Mini-Review: Crossed (Matched #2) by Ally Condie

Crossed (Matched #2)
by Ally Condie

Published March 12th 2013 by Speak

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia

Publication Date: Nov 1st 2011

Publisher: Dutton Children's

Format: Hardcover, 368 pages 

Series: yup

Source: my own TBR

_____________________________

It's funny that even though I don't LOVE the writing in this series that much, I still can't NOT read it. That is one cool plot. And there is finally some action here. And some development of the characters.

Let's get this show on the road:

Don't you love these covers? It's so cool that they sort of tell a story on their own, daring you to pick the book up and go find out more about it. Aaaanyway. It took me a while to read Crossed, but it was so very worth my time! It had ALL the things I always expect to see in my dystopian books! People running from crazy government employees, having to find food, water and shelter, suffering, dying (I'm a bit twisted in the head, in case you didn't already notice), only to prepare themselves to take revenge and save society from an insane, controlling world! Or maybe blowing everything to pieces and go away in order to start over somewhere else. Heh. *-* Su-weet!! Right? And that is me being slightly sadistic, though honest in my book-needs.

My point is that Crossed was quite capable of delivering most of my wants (and I so need a copy of Reached!). Cassia was stronger and more determined than ever. Ky let us take a longer look into his heart, and became more lovable and complex and vulnerable because of it. It was an amazing thing to see (read?). And Ally kept things very fresh for us, changing POVs, making the characters GROW as we watched them. Lovely!

A lot happens in a very short period of time in this book, and so much changes! It felt more like a longer novella than an actual book in the series, but it was still enjoyable to see more into the trading world of Archivists, the Rebels and Xavier's secrets. 

Now, where's my copy of Reached?

Boys in books...

THAT's an understatement.

Pet peeves while reading!

It's never JUST A BOOK!

Mini-Review: Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne

Harbinger
by Sara Wilson Etienne

Published February 2nd 2012 by G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast.

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red.

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too.

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (sort of dystopia)

Publication Date: Feb 2nd 2012

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons BYR

Format: Hardcover, 309 pages 

Series: NO!

Source: My TBR

_______________________

With a cover like that you can't really blame me for trying it, right? Even after all the bad reviews I've read of it, I still needed to read it for myself. How was it?

It.

Was.

Torture.

Yup. Just like that. And not the good kind of torture, mind you. :P This was one strange book, if I've ever seen (read?) one. Three quarters of it were so slow, confusing and plain I ALMOST gave it up several times.

I suppose the author tried to maintain an atmosphere od mystery and tension and all that jazz going, but it came out very frustrating and somewhat misleading to me. Yes, MISLEADING just about covers the whole thing.

There was a couple, one I felt I could come to care about... but, clearly, that never happened. They had this nice chemistry and... well, that's it. No, I mean  it. Maybe one little kiss and then BAM, they're lifelong enemies. Or something. It was irritating, because they kept chasing each other, then pushing each other away... that annoying tidbit was partially explained at the end of the book, but not really. Yes, I have a fantastic way with words, I am aware of it.

The whole 'Family' thing was interesting in a sort of creepy way. Unfortunately THAT wasn't well explored in the book. I wish i could have seen more of it. 

This was supposed to be a dystopian world, and that was what really made up my mind about even picking the book up in the first place... turns out it was also one of the things that annoyed me the most about 'Harbinger'. There was NO explanation and almost ZERO world-building concerning their supposedly 'ruined' world. 

I didn't hate this book, I really didn't. But I ALSO didn't even remotely like it. And I wouldn't recommend it. At all. Sorry. Except maybe for super crazy cover-whores. Only THEN it's worth your time.

Authors, a little piece of advice: WE WANT TO SEE THE WORLD BURNING!!!! So, you know, show us. Or at least let us know what came to happen. Best regards, readers of dystopia.

Walk on books

Quickie Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter 

(The Demon Trappers #1)
by Jana Oliver

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Publication Date: Feb 1st 2011

Publisher: St. Matin's Griffin

Format: paperback trade, 340 pages 

Series: yes

Source: my own copy

____________________________________________________________

My Review

Riley wants to become a Demon Trapper just like her dad. She lives in a sort of post-apocalyptic world partially destroyed by demonic forces. In this world there are not only demons, but also witches, demon buyers, and creepy necromancers who buy corpses and turn them into 'zombie-like' slaves for rich people.

Riley is the perfect example of the kind of heroine I LOVE reading about. She's strong, she doesn't give up when things start to turn to sh*t, she proves her worth, she doesn't WHINE (that is SO important) and she doesn't think boys are the most important thing ever. Oh, and, come on, guys. She hunts DEMONS!!! Come on, that is awesomeness personified. 

This book was such a trip! There was so much going on! So many rich characters and unbelievably interesting situations! Usually when so much happens in a book, it can get tiring or confusing, but not here! Jana Oliver was definitely on the right track. ;) Just so... incredibly talented. The writing was fantastic, super engaging, and the world-building was... out of this world. LOL. XD

Funny how I can never express myself very well when I'm writing about a book I really liked. But there you go: It's awesome, and worth your time and excitement. Now, excuse me as I have to go get my hands on the rest of the series.

The right way to shop at a bookstore