Light (Gone #6)

Author: Michael Grant

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2013

Pages: 411

Synopsis: 

     In the time since every person over the age of fourteen disappeared from the town of Perdido Beach, California, countless battles have been fought: battles against hunger and lies and plague, and epic battles of good against evil. And now, the gaiaphage has been reborn as Diana's malicious mutant daughter, Gaia. Gaia is endlessly hungry for destruction. She yearns to conquer her Nemesis, Little Pete, and then bend the entire world to her warped will. As long-standing enemies become allies, secrets are revealed and unexpected sacrifices are made. Will their attempts to save themselves and one another matter in the end, or will the kids of Perdido Beach perish in this final power struggle?

Genre: Science Fiction

Review:

    Every feel like you're being suffocated just thinking of something super sad. That's the way I felt pretty much throughout this whole book. So stinkin' sad and depressing and heart-wrenching and it made me want to write Michael Grant hate mail. That was before I read the aftermath. Now I want to send Michael Grant love mail, he truly is a genius, he's not afraid to be different from other YA authors. That's why he's my favorite author.  I'm not just saying that either, I really believe that he is the best author of all time ever.  Love him, love him, love him!

     One thing I hated about this book was that Michael Grant decided to kill my favorite character. Why, why, why, why, why!!! When they died, I had to keep on reading the pages over and over to make sure that I had read it right.  I was too shocked to even cry, and I was on an airplane so it wasn't like I could randomly scream and have a fit, or curl up into a ball and cry in a corner. Nope, I had to have no expressions.  The book got sad 60% of the way through, exactly, because that was where my all time favorite character died.  Just after she was healed she had to go join the fight and defeat Gaia, only Gaia ended up defeating her, a hole right through the heart. Four people total of my favorite characters died. I never expected two of them to die, the other I could kind of see happening. But that doesn't mean that I was okay with it! I died four different times, that's an accomplishment.

     There were a couple of things that I did totally not expect to happen, and I congratulate you Michael Grant because I am the queen of knowing what's going to happen next. You caught me. Good job.

      This book was the perfect end to an amazing series, my favorite series for that matter. The love that I contain for this series is indescribable.  I laughed, cried, died right along with the series all while wanting to throw the book across the room.  I won't be able to live without this book series, I'm dead series. Every time I even think about it I die inside again.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.  Now, I really want to be able to actually say characters names so the rest of this review will be chock-full of spoilers. Do not read on if you haven't read this series.

DO NOT READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE SERIES!

-SPOILERS-

     Commence the start of my real review!  The four people that I died with would have to be Brianna, Jack, Orc, and, and, and CAINE!!!!!!! WHY!!!!! The people that I saw dying were Jack and Caine. I never imagined in a million, trillion, gazillion years that Brianna or Orc would die. They were my top two favorite character. I loved Orc's character development, he started out so bad then he realized all of the things that he was doing wrong and went to being a Christian. Can you imagine the faith that it would take to believe in God in a place like the FAYZ where there was death everywhere and no place to escape. Even Astrid and Brittney lost their faith.  And Brianna, everybody loves The Breeze. The hardest part was Dekka. She did not deserve that, neither did Breeze for that matter. But they were just about to get out of the place and then Breeze up and DIES!!!!!! YOU KILLED MY FAVORITE CHARACTER MICHAEL GRANT!!!! But I love you all the same because I can tell a good author from a bad author by who he or she kills off. Just like how James Patterson never killed any of his characters, not a good author. That's beyond the point. Breeze, machete swingin', faster than a speeding bullet, fun lovin' Breeze. BREEZE. Breeze, my favorite character just had to die. I'm still mad at Michael Grant I know I've said all of this already and I know I'll probably say it again. My Breeze, The Breeze, everybody loves The Breeze. I'll never be able to describe the wind as a gentle breeze anymore because Breeze was anything but gentle. She was butt kickin', BA, cool as ice while still managing to be on fire. She will be in my heart forever, and I know that I could go on for the rest of this review just talking about Breeze and how much I miss her. How can I just leave the FAYZ? You may have said that I'm free to leave the FAYZ, Michael Grant, but I know I can't. I won't leave the FAYZ. I will honor the characters with the simple things I do in life. I will commemorate The Breeze, Orc, King Caine, Computer Jack, Justin, Dahra, E.Z., Cigar, Orsay, Bouncing Bette, Howard, Hunter, Alex, even Drake/Brittney, and everyone else. There is a time when one must go on with life, that time hasn't come yet maybe it won't ever. Who really knows? 

Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★(Out of my usual five stars...)

Happy Reading,

Alivia (No smiley face can explain my feelings right now.)

Girl Stolen

Author: April Henry

Date Published: December 1st, 2010

Pages: 213

Synopsis:

  Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of the car while her stepmom fills a prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, the car is being stolen.

    Griffin hadn't meant to kidnap Cheyenne and once he finds out that not only does she have pneumonia, but that she's blind, he really doesn't know what to do. When his dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes--now there's a reason to keep her. 

     How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare?

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Review:

     One of the only reasons that I read this book was because I wanted a book to red on the plane ride to California for Easter vacation. I wanted to read it before I got Light on the 2nd of April, I ended up getting done with it five days before Light came out.  It was a good stand alone book, nothing special but it was good.  I liked how it was about a blind girl who was sick and basically completely vulnerable.
     Cheyenne was a strong character, strong enough for a blind girl. She wasn't blind her whole life; she became blind the same moment her mother died, which I find really depressing.  But at least she still had a dad and an actually nice stepmom, I have had my share experiences with evil stepmothers, trust me.
     Griffin was nice in an Aladdin  way, a diamond in the ruff. Growing up stealing cars, but feeling bad when he accidentally kidnaps a girl and then making sure she doesn't get hurt by his comrades.  I liked Griffin, I didn't like his dad.
     I didn't like how badly he treated Cheyenne and how he pretended that she couldn't hear him because she was blind. So insolent. But I have to cut this review short because I'm afraid I'm writing this rather late at night. Til' it be tomorrow...

Rating:★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Alice in Wonderland

Author: Lewis Carroll

Date Published: 1865

Pages: 96

Synopsis:

     An uproarious and unique whimsical children story of Alice's confrontation with the world that is eccentric. The events that take place through Alice's visit in a bizarre "Wonderland" are spontaneous and fantastically unplanned. The characters are remarkably amusing and entertaining. Its language is highly figurative that takes the reader in the realm of true imagination. Enchanting!

Genre: Children's

Review:

  I pretty much only read this book because after reading Splintered, one can't help wanting to learn all about Alice in Wonderland. So I up and bought this pleasant book on my kindle. It was really cute and I 'm glad that. This is one of those books you think you know but then you read it and realize you knew nothing about it in the first place.

    I enjoyed this book immensely. Now, I realize that this was not the book that the movie was based off of, that would be Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Nevertheless, I still liked this book. 

     Sorry that the review is so short but I can't really talk about much more now.  I'll probably have a better review for Through the Looking-Glass. For now...

Rating: ★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Splintered (Splintered #1)

Author: A.G. Howard

Publication Date: January 1st, 2013

Pages: 371

Synopsis:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Genre: Fantasy

Review:

     

     Wow. I just realized, this is a series, and a new one at that! I guess I'll just have to wait for Unhinged to come out. I love the cover so much!!!! Morpheus!!! Okay, I should probably start the review shouldn't I? 

     First off, Splintered was amazingly beautiful, it made me want to cry then laugh then throw the book across the room. I loved it sooo much! I was expecting it to be an amateur book, nothing special.  I was so wrong. It was magical, spell-binding, mesmerizing, heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, and the most wild ride of a life time!

     Alyssa was a strong character, but at times I felt as if she were too much of a damsel in distress kind of character. At other times when Jeb or Morpheus weren't around she could take care of herself just fine. When she was around them, she was like a desperate preppy girl, only at times! I still loved the love triangle even if it's so cliche. I knew that Morpheus obviously wasn't going to end up with her even though I know he wanted to. Morpheus always gets his way, but not with Alyssa.

    I also really liked how Alyssa's mom was also a big part of this and her condition that was explained at the end of the book. She really gave some background information surrounding Alyssa's family's history.  All she wanted to do was protect Alyssa and Alyssa ended up protecting herself and her mom.

      I really liked how A.G. Howard reinvented Wonderland. Her idea for the Hatter was really clever, even though it was super creepy. It was creative. Speaking of creativity, I thought that the way she continued the story of Alice and all that happened to her. Really, truly, fabulous ingenuity.

     Lastly, I really, really liked Jeb. He's so sweet and caring and protective of Alyssa and I thought he was very smart for dumping his preppy girlfriend just so he could be with Alyssa.  So adorably cliche, but I like cliche.  Overall, this book was truly amazing, so with that...

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

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 :)

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 :)

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 :)

Glass (Crank #1)

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Date Published: August 21st, 2007

Pages: 681

Synopsis:

Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go.

Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive.

Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby.

The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell. Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

My Review:

     First off, this book as amazing sequel to Crank, like all of Ellen Hopkins' books they're about real life problems.  Mainly, it's just Crank with more characters, plot twists, and drugs.  That's right, Kristina discovers a different kind of meth, glass.  Mexican glass can be up to 90% real meth, also a lot more pricier.  Consequently, Kristina has to resort to stealing money from people at one point in the book.  

     I got really sad when she started using again, I really thought that she would be okay for a little longer. That it, until she met Trey.  At first I thought that it was just gonna be a fling, I even kind of liked him at first. Then he started her up on meth again I didn't like him as much. But when I saw how happy he made Kristina, I was tricked into liking him again.  I was even happy that she was keeping a relationship with him and not cheating. Not a lot at least.

      Brad was definitely not my favorite character.  He seemed real sweet at first until he wanted to cheat on his technical wife and have Kristina cheat on his own cousin.  I got really mad at him for doing that. They have a reason to be sad and lonely, but they did not need to do what they did.  Especially when Trey came home when they were together, that was despicable.

      Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with this book.  In fact, it was amazing.  So real, so serious, not pretend. Cold, hard truth as to how imperfect the human race can really be.

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Crossed (Matched #2)

Author: Ally Condie

Date Published: November 1st, 2011

Pages: 367

Synopsis:

Cassia and Ky both narrate their quests crossing the ochre mountainous Carving to reach their love. She seeks the resistance, The Rising led by the Pilot, but does he? New teen friends red-haired Indie, fishing Vic, and chatty Eli, join them. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.


Genre: Dystopian

My Review:

     I started this book thinking that it would be just as great as Matched was. Boy was I wrong.  Don't get me wrong, the book started out great and progressively got worse, much, much worse.

     This review will probably be about me saying how terrible and slow this book was. Trust me, I was literally dragging my way through this book, it was pure torture.  I hope I never have to read another book like it.  But, I've already started Reached, and it was well worth the torture. So far, I've loved it, but that's not what this review is about.

     I think the main thing wrong with this book is that it's about Cassia finding Ky, but they find each other waaaay too fast. If more things had happened to them when they were apart, then the book would have been a lot more interesting. Another thing that I wished to hear more of was Xander. No where in the book do you hear a word from him.  

       When they actually do find the rising, Cassia gets sent away immediately. That leaves Ky without her, once again!  If I finish this review, it would be about how bad this book was, so for now...

Rating: ★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Crank (#1 in the Crank Trilogy)

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Date Published: October 5th, 2004

Pages: 537

Synopsis:

     In Crank, Ellen Hopkins chronicles the turbulent and often disturbing relationship between Kristina, a character based on her own daughter, and the "monster," the highly addictive drug crystal meth, or "crank." Kristina is introduced to the drug while visiting her largely absent and ne'er-do-well father. While under the influence of the monster, Kristina discovers her sexy alter-ego, Bree: "there is no perfect daughter, / no gifted high school junior, / no Kristina Georgia Snow. / There is only Bree." Bree will do all the things good girl Kristina won't, including attracting the attention of dangerous boys who can provide her with a steady flow of crank. 

     Soon, her grades plummet, her relationships with family and friends deteriorate, and she needs more and more of the monster just to get through the day. Kristina hits her lowest point when she is raped by one of her drug dealers and becomes pregnant as a result. Her decision to keep the baby slows her drug use, but doesn't stop it, and the author leaves the reader with the distinct impression that Kristina/Bree may never be free from her addiction.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Review: 

      When I first picked up Crank, I thought, Yet another amazingly depressing Ellen Hopkins book. Then I started reading.  I was confused for the first 50 stanzas or so. After that, I realized how depressing this book is really going to be.  

     Kristina Snow was an amazing student who cared about her family and friends, that all changed when she met the monster.  As a first impression, I really liked Kristina.  I continued to like her throughout the rest of the book, I cared about what happened to her.  In a way, I pitied her walk with the monster.  She could have been such an amazing person, but one wrong choice leads to another, leads to another.  One guy leads to another, leads to another.

      Adam was the first person to introduce Kristina to the Monster, I was slow to forgive him for it.  I thought he was a pretty good guy at first, but then he turned into a sleazy jerk.  When Kristina finally returned home, Adam told Kristina that he wanted to date other people but that he still loved her.  What kind or guy would tell a girl that?  And then there was Chase.

     Perfect Chase, sure he was walking with the monster, but at least he had a conscience.  He really loved Kristina, cared about her.  He kept on loving her, even when she cheated on him with Brendan.

        Evil Brendan, I tell you, that man is pure evil!  Kristina claims that he's just a meth connection, but what he does to her is malicious, malevolent, malignant, wicked.  I wish that he had never come into Kristina's life; he stole what was left of her innocence.  And when they all left, Kristina was left methless, I had hope for a while that she might quit. Then Robyn came into the picture.

         Skinny Robyn, turns out cheerleaders have their own way at getting skinny. Result: instant meth connection.  Robyn's a good kid, besides the whole meth deal, she could go on and be a great person if she quits now, I mean now.  Eventually, they all left.

           Now I have to stop, else I'll give away too many spoilers.  Crank was an amazing book that I will never forget.

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading,

Alivia :)

Matched (Matched #1)

Author: Ally Condie

Date Published: November 30th, 2010

Pages: 369

Synopsis: 

     Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

     The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Genre: Dystopian 

My Review:

     As you may have noticed, I read a lot of dystopian books.  I like the genre because it's cool to read about what other people think about the future. Although it's likely that none of it will actually happen...  It's still fun to dream.

     I really like the main character Cassia. I know this may sound fangirly but, she reminds me of me. Not who she is just what she stands for.  Her looks too, brown hair, green eyes.  She's one of my favorite characters, not just in the book, just as a character alone.  She like hiking like me, she also wants more than just what everyone else is having.  Conformity.  She's actually been through a lot.  First she finds out she's going to be married to, what looks like, two guys. But then later, she finds out what one of them is and that it could have never worked in the first place.

     If I really had to choose my next favorite character in this book it would be Ky.  His morals are so strong.  He knows exactly what he wants to do, but he does it in such a subtle way that no one notices. He's so smart. His relationship with Cassia I kind of rebuked at first, but then closer to the end of the book I wished that they could run away together and leave Xander behind.

     Xander is a whole different story. He's sweet, but not passionate.  I was actually trying to tell Cassia that she should just stay with Xander and not even bother with Ky. Oh, how I was so wrong.
     I really did like Matched, I'd recommend it to anyone who'd listen.

Rating: ★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Review: Unwholly (Unwind Trilogy #2)

Author: Neal Shusterman

Date Published: August 28th 2012

Pages: 416

Synopsis:

     Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simltaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished

.

     Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Genre: Dystopian 

My Review: 

     I found out about the first book in this series in my math class from a boy, who ins't exactly my favorite person in the world, and he said that the book was "crazily messed up."  So naturally, being a book lover, I looked it up on Goodreads.  What I found was indeed a "crazily messed up book" where parents can legally dismember their children at the age of 13.  In the first book the main characters, Connor, Risa, and Lev, escape from being unwound. This book starts at about a couple months after the first book ended.

      So basically, Connor has been put in charge of the Graveyard and is having a tough time with it. There's a new kid named Starkey who was storked when he was a baby. (A stork is where, when a mother doesn't want her child she can have the baby then leave it on someone else's doorstep.)  He is set on trying to take over the Graveyard and get rid of Connor.  He bothers me sooooooooo much!  What he doesn't understand is, Connor does all that he can and he doesn't need other people to tell him how to do it. In the end, I am a milimeter away from hating him because of what he does with Trace and almost killing every single unwind.

     Risa is almost in a worse state then Connor. Half-way through the book she almost get herself unwound again until she gets found by Proactive Citizenry. Where she is forced to go against her will and speak for Unwinding. There she meets Cam, who is a rewind.  He was made entirely out of unwind parts, (he's the guy on the cover) Cam has a crush on Risa. She obviously still loves Connor more throughout the part she's with him, but she thinks of Cam as a friend.  

     The predicament that Lev has been put into I can't talk to much about without the book losing some of it's Shusterman charm. His family doesn't want him, so his bother Marcus and his former pastor Dan take him in.  That is the extent of my knowledge that I am willing to give you on Lev.

     Unwholly is a fast-pace page-turner that is irresistible  I couldn't put it down.

Rating:  ★★★★★

Happy Reading,
Alivia :)

Review: Promised (Birthmarked #3)

Author: Caragh M. O'Brien

Date Published: October 2nd, 2012

Pages: 304

Synopsis: 
After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and upending the rigid matriarchy of Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her biggest challenge ever.  She must lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge from the wasteland.  In Gaia's absence, the Enclave has grown more cruel, more desperate to experiment on mothers from outside the wall, and now the stakes of cooperating or rebelling have never been higher.  Is Gaia ready, as a leader, to sacrifice what--or whom--she loves most?

Genre: Dystopian Fantasy

My Review:
      First off, this book was amazing.  I've been waiting for this book for almost 5 months since I finished the 2nd book of the series, Prize.  This is the final book of the series Birthmarked, which is one of my favorite series of all time, and I have to say it was superb.  
     The characters were very well developed; I never found myself thinking, Why on Earth would that character do that?  Instead, I found myself enjoying every single little thing that the character did, especially Gaia and Leon's relationship.  They are just so cute together!  I like Peter and Will, but really she has more of a history with Leon.  He pretty much sacrificed himself for her, and he ended up getting tortured.
     Another character I also found weirdly intriguing was the Protectorat.   Although he was a wickedly evil person, I found his character development done very oddly.  At some points, I just wanted to tear off his face, literally.  For example, why would a father want to even think about torturing his own son?  That is pure evil.  
     Toward the end of the book I found myself actually crying, honest to God crying, tears were streaming down my face.  I hate when authors kill off my favorite characters, or make something happen to a couple that makes it seem impossible for them to stay together.  I really can't say to much more without giving the whole book away.  Hopefully you'll enjoy the book as much as me.

Rating: ★★★★★

Happy Reading, 
Alivia :)