Review: Sever (The Chemical Garden #3) by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Pages: 371
GoodReads | Amazon

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

 

 Sever was an amazing end to the Chemical Garden trilogy and really outshone the previous book. Lauren DeStefano's work is beautifully disturbing and the world she creates is so vivid and haunting. I can't help but continue to be amazed by her.

I've had a bit of a love hate relationship with this series. Loved Wither, hated Fever ( or maybe it was just the creepy circus??) . Either way, I fell back in love all over again with Sever. I felt like we FINALLY got to know what drove Vaughn, Rhine, and so many of the other character's in the series.

While the ending isn't perfect for some readers, *cough* Juhina *cough*, I think it was done beautifully. Not every character gets a happy ending, but I think everyone grows up and comes into their own place in the world and gets to a place that most readers will be satisfied with. I know that's terribly criptic, but... I don't want to spoil this for anyone who hasn't read it.

I particularly enjoyed a new character who was introduced, Vaughn's brother. I wish we'd have been introduced to him much earlier on in the series, but cest la vie! There were so many plot twists that I hadn't figured out, many left me gasping, others left me in tears. I have to say, I have been invested in this series, and this is by far my favorite book of the trilogy! It ended perfectly. There are no rainbows and happily ever afters, but hope and the promise of much more. I thought the ending to the series was perfect and I look forward to Stefano's next endeavors!

Audio Review: Starters (Starters and Enders #1)

Starters(Starers and Enders #1) by Lissa Price
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Listening Library
Format: Audio Cd
Source: Borrowed from the Library
Length:
Cds:
GoodReads | Amazon

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, are on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie’s only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie’s head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator’s son.

     It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations’ plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

 At first I was really annoyed with this audio and nearly gave up halfway into the first disc. I found the narrator's voice to be a boring monotone through nearly the entire first disc, which was just... boring. After a while though things started picking up and by disc 2 I was totally hooked!

I had heard such good things about this book when it came out, but to be honest, the cover totally creeped me out and I never gave it the time of day. The story was truly incredible and now I'm dying for more!!! I can't even imagine living as an unclaimed minor, with little to no food. Desperate to care for herself and her brother, Callie answers an ad from Prime Destinations. There they rent out the bodies of young teens, to seniors who are desperate to be young again. There Callie becomes a "donor" in an effort to support herself and her brother Tyler. But things take a nasty turn for Callie when she accidently stumbles upon Prim Destinations true operation!

This book was part sci-fi, part dystopian, part spy/espionage and I LOVED it! Starters is a story that will really suck you into it's tangled web and not let you go. This was such an enjoyable read and I highly reccomend it!

The audio itself was ... pretty boring due to the reader. But by disc 2 I guess the narrator got into the hang of it, and it really got better. From there on in, I was hooked! I highly reccomend this book, and in spite of how the audio started off, I recommend it too!

Review: Reboot

Reboot (Reboot #1) by Amy Tintera
Release Date: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Adanced Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Pages:352
GoodReads | Amazon
 

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

 

 I know there is a huge number of zombie loving fans out there, but I personally have never been one. Despite that, I didn't hesitate to pick up this book and I'm so glad that I dove right into it! Reboot is a phenominal zombie post apocoloptic debut!

The story takes place in the republic of Texas ( eek!!!) and it kept me biting my nails and furiously turning pages. The main character Wren, aka 178, is a soldier with the longest reboot time. For Reboots, the longer your out, the less human emotion you have. Or so the story goes. . . Wren is a tough, fiercly strong, super soldier. She can break every bone in your body in mere seconds and feel no emotion about it. She is the best of the best. But her life will forever change the day she meets Callum.

Ohhh Callum, my oh my, how I love thee! haha He was seriously amazing! I know his character is written as the "weak" one being a 22, but he was so strong in so many ways. I love how he held to his principles and didn't became some ruthless zombie droid. He asked too many questions and challenged Wren in only a way that he could get away with. He was so sweet and caring, and I absolutely adored his character! I love how he meshed with Wren and brought out different parts of her that even she didn't know she had.

This is definitely one of my all time favorite reads of the year! It's an action packed original story with a beating heart at the center of it all. It's the perfect combo of action, friendship and love. Tintera did a fantastic job writting such a vivid tale that really came to life. I highly recommend this one!

Audio Review: Fat Cat

Fat Cat by Robin BrandeRelease Date: October 13, 2009
Publisher: Listening Library
Source: Borrowed from the Library
Format: Audio CD
Length: 8 hours, 22 minutes
CDs:
Goodreads, Amazon

 

You are what you eat....

Cat smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits.

As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice....

This funny and thoughtful novel explores how girls feel about their bodies, and the ways they can best take care of their most precious resource: themselves.

Back in 2007, in a galaxy far, far, away. . . just kidding! But seriously, back in 2007 Robin Brande's novel Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature found its way into my hands. It was an instant all time favorite for me and I waited impatiently for her next book to come out. When it did, I snatched up a copy, and then... life happened!

I picked up a copy of this on audio at my local library, thinking what a great way to tackle my TBR pile. I am so sad that I waited so very long to read this. Fat Cat had me fall in love with Robin Brande's work all over again!

The story was so cute and so incredible. I loved the main character Cat and her best friend Amanda was everything you'd want in your bff, smart, funny, supportive and fiercly loyal!

Cat's life changes when she's assigned a caveman as her science project. She decides to turn it into an experiment, by going back to the caveman way of life. No cell phones, no tv, no chocolate, soda or processed food. ACK! I'd die! Although she struggles in the beginning, Cat is determined to take 1st prize with her experiment and her whole life changes! She looses weight, her skin clears up, and suddenly boys start noticing her!

The story iteslf is a quick read with a great message about gaining confidence and learning to love yourself. It was fun, entertaining and such a blast to read! The audio was just as fantastic as the story itself and I found myself constantly rotating the cds between my car and my house, so I could find out what happened in Cat's life next!

The story is fantastic and the audio is just as amazing! A great story that remind you exactly why you fell in love with reading! A quick fun read with a great message for girls, teens and women alike!

Review: Belonging (Temptation #2)

Belonging (Temptation #2) by Karen Ann Hopkins
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin TEEN
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Pages: 408
GoodReads |  Amazon

I left everything I knew behind.

But it was worth it. He was worth it.

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE

together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.

I am such a huge fan of this series! I have always been fascinated by the Amish, toss in a forbidden love and you have a series that is easy to get swept away in! I was literally on pins and needles for the next book in this series and couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Belonging picked up right where Temptation ended, with Rose emersed in her new Amish life. I really had to admire Rose's guts and determination to stick to the rigorous Amish lifestyle. Yeah I know, she was so stubborn she was determined to prove her father wrong, BUT, she did it! She held her own and she did it! I applaud that! No electricity, no cell phones, no indoor plumbing? ACK! Now THAT my friends, is true love! haha

Once Rose finally moved into the Amish community, everything was not a fairytale. Life was not what she expected, and she had many obstacles to over come. Then to top it off, she had people conspiring against her, and an evil villain out to get her! There were some surprises to the story that really shocked me.

Belonging was just as addictive as Temptation and I am literally bursting at the seams for the final book in the series. If your a fan of forbidden love and steamy romance then this series is for you! I highly recommend it!

Audio Review: French Kiss

French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: October 11, 2011
Publisher: Listening Library
Source: Borrowed from the library
Format: Audio Cd
Discs: 8
Goodreads

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, perfect, Étienne has it all ... including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

An unabridged recording on 8 CDs (10 hours, 29 minutes).

I think contemporaries were my very first love. I've been hearing such amazing things about this book for such a long time, and I even had a chance to meet Stephanie and get signed copies. When your a blogger, avid reader, or just a fan of literacy, your bookshelves always seem to be bursting at the seams. This sat on my bookshelf for 2 years. You know how it is, so many books, so little time!

I saw this audio at my local library and decided to give it a try. I recently switched jobs and while I'm used to a commute, thought what a fun way this would be to get through my work week. This was the perfect audio to get me through even the most tough days!

Anna and the French Kiss is such a wonderful story. I adored every minute of it and wished I'd read this long ago! For me, the narrator can either make or break an audio. And in Anna and the French Kiss, the narrator did a fantastic job! It was such a fun audio to listen to, and such a cute contemporary, that I couldn't help but fall in love with it!

Perfect story + perfect narrator = perfect audio! If your a fan of audio books, this is a must! It'll make your drive home after a tough day at work infinitely better!

Review: Tilt

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
Release Date:  September 11, 2012
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderberry Books
Source: Purchased
Format: Hardback
Pages: 604
Buy the Book:  Amazon

 

Love—good and bad—forces three teens’ worlds to tilt in a riveting novel from New York Times bestselling author Ellen Hopkins.
Three teens, three stories—all interconnected through their parents’ family relationships. As the adults pull away, caught up in their own dilemmas, the lives of the teens begin to tilt….

Mikayla, almost eighteen, is over-the-top in love with Dylan, who loves her back jealously. But what happens to that love when Mikayla gets pregnant the summer before their senior year—and decides to keep the baby?

Shane turns sixteen that same summer and falls hard in love with his first boyfriend, Alex, who happens to be HIV positive. Shane has lived for four years with his little sister’s impending death. Can he accept Alex’s love, knowing that his life, too, will be shortened?

Harley is fourteen—a good girl searching for new experiences, especially love from an older boy. She never expects to hurdle toward self-destructive extremes in order to define who she is and who she wants to be.

Love, in all its forms, has crucial consequences in this standalone novel.

 You guys may remember my recent review of Triangles. Tilt takes the story in a totally  new direction, with the children of the ladies from Triangles. I purchased these 2 books together, thinking I needed to read them both in order, and that is so not the case! I assumed that Tilt would pick up where Triangles left off, and it doens't really. I'd say a good half of the book takes place durring the events of Triangles, but from the perspective of their children. I felt like this was interesting to see both sides of the story and how it impacted not just the parents, but the children too, and vice versa.

I utterly adore books told in verse, and there is no doubt as to Ellen Hopkins huge talent at telling vivid stories in a non conventional way. She also has a knack for tackeling difficult, and hard subjects to talk about, and turning them into a work of art. She is a brilliant author!

For me, having just finished Triangles and jumping into Tilt, this was not quite what I was hoping for. Triangles was so raw, dark, and it totally went there. I thought in Tilt maybe it would lighten up a little or get better for these characters. In that respect, I was disappointed. While Ellen's work and writting is amazing, I would like to see something a little different from her in the future.

I'm not asking for a fairytale, but maybe... a little less darkness and problematic lfiestyles. Just sayin! All in all the writting was brilliant as usual! Just felt a little repetative as to the MO of the story.