Locked in Time by Lois Duncan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nore is visiting her father and and his new wife and family in Louisina for the first time since her mother has died. Her father had suddenly remarried. When Nore gets to the plantation home, there is no phone and very limited electricity. Her new step siblings treat her nice, if not a little strange. Nore starts to realize that all may not be what it seems with her new family and sets out to prove as much to her dad.

I was a huge Lois Duncan fan way back when I was in high school. I think this a good addition to any YA collection. It is like Tuck Everlasting, but a little scarier. I really like how Lois duncan is a pretty timeless writer.


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Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Naomi thinks she is in love with her best friend Ely even though she knows Ely is gay. She is dating Bruce #2 (after using Bruce #1 and leaving him longing for her). Ely kisses Bruce #2 knowing that he is dating Naomi. Bruce #2 realizes he would rather be with Ely than Naomi. Naomi is seemingly ok with Ely kissing Bruce #2, but then gets very upset when she finds out he was hiding in Ely's closet and Ely didn't tell her. Naomi sulks for a really long time and tires dating Bruce #1 again and then starts liking Gabe (#2 on the No Kiss List). In the end, Ely and Naomi realize they can't give up on their best friendship.
I normally like David Levithan books. This book is written from multiple perspectives. That is a tricky thing to do, and this book does it okay. It was not too difficult to figure out whose perspective the chapter was about. That being said, this book was not that great. I think the two main characters were very annoying, belittling and obnoxious. They were very self centered.


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All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine living in a world where you are charged for every word and gesture because they are copyrighted. In this dystopian novel, once someone turns $15, they have to pay for spoken word, every nod, every scream and every gesture. Speth Jime has always known that the moment she turned 15, she would have to give her Last Day speech and celebrate her transition into adulthood by choosing brands to align with and support. If not, she risks going into debt for every word she speaks.

Right before she is about to give her Last Day speech, her friend commits suicide rather than having to live under a life of family debt. This makes Speth question the world in which she lives. She chooses not to say anything at all, or make any costly gestures or nods. She still wants to make sure her family is taken care of, and doesn't realize the rebellion that her defiant behavior will cause.

After a terrible attack, she meets Henri and his group. She needs to find out if this is where she belongs, and who she can trust.

This is such an interesting concept. The story is well-written, and the characters are pretty well developed.


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The Empress by S.J. Kincaid

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Empress is the sequel to The Diabolic. You will definitely want to read The Diabolic first!

This book takes off pretty much where The Diabolic ends. Tyrus is Emperor and Nemesis is going to become Empress. There are many who do not want so see this happen, the strongest opponent being Senator von Pasus.

Tyrus and Nemesis hatch a plan to visit the Sacred City and establish whether it and the Interdict (Supreme Leader) really exist or not. Their plan is successful, and they learn long forgotten secrets and Nemesis granted personhood. They hope this will make people more accepting of her as Empress.

Senator von Pasus has also developed his own plan. Tyrus and Nemesis get caught up in a plan they think they can control, but find out they can't.

There are many twists and turns. The story is engaging. For a sequel, it is very well written and doesn't just feel like a book to get you by until the next one is released. Many questions are resolved and new ones are created.

I highly recommend this book for Science Fiction Dystopian readers!




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Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed

Gather the Daughters is a disturbing hypnotic novel. It can easily become a companion novel for The Handmaids Tale.

Sometime in the past, a group of men decided to colonize an island and create a new society. They built their society based on fundamental rules and limited knowledge sharing. This novel takes place generations after the founding of this new society and they still follow the fundamental rules. Only certain men, the Wanders who are descendents of the original founders, are allowed to ever leave the island. The daughters of this society are expected to marry and have children after they start their first cycle. Before their first sign of puberty, they are the property of their dads in every way.

In the summer, children who have not yet hit puberty have free reign. It is almost a Lord of the Flies feel. Everything and anything goes; children sleep outside; adults leave food on the porch but are not able to intervene or interact with the children. It is during one summer that something terrible happens. Janey Solomon, a born rebel, tries to seek the truth. She spearheads a semi-rebellion that has devastating consequences.

The story is written from alternating character viewpoints which allows for great character development. The plot is engaging, if not a bit disturbing. I would recommend this for adult or mature readers.



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Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Genuine Fraud by e. Lockhart

If you love mysteries this one is for you! It reminds me of ABC show The Catch. It is really hard to write a review of this book without giving away important information, but I will try.

The book starts with Jule in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Jule has not had the easiest life. She becomes friends with wealthy Imogene. Imogene and Jule become fast BFF's. They travel and have a good time. There is intrigue, mistaken identity, romance and suspense.

All of the characters are well developed. The plot moves very fast. It tells the story in reverse order and has many twists and turns. This book was so hard to put down! I read it in one sitting. I declare this a must read for 9th grade and up!



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