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The Way We Fall By Megan Crewe Published Jan 24, 2012 Review copy: Netgalley Stars: 3 out of 5 A friend once told me that dystopian lit breaks into two categories: During and After. Here, The Way We Fall is a during. We watch as a virus overtakes a small island off the coast of Canada. The problem, for me, is that I prefer After books (Blood Red Road, Divergent, Hunger Games, etc). This one felt on par with others I have read, but more generic. Crewe does not spend a great deal of time on description and because of that, I found myself not really caring about any of the characters. Even though we are reading the MC's diary (written as letters to an old friend) I don't think I understood her motivation for half of her actions. Her relationship with her father was really unclear. Ditto mom. And what is up with the brother? There just is not anything in this novel that will help it stand out in the pack. Anyway, what was really great was the idea that the MC was a natural observer...

Circle 9 by Anne Heltzel Published by Candlewick September 13, 2011 Source: NG Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars Challenge: Netgalley July Have you ever found yourself reading a book and you wish you could find someone else, right now, who is reading the same book? This was like that for me. Stuff happened in this book and I looked up and went "What?!?" This is a book that requires a reading buddy. I was kind of mesmorized by this novel. I just could not put it down. But, I am left kind of empty. Is this the story of Abby and Sam (an unhealthy relationship)? Or is this the story of Addison, and the effects of trauma on us? I am a bit confused. Heltzel has this talent for making the pages turn fast, fast, fast. I was glued to the story, especially when Abby sees her world one way, then blinks and catches a glimpse of "reality". I finished the story more than a little confused, was this a re-telling of a fairy tale? Which one? And how did Abby's mind trick her for so long?...