Book Reviews – The Independent

‘The Institute’ review

November 5, 2019

Stephen King’s new book, “The Institute,” tells the story of Luke, a 12-year-old boy who is kidnap...

‘The Testaments’ Review

October 8, 2019

After 34 years, Margaret Atwood answers the many questions left by one of her most famous books, “Th...

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu: a feminist anthem for young readers

Robert Kukla, Arts & Life Editor

April 18, 2019

Moxie tells the story of Vivian, a high school sophomore, who is tired of the sexist behavior from her high school’s football team and the school officials turning a blind eye. Inspired by her mother’s punk rock days, Vivian decides to take a stand and begins distributing zines anonymously as a call to action. Eventually...

Five Love Stories That Don’t Suck

Robert Kukla, Arts & Life Editor

February 14, 2019

In spirit of Valentine’s Day, here are five love stories with more substance than just being a fluffy romance or a hot and steamy story. In other words, these are my top five love stories that don’t suck. In no particular order Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. This does have a cute fluffy romanc...

The Book Nook: ‘The Gentleman’s Guide To Vice and Virtue’ by Mackenzi Lee

November 6, 2018

I knew this book was going to be a new favorite when within 50 pages I encountered LGBTQ+, Feminism,...

‘Tell me how it ends’ reveals daunting effects of parent deportation on children

September 11, 2018

As someone who primarily reads fiction, I’m trying to get into reading more nonfiction and came to the...

Children of Blood and Bone Review

Robert Kukla, Arts & Life Editor

May 16, 2018

“Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi has been gaining recognition for the way it weaves African folklore and mythology into an epic fantasy. It tells the story of Zelie, who is sent on a journey to bring magic back to the world of Orisha. Magic has been gone from the land for years after the evil king eradicated ...

Green Arrow: Rebirth ends it’s two year run with ‘The Fall of Green Arrow’

Hussain Khemani, Writer

March 27, 2018

Issue 38 of Green Arrow “Long Live the Queen”, which was released this March, concludes Benjamin Percy’s two-year run with “Green Arrow: Rebirth.” His series was able to return the character of Green Arrow to his social justice roots and make him a hero fighting against the establishment. This was a welcomed move as...

Comic Review: New characters, old favorites

Hussain Khemani, Writer

March 14, 2018

Tom King’s latest Batman story pits Batman and Catwoman against one of Batman’s most infamous enemies, Pamela Isley, a.k.a Poison Ivy. This arc immediately shows that Ivy is a true force to be reckoned with as she essentially has the entire world under control. King’s goal in writing this issue was to demonstrate Ivy’s...

Sex, Privacy and Culture: ‘ The Selfie Generation’

January 30, 2018

In recent years the world has been taken over by the selfie; a picture that someone takes of themselve...

‘13 reasons why’: a review

April 12, 2017

Did you ever wonder what would happen if all the teens in that classic 80s movie had cellphones? Or wh...

‘The Prodigal Rogerson: The tragic, hilarious, and possibly apocryphal story of circle jerks bassist Roger Rogerson in the golden age of LA Punk, 1979-1996’

February 21, 2017

Every once in awhile, the music-loving world that enjoys reading is given a unique surprise: something un...