Hunger by Michael Grant

About the book:

Image from Google 

Book Two in the Gone Series

Rating: Good 3.5/5 stars

Pages: 586

Released: 2010

Published by: Egmont UK Limited

-information from Goodreads

Synopsis:

Calm has settled over Perdido Beach. But it doesn't last long as food runs out and starvation sets in. More children are developing powers and lurking in the background in an abandoned mineshaft lies a greater danger and he's hungry too...

First Line:

"Sam Temple was on his board."

Review:

Most sequels fall flat when compared to the first book. But I'm pleased to say that Hunger was just as good if not better than Gone. I enjoyed Hunger as the characters were developing and the struggles the kids faced made for thrilling reading. This book also highlights the flaws in human nature, how peoples morals and sense of right and wrong leave them when faced with excruciating hunger. It also shows how groups are formed and mob mentality can overwhelm people grouped together in some situations so they act differently than they normally would. Overall, a brilliant sequel and I can't wait to continue the series.

Recommended Audience:

Anyone who hasn't  picked up the Gone series yet.



Gone by Michael Grant

About the book:

Image from Google

Book One in the Gone Series

Rating: Good 3/5 stars

Pages: 560

Released: 2009

Published by: Egmont UK Limited

-information from Goodreads

Synopsis:

It's a day like any in a small southern Californian town. Until everyone over the age of fifteen disappears in the blink of an eye. Trapped, cut off from loved ones, and with the hope that help is on its way fading, chaos rules the streets. Factions are being formed, bullies roam the streets and to make things worse some children have powers. Powers that no ones seen before and that no one can explain...

First Line:

"One minute the teacher was talking about the Civil War."

Review:

I'd heard so much about this book/series and I'd been dragging my heels to pick it up as I thought I would be disappointed by it. That was stupid of me, I really enjoyed this book. The plot is unique and exciting. The characters were diversable and easy to love/hate. All in all I just really enjoyed this book. The only negative thing I can say is I found the age of these children to be a bit unbelievable. These are 14 and under aged children and they are having to fend for themselves in their new world? My rational brain found it hard to accept - especially some of the things the children did. But apart from that small fact I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to the rest of this series.  

Recommended Audience:

I don't think there are many people who haven't read this...but anyone who is a fan of YA.



Asylum by Madeleine Roux

About the Book:

 

Image from Google

Rating: Really Good

Pages: 310

Released: 2013

Published by: Harper Collins

 

-information from Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis:

Dan Crawford gets chosen to attend a summer program for gifted students. When he arrives he discovers the summer housing is closed and the students have to stay in the Brookline dorm, which was formally a psychiatric hospital. As Dan forms new friendships in Abbey and Jordan and they start exploring Brookline they start uncovering disturbing secrets about what really happened there and links that connect Dan and his friends to the asylums dark past.

 

First Line:

"The built it out of stone - dark grey stone, pried loose from the unforgiving mountains."  

 

Review:

I loved the first two thirds of this book. The storyline was intriguing and grew increasingly suspenseful as the story went on. It definitely had that spooky paranormal feeling to it that was only enhanced by the creepy (and in some cases disturbing) photographs that were placed throughout the book. But as the book reached its climax I couldn't help but feel like it fell flat slightly. The ending had that rushed feeling so it was disappointing as the two thirds of this book beautifully built up the story. However, it was still an enjoyable read.

 

Review:

Anyone who enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and Anna Dressed in Blood.

 



Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

About the book:

Book One in the Miss Peregrine Series

Image form Google

 

Rating: Good

Pages: 348

Released: 2011

Published by: Quirk Books

 

-information from Goodreads

 

Synopsis:

A family tragedy sets 16 year old Jacob on a journey to Wales in search for answers. When he discovers Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and explores the crumpling building he begins to find out more about Miss Peregrine's children. That their not just peculiar but that they may be dangerous too. As he uncovers more secrets, he finds that Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children may still be alive. But how is that possible?

 

First Line:

"I had just come to accept that my life would be ordinary when extraordinary things began to happen."

 

Review:

The beginning of this book was fantastic. The created storyline was mysterious and compelling and immediately grabbed my attention. But as the story progressed and the secrets were revealed I began to like the story less and less. I know a lot of people have loved this book but I found the story a bit to far fetched and unbelievable. I actually thought the story became a bit ridiculous as it drew to its conclusion. Having said that though it wasn't a bad read and I would like to continue the series, although I can't say I'll rush out to buy it. The photographs intertwined with the story was a great addition to the story as it enhanced it by giving you a clear image to the characters, as well as more insight to the main character Jacob as you were discovering things as he did.

 

Recommended Audience:

Fans of paranormal fiction, or young adult enthusiasts.   

 

 

 



Uglies by Scott Westerfield

 

About the Book:

Image from Google

Book One in the Uglies Series

 

Rating: Amazing

Pages: 425

Released: 2005

Published by: Simon and Schuster

 

-information from Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis:

Tally Youngblood can't wait to be pretty. Tally's counting down the days until she turns 16 so she can get the operation that will change her life for the better. But then she meet Shay, a girl with a different attitude - she plans to run away and wants Tally to come with her. But Tally's waited for so long to be pretty and doesn't want to go with Shay... When Shay does run away, Tally's visited by the authorities who present her with an ultimatum: lead them to Shay or never be Pretty.  

 

First Line:

"The early summer sky was the colour of cat vomit."

 

Review:

I dragged my heels in finally starting this series as it has so much hype surrounding it. But I've now learnt that the hype is well justified. I loved the originality of the plot and how you can really relate to it, you can easily envisage the world becoming like this in the future. The characters were strong throughout and developed a believable pace. I particularly like the protagonist: Tally, which is strange as normally the leading can be a little too unbelievable towards the climax of the novel. As for Scott Westerfield's writing, I give him a 100%. To me, in this book, his writing is flawless. My favourite aspect of the book was the underling moral message, something I think gets quite easily lost or overlooked in most books. I liked the fact that this book challenged the way we think of beauty as a society and quite clearly showed us where our ritualistic thinking of analysing peoples appearances (even complete strangers), self criticism of our own and the constant belief that there can always be an improvement in our looks can realistically lead. Fantastic book. 

 

Recommended Audience:

Everyone! Especially lovers of YA fiction.

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

About the Book:

Image from Google

 

Rating: Really Good

Pages: 391

Released: 2004

Published by: Penquin Group

 

-information from Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis:

Macy Queen is struggling to cope with her father's death and the fact her boyfriend has gone to "Brain Camp". She's smiling her way through her day to day life but on the inside she's falling apart. She only starts to live her life again when she meets a new group of friends who gradually bring her out of her shell. Especially Wes. Wes is artistic and sexy and Macy finds she can be herself with him. But because she's lost so much can Macy see what she has to gain?

 

First Line:

"Jason was going to Brain Camp."

 

Review:

This was a bittersweet story. I really enjoyed Macy as the lead character and her point of view proves very emotionally provoking. The way she copes with her father's death is so heart breaking that I actually shed a tear. Sarah Dessen has a gift for writing realistic situations that are completely believable. Macy and her family's responses to her fathers death and Macy's gradual budding relationship with Wes makes for a truly good read. I absolutely loved Wes's character, he is one of those characters you long to be real. Overall, this was a truly lovely read.  

 

Recommended Audience:

Any lovers of YA and contemporary.