Books, books, books

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
 "The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together." (Description from Goodreads.com)

So, you might not know that I have a 4-year old. So, I'm a full-time mom and a part-time library aide. It's great because I get out of the house and E gets to have fun at daycare. Also, doubly great is that I get to talk about books and see what's coming through the system. I discovered this series just that way. I saw the book come through and thoughts, wow, that sounds like a good book.

From start to the final page the books have been just amazing. I feel that a lot of series try and fail to do what the Still Blue did. Rossi wrote an entire series on the human condition showing real emotions on friendship, life, death and love. Not just pushing the story ahead for the sake or pairing/killing people for shock value. 

The book make you question what you would do if faced with making decisions that effect 100's of others. How would you be if faced with saving yourself or saving an entire group of people? How would you react after losing a loved one and move on for the sake of your survival? 

I just loved the feeling, emotions and thoughts this book and this series brought out in me. Too many times YA is put down because it's for Young Adults. Or just for girls or too dark. Clearly, they're not reading the right books and right series. In darkness you can find light and the understanding of the true human condition. 

This book is the third book in the series. I would recommend starting with book one, Under the Never Sky. Rossi also has offered novelas set between the books. Into the Still Blue will be available on January 28, 2014. I was lucky enough to read an ARC (advance reader copy).

 The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

"Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides— especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own.

Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive." (Description from Goodreads.com)

I would describe this book as psychological thriller mixed with a dash of supernatural in a YA setting. It was one of the best books I have read in 2013. I couldn't put it down and it kept me guessing. If you're prone to flip ahead for a snippet here or there...DON'T. You don't want to ruin the ending and how you get there.

I just learned that this will be a new series. I'm looking forward to see where Barnes next take the characters.