The Hunt: Hiding Among Hunters

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda 

Why did I read it?

In the past, my boss has mentioned that she doesn't like violent books, but her current love of young adult dystopian novels, which he really wants me to read, would suggest otherwise hehe.

What happened?

Gene is your typical teenage kid; he'd rather not be in the spotlight, and he'd rather not stick out. But, for Gene, it is a matter of survival. See, he is not like everyone around him. Everyone else has sharp fangs, heightened senses, and an insatiable thirst for 'heper' blood. Even though Gene looks just like them, even wearing a set of fake fangs, he would be ripped to shreds within a minute if 'people' knew the truth.

So, when Gene is selected for The Heper Hunt, a rare opportunity to hunt down and feast on the flesh of the last remaining hepers on earth, he is less than ecstatic. How is he supposed to stay on the down-low if every eye at The Institution is thirsting and craving for fresh heper flesh? Especially since most 'people' weren't chosen for the honor of participating in the hunt, and have an even higher lust for a fresh heper...

And then there are the 'hepers' about to be hunted. While Gene would like to think he is somehow separate from them, having lived with civilized 'people,' things might not be at all what they seem.

What did I like or not like?

Have you ever noticed that many dystopian books read the same? Now, don't get me wrong! I absolutely love this genre. Young people trapped in an unfair world are forced to accomplish some goal for the betterment of society; no matter the cost!

This one has all those great, essential elements, but a human is surrounded by vampires ready to devour him at the slightest slip-up, and consequently, this is just a fantastic, chilling, suspenseful read.

P.S. Just like The Testing, I'm definitely going to finish this series. In fact, what is this book in my bag that I brought to the Idaho Library Association Annual Conference? Oh yeah, its The Prey, the second one in the series lol.

The Testing: What If the Tests are Deadly?

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau 

Why did I read it?

Because Miss Karen compared it to a combination of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Divergent...nuf said. 

What happened?

Cia Vale has always wanted to attend The University. To be counted among the chosen few destined to rebuild the war-scarred world left after the Seven Stages War. She loves her family, and she has been successful helping her father and brothers revitalize the land surrounding her small colony. But, she has always hoped against hope that she would be chosen for The Testing upon graduation.

The Testing is the first step toward attending The University. Officials from Tosu City evaluate the merits of each school graduate, and invite the elite to participate in a series of tests. These tests determine who has true leadership potential and should therefore move onto The University. While no one has been chosen from her colony in many years, Cia is elated when she and three other graduates are chosen from her colony.

But, Cia's happiness quickly turns to concern when her father shares some of his worries. All Testing candidates do have their memories erased at the conclusion of the tests. But, Cia's father warns her that his fragmented memories and nightmares of The Testing contain unspeakable horror, death, and Testing candidates pitted against each other. With her expectations set on edge, Cia leaves all that she knows behind and heads toward whatever horror or honor The Testing contains...

What did I like or not like?

This book is really, really readable. You are immediately drawn into the characters and the world that Charbonneau has created. Just like Miss Karen promised, this book does contain similar elements to The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Divergent. But, it is definitely its own story, complete with great characters, chilling action and consequences, and mystery.

Like most Young Adult novels published at this time, this one is the beginning of a series, and I'm definitely going to need to keep reading this story.