ARC Review: The Body Electric by Beth Revis

Title: The Body Electric
Author: Beth Revis
Release Date: 6th October 2014
Publisher: Scripturient Books
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: The future world is at peace.

Ella Shepherd has dedicated her life to using her unique gift—the ability to enter people’s dreams and memories using technology developed by her mother—to help others relive their happy memories.

But not all is at it seems.

Ella starts seeing impossible things—images of her dead father, warnings of who she cannot trust. Her government recruits her to spy on a rebel group, using her ability to experience—and influence—the memories of traitors. But the leader of the rebels claims they used to be in love—even though Ella’s never met him before in her life. Which can only mean one thing…

Someone’s altered her memory.

Ella’s gift is enough to overthrow a corrupt government or crush a growing rebel group. She is the key to stopping a war she didn’t even know was happening. But if someone else has been inside Ella’s head, she cannot trust her own memories, thoughts, or feelings.

So who can she trust?

Detailed Review: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

I'm not new to Beth Revis's writing, but I'm not familiar with it either.

Reading The Body Electric felt like a very different experience to reading Across The Universe, although I suspect that it may be because it's been two years since I read her debut. Still, I could sense the difference between both books. Yes, they were both science fiction. But the writing style seemed different.

Across The Universe was more...detailed whereas The Body Electric was simple and straightforward, something I ask for in a book because if there is too much info dumped in one part, all you're going to give readers are headaches. Huge ones. I don't want to remember how deep the lake it. I don't want to know the population of the whole planet. No thank you. 

I'm not saying there should be no details at all. I'm saying not to go overboard. Do you realise that 'overboard' rhymes with the word 'bored'? You get what I mean. There should be a minimal amount of describing to give you a feel for the place and the characters, enough that you feel comfortable with them.

It was what I exactly got from The Body Electric. I was so in tune with the book that I felt what Ella was feeling, saw what she was seeing, there wasn't any question if I would get bored.

Another bonus was that the chapters were quite short so I managed to whisk through the book without even slowing down. It makes for a light sci-fi read if you're looking for one. (AND, it's a standalone)

Plot twists are in abundance in this book. Let me repeat. Plot twist are IN ABUNDANCE in this book. You're practically stepping foot on a minefield. Your body will be bruised and battered at the end but you survived!!! (You really should celebrate.)

The characters were quite well-rounded and definitely had promising character developments. Ella was what a heroine needed to be, not those whiny characters that just go 'I can't do this I can't do that.' Jack was of course, the hot love interest and the leader of a rebel group (cliché, I know, but I couldn't resist his charms). Even Jadis, Ella's godmother had been perfectly written as it revealed her ulterior motives and true nature.

But what upset me the most was the focus on minor characters, or the lack thereof. I really wished the rest of the Zunzana (the rebel group) would have gotten more parts in the book, especially in the ending. I felt like they didn't get any credit AT ALL for what they did. I would be so pissed if I were them. No kidding.

That is one thing The Body Electric will never match Across the Universe for.

And like I said, the ending wasn't satisfying enough, but luckily it did not lead to a book hangover (if you read my last post, you'd know).

Oh yeah, my number one frustration was the author's fascination with bumblebees. I get that it's related to the Zunzana (since it's another language for bumblebee), but is it really necessary?

Brief Review: I did not plan on devouring The Body Electric like I did. With a well-executed plot and well-written main characters, it provided the fuel to keep the book going. Overall, I enjoyed the book but I hope in the future, more character-driven books can be seen from this author! 

Final Rating: 4/5 'Really Liked It!'

Your Reviewer:

ARC Review: Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Title: Stitching Snow
Author: R.C. Lewis
Release Date: 4th October 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

Detailed Review: I received an e-ARC copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was slightly apprehensive before I started Stitching Snow.

After all, I have heard that fairytale re-tellings can be either good or bad, depending on how the author chooses to write the story, who the villain is, etc.

This re-telling of Snow White is the former of the two.

There was so much action and emotion at the same time. How the author incorporated these two elements so well, I have no idea. But let me tell you, wherever there's action, there will be some emotional moment awaiting you, whether tragic, happy or full of humour.

I haven't read many re-tellings. So I don't know what exactly makes them good. However, I know a good book when I read one, and Stitching Snow was one of those cases.

Re-tellings can be hard to pull off, because you have to follow the storyline and make it your own.

I would think it requires lots of time and revising, compared to writing based on an original idea. I wouldn't even know what to keep the same and what to add and change.

As usual, there is the princess, the prince, the evil queen and the seven dwarfs. These are what will make our minds think, Snow White.

Originality is also key. Reminder- it also needs to be yours. Otherwise, it's plagiarism. In Stitching Snow, advanced technology is an important element for Essie's story as she is an inventor. Her bloodline is also another key original idea that probably made the story shine with a different vibrance from the fairytale itself. I believe it added much-needed mystery and action, not to mention some twists as well.

Moving on, there wasn't much I didn't like about Stitching Snow. I thought the characters were pretty well-rounded and seemed real enough. Dimwit was one of my favourite characters in the book; actually, all of the drones were my favourite characters in the book because they captured the spirits of the seven dwarves so well. The plot, the twists, even the romance were oddly satisfying in the way you like something you didn't even think you'd like.

Brief Review: Mystery and intrigue, together with advanced technology, lures the reader into this newly imagined fairytale that is both famous and well-known. Characters as good as Essie and Dane wouldn't have been found in a fairytale, but in this retelling they shine and flourish. I look forward to more re-tellings from this author, if there are any!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

Your Reviewer:

Review: Red Rising (Red Rising #1) by Pierce Brown

Title: Red Rising (Red Rising #1)
Author: Pierce Brown
Release Date: 28th January 2014
Publisher: Del Rey (Random House)
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: The Earth is dying. Darrow is a Red, a miner in the interior of Mars. His mission is to extract enough precious elements to one day tame the surface of the planet and allow humans to live on it. The Reds are humanity's last hope.

Or so it appears, until the day Darrow discovers it's all a lie. That Mars has been habitable - and inhabited - for generations, by a class of people calling themselves the Golds. A class of people who look down on Darrow and his fellows as slave labour, to be exploited and worked to death without a second thought.

Until the day that Darrow, with the help of a mysterious group of rebels, disguises himself as a Gold and infiltrates their command school, intent on taking down his oppressors from the inside. But the command school is a battlefield - and Darrow isn't the only student with an agenda

Detailed Review: *I received an e-galley of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review* (This is not an ARC)

I believe I have just found the newest breakthrough in dystopia.

Let's face it, there are plenty of authors who write about dystopian worlds, the most obvious being Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth and many more.

Red Rising is different. 

Of course, some things still need to be kept the same, because it's still a dystopian book- there's a hierarchy of people, and the main character is always in the lowest level. A rebellion is essential for the plot to progress. It needs a purpose.

These things still exist in the book, but Brown decided to have a different take. The reversal of roles is not very common in dystopian books. That is, you seldom find the main character immediately becoming someone who possesses power by becoming a person of high class. Usually the main character becomes famous through an act of rebellion.

In Red Rising, Darrow is a LowRed, a miner who drills for the resources that are needed to terraform the planet of Mars. His wife, Eo, is also like him- but she makes a living by creating silk. 

The hierarchy is basically divided into colours- a Red being the lowest and a Gold the highest. Each Colour has their own role within the society.

Then, a life-changing event causes him to join the rebellion which his wife was so passionate about. His status changes from that of a peasant to the highest level- a Gold, as he tries to infiltrate the class of people whom he has grown to hate, destroying them from within. 

The Academy's layout was one I liked; it was reminiscent of Harry Potter, where there were different houses, like the one Darrow joins, House Mars. Others included Minerva, Jupiter, Apollo, Pluto and many more.

My favourite character throughout the book is a Gold named Sevro. There will always be levels within levels, and in the Gold society, he is considered weak. And yet, he proved himself to be worthy and became Darrow's sidekick as he navigated the battlefield that is the Academy. Sevro has got to be one of the best sidekicks I've ever read about.

Red Rising was a very character-driven book. Darrow's voice, along with those with him, are what drives the plot and the twists in the book. The characters were each fulfilling in their roles and also engaging with their unique personalities.  They balanced each other out really well, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension and mouth-watering action.

Darrow's transformation into a Gold was easily the best part in the book, because it was miraculous to watch someone transform before your very eyes. Also, the reality of not trying to change into the society you are cast into proves to be engaging as Darrow tries to keep his old self as he plays a new role.

Another thing I liked was how the author depicted Golds. There were two sides- one where they were nasty and cruel, and the other where some were not. It's a challenge which Darrow has to face most of the time. 

I also sensed a new love interest- another Gold who has an unexpected family background which Darrow didn't learn about until the very end. Her nickname is Mustang, but her real name is Virginia, and it appears that she is the daughter of the ArchGovernor, the very man who changed Darrow's life. 

I shall leave it to you to figure out what happens in the end. The ending was not decidedly a cliffhanger, but it certainly promised more...

Warning: Plot twists are pretty common in this book. (I don't think it can be considered as one, is it? Anyway, happy reading!)

Brief Review: In a genre that's growing competitive with many mainstream ideas, Pierce Brown isn't afraid to take a leap of faith and jump in with a completely new idea that will satisfy all the restless readers out there. Crafting a complex world where nothing is as it seems- where even if you are the best, you must still try harder- the author also weaves a tale of sacrifice and love as a teenage boy is forced to acknowledge the cruelty of the world which he lives in, and fight back.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!!!

QUOTE: 

This certainly describes Darrow's motivation in fulfilling his role in the rebellion,

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness---Napoleon Hill

Your Reviewer:

Book Update + Review: Bad Blood by Nicky Peacock

Some of you might have remembered that I've already posted a review for Bad Blood. The reason why I'm reposting it again is because the author's book was put off sale. Fortunately, Nicky managed to locate another publishing house so there's a new book cover to for the book. Also, enjoy the excerpt at the end of the post. That's personally one of my favourite parts!!!

Title: Bad Blood (Battle of the Undead #1)
Author: Nicky Peacock
Release Date: 10th May 2013
Publisher: Evernight Teen
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: “I am Britannia. I am your protector. I will fend off the hungry hordes of undead hands that reach toward you. I am your steadfast defender. I will stand between you and the zombie masses as they try to taste your flesh. I am strong, unyielding, and dedicated to your survival. All I ask from you… is your blood.”

A five-hundred-year-old bloody game of vengeance will need to be put on hold if vampires are to survive the zombie uprising. Britannia and Nicholas, bitter enemies and the only two surviving vampires left in London,have to work together to save un-infected humans and deliver them safely to a vampire stronghold in the Scottish Highlands. Unable to drink the zombie"bad blood," the remaining vampires need the humans to stay alive.But will the vampires tell the survivors who they are and what they want from them? Will Britannia be able to hold back her vengeance for the greater good?Is survivor Josh the reincarnation of Britannia's murdered true love? And can she bring herself to deliver him to the "safe" hold?

Survival instincts run deep, but bad blood can run deeper.

Detailed Review: Now, the main reason I loved this book so much was the action. Every word describes action. Every page has action. I also really love the author's selection of different species of the book and the contrast between the two: the vampires and the zombies.

In this book, it is explained that vampires are made by magic and zombies through science. The zombie apocalypse has arrived. Humans have been transformed into zombies after a science experiment gone wrong. It is Britannia's duty, together with two other vampires- Phillipe and Nicholas- to rescue the remaining uninfected humans so they can stock up their blood supply (yes I said blood supply, if not how will the vampires survive?)

One thing I'd like to add though, is that Nicky really writes to surprise. When things begin to become dull, she adds a little bit more action and at the same time a well-written twist to liven things up. 

As for the characters, I loved Britannia so much because of her sarcasm and wit and the fact that underneath her violent and unfeeling facade is another kinder person. I think writing Nicholas as the antagonist pairs off with Britannia really well. I really love the arguments they have. The humans who appear briefly in the book are also ones I like, too. All the characters were obviously planned and written thoroughly. 

To end this, let me gift you a quote from the book, which really inspired me.

'Be strong. Be fast. Be deadly.'

Brief Review: So much action you'll find yourself panting from just reading the book. This is an amazing book that will make you heart pound like crazy and sweat like a pig (it is possible, give it a try). I admire the author's ability to excite readers in such a short period of time.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

To Britannia, who I think should stop avenging Langdon,

There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness---Josh Billings

So please forgive Nicholas...

Your Reviewer:

Buy Links:

Amazon 

US

 Evernight Teen

About the Author: 

I guess I’ve always been a storyteller, not in a ‘liar liar pants on fire’ kind of way, although I do work in advertising! When I was little, kids would crowd around me in the playground and I’d tell them tales of blood soaked horror filled with vampires, werewolves, ghosts and more. Yes, most would consider me a disturbed child, but my playmates couldn’t help themselves, they’d huddle around me every break time like an ancient tribe feeding off the fear; and that’s how I learned that horror stories hold a certain power, no matter what some might say, everyone is addicted to a good scare, especially if it is somewhat rooted safely in unrealistic beings... or are they unrealistic?

Writing was really a natural progression. Right now I’m obsessed with writing: a YA Urban Fantasy novel, a Paranormal Romance novella series, and several short horror stories! So I’m currently living in a functional fiction coma – and loving it!

I’ve so far been published in 5 countries: USA, UK, Australia, Ireland and Canada and had short stories included in 40 anthologies with over 17 publishers.

Author Links:

Blog: http://nickypeacockauthor.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickyp_author
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NickyPeacockYaBooks
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Nicky- Peacock/e/B007UH2ACW/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_4
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/4958833.Nicky_Peacock
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nickypauthor/
Tumblr: http://nickypeacock.tumblr.com/

Excerpt:

We ran to the hospital. On the way, we encountered hardly anyone, alive or dead. Where were they all? When we arrived at the hospital car park, I understood. Zombies were pack animals. A massive crowd of them were crammed in and around the main building like they were waiting for a concert to start, all barely paying attention to their surroundings and seemingly swaying against the force of gravity. The other thing was the smell. When watching horror films filled with shuffling zombies, the horror came from their ghastly looks—the reminder that death has a tight grip on us all, well, most of us. But what the filmmakers should focus on—if they could—was the acidic rank odor zombies gave off. They had been dead barely twenty-four hours. It took a normal human body at least thirty- six hours to really start to smell, and that was with a vampire’s heightened senses. These guys smelled like they’d been out in the sun for three weeks covered in rubbish and besieged by wily maggots. They were mostly intact, though. Maybe this hospital had been Zombie Ground Zero. Most had turned so quickly their comrades hadn’t had time to feed.

“Maybe we should try a less populated target.” Nicholas twitched his nose and turned away from me to dry retch.
“Maybe you should grow a pair.”

“Maybe you should act like a lady.” He now had his hands on his hips, squaring up for yet another argument.

“Acting like a lady isn’t going to help now, is it? What do you want me to do? Drop my handkerchief in front of the zombies and watch them fight one another to scoop it up for me? Moron!”

“Always to the ‘nth degree with you, isn’t it?”

“Shut up. Look, the doors are holding, and they’re outside, not inside, which means there must be some people left in there alive to have barricaded this place so tight.”

“Or maybe there are just more zombies in there.”

“Well, there’s definitely a blood bank in there, and that’ll help matters no end!”

Nicholas looked thoughtful then nodded. He of course didn’t want to actually say aloud that I’d had a good idea. “So, how do we get past them?"

I assumed it was a rhetorical question, so I started down to the car park entrance, where most of the zombies were mobbing. I opened the outer door as quietly as possible.

“Ladies first,” Nicholas whispered in my ear.

“I thought we’d agreed I wasn’t a lady.” And with that, I shoved him as hard as I could into the throbbing throng of zombies.

ARC Review: Desperate Reflections by Shay West

Title: Desperate Reflections (Adventures of Alexis Davenport #3)
Author: Shay West
Release Date: 28th August 2014
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: In this final book of the Adventures of Alexis Davenport Series, we find Alex dealing with more drama than ever: her first break-up, her mom's new boyfriend, and attempting to learn the secrets of her "gift" on her own. Desperate to stop Drifter, Alex uses her ability to locate the evil Traveler, only to discover that he lives in her time... And he knows who she is. In a final race against time, Alex must discover Drifter's ultimate plan, stop him, and save her family...all before prom.

Detailed Review: <<I received an ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest feedback>>

The final book in a trilogy is usually the best.

True.

I clearly didn't expect the magnificent wonder that was Desperate Reflections to really be as good as it was.

My apologies to the author for such low expectations when she definitely possesses awesome writing abilities.

Here is some praise to make up for it:

1. Major page-turner. I'll guarantee you that. 

2. Straight-forward- it conveys just the right amount of action in the book and increases the pace of the story. 

3. The ending! Evil villains always meet their end. *evil laugh* (I hope nobody thinks that's a spoiler) The good guys live to save the day!

4. New and awesome characters and some swoony romance that just makes you go 'Ooh la la!!!'

5. A kick-ass and smart heroine, definitely comparable to Tris or Katniss in the modern world. (I mean, she did stop time from being changed)

6. The time period, which was World War II (Hitler!!!) was perfect for a final standoff between Lane and Alex.

7. The song all readers are familiar with. The plot-twist song! Plot twist plot twist plot twist plot twist plot twist!!! 

That should be more than enough to convince you to read the book.

And if it doesn't... Well, I guess it won't do much harm, but really, it would be really nice of you to actually pick up the book and read it, and be as entertained as I was.

The story is more than perfect. Once again, friendship takes priority in the book. Alex's friends are both supportive and loyal, always trying to help her to the best of their abilities, especially Jennifer. Family also plays an equal part in the book, as demonstrated through the strong bonds between the main character and her mother as well as her uncle. 

You may think that time travel is a topic used commonly by too many authors, but West actually gives this topic a brand new feel to it that will definitely keep the pages turning, mixing it with real life problems, as stated in the synopsis. It's more than one person can actually take, but this particular heroine is certainly brave AND angry enough to take on the challenge!

Before you read Desperate Reflections, you should check out the first two books in the trilogy: Dangerous Reflections and Twisted Reflections.

You can check out my review for Dangerous Reflections HERE.

Click HERE for my review of Twisted Reflections!!'

Brief Review: This book definitely proved to be better than it's predecessors. I wasn't disappointed at all and it proved to be a great conclusion to an even greater series. The author doles out contemporary and fantasy elements in just the right amounts to get you hooked to the book! If you're looking for a time-travel read, this trilogy should be added to your list.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE: 

I believe this quote suits Alex perfectly,

To be a hero or a heroine, one must give an order to oneself---Simone Weil

Your Reviewer:

Blog Tour + Review: IRON PENDULUM by Megan Curd

Hi everyone!!! Today we're one of the tour stops for the Iron Pendulum blog tour! Read on for my full review of the book! Also there will be a giveaway at the end, giving away some delicious prices!

Title: Iron Pendulum (Periodic #2)
Author: Megan Curd
Release Date: 28th August 2014
Publisher: -
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Six months ago, Avery thought the world ended outside Dome Four. Thought she was one of the few of her kind. Thought the war that brought the human race to the brink of extinction was over.

But six months can change everything.

After fighting to escape a tyranny she didn't even know existed, Avery has had to come to grips with all the secrets she's uncovered. But more secrets continue to come to light, revealing how little of her world she truly knew. When evidence starts to show that Dome Four might be under siege, Avery knows what she must do.

Returning to the dome she longed to escape is a challenge for Avery, but now she knows there’s corruption lurking in the shadows. A massive steam shortage leaves half the dome without power, and people are falling ill. Dying.

And they’re blaming Avery.

Six months can change everything. One more month could kill everyone. The clock is ticking.

Detailed Review: <<I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review>>

Iron Pendulum is the long-awaited sequel to Steel Lily. Yes, long-awaited, because I couldn't wait to see what Avery and her friends were going to do to help Dome Four and its inhabitants.

When I was reading, I found myself laughing and smiling one moment and panting the next, and then possibly crying. 

The laughing part was mainly from Jaxon and his sharp tongue, as usual. The crying and panting? Well, there definitely wasn't anything funny.

I was ranting about Iron Pendulum to one of my blogger friends, Anna from Enchanted by YA. And this is what I told her.

IRON PENDULUM IS 10 TIMES BETTER THAN THE HUNGER GAMES.

Because if you compare it to The Hunger Games, come on. There is seriously no need to compare. Iron Pendulum was such a good book, and undoubtedly much better than its predecessor too.

Let me justify this statement. 

So much betrayal. So much I think I almost died on the spot when I found out who the traitor was. And yes, when you find out who the traitor is, the twists will come. All at once. BOOM BOOM BOOM. Be ready.

And so much tragedy and pain as well. I really felt so much pain for Avery that I wanted to cry, because no fifteen year old, even one destined to be the hope of the people, should experience what she went through. Of course, the characters each had their own part to play in the book and I adored all of them. Even Riggs.

Except some, of course. Like Xander, for example.

And someone who you wouldn't expect to hate when you reach the end. 

The story was perfect. I shall leave it at that. That sentence is enough to show what I thought about the book.

And don't worry about the action. There's action already waiting for you in the first chapter, and it builds up to one explosive climax at the end.

As well as one cliffhanger.

My pleasure for giving you this warning.

Brief Review: Iron Pendulum needs to be read by every single dystopian fan, because I believe that it really is the trademark of the dystopian genre. Not only did it speak of hope in its simple but beautiful writing, it spoke of love in its many forms, from family to friends. That, I believe is what every true dystopian book should have, besides an oppressed world searching for hope. Megan Curd did it right and I just want to thank her for writing this sequel so perfectly.


Final Rating: 5/5 (no questions about it! I'd give it a six if I could!) 'Totally Amazing!!!'

QUOTE:

 Something Riggs said about trust struck a chord within me,

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved--- George MacDonald

Your Reviewer:

Here's an excerpt that gets my adrenaline running! If you like it, I urge you to read the whole book! Hint: this happens in the first chapter.

“Jaxon…” I said, trailing off.

“Run.”

Alice’s voice rose in panic. “Jax, what do you mean—”

“When, in the history of the English language, has run ever meant anything other than run?” Jaxon’s every word was laced with tension.

And that’s when I heard them; the feral snarls of what used to be human beings echoing down the tunnel.

Ground Zeroes—or Zeroes, as we’d come to call them since meeting up with the Alliance—the burned army of Xander’s Resistance.

Sari took three steps back before turning on her heel. “I think we should go now.”

We backed up, trying to be as silent as possible in our exit. But then I stepped on the bones of a rat skeleton.

Echoes, then silence, and then it came.

Wild, livid, tortured growls, that shouldn’t come from any human being, rang through the tunnel. The cement shook, and I knew we were done for. There was nowhere to go; nowhere to hide.

LINKS:

Website:  http://megancurd.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MeganCurd

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/macdizzledoo/

Author Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4904383.Megan_Curd

IRON PENDULUM Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17984513-iron-pendulum

ABOUT MEGAN CURD

Megan Curd is a graduate of Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. While having always enjoyed reading any books she could get her hands on, Megan didn’t begin writing until a friend encouraged her to do so while in college. 

When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Photography, traveling and snowboarding are hobbies she loves, and she doesn’t turn down the opportunity to play xBox with her brother and friends when it presents itself.

Megan currently resides in Ohio with her husband and son, where she is trying to convert them into Buckeye fans.

This blog tour is hosted by:

8/30 Rafflecopter ($5 gift card to choice of Starbucks or iTunes + ecopy of Steel Lily): 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Paradigm by Ceri A. Lowe

Title: Paradigm (Paradigm #1)
Author: Ceri A. Lowe
Release Date: 13th June 2014
Publisher: Bookouture
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: What if the end of the world was just the beginning?

Alice Davenport awakens from a fever to find her mother gone and the city she lives in ravaged by storms – with few survivors.

When Alice is finally rescued, she is taken to a huge underground bunker owned by the mysterious Paradigm Industries. As the storms worsen, the hatches close.

87 years later, amidst the ruins of London, the survivors of the Storms have reinvented society. The Model maintains a perfect balance – with inhabitants routinely frozen until they are needed by the Industry.

Fifteen-year-old Carter Warren knows his time has come. Awoken from the catacombs as a contender for the role of Controller General, it is his destiny to succeed – where his parents failed.

But Carter soon discovers that the world has changed, in ways that make him begin to question everything that he believes in. As Carter is forced to fight for those he loves and even for his life, it seems that the key to the future lies in the secrets of the past...

Detailed Review: *I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

How do I even start? This book was just soooo good!

Of course, I need to elaborate because many books I've read lately have been really good right?

Let us start with the concept. Think Divergent but without any factions. That's what this book is all about. It's also about a post-apocalyptic world, but the author decided to twist it slightly. She focused on two important times: when the apocalypse happened, and 87 years after the apocalypse.

I always thought the author's point had been to contrast between both times, but as I reached the ending, I realised it was way more than that, resulting in one huge twist, and yes, one huge cliffhanger.

Because Alice and Carter are connected in the most twisted and unimaginable way ever. 

Because if Alice wasn't there during the Apocalypse happened, Carter wouldn't even exist.

That's enough said.

Then, there had to be the characters. We all know that characters are important in a book, and it wouldn't do to just have an awesome story with bad characters. 

So, were they good?

Absolutely. They each stood out from each other, with something marking each one of them from the rest.

Main characters like Alice and Carter, were definitely heroes in their times. Alice was the first Scout to go out in the post-apocalyptic world. And Carter was the first to ever think out of the box and rescue his Community.

And with each hero, there has to be a villain. 

The problem is, they don't appear at the very end. Another twist for you.

Those of you also looking out for romance, there is a little bit of it in both Alice and Carter's times, but they're not the heavy type. 

But again, let's not focus on the romance. Let's just look at the story and characters.

What I found lacking was a just a little bit of originality. All I could think of was how similar Paradigm was with Divergent. Even the cover got me thinking, Divergent. I could almost feel that the very first ideas for this story stemmed from this famous post-apocalyptic book.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

However, despite that flaw, I urge you to read it, especially fans of Divergent, because I still liked it in the end.

Brief Review: I was definitely not disappointed in terms of the story and characters and twists. I just wished that a bit more original ideas went into it, although some ideas did seem fresh enough. Overall, I would say that Paradigm is a great debut for fans of dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels! 

Final Rating: 4.5/5 'Really Liked It!'

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Review: Raging Star by Moira Young

Title: Raging Star (Dustlands #3)

Author: Moira Young

Release Date: 13th May 2014

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Her passion kept them alive. Now it may destroy them all.

Saba is ready to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo...until she meets him and finds herself drawn to the man and his vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to build a stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few. The young and the healthy. Under his control.

Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop New Eden. Presumed dead, he's gone undercover, feeing Saba crucial information in secret meetings. Saba hides her connection with DeMalo and commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother, Lugh, and her sister, Emmi, Saba leads a small guerilla band against the settlers and the Tonton militia. But the odds are overwhelming. Saba knows how to fight—she's not called the Angel of Death for nothing. But what can she do when the fight cannot be won? Then DeMalo offers Saba a chance—a seductive chance she may not be able to refuse. How much will she sacrifice to save the people she loves?

The road has never been more dangerous, and betrayal lurks in the most unexpected places in the breathtaking conclusion to the Dust Lands Trilogy.

Detailed Review: I am convinced that if I don't write a review for Raging Star, I don't deserve to live.

Raging Star is so twisted in a way that it makes me want to cry and laugh and scream at the same time. I thought Rebel Heart was the best the author could do.

Moira Young proved me wrong. Once again, she decides to throw everything you know right in your face and yell, 'Gotcha!'

If you read the last paragraph of the book's description, I have to let you know that it really applies to the book.

It was explosive, and yes, betrayal is a strong theme in the book.

And the best (or worst) part is that you can't possibly guess who the traitor will be. I was so shocked to find out who the real traitor was that I had to stop and honour that part for a few minutes. I wasn't just honouring it, I also paid great respect to Young's writing. 

She deserved it.

Anyways, moving on, the characters were just so well-written and had so much depth to them I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss when I finished reading the book. I felt such a strong connection to them, even minor characters like Emmi and Molly.

The mention of Emmi reminds me. I think Saba is not the only heroine in the book. I believe Emmi also deserves the title. She earned it in Raging Star. I don't think I've ever read about a more determined and stubborn ten-year-old than her.

The story isn't just made up of one plot, it's different plots interweaving together to finally contribute to one mind-blowing ending, which is the 'big rumble' Saba talked about in the book.

As for twists, no disappointments there. That department really worked full-time in Raging Star.

But I really wished the ending was more satiating... That's all I will say.

Brief Review: There is more than one incentive to read the book.  Complex characters with complex relationships, some gawdamn big rumbles (as Saba would say) and one magnificent story. That is more than enough. Being the last in a trilogy, this book is the best masterpiece Moira Young has ever written yet.

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

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I believe Raging Star wasn't just about love and starting anew, it's about heroes as well,

Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed--- Bob Riley

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