Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire
Author: Sarah J. Maas
ISBN: 9781619630659
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Released: September 02, 2014
Series: Throne of Glass #3
Page #: 562
Source: My public library
 
Summary:
"Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak - but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth... a truth about her heritage that could change her life - and her future - forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength not only to fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about the be unleashed.

The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight."
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First Lines:

"Gods, it was boiling in this useless excuse for a kingdom.
Or maybe it felt that way because Celaena Sardothien had been lounging on the lip of the terra-cotta roof since midmorning, an arm flung over her eyes, slowly baking in the sun like the loaves of flatbread the city's poorest citizens left on their windowsills because they couldn't afford brick ovens."
Page 3
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Review:

If you haven't read Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight, please do so. You won't regret it. Epic magical adventure and love story? GO! And I can't promise no spoilers of the first two books.

As the King's Assassin, Celaena has basically been to hell and back. She's fought for her position, her life, her past, her future... and everything in between. Now she's on a quest to get answers from her evil, magic-wielding aunt. But, of course, not without being fully tested and trained to her specifications. And there's larger evils happening back at home - things that Celaena has the ability to fix, but she doesn't know how yet. Training, fighting, and learning are her entire life now.

There is A LOT going on in this book. You've got probably four different storylines with about six or seven different perspectives. It's really a lot to keep up with. And if I am going to say there is any flaw in this book (which is really, really hard to do), I would say that my interest in each of the storylines was varying. Honestly, I could have just stuck with the Celaena/Rowen story the entire book. But I understand how all of the others are going to come into play and be very important as things go along. I just found myself irritated sometimes when I was stuck in another storyline when I really just wanted to know what was happening elsewhere.

So... beyond that, I absolutely loved this book. And have loved this series since the beginning. It's just so well written and you can see that the author does a fabulous job pulling all of the magical concepts together. She's really created a whole new vocabulary and world for you to explore. Things are uncovered at every turn - mysteries start to get solved, other concerns come up. There's so much that has yet to be explored that I look forward to future volumes.

There are a lot of new characters to figure out in this latest book. You've got an entire new city of people who are trying to feel out Celaena and figure out exactly who she is. Then you've got more seedy underworld characters who begin to create drama in another place. There is just a host of new characters! And while that does help keep the story fresh and interesting, there's a lot to keep up with.

I've realized that my only complaints about this book are about its complexity. And that really isn't a problem at all - it may be more of a personal issue because of my current attention span. This book took me a long time to get through, but it was because I wanted to make sure I got all of the details. I made the mistake of flying through the first book and realizing I needed to back up and make sure I understood what was going on. But if you're looking for a story to really dig into, you can't get much better than this.

The ending of this book makes me excited for the next one - which I know is the point. But there is something calming and steady about the way Celaena faces her future and what is going to happen next. And you never know! I was shocked by a few things in this story, so I can only imagine what's going to come next!

I'm absolutly continuing to recommend this series to fantasy lovers. It's a solid story that is very well thought out and you know the author already has a plan for all of these amazing characters. Honestly, I would love to see this as a movie or even as a TV series. It's epic and sometimes spooky and the battles are awesome... there's just a lot to sink your teeth into.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Bookables
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Alexa Loves Books
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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
ISBN: 9780399162411
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers
Released: May 07, 2014
Series: Fifth Wave #1
Page #: 457
Source: My public library

Summary:
"After the 1st Wave, only darkness remains.
After the 2nd, only the lucky escape.
And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th Wave, just one rule applies: trust no one.

Now it's the dawn of the 5th Wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother - or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between life and death. To give up or to get up."
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First Lines:

"Aliens are stupid.
I'm not talking about real aliens. The Others aren't stupid. The Others are so far ahead of us, it's like comparing the dumbest human to the smartest dog. No contest."
Page 1
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Review:

Why it took me so long to get around to this book, I have no idea. I even had an advanced copy that I sat on for too long. I imagine it had something to do with how much publisher pop there was about it - sometimes that's off-putting. But luckily this book was wonderful!! And I wish I had read it earlier.

So, Cassie is living in a world without anything. Literally. No people. Very little stuff. The only objectives are to not die and find her brother. It's a pretty grim existence - especially when she knows that the Others are always looking for her. When she's shot by one of them, the whole game changes. She still has to fulfill her promise to find her little brother, but it seems almost impossible... except that now she has an ally. A reluctant ally, but an ally nonetheless.

I've been gushing about this book to everyone since I finished it yesterday. Like, I think people are sick of me talking about it. It's been a while since I've read a book that I'm this excited about. I'm just really glad I was required to read this book for work - otherwise I may have totally missed out! Or, you know, just waited way too long (as though now isn't too long).

Also, I have been wracking my brain to remember the last time I read an alien book. If ever. I mean, I'm sure I have, but I guess this felt like it was a whole new thing for me. Obviously not new... but thinking about the different ways that an extraterrestrial species could make the human race extinct... well, it was fascinating. And all so valid! It makes me want to buy a farm out in the middle of nowhere in a place that's easily defensible.

Sometimes multiple characters makes me irritated, but the way this book dealt with that was perfect. All of the characters are in vastly different situations and there is a clear line when you've crossed into someone else's storyline. I was a little confused after the first one - didn't realize I was hearing someone else's story, but it smoothed out really quickly. Plus, I love that it's not set characters that you hear from every other chapter. Each switch in character uncovers something new, something unexpected. It's really fabulous.

I'm not going to tell you what happens in the end, but I love books that end this way. The whole thing felt like I was watching a video game unfold. That's the same sort of ending that I've absolutely loved in other books and this one does it well. It may be that I loved it more because I didn't realize that we were building into something that major. It seems like almost a quiet book up until you realize what has been going on... and then people start fighting back! It's awesome. Really.

I did have a couple of questions as I read through the book - like... how is it that everyone is calling things the same terminology when they have no way to communicate it? How did everyone decide how many waves they have really had? I mean, some may not have experienced the Silencers... so they're still on the 3rd Wave, right? I'm hoping the 2nd book addresses some of this. And why middle America can see the space ship in the sky... what if you're in Australia? Is there a different ship? Is it far enough away that everyone can see it (not possible with the other side of the world...). So I guess there were a few things that left me wanting more explanation.

The next book in this series comes out next month and you better believe that I'll be getting it. Stat. I have already (and will continue to so) recommended this book to all of my YA readers around me. I'm really interested to see what they think about it. While it's an alien invasion book overall, I think it carries so many different themes that anyone can get into it. At least, in my opinion. :)
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
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Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
ISBN: 9780062024060
Publisher: HarperCollins
Released: October 22, 2013
Series: Divergent #3
Page #: 544
Source: Own Purchased Copy

Summary:
"The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love."
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First Lines:

"I pace in our cell in Erudite headquarters, her words echoing in my mind: My name will be Edith Prior, and there is much I am happy to forget." 
Page 1
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Review:

**SPOILER WARNING: Obviously there will be spoilers from Divergent and Insurgent. If you haven't read those books yet, please be aware that there will be spoilers. I apologize!!** 
Man, how in the world can I review this book? I have been waiting like crazy for this one and I devoured it as slowly as I could. Drinking in all of the details and being shocked by many revelations. But it was worth it.

Okay. Third book in the Divergent trilogy... Tris and Four have uncovered the biggest secret about their world - that it isn't real. They realize that the only way to figure things out and have a better life is to escape their society. Once outside, they begin to understand the magnitude of the deception. Lots of secrets are revealed and plans hatched to fix things. The only question now is how they are going to live with all of the things they have learned.

I thought it was really clever the way Roth set up the world outside of the walls. It all makes a lot of sense and truly seems likely - that we would effectively quarantine people and start from scratch when things got so bad. It seems pretty logical, actually. But the people have their memories wiped and new ideas planted. It's a crazy concept, but if the world were bad enough, it might seem pretty tempting.

In the act of wrapping up the Divergent story, there were tons of facts thrown at you during the first half of this book. It was a little more instructional and giving you the basics of how the world works. That sort of world-building typically happens in the first of a series. But once your entire perspective changes during this third book, you need that re-learning about the world. That was interesting, for sure, but it took me a while to really get into it. 

I don't think I can complete this review without discussing the ending. I'm going to color block this section because of serious spoilers... so read at your own discretion:
I know that a lot of people have been really upset about the way the book ended. I'd be lying if I said I was totally cool with it, myself. But I kind of get it. I mean, Roth completely tied up any loose ends and made it where there really cannot be another book. But it seems pretty intense to kill off your main character. And I really wonder how that is going to play in a movie - if they end up making second and third ones. It was shocking, for sure. And I really didn't think it would end up that way. The epilogue was really very sweet, but still left me feeling sad. I was hoping for a more hopeful and happy ending for Tris, but we certainly didn't have that. I'm still a little in shock about the whole thing. Well written, but damn! 

While I know there have been mixed reviews about this final book, I still recommend the series to everyone I know. It's well done and so thought out. I'm looking forward to the movie that comes out in a few months. Fingers crossed that it does the books justice! I'm sort of sad that this series is finally over... but I cannot WAIT to see what Veronica Roth does next. Cause I'll definitely be on board.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Helen's Book Blog
Book. Blog. Bake. 
Cuddlebuggery Book Blog
The Book Smugglers
Nerdy Book Club
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Book Hooked Blog
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Planet Print

Rush by Eve Silver

Title: Rush
Author: Eve Silver
ISBN: 9780062272805
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Series: The Game #1
Released: June 11, 2013
Duration: 9 hours, 31 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"So what's the game now?
This, or the life I used to know?

Miki Jones's carefully controlled life spirals into chaos after she's run down in the street, left broken and bloody. She wakes up fully healed in a place called the lobby—pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game in which she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures.

There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Every moment of the game is kill or be killed, and Miki has only the questionable guidance of Jackson Tate, the team's alluring and secretive leader. He evades her questions, holds himself aloof from the others, and claims it's every player for himself. But when he puts himself at risk to watch Miki's back, he leaves her both frustrated and fascinated. Jackson says the game isn't really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival. And the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn't. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn."
_______________________________________________
First Lines:

"MIKI
My head jerks up. My attention narrows. I push off the chain-link fence that marks the limit of school property. 
Page 1
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Review:

The whole concept of this story was super intriguing to me - that someone would die and be thrown into a game instead of an afterlife. Then once the game is done for the moment, they are put back into their old lives. a very interesting idea.

Miki was just trying to save a little girl from being hit by a truck. She found herself in unknown territory... a game where the ultimate price is your life. She has to learn quickly about games and rules and how to stay alive. But there is so much more at stake than what is presented on the surface. She has to battle aliens to complete each challenge, but the biggest challenge is yet to come.

I opted to listen to this book purely because it was available from my library's collection. I have a hard copy around here somewhere, but there's something more thrilling about listening to an action and adventure story. And I think this book was served well because of that.

So, this world that the group of teens is thrown into is much like any video game. There are health bars, you spend points on extra weapons, you have to kill every enemy before the quest is complete, etc. The one kicker is that if you die in the game, you die for real. I sort of enjoy the journey of figuring out all of these things with Miki. There is a discovery element throughout the story that really carries things along.

I was very surprised at how things sort of turned out in the end - that people weren't exactly who they said they were. And that Miki was someone special. That whole part made this book feel much more sci-fi than I was expecting. But it's interesting and I am left wondering how things will turn out in the next book.

I will say that there was one serious drawback about listening to this book. There was something weird about the way the reader finished sentences... or said some of the phrases. It's hard to describe. But it's almost like she was trying to hard to make things sound more teen. I had to convince myself to continue listening just because I wanted to find out what was going to happen. Otherwise I would have probably let it go. If I decide to read the next story, I will probably opt for a physical copy if it's the same reader for the audio.

While there are aspects of this story that I truly liked, I'm not sure how interested I am in following the story in a second book. I know there is one, so we'll have to see. But all in all, I think teens who love those adventure stories that mix in sci-fi elements will really get into this story. It's super crazy and will throw you for a loop.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Dark Faerie Tales
Chapter by Chapter
The Eater of Books!
IB Book Blogging
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Alice Marvels
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The Twins Read

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
ISBN: 9781611137743
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Released: October 12, 2011
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1
Duration: 12 Hours, 32 Minutes
Source: eAudio from my public library

Summary: 

"Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?"

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First Lines:

"Walking to school over the snow-muffled cobbles, Karou had no sinister premonitions about the day. It seemed like just another Monday, innocent but for its essential Mondayness, not to mention its Januaryness."
Page
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Review:

There are about three or four people in my life who have been waiting for me to get to this book. They loved it so hardcore that it was mentioned constantly. And now I sort of see what they were talking about. This is quite the epic love story.

Karou doesn't know much about her past - just that it wasn't normal. She was raised in another world, where teeth are currency and people have all manner of animal characteristics. She now lives in the human world and continues to run errands for her adoptive family. Until one day, all of the portals to the other world are destroyed and she is left abandoned. She goes out looking for answers and comes across them in the most unsuspecting places.

This is a pretty intense romance. I mean, it's almost less about the setting, less about the situation... more about the relationship. This isn't something you realize until at least halfway through the book. As I said - epic love story. And it's taken beyond anything you can imagine. It's not a simple demon-meets-angel book. There's a ton of back story that totally changes the course of everything.

I sort of loved the whole concept of a girl being raised by demons and living in the normal world. With her blue hair. And crazy tattoos. It's just a cool idea and I think it reads really well. Uhm, also... Akiva? Hello. I don't even want to tell you which celebrity I was picturing in that roll. Let's just say that if this becomes a movie, he better be hot.

There was a point in the story that I really got worried that I was going to get lost. The whole perspective changes. Things get really backtracked and you are learning about Karou's life before. It's all necessary information, but the setting of the whole thing is different from where you were originally. It's an interesting way to tell a story. And it really makes me curious about where the second book will take place. And how much of that backtracking will be a part of it.

Huge bonus: The audiobook was awesome. The reader did a wonderful job with all of the various accents and crazy creatures. There was a ton going on and it could have totally fallen flat. But it didn't. And I truly recommend that you listen to this one. I don't often get so pulled into the story that I just have to listen to it all in one sitting (which I didn't, but it was close!). It was truly good enough that I am looking up that narrator to listen to other things she has done.

I believe all of those people who told me to read this book were right. It's an awesomely told story that many teens already are in love with. I will definitely be working on getting my hands on the audio of the second book.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Whispering Words...
Never Ending Stories
Sparkles and Lightning
Book Hooked Blog
Cece's Steaming Mug of Books
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I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Title: I am Number Four
Author: Pittacus Lore
ISBN: 9780061996795
Publisher: HarperCollins Audio
Released: August 17, 2010
Series: The Lorien Legacies #1
Duration: 11 hours, 32 minutes
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next."
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First Lines:

"The door starts shaking. It's a flimsy thing made of bamboo shoots held together with tattered lengths of twine. The shake is subtle and stops almost immediately."
Page 7
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Review:

I have been keeping an eye on this series for years. But when I was in need of an audiobook and it was available at my library, I decided to finally give it a shot.

Four came to Earth ten years ago with his guardian. They have to keep themselves hidden from a race of aliens that is trying to kill them. Because they have to move around so much, Four has never really stayed at a school long enough to make friends and have a normal life. Now they've moved to Ohio and his new name is John Smith. He starts to actually make a name for himself there - until they realize they may have been found out.

Overall, this is a solid science fiction story. When their planet is being attacked, a ship of some children is sent to another planet to keep the race intact. They have to split up on the new planet because the evil race of aliens is still after them. And now they are all constantly on the move in order to keep themselves safe. It's a cool premise. I'm just not sure about the implementation.

Part of this might be on my reason for putting off this book. I recall there being some controversy about the way this series has been written. The author is, of course, a pseudonym. But the person behind the book is James Fray - the guy who wrote Million Little Pieces. And there seem to be some ghost writers who actually came up with the idea... I don't fully remember. But I was sort of put off by the whole thing and worried that it was just someone else trying to break into YA publishing because it's the hot place to be.

Because that was my mindset, I really tried to put that aside while listening to this story. But then I realized there was something about the way it was being read that put me off as well. The reader used all of these different voices - and most of the time very necessary. But the voices he chose were very cartoon-y. It made it hard to take some of the characters seriously - especially when there were serious things happening. The girls voices were the worst, really. Some of the inflections used weren't how teens really speak... so it took me out of the story a lot.

While I really do think that the premise is totally solid, I feel like the full effect was very Disney. Things wrapped up very comfortably, some of the reactions to things were predictable, and the relationships are a little too cute. I will admit that part of this might be on the fault of the audio reader. But listening to this book has let me know that I don't need to continue this series.

I know there are some science fiction lovers who have really gotten into this series. And more power to them! I know that exciting things happen and I imagine that they are relieved to have a modern scifi option (so much of it is for adults). So I know this will find its audience, but that's just not going to be me. I do feel like I need to see the movie - it seems like that might have worked out better for me. We'll see. :)
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Other Blog Reviews:

Justin's Book Blog
Girl!Reporter
Blog of a Bookaholic
The Bawdy Book Blog
Helen's Book Blog
Darkest Addictions
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Scarrlet Reader

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
ISBN: 9781619630628
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Released: August 27, 2013
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Page #: 417
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"From the throne of glass rules a king with an iron fist and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown - a secret she hides from even those closest to her. Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult as Celaena tries to untangle the mysteries buried within the glass castle, and she struggles to tell friend from foe. It seems even the Crown Prince, the Captain of the Guard, and her best friend - a foreign princess with a rebel heart - are not above questioning her allegiance. Then, one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to a tragedy that shatters everything."
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First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change)

"The shutters swinging in the storm winds were the only sign of her entry. No one had noticed her scaling the garden wall of the darkened manor house, and with the thunder and the gusting wind off the sea, no one heard her as she shimmied up the drainpipe, swung onto the windowsill, and slithered into the second-floor hallway." 
Page 1
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Review:

I was a huge fan of Throne of Glass - action, romance, drama, castles and princes, lots of death... Obviously it was meant for me. Such a good book. And I'm excited to report that Crown of Midnight lives up to my excitement.

Celaena has won the contest to become the king's Champion. He's now sending her all over to kill his enemies. Unfortunately, she's not willing to carry any of those out. So when she comes back to the castle, she has to keep the truth from her closest friends. And the castle itself has even more secrets than she realized. Everyone seems to have power that they shouldn't have and the mysteries in the castle are building up.

I think Celaena is one of my favorite characters in YA Lit. She kicks so much ass, but she's super girly, too. There's something so refreshing about a woman who can live in all of the different worlds. There is a part of this story where Celaena goes full-on assassin. It's pretty magical. The hard core, almost not human, crazy woman. This second book just really goes into the psyche that allows her to do the things she has to do to survive.

You can't talk about her without mentioning the guys in this story. Dorian... becomes even more lovable and wonderful in this second book. And Chaol... even more sexy. Sigh. They both really cater to her in all of the ways she needs them. They also have new secrets themselves that create all sorts of rifts in the friendship/love triangle. Just so much drama! I can't imagine how things are going to turn out for the three of them! There is also a lot more of the varying points of view, but it becomes important because so much is going on.

I honestly can't even get started on the ending. Not only because I'm not going to spoil it for you, but also because of its epicness. I reread the last couple of chapters immediately after I finished them. There was so much to sift through and get excited about. Things are going to get crazy before the end of this series. And I cannot imagine how Celaena is going to come out on top.

There are lots of new mysteries in this one - the castle has even more hidden secrets that Celaena has to sniff out. Which means a new monster, too...  even more scary than before. I will say that I was a little confused by the riddle and such at first. Which is probably how it should be. But beyond that confusion, it was a cool the way those things came together.

I was really worried that this book might suffer from the sophomore slump, but it really came through strong. There were enough details in the beginning to remind me of the first book and it took off like a freight train. I feel like all YA lovers will get into these books, but especially fantasy fans. It's just so well done and I am definitely a fan of Sarah J. Maas. This book comes out next week, so definitely get your hands on it soon!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Talk Supe
Alexa Loves Books
A Reader of Fictions
My Guilty Obsession
The Eater of Books
Planet Print
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The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Title: The Testing
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
ISBN: 9780547959108
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Released: June 4, 2013
Series: Testing Trilogy #1
Page #: 344
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary:

It’s graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about—hope for—is whether she’ll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings (”Cia, trust no one”), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever. Danger, romance—and sheer terror—await.

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First Lines: (Quoted from the e-galley - Subject to change.)

"Graduation day.
I can hardly stand still as my mother straightens my celebratory red tunic and tucks a strand of light brown hair behind my ear."
Page 1
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Review:

I was very intrigued when I got a NetGalley notice that I could view this book for a short period. The concept was right up my alley. I know that since Hunger Games became popular, the dystopian/crazy society books have blown up. Many have been compared, others have been based on it. I'm not sure what the thought process was with this one, but it's almost a carbon copy.

Cia lives in an area outside of the United Commonwelth. Every year, teens are chosen to come to the city for The Testing. They will test their skills, knowledge, and survival ability. The people who pass the testing get to go to the University and will become high ranking officials in the Commonwelth. But Cia didn't realize just what the testing would entail. And she finds herself trying to get the better of the ones in charge - tricking them to get ahead.

I didn't realize how many similarities to Hunger Games until I was over halfway through it. Okay, I know that it's not exactly the same. Some of the details are changed. It's not a fight to the death - but yes, teens do die/kill each other. Cia has a complicated relationship with a guy who goes through this experience with her. There are more, but I think you see what I mean.

There are some readers who are only interested in books that are exactly like their favorites. This book will definitely fill the hole for that kind of reader. It's fast paced and I truly wanted to find out what would happen. It had that feel of a good book - one that you can't really put down. But I had a hard time with the similarities to other titles to consider it fantastic. But it's well written and an engaging story.

When recommending this one, I believe it will come with that caveat. Just be aware of what you are getting into. But I do recommend this one to lovers of Hunger Games. You will find yourself rooting for Cia and her family. And I can only imagine what will happen next. I believe the second book is already being talked about - and I will be very interested to see what direction that goes.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Badass Book Reviews
Unconventional Book Views
Teen Librarian Toolbox
Fastidious Reader
Stacked Books
The Page Walker
Istyria Book Blog
Before Midnight
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Tangled Up in Books

Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Title: Unremembered
Author: Jessica Brody
ISBN: 9780374379919
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Released: March 5, 2013
Series: Unremembered Trilogy #1 
Page #: 302
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"With no memories and no identity, the sixteen-year-old girl who was floating among the wreckage of a devastating plane crash knows only one thing for certain: nothing is what it seems. Crippled by a world she doesn't know, plagued by abilities she doesn't understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can't remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue comes more questions. And she's running out of time to answer them. Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?"
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First Lines: (Quote from the ARC, subject to change!)

"The water is cold and ruthless, lapping against my cheek. Slapping me awake. Filling my mouth with the taste of salty solitude."
Page 3
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Review:

This book is absolute crazytown. I have read other stuff by Jessica Brody and thought they were hilarious. This one is a huge diversion for her. But a very interesting diversion that I think I really liked. I think.

So, a girl is found in the middle of the wreckage of a huge flight that went down. She is the only survivor. But she has no memories at all - nothing to give anyone a sense of what happened. Not only does she have no memories, it's like her entire mind is wiped out. She can speak, but has no idea what anything is. Then a strange boy starts showing up everywhere - and tells her to be careful. But once the secrets start revealing themselves, she realizes he was right.

Honestly, I was a little worried about that whole "doesn't remember anything at all" thing. If she doesn't remember a car, then she can't remember a road. If she can't remember a cell phone or the internet, then she can't remember electricity. I don't know. I think it worked out okay, but there were moments when I thought that might have been forgotten. Of course, then the entire story would be about her rediscovering every little thing. And that wouldn't do. So I was holding my breath for a little of that, but it seemed to work.

I am trying not to give away any secrets here. You can't help but imagine why she can't remember anything... and why she is being warned to stay safe. I really thought she was going to be some sort of government spy that had the secrets to the earth's destruction or something. Let's just say I was wrong. I won't divulge any further, but it totally wasn't what I was expecting. I was a little shocked. Good shocked, because it was so imaginative. But shocked, nonetheless.

I'll agree with some of the reviewers on this one that you never really develop a relationship with Zen. You only see him in the context of the girl - how he has been in her life, how he has gotten to know her, what has happened between them. You do find out why he is even around, but there isn't much information on his life in general. I'm assuming we will get more of that in the next book.

Speaking of the next book, I truly cannot wait to see what it has in store. The setting could be... anything. You'll learn why. But I think it would be a crazy twist to take this story to a whole new backdrop. Again trying not to give away anything, but I will definitely be picking up the next book to see where it takes us!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Hollow Cupboards
Good Choice Reading
The Page Turner
Somewhere Between the Pages
Carina's Books
WeaklingNo14's Wondrous Reviews
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Stacked

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Title: Fire
Author: Kristin Cashore
ISBN: 9780803734616
Publisher: Dial Books
Released: October 05, 2009
Series: Companion to Graceling
Page #: 461
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"It is not a peaceful time in the Dells.
In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves.

This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next."
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First Lines:

"It did not surprise Fire that the man in the forest shot her. What surprised her is that he shot her by accident."
Page 19?
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Review:

I am probably the last person on this planet to read/listen to this book. I read Graceling a long time ago, so it has been a while since I have visited this world. I had a little catching up to do, but nothing major.

This book is a companion - it follows the life of Fire. She is a monster. She is unnatural. She is beautiful. Everyone and everything wants a piece of her. She has to be very careful about whe she goes and who she takes with her. Luckily, though, she can read people's feelings and manipulate their minds. I someone wants to attack her, she can just tell them to do something else. It's convenient... Until someone finds a way to take her down. And with her, the crown.

Y'all. This audiobook was amazing. Yes, the information up there is for the Hardcover version. Truly, British accents are the most fun to listen to in the audiobook world. So soothing. It helps that this story was intense and loving and well written. That makes it even easier to listen to the audio. I was sucked in from the very beginning. 

Sometimes I am a super fan of high fantasy. I'm so glad I got around to reading/listening to this... two years later. It's amazing to think of this world - the Dells - that has animals and plants that are completely altered. I had a hard time not thinking of Avatar. Ahem. But it's really cool to think about the different colors, the different species, the different way of life. I think it was all done so well, it didn't even seem all that odd. Such a visual story!

I loved that this one girl could change the course of her world - even though she couldn't help who/what she was. I think that's one of those basic truths of life that allows people to overcome their life circumstances. Can I just say that this author has a crazy way of killing off/maiming very important characters to the story? I get that those things needed to happen, but it's insane!

While Fire herself is an amazing character, I think some of the secondary people are very worth looking at. I think they really set the tone for this story and Fire's life. She is only as amazing as people around her make her. She often finds herself in situations because of these people, but she loves them fiercely. Can you imagine what it would take to block the mind of someone who can read and feel everything you think? 

Since everyone has already read this book, I have no one left to recommend it to. But if you're just now getting into YA reading, this is one of those series' that is on the Must Read list. I honestly sat in my car longer than I should just so I could get to a "good stopping spot." It's action packed, has a great love story, and is more full of adventure than you can shake a stick at. So, definitely give it a go if you haven't already.
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Other Blog Reviews:

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Mundie Moms
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Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

Title: Magisterium
Author: Jeff Hirsch
ISBN: 9780545290180
Publisher: Scholastic
Released: October 1, 2012
Page #: 320
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary:

"On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape.

But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go."
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First Lines:

"Glenn followed the hum of machinery out to the edge of the forest. 
'Dad! Dinner!'
Balancing a tray in her hands, and her tablet under one arm, Glenn eased around a patch of snow stained blue from the lights of the generator that powered her father's workshop."
Page 3
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Review:

I don't think I was expecting quite the epic adventure sci-fi craziness that this book offers. It was a nice surprise.

Glenn and Kevin have been friends for a long time - and he has ideas about what is on the other side of the boundary. Crazy stuff, really. They live in a world where science and technology is king and they want for nothing. But Glenn's father is a super scientist... an inventor. And one day, his invention gets him arrested. And Glenn is forced to find out what is on the other side of the boundary. It's not at all what she expects. There are people she didn't expect... and much more.

I have to say that this story kept me on my toes. I never expected what was coming around the corner. There were a few things that I was expecting, but not quite the extent that the author gave me. I was sort of impressed with that. It was sort of hard to get a handle on the whole other universe and how things were different there. I can't tell you much about it without spoiling some of the major character surprises.

But it almost seems like the other world is stuck in ancient history. It's full of magic and mystery, but without all of the major modern comforts. Plus, there are wars going on that Glenn and Kevin never imagined. The especially didn't imagine that someone from there world would know exactly what was going on.

I know this review is a little disjointed - I blame it on not being able to reveal many secrets. But I was also a little confused sometimes. The relationship between Glenn and Kevin being right up there on the confusion meter. Who knows where they stood the entire time?! I guess that wasn't a major storyline, but sometimes it's nice to understand how your characters feel about each other. Just sayin ;).

All in all, this is an epic adventure. Glenn is off looking for a way home - and a way to free her father. She's been given lots of clues and a little help, but still has so much to learn. I think it's a good book for those readers who love a good magical adventure. They will definitely be hoping for a second book to clear up some of the mysteries. And if you haven't read Jeff Hirsch's other book, The Eleventh Plague, I highly recommend you do. 
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Smugglers
Teen Librarian's Toolbox
The Cozy Armchair
Writing is a Blessing
My Sister's Bookshelf
Annette's Book Spot
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Books Live Forever
The Window Seat
Great Imaginations

Forgiven by Jana Oliver

Title: Forgiven
Author: Jana Oliver
ISBN: 9780312614805
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Released: March 27, 2012
Series: Demon Trappers #3
Page #: 354
Source: My own copy

Summary:
"The days are growing darker for seventeen-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne. With her father's reanimated body back safely, Beck barely speaking to her because of a certain hunky fallen angel, and a freshly made deal with Lucifer, she has enough on her hands to last a normal teenage lifetime. Though she bargained with Haven to save his life, her ex-boyfriend, Simon, has told the Vatican's Demon Hunters that she's working with Hell. So now she's in hiding, at the top of everyone's most-wanted list.

But it's becoming clear that this is bigger than Riley, and rapidly getting out of control: Something sinister is happening in Atlanta... or someone. Caught between her bargain with Heaven and her promise to Lucifer, Riley fears the final war is coming - and it may be closer than anyone thinks...."
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First Lines:

"Riley Blackthorne's tears were no more. She'd cried herself dry, yet she still lingered in the arms of a dead man. If given the chance, she would remain in her father's arms for the rest of her life."
Page 1
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Review:

I'm not sure what has drawn me to these books so hard, but I absolutely love the Demon Trappers series. They don't seem to be written like other YA novels, but I really have a hard time putting them down - this book included.

Riley has gone through a lot in the first two books. Crazy demon attacks, her father becoming a reanimated corpse, Beck acting odder and odder, angels making demands and promises, and the Italian demon trapping force coming to town to take over. And in this third book, things just get worse. The demons are starting to work together and the end of the world is coming. Too bad Riley has to figure out how to stop that. And the Vatican thinks she has something to do with all of the bad things that are happening.

Oh, Riley... how do you get in these messes? I have mentioned before how much I love these books - and I still think it's awesome that they're set in Atlanta. It's just one of the few things that really sets this series apart. I also think that having her as our first female trapper gives the story an edge of hard-ass-ness. :)

The love interest has grown even more in this latest installment. Denver Beck has become a force to be reckoned with. He's been hurt by Riley's actions - especially with the fallen angel.. and I was a little worried that things would fall through. I'm not going to spoil it for you, but he's still in Riley's life. And has a few issues on the side. Darn other women!

These books are seriously action-packed. You can't go a few chapters without some crazy demon attacking - and the cover up and the drama the ensues. It's a lot of fun and I find myself fearing for all of my favorite characters. Lots of, "No! Don't die!" and such :). But all of that really makes it an easier sell for boy readers - even though your protag is a girl. There are some universal survival things going on that makes it for everyone.

I almost threw this book across the room when I realized it wasn't the last one. I was hoping for some conclusion to a few story lines. You do get a little bit of that, but there's more to come. Which I guess I'm excited for... but man! This is one of the few series' that I have actually purchased. I don't typically purchase books (because I would be more broke than I already am), but this one just seemed worth it. And I haven't been disappointed yet.

I sort of feel like this series is under the radar of many teen readers. I'm not sure why, but that makes it easy to recommend. Which I do so... often. It's a worthwhile story and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book - which comes out in December. I'm sure it will be epic and amazing - just like the rest of them. If you haven't read the first book, I highly recommend it.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Geek Girl's Book Blog
Katie's Amazing Book Reviews
Feeling Fictional
Realm of Fiction
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A Night's Dream of Books
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Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Title: Glitch
Author: Heather Anastasiu
ISBN: 9781250002990
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Released: August 07, 2012
Series: #1 in Glitch Trilogy
Page #: 336
Source: ebook from Netgalley

Summary:

"In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In Heather Anastasiu's action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy."

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First Lines: (Quoted from the ARC - subject to change)

"I felt it coming this time. I shoved my drawings into the hidden slit I'd made in the back of my mattress, then grabbed the metal bed frame to steady myself as my brain suddenly jolted back into connection with the Link."

Page 1

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Review:

What a cool premise! Can you imagine what life would be like if no one had personality, individual thought, and did everything for the good of the community. That sounds... miserable. This book definitely feeds into the conspiracy theory that the government is trying to make us into sheep. Yikes!

The community lives underground because of the toxins in outdoor air - after the world collapsed upon itself because of war and discontent. Zoe has only known of the community and knows that she is having feelings she isn't supposed to. She's an anomaly and should turn herself in. Then she meets someone who totally changes her life - and shows her that it's okay to glitch. Life becomes unpredictable and she lives in fear of being found out and reprogrammed. 

I love the whole concept of the government keeping people under their thumb (as a book premise, not as an actual happening, of course) - mostly because of what that means for the evolution of the human brain. It's interesting to think that the mind would evolve while being under the control of some outside entity. Especially if it means supernatural abilities like telekinesis. That was one of the cooler aspects of this story for me - and what keeps me thinking about the story long after finishing. 

While I loved the idea of the story, there were a couple of things that irritated me - probably more on a nit-picky level than anything else. 

One was the love story. Now, these people have not been allowed to feel any human emotions their entire lives. But when Zoe is faced with a boy who helped her and tells her all about another type of life she might lead, she immediately falls for him. Really, it only takes a couple of hours before they're making out. It just felt really sudden and unnecessary to me. Then you've got another boy (love triangle, of course) who has a much more logical response to regaining his hormones - I mean, hello... teenage boy. So his response makes some sense, but he's so aggressive! It made me dislike him very much. I guess I just wanted the relationships to be more sweet and discovering than the insta-love variety.

There were times that the newness of phrases and actions was a huge deal. Which, I can fully imagine would be accurate. You wouldn't know what it means to cry, to laugh, to hug, to love, to be angry, etc. Many times in this book, there was a good attention paid to these things. The newness was described, we understood that Zoe doesn't understand things, and so on. But other times, there's no signal for the strangeness of something. I'm no sure if I'm making sense, but it was weird that sometimes emotions were just a given while other times they were a huge deal.

Truly, I thought this book was fascinating. Especially the idea that you could stick a drive in the port on your neck and not remember anything that happens. So, I guess the world building and the science behind all of that was really what made this book for me. I would have liked a little more of the character stuff to be smoother, but I could see where things were going. 

While I'm not fully invested in the characters, I'm interested to see where they go. I know this is only the start of a trilogy, so I will still be looking for the next book when it comes out. I'd say that if you're into sci fi books, you'll really like this one. And it has some of that dystopian stuff that everyone is into right now, so you'll get a lot of the good stuff that comes along with that. I'll probably recommend it along without too much trouble.

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Other Blog Reviews:

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The Reclusive Reader

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Title: The Last Little Blue Envelope
Author: Maureen Johnson
ISBN: 9780061976797
Publisher: Harper Collins
Released: April 2011
Page #: 288
Source: ebook from Netgalley

Summary (from Barnes and Noble):
"Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions."
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First Lines: (from the galley - subject to change in final version)

"It was that time of day again. Time to stare at the question, the two lines of black on an otherwise blank page. Question: Describe a life experience that changed you. What was it, and what did you learn? (1,000 words)"
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Review:

If you have not yet read 13 Little Blue Envelopes, there are certain to be spoilers in this review. Please proceed with caution - or just go read it... because it's wonderful :).

13 Little Blue Envelopes holds a very high spot on my favorite books list - and will continue to do so for a long while. It's hilarious, it's heartfelt, it's adventurous, it's just a wonderful story. Unfortunately, it came out pre-blog so I can't prove it to you... but trust me! I was so excited to see the ending of the story years later.

The Last Little Blue Envelope picks up right where the first book left off. Ginny is back in America and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of her life. That's when she's contacted by someone in England who has found her last letter from her Aunt. She then embarks on a trip that continues her grand adventure and shows her a new side to people she didn't expect.

In the first book, you see Ginny as an innocent girl experiencing the world through fresh eyes. One of the great things about this second book is watching how she has grown and become more worldly wise. She visits several countries that she now considers old friends. It's an interesting change of pace from the first book - you see her as more comfortable with things that happen and more willing to roll with the punches.

I enjoyed the addition of Oliver to the story. This is a little spoilery, but I wish we had learned more about his life before the very end of the book. I think there was a lot of depth to his character and would like to have gotten more of that. But he is also painted as the bad guy throughout - but he isn't your typical villain. I think that was a really cool part of his character.

Honestly, if you haven't read 13 Little Blue Envelopes yet, you're seriously missing out. And I would recommend it to you in a heartbeat. That being said, you can't read this second book without the first. Don't even try it. This second book is wonderful, but shouldn't be taken out of context. I always look for the next awesome thing by Maureen Johnson. You won't be disappointed!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Literary Life of the Well-Read Wife
Jessica Lawlor
The Book Scout
Bewitched Bookworms
Anna Reads
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There are tons of reviews out there. This list only scratches the surface.

The Year We Were Famous by Carole Estby Dagg

Title: The Year We Were Famous
Author: Carole Estby Dagg
ISBN: 9780618999835
Publisher: Clarion Books
Page #: 246
Source: ARC from the author
To be published in April 2011

Summary:
"With their family home facing foreclosure, seventeen-year-old Clara Estby and her mother, Helga, need to raise a lot of money fast - no easy feat for two women in 1896. Helga wants to tackle the problem with her usual loud and flashy style, while Clara favors a less showy approach. Together they come up with a plan to walk the 4,600 miles from Mica Creek, Washington to New York City - and if they can do it in only seven months, a publisher has agreed to give them $10,000.

Based on the true story of the author's great-aunt and great-grandmother, this is a fast-paced historical adventure that sets the drama of Around the World in Eighty Days against an American backdrop during the time of the suffragist movement, the 1896 presidential campaign, and the changing perception of a 'woman's place' in society."
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First Lines:

"I arranged a dozen winter-blooming Johnny jump-ups in a tall pill bottle and set them on tray along with three biscuits and coffee in Ma's best teacup. As if it might bite, I took a deep breath and lifted the letter by one corner and laid it across the top of the tray."
Page 3
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Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I don't know that I've read many novels that are based on a real story. But what an amazing story this is! I couldn't believe that it really happened - and at the time it happened. Not to mention the awesomeness of this author writing about her ancestors.

This is the story of a mother and daughter who get sponsored to walk from Washington state to New York City. They do it all to save their farm because of money troubles. The woman in NYC offers them $10,000 to do the trip and write a book about it in the end. This is their story of traveling across snowy mountains, hot lava fields, through Indian reservations, and much more. It's the story of the people they meet and what they learn about themselves along the way.

I was a little worried about how much time the book covers - and how much you might miss (because the book is fairly short), but the author does an amazing job pulling out the really important parts and giving you the main story line. There is a lot of time not covered, but you can imagine that not much happened... besides being tired and finding a place to sleep and eat for the night.

That was one thing that really surprised me - Helga and Clara depending completely on the kindness of strangers to take care of them. I guess I have a hard time believing it because of the time we live in now. Can you imagine taking someone in for the night because they are weary travelers? I don't think so. Even if they had a letter from the governor like they did. It's just amazing to me that people were so trusting.

This book is also set in a time where women's suffrage is just becoming a huge topic. So part of this story is about how women are just as good as men - and how they can do anything they set their minds to. I loved that aspect. I think that gives the book a whole other level of interest. Many of the people they meet along the way are women who are fighting to equal rights - and even women living in a home where she's fighting to be seen as equal. A very cool look at that part of history.

Speaking of history, I'm not exactly well-versed in all things history. In fact, I'm not very good at knowing historical facts and all that. But there were a few parts of this story that I found myself questioning the accuracy. Just phrases or words used that seem a little more modern to me. Again, I have no idea... it just might bother someone who is more well-read on history topics.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was a super-fast read and I've already handed it off to one of my coworkers and mentioned it to someone else. I think this is a great book for teens. I have a lot who come in looking for historical fiction for classes, and this one is the right length and interest for that. I'll definitely be recommending it. It's an amazing adventure, so I think boys will be able to get into it as well.

The author is a debut this year and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. Well done! Her website has lots of historical information, as well as info on the author. Check it out.
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Other Blog Reviews:

Damsels in Regress
Well, we have a couple of months until this one comes out. So not many people have reviewed it yet. I look forward to reading others when it comes out!