Specials (Uglies, Book 3) by Scott Westerfeld

I liked this series.  I really did.  But it took me forever to get through this book!  I wasn't as in love with the whole thing by this point I guess.  Or maybe I just don't like when Tally turns in to someone other than herself.

Basically this book picks up where book two left off.  But now Tally has been turned in to a Special.  And not just any Special, but one of the elite new Cutters within the Special Circumstances.  The Specials are enhanced even more than the Pretties to the point of looking harsh and cruel, but still beautiful.  The best part is all your physical abilities and senses are enhanced and optimized.  You are pretty much invincible.  And you are programmed to think you are better than everyone else.

Tally is teamed back up with her BFF or "frennimie" Shay.  They have wild adventures trying to stop the New Smoke and help her ex-lover Zane.  It's all very "icy" and "bubbly".

But part of me started to get annoyed with these books.  The main characters value being pretty above everything and think they are better than everyone and now they are cutting themselves to get "icy"??  Not the best example.  It all turns out with a good moral story in the end, but I don't know...I just didn't love them.  Something was off about the storyline to me.  They just didn't sit right with me in the end.

I give this one 3 out of 5 stars.

I'm going to stop my journey with these books here for now.  I have the last book Extras, but I need a break for now.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

This book had been on my list for a LONG time.  I had it on my wish list at paperbackswap.com for years, and had tried to find it at the book store unsuccessfully last summer.  Right before the ski trip though I got up the courage to ask the guy at Barnes and Nobel if they carried it after not being able to locate it on my own.  Wouldn't you know it was in the Young Adult section?  Yeah, I am that pathetic 30 year old that still enjoys books written for teens!

Here's a little summary of the book from the author's website:

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

Of course I was drawn to it because my high school boyfriend was killed in a car crash and I thought I'd be able to relate to Anna.  But even if that hadn't happened to me I still think I would be intrigued by the plot of this book.

The story was really good.  I didn't relate as much as I thought I would to the character of Anna because our stories were very different.  But I did enjoy her and Frankie's story of their summer on Zanzibar Bay.  It wasn't as light as a "beach book" normally is, nor was it too "teenager-ish" for me.  I loved seeing the dynamics between Anna and Frankie, hearing about their adventures with the boys, the stories of long days on the beach, and the emotions Frankie, her family, and Anna have to process over Matt's death.  And the stories of Anna and Frankie as they start to explore more intimate relationships with boys for the first(?) time.

If you are looking for a good summer read, I'd highly reccommend this book.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  Have I told you yet how much I loved these books?  Well when I read the last word in this book I had a break down and sobbed my eyes out.  For like 10 minutes straight.  I had to come back to read the Epilogue after I composed myself.  And then cried again.

I know I sound crazy right?

Even throughout the books I had to force myself to stop or set the book down for a minute to absorb what had happened.  That is when you know a book is really good.

I don't want to give you the summary from Amazon because it gives away too much from the first two books.  Really it is best to go into these books knowing nothing so you can ride the highs and lows without knowing exactly what is going to happen next.

This book was very different from the first two.  I kept wanting to just know what the resolution was going to be.  It took me longer to get through this one.  Maybe 3 days?

But oh my it was so emotional.  It was oh so bittersweet.  Just like any book, I think I internalized what the characters went through and the story to my own life and experiences and hopes and dreams and it was overwhelming.

It's only been a few days since I finished the book, but I already miss the characters.  I already want to re-read them and live the story all over again.

5 out of 5 stars for sure.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  I'm in love.  I read this book in probably less than 24 hours which does not happen very often given my busy schedule.  Again I am at a loss for words so here is a summary from Amazon:

Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Again it sounds a little crazy and sci-fi-ish, but it is soooo good.  This book has a twist that made my jaw drop and made me feel exhausted and angry for the characters.   I got frustrated with Katniss even more in this book and fell head over heels for Peeta.  The story between those two was my favorite part of the whole trilogy. 

This one is just as exciting as fast paced as the first one. 

Of course it gets 5 out of 5 stars from me!

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I am sooo in LOVE with this trilogy I can hardly bring myself to talk about it other than to say I LOVED IT.  Since I am at such a loss for words, here is a summary I found on Amazon:

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator.' Book one of a planned trilogy.Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I know it sounds very sci-fi and an intriguing concept but not very entertaining.  Maybe a little too weird?  It took me a long time to give it a chance and I wasn't too excited about starting it.  But trust me once you get a couple chapters in, you won't be able to put it down.  Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger.  There is so much going on and it is not at a slow pace.  The "games" are so unimaginable, but I kept imagining what this would look like in the world I live in today.  You are constantly trying to guess the characters motives and where the story is going to go.  And of course what would a young adult novel be without some love drama thrown in??

Go now.  Run.  Get the books.  All three.  And enjoy devouring them!

They are making them in to a movie and I can not wait to see how they do this story on the big screen.

5 out of 5 stars.  In fact I'd give it 6.