Coming Soon: The Testing (June 4, 2013)

So today, can I just start by saying that I am beyond excited to read  The Testing (The Testing, #1) by Joelle Charbonneau!  I was browsing upcoming reads last night and ran across this one that looks like quite the jewel!  Seems, dare I say, Divergent-ish.  

Summary (Courtesy of Goodreads): 

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

To add to the excitement, Charbonneau has already written the other two books and working on revisions for book #3!  Can't wait to read this series!

Ender's Game

In honor of the movie trailer release (finally) of the Ender Game movie, here is a quick review of one of my all-time favorite books to date, Ender's Game (Ender, Book 1) by Orson Scott Card!

In a world at war with aliens (Buggers), 6 year old genius, Ender Wiggin is possibly their best hope at survival.  Ender lives in a time where children are bred to be intelligent and then the best of the best are sent to train to become soldiers.  Ender's older siblings, Peter and Valentine look to be good candidates but instead Ender is the chosen one for Battle School.  Things weren't easy for him at home with his brothers sadistic behavior but neither is it very pleasant at school where he is one of the youngest and smallest and brightest boys resulting in great rivalries and alienation. 

As Ender advances he begins to know all too well that it is lonely at the top.  He also starts to battle within himself with the fear that he continues to become more and more like the brother he swore he was nothing like.  Will he be able to overcome his obstacles and save Earth?  Will he be what his superiors need?  What the world needs?  What he needs?

This books is excellently written and really pulls the reader into the story.  Each and every character has a story to tell and the ending will floor you!  Let it be said, that this is a book about children but not for children.  There are definitely some graphic scenes.

Beta (Annex, #1)

Have you ever awoken from a bad dream only to later realize you're still inside a dream?  Well that's where it seems Elysia is in Beta by Rachel Cohn.  Unlike most dystopia YA books, Beta opens in an almost utopian society Demesne, playground for the wealthy and elite.  Elysia is a beautiful, first generation (BETA) teenage clone, designed to serve as a perfect family member - plaything for the other teens and perfect "replacement" daughter for her new owners.  

Everything is going along perfectly until Elysia starts having "emotions" and "feelings," something that souless clones should not have.  Could she be a defect?  Will they come after her?  Is she alone?  The answer, is no.  She is not alone in her feelings.  Other clones on the island are feeling rebellious and there is revolution on the minds of many.  Who can be trusted?  

Beta, is a very well-written novel and Rachel Cohn's style is a fast-paced page turner, laced with humor, a little romance, unexpected plot twists and suspense.  There is a HUGE revelation at the end of the book and I CANNOT wait for the next in the series!  

Belles

Jen Calonita builds a beautiful rags to riches story with her novel, Belles.  This was a surprisingly good read!  What a great coming of age story about a high schooler, Isabelle Scott (Iz or Izzie for short) who grows up on the wrong side of the tracks and suddenly finds herself thrown into the life of the rich and elite of Emerald Cove (EC) after her grandma and legal guardian takes a turn for the worse.  

Fitting  in and maneuvering the EC social structures in this town are harder than taking care of her ailing grandmother, working as a beach lifeguard, keeping her grades up, paying the bills, buying groceries and maintaining her status of star swimmer...Will she be able to climb the social ladder?  Will she make friends?  What about the summer fling that suddenly turns up at her new school and is in the arms of the one girl who she despises? 

The Carrie Diaries

So let me start by saying, if you're looking for a book that mirrors the new CW TV show, The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell is not the book for you.  However, if you're looking for a nice easy summer read that leads into the epic Sex in the City series this is a perfect read!  It is loosely related and includes most of the characters, but this is one story that has not been seen on TV. 

We follow Carrie Bradshaw during her high school years.  Carrie is a senior with her core group of friends.  This story has it all: boys, love, betrayal, family and of course friendship. It was nice to see Carrie before she became CARRIE, but at times it was difficult to imagine the character we've all grown to love on HBO as ever being the Carrie in The Carrie Diaries.  Yes, we're introduced to her budding writing career and it is nice to see that the future sex columnist is one of the only virgins left in her high school but there are so many times where I find myself yelling at the book because the strong and capable Carrie Bradshaw as a teen seems weak and timid and slightly annoying.  That being said, it is still a good prequel to the show we all know and love.  A good easy beach read, just don't look for any profound twist and turns or coming of age breakthroughs.

Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)

Grave Mercy: His Fair Assassin, Book I (His Fair Assassin Trilogy) is another book that had me from "Hello" - or rather from the moment I first laid eyes on the cover!  What a gorgeous cover that all but shows a strong character during a time when men have characteristically been the ones to fight a battle.  Anyway, the cover is just the beginning of a very beautifully told intriguing and historic story of politics, love and death. 

Author, Robin LaFevers, does a remarkable job giving the reader very detailed descriptions of not only the characters but the locations and political climate throughout the novel.  Grave Mercy has it all: love, murder, poison, honor, suspense and death.  

Our main character, Ismae, joins the convent of Saint Mortain (Saint of Death) after her situation turns hopeless.  Once at the convent she is trained to become an assassin - true Daughter of Death.  Ismae's next assignment seems straight forward, kill the traitor at court and protect the Duchess of Brittany, but this assignment turns out to have a fair amount of gray area, lots of politics and a possible love interest. 

The Maze Runner (Book 1)

Talk about adventure, intrigue, twists and turns!  James Dashner has it all in The Maze Runner (Book 1)!  They sold this book to me as a perfect companion to The Hunger Games and Divergent...let me start by saying, these books are not the same in my mind, but that is not to say anything negative about The Maze Runner.  It is still an amazing book that brings to life a new world that has yet to be discovered.  Think, Lord of the Flies meets the Hunger Games meets Ender's Game.  I know, I know, that's a huge variance, not to mention huuuuuuge shoes to fill!

Maze Runner, follows Thomas, a young boy that finds himself awakening with no memories beyond his own name, in an elevator and opening up to a group of rugged boys that have been living in "the glade" for the past 2 years searching for a way out of the maze that surrounds their safe compound all while avoiding the scary Griever monsters who constantly chase the boys.  Will they find a way out with the help of bright, Thomas?  What of this new mysterious girl, Teresa,  who arrives in a coma and looks familiar to Thomas?  With twists and turns in this trilling book it's sure to keep you interested and on your toes.