"Promised" by Caragh O'Brien

Warning: this is the third & final book in the Birthmarked Trilogy. If you haven't read the first two books you may not want to read this.

Promised by Caragh O'Brien was a great read. It was fast paced, suspenseful, and it had an interesting love story. 


Gaia Stone had survived the Enclave. She had escaped to the waste land and survived that also. She is now ruling Sylum. Sylum is slowly dying and the only way to save it is for Gaia to do the unthinkable. She has to lead her people back to the Enclave. Leaving the Enclave on such bad terms has Gaia feeling frightened, but she has no choice. She knew everything wouldn't go smoothly when they got there, but she also hadn't anticipated all that would be asked of her. All that she would have to sacrifice in order to survive. It's all up to her. 


I loved this trilogy. Some of the things in this last book literally made my jaw drop. I didn't see a lot of it coming. Some of the story was rather heart-breaking, yet in my opinion the good out-weighed the bad, which I liked. Needless to say I recommend this trilogy.

                                                                              Rating 5 out of 5.

"Prized" by Caragh O'brien

Warning: this is the second book in the BirthMarked trilogy. If you haven't read the first book I wouldn't read this.

Prized by Caragh O'brien was even better then the first book, Birthmarked. It was fast paced, suspenseful, and romance came into play. Some of the questions from the first book get answered as well. So far this trilogy seems to be a must read!

Prized picked up where BirthMarked left off. Gaia is scrambling around in the wilderness with her newborn baby sister. She has escaped the Enclave, only to be at death's door step. She's running out of supplies and she doesn't know where to go now. Her sister is starting to die. Gaia and her sister are captured and get taken to Sylum. It's a society inside the dead forest, but every thing is backwards. The woman rule over the men, the men out number the woman, and kissing or any form of affection is a crime unless your married. Gaia's sister is taken from her to see if the Sylum women can save her. There's strict laws in which Gaia needs to learn to follow if she ever wants to see her sister again, assuming she lives. As if that's not enough, once you enter the society you can't leave it for long periods of time or you die. No one has been able to figure out what causes the death. Gaia fears she may not be able to submit to all the rules. If she submits, she'd have to change who she is as a person.

I LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down, and I definitely can't wait to start the next one, Promised. My heart literally broke for Gaia. The love story Caragh Obrien decided to go with was such a tough romance. I'm telling you now, start the trilogy. You won't be disappointed. (Assuming nothing drastically goes wrong with the third book. I'll let you know.)

                                                                              Rating 5 out of 5.

"BirthMarked" by Caragh O'brien

Birthmarked by Caragh O'brien is the first book in an exciting trilogy. This book is a new favorite of mine. It is a suspenseful and an addicting read. Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. There's a bit of a mystery in it that slowly gets revealed chapter by chapter.

Sixteen year old Gaia Stone is a mid-wife that lives outside the wall. Gaia and her family have always served the Enclave dutifully. Gaia and her mother deliver all the babies in their sector, making sure to advance the first three babies born each month. Gaia's mother will tattoo the babies ankle then give it to the people inside the walls. Gaia's never really understood why, she has just always followed orders. She followed them until the day her parents were arrested and taken from her for no reason.  An old woman came to her and gave her a ribbon with strange markings and said it was her mothers and to keep it safe. She didn't understand at the time what it was, but she decided to do what the woman asked. A rumor started to float around saying her parents were sentenced to death in a weeks time. She knew then she was going to sneak inside the wall and get them out or die trying. Gaia had thought everything inside the walls would be perfect, however; upon entering there was an execution taking place in the main square. What unnerved Gaia wasn't the execution per say, but the fact that the women was pregnant and could be due any day. When the floor dropped out from the woman's feet and she was hung, Gaia knew then that she was going to find out where the body would be taken. She may not have been able to save the mother, but she was going to try and save the baby, even if it jeopardized everything else. Since there was no oxygen getting to the baby at this point, it became a race against time. Gaia didn't know if she could do it, but she had to try. It was this action that opened a doorway to all sorts of problems and mysteries. Each and everyone Gaia would have to face and overcome. Her life depended on it.

This book was an interesting read, and it was well written. Some of it was rather heart wrenching, and you really felt Gaia's pain. Other parts of it you could jump for joy when Gaia had triumphed over a difficult trial. The book was ever twisting; there was so much I never saw coming, and it turned into such a surprise. I was sad to see it end, but i'm excited as ever to start the second book,Prized.

                                                                               Rating 4.5 out 5.

"Champion" by Marie Lu

Warning: This is the last book in a the Legend Trilogy. If you haven't read the first two books you may not want to read this.


Champion picks up where Prodigy leaves off. Day and June have gone their separate ways only to have their paths intertwined again during crazy circumstances.June is back working for the Republic as a Princeps Elect while Day holds a high level military ranking. As peace is about to be established between the Republic and Colonies, a plague breaks out. The Colonies blame the Republic, and demand the cure. Except this time the Republic doesn't have it. It's a mutated strain and it's deadlier then ever. The Colonies have made an alliance with Africa and are prepared to wipe out the Republic unless a cure is handed over. June knows what must be done, and its breaks her heart. She needs Day to give up the most important person in his life. His little brother. Eden. The cure has to be in his blood.


Champion was phenomenal. My eyes teared up near the end; I was sad it was ending. The prologue lightened my mood though. The character's growth within the book was really awesome to see. I loved every page, I sincerely can't wait til Marie writes a new book.

                                                                              Rating 5 out of 5.

"Prodigy" by Marie Lu

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


Prodigy by Marie Lu was just as well written and captivating as the first book, Legend. I truly loved it, can honestly say it's one of the best Dystopian novels I've read. The love story really progressed. The book was still really suspenseful and there were still some twists I hadn't seen coming that literally made my jaw drop.


Prodigy picks up right where Legend dropped off. 

June and Day make their way to Vegas, and upon their arrival, they're almost marched off to the hospital where they'd be finger printed. That would then lead to their discovery. The patriots, however; decided to intervene, and take them to their bunker. While they are there it is also announced that the Elector Primo has died and has been replaced by his son, Anden. June and Day request for the patriots to help them save Day's brother and get them across the war line and into the Colonies. The patriot leader agrees on one condition. June and Day must help assassinate the new Elector. They agree. Everything is going as planned, except as June starts playing her role in the whole plot she quickly learns Anden is nothing like his father. Some things just aren't adding up, and June isn't hundred percent sure if she can go through with it. She is no longer sure where her loyalties should lie, or what should truly happen if she chooses one side over the other.  There are yet more secrets and puzzles she will have to figure out rather quickly. She hasn't much time to do so and there are lives on the line.


I loved it so much! Like seriously if you haven't started reading them, go read them now! As a couple things got revealed I was so shocked! I liked how many unexpecteds there were for me, usually I can figure out things before they happen, which I guess make a book "predictable", but I solved almost nothing before it was revealed in this book. The only thing I really saw coming was the ending. I had a general idea of what was going on, before it was announced, yet if you read the book i'm sure you'd know too. My mind was/is kind of a jumbled mess, and I have to organize my thoughts and feelings before I start the third book, Champion.  I plan to start reading later tonight. If you start reading the Legend Trilogy, I hope you love it as much as I have! Let me know what you think. :)

"Legend" by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu was another fantastic dystopian novel! The first in the Legend Trilogy. It had a great plot, talented writing, and some really unimaginable twists. It was suspenseful and captivating. There's not a real solid love story in the book, until the end where you see a relationship bloom and it will obviously get carried over to & grow in Legend's sequel, Prodigy. We read the book from two different perspectives. A boy and a girls.


What use to be the Western part of the United States is now the "Republic" and it's at war with it's neighbors. 

My name is June. I'm fifteen. I was born in a higher class family in one with richest districts in the Republic. At ten years old I took a Trial Test, just like every ten year old does. Except unlike everyone else, I got a perfect score. I am now being trained in one of the highest ranked military schools. I have life made for the most part, since I have money I can buy vaccine's so I don't even have to worry about the plague that's running around right now. My parents died when I was really young, so as far as I can remember my brother, Metias has always raised me. Metias is a captain in the military. He said he'd be here for me forever and ever or at least until I got sick of him, but the unthinkable happened. He was murdered. The most wanted criminal in the Republic stabbed him, trying to make a get away. This criminal's name is Day, and I am now determined to track him down. There's one problem though, no one knows what he looks like. 


The book was amazing. Not only was it really enjoyable, but it was touching too see how far a family's love could go. I couldn't put it down.  I flew through the first book. Literally. I read it one day. I  will be starting the second book, Prodigy; later tonight. I'm really on a dystopian/suspense/romance kick right now. There's so many books in this genre.however; if you're a fan of this genre also this book should definitely be at the top of your "To Read" list. This book had so many secrets and twists to uncover. It turned out Day may not be the only person keeping the secrets either. ;)


                                             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.

"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 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.

"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.