Author : Erin Bowman
Genre : Dystopian
Published Date : April 15th 2014
Publisher : HarperTeen
Pages : 368
Source : Publisher, in exchange for a fair and honest review
From Goodreads :
The Heists were only the beginning.
Gray Weathersby escaped from the primitive town of Claysoot expecting to find answers, but what he discovered shook him to the core: A ruthless dictator with absolute power. An army of young soldiers blinded by lies. And a growing rebellion determined to fight back.
Now Gray has joined a team of rebels on a harsh, icy journey in search of allies who can help them set things right. But in a world built on lies, Gray must constantly question whether any ally—or enemy—is truly what they seem…
Review
After those many dystopian novel popping every here and there, it takes more than just a pretty cover and catchy title to convince me. But this series, apparently, have it all. From the title to its pretty cover and an even more intriguing blurb, this series promise me something more than your usual dystopian.
And while the first book was not spectacular of something, the second was thankfully better
"We used to be easy. But I don't want easy anymore, because I want all of her."
—Gray
The world building was also more vivid and more structured compared to the first.
Gray Weathersby, in this book, actually showed a real nice side of him. He was actually not this kind of badass guy or something equally admirable. But what made me love him was the fact that he made a mistake and he's just flawed, and he apparently got the balls to admit it openly, and made up for it. It just made things believable, and not turning him into this boring character whose actions are always damn right.
Bree, on the other hand, feels like this weird character to me. Her personality is just kinda unclear, and it feels like she's always slipping whenever I tried to understand what she's like.
And Emma, it's just like ohmygod, how I loathe her endlessly and wish that I could mutilate her right there and now. I know there's this kind of oh-so-kindly character who does nothing but loving and caring and all. But God, just how fake and BS does she sounds? I literally groan whenever she said something or anything at all.
The other supporting character also, was a little bit generic and just a mere name with no real distinctive something to mark them.
But what I found more interesting than the others were the little technician Clipper, and the clone Jackson. They were both has their own personality even though it's not so deep and layered. But it's enough to set them apart from the crowd, and I think that makes them way more enjoyable to be read.
But while the pacing and the story had clearly improved a lot here, that's not the case with the romance. Simply put : It was irritating.
Especially in that moment when Gray suddenly forgive Emma, who had clearly betrayed him (and it's all because they were faced with a moment of not-so-dying, horray!) thus begin the so-called super-freakin-annoying love triangle.
And to make the matter worse is that Gray knew exactly that his right choice was Bree. He know, we know, everybody else know. So why in the freakin hell did he still consider Emma this and Emma that? Hm, hm?
Overall, I think that this book had improved a lot from its predecessor in the pacing and plotting and tension aspect. But while the romance and the characterizing still fell in the same hole, I think this series was quite promising, and I would recommended it you're looking for a not-so-common dystopian that has a vivid world-building and well-flawed main character, as well as action-packed with an unpredictable delicious twist.
Cheers, x
NK
Author : Julie Halpern
Genre : Contemporary
Published Date : November 12th 2013
Publisher : Feiwel & Friends
Pages : 256
Source : Bought
From Goodreads :
With her signature heart and humor, Julie Halpern explores a strained friendship strengthened by one girl’s battle with cancer.
Alex’s father recently died in a car accident. And on the night of his funeral, her best friend Becca slept with Alex’s boyfriend. So things aren’t great. Alex steps away from her friendship with Becca and focuses on her family.
But when Alex finally decides to forgive Becca, she finds out something that will change her world again—Becca has cancer.
So what do you do when your best friend has cancer? You help her shave her head. And then you take her bucket list and try to fulfill it on her behalf.
Because if that’s all you can do to help your ailing friend—you do it.
Review
"So I carried on, waiting for what ever was to come, with or without God’s help"
—Alex
While in Goodreads, I saw a glittering 4-5 stars every here and there, I do wondering if maybe I'm the black sheep here (Am I?). But oh well, here's my thought on this book anyway. And I really can't comment about the story or the ending or whatever, because I didn't read this until the end and it just won't be fair.
The main issue I had with this book was, number one, it's romance. Honestly, so far as I read it, it didn't cause ANY big thing on the story except that now Alex had someone to be kissed, crossed a few item on the bucket list, and nothing else. And the biggest issue yet? They were like "Who are you and who are you?" at the first time they met, and YET, here comes the magic, they were kissing! Or, making out while lying on the grass, really.
Another thing that just annoyed me is just how super-extra-mega perverted this book is. Or Becca and Alex is. I mean, I am a high-schooler too, and I totally am not like you. And I bet no one is. I lived your live, you know. Okay, minus the cancer, but cancer certainly doesn't make you perverted as hell.
And on top of that, if it was not enough reason, there would be no way—however perverted someone is—they would act like Becca. I mean, come on, there's no way she would think about sex every single second of her life, playing game about sex, talking about sex, and guess what? Doing a bucket list full of sexual thing. Like she literally have nothing else to think about, please.
Some thing I found redeeming enough to make me give this book two stars instead of one, though, was mainly because of Becca's personality. Not the sex-addict personality, of course, but more of her straight-forward attitude. Not afraid of doing what she want to do, and not wait another day to do it. And she and Alex just complement each other really nicely.
And, that, I think, is the only thing I could think of that was positive from this book. And oh, the pretty cover, and those intriguing blurb. Nothing else, really. Period.
If you're looking for a touching contemporary story about friendship, or possibly just looking for a tearjerker book for your weekend reads, just look for another book. I bet there's lots of them way better than this.
Sorry, but, just not my taste, really. Waaay out of my taste.
Cheers, x
NK
Author : Katie McGarry
Genre : Contemporary
Published Date : November 26th 2013
Published by : Harlequin Teen
Pages : 474
Source : Bought
From Goodreads :
From acclaimed author Katie McGarry comes an explosive new tale of a good girl with a reckless streak, a street-smart guy with nothing to lose, and a romance forged in the fast lane
The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.
Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.
But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.
Review
So after her brilliant take on Pushing the Limit and Dare You To, here comes the contemporary queen (Or for me, at least) Katie McGarry with her another wowza. I mean, it's freaking Isaiah, people. ISAIAH. Do you need another reason to be super excited and jumping up and down over this book? Well, cars. Cars + hot guys never go wrong, by the way.
"It’s what I do. Each tattoo represents the only happy memories I've had. And you, Rachel, you’re the happiest."
—Isaiah
The pacing of this book, I think, is very similar to the first two book. It's still detailed and not too rushed and managed to fleshed out the story well, but I also think this book shows a lot of improvement with something always happening in every scene. The stake is simple and real and deadly too, making us readers feel really easy to connect with it throughout the whole book.
One thing I also notice (And damn love) was that Rachel's and Isaiah's narration were very different yet really reflected what they are. Rachel's are those kind of naive rich girl (Not in that I-know-nothing-and-I'm-freaking-adorable kind of naive) with that cute way of thinking while Isaiah just cursed everything all the way 'round, and I love that it just felt so authentic.
Both of their character were also very strong with a very decent back story that I just can't help but to agree with whatever they do because I could see their reasoning behind it, even if they do something wrong.
I could also—particularly—feel the way Rachel feel about her family, why her Mom made gajillion of kids just because she wants another daughter, how she felt like a replacement, or the act-like-he-know-it-all-and-you're-just-nothing crappy older brothers. It were all very easy to relate to.
And their romance. Can I just flail and not write anything about this? Cause it's just sooo beautiful I can't help but going ooh and aah every time they're together. Isaiah is like so swoon worthy and they're just perfect for each other. AND THE CHEMISTRY. AND THE FEELS.
The other side characters, such as Noah and Beth—while they were great in the previous book—also somehow become a lil bit of a jerk here (Although it's only in the beginning and they all like, kind of reconciled in the end. But, still).
And then there's also this gigantic 'Why' that haunted me, though. This story revolves around the debt Rachel and Isaiah owes to this so-called gangster, and that they'll have their whole life threatened if they don't pay.
But honestly? I remember it being mentioned somewhere, and she's like freaking rich, so why can't she just sell her diamond earring, said she lost it, and be done with it already? Yeah I know it's not a noble thing to do, but I'll bet that most people would do this instead of what Rachel does. The problem just feels being made complicated unnecessarily.
And then, after making the uncomplicated probs complicated, Katie McGarry then proceed to make the complicated one damn simple. Like those one defining race that had Isaiah and Rachel's life on it.
It was resolved in what pages, your guess? Two paragraphs and one sentence. Horray.
The ending though, was not all fluffy and happily ever after, and they still had the after effect of it, not coming out unscathed at all, and that just add the right amount of realness to it.
Overall, if you're already an avid fans of Katie McGarry's work or if you want to give it a try on a contemporary genre, this book is totally a must read with its distinctive narration, well-developed characters, and an always moving story with a swoony romance that will keep you entertained. Haven't read this series yet? Like, go grab it now.
Cheers, x
NK
Title : Into the Still BlueAuthor : Veronica Rossi
Genre : Dystopian
Expected Publication : January 28th 2014
Publisher : HarperCollins
Pages : 400
Pages : 400
Source : Publisher, in exchange for a fair and honest review
From Goodreads :
Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.
The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.
Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.
Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.
In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.
Review
You know, the very first time Under the Never Sky came out, I actually didn't really think it would be such a great story. Because well, it was the age of The Hunger Games, and then dystopian stories popped out everywhere like fungi on rainy seasons (Excuse my scientific-ish language, peeps. Exams were just over). I first thought that this series would become one of those Hunger Games-wannabe. Turns out? I was wrong, like, totally. And this book, as the last of the series is just whoa.
