_________________________________________________________________

Home     Review Policy      Hot New Titles      Contact Me

_________________________________________________________________

Friday, December 7, 2012

Eve and Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Title: Eve and Adam
Authors: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
ISBN: 9780312583514
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Released: October 02, 2012
Page #: 291
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"In the beginning, there was an apple.
And then there was a car crash, a horrible, debilitating injury, and the hospital. But before Evening Spiker could even lift her head out of the fog of unconsciousness, there was a strange boy checking her out of the hospital and rushing her to Spike Biopharmaceuticals - her mother's research facility. Just when Eve thinks she will die - not from her injuries, but from boredom - her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.

Using an amazingly detailed simulation that her mother claims is designed to teach human genetics, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up: eyes, hair, muscles, even a brain, and potential personality traits. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect... won't he?"
_________________________________________________
First Lines: (quote from ARC, subject to change)


"I am thinking of an apple when the streetcar hits and my leg severs and my ribs crumble and my arm is no longer an arm but something unrecognizable, wet and red. 
An apple."
Page 1
_________________________________________________
Review:




One hell of a first line, isn't it? I was given this book a couple of months ago. And in retrospect, I should have read it immediately. It actually took me very little time to read through it - mostly because I was so pulled in. Had to find out what happened!

Evening is hit by a street car - a brutal accident. She was basically crushed and lost a leg. But her mother runs a biopharm organization and is a pro at genetics and medical research. Soon, Evening is healed and playing with some of her mom's toys... well, building the perfect guy. But soon she finds out that there is more to this simulation than she thought.

I think one of my favorite characters in this story is Solo. He is all mysterious and Evening has no idea who he is or where he's come from. His story builds throughout the book - and into something you wouldn't have expected. He is looking for a way to take down Evening's mother. She is doing immoral things and he blames her for the death of his parents.

Evening's best friend is a bit of a conundrum.  Well, I know that opposites attract and all that, but she seems to be a way out-there character. Much more than need be. Though, I know people sort of like her and I couldn't handle it. No patience :). Aislin is the one who does instigate most of the dramatics, so you have to have her... and I wouldn't change her. And I cannot say what happens in the end, but I look forward to seeing where her character goes next.

Truly, I really enjoyed this book. I have been in a reading funk for a little while and I am hoping this has broken me out of it. It's got adventure, love, a bit of sci fi, and crazy friend drama. Couldn't ask for more, right? And yes, it is sort of sci fi. You're dealing with genetics and experimentation. So yes... science. fiction. But don't be scared off if that isn't your thing. There's much more to offer than that.

I honestly would recommend this book to just about anyone. Some probably won't enjoy the alternating viewpoints, but that really works to give you the full story. It's a great adventure and it was sort of unassuming. At least, for me. I will definitely pick up another book about the next stage for these characters. It's a fun, quick book and I am totally a fan.

_________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

IB Book Blogging
The Book Rat
Mermaid Vision
Ink Skies
Book Nook
Obsession with Books
Book Addict
Ivy Book Binding
Cuddlebuggery Book Blog

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (130)

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

The Essence
by Kimberly Derting
To be released: January 01, 2012

Summary from Baker and Taylor:
"At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen's Essence is fused to Charlie's psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.


Charlie is not weak, but she's being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she's busy being queen and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she's Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.


As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms - an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset - she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within."

I really loved The Pledge, so I cannot wait for this new title by Kimberly Derting! I know it's going to be fantastic. I may have to do a refresher on the first book because it sounds like this picks up right in the middle of the story. But I can only imagine the amazing things that are going to happen in this one!

What are you waiting on this week?  

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Title: Fire
Author: Kristin Cashore
ISBN: 9780803734616
Publisher: Dial Books
Released: October 05, 2009
Series: Companion to Graceling
Page #: 461
Source: Audiobook from my public library

Summary:
"It is not a peaceful time in the Dells.
In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves.

This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her. Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next."
___________________________________________________
First Lines:

"It did not surprise Fire that the man in the forest shot her. What surprised her is that he shot her by accident."
Page 19?
___________________________________________________
Review:

I am probably the last person on this planet to read/listen to this book. I read Graceling a long time ago, so it has been a while since I have visited this world. I had a little catching up to do, but nothing major.

This book is a companion - it follows the life of Fire. She is a monster. She is unnatural. She is beautiful. Everyone and everything wants a piece of her. She has to be very careful about whe she goes and who she takes with her. Luckily, though, she can read people's feelings and manipulate their minds. I someone wants to attack her, she can just tell them to do something else. It's convenient... Until someone finds a way to take her down. And with her, the crown.

Y'all. This audiobook was amazing. Yes, the information up there is for the Hardcover version. Truly, British accents are the most fun to listen to in the audiobook world. So soothing. It helps that this story was intense and loving and well written. That makes it even easier to listen to the audio. I was sucked in from the very beginning. 

Sometimes I am a super fan of high fantasy. I'm so glad I got around to reading/listening to this... two years later. It's amazing to think of this world - the Dells - that has animals and plants that are completely altered. I had a hard time not thinking of Avatar. Ahem. But it's really cool to think about the different colors, the different species, the different way of life. I think it was all done so well, it didn't even seem all that odd. Such a visual story!

I loved that this one girl could change the course of her world - even though she couldn't help who/what she was. I think that's one of those basic truths of life that allows people to overcome their life circumstances. Can I just say that this author has a crazy way of killing off/maiming very important characters to the story? I get that those things needed to happen, but it's insane!

While Fire herself is an amazing character, I think some of the secondary people are very worth looking at. I think they really set the tone for this story and Fire's life. She is only as amazing as people around her make her. She often finds herself in situations because of these people, but she loves them fiercely. Can you imagine what it would take to block the mind of someone who can read and feel everything you think? 

Since everyone has already read this book, I have no one left to recommend it to. But if you're just now getting into YA reading, this is one of those series' that is on the Must Read list. I honestly sat in my car longer than I should just so I could get to a "good stopping spot." It's action packed, has a great love story, and is more full of adventure than you can shake a stick at. So, definitely give it a go if you haven't already.
___________________________________________________
Other Blog Reviews:

On a Book Bender
Mundie Moms
Late Nights with Good Books
The Page Sage
Dark Faerie Tales
The Review Diaries
Words on Paper
Book Addict
Forever 17 Books
Persnickety Snark

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (129)

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

Through the Ever Night (sequel to Under the Never Sky)
by Veronica Rossi
To be released: January 08, 2012

Summary from Barnes and Noble:
"It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at fi rst. Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night? In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure—and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable."

You know how sometimes a book just seems like it's going to be epic? That's this book for me. Mostly because I read the first book fairly recently - and it has an amazing cliffhanger. Or at least, a glimpse of what's to come. I cannot wait to read this one! I know it's going to be great. If you haven't read the first one yet, I suggest you take the time now to do so.

What are you waiting on this week?

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Out This Week (Nov 11-17)

While publishing is slowing down for the end of the year, there are several exciting books coming out this week. Take a look...
  • 11.13.12 Miss Fortune Cookie by Lauren Bjorkman
  • 11.13.12 Reached (Matched #3) by Ally Condie
  •  11.13.12 Under the Bridge by Michael Harmon
  • 11.13.12 Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris
  •  11.13.12 Velvet by Mary Hooper
  • 11.13.12 Speed of Light (Meridian #3) by Amber Kizer
  •  11.13.12 Echo (Soul Seekers #2) by Alyson Noel
  • 11.13.12 Witch World by Christopher Pike
  •  11.13.12 Black City by Elizabeth Richards
  • 11.13.12 Execution (Escape From Furnace #5) by Alexander Gordon Smith
 

Search This Blog