Matched, by Ally Condie

This, I guess, is the first of a trilogy... of which I will not be finishing.

It was an ok book - took me a while to get it read due to my having a baby (!!!) and not being that interested in it.

It greatly reminded me of the Hunger Games - taking place in the future, a girl who has to choose between two guys (one she's paired with, one she's not), an all-powerful government that pretty much controls everything that happens because of chaos that happened in the past resulting in war, teenagers rebelling against the system, everyone being seperated into districts or providences... VERY similar. 

It's about a girl who's matched with a guy, her best friend.  But, she falls in love with someone she's not supposed to fall in love with and wants to rebel and make her own choices.  The government she has to answer to controls everything - from the food they eat, the songs they listen to, to when they die.  It was mildly entertaining, but not enough to get me to want to finish the series to find out what happens.  Maybe some day.  Who knows.  :)

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

I had this one on hold for quite a while, and finally got it and finished it a week ago.

It was definitely a peculiar book, that's for sure.  I have to wonder where some authors get their ideas - did they have a bizarre dream that, when written down with detail added, turned into some sort of novel?

This book had a mix of past, present, real, not real, and unreal, with a touch of weird.  A boy loses his grandfather, ends up in therapy about it because of the circumstances of his death, which bring out the stories he was told by him as a little boy... which leads him to the island his grandfather did most of his growing up on.  There, he finds the stories are real, that he's actually part of them, and has to choose to stay in the real world or the world he's discovered.  It pretty much leaves one hanging, almost as if there were going to be a sequel.  I doubt there will be, because it also had a sort of finality to the ending... and even if there were a sequel, I wouldn't read it.  The book was interesting enough at the beginning, but once the mystery was unravelled, the story seemed to drag on and lose its pull on me.  I finished it simply because I wanted to see how it ended, which, in my opinion, wasn't great.  The most interesting part, I'd have to say, is how the author weaved authentic, vintage photographs into the story.  I wouldn't say don't waste your time, because it might appeal to some, but I find my taste is for more realistic circumstances, and this book was full of fantasy.  Oh, well.  Not a complete waste of time.  ;)

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25, by Richard Paul Evans

This book took me less than eight hours to read.  I could not put it down! I had to, however, take breaks to digest what I just read and let it all sink in.

This was such an awesome book! Of course it is, RPE wrote it!

He can write men well.  He can write women really well. 

He writes electric teenagers with flare.

This is the first (yes, first - I have to wait for the next one!) in a series of, actually... I don't know how many books, but I guarantee you'll be hooked.

It's supposed to be geared toward the young adults of the world, but I'm a youngish adult and loved it! It had me hooked from the very beginning.  I kept thinking while I was reading it not only about how well it was written, but how well it was researched.  Much brain-stocking info had to be acquired to make this book seem realistically fiction vs. a far-fetched fake.  It's full of a little mystery, a nice flowing plot, and an ending that leaves you a mixture of satisfied with a want for more.

All I'll tell you is Michael Vey is the main character... he has special "powers" that stem from something that happened to him around the time of his birth... his mom has been kidnapped due to his new-found friend's research on their past - as they both have these powers in common... and he has to put pieces of a puzzle together to take you from one chapter to the next.  If you like Richard Paul Evans, mystery, thrillers, and a touch of science fiction, you'll love this book!

It's a page-turner.  It's a must-read.  I loved it! Can't wait for the next!

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins

This was one of those series/books that left me satisfied.  You know how some books either end it wrong or stupid or really not at all and you're left with that unsatisfied feeling? Suzanne Collins does not have that effect.  She chose the perfect ending.

I have to say, though, this book was a teensy bit slow-going at first... but I can see how it had to lead one into what was really going to be good at the end.  Also, I couldn't help but make a comparison to a certain vampire series - the oh-woe-is-me girl and two guys who differ greatly in personalities who want her... hmm...  In my last review, I said she should end up with Gale.  I'm so glad she didn't.  The way she and Peeta "warmed back up to each other" at the end was perfect.  Not too mushy, but realistic (according to the story) since she was anti-relationship and not sure who she wanted, anyway.  

Ok, onto the good stuff.  Can you believe she killed Coin?? I kind of saw it coming, but after her little "meeting" with Snow at the end, when he tells her what really happened with the bombs, I knew something had to happen.  I have to say, though, I totally saw Boggs taking the role as leader... up until he DIED! I hate when a movie or book sacrifices key characters... but it only made me wondering who would get it, so it was a nice twist.  I hate that Prim had to die, too, but again, had to happen to make the ending more workable.  I have to admit I was a little disbelieving when I read it... I had to keep rereading to make sure I read it right and that she really was dead, then rushed ahead to see if she magically reappeared.  Finnick's another I wouldn't have minded seeing live till the end, especially with a new baby, but that just made that whole chase even more intense.  I was also seriously beginning to wonder if it would end with Katniss's suicide, leaving behind a her legacy and a better world, but I'm glad Peeta stopped her and that she never really had another chance to succeed.  As I read about her struggling after (and even before) killing Coin, I wondered why the author would make her heroine appear so weak... but then I realized it just added to the reality of her character, having dealt with so much death and tragedy.  Very well done.

What a great bunch of books, so well-written, keeping one turning page after page and then making it near impossible to wait patiently for the next book to see what happens next. 

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

Oh.  My.  Gosh.

Could this book BE any better?? I think Stephanie Meyers might just have a rival... although I'm sure there are those that would have me hanged for even thinking such nonsense.  lol

If you haven't read this book, READ IT.  But make sure you read the first one, first.  

***SPOILER***

************************************************************

I knew it! I knew there were people in the Capitol secretly on her side! DUDE! I can't believe Peeta was captured, and why can't this girl just figure out her emotions already?? Gale or Peeta - make up your mind, woman! Who would you have her choose? I can totally relate to her not wanting to have kids to avoid the reaping every year but not at the cost of my own happiness with someone as great as either of them! I'm thinking Gale is the one she should ultimately choose.  Yes, Peeta rocks, but I have to wonder if she REALLY wants him... I don't think so.  If you've read the third one, PLEASE don't give ANYthing away... I have to borrow it from a friend because I'm sure the library won't have it for a while... but I haven't even checked yet, so who knows.

I just love the rebellion and intrigue in this book! I love how intricately woven the little details that make up the plot are and the twists that are clearly there but not fully realized until you get to the end.  Oh, I just love it! I so can't wait to read the next one! I'm just giddy with excitement and impatience!!

All about the three books I've read in the last three weeks...

The Cage, by Ruth Minsky Sender - Another excellent memoir from a Holocaust survivor, always a good category to choose from while waiting for another book in a series to BE RETURNED.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (book 1) - Totally just read this because other people said it was so good.  And it was.  Really good.  Can't wait for whoever has it checked out from my library to RETURN IT SO I CAN HAVE A TURN.

Actually, I don't think there was a third before that... so, there.  I'm caught up.  ;)

I'm currently reading my OH!!! I totally just remembered what the third book was!!! DUDE! How could I forget?

Promise Me, by Richard Paul Evans - You know, I was sort of like, what? As I read this and finished it... truthfully, not one of his best novels.  It was still well-written but the plot was so unlike anything he's written - I guess I'm just holding him to his normally higher standard.  Huh.  Next April will bring another good one, I'm sure!


As I was saying, I'm currently reading my go-to book for Fall, absolutely one of my faves:

One of the greatest books ever.  I'm on my fourth time reading it.  It's basically written as the journal of a 17 year old girl who's family lives in an old ruined castle.  Her father was a famous author at one point but has seemed to lose his fire, her mother is dead, her stepmother is a former model, her sister complains of their situation a lot, her friend is in love with her and then two men come into their lives and change everything... that's all I'm going to tell you because I really think it's an enjoyable book that must be read by everyone.  Go on, read it.  I dare you.  ;)