CHAIN OF THORNS by Cassandra Clare

Through multiple third-person points of view (POVs), the descriptive writing style provides a detailed depiction of the characters and world. While this broad scope allows the story to delve into the complicated relationships between the characters, it also gives a slow, sluggish pace. The highlight for me was the slight comic relief dispersed throughout the story, as this made me smile and reminded me of why I first liked this series.

QUEENIE by Candice Carty-Williams

The casual writing style infused with satire was a pleasant surprise that had me laughing numerous times despite the challenging storyline. Queenie’s first-person narrative also drew me in, and several flashbacks were skillfully used to strengthen the story. I especially loved the text messaging, emails and lists, which made the writing more engaging and creative.