Raphael

Raphael by Monica La Porta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Awesome as always!

I received this awesome read in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first installment in the young adult spin off from adult Immortals series. If you have read the adult series you will recognize the same world and we see a few of the same characters but it is centered on a young werewolf named Raphael. We meet him as he is on the run from the Controller and he stumbles across his destined mate. The story takes off from there and keeps you glued to it til the very end.

I love the world building. With each of the Immortals series we see a little more of the world that Monica La Porta has created. In Raphael we find the Den of Regects and the Promenade that runs underneath Rome. Its a whole world unbeknownst to us humans. The characters add a lot to this world building as we are introduced to a street gang of werewolves known as the Reds and find that there is more to each one of them than meets the eye.

There are also many issues that are touched upon that many youths can relate to such as abuse at the hands of authority figures, families not accepting your sexual orientation, as well as gang life and drug abuse. The way the characters deal with their situations really brings them to life.


Each story that comes out in this series and the adult series its connected to keep getting better and better and I've enjoyed them all. They are all stand alone as well as can be read in succession. If you haven't read any of them, wait no longer. If you enjoy paranormal romance you won't regret it.



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Specials

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I liked it much better than I expected to, maybe because I had low expectations. 3.5 stars, I stretched up to 4 stars because I was feeling generous.

Tally and her friends have been turned into Special Specials by Dr. Cable. She sees everything with a sharp clarity however her brain is being further manipulated by the system. Shay-la and her band of Cutters is constantly trying to hunt down the New Smoke and Tally-wa is faced with accepting the reality of her situation.

I admit, I skimmed a lot of this one. There was a lot of action scenes that didn't hold my attention. I got what was going on and then moved on. My biggest issue with this one was the glamorization of harmful practices in a book aimed at impressionable young women. Cutting, underage drinking and early sex was portrayed as not only the norm but as positive things and personally I see this as irresponsible as an author. On the other hand, many reviews I read found the ending a bit disappointing but I didn't. I liked the ending and thought that Tally was stronger for it. I shall say no more to prevent spoilage. I would have liked to have seen more of David, but this was written from Tally's point of view and circumstances being as they were I can see why this wasn't possible. Maybe in the future Westerfield will write the story from David's point of view. That could be interesting.

Overall, its not a bad series but far from perfect however. If you like YA dystopias this might grab your attention.



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Pretties

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the second book in the Uglies trilogy (which somehow turns into 4 books instead of three o_0). In any case, I didn't like it as well as the first and ended up dropping my rating to three stars.

I had some issues with this one. I understand that by turning people into pretty-heads that you change their personality into shallow people. But how shallow can a person get? When do these people actually grow up? I know there are mentions of doctors and anthropologists and other types of workers but its never explained how these people go from partying all the time to being a doctor. The world building here is very lacking. There are mentions of other cities but that's all you ever get, just a mention. Nothing about where they are or how things are different or same there. What about school and education? It seems like a lot of destructive behavior is glamorized in this book.

But back to Tally-wa and the rest of her Crim crew. Other than Shay, who she comes to rescue, we are introduced to a whole new set of characters each as shallow as the rest except for Zane. Zane seems to have been the only one that has managed to keep his head throughout the book too bad it looks like he may lose it. Shay also seems to have some mental fight left in her, too bad past betrayal seems to have corrupted her.

Overall, I liked Pretties but not as well as Uglies. I hope that Specials is not as bad as some of the reviews that I've read. Even though it a YA read does not mean that world building isn't important. And this series could use a bit more of it.



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Uglies

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I stretched and gave this read 4 stars. I think its a series with a lot of promise, but looking ahead at reviews of the rest of the series I fear the promise is lacking.

Tally Youngblood is a young woman in a world that is centered on looks. Everyone in her society undergoes a transformation at 16 to change them into someone pretty. Her whole ambition in life is to be pretty and then she meets Shay. Shay tells her about a place where life isn't based on looks and you can be yourself and when Shay runs away Tally is forced into searching for her and when she finds her she learns the truth about her society.

The whole beauty centered world is an interesting concept. The founders of this society believed that if everyone were beautiful then no one would fight. There would be no wars or strife, but we all know that utopias are unattainable and ultimately its all about the control of the masses.

Overall, it was a fun read. I thought Tally started out a shallow character only believing the facts of life she was fed but she grew up a lot after her adventure. There is more to beauty besides what's on the outside after all.



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Generation M

Generation M by Scott Cramer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the last of the Toucan Trilogy and I have enjoyed them all.

Generation M wraps up the story of Toucan and her brother Jordan and sister Abbey after the Night of the Purple Moon. Cramer did a wonderful job of bringing this story to life. I kept thinking about how much older the characters seemed than their ages and I know its because they have had to grow up so fast. They were forced into adult roles before they should have been. And they answered the challenged very well. Their parents would have been proud to have known how they handled themselves in the face of so much pain and hardship. It was hard seeing how the little ones were suffering from the rampant disease and what little government was left wasn't trying to help. It would be interesting to know how other countries had handled such a disaster as we only saw what was happening in the US.

The twist at the end I could have done without. It seems like so many YA books and movies these days have me wanting to scream "No!!!! It shouldn't end that way!!" But after it was all said and done it was an ending I could live with. I'll say no more to keep away *spoilers*

I wasn't ready for the story to end. I wanted to know more about how what their future held. I had so many questions. Overall, I loved the series and enjoyed each book. Its a good series for any age.



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Mortal Danger

Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


There were things I liked and things I didn't like about this read. Making it meh on the rating scale.

Edie is a girl that has been bullied for years. Her parents are nerdy and have been no help in the matter and Edie is at the end of her rope. She's done her research and is preparing to commit suicide when she is stopped by a gorgeous guy and made a Faustian offer that she can't refuse. A great premise that goes awry from there. Edie wishes to be made beautiful so that she can get back at the Teflon group at school. Wait....what? ..... Yep, beauty will be the answer to all her problems and turns out it is. Along with beauty she gained instant confidence and turns out she can overlook the transgressions of the bullies. (And actually what they did to her would have been a prosecutable offense.)


The love affair with stalker Kian is somewhat believable. After all, they share a bond of the knowledge of what is really going on. However, my feelings toward Kian are in a gray area. I'm not so sure I believe him. I think there may be more there than Edie realizes. Her instincts are screaming and her hormone induced feelings are not listening.

The world building is interesting, too bad the plot is somewhat ify. Too much has been left unexplained. We have two "companies" that are fighting over the world. But they aren't sure why and its not really the outcome of the game that its important. Ok.... so are they just bored? or is there some other point here. And then there are all these sideline players who are interfering but again we don't really know why. The rules of the game are what? Again, no one seems to know.


Overall, I rated it meh mainly because its really shallow. Beauty doesn't solve all your problems and it doesn't make someone being mean to you ok. The Faustian contract is interesting and the world building is unique although the plot needs work. I'm hoping that some of my questions are answered in the next book and give me hope that the series will get better.



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The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty

The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty by Steve LeBel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.


The story of Bernie is a unique concept. We are introduced to Bernie who is a young got who has just graduated and is trying to get his first job. In this world universes and worlds are created by gods and themselves live in a world very much like our own. They have friends and enemies, jobs and families and have problems and success just like we do. Bernie's story also touches on concepts that kids in our world have to deal with every day such as bullies and broken homes. Bernie's life hasn't been easy with a famous dad who isn't in his life and a bully at school who he encounters again at work. Bernie learns to deal with the situations as best he can and its interesting to see how things work out.

While the concept of this tale is pretty unique, some of the details were taken out of the bible and woven with the mundane. There was a reference to a god who was able to create a whole universe in 6 days and then took a day off as well as some of the names were pretty familiar like Gabriel and Ezrah. But then those were paired with common names from our world like Billy and Suzie which gave the story a bit of a choppy feel to it like two concepts being melded together a bit awkwardly.

However, overall Bernie's story was unique and enjoyable for kids and adults alike. A fun tale with some very real lessons to be learned.



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Witch Song

Witch Song by Amber Argyle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is an interesting take on witches. Set in a world where witches control the changing of the seasons and the growing of crops and even the wind currents, Brusenna finds that she is the last after all have been captured by an evil witch. In this book, witches achieve their results by singing their spells, and usually with seeds instead of potions or wands.

In this world women have all the power and men are only protectors. There are no worlocks. And while I am all for the empowering women, I still find this a bit sexist as it completely negates half the population.

Brusenna's protector and love interest is Joshua: strong, handsome, brave, and supportive. Brusenna, while being a strong female character, sees herself as just the opposite. She believes herself to be inadequate and can't believe that Joshua could ever love her. And she has been thrust into a society that she has no understanding of because her mother has kept her hidden from it.

Overall, I liked the story. There is more intrigue woven in that is subtle and you don't realize til the ending because not all is as it seems.



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The Eleventh Plague

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This dystopia is a good middle grade age or young adult read. And while there's nothing over the top about the story like aliens or super powers or zombies, what makes it so good is its plausibility. The story behind the plague and what happens after is plausible.

Stephen is born into a world that is harsh and survival is an every day struggle. And at the same time he is still just a kid. He wants to not have so many worries and struggles and just play baseball with his friends and go to school and have a girlfriend. And when he faced with having those options he is torn between the life he wants and the one that he was always taught to have.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. Its a good dystopia for the age group it was written for. Its no so harsh and dark that its unfit for a younger crowd. It has great characters and lots of excitement and its plausibility factor earned points with me.



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The Sire

The Sire by M.S. Fowle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved! Loved! Loved!!!!!

What a wonderful, magical story. Claire and Walter live in a time and place where magic abounds as well as war rages. Claire helps Walter escape from some soldiers after he steals some apples only to find out he's a powerful mage. The reigning Monarch is searching out all the mages because he wants to control magic for himself.

Claire and Walter escape and she becomes an unwilling participant in is adventures. After finding that her grandfather has been taken into custody she seeks out Walter to help put an end to the war.

I loved the building relationship between Claire and Walter. And while I found it obvious where the plot was heading, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I loved the characters and the relationships between them as well as the magic in the air. A wonderful, original story that anyone would love.



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Allegiant

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book. It was not nearly as good as I expected it to be, but then again I had high expectations after the first two books. I loved Divergent and Insurgent and expected this one to follow suit.


There was so much that I didn't like about the GD book (the use of those initials really got on my nerves. Did Roth not realize what else those could stand for?) I wish I had re-read Insurgent before I read Allegiant. There was a lot I didn't remember and there really wasn't a recap of what happened in the last book. The story was told from alternating points of view between Tris and Four and really they were about the only important ones in the book. The story unfolding around them was felt as secondary. The secondary characters were kept in the background and I didn't really care what happened to them one way or another. Tris and Four were also much different than the previous books. Four was no longer the strong silent type and Tris really became the stronger character.

The story that unfolded was really a bit unrealistic for me. I don't see how mass genetic engineering would have been accepted in the first place nor how these city experiments would have helped either. The timeline also was a bit off for me. How they managed to go running around all night with all these secret meetings and no one noticing and getting back in time as well was beyond me.

I will also say that I did not like the ending. It could have, and should have ended differently.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed. It did wrap up some loose ends and give explanations that were needed. But it did a poor job of character development and world building and the ending left a lot to be desired.



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Colony East

Colony East by Scott Cramer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

Colony East picks up right where Night of the Purple Moon leaves off and it hits the ground running. Abbey and Jordan are on the mainland waiting for Jordan to recover enough to return home. They are hopeful that the adults that have discovered the cure will continue to help the suriving teens and children. Soon two years have passed. We see the anguish caused by death as well as seperation from growing up and going your own path.

Soon we hear that the bacteria have mutated causing a new illness without any cure or treatment. Abby, desperate to save Toucan, risks all to get her to Colony East for a cure. But what she finds there is anything but what she expects.

While this is a very believeable world with great new characters as well as past characters that have grown. There were a few things that I expected to be different. The kids that have been left are very resourceful. They have managed to start growing crops and learning to take care of livestock and learning to commercial fish however no one has learned how to start the water/sewage systems. I would have also thought that possibly the military systems left in place would have been concerned about the electrical systems as well as water. But I guess considering their train of thought concerning the catastrophy maybe not.

Overall, I enjoyed this read as well as the series so far. And the cliffhanger ending made me want to yell 'NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!' I would recommend this to any lovers of dystopia. A great series for kids as well as adults.



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Origin

Origin by Jessica Khoury

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this read! Was tempted to give this a 5 star rating but decided I couldn't quite stretch my rating that high. There is so much going on in this book and the story keeps you tied to it til the very end where everything is wrapped up nicely as it should be.

The Unsacred Gift: A Young Adult Paranormal Novel

Have you ever had a dream that came to life? How about losing the one you love and not being able to save them? What about a gift that you were cursed with? Well image having all three like Sicily "Sissy" Monroe.

"Some might say what I have is a gift. I say, I want to return it." Sissy declares.

Sicily "Sissy" Monroe has all the qualities of a perfect young lady. She is almost where she wants to be in life. But lying deep in the pupil of her eyes hold something that she cannot get rid of which interferes with her plans. She fights everyday with no one but herself. After having her first vision at age six of her sister's (Misty) disappearance and the dreams of failing to save her, Sissy wants no part in another person's fate. For years Sissy tried hard to avoid contact with people because she feared foreseeing their death. In keeping with this, she tries to stay away from her family. Little did Sissy know she could not run from her past, or her gift. She hopes someone will put her out of her misery, but she will soon discover that her visions and dreams were just a mere image of herself.

Jeffrey Zweig II, Author and Screenwriter

The Cotton Patch would like to thank author Jeffrey Zweig II for stopping by and sharing with us an excerpt from his book The End Begins: The Nine

About the Author
Born and Raised in the state of Indiana, Jeffrey Zweig II is a self published author of Epic Science Fiction/Fantasy. His degree from Indiana State University, with a background in DIY film production, and internships with various production companies laid the foundation for his creative career and for living life on his terms. He resides in Indianapolis, Indiana living the dream, as they say.
When not writing he volunteers his time remotely with the Dallas based non-profit Reading and Radio Resource, a company specializing in aiding those with disabilities to enjoy literature.

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

5 Stars

" This is the way the world ends-not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."-Remy

The Red Leaves and the Living Token

Red Leaves and the Living Token by Benjamin David Burrell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

This was a wonderfully original story created in a different world inhabited by three types of beings that represent three types of nature. The Zoen are furry creatures that are very animalistic looking. The petra have a very rocklike look about them. The Botann are green and very plantlike in appearance. The greatest difficulty for me was keeping straight which characters were which. It would have been helpful if at the front or the back there would have been a guide to the three types of creatures and which characters were which. A map of the area would have also been helpful.