Two reviews of Agatha Christie novels

The Mystery of the Blue Train
Even though I've read countless Agatha Christie books, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The plot moved along at a nice speed, and the backstory of each character was wonderfully crafted. There's a fantastic twist at the end, and I definitely realize now I underestimated many characters' wits. The ending is revealed quite dramatically though the responses were somewhat hollow. Agatha Christie has an amazing way of introducing completely random strangers and tying their stories together, and this book is no exception to that.

Cat Among the Pigeons
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. The plot was quite fast-paced and mysterious, but it lacked the little ingenious details of perception Poirot normally possesses. However, in my opinion, compared to other Agatha Christie books, the characters were better developed and their psychology stayed consistent throughout. The ending was unexpected (as usual), but the background and logic behind Poirot's deduction seemed a little bland. Of course, I hold Agatha Christie up to a very high standard, so this book was still an incredibly good read.

~Posted by a Homestead junior

Review of Girls of Paper and Fire

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Nagan (380 pages) is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Laini Taylor, and Leigh Bardugo. Especially if you are looking for some representation within YA books. Nagan’s book does just that, blending cultures of the United Kingdom and Malaysia, China where she grew up. The book also has a lesbian romance as the main romance, and it was great to see the representation. I will put a trigger warning for scenes of sexual violence and assault here but the book also contains this warning but I decided to mention it for anyone thinking of reading the book, just to let you know. The scenes that contain sexual violence and assault are intense but I appreciate Nagan’s rawness in this sense and not trying to shy away from the topics which she writes beautifully. I feel that the book would be so much less if Nagan had tried sugarcoat the sexual violence and assault. But please be aware of this before you read it. Girls of Paper and Fire follows Lei a village girl who is selected for a competition every year in which eight girls, known as paper girls, are chosen to be the King’s concubines. But this year there are nine girls, and as Lei adjusts to life as a paper girl she falls in love. I loved this book because of the main romance and that the author (who is queer herself) chose to portray a lesbian romance, it means so much and also is just some fresh diversity that I needed in YA books and have not seen in a long time or read for that matter. I also loved the female relationships, while the girls struggle with their new life there are many friendships formed that are just very supportive and feel good, the characters are human and make mistakes within their friendships also, but band together within their groups and support each other within tough times. The book was an amazing read for me and opened my eyes to some of the many facets of the world and gave me insight into many topics. Which Nagan brings to life with her lyrical writing and talent. Not only that but I am so happy for the lesbian romance present in this book, the book receives only high reviews from me and I would highly recommend it if you are in the mood for a feminist type of read with a different take on romance.

-Reviewed by Alexi V., Homestead High School Junior

Review of East of Eden, by John Steinbeck

East of Eden is, most simply stated, a documentary of two families and their settlement into California's Salinas Valley. It follows the paths of the Hamiltons and Trasks as they explore what it means to be human while their worlds are destroyed and reconstructed again. The reader is offered a window into a 19th century California through the eyes of a marvelously flawed cast, and it is a novel I would definitely recommend. Posted by Helen L., Homestead freshman

Review of Birthmarked, by Caragh M. O'Brien

This book had a good concept and okay plot. But all in all, if I had to give it a rating, it would be a 3/5. The book was not short on action, but the plot was thin and the characters were slightly dull. Instead of enjoying the book, I trudged through it, wanting to see the ending more than anything. I wasn't committed to Gaia, the main character, or her cause. And to top it all off, the book ended on a cliff hanger because it is part of a series.

The book focuses on Gaia, a midwife in a future dystopian society. Every month, she has to give up newborns to the richer population of the city, but without knowing why. Everyone follows orders, and serves their society. Gaia's parents are arrested, and she spends the rest of the book trying to figure out a code her mother left her and get her parents back.

~ Posted by a Homestead freshman