Book Reviews by Genre: Science Fiction

I typically love anything JLB puts out but this felt flat. The prospect was intriguing but the book dragged and was very dry. The romance felt rushed and had no chemistry. I honestly was so bored to death and had cringed so much I just did not finish the book. I would not recommend this book, but I would recommend the author!

The Hunger Games is my favorite series of all time and a story about Snow? Yes please! The whole book I found myself rooting for Snow even though I knew the evil he perpetrated and that speaks volumes to Collins writing. This extra to the series was something that was not a money grab but a book that answered many questions that I had. The continued world building and easter eggs added so much to the series and I loved it so much! This book is the perfect villian original story, showing how a character you root for can turn out absolutely evil. If I could give this a million stars I would.

Wool is single-handedly the best politically dystopian book I have ever read, as well as #2 best book I have ever read. Howey masterfully extricates critical thought from the reader, not even mentioning some really deep aspects of what a political situation might fully manifest, causing the reader to add their own reasons they generated implied from this epic presentation of situations to more obvious reasons explicitly stated as an ever-present apex of human analysis in Wool. Consider satire -- presented simply and relatively easy to understand. Even slightly comical. But when analyzed and context is applied, it becomes a powerful tool, causing the reader to read in reverence at the wisdom of the author. Although not satire, Wool certainly gave me reverence toward Hugh Howey. If I were to see him walking down the street, a great effort would be made on my part to engage in conversation, second only to Ted Dekker. This critical thought and other implied assumptions left me feeling respected as a reader -- my intelligence is welcome for more than guessing the future plot: understanding the story. I believe the more intelligent the person, the more they will enjoy Wool.

Wool is book one of the Silo series. Book two is technically a prequel (to the perspective of the world, not Howey) but definitely read Wool before Shift. Incredibly powerful as a stand-alone, the Silo series collectively can move mountains. After finishing Dust, I began tearing up. I never tear up. For such a logical book where every decision is made rationally (until Juliet), Howey elicited an emotional response from me. The theme stressed across the Silo series is: "For so long we have chosen to do what is logical and rational. What statistically makes sense. But I fear the solution to this problem lies in doing what is right. Following the heart and not the brain." (NOT a quote from the Silo series).

As an aspiring engineer with straight As, this hit me hard. As someone who seeks efficiency and celebrates structure this broke me. In that moment when I realized what Howey was trying to drive through my logically intelligent but emotionally stubborn mind, I had to STOP reading. I read the paragraph three times. Respecting Howey for his political depth and logical nuance, I was offended for but one second when this dawned of me. And then I realized he was right.

Go make a realization.

As book one in the six-book series, it will also read well as a standalone. I like how the world is explained throughout the book - rather than dumping me with all worldbuilding in the beginning, or especially all at once. By the end of the book, new things are still being learned about Tess (the protagonist's sidekick). But is Day really the protagonist, or is it June? Although the story is admittedly more focused on Day, June's impact on Day's life is by far the more entertaining part of the book. Every chapter alternates perspectives, like a good Red Pyramid or The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel -- appropriate, political (if you will), and disappointing when really invested in what's about to happen next.

The Republic is one of two factions the U.S. splits into after collapse -- home to elite military families like the one June comes from, but also home to beggars, drunks, homeless, and the poor like Day. June is at some point convinced that Day murdered her brother (a spoiler from page 1) and vows to hunt him down both for revenge and to prove herself to the Republic. But as she gets close with Day, she uncovers truths about the Republic causing her to question her involvement.

Happy Ending

This book is an amazing addition to the Maze Runner series. As the last book ended we got insight into WICKED that the Gladers don’t know. This creates a urge to help them, even though you can’t, and a mix of emotions. When they figure out the truth they realize what they must to do survive. This creates even more emotions in the reader and the characters. They immediately face challenges even in what seems like the easiest part of the trial. As they cross the Scorch, make new friends, and maybe lose some of the ones you thought were forever. This book is thrilling, exciting, and very emotional as it takes you through what might be the Gladers hardest trial.

I really liked this book. I read it after watching the movie and it was similar, but still had some differences. I really liked the different things that happened when the end started coming. With the progress of Thomas emotionally and physically it shows the progress of not only the other Gladers, but also the book and Glade itself. Even though I watched the movie before reading the book, I still was able to be surprised and enter the world of the maze. Even though there is a lot of things going on it still is a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions. As Thomas grows more knowledgeable of the maze I did to. It brought the truth to my eyes as Thomas realized it for himself.

First off, if you're looking for a comedy, this isn't it. Move along. This novel is the first in a four-book dystopian series. Lowry has a new take on dystopia as she describes what appears to be the perfect community--no hunger, homelessness, or unemployment. It is a well oiled machine. Jobs are assigned, as are spouses and children, who come from predetermined Birthmothers, which is one job of many. However, Jonas isn't assigned to a job. He is selected to be the new Receiver. Within the job, he learns exactly what's wrong with his community and discovers what wondrous things his community has omitted. I know it sounds boring but I have read it so many times; the whole series, actually. I think it is a great book for tweens and above. The whole series is great and I really liked them.

For any Hunger Games fans out there, this book is incredible! Sunrise on the Reaping revisits a favored character from the original books: Haymitch Abernathy. The book revolves around his experiences before, during, and after the 50th Hunger Games.
When Haymitch’s 16th birthday comes around, he must sacrifice himself for the one he loves and is selected to be in the “Second Quarter Quell” — a game with more opponents and decreased odds, especially coming from District 12. He faces challenging experiences in the Capitol with threats from President Snow, differentiating friends versus foe, and watching those he cares about die. He realizes after the games he will never be safe or at peace like he dreamed of.
The book brilliantly portrays themes seen throughout the original trilogy and the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: love, despair, resilience, and defiance. The relationship between these themes in all of Collins books made this book not only a heart-wrenching shocker, but it also explained how Haymitch Abernathy’s 50th games shaped the 74th Hunger Games. If you’re looking for a book filled with love, heartbreak, plot-twists, defiance, and a nostalgically classic dystopian feel, Sunrise on the Reaping is the book for you!

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi is full of twists and turns. The book is packed with action from cover to cover, that makes this book almost impossible to put down. Not only does Tahereh Mafi write an enjoyable book plot wise, but she also works to develop her characters. I liked how the author makes her main character, Juliette, aware of her obsession over her romance, and has Juliette work towards not making her romance her entire personality. It made the book, and Juliette, less annoying. It also shows Juliette's growth to become more independent and not helplessly rely on others. Tahereh Mafi also makes Juliette's development realistic, with relapses into her old unconfident self-appearing throughout the novel. I enjoyed this book because of the character development and plot. I thought it was a great addition to the series, without being repetitive or boring.

Unite me was a enjoyable, quick read. I read the first half of Unite Me (Destroy Me) before the second book and the second half of Unite Me (Fracture Me) after the second book, which is the recommended reading order.

Destroy Me follows Warner directly after the first book, and Unite Me follows Adam, directly after the second book. Both books serve as bridges between the first, second, and third book. Despite being short glimpeses into Warner and Adam's lives, neither provided too much information as to become overwhelming, or too little information to be unsatisfying. The novellas also reshaped my perspectives on many of the characters. Tahereh Mafi does a wonderful job of showing how the "good guys" aren't always good and the bad guys aren't always "bad." Overall, I would recommend this book if you are reading the Shatter Me series. Not only is it enjoyable, but also necessary to fully understand some of the characters.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi follows Juliette, a teen girl labeled as insane and dangerous by the government. She has always felt alone due to her power, or curse, of destruction. She cannot touch another person without feeling immense pain. However, when one of the government officials takes interest in her powers, she is released from the asylum as he holds her hostage as a hopeful weapon. With the help of an old friend, Juliette learns that she might not be as horrible as she thought, and might be deserving of the love she has never had.

I really enjoyed this book! All of the characters, especially Juliette, have strong personalities and character traits. I especially thought seeing how Juliette's obsession with numbers worked as a way for her to cope from past trauma was interesting. However, I thought the book's pace felt slow at times and rushed at times. For instance, Juliette's romance with another character felt like it was moving really fast, and sometimes I couldn't tell how much time had passed from the last significant event. Overall it was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend!

"Unwind" is a sci-fi dystopian masterpiece that everyone should read. "Unwind" follows Connor, Lev, and Risa, each with a very different life and story. Despite their differences there is one thing they all have in common; they have been scheduled to be unwound. Being unwound is every teenager's worst nightmare, unless that is you're a tithe. After a war that happened long before Connor, Lev, and Risa's time, a decision was made that any child between the ages of 13 and 18 can be unwound, aka have their body harvested to be used for others who need transplants, if their parents so decided. Despite societies persistence that being unwound is a way for the kids to live on forever, Connor, Lev, and Risa have other plans for their future...

Another one of Lois Lowry's inspirational books, "Gathering Blue" tells a powerful story. The book follows Kira, a girl with a disability living in a society where disabilities and weakness is frowned upon and cast out. After her mother's death, Kira fears what will become of her future, only to learn she has been chosen to repair a sacred item that is of the utmost important in her societies traditions. Being chosen to do this task offers Kira a place to live, eat, and cease worrying about her future. With a new and much more luxurious life, all seems well to Kira at first. However as she meets more people with unique talents like her, she begins to question her work and everything she's been taught, especially when she discovers a shocking secret she never could have thought to have been true...

"The Silence" by Tim Lebbon follows the Andrews family as they are thrust into an apocolyptic world. Vesps, creatures that hunt using their unnaturally-sensitive hearing, have emerged from an isolated underground cave. As their deadly swarm spreads from country to country, the Andrews family must do whatever they can to survive. Told from Ally, a deaf teenager, and her father, Huw's perspectives, the world soon becomes unrecognizable and silence becomes safety.

I watched the movie "A Quiet Place" before reading the British book it was based off of - and I was pleasantly surprised at the differences between the two! "The Silence" is a jaw-dropping science-fiction book that will pull you in and lead you through its intriguing plot, each stunning and gruesome twist keeping you guessing from beginning to end! Lebbon did a great job of making a unique and believable horror story, and the characters in this book were relatable and easy to connect with. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone - it's very easy to read even if you aren't a huge fan of sci-fi or horror!

This book was absolutely amaze! It's a thought-provoking science fiction novel in which the protagonist has to find a solution to the world-ending microorganisms, Astrophage. It just so happens that this book was a required reading in one of my classes. The protagonist has a fantastic sense of humor and chemistry with the other character, Rocky. I loved how there were two timelines that progressively revealed more information about how our protagonist ended up in their current position, as the protagonist figures that out himself. All of the science in this book was well thought out and was explained in a mostly easy-to-understand way. It felt like every chapter was a cliffhanger, and every plot twist was surprising in a way that, when looking back, seems obvious. My one and only critique of the story is that the ending felt a bit rushed, and it seemed like the roadblocks during the end were solved without going into depth about the solutions. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy science fiction; it was my all-time favorite.

The Martian follows the captivating story of Mark Watney, an astronaut left stranded on Mars. In the story, Watney has to figure out how to survive in the hostile environment of Mars with only a limited amount of supplies. All the while, NASA is working diligently to bring him back home.

I chose to read this book because I love science fiction and was intrigued by the position that Watney is placed in. I loved it because it shows the extent of human ingenuity and the things that one is able to do in extreme circumstances. The book also switches between the things that Watney is doing on Mars to try and stay alive and the things that NASA is doing to try and bring him back home safely, making the book hard to put down.

The only thing that I didn't like about the book is that there is a little bit of a lack of emotional depth in the book. Watney rarely shows signs of fear or despair despite being stranded on Mars for a long period of time, which is a bit unrealistic.

The Martian explores a possible future regarding space travel and exploration, and delves into some of the problems humanity may face while exploring. The book is very scientifically accurate and describes some processes in great detail, so if you're into STEM and are looking for a new book, you should definitely check out The Martian.

"Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton follows Alan Grant (a paleontologist), Ellie Sattler (a paleobotanist), and Ian Malcom, (a mathematician) who have been invited to John Hammond's private island. But they are not prepared for what awaits them there; somehow, Hammond has found a way to bring back creatures that have been extinct for millions of years. Soon, Jurassic Park will be opened to the public, placing these newly-made dinosaurs on display for all to see. But the unpredictability of nature and the corruption within the park itself soon makes this adventure deadly. Now, the survivors on the island must find a way to escape - before it is too late.

I watched the movie adaptation of "Jurassic Park" before actually reading the book - and I was surprised to see that the original novel was even more chilling and captivating than the film had been. Normally, I don't read a lot of science fiction, but "Jurassic Park" has a completely different take on this genre. Not only is the possibility of scientific advancement - like genetically engineering dinosaurs - explored (which is especially relevant today!), but human nature and many deeper themes are also incorporated within this story. The disturbing and realistic notions and the page-turning plot makes this book an absolute must-read.

"Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury is set in a futuristic world teetering on the edge of war. But for Guy Montag, the war feels like a distant problem compared to his own. He is a fireman, whose job is to burn any books and houses in which they were found. He does it without emotion, believing he is bettering society, until he meets a new neighbor, Clarisse McClellan, who changes his whole perspective on the world in which he lives, and makes him question everything he is told to believe. He begins to realize the true and terrible state of the world, and wonders if the books he destroys might be the solution. Guy Montag is a great character to watch develop, as he is relatable and flawed, but is still incredibly understandable, so you end up rooting for him to win. The writing style of the book is also amazing, full of convincing imagery and thought provoking ideas. I liked the book more as I read it and got to know the complex characters, and would recommend it to people looking for a short and interesting read.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld is a dystopian novel set in a future where people are strictly divided by age and appearance. Littlies are young children who live with their parents until they turn twelve, when they are labeled Uglies and move into dormitories in Uglyville. When they turn sixteen, they are pressured into undergoing an operation that changes their appearance to become Pretties, who can move to the paradise of New Pretty Town. The story follows Tally, a fifteen-year-old girl a few months from her sixteenth birthday, who is looking forward to becoming a Pretty and joining her best friend Peris in New Pretty Town. Like most Uglies, Tally sees the operation as a turning point in her life, as Uglies are treated in a way that makes them feel inferior to the Pretties and pushes them to undergo the surgery. One day, Tally befriends another girl her age named Shay, who doesn't want to become a pretty and tries to convince Tally to join her before running away. Things only go down from here, as Tally is offered an impossible decision by the authorities and begins to learn the truth about the operation and the seemingly idyllic nature of the society she grew up in.
This book was a great read, and I really enjoyed the concept. The characters were written well and were realistic in a way that showed off their individual motivations and traits. Shay and Tally's views on society and being pretty are clearly different, and that affects their actions throughout the story. The ending is powerful, written so similarly yet different from the beginning of the story, which helps to emphasize Tally's character development and shows how much the events of the story changed things. Something I especially liked about the story was its unexpected plot twists. Some parts surprised me, proving my predictions wrong and making the story even more engaging. The novel is packed with symbolism and themes of conformity, individuality, and beauty while being easy to read and understand. It does great as the first book for the series, sparking interest in the world and characters and making readers want to know what happens next. I recommend this book for fans of science fiction and dystopian novels with some adventure and good plot twists.

Outwalkers takes place in a dystopian near-future England where the government implants tracking chips into its people at birth to maintain surveillance over everyone, preventing anyone from leaving the country, which has been closed off from the rest of the world. The story follows Jacob Riley, or Jake, whose parents died in a car accident three months prior to the events of the novel. As an orphan, Jake is sent to a Home Academy, a dismal, oppressive orphanage run by the government. But Jake's main goal throughout the entire story is to find his grandparents in Scotland, keeping the promise he made to his parents if anything ever happened to them. Jake escapes, reuniting with his dog, Jet, and comes across a gang of children like him called the Outwalkers. He travels with this group of runaways through the heavily monitored and dangerous country in hopes of finding safety beyond the borders, relying on each other and doing whatever it takes to survive.
This book was an amazing read, full of action, emotion, and chilling realism. The characters are very well-written, each shaped by their different lives, circumstances, and goals, making them feel real and human. Each character has their own distinct voice and personality, which helps the reader truly connect with the individual members of the group. The story has powerful themes of survival, freedom, and loyalty. While there are a few topics that may be better suited for slightly older audiences, Outwalkers is overall a compelling adventure with a very strong emotional core, perfect for fans of dystopian novels or character-driven stories.

Harley Quinn Ravenous is a YA fantasy superhero novel. This book is the second of three Harley Quinn novels in the DC icon series. The DC icon series is known for its unique, intriguing, and refreshing take on DC villains and heroes; this book encompasses all of these traits. Harley Quinn Ravenous continues to follow Harley's adventures throughout college. My review grade of Harley Quinn Ravenous is a solid 10.

Brought to readers as the #1 New York Times Bestseller book by Adam Silvera, a tiny glance of the genius title and its illustrative cover leaves readers wondering. “Never judge a book by its cover” they say. But doesn’t the cover define the book? Doesn’t the cover give us an insight on to what the author is feeling? “A bold, lovely, and haunting story of loss, hope, and the redeeming power of friendship” -Lauren Oliver writes on the cover. A tragedy in fact. Silvera’s catching title uncovers a world in which a calling service called the “Death-Cast” calls people 24 hours before they die. On September 5, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio. With totally different reactions, emotions, and experiences, Mateo and Rufus greet each other on their End Day through an app called the Last Friend. Now, the two strangers spend their final hours together on an epic adventure through their city to live up their last day without any regrets.

I immediately noticed this book through its title. I thought to myself, “Who would give a book such a depressing title?!” I mean it’s certainly unique?! I enjoyed hearing different perspectives and stories throughout the book. The switching of characters throughout the chapters was really interesting. The author shows how much death affects people. The death of a loved one affects every relationship the deceased had in their life. Silvera did a very good job at demonstrating that. The book was very predictable but a heartfelt story. I can relate to Rufus’s friends Malcolm and Tagoe who so desperately want their friend to be okay. This book was one of the best tragedies I have read this year, and I hope to see more books like it.

The Winter Soldier: Cold Front is a YA novel that focuses on Bucky Barnes' life before and after WW2. What I like most about this book is that it goes back to the comic book origins of the winter soldier. One thing I disliked about the book is how he and Steve Rogers met. This is an intriguing story that combines Bucky's past and his future. My review grade on The Winter Soldier: Cold Front is a solid 7.

The Fever Code is a fictional YA dystopian book and is one of the prequel books to The Maze Runner series. It provides context on the character's decisions and choices later on in the original series in a comprehensive and intriguing way. This book is one of my personal favorites because of one character named Thomas. The Fever Code shows his journey to the man he becomes later on in the books; a man who would do anything to save his friends and figure out the truth. My review grade on The Fever Code is a solid 9.

Imagine being violently thrust overboard into the ocean and taken aboard a mysterious submersible inhabited by a man filled with vengeance and brilliance. This is exactly what happened to Pierre Aronnax, a french naturalist and assistant professor at the Paris Museum of Natural History in the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The book starts by describing very odd occurrences happening at sea thought to be caused by a massive sea creature. Aronnax and his friend Conseil set off on an expedition to find and kill the beast. What they don’t know is this is a much different kind of beast. One made of steel and brimming with the power and knowledge of its creator. This beast, the Nautilus, becomes their captor and their home as they journey through the ocean’s depths. This is a classic tale of adventure, excitement, and revenge. I really enjoyed how this novel is very quick to action. The story begins almost instantly. While this novel is among my top favorite books, I did not appreciate some of the racist depictions of the natives inhabiting Papau New Guinea, which did not age well. This book is a perfect quick read for kids or adults seeking a fun narrative about adventure. I believe that this book is a fantastic book, and my favorite classic. Overall, this book is a wonderful and insightful story full of imagination and excitement.

In “The Darkest Minds”, the first book in the Darkest Minds trilogy, a disease called Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (IAAN) has killed 98% of the population aged 18 and under. Those that survive the disease obtain powers, each classified by a color. These surviving children are put in camps to help “rehabilitate” them. The main character, Ruby, is an Orange hiding as a Green. However, when she gets the opportunity to escape from her camp, she finds herself on the run across the country with other kids like her. With everyone after them, will they be able to stay safe, or will Ruby and the others get sent back to their camps?

This book is an exciting story with relatable characters. It’s full of action while still discussing themes such as the darkness of human nature, and what people will do to survive. Bracken weaves a wonderful story where the characters feel like your friends and the world is similar enough that it is easily relatable. Several times throughout this book, I found myself thinking of what I would do in this situation, or of what it would feel like.

The movie adaptation of this book was similar and followed the same general plot. While several events differed, it was very similar. Still, I would recommend reading the book first so you can understand the depth of the plot line and the characters, as the movie is unable to show this to the same extent.

This book was definitely interesting to read. I didn't exactly dislike it but it wasn't my favorite book ever. The book is about a dystopian world with a special act that lets people "unwind" their teenagers. This process involves repurposing their organs and body parts, donating them to people in need and justified this as the life doesn't really end. It's the premise of the book and brings up some heartbreaking scenes to read. In my opinion the plot isn't bad. It's about three teens that come together to try and escape being unwound. What I like about it is that it's a powerful adventure and there's a lot of unique characters. Even though it wasn't my favorite book I've read, I don't think it a waste of time and would recommend it to those who enjoy science fiction and action.

Really good book! Ty loves to swim in the ocean, but he knows that dangerous things lurk under the surface. He comes from a subsea farm, and he’s ready to face anything. Except an entire underwater township that’s connected to a sunken airplane. It’s a clue in a mystery that has killed hundreds of people, and threatens to claim his and his friend, Gemma. Ty and Gemma are in a race for their lives, and have to deal with outlaws, officers and other dangerous people. Can Ty and Gemma save everyone in time?

Katniss lives in an unfair society; the poor and unfortunate people are famished and weak and must work for the rich to supply them of all their needs. Every part of the country was split into districts apart from the Capitol, where the rich people resided. Each district had a job and must also supply two random tributes to the Capitol for the annual hunger games. The hunger games started after the districts were made because of a large uprising that caused a war amongst the districts and the capitol. The hunger games was a competition made for the Capitols enjoyment to get a message to the districts. The two tributes from each district would have to fight to the death with the other districts in a large arena until only one survivor remained. Unfortunately, at the reaping (where they pick the tributes) Katniss’ sister was called, what with Katniss do, will she be able to help?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is an amazing novel. The book is incredibly thrilling and keeps you on your toes. However, even though it is very action packed it also makes you think, and the book is filled with a rich history and thought-out lore. Each character is unique and has different insights and opinions regarding the place they live in. I believe that Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games is a perfect dystopian novel and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read it.

Are you a fan of Sonic The Hedgehog and all his awesome friends? Do you like high-speed action adventures? Are you just looking for a good comic book to read while you kick back with an afternoon chili dog? If so, then this is the perfect book for you! The amazing first installment in this action-packed series, writer Ian Flynn wows his readers with the latest escapades of the Blue Blur himself! Set after the story of the new Nintendo Switch release Sonic Forces, the collection follows Sonic as he races around the world following the war with his arch-nemesis Dr. Eggman, who has seemingly disappeared. However, his maniacal machines are still a threat to Green Hill, and Sonic, with his best friends Tails, Amy, and Knuckles, along side Princess Blaze, all must shut them down. Can Sonic solve the mystery that presents itself as events unfold? Featuring pages of magnificent cover art and the debut of a brand new character, this super-powered comic is guaranteed to be a smash hit!