Shades of Earth

Warning! Read Across the Universe and A Million Suns by Beth Revis before proceeding. I just finished reading the last book in this trilogy, and I will spoil things for you if you’re not caught up!

As you’ve gathered by the oh-so-subtle warning above, I’ve finally finished Shades of Earth, the final book in Beth Revis’ Across the Universe trilogy. While I’m sad that this journey is over, this finale, like the two books that preceded it, was nothing short of stellar. It was action-packed, it introduced some intriguing new (and not-so-new) characters, it addressed some societal issues we’re currently facing today (without being too preachy), there was lots of death and stuff blowing up, and, of course, the complicated relationship between Amy and Elder was further explored. I guess the big question is this: Am I satisfied with how things ended? The short answer to this question is yes. There was definitely a sense of closure when I read the final words, but what happened at the end opened up a whole new set of questions for me. I won’t go so far as to tell you what happens at the end, but I think a lot of readers will be hoping for even more from the characters we’ve come to care for in this series.

Amy and Elder are no longer within the walls of Godspeed. They–along with the frozens and shipborns willing to accompany them–are about to make a home on Centauri-Earth. But no one is really prepared for what awaits them on this strange and often frightening new planet. Large, reptilian birds roam the skies seeking prey to devour. Beautiful flowers emit toxins that render humans comatose. Oddly sophisticated ruins provide shelter for Centauri-Earth’s newest residents, but who created these dwellings (that seem to be ideal for human settlements)? There’s something–or someone–else in this strange new world. Something that is determined to destroy the new inhabitants. What could be out there, and what do they have against the newly arrived humans?

As Amy and Elder search for answers, they must also reevaluate their roles in this new home. Amy has gone from being an outsider to being the daughter of the military leader of the settlement. (Her father, now reanimated, is now the highest ranking military officer among the Earthborns. Her mom is one of the lead scientists.) Amy struggles with balancing her love for her parents with the loyalty she feels toward Elder and the shipborns. A new guy, who seems to have her father’s approval, only complicates matters even more.

Elder, on the other hand, must consider the welfare of his people over all else. He’s still wary of the Earthborns, and he continues to hear Orion’s warnings in his head. Elder is trying to do everything in his power to keep his people from being made into soldiers or slaves, but Amy’s father may have other ideas. It’s clear that the Earthborns–especially those in the military–view the shipborns as dispensable and as little more than animals. It’s up to Elder to look out for his people’s best interests because it’s becoming apparent that no one else will. How can he worry about his relationship with Amy when so much else is weighing on him? (He manages, by the way.)

Dangers abound on Centauri-Earth, and secrets, lies, and treachery are making this new home even more perilous. Some of the answers to the true purpose for this settlement are right in front of Amy and Elder’s eyes, but some are frustratingly out of reach. Amy and Elder will seek clues to what is really going on here–often at risk to their own lives–but will they be prepared for what they find? Or who their true enemies are? And will the search for truth bring them together or drive them apart…forever? Is the concept of making this planet a true “home” even possible when so much has gone horribly wrong? Seek the truth when you read Shades of Earth, the thrilling conclusion to Beth Revis’ Across the Universe trilogy.

As I indicated above, Shades of Earth is just as amazing as the first two books in this series. It threw some curveballs at me, and, to be honest, I’m still reeling from a couple of the things that happened in this book–and I really hope that the author decides to explore more of Amy and Elder’s story. I had the privilege of meeting Beth Revis at Fiction Addiction on Tuesday (as part of the Breathless Reads tour), and, while she didn’t indicate whether there would be more books in this series, she did say that she’d be open to the idea of more novella-type stories that explore other characters. (There’s already one, As They Slip Away, linked here, and I plan to read it as soon as I’m done with this post.) That’s something, I guess.

One thing that the author said on Tuesday really stuck with me as I was reading Shades of Earth. She said that, when she’s faced with writer’s block, she kills somebody off or blows something up, and that usually gets her back on track. (Of course, this made everybody in the audience laugh…and with good reason. Beth Revis is freakin’ hilarious.) As I was reading this final book, though, I had to think that writer’s block must have been an issue here. There was A LOT of death and explosions. (It was kind of awesome most of the time.  Other times, though, it brought on intense cases of the feels.)

There’s also some sexy-times in this book. Nothing gratuitous or graphic, but, if you’re planning to promote this book to middle-schoolers, you should probably be aware of this. (I don’t think the scene took up more than a page, but it’s pretty obvious what was going on.)

If I have any real complaint about this book, I must say that it’s the cover change. I know the author had no say in this, but why would there be a cover change after two books are already out–with beautiful covers, by the way? Some of us use books in our decorating, and when the third book in a series looks NOTHING like the previous two, the entire aesthetic is thrown off. While I don’t hate the new cover, I would have preferred something more like the covers for the previous two books. (If you’re curious, the paperback versions of the first two books also have the new cover designs, but I’m not buying copies of books I already have just so my bookshelves will look pretty.)

You know what does look pretty, though? Autographed books! Here’s a quick pic of my autographed copy of Shades of Earth! (I got the other books in the series autographed, too.)

Awesome, right?! For even more awesomeness from Beth Revis and the entire Across the Universe trilogy, visit the author’s website. Go to the “Contact” page for all of the various ways you can connect with this amazing author!

The Kill Order

While it’s not absolutely vital that you read the entire Maze Runner series (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure) before reading this prequel, it is highly recommended! Like Star Wars, this is a case where knowing what happens later helps people make sense of the horror unfolding before their eyes (and I’m not just talking about Jar Jar Binks).

Way back in January of 2011, I began reading James Dashner’s Maze Runner series. I finished the third book, The Death Cure, in December of that same year. Well, it’s now January of 2013, and I’ve finally finished reading The Kill Order, the prequel to this exciting–and completely terrifying–series. Maybe I’m not remembering just how awful (in a good way) the first three books were, but it seems to me that The Kill Order was much more graphic and intense than its predecessors. This prequel tells readers what happened in the immediate aftermath of the sun flares, and I, for one, was extremely disturbed by the description of events. (I should note that I’m a little paranoid, so it was all too easy for me to imagine these things actually happening…especially when you consider how rapidly the climate is changing.) Like the original Maze Runner trilogy, reading The Kill Order was like watching a car accident. You know it will probably give you nightmares and/or scar you for life, but you just can’t look away from the devastation.

Mark remembers what it was like when the sun flares hit. He remembers wondering if his family was okay, what was happening in other parts of the world, and if he’d make it out alive. He remembers…but he wishes he could forget. As nightmares of the past plague him, Mark lives day-to-day in the post-flare world. He has journeyed from his home in New York City to western North Carolina with a few fellow travelers:  Trina, his best friend; Alec and Lana, former soldiers who’ve been key to the group’s survival; and a few other fellow refugees from what was once the most thriving city in the world. They’ve made some semblance of a life for themselves, but even the decimation of the world they once knew cannot prepare them for the destruction that is to come…

When Mark and his friends first see the Berg in the sky, they think that maybe help is on the way. When people in Hazmat suits start shooting those below with darts, however, it becomes clear that help is the last thing they can expect. As Mark sees those around him struck–and possibly killed–by these mysterious darts, he knows that his only hope is escape…or maybe getting on that Berg to find out what’s really going on. So that’s what he and Alec do, but they never expected to find that the darts that seemingly came from nowhere held a highly contagious virus. What purpose could anyone possibly have for shooting people with a deadly virus? And can Mark and Alec save the friends they left behind?

When the Berg they boarded unexpectedly crashes, Mark and Alec break away from the wreckage and make their way back to their camp. The find their friends, but they’re not exactly prepared for what else they find. The darts shot from the Berg killed many people in their settlement immediately. Some, however, seem to be suffering from the strange virus that was contained in the darts. People are going mad, losing their grip on sanity in a matter of days, hours, minutes. And the virus is spreading. Mark doesn’t know how many of his friends are infected–or if he is infected himself–but he, along with others, become determined to leave behind the closest thing they had to a home and discover just what is going on…and how they could possibly stop it before it claims one of them.

Mark and company encounter unspeakable horrors on their journey, including a cult-like group (most of whom have been infected by the virus and driven mad) that believes that the virus was sent by demons. The group is suspicious of anyone around them, including a little girl, Deedee, who is somehow immune to the virus that has laid waste to nearly everyone else. Mark and his friends take the little girl with them, but that doesn’t stop these people from wanting to harm her–and those who would protect her–for being unaffected by the virus.

Eventually, Mark and Alec get separated from those remaining in their small party:  Trina, Lana, and Deedee. As they try to reunite with their friends–before the dreaded virus claims one of them as its next victim–Mark and Alec find the place that serves as headquarters to the Bergs that wreaked havoc on their former settlement and their friends. It is here they learn more about this virus…and the intent behind its creation. As they learn more and more about this virus–and how it is mutating–they realize that their hope of survival is almost nil…but there is someone who has a small measure of hope. If they can get Deedee to people who’ll know what to do with her immunity, there may be some hope for all of humanity. If they don’t, the virus that is driving everyone insane will spread exponentially, and all of humankind will be lost.

Can Mark and his friends do what needs to be done to possibly save the world? And what will happen if they succeed? What will become of Deedee? Just how important is an immune child in a world ravaged by disease, and what will be done to her in the quest to reverse the damages done? Begin answering these questions and so many more when you read The Kill Order, the thrilling prequel to James Dashner’s Maze Runner trilogy.

Just like the other books in this series, I really liked The Kill Order. Yes, it was extremely dark and the violence was the very definition of graphic, but the book kept me on the edge of my seat (and even managed to induce a couple of nightmares). It definitely made me think about how our current society would react if something similar were to happen. I honestly don’t think we would fare much better.

*Note:  According to School Library Journal, The Kill Order is okay for grades seven and up, but I would add a word of caution to middle school librarians considering this book. Readers who devoured the original trilogy should be fine with the events in this book, but those who are experiencing The Kill Order first may have some issues with the graphic descriptions of violence, insanity, and disease in this book. Some kids (and adults) simply won’t be able to handle this book.

If you’d like more information about James Dashner and all of his books, visit his website or follow him on Twitter. You may also want to check out this creeptastic book trailer for The Kill Order from Random House. Enjoy the madness!

A Dog’s Way Home

I’m happy to report that I just finished reading the last of this year’s South Carolina Children’s Book Award nominees.  I’ll admit that I was reluctant to read this final book, A Dog’s Way Home by Bobbie Pyron.  Even though most of my students absolutely love “dog books,” I confess that they aren’t my favorites.  These books are almost always heart-breaking, and, contrary to popular belief, I’m extremely tender-hearted, and I can’t stand starting a book knowing that there probably won’t be a happy ending…especially for the poor animal around which the book is centered.  (I blame Old Yeller for this.  That book/movie scarred me for life.)  So, it was with a bit of trepidation that I began to read A Dog’s Way Home, and I was right about this book being a heartbreaker, but, unlike so many other “dog books,” this one offered a fair amount of hope that dog and owner would somehow find their way back to each other, even when so many obstacles were in the way.

Abby’s best friend is her beloved Shetland sheepdog, Tam. The two are always together, and they even compete in agility competitions (which they usually win because they seem to read each others’ minds). On the way home from a competition in Virginia, however, a horrible accident on the treacherous Blue Ridge Parkway separates Abby and Tam. Abby is sure that her precious dog is still alive and trying to find his way back to her…all the way home to Harmony Gap, North Carolina.  Even when Abby and her family move to Nashville (something Abby is not happy about), she never loses hope that she will be reunited with Tam one day.

Tam is lost and alone for the first time in his life.  He has only two goals:  survive and find his way back to his girl.  As Tam makes his way south toward where he’s sure he’ll find Abby, surviving is becoming more difficult.  Winter is on its way, and Tam must rely on all his instincts–and the help of some surprising new friends–to live through the season.  As the days, weeks, and months pass, Tam begins to forget much about his old life as he becomes more like a wild animal and less like the pampered dog he once was.  But, somehow, he always remembers that he belongs somewhere else, and he is doing everything he can to get back to the place–and the girl–that is his true home.

Both Abby and Tam are facing new situations and dangers they never expected, but these two friends have a bond that transcends everything.  It’s this bond that helps both of them hope for the day when they’ll see each other again.  Even though hundreds of miles separate them, Abby and Tam are determined to find each other…and they’ll stop at nothing to make that happen.  Find out how Tam makes his way home to Abby’s welcoming arms when you read A Dog’s Way Home by Bobbie Pyron.

I’m confident that my students will devour this book.  Books about dogs are not exactly a hard sell in my library anyway, but I think this one stands out from the crowd.  A Dog’s Way Home is told from both Abby’s and Tam’s perspectives, so it shows how strong the relationship between pet and owner can truly be.  Anyone who’s ever had a pet will appreciate this.

There are so many things to love about A Dog’s Way Home–the setting, the relationships, the will to survive, and the love between Abby and Tam.  I sincerely believe that my students will enjoy this book as much as I did (even though I really didn’t expect to).  I highly recommend this book to all readers, especially those in 3rd-6th grades who have a special bond with their own pets.

For more information about this heart-warming book and author Bobbie Pyron, visit http://www.bobbiepyron.com/.  Enjoy!

Enclave

What better way to celebrate Easter than reading a piece of post-apocalyptic fiction that will probably give me nightmares!  After spending the better part of the day with my family, I came home to my humble abode, and, after taking a much-needed nap, I immersed myself in the terrifying world created by Ann Aguirre in Enclave.  To call the future envisioned in this book bleak would be an understatement.  It kind of makes the world of The Hunger Games look like a romp through one of Mary Poppins’ magical paintings.  Enclave does, however, share some things with The Hunger Games.  Young people are fighting to survive, those in power will do anything to keep it, food is scarce, there’s an understated love story, and the main character, Deuce, is a strong, kick-butt female who can go toe-to-toe with any guy standing in her way.  And Deuce needs all the strength she can muster to face what’s coming her way…

Deuce was born in an enclave below the earth’s surface.  All she’s ever known is life below the ground, and all she’s ever wanted is to become a Huntress, one who protects those who live in the enclave.  She finally achieves her dream, and she’s paired with Fade, a Hunter who was born on the outside, one who is not quite trusted by those who govern the enclave.  While Deuce isn’t exactly thrilled with her new partner, she will do as she is told and work with him to hunt for food while watching out for the ferocious Freaks (half-human, half-beast, feral creatures) who roam the tunnels and kill anything that crosses their paths.

As Deuce and Fade begin to work together and trust each other, Deuce’s eyes are opened—for the first time—to what is really going on around her.  Fade has shown her that the elders of the enclave have one purpose and one purpose only—to keep the people in line and ignorant.  They don’t care that the Freaks are getting smarter and finding ways through their defenses.  They don’t care that other settlements are being wiped out.  They don’t care that there’s a bigger world that they know nothing about.  No, the elders are only concerned with keeping things as they are—ordered, controlled, and predictable.  Fade helps Deuce realize that this failure to see what’s really going on will be the end of the enclave if something is not done.  Unfortunately, Deuce may be powerless to do anything to save the only home she’s ever known.

When Deuce realizes just how corrupt the leadership of the enclave has become, she makes a shocking decision that will force her to do something she never thought possible.  What’s more shocking?  Fade decides to make the journey with her.  Where will they go?  How will they survive?  Well, these two are stronger than anyone gave them credit for, and they’re determined to find some way to stay alive…and together.

Deuce and Fade will face certain death and horrors they’ve never encountered in order to make it to a better future.  Along the way, they’ll encounter more Freaks, injury, new allies (in very unexpected places), and knowledge that they never had before.  What will they do with this new knowledge?  Can they figure out what brought the world to its current state?  Can they find some place that offers a promise of new life?  Will their journey to safety bring them closer together?  Or will it drive them so far apart they’ll never find a way back to each other?  Read Enclave, the gripping first installment in Ann Aguirre’s Razorland trilogy, to find out!

I thoroughly enjoyed Enclave (which shouldn’t surprise anyone, since I love most dystopian fiction), and I look forward to reading more about Deuce’s world in Outpost (due out on September 4, 2012) and Horde (expected sometime in 2013).  I will admit that it took me a little while to get into Enclave, but, once I did, the outside world ceased to exist.  I was totally focused on what Deuce was going through, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened to her and Fade.  I’m still anxious to see how their story plays out.

If you still want to know more about Enclave and author Ann Aguirre, visit http://www.annaguirre.com/, follow the author on Twitter @MsAnnAguirre, and check out this creeptastic book trailer for Enclave by MacmillanChildrens on YouTube.  Enjoy!

The Fox Inheritance

Caution:  Read The Adoration of Jenna Fox, the first book in Mary E. Pearson’s Jenna Fox Chronicles, before proceeding.  Also, if you read the first book nearly three years ago (like me), you might want to skim through it before opening The Fox Inheritance.

I first read The Adoration of Jenna Fox way back in 2008. I was still a high school librarian, and I can remember giving dozens of booktalks on this book to my students. I loved the book, and I was intrigued by its core subject matter–the thought of where science and medicine could take society in the future. I think some of my students were as well. We talked about things like cloning, preserving human consciousness after bodies have worn out, and government control of science and medicine. In short, The Adoration of Jenna Fox generated some fairly intense discussions. The sequel, The Fox Inheritance, is sure to follow in those footsteps. You see, Jenna Fox was not the only person whose mind was “saved” and put into a new and improved body. It just took a little longer–about 260 years–for her friends, Locke and Kara, to “wake up.”

Locke has been in limbo for 260 years.  260 years of total darkess, with nothing but his thoughts.  Thoughts of the night he and his friends, Jenna and Kara, were in a horrible accident.  Thoughts of his past and how he would do things differently.  Thoughts of the world that has surely forgotten him and continued to go on.  Thoughts that seem to connect with Kara, his friend who is just as trapped as he is.  They have no bodies, and their minds are imprisoned in a small box…until they are finally released. 

After a dark, horrifying 260 years of nothingness, Locke and Kara now have new and improved bodies.  They can finally feel, taste, hear (something other than the noise of their own thoughts), communicate, and live their lives.  But what life do they really have?  They are seemingly stuck in an altogether different type of prison.  Dr. Gatsbro, the man who “saved” Locke and Kara, is using them to further his own agenda.  The entire world has changed in the 260 years they missed.  Everyone they knew is gone…except for Jenna Fox.

Kara and Locke soon escape the clutches of the nefarious Dr. Gatsbro, and venture out into a world that is totally unfamiliar.  The country they were born into has split in two, robots perform many tasks once reserved for humans, and no one can be trusted.  Gatsbro and his goons are hot on their trail, and Locke and Kara are forced to seek help from unexpected sources.  Dangers lurk around every corner, but the two escapees have just one goal–get to Jenna Fox. 

Their reasons for reaching Jenna, however, are very different.  Locke wants answers to questions and wishes to be reunited with an old (and I mean really old), dear friend.  Kara, though, seeks her own brand of justice.  Why was Jenna saved so soon and not them?  What was so special about Jenna that she got to experience life for the past 260 years while they were left forgotten on a shelf?  Why didn’t she come back for them?  Why did she let them suffer for so long?  Well, Kara is determined that Jenna will suffer just as much as she and Locke did.

As Locke and Kara travel across the country, they once again face the past that has always haunted them.  When they come face to face with Jenna, will they let the past destroy their present, or will they rush headlong into a future filled with possibilities?  Read The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson to find out!

I’ve glossed over a lot of details in this post.  I didn’t even begin to touch on the science and technology featured in The Fox Inheritance–and even The Adoration of Jenna Fox–or how those “advances” seem all too possible in our world.  I’m a little paranoid, so it’s very easy for me to imagine that someone somewhere is working on being able to transfer a mind into a computer and then back into a fabricated body.  (I thought about Robocop, Blade Runner, and movies like that when I was reading this book.)  It’s very disturbing to think about.  What are the implications here?  Can–or should–society or governments do anything to stop science and technology from going as far as they can?  What will the role of bioethics be in the future?  Think about it.  I know I will.

If you’d like more information about author Mary Pearson, the Jenna Fox Chronicles, and other books, please visit http://www.marypearson.com/index.html.  According to her blog, we can look forward to a third and final book in the Jenna Fox Chronicles.  There’s no word yet on what the title is or when the book will be released.

Prized

If you haven’t already read Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien, do that before proceeding with this post.  Prized is the amazing sequel, and you definitely need to read these books in order!

I just finished reading a book that I’ve been looking forward to for a while. I loved the first book, Birthmarked, and I had a feeling I would feel the same about the second, Prized. In many ways, I was not disappointed. Like Birthmarked, Prized is set in a dystopian society and follows Gaia, a strong female character. Two big pluses in my book. Prized also made me think about topics that any society tends to have issues with–abortion, oppression, equal rights, etc. Another plus.  The only problem I had with this book was the convoluted love story.  Gaia is torn in three different directions, and, while this does add some tension to the book, I felt it took away from the strength of Gaia’s character.  I also wasn’t crazy about how she knuckled under when things got rough.  (She later redeemed herself, but it still bothered me that she kowtowed in the first place.)  Would I have done things differently in Gaia’s position?  Probably not, as I am a wuss of the highest order.  (Honestly, I would have given in much faster.)  The question is:  would Gaia have done things differently had she known what the outcome would be?

After fleeing into the wastelands with her baby sister, Gaia is certain that death is imminent for both of them.  When nearly all hope is lost, salvation appears in the form of a rider from Sylum, the society that was once ruled by Gaia’s grandmother.  When Gaia arrives in Sylum, however, she fears that she’s escaped one corrupt society only to become part of another.  Sylum is ruled by women–who are largely outnumbered by men–and child-bearing is the most important thing in this world.  Women who cannot or choose not to have children are considered second-class citizens.  (Doesn’t sound too different from our society, does it?)  Men have virtually no rights at all, and kissing a woman out of wedlock is enough to have a man convicted of attempted rape…whether the woman wanted the kiss or not.

After Gaia’s sister is taken from her, and someone from her past is imprisoned without cause, Gaia resists the new rules placed upon her.  Eventually, however, she comes to believe that she must submit to the Matrarc, the ruler of Sylum, if she has any hope of seeing her sister or having anything resembling a happy life.  And for a while, Gaia thinks she could be happy in Sylum.  Two very handsome brothers are vying for her attention, she’s a highly valued midwife once again, and, whereas she was shunned in the Enclave, she’s prized in Sylum.  It’s a new and heady feeling for Gaia, one she’s not sure she wants to give up…

…until Leon, the boy who helped her escape the Enclave, makes it clear that he misses the old Gaia, the one who fought like a woman possessed for what she believed in.  He wonders where that Gaia has gone, and, after a while, Gaia wonders the same thing.  How could she possibly so concerned with her own happiness at the expense of those around her?  She sees what’s going on in Sylum, even when those in power would turn a blind eye.  But what could she possibly do to turn things around?  Is she willing to sacrifice relationships, both old and new, for the sake of justice?  Will it be enough?  Read Prized, the captivating sequel to Caragh M. O’Brien’s Birthmarked, to find out!

Prized is a fairly intense read, and, like I said before, it definitely makes you think.  It made me examine my own views on reproductive rights, gender equality, environmental impact on human growth and development, criminal justice, and what gives one group the right to impose laws on another.  Prized is a very timely book that I think will raise some discussions about issues that are facing us today.

Birthmarked and Prized are, you guessed it, part of a trilogy.  The third book, Promised is due out in the Fall of 2012.  Personally, I can hardly wait to see where Gaia’s story is going, especially considering the way it ended in Prized.  I have a feeling things are going to get a lot more complicated. 

If you’d like more information about this trilogy and author Caragh M. O’Brien, visit http://www.caraghobrien.com/.  Enjoy.

A Million Suns

Caution!  If you haven’t already read Across the Universe by Beth Revis, stop what you’re doing, go directly to your nearest library or bookstore, and commence reading.  Immediately upon finishing, you may continue with this post or begin reading the unbelievably awesome sequel, A Million Suns.  You have your instructions.  Go.

Now that our warning is out of the way…if you’re still reading this, I’m assuming you’ve read Across the Universe and have read or plan to read A Million Suns.  A Million Suns, in my opinion, is an atypical second book in a series. It’s not simply a placeholder between books one and three. It is wonderful in its own right, and the story was gripping from start to finish. That’s not to say that you should read this one without reading Across the Universe first. No way. You’d be completely lost. But A Million Suns delves deeper into life aboard Godspeed and the complicated relationship between Amy and Elder, and it provides readers with a mystery all its own. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger that will keep readers on pins and needles and force them to keep reading (even when they know they should go to bed because they’ve got to work the next morning) to see what mayhem awaits on board this ship that is hiding some devastating secrets.

Three months after Amy is awakened from her cryogenic “sleep,” life on board Godspeed is more chaotic than ever.  Eldest is dead, and Elder has taken over as leader of the ship.  He’s got some big shoes to fill, and he doesn’t know if he can–or if he even wants to–rule over the inhabitants of this ship.  And when he learns some devastating news about the ship he calls home, he feels more unsure than ever.  When some of the citizens begin to rebel against the Eldest system of government, Elder is faced with even more turmoil.  How can he get the people to follow him when even he’s not sure what he’s doing?

As Elder fights to keep control, Amy is dealing with her own issues.  She’s still shunned–if not outright hated and feared–by nearly everyone, she’s confused about her feelings for Elder, she longs for the home she’s lost and the parents who remain out of her reach, and she’s forced to face the fact that she’s the target of a sadistic psychopath.  And that’s not all.  Someone has presented Amy with a mystery to solve.  She knows who is leaving her these puzzling clues, but she’s not sure why or what makes her the only one who can put the pieces together.  She does know one thing…if she doesn’t solve the mystery soon, everyone aboard Godspeed could be doomed forever.

Enlisting the help of Elder–the only person she can trust–Amy begins to realize that secrets abound on this ship.  Secrets that date back hundreds of years.  Secrets that have the power to save–or kill–them all.  Can Amy and Elder unlock the truth before it’s too late?  Will the truth set them free, or will it trap them in a prison with no chance of escape?  Read A Million Suns by Beth Revis to discover how two young people will fight for the chance to have a future.

I’ve tried here, but mere words cannot express how wonderful A Million Suns truly is.  It crosses genre boundaries.  It’s a delightful mix of science fiction, dystopian lit., romance, action, mystery and suspense.  There’s something for everyone.  Beth Revis is a master of the cliffhanger, and I promise you will not want to put this book down.  Like Across the Universe, A Millions Suns is spectacular and will not disappoint, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us in the third book of this trilogy, Shades of Earth, due in January of 2013.

If you’re hungry for more information about Beth Revis and her outstanding books, visit http://www.bethrevis.com/.  You can also follow her on Twitter @bethrevis.

Now, dear readers, I must dash.  I’m headed to the hospital to await the birth of my first niece.  Hopefully, by the end of the day, I will be Aunt Knight Reader!

The Death Cure

Spoilers ahead!  If you haven’t read James Dashner’s The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials, do that before continuing with this post.  This post will focus on the third book in this trilogy, The Death Cure.  If you haven’t read the first two books, I promise I will spoil things for you!

The Death Cure picks up immediately after the events of The Scorch Trials. Thomas is in isolation at the WICKED compound, hoping for a chance to escape.  He doesn’t know what he’ll do or where he’ll go if he gets his chance, but he knows he has to get away from WICKED.  They are not to be trusted.

Eventually, Thomas’ moment comes, and he, along with several of his friends, escape WICKED and begin a journey to find answers.  They must also face the fact that one of them has the Flare, a brain-eating disease that transforms normal people into raving maniacs.  Can they find help–or even a cure–before a dear friend becomes a dreaded Crank?

Thomas and company make their way to Denver, a city that should be a safe haven for them.  But something is not quite right when they arrive.  No one in this city will make eye contact, people are walking around with cloth or masks over their faces.  Thomas was led to believe that the Flare was not present in Denver, but why are so many people acting as if it’s a real threat?  And why are those immune to the Flare–like Thomas and some of his friends–disappearing by the dozens?  Has WICKED infiltrated this supposedly safe city, or is someone else playing games with people’s lives?  What could the possible end game be?

As Thomas and his friends slowly uncover the truth behind all the lies, it becomes ever clearer that there are no winners here.  Lies abound from every side, and Thomas must trust his instincts to keep himself and everyone he loves alive.  He has to decide who to believe and if anything he’s been told by WICKED could ever be true, including the likelihood of a cure for the Flare.  Even if a cure is possible, millions of people will die.  And it seems that at least one person may have to be sacrificed to make a possible cure into a reality.  Will Thomas allow that to happen?  Can he face losing even one more person if it means the salvation of the human race?  The answers are not easy, but Thomas must face them if he has any hope of retaining his sanity, his life, or the fate of humankind. 

Read The Death Cure by James Dashner to learn that sometimes the only way to cure a disease is to kill it.

This has not been my best post on a book, and I’m sorry for that.  In my defense, however, it is impossible to capture everything that occurs in this book, even in this whole series.  The Death Cure is a quick read, but it is action-packed, and so much happens to these characters that I couldn’t possibly cram it all into one blog post.  I will say that the ending was somewhat satisfying, even if it seems that it was all part of a master plan.  I was sad that several characters I came to like in this series didn’t make it to the end.  (No, I won’t tell you which ones.)  On the other hand, I was kind of happy that a few characters I had come to despise didn’t make it, either.  You win some, you lose some.  Overall, I did enjoy this series, and I hope you will, too.

If you’d like to read more about The Maze Runner trilogy and author James Dashner, I encourage you to visit http://www.jamesdashner.com/.  Not too long ago, an announcement was made to this site that we can expect a prequel to The Maze Runner.  It’s called The Kill Order and will be released sometime in 2012.  Apparently, this story will tell us about the events that led to the creation of WICKED and the maze.  It focuses on the sun flares that hammered the earth and the disease that hit mankind shortly thereafter.  Doesn’t really sound like an uplifting story, does it?  But I’m sure it will be just as captivating as The Maze Runner trilogy.  I, for one, am eager to learn more about how everything started.

Beauty Queens

Just when I think author Libba Bray cannot outdo herself, she goes and proves me wrong.  I thought her Printz-award-winning novel, Going Bovine, was pure genius, and I thought nothing would be able to top it.  I was mistaken.  Her latest book, Beauty Queens, is absolute perfection, and it hooked me from the very first sentence.  This book is kind of Lost meets Miss Teen USA meets James Bond, and the not-so-tongue-in-cheek pop culture references are alarmingly spot on.  One of my favorite things while reading this book was trying to figure out who the “real life” people were who matched up with the book’s characters.  (More often than not, it wasn’t too difficult.)

A plane full of Miss Teen Dream pageant contestants has crash-landed on a remote island.  Not all of them make it out alive.  How are these girls to survive without drinking water, without food, without shelter, without moisturizer?  Some of the girls are convinced that help is sure to come soon, and they better be ready with their pageant faces on, their talents ready, and their interview answers prepared.  Other girls are more worried about actually, you know, surviving in the wild.

As it becomes clear that help will not be coming anytime soon, the girls, while still doing their best to be the next Miss Teen Dream, take matters into their own hands.  They build shelter, they hunt for food, they develop an irrigation system, and they learn a little about themselves and each other.  In short, they work together and learn that they really can do anything if they put their minds to it.  And that includes figuring out just what is happening on this mysterious island…

You see, things are not as they seem on this island.  Secrets abound–government conspiracies, corporate espionage, other evil villain type stuff–and the Miss Teen Dream contestants will have to face who they are and who they wish to be if they have any hope of uncovering the truth and escaping the island.  Can they become strong women willing to fight for their lives?  (Note:  This becomes even more complicated when a ship full of hot, wannabe pirates enters the picture.  Guys have been known to have an adverse effect on a girl’s brainwaves.)

Join the remaining contestants of the Miss Teen Dream pageant as they discover themselves and what they’re are truly capable of accomplishing.  They’re not just pretty faces!  Enjoy the beauty, madness, hilarity, and suspense when you read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray!

All too often, when a book is as awesome as this one, I have difficulty putting my thoughts into words, and this time is really no exception.  Beauty Queens is a stellar piece of literature that teens and adults will enjoy, and I will be extremely disappointed if this book does not win the Printz award for excellence in young adult literature.  This book, while funny, also made me think about the importance we place on beauty in this culture and how beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.  Bray also represents the LGBT community in her characters, and the book is stronger for their presence.  All in all, Beauty Queens is one of the best books I’ve read this year.  I hope you feel the same way.

For more information on Libba Bray and her wonderful books, visit http://www.libbabray.com/.

Trapped

My latest read, Trapped by Michael Northrop, made me even happier than I already am that I live in the South.  We don’t get much snow here, and anything over a few inches basically shuts my entire state down.  This past January, we had about a foot of snow, and schools were out for an entire week.  So, we don’t handle the white stuff all that well.  I don’t know what we’d do if we had a severe snowstorm like the one depicted in Trapped, and I honestly hope I never find out.

Scotty Weems is a sophomore at Tattawa High School.  He has two really close friends, and he’s on the varsity basketball team.  He doesn’t think about much else.  On the day the snow begins to come down, Scotty’s main concern is the basketball game being cancelled.  He doesn’t realize that he’ll soon have bigger worries.  Because the snow doesn’t stop, and Scotty, six other students, and one teacher are stranded at school.  No one comes to pick them up.  Surely this storm will blow over soon, and help will come, right?  Wrong.

As the snow begins to pile up, and the lone teacher tries to go for help, it becomes clear that these students are on their own.  Days go by.  The snow keeps falling.  There is no heat, and the pipes freeze.  The snow keeps falling.  Tempers flare, hope begins to wane, and the roof begins to collapse.  And the snow keeps falling.  How can a group of seven kids hope to survive this monster storm when it’s becoming more and more apparent that no help is in sight?  Does anyone even know they’re there?  Join Scotty and friends in their fight to survive when you read Trapped by Michael Northrop.

Trapped is a book that I think guys and girls will find interesting, and it could spark some “What would you do?” conversations.  I imagine many teenagers might think spending a week in a high school without adult supervision would be cool.  In this book, though, the kids were just trying to survive.  Sure, they raided the cafeteria and broke into a few rooms, but it wasn’t to see what they could get into.  It was to find what they needed to make it out of this storm alive…and readers soon realize that not all of them will.  Trapped is a gripping story that will definitely make readers think about just what they would do to survive.

For more information about author Michael Northrop and Trapped, visit http://michaelnorthrop.net/.