Legend by Marie Lu

Fifteen-year-olds Day and June live opposite lives in the Republic, a dystopian nation that was once the Western United States. June was born into an elite wealthy family and she was the only person to ever pass the government-issued compulsory test known as “The Trial” with a perfect score. Day, who failed his own Trial, is a street rat and the Republic’s most wanted criminal. When June’s brother Metias is murdered she’s determined to track down his killer, and it turns out that Day is the prime suspect. As they cross paths however they begin to uncover the sinister truth of their country.

I felt that Legend was a very enjoyable book. I thought that the story was interesting, and I felt that the dynamic between Day and June was well done in both their interactions and the differences between the two characters. I genuinely enjoyed the differences between Day and June’s personalities based on the environments and circumstances they each grew up in. I also felt that the action was often exciting and suspenseful, especially later on in the book. Although the story can sometimes be predictable in certain areas, since it does tend to follow a typical dystopian plotline, it still manages to remain interesting, and I would recommend the book as a good dystopian novel for young adults.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle on the nation-planet Thuve, where he and his family live in peace. When he and his brother are taken from their home by the Shotet – a nation of warriors led by a tyrannical ruler – he is taken prisoner and forced to attend to Cyra, the sister of the tyrannical Shotet ruler. Cyra’s currentgift brings her excruciating pain, but it also brings pain to anyone who touches her, making her into a cruel weapon to be used by her brother. Due to his own currentgift, Akos not only discovers that he is immune to Cyra’s power, but he realizes that he’s able to take away her own pain as well. As Akos works to free himself and his brother from the clutches of the Shotet, he and Cyra must decide whether to help each other, or to remain divided by their differences. 

I loved this book because of how well it built upon both the world and the characters. I thought that Veronica Roth created a very fascinating world that felt complex but not too complicated. I also liked how the characters developed throughout the book as a result of their environments as well as each other. I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it as an engaging science fiction/fantasy read.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In a post-apocalyptic Chicago, society has been divided into five factions, each centered around a particular virtue. When Beatrice Prior turns 16 she has to take a test to find out which faction she’s best suited for. Although she’s been raised in a family from Abnegation – a faction that values selflessness- Beatrice feels that the Dauntless – the faction that values the virtue of bravery – is where she truly belongs. However, Beatrice’s test brings unexpected results, and she’s shown to be suited for multiple factions – a Divergent. The woman supervising Beatrice’s test tells her that under no circumstances should she ever tell anyone, and although confused, Beatrice agrees. When the time comes for her to join a faction, Beatrice rejects her Abnegation upbringing and decides to join the Dauntless, but it turns out that just wanting to join isn’t enough. As Beatrice – taking on the name “Tris” – and her classmates struggle through the intense training required to become a member of the Dauntless, she begins to learn the hidden truth of her world and what it truly means to be a Divergent.

I enjoyed Divergent for a number of reasons. I loved the structure of the dystopian setting, with the factions and the Dauntless trials making for a fascinating storyline, and I thought most of the characters were well-developed and interesting. I also loved how shocking the story was, with a plethora of twists and turns, most of which were completely unexpected for me. I would recommend this book, especially for anyone interested in dystopian novels.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

It’s been 14 years since the zombie outbreak that sent the world into chaos, and Benny Imura is now 15 years old. He doesn’t have time to celebrate however, because now he has to start working if he wants to keep earning food rations. With no better options, he reluctantly asks his older brother Tom to train him as a zombie killer. Benny expects some boring job with his boring brother, but what he sees beyond the walls of the town of Mountainside shatters his worldview and forces him to consider whether the zombies are the real monsters in this apocalypse. As Benny continues to train with his brother, his strength and his morals are challenged again and again as he learns the truth about what lies in the Rot and Ruin.

I loved this book because it was an interesting take on a zombie story that I hadn’t seen before. It was fascinating to look at the more human aspects of the apocalypse and to look at the apocalypse through the eyes of someone who’s too young to remember anything before the outbreak. The story managed to be very suspenseful and intense at times, and it evoked a lot of different emotions and deep thoughts for me. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the genre.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner is a very mysterious and adventurous book that takes you on an amazing adventure to The Glade. The story’s plot is about a bunch of teenage boys who are trapped in a maze with nothing but their names. They have no memory of their past lives before the maze. Thomas, the main character, gets set up in the Box at the beginning of the story. He is sent to a grassy clearing surrounded by high stone walls leading into a terrifying maze. From Thomas’ point of view you get to see Thomas and his friends, Newt and Minho, help him find a way to escape the maze. He has some issues with Gally, who tries to do everything he can to make sure he doesn’t go into the maze. If you like sci-fi books with lots of twists and turns, the Maze Runner is a great book for you!

Written by one of our Teen Volunteers

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner is a book with an interesting turn of events. Thomas  wakes up in a lift and the only thing he can remember is his name. He arrives in an unknown arena with strangers, all boys who are in the same predicament as him. Since their memories have been erased, they have no indication as to why they have ended up in this position and what means they must take to escape. 

There are jobs  each of the “Gladers” have to partake in to have order and to survive. To be more specific, each Glader is assigned a role based on what skills benefit that job. One of the jobs is the Runners, who have the role of going out into the Maze that surrounds the arena. They are the fastest and best of the Gladers. Runners run the Maze every day, trying to find a way out. They have been making maps of the Maze because when the doors to the Maze close, the Maze walls shift. Thomas is assigned to the role of Runner.

To be really honest, I was bored to death at the beginning and I didn’t understand what was going on. As I got further into the novel, my interest started to peak as I started to understand what the dilemma was and what the Gladers were trying to achieve. It was unlike any book I have ever read and I would recommend it for any teen who enjoys a good adventure. There is that feeling of fear of death and confusion about the loss of memories haunting you, trying to make you understand. This author has a creative mind and really showcased that in this novel. It can be considered a post-apocalyptic novel. The story really focuses on the natural instincts of teens under true isolation. This leaves readers to draw meaningful questions about life, nature, and the purpose of humanity, which I think is so important to consider as a teen.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The book Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard, is about a girl named Mare Barrow who lives in a world that is defined by the color of a person’s blood. Those with silver blood lead a rich, luxurious life, and those with red blood live in poverty. The people who have silver blood are able to remain in high positions because of their powers to control water, metal, earth, and fire. Mare has red blood and she is forced to become a common thief to provide support for her family, even though this profession is against her mother’s wishes. Any red blood who is not involved in an apprenticeship is forced to play a part in the war. Most of these people come back injured or dead. Among these soldiers are three of Mare’s siblings. 

Mare and her best friend, Kilorn, attempt to escape the land where they are forced to go to war for the silver bloods. Before they can be smuggled out, chaos breaks out when a group called the Scarlet Guard steps forward to bring rights to the red bloods. This chaos causes many red bloods to try to escape, including Mare and her sister, Gisa. During this attempt, Gisa is caught and tortured. 

Afterward, Mare is caught pickpocketing, but a palace worker named Cal lets her free, gives her some of his money, and offers her a job. Mare is surprised and thankful for this, but feels deceived after discovering he is really a prince. 

At the castle, Mare accidentally discovers that she has powers. The king and queen cover this problem by claiming that Mare was actually a silver blood who had been switched at birth. Mare is betrothed to Maven, the youngest prince, and together they join the Scarlet Guard in secret. 

Mare is an incredibly brave character due to the risks she takes to help others. She is daring and a fierce warrior. She is a role model due to her hard work and courage. This book is long and has many turns, but is an adventure for the reader to tag along to. The reader can disappear into the world that Mare lives in as well.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

Legend by Marie Lu

In Legend by Marie Lu, June Iparis and Day have met up in the most reluctant circumstances. One is a government prodigy and the other is the most wanted criminal, and their goose chase revolves around a war raging in America and ends in the most unexpected of ways. The energy of this book is unreal, with no page left without action. It’s a very easy read, and can be finished in a sitting or two. The enemies-to-lovers trope is something I’m always a sucker for, and reading such a well-developed relationship, like the one between June and Day, is so satisfying. Overall, I easily give this book 5 stars, and recommend it to someone who enjoys dystopian fiction, cool battle scenes, and strong female characters.

Written by Riley, Teen Volunteer

The Giver by Lois Lowry

In The Giver, Jonas begins feeling uneasy about an upcoming Ceremony, where he will receive the Assignment that determines his vocation for the rest of his working life. His parents remind him that his life will change after the Ceremony, but they reassure him that the Committee of Elders has been watching him closely and will give him an appropriate Assignment. The Chief Elder skips Jonas, until they announce that he has been selected as the new Receiver of Memory for the community, an important position that requires intelligence, and courage. The old Receiver, who calls himself The Giver, informs Jonas that he will have to receive the memories of generations of the whole world.

My opinion on this book is that it’s definitely the first book that introduced me to a dystopian world. This book reminds me to always have a place in my heart for imagining  a world and reality outside of my own. This book focuses on the deeper themes of individuality, loneliness, memory, and wisdom.

Written by Elyssa, Teen Volunteer

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins,  Katniss lives in a futuristic world that is broken up into 12 districts. The districts are categorized by the jobs the workers have. Katniss lives in the mining district, which is #12. Every year, the capital of the district hosts a game for their entertainment at the expense of their youth. One girl and one boy between the ages 12 and 18 from each district is brought to a playing field to kill one another. The winner is the last person left standing.

When the lottery is called, Katniss’s sister, Prim, is chosen, but Katniss offers herself instead with complete awareness that she would be killed. Katniss has to leave her family and friend Gale behind as she heads to the capital to prepare for the fighting. She starts to bond with Peeta, the boy who was chosen from her district. When the games start, Katniss uses her survival skills and archery skills to make it through the first part of the games.

Katniss has to fight many battles throughout the book. She fought against the other competitors, rebelled against the government, worked to provide for her family, and was torn between her love for both Peeta and Gale. Katniss also had to discover her true self and all of her capabilities.

Throughout the book, Katniss showed persistence and never gave up. She never hesitated to act and would not tolerate unrighteousness. The book taught me to act in Katniss’s footsteps. You should never stop fighting, and with perseverance, a person can accomplish anything that they set their mind to doing. The readers will be brought into another world, where they will stay long after finishing the book.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer