The Improbable Theory of Ana & Zak by Brian Katcher

The Improbable Theory of Ana & Zak by Brian Katcher
Pub: 5/19/15
Pgs: 336
ARC received from Edelweiss


Ana knows no freedom.  She's never gone to a friend's house for fun, she's never been to a dance, and she's never been on a date.  After a serious mistake on her sister's part, Ana and her younger brother Clayton have had the reigns pulled tight around them.  All they can do is do well in school and be sheltered from any and all social aspects of high school.

Zak is your average geek.  He loves to COS play, and gaming.  Those are the things that keep him from grieving, and especially from having to spend time with his new stepfather.  He's also a little unmotivated in school. He's not dumb, he just doesn't do what he is supposed to do.  That's how he finds himself at the mercy of Ana, and the quiz bowl he has to participate.  The problem... it's the same day as Washingcon sci-fi convention.  Something he does every year, without fail.

Ana and Zak end up mashing into each other's worlds when Clayton disappears to go to the Washingcon.  And along the way they both learn some truths about growing up and about themselves.

3 out of 5 stars.  Thanks Edelweiss.

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker
Pub: 5/19/15
Pgs: 448
ARC received by Edelweiss


This story is much like the Match series, and a couple of other books.  Carrington Hale is the main character, and it is time for her Choosing ceremony.  She's hoping that someone will choose her for a lifetime, or else she will be disposed of and become one of the lowly Lint population.  Carrington lives in a world that is run by the Authority, and the Authority rules with a religious hand.  All the citizens live a meek and humble life that is in service to the Authority.  Whatever the outcome of their life, they know their place and they know that their place is important as a whole, even when they become Lints, and are shunned by their family and friends.

Carrington is a Lint now, much to her dismay.  And as a Lint she begins to learn something about the Authority and the doctrine she's been told to believe all her life. 

Remko is a guard and he too lives a life that requires him to be loyal, and never be married.  Lints and guards cannot marry as Lints are not good enough and guards are required to concentrate on protecting the people and cannot afford any distractions.  When Carrington becomes a Lint and he begins to interact with her, he too begins to question everything he's tried to believe.

Issac is part of the Authority.  As one of the youngest members, he is given the opportunity to marry again, since his wife died and left him heirless.  The catch... he must pick a Lint. 

The Murderer.  There is a murderer out there killing Lints.  Since there are alternating POV chapters, occasionally we get to see why the murderer is targeting Lints.  Turns out he's a little zealot, and feels that he needs to cleanse their souls, by you know... killing them.

I really liked this story.  It had everything and still it was dark and crazy.

4 out of 5 stars.  Thanks Edelweiss.