Paradigm by Ceri A. Lowe

Release Date:  June 2014

Genre: Dystopian

When and Where:  Past - London, England; Future -  The Community, run by The Industry

Protagonists:  Alice (the past) and Carter (the future)

The Story:  87 years ago, the Storms started, destroying the land.  Alice Davenport, stuck in her apartment after her mother left for work, goes to sleep as the rain starts and wakes from a fever to find the world forever changed.  The Storms haven't stopped, London is flooded, and the water continues to rise.  Surviving by using her wits, Alice is rescued by a group of people from Paradigm Industries.  Taken to an underground stronghold to wait out the Storms, Alice grows from a timid child to a determined young woman.  Life as part of The Industry is infinitely appealing - everyone is treated equally, everyone's needs are met, and no one goes hungry.  The Model ensures that everyone and everything in The Industry runs efficiently, and Alice is an eager part of this new world order.

87 years into the future, Carter Warren has woken from stasis as a Candidate for Controller General.  He must prove his abilities outreach those of the other potential Candidates, and many people within the community believe that Carter will be able to bring dissenters back into The Industry fold.  As Carter prepares to prove himself, he investigates a rebellion to which he is unexpectedly tied; the rebellion has a stronger hold than Carter expects, and The Industry has been keeping secrets.

Reaction:  Wow, wow, wow!  I loved Paradigm!  Switching back and forth between the past and the present, this unique novel shares the end of the world and how people adapted to it through Alice's story and the outcome of the development of a new world order, through Carter's story.  This dystopian novel focuses more on the development of a new society and the implications for people as society continues to evolve (or devolve).  The narrative switching in this novel is artfully done, though I must admit that I found Alice's story more interesting than Carter's.  Left with a major cliffhanger, Paradigm is the first in a trilogy, and I will absolutely be reading the second and third stories in the series - Carter's story is just getting started, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

If You Liked...  Legend or The Knife of Never Letting Go, then Paradigm  will be right up your alley!

Rating: 5

Teacher Notes: This novel touches on sensitive issues including pregnancy and assault. 

Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Release Date: March 2014

Genre:  Contemporary fiction with a paranormal twist

When and Where: Modern Day, New York

The Story:  When a group of high school students are unintentionally inoculated with a flu vaccine that has some unexpected results, all bets are off.  The strangest side effect?  Students can not only read people's minds, but have entire mental conversations with people who have the same ability.  Suddenly, no one's secrets are safe.  In some cases, having ESP is an incredible benefit, while in other situations, the results are downright devastating for the "listener."  Told from one point of view, while also following a specific set of students, Don't Even Think About It is full of laugh-out-loud and tear-inducing moments.

Reaction:  Let's face it - we have all wondered what someone else was thinking a time or two, and Don't Even Think About It explores these ideas in depth.  Exploring concepts of friendship, romance, and parent-teen interactions, Don't Even Think About It allows the reader to imagine what it would be like if you could know what other people think and how you would feel once you knew.  Thoroughly entertaining!

Rating:  4

Rival (Unholy Alliance #2) by Lacy Yager

Release Date:  November 2013

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Protagonists:  Emily Santos and Brett Carson, teens

The Story:  As a fifth generation Chaser, Emily has trained in martial arts in the hopes of some day following the family tradition of tracking and eliminating vampires.  Perceived as poorly trained and weak by her family, Emily's determined to prove her strength and worth.  She doesn't have anything to prove to Brett Carson, her sparring partner.  Brett harbors a health issue he is determined to keep hidden, but when the pair join forces to fend of a vampire attack, both Brett and Emily find they will never be the same again.

Reaction: Slow to get moving, the plot in Rival was much more romance than paranormal.  I really liked how Emily was written as a strong female character with a study in martial arts, and I found it refreshing that the boy was more aware of the romance than Emily.  The perspective switches from back and forth, which gives deeper insight into each character's thoughts and feelings.  This one was a little too romance-heavy for me, but it was an interesting addition to the Unholy Alliance series.

Rating:  3

Sempre by J.M. Darhower

Release Date: November 2013

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

When and Where:  Modern times, California

Protagonist:  Haven Antonelli, 17 years old

The Story: Born into slavery, Haven has no idea what life is like outside of the isolated ranch compound, but when an act of desperation ends up causing Haven to be relocated to the DeMarco household, an entire world of opportunity is presented.  Dr. DeMarco is deceptively kind, when in fact is an integral member of a Mafia family, serving as both confidant and enforcer to the Don.  Functioning more as a maid and less like a slave, Haven is desperately afraid of her new masters, Dr. DeMarco and his two sons.  Somehow, Haven develops an unlikely relationship with the younger son, Carmine DeMarco, and as romance blossoms between the pair, the mystery of Haven's paternity haunts Dr. DeMarco.  Dr. DeMarco is determined to prevent his son from repeating past mistakes and negatively impacting the future, but it may be too late.

Reaction:  This book was absolutely gripping, though I really don't know who is primary audience should be.  While the characters are 17, the subject matter is far beyond the scope of most high school students, in both background knowledge and maturity.  I was fascinated by Haven's adjustment to a "normal" lifestyle, though the lifestyle the DeMarcos live is far from normal, and  Carmine's self-destructive, impulsive tendencies a desperate cry for help that no one seemed to hear.  I just couldn't stop reading this book, and when the novel came to its conclusion, I was happily surprised to see that the second book is already available.

If You Liked...  movies and stories similar to The Godfather and Goodfellas, then Sempre may be right for you.

Rating: 4

Teacher Notes: Great book, but perhaps one to keep on the upper bookshelf for specific students, rather than full-class access.

Defy (Defy #1) by Sara B. Larson

Release Date:  January 2014

Genre: Fantasy

Protagonist:  Alexa (Alex) Hollen, 17 years old

The Story:  After the violent death of her parents, Alexa hides her gender, changes her identity, and joins her twin brother as a member of the king's army.  Alex's talent with a sword and her incredible ability to fight land her a special place as a member of Prince Damien's guard.  In extreme proximity to the prince, Alex learns that she is not the only one living a lie.  Along with the prince and a fellow guardsman, Alex is abducted by a powerful sorcerer who is determined to use the prince as a way to coerce the king into changing the outcome of the war between two kingdoms. Alex's identity becomes increasingly more difficult to hide as works to ensure the safety of the prince and the kingdom.

Reaction:  Likely to be classified as high fantasy, Defy is what I like to call "light" fantasy; the structure of the tale has a lot of similarities to "high" fantasy novels, including magic, a quest, and a coming-of-age theme.  Much of the plot focuses on romance, which detracts from some of these "high fantasy" elements.  Despite the heavy handedness with romance, Defy is not a book to be missed by fans of the YA/Fantasy genre.  Reader beware:  this book is written from a female perspective and addresses romance the same way; if you don't want to read about abs and kisses, in addition to sorcerers and magic, look elsewhere. Defy is not so much about an epic physical journey, but instead is about Alex's epic emotional journey as she learns to accept all aspects of herself.  Alex is a serious, kick-butt heroine who is a star of all the action scenes.  Both male protagonists are interesting in different ways, making the love triangle aspect highly engaging. 

If You Liked...  Graceling, Incarceron, Dragonfly, or Grave Mercy, then Defy is a must-read.

Rating:  5 stars

Teacher Notes: This book contains misogynistic characters and abuse towards women. References to abuse towards women  are prevalent.  Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Damselfly (Damselfly #1) by Jennie Bates Bozic

Date: November  2013

Genre:  Fantasy/Dystopian

When and Where: 2065, Denmark

Protagonist:  Lina, 16 years

The Story:  For the past sixteen years, Lina has been led to believe that she is the star achievement and one-of-a-kind creation of the Lilliput project.  At six inches tall and with the wings of damselfly, Lina has spent her entire life learning how to survive in a world where everything, from her creators to the wild things in nature, are bigger and stronger.  Lina has fantasized about turning sixteen for years, dreaming of a day when she is old enough to make her own way in the world and to meet with Jack in real time instead of online worlds via virtual reality.  Turning sixteen is nothing Lina imagines, however, as she is considered to be inhuman, despite her human DNA.  She is forced to participate in a reality show where she is introduced to six young men, Toms, who also happen to be her size.  Realizing that everything she has been told is a lie and that she is considered less than human and determined to prevent Jack from harm, Lina is coerced into  participating in the reality show, which is intended to force her into selecting a mate. Nothing is as it seems, everyone seems to have a hidden agenda, and Lina doesn't know who to trust.

Reaction:  There's a lot going on in this smart, unusual fantasy/dystopian novel.  Budding romance and dystopian undertones clash in a novel that has moments of lighthearted fun and moments of pure sadness.  Despite being isolated, Lina is surprisingly similar to other teens her age.  Author Jennie Bates Bozic nails the teen voice and angst while delving into themes addressing human and animal rights and bio-ethics.  The one flaw in the book that really stands out is the epilogue.  It felt out of place and unnecessary to me, what with all the hints that are included in the climax and resolution of the tale.

If You Like...  fairy tales, this book is for you!

Rating:  4 stars

4 to 16 Characters by Kelly Hourihan

Release Date:  November 2013

Genre:  Contemporary

Protagonist:  Jane Shilling, aged 15

The Story:  Jane Shilling's life is not what it is supposed to be; her mother passed away last year, her alcoholic father lives in a bottle, and Jane attends an alternative school where it is better to blend in than to be noticed.  Jane's one pleasure in life is social media, where she has created a series of alter-egos that live in a manner in which she aspires.  As Jane's online identities blossom, Jane's "real" life spirals further and further downward.

Reaction:  Told through instant messages, blog entries, and other social media, 4 to 16 Characters is hard to adequately characterize; just as Jane is hidden within the multiple personalities she displays online, the depth of this novel is also deeply buried.  Jane is surprisingly unlikeable, and I'm not entirely sure why - is it because she fails to reveal enough of her true self or because this book is written for digital natives, as opposed to digital immigrants?  If you love Facebook, Tumblr, etc., then 4 to 16 is book you may want to check out.

Rating:  3 stars 


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Inhuman, by Kat Falls

Fetch #1
Scholastic
ISBN:  978-0545370998
October 2013
Young Adult

INHUMAN, the first in the Fetch series, is an engaging dystopian adventure, blending action and science fiction in new ways.  In the not-too-distant future, the United States has been ravaged by disease.  Lane McEvoy has spent her entire life hidden on the safe side of the Wall, which separates the safe West from the hazardous East via the Mississippi River.  The East, known as the Feral Zone, is populated by those infected with the Ferae virus and criminals no longer welcome in the West.  When her father disappears and is implicated in a crime against the government, Lane is forced to enter the Feral Zone to find her father.  Relying on the survival skills she learned in classes and enlisting the unlikely assistance of two young men, Lane is determined to locate her father.  As ill-prepared as Lane is for the violent life on the other side of the wall, she is even less prepared for the truths the government has concealed. 

INHUMAN shares a lot of the same elements as other dystopian novels, such as THE HUNGER GAMES, DIVERGENT, and ASHES, and like these other books, the target audience is middle grades and up.  Fans of the genre, regardless of age, will enjoy this dark and interesting tale because of the heavy themes that dominate the novel, including abuse of power, medical ethics, and quality of life.  The premise of a deadly virus causing permanent loss of life and change to a country is quite believable, though some of the outcomes of the mutation of the virus are a little more far-fetched.  In INHUMAN, the author successfully establishes a believable futuristic world, a heroine who doesn’t yet know her own inner strength, and a potential love triangle that’s sure to keep readers hooked.  Ending in an emotional cliffhanger that will both please and taunt readers, INHUMAN is an engaging, action-packed adventure sure to successfully ride the wave of dystopian literature that is so very popular at present. 

Rating:  4

The Dream Thieves, by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Cycle #2
Scholastic
ISBN:  978-0545424943
September 2013
Young Adult

THE DREAM THIEVES, by Maggie Stiefvater, is an incredible continuation of The Raven Cycle series.  Told in the same haunting, mysterious voice as THE RAVEN BOYS, book two focuses on Adam’s transformation following his sacrifice to the ley line, Ronan’s ability to remove objects from his dreams, and Blue’s determination to not fall in love.  New characters, The Gray Man and Kavinsky, add tension and unexpected twists to an already complex story.  

Book one in the series, THE RAVEN BOYS, was a complicated novel which focused primarily on establishing background, setting, and purpose for the series. If you have not read THE RAVEN BOYS, I highly recommend you do so before reading the second book, as THE DREAM THIEVES picks up where the first book left off and is grounded in showing the outcome of the young group’s pursuit of the slumbering Welsh king.  As revealed in the previous book, Blue’s connection with the boys who attend Aglionby are centered on her knowledge that Gansey is going to die within the year, and Blue hopes to prevent Gansey’s death.  Befriending the boys is contradictory to Blue’s beliefs, as she doesn’t usually like the wealthy boys who attend the boarding school, but for some reason she fits in nicely with this motley crew.  Trying to avoid a deeper emotional connection to both Adam and Gansey is challenging, despite the knowledge that if she kisses her true love, the boy will die.  However, she finds herself drawn closer and closer to these boys as they seek tomb of the sleeping king. 

 

Unlike THE RAVEN BOYS, THE DREAM THIEVES starts at a much faster pace, and though is purposefully meanders at times, the story definitely hooks you and moves quickly.  Relationships between Gansey and Adam, as well as Gansey and Blue undergo major transformations, and Adam’s role in the group changes drastically.  Ronan’s ability to bring the objects from his dreams into the physical world makes him even more dangerous.  Supporting characters, such as psychic women with whom Blue lives, provide both a sense of normalcy in the lives of the group, but also add mystical elements throughout.  Each character, each action they take, and each thought that is voiced is important and moves the plot forward, however, the reader is still completely unable to anticipate what will happen next.  Stiefvater’s writing is beautiful and complex, and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the third installment of The Raven Cycle.

Rating:  4

Daughter of Camelot, by Glynis Cooney

Empire of Shadows #1
Mabon Publishing
ISBN:  978098135009
September 2013
Young Adult

Against a backdrop of the Dark Ages and the end of the Arthurian era, author Glynis Cooney introduces fourteen year old Deirdre, who longs for adventure, despite her gender.  All Deirdre wants to do is to live a life of glory, comparable to the lives of the knights who serve King Arthur, and when she is sent to a neighboring kingdom to learn how to be a lady, Deirdre is extremely disappointed.  When news of Lancelot’s betrayal of King Arthur spreads throughout the kingdom, it becomes clear that the kings are willing to take advantage of Arthur’s weakness.  Determined to provide the king with vital information, Deirdre sets off on a quest that will change her life.

DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is a fantasy based on Arthurian legends, and the tale is written in a manner that expects the reader to have some understanding of the Arthurian legends themselves, as well as the unrest of the time period.  The rise of the Christian church and the persecution of the Druids, the treatment of women and vassals, in addition to political intrigue are embedded through this complex young adult novel.  As the first in the series, the book establishes characters, setting, and a few different mysteries, some of which are deliberately left unanswered at the end of the tale.  I really liked the authentic “feel” of this book, the banter of the characters, and Deirdre’s naïve nature that slowly matures over the course of events.  If you enjoy Julia Golding’s DRAGONFLY or Kristin Cashore’s GRACELING, then DAUGHTER OF CAMELOT is going to be right up your alley – this entertaining fantasy has all the right elements of its genre:   a strong heroine, epic travels, unusual companions, and hints of magic.  Highly enjoyable!

Rating:  3