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Book Review: Only the Pretty Ones by Niki Keith

 To say that I adore suspenseful thrillers with elements of true crime and serial killers is an understatement. I adore them. Add a Young Adult angle that delivers all the tension without leaning into excessive gore, and I’m completely sold. Niki Keith's Only the Pretty Ones perfectly hits that sweet spot. This novel pulls readers into a chilling mystery centered around disappearances that seem to follow a disturbing pattern—only “pretty” girls are being targeted. There is a creepy feeling of unease that doesn't go away completely right away. Keith does a great job of making the setting feel sinister and dangerous while still being understandable to young adult readers. The book's pacing is one of its greatest strengths. The chapters are short, sharp, and compulsively readable, making it incredibly easy to say “just one more chapter” until you suddenly realize hours have passed. The suspense builds steadily, with enough twists to keep you guessing but never so many that...

Book Review: Soul of Shadows by K.L. Alexander

 Review  K.L. The turbulent world of Availa, a kingdom torn apart by war, betrayal, and the haunting presence of the Night Emperor, is the setting for Alexander's captivating blend of fantasy, mystery, and youthful bravery. Alexander transports readers into a world where loyalty and destiny collide and where a glimmer of rebellion still burns beneath layers of darkness from the first chapter on. Nick is the main character, a young protagonist who is driven by purpose and burdened by loss. In addition to being a personal tragedy, his father's death during the rebellion against the Night Emperor is the spark that ignites his journey. Nick and his devoted friends embark on a daring mission to locate Tybalt, who is believed to hold the key to restoring the kingdom's equilibrium, before their ruthless adversaries do. Soul of Shadows achieves a masterful balance between the difficulties of adolescence and the weight of epic destiny through the impending spring festival, the anxi...