In this list of book recommendations, I’ll be discussing my thoughts on Wuthering Heights, The Hate U Give, One Dark Throne, and Heartless. I hope that there’s one that catches your eye!

First on my list is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë: This had been on my ‘to read’ list for a while, and I was assuming that the romance in it would be similar to Pride and Prejudice, in which the characters transform into the best versions of themselves. This, unfortunately, was sadly proven incorrect. This particular story warns about the consequences of loving too much; too violently. It follows the characters Cathy and Heathcliff as they fall in love, marry different people when life drives them apart, and lament over their loss while their personalities morph into ugly black clouds that torment all those around them. Heathcliff sets off on a mission of revenge against those who wronged him in childhood as well as those who kept him from Cathy, while Cathy herself falls into sickness, regret, and longing. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much; it was interesting to watch as the mistakes of Heathcliff and Cathy never entirely dissipated, following their descendants into future generations, while successfully ending the book on a bittersweet note.

Heartless By Marissa Meyer: This tragic tale set in Wonderland will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as you navigate the backstory of Catherine– or, as you know her, the Queen of Hearts. I became enraptured with the characters of this book, especially with the romance that blossoms between Catherine and a secret suitor. But… you know the ending already. Off with their heads!

The Hate U Give: It’s not easy living in a predominantly poor neighborhood while attending a fancy school, but this is Starr Carter’s life. However, both her worlds are affected dramatically when her childhood best friend, Khalil, is shot and killed right in front of her by a police officer who assumes that the two of them are criminals. This novel, dealing with incredibly powerful emotions such as loss, grief, and justice, is a must read for everyone. After I finished this myself only a couple days ago, I sat back in shock, because everything that was written about in this work of fiction has genuinely happened in our world today, and I wondered to myself: how could we, as a society, have allowed this to happen for so, so long?

One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake: Sequel to Three Dark Crowns, this book follows the aftermath of a terrible tragedy as three sisters compete against each other to win the crown. There’s Arsinoe, the Naturalist who wields a grizzly bear as her familiar but hides a secret; Mirabella, the Elementalist who discovers that her heart is divided; and Katharine, the weakest of the three now out for blood. Like The Hunger Games, I turned each page in complete and utter suspense, because as the Ascension draws closer, and the rivalry heats up, true natures are revealed– and sacrifices are made.