Eve & Adam

by Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate
When Eve is hit by a car, suffering horrible injuries, her mother pulls her from the hospital as quickly as she can, transferring Eve to her research facility, Spiker Biopharmaceuticals. While recovering, Eve's mother has Eve test a new computer program. Her project? Create the perfect boy. But nothing at Spiker is what it seems, and a strange boy seems to know more secrets than anyone else. Grant & Applegate have written a fast-paced thriller sure to appeal to those who enjoyed The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

Summer YA

In every country, the majority of the world's population lives in States, which provide the
basic necessities for survival plus all the games and shows you could possibly want. Faith
doesn't live in a State, though her all-purpose tablet gives her access to limited shows, news,
schooling, and shopping. While it's usual for families to leave for the State, Faith will stay on
the outside, a mostly abandoned area that encompasses most of the former United States.
There are perks to this existence, from the solace of books in an abandoned elementary
school library to swinging with her best friend. But this school year, things are changing.
A talented young hacker named Hawk has latched onto Faith and is determined to be her
friend. Meanwhile, she's attracted the interest of Wade Quinn, a tall, handsome, unbelievably
athletic guy, and Dylan, who can't keep his eyes off her. On top of this, things keep moving
about Faith's bedroom at night-- entirely based on when she thinks, feels, and desires. Her
ability to control objects with her mind, or pulse, is unusual, and she has no idea where it
came from or what it means. But Faith isn't the only one on the outside with such a talent
and knowledge of her new found skill can only mean trouble.

Patrick Carman honestly portrays strong, realistic relationships that sit comfortably next to
heart-pounding action sequences. The tablets and States of Faith's world are recognizable
as a possibility of our own future and readers who enjoyed MT Anderson's Feed will be
intrigued by Carman’s vision of 2051. This summer, grab Pulse and stretch out on the beach-
- with thrilling action, budding romance, and true friendship, you won’t have any need of a
movie theater.

YA Thriller

 

Daylight Saving by Edward Hogan 

Candlewick, September 11th, 2012

Daniel and his father are spending their vacation at Leisure World, a sports-themed vacation complex. Daniel has no interest in sports or spending time with his depressed and often drunk father. While hanging out by the pond, Daniel sees a mysterious girl who swims beautifully. But each time he sees her, she seems to have accumulated more bruises and cuts-- and her watch ticks backwards. Daniel is drawn to her, and soon he finds mysterious cuts and bruises on his own body. Who is this strange girl? Where did she come from? And is she even alive?

Daniel is a complex character with realistically rendered emotions. Hogan deals with heavy issues including assault, murder, and bullying, so I do recommend ages 14+, but his treatment of these issues is through the eyes of of a teenager, allowing readers to come to terms with them as Daniel does. Gripping and terrifying, Daylight Saving is a thriller you won't want to miss-- or read alone at night.

Not the sort of thing I normally read, but once I started, I couldn't put it down!