Kids Books - Science Fiction
Raging Sea (The Undertow Trilogy)
By Michael Buckley
Another great Undertow book. Magnificent writing, and the 3D characters make you feel like part of the team. Let's go Lyric and Fathom!
The Everafter War (The Sisters Grimm, Book 7) (Bk. 7)
By Michael Buckley
I really think you should read The Everafter War in The sisters Grimm, actually I recommend reading all The sisters Grimm series book! Here are some things that are in The Sisters Grimm : Romance, Tragedy, Mystery, and fairy tale. But sometimes they twist fairy tales. And here is some information about Everafters if you don't know already: Everafters are basically people/fairy/ animals that are in fairy tales. Most everafters don't like The Grimm family because the Grimm family put a magical barrier in Fairyport Landing, so no everafters can leave the town Fairyport Landing. Everafters are usually around 460 years old, Everafters can choose when they want to stop and start growing so they won't look as old as they really are. I have read all the sisters grimm books many many time. In fact I have read this sisters grimm book 14 times, I read them over and over because you will never get bored of The Sisters Grimm!
Wings of Fire Book Four: The Dark Secret
By Tui T. Sutherland
If you like dragons or fantasy I do recommend this book. Wings of Fire: The Dark Secret is a must-read but I suggest reading the series in order if you haven’t already. I believe the author used this book to give more information about the Nightwings and Rainwings who both were not very involved in the war. This one had me hooked because of how much suspense there is leading to the climax. It felt like a movie, especially at the end. As Starflight was in the NightWing fortress, I was surprised he was able to survive with countless problems especially as Morrowseer was there. One of the most enthralling parts in the book was when Starflight discovered a helpful instrument while he was exploring the fortress with Fatespeaker. The discovery had been very useful while he was on the island. I wondered whether he would share his discovery or keep it hidden but ultimately he did what was best for the RainWings and the other dragonets. Near the ending of the book I was in complete shock when I heard the truth about the dragonet prophecy! It was like a snake had jumped out of the grass! Morrowseer explained the intentions behind dragonet prophecy and which tribe it would benefit. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games)
By Suzanne Collins
"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins is a mesmerizing sequel that surpasses all expectations, delivering a heart-pounding narrative that will leave readers clamoring for more. From the moment I opened the book, I was immediately drawn back into the dystopian world of Panem, where the Capitol's tyranny looms large and the stakes are higher than ever. Collins wastes no time in thrusting us back into the action, seamlessly picking up where "The Hunger Games" left off and plunging us headfirst into a thrilling new adventure. What sets "Catching Fire" apart is its masterful blend of suspense, intrigue, and emotion. As Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark embark on their Victory Tour, we are treated to a deeper exploration of the world of Panem, from the opulent splendor of the Capitol to the impoverished districts struggling under its rule. Collins' world-building is rich and immersive, painting a vivid portrait of a society on the brink of rebellion. But it's not just the world-building that shines in "Catching Fire" - it's the characters. Katniss Everdeen continues to be a captivating and complex protagonist, grappling with the aftermath of her actions in the Hunger Games and the growing unrest in the districts. Her resilience in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way. Peeta Mellark, too, undergoes a compelling character arc, wrestling with his feelings for Katniss and his own sense of identity in a world that seeks to manipulate and control him. The dynamic between Katniss and Peeta is electric, and their relationship forms the emotional core of the story, driving the narrative forward with its intensity and depth. And let's not forget the games themselves - the Quarter Quell is a stroke of genius on Collins' part, injecting new life into the series and raising the stakes to dizzying new heights. The arena is a mesmerizing and dangerous playground, filled with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. In conclusion, "Catching Fire" is a triumph of YA literature, a pulse-pounding sequel that surpasses its predecessor in every way. With its unforgettable characters, gripping plot, and dazzling world-building, it's a book that demands to be read and re-read. Whether you're a fan of dystopian fiction or simply love a good story, "Catching Fire" is not to be missed. Highly recommended.
Uglies (Uglies Trilogy)
By Scott Westerfeld
"A world where everyone's ugly. And then they're not" Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Once she's sixteen, the operation will turn her world and herself beauteous. The operation will turn her from a depressing ugly to a stunningly attractive pretty. She will soon fit in a perfect body, live in a perfect world, and get to meet, her best friend/crush, the already pretty Peris who is 3 months older than her. During the three months of waiting, Tally met her new friend, Shay who isn't sure to become a pretty. When Shay runs away, she left hints and notes for Tally. Following these clues, Tally soon learn about a whole new "not so pretty" world, the other side of her society where everyone's ugly and then they're not. The Special authorities group from the pretty world offers Tally a choice: find Shay and turn her in, or never turn pretty again. Tally's decision will change everyone's world forever. In my opinion, this book may be a connection to the future of the world we are living in. People's classes are defined by their physical appearance. My favorite character in this book is, of course, Tally. She is not only intelligent, she also demonstrated her courage in many ways. I learned from this book that your appearance can not define who you are, but your actions can. I would recommend this book to any young adults because I think that this is an important lesson that they are able to understand.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
By Sarah J. Maas
This wonderful book written by Sarah J. Mass is packed with fantasy and magical creatures like the Fae. This book is mostly about how Feyre, the main character, falls in love with Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, and how she breaks the curse and becomes a High Fae. Although this book is incredible, there are a few things that you should be aware of before reading this book, and that is 1. They use foul language and 2. There are a few parts in this book that are inappropriate (especially in the 2nd book), other than that I would definitely recommend this book, but (always that but) for ages 12-13+. I hope you enjoy this book just as much as I did! Happy Reading!!
Throne of Glass
By Sarah J. Maas
Undefeated by the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien has returned to Adarlan, the prince’s champion to compete for the position of the royal assassin. If she emerges victorious, she Crown prince has offered her freedom at the price of four years of service to the malicious King of Adarlan. But it is not the competition that worries her one bit-- it’s the evil that lies at the heart of the castle that is killing her opponents left and right. With the help of the gruff Captain Westfall and the bewitching playboy, Prince Dorian, will she finally set her inherent beast free before it’s too late? After reading a review by fany13 on DogoBooks, I finally managed to read this fantastic Young Adult book by Sarah J. Maas. I admit that at first I hesitated to read it-- Celaena seemed evil to me. How could the author possibly justify the actions of the most notorious assassin of Adarlan? I opened the book cover with completely cynical eyes, expecting to hate the main character. At first, I did. She was narcissistic, haughty, ruthless-- or so I thought. As I read on, I discovered that Celaena was one of--if not the most--incredible, inspiring, and 3-Dimensional characters that I’ve ever encountered in literature. Sarah J. Maas spins an incredibly intricate web in “The Throne of Glass”, which you don’t want to miss. I can confidently rate this book five stars. Lovers of Rick Riordan, Brandon Mull, Marie Lu, and Veronica Roth will enjoy this thrill of a read!
The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase
By Wendy Mass
First of all, I have to say that The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase was EVEN better than the first book in this series. I immediately fell in love with the characters and storyline—this book is impossible to put down, and very enjoyable. Once again, Wendy Mass has written an amazing, candy-filled mystery that all readers will enjoy. Summary: Logan, Daisy, Miles, and Phillip are back again! After the national candy making competition that took place a few months ago, their lives have gone back to normal. But when they find out that there’s a problem with the winning candy entry, the four friends must figure this out—quickly. Then, an opportunity to make things better arises. Logan’s father, who owns the Life is Sweet Candy Factory, decides to take them on a tour so they can see what the winning candy bar looks like...and tastes like, of course! But soon, what they thought would be a fun trip starts to go haywire, and it’s up to Logan, Miles, Phillip, and Daisy to save the day. Can they do it? Read this book to find out! Overall, I totally recommend this book, and rate it 5/5 stars. I think all readers will absolutely love The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase!
Dragon Pearl
By Yoon Ha Lee
*NO CRITICAL SPOILERS* (Entirely subjective) Dragon Pearl is about a fantasy world taking place in space. And yes, I picked it up because it said, "Rick Riordan Presents" on the cover. In this world, humans coexist with "supernaturals" in space and the summary above pretty much gives the rest of the synopsis. A critical review: Kim Min is the protagonist of the book. As far as characters go, she's one of the most interesting in the whole book. The idea of a supernatural fox-pseudo human going to space to save her brother while is such an enticing premise that is fully realized in this book. She possesses many shades of grey that make the reader question her moral values and the decisions she makes, going so far as to have them decide whether she can even be considered a good character in the first place. She is determined, rebellious, and willing to do anything, even abuse her shapeshifting abilities to pose as another individual. She deceives her closest friends and infiltrates a private room to find information about where her brother (the main motive) has gone. The reader's choice to decide whether or not she can be forgiven gives the book a more immersive feel to it and makes her character more relatable. The most interesting thing about her is her grey shades that leave the reader One of the book's biggest strengths is its worldbuilding elements. The world itself is full of supernatural creatures and is so fully realized it feels almost real. Part of the reason for this is the fact that it's able to reflect real-world prejudices in a realistic manner that mirrors prejudices of our own. In this book, fox species are frowned upon as deceptive and cunning, and while it's a nice nod to Zootopia (ha), it manages to be different from that with its sci-fi theming and setting that takes place in the confines of a military-like spaceship. The Korean mythology that is implemented in this futuristic setting feels so incredibly creative and mind-blowing at times, as the parallels between the legends and the events of the book are so cleverly executed. However, there are some serious criticisms that I feel should be addressed about this book. The book seems to drag on and on forever and is riddled with poor pacing. Lots of patience is needed to go through this book as the "high-octane thrills" that are promised on the cover only come occasionally. This is likely due to the setting, which is restricted within the spaceship. Although Kim Min has lots of drive behind her, the rate at which the goals themselves are accomplished sometimes happens at a staggeringly slow pace. The characters spend lots of their time expressing their opinions on previous events in the book or spend a long time contemplating what to do. And when the destination is finally reached, it doesn't feel fulfilling. The brother Kim spends so many pages looking for is actually in the book for only twenty pages/ The first and last act of the book is where it truly manages to shine as that's where it feels most appropriately paced. Some side plots also unnecessarily intrude in the main story. Kim's two best friends, Haneul and Sujin, are not expanded to their full potential and while they start off strong, get less and less developed as the book drags on. The villain also feels one-dimensional at times, with the generic "I'll take over the world using this epic powerful item" trope. Even Jun, Kim's brother, struggles as a character with the same problems and lack of a proper arc. Jang, the ghost out for revenge, is the only other character that actually feels fleshed out enough. Overall, this book is good. That much is true. It has a fully-realized world and protagonist that is hindered by poor pacing and side characters. But hey. That's just my opinion. If you're patient, go enough and read it. 3/5.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Journal (Hunger Games)
By Scholastic
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was the most amazing book I have ever read. I am a huge fan of the original trilogy, and I am so glad that this book not only did justice to it, but in my opinion was superior to it. I was at first skeptical at the idea of Coriolanus Snow, the villain, being the main protagonist, but after reading the entire book, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I will say, there are about five pretty slow chapters, but the chapters after that COMPLETELY make up for it. Getting a peek into the mind of Coriolanus Snow was so interesting, especially to see how he articulated his thoughts and put them into words. The ending left me wanting more, and I hope one day we find out what happened to Lucy Gray. I do think the ending was extremely creative on Suzanne Collin's part, how she left it up to the reader to decide what happened to Lucy. I also love the fact that it implies at the end that Snow ends up marrying Livia Cardew, because that just adds so many more layers to the original trilogy. In the original trilogy, Plutarch Heavensbee's assitant is someone named Fulvia Cardew, meaning if Snow married Livia Cardew, Fulvia is most likely related to him in some way. Another thing I loved about this book is the amount of characters that are related to the original trilogy characters, it really adds world building and interest to the story. It really shows how the wealthiest families stay the wealthiest, and how hardly anyone else climbs up to their level. It gives an example of aristocracy, and how Coriolanus was pressured ot keep the wealthy Snow dynasty going. I also love how different this generation of Capitol people and children see the Hunger Games, how different it is from the Capitol people and children in the original trilogy. In the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, everyone sees the Hunger Games as a form of power over the districts. While in the original Trilogy, everyone sees it as a harmless form of entertainment. This story just had so many layers, and I cried especially when Sejanus was executed. Suzanne Collins did an amazing job with making you love this character, and then another amazing job with writing his death as painfully as possible. Lucy Gray's character was also so cleverly written, with how intelligent she was. Another fun detail in this novel is Coriolanus's hatred for mockingjays, obviously connecting back to Katniss Everdeen being the "mockingjay" for the revolution in the original trilogy. In conclusion, I would HIGHLY recommend this book!