Prodigy by Marie Lu | Book Review

(Legend Trilogy #2)

Published: January 29, 2013

Synopsis (from Amazon):

June and Day arrive in Las Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation to give voice to a people silenced for far too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if, truly, the new Elector can change the Republic for the better? What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

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My Rating: 5/5 (Outstanding)

Book Information

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre(s): Young-adult Utopian/Dystopian

Page Count: 371

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 0399256768

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Marie Lu’s Prodigy starts from where we left Day and June in Legend (on a train headed for Las Vegas to ask for help from the Patriots to help save Day’s brother Eden). And boy, were we in for a ride. June has left her privileged life of status and luxury, and is on the run with Day, and both characters are nursing emotional and physical wounds from previous events. And when they reach the Patriots, they’re pulled into a complicated web of political plots and plans–to assassinate the new Elector, no less. But if they want to have a chance to free Eden from the Republic’s experiments, they have no choice but to trust and follow along.

Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout | Book Review

Stand-Alone

Published: April 15th 2014

Synopsis:

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it’s one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took “mean girl” to a whole new level, and it’s clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She’s getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she’s falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn’t just buried deep inside of Sam’s memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

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My Rating:  5/5 (Outstanding)

Book Information:

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Genre(s): YA Mystery, Thriller

Page Count: 384

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 1423175123

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I love Jennifer L. Armentrout’s books. She’s an amazing author, and she has creative plots that are addicting. This book is not exception! I couldn’t put it down, and when I started it, I just continued. And continued. And continued. I loved it! ❤

The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall | Book Review

(The Conspiracy of Us #1)

Published: January 13th 2015

Synopsis (from the book):

Sixteen-year-old Avery West’s newfound family can shut down Prada when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war. Part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle, they believe Avery is the key to an ancient prophecy. Some want to use her as a pawn. Some want her dead.

To unravel the mystery putting her life in danger, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the monuments of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul with two boys who work for the Circle—beautiful, volatile Stellan and mysterious, magnetic Jack. But both boys are hiding secrets of their own, and when the clues expose stunning new information, Avery realizes the conspiracy could destroy her life–if it doesn’t destroy the world first. 

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My Rating: 4.5/5 (Amazing)

Book Information

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre(s): Young-adult mystery, thriller

Page Count: 336

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 0399166505

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The Conspiracy of Us and author Maggie Hall

 

I love a good mystery, and add conspiracy theories,  prophecies, and plot twists, and the book is golden.

Avery West is a girl living in Minnesota with her mother, who  moved around a lot because of her mother’s job. As a result,  Avery cuts all ties with people, and doesn’t allow herself to  even try to make friends. This ultimately leads to her being a  bit of a loner with only her mom as someone close to her. When  the new kid at her school Jack and a stranger named Stellan  shows up at prom to tell her she’s in danger, and she has to go  to her dad’s family, she jumps at the chance, letting him whisk  her away to Paris. What originally started off as an innocent  meet the family visit suddenly turned into being in the middle of a secret society (The circle of 12, 12 important families that apparently control everything like media, politics, etc.), with dangerous enemies, conspiracies, and an ancient prophecy that promises power. After an attempt on her life, Avery and Jack realize that she’s much more important to the fate of the Circle than they thought.

The Selection by Kiera Cass | Book Review

(The Selection #1)

Published: March 26, 2012

Synopsis:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

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My Rating:  4.5/5 (Amazing)

Book Information

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre(s): YA Romance, Dystopia

Page Count: 327

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0062059947

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The rating for this one was a tough one, between 4 stars and 4.5. Because The Selection was easily an amazing read, especially for fans of YA Romance and Dystopia-ish books (like me). But ultimately, I decided to go higher, because although there were some faults to the book, it was an overall really enjoyable read, and it was amazing.

The Selection was a magical read, and stuck with me long after I finished the book. I have to say, the first thing that made me pick up this book was the cover. It’s GORGEOUS!!! I’m just so in love with that dress!!! Just look at it!

Okay. Fan-girling over dress terminated. (Not really…you can’t get over that dress 😉

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead | Book Review

(Vampire Academy #1)

Published: August 16, 2007

Synopsis:

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

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My Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)

Book Information

Publisher: Razorbill

Genre(s): Young-adult Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 332

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 159514174X

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Vampire Academy was an awesome read, and it was very hard to decide on an adequate rating, however I think Vampire Academy is well deserving of 4 stars, and ultimately, one of my top-picks.

Vampire Academy series

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare | Book Review

(The Infernal Devices #1)

Published: August 31, 2010

Synopsis:

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them…

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My Rating:  4.5/5 (Amazing) 

Book Information

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre(s): Young-adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

Page Count: 479

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 1416975861

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This one was a tough pick for rating between 4.5 and 5. I’m not a big giver of 5 stars, so I had to really think about this one. And it was a hard choice, but my rating would go to 4.5 stars. That’s not to say that it was a bad story, it was amazing. Totally on my all-time faves. 🙂

So, I read The Mortal Instruments series before reading this book, and just, wow. I was blown away. I really enjoyed The Mortal Instruments series, but Clockwork Angel just blew that out of the window. It was everything in TMI, and much more. I love the Shadowhunter world, so anything with that kind of stuff if already on the pros of a book. Unless the world-building was really bad, which it wasn’t in this case, which made the book so much the better. The setting for this story was also really good, and I feel Cassandra Clare captured the Victorian London Era thing nicely. The characters were very well-developed, and were always for a purpose, not just there to be a comic relief, or filling in space. Upon reading the synopsis, some people may be skeptical; there’s the classic love triangle, a girl who doesn’t know his/her powers, and other similar plot lines. But Cassandra Clare’s unique way of telling a story really turns that all around.

Divergent by Veronica Roth | Book Review

(Divergent #1)

Published: February 28th 2012

Synopsis:

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue–Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is–she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are–and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

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My Rating: 4.5/5 (Amazing)

Book Information

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Genre(s): Young-adult dystopian/utopian, sci-fi

Page Count: 487

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 0062024035

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I know many people are skeptical of Divergent because they believe it to be a Hunger Games wannabe. Don’t worry, it’s not. I mean, yes, of course there are similar factors (duh, it’s still a dystopia) but Divergent has several different, interesting parts to it that makes it its own book.

Divergent follows Beatrice Prior (later called Tris), a 16 year old girl who lives in a city divided into 5 factions:

Legend by Marie Lu | Book Review

(Legend Trilogy #1)

Published: November 29th 2011

Synopsis (Courtesy of Goodreads):

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths – until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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My Rating:  4.5/5 (Amazing)

Book Information

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre(s): Young-adult Utopian/Dystopian fiction

Page Count: 305

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 039925675X

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Okay. Legend. Let’s get started.

IT WAS AWESOME. The plot, the characters, the voice, just drew me in, and I couldn’t stop.

We have two narrators. We have privileged June, the Republic’s prize. And then on the flip side we have Day, a notorious criminal wanted by the Republic. Day, who has escaped death and capture before, is only trying to keep his family safe, especially his brother who’s infected by the plague. June, who got a perfect score on her Trial, is trying to avenge her brother’s death, the only family she had left. Somehow their paths cross and continuous plot twists and excitement kept me hooked.

Legend’s June Iparis & Day, back-to-back.

Welcome to Book Snacks!

Hey to all readers out there! Welcome to my blog, where I’ll be writing review of books I’ve read and recommend! If I hated or disliked a book, I will most probably not even write about it, unless it’s well known and popular. No offense intended to anyone who loves a book/series that I’ve disliked, just stating my opinion!

I read a variety of genres of books, so no matter what genre books you like, you will probably have at least a couple of books in that genre (except maybe horror and historical fiction; I don’t read much of those.)

Also, feel free to drop in some book recommendations in the ‘Recommendations‘ page! If there is a specific book or series you would like to see a review on, also feel free to contact me at analee.suomynona@yahoo.ca or comment on my ‘About‘ page. If you’re an author/publisher with a review request, head over to my Review Policy to assure I qualify for your needs. Stay tuned, and happy readings!

-A (don’t worry, not from Pretty Little Liars.)