Legend by Marie Lu

Now known as the Republic, the Western United States is at constant war with the Colonies. In this dystopian world, the elite classes hold all the advantages of power, education, and knowledge. Those from the slums struggle to get by and are constantly being quarantined because of the mysterious plague.

June, a gifted student and child of the elite, is headed for promotion in the Republic’s military. Day, forced into hiding at a young age, is now a wanted criminal fighting to survive in the slums. In spite of their very different lives, these two young people cross paths when June’s brother Metias is killed. Day is the prime suspect and June is determined to find him, but her hunt brings up new questions. Soon both Day and June are caught in a fight against something bigger than they know how to handle.

I read Legend around the same time as Divergent and I have to say it was the more powerful story for me. I preferred Lu’s characters and the intrigue of her dystopian world. The plagues and quarantine hit a little close to home reading this in the midst of a pandemic, but maybe I felt more of a connection. Although this is not my favorite genre, I enjoyed Legend and intend to continue on with the series.

Recommended ages--12 and up

Race the Sands by Sarah Best Durst

In Becar, your actions in your current life predict who you will be in the next. However, the kehok, monsters considered the lowest and most degenerate life forms, have little hope for change. Unless, they win the Races. This story follows two determined women and an extraordinary kehok in their quest to win. Tamra, a disgraced kehok rider and trainer, needs to win to save her home and daughter. Raia looks to the races as a way to escape an oppressive family and fiance. But no one needs to win more than the wild kehok Raia will be riding.

Sarah Beth Durst is one of my favorite authors and as usual she does an excellent job with Race the Sands. The characterization is deep and intriguing, the story captivating, and the world building amazing. This story will help you escape to a different world, but still holds life lessons to which you can relate. Great entertainment!

Recommended ages--12 and up

Not if I Save You First by Ally Carter

Maddie and Logan are best friends, but when your best friend is the president’s son and your dad is a Secret Service agent, life can be complicated. After stopping an attempted kidnapping of the first lady leaves him injured, Maddie’s dad takes her to the lonely wilds of Alaska. Maddie spends six years with only her father and the wilderness for company. During that time, Maddie becomes strong and self-sufficient, but she can’t shake the hurt she feels over years of unanswered letters to Logan.

Now Logan is back and Maddie is not ready to forgive him. However, when a kidnapper drags Logan into the Alaskan woods, she feels it is a family duty to save him. Maddie is clever and survival smart, but will she be strong enough to get out of the hardest situation she has ever faced? This story by Ally Carter has a little something for everyone. It includes survival, intrigue, friendship, and even a little romance, but everything stays clean and age appropriate. I can recommend this for teen and tween readers as a quick, entertaining book.

Recommended ages--12 and up