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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Reached by Ally Condie

Title: Reached
Author: Ally Condie
ISBN: 9780525423669
Publisher: Dutton Books
Released: November 13, 2012
Series: Matched #3
Page #: 512
Source: My public library

Summary:
"Cassia's journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect facade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most - family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion."
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First Lines:

"Every morning, the sun comes up and turns the earth red, and I think: This could be the day when everything changes. Maybe today the Society will fall."
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Review:

Okay, so at the end of the last book I was really worried about how the final book in this trilogy would turn out. But really it's a great conclusion - giving you a feeling of full circle. Life is the way it should be... and everyone is somewhat happy.

This is the final book in the Matched Trilogy. Cassia has been through some crazy hardships. She's been in the Society, out to the fringe areas, in the Rising, and back into the Society. It's been quite the roller coaster, but she is finally figuring out where she belongs. And who she belongs with. You learn even more about her family and how they have gotten her to where she is and how they help her figure out the greatest mystery of her life.

You know, now that I think about it... this book has the same sort of two-story thing that the second book had. You start out with all of these characters placed around in the Society waiting for something to happen. There is a clear picture of what their lives are like and how things have changed. But then the plague hits and you have a whole new story. It wasn't as drastic as the second book, but it's sort of the same formula. Not necessarily a bad thing... just interesting.

I don't know that I can say I loved this book. The first book was fantastic, but this was probably my second favorite. There is a lot more self-actualization in this one. Cassia is figuring out what it means to be an artist, a poet. Ky has finally found a roll that suits him perfectly - a pilot - and all of the things that affords him. And Xander has become one of the best doctors ever. It almost feels like this story should take place years down the road instead of just after the Rising comes into place.

While this book is about the Rising finally, you know, rising... it's sort of a quiet story. The action is against the plague - which is a quiet disease because all of the patients go "still." And there doesn't seem to be any sort of uprising. I think I was expecting much more of a boom in the end. And some buildings to collapse or something. I would expect the end of the Society to be much louder. But, you know, that's sort of how changes happen for real, isn't it? Small changes with big names... It's an interesting concept.

Sometimes it seems like authors want to leave you hanging on forever. But I really loved that this book comes to a very complete, very satisfying conclusion. There aren't any people you're still worrying about. There aren't any unknowns about how life is going to be from here on out. I just felt very satisfied when it was all over. 

If you haven't read Matched, I highly suggest you do so. You won't be sorry. And I look forward to whatever Ally Condie has for us next. I just know it will be amazing, whatever it is!
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Lunar Rainbows

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Out This Week (Jan 20-26)

Well, publishing is starting to pick up the pace a little bit. Check out some of the great titles coming out this week...
  •  1.22.13 Everbound (An Everneath novel) by Brodi Ashton
  • 1.22.13 Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
  •  1.22.13 Slither (The Last Apprentice #11) by Joseph Delaney
  • 1.22.13 Boundless (An Unearthly novel) by Cynthia Hand
  •  1.22.13 Black Ice by Andrew Lane
  • 1.22.13 Kiki Strike (The Darkness Dwellers) by Kirsten Miller
  •  1.22.13 Ravage (A Deviants Novel) by Jeff Sampson
  • 1.22.13 At Somerton: Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed
  • 1.22.13 The Archived by Victoria Schwab
  • 1.22.13 Slated by Teri Terry

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Out This Week (Jan 13-19)

There aren't a ton of books that are coming out this week, but they look great! Take a look...

  • 1.15.13 Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans
  • 1.15.13 Return to Me by Justina Chen
  • 1.15.13 Gates of Paradise (Blue Bloods) by Melissa de la Cruz
  • 1.15.13 Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (131)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Here is what I'm waiting on this week...

Etiquette and Espionage
by Gail Carriger
To be released: February 5, 2013

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
"It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.
Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.
Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail's legions of fans have come to adore."

Doesn't this book sound fantastic?! Granted, I'm a sucker for all things historical and mysterious! Luckily we don't have to wait too long for it to come out :). 

What are you waiting on this week?

Monday, January 7, 2013

2013 Debut Author Challenge

Yet again this year, I am attempting to read as many YA Debut Authors as I can. Last year there were some amazing people and I can only imagine the wonderful books I'm going to read this year. So, check back here for the list of titles as I read them. This challenge is being hosted by Hobbitsies this year. Very exciting stuff! The goal is 12, so we'll see how I do!

Here are some of the titles I'm already excited about...
Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza
Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
Cinders and Sapphires by Leila Rasheed
The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist
Legacy of the Clockwork Key by Kristin Bailey

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100 Books in a Year Challenge!

So, 2012 was another bust for me. I have plenty of excuses, but I should probably keep all of those to myself. So, now to set my sights on 2013. Definitely going to read 100 books this year. I look forward to some amazing titles coming out this year, so check back for my list as I add to it after each book.

1. Reached by Ally Condie
2. Also Known As by Robin Benway
3. Unremembered by Jessica Brody
4. What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang
5. Winter White by Jen Calonita
6. Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
7. Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
8. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
9. Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
10.The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
11. The Essence by Kimberly Derting
12. Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
13. The Diviners by Libba Bray
14. Foretold by Jana Oliver
15. The Elite by Kiera Cass
16. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
17. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
18. Bubble World by Carol Snow
19. Forgotten by Cat Patrick
20. The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
21. All I Need by Susane Colasanti
22. Firecracker by David Iserson
23. Revenge of the Girl with a Great Personality by Elizabeth Eulberg
24. Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
25. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
26. Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa
27. The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
28. Crash by Lisa McMann
29. Coda by Emma Trevayne
30. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
31. The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
32. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
33. The F- It List by Julie Halpern
34. Fire with Fire by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
35. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
36. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
37. Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel
38. Grass is Always Greener by Jen Calonita
39. Unbreakable by Kami Garcia
40. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
41. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
42. Loop by Shandy Lawson
43. Rush by Eve Silver
44. Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson
45. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
46. Daughter of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
47. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
48. Crewel by Gennifer Albin
49. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
50. The Death Cure by James Dashner (Currently Reading)
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Sunday, January 6, 2013

Out This Week (Jan 6-12)

New year, new titles! Looks like there is some great things coming this year. Check out some of the books coming out this week...
  •  01.08.13 Shadowlands by Kate Brian
  • 01.08.13 Doomed by Tracy Deebs


  •  01.08.13 Just One Day by Gayle Forman
  • 01.08.13 Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann


  •  01.08.13 Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum
  • 01.08.13 Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi
  • 01.08.13 Then You Were Gone by Lauren Strasnick
  • 01.08.13 Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff

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