Review: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

Title: Monsters of Men
Author: Patrick Ness
Published: May 3, 2010
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Series: Chaos Walking #3
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 603
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

*Warning: This book review contains spoilers for The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and the Answer*

“War makes Monsters of Men.”
― Patrick Ness, Monsters of Men

Synopsis
In the riveting conclusion to the acclaimed dystopian series, a boy and girl caught in the chaos of war face devastating choices that will decide the fate of a world.
As a world-ending war surges around them, Todd and Viola face monstrous decisions. The indigenous Spackle, thinking and acting as one, have mobilized to avenge their murdered people. Ruthless human leaders prepare to defend their factions at all costs, even as a convoy of new settlers approaches. And as the ceaseless Noise lays all thoughts bare, the projected will of the few threatens to overwhelm the desperate desire of the many.

The consequences of each action, each word, are unspeakably vast: To follow a tyrant or a terrorist? To save the life of the one you love most, or thousands of strangers? To believe in redemption, or assume it is lost? Becoming adults amid the turmoil, Todd and Viola question all they have known, racing through horror and outrage toward a shocking finale. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
I'm simply at a loss for words. Yet somehow, I'm still typing, still forming coherent, hopefully, sentences, while my mind is a churning mess of emotion and feels. Monsters of Men was everything I wanted and so much more. It was the electrifying finale to a series I have fallen head over heels for, and I just want to reread it again and again so I never leave the world of the Chaos Walking series behind. I know what you're thinking. She's talking all sorts of weirdness. But I'm dead serious, and if you've read this series, you must know exactly what I'm going through. It is rare for a series to continue to be exceptional as it progresses, and it is even rarer for a series to get better with every book when you thought it was impossible for it to improve. But the impossible is now possible. The Chaos Walking series is that series, and you need to read it right now. I told you I wasn't kidding.

Review: The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Title: The House of the Scorpion
Author: Nancy Farmer
Published: September 1, 2002
Publisher: Atheneum Book
Series: Matteo Alacran #1
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Pages: 380
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 stars
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“People’s souls are like gardens. You can’t turn your back on someone because his garden’s full of weeds. You have to give him water and lots of sunshine.”
― Nancy Farmer, The House of the Scorpion

Synopsis
At his coming-of-age party, Matteo Alacrán asks El Patrón's bodyguard, "How old am I? ... I know I don't have a birthday like humans, but I was born."

"You were harvested," Tam Lin reminds him. "You were grown in that poor cow for nine months and then you were cut out of her."

To most people around him, Matt is not a boy, but a beast. But for El Patrón, lord of a country called Opium--a strip of poppy field lying between the U.S. and what was once called Mexico--Matt is a guarantee of eternal life. El Patrón loves Matt as he loves himself, for Matt is himself. They share identical DNA.

As Matt struggles to understand his existence, he is threatened by a sinister, grasping cast of characters, including El Patrón's power-hungry family. He is surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards and by the mindless slaves of Opium, brain-deadened 'eejits' who toil in the poppy fields.

Escape from the Alacrán Estate is no guarantee of freedom because Matt is marked by his difference in ways he doesn't even suspect. Around every turn in this vivid, futuristic adventure is a new, heart-stopping surprise. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Can you believe that I had never even heard of The House of the Scorpion until a few months ago? My good friend Amanda and I were showing each other our bookshelves on Skype when she came across her copy of The House of the Scorpion. She said it was one of her favorites and recommended it to me. With the three rewards on the front cover, it wasn't difficult to convince me. After finishing this book, I understand why so many people are singing its praises.

Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Title: The 5th Wave
Author: Rick Yancey
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Series: The Fifth Wave #1
Genre: Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic
Pages: 480
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Some things you can never leave behind. They don't belong to the past. They belong to you.”
― Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave 

Synopsis
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
First off, I apologize for being MIA this week. Every once in awhile, I check out. It has been a tough and excruciatingly long week, and I am ready for it to be over. I needed a break from blogging and, well, just life. So I'm sorry I completely failed at doing anything Bout of Books related and for not posting on my blog. I was just in a weird funk. Now the review...

Review: Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Published: November 6, 2007
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: Unwind Dystology #1
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Pages: 335
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“In a perfect world everything would be either black or white, right or wrong, and everyone would know the difference. But this isn't a perfect world. The problem is people who think it is.”
― Neal Shusterman, Unwind

Synopsis
The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
It's perfect weather for reading and writing blog posts. We have an extreme case of The Fog outside. If I see zombie-like ghosts, I'll be sure to scream and grow some plants for Plants vs. Zombies time. But as of now, I'm staying in and nursing my headache with some hot tea. Onto the book review!

Unwind was not what I expected. It was not as horrific as I thought it would be from reading others' reviews. But you must remember, my dear followers, that I have different standards when it comes to horror. I watch horror flicks regularly and read Stephen King like nobody's business so I might be somewhat desensitized to what others call "disturbing." Don't get me wrong. There was a definite creepy factor throughout Unwind, but it did not give me nightmares. Did this interfere with my enjoyment? Of course not. I don't need extreme horror to make me happy, especially when a book is quality reading. Unwind explored some core issues and raised thought-provoking questions that had me thinking about reproductive rights long after I had finished the book. One of these questions is very relevant to today's society: do we have the right to choose what we do with our bodies? Basically, do we own our bodies?

Review: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and the Answer
Author: Patrick Ness
Published: May 4, 2009
Publisher: Candlewick
Series: Chaos Walking #2
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 519
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

*Warning: This book review contains spoilers for The Knife of Never Letting Go*

“To live is to fight, to preserve life is to fight everything that man stands for.”
― Patrick Ness, The Ask and the Answer

Synopsis
Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode...(Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Patrick Ness, you are a genius. I'm indebted to you for writing such a fantastic series, one of my new favorites. After reading The Knife of Never Letting Go, I thought it would be near to impossible for Ness to top that. I was wrong. The Ask and the Answer was just as phenomenal as the first book, if not better. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book, rip roaring through the pages in order to find out what happened next. The Chaos Walking series is action packed, but it also carries a lot of emotion. As I was reading this, I often felt like there was a hand gripping my heart, wringing it dry. It was that heartrending and emotional.

Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Author: Patrick Ness
Published: May 5, 2008
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Series: Chaos Walking #1
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 479
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Without a filter, a man is just chaos walking.”
― Patrick Ness, The Knife of Never Letting Go 

Synopsis
Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
This book was phenomenal. Superb! Epic! You get the idea. With that vague premise, I wasn't sure what to expect. Of course, I was loving the idea of Noise and everyone being able to hear each other's thoughts, but I never anticipated how awesome this book was going to be. I was expecting Todd would just go on some journey with his dog, finding himself, and there would be a few surprises along the way. But The Knife of Never Letting Go was so much more than a coming of age novel.

Book Blog Tour: Colonization Review and Giveaway

Title: Colonization
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Published: November 7, 2012
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Series: Paradise Reclaimed #1
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 229
Source: Publisher (for book blog tour)
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Inkspell Publishing

“Forbidden love on a paradise planet that’s anything but paradise...Dionne’s Colonization will keep you guessing.”
 – Cherie Reich, author of Defying Gravity

Synopsis
Finding a new home has never been so dangerous.

Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.
,br> But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius's ship crashes on the far ridge in an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.

Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to protect her new home. What she didn't expect was a battle of her own feelings for Sirius and Corvus.

Can she save the colony and discover her true love? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Paradise 21 was an action-packed read, and I flew through the pages with ease. I'll admit I haven't read a lot of science fiction, and I was unsure about whether or not I would enjoy this book but I was pleasantly surprised. The creepy factor and the suspense were right down my alley. And the premise was wild. A ship that's been flying for six generations towards its destination? A ship that is controlled by one man's mind? There were some crazy details.

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Series: Lux #2
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 328
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

"I could always give you a teaser. You bookish people love teasers, don't you?" ― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Onyx

*Warning: Spoilers for Obsidian ahead!*

Synopsis

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon's determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I've sworn him off, even though he's running more hot than cold these days. But we've got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I'm a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who's got a secret of his own. He knows what's happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I've seen someone who shouldn't be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he's never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

My Thoughts
I was nervous that Onyx wouldn't live up to my high expectations after I loved Obsidian so much. But there was no need to be worried because Onyx was even better. This series has taken me by storm. It is a roller coaster of emotion, an action-packed thrill ride. There's the beautiful Luxen, with their insane powers, and then the terrifying, formidable villains in the form of the Arum and the DOD (Department of Defense).

Daemon. Oh god. I hate to go all fangirl here, but you have competition, Will Herondale. I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy towards Daemon in Obsidian, but all of that changed in Onyx. Daemon went from sexy, charming douche bag to sexy, charming I want to marry you and have your alien babies. He was unpredictable but oh so lovable. And still devoted as ever to family. While Katy was stubborn and indecisive, I was happy she didn't give into his advances immediately considering Daemon's past behavior. I can understand her cautiousness, not wanting to get her heart broken. I'm a big fan of complicated romances where the two characters have to work towards a relationship, coming to terms with their problems. I hate when it's all butterflies and skipping through meadows. You have to throw a monkey wrench in the works every so often. I was happy that Armentrout didn't follow the easy route, and she made Daemon and Katy's relationship more realistic (or as realistic as it can be with an alien in the mix).

This book was a perfect blend of dark and light, just like the Luxen are beings of light and the Arum are beings of shadow. I loved how well Armentrout balanced the humorous and then the more meaningful scenes. Once again, I found myself laughing aloud. Here's a few great lines:

"I always liked you. From the moment you first flipped me off."

"Oh holy alien babies everywhere!"

"Jesus." Blake rubbed his throat. "You have anger management problems. It's like a disease."
"There's a cure and it's called kicking your ass."

"Dogeared pages were Antichrist of book lovers everywhere."

And there are so many more funny moments. But along with the humor, there were definitely some darker parts. This book revealed so many more threats and dangers, and I was genuinely worried for Katy and Daemon's safety. I loved how Armentrout didn't sacrifice the intense scenes for the sake of a fun read. There were so many wonderful twists, and I learned a lot more about the Luxen. It was enthralling, and I could not get enough. Not to mention the awesome fight scenes. There was not a slow moment in this book. I could not stop reading, and I wish I could read it all over again fresh.

There is another guy in this book: California surfer boy Blake Saunders. But before you panic, let me reassure you that there is no need to worry about a love triangle. Blake definitely adds something to the story, and there are so many fascinating developments. But, thank god, there is no love triangle. I will say no more.

If you have yet to read Obsidian or Onyx, please do so right this instant. If you love gripping, edge of your seat reads with aliens and fight scenes that were made for a cinema, than this series is perfect for you. As Katy so aptly puts in her own book review on her blog, Onyx is a "forget your homework, don't feed your kids, and quit your job one-sit read." These books kept me up insanely late, tearing through the pages (as much as you can on an Ipad) until I was finished. I didn't want to eat or sleep or work because those were all unnecessary distractions from Daemon. I need Opal right this instant. Not tomorrow. Not next month. NOW. It's expected in December, but I can't wait any longer!

Happy reading,

Courtney

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review

Title: Obsidian
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Series: Lux #1
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 271
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Beautiful face. Beautiful body. Horrible attitude. It was the holy trinity of hot boys.” 
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian

Synopsis
Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 

If I don't kill him first, that is. (Goodreads) 

My Thoughts 
Yes, it's yet another Obsidian review. The overwhelming flood of Obsidian reviews should be the incentive you need to pick up this book and read it. I have to admit that when I hear about a book that has a lot of hype, I want to hate it. No idea why. But with this book, the hype was completely deserved. I loved it. It was a thrilling read that takes every cliche and either twists it or mocks it. 

Katy was such an awesome female lead. First off, she's a book blogger. That idea can only be called brillance. All book lovers can't help but adore her. Katy and I had so much in common, and that made it even easier for me to connect with her. I loved that she felt a certain reverence for books, fearful of dog-earing them, and how excited she was when new books arrived. Definitely a kindred soul. She also was a force to be reckoned with. She stood up for herself and didn't put up with Daemon's crap despite her attraction to him. While she was far from being a trained ninja, she wasn't afraid to defend herself in dangerous situations.

Daemon was a whole different story. I couldn't stand him for most of the book. Katy felt the same for the most part, but she couldn't deny her attraction to him. I liked how she didn't give into temptation and she told Daemon off time after time. When she defended herself, I couldn't help thinking you go girl. Even though Daemon was douchebag material, he had his nice moments and I couldn't help loving the sexual tension between the two of them. I'm a HUGE fan of romances where both characters can't stand each other initially and try to deny their feelings. Maybe they're star-crossed lovers or complete opposites, but it makes for an entertaining story. Much more entertaining than instalove. And you definitely have to wait for the romance here. There's the lovely tension throughout, but it takes almost the whole book for it to really reach a climax. And I loved that. Plus, it's well worth the wait. The chemistry between these two is fantastic, and there are some steamy, well-written scenes. It's definitely not all lust though. There's heart-warming moments too, and despite my initial dislike of Daemon, he really comes through. While his earlier behavior is inexcusable, he does have his reasons. 

While I generally avoid books that take place in high school, high school drama is almost absent in this book. If anything, it's used as a way to contrast the normal lives of teenagers and the alien reality that is existing alongside it. I loved Dee and Katy's other girlfriends. I found them amusing though Carissa and Lesa definitely take a backseat to the other characters, but they're really not involved in the alien side of things. They're there because I think Katy does want a normal life despite her getting all tangled up in Daemon and Dee's lives. She just wants to be a normal teenager, but that is so not happening. The premise was wonderful. I'm not usually into aliens besides Stephen King's The Tommyknockers, but I loved the Luxen's powers and their fight against the Arum. 

Obsidian was a little too close for comfort to Twilight. There were so many similarities that it was difficult to ignore the resemblance. Though I loved when Armentrout parodied Twilight. Like when Katy says: 

“Will you show me what you really look like? You don't sparkle, do you?” 

and

"What are you? A vampire?"He rolled his eyes. "Are you serious?""What? You say you're not human, and that limits the pool of what you can be! You stopped a truck without touching it.""You read too much."

This book had some funny, memorable lines, and I laughed out loud more than once. But besides the alien twist, it did mirror Twilight closely. Girl moves to small town. Unnaturally good-looking male, that she has a strong attraction to, wants her to stay away from him. Yes, he can travel at unnaturally fast speeds and oh wait, he glows. Gorgeous male is definitely hiding a secret. Then there's the whole stopping a truck. Not the most original setup. Then Dee watches her while she's sleeping. That was actually hilarious, and I loved Katy's reaction. 

Besides that, this book was so much better than Twilight, and I really shouldn't be comparing. I mean, Daemon was far from the martyr figure. I can't be with you. I can't live without you. I can't be with you. Though he definitely acted bipolar. And Katy wasn't a danger to herself, tripping all over her own feet, basically falling into sharp things and almost dying everywhere. She was nothing like Bella. 

Overall, this book had me hooked. I stayed up way too late reading this baby. I could not get enough of Katy and Daemon. I immediately bought Onyx and I'm officially addicted. If you love action-packed, thrilling reads that are dripping with sexual tension, basically made to have you wanting more, then read this book NOW. Armentrout definitely has a new fan in me. Just ordered Cursed. 

Happy reading,

Courtney

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Book Review

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Published: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction, Retelling
Pages: 390
Source: Library
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.” 
― Marissa Meyer, Cinder

Synopsis
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. (Goodreads)

It's been taking me longer than usual to read books because I'm still recovering from one of my notorious migraines. So all I've been doing is drinking caffeine and resting. I hate reading when I'm not feeling well because it's always harder to keep interest, but I couldn't resist. I hope everyone is feeling well because I heard something is going around! Anywho, on with the book.

My Thoughts
I'm not a huge fan of the Cinderella fairy tale, but I might be biased, seeing as how I never really liked the Disney version. I was more of a Beauty and the Beast girl. I always thought the Cinderella in the movie was so domesticated, and she needed a man to get away from her evil stepmother. Plus, the prince and her fell in love in like two seconds. And she loses her shoe, and the prince's brillant idea is to go around and try to find a girl whose foot fits perfectly into the shoe. Because of course he wouldn't recognize the girl he fell in love with once she has her hair down and is covered in ashes. And there are no two girls with the same size shoe (obviously sarcasm). I hope I didn't ruin anybody's love for this fairy tale. I did love Ever After though. One of my favorite movies. Though A Cinderella Story? Not so much.

So you can imagine that I was very surprised when I found myself loving Cinder despite all of my bias and negative expectations. How couldn't I love this book? It's the most imaginative retelling of Cinderella that I have ever seen or read! Not only is Cinder a cyborg, but the story takes place in the distant future. Cinder is a flipping Asian cyborg! Instead of talking, singing mice, we have her robot friend Iko. Instead of a pumpkin turning into a carriage, we have a yellow-orange car which is considered ancient when hovers are the new form of transportation. And the dashing prince is the destined emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth (what Asia is now called). Is that not genius?

In Cinder, Earth is divided into six kingdoms after World War IV left the world in ruins and nuclear/chemical warfare destroyed many natural resources. A plague, letumosis, kills hundreds and even thousands of Earthen citizens, and doctors can't find the cause or a cure. Prejudice is shown towards cyborgs, and the cyborg draft is initiated to find guinea pigs for antidote research. As Earth is left vulnerable by the plague and a suffering economy, the Lunar queen seizes this opportunity to make negotiations with the soon-to-be emperor Prince Kai. The Lunars have mysterious powers to influence what others feel, see, or even do. Queen Levena is a cruel queen and a threat to all of Earth because of her hunger for power. When Cinder's stepsister Peony is infected with the plague, Cinder is entered against her will into the cyborg draft by her stepmother. Cinder finds out she might just be the only hope for her sister, New Beijing, and maybe all of Earth.

This book was such a thrilling, fun read! While I never thought I'd be a huge fan of science-fiction, I loved the technology and futuristic New Beijing. Cinder was a mechanic, and Meyer did an excellent job of describing Cinder's work and repairs. Meyer's attention to detail made the world of New Beijing all the more authentic, and I loved hearing about the portscreens, netscreens, and hovers. The city, with its skyscrapers and crammed apartment complexes, came to life for me through Meyer's in-depth description. The beautiful descriptions of New Beijing's palace and gardens were also not lacking in detail. New Beijing culture was a perfect mix of futuristic and traditional Asian elements. 

Cinder was such an awesome heroine! She was just full of spunk! I loved how Meyer made Cinder a mechanic famous for her skill instead of a maid, placing less focus on domesticity. While Cinder was dependent on her evil stepmother Adri, she still stood up for herself and found ways to rebel. She even beat up some androids and she was far from being a submissive, docile maid. She also had a kinder, loving side because she cared for her android Iko and her younger stepsister Peony. And of course Kai though she tried to deny it. It was difficult for her being a cyborg, and I loved seeing her fight past her insecurities and become a stronger individual because of it. 

I didn't like Kai as much as other romantic interests. He grew on me, but I couldn't help finding him a little annoying at times. It seemed like he expected special treatment because he was a prince, and I was overjoyed when Cinder didn't respond to his advances as he expected. I was sick of hearing about what a heartthrob he was and having girls swoon over him (basically the Asian Bieber). Though I'm being a little hypocritical seeing as how I fangirl over Jensen Ackles and Ian Somerhalder from time to time. I did love that while the romance was sweet, it was put on a back burner in favor of the plot. And Kai was charming at times, and understanding and adorable. 

My one major complaint was the cliffhanger ending. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers. Who is? I see cliffhangers as just an author's attempt to persuade readers to read the next book. Unfortunately, this tends to be a generally effective method. If the sequel was immediately available, I wouldn't be as upset, but it isn't. I just like my books to have an ending. Even if there are still questions and other books, having somewhat of an ending is always better than a cliffhanger. There were a couple of other minor annoyances. Characters say Oh my stars a lot. And Iko was a little unrobotic. But Meyer explains the personality chip as being the cause. 

I'm so excited for Scarlet! I want to hear more about this world and the Lunars. Such as, why are they even on the moon? 2013 seems years away! I'm loving how each book will introduce new fairy tale characters. Obviously, Scarlet will bring Little Red Riding Hood into the mix. Apparently, Cress will take place on the moon and Rapunzel will be a main character. And then the fourth installment, Winter, will feature Snow White and will take place in the Sahara Desert. Yet Cinder will remain a main character in all four books. Fascinating! I cannot wait!

Happy reading,

Courtney

The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna Book Review

Title: The Lost Girl 
Author: Sangu Mandanna
Published: August 28, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 432
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars
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“But maybe that's what the dead do. They stay. They linger. Benign and sweet and painful. They don't need us. They echo all by themselves.” 
― Sangu Mandanna, The Lost Girl

Synopsis
Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
The Lost Girl had me hook, line and seeker from the very first page. It was such a wonderful read, I found it difficult to put down when I needed to. I loved everything about it. From the character development to the setting to the refreshing premise. When I first read the plot synopsis, I was blown away by how wild and creative it was. Echoes of living people? Weavers that stitch people to life? And all of this inspired by Shelley's Frankenstein? I'm jealous of Mandanna's imagination. It's one of those books you read and wish you had written yourself because it's that amazing. 

First off, as I've mentioned before, I'm a big fan of YA books that manage to intricately weave (haha weave as in Weavers) classic literature into the plot. It's becoming a regular occurrence, and I'm thrilled. The connection between Frankenstein and the Weavers' creations in The Lost Girl really strengthened the plot and increased my interest because I LOVE Frankenstein. I love me some dark and gloomy books. It added meaning to the book by questioning the relationship between the creator and the created. It also reconsiders the definitions of monstrosity and human. The Shakespeare, Sense and Sensibility, and Wuthering Heights references were also a huge bonus. 

The characters were so developed, I almost expected them to step out of the pages as living, breathing people. I loved Eva. She was such a strong heroine. Throughout the book, she learned how to love and  trust others, and to really develop as a person while some people just considered her Amarra's duplicate. While she was a fierce character to be reckoned with, she had her insecurities, making her all the more real to me. Sean was one of the best romantic interests ever! I loved him, and I would pick him over Ray anytime. Not only was he British, but he also saw Eva as a human being and not just an echo. I was happy the romance wasn't the central focus, and it was touching and sweet and far from instalove. 

The secondary characters in The Lost Girl really stood out and were also well-developed. Even if I didn't love every character (which of course I didn't and I'm not supposed to), every one of them was fascinating. I adored the guardians. Ophelia and Erik and Mina Ma. I could not get enough of Mina Ma. Lekha was one of my favorite characters; she reminded me of Luna Lovegood: all weirdness and warm-hearted. Nikhil and Sasha were adorable. Even Ray intrigued me. He seemed endlessly torn between the memory of Amarra and her echo Eva. I couldn't help wondering if he was only interested in Eva because she looked exactly like his dead girlfriend. Matthew was probably the most complex, and then Adrian, though we don't see him as much. They were both a mystery to unravel. Definitely some memorable characters here! 

I love how The Lost Girl takes place in England and then India. Mandanna described the setting in vivid detail, making me wish I could be beside the lake in Windermere or in the crowded streets of Bangalore. I never lost my interest and there was even some action, with hunters on the loose and seekers that work for the Weavers. The Weavers seemed to be a constant presence, even if they were just in Eva's thoughts. 

I want the sequel now! Right this minute! I know I'm demanding, but I want to learn more about the Weavers and how the Loom started! The suspense is killing me! I also want to read more about Frankenstein and how it connects to the Weavers. Why were the echoes forbidden to read it? I can't wait to find out! My conclusion: read this book immediately!

Happy reading,

Courtney

False Memory by Dan Krokos Book Review

Title: False Memory
Author: Dan Krokos
Published: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Series: False Memory #1
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 336
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
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“That's what people do when they're in love. They make crazy decisions. They do what they think is best, and sometimes it turns out to be a mistake.” 
― Dan Krokos, False Memory

Synopsis
Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn’t at all surprised by Miranda’s shocking ability.

Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn’t easy—especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can’t remember loving.

Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn’t seem to matter...when there may not be a future. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
False Memory started off at a fast pace from the very beginning. This book would make a great movie because it's action-packed and suspenseful. There's tons of fighting and the characters are constantly on the run. Not to mention motorcycles and memory loss and guns. Even swords and electrically charged staffs are used! The characters are full of spunk, and they love weapons and kicking ass! Kind of reminded me of Bourne Identity. 

The premise was unique and I have to give it to Krokos for thinking outside of the box. The concept of having the mental power to spread waves of fear and panic was just so unusual and kind of scary to even consider. The opening scene shows how terrifying this power can be and was a strong scene to start on. I love stories where characters become lethal weapons or have certain abilities. This concept of living weapons called Roses, who constantly lose their memory and need memory shots, was wildly imaginative. I kept reading because I was excited to find out more about them. 

While I found the story entertaining and there wasn't a slow moment, I wasn't really invested in the characters for some reason. At first, I found Miranda's loss of memory and her search to recover her memories fascinating. I sympathized with her troubles and her need to find out her identity. But then her need to make a decision between Peter or Noah became more important than finding out who she was. It seemed like Miranda just automatically trusted these people even though she shouldn't remember them at all. Yes, they were all close, but she should've forgotten about that. I guess I wanted her acting more like an amnesiac and spending more time trying to get to know these people, such as having more in-depth conversations. Instead, her first priority becomes picking between Noah and Peter even though they should be complete strangers. Even as some of her memories returned, I don't think the feelings would have been attached. I wanted Miranda spending less time thinking about the guys and more time recollecting everything. 

I also wasn't a fan of the whole she likes him but he likes this other girl and so on scenario. I've mentioned this before with other books, but I find this often distracts from the main plot. In this case, I felt the whole love quadrangle was unnecessary and was just used as a means to move the plot forward. I would have been fine with one guy and one girl interested in each other because the plot should just be action-driven. I wanted to just learn more about the Roses and the background, but the love complications took away some of my interest. 

If you love books full of action and made to entertain, with suspense and strong characters trained to fight hardcore, this is a book you must read. The romance and characterization was so-so, but I still enjoyed reading it and will probably read the next one thanks to the dark twists at the end (no spoilers). Plus, I would really like to learn more about the Roses. 

Happy reading,

Courtney 

Review: DiSemblance by Shanae Branham

Title: DiSemblance 
Author: Shanae Branham
Published: August 1, 2012
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Pages: 369
Source: Author (for review)
Rating: 3 stars
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Synopsis
Jason Tanner’s life has always been different from the ordinary citizen’s. It started when he was an infant and his parents were only teenagers. A computer science prodigy, Lloyd attended MIT but left a pariah in the eyes of the school’s dean—but a computer physics genius in the eyes of his primary investor. Then his theories and ideas created a holographic machine and their world shrunk as contact with the outside world became less and less frequent. A computer prodigy now himself, Jason is about to learn that the world never waits for you if you have the ability to change it: it will come for you.

Detective Bruce Durante has been handed the case of the Comfort Killer, a serial killer so named because he appears to abduct terminally ill patients before returning their corpses to their families in refrigerated coffins. When he picks up the trail, it leads straight to the home of Lloyd Tanner.

Jason has been living life through the world of Lloyd’s invention and wishing he could carry on a relationship with Boston, the beautiful girl next door. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, he is brought back to reality in a hurry. He is forced to destroy all of the planted evidence—and finds he is being targeted as the killer’s new fall guy. But the secrets of his father’s invention run deep and Jason, his brother Isaac,Boston, the Comfort Killer, and Detective Durante hurtle towards one another on a deadly collision course that leaves everyone’s life hanging in the balance. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
DiSemblance had such a compelling, unique premise. Jason's father's invention allowed people to enter a holographic reality, either physically or mentally. If they entered mentally, the person had the ability to manipulate the programming, changing it from a beach to maybe a gladiator like stadium, with just their mind. If someone physically entered the program through a door, they could be physically harmed from anything that happened during the program's running time, which definitely raised the stakes. Besides the futuristic technology, there was a dark twist with the Comfort Killer. The Comfort Killer was a creepy but complex character, as he kidnapped terminally ill patients and killed them by denying them medical treatment. But what really fascinated me about the Comfort Killer was that he provided the coffins and funded the funeral services to help the grieving families. Spooky, huh? It was cool to see this science fiction theme and murder mystery collide and unravel together.

Shade's Children by Garth Nix Book Review

Title: Shade's Children
Author: Garth Nix
Published: September 1997
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction, Dystopian
Pages: 368
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 stars
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“VIDEO ARCHIVE-
INTERVIEW 24768 . GOLD-EYE
I like trees… grass… only birds in sky. People walking safe. Family
No Creatures. Sleep all night safe. Walk under sun in own place.
Grow plants. Build.
Be father with mother. Have Children. A place like Petar told me. Home.
After Change goes back…
I want home.” 
― Garth Nix, Shade's Children

Synopsis
Imagine a world where your fourteenth birthday is your last. In a brutal city of the future, human life is in the hands of the evil Overlords who have decreed that no child live a day past his fourteenth birthday. On that sad Birthday, the child is the object of an obscene harvest--his brains and muscles are used to construct machine-like creatures whose sole purpose is to kill.

The mysterious Shade--once a man, but now more like the machines he fights--recruits the few children lucky enough to escape. He gives them food, shelter, and the training they need to fight the Overlords. But Shade's sent many children out on missions--and fewer of them are coming back.

By luck, cunning, and skill, four of Shade's children--Ella, Drum, Ninde, and Gold-Eye--have come closer than any to discovering the source of the Overlords' power--and the key to their downfall. But the closer the children get, the more ruthless Shade seems to become...(Goodreads)

My Thoughts
I just realized that Shade's Children was originally released in 1997. I had no idea. My edition was published in 2012 so I was stupid in thinking that this was a newer release. How have I not come across this before? Anyways, I love Garth Nix and I loved this book. I am not a big science fiction fan. In fact, I hardly read science fiction at all, but this book was a little lighter on the science fiction side. 

So, why did I love Shade's Children? It was a haunting read that sent shivers up my spine and that will stay in my memory long after it's done. It reminded me of the Matrix except there was no alternate reality. It was a dark read, but there were moments of hope, lightness, and compassion that placed all of humanity into perspective, leaving the awful Overlords as a contrast. I sympathized with the characters, with Ella's four person team. Drum was my favorite character. There was something so fragile about that big, hulking man. And Ella. She was a force to be reckoned with. She had hopes and dreams, but she had to put them aside in order to survive. Ninde was obnoxious, but her energy and excitement were contagious. She really grows on you. And then there's Gold-Eye, sort of stumbling along. It was touching to see him with others after he had been running alone for so long. He finally had a place to belong.  As for Shade, I really liked him. He was complex and unpredictable, and quite the enigma. 

I loved how Nix had reports, lessons, and such after every chapter. Some of them were chilling and others amusing. I thought it was a creative way of communicating certain developments and giving somewhat of a background. 

The Overlords' creatures were frightening, especially the Ferrets and Screamers. I just wish that Nix would have given us more background about the Overlords and the Change. Even after finishing Shade's Children, I'm not entirely sure about what the Change was and how certain humans came to have Change abilities. Also, I wanted to know more about Shade and the Overlords. Their need for pointless battles between their armies was never explained fully.

Other than those small complaints, Shade's Children was awesome! How could I expect any less from the author who wrote the Abhorsen trilogy?

Happy reading,

Courtney

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher Book Review

Title: Incarceron
Author: Catherine Fisher
Published: May 3, 2007
Publisher: Dial
Series: Incarceron #1
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction, Dystopian
Pages: 442
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3.5 stars
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“Only the man who has known freedom can define his prison.” 
― Catherine Fisher, Incarceron

Synopsis

Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. 

A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. 

But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born...(Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Incarceron has received mixed reviews. From what I can tell, people either hate it or love it. In the beginning, I was unsure as well. While the premise was astounding in its originality, there was just so much to take in, so many things I was confused about. The plot was very complex and I felt like it was messing with my mind. The pace was also slow at first, and I found it difficult to keep interest. 

But I am happy I kept reading because Incarceron had some wonderful, unpredictable twists, and the storyline really came together for me. The story was like nothing I had ever read before. It was refreshing to read something that didn't remind me of any other book. To think of a prison that is a whole world and alive. The limits of this prison seem to be never ending, and it is filled with all sorts of wonders like metal forests and towers in the sky. 

And the idea that the Outside completely froze itself in time appealed to me. While half the population was stuck in Incarceron as an experiment, trying to create a Paradise for the demented, the criminal, and those who were considered useless, the rest of society had to follow Protocol and stay in Era. They were no longer allowed to invent or create. They had to live in a Victorian era in order to stop the movement of time and hopefully eliminate war and deadly progress. I loved the beauty of the landscape and how Fisher described each scene vividly, focusing on the flowers and the scenery. 

The characters in Incarceron were also intriguing. While I may not love every character, I wasn't supposed to. They were compelling and I wanted to hear more about their stories and histories. I found their unexpected loyalty and strength appealing, and I loved how the Outside and the Inside both had such deadly stakes when it came to forming relationships and maintaining connections. Even though Claudia was spoiled and haughty, I admired her greatly. And Finn had his weaknesses, but he had a kind heart and a need to move forward. 

The storyline is a little complex, and I'm still not entirely sure who the Sapienti are. I hope I get a clearer idea in the next book, Sapphique. And there are still a lot of unanswered questions I have. But overall, give Incarceron a chance and keep reading even if you get frustrated. It's like nothing you read before, and it has a remarkable story. 

Happy reading,

Courtney