Hunger: A GONE Novel

Title: Hunger: A Gone Novel
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: Harper Collins Children Books
Pages: 590
Source of Book: My local public library

Summary: (courtesy of http://www.harperteen.com/books/Hunger-Gone-Novel-Michael-Grant/?isbn=9780061449062)

It's been three months since everyone under the age of fifteen became trapped in the bubble known as the FAYZ.


Three months since all the adults disappeared.

Gone.

Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers.
Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It's the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous.
But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.

The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.
My Rating: 6.5 out of a possible 10
Explanation: Overall, I found that this book was not as captivating or enthralling as Gone, but it does have a nice lead up to the not yet released conclusion to the trilogy. More is [thankfully] revealed about 'the darkness' and the desperation about food comes to be a main point throughout the entire novel.
 
I came to love new characters, and was taken on an emotional rollercoaster in the last quarter of the book, but the rest is forgettable plot occasionally perforated with bits of useful information.
 
I did truly enjoy the state Caine and Sam are in at the conclusion of the book, don't want to give anything away!
 
Overall, read this if you've read the first one. If the first one didn't strike you, don't bother with this one.

The Book of Spells

Title: The Book of Spells: A Private Prequel
Author: Kate Brian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 336
Source of Book: My local public library

Summary: (courtesy of http://www.privatetheseries.com/book-of-spells/)

It all began with a dusty leather-bound spell book. With the book of spells in hand, the Billings Girls possess enough power to form a secret coven. Bonded in sisterhood, they wield their magic to free themselves from the watchful eyes of their headmistress—and to bolster their courage with the boys of Easton Academy. But what starts out as innocent fun, soon turns sinister. From 1915 to 2010, fun always leads to something sinister when it involves the Billings Girls.

My Rating: 7.5 out of a possible 10

Explanation: I found this book much more interesting overall than the other books in the Private series.
I liked the 1915 old timey feel [a taste I learned to love by reading the Luxe series], and I liked how it had that touch of unrealistic with successful witchcraft.

Overall, I liked that this novel and characters stood alone, but that it relates so strongly to the most recent [and probably future] Private novels. The characters are magnificent and multifaceted, and my only criticism is how one of the plot lines ends...

Aside from that? I liked this novel, and I wish it would spin off into its own series.

Gone

Title: Gone
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 558
Source of Book: My local public library

Summary: (courtesy of http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Gone-Michael-Grant/?isbn=9780061448768)

In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.

Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

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, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...


My Rating: 8.5 out of a possible 10


Explanation: Well for starters, I had to stop reading this book twice. It wasn't especially graphic or frightening, and it was an original and interesting concept; however, something about it struck a chord with me.
 
I picked up this book as a quick read, since I've read about everything in the library, but it gave me nightmares and strange dreams for two nights. I have never had bad dreams relate so exactly to a book, ever.
 
Now, aside from my brain's strange reaction..
The concept of this book was unlike any book I've ever read, and it's fascinating. I had to keep reminding myself these were children 14 and under, as they were forced to act so adult. It was off to a slow start, but things get intense halfway through and do not stop.
 
I didn't know what to expect and things just kept clicking into place one by one. Overall, this book was fascinating, disturbing, and an entirely new concept to my reading. I would read it if you want a book that is unlike any book you've ever read with action, action, and a wide array of characters both lovable and hateable. Oh, and action.
 
I'm not sure if I liked it, but the fact that it struck me this deeply is reason enough for an 8.5 for me. Oh, and I will be reading the sequel [it's a trilogy].

Torment

Title: Torment

Author: Lauren Kate

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pages: 452
Source of Book: My local public library

Summary: (courtesy of http://laurenkatebooks.net/category/books)

Lucinda is sure that she and Daniel are meant to be together forever. Now they are forced apart in a desperate bid to save Luce from the Outcasts–immortals who want her dead. As she discovers more about her past lives, Luce starts to suspect that Daniel is hiding something. What if he has lied to her about their shared past? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

My Rating: 9 out of a possible 10


Explanation: I wasn't sure what to expect when Fallen left off [you can read my review of Fallen HERE]. Thankfully, I was riveted to this entire novel. Without giving anything away, I'll say that the new location was fabulous to picture, and brought a new host of characters that are fascinating and crucial in their own way.
 
In fact, not much is revealed about Luce in the grand scheme of things, and somehow that didn't faze me. The shadows become not only revealed, but crucial, and the end leaves off with a cliffhanger. The sequel, Passion, comes out this summer [according to the last page of the book], and I will be watching and waiting for it.
 
I have a theory about a patten I noticed with the couples, and I don't want to write it, but if anyone else would like to hear it, feel free to email me HERE, and please let me know your own theories. 

Overall, this book was better and faster moving than the first, and a great tie in of characters and plots, despite the new setting. Also, new sides of existing characters are revealed, and the plot has twists around every corner. If you've read the first one, rush out and get this one somehow.

Fallen

Title: Fallen
Author: Lauren Kate
Publisher: Delacourte Press
Pages: 452
Source of Book: My local public library


Summary: (courtesy of http://laurenkatebooks.net/category/books)
There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.




Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.


My Rating: 8.5 out of a possible 10


Explanation: I had checked the sequel Torment out of the library, knowing I had read Fallen before. However, nothing about the synopsis inside the book jacket jogged any memory, and so I reread Fallen. About 70 pages in my memory clicked it, and I had intertwined it with another book, of which the name slips my mind. In this other book, a girl gets sent to a similar reform school, but it ends in a drastically different way . This has never happened before so I was expecting my reread to be dull.
 
On the contrary, this book captivated me all over again. The surprises built up in a way that was not aggravating and sort of allowed the reader to guess what was coming, but left parts out. I only knew who was friend and who was foe because the memories rushed back, but it kept me in suspense all over again..
 
The romance is clear and the reader [well, at least I], feel nothing but love for Daniel and hatred for those who deserve it. Also, this book shows the loss of a loved character, one of my favorites, in the FIRST book of the series. That was a drastically unexpected twist, and I hope typing that doesn't give anything away.
 
I was only disappointed with the confusing epilogue, but since the sequel is in my possession, I'm less dissatisfied. It's a good book...as long as you can get your hands on the next one [I'm assuming].

Out for Blood



Title:

Out for Blood
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Publisher: Walker Publishing Company
Pages: 292
Source of Book: My local public library

Summary: (courtesy of http://alyxandraharvey.com/drake-chronicles/dc-book-iii/)

Hunter Wild is the youngest in a long line of elite vampire hunters, a legacy that is both a blessing and a curse at the secret Helios-Ra Academy, where she excels at just about everything. Thanks to her friendship with Kieran Black, Hunter receives a special invitation to attend the coronation of Helena Drake, and for the first time, he sees the difference between vampires that must be hunted and vampires that can become friends — or even more. When students at the academy fall victim to a mysterious illness, Hunter suspects they are under attack from within. She will need someone she can trust to help her save the future of Helios-Ra . . . help that shockingly comes in the form of Quinn Drake, a drop-dead gorgeous vampire. Who said senior year would be easy?


My Rating: 7.5 out of a possible 10

Explanation: Although I find these books somewhat predictible once they start, this third book has me officially hooked to the story line. I officially added the fourth book [out November] to my To Read excel document. To read my reviews of the first and second book look HERE and HERE, respectively.

I knew this book would include a romance with a Drake vampire, and I genuinely enjoy guessing and then opening the book, reading the book jacket, and trying to guess who else the romance is with. I liked the twist of the other romantic partner. I thought it was fascinating to see into the Helios-Ra academy. I wished that these characters were briefly introduced in a previous book, however. I found it hard to relate to the friends of the main character.

I saw the twist at the end coming, but that could be due to me reading too many YA paranormal books. Still, I liked it and liked when it came about. Also different in this story is that not everything is happy and resolved at the end, one loose end is left with some bad blood [figuratively].

All in all, if you've read the first two, I'd advise you to read the third one. I liked this book, and they remain of consistent quality. It's a good book, and I enjoy that Quinn's personality is so different from Nicholas or any of his other brothers, even his twin.