The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I have enjoyed all of John Green's books, so I just knew I would like this one before I even got it in my hands. I was not disappointed. I remember wanting to read An Abundance of Katherines because I was intrigued by the idea of a guy trying to use a mathematical formula to understand why he always gets dumped by girls name Katherine. After reading Looking for Alaska, I was hooked.

After reading the synopsis, a co-worker of mine said this book sounded depressing. I get that - I mean the book is about teens who have cancer. But the characters lift the story above what could be a dark tale. They are trying to be regular teens who not defined by their disease. This is not always easy when they have frequent doctor visits, constant physical limitations and parents who, out of love and concern, hover over them with worried expressions and fear of what may happen to their children.

At the center of the story, we have Hazel who needs assistance to breathe because her lungs are very weak. She meets Augustus at a support group. Their growing relationship drives the story. They become closer through Hazel's favorite book that leaves her with too many unanswered questions. Contacting the author to find those answers becomes a key point for them. Through it all they deal with a disease that could turn on them at any point.

Click here for more info about this book from the Indianapolis Public Library. 

Dark Parties by Sara Grant

Neva believes there is something beyond the Protectosphere, the large clear dome that covers the Homeland. The government denies that anything exists beyond the dome, but Neva's grandmother (one of the Missing) told her of the old days and what might be outside their world.

Neva and her friend Sanna want answers and plan to stage a small rebellion. They know things are changing. People disappear with no explanation and procreation is encouraged to help sustain the population.

And then there is Ethan who has not been the same since he was taken away by the police. He is no longer the guy Neva liked so much. For him, questioning the government is no longer an option. The attention of Braydon, Sanna's boyfriend, only confuses Neva more.

Is there another world beyond the Protectsphere? Neva hopes so, but she is not sure she has the courage to go that far.

For more info about this book from the Indianapolis Public Library catalog or visit Sara Grant's website.

The Death Cure by James Dashner

This was a great end to this trilogy. The problem for me is that I cannot say too much specific about this book without spoiling it for you, and you really need to start at the beginning with the first book, the Maze Runner.

In Maze Runner, a group of kids live in a large field enclosed by high walls. They are not there by choice and have no memory of ever living anywhere else. The field is part of a large maze that is inhabited by large frightening creatures designed to kill. Escape is the hope that drives some of the kids to become runners and face the obstacles in the maze.

The second book, the Scorch Trials, finds some of the kids making their way across a barren landscape and avoiding those who have caught a horrible disease called the Flare that drives them mad.

By the third book it is hard to know who the main characters can even trust. They have been manipulated so many times and had their memories erased. When things finally seem to be going their way, something always seems to happens to hamper their attempt to finally be free of the horrible world they have been living in.

Click here for more info about this book from the Indianapolis Public Library.