Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been fascinated by fantasy and sci-fi books since childhood – ever since I read Harry Potter and my parents took me to Disneyland Park. My parents had a giant library, and they used to encourage me to buy books and read them. I enjoy reading books that mix genres with unexpected twists and turns, and I am always on the hunt for a good story to enjoy and review.


I wrote

The Crossing Gate

By Asiel R. Lavie,

Book cover of The Crossing Gate

What is my book about?

In the kingdom of Elpax, juveniles must walk through the mysterious Crossing Gate to become adults-and seventeen-year-old Lenora is determined…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Iron Widow

Asiel R. Lavie Why did I love this book?

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through the psychic link between pilots and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead.


What I love about this book is the way the author mixed sci-fi elements with characters who are inspired by historical figures from across Chinese history, with fantasy elements on how the male pilot must pair up with a female one to pilot a robot.

By Xiran Jay Zhao,

Why should I read it?

16 authors picked Iron Widow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller!

Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale in this blend of Chinese history and mecha science fiction for YA readers.

The boys of Huaxia dream of pairing up with girls to pilot Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It doesn't matter that the girls often die from the mental strain.
 
When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it's to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister's death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected—she kills him through…


Book cover of A Light in the Sky

Asiel R. Lavie Why did I love this book?

The world is a brilliant mix of the typical fantasy story and advanced technology with futuristic settings. I love it when the author mix fantasy with technology. You can sense some dystopian vibes too- The Hunger Games came to my mind while reading, and this is an extra reason why I was totally into this book. 

By Shina Reynolds,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Light in the Sky as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

2022 Gold Medal Winner in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards for Teen Fiction

2022 Gold Medal Winner in the Readers' Choice Book Awards for Teen Fiction

2022 Gold Medal Winner in the Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Young Adult -Mythology/Fairy Tale

2022 Award Winner in the Young Adult category of the American Fiction Awards

2022 Runner-up in the Maxy Awards (Middle Grade - YA Winner)

2022 Finalist in the SPR Awards

2022 Award-Winning Finalist in the Fantasy: Epic/High Fantasy category of the American Fiction Awards

2021 Finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards (Fantasy)

 
Red Queen meets The…


Book cover of Within These Wicked Walls

Asiel R. Lavie Why did I love this book?

I loved the book’s concept. The Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre was the best part of this book; I never read anything about Ethiopia before, and I found this book very interesting for that reason. The hint at the Ethiopian food, culture, and names were well done. The premise itself was intriguing: a curse that turned a house into an ice cube in the middle of the desert? Tell me more!

By Lauren Blackwood,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked Within These Wicked Walls as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
REESE'S BOOK CLUB FALL 2021 YA PICK

"Lauren Blackwood’s can’t-miss debut is a magical, Ethiopian-inspired remix of Jane Eyre." - Harper's Bazaar

What the heart desires, the house destroys...

Andromeda is a debtera―an exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. She would be hired, that is, if her mentor hadn’t thrown her out before she could earn her license. Now her only hope of steady work is to find a Patron―a rich, well-connected individual who will vouch for her abilities.

When a handsome young heir named Magnus Rochester reaches out to hire her,…


Book cover of The Binding Tempest

Asiel R. Lavie Why did I love this book?

I was hooked from page one and finished reading the book in just a few days. Although this is a complicated story, the description was vivid and clear. The plot was fast-paced and full of actions that will keep you on the edge of your seat most of the time.

By Steven Rudy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Binding Tempest as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“The expert combination of immersive storytelling, strong characters, and well-woven mixture of speculative and steampunk elements makes for an unforgettable experience.”
– The Prairies Book Review

Heroes only get better with age.

Forty years after The Great War that overthrew an Empire, a former war hero, Ellaria Moonstone, has discovered a new threat to the World she helped save.

When the Peace King of the Free Cities goes missing, Ellaria uncovers a plot to overthrow the tenuous republic. Fearing that a powerful being called a Sagean Luminary has returned to claim the throne, Ellaria sends for help from old allies…


Book cover of Beasts of Prey

Asiel R. Lavie Why did I love this book?

This book is brilliant! The blurb alone was enough to hook me, and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the last sentence! The story was interesting, and the world-building was vivid, and the magic system was so interesting. Give it a shoot, you won’t regret it! 

By Ayana Gray,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beasts of Prey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

In this blockbuster fantasy series, perfect for fans of Firekeeper’s Daughter and Iron Widow, fate binds two Black teenagers together as they journey into a magical jungle to hunt down a vicious monster.

“Rich in magic and mythos, Beasts of Prey is a feast for all the senses.” —Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Beautiful

An Instant New York Times and Indie Bestseller

There’s no such thing as magic in the broken city of Lkossa, especially for sixteen-year-old Koffi, who indentured to the notorious Night Zoo, knows the fearsome creatures in her care and paying off her…


Explore my book 😀

The Crossing Gate

By Asiel R. Lavie,

Book cover of The Crossing Gate

What is my book about?

In the kingdom of Elpax, juveniles must walk through the mysterious Crossing Gate to become adults-and seventeen-year-old Lenora is determined that her third attempt at crossing to adulthood will be successful. Even though adulthood means facing horrible realities, such as sin-spots appearing on her body whenever she commits a sin, it also means being able to have a job. And Lenora needs to work to support her struggling family. But Lenora's Crossing Day goes horribly wrong. 

Accused of trying to start a revolution, Lenora must obey the kingdom's laws to the letter if she wants to take suspicion off herself. But following the rules isn't as easy as it sounds. Especially when she meets a mysterious and handsome stranger who makes her feel emotions she's never experienced before-even though juveniles in Elpax aren't supposed to be capable of falling in love. With the long arm of the law looming over her and her family, Lenora must walk a tightrope between following the rules and investigating why she's unable to cross. 

Book cover of Iron Widow
Book cover of A Light in the Sky
Book cover of Within These Wicked Walls

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Book cover of The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author Insatiable reader English teacher Life-long learner Hiker Webmaster

Bill's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Guaritori awakens from a coma to find that he's lost twenty years--and his entire world.

Fiancée, family, and friends are all missing, perhaps dead. Technology has failed, and magic has risen, leaving society in ruins. Most survivors are at the mercy of anyone who has strong enough magic. Guaritori has none. He finds a protector, but his troubles are far from over.

The new society in which he finds himself is superficially friendly but surrounded by enemies and full of secrets. Guaritori doesn't know it yet, but the biggest secret is his. If his protector knew who he truly was,…

The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco

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What is this book about?

Coming out of a coma after twenty years, Guaritori--Garth to his friends--discovers that the world he knew no longer exists.

Advanced technology has failed. Magic, which he didn't know even existed, has become much more powerful. Supernatural groups battle for supremacy, forcing human beings to seek shelter wherever they can find it.
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