Jacqueline Rayner: Doctor Who: The Stone Rose (2006)

    A 2,000 year old statue of Rose Tyler is a mystery that the Doctor and Rose can only solve by travelling back to the time when it was made. But when they do, they find the mystery is deeper and more complicated than they ever imagined (Goodreads).

    With excellent portrayals of the beloved TV characters, both fans of the show and casual readers can enjoy this Doctor Who story. An entertaining plot is somewhat predictable, but amusing dialogue and characters make up for it. The time travel becomes a bit confusing, as are several different scenes, but the story remains entertaining, especially with the mysterious premise given at the beginning. The villain is somewhat underwhelming and basic, but a solid ending ties everything together. 6.8/10

Pittacus Lore: Generation One (2017)

    It has been over a year since the invasion of Earth was thwarted in Pittacus Lore's United as One. But in order to win, our alien allies known as the Garde unleashed their Loric energy that spread throughout the globe. Now human teenagers have begun to develop incredible powers of their own, known as Legacies (Goodreads).

    Although it has wonderful character development and an exciting plot; amusing dialogue and a diverse cast; this first installment in the Lorien Legacies sequel series is somewhat underwhelming. While all main characters are greatly developed, the issue arises of having a few too many main characters. One of the great things about the original series is that the few perspectives changed every book., but in this spinoff, readers are overwhelmed by the six backstories and six somewhat separate plotlines (although they are six good ones). The antagonists are brilliantly horrifying, however the main antagonist given to us has no real substance. The secondary group of villains is also well integrated, but overall unoriginal characters and plot get the new series off to a less-than perfect start. 7.1/10

Homer: The Odyssey (-720) - Translated by Martin Hammond (1999)

    If the Iliad is the world's greatest war epic, then the Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of every man's journey though life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces (Goodreads).

    While extremely descriptive and compelling, Homer's Odyssey is extremely repetitive. Once one gets over hearing 'rosy-fingered dawn' and 'princely Telemachus' and 'god-like Odysseus' repeated over and over again, the story is actually quite interesting. The tale of Odysseus is adventurous and exciting, and the development of Telemachus is brilliantly done as well. A solid cast of secondary characters follow up, while Odysseus internal struggles feature almost as bright as his obvious external ones. While extremely descriptive and compelling, Homer's Odyssey is extremely repetitive. 6.6/10

Charles Dickens: Hard Times (1854)

    Published in 1854, the story concerns one Thomas Gradgrind, a "fanatic of the demonstrable fact," who raises his children, Tom and Louisa, in a stifling and arid atmosphere of grim practicality (Goodreads).

     What Hard Times lacks in plot, it makes up for in character development. Dickens' masterful use of characterization and description enter in full tilt in this industrial age novel. Brilliant characterization, but a great lack of real plot make the story a bit too wordy, especially near the midpoint of the novel. A poignant and humorous beginning and a satisfying ending bookend the story, but the somewhat dull midsection makes it somewhat difficult to make it to the end. 6.5/10

Dante Alighieri: Inferno (1320) - Translated by Allen Mandelbaum (2004)

    Here is Dante at his ribald, shocking, and demonic best as he describes in unforgettably vivid detail his harrowing descent to the very bottom of Hell (Goodreads).

    While much of the actual plot is up for the readers' interpretation, this first installment in the Divine Comedy is certainly an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. Dante's language (and Mandelbaum's translation) give a chilling description of the circles of Hell, and use wonderful examples of contrast in narration especially, one moment using beautiful poetic language, and the next using harsh cacophonies of sentences. Dark bits of humor thrown in are a satisfying addition, and while the format is somewhat hard to understand, and often a tad full of ancient Italian people and politics that are no longer relevant, Dante's vocabulary and philosophy are nearly unmatched. Slow moving to start off with, the pace quickens later on, leading to a disorienting but satisfactory ending. 6.6/10

Rick Riordan: The Dark Prophecy (2017)

    After experiencing a series of dangerous—and frankly, humiliating—trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America (Goodreads).

     While definitely not the worst Riordan novel, this second installment to the Trials of Apollo series is definitely not one of the best. The author brings us, yet again, another run-of-the-mill plot, and entertaining though it may be, it is getting strikingly less enjoyable every time Riordan adds new myths and monsters. Even with the new characters, conflict progression is rather repetitive. Finally, however, readers are given, not a teenage angst narration, but a unique voice in the mortality-stricken Apollo. His narration really develops nicely in this sequel, after being introduced well previously. Apollo's internal conflict with his past crimes is also brilliantly woven into the story, along with some great new antagonists. In other Riordan news: the Hunters of Artemis remain a convenient army and Leo is not nearly as awesome anymore. 6.6/10

Eoin Colfer: The Forever Man (2015)

    Pulled two centuries into the past, Chevie and Riley find themselves in the village of Mandrake. Under siege from prowling monsters that have escaped from the wormhole, the village's only protector is the sinister Witchfinder - a man with a hidden past and deadly powers (Goodreads).

    While it both starts and ends poorly, the conclusion to the time travelling FBI series has a scrumptious middle section. Writers, when adding new characters into a universe, often fail miserably, however Colfer has succeeded excellently, as both Isles and Pointer are entertaining and dynamic new additions to the trilogy (Pointer's departure especially adds a great emotional element). Readers are once again given a brilliantly mad villain in Garrick, and Riley's bold protagonist character once again fulfills expectations. A surprisingly excellent supporting character in Woulfe brings the story to new levels, although some ridiculous plot points (some which are much too convenient), an abrupt ending and a somewhat forced romance spoil what might have been a great ending to a good trilogy. 6.8/10