Book Review: Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)

Author: Veronica Rossi

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

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

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

My Rating of this Book – 4 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

I found Under the Never Sky to be a refreshing futuristic twist, combining two completely different worlds. On the one hand, you have those who rely on technology and live in false world of a virtual reality. On the other, you have those living in what remains of the real world, hunting and scavenging to survive. And when these very different lives collide through Aria and Perry, it has amazing results.

The dual perspective of Under the Never Sky gives an ultra-clear picture of this futuristic situation. I got sucked in, learning about the world through both Aria’s and Perry’s eyes and seeing how they view their societies, and most interestingly, each other. It really brought dimension to the novel and its setting.

And the best part of the book was all the unexpected twists, especially toward the end. They were so thrilling, I literally gasped as I read the juicy truth.

The second book is already on my ‘to-read’ list for next year, and if you’re a Sci-fi fan, I would recommend adding this series to your list as well!

Book Review: Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush #1)

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Goodreads Summary: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. At least, not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and probing eyes, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure who to trust—she can’t decide whether she should fall into Patch’s arms or run and hide from him. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth more unsettling than any feeling Patch evokes. For Nora stands amid an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen—and choosing the wrong side will cost her life.

My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

Okay. First off, I just have to say, I love teasing Kelsey over at Kelsey’s Book Corner that she’s the one that totally got me hooked on the Hush, Hush saga. I had won it from one of monthly subscriber contests and picked it from a list of books she was offering. I didn’t really expect to get so addicted, but I did! I consumed these books in practically a week. Now I have to wait until October for the final book. Ugh!

Right. Now getting back to the first book’s review.

So honestly, when I started Hush, Hush, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. And I wasn’t sure if I was ready to fall in love with a Fallen Angel, especially after the prologue. Then as I read, I found that I wasn’t very impressed with the first few chapters. But once the mystery of Patch and the man in the ski mask began, that was it. I was hooked into the plot.

Also, I really could relate to Nora throughout the book. This might be because I have lived through events similar to those Nora experienced, except the fact that I never met anyone like Patch in my entire life. But the connection the author created between the reader and the character was amazing. I felt like I was living Nora’s life, becoming her character, falling in love, and trying to piece together the chaos that is happening in her life.

Other than the beginning, there was one other part of the book that I was not very fond of: the Miss Greene/Dabria dynamic. I don’t want to give too much away, but introducing this character really didn’t have much to add to the first novel. Her position seemed to be forced into the plotline, and in some ways, really unnecessary. But I still hope her character make an appearance in the final novel, maybe meddling a little more in Patch and Natti’s relationship.

All in all, this was an awesome read! One of my favorites of the year!

Book Review: Taken at Dusk (Shadow Falls #3)

Author: C. C. Hunter

Goodreads Summary: Step into Shadow Falls, a camp for teens with supernatural powers. Here friendship thrives, love takes you by surprise, and our hearts possess the greatest magic of all.

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean. But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together. Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

Okay, so I have really fallen in love with this series! I absolutely love the mystery, the humor, and the typical (and not so typical) supernatural-teen issues. Each novel is one step closer to the truth about Kylie’s family origin, but also each holds an entertaining mystery to solve. I had mentioned before that Awake at Dawn (Shadow Falls #2) was more drama than mystery (which I still believe), but Taken At Dusk really made up for what the second novel lacked. The twists and turns in its pages never disappointed.

Also, I have to say I really love both Derek and Lucas. They are both such great characters. However, after reading Taken at Dusk, I think I finally fell into the ‘Team Lucas’ category. Ugh, I always hate putting myself into a bucket, but in this case I just can’t help it. As great as Derek is, Lucas captured my heart in this novel.

So if I didn’t say ‘love’ enough times already in this review, I’m going to say it again: I’m totally in love with this book! I can’t wait for the next one.

Book Review: Open Minds (Mindjack Trilogy #1)

Author: Susan Kaye Quinn

Goodreads Summary: When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can’t read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can’t be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf’s mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she’s dragged deep into a hidden world of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

In terms used by Physics, Open Minds is a novel on a whole new frequency of brainwave functionality. I was really excited when I had first found this novel on Goodreads, and it truly lived up to my expectations. The scientist in me loved how it entertained new possibilities in terms of thought and brain functionality. But the cherry on top was the secrets and governmental cover ups. I found them intense and exciting. And it kept me glued to the edge of my seat.

I also really enjoyed the characters. Kira is an intriguing, especially with her special mind abilities. I liked how she turned things to her advantage and the chances she took, despite the possible dangers. Then, of course, there was Raf, Kira’s perfect match. Okay, I’ll be honest when I say I’ve been in love with Raf since I read Susan Kaye Quinn’s short, ‘Mind Games’ in In His Eyes Anthology. He’s a wonderful guy, and I truly relish his calm, sweet personality. But there was one character I wished I could have learned more about: Simon. He was so fascinating as a character. I wanted to understand more about his motives and background. And I don’t know, but I guess I’m a kind of a sucker for the ‘bad boy’ type as well.

To conclude, this is really great novel, and I highly recommend adding it to your ‘to-read’ lists!

Book Review: Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2)

Author: Aimée Carter

Goodreads Summary: Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person whom she would really rather not meet. Henry’s first wife, Persephone

My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

I had enjoyed reading the enticing twist of the first novel, Goddess Test, but Goddess Interrupted really took me by surprise. It was much more thrilling than I expected, and the development of the plot was awesome. I loved the anticipation and tension. This book really kept me guessing, especially when it came to Henry. I really want to understand him, but he’s so mysterious and insulated. You never really know what he is thinking or what he might do. But apparently he’s not the only elusive character in the series, and the unexpected turns and betrayals of this novel just totally floored me.

I also was truly amazed how well written this novel was. I had enjoyed Goddess Test, and learned a lot about Kate. I could get inside her head and understand the trials and emotions she was going through. But in Goddess Interrupted, I actually felt as if I became Kate. The writing was so powerful that I actually could feel her emotions and physical pain. I even felt like it was me trying to rescue Henry and win his love. It really blew my mind how engulfed I became in the story.

But the real bomb shell was the twist at the end. OMG! I can’t wait for the third book!

Book Review: The Hunger Games Series

Author: Suzanne Collins

Goodreads Summary:

The Hunger Games – Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

Catching Fire – Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol – a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she’s afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she’s not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before… and surprising readers at every turn.

Mockingjay – Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss’s family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains – except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss’s willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels’ Mockingjay – no matter what the personal cost.

Overall Rating of this Series – 3 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

So, as a series in general, The Hunger Games really did not capture me. It definitely had its thrills and chills, but I felt that the plot was pretty flat, especially in the first novel. And Katniss was really a disappointment to me. There was no real growth to her character, even after all she experienced and all the horrors she faced. To me, she was very self-absorbed. I could hardly stand being inside her head, but I couldn’t escape either. Now, Katniss did seem to get better in Catching Fire. She was actually beginning to grow, and finally putting someone else (other than her sister) before her own needs. But once I started reading Mockingjay, it was like she’d reverted back to the Katniss that started in the series, basically just doing anything to survive. Even her relationships seemed like they were convenient only if it benefited her needs.

Fortunately there were many other great characters to make the series intriguing, like Haymitch. He was a fun guy to read about, and amazingly insightful. But the one character that kept me going throughout the series was Peeta. He was truly the heart of the book, in my opinion. The one character who was willing to fight when all seemed lost. The one willing to sacrifice the most for someone other than himself. However, with all the grief he put up with, I wondered at times why he even bothered protecting Katniss.

As for Gale, I’m not really sure his role in the Hunger Game love-triangle. He was barely in the series except in flashbacks and the final novel, Mockingjay. I understood his and Katniss’s friendship. In fact, I thought they were wonderfully paired as hunting partners. Their similar stories and interests were a great foundation. Yet I felt putting him into the love-triangle with Katniss and Peeta was a bit of a long shot considering how little focus his character received.

I think the greatest disappointment of the series was the final novel, Mockingjay. It had great potential in the beginning after what Catching Fire had built up. Finally there was a rebellion, a potential rescue, and an on-coming war. But by the time I reached the middle of the book, I lost interest. And though I like see a character being pushed to breaking point to see their true strength, this novel took things way too far, especially with Katniss and Peeta. It just seemed off.

To sum up, I found myself unsatisfied by the series. If I was going to use a metaphor, I would say reading The Hunger Games is basically like rolling a boulder up a mountain. The beginning is flat meadow with maybe a few rolling foot hills every once in a while. Then in the second book, you begin to climb the mountain with anticipation. You become hopeful there will actually be more to the thrills. But you find when you’re about to reach the pinnacle, you end up tumbling back to the same place where you started.

Book Review: Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3)

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Goodreads Summary: Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

My Rating of this Book – 4 out of 5 Stars

My Review:

Unlike Demonglass, this novel didn’t leave me like “OMG” or holding my breath. In fact, Spell Bound was a bit milder in thrills and chills compared to the second book. Though it had some good twists related to some of the characters’ backgrounds, the best part of the book, in my opinion, was Part II when Sophie was dragged back to Hex Hall. But the excitement and anxiety I felt for the plot didn’t last long enough. Once I reached the Part III of the novel, everything seemed either too mild or just happened so fast I hardly realized what occurred. And I really didn’t feel satisfied with the ending. I felt there could have been a little more detail in the action and a little less in the conclusion.

I am sad to see this trilogy end. I will miss my favorite characters such as Archer and Cal.  But I will be keeping my eye out for what Rachel Hawkins has in store for us next.