REVIEW--Inhuman

You guys.  If you loved The Hunger Games or Divergent, you HAVE to read this book.  I just randomly picked it up for a teacher friend and he came back raving about it.  And then I read it.  And oh my word I LOVED it!

So let me tell you why!

 

• Book one in the Fetch series
• Dystopian

The Gist:
Lane lives in a futuristic America that has been overtaken by a really bad virus.  Like if you get bit by an animal and get the virus, you eventually turn into that animal.  So a wall has been built to protect the west side of the country from the eastern, mutated side.  And Lane feels completely safe on her west side.  Until, that is, she is taken into custody and told that her ever-careful father is actually a Fetch, someone who illegally crosses the border to transfer materials.  To save herself and her father, Lane must complete his final Fetch task...but how will a Western girl ever survive The Savage Zone in the East?

What I Loved:

• Everson!  Rafe!  I love them both!  I just don't know who I want Lane to choose.
• The cliffhanger ending with Rafe--oh my goodness!!!!  What will happen to him?!
• This book is dystopian, yes, but it is SO UNIQUE compared to all the others out right now.  No factions/districts/etc.
• The ending is SO EXCITING.  I couldn't stop reading the final few chapters.
• The Tiger-Man, the lionesses--I loved their unpredictability (as is the case with animals).
• The villains were just so so good.

What I Didn't Love:

• In Lane's second interaction with the Tiger-Man, I felt like Rafe and Everson should've known better than to let her go outside alone.  I saw that coming a mile away.
• The cover.  It could be so much more.

I absolutely adored this book and am dying for Kat Falls to finish the sequel!  Supposedly it's supposed to be published in 2015, but Goodreads doesn't even have a title for it.  I'm dying!

I said recently in my MidYear Book Freakout video that Extraordinary Means is my favorite read of the year, but this book might just tie it.

REVIEW: The Saints

Happy Thursday, everyone!  I'm so used to starting off all my posts with "It's so cold in Indiana!" that I'm so excited to say that it hit over 60 degrees yesterday!  You can just feel the excitement in the neighborhood yesterday as everyone went outside!

A while ago I reviewed the book The Loners, a very CRAZY dystopian book by co-authors Lex Thomas about teens getting stuck together in a school.  I recently read the sequel, The Saints, and oh my goodness.  One of the craziest books I've ever read.

• Dystopian
• #2 in the Quarantine series

The Gist:
It's been 18 months since a virus outbreak hit McKinley High School.  Will and Lucy think that they will soon be leaving the school, but a surprise accident leaves them trapped inside with even more teens.  New alliances form, a new gang--The Saints--starts up, former leaders lose power, and a group of parents appear to offer help.  But who can really be trusted?  And did Will's brother David make it to safety?

What I Loved:

• Just like with The Loners, this book is full of nonstop action and surprises.  I just couldn't predict ANYTHING that happened.
• There is one scene in this book that is literally the grossest scene I've ever read in my life.  So why is this in the love category?  Because I didn't see it coming and it added a lot of depth to a character.  But oh my goodness.  I still cringe when I think about it.
• I liked the addition of the new characters--The Saints, the parents.  And I liked that The Loners disintegrated, because it shows that you just can't trust everyone in your gang.

What I Didn't Love:

•  I wasn't very surprised by David popping up at the end of the book.  No one would believe he is dead.

Such a crazy but a fun read!  I can't wait to finish the series!

An outfit coming up, inspired by one of the gangs!

REVIEW--Life As We Knew It

Happy Wednesday, readers and fashionistas!  Halfway through the week!!

Today's post is a book review on Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer.  I originally picked it up as a backup plan in case a book I wanted to use in class was too edgy for parents' permission.  But I was surprised at how quickly I finished the book and how much I enjoyed reading it.  So let's jump on in!

• Dystopian
• First book in the Last Survivors series

The Gist:
Miranda is just a normal teenager living a normal life.  She lives with her mother and younger brother; her father is remarried and living in another city and her older brother is away at college.  When everyone hears that scientists have predicted that an asteroid will hit the moon (and not cause any damage), they are pretty excited about it and even stay up late to watch it happen live from their front yards.  But the scientists were wrong--when the asteroid hits, it IS a big deal and knocks the moon off its orbital course.  Which means tsunamis, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. And life as Miranda and her family have known it is all about to change in a fight for their lives.

What I Loved:

• This book is really clean.  Yes, I know I'm an educator so that means something more to me than the average Joe, but I was just impressed by how appropriate it was for students of all ages to read.
• The book is very thought-provoking.  And I really believe that if the moon was knocked out of its orbit, what is described in this book would actually happen.  Which is pretty terrifying to think about.
• This book considers all aspects of being in a survival situation--physical needs, emotional stress, fears and uncertainty, confusion on how to live, etc.
• Additionally, I liked that as a reader I got to see more than just inside Miranda's home.  I got to see around the town and hear about what else was happening in the world.  

What I Didn't Love:

• There was practically no resolution with Miranda's father and step-mother, which bugged me a bit.  Did she have the baby?!

My favorite quote:
"I guess all the animals have left town." 
"I hope Kansas lets them in."

A very solid read for me, so I will probably continue with the series.

 I'll be back soon with an outfit perfect for Miranda's situation--an outfit that can be worn over and over in new ways (since Miranda won't be shopping any time soon).

 

REVIEW--The Testing

Good morning, readers and fashionistas!  Today's post is a review on the book The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau.  Yep, it's a dystopian book with a female protagonist in a world controlled by the government.  Oh, and it's the first in a series.  That seems to be the trend nowadays, huh?  So let's jump into my thoughts on the book!

• First book in The Testing series
• Dystopian

The Gist:
After the Seven Stages War, our planet is basically a charred wasteland.  So citizens must now colonize and rebuild an acceptable society.  But only the elite are chosen to enter the university to specialize in an area and hold the responsibilities of this rebuilding.  And these elite must first pass the Testing, a rigorous program of challenges and tests that result in fewer survivors than graduates.  Cia Vale is surprised yet honored when she is chosen to enter The Testing.  She is following in her father's legacy as a Testing candidate and desperately wants a college education.  But the Testing will push her farther emotionally, mentally, and physically than she has ever gone.  And she quickly learns that allies and enemies may be synonymous...

What I Loved:

•  The ending was the perfect way to hook me into the second book.  I want to continue with Cia's story and see what decisions she makes next.
• There was definitely unpredictability in who could be trusted.  Cia's fellow Testing candidates, the Testing officials, and the strange man that's watching Cia in the final test are all suspicious, and the fact that some are trustworthy and others aren't kept the book interesting.

What I Didn't Love:

• Like I alluded in the beginning of this post, this is a little over-done.  In fact, at times I felt like I was reading The Hunger Games.  Especially during Cia's final test, when she's basically in an arena with her life on the line...it just seemed a little late for its time.  I think I would've loved it more if I had read it two years ago.
• I wasn't in love with the characters that Cia liked, especially Tomas.  I was too skeptical of him to care enough for him or appreciate him.  He didn't become the "Peeta" or "Gale" that I would have wanted.  Maybe it was because Cia kept giving away secrets to him (despite her father's warnings), but I kept thinking he'd turn on her at any moment.
• Speaking of Tomas, the romance between him and Cia felt a little unnatural.  Maybe there wasn't enough character-building for me to really invest in them.

An enjoyable read, but one that just seemed a little too familiar for me.  I just couldn't fall in love with it--it was a good read, but I know as soon as I booktalk it, students are going to raise their hands and say "isn't it like ____ book?" 

REVIEW--The Loners

I have been booktalking all day...you know, I've been describing books to students to help them pick out something that they'll like.  And it was so. much. fun.  I love that "oh wow!" moment when I tell them something special about a book or surprise them when something they know they'll love.  And speaking of a book that I love...

Let's talk about The Loners.  It's the first in a series called Quarantine, and wow!  Just wow!  One of the most action-packed, surprising, and even violent books that I've read in a while.  Let's jump right in!

 

• First in the Quarantine series
• Dystopian

The Gist:
On the first day of school, David is mostly concerned with making sure his brother, Will, has a good day as a new freshman.  Oh, and he's trying to avoid the football team who thinks he deserted them (which he kind of did) and his ex-girlfriend who left him for a teammate.  But there won't be any avoidance for long, because a virus hits the school, killing off all the adults and putting the building under military quarantine.  And for over a year now, David and his entire school's student body have been trapped inside, fighting for food, power, and their lives.  And for David and Will, who have no outside friends, they have to fight the most.

What I Loved:

• Oh my goodness!  This was such a fast-paced, action-packed, shocking, exhilarating,  crazy read!  I kept thinking "how will they ever get out of this?!" and was constantly surprised by the characters and their actions.  
• This book takes Lord of the Flies to a whole new level, and I know my students will eat it up!  The fight for power and the strength in alliances speak VOLUMES in this book.
• So much thought went in to how students of all backgrounds would react to such a crisis.  From where they station themselves to how they make use of their time, they were grouped in fairly accurate ways. 

What I Didn't Love:

• Once the virus hits, the military quarantines the school within minutes, and I found this immediate reaction to be highly unlikely.  And the military seemed so cold against the students, only dropping down food.  Wouldn't they have wanted to establish a communicative effort?  Work to reunite conversation between families?
• And speaking of this virus, the fact that it hit everyone at once is also so unlikely.  I can see it spreading, sure, but a kid runs into the building and then all of a sudden everyone has it? 

Despite having a few things I didn't like, I LOVED this book.  So creative and creepy all at the same time!  I'll definitely be jumping on the sequel!  And I'll also be designing an outfit based on one of the student groups.  Now go read The Loners!

REVIEW--The One

Hey, readers and fashionistas!  You can't get more fashionable on a book cover than The Selection series (I formerly reviewed The Selection and The Elite) by Kiera Cass.  And I couldn't wait to finish this series when the final book, The One, was published.  I saw Cass tweet about secrets that would be revealed in this third book, and I was definitely anxious to have some questions answered.  So let's jump into the review!

I mean, this cover is GORGEOUS, right?!

• Third and final book in The Selection series
• Dystopian

The Gist:

Prince Maxon has narrowed down his eligible brides to the top four.  The remaining girls, including America, must now put everything on the line in order to win his final affections.  But danger looms around the castle as rebels become fiercer and bolder.  And of course America is still struggling through her feelings for guard Aspen and her homesickness.  Her entire future lies in wait.

What I Loved:

• Questions are answered.  In fact, I felt fully satisfied in how everything was wrapped up (this doesn't necessarily mean I loved the ending but that it felt resolved).
• But I will say I was ok with the ending.  It was good (how's that for a deep comment?!).
• I was shocked.  I mean totally shocked by the ending.  I was reading the ending in the car while my husband was talking to me (yeah, I don't get any wife points there), and my mouth literally dropped open at the ending scenes.  That sounds so cliche and it is but it's totally true.  Mouth-dropping ending.
• I grew to love and appreciate so many of the characters, even the witchy Celeste!  I am thankful for the changes that occurred in the characters.
• This book wasn't about all the fluffiness that we saw before in parties, dances, singing, etc.  It got into hardcore meetings, violence, and surprises.

What I Didn't Love:

• America and Maxon could still be so wishy-washy with each other, and neither one having the guts to say "I love you" really drove me crazy.  At times I felt myself liking the side characters more than these main characters.
• I was overly annoyed by the Queen and King.  Stereotypical in their own ways (the Queen submissive, the King practically a tyrant).

My favorite quote:  "I want the holidays and the birthdays, the busy seasons and lazy weekends.  I want peanut butter fingerprints on my desk.  I want inside jokes and fights and everything.  I want a life with you."  I could totally frame this quote in my house!

A really great finish to the series--I recommend it if you're looking for something fun!  Four stars!

I'll be back with an outfit based off the cover (I'm going to have fun with that one!!).  See you soon!

REVIEW--Into the Still Blue

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Previously this year I reviewed Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi...GREAT books in the Under the Never Sky trilogy.  I recently read the third and final book--Into the Still Blue and can't wait to review it!  So here we go:

 

•  Third book in the Under the Never Sky series
• Dystopian

The Gist:
When we left Aria and Perry, they realized that Sable and Hess had joined forces to kidnap Cinder and force him to take them to the Still Blue.  That would mean safety for them and their people, possibly death for Cinder, and hopelessness for Aria and Perry and their newly-mixed tribe of Dwellers and the Tides.  So Aria and Perry know they must rescue Cinder and find their own way to the Still Blue before the Aether storms destroy them all.   But that means a mission of complete danger, betrayal, and decisions...and Sable and Hess aren't giving up with out a major fight.

What I Loved:

• Sable and Hess were FANTASTIC villains.  I seriously didn't know how Aria and Perry would surpass them because of their strength in all things evil.  Especially Sable.  One dangerous guy.
• I loved all the characters and how they returned to be important to the plot--Roar (Oh I LOVE Roar!), Brooke, Soren, etc.  
• I wasn't expecting for Aria to have any conclusion about the identity of her father--I was happy to see that and it was nicely done.  I liked the dual side to his character, too.
• Action-packed scenes, bouts of violence--it all had me turning the page quickly.  I was engrossed!

What I Didn't Love:

• I still miss the cannibals from Book One.  And they're not in this book...isn't it sad and creepy that I miss the cannibals?  I just found them intriguing.  

My favorite quote:  "You're out to hurt at least a few people.  I'm sure of that.  What I'm trying to figure out is how wide you're casting the net."

I never say this about final books in a series, but I think this one was my favorite!  Sad to see it end, actually.  Aria and Perry are a great match, which leave Roar single for me (wait!  I'm married...and oh yeah, Roar isn't real).

It's been awhile since I've had a 5-star review!

I'll be back with a new outfit (inspired by this book of course!).  See you then!

REVIEW--Shatter Me

Happy Thursday, everyone! 
 
I have heard SO MANY people--librarians, bloggers, students--talk about the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi that I knew I had to read it PRONTO.

The series is dystopian--which I love like the rest of the world--and a mixture of romance, action, and mystery.  So let's jump right into a review of the first book, Shatter Me!

• First in the Shatter Me series
• Dystopian

The Gist: 
Juliette has a power--her touch is dangerous.  By simply touching her you can get seriously hurt or even killed.  So her parents have had her locked up for the last 264 days.
And the world itself isn't doing much better--diseases are killing people, food is scarce, etc.  Survival is priority in the outside world.
But the Reestablishment thinks that Juliette might be a tool they can use as they work to "rebuild" society.  And Juliette has to learn who can be trusted and what she must do for her own survival.

What I Loved:

• Like I said, this book had everything--dystopian setting, romance, action, mystery.  It grabs at all of your emotions for sure!
• Mafi's prose is so stylistic and unique...I just couldn't get enough of her writing.  She uses numbers in number form (instead of writing them out as we so often see) which just added a lot of character to the story.
• I enjoyed the main characters, Juliette and Adam.  And I TOTALLY like them as a pair!  
• As the reader, you get to be inside Juliette's mind a lot, and this really deepened her role as the protagonist.  Mafi also writes a lot in Juliette's inner dialogue and then crosses it out, just as if you were second guessing or correcting yourself in your own mind.  Again, this really added depth to her character and made her more human to me.

What I Didn't Love:

• I wanted some more background on Juliette and The Reestablishment.  I felt like readers were thrust into the middle of the story without much world-building.
• Warner is an odd villain to me.  First of all, it is revealed that he is 19 years old, and up to that point I expected him to be MUCH older.  And second, he seems naive in his feelings toward Juliette.  I know many villains can be blinded by love for someone, but he just seems downright foolish at times.  I'm curious to see where his character goes in the next book.
• I don't fully grasp the cover.  It's beautiful, but not really what I expected for the book.  

A solid first book in a series, although all they hype I'd been given left me wanting more.  I hear the next two books in the series really do it justice, so I can't wait to start those!

I'll be designing a look soon based on Juliette...can't wait to show you!

Book Review: Allegiant

There has been so much buzz about Allegiant, the third book in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, since it was released last fall.  That's because the ending is surprising--I mean, REALLY surprising--and it doesn't wrap itself in a pretty bow like we've come to expect as dystopian readers.  And after a week of faction outfits, I'm now going to tell you what I thought of this final book!

• 3rd book in the Divergent series
• Dystopian

WARNING--There are spoilers below.  Read the book if you don't want to be surprised.

The Gist:

Tobias' mother, Evelyn, and the factionless are now in control of the city.  They want to disband the factions but keep control of all the residents.  As a result, a group called Allegiant forms; their purpose is to leave the city to find/provide help and possibly start a revolution.  Tris and Tobias join the Allegiant and head for the fence.  But what they find outside the city is nothing like they expected.  

What I Loved:

• We got answers.  I've read some dystopian series that have left me with so many questions, but I felt like the questions that I had were answered in this book.  
• I couldn't predict what would happen next.  It was unexpected the whole way through (as were the earlier books in the series).  I was such an engaged reader.
• The ending--I know!  I know!  I know!  Everyone hates the ending.  But I was okay with it...I really was.  Tris couldn't be an immortal character--there had to be something that would stop the reckless life she was living.  When she initially walked into the lab (at the end of the book) and the death serum didn't affect her, I literally rolled my eyes.  I mean, come on, there has to be SOMETHING that gets to her.  And then there was.  Well played, Veronica Roth.  I've never read a book where the narrator dies, so this was very interesting for me.
• I love Christina.  And she lives, so I'm happy.
• Tobias flying down the zip line.  A great way to end.

What I Didn't Love:

• The dual point of view.  I know that it was necessary (Tobias has to continue the story for Tris), I would have rather Tris tell the whole story and then Tobias pick up for her at the end.  This is for two reasons--one, we hadn't really seen all of Tobias' flaws until this book and it changed his character for me, and two, there were times when I couldn't remember if Tris or Tobias was talking.
• So David just gets to wheel around at the end with no major consequences?  Huh?  And Evelyn's factionless soldiers don't escort Marcus out of the city when they exile him?  Weak for me.
• All of the genetically pure and genetically deficient talk--too much.  I was so over reading all the science parts (but again, I'm not an Erudite!).

My favorite quote:  "I sigh.  I may like to run, but I hate climbing stairs."

A really enjoyable read that has stirred up so much conversation (and emotion!).

I'll be back on Monday with my 100th post!  It's a new review!

REVIEW--Through the Ever Night

Today's review is on Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi...it is the second book in the Under the Never Sky series.  I was so anxious to read this book after finishing the first, and now I am on pins and needles to start the third (which comes out in 2014!).

 

• Second book in the Under the Never Sky series
• Dystopian 

The Gist:
Perry and Aria have been separated for months, but now find themselves together to rescue Perry's nephew Talon and discover the whereabouts of the Still Blue.  But even though they're together again, their life is anything but easy.  Perry's tribe, the Tides, doesn't accept Aria for being a Dweller and wants her gone.  And Colonel Hess is putting so much pressure on Aria to find the Still Blue that she's simply running out of time.  Add to that the constant Aether storms.  Perry and Aria want to rely on each other, but surviving together is proving to be extremely difficult.

What I Loved:

• You really get to see Perry and Aria develop as individual characters in this book.  They are together for awhile but their separate stories (with Perry now as a Blood Lord and Aria finding her place as half-Dweller and half-Outsider) really shine through in this book. 
• ROAR!  Oh, I just love the character Roar so much...maybe even more than Perry!  He is funny and adorable and completely loyal to his love, Liv.
• It isn't picture perfect for Perry and Aria even when they're together.  Perry struggles in his new role as Blood Lord and The Tides aren't liking Aria much...we as readers want their lives to just be perfect but this is definitely more realistic.
• So much happens in this book!  They're trying to rescue Talon, Reverie is falling apart, Kirra poses a new threat, Cinder's powers are coming to surface, the Tides don't trust Perry, everyone is searching for the Still Blue, and we see Liv for the first time...whew!  So much that the book stays very unpredictable!

What I Didn't Love:

• I loved the bell-wearing cannibals (the Crovens, I believe) in the first book, but they aren't in this book once!  They're so creepy that I just wanted them back. 
• Marron.  I really loved him in the first book because he seemed so safe and ahead-of-the-game...but even he can't survive the raids and Aether taking over the land.  Disappointing since I had high expectations for him.
• The cover.  Sorry, I'm just not into it.  Aria keeps describing Perry's blonde features, and the guy on the cover is a brunette.  And he looks so relaxed as he's sauntering down the path...this book is way too intense for that!

My favorite quote:  
"He'd only seen Roar stare vacantly at the water, or at the sky.  'You know, you could do a lot better than him, ladybug.'
Aria shook her head.  'No.  I couldn't.'"

 A great book and sequel--full of excitement and thrills!

Back tomorrow with an outfit based on the Dwellers...see you then! 

Review--The Elite

On Monday I gushed over the cover of The Selection (oh yeah, and I reviewed the book, too!).  Today I'm reviewing the sequel, The Elite, by Kiera Cass.  As would be expected, it also has a beautiful cover:

 

A lovely layered red dress...

• Book 2 in The Selection series
• Dystopian 

*You should to read The Selection before reading this book!
 
The Gist:
Prince Maxon has narrowed down his list of 35 girls (all competing to be his queen) to 6.  These are the Elite, and one of them will become the new princess.  Our main character, America, struggles through her feelings for both Maxon and Aspen.  She also struggles with learning how to be a princess in the midst of fighting with fellow contestant Celeste and surviving rebel attacks.  And even though Maxon seems to like America the most, that might not be enough to make her the winning girl...

What I Loved:

• America has an interaction with the rebels, particularly a female rebel that curtsies at America, laughs, and then leaves.  This is really our first glimpse at the rebels and I enjoyed seeing this side of them.  This rebel girl (who was actually one of my favorite characters) makes me want to know more about them!
• The rebel situation is completely from the Palace's point of view right now, which is atypical in young adult dystopian.  Normally we see everything from the rebels' points of view.  Again, this makes me curious to know more about them.
• America is a weak girl at times, which I appreciate.  Sometimes dystopian protagonists are too kick-butt, but America has definite flaws.

What I Didn't Love:

• American flip flops between "I love Maxon" and "I love Aspen" all the time!  This makes me as the reader constantly flipping, too--and I was even flipping back and forth on whether or not I liked America herself.
• America's big presentation toward the end of the book was pretty predictable, and her regretting it right away made it just seem pointless.
• Security at the Palace STINKS!  I mentioned this in Monday's review, too, but goodness gracious--get some soldiers who can hold them back!  You'd think security would be at its top performance after all the attacks they're getting.
• America and Maxon's relationship, especially their final few conversations, is so confusing.  And part of this is because Maxon rarely takes responsibility for what's going wrong with them.

My favorite quote: "How am I supposed to go back to khakis after all this?"

 

Overall an entertaining read but I have to admit--I wanted so much more from it!  Excited to read the third book, which comes out in 2014! 

REVIEW--The Selection

Happy Monday!

Today I'm reviewing The Selection by Kiera Cass.  I've been looking forward to reviewing this book for awhile now because of the gorgeous cover:

 

 GORGEOUS! 

• First book in the Selection series
• Dystopian

So let's get right to it, shall we?!

The Gist:

After having a fourth world war, the U.S. is now Illea, a country of castes run by a royal family.  There are now 35 provinces instead of 50 states.  The castes run 1-8 with 1 being the wealthiest and 8 being homeless.  Only women can marry into a higher caste and premarital sex is a criminal offense--a drastic difference from our everyday world.  Our protagonist, America, lives in a family of 5 while her love, Aspen, is a 6.

Illea holds a "lottery" to marry into their royalty.  In this lottery, 35 girls (one from each province) will be chosen to go to the Palace where Prince Maxon will choose a wife in a televised contest.  America enters the lottery only to make Aspen happy (she could move up a few castes) and accept her mother's bribe.  But she never imagined she'd be chosen!

Now she's being forced to compete for Prince Maxon's hand in marriage, when all she really wants is to be with Aspen...

What I Loved:

• The character names--Maxon, Aspen, Gavril, Amberly, Kamber, etc (ok, America as a name is a little cheesy).  But I named my own children Ransom and Cedar, so I LOVE dystopian names!
• I've already mentioned the cover, but it is GORGEOUS!
• Very entertaining and unique and not overly violent, which is so common in dystopian.
• America stays herself despite being thrust into a new role.  I don't know if I'd be able to do that...
• Maxon is much more likeable than someone like The Bachelor.  He has a reason for the contest (he's so awkward with women and this is probably the only way he'd find a wife).  I sympathized and loved him pretty quickly.
• This book didn't reinvent the wheel by any means but totally had me addicted nonetheless.

What I Didn't Love:

• This was promoted as The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor, and that is pretty misleading.  Not as thrilling as The Hunger Games and I would have liked to see "challenges" in the Palace that were more Bachelor-like.  How would the girls do when put to the test?  I wanted to see that.
• The Palace security was pretty horrible.  Rebel raids kept breaking through and I just expected more heightened secruity.
• The rebels, especially the difference between the Northerners and the Southerners, was pretty confusing.  Who are these people?  What do they want?  Do they have justification in their goals?

I was sad to hear that the CW was going to turn this book into a TV show and then backed out...it would make a great series!

My favorite quote: 

"I only really ever hug my mother.  Is this ok?" he asked.
I laughed.  "It's hard to get a hug wrong."

 

I'll be back Wednesday OF COURSE with an outfit based off the cover of the book!

REVIEW--Rise

Today I'm reviewing the third and final book in the Eve trilogy by Anna Carey--it's titled Rise.  Click here if you want to review what the first and second books in the series are all about.

Yes, I finished a series!  Hard to believe I know since I almost NEVER complete a book series.  But these were quick and easy reads that kept me entertained.  

 

• Third book in the Eve trilogy
• Dystopian

*You should read the first and second books in this series (Eve, Once) BEFORE reading Rise!

Summary from Goodreads:   
How far will you go when you have nothing left to lose?  
When she lost her soul mate, Caleb, Eve felt like her world had ended. Trapped in the palace, forced to play the part of the happy, patriotic princess of The New America—and the blushing bride of her father's top adviser—Eve's whole life is a lie. The only thing that keeps her going is Caleb's memory, and the revolution he started.
Now, Eve is taking over where Caleb left off. With the help of Moss, an undercover subversive in the King's court, she plots to take down The New America, beginning with the capital, the City of Sand. Will Eve be able to bring about a new, free world when she's called upon to perform the ultimate act of rebellion—killing her father?

The Gist:
Eve is now married to Charles and living inside the Palace.  But she's also working with Moss.  Together, they decide that Eve is the best choice to kill the king (her father) and help restore the nation to its pre-plague existence.  But Eve's not sure if she'll have the courage to kill him.

What I Loved:

• This book was unpredictable--there were surprise executions, deaths, character reappearances.  I loved not knowing what was coming.
• Some of the Palace residents, despite their supposed loyalty to the king, are likeable.  I enjoyed Charles and Clara and how they empathize with Eve and her cause.
• Eve returns to a setting from the first book--the boys' hideout--and I loved this.  It kind of tied everything together for me.
• And speaking of returns, Pip and Ruby from the first book return!  We get to know them a little more and it gave them so much more depth.

What I Didn't Love:

• The ending--what?!?  Is Caleb back or not?!  The ending was also a little abrupt and sudden.
• I found it a little unbelievable that Eve was able to disguise herself and escape the Palace more than once.  Are the guards really that bad at their job?
• Arden becomes a little too powerful in my opinion.  She was in school for so long, and I think there would have been other people that could have taken the role that she was given towards the end.
• Eve's second trip to Califia seemed so much easier than the first time she traveled with Caleb.  And this time she had a group of inexperienced girls with her. 

Favorite quote: "I'd read that when you missed someone you became them, that you did things to fill the space they'd left so you wouldn't feel alone."

 

I'll be back tomorrow with an outfit inspired by Eve's escape from the Palace!  See you then!

REVIEW--Once by Anna Carey

Hey, everyone!  I'm back from Washington DC and into my normal routine.  I had a great time watching my older sister get pinned as a Major in the Air Force and sharing in her celebration!

Today's review is on the book Once by Anna Carey; this is the second book in the Eve series, so let me give you a little review of what Eve was all about.

It's the year 2032; sixteen years ago a deadly virus wiped out most of the population.  Boys and girls are now raised separately to supposedly keep everyone healthy and safe before repopulating.  But 18-year-old Eve discovers on the night before her high school graduation that she won't be allowed back into society.  Instead, all female graduates are forced to become "baby makers" where they are forced to become pregnant, have babies, and repeat over and over again.  Eve escapes and leaves in search of safety, but runs into a boy named Caleb.  Everything Eve has ever learned about survival is now put to an extreme test.

So that leads us to the second book, Once.

 

• Second book in the Eve series
• Dystopian

*You should read Eve before reading this book!

Summary from Goodreads:  For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.
But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.
Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

The Gist: It's three months since the book Eve ended and Eve is living in Califia, a haven for women only in the "New America."  She has reunited with Arden, her fellow escapee, but Eve knows she won't be complete without Caleb.  So she sets out on an escape mission to find him.  Her mission goes horribly wrong, and Eve is kidnapped and taken to the City of Sand.  She has been told that she will marry the king and provide him with an heir--but she is about to get the surprise of her life.

What I Loved:

• I loved the plot twist in Eve's relationship with the king.  You think you know what's coming and it takes you in a whole new direction.
• The twist involving Moss--I figured it out but it was still good.
• Arden is a kick-butt character but not immune from being hurt, kidnapped, etc.  She's human.

What I Didn't Love:

• Caleb's death scene--is it real?  Not real?  Seemed kind of vague.
• Eve's easy ability to get in and out of the Palace undetected more than once.  The security must really stink around there!
• The King, our main villain, is a little too trusting of Eve.  He allows her to visit her school?  Really?
• Finding my favorite quote for this book was really difficult--a lot of easy dialogue and action in the book but not much in terms of great lines.

My favorite quote: "As we grow in numbers we come closer to returning to our rich past, to becoming the people we once were--the nation that invented electricity, air travel, and the telephone.  The nation that put a man on the moon."  *This is the quote that explains the title of the book.

 

Overall a fun read and a fun continuance of the story.  Here's my "Keep Calm" poster inspired by the book:

See you back tomorrow where I reveal an outfit inspired by Eve herself!

REVIEW--The Kill Order

Happy Monday!  What a beautiful weekend we had in Indiana!

I'm back with a review of a book from one of my favorite YA series: The Kill Order from the Maze Runner series by James Dashner.  I LOVE this series and highly recommend it to anyone that loves adventure, dystopian, and sci fi books.

The Kill Order is the prequel to the series, and in my opinion it is SUPER important that you read the regular series first (The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure).  The regular series follows a group of teens that have been placed in a maze and other dangerous (and I mean DANGEROUS) exercises for an organization called WICKED in order to bring a cure for a sun flare disease that has taken over the human race. 

 

• Prequel to The Maze Runner series
• Dystopian

*You should definitely read The Maze Runner series before reading this book!

Summary from Goodreads:
Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.
Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.
Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive.

The Gist
In this prequel, readers learn more about the solar flares, how the disease got out of control, and how WICKED was formed and the Maze began.
The storyline centers on Mark and Trina, who were in a subway when the Solar Flares hit (about a year prior to the start of the book).  They meet up with former military Alec and Lana and characters Darnell, Misty, and the Toad; together, they attempt to survive the virus by living with others in a camp near North Carolina.  
A Berg (a futuristic helicopter) from a new government shows up and shoots darts loaded with the virus at the campers.  They do this for population control but their plan backfires when (1) the virus makes people out of control, or (2) some people are immune to the virus.

What I Loved

• The flashbacks.  They do a great job of uncovering the backstory and include characters who die in the present scenes.  They also show the backstory to the "apocalypse" side of the story
• The crazy zombie people--they are SO INTENSE!  Quite a disease of lunacy!
• The connection of Thomas and Teresa (characters from The Maze Runner) at the beginning and end of the book.

What I Didn't Love

• There were still some holes for me.  Not all of my questions from The Maze Runner were answered.
• It ended pretty abruptly for me.
• The Post-Flares Coalition was kind of confusing for me, and they were an important part of the backstory.  

Favorite quote:  "There's that short moment that seems to last a lifetime when Mark sees the wall of water rushing down the steps of the subtrans station, like a stampede of white, frothy horses."

Overall an enjoyable read even thought I was hoping for some more answers.  But maybe that's what's so great about this series--you just don't know everything!

Check back on Wednesday to see nail polish inspiration from the book!