So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

Hardcover, 361 pages  Published June 11th 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books  ISBN  0062192132 (ISBN13: 9780062192134)

This was a book that left me with more questions than answers, which is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when it comes to a series. It is also a story that will one moment be in a normal high school setting connecting with friends, and the next in a high-paced fast action fight scene. .

Gamers will appreciate the way this world is put together. There are points that can be gained and lost; energy or power gauges that maintain whether you stay in the game or die. There’s also the fact that in the end it’s always your life that is at risk and not all team members are team players.

The chapters vary between Miki’s life at school and knowing that any moment she can be pulled from it. The real world pauses while the game is played, to return exactly to the moment she left, having to resume as if all is normal again. There is little to no contact with the other team members while in the real world, and if you die in the game, you die in real life. The jumping back and forth between each world was a little off-putting to me, because personally, I couldn’t understand how anything besides fighting the Drau was important any more once you learn of their existence. But it’s all part of the game, you don’t get to choose when or where. It just is.

It is a plot driven story with a focus on the Game. Characters and world building come next, right in time to get you pumped up for the continuation for what will happen next. With very little downtime to develop any more than basic friendships and least of all a romance, Rush is a science fiction adventure story of survival.

On Day 56 of the pandemic called BluStar, sixteen-year-old Nadia’s mother dies, leaving her responsible for her younger brother Rabbit. They secretly received antivirus vaccines from their uncle, but most people weren’t as lucky. Their deceased father taught them to adapt and survive whatever comes their way. That’s their plan as they trek from Seattle to their grandfather’s survivalist compound in West Virginia.

Using practical survival techniques, they make their way through a world of death and destruction until they encounter an injured dog; Zack, a street kid from Los Angeles; and other survivors who are seldom what they seem. Illness, infections, fatigue, and meagre supplies have become a way of life. Still, it will be worth it once they arrive at the designated place on the map they have memorized. But what if no one is there to meet them?

Hardcover, 288 pages  Published June 11th 2013 by Delacorte Press  ISBN 0385739737 (ISBN13: 9780385739733)

After Nadia and Rabbit’s parents die, they must travel to find the only family they have left, their Uncle who helped them survive the BluStar pandemic. But as Rabbit and Nadia begin their journey, they come across many different types of survivors, all paranoid and all watchful of their possessions. They find friendship and help from Zack, who soon joins them.

I have read a lot of young adult survival stories this year, each one as good as the next. This is the first one written with a younger age group in mind. There are subtle references to the danger of the outside world, but nothing too gruesome or uncomfortable. There is also a strong influence of family and for the most part, a firm belief in rebuilding communities rather than further destruction. They do, however, come across a couple of situations that they must run from or fight dangerous gangs.

Rabbit, the younger of the two, takes the lead in guiding them in their travels. He is smart, has read the manuals and keeps in mind how many supplies they have left. Nadia is the protector, does most of the interacting with other people and makes the final decisions.

The pacing of the story is stop and go. They come up against several different blockades, and when they find a safe place they stay for awhile, this allows for some of the character relationships to grow. Through flashbacks, and Nadia’s memories from before her parents had died, we also learn about the BluStar virus and its effects on the world population.

I have become a huge fan of survival stories and the close relationship of Nadia and Rabbit in A Matter of Days is comforting. The fact that there are suspenseful yet not too intense moments made this a very entertaining read. The author’s research on the effects of pandemics shows throughout the story. Even though their parents are no longer with them, the lessons their uncle taught them, carries them on and helps them to survive every day. 

Who wouldn’t want to be part of the cool crowd? Who wouldn’t want to be well known and looked up to by everyone? And who would rather go to parties with celebrities than sit at home?

But what would you do, and what would you be willing to risk, to become popular and a part of this crowd? Turn your back on your only friend, lie to both your parents and boyfriend, break into school and tepee the principal’s house; Brooklyn did that, and much more.

What the Spell follows Brooklyn, a not so normal teenage girl, on her journey to popularity and to becoming a member of The Elite in her high school. Never having stuck out, never having done or been anyone special, Brooklyn has always looked up to The Elite – the cool crowd of kids at her high school. But Brooklyn isn’t just the normal outcast girl you read about in every other story, she’s a witch and has just recently received her powers.

All witches receive their powers once they are born, but not Brooklyn. Brooklyn’s parents wanted her to live a normal life, and learn to cherish her powers once she was old enough. Brooklyn has always known she was a witch and has spent many days online researching and chatting on forums with other witches about spells. Brooklyn already knew which spell she would cast first as soon as she got her powers – a beautifying spell.

After changing almost her entire appearance, Brooklyn is finally noticed by The Elite; exactly what she was hoping for. But looking good and eating lunch on stage with The Elite isn’t all Brooklyn has to do to become an official member. She has to prove her worth. To do this, Brooklyn is asked to tepee the principal’s house, and to break into the school and get The Elite members the chance to look at their files (which happen to be in Brooklyn’s only friend’s office).

After doing anything and everything they ask of her, Brooklyn realizes that The Elite aren’t the kind of people she wants to be friends with anyway. And that becoming a member isn’t as important to her, as it was in the beginning of the story.

The characters in What the Spell were kind of irritating… in a good way, if that makes sense. Brooklyn is this girl who doesn’t really know what she wants or who she is yet. She’s just got these butt kicking witch powers, but quickly uses them for the wrong reasons. She has always looked up to this “cool” group of kids, just to discover that they aren’t that cool after all (I could have told her that all along!).

The Elite is comprised of a few wealthy kids, who spend their lunch time eating on a stage, their weekends partying with celebrities, and any other time bullying or mistreating other people. While I can see why Brooklyn would want to become a part of The Elite, I can also see why her boyfriend constantly denies their invites to any social events.

Brooklyn’s only true friend is her councillor, who I can easily say I really liked. But I do feel that she could have spent more time talking to Brooklyn about The Elite and why it wouldn’t be a good idea to become a member.

The ending wasn’t anything too crazy or unexpected which I didn’t mind. For this story, I actually liked it. There was already so much to learn and so much going on throughout the story, that I felt a twist or unbelievable ending wasn’t needed. In the end, everything is made right.  Throughout What the Spell, she discovers herself and the person she really wants to be, which is a good daughter and a loyal friend.

Overall, What the Spell was a fun and light read (listen, since I had it on audio!). Though I found myself wanting to grab Brooklyn by the shoulders, give her a good shake and to tell her to open her eyes, I really enjoyed the story. What the Spell did start off a little slower than I would have liked but it quickly picked up with the different tasks The Elite required Brooklyn to accomplish. Also, the relationship between Brooklyn and her boyfriend kept this interesting and sweet. I would recommend this book on audio to anyone who is looking for something light and quick. This isn’t exactly a beach read, but it would be good for a relaxing day on the front porch in a comfy hammock.

What if the world’s worst serial killer…was your dad?

Jasper “Jazz” Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he’s also the son of the world’s most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal’s point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo’s Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

Hardcover, 361 pages  Published April 3rd 2012 by Little, Brown and Company

ISBN  0316125849 (ISBN13: 9780316125840)

Jazz has witnessed things no young person should ever see. His father not only gave detailed information about his procedures as a serial killer, but show and tell was a common past time in their house. In the opening scenes of this story we witness as Jazz watches the police procedures as they discover a murdered woman. Jazz uses the knowledge he’s obtained through his father to walk the reader through details of what is looked for in a crime scene, and what may have been missed.

I was a little surprised at how much information the police department revealed to Jazz throughout the story. Jazz not only seemed very comfortable in his several interactions with the detectives, but they, for the most part were very open to revealing aspects of the case. Aside from my own doubts that such events could really happen, it does lead to a very interesting plot.

The story starts off at a pretty high point and that continues throughout the story. The tension builds and the connections between characters and their involvement sets a good pace. The feel of this book reminded me of the movie Murder by Numbers starring Sandra Bullock. The reader is given details of each case, not only from Jazz’s perspective, but from the detective’s as well. 

Jazz may look to have a normal teenage social life, but his time outside school is beyond anything normal. He is a very likeable character with an unusual pastime. The story is a very fast paced read with twists, thrills and mystery.

In the mood for a period book with the pomp and ceremony of Pride and Prejudice, twists and turns of Sherlock Holmes, and the teen drama of Anne of Green Gables?

Imagine being summoned to London when you’ve always believed yourself to be adopted child, only to discover you have sisters and an aunt. And not only are they your sisters but 2 thirds of a set of triplets… yeah. Consider that your mind would be pretty much blown.

Now think that your adopted families are finding it difficult to get by in the 1920’s, and the reason you and your sisters have been called to London is to fight a half brother for the fortune that is rightfully, collectively, yours.

How amazing would that scenario be?

This is pretty much the wrap on The Heiresses. Cool, huh?

It is the full package.

I adore the vivid way Allison describes 1920’s London. She sets it up so well, I want take a Tardis and travel back in time. Fashions, lifestyle, and the way women are starting to fight for their rights.

Her characters are vastly different from one another. Their voices are strong and even though there is that sister I want to slap, she is still lovable in her fractured way.

Allison has nailed 1920’s Girl Power.

If you enjoyed the Montmaray Journals by Michelle Cooper, you’ll be swept up in the delight that is The Heiresses.