Illuminae - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 16
Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Pub Date: 01/20/15
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I would recommend reading this book, if only to experience the strange format. The story is told in a series of memos, interview transcripts, emails, and security feed summaries. This gives the book several unique advantages- namely, its retention of suspense- you actually believe the characters might die- the interest created by the novel format (pun), and the unique ability to hold back detail that results in a twist at the story's end. However, the format also has the disadvantage of removing the reader from the action and the emotions of the characters.
Memorable or Forgettable: The most memorable quality of this book was its format and unique story line. The strange format, of course, made it instantly memorable, but the fact that the novel's plot charted a relatively new course made it memorable as well. Perhaps it was just the lens applied by the format, but I felt as though the story line was very unique, took twists I hadn't seen before, and didn't rely on too many tropes.
Cover: The cover did tempt me to pick the book up, but the giant explosion didn't reflect anything at all particularly well. The redacted document cutaways did hint at the novel's format.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q - Better than most
Popularity: 4P - Broad general teen appeal


tags:  science fiction / dystopian / suspense / ya lit

Illuminae - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 16
Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Pub Date: 10/20/15
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This is an interesting and highly original book that features a unique format, setting, and plot. The setting, a convoy of company and government spaceships on the run from the fleet of a rival company, is original and exciting. The plot manages to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the book's 600 or so pages by constantly throwing new challenges and danger at the characters. Illuminae does suffer from a lack of clear explanation surrounding some of the events at the end. It seemed as though some things happened just so that the book could have an exciting climax.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was extremely memorable, mainly because of the unique format. The story is told as a series of ship's logs, security camera footage summaries, and emails between main characters. This format has its advantages, but also its disadvantages- it's very hard to get into the character's heads and understand their motivations. It did, however, certainly make the book memorable.
Cover: The cover was somewhat interesting, and neither tempted me nor turned me away. It did not accurately reflect the book's contents - I had absolutely no idea what it would be about until I started reading. 
Age Range: 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 3Q - Readable
Popularity: 4P - Broad general teen appeal


tags:  science fiction / dystopian / suspense / ya lit

The Dead Lands - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 15
Title: The Dead Lands
Author: Benjamin Percy
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pub Date: 04/14/15
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I would highly recommend this book. The setting- a post-apocalyptic America that has regressed, for the most part, to the technologies of the early 1800s- was unique and original. The characters were well fleshed out and every one developed over the course of the book, realistically changed by the journey they took. Perhaps most importantly, the Dead Land's multiple plot lines were exciting and well handled. The book changes fluidly between the main expedition, the situation in their corrupt home city, and one character's backstory. The switching allows the book to remain tense and quick-moving even as the expedition travels over vast stretches of uninhabited land.
Memorable or Forgettable: The originality of the setting made this book memorable to me. The apocalyptic flu mutation has occurred long ago and civilization has become close to what is was in the early 1800s. The old world, however, continues to effect the rustic milieu. Radiation from nuclear weapons and unattended reactors has scarred the landscape, making the "dead lands" strange and fantastic places - places just as strange and fantastic as the western US must have once seemed to Lewis and Clark. The irradiated landscape also drives the plot through the development of mutant powers. In this way, the unique landscape serves not just as a backdrop for the story - it is perhaps the most important part of the story itself.
Cover: The cover neither tempted me to read the book nor turned me off. It does reflect the book's contents, but is not unique to them.
Age Range: 14 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q - Better than most
Popularity: 3P - Some teen appeal


tags:  futuristic thriller / post-apocalyptic adventure / Lewis and Clark / ya lit

Rat Runners - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M.
Age: 15
Title: Rat Runners
Author: Oisin McGann
Publisher: Open Road Media
Pub Date: 01/13/15
Galley: No
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would recommend this book for a variety of reasons. First of all, the world is both inventive and exciting. The reader is caught up in the paranoia of constant surveillance, and the presence of security cameras and other detection systems lead to adventure. Secondly, the characters are very well developed. You become attached to each of the four unique thieves and their distrusting interactions feel very genuine. Thirdly, the plot races along at a quick, exciting pace, leaving no time for boredom.
Memorable or Forgettable: The book was memorable to me mainly because of the unique world. The novel is set in the near future, and there seems to be just the right combination of relatable facts and sci-fi technology. Moreover, every consequence of the constant surveillance that is part of the book's premise is explored, leading to elements such as networks of underground mobster's lairs/speakeasies, a secret trade in George Orwell's 1984, and reality shows depicting real people from around the city.
Cover: The cover of this book turned me off slightly. While it does somewhat reflect the contents of the book, I would prefer a cover that focused on the four thieves or one of their heists.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality: 4Q - Better than most
Popularity: 4P - Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: Four young thieves are caught up in an intricate criminal plot that threatens to take their lives. In order to save their own skins, they must navigate a city crawling with surveillance and outsmart both the police and the scheming mobsters who seek to control them.


tags:  dystopian / action / suspense / science fiction / ya lit

Firefight - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 15
Title: Firefight
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub Date: 01/06/15
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: I would wholeheartedly recommend this book. While the interactions between characters were occasionally a little stiff and unnatural, Firefight's positive qualities far outweigh its negative ones. The pacing is excellent- action lies around every corner, secrets unfold at just the right times to keep you reading, the fight sequences are exciting, and the mysteries keep you guessing.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was extremely memorable. Like the book before it, Steelheart, much of what made Firefight memorable was its unique world. Epic powers and weaknesses continue to be exciting, cinematic, and intriguing. The near future, post(ish)-apocalyptic setting is described and implemented wonderfully. More so, the flooded city of Babylon Restored allows the characters to explore a new, dynamic environment that differs greatly from the steel skyline of Newcago. In this way, the world of Firefight manages to feel both different and fundamentally the same as the world of Steelheart.
Cover: The cover tempted me to pick the book up. The skyline of Manhattan is displayed at the bottom, which does reflect the book's contents, but the object in the center of the page does little to represent Firefight.
Age Range: Under 12 through 17
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: Firefight is the second installment in The Reckoners series, which follows a young man as he works with a shadowy group to assassinate the twisted, super-powered individuals, called Epics, that have taken over his world. In Firefight, the Reckoners travel to the city of Babylon Restored, formerly known as the borough of Manhattan, in order to confront the powerful and manipulative Epic called Regalia.


tags:  science fiction / dystopian / superheroes / The Reckoners series / ya lit

Illusive - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 15
Title: Illusive
Author: Emily Lloyd-Jones
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub Date: 7/15/14
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book is worth reading for several reasons. First of all, it features an interesting concept. Like Steelheart, it explores the real world consequences of a sudden influx of superheroes in a fairly realistic and intriguing way. Secondly, the plot of a 'gifted' character simply trying to survive was unique and interesting. It did seem, at times, as though the government, which I would identify as the main antagonist, was a bit over simplified and made into more of an evil force than is reasonable.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was memorable. One interesting thing the book had was a lack of distinct villains. The government was definitely an antagonist, but each individual within the government had their own motivations, none of which centered around bringing down the main character. The use of other antagonists, such as organized crime, also helped make the government seem less of a mustachio-twirling villain and more simply a factor which contributed to the overall plot.
Cover: I think the cover pretty well described the contents of the book and sort of made me want to pick it up.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal


tags:  dystopian / action / superpowers / ya lit

Steelheart - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S.-M.
Age: 14
Title: Steelheart (Reckoners #1)
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Pub Date: 09/24/13
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: This book is definitely worth reading, as it features an original, interesting world and plot and an intelligent, likable, main character. The world perfectly combines sci-fi, dystopian, and superhero cliches. The plot fits perfectly within the world, and the main character's lack of superpowers takes it in an unexpected but satisfying new direction. The main character himself is intelligent, and his classification system for superheroes adds clarity to what otherwise might be a confusing new world.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was memorable mainly because of its original world. Not only does it explore what a sudden influx of invincible superheroes might actually do to the world, it takes place in a near-future sci-fi setting that is unique all on its own.
Cover: The cover did tempt me to pick the book up, and it does fairly accurately describe the book's contents.
Age Range: Under 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

tags:  science fiction / dystopian / superheroes / Reckoners / ya lit

Falling Kingdoms - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M.
Age: 14
Title: Falling Kingdoms
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Publisher: Razorbill
Pub Date: 12/11/12
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The book had several elements which were strong, and others which were weaker. The interwoven story lines worked well. Just when you were getting tired of one story, you would be whisked to another, and your interest in the book was rekindled. Unfortunately, both the romance and the way the story lines actually come together seems very contrived.
Memorable or Forgettable: This book was somewhat unmemorable. The intertwining story lines were nice and refreshing, even if the author didn't pull their intersection very well. There are, however, several parts of the book that are bizarrely skimmed over as well, the climactic battle at the end being a notable case.
Cover: The cover reflected the content of the book fairly well, and it did tempt me to pick the book up.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags:  Falling Kingdoms / fantasy / ya lit

Independent Study - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 14
Title: Independent Study
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Book Group
Pub Date: 01/07/2014
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I would not recommend this book. It has two major flaws. First of all, its plot seems much too close to the Hunger Games. Many authors are writing in a similar vein these days, after the success of the Hunger Games, but this book was closer than most. Second of all, either the character is incredibly paranoid, or some of the tests the government uses to determine whether you live or die are ridiculous, such as who gets out of the room the fastest after class is dismissed.
Memorable or Forgettable: It was forgettable, mainly because it seemed much too close to the Hunger Games. It used the girl versus dystopian government framework, which other books have admittedly done. This author, however, didn't add her own twist, which made it seem almost identical to the Hunger Games.
Cover: The cover design is fairly attractive and did tempt me to pick up the book. It does reflect the contents of the book.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality:  2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags: coming of age / dystopian romance / The Testing / ya lit

The Lord of Opium - YA Review by Eli S-M.

Reader: Eli S-M.
Age: 14
Title: The Lord of Opium
Author: Nancy Farmer
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: 09/03/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: There were several strong elements in this book, and several weak elements. The characters are very strong, especially Matt, who seems to respond to situations as befits his unique circumstances as a drug lord's clone, raised for slaughter. The technological projection in this book is also strong, as it is creative and unique. The action writing, however, is too dry and matter of fact. An important event or action is sometimes summarized in a single sentence, making it easy to miss. It also feels as though the author tries to squeeze too many elements into the book. The multitude of scattered technologies do create the illusion of a ludicrously rich drug lord's kingdom, but they also make it feel as though much of the book is simply the main character wandering through a series of cool ideas the author had, with the climax tacked on.
Memorable or Forgettable: The bulk of this book was memorable, mostly due to its believable characters and smart technological projection. The entire concept of the series is very cool as well, and also contributes to its memorability. The climax itself was forgettable, however, as it was quick, written too dryly, and, in the end, resolved in a matter of a paragraph, with a quick summary of what came together to destroy Matt's opponent and his army.
Cover: The cover matches the contents of the book mildly well, though the book is actually about Matt attempting to stop the drug trade, and it shows his fist crushing a poppy into opium. It has some shock value in attracting attention, but it didn't factor into my decision to read the book as much as some other covers.
Age Range: 12 through 18 and up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags: science fiction / dystopian / ya lit

Solstice - YA Review by Eli S-M.

Reader: Eli S-M.
Age: 14
Title: Solstice
Author: P.J. Hoover
Publisher: Tor Teen/McMillan
Pub Date: 06/18/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The book did several things well, like conveying the sense of paranoia that came from living under the constant threat of a heat spike and conveying hints about a city councilmen's secret. The science of the heat crisis was also well thought out, along with the governmental responses (i.e. "heat lockdowns" and chemical coolant sprays). All seemed plausible and likely. Several things could have been done better, however. The main character's mother's overprotectiveness was over emphasized, and the councilman, for what I felt was quite a bit of build up, turned out to be a negligible plot point. His secret is revealed nonchalantly, simply to "tie up loose ends," and has no bearing on the story.
Memorable or Forgettable: The book was fairly memorable. The use of a fantasy/mythological storyline in a sci-fi/dystopian setting was imaginative and led to to both the plot and setting being well thought out.  The plot being dominated by a love triangle, however, was dissappointing. Some more tangible action should be incorporated into the story, instead of the entire conflict being the main character trying to resist one of the other character's attractive aura.
Cover: The cover reflected the contents of the book fairly accurately, and helped me visualize the domes.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

tags: dystopian / science fiction / fantasy / mythology / romance / ya lit

Oblivion - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 13
Title: Oblivion
Author: Anthony Horowitz
Publisher: Random House New York
Pub Date: 06/25/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: While the interaction and dialogue among the characters seemed a bit forced, the character development isn't anything special, the romance element seems to just be in the book for the sake of being in the book, and the ending is confusing, the author handles some parts of it very well. The concept of the book is well thought out, and all the science is well researched, making it more believable than a lot of other science fiction novels. The main character's amnesia keeps you in suspense throughout the novel, always making you want to read more.
Memorable or Forgettable: The poorly done romance element of the book made it forgettable to me, but the well thought out 'big reveal' makes up for that, and the use of fake newspaper articles scattered throughout the novel is at least somewhat unique (the only other element like it that I am aware of is the memos in the Maze Runner books), though sometimes I wish I was kept more in the dark until the end.
Cover: The cover does accurately represent the contents, though the nonchalant attitude the protagonist is displaying toward the worm lead me to believe it was a normal feature of the fauna of Paradox, and not the antagonist. I feel that a cover showing the twin suns of Paradox, a cover showing the protagonist holding weapons toward the worm, or else treating it as more of a threat, or a cover showing the protagonist in suspended animation would be more appropriate.
Age Range:  Under 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags:  science fiction / adventure / The Gatekeepers Series / ya lit

The Rithmatist - YA Review by Eli S-M

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 13
Title: The Rithmatist
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: TOR Teen
Pub Date: 05/14/13
Galley: Yes
Top 25: Yes
Convince us to read the book: While I liked the characters, the best part of the book was the effort Sanderson took to quantify Rithmatics. Everything was explained in a crystal clear way, and better yet, there were diagrams of various Rithmatic drawings at the end of chapters. Sanderson also manages the plot nicely, making it so that there is never a moment not used to further the plot, character development, or the reader's understanding of Rithmatics. The ending also had two very nice twists.
Memorable or Forgettable: As I mentioned above, the best part of the book was how hard Sanderson tried to quantify Rithmatics. Another of my favorite parts is the alternate history world the story is set in, in which China has conquered much of Europe, causing the fifty islands that make up America to be settled by European refugees, who discovered Rithmatics and based a religion off of it. Small details about the world's history are slowly revealed, such as when they eat stir-fried spaghetti and meatballs.
Cover: The cover was intriguing, though all the clockwork that was shown was actually only a minor part of the book.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal
Annotation: Joel wants to be a Rithmatist, someone who has the power to create chalk drawings that come to life. While he, due to a tragic accident, missed his chance, he gets a chance to study at a Rithmatist school when students disappear, leaving trails of blood, and he becomes an assistant to the chief investigator.

tags: fantasy / suspense / magic / mystery / steampunk / ya lit

Fire Season - YA Review by Eli

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 13
Title: Fire Season
Author: David Weber and Jane Lindskold
Publisher: Baen Books
Pub Date: 10/2/12
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: I thought the main character of this book, Stephanie Harrington, was fairly realistic and likable, though it bugged me how it was constantly mentioned that she had genetic modifications and yet that never really came up in or contributed to the story. The dialogue was also done pretty well, and most of the characters talked like real people. The thing that bugged me the most about this book is that the main plot is them fighting a fire 1,000 years in the future. I would think that after you had discovered space travel, fighting a fire would be fairly easy, but they appear to have an even tougher time than we do now. The only way it's easier than it is now is that their axes vibrate, which apparently makes it easier to cut down trees to form fire lines.
Memorable or Forgettable: It was somewhat forgettable because it seemed to be a fairly normal science fiction book, with no significant new technologies or other innovations by the author. The fact that the main plot was fighting a fire, however, despite how problematic  it is for the time period, is far from the norm, and in that way it was memorable.
Cover: The cover is very good. It represents the contents of the book and tempted me to pick it up.
Age Range: Under 12 through 15
Quality: 3Q Readable
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal

tags: science fiction / adventure / Star Kingdom series / ya lit

Scrivener's Moon - YA Book Review by Eli

Reader: Eli S-M
Age: 13
Title: Scrivener's Moon
Author: Philip Reeve
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub Date: 11/1/12
Galley: No
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The book was very good because the characters were extraordinarily well developed and multi-faceted. One of my favorite parts of this book was how even though the characters were very different from the norm,the story was not written about that, it was just allowed to add to it. The plot was also exciting and fast moving. My only complaint is that the book is the last installment in the prequel series to Mortal Engines, another series by Phillip Reeve, and features heavy foreshadowing to that. This means that certain seemingly unnecessary details may bog down the story for those who have not read Mortal Engines.
Memorable or Forgettable: The qualities of the book that made it memorable for me were the character diversity, the post-apocalyptic setting, and the method of switching between many characters to tell a larger story.
Cover: The cover attracted me to the book, and it reflects one facet of the plot, but I feel it did [not do a good] job showing the others. The whole book was really about New London, not a pyramid.
Age Range: 12 through 15
Quality: 5Q Hard to imagine a better book
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal

tags: Fever Crumb trilogy / Mortal Engines series prequel / post-apocalyptic / steampunk / dystopian / ya lit