The Young Elites By: Marie Lu

Marie Lu, author of the Legend trilogy and heart-tearing-out specialist, has returned with a new story about unlikely heroes. But this time, there's magic.

A decade ago, a horrible blood fever swept the kingdom of Estenzia and its neighboring lands. Any adult infected perished, while the children the did survive were left with strange markings and scars. The marked or malfettos as they are known commonly, are shunned for their markings. However, some of the malfettos received more than scars from the blood fever; a select few, known as the Young Elites, also received terrifying abilities. Abilities that make them extremely dangerous to those that would cross them.

image from Amazon

Adelina Amouturu is a malfetto. Hear one eye and silver hair make her stand out like a sore thumb, especially next to her beautiful sister Violetta. But when an a horrible accident brings about the death of her abusive father, Adelina realizes that she may be more than a simple malfetto. And she isn't the only one to realizes this.

The main thing I liked about this book was how complex all of the characters were. No one was any given thing, they were all complicated and unique, not quite fitting into the archetypes of traditional fantasy.

The main thing I did not like about this book was that it started a little slow for my taste. However, it quickly sped up. Also, as is expected from Marie Lu, there were a few scenes of GRAPHIC VIOLENCE that could be disturbing for some readers.

Overall, I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

We Are The Ants By: Shawn David Hutchinson

WARNING: MATURE CONTENT, READER DISCRETION STRONGLY ADVISED!!!

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Henry Denton's life is less than ideal. His mom is working overtime in a job she hates, his jerk brother managed to get his girlfriend pregnant, his Grandmother is slowly loosing herself to Alzheimer's, and his boyfriend committed suicide last year.

Oh yeah, and he is frequently abducted by aliens, who just recently told him that the world will end in 144 days unless he presses a button. Unfortunately for the world, Henry is perfectly happy to sit back and watch it burn, what is there to save anyway?

A book about hope, sorrow, and love, We Are The Ants is a story that is haunting and humorous, sad and soulful, and will have you laughing through tears.

The main thing I liked about this book was the voice of the narrator. Henry has a sense of humor that is as funny as it is sad. He comes off the page as a real person, making the book that much harder to put down.

The main thing I didn't like about this book was the ending, buy hey, no spoilers.

Overall I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

(I would also like to issue a potential trigger warning for this book. It delves deep into themes of depression and suicide as they are both major plot points in the book.)

I'll Give You The Sun By: Jandy Nelson

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Twins Noah and Jude have grown up as a single being. Noah is quiet and artistic, he prefers paint to people. In stark contrast, Jude is outgoing, cliff jumping and sculpting flying woman out of sand. Together, they are an unstoppable force, until they are split apart.

The early years - when they are 13 and 14 - are Noah's story. They tell about his dreams of getting into a prestigious art school, and how he is starting to fall for the new boy next door. Along with his loving mother, he see's the world through the eyes of dreamer.

The later years - age 16 - are Jude's point of view. She is the withdrawn girl who's only artistic ability is sculpting pots that always seem to shatter. She and Noah do not talk. With the help of a mysterious sculptor and a beautiful broken boy, Jude begins to mend her own life. But is it too late to rebuild the bond with her brother so that they are NoahandJude once more?

This book is a story of love, family, and grief. One that will remain in your heart long after you finish it.

The main thing I liked about this book was that it was a puzzle of sorts. You new the begging and end of the story, but you had to fill in what came in between. it really kept me on my toes trying to connect all of the dots.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it switched point of views. It is always annoying when you get really into any given story line, only to be forced to wait a whole chapter to find out what happens next.

Overall. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

I do need to issue a MATURE CONTENT WARNING for this book. Read at your own discretion.

What Waits in the Woods By: Kieran Scott

What Waits in the Woods on Amazon

Jeremy, Penelope, Lissa, and Callie all venture into the woods. 4 nights, that's all it should be, then Callie will be home. Shopping in New York, with her mom. 4 nights in the woods, how bad can that be? She tries her best to stay positive but a mysterious laughing man, ghost stories, and a tumble of a bridge begin to shake her confidence. Lost and drenched the groups seeks refuge with a new comer, Ted. With friendships and relationships dwindling they follow their new guide skeptical, but trusting in their time of need. Foundations begin to shake when  it seems that an outside force is threatening their lives. What will it take to survive in the woods? Who will have strength to survive? Hidden secrets and lies may be the end of our protagonist. We may not want to know what waits in the woods...

The classic horror story for all those who absolutely love them. Filled with a wilderness adventure, lore like no other, and an exciting plot twist that will leave you on the edge of your seat. While I may not have loved this book, mostly because i'm not into horror, I just know you guys out there with an eye for the spooky sides of things will devour this new novel with a passion.