Jen’s Top 10 “How Have You NOT Read This” YA Books

It seems lately whenever I bring up one of my favorite books/series, people respond with a blank stare, a careless shrug, or, worst of all, an “I’ve never heard of it” type of comment. AHHH! So, I decided it’s time for me to give you the heads up on some books you MUST read if you haven’t.

Jen’s Top 10 “How Have You NOT Read This?” YA Books

1. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

On average, I read a book a week. AKA, I read a lot. However, no matter how many pages I turn, or how many stories I finish, Daughter of Smoke & Bone remains one of my favorites of all time. And it’s troubling how few people are even aware of it. No offense to Hunger Games or Twilight, or even Divergent, but I wish the mass population would revere this story. Simply put, it’s awesome. Daughter of Smoke & Bone has everything a reader craves: intrigue, romance, humor, and, of course, adventure.

So go read it! And be sure to spread the word how awesome it is.

Check out my full review here!

2. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Sighhhhh…Just…God, just go read this series, okay? I can’t even begin…I can’t even tell you…AHHH! Just read it. Goooo.

Check out my full review here!

3. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Believe it or not, there are still people in the world who haven’t read Harry Potter. *cue gasps* Every time I encounter one of these rare beings, they usually tell me, “Well, I tried watching the movies, but I just wasn’t into them.”

…That’s all I have to say about that.

*clears throat*

READ HARRY POTTER!

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

When people ask me, “What’s your favorite book?” I first glare at them, and then I tell them I don’t have a favorite (what book nerd does?). Then, when they still won’t leave me alone, I spout off a handful of memorable titles. The Book Thief is always on the list. Always. And it should be on yours! I promise, it’s a tale you’ll never forget.

Check out my full review here!

5. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Barking spiders! You haven’t read the Leviathan series? Are you mad? What’s not to like? A round-the-world adventure? A would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne? A commoner girl disguised as a boy? Daring deeds? Fun? AMAZINGNESS!

Hey, all you sods, I can fly and you can’t! A natural airman, in case you haven’t noticed. And in conclusion, I’d like to add that I’m a girl and you can all get stuffed!

…Hmmm, I think even I need to go read this–again. So much fun!

Check out more about Leviathan here!

6. Legend by Marie Lu

Amongst all the dystopian books out there, Legend is my favorite. Think Les Miserables set in the future with a deadly virus, two badass protagonists, and lots of rip-roaring action.

In a nutshell, Legend is…

Summer Reads – Part 3

With the long Labor Day weekend over, it’s time to face the dreaded fact that summer is coming to an end. Here in Colorado, that means it’s time to pack away the shorts and tanks and pull out the fleece and beanies. Boo, hoo 😦 Okay, mini rant: Why do I live in Colorado? I’m not a fan of snow, ice or general frostiness. I’m not even a soup or hot cocoa type gal. I seriously need a beach house to run off to when the first snow creeps over the Rocky Mountains and consumes the Denver metro area. Snow moves in, I move out!

Okay, rant over. Time to get to my third and final list of Summer Reads.

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

If you like stories that incorporate Greek mythology (Starcrossed, Percy Jackson), then you’re sure to enjoy Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Convenant series. Half-Blood, the first book, has a fast pace, plenty of action, and a kick-ass protagonist, Alex. At first, I was afraid Alex’s flippant, strong-willed and reckless attitude was going to annoy me, but she ended up being endearing and fresh. And let’s not forget the main heartthrob, Aiden. He isn’t too shabby either (cue girly sigh). If you enjoyed Armentrout’s Lux series, then Half-Blood will be right up your alley.

Jen’s Rating

For a full synopsis, click here.

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I didn’t waste a second to dive into Half-Blood’s sequel, Pure. Although Alex remains a rebellious, likable turd (don’t ask me how being a “likable turd” is possible, but here it is), she grows up and thinks before acting. The story itself remains interesting and is evolving at a good pace. I’m still in love with Alex’s forbidden love, Aiden, but my heart has softened towards her other boy-toy, Seth. I guess as long as she doesn’t become a “Bella” over the two hotties, I’ll be content with whichever one she ends up with…At this point, at least. I still have a few books to go in the series. Who knows what’s going to happen. I guess I better go get Deity and find out!

Jen’s Rating

For a full synopsis, click here.

Delirium Stories: Hana, Annabel, and Raven by Lauren Oliver

These three short stories were a nice accessory to Lauren Oliver’s Delirium series. In them, we delve further into the lives of Lena’s best friend, Hana, her mom, Annabel, and her fellow rebel, Raven. The writing was solid and fluid, and each story was engaging and intense. I had no problem finishing all three in one sitting. My only suggestion is to read these soon after you finish Requiem (final book in the Delirium series). I waited over six months, so it took me awhile to reconnect with each of these women and recall who they were and the role they played in Lena’s life.

If you’re a fan of Delirium, then you’ll like these. And if you haven’t read or heard of Delirium…What are you waiting for? Go read it! It’s a great series.

Jen’s Rating

For a full synopsis, click here.

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

I’m torn about this book and the rest of the Chemical Garden Trilogy. I thought the writing was beautiful, the concept intriguing, and the characters vivid. But I also felt it was slow and slightly repetitive at times. Also, I don’t mind books that make me feel like someone is stepping on my chest, but I don’t like it when it’s an ENTIRE series. The protagonist, Rhine, was in a constant fog, always miserable, always silently swallowing her unfair predicaments, always halfheartedly fighting…It was frustrating after three books. I wanted her to BREAK OUT! Yell! Punch someone! Spit in Vaughn’s face and tell him to go to hell!

I know, I know. That wasn’t her character. But still. I wanted Rhine to do something other than bite her tongue and wait…wait..wait…and then subtly strike. It just wasn’t satisfying for me as a reader to watch her willingly take punch after punch until the bitter end.

Nonetheless, I did appreciate the story itself and I did get a little weepy towards the end, so it was GOOD. I’d definitely pick up another Lauren DeStefano book and give it a shot.

Jen’s Rating

For a full synopsis, click here.

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Honestly? I was bored with this book. Every few pages, I would realize I’d zoned out and have to go back and re-read the paragraph/page I had just read. I didn’t make a connection with the protagonist, Violet, and I thought the two male leads were cliché (one amazingly hot “good” boy, and one amazingly hot “bad” boy who wants to be good). I was also bothered by Violet’s dad’s neglectfulness. It quickly became clear that the author, Jessica Shirvington, had to write him into the story, but she didn’t really want him there, so she took the easy road and made him a workaholic.

I also didn’t care for the way the Shirvington set up her conflicts/resolutions. It made the whole book feel like a handful of short stories squeezed into one big story. A major event would happen, a fight would ensue, and a settlement of sorts would be made. Repeated. Over and over. Event, fight, settlement. Event, fight, settlement…I know most books do that, but this one just felt so obvious. And it made the whole thing feel like it would never end; almost like watching Peter Jackson’s The Return of the King (slow fade out, black screen…Psyche! Not over! Gotcha!)

Needless to say, this is one series I don’t plan on continuing. However, if you are looking for an entertaining read in the angels department, then check out Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, or Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly. Those definitely kept my attention!

Jen’s Rating

For a full synopsis, click here.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Two thumbs up! And if I had more, I’d raise those too. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey was recommended to me by a fellow blog follower (THANK YOU, gettyhesse1!). To be honest, I was reluctant to read it at first because I’ve never been a fan of the whole aliens-take-over-the-world synopsis. However, within one page, my fears evaporated. This was one of those books I didn’t want to put down, but did just so I could savor it longer.

When you hear the word “aliens” you instantly think UFO’s and green laser guns and bald men with shiny black eyes. Yancey’s take on aliens is different. Without giving anything away (I despise spoilers), his version of an alien invasion is far more devastating than any scene from Independence Day or War of the Worlds. And not because there are horrific things like giant fireballs melting major cities and laser beams turning people to ash. No, no, no. His method is far more meticulous and logical, and frighteningly believable. What makes it even better/worse is that Yancey sucks you in emotionally from the start. He uses simple, everyday things–like a girl’s crush on a boy at school–to stab you in the heart. You constantly think, “If this really happened, what would I do?” (Give up or get up?).

Another reason I enjoyed the The 5th Wave was because it helped improve my own writing. I LOVE it when a book does that for me. Sometimes it’s an author’s style, or their imagination, or their characters that shake me up and inspire me to do better. And Yancey definitely did that. He knocked down my writer’s block and motivated me to “get up”.

I literally read the last three chapters of The 5th Wave as slowly as possible, just so it wouldn’t end. But it did, and now I must wait until May 2014 for its sequel to be released. AH!

I’m envious of those who haven’t read it yet. You’re in for a treat!

Jen’s Rating

For a full synopsis, click here.

So that’s it folks! Those are all the books I read this summer. I would have to say that out of ALL of them, I enjoyed Ken Follet’s Fall of Giants, Kiera Cass’s The Selection and Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave the most. In case you missed my other Summer Reads, click here for Part 1, or here for Part 2.

Check back often for more reviews as we head into the fall! There’s bound to be many. And if you have any suggestions for my “to-read” list, let me know here!

Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout (thereadingpileblog.wordpress.com)
Delirium (saphirawing.wordpress.com)
Jen’s Top 10 YA Series (jenspenden.wordpress.com)

Book of the Month – September

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Synopsis

“The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey.

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.”

Jen’s Review

I literally read the last three chapters of The 5th Wave as slowly as possible, just so it wouldn’t end. But it did, and now I must wait until May 2014 for its sequel to be released. AH!

I’m envious of those who haven’t read it yet. You’re in for a treat!

Jen’s Rating

Read more about The 5th Wave on Goodreads!

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey: A Review (jessicacrawford28.wordpress.com)
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (stephanienissen.wordpress.com)
Jen’s Top 10 YA Series (jenspenden.wordpress.com)

Tag: The 5th Wave

Jen’s Top 10 “How Have You NOT Read This” YA Books

Top 10 Books I Read in 2013

Summer Reads – Part 3

Book of the Month – September

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