Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a five star book for me. I am in love with this story and Laini Taylor has captured my heart. Karou is a unique human with blue hair. No it is not dyed, but she was born this way. She is a young artist in Prague with hilarious friends who finds a mysterious man following her. No, it is not her strange acting vampire ex-boyfriend, but an angel. Who is he and what does he want?

Karou also has a strange second life where she had family that are beasts. These beasts are wonderful and caring to Karou and many times she is asked to adventure into the world to collect teeth for them. She never questions the reasons for these requests because she loves them unconditionally. This is the only family she knows. Until a catastrophic event changes Karou's life and her family is lost. She cannot find them or enter their world. She is all alone and the only one who can help her is the mysterious angel, Akiva, who shows up on her doorstep. This is the beginning of their love affair.

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Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This middle book kept me enthused and interested. I am loving the story of Karou and Akiva. Their love is epic and strong, but she feels betrayed by him. Did he kill her family? As the story unfolds, Karou learns of her other life and how her family saved her from the evils of Akiva's father. She grapples with the fact that she needs to save the people she only just found about about; her true people. The journey she and her friends embark is full suspense and adventure with a bit of humor. Laini Taylor has continued to capture my attention and crave for more. Bring on the next one!

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Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, I will say that this was a long third book. I truly enjoyed the first two stoies, but struggled with this one. I am not sure if I should have waited between each book to enjoy the books more, but I could not wait to finish. In this final installment, war was inevitable. Who would win? Would die or remain? There were a few tricks up the author's sleeve, but the ending was very typical. I would still recommend this series especially since I like the premise of the story, but I may advise a short break between each book. Reading, or in my case listening, to all three books straight through cauldron drag the story and by the third one, you may not want to finish it.

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Is it another Hunger Games?

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Is it another Hunger Games?

The Testing, at first glance, could be considered a Hunger Games wanna-be, but I believe the message is quite different. Cia Vale is chosen along with three other candidates of the Five Lakes Region to participate in the testing. Once the candidate successfully complete the four parts of the test, they are chosen to study at the University and become a United Commonwealth Leader. Similar to Katniss and Peeta, these candidates must perform to survive the test, but that is as far as the similarities go. The first three parts of the test symbolizes what any student would encounter for an entrance to a prestigious school with written exams, hands on applications, and group collaboration. However, these tests are a step above, because if they are not careful, someone may die. The fourth test is based on survival where the candidates are placed many miles from the Tosu City, and with limited supplies, they must transverse the scarred nuclear-destroyed terrain and hollowed cities back to the original testing site.

Cia is a intelligent empathetic person who values family, friends and life. Trust in herself and others is challenged and brings doubt to her abilities and values engrained in her being by her loving parents and four brothers. She begins to doubt the leadership of the Commonwealth. She states "...I may not want to be a Leader if my country values murder over compassion." Trust is the overlying theme of this story. She questions love, friendship and leadership; eventually herself.

The story is a quick read with excitement around every corner. As Cia and friends move though the test, I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what may happen. The writing is simple and clearly describes the setting. I especially enjoyed the secondary characters with questionable motives who may be brought to the surface in the next book. Luckily we only have to wait until the fall! If you enjoy action and adventure dystopian novels, than I would recommend this one. It will definitely go on my library shelf.

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Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

And the suspense continues. I actually enjoyed this book over the first. Although it was the typical middle book, I found the suspense nail-biting and a touch more romance. This is a good mixture for me. I am looking forward to reading Graduation which comes out in June 2014. Thanks Edelweiss.

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Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exciting ending to a good dystopian series. I enjoyed these books with nail-biting suspense and courageous characters. If you like YA dystopian fiction similar to Divergent and Hunger Games, this is a series for you. All three books draw you into the experiences of Cia and her friends as they embark on heroic situations that challenge their abilities and question their rights as a human.

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Defy by Sara B. Larson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Defy is definitely a love story wrapped up with adventure, love triangles, and sorcery. At first, I thought the plot would follow a similar storyline as Mulan with a strong willed heroine who must pretend to be a boy to protect herself. However, as the story unfolds I began to realize that like Mulan the author wanted Alexa/Alex to be a person with integrity, courage and strength who is willing to fight for her Prince as well as love him, but she wanted the reader to know that Damian and Rylan are willing to support Alexa and her secret. Although Alexa's story is typical to a romance with two suitors, one a friend and one a potential enemy, I found myself drawn to the characters. I wanted to learn more of Damian's secrets and how she fits into his plans to relinquish his country from his evil father, King Herrod. In the end, I find myself wanting to learn more about these characters and the obstacles they must overcome to find themselves and rebuild their broken country. I am looking forward to part two and I hope Net Galley will bless me with a chance to review it as they have with this title. Thank you.

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Ink by Amanda Sun
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After the death of her mother, Katie Green moves to Japan to live with her Aunt Diane. Although learning the Japanese customs and language was difficult for her at first, Katie began to make friends, especially Yuu Tomohirso. She first met him briefly while curiously watching him break up with his ex-girlfriend. As she tried to sneak out of the room, Katie picked up a crumpled paper Yuu threw on the ground which had a drawing of a young pregnant girl. Interesting, the ink drawing moved on the paper and the young girl looked up at Katie. As Katie struggled with her curiosity she began to follow Yuu to a deserted park to watch him draw. Eventually, Yuu invited Katie to sit with him and a friendship began. As this relationship bloomed and secrets shared, they began to realize the special bond between them; putting them both in danger. Katie must decide if staying in Japan to face this danger is worth her love and friendship for Yuu or to run to safety in Canada with her grandparents.

As I read this story, I felt I was reading a manga. Most manga has a twisted triangle with a touch of action and humor. However, with the animation of Yuu's drawings, having this in illustrated form may have been difficult. I liked how I could get more of the story with the use of words and imagery rather than pictures. Besides learning the Japanese language creatively used throughout the book and their customs, I was able to learn of folklore I have never read about. Although the story is typical to the young adult genre with a love story and a possible triangle, the unique fantasy theme and Japanese storyline makes this novel unique. I would purchase this for my high school library and to recommend it to the students who love manga.

Thank you Net Galley

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Update: the second book in the series is being published in June 2014. The title is called Rain. Review is forthcoming.