Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins, takes place where the book "Hunger Games" left off. Katniss and Peeta, the only two participants to both have survived the Hunger Games (a game of survival in which participants from districts in this future world have to fight to the death), and they now must go on a victory tour in the districts.

Katniss and Peeta hope for a respite now that they have survived the games but when their tour starts the beginnings of a rebellion in the districts against the central authority, they are plunged again into a fight for their survival. Once again Katniss learns and grows in this story, as she becomes a symbol for the rebellion and finds strength within herself to face new challenges.

Fans of the hugely popular Hunger Games, will not be disappointed by this sequel and will look forward to the third book in this trilogy.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Mary's village in "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" is an enclave surrounded by forest and what are called the Unconsecrated. The Sisterhood are the leaders of this village and generations have lived a simple life, with rules dictated by the Sisterhood. Guardians are trained to fortify the fences and protect the village from the Unconsecrated, the undead, who roam outside the village and threaten those who come too near the fences.

Mary dreams of a life beyond the fences, beyond the confines of her village, beyond a life with Harry to whom she has been pledged to become his wife. She dreams of his brother Travis who is pledged to her friend Cassie and another life beyond the constraints of her village.

Then one day, the Unconsecrated breach the walls of her village and there is no place to turn except the path, that is fenced and leads away from the village. Part horror story, part fantasy, this book lets you image a new and frightening world were all the rules have changed and surviving means making choices you never would have imagined. This book by first time author Carrie Ryan, is a wonder and one that you won't easily put down. This is a powerful story from start to finish.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

In the novel, "Book of a Thousand Days", author Shannon Hale got her inspiration from a story "Maid Maleen" by the Brother Grimm. Like that tale, in this story, a maid Dashti stays with Lady Saren as she is locked in a tower for seven years after she refuses to marry a man she has been promised to.

Dashti provides support for Lady Saren, as the imprisonment tests both their sanity and their survival. This novel is told in a diary format and Dashti's voice is the one through which we find the story told. It is a wonderful fantasy novel, and the characters are richly drawn.

Will Dashti and Lady Saren survive this time or will they find a way to escape and make it through a new adventure? Again, this is a tale so well told, you want to keep reading to find out how the story will end. You may also want to go back and read the original tale by the Brother Grimm and compare the two stories, as well.