"Outpost" by Ann Aguirre

Warning: Outpost  is the second book in the Razorland Trilogy, if you haven't read the first book you may not want to read this.


Outpost just like Enclave, was an extremely suspenseful book.I love dystopian or post-apocalyptic books, anything that says 'For Fans of the Hunger Games' usually sells me. What I really loved about this book though, was that its post-apocalyptic alright, but the world is still a mess there's no real establishments or government yet. It's all about the will to survive. 


After having discovered the town Salvation, you'd think things for Duece would have started getting  better, but they're only getting worse. In the Enclave at fifteen she was considered an adult, capable of fighting and making her own rational decisions, but here in Salvation she's just another dumb kid in need of learning. She doesn't fit in with anyone here, and even Fade has distanced himself from her. After struggling along like this for a while, things eventually start to look up. She could see herself being rooted to the town and some of the people in it, only to have tragedy start to strike. Anyone who disliked her before, may quickly come to realize how much Salvation needs her. Duece and her friends may be their only chance of survival.


OH. MY. WORD. I never really know what to expect in these books. I don't know what characters are safe to get attached too. I'd like to think the main characters are safe, but after reading this, like Duece said saftey is an illusion. Through out this book, I was so back and forth. I would be happy one minute, then be scared for the characters the next minute. I've never cried reading a book, but I can honestly say I was almost brought to tears near the end of this book. It's seriously freaking awesome, and Ann Aguirre really new what she was doing. I'm already half way through the third book, Horde. Honestly, if you love any of the following: dystopian themes, love triangles, post-apocalypses, action, suspense, and so on; This trilogy really is a must read!


Note: If you were wondering what completely happened to the Enclave, and Thimble and Stone, Amazon has an ebook strictly about that called Endurance. I thought i'd mention that because it personally was driving me insane not 100% knowing.
                                                                              Rating 5 out of 5.

"Enclave" by Ann Aguirre

Enclaveby Ann Aguirre was an extremely suspenseful dystopian book. The first in the Razorland Trilogy.
I love dystopian or post-apocalyptic books, anything that says 'For Fans of the Hunger Games' usually sells me. What I really loved about this book though, was that its post-apocalyptic alright, but the world is still a mess there's no real establishments or government yet. It's all about the will to survive.


It's about a girl who turns fifteen, she's finally old enough to claim a name. After being referred to as girl number whatever. Claiming a name, claim a job, earning her place in the enclave, it's the most exciting day. She wants to be huntress, to defend the enclave and everyone inside it. She thinks everything the enclave elders do is for the people's good, for the enclave. Until. She meets her hunting partner. Fade. He's the only outsider to have been given the permission to stay. He lived on his own in the tunnels for close to four years. He was barely human when they found him. That was a few years ago now, he's been trained since then. They made frequent trips into the tunnels looking for food, fighting any mutations they call 'freaks'. Freaks look like they could have been human once, but now they have yellowing skin, they smell of rotting flesh, they can smell blood a mile a way, they have razor teeth & nails, and will eat anything they can get their hands on, even each other if one of their kin dies. The girl's enclave, called College, had always struggled fighting them off no matter how stupid and easy the freaks were to trick, but now after being in the tunnels several times with Fade, it seems the Freaks are showing signs of intelligence. That could mean then end of College, the end of all the enclaves. The girl and Fade, race back to tell the elders, only to have the elders brush them off, and find ways to keep them quiet. The elders have been hiding something or some things, and now the whole enclave is at risk. My enclave, my people, my home. I am the girl, the name I've claimed is Duece.  


This book is a wonderful first person perspective read, as you may know if you've read any of my other posts, I LOVE first person reads. I loved the fact that Ann made a world that was post apocalyptic, and literally falling apart still. Usually, like in the Hunger Games, the books are post apocalyptic, yes, but there's a government and things already fixed up and cities established. Duece and Fade have nothing. There were so many parts in the book I never saw coming. They're living in a world where they not only have to fear Freaks, but corrupt people too.Who should Duece trust, who shouldn't she trust? This book was action packed and kept me on the "edge of my seat" sort of speak, yet it had some calm parts and a fantastic story line. I literally picked the second book, Outpost, up right after I finished reading it. It's a must must must must read! 


The only thing I DISLIKED, was that for the first two chapters, I felt like it kind of jumped around or something. There were a few sentences I had to re-read to make sure I understood what I just read, maybe I was just tired, I don't know. By the third chapter though it was "normal" or well written. I didn't have to re-read anything after that. If you read the book let me know what you thought, maybe it was just me.
                                                                                                      Rating 5 out of 5.          

"Prophet of Yonwood" by Jeanne Duprau

Warning: This is the third book in the series, The Books of Ember. If you haven't read the first two you may not want to read this.

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne Duprau is actually more of a prequel for The Books of Ember. It gives a glimpse of what went on the last 50 years before the Disaster took place, and Lina and Doon came into existence. The main character battles with her self on deciding the difference between right and wrong. She wants answers, and not any answers. She wants the truth, as do we all.


Nickie goes with her Aunt Crystal to Yonwood with some secret motives. Her great-grandfather has passed away and left Nickie's mom and her aunt his house, which the family has owned for over 150 years. They want to sell it. Nickie goes claiming she just wants to see it, but really she wants to find a way to convince her aunt and mother to keep it. She dreams of living there one day with her mother and father, once her father returns of course. He left on an official government job, but wasn't allowed to tell them where he was headed or when he'd return. This was understandable with the world ready to burst at the seems. Threats of terrorist attacks, missiles, and so on had everyone on edge these days. Nickie had thought that the small town her great-grandfather had lived in might be different, but everyone there was just as scared. There was weirder stuff happening there too, opposed to the city Nickie came from. There was a woman with a vision. A vision of the world's destruction. 


It was cool to see what exactly happened that caused so much destruction in the world Lina and Doon currently live in. We got to see who created Ember, and who exactly left the journal that Lina found. Once again this book just like the first two can and does appeal to all age groups. Young, old, or in between. It's scary to think about, because we, the real world, have a lot of the weapons and anger built up that you see in these books. It just goes to show, if everyone can't "grow up" a little bit and work out our differences, these books could be our future. We have the power to cause are own world's demise. I happily purchased the fourth and final book, The Diamond of Darkhold, which picks up where The People of Sparks left off. Continuing the journey of Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow. I can't wait to read it later tonight. Happy reading to you all!

                                                                  Rating 4 out of 5.

"The People of Sparks" by Jeanne Duprau

 

Warning: this is the second book in a series, if you haven't read the first book, The City of Ember, you may not want to read this.

The People of Sparks by Jeanne Duprau is the continuation of The City of Ember. It's a Dystopian themed novel, filled with Love, Betrayal, Curiosity, and the Killer Instinct to survive. 

It only took a day or two for more people to emerge from Ember, filling Lina and Doon with great relief. The good feelings faded quickly though, because they were short on food, and had no idea where to go in this new world they had discovered. They all decided to head towards the gray looking pavement, at one time it looks like it could have been a road. With their food depleting at an alarmingly fast rate people begin to panic. Until they stumble upon the town called Sparks. Lina and the other Emberites aren't exactly welcomed with open arms, but they are fed and given a place to sleep. Temporarily. Things start to head downhill rather quickly and now the people of Sparks intentions may be to do more harm to the Emberites then good. What will they do now? Fight or flee? Will all the Emberites be able to decide on what is right or wrong?

This book was pretty good, I'm sure not if I liked it as much as the first book or not, but it was still pretty interesting. I really enjoyed the development of the main characters, and just seeing how they people of Ember adapted to the "new" world they discovered. This book still had the fearful urgency to survive vibe going on like the first book, which I loved.  I greatly disliked some of the new characters. Like Torren for example, however; I suppose in some ways he was "misunderstood" and attention seeking. I still recommend reading it, the world Jeanne created in the book shows exactly what hate, revenge, and war could do to man kind in the near or far future. I actually just bought the third book,The Prophet of Yonwood, and plan on diving into it here later this evening. Happy reading to you all!

                                                              Rating 3.5 out of 5.

"City of Ember" by Jeanne Duprau

The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau is the first book in a series. It's a dystopian series, I believe it was originally targeted for younger readers. It's not quite as action packed and gory as some of the newer Dystopian books out, but it's still a very interesting read.


Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow finally get their official job assignments today. Lina wants a fun job like being a messenger so she can run around all day. Doon keeps saying he wants an important job, a job in which he can save Ember. Lina thinks he's over reacting, Ember couldn't possibly be that bad off. She soon comes to the realization that what Doon is saying is true. They just had the longest power outage in their history. One day the lights are going to go off and never come back on, leaving the city of Ember in the dark forever. That day is sometime soon. They need to find a way out, the power, the food, everything is quickly fading away. Past the city's borders is just utter darkness they can't see anything. Lina has always dreamed of a city with tall sparkly buildings, a blue sky, a green earth, and light so big in the sky it never got dark, but she doesn't know where such a place is. Until one day, Lina finds the box. The box that was lost years before. The box with the instructions on how to get out of Ember. The box that holds the key to their salvation. Can they get everyone out in time or will the lights fail before everyone finds their way?


Even though this book series was meant for younger readers, I enjoyed it. It wasn't as tensing obviously, but it was still a very enjoyable read. I will gladly start the next book ,The People of Sparks Jeanne created a very interesting post-apocalyptic world indeed. If you start reading it, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Intended for younger readers or not, I believe it will accommodate to all age groups tastes.

                                                                      Rating 4 out 5.

"Gregor and the Code of Claw" by Suzanne Collins

Warning: This is the fifth book The Underland Chronicles, if you haven't read the first four you may not want to read this.

Gregor and the Code of Claw was written by the well known author of The Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins. It's a story that takes place in modern times with a fantasy twist. It has murder, mystery, suspense, love, betrayal, and everything a great novel would have. This is the last book in the series, and everything in the Underland is at stake!


Gregor has one prophecy left to fulfill. He understands it for the most part. Defeat the Bane and save everyone. Everyone's lives are at stake and it's all up to him, but for some reason no one will tell him what the end of the prophecy is. The ultimate battle is about to unfold and Gregor is realizing his feelings for Luxa are growing. He wants her safe. As everything goes down the unimaginable happens. Will Gregor succeed or will he fail, dooming everyone he's grown to love?


I'll be honest the end of this book kinda leaves you hanging. Suzanne could definitely write another book if she wanted too. I'm really hoping she does. I know this book series was targeted for a younger audience, but after reading it myself, and reading tons of reviews, it seems the young adult audience is taking over. It reminds me of the Harry Potter books not because there's wizards or anything, but because it appeals to a large age group. Despite the ending, young, old, or in between; you need to read these books. You won't be disappointed!

                                                                Rating 5 out of 5.

"Gregor and the Marks of Secret" by Suzanne Collins

Warning: This is the fourth book in The Underland Chronicles. If you haven't read the first three books you may not want to read this. 

Gregor And The Marks Of Secret was written by the well known author of The Hunger Games Trilogy, Suzanne Collins. It's a story that takes place in modern times with a fantasy twist. It has murder, mystery, suspense, love, and everything a great novel would have.

Gregor's mom has been left in the Underland to recover from her illness, they get constant updates. Gregor knows it is about time to head back to the Underland and continue his role as the prophecy predicts. Ripred starts lessons trying to teach Gregor echolocation, which he's not doing very well on. Gregor decides to quit lessons only to find  out shortly after how very badly he may need the skill. Luxa requests for Gregor's help. Something bad is happening to her friends, and she's determined to find out what. They're all disappearing. What they discover may be the beginning of a whole new form of war. 

I love Suzanne Collins and I love her Underland Chronicles! I love all five books! I never knew what to expect in these books, there's always something I didn't see coming. These books were originally targeted for a younger audience, but after reading them myself, and seeing lots of other reviews the Young Adult audience seems to be taking over. I highly recommend these books! Young, Old, or in between, start the series and you won't be disappointed.

                                                                 Rating 5 out of 5.

"Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods" by Suzanne Collins

Warning: This is the third book in a series. If you haven't read the first two you may not want to read this.

Gregor And The Curse Of The Warmbloods is the third book in The Underland Chronicles  by Suzanne Collins. You say, hey isn't that the lady who wrote The Hunger Games Trilogy? Yes, it is. This series was actually written before the trilogy. The story takes place in modern time with a unique fantasy twist.

Shortly after Gregor returns home, the Underland is calling for him again. Convinced that he is the savior from their prophecy still, the Underlanders want Gregors help. Ripred tells Gregor about a plague that is going around in the Underland killing off any thing warm blooded. They want to search for a cure. Gregor isn't really convinced he should go til Ripred mentions one of the warm bloods sick, is Gregor's bond. Ares. Gregor is now willing to go, but his mother forbids it. It doesn't remain forbidden for long though because Gregor's own personal escort or escorts come to make him go. The mother gives in. One condition though. She is coming to the Underland this time. With the plague running around though, the results of their decision turn deadly. They really have to race against the clock now. How many shall perish? Can they find the cure in time or will the whole Underland be wiped out?


Even though this series was targeted for a younger audience, more and more reviews are coming from the Young Adults who picked it up and fell in love with it.  I personally am one of them. I loved how in this book, that even though they were all technically at war or at least bitter enemies with each other, the groups had to come together in order to have any chance of survival. I wanted to read the series originally just because Suzanne Collin's wrote it, but once I started reading it, it reminded me of Harry Potter. Not because theirs any magic or wizards in it, but because the writing style and story were just very interesting and seemed like it could be for a very large age group. Young, Old, or in between, if you start reading The Underland Chronicles I know you won't be disappointed!


                                                                  Rating 5 out of 5.

"Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane" by Suzanne Collins

  

Warning: This is the second book in a series. If you haven't read the first book you may not want to read this.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane is the sequel to the wonderful novel Gregor The Overlander written by The Hunger Games author, Suzanne Collins.  This book and the ones after it are not Dystopian themed like her well known Hunger Games Trilogy. This series takes place in modern time with a big fantasy twist.

It's been a few months since Gregor and Boots left the Underland. Gregor swears that he will never go back to that place and it's dangers, but the Underlanders have other plans. They need his help, and they plan on getting it by any means necessary. Their first step of action is to get Gregor to come back down. In order to lure him back, they do the unthinkable. They kidnap his sister. Gregor finds himself in harms way once more, and has bigger difficulties to over come this time. Will he be lucky enough to get back to New York again? Or will he not survive that long?

I loved this book as much as the first one. The series in and of itself is just really good. Even though it was originally targeted for a younger audience, more and more of the young adult audience seems to be picking it up and falling in love with it. The book has you racing through the pages to see what will become of Gregor's rather unfortunate  predicament. Like I said before in the first books review, It cracks me up when people are like "OMG! I am the biggest Suzanne Collins fan!", to which I reply, "Oh what did you think of Gregor?", then they get completely lost. Yeah biggest fan alright. If you're the "biggest fan" I highly recommend you go ahead and read Gregor and the Underland Chronicles if you haven't started too already.You won't be disappointed!              

                                                                Rating 5 out of 5.

"Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

Gregor The Overlander  is another wonderful novel by The Hunger Games author, Suzanne Collins.  This book and it's sequels are not Dystopian themed like her well known Hunger Games Trilogy. This series takes place in modern time with a fantasy twist. 

In wonderful New York City, lived Gregor and his family. Gregor was kept home from camp this year to watch his sister Boots while their mother worked. They're father had disappeared years before, and now their grandma was too ill to watch her. Gregor was rather bitter about it and thought his whole summer would be a total bust. Until the unthinkable happened. Gregor and his sister went to do the laundry in the laudromat in their apartment building.  Gregor was loading the washer while Boots played ball. Then his sister's ball fell behind a washer and when she went to retrieve it she was sucked down a rather large air vent. Gregor tried to look down to see if he could see boots, but it seemed to go on forever fading into blackness. He knew he couldn't leave her so he went after her. It seemed he was falling down the air shaft forever, riding the air current down. Once he reached the bottom, he knew he was far away from the city's surface. He had no idea how to get back either. He found Boots right away, but then something or actually a group of something or someone was coming out of the dark corners. Fear over took him quickly and he couldn't believe what he was looking at.

I loved this book, they had a different style then The Hunger Games.I wouldn't even had guessed Suzanne wrote it. I believe originally this book and it's sequels were intended for a younger audience, but after having my friends read them, myself read them, and seeing several reviews I believe the Young Adult audience took over. In other words I guess it reminds me of the Harry Potter Books, not because there's witches or wizards or anything, but because it appeals to such a large age group. It was definitely interesting to read and rather strange to think about. It's something I honestly wouldn't mind re-reading sometime soon. It cracks me up when people are like "OMG! I am the biggest Suzanne Collins fan!", to which I reply, "Oh what did you think of Gregor?", then they get completely lost. Yeah biggest fan alright. If you're the "biggest fan" I highly recommend you go ahead and read Gregor and the Underland Chronicles. Young, old, or in between, you won't be disappointed.                    

                                                                                                  Rating 5 out of 5.

"Extras" by Scott Westerfeld

Warning: This is the fourth and final book of the Uglies Series. If you haven't read the first three books you may not want to read this.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld was probably my favorite book in this young adult, dystopian series. It had a lot of action and suspense like the previous books, and it doesn't really leave you hanging. It was the perfect ending; It was complete.

This book takes place a few years after Tally Young blood sets the world free. We're seeing the new world through Aya Fuse's eyes. The only thing fifteen year old Aya wants is to get a higher face rank like her brother. After all being popular is all the matters now. She's been kicking stories for quite some time, but none are good enough to make her rank budge, until she meets the sly girls. She joins their secret clique with intentions of exposing them, and proving they are not just a rumor, but then she and the sly girls uncover something sinister. Aya's story gets a lot more complicated. Some where along the lines of the end of the world complicated. Exposing the threat, leads to Aya getting abducted and that brings Tally Youngblood out of hiding. It's a timed race to save the world, or so they think. Can they really work as a team or will their be constant conflict?

This was definitely my favorite book out of the series. The only sad thing was that Tally was no longer the main character, and I don't really like the person she has become. Realistically though, I guess that would happen after people messed with your brain a gazillion times. I didn't really see the ending coming. I was like oh  these people are bad, wait good, no bad again. It kept me questioning their intentions. Kept me on my toes. It truly was an awesome ending.


                                                                Rating 3 out of 5.

"Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Warning: this is third and final book of The Hunger Games. If you haven't read the first two books you may not want to read this.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins was a great ending for this dystopian trilogy. Just like the first two books, Hunger Games, and Catching Fire; this book had you on edge from beginning to end. The suspense was marvelous. 


Katniss Everdeen is now staying in the thirteenth district, which was once thought to be destroyed. Peeta on the other hand wasn't so lucky, he's was captured by the Capitol. As much as Katniss would like to go rescue him, she knows it's not possible, at least not yet. She met with the districts leader, and came up with a deal. She would continue being the rebellions poster child as long as all of the tributes were were granted immunity from any criminal charges they had or would have by the end of the war. Katniss wasn't happy about having to sit back and watch the fights go on, she wanted to be in the fight. Eventually she got put on a "mission" to do so. With very little time remaining in the war, will the Capitol manage to stay in control, or is the rebellion to strong this time?


I loved this whole trilogy so much, however; the ending just about made me cry. I couldn't believe what happened to Prim. That's who Katniss got into this mess for. She was always looking out for her little sister. I didn't really like how Katniss went temporarily crazy, however; I know it was realistic. All the stress she had been under and the deaths, it'd be unsettling for anyone. If you haven't read this trilogy it's a must! What side would you be fighting for the Capitol or the Districts? No matter where the power lies, there's always corruption.

                                                                  Rating 5 out of 5.