The Poppy War #1 by R.F. Kuang

My Rating: 4.9

Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising. But surprises aren’t always good. 

This reminded me of a cross between Harry Potter and Hunger Games but, with a whole unique twist. Kuang continues to amaze me with her creativity and unique plot lines. I felt for many of the characters and fell into the plotline. Kuang has an amazing ability to create a completely unique plotline yet leaving the reader feel like it is familiar and relatable. I can't wait to read the next novel in this series.

https://amzn.to/3wpV9ky 

Wool by Hugh Howey

My rating:  4.8

I kept hearing about this very short (<50 pages) story.  It is a dystopian sci-fi so I didn't think it would appeal to me.  I was wrong.  This was a fabulous novel.  I can see why Amazon is giving it away for free as they want to hook you to buy the rest of the books!  <grin>   Well, it worked.  I have to find out what happens so, I bought the Omnibus Series which is books 1 to 5 of the 9 book series.  Do not read too much about this book as it is better to just let it unfold.  Very enjoyable little read.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

My rating:  4.8

Thomas wakes up in an elevator with no memory and is welcomed to "The Glade" by a group of boys. Every morning the stone walls surround The Glade open to the Maze which, overnight has changed it's pattern

I wasn't surprised to discover that this is going to be made in to a movie.  I am so glad that I am late to the party  so I don't have to wait to start reading the next book in this series.  This is  written, wonderful characters and fabulously imaginative and suspenseful story.  Highly recommend!

Unwind by Neil Shusterman

My rating: 5.0 

Absolutely brilliant! This is the kind of book that makes you want to recommend it to everyone....including complete strangers.    In this dystopian novel,between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, is a ward of the state without enough to warrant being kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. This is about their intertwined fates.

Shusterman is a master at having the story unfold, wrap around you and pull you in.  So many controversial issues that impact you and yet, the story feels light and you can't wait to turn the next page.  I am so glad that I am late to the game in discovering him as I won't have to wait for the sequel. The only question I have is, why is this book only getting 5 stars?  I want to give it 10!

The Dog Stars by Peter Heller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Finally, a book that had me lying in bed, thinking of getting a book light so I could read just a few more pages. When I woke up and in those first few moments of thinking of my day, I am instantly thinking of when I can get back to this book. I chuckled, I laughed, I cried. I want more. Yes, it is reminiscent of The Road by Cormac McCarthy in that it is in a post apocalyptic world and has beautiful sparse prose that takes a bit to get used to but, for me, The Dog Stars is so much more. It is sad but it was also funny. The characters have wonderfully complex layers (yes, I even loved Bangley). Hig with his heart and compassion (don’t even get me started on Jasper!). It made me feel the deprivation and want to go out and hug a tree and breathe it in deep. I loved that the ending didn’t have a neat bow on it. The only fault I have with this book is that it is over. I didn’t want it to end…..ever.

Peter Heller, where have you been all my life. I am so happy to have discovered you and that you have other novels waiting for me to lose myself in. Although I don’t generally like to reread books, I suspect that I will come back to this novel again one day to lose myself and fall in love all over again.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful series and I hope that the upcoming Hunger Games movie does it justice. A very enjoyable read.

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The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This dystopian novel envisions a world in which religious fundamentalists rule and women are confined to female roles, to the extreme. Atwood's poetry shines in her writing and she captures this world in beautiful sparse phrases. This is my first Margaret Atwood book but, it will not be my last. Thanks Mandy! :-)

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The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A dystopian novel that tells the story of Dorrit Wenger who, shortly after her 50th birthday packs a suitcase of her most prized possessions, gets into a van, and checks into The Unit.

The Unit is a beautiful spa like setting with walking paths, beautiful gardens', wonderful food, medical experiments and body harvesting from their "residents". Their residents are women at the age of 50 and men at the age of 60 who are childless and deemed dispensable.

Despite how it sounds, this novel is not depressing but, is very intriguing and an enjoyable read. Great writing and characters. I loved the Swedish pacing, plot and translations of this novel.

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