"I knew, perhaps with more certainty than I knew anything else, that this was a good man."
image from goodreads.com
This is a fun new dystopian series that reminds me of the Birthmarked series by Caragh O'Brien.
Maybe not my favorite but you should check it out if you're a fan of "end-of-the-world-books." I would recommend Unwind by Neil Shusterman, Divergent by Veronica Roth, or Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien instead.
From the publisher: The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.
Wow! This was a fantastic book! I have to admit that I was a little wary of reading another love-triangle book but this one was totally unique and intriguing to the very end. The Madman's Daughter has it all: a fabulous cover, fascinating characters, secrets and mysteries that are revealed at exactly the right time. I'm so surprised that this is Megan Sheperd's first novel...it's excellent!
Supposedly, this book is the beginning of a trilogy. Don't be deterred...this book is awesome as a stand-alone. I didn't feel the least bit like I was left hanging. Although, I'm stoked to read more about Juliet's adventures!
If you like mysteries, horror, romance, historical fiction, action, or adventure...this is the book for you. There is a little bit of steamy romance but less skin than you see on prime-time tv. I would recommend this book for sixth grade to adult...totally a fabulous read!
From the publisher: Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.
Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.
Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.
Watch the trailer!
video from youtube.com
So sorry! I've been behind in reviewing books! I've got a few to share now...so stay tuned for several awesome reads over the next few days! It is springtime, after all, and love is in the air...love of reading that is! ~Arielle
Sheperd, Megan. The Madman's Daughter. Balzer and Bray, 2013. Print. ISBN:9780062128027 Hardcover. U.S. $17.99
Because It Is My Blood Gabrielle Zevin Arielle's Recommendation: This is an awesome continuation of Anya's story. Now that she's out of Liberty for the second time Anya's ready to stay on the straight and narrow. Staying out of trouble isn't easy when you're the next in command of the Balachine Chocolate Family. This was an excellent addition to the series. Great for readers looking for romance, adventure, and dystopian settings! Perfect for readers seventh grade and up.
Anya is torn between accepting her birthright and following her heart
--from the cover--
Image from amespubliclibrary.com
All These Things I've Done
by Gabrielle Zevin
First in the Birthright series
Anya is a powerful, no-nonsense character and, at the same time, she's a completely realistic 16-year-old. Not a lot is recognizable about New York City in the 2080s. Everything from water to chocolate, paper to coffee has been taxed, limited, and banned. Anya stands between her desires to honor her father's legacy (the former head of the chocolate mafia) and protect her brother and sister and rise above a life of violence and crime. This is a gripping, fast-paced story. Drama, intrigue, and romance combine with Anya's wonderfully unique humor and well-developed voice. Great read!
Video from youtube.com
Arielle's Recommendation: Every school and public library should make a place on their shelves for this fantastic book. There are zero instances of questionable language and the few mentions of sex are respectful and mature. Recommend this book to dystopian fans as well as realistic fiction and romance lovers. 7th grade and up.
Don't miss the brand new second book in the series:
Image from barnesandnoble.com
Zevin, Gabrielle. All These Things I've Done. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011. Print. ISBN: 9780374302108 Pages: 354 Hardbound U.S. $16.99
Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn’t Know. 2001. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers, 2003. Print. ISBN: 0780689855535 Pages: 259
Paperback US $7.99
Awards
A Booklist Editors’ Choice 2001
An ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2002
An ALA Top 100 Most Banned Books of the Decade 2000–2010
An ALA Top Ten Most Challenged Books 2004 and 2005
Iowa Teen Book Award 2005–2006
Michigan Thumbs Up Award Honor Book 2002
International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice 2003
VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers 2003
Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award: YA Recommended Title 2003–2004
New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age 2002, 2003, and 2004
Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice 2003–2004
Junior Library Guild selection
Volunteer State Book Award (TN) Nominee2004–2005
Utah Children's Choice Beehive Award Nominee 2003–2004
Garden State Teen Book Award (NJ) Nominee 2003–2004
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee 2004
Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee 2004
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee 2003–2004
Missouri Gateway Reader's Choice Award for Teens Nominee 2003–2004
Wyoming Library Association Soaring Eagle Book Award Nominee 2003–2004
Sophie falls in love, then out of it, then back in again in this fast-paced, novel-in-verse. She tries to juggle her boy problems, with her friend problems, and her home problems without falling apart and, in the end, succeeds.
A celebrated Banned Book...you'll have to read it to find out why!
Image from boone.lib.ia.us
Snap and Read:
What My Mother Doesn't Know
by Sonya Sones
Sophie
loves, loves, loves Lou until he breaks up with her. Then she loves, loves,
loves Dylan. Dylan calls her Sapphire, has smoldery dark eyes, and everything
else seems to fade away when they’re together. But if things with Dylan are so
perfect, why does she always find herself thinking about kissing Murphy, the
super geek? And why is she so excited for her evening IM chats with Chaz? And
who is the romantic masked man that swept her off her feet at the Halloween
dance?!?
"A verse experience that will leave readers sighing with recognition and satisfaction." Kirkus Reviews
"Honest...destined to captivate." Publishers Weekly
"Brilliant." KLIATT
Arielle's Recommendation:What My Mother Doesn’t Know rings true to the female, teenage experience. I should know, I've been there and made it out alive. Humor, quick chapters, and intriguing characters make this a necessary addition to school and public library teen collections. Plus the verse style is currently very popular and a great way to encourage reluctant readers. Recommend this book to readers of Louise Rennison and Meg Cabot in 7th grade and older. There is a wonderful poem involving nipples that, while fantastically humorous and insightful, may not be appropriate for younger readers.
Image from sonyasones.com
Don't miss the surprise at the bottom of the pages! Click here to read about Sones' inspiration!
Meyer, Marissa. Cinder. New York, NY: Feiwel and Friends, 2012. Print. ISBN: 9780312641894 Pages: 390 Hardbound US $17.99
Awards/ Honors
Goodreads & Facebook Top Summer Reads List 2012
Publisher’s Weekly Summer Reading Round-Up and Starred Review 2012
YALSA’s Top Ten List Nominee 2012
New York Times Bestseller List 2012
Examiner.com: Most-anticipated 2012 YA Dystopian Books for fans of The Hunger Games
Annotation: A
distant future where incredible technological advancements are contrasted with
rampant plague. Cinder the Cyborg plays the title character in an
innovative science fiction retelling of Cinderella.
Image from boone.lib.ia.us
Open End: Cinderby Marissa Meyer
What
if Prince Kai asked her to dance just to be polite? Cinder’s daydreams of
romance and royalty are short lived. Cyborgs don’t attend balls and they
certainly don’t get to dance with the Crown Prince of the Eastern Commonwealth.
In a distant future in which cyborgs are less than second class citizens,
Cinder has earned recognition as the best mechanic in New Beijing. Despite her
status, Prince Kai finds his way to her repair stand. Little does he know, he
needs her help with more than simple robot-repair. But the question remains,
what if he asked her to dance?
“Author Marissa Meyer rocks the fractured fairy tale genre with a sci-fi twist on Cinderella.” The Seattle Times
"Cinder is loads of fun—mostly due to seeing a familiar story play out in a new setting, but Cinder herself is also a tough, smart, mouthy, resourceful heroine, so spending almost 400 pages with her is completely enjoyable—and I'm totally, totally looking forward to the next one in the series."Bookshelves of Doom "Terrific." Los Angeles Times "Debut author Meyer ingeniously incorporates key elements of the fairy tale into this first series entry." Horn Book Magazine
“What they [readers] do not know until they begin turning the pages of this fable-turned-dystopian-science-fiction novel, is that Meyer’s embellishments create a spellbinding story of their own.” VOYA "First in the Lunar Chronicles series, this futuristic twist on Cinderella retains just enough of the original that readers will enjoy spotting the subtle similarities. But debut author Meyer’s brilliance is in sending the story into an entirely new, utterly thrilling dimension. Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Don't miss Marissa Meyer'ssuper sweet websitefor tour dates, book updats, fan fiction and art and lots of other super cool stuff!
Block, Francesca Lia. The Frenzy. 2010. New York, NY: Harper Teen. Print. ISBN: 9780061926662 258 pages Hardbound US $16.99
Awards: None yet!
Annotation: Liv is a normal teenage girl, she has boy problems, parent problems, and school problems. When she discovers that she's been a paranormal creature her problems become suddenly more pressing.
The Frenzy
by Francesca Lia Block
The terrible but wonderful thing that happened when Liv was thirteen was mysterious, terrifying, and unexplainable; it was Liv’s first experience with The Frenzy.
“I swept my rough tongue gingerly over my arm. But it wasn’t an arm anymore. The hair tickled my mouth. I wasn’t entirely myself and yet I wasn’t all that different. I wished there was a mirror so I could see, but part of me didn’t want to.”
Liv is dealing with the typical problems of life. She pretends to be her best friend’s girl so his parents don’t catch on that he likes boys. She’s hiding her own boyfriend, Cory, because she doesn’t think her parents will approve of him. Oh, and, when there’s a full moon The Frenzy takes over and she has an uncontrollable urge to rip off her clothes and go running savagely in the woods. Things are spinning out of control for Liv and her story will keep you riveted until the very last page.
Check out Francesca Lia Block reading the first chapter!
video from youtube.com
Praise for The Frenzy
“A passionate, dreamy, brief paranormal, with a breath-of-fresh-air monstrous heroine and enjoyably surreal set dressing.” (Kirkus )
“Block puts her own spin on werewolves in this romantic thriller.” (The Horn Book )
“A true original…[Block] has created something psychologically complex, erotically charged, and unusually poignant.” (Booklist (starred review) )
“I love the lush, melancholy world of this novel, and its heroine, with her century of secrets.” (Claudia Gray, New York Times bestselling author of Evernight )
“Will be gobbled like candy by teen readers.” (The Horn Book )
“With her characteristic flair and seductive prose, Block makes this tangled story of betrayal and love a standout. Sensuous and heartbreaking, sure to both satisfy and challenge fans of the supernatural romance.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books )
Klause, Annette Curtis. The Silver Kiss. 1990. New York: Delacorte Press, 2009. Print. ISBN: 9780375857829 Paperback. Pages: 256 U.S. $8.99
Awards:Locus Poll Award Best First Novel 1991
Annotation:A love story like no other, The Silver Kiss brings together Zoe, overwhelmed by grief and anger, and Simon, undead and thirsting for human blood, revenge and understanding.
Wrap back to the title: The Silver Kissby Annette Curtis Klause
Zoe’s mother has been in and out of the hospital and this time it seems like the cancer will be keeping her confined for good. Besides the understandable grief and sorrow, Zoe is struggling with some less recognizable emotions. She’s hurt that her father is shutting her out; she’s angry that her best friend seems more concerned with shopping and boys; and she’s not sure how she feels that her mother won’t talk to her about her impending death. To make matters worse, there is a killer hiding in her small town. When it seems like Zoe has no one to turn to she meets beautiful, mysterious, Simon and he seems to understand her pain and rage. When Simon reveals his supernatural nature Zoe rethinks her decision to trust him. Together, however, Zoe and Simon make peace with their pain, accept death as a natural part of life, and bring justice to the mysterious murderer. Stronger together, with their love to bind them, Zoe and Simon discover the power of, The Silver Kiss.
Also in this version are the short stories The Summer of Love and The Christmas Cat.
"Strangely persuasive...at once a grisly and graphic tale of monstrous death and a sweet and compelling story of love."
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