Partials

Kira lives in a world where 99.9% of the population has been killed by a disease. The country has just lost a war to an engineered species called Partials who turned on the humans. Only a handful of humans are living on Long Island under increasingly harsh conditions. And worst of all- no one is able to keep new babies alive- they die as soon as they are born. The Senate has implemented the Hope Act- which makes it a law for everyone who is sixteen to be pregnant as often as possible. A splinter group called the Voice is viciously opposed to this act and actively fights the Senate. Along with the impending Partial attacks, all is not well in Kira's world. Kira is a medic and works in the hospital. When her best friend gets pregnant, Kira is determined that Madison's baby will live. She convinces her friends to help her capture a Partial so she can study it's blood and come up with a cure for RM. Of course, she runs into many obstacles and learns some terrifying things about the Senate, the Partials and even herself. Who is she? What does her blood tell her? And who are her real enemies? When she meets Samm- a Partial, she must decide who to trust. This was a good book. It was an interesting take on what a society would do in the face of impending extinction. It leaves you hanging in the end with the promise of an inevitable love triangle in the future as Kira decides where she fits in and what she wants from life. She leaves on a quest to discover the truth behind the disease and the company who may have created it- and her. Happy reading my friends!

The Monstrumologist

This book has left me puzzled. It took me a while to finish it and I think I only did that to see if I could. I wanted to love it. I don't think I do. It is about Will Henry, an orphan, who lives with Dr. Pellinore Walthrop- a monstrumologist. They go on a hunt to track down a pack of Anthropophagus- headless creatures who feast on humans. It is violent and extraordinarily bloody for a YA book. It is also not an easy read, and I find it hard to imagine which of my students could make it through and understand it. I think Jack the Ripper is in the story as a fellow monster hunter. I like Will Henry, he is an engaging character. I like monster books. But something isn't sitting right with this one for me. I'm glad I'm done, I won't read the sequel and I'm ready to move on to something more pleasant- like dystopian fiction. Because even I, who has read it all, found parts of this book stomach turning. Step lively Will Henry Snap to! and Happy reading my friends.

The Apothecary

I don't know if I've said this before, but I hate reading books people recommend. Weird- I know. So sometimes in my book club, I get passive aggressive and don't read the book. Yes- hypocritical for someone who is recommending books all the time. I decided to man up and read this book. We are meeting on Monday, so I sat down and opened up the book to read it. And was pleasantly surprised. Maile Meloy wrote a great little novel. It is the story of Janie- who is forced to flee America to London with her "communist" parents in 1952. She meets the son of the Apothecary and finds him interesting. Benjamin wants nothing to do with his father's business, he wants to be a spy. Well- be careful what you wish for. Janie and Benjamin get wrapped up in a bit of international intrigue, including finding a way to stop an atom bomb. Along the way they meet Pip, get arrested and turn both invisible and into birds. "After all, its important to allow for possibilities" This is a charming book, the action never stops. The characters are very entertaining. The magic is fun and the hopefulness of the story is inspiring. Janie and Benjamin are quite a team and if you allow for possibilities, you will enjoy it too. I suppose it could have a sequel, but it doesn't need it. It was a great way to sneak some history in when you aren't looking. Happy reading my friends.

Dead to You

Lisa McMann is one of those writers who makes it easy to read her books. Dead to You is no exception. It is the story of Ethan De Wilde, who was abducted when he was seven. Nine years later, he finds his way home to his family. One problem, he doesn't remember the first seven years of his life or his abduction. And he is strangely protective of the woman who raised him. Ethan tries to find where he fits in this family, trying to reconnect to his little brother and new sister. He goes back to school and makes friends with his neighbor, who he falls for- after all they used to take baths together. He tries hard to remember things about his life before. His brother Blake, though, starts to suspect Ethan isn't who he says he is. As tensions rise between Ethan and Blake and his relationship with Cami takes off- a shocking discovery is made. I will leave you there. Just like Lisa McMann does!! This was a fun, fast, read, that really kept me questioning what Ethan's motives were and whether or not I liked him. Puzzling. I loved the character of Gracie, Ethan's precocious little sister, and she's the one I worry about at the end. I'm hoping this isn't the end of this story, but it could be. If you like this one, check out her Wake trilogy or the creepy Cryer's Cross. Happy Easter and happy reading my friends.