Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer: Review

Life as We Knew It

By: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Miranda is a junior in high school. Her diary includes many of the typical worries of teenagers, friends, school, and getting a driver's license. The upcoming meteor hitting the moon seems hardly worth mentioning. However, when the event happens, causing the moon to be pushed off its axis, it becomes the forefront of her life. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters make everyone immediately go into survival mode.

This was the first audiobook I've ever listened to completely through. It was really harrowing. I'm not really into the diary style of writing, but for some reason this really worked for me. The characters were really great, and memorable. This book made me want to build the biggest 72-hour emergency kit ever. Even though I read this in the middle of July, I seriously felt like I needed a blanket. And, as I was making dinner, I kept thinking about rationing my food. The book definitely got me emotionally involved.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau: Review

The People of Sparks

By: Jeanne DuPrau

YA Fiction

After leaving their dying home of Ember, Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet realize their troubles have just begun.  Nothing is familiar, and the former residents of Ember find themselves unprepared for the world above.

This book picks up right where City of Ember left off. The sequel had the same wonderful imagery as it's predecessor. The story made it very clear that Lina and Doon are still children and don't know about leading a group of people. However, the adults don't do so well either. Tensions rise, and people make bad decisions. In the end, there is a resolution; however, you get the distinct impression that it's not over yet.  You learn a little more about the reasons behind the city of Ember, and the state of the rest of the world. It's a great book about acceptance, survival, and friendships. I didn't love it as much as I loved City of Ember, but it was a great sequel, and I'm looking forward to reading The Prophet of Yonwood.

3/5 stars for this sequel

The Uglies by Scott Westerfield: Review

The Uglies

By: Scott Westerfield

Post Apocolyptic Fiction, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Tally Youngblood can't wait for her 16th birthday. She's not anticipating a driver's license, but the chance to become "pretty." Her best friend Peris has already had his surgery, and Tally can't wait to join him in New Pretty Town. A few weeks before her birthday, she meets up with another ugly, Shay, who happens to have the same birthday as Tally. When Shay disappears before her surgery, Tally's own chance to become pretty is in jeopardy.

Well, this book hits at the heart of a common teenage issue: being pretty and the consequences. I liked Tally and Shay and especially the character development that occurs within Tally. She really does grow up. I kind of wished that the reasons why Pretty Town and the surgeries had begun in the first place had been explored a little more. But, it's part of a series, so I imagine they will explain it later. Other things I liked about this book were the lack of sex and vulgarity and the smartness of the characters. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes post-apocolyptic or end of the world type books.

I gave it 3/5 stars. This book was part of It's the End of the World Challenge

It's the End of the World as We Know It

This is probably my favorite genre of Young Adult Fiction. Post-Apocolypse or otherwise the end of the world. I seriously can't get enough. This challenge is hosted by Becky's Book Reviews. Here are the details of the challenge.

Read at least four books about the end of the world.

My list (with links to my reviews):

1. City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
2. Uglies by Scott Westerfield
   
3. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
4. Gone by Michael Grant