{ The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe }

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

January 24, 2012 by Disney-Hyperion

Source: NetGalley

Format: ebook ARC

From GoodReads:

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.

My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. However, I am having a hard time rating it or even really forming a clear opinion on this one. It was enjoyable and I connected with the main character, Kaelyn...most of the time. I will admit to finding her a bit inconsistent. Or maybe it was the authors writing style? The book was written in the form of letters written from Kaelyn to her childhood friend/crush, Leo. At times the book read like a Diary and others it was more of a novel. I was finding myself a little confused on the whole relationship between Kaelyn and Leo. Honestly, right up to the end. And I still am. But that aside, I enjoyed the journey and found The Way We Fall to be a real page turner.

I did not, however, like the ending at all. It ended much to abruptly for me. I re-read the last few sentences over and over. I kept thinking I missed something, or I was missing pages. I understand that there is to be 2 more books in this series. I would have been quite happy for this to be a stand alone, if it had ended better.

In the end if you are a Dystopian fan, I would recommend this one. It is definitely not one of the best Dystopian's I have read. But if you are looking for a something a little less dark, this might be a good one to start with.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

{ Variant by Robison Wells }

Variant by Robison Wells

October 4, 2011 by HarperTeen

Source: NetGalley

Format: ebook ARC

From Goodreads:

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

Mini Review:

I enjoyed Variant. It was definitely different. Not too sure if I would call it a Dystopian or not and if it is truly being put out there as a Dystopian? It's just okay. I found myself having a hard time deciding whether this was set in a future world or in current times.

While I did like the main character, Benson, I did not find myself overly connected with any of the characters. There were a few that stood out a bit more than others, but I never felt fully connected with anyone.

However, with all of that aside, I would be interested to read the next installment to see where these characters and story go. There are still many unanswered questions for me. If you are looking for something different and a story that keeps you guessing and you don't have a problem with a major cliffhanger... I would recommend Variant.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

{ Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton }

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Feb 15, 2011 by HarperCollins Publishers

Format: ebook

From Goodreads:

First there are nightmares.

Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories.

When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels her soul has known him for centuries. On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie's powers, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie's memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was a dream.

Now she must hunt.

Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember.

My review:

This is a hard review for me to write. The first 50 pages or so I was so excited. I connected with the story and the characters right away and felt that this was going to be an amazing ride. However, it was just okay for me. It kind of fizzled and just left me longing for something more, something was missing. I can't really put my finger on it and say for sure what it was. It was just, okay.

The two main characters Ellie and Will had great chemistry and were very enjoyable. Ellie has a lot to deal with as she learns who she really is and what she really is. Most of the time I found her character to be quite believable, but there were times that it was all a little force and rushed for me. Will too was quite believable most of the time, but he too at times felt a little inconsistent. I realize that he had some inner struggles that he was dealing with, but at times I just found the core of his character too conflicting. I found most of Ellie's friends to be just fluff and not too much substance for me. Ellie's mother was interesting and definitely had some depth to her. I look forward to seeing where her character goes in the next book. Now. Ellie's father. I am not too sure about this character. The man is evil and scary and I was expecting something important to come from this character. But nothing ever happened. I am left with a lot questions and perhaps they will be answered in the next book. But I am just left with an overwhelming feeling of...well, nothing really. I kind of lost all connection for these characters and the story.

In the end? Would I recommend it? If you are fan of paranormal, angels and the Fallen? Then yes, give it a read and see for yourself. I know many readers/reviewers have loved this book. I am not saying I did not like it, I am just left feeling very underwhelmed. I will definitely read the next book in the series. I just hope that it packs more of a punch.

Rating: 3.5 stars

{ I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore }

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Aug 3, 2010 by HarperCollins

Format: ebook

Source: Library

From Goodreads:

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books - but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They killed them all.

I am number Four.

I am next.

My Review:

When word of this book first started floating around. I was excited to read it. Then I began to hear little tid bits about the controversy surrounding it. I am not going to go into a long winded tangent. If you don't know what I am referring to and want more info you can read about it HERE.

I had put the book out of my mind and then started seeing all the movie previews. I always read the book before seeing the movie and since Alex Pettyfer was the star? Well, I knew I HAD to see the movie. Thus, I decided to give the book a read.

I admit, the first 50 pages had me really questioning my decision. I found the writing to be very disjointed and the story very slow. Thankfully the story kicked in for me soon after. However, it felt as though two different authors were at the helm. I had that feeling a few times throughout the book. I really started to enjoy it and felt connected to it an then it all came to a halt once again. The last 100 pages really came together though.

The two main characters, John - Number Four - and Henri - John's Keeper - were great together. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow and blossom into this amazing pseudo father/son connection. One of the best aspects of this story for me was when John's legacy's started to show and the anticipation of more to follow. The prospect of becoming flame retardant, being able to become invisible, as well as the things you touch - John's Grandfather had this ability - and being able to communicate with animals. How cool would that be?

Aside from John and Henri? One of my favorite characters was, Sam, John's best friend. Sam is this alien conspiracy theory obsessed geek. But aside from that, he is loyal, funny and brave when he truly needs to be. I can not wait to see where this character goes from here into the next book.

The best character of this book though? Bernie Kosar. The Beagle. I adore books with dogs, but being a Beagle owner myself? I fell in love. I knew the instant Bernie was introduced that there HAD to be something special about him. I was not disappointed!

In the end? Thanks to the last 100 pages being filled with great characters, an interesting story and non-stop action, I look forward to the next installment. And of course, I must now see the movie. Alex Pettyfer awaits!

Rating: 3.5 stars

Favorite quote/scene:

Sam runs into his room and comes out with a backpack. He sets it on the kitchen counter and goes to change his clothes. I peer inside of it. There is a crucifix, a few cloves of garlic, a wooden stake, a hammer, a blob of Silly Putty, and a pocketknife.

"You do realize these people aren't vampires, right?" I say when Sam walks back in.

"Yeah, but you never know. They're probably crazy, like you said."

"And even if we were hunting vampires, what the hell is the Silly Putty for?"

He shrugs. "Just want to be prepared."

Book Trailer:

Movie trailer:

{ The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan }

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

March 2010 by Random House Childrens Books

Source: Library ebook

From Goodreads:

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

My review:

Those of you who have read my review of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, will know how much I loved it. I was very excited to start this second installment. However, I was sadly disappointed. This book could almost be read as a stand alone. And had I not read the first one, I may have liked it more...or maybe not.

My biggest issue was with the main character, Gabry. Could there really be anyone with worse luck than this girl? Seriously? It just seemed that one disaster would happen and then, bang, another. Then another, and another. And as a result, she was constantly blaming herself and wining about everything! There was so much self-loathing in this story and not just from Gabry, but everyone. Maybe it just comes with the territory. When you are constantly looking death in the face, what else is there really? I found myself loathing everything along with them.

However, Carrie Ryan, redeemed herself during the last 100 pgs or so. Gabry finally finds herself and some inner strength. There was just more depth to the story on a whole towards the end. There were some pretty heartbreaking scenes and some terrifying ones in the end that made the closing of this one quite the page turner. The underlying message in the end? You have nothing without Hope and Love. They go hand in hand. And I have hope that the third book, The Dark and Hollow Places will live up to the first book. And rumour has it? It's even better than the first.

Rating: 3.5 stars

{ Incarceron by Catherine Fisher }

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Feb 2011 by Firebird

Source: Library paperback

From Goodreads:

Incarceron is a prison unlike any other: It's inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities, and unbounded wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man, legend says, has ever escaped.

Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can't remember his childhood and believes he came from Outside Incarceron. He's going to escape, even though most inmates don't believe that Outside exists. And then Finn finds a crystal key and through it, a girl names Claudia.

Claudia claims to live Outside - her father is the warden of Incarceron and shes doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know.

Because Incarceron is alive.

My review:

As I began this book, I found myself really drawn into this world created by Catherine Fisher. It was something new and exciting for me. This was really my first experience into the Steampunk genre...other than Clockwork Angel. But it really is more than just that. It reads like an epic Fantasy. You are drawn into this elaborate world of darkness and decay. Well actually two worlds. There is Finn's world within Incarceron and Claudia's world on the Outside.

I really enjoyed Claudia for most of the book. I found her to be a good strong female character. She is a strong willed individual who is kind of stuck in this life that she does not want. She is about to be married to a dim witted, womanizing, beast of a man whom she can not stand and is being forced into becoming the future Queen. In addition there is the threat of losing her tutor, Jared. Her best friend, her confident, her sanity really. I found Jared to be an interesting character, but I do hope to learn more of Jared's back story in the next book, perhaps.

Finn on the other hand is very interesting character. I quite liked him. Finn does not remember his childhood. He just was, inside Incarceron. Finn believes he came from Outside. He sees visions and believes they are from his life on the Outside. No one else within Incarceron really believes there is an Outside. Even though there are stories, legends of the one who escaped, Sapphique. There are many characters that we meet within Incarceron that follow Finn on his journey. All of them are interesting in their own right, but I felt we did not really get within these characters and get to their core. I never felt I knew much about any of them and their stories were kept very vague. I really want to know more.

As you can tell, I am finding it hard to write a review on this one. I loved this book in the beginning and then there were scenes that kind of went a little over the top for me and lost me completely. Then I found my way and was enjoying the journey again. Although this was a very interesting read, I just found there were even more questions left unanswered than what I would have liked. I am hoping that some of these questions will be solved with the next book...although I have heard rumors that is not the case.

Even though I was not head over heals for this one, I could not put it down. If you are a lover of epic fantasy/steampunk/dystopian I would recommend it. If you are not? You might find yourself lost, confused and uninterested.

Rating: 3.5 stars

{ Across The Universe by Beth Revis }

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

2011 by razor bill - an imprint of Penguin Group (USA) Inc

Source - Library

from GoodReads:

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen year old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

Review:

I had heard many, many great things about this book. I was very excited to give this one a read. I really found the story to be interesting and different. It really did have many different elements. It had a good Murder Mystery element as well as a good Sci-Fi/Dystopian element. I enjoyed the main character Amy, very much. Here is this teenage girl leaving her friends, boyfriend and world as she knows it to follow her parents on an adventure of their own choosing. And then to be 'thawed' into this foreign world - ship - where she is considered the outcast - a freak! She is a very smart, caring, strong female character. I have to say the whole 'freezing' and 'thawing' processes that Amy go through in this book? One of the best elements to the whole story. Gripping!!

Now Elder. I realize that Elder has grown up in this environment and has had to live with Eldest - the leader of the Godspeed - the past 3 years of his life. But really? I found Elder to be so inconsistent throughout the book. I just could never really feel for him all that much. Didn't really care all that much about him. At times he seemed to breakthrough the fog and look like he was going to be this great leader and hero. And then he would fizzle and fade into the background...or at least for me he did.

I loved Harley, Elder's best friend. Harley just has so much character and personality. I would have loved to seen more of Harley...frankly, more than Elder!

The one thing that really bothered me about this book though, is the same thing that others have mentioned as well. The whole 'Season' - mating - thing. I get that it is a critical part of the story. But seriously? If it had gone on much longer, I honestly don't think I would have finished this book. I just found it pointless, disturbing and just...why? One other complaint I have is the slang. What is it with Dystopian slang? Sometimes it is okay and then other times like in this book? Just plain annoying.

Overall, it was a good story and a few really great characters. I would still recommend it if you are a fan of sci-fi/dystopian. And I will probably read the next book in this trilogy to see what happens to Amy...and Elder too...I guess.

Rating: 3.5 stars

{ Delirium by Laruen Oliver }

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

2011 by Harperteen

from Goodreads:

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.

Review:

When I first read the premise for this book, I was very intrigued. I thought, okay...I could almost see it. Plus, I had read many great reviews.

One of the best aspects of this book, really was the main character, Lena. It was a nice change to have a young female character grow and develop and not fall madly in love within the first few pages. Lena has grown up in this society. She has been surrounded and immersed in this - her - reality and has always been taught that 'Love' is a four letter word. Evil and dangerous. When she is first confronted with this other world of 'Invalids' and Love, through Alex, she is appalled and of course terrified. That is what she has been taught. Slowly, Alex and her best friend Hana, open her eyes to the truth.

I did find the story to be a little predictable. Well, okay, more than a little, but I still enjoyed it. I definitely want to find out what lies in store for Lena and will read the next installment when it comes out. So, yes, I would recommend giving it a read.

Rating: 3.5 stars

{ Touch by Alexi Zentner }

Touch by Alexi Zentner

April 2011 by Knopf Canada

Source: ARC win from GoodReads



from GoodReads:



Beautifully written, hauntingly told, a New face of Fiction novel that in its storytelling and recounting of a multi-generational family story brings to mind Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude - and in its evocation of the mythic wilderness, Joseph Boyden's Three Day Road.



My grandfather lifted the cup of tea and blew on it again. We were waiting for him to speak, and like any good storyteller he savoured the anticipation, letting us dangle for just an extra moment. "I came back," he said "to introduce Stephen to his grandmother." "What?" My mother stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "Why have I come back to Sawgamet? Why now?" He looked at me. "I've come for your grandmother," he said. "I've come to raise the dead. This is Sawgamet, a mining boom town gone bust, a logging village where the cold of winter breaks the glass of the schoolhouse thermometer, where the dangers of working in the cuts are over shadowed by the dark mysteries lurking in the woods." Thirty years after his grandfather's pronouncement, Stephen, now a pastor with a wife and family, returns on the eve of his mother's funeral, to reconnect with the stories of his mythic grandfather and to confront the losses of childhood. Introducing a world of wonder and tenderness, a world where the monsters and witches of the woods are set against singing dogs and golden caribou. Touch is a haunting tale of three generations of love and loss in a town in Northern BC.





Review:

I was very excited to read this one as it was an ARC win from GoodReads...my first one!

I will start off saying that this was definitely not something I would normally read. However, I really enjoyed it. This is a true storytellers story. It reminded me of listening to my grandfather talk about his days as a young man and the adventures he lived. I found the whole reality of what this family lived through to be extremely fascinating. I think we all take for granted the many aspects of modern day life. I am not so sure I could handle everything that this family lived through. I found Alexi Zenter's writing to be beautiful and heartbreaking. My only complaint really? I found the bouncing back and forth between the generations to be a little distracting. There were many times I had to stop and think about who Stephen, the narrator, was talking about. I do recommend you do give this one a read though. It is a truly beautiful, fascinating, heartbreaking tale.


Rating:

3.5 stars