Illusive

Back of the Book: When the MK virus swept across the planet, a vaccine was created to stop the epidemic, but it came with some unexpected side effects. A small percentage of the population developed superhero-like powers. Seventeen-year-old Ciere Giba has the handy ability to change her appearance at will. She's what's known as an illusionist...She's also a thief.

After a robbery goes awry, Ciere must team up with a group of fellow super-powered criminals on another job that most would consider too reckless. The formula for the vaccine that gave them their abilities was supposedly destroyed years ago. But what if it wasn't?

The lines between good and bad, us and them, and freedom and entrapment are blurred as Ciere and the rest of her crew become embroiled in a deadly race against the government that could cost them their lives.

Described as “X-Men meets Ocean’s Eleven”, I couldn’t resist this book. And while the summary promises high hopes, I wasn’t disappointed. Lately, teen novels have developed into a niche of dystopian action- romances (The Hunger Games, Divergent, etc.). And while I adore those books, this young adult sci-fi thriller was a welcome change.

Illusive is a fresh book with a captivating plot, witty dialogue, and plenty of action and humor. And, hello, did I mention that it has superheroes?! No, this isn’t a life-changing novel, but it’s pretty incredible. The world Illusive takes place in is very well developed. It’s plain to see how these superheroes became criminals in a society such as the one Emily Lloyd-Jones developed. I’m impressed at the unique plot line. This book constantly takes twists and turns, and I had no idea what would happen next.

The only complaint is character development. While all of the characters are interesting, unique, and defy stereotypical roles, I wish Cierce, our protagonist, had grown more as a character. She’s a bit of a static character, which is never good in young adult stories. However, she is still a likeable character and I do not think that this really detracts from the rest of the book. Hopefully, we’ll get a sequel and be able to see Ciere grow more.

Illusive is a book that demands to be read. This book defies the stereotypes of modern teen fiction with its clever plot, compelling action, and superheroes—any book about a superhero is a good one! Illusive is a must-read!

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Midnight City

Back of the Book: Earth has been conquered by an alien race known as the Assembly. The human adult population is gone, having succumbed to the Tone—a powerful, telepathic super-signal broadcast across the planet that reduces them to a state of complete subservience. But the Tone has one critical flaw. It only affects the population once they reach their early twenties, which means that there is one group left to resist: Children.

Holt Hawkins is a bounty hunter, and his current target is Mira Toombs, an infamous treasure seeker with a price on her head. It’s not long before Holt bags his prey, but their instant connection isn’t something he bargained for. Neither is the Assembly ship that crash-lands near them shortly after. Venturing inside, Holt finds a young girl who remembers nothing except her name: Zoey.

As the three make their way to the cavernous metropolis of Midnight City, they encounter young freedom fighters, mutants, otherworldly artifacts, pirates, feuding alien armies, and the amazing powers that Zoey is beginning to exhibit. Powers that suggest she, as impossible as it seems, may just be the key to stopping the Assembly once and for all. 

Midnight City follows the perspectives of two young teens yet to be taken over by the Tone—the mysterious force that conquers adults and hijacks their bodies. Holt Hawkins struck out on his own to survive in the wild. He works as a bounty hunter, with his current fixation being a running treasure hunter, Mira Toombs.  With his dog, Max, as his only companion, Holt evokes a Han Solo-esque persona as he struggles to survive against those taken by the Tone. What he doesn’t count on are his conflicting feelings for Mira as she captivates him while he attempts to capture her.

Mira Toombs has been on the run after being banished from the Midnight City. With a mysterious talent for handling artifacts, she finds a way to survive while struggling to fight the Tone. However, Mira reluctantly joins forces with Holt in order to achieve her real goal. But she doesn't know how much longer she will last as the Tone threatens to take her over.

When the two find a clairvoyant little girl, they travel across the country to help Mira find her goal. From start to finish, this book excels in captivating its reader. Midnight City is a stand-out, fresh, and original novel that packs in action, suspense, romance, and the undead!

Falling Kingdoms

Back of the Book: In a land where magic has been forgotten but peace has reigned for centuries, a deadly unrest is simmering. Three kingdoms grapple for power—brutally transforming their subjects' lives in the process. Amidst betrayals, bargains, and battles, four young people find their fates forever intertwined:
Cleo: A princess raised in luxury must embark on a rough and treacherous journey into enemy territory in search of a magic long thought extinct.
Jonas: Enraged at injustice, a rebel lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people's revolution centuries in the making.
Lucia: A girl adopted at birth into a royal family discovers the truth about her past—and the supernatural legacy she is destined to wield.
Magnus: Bred for aggression and trained to conquer, a firstborn son begins to realize that the heart can be more lethal than the sword. . . .

The only outcome that's certain is that kingdoms will fall. Who will emerge triumphant when all they know has collapsed?

Falling Kingdoms is a truly one-of-a-kind book, from the plot, to the action, to the characters. Morgan Rhodes chose to use the perspectives of multiple characters, which usually leaves the reader confused about what happened last for each character. However, in Falling Kingdoms, each character displays such a unique personality and storyline that it is easy to distinguish one from the other.

Cleo is the passionate, headstrong princess of Auranos. When her sister falls ill to a mysterious illness, she sets off to find a rare magic that might heal her. However, what she didn’t count on are the rebel tracking her every move and an unspoken attraction to her bodyguard.

After tragedy strikes his family, Jonas longs for vengeance against the one who caused it all: Princess Cleo and her betrothed, Lord Aron. His hatred threatens to destroy him as he sacrifices everything for revenge.

Magnus, son and heir of the infamous King of Blood, must remain cold and indifferent to mask his vulnerability—love. Magnus hopes to ensure his rightful place on the throne by hardening his heart. However, will the unmasking of his weakness be his undoing?

Lucia, Magnus’s sister and princess of Limeros, begins to uncover truths about herself as a previously unknown power rises within her. But how can she control her power when she does not know what it is?

Falling Kingdoms combines the elements of a fantasy and an action novel to create a unique, unforgettable story. Manipulative royals vying for control of Mytica, hooking battle scenes, and blossoming romance all take center stage in this book. With the alternating perspectives, readers are never left bored. Each of the characters were fleshed out perfectly, and they all were believable and interesting. Magnus’s perspective was my favorite to read. His calculated, logical plotting in despite of his oppressive father made me turn the pages faster to get back to his perspective. Falling Kingdoms, with its action, adventure, and suspense, left me longing for the next book.