The Unwanteds #3: Island of Fire by Lisa McMann

This book is the third in the series, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. Mr. Today is killed by Alex's brother, the land of Artime has disappeared, and two of Alex's best friends are prisoners on Warbler Island, the Island of Silence. A brother and sister have washed ashore, but their thorned collars keep them from talking. Alex must discover the spell to restore Artime before all of the other Unwanteds and Wanteds return to Quill. He must also figure out how to rescue his friends and still deal with his evil brother, who is ruling Quill.

There are many conflicts in the plot of this book, and it's understandable when Alex becomes overwhelmed. The author creates a new internal conflict for him when Alex starts to have feelings for, the sister who came ashore. Lani and Samheed become attracted to each other as they try to survive on Warbler Island. Alex's attempt to rescue them creates a new conflict for book four, and the rescue team finds some new characters who will become the focus in future plots. The author has a wonderful imagination and is able to mix serious events with her sense of humor. She makes the difficulties of being a leader a feature of the plot.

Artemis Fowl #1 by Eoin Colfer

This book is the first in the series, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. Artemis Fowl is a twelve-year-old master criminal, and his family has been in the business for several generations. He does a great deal of research and planning and hatches a plan to steal mythical fairy gold. He kidnaps a lieutenant in the fairy police/military force, and that's when the adventure begins. The fairies send in their top agents, but Artemis always seems to be one step ahead. That's because he is. He's gotten his hands on the fairies' Book and knows all about the rules of their magic. Artemis and the fairies have quite a conflict, and a huge, angry troll is thrown in just to spice things up.

I postponed reading this novel for many years, and it wasn't what I expected. I knew Artemis was a criminal, but I didn't realize the plot was a fantasy. There aren't many novels around with criminals who are this young. I enjoyed the way Artemis was always prepared for the strategies of the fairies, but I also liked how the commander became unpredictable in order to compete with him. I liked that a couple of the characters showed some compassion for their enemies, so no one is all bad.

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

I read an advanced copy of this book, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. Cia is chosen to attend The Testing in Tosu City, the first step in choosing future leaders of the country. However, her father, who went through the testing process himself, warns her that she should not trust anyone. His memories of The Testing have been erased, but he has flashes of disturbing dreams. Cia believes his dreams may be memories when some other students disappear, and her roommate commits suicide. She realizes the officials probably witnessed the death and could have stopped it, but didn't. Why not? After passing the first three phases of testing, Cia is left 700 miles from Tosu City, in the devastated, post-war wilderness, and must find a way to survive the trek back. She will face barren land, natural dangers, mutated animals, and attacks from other candidates in The Testing. Surviving The Testing is her only job.

The second half of the book is similar to The Hunger Games; kids are trying to survive a competition that the government is watching,  while representing their home colonies. Cia has a love interest who complicates things, and she's never fully sure who she can trust. The author creates conflicts between characters, with nature, and the government. There are people who don't agree with The Testing, but it just adds to Cia's confusion. Overall, an entertaining, interesting book.

Gregor the Overlander #1 by Suzanne Collins

This book is the first in The Underland Chronicles series, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. Gregor follows his two-year-old sister, Boots, into an air vent, and they're carried to a land deep within the earth. He's met by giant cockroaches, bats, spiders, and rats, and he discovers that his missing father may be down there. The Underland humans tell Gregor that there is a prophecy about a great warrior from the Overland who will lead a quest to end the war with the rats. The prophecy isn't clear, but Gregor knows that he must try to free his father from the rats.

This book was written by the same author as The Hunger Games, but the similarities end there. You'll hate this book if you don't like talking animals. The plot moved along quickly, but the climax wasn't easily predictable. Boots was a very interesting character as her personality shifted between a child in her Terrible Twos to an ambassador of good will between all living creatures. There are four more books in the series.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane #2 by Suzanne Collins

This book is the second in The Underland Chronicles series, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. Gregor and Boots, his two-year-old sister, return to the Underworld only to discover that Gregor is part of a prophecy. It is foretold that a giant, white rat, the Bane, is rising, and it will kill all of the Underlanders. The prophecy says that Gregor is the one who must kill it. Gregor is no killer, but he realizes that he must go on the quest to save all of the innocent creatures living underground. He sets out with his bat, Ares, his sister, and others in search of Bane, deep in a maze of tunnels. They encounter sea monsters, meat-eating insects, and deadly rats, but Gregor is shocked when he finally finds Bane. He must quickly rethink his quest when he meets up with the terrifying creature described in the prophecy.

You must read these books in order. The author is able to create a great deal of suspense and adventure as the characters travel on their quest. There are dangers that they must face, but the characters also have conflicts with each other. Boots adds some humor and gentleness to the plot. Unlike most novels, some of the main characters do not return at the end of the story. This book was written by the same author as The Hunger Games trilogy, although this book has nothing in common with it.

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods #3 by Suzanne Collins

This book is the third in The Underland Chronicles, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. Gregor receives a message that a deadly plague is spreading throughout the Underland, and his bonded bat, Ares, was the first creature infected. Gregor must travel back underground with his two-year-old sister, Boots, but his mom insists she's coming too. Mom gets infected with the plague too, so Gregor, Boots, Ripred, and others head out into the Underland in search of a plant found only in the middle of a dangerous jungle. There is tension between the rats and humans during the journey, and a character presumed dead joins the group as a guide. A huge surprise awaits once they reach the life-saving plants, and the truth of the situation is impossible to believe.

The plot of this book is much like the first two books in the series. The mysterious guide was an interesting twist to the situation, but the actual source of the plague was the true hit of this book. It deals with the length humans will go to when they are at war. Although it's hard to believe, there are countries in the world doing this exact thing.

Gregor and the Marks of Secret #4 by Suzanne Collins

This book is the fourth in The Underland Chronicles series, and I gave it a rating of five out of five. Gregor is talking to Luxa when she is given a gold crown from the mice. The crown is a signal that the mice need immediate help, so Gregor and Luxa set out to discover what is going on. However, they find a dead mouse at the meeting place and can't find mice living anywhere else. They've disappeared. When a basket of mice babies is found and brought to Regalia, the duo once again sets out in search of the missing mice. This time, they find a mark on a cave wall and are informed that it means death. They return to the treacherous jungle but are forced to travel underground instead of heading home. The secret tunnel leads them to a terrifying discovery about the plight of the mice. The entire population of mice, and all other living things in the Underland, may be doomed if Gregor and Luxa don't do something soon!

It's been interesting in this series how the author keeps Gregor and Boots in every plot, but the other characters come and go. This book sees the return of a few characters found in earlier plots, and the relationship between Gregor and Luxa is changing. The theme of this book also explores the notion that the only way to have peace is through the use of war. A character in the previous book said that nothing good ever comes from war; it only creates more anger. Gregor and Luxa must rethink this idea. The resolution of this plot seems to lead right into a major battle for Regalia in book five.