Anita Lock

YA NonfictionYAMemoir

An inspiring, resilient young voice

Review by Anita Lock

“They slashed my people with their machetes. They set my people on fire. They shot my people in the head.” Native Congolese Sandra Uwiringiyimana reflects back to the August 2004 massacre in Gatumba, Burundi, that took the life of her 6-year-old sister and mother in the opening passage of her new memoir, How Dare the Sun Rise.

Emotional numbness and sleepless nights follow for Uwiringiyimana and her remaining family as they struggle to live. Two years later, a United Nations resettlement program sends Uwiringiyimana and her family to live in the United States. But assimilating to “the land of opportunity” turns out to be a wake-up call for Uwiringiyimana, especially when others define her by the color of her skin. In order to embrace her true identity, Uwiringiyimana will have to face her deepest fears.

Uwiringiyimana and award-winning journalist Abigail Pesta have joined forces to produce a gutwrenching yet highly inspiring read. Together they offer a glimpse into a sparsely publicized, horrific event along with an intimate portrayal of a child who was born into war. Eye-opening chapters brim with Uwiringiyimana’s plight as a refugee, and she finds herself caught between two cultures amid her determination to make a difference in the world. Uwiringiyimana captures it best when she states, “We must not fall prey to the kind of thinking that separates us.” How Dare the Sun Rise sends a powerful message to the tenacity of the human spirit.

“They slashed my people with their machetes. They set my people on fire. They shot my people in the head.” Native Congolese Sandra Uwiringiyimana reflects back to the August 2004 massacre in Gatumba, Burundi, that took the life of her 6-year-old sister and mother in the opening passage of her new memoir, How Dare the Sun Rise.

Science Fiction & FantasyYA FictionYAFantasy

An underdog gets his own story

Review by Anita Lock

An unexpected turn of events places an unlikely pair—a slave and an enemy soldier—on a treacherous journey in Megan Whalen Turner’s newest adventure-filled novel, Thick as Thieves, part of her acclaimed Queen’s Thief series.

Highly esteemed among the palace household, Kamet oversees local and outlying estate finances for his Mede master, Nahuseresh. Although he is happy to hold such authority, the intelligent, brown-skinned slave also has to endure his temperamental master’s unexpected beatings. To Kamet, this suffering is worth the chance to become “one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in all the empire” as the next emperor’s personal slave. But Kamet’s hopes for a somewhat brighter future fizzle when he hears news of his master’s demise. The last thing Kamet expects is to run off with an Attolian soldier who promises his freedom. What follows is an unforgettable motley-duo adventure.

Aficionados of this creative series will be thrilled to follow Kamet’s character development as Turner places him front and center in her epic tale. Brimming with a host of pertinent foils, as well as a clever thief named Eugenides, Turner’s plot takes mature teen readers along on Kamet’s death-defying journey. With a well-defined cast and a captivating writing style, Thick as Thieves is a brilliant combination of artful storytelling, imaginative history (with maps) and a flurry of twists and turns—up to the very end.

An unexpected turn of events places an unlikely pair—a slave and an enemy soldier—on a treacherous journey in Megan Whalen Turner’s newest adventure-filled novel, Thick as Thieves, part of her acclaimed Queen’s Thief series.

YA FictionYA

Finding a way forward

Review by Anita Lock

A story about processing grief takes a different turn when painful experiences bring two teens together in Sonia Belasco’s profound debut.

Summer deals a severe blow to Damon Lewis and Melanie Ellis. Damon loses Carlos, his best friend, to suicide, while Melanie loses her mother to cancer. Both live in the shadow of loss, keeping their feelings guarded, but neither knows the other exists. Their hard emotional shells begin to crack when Damon takes a picture of a grieving Melanie at a local park. This awkward moment leads Damon to give her a picture of Carlos. Soon a romance blossoms between them, but friction develops when Damon blocks Melanie from his deepest pain.

Ten years in the making and inspired by a traumatic event in the author’s own life, Belasco’s novel sends a powerful message about the complicated nature of grief. Speak of Me as I Am teems with raw emotion as the dual first-person narratives center on Damon and Melanie’s personal struggles and their relationship. As chapters shift back and forth between the two protagonists, Belasco weaves in a third character. Tristan, who is best friends with Melanie, is a charismatic and confident gay teen, and he immediately connects with Damon. The deep ties between these three friends play a crucial role in the development of the young lovers and provides refreshing twists to Belasco’s gut-wrenching plot.

This powerful, emotional work should be earmarked to be a favorite with teen readers.

A story about processing grief takes a different turn when painful experiences bring two teens together in Sonia Belasco’s profound debut.

RomanceHistorical Romance

I Dared the Duke

Review by Anita Lock

It’s a battle of wills between a playboy duke and an infamous wallflower in Anna Bennett’s newest regency romance.

A recent addition to the Blackshire estate, Elizabeth “Beth” Lacey becomes a companion to the Dowager Duchess, grandmother of the rakish Duke Alexander Savage. Although Beth and the Duchess get along swimmingly, friction is evident between Beth and Alex, especially when he tries to get Beth to convince his grandmother that moving away to the countryside will do her good. Beth promises to follow the duke’s orders, but only if he grants his grandmother three wishes before her departure. Alex and Beth’s tension eventually evolves into romance, and for the first time, Alex reveals his well-guarded secrets—except for one that has the power to devastate their relationship.

There is plenty of irony amid the salacious scenes that grace the pages of Bennett’s latest novel, the second book in the Wayward Wallflowers series. Bennett introduces two seemingly opposing characters that have more in common than expected. Beth and Alex both understand pain and loss, but their radically different social situations alter the outcomes of their past trials. But even amid harsh life experiences, their feisty personas have enabled them to become survivors. Bennett combines a little of everything to produce an engaging story—strong character development, an abundance of cliffhangers, unexpected plot twists, thought-provoking human-interest themes, mystery and comedy—all carefully woven into one steamy romance. I Dared the Duke is a captivating page-turner that will become a new favorite among romance enthusiasts!

It's a battle of wills between a playboy Duke and an infamous wallflower in Anna Bennett's newest regency romance.

Children's & YAMiddle Grade

A friendship born out of sweeping social change

Review by Anita Lock

Charlie Ross is not looking forward to starting sixth grade, since his best friends will be attending different schools. His dad says new kids from a black housing development will be coming to Charlie’s all-white Wonderland Avenue School. Armstrong Le Rois is not looking forward to starting sixth grade either. Waking up at 5:30 every morning to take a bus to attend an integrated program at Wonderland is not his idea of fun. Charlie and Armstrong butt heads more often than not, but a weeklong class camping trip gives the boys an opportunity to build a friendship. 

Inspired by his own childhood experiences, debut author Steven B. Frank spins a tale that goes beyond racial issues. In first-person juxtaposed narratives, Armstrong and Charlie captures the viewpoints of two preteens caught in the shifting tide of school integration. While sprinkling his tale with popular vintage games, music and food of the 1970s as well as uproarious humor, Frank weaves in a poignant “out of every conflict comes an opportunity” theme based on Charlie and Armstrong’s relationship. Replete with unforgettable moments, young love and unexpected plot turns, this is a hilarious, heartwarming and timely read.

 

This article was originally published in the March 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Charlie Ross is not looking forward to starting sixth grade, since his best friends will be attending different schools. His dad says new kids from a black housing development will be coming to Charlie’s all-white Wonderland Avenue School. Armstrong Le Rois is not looking forward to starting sixth grade either. Waking up at 5:30 every morning to take a bus to attend an integrated program at Wonderland is not his idea of fun. Charlie and Armstrong butt heads more often than not, but a weeklong class camping trip gives the boys an opportunity to build a friendship. 

YA FictionYAMystery

A precocious gorilla solves a big case

Review by Anita Lock

Award-winning Swedish author and illustrator Jakob Wegelius pens a fascinating murder-mystery that features a multitalented gorilla, Sally Jones, who narrates the story via a 1908 Underwood No. 5 typewriter.

Sally’s seaman friend Chief accepts a peculiar transport job from a shady character named Alphonse Morro. In a strange turn of events, Chief is wrongfully accused of murdering Morro and sent to prison for 25 years. Now separated from Chief, Sally finds refuge at the home of Ana Molina, where she is given the opportunity to learn to repair accordions. After another strange turn of events, Sally learns that Morro is not dead but hiding somewhere in the Far East. Encouraged by the unexpected news, Sally embarks on a journey to prove her friend’s innocence.

Eighty chapters and more than 600 pages long, The Murderer’s Ape feels like a rebooted Alexandre Dumas novel. While the book’s length may be daunting, Wegelius’ audience is in for a pleasant surprise. The highly engaging narrative turns a fat novel into a light read. In the midst of Sally’s complex account, Wegelius weaves in a well-defined cast and punctuates his substantial story with over 100 detailed pen-and-ink illustrations. The character portrayals at the book’s opening are particularly stunning.

 

This article was originally published in the February 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Award-winning Swedish author and illustrator Jakob Wegelius pens a fascinating murder-mystery that features a multitalented gorilla, Sally Jones, who narrates the story via a 1908 Underwood No. 5 typewriter.

YA FictionYA

A masterful sculptor’s story of tenacity

Review by Anita Lock

Through 80 chronological vignettes divided into five dated segments, all set to a lilting prose, Jeannine Atkins brings to life the poignant story of a half Native American, half African-American artist’s persistent journey to greatness. While Edmonia Lewis is best known as a neoclassical sculptor as well as for her affiliation with Oberlin College, details of her life remain a mystery. Regardless of the lack of data, Atkins offers a believable fictionalized biography in Stone Mirrors: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis. 

In 1862, while attending the recently racially integrated Oberlin College, Edmonia is falsely accused of poisoning two of her classmates. Days later, she is viciously raped and beaten. Although acquitted of the poisoning charges, Edmonia is accused of stealing art supplies, and her one-year stay at the historic college is terminated and she is sent to Boston. While working as a housekeeper, Edmonia is given the opportunity to learn sculpture. During the next two years, Edmonia hones her craft and travels to Rome, the “City of Marble.” Over the course of 10 years, Edmonia creates a grand piece she titles “The Death of Cleopatra,” which she presents at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.

Combining imagination and the power of words, Atkins’ powerful narrative aptly highlights the harsh indifference and discrimination that Edmonia faces as she forges ahead to fulfill her dreams. Stone Mirrors provides a window into the achievements of a tenacious woman of color in a white man’s world.

 

This article was originally published in the January 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Through 80 chronological vignettes divided into five dated segments, all set to a lilting prose, Jeannine Atkins brings to life the poignant story of a half Native American, half African-American artist’s persistent journey to greatness. While Edmonia Lewis is best known as a neoclassical sculptor as well as for her affiliation with Oberlin College, details of her life remain a mystery. Regardless of the lack of data, Atkins offers a believable fictionalized biography in Stone Mirrors: The Sculpture and Silence of Edmonia Lewis.
Children's & YAMiddle Grade

A very different mouse

Review by Anita Lock

James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein pen the perfect animal lover’s story in their new middle grade collaboration.

When a mischief of mice must run for their lives, all are caught, except for Isaiah. Frightened and feeling very much alone without his 96 siblings, Isaiah is unaware that he will have to face his fears as he sets off for uncharted territory. He is not your typical mouse, though. Besides his sky-blue fur and ability to read, Isaiah is a bit of an etymologist. His love for words and their origins work to his advantage when he gets involved with another horde and makes friends with Hailey, a human. The serendipitous connections present an opportunity for Isaiah to save his family, and only time will determine whether or not he is brave enough to execute his plan.

Patterson and Grabenstein have produced a coming-of-age story replete with human-interest issues. No doubt Isaiah, their protagonist who often speaks directly to his audience, understands the fears that many middle grade readers experience on a daily basis. Without using specific terminology, the author duo uses Isaiah and Hailey to address issues such as bullies, self-esteem and, most importantly, xenophobia. Patterson and Grabenstein’s portrayal of the latter is nothing less than stellar, as Isaiah and Hailey have to find ways to survive in a world that is uncomfortable with differences.

Each chapter opens with Isaiah’s golden nugget aphorisms and closes with a cliffhanger, and laced throughout are Joe Sutphin’s dramatic and animated pencil sketches. With plenty of unexpected everything from beginning to end, Word of Mouse is not only bound to be a favorite among middle schoolers, but also an inimitable classic.

James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein pen the perfect animal lover’s story in their new middle grade collaboration.

RomanceHistorical Romance

From orphanage to manor house

Review by Anita Lock

The first novel in Mary Balogh's Westcott series, Someone to Love, is an adventure in self-discovery that follows an orphan who discovers she’s the sole heir to a deceased Earl’s vast fortune.

Discovering that you belong to a wealthy, aristocratic family is an orphan's dream come true. However, growing up in an orphanage, the thing Anna has always desired most is family. Yet Anna has shattered the world of the Earl’s widow and her children and created quite the scandal, and although she would do anything to have the Countess' children as her new siblings, they want nothing to do with her.

Anna is overwhelmed by the challenges of attempting to become a polished lady and distraught that her newfound family despises her. But Avery Archer, the Duke of Netherby, sees Anna's distress and rescues her by taking her out for long walks. It's during these moments that the two unexpectedly grow fond of each other, leading to a proposal of marriage. But as wedding plans are in the works, Anna discovers that Avery's life is in grave danger. Will the wedding even have the chance to occur?

This is a refreshing read from the always-stellar Balogh, and it is a great start to a new set of novels sure to become favorites.

The first novel in Mary Balogh's Wescott series, Someone to Love, is an adventure into self-discovery that follows an orphan who discovers she’s the sole heir to a deceased Earl’s vast fortune.
Children's & YAMiddle Grade

Friends race to solve a bookish mystery in the library

Review by Anita Lock

A red flag goes up for Devlin Quick when she learns that a rare map has been stolen from the New York Public Library. A modern-day version of Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes and a bit of Encyclopedia Brown, 12-year-old Devlin enlists the help of friends Booker and Liza, as well as her grandmother Lulu, to do some major sleuthing. Clues seem to point in the direction of an upcoming exhibition. As Devlin and her friends prepare to attend, they have no idea how things will unfold, especially when Devlin’s sleuthing impulses kick into high gear.

Into the Lion’s Den, the first book in bestselling author Linda Fairstein’s Devlin Quick Mysteries, wraps education and detective work into one delightful literary package. The action-packed, first-person story is full of informational tidbits on beloved authors (Charles Dickens, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen), cartographers, New York library history and much more. With a balanced mix of well-defined characters, engaging dialogue, cliffhanging chapters and unexpected scenes, this book is nothing less than one riveting read.

Into the Lion’s Den has high reader appeal, reaching out to young mystery enthusiasts and beyond.

 

This article was originally published in the November 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Into the Lion’s Den, the first book in bestselling author Linda Fairstein’s Devlin Quick Mysteries, wraps education and detective work into one delightful literary package.
RomanceHistorical Romance

Saved by love and amazing grace

Review by Anita Lock

Jody Hedlund imagines the early life of 18th-century preacher John Newton, as well as the inspiration behind his hymn “Amazing Grace” in Newton and Polly.

Fifteen-year-old Polly Catlett is out wassailing in her small English town with her aunt, but Polly is unaware that her aunt uses their caroling as a cover for rescuing children who were smuggled into slavery. Certain that their actions have been discovered and that they are being followed, Polly and her aunt quickly find a place to hide.

Luckily, the young sailor John Newton has noticed their plight and throws off their shadow. Polly soon learns that their savior is also her cousin when he pays a visit to the Catlett home. As Polly slowly warms up to her rebellious 17-year-old cousin, she also learns that he fell in love with her the moment he heard her voice while caroling.

Polly and John's relationship grows, despite the disparity in temperament between the pious Polly and the rather debauched John. However, a passionate kiss between them creates chaos in the Catlett household. John is pressured to leave and look for employment, and, while drinking away his sorrows, he is pressed into service by the Royal Navy. John is constantly dodging his responsibilities and creating trouble, and his time in the Navy takes him through France's war efforts and the horrors of slave trading. Prompted by these trials, John strives to become the godly man that Polly seeks and deserves, hoping that they will one day be reunited.

Hedlund deftly highlights both the romance and the strained aspects of Polly and John's budding relationship. While Polly is a devout believer, John struggles with his faith. But upon finding love, both with Polly and God, he is inspired to write one of the most beloved hymns in the world. 

 
Jody Hedlund imagines the early life of 18th-century preacher John Newton, as well as the inspiration behind his hymn, “Amazing Grace,” in Newton and Polly.
YA FictionYA

Looking for a country to claim

Review by Anita Lock

Loosely based on the author’s own struggles prior to gaining U.S. citizenship, Melissa de la Cruz’s latest teen read is a tender yet unlikely romance between an illegal immigrant and a congressman’s son.

Jasmine de los Santos has been offered a National Scholarship, the most prestigious award in the nation—quite a feat for an immigrant who has been in the United States since the age of 9. For her parents, leaving the Philippines for “the land of hope” proved to be more difficult than expected, as they had no choice but to take less than stellar jobs with meager wages. But Jasmine knows she has finally made her parents proud.

Prior to sharing the exciting news with her folks, Jasmine meets Royce Blakely and is quickly enamored. Thoughts of Royce momentarily disperse when Jasmine learns that she and her family have been living in the U.S. illegally. Against all odds, Jasmine resolves not only to find a way to fulfill her educational dreams, but also to hold fast to the love of her life.

Through engaging dialogue and a flurry of unanticipated scenes, de la Cruz shines a light on the pressure immigrants face within an unjust and politically driven system. Provocative, eye-opening and poignant, Something in Between is a timely read in a troubled era.

 

This article was originally published in the October 2016 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Loosely based on the author’s own struggles prior to gaining U.S. citizenship, Melissa de la Cruz’s latest teen read is a tender yet unlikely romance between an illegal immigrant and a congressman’s son.
RomanceHistorical Romance

A tabloid-worthy scandal from the past

Review by Anita Lock

Sarah MacLean brings together the proverbial beauty and the beast in her latest Regency novel, A Scot in the Dark.

Lillian Hargrove is drop-dead gorgeous, but her beauty offers no help for her tainted social status. Orphaned at a young age and under the guardianship of a series of Warnick Dukes, the 23-year-old falls prey to an unfortunate situation when she poses nude for the famous artist Derek Hawkins, who has promised that the painting is for his eyes only and that he intends to wed her. But Lillian learns that the supposed private painting will not only soon be displayed for the world to see, but that Derek has no intention of marrying her.

Alec Stuart, the newest and reluctant Duke of Warnick, enters the scene surprised to find that Lillian is a ward of his estate. Upon realizing her involvement with the scandal, the over-six-foot Scottish brute takes charge of Lillian’s shameful societal status by attempting to find a man for her to marry before the painting’s unveiling. In an unlikely turn of events, Alec and Lillian fall for each other. Although their romance is riddled with clashes, secrets and uncertainty, one thing for certain is that destroying Derek’s painting will alter Lillian’s position. Yet locating it before that fateful reveal will be nothing less than a miracle.

MacLean’s latest novel includes a host of feisty, colorful characters that surround and support the pair of underdogs. Scenes are replete with engaging and snarky dialogue, plenty of romantic tension, gossip and narrative twists and turns. A Scot in the Dark, the second book in MacLean’s Scandal & Scoundrel series, is a captivating mix of scandal and sensuality with a Scottish flare.

Sarah MacLean brings together "the beauty and the beast" in her latest regency novel, A Scot in the Dark.

Sign Up

Stay on top of new releases: Sign up for our newsletter to receive reading recommendations in your favorite genres.

Sign up now

Trending Features

All Features