Review - The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

by Marie Rutkoski
publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux Books for Young Readers
date of publication: March 4, 2014
format: ARC
pages: 355
source: publisher
series: The Winner's Trilogy (#1)
buy it: The Winner's Curse (Winner's Trilogy)

From Goodreads:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction.

Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Having just finished The Winner's Curse, I find myself pondering the best way in which to tell you what I thought of this book.  First, it isn't quite what I had expected.  What I got instead was something so much better.  Expecting a war-time romance, what I found was a story of distrust, betrayal, passion, and grave danger.  The tale of Kestrel and Arin is not a tidy one by any means.  Theirs is not an easy love and by the end of The Winner's Curse you will see their individual struggles between what is right and what is wrong when it comes to both love and country.

Kestrel is one of the most cunning, intelligent characters I have been faced with in a long time.  Even though she has the mind of a strategist, she has a love that outshines any ambition for the military life her father wishes for her.  Kestrel is a gifted pianist and it is her love for music that ultimately changes the course of her destiny far beyond anything she ever expected.  Arin is one of those characters that makes you tease out every little facet, every little blip of information from them.  He is strong, silent, and defiant.  What's more, he is not who he first appears to be.  When these two come head to head, there is no denying the nature of their relationship.  There is distrust.  There is heartache.  First and foremost, there is a series of hard choices that ensures a struggle for their love beyond their wildest dreams.

The landscape of The Winner's Curse is both desolate and rich at the same time.  I'm still not sure how Rutkoski pulled this off, but suffice it to say she did.  The impression of isolation from the rest of the empire is there, yet there is frequent mention of the bounties the region boasts.  When bolstered with details of Harrani turned Valorian estates, sumptuous balls, and high-stakes games of chance, the full picture is painted.  Harran is the now jewel of the Valorian empire, one which the Valorians ruthlessly made their own.

In the end, the first line in the book's above description has it right.  Winning isn't always the thing you need or want the most.  Kestrel and Arin learn this the hard way and take us along for the ride.  The Winner's Curse isn't just about freedom or possessions or even romance.  At the heart of it, betrayal, redemption, and heartbreak are the ongoing themes.  The fact that it isn't a perfect love story is part of its appeal.  It really makes you think and, in doing so, you are drawn right into the story, not knowing who is right.  Perhaps no one is.  Either way, The Winner's Curse is rife with emotion and beauty.  You would be hard pressed to find a better story, at least during this half of the year.

Review - Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons

by Kristen Simmons
publisher: Tor Teen
date of publication: February 12, 2013
format: hardcover
pages: 400
source: publisher
series: Article 5

From Goodreads:

The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

Article 5 introduced us to Ember Miller, a girl at the mercy of the totalitarian government that has gained power in what was once the United States.  Being guilty only of the crime of circumstance, Ember finds herself the victim of a horrific reform school and the adults that run it.  Not knowing exactly whom to trust, Ember escapes and must do all she can to reunite with her mother and make it to a safe haven where she has the chance to live her life as she was meant to.  As it turns out, this is not going to be at all easy as several things have already gone wrong.  As we find out in Breaking Point, Ember is struggling even more with both her circumstances and the actions of both the government and the resistance.  On the surface, Breaking Point is the continuation of Ember's journey toward safety.  There is more to it than that, however.  At its heart, Breaking Point is a closer look at Ember's heartbreak, fear, and inner struggle with her own feelings of guilt.

You really have to feel for Ember at this juncture.  As if her world hadn't been shaken enough in Article 5, things just keep getting worse for her in Breaking Point.  Her inner turmoil is evident as she struggles with her trust of those around her as well as her trust in herself.  You can really get the sense that she is on the edge and is barely hanging on.  The one issue I had with Ember this time around, however, was a certain sense of wishy-washy behavior that, after a time, just began to give me a headache.  There's struggling and then there's lack of commitment to one's decisions.  It often seemed that Ember would make up her mind about something only to immediately thereafter do a 180 and go right back to her surly, introspective ways.  I kept waiting for her to find the fire within and fully commit to doing something.  Alas, I never quite saw this from her.  Sure, she went through the motions of fighting back, but it didn't feel like her heart was all the way in it.  I truly hope to see more spirit from her in book 3.

The settings for Breaking Point are superb as ever.  Taking place in Knoxville, TN; Louisville, KY; and Chicago, IL, Breaking Point exhibits some really vivid places with a great sense of desolation.  If you are familiar with any of these cities and are able to compare them with their counterparts in Breaking Point, it truly hits home just how drastic the events that led to things be the way they are were.  Reading about the version of Knoxville seen in Article 5 and Breaking Point is especially striking for me since I grew up a mere 45 minutes from there and even lived there for a while.  Imagining walking through these damaged, more deserted versions of the places I know was nothing short of sobering.  It definitely helped to be able to fully visualize what was going on as I read.

Overall, Breaking Point was a great follow-up to Article 5 and, judging by the last chapter, book 3 is going to be absolutely intense.  Even though I wasn't able to connect with Ember as well, I definitely connected with the intensity of the situation at hand.  Breaking Point is a book chock full of action, thrills, and tension and would make a great read for fans of action-adventure books and movies.  I must reiterate that if you haven't started this series yet, you should.  That the events are so utterly realistic and plausible give this series an edge of horror that is hard to deny.  Breaking Point is a definite recommendation that I can stand behind.

Buy Breaking Point at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This finished review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

 

Review - Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

by Veronica Rossi
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: January 8, 2013
format: digital review copy
pages: 352
source: Edelweiss

From Goodreads:

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

In Through the Ever Night, the second installment of Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky series, we once again meet Aria, Perry, and Roar as they reel from the aftermath that was the culmination of Under the Never Sky.  Each now carries a heavy burden that leaves each facing challenge upon challenge.  It is these challenges, as well as the increasing dangers of the volatile atmosphere, that lend Through the Ever Night its intensity and overall appeal.  As a continuation, Through the Ever Night delivered in so many ways.

Aria continued her track record of being both stubborn and pragmatic.  Both traits help to make her the intriguing character she has been since the very beginning.  However, there was a little something lacking.  The best way I can describe it is Je ne sais quoi.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but something in the way Aria handled the situation in the Tides community and her relationship with Perry didn't quite match expectations.  Perry, too, left me feeling bewildered at times, even to the point of wanting to reach through the book to shake him and ask what the heck he thought he was doing.  Roar proved to be the rising star this time around.  He exhibited a great range of emotion and even more of the things that make Roar, well, Roar are revealed.  He then became all the more likable as a character and left me looking forward to seeing what he gets up to next.

So far as the plot goes, Through the Ever Night presented what one would expect after reading Under the Never Sky.  There is a great deal of social conflict, atmospheric volatility, and much betrayal and overall evil behavior.  However, the sense of urgency behind it all just wasn't doing it for me.  I wouldn't say that I felt blasé about the whole thing, but I came quite close.  There were some shake-ups and unexpected events that kept me on my toes, but there were also certain occurrences that were almost too predictable, leaving me feeling so-so about them.  I will say, though, that the continuation of the Liv storyline was superb.  It was interesting, enjoyable and, ultimately, fraught with emotion. 

This series continues to hold my attention captive and grows on me even more with every new addition.  It's hard not to become wrapped up in the story of Aria, Perry, Roar, and Liv.  It's also difficult to ignore world-building that includes skies roiling with aether storms of such magnitude as to remain a constant threat.  If you've already read Under the Never Sky and are hoping for another great story, you won't be disappointed.  If you have yet to read either book, I highly recommend them.  Through the Ever Night is especially fun to read on stormy days.  Talk about your atmosphere!

Buy Through the Ever Night at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Edelweiss. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

 

Review - Promised

by Caragh M. O' Brien
publisher: Roaring Brook Press
date of publication: October 2, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 295
source: from the publisher for review
series: Birthmarked (#3)

From Goodreads:

After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and upending the rigid matriarchy of Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her biggest challenge ever.  She must lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge from the wasteland.  In Gaia's absence, the Enclave has grown more cruel, more desperate to experiment on mothers from outside the wall, and now the stakes of cooperating or rebelling have never been higher.  Is Gaia ready, as a leader, to sacrifice what--or whom--she loves most?

I have adored this series from the very beginning and am sad to see it come to an end.  When I first met Gaia Stone and learned about the difficult world in which she lives, I was completely hooked.  I was so hooked, in fact, that I read the first 2 books in a day and a half!  When a story grabs you up and takes you along on such a smooth ride that you don't realize just how long or how much you've been reading, you know there is something special going on.  This is no less true for Promised, the final book in Caragh M. O' Brien's Birthmarked trilogy.  From start to finish, Promised had me completely enthralled.  This is something I am really going to miss about this series.  After all, you can only read a book for the first time once.

Gaia has come a long way since her midwifing days in Wharfton.  First an unwitting accomplice to a cruel adoption system, then a refugee fighting the rigid structures of a corrupt matriarchy, Maia now faces her biggest challenge yet.  Throughout Promised, Gaia finds herself struggling with her conscience and boundaries.  From the boundaries between the Enclave and Wharfton to the boundaries between fighting for what's right and acts of terrorism, there are so many sides of the coin to consider.  Though I was genuinely surprised by some of the decisions Gaia made, the ways in which she continues to think over every possible detail she can is nothing short of illuminating.  It really gives you a clearer view of her character.  Even when you think she has made a mistake, she shows you what strength and determination can do.  If Gaia doesn't make you think while you read her story, I have no idea how else I can explain the experience.

In some ways, the story line has come full circle in its re-visitation of the rights and wrongs of the Enclave's adoption practices.  This time, however, the worst has come about and I found myself truly horrified by the Protectorat's latest schemes.  While Promised isn't a horror story, there is horror to be found in the form of cruelty, greed, and the stripping away of human rights.  The story made me experience such a wide array of emotions that I was left in a bit of awe.  From the sweetest moments to the sorrowful ones, Promised has a way of evoking feelings you may never have thought you had.  I really love that about this book.

Now that the Birthmarked series has come to an end, I feel a bit quiet about it.  How exactly do I fully describe the experience I had in reading it?  I will say that I have enjoyed every single minute I have spent in reading these books.  I can't wait to see what else Caragh M. O' Brien has in store for the future.  If her next works are half as wonderful as Birthmarked, I will be a very happy reader, indeed.  Thanks, Ms. O' Brien for such a fantastic, thought-provoking series.

Buy Promised at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Crewel

by Gennifer Albin
publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
date of publication: October 16, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 368
source: the author

From Goodreads:

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

Prepare yourselves, because when it comes to this book, I'm barely going to be able to contain myself.  You know I'm not usually one to outright gush, but Crewel is a book that deserves copious amounts of it.  When I got the chance to read it this spring, I'm pretty sure I may have hurt my husband's ears in my excitement.  When I actually read it, however, I was rendered speechless.  How do I even begin to describe all that is spectacular about Crewel?  I'll do my best, but please pardon me if I use too many exclamation marks.

First, I simply must get this off my chest: Adelice is a freaking awesome character!  Even though it gets her in trouble, her sardonic sense of humor and biting retorts make her a character that keeps you on your toes.  Also, I have to give it up for kick-ass redheads!  Ahem.  One moment while I put on my "I'm a proud, nerdy redhead," shirt.  Moving on!  Adelice is a compelling character in so many ways besides those I already mentioned.  From her refusal to be bought by the trappings of Spinster life to her determination to help those around her, Adelice is a character you can't help but connect with.  Just wait until you learn about her abilities.  That is seriously some mind-bending stuff.

When it comes to world-building, Gennifer Albin amazes me.  From the setting to the politics to the people, Arras is so far beyond imagining.  The construct of this world is intricately woven (you know I had to go there) and has so much to reveal to readers.  The make-up of society is also very well done and becomes very alarming at times.  As for the people, let me just say that the commonalities between many of the people involved serve to highlight just how special Adelice is while they each still maintain their own personal spark that makes them recognizable when it comes to personality.  I found much to appreciate all through this book and I can't wait to find out even more.

Crewel remains one of my favorite reads of 2012.  With its fabulous characters, amazing setting, and harrowing challenges, Crewel is a story more than capable of keeping its readers ensnared and entertained.  If you're looking for a dystopia with a little something fresh and new, you should definitely check out Crewel.  This is simply an amazing book that I imagine I will be recommending for a long time to come.  Expect to see it on my top 10 list this year!

Buy Crewel at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the author. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Special Note
Be sure to come back to Starting the Next Chapter on Friday for a guest post from Gennifer Albin.  It's all part of the Crewel Blog Tour, so stop by for a great post and even a giveaway!

 

Review - Glitch

by Heather Anastasiu
publisher: St. Martin's Press
date of publication: August 7, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 371
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

I'm not even sure where to start with this review.  Glitch left me a confused, frustrated mess as I did my best to finish the entire book.  I did so, but upon finishing I realized that very few things struck me as enjoyable.  Some of the quirks and occurrences gave me much pause and I debated whether or not I wanted to continue.  So much was uncomfortable to read and I couldn't help but wonder why such a thing would be included, especially since the main character never really realized the severity of the situation.  She didn't seem to learn from it, so why?  I still don't know the answer to that question, but perhaps someone with different insight than me can share their opinion with me.

I was not at all impressed with the main character, Zoe.  She just rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning.  If she's not freaking out about the spores found above ground, she's allowing herself to be treated like a possession by her wannabe boyfriend, Max.  He practically marked his "territory" and acted like a huge horse's behind.  I know Zoe is inexperienced in real human emotion, but you would think such behavior would frighten even the most naive girl.  As if that wasn't enough, she didn't seem to take anything away from the experience.  What was the point of including a verbally abusive, possessive ahole if she isn't going to realize the situation and impart a warning.  She just goes along with Max's constant bursts of anger.  It all left me with a sour taste in my mouth.  Adrien was the only character with even a shred of common sense, but one character just isn't enough to carry the whole plot, especially when that character is a supporting one.

I had several more questions in regard to the logistics of the plot.  For instance, the citizens of the Community are supposed to be continually wired in to an internet-like network that keeps them complacent.  This whole thing starts because Zoe is becoming more and more prone to disconnecting and acting "anomalous."  What I wonder is just how does she manage to fly under the radar when she gives herself away in many ways throughout the story?  It just didn't seem very consistent with the idea behind the plot.  The only piece that truly evoked interest in me were the powers that began to manifest when Zoe glitched more and more.  That part was actually kind of fun and lead to the one moment that I actually liked her.

Overall, I just wasn't a fan of Glitch.  It just didn't manage to suspend disbelief, which is a fatal flaw in any book.  If you don't often get hung up on small details, you may enjoy this book provided you don't mind the character's personality and behaviors.  As for myself, I wasn't very enthusiastic about it and don't yet know if I will continue with the series.  If the second book continues in the same vein as the last 2 or 3 chapters, I would consider it, but I just can't deal with a repeat experience.

Buy Glitch at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Black City

by Elizabeth Richards
publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BFYR
date of publication: November 13, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 373
source: Around the World ARC Tours

From Goodreads:

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war. In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable--they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash's long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they're caught, they'll be executed--but their feelings are too strong. When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

I wasn't sure what exactly I would be in for with Black City.  First and foremost, I was beyond curious to find out just what a Darkling was as portrayed in this story.  Second, I wanted to know what the war had been waged for and who the different factions were.  When the story opened with a clandestine meeting in the shadows for nefarious purposes, I was even more fascinated.  It is at this point that I learned what a Darkling is.  From then on, I was as hooked as a Haze addict. 

The book opens with Ash, so I will start with his character.  At first, you get the impression that he's a dangerous, immoral character.  After all, he deals Darkling venom (Haze) to addicted humans, which is disconcerting and beyond what I was expecting.  However, as more of his characteristics come to light, you find out that there is something more behind the mask.  As his situation, past, and inner thoughts are revealed, he becomes a more sympathetic character.  I eventually came to enjoy him a lot.  Natalie is also a character that takes a little observation to fully understand.  Her past is tragic and the scars she bears both inside and out mark her as a girl who has been through a lot.  As she begins to wake up and see the real state of things, she becomes a remarkable, admirable character willing to fight for the right thing. 

The premise for Black City is simply fascinating.  There is a truly heinous despot behind the atrocities in Black City and the results of his reign of terror are frightening.  However, I would have loved to know a little more about the reasons for the war.  Knowing more about the catalyst would have made an already great story all the better.  The setting is absolutely perfect for this story: gritty, dark, and bleak.  It serves very well to highlight the slivers of hope that begin to emerge from the ashes of a terrible situation.  It is a fantastic setting for a great storyline.

Black City was very difficult to put down.  The story flows so well that it is very easy to lose track of time and, before you know it, 100 pages will have gone by.  Filled with romance, gritty surroundings, and top notch characters, Black City is an engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  The intensity of the conflict situations can't be beat.  This is definitely a series to watch.

Buy Black City at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge via Around the World ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Uglies: Shay's Story

by Scott Westerfeld
publisher: Del Rey
date of publication: March 6, 2012
format: paperback; graphic novel
pages: 208
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

“This whole game is just designed to make us hate ourselves.”—Shay

Uglies told Tally Youngblood’s version of life in Uglyville and the budding rebellion against the Specials. Now comes an exciting graphic novel revealing new adventures in the Uglies world—as seen through the eyes of Shay, Tally’s rebellious best friend who’s not afraid to break the rules, no matter the cost.

A few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, Shay eagerly awaits her turn to become a Pretty—a rite-of-passage operation called “the Surge” that transforms ordinary Uglies into paragons of beauty. Yet after befriending the Crims, a group of fellow teens who refuse to take anything in society at face value, Shay starts to question the whole concept. And as the Crims explore beyond the monitored borders of Uglyville into the forbidden, ungoverned wild, Shay must choose between the perks of being Pretty and the rewards of being real.

I hope you will bear with me.  This is my first graphic novel review, so I'm still trying to figure out how I want to approach this.  Since this is my first review of this sort and giving too many details will wind up spoiling Uglies, why don't we go with a simple paragraph review?

Uglies: Shay's Story is, at its heart, a prequel for Uglies.  If you have ever read Uglies and want to know more about why Shay is the way she is, then Uglies: Shay's Story is just the novel for you.  At 208 pages, it is a quick, fun read with great illustrations.  Not all is spotless, however.  When you read Uglies, you are made to understand that the Pretties are enhanced beyond imagining.  However, when I viewed the panels in Shay's Story, I really didn't see much difference between the Uglies and the Pretties.  Not one character had a even hint of normalcy when it came to their appearances.  I wouldn't have known the Pretties from the Uglies had it not been for the details the illustrator added to their eyes.  I enjoyed the storyline very much, but would have loved to see more differences between the two types of characters.  It would have added more detail to the panels and would have left me feeling less distracted.

Buy Uglies: Shay's Story at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge via the publisher through Library Thing Early Reviewers. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Once

by Anna Carey
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: July 3, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages:
source: Edelweiss

From Goodreads:

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.

After my experience with Eve, I wasn't so confident heading into Once that I would enjoy it. However, after Eve's ending, I felt that there was still a chance that the story would turn into something I could really enjoy. It also takes a lot for me to abandon a series after just the first book. Fortunately, Once managed to capture my interest more firmly than Eve did, so I was more able to enjoy the story this time around. Thanks to an unexpected plot twist and some harrowing events, Once has a storyline that I can appreciate.

Eve has grown as a character since the events at the end of the first book. She has become more self-sufficient, though she is still prone to impulsive decision-making. This habit of hers still gets her into plenty of trouble, which is readily apparent even near the beginning of the book. Gone, however, is the girl who obsesses over what her old teachers would think of her actions. She has embraced how she feels for Caleb and finally understands just what it is the king has done to the country. You have to admire her for the lengths she is willing to go to in order to help those who are most at his mercy. I just wish she could be the type of female MC who uses common sense every once in a while. Eve still managed to drive me a bit batty in Once, just not quite as much as she did in Eve.

In Once, we get the chance to visit not one, but two new settings: Califia and the City of Sand. The differences between the two are so drastic that it is easy to see just how corrupt the king is, as if there was any doubt before. The pacing is much more even this time, which makes the chain of events easy to follow. All in all, the story-building was better this time around, so there wasn't as much to distract me from the plot. The ending had great tension and left me wanting to know what would happen next.

While the Eve series still doesn't appear amongst my favorites, I was sufficiently entertained by the story and interested in how Once ends. I probably won't make up my mind entirely until I've read the full trilogy. There are some things that I would like to see happen in Rise as far as Eve's character goes. The story is moving right along and I'm starting to get a better sense of how the world works in this series. I hope to learn more about the citizens of the City of Sand and I am especially curious as to whether the king will get his comeuppance. I'll be staying tuned until then.

Buy Once at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Edelweiss. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Eve

by Anna Carey
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: October 4, 2011
format: NOOK ebook
pages: 198
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

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

I am in quite the pickle with this series.  On the one hand, it wasn't earth-shattering, sock-knocking, or even all that memorable.  On the other hand, it wasn't horrible, either.  So, what to do?  Eve has finally driven me to do something that, until now, I had resisted.  That's right, I am embracing the half ratings.  Though I had such high hopes for this book, something just did not click.  While I did find the premise interesting, something just did not add up.  Now I am left to do my best as I try to explain why.

To begin with, Eve didn't turn out to be a very compelling character. She's naïve, lacks common sense, and perpetually makes bad decisions. I didn't quite understand why it was that people kept sticking their necks out for her. Sure, she's on the run from a really bad situation, but when you consider her attitude and the number of dumb moves she makes... it doesn't quite add up. I actually preferred Arden, somewhat, and Caleb even more than that. Arden actually changed and grew as a character while Caleb acted as a means for deprogramming Eve. Eve may have begun to recognize the brainwashing she underwent during the 12 years she was at the school, but she still practically obsessed over what “Teacher said.” That doesn't show me a character who is developing very well.

While the premise was a good one, the execution left something to be desired. I don't quite understand the point in educating the girls so thoroughly, only to do what they do to them after they “graduate.” I suppose it could be a means to keep them occupied until they come of age, but still, why the lessons in art, music, literature, deportment, dancing, and the various other lessons administered to them. It's one of those things that, if you don't think too much about it, you may not ever notice. However, since I had some issues with this book, I did think about it just so I could pinpoint what bothered me the most.

This series has so much potential, but I just don't know how it is going to progress. Eve left me saying, “Meh,” more than I said, “Wow,” which is never something you want to happen when you pick up an anticipated book. I will say that I did give Once a try, so I think that there's still a chance for the series, but I, for one, am going to take a lot of convincing before I try book 3. Eve, though comprised of an intriguing premise, didn't succeed in making me suspend belief, nor did it deliver with a truly compelling main character. I will say one thing: I don't like having to write these reviews, but sometimes, it just has to be said. This is one of those times.  Thus, Eve earns 2 hoots and a hootlet (the new half rating addition). 

It's essentially a 2, but has a little more to offer, though it doesn't quite fit as a 3.  Hopefully that clears some things up.

Review - Insurgent

by Veronica Roth
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: May 1, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 525
source: purchased
read it in: 2 days

From Goodreads:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

The wait has been long but oh, so worth it.  Insurgent picks up right where Divergent leaves off with Tris and Four as they make their escape from Dauntless headquarters and flee toward Amity's compound.  Tris's world continues to change as the full extent of Jeanine's plot comes to light and a new force begins to emerge with a plan all their own.  As Tris struggles with her inner turmoil and tries to do what's right in the face of a would-be tyrant, she must make some tough decisions.  Buckle up, because things are just getting started.

In Insurgent, the full scope of Tris's divergence begins to become more apparent.  Along with it she has some major guilt and grief to deal with, all of which proves her to be a character with a complex range of emotions.  Four is also becoming a more intriguing character (if that's even possible!), as it turns out that there is still much to learn about him.  As a result, the dynamic between Tris and Four is even more intense than ever before.  You know something has been done right when you show outward reactions to what you're reading, which happened more than once.

Insurgent has all of the plot devices and all of the excellent pacing that was present in Divergent.  Getting completely sucked into the action is no problem whatsoever.  In fact, quite the opposite is true, as I had trouble putting the book down at times when I really needed to!  There is both action and intrigue to be found within.  You won't be left wanting on either count, as the two are blended so well as to completely arrest your attention.

Veronica Roth has, once again, written a phenomenally riveting book.  If you enjoyed Divergent, you've got to get your hands on Insurgent as soon as humanly possible.  Insurgent will leave you feeling as if you have just leaped onto a speeding train and are being carried away to places unknown.  The Divergent series just keeps getting better and better.  You won't want to miss out on Insurgent for much longer, and if you haven't started the series yet, I implore you to do so.  It's perfectly stunning and should be read by all.

Buy Insurgent at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Review - The Selection

by Kiera Cass
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: April 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 327
source: DAC ARC Tours
read it in: 2 days

From Goodreads:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The Selection is a book that I approached with much trepidation.  There has been some controversy surrounding it, but the description sounded interesting.  I decided to just go for it, that way I could develop my own opinion on it.  Now that I've read it, I am glad that I did.  I did enjoy the book, though there were some things about the story that I didn't find to be appealing. 

The characters that make up The Selection left me with much to think about.  I vacillated between liking America and wishing she would buck up just a bit more.  I couldn't get a good grasp as to who exactly America is and what she wants out of her life.  I also questioned her attraction to Aspen, who I found to be so ridiculously chauvinistic in his need to be capable of providing for America.  Maxon is somewhat better, though I had trouble taking him seriously at times.  When all was said and done, the characters left me feeling confused and often frustrated.

The plot was much more interesting to me as a reader.  The state of the world was fascinating to read about and the Selection process was both strange and interesting.  I would have liked to know more about the circumstances surrounding the founding of Illea and the adoption of the caste system, but the information that was provided was enough to grab my curiosity and attention.  I was, for the most part, entertained and would definitely consider continuing with the series.  I think that there is definitely room for the story to develop more.

The Selection required more rumination than usual, as I just didn't know how I felt about its characters.  I can say, however, that it could turn into a really interesting series, so I will be looking out for the next installment.  I hope to see more world development and more decisive characters in the next go-round.  The Selection lays the foundation for what could be a fun series and I will definitely look out for the next book.  Hopefully it will help the storyline grow and develop into an even more compelling plot.

    

Buy The Selection at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Review - Masque of the Red Death

by Bethany Griffin
publisher: Greenwillow
date of publication: April 24, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 324
source: DAC ARC Tours
Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Having grown up reading Poe's poetry and short stories, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I had to read this book.  A steampunk adaptation of Poe's story by the same name, Masque of the Red Death is exactly the kind of refreshingly unique book I've been looking for.  Simply judging by the description, I thought that both the plot and the tone sounded spot on.  The potential for a love triangle gave me some pause, but nothing was going to keep me away from this book.  Now that I've read it, I can affirm that Masque of the Red Death lived up to all of my expectations and made this Poe fan very happy.

Araby had just the type of personality I would attribute to a character that is part of an adaptation of a Poe story.  She is tragic, moody, and desperate to attain oblivion, making her well-suited to a story such as this.  Her characteristics are lent even more emphasis by her closest friend, April, who is a devil may care type of party girl with a hidden penchant for kindness.  As for the two love interests, my personal preference was Will in all his tattooed, sweet-natured glory, though I have to say that Elliott is a very interesting character in his own right.  All of the characters are so well developed that I was left with no complaints, whatsoever.

Masque of the Red Death is comprised of some truly amazing world building.  Bethany Griffin has given us a bleak, dangerous world in which a frightening disease runs rampant and the debate of religion versus science is at the center of a battle between the weary citizens.  The plot moves along at a great clip and is free of overly slow points and hitches.  The details are both rich and meticulous, making it very easy to sink into the story.  If I had had the time, I would have read it in one sitting.  As it was, I did finish it within 24 hours, which is a true testament to the ways in which Bethany Griffin's writing can rope you in.

Masque of the Red Death is one of those books that I feel compelled to chatter on about at an insane rate of speech.  It fulfilled every expectation I had and provided me with hours of wonderful reading.  Bethany Griffin has taken one of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous stories and given it new life with this compelling, addictive novel.  Beautifully written and given just the right touch of horror, Masque of the Red Death will infect you with a ceaseless need to read on and on and on.  There's no cure, but that is perfectly fine by me.  Thus, Masque of the Red Death has earned 5 hoots and is the first recipient for my brand new rating distinction, the Night Owl Award. 

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Debut Author Challenge ARC Tours. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.