Water (Akasha #1) by Terra Harmony - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book from Patchwork Press on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Water
Author: Terra Harmony
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: Elemental powers in the palm of her hand...and it won't be enough to save her. 

When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. 

Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth's survival.

Why?: I mean, who wouldn't want to read this book based on that description? Magic, a doomed planet, secret organizations with rogue members and hostage situations, and a terrifying man? Count me in! 

Expectations: I'm honestly not sure what to expect. I hope this book is full of magic and all of that jazz and not so heavy on the romance, but I have no clue. Definitely some world-building going on even though it's set on Earth since there's magic and elemental powers and things.

Judging a book by its cover: I actually kind of like this cover. It's not complicated, but it relates well the to the title. The water stands out against the black background really well, and makes it visually appealing. I would probably pick this up if I saw it at the bookstore or the library.


--Ashley

Blood & Gold (The Ferryman + The Flame #2.5) by Rhiannon Paille - Ashley's Review

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Blood & Gold
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Year Published: 2013

My Justice Review
My Lantern & Poison Review

Synopsis: This is Justice from the villain's POV.

The Daed are pawns to one of the most powerful members of the Valtanyana. Crestaos is insane, his hunger for the Flames insatiable. The closer the Daed get to achieving his goal, the more expendable they become.

-------------------------

Review: While I love reading short stories from the perspectives of minor characters, I'm not sure that it's fair to say this is Justice from the villain's POV. I mean, it's a very condensed Justice, that's true. But we're not really seeing things through Crestaos' eyes. We actually get to view things from some of the Daed, and through the eyes of one of the Flames. And it's certainly interesting, but not really what I was hoping for. 

We are able to learn a little bit more about some of the Daed, and I think it's fascinating that they don't really support Crestaos as much as it appears in Justice. They're terrified of him, and rightly so. I mean, he's freaking crazy. And this story really portrays how crazy he is - we even learn that he's not human/elven/etc, he's actually a Mithronian (some sort of giant lizard creature). I think that really helps the reader understand him a little bit better, and since his people were banished to the center of the earth it kind of makes sense why he hates everyone.

I thought that this story flowed quite a bit better than Lantern & Poison, so that was nice. The plot is more cohesive, and I enjoyed seeing events from another viewpoint. I think this story actually helps broaden the world and gives a better insight into the conflict, so there's that too. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has started reading The Ferryman + The Flame series, and would rate it as a 3/5. 


--Ashley

Justice (The Ferryman + The Flame #2) by Rhiannon Paille - Ashley's Review

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Justice
Author: Rhiannon Paille
Year Published: 2013

My Pre-reading

Synopsis: How far would you go to destroy yourself?

Krishani always knew he would have to go to the Lands of Men, but he never thought it would be like this. Enemies everywhere, an ancestor he can't respect, elders he can't trust, a curse he can't stop and friends he can't help but hate. Desperate to end the pain, he sets out on a quest to find the other Flames and face the enemy that took everything from him.

-------------------------

Review: I really want to like this series. It has the makings of a really good fantasy series, and the world building is really excellent. Every time I picked up this book, I was amazed by how complex Paille's world is because I often forgot that there are so many more lands than just the few that Krishani and his companions travel to. Although each Land isn't described completely in depth (the story would be so long if they were!), Paille gives just enough detail to make the reader feel like they are familiar with all of them. And I just think it's crazy how different all of them are - the amount of creativity and imagination required to come up with these lands is astonishing. So definitely props for that! 

This story is quite a bit more serious and more grimy than Surrender was. Although the elements of the love story are definitely there, this is more of a revenge story. Krishani is devastated, and his reason for continuing to live is just to avenge Kaliel. I really liked this this book was so much darker; I don't think I could have handled another love story, and I really enjoyed how this series did a complete 180 as far as themes and such. And I thought it was done well - Krishani's descent into the dark place he's in makes complete sense and isn't just something that comes out of the blue.

Although I like most of Paille's writing style, I did find myself confused at points throughout this book. It's a lot more stream of consciousness than I anticipated, and I found myself having to go back and read passages to figure out how we switched people or places or times. There was very little indication that we were no longer with Krishani on Terra, or that we were now several days in the future - or months in the past. I liked the flashbacks/dreams with Kaliel, but sometimes I felt like they were out of place or the transitions were very weak. So just be aware that this story isn't entirely linear and might not flow as easily as other YA fantasy books.

I thought the Vultures were really interesting, and I'm hoping we get to learn more about them in the next book. I also hope we get to learn more about some of the more minor characters (like the witches). Krishani was one of my least favorite characters in this book, but I just haven't really liked him from the beginning so I wasn't surprised that I still didn't like him. He's just not the hero type but I'm pretty sure that's the point, but I can't bring myself to like him. I think the Flames were my favorite characters, even if we don't know much about them yet. Especially Klavotesi. I didn't realize some of the Flames were male, and I thought that was really cool that they can basically be anyone. 

Overall, I think this series has a lot of potential. I enjoyed this book more than Surrender, but I still feel like I'm missing something. I will probably continue to read this series, since I've already invested the time to read the first two books and short stories,and I hope they continue to get better. I would recommend this book to anyone who read Surrender, even if you didn't like it - I think it's an important continuation to the story and might be more up your alley. If you haven't read Surrender, I think fans of YA Fantasy would like this series. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone very young though, since there are sexual situations and gory battles and such. I would rate this book a 3/5.


--Ashley

End Dayz (The Hitchiker Strain #0.5) by Kellie Sheridan - Ashley's Review

*I received this novella as an eARC from Patchwork Press on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: End Dayz
Author: Kellie Sheridan
Year Published: 2013

My Mortality Review

Synopsis: It's a month after the dead first began to walk. The miracle vaccine that was supposed to save us all has failed.

Now, four teens fight to stay alive as a stronger, smarter breed of zombie begins to appear, threatening to end humanity for good.

-------------------------

Review: I was really excited when I saw that there was a prequel short story collection for Sheridan's Hitchiker Strain series. The zombies were different and interesting, and I have been wanting to learn more about the world she created. I also absolutely love seeing things from minor characters perspectives, so this collection was absolutely fantastic for me. 

There's a little bit of background that's hinted at in Mortality but never really explained that really makes everything come together so much more cohesively. We get to see things that happen to Alex before he even meets Savannah and her friends, and we see how Pierce ends up in the US in the first place. And then there's  Zach and his adventures in the high school when it was being cleared, and Belle before her father took charge of the remaining survivors. I really enjoyed seeing things through their eyes, since they're all so radically different from Savannah and Zarah, and even each other.

The plot isn't really anything terribly exciting, but the expansion of the world and the characters makes this a must read for anyone who was read and loved Mortality. It's almost enough to tide me over until the next book in the series is released! I would give this collection a 3/5, although I do hope that we get more like this as the story progresses. Anyone who loves zombies and zombie culture should definitely check out this series!


--Ashley

Prey by Michael Crichton - Ashley's Pre-Reading

On an unrelated note, I am so sorry for leaving you all hanging for the past couple of weeks. I had my comprehensive exams for my Applied Math M.S. (basically final exit exams because I didn't write a thesis) and I was studying nonstop. But, they're over now (I passed!) and so I can blog as fast as I can read now :).

Also, thank you to everyone who entered our giveaway for Pantomime and toured around the Summer Circus! If you didn't win, you should still check it out - it's a very good book with a lot of really good themes that will make you think. Plus a circus and magic and a fantastic world!

So, without further ado, my next book: 


Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Prey
Author: Michael Crichton
Year Published: 2002

Synopsis: In the Nevada desert, an experiment has gone horribly wrong. A cloud of nanoparticles—micro-robots—has escaped from the laboratory. This cloud is self-sustaining and self-reproducing. It is intelligent and learns from experience. For all practical purposes, it is alive.

It has been programmed as a predator. It is evolving swiftly, becoming more deadly with each passing hour.

Every attempt to destroy it has failed.

And we are the prey.

As fresh as today's headlines, Michael Crichton's most compelling novel yet tells the story of a mechanical plague and the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop it. Drawing on up-to-the-minute scientific fact, Prey takes us into the emerging realms of nanotechnology and artificial distributed intelligence—in a story of breathtaking suspense. Prey is a novel you can't put down.

Because time is running out.

Why?: I just took a class on nanotechnology in the spring, so I'm really interested to see what the technology was like back in 2002 and how it could become something that acts on its own. Also, a friend recommended this book and since he really enjoyed it, I figured I should give it a shot.

Expectations: I expect a thriller with a significant amount of scientific backing. I'm thinking that most of the story will sound very real, but it will be obvious that it's fictional. At least I hope. It would be kind of terrifying if everything came across as being very factual. I don't want to be prey to a cloud of nanoparticles.

Judging a book by its cover: This cover kind of reminds me of a swarm of bees. I don't know if I would pick it up off a shelf if I saw it somewhere, since the cover isn't very striking in terms of colors or design. But I might because the stark black and white with red lettering would probably stand out among the colorful books that seem to grace shelves. 


--Ashley

Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Smuggler's Code - Paul's REVIEW

***I was provided an advanced ecopy of this graphic novel by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Star Wars: The Clone Wars - The Smuggler's Code
Author:  Justin Aclin
Illustrator: Eduardo Ferrera
Year Published: 2013

Upcoming Release Date: July 9, 2013

Synopsis: When he encounters a criminal from his past, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi strikes out, determined to fulfill a promise he made to himself as a young Jedi: to bring in this fugitive on his own! While on the trail, Obi-Wan earns a favor from a local smuggler, but her devotion to working for her own benefit may be more trouble for Obi-Wan than her help is actually worth!

Review: This graphic novel takes place in the most recent Clone Wars tv show world. The characters, the animation, and the storytelling all match that style. The animation is really great, especially the bright colors and exotic location of the luxurious planet our protagonists are vacationing on. 

This graphic novel is definitely aimed at a younger crowd. The conflict is easy. The characters are simple. The action is fun. When reading this book, don't expect to find character depth or any deep meanings. The story has a message about always asking for help when you need it. 

I enjoyed this graphic novel, but it wasn't what I usually want in a Star Wars graphic novel. I give it a 3/5, but I recommend it to younger readers who love the tv show. This would make a great gift for a young Jedi padawan. 

-PAUL

Genius by Steven T. Seagle - Paul's Review

***I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Genius
Author: Steven T. Seagle
Year Published: 2013

Release Date: July 9, 2013

Synopsis: Ted Marx works hard at his career as a quantum physicist. But lately the demands of his job have begun to overwhelm him. Then Ted makes a startling discovery: his wife's father once knew Einstein and claims that Einstein entrusted to him a final, devastating secret—a secret even more profound and shattering than the work that led to the first atom bombs. If Ted can convince his father-in-law to tell him what Einstein had to say, his job will be safe. But does he dare reveal Einstein's most dangerous secret to those who might exploit it? Acclaimed duo Teddy H. Kristiansen and Steven T. Seagle have created in Genius an exploration of the heights of intellectual and scientific achievement and the depths of human emotion and confusion.

Review: An aging physicist learns that his dying father-in-law was told a secret from Albert Einstein. 

This novel follows that physicist and his family as they deal with medical issues, work issues, and family issues. The artwork uses sketches and watercolor. There are some adult situations in this graphic novel. 

I found the build up written very well. I wanted him to find the secret out so bad. The family was also written very well with each of the members appearing very real. 

I would recommend this graphic novel to readers who enjoy intellectual reading and also situations that come from being an intellectual. I give it a 3.5/5.

-PAUL