Harmonic Feedback

Harmonic Feedback
By Tara Kelly
2010
278 pages

“Normal is an ideal. But it’s not reality. Reality is brutal, it’s beautiful, it’s every shade between black and white, and it’s magical. Yes, magical. Because every now and then, it turns nothing into something.”

Summary: Drea has never had a really good friend, and she’s definitely never had a boyfriend. Her Asperger syndrome pretty much makes her a social outcast. But when her mom moves her to yet another town, Drea meets people as broken and beautiful as her. Naomi is loud and vibrant and just a tad bit wild and Justin is sweet and complex and not at all what he seems. These two show Drea what it’s like to be loved and accepted, but can she trust them with her secret? And will they judge her if they know the truth?

Review: Kelly writes a beautiful story about learning to accept who you are and the messy and sometimes difficult journey it takes to do so. While there was not a lot with respect to plot development, Kelly makes up for it in well written and compelling characters. Readers will relate to Drea as she works through her insecurities and fall in love with Naomi who is brilliant and sad. Finally, readers will be drawn into the relationship between Justin and Drea as it is tender, sweet and full of acceptance. Overall, Harmonic Feedback is a well crafted story with compelling characters and a good message.

This is Tara Kelly’s debut novel

If you liked Harmonic Feedback you might also enjoy: Nothing Like you by Lauren Strasnick, Some Girls are by Courtney Summers and The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Author website: http://thetaratracks.com/

Rating: W3/4 C4/4 P2.5/4 O3/4 PP3/5 CR3/4
Grade Level: JS

Book Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books.

What a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself. What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s Question: "What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?"

Hands down it’s got to be The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan. I LOVED the first two. I loved that the zombies were evil (in comparison to the cute boy down the street), that it was a broken series following two different characters, the writing, the suspense, the world building. I also really like the direction the second one seemed to be going towards the end. Love, love love!
The Dark and Hollow Places comes out March 22nd 2011

From the Desk

One of my favourite things about being a Children and Youth librarian is that every morning someone puts on my desk all the new books that have arrived at our Branch for me to look over. It’s a really great way for me to know what we have in our collection, and I’m learning about all kinds of great new books.

Considering I don’t have time to read everything, I thought I would highlight some of the books that I find on my desk that look really interesting.

The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke (2010) - Clementine thinks her cousin Fan is everything that she could never be: beautiful, imaginative, wild. The girls promise to be best friends and sisters after the summer is over, but Clementine’s life in the city is different from Fan’s life in dusty Lake Conapaira. And Fan is looking for something, though neither she nor Clementine understands what it is. Printz Honor Winner Judith Clarke delivers a compassionate, compelling novel with the story of a friendship between two young women, and of the small tragedies that tear them apart from each other, and from themselves.

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.

This Week’s Book: The Betrayal of Maggie Blair
Author: Elizabeth Laird
Release Date: April 13 2010
Summary: In seventeenth-century Scotland, saying the wrong thing can lead to banishment – or worse. Accused of being a witch, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged. She escapes, but instead of finding shelter with her principled, patriotic uncle, she brings disaster to his door. Betrayed by one of her own accusers, Maggie must try to save her uncle and his family from the King’s men, even if she has to risk her own life in the process

This just sounds like such an epic tale. I cannot wait to read it!

The Last Sacrifice

The Last Sacrifice (A Vampire Academy Novel)
By Richelle Mead
2010
594 pages
Book 6

Summary: The Queen is dead and Rose is being framed. In order to buy time before her execution her friends break her out of prison and once again Rose is on the run. This time, however, she has Dimitri and Sydney with her, and they have plans to find someone that could change not only Lissa’s life, but alter the lives of all Morois and Dhampirs. Hearts will be broken, lies will be uncovered and in one last sacrifice, Lissa’s and Rose’s relationship could be changed forever.

Review: One of Mead’s strengths is consistency. It is hard to maintain quality of story and writing over such a long series, yet she does it with every book. The Last Sacrifice is a perfect ending to the series. There was enough action, suspense and surprises to propel the plot forward but there were also tender moments of character development. For those who have come to love Rose and her friends, there will be a sense of satisfaction and completion; a feeling that, despite the long and dangerous journey, all is as it should be. Completely engaging, this series is one of the best available for young adults.

(It was very hard for me not to start rambling on about how much I love this series)

Other books in the series: Vampire Academy (2007), Frostbite (2008), Shadow Kiss (2008), Blood Promise (2009), Spirit Bound (2010)

If you liked Vampire Academy you might also enjoy: The Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong, Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray, Evernight by Claudia Grey and Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz

Additional Info: Don’t forget there is going to be movie in the future, and there is a spin off series in the works.

Author website: http://www.richellemead.com/index.htm

Rating: W3.5/4 C4/4 P4/4 O3/4 PP4/4 CR3/4 (my favourite cover of the series)
Grade Level Interest: high J or S

The Hunt of the Unicorn

The Hunt of the Unicorn
By C.C. Humphreys
2011
341 pages (ARC)

Summary: Elayne thinks that the old family stories about her ancestor and unicorns are a great myth, but nothing more. Imagine her surprise when she finds herself in a magical world after falling through a tapestry during a school visit. Not only are unicorns real, but so are all other sorts of mythical creatures. Bound by a promise made by her ancestors, Elayne must try to rescue the creatures from a tyrant king. Yet things aren’t black and white and sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a hero and a villain.

Review: The Hunt of the Unicorn is a very easy fantasy to fall into. The world building and writing style is simple and precise making it easy for those who are not accustomed to this genre. Even some of the more fantastical elements such as talking beasts were easy to believe because they were so effortlessly interwoven into the captivating story. Readers will connect with Elayne who was likeable and charming. Her disbelief and confusion between what was right and wrong added a relatable aspect. There are elements of charm and sweetness to go along with the more traditional hero’s quest. A great book to be lost in.

Also by C.C Humphreys: The Runestone Saga

If you liked The Hunt of the Unicorn, you might also enjoy: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, Rampant by Diana Peterfreud, Magic Under the Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Author website: http://www.cchumphreys.com/Site_2/Welcome.html

Rating: W3.5/4 C3/4 P3/4 O3/4 PP2.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

Adult Fiction

While I primarily read YA fiction these days I do enjoy some adult fiction every once in a while. This feature looks at some of the adult fiction I am reading and examines its appeal for those who prefer Young Adult literature.

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay
Julia writes for an American magazine in Paris and her editor assigns her to cover the 60th anniversary of the Vél' d'Hiv' roundups. Julia soon learns that the apartment she and her husband plan to move into was acquired by her husband’s family when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants: Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski, parents of 10-year-old Sarah and four-year-old Michel. The more Julia discovers—especially about Sarah, the only member of the Starzynski family to survive—the more she uncovers about her husband’s family, about France and, finally, herself.

Sarah’s Key is a great fit for teens who enjoy reading historical fiction where the focus is on the story and the characters, rather than romance. Sarah’s Story is poignant, one that is not easily forgettable and which will draw readers who enjoy books such as The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas, The Book Thief and Night. Told in alternating chapters between Julia and Sarah, readers will experience an element of suspense as their stories unfold and intertwine. Overall, it’s a heartbreaking yet beautiful story best suited for older teens wanting to read something with a little more depth.

YA Connection: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.

This Week’s Book: Awaken

Author: Katie Kacvinsky

Release Date: May 18th 2011
Summary: Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking. In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space. (Amazon)

This sounds really cute, plus I’m interested to see what life would be like if everything was digital.

The Lying Game

The Lying Game
By Sara Shepard
2010
310 (ARC)

Summary: Emma has always wanted a family, so when she sees a strange video of a girl who looks identical to her she begins to search for her long lost twin Sutton. However, when Emma shows up in town, Sutton is missing and everyone in Sutton’s life thinks Emma is her. She’s pretty sure Sutton has been murdered and if she wants to avoid being the next victim she must play along until she can catch the killer and avenge the sister she never had.

Review: The Lying Game is an exciting read with a lot of plot twists and turns. Readers who enjoy mysteries and fast-paced plots will enjoy this new series by Shepard. The characters are of the ‘mean girl’ variety which some might find makes the book seem a little shallow. Despite this, I enjoyed the characters, especially the duality in voice (both Sutton and Emma narrate). Having Emma find out the truth about her sister at the same time that Sutton begins to realize the type of person she was did add an interesting dynamic to the story. Another series to love.

Also by Sara Shepard: Pretty Little Liars series

If you liked the Lying Game you might also enjoy: Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, Private by Kate Brian, Deadly Little Secrets by Laurie Haria Stolarz, The Uninvited by Tim Wynne Jones

Additional Info: There will be four books, the second one Never Have I Ever is set to be released spring 2011

Author website: http://www.prettylittleliars.com/author/

Rating: W3/4 C3/4 P4/4 O2/4 PP3/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Will Grayson, Will Grayson
By John Green and David Levithan
2010
310 pages

Summary: It’s not that far from Evanston to Naperville, but Chicago suburbanites Will Grayson and Will Grayson might as well live on different planets. When fate delivers them both to some surprising crossroads, the Will Graysons find their lives overlapping and hurtling towards each other in new and unexpected directions. (from book jacket)

Review: This book is the best of both worlds, with two unique and talented authors creating a seamless incredible story. Each writer has a very identifiable voice which definitely comes across in the alternating chapters and different characters of Will. It creates not only a unique split narrative, but also serves to give the story a lot more character and depth. While many people have praised the bountiful Tiny character as the heart of the novel, I actually preferred the two Wills. Despite the story being about them, they were actually very passive characters. Their inaction and brokenness made their growth that much more compelling. Tiny was always awesome, the Wills had to learn to be. Green and Levithan’s ability to make the ordinary extraordinary is once again captured, proving that these two should collaborate more often.

Also by John Green: Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines

Also by David Levithan: Boy Meets Boy, Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, Love is the Higher Law, Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist

If you liked Will Grayson, Will Grayson, you might also enjoy: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

Author websites: http://johngreenbooks.com/ and http://www.davidlevithan.com/

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P3.5/4 O3.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: S

Book Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books.
What a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself. What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s Question: Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?

I’m pretty broad in terms of genres. I do read a lot of contemporary or paranormal books, but that could just be a reflection of the nature of YA writing. I love dystopian, because the world building is so unique and the characters are usually pretty gritty. I generally find them fascinating worlds to get lost in. I also really love issue fiction, where the character struggles over some sort of illness or problem. The characterization is usually really strong and it’s easy to have an emotional connection to a character or the story. They are also brilliant windows into other people’s lives.

From the Desk

One of my favourite things about being a Children and Youth librarian is that every morning someone puts on my desk all the new books that have arrived at our Branch for me to look over. It’s a really great way for me to know what we have in our collection, and I’m learning about all kinds of great new books.

Considering I don’t have time to read everything, I thought I would highlight some of the books that I find on my desk that look really interesting.

The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith (2010) - Sixteen-year-old Jack gets drunk and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is kidnapped. He escapes, narrowly. The only person he tells is his best friend, Conner. When they arrive in London as planned for summer break, a stranger hands Jack a pair of glasses. Through the lenses, he sees another world called Marbury. There is war in Marbury. It is a desolate and murderous place where Jack is responsible for the survival of two younger boys. Conner is there, too. But he’s trying to kill them. Meanwhile, Jack is falling in love with an English girl, and afraid he’s losing his mind. Andrew Smith has written his most beautiful and personal novel yet, as he explores the nightmarish outer limits of what trauma can do to our bodies and our minds.

Creepy...but cool!

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.


This Week’s Book: Always a Witch
Author: Carolyn MacCullough
Release Date: July 4th 2011
Summary: Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother’s prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision— one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady’s maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. (Amazon)

I LOVED the first book in the series. The writing was witty and unexpected and the story was very original. So I’m very excited about this new addition to the series. My only complaint is the cover. I really loved the first one, this one has too much of a Fallen feel to it.

Her and Me and You

Her and Me and You
By Lauren Strasnick
2010
171 pages

Summary: Alex is new in town and feeling a little lonely. That is until she meets the twins; Fred and Adina. Fred is sweet and caring and not to mention incredibly good looking. His sister Adina is beautiful and moody and very complicated. As a threesome Alex is starting to feel at home, but Adina’s bizarre behaviour is confusing and seems to be separating her from Fred. When both of them kiss her, Alex finds herself at the centre of something dark and disturbing.

Review: Her and Me and You is a fast-paced novel with very stylized writing; great for reluctant readers. There is not a lot of plot or character development which unfortunately makes the story feel a little lacklustre at times. The ending especially left me feeling disappointed. However, there was one element of the novel that kept me reading: the compelling characterization of the twins. They are puzzling and enchantingly dark which was completely captivating. Not a fantastic novel, but very interesting. I would recommend Strasnick’s Nothing Like You which is a much better book.

Also by Lauren Strasnick: Nothing Like You

If you liked Her and Me and You, you might also enjoy: The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg, The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard, Leftovers by Laurie Wiess, Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Author website: http://www.laurenstrasnick.com/

Rating: W2.5/4 C3/4 P2/4 O3/4 PP2.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

Grace

Grace
By Elizabeth Scott
2010
200 pages

Summary: Grace has been brought up to be a suicide bomber, taught that her death will make a difference in the world, that it’s for her people. Right up until she’s about to pull the wire she believes this. But then something changes and Grace decides she wants to live. Now if she is going to make it to freedom, she must leave behind everything, travel with a dangerous stranger and avoid people on both sides who want her dead.

Review: Grace is a completely unique and fascinating read. The writing is sparse and purposeful giving readers glimpses of the story and the world at a time. It can be a tad confusing, but the writing is so fluid it doesn’t seem to impact the overall story. While there is not a lot with respect to plot development, there are elements of suspense and conflict. The main focus is on Grace as she tries to come to terms with her beliefs and her role in her country’s problems. Scott leaves out any identifying characteristics that would make this story about a specific country or people. Instead, by creating a type of dystopia, she is able to tackle difficult and sensitive themes without offending or judging. A gritty and honest tale that should not be missed.

Also by Elizabeth Scott: Living Dead Girl, The Unwritten Rule, Between Here and Forever, Perfect You

Author website: http://www.elizabethwrites.com/

Rating: W3.5/4 C3/4 P3/4 O4/4 PP2.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level Interest: JS

Book Blogger Hop

Time for the Blogger Hop from Crazy for BooksWhat a great idea! I love following readers blogs almost more than I like blogging myself.What a great way to get out there and meet new people who share the same interests as you.

This week’s Question: "What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

I’m not sure if any book has changed my life. There have been books I’ve loved and have meant a lot to me at certain times in my life, but I cannot pin point one single book. Sorry for the lack of answer, but I’m really looking forward to what other people say this week about the books that influenced them.

From the Desk

One of my favourite things about being a Children and Youth librarian is that every morning someone puts on my desk all the new books that have arrived at our Branch for me to look over. It’s a really great way for me to know what we have in our collection, and I’m learning about all kinds of great new books.

Considering I don’t have time to read everything, I thought I would highlight some of the books that I find on my desk that look really interesting.

Pluto’s Ghost by Shree Fitch (2010) - Jake Upshore has loved Skye Derucci since before he can remember. Volatile, complex and frustrated (he's got a label disorder from all the labels he's been given) at the best of times, Jake's on a desperate quest to find Skye before she aborts the baby he believes is his. As he hurtles headlong toward certain tragedy, Jake relives the fatal choices he's made and the powerful forces that have led him to this to end.

From the Desk

One of my favourite things about being a Children and Youth librarian is that every morning someone puts on my desk all the new books that have arrived at our Branch for me to look over. It’s a really great way for me to know what we have in our collection, and I’m learning about all kinds of great new books.Considering I don’t have time to read everything, I thought I would highlight some of the books that I find on my desk that look really interesting.

Wildwing by Emily Whitman (2010) - When Addy is swept back in time, she couldn't be happier to leave her miser-able life behind. Now she's mistaken for Lady Matilda, the pampered ward of the king. If Addy can play her part, she'll have glorious gowns, jewels, and something she's always longed for—the respect and admiration of others. But then she meets Will, the falconer's son with sky blue eyes, who unsettles all her plans.

This seems like a really cute romantic historical fiction. I might just have to read it eventually.

Coming Soon to a Library Near You

Coming Soon to a Library Near You is a weekly feature inspired by Jill at Breaking the Spine that looks at upcoming books.

This Week’s Book: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 2011
Summary: 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.

I do love Dystopians, and this one has a bit of a City of Embers feel to it. Plus it’s also a start to a series!!

Infinite Days

Infinite Days
By Rebecca Maizel
2010
325 Pages

Summary: Lenah has been given a second chance at life. Having been a Vampire for decades, she receives the gift of life through the sacrifice of her partner Rhodes. Now she must navigate the modern world while being a teenager, and she must begin to let go of her past before it comes to destroy her once again.

Review: Infinite Days will be enjoyed by the hoards of Vampire fans that exist in the YA world. However, there is lot more depth and charisma that set it apart from the ample collection of paranormal stories. Infinite Days is slower paced and there is a lot of emphasis put on history and legend. Having the rich flashbacks to Lenah’s life as a Vampire create an interesting balance with the typical high school plot. It really is the best of both worlds, creating a good read for a wide audience. For those who enjoy romance, there is a lot, as most of the characters are romantically linked to Lenah in one form or another. The style of writing makes it well suited for an older audience and has an Interview with the Vampire feel to it (which I loved).

Also by Rebecca Maizel: Stolen Nights (2011)

If you liked Infinite Days, you might also enjoy: The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice and Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block

Author website: http://rebeccamaizel.com/

Rating: W4/4 C4/4 P3.5/4 O3/4 PP3/4 CR4/4
Grade Level: S

Paranormalcy

Paranormalcy
By Kiersten White
2010
335 pages

“I hate the vampire jobs. They think they’re so suave. It’s not enough for them to slaughter and eat you like a zombie would. No, they want it to be all sexy, too.”

Summary: For Evie, the odd and strange are normal. Her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a troublesome faerie and the guy she is crushing on is some sort of shape-shifter. Sometimes with all the paranormal around, being human is the thing that feels strange. That is until paranormals start to die and Evie finds herself at the centre of a dark faerie prophecy that promises that not everything is normal.

Review: This quirky and charming tale had me laughing out loud and falling in love. Evie is my favourite kind of main character; witty, sarcastic and a little bit dark. Her ability to rationalize the abnormal was perfection. White does a really great job of balancing the strange aspects of the paranormal with the every day life of being a teenage girl who feels a little left out and lonely. Humor, action and an adorable romance move along this hilarious and compelling story, leaving the reader hanging in the end. Overall, a great addition to the paranormal genre.

If you liked Paranormalcy you might also enjoy: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, Spells by Aprilynne Pike, The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Additional Information: Paranormally will be part of a trilogy, with the next one set to come out in the fall 2011. There could also be a possible movie in the works.

Author website: http://www.kierstenwhite.com/home

Rating: W4/4 C3.5/4 P3.5/4 O3/4 PP4/4 CR4/4
Grade Level: JS

Trash to Treasure

Each month there are several books that I start to read but for one reason or another I just can’t get into. I have a fairly low tolerance for the books I read, usually only giving them between 50-100 pages before I quit. There are just too many books to read and not enough time to “trudge” through something I’m not enjoying. However, I recently realized that I never mention them on here. So I’ve decided to do a monthly feature looking at some of the books I just couldn’t get into and why.

Entwined by Heather Dixon (2011) – read 57 pages. I have a very low tolerance for fantasy books (although I am getting better). I just find them too confusing and they don’t really hold my interest. If there isn’t a great amount of time devoted to world building I often get lost. This was the case for me with Entwined. There wasn’t enough world building and after 57 pages I couldn’t tell where the book was going so I quit. I thought the characterization was strong and I liked the dynamic of the sisters, but beyond that I was mostly just confused. Probably better suited for those who enjoy fantasy or are familiar with the original Grimm tale.

Cry Havoc Reviews, The Bodacious Pen and The Elliot Review all have positive reviews that you should check out.

Torment by Lauren Kate (2010) – read 157 pages. I really enjoyed Fallen, the first book in the series, so it was a big surprise that I couldn’t get into this one. I think the biggest reason I stumbled was that I had difficulty remembering the first book and no longer felt connected to Luce and Daniel’s story. Kate’s writing can also be slow at times, which also made it hard to connect. There is a lot to like in this series (angels, mystery, timeless romance, war) and I’m not in any way surprised by the success. I’m more disappointed in myself than the book and I’ll likely give the whole series another go at some point down the road.

Novel Novice, Amy Reads and For What it’s Worth all have positive reviews that you should check out.

Empty by Suzanne Weyn – read 48 pages – While I love dystopian novels, I cannot handle apocalyptic books, even if they have hopeful endings. Empty is a book about what would happen if/when our oil supply ran out. While I think it’s a very interesting topic, the reality of it was too scary for me to continue reading. The book is well written with a fast paced plot. The world building was also incredibly well done in its subtleties. So while I thought it likely would have been a great book, it freaked me out too much to continue.

Fiction Addict, All about {n} and Dreaming in Books all have positive reviews that you should check out