Broken City: Book 1 by D.D. Chant

     Deeta Richards was born in a fifty-eight floor building. It was her world.  Before Deeta was born, a banking crisis brought civilization to an end.  Families banded together to form tribes and buildings became the compounds where they lived.   Deeta and her family believe all is well until a secret comes out.  Tom, one of the guardians, tells the elders of the tribe they must move to a new compound after security is breached. An adventure begins that no one could have seen coming. 

     This is the most reasonable post- apocalyptic  book I've ever read! I thought it was very well put together and the characters are very relatable.  You will enjoy the fact these families have learned to work together for the good of their tribes.  I can actually see this happening.  You will want to follow this series to keep up with what is happening to all of your favorite characters and you will have many.  Get this one! It's a superior read!

     I didn't find any issues.


     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because this is one book I can really get behind. This author is amazing.


  LOOK BELOW FOR REVIEW OF BOOK 2 IN THE SERIES!

      Life has changed for Deeta Richards and her family.   Nothing is going as she thought it would. She is part of a new tribe and her attitudes are changing.  She's not sure she is ready for all of this.  Tom now has one of the most important jobs he's ever had.  Deeta worries for him every time he leaves the compound.  Danger is a very real part of their lives.  Can they move forward or will they be defeated.

     Book 2 in this series is just as fabulous as the first. Well written with characters you will love makes this a must read. Again, this is the most reasonable and most likely post- apocalyptic book out there.  You will enjoy learning the new way these families live.  I am in love with this series. Thanks for such wonderful books D.D. Chant!

     I found no issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because it blew me away! 



    

To Touch The Sun by Laura Enright

     Narain Khan was a simple man with a dream. He wanted to be a chef.  He knew in order to reach that goal, he'd have to leave India.  Narain signed up to join the war.  His family didn't want him to go, but it would be a step toward his goal.  Narain didn't know how drastically his life would change.  
      Now at 90 years of age, he still looked 30.  Of course being a vampire had it's advantages.  A world renown chef, Narain owned his own restaurant and could create new recipes whenever he chose.  If only life were as simple as it seemed. The past has a way of coming back to haunt you and Narain was being pulled back into the middle of his. 

     Very intricately plotted and detailed and characters with life and breath will draw you to this book.  The beginning is amazing! The description of leaving his family is heartbreaking.  Unfortunately, then it takes a very slow turn and tends to wander around.  This book is extremely technical. It delves into the very specific and scientific reasons behind vampirism. I think you'll love this book just the same.

     I did find issues.  I would love to have read why and when Narain was turned in the beginning. It would have made so much more sense to the story.  I also think the chapter long explanations of his past were unneeded.   Sprinkle the past throughout and you get a better balance. 

     I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because I did love the overall story. 

Crickets In The Pockets by Yuval Harpaz

     Tommy and Jimmy were great friends with lively imaginations. One day Jimmy decides to play with another friend at recess. Tommy is hurt.  Later that day, Tommy finds a Cricket who talks.  The lesson he teaches Tommy is a very valuable one. 

     Well written and the moral is fantastic!  Love the lesson it teaches especially with boys.  The author made this one little boys are going to enjoy. The cricket talking is a nice touch as is the lesson about choosing friends.

     I did find an  issue. I felt this might be a little above some boys understanding but with parental guidance it should be okay for most.

    I gave this one 3 out of 5 cheers because of the deep lesson. 

Sunblind (The Darkborn Legacy) by Michael Griffo

     Sixteen year old Dominy is struggling to deal with the recent changes in her life.  Her best friend Jess is dead as is Dominy's father.  Now she has to deal with many new issues.  One of those issues is someone is trying to kill her. She's not sure why but she intends to find out. With her friends and her boyfriend watching over her, Dominy sets out to get some answers.  She never realizes the answers will affect everyone.

     The character Gwen is adorably refreshing and naive.  The references to old sayings and items from the eighties makes this fun to read.  The characters are your typical teens and their problems are anything but.  Your teen will find this book exciting and a terrific read.

     I did find issues.  The book was longer than it needed to be. Too many "epic" battles along the way.  Also you'd need book one to know who the characters are and what the back story is.

     I gave this one 3 cheers out of 5 because of the above issues. 

You Don't Know Me Like That : Rumor Central by Reshonda Tate Billingsley

     Maya is known in Miami for her gossip and celebrity news. She's getting all the dirt on celebs AND hanging out with them. Still, homework and teen problems were part of life.  Maya has the world on a string and she's enjoying life.  When a new assistant and a new social media person join her staff, she figures it will just make things easier. Maya has no idea the problems she's gonna have now. 

     Fast paced, current and interesting, this book will be one the teen in your life will enjoy.  I found the plot amazing. Never did I dream what the outcome would be.  Ms Billingsley is a talented author and I feel completely at ease suggesting you get any one of her books.  I'm a fan!

     I didn't find any issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because I felt like I was part of the IN crowd reading this. 

Desert Son by Glenn Maynard

     Carter Spence was only twenty-six years old when his life was altered forever.  An accident and out of body experience sends Carter on an adventure to find himself.  He'd lost his parents in the accident or at least the people he believed to be his parents.  Now, with something pulling him west, Carter met Brenda and again his life would change.  Would he ever have all the answers?

     Well written, with a tight plot and characters you can really relate to, this book will have you questioning your beliefs. Reincarnation and a near death experience are just part of this gripping story.  It's a romance that reaches out from the grave and grabs your heart.  Love, devotion and friendship will make people do many things. I recommend this book to everyone. 

     I found only a minor issue. It seemed to drag in spots but quickly recovers and moves along again.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because love is truly eternal. 

The Gathering Darkness by Lisa Collicutt

      Brooke is sixteen and her latest adventure gets her sent from the city for a YEAR! Her parents feel she'd be better off with family in the small town of Deadwich.  Brooke would rather be confined to her room for a year.  She has strange dreams and weird feelings about Deadwich. The only good thing about this year in the country is her cousin. They are best friends, so it should be tolerable.  Brooke never dreams she'd meet a guy.  Then things get really strange.

     Lisa Collicutt did a fantastic job with this. I enjoyed the characters and the plot was well done.  Ms Collicutt sends you in several different directions so you won't figure out what the real story is until the end.   I was fascinated by the depth of this book.  It really dug deep into the area of reincarnation and teen love.  I think the teen in your life will thank you for this book.

     I found only one issue. It seemed to drag in spots but then quickly recovered.

     I gave this one 4 out of 5 cheers because of the spots that seemed to move slowly.

Five: Out of the Dark by Holli Anderson

     Paige is a normal teenage girl. Her father is a preacher and her mother a housewife.  There was nothing that could prepare her for what she would discover. One day, some guys from school were being cruel to her dog. Paige went after them and unleashed something she never dreamed of.  
     After running away from home, Paige finds herself in the underground of Seattle.  There she would meet one boy who would change her world forever. Together, they discover even more teens who have unleashed something.... special. 

     Amazing! Well written and characters you'd find in any high school.  This book really took me by surprise. I have to say I wasn't really expecting it to sweep me up and carry me right through. It did though and I found an author I can't wait to hear more from.  I love that the characters were normal teens. How they band together and become their own little family. I have already recommended this book to several teens and continue to shout it's praises.

     I didn't find any issues.

     I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because WOW did it deliver!