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Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1)
Scythe (Arc of a Scythe #1)
Neal Shusterman | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
9.0 (22 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thou Shalt Kill
I don't even know where to start when it comes to this book, Scythe really isn't like any book I've ever read it really makes you think about which side would I want to be on. Also, the characters are all so amazing and each one of them plays a part in the story but what really makes this book something special is the world building.

Scythe takes place in a Utopian future ruled by an all knowing AI called the Thunderhead that pretty much runs the entire world and surprisingly hasn't gone all HAL on the world. This is also a future where everyone has not only achieved immortality but they can also turn back the clock and return back to their 20's if they so please, but to handle the growing population certain people are chosen to be Scythes or a type of Grim Reapers for an age of immortality that are treated like celebrities but also feared like gods.

The story follows two teens named Rowan and Citra who are chosen to train as future Scythes a job neither one of them want, which is actually supposed to be a kind of requirement to becoming a Scythe. Throughout their training, we are introduced to different Scythes and what it means to be legal murders and how even a perfect world corruption and evil still manages to take hold.
  
TB
The Best Possible Answer
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Viviana is under an immense amount of stress. It's the end of junior year and her future is in the balance. The goal was always to get perfect grades, rock her exams and attend Stanford. Then a distraction, and by distraction I mean boy, sets her off balance. They break up and he does something that sends her world spinning off its axis. Vivi starts having panic attacks and feels that she's not doing anything right in her life. To make it worse, her dad goes on a business trip to Singapore and doesn't come back. She puts every blame and burden on her overworked shoulders.

The characters in the book are very believable and relatable, even if you haven't experienced the same life events that they have. You can feel the friendship between Sammie and Vivi, with all of its ups and down. How much they love each other and do their best to protect one another.

The novel is about believing in yourself, learning to trust and rely on others even when you think you can do it all by yourself, and doing your best. Vivi must learn about herself and realizes that not everything in her life is as it seems.

Highly recommended to teens and young adults who enjoy contemporary ya fiction books about life, loves and high school. (With maybe a little family drama thrown into the mix.) Great, quick, enjoyable read!
  
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Cori June (3033 KP) rated Beast in Books

Dec 3, 2018  
B
Beast
6
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is best for young teens or preteens (this is my opinion only). I truthfully can't remember when I first read this book, I do still like it and did remember liking mostly because it is the why's and hows why was the breast cursed how did he live? The fact that this from the Beast's pov. He is a Persian prince who is Muslim. That the author peppered the book with many foreign languages. And except for a few (mostly the Latin) she says what it means in English. I find I dislike first person present tense (person opinion) and at times find it can be stilted, however, I do respect a writer that can attempt it and succeed. Most of the story about 3/4 of it tells about the before meeting of Belle. It is not a fast paced book. And the ending is kinda abrupt. Not a bad "summer" read besides the multiple languages it is not a difficult read. A very unique book about a devout Persian Muslim whose thick headedness and pride get him cursed and his faith that he might be forgiven.

"And I've forgotten my prayers. How can I expect the Merciful One to remember me if I forget Him? I go out side and perform the wudhu. Then I pray.
I hear horse hooves.
This is not the way prayers work."---Beast
  
The Lovely and the Lost
The Lovely and the Lost
Jennifer Lynn Barnes | 2019 | Young Adult (YA)
7
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Original title: Lost Causes
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

The Lovely and the Lost is the first novel I read by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Considering she published almost 30 novels in genres I often read, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Young Adult, that is surprising.

In it, we are introduced to the Bennett family. Cady, the mother, is one of the best search and rescuers who also trains search and rescue dogs. Her son is Jude and her adopted daughter, Kira, was found by Cady in the woods many years ago. Rounding out the family is Phoebe, who prefers to be called Free, the 3rd in the teen's close-knit trio. The story focuses on a search and rescue and gives some detail on how to tray search and rescue dogs. All of the teens work with the dogs and are training to be search and rescuers.

The Young Adult novel is well thought out and well-written. The characters are flawed, show their limitations, their strengths, and feel real. While it would be enjoyable for all readers of YA, I feel middle school students would enjoy it the most.

I will definitely read one of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's series. As of 6/17/19, Goodreads lists 7 series.

This review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 6/17/19.
  
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Marissa Meyer | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.4 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fact: When I discover a series that completely sucks me in...I simply have to binge read the whole thing. If the series has stand alone novels in it, it isn't as much torture and I can wait...But if it is a continuing storyline...You won't see me come up for air until I am done (or to post the reviews for said books). So pass me the Starbursts and Red Bull, I will see ya later! Oh, after I finish this post.

Scarlet picks up the day after Cinder ends. Cinder and Kai remain as main characters throughout the second book. But now we are introduced to a whole new level of intrigue in the storyline. Scarlet and Wolf are AMAZING! I adore them and can't wait to see where their story leads. Scarlet's grandmere is pretty awesome too!

As secrets unfold of her heritage and her grandmother's past, Scarlet embarks on a dangerous mission to find her grandmere and bring her home. Scarlet will do anything to protect the only family she has left, even at the risk of her own safety. We also begin to learn more about Cinder's past and everything that she has gone through.

Cyborgs, Wolf Gangs, Lunar aliens, space travel, escaped convicts, hidden princess, hidden genealogy, this series has so much to offer and entertain. Clean and sweet romance appropriate for Young Adults. I am comfortable recommending this book to teens and adults.
  
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Kate (493 KP) rated Class of 1983 in Books

Nov 26, 2019  
Class of 1983
Class of 1983
Victoria Maxwell | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You get to see the characters grow (0 more)
Such a heartwarming read
I loved this book and I could not put it down. I loved how most of the book focused on 1983 and it wasn't 50/50. This isn't a book I would normally read but the blurb really got my attention and I am so glad I decided to give it a go. The book made me smile and I was thrilled when things went well for Peggy. I felt like I was emotional invested in the characters. It was so easy to get into and continue reading. I didn't want the book to end.
The book/story flowed so well.
I loved seeing Peggy gain confidence that she never had in her 'present'. It just shows what she could of been had people been nicer to her. She fit in so well into 1983 but that could be because she was meant to be there with the way she dressed, the movies she watched and the music she listened to.
I believe I was above the age of the targeted audience as I feel this should be teens/young adults but I do believe anyone can read and enjoy it.
The end of the book said 'to be continued' and I cannot wait to read the next installment.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
  
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Ronnie (304 KP) rated See How They Lie in Books

Jan 26, 2020  
See How They Lie
See How They Lie
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Welcome to Hummingbird Creek, an elite wellness retreat for teens. Here they follow a strict regime and their every move is tracked by their watches, not that they have much spare time between all the exercising and tight curfews. To people spending a short amount of time here it is bliss but when you’ve spent all your life here, with no knowledge of the normal world, you start to hate it. Mae is one of the people that has lived here their whole life and has never questioned any of it. But she starts to notice that some things aren’t quite right, then one particularly strange turn of events urges Mae start to start investigating. As she starts to dig deeper she risks putting herself, her mum and all her very few friends in danger.
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. It was so exciting, with many amazing unexpected turns. I can not tell you how many times I gasped with the shock of some of the things happening.
I find that books often have bad endings but I was not at all disappointed by the ending of ‘see how they lie.’
I have now read all of Sue Wallman’s books and I can not tell you how much I love them. I am so shocked that her books are not more popular. I always find myself unable to put her books down.
  
100 Hours
100 Hours
Rachel Vincent | 2020 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
A decadent spring break beach getaway becomes a terrifying survival story when six Miami teens are kidnapped.

Maddie is beyond done with her cousin Genesis’s entitled and shallow entourage. Genesis is so over Miami’s predictable social scene with its velvet ropes, petty power plays, and backstabbing boyfriends.

While Maddie craves family time for spring break, Genesis seeks novelty—like a last-minute getaway to an untouched beach in Colombia. And when Genesis wants something, it happens.

But paradise has its price. Dragged from their tents under the cover of dark, Genesis, Maddie, and their friends are kidnapped and held for ransom deep inside the jungle—with no diva left behind. It all feels so random to everyone except Genesis. She knows they were targeted for a reason. And that reason is her.

Now, as the hours count down, only one thing’s for certain: If the Miami hostages can’t thwart their captors’ plan, no one will make it out alive.

At first I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book but it turned out to be pretty good! I did think I was going to like Genesis at all but she was the best thing about it! The hostages manage to thwart the plans of the enemies but at the cost of Genesis and her supposedly dead uncle! Love the twists and turns at the end and definitely looking forward to book 2