This crime fiction novel is a well-told story of a violent cat-and-mouse journey throughout the bleak western landscape. It all begins when Llewelyn Moss, a Vietnam veteran stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong while hunting, and finds a case of two million dollars in cash. He made the decision to take it, but eventually went back to give water to the only remaining survivor. When he came back, he found that the man was killed, and he is now the target of Anton Chigurh, a hitman hired by the cartel to retrieve their money and kill Moss. Meanwhile, Sheriff Ed Tom Bell tries to navigate the violent and morally ambiguous world around him, as he watches it change before him and the decline of traditional values. 

The novel explores themes of fate, morality, and the idea of  “letting things go.” There are many twists and turns with this wild back-and-forth between Moss and Chigurh, and it is definitely worth checking out. Llewelyn Moss’ story is interesting to me. He is described as a rugged middle-aged welder, with a strong and determined demeanor. Perhaps it was fate, but I’m not sure why he would go and explore the drug deal aftermath, especially not sure why he would take the case of money, knowing that it likely has a connection to some very bad people. The idea of preserving and helping one’s own livelihood is the only logical explanation. He wants a better life for him and his wife, and that money was a perfect escape from their burdens, a fresh start. 

As the story unfolds, with more danger arising, he turns more from focusing on the financial freedom he could gain to protecting his family from the violence that will come from Chigurh. His success was limited and shortcoming as he was eventually overwhelmed and was unable to escape the chaos, ultimately paying the price for his actions and dying off-screen. There are several changes within Moss, his ambition changing from securing a better life for his family, causing him to take the money. But as danger arises, a moral confliction happens within himself, and he has to confront his own morality and actions, and view the problems he’s caused by taking the money. At the end, he accepts what is coming to him and knows escaping isn’t possible. 

McCarthy did a good job world building, being able to perfectly fit his characters in the land he created. He was able to keep the surroundings bleak while also staying involved with the story and keeping emphasis on the characters and what was going on between them. I think that it is a somewhat strange novel, but it is very well written. The development of the characters and the story building was enjoyable. I think that it was strange in a way because of all the suspense and the lack of filter on Chigurh’s stopping at nothing to get what he wants.

- Austin Gahwyler

In September 2020, Marie Lu published a book titled "Skyhunter". It is a story that has a science fiction/fantasy fiction theme and is a good read geared towards the younger adult readers.

Mara is the only nation that is free of the Karensa Federation’s hold. The Federation is the evil overlord of the story and has control of every other territory in the book. The way they took over was through using Ghosts, mutant and monstrous creatures who will stop at nothing to get the kill. Mara has teams of strikers that go out to kill the Ghosts that the Federation sends their way every day, trying to break their lines and get control of Mara. Talin is the main character, who has lost her voice, due to an unpleasant experience with the Federation. On one of her routes, she stumbles upon a prisoner from the Federation named Red. Red is unlike any other soldier from the Federation, and slowly forms a bond with Talin. 

Although Talin distrusts Red from the beginning, they slowly form an unbreakable bond over the course of the story. They both work as one, and find strength in their past memories and traumas from the Federation. Together, and with a small group of friends, they uncover something terrible and sinister within the Federation. The plot is named “Project Atlas”, which has been designed to create even more deadly soldiers to use on Mara, soldiers, just like Red. Towards the end, the group launches a daring attempt to shut down Project Atlas and stop the Federation once and for all. While they do attain victory, it does come with a terrible price and soon the heroes will have to deal with the aftermath of their actions against the Federation.

Skyhunter is a must-read for anyone who is interested in dystopian novels, heart-pounding action, and heroic sacrifices. It has everything that a science fiction book could ever need in it. During my time reading this book, I was constantly wondering what would happen next and who was going to win between the heroes of Mara and the Karensa Federation. Some of the great things about the book is its ability to convey horrific situations in a watered down way, like the tragedies of war. Another good thing that was done was making the readers want more in the second book "Steelstriker", which is the same of how I feel as well. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good page turner that involves corrupt governments, a strong opposing and heroic force, and lastly, and finally a very good cliffhanger onto the next book.

- Harrison Grill

In 1965 author Frank Herbert published the first installment of the soon-to-be seven book series, "Dune", becoming one of the most recognizable names in the science fiction genre. Yet 59 years later we are still hearing about it with the recently released movie, "Dune Part 2". What about this book has kept us talking about it fifty-nine years later.

Dune is set in the year 10,191, society at this time has spread out and colonized planets around the universe. The book follows Paul Atreidies, a young man living on the planet of Arrakis. Arrakis is a desert planet that is used for mining melange, a type of drug used almost entirely by the wealthy. Paul’s mother Jessica is the concubine of the newly positioned governor of Arrakis, Leto Atreidies. Both Paul and his mother possess an ability called “The Voice”. Both Paul and his mother are looked upon as an almost messianic savior by a group called the Bene Gesserit, who believe they will turn Arrakis into a lush paradise. 

In just the first few chapters of "Dune" we are thrust into an entirely foreign universe, given a brief glimpse into the political and religious landscape of the world. This is part of what makes "Dune" so special, Frank Herbert uses world building to introduce us to an entirely different universe. However, Frank Herbert only introduced what the reader needs to know at the moment, "Dune" doesn’t begin with a large exposition dump instead it begins right where it needs to leaving the reader curious for more. We are firstly introduced to the main focus of the story, the characters where through dialogue readers are able to piece together the world that is being portrayed. The first thing that happens in dune is we read about an interaction between Jessica and another character unfamiliar to Paul, we the readers as well as Paul at this point can only speculate on what the strange words the mysterious character says when she says “He’s awake and listening to us,” said the old woman. “Sly little rascal.” She chuckled. “But royalty has need of slyness. And if he’s really the Kwisatz Haderach…well….”

Overall "Dune" is exactly what makes science fiction the all-time greatest genre to exist. Dune’s incredible world building builds a fascinating universe inside the mind of readers that captivates and inspires. The characters interact with each other naturally and their motivations and actions feel realistic in the context of the story. I would recommend Dune to anyone who loves Sci-fi and deep, immersive world building.

- Connor Reverman

The setting is in Poland where a little Jewish boy named Yanek is living in the early stages of the Holocaust. Yanek and his family are a well of Jewish family who had their lives stripped from them in the Holocaust. They begin to be isolated in quarantines, then are ultimately shipped to 10 different concentration camps. The family is shipped around from camp to camp like cattle in big train cars that are overcrowded with people. This story shows many valuable lessons anyone can use in life. Never give up, work hard, and love your neighbor are just a few to name.

This novel has many thrilling moments and cliffhangers that will leave you on the edge of your seat while reading. Naturally, I loved the book. I am a history buff, who is obsessed with World War Two. The book is filled with exciting scenes and some scenes that are tough to read as they capture the hardships that these Jewish people went through during the Holocaust. I recommend this book to anyone who loves history. They highlight many concentration camps, including Auschwitz. The book also does a good job using pathos to make you feel like you are a part of the family living through the tough times too. I will give this book 4.5/5 stars. 

I do believe that Alan Gratz could have highlighted Yanek's life after the war, as he moves back into normal life. Having to make that adjustment back into school and sports has to be relieving and also nerve-racking as he was in concentration camps for over five years. The books use pathos and how he uses many life lessons makes it a great read. I would recommend this book to everyone even if you are not a history buff. It has valuable lessons for everyone. 

- Ryder John