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James Dashner once again did a fantastic job on the book The Scorch Trials. I was so excited to read this book after reading The Maze Runner the first book in the series. As I said in my review from last time I loved the Maze Runner and it left me wanting so much more. When I got Scorch Trials I thought it would bring me that, but sadly it did not meet my expectations. The plot followed almost the same guidelines except it was a new place with a different quest but not a different goal… to survive. It was a story where global warming pollution and sun flares all worked together to create this new post apocalyptic world. It is very similar to the first book like I said before. That is why I gave the book The Scorch Trials a B+. Even though it was quite exciting it did not hook me like the previous book did.

             After the gladers escape the maze they meet a group of people from WICKED along with Gally who had disappeared from the Glade. Gally threw a knife at Thomas but Chuck jumped in and saved him by sacrificing himself. Soon a group of rescuers come and put the kids on a bus. This all happened after the group learned that there was a second group or group B.  This news came after Thomas had heard Teresa in his head yelling. When he went to her door to check on her it said “The Betrayer” on the door. As They walked in however Teresa is not there instead there is a boy whose name is Aris from Group B. Group B as Aris tells them was almost the exact same. The same Maze, same grievers , and even the same challenges. However the one major difference was unlike group A with all Teenage boys and one girl sent to trigger the ending group B had the exact opposite situation. They had all girls but had one boy sent to trigger the ending. So in a way Aris was the Teresa to group B. Also just like Thomas and Teresa, Aris can talk in his mind with a girl that was in group B.

            A new challenge is discovered though they are told by Rat-Man (a strange man that showed up telling them that they have been infected with the Scorch and that they must get to a certain location to be cured. While they learn about this they also discover Cranks (the new grievers in a way) which are people that have lost sanity to the scorch. They are as I imagined them zombielike creatures without the craving to eat brains. As we follow Thomas on this new and exciting journey he teams up with some cranks who agree that they will help Thomas and his friends get out of the city if they can get the cure as well as the gladers. On their way to the location (I’ll try not to give to much away) they encounter group B a few times. So with so many obstacles ahead of them, will Thomas and his friends make it and what is going to happen with group B? No one will know until you try this great book written By James Dashner.

Ender's Game

Ender’s Game is a science fiction novel by Orson Scott Card. Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is the youngest child in the Wiggin family. Ender was part of an Earth program to produce some of the most brilliant officers and became a third child. Ender was constantly teased as a "third" since there was a limitation of a two-child policy. He had a close relationship with his sister Valentine, but feared his brother Peter, loved manipulating and tormenting him.  

Ender has had a monitoring device as long as he has remembered. The monitor has acted as a source of protection and guidance. However, when he has this device removed he is now vulnerable to everything.

            Battle School is in a facility outer space where the most talented children are trained to fight against an alien species known as buggers. Both Peter and Valentine have gone to Battle School, but were sent back after a few years in the program. To Ender’s surprise, he was also accepted into Battle School and was faced with the decision to either stay on Earth with his family or help fight against the buggers.

            In Battle School Ender quickly surpasses his fellow classmates and was placed with an older group of boys, his capabilities were overlooked until he lead his team to victory. Ender is soon promoted to a squad leader to some of the youngest cadets in the school. However, with the disadvantage of inexperienced classmates, Ender is able to lead his squadron to victory and the competition. Many squads try to mimic his battle tactics, but Ender is able to come up with new tactics every time. Even with his success, Ender soon finds the game unfair and no longer wants to participate.

            I absolutely loved reading this book and found the story of preparing kids for a battle that may no longer exists a very interesting plot. Some topics that Card brought up throughout the book include: family, friendship, strengths and skills, identity conflicts, trust, and individual needs versus the common good.

            I do want to warn the reader that there is quite a bit of foul language throughout the book and should be considered before reading. Also I’d like to point out that a film of Ender’s Game will be coming out on November 1, 2013. I look forward to watching the film and see how the book was interpreted. I challenge anyone who hasn’t read Ender’s Game to read it soon, and I hope that they are able to enjoy reading it as much as I have.

City of Lost Souls by: Cassandra Clare is the fifth book in the Mortal Instruments series. *SPOILERS* It takes place three weeks after the previous book. Jace has mysteriously disappeared along with Clary’s brother Sebastian. The Clave is furious and believes that Jace is now in cahoots with Sebastian and are planning to take them down. After being confronted by the Seelie queen, Clary now knows that she must do everything in her power to find out her brother’s plan and stop him before the world of the Shadowhunters is destroyed.

            I personally have loved this entire series, but I felt like this book was a waste. Although it had some great plot twists and cliffhangers, it was like the entire book was just Clary dealing with her feelings of the “new” Jace. In my opinion there were too many heated make-out and sex scenes. It just got in the way of the story. Cassandra could have done so much better.

            This book really didn’t have much to say. Normally this series is meant to teach you more about the angels and demons of old and infeasible love but instead it was entirely about being a teenager.

            The only topic that this book really brings up is that love my not be real. The person that you love may not be the person you think you know. If you are truly in love, you’ll know when that person is no longer themselves and if you try hard enough it will always turn out right in the end.

            All in all, this wasn’t that great of a book but it did leave off with a massive cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the sixth book to come out. Between the forbidden love, Angelic powers, and amazing characters you just can’t stop reading. I will be waiting impatiently for the next book, City of Heavenly Fire.

Halo: the fall or Reach
By: Eric Nylund


   Imagine humans 525 years into the future, with multiple planets we now call "home", and us at war with an alien group known as the covenant, and you've got this book. Prequel to the game series Halo, this book is a great science fiction read. On a human colony known as Harvest, an evil alien society attacks. Because of this we enter a huge war. But men win wars not guns... so we created the Spartans 9ft. tall genetically engineered super humans in huge power suits. This book follows the story of a 6 year old boy (later grows up) known as soldier John 117.
   I enjoyed this great book because of its story of how John was taken at an early age and endured difficult military training. As he grows up John faces life threatening encounters with the covenant. Asd I read this book i felt every hard pace he endured and the challenging trials he faced from bombing a ship to surviving long trips in snowy mountains. This book changes with great transitions from each and every year in spartan training. But all the training and violence pays off when he lives as the last spartan and  faces his most challenging trial yet on the planet Reach. Where the most important war happens in the whole universe.
   i highly recommend reading this great novel because of how well it is written. The great story in this book describes what would happen if we where ever at a point this high of hardship. This is one of my favorite books i have read by far. A

The Hobbit By: J. R. R. Tolkien By: Andrew Williams

Bilbo Baggins, a simple Hobbit, never asked for adventure. It literally came knocking on his door, 13 dwarve and Gandalf the wizard show up to tea to hire Bilbo as a thief in their quest to reclaim a hoard of treasure. It's stashed far away and guarded by a fierce dragon, Smaug. Bilbo will have to cross the Misty Mountains, troll and goblin country, and the untamed wilds of Mirkwood, where straying from the path can be deadly. In exchange, he gets an even share of the treasure and quite a story to tell. One of the dwarves in Bilbo's parlour is Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain son of Thror, King under the Mountain. The dwarves of the Lonely Mountain were a race of highly-skilled craftsmen, workers of stone and metals, wealthy and strong. That is Thorin's rightful inheritance, but the kingdom was lost to the worm dragon Smaug. Now Smaug sleeps deep in the heart of the mountain on his huge heap of treasure. One of the most significant events in the book is when Bilbo finds a magic ring, deep in the heart of the Misty Mountains, after he has been captured by goblins and taken down, down into the deep tunnels and black halls of the Great Goblin. The ring is a pretty handy thing to find because it enables Bilbo to escape from his captors and later on it helps him to confront Smaug the dragon. The ring makes you invisible. In the end, the confluence of events, including his daring rescue of the Dwarves, from a horde of larger-than-life spiders in Mirkwood, teaches Bilbo that he does indeed have a strength within himself. Bilbo finally faces the worst of his fears, conquers them, and confronts the deadly dragon Smaug, deep in the the Lonely Mountain. The moment when Bilbo overcomes his fear is the moment in which he, finally and completely, transforms from who he was into who he was always meant to be. Bilbo achieves his full potential and, as a result, gains treasures far greater than the gold he carries away from the Lonely Mountain, and like all Hero Quest stories, Bilbo must go back to his home. He and Gandalf finally take their final steps toward The Shire, Gandalf says, “My dear Bilbo! Something has happened to you. You are not the Hobbit you once were.”

The Hunger Games

     The Hunger Games is written by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games follows a 16 year old girl named Katniss. She lives in a nation called Panema. In Panema there are 12 districts. Each year the have the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is where a boy and a girl from each district gather in an arena and fight to the death. To choose the boy and girl they have a reaping. Ones name can be placed in it multiple times. This is where the story begins!

     Katniss lives with her mother and her sister, Prim. Katniss starts off the day of the reaping with her best friend Gale. They always go hunting in the woods together because Katniss loves using her bow and arrow. After hunting she goes home and heads to the reaping with Prim, her 12 year old sister(the youngest age for the reaping) and Prim is terrified of being called. However, Prim is chosen for the girls and Katniss volunteers to take her place! The boy chosen is Peeta and Katniss has a small connection with this boy. As a couple they draw attention to themselves in many ways. As the go in the arena to fight to the death who will survive?

     The hunger games is a very intense, action, adventure, romance book. The book hooks teenagers easily because it is a little bit of everything. I think Suzanne Collins wrote this book extremely well for the components she pit into it. It is fast paced and exciting! This book can be violent, so if you don't like violence or kids trying to kill other kids, I suggest not reading this book. On the other hand if you don't mind a little, go ahead and read this book! I give this book an A+. Here is a link to the movie trailer that is out already. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FovFG3N_RSU (this has two trailer in one video)

Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

     Heir Apparent is easily one of the funniest books I've read. Enough said.
     Giannine Bellisario wants to be a normal 14 year old like everyone else, but it's hard when your parents are divorced and you live with your grandmother because your father is working all day. Consequently, Giannine doesn't know her father very well, but still gets gifts from him. It's Giannine's birthday, and her father has sent her a $50 certificate to Rasmussem Enterprises, a popular gaming center.
     Rasmussem Enterprises is popular partially due to their total immersion virtual reality games. Giannine uses her certificate to play one virtual reality game called Heir Apparent. Unfortunately, the CPOC, or Citizens to Protect Our Children, were waiting outside Rasmussem in a riot against the gaming center stating that the video games were satanic. What's more, they raided Rasmussem and attacked the equipment - while Giannine was hooked up. Now Giannine only has so many tries until she's dead - both in the game and real life. Will she make it to the end of the game or die first?
     As I said before, this is one of the funniest books I have read, which largely improved my rating for the book. Giannine was very sarcastic at times and an overall likeable character - despite the occasional swearing. She interacted with the other characters well, and seeing as the game story made her a king, she kind of had to. Her choices added to the story, and to the theme, which I interpreted as mostly to make good choices; they can affect you in the long run.
     As for the grade I'd give the book, it would probably be an A easily. I mentioned more benefits than downgrades to the book, which should show that the benefit far outweighs the downgrades. I hope everyone gets the chance to read this book - it is seriously awesome.

Specials - Scott Westerfield

      To introduce this book, you should know this is the 3rd book of a series of 4. This book along with all the others revolves around the characters and the corrupt government, and how it is to be run. To understand these books, you have to understand that the setting begins in the future and not present day. Although there are many things in this book that do have ties to present days, but have the main idea of it expanded and taken to a higher extreme.
      Alright here we go, diving in, this book is a bit hard to explain without giving everything away but, it all starts right after Tally has joined the 'cutter' a group that uses cutting themselves as a way to keep their heads clear and focused. In the book prior to this Tally was a normal 'pretty' but sense joining the 'honorary' cutters she has became a special. By this Tally has had to undergo a surge that will make her beyond superhuman. With that, it proves itself to make it a crucial point throughout this book.
      I honestly liked this book but it wasn't my favorite out of the series. I think it did a great job at leaving little cliff hangers at parts though-out the book, they left you dying to read the next chapter and keep flipping the pages. Although I do have to admit that other parts of this book killed me, metaphorically. It seemed as if they we're dragging on too long, but I'm sort of an impatient person so that may explain it but that's just my personal take on it.
      "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have" - Thomas Jefferson. Without ruining this book I will leave you with this quote and mention that it surprisingly has a ton to do with this book.

enders game

Enders Game
By: Orson Scott Card

   The book enders game is a science fiction book that happens in the future. The book is about a young boy named ender Wiggin who grows up on earth but is chosen to go to battle school. In this book before The story takes place there was a war with the humans and an alien race we humans call "buggers". There is some footage of the war but it seems that some parts where taken out. The school is a training place to teach students how to battle by playing some games on these laptop like things called "desks". but that isnt the only thing they train with...
     In this school they play a game in suits that have laser tag like guns to shoot each other with, where ever you are shot your suit will restrict movement there. along with that, there is a trick to the game... the battle room has zero gravity. For me, I though that one of the most interesting things in this book is how  the students act with each other in the battle room. I agree with the teachers of the school that this will help the kids because they need to be prepared for zero gravity combat. I thought that how the author put these children together was brilliant because it shows the children what the military is like. This book changed my thoughts of deception and how the teachers lack of effort affects the students because to me it feels like the students run the school by themselves.
   All together, I thought this was an amazing book because of the feeling it gives you while reading. Sometimes i felt the emotions and pain that was brought to the characters. This book is one of my favorites because of how real the feelings in it are. I highly suggest reading it. Enders game the movie comes out this November. Over all, it is a great read. A+

The Mortal Instruments: City of Glass by Cassandra Clare is an incredible book written for young adults. The main idea with not only this book but, most of the books in the Mortal Instrument series, is good intentions will lead to success. Many of the characters find this easier said than done.

     
          In brief, this starts out where City of Ashes left off; Valentine is currently in possession of two of the three Mortal instruments. With the Mortal Cup and the Mortal Sword he can now raise demons and plans to destroy any Nephilim, A.K.A. Shadowhunters, that have ever interacted or consorted with a Downworlder. Clary and the Lightwoods set off for Idiris to find a potion to save Jocelyn, although, Jace has other plans in mind. When Magnus opens the portal to Alicante, the Lightwoods and Simon are attacked by hordes of demons and are forced to jump through the portal without Clary. Now with no way of joining the group, Clary must use her newly found talent and create a portal rune to take her into Idiris. When Clary jumps through her makeshift portal with Luke close behind, she quickly finds that she can't get into Alicante without authorization and instead is thrown into Lake Lyn and forced to hike to the gates.

After several chapters of exploring the new city and meeting new people, Clary journeys to find the Book of White that Jocelyn has hidden in a brilliantly named book (that you will just have to read to find out) in the Wayland manor. She is now accompanied by the handsome Sebastian, who Clary seems drawn to in a way. So not only does Clary have to worry about her mixed feelings for Jace and Simon, but what has now become an odd love square between them and Sebastian.

As the Nephilim prepare for the oncoming war, Jace and Clary must journey into the past to find out their true heritage. Once Jace has gone in search of Valentine, Clary must find a way to lessen the tension between Downworlders and Shadowhunters and create an alliance rune so they can all truly fight as one.

Without spoiling too much, I have to say that the ending of this book was probably the best out of all three and I would definitely read it again. This book was my favorite so far and will always be memorable. Especially, Jace's and Simon's wise crack jokes. One of the big issues that this book brings up is that you should always know where you stand and even if you feel your intentions are good they may be looked down upon by the angels and other people and are not always for the benefit of others but for yourself instead. I am in total agreement with Cassandra that in order for change, everyone needs to come together and work as one. This book goes to show that there are people in the world like Valentine but that there are also people like Clary and Jace. One person can make a difference and change the world.

All in all, City of Glass is my new found favorite in the series. Don't worry; most of your questions from the previous books will be answered in this book. Even though this book didn't have a suspenseful cliff hanger, it is still compelling you to read the next. I do have to advise you that this book is mildly gory and will be slightly confusing during the process of tying everything together. Besides that, this book will make you want to sit in the corner with your blanket, teddy bear, and all the Jace you can handle. It's an excellent read and you should definitely consider cracking open this series.

The Kill Order

   

       Life in the mountains for Mark was just starting to become bearable, when a berg flew into his little village, and started raining darts down at anyone they could. One of Marks good friends who had helped him through the sun flares, and many other exciting adventures got shot and went down right away. The people in the village realized that the people who got hit by the darts, caught a terrible virus that jumped from person to person making them go crazy and eventually die. Mark, Trina, Alec, and Lana all went out to follow the berg, and on their way they found another village that had the same thing happen. At that village they found a little girl who got hit by a dart, but wasn't sick.

      From there, they took the little girl and went to find why this happened, and if there was a cure for the horrible virus that they started calling, The Flare. Together they went on many action packed adventures, and actually found the people who started the whole thing. Mark and Trina, end up giving the little girl to these people, so that these people can make up for what they did, and test this girl to find the cure to The Flare.

        I really enjoyed how quickley i got hooked to this book, and I also liked how much action is in this book. It was well written and would be enjoyable to most teenagers. A few things I didn't like about this book is the swearing and detailed deaths that wasn't necessary. It doesn't swear a whole lot, but it still is annoying, because the swear words almost seem forced. The deaths were very vivid, and didn't need to be described as much as they were.

         Over all I gave this book a B+ because it was very interesting, and at the end of every chapter the author left a little cliff hangar to make one want to keep reading. It is a must for those who like the Mazer Runner series. I personally thought that Maze Runner was a little bit better than The Kill Order, but once you read The Kill Order, Maze Runner will mak a lot more sence. I would recomend this to those who like Hunger Games, or other books like that, but if you don't like gore, then you probably shouldn't read this book.

     

Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

 

    Point Blank is the second book of the Alex Rider series, following book 1, Stormbreaker.
     To recap, Alex Rider is a 14 year old boy who lives with his uncle, Ian Rider, and the housekeeper, Jack Starbright. However, Alex's uncle died in a suspected car crash and was found with his seat belt unbuckled - a precaution Ian always made sure to take. Alex had never known much about his uncle, and to satisfy his curiosities, he started to hunt down clues about Ian. All of what he uncovered eventually had him all tangled up in MI-6, Britain's top secret intelligence agency. After completing a mission that his uncle started, Alex has been called back from his normal life to complete another mission.
     One of the United States' most powerful man has died, and nobody knows the cause. Michael J. Roscoe was leaving his office for lunch, and when he stepped into his elevator, he disappeared, and was later found dead at the bottom of the elevator shaft. What's more, his son, Paul Roscoe, was sent to a finishing school for the sons of rich men and women, due to Paul's unsteady relationship with his father. However, MI-6 is suspicious and has decided to send Alex in as a student to investigate. After living with a rich family to get to know his environment, Alex is sent to the school where, right off the bat, meets the odd director.
     It took me a while to get fully hooked, assuming a day or two is a while. However, despite the slow beginning, the story picked up fairly quickly and kept me intrigued to the very end of the book, and then some, where you are left with a cliff hanger. I loved the action in the book, especially in the end (but then again, who doesn't love a good action novel?) where there was even action on the very last page.
     However, the theme of the book was a little cliche. There's a bad guy who wants to rule the world, but there is one person or group standing in their way that they have to get rid of first. This theme appears a lot in novels and even sometimes in real life, but there is only one solution that Horowitz also seems to agree on: good will always prevail over evil, or at least that is the solution in fiction. Sadly, the same is not always true in reality, but plenty of times it is. I think that despite the cliche theme and the other little downsides, anyone who gets their hands on this book ought to read it. This book deserves an A- grade - a grade that could be better, but not by much. I anticipate that the following books will be even better than this book was.

The Mark of Athena

        The Mark of Athena is the third book in The Heroes of Olympus series. This book is a delightful spin-off of the Percy Jackson series. It is a great book, and like the Percy Jackson series it is based on Greek and roman mythology. It has a moral throughout the whole story of coming together to fight the enemy not each other. Rick Riordan is perhaps one my favorite authors to read because his stories are imaginative easy to follow and almost always leaves you wanting more. Although this book is imaginative it is quite difficult to keep up with because of the fast pace. Other than the fast paced story telling it did everything I had hoped for from my favorite author.

        In the previous two books The Lost Hero and Son of Neptune we meet some new characters including the most important Jason. Also we learned that Percy and Jason have lost their memories and have been somehow transported to each others camps. In The Lost Hero Jason arrives at camp half blood and has to regain his memory. While in Son of Neptune Percy is doing the same only with the memory of Annabeth’s face and in Camp Jupiter. Finally now in the third book we see the two worlds meet.

            Annabeth is on her way with Jason, Piper, and Leo to Camp Jupiter in the Argo III to get Percy and try to unite the two camps. While the evil earth goddess Gaea plans to unleash her giant sons to take them under her control. Then after some talking some uneasy arguments the camps unite to fight the earth goddess. However along the way they must face some other conflicts other than the war ahead.

So just to recap The Mark of Athena was an amazing book. I can relate this book to The Hobbit because of the unique way in which the story is told. Also this book is based on the simple life moral of join together and fight the bigger issue that is on hand. Finally as I said before my only concern with the book is the tempo may be a little too fast for some readers. In a nutshell this book was fun and exciting to read and for these reasons I give The Mark of Athena an A.