Quick Catch Up

I want to review the books as I finish them, while they are fresh in my mind.  But I don't want to forget about the few I read in the last two months.  So, here goes:

• Wielder's Awakening- This book was written by someone who use to live in my neighborhood.  That is the only reason I read it.  It is not my "normal" kind of read.  That being said, I really liked it.  It deals with special powers, mythical type characters, but also very real people.  It really got pulled into it and I just started the second book. I am excited to see what happens next!

• Matched - I loved this book.  Society controls everything in Cassia's life and always had.  It is for her own good and she has never questioned it.  But that all changes after she is 'matched.'  I found the writing of this story so well done.  I stayed up many nights far too late, anxious for what was next!  I felt like I really knew the characters, Cassia, Xander, and Ky.  I was very excited to read book #2.

• Michael Vey-I have always been a fan of Richard Paul Evan's.  I was excited when this book came out.  I was interested to see this different style of book from Mr. Evans.  We were planning an assembly for our elementary school, featuring this book, so I wanted to be informed on the book as well.  Again, I loved the characters in this book, Michael and Ostin being such a unique pair.  I have always liked books where the less popular, not so normal people are the heroes.  This book did not disappoint. It is good, clean, suspenseful, and very appropriate for young readers.

• Crossed - The sequel to Matched.  It was not as good as Matched. I had heard lots of disappointed reviews.  However, I was very happy with it.  I think we learned a lot with Cassia.  She starts out so positive about what she wants, and then questions that as she travels this road she has chosen. We are left with a lot of questions, so we need the third book quick!

So Young, Brave, and Handsome - I read the first book by this author "Peace Like a River" the end of last year.  I loved that book. I loved the way it felt to read, the authors ease at telling the story.  This book is not a sequel, just his second book.  It didn't flow quite as well, but was every bit as enjoyable to read. Following these characters as they try to make sense of their pasts and decide what the future will be for them is a journey worth taking!

Like I said, these are brief, pretty vague reviews.  The details are quite as strong in my mind as right after reading, but I still wanted to account for each book I have read this year.