This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee - Paul's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Katherine Tegen Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: This Monstrous Thing
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Upcoming Release Date: September 22, 2015

Synopsis: In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits.

His brother, Oliver—dead.

His sweetheart, Mary—gone.

His chance to break free of Geneva—lost.

Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead.

But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship.

Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…

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Why?: I've always been intrigued by Frankenstein's Monster. Retellings and reimaginings of the classics always perk my interest. Both of those combine in this book. In addition, I've been following the author on twitter ( @themackenzilee ) and she is pretty awesome! Learn more about Mackenzi Lee in this video from the Epic Reads youtube page:

Expectations:   I'm expecting a cool YA that takes the themes of Frankenstein to a modern reader. It looks like it may be a little steampunky. I'm really excited for this one. 

Judging a book by its cover: I like the colors on this cover. The lightning and architecture alludes to the source material. I like the tone the cover sets. It's creepy and intriguing. 


--PAUL

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Random House Children's/Delacorte Press on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: The Here and Now
Author: Ann Brashares
Publication Date: April 8, 2014

Synopsis: An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. 

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 

From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking—and a must-read novel of the year.

Why?: I was pretty much sold at "thriller," but I knew I had to read this book as soon as I read that Prenna has immigrated from a different time. Plus, with the mosquito-borne illness killing everyone thing, it kind of sounds like a sci-fi dystopian, which also excited me. Throw in a little romance to make things more complicated and that sounds like a pretty fantastic book to me. 

Expectations: Although I've read (and enjoyed) the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books, I am expecting this book to be completely different. That series was light and fun, though it did have its share of heartbreak, but I think this book will be much darker. And I'm actually kind of excited to see a different side of Ann Brashares, so my expectations are probably a little bit higher than they should be.

Judging a book by its cover: I'm really torn about this cover. I think the colors and the geometric feel that the triangles give it make it stand out from other books that would be on the same shelf, but I'm not convinced that it's enough to make this book totally unique. It kind of reminds me of a stereotypical YA summer romance, and I'm not normally drawn to those kind of books. 


--Ashley