"Independent Study (The Testing #2) by Joelle Charbonneau; a Review by Anne

Independent Study (The Testing #2)

by Joelle Charbonneau (Goodreads Author)

Independent Study (The Testing, #2) 4.14 of 5 stars 4.14  ·  rating details  ·  69 ratings  ·  30 reviews

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the governm...more In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her. (From Goodreads.com)

 

I love it when I pick up a sequel a few months/years after the first book and am transported back into the world with out the "what happened in the first book question" rattling around in my head. That's exactly what happened with Independent Study.

Charbonneau did an excellent job of placing the reader back into Cia's world a few month after we left her. This was the perfect place because the basic classes and her studying hard would have been a boring story. Now we see what area of Cia is going to concentrate on. Of course life is not easy for our hero. She stands out among the students and is the target of something more sinister. Cia is still the strong, smart, moral girl that we met in The Testing, only better. She has not lost her kindness or moral compass, but reality has crept in and nags at her to think about what is happening.

If you liked the first book, you will not be disappointed in the sequel. By the way, it ends in a perfect place, leaving you wanting more, but knowing where the next one will go, she does not make you crazy waiting. Thank you Ms. Charbonneau.

 

Review by Anne a Yellow Book Road Team Book Club Member

"The Testing #1 by Joelle Charbonneau; A Review by Anne

The Testing (The Testing #1)

by Joelle Charbonneau (Goodreads Author)

The Testing (The Testing, #1) 3.91 of 5 stars 3.91  ·  rating details  ·  2,098 ratings  ·  625 reviews

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a colle...more Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust. (From Goodreads.com)

 

I read this book a few months ago and fully enjoyed it. I enjoyed the take on how the characters were accepted into university. They didn't just take the SAT, fill out an application, and write an essay. They had to be chosen. Once chosen, they were sent to the capital and put through a series of tests, if you failed, you were out. If you succeeded, you went on to the final test, a journey through the destroyed part of the city. The rules, no rules, you just needed to survive. In true dystopian...more I read this book a few months ago and fully enjoyed it. I enjoyed the take on how the characters were accepted into university. They didn't just take the SAT, fill out an application, and write an essay. They had to be chosen. Once chosen, they were sent to the capital and put through a series of tests, if you failed, you were out. If you succeeded, you went on to the final test, a journey through the destroyed part of the city. The rules, no rules, you just needed to survive. In true dystopian fashion, to the death. I enjoyed the main character, Cia, a very strong, smart, and moral young lady. She was placed in many horrifying situations, and reacted in an intelligent fashion. YEA, a smart main female character. This book went around my classroom and everyone enjoyed. If liked The Hunger Games, Legend, Matched, Divergent, try The Testing. See how hard it is to get to college.

 

Review by Anne a Yellow Book Road Teen Book Club Member

"Stealheart (Reckoners #1)" by Brandon Sanderson; A Review by Wyatt

Steelheart (Reckoners #1)

by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author)

Steelheart (Reckoners, #1) 4.36 of 5 stars 4.36  ·  rating details  ·  184 ratings  ·  81 reviews

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics... nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend...more Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics... nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart—the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning—and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He's seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.(From Goodreads.com)

 

The main thing that I loved most about this book was the characters lack of ability to form proper metaphors. In this the author was truly original. It was the comic relief in times of trial for the characters, and constantly made me laugh out loud in public places, often times causing people to give me funny looks and glares at me in places like the bank. The author supplied the perfect amount of action, mystery and that little touch of love interest to keep me interested throughout the entire book, as well as an amazing twist in the story at the very end that will leave your mind swimming in the possibilities of the next book. Truly a great read, I would recommend it for anyone.

 

Review by Wyatt a Yellow Book Road Teen Book Club Member

"How to Love" by Katie Cotugno A Review by Mia

How to Love

by Katie Cotugno

How to Love 4.17 of 5 stars 4.17  ·  rating details  ·  104 ratings  ·  56 reviews

 

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—R...more Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice. (From Goodreads.com)

 

How to Love is the real reason you should be looking forward to October. Screw Halloween, this book is so much easier to devour than candy, and leaves you wanting more, not a sick feeling in your stomach.

The storyline goes back and forth between Before and After, which isn't as confusing as it seems. If you're lazy (like me sometimes) and you forget to read what it says at the beginning of the chapter, you can get a little mixed up, but you can always figure it out in the end. I think it was a really interesting choice to write the story in that way, but I can see why. Having two stories (or two parts of the same story, in this case) going on at the same time makes the reader want to keep going and going so that they can find out what happens next in the past or the present.

Reena is one of those characters that you want to yell at the whole time, but you know that if you were in her situation, you would be doing the exact same things. Sawyer isn't what I would call my dream guy, but Cotugno writes him in a way that I fall in love with him and his sappy romantic ways. When I picked up How to Love I was told that it was going to be pretty cheesy, and in some ways it was, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's another book with the perfect amount of cheesiness.

 

A Review by Mia, A Yellow Book Road Teen Book Club Member

"Loud Awake and Lost" a Review by Mia

 

Loud Awake and Lost

by Adele Griffin (Goodreads Author)

Loud Awake and Lost 3.82 of 5 stars 3.82  ·  rating details  ·  11 ratings  ·  3 reviews

LOUD. There was an accident. Ember knows at least that much. She was driving. The car was totaled. She suffered back injuries and brain trauma. But she is alive. That's the only thing left she can cling to.

AWAKE. Eight months later, Ember feels broken. The pieces of her former self no longer fit together. She can't even remember the six weeks of her life leading up to the...more LOUD. There was an accident. Ember knows at least that much. She was driving. The car was totaled. She suffered back injuries and brain trauma. But she is alive. That's the only thing left she can cling to.

AWAKE. Eight months later, Ember feels broken. The pieces of her former self no longer fit together. She can't even remember the six weeks of her life leading up to the accident. Where was she going? Who was she with? And what happened during those six weeks that her friends and family won't talk about?

LOST. One by one, Ember discovers the answers to these questions, like a twisted game of dominos. And little by little, the person she used to be slips further and further away.

In the wake of her critically praised young adult psychological thrillers, Tighter and All You Never Wanted, National Book Award finalist Adele Griffin has created another triumph. Loud Awake & Lost is an unflinching story of loss and recovery. (From Goodreads.com)

 

If I was grading/reviewing these books in a curve, all of those other books would have failed. Okay, not all of them, but the best any of the others would get is a B or B-. Loud Awake and Lost blew me away. I sat down to read a few chapters, and came back to the real world a couple hours later with only a few chapters left. To any aspiring writers out there, read this book if you want to learn how to master the plot twist.

The thing I loved the most about the book was that it's a mystery, but it's not like Nancy Drew. Eden already knows she was the culprit (and the victim, in a way), she knows the gist of what happened, but she's trying to uncover the events that led to the accident. I wondered if it was just a coincidence that she didn't remember any part of the time in her life when she grew distant from her crew, but then I realized that there are no coincidences. If you're reading this, that means you probably haven't read the book, in which case I'm only humoring myself by adding that reference.
Everything about Loud Awake and Lost is absolutely amazing, and I will definitely read it again.

 

Review by Mia, A Yellow Book Road Teen Book Club Member

"The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy #1)" A Review by Ayanna

The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy #1)

by Sherry Thomas (Goodreads Author)

The Burning Sky (The Elemental Trilogy, #1) 4.07 of 5 stars 4.07  ·  rating details  ·  90 ratings  ·  67 reviews

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-...more It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to revenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life. (From Goodreads.com)

 

The novel "The Burning Sky" by Sherry Thomas is a good fantasy adventure. It has magic, adventure, and a kindling romance going on between a great new elemental mage of her generation and a prince who only seeks to fulfill a prophecy.

The novel itself starts slow paced with the main character Iolanthe Seabourne living a normal life trying to protect what she knows and holds dear, but with a single bolt of lightning her whole life is thrown into chaos. The inquisitor a menacing character then comes after her to use her to her own ends, but the prince Titus comes to intercept.

The story elevates after each complication that Titus and Iolanthe encounter, it gets harder and harder to hide the greatest elemental mage of the generation when almost everyone is a spy and a traitor. Its a novel full of lies and deceit but with a bond and a friendship forming that makes one believe it will all work out.

I liked the book, even though it wasn't action packed and full of suspense it kept me wanting to know how the characters would survive under so much watch. This novel is one that makes you want to get the next book to see if the romance goes further, to find out what will happen now that they have striked putting their destiny into motion. like any good book it propels you to follow the characters through their story.

Review by Ayanna, A Yellow Book Road Teen Book Club Member

"Another Little Piece" by Kate Karyus Quinn a Review by Amanda

Another Little Piece

by Kate Karyus Quinn (Goodreads Author)

Another Little Piece 3.73 of 5 stars 3.73    

The spine-tingling horror of Stephen King meets an eerie mystery worthy of Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series in Kate Karyus Quinn's haunting debut.

On a cool autumn night, Annaliese Rose Gordon stumbled out of the woods and into a high school party. She was screaming. Drenched in blood. Then she vanished.

A year later, Annaliese is found wandering down a road hundred...more The spine-tingling horror of Stephen King meets an eerie mystery worthy of Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series in Kate Karyus Quinn's haunting debut.

On a cool autumn night, Annaliese Rose Gordon stumbled out of the woods and into a high school party. She was screaming. Drenched in blood. Then she vanished.

A year later, Annaliese is found wandering down a road hundreds of miles away. She doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know how she got there. She only knows one thing: She is not the real Annaliese Rose Gordon.

Now Annaliese is haunted by strange visions and broken memories. Memories of a reckless, desperate wish . . . a bloody razor . . . and the faces of other girls who disappeared. Piece by piece, Annaliese's fractured memories come together to reveal a violent, endless cycle that she will never escape—unless she can unlock the twisted secrets of her past. - Goodreads.com

 

This book was not what I expected, but in a good way! I fell in love with Dex kind of (like a book character kind of love)The only problem I saw with the book was that it was confusing at first, but in the end I understood it.

 

Review by Amanda, a YBR Teen Book Group Member