The Elite by Kiera Cass
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: April 2013
Pages: 323
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Synopsis: Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete for the crown and Prince Maxon’s heart, but now only six remain. America Singer is one of them, but unlike the other girls she has to decide if she is in love with Aspen, her ex-boyfriend she can’t get over, or Prince Maxon. At the same time America is questioning herself and whether she can handle the role of being princess. Who will America choose and will the role of being princess scare her away? Find out for yourself in The Elite, the second book of the Selectio Series.

Action: Well, with Celeste still at the palace something is always happening. There is also more action than expected though as things happen that you never expected to happen. Of course,  America is in the middle of all of it. I can’t say what “things” happen, but I will say there are plenty of surprises throughout the book.

My opinion: If you read the first one and loved it like I did, you will love this one! I will be honest and say that there weren’t really any dull moments. In the two days I read this book, I couldn’t put it down because this book keeps you guessing until the end.

Overall: This was a great book and I recommend for you to read it because if not, you will never know who America picks.

Reboot by Amy Tintera
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 2013
Pages: 352
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In Reboot by Amy Tintera, Wren Connolly has died but came back to life as a Reboot. The longer a Reboot stays dead the stronger, faster they are. The down side is, they are a former hollow shell of the human they once were. Wren has stayed dead for 178 minutes, she is the strongest most emotionless Reboot there is. She is the ultimate weapon and a stellar officer. When they get their new ‘shipment’ of Reboots Callum 22 is the lowest number. He is practically human, barely a reboot. Wren has never had a trainee like him, she always trains the highest numbers; the best. When she picks Callum he is pesky and always asking questions, making her feel things she has not thought about in a very long time. When HARC see’s he is not cut out to be a reboot, Wren is told to eliminate him, but their so-called emotionless secret weapon is done taking orders. Wren will do anything to save Callum’s life. Even if it takes her own.

star rating: 5

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Release Date: April 2013
Pages: 400
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In Dark Triumph, a hauntingly, beautiful sequel to Grave Mercy, Robin LaFevers spins a tale of romance, betrayal, and justice. When Sybella arrives at the convent, she is half-mad thanks to her tyrannical father and brother’s oedipal love. Trained in the arts of death and seduction, Sybella is one of the convent’s most power weapons. However, her skills will be little help when they back to the insanity of her former life. But everything is not always as it seems. When Sybella finds an ally in the most unlikely place, she begins a journey the will change everything, including her will to live.

This riveting second installment in the His Fair Assassin series will leave you breathless and craving for more. Sybella story of self discovery and vengeance will leave you laughing, crying, and downright content. She will mark  a special place on your heart and have you rooting for her the whole way. Just as the cover relays Vengeance is Divine…. It’s most certainly agreed upon that Dark Triumph is deliciously divine and most definitely triumphant!

Skinny by Donna Cooner
Publisher:  Scholastic
Release Date: Oct 2012
Pages: 272
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Synopsis: Ever Davies weighs over three hundred pounds. She thinks she’s a freak; at least that’s what the voice in her head Skinny has told her. Skinny whispers all kinds of awful things to Ever about how she looks and what people think about her. Ever decides to change and with the help of her best friend, she does, but Skinny is still there and she won’t be silenced. To truly find her happily ever after, Ever will have to defeat Skinny and it won’t be easy.

Characters:  The author did a great job creating Ever and Skinny. Ever was an amazing girl with incredible talent and personality that she couldn’t let shine because of Skinny, the evil voice in her head.

The author created Skinny in Ever’s head as a real person. They even had arguments. Skinny would always say cruel things to ever because of her weight. While Ever thought Skinny was there because she was fat, the voice didn’t go away even when she lost weight, which meant she basically had to battle herself to win her life back.

I love the way the author did this. It shows that a lot of the time the conflict we have is not always with external things but with how we ourselves feel about them. I also love it because it shows that fat dose not equal miserable and skinny dose not equal happy. It shows that you’re happy when you’re ready regardless of other circumstances.

Action: As I said Ever is having an all out war with herself. If that’s not enough I don’t know what is.

Romance:  Even though Ever does not think so she’s a great person, she does get her happily ever after.

Overall: Overall this is a great book with a really great message. I recommend it to everyone who likes realistic fiction!

Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Release Date: Oct 2012
Pages: 384
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Synopsis: When popular high school senior Mia is diagnosed with cancer her whole world falls apart. Feeling her friends would never understand, she decides to keep her illness a secret, leaving her to face cancer virtually alone. This story is about Mia battling her cancer and finding herself.

Characters: I loved Mia instantly. I know most of us think popular girl and automatically think of scenes from Mean Girls, but Mia was exactly the opposite. She was sweet, hopeful and lovable; which of course only made her story more heartbreaking. The author did a great job with Mia. She felt real and you truly wanted her to not just get better, but to be happy.

Action: Mia’s deception of her friends keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. You’re always wondering when they will find out. Also, Mia’s health and love life keep you guessing; not a dull moment to be found here.

Romance: Mia’s love life is complicated to say the least. I won’t say too much because I don’t want to ruin it. I will say that it was pretty epic, especially for someone who has cancer. You go girl!

Overall: Overall, this was a very heartbreaking and amazing book. I would recommend it to anyone who has read and liked The Fault in Our Stars by John Green or anyone looking for a great realistic fiction book.