The Forsaken Review

Author: Lisa M. Stasse
Release date: July 10, 2012
Pages: 375
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
How I got it: For review from author 

A thought-provoking and exciting start to a riveting new dystopian trilogy. 

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up. 

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

If you're a fan of fast-paced novels with twists and turns at every corner, The Forsaken is for you.

While my main problem with dystopias lately has been the lack of world-building, I didn't have a problem with Stasse's world-building. In fact, I thought it was a pretty believable, well thought out setting that was relatively unique.

As I mentioned, The Forsaken moves at a lightning fast pace. Just when something explosive happens, BAM something else huge happens. There truly was never a dull moment. Because of the fast pace, there was never really a spare second to get to know any of the characters, much less get attached to any of them. For that reason, I couldn't become invested in The Forsaken.

So yeah, The Forsaken was far from a perfect read for me, but it definitely had its shining moments, and I think a lot of people will love this one.

Plot: Fresh and very exciting.

Characters: Bland.

Writing: Pretty good, but sometimes it felt a little awkward.

Ending: Wrapped things up pretty well, but naturally left things open for a sequel.

Mature content: Violence.

Overall:
Yeah, you could talk to me while I read, I guess.

Though I appreciated The Forsaken's fast pace and intriguing setting, I ended up feeling indifferent towards this book because I couldn't invest in the novel's characters.

Pandemonium Review

Author: Lauren Oliver
Release date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 375
How I got it: For review from publisher
Other titles in series: Delirium 

I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.I buried her.I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame. 

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Even though I had mixed feelings about Delirium, I devoured Pandemonium in just a few days.

The biggest change between Delirium and Pandemonium would for sure be Lena. If you remember, I found her to be bland and kinda whiny in book one, but she's grown up so much between the two novels it's insane. Now she's one of those people I wouldn't want to cross, which makes her AWESOME to read about. Unfortunately, I never connected with Julian the way I did with New Lena.

I also found the plot in Pandemonium to be much more exciting than I did Delirium. While the first book dragged, I found myself completely absorbed in Pandemonium the entire time. Probably because it felt like there was ALWAYS something going on.

Basically, Pandemonium was suspenseful, action-packed, and a book you can easily become involved in. While the world-building still lacks a little something to make this world terrifyingly real, I was able to look past that and enjoy the novel for what it was. I was pleasently surprised.

Plot: Fast paced and full of suspense.

Characters: Lena kicked some major booteh...which made up for Julian's blandness.

Writing: Gorgeous, as always.

Ending: WHAT.

Kid friendly? There's some language.

Overall:

I had a hard time tearing my eyes away from the page.

Though it's what I'd call "dystopian fluff," I still found myself wrapped up in this story. If you didn't love Delirium, maybe try this one because it was completely different.

Immortal Rules Review and Giveaway

Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Release date: April 24, 2012
Pages: 485
How I got it: For review from publisher 

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.  

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire 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 is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters. 

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.
Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. 

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

I absolutely LOVE Kagawa's Iron Fey series, so I put aside my weariness towards the idea of a post-apocalyptic vampire novel because I knew if Julie Kagawa had written it, I would love it. So imagine my shock and sadness when I...didn't.

The pace was just really...slow. The Immortal Rules is nearly 500 pages, and it reads like it. Certain plot points dragged on and on when sometimes I felt like portions of the novel could've been cut out entirely.

Yet not once through the dragging plot did I find a character to invest in. I thought Allison was going to be kick-butt, and while she has her moments, I didn't find her the be the character I was hoping for and had a hard time connecting with her, especially when she seemed to be making one stupid mistake after the next. I never cared for Zeke either, and Allison and Zeke's relationship seem awkward and fake to me.

However, The Immortal Rules had its shining moments. Kagawa's writing is, of course, great, and the dark and hopeless world she created is strikingly vivid and gory, and Kanin was a mysterious character. Unfortunately, this wasn't enough to hold my interest in the story for long periods of time.

Plot: Slow and not what I was expecting.

Characters: Ok, I guess.

Writing: Great.

Ending: Good, but I doubt I'll be reading the sequel.

Kid friendly? There's violence and gore, and a little bit of swearing.

Overall:

I put this book down way too many times.

It took me a long time to read this, way longer than it should've. The Immortal Rules just didn't hold my attention and wasn't for me.

Other opinions:

YA Book Queen

The Book Cellar

Parajunkee

Gypsy Book Reviews

Even though I didn't love The Immortal Rules, you might, so I've got one finished copy from HarlequinTeen to give away to one of you! US only, ends on the 30th. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Delirium Review

Author: Lauren Oliver
Release date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 441
How I got it: From publisher for review 

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 government 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.

So to be honest I didn't think I'd enjoy this book, but fortunately I did. I didn't think it was perfect and AMAAAZING but I found myself involved in the story anyways.

What was pretty amazing was Lauren Oliver's writing. It's been like 3 years since I've read Oliver's debut, Before I Fall, and I seem to have completely forgotten the otherworldly magic she has over words. The writing is what kept me reading even when I found the plot to be slow (which sadly I did. Several times).

As for the world-building...well, it had its moments where I bought into the fear and the cure and everything, but it also had its major "yeah suuuure" moments that so obviously were thrown in for the author's convenience it made me roll my eyes.

I also had issues investing in the characters until at least halfway through, and then my favorites were still not Lena. Actually I found Lena to be rather bland. The romance between Lena and Alex, however, I found to be more believable and less instant than I was expecting, though it still seemed a little more like lust than love.

Despite my qualms with the pacing, world-building, and characters, I still remained fascinated by the concept and writing. I can see how this book is so widely loved, even though I only liked it.

Plot: Awesome concept, but the pacing was a little off.

Characters: I would've liked some more development from each of them.

Writing: Brilliant.

Ending: I feel kind of cheated about the ending, because I'd accidentally read a spoiler online--yes, THE spoiler, the one that spoils the BIG SHOCKER--but I liked it in a bittersweet way and I'm interested to see what it means for Lena in Pandemonium. 

Kid friendly: There was some swearing, making out, and partying.

Overall:

I would wave my hand in an irritated fashion if someone tried to talk to me, but I wasn't adamant about it.

While this book had its low points for me, I enjoyed Delirium despite myself, and I'm definitely interested in book 2. If you're a less-picky reader looking for some dystopian and romance, I'd recommend giving this one a try.

Under The Never Sky Review

Author: Veronica Rossi
Release date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Most appropriate for ages: 12+
How I got it: For review through Netgalley

Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive. 

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

I am very weary of dystopias lately because:

• There's A LOT of them being released right now.
• It's been a long while since I've read one I reallyreally liked because
• I--quite honestly--feel like authors have gotten sloppy when writing with several elements, especially world-building.

Veronica Rossi's debut, however, had a decent enough world. But there were several things about Under The Never Sky that just didn't fit together and a huge lack of connection between me and this story.

Let's start with said "decent enough world." You've got your people who live in pods and can really only get out through some kind of (pretty awesome) virtual world. Great, cool! Then you've got your Outsiders, who for whatever reason, didn't make it into these pods. They live in tribes and their ways are old and sometimes barbaric. Great, cool! Then you add in super-powers and cannibals. Um, what? Where did that come from? So when I say "decent enough", it doesn't really mean "good", it means more along the lines of...okay.

Also, I think a big reason I couldn't get into UTNS was how disconnected I was to these characters. They weren't bad characters, but there was nothing unique or exciting about them, but they also weren't plain enough to be realistic. It didn't help URNS that its pacing was so not good.

Under The Never Sky was just simply not for me. This book definitely has found its fans though, as shown by countless positive reviews, so I feel like I'm in the minority here. If you're on a dystopian kick and you're looking for something kind of different, then maybe you should try Under The Never Sky...but if you don't like it, don't say I didn't warn you.

Plot: Unique, but also kind of weird, and it was paced very oddly.

Characters: Blah.

Writing: Easy to read.

Ending: Appropriate, but it didn't really make me NEED the second book.

Kid friendly: There's some killing and mentions of it, as well as sex.

Overall:

I was striking up conversations with people while reading.

This book was just not for me, and it never seemed to be able to hold my attention. Check it out and see if it's for you, though.

Prized Review

Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Pages: 356 (ARC)
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Most Appropriate for Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

I'm not gonna beat around the bush: I did not like Prized as much as I liked Birthmarked. I enjoyed it, yes, and I'm excited to see what happens next in the series, but some things in Prized just didn't work for me.

But even though some things didn't work for me in this installment, I see why the author had to do these things and it was logical to take them the places she did. It just bugged me. Which makes this review particularly hard to write.

So you know how everyone's sick of the love triangles? Well, Prized has a love square. Now, logically, this makes sense. Nine out of ten people in Sylum are guys, and it's illegal for the ones that aren't married to so much as touch another girl, so obviously they are supa horneh. But it still bugged me, especially since Gaia just kinda led them all on, which also makes sense. I mean, this was a shock to a girl who had never even been looked at by guys. But it still bugged me.

It also didn't help that the pace was much slower than it was in Birthmarked. I found it far easier to put down than I'd like, honestly.

No, Prized did not quite live up to the expectations that Birthmarked had set, but I by no means found it bad, and I have hopes for the next book. Also, Leon was about ten times hotter in this book, so that helped.

Plot: A bit slow.

Characters: Gaia made some mistakes that made me super angry at her, but Leon made up for it cause DANG.

Writing: Very good!

Ending: Leaves a lot of hope for the last book.

Kid Friendly? There was an abortion and talk of it, as well as a pretty gory birth.

Should I read it? If you loved the first book like I did, yes. If you didn't...well, then maybe you'll want to wait to see what people said about the third book.

Overall:

Divergent Review

Author: Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Pages: 487 (ARC)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Borrowed
Challenges: 2011 Debut Author

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Divergent was soooo hyped. Every review I'd read of it gave it five stars, rave reviews, and insisted that it MUST be read. Naturally, this brought up two reactions from me:

1. I NEED IT.

2. The sad thing is it's probably not even that good... I better put on my snob-reading-glasses.

And I did. Put on the snob-glasses, I mean. Please keep that in mind when I say:

2011 is The Year of Dystopia. And Divergent is the best ones I've read this year so far.

From the first page--no, paragraph--I was hooked. Roth has created a gripping and fast paced story that keeps you glued to the pages throughout the book. And it helps that her world-building is rock solid and terrifying and brilliant.

Tris is a unique, smart, and compelling character, I loved being inside her head. And she wasn't the only character I loved. Cause, um, FOUR. I loved that character to pieces! I also took on an odd fondness towards Will, more so than the other side characters.

May we please take a moment to point out the romance? It was so great. And I don't mean in the overly-mushy type way, I mean in the enjoyable-without-being-so-over-the-top-it-takes-away-from-the-rest-of-the-plot way. It was realistic while still being smile inducing.

...But that's where the smiles from me end regarding Divergent, really. This is a rough, intense future to bear witness to, but I honestly loved every second of it and would relive it all again in a heartbeat.

Divergent was wonderful. This is a journey that I'm super excited to continue, and super excited to push copies into people hands and force them to read it like a lunatic, and super excited to add it to my Favorites Shelf. Trust me, you cannot afford to miss out on Divergent.

Plot: Spectacular.

Characters: Lovable and smart and just...yes.

Writing: Flows really well.

Ending: O.M.G.

Kid friendly?I'd say so. There are very brief mentions of sex, as well as violence, but that's it.

Overall:

Bumped Review

Author: Megan McCafferty
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 244 (E-ARC)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from Netgalley
Challenges: Debut Author 2011

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. 

So I liked Bumped. I didn't love it, but I thought it was a funny take on teen pregnancy.

The first 80 pages of Bumped were really confusing. McCafferty immediately throws you into her futuristic society, full of it's own unique slang and terms and stores and challenges you to keep up. Well it took me a while to keep up. Though this wasn't my biggest problem with Bumped. I think it was the fact that this disease that leaves people infertile after a certain age isn't explained at all. It's only mentioned once or twice. Hopefully it will be further explored in the sequel.

As for the characters, both Melody and Harmony are easy to like. The sisters don't have much in common except for one thing: they're each being over-controlled by someone and are starting to question it. I didn't dislike them, but I really love them either. My favorite character ended up being Zen, Melody's unfortunately vertically challenged best friend who wants nothing more than to be loved by everyone.

So I don't really know how I feel about Bumped as a whole. I had some issues with it, but it kept my attention well enough. What I do know is that I'll be reading the sequel, and that I recommend you read it to see how you feel about it.

Book Report:

Plot: Intriguing and funny.

Characters: Not bad, especially liked Zen.

Writing: I would've liked more description.

Ending: It just kinda ended.

Kid friendly? Obviously, there's a lot of sex. But I'm pretty sure that's it.

Should I read it? Yeah, I think some people will love this book.

Overall:

 

 

Across The Universe Review

Author: Beth Revis
Release Date: January 11, 2011
Pages: 398 (ARC)
Publisher: Razorbill
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher
Challenges: Debut author challenge

A Story of Love, Murder, and Madness Aboard an Enormous Spaceship Bound for the Future

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to wake up on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed.

Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

Across the Universe is Titanic meets Brave New World.

I think my expectations for Across The Universe were too high or something, cause I just didn't love this book like everyone else has. Not that I hated it, but, well...

It started with a bang, but then somewhere along the line it just slowed down. The mystery was there but no progress was ever made, and nobody seemed to demand answers to any of the super-creepy stuff that went down on the ship. I found it too easy to put down, and I'll be honest and say that I almost took a break from it.  

However. The last 100 pages? Yeah, they were awesome. So awesome that they redeemed the book and made me want to read the sequel.

I'll be honest again and say that I might have enjoyed this book more had I read it a different time. I was suffering from a major Good Book Hangover, so it might've just been me.

I give props to Beth Revis, cause this is a promising start to a trilogy, as well as a good debut. But I expected to be blown away by this one but--while I thought it was good--I didn't think it was amazing.

Reviewers who were blown away:
Sophistikatied Reviews
The Hiding Spot

Book Report:

Plot: Well thought out, but doesn't really get going until the end.

Characters: Likable, but they never really came to life for me, you know?

Writing: Good. Very easy to read and descriptive, and the world-building was really well done.

Ending: BAM... That's the sound of the explosive ending.

Kid friendly? There's some pretty graphic (and really creepy) sex scenes.

Should I read it? If you're a fan of sci-fi, dystopia, or mystery, then yeah.

Overall:

I'll be interviewing Beth Revis tomorrow, so look out for that.

Wither Review

Author: Lauren Destefano
Release Date: March 3, 2011
Pages: 358 (ARC)
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from ATWT
Challenges: 2011 Debut Author Challenge
What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

Gah, what to say about Wither?

I don't think I've ever read a book that was as beautiful and horrifying as Wither. I mean, the world that Destefano has created is beyond horrifying, but her writing, characters, and plotting are all beyond beautiful as well.

Looking back on Wither, I remember often feeling like I almost was our determined heroine Rhine. You feel as confused about she does about her new life, and what would really be best for her and her sister wives. (Speaking of which, one is only 13. *shudder*) This is how much you will connect to wonderful Rhine. She's strong, smart, and driven to get what she wants. Every single character in this book is well-developed, from the love interest to the bad guy to the husband.

The plot, man...so good. So hauntingly good. The world-building, the pacing, the climax...all of it. Even if I didn't like the characters, which I did, I'd probably still enjoy the book because of the fantastic story alone.

Lauren Destefano is one watch. Wither is a breathtaking debut novel, and you'd be a fool to miss it.

Book Report:

Plot: So awesome.

Characters: Each one is fascinating.

Writing: Preeeeeeeetty.

Ending: Satisfying, but I still can't wait for the sequel.

Kid friendly? Another thing I loved about Wither was how honest and raw it was. Prostitution, teen pregnancy, teen drinking, sex in general, and death are not brushed over.

Should I read it? Yes. Even if you don't like dystopia, read Wither.

Overall:

Tour: Trickster's Girl Review

Author: Hilari Bell
Release Date: January 3, 2011
Pages: 289 (E-book)
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from Netgalley

In the year 2098 America isn't so different from the USA of today. But, in a post-9/11 security-obssessed world, "secured" doesn't just refer to borders between countries, it also refer to borders between states. Teenagers still think they know everything, but there is no cure for cancer, as Kelsa knows first-hand from watching her father die.

The night Kelsa buries her father, a boy appears. He claims magic is responsible for the health of Earth, but  human damage disrupts its flow. The planet is dying. Kelsa has the power to reverse the damage, but first she must accept that magic exists and see beyond her own pain in order to heal the planet.

Sadly, I felt kind of indifferent about Trickster's Girl.

It started out pretty strongly, and I liked the environmental message a lot. Sadly, though, I became bored a little more than halfway through and from there I just didn't really care that much anymore

But I didn't really not like it, either. As I said, I felt almost indifferent towards it. The characters were decent. That's it. Decent. I was intrigued by Raven, Kelsa's magical mentor, and I would've liked to get to know him better than we did. He could've been so much more than he was, I thought.

So, I guess those are pretty much my only thoughts. This review sounds kind of mean, but like I said, I didn't not like Trickster's Girl. I just I wish I'd enjoyed Trickster's Girl more, but instead it was just an average, OK read for me.

Book Report:

Plot: Not too bad. Slow moving occasionally.

Characters: Average.

Writing: Decent enough.

Ending: Rather anti-climactic, I thought, but not bad.

Kid friendly? There are a few swears, but nothing too extreme. This one's pretty safe.

Should I read it? Yeah, sure, go for it.

Overall:

XVI Review

Author: Julia Karr
Release Date: January 6, 2011
Pages: 325 (ARC)
Publisher: Speak/Penguin
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review from ATWT 
Challenges it count toward: 2011 Debut Author Challenge

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world - even the most predatory of men - that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past - one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

I really wanted to like XVI more than I did....

I'll start with the positive: I loved the concept of the government controlling the media and the media working to keep everyone in "their place". It's something that pretty much happens on a lesser scale today, and it's frighteningly easy to picture the future looking similar to this.

Aside from that, however, everything just fell kind of flat for me. The writing and the world-building especially... I just never connected to the story as much as I'd like. It didn't stay with me very well either; the day after reading it, the time I normally use to digest a book and appreciate it wasn't needed for XVI because I barely thought about it.

I guess I enjoyed the characters a decent amount, though. Nina was a very strong, level-headed teen in a society where other teen girls wear practically nothing and see sex as more of rite of passage. I also liked the love interest Sal...well, at first. Towards the end, he got too mushy for my tastes... I think I ended up preferring her musician friend, Derek. And Wei was pretty cool. But I didn't really love any of them.

I guess XVI just wasn't the book for me. However, I've heard some other bloggers loved it, so if it sounds like something you'd enjoy, I wouldn't tell you not to pick it up.

Book Report:

Plot: Loved the concept. Was unimpressed by the execution and pacing.

Characters: Most were pretty good...

Writing: Unfortunately, I found the writing to not be descriptive enough.

Ending: Kind of rushed, but it wrapped things up nicely.

Kid friendly? One of the main themes in this novel is sex and women's rights. Sex, rape and sexual slavery are mentioned, as well as some swearing.

Should I read it? If you think you'd enjoy it more, go ahead.

Overall:

 

Reviewers who liked this book more:

Oh My Books!

Princess Bookie

Windowpane Memoirs

 

Mockingjay Review (No Spoilers!)

Author: Suzanne Collins
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 390 (Hardback)

Publisher: Scholastic

Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: For review
Other books in series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire
But the book on Amazon

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.
---------------
I'm gonna go ahead and say that I'm going to be breaking the world record for "Number of "Wows" In A Review". My vocabulary isn't extensive enough to think of any other words/sounds that do this book justice. Maybe I'll have to look up synonyms or something, but there won't be enough. Anyways:

Dude, wow.

Katniss and Peeta have gone through so much these past few two years. Unimaginable, horrible things. Peeta and Katniss both have become one of my favorite characters. So much so, that they're like my friends (who never acknowledges my presence, but still). Have you ever watched one of your friends lives fall apart at the seams? It's painful. But, then again, this isn't anything new. Still....Wow.

And, you know, I thought I knew Suzanne Collins' usual twists by now. Who will die, when certain events will happen, all that. Wow, I am wrong. So wrong. Collins makes me feel like a book-newbie.

I can't make this review too long, because it's very hard to not give anything away, so I'll leave you with this: I wasn't expecting to be disappointed, and I wasn't. Wow. (Wow count: 4.)

Edit: Since some of you asked, the ending was devastating for me in some areas, of course. But it fit, I guess. However, I, unlike others from what I've heard, absolutely loved the epilogue. Sue me.

Book Report:

Plot: *GASP*

Characters: *GASP* *GROAN* *SIGH*

Writing: Suzanne Collins is amazing.

Ending: O.M.G.

How kid friendly is it? Violence, gore...

Should I read it? IF you have read the first two books in the series, then most definitely.

Overall:

 

Matched Review

Author: Ally Condie
Release Date: November 30, 2010
Pages: 384 (ARC)

Publisher: Dutton

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from Book It Forward ARC Tours

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
------------------------------
Matched, one of the most buzzed about books of the fall, proves to live up to the hype with gorgeous writing, a thrilling plot that keeps you turning the pages late into the night, and characters that are easy to fall for.

The world of Matched is frighteningly over-controlled. You have very few choices, despite what the Society says. What you eat, what you wear, when you die, who you marry--all of this is decided by the Society. That got me thinking. A lot. A lot of the story is fueled by a wonderful romance.

I loved Cass, the main character. She loved when she was told not to, she disobeyed rules that have been taught to her sine birth, she questioned. I love a rebellious character, so I also loved Ky. Ky, with scars that were as close to being healed as they've ever been before because of Cass but didn't let those scars stop him from breaking the rules. I like Xander a lot, too, even though we didn't see too much of him.

Ally Condie's writing was absolutely beautiful and poetic. I was seriously in awe as I read that Ally Condie isn't already a mega-famous author.

The ending definitely left me wanting the sequel immediately, and I most definitely plan on reading it. Matched left me thinking for days and days. Left me going What if? along with other, lengthier questions. I can't think of a problem that I had with Matched, except that it had to end. I loved it.


How kid friendly is it? Pretty. No drinking or drugs or even crime. However, I don't think that tweens would appreciate as much as older teens.

Nomansland Review

Author: Lesley Hauge

Release Date: June 22, 2010

Pages: 256 (ARC)

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: From publisher for review

Sometime in the future, after devastating wars and fires, a lonely, windswept island in the north is populated solely by women. Among these women is a group of teenaged Trackers—expert equestrians and archers—whose job is to protect their shores from the enemy. The enemy, they’ve been told, is men. When these girls come upon a partially buried home from the distant past, they are fascinated by the strange objects—high-heeled shoes, teen magazines, make-up—found there. What are they to make of these mysterious things, which introduce a world they have never known? And what does it mean for their strict society where friendship is forbidden and rules must be obeyed—at all costs? Reminiscent of The Giver but with a feminist twist, Nomansland is a powerful, shocking story that will challenge young readers’ perspectives and provoke much discussion over the timely and controversial issues presented.
----------------------------------------
Nomansland had a very interesting concept, but it didn't really grab me until the ending.

Like a lot of dystopias, it really made me think. The plot wasn't necessarily slow, but not quite as fast as I would've liked. I think the issues with the pacing had a lot to do with a lack of conflict.

The characters were average. I think it was really hard to connect with any of them because they were really different, and we don't really have a lot in common with them. Kellar didn't stand out a whole lot, and her friend Laing was kind of annoying.

The writing was good, but nothing special. Lesley Hauge had a pretty good knack for storytelling, though.

The ending was definitely my favorite part of the entire novel. Questions were answered, I began to connect with the characters more, and I think it made the book for me. I wish it could've been longer. I'm expecting there to be a second book and I'll definitely want to read it when it comes out. Overall, it had a really interesting premise that didn't reach its full potential until the end.

Restoring Harmony Review

Author: Joelle Anthony
Release date: May 13, 2010
Pages: 320 (Paperback)
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Most appropriate for ages: 12+
Where I got it: From Around The World Tours
Challenges it counts for: Dystopian Challenge

The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities. Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they’re financially ruined and practically starving. What should’ve been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission. And when Molly witnesses something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn’t, Molly’s only way home may be to beat them at their own game. Luckily, there’s a handsome stranger who’s willing to help. Restoring Harmony is a riveting, fast-paced dystopian tale complete with adventure and romance that readers will devour.
---------------------------------------------
From the first few pages I could tell that Restoring Harmony would be good, and I was right.

I love dystopias. A lot. But some are just a little harder to imagine would actually happen. Restoring Harmony wasn't like that. It was so easy to imagine our world crumbling the way it did in this novel. It was really realistic to the point that it was almost frightening, but more like a car crash that you can't look away from.

I really liked the main character, Molly. She never gave up, and always stayed optimistic. I loved Spill. A lot. Even Molly's grandparents, who I first thought would annoy me, ended up growing on me. By the time I finished Restoring Harmony I felt like I was leaving an old friend's house.

The writing was really impressive. The thing that struck me most about Joelle Anthony's writing is the good story-building, which was excellent.

The ending was perfect. It pretty much guaranteed that this is a stand-alone book, which kind of makes me sad, but it least it didn't leave me hanging. All in all, this was a really good book. If you like dystopias then give Restoring Harmony a chance.

Birthmarked Review

Author: Caragh M. O'Brien

Release Date: March 30, 2010 (Today!)

Pages: 360 (ARC)

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publisher in exchange for my honest review
Challenges it counts for: Dystopia Challenge

After climate change, on the north shore of Unlake Superior, a dystopian world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. It’s Gaia’s job to “advance” a quota of infants from poverty into the walled Enclave, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s parents are arrested.

Badly scarred since childhood, Gaia is a strong, resourceful loner who begins to question her society. As Gaia’s efforts to save her parents take her within the wall, she herself is arrested and imprisoned.

Fraught with difficult moral choices and rich with intricate layers of codes, BIRTHMARKED explores a colorful, cruel, eerily familiar world where one girl can make all the difference, and a real hero makes her own moral code.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Why are you reading this review when you should be reading Birthmarked?!

I was captivated by the first page of Birthmarked. You're immediately thrown into a completely different world that reminded me of a cross between The Hunger Games (because of the fast pace) and The Giver (because of the society) but it was a story unlike any other. I could never tell what would happen next throughout the book.

Gaia was a fantastic character. Once she set her mind to something that is was right or needed to get done, it was getting done. She's brave, tough, and a heroine who I'll never forget. As for Leon, I didn't immediately love him, but now I love him. He was flawed, and complicated, but still strong. We mostly only see Gaia's parents in her flashbacks, but that was enough to love her parents as well and root for Gaia to save them. All of the characters, especially Leon and Gaia, and so incredibly real that I forget I'm reading if only for a moment.

The writing was...just, absolutely fantastic. Caragh M. O'Brien's writing was sophisticated, descriptive, and altogether beautiful.

The ending...all I'll say about the ending is that I thought I might cry. And I never cry. That's how much I loved this book. I cannot wait for the sequel! I guess I'll end my raving here...wait, just one more sentence: Do yourself a favor and run to your bookstore and buy Birthmarked right now, you won't regret it (and if you do I can't talk to you anymore. Kidding...kind of).

Girl In The Arena Review

Author: Lisa Haines

Release Date: October 13, 2009

Pages: 336 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Most Appropriate For Ages: 13+

It’s a fight to the death—on live TV—when a gladiator’s daughter steps into the arena Lyn is a neo-gladiator’s daughter, through and through. Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family. Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator. Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules—and the GSA—can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn’s seventh father, he also captures Lyn’s dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines’ debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence—a modern world that’s disturbingly easy to imagine.

----------------------------------------------------------------

First, let's get something straight: this book is not anything like The Hunger Games. The description may sound like it, but it really isn't. I can see where people would compare them, but they are both unique and barely have any similarities. Now, with that being said:

I really enjoyed Girl In The Arena. It's fast paced, has characters that were easy to love/hate, and was just an all-around good read.

The plot alone is fantastic. It goes deeper than being just a dystopian novel if you want it to be, but it doesn't preach like it could and still lets you enjoy it. The world of Girl In The Arena is a lot like modern day America, besides the gladiators, which made it even more easy to imagine-which also makes it that much more frightening. There was actually less action then I'd thought there would be, and at times it can be just a little slow, but it quickly picks back up.

I quickly related to and loved the protagonist, Lyn. She has to juggle her mother who's at her wits end (who can be annoying at times, but you understand why and feel deeply sorry for her) and her little brother with special needs, Thad (another character that I loved immediately!). I could never seem to decide if Lyn should be with Uber-the lovable giant who defeated and killed her father in the arena-or her best friend Mark-the funny guy who would go to the end of the world for Lyn. I was happy with her decision. (Or at least, what I think was her decision. It seemed like it.)

Lisa Haines' writing was different from any other kind of writing that I'd ever read. There are no quotations in the book. It's written like this: -Yeah, I say. I quickly adapted to it, however, and it definitely added to the vibe and quality of Girl In The Arena. Besides that, the writing flowed very nicely and Lisa Haines' storytelling was just as good.

The ending shocked me in the best way possible and left me with many, many thoughts on modern society and very pleased with the book. I'm not sure why I've seen so many reviews saying that Girl In The Arena wasn't very good, because I really enjoyed it. And I'd definitely recommend it!

(Thank you Bloomsbury for providing me with a review copy!)

Catching Fire Review

*~CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE CRAZY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT READ THE HUNGER GAMES. DOES NOT CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR CATCHING FIRE~*

Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Group: 14+
Pages: 400 (Hardcover)


Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be enjoying their freedom. After all, they won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty of food. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry, and they want revenge.

---------------------------------------------------

Wow. I just finished this book moments ago, and am speechless and will most likely remain this way for some time. I know that people who have read The Hunger Games do not need me to tell them to pick this book up, but I feel like I need to contribute my thought and feelings about this book. Maybe for me, but I need to speak nonetheless. So:

To Whom It May Concern,

...Wow. When I started this book it didn't seem like it could live up to the high expectations that I had set for it after reading countless rave reviews on it. It seemed like I would be disappointed. I was wrong. DEAD WRONG. It was amazing. The ridiculously original, suspenseful, and overall fantastic plot that Suzanne Collins created did The Hunger Games more than justice. The gut-wrenching twists and turns left me gasping and hyperventilating.

Of course, Catching Fire wouldn't have been nearly the book it was without it's fantastic cast of characters. Katniss is the same tough-as-nails heroine with feelings AND extreme doses of bravery. How often do you find that in YA fiction these days? No very often, my friends. I didn't know I could love Peeta any more than after finishing The Hunger Games, but Catching Fire, again, proved me wrong. His unconditional love and care for Katniss isn't the only thing to love him for; he's also ridiculously brave and provides those few chuckles that even an action-packed dystopic book craves. Gale? Oh, that Gale. I don't care for him much. He's...whiny, almost. I'm definitely Team Peeta. Haymitch is great, too. Although hate-able, at the same time.

The writing in Catching Fire was great, as expected by Suzanne Collins. She was a little more descriptive in Catching Fire than in The Hunger Games, and for that I was grateful; it helped me imagine the characters more vividly.

The ending left me gaping at the book, expecting more words to jump out on cue. They didn't. There was a huge cliffhanger and I'm already expecting the next book to appear in a recurring dream. After I was finished, I closed the book and smelled it. I don't know why, maybe to savor every possible bit of it, but I did. Overall, in case you couldn't tell this was a wonderful sequel to The Hunger Games that leaves you begging for more. I probably would've devoured it in 1 day had it not come on the day where we had company, followed by a crazy-busy week. But, I still LOVED it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to discuss it on Shelfari since m friends are cheap and waiting for me to loan them my copy.

Oh...wow, this review is long...sorry, but I LOVED it!

Was it better than The Hunger Games? GO. AWAY.