The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave is the story of Cassie Sullivan, a young girl who is one of the last humans left, after an alien invasion that came in waves. Cassie's baby brother is taken from her and she sets out on a quest to get him back. Meeting a mysterious boy named Evan Walker along the way.

I didn't know how much I loved Sci-Fi until recently, okay? I bought this book last year when it came out. I think I may have pre-ordered it because there was a lot of hype around it and everyone was recommending it, saying it would be YA book of the year. It took me a while to actually get to it, my husband ended up reading it before me. He loved it and soon after he finished it, I decided to pick it up. This book did not disappoint, it lived up to all the hype. It was action packed and a bit terrifying and very sad. Rick Yancey did a fantastic job creating a very possible scenario for an alien invasion. The shifting perspectives do a great job keeping the mystery element of the story. I loved this book and loved the characters in it. I can't wait for the sequel (which is titled The Infinite Sea, and is scheduled to be released in May 2014). I recommended this book to a couple of my friends, and both of them loved it.

Rating: ★★★★★
Recommendation: Very entertaining and fast paced. I would recommend it to anyone.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is such a wonderful author, I honestly don't think I can read anything by him and NOT like it, granted I've only read two, but I've loved them both.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is essentially a fairy tale for adults. It is a story told from the perspective of a 7 year old child (really, it's a man recalling some events he'd forgotten, hence why it's more of an adult tale). It is quite hard to explain what the story is about without spoiling it really, but the main focus is the Hempstock family. A family of three women who have a farm at the end of the lane. However, the Hempstocks are no ordinary family and our narrator recalls what exactly it is that made them extra ordinary.

The book is available in an audiobook format and is narrated by Neil Gaiman himself. I actually listened to most of the book and loved it. Neil Gaiman's narration really adds to the fairytale quality of the story, as if we were there listening to the main character tell us the story of his childhood, the monsters that plagued it, and the Hempstock women who lived at the end of the lane. I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading this book. I laughed and cried and was creeped out. I loved this book so much and I don't doubt I will come back and re-read it later on.

Rating: ★★★★★
Recommendation: The Ocean at the End of the Lane is a beautiful story of friendship, love, and family. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Gaiman and loves fantasy.
Favorite Quote: "Nobody actually looks like what they really are on the inside.”