Madison Library District
Choice Awards
TEEN FICTION NOMINEES FOR 2016
Voting has ended for 2016.
Find all the nominees below.
Winners
1. Storm of Lighting
by Richard Paul Evans
The Electroclan is on the run. The resistance movement has been compromised. The safe house has been destroyed. The voice is in hiding, and they have no idea if …
Read the full synopsis
2. Fridays with the Wizards
by Jessica Day George
Celie and her friends and family are back in the Castle, safe and sound. But there’s still the problem of Wizard Arkwright. What do you do with an …
Read the full synopsis
3. The Forgotten Sisters
by Shannon Hale
After a year at the king’s palace, Miri has learned all about being a proper princess. But the tables turn when the student must become the …
Read the full synopsis
4. Old School
by Jeff Kinney
Life was better in the old days. Or was it? That’s the question Greg Heffley is asking as his town voluntarily unplugs and goes electronics-free. But modern …
Read the full synopsis
5. Winter
by Marissa Meyer
Princess Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She’s said to be even more breath-taking than her stepmother, Queen …
Read the full synopsis
6. Crystal Keepers
by Brandon Mull
Cole Randolph is trapped in a world where magic is powerful and dreams are real. He found his friend Dalton and has survived the first two kingdoms of the …
Read the full synopsis
7. Mark of the Thief
by Jennifer A. Nielsen
When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than …
Read the full synopsis
8. The Sword of Summer
by Rick Riordan
Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of …
Read the full synopsis
9. Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter
by Rachel Renée Russell
Nikki and her friends Brandon, Chloe, and Zoey are teamed up on an important mission in the tenth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries …
Read the full synopsis
10. Heroes of the Dustbin
by Tyler Whitesides
Although their enemies are powerful, their allies few, Spencer and his team of Rebels are not giving up! But what chance do a handful of kids and one …
Read the full synopsis
Other Nominees
Red Queen
by Victoria Aveyard
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will …
Read the full synopsis
Princess in Disguise
by E.D. Baker
With the help of family and friends, Annie and Liam’s wedding day looks as if it’s going to be perfect until everything starts to go wrong. Liam’s father doesn’t show up, nor do the …
Read the full synopsis
The War That
Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out …
Read the full synopsis
All Fall Down
by Ally Carter
Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things:
1. She is not crazy.
2. Her mother was murdered.
3. Someday she is going to find the killer and …
Read the full synopsis
Atlantia
by Ally Condie
For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamed of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all …
Read the full synopsis
The Game of Lives
by James Dashner
Now the games he was playing have become all too real. Only weeks ago, Sinking into the Sleep was fun. The VirtNet combined the most cutting-edge …
Read the full synopsis
Illuminae
by Amie Kaufman
and Jay Kristoff
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations …
Read the full synopsis
Island of Shipwrecks
by Lisa McMann
Alex and his friends from Artimé are stranded on a newly discovered island after barely surviving a storm that destroys their ship. And it turns out they’re not …
Read the full synopsis
Neverseen
by Shannon Messenger
Sophie Foster is on the run—but at least she’s not alone. Her closest friends from the Lost Cities have gone with her to join the Black Swan. They still have …
Read the full synopsis
The Heart of Betrayal
by Mary E. Pearson
Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape . . . and even less of being together. Desperate to save her life, Lia’s erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has …
Read the full synopsis
Firefight
by Brandon Sanderson
Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, may give David answers. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while …
Read the full synopsis
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between
by Jennifer E. Smith
On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the …
Read the full synopsis
The Infinite Sea
by Rick Yancey
How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity. Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new …
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1. Storm of Lightning by Richard Paul Evans
The Electroclan is on the run. The resistance movement has been compromised. The safe house has been destroyed. The voice is in hiding, and they have no idea if their families are alive…or dead.
Meanwhile, the Elgen are on the move. They’ve launched a new assault on the small island nation of Tuvalu. If they are successful, it will be the first domino to fall as part of Hatch’s master plan to take over the rest of the world. But cracks are beginning to appear in the ranks of the Elgen elite, and while Hatch still rules with an iron fist, there are signs of dissent. If the Elgen are beginning to turn against each other, can the Electroclan find an opportunity to use this to their advantage? Or is it just a trap to destroy them once and for all?
The stakes have never been higher, and Michael and his friends are about to be tested in ways they never imagined.
book 5 in the Michael Vey series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Miranda rated it ★★★.
2. Fridays with the Wizards by Jessica Day George
Celie and her friends and family are back in the Castle, safe and sound. But there’s still the problem of Wizard Arkwright. What do you do with an evil wizard?
Especially when he escapes from his cell, but doesn’t leave the Castle!
Now it’s up to Celie, with the help of her wizard brother Bran and her griffins, to track down Arkwright and get rid of him for good!
book 4 in the Castle Glower series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Emily rated it ★★★★★ and said “This is my favorite of the series so far!”
Mary rated it ★★★★.
3. The Forgotten Sisters by Shannon Hale
After a year at the king’s palace, Miri has learned all about being a proper princess. But the tables turn when the student must become the teacher!
Instead of returning to her beloved Mount Eskel, Miri is ordered to journey to a distant swamp and start a princess academy for three sisters, cousins of the royal family. Unfortunately, Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are more interested in hunting and fishing than becoming princesses.
As Miri spends more time with the sisters, she realizes the king and queen’s interest in them hides a long-buried secret. She must rely on her own strength and intelligence to unravel the mystery, protect the girls, complete her assignment, and finally make her way home.
book 3 in the Princess Academy series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said “I really enjoyed this last book to the series. It was a great wrap up, and I liked it more than Palace of Stone and maybe even more than Princess Academy. I love Miri. She is so down to earth and relatable. I also really like the world these stories are set in and how the different parts of the country are so separated from each other. I am sad to see this series come to a close as I would really like to see more. Sus’s story would be a great addition. I can’t wait to see where Shannon Hale takes us next.”
Emily rated it ★★★★ and said “I really liked seeing Miri in a situation that was even more out of her comfort zone than the city was. She grew a lot, as did the sisters. Great addition to the series!”
Mary rated it ★★★★ and said “Another fantastic addition to the Princess Academy series.”
4. Old School by Jeff Kinney
Life was better in the old days. Or was it?
That’s the question Greg Heffley is asking as his town voluntarily unplugs and goes electronics-free. But modern life has its conveniences, and Greg isn’t cut out for an old-fashioned world.
With tension building inside and outside the Heffley home, will Greg find a way to survive? Or is going “old school” just too hard for a kid like Greg?
book 10 in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Lorna rated it ★★★.
5. Winter by Marissa Meyer
Princess Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She’s said to be even more breath-taking than her stepmother, Queen Levana…
When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.
But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.
Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter claim their happily ever afters by defeating Levana once and for all?
book 4 in The Lunar Chronicles series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Emily rated it ★★★★★ and said “So, so, so good!!!! Perfect ending to one of my favorite series. Loved it all!”
Bekka rated it ★★★★ and said “I really enjoyed this final installment of the series! I think all the plot lines were tied up quite neatly, and all the questions were answered. Our characters stay true to themselves, and all is right with the world (and moon!)”
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said “This is a huge book, but it almost has to be in order to get all of the details right and wrap the story up in the best way. Winter and her friends are ready to make the final stand and take back Luna from the evil Levana. Through death, destruction, and pain, they must overcome all or lose it forever. This was a great finale to the series. I love how all of the characters remain individuals, and even though there are many, they are also easy to keep track of and follow their individual storylines. Love this series!”
Betsy rated it ★★★★.
6. Crystal Keepers by Brandon Mull
Cole Randolph is trapped in a world where magic is powerful and dreams are real. He found his friend Dalton and has survived the first two kingdoms of the Outskirts. But none of that has prepared him for the magnetic highways and robotic bounty hunters of Zeropolis.
Ruled by Abram Trench, the one Grand Shaper who stayed loyal to the evil High King, the government of Zeropolis uses advanced technologies to keep tight control. Luckily, the resistance in Zeropolis is anchored by the Crystal Keepers, a group of young rebels with unique weapons.
On the run from the High King’s secret police, Cole and Dalton venture to find more of their lost friends and help their new friend, Mira, locate her sister Constance. But as their enemies ruthlessly dismantle the resistance, time runs out for Cole to uncover the secrets behind the Zeropolitan government and unravel the mystery of who helped the High King steal his daughter’s powers. Can Cole fix The Outskirts magic, or will he be stranded forever?
book 3 in the Five Kingdoms series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Emily rated it ★★★★★.
Mary rated it ★★★★ and said “Brandon Mull once again weaves a great story! Looking forward to the next segment!”
Amy rated it ★★★★.
7. Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
When Nic, a slave in the mines outside of Rome, is forced to enter a sealed cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar, he finds much more than gold and gemstones: He discovers an ancient bulla, an amulet that belonged to the great Caesar and is filled with a magic once reserved for the Gods — magic some Romans would kill for.
Now, with the deadly power of the bulla pulsing through his veins, Nic is determined to become free. But instead, he finds himself at the center of a ruthless conspiracy to overthrow the emperor and spark the Praetor War, a battle to destroy Rome from within. Traitors and spies lurk at every turn, each more desperate than the next to use Nic’s newfound powers for their own dark purposes.
In a quest to stop the rebellion, save Rome, and secure his own freedom, Nic must harness the magic within himself and defeat the empire’s most powerful and savage leaders.
book 1 in the Mark of the Thief series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★★ and said “I really like these characters. The end reveals will definitely make the next book in the series much anticipated.”
Miranda rated it ★★★★.
8. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, staying one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.
One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down—his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus’s birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and Doomsday bubble up from Magnus’s memory. But he doesn’t have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents. . . .
Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.
book 1 in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★★.
9. Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter by Rachel Renée Russell
Nikki and her friends Brandon, Chloe, and Zoey are teamed up on an important mission in the tenth book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series.
Nikki has to hide seven ADORKABLE puppies from two parents, one nosy little sister, an entire middle school, and…one mean girl out for revenge, MacKenzie Hollister. If anyone can do it, it’s Nikki…but not without some hilarious challenges along the way!
book 10 in the Dork Diaries series
10. Heroes of the Dustbin by Tyler Whitesides
Although their enemies are powerful, their allies few, Spencer and his team of Rebels are not giving up! But what chance do a handful of kids and one rescued janitor have against the combined evil of the Founding Witches and the Sweepers? Can the Rebels close the source of all Glop and stop the Toxites once and for all—or is the world doomed to fall under the control of the sinister Bureau of Educational Maintenance?
This explosive series finale is a gripping ride through conflicted loyalties and daring escapes, unexpected alliances and betrayals, and an ending you’ll never forget!
book 5 in the Janitors series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Emily rated it ★★★★.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This is a world divided by blood—red or silver.
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
That is until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.
But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance—Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.
book 1 in the Red Queen series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Emily rated it ★★★★1/2 and said “LOVED this! I think I like it better than The Hunger Games, in fact. Can’t wait for the next book!”
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said “A great start to a new series. This was reminiscent of Steelheart for me as far as the premise that some people have powers and some don’t goes, but with a great fantasy setting and royal governmental intrigue and conspiracy. I really enjoyed reading this and I will be looking for more in this series and by this author.”
Betsy rated it ★★★★.
Natalie rated it ★★★★.
Patty rated it ★★★★.
Princess in Disguise by E.D. Baker
With the help of family and friends, Annie and Liam’s wedding day looks as if it’s going to be perfect until everything starts to go wrong. Liam’s father doesn’t show up, nor do the magic-wielding guests. Members of the wedding party come down with strange afflictions, Annie’s gown is ruined, a storm floods the castle grounds, and an unknown king lays siege to the castle.
Queen Karolina decides that they need the help of her fairy godmother, Moonbeam, but a pea-soup fog keeps the messengers from leaving. Only Annie and Liam can get past the magical fog to find Moonbeam, but even after they find her, it’s up to them to discover who cast the spells that ruined the wedding, and why the unknown king wants to conquer Treecrest.
book 4 in the Wide-Awake Princess series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★ and said “What’s not to love about the Wide-Awake Princess?! This one is yet another fun adventure for Annie and Liam. A great read for princesses young and old!”
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?
book 1 in The War That Saved My Life series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Bekka rated it ★★★★★ and said “Really beautiful book! A tragic, but ultimately triumphant, story. Ada is a great heroine!”
Cathy rated it ★★★★★ and said, “I adore this book both for the story it tells and the stories it doesn’t. The story it tells of crippled Ada, her abusive mother, and her and her brother’s redemption by semi-reclusive Susan during a harrowing war is wonderfully told. The stories hinted at could have been quickly outlined, but were given just enough form to leave me asking, ‘What made her mother into this cruel monster?’ ‘What happened between Susan and her family?’ ‘Will they be able to survive the dangers and hard times ahead?’ I’m enjoying flushing out these other stories in my mind. And in truth, they are other stories. Spelling out the details would only have detracted from Ada’s tale, and Ada’s tale needs no help. It can stand on it’s own, as can she.”
Lorna rated it ★★★★1/2 and said, “I loved the 1st person narrative and the way it brought out Ada’s vulnerability and fragileness, yet her courage and determination shine through. It was a high interest story and the chapters just melted into one another as I wanted to just keep going with it. The ending was a tad over the top with sentimentality but it was uplifting and poignant.”
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “When I think about WWII, I think about concentration camps, Pearl Harbor, and the Holocaust. This book brought light to another part of the war, and specifically to a young brother and sister living on the edge of society. I felt much for Ada and her brother and all of the issues they faced. It was interesting to see how the author portrayed their emotional baggage and the ways that it affected them and how they coped. I can see how this can be a great read for older tweens, but I don’t think that younger kids will be able to pick up on all of the subtleties and exactly what they were going through.”
All Fall Down by Ally Carter
Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things:
1. She is not crazy.
2. Her mother was murdered.
3. Someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay.
As certain as Grace is about these facts, nobody else believes her — so there’s no one she can completely trust. Not her grandfather, a powerful ambassador. Not her new friends, who all live on Embassy Row. Not Alexei, the Russian boy next door, who is keeping his eye on Grace for reasons she neither likes nor understands.
Everybody wants Grace to put on a pretty dress and a pretty smile, blocking out all her unpretty thoughts. But they can’t control Grace — no more than Grace can control what she knows or what she needs to do. Her past has come back to hunt her . . . and if she doesn’t stop it, Grace isn’t the only one who will get hurt. Because on Embassy Row, the countries of the world stand like dominoes, and one wrong move can make them all fall down.
book 1 in the Embassy Row series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★★.
Miranda rated it ★★★★.
Emily rated it ★★★.
Atlantia by Ally Condie
Can you hear Atlantia breathing?
For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamed of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all Rio’s hopes for the future are shattered when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected choice, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long silenced—she has nothing left to lose.
Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the corrupted system constructed to govern the Divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★.
Betsy rated it ★★★.
The Game of Lives by James Dashner
Michael used to live to game.
Now the games he was playing have become all too real. Only weeks ago, Sinking into the Sleep was fun. The VirtNet combined the most cutting-edge technology and the most sophisticated gaming for a full mind-body experience. And it was Michael’s passion. But now every time Michael Sinks, he risks his life.
The games are over. The VirtNet has become a world of deadly consequences, and Kaine grows stronger by the day. The Mortality Doctrine—Kaine’s master plan—has nearly been realized, and little by little the line separating the virtual from the real is blurring. If Kaine succeeds, it will mean worldwide cyber domination. And it looks like Michael and his friends are the only ones who can put the monster back in the box—if Michael can figure out who his friends really are.
book 3 in The Mortality Doctrine series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★★ and said “A very nice way to end the trilogy. I also liked how he throws in a bit of reference to the Maze Runner trilogy.”
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than a speck at the edge of the universe. Now with enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra — who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to evacuate with a hostile warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A plague has broken out and is mutating with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a web of data to find the truth, it’s clear the only person who can help her is the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents — including emails, maps, files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more — Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.
book 1 in The Illuminae Files series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Miranda rated it ★★★★★ and said “When you read a 600 pg book in 1 day, you know it was good. Written through IM, email, and classified reports, this book tells the story of Kady and her fight to save her ship (and maybe her very recently ex-boyfriend, if she can swing it). When her mining outpost is attacked by a competitor, only a few thousand people make it to the three ships fleeing for safety. Those ships head for the nearest location with a transport portal, more than six months away. They are stalked by the enemy, a well armed attack vessel. Throw in a twist with a rogue AI and a killer virus, and this makes for a great story. I loved These Broken Stars, and this has that same feel to it. The uniqueness comes in the style it was written in, including the wonderful pages with the ships flying through space. It also includes schematics of the ship and the distance the characters have to travel in order to make it out alive.”
Emily rated it ★★★★★ and said “I don’t even know what to say about this. What a twisted and completely fascinating story!”
Lorna rated it ★★★★ and said “This isn’t the type of book I would normally like but I listened to it on audio. The full cast performance made for a very enjoyable reading experience. The writing shows a brilliant mind. Thought provoking yet manages to be humorous at times.”
Island of Shipwrecks by Lisa McMann
Alex and his friends from Artimé are stranded on a newly discovered island after barely surviving a storm that destroys their ship. And it turns out they’re not alone…
Back in Quill, Aaron’s power base grows as he aligns himself with an unlikely ally. Together, the two enact a drastic, risky plan to finally conquer Artimé—a plan that could ultimately leave everyone in both Artimé and Quill in far more danger than Aaron realizes.
book 5 in the Unwanteds series
Neverseen by Shannon Messenger
Sophie Foster is on the run—but at least she’s not alone.
Her closest friends from the Lost Cities have gone with her to join the Black Swan. They still have doubts about the shadowy organization, but the only way to find answers is to start working with them. And as they settle into their new lives, they uncover secrets far bigger than anything they’d imagined.
But their enemies are far from done, and unleash a terrifying plague that threatens the safety of an entire species. Sophie and her friends fight with everything they have—with new allies joining them—but every choice has consequences. And trusting the wrong person could prove deadly.
book 4 in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Vivian rated it ★★★★ and said “Spent the first 500 pages enjoying the world and characters that Shannon Messenger has created. Then the pace picked up exponentially and it was white knuckle for the next 200 pages — very satisfying, lots of surprises, and yes there will be another installment. Can’t wait!”
The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson
Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape . . . and even less of being together.
Desperate to save her life, Lia’s erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komisar that she has a magical gift, and the Komisar’s interest in Lia is greater than either Kaden or Lia foresaw.
Meanwhile, the foundations of Lia’s deeply-held beliefs are crumbling beneath her. Nothing is straightforward: there’s Rafe, who lied to her, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom she always believed to be barbarians but whom she now realizes are people who have been terribly brutalized by the kingdoms of Dalbreck and Morrighan. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her very sense of self, Lia will have to make powerful choices that affect her country, her people . . . and her own destiny.
book 2 in The Remnant Chronicles series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said “Not bad for book 2. There is a lot going on in this one, but it is still fairly easy to follow the different characters and their viewpoints. The chapters not from Lia’s point of view are clearly labeled with the speaker’s name. I loved the first book, but I had forgotten quite a few of the little details and what was going on, but I was able to catch up fairly well as I read through the first few chapters. Kaden and Rafe are still individuals with personal interests in mind, and it will make for a great read in book three as these are reveled to the reader.”
Ina rated it ★★★★ and said “Really, you sometimes expect the middle book to be bleh. This was a stunning exception. The story is brisk, the setting different and intriguing, the main characters continue to evolve. I really appreciated too, that she stuck to her choice instead of being the wishy-washy heroine you sometimes see. But the lies she tells for survival and the betrayals that abound… Makes you wonder, what would you do to survive?”
Leslie rated it ★★★★.
Natalie rated it ★★★★.
Firefight by Brandon Sanderson
Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, may give David answers. Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find. And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David’s willing to risk it. Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David’s heart. A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived. Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic—Firefight. And he’s willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.
book 2 in The Reckoners series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Hayden rated it ★★★★★.
Emily rated it ★★★★★.
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said “A decent book 2 for the series, although I didn’t connect with this one as well as the first. I will be watching for book 3.”
Mary rated it ★★★★.
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan have only one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night leads them to family and friends, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?
Charming, bittersweet, and full of wisdom and heart, this irresistible novel from Jennifer E. Smith explores the difficult choices that arise when life and love lead in different directions.
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Mary rated it ★★★★★ and said “Sigh… Really not much more you can say, but another fantastic story by Jennifer E. Smith! Once again she captures the balance between fiction and what could really happen.”
Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said “I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read by Smith, but this is not my favorite. While there is nothing particularly wrong with it, it just didn’t have quite the same feel for me as her other works I’ve read. Dealing with difficult choices and growing up is hard, especially on the cusp of being considered a kid and becoming an adult. That being said, this is not a bad book, and was still a good read about relationships, both romantic and familial. It dealt with a lot of issues and decisions without being overbearing and lecturing about “right” choices. I will definitely watch for more by Smith as I’ve really liked other novels, and I know there are those who will like this one better than the ones I pick as my favorites.”
The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey
How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.
Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.
Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.
book 2 in The 5th Wave series
Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians
Lorna rated it ★★★1/2 and said “I loved the lyrical prose and plot twists. It was confusing at times though, and didn’t hold my interest as well as the first one did.”