Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Red Queen Trilogy #1
Published by Orion on February 10, 2015

Summary: "The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?"  --From Goodreads

I really loved this book.  There is so much detail in the world building.  The scene that comes to mind is when Mare rides the boat back to the main palace.  The differences that she sees in the pockets of civilization from the boat are entirely different.

The ending also surprised the heck out of me.  I didn't see it coming.  I am really looking forward to the second book in this series.  Unfortunately, now I have to wait an entire year.

Disclosure: I picked this book up from my local library.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
The Winner's Trilogy #2
Published on March 3, 2015 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Summary: "The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them." --From Goodreads

I don't ever know what to write about this series.  I love it.  Kestrel has become even more sneaky.  As future empress, she is watched constantly.  Arin and Kestrel have many interludes, but they are both so stubborn!  There is a lot of stuff that goes unsaid between the two of them, and of course, it causes conflicts that could have been avoided.  

The ending was explosive!  I won't write anymore, but I am eagerly awaiting the final book in this series.  

Disclosure: I received a digital galley of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Delirium series by Lauren Oliver

The Delirium series by Lauren Oliver is on tap for today!

Delirium  •  Pandemonium  •  Requiem

Before the cure, everyone thought that love was a good thing.  Love caused you to do stupid things.  Now that scientists have perfected the cure and eradicated the disease.  Lena Holoway has always looked forward to receiving the cure because then she'll be safe and happy.  But only 95 days before her scheduled procedure, Lena does the unthinkable.  She falls in love.

I read all three books in the space of a week.  I really liked Delirium, but I had a holy crap moment with the ending of Pandemonium.  Requiem was also pretty good, and the story ended wonderfully.

The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken

A dystopia crossed with X-Men.

Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi

More kids with powers, but with even more of a love triangle.

The Jewel series by Amy Ewing

A girl is purchased as a surrogate, stumbles into a rebellion.

Overall, this is a really solid series.  I truly love the premise of "if love was a disease".  I know teenagers have thought this at least once.  I'd recommend this series if anyone likes dystopias or if they like science fiction.  I find their religion fascinating because of the unique mix of Christianity and science.

If You Liked... Divergent

The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken

Dystopia meets X-Men.

Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi

Kids with powers again, but has an even stronger love triangle.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

A girl is purchased as a surrogate, stumbles into a rebellion.

Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Fairest by Marissa Meyer
Lunar Chronicles prequel
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 27, 2015

Summary:

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.
--From Goodreads.

Really, I went into this book knowing that I would love this book because I love the entire series so much.  I was not disappointed!  Without going into too much detail, I will say that Queen Levana is a stone cold beotch.  I kept waiting for her to feel something, but that never came.  I'm really glad that the readers got to see into the mind of Queen Levana, and this book makes me even more excited for Winter coming out in November.

Overall, this was a great book.  I would recommend reading Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, and then Winter.  There are some spoilers and hidden gems in Fairest that wouldn't be understood without reading the first three books.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

Trash by Andy Mulligan

Trash by Andy Mulligan
Published by David Fickling Books on October 12, 2010 

Summary: "In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city.

One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong." -- From Goodreads

Things I Liked:

Alternating viewpoints.  I liked how the story alternated between the different boys, Father Juilliard, Miss Olivia, and others.  It allowed the reader to see the different aspects of the story.

Things I Disliked:

The mystery.  I wish the author would have gone into more detail about the mystery surrounding the wallet and key.  It didn't seem as fleshed out as I needed it to be.  I just wanted more and it felt like it didn't deliver.

Overall, I think the book could have been written better, with more details in some spots.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux on March 4, 2014

Summary: "As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined." --From Goodreads

Things I Loved:

The setting.  The setting was richly created and described, and I could clearly imagine each setting.  Tha manor houses were detailed, and I felt like I was walking around the ornate houses along with Kestrel.

The characters.  The characters were as richly detailed as the setting.  I loved being able to watch Kestrel peel back the layers on her friends, Ronan and Jess, along with Arin.  The characters were perfectly imperfect.  I can't wait to see how the addition of the Emperor and his son will influence all of the other characters.

The realistic relationship between Arin and Kestrel.  It wasn't insta-love, but a slow burn.  I really appreciated how they became friends, and then it turned into more.  I liked that the book was not entirely focused on their relationship, and it became more about the revolution towards the end.

Thing I disliked:

Kestrel, but in the beginning.  At the beginning of the book, Kestrel seemed to be a stereotypical member of the aristocracy.  She didn't want to become a soldier, she didn't want to be married, she only wanted to play the piano.  Kestrel had a great mind for battle strategy but didn't want to use it.  It was only after the revolution did she grow up.  

Overall: I loved this book!  The second book of this series is out in March.

Disclosure: I received a copy from my library.

In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney Hyperion on October 28, 2014
The Darkest Minds #3

Summary: "Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire."  --From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Let's just start with the characters.  Ruby.  How I love Ruby.  She is not the scared sixteen year old girl we met in the first book.  She has matured; mentally and physically.  Her powers have grown and she is still scared about doing the "best" thing with them.  She could pretty much do whatever she wants, but no.

Liam and Cole,the lovely Stewart brothers.  They gave me what I needed.  Cole was the strong-willed, cocky, independent one.  Liam was level-headed, charming, and caring one.  They were perfectly imperfect characters.  

Chubs, Vida, Zu, Clancy, and the rest of them.  They added so much to the plot of this novel.  While the focus wasn't on them for most of the novel, they were an integral part of the story.

I'm sorry to see these characters leave, but I'm glad how it ended.  It gave closure to the reader.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

The Darkest Minds Series

The Darkest Minds

Never Fade

In the Afterlight

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 3, 2012
The Lunar Chronicles #1

Summary: "Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future." --From Goodreads



My Thoughts:

I love this book series.  Love the characters, love the setting, love the romance.  I can't wait for Fairest to come out in January!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney Hyperion on October 15, 2013
The Darkest Minds #2

Summary: "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?" --From Goodreads

My Thoughts: 

This book was pretty good for the second in a series.  Ruby grows into her powers even more in this novel.  Chubs, Liam, and Clancy have grown and changed as well, and it's interesting to see how everyone had changed in the time since the first book.  The situation has changed, and now it is about finding the cure to the disease that caused all of this in the first place.  I really liked how this book was less about fighting "the man" and more about the discord in the Children's League.  I can't wait to wrap up this series!

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

The Darkest Minds Series

The Darkest Minds

Never Fade

In the Afterlight

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney Hyperion on December 18, 2012
The Darkest Minds #1

Summary: "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."  -From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I really liked this book!  I'm not usually a fan of dystopian novels, but I really liked the X-Men twist that the author brought to it.  Ruby slowly came into her own throughout the novel's progression.  She became less afraid of herself and more of a leader, which is what the group needed.  I also appreciated how the other kids had backstories as well (Liam, Chubs, Zu, Clancy).  Overall, I really enjoyed this twist on the normal dystopian novel, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

The Darkest Minds Series

The Darkest Minds

Never Fade

In the Afterlight