Nomansland

Nomansland by Lesley Hauge was recommended to me on Librarything.com and I am very glad it did. This book was great!

The book follows the life of a young girl named Keller who was born and raised in a small community of women only, called Foundland. Keller and the other teenage girls live tough lives, training to become the Patrol over Foundland.
These girls have been told of a great disease that killed almost everyone in the "Time Before" and now the few remaining men in the world are mutant creatures who are the enemy.


But, Keller soon discovers secrets about the older women in Foundland and realize that everything they have been preaching is a lie!

I loved the way this story was written. Because Keller couldn't share her findings with anyone, she had to figure it out on her own and as the pieces fell into place I felt like I was discovering the secrets with her.

The ending of the book leaves the reader on a kind of cliff hanger that points to a definite sequel but the author has said she's currently working on a prequel, which could be just as interesting!

I look forward to that, and a possible conclusion :)

Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is an amazingly sad novel. I was brought to tears at least twice and ended the book smiling through my tears.

The story is about a girl named Samantha who, after her and her friends get into a car accident begins to relive the same day, February 12th, over and over. She goes through each day differently, at first rebelling and doing everything and saying everything she ever wanted to and then trying to figure out how to stop the loop.

My only issue with the book is how absolutely annoying Samantha can be. She handles some situations so badly I sincerely hope there is no real person her character is based off of. Other than that, her character is so believable and real it's impossible not to become deeply attached to her.

Overall, this is a great book which I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for some chick-lit, young adult drama with a seriously mature and profound undertone.  

The Fault in Our Stars

As a self declared Nerdfighter, I must say I was tremendously excited about The Fault in Our Stars (#tfios) by John Green and let me say, it did not disappoint.

The novel follows the lives of Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers who had cancer and was in remission. Of course they fall in love but what is so amazing about this story is not what they learn about each other but what they learn about themselves.

They read a book called An Imperial Affliction and because the ending of that book is so abrupt they seek out the author and find out what happens to the characters.

I don't want to give too much away about the plot because it adds so much to the story to walk blindly into it. One moment I have to stop reading because I'm laughing so much and the next SECOND I'm sobbing like a baby; it's just that good.

So, I definitely suggest you go to your local bookstore and buy this book. Don't just borrow it from the library because I guarantee this is a re-read book.

Also, check out John's vlogs that he does with his brother at www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers!

Graceling

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is an absolutely amazing story that is unique to anything I've ever read before.

In this world, there are people who are "Graced" with special abilities like fighting, mind-reading, swimming, running. These Gracelings are marked with two different coloured eyes. This story follows the life of one remarkable Graceling girl, Katsa, who's ability is difficult to pin down because she's great at many different things, especially fighting through brute strength.

One day Katsa seemingly meets her match, Prince Po, and they go on an incredible adventure to discover, and kill, a seemingly corrupt king.

I must admit it took me a while to finish this book because it did have moments where the story seemed to drag on and I got a little bored. But, overall this is definitely a book I would recommend to everyone. The reader is taken along with Katsa as she discovers that she's not just an unbeatable fighter; she's capable of so much more. And I think that element of discovery, and how she evolves is what makes this such an epic story.

Nothing but love for this book.

XVI

XVI by Julia Karr was fantastic! It has renewed my faith in teen dystopia novels.

It's the year 2150 and the world is completely different, at least in the way that women are treated. On a girls 16th birthday she is required to get a tattoo on her wrist, a XVI, to let people around her know that she is "legal". Originally, this law was passed to protect girls but now the tattoo is a free pass for men to do what they want to these girls, no matter what the girl wants.

Nina, a 15 year old girl, is dead nervous about turning sixteen, or as the other teens call it, sexteen. But, with her birthday looming, it's not the only thing she has to worry about. Tragedy strikes her family and as she slowly begins to discover family secrets she realizes her life is in danger.

What I absolutely love about this book is how SMART Nina is. Unlike other female protagonists in dytopia novels, Nina isn't convinced she needs to deal with all of her troubles on her own. She seeks the help of her friends and family, making sure they know what's going on. Also, even though she does have a love interest in this book, Nina doesn't drop her entire life to be with this guy, she doesn't even drop her less than sensible best friend. This is the strong heroine that's been missing from the last few books I've read.

Great book. Great characters. Ending leaves a little to be desired. But, of course, there is a sequel.

Shapeshifting for the Win

My opinion of Shapeshifting for the Win by Ellie Greene and Jacquline Carrera is divided. Some aspects I loved and sometimes I felt like the book couldn't end soon enough.

The story is about a girl named Brianna who accidentally gets infected with werewolf blood and subsequently begins to transform into a werewolf. She might be able to manage it but she finds out that Conner's (her boyfriend's) mother and father are werewolf hunters!

When Conner realizes that Brianna is turning into a werewolf he enlists the help of his brother, Evan, to help her get through what's happening to her. Then all hell breaks loose.

Written from the point of view of three different characters; Brianna, Conner and Evan, the story is action packed and very detailed. That being said, I found myself getting frustrated with the constant switch in story line.

Overall, this book isn't great or terrible.. but the ending gives the impression of a possible sequel so as the story develops it might get better.

3/5 stars? yeah.

Delirium

Delirium by Lauren Oliver was alright. I'm not going to say it was the best book evarrr but it wasn't the worst either.

The story takes place in an undisclosed future where the US government has found a cure for LOVE! They call the love "disease" Delirum and while there isn't much of an explanation of what the cure is exactly, it seems to be some sort of incision.

Since love was banned there hasn't been any war or hate because you can't hate something unless you love something else. The government dictates your life mate, the number of children you have, where you will live and where you will work because after the cure you don't seem to care about that stuff anymore.

Lena, almost 18 and closing in on cure day, meets a 19 year old boy named Alex who she originally thought was cured but then finds out he isn't! He introduces her to the world beyond the walls she was caged into her whole life.. blah blah blah.

This same situation has been repeated so many times it's getting a bit annoying. For once I would like the heroine of one of these stories to not vow to give up her entire life to be with this one guy she meets? It's a terrible message for young girls reading these stories. Where are the Lyra Belacquas and Katniss Everdeens in these stories?

Anyway, while I do have issues with this book, the concept is pretty interesting and the story ends on a major cliff hanger that makes me want to pick up the next book in the series Pandemonium which is set to be released on March 6th.

Should you read it? Yea, give it a go.