Blood of Eden Series by Julie Kagawa

The Blood of Eden series includes: The Immortal Rules, The Eternity Cure, and The Forever Song.

Summary

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for… again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

Review

I really enjoyed this series, and it was completely different that most typical 'vampire' stories.

The Immortal Rules @ GoodReads
The Immortal Rules @ Amazon

Dust Chronicles by Maureen McGowan

The Dust Chronicles includes: Deviants, Compliance, and Glory.

Summary

In a post-apocalyptic world, where the earth is buried by asteroid dust that’s mutated the DNA of some humans, orphaned, sixteen-year-old Glory must protect her younger brother and escape the domed city that’s been her entire world.

Outside in the ruins, they’re pursued by the authorities and by sadistic, scab-covered Shredders who are addicted to the lethal-to-humans dust now covering the planet. Glory’s quests to transport herself and her brother to safety make up the thrilling and fascinating first volume of The Dust Chronicles.

Review

Deviants @ GoodReads
Deviants @ Amazon

The Testing Series by Joelle Charbonneau

Summary

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

Review

The Testing @ GoodReads
The Testing @ Amazon

Mindjack Trilogy by Susan Kaye Quinn

Mindjack Trilogy includes the following books: Open Minds, Closed Hearts, Free Souls. It also includes the following short stories: The Handler, Mind Games, The Scribe.

Summary

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

Review

Open Minds @ GoodReads
Open Minds @ Amazon

Divided by Elsie Chapman

Divided is book 2 of the Dualed series by Elsie Chapman. The first book is Dualed.

Summary

The hunter becomes the hunted. . . .
West Grayer is done killing. She defeated her Alternate, a twin raised by another family, and proved she’s worthy of a future. She’s ready to move on with her life.
The Board has other plans. They want her to kill one last time, and offer her a deal worth killing for. But when West recognizes her target as a ghost from her past, she realizes she’s in over her head. The Board is lying, and West will have to uncover the truth of the past to secure her future.
How far will the Board go to keep their secrets safe? And how far will West go to save those she loves?

Review

As a continuation it did help make the characters feel more complete and rounded.

Note: I was provided a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Divided @ GoodReads
Divided @ Amazon

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Dualed is the first book in the Dualed series by Elsie Chapman. Book 2 is Divided.

Summary

In the city of Kersh, everyone must eliminate their genetic Alternate twin, raised by another family, before their twentieth birthday. West Grayer, 15, has trained as a fighter, and has one month to hunt and kill her Alt. A tragic misstep shakes her confidence. Guilty, grieving, she feels unworthy, runs from her Alt and from love - both can destroy her.

Two of you exist. Only one will survive.
West Grayer is ready. She's trained for years to confront her Alternate, a twin raised by another family. Survival means a good job, marriage—life.
But then a tragic misstep leaves West questioning: Is she 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 herself, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Review

Dualed was better than I initially thought it would be. Even as I began reading, I wasn't very impressed. But somewhere along the way I began to care about the character, and be drawn into the story. To be honest, there are still parts that I feel could have been explained better, such as why she truly becomes a striker (aka assassin). But by the end I guess it mostly makes sense, just would have liked a more definitive reason to begin with. The story takes place in a dystopian future in one specific 'city', though it seems larger than just a city. But, it is in one of those worlds where we really don't know much of what is beyond her 'city'. It is briefly described, but it is one of those situations where you wonder if this will eventually come into play or if the entire story will only take place within the confines of the 'city'. This first book only takes place within the city, but there is a 2nd book recently released, so I plan on reading it to see if there is anything more revealed.

Dualed @ GoodReads
Dualed @ Amazon

Some Fine Day by Kat Ross

Summary

Sixteen-year-old Jansin Nordqvist is on the verge of graduating from the black ops factory known as the Academy. She's smart and deadly, and knows three things with absolute certainty:
1. When the world flooded and civilization retreated deep underground, there was no one left on the surface.
2. The only species to thrive there are the toads, a primate/amphibian hybrid with a serious mean streak.
3. There's no place on Earth where you can hide from the hypercanes, continent-sized storms that have raged for decades.
Jansin has been lied to. On all counts.

Review

At first I wasn't quite sure what to expect. In the beginning it seemed a basic story of underground girl going on vacation above ground. After she emerges from her underground world though things are not as they seem. The main character is developed well, and grows, but the other characters are supporting but don't really grow on their own. The main love interest is said to have changed, but I don't feel we know him well enough in the beginning to see such change. I would like to have been able to see more in the beginning, to see who the main character was before she discovered the world for what it was. Also, she has a relationship in the beginning that we know very little about, and I felt that could have been developed more as well. The ending is good for the most part, but is frustrating because as it ties up the main storyline, there are many loose ends and it leaves it as a cliffhanger, leaving me wondering about the fate of the main characters.

Note: I was provided a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Some Fine Day @ GoodReads

Some Fine Day @ Amazon

Cipher by S.E. Bennett

Summary

Cipher Omega is a failed experiment, an identical clone of the brilliant, damaged woman whose genome the scientists of the Basement were trying to copy and improve. All her life she has dreamt of life outside the laboratory, on the surface world, but when her home is destroyed and she’s left the only survivor of a hundred-year human cloning project, she is forced to face the reality of the military-ruled nation that created her. Aided by the only other surviving child of the Basement, an enigmatic solider named Tor, and two rebel freedom fighters named Bowen and Oona Rivers, Cipher finds herself searching for answers, at any cost.

Review

Cipher was a very good read. You are quickly drawn into the character and her predicament. The characters have flaws and are realistic, even as you're wishing they'd just speak up sometimes. It's a unique and interesting plot, with twists and uncertainties. It was a good read and I would definitely be interested in reading more of this series.


Note: I was provided a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cipher @ GoodReads
Cipher @ Amazon

The 100 by Kass Morgan

The 100 is the first in a series, the 2nd book called Day 21 is due to be published in September of 2014. This series has also been adapted as a tv show on the CW channel, which began in Spring 2014.

Summary

"In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.
Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again."

Review

The book is good, although it is somewhat frustrating that almost every chapter has flashbacks. Once you become familiar with the routine though it is easier to read and understand. The story is interesting, as the idea is unique and not like any other dystopian novel I have read. There is no real conclusion and it leaves everything hanging until the next book, which was rather annoying. I would like to see some sort of short term conclusions at the end of a novel, to feel that there is some sort of resolution. This is definitely not one of my favorites but I will most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out just because I need to know what happens with the characters.

The 100 @ GoodReads
The 100 @ Amazon

Fury by Charlotte McConaghy

Fury is the first book of The Cure series by Charlotte McConaghy. The rest of the series is not yet published.

Summary

"When emotions are erased from the world, creating a civilization of mindless drones, only those with fury can survive.
On the same day each year Josephine Luquet wakes naked, shivering and covered in blood that is not her own. Under the cold gaze of the blood moon she is someone else entirely, but when dawn breaks her memories flee and she is left with only an icy horror, a burning fury. Amid a sea of drones, she alone hasn’t been cured.
It will be the same each year: atrocities forgotten, truths hidden and pieces of herself left to die.
Until Luke.
He isn’t like the other drones. With secrets whispering behind his eyes and a hunger for all things Josephine, he is the only one determined to help her discover the truth before the next blood moon rises.
But time is running out. Is Luke willing to risk his life to be near her? Does he truly understand what violence she is capable of?
Raw and full of passion, Fury is a story of love in a dystopian world, and how much we are willing to forgive in the struggle to remember our humanity."

Review

This book surprised me. I wasn't sure what to expect but I quickly grew interested in the main characters and their back-stories. It has revealing information slowly exposed so it keeps the mystery alive. It's based in a dystopian world where emotions are numbed, and it can be somewhat realistic with the way that some modern mental medications do in fact make people feel they are 'numb', especially when referring to rage or sadness. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see what happens in this series.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fury @ GoodReads
Fury @ Amazon

Razorland Trilogy by Ann Aguirre

Razorland Trilogy includes: Enclave, Outpost, and Horde. As well as three short stories: Foundation, Endurance, and Restoration.

Summary

"New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters - or Freaks - who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight - guided by Fade's long-ago memories - in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs."

Review

At first I was not enthralled as it took me a while to finish the first chapter. As I began I realized I had tried to read it before, and this time I was resolved to give it a true reading. But soon after I really became enthralled in the story. It is an intriguing read about subcultures of human groups evolving independently. I was definitely invested in the main character, and began to quickly 'root' for her and her survival. She continues to beat the odds, and come out on top even when things look dire. It satisfies the readers with a happy ending as well.

Enclave @ GoodReads
Enclave @ Amazon

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky trilogy by Veronica Rossi: Under the Never Sky, Through the Ever Night, Into the Still Blue and also includes 2 short stories: Roar & Live and Brooke.

Summary

"Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers."

Review

When first beginning this novel, it felt awkward and somewhat difficult to understand, due to the nature of the futuristic society. It felt almost like reading a foreign novel. But after the first 2 chapters, it began to flow easily and felt natural in its awkwardness. This is a great story of people from two completely different worlds finding common ground. The future world is described in great detail, and I can easily imagine how their world appears. The relationship between the main characters is absolutely inspiring. It is a love full of depth and unconditional understanding.

Under the Never Sky @ GoodReads
Under the Never Sky @ Amazon

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Penryn & The End of Days series by Susan Ee: Angelfall, World After, and Upcoming Novel May 2015.

Summary

"It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again."

Review

I really really enjoyed this story. It is unlike many other dystopian young adult novels, in that it has the supernatural angels and demons. This story is very well-written and you are almost immediately drawn into the world by Penryn, the main heroine. Susan Ee writes very clear descriptions, which make the story easy to visualize. The story is very unique and I cannot wait until the next book is released, though I have to wait over a year!

Angelfall @ GoodReads
Angelfall @ Amazon

Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner series consists of: The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and the Death Cure. There is also a prequel called The Kill Order.

Summary

"When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade-a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they've closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up-the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind."

Review

The Maze Runner is an interesting story. I was drawn in by the history and idea of it being an experiment, but I felt the characters were frustrating. I wonder if I would have preferred to be omnipresent, and know all that happened in the past to create the experiments in the novel, as the only reason I felt compelled to complete the story was to discover why it was all done, and what had led up to it. The main character didn't really grow or change much, and I felt there could have been more relationship development as well. I have not yet read the prequel, but I might be updating my review after I do.

Updated Review: I would have to say that I almost enjoyed The Kill Order better than the Maze Runner trilogy. It was full of non-stop action and adventure, and cleared up how long ago the flares had occurred and also explained how the virus was come into existence.

Maze Runner @ GoodReads
Maze Runner @ Amazon

Divergent by Veronica Roth

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth: Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant. Book of Short Stories: Four, a Divergent Story Collection. Also being produced into a movie released March 21, 2014.

Summary

"In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her."

My Review

I really enjoyed the Divergent series. I had read the Legend series by Marie Lu, and the Librarian at my sons school recommended this series. I was drawn into the Divergent world, and had a hard time letting it go. The characters develop and grow, socially, personally and in an inspiring relationship. The books take on the task of trying to understand human nature. As humans generally go, we cannot be divided into factions or primary characteristic. Humans have multiple facets: intelligence, selflessness, bravery, honesty and peacefulness in some degree or another. I believe this book series does a good job of showing that trying to separate people is against human nature. It is an interesting story of how this dystopian Chicago was developed, and the reasons aren't fully clear, but enough to understand their reasoning and the story. To be completely honest: the ending made me upset. After first I grieved, then I was pissed. But finally I did come to a resolution, understanding why the ending is the way it is.

Divergent @ GoodReads
Divergent @ Amazon

Legend by Marie Lu

Summary

Legend Series by Marie Lu -- Legend, Prodigy, Champion

"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's 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 really enjoyed reading the Legend series. The story is somewhat simplistic, but becomes more complex with character development as the two main characters grow. It is an interesting theory of the future of society, as well as the theory that sometimes things that appear too good to be true, are. The ending was a little tragic, but it still had a happy ending.

Legend @ GoodReads
Legend @ Amazon