The Chemical Garden Trilogy by Lauren Stefano

Summary:  The Chemical Garden Trilogy is a dystopian society set in the future.  Science has taken over trying to rid the planet of disease, and in the process, have doomed the human race to a life span of only 25 years (for males) and 20 years (for females.)  In this hopeless climate, the rich "buy" many brides off the black market (the brides are actually teenage girls stolen by men called "Gatherers") to try to reproduce and many heirs as possible.

In the first book, Wither, we meet Rhine, a  sixteen year old girl who has a twin brother, Rowan.  Their parents were scientists trying to create a cure for the disease that kills all new generations.  They are part of what is called the "First Generation", the last people of the planet who do not have the disease.  They die when Rowan and Rhine are young to an explosion at their lab.  Rowan and Rhine are all each other has to keep each other safe.  

One day, Wither gets captured by the gatherers, and is forced to marry Linden, and aristocratic young man in South Carolina.  His only wife, Rose, is about to die.  He takes three new brides, Rhine being one of them.  But his father, Vaughn, is actually the one calling the shots.  The rest of the book deals with Rhine realizing she is in a prison, a beautiful estate of a prison, but a prison nonetheless.  And all Rhine can think of is ESCAPE!  But how?

My 2 cents:  LOVED this book!  I didn't think I would at first, because the whole premise is very sick and leaves bile in your mouth.  But all is not as it seems, and even through imprisonment, the strength of the human spirit shines through, for all the wives, and Linden, who isn't what you would think.  Some of the best character development I've read in awhile.  

SPOILER ALERT:  Don't keep reading if you have not read Wither yet, because the next review gives away a lot of the ending.

In the second book, Fever, Gabriel and Rhine have escaped one prison to end up in another...a Crazy Prostitute circus with a crazy ringleader, Madame, who thinks Rhine will make her lots of money and be her new star.  Thinks go from bad to worse in this novel, and they can't seem to escape Vaughn wherever they go.  This is truly a dark book.  But the fortune-teller that Gabriel and Rhine meet does warn Rhine, "Its always darkest before the dawn."

My 2 cents:  Another great installment!  I didn't like it as much as Wither, mainly because it seemed so hopeless all through the book.  The ending about had me in tears, and leaves you on a huge precipice.  The main thing I love about these books, is the strange descriptions and characters that DeStefano comes up with!  You never know where she will take you next!

I give the Chemical Garden Trilogy 5 stars so far!  Can't wait for the final book!

Join me in a Dystopian Reading Challenge!

For the month of March, one of my book groups on GoodReads is doing a dystopian challenge.  Join me and see how many dystopian novels you can read!  You may join in the challenge at the link below, or just comment which books you've read and what you think!  I'm starting my month with Fever by Lauren Destefano, the sequel to Wither.

http://www.goodreads.com/challenges/486-march-reading-challenge-dystopia

Giveaways and Sneak Peek of Alyson Noel's new book!

Win a copy of Alyson Noel's new book, "Fated!"  

http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/2148893-major-fated-giveaway-a-sneak-peek-at-chapters-1-2

Good Luck!

Birthmarked by Caugh M O'Brien

Synopsis:  In the Enclave, your scars set you apart, and the newly born will change the future. 

Sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone and her mother faithfully deliver their quota of three infants every month. But when Gaia's mother is brutally taken away by the very people she serves, Gaia must question whether the Enclave deserves such loyalty. A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

My 2 Cents:  WOW!!! This was a fantastic book, I loved reading every page! I had no idea what was going to happen next! The characters were deep and flawed, but full of spirit. The plot was a refreshingly new twist on a dystopian society. The feel of the book felt like it took place long ago, but was actually in the future. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!  Giving it 5 stars!

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

Synopsis:
In this exciting second installment of the three-book series, Carter and Sadie, offspring of the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, embark on a worldwide search for the Book of Ra, but the House of Life and the gods of chaos are determined to stop them. 


Editorial Reviews:
Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven’t given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet—the chaos snake Apophis—is rising. If they don’t prevent him from breaking free in a few days’ time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it’s a typical week for the Kane family. To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly? Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.


My 2 cents:  Another great book from Rick Riordan!  Wasn't quite as great as the Red Pyramid, but  it was still a good read!  The character development between Sadie and Carter is fantastic in this installment!  You can feel them growing closer as their adventure continues on!  The ending is a complete surprise, with plenty of questions left for the next installment!  I give it 4 stars!

The Necromancer by Michael Scott

Book 4 of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series

Synopsis:
The Necromancer, book four in Michael Scott's "Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel" series, brings the immortal Flamel (The Alchemyst) and teenaged twins, Sophie and Josh, back home to San Francisco, where they meet up with the sorceress Perenelle, Flamel's wife, who spent the last book escaping from Alcatraz. Time is running out for the Flamels; it's now been six days since their foe Dr. John Dee (another immortal) ran off with the Codex, the book of Abraham the Mage that keeps them young, and they are aging fast. The twins, who have been learning the Elemental Magics over the course of the first three books, are worried about getting into trouble for basically disappearing for days, so they check in with their guardian, Aunt Agnes. But Scott doesn't let them settle in for long. True to the break-neck pace of this series, they are quickly pulled back into the action when Sophie is kidnapped by a redheaded vampire who bears an eerie resemblance to one of their recent allies, Scathach, who disappeared with Joan of Arc in the last book. The Necromancer introduces readers to even more infamous immortals, while keeping up with favorites from past books--Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Billy the Kid. As the characters accumulate, so do the opportunities for hair-raising conflicts and insane reveals. Scott manages their multiple story lines with a sequence of cliffhangers that keep it a really fun read even as he is piling on the history and mythology, taking readers further into the secrets that will bring the whole story together. As the characters hurtle toward a conflict that could bring about the end of the world, we can't wait to see where they'll go, what they'll learn, and who they'll meet next. 


Editorial Reviews:
In this continuation of noted mythologist Scott’s Nicholas Flamel series, Awakened twins Sophie and Josh join a quickly aging Nicholas and Perenelle in a fight to save the world from menacing creatures housed on Alcatraz. Fantastical parallel story lines include characters drawn from history and the literary canon, including Prometheus, Billy the Kid, William Shakespeare, the Witch of Endor, Machiavelli, and Virginia Dare. Less-familiar mythological characters and creatures will send readers to the Internet as they try to keep up with the exciting action. The surprising, disturbing ending reassures readers that Nicholas Flamel will return. Grades 8-12. --Frances Bradburn


My 2 cents:
Another great book in the series!  The storyline of Sathach and Joan of Arc gets very intriguing.  There is a lot going on in this book, with most of the storyline taking place in San Francisco.  Very little of Nicholas in this book, Perenelle kind of starts to steal the show!  The ending almost made me throw the book across the room!  Great twist, but very infuriating!  5 stars!   

Book 3 of the Immortals series

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Synopsis:
Teenage immortal Ever, newly reconnected with her boyfriend-across-the-centuries, Damen, works hard to get things right, both in the mortal and immortal worlds. Her best (mortal) friend has troubles that magick could fix, but Damen teaches Ever why this would be wrong to pursue. Meanwhile, evil immortal Roman hovers only barely offstage, Ever hooks her history teacher up with her aunt, and she rescues 13-year-old immortal witch twins only to wind up watching Damen turn parental. Noël continues to offer a satisfying brew of fantasy with genuine and engagingly promoted ethical questions in this third volume in the Immortals series.

Editorial Reviews:
“Noel’s novel is absolutely amazing!  Fans of her Immortals series will not be disappointed—Ever and Damen’s love is challenged like never before, and the story ends with a big, satisfying twist that will have readers begging for more.  This long awaited installment is incredible.”  --Romantic Times (Top Pick)
“I have never been more unexpectedly surprised by an author. Noel knows exactly how to keep me enthralled in her books…Shadowland is purely mesmerizing. A book with a little bit of everything in it— romance, suspense, friendship, and immortality—all meshed together to create a mind-blowing combination.” –The Book Blogger

My 2 cents:  Shadowland is my favorite of the Immortals series.  At least so far!  This is where the story takes incredible turns.  There is a lot of dark in this novel, and Ever makes mistake after mistake.  Sometimes you just want to scream at her!  But it keeps up the suspense!  What I love best is the ending.  The way Ever finally learns to solve her problems is amazing, and a great model for kids!  5 stars!