Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Release Date: Febuary 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 441
Source: Library
Buy the Book: Amazon

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. 
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Absolutely Loved. It. Before this year, I've been really hesitant about reading dystopian novels, but with all of the great books I have read pertaining to this genre I wont hesitate again. Delirium had me absorbed, with every flip of the page, I couldn't help but feel like only a minute had gone by. When in fact, hours had passed and I was almost done with the book.

I really enjoyed reading about Lena, she had qualities that reminded me of myself. She's nearly 18, a definite rule follower and just trying to get through life until she could undergo the procedure that would change her life and allow her to be happy. Now, I don't ever have to go through the things Lena did, but I feel like I can agree with her decisions, making the book all the right more enjoyable.


Lauren Oliver takes your regular love story and makes it even better.We get to see the obstacles in life when not only do your parents/ guardian not accept your relationship with the person you love, but when the whole country is against it. It's such a unique story full of love and sacrifices. I can't wait to read the next book because their are some questions that I need answered.


Now if you enjoy a good love story and don't mind reading dystopia, then this is a must read!

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

Release Date: May 3, 2010

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 282

Source: Bought

Buy the Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents rules;especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father's office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be the key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship. To improve her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen's sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill's accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything, even Tristen's love just for the thrill of being . . . bad.

I'm not too sure about my feelings for this book. I don't love it but I definitley don't hate it. Jekel Loves had a great mixture of darkness and mystery as well as love and chemistry (pun intended). 


I'm not sure if the relationship with Jill and Tristen was believable. I didn't feel that they were as in love as the claimed. The book had me frustrated. One day she wanted to be  with Tristen and the next she was mad at him. Why couldn't they just be together! Although this makes it very addicting, you can't help but feel exasperated.


I did love the storyline, it was extremely creative. It uses  a lot of references to the book Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I haven't read the book myself but from what is mentioned in this book, it seems interesting.


In all, this book was different and in no way predictable. 
You should definitely give this book a go if you feel like you enjoy reading genre of books.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Release Date: October 1, 2008

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 374
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Synopsis:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? 
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I cannot believe I have waited this long to read this book! I am absolutely obsessed. I can't wait to start the next one. Actually right after this I am starting Catching Fire. Every chapter in this book ended with a sentence that makes you keep reading. And if I wasn't reading the book, I kept thinking about Katniss and when I could sneak in a couple more chapters during class. I can definitely see what all the hype is about.

The romance in this book definitley won me over (not surprising, I'm a sucker for romance). My heart goes out to Peeta and I'm hoping things get better for him and Katniss in the next book.

This trilogy is totally addictive and I'm going to wrap this up so I can go get my hands on the next book.

If you still haven't read this trilogy, I recommend you get to it as soon as possible

XVI by Julia Karr

XVI by Julia Karr

Release Date: January 6, 2011
Publisher: Speak

Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Synopsis: 

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

XVI is a very well-written 2011 debut novel. I really enjoyed this book! I'm not really a science fiction fan but I'm glad I decided to read this book.  It's set in a futuristic time period in 2150 where being sixteen means you're legal and ready for sex. What?! It's scary to think about living in a world like that. I am turning 16 in a couple of months and I agree with Nina's point of view in this society 100%


The plot was very strong and consistent, I read this book in one sitting. I was confused a bit in the beginning by the new futuristic words that were used but by the middle I was catching on. 


I'm not sure if this will be a series but there is is definitely potential for one. The ending was really great on its own, but i think there were still some questions left open.


Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book and I think it was a really good choice for my first debut novel of the year.