Cherub

Cherub by Robert Muchamore. It's about a 12-year old boy, James, and how he gets recruited into an organization for young spies called CHERUB. Though he's a troublemaker, he's also intelligent, which makes him perfect material for CHERUB. In this book, he gets recruited, goes through tough training, and gets sent on his first mission.

BEWARE. THIS MAY BE MY LONGEST REVIEW YET.

I had a lot of problems with this book. I loved the Alex Rider series. I loved the Gallagher Series. I could barely get into the Genius series by Catherine Jinks before I had the urge to throw it at the wall. There are a ton of books I could compare Cherub to. To be brief, it wasn't all that bad. It was interesting enough that I got through it okay, but there were so many things that got on my nerves.

First off, are the characters. James, the main character, is 12-years old, yet he gets drunk, finds himself in police custody, and deals with an abusive stepfather. The actions he takes, it makes him seem like he's supposed to be older. His younger stepsister, Lauren, and how he talks about how he worries about her constantly, made it a complete shock to find that Lauren in 10-years old. Instead of being a responsible older brother, turns out he's only 2 years older than his sister. I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that James was still only 12-years old, because he didn't act like it.

Next, is my understanding of what makes James spy potential. They call James a troublemaker, but intelligent. I couldn't find any evidence of why he might be intelligent. The way they measure, is by how quickly he can calculate sums in his head. Okay, he's a human calculator, so what? How is that useful? A characteristic of a spy should be cleverness, not intelligence. He seemed pretty stupid to me. He never used his head, and pretty much acted just like a 12-years old. Bravo.

Now onto the plot. A little less than half way through the book, James begins his basic training. Two-thirds of the book, and James finishes his training, and shortly goes on his first mission. Thus ends the book when his mission ends. I liked reading about James harsh training the most. It's about survival, and being pushed to your limits. They have to endure 3 months of nearly no sleep and endless training for 100 days straight. If you get an serious injury, or quit at anytime during the whole time, you are forced to start over from day 1 when the next training course begins. This was my favorite part because these recruits actually start to use their brains and resources in order to survive. It was interesting to read. I loved this part.

The mission, well I couldn't get into it. James acts like a whiny 12-year old, and thinks about who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. It ends the book talking all about moral and common sense, and good and evil. Basic theme for younger readers. Which may be why James is portrayed at a younger age. Which is why it annoyed me so much. Many books have that same theme, but it isn't as direct and obvious as in this book.

Many books have ingenious plot ideas, yet seriously lack in characterization. This book lacked in both areas. A spy school, may be a very interesting idea to write about, but it isn't original. The characters seemed so fake and artificial. This book didn't make much of an impression on me.

My Rating: 6 out of 10 stars

The Fault in Our Stars

Okay, I know I haven't been posting lately. So I have a lot of books to review and catch up on.

Description: Hazel meets Augustus at Cancer Support Group and falls in love with him. Although her life has never been normal again after she has been diagnosed, she still finds a world where she can enjoy herself. But is cause her to re-examine life and death and the legacies everyone leaves behind. (Very brief, I know.)

The Fault in Our Stars was the first book I read by John Green, and what struck me most was the unique style he wrote in. Even in such a sad story and such a serious topic, he still manages to bring humor into it that makes the story more light-hearted. The interesting characters, the sarcastic jokes, left me smiling the whole way. Though I admit that the plot didn't seem very promising, John Green is an author that writes well and causes his readers to think deeper into the heart of the story, to have mixed feelings, and to relate to the characters he presents. I really enjoyed this book.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

City of Lost Souls

Okay! So the City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth book in the Mortal  Instruments series. Which also means that if you haven't read the first four books, this review will have a ton of spoilers. (Hint, hint.) Ah, so now that everyone who didn't want the book to be spoiled for them has left, onto the review.

Recap: Basically, Jace is now "part" of Sebastian. Stab one, and you'll also have stabbed the other. Wonderful, considering that Sebastian has the whole Clave on his trail, his murder high on their priorities. Jace is just another Shadowhunter, so who cares if he dies in the process? Well, Clary, Isabelle, Alec, Simon, and Magnus are all naturally worried. And the rest of the gang.

So they have to track Jace and Sebastian down, and find a way to kill Sebastian without killing Jace, and they also have other things going on, and yeah. I feel like I'm doing a terrible job at this review. Okay... moving on.

This book was good. I enjoyed it, as I enjoy all of Cassandra Clare's books. They are just so well-written, and in such a fascinating world. However, somethings were just getting old after, what, five books? The romance thing was a bit annoying. There are 4 or 5 couples among the main characters, not counting the side characters. Plus, the epilogue at the end hinted at yet another problem for the next book. Not that cliffhangers and suspense isn't what I usually crave, but it's just too much!

Some people say that the author should've just finished the series after book 3, but I don't agree. I think it's still interesting to see the aftermath, and explore more of the various problems that pop up. I love this series. Yes, there are some things that annoy me greatly, but those are minor concerns. I love how it also ties in to the Immortal Instruments series, and can't wait to read the last books of both series. Same as always, great book.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Cassandra Clare's Works

Cassandra Clare is one of my favorite authors. The Mortal Instruments series first book is City of Bones, and it takes place in New York City. When Clary Fray witnesses a murder by three teenagers with strange tattoos and weapons, she immediately calls on the police. However, it turns out that only she can see the three murderers; they are invisible to everyone else. The victim's body seemingly vanished into thin air. She is unable to explain what she had witnessed, when her mother disappears and she is attacked by a demon. Immediately pulled into a world she didn't exist, she must trust the Shadowhunters who quickly become her friends as she searches for her missing mother, while slowly discovering the truths about herself and where she belongs in this world.

That pretty much explains the first three books in the series. The third book could've easily been the last, and finish off the series nicely, but the author decided to continue the series with a new plot, after the events in books 1-3.

The Infernal Devices is like a prequel series to the Mortal Instruments. Taken place  in London maybe a hundred years ago (not particularly sure on the time period, so more or less during that time) with different characters and a different plot. These series depict the same Shadowhunting world, and can be read separately without needing any knowledge from the other. However, in books 4-6 in the Mortal Instruments, it references some of the characters from in the past, so it's interesting to read both series, to give you an insight to the story. (Good to read them in the order they were published.) Choosing between the two series is hard; they are equally great.

Cassandra Clare has done an amazing job with expanding the world, and making it seem so real-like. The characters, the plots, the humorous voice of the characters that will keep you laughing in times of chaos. Many books I've liked, because of the plot and the characters, but very few pull me in so strongly that I can't stop reading until I reach the end. She's also terrific at setting up cliffhangers at the end of each book to keep you on edge until the next book comes out. Mysterious, suspenseful, amazingly well written. I recommend any of her books to anyone craving something good to read. My rating refers to Cassandra Clare's works in general.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is one of the saddest books I've read. Clay Jensen receives an anonymous package containing a set of tapes. When he plays them, he is shocked to hear the voice of Hannah Baker, who committed suicide two weeks earlier. The rules are simple; listen, and pass them on. Through the tapes, Hannah brings Clay on a journey all over town, telling him the thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay becomes a first-hand witness to the pain Hannah had suffered, and guilt tears him apart as he discovers the truth about the role he played in Hannah's life.

This book was incredibly sad and emotional, but it was just an amazing book. Each tape, or reason refers to a different person. Thirteen people in all, starting from the first who unknowingly started a chain of painful events, to the last who was Hannah's last hope to turn things around. It shows the huge effect a small, or big action can do to scar a person for life. It's like a snowball; it starts out small, but the problems get bigger and bigger as time goes on. It shows the huge effect of someone who didn't do anything, who was a bystander, and how maybe things could've been different.

The only problem I had was that it was hard to distinguish the things Hannah was saying on the tape, and what Clay himself was thinking as he listened. But that was due to how they printed it out. It's a touching story, and full of mystery and suspense. A clever way (tapes) to tell the story of the person who committed suicide.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Airhead

Airhead by Meg Cabot features Emerson Watts, who is the typical tomboy, and never paid much attention to teen sensations, including supermodel Nikki Howard. However she was forced to go to the Megastore grand opening to watch over her younger sister, Frida. But you can never predict when disaster will strike, and this time Em Watts won't be coming back.

The saying on the front cover says it all: It's what's outside that matters.

Okay, I had this book recommended to me. I was a bit hesitant at first because this genre wasn't really my type, and the first couple of chapters weren't exactly anything special, but by the time I got a third into the book, I was hooked. Basically, Em Watts, the tomboy, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. At almost the same time Em was crushed underneath by a TV screen, harming her body beyond repair, but leaving her brain still intact, Nikki Howard's brain shut down, leaving her brain-dead. What do they do? They transplant Em's brain into Nikki's body. The tomboy into a supermodel's body.

Get the idea?

In order for this to work, Em must let go of her old life, letting everyone declare Emerson Watts officially dead. She has to pretend to be Nikki, and make everyone believe that Nikki is still alive. Em is devastated. A tomboy, pretend to be a supermodel? No way. But if she refuses, the consequences are deadly. How hard can being a supermodel be anyway?

Much harder than Em would've thought. She instead discovers a very complicated lifestyle that she is not used to. But it begins to broadens her view of everyone in general. But she's still not ready to leave her old life behind.

The part I liked was when Em started to live like Nikki, and interact with the people in Nikki's life. The characters were what made me hooked to this book. Real, lively characters that make this story come to life.

And just when it starts to get really interesting, the bomb drops. Don't you hate cliffhangers?

Ah well. All in all, an amazing book.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Insurgent

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. The sequel to Divergent. An incredible second book to this amazing series.

**WARNING** If you have not read Divergent, please note that this post may contain spoilers.

A refresh on Divergent. Beatrice "Tris" Prior is living in a futuristic Chicago where at age sixteen they must choose a faction, a decision that might change their life forever. For Tris, it's leaving her family. But she soon finds out that she's not fit for a certain faction. She's Divergent.

Jeanine Mathews has made her intentions clear at the end of Divergent. She will do anything to keep the rest of the city from accessing some very important knowledge, including murdering innocent people, and mind controlling others to do so. War has officially broken out between the factions. They must choose sides, and they must decided how to proceed with the Erudite. But the Erudite are very good at getting what they want. Tris has to decide who to trust, and to make sacrifices for everything she believes in. But how is this possible when there are very few who are on your side?

The book starts right off from where Divergent ends. Tris and her friends find refuge among the other factions, and in this case, the factionless too. Amity, Candor, none of them guarantee to help them. Sometimes your allies are the people you'd least expect to be. Sacrifices are made, and more information is revealed. Who are they? Who created the faction system? Were they put there for a purpose? What's outside the fence? More questions arise and Tris is at a loss. She needs to trust her instinct, even if the consequences might be fatal. You get to explore more of the other factions, and you also get to learn more about the Divergent. A slight twist in the plot in the end, and of course a major cliffhanger. Betrayal, shock, grief, and sacrifices. I only have one word for it. Amazing.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Click HERE for my review on Divergent.

I am Number Four

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore is about nine children and their guardians from the planet Lorien, the only ones left after it was wiped out. Now all of them are living separate lives on Earth, binded by a charm where they can only be killed in numerical order. Hunted by the Mongadorians, they have to keep a quiet life, and avoid any attention or suspicion toward themselves. But the Mongadorians are finding them, and are getting closer and closer to killing them all. Three are dead, and John is Number Four. But when love and friendship gets in the way of survival, not only is his own life at risk, but the five others.

I loved the plot idea, and because of this I had high expectations for this book. Boy, was I disappointed. I thought this book was very poorly written, and a perfect example of "telling", and not "showing". It had me wincing many times throughout the book, and I was fed up of the phrase "we aren't who you think we are" being used so many times. The romance was mushy, and the storyline was very slow. If just based off how well this book was written, I probably would've given it 2-3 stars out of ten.

But the plot, the idea. This book would've been so good if it wasn't for the actual writing. But the plot gave through and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series just to see how the story unravels.

My Rating: 6 out of 10 stars

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor takes place during a war that has been going on for thousands of years. In the middle of it all is an art student in Prague; Karou, who has bright blue hair, speaks many languages, and is constantly sent out on errands to collect teeth of all kinds; bear, elephant, even human. She has been raised by "monsters" since she was a baby, the only people she could truly call her family. When the war finally comes to an end, she is cut off from the people she loves. As she sets out to find them, she comes to discover who she really is.

Angels vs. Devils. Seraphs vs. Chimaera. Enemies even since before the war had even started. Every seraph grows up learning that the chimaera are wild, dangerous beasts, and every chimaera grows up learning that the seraph are greedy, arrogant creatures. Day after day, night after night, the only life they've known is war. But when an angel and a devil fall in love, they imagine a world without war; only peace, and harmony between the two sides. But sometimes things can go horribly wrong. Harmony isn't the only way to end a war; destruction, and crushing the other side into nonexistence is another. And when Karou finally finds out the truth, it might be too late.

A great book, that has you feeling pity and hatred toward both sides, not knowing exactly who's the bad guy and who's the good guy. "Angels and devils" don't mean anything. When your whole life has been centered around war, nothing good can come from that. The only thing you can do is hope, hope for a different life, and a different world. It was very descriptive, constantly switching points of view, though it focused more on what happened in the past, not what she's going to do next. Which is why the author left the book on a cliffhanger. Can't wait for the sequel!

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Gone vs. Maze Runner

The Gone series by Michael Grant versus the Maze Runner series by James Dashner. Since I just finished Fear, the fifth book in the Gone series, I realized several reasons why this series is one of my favorites. The best way to show this is to compare it to another book. Not that the Maze Runner series isn't a good series; it is. But for me, Gone, is just my kind of book. I chose Maze Runner because it is very similar as in the things they encounter. They're both about a group of kids who encounter horrifying obstacles and must use the resources they find to survive. A ton of people die on the way, as they face challenges that threaten their lives. Only the structure of how they're written is different.

One thing a good story needs is a variety of different characters. Although both series has a good number of main characters, Maze Runner is told solely by Thomas's point of view, while Gone is told from many different points of view. Although it may be for a purpose such as if it's only told from a single person's point of view, you have no idea what's going on, making the plot more suspenseful, I found it frustrating that I had no idea what was going on in another character's mind. In Gone, the character's points of view just gives a better insight on what's going on, creating more of a horror scene when you don't want them to fall into a trap or something.

The plot itself differs in many ways. In Maze Runner they encounter obstacles one after another; they would get pass one horror only to find themselves facing yet another obstacle in their path. I think this is why it seems so fast-paced, when it never gives you a decent break. Gone has many obstacles too, yet they are organized in a more confusing way. All these little obstacles in the beginning overlap each other, while it leads to an even bigger problem. More like that there are so many things going on, you can't even stop to think. All the different characters, all in different situations, it's enough to make your head spin.

Why they are similar is because they both face horrifying obstacles as they struggle to survive. They both face horrifying creatures, struggling in a crazy new world. They are both exciting, terrifying, suspenseful sci-fi novels. They are both great series. But in my opinion, I think the Gone series is superior.

Fear

Fear, the fifth book in the Gone series by Michael Grant finally gives you a glimpse of what's going on outside the FAYZ. In a world without adults, the barrier and the gaiaphage are both weakening, causing the FAYZ to turn black, into darkness, obliterating any light from the sun or stars. The gaiaphage is dying, and needs to be reborn. The Big Split has them separated when they need to be working together in order to survive. Fear starts to grab at them as they are emerged into complete darkness, as anything or anyone could be lurking around, attacking when you least expect it.

You can never put down any of these books. It's a high-tension, thrilling, terrifying story of a group of kids striving to survive at all costs in an impossible world of horror and hopelessness. The vivid characters and the intense plot keeps you reading, page after page, impossible to put it down as you are drawn more and more into the story. There's always so many things going on you can't stop to think. The author keeps switching from different character's points of view, providing a bigger insight to what's going on in so many different places.

This book is where they introduce the parents, long gone from the first book, and where their role is played in the result of the end of the book. I'm really looking forward to the next and last book in the series; Light. The change in the dome (I won't spoil it for you...) is really going to change the relationship and understanding between the kids and the adults. I'm really curious how this change will affect their lives, both inside and outside of the FAYZ.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

To find out how the FAYZ came to be, check out my review on the first book; Gone. Click HERE to read it.

Dark Visions

Dark Visions by L.J. Smith is one of my favorites. Kaitlyn Fairchild can predict the future though her drawings, though they're often too abstract to understand until too late. Tired of being an outsider, she decides to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can study and learn how to control her powers with four other psychic teens who have different powers. There she and the others start an unlikely friendship, and bond, when they discover the true meanings behind the institute and why they were brought there.

As they strive to escape and to destroy the evil intentions of the Zetes Institute, Kaitlyn finds herself torn between two irresistible, opposing guys; Rob and Gabriel. Rob is kind and gentle, where as Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious. When their opposing sides threatens to tear the group apart, Kaitlyn must decide who to trust, and who to love.

This book was soo good. I love books where the bad guys and the good guys join sides to stop the REALLY bad guys. The friendship between the five of them, or more importantly, the telepathic bond was too captivating to stop reading. In the end, they just want to help each other, no matter what the differences. The ending was a brilliant one, not disappointing at all, as it ties the story off perfectly, and everything is resolved.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Night World 1 and 2

L.J. Smith puts a new twist on the world of vampires, witches, and werewolves with the Night World series. They walk among us, appearing to us as ordinary humans, yet they have a dangerous secret. It is against the law to tell any humans about the Night World, and it's punishable by death if you manage to fall in love with a human. But the Soulmate Principle, which some people believe in and some people don't, is where everyone has just one perfect soulmate, and when you meet them, you recognize them instantly. However, more and more Night Worlders are finding human soulmates, in which they find themselves breaking the law for love. Can they establish the peace between Night Worlders and humans once and for all?

I love these books. Each book is separated into three shorter stories, with three different plots. The overall plot of the series is that there's something that's making Night Worlders have human soulmates, yet they don't quite know what it is. The books are always full of mystery and action, making it exciting at times, and spooky at others. A true thriller/horror book that alerts you to your senses with every sentence. My favorite of the three from the first book would be Secret Vampire, and my favorite of the second book is The Chosen.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

The Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials is the second book in the Maze Runner series by James Dashner. After escaping the maze, they thought that they could now rest in peace. Instead they find themselves facing another trial; the Scorch Trials. They have to cross a large section of land called the Scorch, which the sun flares had baked into a wasteland. They finally know now what the outside world was like while they were in the maze; the sun flares have wiped out half the planet, while many of the surviving people are infected with a deadly disease called the Flare, which slowly causes you to become insane. They have to cross the Scorch and make it to the safe haven in two weeks, or be left out to die.

I personally liked this book a lot better than the first. The first book was too fast-paced for me; it was a panic attack one after another. In the Scorch Trials though it's more of betrayal; finding out who to trust and who to not. The continuing plot was as great as ever as they encountered many new obstacles and met new people. It really kept me interested as the story slowly unraveled, and the mystery of WICKED became clearer.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

To read my review of the first book, Maze Runner, click HERE.

The Alchemyst

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott, introduces you to Nicholas Flamel, who discovered the secret to immortality. Born 700 years ago, he is still alive, and is continuously protecting an ancient book, which if in the wrong hands can be used to destroy mankind. But now it's been stolen, and two twins find themselves part of an ancient prophecy, as they struggle to cope with this strange magical world they've stumbled into.

This book just wasn't for me. It was slow, a bit boring, and not exciting enough. What I did like was how well the magical world was described. The author mixes many of our legends, myths, and history into this world. I thought of it as unique, with an interesting plot to begin with. Yet my main problem was with the characters.

Sophie and Josh, the twins, are way too perfect; they're always there for each other, they worry about each other, and so on. Although this may be the ideal relationship, it wasn't very interesting to read about. I felt like there should be more of a conflict both in the plot and with the characters. It just annoyed me for some reason. Overall, it was an okay book. However, there are way more better books out there than this one.

My Rating: 4 out of 10 stars

Top 3 Favorites

My top three favorites, as of now, in no particular order. I'd define favorites as ones that I will read again and again in the future.

The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling for sure. It's something about these famous books that makes them an instant classic. Little details throughout the whole series makes it appear very well thought out and organized, as if the whole plot had already been planned since the first book. Maybe it was. The whole magical world was very imaginative and descriptive, from dementors, to the Ministry of Magic, to Quidditch, whose rules were laid out very neatly. While the readers interests change as they get older, Harry also ages at the same rate, making sure readers don't lose interest.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is just a terrific sci-fi novel. Shown from both the teachers' view and the students' view, you kind of have to guess exactly what's going on. Commanders and soldiers, all consisting of brilliant young kids. The teachers are there to mess with them, to make them the best of the best, just to save humanity. It just shows exactly who should be messing with who. No ordinary kid can get admitted into Battleschool. Only the most cunning, most strategic, and the ones who are worth the trouble get in.

Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz is the top spy novel ever! Tragic, suspenseful, full of action and excitement all in one. Alex Rider, an under-age spy recruited against his will, is a really admirable character, never giving himself up to the terror he meets. Even when he really emotionally breaks down, he is still strong, and is even more determined to put things right. He's resourceful, has quick reflexes, and is a quick thinker even under pressure. He's just the spy you'd want working for your side.

The Hunger Games

As most of you know, the Hunger Games movie just recently came out! Based off the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, it's full of action and is a great series.

In future North America, Panem consists of the Capitol as well as twelve outer districts. Every year they hold the Hunger Games, which forces one boy and one girl between ages 12 and 18 from each district to fight against each other, their efforts shown televised to the whole nation. To win is to be the last one alive. So when Katniss Everdeen from district 12 takes up the death sentence, she is determined to win using her hunting and survival skills.

This book is probably my favorite out of the whole series. I loved all the action and Katniss was definitely my favorite character. Her hunting skills, and her cunning personality fit in perfectly with the story. She uses all these characteristics to win the game and start a rebellion against the Capitol.

In Catching Fire, she comes home, a hero, signs of rebellion amongst the other districts popping out everywhere, which greatly angers the Capitol. As long as she lives, the rebellion will go on. Defying the rule that the winners wouldn't be forced into the games anymore, Katniss finds herself in the arena once more, this time with other past winning tributes. She finds herself making allies with several of them, of whom are determined to keep both Katniss and the rebellion alive, no matter what the cost.

This book I found captivating as the story continued to unravel. You meet new obstacles, new characters, and find out more to the original plot.

Mockingjay I just found really sad, as many loved ones go seperate ways. It was perhaps a great finale to the plot, yet I didn't like this one as much as the other two, which both took place for a great chunk of the story in the arena.

So overall, great characters, great plot. Hopefully the movies will be just as good, or better.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth introduces Beatrice Prior, whose time to choose her final path in life has come. There are five different factions she must choose from:

Abnegation: the selfless

Dauntless: the brave

Amity: the peaceful

Candor: the honest

Erudite: the intelligent

Each faction serves a different purpose to help keep the government in order. But soon she finds that she doesn't belong to any of them, and she starts to wonder where she truly belongs in this imperfect society.

I loved it. I read it in two days. Each faction was described in great detail, as were all the characters and settings. It was reckless, and fun all the way. Yet there were still some parts that I didn't really like. Especially the ending. It felt like it was in slow motion; there wasn't enough action, not enough description of what was going on. And the last part, which gave a quick hint of what was to come in the second book kind of ruined the whole mood. But overall it was great and I couldn't put it down.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Gone Series

One second they were there; the next they were gone. One day, everyone age fourteen and up suddenly disappears in a blink of an eye. Only the kids are left to survive on their own in this new world they nickname "the FAYZ". Enclosed by an impenetrable dome, they are unable to contact the outside world for help. At first it begins a terrific life; a life without adults to tell you what to do. But when food starts running out, people start developing strange supernatural powers, and the kids of Perdido Beach start encountering unimaginable horrors, their life in the FAYZ is getting out of control. And when your fourteenth birthday comes along, you may be the next one to disappear.

Suspenseful. Creepy. Enthralling. I loved every bit of it. Every book comes with a new challenge to overcome, and with the rich characters, and fascinating plot, you won't be able to put it down. Told from many different characters' point of view, you never know what's going to happen next. Gone by Michael Grant will have you suspicious, horrified, and thrilled all at the same time.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Matched and Crossed

Cassia's whole life is controlled by the Society. What to eat, where you work, who you marry, when you die. The Officials decide everything for you, to provide you the best life possible. But when Cassia starts falling in love with Ky other than her designated match, Xander, she starts to wonder if the Society isn't perfect after all.

I thought this book was pretty good. Though a bit slow, it described how the Society worked really well. I liked the conflict between Xander and Ky, and Cassia having to choose one over the other. It was interesting to see how everyone reacted when they found out; her parents, Xander, and her Official. I thought the Society was pretty evil, not only to her, but to everyone. I enjoyed reading it a lot.

Crossed on the other hand, was a lot slower than Matched. Sequels almost never turn out to be as good as the first book. Ky was taken away to the Outer Provinces, and Cassia desperately tries to find him. You meet a lot of new characters, and learn more about Xander, Ky and the Society. Yet it was a touch too slow for me. It only got really interesting towards the end. Crossed by Ally Condie has you almost dangling on a cliff hanger, waiting to find out what happens next in the final book.

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner takes place in a rectangular open expanse called the Glade. The Glade is surrounded by four stone walls, which opens up during the day to reveal an unsolvable maze behind it. Thomas wakes up to find that he can only remember his first name. He is greeted by other boys living in the Glade, the "Gladers", and tries to settle into his new home. But Thomas' arrival seems to have triggered a chain of events that cause the Gladers to wonder why they are here and how to get out.

I heard about this series from many classmates, some saying it was the best series ever. I slightly disagree. Don't get me wrong; it's a great book and I enjoyed it a lot. But I thought it could've been better. I liked the plot, and the suspenseful events kept me reading to the end. But I didn't like the style of writing. It was somehow kind of plain; although it was a fast-paced book, it felt kinda slow. I still had a lot of unanswered questions by the end of the book, which I hope will be answered in the next book. Overall, a pretty decent book, with a suspenseful plot that is brilliant enough for me to be willing to read the rest of the series.

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

The Forbidden Game

    The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith is a terrific book, divided into three parts; The Hunter, The Chase, and The Kill. Jenny buys a game from a mysterious boy she encounters for an upcoming party. Turns out that the boy is a Shadow Man and has been in love with Jenny since she was a kid. To take her for himself, he draws Jenny and her friends into three consecutive games in which Jenny and her friends' lives are at stake. If they win, Jenny gets her freedom. But if they lose, Jenny has to commit herself to Julian for the rest of her life.

    This is a book where friendships deepen, and love gets in the way of the game. I loved the unique plot and the different characters. There were surprises at every turn and it's a great story of love, horror and sacrifice. In the end you have to question who's the real enemy, and who you can trust. I have no idea what to categorize this one as. Is it romance? Paranormal? Or both? Either way, I loved it.

My Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Alex Rider Series

    The Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz is one of my favorite series. Alex Rider is a fourteen-year-old spy working for MI6. All nine books feature nine different missions he's been given by MI6 and he meets many different people along the way. He proves himself to be a very good spy, however unwilling he is to be one. He is resourceful, a quick thinker, and has a reckless personality.

In the first book, Stormbreaker, Alex is introduced to the spy world when his last living relative, his uncle, dies in a "car crash". Later he finds out that his uncle is really a spy working for MI6 and that he died on one of his missions. MI6 wants to recruit him seeing as a teenage spy would be much more useful than an adult. Though Alex refuses at first, MI6 gives him no choice, and he is sent on his first mission.

About a year later, Alex has been on nine different, successful, missions, and has managed to save the world more than once. His last mission, told in the final book, Scorpia Rising, not only puts a definite end to his spy career, but also changes his life forever.

    Out of all the books in the series, I have to say that Scorpia Rising is my favorite. This final mission has Alex scarred for the rest of his life. I loved the unexpected twists, surprising me more than once. The gadgets, the people, and most of all, the ending. Terrifying and sad, it left me in tears by the time the book was over. It was full of action, and kept me reading all the way to the end. I would recommend this series to anyone who loves a good action-packed spy novel.

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite books! It's a mixture of sci-fi, war, and smart kids. I absolutely loved it!

    The earth is under attack once again. The "buggers" final invasion could wipe out the human species. And only one person can defeat them...

    Ender Wiggin is sent to Battleschool for millitary training at age six, where he quickly proves himself to be the best of the best. Smart. Daring. A quick thinker. But how will he do when he's in command of a real fleet? Is he willing to defeat the "buggers" once and for all?

There's also a companion book; Ender's Shadow. It's basically the same time period in which Ender's Game occurs, yet all the events are told from a different point of view, from one of Ender's fellow classmates and friends in Battleschool. I loved them both!

My Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

where would i go for vacation?

Okay, so I said before that I might throw in something random that's not related to books. And now I've got one for you.

"If you could go anywhere on vacation, to help out people anywhere around the world, where would you go?"

Hmm. That's a hard one. Maybe I'd go to Africa to help give the kids there a better education. That might be cool to do. What do you think?

the "book nook" is now open to all readers!

Hey guys! First let's get this straight. I LOVE to read. I mean, duh, that's why this blog is called the "book nook". Okay, okay. Moving on.

So, this "book nook" is going to consist of book reviews and thoughts and comments about reading and writing in general. I'll include several reviews of my most favorite books of all time. Maybe throw in a random comment or two into the mix. That's what you have to look forward to.

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for, the "book nook" is now open to all readers!