ARC Review: Sekret by Lindsay Smith

Title: Sekret
Author: Lindsay Smith
Release Date: 1st April 2014
Publisher: Macmillan Children's
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: An empty mind is a safe mind.

Yulia's father always taught her to hide her thoughts and control her emotions to survive the harsh realities of Soviet Russia. But when she's captured by the KGB and forced to work as a psychic spy with a mission to undermine the U.S. space program, she's thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and horrifying power. Yulia quickly realizes she can trust no one--not her KGB superiors or the other operatives vying for her attention--and must rely on her own wits and skills to survive in this world where no SEKRET can stay hidden for long.

Detailed Review: When I first stumbled across this book on Goodreads and my partner mentioned that the cover for Sekret was really good, I thought to myself, this needs to be on my TBR list. I'm a sucker for historical fiction. Anything that involves past incidents that have actually happened. So when I saw Sekret available for request on NetGalley, I absolutely had no hesitation on clicking the Request button. I kept my fingers crossed on being approved. 

I got approved. I read it. I rated it. And now I'm writing this review on how much this book really fazed and awed me. 

Sekret is a great example of how history can really make an original setting for your book. I was very intrigued when I found out that the book was set in the USSR (now Russia) while it was engaged in the Cold War with America. Using a historical setting will give an atmosphere hardly associated with books that have present or future settings. The atmosphere in Sekret was one of tension and secrecy. Giving psychic abilities to the characters gives the book another finishing touch. I especially loved the different abilities which the psychics have, everything from mind-reading to remote viewing and altering memories. The author has got a good imagination.

What gives it a high polish are the characters. Yulia is a brave and smart heroine that challenges all-time favourites like Katniss. She did remind me of Katniss at times, possibly because they were somehow under the same circumstances. Yulia's love interest, Valentin was a very hard code to crack most of the time, yet I still loved him. Rostov made a great antagonist as well as Misha and Masha. 

The secret ingredient though, was still the twists. The thing is, there's no warning of a twist coming your way. It just leaps out at you and stares you down. It's like being drowned and then pulled onto shore and then being drowned again. This cycle will keep on repeating as you read the book.

And then when you find out there's a sequel... I was like, where's the cliffhanger?!? Unlike other books, the ending was surprisingly well-rounded. Nonetheless, I still need the second book!!!

Finally, a request. MAKE ME A PSYCHIC!!!

Brief Review: Lindsay has obviously done her research regarding Russia in the 1960s and captures the atmosphere well with her descriptive prose and secretive air in writing. She artfully brings her characters to life with words and their psychic abilities is the result of creativity and thorough research. This debut clearly wears out a path for the author to easily navigate and make her voice heard in the writing industry!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

This quote captures the mood of the book so well,

“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”---George Orwell

Your Reviewer:

Blog Tour and Review: Dark Remnants by L.K. Hill

Title: Dark Remnants (Street Games #1)
Author: L.K. Hill
Release Date: 3rd September 2013
Publisher: Create Space
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: In the most dangerous city in the country, one controlled by a sadistic gang called the Sons of Ares, Kyra Roberts is searching the deep places for someone…

Kyra has come to Abstreuse city to find someone she’s lost, but walking the underbelly—a dark alley system residents call the Slip Mire—even in disguise, is rife with dangers. Kyra must stay on her toes if she intends to live. After crossing paths several times with the same detective, she wonders if his work and hers might be connected.

Gabe Nichols has worked homicide in Abstreuse for three years. Dead prostitutes and gang violence are part of the night shift. When a woman who looks like a street junkie but acts like an intellectual saves his life, he’s intrigued. Another woman shows up at his crime scene, and Gabe’s instincts kick into high gear when she clams up. Two cases involving strange women who won’t tell what they know are too coincidental.

If Gabe and Kyra can’t find a way to collaborate, they may not live to see the sunrise. Doomed, like so many others, to become gray, unmarked graves in a forgotten fracture of the Slip Mire.

Detailed Review: Liesel has done it again. After I finished the book, I was literally pining for the next book, desperate to know what would happen next. I wanted to throw a tantrum and yell for the next book to come out NOW, but of course it wouldn't happen. If this book really managed to reduce me to such childlike behavior, that means Dark Remnants in a very very very good book.

In this book, the author's writing is developed and her descriptions of Abstreuse city made me imagine the Slip Mire perfectly well. I could even draw you a picture of it (although I'm not born for art, that's Chloe). But you'll understand what I mean when you read the book. Not IF. WHEN.

What made the book stands out in the crime thriller genre, is its characters. Kyra made it to my 'best heroine' list, with her intelligence and determination. She is a character with depth and a person who I would love to know better in the next few books. Gabe Nichols is also a very special character with secrets of his own and  to me is an amazing detective. And both of them are more similar than they've ever thought in their pasts and family history. Liesel also managed to impress me with the secondary characters because of their differing personalities and the way they affected the main characters Kyra and Gabe.

This is a truly talented author at work here. No doubt about that. I mean, the twists! Will they ever stop? They're just so sudden and unexpected that it hits you hard like a stab to your heart. And I'm not exaggerating here. Also, the author manages to highlight the horrors of a place like Slip Mire with accuracy. If that's not talent, what is that?

Why isn't Liesel K. Hill famous yet? WHY?!? She should no longer be a self-publlished author! She should be as famous as Amanda Hocking or even Dan Brown!

A heart-pounding crime thriller that involves interwoven mysteries and stories awaits you if you dare to take the challenge...

Brief Review: Liesel has once again impressed me with her amazing writing abilities and if given anything to devour by Liesel Hill, I would gobble it up in minutes! This author really should be more recognized in the world and I really hope by next year, she would have made it up to the 'famous author' level on the ladder!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing'

QUOTE: 

To both main characters Kyra and Gabe,

I've learned that we're all entitled to have our secrets--- Nicholas Sparks

Your Reviewer:

Links: 

Facebook: facebook.com/lkhillbooks

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Goodreads Author Page: goodreads.com/lieselkhill

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Goodreads Book Page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18369779-dark-remnants?ac=1

Purchase Links:

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Remnants-Street-Games-1/dp/149230767X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378674561&sr=1-1&keywords=dark+remnants

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Review: Scapemaker by Steve V, Cypert

Title: Scapemaker
Author: Steve V. Cypert
Release Date: 19th November 2012
Publisher: -
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

Quick Review: Matthew is the son of Mr. Nicholas Namely, a local high school teacher. But unbeknownst to Matthew, his father is a dreamscaper whose classroom is connected to the dream-world. From his classroom, his students enter the halls of Scapemaker, a dream-world high school for young dreamscapers.

Following a couple of heartfelt tragic events, Matthew is compelled to investigate the unbelievable mysteries surrounding those events and is propelled into a whole new world. Matthew and his mother, Mae, are soon coerced into moving across the country for his father's strange medical needs. While attending his new school, Matthew comes to know the secrets that Daedree, an annoying girl from his former high school, has locked away. Matthew also meets Amber, a beautiful enigmatic girl who leads him to Mr. Xoner's classroom. While there, he learns the art of dreamscaping (which has been in the Namely bloodline for thousands of years). 

Matthew will come to know of Nox Celare, otherwise known as The Sandman, who is after a special element called Magineum. Neck deep in skinwalkers, sandsleepers, zombies, soul feeders, ghosts, dream-world criminals known as “night terrors” and more, Matthew learns he is in over his head. Matthew must not only solve the mysteries surrounding those tragic events, but he will also have to protect the Magineum with his life and find a way to be with the one girl of his dreams. Filled with secrecy, mystery and a forbidden tangle of young love, this new life will lead Matthew to unbelievable characters with the most extraordinary abilities he could never have imagined.

Scapemaker will keep you grounded in the real world while at the same time make the fantastical world around it that much more possible and enduring. This tale of young adult paranormal fantasy will keep you guessing and wanting more.

Detailed Review: Before I was even halfway through the book, I knew that it was going to be awesome. No way could any other person have written like Steve Cypert. His ideas are ingenious and insane. But hey, I just loved it all the way.

By the way, I know the cover looks spooky, but it think it ties in well with the story.

This book made me realise that the dream-world can control the real-world, and how different you can be when you're dreaming. 

I just wished I was a dreamscaper. That would be my birthday wish! It's just really cool and different to me. Everything is new. But too bad, I was born a non-scaper. 

After Matthew Namely's father fell into a coma and the murder of his friend Dobian Brown, he is forced into the dream-world, where it is both dangerous and beautiful at the same time. He finds out about his own blood and his father's past in Scapemaker, a school that educates dream-scapers.

What he finds out is this:
-The dream-world is not as safe as you think
-His father used to be Scapemaker's principal
-His father is not actually in a coma, he is in a prison called Sandstorm, a prison for traitors and night terrors
-Which means that his father was seen as a traitor 
-And this leads to the conclusion that he has to prove his father's innocence
-This includes saving his father's magineum from Nox, the sandman to gain full power

Dream-scapers are people who can cross into the dream-world consciously. They can do anything they want as they do in the real-world.

Non-scapers are just people like us, who dream but are unable to control the dream we are in. 

Actually I thought the book was going to be quite lame because it started with a football game but then it managed to evolve into something meaningful. Steve is such a great writer.

This book was always leaving me short-breathed, as if I just ran a marathon because I accompanied Matt on every adventure he went. I feel like Daedree, Matthew's friend, who can dream-read and be near the person at the same time, being tugged into adventure after adventure. It simply was exhilarating. Also, I love the way the dream-scapers have their own abilities which are unique. Skye can fly. Elijah can rewind time. Matthew can control the movements of non-scapers in the dream world. Amber can shape-shift. It's just AMAZING.

So I'm wishing to reborn into a dream-scaper. So please, GOD, I really want to be a dream-scaper just let me be one next time ok?

Also, the romance in there is a bit underdeveloped but you can expect more in the next book since the 'forbidden love' and 'love triangle' elements are still there. Those of you who love books like this, go ahead. But if you ignore this book, you're gonna regret forever! (jokes, don't take it seriously. Do whatever you want)

Brief Review: I wish I can read another book as good as this. This book is full of twists that is sure to leave your mind confused but wanting for more as questions develop page by page. This book will keep you reading all the way to the end! I'm being honest here!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

To all non-scapers and dreamscapers in the the world, 

You know, Willie Wonka said it best: we are the makers of dreams, the dreamers of dreams.--- Herb Brooks

Your Reviewer: 

Review: The Foundlings by R.M. Garcia

Title: The Foundlings
Author: R.M. Garcia
Publisher: Createspace
Released Date: June 23rd 2011
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

Quick Review: After the worst year of his life, all Donnie wanted was happiness, and when he met Abbie, he was sure he had found it. But their happiness together is placed in jeopardy after a chilling a encounter. They are dragged in to the world of Vampires. Orphaned, now they must fight to survive, fight to live and fight to keep their love alive. They find themselves outcasts in this world, the world of the Foundlings. 

In the vampire world of Foundlings, their kind is hunted mercilessly. Donnie and Abbie meet Espee and Nox, who along with other Foundlings stand to protect their members. As the leader of the den, Espee teaches them to survive, to hide, and to avoid detection from the formal Bloodlines. 

You see every vampire originated from a Bloodline Source, and each Bloodline could only birth a certain number of vampires from its Source. As it turned out, Foundlings complicated the formal Bloodlines’ plans and their possible numbers. For every risen Foundling, there would be one less vampire available to the corresponding Bloodline. Every formal Bloodline down the line, from the Reich all the way to the Old Ones, cared little for Foundlings. The reason for their hatred was unknown to every Foundling. To every Bloodlines, these bastard offspring, these “accidents,” were simply intolerable.

Can Donnie and Abbie's love survive? Can Espee figure out a way to protect her kind? She sees something in Donnie, something she has never seen in any other Foundling. Will he be the key?

Detailed Review: [ Review copy received from Juniper Grove ]

I found The Foundlings to be a really awesome story about Vampires. Well for one, the story kicks off immediately with a strong prologue that caught me off guard! With a boy called Donato "Donnie" Guerrero who is basically a normal American Indian human who can talk to Spirits and they give messages or sometimes once in a while his parents see him in a 'spirit form'. I thought this book was really, really good! 

Normally I would have turned down a Vampire novel (thanks to Twilight, no doubt) but after the first page of reading this spiritual, paranormal hunt of Foundlings, I was impressed with the author's quality writing of actual Vampires (not sparkly ones, I daresay)!

Exhilarating, fun and heart-stopping I really loved R.M. Garcia (author)'s writing. He has written quite a fascinating, interesting story. The Vampires in The Foundlings are split up into Bloodlines where each Bloodline has a different ability like, telepathy, telekinesis or even flight! 

Hard to believe?  

Well, you'll have to read it the complete text. 

DONNIE; a hot-headed, impulsive yet sweet to the max - I think Donnie was written quite well as well  descriptions about him and his amazing fighting skills that impressed me, I LOVED this character! With abilities that can match no normal Vampire, Donnie is guy that will do anything for his wife/girlfriend, Abbie. 

ABBIE; over the top at times, bad-ass the next and typically sweet - who knows what will happen next with this girl around? Abbie's strength and determination has served her well in The Foundlings including those feelings of Donnie and the next is ultimate marriage in Canada! Can her love exceed any further? 

ESPEE; Vampire that is wayyy old, generous and is wise - She rules over dens with an iron fist but at times Espee has a typically grandmother-like stance and heart where she will save her dens, her Foundlings and anything she cares without a second thought! This woman has total determination but what is her weak point then? 

The story was very creative, using history and the paranormal to team with each other - Garcia has outdone himself with combining the two together! 

If you love books that have heart-stopping actions, paranormal romance and new world with Vampires, Spirits and creatures called Sources? Well, you better read this book because this is pretty darn good book that has won it's place on my bookshelf of Most Loved Books :)

You will be mystified in the end (hope you do) I can't wait till I can get my hands on the second book! 

I would definitely recommend this book! If you haven't read it, I suggest you should. 

*The second book, The Beasts Within is out NOW!* 

Find out more here!

Buy it here!

Brief Review: The Foundlings is definitely a book worth reading! I couldn't stop reading it non-stop with action, romance and the supernatural all packed in one! R.M. Garcia has written a fast-paced novel that has outdone itself, literally! 

My Rating: 5/5   "Totally Amazing!"

Your Reviewer: 

Review: The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

Title: The Moon Dwellers (The Dwellers #1)
Author: David Estes
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Ebook/Paperback)
Release Date: June 30th 2012
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

Quick Review: In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. 

After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.

Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.

At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.

In their world, someone must die.

Detailed Review:  I really liked this book - it's one of my favourite (e)books that sit on my 'virtual' shelf in iBook. I thought The Moon Dwellers was really fascinating, exciting and a heart stopper that made me really twitchy whenever the main protagonists met together! David Estes has written this wonderful book that made me start thinking about his newest book, The Sun Dwellers (The Dwellers #3) (which I can't wait to read) in a whole new path of adventure, fiction and action! 

The story is mainly about two people who are called Adele and Tristan. One is the daughter of The Moon and the other is the son of The Sun (exaggeration!) but each hold a destiny. It's interesting how Adele and Tristan first see each other...

'He's waving at his adoring fans, smiling his mesmerizing smile, when he looks at me. Right at me, like his eyes are gun sights and I am their target. Despite the distance, it's like they pierce me to my very soul, sending waves of energy up my back, through my neck, slamming into my brain like a sledge hammer. 
"Arrr!" I cry out, flinching  I tear my eyes away from him and settle my head in my hands, massaging my pounding temples.'

I thought this part was really interesting. When I read through this part I was like, "What in the world is happening to Adele?!?" I was practically bouncing up and down, trying to think why she acted that way to Tristan. Until finally I realize that I will get the answer... NOT. I read through The Moon Dwellers and found no answer. 

YET. 

ADELE; She's definitely a fighter, this one. Adele was seriously cool and when I finally finished the story, I read the acknowledgement part (yeah, you're wondering why but some readers just do that) then I saw this: 'First, I'd like to thank my wife, Adele, for letting me use her name...' SO now you know why our author, David Estes has chosen this name! But I have to say, Adele was all badass when she killed - (Whoops, spoiler here! Keepin' my mouth shut for this one). 

TRISTAN; He's a boy who's grown up living in a huge castle, kicking his brother under the table, training to fight like every prince would be like. But - He's the Prince of Sun Dwellers. The enemy of both Moon and Star. Until - he sees Adele for the first time... 

TAWNI; A friend of Adele's, she's the one holding the group together until everyone falls apart - including herself. She's friendly, dainty and has pure snow-white hair.  Every since then, the girl has journeyed with Adele, Tristan and the others who follow with them to the light and the defeat of The Sun Dwellers dominion. 

ROC; Butler, servant, friend - (the next best thing is...) Who is Roc really? Well, you have to wait and see as Tristan's best friend (only friend as Roc puts it) as he travels with Tristan to stand with his friend in battle, death and possibly in the new world where Tristan will rule. He's sweet, sarcastic and has a killer sense of humour which makes the reader much more entertained. 

COLE; Is he really a killer? or... Is he really the friend that Adele knew? Well, I think Cole was a really good character but of course something unfortunate has happen (Not saying!) it makes me feel really horrible cause Cole was one of my fav characters that I chose to review (which I'm apparently doing right now). Cole was really nice, awesome and has some mean fighting skills including paying other guys to do some bombing! 

'"Hey, don't I get any votes?" I say. 
"Nah, Tristan and Roc are really fun," Elsey says. 
"And I'm not?" 
"Not as fun as them," she says, grinning. 
"Thanks a lot!" I exclaim, grabbing her and whirling her around. 
"As general," Roc says, "our first order of business is to eat breakfast. Then we'll head over to the Camp of Death and Skulls and Crossbones and all that." 
"The Camp of Blood and Stone," I correct. 
"I think that's what I said," Roc says, chuckling.'

Proof of Roc's sarcasm and all that. I have to say this again: 

THIS BOOK IS SOOO GOOD! 

I think David Estes has a really influential writing that can get a reader stirring. I loved the storyline of how he created these 'tribe-like' worlds where other and another separates each other like a line across the world. 

Well, if you haven't read this book, YOU should! So don't forget to check out the sequel to The Moon Dwellers, The Star Dwellers (The Dwellers #2)! 

Brief Review: Exciting, heart-stopping and completely thrilling, David Estes's The Moon Dwellers was written in a very detailed way that is able to capture the raw power of The Dwellers!

My Rating: 5/5   "Totally Amazing!" 

Your Reviewer: 

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Teagen Books
Release Date: 1st May 2012
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

Quick Review: 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.

Detailed Review: To be honest, this book quite disappointed me. I mean, it was still REALLY GOOD, but it wasn't as action-packed as the first book. So don't get so offended guys if you thought that this book was AWESOME. There is a fine line between the words 'awesome' and 'really good' though. 

The first-half of the book was just, uh, plain boring, although Tris and Tobias (Four) got into several fights. And what gets on my nerves is that Tris keeps breaking down when she sees a gun. I mean, yeah, she shot her best friend because he was trying to kill her, but did she have to act so pathetic? She was going to die, for goodness sake!

But then it just got better from there. After Tris and her Abnegation friends and family escaped Amity when the Erudite stormed their compound, Tris and Tobias end up with the factionless after they jumped into a train car full of them. There they find a person who was in initiation with Tris, Edward. 

But...

Tobias' mother, believed to be dead turns up alive as the leader of the factionless. Surprise.

And they find half the Dauntless are together with Erudite and the other with Candor. So Dauntless is split into half just because of Erudite. I feel like killing them when I think of what they did in Divergent.

I'm not going to tell you what happens after that, but then it starts to get really good after that. The action starts coming back. Secrets start to surface as both Erudite and Abnegation struggle to hide something that they're willing to die for. It's about what's OUTSIDE THE FENCE.

I'm just going to let you know this. There's a whopping big cliffhanger that makes me want to read the third book! Don't believe me? Here's the last sentence:

Then the shouting begins.

I know how you felt when you read that. I was looking for a continuance, maybe another sentence to end it, but there was NOTHING ELSE. It just got cut off like that!

Brief Review: Even though Insurgent wasn't as good as the first book, it was still quite entertaining after the first half section. And the cliffhanger makes me totally want to read the next book!

Final Rating: 4.5/5 'Really Liked It'











Your Reviewer: 

Review: Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

Title: Insignia
Author: S.J. Kincaid
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: July 10th 2012
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

Quick Review: More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom's drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.

Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone's been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he's offered the incredible--a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom's instincts for combat will be put to the test and if he passes, he'll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War III. Finally, he'll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom's always wanted--friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters--but what will it cost him?

Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid's futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology.

Detailed Review: I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the book. It was entirely sci-fi, interesting and absolutely out this world (literally). It was something that I had never expected. Like the blurb above, I mean 'fighting in space?' The story was very fluid and easy to understand which makes this a good read. 

At the start, it's quite boring but don't stop until you've got a taste of the sci-fi action because they'll be wayyyy more things you'll wanna find out before you close that book! The story opens to a boy of fourteen called Tom. He's a boy who loves playing games and is interestingly good at them. The games are completely virtual so it's like you're actually part of the game. We find out that Tom is supposedly ugly, pimply and short. During this, he still has to go to school, virtually. You can even choose an avatar to log in. But Tom chose himself as an avatar. 

I had an absolutely fun time reading this book. We start to learn about other characters whom he meets. They're entirely and yet overly fun. Tom gets recruited by a commander who has decided that Tom can be cruel when he wants to be. After recruiting Tom, he gets a taste of Insignia. An army that fights in space virtually, implants microchips into brains, improves looks and heights, makes your brain calculate faster than normal. Now, who wants to be normal? 

The story is during World War Three! Where the military recruits teenagers to serve as soldiers because of the implanted device in their heads. Why? Because if one of these microchips gets implanted in an adult's brain, it gets fried and corrupted.  

*If you're an adult over eighteen, please do not try this at home.* (joking) 

'"Do you want to be somebody important?"
And there it was. 
There it was. 
Tom leaned back in his seat and tipped his drink to Heather-and the man who had just won this match. 
Because, more than anything, Tom wanted to do something. Something other than move from casino to casino, something other than turn into his dad. 
He'd give anything to be important.'

Now, we learn about the real Tom and what he really wants. 

Then we learn about things like training and the brain. I thought the storyline was hilarious and awesome where space and time possibly existed on Earth so frequently. Tom learns about his abilities to fry people with electricity, break down satellites and connect with an electronic device. He learns about his new enemy. A girl behind the name of Medusa. She's supposedly the world's most powerful and influential enemy yet-no one's seen her face. Except the avatar she hides behind. 

Tom gets obsessed with the idea of a girl being more powerful than anyone at Insignia. He later contacts her and fights with her. At the same, falls in love with her! They train together and learn about more things that shouldn't have told each other.  

What can he say? He wanted to be important... - whoops very important spoiler that I can't say. I guess you'll have to buy the book to find out. 

 I think the story was actually quite impressive and quite different in many ways. S. J. Kincaid has captured the essence of a sci-fi, thriller series. The next book would be worth the read and I'll be looking forward to it being on my shelf.

Brief Review: 'Been wowed by the presence of a sci-fi-thriller, S. J. Kincaid has made and developed an easy, smooth storyline that produces a world that you can never have imagined. Insignia is full of action that will leave you wanting for MORE!'


My Rating: 4/5  'Really Liked It!'












Your Reviewer: 

Review: The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow: Surreptitious Superhero

Title: The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow: Surreptitious           Superhero
Author: Lorin K. Barber
Publisher: Sweetwater Books
Release Date: 13th March 2012
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

Quick Review: Copernicus H. Stringfellow, a.k.a. Nick, is not your run-of-the-mill genius. His mind is so powerful it can stop a speeding automobile or stem internal bleeding. As Nick goes about quietly doing good, he discovers that his powers are greatly enhanced by the nutrients present in Twinkies. Follow Nick on his amazing adventures in this humorous and exciting action-packed book for all ages.

*specially sent from the author himself*

Detailed Review: After I read the first chapter, I actually thought it was pretty cool. I liked the twists and turns that this novel had.

First off, who's this person called Copernicus H. Stringfellow? He's a genius, though not an ordinary one since he can actually control things with his mind due to his super concentration levels. He can walk through anything after a recent discovery. He's rich, after he invented Rougaine, Botox, and the Ipod for his beloved family. His mother died when he was only 2 years old and his father disappeared after he murdered his wife, leaving him with his aunt and uncle with their two older children. He could start speaking full sentences when he was only six months old. He started college when he was eleven and has over 17 PhDs. Isn't it amazing?

The story shows how people's lives were transformed after working for him when he bought a run-down house in Seattle. Also, the friends who are devoted to Nick are slowly going through a change they never expected.

Meanwhile, two men in black suits in a sedan has been watching Nick ever since they saw him move things without touching them. Turns out they from DARPA, which stands for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Dr. Prescilla Spurbeck is infuriated by Nick in a way which she doesn't like. What with his status 'nurse at large' and always wandering around the hospital rooms eating Twinkies. When she starts to research about him, she didn't believe what she'd found (me too). 

In the end, what happens is a romance between Nick and Press that they never imagine would ever happen.

Not to mention a series of kidnappings that have been implemented by Dr. Cyril Veshkov, Press's ex-boyfriend, for God knows what reason.

It would be so cool if this book was made into a movie! The stories woven together made it a splendid book!

Brief Review: Nick's Science and English is enough to make people gape. If I could be just like him... This book was good with some amazing and unbelievable parts in there.

Final Rating: 4/5 'Really Liked It'

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Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Title: Hallowed
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: 17th January 2012
Find on: Amazon. Goodreads

Quick Review: For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn't prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.

Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

In this compelling sequel to "Unearthly," Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.

Detailed Review: The fire was just the beginning. True. This book was as unpredictable and surprising as its predecessor. It literally dragged me in. The story was fantastic.

  The story starts with another vision. A funeral. Whose? Well, at first, the only thing she noticed was Tucker was missing. So yeah...

   But... I noticed this before Clara did. Her mother wasn't there. So? Yep, you got it. It was her mother's funeral. Why? Angel-bloods only live for 120 years, a fact that Clara found out from her best friend Angela, one which she didn't dare accept. 

   Matters seemed to get more worse from there. Her mother's still keeping a secret from Clara. And soon she finds out what is is and what it means: Her father is an Intangere, that means a full-blooded angel. Shocking. And her status from quarter-angel, Quartarius seems to change at once to three-quarters angel, more angel than human, a Triplare. 

   Also, though she still loves Tucker dearly, things seem to go out of control. Such as, why does she feel connected to Christian somehow, and why were they destined to be together? 

   A Black Wing is also tailing Clara everywhere she goes. There's something that's mysterious about her that attracts him. He wants to know what it is. 

   This is not yet the end. There are worse things to come. 

   Jeffrey, Clara's younger brother, who seemed so laid-back actually had a purpose the same time as Clara got hers. Here's the catch: JEFFREY WAS ACTUALLY THE ONE WHO SET THE PALISADES ON FIRE.  And on the day of the fire, he was supposed to rescue TUCKER. So it leaves one deduction: Clara just ruined everything for her brother, Christian and herself. They didn't fulfill their purposes.

   Now this is the end. All the questions are answered, right? Wrong. There's a third book coming, called Boundless and I can't wait to read it.

Brief Review: This was a complex storyline that left me light-headed. I was absolutely gasping for breath at the end of this story. A worthwhile read. So don't miss it!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing'

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