Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult reviewed by Jesselyn Sangon

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult is one of many heartwarming books that she has written. The book is about a music therapist named Zoe Baxter who goes through many difficulties in her life in finding a person who understands her. The book's chapters are titled by the tracks the author wrote to give you a feeling of the story and the characters in the story itself. The author includes two other main characters. That way, the reader gets to read or visualize not only Zoe's mind and inner thoughts but also the experiences of the other two characters. In the book, you'll read about the struggle Zoe goes through to get what she wants; however, she is not alone in this struggle.

I think that if you were to read this book, I'd recommend you read the book with an open mind. The book has two different sides and when reading it would be in the best interest to not be biased. Picoult has really shined a light on one of the major issues that people deal in their lives.  I thought that this book is amazing and worth reading. I would recommend it to people who like reading about case studies, political issues, struggles, relationships,  falling in love, and religion. Sing you home by Jodi Picoult would not only give the reader an insight on different lifestyles but it would also broaden one’s view of people.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi reviewed by Jesselyn Sangon

     Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi is one of the first novels she ever wrote. With a cover that has the words my touch is lethal crossed out is a real attention getter. Shatter me is a telltale story of a teenaged girl's struggle with a power that she considers is a curse. Surrounded by a war against what is old and  good and what needs to be taken out to for the future.

            The story starts off with the main character Juliette counting how long she has been locked up, counting stuffs from letters in the alphabet to the length of her cell. When you start reading, you'll wonder why is she locked up? Or where is she? And or how she got there? So right from the start of the book, the story would just pull you in.

            As you read you learn that she has this problem with touching people which is why she was isolated in the first place. Haunted by her past experience, she learned that it was better for her to be distant from people. Although she craves to be around others, she has no choice. Later, she is given that opportunity to be around others and to be the ultimate powerful weapon. She knows that she is dangerous and her power is unstoppable.  But what she doesn't know yet is that she is not alone.

            I think that this story is just filled with surprises that wait every time you turn the page. It’s a story that you can’t put down.  If you like suspense this is the book for you. I recommend this book to those who loves these stories of superheroes.  Reading Shatter Me was very enjoyable. It played with my imagination because I don't really read stories about people with these superhero powers but I should say I look forward to a second one if one ever comes out.

Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero reviewed by Jesselyn Sangon

I have recently finished reading Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero. The book itself is engaging from the start. Rick Riordan is well known for his Percy Jackson series. The Lost Hero is book one of the second series The Heroes of Olympus, was published on October 12, 2010.

            The Lost Hero is a fantasy book. It's based on mythological gods and goddess and their children who are called demigods who have a mortal parent and the other parent is either a god or a goddess. The book contains so many worthwhile adventures that will make you feel as if you're in that situation or a part of the book. It seems to be like the continuation of the Percy Jackson series but with new characters.

            The three main characters are Jason, who is son  Zeus, Piper,who is daughter of  Aphrodite, and Leo, son of Hephaestus. All three of them are chosen to go on a quest they didn't want but they had no other choice. All three of them have to go together to save one of the highest goddess before all else ends and the world becomes a dark place overruled by a much stronger god/dess. The three demigods who have nothing in common but a goddess, and they go off on a timed adventure to help save Olympus and the world. One of them has a strange history, another has a hidden secret, and another has no memory.

            The fascinating parts in the book are found at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. I like how the beginning starts off in media res. It starts with Jason waking up in the bus and not knowing who he is or where he is at. Then, he meets Piper and Leo who seems to know him as if they were friends for a long time, but he hasn't has the slightest clue as to who they are and who he was. The second most fascinating part was the middle when the three Demigods are on their adventure heading towards the Bay Area Oakland to save Piper's dad and Festus, the mechanical dragon, ends up spiraling down and crashing into another god's house. That is how they get to King Midas's house. The fascinating part is the fight between Jason and king Midas. So whatever King Midas touched turned to gold. The only way to break the gold touch was to wash it off with fresh water. King Midas wanted to build his collection of gold statues and Jason, Leo, and Piper were the unlucky ones who happened to stumble upon his house. Midas turned Leo and Piper to gold, but with Jason's knowledge about lightening and gold he was able to shock Midas opening up the ceiling and letting in the rain to pour on Midas gold collection. Towards the end of the book comes a funny part. In this part Hera has released her rage and made Jason unconscious. The scene where Thalia is arguing  with Hera is hilarious. It was funny because Hera could have killed Thalia for talking the way she did to her, but she didn't. Second reason was because Thalia and most of the other demigods dislike Hera because she dislikes demigods especially if they were Zeus's kids.

            I would recommend you read this book if you like stories about Greek or Roman mythology, series, or fantasy books. I would recommend you to also read all of his other series that he has written because it has amazing adventures in them just like this one.

 Riordan’s The Lost Hero is an amazing book with a nonstop action filled adventure that will keep you wanting more.