Linked by Imogen Howson

Linked (Linked #1)

Imogen Howson

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication: June 2013 from Simon and Schuster
Pages: 368
Format: online
Acquisition: I read this book free on PulseIt.com

Synopsis:

Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.

Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world.

Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.

(from Goodreads)

This book is good. Like, really good. Like I read it in one day and maybe slacked off at work a bit because I couldn't not read it good.

The first thing I love about Linked is that it's science fiction. An actual futuristic world without a looming dystopian plot hanging above it all. Real sci-fi in a young adult book! Love love love!

The second thing I love about Linked is the characters. They are all over the place personality wise but they are so freaken realistic. The way the act and react to their situations was awesome. Every character was whole - lots of insights without being weighted down by narrative - again? Love!

All this love and we haven't even gotten to the plot! Here's a little secret....I loved it too!

If the situations Elissa finds herself in aren't exciting enough - she's in space for most of them. Space!

In case you couldn't tell, I really freaken loved this book.

Standalone? Totally works. More to the series? I could live with that. Imogen Howson has created a world I would love to spend a long time getting lost in.

Rating

5 / 5 Stars

The Linked Series
#1 Linked
#2 Shattered (2014)

Book Roundup (22) - August 18, 2013

OMG I'm back!

Can't say I really *went* anywhere except I wasn't *here* much. Just wasn't feeling it, you know?

But I'm missing it all :)

So I'm going to work blogging back into my schedule.

My normal, no drama, no frills, blogging because I love it schedule :)

Thanks to everyone who's still around reading!!

Had the urge to post today and since it's Sunday that means it's time for a much overdue Roundup!

Merriam-Webster defines 'roundup' as a gathering in of scattered persons or things (source)

Replace 'persons or things' with 'BOOKS!' and you'll have what happens in my house every week as I try to keep control of my hoard :)

Pictures pictures pictures! Just show us the pictures already! :)

Here you go:

Bought:
I know I'm behind with all the latest releases sitting on my wishlist but these beauties managed to find their way into my home nonetheless

*Replica by Jenna Black

Sci-fi YA - can I get a woop woop! 

Haven't read Jenna's other YA series but I've heard good things about it.

*Gravity by Melissa West

A sci-fi blend? Dystopian maybe with a little paranormal? Not sure of all the elements in this one but  it's a 2012 debut from Entangled that's been on my wishlist a while.

*Crazy Dangerous by Andrew Klavan

Total impulse buy today. I started Klavan's Homelander's series and enjoyed it and honestly, I was really taken with the cover of this one. Probably more Christian Fiction then I'm used to writing but the combo of elements here is really intriguing.

*Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne

So many translations of this one out there and so many of them are horrible! I'm trusting Penguin Classics on this one!

Picked it up for my daughter who, although is too young to read is convinced she will still enjoy if it's read to her (but only until she's old enough to read it herself ;)

*Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams

Contemporary drama book full of the feelings - in verse.

Totally an impulse buy. Not a huge fan of the contemp but can't seem to pass up an even slightly interesting story if it's written in verse.

For Review / From the Publisher:

Snagged the Sanderson from a quick twitter giveaway from Eric Smith and was sent Eric's book by Quirk because Eric is awesome!

*Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

ARC - releases in September

Adult sci-fi - first in a series :)

*The Geek's Guide to Dating by Eric Smith

ARC - releases in December

PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK NOW! 

It's fabulous!

For Review / From the Publisher:

It's picture book time! These all came from the lovely folks at Macmillan and I'll be reading them soon with my daughter. Today maybe after she gets tired of Verne :)

*Cool Creations in 35 Pieces by Sean Kenney

Legos man! Who doesn't love Legos!

*When it Snows by Richard Collingridge

If it snowed every day I would be happy :)

*Princess Tales by Grace Maccarone, illustrated by Gail De Marcken

A 'Once upon a time in rhyme with see-and-find pictures'

*Big Snow by Jonathan Bean

More snow!

Well, that's it for now!

Hope you all are having a fabulous Sunday :)