iBoy by Kevin Brooks

Title: iBoy
Author: Kevin Brooks
ISBN: 9780545317689
Publisher: Chicken House
Released: November 1, 2011
Page #: 288
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Before the attack, Tom Harvey was just an average teenager. But a head-on collision with high technology has turned him into an actualized App. Fragments of a shattered iPhone are embedded in his brain. And they're having an extraordinary effect on his every thought.

Because now Tom knows, sees, and can do more than any normal boy ever could.

But with his new powers comes a choice: To avenge Lucy, the girl he loves, will he hunt down the vicious gangsters who hurt her? Will he take the law into his own electric hands and exterminate them from the South London housing projects where, by fear and violence, they rule?

Not even his mental search engine can predict the shocking outcome of iBoy's actions."
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First Lines: (subject to change in the final version)

"The mobile phone that shattered my skull was a 32GB iPhone 3GS. It weighed 4.8 oz, measured 4.5 in x 2.4 in x 0.48 in, and at the time of impact was traveling at approximately 77 mph. Of course, I didn't know any of his at the time."
Page 1
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Review:

I've read a few of Kevin Brooks' novels in the past and I've always found them sort of strange. He has a certain way of telling a story that is very different. Even if I'm not sure I can put my finger on the difference. This story is no exception.

Our hero's name is Tom Harvey, but he soon begins calling himself iBoy. On his way to visit his friend July, someone calls his name from the thirtieth floor of a building and drops an iPhone on him. After weeks recovering, he starts to realize that his brain isn't working normally. Soon he realizes all of the capabilities - and all of the things he could do with them. Lucy was attacked that same night by a group of gangsters. Tom starts to give them trouble as iBoy - and he is soon labeled a vigilante.

It's an amazing story. And it's sort of written with little hints of truth - where you truly wonder if this is possible. I mean, they can't get all the pieces out of his brain without hurting him, so they fuse with his brain? Maybe. Then they start interacting with his brain and how his body functions? Hm. It's a very cool idea and I kinda wish it was possible. Of course, then it means there's a possibility of someone listening in to everything you do technologically - typing, calling, texting, etc.

I think the relationship between Lucy and Tom is the best part of this book. They are best friends in the beginning and the attacks on them almost pull them apart. But they find common ground and understand each other. There's something very organic about their friendship - it seems kinda similar to many friendships I've had in the past. I also love how things end up, but I'm not going to tell you what happens.

The most interesting part of this story for me was the setting. It's effectively the projects - Highrises that are low income families in London. And of course there's lots of gang activity. Tom has always been one to stand on the sidelines and not get involved. But when he realizes that the gangs are to blame for everything that happened, he starts to go after them in any way he can.

I think many people who love tech savvy stuff will like this book. There's something very cool about thinking what it would be like to have an iPhone in your head. Can you imagine the possibilities. So I definitely recommend it to those who can wrap their heads around that :). Now, I do caution you that there's a bit of gore and lots of mentions of rape. So I probably wouldn't recommend it to younger readers. It's a bit much, I think.

All in all, I thought this book was very clever and it definitely made me think. Hopefully others will enjoy it as well when it comes out in November. Keep an eye out for it!
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Observer (not really a blog...)
Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books
Fantasy Book Review
The Book Bag
Reclusive Bibliophile
I Want to Read That
Book Couture

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave
Author: Ann Aguirre
ISBN: 9780312650087
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Released: April 12, 2011
Page #: 259
Source: ARC from the publisher (Late ARC review)

Summary:
"Deuce lives in an enclave, deep underground. Her friends are her family; her life revolves around training to become a Huntress, one of the elite cadres who protect the enclave.

Deuce is partnered with a mysterious Hunter named Fade, who is said to have lived in the surface world as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters - or Freaks - which seem to be growing more and more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade's long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they've ever known."
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First Lines: (Subject to change in final publication)

"I was born during the second holocaust. People had told us legends of a time when human beings lived longer. I thought they were just stories. Nobody even lived to see forty in my world.
Today was my birthday. Each one added a layer of fear, and this year, it was worse."
Page 3
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Review:

There are lots of things to love about this book and lots to compare it to other stories. It's a story about a girl who was born and raised in an underground community that survives each day on following the rules of the elders. Deuce is one of the Hunters in her community, so she goes out in the tunnels to search for caught meat and to fight the Freaks. In a couple of her trips out into the tunnels, she realizes that things aren't all as they seem. The elders seem to be keeping things from the citizens. Because of this, she is banished - along with her partner, Fade. She then has to learn how to survive under entirely different circumstances.

The Freaks, in my estimation, are zombies. That is never used. They are called Freaks, Eaters, and even Muties. The way they are treated in this book fully reminds me of The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. They are treated as the sole source of terror for each of the books. In Enclave, they are just kept at bay by death - they happily feed on whatever meat they can get their hands on. I don't know that I thought of them as zombies at first... just these mutated humans who have not adapted to the world in the story. It was well done, really.

Our main girl, Deuce, is basically a hardass. In her world, people hardly live to see 30 - so you have to make every year count. She trained to become a Huntress for her entire life. Finally she got the chance to go out and do what she's been trained for. She treats every situation like a threat and hardly ever lets her guard down. Those few times she does, bad things happen to her. She also keeps her friends at a distance - knowing that Hunters have short lifespans. Like I said, hardass.

Because she keeps people at such a distance, it comes as a surprise to her that her partner might be interested in keeping her safe and secure. And that he might even have real feelings for her. But that is all tested through deaths of friends and enemies. They work together seamlessly, so it makes sense that they want to keep each other safe. There is a tiny bit of romance in this book, but it's really out of desperation more than anything else.

Looking back on this book, I'm going to say I loved it. By the end of the story, I was truly rooting for all of the characters (and trying to see beyond some characteristics of a few of them). But let me tell you... this book is truly frightening. Of course, the fear of things that go bump in the dark is a big one for me. So of course it's scary! I really couldn't read it right before bed. That's another way it reminds me of Carrie Ryan's books.

Anyway, it stands on it's own very well... and I think I will be recommending it along. Those who are fans of the dystopian novels will definitely love this one. I was just looking on the author's website and realized there is a second book coming out sometime next year. Very exciting! I think this book stands well on it's own, but I can't wait to see where this story takes us. I'd definitely give this one a try if you're into frightening books - and zombies. :)
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Other Blog Reviews:

One Librarian's Book Reviews
Small Review
The Discriminating Fangirl
Brave New Adventure
A Bookworm's Haven
Candace's Book Blog
Waking Brain Cells
Paranormal Haven

Waiting on Wednesday (69)

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

Crave (The Clann #1)
by Melissa Darnell
To be released: October 25, 2011

Summary from GoodReads:
"Savannah Colbert has been shunned all her life by the kids of the Clann. And when she undergoes some drastic changes after a strange illness, Savannah learns secrets about the group and about herself—dangerous secrets. For the Clann are powerful magic users, and Savannah herself is half Clann and half vampire—a forbidden, unheard of combination. Falling for Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman isn't just a bad idea—it could be deadly if anyone finds out. But her attraction to Tristan—and his to her—isn't something either of them can resist for long."

This book sounds amazing. I saw one early review of it that made it sound awesome. I really think this book has some awesome potential. I look forward to reading it - and the rest of the projected trilogy. Not to mention that the cover is equal parts spooky and beautiful. I'm impressed :).

What are you waiting on this week?

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns
Author: Rae Carson
ISBN: 9780062026484
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Released: September 20, 2011
Page #: 422
Source: ARC from the publisher

Summary:
"Chosen for an extraordinary - and fearsome - destiny, a sixteen-year-old princess becomes the heart of a revolution. Her journey from untried teen to young woman of fierce love and untold power is, simply put, epic. Lush, adventurous, and wrenching, this is the first in a trilogy for fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling and Tamora Pierce's Tortall books."
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First Lines: (subject to change in final version)

"Prayer candles flicker in my bedroom. The Scriptura Sancta lies discarded, pages rumpled, on my bed. Bruises mark my knees from kneeling on the tiles, and the Godstone in my navel throbs. I have been praying - no, begging - that King Alejandro de Vega, my future husband, will be ugly and old and fat."
Page 1
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Review:

Well, the ARC didn't have much of a summary on the back of the book (I'm sure that will change), so I'll try to give you a better sense of the story.

This book is about a girl who is the younger of two princesses who gets married off to a King in a far country. That sounds like a fairly normal scenario, except that there is something exceptional about this girl. When she was born, God blessed her on her naming day. She was given the Godstone - a stone in her navel that marks her as blessed... and it lives inside her. When she gets to her new home, she starts to realize that not all is as she thought it was. There is war looming and she is not as safe as she once thought.

I absolutely loved this book. Seriously. I know it's the start of a trilogy, but you can take this first book as a whole story. It's the journey of a girl from childhood to realizing her destiny. She starts off as soft and fat and ignorant... but she grows more than you can imagine. It's the type of journey we all wish to take - except without all of the hardships she faces.

There are a few love interests (obviously, with her new husband), but that isn't the focus at all in this story. It's more about the adventure, the fighting, the war. Our main lady is very interested in the art of war and strategy. This makes her a useful ally to the other cities and people she comes across - even if she is an unlikely advice-giver. I think that's one of my favorite things about Elisa... she's unassuming. People discount her knowledge and cleverness. She's able to do things that others wouldn't. Like, take charge of a revolution!

I'm not sure this is something that will keep people from reading it, but there is a large emphasis on religion in this book. Our main character has a direct line to God, so of course she spends a lot of time thinking about it, talking about it, and seeking out the priests. Though I appreciate that while she grows as a person, her take on religion is altered as well. She begins to question things and making her own decisions about things. It's very organic and makes for a great addition to the story. I love that she begins noticing that people continuously say that they are doing things - even if they're bad - because it's "God's will." I think that's not so different from how things happen today. I just thought it was a very interesting element in the book.

All in all, I loved this book. I just have one complaint... the cover. Now, I do realize they have changed the cover for the official release... but I'm not sure it's enough of a change. See, this book takes place in, what I can figure, Arabia. Or something like it. She often talks about her dark skin giving her away... The chick on the cover of this book? Not. Dark. Skinned. Not even a little bit. Now, the UK cover hits it spot on. I think it embodies everything about the story. I just wish I had that cover to look at while I was reading - it would have kept me in the right frame of mind.

Honestly, this book took me about 24 hours to read. It's one that kept me up last night trying to finish it. It is just so compelling and you really want the best for the characters. I cannot wait for this book to be released so I can fully recommend it to everyone. I think fantasy lovers will be all over this one. There are two more books (obvs... it's a trilogy), but the next one isn't for another year. I'm already excited to see what kind of story it is.

I highly and fully recommend this book. From middle school all the way up. There are a few gory and insane things that happen... but it's not written in a way that makes it all obvious. The author does a wonderful job. This is her first book and I absolutely cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us! You won't be sorry if you give this one a try.
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Other Blog Reviews:

The Book Bind
Cat's Thoughts
Poisoned Rationality
25 Hour Books
Bookalicious
The Lost Entwife
YA Highway
Supernatural Snark
Madigan Reads

Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge

Title: Jane Jones: Worst. Vampire. Ever.
Author: Caissie St. Onge
ISBN: 9780375868917
Publisher: Random House/Ember
Released: May 10, 2011
Page #: 227
Source: My own copy

Summary:
"For Jane Jones, being a vampire is nothing like you read about in books. In fact, it kind of sucks. She's not beautiful. She's not rich. She doesn't 'sparkle.' She's just an average, slightly nerdy girl from an ordinary suburban family (who just happen to be vampires). Jane's from the wrong side of the tracks (not to mention stuck in the world's longest awkward phase), so she doesn't fit in with the cool vampire kids at school or with the human kids. To top it all off, she's battling an overprotective mom, a clique of high school mean girls (the kind who really do have fangs), and the most embarrassing allergy in the history of the undead: she's blood-intolerant.

So no one's more surprised than Jane when for the first time in her 'life,' things start to heat up (as much as they can for a walking corpse, anyway) with not one but two boys. Eli's a geeky but cute real-life boy in her history class, and Timothy is a beautiful, brooding bloodsucker who just might hold the key to a possible cure for vampirism. Facing an eternity of high school pressure and fumbling first dates or a mere lifetime together with Timothy, what's a ninety-something-year-old teen vampire to do?"
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First Lines:

"'Oh my God, you guys. I am sooooo wasted. Did you see me? I was totally chugging, and now I'm, like... totally wasted!'"
Page 1
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Review:

So, basically this is about a girl in high school who happens to be a vampire. There's some mean girl stuff, there's some cute boy stuff, and there's some nerdy boy-love going on. Not to mention that she's allergic to drinking blood - which complicates the whole thing and spurs on the mean girls. She also really wants to go back to being human... at whatever cost.

I have to be honest, it was really hard to get through the first 100 pages (aka half) of this book. Typically, I am able to suspend belief for vampire stories. There has to be some of that. But there were a few details about this one that made it seem weird to me. Like... she's over 90 years old and she still answers to her mom? And that she's the most awkward girl in the world? Don't you mature at all - even though your body doesn't? There was a short mention of the whole, "sucks you're stuck in a teenage mindset" thing... but I had a hard time with it. Not to mention that I just wanted to shake her most of the time.

Now, the second half of the book is a totally different story. There was love, intrigue, and a little adventure. You just have to slog your way through the beginning to get to the good stuff. You learn why her teacher has been acting strangely, how her family became the way it is, and what she hopes for the future.

One big universal thing about this book was family. She is always thinking about and worrying about her family. It comes full circle in the end, but it's definitely a running theme. Of course, if you're eternally with those people, I suppose they become the center of your world. I did enjoy the characters in her family. I wasn't much expecting a ten year old genius :).

The love interests kind of hit me as odd. The one organic relationship is with Eli - the human geek who is a little obsessed with Jane. But it's the kind of relationship that is kinda cute. Aww! Little nerds getting together. Perfect! The second guy, Timothy, is much more of a mystery to me. There's never much of an explanation why he really wants to be with Jane for the rest of their eternal lives. There's one shared interest, but it's taken too far too soon. I just wasn't so sure about that one.

All in all, it's a decent story. There are several things that I had to suspend my belief for (much more than normal), but I think there's a good story in the bones. Those readers who enjoy a humorous take on the whole vampire thing will probably get a kick out of this book. It's definitely the kind of story that doesn't take itself too seriously. So I'd recommend it on that front. I look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next!
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Other Blog Reviews:

Forever Young Adult
Midnight Bloom Reads
Dreaming in Books
Alexia's Books and Such
Bibliophile Support Group
BookLoons Reviews
Feathered Quill Book Reviews