Book Review: Rule by Ellen Goodlett

I find myself tiring of books about royals competing for the throne, but Rule has enough mystery to allow it to stand out.

Three half-sisters from very different backgrounds are summoned to the capital city for what they all think is their execution. They have all committed acts that could be considered treasonous. Instead of incarcerating them, the king reveals that they are all his daughters, and one of them will be chosen to rule. What is different about Rule is that the story isn’t about the competition for the crown.  The girls end up banding together because they are all being blackmailed because of their secrets.  Someone knows what all three of them have done and is trying to get them to give up their right to the throne or be exposed.

At its heart, Rule is a mystery. And one that keeps doling out clues that steadily build up the tension. The multiple points-of-view are handled adeptly. A minor annoyance is the “instalove” between one of the girls and the queen. From the moment they saw each other for the first time, there was this magnetic attraction that I couldn't quite buy.

But my biggest peeve, as usual, is that the book ends in not only a cliffhanger but actually in the middle of the story.  There isn’t any resolution whatsoever. Endings like these make me want to not read further in the series just for spite!

So if you can wait for the rest of the story, this one is a good choice for teens who enjoy stories of royal mystery and intrigue.

Published by Little, Brown BFYR, September 11, 2018
eARC obtained from School Library Connection Magazine
371 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a super cute contemporary romance that I enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Simon is gay, but he hasn't come out to anyone.  He's having an ongoing email conversation with a guy who is called Blue, but Simon doesn't know his true identity.  So much of the story is Simon trying to figure out who this guy is that he has a huge crush on.  And they go to the same high school. Many conversations are about coming out -- and when, and to who -- as well as Simon pushing Blue to reveal his identity.

Simon has a great circle of friends and he's also involved in the theater at school. He accidentally leaves a school computer logged in, and one of the kids at school, Marty, sees his emails.  Marty has a crush on one of Simon's friends, Abby, so Marty basically blackmails Simon.  He wants Simon to arrange for Marty to get together with Abby. If he does, then Marty will keep Simon's secret.

Everything blows up -- in many ways -- for Simon. But eventually, this is a happy story that leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart. As far as the LGBT aspect, this story was a natural, cute romance.  I don't like it when these stories feel contrived to include gender nonconforming teens. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda did not feel like that.  Simon and the other characters are teens just like any others, with stressors just like many of them.

The only thing I found a bit over the top was the fact that Simon could be so in love with a guy just by reading his emails.  Especially when there is so much they can't say to each other, lest they reveal their identities. Maybe I'm just too old to remember what it's like to be a teen.  Perhaps it isn't unrealistic for them.

I'm picky about my YA romances, and I enjoyed Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda a lot. I'm sure many more of my teens will pick it up after Love, Simon the movie, releases on March 16.

Published by Balzer + Bray, 2015
Copy obtained from the library
303 pages

Rating: 4/5

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