The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

This is the second book in a series. If you haven't read The Immortal Rules yet and want to avoid spoilers, this would be the time to stop reading.

Allison's hunt for her maker, Kanin, and the crazed vampire, Sarren (who kidnapped him) will lead her back home and unearth something terrible, a new strain of Red Lung.

Alright, I feel like I should mention this and get it out of the way: there is not a ton of romantic action in The Eternity Cure. I'm assuming that we're aware of the fact that the action (and adventure) aspects of this series are what makes it so fun to read, but I'm tossing that out there just in case.

There's a lot going on in The Eternity Cure despite the deceptively simple sounding plot. There's Sarren seeking the labs for some reason, Kanin who Allison is trying to find (and save), Zeke who has been quite busy, and I'm going to stop myself right there. Definitely not the extent of The Eternity Cure, but enough to give you an idea of what's going on. You can expect to meet two different vampire Princes, see more of the group of humans living in the sewers, run into a ton of familiar faces, and the ending? Well, expect to flail (at least a little).

Honestly, that's probably my favorite part of The Eternity Cure, getting to see more of Allison's world. You'll also learn more about certain character relationships and character motivations. Also, while Allison does develop (as a character) somewhat, I feel like it took quite a while. We won't get me started on Stick (who I would like to beat over the head with a stick). Trust me, you'll see.

Overall, if you've read The Immortal Rules and need the extra push to pick up The Eternity Cure, I'm giving you that push right now. It didn't really feel--to me--like it suffered from middle book syndrome.

★★★★ and a half.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Anytime until the age of twenty, the Board can activate you and if they do, you'll have thirty days to find and kill your Alt. To hunt down and kill (or be killed) by someone who looks exactly like you. Only after one Alt has been killed can the other be considered a complete, someone considered worthy to live within Kresh. Failure to find and kill your Alt will lead to both of you dying at the end of the allotted thirty days.

West Grayer is fifteen when she goes from idle to active and then it's a race to see who will kill who first. Only, West doesn't go after her Alt immediately--even though she knows that she should. After all, she's doubting herself and her worthiness to be completed. What if her Alt is actually the better of the two of them? In that sense, Dualed is very much the story of how West fights with this and the decision she ultimately makes.

There's also Chord, a boy who is friends with her brother, Luc; he intends to protect West as best he can--without overstepping--even if she doesn't want his help. I really wish we'd gotten more of him in Dualed and I think this stems from the fact that I'm still feeling a little detached from him. But if we're playing favorites here, I think I liked Baer and Dess the most. Baer is a weapons instructor and Dess is another active--who is younger than West--who she runs into while West is avoiding her Alt.

I honestly would've liked to see more of the secondary characters in Dualed, but I'm hoping that we'll see more of them in the next book! Also, while I really do love the plot and the world that Elsie Chapman has built, I feel like I needed more plot seeds for the next book--if that makes sense. While I really enjoyed Dualed's plot, I feel like I have no idea what the next book will bring. On one hand, I really love that Dualed has a concrete ending, but on the other hand I wish I'd gotten at least a little hint of what to expect in the next book. Will we be seeing more strikers? More of the Board? Will we get to see what lies beyond Kresh? I am a sea of questions!

Having said all of that, I really did enjoy Dualed and if you've been thinking about reading it, I'd definitely encourage you to give it a go! Why should you read Dualed? It's fast paced and packed full of action! Seriously though, I think this one is definitely worth giving a go.

Overall Rating:  ★★★★ and a half.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House

Release Date: February 26, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Rebel Heart by Moira Young

If you haven't read Blood Red Road yet and don't wish to see spoilers, I'm going to suggest that you stop reading now.

So, if you've read my review of Blood Red Road, you know that DeMalo really fascinated me and I'm happy to say that he makes a reappearance in Rebel Heart. Also, you learn what his real name is--how or why that happens, well, you'll have to read Rebel Heart to find out.

Asides from that, I found that reading Rebel Heart was actually pretty easy--when compared to how I initially struggled with Moira Young's unique writing style for Blood Red Road. Also, I read it rather quickly and yes, I would say that it's a page turner. Saba does a lot of traveling and has a series of adventures along the way; on top of that, she struggles with a decision made in Blood Red Road. Or rather, it haunts her. She also continues to grow as a character and Lugh seems to think that Saba is growing apart from him (which definitely bothers him).

But I think that's all I'm going to say about Rebel Heart. It really is a book (and series) that you need to experience on your own. (Which is precisely why I'm keeping my lips zipped about the plot. Honestly, I think it'd have more of an impact if you don't read the summary first.) There's action, adventure, and romance in Rebel Heart. Oh, and the ending? It'll leave you wanting the next book... badly. I should probably also mention that the romance gets upped a bit in Rebel Heart. It doesn't overtake the plot, but it's definitely there.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Edition: ARC

Won through a giveaway hosted by publisher.

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

When Zoe starts to glitch, she knows that she's supposed to report her behavior, but she refrains from doing so. Suddenly there's emotions and color in her world and quite frankly, it's overwhelming when compared to the Link--which keeps everyone in line. And then there's the fact that her glitching has also lead to a particular power that she has very little control over. She knows that all of this is grounds for deactivation and well, no one wants to be deactivated--nor does she want to go back to being one of the drones (so to speak). It's around that time that she meets Adrien, who also has an usual skill, he can see into the future and he's seen her--well, I won't spoil it for you (but no, not naked). That's when everything really starts and Zoe's life will never be normal again.

While I liked Glitch, I feel like if there had been more action and less focus on Zoe and the boys, it would've made for a better read. Don't get me wrong, I like romance in the books that I read a lot; but at the same time, when it feels like it's the focus of the book--that isn't strictly a romance book--it leaves me wanting more plot. I liked how Adrien was introduced well enough and I didn't mind Max that much, but I wish that the romance had had more build up than it did. Adrien seems like a nice enough guy and he does seem to want what's best for Zoe while Max just seems to want Zoe for her body. At least, that's how it felt to me. To be honest, neither of the boys really swept me away and while I still have hope for Adrien, I really have none for Max.

As for Zoe, I can understand why she's constantly warring with herself--about turning herself in--and she's pretty darn terrible at hiding her heartbeat--they wear monitors that beep--but she felt... weak? At least during the first half, that's really how she felt to me but the good news is that she definitely grows and by the time I reached the end of Glitch, well, I'm looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow in the next book.

Then you have the chips that the Community has implanted in everyone and they keep you from feeling anything... but pain--which was deemed necessary. They're definitely an interesting aspect of Glitch and I can't wait to learn more about them--and why they cause certain people to glitch. That's right, the chips are a part of the reason why people have started to glitch and no, not everyone glitches. There's actually so much more about the Community that I could say but that'd mean some pretty serious spoilers, so you'll just have to read Glitch to find those out.

In all, a pretty good read but one that I can't say I was absolutely in love with. The concept is definitely interesting and overall, I definitely liked it despite a few minor annoyances. If you've been thinking about reading Glitch then I'd definitely recommend that you read it to form your own opinions as it's definitely a book that I feel some people will enjoy more than I did.

Overall Rating: ★★★ and a half.

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

I'm of two minds when it comes to The Last Princess, on one hand I loved how fast paced that it was and yet, on the other, I found that it left me with more questions that I'm used to having when it ended. The Last Princess takes place in a very bleak London, England where a madman by the name of Cornelius Hollister is out to destroy what remains of the royal family so that he may take the throne. When he comes for the royal children after their father's death, only Eliza will escape and she swears that she'll get revenge upon him.

For the record, there are cannibals and ex-prisoners in the woods, horses that are huge and have to have spiked bits for the New Guard to be able to control them, and gasoline (as well as cars) are rare (which is why everyone is back to horses for the most part). But let's talk about Eliza for a moment, who I'd say is remarkably strong considering her situation--although I think she could've handled a particular set of girls differently. On the other hand, there's Wesley, an officer in the New Guard and the boy who saves Eliza's life left and right. I really, really liked his character although I did see some of it coming. Honestly? I think it's a bit difficult not to like him. But his sister, Portia, on the other hand is a complete terror. That girl would kick a puppy and enjoy it.

But I think my absolute favorite character in The Last Princess would have to be Caligula, the war horse. Yes, you heard me, my favorite character in The Last Princess was a horse. Why? Because that horse has a ton of personality and is extremely loyal to Eliza. Don't worry, if you read The Last Princess, you'll understand what I mean. Also, I'm seriously hoping that there's going to be another book because if there isn't going to be another book? Then the ending is absolutely killing me. There are just so many questions still and it leaves off perfectly for another book--just found out that there will be one (thank goodness)! Honestly, I think that's what dragged down my rating for The Last Princess; I just want to know so much more about the world that Galaxy Craze has created and I just feel like I usually have more answers by the time I've finished the first book in a series.

Would I recommend The Last Princess to you? Yes, if it's a book that you've been eying. Honestly, if you can deal with not knowing everything, it's actually a pretty engrossing read and I did enjoy it, I just wish that it'd been a longer book with more answers.

Overall Rating: ★★★ and a half.

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Publisher: Poppy, a part of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Received for review via publisher. 

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Gene has been surviving by pretending to be one of the vampires and in itself, that is no simple task; but when you add a heper hunt to the mix? It's disastrous. Suddenly it's his name that they're calling to participate and it should be a great honor... and it would be, if he were, in fact, a vampire. But instead it's a test to see how well he can hide amongst the wolves (so to speak) and then there's the matter of a girl--who he's developing feelings for, even though he knows that getting involved with her would be disastrous for him.

The Hunt is definitely a page turner and if you're looking vampires that pack a real bite, this is a book that you might want to consider picking up. On top of that, yes, it's a dystopian. How does that work? Well, vampires are the only ones left--with the exception of humans who have managed to hide what they are and the "hepers" that their leader keeps. And Gene? He's been managing pretty well--at least, until recently. Lately it seems like he's been slipping up pretty often and that's one pack of predators that you don't want to end up as a snack for!

I really enjoyed how complex the vampires were--although I will admit that the constant neck snapping, drooling, and so forth was a bit too much for me personally. Also, I was highly amused by the fact that, when they find something to be humorous, they scratch their wrists. But let me mention Ashley June quickly--a girl that Gene goes to school with. She didn't leave much of an impression on me at first, although as The Hunt went on, I did grow to like her--at least somewhat. There's also Sissy, who you'll get to know later on in the book and I think I liked her more than Ashley June, although at this point, I think I'm going to read the next book to really make up my mind. But yes, The Hunt is told from a male perspective. Having said that, I did not find it difficult to follow along with.

While The Hunt certainly kept me turning pages and was, overall, a read that kept me interested, I think I would've liked them to have gotten farther into the hunt than they did--although let's face it, I did enjoy the ending. Will I be checking out the next book? Most likely yes. The vampires in The Hunt are definitely darker than those that I've read about lately and as such, it was definitely a welcome change. Would I recommend The Hunt to you? If you're intrigued by the idea of a human trying to fit in amongst vampires and what happens when things become difficult, yes. However, if you don't like more savage vampires, then this is probably not for you.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

So, I enjoyed The Selection so much that I'm currently having a hard time putting into words just how much I loved it. It's heavy on the romance and the "The Bachelor" aspect is definitely there too, but Prince Maxon? Way too adorable for words. I mean, he has no idea what to do when a girl cries and he genuinely wants to make Illéa a better place. Wondering what makes The Selection a dystopian? There's a caste system that dictates what jobs you can have and with it, the amount you get paid and thus, how well you live. Because of that, there are two groups of rebels who are actively attacking the palace and you'll run into them--briefly--in The Selection. (And if you're wondering, America Singer is a five in a caste system where the lowest paying working class is a seven.)

It was insanely easy to fall into America's world and I really ended up rooting for her during The Selection; perhaps more importantly, I loved her as a character--she's strong, stubborn, and kind all at once. I should probably also mention Aspen although, to be honest, I didn't love him--I think this has something to do with their relationship already being established and me having a hard time falling for the guy in question when it's like that (and he wasn't present that often either). But don't worry, I do believe that we'll be seeing more of him in the next book--although I seriously don't think that he'll woo me away from Prince Maxon.

The other thing that I loved about The Selection is definitely the dresses--because yes, I'm a complete and total sucker for all things pretty. This means that I absolutely love the cover--and hope that the next book's cover will be similar but spectacular--but it also means that I ate up the dress descriptions (which aren't for every garment in The Selection, just in case that's your worry). As for the other girls, you'll meet the terrible Celeste (who is out to win the crown through any means) and the extremely wonderful Marlee (who America is fast friends with) and to be honest, those were the two that really stood out to me--but we'll see if any of the other girls make an impression on me in the next book.

The Selection will take you from America Singer's home in Carolina to the palace, where she'll meet Prince Maxon for the first time and hopefully, you'll fall for him too. So in case you couldn't already tell, I really loved The Selection and I read it in one sitting--but if you don't like the romance of your dystopians to be at the forefront, consider this your warning that the romance definitely is what makes The Selection so great.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Asian main character? Katana wielding main character? Yes, you heard correctly. A vampire dystopian novel? Correct. Does it work? Why yes, yes it does.

Allie lives in a sector of a vampire city as an Unregistered, someone who can starve if they don't steal food from those that are Registered. But when the hunt for food pushes her to go beyond the safety of the walls, everything changes. She'll lose friends, have a run in with a vampire (and rabids), and ultimately have to choose between becoming the thing that she hates most or leaving the world... permanently. But Allie isn't ready to leave the world behind and as a vampire, she'll have to leave the safety of the vampire city behind in order to survive.

The Immortal Rules is a pretty lengthy read; however, it's also a gripping read and every time you pick it back up, you'll likely find yourself completely immersed in the world that Julie Kagawa has created. I loved Allie as a character. She'll do what it takes to survive and she has no illusions about what being a vampire means--Kanin saw to that. But perhaps more importantly, she seems determined to hold onto what is left of her humanity. Wondering who Kanin is? He's the vampire who turned Allie and he has some serious secrets. I absolutely loved his character and I'm hoping that we'll see a lot more of him in the next book (I imagine this will be the case). And then there's Zeke, the human that Allie meets after she leaves the city. He's a very nice boy and well, Allie certainly likes him which is obviously rather dangerous.

And for the record, there were two characters that I rather disliked. Stick, due to his extremely wimpy and well, you'll see why I don't like him (although it's possible that you won't dislike him for it as much as I do); and Jeb, who is definitely set in his ways. But asides from that, I really enjoyed The Immortal Rules as it's definitely unique (due to the vampire cities being where most humans live). Oh! And how could I forget about the rabids? But you'll learn all that you need to (about them) in The Immortal Rules. Let's just say that their history is quite interesting--and they're rather like zombies, only not actually zombies (although you could probably consider them to be close cousins).

If you're looking for action, adventure, a different sort of dystopian society, and some romance, I'd recommend The Immortal Rules to you. Also if you like the fact that the main character is Asian and wields a katana--which I personally do.

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen, a part of Harlequin.

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

If you like dystopian novels and you enjoy steampunk, this is me pointing you towards Masque of the Red Death. I'm not saying that everyone is running around in Victorian clothes--because the Weeping Sickness that's been plaguing the city makes being that covered up impossible--but there's airships and steam powered carriages.

I've been looking forward to Masque of the Red Death ever since Lauren DeStefano mentioned loving it on Twitter (and Goodreads) and let's just say that it definitely lived up to my expectations. Having said that, I will admit that I had one problem with Araby: she's sworn an oath to herself to never do anything that her brother Finn can't--seeing as how he died when they were younger. I'll be honest, if my brother died, I'd be devastated too, but I imagine that he'd want me to live my life, not spend it mourning him indefinitely like Araby seems dead set on doing. But other than that, Araby has a good heart and I loved her as a character.

And then there's Elliot, April's brother and as such, nephew to Prince Prospero. He's planning to overthrow his uncle and he also tells Araby that she can't trust him. But there's so much more to him than that and I promise you, you'll understand what I mean when you read Masque of the Red Death. On the other hand, you have Will, who works at the Debauchery Club--and Araby likes him more than she'd like to admit. He has two younger siblings who are absolutely adorable--Elise and Henry--and I love how devoted he is to taking care of them as best he can.

I know I haven't really mentioned Araby's parents, but they both seem like genuinely nice people who are dealing with things as best they can. There's also a lot more to them than initially meets the eye--you'll learn about it as the book progresses. As for the plot and pacing, I really enjoyed it. To be honest, I didn't put Masque of the Red Death down until I'd finished reading it; there were moments that I definitely was not expecting (in the last fifth of the book) and I can't wait to see how things develop in the next book. The world that Masque of the Red Death is set in is also really interesting and in particular, the plague and how the symptoms manifest--as well as why clothing reveals legs and arms.

If you're looking for something that will keep you flipping pages and leave you wanting the next book as soon as possible, definitely look into picking up a copy of Masque of the Red Death. It's a book that I definitely enjoyed and I hope that you'll love it too!

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Starters by Lissa Price

As an unclaimed minor with a younger brother, Callie knows that she has to keep them out of the institutions--which are pretty much prisons for minors until they come of age. This is how sixteen year old Callie decides to go to Prime Destinations, where Starters can make a very tidy sum if they're willing to rent their bodies to Enders who want to experience youth again. It's all very simple, as a Starter you simply fall asleep and when you wake up, you'll be back in your own body and your renter in theirs. At least, that's how it should be. But when Callie wakes up, she finds herself living her renter's life and what she'll discover during her time in her renter's life will put Prime Destinations in a whole new light.

If I'm thinking along the right lines, Starters are pretty much minors that are just starting off life while Enders are obviously getting close to the end of their lives. Everyone between the age of twenty and sixty? Dead. They didn't get inoculated during the Spore Wars and as a result, they didn't survive. Callie has been left to take care of her younger brother, Tyler, who happens to have a rare lung disease and as such, requires a fair bit of care. They also live with Michael, who they've known for quite some time. It'll be interesting to see where his relationship with Callie goes. On the other hand, there's Blake, the grandson of Senator Harrison, who Callie finds herself spending a lot of time with when she wakes up in her renter's life. Let's just call their relationship complicated, shall we? I promise you it'll make sense if you read Starters, but other than that my lips are zipped.

But I can't not mention the Old Man--who runs Prime Destinations--because let's face it, he's a major player in all of this. He's a recluse and is always wearing a mask; in short, no one knows who he is and he's not someone that you cross. (There's a lot more that I could say about him, but trust me, you'll want to learn about him on your own.) The Enders aren't all bad people though--although let's face it, renting young bodies is pretty darn creepy--and they'll prove it, if you give them a chance.

Lissa Price's writing style is absolutely lovely; it's fluid and before you know it, you'll have come to the end of Starters. That is to say, I read it much faster than expected and I certainly loved all of it; can I have the second book now? It definitely lived up to my expectations and I really hope that you'll enjoy it too.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Starters by Lissa Price

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House.

Release Date: March 13, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Partials by Dan Wells

Kira Walker lives in a world where there's a one in twenty-five thousand chance that your child will be born with immunity to the RM virus which has been decimated their population; and with the Hope Act, every eighteen year old female is expected to do her duty and become pregnant as soon as possible in the hopes of keeping mankind from becoming completely extinct. But the babies? They live a total of three days and as an intern in the maternity ward, Kira can't stand to watch the same thing happen again and again.

But what if the Partials hold the key to curing RM? It's the one possibility that no one has ever explored before and although everyone else tells Kira that she's insane for even suggesting it, she intends to do the impossible (and find a Partial for the sake of her research).

I really love the idea behind Partials and I should probably explain what I mean, yes? Mankind's numbers are dwindling and I do mean dwindling. The youngest child on Long Island? He's fourteen years old. Although the hospital is always doing research in the hopes of finding a cure, they've been coming up with nothing. I really do want to tell you about the Partials, but I think that learning about them while reading Partials is a part of the fun. Essentially they're biological machines, soldiers that ParaGen created to fight mankind's battles and that's precisely why the humans have been sticking to Long Island--the Partials (as far as I can tell) are based throughout the rest of the States.

Asides from Kira, I really liked Marcus' character and I'd say that it's mainly because he's funny plus he's patient with Kira--even though he doesn't always agree with what she does. Jayden definitely grew on me too--although he does start off as somewhat of a prick. He's a Defense Grid soldier and he accompanies Kira on her suicide mission. Then there's Xochi who collects mp3 players, wears all black, is an amazing cook, and is like a sister to Kira. I think she's definitely my favorite minor character in Partials.

Partials is definitely more action than romance which definitely works and ultimately, it's a nice change. You'll definitely learn a lot about the world that Dan Wells has created and hopefully you'll love it as much as I did! It felt like the plot did drag every now and then, but ultimately it's not a book that I put down--at least not until I'd finished it. Would I recommend it to you? If you like a healthy helping of adventure, definitely. Kira's not a girl who will let the Senate rule her life, that's for sure!

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Partials by Dan Wells

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

If you haven't read Delirium yet and do not wish to have spoilers, you'll want to stop reading now.

There's a very strong emphasis on change in Pandemonium. You have Lena rising like a phoenix from the ashes of her old life and then there's the resistance--its ranks have been growing lately. Taking place during "then" (during Lena's time in the Wilds after her escape) and the "now" (when Lena is working with the resistance), you'll meet a new cast of characters and definitely see Lena evolve into a stronger person.

For the sake of not giving you spoilers, I'm not giving you a summary. I'll tell you that there's definitely some action in Pandemonium and that there is indeed a new boy--who Lena does seem to be falling for. There's the DFA (Deliria-Free America) trying to convince everyone that being cured is the only way, the rebellion growing in numbers, a kidnapping, and an ending that will leave you dying for the next book. 

If you've seen my review for Delirium, you'll know that I was a bit skeptical coming into Pandemonium and to be honest, I really feel that Pandemonium delivered. There was more action, more character growth, and I'm really, really excited to see where things will go in Requiem. The pacing was excellent and unlike most books that go back and forth between two different time periods, I was able to keep up without having to go back and re-read each time period separately (yes, I've had to do it before for other books).

As for our new boy, I think it's a little too soon for me to give my opinion on Julian Fineman though as he's really just beginning to come into his own--having lived as the poster boy for the DFA up until this point. Then there's Raven who I'm guessing we haven't seen the last of and she's sort of a mother (and sister) figure to Lena and the rest of their group in the Wilds. You'll definitely learn about her during Pandemonium and well, I just couldn't help but like her. She puts up a brave front for the sake of their group, but there are definitely moments when she's worried for her group in a way that makes you think that she doesn't want to lose anyone else.

In short, I'd definitely recommend Pandemonium to you--under the condition that you've read Delirium. The plot is definitely moving along and it's not as focused on the romance--or at least, in my opinion--although the next book should definitely have you covered on that front.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

If you haven't read Wither yet, you'll want to go and read it before you read my review of Fever--I mean, unless you don't mind spoilers and if that's the case, feel free to read on.

If you're expecting a lot of romance in Fever, I'm sorry to say that you'll be somewhat disappointed. Yes, both boys are present, but the focus is really not on the romance; if anything, it's on Rhine's search for her brother, Rowan, and Vaughn's search for her. Granted, there's a lot more going on in Fever than just that.

I almost feel like I was lulled into a false sense of security during the first half of Fever and it wasn't until they reach Manhattan that the wheels really began to turn. I'm still clutching my head over the whole Deirdre thing and the other thing that is going on at the same time as the Deirdre thing--incredibly vague, I know, but you'll know what I'm talking about when you reach that point. I also feel like a terrible person for saying this, but I loved the way that Linden reacts to everything and it's really made me excited for the next book--this may also have something to do with Gabriel and even Rowen but again, you'll see what I mean when you get there. Have I mentioned the creepy carnival? Because it is definitely still milling around in my head (yeah, I have that particular setting stuck in my head right now).

Vaughn is definitely up to something horrific in Fever and I think it's impossible not to know that much. He's definitely out to find Rhine and more or less, there's two reasons behind this--or so I'd like to think. Yes, half of it is Linden related but the other half? I'll keep my lips zipped so that you find out on your own. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it although it does make a lot of sense now that I think about it.

Fever was definitely a page-turner and although it did start off slowly, the ending was definitely worth it. If you're expecting a lot of romance in Fever, you'll probably be disappointed but things are definitely looking up for the next book. Would I recommend Fever to you? Definitely--granted, I suggest that you read Wither first if you haven't done so already.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster

Release Date: February 21, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

I'm of two minds when it comes to Article 5. On one hand, I absolutely loved it and spent most of the book flipping pages like a madwoman. However, at the same time, Ember (the main character) drove me insane. She's irrational and hysterical at several points during the book and they get her in trouble... frequently. On the upside, she should be a different girl in the next book. I am seriously hoping that Ember will gain some common sense and toughen up... and well, stop running headfirst into situations as well as going with the first plan that comes to mind. *shakes Ember*

Chase Jennings on the other hand? I loved him. Seriously, I may have a crush on the boy. He was Ember's childhood friend, crush, and now? Now he's a far cry from who he used to be. He's a soldier and a member of the Federal Bureau of Reformation; perhaps more importantly, he's one of the soldiers who comes to take Ember's mother away for being in noncompliance of Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. Trust me, he'll grow on you.

Also, it needs to be said that the world that Article 5 is set in seems like a frightening place. And by frightening, I mean ridiculously so. If you violate one of the rules, you'd be taken away and if you're unlucky (most are), they'll kill you. The reformatories are equally as frightening and they'll keep you there until you're eighteen; that is, if you survive that long. On the upside, there is a resistance and as the government continues to enforce their rules (that they continue to edit) the resistance is definitely growing in popularity.

In all, Article 5 is definitely a page-turner but Ember can drive the reader crazy for a good portion of the book. Chase is definitely my favorite character out of Article 5 and there's definitely some romance present without going overboard--in my opinion. Ember does begin to redeem herself towards the end but I think it'll take the second book to convince me that she's really changed. This is a book that I'd encourage you to form your own opinions about as I can definitely see some people enjoying it, if they can get past Ember's stunts.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Publisher: Tor Teen

Release Date: January 31, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky really surprised me--and I mean this in an absolutely positive manner. I loved it so much more than I thought I would and if you've been thinking about picking up a copy, I'm going to give you a helpful nudge towards the bookstore (or the library).

Cast out of Reverie, Aria doesn't expect to last long in the barren world beyond the Pods known as the Death Shop. But it's there that she meets an Outsider named Perry (Peregrine) who will help keep her alive--if she'll help him find his nephew, Talon. Together they'll embark on a journey that will lead them to the answers that they seek... and more.

I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned this by now, but I'm pretty terrible at summarizing things. Maybe I just should've said, "This book is amazing, go forth and read it now!" Because honestly? That's exactly what I think and well, my summary is just not doing Under the Never Sky justice. My absolute favorite part of Under the Never Sky? How Perry and Aria's relationship develops. This is not a case of instant love and by the time they realize their feelings you'll be tossing up your hands yelling, "Finally!"

But wait! There's more! In Under the Never Sky, there's a set of Outsiders with special skills (referred to as the Marked and then by ability). Some can hear you from quite a distance, others have exceptional sight, and others still can tell your mood based on scent. It added a really fascinating angle to the story and I practically ran for my small collection of perfume oils when--in a particular scene--Aria's scent (violets) is mingled with mint (what alertness smells like in Under the Never Sky) as I'm a geek like that and happen to have a perfume that smells like that.

Then there's Roar, who I'm looking forward to (hopefully) seeing more of in the next book as I'm quite taken with him and Cinder--who has an extremely unique skill that you'll learn about in Under the Never Sky. And I can't forget about Marron, the owner of Delphi where Aria, Perry, Roar, and Cinder spend some time during Under the Never Sky. It sounds like quite the place to visit--or live at! *ahem* One of my favorite scenes happens to take place at Delphi during a bit of knife fighting practice between Aria and Perry. Believe me when I say this, you will understand what I'm talking about when you get there.

Under the Never Sky is easily a new favorite of mine and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. There's nothing that I disliked about it and the ending? Well, the ending was just perfect. I could not imagine it ending other way. I can definitely see why the film rights were optioned by Warner Bros. Entertainment and I really do think that it'd make for an amazing movie (as long as they don't screw it up). In short, if you're looking for a 2012 debut to read, I'd say that Under the Never Sky is definitely a book to consider and I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Legend by Marie Lu

June Iparis is the Republic's golden girl, bound to graduate from high school at age fifteen and headed towards a bright career in the military until an incident takes the life of her older brother, Metias. Now she's dead set on bringing Day--the Republic's most wanted criminal--to justice and she'll do whatever it takes to avenge her brother. But Day isn't the criminal that the Republic makes him out to be and when circumstances bring the two of them together, they'll uncover a few of the Republic's secrets and then? Everything changes.

I've been excited about Legend for quite some time now (due in large part to Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries) and I started reading Legend a little unsure of what to expect. By now, I really should know to trust bloggers with similar tastes; it's really a rare day when I don't enjoy a book that they did. Having said that, I will tell you that I enjoyed Legend immensely and if you've been sitting on the fence about it, I'm going to nudge you towards reading it. Why? Well, let's see if my review can't help convince you, eh?

Think of Day as Robin Hood; he's kind, he's cunning, and his motives are his own--but definitely not bad. The Republic sees him as the enemy and the Colonies see him as a potentially important member--if he'd ever accept their offers, which he hasn't. On the other hand, June is like Sherlock Holmes; she's almost too smart for her own good and states everything like it's common sense. June is also highly observant and I'd say that her heart--and morals--are in the right place. Together, they're even more interesting than they are when apart and I really can't wait to see where the next book will take their relationship.

I'm secretly cursing Marie Lu right now because I really liked Metias' character! Seriously, I was devastated when he was killed off--even though I knew that it was coming. I certainly didn't hate Thomas at first either but as the story advances, you'll see why my opinion of him changed. I'm also not so secretly hoping that we get to see more of Anden in the next book too! I am completely guilty of crushing on him--just a little--after that brief scene with him in it.

If you're potentially concerned by the fact that the points of view alternate between June and Day, I'm letting you know now that it's really not an issue. Everything flows together really nicely and the plot continues to thicken, all the way until the end of Legend. Should you read Legend? Yes! I also happen to think that fans of Divergent by Veronica Roth will really enjoy Legend. So what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy! ;)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Legend by Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin Group

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

If you haven't read Shatter Me yet, you should definitely do so! By now I'm sure that you've read the summary, but if you haven't, to summarize: Juliet's ability is both a gift and a curse, one that the Reestablishment would love to use against those who would oppose them. But Juliette isn't the monster that they make her out to be and she'll fight for her freedom. (I really need to get better at writing summaries--but I hate giving plot points away.)

Admittedly, it took me a little bit to get used to the fact that some of the words were struck out--on purpose, of course--but once I got over that, I fell in love with Shatter Me. Also, I have a confession to make... I like Warner a little more than I like Adam. Don't get me wrong, I love both of them and the shower scene between Adam and Juliet? Hot--and not nearly as dirty as it sounds. But, I tend to root for the underdog and in this case, it's definitely Warner.

I loved Juliette's world and I'm now filled with questions that only the second book will answer--which does indeed mean that I'm dying for the next book (that doesn't come out until Fall 2012). However, I would not call the ending a cliffhanger as it does bring Shatter Me to a close. Yes, you'll have questions but no, the ending isn't a life ending cliffhanger. On top of this, you'll definitely see why it has an X-Men vibe towards it at the end--but don't you dare skip ahead to find what I mean!

Needless to say, I adored Shatter Me and it's easily one of my favorite reads of 2011. If you're still unsure whether you want to read it or not, I'd definitely suggest that you give it a go. (And now I need to go buy the e-book because I hear it's got some pretty awesome extras!)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

P.S. Did I forget to mention that--thanks to HarperCollins--I got to meet Tahereh in October!? She's extremely sweet and if you ever get the chance to meet her, definitely do so!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: November 15, 2011

Edition: ARC

* Received for review via publisher.

Crossed by Ally Condie

If you haven't read Matched yet and dislike spoilers, I would suggest that you stop reading now. As much as I dislike giving spoilers, this is the second book in a series and as such, there will--unavoidably--be spoilers for the first book.

Alternating between Cassia and Ky's point of view, Crossed takes you to the Outer Providence and the war that's being fought on the border, where Ky has been placed. Cassia has her heart set on finding Ky again, and she'll do whatever it takes to get back to him. Meanwhile, Ky is nothing more than a decoy, meant to die while in the Outer Providences; but dying isn't in his plans, as long as Cassia is still out there.

I know I'm not letting on about the adventure that the two of them go on in the Outer Providences, but there's a good reason for that and quite frankly, I think it's best that you read about it on your own. With that said though, I will force myself to admit that I did not enjoy Crossed as much as I enjoyed Matched. Why? Because there was a lack of Xander in Crossed and I personally felt that the romance has taken a backseat. It's not that Xander's presence isn't felt, but the romantic tension from Matched seems to have dissipated.

I will admit that I like Indie, a new character brought about in Crossed. She's crafty and smart, but at the same time I have a feeling that she's going to be Cassia's competition. If I didn't like Xander so much, I doubt I'd feel like this is much of a problem--but I really, really like him! There's also Eli, who reminds Ky of Cassia's younger brother and Hunter, a man living in the the Carving.

In Crossed, you'll learn about those who live outside of the Society, the canyon known as the Carving, and a group called the Rising who intend to bring about the end of Society. If you enjoyed Matched, you should probably enjoy Crossed as well--for although I didn't like it quite as much, I will admit that I liked it well enough (I only hope that there will be more romance in the next book).

Crossed by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, a part of Penguin Group

Release Date: November 1, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own. 

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Eve by Anna Carey

Eve 
Author: Anna Carey
Publisher: HarperTeen (an imprint of HarperCollins)
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Edition: e-ARC
* Received for review via HarperTeen and NetGalley.

Eve attends School and like all the other graduating girls, she's looking forward to life after School. Things like learning a trade, moving to the City of Sand, and in Eve's case, becoming at artist. But when Eve catches Arden escaping from School, she learns that her fate might be wildly different than what she believed it would be. Confronted with an unwanted fate and with graduation looming on the horizon, Eve will have to escape School to escape the fate that awaits her and all the other Graduates. To do this, she'll have to trust a boy named Caleb, avoid the soldiers that are hot on her trail, and make it to Califia in one piece.

This is honestly going to be a difficult review to write simply because I'm probably going to fail miserably at putting into words just how much I enjoyed reading Eve. The world that Anna Carey created is just incredible and it's extremely easy to picture Eve's plight as she sets out for Califia from School. Due to the plague, death really is everywhere and well, it really is everywhere. It's on the road where cars sit empty or with skeletal passengers and in the houses where decay has set in and pictures of the house's former inhabitants still sit upon the mantle. It's eerie to read and yet beautiful in its own way--actually, I keep wanting to say that the world itself reminds me of The Walking Dead, but minus the zombies. 

But let's talk about Eve, who has grown up at School ever since her mother gave her up. I know, that sounds bad. What I mean is, her mother was infected by the plague and was pretty much on her deathbed when she gave up Eve. Yes, most kids in Eve are orphans. Also, the School that Eve attends educates them in a sort of Victorian manner and then when they graduate... well, you'll see. I will tell you that the young ladies in Eve are taught that men are terrible people and that they should both fear and avoid them whenever possible--which ought to let you know how well Caleb was received when they first met. When compared to the "School" that Caleb attended though, Eve's School is extremely cushy. You see, the boys are pretty much forced into work camps and well, they don't tend to last long in there. This is precisely why the boys tend to try to escape and well, the girls are generally ignorant of their fate.

I know I should probably talk about Caleb and I do want to, but there's just so much that one can talk about when it comes to Eve that it's insane. At first, I wasn't too sure about Caleb. I mean, sure, he saved Eve, but as far as I was concerned, that didn't mean that I had to like him. However, once they make to to the cave, Caleb does indeed grow on me and by the end of the book... well, you'll see. Seriously, I'm trying not to spoil anything for you and that's why I've taken on the unfortunate habit of saying "you'll see." If you've been thinking about reading Eve, definitely do so! It's easily one of my favorite reads this year and I really do hope that you'll enjoy reading it too.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Ashes
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Publisher: Egmont USA
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Edition: e-ARC
* Received for review via Egmont USA and NetGalley.

If I'm being completely honest, I have no idea how to sum up my thoughts on this book. I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved it, but the ending is a complete cliffhanger. As in "ran over the cliff and am now falling because I didn't see it coming." A part of me wants to demand the second book immediately so that I can know what happened and the other half is just so royally peeved that I fell off the cliff. Okay, okay, I should probably explain what I mean by "fell off the cliff." I mean to say that it's the sort of book that has an abrupt ending--as in, you keep looking for the next page only to find that it's not there. But enough about that, when you get there, you'll see what I mean.

If you like frightening zombies, then I'd recommend Ashes to you--although I'm warning you now that things can be graphic in the gore department. But yes, there's a girl and a boy and another boy and a little girl. Alex is an eighteen year old girl with a brain tumor and our main character. She's currently on a trip to finally spread the ashes of her parents over Lake Superior; however, fate has other plans for Alex as an enormous electromagnetic pulse wipes out all electronics and causes everyone to drop to the ground in excruciating pain. And if the loss of electronics wasn't bad enough, Alex has (somehow) regained her sense of smell (it's actually heightened) and some people are acting... oddly--if that's what you'd like to call eating an elderly woman. The pulse has also left an eight year old girl named Ellie in Alex's care and to put it simply, I did not like her. I really hope I like her more in the next book. I mean, yes, she did start to mature as the book went on... but I mean, "I hate you" seemed to be her favorite phase and she didn't like Mina (her father's old partner--a dog that sniffs bombs) who is pretty much the last memento she has from her father. And next up is Tom, a twenty year old ordnance disposal specialist in the Army who was in the same area as Alex when the pulse went off. Needless to say, he pairs up with Alex and Ellie and together, they do their best to survive.

But Ashes doesn't end there, not with them surviving in the woods because as winter approaches, they leave and a lot happens from that point on. Like Alex meeting Chris in the town of Rule and living with a crazy cult-like group. So technically, you could say that Ashes has a love triangle--although quite frankly I have no idea who I'm rooting for and this means that I'm waiting for the next book to make up my mind. I should probably mention the dogs though, right? After all, without them most of the people who survived the pulse wouldn't be able to tell who was going to change--and by change I mean turn into a flesh eating zombie.

Honestly, I could keep rambling on about Ashes, but I think you get the point. It's a book that I really enjoyed and although maybe it's not for everyone, if you like adventure and action with a smidge of romance, definitely check it out.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★