A Life Bound By Books | The Children’s Book Review | November 16, 2013
2013 has been an amazing year for authors and new releases. With only a short time left before we ring in the New Year I’ve been taking a look to see what’s coming up for the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014.
Here are five titles that I’m excited about when it comes to YA books –
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Erased is the sequel to author Jennifer Rush’s debut Altered. I heard about Altered what feels like forever ago and I couldn’t wait to read it. I’ll be the first to admit that once I saw the cover for Altered my excitement went through the roof! Along with the author scoring a pretty epic cover, the story introduces us to Anna and the four boys who are genetically altered and reside in the lab below the farm house Anna and her father live in. The story quickly turns into a fast paced mystery and often leaves you breathless! So, when I finished Altered I immediately wanted to know more. I wanted to get a better idea of who these 4 boys are, how Anna was involved and what was going to happen next. With Erased I’m so excited that I get just that! And it’s told in my favorite of the four boys’ points of view – Nick. Can’t wait!
Synopsis: They thought they had escaped. They were wrong.
After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is trying to make sense of the memories resurfacing from her old life. At the same time, she’s learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam’s rules: Don’t draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
Then a figure from Anna’s childhood reappears. Is it a Branch setup, or could it be the reunion Anna has hoped for? Uncertain of where her loyalties lie, Anna must fight to learn the truth — before she is betrayed again. Ultimately, the answers hinge on one question: What was the real reason her memories were erased?
Jennifer Rush delivers a thrilling sequel to Altered in a novel packed with mysteries, lies, and surprises that are sure to keep readers guessing until the last page is turned. (288 Pages, AGE: Young Adult)
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | Jan. 7, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0316197151
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Author Veronica Rossi and her characters from the Under the Never Sky trilogy have left a huge mark on me. Her writing, world building and characters are amazing which make the first two books – Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night titles that are at the top of my all time favorite list. While Into the Still Blue is the conclusion of this much loves trilogy, and I’m sad to see it end, I’m still extremely eager to find out what happens to Perry and Aria and Roar. My love for these books has turned this author into a “Must Buy” for me and I can’t wait to see what worlds and characters she creates for us next. Along with the three titles in the trilogy there are also TWO novellas that shouldn’t be missed. An exciting little piece of info about this series – The film rights for the trilogy has been options by Warner Bros. *fingers crossed* we get to see this on the big screen!
Synopsis: The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi’s “masterpiece” Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).
Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it’s time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.
The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.
Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won’t even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn’t just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he’s also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close. (400 Pages, AGE: Young Adult)
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: HarperCollins | Jan. 28, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-0062072092
From – Spencer Hill Press, November 2nd, 2013
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If I had one thing to say about Jennifer L. Armentrout it’s that she’s one heck of a ROCK STAR of an author. She writes books and characters that readers – like me – just can’t get enough of. From the first title I’ve read from her – Obsidian – I’m happy and proud to say there have been many other books by her I’ve read and she’s another author who is at the top of my “Must Buy” list. The Covenant series is one of my all time favorites and yet again I’m featuring a title that’s the end of a series. Sentinel for me is going to be bitter sweet. I have to know what happens. I can’t wait to find out what happens and it’s all because of Jennifer’s writing. She makes imagining what’s going on in the pages of her books easy and I don’t know about any of you, but I’m a Jennifer L. Armentrout addict!
Synopsis: It’s a beautiful day for a war.
As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.
And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoonworthy Aiden St. Delphi, they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.
In the stunning, action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself. (297 Pages, AGE: Young Adult)
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Spencer Hill Press | Nov. 2, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-1937053574
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Morgan Rhodes is the pen name for Michelle Rowen and Falling Kingdoms is the first title in her high fantasy series. For me Rebel Spring is a highly anticipated sequel. I love a good, (that word doesn’t cut it) …EPIC high fantasy title and YA readers should look no further than Falling Kingdoms for their next read! The great thing is that you won’t have to wait too long for the sequel, Rebel Spring which continues the story of four characters from vastly different places. It’s easy to follow along with and you’ll be swept away and lost in the world that has been dubbed Game of Thrones for teens and I happen to agree! Rebel Spring is at the top of my list, is it at the top of yours too?
Synopsis: Love, power, and magic collide with war in the second book of the Falling Kingdoms series
Auranos has fallen and the three kingdoms—Auranos, Limeros, and Paelsia—are now united as one country called Mytica. But still, magic beckons, and with it the chance to rule not just Mytica, but the world…
When the evil King Gaius announces that a road is to be built into the Forbidden Mountains, formally linking all of Mytica together, he sets off a chain of events that will forever change the face of this land, forcing Cleo the dethroned princess, Magnus the reluctant heir, Lucia the haunted sorceress, and Jonas the desperate rebel to take steps they never could have imagined. (416 Pages, AGE: Young Adult)
Ages 12 and up | Publisher: Razorbill | Dec. 3, 2013 | ISBN-13: 978-1595145932
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Mindee Arnett is an author whose new to me, however when I read that first sentence of the synopsis, I really didn’t need to read any further. I was sold! I’ve been eagerly anticipating Avalon for what feels like forever and being a bit of a nerd (and proud of it!) I love a good sci-fi story/movie/tv show so it makes this title a DOUBLE WIN! And then… take a peek at that last line in the synopsis… do you see that name there? JOSS WHENDON? Um, triple threat for this reader! So many things make this title a must read!!! Avalon oh how I wish I could read you now….
Synopsis: A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.
Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.
Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they’re damn good at it. Jeth doesn’t care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents’ ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he’ll go to get the freedom he’s wanted for so long.
Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon’s cult hit show Firefly. (432 Pages, AGE: Young Adult)
Ages 14 and up | Publisher: Balzer + Bray | Jan. 21, 2014 | ISBN-13: 978-1595145932
Lisa is the owner of the book review blog – A Life Bound By Books. She’s been blogging for a little over four years and loves finding new authors and their titles. Her blog focuses on picture books through “New Adult” and she’s always on the lookout for her next favorite book. Outside of reading and blogging she loves spending time with family, friends and traveling to her second home in Liverpool, England. For more information please check out her blog and she can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.