Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a very wild ride! Andrew Smith's description of the end of the world through narrator and recorder, Austin is a whole lot to digest. But with Smith as an expert with words and Austin and his best friend, Robbby Brees and girlfriend, Shann Collins, the reader follows this wild unbelievable ride! In Ealing, Iowa Robby and Austin accidentally unleash a plague that will herald the end of the world with 6 foot tall praying mantises that were bred by Shann's stepfather's brother. They were supposed to stop the war as soldiers for the government but since they have insatiable appetites with food and sex, they kill anyone in sight, except Robby, who seems to be a god to them. Shann finds a bunker on her property that sheds light on this whole sordid mess with journals and films. As Austin records what he is thinking and feeling (This is history, and it is also the truth), the reader is gripped by the sheer craziness of this situation but also totally enmeshed in Austin's search for himself- can he love both Robby and Shann. Through lots of cigarettes, Austin ponders the world, both past and present, and as the reader, I could not stop reading it! I loved Smith's writing- he got bullying, Robby being gay and in love with Austin. Smith's description of the bizarre is sickening (the two headed boy, Hungry Jack mutating into the 6 foot tall giant bug)not for the feint of heart. There is also a lot of F-bombing, being horny and masturbating. Schools will have problems with this book, parents will have problems with this book but I think teens will love this book. For a book that defies description in so many ways, there are wonderfully drawn characters, lots of humor, lots of action and a rippin' good read. I loved Winger by Smith and this crazy book with a sci-fi, romance, and horror will make you THINK and THINK again!

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She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick

She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marcus Sedgwick is such a superb author when it comes to suspense! Laureth Peak and her brother fly from London to New York when Laureth believes her dad has gone missing (he is not answering her emails or phone calls)and she receives an email on her father's account (Laureth is his secretary) from someone who claims to have his black book in NY (he was in Switzerland). Since Laureth knows how important this book is to her writer father; she takes money and credit cards and her seven year old brother, Benjamin (and his raven, Stan) helps her navigate (she is blind since birth)taxis, airports, and hotels . What a creepy adventure they plunge into and with each step toward NY and her father---there is more of a concern that her father may have met with a mishap or something far worse...Sedgwick weaves an intricate tale from Laureth's POV - the reader feels her fear, anxiety and deep seated worry that her dad may have become overly obsessed with the current book he is writing. With each clue Laureth and Benjamin unearth in the black book, the mystery deepens and hurtles them(and us)along for a very twisted and satisfying read.

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Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you love mysteries - you will enjoy the suspense in the 2nd book of The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Killer Instinct. Cassie and her friends have abilities that enable them to read people's emotions, figure out if someone is lying, and profile killers - and the FBI is using them to help solve cold cases. If you enjoy serial killer books, this one will hook you! Dean's dad is a jailed serial killer and his old murders are being replicated by (maybe) a few apprentices. There is a new detective, Ms Sterling, who seems to want to shut down The Naturals and their operation. As the killer(s) continue to kill students and a professor at a nearby college- Cassie and her friends must prove to the Director and others they can help solve these murders as Dean's father lies and stuns Cassie and Dean. I did not want to put this book down- loved it as much as the first----getting into Dean's dad twisted psychology will keep your heart racing!

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Doing Right by Patrick Jones

Doing Right by Patrick Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing for an awesome read that teens and reluctant readers will not be able to put down. DeQuin is a teen who wants to do right. With a father in jail, living with an uncle who wants him to stay clear of his friends and a bothersome grandfather – what is DeQuin to do when trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes? As a night out with friends goes horribly wrong, DeQuin flees a mob and will pay dearly. Patrick Jones continues to write books that teens can’t put down. Jones’ books, Nailed and Things Change, were always being read in our library- we couldn’t keep them on the shelves! This latest urban fiction story will have teens thinking and talking. Highly recommended.

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The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really looking forward to the next book in this series! While I abhorred Terren and Adelina's father, I have not made up my mind about Adelina yet. Adelina had a horrible childhood after her mother died from the fever. Adelina's father terrorized her (broke her finger)- always trying to bully her into showing anger and hatred--he wanted to see the malfetto manifested in her since she survived the illness (she lost an eye, has gray hair. She has a sister, Violetta who survived the illness too. But Adelina's father openly loves Violetta and despises Adelina due to the harsh circumstances malfetto families endure (no one will marry her and her father's business suffers). I found it painful to endure Adelina's self loathing and refusal to confide in anyone about her life and death problems (but I also understood she has a dark side she does not know how to handle yet). I loved all the Young Elites especially Enzo and Raphaelle and hoped Adelina would tell them the truth about Terren. I could not put this book down and can't wait to see what happens as more of The Young Elites appear in Book Two.

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Undivided by Neal Shusterman

Undivided by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a great ending to the Unwind Dystology! Each chapter in Undivided was narrated by a character or broadcast. This final book was suspenseful, horror filled, and sad as Nelson captures Connor and Risa, Lev becomes a member of the Arapache tribe and Grace continues to surprise and amaze me. Despite Roberta using nanotechnology to wipe Risa from Cam's memory--he still remembers he loved someone and must help the cause of the unwinds. But the book ends on a positive note with many surprises! Highly recommended--and if you haven't read the other three books---Run to your local library or bookstore and grab them, Shusterman is a master!

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