The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Source: Borrowed Local Bookstore 
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.
When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.
I was really excited when I got this book. I loved Brightly Woven and became really excited for The Darkest Mind, when I heard about it. Luckily this book lived up to the hype and I enjoyed it. Ruby isn't the most likable character. She has been through a lot and appears rather mysterious at time. So much, that is it hard to understand some of her actions.  Liam also added to the story. He was such a sweet and caring person. I just loved him. I found the plot to be exciting and I just wanted to keep reading. I didn't find that it ever dragged and I kept on guessing what would happen next. I never felt overloaded as Bracken explained how the world became so dark and found it very intriguing. Her world slowly unraveled and I kept wanting to know more. Bracken's writing is just so gorgeous and helped me enjoy this book even more.  This world, the characters, and the writing captured my attention and I really enjoyed this book.  I can't wait to read the next book and I am excited to discover what happens next. If you are a fan of dystopic futures, you need to read this book as soon as possible. This is one of those books that just amazed me.

Origin by Jessica Khoury

 Source: Publisher
Pia has grown up in a secret laboratory hidden deep in the Amazon rain forest. She was raised by a team of scientists who have created her to be the start of a new immortal race. But on the night of her seventeenth birthday, Pia discovers a hole in the electric fence that surrounds her sterile home--and sneaks outside the compound for the first time in her life.
Free in the jungle, Pia meets Eio, a boy from a nearby village. Together, they embark on a race against time to discover the truth about Pia's origin--a truth with deadly consequences that will change their lives forever.
Origin is a beautifully told, shocking new way to look at an age-old desire: to live forever, no matter the cost.
There were things that I really enjoyed about Origin, but there were things that I didn't enjoy. I loved that the book was set in the Amazon. The description of the Amazon was lush and beautiful. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. I also found the scientist compound to be  well developed and like that setting, I could totally picture it. Sadly I didn't like Pia as much I wish I could. I like for my characters to have some sort of flaw and Pia's flaw was that she didn't really have one. She is constantly told that she is perfect and the arrogance that came from it annoyed me. Other people don't respect her and her allowance of that treatment annoyed me. She is also very naive and  I felt that it took her too long to discover the truth. At the same time, I found her feelings about immortality to be interesting and I enjoyed that aspect. I liked Eio at time. He seemed smart unlike the other villagers that just believed whatever the scientist told them. I hated the relationship that came from it. I found it to be unrealistic and definitely too insta-love. The plot was also really slow and predictable. I really wish that the premise had been executed differently. There was a lot of promise in this book, but it fell a bit short. I think that part of my disappointment might have  been that this was promoted as a Breathless Read, so I expected it to be fantastic. It was an okay read, but be warned that it is slow and much isn't revealed till the end. 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Source: Publisher
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future
I adore fairy tale retelling. Cinder luckily captured everything that Meyer wanted. It was a very creative and imaginative story. I loved Cinder. I found the cyborg aspect to be interesting and I liked how Meyer included how being a cyborg had pro and cons. I liked that she was strong and decisive. Iko was a fun character and I really liked her. Kai was amazing and I adored him. He was funny and also very persistent. The stepmother and  stepsisters were interesting, more so Peony. Queen Levana was well evil and I can't wait to see what she will do next. I found this plot to be really exciting and I didn't want to stop reading this book. The only issue that I had with this book was that the plot becomes really predictable at a certain point, but even with that I really enjoyed this book. I found this book to be really unique in how it was told. Meyer retold the tale in a matter that didn't sacrifice any of the world that she built. The world was really flawless and I want to know more about it. The lunar people, plague, and Cinder herself interest me and I hope that is addressed in Scarlet.  I am really excited to see where this series goes, especially with how this book ended. I recommend this book to  people that want a really epic book with a great cast of character and an awesome world. If you are lucky, this book will captivate you as much as it did me. I need more.

The 2013 Feminist Reads Challenge

Sara at the amazing blog, The Hiding Spot, is hosting the 2013 Feminist Reads Challenge. I decided to join, because I love strong female characters and also there are several books that I want to reread, so this qualifies for both. I am going for the hard level, which shouldn't be too hard. Either way, it sounds like a fun challenge, if you are interested or want to read Sara's original post here.
I'll keep you updated on the progress as the next year happens.

Six books that you should read in 2013

In no order...
1. Pivot Point by Kasie West
Pivot Point is epic, because it tells two stories at the same time. I became invested in the characters and just adored the plot. I am excited to see what she writes next.
2. Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook
I connected with the characters from the beginning. I didn't want to stop reading this book even when it was done.
3. Unremembered by Jessica Brody
I love Jessica Brody's other books, so I was excited to read this book from the beginning.
4. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard
This book has such a unique premise and I want more. I also loved Juliet. This book was just fantastic.
5. Taken by Erin Bowman
The world building of this book, was epic. I really enjoyed the character and it had a very fast pace plot.
6. Mind Games by Kiersten White
I don't know how to explain this book, but it was so awesome. The characters are easy to connect to and care for. The plot was also fast paced and awesome.
A more complete review for there book will come closer to their release date.

In My Mailbox: Week of December 30, 2012

For Christmas I received:
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Reached by Ally Condie
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
 Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
 Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers
 Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Recieved via Mail:
The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

I am so excited to read these books and they all sound amazing.

Every Day by David Levithan

Source: Publisher
In his New York Times bestselling novel, David Levithan introduces readers to what Entertainment Weekly calls a "wise, wildly unique" love story about A, a teen who wakes up every morning in a different body, living a different life.
Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl. 
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.
With his new novel, David Levithan, bestselling co-author of Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day.
I really enjoy Every Day. It was a lot different than anything that David Levithan has written. The concept of waking up in a different body everyday, was really interesting and I liked how Levithan explored the emotions and loneliness that A had everyday. I also enjoyed seeing A's analyze the characters as A woke up. I also enjoyed the relationship that developed between A and Rhiannon. The plot was really amazing and I felt myself captivated in the story. I really wanted to read more after this book ended. It is also very original. Levithan's writing is the best that it has ever been. Seriously I felt so many emotions in this book. I really hope that Levithan writes something like this book in the future. I really enjoyed it. I recommend this book, if you enjoyed Levithan's other books or if you want something unique in young adult fiction that has a twist in it.

WWW.. December 5th

WWW is a new meme for me that I found on Gail's Blog, Ticket to Anywhere. Anyways, it is hosted by Miz B at Should be Reading. I think that it will be a fun way to  organize my reading and encourage me to read more.

What are you currently reading?

 I just started reading Requiem By Lauren Oliver.

What did you recently finish reading?

I reread Pride and Prejuidice by Jane Austen for a class.I also read The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard, Taken by Erin Bowman, and Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi.

What do you think you’ll read next?

I think that Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, Everyone Sees the Ants or Ask the Passengers by AS King, Crash and Burn by Michel Hassan, or The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzab are possibilities. It is Final Weeks, so really anything goes. Plus I am going home soon and these are just the books that are in my dorm that sound good.

Top Ten Tuesday: Santa

It is Christmas Time again! Yay! I am working on Finals Week at the moment, so this is some great procasination. Here are the Top Ten Books that I wouldn't mind Santa Bring me:
1. Tilt by Ellen Hopkins:
I love Ellen's writing and this is based by the teens in Triangles, which I enjoyed. So I really want to read this one.
2. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor: 
So, Daughter of Smoke and Bones left on just a bit of a cliffhanger. I am dying to read this one.
3. Reached by Ally Condie:
Just another sequel that I want to read. Being poor in college kind of sucks.
4. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin:
I really enjoyed the first book and really want to read this one.

5. Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill:
This book sounds amazing and I keep on hearing amazing about it. I really want it. I also love the cover.
6. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFever
I have heard that this book is really epic and I really want to read it.
7. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson:
This has gotten good reviews and I also love Peter Pan. I want to read it.
8. The Third Killer Unicorn Book from Diana Peterfeund:
I hope that there will be a third book. I can totally wait ten years.
9. A few more books set in Hogwarts from J.K. Rowling:
I love these books and while the books haven't lost the magic. I fear someday that I won't find something new in the pages and that frightens me. I would love if there were more books that I haven't read 15 times, and while The Casual Vacancy is good, it isn't Harry Potter.
10. My textbooks:
They are kind of expensive and I could buy some of the books above with that money.

For the Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfeund

Source: Bought
It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.
But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.
Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, "For Darkness Shows the Stars" is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.
I have been trying to write this book for months, but every time I started it, I began to sound like a fangirl  So I apologize for that. I really loved this book. Like really liked it. Like I read slow, because I enjoyed the writing so much that I wanted to savor every single word. Elliot North is a strong girl with a lot of pressure on her, at the same time, she was very realistic and approachable. I just really liked her. Kai intrigued me from the beginning and I wanted to know everything about him. I enjoyed the relationship between Kai and Elliot. I liked that they could just stare at each other and I felt all of the emotions. The letters were a lovely way to introduce the past without having a large amount of information dumping. While reading, I would look ahead to see when the next letter was, because I was very anxious to read them all.The plot was very tense and I liked the feeling of not knowing everything and becoming surprised on the way. I haven't read Persuasion yet, but I know from Emma and Pride and Prejudice that Austen is a huge fan of surprising her readers and I was glad to see that Peterfeund kept this element. I also enjoyed the  world that she built. I was interested about everything from the solar cars to the Birth Houses. Peterfeund's writing is spectacular. The imagery and dialogue were amazing and I found that I wanted to read more. I can't wait for more from Peterfeund in the future, hopefully another killer unicorn book. Even if it isn't, I am already excited for the next book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Jane Austen and also to fans of romance. I promise that you will adore this book as much as I did. Even if you aren't in those categories  you should check it. It is one of those books that I would totally hand to everyone on the street, if I could afford to do so. This book is so magical and awesome.  It is now one of my favorites.