Ashfall by Mike Mullin is an action-packed story of a cataclysmic natural disaster and its aftermath. The supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park erupts and blankets the U.S.A. in several feet of poisonous ash. Prior to the eruption, a teenager named Alex is left home alone as his family travels several hours away to visit with relatives. When the eruption occurs, a molten piece of rock lands on Alex's house, setting fire to it. Alex narrowly escapes and finds shelter in a neighbor's home. What Alex doesn't know is that his normally safe neighborhood is going to turn into a playground for murderers and looters. After a deadly encounter with two of those looters, Alex decides to leave his home town to find his family.
On his journey, Alex must deal with hunger, thirst, severe coughing fits from the ash, heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. He meets several friendly and gracious people who share what little food, water, and supplies they have with him. However, he also meets vicious criminals who are willing to do whatever it takes to survive the disaster. At one point, one of those vicious criminals attacks Alex, and he ends up with life-threatening injuries. He is able to survive only with the help of complete strangers. The story takes place over the course of several months. Just when it seems things cannot get worse for Alex, they do. There are challenges around every corner, but Alex never gives up.
Mike Mullin has definitely crafted a page turner in this novel! His efforts to study the possible effects of a supervolcano eruption in the United States show throughout the story. The events are believable and terrifying! In a world where humanity seems to be replaced with desperate animal-like acts of survival, Alex is a character that represents the good that remains. This book is the first in a trilogy that continues the story of Alex, his family, and his friends.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Wool Omnibus Edition
Oh my goodness! I finished reading Wool Omnibus Edition over the weekend, and I cannot say enough great things about it. It is an awesome read! The book is written by Hugh Howey, and it is fantastic! You won't see it in most stores because the author self-published, and it is printed on demand. Don't let that fool you! This book has received over 2,000 ratings on Amazon and has earned five star status. It was originally written as a series of short stories, but has since been combined into one complete story.
This book is set in the future after a global calamity. The characters live in an underground silo to protect them from the elements outside. No one is allowed to even speak of the outside world. Anyone who dares talk about it is given exactly what they want. They are put outside. The story is told from the viewpoints of different characters and follows them as they discover terrible secrets about their home, their leaders, and the reason they are living where they are.
This book is part science fiction, part mystery, part suspense. I literally could not put it down! The characters are intruiging, and the plot keeps you guessing. I would HIGHLY recommend this book . . .especially to fans of dystopian literature, science fiction, and mystery.
This book is set in the future after a global calamity. The characters live in an underground silo to protect them from the elements outside. No one is allowed to even speak of the outside world. Anyone who dares talk about it is given exactly what they want. They are put outside. The story is told from the viewpoints of different characters and follows them as they discover terrible secrets about their home, their leaders, and the reason they are living where they are.
This book is part science fiction, part mystery, part suspense. I literally could not put it down! The characters are intruiging, and the plot keeps you guessing. I would HIGHLY recommend this book . . .especially to fans of dystopian literature, science fiction, and mystery.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing
This book is a difficult one to read. It follows the life of Octavian, the son of a former African princess, who lives at a compound surrounded by philosophers and scientists. Octavian and his mother receive education and musical training, but their lives are not their own. Set at the time of the American Revolution, Octavian and his mother are often treated as test subjects. The scientists living at the compound study everything from their intellectual aptitude to their bodily functions in an attempt to see if people of African descent are equal to whites.
With tensions rising between colonists and the British, the owner of the compound becomes concerned. There are rumors of the British promising freedom to slaves of American patriots if they betray their owners. Wealthy American patriots become concerned, and a group of them get together and move to an isolated area in the country. There, the owner of the compound intentionally infects the group with small pox in an attempt to inoculate them against the disease. Many of the people infected die, including Octavian's mother.
The turning point in the story comes when Octavian walks in on the autopsy of his mother. It is then he finally realizes that he and his mother were nothing more than lab rats to those in charge. Octavian escapes the compound, and he eventually joins the colonial army. During his time with the army, he is promised freedom when America gains her independence. However, things do not turn out the way Octavian expects. The sequel to this book, The Kingdom on the Waves, continues Octavian's story.
There were many parts in this novel that made me sick to my stomach. Octavian and his mother at times are treated as animals, and Octavian's innocence and reactions to his treatment are heartbreaking. Although it was difficult to read at times, this novel is very powerful!
With tensions rising between colonists and the British, the owner of the compound becomes concerned. There are rumors of the British promising freedom to slaves of American patriots if they betray their owners. Wealthy American patriots become concerned, and a group of them get together and move to an isolated area in the country. There, the owner of the compound intentionally infects the group with small pox in an attempt to inoculate them against the disease. Many of the people infected die, including Octavian's mother.
The turning point in the story comes when Octavian walks in on the autopsy of his mother. It is then he finally realizes that he and his mother were nothing more than lab rats to those in charge. Octavian escapes the compound, and he eventually joins the colonial army. During his time with the army, he is promised freedom when America gains her independence. However, things do not turn out the way Octavian expects. The sequel to this book, The Kingdom on the Waves, continues Octavian's story.
There were many parts in this novel that made me sick to my stomach. Octavian and his mother at times are treated as animals, and Octavian's innocence and reactions to his treatment are heartbreaking. Although it was difficult to read at times, this novel is very powerful!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Unwind is a 2009 Rosie winner by Neal Shusterman, who also wrote Full Tilt, The Shadow Club, Everlost, and many other great titles. Although it is a fast read, there are really big things happening in this book.
In a futuristic and distrubing alternate America, parents can have their children "unwound" at the age of thirteen. To be unwound basically means to be killed. A teenager who is unwound is put to sleep and his or her body parts are harvested to be used by people who need transplants. So a healthy thirteen year old's body could be used for transplants to multiple people . . . people who need a lung, a kidney, a new left arm.
The book follows the story of three teenagers who have been identified as "unwinds". Two of the three teens, Connor and Risa, decide they must escape and save their own lives. They run into a third teen, Lev, who thinks otherwise. He believes it is his duty to be unwound. His parents have raised him to believe that the reason he was born was to save others with his organs. The three teenagers find themselves on the run, hiding from government authorities who plan to capture and kill them. Along the way, the teens rescue a baby, run into other teens on the run, and discover an underground movement to rescue "unwinds." There is even an unbelievable twist at the end of the novel that will surely surprise readers!
Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the three teens. These alternating perspectives really add to the story, which is intriguing and action packed from the very beginning! The long-awaited sequel to the book, UnWholly, was just released, and it looks like there will be a movie made from the book as well. Producers and directors are currently working on development of the film.
Since my first readings of the Shusterman books, The Shadow Club and The Schwa was Here, I have enjoyed his work. Likewise, I found that Unwind was also a fast and entertaining book!
In a futuristic and distrubing alternate America, parents can have their children "unwound" at the age of thirteen. To be unwound basically means to be killed. A teenager who is unwound is put to sleep and his or her body parts are harvested to be used by people who need transplants. So a healthy thirteen year old's body could be used for transplants to multiple people . . . people who need a lung, a kidney, a new left arm.
The book follows the story of three teenagers who have been identified as "unwinds". Two of the three teens, Connor and Risa, decide they must escape and save their own lives. They run into a third teen, Lev, who thinks otherwise. He believes it is his duty to be unwound. His parents have raised him to believe that the reason he was born was to save others with his organs. The three teenagers find themselves on the run, hiding from government authorities who plan to capture and kill them. Along the way, the teens rescue a baby, run into other teens on the run, and discover an underground movement to rescue "unwinds." There is even an unbelievable twist at the end of the novel that will surely surprise readers!
Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the three teens. These alternating perspectives really add to the story, which is intriguing and action packed from the very beginning! The long-awaited sequel to the book, UnWholly, was just released, and it looks like there will be a movie made from the book as well. Producers and directors are currently working on development of the film.
Since my first readings of the Shusterman books, The Shadow Club and The Schwa was Here, I have enjoyed his work. Likewise, I found that Unwind was also a fast and entertaining book!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi, is a 2012 Rosie nominee. It was also a National Book Award finalist and won the 2011 Michael Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. This book is a great read!
The story is set in the future in what was New Orleans, Louisiana. Major hurricanes and flooding have wiped out the cities, and all that is left are the ruins of old oil tankers run aground. Salvage crews work in the tankers trying to get hold of any scraps of copper that might be of value. The main character of the story, Nailer, works on one of these crews. After a terrible storm all but sinks a passenger ship, Nailer and his friend Pima decide to explore the vessel for valuables. Shockingly, they find a wealthy girl alive in one of the rooms of the ship. Pima wants to take her valuables and leave her to die, but Nailer refuses.
Soon, Nailer finds out that the girl is the daughter of a wealthy business owner. The girl's father has enemies who want to destroy him, and they would love nothing better than to get their hands on his daughter. In order to save the girl, Nailer must get her to friends of her father in a city miles away. To make matters worse, Nailer's broken and abusive father learns of the girl and is out to capture her with plans to turn her over to her father's enemies in exchange for a fortune.
It seems that everytime Nailer and "Lucky Girl" escape one dangerous situation, it isn't long before they find themselves in another. Along with lots of action, the book also has several surprises, and the ending of the book leaves readers anxious to read the next book in the series, called Drowned Cities.
The story is set in the future in what was New Orleans, Louisiana. Major hurricanes and flooding have wiped out the cities, and all that is left are the ruins of old oil tankers run aground. Salvage crews work in the tankers trying to get hold of any scraps of copper that might be of value. The main character of the story, Nailer, works on one of these crews. After a terrible storm all but sinks a passenger ship, Nailer and his friend Pima decide to explore the vessel for valuables. Shockingly, they find a wealthy girl alive in one of the rooms of the ship. Pima wants to take her valuables and leave her to die, but Nailer refuses.
Soon, Nailer finds out that the girl is the daughter of a wealthy business owner. The girl's father has enemies who want to destroy him, and they would love nothing better than to get their hands on his daughter. In order to save the girl, Nailer must get her to friends of her father in a city miles away. To make matters worse, Nailer's broken and abusive father learns of the girl and is out to capture her with plans to turn her over to her father's enemies in exchange for a fortune.
It seems that everytime Nailer and "Lucky Girl" escape one dangerous situation, it isn't long before they find themselves in another. Along with lots of action, the book also has several surprises, and the ending of the book leaves readers anxious to read the next book in the series, called Drowned Cities.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I waited a very long time to read this book. I had heard many good things about it, but it just wasn't the type of book I was used to reading. Then, a recent trip to the movie theater got me thinking about the book again when I saw a poster advertising the release of the movie version of the book. The movie is to be released in November.
Since I always want to read the book before I see the movie, I picked it up on a Sunday afternoon. Several hours later, I still couldn't put it down. The book tells the story of Pi Molitor. In part one, readers learn about Pi's life as a child. We learn about his father (a zoo owner), his mother, and his popular but ornery older brother. Pi grows up around animals at his family's zoo in India. When life in India becomes difficult, the family decides to move to Canada. They sell their animals to other zoos, and board a ship headed to their new home. The animals accompany them on the trip.
When the ship sinks, Pi loses his entire family, and he finds himself on a life boat with a tiger named Richard Parker, an orangutan, a zebra, and a hyena. It isn't long before the wild animals attack one another, leaving Pi alone with the tiger. Pi spends 227 days at sea with the animal. During this time, he writes in his journal and tries to come to grips with the deaths of his family members and the things he is willing to do to survive.
At the end of the book, Pi is rescued and is asked to explain what happend aboard the ship and on the life boat during those 227 days at sea. What he ends up revealing to his rescuers is both shocking and horrific!
This book makes you think about life, survival, and what human beings are capable of when everything is on the line. I am so glad I finally picked up this book! It was a unique and memorable read!
Since I always want to read the book before I see the movie, I picked it up on a Sunday afternoon. Several hours later, I still couldn't put it down. The book tells the story of Pi Molitor. In part one, readers learn about Pi's life as a child. We learn about his father (a zoo owner), his mother, and his popular but ornery older brother. Pi grows up around animals at his family's zoo in India. When life in India becomes difficult, the family decides to move to Canada. They sell their animals to other zoos, and board a ship headed to their new home. The animals accompany them on the trip.
When the ship sinks, Pi loses his entire family, and he finds himself on a life boat with a tiger named Richard Parker, an orangutan, a zebra, and a hyena. It isn't long before the wild animals attack one another, leaving Pi alone with the tiger. Pi spends 227 days at sea with the animal. During this time, he writes in his journal and tries to come to grips with the deaths of his family members and the things he is willing to do to survive.
At the end of the book, Pi is rescued and is asked to explain what happend aboard the ship and on the life boat during those 227 days at sea. What he ends up revealing to his rescuers is both shocking and horrific!
This book makes you think about life, survival, and what human beings are capable of when everything is on the line. I am so glad I finally picked up this book! It was a unique and memorable read!
Starters by Lissa Price
It seems I just can't get enough of dystopian novels! Starters is another novel set in the distant future. Biological weapons have been used in a war between numerous countries, including the United States. The "genocide spore" killed everyone who was not vaccinated against it, and the only ones to be vaccinated were the very young and the very old. Young people who have not been "claimed" by their living grandparents are institutionalized or live illegally on the streets. Callie and her little brother Tyler do not have any living relatives and must hide out from authorities to stay together.
In a desperate attempt to earn money for herself and Tyler, Callie visits the body bank, Prime Destinations. Here, teens have microchips implanted in their brains. Through those microchips, elderly people called enders can access the teens' bodies and "rent" them in order to do things such as sky diving, rock climbing, dancing, etc. Both the teen and the elderly renter are put to sleep. While the teen sleeps, the ender has control of the body. When the teen awakens, the ender's adventure (some of which last a month or more) is over.
Callie decides that the money she could earn from renting is too much to pass up. The first rental experience lasts only a day and goes well. However, the next experience is far from normal. Callie's microchip malfunctions and she takes over her body during the rental. She finds herself in her renter's experience. Afraid that she might lose the money promised her, Callie tries to pretend to be an ender in her own body. Soon, she finds out that the ender renting her body doesn't want to use her body to dance or rock climb but to commit murder! What if Callie loses control of her body at the wrong moment, and someone ends up dead?
This book is part dystopia, part mystery, part thriller. It is an easy, quick, entertaining read. Amazon has picked it as one of the best books of the year, and it has been nominated for a YALSA award for best fiction for young adults. The sequel, Enders, comes out December 11.
In a desperate attempt to earn money for herself and Tyler, Callie visits the body bank, Prime Destinations. Here, teens have microchips implanted in their brains. Through those microchips, elderly people called enders can access the teens' bodies and "rent" them in order to do things such as sky diving, rock climbing, dancing, etc. Both the teen and the elderly renter are put to sleep. While the teen sleeps, the ender has control of the body. When the teen awakens, the ender's adventure (some of which last a month or more) is over.
Callie decides that the money she could earn from renting is too much to pass up. The first rental experience lasts only a day and goes well. However, the next experience is far from normal. Callie's microchip malfunctions and she takes over her body during the rental. She finds herself in her renter's experience. Afraid that she might lose the money promised her, Callie tries to pretend to be an ender in her own body. Soon, she finds out that the ender renting her body doesn't want to use her body to dance or rock climb but to commit murder! What if Callie loses control of her body at the wrong moment, and someone ends up dead?
This book is part dystopia, part mystery, part thriller. It is an easy, quick, entertaining read. Amazon has picked it as one of the best books of the year, and it has been nominated for a YALSA award for best fiction for young adults. The sequel, Enders, comes out December 11.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
If you liked Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, you will love Delirium! This dystopian novel is set in a futuristic United States of America. The government has discovered a cure for one of the world's most dangerous diseases . . . love! Teenagers are put through a procedure to make them incapable of feeling love for anyone or anything, thus eliminating the disease.
Each chapter of the book begins with excerpts from government publications that explain the dangers of love. These publications tell citizens horrible tales from the past when people suffered from the disease. They describe the desperate and destructive things people were driven to do as a result of love. One teenager, Lena, believes everything the government says, and she can't wait to have the procedure. Her mother died from love, and Lena does not want to share her fate.
Not surprisingly, there are many people in this society who do not share Lena's opinion. They oppose the procedure and have escaped to the wilderness outside of civilization to live and love freely. Just before her procedure, Lena meets a boy who begins to change her mind about everything she once believed.
This novel is part of a trilogy by Laruen Oliver. The second book in the series, Pandemonium is out, and the third book in the trilogy is expected to be released in the spring!
Each chapter of the book begins with excerpts from government publications that explain the dangers of love. These publications tell citizens horrible tales from the past when people suffered from the disease. They describe the desperate and destructive things people were driven to do as a result of love. One teenager, Lena, believes everything the government says, and she can't wait to have the procedure. Her mother died from love, and Lena does not want to share her fate.
Not surprisingly, there are many people in this society who do not share Lena's opinion. They oppose the procedure and have escaped to the wilderness outside of civilization to live and love freely. Just before her procedure, Lena meets a boy who begins to change her mind about everything she once believed.
This novel is part of a trilogy by Laruen Oliver. The second book in the series, Pandemonium is out, and the third book in the trilogy is expected to be released in the spring!
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent is a great read! This dystopian novel is set in futuristic Chicago. Society is divided up into factions that represent and nuture certain values. The factions include: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). When teenagers turn 16, they are tested to see what their aptitude is. Then they are asked to choose a faction in which to live. Once they make the choice, they must succeed in initiation, or they will be kicked out of the group and will be forced to live on the streets, factionless.
Beatrice, the main character, comes from the faction Abnegation. However, she does not want to remain there. She has always felt that she didn't belong with the selfless people of Abnegation, but choosing another faction isn't easy. Leaving her faction means leaving her family because the groups live apart and do not socialize with each other. To make matters worse, when Beatrice is tested, something very unusual occurs that puts her in danger. She has unique abilities that make her a threat to the society in which she lives.
This book is action-packed and exciting! Part of a trilogy, the second book, Insurgent, is out now, and the third book is due out next year. Fans of The Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this series!
Beatrice, the main character, comes from the faction Abnegation. However, she does not want to remain there. She has always felt that she didn't belong with the selfless people of Abnegation, but choosing another faction isn't easy. Leaving her faction means leaving her family because the groups live apart and do not socialize with each other. To make matters worse, when Beatrice is tested, something very unusual occurs that puts her in danger. She has unique abilities that make her a threat to the society in which she lives.
This book is action-packed and exciting! Part of a trilogy, the second book, Insurgent, is out now, and the third book is due out next year. Fans of The Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this series!
Legend by Marie Lu
One of my favorite dystopian books is Legend by Marie Lu. This book is set in the future in what used to be the United States of America. There is civil unrest, as the Republic and the Colonies are at war. The story is told from alternating points of view. June is a soldier for the Republic. Day is an outlaw and the country's most-wanted criminal.
When June's brother is killed, she believes Day is the person responsible. So, she goes undercover to meet Day, capture him, and bring him to justice. However, once June meets Day, things aren't as black and white as she once thought. The Republic that she loves so much isn't what it seems and neither is Day. Things become complicated very quickly, and Day and June try to figure out where their loyalties lie.
I loved this book! The alternating points of view made the story so much more suspenseful! There was dramatic irony throughout, and the plot was eventful. It was a fast, easy, enjoyable read. This is the first book in a planned series, and I can't wait for the next book to be released!
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