Legend - Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

I had heard some good things about this book so I decided to give it a try.
I was aware of the romance before I started it, so it didn't surprise me. It wasn't a terrible romance, but it was predictable.
I liked Day, he was interesting and honestly was the one that kept me reading.
June was kind of "meh", she wasn't a bad character or anything, I just didn't relate to her as well as I did with Day. I did feel as though June's lack of emotion at the death of her brother, was a mistake on the author's part.
In my opinion June should have been WAY more vengeful toward Day, even before she realized who he was! She has great potential though, so I hope to see Lu build on that.
But Day on the other hand seemed very real, his love for his family and willingness to sacrifice himself for their safety was very admirable.
This is a little off subject, but has anyone else ever really liked the "wrong" character? Who of the charaters I really liked in this book either died or turned out to be evil! For real? Anyone else ever had problems like this? It wouldn't be the first time if it was just me! :-P
Aaanyway... I enjoyed the plot and setting, though sometimes it seemed typical.
In all honesty, I've read better. But it's not like it was a terrible book or anything, it just didn't grab me like I'd hoped.
I do plan on reading the second book, but I am hoping that it'll be better.
It was an okay book, not awesome. not awful.
Title - Legend
Author - Marie Lu
Series/Trilogy Title - Legend
Book in Series/Trilogy - #1
Pages - 305
Type of Book - Dystopia
Website - http://marielu.org/index.html

Obsidian Mirror - Catherine Fisher

The obsidian mirror. Its power is great and terrible. Men have been lost in it, the dead brought back to life through it, and the future annihilated by it. Or this is what will happen unless the mirror is destroyed. Three people seek the mirror: the first has been sent from the future to shatter its power; the second will protect the mirror at all costs, obsessed with its power; and the third needs the mirror to find a murdered father and save his life. But only one can succeed.
The mirror can send you to the past, but it will not bring you back.
With superb world-building that includes the real world, the faery world, and a dystopic future, this hauntingly astonishing adventure is the start of a new trilogy from the master of the sci-fi/fantasy genre, Catherine Fisher. Fans of Orson Scott Card, Doctor. Who, Shakespeare, and Blade Runner won't be disappointed.

I honestly never saw this book coming. From the first page this book grabbed me by the front of the shirt and refused to let me go.
The story was so good, so deep, and so complicated!
I read over half of it in just a few hours, it was addicting! Every time I'd put it down all I could think about was the next time I'd pick it back up! Who knew food and bathroom breaks could be such a pain!
I ate every bit of this book up!
Though this book wasn't perfect it did have some profanity in it, but fortunately, like Fisher's Incarceron books, there wasn't too much. And also like her Incarceron books there was no romance. This book did have a darker tone to it but nothing overwhelming, I quite liked that about it, actually there isn't much to complain about this book, other than the fact that it's over with no published sequel yet.
I love Fisher's characters! They are so deep and have so many different facets yet to be discoverer, they're so real!
Then there is also the mysterious way in which she writes! Always leaving you hanging in one way or another, it's very well done, but that doesn't mean I have to like it!
But fantastic fantasy/dystopia AND time travel? Is this legal?! Oh. My. Goodness.
All I can say is Obsidian Mirror is ingeniously epic!
Title - Obsidian Mirror
Author - Catherine Fisher
Series/Trilogy Title - Chronoptika Quartet 
Book in Series/Trilogy - #1
Pages - 378
Type of Book - Fantasy/Science Fiction
Website - http://www.catherine-fisher.com/

The Runaway King - Jennifer A. Nielsen

A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in the highly anticipated sequel to Jennifer A. Nielsen's blockbuster The False Prince!
Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life in order to save his kingdom?
The stunning second installment of The Ascendance Trilogy takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder, thrills and peril, as they journey with the Runaway King!

After reading the first book, The False Prince, I couldn't wait to get stated on this book!
I noticed a few things right off, one of which was the humor, while it still made me laugh out loud though there were fewer funny parts. Though not altogether a bad thing, the book had a more serious tone compared to the first one, and understandably so.
There really wasn't any romance in this book, I did like how the book ended with King Jaron and Princess Amarinda on good terms, I mean if they have to get married they might as well become friends, right?
This book did end on a bit of a cliffhanger, though it was kind of predictable, but it didn't lessen the blow. Nielsen better have the next book published soon, or I might implode before then!
There were some things that I didn't see coming but I don't think this book was as unpredictable as the first one; but it still was an incredibly well written book.
I ate up all the emotional consequences for Jaron, they were steep but very good!
I wouldn't say I liked this book any less than the first one, I love both books and cannot wait for the third one!
Title - The Runaway King
Author - Jennifer A, Neilsen
Series/Trilogy Title - The Ascendance Trilogy
Book in Series/Trilogy - #2
Pages - 331
Type of Book - Fantasy
Website - http://www.jennielsen.com/

The Rise of Nine - Pittacus Lore

In Pittacus Lore’s The Rise of Nine, third in the New York Times bestselling I Am Number Four series, the stakes are higher than ever as John, Six, and Seven try desperately to find the rest of the Garde before it’s too late.
The Mogadorians who destroyed the planet Lorien continue to hunt down the Garde, the small group of Loric survivors who have taken refuge on Earth. The Garde must come together. They are Lorien and Earth’s only hope. 
During the dangerous mission at the Mogadorian base in West Virginia, John found and rescued Nine. But even with their combined powers, special abilities known as Legacies, the pair barely escaped with their lives—and they lost Sam in the process.
In order to save our world and their own, John and Nine must join forces with Six and Seven who have been battling the Mogadorians in Spain, and who are now trying to locate Number Eight in India.
Power in numbers will save us all.
This book was good but I didn't like it as much as the previous one, mainly because of the amount of profanity I think there was more in this book than the first 2 books combined.
I did enjoy the different character's POV (point of view)!
Let's see, there was John (Number Four), Marina (Number Seven), and Number Six, so a total of three.
Six is probably one of my favorite characters, mainly because he's gone through so much on her own, and she's grown from it rather than lit it cripple her, she's a very strong character.
While I'm still on the topic of characters I'd like to mention that they've developed quite nicely. I like most of them very much, though some of them are a little if-y, particularly Nine. While I love his antics, he swears a lot, and he can be kinda inappropriate...
There was really no romance in this book, which was a plus! My favorite part was probably the end battle when all but one of the Garde came together and fought. It really helped how the POV bounced around, it helped keep things from getting confusing, as it sometimes happens during fight scenes.
Other than the profanity and a few small things here and there I liked this book, it did a good job at keeping my attention. I'll read the next book and finish off the series, but they probably aren't books that I'd want to own.
Title - The Rise of Nine
Author - Pittacus Lore
Series/Trilogy Title - Lorien Legacies
Book in Series/Trilogy - #3
Pages - 360
Type of Book - Science Fiction
Website - http://iamnumberfourfans.com/

Sapphique - Catherine Fisher

Finn has escaped from the terrible living prison of Incarceron, but its memory torments him, because his brother Keiro is still inside. Outside, Claudia insists he must be king, but Finn doubts even his own identity. Is he the lost prince Giles? Or are his memories no more than another construct of his imprisonment? And can you be free if your friends are still captive? Can you be free if your world is frozen in time? Can  you be free if you don't even know who you are? Inside Incarceron, has the crazy sorcerer Rix really found the Glove of Sapphique, the only man the Prison ever loved, Sapphique, whose image fires Incarceron with the desire to escape its own nature. If Keiro steals the glove, will he bring destruction to the world? Inside. Outside. All seeking freedom. Like Sapphique
Wow... I wasn't sure it was possible but this book was better than the first!
So much happened in this book I feel like my brain is still trying to catch up! I loved all the different twists and turns. I wouldn't say it was a terribly fast paced book, but it certainly kept my attention!
And I loved the characters! I can't choose just one anymore, I love nearly all of them! Finn, Claudia, Jared, Keiro, they are all amazingly complex and well written.
Though something I noticed in the previous book, Incarceron, was that the story wasn't told by just one person at a time. It was told by multiple people at the same time. One moment Claudia is seeing something through her perspective and the next paragraph you're given Finn's perspective on the same thing. It can be a little confusing at times, and sometimes I had to reread it several times before I understood who was doing or seeing which thing. But once I got used to it, it wasn't too noticeable.
I love the character's struggles; the different things that confront them. In some ways, I know it sounds terrible, but I like seeing their fear, it's very convincing!
Surprisingly I loved the end of this book, it was perfect. Though it still left me wanting more, I thought it was very well executed, though part of the ending was kind of sad...
But to my relief, there was no romance!
Then there was the profanity... It was less than the first book! Probably only 3 words, if that.
But yeah, otherwise the book was marvelous!
I loved it!
Title - Sapphique
Author - Catherine Fisher
Series/Trilogy Title - Incarceron
Book in Series/Trilogy - #2
Pages - 462
Type of Book - YA Dystopia
Website - http://www.catherine-fisher.com/index.asp

EDIT: When I wrote this review I assumed that there was a third book; apparently that is not so. Turns out that Catherine Fisher has no plans to write an third book, though she is not completely opposed to it. Hopefully she does write another one. My opinion of this books ending has changed knowing that it's the "final" book. I loved the ending believing that there was going to be another book, but now that I know there isn't going to be one, it seems incredibly incomplete, there are too many questions that are unanswered for it to be acceptable. In my opinion there is no way you can leave off like that. But still, it's a very, very good book, it just has a very incomplete ending. I'm really hoping that Fisher changes her mind and gives us a final book.

Incarceron - Catherine Fisher

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells and corridors, but metal forests, dilapidated cities, and wilderness. It has been sealed for centuries, and only one man has ever escaped. Finn has always been a prisoner here. Although he has no memory of his childhood, he is sure he came from Outside. His link to the Outside, his chance to break free, is Claudia, the warden's daughter, herself determined to escape an arranged marriage. They are up against impossible odds, but one thing looms above all: Incarceron itself is alive . . .
I've read reviews on this book before and it sounded pretty good so when I happened upon it at the library I thought, "What the heck? Why not!"
Turns out I liked this book a lot! It had a very intricate plot and setting. I read this book in about 2-ish days, I think.
The beginning was a bit confusing because so much ways going on and a lot of it really wasn't explained, but I got the gist of it based on the characters reactions. Speaking of the characters, they were very cool! They were surprising and they were easily likable. I think I liked Claudia the best, her character was very complex. Though she seemed selfish, haughty, self-righteous, and impossible at times it made her character all the more likable, for me at least.
And the prison, Incarceron, wow, wasn't really expecting that! Very, very, complex!
I love the personality that this book and and I am thoroughly looking forward to the next one! I actually bought the second book before I even read the first one! So I had no idea if I would even like it, but how could I pass it up for $2?!
The only thing I did not like about this book was that there was some profanity in it. Not much, I probably could count all of the words on one hand, but still.
Very, very cool book! And no big cliffhanger! Yay! Though I am anticipating a love triangle in the next book, though hopefully not, but we'll see!
Title - Incarceron
Author - Catherine Fisher
Series/Trilogy Title - Incarceron Series
Book in Series/Trilogy - #1
Pages - 442
Type of Book - YA Dystopia
Website - http://www.catherine-fisher.com/index.asp

The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore

They know about the charm.

They know about our legacies.

They caught Number One, Number Two, and Number Three.

They killed them all.

I am Number Seven. One of six still alive.

We are growing stronger.

We are starting to come together.

We are ready to fight.

We are the last defense.

I really liked this book! It's the second in the Lorien Legacies series, and maybe better than the first! I love the pace of these books!
This book was different in the fact that it alternated between the point of view of John/Number Four, the main character of the first book, and Marina who is Number Seven.
When the POV alternates it adds a lot of extra tension, and especially when the POV changes abruptly! I enjoyed all the new characters in this book, and I cannot wait to get the know them in the next book!
I don't think there was as much swearing in this book as in the first, which was really nice.
Though there was still some "romantic" parts which I thought more inappropriate than anything, especially the kissing...
It didn't end on a big cliffhanger or anything, it just left a few unanswered questions and unfinished business, not too bad.
But I seriously can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
Title - The Power of Six
Author - Pittacus Lore
Series/Trilogy Title - Lorien Legacies
Book in Series/Trilogy - #2
Pages - 406
Type of Book - Science Fiction
Website - http://iamnumberfourfans.com/