By: Cynthia Ayala

5. I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, #1)

          Author: Pittacus Lore

What makes I Am Number Four stand out through the throng of science fiction novels is the fact that it story revolves around an orphan who is deprived of living a normal life, constantly moving from city to city.  The reason being is because he and his guardian are part of a group of aliens, the last surviving beings of their race.  Constantly on the run, hunted, and separated from their comrades, Four, also known as John, tries to fit in at a new school in the middle of nowhere while he also tries to control his emerging powers, gifts from his home planet.

It’s a captivating book, an easy read about not only the struggle for survival, but the struggles any orphan in a foster home, loving or not, faces as they try to find a place to call home, and fit in wherever they go.

4. Feed (Newflesh Trilogy, #1)

          Author: Mira Grant

It’s very rare to have a zombie book that is captivating. Feed takes place in the year 2034, and the protagonist, a news blogger with her own team, who goes over the details on how the zombies arose.  It was a viral mutation, brought on the cure for cancer and the ultimate cure for the common cold.

This novel stands out because the science is plausible, it’s believable. The science behind it is explained and it is easy to understand.  And the plot line of the story is unique in its own right.

Feed follows foster siblings and bloggers, Georgia and Shaun Mason, as they are selected to cover the next political campaign for presidency. But on the campaign trail, they uncover the dark conspiracy behind the new rise of zombies. It’s a captivating novel with snarky characters that incorporates conspiracy theories, corrupt politicians and, most of all zombies. It’s a mixture done right.

3. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

          Author: Suzanne Collins

Another worldwide phenomenon that has captivated fans everywhere.  The Hunger Games is a book for all ages.  Following a disastrous war, the world of Panem is separated into the Capitol and the twelve outer districts.  Every year one boy and one girl, are selected to fight in the Hunger Games, a lesson the Capital teaches that life is a gift.  There is only one survivor in the game, only one winner.  The rule is kill or be killed. 

It’s a tragic story that show the strength and darkness within everyone, what fear of death holds over people.  But Katniss Everdeen is one of those remarkable characters who not only has the will to survive, but the will to hold on to the one thing this “game” threatens to destroy: her humanity.

Suzanne Collins has written here an amazing book, and it’s no surprise why it’s become a worldwide phenomenon.

2. Betrayal (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, #1)

          Author: Aaron Allston

This is a book that will turn any reader into a Star Wars fan, provided they aren’t one already. (Note: which is blasphemy by the way).

This is the time where Luke Skywalker, now Grand Master Jedi, has unified the order into a cohesive group of Jedi Knights.  But as this era of relative peace begins, planetary interest threaten to destroy that, and visions of a Sith Lord begin to plague Luke Skywalker.

This novel brings fans of Star Wars, those characters that sucked us into the series to begin with.  Luke Skywalker has a son and married Mara Jade, former Hand of Emperor, Palpatine. His sister, Leia, and Han Solo, mother and father in their own right, are living their own lives as part of the Jedi Order.  Of course, that doesn’t seem to keep Han Solo in line much.  But as the darkness begins to loom, and the plot thickens, the Skywalker’s must once again battle the darkness that is much closer than they think.  This novel will suck every reader into a galaxy far, far away. *cue music*

1. V

          Author: A. C. Crispin

They claimed to come in peace.  They lied.

V is the novel that is responsible for the critically acclaimed 1980’s miniseries V.  The aliens arrived, tens of thousands, in huge spaceships across the world.  They came from a dying planet and claimed that in exchange for their incredible knowledge, they just wanted to share Earth’s natural resources.  But then the disappearances started.  First a scientist, here and there, then entire cities began to vanish from Earth.  Soon enough, those suspicious minds began to find each other and form a resistance as they discover the horrible truth: the Visitors wanted them.

This is a terrific novel.  It’s suspenseful and nothing is the same here.  Each of the characters finds themselves in their own struggles before they finally find one another.  The rebellion is unique and the function of the plot line flows.  Crispin goes from one thing to another, grabbing readers.  Even if fans have seen the Original Miniseries, they will be caught off guard by the events of the book.  It will hold readers and put them at the edge of their seat.