Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Summary:
Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.

She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.

This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate. (from GoodReads)

Review:
Ok, it's been awhile since I read this so short review! I love the series as a whole, especially the first two books. It has a great premise and the characters are hilarious. I also enjoyed the burgeoning romance between Gwen and Gideon. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the conclusion quite as much. The plot started to get confusing with no great development and Gwen and Gideon's relationship started getting to that insta-love phase. Overall, I liked it but yeah, this one isn't as great as its predecessors.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: library

2013/Henry Holt/451 pages.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Summary:
Two of you exist. Only one will survive.

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her. (from GoodReads)

Review:
When Dualed was announced however long ago, I thought it sounded so cool. You have a twin that you have to kill? That sounds so awesome and it would be like watching a thriller. Unfortunately, my expectations were way too high for this book.

Honestly, I did not like this book at all and it's sad to say that I can't think of that many redeeming qualities. I just felt like nothing was explained, especially in regards to West and her decisions. There was no backstory, no development, no reasoning behind her actions. Become a trained assassin? Sure! Run away from her alt, even though she's been killing other ones for money no problem? Why not! I think her becoming a Striker was the worst part. Essentially they're assassins for hire, which is technically illegal. But somehow everyone still knows about them and even when West is noticed killing people, no one seems to care. I just don't understand why she decided to join them and why they even let her since she's only 15?! She's not described as being a great fighter but then somehow she is. Seriously what is going on with this book?

Another part that drove me crazy was her relationship with Chord. Definitely not enough backstory there because the set-up is supposed to be that they really like each other but West pushes away Chord for his safety. However, that's not how it comes across. It seems like the author was trying to push them together but it wasn't happening naturally. Therefore I didn't really care about either of them but was confused that Chord kept going back to her even after she ignores him and ditches him multiple times.

All I can say is: I have no interest in the sequel.

Rating: 4 out of 10.
FTC: bought (unfortunately)

2013/Random House/292 pages.

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

Summary:
Listen — Travis Coates was alive once and then he wasn’t.

Now he’s alive again.

Simple as that.

The in between part is still a little fuzzy, but he can tell you that, at some point or another, his head got chopped off and shoved into a freezer in Denver, Colorado. Five years later, it was reattached to some other guy’s body, and well, here he is. Despite all logic, he’s still 16 and everything and everyone around him has changed. That includes his bedroom, his parents, his best friend, and his girlfriend. Or maybe she’s not his girlfriend anymore? That’s a bit fuzzy too.

Looks like if the new Travis and the old Travis are ever going to find a way to exist together, then there are going to be a few more scars.

Oh well, you only live twice. (from GoodReads)

Review:
This will be a pretty short review. I decided to read Noggin because I absolutely adored Whaley's first novel, Where Things Come Back, which won the 2012 Printz award. Noggin definitely wasn't as good. It was funny, good message, but not the type of book that stays with you, unlike his first novel. I didn't read this book too long ago and I can't even tell you how it ends. I'm still going to check out Whaley's future books but I wonder if they'll compare to his first. I strongly encourage everyone to read Where Things Come Back - it was that good.

Rating: 6 out of 10.
FTC: library

2014/Atheneum/356 pages.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

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.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I can't believe it took me so long to read Allegiant! It probably had something to do with the fact that so many people told me that they hated it... So I never felt compelled to finish the series. But I'm glad I finally did because I didn't think it was too bad.

I'm pretty far removed from reading Divergent and Insurgent so I'm not as invested in these characters as those who read all three books in a row. So when they act out-of-character or are just annoying (read: Tobias) I wasn't that upset. I was mainly focused on the plot, which I'll admit was pretty far-fetched but I still enjoyed it. All that "science" about genetics is clearly not based in fact, but I just took it at face-value.

The only thing that super annoyed me was Tobias's reaction to one of the twists and then how Tris started becoming a Mary Sue. She even got mad when Tobias didn't do exactly what she wanted and then she got to throw the "I told you so" in his face. That left a bad taste in my mouth.

Now everyone is up in arms about the ending, which I understand. Everyone on GoodReads says that it would have been okay if it was actually needed. I didn't mind it too much, because like I said before, I wasn't really invested in the storyline. I see why Roth wrote it that way and I see why everyone's mad. So you'll just have to read it yourself to see if you like it.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Katherine Tegen Books/526 pages

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

Summary:
An action-packed, blood-soaked, futuristic debut thriller set in a world where the murder rate is higher than the birthrate. For fans of Moira Young’s Dust Lands series, La Femme Nikita, and the movie Hanna.

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Action-packed, blood-soaked, and chilling, this is a dark and compelling debut novel by Lindsay Cummings. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I was pretty excited for The Murder Complex but ended up being disappointed in it.

It's funny looking back on my Waiting on Wednesday post for this book and how even back then I said that I didn't know what the "murder complex" was. That confusion continued through the first half of the book in which it was never explained! That was frustrating.

I also didn't like the insta-love between Meadow and Zephyr. It's bad in some books but it was especially bad here. I just don't get the appeal of having two characters literally fall in love after seeing each a few times.

A lot of people on GoodReads say this book is "anti-science" and I guess I would agree if you want to analyze the book but that sentiment isn't explicitly written anywhere.

Honestly, this just wasn't the book for me. I won't be continuing the series.

Rating: 4 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from library

2014/Greenwillow Books/398 pages.

The Program by Suzanne Young

Summary:
In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them. (from GoodReads)

Review:
This book was really interesting. Part of me liked to see how a country would adapt to a high level of suicide in teenagers and then another part of me didn't like how depression and suicide was represented. Yes, it's one of those books.

I hate feeling conflicted but I enjoyed this book for the most part while finding other parts problematic. Everyone says that this book is too unrealistic which is true but only to an extent. While suicide isn't contagious the way the flu is, it can occur in clusters. It happened to a high school near me a few years ago where all these students started to commit suicide. Also the fear of going to The Program and having to put on a brave face all the time could be enough to send a lot of teenagers to that extreme. So the level of teens committing suicide is artificially elevated due to that fact. But now that I have a degree in psychology I don't like to see depression/suicidal tendencies represented in this way. I honestly forget what I specifically didn't like but there was something and I don't care enough about this novel to look it up.

I thought the parts where Sloane went through the Program were the most interesting, especially her relationship with Michael (he's referred to by his last name, but can't remember it!). I read this book a few weeks ago, which is why this review is horrible. Anyway, overall the book isn't too bad but if you're really sensitive to these issues you might want to skip it.

Rating: 6 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library

2013/Simon & Schuster/405 pages

The Taking by Kimberly Derting

Summary:
A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own? (from GoodReads)

Review:
I'm huge fan of Kimberly Derting's The Body Finder Series. I think I'm about one book behind but they're so good and creepy! That's why I was so excited to read something new from her. But I didn't enjoy The Taking as much as I thought I would.

I really love the concept of The Taking. Waking up five years in the future with no knowledge of what happened to you would be awful. But that's what happens to Kyra. Even though she's supposed to be 21, she still looks 16 and it's like she never left because she's still wearing her softball uniform. I wanted to know what happened to her while she was gone!

However, it takes almost 200 pages for anything exciting to happen. Beforehand, it's Kyra adjusting to her new life with a stepfather and half-brother. She becomes really friendly with Tyler from across the street, who is her old boyfriend's younger brother. Kimberly Derting writes the romance of The Body Finder series so well and that's what I was expecting out of The Taking. However, Tyler and Kyra fall in love almost immediately and I was a little creeped out by Tyler's obsession with her. I would have liked to see the romance develop more before the "I love you's" are exchanged.

The end of the book gets exciting as Kyra is on the run for her life. I was glad to finally get some answers about Kyra's disappearance too. I still haven't decided if I'm going to continue on because it's obvious this is the first of another series. I enjoyed my read but I guess I'm spoiled by the wonderful Body Finder series because that's the quality I was expecting.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: won in GoodReads contest
Release Date: April 29, 2014

2014/HarperTeen/368 pages.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Summary:
The terrifyingly prophetic novel of a post-literate future.

Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to burn books, which are forbidden, being the source of all discord and unhappiness. Even so, Montag is unhappy; there is discord in his marriage. Are books hidden in his house? The Mechanical Hound of the Fire Department, armed with a lethal hypodermic, escorted by helicopters, is ready to track down those dissidents who defy society to preserve and read books.

The classic dystopian novel of a post-literate future, Fahrenheit 451 stands alongside Orwell’s 1984 and Huxley’s Brave New World as a prophetic account of Western civilization’s enslavement by the media, drugs and conformity.

Bradbury’s powerful and poetic prose combines with uncanny insight into the potential of technology to create a novel which, decades on from first publication, still has the power to dazzle and shock. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I still can't believe it took me this long to read Fahrenheit 451! It's one of the classic dystopian novels and that's my favorite genre. While I enjoyed the message of Fahrenheit 451, I wasn't as enthralled by the execution as I thought I would be.

I've always loved the concept of this book: how firemen in the future start fires rather than put them out. That is just so clever. The theme of censorship is, of course, prevalent and I can't imagine a time when all books would be banned. How terrible would life be! And that's what Ray Bradbury describes in his novel. There is no substance in life anymore and all anyone cares about is the programs on TV. The internet wasn't around when this book was written, but that seems to be the tech-driven culture that Bradbury was describing. It was definitely scary that this could be our future someday.

The style of this book definitely wasn't my favorite. Ray Bradbury uses really flowery language with a lot of description. That's just not my cup of tea. I did like the ending and image of hope it evoked. But I didn't like Bradbury's afterword and coda. In not so many words, he says he dislikes political correctness and the fact that "minority groups" want "special" treatment amounts to censorship. That was pretty much his way of saying that he doesn't care about POC or women being represented in his work. I would give him a pass since this book was written in 1953, but the afterword was written in 1991 so forget about that.

I think that Fahrenheit 451 is a super important book because the message of censorship is detailed so well but I don't plan on reading this again.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.
FTC: my copy

1953/Del Rey/180 pages.

Lucy by Laurence Gonzales

Summary:
Primatologist Jenny Lowe is studying bonobo chimpanzees deep in the Congo when she is caught in a deadly civil war that leaves a fellow researcher dead and his daughter, Lucy, orphaned. Realizing that the child has no living relatives, Jenny begins to care for Lucy as her own. But as she reads the late scientist’s notebooks, she discovers that Lucy is the result of a shocking experiment, and that the adorable, magical, wonderful girl she has come to love is an entirely new hybrid species—half human, half bonobo. (from GoodReads)

Review:I've had this book on my shelf for several years now and I finally got around to reading it. Luckily for me it was pretty entertaining novel.

Before reading Lucy, I was expecting something along the lines of the movie Splice where Lucy was more bonobo than human. However, to the naked eye it's almost impossible to tell that this teenage girl isn't fully human. She acts a little odd sometimes, but that can be easily explained away by the fact that she spent her whole life living in the African jungle. However, Lucy did have the super strength, speed, and senses of a bonobo, making her different from the people around her.

Lucy was a pretty easy read and I was able to speed through the pages. The book wasn't exactly thrilling, but the author still kept me engaged because I wanted to know what would happen to Lucy. As you can probably tell, other people do discover her secret and I thought Gonzales did a good job of describing the different reactions. Though it may be cynical, I do think there would be individuals and groups protesting her as an abomination, making it dangerous for her to live.

The book is written in third person and as the reader I felt a little detached from the emotional component. There are some sad parts and I wish the author delved further into those feelings. Lucy does end on a cliffhanger and I would love to know what happens next. I don't know if the author plans on continuing the story but I think I would read the next book if there is one.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: received from publisher.

2010/Vintage/320 pages.

Champion by Marie Lu

Summary:
He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion. (from GoodReads)

Review:
After I read Legend I merely liked this series but then when I read Prodigy I was in love. I was curious to see how Champion turned out. Luckily for me I enjoyed it very much, though it wasn't my favorite of the trilogy.

Champion throws us into the action a couple of months after the events of Prodigy have unfolded. June and Day have gone their separate ways (which is a tragedy in it of itself). June is the princeps-elect, which means she works closely with the Republic's Elector. Day, on the other hand, has been seeking treatment for his illness, while also looking after his younger brother who has been sick as well. A lot of sick people in this book, folks. It was never fully explained why Day is having these severe headaches (unless I missed it) though it's alluded to some experimentation that he underwent previously. If you say so book. Luckily for the readers, Day and June are reunited pretty quickly.

Champion takes on a different tone than the previous novels, because this time it's not the Patriots against the Republic. There is a new enemy (the Colonies) which serves to unite the two feuding groups of Legend and Prodigy. This dynamic was certainly interesting and showed that people would rather fix their own broken government than be invaded by another foreign one.

Marie Lu certainly had her hands full because there is a lot going on this trilogy! Not only does she create two dystopian governments, but a third one is thrown in for good measure. June and Anden travel to Antarctica, where people get points for good deeds and lose points for bad behavior. The more points you have, the better paid you are and the better status you have in society. I think she should have saved that concept because you could write a whole book about it! This author has a wonderful imagination.

Champion was very fast-paced and action-packed. The romance between June and Day continues to flourish. I loved reading from June's perspective because she thinks like Sherlock Holmes. She can calculate the amount of steps it will take to get from A to B and the amount of force she should use to knock someone out. I love seeing her in the streets as a soldier, which is what she's suited to. The only thing I didn't really like about Champion was the ending. It's pretty cliché. I'm not going to say but you'll see when you read this novel. Overall though I really liked this trilogy and can't wait to see what Marie Lu writes next!

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Putnam Juvenile/369 pages.

Reboot by Amy Tintera

Summary:
Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I've been waiting to read Reboot for a long time and I'm so glad I finally got the chance to. I think the concept sounds fascinating and I wanted to see how this new dystopian world plays out. While I enjoyed Reboot for the most part, there were things I didn't like.

The beginning of Reboot is great: we're introduced to the HARC and Wren. She's such an interesting character because she's the deadliest Reboot around since she was dead the longest. That makes her a spectacular fighter but also makes her cold and detached. She is way less emotional than the other Reboots, but that changes when she meets Callum. Callum is probably the most human out of all the reboot since his number is a 22 and they complement each other very nicely. It was nice to see some character development out of Wren and see her become more human as she spends more time with Callum.

The part I didn't like is that I think that Callum's and Wren's relationship progressed too quickly. First Wren is cold and calculating and then her personality does a 180 and she becomes this giggly, in love girl. Their romance was almost too sweet, like if you eat too much candy you feel ill. At one point Wren is trying to fly a hovercraft to safety and yet her and Callum are exchanging kisses as they flee for their lives! I'm not a fan of this romance anyway but the fact that Wren starts as the distant Reboot and somehow ends up on the other end of the spectrum. I would have liked to see this development take longer and move a little slower, which probably would have been more realistic for the story.

Even so, I enjoyed the other plot points of Reboot though everything did seem to work out a little too easily. Authors need to get rid of these deus ex machinas that keep popping up. Reboot does end on a cliffhanger so I'm happy to see that a sequel will be released soon. I'll definitely pick it up but I hope it's a little better than it's predecessor so I can enjoy it even more.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/HarperTeen/365 pages.

In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin

Summary:
All These Things I’ve Done, the first novel in the Birthright series, introduced us to timeless heroine Anya Balanchine, a plucky sixteen year old with the heart of a girl and the responsibilities of a grown woman. Now eighteen, life has been more bitter than sweet for Anya. She has lost her parents and her grandmother, and has spent the better part of her high school years in trouble with the law. Perhaps hardest of all, her decision to open a nightclub with her old nemesis Charles Delacroix has cost Anya her relationship with Win.

Still, it is Anya’s nature to soldier on. She puts the loss of Win behind her and focuses on her work. Against the odds, the nightclub becomes an enormous success, and Anya feels like she is on her way and that nothing will ever go wrong for her again. But after a terrible misjudgment leaves Anya fighting for her life, she is forced to reckon with her choices and to let people help her for the first time in her life. 

In the Age of Love and Chocolate is the story of growing up and learning what love really is. It showcases the best of Gabrielle Zevin’s writing for young adults: the intricate characterization of Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac and the big-heartedness of Elsewhere. It will make you remember why you loved her writing in the first place. (from GoodReads)

Review:
First off, I can't get over the titles of this trilogy. All the titles together form one long sentence which I absolutely love. All These Things I've Done Because it is my Blood in the Age of Love and Chocolate. It has an awesome ring to it!!!

I feel like this trilogy is very understated. Not that many people talk about it and even the story isn't super flashy or thrilling. But it's such an interesting and fun trilogy. Anya is one of my favorite characters in YA literature because she's so strong and smart. For goodness sakes, she's practically the head of crime family and I just love that. YA needs more heroines that aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. Even though Anya isn't the most innocent person out there, she has a good heart and does things for the right reasons. She loves her family and it's so easy to see that in the book. Not because she says it a lot but because the author shows us through Anya's actions.

I also like that romance isn't the central point of the series. It's important and Anya's relationship with Win goes through many ups and downs but Anya doesn't need a guy in her life. She does great things alone and recognizes the fact that she needs to be single in order find herself and to do the things she wants to do. In many books the romance is the most compelling part because there's not much else going on. But in In the Age of Love and Chocolate, Anya setting up the chocolate clubs and dealing with her mob family take precedence and allows the story to actually develop.

I just really really enjoyed the Birthright trilogy and I hope everyone picks up this conclusion to an amazing series.

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux/286 pages.

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Summary:

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

 

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out. (from GoodReads)

 

Review:

I immensely enjoyed Ruby Red when I first read it so I was super excited to continue on with the trilogy. Luckily for me, Sapphire Blue was just as good as the first book.

 

Time travel is always tricky to execute (right now I'm reading The Time Traveler's Wife and I'm pretty confused) but I think Kerstin Gier does a good job of writing it and having it make sense. It helps that Gwen and Gideon travel really far in the past, so they don't have to worry about meeting themselves. Their mission is a little confusing, especially since it's been a few months since I've been in this world. But Gwen and Gideon are trying to find their cousins who are hiding in the past with an important artifact.

 

What I don't like is that the events of these two books have taken place over the period of a week. That's a short amount of time for two whole books to be written about. It makes sense since the character are traveling in time, but it also makes character development tricky. Gwen and Gideon have a bit of a romance going but these characters have only known each other a week! So when the "I love you's" start coming out I get confused. Even though it feels like much longer, Gwen and Gideon should not be this serious. That's my one qualm about these books.

 

Even so, Sapphire Blue is still a fun read, especially since the characters are so funny. It's nice to get some humor in there. I do like the romance, even though it's a little rushed. I can't wait to see how everything wraps up in Emerald Green.

 

Rating: 8 out of 10.

FTC: borrowed from the library.

 

2012/Henry Holt/362 pages.

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Summary:
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending. (from GoodReads)

Summary:
I saw the issues that other people had with The Selection and while I agree with most of them (the lack of world building, the similarities to The Hunger Games, the crazy names), I still enjoyed the story. It wasn't the best writing but it was still fun. Unfortunately, the things that were wrong in The Selection are magnified in The Elite.

I'm sorry, but a love triangle cannot sustain an entire novel; there needs to be some plot. The main conflict of The Elite was whether America should choose Maxon or Aspen. America would fluctuate between the two men and it was the most boring thing to read about. Love triangles can be amazing or they can be contrived. I honestly don't care about any of our three characters and that made this book difficult.

The little plot we got was about the rest of the Selection, now that there were only five girls left. That aspect was just a rehashing of the first novel. The only exciting parts came when the rebels attacked the building. But even that lost some thrill when the characters are just stuck in hiding not doing anything.

There is one part where America has to make a presentation about a charity she would support as princess. The position she took was interesting but I saw it coming from a mile away. So I wasn't even surprised by the "twist."

I did a Waiting on Wednesday on The One because I am a teeny bit curious about what happens but if never finish the trilogy I won't be that disappointed either.

Rating: 6 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/HarperTeen/323 pages.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Summary:
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I was really excited to finally read Ruby Red because it's been on my to-read list for awhile and I think it's so cool that it was translated from German! I read a lot of American books so I was looking forward to trying something different. Luckily for me, I loved Ruby Red.

The book is set in London and I'm not sure if that's change because they are speaking English now or if the original was set in London, as well. London is a fabulous city and a great setting for a time travelling novel because it's so historical. I thought the concept of time travel in Ruby Red was very well done - it wasn't too complicated and it's cool how it's this big secret that no one can know about.

I thought that Gwyneth's family dynamic was an interesting part of the novel. She lives with her mom, brother and sister in a big house with the rest of her extended family. Since the time travel gene runs in families, it's essential to have a good support system because no one else in the world knows about this ability (except Gwyneth's BFF and the other families who also have the gene).

When Gwyneth figures out that it's her and not her cousin that has the gene, it causes a big rift in the family. Gwyneth's aunt and cousin think she's lying somehow and they pretty much act like little kids who have had their favorite toy taken away from them. Gwyneth starts spending time with Gideon, a time traveler who is two years older than her whose family also carries the gene. I'm sure you can guess that a romance blossoms between them and I really enjoyed reading those parts.

There's some mystery in Ruby Red, mainly dealing with past family members who stole an important artifact and it's Gwyneth and Gideon's job to get it back. I'm excited to see what they uncover because I'm sure there will be several plot twists. Overall, I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

Rating: 8 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2011/Henry Holt/322 pages.

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Summary:
They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge. (from GoodReads)

Review:
When I read Pandemonium I was dying to finish the trilogy. That book left off on a huge cliffhanger and I had to see what happened next. The beginning of Requiem was amazing but the ending left me disappointed.

It was easy to get back into the world of Requiem. even though I haven't read these books in awhile. It pretty much begins were Pandemonium left off and Lena is still in the woods with the other Invalids.

I was surprised at the change in narration - Lena's friend Hana now gets chapters dedicated to her. I actually really liked them. Hana has had the operation but she still doesn't think or feel like the others. She is being forced to marry the soon-to-be mayor of Portland, Maine so she's always in the spotlight. Since Lena is mostly in the forest throughout Requiem, I actually enjoyed Hana's sections more. It's a nice change of pace and I loved seeing Hana try to figure out some mysteries surrounding her fiancé.

It's hard to discuss this book because I don't want to give anything away but there are some big revelations throughout Requiem and some issues will be resolved. However, as I was reading I got the sense that this could be a filler novel before the actual conclusion. When I finished Requiem, I was so disappointed because it just kind of ends. There's no meaningful resolution to the romance and we never find out what happens to the characters. That's not okay! I don't mind ambiguity but the reader is just left hanging. Is there another book? There really should be. I also enjoyed the short chapter from Alex's point-of-view but that's not enough!

It's so funny examining this trilogy as a whole because the second book, Pandemonium, is definitely my favorite and that never happens. Remember the middle book syndrome? I don't know what to think of this. I love the story so much and I wish we were given more resolution. I still love Lauren Oliver but I'm not satisfied!

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/HarperCollins/391 pages.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Summary:
It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's familJey gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right - and wrong - in the present. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I was really excited to read The Future of Us because I thought the premise was so interesting! It would be cool to see how kids in the 90s would react to Facebook, especially since the Internet was a new and exciting thing. Also it's weird that 1996 is now considered "history" - it was not that long ago! But ultimately I was disappointed with the execution of The Future of Us.

I think I have a problem with books that are written by two authors - I'm just never a fan of them. I didn't like Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist or Jenna & Jonah's Fauxmance, so I guess it makes sense that I wasn't riveted by another novel that has a man write the male perspective and a woman write the female one. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy my read of The Future of Us but I was expecting so much more than the shallow plot that I got. When Emma and Josh find Facebook, they are both only concerned with their future husband/wife. They don't look up many of their friends or family, don't look up what stocks are worth a lot and don't try to find out who's president! I would at least be a little curious!

I also didn't realize that Emma and Josh would be able to change their futures - I just assumed they were getting a snapshot of what their life would be like in 15 years. Emma doesn't like what she sees on Facebook so she does really stupid stuff to change what happens. At one point she knocks over a vase of water and just leaves it on her carpet. There is also the subplot of Emma and Josh's relationship with each other and I'm sure you can guess what happens there.There were some B-plots that were never resolved, like what happens to Emma's friend Kellan or her new half-sister?

I loved the 90s references even though some of them were a little forced. There were VCRs, payphones, cassette tapes, movie rental stores, Discman, etc. I was only 5 in 1996 but I was still able to get all the 90s nostalgia. It's still weird to think that the Internet was new then! I remember having dial-up but we always had two phone lines so I never had to worry about that like Emma did.

Overall, my disappointment in the execution of The Future of Us impacted my view of the novel. It was shallower than I was expecting, but still enjoyable as a light read.

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Summary:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I have been waiting so long to read The Selection and I'm glad I finally got the chance to. Seriously, I've wanted to read this since before it was published in April 2012! Now there's another book already out and I think it's been optioned for a tv show? Someone update me!

Anyway, I actually really enjoyed The Selection. If you look on GoodReads, there are a ton of reviews that list the flaws of this book. There are actually quite a few, including the ridiculous names of the characters (Aspen? Maxon? America??) The history behind the creation of Illea wasn't explained very well along with the reasoning behind our country returning to a monarchy. Is it possible to start a monarchy when you have no actual royal family? Wouldn't the royal family want to marry their son to girl from another country for an alliance instead of to a "commoner"?

However, if you suspend your disbelief, you can still be entertained by The Selection. It reminded me a lot of both The Bachelor and The Hunger Games, though it seemed like a ripoff of the latter. They even have all the girls go through interviews with a host who is identical to Caesar Flickerman. Seeing the girls interact with each other and the prince was very interesting, but I especially liked the relationship between Maxon and America. I was rooting for him to pick her obviously.

The conflict in the story is that America is in love with a boy from a caste below her so she can never marry him. Even though she's part of the Selection, she still pines for Aspen so naturally we have a love triangle. I personally prefer America with Maxon, but I can see why some people might like Aspen better.

I had trouble putting this book down because I wanted to see what happened with the contest and if America would ever develop feelings for Maxon. Unfortunately I have to wait until I read The Elite to figure out what happens!

Rating: 7 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2012/HarperTeen/339 pages.

Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Summary:
Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME. (from GoodReads)

Review:
Ah, another trilogy comes to a close. Luckily for these books, Shades of Earth (the last one) was definitely the best. While I enjoyed the other novels, I was drawn into Shades of Earth in a way that I hadn't before. I think it was the fact that the characters were actually on a new planet and that was very interesting.

Whenever I read books that take place on spaceships (which isn't really that many), I always feel super claustrophobic. No matter what was going on on Earth, I probably wouldn't want to escape it to live in Space. However, in Shades of Earth, the characters land on Centauri-Earth and the feeling of claustrophobia disappears. The new planet is pretty similar to Earth and it has to be so that humans can function but there are different plants and animals. It felt like a ghost town in that there was a human colony there previously and they left behind some buildings. So spooky.

Even moreso than the previous novels, Shades of Earth is a mystery, which I loved. Who is systematically killing off members of the crew? What secrets is Amy's dad keeping? Are there humans or aliens on the new planet? I couldn't put the book down because I wanted to know the answers to all these questions. Even so, the twists weren't really that surprising to me - I pretty much guessed all of them, but that usually happens to me.

As always, Elder is the interesting character to read about. Not that I don't love Amy, but as the leader of the ship born people, Elder has a more important role. He has to spar with Amy's dad, who is the military leader of the Cryos and he holds his own as a leader. The relationship between Amy and Elder develops nicely and isn't prone to the instalove that many YA books have.

One thing that annoyed me was Amy saying the first moon landing was in the 1950s. Um, no, it was 1969. Also what happened to the gorgeous colorful covers of the first two books?? I'm seriously disappointed in that change. Regardless, I still enjoyed this trilogy and think Shades of Earth was an amazing conclusion.

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Razorbill/369 pages.

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Summary:
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action. (from GoodReads)

Review:
I think I like Prodigy better than Legend which is such a surprise because the second book of a trilogy usually falls prey to the Middle Book Syndrome. Regardless, I'm very happy because I got an exciting story out of my good fortune (and Marie Lu's fantastic writing).

I read Legend over a year and half ago, so in the beginning I had trouble remembering exactly what  happened. But as I kept reading, the details came back to me so I was still able to enjoy the story. What I love about this trilogy is how action-packed and intense it is. June is a trained fighter and a genius, so she is a master at analyzing a situation and figuring out what to do. Day is super graceful and strong, so he can easily run around, cause diversions and escape captors. Together they are practically unstoppable and that's why I loved reading about them. Even though they are both young, they definitely have the ability to start a revolution and change the way their country operates.

The romance (particularly between June and Day) is an important part of the book and I enjoyed reading about it. My one complain about Legend was that the romance between our two narrators was too rushed so I was glad to see it develop more in Prodigy. The author couldn't resist with adding in secondary love interests and I would have preferred if the drama could have just been between Day and June sans jealousy and love triangles (or rather, squares). Day's longtime ally and friend Tess has a crush on him and it's obvious that the new Elector is infatuated with June. I didn't get the Tess love triangle because isn't she like thirteen? That's a little young even if Day is only two or three years older. I didn't mind Anden as much even though he is also five years older than June. A tad unrealistic, especially since June is 15. As you can see I'm really rooting for June and Day to be together!

There were plenty of twists and turns in the plot and the characters go places I didn't imagine (the Colonies, anyone?). The parallels with the Colonies was a nice touch and how it's not so much different from the Republic after all. The ending of the book was totally unfair, but in a really good way.

Overall, I'm really looking forward to Champion and I only have to wait until November to read it! It really is my lucky day.

Rating: 10 out of 10!
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Putnam Juvenile/371 pages.