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.



View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

Beyond Addiction

Beyond Addiction by Kit Rocha

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of my favorite books in this series and I've loved them all.

I love the dystopian world that Kit Rocha has created and in each book we see and learn more about it.

This book centers on Trix and Finn. Trix had lived in Sector Five and was hopelessly addicted. Finn believed her to be dead until one night she was kidnapped and brought back to Sector Five from Sector Four. Now that she's back and alive he will do whatever it takes to keep her whole and happy.

I loved these characters. You could feel what its like to lose the one you love and then suddenly find them again. But so much time had passed neither was as the other had left them. The turmoil and tension added to twists and turns of this romance. And the hot steamy scenes just added icing to the cake. My favorite of the series and I cried at the end.

Awesome series! Best if read in order, but each can stand alone.



View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

Beyond Pain

Beyond Pain by Kit Rocha

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the 3rd book in the Beyond Series and I love the world that has been built in these books. We see a bit more of it in this book as it continues where the 2nd left off. Sector Three comes into play as Bren is asked to start getting things under control over there as the O'Kanes took over at the end of the last book.

This book focuses mainly on the relationship of Bren and Six. Six was taken in by the O'Kanes in the 2nd book and it was quickly discovered she had been terribly abused. Bren was the one she latched on to and she only felt safe when he was with her. Soon he gets her complete trust but she is still fragile and it won't take much to break her heart. Both Bren and Six have a lot of baggage coming into this relationship and both are really possessive. Its difficult to be monogamous in a setting where everyone is so free with their sexuality but they manage to do just that.

Overall I liked the book and love the world that is created here. As were are introduced to new characters I wondered if we would come to know more of them in books to come. An awesome series for those over 18 that enjoy dystopias as well. Can't wait til the next book in this series!



View all my reviews

Beyond Control (Beyond #2)

Beyond Control by Kit Rocha

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Wow! A powerfully hot read to say the least. Love this series.

This is the second part in Kit Rocha's Beyond series and the focus is on the relationship between the leader of the O'Kane Gang, Dallas and his queen Lex. Their relationship is so much of a power struggle and it adds to the intensity of the story and their relationship. Lex is a very independent woman and Dallas loves power and control but he loves Lex more than life.

There is so much going on in this story apart from the really hot sex that happens everywhere with everybody. The world building has increased from the introduction in part one. We learn more about the political life of the sectors as well as their relationship with Eden, the city proper. We are introduced to the leaders of the other sectors as well as life among the masses.

Loved this one, although not as good as the first. The constant arguing between Dallas and Lex, although important to the story, got to be a put off for me. Can't wait to read the next and continue this series. Definitely only for those not faint of heart over 18.



View all my reviews

Beyond Shame

Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! There is so much going on in this story I hardly know where to start.

Set in the not so distant future, after solar storms have ravaged the earth. Society is split into different sections. In the city of Eden, all is pure and nothing that diverts from that is allowed. Noelle is the daughter of an affluent city official when she is found breaking the rules by drinking a little and fornicating with a boy she likes. She is then thrust out of the city and into Sector 4 that is ruled by the O'Kane gang. Noelle is then taken into the gang by Lex and Jasper and taught really how to live.

I love the characters in this book. Lex is a strong woman, so sure of herself. Jasper is Dallas O'Kane's right hand man and is also a really strong character. Noelle is young and inexperienced in life but as the story goes along she learns who she is and what she wants and under the tutelage of the gang she becomes a strong woman. She goes from thinking that all sex is dirty to understanding that what occurs between two or more consenting adults is not dirty. There is no shame in what happens between adults. Consent is the optimum word here. It should not be controlled by others in power who are not involved.


I loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the pace of it, and the sex scenes were HOTTTT!!!!! and only added to the story. The story was not built around the scenes but quite the opposite. Definitely not for those under 18. Unlike 50 Shades of Gray, this book is well written and not about subjugating women. Instead the sexual situations were as much or more about the pleasure and power of women. They were loved and protected by the men in their lives and very much satisfied. Can't wait to read the next one.



View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

MaddAddam

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I had a very high expectation of this book. I loved Oryx and Crake and I loved Year of the Flood. And Atwood is one of my favorite authors hands down. So when MaddAddam came out it was a must have/must read. Now I'm like meh, ok.

With MaddAddam you have stories within stories. We get Zeb's story and the history behind the Addamites. And the Crakers get an interpretation of this history as well as their own. So it more a history about a story set in the future. O_o

I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe something more concerning the present time of the lives the characters are leading. I wanted more of the world building and hearing about how life was after the flood along with the adjustments of the Crakers.

I wish I had re-read either of the two that came before. There was a lot that I didn't remember. There is a synopsis at the begining of the other two but its not the same as re-reading it.

I wasn't expecting it to be wrapped up the way it was either. To avoid spoilers I will just say it was a bittersweet ending and while I understand why it had to be that way it was still sad. Overall, I am glad I finished the trilogy but am still disappointed.



View all my reviews

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.



View all my reviews

The Twelve

The Twelve by Justin Cronin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Actual rating of 4.5 stars but I rounded up because I feel it was so well written and intricate. And OMG! what a long read. I was begining to think I would never finish. When I started reading The Twelve I wished that I would have been able to re-read The Passage. There was so much that I had forgotten about the first book and although the original story was woven in I had difficulty remember some of what had went on in the first book.

This book weaves a story around several threads. Many of the original characters are still involved--especially Amy and the virals. The religious aspects become even more pronounced as we are constantly hearing about the afterlife and God having a purpose for everything. The relationship between Amy and Wolgast also aludes to this right up to the very end.

Some aspects of this book are almost like short stories. What happens in year Zero is a story onto itself as well as "The Field". Some of which I wasn't sure what it had to do with the rest of the story. Although it added to the storyline it was really unneccessary. And at nearly 600 pages, I could have stood a bit less of the story.

This is certainly not a story for everyone. Its not an easy read as it is very long and at times a bit confusing. But if you enjoyed The Passage I would recommend continueing with The Twelve and I am looking forward to what comes next.



View all my reviews

Prince of War

Prince at War by Monica La Porta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

Awesome! This is the third book in the Ginecean Chronicles and as usual Monica La Porta does not disappoint.

Prince at War picks up right where Pax in the Land of Women leaves off. Prince and Pax are being pursued across the desert by the Priestess and Pax's mother, the President of Ginecea. All they want is to be left in peace to raise their child. But fearing for the life of their unborn child they keep running and hiding as long as they can. Their heterosexual love is not only seen as wrong but it is also forbidden especially between a Pure Bred woman and a lowly male.

This book, as well as the others before it in this series, grips you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go. Its one that is hard to put down. I could have devoured it in one sitting if it wasn't for little things like work and eating. La Porta's writing style is so fluid its like water. The story flows from the very beginning and I hated to see the final pages come.

Prince of War ties up this series wonderfully. All the truths come out, all the questions answered, and endings as well as new beginnings are shared. There are moments that are bittersweet as well as some that keep you on the edge of your seat. Love, Love, Love this series and would recommend this to anyone that loves a great read.



View all my reviews

After the Ending

After The Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Awesome read!! I'm always up for a good apocalyptic/dystopia and this pretty much fit the bill. I admit, there were some holes in the plausibility factor, but I'll get to those. I first considered this to be a YA, but towards the end the sex scenes are definitely too much for the under 18 readers.

This is the story of two friends, separated across country when a savage strain of flu virus nearly wipes everybody out. Dani and Zoe have been friends since grade school and now they are working to find each other after all has happened. The story moves back and forth between them along with emails that tie them together.

This is a really fun read, with some great characters. I loved how it moved back and forth between the two main characters. And the integration of their new found abilities. Mostly it seems that its all mind generated abilities like telepathy and clairvoyance. There's no X-men like powers such as controlling fire or anything like that. I did find two big plausibility problems with this story. First of all, its the apocalypse and suddenly the phones aren't working, but they all seem to find wifi wherever they are. Secondly, the love triangles on both sides of this story seem to be almost identical. It doesn't matter that one girl lost the love of her life she's all ready to fall in love again. It doesn't hurt I guess that everybody is hot, everyone is slim or well built and gorgeous. I guess all the average people died in the flu outbreak.

Overall, its a fun read. It had a great cliff hanger. I so want to see how this continues.





View all my reviews

The Breeders

The Breeders by Matthew J. Beier

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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


This was certainly an engrossing read. If I hadn't been subject to the rigors of having to live life I probably would have read this one all in one sitting. I didn't want to put it down.

This story is set far in the future after the Bio Wars, which was essentially civil war between heterosexuals and homosexuals. The outcome of these wars was that homosexuals won along with bio-engineering. Bi-sexuals weren't allowed to be produced and procreating is strictly regulated. Sex permeates every facet of society down to the names of places as well as booths to have sex while you wait on the bus.

Grace (who believes she is heterosterile) and Dex (engineered as a failsafe) find themselves in a world ruled by the dictatorship of the Queen that rules with Hitler-like authority. Grace finds herself pregnant and together they search for hope for their unborn child.
I love these two characters as well as Grace's dad Stuart. They are very much alive and flawed but full of hope. They are afraid to love one another but find its there anyway. They also meet those along the way that help them and let them know that now matter how bad humanity gets there are those that fight for equality of all kinds. Hope remains as long as there are those that let it.

Overall, I loved this one right up til I saw what was coming at the end. I won't spoil it by giving away the ending but I wanted to scream "Nooooooo! It can't end like that!" Having said that, it was a good read. Full of satire and social issues, showing how things could look from a different perspective, even though it was a bit over the top.





View all my reviews

The Death Cure

The Death Cure by James Dashner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I might stretch this up to 3.5 stars. I had some issues with it but overall I liked it. This is the third and final book in the Maze Runner trilogy. And being such, I expected more answers to questions I had in the first two books (maybe those will be in the prequel I have yet to read).

Oceans of Red Volume One

Oceans of Red Volume One by Willow Cross
Title: Rise Of The Demons: Oceans of Red Volume 1
Author: Willow Cross
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 67

Blurb:

By 2015 the streets of Los Angeles have been transformed from a thriving metropolis to a hostile world ravaged by demons bent on assimilating the human race. Standing between this total apocalypse of humanity and their chance for survival is 19 year old Remy Martin.

White Horse

White Horse by Alex Adams

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received this courtesy of FirstReads.

This was one of those books that I really had trouble putting down once I started it. I love dystopias and apocolyptic type books and this fit those categories perfectly.

Pax in the Land of Women

Pax in the Land of Women by Monica La Porta

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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

In a word: Awesome! The series of Ginecea is one of the best that I have read in a long time. If it wasn't for minor things like work, or eating and sleeping, I would have devoured this book in one sitting.