Book Review

The library has compiled a large variety of Book Reviews from staff and through programs such as Read It & Rate It. These reviews are available to you to help you make an educated decision on titles you’d like to read.

You may search reviews by title using the search function, browse via genre using the category list provided or look for random reviews in the list below that are sorted by newest to oldest.

Would you like to submit a review? Use the Read It & Rate It form on the right side of the page.

Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity – Read It and Rate It

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The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity manga series by Saka Mikami Manga Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) It opens up with introducing us to a very intimidating-looking but kindhearted boy by the name of Rintaro Tsumugi. He attends Chidori High – a school for good-for-nothing boys. Next to that school is the Kikyo Girls High, which is a prestigeous school for talented ladies. There, a very kind and open-minded … Read more

Breaking the Dark – Read It and Rate It

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Breaking the Dark Marvel Crime series #1 by Lisa Jewell Adventure Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) If you like a great detective novel with many twists and turns, I would recommend Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell. The book revolves around a detective and her struggles with her personal and professional life. The antagonist in this story is a woman who is power-hungry and craves to remain in power … Read more

Schooled – Read It and Rate It

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Schooled by Gordon Korman Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Schooled” by Gordon Korman follows Capricorn Anderson, a 13-year-old boy raised on a secluded hippie farm by his grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured and hospitalized after a tree-climbing accident, Cap is forced to leave their isolated community and attend a public middle school for the first time. He is placed in a foster home with the Donnelly family, where he struggles … Read more

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison – Read It and Rate It

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Keys to the Demon Prison Fablehaven, bk#5 by Brandon Mull Adventure Fantasy Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about how Fablehaven and the things that live there are in danger because a demon named Graulas is going to open a demon prison. Kendra and her friends and family are trapped but her brother Seth has to save their world and get them out to stop the demons. Will … Read more

Need – Read It and Rate It

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Need by Joelle Sharbonneau Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) In “Need” by Joelle Charbonneau, the students of Nottawa High School are invited to join a new social networking site that promises to fulfill their every wish. As each student requests something they desire, they are given simple tasks to complete in return. However, these tasks quickly escalate in severity and danger, leading to dire consequences. The story follows Kaylee … Read more

Wrinkle in Time – Read It and Rate It

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A Wrinkle in Time Time Quintet, bk #1 by Madeline L’Engle Adventure Mystery Science Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle follows Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe as they journey through time and space. The trio is guided by three mysterious celestial beings: Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Who. Their mission is to rescue Meg’s father, who has been … Read more

Summer of Songbirds – Read It and Rate It

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The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Daphne and her two best friends have spent all of their summers together at camp since they were six. Now that they are adults, this has not stopped them from having fun and getting close. Except for some hiccups in the past… “Summer of Songbirds” is about coming closer together while learning to deal with individuality … Read more

Love Hate and Other Filters – Read It and Rate It

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Love Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Love, Hate & Other Filters” by Samira Ahmed follows Maya Aziz, a high school senior torn between her parents’ traditional expectations and her dreams of pursuing filmmaking. Maya navigates the challenges of cultural identity, young love, and Islamophobia after 9/11. When a terrorist attack occurs and the suspect shares her last name, Maya faces hostility … Read more

Amal Unbound – Read It and Rate It

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Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) “Amal Unbound” by Aisha Saeed follows Amal, a young Pakistani girl who dreams of becoming a teacher. Her life takes a turn when she accidentally offends a powerful local landlord, Khan Sahib. As punishment, she is forced to be a servant at his estate. There, she encounters a world of oppression and injustice. Despite the challenges, Amal remains … Read more

Guard – Read It and Rate It

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The Guard Selection series, bk# 2.25 Dystopian Fantasy Romance Science Fiction Review #1 1 Star (a waste of time) “The Guard” by Kiera Cass follows Aspen, a palace guard in lllea, where the selection of a princess for Prince Maxon is happening. Aspen is torn between his duty and his feelings for a girl named Lucy, leading him to struggle with his inner conflicts. As tensions rise, Aspen is faced with difficult choices about his … Read more

CLOSING NOTICE: The Huntley Area Public Library will be closed Monday, September 7th, 2026, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The exterior book drop will close at 5:00 p.m. the evening prior, Sunday, September 6th. The library and exterior book drop will reopen on Tuesday, September 8th, at 9:00 a.m