Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Darrow, at sixteen, has been working in the mines of Mars for quite a few years.  He has a wife, he has his family, and he has his goal of winning the Laurel.  He's a complex character, allowing the reader into his innermost thoughts, and making us feel as if we want his dreams for him and for us.  Even though his lot in life is small, he makes us proud of who he is and what he's done.That doesn't change throughout the story, even though Darrow's life takes a path I never would have imagined. 

Brown's entire cast is incredible, full of rich characters who practically jump off the page and into life.  They are all stunning examples that not everything is what it seems, and that even the most simple of matters isn't always easy to understand.  The caste system of colors, and layers within those colors, isn't easy to remember, but it does present an excellent view of what life could be like far in the future- and even on other planets.

One thing I would have liked is a pronunciation guide.  Some of the names are almost impossible to imagine actually saying aloud, and sometimes I found it easier to gloss over those names and insert something easier to say.  That's my only wish to make this a better book.  It's amazing how much is packed in to the amount of pages, and I found it hard to put down.

Pierce Brown has built a richly detailed world, and I can't wait for the next installment.

Freak of Nature by Julia Crane

 Kaitlyn never imagined she'd still be alive after she donated her body to science upon the event of her death, which is what most of us would think. She finds herself unable to remember anything before the past few months, and she's subjected to training, tests, and endless time alone.  She can't help but feel that she's missing something, that she's experiencing emotions that should have been eradicated when her body was fused with a supercomputer.

Although this story can be a bit dull in places (it's tedious to be the subject of scientific studies, and sometimes to read about them), it does make you stop and think what you would do in the same position.  Kaitlyn has to use her enhanced brain and physical skills to determine if she's still human enough not to think of herself as a monster.

This is a thought-provoking story of what happens after you check the box on your license that marks you as a donor after death.

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer

A look into the lives of those forced into reality television, this book will have you laughing, cringing, and tapping frantically on your dictionary app. 

Ethan is a great narrator, giving the reader a no-holds-barred look into a teenage artist's life.  He presents his friendships, crushes, confusion, and rebellion with an honesty that will keep you rooting for his success throughout the entire story. 

This is a good one for guys and girls alike, even though the protagonist voice is male.  We've all been in situations where we realize that our friends might not be the people we thought they were, and our relationships might have different meanings to each of us.  Would you sacrifice everything for your friends?  Would they do the same for you?  Ethan, Elizabeth, and Jackson all have a chance to find out for sure.

Full of humor, wit, and guerilla poetry (not to mention awesome vocab words with which to impress your friends), this is a must-read.