Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Title: Starters 
Author: Lissa Price 
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Sci-fi 
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars 

Taken from Goodreads, "Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.


He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . ."


'Starters' had a lot of hype attached to it. It was being toted as the the next 'big' thing. Admittedly, I may have bought into that hype a bit, because I expected a little more than I got with this novel, 'Starters'. The concept is pretty cool-- the idea that people 'rent' bodies or lifestyles is intriguing and something I wouldn't put past people actually doing if the technology were really there.

As far as pro's, I liked the characters. Callie seemed like your typical 'protector' type. The book is told from her perspective and, while it does get a bit tiring being 'in her head' for so long, she's a pretty good lead character. Her supporting characters, enders in borrowed bodies, were, surprisingly great characters. With the first third of the book taking place in Callie's head, these supporting characters were totally welcome, in my opinion! The 'love interest', Blake, turned out to be pretty shallow in terms of characterization, but I think that might have something to do with the twist revealed later in the novel.

Despite the characters, I found issue with a few things in 'Starters'. While I finished the book pretty quickly, I found myself thinking 'where is this story going and when will we get there' a lot more than usual. The storytelling stalled a bit there in the middle, but thankfully picked up towards the end to a good conclusion with a surprising twist. The other con, I'd have to say, dealt with the world and history. I get that there was a war and that a large chunk of the middle aged population died, but everything else was a bit fuzzy. For example, why do people live so long in her society? The enders aren't just in their 80's or 90's, but in their hundreds. Also, it seemed like the world went downhill pretty quickly after this spore war, which I don't find completely believable.

All in all, 'Starters' was a decent novel with a good concept and some interesting characters, but fell short a bit. Was it a good enough novel for me to continue on with the series? I think so. Would I recommend it to others looking for a dystopian tale? Again, I think so. 'Starters' receives 3 out of 5 stars and is available everywhere books are sold.

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: YA, Fairy tale, Steampunk, Scifi, Romance
Perfect for: a lazy afternoon
Star Rating: 3/5 stars

Borrowed from 'Goodreads', "Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future."


With loads of five star reviews, I expected a twinge more from 'Cinder'.  There are many points in which I'll give it credit.  As far as putting an original twist on a handful of popular fairy tales?  Author Marissa Meyer gets a gold star.  I loved the almost steampunk elements of Cinder's society and Cinder's own human/cyborg nature.  The world in which 'Cinder' was set was different enough for me to be intrigued by, while not making me terribly confused.


The cover art?  Love it.  That and the title are the reason I decided to read this novel.  


'Cinder' is a mixture of fairy tales.  Not just inspired by Cinderella, it also takes elements from other popular tales, which (without going into spoiler territory) make the story slightly more predictable than I would have liked.  I'd be lying if I said I hadn't figured out the story arc (even the 'surprise' elements) pretty early on.  


What saved the story, in my opinion, were the characters.  As a character, I latched onto Cinder right away.  I found her sarcasm amusing and character arc worthwhile enough to keep on reading, even though I had the story figured out. The good doctor, the Da Vinci of the novel (if I were to relate this to the movie 'Ever After'), was also quite endearing.  I liked him from the get go and look forward to seeing more of him in later installments.


Which brings me to my final point about this novel... It is the beginning of a series and you will know that by the time you get to the ending.  This book had one of those love/hate 'non endings'.  There was an almost ending, but then, boom, us readers are hit with something that takes the story in a complete 180, and then the book is over, leaving us waiting for book 2.  I see the strategy, but wish there had been a more solid ending in place.  Just a little more of a bow would have been great.


'Cinder' is a steampunky fairy tale that will, at the very least, help you get through a rainy or snowy day.  It gets 3 out of 5 stars.

Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave
Author: Ann Aguirre
Genre: YA, dystopian, romance, sci-fi
Perfect for: dystopian readers (especially those that enjoyed 'Birthmarked'!)
Star Rating: 4/5 stars

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

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

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

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


Wow, a lengthy description for this novel. Here's what you really need to know: while this is great dystopian, do not read it expecting 'The Hunger Games'. It has a similar feeling, but the characters and environment are are quite different. Don't ruin this great novel by expecting 'The Hunger Games'. To be honest, I found this novel more like 'Birthmarked' or (to a lesser extent) 'Matched' in terms of storytelling than 'The Hunger Games'.


Now, onto 'Enclave'... I really like 'Enclave'. It is good dystopian and comes highly recommended! If it's not on your 'to-read' list and you like well done dystopian, then you should add this to your list! 'Enclave' is the beginning of a trilogy and will leave you wanting more!


What do I love about this novel? To begin with, the world is easy to settle into. It clearly separates itself from other dystopian titles. Main characters Deuce and Fade are likable and their relationship is believable, never crossing into 'sappy' territory! The secondary characters are characterized in a way where you really do form connections to them and care about their well-being.


Ann Aguirre knows how to tell a story. 'Enclave' doesn't follow the story you'd expect it to. Midway through it takes a turn that introduces (the before mentioned) great secondary characters and poses intriguing questions. And the ending? Well, it really shows you that the saga for Fade, Deuce, and the others is only just beginning.


All in all, 'Enclave' is a novel you want to check out. I think you'll enjoy it!  'Enclave' gets 4 out of 5 stars!

Review: The Lens and the Looker by Lory S. Kaufman

Title: The Lens and the Looker
Author: Lory S. Kaufman
Genre: YA, Juvi, Sci-fi
Perfect for: readers of time travel sci-fi and books that take place in Italy
Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Taken from Goodreads, "THERE'S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, 
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PAST?

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history."

I'm a sucker for a good time travel story, especially when it deals with Italy or Italy like settings.  'The Lens and the Looker' is a solid read that is definitely something to consider if you are in the mood for a time traveling adventure aimed at Juvi/YA audiences.

The good bits?  The characters, for one thing.  Both main and secondary, the characters in 'The Lens and the Looker'  are likable, entertaining, and have purpose.  Author Lory S. Kaufman created noticeable character growth between the first and last page-- something that isn't always found in many juvi/ya books!

As mentioned before, the setting does not disappoint.  Kaufman's descriptions of Verona and Italy in general are done well.  Having been to Italy, I know a bit about the rich, vastness that is the beautiful country and Kaufman's descriptions rang true to me!

I don't know if I would consider this 'dystopian', but it is clearly sci-fi due to the time travel element and Genie.  The main concept is dystopian and the idea of History Camps is quite interesting  but once they skip to the time traveling, it goes straight to sci-fi.

My main issue with 'The Lens and the Looker' is the writing style.  My own personal reading preferences lead towards books that don't carry a lot of long descriptive paragraphs with dialogue between each one.  I like quick dialogue and quick descriptive lines that keep the action moving and give just the right amount of description.  'The Lens and the Looker' has good dialogue, but the long descriptions made me jump a bit, sometimes missing important details.  Course, some people love long descriptions (like Tolkien readers!), but me, not so much. 

All things considered, 'The Lens and the Looker' is a good read.  If you are in the mood for time travel and don't mind slightly too long descriptive passages, this is something you may want to consider!  'The Lens and the Looker' gets 3 out of 5 stars!

Review: Tomorrow's Guardian by Richard Denning

Title: Tomorrow's Guardian

Author: Richard Denning

Genre: Juvi, Sci-fi, Action, Adventure

Perfect for: reluctant readers who love time travel tales mixed with a bit of history

Star Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Taken from Goodreads, "When schoolboy Tom Oakley discovers he can transport himself through time, he draws the attention of evil men who seek to bend history to their will. 'Tomorrow's Guardian' is the 1st book of the Hourglass Institute Series. It is a Young Adult Science Fiction adventure."

I have a soft spot for time travel stories. There's just something about them that I've always enjoyed, whether it be traveling through flumes with Bobby Pendragon or traveling through time and space in a TARDIS, I've just always liked them. That being said, I enjoyed reading 'Tomorrow's Guardian' by Richard Denning. It has a good mix of adventure, history, and comradery and should catch the eye of the pickiest readers-- young, pre-teen boys-- while still being a fun read for other sci-fi buffs.

If you're a stickler about writing styles, then I have to warn you. While Denning is a fine writer, it gets a bit 'blocky' in places. For example, there are certain pages that are filled with monologues of text or that have a great deal of description that we really don't need as readers. 


Aside from that minor issue, however, his dialogue was spot on. There are a handful of instances where you will find yourself laughing or at least smirking at the characters interaction, especially when it comes to my personal favorite character- Septimus Mason.

Speaking of Septimus, it's hard to believe that characters so drastically different could work so well together on paper, but they do! Denning has a wide range of ages spread throughout his novel. For example, main character Tom is an 11 year old English boy who wants nothing more than to be normal. Septimus Mason, the Han Solo of the novel, is a quick witted Welshman in his mid twenties (and my favorite character).  Then we have the three heroes taken out of their time, two military men who fought in very different wars and a maid who started a great historical fire. Their ages vary, but even so, they all get along so well on paper! I don't remember a scene where it seemed odd that 11 year old Thomas was hanging around with people who were far older than him. Of course, this could have to do with the fact that Thomas reads older than he is and as he learns more about his destiny, he steps up and takes the lead.

One thing I have to point out is that this novel is written by a European author.  There are some terms and phrases that those outside of Europe may not understand.  If you are like me and watch a lot of BBC shows, then these references shouldn't phase you.  Younger readers or those who don't partake in the fantastic entertainment coming from the BBC might want to keep Google handy for some terms that pop up in this novel.

As opposed to time traveling through made up worlds, the majority of the time travel that takes place in 'Tomorrow's Guardian' is done to historical venues. We see a battle between the Brits and the Zulu's, a sea battle set during World War II, and even the great London fire. I enjoyed the variety of the various historical locations, even if I didn't know a lot about some of the battles witnessed by Thomas and the gang.  Where will Thomas go in future books? We can only imagine!

'Tomorrow's Guardian' is best suited to a reader looking for an action packed time travel adventure. It's not something I'd recommend to older teens unless they are into sci-fi or time travel, but if you're looking for a good read for a pre-teen or tween-- keep this in mind!  The action elements are attention grabbing, the characters are people I'd love to be friends with, and overall, this time travel romp is just plain fun to read!  This book gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me!

You can grab a copy of 'Tomorrow's Guardian' on Amazon.com.  And don't forget to check out the author interview and fantasy cast posts for this book!  

Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Genre: YA, Sci-fi, slight Romance
Perfect for: Sci-fi fans who don't mind a touch of romance
Star Rating: 3.5/5

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

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

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


Writing a space age sci-fi novel in a time when all the rage is supernaturals is a brave thing. It could be hit or miss. Thankfully, in the case of 'Across the Universe', it's a hit. Or nearly a hit, earning 3.5 stars from this little blogger.


I found things in the book I liked and other things I didn't. Though, to be honest, most of my grievances with 'Across the Universe' may come down more to taste than actual problems with the text. 'Across the Universe' is compelling. Helped along by short chapters and changing perspectives, I found it quite easy to immerse myself in this book. I devoured half the book in one sitting and finished it the next day.


What I liked about the novel changed a bit from opening the first page and closing on the last. I liked the idea Revis was going for because it's not commonly done in YA lit. The way the chapters weaved together was great, as well. Each little chapter from main character Amy's perspective gave us a nice idea of how 'new' the ship was and each little chapter from male lead Elder helped us understand the society. It made the idea behind the ship and the society itself a little easier to understand. (As a note, if you find yourself confused with what the ship looks like, turn your cover inside out-- there's a diagram. I wish I had known about it sooner because I was a bit confused about where things were located on the ship until I pulled out that darn map!)


Characters Amy and Elder were unique and engaging characters to read. My favorite character, however, was Harley, Elder's friend and Amy's companion during her days in the Ward. If ever she does write another book in this universe, Revis may want to consider a companion piece in Harley's point of view.  I wish I could say that I was surprised when it came to who the bad guys were, but I had it figured out half way through.  Even so, the main characters kept me interested.


If I had to compare this book to another popular series, it would be the 'Hunger Games' trilogy. This isn't exactly a 'happy' book. It's very low key in terms of joy and humor-filled banter. It's not something you'll finish with a sappy grin on your face. Towards the end, some really hardcore secrets are revealed that leave you (or at least me) thinking 'what?!'. That, honestly, is my only problem with the book. I wish we were given a happier ending. I'm actually a bit concerned about the characters futures... And I don't like being concerned about characters well being, especially when it seems like the book is a stand-alone.


'Across the Universe' is on store shelves now! While I don't think it is a book that will please those who don't usually enjoy Sci-fi, it is a good read. In my opinion, it gets 3.5 stars.


Now, I want to know your take on this book. Did you like the ending? Do you think it's a stand-alone novel? Do you think it will please non sci-fi readers? Comment!


EDIT: Forgot to mention the romance.  As pointed out by readers of the blog, the series has been put down when it comes to the romantic entanglements.  I read this book with the idea of it being more sci-fi than romance, so it didn't even occur to me to mention it in my review, but be warned that this is more based in sci-fi than teenage romance, angst, etc.  Again, it's very similar to 'Hunger Games' in that respect.  Actually, the romantic storyline is one of the reasons why I am concerned about the characters post the final chapter!

Review: Wired by Robin Wasserman

Title: Wired
Author: Roin Wasserman
Genre: YA, Sci-fi
Perfect for: Well, anyone who wants to read the conclusion of the trilogy
Star Rating: 2/5 stars

Lia Kahn is a mech-- a machine with memories and feelings of the deceased Lia Kahn. 'Wired' is the third book in a trilogy that follows her, her family, and mech friends as they learn if peace can really be had between orgs and mechs.

Okay, folks, if the 2/5 star rating didn't tell you, I'm not a fan of 'Wired'. I was on board with her first two titles and typically recommend them for those looking for good sci-fi. This book, however, not so much. There are low points and very few high points in 'Wired'.

Let's start with the high points, shall we? 'Wired' showcased a lot of Zo, Lia's 'org' sister. We've seen the relationship crumble in the earlier books and it was nice to see the sisters rebuild their bonds. Their banter back and forth was cute, especially when Jude was involved.

Jude is the other high point of the novel, and for no other reason than I've always found him a bit intriguing. He's the Han Solo character who you have to root for, even if he's a scoundrel.

Now onto the shortcomings... And boy were there shortcomings! The main problem is the writing. Lia's voice has always been a bit hard to follow, but this was way worse. Conversations were hard to follow and action was just confusing. So many new plot elements were introduced, only to be left open-ended and unfinished.

Even the main story of this novel and this series was pretty poorly executed. I understand cliff hanger endings when you're reading the first or second book in a trilogy, but if you are finishing the story, never visiting that world again, why not at least resolve the main storyline? Preferably in a way that isn't completely confusing to the reader. I kid you not, I had a lot of trouble following the last few chapters. I still don't know what exactly happened to Lia. If you have any idea's, please leave them here, because I'd like to know.

This whole novel rubbed me the wrong way. I expected something that would wrap up Lia's story, but got a whole lot of crazy plot lines and no real conclusion. It felt a lot like the third book in a four book series.

I would NOT recommend this unless you have read the first two books and feel you need to finish the series. And what does that mean for me recommending the series to new readers? I don't know. Maybe I still will, maybe I won't. I really hope Wasserman is considering writing a companion following two specific characters (you'll know who if you read 'Wired') and left this book without much conclusion because of that.  Even as I think about that, though, I might be hard pressed to pick up another novel in this series...

This book was just highly disappointing.

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Genre: YA, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, romance
Format: ARC
Release Date: November 2010
Perfect for:  those looking to read about an interesting world with mind-boggling practices in place

In this dystopian society, love is not a spur of the moment thing.  You are 'matched' with your perfect mate via a video screen during a grand ceremony.   Cassia has always followed and believed in what the Society has wanted her to do, until she puts in her data card with her match information and sees not one, but two faces.  She knows her original match, her best friend Xander, would give her the life she's always dreamed off, but Ky...  Ky could give her so much more.  Faced with decisions she never thought she'd have to face, Cassia uncovers secrets about her Society that make her question not just matching but their practices as a whole.

Oh, 'Matched'...  How I loved reading thee.  Seriously, I loved the mysterious society Ally Condie created in 'Matched'.  'Matched' has a good mix of romance, quirky dialogue, and mystery. The Society is an intriguing thing to read about.  I found it really easy to slip into Condie's future.  I was never confused about the goings on and never felt like her world was 'too' futuristic.  Just like baby bears porridge, this story set up is just right.

As for characters, I loved them.  They're likable and fleshed out.  Cassia, in particular, has a unique perspective and is a great narrator.  Some heroines come off as selfish when dealing with love triangles, but that is not the case with Cassia.  You can see via her narration that she isn't using either boy.  She clearly can see a future with each.  Until she finds she must choose one or the other.

Xander is your typical boy next door, dependable as ever, sort of guy.  He could be considered stereotypical of other boy next door characters, but is one step above, I think.

Ky, well, first off, I love his name.  Condie has a great sense for naming characters.  Ky totally lives up to his name.  Just like Cassia, I looked forward to scenes with Ky.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for guys with good names and a mysterious past!  And Cassia's grandfather, the Obi-Wan of the story, I loved the role he played, as well.  Condie did a great job at creating characters who you actually care for.

'Matched' is the first book in a series and officially comes out November 2010.  There are cliff hangers-- big ones.  It's a great book for those who are sick of supernatural romances or who loved books like 'Birth Marked' or 'The Eternal Ones'.  I predict 'Matched' will gather a fan following very quickly!  (Actually, it already has from the stuff I've seen on other sites!)  Take a look at 'Matched'!  It's highly recommended!

Quick Review: Outcast (Fate of the Jedi, Book 1) By Aaron Allston

Title: Outcast
Author: Aaron Allston
Genre: Star Wars, Sci-fi
Perfect for: fans of the old star wars books, before NJO

My expectations were low for 'Outcast', but I must say it wasn't as bad as expected. I loved the 'fun' nature of it, even if the stories were a bit hard to believe at first. I'd read this over LotF or NJO any day. Allston did good on this-- and made me laugh quite a bit when it came to characters quips! The character of Jaina was more readable than she's been in quite a while!

Characters were left out, including Tenal Ka, Zekk, and Lowbacca, but we did get to see Lando/family and ex-babysitter Winter.

Dare I say-- I might continue the series! Regardless of the hard to believe storylines and the post-Jacen world, Allston set up a fun read that felt similar to old school Star Wars EU titles.

Review: Birth Marked by Caragh M. O'Brien

Title: Birth Marked
Author:  Caragh M. O'Brien
Genre: YA, Post Apocalyptic, sci-fi, romance
Perfect for: Fans of raw sci-fi like Hunger Games or Enders Game

Gaia, a sixteen year old midwife from behind the wall, never thought anything about the birthing law demanding that the first three babies delivered a month were to be taken to be 'advanced' inside the wall.  Advanced babies were to grow up in much better conditions than those behind the wall so there was no need to fear for their safety.  When her mother and father are taken captive by the government, accused of treason, Gaia has to make a decision that will change her life forever. Adding to her discomfort is something Old Meg, a family friend, gave her. Something her mother wanted kept hidden.  Does she stay and take over her mothers midwifery, or does she save her parents even if it means venturing into the unknown?

What a surprise!  I really enjoyed this book.  There were some faults, but overall, it was a great read.  Starting off with the characters...  'Birth Marked' has a small cast of characters, but a good cast of cast of characters.  The novel is told from Gaia's point of view.  With a face half scarred by a child hood incident, Gaia is considered a 'freak' by most in her village, but is liked, nonetheless, for her talent of delivering babies.  She is an interesting mix of shyness, sarcasm, and strength.  While some find this unbelievable, I don't mind.  She actually kind of reminds me of myself.  Shy and quite from a strangers perspective, but sarcastic and goofy to friends.

Also among the characters is Leon.  First introduced questioning Gaia about her family, he turns into a character you have to wonder about.  He has many mysteries about him and, even with this rude introduction, I really liked his character.  Leon and Gaia, well, I found them cute together, regardless of his background.

When it comes to the story, expect elements to be more raw than your typical book.  Just like 'Hunger Games' or 'Enders Game', 'Birth Marked' has a storyline driven by elements that aren't pretty or common.  The fact that this story starts in a society where babies are taken forcibly from mothers should give you that impression right off the bat.  Later on, as secrets are revealed, we learn that the plot is even more rooted to reality (though I won't mention how as to not spoil you!).  The other thing that is great about the storyline is that it isn't just about a couple in puppy love mode.  Gaia has a task she must complete and sticks to it, letting romance in but not letting it take away her goal.

What I didn't expect from this title was that it was the beginning of a series.  I thought it was going to be a stand-alone.  I was wrong.  The ending is so open ended.  Although I haven't found any information on a sequel, it's necessary..  The plot in this brings up so many questions-- none of which are answered.  I'd be upset if the society portrayed in 'Birth Marked' stayed the some.  Someone needs to change it, preferably in a sequel!

'Birth Marked' is available on store shelves and online.

Forever Favorites: Heirs of the Force by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta

We all have our favorite books, books we can't imagine not reading over and over again.  Here's another one of my 'Forever Favorites’...


Title: Heirs of the Force
Author(s): Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta
Genre: YA, Star Wars, Sci-fi
Perfect for: Star Wars fans young and old

Originally published in 1995, "Heirs of the Force" by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta is another of my 'forever favorites'.  I'm a huge Star Wars fan and of all the expanded universe novels, the Young Jedi Knights series is my favorite.  "Heirs of the Force" is the first in that series.

Fourteen-year-old twins Jaina and Jacen Solo are off to Luke Skywalkers Jedi Academy to be trained by Uncle Luke and other jedi masters in the ways of the Force.  The twins are force sensitive in different ways-- Jaina with mechanics and Jacen with animals. The twins quickly make friends in Lowbacca, Chewie's nephew, and Tenal-Ka, a Hapen warrior.  While practicing in the jungle, the four stumble upon an old Tie Fighter-- and its pilot who's been living in the woods since the crash!  Will the Young Jedi Knights be able to convince the pilot that his ties to the Empire don't matter anymore after all those years of surviving the jungle waiting for his call home?  Read "Heirs of the Force" and find out!

As mentioned above, I love the Young Jedi Knights series and this book is a great introduction to the characters and setting.  You don't have to be a Star Wars wiz to understand the books.  You don't even need to have watched the movies, though it would help!  "Heirs of the Force" is aimed at 10 and up, though younger and older Star Wars fans should enjoy this book and the following eleven books in the Young Jedi Knights series.

All the books, including "Heirs of the Force", have a great mix of action, adventure, humor, and life lessons.   The characters are interesting to read about and the plenty of characters from the movies pop in, as well.  The best part of the Young Jedi Knights series is that they read like a popcorn flick--  nothing you have to think on too much.  All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the adventures the Solo children and their friends find themselves in.  Highly recommended!!!

Review: Crashed by Robin Wasserman

Title: Crashed
Author: Robin Wasserman
Format: Hardcover
Genre: YA, Sci-fi
Perfect For: Older teens who enjoyed 'The Uglies Trilogy'

‘Crashed’, sequel to ‘Skinned’, follows Lia as she continues on her journey to find herself, or rather, her NEW self. As a ‘skinner’ or ‘mech’, Lia has the body of a robot, but memories of her old human life. She was ‘reborn’ by her family after her human self's young death, something we learn all about in the first book of this series, 'Skinned'.

We meet Lia, Jude (the self proclaimed leader), Riley (his friend and lacky), and the other Mech’s living in their own community, away from the ‘orgs’ or humans. When a supposed ‘mech’ attack kills hundreds of ‘orgs’ and the ‘mech’ in question has the same face as Lia, suspicions turn the already unsettled world between ‘mechs’ and ‘orgs’over the edge.

I enjoyed ‘Crashed’ by Robin Wasserman. The trilogy, similar in a sense to The Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, is proving to be a unique take on teen sci-fi. ‘Crashed’ has a nice mix of action, romance, and intrigue. While it dragged a bit in the middle and suffers from being the middle book in a trilogy, it kept me entertained and I came away happy to have read it. Is it the best in the series? No. I have to say I enjoyed the first book more than this, but then again, that can be said for many middle books in trilogies like this. Regardless, I’m still looking forward to reading the next installment of the YA Sci-fi series.

Review: Witch & Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

Title: Witch & Wizard
Author: James Patterson, Gabrielle Charbonnet
Format: ARC
Genre: Fantasy, Scifi, Adventure
Perfect for: Fans of Maximum Ride

After siblings Whit and Wisty wake up to armed soldiers breaking down their door, they find themselves on a ride that will change their lives forever and possibly one that might change the world. Told from both Whit and Wisty's point of view, Witch & Wizard follows the two as they discover powers within them that they never knew existed, all while trying to survive the all-powerful 'One That Is The One' that seems to want them out of the picture permanently.

When I write anything, I tend to toss the reader into a situation they know nothing about to grab their attention. Patterson and Charbonnet take that idea to a whole new level with 'Witch & Wizard'. From page one, we find ourselves in the middle of events we don't understand. Essentially, we are as clueless as the main characters, learning the ins and outs of this foreign world just as they do. The style drew me in automatically and made this a roller coaster of a read. Much like Pattersons Maximum Ride series, the chapters are short, making it easy to step away for short breaks.

While I enjoyed the story of Whit and Wisty, I did have one problem with 'Witch & Wizard'. While action is great, I would have loved some back story to go off of while reading. Since this is the first in what looks to be a series, I'm sure we'll get more of it later, but it would have been nice if the reader wasn't left in the dark about everything till the final few chapters.

While I'm not over the moon about this fantasy adventure, I think it's worth checking out if you like action packed titles like 'Maximum Ride' or 'Among the Hidden'. 'Witch & Wizard' will keep you on you on your toes, I'm sure!

Review: Gone by Michael Grant

Title:Gone
Author: Michael Grant
Format: Hardcover
Genre: YA/Sci-fi
Perfect For: Kids 12+


The kids in Perdido Beach didn’t know that the morning they went to school would be the last bit of normalcy they’d experience for a long time. Everything was normal until ‘poof’, everyone over the age of fourteen was gone. Together, the unsure leader Sam, the brainy Astrid, her autistic brother Little Pete, the new boy Edilio, and the scared sidekick Quinn have to unlock the mystery of the strange disappearances and the strange powers kids all over the town are starting to get. They think help has come when the kids from the expensive private school arrive, but soon find out that when everything you know disappears, you can’t trust anyone.

I really enjoyed Gone by Michael Grant. From page one it had me hooked. Anyone who likes action will love this story. Every page turn brings about a new twist that has the reader wanting more. The characters seemed real enough for me, although in some of the situations, I had to remind myself that they were all under fourteen! I liked Little Pete’s character. Although we don’t see everything he can do, I see him doing some great things in possible future books. The story in Gone has a complete beginning, middle, and end, but I warn you now—it’s open ended. You’ll want more.

Overall, I’d recommend Gone to anyone who enjoys a fun sci-fi- end of the world as we know it story. It’s a fun story that really makes you think—what would you do if your world were turned upside down like Sams?

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Format: ARC
Genra: Juvi/Scifi/Social Commentary/mystery
Perfect For: Sci-fi fans 12+, but also might work well for reluctant male readers looking for action and mystery


James Dashner’s The Maze Runner is a solid action packed title sure to please anyone who is a fan of ‘all or nothing’ sort of mysteries and sci-fi. We meet our main character in an elevator with no memories of how he got there. Thomas knows his name, but has no memories of his past, only vague whispers of memory. When the elevator door opens, he finds himself in a world where your main goal is to stay alive. Even more mind boggling is this 'colony' is surrounded by an ever-changing maze filled with creatures that no one wants to mess with.

Though Thomas arrives feeling like many of the other kids who have arrived before him, he soon discovers that he is different. Things that should feel foreign seem familiar and he finds himself drawn to tasks he knows nothing about. The mystery deepens when another person arrives in this strange camp, a girl, with a message that sends the whole makeshift world upside down. The kids need to discover the mysteries of their little world and discover them fast as the maze that surrounds them gets more tricky and dangerous every day.

Admittadly, this novel started out slow for me. The language took a while for me to get into and Thomas, I felt, was in the dark too long. Even with the rough start, however, I did enjoy The Maze Runner and am looking forward to the future titles in this trilogy.

This book has an Intriguing and original storyline that can be classified as not only sci-fi, but social commentary, as well. Many questions are posed in this book and, with a sequel on the horizon, many are left unanswered. Still, what we did get in The Maze Runner makes for a good action packed adventure that is sure to please and have you waiting at the edge of your seat for more.

Review: Star Wars Rebel Force #1- Target

Title: Star Wars Rebel Fore #1- Target
Author: Alex Wheeler
Format: Paperback
Genre: Young Reader/Sci-Fi/Star Wars
Perfect For: Star Wars fans of all ages

After years of depressing EU novels, this is a refreshing breathe of fresh air. Rebel Force: Target by Alex Wheeler is a book I am so happy to have given a shot. This series takes place shortly after A New Hope and stars our heroes Han, Luke, and Leia, along with other favorites. The series is a glimpse of what happened to get the group to get them from A New Hope to The Empire Strikes Back.

In Target, Han, Leia, Luke, and the droids are sent to Muunilinst to gather secret funds that Alderaan housed there. With Alderaan destroyed, they need them and need them soon if they are to deal with the Empire, which is on there tail. But there is an unsuspecting traitor in our heroes mist who only wants to please the Empire.

Target has what you've come to expect from Star Wars EU with out the depressing story lines and character deaths. I suggest that if you are a fan of star wars, young and old, you pick this up. Perfect for the age group it was written for (8 to 12), but also perfect for those adult EU fans who don't want to continue past NJO or LotF and want to feel the sense of escapism they found originally in the SW universe.

Review: The Roar by Emma Clayton

Title: The Roar
Author: Emma Clayton
Format: ARC
Genre: Young Reader/Sci-Fi
Perfect For: Kids 9-14

I'll admit it-- I took my time getting to this book. The cover didn't catch me, nor did the blurb on the back. Months of it hanging over my head, I finally gave in and I'm quite glad I did! This book turned out to be much more than I expected. It was a page turner, despite the lack luster cover.

The story follows Mika, a pre-teen boy who's sister disappeared a year prior and is believed to be dead by everyone but himself, as he finds himself involved in things much larger than he ever expected. Mika lives behind the protective Wall put up fifty years ago to save people from the dreaded and highly televised animal plague. After a new Pod Fighter video game is put up at the local arcade, Mika and his classmates are encouraged to play, as well as take a nutrient drink that is supposed to help them grow big and strong. But for what? That mystery propels this young adult novel. What is behind the wall? What has the government been hiding? What is the purpose of the new 'fit' regime and, most importantly, how do Mika, his sister, and his friends fit into that plan?

I couldn't put this YA novel down and recommend it those who might not be ready for Enders Game, Hunger Games, or The Uglies Trilogy yet, but want something that is fully planted in Science Fiction.

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Format: ARC
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Perfect for: Teens/Adults

The Hunger Games was one of those `can't eat, can't sleep, must finish' kind of books for me, so like many other fans, I could hardly wait to get my hands on Catching Fire, the sequel. I had high expectations and was a little worried about this `middle' book not living up to them. Boy, was I wrong to worry.

Catching Fire surpasses The Hunger Games by a mile. We are brought back to our heroes, Katniss and Peeta, a few months after they won their Hunger Games. If their win had been as past wins were, all they'd need to worry about is getting through the Victory Tour, but unfortunately for them, their journey is not destined to be easy. Before the tour, Katniss learns that the government is mad about the duos actions during the last few minutes of their Hunger Games and is warned that any wrong move will cost not only her, but everyone around her.

What transcends is a novel that truly will surprise you. Collins takes turns that you won't see coming and, trust me, those turns are perfectly executed. Peeta and Katniss are once again joined by a unique group of characters, old and new, in this most recent adventure. Relationships are tested further to the point where, as a reader, you will choose a side. And, again, Collins writes this gruesome reality in a very clean, non-gruesome way.

If you loved The Hunger Games, then I know you don't care if I recommend it or not. You already know to read it, as well you should. This novel is better than is predecessor and highly recommended.