Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Genre: Young Adult - SciFi
My Rating: 9/10

I have to admit that I am a serious Westerfeld-fan (If you haven't read the Uglies series, get to a bookstore now. It's a MUST for any scifi fan), so when this book came out I immediately grabbed a copy even though I thought it sounded very odd. I had never heard of the 'steampunk' genre and when I did a little research it didn't seem like something I would like... Basically, 'steampunk' literature is set during the time when steam powered machines were common ~ often in Victorian England, but adds in a fantasy or scifi twist. In this book, Westerfeld sets the scene with an event that most people are familiar with - the assassination of Archduke Franz that set in motion events that would cause the start of World War I. The story is told from 2 different points of view - Prince Aleksandar (the current heir to the throne who is now in hiding from the angry masses) and Deryn Sharp (a girl who managed to sneak into the British Air Force by pretending to be a boy).

The story jumps back and forth between the two characters, allowing the reader to see both sides of the upcoming war and hinting that the two will somehow meet. Prince Aleksandar and his loyal crew are Clankers - they have huge walking machines that are powered by steam and loaded with heavy ammunition. As he flees his country, it becomes clear that he will have to find a safe place to regroup and try to recover his kingdom. Meanwhile, Deryn Sharp is flying high in the skies in Leviathan - a Darwinist airship creation which most closely resembles a flying whale. Even though Aleksandar and Deryn seem to have very different views on the war, they will soon be tossed together in an adventure that could change everything.

Besides having a fast-paced story line, the book is also enhanced by the incredibly detailed illustrations by Keith Thompson. Since some of the Clanker and Darwinist creations are quite outlandish, the pictures really help the reader get into the story and add to the amazing world that Westerfeld has created.

Order this from Inkwood Books HERE

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games and 
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction 
My Rating: 10/10 (for both books)

With all the hype about this series, I was reluctant to pick it up, but I finally did a few days ago and I can now say that it has made it into my top 5 favorites for the year. I've always been a fan of dystopian society stories, and this series made sure to add a contemporary twist to this backwards future. For those lucky enough to live in the Capitol, life is all about entertainment... and what could possibly be better than a reality show where the government pits children against one another in a bloody battle to the death?! In an effort to squash any thoughts of uprisings in the 12 districts of Panem, the government holds yearly Hunger Games where 2 children from each district fight to stay alive in a fabricated arena. The main character, Katniss, finds herself volunteering to become a Tribute from her district when her younger sister's name is drawn in the annual Reaping of Names. Little does she know, that the boy selected to represent her district will cause her unforseen confusion and perhaps a way to get out of the arena alive.

Katniss's voice is clear and strong, and readers will have a hard time not falling in love with both her and Peeta before they even reach the arena. The first book ends with a massive cliffhanger, but fortunately, the 2nd book is already out ~ Catching Fire. I was pleased with the continued flow of the plot in the sequel and found that I enjoyed the slower start that allowed me to really get to know the other characters in the story. The Hunger Games focuses more on the actual game in the arena, while Catching Fire delves more into the rebellion that has been sparked in the first book by the "starcrossed lovers", Katniss and Peeta. I'm anxious to see how the series ends, but will have to wait until 2010 for the 3rd book to come out.

Order these books from Inkwood Books HERE

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
My Rating: 8/10

I picked this book up after listening to the author talk about how he got his inspiration from two of my all-time favorite books... Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) and Lord of the Flies (William Golding). The book starts by introducing the reader to a character who has just arrived in the Glade - Thomas. He has been stripped of his memories and soon finds that all the other boys who live in the Glade arrived in the same fashion. No one knows how or why they were left in this strange place, but one thing is certain ~ the Maze outside the walls of the Glade is dangerous. Horrible creatures called Grievers (think about squishy versions of the Cleaners from the movie Labyrinth) lurk outside the Glade walls, ready to attack the boys. It soon becomes apparent that the Creators of the Glade and Maze have cryptic and twisted plans for the boys. When a girl arrives in the Glade with a message of doom, their small world starts to crumble and it seems the only way to escape will be to uncover the horrific secret that the Creators have kept from the boys all this time. The cliffhanger ending will have you cursing Dashner and his publishers for making us wait until late 2010 for the sequel!

*Descriptions of horrible monsters and their attacks on the boys in the Glade may be tough on squeamish readers*

Order this from Inkwood Books HERE