Fear (Gone #5)

Author: Michael Grant

Publication Date: April 3rd, 2012

Pages: 509

Synopsis:

It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost.

Fear, Michael Grant's fifth book in the bestselling dystopian Gone series, will thrill readers . . . even as it terrifies them.

Genre: Science Fiction

     Truth to be told, this review is a review after the second time I read this book, so it's going to be more about me saying how much I love this book.  Because, after all, Fear is my all time favorite book of all time. That's right, two all times.

    Firstly, this book was seriously a very, very dark book, in more ways than one.  I mean with everything that happened to Cigar, Penny, Caine, Gaia, Taylor, Diana, and Astrid this book is pretty messed up.  Especially, Cigar and Taylor. Whenever I think of them I just shudder.  Cigar did not deserve that bad of a punishment and Little Pete did not need to go around "perfecting" people. Shudder, shudder. 

     The ending was the best part ever!  I can read the last three chapters over and over and over and still have the same feeling of wanting to cry/laugh/scream/throw my book across my room.  It was that good.

      I mainly read this book again for Light, (I'm writing this after I read Light) and I'm glad I did because it turns out I forgot a lot. Like how  the coyote eat a bunch of kids and Howard... Anyways... I really love Orc.  He was such a bad person at the beginning of the series, the first to commit murder. Then as of Fear he was believing in God and repenting against all of the things he used to do.  I. Love. Orc.

      Since you know that I love this book so much the rating that I give it is probably pretty obvious. Catch ya later brah!

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

P.S. I usually do not say brah, but I wanted to make a reference to Quinn's talk.

The Kill Order (Maze Runner #0.5)

Author: James Dashner

Date Published: August 14th, 2012

Pages: 327

Synopsis:

     Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

     Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there’s something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it’s mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

     Mark and Trina are convinced there’s a way to save those left living from descending into madness. And they’re determined to find it—if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you’re worth more dead than alive

Genre: Dystopian

Review:

     I was very excited to read this book, one because I love James Dashner, and two because I loved the Maze Runner series(other than the really fast ending to The Death Cure).  I had very high hopes for this books, and my expectations were almost all met. Almost.  This may sound geeky, but I wish James would have delved deeper into the sciencey part behind the cure. Maybe it's just me...

     I really liked how James Dashner made a story of what happened with (almost) all new characters. Like always, he won me over, although I always have felt that he makes things a little too obvious in his writing. Maybe I'm just really good at guessing what's going to happen.

    I thought that the plot and the characters were excellently thought out and articulated.  At first, I was kind of disappointing that the book wasn't all about Thomas and Teresa before they went into the maze, but then I fell in love with Mark and the gang.  I felt so close to them; it was just like Thomas and Teresa.  Mark and Trina were so adorable together! It was like they were made for each other!
      One thing I wish James Dashner would have included was more on Thomas. We already find out a lot about Teresa, but I was not satisfied with the measly end chapter about Thomas.  I guess that was left to our imagination.
     The ending of the book was very sad, yet I expected it the whole time.  I was sad to lose the characters that were lost but they would have just ended up getting the Flare too. The was they died was much more gallant.  
     Because I just love James Dashner, and I love the Maz Runner Trilogy, and the story, and the characters, and most of the end of this book. I will give it...

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Waiting on Wednesday (3)

Hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine

Title: Invisibility

Author:  Andrea Cremer and David Levithan

Publication Date: May 7th, 2013

Synopsis:

     Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

My Thoughts:

     Well, firstly, this book comes out on my older brother's birthday, so there's a plus.  This book just looks intriguing, and I'm really looking forward to reading this book when it comes out.  I can't really say what it'll be like because there was no book prior to this one. So for now...

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Sever (The Chemical Garden #3)

Author: Lauren Destefano

Date Published: February 12th, 2013

Pages: 371

Synopsis:

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.

Genre: Dystopian Romance/ Science Fiction

Rewiew:

     First off, I was greatly disappointed with this book. I don't feel like it had the sense of closure that I think it needed.  I still love Lauren Destefano's writing but her  books aren't all that great. Personally, I think that she'd be a great stand-alone author, but that's besides the point.  

     One of the things that bothered me about this book was that Gabriel wasn't really a huge part of it.  He's pretty much my favorite character in the way he cares for Rhine even when she's sick and being, no offense, a little snobby.  Yep, I think Rhine is a tad bit (not a lot, not a lot at all) snobby.  Maybe whiny is a better word for it.  I mean seriously, first she complains about being eith Linden then she's sad that she can't find her brother. What did she think?  Her brother would be as she left him. No, now he's out and about bombing hospitals and research centers, no big deal.

     The thing that most bothered me was how fast she started believing Vaughn was telling the truth. After kidnapping her and killing Jenna, and everything else he did. I really thought he was evil. Then, out of nowhere, she decides that he's actually a person. He may be twisted and sick, but he's always been looking out for her. YUCK! That is the biggest stack of bologna I have ever heard.  Then as he continues to basically experiment on Rhine and Rowan she still puts her trust in him. *Sigh*

     One person I did like though was Vaughn's brother, Reed. He kind of reminded me of all my uncles combined. I have some weird uncles.  I guess in a way Reed was my favorite character, in a way. He just appealed to me like that.  He was like a big teddy bear, in a way, I guess.

     This whole next paragraph contains a HUGE SPOILER if you have not read the book please skip this paragraph, thank you.  

     Something that I thought was totally unnecessary was Linden dying.  I mean there was almost no point to it other than make Vaughn's life miserable, which I always enjoy.  But I just thought it was another way for Lauren Destefano to show us that author's can do whatever they want.  Sure, I know the symbolic meaning for it and everything but I really didn't like that he died.

      Spoiler Ends.

     This book, was really good aside from all of the things that were aforementioned  So, with that, I give it...

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Third Sentence Thursday (4)

Hosted on Sniffly Kitty's Mostly Books

"You have to believe in yourself, Nick's teachers had told him."

-Speeding Bullet by Neal Shusterman

My Thoughts:

     I just randomly picked this book out at the library because I've been reading pretty much all Neal Shusterman books for the past two weeks. I can't wait to start reading it!

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Musing Monday (6)

Musing Mondays are hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading

Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.

My Answer: 

     Right at this moment I'm reading Bruiser by Neal Shusterman.  It was recommended to me by one of my dearest friends who hates books, so you can tell why I would want to read it so badly. So far it's really, really good, I can't wait to go read some more of it after I finish this post.

What's your Musing Monday?

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Fever (#2 Chemical Garden Trilogy)

Author: Lauren Destefano

Date Published: February 21st, 2012

Pages: 341

Synopsis:

     Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

     The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

     In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

Genre: Dystopian Romance

My Review:

     I was disappointed with Fever. I thought it was going to be as spectacular as Wither, boy was I wrong.  I guess I just wanted more out of it, I didn't get what I was expecting.  Don't get me wrong, it was beautifully written. I love Lauren Destefano's writing. It's like I'm reading poetry throughout the entire book; beautiful, flowing, majestic poetry.
     One of the things that bothered me about this book was that a lot of it centered around the scarlet district (which is a sort of place where older guys can take advantage of young girls.), I didn't like the idea, kinda creepy.  Also, I know that the name of the book is Fever,  but I kind of thought it weird that she was sick for pretty much the whole entire book.  She was basically only relieved when she finally went back to Vaughn, which I thought had a weird symbolism attached to it.  That he was the only one who could really save her and yet he was the one that was also killing her at the same time. Weird.
     From the moment that Madame told Rhine that she reminded her of her daughter I knew exactly who it was, I was just waiting for Rhine and Gabriel to figure it out. It's so obvious! (Of course I won't tell you who it is, I wouldn't want to spoil the book for you.)  I still can't believe that I took them so long to figure it out. I feel like, although her writing is beautiful, Lauren Desefano makes somethings a little too obvious.
      I was a little disappointed in Rhine, I mean really? Did she really think that her brother would have stayed their the whole time she was away? Keeping a vigil or her?  How could she seriously believe that?  The description of her brother throughout the whole first book told us that he was strong and that he was relentless.  So he obviously (sorry I'm using that word so much) wouldn't stay and wait for Rhine to return. He would go looking for her. That's the real Rowan.
     One thing that I thought was unbearably cute (in a good way) was Rhine and Gabriel's relationship.  I was just waiting for them to be together.  He's so much better for her than Linden was, in so many ways.  So... for now...

My Rating: ★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Update

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I went to San Diego to visit family for Easter.  I had a blast but now I have to get back into the swing of having a blog. I promise that I'll be posting reviews every other day and keep on posting my weekly memes.  See you Monday!

Happy Reading,
Alivia