The Giver

Paperback, 179 pages

Published January 24th 2006 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (first published April 26th 1993)

 Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

 Do you have a book that has stuck with you as a favorite since you read it? Some people flip flop back and forth, every new amazing book is their new  favorite. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, I'm a little bit different : If I call something a favorite once, I stick to it, therefor.. I have MANY favorites. But I see nothing wrong with that. 

The Giver has been in my favorites list since I "had" to read it in middle school. I was one of those students who ( most of the time ) laughed at reading a book being called Homework. I have re read this book..at least once a year. My copy is a well worn paperback, one that fans open if set down, its spine crackling and peeling. Some people may say I don't take good care of my books, I say its well loved. 

The story centers around a Young man and a very.. different community. In Jonas's world there is no fear, no pain. In fact, there are no choices. Your role in the community is decided for you, who you marry is decided for you. Even the children are born to different Mothers, and then given to a selected family. 

At the age of 12 everyone is assigned a role in the community. Jonas is singled out last and told that he has been given the very important role of " Receiver of  Memory" When Jonas meets the current receiver of memory his world is flipped upside down. "the giver" as he comes to be known. Is the one man in the community who understands fear and pain and love and all of those other emotions and memories that the community knows nothing of. He does this so that no one else has to suffer. Jonas now must "receive" these memories. At first it is beautiful and wonderful; Color, music, love. He cannot understand why these memories must be hidden from his friends and family. Then the Giver shows Jonas War, and pain and betrayal. 

How would you feel in a world like this? Do you think it is right to burden one person with all of these memories, so that no one else must suffer? This book makes you think. It will make you question how the world is run and will make you wonder if your society could ever become like the Society Lois Lowry has created in this outstanding book. If you like Dystopian society novels this is one that MUST be on your list. In my opinion it was the beginning of  the dystopian genre for young adult. 

Rating : 5/5 

 The Trilogy:

You may also like:

Books that will soon be sitting on my desk begging me to read them

But which do I read first!?

After Obsession

 

Hardcover, 305 pages

Published September 13th 2011 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

 Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

 To be honest.. I didn't have high hopes for this book.  I have not read that many books that could be classified as Horror. So when I read that this book had to do with demonic possession, I prepared myself for disappointment. I was pleasantly surprised. Now keep in mind this isn't an in your face kind of horror book. I doubt you will be hiding it in your freezer or checking under your bed for the boogyman. But you will fear for the characters and bite your nails in anticipation of what may happen next.

   The story centers around three teenagers: 

Aimee- A girl who's dreams come true. Except they are nightmares, and she can't seem to stop them from happening. Labeled as a Freak as a child the only thing that keeps her from being an outcast in high school is her boyfriend, but he has changed... and not for the better.

Courtney- Aimee's best friend. She recently lost her Father and refuses to believe that he is dead. Clinging to memories of experiences with Aimee's power in the past Courtney invites in an evil force, thinking it would help find her Dad. But it takes her over... literally, and she needs help to fight it. 

Alan-  Courtney's cousin who moves into town to help out the family. His good looks and star athleticism get him noticed, but Aimee notices him for a different reason. Alan has a strong connection with the spiritual mysticism  of native American heritage. He has dreams and visions as well, and Aimee is in them. 

This book possessed me until the last page. While not the strongest horror story, it is definitely a new step in YA writing, veering away from  he popular vampire and shapeshifter craze ( not that there is anything wrong with that ) I hope more YA authors take on more of these strong and different new Ideas.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Hollow Trilogy

Hardcover, 544 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Simon Pulse 

 When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. It only makes things worse that everyone now treats Abbey like either a freak show or a charity case. Thank goodness for Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.
Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her -- one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

This Series is a haunting romance that I have not been able to put down. Abby is a strong but emotional teenager who is going into her junior year without her best friend who died in a tragic accident under the Sleepy Hollow Bridge. Abby is trying to cope when she meets Caspian, a gorgeous and mysterious boy who she falls for immediately. Trekking through her everyday life while hiding a new romance and dealing with the death of her best friend leaves Abby in a whirlwind of emotions that you are bound to connect with. 

   

This is not your typical YA paranormal romance, for starters you don't catch on to the paranormal aspect until the last few chapters ( and that's all I will say about that ;) ) Abby lives in the town of Sleepy Hollow, and the legend plays a big part in the story line. The Author Jessica Verday also puts excerpts from the legend in at the beginning of each chapter, every time I read one I wonder more and more why I haven't read that classic * it  is now on my hold list at the library!* As this is a trilogy I don't  want to give away too much, believe me just the first in the series will hook you. 

Rating: 4/5

The Hollow trilogy is a beautifully written tale with a wonderful blend of Romance, Tragedy, and the paranormal. 

Radiant Darkness

 Hardcover, 274 pages

Published April 28th 2009 by HarperTeen 
(first published April 17th 2009)

Even paradise can be a prison

Persephone is immortal. Her mother is Demeter, all-powerful goddess of the harvest. Her friends are nymphs and dryads. She lives in a valley of eternal springtime, where everything is always blooming and nothing ever changes. And she wants out. She wants to grow and change, make mistakes, fall in love . . .

When a dark stranger arrives in her vale--all skin and breath and power--she may finally have her chance to do it all. But can the world survive a love so forbidden?

  Radiant Darkness is a book I picked up and was completely unsure about, but a few pages is I was hooked! A Great Twist on the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. In the original Myth Persephone was Kidnapped by Hades and forced to become his queen. Emily Whitman tells her story from the perspective of Persephone, a girl who only wants to explore the world outside, but is forced to live a sheltered life by her overprotective mother. When Persephone meets Hades her world is flipped upside down. This is where the twist comes in, Persephone falls in love with Hades and WILLINGLY runs away to become his queen in the Underworld. 

   Full of Romance, fantasy, and mythology, this books was a great Young adult story, more than that, it is simply a great story overall. I highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing more from the Author!

Rating: 4/5