Modern Fantasy - The Next Hunger Games??

I "read" this book by listening to it on audio in my car. It was great!
Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan (2011) is a science fiction story that should have wide appeal. Fifteen year old Waverly was born upon the space ship Empyrean that is traveling to colonize New Earth. They are not due to arrive for another 40 years. She knows she needs to marry soon due to fertility issues in space and is hesitating to accept Kieran, her good friend who is expected by everyone to one day assume leadership of the ship. There is an attraction to the bad boy moody Seth that she can't ignore. Everything changes when their sister ship, the New Horizon, with whom they had been out of contact for many years, suddenly invades the Empyrean. Many adults are killed and all the girls are kidnapped and taken to the New Horizon ruled by the evil religious leader, Ann Mather. Turns out the women of the New Horizon are all sterile and the girls are needed ensure the continuation of its people. Back on the Empyrean, all the adults are either dead, dying or have disappeared chasing the invaders. The boys are left to cope and a violent power struggle ensues between Kieran and Seth. The story line changes back and forth from Waverly and Kieran.


This is the first book in a planned series. Lots of action. Some critics have been concerned by what was perceived as an anti-religious slant. While religion mixed with power is being misused, I'm didn't feel that the book was anti-religious. There were a lot of secrets from the history of the older generation that leave readers unsure of who to trust. I will read the next one for sure. Boys and girls grades 8-12 will like it. To introduce, I would read or describe the scene where the Empryean is attached and the girls kidnapped. The next Hunger Games??

A second new book I have to mention is Legend by Marie Lu. It is also the first in a planned series. June, a brilliant girl of the privileged classes, is destined for a great future. Day, an outlaw boy of the streets, struggles to assist his family and fight the evil Republic. When June's brother is killed, Day is accused and June is charged with bringing him to justice. But things are not what they seem and soon the star-crossed lovers are working together. The next Hunger Games??