Graduation Day

This series started with The Testing and ends with Graduation Day. I think... It wraps up the story of Cia's fight against the people who have created the testing. This is how students are selected to attend university and lead the country. Only one problem, if you fail the testing you disappear. In this book, we find out what happens to those who have failed. And it isn't pretty. Cia must round up a team to help her take out those who support the testing. Tomas, as always is by her side and her brother Zeen. But who else can she trust when she can trust no one? The President calls on her to carry out a mission. If Cia can complete the mission the testing will be ended forever. Only one problem, the mission includes Cia killing 12 people. She isn't sure she can do it, even though she has killed in the past. She figures out a way to form her team, but is unsure of their loyalty even at the end. Those she didn't trust may just turn out to be the most loyal. This is a good series for someone who loves political strategy, fast paced action and an uncertain ending. It is similar to the Hunger Games series, but not quite as captivating. Onward to finish another series next- Ashes. Hope you are all having a summer filled with books. Happy reading my friends!

Love Letters to the Dead

First I will say, I don't usually willingly read sad books. Sometimes they sneak up on you. This beautifully told story is of Laurel, sister of May. May has died, possibly suicide, possibly accident. Laurel feels responsible. She told May something and then May (jumped?fell?). Now Laurel must cope with what happened to her and what was really going on with her troubled big sister. Laurel changes schools so no on in high school will know about her sister. She meets Hannah, Natalie, Kristen and Tristan who become her support group without knowing it. They bring her back to life. She meets Sky, the mystery boy with an unknown past. Laurel tells her story in letters to the dead- Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, Amelia Earhart, River Phoenix and others. In these letters, the truth of what has happened to Laurel comes out and chronicles the devastation of a broken home, an absent mother and a dead sister who may not have been as perfect as Laurel thought. Sky helps Laurel realize she has to face her past and stop disappearing. She must come to terms with what has been done to her and find a way to forgive not only herself, but her sister and all those who have let her down. This book was heartbreaking in it's language and story. I enjoyed the smattering of facts about these troubled people she writes to. It makes you realize that being famous isn't always about money and adoration. Laurel ends up in a healthier place by the end and I have hope she will have a happier future. I think I need a break from serious and have to head back into the supernatural or apocalyptic world for a while. I do, however, recommend you spend some time with Laurel and her letters. You won't be sorry. Happy reading my friends!

Conversion

Have you ever gone to the bookstore for one thing and come out with many more? True story of my life. There was this book with a beautiful yellow bird sitting on a thorny branch. Intriguing. I had just read about this novel on BN's website. I opened the cover to discover it was about the Salem Witch Trials and the town that now sits on the site of Salem- Danvers, Massachusetts. More intriguing. I love the witch trial history. How can people get so sucked into hysteria? It could never happen again-right? Well it did. This story is loosely based on the happenings in Le Roy, New York in 2012, when 16 girls were afflicted with various illnesses. The novel follows Colleen, an overachieving high school senior and her friends. A Mystery Illness starts to sweep through her exclusive private all girls school. It is college acceptance time, every quiz matters, valedictorians are being picked and every girl feels the pressure. When several girls start experiencing strange symptoms, the school quickly tries to sweep it under the rug. That never works. Colleen starts to try and figure out what is happening and she comes to a scary conclusion that it might be her best friend Emma causing the illnesses. But how can that be? There's no such thing as witches- right?? Interspersed between the current chapters is the story of Ann Putnam, one of the girls involved in the Salem witch conspiracy. It uses the actual testimony of the time to tell Ann's role in the dreadful events. The most interesting thing to me is the similarities of the two stories. The pressure on girls is immense, no matter what century you are living in. They want to be noticed, feel important and most of all, they want a place in society. They want a voice. And if no one is going to give it to them, they will find a way to take if for themselves. A teenager scorned... Anyway, I couldn't put this down and if you have any interest in that time period of our history, this one is for you. Happy reading my friends!

Noggin

Travis is dying of Leukemia. As he nears the end he is given an option. The cryogenic lab will cut off his head and store it for a time when he can be brought back. He decides to take them up on his offer, never really believing this will happen. Or that it will happen so far in the future all those he loves will have died. He leaves behind his parents, best friend and love of his life Cate. Five year later, he wakes up. Yup, only five years. Just enough time for everyone to be done grieving for him and to have  moved on with their lives. His best friend Kyle is in college with  a girlfriend- only problem, he confessed on Travis's death bed he was gay. His father is working odd hours. And Cate, seems to be engaged to a nice guy and living happily. But for Travis, he is still 17, has to go back to high school and figure out his place in this new world. He KNOWS Cate will take him back if he can only get her to remember their promises to each other. And what about the boy whose body he now has? How is his family coping with the fact that their son is never coming home. Travis becomes quite the news story, everyone wants to see the scar on his neck. But why does he feel so out of place, so lost? After all, shouldn't he be ecstatic to be alive again? Shouldn't everything be the same? This was an interesting book, not like any I have read before. Travis really has to learn a new order and fast, but for him, it was like only yesterday he was alive. For everyone else, life had moved on. There are humorous parts, touching parts, and heartbreaking moments in this coming of age novel. I really enjoyed it. Happy ending? I guess you will have to decide that for yourselves. Happy reading my friends!

Onyx

Oh dear kittens, book two was just as fraught with danger, tension and witty banter as the first book in this series. Daemon and Kat have come to an uneasy peace. They are now connected because of the healing Daemon did to save her. But Kat can't trust the feelings she has for him, are they attracted to each other just because of the connection or do they really have something special. Daemon isn't easy to read, his moods change like the weather. On top of all that, a new boy has come to town. His name is Blake and he has an unhealthy interest in Kat. Kat is flattered, after all he is a human boy and would be uncomplicated. Ha. Daemon doesn't take kindly to the interference and warns Kat not to trust him. Of course he is right and Blake turns out to be just what Daemon suspects- trouble. Amidst all this love triangle tension, Kat sees Bethany in town with the DOD. This can mean only one thing- Dawson may be alive. As Kat and Daemon search for his brother, other factions make their presence known in town and their motives are nefarious. Kat is put in massive danger as her new powers come to light and she is surrounded on all sides by those who want to use her. Luckily, Daemon is having none of that. This is a great book for lovers of the supernatural genre. Daemon is becoming more likable as his real feelings are starting to show and his motives are becoming more clear. Kat is fighting hard to be independent and self reliant. The cliffhanger ending leaves the reader wanting more, and luckily for all of us, there is more. On to the next gemstone... happy reading my friends!

The Inventor's Secret

As a fan of Andrea Cremer's Nightshade series, I was interested to see what her new book had in store. I am not usually a big fan of Steampunk, but this one had me from the get-go. Imagine if we had lost the Revolutionary War and the English were still in charge. The signers have all been hung as traitors and families of the rebellion are forced into indentured servitude for twenty years. A small group of rebel children are hiding in the Catacombs finding ways to help the Rebellion on the outside. Charlotte and her brother Ash live there. Ash is the leader. They are surrounded by interesting characters. Meg, the caretaker, Jack the lovable rogue, Pip, the outspoken rascal. When Charlotte finds a strange boy running from the Empire, she decides to save him and risk her brother's wrath. He turns out to have no memory of who he is or where he comes from. They name him Grave, which may turn out to be more apt than you would think. As they try to find out who he is, the boys- Jack and Ash, are up to their ears in a scheme to help the rebellion, but they will have to venture into the hear of the city to implement their plan. How is it possible, well, Jack has secrets of his own and they will devastate Charlotte who finds herself falling in love with him against her better judgement. Do things go wrong in the city- what do you think? Charlotte is going to have to grow up fast and decide which is more important, personal happiness or fighting for a cause. Especially if that cause is as important as freedom. This is book one, so there is the beginning of a love triangle that will pit brother against brother, lost love, adventure, humor and some pretty nifty inventions. If you haven't given Steampunk a try, this is a great way into the genre. Happy reading my friends!