Escape with Ender's Game

Ender's Game

By: Orson Scott Card

   

The Goodreads Blurb: In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.
Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister. Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives. Ender's Game is the winner of the 1985 Nebula Award for Best Novel and the 1986 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

The blurb gives more away then I think it should, but there is still a lot to learn. This book was amazing! I am so looking forward to seeing the film now and how they adapt it to the big screen.


This book was very, very emotional. I got so invested in the characters and the experience. I could not read the book straight through. I got so involved I had to step away. I was cheering for Ender and horrified by Peter. I laughed and cried. It was a moving experience. I wish more novels were this complex and moving. I can understand why it won awards because I would nominate it myself.

I think my favorite part was how this book made me look at myself. I compared myself to my siblings and really examined our personalities  I examined my relationships with other people and how I see myself versus how other see me. I don't think you can read Ender's Game without looking at your relationships with people and looking at yourself. 

I will say despite knowing it was a war novel I was surprised at some of the descriptions of violence. I don't tend to enjoy that sort of thing so it was a little bit off-putting. But the complexity of the novel really helped me get paste my own distaste for it. 

I absolutely recommend getting this book and reading it before the movie comes out! 

Check out Ender's Game at Goodreads or Amazon

Escape with the Accidental Hero

Accidental Hero

By: Matt Myklusch

Because I love Harry Potter and Percy Jackson I was recommended the Jack Blank Adventure series. This Middle Grade series of books had an interesting premise so I gave it a chance. 

The Goodreads blurb: All Jack Blank knows is his bleak, dreary life at St. Barnaby’s Home for the Hopeless, Abandoned, Forgotten, and Lost—an orphanage in the swampland of New Jersey. Covertly reading old comic books is Jack’s only solace. But his life changes forever when he meets an emissary from a secret country called the Imagine Nation, an astonishing place where all the fantastic and unbelievable things in the world originate. Including Jack. Jack soon discovers that he has an amazing ability—one that could make him the savior of Imagine Nation and the world beyond…or the biggest threat they’ve ever faced.

This book kept be guessing and had many twists and turns that you don't see coming. I loved the originality of Imagine Nation and all the things that went along with it. I also really felt for Jack Blank and rooted for him throughout the book. I think that while the originality made it appealing, it could have been more detailed. It leaves a lot to your imagination, but some readers may enjoy this. The reason it lost a star was because while it is a start to a series, it asked more questions then it answered. While this is one way to insure that people continue the series, for this book it made it feel more like a placeholder. So while I recommend it to others, be aware that your going to want to finish the series because it leaves you wanting to know a lot. Still its worth reading if you want an original tale of triumph and courage.

Check it Accidental Hero on Goodreads or Amazon 

Escape with Michael Vey

Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell 25

By: Richard Paul Evans

One of the few books I have gotten recently that was not on my Kindle. I went to the bookstore and asked for staff recommendations for a young adult fantasy adventure and this is what she gave me. 

The Goodreads blurb: My name is Michael Vey, and the story I’m about to tell you is strange. Very strange. It’s my story. To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey is an ordinary fourteen-year-old. In fact, the only thing that seems to set him apart is the fact that he has Tourette’s syndrome. But Michael is anything but ordinary. Michael has special powers. Electric powers. Michael thinks he's unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor also has special powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up this way, but their investigation brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric children – and through them the world. Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers, and friends if he’s to survive.

It was the exact genre I was looking for and the characters were realistic and (despite being 6 years younger then me) I was able to connect with them. I loved Michael for many reasons, but most importantly  his conviction. Taylor Ridley was fierce and didn't compromise her values for anyone. And Ostin was the most loyal friend you could ask for. Beyond the compelling characters the plot was easy to follow and sucked you right in from the first chapter. It had suspense and intrigue. While I stick to my gut 5/5 rating and recommendation I will warn that the writing is very simplistic and may turn some readers off. But for me the plot and characters overcompensated for this.

Check out Michael Vey on Goodreads or Amazon.

Escape with Obsidian

Obsidian

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

With a 4.38 out of 5 on goodreads and one of my favorite tags (love/hate relationship) I knew that Obsidian was a paranormal romance I didn't want to miss. But it still sat on my to-read shelf for awhile until I finally bought it for my Kindle. And as the 4/5 star rating suggests I am happy with my purchase! If you want a paranormal romance with a heroine who isn't a pathetic wait-to-be-rescued kinda girl with a thing for bad boys your going to enjoy Obsidian.

The Goodreads blurb: Starting over sucks. When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up. And then he opened his mouth. Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. The hot alien living next door marks me. You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. If I don't kill him first, that is.

Katy has not lead an easy life and moving to nowhere in West Virginia her senior year turns out to be just the beginning of another chapter of difficulties. But I like that she is her own person. She gets passionate about the things she loves, is beyond loyal, and sticks up for herself. Daemon is the handsome boy next door. He is a devoted brother which is appealing as well. But in reality he behaves like a total douche. Especially to Katy. But his redeeming qualities do make him attractive. And as the plot continues you fall for his charms.

Beyond the awesome character and the plot that moves just slow enough to build tension and seem realistic in its relationships the kindle edition had some fun extras. I loved reading the two scenes from the point of view of Daemon. And it has a teaser for the next book. Which I'm planning on getting. Eventually. This book could be a great stand alone, but it also leaves enough open for you to want to read the next one.

Check out Obsidian on Goodreads or Amazon.