Showing posts with label Science Fiction. Show all posts

1984 by George Orwell

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Publish Date: July 1950
ISBN: 0451524934
Page #: 336pp
Reading Level: Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction/Classic

Subjects: Dystopia, Government, London, Politics, Rebellion, Romance, Satire, Totalitarianism

Annotation:

1984 is a warning against centralized government but also against apathy and propaganda. The phrase "big brother is watching you" comes from this classic novel.

Summary:

It is 1984 and the world is divided into three countries that include the entire globe: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. All three of these countries are a totalitarian society led by Big Brother, which censors everyone’s behavior, including their thoughts. Winston Smith lives in London, which is part of the country Oceania. He has become disgusted with the way things are and is tired of living his oppressed lifestyle as he longs to join the fabled Brotherhood, an underground society of rebels who have intent on overthrowing the government. In his endeavors, Winston meets a girl named Julia and they fall in love, though they have to keep this a secret as it is considered a crime. Winston and Julia learn the hard way about who to trust and who not to upon being introduced into the Brotherhood which leads them down a path of despair.

Megan says:

George Orwell is one of those authors who was clearly ahead of his time. 1984 is a fascinating look at a possible future, even in today's world. Written as adult fiction back in 1949, I feel teens will love this dystopia tale as it is not only revelant in our time but a classic of all time. One that everyone should read and experience. In fact, 1984 has been the source of inspiration for many novels, movies, and ideas in general.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

1984 Movie Trailer
1984 Apple's Macintosh Commercial
The complete works of 1984 George Orwell

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publish Date: October 2006
ISBN: 0060850523
Page #: 288pp
Reading Level: Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction/Classic

Subjects: Alienation, Collectivism, Drugs, Dystopia, Genetic Engineering, Rock Music, Satire, Sex, Totalitarianism

Annotation:

Picture the future if science ran berserk, where people are not born, but made in test tubes, and are fed subliminal messages throughout their institutionalized upbringing. Welcome to a Brave New World, where old things are encouraged to be thrown out, "ending is better then mending."

Summary:

Written in 1932, Brave New World features a dystopian future, where the world is regulated and happy. People are conditioned from conception to fill and be satisfied with a particular niche in society. After work, they're given a variety of pleasures to keep them happy and satisfied. Told in various character viewpoints, the story evaluates the tragedy and pain of life as a necessary component of humanity.

Megan says:

Aldous Huxley's amazingly prescient novel of a future dystopia is brilliantly written. I found that the story had raised some very interesting questions about society, ones that could be pondered in today's world. The fun thing about this book is that there are different main characters throughout. One person's story seamlessly becomes another person's story, all coming together to show us what a Brave New World would be like. Teens who like science fiction who absolutely LOVE this classic story!

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brave New World? A Defense of Paradise-Engineering

Aldous Huxley's Mind Control and Depopulation Interview (Part 1 of 3) - look in the description area.

Aldous Huxley's Mind Control and Depopulation Interview (Part 2 of 3) - look in the description area.

Aldous Huxley's Mind Control and Depopulation Interview (Part 3 of 3) - look in the description area.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

By: Scott Westerfeld
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Publish Date: October 2007
ISBN: 1416951172
Page #: 432pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction

Series Title: Uglies Series
Uglies (2005)
Pretties (2005)
Specials (2007)
Extras (2007)

Subjects: Dystopia, Friendship, Plastic Surgery, Popularity.

Annotation:

Aya Fuse is a kicker in her city, where everyone has a feed (similar to social networking).In order for her to enhance her popularity and status she must kick an unbelievable story. Aya attempts to track a group of girls who are doing daring and adventurous things, so she can kick their story, but in the process discovers a dangerous secret.

Summary:

This is a companion book the Uglies trilogy. Instead of following Tally Youngblood we follow Aya Fuse. Even though Tally is no longer the main character, she still appears in the book in a major role. Ava is a normal fifteen year old “Ugly” who’s face rank is extremely low, making her an “Extra.” Your face-rank allows you to do and have the most exciting things. Ava is set out to be a part of that and her way to fame as a kicker, someone who finds and reports on the best stories in their world. As she sets out to this, she finds herself meeting a group of girls who want to remain under the radar and the adventure begins leading her all the way to Ms. Tally Youngblood.

Megan says:

Extras is not really a fourth book to the Uglies Series, but it is an extension of the story and therefore worth reading. Especially due to the fact that Tally Youngblood makes an ever so famous appearance! Teens who couldn't get enough of the Uglies MUST read Extras!

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Scott Westerfeld Website
Scott Westerfeld Blog
Scott Westerfeld on Extras

Jumper by Steven Gould

Publisher: Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
Publish Date: October 1993
ISBN: 0812522370
Page #: 352pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Jumper Series
Jumper (1993)
Reflex (2005)
Griffin's Story (2008)

Subjects: Abuse, Romance, Teleportation, Terrorism

Annotation:

The sudden discovery of his teleportation ability saves teenager David Rice "Davy" from his abusive alcoholic father and ignites a new and exciting lifestyle in a New York City.

Summary:

When David “Davy” Rice was 12, his mother left him in the care of his abusive drunken father. Hurting from the mental and physical wounds inflicted upon him by his father, Davy is determined to get away. He discovers his power of teleportation. He jumps to New York City to settle and begin his own life. Unable to get a job because of his lack of identification documents, he decides to get money through more questionable means. With government agents hot on his heels and a great girlfriend by his side, Davy’s mental and physical battles escalate. Only one thing is keeping him and his girlfriend out of the government’s hands and that is his ability to teleport.

Megan says:

Teleportation is hardly a new idea in the scope of science fiction, but it is written very realistically by Steven Gould in this adolescent science fiction thriller. The story examines how a troubled, abused adolescent with a decent amount of intelligence and reasonable morals would react to having the ability to teleport. This was an exciting read and I feel teens who love adventure stories will definitely enjoy Jumper.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

Jumper Official Movie Trailer

Maximum Ride Volume 1, Manga by James Patterson, NaRae Lee (Artist)

Maximum Ride, Volume 1, Manga by James Patterson, NaRae Lee (Artist)

Publisher: Orbit/Yen
Publish Date: January 2009
ISBN: 0759529515
Page #: 256pp
Reading Level: Young Adult
Classification: Manga
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure

Series: The Maximum Ride Series
The Angel Experiment (2007)
Schools Out-Forever (2007)
Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports (2008)
Max: A Maximum Ride Novel (2009)

Manga Series:
Maximum Ride, Volume 1, Manga (2009)
Maximum Ride, Volume 2, Manga (October 2009)

Subjects: Adventure, Kidnapping, Mutant, Mystery, New York City.

Annotation:

At first glance Max might look like an average fourteen-year-old girl, but you'll quickly realize that she's anything but ordinary, she has wings and so do her friends.

Summary:

This is a faithful retelling of the bestselling series, Maximum Ride. The dramatic art make the adaptations of the characters and the places appealing and dynamic. Maximum Ride (Max for short) is fourteen years old and has bigger problems then most teenage girls, she has wings. Luckily she is not alone as her flock: Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel all have wings too. For the most part they are all pretty ordinary, that is if you count staying away from "The School," a secret government lab that has erased their memories and turned them into human/bird creations, ordinary. When the youngest member of the flock, Angel is captured by one of the mad scientist and is being held captive, the rest of the flock sets out to rescue her. Along the ride, Max learns of her sole purpose for her creation, to save the world.

Megan says:

Fans of the Patterson series featuring Maximum Ride, the genetically manipulated bird girl and her family, are in for a treat with this manga edition. The artwork is stunning and close to what I pictured after reading the novel. Recently, due to a school project, I just became a manga fan so when I heard Maximum Ride was going manga I was thrilled! If you haven't read the previous novels that the manga is based upon, have no fear, the story is easy to follow, and before you know it, you'll be hooked and eager for Vol. 2!

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

James Patterson Website
The Official Maximum Ride Website
Maximum Ride Website

Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Publish Date: March 2005

ISBN: 0060519533

Page#: 304pp

Reading Level: Young Adult

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction/Supernatural

Series: The Midnighters Series

Secret Hour (Midnighters Series #1) (2005)

Touching Darkness (Midnighters Series #2) (2006)

Blue Moon (Midnighters Series #3) (2007)

Subjects: Adventure, Courage, Magic.

Annotation:

When the clock strikes midnight in Bixby, Oklahoma the time freezes, becoming a secret hour in which no one can move, no one except for a particular group of people called Midnighters who hunt the dark creatures that haunt the shadows.

Summary:

Jessica Day and her family have just moved to Bixby, Oklahoma from Chicago. Just as she settles into school she is sought out by the Midnighters: Dess, Melissa, and Rex who seem to see something about her, something Jessica hadn’t really been aware of before. Apparently she is a Midnighter. Those born exactly at midnight each day in Bixby have a twenty-fifth hour tinged in blue where time stands still for everyone else, apart from them. Each Midnighter has a distinct strength or power unique to them. They are not alone during this extra hour at midnight. In fact, they share this hour with the dark creatures that loom and haunt the shadows. Both groups have co-existed by staying away from each other, that is until Jess arrives. For some reason there is something different about Jess that the dark creatures do not like and the Midnighters are soon under pressure to discover why Jess is so different.

Megan says:

I love anything Scott Westerfeld does. After reading the Uglies series I decided to read the Midnighters Series, in which left me feeling even more praise to Mr. Westerfeld. The first book to the Midnighters Series, Secret Hour, was thrilling. Anyone who loves Westerfeld’s work will enjoy this series as well as any paranormal/horror-fiction fans. Just be prepared to start the second book, as Secret Hour leaves the reader wanting more.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Scott Westerfeld Website

Midnighters Fan Book Trailer

The Compound by S.A Bodeen

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publish Date: April 2008

ISBN: 0312370156

Page #: 256pp

Reading Level: Young Adults

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction/Real Life

Subjects: Apocalyptic, Deception, Family, Family Politics, Survival, Twins, Voigts, War

Annotation:

After the nuclear attack, Eli and his family have been living in a Compound his father had built for six years. When they start to run out of food supplies and Eli gets the internet working he finds that his father may be holding them captive, not protecting them.

Summary:

Billionaire Rex Yanakakis has created a Compound, a three-story underground shelter that will house the family for 15 years in the event of a nuclear war. When that actually happens, not everyone in Eli’s family makes it in, Gram and Eli’s twin brother Eddy are left out because they did not make it in the allotted forty minutes. Now, Eli has been living in the Compound for six years and things start to go wrong not only with their food supply but also with living in the Compound in general. Eli begins to realize his father may have been lying to them all and he gets the internet to work all his suspicions are confirmed and his twin brother is alive. Eli has to figure out why his father would do this and how to save his family and get out of this Compound.

Megan says:

I found this story to be both suspenseful and riveting as it depicts deep philosophical questions on serious issues about what it means to survive; specifically, what are the ultimate boundaries of utilitarian ethics? Where do you draw the line between living and surviving? This story really made me think about a lot issues in society as a whole. On one hand I felt for Eli and pretty much was with him the entire ride, but on the other hand I took the time to see through the fathers eyes, which made this story very interesting as he was mad in the sense of being crazy. I would recommend The Compound to teens who like to read about real life family drama with suspense and apocalyptic attributes.

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Publish Date: May 2008
ISBN: 0316068047
Page #: 624pp
Reading Level: Adult
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction

Subjects: Aliens, Body Snatchers, Friendship, Humanity, Love Triangle, Relationships, Romance.

Annotation:

The Earth has been invaded by alien species that use humans as host, taking over their bodies and killing their souls. When Wanderer takes over Melanie Stryder's body, Melanie refuses to leave, causing Wanderer to contemplate using humans as host.

Annotation:

The Host begins with the possession of an alien Soul by the name of Wanderer into the human body of Melanie Stryder. Wanderer must relay Melanie's elusive memories to the Seekers of the Soul society, as it is their job to locate all humans not yet hosting a Soul. However, Melanie does not vacate her body as she should have, leaving a conscious presence in the body that is no longer hers. This causes problems as Wanderer starts accepting Melanie's memories, growing to love Melanie's family, and for the first time anguishes over whether taking over human host was a good idea.

Megan says:

Naturally after reading the Twilight Saga I became OBSESSED with Stephenie Meyer's genius storytelling skills. The Host is published as an adult novel, though teens who loved the Twilight Saga will not be able to resist, and really they shouldn't. This is a fun science fiction romance about alien body snatchers and it almost wouldn't be a Stephenie Meyer story with a complex love triangle. The story takes a while to get into but once you do it is mind blowing! I highly recommend this to older teens, especially my Twilight girls!

Stars: ★ ★ ★ ★

Stephenie Meyer Website

Stephenie Meyer The Host Interview
The Host unofficial book trailer made by a fan
Courtney Lerner's Book Trailer for The Host!

Recently Released: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

PLOT: Fifteen-year-old Laurel has led a sheltered, homeschooled life in a very small town, so when her parents decide to move and enroll her in high school, she has trouble getting used to her new life. A life, as it turns out, that’s not at all like those of other kids. One clear sign is a winglike blossom that blooms on her back. Oh, and her new best friend, the scientifically minded David, reveals under a microscope that her cells are more plant than animal. But it takes an encounter at her old home with the handsome but decidedly different Tamani to convince her that she is a faerie. She also learns it’s up to her to save her land from the evil influences that are trying to take it away from her and her family. This first novel is clearly designed to attract the Twilight set, though there’s significantly less edge (and blood). There is, however, a familiar triangle. Will Laurel choose solid, steady David, or will she be unable to resist Tamani’s lure? Stay tuned. Fine escapist fare, this neatly mixes the everyday with the otherworldly.

Recently Released: The Awakening by Kelly Armstrong

PLOT: If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl—someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I'm as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment—not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a sinister organization called the Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I'm a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control; I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever. Now I'm running for my life with three of my supernatural friends—a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch—and we have to find someone who can help us before the Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.

Recently Released: Cathy's Ring by Sean Stewart

PLOT: Plucky, impulsive, go-get-'em-girl Cathy Vickers and her immortal boyfriend Victor are back with a half-assed bang in the series's third and (let's hope) final installment. Fans know the recipe already, with the story taking the form of Cathy's journal, complete with drawings, real phone numbers and websites meant to heighten readers' experience. This time, however, the plot feels thinner on thrills and heavier on convenient twists. The story: Cathy and company vow to take down the evil Ancestor Lu, who plots to destroy her family. The drama: Cathy tests Vincent's love when she's caught making out with Denny, her trustworthy human sidekick and the protective brother of slutty, two-faced Jewel, who stole Cathy's purse in the second book.

Recently Released: Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

PLOT: Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude. When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?

Waiting for Mind-Rain by Scott Westerfeld Publish Date: June 1, 2009

PLOT: In Extras, the last book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series, Aya tells us that when Tally Youngblood made the mind-rain fall, it cured all the pretties and changed the world forever. But Tally and her friends did more than change their world; they changed ours too. Mind-Rain continues what Tally started, with startling, funny and insightful essays on the world, characters and ideas of the Uglies series, plus the short story that inspired Westerfeld to write the books in the first place. Think you know everything about Tally's world? After Mind-Rain, you'll never look at the Uglies series the same way again.

Waiting for Generations Dead: Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters Publish Date: May 12, 2009

PLOT: The phenomenon that's been sweeping the country seems to be here to stay. Not only are the teenagers who have come back from their graves still here, but newlydeads are being unearthed all the time. While scientists look for answers and politicians take their stands, the undead population of Oakville have banded together in a group they're calling the Sons of Romero, hoping to find solidarity in segregation. Phoebe Kendall may be alive, but she feels just as lost and alone as her dead friends. Just when she reconciled herself to having feelings for a zombie -- her Homecoming date Tommy Williams -- her friend Adam is murdered taking a bullet that was meant for her. Things get even more confusing when Adam comes back from the grave. Now she has romantic interest in two dead boys; one who saved her life, and one she can't seem to live without.

Waiting for Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog Publish Date: June 23, 2009

PLOT: A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it. Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobody expected Cam to live, and nobody expected his biological brother, heir to the fairy throne, to die. But both things happened, and now the fairies want Cam back to take his rightful place as Fairy King. Even as Cam physically changes, becoming more miserable each day, he and Morgan pledge to fool the fairies and stay together forever. But by the time Cam has to decide once and for all what to do, Morgan’s no longer sure what’s best for everyone, or whether her and Cam’s love can weather an uncertain future.

Waiting for Cathing Fire by Suzanne Collins Publish Date: September 01, 2009

Soon to be reviewed: The Beats: A Graphic History

PLOT: In The Beats: A Graphic History, those who were mad to live have come back to life through artwork as vibrant as the Beat movement itself. Told by the comic legend Harvey Pekar, his frequent artistic collaborator Ed Piskor, and a range of artists and writers, including the feminist comic creator Trina Robbins and the Mad magazine artist Peter Kuper, The Beats takes us on a wild tour of a generation that, in the face of mainstream American conformity and conservatism, became known for its determined uprootedness, aggressive addictions, and startling creativity and experimentation. What began among a small circle of friends in New York and San Francisco during the late 1940s and early 1950s laid the groundwork for a literary explosion, and this striking anthology captures the storied era in all its incarnations—from the Benzedrine-fueled antics of Kerouac, Ginsberg, and Burroughs to the painting sessions of Jay DeFeo’s disheveled studio, from the jazz hipsters to the beatnik chicks, from Chicago’s College of Complexes to San Francisco’s famed City Lights bookstore. Snapshots of lesser-known poets and writers sit alongside frank and compelling looks at the Beats’ most recognizable faces. What emerges is a brilliant collage of—and tribute to—a generation, in a form and style that is as original as its subject.