Awakening

VG/A Duffy, Shannon, Awakening. Entangled, 2015, 342p. $16.99 ISBN: 978-1622665228

Desiree Six – The six being the sixth day of the week and the number that determines the age when someone will die. She has always believed in the Protectorate and the laws that had been made but she begins to question them when her loyal, childhood friend Darian One is charged with murder – a crime punishable by life in the Terrorscape, he escapes jail and tries to convince her of the faults within their society and what they are being forced to believe. She soon learns that the dreamscape they use to sleep is brainwashing them and even changing their memories. The concept was interesting – the dystopian world we are introduced to has the Protectorate governing where their sole purpose is to eradicate the manic world’s problems by devising a system where marriage, dreams and jobs are determined for each citizen; those who don’t comply are known as non-compliant and are put in a nightmare Terrorscape at Olympus Jail which is witnessed by the population. Shannon Duffy’s writing is vividly detailed and engaging; I enjoyed the characters overall and I found the plot to be fast-paced and the world-building creative.

Dawn Fechter, Children/Youth Librarian, Inglewood Public Library 

Nil

G/A  Matson, Lynne.  Nil.  Henry Holt, 2014.  376p.  978-0-8050-9771-9.  17.99.

There's a flash of heat and when Charley wakes up she's naked and alone in a strange place. After 12 days, she finally runs into some other teens and finds out that she is on the island of Nil. No one knows how or why they are there, but they do know that they only have 365 to escape through a "gate" before they perish. "Gates" come once a day and only one living thing can go through each one. Charley develops a relationship with Thad, whose days on Nil are numbered. Told in alternating viewpoints from Charley and Thad, you get to know the characters better, although their voices are pretty similar. Even though there are several holes in the story and a lot of questions left unanswered, this science fiction debut is an adventurous story. Fans of television shows like Lost or Survivor will definitely enjoy this novel. Loren Spector, LAPL, Memorial Branch Library

False Memory

G/A  Krokos, Dan.  False Memory.  Hyperion, 2012.  336p.  978-1-4231-4976-7. $17.99.

When Miranda wakes up on a park bench she has no memory. Then she meets Peter. He explains that they along with 2 others are “Roses,” special teens with psychic abilities. When they discover that their lives are in danger they set out to right the situation and figure out who they really are. Although the story is a little confusing at parts, it comes together at the end. Teens interested in action and/or science fiction with a bioengineering edge will definitely enjoy it. The sequel is due out in August 2013. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve

Wolf Mark

General YA Fiction

G/A Bruchac, Joseph. Wolf Mark. Lee & Low Books, 2011. 392 p. 9781600606618. $17.95

Luke King is special but all he wants to do is blend in, be invisible. Ever since his mom died, he and his dad haven't been quite the same. His dad used to teach him all the tricks he learned in his secret special-ops jobs but now all he does is get drunk, or at least that is how it seems.

When Luke's dad calls him at school with a cryptic message, he realizes it was all for show. Luke's dad has been kidnapped and now Luke must embrace his destiny to save him.

A new take on werewolves, vampires and genetically engineered creatures.

Sarah Mae Harper, CoLAPL- AC Bilbrew Library

The Gardener

General YA Fiction

G/A Bodeen, S.A. The Gardener. Feiwel and Friends, 2010. 240p. 978-0-312-37016-9. 16.99

Everyone in Mason’s hometown knows about TroDyn Industries. But what they don’t know is the secrets they are keeping while conducting experiments to save the human race from food shortages. When high school sophmore Mason meets a beautiful, comatose girl, his journey of discovery and rescue begins. The concept is definitely original and the adventure and mystery will keep readers curious. Loren Spector, LAPL, Felipe de Neve.