Fallen by Lauren Kate

Lauren Kate's Fallen series is about a girl who falls in love with a boy who seems to despise her. What could possibly be so attractive about a boy who flips you off the first time he sets eyes on you? The series is well written and the story is rather beautiful. 

Although, I found Fallen to be a tad cheesy toward the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the series and I think you will too. Fallen is followed by Torment, Passion, and Rapture.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation: Volume 1: the Pox Party by M.T. Anderson

M.T. Anderson's the Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation is one of the most brilliant pieces of literature centered on slavery in Revolution-era America that I have ever read. Anderson presents the hypocrisy of the Revolutionary War in the desire of the American white men to be free from tyranny and oppression so they can freely keep their slaves in bondage. Anderson's approach to the issue of slavery at this time in American history is phenomenal in his description and method of writing.

Anderson's writing is almost poetic; fluid and beautiful, while describing the most horrific and terrible scenes, which serves to amplify the disharmony of the book. Anderson's poetic writing does not seem to fit the scenes he describes just as fighting for freedom of person and property (i.e. slaves) is hypocritical.

Also of interest, the pox party Anderson describes is both disturbing and fascinating. He describes a scene in which scientific minded men gather together friends and family to inoculate them with small pox as a vaccination method; an old-school flu shot. However, instead of a shot, they cut open a person's arm and placed a hair covered in the pus of the small pox pustules from a previously deceased victim of the disease into that cut and bandaged it up. Ew. I am not sure if that is how it really happened or if it is a product of Anderson's imagination but it is disturbing.

This is an excellent book that I believe everyone should read.

Need by Carrie Jones

Need is a delicious story about a young girl who learns that she is not as ordinary as she has always believed; in fact, she's very much a part of a fantastic and magical world she never even knew existed. This is a series followed by Captivate, Endure, and Entice. Enjoy!

 

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron in not Catherine Fisher's first series, but it is one of her best. Unfortunately, like all good books, this one is apparently being turned into a movie. :( For all those who like books-turned-movies, this will be good news to you, but for me, it is rather depressing. Oh well, c'est la vie. 

Incarceron is preceded by Sapphique and The Obsidian Mirror. Enjoy!

Variant by Robinson Wells

Variant is a unique story with a huge twist. Robinson Wells presents a fascinating world wherein boarding school students are left to fend for themselves; there are no teachers, no adults whatsoever, and these kids have to create their own societal groups in order to survive. But the absence of adults is not the weirdest thing about this school. 

Feedback is the sequel to Variant that takes things to a whole 'nother level. If you thought what happened in  Variant was a surprise, you won't believe what comes next.

Starters by Lissa Price

Lissa Price's debut novel Starters is fantastic. Unfortunately, the sequel is not available until 2014; the good news is this book stands on its own, so you won't feel gipped knowing you have to wait.