mockingjay by suzanne collins

recommended: this series is true young adult literature. aside from the violence, i would recommend this to be added to the literature curriculum in high school. this book was even more action and inner-struggle than the first two. i think this would have been my favorite if not for the ending. the author does not hold anything back and does not make this a happy, good-feeling book. she creates such a realistic world, that it is pretty depressing, but i cannot deny how truly amazing it was.

fallen by lauren kate

for the second time before the sequel comes out tomorrow :) loved it again.

clockwork angel by cassandra clare

recommended: this is the first in a prequel series to the mortal instruments, one of my favorite series. i have to admit, this was not as good as the first series, but it kept my attention. i was mostly interested in the history and characters. i am excited for the next book.

catching fire by suzanne collins

recommended: this is the sequel to the hunger games, and i loved it. this book is the next step in defying the capitol. it was definitely a middle book, but still very enjoyable. in this book, the 12 districts are beginning to rise against the capitol. the main character is sent into the hunger games again where she must fight and kill other hunger games winners. this author is wonderful at describing inner-torment as the main character is dealing with very mature issues of possibly losing the ones that she loves and learning to sacrifice herself for the greater good. what is beautiful about these books is that i could imagine that these things that happen in the book are actually happening somewhere in the world because there are some evil leaders and countries where freedom does not exist. i may even compare this to the holocaust, only not as bad. i am about to read the third book.

it's not summer without you by jenny han

recommended: this is the sequel to the summer i turned pretty. again, jenny han does not disappoint. this one took on another level of beautiful sadness. the author took me on a journey through this young girl's, Belly's, road of torment as she deals with losing her mom's best friend (her second mother, of sorts). i love reading about grief. it is beautiful to me how some people really cope with it. the author did a wonderful job portraying how the sons and Belly deals with the grief. Belly also goes through the journey of learning about herself as she is growing into a young woman and how she pushes through the process of 'getting over' her first love. it was definitely unexpected because many authors keep this type of love going and make the ending wonderful to read but often times unrealistic. i am so excited for the third book.

the iron daughter by julie kagawa

recommended: this is the sequel to the iron king, and it was even better than the first. these books are non-stop and keep me on the edge of my seat. there is no much creativity and character development. i really get sucked into the book. i laugh and really enjoy reading this series.

academy 7 by anne osterlund

recommended: this book was very surprising. i didn't even expect it to be a science fiction book. the storyline was intriguing, creative, and the characters were well-developed. this is the first book i've read from this author, and i will definitely be reading more of her work. i dont think i would read this particular book again because it's not that type of book, but i definitely recommend it.

evernight by claudia gray

not recommended: this book was hard to even get through because it just was not interesting. the characters and even the story were not believable or entertaining. i'm sorry that i even read it.