Coda blogged by Brianna C.

Coda by Emma Trevayne

3 hours

The book is about a society where special modified  music is issued by the government as a drug. This is the only music people are allowed to listen to. The main character named Anthem is in a secret band. Through this band he tries to expose others to real music.

House of the Scorpion blogged by Nashir R.

House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer 

4 hours

So I finished the book House of the Scorpion and finally Matt (the main character) has gotten justice and the treatment he deserves from the maids but the kids of the big house are still treating him badly. They would tell him to play a game but trick him into doing something humiliating. Matt was finally returned back to Maria his original guardian and caretaker. I really liked the book because it shows stereotypes and how if you don't look or act or even in Matt's case born like everyone else or how people want you to be you would be mistreated.  

The Testing blogged by Callista M.

Hours Read: 11hrs 45min
The book I would like to report on: The Testing
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Genre: YA Dystopian
Rating: Four and a Half Stars

Summary:
Malencia “Cia” Vale has always yearned for the chance to prove herself and leave her mark on the world. To do this, she must be selected as one of the best and brightest among all of the United Commonwealth's colonies and sent to Tosu City where those chosen undergo the mysterious Testing method. The only way for a student to continue their education after secondary school is by attending the University which only accepts those who pass the Testing process.

On her graduation day, Cia wishes for nothing more than to be accepted into the Testing program just like her father had been many years before. Luckily, her wish is granted, so Cia, as well as three others from her colony are transported to Tosu City. Before her departure, Cia receives strange words of warning from her father about trusting others in the Testing program.
As the tests get harder and increasingly more dangerous, Cia must carefully decide who to trust because if she chooses wrong, her life will pay the price. The Testing transforms into a game of survival that pushes some candidates beyond their limits. Cia holds her allies close as she attempts to play fair, but others are willing to kill to get to the top.

Review:
Normally, I am not a huge fan of dystopian novels, but The Testing was a breath of fresh air. The post-war, fractured colony setting seemed almost perfect with everyone working together to restore the barren land. Slowly the book reveals the flaws in  the society rather than all at once. Readers who enjoyed Divergent and  The Hunger Games will love the similarities between  the popular novels and The Testing.  There are not enough similarities to consider The Testing a blatant rip-off, but rather an amazing combination of the two worlds. Well-written, and full of original ideas, The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau is a groundbreaking book that has the potential to become the next big thing.

Crossed blogged by Sidney B.

Crossed by Allyson Braithwaite Condie

In this book the main characters are Ky and Cassia (this is the sequel to Matched) who have a forbidden love (in their society someone picks who you marry and they won't supposed to marry).  They were separated but find each other again. After they find each other they join The Resistance (a group that fights the very controlling society).