Review: We All Looked Up

We all Looked Up by Tommy Wallach
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: March 24, 2015

A group of high schoolers, each with their own problems and their own labels, are suddenly faced with the possibility of dying prematurely when it is announced that Ardor, a meteor big enough to wipe out the earth, has a 66.6% chance of collision with earth. It is stated that everyone only has two more months to live.

Told from the perspectives of four different students, WE ALL LOOKED UP perfectly captures an apocalyptic atmosphere through the eyes of teenagers who have yet to live their lives, and are presented with the knowledge that they most likely will not get to live them. Desperation and vulnerability is prominent throughout the book as the story plays out, displaying different ways of coping, or lack thereof, with seemingly inevitable death. The writing style is very easy to get into and quite quirky at some parts. With a colorful cast of characters, displaying a brilliant amount of diversity, there are characters whom you can find relatable, or straight out hate, but will respect for being marvelous characters nonetheless. I'd recommend this book for people 14 years old and up, due to profanity and mature themes. I'd also like to say that if you struggle with anxiety then this book may be slightly triggering for you. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and have already recommended it to several of my close friends!

Review: The Conspiracy of Us

The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
Publication date: January 13, 2015
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Sixteen-year-old Avery Hall has never stayed anywhere very long. Her mom's job keeps them constantly moving from place to place. But then, one day in a small town, Jack Bishop shows up and changes Avery's life by telling her the truth about her family. He then leads her on a journey from Paris to the alleys of Istanbul with Stellan, another boy hiding many secrets. Of course, he is not the only one. Everybody is hiding secrets, including Avery, secrets that she didn't even know mattered. As Avery discovers more and more about who she really is, she also finds out that many people want to use her as a pawn, while others want her dead. What will she do to retain her freewill while rescuing those she loves?

THE CONSPIRACY OF US was an incredible book. It was action-packed and always suspenseful. I was rushing to get to the last page, was constantly wondering and needing to know every character's secrets, as they all were keeping something hidden. The characters all have fun and relatable personalities, and I loved the touch of romance and the forbidden love between Jack and Avery. I also loved the way that Maggie Hall created the Circle of Twelve. She did an incredibly good job introducing something complex and creative into today's already complex society. The only negative thing I can say is that the book ended on a cliffhanger, with the conflict unresolved. I can't wait for the sequel! (Because that can not have been the end, Maggie Hall).

Review: My Best Everything

My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp
Publication date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Yesterday, I found myself thinking about Lulu and Mason driving into the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains to go river rafting, as if it were a memory from my own life; that's how vivid and alive this book felt to me. The summer after high school, Lulu is desperately trying to make enough money to send herself to college, by making moonshine with the help of Mason and her two best friends. Sarah Tomp does a fantastic job of telling the story of a girl who realizes the rest of her life might depend on whatever happens in one summer. Lulu has always wanted nothing more than to get out of the small town of Dale, yet now she finds it hard to imagine truly saying goodbye to all she has known, and to the possibilities of what life could be like if she stayed. As Lulu faces bigger decisions than she ever had to before, she wonders about whether fate really does exist: is there such a thing as someone or something that's meant to be? This story perfectly captures emotions about the overwhelming idea of one's future I have often found so hard to articulate. I loved this book and wished it didn't have to come to an end! I would recommend it for anyone!

Review: Tracers

Tracers by J.J. Howard
Publication date: January 8, 2015
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

I would rate TRACERS by J.J. Howard a five out of five. It is definitely one of my favorite books that I've read in the last few months, or even years. Not only is there a great love story between Cam and Nikki, but there is also a brilliantly woven plot. The writer expertly uses knowledge of parkour to enhance the experience for the reader and add an element of danger to this story. I could not put this book down. The characters are intriguing with their stories and struggles, and the complex web of relationships, loyalties, and betrayals leaves nothing to be desired. I am glad I had the privilege to read this book, because I really enjoyed it. With many a twist and turn, it is impossible to leave off at the end of a chapter, especially when you empathize with the protagonist, as you will, when you read it. I liked this book a lot and I think other people will too.

Review: Mark of the Thief

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Publication date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Scholastic

The book, MARK OF THE THIEF, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is a great adventure story about a boy named Nic who discovers Julius Caesar's bulla, which gives him great power. However, this great power comes with a great cost. When he hears of his enemies' plans to defeat Rome, he and his friends know they must stop it. This is a great, jaw-dropping book that has intense action, comedy, and a little romance. I would recommend this book to ages nine and up due to all the action. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would like to see some of the authors other books, and can not wait for the sequel!

Review: The Third Twin

The Third Twin by C.J. Omololu
Publication date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte

As children, Lexi and her twin, Ava, made up a third twin sister, Alicia. Alicia was constantly blamed for the small mischievous wrongdoings that the girls would do. If something broke, if the cookies got eaten, Alicia was always to blame. Now the girls, as seniors, use Alicia in a completely different way. Alicia is their way to date boys that they would never date as themselves. But suddenly, one of Alicia's boyfriends has turned up dead. Lexi is ready to stop being Alicia altogether, but Ava insists on continuing the game and that nothing is wrong. Coincidences start piling up, and DNA evidence of the murder points to one suspect: Alicia; a girl who doesn't exist. Is Alicia real? Or could Ava be a killer?

This book is a total page-turner. The murder mystery and suspense constantly keeps you wondering and curious. The characters are all very interesting, and I like how the narrator is one of the twins. I think that it would have been even better if the book switched perspectives between the twins. I think that this could have increased the suspense and deepened the mystery of the story. Other than this, though, I think the plot and writing are great overall. I would recommend this book for people 14 and over, as there are sexual scenes and references throughout the book.

Review: Inherit Midnight

Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers
Publication date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

INHERIT MIDNIGHT is about a girl named Avery who races around the world doing challenges based on her ancestor’s past, and competing to win the family inheritance. There is a lot of action in this book, but it is mixed in with a lot of details about her stuck-up family and her love interest, who by the way, seemed very realistic, which I normally find never happens. The bits to do with her family were very relatable to me, even though I don’t think anyone’s family is as full of secrets as Avery’s. Another reason I particularly liked this book is because the main character is such a strong and independent female, who doesn't let her love interest get in the way of her main goal; winning the family inheritance. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who likes action fiction, but who doesn't necessarily want that to be the only thing they get from a novel. Ages 12 and up.