Best Teen & Young Adult Sci-Fi Mystery eBooks
Fans of Divergent, Hunger Games and the Maze Runner will crave this world of dark secrets, intrigue and thirst for a better tomorrow. Winner of the best indie book of 2016 at ReadFreely and a chart topping Young Adult Dystopian book on Amazon with over 5 MILLION pagereads . When secrets about her own past unfold, she begins to doubt the ideals she was raised to hold dear. and in others because its terrifyingly amazing at how the system used to govern in the book is so perfect and yet completely flawed. A system where intellect rules and is used to make the world a safer healthier place. (and yes i put as many exclamation points as deserved) ~Fran's Book Love Blog. "Penner's world building is spectacular!" "If you guys love technology, adventure, romance and mystery then this is the book for you!!! Jenetta Penner developed a love of sci-fi at an early age and decided on a whim to read 40 young adult books in the same genre.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Avlyn is of the age where decisions have to be made--career, mate, move out of parent's apartment into your own--big issues. While this is a dystopian society where intellect is the highest good,the plot could make you uncomfortable with our own meritocracy, conflict between emotion and rationality, and what each of us will do to be socially accepted & "fit in"."
"It is a good book and well worth the read, if this is genre you enjoy or your teaching political science classes."
"I'll admit it, I'm a 32-year-old mom who indulges in YA books. "Configured" is a unique world with engrossing characters and a wonderful story that has me ready for more!"
"I cannot wait to read the next book in the trilogy.... although I may have to hold off until the 3rd book is ready too -- this way I can just keep on reading."
"The plot is very dense and could have been explained in greater detail (more pages), but the reader is drawn into an fascinating world."
"The characters were enjoyable, character growth developed throughout the story, interactions and dialogue were realistic and easy to relate to."
"I enjoyed the VR , the sims, the tech, and the whole system in the story."
"Will definitely be reading book 2."
With over Twelve Million pages read in Kindle Unlimited and Half a Million worldwide downloads, readers are raving about the Talented Saga: "X-Men meets Divergent in a new way." With only one year left in the program, though, seventeen-year-old Talia is suddenly finding it harder than ever to ignore the rest of her life. Even worse, she can't seem to turn off her psychic connection to her first love...or quit thinking about her fascinating new teammate. The Talented Saga is an award-winning Dystopian Romance series about the life of a girl with extraordinary psychic powers, and what happens when a heart is torn between love and rage...
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"When I first started the book, I wasnt sure I was going to like it. And admittedly it took me a while to get into the book, maybe 20% which is more than I usually give a book, to hook me. At first the book moved somewhat slowly, the progression of events made me wonder where the book was going, why is it so incredibly descriptive (almost overly so one might think, and I in fact did at first) but as the story continues, it is plainly obvious that every sentence, every word, carried a purpose to lead the reader through the novel. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend anyone with a fantasy/sci-fi itching with some love, lots of adventure mixed with the "dystopian future" should read this book!"
"Dear Ms. Davis, I have spent the last year and a half of my life going from one major event to another. My reading slacked off, my writing was obsolete, and I really had nothing at the time that was jump starting my creativity... that is, until I picked up your books! I had been reading a first book in another series, and while I liked the premise, the writing left a lot to be desired. I was pulled so hard into the story that I ended up reading all 4 1/2 books in the series in rapid succession. You know the ones were you walk through your daily routine with a book, or in this case an electronic device, in your hands reading as you cook, eat, sleep... It got me thinking about the book series that I still have sitting in my laptop, waiting to be finished. Reading your book made me remember the number one reason why I chose to be an author."
"It's an original dystopian story about a world in which a lot of people are born with a talent. Talia has two teammates, Henri who's a morph and Erik, who's a mimic. It's just that, if I read a big book, I want it to keep me hooked. There were a lot of moments in this book where Talia was training alone or with Henry and Erik and I felt like the writer could have skipped some of the training to keep the story interesting."
With over Twelve Million pages read in Kindle Unlimited and Half a Million worldwide downloads, readers are raving about The Talented Saga: “X-Men meets Divergent in a new way” Who can Talia trust when everyone has a secret? After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Her mission, oh, only to kill the leader of the coalition and her parents murderer, Mr Ian crane! In caged The mystery serum she was injected with has caused her serious health issues... seizures. Due to her illness Mac lets her help teach at the school, also to try and find the person who betrayed her."
"Talia is diving deeper and deeper into the Toxic world, and with each day arise more and more questions. Deep emotions are likely to last for quite a while, but it was nice see Talia finally discover her own desires and make a choice of her own."
"So naturally I got this, but I must admit I was a little bit hesitant, if only because I REALLY wanted Talia and Erik to be together, and I wasn't sure what would happen with them because of how their relationship ended in Talented. I was really mad at Talia in the beginning because she slept with Donovan, but Erik butted in and remined Talia where her loyalties lie- Erik didn't cheat on her!"
":). After almost dying from a gunshot wound during her solo mission, Talia is pretty much treated like a caged animal. When Mac tells her that she is needed to help uncover who the spy is within the School, she jumps at the opportunity to escape the confines of her room. With the addition to the character list, I've made mental enemies with a few and fell in love with others."
"I read the first book or I wouldn't have read this one."
"This book explained to a degree the reasons behind the heroines drastic mood swings and being borderline unhinged."
"So far I have really enjoyed this series."
Best Teen & Young Adult Adventure & Adventurers eBooks
Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl, struggles to adapt to living in Berkenhout, away from her family and friends. Henk Hauer, head woodman, is in charge of building the underground huts and ensuring the Berkenhout inhabitants stay safe. The characters are well drawn and the historical details convincing, not surprising since the author tells us in a foreword that her mother was Dutch and was in Holland during these troubling times. The Hidden Village, however, while just as true to the horrors of the Holocaust, allows the readers to not just be reminded of what has happened but to also be able to immerse themselves into a world of well written fiction. Storytelling is of a superb quality, and she has the ability to bring vividly to life these very hard and brutal times in a clear fashion, as well as the atmosphere in which the Jews had to live in WWII, and all that in a gripping and heart-breaking way within this wonderful tale. Born in Rijswijk, Holland, to a Dutch mother and English father, the family moved to England when Imogen was very young.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"During World War 11, a group of Jews hid from the Germans by living in underground huts in this village. This group of rescuers gathered food and other necessities for the hundreds of people who eventually lived in this hidden village. Imogen Matthews used archive materials, letters, photos, interviews, and a book called ‘Het Verscholen Dorp’ by A. Visser which was an account of this village. She also used this book as a way of writing down the stories her own mother told of the years spent in Holland during its occupation by the Germans."
"This is part of the story of the Holocaust I knew nothing about."
"This historically based, yet fictional account of the atrocities suffered during WWII in Holland is exceptionally riveting."
"I found this very hard to put down, every lunch trying to squeeze in 5 more minutes, or to finish the chapter."
"Very interesting to learn how German citizens suffered while Hitler was trying to conquer the world."
"i thoroughly enjoyed this book."
"It was a good book and kept my interest."
"I really liked the book."
Best Teen & Young Adult Adoption Fiction
After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family, including—. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs. ★ “Equally heartwarming and heart-wrenching... Benway ( Emmy & Oliver ) delves into the souls of these characters as they wrestle to overcome feelings of inadequacy, abandonment, and betrayal, gradually coming to understand themselves and each other.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). Robin Benway’s characters are authentically crafted, full of heart, hurt, and hope.” (Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe and Little & Lion). Emmy & Oliver is a genuinely sweet and funny novel bursting with the inextinguishable forces of love—between parents and children, distant and inseparable friends, new and reunited lovers.” (Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily Ever After Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily Ever After Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Isla and the Happily). ★ “At times heartfelt, funny, irreverent, and ultimately satisfying… a good choice for fans of Stephanie Perkins’s Anna and the French Kiss or any of Sarah Dessen’s novels.” (School Library Journal (starred review) ).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love love love this book!"
"The teen voices and their experience with adoption and foster care ring true."
"But the story does earned it a five stars."
"Heartwarming perspective on adoption and what truly connects people and what actually makes a family."
"It was so emotional and raw and great."
"I chose this reading because I'm a social worker in the adoption field."
"Really enjoyed this book!"
Best Teen & Young Adult Homelessness & Poverty Fiction eBooks
Carmel Fishkill becomes Fishkill Carmel, who deflects her tormenters with a strong left hook and conceals her secrets from teachers and social workers. Fishkill's guilt, anger, and abandonment only intensify as the story unfolds, leaving her desperate and unsure where to turn...Abuse is eclipsed by love in this moving novel. In Lehrer’s engrossing first novel, 12-year-old Carmel Fishkill (named after a highway exit sign her mother, Keely, glimpsed while giving birth in the back seat of a car) decides that starting seventh grade in a new school is an opportunity to toughen up her image...The plot, as well as Duck-Duck and Fishkill’s friendship, twists and turns as Keely reappears and disappears, until a tragic development changes the entire tone of the book, providing a bittersweet resolution. The deep sadness undergirding this story is held in check, rhetorically speaking, by Fishkill’s matter-of-fact, survivalist perspective and a fast-moving plot...Fans of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s rescue dramas are the audience for this. Poet Lehrer’s YA debut is a beautifully written and authentic look at rural poverty, and a great choice for fans of Kody Keplinger’s Run and Sarah Nicole Lemon’s Done Dirt Cheap .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"To me, all great stories are love stories and Lehrer drives this love story straight through the heart."
"She is unlike any other character I’ve met in a book and for that reason alone you should pick up this debut. Lehrer’s debut novel is an intricately woven tale of rural poverty and the will it takes to survive abuse and neglect. Her writing ensnares you as you learn the story of a young girl who endures a loveless childhood—and see her wrestle with the enormous leap of faith it takes for her to trust people after a lifetime of being disappointed, and worse. The two main characters—Fishkill and DuckDuck—are two of the most inspiring, brilliant, REAL kids I’ve met on the page. It is hard to write a review for this book because it is so lovely and so richly crafted, but it is also painful."
"This book is not an easy read, but I think it is an important one, that many should pick up. This book is written in a way that is effortless to read. This book will make you laugh, it will make you cringe, it will make you curse this awful world, and it will most certainly make you cry…but in the end it will make you read every page and cherish the depth and reality that is contained within. I started writing this review when I finished the book, it’s has been two weeks and I still don’t feel my review speaks any additional insight than just reading the book."
"I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I began reading, but as I became immersed in the story of Fishkill, a twelve-year-old girl from a tragically abusive and neglectful family, her friend, Duck-Duck, and Duck-Duck’s mother, Molly, I felt simultaneously heartbroken and hopeful."
"And that's funny, because they're often the books that are so well-written, whose prose is so clear, so honest, so true, and whose characters feel so utterly real that you simultaneously want to just give up at writing because your writing can never be *that* good."
Best Children's Spy Books
And just in time, she is brought out of exile and into the heart of the snakes’ den that is the Copper Isles royal court. Still, Aly must keep her wager with the trickster god and protect her charges: Sarai, the beautiful, dramatic, and rash potential queen, and Dove, the more cautious and often overlooked younger sister. Cracking open one of her marvelous novels always feels like coming home.”. — SARAH J. MAAS , #1 New York Times bestselling author. “Tamora Pierce didn’t just blaze a trail. Grade 7-10–In this sequel to the well-received Trickster's Choice (Random, 2003), Pierce deftly weaves an unforgettable story about Alianne (Aly) of Pirate's Swoop. Aly has become a maid to Lady Dovasary, daughter of the late duke, and, more importantly, she is now the spymaster of the raka rebellion that is determined to put Dovasary's sister on the throne in place of the four-year-old luarin king. Aly, who is the daughter of Alanna the Lioness of Tortall (from the "Lioness Quartet" series), is delightful in her deviousness. Pierce concludes the story of Alanna the Lioness' daughter, Aly, spymaster par excellence, in a fantasy thriller that continues the rich and complex tale begun in Trickster's Choice [BKL D 1 03].
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Through some magical intervention Aly is enslaved and sent to the Tortall version of a Caribbean Island where she has to serve the needs of a God, save some young women, and try not to lose her minds at the Crows."
"The writing was well paced, and though k had not read the other titles stationed in the same universe, I was able to stay informed just the same without feeling like I was being fed context."
"Her family contains members of the ruling caste, but the two oldest daughters are also direct descendants of the previous Raka royal family."
"Ali ramps up the siege against the regents and finds allies in the strangest places."
"I've read many of The Tamora Pierce books and can say from the bottom of my heart that Trickster's Queen has gone far above my expectations in this brilliant series.The writing and the pinstroke ideas are absolutely fabulous!I stopped my whole week just because I couldn't put the book down.It rivaled Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series down to the scenery.The writing spills with specific details keeping the reader informed and not guessing.The whole time you think what's going to happen then the writer comes back and surprises you with a twist.In Trickster's Queen you follow Aly(Alianne)of Pirate's Swoop,Daughter of Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Olau,Alanna is also the king's champion and the first Lady Knight or Tortal,through the final days of the Raka Rebellion,making it all possible with a little nudge from a Trickster God.The secretive,witty, and just plain brilliant mind of Aly keeps you wanting to see what she does next,Though the writer keeps you anticipating by long pauses.She ends up with a few 3-deminsional friends like Nawat(A crow who took on the form of a human)and Dove(A young girl who's brains can make a grown person's feel inferior).I just couldn't think of a different rating then 5 stars.This book and it's Duo series is a must read(Book 1:Trickster's Choice)."
"A lot of the paperbacks I get from Amazon end up being just a little bent or worn at the corners."
"One of my favorite series, and one of my favorite authors."
"When I got to the first Trickster book, however, this was not the case. I found Aly very unrelateable as a character, and she never seems to be phased about anything that happens to her. I found the other female characters of Pierce's books more relatable than Aly."
Best Steampunk Science Fiction
Suddenly, there's reason to hope again, and it rests within a group of genetically engineered children that are both human and Variant. Terry is one of these children, modified and trained to endure the harsh conditions of a planet he cannot begin to understand. The only regret I had in reading this book was when I looked and saw there were only eight pages left...I can't wait to see if there is a follow up to this great start. Amazon Best Seller Lists:#1 in Genetic Engineering #1 in Dystopian #1 in Post-Apocalyptic Everything is a grave - The Amber Project continues to captivate fans of dystopian science fiction,combining hard sci-fi, exploration, and gritty action with a healthy dose ofintrigue. A thrilling blend of action, scifi, and mystery, the Variant Saga is an explosive mix that fans of dystopian and Young Adult will absolutely love.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The characters in this book all develop and have their own journey."
"Civilization is forced underground due to the earth being taken over by toxic gas, but not just any gas, a new type of gas that that is beautiful and deadly."
"This novel is up there with the one of best science fiction book categories as it combines fine story telling, evoking the reader to engage in exploring the fundamental aspects of everything in society – certainly man's destiny in post-apocalyptic earth 200 plus years in the future as well man’s physical relationship with what is left of the earth as we know it."
"I am someone who prefers the world building of a dystopia with the characters more secondary as something to guide the reader through the book."
"However, author JN Chaney has reawakened my interest in this category, and I highly recommend THE AMBER PROJECT to readers looking to try out Dystopian sci fi, and to those looking for a riveting sci fi read."
"The Amber Project: A Dystopian Sci-fi Novel (The Variant Saga Book 1) by JN Chaney is a terrific, fast paced, suspense filled sci-fi/fantasy novel I had to inhale in one sitting."
"Book provided by the author via David Estes R&R Program on Goodreads. I haven't heard much about this book when I first started reading it, but since I really liked the blurb, I wanted to read it. So anyways, these people are modified before they were born and started training to survive Earth, or what used to be Earth, when they were 7."
Best Children's Asian Folk Tales
Other multicultural children's books in this series include: Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Japanese Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Korean Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, and Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories . "Though more complex than the other children's books we had read about India, my daughter was fascinated with these eight tales and their beautiful illustrations—especially Ravana, the ten-headed rakshasa. Though I suspect some of the themes of the stories went over her head, it wasn't unusual for me to catch her reading this book after tucking her in for the night."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent stories to read to a child (8+ to read themselves) and to learn about Hindu deities."
"This book is ideal for young readers who want to be introduced to the wealth of mythological stories from India."
"I really wanted to give my nephews and nieces books about Indian stories but written in English."
"It is a great product - very nicely done and very colorful."
"too complicated for my 6 year old to read herself but good one to read them stories."
"Used it for a lesson at scho."
"My kids read the stories but they did not enjoy it as much as I had expected."
Best Teen & Young Adult Romantic Mystery eBooks
Gliding over the treacherous Green in a shaky aircraft that she has no idea how to land, Violet Bates is still in shock. She has barely time to catch her breath before she is sucked into a perilous journey at breakneck speed - to uncover secrets guarded for centuries and find the only two people that matter. "Wonderful story line, it keeps you on your toes with exciting twists and turns through the entire book." "The Gender Secret is an exhilarating, heart stopping, mind blowing and jaw dropping read from the beginning to the end." "An absolutely stunning follow up to a heart pounding, innovative novel from my favorite author!!" The characters continue to grow, the story line exploded with intrigue, and it all left me hungry for more !" "I love Ms. Forrest's writing style and how she seems to capture the character's emotions so beautifully!"
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I enjoyed book 2, but I did figure out some things a head of time."
"This book has ypu on your toes from start to finish."
"this story would make such a great series of movies."
"Viggo and Violet return in a new adventure that puts both of their lives on the line."
"I was skeptical at first but once I started reading I was sucked right in and finished both books in 3 days."
"Not having to set up the main characters allowed this novel to get straight into the action and it never once slowed down."
"The only bad thing about her books is they pull me in so hard that I'm left waiting for the next one to come out!lol."
"Bella keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat the whole book."
Best Teen & Young Adult Spy Story eBooks
Philip Pullman returns to the parallel world of his groundbreaking novel The Golden Compass to expand on the story of Lyra, "one of fantasy's most indelible characters." Malcolm's parents run an inn called the Trout, on the banks of the river Thames, and all of Oxford passes through its doors. When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he sees suspicious characters everywhere: the explorer Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; a gyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a daemon. "People will love the first volume of Philip Pullman's new trilogy with the same helpless vehemence that stole over them when The Golden Compass came out." It’s been nearly two decades since Pullman wrote The Amber Spyglass , so it was both thrilling and terrifying ( please be amazing, please be amazing… ) when I first cracked open The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage and began to read. Neither prequel nor sequel to His Dark Materials trilogy—Pullman calls this an “equel” and La Belle Sauvage is the first volume of a companion trio that can stand on its own. There are some familiar faces—most notably an infant Lyra Belacqua and her daemon Pantalaimon--and a particularly delightful new one: a boy named Malcolm whose kind heart, curious mind, and unerring sense of good, are the reason baby Lyra makes it to the safety of Jordan College. As in his earlier books, Pullman explores themes of religious and political freedom, the nature of good and evil, science and philosophy. The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage is a glorious adventure that delivers heart-in-your-throat moments and much to think about as we wait (not so patiently) to see what will happen next… --Seira Wilson "Reading this novel is like standing in a room in which suddenly all of the windows have blown open at once." The story becomes darker, deeper and even more engrossing when a cataclysmic flood overtakes Southern England. "— Bustle " The Book of Dust passes by in one tumultuous wave of literature, that leaves you queasy, but wanting the next volume as quickly as possible. La Belle Sauvage reveals the incredible ways in which 'ordinary' children can react whenplaced in extraordinary circumstances: with kindness, bravery and cunning. ". — Vox "This tense, adventure-packed book will satisfy and delight Pullman's fans and leave them eager to see what's yet to come" — Publishers Weekly , starred review. " Magisterial storytelling will sweep readers along; the cast is as vividly drawn as ever; and big themes running beneath the surface invite profound responses and reflection." "Pullman demonstrates that his talent for world building hasn’t diminished, nor has his ability to draw young characters—here, Malcolm, who is layered enough to carry an adventure through multiple dimensions."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Book of Dust, Phillip Pullman's "equal" (both before and after His Dark Materials) is a delight--a wonderfully welcome return to the familiar but strangely different parallel world of Lyra Bellacqua, Lord Asriel and the chilling Mrs Coulter. They're little angels compared to the positively terrifying Sisters of Obedience who are running what is essentially a child abuse and slavery racket. In addition to Organized Evil (religion), there is just plain wickedness, personified in the wonderfully smarmy and grotesque character of Gerard Bonneville complete with a leg-gnawing hyena daemon. Malcolm reminds one of the adage "still waters run deep" and like Lyra and Will Parry he is young enough to be naive but a bit reckless in his bravery; not classically educated but instinctively intelligent, and always curious. He and his daemon Asta (who hasn't settled into a single form yet) create a character whose depth and humanity is surprising in one so young but entirely believable. He and his motley crew--the scholar Hannah Relf, Gyptian Coram von Texel and Alice the kitchen maid are a formidable force for Good. There are no gay angels falling in love or Serafina Pekkalas bashing about on a "broom" of pine branches, no Subtle Knives, peculiar Texans or talking polar bears with a drinking problem dressed in armor."
"As in the previous trilogy, His Dark Materials, Malcolm, like everybody in this imagined world, has his own daemon, an opposite sex animal familiar tied to him both geographically (if the familiar moves away from her master, the master must follow) and psychically. He knew that would be a silly thing to say, so he held his tongue, but that was his impression all the same: it was unexpected that something so small should be so perfectly formed. Asta pretended to snap at a small insect and thrust it down the baby daemon’s gaping mouth, which satisfied him, making Malcolm laugh harder, and then the baby laughed so hard she got the hiccups, and every time she hicked, the daemon jumped. “ 'There, there,' said Sister Fenella, and bent to pick her up; but as she lifted the baby, Lyra’s little face crumpled into an expression of grief and terror, and she reached round for her daemon, nearly twisting herself out of the nun’s arms. Astra was ahead of her: she took the little chick in her mouth and flew to place him on the baby’s chest, at which point he turned into a miniature tiger cub and hissed and bared his teeth at everyone. All the baby’s dismay vanished at once, and she lay in Sister Fenella’s arms, looking around with a lordly complacency. La Belle Sauvage (the name of Malcolm’s most treasured possession, a canoe) inhabits the same world of magic-physics as the preceding trilogy –sub-atomic dust leaking in through cracks of the world, scientists’ exploitation of the uncertainty principle, a weird but believable instrument that lies half way between astrology and physics and is called the alethiometer, which measures truth but uncertainly. Like those books, La Belle Sauvage offers small (turns of phrase, particular descriptions of places or people) and large (scary, powerful bad guys, and good guys with interesting characters and pasts; a large-scale, almost cosmic fight for noble goals) pleasures."
"Being new to Philip Pullman's style, it took me a minute to engage in this book."
"While I don't know if it gave me that same "Wow" factor as when I read "The Golden Compass" for the first time, "The Book of Dust" is a really excellent read, and great return to Lyra's Oxford."
"I'm not normally a fan of fantasy fiction, with a handful of exceptions (Game of Thrones)."
"We now look at two people who did the most to ensure that Lyra would have the chance to achieve her full potential."
"This is the prequel to His Dark Materials, and give the background story."
"Its good, the story Pullman spins grabs you but even more, makes you think about the cosmic world we live in."
Best Teen & Young Adult Detective Story eBooks
#1 Bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars John Green crafts a brilliantly funny and moving coming-of-age journey about true friendship and true love. Weeks before graduating from their Orlando-area high school, Quentin Jacobsen's childhood best friend, Margo, reappears in his life, specifically at his window, commanding him to take her on an all-night, score-settling spree. Just as suddenly, she disappears again, and the plot's considerable tension derives from Quentin's mission to find out if she's run away or committed suicide. Margo's parents, inured to her extreme behavior, wash their hands, but Quentin thinks she's left him a clue in a highlighted volume of Leaves of Grass. The title, which refers to unbuilt subdivisions and copyright trap towns that appear on maps but don't exist, unintentionally underscores the novel's weakness: both milquetoast Q and self-absorbed Margo are types, not fully dimensional characters. Green's prose is astounding—from hilarious, hyperintellectual trash talk and shtick, to complex philosophizing, to devastating observation and truths.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Paper Towns by John Green tells the story of Quentin, otherwise known as Q. Q and his next door neighbor Margo used to be best friends and, as they’ve grown up and become high school seniors, they have turned into acquaintances."
"I read this book because I seen the trailer for it at the theater, and thought it looked good. My Thoughts : Margo Roth Spiegelman is an enigma, especially for Quentin."
"It had adventure, mystery, a love triangle, a real page turner that you won't be able to put down."
"I am in awe of this book. I am in awe of John Green as a writer who does not insult the intelligence of his young readers."
"I have sent each one of my two travel companions a copy of Paper Town in hopes that it could kindle (no pun intended) something inside of them."
Best Teen & Young Adult Fantasy & Supernatural Mystery eBooks
Red Queen , by #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, is a sweeping tale of power, intrigue, and betrayal, perfect for fans of George R.R. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard—a growing Red rebellion—even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. Mare's resigned herself to the fact that she'll always serve the Silver, a genetically gifted group of people with supernatural abilities. A chance encounter with the prince causes Mare to suddenly find herself at the royal palace as a servant, where she discovers in front of everyone that she also has a unique gift. The king and queen quickly cover up Mare's anomaly by presenting her to the rest of the Silvers as a long-lost princess and betroth her to their second-born son. There's a bit of teen romance, but luckily the characters are self-aware enough to realize its frivolity among the story's more important plot points. A solid debut from Aveyard and a welcome addition to the plethora of speculative teen lit.—Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Hudson Library & Historical Society, OH "A sizzling, imaginative thriller, where romance and revolution collide, where power and justice duel. " [Aveyard] sets her audience up for a gaspworthy twist that reconfigures nearly every character's role and leaves Mare with no one to trust but herself... Readers will be intrigued by a world that reflects today's troubling issues concerning ethnic inequality, unfair distribution of wealth, pollution, warfare, political corruption, and the frightening power of the media."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Mare and her family and friends despise Silvers, who treat Reds like dirt and have Reds fight an unending war with a neighboring country for them. Things That Frustrated Me: The heroine: my biggest frustration with this book was the lack of character development in Mare. The romance: There were (count 'em) THREE love interests for Mare in this book. The tropes: The problem with obvious writing is that if you have a story hat relies on a lot of tropes (poor girl who's special and different; prince who is not thrilled about being prince and just wants to be normal, world that is separated into classes that needs to be overthrown), you can guess what's going to happen, and your mind tends to wander. It's frustrating because I couldn't help but notice and compare this book to a ton of other YA books (I thought of The Selection, Divergent, Hunger Games, even Harry Potter while I was reading), and the book never went beyond or did anything better or different with those tropes. I enjoyed getting into this world through Mare's eyes - as a Red, she really doesn't know much about it, and it's both interesting to see it develop and to see her thoughts on it in her unique position. I felt like I knew more about them than I did about Mare by the end of the book. Brimming with action and classic speculative fiction tropes, this is a good book for younger teens new to fantasy or looking for a book with magic to devour like popcorn."
"This book was suspenseful, action packed, had some flirtation, deceit & was a very good book."
"The Red Queen grabs the reader and pulls them into a world separated into factions, the Silvers and the Reds."
"I liked the twist on evolution and the class struggle between the Reds and the Silvers, differences compounded by different colors of blood (literally) and the presence, or lack, of supernatural powers."
"I do realize that part of the issue I have with the book is that I was expecting something different in the storyline, and I didn't like the outcome at all. I liked her flaws in the beginning of the story, and I loved the characters that surrounded her, and the premise. Instead of growing as a person, she goes backwards and then spends the last of the book feeling sorry for herself and what's been done to her, and merely touches on the pain she's inflicted on others."
"But the writing is not particularly artistic, and the emotional portraits of the characters are flat and immature."
Best Teen & Young Adult Law & Crime Fiction eBooks
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price--and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. They are to nab the creator of jurda parem, a highly addictive product that enhances the innate paranormal powers of the Grisha peoples, in the hopes of creating weapons of war that will upset the balance of power and destroy the economies of rival governments. While the unresolved ending may frustrate some teens, the promise of a sequel will give them hope that this unsettling, captivating, magical journey will continue.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Bought this book the day it came out, and only this past week have I finally read it....well actually I downloaded the audiobook. The way Kaz interacted with others, and how Inej is able to slip silently into the shadows...how much I wanted to hug Matthias tightly and never let go. As for the audiobook version - the people who voiced Leigh's wonderfully crafted characters really brought them to life. Six of Crows was my first venture into the world of Audiobooks, and I feared that I would miss a lot of the story, not being able to comprehend it fully without seeing the words on the page. The way the people read the characters and the overall production of the audiobook made it so easy to follow along and listen to the book come to life."
"I quickly became submersed in the world that is Six of Crows, living vicariously through Kaz Brekker's crew (NIna, Inej, Mathias,Jesper, and Wylan)."
"As you can read on the cover, the book is about “six dangerous outcasts, and one impossible heist.” Those of you who love stories about gangs of less than upstanding citizens, sting operations, and movies like Ocean’s Eleven, should be pulled in by those words alone. My only complaint about the book is that I raced through it in two days, and then was left dying to get my hands on the next in the series, the equally beautifully clad Crooked Kingdom, due out September 27."
"With a diverse cast and a diverting, fast-paced narrative, this reads like a heist movie set in a fantasy land."
Best Teen & Young Adult Thrillers & Suspense
Red Queen , by #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, is a sweeping tale of power, intrigue, and betrayal, perfect for fans of George R.R. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard—a growing Red rebellion—even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. Mare's resigned herself to the fact that she'll always serve the Silver, a genetically gifted group of people with supernatural abilities. A chance encounter with the prince causes Mare to suddenly find herself at the royal palace as a servant, where she discovers in front of everyone that she also has a unique gift. The king and queen quickly cover up Mare's anomaly by presenting her to the rest of the Silvers as a long-lost princess and betroth her to their second-born son. There's a bit of teen romance, but luckily the characters are self-aware enough to realize its frivolity among the story's more important plot points. A solid debut from Aveyard and a welcome addition to the plethora of speculative teen lit.—Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Hudson Library & Historical Society, OH "A sizzling, imaginative thriller, where romance and revolution collide, where power and justice duel. " [Aveyard] sets her audience up for a gaspworthy twist that reconfigures nearly every character's role and leaves Mare with no one to trust but herself... Readers will be intrigued by a world that reflects today's troubling issues concerning ethnic inequality, unfair distribution of wealth, pollution, warfare, political corruption, and the frightening power of the media."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Mare and her family and friends despise Silvers, who treat Reds like dirt and have Reds fight an unending war with a neighboring country for them. Things That Frustrated Me: The heroine: my biggest frustration with this book was the lack of character development in Mare. The romance: There were (count 'em) THREE love interests for Mare in this book. The tropes: The problem with obvious writing is that if you have a story hat relies on a lot of tropes (poor girl who's special and different; prince who is not thrilled about being prince and just wants to be normal, world that is separated into classes that needs to be overthrown), you can guess what's going to happen, and your mind tends to wander. It's frustrating because I couldn't help but notice and compare this book to a ton of other YA books (I thought of The Selection, Divergent, Hunger Games, even Harry Potter while I was reading), and the book never went beyond or did anything better or different with those tropes. I enjoyed getting into this world through Mare's eyes - as a Red, she really doesn't know much about it, and it's both interesting to see it develop and to see her thoughts on it in her unique position. I felt like I knew more about them than I did about Mare by the end of the book. Brimming with action and classic speculative fiction tropes, this is a good book for younger teens new to fantasy or looking for a book with magic to devour like popcorn."
"I didn’t read what it was about at all, I just bought the kindle edition because I’ve heard of it and it was on sale."
"The Red Queen grabs the reader and pulls them into a world separated into factions, the Silvers and the Reds."
"I liked the twist on evolution and the class struggle between the Reds and the Silvers, differences compounded by different colors of blood (literally) and the presence, or lack, of supernatural powers."
"I do realize that part of the issue I have with the book is that I was expecting something different in the storyline, and I didn't like the outcome at all. I liked her flaws in the beginning of the story, and I loved the characters that surrounded her, and the premise. Instead of growing as a person, she goes backwards and then spends the last of the book feeling sorry for herself and what's been done to her, and merely touches on the pain she's inflicted on others."
"But the writing is not particularly artistic, and the emotional portraits of the characters are flat and immature."