Caragh M. O'Brien: Birthmarked

Wow.  I started this without knowing that it was a trilogy book.
This is book one, with books two and three not due for the next two years!

Post-apocalyptic but an interesting perspective--the controlling faction (and upper class) aren't as happy or satisfied as the outsiders are taught to believe.

This is a more thought-provoking text, one with action and good characters and a moving plot, but it isn't a typical no-thinking escape.  There will be a specific reader to recommend this book to, but I am just not sure who that would be.  There is a medical/scientific aspect, a possible romance, and I am interested to know if anything more will come to fruition with Gaia's brothers.  Namely, will the older brother be evil, will Leon find Gaia, and how the heck is Gaia going to keep Maya fed???

:) I don't think I gave too much away!

Lauren Oliver: Delirium

Liked this book.  It was candy, and flew by.  Not happy about the end, but hopefully book 2 clears things up.  Similar to Hunger Games and Matched in the post-apocalyptic, government-controlled higher-class vs. lower class, but different in the sense that Lena (and the rest of society) WANTS the control...well, sort of.  I wish more was done with Hana's friendship (again, I hope that it is addressed in book 2), but the romantic tryst of the two central characters will appeal to the teen factions who devour Twilight.

Marissa Doyle: Betraying Season

 This was a fun read. The characters were good, the story was good, and the resolution was VERY satisfying.  I'm not sure about the "risque" mentions of sex--considering the time period--but this might be because it was the first quasi-realistic portrayal of Victorian late-teenage life. While many claim that this is the sequel to Bewitching Season, I read this first, and while I didn't know Pen's sister Persy, I like the inside cover's claim that this book is a COMPANION to Bewitching Season.  I might pick it up at some point, but I'm not in a rush.  I loved the Irish magic elements, and I actually hope there is a final book with both magical sisters equally represented in one final adventure. We'll see.

Sarah MacLean: The Season

 

Part Nancy Drew, part Sweet Valley High (in so much as romance is concerned), part Emma, all wrapped into a neat Victorian setting results in The Season.   I love this time period, and this book, while fluffy in some aspects, was a fun read. The three female characters are strong, intelligent, witty, and entertaining.  The mystery is interesting, and ,the resolution is satisfying. 

Brian Doyle: Mink River

Heather Dixon: Entwined

Ally Condie: Matched

Megan Whalen Turner: The King of Attolia

Less than one day.  The book is 385 pages, AND my sister is visiting until next Tuesday, AND I had football practice.  Needless to say this is my FAVORITE. 

There are different characters, but familiar ones as well.  Gen is so awesomely smart and FUN to read!!

I LOVE the intimate moments (don't get the wrong idea--it IS a YA book), and they came at the perfect time in the book. 

Seriously.  Thank you to Sarah and Silvie for getting me hooked on this series.  Turner truly is a master of her craft. 

Now I have to wait for my hold for the next book--and even though Turner claims on Goodreads that there should "be two more" books following The Conspiracy of Kings, they haven't been titled or published, so I am not holding my breath.  I probably should slow down and enjoy these more, but they are just TOO good!!

Love the characters in this book.  Love the story line and ultimate "resolution" as well.  Though, with Gen, "resolution" is a tricky word!!!  :) 

AMAZING.

Megan Whalen Turner: The Queen of Attolia

I honestly can't explain how awesome this series is turning out to be.  I was reading this before my football game, in the locker room, rather than getting all psyched up for the game!!

Amazing. 

I was so excited about the next book, that I put a hold on it at the library.  I can't wait to see what Turner has up her sleeve for the next book!!

Seriously.  There is action, adventure, twists, turns, and surprise after surprise with this book.  I love Turner's style of switching character perspectives, because in the end it is such a giant reward when things fall in to place.  Awesome. Pure awesome.

Alexandra Bracken: Brightly Woven

I saw this on the shelf of the library--and was not expecting to totally fall in love with it.  I just needed to get through the initial 70 first pages or so, and then I was hooked.  Sydelle is an interesting heroine who has no clue what is in store for her when she meets North Wayward and is forced to journey with him to keep peace for her country. 

Little bit of magic, MUCH romance, and a good amount of action to keep things moving.  Excellent story, fun characters, an evil villain, and a rewarding resolution. 

Glad I picked this up.  It didn't feel like a 340+ page book.  But it is!  I am going to hope for a book two though!