Title: Champion
Author: Marie Lu
Series/Standalone: Legend Trilogy (Book #3)
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Young Adult
Pages: 369
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook
"He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic- and each other- and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government's elite circles as the Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic's border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country's defence. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu's bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion."
My Rating: 4.5/5
Possibly my favorite book in the series overall. I really enjoyed the storyline and the change in our characters. Hearing about how the world is changing and how the characters emotions towards the government and each other have grown. I really loved the changes in settings and the expansion of the world. The audiobooks narrators did a wonderful job at telling the story and portraying the characters emotions.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This series threw me for a loop. The characters, the setting and the romance was interesting to me, to say the least. I really enjoyed the characters change in pace and the way they were pulled apart. I also loved seeing other parts of the world. Antartica was amazing to see, and an interesting concept. The romance grew on me a lot. At first, I thought it was unnecessary but the more the romance was proved to me the more I wanted to fight for it.
Characters:
Day: I loved how his character handled things. I would do the same. It's easier to leave people behind without them ever knowing than telling them something that would break their heart. I was also glad that he took time to grow into himself, but it was heartbreaking to see that he didn't remember June for so long.
June: I think that she grew alot in this story. She had to understand the politics of the world, and she tried to be with someone other than Day and it just wasn't meant to be. She is an amazing character and I would be interested in a prequel story.
Anden: I didn't appreciate how he was so much like his father at some points in the story. I think he did what he thought was right. Although he and June didn't work out, I'm sure he would find someone else willing to be with him.
Eden: His ability to put others first was unmatched throughout this story. Even though he knew it would put him in danger he was willing to be experimented on again for the greater good.
Tess: I'm glad that she grew up and we got to see her as a more mature adult. I strongly appreciated it.
Title: Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Series/Standalone: Legacy of Orisha (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction
Pages: 525
Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2018
Format: Hardcover (Own It)
First Line: "I try not to think of her."
"They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
Now we rise.
Zelie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orisha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie's Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the order of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zelie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zelie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zelie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orisha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zelie herself as she struggles to control her power and her growing feelings for an enemy."
My Rating: 5/5
I was totally prepared not to enjoy this book, after all the hype it received I was cautious about going into it just hoping that it hadn't been overhyped. For me, it totally lived up to the hype for me. The characters were loveable, and interesting to read about. I also enjoyed the setting and the world overall. I was super interested in how the magic worked and the past of the country. I can't wait to continue the series as they come out.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This was a great first installment in this series. I really loved the characters in this book, and the settings. It was interesting to see how the past compared to the present Orisha and hopefully the future. The twists in this book also got me.
Overall the magic system was amazing. I wish I was a Tider.
Characters:
Zelie: I loved how strong she was and how she was willing to risk everything for those she loves. She is powerful and strong like her mother. Her struggles hurt my heart, and I was ready to cheer her on through everything. I really did believe in her relationship with Inan, and it was heartbreaking to see how it fell apart.
Amari: I think that she was strong in her own way. I agreed with how Zelie thought of her at the start of the story, but seeing how she was raised and the things she put up with, I think she might have been the strongest character in this story overall. And she was willing to sacrifice her way of life to help others.
Inan: I really thought that he was ready to commit to a new world where Maji and non-maji. Yet he continued to betray himself and the maji again and again. I'm also not sure if he will stay dead or if he will come back to continue the series.
Tzain: I hope that he and Amari will continue to have this sweet relationship they've been working on, but I'm worried that the loss of Baba will be too much.
Zu: Her loss hit me the hardest out of all the losses (other than Baba), because of how much she believed in the world she was creating. She didn't run from those who stood in her way, she protected those who stood behind her.
King: His fear was based on his past which I would be interested in hearing about his first family and what happened with the Maji clans and the royalty of the past.
Moments to Remember:
Pg. 395
"'You never give up on her,' I shout after him. 'Never. Not once. Even when she cost you everything, you're always by her side.'"
Pg. 513
"I am a princess. A queen.
I am the Lionaire."
Final Line: "Now let's rise."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Author: JK Rowling
Series/Standalone: Harry Potter Series (Book #1)
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 223
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year Published: 1997
Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)
"Strange things always seem to happen when Harry Potter is around. Things that unsettle his guardians, the Dursleys. They strongly disapprove of strangeness. It's only when a letter arrives, delivered by a shaggy giant of a man called Hagrid, that Harry learns the truth that will transform his entire future: his parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldemort, and he, Harry, is a wizard.
Whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry discovers a world of enchantments, ghosts, Quidditch, and friends who will stand, throughout everything, by his side. But when Harry hears of a stone with great powers, he finds that his school has its own dark past- and an adventure that will become the stuff of legend begins...."
My Rating: 5/5
This is not my first time reading Harry Potter. For months I was planning to reread this series with my boyfriend and my best friends, so we finally made a plan to start our rereads. I really enjoyed this first book. I think its a great first installment in the series, and as a reread there are things that you definitely pick up on. I also think that I forgot so many things in the years between reading this.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The People of Sparks
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Series/Standalone: Book of Ember (Book #2)
Genre: Middle Grade, Dystopia, Fantasy
Pages: 338
Publisher: Yearling
Year Published: 2004
Format: Audiobook
"When Lina and Doon lead their people up from the underground city of Ember, they discover a surface world of color and life. The people of a small village called Sparks agree to help the Emberites, but the villagers have never had to share their world before. Soon differences between the two groups escalate, and it's up to Lina and Doon to find a way to avoid war!
In the riveting sequel to the highly acclaimed The City of Ember, Jeanne DuPrau explores the nature of conflict and the strength and courage necessary to overcome it."
My Rating: 3/5
I was hoping for something more throughout this story and it just wasn't all I hoped it would be. I certainly wouldn't describe this book as a young adult story. This story would be a great middle-grade read but I wanted something more from it. I think that I will continue this series via audiobook, but I'm not sure if I will continue immediately after listening to this one, or if I will wait for a few months to finish.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Delirium (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure."
"In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn't about to make the same mistake.
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the 'Wilds' who lives under the government's radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?"
My Rating: 3.75/5
This book is said to be the best of the series, which makes me more than a little nervous about continuing on. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book. I thought that the characters were well planned out and the world was interesting to read about. I also really appreciated the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I think where this book lost my interest was when there were twists and turns too close together. I'm thinking about listening to the audiobook for the next books over the summer if I should physically read them let me know.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This concept was so interesting to me, but after hearing overall series reviews I wasn't sure about whether or not to pick up this series. I really thought that this first book was a great entry into the world and the quotes really made a huge impact on the story overall and gave a look into how the world had changed.
I also appreciated the idea of the Wilds. So excited to see that setting change in the next book.
Characters:
Lena: I think that her fear was totally valid throughout the story. If you had been taught you're a whole life that loving someone was deadly, you would stray far away from caring about anyone. Which is maybe why I was confused by how emotional she was with Hana. Obviously, it was a different love, but it still counts. Excited to see where her life goes, but heart broken about Alex.
Alex: Something has got to give. He has to have some kind of past we don't know about. I also think that we need to be given his perspective. If that's even a thing anymore. Also he has to come back right? Right?
Hana: I hope that she ends up happy. She deserves more than the life she's taking.
Gracie: She is the character that made me feel the most. I think the way she copes is interesting, and also could be a side effect of lack of love and caring as a child.
Rachel: I wonder what would have happened to her if she had never had the procedure.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "They cannot take it."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Beware the Kitten Holy
Author and Artists: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Faith Hicks, Shannon Watters, Brooke Allen
Series/Standalone: Lumberjanes Vol. 1 (Issues 1-4)
Genre: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy
Pages: 128
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Year Published: 2015
Format: Graphic Novel (Library Copy)
"At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together... And they're not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here."
My Rating: 5/5
This is a great graphic novel. It features so many badass young women who are each unique but is building each other up instead of tearing each other down. I also loved the use of a camp setting with these girls, and the director of the camp really made me smile throughout the story. I can't wait to see where this story goes, and how our characters grow. The relationships between characters will hopefully deepen and the mystery will continue.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Prodigy
Author: Marie Lu
Series/Standalone: Legend Series (Book #2)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance
Pages: 371
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook
"Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother in an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots- a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?"
My Rating: 4/5
I think that this book was a serious improvement on the first installment. I loved the audiobook and the narrators chosen for the two main characters. This story really follows the idea of betrayal and what you believe in in the world. Not only to mention the idea that most are morally grey. I really enjoyed the different settings as well as the diverse points of view in this series. I can't wait to continue this series and see where it takes our characters in a different kind of revolution than expected.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
I was totally prepared to give up on this series based on the use of romance in the first installment but this book just really made me wonder about the world and the characters. I'm curious about where everyone will end up and how the colonies became the way they are. I'm really interested to see how June and Day manage to get through his announcement and how she will find out about his illness.
Characters:
Day: I liked his story arch more near the end of this novel, mostly because of his super intense emotions that he felt for June. It seemed like his love for her was being forced, it just didn't seem natural at all. It was unfortunate. But the more I read, the more I was ok with how the character's relationship developed. I was disappointed in the way he handled his situation with Tess.
June: I still think that she's a total badass, but I just couldn't relate to how she didn't understand what it was like to poor. It was like she just opened her mouth and shouted repeatedly "I was rich. I'm rich. RICH!" After she saw how the colonies were, I think that it really opened her eyes, that the grass is rarely greener, if anything it's about the same.
Thomas: His character changes was also something I wasn't ready for. The idea that he was gay and wasn't able to show his love for Metais was heartbreaking. But then seeing that he was ordered to kill his potential lover, damn it hit hard. I'm curious to see if he comes into play again after Day and June switched sides.
Tess: Man that friendzone was pretty rough.
Kaede: I was surprised how upset I was that she died. She gave up everything to save the Patriots and the Republic. To give the people another chance at life.
Razor: He was suspicious but I didn't expect him to be working in conjunction with the Senate. After hearing this though, many of my feelings of suspicion were justified.
Anden: I'm wondering what is going to happen during his reign. Will his affection for June ruin his chance of ruling without feel, or will he turn against the people if she rejects him.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The City of Ember
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Series/Standalone: Book of Ember (Book #1)
Genre: Middle Grade, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 270
Publisher: Yearling Books
Year Published: 2003
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "When the city of Ember was just built and not yet inhabited, the chief builder and the assistant builder, both of them weary, sat down to speak of the future."
Citizen of Ember shall be assigned work at twelve years of age...
Lina Mayfleet desperately wants to be a messenger. Instead, she draws the dreaded job of Pipeworks labourer, which means she'll be working in damp tunnels deep underground.
Doon Harrow draws messenger- and asks Lina to trade! Doon wants to be underground. That's where the generator is, and Doon has ideas about how to fix it. For as long as anyone can remember, the great lights of Ember have kept the endless darkness at bay. But now the lights are beginning to flicker..."
My Rating: 3.25/5
This is a story that I had read in middle school and had thought about on and off throughout the years. After seeing a copy of this book and the second one in a used bookshop I thought that it was a good time to pick up the series and continue it. But before I could do that I needed to reread where it all started. I really enjoyed the stories interesting setting and the use of darkness throughout. I also appreciated the use of grief and loss throughout the story. I'm excited to continue this series and see where the author takes our characters.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This is such a popular story from my middle school, and I appreciate it overall. I think that this is one of the first dystopian books I ever read, and it is an easy read that I would suggest for those in middle school, but it is enjoyable for older readers as well. I can't wait to see how the author takes our characters above ground.
Characters:
Doon:I think that his need to become a hero is interesting and makes me wonder how he will cope in a new area where no one knows him. And where his finding the exit might be something negative rather than positive.
Lina: I wonder how running in the great outdoors will affect her. And how losing her grandmother so suddenly might have a backlash.
The Mayor: What a guy? I can understand how he did what he did when he believed that there was no hope.
Grandma: Hurts my heart.
Looper: I'd like to think that this wouldn't be a likely trait that people would develop but I wouldn't be surprised if many people took advantage of the system.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
