Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Passenger
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Recent Release Date: January 5, 2016

Synopsis: 
passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them— whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are play­ing, treacherous forces threaten to sep­arate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home . . . forever

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Review: Passenger is beautifully written. I was captured by the writing at the start. I love the concept of this book. Time travel is coming to YA and I'm loving it! 

I liked trying to figure out the mechanics of the time travel as I read the book, but I had a few problems with the way paradoxes were dealt with. Some things were just never fully explained. I really need to find an excellent article about how exactly the passages work. Or find a book club or group of people who have all read this book. Maybe the time travel will be more fledged out in the sequel. 

I really liked the use of music in this book. The protagonist is a violin prodigy and music also has a role in identifying passages, or time travel portals. 

There's a lot of romance over a short amount of time. And also a thought of inner thoughts. I wasn't a big fan of these aspects of the book. The overall feel of the book reminded me of Divergent. 

I really enjoyed this book, but there were parts that just didn't sit well with me. The romance and the inner thoughts that seemed to repeat themselves often weren't my favorite parts. I also wasn't too keen on all the dynamics of the time traveling. I give this book a 4/5. I recommend it and will definitely be looking for the sequel! 

Now, let's try to figure out this time travel. SPOILERS may follow. All the passages have a set location and a set year, but not a date. I'm guessing that at the end of the year (whether it's lunar or calendar) the year resets and begins again. Passengers can only occupy a time period once. There are only a select group of people who can travel through the passages. Others guard these passages. I'm guessing they just have a very busy year in which the portal is active if it always takes passengers to the same year, although they receive communications in some way. But somehow, time can be changed. And there are effects of that in that people are from lost timelines. I'm confusing myself, again. I just could not get the time travel mechanic down. I think I need to find a twitter chat about this book!


--PAUL

Poison by Bridget Zinn - Ashley's Review

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Title: Poison
Author: Bridget Zinn
Year Published: 2013

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

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Review: First of all, I think the world lost an incredibly talented mind and an excellent author when it lost Bridget Zinn. This book was just so good, and I am a little upset that I won't be able to read anymore about Kyra or by Bridget in general. You would think that a book with a tagline that reads "Can she save the kingdom with a piglet?" would be ridiculous... but it's actually really great! 

Most fantasy books have really dark undertones and are full of angst from at least one character, but Poison is a breath of fresh air. Kyra might dress in all black and have relationship problems and be trying to kill her best friend, but there's just so much subtle humor surrounding her that it's impossible not to love her. She has to traverse the kingdom with a piglet, for crying out loud, so how could that not be hilarious? It was fun to read about her being frustrated with the piglet and then watch her fall in love with it. Adorable! 

Fred was probably my favorite character, and I loved how he just kept randomly showing up wherever Kyra was. She can't stop thinking about him, but it doesn't matter because she doesn't really have to! He's definitely swoon-worthy, and I really enjoyed getting to know him with Kyra (although I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it more than I imagine she did). He's got secrets of his own too, and I was able to guess some but not all of them, and it was nice that he still had an air of mystery about him even when you think you've got him all figured out. 

The plot moves along at a really nice pace, and there's not much sitting around or too much detail thrown in like sometimes happens in a fantasy book. I thought that the details that were included, like how the potions are labelled and how Kyra dilutes and mixes them, was actually really interesting, and helped me to understand Kyra and the other Master Potioners better. This book definitely could have been the beginning to an excellent series, but it also wraps up nicely in the end and is capable of standing on its own (which is a little bittersweet). 

I would definitely recommend Poison to anyone looking for a great YA Fantasy, especially if you want a lighter fantasy full of humor, a piglet, and swoon-worthy boys! I think it would be nice for someone looking to get a foot in the door with fantasy without being bogged down by all of the dark things usually associated with fantasy novels. I would give this a 5/5! 


--Ashley

Poison by Bridget Zinn - Ashley's Pre-Reading

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Title: Poison
Author: Bridget Zinn
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Why?: Adventure, magic, an assassination attempt, romance... Yeah, this sounds like it has all the makings of an excellent YA Fantasy book! Plus, there's a little piggy. I want to know about this piggy!

Expectations: I'm expecting a fun YA fantasy with a lot of romance and a lot of cuteness. I've heard some pretty good things about this book, so my expectations are a little high. I also expect to be left wanting more... and then I expect to be sad because Bridget's story is sad.


Judging a book by its cover: This cover is so pretty! I love the colors, I love the badass girl, and the little piggy is so cute just hanging out there in the bottom left. The title is also really neat and well placed, and I like that the blue stands out. If I saw this on a shelf somewhere, I'd be pretty likely to pick it up.


--Ashley

Alienated by Melissa Landers - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney-Hyperion on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Year Published: 2014

My Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

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Review: Alienated is a lighthearted alien story of two star crossed lovers. The science-fiction is very light, but there is enough explanation for the sci-fi elements. The characters aren't in the science community or government, so the knowledge of the aliens makes sense to the story. The romance is a central part of the story. 

This was a really fun story. Before reading I thought it sounded like a Disney Channel original movie, and after reading it I could definitely see it as such. Or even a tv show on the CW or ABC Family. 

I look forward to reading the sequel. I give this novel a 4/5.


--PAUL

Alienated by Melissa Landers - Paul's PRE-READING

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney-Hyperion on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Alienated
Author: Melissa Landers
Year Published: 2014


Synopsis: Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them. 

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class. 

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Why?: This book sounds really fun. It seems like it will be a lighthearted sci-fi YA book. Just from the description, I could see this as a Disney Channel original movie. 

Expectations: I'm expecting a high school drama with fun alien sci-fi bits added in. 

Judging a book by its cover: I really like this cover. All of the colors really pop. I like how the guy is on a more bland landscape and both of the characters are looking up at the sky. 


--PAUL

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner - Paul's Review

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney Hyperion on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)
Author: Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner
Date of Publication: December 10th, 2013

My These Broken Stars PRE-READING

Synopsis: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

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A timeless love story, These Broken Stars sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

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Review: The first few chapters of this book introduce such an interesting world of space travel. It's told from two perspectives: a space industry heiress and a decorated war hero. I really liked these parallel points of view because often the characters say and do things counter to their actual thoughts and opinions. 

I don't want to say too much about the book as to not spoil, but it was a great survival story. If you like The Original Series and The Next Generation Star Trek episodes, then you will enjoy this. The story is straight out of one if those episodes, just heavily expanded upon. 

I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it to sci-fi fans. I feel like it could be its own book, but apparently I hear it's part of a series. I look forward to finding out more about this galaxy. I give this book a 5/5.

--PAUL

These Broken Stars (Starbound #1) by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Disney Hyperion on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: These Broken Stars (Starbound #1)
Author: Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner
Date of Publication: December 10th, 2013

Synopsis: It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

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A timeless love story, These Broken Stars sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.

Why?: I've heard great things about this book. A space adventure. Romance. Similar to Battlestar Galactica? All of these things intrigue me.

Expectations: I'm expecting a really good space adventure. 

Judging a book by its cover: I think this cover is beautiful. I love the stars.


--PAUL

The Archived (The Archived #1) by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Review

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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

The Archived (The Archived #1) by Victoria Schwab - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: The Archived
Author: Victoria Schwab
Year Published: 2013

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.

Why?: Books about the dead are always intriguing to me. I loved Anna Dressed in Blood, and this sounds like it has a similar feel to it. Maybe more thriller than horror, but there's still violent Histories (instead of ghosts) that could escape to the real world and hurt people. Plus, there's the mystery about why someone is deliberately altering Histories, and what they have to gain. I've been waiting for this book for a long time, and I'm so excited to finally be able to read it!

Expectations: I expect this to be a very dark novel, and I expect it to be very exciting. Lots of mystery, adventure, and danger, and I also feel like the Archives crumbling will have some parallel with Mac's life crumbling - she's lost her grandfather and her brother, she lies to her remaining loved ones, and her job is now starting to become quite a mess. Oh, and definitely a lot of world-building. Even if there are similar elements to our world, there still has to be something about the Narrows and the Archives, right?  I've heard so many good things about this book, I've got pretty high expectations for it!

Judging a book by its cover: The cover reminds me of something that would be on the cover of a Disney DVD. Which isn't entirely surprising considering the publisher... but I'm not sure if I would pick it up if I saw it somewhere. It looks intriguing, but it doesn't really pop or anything, so there's that. I do like it though, and I wonder what significance the key will have.


--Ashley