Elixir by Hilary Duff If you pry open this book thinking it will be a mushy come-together-break-apart-and-come-together-again love story with clichéd twists and turns long used up by the imagination-exhausted film industry, think again. Sure, there’s some romance, smooching, and passenger-seat action, but that is far from the main story. Surprisingly, former Lizzie McGuire actress Hilary Duff delivers an interesting, though borderline cheesy story based around a young girl in the spotlight (hmm…) named Clea whose photos since birth contain a handsome, seemingly ageless man who has begun to haunt - or rather enhance - her dreams. Chasing this ghost, who may possibly be linked to her assumed-dead father, Clea and her best friend/potential love interest Ben venture down to Rio, where she comes face to face with the man of her dreams. At this point, this could’ve turned into a very interesting ghost-beyond-the-grave time-shifting sort of tale that would’ve kept the reader breathless and guessing until the very end. However, Duff decided on giving it a turn with fables, immortality and a centuries-old dust magnet hanging out in a mall. If the story stuck with history-based haunts and paranormal-tinged mystery, it would’ve been all-out riveting; however, it’s still a pretty good afternoon beach read. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Hilary Duff: Simon & Schuster

Divergent by Veronica Roth Upon turning 16, her decision to switch virtuous factions throws Beatrice Prior into a world far separated from the one she's known, without her family or any indication of what's to come. Little does she know that her powerful ability to control her fears could become the key element that could rip the government's five factions apart. Though reminiscent of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, with a strong-willed female lead, Divergent is a story all its own, with unexpected twists and a lightning-fast speed that makes you crave more. The characters are deep, emotionally complex beings with untold back stories just itching to be revealed, and Beatrice's romantic relationship with one of them is sensual and sexy, but still appropriate for its intended audience. An addictive read with hopefully many sequels to come. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Veronica Roth

2nd Earth by Edward and Eunice Vought A tale of two SEALs who find their lives – and the entire world – turned upside down after they fall asleep on a subway, “2nd Earth” is a rather poorly-executed story with a great underlying concept. With the two soldiers, Tim and Jon, finding the world in the pits of destruction and its survivors clamoring for every scrap of food and sustenance it can find taking a little nap on a subway ride that started in a bustling , thriving city, you’d think the characters would be raring to find out why and how they’re in the predicament. However, the authors seemed more content with them settling down with complete strangers instead of expanding on the intriguing base plot. Though an ambitious 460-page effort, dialogue is virtually nonexistent and the first-person perspective of Jon isn’t written that well either. A brilliant concept that just never takes off. Review Posted: PaperBackSwap Author Website: Outskirts Press