The Line

The Line by Teri Hall


Summary:  Rachel lives with her mother on Ms. Moore's property near the Line.  The Line is an impenetrable U.S. boundary that was put in place after an attack.  It was placed so quickly that those outside of the boundary were left to die...or worse.  While exploring one day, Rachel receives a message from some one on the other side.  A request for help.

Thoughts:  I thought this book was pretty good.  Although, at times, the political aspects of the book were overwhelming for me.  I thought the characters developed quite nicely.  There was a cliff-hanger ending that leads into book two.  That's always frustrating for me as a reader.  Overall its recommended.

Birthmarked

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien


Summary (from GoodReads): In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother’s footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve.

Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

Thoughts:  Wow. Wow. Wow.  I really enjoyed this book.  I loved Gaia.  I really felt her indecision and pain.  There was definitely a lot of action and even some unexpected romance.  This is the first in an expected trilogy.  I will be reading the next novel for sure.  I just have to know what happens.  This is a must-read for anyone who liked City of Ember and Maze Runner.

Uglies, Pretties, Specials

I read two more books in the Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld.  They were great!  I really identified with the main characters.  There was humor, sadness, struggles, and action in all three of these books.  I decided not to read the 4th book, Extras, because the main character is different and the reviews of the book were "Meh" at best.  I would definitely recommend this series to anyone coming down off of a Hunger Games, Maze Runner, or Divergent binge.

Uglies

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Summary: On your sixteenth birthday you get an operation to make you pretty.  It's what every "Ugly" dreams of.  Tally's new friend Shay doesn't want to be pretty so she runs away.  Tally must now make a choice: find her friend and turn her in (like the authorities want her to), or never be pretty.

Thoughts: This was a pretty gripping book.  I enjoyed it immensely and it kept me turning pages.  The romance aspect is a little hap-hazard, but the action is great.  There's a really good societal and emotional aspect to the book as well.  This is a definite recommend if you like post-apocalyptic novels.  If you liked the Maze Runner, Hunger Games, or Divergent series you'll like Uglies.  I'll be reading the rest of this series this summer.

Rot and Ruin

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Summary:  In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cashbut what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

Thoughts:  Wow.  Just wow.  Let me start by saying that I hate zombies.  They gross me out.  But this book was more about the human reaction to zombies as opposed to the zombies themselves.  Totally not scary like I thought.  It's well-written, fast-paced, and I just loved the characters.  If you like Divergent, Hunger Games, or the Maze Runner you'd like this book.

Legend by Marie Lu

Summary (from Goodreads): What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Thoughts:  This is an intriguing novel.  The author's flap says she was inspired by the Broadway smash Les Miserables and you can see a touch of the forbidden love.  I thought this book was a great adventure and I really ended up liking the main characters a lot. 

Insurgent (and Divergent)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Summary: It's the sequel to Divergent.  Any more of a summary than that will help spoil Divergent.  And I'm just not down for that.

Thoughts:  Wow. Wow. Wow.  This might actually be better than Divergent.  It had a couple of plot twists that just blew my mind.  Seriously, I gasped in such horror and shock once my library aide jumped up and was asking if I was okay.  I can't say enough good things about this series...And I just can't wait to see what's in store for the 3rd book.  Any guesses on the title?

Enclave

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Summary: Deuce lives in post-apocalyptic America in an underground city.  She has just become a huntress when she learns that the Eaters are becoming smarter and are threatening their colony.  Her elders don't believe her and frame her friend of the cardinal sin of hoarding.  She saves him and is banished.  She must now find a new place to live and learn how to survive Topside.

Thoughts:  Great book!  It's kind of a mix of Hunger Games, City of Ember, and The Giver all in one.  Anyone looking to read a post-apocalyptic novel should definitely give this a look.