Mind Games

Summary
Fia and Annie are as close as two sisters can be. They look out for each other. Protect each other. And most importantly, they keep each other's secrets, even the most dangerous ones: Annie is blind, but can see visions of the future; Fia was born with flawless intuition—her first impulse is always exactly right. When the sisters are offered a place at an elite boarding school, Fia realizes that something is wrong . . . but she doesn't grasp just how wrong. The Keane Institute is no ordinary school, and Fia is soon used for everything from picking stocks to planting bombs. If she tries to refuse, they threaten her with Annie's life. Now Fia's falling in love with a boy who has dark secrets of his own. And with his help, she's ready to fight back. They stole her past. They control her present. But she won't let them take her future.

Afterthoughts
I really liked this book and the way it was written. The chapters flip between past and present, moving the story along while slowly revealing the sisters' backstory. The characters were quite complex, making me unsure who to support until the end, and relatable, which is always important to a good story.
The plot was intriguing and ends in a huge twist, one that I never saw coming. Fia and Annie are great POVs, dropping clues about their past without actually revealing anything until the end, which kept me hanging on!
The worst part of the book was the ending, because I was pretty sure that the book was a stand-alone and I wanted to know what would happen! Thankfully, I was wrong and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel.

Warnings
Some underage drinking, violence.

Extras
Kiersten's Blog

Falling Kingdoms

Summary
In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power--brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined.
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into
enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished--and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past--and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword...
The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Afterthoughts
Magic and adventure are my two favorite story elements and, as this story had both in abundance, I was well intrigued. The story itself was good, containing enough action to keep the story going, but not remarkable. I was a bit disappointed that the twist I expected never materialized and the story was fairly predictable.
I do not feel as if this book was a waste of time, but I wasn't impressed with it. It was a bit cliche and certainly not 'The gripping New York Times bestseller that is Game of Thrones for teens.' Overall, I was disappointed.

Warnings
None.

Extras
Book Excerpt
Book Trailer:

Code Name Verity

Summary
Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Afterthoughts
Wow. I am blown away by the beauty and emotional journey this book took me through. Initially, I hated the main character. This was a completely foreign feeling for me, as I had never felt such dislike for a main character before. Verity's cowardice disgusted me, partially, I think, because cowardice is a fear of mine. The story was intriguing but confusing, because I couldn't see the point to it.
Then, it picked up pace and blew me away. Once I reached the end and everything came together made sense, I was appalled at my initial feelings. But, enough about that before I give stuff away.
The relationship between the protagonists is beautiful, warming and breaking my heart at the same time. The twist in the story was completely unexpected and I spent the last pages in tears.
Please read this book, it will never be something you regret.

Warnings
Violence (including torture) and language (including a few F-words).

Extras
Author's Site

Adjusting

Hello Readers!!

I have recently finished my past semester of college, and the class that required me to have this blog, and I am contemplating adjustments to this blog. I didn't think I would enjoy blogging, but, to my surprise, I did!
So, I've decided to keep blogging to see what becomes of it. But, instead of just doing Children's and Young Adult books and trying to blog once a week, I'm going to blog about the books I read this summer as I finish them.
Here's a preview of some of the books I'm planning to read:

• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (My first John Green read-super excited!)
• Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (A read inspired by BBC's Sherlock. A great show, you should check it out!)
• And many, many more...

So, dear readers, if you have enjoyed my reviews so far, please stay tuned and let me know what you like and don't like. I'm new at this, and know I probably have few readers, but I want to cater to those involved. Comment on anything you want: constructive criticism, memories sparked by reads, suggestions for other books, the current weather in your city, or the color of the mug you're drinking from. I welcome it all.

Adieu and God bless!
Emily

Divergent

Summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.
(Summary taken from the book.)

Afterthoughts
Hunger Games rip-off this is not, despite what some might say. Dystopians may have been given a boost after HG's success, but this book is its own.
Tris was a great character to read, giving the book a really good point-of-view. The reader is able to feel her angst over her decision and to emphasize with her struggles. I liked her relationship with Four and the mystery surrounding his character.
The ending of the this book shocked me in many ways. I felt as if each new development completely undermined my understanding of what was going on. I doubt many will anticipate the surprises at the end of this story! I really enjoyed reading it and appreciated the thought that went into this book. Definitely worth a read! (And make sure you check out the sequel, Insurgent!)

Warnings
Tris is accosted and groped at one point. It's nothing explicit and stays above the waist, but it pushes this book up to a PG-13 in my estimation.

Extras
Veronica Roth's Blog
Book Trailer: