Review: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2)
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Published: Oct 15, 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Format: Ebook; 507pg
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 1423157516
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Synopsis:

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

In Never Fade, Ruby has been working with the Children's League for a while when this book begins. She is surrounded by a new group of Psi youths. This includes Jude, the sweet nerd and Vida, crazy ass girl whom I love! Together, they work towards freedom and finding the truth. These kids go through some tough stuff but keep it together way better than I would!

The character of Ruby is so dimensional! Her emotions roar to life from the pages of Never Fade and most definitely captivated me. Ruby carries around tons of guilt about the things that have happened in her life and is was just heart-breaking to watch her beat herself up. She is much stronger than she believes herself to be though.

I was so glad Liam came back into the story! I always really liked his character and do even more after Never Fade. He is a solid guy and just what Ruby needs. Chubs was back too! Although he changed quite a bit, he was still the same ol' Chubs that I adore.

I cannot wait until the final book in The Darkest Minds series comes out. I am dying to find out what happens!

5 stars to Never Fade!

Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Published: Jan 28, 2014
Publisher: Balzer and Bray
Format: Hardcover; 342pg
Source: Books and Iced Coffee!
ISBN: 0062224735
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Synopsis:

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

This book was so beautiful! I had read some negative reviews, so had almost decided to skip over it. Thankfully, Elyssa from Books and Iced Coffee, recommended it and even sent me a copy! If she wouldn't have done that, I probably would have never read this wonderful book. So, THANK YOU Elyssa!
Nyx has been raised to avenge her mother's death by killing the Gentle Lord. The Gentle Lord just happens to be a Demon that reigns over all of her homeland, Arcadia. Her mission is simple. Nyx is to destroy the Gentle Lord and free Arcadia. Her father has raised her to go to her doom willingly, since she is to die along with the Gentle Lord. However, Nyx is not one to do as told and soons find her heart is not set upon killing anymore...

Ah Nyx. This character was amazing! She had so much fight and sassiness in her that I absolutely adored. Nyx also has a gentle side, but with the constant guilt she carries, it often gets pushed down. To see her open up and accept love she has never known was just... breath-taking. The characters of Ignifex, the Gentle Lord, and Shade, his shadow, were such a puzzle. But, it was so much fun putting that puzzle together!

I thought the writing and story were flawless. Cruel Beauty was fast paced and it held my attention constantly. I could not wait to get back to reading this book whenever I had to put it down. I loved the mythology that was woven throughout the novel and it added a whole other dimension to this novel.

Overall, this was everything you could want in a book! I'm serious and I highly recommend Cruel Beauty!

5 stars to Cruel Beauty!

Review: Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

Title: Pandemonium (Delirium #2)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: Feb 28, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Ebook; 329pg
Source: Purchased
ISBN: 006197806X
Purchase:
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Synopsis:

I’m pushing aside
the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana
and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Wow! This book was so good. Pandemonium is another brilliant novel from Lauren Oliver. I thought Delirium was amazing, but Pandemonium even topped that!

At the beginning of Pandemonium, we are introduced to the Lena of "now". Lena has gone undercover, living among the Cured as one of them. She is in the DFA, a movement that promotes the Cure. The poster child of the DFA is Julian Fineman, son of a prominent government official. Julian has been petitioning to get his procedure done, even though it will most likely kill him. This makes him the perfect example for the brainwashed citizens.

I loved the way the Chapters were split between "now" and "then" and the way Oliver delicately wove them together to tell a beautiful story. I also just love the character of Lena. She is so strong and I can't wait to see what she does next in Requiem. The ending is a bombshell and was absolutely perfect. It was also interesting to learn more about Raven and Tack. I really liked how the new character of Julian was introduced and really grew to like the guy!

Overall, Pandemonium was a fantastic read that gripped my attention and really had me empathizing with the characters. So far, I am loving this series...fingers crossed the final book is as good as the first two.

5 stars to Pandemonium!

Review: Shattered Sky (Star Shards Chronicles #3) by Neal Shusterman

Title: Shattered Sky (Star Shards Chronicles #3)
Author: Neal Shusterman
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Hardcover; 544pg
Source: Library
ISBN: 1442451173

Synopsis:

In this conclusion to The Star Shards Chronicles, powerful and terrifying invaders have arrived from a parallel dimension, and only the Star Shards can prevent the destruction of the human race.

Six children were conceived at the exact moment that the star Mentaras-H went supernova, and the explosion transformed their souls into living star fragments. Now the Star Shards face the ultimate battle and the true purpose of their gifts be revealed, for it is no accident they have these powers. Once despised for their deformities the Star Shards are now worshiped and feared as gods. Their power is unlimited, as is the temptation to abuse it. But a new and terrifying force has torn a wound in the universe, infecting it like a deadly, intelligent virus. Only one power exists that could conceivably prevent the extermination of the human race: the Star Shards. But only if they can put aside their titanic egos and join forces one final time.

Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman and talent for depicting superhuman characters with human strengths and weaknesses lends depth and immediacy to a tale of cosmic proportions in this stunning conclusion to a visionary trilogy.

Shattered Sky left me confused and irritated. It was too long and the plot was all over the place. I understand how it tied in together for the ending, but it made this book a chore to read. I was severely disappointed in this final installment of the Star Shards trilogy and that makes me sad. I thought the other books were so awesome and this just really let me down.

The character of Lourdes was the one I had recently most empathized with, but in Shattered Sky she went to the bad side big time. The other characters besides Winston and Dillon really didn't get much love in this book either.

Overall, Shattered Sky was lacking in character development and had a plot that was stretched thin. Maybe I just didn't agree with the direction Shusterman went, but I know I didn't like this book.

2 stars to Shattered Sky.

Review: The Brokenhearted (Brokenhearted #1) by Amelia Kahaney

Title: The Brokenhearted (Brokenhearted #1)
Author: Amelia Kahaney
Published: Oct 8, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Ebook; 336pg
Source: Library
ISBN: 0062230921
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Synopsis:

A teenage girl is transformed into a reluctant superhero and must balance her old life with the dark secret of who she has become.

Prima ballerina Anthem Fleet is closely guarded by her parents in their penthouse apartment. But when she meets the handsome Gavin at a party on the wrong side of town, she is immediately drawn into his dangerous world. Then, in a tragic accident, Anthem falls to her death. She awakes in an underground lab, with a bionic heart ticking in her chest. As she navigates her new life, she uncovers the sinister truth behind those she trusted the most, and the chilling secret of her family lineage…and her duty to uphold it.

The Dark Knight meets Cinder in this gripping and cinematic story of heartbreak and revenge. From Alloy Entertainment, this inventive new superhero story is sure to captivate any reader.

The Brokenhearted is described as a cross between The Dark Knight and Cinder. That totally got my attention along with the gorgeous cover of this book. Honestly, I had never heard of this book, which really surprises me. I found out about it because I saw the sequel, The Invisible, available on Netgalley. The Invisible has an amazing cover too, so that grabbed my eye and once I read the synopsis I was totally in! When I discovered it was actually a sequel, I immediately found the first book and read it. And to my shock, this book was actually available as an ebook through my library. Say what?!? That never happens.

So, Anthem Fleet is not an ordinary girl. Not only is she the daughter of a powerful family, now she has the added problem of being just a teensy bit bionic... Speaking of problems, Anthem's started when she met Gavin. Gavin is from the poorer side of town which is looked down upon by the Fleet empire. So, of course, Anthem falls for Gavin. Due to circumstances surrounding these two, Anthem ends up dying. Luckily, she is saved by being given a heart that is part mechanical and part hummingbird heart. Yeah, I know right! Talk about freaky and inventive. Way to go Amelia Kahaney!

Overall, Anthem was an interesting character that I loved reading about. The character growth she exhibited throughout this novel was brilliant. Her transformation from over-protected daughter to bad ass heroine is so much fun! The story was very fast paced and the plot was solid with some really great twists. This was a quick read that I highly recommend!

5 stars to The Brokenhearted!

Review: This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Title: This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Published: Sept 17, 2013
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Format: Ebook; 279pg
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 0374351384
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Synopsis:

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

This book was so different than what I am used to reading. It was a bit of a reality check that I didn't really want. Elise Dembowski is the main character in this novel and it is completely told from her perspective, which is ultimately skewed. Elise has always been "precocious" and wanted to be the best at whatever she was doing. She feels as a result that she is destined to be unpopular and miserable. So, at the age of 16, Elise thinks there is nothing more to live for...until she discovers Start one night.

Start is an underground dance club that Elise happened to stumble upon. She makes her first real friends and discovers a love of DJing. Elise has always had a passion for music and now she has an outlet for all of her angst and it makes her feel amazing. Too bad there are always people out to make you feel like your dream is ridiculous and there is something wrong with you for being good at something.

I can actually really relate to the negative mindset of Elise. She is constantly mentally bashing herself about how "uncool" she is and I have to admit I beat myself up too. If I had to guess, I bet the majority of people in the world mentally bash themselves. Well, this novel definitely makes you stop and think about what really makes you happy and what gives you a feeling of purpose in life. Just following Elise through her inner struggles and issues with bullying wore me out emotionally.

Overall, this book was written really well although it was kind of a downer. The fact that I had this strong of a reaction to the book is really a testament to how good it was. Not everyone's cup of tea, especially if you read a lot of Fantasy like me, but very worth a read.

5 stars to This Song Will Save Your Life!

Review: Plus One by Elizabeth Fama

Title: Plus One
Author: Elizabeth Fama
Published: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Format: Ebook; 373 pg
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 0374360073
Purchase:
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Synopsis:

Divided by day and night and on the run from authorities, star-crossed young lovers unearth a sinister conspiracy in this compelling romantic thriller.

Seventeen-year-old Soleil Le Coeur is a Smudge—a night dweller prohibited by law from going out during the day. When she fakes an injury in order to get access to and kidnap her newborn niece—a day dweller, or Ray—she sets in motion a fast-paced adventure that will bring her into conflict with the powerful lawmakers who order her world, and draw her together with the boy she was destined to fall in love with, but who is also a Ray.

Set in a vivid alternate reality and peopled with complex, deeply human characters on both sides of the day-night divide, Plus One is a brilliantly imagined drama of individual liberty and civil rights, and a fast-paced romantic adventure story.

In the world of Plus One, the government has separated humans into two classes; Smudges and Rays. Smudges are only allowed to live their lives in the night and are given a negative stereotype throughout the novel. Rays are individuals allowed to live their lives during the day. I guess you could say the Rays have a negative stereotype with the Smudges as well. However, the Rays seem to have better perks in life in general.

The main character of Sol is as selfless as they come. All she wants is for her grandfather to see his granddaughter before he passes away. However, this means she has to kidnap the infant and figure out how to get home to him. And another big problem? Sol is a Smudge and the baby, her brother Ciel's daughter, is a Day. This means Sol has to go through with a crazy plan to break curfew that ends up with her in the ER being nursed by D'Arcy. D'Arcy is a Ray, just the type that piss off Smudges like Sol. He seems like a know it all with a silver spoon in his mouth, but D'Arcy turns out to be anything but what Sol thinks...

The storyline was fast paced and really kept my attention throughout the whole novel. I couldn't wait to pick up this book to find out what was going to happen next. The relationships between the characters were believable and nothing seemed forced, the dialogue flowed effortlessly.

Overall, a really beautiful read. I would rank this up there with These Broken Stars. Fama just became one of my favorite new authors and I will definitely be looking forward to her next book!

5 stars to Plus One!

Review: Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium (Delirium #1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: Feb 7, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Ebook; 441pg
Source: Purchased
ISBN: 0061726834
Purchase:
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Synopsis:

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

The first time I read Delirium was several years ago. But, even though I knew the main plot of the book, it still felt like reading it for the first time. The thing I love most about this book is the writing of Lauren Oliver. Her style is ultimately beautiful.

Delirium is told from the perspective of Lena. Lena is counting down the days until her procedure that will "cure" her of the disease of Love. In the society Lena lives in, love is the most dangerous thing there can be. Therefore, at the age of 16, teenagers are expected to receive the "cure" in order to be able to properly function in society. So says the government...

As the story progresses, Lena eventually meets Alex. Alex is an enigma to Lena. She is drawn to him like a moth to a flame and as they spend more time together, Lena finally begins to let her defenses down. She begins to understand that Love is a beautiful thing.

This book was just spectacular and I loved everything about it. The character relationships were brilliant and so was the plot. I am so glad I re-read it and I cannot wait to dive into Pandemonium!

5 stars to Delirium!

Review: Thief of Souls (Star Shards Chronicles #2) by Neal Shusterman

Title: Thief of Souls (Star Shards Chronicles #2)
Author: Neal Shusterman
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 1442451122
Format: Hardcover; 320pg
Source: Library
Purchase:
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Synopsis:

A group of monumentally powerful teens must face an ancient, soul-eating foe in this second book of The Star Shards Chronicles.

A cataclysmic explosion has given earthly teens astronomical powers when the star Mentarsus-H went supernova at their conceptions, the teens absorbed the shattered soul of the star and inherited unimaginable abilities. Now the Star Shards have become like gods, drunk on their own power and ripe for manipulation by The Bringer, a creature who would turn them against one another and transform the planet into his own personal feeding ground. But who is more dangerous: The Bringer or the Star Shards?

Thief of Souls begins with the story of Prometheus, also known as The Bringer. I expected it to jump immediately back into the story of the Star Shards, so I was a little taken aback. However, it became clear that this was the perfect way to start the second book of the Star Shards Chronicles. In this installment of the trilogy, the Star Shards find themselves struggling not with soul-leeching parasites but with their own inner demons. Their power is consuming them and the outcome could be catastrophic with the will of The Bringer being added to the mix.

The Bringer was an amazing antagonist. The way he eased himself into the lives of the Shards and became their confidant, only to later shatter everything they thought they knew about each other was brilliant. The Bringer has to devour souls in order to maintain his power and with the followers of the Shards reaching outrageous numbers, he has no shortage to worry about.

This book was a quick read for me. It kept me drawn in to the story and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. The characters go through many changes throughout this novel and it was really interesting to see their progression. Overall, a fantastic story that brings to light the dilemmas that everyone faces while trying to discern right from wrong.

5 stars to Thief of Souls!

Review: Scorpion Shards (Star Shards Chronicles #1) by Neal Shusterman

Title: Scorpion Shards (Star Shards Chronicles #1)
Author: Neal Shusterman
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Shuster
Format: Hardcover; 256pg
ISBN: 1442451149
Source: Library
Purchase:
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Synopsis:
Six teens struggle to discover the source of their strange and horrific abilities in this first book of The Star Shards Chronicles.

Dillon has the terrifying power to create massive amounts of destruction with the slightest tweak of his will. Deanna is so consumed by fear, it has become like a black hole, drawing to her the very things that terrify her. Then, when the glare of a supernova sixteen light-years away illuminates the night sky, they have a vision: There are six of them out there, all teenagers, and all suffering from supernatural afflictions that disfigure their bodies and souls. Only by finding one another will the six ever be strong enough to defeat these mysterious forces that, bit by bit, are devouring their souls from the inside out.

Scorpion Shards was a freak-tastically trippy and wicked read. It begins with the story of Dillon Cole aka the Destroyer. Dillon has the affliction of the "wrecking hunger" which makes him want to cause catastrophes. Dillon isn't the only one with problems though. Winston is growing backwards, Michael is consumed with lust, Lourdes grows larger every day, Deanna has intense fears and Tory is infested with disease. None of them have ever met, but that is going to change because they all feel an unexplainable pull towards the others. And once they finally get together, nothing will ever be the same.

I just love the no holds barred voice of the author, Neal Shusterman. The characters he has created are so multifaceted and really embody the tormented soul. I felt their pains and developed such empathy for the characters. I related to the character of Lourdes the most, because I am overweight myself. Sometimes it feels like it has control of me and it is suffocating. I also empathized with Deanna, who suffers from a crippling, constant fear of EVERYTHING. My anxiety gets the best of me a lot, so I could feel where she was coming from too.

Overall, a gripping read that makes me definitely want to continue the series! This book was just as good as Unwind by Shusterman and I look forward to finding out more about what the Shards are doing...

5 stars to Scorpion Shards!

Review: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Published: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
ISBN: 1619630621
Format: Ebook; 420pg
Source: Netgalley
Purchase:
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Synopsis:

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Crown of Midnight continued the paranormal vibe that was introduced in Throne of Glass. This novel kept a decent pace, mixing together intimate, quiet scenes and action flawlessly. The plot was solid and kept building layer after layer. The world that Maas created is still amazing and the characters grow so much throughout the story. It's just such an enthralling journey!

Celaena is back and just as bad ass as ever! I don't even know how to describe the character of Celaena besides a hardened assassin with a heart full of tenderness and hurt. She is also an extremely intelligent character and I loved the mystery aspect of this novel as well. All of the searching for clues and then putting together the riddles was quite interesting!

The "support" characters are just as intriguing as Celaena. I enjoyed the journey of Chaol and how he is not so blind in his loyalties now. Chaol has really manned up, but Dorian has kind of fallen off the grid. Chaol surprisingly became a very tender, although reserved, character. Not at all like the Captain of the Guard he was in Throne of Glass. It was interesting to watch him mature throughout the novel.

Nehemia is definitely one of the strongest characters in Crown of Midnight. She willingly and bravely accepts her fate yet on her terms. Nehemia is never one to go down without a fight. Perhaps that is why her and Celaena are such good friends, because both of them are warrior princesses fighting for freedom.

The twist at the end completely caught me off guard and I was totally shocked! Crown of Midnight definitely delivered on the hype it received! I thought Throne of Glass was amazing, but somehow this sequel topped that. Now I really can't wait to read the 3rd book!

5 stars to Crown of Midnight!

Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Title: The Darkest Minds (The Darkest Minds #1)
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Published: Dec 18, 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
ISBN: 1423157370
Format: Hardcover; 488pg
Source: Purchased

Synopsis:

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.

“Don’t be scared. Don’t let them see.”

These are the words that Ruby has been trying to live by for the last 6 years. The character of Ruby is introduced to us at age 10 after her strange abilities begin to manifest. After the horrible accident with her parents, Ruby is terrified to let anyone close to her. Ruby is one of the few children of her generation to survive IAAN (Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration.) This disease gripped the nation and many children died. Those left have special abilities and have been shipped to “rehabilitation camps” where they are divided into certain groups. Greens and Blues are the least likely to do any harm. Yellows, Oranges and Reds are the more powerful groups. At Thurmond, the rehabilitation camp Ruby has lived in since being taken at age 10, she is one of the last known Oranges. She is also hiding as a Green and constantly terrified of being caught.

Ruby is a very interesting character. She has so many walls built up, yet still has so much empathy for people. Ruby follows her gut and her heart. I loved the other character as well, especially Chubs.
And who couldn’t love Zu! Liam is the leader of their little group and feels responsible for all of them. He is a genuinely nice guy and that works against him sometimes. The group dynamics and interactions had me completely pulled into this novel. I can't wait to read Never Fade now!!

Overall, this book did an excellent job of keeping me interested and on my toes. I enjoyed reading it immensely!

5 stars to The Darkest Minds!

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Published: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Format: Ebook; 404pg
Source: Purchased
ISBN: 1599906953

Synopsis:
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

I read four of the novellas that prequel Throne of Glass. I am so happy that I did, because it provided a back-story that helped me better understand and empathize with the character of Celaena. To anyone that plans to read or read and loved Throne of Glass and haven't read the novellas, I highly recommend them.

Throne of Glass was a captivating read. It begins with Celaena Sardothien, the Assassin of Adarlan, being propositioned by Chaol Westfall, the Captain of the Gaurd, to become the King's Champion. (Champion meaning Assassin. *Wink wink*) As much as she detests the current King, Celaena's only other option is to die working in the Salt Mines of Endovier. Celaena has already made it a year in the death camp, but doubts she can make it much longer. Needless to say, Celaena jumps at the chance of freedom from Endovier. The next few months are mostly filled with training and competing to become the King's Champion. However, things change when a competitor shows up gruesomely murdered, shortly followed by another and another... Now Celaena must figure out what is going on before she becomes the next victim.

The character of Celaena was very multi-faceted and I greatly appreciated that. For all that she has been through, Celaena retains her sharp, sarcastic wit and an amazing amount of confidence. There is, of course, a love triangle between the handsome Prince Dorian and Chaol, Captian of the Gaurd. I had a hard time distinguishing those two characters apart in my mind. I kept envisioning them looking alike and since they were close friends it made everything a bit confusing for me. They were still interesting characters though.

The plot was fast paced and kept me interested. It took a bit of a supernatural turn that I definitely wasn't expecting. Overall, I would say Throne of Glass is a highly entertaining novel that packs a punch.

5 stars to Throne of Glass!

Review: Cured (Stung #2) by Bethany Wiggins

Title: Cured (Stung #2)
Author: Bethany Wiggins
Publish Date: March 13, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Format: Ebook; 336pg
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 1408842955

Synopsis:

Now that Fiona Tarsis and her twin brother, Jonah, are no longer beasts, they set out to find their mother, with the help of Bowen and a former neighbor, Jacqui. Heading for a safe settlement rumored to be in Wyoming, they plan to spread the cure along the way--until they are attacked by raiders. Luckily, they find a new ally in Kevin, who saves them and leads them to safety in his underground shelter. But the more they get to know Kevin, the more they suspect he has ties to the raiders. He also seems to know too many details about Jacqui and her family—details that could endanger them all. For the raiders will do anything they can to destroy the cure that would bring an end to their way of life. Bethany Wiggins’s reimagining of our world after an environmental catastrophe won’t fail to stun readers.

I'm apologizing in advance because this review has spoilers. You have been warned!

Cured is the sequel to the awesome book, Stung by Bethany Wiggins. In Stung, the story followed Fiona Tarsis as the main character. I really loved the character of Fiona and was ready to dig into more of her story. I was more than surprised when the book opened up with the main focus on a character named Jack. At first, it felt disorienting and I was wondering what had motivated the author to do this. Well, after a few chapters, I started relaxing and really enjoying the character of Jack. Eventually, Fiona and other support characters are introduced into Jack's world. But even after Fiona came back, I still was riveted to what was happening with Jack.

Jack has a secret to keep that is key to survival in the world Wiggins has created. If anyone found out she was a female, she could be sold to the Raiders who are known for their abuse of women. Jack has come to play her part as a 12 year old boy very convincingly. But she is miserable about missing the opportunity to be a normal teenage girl. Watching her struggle with her insecurities was very endearing and definitely earned my empathy.

Overall, this series is amazing and I highly recommend it because it is super fresh and exciting! The plot went at a nice pace and revealed things at the right times. I loved all the surprises throughout the book. Timing is everything and Wiggins nailed it.

5 stars to Cured by Bethany Wiggins!

Review: Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott

Title: Fire and Flood (Fire and Flood #1)
Author: Victoria Scott
Published: Feb 25, 2014
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0545537460
Format: Ebook; 320pg
Source: Netgalley
Purchase:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own.

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Fire and Flood begins with the main character, Tella, sulking because she hates living in the middle of nowhere in Montana. No internet, no phones, no friends. But the worst thing in Tella's world is that her brother, Cody, is very sick. I liked how when Tella gets her first message from the Brimstone Bleed, she doesn't even hesitate. All she knows if there is a Cure for her brother, she is going to do whatever it takes to get it. The problem is that Tella really has no idea what the Brimstone Bleed is at all. But she is going to find out.

The character of Tella was a snotty brat at first but she developed greatly over the course of the novel. She went from a girl who thought the most important thing to pack was her purple glittery nail polish to a girl who packs a knife. Yeah, Tella has to get tough throughout this book. She does have some protection in the form of a mysterious contender in the Brimstone Bleed named Guy. It was an interesting relationship, to say the least. The relationship between Guy and Tella seemed to progress with some awkwardness. I guess I just didn't fall in love with the character's like I really hoped I would. However, I did fall in love with the Pandora's and can't wait to learn more about where they came from and see what other powers they have.

The world building was great. Especially considering they were changing locations a lot. The Brimstone Bleed is carried on through jungle, desert, ocean and mountain. This makes for some great imagery! There are some gruesome aspects to this novel. Of course there is, because there can only be one winner and some people are willing to kill to be that winner.

Overall, a great read with some good twists. I just wish I would have felt the characters more.

4 stars to Fire and Flood!

Review: Uninvited (Uninvited #1) by Sophie Jordan

Title: Uninvited (Uninvited #1)
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: Jan 28, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Ebook; 384pg
Source: Edelweiss
ISBN: 0062233653

Synopsis:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Uninvited follows the story of Davina Hamilton, or Davy. Davy has a great life with a hot boyfriend, a great best friend and she is also a musical prodigy getting ready to go to Julliard. Then one day Davy and her family are told she is a carrier of Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS) otherwise known as the Kill Gene. The government has decided that anyone that has DNA testing positive for HTS be segregated from the "normal" population. If any sort of violent act is committed, the carrier is then tattooed on their neck for all to see. Davy finds this out the hard way.

I found it very interesting how people treated Davy differently after finding out she had been diagnosed with HTS. All her friends and even her own parents acted totally different towards her, thinking she could "snap" at any moment. I really liked the character of Davy's brother because he was one of the only ones to support her the whole way through this mess. After being marked a carrier, Davy is transferred to "The Cage," an alternative classroom for carriers. This is where she meets Sean O'Rourke, a character I imagined as Channing Tatum throughout the whole book for some weird reason. Anyways, an unlikely friendship develops between Sean and Davy, even though Davy is terrified of him at first. I really wish I could have learned more about Sean, but that would detract from his mystery.

This plot was fast paced and kept my attention. I couldn't wait to pick up this novel where I had to leave off. It was a very interesting concept about the kill gene. I could totally see this happening in the future and that's a little scary!

Overall, a fantastic read with a highly charged story!

5 stars to Uninvited!

Review: Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Sword by Resa Nelson

Title: Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Blacksmith
Author: Resa Nelson
Published: Dec 10, 2013
Format: Ebook; 109pg
Source: Author
Purchase:
Amazon

Synopsis:

Astrid constantly worries about her place in the village of Guell. She loves being the apprentice of Guell’s blacksmith, Temple. But Temple bought her from a childseller many years ago, which means Astrid has no blood kin in Guell. If anything should happen to Temple she’s likely to lose her home, her work, and her sweetheart, DiStephan, the dragonslayer’s son.

One day Astrid’s worst fear comes true when Temple and DiStephan fail to return from a short journey to a nearby village. A teenage boy named Finehurst arrives in Guell, claiming to be Temple’s nephew and rightful heir – and insisting that he saw Temple and DiStephan killed by a dragon. The villagers are divided in their opinion of Finehurst, but Astrid is soon thrown out of her own home, desperate to find a way to regain it. Before the dragonslayer goes in search of his missing son DiStephan and Astrid’s mentor Temple, he sets forth a challenge for Finehurst and Astrid to prove their blacksmithing skills by forging a dagger. Normally, Astrid would be confident, but the village’s iron supplies are so low that she doesn’t know how she can possibly make a dagger that can prove her worth.

Astrid, The Dragonslayer’s Blacksmith is an all new mini novel that takes place in Resa Nelson’s Dragonslayer world (the 4-book series includes The Dragonslayer’s Sword, The Iron Maiden, The Stone of Darkness, and The Dragon’s Egg). Appropriate for adults and teens, ages 14 and up.

I just love the world Resa Nelson has created with the Dragonslayer series! I read all of the Dragonslayer books and loved them and the same is true with this mini-novel.

In Astrid, the Dragonslayer's Blacksmith, we re-visit the character of Astrid. When she was a child, Astrid was sold to the Village of Guell's blacksmith, Temple. Luckily, Temple was a good man and took her into his home and taught her everything he knew about blacksmithing. Temple even taught Astrid the secret to making a strong Dragonslayer's sword, a secret Astrid protects fiercely.

One day, Temple and the local Dragonslayer's son, DiStephan, embark on a journey to retrieve Temple's nephew, Finehurst, from a close village. Finehurst brings nothing but trouble with him and the news of a dragon attacking and killing Temple and DiStephan! Of course, Astrid is highly suspicious of Finehurst, and seeks the truth she knows he is refusing to share...

I wouldn't say this story is high octane, but it is enjoyable to read. Especially, if you are a fan of Nelson's Dragonslayer series. I really empathized with Astrid as she lost everything that was rightfully hers. And I nearly shouted with glee as she figured out a solution to the iron shortage problem. The only thing that even bugged me was that the synopsis gave so much of the story away. But, hey, that is no big problem at all.

5 stars to Astrid, The Dragonslayer's Blacksmith!