YA Book Review- All The Truth That’s In Me by Julie Berry

Judith would never have seen how much easier her life in town was before. Once she had disappeared, and then returned with half her tongue cut out, she would never again know the simplicity of being just another girl in her small settler’s town. Through all of Judith’s observations and memories, a sad and tense story is slowly pieced together. We learn that she is most often thinking about the boy she loves, and watching him carefully to make sure he lives a happy life. We read about the loving family she had before, in stark contrast to the cruel widowed mother who now daily reminds her of how little she is worth. We see that the way the town shuns Judith is not at all her fault, but that their disdain for her is largely borne of the fear of not knowing why she and her best friend disappeared as young girls, and why she was the only one to get out alive.

This is one story you will most likely not be able to put down until you finish it. Judith’s tale comes through little by little, as the readers only see through her mind’s eye and only know things as she let’s them be known. Fans of many different genre’s will be captivated by this book, including those who like mystery, thrillers, and historical fiction. There are surprises throughout- grab a copy at the library today!

 

YA Book Review- Requiem by Lauren Oliver

**Please note: This review contains spoilers of Delirium and Pandemonium, the first two books in this trilogy. Read ahead with caution!**

Lena and Julian have escaped the kidnapping and torture of the Scavengers, who they now know are working for Deliria Free America. Julian’s father, the founder of the DFA, is dead. And much to Lena’s agony, the boy she loved and thought she lost is broken but alive, and traveling with her friends. There is no time to dwell on heartbreak, though: the resistance is taking over the country and war against the controlling anti-love government is imminent. Meanwhile, in Portland, Lena’s best friend Hana is now cured and about to be married to the Mayor. She is perfectly content- or is she?

This series is a total thrill ride, with this final installment being no different. The format alternates chapters between Hana and Lena’s Point Of View, which really helps to see the plot development from all sides of their society. Anyone interested in the title should definitely read the first two books of the series- this is a great series for lovers of sci-fi, romance, dystopia, and thrillers!

YA Book Review- Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

*SPOILER ALERT* If you have not read the first book in this series (Delirium) and you do not wish to read any spoilers, do not read below!

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Lena has woken up in the Wilds. She has no idea where she is, or who is taking care of her. As she regains her strength and works through her crippling grief from losing Alex, she begins to work within the small community if people who have made their home in the untamed lands between cities. It almost seems too soon when they have to migrate south for the winter, which is made a more harrowing task than ever when their site is bombed by government planes. After trekking for miles, losing a group member to illness, being attacked by other, violent Invalids, and making it to the border of Manhattan, Lena becomes involved with a mission to infiltrate a radical group determined to administer the cure to infants and eradicate all uncureds. Kidnapping, abuse, more running, and a delicate budding romance keep this story moving at full-speed.

If you loved Delirium, you simply must read this next installment of the trilogy. Lena’s entire worldview has changed since we first met her, and so much more is going on behind the scenes of her society than we were led to believe in the first book. Once again, I think this series has something for everyone- it is action-packed, quickly paced, a scary image of a possible future, and carries an undercurrent of romance the entire time. Pick up a copy from your library today!

YA Book Review- Delirium by Lauren Oliver

In Lena’s future United States, love is considered a disease. It is blamed for all of the wars, illness, and hatred that humans have ever brought on themselves. This is why the government has come up with a “cure” that is supposed to prevent a person from experiencing love. It isn’t legal to administer the cure until the subject is 18, so Lena is waiting for her turn. She has an urgent need for the cure because of her family history: her mother committed suicide in the name of love. What Lena doesn’t realize is how much is going on beneath the surface of her little world and how much love still thrives. When she falls in love with a boy who was never cured, suddenly her urgent needs all center around him and she begins to realize just how terrible a world without love can be.

This book is beautifully written, full of intense moments, picks up with major action sequences towards the end, and really makes you think. I would say this book is great for almost anyone, especially romance readers, sci-fi- enthusiasts, and philosophers.  Additionally, this is the first book in a thrilling trilogy so keep an eye out for reviews of the next two volumes!

YA Book Review- The Paradise Snare by A. C. Crispin (Han Solo Trilogy Book 1)

This is the first book in a trilogy written to chronicle the life of everyone’s favorite Star Wars outlaw, Han Solo. Despite the fact that this trilogy is not by any means new, it is a great read for all of you Star Wars fans who want some background on the characters in the films.

Han Solo is a young man living on a smuggler’s ship when the story opens. Despite the fact that he was found an orphan and raised to be a thief, he has aspirations to be a great pilot and longs to attend the Imperial Academy. From the second the story opens, you get the kind of great action sequences that fans have come to expect from Star Wars. Join Han as he escapes one treacherous situation after another and manages to charm his way through most of them. This story covers the years that Han is about 19 and 20 years old, and leads up to his entrance in to the Imperial Academy. You will get a ton of backstory here, including his alliance to the Wookiees, his knowledge of many languages, and some of the reasons that he is so independent and hard-hearted.

Hand this book to fans of the original Star Wars films, and any sci-fi lover.

YA Book Review- The Girl In The Wall by Daphne Benedis-Grab

Don’t let the pretty pink and purple cover of this book fool you- this will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end…

When you have a dad who is as important and wealthy as Ariel’s, it isn’t a stretch for your birthday weekend to involve a co-ed sleepover and a private concert by one of the hottest singer/songwriter’s around. Unfortunately for Sera, Ariel’s former best friend, the party is more likely going to be a weekend of her classmate’s following the birthday girl’s lead and making her life miserable. Things change very quickly, however, when the party goes from elite private performance by Hudson Winters to terrifying hostage situation within minutes. Who will survive it? Why are these men out to get Ariel  and her father? Can Sera save the day despite what happened to their friendship? Pick this up to find out!

This book is great for any0ne who loves a good thriller, or a mystery, and a really quick read. Be warned that there are a lot of violent situations in the book, so it is not for the faint of heart.