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Title: Shades of Earth
Author: Beth Revis
Year Published: 2013
Paul's Review
Paul's Pre-Reading
Synopsis: Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They're ready to start life afresh--to build a home--on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.
But this new Earth isn't the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed's former passengers aren't alone on this planet. And if they're going to stay, they'll have to fight.
Amy and Elder must race to discover who--or what--else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed--friends, family, life on Earth--will have been for nothing.
FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.
Why?: I read the first two books in this series, and loved them. I'm really looking forward to find out how Amy and Elder's story ends, and to see what Centuri-Earth is like. Also, what else is living on this planet.
Expectations: I expect an epic adventure, full of secrets and mysteries. Also, I expect a lot of people to die, and I'm pretty sure some of them will be people very close to Amy, Elder, or both. Since people just keep dying in this series as soon as you get to know them and like them.
Judging a book by its cover: So this cover is completely different from the other two original covers... and I'm not really the biggest fan. It looks really steampunk to me, and that's not what this series is about. I'm not sure why they got away from the original artwork, but oh well. I might pick this up in a bookstore based on the cover alone, but I'm honestly not sure.
--Ashley
*I received this book as an eARC from Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
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Title: The Pirate's Wish
Author: Cassandra Rose Clark
Year Published: 2013
My Pre-Reading
My The Assassin's Curse Review
Synopsis: After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.
Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the repercussions of going up against the Pirate Confederation. Together, Naji and Ananna must break the curse, escape their enemies — and come to terms with their growing romantic attraction.
Review: This book picks up pretty much where The Assassin's Curse left off, and I really appreciated that. It didn't feel like diving into the story right in the middle; instead, it felt like we were just picking up right where we left off. Getting back into the dialect was a little rough, but I still think it adds to the story and to understanding Ananna, and anyone who has read The Assassin's Curse really won't mind it at all.
I still love Naji, and I'm so glad that he and Ananna are finally able to work through their differences and figure everything out in order to break the curse. Plus, they enlist the help of some old friends and we get to learn more about people like Marjani. I love when we're reintroduced to old characters in such a way that they become completely new, and Clark does an excellent job with that. And, we get to meet awesome new characters, like the chimera. I loved her, and her family.
The way that Naji and Ananna end up completing all three impossible tasks is absolutely fantastic. The last one seemed like a huge stretch and kind of thrown together, but I guess anything is possible in this world. Plus, it does tie in to the rest of the story, so it ended up being alright. Nothing else really seems too strained or too far-fetched, especially considering the world. And even though we already know quite about the world, there's still a great deal of awesome world-building that goes on.
Originally, I thought this was a trilogy. It is, in fact, a duology, so everything is pretty much wrapped up by the end, which is actually kind of nice. There are going to be two more books set in the same world, so I'm really looking forward to that! And two short stories so far, set before The Assassin's Curse. I would totally recommend this series to anyone who likes fantasy, adventure, magic, and all that jazz. Plus, this book specifically to anyone who read The Assassin's Curse! Trust me, you don't want to miss this fantastic ending. 4/5!
--Ashley
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Title: The Archived
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2013
My Pre-Reading
Paul's Review
Paul's Pre-Reading
Synopsis: Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.
Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.
Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.
Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous—it’s a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da’s death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.
In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.
Review: Ohmygosh, you guys, this book. When I heard so many people gushing about this book, saying how extraordinary it was, I had no idea that they were so right. This book has everything that makes a book wonderful - the writing is phenomenal, The world-building is awesome, and the characters are fantastic. I was hooked as soon as I started reading.
I love the idea that there are three worlds that are all connected, and that most people only know about the Outers. The Narrows are so creepy, I'm glad that they aren't real. I'd be really terrified if I was walking around one day and all of a sudden someone who is supposed to be dead escaped into my world and started running around killing people. And if I were like Mackenzie, I would not enjoy walking around in hallways that often have trapped Histories. And then there are the Archives. I love how much it resembles a library (because who doesn't love libraries), and I love that the people who work there are Librarians. And that everyone becomes a History when they die - it's really interesting to think that no one is ever completely lost.
The whole time I was reading this book, I felt like the three separate worlds could totally exist, and I think a lot of that has to do with Schwab's writing. I mean, of course the world-building and the creativity behind it was great, but everything just flows so nicely together. There are details, but not too many. And I liked that Schwab doesn't take too much time to describe the Outers, since we already know what our world is like. Instead, she focus on the worlds we DON'T know.
I really loved the relationships between Mackenzie and her family, her friends, and her love interest(s). The familial relationship is so real. Broken and strained, but real considering the circumstances. I really love Mac's dad too, he seems like he would be a lot of fun in different circumstances. And then there's Wes, who is absolutely wonderful. I love their friendship, and how they can talk to each other about things they can't mention to anyone else.
I would totally recommend this book to pretty much everyone who enjoys contemporary, paranormal stories. Especially ones with mystery, twists, and adventure. I can't wait for the sequel to come out to learn more about the Archives, and the people who work for them. A 5/5 from me on this one!!
--Ashley
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Title: Scarlet
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Year Published: 2013
Synopsis: Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.
Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.
It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.
Why?: I love when classic stories get a fun, new twist, and this book seems like exactly that! A girl in Robin Hood's merry band of thieves? I can't wait to find out why Scarlet is there, how she became a thief, and what her secret past is. Plus, action, secrets, and romance! This sounds like exactly the kind of book I would love.
Expectations: I've heard so many good things about this book that I kind of expect quite a bit from it. While I expect there to be elements of the Robin Hood story we all know and love, I'm also hoping for some new perspectives and fun, new characters. And lots of mysteries as to why there's a girl among the boys and why she's so loyal to Robin.
Judging a book by its cover: I really love this cover. It looks like it features a female Robin Hood, so I would probably pick this up off a bookshelf somewhere. Because who doesn't love a good Robin Hood cover?
--Ashley
*I received this book as an eARC from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.*
My Pre-Reading
Title: Tall, Dark, and Divine
Author: Jenna Bennett
Year Published: 2013 (First published July 20, 2012)
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Synopsis: Being the Greek god of love doesn't mean you believe—or want—anything to do with that sappy emotion. Sure, Eros runs his matchmaking business, Made in Heaven, but finding his own love has never been part of the equation. When he spots the sweet baker who works across the street, he vows to match her with someone else before she stirs his sullen heart.
Annie Landon has given up on finding Mr. Right. What she needs is Mr. Right Here, Right Now, and this so-called “Greek God” she’s heard is on the rebound sounds like the perfect kind of distraction. But picking up the bitter workaholic is easier said than done… especially when he seems unreasonably determined to match her with someone else.
Can a woman looking for love—and the matchmaking god who wants her to find it with someone who isn't him—have a shot at a happy ending? May the best god—or mortal—win.
Review: While this is not typically the kind of book I read, I actually ended up enjoying it much more than I thought I would. I loved how the Greek/Cretan gods and goddesses were integrated into New York, and how they somehow managed to avoid doing anything really suspicious that would lead mortals to think they were divine beings. I also really enjoyed how they tended to pick professions based on what they were gods/goddesses of - Eros runs a matchmaking service, Dionysius owns a bar, etc. Oh, and I thought it was neat how they modernized their names as well.
I kind of felt like the romance was a little forced, but that it ended up working out eventually. The whole story takes place over like 5 days, so I guess it plays with the whole "love at first sight" thing. That's not really my style, but it seemed to work here so props for that. I also should have expected there to be sex scenes and such, because just look at the cover, but I was a little taken by surprise when I got to them. They aren't long or too in depth though, so even if those tend to scare you off, you can always skip over them pretty easily. I don't think the story would have really worked without there being a few steamy parts though, so take that as you will.
Although I'm used to a significant amount of world-building and all that jazz because of the types of books I normally read, I actually think Bennett did a pretty decent job of reconstructing the world as we know it to include the Greek gods living among us. I think she gives enough history and enough explanation without really taking away from the whole romance thing, and I was pretty impressed by that. There's also not much character development, except for maybe Eros, but again I don't think that it's really necessary in this book. It works. Oh, and I love Zeus and Dionysius' father/son relationship.
Overall, I think this was a nice, easy read. Maybe not for the younger crowd, so tread with caution if you plan on giving this to your teen. I don't know if I would read any more in this sequel (I might), but I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a contemporary romance with a twist. a 3/5 for me, but I think it would do very well in the romance genre.
--Ashley
Title: Free Four: Tobias Tells the Story
Author: Veronica Roth
Year Published: 2012
Ashley's Review
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Synopsis: #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth retells a pivotal Divergent scene (chapter 13) from Tobias's point of view. This thirteen-page scene reveals unknown facts and fascinating details about Four's character, his past, his own initiation, and his thoughts about new Dauntless initiate Tris Prior.
Review: It is always nice to get a chance to look behind the curtain, whether it be behind-the-scene footage for a movie or an interview with an actor. In this short story, you get to see behind the curtain of the book Divergent. The scene is a familiar one to all readers of the amazing novel, but now you get to see Four's side of it.
My favorite part was seeing how Tobias first saw Tris. It is easy to understand a character's motions when you are in her head, but just seeing the actions make you wonder. I like seeing how she appeared to everyone else.
I really like when authors do short stories and novellas to flesh out their novels even more. I recommend this to all readers of the Divergent trilogy and if you haven't read Divergent, read it! I give this short story a 4/5.
-PAUL
Title: Free Four: Tobias Tells the Story
Author: Veronica Roth
Year Published: 2012
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Synopsis: #1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth retells a pivotal Divergent scene (chapter 13) from Tobias's point of view. This thirteen-page scene reveals unknown facts and fascinating details about Four's character, his past, his own initiation, and his thoughts about new Dauntless initiate Tris Prior.
Review: This story was short and sweet, so I'll try to keep my review the same. I've always liked Four (even when I don't like his relationship with Tris), and I think it's super cool that we're able to see such a pivotal scene from his perspective. I mean, I know that we eventually find out his motivation for what he does with the knives and with throwing them at Tris in the main books, but somehow it's different and more personal reading the scene directly from him.
I think this story, even with as short as it is, really helps give just a little bit more depth to Four, Tris, and even Eric. If I didn't already dislike Eric, he would definitely be at the top of my crap list after reading this. He's also kind of terrifying, especially with what we learn about how he handles his fear landscapes.
If you've read any of the books in the Divergent series, I definitely recommend that you read this story! You probably won't learn much that you don't already know, but it's worth it. A 4/5, only because I wish it was longer/we had more stories like this!
--Ashley
