Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better off Friends

by Elizabeth Eulberg  

 

For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.

Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?

From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?

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A truly delightful book. The last Eulberg I read was fun but too teeny for me (this IS YA. It happens occasionally.) But this book, even though it started with our main characters as 8th graders, was entertaining and engaging and real. Honestly, this book needs to be read by every teen girl - kind of a “Yes, Teenage Boys are REALLY This Idiotic” Manual. I love teenage boys - I had three brothers, now four sons. They are fabulous creatures. But they are also bizarre and testosterone-y at times. I can’t say teenage girls are better, teenagers are all equally unhinged. Sorry, tangent.

A great book, a sweet love story, and the dual authors didn’t bug me at all. I loved Adam, the appropriateness of a certain punch, and may have teared up a bit. A lovely read.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: none; Profanity: none; Sex: none

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

The Moon and More

by Sarah Dessen  

 

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

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I love Sarah Dessen books. She brings some serious matters into the genre of YA contemporary literature and she does it in an entertaining and engaging way. I love her setting and her cameos and easter eggs. I loved so many characters in this book, none of which happened to be either of the two male protagonists. Which turned out to be fine, the focus was certainly more on growth and personal progression than on romance.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: none; Profanity: moderate; Sex: yes, minor

Shards and Ashes by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong

Shards and Ashes

by Melissa Marr (Editor), Kelley Armstrong (Editor), Veronica Roth, Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl, Rachel Caine, Nancy Holder, Beth Revis, more…

 

Gripping original stories of dystopian worlds from nine New York Times bestselling authors, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong.

The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested.

Powerful original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world. 

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Another fabulous anthology, though not the book to have just finished when a Facebook friend posts “You have been transported to the location in the last book you read. Where are you?” YIKES! Which horribly dystopian future should I pick? Seriously though, out of nine stories only one of them was meh.  The rest were fabulous, creative, and still satisfying, though I would love to see novels from a few of them. I especially loved to read what Carrie Ryan can come up with when her brain isn’t being eaten by zombies. An excellent collection!!

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate/heavy; Profanity: yes??; Sex: some

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Emerald Green 

by Kerstin Gier, Anthea Bell  

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.

She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.

This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

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Another fabulous ending for a series I’ve enjoyed a ton - I think this will be the year of closure. I’ve loved the world Gier has created and enjoyed visiting it again (and I had a ton of fun rereading the first two books in preparation.) This last book made me love the first two books even more - I didn't even remember being disappointed by a few things in the 2nd book - I loved Gideon much more, Gwen finally figured out what was going on, and I love love the series as a whole. I love Gier's characters, the mysteries, the friendships and romance. It was a world I wanted to spend more time in even after the ending - I wasn’t done yet! But that doesn’t mean the ending wasn’t fabulous. Questions were answers, happily ever afters were achieved. A hugely fun series, one I will probably reread over and over. This story and characters wouldn't leave me for days - truly a sign of an excellent series.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: weirdly enough, a bit; Sex: no

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Perfect Lies

by Kiersten White 

Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them. 

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If you are a fan of White’s Paranormalcy books, don’t be too surprised when you read this series - the genre and feel of these books are SO different, but I still love them. They are harsher and crueler and more heartbreaking but fascinating and emotionally wrought reads. I love her flawed characters and really enjoyed getting into both Fia’s AND Annie’s heads this time. The ending was gut wrenching and perfect and I really hope there is another book in the series.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: yes; Profanity: YES; Sex: yes

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Cruel Beauty

by Rosamund Hodge

 

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

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Loved loved loved this book. A fabulously well thought out retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Hmm, maybe not a retelling. More like Hodge used Beauty and the Beast as the backbone and was wildly creative from that point on. It was a fun world, lovely romance, and fabulous ending. Sigh. One I will probably buy someday, which is the highest praise I can give a book. I can't wait to see what else this author gives us.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: mild; Profanity: none; Sex: yes, not descriptive

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

The Pledge 

by Kimberly Derting  

 

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

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I loved Kimberly Derting’s Body Finder series and was shocked she had another series I hadn’t heard anything about. New series! Yay! And better yet, one that was complete. Hallelujah, no cliff hangers. And while it was really fun to read a completely different genre from an author I really like, I still like her Body Finder series best. I liked Charlie and her cohorts but I was never sold on the love interest. Yes Max is gorgeous and amazing and so on but the instalove (on his part) was just WAY too instant. Way way too instant. There seemed to be no basis for their relationship - no build up, no commonalities, no time spent together. Weird. The subsequent books were better, once I had already accepted that they were a thing and so on and it no longer distracted me from the story line. It was the type of series that all three books could be made into a single movie - each book was pretty direct and succinct. They were quick reads and I had fun reading them.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: heavy; Profanity: none; Sex: first book implied, subsequent books yes but mild

Evertrue by Brodi Ashton

Evertrue 

by Brodi Ashton

 

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

 

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Yet another ending of a fun series. The Persephone myth has been a favorite meme of late in the YA world but this has been my favorite rendition. With the last book there were SO many things left hanging, I thought there was no way she would be able to tie everything up by the end of the 3rd book. But she did! Complete and incendiary closure. The second to last chapter was heartbreaking and heart wrenching and all those hearty kinds of things. The plot twists with Cole throughout the book were perfect. And then the last chapter was just the perfect ending. Another series where my favorite characters can finally just RELAX.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: possibly mild?; Sex: mild

Infinite by Jodi Meadows

Infinite

by Jodi Meadows

DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

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Another excellent ending to a fun series. I wasn’t sold on the first book - I didn’t buy into the romance, they seemed too disparate. But the second book changed my mind, and the 3rd completely clinched it. This was a very creative, completely original series. The world was well thought out and consistent from beginning to end. This book brought excellent closure, there were DRAGONS, everything ended happily ever after even after heartache and misery and misunderstanding and truly evil people. And did I mention there were dragons?

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: none; Sex: yes

Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Taste of Darkness

by Maria V. Snyder

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat: The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.

Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

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A lovely ending to a fun series. This isn’t my favorite series of Snyder’s (LOVED Poison Study), but I liked it better than the last one (the Glass series). The plot was twisty and turny and amazingly enough everyone I cared about survived the twists and turns. Phew. BIG phew. I was NOT a fan of the Skeleton King plot twist (um, where did he come from?), it was disgusting. But everything ended well and hopefully my favorite characters can finally rest for a bit. Take a break. Live life. Finally RELAX. These books were a little rush rush and frankly kind of exhausting.

And by the way? Please no more leering from main characters. Only villains or nasty old men are supposed to leer. Okay? Okay.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: heavy (ick, yuck); Profanity: none; Sex: yes

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue 

by Veronica Rossi (Goodreads Author)

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.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. 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 earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

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An excellent ending! Yay! Closure! Hooray! Love closure. (I think I'm still a bit PTSD from Allegiant.) The 2nd book of this series made me just a wee bit annoyed about the whole series in general, I felt they kept killing off the only people I cared about. This book has redeemed the whole series and tied up loose knots and was crazy busy from beginning to end but most importantly it ended well. Phew.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: heavy; Profanity: none; Sex: yes

Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite 

by Kiera Cass

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

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Second Books! Gah! Second books. Good thing this month (and potentially this year) has been such an EXCELLENT month/year for closure and end or series books, or this book would have driven me even more crazy than it did. Lots of waffling, lots of “REALLY?” moments, main characters making mistakes. And I’m reminded why I think the Bachelor is a stupid show (I’m sorry, I know it’s not a popular opinion.) How can you take a relationship seriously with a man who is dating a ton of other girls?!? Seriously! I did enjoy a few things - the story progressed (a bit), we got to fall in love with America’s family again, and now I’m ready for the 3rd book to come out.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: none; Sex: mild

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress

by Marissa Meyer

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

 

 

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Marissa Meyer! I simply adore your writing. With your third (THIRD!) installment I was again swept away by your world and your characters and all the craziness happening to them. Four books? You mean this is a FOUR book series instead of a trilogy? Oh YES please. (I knew this previous to reading Cress. If I hadn't, MAYBE I wouldn't be so happy about the 4th book.) I love Cinder, still, and the cast of characters surrounding her continues to get better and better. Iko and Thorne and Cress oh my! Fun characters. But despite this being the third (THIRD!) book, the plot still (STILL!) progresses. I KNOW. Amazing. Plots progress, characters grow, crazy shenanigans take place - I just simply love this series. It's rare for me to love subsequent books even more than I enjoyed the first offering, but this series definitely succeedsin improving each time. Can't wait to delve into the craziness that will be Winter.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: none; Sex: none

Ignite Me by Taherah Mafi

Ignite Me

by Tahereh Mafi

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

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Sigh. I loved this book. I have friends who are not fans of Taherah Mafi's writing, I also have friends that were swept up and spit out by her intense writing, just like I was. To each her own. I also know many fans of her books will be LIVID about where she took her characters, but I LOVED IT. In my secret heart of hearts it's where I thought they needed to be, though I wasn't brave enough to admit it. And for fans that DON'T love this ending? SERIOUSLY? How could you not? Have you READ the novellas? I think Ms. Mafi realized many of her fans may not have read said novellas, because she kind of hit us over the head with important concepts we discovered there, like the possible nobleness of a previously despised character, as well as the condescending oafishness of a previously beloved character. So there was that. But I still loved this series. I loved Juliette's journey and growth and strength and final acceptance of who she was and who she wanted to be. As always, I would have loved an epilogue. A Ten Years Later kind of thing. Or some such. But I was still happy with how this series ended and now want to reread the whole thing over again with the end in sight. Can't wait.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: YES; Profanity: YES; Sex: YES, way way too much for a YA

 

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau

Independent Study

by Joelle Charbonneau

 

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her.

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A great second book! We delved deeper into the machinations and cover ups of the government and it was fun to meet another cast of characters and try to figure out who the good guys and bad guys were. I'm still not sold on the romance - still seems a little simplistic and cheesy. Cia seems to be able to think outside the box in every situation except for Tomas. Sigh. But I love how strong and determined she is throughout the series so far, no wishy washy moping. Hooray for unteenage-like teenager! I look forward to the next book.

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate; Profanity: probably none?; Sex: mild

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

The Testing

by Joelle Charbonneau

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

 

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This book felt like a mix between Maze Runner, Taken, and Hunger Games. A typical YA dystopian, full of government machinations and clueless populations and endearing (and enduring) teens. I enjoyed the setting and the world building, I liked the two main characters. So interesting to see the different facets of human nature. The romance seemed a bit cheesy and at times simplistic, especially compared to the rest of the story, but this is definitely a series I'll continue. 

Mom note: As a mother of readers, I also want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures. Violence: moderate to heavy; Profanity: ??; Sex: mild