The Unidentified by Rae Mariz

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz is about Kid, a typical high school student who goes to school at a very atypical place. It's an old shopping mall, converted to "The Game". In the game, students earn points by playing different games and competing in a variety of arenas. There are very few adults seen in the game because the students are all monitored by video cameras and through their game cards, which they swipe before entering each of the different areas. Kid's best friend Ari wants nothing more than to be "sponsored" by a commercial company so that she can earn free clothes and extra game points, and she is constantly working at being noticed. Kid, on the other hand, works hard to not be noticed. However, Kid caught the attention of two sponsors when she was the first to post a video and comment on a mysterious incident that took place in the common area of the game. Someone pushed a human-sized dummy off the balcony, causing its balloon head to splat on the cement floor. On the dummy was the phrase, "Choose your Suicide". The people behind this display were only known as the unidentified. Kid is desperate to find out more about this group and their reasons for their public displays. But, it's becoming increasingly difficult for her to investigate because of her corporate sponsors. It seems as though they know every bit of information Kid discovers and are using it against her and the unidentified. The closer Kid gets to finding the truth, the more dangerous it becomes for her, her family, and her friends.

This was a really interesting book! I loved the futuristic, but completely realistic, way the author shows how technology is so pervasive. Students at the game communicate almost constantly using their intouches and notebooks. I also liked the modern twist on schooling. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good science fiction story!

The Clone Codes by The McKissacks

The Clone Codes by The McKissacks is set in 2170 during a time when scientific advancements have made cloning of humans possible. There are many laws (or codes) governing the creation and ownership of clones, such as clones are only to be created as adults, they have no rights as humans but are recognized as property, and they aren't capable of lying. In this story, Leanna is a typical 13 year old, until her mother is arrested for belonging to a treasonous group called The Liberty Bell. This forces Leanna into hiding because suddenly the authorities are searching for her and have placed a one million bounty on her head! Many people are helping Leanna along the way, and through this she learns terrifying secrets that her mother has kept from her, including one that dramatically changes how Leanna sees herself, thus changing her views on cloning, making her determined to do what's right for humanity.

This was a really interesting book. I really liked the way the authors wove historical facts into their fictional novel, showing the similarities to slavery in the 1800s. It was fun to read the fact/fiction part at the back of the book to find the information supporting the ideas within the story. This book reminded me of The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins is the third book in the Hunger Games Trilogy. In this last installment, Katniss, after having won the Hunger Games with Peeta and escaped the arena during the Quarter Quell, is living in District 13 with the other rebels. Narrowly escaping the destruction in their home district, 12, Katniss's mother and sister, Prim, and also long-time friend, Gale, have made it to District 13 as well. Coin, the leader of the rebels and her council ask Katniss to agree to be the mockingjay - the "face" of the rebellion. She agrees, but only after making a few demands of her own, including immunity for the other former Hunger Games Tributes. Soon after, Katniss finds out that Peeta, who was captured when she was retrieved from the Quarter Quell, is being held and tortured in the Capitol. Desperate to save Peeta and to kill President Snow to whom she attributes all of the country's suffering, Katniss begins training with the rebel army and taking her role as mockingjay more seriously. Eventually, Peeta is rescued, but has been tortured so much he doesn't know what's real and what isn't. His memories of Katniss were distorted and instead of loving her, he wants to kill her! This just fuels Katniss's fire even more, leading her on a televised raid on the Capitol which ends in more trauma than even Katniss could have imagined. Is the Capitol all bad and the rebels all good? Who can be trusted? Will Katniss ever live a normal life or will being the mockingjay eventually consume her?

This was an awesome end to the trilogy! It took me awhile to get back into the story because it's been nearly a year since I read Catching Fire and even longer since I read The Hunger Games, but once I began remembering the details of the first two books, I really got into Mockingjay. There were twists and turns throughout the entire story, especially where Gale and Peeta were concerned... which will Katniss choose? You'll be surprised!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the sequel to The Hunger Games. In this book, Katniss and Peeta return to Section 12 as victors of the Hunger Games. They, and their families, live the life of luxury - all the food they can eat, running water, nice houses, money. Unfortunately, they are not truly free of the Hunger Games. Because of Katniss's stunt at the end of the game, the Capitol had no choice but to allow them both to be victors, when usually only one person makes it out of the Hunger Games alive. It was Katniss's deception, her "undying love" for Peeta that saved them both. As a result, the other 11 Sections of Panem are in the beginning stages of an uprising to overthrow the government - with Katniss and her mockingjay symbol as their inspiration. The president tells Katniss that she must convince the entire country that she and Peeta really are in love and stop any revolt that might be in the works. In order to do this, she must sever all ties with her one true love, Gale. In the midst of their farce, Peeta and Katniss learn that they have been chosen again to compete in the special 75th anniversary version of the Hunger Games, and must put all of their efforts into training and strategy.

Another great story by Suzanne Collins. While I did enjoy the first book, The Hunger Games, more, I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well. Twists and turns made this survival and adventure story one I didn't want to put down! I touch of romance was thrown in, too. Parts of it reminded me of the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob in the Twilight Series! I can't wait for the third book in this series!

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding is about Thaniel and Cathaline, two wych-hunters living in a futuristic London. During one night of wych-hunting, Thaniel finds Alaizabel, a young girl who is possessed by an ancient and evil spirit. The rest of the story revolves around Thaniel and Cathaline trying to help Alaizabel find out who she ism who is taking possession of her body, and why. Also, there is a serial killer stalking the streets of London, called Stitch-face because of his gruesome appearance. He is furious with someone for "killing in his name". Someone else is killing people on the streets of London in a very particular pattern. Two detectives are trying to solve these murders. All of these seemingly unrelated things come together by the end of the story, where Thaniel, Cathaline, one of the detectives, a Beggar King, and a blind Devil boy try to defeat the "Fraternity" and all of the wych-kin forever.

This was an excellent book! I read some of Chris Wooding's other books last summer (Poison and The Storm Thief), and liked this one just as much. The fantasy worlds the author creates seem so realistic - right down to the strange and scary creatures that inhabit them. Like The Storm Thief, this book left me really thinking about humanity and human traits/characteristics.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is about Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old girl living in the Seam, the 12th district of Panem, the land formerly known as North America. Ever since the Capitol defeated the 13 districts in the big war, The Hunger Games have taken place each year. One boy and one girl from each of the remaining 12 districts is randomly selected to "compete" in the games. Every year from the time children turn twelve until they turn eighteen, their names get entered into the drawing for the games. One time at age twelve, twice at age thirteen, three times at age fourteen, and so on, until they are ineligible to play at age nineteen. Children who are poor, whose families can't affort to live on their meager earnings can enter their names an additional time for each family member in return for one year's worth of grain and oil. When the names are drawn, the children must go to The Capitol, undergo three day's worth of training, and must fight one another to the death. The last one standing is delcared the winner. In this story, Prim, Katniss's twelve year old sister is the one chosen. Katniss volunteers to go in her place along with a boy from her community, Peeta. Their only trainer is the one former winner of the Hunger Games from their district, a drunk who can barely stand. It is every child for themselves as the Hunger Games begin.

I couldn't put this book down. I read the entire novel in one day's time. It is very engaging with a lot of action. It is definitely for more mature readers who can handle the violence and death. There are twists and turns along with surprises no one could guess! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!