Gone by Michael Grant

****Gone by Michael Grant****

Originality- 20/20
Characters- 18/20
Remembrance- 9/10
Quote-ability- 8/10
Entertainment- 19/20
Ending- 9/10
Recommend to read- 9/10
TOTAL- 92/100
Grade- A

In the blink of an eye.
Everyone disappears.
Gone.
Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help.
Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.
It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent.
The first in a breathtaking saga about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, gone is a page-turning thriller that will make you look at the world in a whole new way.

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This book had everything that I look for in an original read. This is the kind of story that makes me think and wonder about all kinds of things. The characters were very well crafted and mysterious. I would have loved to get more of a background story on some but I could understand why I didn't. You're reading in the moment. If you aren't trying to figure out what's going on then you're at the edge of your seat quickly reading through action packed pages.

The action wasn't very gory or cringe worthy. We got enough details to worry about the characters but not so much to feel disgusted. I very much enjoyed the entire novel. At the end you are left on a happy note but still wondering what will happen next. I am so thankful that the second book in the saga titled Hunger is already released and I will buy it tomorrow.

Overall I would say that Gone was a fast paced read that keeps you guessing. Your reading about a place that is so much like your own but with so many unexpected twists. Gone is great for boys and girls alike. I encourage you to read this book if you're into out of the norm experiences.

-Amanda

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a post where I tell you the books that I received this week either by buying them from the bookstore, going to the library or from my mailbox. Check out The Story Siren to learn more!

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching...for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don't expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words "I love you" are said for all the wrong reasons. Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a larger, powerful story -- a story about making choices, taking leaps of faith, falling down, and growing up. A story about kids figuring out what sex and love are all about, at all costs, while asking themselves, "Can I ever feel okay about myself?"

Moon Rise by Marilee Brothers

Her mom's still dating losers. Her boyfriend's gone back to Mexico. Dad still hasn't told his wife and kids that she exists. At school, the drama queens and bullies still rule. But worst of all for Allie Emerson--aka the Star Seeker of an old Gypsy prophecy--is that her powers have taken a hike. She can't read minds anymore. She can't move stuff just by looking at it. The other Star Seekers are counting on her psychic gifts more than ever, and the evil Tri-marks are closing in, eager to snatch her magic moonstone necklace while she's helpless. The hot new guy at school is ready and willing to fight her battles, but he comes with some wicked baggage.

The Treasure Map of Boys : Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch--and me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart

Ruby is back at Tate Prep, and it’s her thirty-seventh week in the state of Noboyfriend. Her panic attacks are bad, her love life is even worse, and what’s more: Noel is writing her notes, Jackson is giving her frogs, Gideon is helping her cook, and Finn is making her brownies. Rumors are flying, and Ruby’s already-sucky reputation is heading downhill. Not only that, she’s also: running a bake sale, learning the secrets of heavymetal therapy, encountering some seriously smelly feet, defending the rights of pygmy goats, and bodyguarding Noel from unwanted advances.

-Amanda

Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner

****Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner****

Originality- 17/20
Characters- 19/20
Remembrance- 8/10
Quote-ability- 9/10
Entertainment- 18/20
Ending- 8/10
Recommend to read- 8/10
TOTAL- 87/100
Grade- B

Unfortunately Olivia walked in on her dad having...adult fun with one of his students. Now all she wants to do is go to a summer program devoted to the arts and write a play. All of her pent up energy will be let loose as she writes her play titled Castration Celebration. Olivia is influenced by her new friends, especially Max. Max is a lady's man. The type of guy Olivia doesn't really want. She's sworn off guys all together. But Max won't give up. Olivia and Max might just have something, but will Olivia let her emotions through? Will the play and real life end the same way?

Castration Celebration by Jake Wizner was fantastic. I read the whole book in one afternoon. It wasn't as if I was kept on my toes wondering what would happen next, or that the book was just really short. What kept me reading it was the fact that it was so funny. Almost every page had me cracking up. This is the kind of book you should read alone or else people will stare and laugh at you while you're grabbing at your sides trying to stay in control.

Not only was the book funny but I also like how it alternated from real life to the play. I was able to keep up easily with both stories. Castration Celebration was truly a refreshing read. YA books usually tip toe around the topic of sex, but this read just put it out there. It wasn't vulgar or out of the age group.

I related to a lot of the characters in different ways. Olivia was an amazing character that we got to see grow throughout the entire novel, her voice was witty and true. I agreed with most everything she said. Overall I would say that Castration Celebration was a fantastic novel that will open your eyes to the way teens really feel.

-Amanda

Waiting On Wednesday

The book that I'm waiting on this week is...

Title: Almost Perfect

Author: Brian Katcher

Release Date: October 13th

Logan Witherspoon recently discovered that his girlfriend of three years cheated on him. But things start to look up when a new student breezes through the halls of his small-town high school. Sage Hendricks befriends Logan at a time when he no longer trusts or believes in people. Sage has been homeschooled for a number of years and her parents have forbidden her to date anyone, but she won’t tell Logan why. One day, Logan acts on his growing feelings for Sage. Moments later, he wishes he never had. Sage finally discloses her big secret: she’s actually a boy. Enraged, frightened, and feeling betrayed, Logan lashes out at Sage and disowns her. But once Logan comes to terms with what happened, he reaches out to Sage in an attempt to understand her situation. But Logan has no idea how rocky the road back to friendship will be.

-Amanda