Rage: A Review of Iron Widow, by Xiran Jay Zhao

Revolution has always been a major theme across literature, and nearly every young adult novel features the concept in some way.  Stories are full of characters challenging the status quo and pushing back against injustice.  However, there is usually a limit, a disconnect, which separates the injustices on the page from the injustices in the real world.  Mainstream readers can enjoy a series such as The Hunger Games without connecting the dots between the world in the novels to the real world.  Whenever a book comes along that does challenge its readers to think critically about our own reality and history, there can be hesitancy.  Publishers do not think it would sell well, publicists worry about potential backlash, and more.  Yet, there is an audience for literature such as that, literature that combines entertainment with real revolution, and that audience is getting larger and more vocal every year, hungry for more.

Class President: A Review of The Last Graduate, by Naomi Novik

Telling a serialized story—a story where each installment is explicitly connected to the next, forming a cohesive tale across multiple chapters—is nothing new to the world of books, especially for those of us who read fantasy or science-fiction.  This format has also been steadily taking over the world of television shows and movies to the point where, when a movie ends, watchers immediately start asking about the sequel.  The concept of a serialized story also pairs well with the cliffhanger, where a book ends upon a revelation, twist, or in the middle of a conflict.  While this format can make it appear daunting for new people to get into the story if they arrive late, it also serves to hook readers and keep them invested and excited for each new chapter.  Naomi Novik’s latest novel certainly keeps us wanting more.