ALTERED by Jennifer Rush

From Goodreads: When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them. 

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

This book is the first in a series and is said to be for grades 8 and up.

Rachel's Thoughts: I have mixed opinions on this one. The writing was wonderful, and I loved the concept, but I think it just wasn't my thing. I like deeper relationship building and this didn't have that. This was more mystery mixed with thriller, in that they were always on the run and searching out clues. I like thrillers, but toward the end it really seemed as though the characters were causing problems and making poor decisions just to keep the tension going. And don't let the hot-guy-cover fool you, there's not much romance in this story. I gave this book 4 bookmarks.

PRETTY DARK NOTHINGS by Heather L. Reid

From Goodreads: It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

This book is the first in a series and is said to be for ages 12 and up.


Lakela's Thoughts: This book was incredible! I couldn't believe how well balanced it was! While it was very dark it wasn't too dark. Pretty Dark Nothing always had me on my toes and I read it really quickly! It kept me up at night, but in the good way. I am definitely going to buy this book! I'm impatient for the next one to come out. I suggest this book to anyone looking for a quick, creepy read. This book gets 5 bookmarks from me.