Cress

Meyer, Marissa. Cress. New York, New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2014. Print.

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction: The first two books in the Lunar Chronicles were so well written I couldn't help but read Cress.  Many of the characters in this series are loosely based on fairy tale characters, Cress being Rapunzel.  She has been trapped on a satellite for most of her life by the queen's right hand Sybil Mira.  Cress escapes the satellite with the help of Cinder, Thorne, and goes with them to find her father, Dr. Erland. 

This book was such a great and exciting, fast paced novel.  There was adventure and romance and above all, hope for the people of Luna.  Meyer successfully told another wonderful story of adventure and friendship.  She leaves a cliff hanger where we find Princess Winter keeping Scarlet in her palace, now waiting for Winter to be published next year.

Author Facts: One of Marissa Meyer's first words was story and her favorite childhood toy was a book so it is no wonder she became an author.  She and her husband have three cats.  Se also loves playing dress up, watching Firefly reruns and eating Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. 

Author Website: http://www.marissameyer.com/

Feed

Anderson, M. (2002). Feed. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Cyberpunk/Science Fiction

Personal Reaction: Many times the language chosen and style of writing can save or destroy a novel for me.  Unfortunately, the constant use of "like", "meg" and "null" made it difficult to take the text too seriously.  While I understand what Anderson was attempting to do in Feed by creating his own slang, I found it forced and difficult to appreciate.

In the story Titus and Violet become boyfriend and girlfriend and Violet's "feed" becomes damaged.  In this time period one's feed is like their smart phone attached to their brain, it keeps track of all information and helps control body functions and systems.  Eventually Violet dies and Titus is left alone, attempting to detach from the feed.  In time I found myself appreciating the plot, though if I had not been required to read this for class it is unlikely I would have continued to do so.

Author Facts: MT Anderson has written books for all ages, though is most known for the required reading, Feed.  He is a terrible swimmer, despite having spent a better portion of his childhood swimming with his sister.  When he is not writing, Anderson loves to hike and travel exotic places. 

Author Website:  http://www.mt-anderson.com/