Armada – By Ernest Cline

Hey Jared,

You’ve been pretty quiet lately. If I didn’t see you drooling over $4000 toys on Facebook I might be concerned for you. Anyway, here is the breakdown…..

Armada-Cover.jpgTitle: Armada
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Aliens
Synopsis: In the near future, Zack Lightman discovers himself on the front line of an alien invasion. But not to worry, the government has known for a long time and they have been preparing humanity for this event for decades…..and gamers are going to save the world.
Recommendation: I echo the Teen recommended audience and reading level. It has more modern references so the younger ages shouldn’t feel as lost as they might have in Ready Player One. It was a decent read that I found it enjoyable.

 

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Armada – By Ernest Cline

Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey

 

Jared,

Got another book done. I ended up reading a lot less over the holidays than I was hoping or planning, but you know all about that. So my large stack of books sat gathering dust and is now running out of renewals. I’m now trying desperately to get through them all before then. With this one now complete, I’ve got 4 more with only 1 renew left. And to illustrate how much of a book-whore I am; I picked up another 5 more yesterday. AND I’m now convinced I’m going to be getting a card for the neighboring library system……thankfully that can wait for a bit while I get through these……unless I add more.

hunterTitle: Hunter
Series: Hunter Series; Book 1
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Near Future, Post-Apocalyptic, Higher Magic, Supernatural
Synopsis: Joy has lived a terrifying, yet stable, life. In the aftermath of the Diseray, when the magical and fantastical collided with our current reality, everyone’s life is terrifying. When her uncle gives her an ultimatum she can’t avoid, she’s thrust into world of twisted politics and shady deals. Now she must face the monsters at the door along with the ones poised to stab her, and her uncle, in the back.
Recommendation: Mid-Late Teens. The reading is easy and the plot isn’t too complicated with only minor gore, but a fair amount of violence.

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Hunter Series – Book 1: Hunter – By Mercedes Lackey

Ready Player One – By Ernest Cline

Yo Jared,

I finished this bad boy late last night……or really early this morning. Anyway, holidays are in full swing so reading has been low on the priorities, but you know all about that.

021915_ReadyPlayerOne_CoverTitle: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future, Virtual Reality
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian version of our own future where climate change and the energy crisis collided. The only escape from bleak reality is the OASIS virtual reality gaming system. When the eccentric and mildly insane inventor of the gaming rig dies suddenly, he setting in motion the largest egg hunt in human history where the winner will inherit everything he owns in both realities. The catch? No one can get past the first clue. That is until Parzival/Wade changes everything. Slog through 80’s refences, pop culture, video games, and movies in this ultimate Easter Egg hunt.
Recommendation: The target audience is definitely teenagers of the 80’s (who are now old people), but nerds and geeks of all ages will probably get something out of it. Some of the subject matter might not be appropriate for younger kids but perfect for teenagers.

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Ready Player One – By Ernest Cline

Breaking Sky – By Cori McCarthy

Jared,

Finished this book early this morning. Finally. I have so much to do with the holidays coming up and this book was difficult to get through. Anyway, check it out.

Breaking SkyTitle: Breaking Sky
Author: Cori McCarthy
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Near Future
Synopsis: Set in a dystopian-esc America which has been backing into a lonely corner by Chinese drones, Chase “Nyx” Harcourt must battle daddy issues, cat fights, a psychotic psychologist turned school counselor, not being told about extremely classified information she doesn’t need to know, and not having her newest boy toy have a break down because she just wants him for his body……and she hasn’t even left the ground yet in one of only two super jets.
Recommendation: Even factoring in how I hate teen/high school drama, I still don’t recommend this book. Mild spoilers ahead.

– – Spoilers – –

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Breaking Sky – By Cori McCarthy

The Testing Trilogy – Book 1: The Testing – By Joelle Charbonneau

Jared,

I read this trilogy over Thanksgiving and it is really good. Lisa was the one who found it. She read the first book in two days and then found the second and third book and read those in like one day. I had to take a look after that and I then consumed it disturbingly fast.

The TestingTitle: The Testing
Series: The Testing Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: CU, Futuristic, Apocalyptic
Synopsis: Cia has been looking forward to attending University all her life, but first she’ll have to pass the Testing. However, as she prepares to finally make her dream a reality she’s told that her dream might actually be a nightmare. Too late to change course, her only option is to survive the Testing.
Recommendation: Infinitely better than the Maze Runner Trilogy, a better premise than the Divergent Trilogy and better over all than the Hunger Games Trilogy. If you liked any of those you’ll likely LOVE this book/trilogy.

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The Testing Trilogy – Book 1: The Testing – By Joelle Charbonneau