The interrogation of Ashala Wolf

The interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina - 2012
Book 1 of The Tribe

Blurb...The Reckoning destroyed civilisation. Rising from the ashes, some people have developed unique abilities, and society is scared of them. Guided by the ancient spirits of the land, Ashala Wolf will do anything to keep them safe. When Ashala is captured, she realises she has been betrayed by someone she trusted. When her interrogator starts digging in her memories for information, she doubts she can protect her people forever. Will the Tribe survive the interrogation of Ashala Wolf?

Elemental mysteries series

Elemental mysteries series - Elizabeth Hunter - 2011/2012 - Kindle

Blurb...A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mystery he’d abandoned years before. He never expected a young librarian could hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would attract. Now he and Beatrice De Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads from the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.

Review: I stumbled across this series the other day. I just bought Book 1 and though I would give it a try. I was so hooked that I am now up to Book 3 and I'm loving it. It ticks all the right boxes for this genre, action, good v's evil, love, history books and throw in a can of whoop arse and you are in for a rollicking good time. What's not to love. I highly recommend this series.

The rise of nine

The rise of nine by Pittacus Lore - 2012

Blurb...'Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive.

Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .

I went to Spain to find Seven, and I found even more, including a tenth member of the Garde who escaped from Lorien alive. Ella is younger than the rest of us, but just as brave. Now we're looking for the others--including John.

But so are they.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They caught me in New York--but I escaped.
I am Number Six.
They want to finish what they started.
But they'll have to fight us first.' - website

Comments... I have just started this book and am struggling to remember what happened in book 2. Stay tuned.... Well after a few half hearted attempts I have finally finished this book. It did take awhile to get back into the story and then to my great annoyance, each chapter was from the perspective different characters. I'm glad that I stuck with it and as usual the story ended as a cliff hanger grr. No doubt when the next installment comes out I will be going through the same process.

Girl, stolen

Girl, stolen by April Henry (2012)

Blurb...'Sixteen–year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what’s happening, their car is being stolen. Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, but once his dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare? Because she’s not only sick with pneumonia—she’s also blind.' - website



Fracture

Fracture by Megan Miranda - 2012

Virals series by Kathy Reichs

 Virals. Book 1 by Kathy Reichs - 2010

Seizure. Book 2 by Kathy Reichs - 2011

Ashes, ashes

Ashes, ashes by Jo Treggiari - 2011


Blurb ....
Epidemics, floods, droughts–for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she’s rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can’t continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There’s something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.










Visit Jo's site: http://jotreggiari.com/

All I ever wanted

All I ever wanted by Vickki Wakefield - 2011

Blurb ....

All I Ever Wanted

RULE NUMBER ONE:

I will not turn out like my mother.

Mim wants to be anywhere but home—in a dead suburb and with a mother who won’t get off the couch.

She’s set herself rules to live by, but she’s starting to break them.

In nine days she’ll turn seventeen. What she doesn’t know is that her life is about to change forever. And when it does, the same things will look entirely different.

Visit Vickki's site: http://vikkiwakefield.com/

Inside out series

Inside out (Book 1) - 2010 / Outside in (Book 2) - 2011 by Maria V. Snyder




Inside out Blurb ....
Keep Your Head Down. Don't Get Noticed. Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. One of thousands who work in the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. The Trava family who rules our world from their spacious Upper levels wants us to be docile and obedient, like sheep. To insure we behave, they send the Pop Cops to police us.

So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it's all that dangerous--the only neck at risk is my own.

Until a lower level prophet claims a Gateway to Outside exists. And guess who he wants to steal into the Upper levels to get the proof? You’re right. Me. I alone know every single duct, pipe, corridor, shortcut, hole and ladder of Inside. It’s suicide plain and simple. But guess who can’t let a challenge like that go unanswered? Right again. Me.

I should have just said no... 


Outside in Blurb ....
Me?? A Leader??
Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion-between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again-while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In. 


Visit Maria's site: http://mariavsnyder.com/index.php

Born at midnight

Born at midnight by C.C. Hunter - 2011


Blurb ...

Kylie Galen has had a lot of crap tossed in her lap lately. Her parents are getting a divorce for who the heck knows why. Her boyfriend broke up with her because she wouldn't put out. And her grandmother died because . . . well, older people do that. But now, Kylie's acquired a stalker and she hasn't a clue what he wants or how to get rid of him . . . and she really wants to get rid of him because apparently she's the only one who sees him. Thinking she may be losing it, her parents send her off to see a psychologist who gets Kylie sent to Shadow Falls Camp. Kylie and her parents think it's a camp for troubled teens.

They thought wrong.

Kylie's surrounded by vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches and shapeshifters. And if she believes what they tell her, she's one of them. They're just not sure exactly how she fits in. As Kylie struggles to cope with the realization that these creatures even exist, and the fact that she might not be human, she's got two hot guys, a werewolf and a half-fairy vying for her attention. And they can just keep vying. Kylie's determined that before she lets her heart loose on love, she needs to unearth the truth. What does the ghost want? Who can and can't she trust? And most of all . . . What is she?

Visit C. C. Hunter's site: http://www.cchunterbooks.com/news.html

Tigers voyage

'Tigers voyage' by  Colleen Huock - 2011
Book 3 of the Tiger Saga


Blurb ....
With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his      traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

I have been waiting for this book to come out thinking that finally the curse would be broken and Ren and Kelsey would finally get together. Boy was I so wrong. This is a whole other journey and I was speechless when at the end of the book I finally realised that there was another one to come, no trilogy. Which means I have to wait another year till the next one is published. NOT HAPPY JAN! 

Visit Colleen's site: http://www.tigerscursebook.com/

The power of six

The power of six by Pittacus Lore - 2011
Book two of the Lorien legacies.

Blurb....
Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We’re hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we’ll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I’ve been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?
They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed.
I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.
And I’m ready to fight.

Picking up from the ending of 'I am number four'.  this installment has two stories running simulainiously. One, in America on the run with John, Sam, Six and Bernie Kosar and two in a convent/orphanage high in the mountains of Spain where we meet number seven. This book is faced paced and edgier and the ending leaves you wanting more. I'm enjoying this series and I am really looking forward to the next one.



I am number four by Pitticus Lore - 2009

Blurb ....
We were nine, three are dead, I am number four.
Nine teenagers and their guardians are hiding on Earth … protected by a charm that means they can only be killed in numeric order, three are already dead. John Smith is Number Four. And his mortal enemies are hunting him down.
The only way to keep off radar is to keep moving, never staying in one place for long. Finally in the firing line, all he can do is adopt the guise of a student and pray his unusual gifts – his legacies – stay hidden long enough for him to settle into this new community.
But others seem to sense his otherness and when small-town life sucks him into its intrigues, it's only a matter of time before his true nature is revealed. And that means there's no space for love, friendship or a future if it means protecting not only himself, but the other five …

Visit Pittacus Lore's site: http://iamnumberfourfans.com/the-lorien-legacies/

Heart of danger

Heart of danger by Fleur Beale - 2011
Book 3 of Juno series

Blurb ....
Juno and her family arrive at their new home, but almost immediately danger threatens Hera and they move to Willem's protection in New Plymouth, the city Juno most hoped to avoid. Fairlands school is too like Taris, and Hilto's son Thomas is a pupil there. The handsome Ivor is also there and soon begins to pay attention to Juno in a way she finds both confusing and exciting. Juno's special mind powers are called upon to help her save Hera, and HEART OF DANGER carries on to be a rollicking read that veers between scary situations and Juno's discoveries about love and learning more about the powers of her own mind. 

                                     

 Juno of Taris by Fleur Beale - 2009
Book 1 of the Juno series.

Blurb ....
Juno is a young teen who lives – in the not-too-distant future – on Taris, a bubble-covered island in the Pacific, to which a select few hundred people were evacuated when the Earth was under threat. On Taris there are many rules governing appearance, behaviour, even procreation, but all are for the good of the community, to ensure the survival of humankind. Or are they? As Taris begins to break down and Juno's questioning nature takes hold, she uncovers some startling inconsistencies in the 'facts' she has grown up with.

Fierce September by Fleur Beale - 2010
Book 2 of the Juno series.

Blurb ....
Juno and the Taris inhabitants must leave their dying island. The young people are entranced by the prospect of a life Outside, despite the hate campaigns against them. There are the fashions, the technologies and best of all for Juno, the freedom from extreme control. But Taris doesn't give up its hold so easily, and Juno is shocked to find that the island held more secrets than anyone knew. She wants to bury her head, ignore what she's discovered and forge ahead to find her own place in this new world. If only it were that easy...

Coming in 2012, 'Nash's story'

Skinned

Skinned by Robin Wasserman - 2009 - Now re-released as Frozen

Blurb ....

Everyone will die someday. Everyone but Lia.

The Download was supposed to change the world.
It was supposed to mean the end of aging, the end of death, the birth of a new humanity.
But it wasn't supposed to happen to someone like Lia Kahn.
And it wasn't supposed to ruin her life.

Lia knows she should be grateful she didn't die in the accident. The Download saved her--but it also changed her, forever. She can deal with being a freak. She can deal with the fear in her parents' eyes and the way her boyfriend flinches at her touch. But she can't deal with what she knows, deep down, every time she forces herself to look in the mirror. She's not the same person she used to be.

Maybe she's not even a person at all.

The sky is everywhere

The sky is everywhere by Jandy Nelson - 2010

Blurb ....
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery sister Bailey.  But when Bailey dies suddenly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, finds herself struggling to balance two.  Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own.  Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent.  For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it.  But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

Blood song

Blood song by Rhiannon Hart - 2011

Blurb ....
When her sister becomes betrothed to a prince in a northern nation, Zeraphina’s only consolations are that her loyal animal companions are by her side – and that her burning hunger to travel north is finally being sated.
Already her black hair and pale eyes mark her out as different, but now Zeraphina must be even more careful to keep her secret safe. Craving blood is not considered normal behaviour for anyone, let alone a princess. So when the king’s advisor, Rodden, seems to know more about her condition than she does, Zeraphina is determined to find out more.  Zeraphina must be willing to sacrifice everything if she’s to uncover the truth – but what if the truth is beyond her worst nightmares?


I have just come across this new Australian author and found it interesting that she has the same name as someone else I know.  As I was reading the blurb for this book I was thinking hmm another vamp book. However, when I was actually reading the story I found that I was totally off the mark. It is set in the time of kings and queens and princesses marrying for border protection and money and hopefully love. Zeraphina always new that she was looked different to her mum and older sister but couldn't understand why and why is she always craving blood? I did enjoy this story and I look forward to reading the second book.

Visit Rhiannon's site: http://rhiannon-hart.blogspot.com/

Matched

Matched by Ally Condie - 2010


For all those YA groupies who absolutely loved The Hunger Games, the Rose Black chronicles and the Juno series and need another dystopian book to read, well you have just found it.
Everything was supposed to be perfect when Cassia found out who her match was, but then she started questioning her life, and just how much control the Officials have on her life. Falling in love with the wrong guy leads Cassia on a journey where she will need to fight for her life and for those she loves. I cannot wait for the next installment.
Visit Ally's site: http://www.allysoncondie.com/

Crossed. Book 2 by Ally Condie - 2011

Numbers : time to run

Numbers : time to run by Rachel Ward - 2009

Blurb ....
Since her mother’s death, fifteen-year-old Jem has kept a secret. When her eyes meet someone else’s, a number pops into her head – the date on which they will die. Knowing that nothing lasts forever, Jem avoids relationships, but when she meets a boy called Spider, and they plan a day out together, her life takes a new twist and turn. Waiting for the London Eye, she sees everyone in the queue has the same number – something terrible is going to happen.’

This is book one of the Numbers trilogy. Based in the U.K. it starts off introducing us to the main character Jem. She is a 15 year old who has learnt to make herself  'invisable' so people don't notice her. Jem has a gift/curse where when she look into people's eyes she sees numbers, not just random numbers, these numbers are the date of when that person will die. This book sets up Jem's character and the rollercoaster her life goes on when choices are made. In some places I was a bit over Jem and her moods/attitude towards life and people, however, when I was left with a clifthanger of an ending I understood why Rachel Ward spent so much time letting us get to know Jem. I'm looking forward to reading book 2 Numbers : Chaos.


Visit Rachels site: http://www.rachelwardbooks.com/

Graffiti moon

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - 2010

Honour Award of The Children's Book Council of Australia, YA 2011

Blurb ....
Lucy is in love with Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist.
Ed thought he was in love with Lucy, until she broke his nose.
Dylan loves Daisy, but throwing eggs at her probably wasn't the best way to show it. Jazz and Leo are slowly encircling each other.
An intense and exhilarating 24 hours in the lives of four teenagers on the verge: of adulthood, of HSC, of finding out just who they are, and who they want to be.

For me this story took a bit to warm up, however, once it did it was on a roll. It's aimed at 17 to 18 year olds by the use of its contemporary language and subject matter with the ups and downs of relationships. I really liked this story.

Cath Crowley takes you on a journey looking through the eyes of it two main characters, Lucy and Ed. So each chapter is seen through Lucy's eye's then the next through Ed's. The story begins on the last day of Year 12 and the events that unfold throughout the night and finishes the next morning. Basically, Lucy wants to meet the elusive Shadow, a graffiti artist whose work really speaks to Lucy, and spends her night trying to find him. Ed however, is doing his best making sure she doesn't. I'm not going to spoil the story and tell you what happens, you will just have to read it to find out!!

Visit Cath's site: http://cathcrowley.com.au/

H.I.V.E. series

H.I.V.E. series by Mark Waldon - Bloomsbury 2006-

Blurb ....
Otto Malpense may only be thirteen years old, but so far he has managed to run the orphanage where he lives, and he has come up with a plan clever enough to trick the most powerful man in the country. He is the perfect candidate to become the world's next supervillain.
That is why he ends up at H.I.V.E., handpicked to become a member of the incoming class. The students have been kidnapped and brought to a secluded island inside a seemingly active volcano, where the school has resided for decades. All the kids are elite; they are the most athletic, the most technically advanced, and the smartest in the country. Inside the cavernous marble rooms, floodlit hangars, and steel doors, the students are enrolled in Villainy Studies and Stealth and Evasion 101. But what Otto soon comes to realize is that this is a six-year program, and leaving is not an option.
With the help of his new friends: an athletic martial-arts expert; a world-famous, beautiful diamond thief; and a spunky computer genius -- the only other people who seem to want to leave -- can Otto achieve what has never been done before and break out of H.I.V.E.?

H.I.V.E stands for Higher Institute of Villainous Education.

 I have just read book 3 in this series and am thoroughly enjoying it. The premise behind this series at first didn't grab me, as I love reading good v's evil thillers, but it didn't take long into the first book that I connected to the main character Otto. Otto is fourteen year old boy who grew up in an orphanage. He is extremely gifted and uses his talents for the shady side of good. He gets abducted and finds himself, with other gifted teenagers at the H.I.V.E. Institite on an island in a remote part of the world. There he befriends Wing, Laura and Shelby who between them all are a truly gifted force to be reconned with. For those who love reading Charlie Higson, Anthony Horowitz and Jack Higgins will love the ride this series takes you on.

Visit Mark's site: http://www.markwalden.net/blog/