Waiting On Wednesday - February 15th

My WOW pick this week is:

Darkness Before Dawn 

by J. A. London

Releases: May 2012

Synopsis via Goodreads

This electrifying new trilogy blends the best of paranormal and dystopian storytelling in a world where the war is over. And the vampires won. 

Humans huddle in their walled cities, supplying blood in exchange for safety. But not even that is guaranteed. Dawn has lost her entire family and now reluctantly serves as the delegate to Lord Valentine, the most powerful vampire for miles. It isn’t until she meets Victor, Valentine’s son, that she realizes not all vampires are monsters....

Darkness Before Dawn is a fresh new story with captivating characters, unexpected plot twists, a fascinating setting, and a compelling voice. Written under the name J. A. London by a talented mother-son team, the trilogy is perfect for fans of True Blood and the House of Night and Morganville Vampires series.

*********

Why I'm waiting on Darkness Before Dawn? It just sounds so cool! I also met the author at ALA last month. She spoke on the historical romance panel and the YA romance panel. I'm always impressed by authors who write more than one genre. I just don't think my brain could handle it :) I loved listening to her talk about both genres of romance and it got me even more excited to read this book that she wrote with her son. 

What are you waiting on?

Meme details: Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. Don’t forget to stop by her blog and share your WOW pick for this week.

ARC Revew: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under The Never Sky
Series: Debut!
Author: Veronica Rossi | Website
Available: Now
Genre: Dystopian
Reading Level: YA
Source: Vine










Description via Goodreads:


Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction. 

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions. 

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.


My thoughts:


Under the Never Sky is another up and coming dystopian release that seems to be building all kinds of hype. After my not so great experience with another dystopian title, that was also recently released and greatly hyped, I was worried Under the Never Sky would be another fail for me. I adore dystopian so I hoped this wouldn't be the case. Imagine my anxiety when after 50 pages I still wasn't enjoying this book (that was supposed to be so full of awesomeness) much at all. I just didn't get it. Where was this world they were living in? What was going on? What is a realm and why do they have them? To say the world was confusing would be a HUGE understatement. Then it clicked, and I spent the remainder of my time reading Under the Never Sky in complete and total love. I'm so glad I didn't toss this book on the DNF pile.

Under the Never Sky alternates between two points of view, Aria and Perry. * cue dreamy sighs and swooning * They don't really talk much about the why's or how's the world came to be in the shape it is because they don't know. Some of the human population also has abilities that I initially mistook as something a little more magical and fantasy appropriate because of the use of the word Seer. As I read, I discovered this was not magic and more likely the adaption of humans overtime due to the new and most definitely not improved environment they were forced to inhabit. At least that was my take. This combined with the confusing world and strange language is where my initial confusion and inability to really connect with the novel stemmed from. Thankfully once that was all cleared up I was left with nothing but smooth reading.

Other reviews I've read call Aria unlikeable. I didn't find this to be the case. I really enjoyed her. She finds herself forced out of the enclosed facility she calls home in order to cover-up some crazy behavior by one of the powerful resident's son. She is forced into the scary world nicknamed The Death Shop. It is there she meets Perry who will need her help to break into the home she was just exiled from. Perry isn't exactly the nicest guy to be around initially, but like Aria he is under a lot of stress and seems to think it is her fault. They find themselves on a dangerous journey across the devastated world they call home. She is overwhelmed with concern for her mother who left on a mission and hasn't made contact in an unusual amount of time. Girl has a lot on her mind!

Perry kind of encompasses an awesomeness that is difficult to put into words. He is the epitome of protective badass, and I might be in love. While reading it is hard to picture him as an 18-year-old boy. He has experienced so much loss and devastation. I loved that there was no insta-love between him and Aria. He actually commented on her offensive "Dweller" odor on more than one occasion. Even though he thought she smelled bad, I could see why they were perfect for each other from the start. Their romance is reason enough to pick up this book.

Under the Never Sky also contains a fascinating cast of secondary characters you won't want to miss. I won't go into detail on each, but will say they are beautifully unique and add a layer of depth to this complex world.

While I didn't love Under the Never Sky like I did The Hunger Games or Divergent, it is a solid read and one I think most dystopian fans will definitely enjoy. I did feel the introduction to Aria's world could have been better. The world and language took quite a bit of time to get used to and unfortunately distracted from my initial enjoyment.

Will I continue this series? Heck yeah! The ending sets us up perfectly for the next installment without leaving us hanging (too much). I'm sure I'll devour the next in the series much easier now that the world building that slowed down book one is out of the way. 


Parental POV : Under the Never Sky does contain violence and sexual situations. They also briefly talk about menstruation and fertility. Boys might find this is an ick factor. With that said, I felt Veronica Rossi handled both topics tastefully. Mega kudos for her!

My Rating:

Waiting On Wednesday - December 28th

My WOW pick this week is

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Available - May 2012 from HarperTeen

Synopsis via Goodreads

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is life for sons and daughters of fallen angels in Sweet Evil.

Anna, a tender-hearted southern girl, was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage, and her will-power is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

A cross-country trip forces Anna and Kai to face the reality that hope and love are not options for their kind. When it's time for Anna to confront her demons, will she choose to embrace her halo or her horns?

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Why I'm waiting on Sweet Evil? The synopsis sounds fun & different from other novels that star fallen angels. "He’s the boy your daddy warned you about." made me giggle. Also curious about the cross-country trip. Road trip I hope :)

What are you waiting on this week?

Meme details: Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. Don’t forget to stop by her blog and share your WOW pick for this week.

ARC Review: Variant by Robison Wells - Blog Tour

Title: Variant
Series: I freaking hope so!
Author: Robison Wells | Website
Available: Now
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Sci-Fi












Description from Goodreads:

Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.

He was wrong.

Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.

Where breaking the rules equals death.

But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.

My thoughts:


First thought after finishing Variant? WOW! This is a book that was going along at a nice steady pace and suddenly the author throws in a plot twist that could literally ruin all he has created, but it doesn’t. It worked and I loved it! I always admire authors who are willing to take risks when writing, and Robison Wells took a big one when he went the direction he did with Variant. Will everyone who picks up this book think it worked? Probably not, but I dug it big time. 

I adored main character, Benson (even though his name makes me think of that show from the 80’s). After a life in foster care he finds himself excited about receiving a scholarship to attend an exclusive boarding school. Then he arrives and discovers it was very much to good to be true. He finds himself locked up and isolated from the outside world by a huge wall, and a ruthless security team that is composed of students. Crazy part is the other students seem to accept their fate. Benson on the other hand focuses on escape. This leads him to uncover just a few of the secrets the school is hiding, and let me say those secrets are crazy!

My only complaint is the ending left me confused. The action kicks up several degrees as the conclusion becomes imminent. I felt the writing just didn’t flow in the last few chapters like it had over the rest of the novel. I had trouble keeping up with what was happening and whom it was happening too. Then the final chapter had my jaw hitting the floor. They should have slapped a cliffhanger warning on the cover of Variant because it is a biggie. I’ll assume this is a series debut because of End of Book One stamped on the last page along with the massive cliff edge I fell off on page 375. If it isn’t be warned I might cry. I’m a girl who needs closure and the lack of it in Variant is a cruel form of torture.


Even with the kind of crazy ending and cliffhanger (FYI I hate them) I still loved this book. It was unpredictable and a fab mix of mystery and action. The world building was top notch, and the character development was also pretty amazing. I’m giving this one a very strong 4 kitty rating and highly recommend giving it a read.

I also have to say Yippee for another male main character in Young Adult! As mom of an almost teen boy I’m always on the lookout for male protags. While Variant does contain violence and mentions that sex is against the rules once or twice, I’d have no issue with allowing my tween son to read it.

My Rating:

Follow the Variant Blog Tour!

ARC Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium 
Series: Delirium #1
Author: Lauren Oliver | Author’s Website
Available: Now
Genre: Dystopian
Reading Level: Young Adult












Description from Goodreads:


Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy. 

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.


My thoughts:


Set in a future where love has been blamed as the cause for almost all forms of health issues and even wars, scientists have found a way to cure love with a treatment performed on all members of society when they are around the age of 18 years old. Having watched her mother and sister fall victim to "Amor Deliria Nervosa”, Lena can’t wait for the day her treatment is performed. Then she meets a beautiful boy, and begins to question all she was taught to believe.


Delirium is a book I wanted to love. I saw the rave reviews and everyone gushing over its amazingness. Now I find myself pondering was it that hype that caused it to fall short? I know others loved this one, so please refrain from throwing tomatoes. It had aspects I truly did enjoy and those I didn’t. The idea of love as a disease was a fascinating one, but when the author delved into descriptions of mothers that were so detached from their children they showed no emotion when they were hurt, I had to ask myself how did these same babies survive infancy. I guess I’m from the school of thought that the unconditional love I feel for my children is one of the driving forces behind my need to comfort and care for them. Take that away and will I be able to nurture in the way the child needs? I suppose basic needs can be easily met, but that still leaves the emotional needs all children crave. Children want their parent’s love and acceptance, and all the parent’s in Delirium could offer was bland indifference. I hoped by the end of the book I’d be a believer, but it didn’t happen. I just couldn’t shake the feeling that denying these children love would lead to even more problems, or maybe I’m just over thinking it ;)


The first 150+ pages was so bogged down with world building for this complex idea that the pace moved very slowly and my attention was swaying. The main characters were lackluster at best. By the time I reached the end Lena and Alex hadn’t left much of an impression on me. Lena seemed to be such a strong advocate of “the cure” initially, I had trouble believing she would abandon it all so quickly over a boy. Once plot twists began to come to light I found I was much more interested. The author really has a beautiful writing style, but I need more action and a somewhat plausible explanation for the state of the world when I read a dystopian novel. I imagine her contemporary novel (which I have not read) is absolutely stunning if the flow and pace are similar to that of Delirium. 


Will I read the next? Yes! I truly hope that now that the world has been set up, the next book will focus on answering questions and solving the mysteries that popped up over the course of Delirium. I’m also very interested in what lies outside the fences of civilization. I hope the next installment will trigger a case of "Amor Deliria Nervosa” for me the way it has for so many other readers.

My Rating:

Source:

Around The World Tours

Waiting On Wednesday (19)

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. This week I’m waiting on,

Where I Belong 

by Gwendolyn Heasley

Releases: February 2011
Description via Goodreads

I’m in ♥ with this cover!

Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems.... 

I’d love to know what book you’re “waiting on”. Leave a comment with a link to your WoW post :)

Review: The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison

Title: The Princess and the Snowbird
Author: Mette Ivie Harrison
Released: 5/1/2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Number of pages: 232
Reading Level: Young Adult

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Thanks Around The World Tours for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.






Description from Goodreads:

From the author of The Princess and the Hound and The Princess and the Bear comes a companion novel that stands alone, filled with romance and captivating fantasy. Liva is the daughter of the hound and the bear, heir to all her royal parents’ magic and able to transform into any animal she wishes. Jens is an outcast, a boy without magic, determined to make his way in the forest. Though they are as different as night and day, from the time their paths first cross they are irresistibly drawn to each other. 

But a terrible threat is stalking all who hold magic: the Hunter, bent on destruction. Aided by a magnificent snowbird, Liva and Jens must figure out how to save the humans and animals terrorized by the Hunter, as well as magic itself. If they fail, all will be lost—but if they succeed, they could finally be together at last. 



My thoughts:


Liva is a special girl who possesses aur-magic just as the animals of the forest do.  This gives her the ability to change between many animal forms.  Her parents both gave their aur-magic to Liva, and chose to spend the remainder of their lives in animal form so they could better protect their daughter.  It is obvious Liva is destined for great things.  She avoids contact with all humans until the day she meets Jens.  Jens is devoid of both aur-magic, and the more common tehr-magic.  Tehr-magic is what most humans possess, and use for not so nice things. When Jens sees Liva in animal form he knows she is special.  They are immediately drawn to one another.  Liva is unsure because of her limited contact with the human world, but is fascinated by Jens’s kindness.  He has spent all of his life as an outcast because of his lack of magic, and shunned by his father who blames him for his mother’s death. Together they will have to stop the Hunter from carrying out his plans.


The Princess and the Snowbird is a companion novel, but I felt it worked fine as a standalone. At just 232 pages this was a very quick read.  I did enjoy the story and characters, but it didn’t wow me like I’d hoped. I would have liked to see more development of the characters, and their relationships.  Still an entertaining read, and with only mild violence a safe choice for even young teens.

Mette Ivie Harrison on the web:

Website