Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Seizure (Virals #2)
Author: Kathy Reichs
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: October 18, 2011
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Mystery
Pages: 464

Ever since Tory Brennan and her friends rescued Cooper, a kidnapped wolf pup with a rare strain of canine parvovirus, they've turned from regular kids into a crime-solving pack. But now the very place that brought them together - the Loggerhead Island Research Institute - is out of funding and will have to shut down. That is, unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it.

So when Tory learns of an old Charleston legend about a famous she-pirate, Anne Bonney, whose fortune was never found, she can't believe her luck - buried treasure is exactly what she needs to save the Institute on Loggerhead! Trouble is, she and her friends aren't the only ones looking for it. And this time, the Virals' special powers may not be enough to dig them out of trouble . . .

I don't care what anyone says. I really enjoyed Virals. I thought it was a fun, engaging and really adventurous read. Plus, I'm a diehard Bones fan, and Tory is pretty much a lil' baby Bones. So, if you like Temperance Brennan, Tory Brennan is a character you must meet. I'm interested to see where their newfound abilities take them next, and Seizure sounds like it has the ability to surpass book one, which is totally a plus for me. Series should always get better! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Title: The Power of Six
Author: Pittacus Lore
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: August 23, 2011
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher

I've seen him on the news. Followed the stories about what happened in Ohio. John Smith, out there, on the run. To the world, he's a mystery. But to me . . . he's one of us.

Nine of us came here, but sometimes I wonder if time has changed us—if we all still believe in our mission. How can I know? There are six of us left. We're hiding, blending in, avoiding contact with one another . . . but our Legacies are developing, and soon we'll be equipped to fight. Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I've been waiting for? And what about Number Five and Six? Could one of them be the raven-haired girl with the stormy eyes from my dreams? The girl with powers that are beyond anything I could ever imagine? The girl who may be strong enough to bring the six of us together?

They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio—and failed. I am Number Seven. One of six still alive. And I'm ready to fight.

John and Six are on the run. After being tracked down, hunted and brutally attacked by the Mogadorians in his latest home in Ohio, John aka Number Four has no choice but to leave the life he set up, the girl he loves and all he's come to know and find familiar for the safety of a life on the run. Six is used to life on the road. It's how she stays safe. It's how she fights so well, and with John, she knows that she and the other Garde have a fighting chance to save their world. Though they were supposed to never meet, Six has a plan and with John, she hopes to unite the remaining Garde to save her dying race from the vengeful Mogadorians. Is her plan strong enough to save them all, or is it too risky, and will they lose their lives and their last hope?

You'll probably remember that I read I Am Number Four a bit back when it first came out, and I really enjoyed its unique approach to aliens living among us. So, naturally, when I heard that the next book in the planned series was coming out, I was excited. The Power of Six is the second book in the series about nine Lorien Garde sent to Earth to harness their Legacies, mature and go back home to save their world from a vengeful and vicious breed of fighters, the Mogadorians. Pittacus Lore has created an enthralling sequel in The Power of Six that not only sends the reader on a whirlwind of epic adventure, but spins a fantastic world of hope, power and faith in one another.

The Power of Six is what a sequel should be. Rather than complacently following in its predecessor's footsteps, The Power of Six amps up the story a notch or two, introducing us to not only Six, who you might remember from the first book, but also a few of the other remaining Garde, including Seven, from whom much of the story is told. It's important to note that The Power of Six takes a slightly different approach, developing multiple story lines which, eventually, intersect for a thrilling climax for the story. Furthermore, The Power of Six takes a good bit of time to really show us more about the infamous chests in which the Lorien Garde learn what they need to harness their Legacies which, might I add, are amazing. This, in turn, really enhances the characters, especially Six and Seven. Throw in a love triangle/square (remember Sarah? yeah, she's got a little competition in Six), a nonstop pace of action and adventure and a revelation about Sam and his Dad that will blow your mind, The Power of Six doesn't disappoint. I will admit, however, that the start is a bit slow, leading into the action with some backstory and image setup, but the pace sets off running from there.

All in all, The Power of Six is a great second installment to an action-packed series that's sure to please previous fans and new readers of the series, alike. I give it a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy sci-fi and stories involving aliens. Fans of I Am Number Four should relax, take a deep breath and enjoy the new viewpoint of The Power of Six because you still have plenty more of John to discover and enjoy.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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