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SALT LAKE CITY -- Are you tired of all the fuss about vampires and werewolves? Are you desperate to find a good book to read that actually has literary value? Then the young adult books on this list may be just for you.
10. "The Chronicles of Vladimer Todd," by Heather Brewer
Appealing to boys and girls, this series will have you hooked from the first page. Yes, it is a vampire series, but it is action-oriented and mysterious. The story follows Vlad through his high school career and richly details the problems he faces as a vampire.
9. "Eragon," by Christopher Poloni
Hailed as a classic by many reviewers, "Eragon" is also action-packed. The story line evolves around a young man named Eragon and his interactions with dragons. A must read for those in desperate need of a vampire break.
8. "City of Bones" series, by Cassandra Clare
This is a fast-paced book that is dedicated to telling the story of the Shadowhunters, warriors who are devoted to eliminating all the demons in the world. Fifteen-year-old Clary is suddenly a target for a demon, and the Shadowhunters are curious to know why a demon would be interested in such a small girl. The plot line in the book is complex but definitely rewarding.
7. "Leviathan," by Scott Westerfield
From the best-selling author of "Uglies" comes a gripping tale about World War I. Leviathan is a massive airship that resembles a whale and has its own eco system. When it crashes, two teenagers, from different sides of the war, suddenly cross paths. A unique take of World War I, this book will leave you desperately wanting a sequel.
6. "The Book Thief," by Markus Zusak
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Set in Germany during World War II, this book follows a young girl named Liesel. As a foster child, she has to steal to survive. One day she encounters a large number of books, which she reads with her neighbors during bombing raids. This book will steal your breath away as you realize the power books have over the soul.
5. "The Iron Fey" series, by Julie Kagawa
This is a fantastical book that follows the life of 16- year-old Meghan. After her father suddenly disappears, life seems to be out of balance for her. It is only when she discovers she is the daughter of a fairy king that she discovers her real purpose. Echoing William Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer’s Night Dream," this is a book that pays homage to mythology in a creative and masterful way.
4. "Divergent," by Veronica Roth
In an attempt to form a perfect society, several teens with different virtues are thrown together in one community. Even though they are selfless, brave and honest, the perfect society becomes conflicted. It is up to these teenagers whether or not their perfect community will survive. Even though these teens may not be perfect, this book is just about as perfect as they come.
3. "Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25," by Richard Paul Evans
Fourteen-year-old Michael has electric powers. When he discovers other teenagers like him, he becomes thrilled that he is not alone. When a secret group emerges, wanting to control all of the electric children, Michael and his friends have to fight to stay alive. Truly a battle between good and evil, this book will have you wishing for more.
2. "The Predicteds," by Christine Seifert
A page-turner from start to finish, this book will have you laughing out loud and wiping away tears. In an attempt to predict future criminals, a small high school volunteers to take part in the new criminal profiling system. Is it accurate? That is what 16-year-old Daphne is determined to find out.
1. "The Hunger Games" trilogy, by Suzanne Collins
If you haven’t heard of this series, then you need to climb out of the cave you have been living in. Living in a dystopian society, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place in The Hunger Games. Placed in a globe-like theater, 24 children are ordered to kill each other. The last child standing is the champion. This is a masterful book that captures human emotions. Though it deals with a heavy storyline, this book will keep you entertained until the very end.
Shelby Scoffield is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a graduate student at California State University, Stanislaus.
