Teen Book Review: Poor Little Dead Girls by Lizzie Friend

Poor Little Dead Girls by Lizzie Friend was bone-chilling. It had the right amount of mystery to leave you hanging on every word. Although you have to be patient at the beginning, but once you get to the plot it makes the waiting worth it. The plot twists are all perfectly placed. It's impossible to put this book down. It keeps you laughing even after you've finished the book. Even though the end leaves you wanting more it doesn't end on a cliff hanger (surprisingly). Which is always great. I do hope that Lizzie decides to write a sequel to this story, I would definitely read it!

(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 14, Western High School)

Waiting On Wednesday: All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

All In

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Publication Date: November 3, 2015

From Goodreads:

Three casinos. Three bodies. Three days.

After a string of brutal murders in Las Vegas, Cassie Hobbes and the Naturals are called in to investigate. But even with the team's unique profiling talents, these murders seem baffling: unlike many serial killers, this one uses different methods every time. All of the victims were killed in public, yet the killer does not show up on any tape. And each victim has a string of numbers tattooed on their wrist. Hidden in the numbers is a code—and the closer the Naturals come to unraveling the mystery, the more perilous the case becomes.

Meanwhile, Cassie is dealing with an equally dangerous and much more painful mystery. For the first time in years, there's been a break in her mother's case. As personal issues and tensions between the team mount, Cassie and the Naturals will be faced with impossible odds—and impossible choices. 

Why I picked it:

This is one of the books that I've been the most excited about all year. I love Cassie and the gang, and I can't wait to see where this story takes them. I love getting to see them grow, and figure out who they are. I'm also curious to see if Cassie makes any headway on trying to figure out who she likes more, Dean or Michael. Hmmm, the suspense is killing me. 

Monday Meme: If you liked THE HUNGER GAMES

Are you, like so many others, searching for something new to read after the melee of the Hunger Games is over? Mockingjay Part 2 is about to be released, and then it'll be over. Then what? 

Chaos Walking series: Patrick Ness: In a dangerous new world, where a virus has caused every man's thoughts to broadcast into the air, messy and loud, and one small settlement that has killed every woman for not suffering the same affliction, one boy dares to look for something better. When a girl his age  finds her way into town, he runs with her, to keep her safe, to find something better, and finds out that his colony's way isn't the only way. It's a great series, one I personally have read many times, and you can read it too by clicking here.

The Testing- Joelle Charbonneau: The Testing is your only way to get out of the slums. It finds the elite, finds the gifted, finds those worthy to rebuild society. The Testing is grueling and dangerous, and no one can be trusted. No one. Find out if our main character follows that advice in the first book, by clicking here.

Gone- Michael Grant: Everyone over the age of fifteen disappears. The kids let begin to mutate, and the animals do as well, turning into monsters that attack at every turn. Beneath the town, something dark waits for the time to strike. Click here to begin the epic saga of the FAYZ.

Waiting On Wednesday: Persuasion by Martina Boone

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Persuasion 

By Martina Boone

Publication Date: October 27, 2015

From Goodreads:

Beautiful Creatures meets The Raven Boys in the spellbinding second novel in the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy that “skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure” (Publishers Weekly, on Compulsion).

Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation under siege. Ghost-hunters hope to glimpse the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, and reporters chase rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold that may be hidden at Colesworth Place. The chaos turns dangerous as Cassie hires a team of archeologists to excavate beneath the mansion ruins. Because more is buried there than treasure.

A stranger filled with magic arrives at Watson’s Landing claiming that the key to the Watson and Beaufort gifts—and the Colesworth curse—also lies beneath the mansion. With a mix of threats and promises, the man convinces Barrie and Cassie to cast a spell there at midnight. But what he conjures may have deadly consequences.

While Barrie struggles to make sense of the escalating peril and her growing and forbidden feelings for Eight Beaufort, it’s impossible to know whom to trust and what to fight for—Eight or herself. Millions of dollars and the fate of the founding families is at stake. Now Barrie must choose between what she feels deep in her heart and what will keep Watson’s Landing safe in this stunning addition to a series filled with “decadent settings, mysterious magic, and family histories rife with debauchery” (Kirkus Reviews, on Compulsion). 

Why I picked it:

I really liked the first book in the series, and I'm curious to see what happens next with Barrie and Eight. I'm also curious to see how Barrie deals with the loss of her godfather. {That particular death hit me pretty hard} If you would like to put this book on hold click here.

Monday Meme: If you liked DIVERGENT

The Divergent train has been rolling for a few years now, and all three books have been out for a long time as well. So what if you don't know where to go after reading Divergent? Here are a few series that might keep you reading. 

Under the Never Sky- Veronica Rossi: If you liked the dystopian setting and high stakes of Divergent, you'll enjoy Under the Never Sky. Dynamic characters and exciting adventure awaits when you open the pages of this 3-book series. Click here to reserve your copy.

Delirium- Lauren Oliver: If you liked the rebellious nature of the Divergents trying to keep their uniqueness their own, you'll love Delirium. In a 3 book series, the main characters fight a government who desires to rob them of emotions- especially love. See how it ends by clicking here and getting your own copy.

Shatter Me- Taherah Mafi: Another high stakes world, complete with mystery, romance, and action is the definition of Shatter Me. I'll leave it to you to find out the rest. So click here to get your copy.  

Waiting on Wednesday: Unspoken: After Dark by C.C. Hunter

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Unspoken: After Dark

By C.C. Hunter

Publication Date: October 28, 2015

From Goodreads:

Despite her superhuman strength and enhanced senses, Della Tsang's life as a vampire certainly hasn't been easy. Especially since she was reborn and bound to the mysterious, infuriating, and gorgeous Chase Tallman. 

But if there's one thing that's always kept Della going, it's her dream of being an elite paranormal investigator. Her newest case is the opportunity she's been waiting for, but as Della tries to solve the twenty year old murder and clear her father's name. She uncovers secrets about the vampire council. And about Chase. 

Feeling betrayed by all the secrets he's kept hidden from her, Della is determined to keep him as far away from her heart as she can. But she'll need his help to solve the case that will lead them into the darkest and ugliest vampire gangs in town and into the scariest reaches of her heart.

Why I picked it:

I've been Della and her friends since Born at Midnight came out, and now I have a certain attachment to these characters and their well being. Not to mention that the end of the last book kind of left me hanging. If you would like to read this book, click here to put your name on the hold list.

Monday Meme Spotlight: Fall Into a Good Book

          It's officially fall! As the season of warm drinks, cozy sweaters, and bonfires approach us, here are a few reads to snuggle up with- all conveniently with "fall" in the title!

All Fall Down- Ally Carter: Ally's newest series is one that you won't be able to put down- the children of ambassadors embroiled in a conspiracy that you won't be able to unravel on your own. The shocking twist leaves you eager for more, and book 2, See How They Run, will be released December of this year. Click here to request a copy from the library and get in on this great series.

Catch a Falling Star- Kim Culbertson: This breezy romance will provide the perfect read for a night in, curled up under a warm blanket. A once in a lifetime opportunity lands in our heroine's hometown when a Hollywood star arrives and offers her a heft sum to pretend to be his girlfriend for the duration of his stay. Will the line between fake and real become too blurry. Find out by requesting your copy here. 

Waterfell- Amalie Howard: The first book in the Aquarathi series promises adventure and mystery. A usurped throne, a mermaid princess, and a missing mother tie together to immerse readers in a world of beauty and danger. Click here to find your copies of book 1, Waterfell, and book 2, Oceanborn. 

So pick up a fall book to try, something new for a new season, adn remember that no matter what, someone is always there for you.

Waiting On Wednesday: Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week I picked:

Ice Like Fire

By Sara Raasch

Publication Date: October 13, 2015

From Goodreads:

It’s been three months since the Winterians were freed and Spring’s king, Angra, disappeared—thanks largely to the help of Cordell.

Meira just wants her people to be safe. When Cordellan debt forces the Winterians to dig their mines for payment, they unearth something powerful and possibly dangerous: Primoria’s lost chasm of magic. Theron sees this find as an opportunity—with this much magic, the world can finally stand against threats like Angra. But Meira fears the danger the chasm poses—the last time the world had access to so much magic, it spawned the Decay. So when the king of Cordell orders the two on a mission across the kingdoms of Primoria to discover the chasm’s secrets, Meira plans to use the trip to garner support to keep the chasm shut and Winter safe—even if it means clashing with Theron. But can she do so without endangering the people she loves?

Mather just wants to be free. The horrors inflicted on the Winterians hang fresh and raw in Januari—leaving Winter vulnerable to Cordell’s growing oppression. When Meira leaves to search for allies, he decides to take Winter’s security into his own hands. Can he rebuild his broken kingdom and protect them from new threats?

As the web of power and deception weaves tighter, Theron fights for magic, Mather fights for freedom—and Meira starts to wonder if she should be fighting not just for Winter, but for the world. 

Why I picked it:

I'm curious to see what happens, especially with what happened in the first book. If you would like to put this book on hold, click here 

Monday Meme Spotlight: Unexpected

We all love school....right? Yeah, sure. Some classes are fun, but some just make you want to beat your head against the wall until you pass out and don't have to endure it anymore. I know a lot of teens who feel that way about their English class- especially the required reading. I get a lot of my ideas for these posts from goodreads.com lists, and one list I found was 'Books I'm Glad My Teacher Made Me Read.' So here are the top 3 books that may surprise you when your teacher hands them out to the class. 

To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee- There's been a big splash around this book since the publishing of the companion novel, Go Set A Watchman. But TKAM has been widely regarded as essential reading for a very long time. It tackles controversial issues in a way that teens can understand, and the story isn't bad, either. If you think you'd like to get a jump on it, click here to get a library copy.

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald-America in the Roaring 20s was a wild place to be. This book isn't required reading in all schools, but it's definitely a classic, and one that most teens enjoy. If you think you might be interested in this (short) historical fiction, click here.

The Outsiders- S.E. Hinton- It's the socs against the greasers in this YA novel about fitting in. Ponyboy is a greaser, and when things go bad, he has to figure out just how far his loyalty goes. If you like classics, especially classics that are less than 200 pages, you'll love The Outsiders. Click here to give it a shot.

Sometimes teachers and assigned reading feels like a huge burden, but sometimes, you'll find something you actually do enjoy if you just have an open mind.