Tag Archives: teen books

Dec 14 2013
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Book Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

enclaveTitle: Enclave

Author: Ann Aguirre

Series: Enclave #1

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Rating: 4/5 stars

The Overview: In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember. As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

enclave

The Review:

Several months ago, I made the decision to read everything Ann Aguirre had on the market because I loved her Sirantha Jax series so much (so for all of you who visit The Obsessive Bookseller regularly, I’m sorry for being so repetitive, haha). I was particularly excited to pick up this series because I’d had it on my reading list even before I became fond of the author. I am glad to report that Enclave was every bit as enjoyable as her other books.

The characters were realistic and relatable (as usual) and the world building was totally immersive. I can say with confidence that I’ve never read anything quite like this book… It completely takes you into a new world filled with horrifying situations that would have me crying in a corner. What I liked about the protagonist, Deuce, is that she was every bit as frightened as I was but managed to draw on her inner strength to face it anyway. I appreciated her ability to adapt to each new situation and think for herself in a society that encourages the opposite.

Overall, the book was fast-paced, creepy as hell, and retained everything I’ve come to love and appreciate about this author. I’m looking forward to seeing where the story goes next!

Recommended Reading: this book is perfect for fans of the post-apocalyptic genre – especially those who love zombie stories (for the record, I think good for a couple years in all things zombie). This book is also one that I would feel confident recommending to both men and women, which is a rare find in the heavily “romanced” teen section these days.

 Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Dec 9 2013
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Top Ten Books on My Winter 2013 List! (12/10/2013)

Top ten Tuesday pink

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

 By far, this is my favorite TTT list to create because I love the process of figuring out which books excite me the most. Here’s the thing, I still have books from my Fall, Summer, and to Spring lists to get through (and because I wanted to read them the most, I feel like I should give them priority). A few books from those lists (like Throne of Glass) are actually at the top of my TBR pile, but I feel like it would be cheating to put them up again. So, aside from the unexplored awesomeness of the previously listed books, these are the:

Top Ten Books on My Winter 2013 List!

 In strong contrast to the last one of these that I did, I have mostly adult speculative fiction (as opposed to YA) on my list. Something about this last month has really made me in the mood for robust novels. I think the one I am most looking forward to reading is the finale to Rachel Aaron’s Eli Monpress series, Spirit’s End… followed very closely by the Trudi Canavan. I would normally have said The Fiery Heart, but for some reason I’m feeling in the mood to save it for a rainy day.

What books are at the top of your reading list?

by Niki Hawkes

Dec 2 2013
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November 2013: Review Recap!

Review Recap

Ever feel obligated to read certain books? I used to all the time, whether it be a popular seller, and advanced book, or even a continuation to a series I only kind of liked. Somewhere around March of this year I decided that I’d had enough of reading books that I wasn’t immediately excited about – especially considering my perpetual 20+ list of books that I’m just dying to read. As a result, I have had more fun reading in the last several months than I’ve had since I was a kid. Here’s my new motto and I’m sticking to it: Life’s too short to read books that don’t excite you!

So here’s a look at what I’ve been up to this month:

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
False Sight by Dan Krokos
Perdition by Ann Aguirre

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – 5/5 stars

False Sight by Dan Krokos – 2.5/5 stars

Perdition by Ann Aguirre – 4/5 stars

Alienated by Melissa Landers
Champion by Marie Lu
Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre

Alienated by Melissa Landers – 5/5 stars!

Champion by Marie Lu – 4/5 stars

Blue Diablo – 3/5 stars

Even though they weren’t all five-star books, I was still super eager to read each one. My favorite this month was probably The Naturals followed very closely by Alienated!

 Waiting on Wednesday features:

Considering how much I love Richelle Mead, it’s no surprise that the book I most looking forward to reading is Silver Shadows.

What amazing books did you read this month? :-)

Insurgent-Veronica-Roth-Divergent-Cover

 I want to start out by thinking Blog of Erised for hosting such a fun challenge.

Last month, I figured out that my challenge count was a bit inaccurate. I was only counting the dystopians I’d read and reviewed, leaving out the ones I hadn’t done a post for yet. According to the rules, all read books count so this month we will see a rather larger jump in my overall score. :-)

This month, I finish the following dystopians:

 A total of 6 – add that to the 19 books accumulated as of last month and we end up with:

 The Official Tally:

25/24

Level 4: Leader!

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Yay – challenge met!

What dystopians did you read this month?

by Niki Hawkes

Nov 26 2013
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Coming Soon: False Future by Dan Krokos

False futureTitle: False Future

Author: Dan Krokos

Series: False Memory #3

Genre: Teen Fantasy

Release Date: August 19, 2014

The Overview: True Earth has returned during a massive snowstorm in Manhattan-and this time they have an army. Rhys, Noble, Sophia, and Peter know they don’t stand a chance against the enemy without Miranda. And once they revive her, she’s horrified to find her world in flames. The enemy occupation is brutal, but the director promises to release her hold on the city if Mr. East is turned in, and Miranda and her team are determined to find him. With her grief over the losses she has suffered fueling her spirit, Miranda knows that this time the sacrifices have to be worth it.

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Hosted by Breaking the Spine

I know I said in my review of False Sight that I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue on with the series, but in the last few weeks I’ve found myself dwelling on the last book’s ending and wondering where Krokos is going to take it next. Because it stuck with me, I decided that not only am I going to read the conclusion, but I’m also kind of looking forward to it. It’s amazing what a few weeks distance and perspective can do for you. The trouble is, I have a long wait ahead of me now.

What book are you waiting on?

Nov 23 2013
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Book Review: Alienated by Melissa Landers

AlienatedTitle: Alienated

Author: Melissa Landers

Series: Alienated #1

Genre: Teen Science Fiction

Release Dates: February 4, 2014

Rating: 5/5 stars!

The Overview: Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.  Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

Alienated

The Review:

Even though I read this one as an ARC (thank you Netgalley), I liked it enough to preorder a hardcover copy for my collection. It was such a great read that the only thing I’m disappointed with is the fact that I have to wait more than a year to find out what happens next.

The premise for the story is what won me over right away. Just imagine if Rory Gilmore was picked to house an alien exchange student. Landers managed to find the perfect balance between sci-fi detail and high school drama. A concept like that could be quite silly if not done right, but luckily Alienated was presented perfectly. Furthermore, you could see within the first twenty pages how talented and thoughtful the author was. Certain elements that you see in other books were always taken one step further, elevating the story above the rest. So all these components were already adding up to a fantastic book then she goes and adds a dual perspective from the alien’s POV and I was in love!

The contrasting viewpoints between the two characters are really what made the novel special for me. They were both relatable characters with compelling motives. Cara, was an overachieving “attack everything with gusto” kind of girl, and it was fun to watch her perfectly structured world adjust to one surprise after another. Aelyx, on the other hand, was burdened with responsibility to do right by his people. He honestly would’ve been interesting to read about all on his own. I’ve read a few aliens-come-to-Earth novels where the aliens come across as a little stupid because they don’t always understand what’s going on. Aelyx, while not familiar with all the customs of the earth caught on to social cues quickly and came across as anything but stupid. It was something I really appreciated because it’s difficult to have a crush-worthy character that can’t hold his own in difficult situation. For both characters, it was a great emotional journey, with loads of internal conflict driving both of their actions. The funnest part of the book was watching them muster the strength and bravery to overcome those conflicts.

Overall, this is yet another contender for my favorite book of the year. We got to learn more about a fascinating alien culture while simultaneously appreciating the oddities of our own… It was a ball! This is one of the first teen science fictions I’ve read, and I have to say I’m loving this new trend. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series – I have a feeling it’s only going to get better from here!

Recommended Reading: for people who are interested in science fiction novels but are too intimidated by their length and technical jargon. It is also fabulous for anyone wanting a fun read with a delightful love story! I will be hand-selling this one to anyone who will listen when it comes out.

Other books you might like:

by Niki Hawkes

Nov 19 2013
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Coming Soon: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Silver shadowsTitle: Silver Shadows

Author: Richelle Mead

Series: Bloodlines #5

Genre: Teen Paranormal Romance

Release Date: July 29, 2014

The Overview: In The Fiery Heart, Sydney risked everything to follow her gut, walking a dangerous line to keep her feelings hidden from the Alchemists. Now in the aftermath of an event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and Adrian struggle to pick up the pieces and find their way back to each other. But first, they have to survive. 

For Sydney, trapped and surrounded by adversaries, life becomes a daily struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian clings to hope in the face of those who tell him Sydney is a lost cause, but the battle proves daunting as old demons and new temptations begin to seize hold of him. . . . Their worst fears now a chilling reality, Sydney and Adrian face their darkest hour in this heart-pounding fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where all bets are off.

Silver shadows

 Hosted by Breaking the Spine

I haven’t even had a chance to pick up Fiery Hearts yet, but I can already tell you I’m eagerly waiting on the next book. Richelle Mead is my favorite author and this is about the point in the series where things start to snowball. All I have to say is, thank goodness she’s releasing them semiannually!

Update: I’ve since finished Fiery Hearts and OMG! it was amazing! Bloodlines is shaping up to be even better than Vampire Academy, and thats saying something! Silver Shadows can’t come out too soon!!!

 What book are you waiting on?

by Niki Hawkes