Dry

I have never been thirstier than I was reading this book. This is the story of the drought in California. The water has run out. What do you do? How do you deal with the incredible thirst? Do you leave? Do you go to your bunker? Do you attack your neighbors for their supply? Alyssa and Garret are brother and sister. They live next door to Kelton, whose family has been preparing for this day all their lives. When Alyssa's parents disappear on a water run, they set out to find them. Kelton volunteers to go with them to protect them. Along the way they meet Jacqui- a girl who know what it's like to be on her own and Henry- a boy who knows how to work the system. As the kids try and make their way to water, they have to navigate the water zombies, the military and each other. This book was terrifying in the fact that it is a real scenario we may one day face in California. We don't tend to view all the signs as credible and we may find it is too late to fix it one day. I know I want to stock up on all the water I can buy. Shusterman is one of my favorite authors. He has a wide range of books to satisfy most young adult readers. This book was interesting and informative. Read it with a big glass of water next to you. You'll need it! Happy reading my friends!

Refugee

This is the story of three refugees in three different times. Josef, fleeing from Hitler, Isabel, fleeing from Castro and Malmoud, fleeing from  Syria. Each of these characters face life changing dangers as they try and get somewhere safe. It isn't an easy trip for any of them. They all lose someone on the way but to stay where they were was not a possibility.  The story is told in alternating chapters that follow the harrowing journeys each face. While none of the refugees are real, they are based on a mixture of real people. I cannot imagine what it would be like to leave everything and everyone you love to face an unknown future, not knowing where you would be laying your head down that night. Or not being able to trust anyone as these situations bring out the con artists and criminals to take advantage of those in peril. Not all the stories end well, but they are weaved together in the end. I can't say I enjoyed the book as the subject matter is depressing in that it is a current problem for so many people. We must learn from the past to hopefully prevent these situations in the future but I don't hold much hope for that. This novel put a face on the stories in the news every day. I will not look at it the same. Happy reading my friends.

Shout

If you have ever wondered where an author gets their ideas from, this book is for you. The author of one of my favorite books Speak has offered her readers a glimpse inside her life and thought process when writing her books. She shares her own experience with sexual assault, a dysfunctional family and her battle with censorship in a book of poetry. She takes the reader on a journey of victims and perpetrators and the way both are treated through time. She shares her time with young adults, and older adults and the way everyone reacts to her books and messages. She shows that you can overcome your trauma with time, and understanding and extreme acts of courage. She gives you permission to feel the feelings you have and not be ashamed of them. Lauri Halse Anderson has a way with words that will somehow cause you to all of a sudden be crying on the couch for the state of the world and the sheer number of victims there are out there. The incredible amount of evil in the world is only tempered by those who stand up to it and speak out against it. Or in this case, shout from the rooftops. Couldn't put this one down and I'm not one for non-fiction. If you haven't read Speak, please remedy that as soon as possible and then pick up this gem and round out your experience. Happy reading my friends!

Deathcaster

I love when a series gets to the point when all the characters, who have been living their own lives, come together finally. Deathcaster is the point in this series that it finally happens. Siblings reunite, love finds love, parents find children, those thought dead reveal themselves alive and dragons win your heart with their internal thoughts. This series follows the kids of Raisa and Han from the Demon King series. Alyssa, heir to the throne, and Adrian, the healer, and their ragtag bunch of friends are fighting the evil empress Celestine, who is trying to take over the Seven Realms. Now, I'm not going to talk plot, you really need to start at the VERY beginning to appreciate this world and story. I am going to say that every new character that enters this universe is interesting, diverse, and current. And the DRAGONS, they are absolutely hilarious and lovely and exactly what you want a dragon to be. Williams is one of my favorite authors and having had the pleasure of meeting her, I can't say enough nice things about her books. They could keep you entertained for months and months. So if you like a fantasy world with magic, deception, betrayal, love, and yes- DRAGONS, then start at the beginning and enjoy the ride. I envy the adventure you have ahead of you my dear readers. Happy reading my friends!

Four Dead Queens

Quadara has always been ruled by the four queens. They are kept in the castle so no outside influence can mar their judgement. Keralie is a thief. She is a highly regarded member of Mackiel's crew. She can get in and out with no one the wiser. When he charges her with stealing a comm chip, she accepts the challenge. Varin is the unfortunate carrier of the chips. When he realizes what Keralie has done, he must get the chips back. Together they discover what the chips hold. It is the assassination attempts on all four queens. They decide they have to try and stop this from happening, but who to trust. Certainly not each other. As the story of the queens unfold, this novel pulls you into the four realms of Quadra. Each unique and different at their queens. I don't know that I loved this book. It was a quick read with some interesting ideas. But none of the characters really held my attention and I don't think I'd read a sequel. That being said, I didn't dislike it. So I will leave this one to you my favorite readers to decide. Happy reading my friends.