide, child prostitution. 

[/bt_bb_text][/bt_bb_column][/bt_bb_row][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes” width=”1/1″ width_lg=”1/1″ width_md=”1/1″ width_sm=”1/1″ width_xs=”1/1″][bt_bb_headline supertitle_position=”outside” font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=” ★The Downstairs Girl by Stacy Lee” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h3″ align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=”” size=”inherit”][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_row_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_image lazy_load=”yes” image=”2130″ size=”full” image_height=”” shape=”square” align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” caption=”” url=”” target=”_self” hover_style=”simple” content_display=”always” content_background_color=”” content_background_opacity=”” content_align=”middle” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_image][/bt_bb_column_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_text]

• Readers follow a Chinese girl in Atlanta, Jo Kuan, who is employed as a maid to one of the most elite and respected families in the city. However, Jo has an escape from her daily world of trying to hold her opinionated tongue as an advice columnist for a newspaper. 

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Under the pseudonym of a southern woman, “Miss Sweetie,” Jo uses her platform to speak on more controversial topics. These articles sprouted outcry from those who wish to keep the roles of women and non-white folks the same, threaten to unmask the daring author. What’s more is that this is illegal, and quite frankly, dangerous for a Chinese woman. Jo also wishes to know anything about her birth family. Adopted and cared for by a man named Old Gin, she knows nothing about her past. Upon discovering a peculiar letter, Jo begins her search for the author and recipient, whom she believes are her parents. Dun dun dunnnn! 

• Seriously, this book is so good. If you love historical fiction (like me) and are tired of the almost purely WWII centered books (also like me) check this one out! All of Stacy Lee’s books follow Asian Americans which is far from the norm of the genre, but much appreciated. I would also recommend this book to those who like a strong female lead. I gave this book a four out of five stars. TW: some mild violence ★★★★☆

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• Alright, here’s a significantly less dark fantasy than those presented before. This is also YA and is told in dual perspectives, one being Prince North, he lives in the sky. Yes, you read that right, he lives in a levitating sky city, powered by huge complicated engines and run by advanced technology, *good thing nobody knows how any of these developments work*. The other perspective is Nimh. She is a goddess, or at least she’s told she is. She is responsible for providing her people on the Surface with answers, but most of all: hope. 

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North and Nimh’s lives become fixed upon one another. However, they must never fall in love. Gotta love terrifying prophecies. The two are torn between their duties and desires, will they be able to help their people or will they fall under the weight of the bond that is forbidden? You’ll just have to read this action packed, twisting, and turning book to find out.

• I loved this book! I am impatiently waiting for the sequel to be released in January of 2022. I would recommend this book to anyone who is ready for a book that they cannot put down. This fantasy is an epic one, full of plot twists and banter in a budding, fleshed out world. Yes, it has romance, but I was there for it. Just read it. It’s really good. I gave this book a five out of five stars. TW: violence ★★★★★

[/bt_bb_text][/bt_bb_column][/bt_bb_row][bt_bb_row][bt_bb_column order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes” width=”1/1″ width_lg=”1/1″ width_md=”1/1″ width_sm=”1/1″ width_xs=”1/1″][bt_bb_headline supertitle_position=”outside” font_subset=”latin,latin-ext” superheadline=”” headline=” ★Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo ” subheadline=”” html_tag=”h3″ align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” dash=”none” color_scheme=”” color=”” font=”inherit” font_size=”” font_weight=”” url=”” target=”_self” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=”” size=”inherit”][/bt_bb_headline][bt_bb_row_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_image lazy_load=”yes” image=”2134″ size=”full” image_height=”” shape=”square” align=”inherit%$%%$%%$%%$%” caption=”” url=”” target=”_self” hover_style=”simple” content_display=”always” content_background_color=”” content_background_opacity=”” content_align=”middle” responsive=”” publish_datetime=”” expiry_datetime=”” animation=”no_animation” el_id=”” el_class=”” el_style=””][/bt_bb_image][/bt_bb_column_inner][bt_bb_column_inner width=”1/2″ width_lg=”1/2″ width_md=”1/2″ width_sm=”1/2″ width_xs=”1/1″ order=”0″ lazy_load=”yes”][bt_bb_text]

• Galaxy “Alex” Stern is a member of Yale’s new freshman class. Born in Los Angeles and raised by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and landed herself into a world of abusive drug dealer boyfriends, no job opportunities, and many things that are worse. To elaborate, by the ripe age of 20 Alex has become the sole survivor of an unsolved multiple homicide. 

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But at her hospital bed she was given a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities. But why? While searching for answers herself, Alex arrives in New Haven with a task from her mysterious benefactors. Monitor the activities of Yale’s secret societies, but to the surprise of many, their occult activities are more sinister than anyone could’ve expected.

• • What. A. Book. Let me tell you. Yes, there are some unnecessary morbid descriptions as well as note-worthy cringe. Those, however, will not sway my review. Dark magic, murder, cults, romance, and mystery. Everything that I love to read about in one place. How could I not recommend it? The real action doesn’t start until the last 200 or so pages, but that doesn’t matter when you’re trying to unravel the mysteries alongside Alex the whole time. One thing that I can really appreciate about this book is that it isn’t as predictable. I often find myself “spoiling” the big reveal or ending, and it sucks. The first installment of the Alex Stern series is yet another perfect adult reading recommendation. And as a little fun fact, Ninth House is written by the same author of Six of Crows. (A book that I also recommended reading. It’s phenomenal.) So if you happened to enjoy Kaz Brekker and his crew, chances are you’ll enjoy this slightly more mature read. (TW): violence, sexual assault, murder, gore, drug addiciton, suicide, self-harm, death. 

  ★★★★☆

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Well, there you have it folks. A wonderful collection of books put together by Tessa and myself. Isn’t it amazing? (The only correct answer is yes.) From dark and murderous mysteries to light-hearted romances, I can say that there’s a book on this list that will fit the taste of almost anyone. You’re very welcome. And if for some reason you don’t have immaculate taste like ourselves… please go and visit the new Missoula Public Library or our very own library here at Sentinel and pick up something for yourself! The new Public Library building is incredibly beautiful, even if their Young Adult section is rather lacking. (Not that I’m upset about it or anything.) But if you’re just not feeling a trip downtown (Why would you not be?) Here are some honorable mentions for your convenience. Happy reading! 

• Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo 

• The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

• The Institute by Stephen King 

• The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur

• Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

• Frankly in Love by David Yoon

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