Best Teen & Young Adult Space Opera
The never-before-told story of how young Leia Organa comes to join the rebellion against the evil Empire, from best-selling author Claudia Gray. Claudia Gray is the author of Star Wars: Bloodline and Defy the Stars , as well as the Firebird series, the Evernight series and the Spellcaster series.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"So while it is a part of the canon material, it is considered ancillary to the main story. This book is set about 3-4 years before A New Hope when Leia is 16, and undergoing the trials to be named the heir to Alderaan. Of course, her father Bail has shown up since the prequel movies in the canon material, but this book really established who he was and his thoughts on the Rebellion more than any of the other books, shows, and movies have. Given when it was set, the book includes, or at least mentions many things that would bear out in the original trilogy. Overall the book does a great job of making Leia not quite the character she was in A New Hope but showing how much of that person was within her."
"It's as good as Gray's other Leia-centered book "Bloodline," and the two novels together cover pretty much all the facets of Leia's complex, luminous character."
"Honestly this didn't feel like Leia to me."
"Wow!"
"The voice of Leia here was somewhat annoying to me but the plot is solid and this is a fun read."
"Stories like these only enrich the characters that we have grown to love over the years in the star wars universe."
"Another excellent book from Claudia Gray in the Star Wars universe."
"Great book."
The reign of the Galactic Empire has reached the Outer Rim planet of Jelucan, where aristocratic Thane Kyrell and rural villager Ciena Ree bond over their love of flying. "Here's the pitch: A rebel and an Imperial fall in love against the backdrop of the entire Star Wars trilogy. "...the best novel in the new Star Wars canon...Claudia Gray not only does great character work, but she knows her way around a swashbuckling action scene. "Writing new characters into such a beloved universe is no small feat, but Gray does it with ease--and I loved every moment of this novel.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The author does a fantastic job of inventing her own story while fitting it seamlessly into the Star Wars narrative. And then she takes us through their lives from the first time they meet at eight years old until the period shortly after Return of the Jedi when they are well into their twenties. They provide a refreshingly unique perspective on Star Wars, giving us insight on what it was like to be apart of the Empire when Alderaan was destroyed and how difficult it can be to balance duty with what is right."
"After years of movies dominated by ambiguity and flawed heroes, this update of a silent melodrama seemed positively refreshing. But nothing's ever that black and white - there were (assuming for a moment that these characters were "real") human stories behind every TIE fighter that blew up. The "Romeo and Juliet" comparisons people toss around are overstating things; their familiars aren't wild about their friendship, but it's a very minor issue in the overall book. But the references to stray lines and events in the original films never feel forced - the characters' stories are brilliantly and organically woven into the saga. Honestly, I sometimes think Star Wars just does't translate to books very well - without the visuals and the score, some of the impact is gone, and sometimes I feel like I'm just reading a lot of tech talk and sound effects. This book may get lost in the shuffle; it's being marketing to an audience (YA) that's narrowed considerably since the Harry Potter era, when there was more crossover with people who normally read from the adult section."
"Don't skip it just because it's in the young adult category, or because you were disappointed by Aftermath!"
Fans have long wondered what happened to Ahsoka after she left the Jedi Order near the end of the Clone Wars, and before she re-appeared as the mysterious Rebel operative Fulcrum in Rebels. "Full of action, emotion, and yes , plenty of answers, Ahsoka is a must-read for any Star Wars fan.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"However, this 40-year-old reviewer loved the book, mainly due to my unashamed love of Ahsoka Tano and The Clone Wars. Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano was first introduced in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and quickly became a fan favorite. Through the remainder of the Clone Wars, Ahsoka was present at several key battles and forged tight relationships with many, including Clone Captain Rex, the astromech R2-D2, and Senator Bail Organa. Here are some of my favorites: ' Maul and Ahsoka at Mandalore. ' Ahsoka’s last interaction with Rex (until Star Wars Rebels reunites them). ' Insight into Anakin’s thoughts as “Obi-Wan’s new padawan” approaches Christophsis. ' Obi-Wan’s solitude – and finding an old friend – on Tatooine. ' The origin of Ahsoka’s white lightsabers and the codename Fulcrum. ' Ahsoka’s thoughts about Barriss Offee. Most of the plot of the novel centers on Ahsoka’s life as she maintains a low profile to avoid attention from the Empire. Johnston absolutely matches the feel of The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Fans of Ahsoka Tano, The Clone Wars, and Star Wars Rebels will devour this book."
"And with those words, former Jedi Ahsoka Tano walked off into the sunset three long years ago, bringing "The Clone Wars" to a powerful and poignant end, but leaving millions of viewers in an emotional lurch, wondering where her loyalties would turn and what path she would follow now that the entire foundation of her 18-year old life had been torn asunder. Her feelings and conclusions about the Jedi Order, the Republic, the betrayal of Barris Offee, her abandonment of the Order that had failed her, and how she'll cope with her post-Jedi life - it's all here now in this 350+ page work by EK Johnston in her inaugural Star Wars novel. This is a unabashedly character-oriented story, and the first to be crafted not under the direct control of the titular character's creator Dave Filoni, and as such, the most important question is does Johnston understand what makes Ahsoka tick? Even though I'm reading the dead-tree version rather than the audiobook, I had not the slightest problem hearing Ashley Eckstein's voice or picturing a slightly older version of the "Clone Wars" Ahsoka (despite the fact that for whatever reason, the Rebels version of the character has dominated LFL's marketing and merchandising the past year.). Another plus is that much of "The Clone Wars" lore is present and impactful in the story - Johnston has clearly done her homework. Though introduced in 2008 as the padawan of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka was actually a planned character in the series long before Lucas insisted on giving Anakin and other prequel characters a major role in the series. She bears no malice against the Jedi but understands how they failed during the Clone Wars and the rise of Palpatine and how her personal path can't be the same as theirs. Through the events of this novel, Ahsoka finds the middle ground between detaching entirely from the affairs of the galaxy and suffering of the common people under the Sheev Administration, and repeating the mistakes of the old Jedi Order - spreading war and darkness throughout the galaxy that helped conceal the darkness that was right under their noses. This is not a story about the yet unproduced arcs of The Clone Wars. This is also not a chronicle of the entire 15 year gap between Clone Wars and Rebels - the story picks up about a year after Order 66 and covers maybe a few months of her life. This is not the definitive story of Ahsoka (there's a little show called "The Clone Wars" that serves that purpose.). Though the path of Fulcrum is probably the best for Ahsoka at this point in her life, nobody who knows this character would believe it's an easy one."
"The story is true to Ahsoka's character while giving some juicy little back story nuggets on her and other characters that we all love. She deserves follow up novels to bridge the gaps and give us details as the rebellion continues to grow."
Best Teen & Young Adult Steampunk
Danger, betrayal, and enchantment abound in the “exhilarating” ( Booklist ) conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy—now with a gorgeous new cover, a new foreword, and exclusive bonus content! The tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy. She is the coauthor of The Bane Chronicles with Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson and Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy with Sarah Rees Brennan, Maureen Johnson, and Robin Wasserman, as well as The Shadowhunter’s Codex, which she cowrote with her husband, Joshua Lewis.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The epitome of the best (& most emotional) love triangle I would've ever hoped to have read/imagined."
"I found the story and it's previous books, to not only be enchanting but also beautifully written, with extreme detail and a very good description of current and past land marks and locations, Tessa's London and Williams Wales made me inspired to travel."
"This book really helps you understand James and Tessa in suck a deep sense."
"Charlotte and Henry's love was explained more and left me smiling."
"Absolutely love the whole clockwork series."
"I don't want to give it away, so I will just say that the thing I didn't like was later redeemed by Cassandra because of all the other events that happen. I did take a peek at Cassandra's web page though, and am happy to say 2 more Shadowhunter type series are in the works, so I will just have to hold on to that!"
"I think it's beyond comprehension that a force is about to annihilate your race & you call a council meeting to argue about it. I also wish the mundane servants could have made more practical use of their second sight. I was stunned at the choice Jem made, but after finishing the book, I understand it better."
"I read this series before the Mortal Instruments, which are set it the same world but present day, and I have to say I like this set more (although both are on my favorites list!). I loved the Mortal Instruments as well, but I don't feel like I would have fully experienced them without reading these, as the Mortal Instruments didn't delve as deep into some of the important aspects of the shadow world (like the parabatai connection between shadowhunters)."
Best Teen & Young Adult Dystopian
All three Hunger Games books in one gorgeous package! “Fans will be happy to hear that Mockingjay is every bit as complex and imaginative as Hunger Games and Catching Fire." “At its best the trilogy channels the political passion of 1984, the memorable violence of A Clockwork Orange, the imaginative ambience of The Chronicles of Narnia and the detailed inventiveness of Harry Potter." “Unfolding in Collins' engaging, intelligent prose and assembled into chapters that end with didn't-see-that-coming cliffhangers, this finale is every bit the pressure cooker of its forebears. * “This concluding volume in Collins's Hunger Games trilogy accomplishes a rare feat, the last installment being the best yet, a beautifully orchestrated and intelligent novel that succeeds on every level."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"All in all, this is a really good book which are a great gift for every Hunger Games fan!"
"Catching Fire is different than most of the other young adult fiction books, because of the character development, and the relationship from book to movie."
"She unwillingly and reluctantly has become the symbol of the rebellion and the rebel leaders urge her to exploit this via video feeds to the 12 Districts. Katniss at first feigns infirmity but eventually caves in after negotiating an agreement with the rebel leaders that they will not harm Peeta or the other Hunger Games survivors if they assume leadership."
"I know what you're saying what took you so long to read this book, to be honest I just have a crazy insane TBR list and it just kept getting pushed back. So when my son got The Hunger Games for Christmas on DVD we watched Christmas Night and I knew immediately I had to read the book afterwards."
Best Teen & Young Adult Time Travel Fiction
A Wrinkle in Time is soon to be a major motion picture from Disney, directed by Ava DuVernay, starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling. Many Waters ―Meg Murry, now in college, time travels with her twin brothers, Sandy and Dennys, to a desert oasis that is embroiled in war. “A Wrinkle in Time is one of my favorite books of all time. “A book that every young person should read, a book that provides a road map for seeking knowledge and compassion even at the worst of times, a book to make the world a better place.” ― Cory Doctorow on A Wrinkle in Time.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had purchased the first four books of the series (different edition) a few years back at the local used book store and was looking the complete the series. I noticed that the price was at $10.99 and thought that was a great deal but I hesitated for a day or two and the next time I checked, it was up to $23 (still, technically, a decent price considering that each of these books costs over $5, individually). I was angry with myself for not jumping at the super low price, so I kept checking back. Well, a day or so later, it went back down to $10.99 and I went for it."
"I remember reading the first book in the set as a child and loving it."
"It takes you to the unknown while teaching good and evil as encountered by the young people in the stories."
Best Teen & Young Adult Alien Science Fiction
See where the futuristic YA fairytale saga all began, with the tale of a teenage cyborg who must fight for Earth's survival against villains from outer space. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future. “This series opener and debut offers a high coolness factor by rewriting Cinderella as a kickass mechanic in a plague-ridden future.” ― Kirkus Reviews on Cinder. “First in the Lunar Chronicles series, this futuristic twist on Cinderella retains just enough of the original that readers will enjoy spotting the subtle similarities. But debut author Meyer's brilliance is in sending the story into an entirely new, utterly thrilling dimension .” ― Publishers Weekly, starred review for Cinder. “Singing mice and glass slippers are replaced with snarky androids and mechanical feet in this richly imagined and darkly subversive retelling of ‘Cinderella. Marissa didn't actually go to Stadium High School, but she did attend Pacific Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Creative Writing.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have bought this book for many friends as it is a fun adventure to get lost in."
"It was the Cinderella story (with other fairytales hovering in the background), but at the same time it was its own thing. Living in a future where a horrible disease can kill you at any moment and there is constant threat of war from the Lunar empire, things are looking bleak. However, she still loves her youngest stepsister, has a quick mind, and dreams of escape."
"The premise is quite intriguing: Cinderella is a cyborg and lives in a future Beijing with her wicked stepmother and two step-sisters, only one of which isn't appalling. The (Evil) Queen of the Moon, Levana, is set on marrying the Crown Prince, Kai so she can rule EVERYTHING. And she's the long lost lunar princess who is the only one who can overthrow Levana's totalitarian regime and bring liberty to her people. Peony is a plot device put there simply to tug at one's heart strings when she dies. 2) If Kai were really a prince of an entire realm he'd be too busy running things to spend time hiking down to Cinder's book on his own to flirt with her. These all seem like relatively minor points but these are all setting contrivances made in order that Kai and Cinder would cross paths as much as possible throughout the book. It adds a bit of a forced layer to the narrative and makes the world building less complex and believable. Sure the target demographic might not care about these little holes in the story, I know I wouldn't as a kid, but I think the overall result still lessens an otherwise excellent read."