The Death Cure by James Dashner
This is the final installment of the Maze Runner series. In this fast-paced conclusion, Thomas finds himself secluded from the rest of the Gladers, awaiting word from WICKED as to when to expect a cure for the Flare. He finds out that not only isn't there a cure, but that WICKED needs him (because he is immune to the Flare) to develop one. However, Thomas and the other immune Gladers escape to try and find a life outside of WICKED. They encounter many oppositions which lead them back to WICKED for one final stand-off. (3.5/5 stars)
The Kill Order by James Dashner
This prequel to the Maze Runner series tells the story of Mark and Trina, two teens facing the end of civilization as they know it. With a recent pandemic caused by sun flares and rising heat, people are dying and the survivors are revolting. Mark and Trina, their allies, and anyone who will join them along the way, set out into the unknown on a fight for survival. (2.5/5 stars)
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
Told from the perspective of Owen's best friend John, this is the story of a remarkable short-statured boy who always seemed to be fated for something great. Tragedy brought the two boys together and this chronicles the years of their friendship as well as the extraordinary talents and unusual happenings of one, Owen Meany. (5/5 stars)
The Briar King by Greg Keyes
This story is set in a futuristic, yet medieval time period. The Kingdom of Crotheny is about to be ravaged by ancient spirits from the King's forest. The King, Queen, and their four children are the targets in an effort for a new house to take the throne. Knights, monks, nuns, and mysterious creatures alike cannot be trusted. Who has awakened the Briar King? (3/5 stars)
The Charnel Prince by Greg Keyes
This second novel from the Briar King series focuses on the search (by many parties) for Princess Anne and her maid, Austra. Many returning characters are involved in the search, and more mysterious creatures are introduced, as well as some new characters. The hunt for the Briar King also continues, as is the pursuit of those who are responsible for the attacks on the royal family. (3/5 stars)
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingslover
This is a story of 3 separate love stories all occuring among the forests and farms of the Appalachian mountains. One story is of a widow trying to win over the family of her deceased husband; another of an elderly widower and his ongoing feud over land with his neighbor; and finally, of a biologist studying wolves in the wilderness, trying to run away from love, and finding it in the most unexpected of places. (3.5/5 stars)
Son by Lois Lowry
This is last book in the "The Giver Quartet". We meet Claire, a Birthmother, a Vessel, for the newchildren in the community of sameness. Her first birth does not go as planned, so she is released from her duties. But, she cannot forget the newchild she carried and birthed--so much so that she'd give up anything and everything to find him. (4/5 stars)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A story set in the late 19th century, early 20th century in Europe and New England. It's the story of Celia and Marco, two illusionists chosen at a very young age for a competition within the realm of magical arts. Amidst the competition, a circus is created--one only held at night. A circus of strange characters and death defying acts. As the story unfolds, we learn all involved in the circus have hidden secrets to be revealed--ones that even the night cannot keep concealed. (4/5 stars)
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Meet Cath. She's a college freshman, a twin, has a single Dad, and might be the number one fan of the popular Simon Snow series. She even writes fanfiction on a Simon Snow website. Her life changes when she goes off to college--her twin sister wants a life of her own, her high school boyfriend breaks up with her, and she can't even find the dining hall. Slowly, but surely, Cath starts to make friends, first with her roommate and her roommate's boyfriend, and then, with her writing partner from her fiction writing class. She even begins to discover love, real love, for the first time. (4/5 stars)
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Witty book about a privileged but dysfunctional family in Seattle who are coming to terms with changes in their lives. Told through a compilation of emails, notes, and first-person narrative of daughter Bee, this story surrounds the sudden mental breakdown and ultimate disappearance of her mother, Bernadette and a daughter's desperate need to get her back. (3.5/5 stars)
My favorite book this month was A Prayer for Owen Meany. I was surprised that I hadn't read it before, especially as a fan of John Irving. I had no idea that the movie Simon Birch was loosely based on it (and I hadn't seen that in years, so I got it from the library and watched it). Onto May!
Told from the perspective of Owen's best friend John, this is the story of a remarkable short-statured boy who always seemed to be fated for something great. Tragedy brought the two boys together and this chronicles the years of their friendship as well as the extraordinary talents and unusual happenings of one, Owen Meany. (5/5 stars)
The Briar King by Greg Keyes
This story is set in a futuristic, yet medieval time period. The Kingdom of Crotheny is about to be ravaged by ancient spirits from the King's forest. The King, Queen, and their four children are the targets in an effort for a new house to take the throne. Knights, monks, nuns, and mysterious creatures alike cannot be trusted. Who has awakened the Briar King? (3/5 stars)
The Charnel Prince by Greg Keyes
This second novel from the Briar King series focuses on the search (by many parties) for Princess Anne and her maid, Austra. Many returning characters are involved in the search, and more mysterious creatures are introduced, as well as some new characters. The hunt for the Briar King also continues, as is the pursuit of those who are responsible for the attacks on the royal family. (3/5 stars)
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingslover
This is a story of 3 separate love stories all occuring among the forests and farms of the Appalachian mountains. One story is of a widow trying to win over the family of her deceased husband; another of an elderly widower and his ongoing feud over land with his neighbor; and finally, of a biologist studying wolves in the wilderness, trying to run away from love, and finding it in the most unexpected of places. (3.5/5 stars)
Son by Lois Lowry
This is last book in the "The Giver Quartet". We meet Claire, a Birthmother, a Vessel, for the newchildren in the community of sameness. Her first birth does not go as planned, so she is released from her duties. But, she cannot forget the newchild she carried and birthed--so much so that she'd give up anything and everything to find him. (4/5 stars)
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A story set in the late 19th century, early 20th century in Europe and New England. It's the story of Celia and Marco, two illusionists chosen at a very young age for a competition within the realm of magical arts. Amidst the competition, a circus is created--one only held at night. A circus of strange characters and death defying acts. As the story unfolds, we learn all involved in the circus have hidden secrets to be revealed--ones that even the night cannot keep concealed. (4/5 stars)
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Meet Cath. She's a college freshman, a twin, has a single Dad, and might be the number one fan of the popular Simon Snow series. She even writes fanfiction on a Simon Snow website. Her life changes when she goes off to college--her twin sister wants a life of her own, her high school boyfriend breaks up with her, and she can't even find the dining hall. Slowly, but surely, Cath starts to make friends, first with her roommate and her roommate's boyfriend, and then, with her writing partner from her fiction writing class. She even begins to discover love, real love, for the first time. (4/5 stars)
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Witty book about a privileged but dysfunctional family in Seattle who are coming to terms with changes in their lives. Told through a compilation of emails, notes, and first-person narrative of daughter Bee, this story surrounds the sudden mental breakdown and ultimate disappearance of her mother, Bernadette and a daughter's desperate need to get her back. (3.5/5 stars)
My favorite book this month was A Prayer for Owen Meany. I was surprised that I hadn't read it before, especially as a fan of John Irving. I had no idea that the movie Simon Birch was loosely based on it (and I hadn't seen that in years, so I got it from the library and watched it). Onto May!
2 comments:
It seems you like a lot of YA fiction. (I do, too!) Have you read the "Tomorrow Before the War Began" series by John Marsden? There are 6 books and they are really good. Another of my very favorites in YA fiction is "Z for Zechariah" by Robert C. O'Brien. Read that one next if you've never. So good!!
I do enjoy a lot of YA. Thanks for the recommendations! Z is for Zechariah is already on my to-read list. I'll have to check out the other one! My favorite YA series this year is the Lunar Chronicles by Marisa Meyer. There are three books so far: Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress. Next one, Winter, comes out this winter. I highly recommend them!
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