“Crossed” by Ally Condie

This is the second book in the Matched trilogy.

Cassia has been looking for a way to escape the Society to go and find Ky out in the Outer Provinces. Ky has been holding on to the promise they made each other about remembering the other. When Cassia takes an opportunity to escape with a group of other girls being sent away, she meets Indie, a smart, resourceful girl who seems to know a lot. While in the various camps, Ky meets, and eventually runs away with, two other guys, Vick and Eli. With Ky on the run, will Cassia ever be able to find him?

This one was different from the first in that Ky narrated every other chapter. This was good when they were apart because it helped the story to keep moving, and gave a different rhythm to this one. There seemed to be a lot more angst in this one, but I’m excited for the third, after how this second one ended. If you liked the first one, you’ll probably like this one too. I give it an 8.

Read-A-Likes: Matched (#1) by Ally Condie, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Divergent by Veronica Roth, XVI by Julia Karr

“Fang” by James Patterson

This is the sixth book of the Maximum Ride series.

Angel announces that Fang will be the first to die – and soon. Max doesn’t know what to do with that information, but she does know she would keep him safe at all costs. Then Dylan, a new winged teenager arrives, along with an evil scientist who wants to help the bird kids “evolve” into a superior race. With danger at every turn, and the flock falling apart, will Max really give anything to keep Fang alive?

Another great entry in the series, though there was less action in this one. There was a lot more of Max trying to do the right thing, but being distracted by her love for Fang. Angel’s coup in the middle is really entertaining, and the end leaves things hanging for the next book. If you’ve liked the other books so far, or if you like a little romance with your action, this is a great book for you. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Read-A-Likes: The Angel Experiment (#1) by James Patterson, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

“The Lady Grace Mysteries: Betrayal” by Grace Cavendish

This is the second book of the Lady Grace Mysteries.

Grace and the rest of court are off to visit the Royal Shipyards. While there, one of the captains falls for Lady Sarah, who flirts shamelessly back. When Sarah goes missing, a note arrives, saying that she has eloped with the captain. Grace knows Sarah would never do such a thing, so she heads off (with her friend Masou) to bring her back. Will Grace save Sarah’s reputation? Or have the adventure of her life?

This book was as enjoyable as the first. Grace is brave and loyal, even to those who don’t really deserve it, and even though her adventure takes her far from the court life she knows, she doesn’t break down and cry. Masou is a good friend, and I hope to see more of him in future books. Those who want to try historical fiction, or read more about Queen Elizabeth, would like this book. I give it a 7.5.

Read-A-Likes: Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book by Carolyn Meyer, Conspiracy (Lady Grace Mysteries) by Grace Cavendish, Queen's Own Fool by Jane Yolen

“Divergent” by Veronica Roth

I picked this one up because of the cool ring of fire on the front cover.

Beatrice lives in a society where 16 year-olds make a choice about their entire lives based on how they feel – if they want peace and love, they join the Amity; if they prefer a life of pursuing knowledge, they join the Erudite. Beatrice is a Divergent, a dangerous thing in her society, meaning that she doesn’t obviously fit in anywhere – she has many talents that are equal in strength. When she chooses to become Dauntless (the faction that values bravery over all else), secrets about the society she lives in come to light, and it’s up to her to protect herself from the evils who would use her.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of a cross between The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Matched by Ally Condie. Roth takes time to build this world, but doesn’t slow the story down to do it. While the mysteries of Four were pretty obvious, there was plenty of action and personal growth to keep a reader’s interest. The pages just flew by, and I’ll definitely be reading the second book, Insurgent, when it comes out in May. A 9.5 from me for an excellent book.

Read-A-Likes: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Matched by Ally Condie, XVI by Julia Karr

“The Lady Grace Mysteries: Assassin” by Grace Cavendish

I love reading about Queen Elizabeth, so when I found out this fiction book was about one of her ladies in waiting, I knew I had to read it.

Lady Grace Cavendish is an orphan, looked after by her uncle and under the protection of the queen. She is a Maid of Honour, a lady-in-waiting to be. She must choose her future husband from the three men the queen has approved. One of the rejected men doesn’t take it very well, and storms off in a huff, only to be found dead later. Who killed him? And can Grace clear the name of the man accused, or will another needless death occur?

I liked this book. It was short and Grace is a likeable character. The notes about court and court life were accurate without being too graphic, and while it seemed a little easy for Grace to solve the mystery, it was still an interesting read. Those who want to try historical fiction, or read more about Queen Elizabeth, would like this book. I give it a 7.5.

Read-A-Likes: Beware, Princess Elizabeth: A Young Royals Book by Carolyn Meyer, Betrayal (Lady Grace Mysteries) by Grace Cavendish, Queen's Own Fool by Jane Yolen

“Where She Went” by Gayle Forman

This is the sequel to If I Stay.

It’s been three years since the accident. Adam is living the high life – his band has made it big, and he’s off on a world tour. But what only his band knows is that Mia broke his heart, and he’s never gotten over it. Every day is torture, because Mia isn’t there. So when a chance encounter leads to a night in New York with her, Adam knows it’s only a matter of time before she leaves again, and so he must make the most of the time they have left.

This was similar to the first one. There’s a lot of angst and heartbreak here, but it fits with the story. The flashbacks broke the flow of the novel a bit, and the part with the stranger’s iPod was kind of superfluous, but otherwise this was a great look at how two people who love each other can rip each other apart emotionally just by doing nothing at all. An 8.5 from me.

Read-A-Likes: If I Stay by Gayle Forman (the first one), Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

“The Last Little Blue Envelope” by Maureen Johnson

This is the sequel to 13 Little Blue Envelopes.

Ginny has resigned herself to never knowing what her aunt Peg said in the final envelope after her backpack was stolen in Greece. But a mysterious stranger contacts her, saying he bought her backpack and found the envelopes. He suggests they meet so he can give them back, but he isn’t what he seems. And when Ginny goes to see her “kind of something” boy friend Keith, she gets a surprise that will change her - again.

Another across Europe adventure for Ginny and her friends. I’m a little surprised at the lack of adult supervision in this one, but I suppose there wasn’t much adult supervision in the last one either. I like that Ginny has grown, as she should, after her first adventure. The ending was a little too neat to be realistic, but otherwise I enjoyed this one. An 8.5 from me.

Read-A-Likes: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson (the first one), Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green