Starters: By Lissa Price

STARTERS

SUMMARY

In the future, teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to be young again. One girl discovers her renter plans to do more than party--her body will commit murder, if her mind can't stop it. Sixteen-year-old Callie lost her parents when the genocide spore wiped out everyone except those who were vaccinated first--the very young and very old. With no grandparents to claim Callie and her little brother, they go on the run, living as squatters, and fighting off unclaimed renegades who would kill for a cookie. Hope comes via Prime Destinations, run by a mysterious figure known only as The Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to seniors, known as enders, who get to be young again. Callie's neurochip malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her rich renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, even dating Blake, the grandson of a senator. It's a fairy-tale new life . . . until she uncovers the Body Bank's horrible plan. . . .

REVIEW

When I read the synopsis on Starters originally I wasn’t sold on the book. I thought it seemed a little too into the romance and relationship and couldn’t see where the story was going to go.

Then I read one of Price’s e-books that tied into the book, and liked the characters (especially Michael) and thought it was engaging. So I figured why not give Starters a shot.

I’m very glad I did.

Starters is a really good book. Price does a good job building this post apocalyptic world where the only humans left are the very old and the very young. I found myself being sucked into the story, and found to my dismay that before long I had reached the end of the book (it was also to the dismay of my work as I realized I hadn’t done anything except read that day, because I just couldn’t put the book down.) The book is not short, it was just that engaging.

Callie is a great protagonist, she’s strong, smart, and determined, while at the same time not infallible. This combination makes for a relatable protagonist that readers will find themselves rooting for. Michael is a character that I really liked in the short story I read, but I didn’t feel like he had any real presence here in the actual book. I’m hoping more short stories and possibly Enders, the next book in the series, features Michael more prominently, as I feel he’s a fantastic character that has a lot of potential that I don’t believe was given his fair share in the first book.

Of course, besides characters, the book is well written and full of much more action than I was expecting. I really was caught off guard by the abrupt changes that occurred in the story, caused by some of the blackouts and whatnot, but I have to say it was very well done and made for very interesting twists to the story.

Speaking of twists, if for nothing else than readers should read Starters just for the last page. I was shocked when I read it and can’t wait for the next book to come out.

All in all a great start to a exciting new series.

RATING

8 out 0f 10

INFO

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Published: March 13, 2012

Price: $17.99

Portrait of a Starter: An Unhidden Story: By Lissa Price

Portrait of a Starter: An Unhidden Story

REVIEW

I don’t know that much about Starters, except what I’ve read from the book description on Amazon. But I can tell you that from the little I do know it seems like an interesting book.

Portrait of a Starter: An Unhidden Story seems to be almost a prequel, or at the very least story from early on in the book that sets up some of the relationships and characters. It’s filled with mystery, interesting characters, and engaging writing.

Unfortunately, this story is short. As in it’s possible to finish while eating lunch sort of short. That said, I view this less of a novella (which it certainly isn’t) and more of a set up for the main event (Starters).

But the Portrait of a Starter: An Unhidden Story did it’s job. I now know a little bit more about the series, am interested in it, and will probably buy the book. All in all I’d say it’s done its job well.

INFO

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Published: February 14, 2012

Price: $1.99

Legend: By Marie Lu

LEGEND

SUMMARY

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths-—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

REVIEW

Because of all the hype that was attached to it (it already had a movie deal, it was to be produced by the producers of Twilight, and the general reviews and rumors that had circulated about it) I was both hesitant and excited for Legend. I didn’t want it to turn out as just another hyped up poorly written romance novel.

I never should have worried.

Legend was fantastic. The action is both nonstop and captivating. Lu crafts a seamless story that weaves effortlessly between Day and June’s perspectives, creating an engaging world for readers to be drawn into. The plot is filled with surprises and twists that will keep readers glued to their seat. And the book itself is just well written in general.

That said, yes the action was exciting. Yes, there were twists and surprises in the plot. But most importantly were how well the characters were crafted. I found myself really getting to know Day and June. Readers will feel for both of them and understand why they are each acting they way that they are. Their inevitable love interest was not done in a cheesy manner, and each of their back stories were engaging, believable, and fit perfectly into the structure of the story. I would have wanted to know more about June and Day, but with the amount of time given to each of their stories Lu does a fantastic job really establishing each character. Further I wouldn’t be surprised if we discover more about each of them in the next two books in the series.

Of course June and Day weren’t the only well constructed characters, Day’s brother, John, and partner in crime, Tess, were also great characters that if time permitted could each probably have their own books about them.

All in all I was very impressed with Legend. It was fast paced, well written, and full of interesting characters. I’d have no trouble recommending this book to anyone looking for a good book, and fully intend to recommend it to all my friends. All in all a great book and I can’t wait for the sequel.

RATING

9 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Published: November 29, 2011

Price: $17.99

The Always War: By Margaret Haddix

THE ALWAYS WAR

SUMMARY

For as long as Tessa can remember, her country has been at war. When local golden boy Gideon Thrall is awarded a medal for courage, it’s a rare bright spot for everyone in Tessa’s town—until Gideon refuses the award, claims he was a coward, and runs away. Tessa is bewildered, and can’t help but follow Gideon to find out the truth. But Tessa is in for more than she bargained for. Before she knows it, she has stowed away on a rogue airplane and is headed for enemy territory. But all that pales when she discovers a shocking truth that rocks the foundation of everything she’s ever believed—a truth that will change the world. But is Tessa strong enough to bring it into the light?

REVIEW

At some points in time I felt like The Always War was a little juvenile. At others I felt like it was trying to send a message to advanced for its readers. And yet throughout most it I found myself really enjoying it.

I credit this mostly to Haddix’s fantastic writing skills and her ability to maintain constant action and tension throughout the book. This book is great for readers in middle grades who want some fast paced action with short chapters that leave the reader wanting more each time.

While some of the characters leave a little to be desired in terms of complexity, they accomplish their goals in the story and move on. Some readers will enjoy this, and if looking at this in the eyes of a middle grade reader, this level will work fine. Further, while not all the characters are complex, they do deal with more advanced situations and lessons than one would expect, increasing the satisfaction gained from the story itself. In fact the story itself is appealing as it’s full of action, deception, and character realization.

All in all The Always War is like an action movie broken up into mine segments, almost like a soap opera. It is full of action and deception, and for middle grade readers looking for something quick and nonstop, this will be a great read.

INFO

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Published: November 15, 2011

Price: $16.99

Ready Player One: By Ernest Cline

READY PLAYER ONE

SUMMARY

It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune—and remarkable power—to whoever can unlock them.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday’s riddles are based in the pop culture he loved—that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday’s icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes’s oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt—among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life—and love—in the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

A world at stake.
A quest for the ultimate prize.
Are you ready?

REVIEW

The first thing I have to say about Ernest Cline is that he knows an awful lot about the 1980’s.

Cline has done a fantastic job integrating hundreds of geek trivia (whether it be Firefly, Star Wars, Star Trek, Cory Doctorow, Wil Wheaton, or any of literally dozens of other unique pieces of geek fandom) with all sorts of information from the 80’s (from video game trivia, to rock and roll, to movies, to authors). And he has done all of this inside of a fun and fast paced novel.

The pages really do fly by, as readers get to know Wade (A.K.A. Parzival) and the dystopianesqu world that has become of the near future earth. Wade is relatable, endearing, and just a tad over obsessive about OASIS and the Hunt (as anyone who has searched for clues systematically for 6 years would be.) Cline does a great job creating interesting and relatable characters, such as Ar3temis, Aech, and Soto. Of course some of the characters are a little black and white (such as antagonist Sorento). But with the fun of the action and the trivia you’re easily able to look over that.

That said this is not a trivia book, but it is recommended for anyone who enjoyed the 80’s or would classify themselves as a geek (or anyone who knows/has watched/read any of the people/shows mentioned above.) All in all a very fun book that I’m happy I read.

RATING

9 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Crown

Published: August 16, 2011

Price: $24.00

Wither: By Lauren DeStefano

WITHER

SUMMARY

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

REVIEW

Wither is an interesting combination of a dystopian future novel, where each generation dies at a young age (girls at 20, boys at 25), and a forlorn love story. Of course when I say forlorn love story do not get the impression this is a sappy romance novel where after one viewing each person of the couple is completely and madly in love, but are forced to live desolate and meaningless lives until they are reunited. Instead think of it as a dystopian future storyline, in which, like most YA novels, the author, DeStefano, uses the love plot point to move the story along. Besides this, Destefano spends the majority of the book focusing on freedom, happiness, and the shades between wrong and right that color much of the world.

The story starts off with the protagonist Rhine already captured and being sold into relative slavery, as a bride to a wealthy doctors son. From this point on I couldn’t put the book down. Destefano does a fantastic job creating a well written fast paced novel that captivated me, and I’m sure would engage many other readers as well.

Of course while I was impressed with the pace and level of writing, what I found most impressive about Wither were the characters. DeStefano does a fantastic job of walking the line between good and bad, love and hate, and growth and destruction. DeStefano does this by not only depicting characters in a pure victim’s sense, but by painting the moral ambiguities in each of their actions. Yes it is wrong for Vaughn (the doctor who buys Rhine) to buy these girls and place them in slavery (don’t worry you find this out in the beginning, this isn’t a spoiler), but at the same time he is trying to save the human race from extinction. This coupled with different perspectives on the situations the characters are in, (between Cecily (a positively annoying yet important character because of her perspective), Jenna, and Linden (in my opinion a truly fascinating and underrated character)), creates a colorful and intriguing picture that helps shape the book into the spellbinding novel that it is.

All in all while I don’t know exactly how DeStefano plans to make this into a trilogy, I very much enjoyed Wither. And because of it’s moral ambiguity, characters, and engaging writing I look forward to later books in the series.

RATING

9 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Published: March 22, 2011

Price: $17.99