Under the Never Sky

by Veronica Rossi

Goodreads Summary:
Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.


My Review:
I liked the dual-narration that Rossi gives to Aria and Perry. This makes the story relatable and interesting to both boys and girls. It is also necessary-the world of Reverie and the other pods is so different from the world in what they know as The Death Shop, you have to have both sides represented. 


There is romance between these two, but it starts with a hate that is fueled by misunderstanding and misinformation. The characters also push their feelings back because they have many more important things on their minds-mainly the wellbeing and love of their respective families. 


It is an adventure story that wraps people obsessed with their sterile environment and virtual reality with those who are rustic survivors. This is a good book about how changing your views of others helps you realize that you can change who you are, as well.

Article 5

by Kristen Simmons

Goodreads Summary:
New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

My Review:
I bought and read this book on the recommendation of Thomas, and was not disappointed. The difficult thing about the dystopian story is that can easily get overdone. The trick for the author is to make the story something different, add a twist. While Article 5 has some of the traditional dystopian elements (overbearing government, rebellious citizens, unrequited romance) it added more to this by twisting the story. Chase is not a new boy in Ember's life-she has always been in love with him. But he has changed and she has no idea why. Their personal back story adds to their relationship.  I wish there was more given about what happened with the government. Every time the Moral Statues are mentioned, they are so extreme that I want to know how we got there from where we are now. 

Overall, I would recommend this to people who enjoyed The Hunger Games, Legend, and Under the Never Sky.

Cinder

by Marissa Meyer

Goodreads Summary:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


My Review:
Well, another book that I snubbed for so long, but should have read earlier.  I was not excited at all by the idea of Cinderella-one of my least favorite fairy tales-as a cyborg. It just seemed like it wouldn't work. The amazing thing is that Meyer creates an unforced story that really is enjoyable to read. Cinder is easy to see as a real person; she is witty and funny, hard-working and loyal. She also knows that there are many things about herself that are not perfect. 


This book has romance, but it isn't the suffocating center of the story. It is more about what makes someone a person. The political scheming, battles, and family issues propel the story to an exciting end that makes me sad that I have to wait for the next book (which is rumored to have Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood also making appearances).

Virals

by Kathy Reichs

Goodreads Summary:
Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever. 
As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent. 
Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals.


My Review:
This is perfect for anyone who enjoyed the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson since the premise is similar-genetically altered teens. The story introduces another smart and independent heroine in Tory Brenneman. She is uncomfortably smart, in fact, which makes her funny and somewhat receptive to the world around us. She does miss out on some big clues regarding behavior of her friends. She also does have some romantic interest in a few people, but it never runs over the plot. 
Her friends, who become the other Virals, show some great and unapologetic nerdiness-each having their own niche area. At times, this does make them seem compartmentalized, like they each have their thing and when it comes time to do their thing, they do it. I would like to see them develop past that in later books.
Overall, an interesting book if you enjoy forensic science and chasing a 40-year-old murder plot. I would recommend it, and will be reading the rest of the series.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

by Ransom Riggs

Goodreads Review:
A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows


My Review:
If you like the strange and creepy-this book is perfect for you. If you are a fan of horror movies with a lot of build up-this book is for you, too. If you like having photos to increase the believability of what you are reading-well, you get the point. 


A twist of sci-fi and fantasy, with some historical fiction splashed in, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Chiildren seems to have a little bit for all readers. The setting of a creepy island that seems cut off from the rest of the world enhances the feeling of dread in the story. The descriptions of Jacob's surroundings paint a picture for the reader that is hard to shake. 


Jacob himself is kind of a bland character, but the advantage of that is that he becomes easily identifiable to reader. Who doesn't love their grandfather and feel frustrated with their parents? The "peculiar children" also make up for Jacob's unexciting beginning.


The plot is what will really pull you into this story. It takes some time for the author to build up, but the plot is complicated enough that you need that background to understand what happens toward the end.


A definite read for anyone who doesn't get scared too easily!

Fear-A Gone Novel

For fans of the Gone series by Michael Grant.
If you haven't had a chance to read these, and love sci fi, well, you should.

The Eleventh Plague

by Jeff Hirsch

Goodreads Summary:
The wars that followed The Collapse nearly destroyed civilization. Now, twenty years later, the world is faced with a choice—rebuild what was or make something new.

Stephen Quinn, a quiet and dutiful fifteen-year-old scavenger, travels Post-Collapse America with his Dad and stern ex-Marine Grandfather. They travel light. They keep to themselves. Nothing ever changes. But when his Grandfather passes suddenly and Stephen and his Dad decide to risk it all to save the lives of two strangers, Stephen's life is turned upside down. With his father terribly injured, Stephen is left alone to make his own choices for the first time.

Stephen’s choices lead him to Settler's Landing, a lost slice of the Pre-Collapse world where he encounters a seemingly benign world of barbecues, baseball games and days spent in a one-room schoolhouse. Distrustful of such tranquility, Stephen quickly falls in with Jenny Tan, the beautiful town outcast. As his relationship with Jenny grows it brings him into violent conflict with the leaders of Settler's Landing who are determined to remake the world they grew up in, no matter what the cost.


My Review:
Dystopia is the place to be, apparently. After the surge in popularity with The Hunger Games, many authors are looking toward the future to set their stories. It could be easy to get bogged down, trapped in a seeming repeat of other stories. I believe that The Eleventh Plague escapes this and finds a unique story to tell. 


The first change from many of the dystopia out there is the protagonist. While there is something that I can appreciate about a strong heroine, it is nice to see a hero put into the same role. I also like that Stephen wants so badly for things to be 'normal' that he is willing to give up so much to achieve that. I feel like I would act in a same way. 

Enclave

by Ann Aguirre

Goodreads Summary:
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.


Review:
In the tradition of kick-butt heroines comes Deuce. While she is no Katniss, Katsa, or Tris, she has something about her-an uncertainty-that makes her very real. She doesn't want to defy the authority that has protected her for so long. She is not happy-per say-with her rigid life in the enclave, but she feels she has achieved a purpose and is satisfied with it. She is the highlight of the book. Her character doesn't feel one dimensional; she feels relatable but confusing at the same time.


There were parts of this book that moved too fast for me. I felt like the author didn't elaborate on some journeys like she did with others, and it made it feel unbalanced. The number of unanswered questions at the end makes me want to read more, but the stop-slow-go of the story frustrated me at times.

Jenna Fox Chronicles

The Adoration of Jenna Fox  

by Mary E. Pearson

Goodreads Summary:

Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers? 

This fascinating novel represents a stunning new direction for acclaimed author Mary Pearson. Set in a near future America, it takes readers on an unforgettable journey through questions of bio-medical ethics and the nature of humanity. Mary Pearson's vividly drawn characters and masterful writing soar to a new level of sophistication. 

The Fox Inheritance

by Mary E. Pearson

Goodreads Summary:

Once there were three. Three friends who loved each other—Jenna, Locke, and Kara. And after a terrible accident destroyed their bodies, their three minds were kept alive, spinning in a digital netherworld. Even in that disembodied nightmare, they were still together. At least at first. When Jenna disappeared, Locke and Kara had to go on without her. Decades passed, and then centuries.

Two-hundred-and-sixty years later, they have been released at last. Given new, perfect bodies, Locke and Kara awaken to a world they know nothing about, where everyone they once knew and loved is long dead.

Everyone except Jenna Fox.

Review:

I really was fascinated by the idea behind The Adoration of Jenna Fox. The mystery that Jenna goes through about who she really is, the ability to reinvent and self-discover, captured my attention completely.  There is also a great emphasis in both books on what makes a person a person-is it your body? Your soul? As a parent, I was also drawn into the intentions of Jenna's mom and dad and the decisions that they made on her behalf. How do you let someone go?  The Fox Inheritance was interesting to me as well because it continued to evaluate some of the same questions, and it let you know what happened in the future.

Across the Universe

by Beth Revis

Goodreads Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. 


Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.  


Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.


My Review:
I need to be upfront-there are parts of this book that might be too intense for some students. The story does not get lost in these parts; they are vital to the understanding and movement of the plot.  I also need to make it clear that while there is romance in this book-it is a sci-fi, dystopian, mystery. Not a romance novel. 


Okay-now for my review.


One of my favorite aspects to this book is the two main characters-Elder and Amy. There are so many sides to this story, it is fascinating to hear from both a boy and a girl's point of view, who alternate with narrating each chapter. As a reader, you feel suspense build because you are privy to information when reading from Amy's POV that Elder doesn't know, and vice-versa. Also, during that character's chapter,  you totally agree with and feel for that character. Then the next chapter completely changes your opinion! The premise is different and the twists are mostly unexpected (I was able to predict a few things).  The best thing about this book, however, is its sequel A Million Suns which seemed to amp every good thing about Across the Universe up, and lose the things that I was not fond of. I can't tell you much about it, since I think it would probably ruin some of they mystery of Across the Universe, but I was definitely glad the story continued.

Legend

by Marie Lu

Goodreads Summary:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.


My Review:
I picked this up after getting a Barnes and Noble giftcard for Christmas. It is unusual for me to just stumble across a book I haven't heard much about, but was glad I tripped over this one. The characters tell this story from alternating points-of-view. For awhile I felt frustrated that their paths had not crossed yet, but it was worth the wait. The author spends a lot of time on each character, crafting them into people you like even though each one is incredibly different from each other.  


The biggest complaint I have heard about this story is what people are calling "world-building". Some readers were disappointed that we weren't given more information on the natural disasters that destroyed the East coast. There is some mention of a rebel part of the United States, but isn't central to the story (yet?) so not much detail is given. I am witholding judgement on this part of the story since this is the first in a series, and I wouldn't be surprised if Lu adds to the setting as the story continues to develop.

Dark Life

by Kat Falls

Goodreads Summary:
A thrilling futuristic adventure set deep undersea, Dark Life follows the settlers of the world's first subsea settlement as they defend their homesteads against a brazen band of outlaws.

Set in an apocalyptic future where rising oceans have swallowed up entire regions and people live packed like sardines on the dry land left, DARK LIFE is the harrowing tale of underwater pioneers who have carved out a life for themselves in the harsh deep-sea environment, farming the seafloor in exchange for the land deed.

The story follows Ty, who has lived his whole life on his family's homestead and has dreams of claiming his own stake when he turns eighteen. But when outlaws' attacks on government supply ships and settlements everything changes.


My Review:
I could kick myself for not reading this story, and its sequel Riptide, sooner. The story is so different from  the recent wave of dystopian stories-which makes me wonder if people don't read it solely because they assume it will be more of the same. The simple change in setting-with much of it taking place underwater-makes it unique. With the pioneers that brave the deep, there is almost a feel like it is the Old West. I liked the voice of Ty, also. He is brave, but is scared, like you would expect a kid to be. This is a must read!

The Limit

by Kristen Landon

Goodreads Summary:
An eighth grade girl was taken today . . . With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn't let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt’s family over their limit—and to change his reality forever. 


My Review:
It is so easy to want what others have, but would you be willing to trade your life as you know it? The idea of sending children to workhouses to support family spending habits seems very disturbing, but also very realistic. It is a book that takes place in the future, but seems to show flashes of our past mistakes in regards to child labor. The parents in this story are particularly frustrating-they seem inept with taking care of their finances, and don't fight enough to help Matt. Thrilling at times, disturbing at others, this is a great read for those who like realistic fiction and are ready to try sci fi.

Empty

by Suzanne Weyn

Goodreads Summary:
It's the near future - the very near future - and the fossil fuels are running out. No gas. No oil. Which means no driving. No heat. Supermarkets are empty. Malls have shut down. Life has just become more local than we ever knew it could be.

Nobody expected the end to come this fast. And in the small town of Spring Valley, decisions that once seemed easy are quickly becoming matters of life and death. There is hope - there has to be hope - just there are also sacrifices that need to be made, and a whole society that needs to be rethought.

Teens like Niki, Tom, and Gwen may find what they need to survive. But their lives are never going to be the same again.

My Review:
This book really helped me think. What would life be like without gas? How would we survive without cars? The characters could be somewhat flaky at times, but were pretty consistent to who they were made to be. They also helped to show what would happen to all of us-no matter how rich, smart, or popular-if the world ran out of oil. The great thing about this book is the "What ifs..." that come to your mind while reading it. Especially, what if this happened to me?

Ashes, Ashes

by Jo Treggiari

Goodreads Summary:

A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

Review:

I enjoyed this look at the future of New York City and thought Lucy was a well-developed character who was easy to relate to. She is fiercely independent in the beginning, but obviously needed to have some sort of human interaction when she meets Aiden. 

There are some slow points to the story, where the mystery and action seem to stop and the characters make no progress emotionally or physically. Those parts brought the book down a bit for me, but overall I really enjoyed the story.

Divergent

by Veronica Roth
The future is here and the world is a scary place. Beatrice has turned sixteen, and now she must make the most important decision of her life. She must join a faction and go through the initiation to be a member. Being factionless is not an option if you want to survive. The question is, which faction? Each represents what the members feel is the most important for the survival of man: Abnegation-her current faction-prizes selflessness above all else; Dauntless strives for courage and being a warrior; Candor believes in telling the truth no matter how hurtful or trivial; Euradite guards the need for knowledge at all costs; and Amity cherishes nurturing and caring for all citizens. Beatrice can chose her current faction, or forge a new path, breaking all ties with her family and the past.

This book series is the next Hunger Games. The action is amazing, the idea is fresh and the twists keep it that way, the morality it forces the reader to ponder keeps it in your brain constantly. I loved it. I read along with Beatrice, wondering at her decisions as I made my own. I can not recommend this strongly enough.

Matched

by Allie Condie

Cassia has trusted those around her to run her life. The Society makes all decisions, using data that is collected in every possible way, and she's fine with that. When her matching ceremony occurs, and her best friend Xandar's face shows up on the screen, she is relieved that the Society's plan seems perfect for her. She just needs to figure out how to ignore the fact that Xandar's wasn't the only face to show on the screen-a boy she barely knows, a loner and an outsider named Kyle, was there before.  She knows she should be logical, agree that it was a rare malfunction as the Society tells her, and move on. But she can't.

I loved the cover of this book, and that is what compelled me to finally buy it after picking it up multiple times. I was surprised that this didn't end up being the cheesy, love-triangle story that I expected. The complications at the matching ceremony do lead to romance, but the story seems to be more about the importance of finding out who you are-being the one who makes that choice-and not allowing someone else that right, even if it is just easier.

Gone

by Michael Grant
You live this day just like every other. You get up, get ready, go to school. You look down at your doodle in the middle of class, and when you look up again something is different. The teacher is gone-vanished. This is what happens at the beginning of the Gone series. Everyone over the age of 15 has just poofed; to where, no one knows.  Not even Astrid the Genius can figure it out. Surrounded by some type of force field, nicknamed the FAYZ, there is also no internet, phones or television.  At first, it's a party. Then Sam, Astrid, and the others begin to realize that things are wrong. Who will take care of the babies and toddlers? Who will organize the food and stop the bullies? In short, who will be the adults now that they are gone?

This series sucks readers in. You want to know more. You need to know what will happen to all of the kids-the bullies and the heroes alike. On top of that feeling, author Michael Grant adds so many twists and turns that you have to read at least one more chapter to see how things unfold. The disappearance of the adults and FAYZ are some of the least terrifying things that happen in the strange new world. No one knows what the FAYZ will create next.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

by Carrie Ryan
A tiny village in the middle of the woods is forgotten to all. It might be the last of its kind since the Unconcencrated have run in the forest. Surrounded by the fence that seperates them from the once-human, now beasts, the residents try to live normal lives.

Mary wants to try to survive, but the truths she depends on are starting to crumble in front of her. Will the Sisterhood keep them safe? Is there a world outside the forest with other people? Mary will soon be forced to discover what is real and what is myth.

This book by Carrie Ryan, as well as the two sequels that follow, are fantastic zombie adventures that delve past all of the gross-out factor found in some books about the undead into true questions about love and what makes us truly human. Mary is an authentic character who the reader relates to in even the most unrelateable situations. I would recommend these to readers who enjoy realistic fiction and are ready for something a little different.

I am Number Four

Hunted his entire life, Number Four has lived with the knowledge that he is safe. Safe until Number One, Number Two, and Number Three are killed. Then it happens. They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They killed them all. 

His planet was attacked when he was just a toddler. He fled with his adult Cepean-charged with his safety and helping him as his special abilities begin to show. His life was spent on the run, hoping that the Mogadorians that attacked his planet and destroyed its resources, won't find him-or the others. He finally settles in as John Smith and lives in rural Ohio, leading a fairly normal life. That is, until he is discovered.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with its fast action and interesting plot line. I was able to spot influences by superheroes-specifically Superman. The idea of a race depleting and destroying their planet, and invading other peace-loving planets, hints to concerns of ecology and war. This books will be a quick read for most anyone.