As They Slip Away by Beth Revis

E-novella / Short Story

Across the Universe #0.5

January 2013 from the author

online read

Scribd Link

Synopsis:

Taking place on the spaceship Godspeed before Amy Martin wakes up and Elder takes leadership, this novella describes life at the Hospital during Eldest's reign. Focusing primarily on background characters, readers will see fan-favorite characters Harley, Orion, Victria, and more.

This tragic tale explores the background of a previously unknown character, linking the history of the ship and its residents to Amy and Elder, giving depth to the world of Godspeed.

(from Goodreads)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A creepy tale about Selene, a girl we meet briefly in book one. I knew what ultimately happened to her but it was still a little heartbreaking learning more about her story. She could have been so many things but she never had a real chance.

Reading this short story really helped bring home the sense of wrongness that surrounds much of what happens on Godspeed.

Told with all the passion and pain that made Across The Universe so compelling to me, As They Slip Away was a fantastic read.

A great read for fans of the series - maybe not for you if you haven't read book one however.

Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Short Story Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

E-novella / Short Story

Shatter Me #1.5

October 2012 from Harper Teen

Kindle / Nook / Publisher

Synopsis:

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:
Warner's point of view? Yes please! I can't remember the last time I came across a villain I found it so very hard to hate.

Warner is such a complex character and while I could never condone what he's done, after reading Destroy Me I understand his actions. He's so very broken, so very beyond redemption. There is nothing lost about him, nothing romantic but still...it's hard for me to label him evil and walk away.

I actually would have loved to have known Warner's insights while reading book 1. With this said, I wouldn't recommend reading Destroy Me if you haven't read Shatter Me. It is however, a perfect in-between story.

Extras?
An excerpt from Unravel Me is included. Also, an "Excerpt from Warner's Files" with a peak inside his private log and files from The Reestablishment -- very cool!

Will I continue the Series?:
Yes! I'm very much looking forward to starting book 2.

Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Book Review: The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2)

Julie Kagawa

**might contain spoilers
if you haven't read book 1**

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication: April 2013 from Harlequin Teen
Pages: 446
Format: e-galley
Acquisition: NetGalley

Synopsis:

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Picking up soon after The Immortal Rules ends, we find Allie right back in the think of it all. She's left behind Eden and more importantly, Zeke. She's more alone then she has ever been and she's determined to find her sire, Kanin. She knows she might have to fight her way to him but she's not going to let anything stop her.

Extremely awesome.

I honestly didn't know what to expect from The Eternity Cure. I absolutely fell in love with the vampiric dystopian world Julie had created and I was dying to know what Allie would do after she left Zeke. Everything that made The Immortal Rules fantastic was back plus I got the added bonus of some serious kick a** vampire (and human) fighting.

Overall, The Eternity Cure is a lot bloodier and violent then The Immortal Rules. A lot more politics going on as well as we get more of inside look into how vampire society operates. We meet a lot of new characters - some only briefly and there are A LOT of characters that meet a brutal end before get to learn anything about them. By the time I was halfway through reading I was actually a little desensitized to it all.

I would have to say I liked The Immortal Rules a little bit more then The Eternity Cure. There were a few too many 'shocking' moments early on for Allie. Also, some things felt a little repetitive. She's on this quest - finds something she wasn't expecting - continues on the quest - resolves it (sort of) and starts again (sort of). I guess I was hoping for more of her world and less of her inner and personal struggles. BUT that's not to say the story wasn't fantastic.

It really is Allie that makes this book pop. If you feel in love with her in The Immortal Rules, you'll love her just the same in The Eternity Cure. She only annoyed me once or twice but that was more Zeke's fault and honestly, I never really warmed up to him. I can see why Allie loves him though.

More vampire then dsytopian in this one. More backstory and resolving of unfinished business then new happenings. Overall, a very satisfying 'book 2' - with enough of the story left untold that book 3 looks very promising (and way to far away!!)

Will I continue the series?
Yes! Allie, Kanin and company still have unfinished business to attend to. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Rating

4.5 / 5 Stars

PB book 1, HC book 2

The Blood of Eden Series
#0.5 Dawn of Eden (short story found in 'Til The World Ends)
#1.0 The Immortal Rules
#2.0 The Eternity Cure
#3.0 ?

Book Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)

Julie Kagawa

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication: April 2012 from Harlequin Teen
Pages: 485
Format: e-galley
Acquisition: received for review via NetGalley

Synopsis:

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts
Julie Kagawa is a magician. Really.

Now, I'm a fan of vampires, I really really am. But over the last couple of years, I've been burned pretty bad. A lot of the same old thing, a lot of Twilight copy cats, a lot of stories that try really hard to be different but always fall short for me -- with some exceptions, this has been my experience with young adult vampire books.

So, was I disappointed with The Immortal Rules? OMG no! I loved this book!

Julie's vampires aren't like others and at the same time, they retain the essence of what a true vampire should be - in my opinion. They are killers, they are monsters but some of them remember what being human was. They live in a world where they are at the top of the food chain, but staying there takes a lot of work.

What makes The Immortal Rules a unique read is the way Julie pairs these vampires with a very human dystopian world. Vampires are arrogant and quick to violence and it makes sense that the human world they now have to live in falls to decay. Before reading The Immortal Rules I never would have thought to combine vampires and dystopia but, really - they work together so well!

Allie as a character was someone I fell for pretty fast. She's strong and self reliant and a fabulous companion through this terrifying world Julie has created. She's also loyal to a fault - which I have a feeling might get her in even more trouble in book 2.

Will I continue the series?
YES without a doubt. A lot of doors have been closed on Allie's past but she still has some unfinished business to attend to. I'm also looking forward to seeing her more comfortable in her vampire skin. And what happens to the humans Allie has met!? What happens to the vampires!?

A fantastic start to an awesome series.

Rating

5 / 5 Stars

Bk 1 Paperback, Bk 2 Hardcover

The Blood of Eden Series
#1 The Immortal Rules
#2 The Eternity Cure (April 2013)

Book Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

"Tumbling down a deep rabbit hole - fast and uncontrollable - that's how I felt reading The Darkest Mind."

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: December 2012
Pages: 496
Series: #1
Format: ARC
Acquisition: received at BEA 2012

Synopsis:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

(from Goodreads)

Overall Feelings:
A little underwhelmed by the details but very satisfied with the results.

My Thoughts:
Something is happening to the world's children. Something that causes the adult population to react in pretty terrifying ways. It was this dramatic and extreme reaction that I had a problem with at first. Without having a firm background on what exactly was happening, it seemed really out of place.

The world in which Ruby finds herself in is in chaos and if I understand things correctly, it all has to do with the breakdown of our government due to a lack of funding. So, in 5 or 6 years time, almost all of America's children are either dead, in camps, or roaming the decaying urban landscape of what was once a fully functioning society. This dystopian aspect didn't quite fit together as neatly as I would have liked with what I knew about Ruby and her background.

Tumbling down a deep rabbit hole - fast and uncontrollable - that's how I felt reading The Darkest Mind. It was hard telling which way was up and there was nothing to hold on to. Everything in this world is unpredictable. It's a harsh and crewel and Ruby is right in the middle of it all.

Have to say though, I found myself routing for Ruby from the very start. The world she lives in, I did have a few issues with, but I was on her side 100%. Wanting to know what happened to her was a strong driving force that very much helped move the story along.

Will I continue the series?:
Yes! There is too much left unanswered and I really want to know what happens to Ruby.

Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

The Darkest Minds Series:
#1 The Darkest Minds
#2 Untitled (2013)
#3 Untitled (2014)

Short Story Review: Endurance by Ann Aquirre

E-novella / Short Story

Razorland #1.5

July 2012 from Feiwel and Friends
Kindle / Nook / Kobo

Synopsis:

When rebellion destroys the underground world in which Thimble and Stone have grown up, they take Stone’s son and try to escape the chaos. Along the way, they must evade the Freaks, beings who feed on human flesh. Leaving behind the roles of Builder and Breeder which they were assigned at birth, they wander the underground tunnels, looking for safety yet afraid to go “topside” where legend has it that the light and water will burn their skin from their bones.

Their journey takes them upward to an unimagined world of tinned food, comfortable furniture, and books. Away from their regimented society for the first time, and still facing imminent danger, Thimble and Stone acknowledge the forbidden attraction which both have denied for years. 

(from Goodreads)

My Thoughts:
Ahhh! I was so worried reading this one. What's going to happen? A nail biting tale that I was almost afraid to finish.

Endurance takes place soon after Deuce and Fade leave the enclave and tells the story of what happens to Thimble and Stone. I loved these 2 characters so it was a treat to see them again.

Having read Enclave a while ago, I have to say at first I couldn't quite remember all the details but it didn't take long for my brain to put the pieces back together. Reading about Thimble and Stone I felt like I had never left the terrifying world Aquirre created.

Extras? Yes - contains a preview of Outpost.

Will I continue the series? YES! I have Outpost and I cannot wait to get it read.

Book Review: Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch

"I found myself longing to belong to this world"

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 320
Series: no
Acquisition: I received a free e-galley for review from NetGalley

Summary:

On one side of the Rift is a technological paradise without famine or want. On the other side is a mystery.

Sixteen-year-old Glenn Morgan has lived next to the Rift her entire life and has no idea of what might be on the other side of it. Glenn's only friend, Kevin, insists the fence holds back a world of monsters and witchcraft, but magic isn't for Glenn. She has enough problems with reality: Glenn's mother disappeared when she was six, and soon after, she lost her scientist father to his all-consuming work on the mysterious Project. Glenn buries herself in her studies and dreams about the day she can escape. But when her father's work leads to his arrest, he gives Glenn a simple metal bracelet that will send Glenn and Kevin on the run---with only one place to go.

With MAGISTERIUM, Jeff Hirsch brings us the story of a complex, captivating world that will leave readers breathless until the very last page. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
An awesome read for me. A mix of fantasy and reality. A dystopian world, a magical world, a world that's hard to believe and at the same time feels very grounded and true. Magisterium offers up all of this and more.

I found myself longing to belong to this world. Which side would I choose? Which side will Glenn fall to? There is so much going on in this story and I loved it all!

Magisterium is very action packed, with a lot of secrets to share. Glenn, her family, her friends and the people she meets along her journey all have a part to play. It a short amount of time, worlds are changed and people have to change along with it. Glenn fights this change. I was fascinated watching her struggle, not knowing exactly how her story was going to play out.

Although, Glenn did get on my nerves a few times, looking back on it, I don't know that I could have done any better (or worse) in her situation. She's a strong character for sure and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Final verdict:
A perfect mix for me. This book has a little bit of everything I love - dytopian, fantasy, magic, science fiction, characters you can't help but fall for and an ending that left me hanging on the edge of my seat.

Jeff Hirsch has done it again. Taking the fantastically and weaving it in a way that both scared and delighted me.

Magisterium is a book you begin to miss as soon as you read that last page.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Read the first 3 chapters!

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

***2012 Debut Author***"...a lot of action that isn't sugar coated with simple and easy answers..."

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Pages: 373
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: I received a free ARC for review from the publisher

Summary:

Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.

Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.

Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Mia is a kick ass heroine. Her city is all but destroyed, her family is falling apart, a cult (or 2) have swooped in to gather the masses and oh yeah, she's a human lightning rod. And? Does she really let any of this stand in the way of protecting the people she loves? Not really.

I loved the on the edge post apocalyptic / dystopian world Bosworth has created. It's been a month since a major earthquake struck Los Angeles but we are given the impression that massive cataclysmic events are happening all over the world. What's a little different though for Mia is the fact that even if she weren't surrounded by disaster, she has major problems of her own to contend with.

I think that might be the one thing that didn't sit quite right for me. We never now exactly why Mia has these powers. Why does lightening effect her? Why now? I had a lot of questions and while some were answered I felt that a lot of really important back story was left out.

What I did like was the fact that almost nothing is clear cut. The good guys and the bad guys aren't all that different until the final pieces are put together in the end. I really liked how Mia stood her ground against everyone, making up her own mind and making her own decisions (at least while she was able to)

Final verdict:
With a lot of action that isn't sugar coated with simple and easy answers, Struck was a pretty thrilling read for me.

While reading, I wasn't entirely sure if Struck was a stand alone or the first in a series but honestly, I think it works as both. The ending was...well...an ending, but at the same time, there could be more of Mia and her story to tell. I'm happy with either scenario.

An awesome debut - Jennifer Bosworth is an author I'm sure to keep my eye on.

Overall Rating:

4.5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
#0.5 Prophet
#1 Struck

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Read An Excerpt
Discussion Guide

Book Review: Skylark by Meagan Spooner

***2012 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 2012
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Pages: 344
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:
Sixteen year-old Lark Ainsley has never seen the sky.

Her world ends at the edge of the vast domed barrier of energy enclosing all that’s left of humanity. For two hundred years the city has sustained this barrier by harvesting its children's innate magical energy when they reach adolescence. When it’s Lark’s turn to be harvested, she finds herself trapped in a nightmarish web of experiments and learns she is something out of legend itself: a Renewable, able to regenerate her own power after it’s been stripped.

Forced to flee the only home she knows to avoid life as a human battery, Lark must fight her way through the terrible wilderness beyond the edge of the world. With the city’s clockwork creations close on her heels and a strange wild boy stalking her in the countryside, she must move quickly if she is to have any hope of survival. She’s heard the stories that somewhere to the west are others like her, hidden in secret – but can she stay alive long enough to find them? (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
It's a little hard for me to pin down Skylark. It's a dystopian story of sorts but it almost feels like it's a dystopian world that isn't our own. Magic is everywhere and we never really find out why. Was it inherit in this world before disaster struck? Is magic a by product of the destruction? Trying to figure out these answers was only part of what made Skylark such a great read for me.

Lark has only known one life. She knows what will happen to her and she knows her place in her world. This all changes when she has her magic harvested. Everything she thought she knew about her society is thrown out the window and she has some tough choices to make.

I loved Lark as a character. I loved the fact that she knows her strengths and she knows her weaknesses. She never makes excuses for herself and even when she's terrified, she take full account of the situation and realizes that, yes, she might die but there might not be anything she can do about it. She doesn't whine or complain. She makes choices and she sticks to them.

Final verdict:
The world of Skylark isn't one I would personally want to find myself in but it is world I wish I could learn more about. There is so much unknown and so much to discover that I couldn't help but be sucked in.

A fantastic debut! My only regret is that I read it so early (thanks NetGalley :) It's going to be a long wait for book 2 - but I'm sure it will be worth it!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
#1 Skylark
#2 Shadowlark (2013)
#3 Untitled (2014)

Author's website / Goodreads / IndieBound

Book Review: Eve by Anna Carey

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: October 2011
Pages: 318
Series: 1st in the Eve series
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure.

I was: A little underwhelmed by the adventure but curious as to how things will turn out for Eve and her friends.

My thoughts:
A dystopian world on the edge but on the edge of what, I'm not quite sure. A confusing description perhaps, but Eve was a bit of a confusing read for me. It's dystopian world lacked some cohesion. I'm still not quite sure exactly what’s going on or rather, I was confused by the actions of those in power. There is this force driving society but it isn't really explained. I can only assume more answers will be revealed in book 2 but even knowing a book is the first in the series, I still expect some closure at the end. Have to say, at the end of Eve I wasn't very happy at all.

That isn't to say I didn't enjoy the story. Eve herself is an interesting character. She starts off very naive about her world - very much in the dark about her place and purpose. I liked the fact that she is thrown into things and has to adapt and change her way of thinking very quickly. I didn't like how it happened however. I didn't feel like I got enough information about where Eve came from and I didn't understand the place she was hoping to find. Some things are explained as the story progresses but it still very much felt like a book 1 with too many holes in the story.

Will I read book 2? I think yes. Even though I didn't fall in love with the characters or the setting of Eve, I did feel invested in the story and I really do want to know how it turns out. I do have to say though, that ending really had me. I very much felt like I was missing a page or two. There is this build up to a climax that doesn't really happen and for me, I'd have to say Eve suffers from Titanic movie ending syndrome aka make room on the damn raft for him already!

Highlight below for a spoiler filled explanation on what I mean:

So Eve and Caleb makes this perilous journey to...San Francisco was it? In any case, they travel long and hard and they face danger and they are pretty much in love with each other. So they get where they are going and Caleb is hurt and the rulers of the sanctuary they seek are all like 'sorry, no boys allowed' and Caleb's all like 'it's cook, I knew' and Eve's all "oh..ok...well don't die! I'll see you soon right?" - What? Why did she leave him? Why did she go with these strangers and leave her friend alone and hurt and possibly dying? Make room on the damn raft for him! Or rather, don't go with the creepy man hating strangers - find some other way!

End spoilers...and mini rant :)

Again, I hoping things will make a bit more sense in book 2.

Final verdict:
Don't let my lack luster review steer you away from Eve. Overall, it's a book I'm happy to have read. If dystopian is your thing, I think you'll enjoy Eve's story. If series books aren't, you might want to skip it.

There are a few very specific questions I'm really looking forward to have answered and I'm really curious as to how they are going to be answered.

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Eve Series:
Eve
Once (July 2012)



Linkage Love:
Harper Teen
Author's Website
Goodreads
IndieBound
Read an excerpt

Book Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

***2011 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 2011
Pages: 346
Series: 1st in the Shatter Me series
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up Shatter Me. I've heard a lot of really great things about it from readers that I trust so I had some pretty high expectations. I'm not sure it quite filled all of them but I do have to say, Shatter Me was a fantastic read.

A dystopian world that didn't always follow the rules - A romance that I felt like I was walking into the middle of before it really got started - Characters that didn't fit any norm that I had a hard time making sense of. You would think these factors might make for a less then enjoyable read but you would be very wrong! Tahereh combined everything so perfectly, making for a seamless dystopian adventure story filled with characters you won't soon forget. Especially Adam! He's almost too good to be true.

So hard to actually classify this one. Dystopian, yes. But there is also something perhaps paranormal going on? Or maybe it's entirely normal but we just don't have all the pieces yet? I really just don't know! But I loved the journey of this book. I loved watching Juliette and I loved learning about her world with her.

Final verdict:
For a dystopian novel, Shatter Me is up there among my favorites. The romance felt true, with no clichés or love triangles. A lot of memorable characters and a world that has a lot more secrets to offer up. A fantastic debut!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Shatter Me Series:
Shatter Me
Untitled (2012)

Linkage Love:
HarperCollins
Author's Website
Goodreads
Facebook Page - READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!

Official Trailer:

Book Review: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2011
Pages: 307
Series: 1st in the Sky Chasers Series
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

If a violent battle destroyed the only world you’ve ever known, would you be brave enough to save who was left? Would love be strong enough to survive the fight? Either way, there’s no turning back.

The Empyrean is the only home 15-year-old Waverly has ever known. Part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space, she and her boyfriend Kieran will be pioneers of New Earth. Waverly knows she must marry young in order to have children who can carry on the mission, and Kieran, the handsome captain-to-be, has everything Waverly could want in a husband. Everyone is sure he’s the best choice. Still, there’s a part of Waverly that wants more from life than marriage, and she is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

Suddenly, Waverly’s dreams are interrupted by the inconceivable – a violent betrayal by the Empyrean's sister ship, the New Horizon. The New Horizon’s leaders are desperate to populate the new planet first, and will do anything to get what they need: young girls. In one pivotal moment, Waverly and Kieran are separated, and find themselves at the helm of dangerous missions, where every move has potentially devastating consequences, and decisions of the heart may lead to disaster. (from publisher's website)

My thoughts:
There were a lot of aspects to Glow that I really found intriguing. Space travel has always fascinated me and the well used plot is always one I seem to gravitate towards. Humans taking to the stars in search of a new Earth - a new home where the human race can survive and thrive and begin again. Doesn't matter how many authors tell this tale, I'm always draw in. So Glow had that going for it with me.

The dual aspect POV was interesting but it didn't switch around enough for me. Too many chapters focused on one set of characters had me forgetting what the other set was doing and the timeline of the entire book was thrown all out of whack. I also never got a clear view on exactly what the ships looked like so the movements of the characters sometimes didn't seem to make any sense.

The characters themselves were enjoyable. All seemed pretty flawed from the start and when the trouble begins, these flaws served as catalysts. The way the characters interacted with each other, especially the boys, was a little predictable though and a lot of actions seemed inconsistent.

Overall, I can't say that I enjoyed the last 1/4 of the book. There was this underlying religious / God aspect running through the entire book but it took a strange turn. I got the feeling that I was suppose to agree with and feel sorry for a character that really did some horrible things to his 'friends'. Waverly's reactions at the very very end were so out of line in my opinion that I lost a little respect for her.

So I can't say that I loved this book but I am glad I read it. Loved the space travel and the dystopian feel but never really connected to any of the characters. An ok read for me.

Final verdict:
I can only assume by the ending, or really the lack of ending, that this is going to be the first book in a series. I wish more loose ends had been tied up in Glow and I wish it was a standalone book. I'm not sure if I'll pick up book 2 because even though I'm curious as to what happens to these characters I'm not really all that invested in their story. I don't know though.

A science fiction, young adult thriller that I couldn't help but compare to Across the Universe by Beth Revis while reading but without the same draw, for me at least. I would still recommend Glow to fans of sci-fi. There is a lot going on in this story and I hope my indifference doesn't turn you off because I do think there are a lot of people who will really enjoy this story.

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Books in The Sky Chasers Series:
Glow
Spark (July 2012)

Linkage Love:
Macmillan / St. Martin's
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2011
Pages: 278
Series: no
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving.
In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade for food and other items essential for
But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues, a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing forever. (From Goodreads)

My thoughts:
A great read for me. The post-apocalyptic world Jeff has created both thrilled and terrified. It's harsh and there are so many unknowns it's amazing that anyone can survive. Society hasn't yet reformed itself, and it's questionably if it ever will. There is no known governing forces, the landscape is bare and desolate and the people who inhabit it aren't quite old enough to have forgotten how it use to be. It's a world trying to reform and still so very close to imploding.

This world in which Stephen lives is also very real. The remnants of the way things were are still fresh - I could see our world in Stephen's and this was not comforting at all. But, it was this realism that added a thrill to the story for me.

Alongside this scary, untamed world there is a cast of characters that I really enjoyed. Some really got to me and others didn't make much of an impression but it was a good mix.

Overall, I pretty much enjoyed every aspect of The Eleventh Plague and I'm very excited for whatever Jeff has planned next!

The Eleventh Plague is a great read for anyone but I really think younger boys will really be engaged by this story. The bleakness of the society combined with characters that are easy to relate to, in my opinion, makes this a perfect read for reluctant and avid readers alike.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Scholastic
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2011
Pages: 384
Series: 1st in the Skyship Academy series
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

A devastated Earth's last hope is found in Pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities. Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers—political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth's stratosphere—and the corrupt Surface government.

Jesse Fisher, a Skyship slacker, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls. Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable—and dangerous—abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess.

Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn't know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Such a fantastic read for me! I've always been a huge science fiction fan and recently I've discovered my love of dystopian stories. Nick combines both these elements perfectly so it was pretty much a win win situation for me. What really drew me in was how easily these two worlds fit together.

Jesse Fisher lives in what was once The United States of America. After a devastating attack, Earth has been rendered almost inhabitable. The government has reformed and priorities have shifted. It's only been through the saving grace of Pearls that so many people have been able to survive. These strange and powerful orbs began falling from the sky soon after the attack. Seeming to be made of pure energy, each Pearl can power a Chosen city or a Skyship for months. These Chosen cities and floating Skyships are havens where, for the right price, people can live in safety and comfort.

As with a lot of dystopian tales, there are many layers to the new world we find our characters in. Jesse has to contend with the world of the surface and the world of the sky and things aren't always as they seem. Also, in true science fiction fashion, the Pearls also have some secrets of their own. I really can't say much more without giving away too much! Definitely a book that you do not want to see spoilers of.

I really loved the characters in this book. Jesse isn't the strongest or the best at anything but he doesn't let that stop him. Cassius finds out that being the strongest and the best doesn't mean all that much if you've been lied to your entire life. As for other supporting characters, some seem pretty black or white, good or bad...but I have a feeling I might be wrong about them. There is just so much mystery to this story it's hard to tell who's going to come out on top in the end.

This strange world full of floating cities, barren landscapes, magical Pearls, lies and mystery got me hooked from page one. A fantastic debut and I'm supper excited for book 2!

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Flux
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 2011
Pages: 320
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her.

Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking.

In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Dystopian stories are all over the place these days. I for one couldn't be happier. As far as dystopian tales go, Awaken was a pretty good one but at the same time, I had a few issues with it's world.

The youth of Awaken don't attend brick and mortar schools. Everything has done digital. And it's not just the kids, daily day to day life has progressed to the point where less and less people interact with each other face to face. It's actually a pretty believable future. Digital is cheaper and in the case of Awaken, it could be safer.

The issues I had with Awaken have to do with the rules that govern it's society. All schools are digital and most communication is done over computers. Our protagonist Maddie is under a sort of house arrest. She caused some trouble for her father who is the head of the very powerful company that started Digital School. So, there is a second layer of isolation for her. She doesn't have face to face friends and she doesn't get outside much but it seems like she could if she wanted to? It wasn't really clear and in fact she does spend a large amount of time outside her house with really little to no consequences so I was confused.

In one of these out of the house experiences, Maddie meets this guy Justin, who's only interest in her is her connections. Her father is powerful and Maddie could be helpful to Justin's cause. What is his cause? Well, at times if felt like borderline terrorism. His people are fighting Digital School - they feel it's dangerous for people to have no real interaction with each other. They rescue people who have broken the law and 'save them' and help them get off the grid so to speak and live a real life.

Ok..but...well...the problem, for me, was that this digital world didn't actually feel very dangerous. People still could, and did meet in person. There are coffee shops and live music and Maddie herself plays soccer and there is no government saying you can't do that or we'll arrest you. A lot of people don't want to interact face to face and in this society they really don't have to. If very much felt like a choice. Maddie hasn't really had much exposure to 'real' life but she's a special case. Most people it seemed had a choice.

So Digital School is bad and I never really found out why exactly. But people are fighting against it. And Maddie could be the key to it all if she betrays her father again and helps destroy all that is digital but I was never really sure what it was that she could do other then steal from her father. And really, couldn't anyone figure out how to do that? And Justin, this guy, who only wants her for what she could do for his 'cause'? Of course they fall for each other but for me, It was way to unrealistic to be enjoyable.

Final verdict:
As dystopian stories go, I would not rank Awaken among the top. As romance stories go, Awaken is way down on the list of my favorites - or rather, it doesn’t really make the list. Another take on the 'what if's' of our present society but without the believability or the actual danger everyone seems so afraid of. I would be hard pressed to recommend Awaken to fans of dystopian YA but as always, I encourage you to make your own decision.

Overall Rating:

2.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 2011
Pages: 496
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: bought

Summary:

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
From the moment ARCs starting falling into eager reader's hands I have heard nothing but good things about Divergent. Lots of fangirl excitement, lots of people lost for words at how very excellent they thought this book was. The hype was (and still is) HUGE!

And you're wondering…..was it warranted? I say - "Oh hell yeah!"

I love this book. I love it for it's characters, for it's dystopian world, for it's emotion - both of love and of hate. Best of all, I love it for it's simplicity. Dystopian tales run the risk of being too messy. Too many factors at play at once with too many possibilities. Not so with Divergent. It's dystopian playground is clean and believable. The world is different from ours today but it's still very much our world. This makes the actions of each character vivid and real.

And the characters! I really did fall in love with every one of them. Very believable and very enjoyable to read. Especially Tris. She is just a strong person, both emotionally and, she discovers, physically as well.

Again though, it was the dystopian world that Veronica created that kept my attention. It's a little strange and pretty harsh but it makes sense. The rules that govern society are logical and the characters actions fit exactly into the molds they should fit into.

That's not to say there weren't any surprises because there were but they were very welcomed and enjoyable to read!

Final verdict:
Divergent is a book that stays with you for a while after you turn that last page. I find myself wondering just what faction I would choose!

I'm very excited there will be more book in this series because I feel very invested in Tris's story and even though a lot of things were worked through in Divergent, there is the potential for a lot more to be told.

I highly recommend this book to fans of dystopian YA stories - I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Divergent Series:
Divergent
Insurgent (May 2012)
Untitled (2013)

Linkage Love:
Katherine Tegan / HarperCollins
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2) by Carrie Ryan

**Spoiler Free**

Reading Level: Young Adult
Pub Dates: Book-March 2010 / Audio-March 2010
Length: 12 hours
Narrator: Tara Sands
Series: 2nd in a series
Acquisition: Library

Summary:

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves. (Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I absolutely loved The Forest of Hands and Teeth so I was very excited to begin The Dead Tossed Waves. Although, not as good as book 1 in my opinion, I still very much enjoyed it. A zombie story with raw emotion driving the characters forward.

Have to say, Gabry was a little annoying. She seemed very disconnected to her world and to her life. Everything for her is so 'very' and 'never' and 'always' - she 'tries' and she 'can't' and she never really seems to DO anything. Rather, she lets circumstance guide her actions. At times she was very weak, which didn't make sense because her mother, Mary is so strong.

My general problem with Gabry? Too much 'I' - 'I need', 'I want', 'I can't', 'I won't' -- gets old fast. It was told from her point of view but still. I really wanted to see more of Mary. I loved her character in The Forest of Hands and Teeth and I didn't feel like she got enough page time in The Dead Tossed Waves. However, once Catcher and Elias come onto the scene and the action starts moving forward a little more, I really got into the story and stopped being so hard on Gabry.

Audio critique:
Not too bad but it was a little hard to distinguish Gabry's inter monologue from her spoken word. I was confused, at times, as to whether she was talking to herself or speaking out loud. Not a problem if you read the book.

Final verdict:
The Dead Tossed Waves is toted as a companion novel rather then a straight out sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth but I would have to disagree. While although book 2 does take place many years after book 1, the timeline is still intact, the same characters make appearances and we learn more of the overall story. So yeah, defiantly a sequel in my book. AND a good one at that!

If you enjoy zombies and dystopian novels, you'll like this series. The series ends with The Dark and Hallow Places (book 3) but I wish it didn't because I love this zombie invested world Carrie has created and I don't think I'll get tired of it any time soon.

Overall Story Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Overall Audio Book Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Pre-trilogy Short Stories
Hare Moon - available as an ebook or in Kiss Me Deadly
Flotsam and Jetsam - available in The Living Dead 2
Bougainvillea - available in Zombies vs. Unicorns
Scenic Route - available in Enthralled (September 2011)

Books in The Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy:
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
The Dead-Tossed Waves
The Dark and Hallow Places

Linkage Love:
Delacorte / Random House
Listening Library / Random House
Author's Website

Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Pages: 441
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: ARC from BEA 2010

Summary:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Delirium was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. I started out really enjoying it, then I found myself really disliking Lena. After a while, she grew on me and I was able to enjoy her story but then the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. So many people have raved about this one but overall, it fell a little short for me.

The dystopian world that Lauren has created is great. Love, or rather, amor deliria nervosa  has been classified a disease. Science has found a cure but it can only be given to those over the age of 18. So, of course the helpless, uncured youth must be monitored at all times. They must learn of the dangers of amor deliria nervosa. It must be drilled into their heads until they are afraid to even look at a member of the opposite sex. Until they yearn for the cure.

Society as re-written itself. Fairy tales, great works of literature, even the Bible have been retold. I found this aspect of the story interesting. Love is such a basic human emotion and when you remove it, you're also removing emotional responses. People don't act or react to situation the same way. History and religion and science take on whole new meanings when feelings are removed. A pretty fascinating scenario.

Have to say, even with my wishy washy feelings for Lena, I was routing for her in the end. She really never knew what she was missing out on and after she sees the light so to speak, a whole new world opens up for her. I wanted her to experience that world and I was excited and afraid for her.  Forming an emotional connection to a character makes for a very enjoyable read.

The romance between Lena and Alex was a little predictable. I mean, he is the first boy she's had any extended contact with so yeah, she's going to fall for him. His reason's for falling for her though weren't as fleshed out. He likes her from the moment he sets eyes on her - not instant love but close.  So, their time together was enjoyable to read but not exactly surprising or exciting.

The ending though? A little to be desired. I didn't quite get why things played out the way they did - especially in the last few pages.  The cliff hanger and series fodder were a little frustrating. Not in the same way, but it reminded me a little like the ending of the movie Titanic. The 'why can't you make room for him on the raft' sort of feeling. Not logical or playing nice with the rules of the storyline. Read it and see if you agree with me.

Will I pick up book 2? I will because, unlike most of the characters in Deliruim, I am emotionally involved. I very much want to know how Lena's story plays out.

A very well laid out dystopian tale. Likable characters, great plot line and even with the not so satisfying ending, I'm looking forward to the sequel. A book I would very much recommend to fans of YA dystopian romance.

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Delirium Series:
Delirium
Pandemonium (March 2012)
Requiem (February 2013)

Linkage Love:
HarperTeen
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Pages: 323
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common. (Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Bumped is...well...it's different. It's nothing like any young adult book I've every read and it's really nothing like current dystopian books flooding the market these days. And...well...I'm not sure this is a good thing.

In Bumped, the entire human race as lost it's power to procreate after the age of 18. No reason for this is given, aside from it being a virus so that was a little frustrating. For me, the best type of dystopian stories are ones with a believable and solid catalyst. Something that turns the world as we know it on it's head. And while the world of Bumped is surely turned very upside down...there is a lot to be desired in the dystopian department - for me at least.

Another reason I never really warmed up to this book was the overall loveless and degrading nature of the society portrayed. So humans can't conceive after the age of 18. Ok. But to go from that to girls as young as 14 'bumping' for profit? For such things as amateur (will sleep with anyone to get preggers) to professional (will only have sex under contract) 'bumpers'? For there to exist absolutely no room for the love a mother should feels for her child -- one she 'bumped' herself or bought? And I'm still unsure if any teenagers are allowed to keep their babies. It seems like every child is bought and sold - no matter what. Whoa. Feel like we missed a few crucial societal, civil and human degradations to drop us down to this level of depravity.

I've seen reviews that bash Bumped for a lot of the same reasons I've listed above. The bashing, I do believe is unwarranted. While, I did not enjoy this book, I think I get what the author was trying to say. I mean, everything (EVERYTHING) is so over the top, in your face, sex sex sex sex sex! That is has to be satire? Right? I honestly don't know but, I don't think Bumped was written to offend  - I say this because I do believe a lot of people will find Bumped very offensive. And, have to say, it's a little hard to argue for Bumped when it contains such dialog as this: (taken from finished copy)

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with humping when you're bumping. Raimundo and I went at it like crazy for the full forty-two and my first pregg didn't come out all cock-knocked in the head."

Yeah…most of the book isn't this bad but yeah…

Final verdict:
So, was Bumped for me? No. And not because I was offended by it's overly sexual and degrading content. I didn't enjoy Bumped because it wasn't a believable dystopian story. I never connected with any of the characters and the added addition of the religious elements really just didn't work for the story -- for me.

Would you enjoy Bumped? Go into it with an open mind but if you don't enjoy reading about sex then do not pick this one up.  AND - the story doesn't end. No cliff hanger really - felt more like I was missing the last page - or chapter. I read an e-galley but I don't think the finished version is any different - someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Overall Rating:

2 / 5 Stars

Books in the Series:
Bumped
Thumped (2012)

Linkage Love:
HarperCollins
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Those That Wake by Jesse Karp

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: March 21, 2011
Pages: 336
Series: no
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

New York City’s spirit has been crushed. People walk the streets with their heads down, withdrawing from one another and into the cold comfort of technology. Teenagers Mal and Laura have grown up in this reality. They’ve never met. Seemingly, they never will.

But on the same day Mal learns his brother has disappeared, Laura discovers her parents have forgotten her. Both begin a search for their families that leads them to the same truth: someone or something has wiped the teens from the memories of every person they have ever known. Thrown together, Mal and Laura must find common ground as they attempt to reclaim their pasts. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
If I had to sum up this book in one word that word would be 'weird'. Just plain 'weird'. And I'm still trying to figure out if this was a good thing or not.

A dystopian tale that at first, I forgot was dystopian. The elements that normally are thrown into your face in a dystopian story, weren't there to start. Not a bad thing really but when a oddity did pop up, it threw me for a loop. I actually read the synopsis a couple of times while reading the book to try to get my brain back on track.

There was a small part of this book I really loved, another small part I really hated and the rest kind of fell in the middle. I still don't know exactly what it was that happened to the characters...and I don't know if my lack of understanding was intentional. Did I miss something or was the story just a little too all over the place to actually work? I really don't know.

I really liked the characters. Or rather, the types of characters. Two teens are really at the heart of the story but the adults involved play a big part and the variety of personalities at play was interesting.

A stand alone? Hopefully? That's a good thing because if there is more of this story to tell, I really wish it was all in one book!

Overall, just an ok read for me. If you've been wanting to read this one, I would say give it a go but if you're looking for a pure dystopian tale, I would have to recommend others before Those That Wake.

Overall Rating:

2.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Harcourt Children's Books
Author's Website
Goodreads