Short Playlist for Cinder by Marissa Meyer

So my mind has been on Cinder by Marissa Meyer lately. I'm still digesting it & enjoying the whole ideas still. It sent me into the desire to create a short playlist. I highly suggest the songs on this list. I love all of them!

I Am Not A Robot by Marina & The Diamonds
Pick Up the Pieces by Nat Jay
Wreck of the Day by Anna Nalick
Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple
Machine by Regina Spektor
Fortress Around Your Heart by Sting
Set Fire to the Third Bar by Snow Patrol
Orchard by The Honey Trees
Strange Little Girl by Tori Amos
All Is Full of Love by Bjork

Giveaway: 2nd Annual Cleaning My Bookshelf

It's that time again! My 2^nd Annual Cleaning My Bookshelf Giveaway. Starting Monday, April 2, I will officially be beginning Spring Cleaning of my bookshelf. I've selected a few books and will be giving them away every weekday next week. Here is a preview so you can be ready to enter should you want to!

Monday (April 2) [Closed]

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Format: ARC
A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl...

Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future.

Tuesday (April 3) [Closed]

Starters by Lissa Price
Format: ARC
Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined.

Wednesday (April 4) [Closed]

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
Format: Softcover
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Thursday (April 5) [Closed]

Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer
Format: ARC
At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, the vampires in training follow one of two tracks: they become either Sisters or Saviors. Of course, everyone wants to be a Savior, swooping into infested high schools in matching red leather jumpsuits and wielding crossbows, putting down swarming vampires with deadly efficiency.

But Lily Fielding is just a Sister—a Third Sister at that, a measly trainee. When Lily and her two Sisters, Alice and Cara, are called out to their latest assignment, she figures it’s just another run-of-the-mill gig: spot the Vamplayer (part vampire, part player), identify the predictably hot, trampy girl he’s set his eyes on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding.

Finding the sleek and sexy Vamplayer, Tristan, and his equally beautiful and popular target, Bianca, is easy. And when Lily meets the adorably geeky Zander, she too falls under a lover’s spell. But this assignment turns out to be trickier than most when the Third Sister must battle the baddest vampire of all.

Friday Grand Finale (April 6) [Closed]

The winner will have a choice of 3 of the following:

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky (ARC)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver (Softcover)
Bliss by Lauren Myracle (Softcover)
Exposed by Kimberly Marcus (ARC)
Flip by Martyn Bedford (ARC)
Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler (Hardcover)
Gimme A Call by Sarah Mlynowski (Signed Hardcover)
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto (ARC)
Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard (ARC)
Passion by Lauren Kate (Hardcover)
Shelter by Harlan Coben (ARC)
Shine by Lauren Myracle (ARC)
So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld (Softcover)
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Softcover)
Want to Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman (ARC)

Good luck!

Waiting on Wednesday #017: The Selection & Ten

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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The Selection by Kiera Cass
Release Date: September 24, 2012

From Goodreads.com
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself - and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I'm not sure exactly what drew me to this one other than I simply liked the idea. I hope it isn't a case of a GIPE (great idea - poor execution). Not a fan of the cover though. The dress may be pretty but she looks like she's checking to see if her deodorant is still working. Meh.

 

Ten by Gretchen McNeil
Release Date: September 18, 2012

From Goodreads.com
It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off the from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine.

To me, this sounds like an updated retelling of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. It's one of my absolute favorite Christie novels & I hope that this retelling will do it justice!

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Book Covers: Leopard Moon & Fallen

This amuses me. If you know me, you know I'm not a fan of Fallen by any means so it doesn't bother me that this book cover basically is meant to say, "Hello! You almost thought I was Fallen for a minute, didn't you? Well I'm just as bad good!" Too funny. I have seen some pretty darn clever instances of this sort of hopeful marketing by association but this has to be the most blatant rip-off I've ever come across.

In the comments for Leopard Moon on Goodreads.com, one user even asks if that is the girl's chest on her back. I don't know about you but I'm thinking yes. Bad Photoshop, bad!

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 387 (ARC version)
Reading level: Young Adult
My Rating:

Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future.

-- from Goodreads.com

I am a huge fan of retold fairy tales, especially if they are done well, but Cinderella was never one of my favorite fairy tales. Even the Grimm Brothers couldn't make it all that interesting to me because hey, it's a story about a pathetic girl who can only escape oppression by marrying a prince. It's a sad tale on so many levels. NOT Cinder.

Cinder snagged me from the first few pages when I was thrust into a future society (not quite a dystopia but futuristic & gritty enough to keep me interested) and viewing it through the eyes of a girl who has grown up as a second citizen thanks to the cyborg implants that keep her functioning. I found that, in spite of her differences from anything remotely similar to my life, I identified with Cinder. She was immediately likable, smart and witty without being wishy washy or whiny. She withstood her hardships with grace and aplomb. I admired her immensely as I watched her progress through the story. And, while her personality wasn't many-layered, her history was rich with twists that unfolded in just such a manner as to make me want to keep devouring the story until I discovered every single secret her past held. And believe me, it's a fun ride!

The world is brilliant as it remembers still how it rose from the rubble of World War IV and is populated with characters who were believable and wonderful. From the charming Prince who is much more than a pretty face to the snarky android sidekick with her own wishes to go to the ball to the creatively designed diplomats from other countries. They didn't annoy me (well, maybe the stepmother & stepsister did but they were supposed to, right?) nor did they bore me.

This story had so many elements that I absolutely love. Gritty, hurdles for the protagonist to overcome or stumble over -- Cinder does both at different times which added to my enjoyment. Dark past secrets. Mythology authentic to only the story itself. Wide-ranging conspiracies. Evil that is purely evil & good that is purely good. Not to mention a fine ribbon of realistic romance. It's an all-around great story. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that think outside the box, retell fairy tales, or even have a craving for something sort of steam punk and fun. Read it. Seriously.

And if you are feeling lucky, stop by next week. I'll be giving away my ARC of Cinder during my week-long 2nd Annual Cleaning My Bookshelf Giveaway!

Love is a Battlefield: The Hunger Games

I don't usually post videos, mainly because the only relevant ones would be book trailers which I am not a fan of in the least, but when I saw this one by College Humor I had to share it.

So, in honor of The Hunger Games movie coming out tomorrow (I'll be there -- will you?) here's Love is a Battlefield with the Hunger Games. Too funny not to watch.

Winner - Blog Makeover

Thank you to everyone who participated in this Blog Makeover Giveaway by posting the button or tweeting. You guys rock!

And the winner is...
Bookworm1858

And because I am so grateful for your support, all the other entrants and anyone who tweeted or re-tweeted (please provide a link to the tweet from the past in the comments) I will give you a free design of your choice from the Gems & Jewels section HERE. Just fill out the order form to claim this free thank you gift.

Let's Talk: Being Quoted

I just interacted with an author who stated that a blogger did not want the author to use a review written about her book to promote her book on her web site. I'm just curious what anyone else thinks about allowing authors to use part of what you've written about their book to promote it. Are you for it or against it. And why?

Mini Review: The Lucky Ones by Anne Michaud

The Lucky Ones by Anne Michaud

Release Date: November 20, 2011
Publisher: Anachron Press
Format: Short story
Reading level: Older Teen/Young Adult
My Rating:

When everything is [taken] away from you by Maurr's minions there's not a lot of options left. This is a tale of desolation, loneliness and final choices. A chilling tale with deep emotions, this will tug at your heart strings as well as your gag reflex.

-- from CityofHellChronicles.com

I'm always saying Anne Michaud is one of the best authors you've probably never read. It's true! So when I got the chance to read her short story "Lucky Ones" in the recently published anthology City of Hell, I jumped at it. Let me tell you, this story & the entire anthology, are NOT for the faint of heart. I'm talking about some pretty hardcore difficult reading material here. It's brutal! But in the same vein it's also heart felt in some ways. Anne breathes lives into her characters before (sometimes) ripping it right away again. The setting is deliciously post-apocalyptic & the humans are genuinely feeling the pain of their world being taken over from the hell beneath it.

This is one gory, rip-roaring ride straight to hell. Read it with the lights on & a can of bug spray. Not that it will save you!

Review: Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer

Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer

Release Date: February 2012
Publisher: Medallion Press
Pages: 292 (ARC version)
Reading level: Young Adult
My Rating:

At the Afterlife Academy of Exceptionally Dark Arts, the vampires in training follow one of two tracks: they become either Sisters or Saviors. Of course, everyone wants to be a Savior, swooping into infested high schools in matching red leather jumpsuits and wielding crossbows, putting down swarming vampires with deadly efficiency.

But Lily Fielding is just a Sister—a Third Sister at that, a measly trainee. When Lily and her two Sisters, Alice and Cara, are called out to their latest assignment, she figures it’s just another run-of-the-mill gig: spot the Vamplayer (part vampire, part player), identify the predictably hot, trampy girl he’s set his eyes on, and befriend her before the Vamplayer can turn her to do his bidding.

Finding the sleek and sexy Vamplayer, Tristan, and his equally beautiful and popular target, Bianca, is easy. And when Lily meets the adorably geeky Zander, she too falls under a lover’s spell. But this assignment turns out to be trickier than most when the Third Sister must battle the baddest vampire of all

-- from Goodreads.com

I almost never read vampire books. But I've had several experiences with Rusty Fischer's work & I knew, without even reading the synopsis, that I would love this book. I did. I loved it so much I read it in one sitting & refused to put it down even to eat or do other things one must do during the day. Full of his unique brand of snark & pop culture, forefronted by a fabulous female protagonist from his seemingly endless cadre of smart, sassy, & kick-ass heroines, Vamplayers is at times pure satire & at other times intense, no-nonsense horror flick type fare.

But Fischer does not stop at a fantastic gal to lead the way. No, he populates the halls & rooms of his everyday settings with characters who are off-beat in all the right ways. From the too cool to be in high school guy with his affected European accent to the seriously endearing Star Wars geek who I truly envisioned Jonah Hill playing as I was reading. Even the lesser characters who only appeared for a few moments were 3-dimensional & quirky in some way. I loved each of them whether they were good or evil, strong or cowardly. I especially loved that the fat guy was willing to climb a wall, 4 stories straight up to save his own behind. Too cool.

The pace of the story is fast. I devoured it, all the while wondering if Fischer didn't write it all out in one fast clip from beginning to end. It must take a lot of attention to detail & plotting to make it look that effortless & I applaud him for the ease with which I became completely seduced into the world of the story which had some great twists & turns. One turn toward the very end actually had me cheer out loud momentarily.

This book is well worth the read for anyone who enjoys vampires, especially a la Whedon-esque snarky banter. Or, you know, anyone who has already read Rusty Fischer's other amazingly addictive novels. Although I do caution that it's not for the faint of heart. Probably more for older teens & those who don't squeal at some gory imagery -- I mean, it IS a vampire novel & none of the vamps even REMOTELY sparkle.

PS: Darn you, Rusty Fischer, for being the reason I create a "vampire" label for the first time! ♥♥♥

Review: The White Lilac by Christina J. Adams

The White Lilac by Christina J. Adams

Release Date: February 20, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 257
Reading level: Young Adult
My Rating:

Fifteen year old Caryn Tobin is willing to sacrifice her life to save the world, and to atone for her part in the death of a friend. Kai Garrett will risk everything to discover his past and why he was abandon. When their paths join, they form an unlikely friendship that could change everything. The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

-- from Goodreads.com

The White Lilac starts off with hints of the Hunger Games, though in a very different setting. Which is what initially intrigued me about the book when the author contacted me with the request to read & review it. I pulled the file up on my Nook & spent the next few hours entirely engrossed in the story of Caryn, Beta Earth's one & only hope for a cure to a condition already affecting small children, and Kai, an orphan on the street who only steals what he needs to survive but has been dragged in by the local crime syndicate to do something he never wanted to do in order to find out about his past.

Caryn's story is told from a first person point of view in the present so we see the events unfold through her eyes as they happen. She has a very soft, yet strong feminine voice & details seem very important to her as she takes in all of the things happening to her once she is chosen as the White Lilac, an honor she takes very seriously even though she knows what it means for her future. Because everyone who has touched the anemone she must swim through to gather the cure has died.

Kai's story is told from a third person point of view in the past. His voice is somewhat careless & he isn't very curious about the world around him. He thinks he already has it figured out & it's not something he really cares about. It's not until he's forced into service of a crime boss & ends up Caryn's unlikely companion as she visits his city before the Gathering, that he really comes alive.

Both characters are as vibrantly painted as the world around them. They are well-developed & go through plenty of changes through the novel. Changes that I found really fascinating to watch progress through their interactions with each other & with people both in high places & those in the city being affected the most by the condition. I was touched by the little details about some of the minor characters & that we were priveleged to see them in very human, dirty, vulnerable places.

The conspiracy at the heart of this novel was well thought out & brilliantly plotted. I could figure out some things here & there but there were still some surprises along the way which I loved. Questions cropped up toward the beginning that I was worried would not be answered but eventually they were & I could see why it was done that way. The story is very much based in the way the characters view the world around them & what their personal priorities are. So they question when it finally occurs to them, not when the reader would question. I felt that technique was pretty ingenious.

The reason I can't give this book a full 5 stars is because there were quite a few places where the editing needed to be more attentive. Grammar & spelling errors cropped up every few pages, sometimes more than once on a page. At least once the past tense switched to present tense & back again within the same paragraph. There were a couple minor consistency errors as well that didn't affect the main plot but stood out to me as I read. The story is so well-designed that it was kind of disappointing to see that it wasn't editted enough to get out those kinks.

Overall, I really really enjoyed this book & recommend it to anyone who loves dystopian stories. Seriously, go buy it. It's only $2.99 at Amazon! It's an epic story worth being published by Random House or Simon & Schuster! I am honored to have been able to read it. Kudos, Ms. Adams.

About the Author: Christina J. Adams finds inspiration in the green rolling hills and farmland surrounding her home in Maryland. She loves hanging out with children and teens and gets more excited about a new book coming out, from one of many favorite authors, that it’s probably not good for her health. She didn’t think being a writer was a serious profession until after high school, but has since decided it is the best career ever. The White Lilac is her first novel.

Sneak Peek: Spider Wars by Angela Carlie

Spider Wars by Angela Carlie
Release Date: March 2012

From Goodreads.com

Jess' life has never been ordinary. After all, life on the road with an immortal family of gypsies is hardly predictable. Living in the small town of White Salmon, Washington has brought some normality to her life. But when her cheating, sometimes boyfriend, Nicu, gets involved with a group of arachno-shifters, life gets a little sticky. Will she be able to save him from the web he's spun? More importantly, how much is she willing to risk to get him back?

Angela Carlie is one of my absolute favorite indie authors. She has written & published everything from heavy social issues to fantasy to her latest which seems to be a paranormal horror story about the Arachnageddon! I am seriously in need of this book & cannot wait for it to be published. If you were intrigued by the premise, head over to Angela's blog right NOW & read her sneak peek! I promise you won't be disappointed!

Waiting on Wednesday #016: Hidden & Endlessly

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

* * *

Hidden by Sophie Jordan
Release Date: September 11, 2012

From Goodreads.com
Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning...

 

Endlessly by Kiersten White
Release Date: July 24, 2012

From Goodreads.com
Try as she might, Evie can’t seem to escape her not-so-normal past. And what was supposed to be a blissfully normal school break is ruined when a massive group of paranormals shows up at her house, claiming that Evie is the only one who can protect them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The deadly war between the faerie courts looms ever closer. The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its future rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.

 

I think it's funny that my WOW#8 was about both series' book 2 & now WOW#16 is about book 3 for both. I have been in love with both of these series since I read the first words. I cannot wait to read the conclusions though I know I will be so sad when I reach the end! I have to say that I really hope the cover for Hidden is re-done before it goes to print for keeps because the colors are just not fantastic at all. I honestly find it ugly. Whereas the cover for Endlessly is so gorgeous! I'm biased because purple is my favorite color but even so, it's a beaut!

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Also, don't forget to enter to Win a Blog Makeover!

Review: Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Release Date: June 16, 2009
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 383
Reading level: Young Adult
My Rating:

It's been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents' divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she's been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

-- from Goodreads.com

Along for the Ride took me by surprise. I usually do not read books like Sarah Dessen's because I don't typically like books written for the sake of romance only. I tend to need grit & action & something wide-sweeping to keep my interest with a little romance on the side. So when, one night in the throes of insomnia, I picked up my Nook & downloaded a free sampler of 4 of Dessen's novels, I was surprised to find myself absorbed in Along for the Ride. So absorbed that when I reached the end of the free sample, I had such a sense of disappointment that I had to immediately download the full book to my Nook.

So why did I like this so much? Well, the first reason is that the romantic relationship is not the focal point of the novel. What is the focus are the internal turmoil of protagonist Auden & her struggle to assimilate herself to chaotic life in her father's house (far & away opposite to the structured life with her self-absorbed mother). Auden is wound up tight inside herself, preparing for college, all the while keeping blinders on to the world around her so she can completely concentrate on being the best she can be academically. She suffers from insomnia & has a low tolerance for drama. All of which endeared her to me because, not too long ago, I was just like Auden. I identified with her.

The second reason I really enjoyed this book is because of the realistic yet hopeful way in which the characters interact. Everyone, with possibly the exception of her father, are constantly moving forward, striving to better themselves or work through their issues. I enjoyed watching the characters evolve & shift. I enjoyed the slow burn of the romance as it built & can even say I enjoyed watching the two try to maneuver the rocks & roadblocks tossed into their relationship either from outside sources or internal conflicts of one or both.

Overall, this book captivated me. Right down to the setting of the lazy boardwalk beach town. Discovering the secret layers of the characters & watching them grow into their own skins was so rewarding that I downloaded What Happened To Goodbye immediately. I devoured that one too!

Review: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Release Date: 1985
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 324
Reading level: Young Adult
My Rating:

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut--young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.

Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives.

-- from Goodreads.com

Yes, this book was written probably before you were born. But let me just say how relevant a read it is if you enjoy the futuristic, dystopian type books the way I do. When I finally picked this up off my shelf & sat down to read it, I was immediately sucked into the life of little Ender Wiggin. As I read I could see how much Card has influenced the current science fiction genre in the YA market.

First of all, this was a very full-color read. Every world Ender is thrust into is fully mapped & fleshed out, from the playing fields of the game to the Bugger planets to the inner world of the computer game he plays periodically on his desk. Every character was given life & breathed on the pages. Card is a master at getting the psychology down right on his characters, all of which were multi-layered & most of which go through some sort of character growth throughout the book. Reading this book was like being in a simulator while the story played out in front of me because it was just so well written.

Not a word of this book was wasted. Everything has meaning & a reason to be part of the story. Ender's struggle through battle school & life in general are fascinating. They reminded me, in part, of the struggles the protagonists go through to reach strength & leadership in The Maze Runner series, The Hunger Games series, & some of the Forest of Hands & Teeth series as well.

Some might shy away from the book because it seems so sci-fi but believe me, this is not high science fiction. There aren't any technical science-y terms or complicated ideas to understand. It's the sweeping story of a little boy genius who is being groomed to win a war full of imaginative battle strategies & interesting people to get to know. Some might also shy away from it because it was written in the 1980s. The writing is not stilted or strange. If you were never told the publication date you could swear it was a contemporary book.

That said, there were a couple things that I wasn't too fond of about this book. The very end being one of them. I won't spoil it for anyone who may read it but I wasn't thrilled with the life decision Ender made in the final pages. I think there was also some foul language that I didn't feel needed to be in the book though it was funny to read the slang the boys in battle school had come up with -- very Maze Runner!

Over all, I was hooked. It's a very important read for anyone who loves the genre the way I do & wants to see some of the landscape that inspired what we read today. Orson Scott Card is a masterful. I'm looking forward to reading the next Ender book. And thankfully, unlike a new release I love, I can just go to the library & pick up the next one TODAY!