What it's about: I'm labeling this New Adult because the characters are in their 20s, and the bedroom scene in Julie Kagawa's story is more explicit t...moreWhat it's about: I'm labeling this New Adult because the characters are in their 20s, and the bedroom scene in Julie Kagawa's story is more explicit than most YAs.
• 4 stars: Dawn of Eden by Julie Kagawa: This is a prequel to her Blood of Eden series and deals with Kylie and Ben. Both are alive for the Red Lung and birth of the rabids that destroyed their world. They have to survive together and make it to Ben's family farm.
• 5 stars: Thistle & Thorne by Ann Aguirre: I really wish this one were a full-length novel, because there's tons of chemistry but no follow-through with the two main characters. Mari Thistle is a thief who gets caught up in a regime change. The person who drew her into this shift of power? Thorne Goodman, an enforcer for one of the most-feared men. The two have to work together to throw off the balance of power, but Mari and Thorne will discover how well they work together. An unpaid favor makes me hope we'll see more of these two.
• 3.5 Stars: Sun Storm by Karen Duvall: Sarah is one of the Kinetic. Sun storms that ravished Earth and still throw off sparks changed her DNA, giving her the power to predict where a storm will hit next. Ian Matthews can control the weather up to a point, but has a very bad man following him. The two will learn that they need to band together to save Earth, if they can survive.
Why you should read it: When anthologies are well done, they're by far my favorite books to read. You not only get prequels and half stories from favorite authors, but you discover new authors as well. Dystopian romance is one of my favorite genres, and Ann Aguirre does it the best. I really enjoyed all three stories, but I have to say Thistle & Thorne was my favorite. The chemistry and intensity that surrounded the two characters made them a treat to read about, and I definitely recommend reading any of her books. Julie Kagawa's story was also very enlightening, and her Blood of Eden series includes The Immortal Rules and The Eternity Cure. This is the first work I've read of Karen Duvall's, and I'll be putting more of her books in my queue.
Really short but worth reading the 18 pages. I hope Ann decides to release more of this kindle shorts and novellas because I also loved throne about T...moreReally short but worth reading the 18 pages. I hope Ann decides to release more of this kindle shorts and novellas because I also loved throne about Thimble and Stone(less)
What it's about: The Chemical Garden trilogy caught my eye when the early copies of Wither were being given away. The cover was gorgeous, the series n...moreWhat it's about: The Chemical Garden trilogy caught my eye when the early copies of Wither were being given away. The cover was gorgeous, the series name captivating, and I love dystopian romances. The second book, Fever, drove me nuts, and I was so excited to get my hands on Sever. In Sever we finally find out just what the Chemical Garden means, and whether a cure can be found. Rhine has met up with her brother and is shocked at who is seemingly pulling his strings. This is the series finale, and all I can say is: You'd better be prepared.
Why you should read it: What you have to realize about the Chemical Garden trilogy: The characters and their relationships with each other are twisted and complicated. Linden is able to love each of his wives, yet each relationship is almost a part of a whole rather than a whole. Rhine and Linden's relationship is also … well, I'm not sure. While there is angst and anger, there are also, somewhat, trust and attraction. Rhine's relationship with Gabriel is also twisted in that she set him free because she felt he should be free. She liked him but didn't love him.
If you like complications, if you love dystopian and humanity at its finest (I'm only half sarcastic), then check out the Chemical Garden series. Lauren is also planning a new YA series, called The Internment Chronicles. The first book will be released (fingers crossed) in February 2014 and will be titled Perfect Ruin.
Interesting, good menage but didn't like the back and forth between dreams/reality/past/future so much, it was a bit chaotic.
I did like the dystopian...moreInteresting, good menage but didn't like the back and forth between dreams/reality/past/future so much, it was a bit chaotic.
I did like the dystopian element and the two heroes were hot(less)
The Elite starts up with America still in the Selection and is now torn between Prince Maxon and her first love, Aspen (who is now a guard). I highly...moreThe Elite starts up with America still in the Selection and is now torn between Prince Maxon and her first love, Aspen (who is now a guard). I highly recommend reading the novella The Prince, which makes The Elite that much better. We get to see inside Maxon's head, we get to feel what America feels and the rebels will continue to harry the castle.
I really enjoyed The Selection but found The Elite to be even better. While I still don't fully understand the rebels and why they attack so much, I found myself also torn between Maxon and Aspen. There are no paranormal elements, yet I find myself drawn to America's world and the caste system. I understand the King, I even sympathize with him, but the characters are fun to read about and I can't wait for the third book in the series, The One. For readers who might not have liked the first book, I'd recommend reading this one. Those who loved The Selection will be even more pleased with The Elite.
Check out the interview with Kiera Cass up at HEA today!
What it's about: First, I have to say that Mystic City is perplexing. It's complicated and twisted. This isn't a YA novel you can simply read. You hav...moreWhat it's about: First, I have to say that Mystic City is perplexing. It's complicated and twisted. This isn't a YA novel you can simply read. You have to think about the plot, about the threads of truth and how it can all come together. Aria has lost her memory. Everyone is telling her what she supposedly feels and loves, only can't remember. They say she loves Thomas, whom she can't even remember meeting. However, they're "betrothal" will unite the two warring families. Then she meets a rebel mystic, and her world starts to spin, and truths and lies become twisted together.
Why you should read it: While the plot wasn't so complicated -- girl loses memory, says she loves a boy, meets bad boy, falls in love. The characters themselves, especially Aria, are what drive this book. I love deep and complex stuff, I love the cover, I love Theo's writing and the Mystic City world. Hunter is also so hot, and the fact that he's an actual rebel, not just a bad boy, makes the romance that much more forbidden. This novel is for fans of mind games, rebels, heartache and intrigue.
4.5 Stars What it's about: Override is the sequel to Glitch, which came out last fall. In Glitch we discover a community where there is no pain or war,...more4.5 Stars What it's about: Override is the sequel to Glitch, which came out last fall. In Glitch we discover a community where there is no pain or war, no feelings, no emotions, just a computer chip that makes sure humanity functions like robots. Zoe (our heroine) starts to "glitch," meaning she begins to feel things. Then she meets Adrien and Max and learns what really happens in the community. In Override, while Zoe has escaped the community, she's far from safe. She must rally the other glitchers, figure out what Adrien is seeing that has made him so withdrawn and silent, and fight against impossible odds.
Why you should read it: This fun series is typical for the YA dystopian genre, and the author uses the word "glitch," "glitches" or "glitching" a bit much, but the basic plot is interesting, and Override is a strong sequel. Zoe is beginning to don her leadership mantel and realizes that everything isn't always black and white. There was also a lot more action in Override, though the cliffhanger is frustrating at the end.
I was so-so about This is Not a Test when I read the description in the Vine program. I love zombies, but could do without the suicidal girl dealing...more I was so-so about This is Not a Test when I read the description in the Vine program. I love zombies, but could do without the suicidal girl dealing with wanting to die, and being around people who want to live. Turns out this was so much more.
Sloane's father beat her and her sister. Methodically and aggressively. Lily (older sister) and Sloane talk about leaving. They save money, they dream of a home without their father, and more importantly... with each other. Sloane's world comes crashing down when she wakes one day to find a note from Lilly 'I'm sorry I can't do this anymore', and Lily gone. She wants to die now but doesn't know how, Lily took her sleeping pills with her and Sloane can't cut herself. It seems though that the apocalypse tears apart broken homes as well as happy ones. Zombies start rising and Slone's world continues to crash.
Fast forward a week later and Sloane is in the company of other teens who are hiding out in their high school. The zombies are relentless and tempers come to a boil. Sloane just wants to die though, maybe heroically, maybe quietly, but she has wanted to die since she read Lily's note. But the other teens are survivors and Sloane finds herself being pulled along, until she starts quietly caring for someone else... another boy Rhys.
Tragedy strikes the group again and again, and the author throws twists at readers mercilessly. Good people who do bad things. Good people who sacrifice one person for the group, wimpy people who die saving others, the list goes on and on, until the readers are left contemplating human nature and the necessity of evil.
The end of the book left me feeling like I did when I finished The Forest of Hands and Teeth... at the end of the journey is this it? Was the cost worth the sacrifices? What's left?(less)
3.5 Stars I am so torn on how to rate this book because of a few things. Except for the ending (which worked but I hated!!) I enjoyed this book. I thou...more3.5 Stars I am so torn on how to rate this book because of a few things. Except for the ending (which worked but I hated!!) I enjoyed this book. I thought the dystopian element was excellent and really enjoyed reading about this new 'post plague' world. What I didn't like was; Eve was sometimes too stupid to live, I understand she was naive but there comes a point where I was like 'really?', I didn't understand why the King went to all this trouble to teach the girls for 12 years. I mean in a true dystopian world would we really wait until the 'sows' were 18? And wouldn't it make more sense to indoctrinate them immediately to having children that way even if people tried to help them they wouldn't want to be helped?
The only other problem I had was that there was no HEA
(view spoiler)[ I didn't like that at the end they couldn't be together, it made perfect sense, it showed true sacrifice, but as Caleb is left walking down the snowy mountain bleeding and cold with only a ripped shirt on, Eve is like 'I love you I love you I love you' And in all reality he would probably die, considering his circumstances. I mean she caused so many people's deaths, I know you can say 'no the King did' but she used the fricken radio with the old code that cost three innocent people their lives, she could have just asked to use the radio, Caleb would know the current code considering he's part of the Trail... It also ticked me off that Arden just gave up her life for Eve... yes she could still be alive but with at least 3 soldiers chasing you?? Highly unlikely. I just don't get what was so special about Eve... ok I'm done ranting! (hide spoiler)]
I really hope there is a second book and it shows Eve maturing, like I said I really enjoyed the book, I just didn't like the end. She left Pip, she left Ruby, there's the unresolved feelings in the dug out, Leif still needs to be dealt with, and of course the deaths. Why didn't she just ask to use the radio? Then they couldd have told her the current code.... :-( All around I'd recommend, but not if you hate bittersweet endings.(less)
This book started a bit cookie cutter, I read it in two hours, but even though there wasn't that much action (no hiding while the castle was being sie...moreThis book started a bit cookie cutter, I read it in two hours, but even though there wasn't that much action (no hiding while the castle was being sieged doesn't count) I actually enjoyed it. By the end of the book I didn't mind the love triangle and wanted to know what happened next(less)
Who balances out the world? Is there some sort of crazy checks and balance system that a higher being tallies up? Things that seem unfair to us.... ar...moreWho balances out the world? Is there some sort of crazy checks and balance system that a higher being tallies up? Things that seem unfair to us.... are they actually pre-destined?
This book is serious and dark. It's also compelling, haunting, an old melody that you remember from long ago, yet are missing notes. The lead character had me at her first conversation with a meatbag. Here's this 15 year old girl who's been surviving since she knew what a zombie was, and she still has humanity in her. I suppose that's what makes all great people, that even in times of direness, of blood and unfairness, that spark of humanity of what's right and then what should be done. That line is usually blurry and not easy to spot. Temple thinks she's evil. She kills, even for survival, taking another creature of god is evil. She kills to protect, someone dies who she fails to protect, and yet it is still killing. She knows that her organs and heart are made up of twisted bits that have grown since her brother Malcolm died. The journey she finds herself on can be one of many things. It's for survival yes, yet also an engaging one about who she is and who she kills to protect. An enemy seems to be the only other one who understands the gravity of life and death, of nature and god. Though he swears to hunt her down for killing her brother, their exchanges are philosophical and deep. I teared up at the end. It was as if my brain couldn't figure out whether the ending gave Temple what she wanted, what she needed, or nothing. She sees the strings that attach fate and miracles. Maybe she got her own.
It's really a novel that will stick with me. The type of narrative it is sort of blunts the readers to the violence, not hearing her voice from her, but from a third person, yet everything happens in real time. I think that not explaining why there are zombies actually made the novel more realistic. We were thrown in to a spot in time of Temple's life, she's not going to be thinking about how it started, for her it always was. This is one that I will pass on to a select few who I believe will appreciate it as much as I did.
*also reviewed on amazon* One of my top 2010 books (I adore this one)(less)
What it's about: Shades of Earth is the finale in Beth Revis' sci-fi romance involving Amy and Elder. In Across the Universe Amy wakes up to find that...moreWhat it's about: Shades of Earth is the finale in Beth Revis' sci-fi romance involving Amy and Elder. In Across the Universe Amy wakes up to find that she was released from her Cryo sleep centuries ahead of schedule, her parents are still asleep and there's a mysterious leader who draws her eye, Elder. In A Million Suns Elder and Amy fight to protect the people of Godspeed while trying to figure out the rebellion and clues Orion (previous leader) left for them. And finally in Shades of Earth, they've arrived on the new planet, unfrozen her parents only to find that nothing is as it seems. There's a race of sentient aliens who are aggressive, there's a side of Amy's father she never realized, and Elder is stuck between Amy and his people.
Why you should read it: I love this series. Beth has done a fabulous job of integrating science fiction and YA romance in this series. Each book is unique and has a different feel to it. While in Across the Universe Amy was trying to figure out her life in the small Godspeed, Shades of Earth's setting is an entirely new planet with new villains and heroes. The books are easy to read and highly enjoyable.
Delirium blew away readers with the idea that love is a disease, that "cured" adults feel no love or deliria, therefore there is no anger, jealous, lo...moreDelirium blew away readers with the idea that love is a disease, that "cured" adults feel no love or deliria, therefore there is no anger, jealous, love, etc. In Delirium Lauren Oliver gave Lena love then took it away. In Pandemonium, Lena found love again, only to have fate throw a curve ball. In Requiem we get Lena and Hana's story and the ending to a dystopian trilogy we all want to go on.
At the end readers are left wondering: Would a cure would be better? Are feelings that are so painful worth it? Lena must choose between Alex and Julian, but I liked that it was so painful to decide. It reminds readers that love is serious business, and love triangles aren't supposed to be about two guys in love with the same girl, but the deliria involved in it. All in all, this entire dystopian trilogy is fast, excellent and hard. Lena goes through so much to just survive, let alone live. I loved it!
To see the interview with Lauren Oliver check out the HEA Blog
Loading...
