The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins, author of the highly acclaimed Gregor the Overlander books, has done it again. This time, the story is set in a futuristic dystopia a la Last Book in the Universe where teens are forced to compete in the Hunger Games, a deadly contest where only one can survive. It's as gripping as Collins' other books, and lays down great groundwork for a sequel.
My rating: 9.5/10
Charlie Bone and the Shadow: The seventh (out of a predicted eight) in the Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimmo is perhaps the second-best installment so far. There's more meat to it than almost any other one before it, with the notable exception of Charlie Bone and the Hidden King. Not to mention its story is the most original. Not to mention it leaves some really juicy loose ends to be tied up in Book Eight. Long story short: if you've read the others, you'll love it, if you haven't, then start reading. I promise, you'll like it.
My rating: 9/10
Sinner: Ted Dekker's latest, the final book in the Paradise trilogy, is perhaps one of his best yet. You really should read it. Enough said.
My rating: 10/10
Brisingr: And here comes the highest profile review of the bunch. Book Three of Christopher Paolini's much-debated Inheritance Cycle arrived amidst an outpour of criticism and talk about the book being only a guilty pleasure. I personally disliked the way Eldest ended, feeling it to be far too cliche, so I understand the criticism. I came into it unsure of its worth. But I read it anyway.
And you know what? It's worth reading. It's really worth reading. Paolini (or Paolini's editor) is really stretching his wings now-- no pun intended. His story is starting to really take flight in new and more interesting ways. And yes, that pun was intended. I know, it's bad. So sue me.
Eragon's finally realizing that making all of those oaths he made in the previous two volumes might not have been a good idea, as he now has bargains he must uphold with Roran, the Varden, Elva, Oromis, Orik, and more. He has to juggle with the realization of his father's identity, putting his personal desires behind him, and becoming the Dragon Rider he was destined to be. Many revelations await him-- among them, perhaps, the secret of the evil king Galbatorix's power. But he still has miles (and many, many pages) to go before he sleeps.
It's almost as if Paolini has read all of the fan criticism out there and tried to do what it asks. This installment doesn't feel like a STAR WARS ripoff. Eragon isn't quite as pampered as he feels he should be. The characters feel more real. And amidst all of these feelings, there's a death scene which is executed (man, the bad puns keep on coming) in a fresh way. You'll actually be excited about this series again, and be able by the end to forgive Paolini for some of his past misdoings.
My rating: 9.5/10
Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra: The fourth installment in one of the most original series I've ever read is perhaps the finest. I honestly don't have any idea how Obert Skye can invent as much as he can and still put it in a fun adventure that keeps the pages turning, but he definitely can. Skye has a real talent for what he does and it's evident from the first page. The story of Leven Thumps' escapades in the land where dreams are made is impossible to explain and impossible to put down, and I'm going to be the first in line to get Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder, the conclusion.
Isle of Fire: It's a real joy to read one of Wayne Thomas Batson's novels, and this is a fine example of how diverse he can be. He moved from writing a magnificent, solid fantasy trilogy to a two-part pirate adventure. It's what a summer blockbuster would be like on the page. I can even imagine Hans Zimmer's bombastic score as the action escalates. Cat and Anne's journeys, as well as the journeys of Brandon Blake, Declan Ross, and Bartholomew Thorne are gripping from page 1 and just begging to be made into a movie (but The Door Within is much more likely).
