Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Author: Veronica Roth

Title: Allegiant

Publication: October 22, 2013

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 544

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Source: Purchased

Synopsis (from the cover): The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered- fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 
But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature- and of herself- wile facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

My thoughts:
 I finished this book a few days ago. I actually started the book back in October right after it came out, but a friend of mine ruined the ending...so I kind of put it off. I'm also doing that to another series. I hate it when people do that, but I eventually get over it because I get to experience the journey. It's just I know I won't have a raw/true reaction to that event because I'm expecting it. Anyway, I'm really not sure how I feel or what I think about this book. I read some reviews about it, and I think the best one described it as Katy Perry's song, Hot and Cold. I think that perfectly sums it up. 
Unlike some fans of the series, I did enjoy reading the book for the most part. I did not like the varying viewpoints because to me Tris and Tobias were written so much alike, that I would forget whose perspective I was in until another character said something, then I was thinking, "Huh? When did we switch perspectives?" 
Of course, Mrs. Roth has no issues killing off her characters. In a way, I respect authors who want to rip your hearts out, but after a while, I start to detach myself from the book and characters so I'm not hurt every three chapters or so. I think she did an overkill for the series, even though it is a dystopian series, she killed off way too many loveable characters. She killed off one of my favorite characters and I had to stop reading at that point and let myself be angry and upset over it. I'm pretty sure I'm still not over it.
As for the ending, I felt one ending was too abrupt for one character. The other character's ending was a bit fluffy and sugary sweet for my taste. Otherwise, the book was fine. It was a conclusive ending to the trilogy. I honestly liked it. There were a couple of quotes about information and one about love that I wrote down to remember. I can say I like Divergent and Insurgent better, but Allegiant makes an okay ending for the series. What do you think? Were you a lover or hater of Allegiant?

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Audiobook)

Author: Veronica Roth
Narrator: Emma Galvin

Title:Insurgent

Publication: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Length: 11 hours 22 minutes

Pages: 544

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Amazon.com):
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My thoughts:
Wow! I really wish someone had forced me to listen or read this series sooner. Veronica Roth is great at writing dystopian novels. This novel starts off where Divergent left you. This time though, Tris has changed. Her actions and their consequences have left her in pieces. So you watch her deal with her grief. It can be frustrating at times, but grief is such an odd emotion that takes time and patience. In her grief she is also dealing with guilt. I think it made Tris more human. To mull over what she did and how it changed her. Anyone in the same situation would probably do the same. However, the grief and guilt causes a riff between Four and Tris. I think they should just sit down and talk it all out, but with an uprising and possible war in their future, talking about feelings is the last thing on their minds. There is a scene towards the end of the middle (if that makes sense. It is a large book!) and it actually made my heart hurt and my eyes tear up. I think I may have shed a couple of tears. It was such a well written scene and Emma Galvin read it with such emotion that it made me emotional. I hugged my fiance' a little tighter that night. It made me appreciate all that I had a little more. So this dystopian, young adult book really effected me in a way that a book hasn't been able to in a while. This book is full of death, sadness, guilt, and grief. It was harder to read at times with all the emotions, but that is what made it a wonderful read at the same time. Of course, this book also ends on this huge bombshell. I cannot wait for October to roll around because I'm buying the darn book and reading it. I'll listen to it later because I think Miss Galvin is a fantastic narrator, but I need to know what happens next!

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth (Audiobook)

Author: Veronica Roth

Narrator: Emma Galvin
Title:Divergent

Publication: May 3, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult

Pages: 487
Length: 11 hours 11 minutes

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Overdrive Audiobook

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

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . .or it might destroy her.

My thoughts:
I am so late to the Divergent train. My fiance enjoyed book and has tried for a while to get me to start the series. Several of my friends have read it and enjoyed it as well. After seeing the novel is being made into a movie, I had to read it. My fiance read the novel after reading The Hunger Games and told me it was much better than The Hunger Games. I'll be honest and admit I was not the biggest fan of The Hunger Games, but I'm not sure how you could compare this novel to The Hunger Games in a fair manner. The only similarities are the corrupt government (dystopian setting) and how people are separated into different groups. I will also admit this, I did enjoy Divergent much more than The Hunger Games.
Beatrice is your everyday teenager who is trying to find her place in the world that is different from your typical dystopian novel. In this novel, there are factions. I kept trying to decide which faction I would be in while I was reading. As much as I would love to have picked one, they were all corrupt in their own ways and had their flaws. If I had to pick, I think I would be Erudite, I love to learn new things. Anyway, back to the story. The characters are realistic. You have your bully who is Peter, the two true friends who are Christina and Will. Then you have Al, whose role is in a grey area until his place is cemented in the story line. Four is well, I'll leave that for you to find out. There are many different characters who may not seem important, but they all fulfill their roles to the storyline in due time. 
To me, Veronica Roth has created this world and seamlessly tied all the ideas and people together. It is a splendid novel. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was fantastic. Emma Galvin kept my attention and Veronica's story played through my mind as I spent hours in my kitchen cooking, preparing, and cleaning just so I could listen to the next sentence. It took time for me to read it because I've been busy, but once you pick up this book it is hard to put down. I highly recommend it!

 

The Nightmare Garden

Author: Caitlin Kittredge

Narrator: Katie MacNichol
Title: The Nightmare Garden: The Iron Codex Book Two

Publication: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers /Listening Library

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book

Pages: 432
Length: 14 hours and 19 minutes

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from the Amazon.com): Everything Aoife thought she knew about the world was a lie. There is no Necrovirus. And Aoife isn't going to succomb to madness because of a latent strain—she will lose her faculties because she is allergic to iron. Aoife isn't human. She is a changeling—half human and half from the land of Thorn. And time is running out for her.

When Aoife destroyed the Lovecraft engine she released the monsters from the Thorn Lands into the Iron Lands and now she must find a way to seal the gates and reverse the destruction she's ravaged on the world that's about to poison her.

My thoughts:

 My plans were not to continue with the series, but I could not get the characters or the story out of my head. I also accidentally read the cover of the last book in the trilogy, and I just knew I had to read it. After listening to this novel and the first, I have come to the conclusion that the first book is mainly to set the stage and introduce all the characters. This book is mainly action and a lot of truths come out in this one. The evidence behind the truth was always there, but were you clever enough to catch it? I wasn't and at first I was shocked, but when I thought back on the story the little revelations made a lot of sense.
Aoife really steps it up in this book. She is no longer the good, quiet Victorian girl. She is her own woman whether or not others like it. She also makes her own decisions and pays dearly for their consequences, but she is not as naive and is ready to face the challenge. Her brother Conrad is such a jerk in this novel. I'm not sure how she ever looked up to him. Dean is just as charming. Aoife and Conrad's father is now in the picture but he cannot make up for lost time. Plus, Aoife is smart and has already made up her mind.
There are some new characters and they help the action sequences along. I feel like Aoife really steps up to the game and accepts the responsibility for all that she has done and will do. She is such a strong willed character. There is more action in this novel than the first. From the synopsis of the last book, it looks like it will be filled with some action and life or death situations.
 I really enjoy Katie MacNichol's audio performance. If there was ever a movie production of this series, she would have to play Aoife (as well as Dean, Betina, and Conrad, Narissa, etc). She does the narration so well! There is never any confusion of who is speaking when and the voices she does for each individual character has been unique. She is a wonderful narrator and makes this crazy, sci-fi, dystopian, steam punk story an enjoyable story to listen to. I cannot wait to get my hands on the audio version of The Mirrored Shard.

The Iron Thorn, The Iron Codex Book One: Audiobook

Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Narrator: Katie MacNichol

Title: The Iron Thorn, The Iron Codex Book One

Publication: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Ember

Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Steampunk

Length: 13 hours
Pages: 512

Audience: 17 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Goodreads): In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
     Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

My thoughts:
Umm...well...where to begin? I picked this book up and was interested by the cover and synopsis. So here is a quick run down of my reactions to the book. I was excited, I was a little nervous and thought it was weird, then I loved it, then I hated it and wanted it to be over, and then I was angry because it got pretty good at the end and left me hanging. The final book to the trilogy just came out so I can finish the trilogy...maybe. I'm just not sure I want to. This book makes you think you are reading a harmless young adult, dystopian, fantasy, steampunk novel...but in reality it drops you into a world of creatures orginially created by the master of horror,sci-fi, and fantasy himself, H.P. Lovecraft. If you love H.P. Lovecraft then I suggest you read it. Ms. Kittredge made many, many references to him and his works. I think she throws everything into the novel except Cthulhu (he may appear in the later novels). I know I put this in a horror genre. I wasn't really scared, but some of the descriptions were so gross and the monsters so scary that I would define it as more of a light-horror (if there is such a thing! Ha!)
The characters in the book are the only things that seem real in this crazy weird story. Aoife (pronounced like Ee-fa) is our main leading lady. She is strong willed, a bit naive, a bit gullible, but she won't let her disadvantages get in her way. Her disadvantages include being a girl and possibility of going mad on her 16th birthday. Like I said though, she is a tough character and I can respect her for that. Her best friend Cal, I wish he would have been killed off because he was so whiny and scared through most of the book. It really grated on my nerves. Dean was the sexy bad heretic who helps Aoife and Cal find their way. I really liked him because he looked like the big bad wolf, but inside he was a soft marshmallow. One character I just loved who was not a main character was the maid, Betina. I have no idea why I loved her because she could be annoying at times, but her accent was awesome, and she was a bit loveable with all the craziness around.
The audio was performed by Katie MacNichol. She was really great to listen to. She did different accents to a believable Scottish to a manly Cajun accent. She was really great and I enjoyed her audio. When she played Aoife she really acted the part. If Aoife was out of breath, angry, or crying Ms. MacNichol acted it out as she read. She kept me entertained even though the story seemed to drone on and on in parts. The audio was superb, the story was entertaining enough that I stuck with it. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Gone

Author: Michael Grant

Title: Gone

Publication: April 28, 2009

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre: Dystopian, Horror, Young adult

Pages: 576

Audience: 16 and up

Rating:5 out of 5

Source: Library

Synopsis (Amazon):

In the blink of an eye.

Everyone disappears.

Gone.

Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help.Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent.The first in a breathtaking saga about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, gone is a whole new way.

My thoughts:

So say you’re a kid and you’re just sitting in class trying to at least look like your paying attention to the teacher’s boring lecture, and with out any warning, the teacher and every other person over the age of fourteen vanishes in to thin air. Pretty sweet, right? No school, no homework, nobody to tell you what to do, you can do whatever you want and nobody can say jack, in a word- freedom. Sounds great in theory until you realize there is no one around to fix you dinner, wash your clothes, take care of you when you’re sick, all the things the adults do that you take for granted. Now throw in some kids with mutant powers, and put your whole town in a big impenetrable sphere, and suddenly you have your self a pressure cooker. Gone is a dystopian story I can get behind, it’s not just another Hunger Games wannabe. There is no evil government here, just kids fighting to survive this new dangerous world they have found themselves in, a world were literally anything can and will go wrong. I read this first book then immediately read the next four books in the series, and cannot wait for the sixth and final one to come out. Even though this is a young adult series, and doesn’t have very harsh language or any real descriptions of sex, it does however have a ton of violence and gritty imagery. I highly recommend this book and its sequels.

Amped: A Novel (Audiobook)

Author:  Daniel H. Wilson

Title: Amped: A Novel

Publication: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Doubleday

Genre: Adult, Adventure, Science Fiction, Futuristic

Pages: 288
Length: 8 1/2 hours

Audience: 18 and up

Rating: 3.5 out 5

Source: Public Library

 Favorite Quote: "I'd rather be weird and know it than be a stupid ass."- Nick


Synopsis (from the cover):
 Twenty-nine-year-old high school teacher Owen Gray had long ago come to terms with the tiny device in his head, which was implanted to control the seizures he suffered in his youth. Owen's "amp" gave him a normal life, even though he question where his brain ended and the computer began. 
But when the Supreme Court rules that "amplified" humans like Owen are not protected by the same basic laws as pure humans, his world in downtown Pittsburgh instantly fractures. Before he can get his bearings, Owen receives desperate news from his father, the doctor who originally implanted Owen's "amp". He confides a dangerous secret: Owen's "amp" has the potential o do something extraordinary- and there are people who will come for him, and want to kill him for what is in his head. 
Owen begins a harrowing journey to a dusty community in rural Oklahoma where he finds the one man who can explain his true abilities He also meets Lyle Crosby, whose stunning physical abilities and ruthless ideas show Owen how to harness his own startling gifts- but also threaten to drawn him into a dark world from which there may be no moral return.

My thoughts:
This book has been on my mind ever since I read it. I want to know why it bothered me so much to listen to this book. I've read books by Chuck Palahniuk, the author of books like Fight Club, Diary, Rant, Choke, etc. He isn't an easy author to read. His books are very graphic, gritty, dirty, and painful. I've watched graphic movies and TV shows like Dexter, The Expendables, etc. and I've had to look away every now and then because it was hard to watch. I think I didn't like the book for three reasons 1. I was listening to it with my boyfriend who loved it, and felt bad if I turned it off (we were on a looooong road trip). 2. I can look away at graphic scenes or I can imagine them less graphic when I'm reading. However, when something is being read to me in a certain tone...I can't exactly stop or look away...I just listen and imagine. 3. This book scared me because I can see medical implants with chips coming into existence in my lifetime, and having to deal with the issues the people in the book had to deal with. I will go out on a limb and call this book a boy book. A friend of my boyfriend suggested it and he and my boyfriend loved it. If you like really gritty books and science fiction, then I recommend it. It may not be so bad if you read it, but listening to it was so hard for me. There were times I know I had to look goofy because the details were so painful that I was making pained and disgusted faces for most of our trip. As for the idea and the storyline- I loved it. I think the way the book was written with little snippets from news blogs and historical documents was really cool. The characters were well written that I could actually imagine people I know as some of the characters. I love the quotes in the first chapter of the novel because it talks about how reliant we are on technology that it is inside of us, taking over us. I enjoyed the book overall, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it instead of listening to it.

Cinder (Audiobook)

Author:  Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder

Publication:January 3, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Genre: Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure

Pages: 400

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 4 out 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from the cover): 
Sixteen year old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interface has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. The reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived. But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.

My thoughts:
This isn't a book I would have normally picked for myself. Cricket suggested it to me. I thought she had read it until I decided to try to discuss a part with her and she covered her ears. I found out quickly it is on her "to read" list. I really don't know what to say about the book. There was a whole lot going on during the novel because it really is a cyberpunk, dystopian, fantasy, adventure novel for young adults. I was unsure how the Cinderella theme fit in, but by the end of the book it all makes sense. I listened to the audiobook, and I'm not going to suggest that. I finally found someone who had actually read the book, and I asked them if Cinder sounded like a whiny teenager. She said said Cinder did not sounded like a I'm-not-going-to-take-crap, strong, female lead. The lady who narrated the book made Cinder sound like a brat, and I just wanted to slap her in a few scenes. Now the narrator did an excellent robot voice. The robot, Iko, ended up being my favorite character because her voice was perfect. I also found myself leaning towards the evil villain side. I almost always go with the protagonist, but evil Queen Levana's glimmer is working on me. She is just a perfect evil, wicked witch of a queen who stops at nothing to get what she wants. The book as a whole was entertaining. I once again suggest reading it. The audio was okay, but I think reading it you can maybe see more of a stronger version of Cinder. Overall, the book was a good read and something outside of what I usually read. Marissa Meyer plans to make the novel into a series titled, The Lunar Chronicles. The next novel is titled, Scarlet, which comes out in February 2013. I can't wait to see what that series has in store.

Matched by Ally Condie

Author: Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Publication: September 11th, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4 out 5

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: 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.

Thoughts:  Matched is about 16 year old Cassia needing to make a dire choice. Does she want to live in her world -- safe and sound -- forever, or take a chance at her true love and break all the rules. The problem with breaking rules are the horrible consequences. Exile, taking memorable posessions away, swiping minds clean... there's no stopping the government from taking control. Everything starts out great. Cassia is about to find out who her one true love is, and when the image is on screen Ky (a quiet boy she doesn't really know) pops up, then the screen goes blank. Once the computer turns back on, her best friend Xanders face replaces Kys. She has a feeling (a correct one) that this isn't the government -- also known as the "society" -- messing up because the government NEVER make flaws. Cassia has to dig deep down and find her true feelings. Is everything really what it seems? Can Ky or Xander give her the answers she seeks?


This plot is amazing! The main character has grown up to be naive and relient on the Society. Reading how her views change through out the book was interesting... it makes you want to learn more. I really don't like characters that makes stupid decisions and don't learn from them, and Cassia is a prime example of it. BUT, it's understandable. She literally doesn't know any better, and I would make the same mistakes in her situation. It's confusing when you think everything is happy and controled, then realize controling isn't the best way to live, so I forgive her actions. In a way she does learn from them. Well, kind of. The whole book she's scared to think differently and takes her a while to come out of her bubble (hence, she's in a green bubble on the cover).


I take one star away because of how terrible the writing is. It's very childlike and hard to get used to. An example of one of her paragraphs: I said yes. He shook his head. I didn't know why. Then he looked at me. I looked back. We looked at each other. -- That's not a quote from the book, but it's very close. There are. So many. Periods that aren't. Necessary. And the grammer. Is very. Childlike.

It was hard to get used to and I had to ignore the sentence structures after a while. It just doesn't deserve to be taken half a star away, it's that bad. I looked her up and the interwebz said she's an english teacher which worries me. I don't have great grammar and spelling and am totally owning up to it. I probably put commas that aren't necessary and forgot apostrophes multiple times through out this review, but you know what? I'm not a published author, I'm a reviewer. Millions of people are not reading this review.

If you forget about the horrible writing, I say go for it! The books plot really sucks you in, and I can't wait to start the third. It's a trilogy so the first book leaves you in a cliffhanger.

Legend (Audiobook)

Author:  Marie Lu

Title: Legend (Audiobook)

Publication: June 19, 2012

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 336

Audience: 13 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from the cover):
Once known as the western coast of the United States, the Republic is now a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies.
Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen -year-old June is a military prodigy. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country, she is being groomed for success in the Republic's highest circles.
Born into the slums of the Republic's Lake Sector, 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 prime suspect. Now, caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June tries desperately to avenge Metias's death.
But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths to which their country will go to keep its secrets.


 

My thoughts:
I will not go into great detail in my thoughts because I have a few friends who want to read this book and I don't want to spoil anything. This book had been recommended to my boyfriend by a couple of friends. I just so happened to stop and look at the young adult audiobook selection at the public library and this audiobook caught my eye. My boyfriend was excited because he is legally blind and enjoys listening to books more than reading, but he can see to read it just tires his eyes. He didn't even listen to the book to the half way point before he got bored with it. I was hooked from the first disc. However, the first and second discs were so scratched that they wouldn't play all the way. I took them back to the library to have the discs resurfaced. They were still skipping, but not as bad. This book really did hook me. I'm not sure what it was, but I LOVED it. There was a female narrator for June's parts and a male narrator for Day's parts. It worked and flowed perfectly. The only thing I caught were some math mistakes, which is crazy because I'm horrible at math. In one part the narrator states that there are four top colleges smart kids are sent to, but only three are listed. The other  mistake is that the narrator states that Day was seven when he threw a firebomb at the police station. He didn't have to take his Trial until he was ten, and he was fifteen in the book and it all took place in a five year span...so that didn't add up correctly. Other than that, the book was awesome. I live in the South and it has been so flippin' hot, but I would sit in my car for an extra 20 minutes (that is how long it takes my CD player/radio to turn off) and listen to it. The suspense killed me. I guessed a few things correctly, but some of it caught me totally off guard. During the last disc I was constantly biting my nails wondering what would happen next! I really loved it. The book was just a great read. I really liked the audiobook and the narrators. I think the narrators helped personify the characters and made them more "real". I like how the book ended, but she left some questions unanswered. Prodigy: A Legend Novel will come out on January 29, 2013 according to Amazon. I CANNOT WAIT! I will also wait a little longer for the audiobook and if it continues with Day and June's story, I hope the same narrators are used for the new book. We'll just have to wait and see.

Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Title: Starters

Author: Lissa Price

Publication: March 13, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian

Audience: 12 and up

Raiting: 5 out 5

Website/Goodreads/Amazon

Goodreads Summery
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.


My Thoughts:Starters is the fascinating story of Callie, a 16 y/o left orphaned after the post apocalyptic sport war. She is caring for her sick brother and struggling daily to live. Callie is given a job opportunity that can change her life for the better. Is this job to good to be true? I found this to be a great story. The author had me from the first sentence and I could not put this down. I really like Callie as she is strong and will do anything for her family. I can relate to her in that way. As for the starters, in general, I feel empathy for them. They are left all alone to fend for themselves. They trust no one including other starters. As for the enders I am angered by them. Many of them have the ability to make things easier for the starters and they choose not to. This book is full of mystery and leaves you wanting more. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment Enders to answer the questions I was left with after reading Starters.