"Gone" by Lisa McMann

Warning: This is the third book in The Wake Trilogy. If you haven't read the first two books, I wouldn't read this.

Gone by Lisa McMann was rather saddening. Interesting still but sad. There's not really a happy ending like I had hoped. It still has the fast paced reading effect though. 

Janie's life should be almost perfect.  She's graduated high school, and she's spending her summer with the love of her life. She should be living the dream sort of speak, but instead she's living in dreams and it's taking it's toll. She thought she had everything figured out until a stranger shows up in the hospital and her mom claims he's her father. He's in a coma, but he's having nightmares and they're the worst Janie's ever had to deal with. It turns out the curse is genetic, and there's more to it then she knows. Cable has started having nightmares about Janie, about what she'll become. Not wanting to be a burden, Janie has to make a choice. Should she leave Cable or is there another option?

The ending to book made sense I suppose, but I didn't like it. I've pitied Janie throughout the trilogy, and I was really hoping she'd have an over the top happy ending, but it wasn't. It wasn't a terrible ending, but it definitely could have been happier. Once again as I assumed there would be, there's still a lot of unnecessary swearing. Even though this isn't one of my top favorite trilogies, I'd still recommend it as an interesting read.


                                                                          Rating 3 out 5.

"Fade" by Lisa McMann

Before writing about the book, i'd like too apologize for my slacking. I got rather lazy over the holidays, and even though I was still reading books, my reviewing and recommending came to a standstill. Without further a do, I present my thoughts on Fade. Enjoy.

WARNING: This book is the second book in the Wake Trilogy, if you haven't read the first book you may not want to read this review.

Fade by Lisa McMann was just as intriguing as the first book, Wake. What I really loved about both these books is McMann's simplistic writing style. It goes well with the suspenseful chapters, and it makes the book all in all fast paced.


Fade picks up right where Wake leaves off. Janie is still under cover, but this time it's a different crime. This situation is far more dangerous then the last. An accusation has  been thrown out that one of the teachers in their high school is a sexual predator, and they want Janie's help to find out who it is. Even if it means using Janie as bait. Because Cable is completely against the plan, this may just stretch their relationship to the limit. Upon juggling the investigation and her fragile relationship with Cable, Janie also discovers more about what it means to be a dream catcher. Her fate is sealed, and the secrets revealed are darker then Janie could have ever imagined.

Fade was good, it held my attention. I really enjoyed the characters development. I think I liked the story line/ plot more in this book then the first. The only negative thing I could say about the book, is again, there is a lot of unnecessary swearing.

                     
                                                                           Rating 3.5 out of 5.

"Wake" by Lisa McMann

Wake by Lisa McMann was intriguing to say at the least. It's captivating and really makes you think. What is it that you dream about?


Janie Hannagan gets sucked into people's dreams against her will. It's been happening to her since a young age. If someone near her falls asleep and starts to dream, she has to hurry and distance herself or she's going down into a dream state. Some of the dreams interest her while others she can't wait to escape. The nightmares are the worst, they physically drain all of Janie's energy and sometimes leave her unable to move even after they have ended. No one knows about her dream "curse", until she meets Cabel. They've known each other forever but have never really gotten to know each other. He may not be what he seems to be. Janie has everything on her shoulders. She has always had to take care of herself, her mom being the drunkard she is, along with working, doing school, and trying to figure out what is happening to her.The truth in and of itself may not answer all the questions she has. 


Wake was interesting and attention holding. It was a little confusing for me sometimes because they don't really have a lot of chapters, but almost every couple pages there's a date and time and you have to pay attention to those. I just kind of skipped over them at first, so I had to reread a few pages to figure out what day it was in the book. I thought the book in and of itself was well written and had a good story line. I got to the point where I actually did feel sorry for Janie, yet I admired her optimism. I ordered the Wake Trilogy Boxset and the description on the box set versus just the individual book was different so some of the dreams and things were kind of awkward simply because I wasn't expecting them. The only real issue I had with the book was that there was a lot of not needed swearing. Like some it, I guess if it were "real" life would be used, but seriously all of it was not needed. Regardless, the book was still a good read and i'm already half way through the sequel, Fade.


                                                                           Rating 3.5 out of 5.

"Horde" by Ann Aguirre

Warning: Horde is the third and final book in the Razorland Trilogy if you haven't read the first & second book you may not want to read this.


Horde by Ann Aguirre was an extremely suspenseful book. I love dystopian or post-apocalyptic books, anything that says 'For Fans of the Hunger Games' usually sells me. I loved how in this book, there was no real government each remaining town had their own rules. Some towns had better rules then others, better defenses,  some stood a real chance. Other towns would be wiped in just a short matter of time. 


The Horde has Salvation surrounded. Duece and her friends have to sneak out and leave their new families behind in hopes of retrieving help. As it turns out the muties are growing braver and smarter, attacking more and more settlements. They're running out of time to figure out why the muties are getting smarter. They'll have to develop a solution soon. They'll have to find a way to take them all out despite their massive numbers, or be wiped out themselves. They can't seem to come up with any other ideas.


I LOVED! Loved! Loved, the trilogy. I sincerely hate ebooks, but i'm tempted to go and buy the ebooks for like the bonus/ in between short stories, telling the tales of certain characters or before the virus. That's how good they are. If you haven't read these books, and you love dystopian, survival themed books; it is a must read trilogy! Too make it even better, it's a first person perspective read. My favorite!


Note: Endurance and Foundation are the two ebooks i'm probably buying for myself so I know all the ins and outs of the Razorland books. Check them out!                                                                                            
                                                                              Rating 5 out of 5.

"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.

"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.

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins picked up right where Hunger Games left off. This book was just as thrilling as the first. Safety doesn't exist anymore in Panem. It's just a giant game in which the Capitol plays, the districts are their pawns. There's a nice little rebellion brewing again, but the Capitol intends to squash it just like the last time.

Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and all the other victors should be safe from playing the Games. If you survived the Games you never have to play again. Except at the 75th quarter quell, the rules change. The Capitol is drawing names only from the victor pool. Katniss is the only girl in the 12th district who has ever won. She knows she's going back, and the likely hood of her survival this time is next to none. Haymitch and Peeta have a fifty fifty shot. Only of them has to go, except it seems one of them is already volunteering. The next couple weeks is strict training, they'll try their best to get home. The only difference about this round of Games is that there seems to be a secret only some are in on. Katniss isn't one of them. She was left in the dark, and she has no idea. How long can she expect to survive this time in the Hunger Games?

I loved this book just as much as the first one, maybe more. Suzanne really knows how to keep you on edge. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I had to know who'd be killed off. She wouldn't kill my favorite characters would she? or would she? It's definitely a must read trilogy. If for whatever reason you haven't hopped on The Hunger Games Trilogy Train , hop on now, and let the 75 Quarter Quell begin!

                                                                                                   Rating 5 out of 5

"Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is on my top ten favorite books list. You have a love triangle, you have suspense, plenty of life and death situations, and it's a first person perspective book! What's not to love?

Katniss Everdeen lives in a world where everyone is split up into twelve districts. One district is know for growing crops, one is known for fishing, others make beautiful things like jewelry in which everything is given to the Capitol. The Capitol runs everything. The districts had an uprising almost 75 years ago in which the thirteenth district was annihilated, and as punishment for the rest of the district the capitol made the Games. Each year the Capitol officials come to the districts and do a drawing. They take one boy and one girl, give them a week of preparation and television time to try and get sponsors, then they throw all twenty four kids into an arena to fight to the death. Whoever the last living person is they get to go home and be pampered with a nice house and lots of money. None of which amend  the emotional and traumatizing memories from the arena. For the districts it's the worst possible time, having their children or their friends ripped from their arms practically sentenced to die. For the Capitol it's the best survival television show everyone likes to bet on. Katniss's district is the poorest one, near time for the games they can enter their name into the drawing extra times in return for food. Katniss has entered her name every year since she turned twelve. Since her father died she's had to provide for her and her little sister Prim. Their mother was just to out of it. This year will be Prim's first time getting her name put in the drawing. Katniss prohibits her from entering her name in extra. The day of the drawing Katniss had her name in their about twenty times, there were still thousands of other girls though. She wasn't worried about it. The Capitol official pulls out the girls name for this years game, but instead of feeling relief, Katniss's heart drops. The name was Prim's. Katniss starts yelling trying to get to her sister through the crowd, only to be held back. Then she screams. "I volunteer! I'll go into the Games in Prims place! I volunteer!"


 I'm going to assume by this point almost everyone who plans on reading this book has read it. For you people who haven't read it because you saw the movie and didn't like the movie, Don't judge a book by it's movie, The book is almost always better. Get on The Hunger Games Trilogy Train! Start reading the book and let the Games begin.




                                                                                                                                                                    Rating 5 out 5.

"Specials" by Scott Westerfeld

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

Specials by Scott Westerfeld definitely had some twists I didn't see coming. It's the continuation of the Uglies Series . It's a wonderful dystopian novel, that shows how beauty can go to our head making us feel superior when really we're not. The back in forth power grabs and seeing who could out smart who in the book was simply exhilarating to read. 

Tally has yet again had her body and mind altered. She is super happy that her and Shay are best friends again, but feels rather hallow without having Zane by her side. Zane's been in the hospital getting his brain put back together after what David and his terrible Smokies did to him. If only Tally and her knew clique the Cutters or also known as the "Special" Special Circumstance could get a hold of David and put the Smokies to an end once an for all. A couple months after Tally's initial surgery turning her into a Special, a window opens in which they can go after the Smokies. David along with a few others have been spotted so Tally and the Cutters go after them, only to get ambushed. All the Cutter's get knocked unconscious except for Tally. The Smokies almost drowned Shay, and they end up kidnapping some one else. Shay and Tally now develop a plan to track the Smokies and race against the clock to rescue their friend. Will they make it in time?

I'll be honest at this point, I was kinda annoyed that her brain kept getting altered, but as I kept reading I got over it. I think this was my favorite book out of the series. I'm kind of curious as to what people thought, were you a team David or a team Zane? The last few chapters really had me shocked, I didn't see any of it coming. I have yet to read the last book Extras , but from my understanding it's all about different characters from a younger persons view on what's happened since everything went down in Specials. I guess this series was never as tensing as the Hunger Games or the Maze Runner , but it's definitely still a good read and there's still plenty of action it.  

                                                                                                                                                                 Rating 3 out 5.

"The Kill Order" by James Dashner

The Kill Order is the prequel  to the amazing The Maze Runner Trilogy. This book shows us what the world was like before Thomas, WICKED, and the Maze were even in existence. We got to experience the world as the sun flares hit and the disease broke out. I loved it just as much as the trilogy. 

Mark was having dreams about the first day the world fell apart. It was just like any normal day, he and his best friend Trina were taking the New York sub way train home. Until the train abruptly stopped, the lights went out and their cell phones weren't working. They tried to remain calm, but the people around began to panic. Once emergency lights triggered people started moving, he and Trina decided to go the opposite way of everyone else. They headed towards the stair way, when they felt it. The extreme heat, and the smell of burning flesh. Then he saw them. The burning, practically melting bodies. They had tried to make it down the stairs. Something bad had definitely happened up above. Mark and Trina turned around walking back a different way. People in panic, fights were already breaking out over food and flashlights people had happened to have.  How long would they need to stay down here? What happened? Marks thoughts went to his family. Where were they when this happened? His little sister. His poor little sister. He hoped she was okay. He used to spend a lot of time in the sub way tunnels, so he kind of knew where they were. Then some one started tailing them. Hiding in the shadows. Who was it? What'd they want? Mark and Trina had to get out, get above ground. Was there some way to get above ground without burning? With this heat the ice caps would be melting, making the water levels rise. These tunnels would be flooded and underwater in a matter of hours. They had to move.

As you read the book you see the intensity in which people will do any ANYTHING to survive. We learn what really caused the Flare, and how the immunes were found. The whole book, from beginning to end was simply thrilling. I am the biggest James Dashner fan now. Or as his fan base calls themselves, I am a Dashnerd. The Maze Runner Trilogy is a must read!     

                                                                                                                                    Rating 5 out of 5!