When We Wake by Karen Healey

When Tegan wakes up, she has no idea where she is or how she's gotten there. But she's been informed--by a doctor--that over a century has passed and that she's been brought back to life after being cryogenically frozen. But the future isn't all it's cracked up to be and more importantly, the military is hiding something big. How big? Massive.

It's awkward being the girl from the past. Just ask Tegan. Most everyone is on a vegetarian diet, computers are flexible and flat, EarRings work as phones, and oh, there's a boy in her class who happens to bear a strong resemblance to her boyfriend (from before her freeze), Dalmar. Granted, of course, the boy--Abdi--is definitely not Dalmar; nor is he very happy about Tegan calling him Dalmar. There's also a religious group that thinks Tegan should kill herself because her being brought back to life couldn't possibly be a part of God's will. Oh, and another group who thinks that she should be deported because she couldn't possibly still be considered to be an Australian citizen. You know, having been dead.

There's also Bethani, the first friend that Tegan makes in the future, who is an aspiring journalist. And my personal favorite secondary character, Joph, who has a bright future as a chemist and although she takes naps during class, actually has a lot going on. There's more to Joph than that, but I'll leave that for you to learn about when you read When We Wake. But trust me, there are many reasons to like Joph. I mean, honestly, I just really liked the entire cast of characters.

But at the same time, I feel like When We Wake is one of those books that I want to gently shake in the hopes that more pages will magically appear. I have no idea if there's going to be a second book; but with an ending like that, I really hope that there will be one. It just feels like there's more left to tell and I really hope that there is--mostly because I really want to spend more time with When We Wake's cast of characters.

Would I recommend When We Wake to you? If the idea of a cyrogenically frozen girl waking up in the future--in Australia--sounds appealing to you, definitely! When We Wake was a fun read featuring a unique future that I can see other readers enjoying.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

When We Wake by Karen Healey

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Edition: e-copy

* 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.

Altered by Jennifer Rush

What you should know right off the bat: there is only really one romantic interest in Anna's eyes. What does that mean? No love triangles or, uh, hexagons. Also, I am not going to touch on what leads to the boys escaping because I feel like Altered is more fun to read when you go in blind. Yes, this is what I'd classify as science fiction but it's definitely easy to follow along. What makes it science fiction? Genetically engineered boys, of course!

But wait, I feel like I need to talk about the boys for a moment--by which, I mean dedicate a paragraph to. For the record, they are all good looking, but I have a feeling that readers might have different favorites. Mine? Cas. He loves food and is almost always in a good mood. I'd say that Trev is a close second though. He's Anna's best friend (but yes, he's locked up too), is always there to lend an ear, and he's got a quote for almost everything. Don't get me wrong, I love Sam too, but I love him for different reasons. You know, like how determined he can be and how he really has the group's best interest in mind. (And how wonderful I think his relationship with Anna will be as it continues to grow.) Lastly there's Nick and don't get me wrong, I don't dislike him, I just think that I started to warm up to him late in the game. I think it's going to take another book for me to really form an opinion about him.

Then there's Anna. She's a little insecure at times--which is completely understandable--but then we get to my favorite bit about her, she's had self defense classes. Why am I so happy about that? Because it means that she's got a good grasp on what to do in some situations. Guns on the other hand, she needs some help with. She feels like a believable character given her situation and while there are things that I could add about her, I won't. Yes, because they're spoilers. Trust me, you'll want to read Altered to find out.

In all, I'd recommend this to you if you're looking for an interesting new science fiction read featuring some pretty cute boys. However, I would mention that I'm curious as to what the second book will bring to the table considering how well I felt Altered wrapped itself up. It feels like Branch, the organization responsible for altering the boys, is going to continue to play a large role--or so I'd imagine--but I'm not sure what else to expect. Regardless, I will be looking forward to the second book and I'm hoping to see a lot more of Anna and Sam! (And the other boys, of course!)

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Altered by Jennifer Rush

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 1, 2013

Edition: e-copy

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Through To You by Emily Hainsworth

It's been two months since Cam's girlfriend, Viv, was killed in a car accident that he feels should've killed him. That night, when he goes to visit the site of her death, Cam sees a girl who seems to know him. Only, she's transparent and although she seems to know him, he doesn't know her. Cam soon discovers that she's from a parallel world, one where he died and Viv survived. He's thrilled by the thought that he can be with Viv again, only this Viv isn't like the Viv he remembers.

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you know that it's rather uncommon for me to pick up books written with a male first person perspective. Having said that, I really did like Through To You, a lot. My favorite character? Nina, the girl who he thinks must be a ghost (or hired to screw with his mind). I'm not going to tell you more than that about her because you'll definitely get to know her in Through To You. She has a younger brother named Owen who seems like he's pretty darn adorable and he really looked up to Cam.

On the other hand, the Viv from Nina's world? She's frightening. Maybe not initially, but you'll definitely see what I mean as things progress. However, she definitely plays a large role in everything and I seriously cannot tell you more than that. Cam definitely does a fair bit of growing throughout Through To You and although I won't tell you exactly how it ends, I'll tell you that I thought it was beyond fitting. I honestly could not picture it ending any other way.

If you're still wondering if I'd recommend this to you or not, the answer is yes, I definitely would. It's the tale of Cam's grief over Viv's death and ultimately, how Cam deals with it.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Through To You by Emily Hainsworth

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Adaptation by Malinda Lo

There's no way that I'm going to be able to summarize Adaptation for you--because inevitably, there would have to be some spoilers and I really feel like this is a book that you should just dive into. Although if you do feel the need to read the summary, I promise you that it doesn't reveal too much of the plot.

If you like science fiction, you'll want to check out Adaptation. The action starts up quickly and although everything wraps up nicely enough in the end, you know there's going to be a second book. Honestly, if there wasn't going to be a second book I don't know what I'd do. Better still, it's not your typical love triangle and it just works out so well.

However, I would've liked to have seen more of David, the other member of her debate team, but I completely understand why the focus is on Reese; but although I love watching her grow, I'd love to learn more about David and I'm hoping that in the next book, we'll see a lot more of him.  As for Reese, I really enjoyed watching her (begin to) grow and I can't wait to see where the next book will take her!

Adaptation is an incredibly difficult book to review--when trying to avoid potentially giving you spoilers--and as that's the case, instead I'm just going to say, go read it. There were moments when I tossed my hands into the air in surprise and I ended up enjoying it far more than I initially thought I would. Really, go get your hands on a copy of this book!

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Adaptation by Malinda Lo

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Received for review via 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.

So Close to You Blog Tour (An Interview with Rachel Carter)

Today I'm the blog tour stop for So Close to You and I'm absolutely thrilled to have Rachel Carter on the blog! If you're debating over picking up So Close to You, I have two words for you: time travel.

 

Lydia Bentley has heard stories about the Montauk Project all her life: stories about the strange things that took place at the abandoned military base near her home and the people who've disappeared over the years. Stories about people like her own great-grandfather.

When Lydia stumbles into a portal that transports her to a dangerous and strange new reality, she discovers that all the stories she's ever heard about the Montauk Project are true, and that she's in the middle of one of the most dangerous experiments in history.

Alongside a darkly mysterious boy she is wary to trust, Lydia begins to unravel the secrets surrounding the Project. But the truths behind these secrets force her to question all her choices--and if Lydia chooses wrong, she might not save her family but destroy them . . . and herself.

What inspired you to write So Close to You?

 

I was inspired by a lot of things! I’ve always loved time travel books, so as soon as I heard about the real life conspiracy of the Montauk Project, I knew I wanted to write a story about it.

What was your favorite scene to write?           

There’s a scene where Mary and Lydia go into a general store in the 1940s, and Lydia is marveling at all of the products and advertisements on the walls. That was fun to write, because I loved imagining a modern teenager reacting to this foreign time period.

Is there a song that you think summarizes So Close to You?

It’s tough to pick just one! But probably The World Spins Madly On, by The Weepies.

What are you working on now?

I just finished writing and editing the sequel to So Close to You, and now I’m starting to outline book 3. I also have about a million other story ideas that are rolling around in my head.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?

Yikes - I have so many guilty pleasures it’s embarrassing. Reading romance novels in the bathtub. Eating sunflower seeds with the shells on them. Anything on the CW. Right now my biggest one is probably The Bachelorette. It was a slow start, but Emily has officially won me over. (Team Jef!)

What have you read and loved recently?

           

The Morning Gift, by Eva Ibbotson. I think it was the fourth time I’ve read it. I love that book. I love all Ibbotson’s books; they’re so fun and clever and romantic. I’m exceedingly envious of her prose!

 

Rachel Carter grew up in the woods of Vermont. She is a graduate of the University of Vermont and Columbia University, where she recently received her MFA in nonfiction writing. Rachel has been a teacher, a nanny, a caterer, and a bellhop. She is currently at work on her next book in Brooklyn, NY.

Want to know more about Rachel Carter? Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter! 

So Close to You by Rachel Carter comes out on July 10, 2012--don't forget to pick up a copy!

.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Imagine a horrific disaster, one that cases volcanic explosions, huge earthquakes not located near major faults, and hail that can--and will--kill you if you stay out in it for too long. That, is the world in which Dean and thirteen other students have been tossed.

Monument 14 focuses heavily on the group of students that have taken refuge in what I'm assuming is a local superstore and although they do get some information as to what's going on outside, for the most part, they're very, very secluded. It really focuses on how people change when they're tossed into that sort of situation and the problems that arise when you're stuck with the same bunch of people for an extended period of time--in particular, people that you didn't fit in with at school.

Dean is our main character and all of Monument 14 is told from his point of view; he's a writer and although I can't say that he felt particularly valiant to me, he seemed like a pretty good guy. Then there's Brayden and Jake, two football players from Dean's high school, and Astrid, who Dean has a crush on. But I think that for the most part, the little kids are the ones who really stole the show. Why? Because one comes from an extremely religious family, another always has crazy stories to tell because his life crazy, and a thirteen year old girl who is at the point where she wants to be treated like an adult. That's actually not all of the characters, but those are the ones that really stood out to me. 

As for the disastrous events? They were pretty crazy; however, I will admit that I wasn't thrilled about the chemical spill and the effects that it had. It felt--to me--like it could've been more than it was (if that makes any sense). Also, I think I would've liked an epilogue in this particular case; I really feel like it would've helped the ending feel more complete--I really can't say more than that about the ending and once you reach it, you'll see why.

In all, I definitely liked Monument 14 although I think I would've preferred a little more action. Would I recommend it to you? If you're interested in reading it, yes.

Overall Rating: ★★★ and a half.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via NetGalley and publisher.

Revived by Cat Patrick

Daisy is a part of a top secret project called Revive not as an agent--known as Disciples--but as a test subject--referred to as Converts. What does Revive do? Simply put, it brings people back from the dead; the downside? Every time Daisy dies, she has to relocate with her "parents." It's in Omaha that she meets Audrey, who she quickly befriends, and Matt, a boy who catches her interest on Daisy's first day of classes. Once there and settled into her new life, she'll discover things about Revive that will put a new spin on things and she'll have to ask herself whether or not she should do--well, I'll let you read Revived to find out.

Why hello there, standalone! Or at least, I'm pretty sure Revived is a standalone--there's an epilogue and everything, although I certainly wouldn't have minded reading more about Daisy and the Revive program. Asides from having a gorgeous--and slightly creepy--cover, the plot is wonderful and best of all, it's easy to follow along and it grabs you--or at least, it certainly grabbed me. I won't get into how much I loved Daisy's room decorating skills (and Audrey's) or how I wouldn't mind her helping me decorate my room--but let's just say that I loved the room descriptions, yes?

Then there was Daisy who, as a character, starts off a bit uptight--for a very good reason--and she definitely lightens up and gets a life in Omaha. I won't get into her past, what brought her to the program, etc. but I will tell you that she's allergic to bees--and that it definitely plays a part throughout Revived. Audrey was another character that I really loved--she became fast friends with Daisy and again, I really can't say much more than that without giving spoilers. And then we come to Matt, who Daisy can't help but find attractive and they're relationship is slow going at first--and there's trouble in paradise on occasion--but overall? They definitely make a cute couple and yay for boys who are understanding! But honestly, I think I liked Mason the best and I know that people might not like him at first, but it's really towards the end of Revived when he grows on you. Yes, he's an agent but he's also--er, can't tell you that. I do hope that you like him too though! (Just to clarify, he plays Daisy's father.) Oh, and God--a nickname for the guy running the program--is a creeper, just letting you know now

I loved how the plot was paced and it definitely kept me engaged from start to finish--but I should warn you, it isn't non-stop action, so don't go into Revived thinking that it'll be that way. Also, it's definitely more plot-centric than romance-centric (which in this particular case, I'm definitely glad of).

Overall Rating: ★★★★ and a half.

Revived by Cat Patrick

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: May 8, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Received for review via publisher.

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Don't ask me to summarize Unraveling for you, I'm pretty sure I can't do it. However, I will tell you that Unraveling is an absolutely crazy ride and that I ended up loving it. Also, if you're sensitive to profane language, I will warn you that there is some in Unraveling. Personally, this doesn't bother me at all--but then again, when I was younger, I had quite the mouth (not anymore though).

Janelle has been holding her family together for a while now--seeing as how her dad works at the FBI office in San Diego and her mother usually isn't stable enough to be much help--and I love how strong she was. And Alex certainly helps her hold things together as well--they've been friends for quite some time and he's always there when she needs him. Then there's Ben, the boy that Janelle sees when she first comes to after her accident. He's definitely mysterious and there's more to him than meets the eye--actually, there's a lot about him that's quite interesting, but you'll have to read about that as I refuse to spoil it for you. Alright, I also loved Janelle's father--who seems like an awesome guy--and her younger brother, Jared--who happens to play a lot of World of Warcraft (which I tend to play as well). Admittedly I wasn't completely in love with Barclay at first, but he definitely grew on me--despite his pain in the butt attitude at first.

Maybe it's just me, but with the chapter lengths being on the short side, Unraveling felt like it was longer than it actually was--if that makes any sense. I kept thinking I was farther in the book than I actually was--which is why, when I reached the end, I seriously thought it was a standalone and started to freak out for a moment because of the ending. That would've been a perfect ending in its own way, but I'm just so relieved that there's going to be another book. If you couldn't tell by all of that, I really loved the pacing because even though it seems like you're farther than you actually are, it still continues to build until you reach the end. There were, as I mentioned before, things that I just really didn't see coming and I loved that about Unraveling; there's also definitely some romance in Unraveling and yes, it can be a bit steamy at times, but it doesn't completely overwhelm the plot--at least, I certainly didn't think so.

There is so much that I wish I could tell you about Unraveling but if I were to tell you these things, I'd be spoiling a fair bit of the book for you--which is why I didn't even write my usual summary in this review. If you're thinking about picking up a copy, definitely do so and I hope that you love it as much as I did! (Also, I'm not entirely sure what to classify this as, but it seems like science fiction--but don't worry, it's not difficult to follow.)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Favorite Quote:
It looks like he might be getting ready to manipulate the floor so it will swallow him whole and get him out of here.

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins. 

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

NASA has decided to host a contest, one which will allow three teens to travel to the moon--where they will stay for a week (supervised by five adults) on DARLAH 2, a base built on the moon in the early seventies. However, they've neglected to mention the fact that there's a very good reason why no one has set foot on the moon in recent years and the crew of eight will find this out first hand. And then the question becomes this: will they make it back alive?

The first half of the book is everything leading up to the actual trip which means that you'll meet the teens and you'll also get to read a bit about Mr. Himmelfarb--who knows about DARLAH 2 and what went on the last time someone went to the moon, although his memory isn't what it used to be. If I'm being honest, I didn't really feel a connection with any of the teens, but I think it's because--although it's written in third person--it kept switching between the three of them and it felt like it didn't give them enough time to, well, really feel like people to me.

There's Mia, whose parents put her name into the drawing and at first, she really doesn't want to go. After all, she lives in Norway and she's really attached to her band, Rogue Squadron; but at the same time, it's really her band mates that convince her to go--mainly because they feel it'd be good publicity for their band. Midori lives in Japan and she spends quite a bit of time hanging out with an eccentric crowd--and spends most of her money on clothes; she put her name into the drawing because she wants to get out of Japan and see more of the world. And lastly, there's Antoine, the only boy in the group. He lives in Paris and honestly? I didn't like him too much--mainly because he sort of peeped in on his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend via a telescope/binoculars on the Eiffel Tower (if I'm remembering correctly). He decides that he wants to go and that, afterwards, he wouldn't care less about his ex-girlfriend.

The real action starts in the second half and when it gets going, it really gets going. I'd almost say that it starts too quickly; I'd have liked it more--I think--if they'd had more time to get settled at DARLAH 2 before it started. But at that point, things get really interesting and maybe I shouldn't have read it while I had on a paranormal show in the background... at night. The other really neat thing about 172 Hours on the Moon is that there are images every now and then of the base, its layout, the moon, and so forth. I think that it definitely helped me imagine how Johan Harstad envisioned things.

Admittedly there were a few things that--to me--seemed a little far fetched but if you can get past that, it's definitely an interesting read--one that did indeed creep me out. It's a book that seems like something that you'd like to read, don't let my review discourage you! I really did end up liking it in the end and should you choose to read it, I hope that you enjoy it too!

Overall Rating: ★★★ and a half.

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: April 17, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Received for review via publisher.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
Publisher: Razorbill (a part of Penguin Group)
Release Date: January 11, 2011
Edition: ARC
* Won/received for review via publisher.

I know I published a mini-review of Across the Universe back before it was released, but then I totally forgot to type up my complete review! Argh. Anyways, a brief disclaimer before you read on, usually I do not care much for science fiction. However, I really did enjoy Across the Universe... a lot.

Amy always assumed that when she woke, it would be on a new planet in the company of her parents. However, she could not have imagined that she'd be waking up on the ship (and nearly dying in the process)... which won't land for (roughly) fifty years. And it's there that she meets Elder, a boy very close to her own age as well as Eldest, the Godspeed's dictator-like leader. While struggling to make sense of life on the ship, Amy will also have to do her best to keep whoever has been killing the cyrogenically frozen passengers from doing so again. In the process, she'll uncover some seriously large secrets about the Godspeed.

Across the Universe was filled with twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Honestly, I'm always thrilled when I find a book that can still surprise me. Beth's writing style was wonderful too and I found Across the Universe very hard to put down simply because I had to know what was going to happen next.

On one hand, you have Amy, a girl from Sol-Earth who is traveling as a non-essential with her parents (who will play a vital roll in forming Centauri-Earth). When she wakes up on the Godspeed, she's beyond out of place as the ship's inhabitants all look alike, share the same strange accent, and wear the same handmade clothes. Then there's Eldest, the leader on board the Godspeed, who believes that she's a threat. He's also less than pleased that Elder spends so much time with her, or that Elder is questioning him constantly. Elder is Eldest's protege and will one day lead the people on the Godspeed; he's definitely not like Eldest and he's most certainly taken with Amy. Oh! And don't forget Harley! I really loved Harley. He's constantly painting and he's Elder's friend. Much more than that, I cannot say--although it did make me incredibly sad!

On top of this, there are some major secrets on board the Godspeed and oh my goodness are they important! But at the same time, they're massive spoilers so if you haven't read Across the Universe just yet, you'll have to read it and see what I mean for yourself! Would I recommend Across the Universe to you? Yes! I honestly enjoyed it and I hope that you will too--if you haven't read it yet.  

Across the Universe comes out in paperback form on November 29, 2011.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz

The Unidentified 

Author: Rae Mariz

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (an imprint of HarperCollins)

Published: 10/5/10
Edition: Hardcover

*Received for review from HarperTeen/GoodReads First Reads Program--thank you!

Summary from GoodReads: Kid knows her school’s corporate sponsors not-so-secretly monitor her friendships and activities for market research. It’s all a part of the Game; the alternative education system designed to use the addictive kick from video games to encourage academic learning. Everyday, a captive audience of students ages 13-17 enter the nationwide chain store-like Game locations to play.

When a group calling themselves the Unidentified simulates a suicide to protest the power structure of their school, Kid’s investigation into their pranks attracts unwanted attention from the sponsors. As Kid finds out she doesn't have rights to her ideas, her privacy, or identity, she and her friends look for a way to revolt in a place where all acts of rebellion are just spun into the next new ad campaign. 

My Thoughts:

To be honest, before diving into 'The Unidentified', I thought this was going to be something along the lines of 'Surrogates' meets 'Hunger Games.' I was wrong. I can, however, say that my inner gamer was pleasantly surprised by 'The Unidentified.' 

Katey Dade--who is known by other Gamers as Kid--isn't exactly normal by Game standards. She has only eleven friends and recently, she's edited her own profile and it's been deemed unsatisfactory by the Administrators. More importantly, she's really not that into video/virtual games and prefers a hands on approach. When she witnesses the mannequin get pushed off of the fifth floor, she takes interest in the Unidentified--whom arranged the stunt. From there, she sets out to learn more about the Unidentified and stumbles upon a different side of the Game, one that students/Gamers generally remain blissfully unaware of. 

The Unidentified takes you into Kid's world and it's certainly a ride with its various inventions and unique lingo--I mean, personally, I am highly amused that Google is used in such a manner as, "Oh my Google!" If your inner gamer demands feeding at the same time as your inner bookworm, I'd suggest taking a peek at 'The Unidentified.' However, if you want something that's fast paced, this probably isn't for you. There are definitely some slow moments and the Unidentified aren't constantly making an appearance throughout. Instead, you get a better glimpse of Kid's world. 

Admittedly, I didn't exactly find the ending to be that satisfying. It seemed like things just sort of trailed off and a lot of loose ends were lose. In short, it left me with a lot of questions.

A random sidenote: If you remove the dustcover, you'll find a face like this: ._. on your cover. It's the symbol of the Unidentified and they claim it shows their disinterest in the Game. 

Overall Rating: ★★★