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B (62 KP) rated Uglies (Uglies, #1) in Books

Sep 30, 2018  
Uglies (Uglies, #1)
Uglies (Uglies, #1)
Scott Westerfeld | 2005 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
6
7.6 (39 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read this book around 10 years ago so excuse my vagueness and lack of detail. While I love its premise, the characters in Uglies annoyed me and I found them hard to relate to. Granted I was around 12 years old and I think I may be due for a reread. I nonetheless am grateful to this book and its series because it was my gateway into YA Dystopian which is now one of my favorite sub-genres.
  
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Clair (5 KP) rated Flawed in Books

Sep 29, 2017  
Flawed
Flawed
Cecelia Ahern | 2016 | Children
8
8.5 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've really enjoyed this YA book by Cecelia Ahern. So different from the fluffy romantic stuff she usually writes.
Set in a world where you are punished for making ethical or moral mistakes. If you are found to have made a bad decision, have lied, have stolen, have been disloyal or have stepped out of line, you are sent to trial and if are found guilty are branded with an F on various parts of your body depending on your error of judgment. From then on, the persons life is controlled by whistle blowers and the rules they in force. It's a good setup and I've sped through it - it's not the best written YA book I've come across but something about it has meant I haven't been able to put it down.
  
[No Safety in Numbers] by [Dayna Lorentz] is a well written YA novel along the common theme in this genre lately. The concept of survival has always been in literature but recently there has been a huge upswing in YA lit for dystopian and disasters. I personally enjoy it since that is what Ilike to read.

This book is the first of a trilogy that follows four different teenager as they try to survive and protect those they care about during a biological attack on a mall. I like how [Lorentz] gave voice to the main characters by alternating chapters. I can also see how three of the four characters are interconnected.

I look forward to reading the second and third books. I will be adding this book to my classroom library and recommending it
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated Vampire Academy in Books

Feb 16, 2019  
Vampire Academy
Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
7
8.5 (48 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a fairly solid YA vamp novel that's been on my Nook for years. I think I would have loved it had I read it 10 years ago.
There's an interesting vampire myth deviation, and the characters were fairly entertaining. I thought Rose was a little... well, a typical HS girl you'd find behind the bleachers, but, it seemed after a while, she just used it as a facade.
There were fairly typical HS situations, then within the last 50 pages, the story picked up with the action.
While I thought this book was fairly entertaining, I don't feel a hankering to pick up the next book in the series.
I feel like nowadays, this sort of YA is most likely obsolete to the audience, like Vampire Diaries.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) Feb 17, 2019

I actually read the synopses of the other books/series, and I just can't deal with YA love situations anymore, and they distract me from the story. I may try to get a library copies of the next ones.

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Leah (: (569 KP) Feb 17, 2019

I agree, I read this series about 10 years ago and LOVED it, it was in the hype of vampires time. The fourth [i think] book was just an emotional heartbreak. But I definitely enjoyed the spin off series, Bloodlines, with Adrian and Sydney it was amazing, possibly because Adrian is my absolute favourite (: well I am now going to re read the Bloodlines series so thanks (:

Z(
Zodiac (Zodiac, #1)
8
7.0 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every time you think you have something figured out in this book, the author throws you a curveball. I never knew what to expect when reading this book but enjoyed it overall. The world building was good, but I hope it is developed more in subsequent books. It could be so rich and immersive if that happens. Some of the scenes were weak and made the pacing drag. The main character is relatable despite her unexpected change in station and dramatic odyssey. As seems typical in recent YA fiction there is an element of a love triangle. I don't find it entirely believable, so it pulls me out of the narrative at times. Some of the scenes were weak and made the pacing drag. Overall, it's an enjoyable read and I will be reading the subsequent books in the series. Definitely recommend reading this book if you like YA fiction about space, technology, bad guys, adventure or romance.
  
The Extinction Trials (The Extinction Trials #1)
The Extinction Trials (The Extinction Trials #1)
S.M. Wilson | 2019 | Dystopia, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.0 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
OMG I loved this book so much!
This series is like the Hunger Games combined with Jurassic Park! Its an easy smooth read with interesting characters, action and the whole package! I would recommend this to any YA fan that wants a new unputdownable trilogy... I will warn you though that when you finish the series it will break you!!
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1) in Books

Dec 12, 2018 (Updated Dec 12, 2018)  
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Kami Garcia | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
2
7.4 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of those YA novels that I wish I'd have never paid full price for... The premise was predictable, and eye-roll inducing. The one thing I remember is how much I hated the writing.
The movie is actually better than this novel. I suggest skipping the book and just watching the movie with the kid that plays young Han Solo.
  
The Art of Racing in the Rain
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein | 2006 | Mind, Body & Spiritual, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences
8
8.9 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
I debated between 3 or 4 stars for a really long time.

Bad: Slow plot for sure. A few things that the dog said was "truth" that I just outright disagree with.

Good: Heartwrenching and heartwarming all in one. The kind of book that just STICKS to ya.

Maybe not meant for all readers, but I enjoyed it, so worth a try.
  
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SWalker (0 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books

Mar 10, 2018 (Updated Mar 10, 2018)  
Throne of Glass
Throne of Glass
Sarah J. Maas | 2012 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (91 Ratings)
Book Rating
Plot (3 more)
Characters
Writing style
Everything
I’m usually a bit hesitant to stray from my favorite authors and this time was no different. However, I’m soo glad I did! You want action, mystery, romance, betrayal? It’s all here. The best part is that it’s all here without the usual angsty cliches normally found in books that are listed as YA. I’m not going to recap the book, you can read the cover yourself. Read the book, read the series, you won’t regret it!!