The Elite by Kiera Cass

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published April 23rd 2013 by HarperTeen

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.

I am so glad that I didn't have to wait on this one to be published because it would have KILLED me! I love how this series captivates what many teenage girls have to deal with- maybe not on the level of becoming a princess, but the whole idea of making choices that will impact the rest of your life. Sometimes teenagers forget that the little things that they do have lasting impressions, but America knows that her decision on where her heart really lies is going to have a major impact- and not just on her. 

I love that this book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was rooting for America, scared at the possibilities of what was to come, and now I am ready to see what happens in the conclusion of the series (maybe... I really don't want it to end). This novel had the right amount of action, love, suspense, and drama and the subtle cliffy... superb! 

The next one in the series is the novella The Guard, so I am headed that way!

Happy reading!!

The Prince (The Seleciton 0.5) by Kiera Cass

ebook, 64 pages

Published March 5th 2013 by HarperTeen

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

This little gem is just what I love to read. I loved getting to see Prince Maxon's point of view of The Selection. Getting a little insight into how he views what is going on and getting a little back story is great. It will definitely give insight to what is going on and help you see how he will be as a leader!!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen 

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 a palace and compete for the heart of 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.

I have a dedicated group of girls who have been after me to read this series, and I don't know why I have been putting it off.  There is no good excuse. First of all, this is from the mind of a local gal and I love supporting my local authors. Secondly, I have no secondly.... I am just sorry I waited this long to start them. But at the same time, if it was during school I wouldn't have been able to read them so fast. 

America Singer is a girl that most can relate to. She is happy where she is even though she knows that life could be much better if she was in a different situation. She loves Aspen and is happy to be where she is despite the negative things that seem to get in her way. Her seemingly content life totally changes though with the announcement of The Selection. Now she faces a whole new struggle that isn't so private because she is on camera fighting for Prince Maxon's affection- if she really wants it or not is another issue. 

This book is the start to an amazing series. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't stop for the next two days... seriously.... I read the whole series in two days!! To say that I liked it would be an understatement. One good thing about not reading them when they came out is that I didn't have to wait until the next book came out. I just had to either run to my shelf (because I had them in my classroom library.. I know, shameful) or hit "download" from Amazon... which I totally did! This is another great series to add to my list of recommendations!

Phoenix (Black City #2) by Elizabeth Richards

Kindle Edition, 273 pages

Published June 4th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile 

 

 Ash and Natalie are just starting to build a life together when things in the United Sentry States go from bad to worse. Ash and Natalie find themselves at the center of turmoil when dictator Purian Rose threatens Natalie’s life unless Ash votes in favor of Rose’s Law—a law that will send Darklings and other dissenters to a deadly concentration camp known as the Tenth.

When Ash can’t bring himself to trade Natalie’s life for those of millions of Darklings, her fate is sealed. Enter Elijah Theroux, the handsome Bastet boy Natalie once saved from her mother’s labs, where he’d been experimented on and tortured. It was his venom the Sentry used to create the lethal Golden Haze, the heart of the government conspiracy that led to Black City’s uprising and Ash’s rebirth as the Phoenix, the face of the rebellion. Elijah is back and Ash doesn’t like him; it’s clear he’s taken with Natalie, and Ash fears she may have feelings for him as well.

But Elijah also may have the answer to taking down Purian Rose for good—a powerful weapon called the Ora. Ash, Natalie and Elijah just have to escape Black City undetected to find it. But fleeing the city and finding this weapon (if it even exists) are easier said than done, and the quest could tear Ash and Natalie apart, even pushing them into the arms of others.

This enthralling sequel to Black City is just as absorbing, delicious and steamy as the first book, leaving readers hungry for the series conclusion.

 

 

I told you it would be up soon :) Both books were actually finished within 4 days of each other... but again, I had to teach so that took away precious reading time!! Haha!

 

You know how sometimes the sequel to a great book was such a let down? No title please, no titles! Believe me when I say that this one will not leave you disappointed. Though it may leave you a little (no A LOT) antsy for the next, and final, book! And the Cliffhanger of the Year Award goes to....

ELIZABETH RICHARDS

for her amazing work in Phoenix (Black City #2)

 

Seriously,  that is the only warning I will give you so don't say I didn't warn you. Just when you think you have it almost figured out, Richards has an amazing way of throwing all that you know up in the air and making you rethink it all. The fact that she does that and keeps readers on their toes is what draws me into her story even more. I have said it before, but there are certain genres that are starting to have books that all sound the same and (as I said in my review of Black City) this series is such a breath of fresh air. This series is one that has something for everyone because of the dynamic story that is told throughout each page. It has drama for all, a romance for the girls, major fighting and death for the guys and everything else you could ask for.

 

I just saw where someone tweeted that if you are missing Divergent, then this is the series you need to read next and I couldn't agree anymore!  

 

Make sure to visit Elizabeth here for updates on the final book, contests and much more! By the way... I entered her  "Show Me Your Pumpkins" contest to win a signed copy of Phoenix and swag and guess what?! I WON!!! Here is the winning pumpkin (inspired by Divergent) along with my kids pumpkins they carved!

 

 

 

I am so excited :) Maybe she will accidently slip in a copy of Wings (Black City #3) for me! Hey... a girl can dream, right?! 

 

Happy reading all! 

Black City (Black City #1) by Elizabeth Richards

Hardcover, 374 pages

Published November 13th 2012 by G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR 

 

  

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-old Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

 

I love nothing more than getting a book recommendation from my students.  And I really mean that! They find some of the greatest books that I miss out on sometimes (despite my vast reading selection). Black City is by far one of the best recommendations of books that I have gotten in a very long time! I must say though, that when Jade (my amazing student) told me about it I was a little hesitant. Vampires and I have not gotten along for a while. But I decided to give it a chance and a mere 12 hours later... I was done with the book. It would have been sooner but I had to do my pesky job and teach kiddos! Haha!

This book is not your typical vampire story in any way, shape, or form. The amazing wold that Elizabeth Richards has built in the dystopian society is unlike anything I have ever experienced and its unique writing was a breath of fresh air to my reading addiction. Natalie and Ash have obstacles to jump over, under and through but the biggest one is each other. The dynamics between the two are so real and well written that you can picture them in your head very easily. This is by far one of my top reads of this year and I am just so sorry that I didn't find it sooner. Thank goodness for my amazing students!! 

Happy reading!

PS: I have to admit that I didn't take the time to write this review before getting Phoenix (Black City #2) on my Kindle that night and finishing it a few hours later! So look for that review very soon... because you know I am already done with it now too :)

Crossed by Ally Condie

Paperback, Reprint Edition, 400 pages

Published March 12th 2013 by Speak 

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

 I have to start out by saying that this book definitely pulled me in and made me drool for more! If you read my review of Matched (see it here), you know that I was on the fence about this series but wasn't going to give up on it just yet. This book definitely drew me in and brought more of Condie's originality and creativity to the forefront which I loved. Cassia and Ky seem to be running in circles to get to each other and we get to see both sides of this race with the dual points of view that Condie has written in for this novel. Cassia is called to question (even more) everything that she has grown up knowing and is finding herself in ways that she never saw coming. By taking the readers outside of the characters comfort zone and into the places where they have to make choices on their own for the first time, truly allows us to see who they are and what they are capable of. There are so many questions that I have now that things are definitely changing and I can't wait to see where Condie takes us as she wraps up this series. Hopefully I won't lose my enthusiasm with Reached!

Happy reading!

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie

Hardcover, 369 pages

Published November 30th 2010 by Dutton Juvenile 

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow. 

I have had this one sitting on my shelves for a while and haven't made the time to pick it up. Some of my students have read it and liked it, so I knew I had to check it out. I had also read some about it before and knew that it was along the lines of the Dystopian's I have read and loved. Ally Condie has done a great job creating a world where everything is chosen for you and there are seemingly no loop-holes to the system. Cassia seems to be a conformist like the rest of her Society while scoring at the top of her exams until things change for her. Her match is made with Xander (her childhood friend), but it quickly becomes evident that Society didn't quite plan for everything when it comes to Cassia. 

While I enjoy the ideas that Ally Condie has created, there were quite a few parallels to other Dystopian novels that I have read and I just couldn't get past those. The characters are original and their personalities are definitely their own which I enjoyed. There were many times where I had to stop and ask myself which book I was reading because it seemed so familiar. As I progressed through the novel, the story truly became its own and when the book closed, I can honestly say that I am ready for the next part of the story and can't wait to read Crossed. It is my hope that the second in this series picks up right where this one drops off with its originality and I think it will because the points of view change in that one and I love it when author's do that! 

Make sure to visit the series website for more information and other cool stuff!

http://www.matched-book.com/

 

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

Hardcover, 371 pages

Published January 29th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile 

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.

  To see my review on Legend (the first in this series) click here. 

Marie Lu knows how to keep readers on the edge of their seats and drooling for more! This is one of those books I have been waiting on the right time to read because I knew I wouldn't want to get up from it and deal with anything (feeding my children included), so a 4 hour car ride was perfect. My husband kept looking at me during my grunts, groans, fist pumps, and other noises but all in all... he is used to it! 

This amazing sequel to Legend picks up with June and Day and their quest to turn the Republic into something that they can be proud of and they find an unexpected ally... the Elector! Day and June face obstacles and deal with the emotions of a new relationship (which they still have a hard time defining) all while trying to decide if what they are doing is really for the best. There were many questions answered in this amazing novel, but of course- more were brought up and I am DYING for the next book now! (Is it November 5th yet?!) 

As with the first one, I can't get enough of these characters who are beautifully written and easy to invest yourself in. I am sure that someone has drawn the parallel between the ill-fated love before, but as with so many stories, Day and June do have that Romeo and Juliet touch. On the surface they are very different (different social classes, ways they live, up-bringing, etc.) but there is so much more beneath the surface. I know that I am not the only one so heavily invested in these two and if you haven't read the first one (or this one)... hurry up! You won't regret it! 

I am so happy that I do have one thing to tide me over until November 5th though!!

Life Before Legend (Legend 0.5)

Find out more about June and Day in this never-before-seen glimpse into their daily lives before they met in Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND series. As twelve-year-olds struggling to survive in two very different worlds within the Republic’s stronghold, June was starting her first day of school at Drake University as the youngest cadet ever admitted, and Day was fighting for food on the streets of the Lake sector. LIFE BEFORE LEGEND contains two original stories written by Marie Lu that give readers a sneak peek into the lives of their favorite characters in a thrilling new context.

Happy reading!

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopia

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Hardcover, 323 pages

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. (www.goodreads.com)

Charlie lives in Ludania where her life has been decided for her simply because of the social class she was born into. The problem is, though, she knows that she is different than others. She can understand languages she is not supposed to and has to keep this a secret from all of those around her. When she meets the mysterious Max, her life is thrown into a new direction and what she thought she would never face. She quickly finds out that her life is going to change and that she is in for a bigger ride than she could have ever imagined. 

 

It is no secret that I love Kimberly Derting! She is an amazing author and super great pal (especially if you send her books she wants!!). This novel does exactly what her others have done to me... sucked me in and left me absolutely dying for more. I would love to get into her head and find just a little bit of her creativity and see where it could take me because based on this book... the possibilities are endless!  This novel leaves me drooling for more and with more questions than I started with even though some were answered along the way. Maybe I will get lucky and get the second book tomorrow in the mail... wishful thinking, right? 

Happy reading!

Legend by Marie Lu

Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopia

Publisher: Putnam Jubenile

Hardcover, 305 pages

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.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. (www.goodreads.com)

There is a great war going on between the Colonies and the Republic and though fifteen year old June thinks she knows where her loyalties lie, a series of events make her question everything she has ever known. Meanwhile, Day has lived his entire fifteen years on the opposite side of the tracks from June and knows more than anyone else what life against the Republic is like. When their paths cross, however, both are left questioning what they think they know and how they thought life would pan out.

This is one of those books I wish I had picked up earlier because I was missing out. I love that the genre of Science Fiction with the dystopian focus has blossomed and this is yet another great example of what has come from this literary trend. The characters, plot and setting that Marie Lu created in this novel are very well written and there is so much suspense at the end of this first in the series to leave you dying for more. There are so many things to love about the debut novel including the creative genius of having the flip flopping points of view throughout the novel and having those written in different fonts and colors. I loved that! Marie Lu definitely made her presence known with her debut novel and I can't wait to see where she takes us with the rest of this series!