With Malice--Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

"Simone was dead, and I had no idea how it had happened."

Have you ever woken up and not remembered what you did the day before? It's slightly scary, but once you see an image you immediately remember. Well, that is not the case for Jill Charron.

Eighteen year old Jill Charron, wakes up only to find herself in a hospital bed. The worst part is, she can't remember how she got there. Jill can't even remember the past 6 weeks of her life.

Jill later discoveries that she was involved in a fatal car accident, which explains the cast on her leg and the stitches. The car accident occurred during the school trip to Italy. Jill was jetted home by her rich father, so that she could receive the proper care. Only problem this care involved a lawyer...and a press team?

Maybe this accident...wasn't an accident.

Jill tries to figure out not only what happened, but what she did. She works to figure out what happened in the six weeks that she can't seem to remember, before she loses what's left of her perfect life.

I thought this book was amazing! I adored the storyline. This was YA, but at the same point seemed to have adult aspects to it. I loved how we saw Jill struggle to recover her memory, and that it seemed real and not fictional. I also enjoyed how there were interruptions in chapters that showed us police reports and interviews with people. This book had a kind of detective feel to it that just made this book so much fun to read. It felt like I was interacting with the characters myself, and I enjoyed that a lot. I would recommend this book to all my friends and family.

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to review this book as well as a the publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for allowing me to read and review this book as well.

Wink Poppy Midnight--Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

 

 

“When you look into the darkness, the darkness looks into you."

We all fall in love with someone at some point in our lives. We obsess over that one person, even if they treat us like we are nothing. That's exactly the case for Midnight.

 Midnight has been in love with Poppy since the first night she climbed through his window. Her jasmine scent filling his mind, capturing his very heart. The thing is, Poppy only uses Midnight for a good time and then she goes back to treating him like dirt.

So when Midnight moves next to Wink, things begin to change. Midnight begins to think less of the girl with perfect hair, and more of the girl with wild curly orange hair. He feels at peace around the girl stuck in the stories of magic, and on edge around the girl in reality.

So when Wink's stories become reality, ending with the disappearance of Poppy, Midnight begins to discover things about Wink and Poppy he never new existed.

Will this story end in violence, or do the characters get their happily ever after?

I love this story! I like how each character has the chance to narrate their own points of view. I think each character was unique in their own special way and it created a wonderful dynamic. I love how the storyline didn't end up like a normal love story. There is adventure, revenge, love, and even some surprising outcomes in this story. All in all these characters were well written and I enjoyed each and every one of them. I would definitely recommend these to my friends and family!

 



The Girl Who Fell--Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

                                       “Darkness doesn't have fingers that twist into my flesh."

We all want the guy that we fall in love with to be perfect, or at least perfect for us. We hate when we don't see the warning signs that our friends see, or at least when we do see them it could be too late. Well that is unfortunately the case for Zephyr Doyle.

 Zephyr Doyle is focused on two things. First is leading her field hockey team to the state championship. Second, is getting into Boston College, her dream school.

But love decides it wants to intervene in the form of Alec. He's cute , he's charming, and most important he doesn't judge Zephyr. He understands all her weaknesses and even shares them. Soon their relationship becomes bigger than Zephyr, something she can't control, something she doesn't really want to control. 

Zephyr believes it has to be love. Love is powerful and....terrifying?

But love should not make you abandon your friends or your dreams. And it shouldn't make you feel guilty or ashamed. 

So when Zephyr final sees the person Alec really is she decides to take control back.

Only problem is it might be too late.

I absolutely loved this book!!! It made my emotions change so many times. The characters were well developed, and the plot line was superb. I loved how it seemed like this story could happen in real life. I love the whole story and was hooked by the first word. The plot of this story will grab you and leave you wanting more after each chapter. During each chapter of this book, you will be able see each character develop and grow. Zephyr will definitely develop throughout this story. S.M. Parker did an outstanding job of making the storyline feel realistic and even added points of advice that will help each reader through relationships that are similar to Zephyr and Alec's. I would highly recommend "The Girl who Fell" to each and everyone of my friends and family members. It is a must read.



Wandering Star-- Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

When tragic things happen to us, we wish to be left alone. To be allowed to live quietly where we finally achieve peace. This is all that Rho Grace desperately wants.

Orphaned, disgraced, and stripped of her guardian title, Rho Grace just simply wants to live a quiet life. She wants to live as a worker in the Cancrian refugee camp on House Capricorn.

This, however, does not happen.

News about the group Marad has spread. Marad is a group of unstable Risers that plan to overturn the harmony in the Galaxy. Marad could strike any of the Houses at any given moment.

Then, an unwelcomed nightmare appears to Rho in the shape of Ochus. He bears a cryptic message the leave Rho with no choice but to stand up and fight.

Rho must now embark on a journey filled with high-stakes. She must travel through an all-new set of different Houses, where she discovers that there is much more to not only the Galaxy, but herself than she could ever imagine.

Just when Rho has come to terms with the tragic loss of Mathias, the stars deliver their most shocking surprise yet.

I really thought this book was out of this world! I enjoyed how the characters developed from the last book. I also enjoyed the same but new plot line. The author really made me feel every characters feelings/emotions. I also thought the shocking point (read this to find out the secret) was expected, but at the same point thrilling. Though a little slow in the beginning, this book had me begging for more. I would definitely recommend this story to my friends. A great read that I believe everyone would definitely enjoy!

First Book in series

Zodiac by: Romina Russell

Review for this book is on this blog

Date book was reviewed: February 22, 2016

Glass Sword-- Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

“If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter.”  

Being different is always difficult for people. It brings new exciting people and worlds into our lives, but it also brings betrayal and danger. Mare Barrow knows this better than anyone.

Mare Barrows blood red-which stands as a symbol for commoners- but her Silver ability, the ability to control lightening, has turned Mare into a weapon that the royal court wants to control.

The crown declares Mare an impossibility, or a fake, but as Mare tries to escape the evil clutches of Maven, the prince-friend- who betrayed her, she discovers some concerning news. Mare isn't the only one of her kind.

Mare is pursued by Maven, now a twisted king, she sets out to find and recruit the other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the fight against Maven.

Mare soon finds herself on a deadly path, she's at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will Mare break under the weight of the many lives that are at cost of the rebellion? Or have betrayal and darkness harden her heart forever?

I thought this book was electrifying! (haha pun). Mare was still the strong independent woman she was in the beginning of the series. Though this is the second book, I especially loved that the way the author carried over the qualities of each character that made the first book so enjoyable. Maven was still the vindictive king that he became toward the end of the first book. All in all I loved the story line and thought that tis story was almost as good as the second.

First Book in series

Red Queen by: Victoria Aveyard

Review of this book is on this blog

Date it was reviewed: December 3, 2015

This Is Where It Ends-- Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

“I didn't need to die for him to kill me.”

School shootings. They are terrible and scary, but they also affect the people inside the school building and people outside the school building. We see this through out this book This Is Where It Ends.

What started out as a normal day for the students and teachers of Opportunity High School, ends in chaos. The principal calls all students and teachers to the gym for the predictable beginning of the year assembly.

Everything is normal at 10:00am when the principal brings her big speech on how students need to excel and achieve their goals this year.

At 10:02, the students get up to leave the gym and resume their daily classes.

At 10:03, the students and teachers find themselves locked inside the gym.

At 10:05, somebody starts shooting.

Follow the point of views of four students who are not only inside the gym, but outside as well.

I thought this book was absolutely amazing! The suspense and storyline were just captivating. I really enjoyed how the story switched between points of views so that we got an inside look and an outside look at the situation going on through out the story. I also really liked how this story covered a topic that most author are  scared to write about. This book also really made me think about how actions of others could truly drive someone to the point of no return. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends and family because this is an experience you don't want to miss out on.

A Thousand Pieces of You and the sequel Ten Thousand Skies Above You-- Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

“Every form of art is another way of seeing the world. Another perspective, another window. And science –that’s the most spectacular window of all. You can see the entire universe from there.”

 - A Thousand Pieces of You  

    The lose of a parent is never easy, but when you find out that they were murdered it becomes almost unbearable. Especially if the "suspected" murderer is a close family friend.

That's the unfortunate event that erupts in Marguerite Caine's world. Marguerite's world was perfect. She lived with her parents that just so happened to be renowned scientist, her sister, had a guy in her life named Theo who was not only her friend but secret crush, and there's Paul who seems to create a lot of mixed emotions inside Marguerite. This all comes to an end when Marguerite's father is murdered in a dreadful automobile accident. This happens days after the creation of a dimension traveling machine known as "The Firebird".

The villain behind Marguerite's father's "death"...Paul. To make matters worse, Paul has run off with the Firebird and is jumping around dimensions. It's up to Marguerite and Theo to catch up to Paul, and get to the bottom of things. As Marguerite travels to each dimension she enters the lives of her other selves, and even meets different Pauls.

Follow Marguerite in her journey through dimensions, and help find the secrets behind her father's murder as well as....love.

“That kind of sorrow never gets any lighter, but you grow accustomed to the weight as you carry it on.”

- Ten Thousand Skies Above You.

In this sequel to "A Thousand Pieces of You" Marguerite is, yet again, on another adventure. Only this time she's out to save Paul. After a moment of happiness everything in Marguerite's life is turned upside down once again, and another loved one is snatched from her life.

Only this time Marguerites not fighting to save only herself, but everything she holds dear.Join Marguerite as she battles her parents ex-scientific discovery sponsors and...Theo?

Will love conquer all, or will all be lost in a different dimension?

I loved these books!! They grabbed my attention with the very first word. That is why I'm giving these books 5 star ratings. I loved how each character had their own personality as well as the baggage each character carried around. The suspense was also very thrilling in these books, and made you feel like you were actually part of the story. If I could change one thing in these books it would probably be that we hear from Paul's point of view. I would like to know what was going through Paul's mind throughout both of these story lines. I would definitely recommend both these books to my friends and family, because they are both well written. 

Red Queen--reviewed by: Sarah Roberts

"In school, we learned about the world before us, about the angels and gods that lived in the sky, ruling the earth with kind and loving hands. Some say those are just stories, but I don't believe that. The gods rule us still. They have come down from the stars. And they are no longer kind."

Picture high school. It's ruled by two kinds of groups. There's the popular, almighty people, and then you have the unpopular, lowly people. Well that is the type of society that Mare Barrow lives in.

There are two kinds of people in Mare Barrow's society, except the thing that defines your place is the color of your blood. First you have the Silvers,which are the elite people "whose supernatural abilities make them gods". Then you have the Reds, which are the lowly servants of the Silvers.

Mare Barrow is a Red, who just so happens to be the best pit-pocketer in all the village. Mare lives with her mother, her war-disabled father, and her sister Gisa. Mare also has brothers but they are in the military, which Mare will soon join them...or so she thought. One encounter with a stranger leads Mare landing a job in the royal palace, filled with people she loathes the most. Mare works through rooms filled with Silvers, just simply serving and refilling drinks. Girls appear trying to win the affection of the two young princes, but only one of them is familiar. It's the stranger who got Mare the job.

As the night goes on Mare does her serving duties, and can't wait for the night to end. Suddenly, she is attacked by a girl in the pageant and thrown of the balcony landing on this lightening force field. The only problem is, Mare does burn but controls the lightening. This sets off a chain of events that will change everything.

I loved this book! It really made my imagination come to life. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family. Not only does this book have suspense, it also has betrayal and a hint of love. I love Mare's independent spirit, but also how loyal she is to her friends and loved ones. The storyline is absolutely spectacular! It will give you goose bumps. You feel everything the characters feel, and even feel afraid for some of them at one point. Join Mare in this fantastic tale, and "rise red as the dawn."

These Broken Stars--Reviewed by: Sarah Roberts

“For a moment the image before us is frozen: our world, our lives, reduced to a handful broken stars half lost in uncharted space. Then it's gone, the view swallowed by the hyperspace winds streaming past, blue-green auroras wiping the after-images away.

Until all that's left is us” 

In the blink of an eye life can change. You can go from being surrounded by your comfortable, bright life style to being in a place that's new, uncertain. Well that's exactly what happened to Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen.

Lilac LaRoux is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Carver comes from nothing, but is a young war hero who knows that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they are worth. So what happens when the two are thrown together after their beloved spaceship, the Icarus, crashes on to an unknown planet? Well, they are forced to work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Along the way there will be arguments, sarcastic comedy, heart melting moments, and even love.

I loved this book! I couldn't put it down for more than a second before I had to pick it up again. That is why I gave this book a 5 star rating. I enjoyed the suspense, sic-fi setting, and romance!. The sarcastic comments from Tarver made this story more comical, which I adored. The growing relationship between Lilac and Tarver will truly make you melt. I thought that these two characters truly complemented each other, and made this book worth reading. Some scenes in this book will leave you breathless! I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will definitely recommend this to my friends and family.

Burning Blue--Reviewed by: Sarah Roberts

                           Think of the most beautiful girl in your grade. Now think about what would happen to the school if the said girl's face was ruined by someone. Well, that's exactly what happened to golden girl; Nicole Castro. 

           It started off as a normal day, but then everything changes with just one squirt from a water bottle filled with acid. Now everyone is left with the simple question of "Why?" The only person willing to figure out this mystery is Jay Nazzaro,a social outcast scarred from public humiliation. I guess having a seizure during a pep rally and later finding it on YouTube makes people think twice about becoming friends with you. So with the help of his trusty computer hacking skills, Jay is on the hunt to find the culprit who led to Nicole's downfall from queen bee, to burned girl. Follow Jay and help find out who is really burning blue.

            

           I thought this book was amazing! I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family. I enjoyed how it was told from Jay's point of view, but had some journal entries that belonged to Nicole. I gave this book a rating of 4 and half stars because although it was well written, I would have liked to perhaps hear the point of view of the person who burned Nicole. Otherwise, this book was a great read and I believe others would enjoy this book immensely. 

Need--Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

" A want is a desire to possess or do something. A wish. A need is something required because it is essential. Something very important that you cannot live without."

"What do you need?"

                   Social media is the most important thing to teens these days. So when a social media cite called NEED starts offering to send teens in the small town of Nottawa whatever they need in exchange for small tasks to be carried out, what could be sweeter. At first the tasks are as simple as inviting people to join NEED, and then everything changes. A fellow classmate is the first to die after cookies were "mysteriously" delivered to her containing the one thing that could kill her...peanuts. The culprit is a fellow classmate, and NEED member, who was just following through on the task given to them. As more teens begin to die off, there's only on teen who wants to end NEED for good. Follow Kayla, as she tries to find out who is behind NEED, and hopefully put a stop to them before more classmates meet their untimely deaths.
 

            I became obsessed with this book after the first chapter! This is why I rated the book a five out of five stars. This book will have you begging for more. I thoroughly enjoyed how each chapter was from a different point of view of each character. Just like every person has their own opinions and point of views, so do the characters. You really get to experience what goes on in every character's head through the progression of each chapter. The ending of this book will leave you breathless. It was also make you think that this story could possibly happen in real life today.



What We Saw--Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

 

               
              Have you ever been in a situation where something bad happens, and you are the only one that wants to speak out against it? Well that's exactly where Kate Weston finds herself. After a picture of Stacey Stallard passed out over Deacon Mill's shoulder appears on social media, Kate begins to question what really happened that night. Suddenly, controversy erupt in town after Stacey accuses four of Kate's classmates of rape. Kate begins to question What really happened at that party after she left? who was still there? and more importantly what did they see?
     I gave this book a five star rating. This book was absolutely amazing! The mystery and suspense had my heart pounding and my mind dying to find out more as each chapter passed. I enjoyed how there was some romance but also a scandal that I feel any teen could experience at any party. This book may have you believe you have it all figured out by reading one single page, but in reality nothing is as exactly as it appears. The closer you look, the more you see.

 



Damage Done-- Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

               
              Have you ever had something happened to you, where you just want to change your name and switch cities or even planets? Well that's exactly what happens to Julia Vann.

        When Julia Vann's brother does something that makes Julia and her family the talk of the town, she and her family pack up, change their identities, and move to a new town. Now living as Lucy Black, Julia has a chance at having a normal high school year. That is until, Dr. Spence, Julia's brother's therapist, comes to town with a plan to find Julia. When a sequence of events makes it hard to hide the truth about her past Julia is forced to confide in her best friend Alane and her high school crush, Michael. Julia tells them everything about her past life...or so they think. What Julia holds inside could be the key to unlocking what really happened that fateful day, which changed her life forever. One thing is clear the damage done can never be erased. It's only just the beginning.

         I thought this book was absolutely amazing. I gave it a five-star rating because i could not put it down for even a second. This book is twisted and touches on subjects that others are afraid to even hint at. It creates a feeling of numbness at the end, because you just can't process it at first. It makes you think about how the mind works and what really makes people the way they are. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone because it is a story worth experiencing.

Daughter of Deep Silence -- Reviewed by Sarah Roberts

                              Imagine seeing your family killed before your very own eyes while on a family vacation. Frances Mace sees her parents shot before her very own eyes while vacationing on a boat known as the Persephone. This is the story about how Frances seeks revenge on the man who covered up the truth about what really happened to the Persephone and its passengers that fateful night. But when something happens that causes Frances to make a choice between love or revenge, which will she choose? Come and ride the waves with Frances on the journey to a successful revenge along with finding the truth behind the lies and deceit of Senator Wells.

                                I gave this book four and half stars out of five because although this book was well written and had a very well written plot line, I would have liked to have seen more of the other characters and their points of view. Especially Shepherd's and Grey's.  This book was definitely original and the storyline had great depth to it. You really got to know Frances and experience the inner battles within herself. I enjoyed how she tried to keep herself from showing emotions but you got to see what really was going on in the inside. I would definitely read this book again if given the choice. Frances was forced to grow up but you also saw that she was just a girl on the inside who felt hurt and out of control. Although Frances did not show it you could see the agony she was really in due to the traumatic experience the happened before her eyes. I would recommend this to my friends and family members because it unlike anything you have ever read before.

Impossible - reviewed by Maggie Devero

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

Reviewed by Maggie Devero

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme; remember me to one who lives there, for once she was a true lover of mine..."

An old folk ballad begins to haunt Lucy Scarborough, once she turns seventeen. All she wanted was to go to a normal prom, with a normal cute boy in a band, and enjoy herself. What she didn't expect, was her deranged biological mother showing up at pictures and throwing glass bottles at her and her date, then her date raping her in a closet after prom, and finishing it off by killing himself after he left. The thing is though...Lucy doesn't think her date, Gray Spencer, was in control of himself at the time. Not that he was inebriated or something...Lucy thinks that another person was possessing her date, and was the cause of all this. With the help of some hidden notes and a diary from the time her mother Miranda was sane, Lucy learns she has to complete three unbelievable, and magical tasks in order to discontinue a curse that has been passed down in her family for generations. With the help of her foster family, her best friend Zach, and the modern day things that weren't available years ago, Lucy can only still hope to win this battle, break the curse, and avoid falling into insanity.

I gave the book three out of five stars. The storyline itself was unique enough; I really didn't expect a rape scene to take place only chapters within the beginning of the book. The rest of the book had its twists and turns which kept it interesting. I don't really read a lot of fantasy/magical themed books, or at least ones like this, but I liked it! The writing style was good as well, descriptive enough to not be boring, but not detailed enough to be fully captivating like making me part of the story itself. Even the mini romances throughout the book didn't bother me as much as they usually do, probably because there was not the usual emphasis on them to the plot. Also the cover was really pretty, one of the main reasons I looked at the book in the first place. When I googled the picture for this review, this wasn't even the main cover to come up, but I like this one a lot better. So yes, the book was a nice change of pace for myself, and it was worth the three stars.

The Bone Season- Review by Paige Espinosa

     Paige Mahoney is a gutsy 19 year old criminal with a high-ranking position in a wanted gang. Her rare ability to leave her body and enter the minds- or dreamscapes- of others around her makes her a valuable ally- and a dangerous enemy. In 2059 London, the governrment is now called Scion and it is searching for all people, like Paige, who have these special abilities. These clairvoyants are hunted and, when caught, are presumably tortured and put to death or given an option to join a law enforcement division dedicated to hunting other clairvoyants; however, option number two means being under the thumb of Scion, turning in your own, and being given thirty years to live before being "put down" like a sick animal. 

     When Paige is captured, all she knows about Scion is suddenly tested when she finds herself in a city that was wiped off the map 200 years ago after a devastating fire. Scion's secrets are unearthed with her discovery of an ancient race, the Rephaim, who value clairvoyants for their fight against the flesh-eating Emim. Paige's only options are obey the Rephaim and join their army against the Emim- leading to an almost certain death in the jaws of a fearsome creature- or to fight back and most likely be killed by her captors. Find out what happens by reading The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon!

     I enjoyed The Bone Season and gave it three and a half stars. The story was exceptionally original however the brief appearance of a love triangle took away from the quality of the story for me. The continuance of hinting at this love triangle after a shocking revelation that should have ended it also grew old and boring by the end of the book. Paige Mahoney was a likable character, similar to Katniss Everdeen (from The Hunger Games trilogy). Both are strong female roles, coming from livelihoods made on the black market to situations where you have to fight to survive and your sanity is pushed to its limits. Other characters, however, such as Warden, Paige's master, weren't quite as likable. Warden felt a little too cliche, almost like another Edward Cullen- dark, mysterious, immortal stalker. (from the Twilight series) Personally, I felt that most of the characters weren't developed fully throughout the story and at the end of the book I honestly didn't feel like I really knew much about most of them. Hopefully in sequels to come, Samantha Shannon will continue to develop these characters as they have the potential to be extremely intriguing- if not likable- characters.  

Powerless--Reveiewed by Alexandra Lopez

Powerless

Author: Matthew Cody

Daniel just your average kid moves into a town, where its said to the 'safest'. The people are nice and so are his classmates. However he did notice a few acting a bit weird, but thought nothing of it. Then notices something off and starts to follow them home. The group notices and pills him to the side and reveal their secret. Their pals, the best of friends, except when one of his friends says could he stay with him for the night. They tell him another secret of theirs they forgot to mention. At thirteen you become powerless and lose your memories of ever having them. Being the good friend he is, he stays with him. Daniel is pulled into the towns big mystery and soon his friends rely heavily on him to solve the mystery of the thing that keeps stealing memories and powers. Can Daniel help his friends? Or will he die because of it?

I loved the book, mainly for the concept of these kids able to have superpowers. The book grabbed my attention when I read it was about super power heroes. How cool would it be to fly or have super strength? I loved each character and their little quirks it made them feel real. However I didn't like the story, it was good, just I didn't like how he focused on the fact that your special without superpowers. Your special regardless, a person can do things, others can't. This book is childish it is meant for preteens, because Daniels friends have super powers but fear of losing them when they turn thirteen.  I wouldn't dismiss this from my opinion alone, it's a great book to read, it's just wasn't my cup of tea.

Runemarks by Joanne Harris--reviewed by Alexandra Lopez

Runemarks

Author: Joanne Harris

Revieiwed: Alexandra Lopez

The main character, Maddy Smith, who is an outcast in a small rural town, Malbry is unhappy. The mark makes her an outcast, the people and even her family wants nothing to do with her. Malbry does all it can to ignore the mythical creatures that try to stir up trouble, because it’s unholy. Maddy believes they shouldn't forget the old ways, especially when they’re the ones causing trouble.  A good friend, One-Eye, believes the same and asks her to come along on a journey with him. Of course Maddy Smith joins her friend. The journey is long and dangerous, will she survive be able to survive it?

Reading Runemark has been very magical. I give this lovely book, four out of five stars. The book revolves around Norse mythology, so a lot of characters or creatures come from those stories.  The characters were fully developed even the minor characters Maddy met along her journey. I also enjoyed that the book, that around every corner was something new that Maddy discovered. I believe those that enjoy fantasy or mythology enthusiast and like to read in depth tales, this is a book for you. Come check it out, read and enjoy.

Wither (Chemical Garden) Book 1-- reviewed by Alexandra Lopez

                                     Wither (Chemical Garden) Book 1

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Reviewed: Alexandra Lopez

  The cure for cancer is discovered and is distributed to everyone, the world is cured, life is perfect. At least that's what they believed, until their children started to die young. Scientists discovered that the 'cure', it gave the children a genetic virus that causes men to live longer than women, however both shared the same fate of a short life span. 

  Even though scientists and  doctors work endlessly to find the cure to this virus, the people have turned to a different solution. Many believe there is no cure and in hopes to keep the human race alive, they try to have many children.  Many young girls are kidnapped and sold to wealthy men, who already own several wives. 

  The story begins with a young girl named Rhine who was kidnapped and was forced to marry a man named Linden who claims to love her. Rhine does not feel the same way and wants to escape her prison to find her twin brother. However she needs to gain the trust of Linden and her father in law to appear as good wife to gain certain freedoms. Then she can escape from their clutches and return home.

  I enjoyed reading Wither, it left me wanting more. The story was well paced except when Rhine kept telling herself she would escape. She has many chances to run but never does. If she was so dead set on trying to get home to her brother, who was her only family, why put it off?

  I believe she was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome at the time. She stayed with them long enough to understand their way of life and she started to grown to care for her sister wives Rhine didn't want to leave them behind. The ending was a bit of surprise to me, though. The book was great overall, except about Rhine not having the guts to escape, but I can't really blame her.

   If you too fall for this book it is located in the O'Hara Library. Check out the book in the library, read and enjoy.

Zan-Gah -- reviewed by Alexandra Lopez

Zan-Gah

Author: Allan Richard Shickman

Reveiwed:Alexandra Lopez

Rated: ***

   Zan-Gah a young boy between boyhood and manhood. He proves himself over time that he has come of age to his people, however he never truly feels like a man. He blames himself for losing his twin, his other half, Dael. He takes a stand and ventures into the prehistoric wild he calls home, to find him, risking his life and maybe the saftey of his people to find his brother.

  The intro of Zan-Gah caught my attention. It jumped right into the story, and was very enjoyable for awhile. The story was good, but not as great as it should have been. I would say this book is more appropriate for children. The flaws would be the pacing, and character depth. Other than that Zan-Gah was one wild ride.

 The pacing was fine in the beginning gave just enough detail to understand where the book was headed. Maybe that's why I loved it, it just dived right into action.  However as the story continued it wasn't as good. The story felt cramped, it took three years for him to find his sibling, some scenes were either muddled or were not detailed enough.

  Another problem was that even though we knew of Zan-Gah, we didn't really know him. Yes he was a hero to his people, but what did he enjoy? Considering the time, which is the Stone Age it wasn't a bad problem. Survival was more important, Zan-Gah mentioned that quite often. However we would have liked a bit more about Zan-Gah other than his bravery.

  Overall I have mixed feelings about this. It had an entertaining story, and great action, without the gory detail. Still I rated 3 out 5 stars. I believe the author was writing for a different audience. Other than that it was enjoyable. If you have the time it's a good book to read.