The 100 Day 21 by Kass Morgan

A post apocalypse space habitat is suffering system failure after generations in space.  Their solution is to dispose of teen age miscreants in an attempt to discover if Earth is habitable. This story follows up The 100 which is the first book in the series.   This story chronicles the experiences of the 100 on Earth and does periodic flash backs to fill in the back story. 

The characters are maturing in this book.  The evolving maturity leads to changes in the relationships between the main characters.   There is a dawning awareness that abysmal ignorance ruled in regards to the conditions on earth.

The changing conditions on the space station are grossly impacting the remaining populace.  Those changes are foreseen to impact the 100 on Earth.    The main function of the plot seems to be to showcase the characters and their romantic entanglements. 

The book is somewhat simplistic but in the nature of the YA audience it is likely to be well received.

Web sites:        http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kass-morgan/the-100/9780316234474/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The 100 by Kass Morgan

A post apocalypse space habitat is suffering system failure after generations in space.  Their solution is to dispose of teen age miscreants in an attempt to discover if Earth is habitable.

The book has an interesting premise.   The solution to their problem is similar to many culture by disposing of the young they remove both a problem and perhaps they solve one as well.  Societies have been sending their young off to battle since the cavemen.   This book is tepid science fiction combined with teen age romance.   

The story eventually moved along after the reader is introduced to the romantic longings of a variety of teens.   It is a very fast read and I don't see it appealing to the older teen.  I think the very young teen and particularly the very young teen female may find the book appealing.   I am pleased to see an attempt to draw in the young teen girls into science fiction.  I do feel that the more kids read scifi, the better chance we have of getting more kids into science.

Interesting note, there is a TV show based on the book.  It claims to be young adult oriented but I think this is doing many young adults a disservice.  Considering the outlook of the high school kids I know, this book might be a touch lite.   I think the upper elementary or perhaps middle school audience would be more likely to favor the book.  

Web sites:        http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kass-morgan/the-100/9780316234474/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The League of Seven by Alan Gratz

This is a YA Steampunk adventure.   The setting and the circumstances should put a new twist on the way you view the world.   Three barely teen adventurers and their Tik Tok jack of all trades, Mr. Rivets are all that oppose the Mangleborn monsters striving to take over the world.

The author does a good job providing age appropriate personalities to his characters.   Fergus can get so wrapped up in his appreciation of his sciences that he totally misses the danger he might face.   I think all of us who have worked with children and particularly very bright children have known a Fergus.   Archie exhibits the insecurities that epitomize the teen years.  He is a very flawed hero which, of course, makes him more believable in a very unbelievable story.

Equally the single minded Hachi is easy to understand due to the trauma she has faced.  I was a bit surprised by the amount of death dealing in an novel for this young of an age group.  It is appropriate to the plot but gives the story a bit more edge that may stretch the comfort factor of some parents.  

Mr. Rivets' interest in a self winding device provided a delightful tongue in cheek moment.   Gratz did a nice job in creating his Steampunk world.

I liked the book and recommend it.

Web: http://alangratz.blogspot.com/

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Watchers Knight of Light by Deirdra Eden

An orphan girl discovers she may be more than she ever expected.   Could she be a heroine of historic proportion?

Auriella is a teen orphan who is forced to flee from her less than satisfying but secure life when she is sought out by the evil Shadow Lords.   She endures her self imposed indenture to Hazella, a witch who abuses here.   She befriends a dwarf named Rupert and a pixie named Cassi.   They play a big part in helping her change her future.

Auriella is an insecure character who fears change and the unknown.   She is thrust into dangerous situations and barely escapes.   She discovers she has a role in the world and seeks to become the person she wants and needs to be.   The story is a coming of age tale with mystic overtones.   This is a good first installment in what I hope will be a continuingly delightful YA series.

I recommend the book for teens and upper elementary readers.

Web site:  Goodreads Page

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Gritty Kitty Half Past Curfew by Dan Taylor

A dystopian future characterized by intense urban sprawl is the setting for Gritty Kitty.

Kitty Kane, the daughter of a megalopolis police chief, runs contraband with a Robin Hood mentality.

Gritty Kitty has a lot of potential.   The story setting is colorful and memorable.   Taylor enables you to feel the filth and darkness with his excellent descriptions.   Kitty Kane is a stalwart teen who has a conscience.   She is not content to reap the benefits of her father's position and remain an indolent teen.  

The story, is so brief that it is hard to really identify with any of the characters.   There is substantial potential here for a good novel or a series of short stories.  I enjoyed it.

Web site:  none found

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Victoria Simcox's The Shard will be free 9/26 ~ 9/30 on Amazon.

FreeFree

The Shard, Victoria Simcox’s fast-paced, intricately woven sequel to the Warble, takes Kristina Kingsly and her schoolmates back to Bernovem … and into a thrilling, often dangerous adventure. 

The Shard FREE 9/26--9/30

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Black Book by Dylan Jones

This story is a tale of a enhanced warrior caught in a time loop.

Jones writes great action scenes.  His protagonist, Jack, appears to have memory losses each time his time loop occurs.  This transfers into a bit of confusion in the story line. 

The world of Jack's origin is grimly reduced to mere survival due to a nuclear holocaust of indeterminate origins.  I deduce that Jack has been sent back in time to "fix" whatever needs fixed to prevent the destruction of Earth.   I don't think this is a spoiler since it is just a deduction and I could be wrong.

Regardless of the minor confusion as to the exact direction of the story, Jack is being pursued by someone else from the future for some undetermined reason.  The pursuit and ensuing vignettes provide the entertainment of the book.

I liked the book.

Web site:  none found

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.