The Gender Game

By:  Bella Forrest

Genre: Teen Dystopian

Pages: 418

Published: 2016

Told In: First Person

 “Movie” Rating: PG-13

Compare to:

Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

Divergent, Veronica Roth

The Maze Runner, James Dashner

In a nutshell:

Violet has been sentenced to death for crimes committed in her female run society, but she is given a 2^nd chance if she will spy in the neighboring male run land. However, Patrus life is more difficult and dangerous than Violet expected.

What you may enjoy:

Engaging story and plot. If you like dystopian books, you’ll most likely enjoy this. There is a lot of fighting and action. Not as much romance as most dystopians.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The main character is difficult to connect with and enjoy. She’s your typical cliché dystopian character. Some of the details just don’t make sense and seem a little forced to keep the plot moving.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Girl hit with tranquilizer dart; girl stabbed in the neck with a fork; girl beaten up; two girls fist fight; girl’s throat cut open; two men cage fight; woman punched in the face; woman punched in the stomach; woman slapped; woman’s face cut; woman stabbed in the thigh; man knees woman in the face; man’s throat cut open; woman hit in the back of the head; man and woman stabbed to death; man falls to his death; dead bodies fall to the ground.

Sex and Nudity:

Man kisses woman’s neck; man kisses woman’s cheek; man and woman kiss passionately (graphic); man touches woman’s breasts

Language and Profanity:

Ass (2xs); hell (10xs); God 7xs); dammit (7xs); damn (6xs); bitch (2xs); bastard (2xs)

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Gregor the Overlander

By: Suzanne Collins

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 326

Published: 2005

Told In: Third Person

 “Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

Midnight for Charlie Bone, Jenny Nimmo

Into the Wild, Erin Hunter

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, Robert O’Brien

In a nutshell:

After Gregor and his sister fall into the Underland, he is determined to get them home. But when it’s revealed that his missing father is held captive by the Rats, Gregor agrees to play a role in a prophecy that may be about him.

What you may enjoy:

This is a great book for young boys. Gregor is a good role model and the book is packed with action and excitement. It has good morals and lessons without having an agenda.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The giant rats, spiders, and cockroaches in the story are somewhat disturbing. The story itself is cliché―nothing new. The book builds and builds and then ends just as it’s getting started.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Giant bats injured and bleeding; giant rats stabbed and killed; girl slaps boy; woman dies from injuries; giant rat stabbed; bugs killed and eaten by giant spider twice (slightly graphic); giant cockroach head torn off; piranhas eat giant rats; rat slices open a boys arm; giant rats throat ripped out; giant spider cut in half; rat hoard falls off a cliff.  

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