Mini Review: Rebels: City of Indra by Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, & Maya Sloan

Title: Rebels: City of Indra
Series: The Story of Lex and Livia #1
Authors: Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, & Maya Sloan
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Pub. Date: June 3rd 2014
Source: Goodreads First Reads/Publisher


Book Description:

Kendall and Kylie Jenner, stars on the hit reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, present their debut novel—a thrilling dystopian story about two super-powered girls who embark on a journey together, not knowing they’re twins.

Two girls, two worlds apart.

Lex lives down below, close to rock bottom. She grew up in the orphanage, alone, and now is training to be a Special Op so she can finally destroy the rebels with her own hands. She needs no one.

Livia lives miles above everything on a floating island in the city of Indra. She is training too, but for a life that she doesn’t want. She wants to be free, to finally leave her floating island, and to run with her beloved horse until she can’t run any longer.

And then there’s Kane—Lex’s only friend, whom she would walk through fire for. And when she finds that Kane is in danger, she doesn’t hesitate to leave her post and blast her way to the top of Indra to save him. She just needs to get one stubborn, unexpectedly clever airgirl to tell her where he is first.

In this fast-paced, dystopian thriller, Lex and Livia reluctantly team up to save Kane after discovering that they share a mysterious identical mark—not realizing that their biggest danger is in each other.

Review:

★★

I want to start this off by saying I have no grudges, or opinions, about the Jenner/Kardashian clan. I didn't go into this to poke fun at the Jenner sisters for writing a book. I went into it because it sounded like something that I would enjoy. For reasons (almost) completely unrelated to the cache of the authors, I didn't care much for this book.

It felt forced. There are elements of so many other science fiction/dystopian tropes here, that it all becomes muddled and confusing. Mysterious underground civilization? Check. Weirdly affluent above ground kingdom? Check. Plastic surgery being almost required of the upper crust? Check. Orphanage? Check. Love triangle? Ugh.

That said, I thought the world building was okay. It was a bit overwhelming and overdone, but painted a pretty good visual picture.

I didn't care for either of the main characters. They seemed to be made from cardboard. They're boring, they're flat. They don't seem too developed or interesting, even. Because of that, I didn't care about the plot. I wasn't invested in the characters, so what happened to them was sort of a moot point.

I do think it's a little funny though (this is the one point where the authors mattered to me) that one of the lead girls poo-poos plastic surgery/body modifications because she doesn't need it to be herself. From a Jenner. I'm just saying, compare the author photo on the back of this book to their current faces.

I can see maybe where young teens would maybe like this, but if you've read good sci-fi or dystopia before, I feel like you're going to have some problems with this. Enter at your own risk.

I received a copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium
Series: Delirium #1
Author: Lauren Oliver
Format: Paperback, 393 pages
Pub. Date: 2011
Source: HPB


Book Description:

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 government 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.

Review:

★★★★★

I didn't really know what to expect going into this book. I was sort of intimidated by it. I remember when the series first came out, and everyone was obsessed. Almost every blog that I followed was reading it and talking about it. I'm always a bit hesitant when there's a fuss- I have a tendency not to enjoy them the way I wish I did!

But, I get it guys. I absolutely loved (oh no. I must be diseased) this book.

The world building is fascinating and well written. It created a very vivid landscape, one that is simultaneously beautiful and peaceful, but looming and violent. You have the guards enforcing rules, well armed and lurking coupled with the electric fence around the city and the mandated cure for the disease of "love" which set up quite the scary dystopia. It gives a disturbing insight into what life would be like without love and passion. It's chilling. But there's also the forests, the night skies, the beach, and the (albeit chilling) peace that ensues when everyone is a suburban loveless zombie.

I really enjoyed the characters. Mostly. I didn't so much care for the lead, Lena, so much. It's not personal. I am just really, really tired of the "ho hum I'm a boring brunette who is average looking and woe is me" mentality. I understand why it's done, and why it's done so much. But at the same time, no thanks. Her love (gasp) interest is captivating, and I understand her attraction to him.

The disease aspect is the most fascinating to me. What I didn't take into account is how big of an umbrella term "love" is. I originally was thinking "so you don't love your partner, meh". Not that that's not terrible, but is small potatoes. You wouldn't love anything. Not your favorite food, or music, or painting or sports or reddit or whatever other past times and hobbies you have. And that would be an awful life.

I was admittedly blindsided by the ending (I probably shouldn't have been but). This book definitely ends in a cliffhanger, which I'm also not entirely fond of.

Nonetheless, I have the other two books and I'll surely finish the series. This was a strong start, and quickly became one of my favorites. It's a good read for fans of YA dystopia and romance (and maybe a forthcoming triangle, can't tell yet).

HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN! Mini College Review: Snowpiercer: The Escape by Jacques Lob

Title: Snowpiercer: The Escape
Series: Transperceneige #1
Author: Jacques Lob
Illustrator: Jacques Lob
Format: Paperback, 110 pages
Pub. Date: June 10th 2014
Source: Amazon


Book Description:

Snowpiercer is the enthralling and thought-provoking post-apocalyptic graphic novel that inspired the critically acclaimed movie starring Chris Evans (Captain America, Fantastic Four). Originally published in French, this marks the first time that Snowpiercer will be available in English.

In a harsh, uncompromisingly cold future where Earth has succumbed to treacherously low temperatures, the last remaining members of humanity travel on a train while the outside world remains encased in ice.

The surviving community are not without a social hierarchy; those that travel at the front of the train live in relative luxury whilst those unfortunate enough to be at the rear remain clustered like cattle in claustrophobic darkness. Yet, things are about to change aboard the train as passengers become disgruntled...
The movie Snowpiercer, due for release in 2014, is directed by Joon-ho Bong (The Host) and is already causing a stir with parallels to 1984 and Animal Farm.

Review:

★★★

This is a book that I had to read for my apocalyptic fiction course in college.

One thing I liked about my literature courses is that it forced me to read books that I'd normally never pick up for myself, or that I'd never heard even heard of. This is one of those titles.

Translated from French, this is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic graphic novel. I adored the concept: the world has gone to hell in a handbasket, and the way to save humanity is thanks to the inventor of the Snowpiercer train. This train houses all of humanity and it never stops: ever. If it stops, they'll freeze and die. Like all dystopian novels, there's a hierarchy. The very front cars of the train are for the rich and the elite, and it gets worse as you go farther along. The back is terrible, full of violence, and no one really cares about them. They're not allowed to travel upward in the train.

Except for the protagonist, of course, who gets fed up with the upper crust of the train, and takes matters into his own hand.

The actual writing leaves a lot to be desired. It's awkward and choppy, and it doesn't always make the best of sense. I'm not sure how much of this is due to the author, and how much of it is caused by the translation. The characters aren't as developed as they could be, and because of the jagged nature of the writing, the pace is off. Sometimes it's boring and slow, other times it's crazy fast.

The artwork was okay, but not to my taste. It's typical "old school" style comic art, which is boring. Especially with all the white space, because, the world is full of snow.

It's worth a read though, and even if you don't decide to read it, you should check out the movie Snowpiercer. It's not without its flaws, but it was entertaining and worth a go.

HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN! Mini College Review: The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Title: The Road
Author: Cormac McCarthy
Format: Paperback, 287 pages
Pub. Date: April 7th 2009
Source: Amazon


Book Description:

A searing, post apocalyptic novel destined to become Cormac McCarthy’s masterpiece.

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, an when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. they have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food--and each other.

The Road is the profoundly moving story fo a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, "each the other's world entire," are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, The Road is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.

Review:

★★★

This is a novel that I had to read for my apocalyptic fiction course in college.

Okay, so I'm the only person on the planet who doesn't like this book. Well, it's not that I didn't like it. It's that I'm utterly indifferent, one way or the other. Which is why I settled on three stars- eh.

It's boring. There's no character connection or growth. There's a lot of moments where I was left thinking "Oh something's going to happen!" but that thing never came. It's dry and vague and I don't feel like I took anything away from this book at all. I know I read it, but I can't even highlight any things that happen, because it's just not memorable.

I'm the outlier here and I know that. If you like post-apocalyptic fiction, by all means, read it. But I wouldn't have finished it, if I didn't have to for the course.

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection
Series: The Selection #1
Author: Kiera Cass
Format: paperback ARC, signed
Pub. Date: April 24th 2012
Source: Won


Book Description:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Review:

★★★★★

This is one of the best books I've read in the last year.

I was admittedly afraid to read this one, because SO MANY bloggers were talking about it; good, bad or otherwise. Hype makes me nervous. But I had a copy on my shelf and the time had come, and I'm so mad at myself that I waited so long to get into this story. It sucked me in hook, line, and sinker, and immersed me into the story line.

The characters were well written and well described. They were written unique from one another, and it was easy to keep track of who is who, despite the large cast of characters. By the end of the story, I was emotionally tied to America, Maxon, and Aspen. I cared so hard about what happened, and was emotional along with them on the roller coaster that is The Selection competition. The relationships between characters- be it romance, family, or friendship (or hatred, even) are well developed and evolve over the course of the story in a way that helps the plot.

Genre-wise, this book is kind of a hodgepodge of a lot of different things, but it works so well. It's definitely a heavy dose of dystopian science fiction a la Hunger Games, where there is One Good Place To Live And Thing To Be and a bunch of lessers who don't matter as much to the nation/society/kingdom. Not to mention the Girl Who Ain't Having It. There's a bit of fairy tale to it, as the girls wear beautiful gowns and compete for the love of the fair prince of the land. There's a guilty pleasure reality show component, because The Selection is like teenage The Bachelor: So You Wanna Be A Princess Edition. Which sounds awful but I love me some reality shows (I will deny this) and it works well.

The world building is also really good. I felt like I knew everything that was happening, and I wasn't left with any info-dumping to fill me in on this society, nor was I left with a million questions. It was a nice balance of the author's world design and things left to my own imagination. The dresses, the food, the mansion, they're all so gloriously described that I want to be there to see it all (I mean but also not, because, dystopia).

I will 100% continue the rest of this story. I can't wait to continue America's journey as it unfolds. I recommend it to fans of YA romance and dystopian fiction, as long as having a few common tropes won't bug you.

Review: Bald New World by Peter Tieryas!

Title: Bald New World

Author: Peter Tieryas

Format: Paperback, 214 pages

Pub. Date: June 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads



Book Description via Goodreads:

Selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Science Fiction Books of Summer 2014 and listed on Buzzfeed's 15 Highly Anticipated Books of 2014, Bald New World asks the question:

What if everyone in the world lost their hair?

Nick Guan and his friend Larry Chao are a pair of eccentric filmmakers who choose to explore the existential angst of their balding world through cinema. Larry is heir to one of the most lucrative wig companies in the world. Nick is a man who’s trying to make sense of the tatters of his American dream. Taking place throughout China and America, the pair set off on a series of misadventures involving North Korean spies, veterans of an African War, and digital cricket fighters. Their journey leads them to discover some of the darkest secrets behind wig-making and hair in a hairless world.

"After my heart gives out and I'm on the operating table for emergency surgery, I will have told my physicians and surgeons to replace my heart with Peter Tieryas Liu's Bald New World, or any of his books really, because that's what I think of when I think of Liu's writing--heart. Similar to the work of Philip K. Dick, this parodic dystopia is steeped in futuristic technology that further bridges the gap between man and machine. Still, whether watching the latest episode of the immensely popular reality show Jesus the General or sparring against an opponent in the blood-sport known as cricket fighting, the humanity of our narrator shines through. Although we humans are capable of doing and creating sad, funny, glorious, devious things, we also persevere and adapt, survive. I wonder what Huxley would think of this, but he's dead. You're not, so read this book, feel alive."
-Jason Jordan, author of Pestilence, editor of decomP

"The boldly imaginative Bald New World follows Nicholas Guan, a military type tasked to digitally touch up scenes of carnage, in his misadventures from Korea to a futuristic California and in his frenzied dash from Gamble Town to China . The novel tells of beautifully flawed characters, the blurring distinction between reality and virtual environments, the comical yet chilling wave of religious fanaticism, and a world battling a strange malady called the Great Baldification, an ingenious symbol of human vanity. Peter Tieryas Liu’s Bald New World is vivid, exhilarating, and wildly entertaining." –Kristine Ong Muslim, author of We Bury the Landscape and Grim Series

"Bald New World is a hypnotic, surreal, and insightful novel, blending Blade Runner and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle to create a dark, funny, and captivating story. One of the best books I've read this year."—Richard Thomas, Staring Into the Abyss

Review:

★★★

Every once in a while, there exists a book that is really hard for me to review. This is one of them. Through no real fault of the book or the author that I can identify, this book and I just didn't click very well.

It wasn't badly written or anything. In fact, I absolutely loved the world building throughout this book. Bald New World is an adult-age dystopian novel that involves the entire human population losing their hair for an unknown reason. It's a fascinating concept and overall it was executed pretty well. There's a good amount of humor in this book, and the author is often well detailed in his descriptions. The plot tends to wander now and again, so it was hard to follow in some parts. There was also a bit of repetition with vocabulary: it didn't bother me TOO much, but it was abundant enough that I noticed it while reading it.

I can't really think of anything that I didn't like, but there's not too much other than the world building that I loved either. It was a book that while I'm not sorry I read, I don't think that I will read it again in the future. I recommend it to people really enjoy science fiction. I definitely think that this was just a case of it's not you, it's me book, and that a lot of other people will really love it!

I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Thorn and The Sinking Stone by C.J. Dushinski!

Title: The Thorn and the Sinking Stone
Author: C.J. Dushinski
Release date: March 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Length: 313 pages


Book Description via Goodreads:

Warring families. Forbidden love. And danger they can’t escape…

Daggers. Roses. Cowboys. Boat Men. Survivors of Earth's Last War, four “families” vie to rule the dreary streets of Rain City through violence and blood. Valencia Hara, Princess of the wealthy Black Roses, is raised in warrior ways with sharpened steel. But she is no ordinary Rose. She is Cursed—tainted with the ability to see seconds into the future…

To avenge his father's death, Sebastian Leold, of the rival gang Two Daggers, must face off against the Black Princess, he with his dagger, she with her katana sword. Yet a secret from a shared past leaves him unable to kill beautiful Valencia; nor can she kill him. For they once knew each other beyond their blood feud…and they have more secrets in common than they know.

But in a world filled with vengeance and violence, there can be no room for love…

Buy it here: Amazon | BN | Kobo

About the Author:

While attempting to navigate life as a responsible human being, CJ graduated from university with a B.Comm and worked her way along as marketer, copywriter, and graphic designer to earn a paycheck while pursing her passion for creating fantastical stories set in dark and wondrous corners of the world. Born amongst the wheat fields and open skies of the Canadian prairies, CJ’s imagination has always run wild, taking her on adventures across the world from modeling in Seoul, South Korea to backpacking through Europe and surfing (poorly) in Hawaii.

After wandering through ancient cities and civilizations, learning from diverse cultures, and surrounding herself in new experiences, CJ was inspired and began work on her debut Young Adult novel THE THORN AND THE SINKING STONE, to be published by Entangled Publishing 2014/15. CJ currently resides in Calgary, Alberta Canada – home of the Canadian Rockies – and keeps one hand on her passport and pen at all times, ready to pick up, see the world, and weave her experiences into stories.

CJ is represented by Marlene Stringer of the Stringer Literary Agency LLC

Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Review:

★★★★ ★

4.5/5 stars.

Cowboys? Katanas? Forbidden love?

Yes please.

The moment I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it. And boy, was my instinct right. I really enjoyed The Thorn and the Sinking Stone.

This book is a really intriguing blend of dystopian, romance, fantasy, fairy tale, scifi, and urban fantasy. I know that sounds like a lot of genres but oddly, it somehow works. I can't explain how. The chapters are written in two alternating points of view, from both Sebastian and Valencia who are in rival families. This brings a nice layer of character (and plot) depth to the "Romeo and Juliet" trope of fighting families and forbidden love, because we are able to read what each character is going through and feeling. This made them all the more relatable, and allows the reader to see both sides of things- that means villains are not truly villains, and heroes are not always heroes. Valencia and Sebastian are given unique, independent voices that are easy to separate while switching chapters.

I really liked watching the main couple's past become clearer, and their feelings towards one another develop. I hate the term "book boyfriend", but I definitely loved me some Sebastian. He's caring and protective and torn in half about his life. I also really liked how strong and kick ass Valencia was. She's a fierce sword wielder who knows how to swallow her fears and seize opportune moments. Reading them together was really interesting, seeing how they handle the world that seems to be against them.

The writing was very descriptive and well done. It was easy for me to get swept up in the scenery among the characters and play the scenes out like a movie in my head. The one thing that I wish had been developed more was the historical context/dystopian dynamic. This book takes place in the future when a city was reclaimed, but we are only really given a nutshell version of what happened and why their lives/cities are this way. I would have appreciated some more world building in that respect, because I think it would have helped me to better grasp why the four houses/families act the way they do.

I recommend this book to young adult fans who like any combination of forbidden love, fantasy, princesses, scifi, Romeo and Juliet, curses, weapons, or dystopia. This book does deal with violence and contains some profanity, so take note of that if that's undesirable to you. I sincerely look forward to reading the next book in (what I think and really hope) is a series.

I received a copy from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.

Follow the rest of the tour here!

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour Organized by:
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Mini Book Review: Light in the Dark (Avery #1.5) by Elizabeth Tuttle!

Title: Light in the Dark
Series: Avery #1.5
Author: Elizabeth Tuttle
Format: ebook, 89 pages
Pub. Date: March 1st 2015
Source: Elizabeth Tuttle via Newsletter


Book Description via Goodreads:

This is not a full length novel. This is a Bonus Short of the Avery series with a collection of scenes from Zander's POV within Spark of Light. These scenes include those you will be familiar with from SOL, but also new scenes from times Avery wasn't around.

***It is not recommended you read this short unless you have read Spark of Light. Light in the Dark Contains major spoilers if read out of order.***

Review:

★★★★★

Before I say anything else, I need to stress the importance of reading Spark of Light first. This novella is a short story that offers scenes from the first novel from the alternate point of a different character, so there will be much spoilers and confusion if this is the first story you read from the Avery series!

That being said, I loved this bonus collection of scenes. Spark of Light ended up being one of my favorite books in 2014, so I was super eager to check this one out. Namely because I adore Zander, and these scenes are all rewritten from his point of view. It's written with the same style and flow as the first book, making it seem like these scenes were taken from the book itself.

This novella was a great addition to the series, and is one that all Avery fans should check out. And if you haven't read Spark of Light yet, what's stopping you!? Three words to convince you: dystopian elf magic.

Thanks to Elizabeth Tuttle for sending this out in her newsletter.

Blog Tour: Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway of Spark of Light by Elizabeth Tuttle!

Title: Spark of Light
Series: Avery #1
Author: Elizabeth Tuttle
Release date: 09/25/14
Purchase: Amazon | B&N


Book Description via Goodreads:

***Mature YA - This book contains mild adult language and sexual content.***

Nearly a century ago the world was decimated by a magical war. In their defeat, elves were captured by humans, cut off from their magic, and broken down into lifeless, drone-like slaves.

Avery is different. Somehow, her magic has always simmered beneath the surface. Never completely broken, she must pretend in order to survive. When Zander, her master’s nephew, brings her magic out in full force, she finds out what it’s like to truly be alive.

Ripped from Zander’s side and sent to The Farm, Avery doesn’t know if she’ll be able to hide her light and make it out alive. But there, she’ll meet someone who knows her true purpose.

The war isn’t over, and if Avery can survive, she could be the one to set her people free. All it takes is a little hope and a Spark of Light.

About the Author:

Elizabeth’s first writing award was in the 2nd grade with a story about a cat and a dog that overcame their differences and became friends. Satisfied with that success, she put her writing career on hold until the winter of 2012. Now, she spends most days in her pajamas making things up and writing them down. Her other interests include board games, being in nature, and binge watching shows on Netflix.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List

Follow the rest of the tour by clicking here!

Review:

★★★★★

Five stars.

------

I simply adored this book. I will try to write this as professionally and un-spoilery as possible, but forgive me in advance if I get a little fangirly. I was drawn in from the first page, and I was hooked until the very end. I read this book within a day, and I was irritated by the fact that I had to do things that weren't read this book, like go to class and study.

I'll start with how much I really liked this concept. This book does something that I personally haven't encountered before- it combines the genres of high fantasy and dystopia. When I saw that this book included both a strange future America post-war setting and a race of enslaved elves, I knew I had to have it. These two genres are among my top favorites to read, and when you mix that idea with young adult and a dash of romance, it becomes the perfect match for me.

The characters were also a huge part of what made this novel so enjoyable. The main character, Avery, is a determined and rebellious elf-slave who is strong and independent despite her love interest, Zander. I loved watching both of these characters grow as a couple, as well as on their own throughout the course of the book. I also really liked that their romance is a bit steamy and risque than I anticipated, without being too explicit. Almost more importantly than the characters I loved are the ones I hated. Tuttle managed to make me hate characters but not because they were poorly written, but just the opposite. They were so detailed and so rotten that I became all the more invested in the story line because I hoped that they'd get what they had coming to them.

The world building is another thing that stood out to me in this book. I really liked the detail put into the book. Whether the characters were on the Ruler's estate, at the food lot, or at The Farm (the worst possible place an elf can go), I felt like I was actually there, and I was never lost or confused by what was happening, thanks to each vivid detail being included in the text.

This book's pacing is really steady and intense. It covers quite a decent amount of time, but it's done with well written elapses. It moves pretty fast thanks to the nonstop action and plot twists and the tremendously overwhelming amount of feelings I experienced at the hands of this book. I will say that some of these twists are predictable at times, but honestly I'd get swept up in some other plot line with such intensity that I'd forget that I'd predicted it at all, which helped to keep it surprising and exciting to read.

Spark of Light is one of the best books that I have read this year. It is a high speed fantastical dystopian that follows a forbidden romance between an elf slave and a human, and how they can work together to start a new revolution to make a better existence for both races. This is a mature YA read- there are some steamy but not explicit sex scenes and situations involving rape and violence, so reader beware. I'd recommend this to anyone who is a fan of dystopian and fantasy novels because this book is, in my humble opinion, a great blend of both genres. This is a book that you won't want to put down, and you'll curse to yourself when you find that you're out of pages. (I know I did.)

Thanks so much to the author/IFB Tours for my copy of this book in exchange for my 100% honest review.

Excerpt:

"Afterward, when my heart has had about all it can take, I need you. I need this. You make it better. When I'm with you, I can breathe again." His arms tighten around me and he tucks his face into the crook of my neck, his hot breath sending a jolt of a different kind of energy straight between my legs.

Whoa.

I close my eyes and focus on calming the blood racing through my veins much too fast. I'd do anything for Zander. I'd take away all his pain if I could, but I haven't done anything yet. I'm just here, and for him it's enough. I know because it's like that for me too. Having him close makes everything tolerable. I'd tie myself up for a million whippings if it meant Zander would be there to hold me when it was over. I don't know how we got here, but being with him is everything that makes every day worth any pain that comes with it.

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Review: Hungry by H.A. Swain

Title: Hungry
Author: H.A. Swain
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: June 3rd 2014
Source: Netgalley & Feiwel & Friends

★★★

Three stars.

---

In the future, there is no food. Not in the way we know it today. The environment is ravaged and decayed, and citizens depend on technology for their nutrition in the form of a medicine that chases away hunger. It works for everyone, or so the scientists think. Soon Thalia feels a weird hollow sensation, and her stomach growls; she has started to feel hungry despite her medication. After meeting a boy named Basil, she is quickly thrown into the web of lies and deceit of big corporations that rule the city, and has to defy her family in order to change and to find the one thing her body needs: food.

If I'm being completely honest, this book left me torn. I'm not really sure about it as it had both a fair amount of pros and cons, earning three stars and a relatively neutral opinion from me.

First I'll go over what I did like. The biggest plus that this book had was the concept. I was drawn in right away by the idea of no longer having or needing food. In Thalia's society, having food or food related objects is a crime. As the daughter of a chef and a foodie, the thought of that being illegal struck me as yes, bizarre, but also rather startling.

I also really liked the main character, Thalia. She was born of privilege to one of the creators of the medicine that eliminates hunger. However, despite her high status she wants more for everyone, not just herself. She thinks it's messed up how the upper crust lives compared to those on the outside, and she wants to work for a better life for everyone. While sometimes she made really questionable decisions, her and her best friend were likable.

There is a huge amount of technology mentioned in this book. Futuristic games, handheld Gizmos that know all about you, moving tattoos. I thought some of it was pretty cool. However, though I was fascinated by most of it, I was left with a feeling that it was too much too fast. Almost like I didn't get enough time to fully grasp all of the gadgets, what they do, and their names.

I also didn't really care for Thalia's love interest, Basil, and I was disappointed in the insta-romance that popped up between them. Sometimes such a sudden attraction can work itself out, but this one just left me sighing. I also felt like I didn't get a good sense of Basil's history and character.

All in all, this was an okay read. It was well-paced and hard to put down, and I was intrigued throughout the text. While I liked the concept and the main character, I didn't like her romance and some of the gadgets and ideals of this dystopian society. If you're a die hard dystopian fan, this book's worth checking out. However, if you don't like an instant love between characters, it's probably not for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends for my copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Plus One

Title: Plus One
Author: Elizabeth Fama
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: April 8th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

★★★★★

Five stars.

---

Plus One is a young adult novel that takes place in an alternate version of the United States, where the population is divided. Half of the population, Rays, come out during the day time as we do now while at night, Smudges come out, having slept during the day. It is expected and required of you to stick to your given time, as guards are constantly checking up on America's citizens, and can learn everything about you by glancing at your cell phone. The main character Sol, a Smudge, finds herself on the run with a Ray, and finds herself falling in love despite its taboo. She must save herself and others, and figure out how far she's willing to fight for what she believes in.

This book is the one that got me out of my reading slump. Lately I've been reading a lot of books with cookie cutter plots and characters that I don't connect with, but this one blew all those ideas away from my thinking. I'm definitely impressed. I'd like to get my gush about the aesthetics out of the way first; look at this cover. It's stunning. It is what first got my attention, and I'd love a print of it for my wall if I'm being honest.

But now, for the actual story. What I loved most about Plus One was the society and alternate history that Fama wove in her book. It was detailed and well thought out, and it made me feel like I was living the story alongside Sol and D'Arcy. The setting was startling but relatable too. On one hand, you have a creepy, dystopian like setting where guards can know everything about you, from your job to the pills you've recently taken from one swipe on your phone. This world is still relatively foreign to me, and is disturbing on its own. But Fama blends that by making it set in America, in the Midwest, where I live every day. It gave the sci-fi aspects a startling realism. I do have to admit, I love when books are set places I've been, so that was another perk of this book for me.

And then there's the characters. I love both Sol and D'Arcy, the main characters throughout the course of the plot. Sol, bluntly, is a bad ass. She's a heroine that knows what she wants and how to get it, and isn't afraid to get into trouble (and a little bit dirty) in order to do so. Contrarily, D'Arcy took me by surprise a few times, and I loved his intelligence and his craftiness. I really liked reading about them together, watching their own plot play out in the middle of all the drama taking place.

Drama that, in my opinion, was well paced, gripping, and left me rapidly turning pages. I didn't want to put this book down. It sucked me in from the beginning and held my attention until I was out of pages to turn.

If you're a fan of books like The City of Ember, Cinder, and Downsiders, or dystopian young adult as a whole, this is a book I'd definitely recommend. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Double Review: Emily and the Strangers & The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

Title: Emily and the Strangers #1
Authors: Mariah Huehner, Rob Reger, Emily Ivie
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 27th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Dark Horse Comics

★★★★

Four Stars.

---

I have to admit, this is the first graphic novel/comic that I've read of Emily the Strange. I am familiar with her and love her style, and own quite a few clothing pieces with her on it. I'm one of the "strange" ones out there, pale with a love of solitude and dark clothes, and therefore am definitely in the target audience for these books.

I really just adore her as a character. She's not afraid to be herself and be different, and that's a trait that's admirable no matter your age or style. In this particular installment of Emily and the Strangers, Emily has to learn to work with others in order to win battle of the bands. I, like the main character, am not all too big of a fan of working with others in most capacities, so I related and laughed with her as she struggled to make this arrangement work in order to get what she wants.

There's plenty of strange and dark in this book, which makes me happy. The artwork is well detailed, and rather dreary, but that is exactly what I wanted and anticipated when I set my eyes on this graphic novel. The plot also includes plenty of kick ass rock music, a cast of strangers, and the grand prize of a haunted guitar. Pretty rad right?

I liked this overall and would read the next one for sure. Fans of Emily the Strange and things that are a little weird and macabre would also enjoy this I think. Thanks to Netgalley & Dark Horse Comics for my chance to review this.

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Title: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys (The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #1-6)
Authors: Gerard Way, Shaun Simon, Becky Cloonan
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 7th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Dark Horse Comics

★★★★★

Four and a half stars, rounded up.

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I got an unhealthy amount of excited when I came across this collection. I am a huge fan of Gerard Way's other comic/graphic novel work, and I was eager to give The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys a chance, and I'm really glad I did.

The plot takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting, given a more twisted tone and cast of characters in Battery City. This world contains a girl who has to step in and find her place in order to be the one that the world needs to protect them from conformity in the form of things such as mega corporations. Not to mention, of course, the androids and robots and other cool creatures that make an appearance.

The books (this one contains the first six installments of the Killjoys graphic novels) may be a little hard to get into at first, since it's a pretty bizarre story that's only heightened by the bright, in your face artwork throughout, which I loved by the way. However, if you're a fan of My Chemical Romance, and especially if you have watched the videos/listened to the album Danger Days, these phrases, ideas, and people will be far more familiar to you. That being said, you don't have to be an MCR fan to enjoy Way's work. This is a fairly quick read with a lot of plot and the kind of twisted but powerful themes and writing that I've come to love from Gerard Way. If you like your graphic novels with a bright cast, brighter art work, and the idea that we all should be able to be who we are in a world that wants us to be the same, than you can appreciate this book. Thanks to Netgalley and Dark Horse Comics for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour Review + Giveaway: Justice Buried

Title: Justice Buried
Author: Hilary Thompson
Release Date: January 15th 2014
Purchase: Amazon

Blurb:
The people need Justice, but she's not listening. One hundred years before, the Great Sickness reduced the world to three cities. Now the community of Asphodel is trapped underground, waiting for the prophesied maiden of Justice to return and save them from their Fates.

Sixteen-year-old Astrea is supposed to be this savior - too bad for them she isn't a believer. Trea fights against her false destiny: she rebels against her family and friends, then refuses her arranged marriage to the charming but deceitful Lexan. Learning her life is in danger, Trea is forced to trust Lexan - until she discovers a power she never knew she had, and one he already knew he did.

As betrayal closes every door, Trea decides she must submit to her stars and accept her fate. Then a handsome stranger offers her an unexpected escape and the chance to create her own destiny.

*Click here to go to the Goodreads page!*

My review:

★★★★

I have to say, this book was a very pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the way that the author combined elements of myth and astrology to create a new world. The setting and the characters were well described, and it was easy to lose myself in the story telling. I thought it was really cool how fate came into play to tie characters together, and Thompson did a good job expanding and creating the more fantastical elements to this dystopian novel. I also really liked both of the love interests....

That's right. Both. There's a love triangle. It was exceptionally painful for me since I didn't hate either of them (normally I love one and hate the other with a passion). The character that irked me the most was in fact the lead heroine, Astrea. She came off as a lot of other girls do in literature: whiny and immature. It got better as the book went on, but it was definitely something that caught my attention while reading.

All in all, fans of romances (with love triangles) and dystopian young adults would be well advised to give Justice Buried. It has a unique setting with mythical elements that make it a book that's easy to get into. While it wasn't perfect, I would definitely pick up the next book to see how the saga continues. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

Hilary Thompson is an independently-published author who released her debut Young Adult novel, Justice Buried, in January, 2014. Justice Buried is the first in a dystopian fantasy series incorporating mythology and astrology, with the second full-length title due later in 2014.
She also teaches high school English, which gives her some insight into her target audience, and helps her maintain a thick skin.
Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Giveaway:

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Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Title: Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)
Author: Aimee Carter
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: November 26th 2013
Source: Netgalley & Harlequin TEEN

★★★★

Four stars.

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I picked up this book because it was one that blew up the blogosphere. I hadn't read any books by Aimee Carter before, so I was excited to get started on this dystopian novel. I'm glad I gave into peer pressure; this is a great start to a series that I cannot wait to finish.

First of all, I love the world that Carter created. US citizens are categorized and sorted by number, depending on the results of their test. The higher the number, the better off in society you'll be. The lower... Well, let's just say it's not good. The scenery is well written and the characters well described so that I could easily fall into the story. I read it in one go. I was particularly intrigued by the concept of Elsewhere- where you go when you need to be out of sight for good. I had to read the reveal of that a good three times before I accepted it!

I also loved the amount of action in this book. The plot is one big strategy game, where everyone is trying to out-lie everyone else. When you think someone's lying, they're telling the truth. You think you can trust them? Think again. I was perpetually asking myself "Wait, WHAT?" but in a really good way. I like when I don't have a book entirely figured out. The only problem with having such dense layers of treachery and deceit is that sometimes the timing seemed a bit rushed or choppy. I found myself questioning where I was in the novel one or two times, but not enough to really hinder my reading experience.

If you're a fan of YA dystopian books such as Stung, The Hunger Games and Divergent, then I'd definitely give Pawn a try. I eagerly await the next book in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin TEEN for my chance to read this.

Blog Tour Review + Giveaway: Broken Skies

Title: Broken Skies (Broken Skies #1)
Author: Theresa Kay
Release Date: March 2014
Publisher: Selfpublished
Purchase: Amazon

Blurb:
Thirty years ago, there was the Collapse. A massive war fought with biological weapons and followed by plague. Almost everyone died.

Ten years ago, the aliens showed up. They made one of our cities their own and that's where they stay, for the most part anyway.

One year ago, I killed two men and went a little crazy.

Today, the aliens took my brother and I will do whatever it takes to get him back even if it means partnering up with the enemy, an alien boy who makes me think things I shouldn't and makes me feel things I don’t understand.

*Click here to go to the Goodreads page!*

My review:

★★★★

Three and a half stars, rounded up.

I have a love/hate relationship with science-fiction novels, but when I saw this book, I was drawn in not only by the lovely cover design, but the intriguing plot too. All in all, this is a solid read that those who read this genre, as well as YA romance and dystopian settings, will enjoy. It's worth a read.

I really liked the way that author Theresa Kay described both the characters and the world around them. I very much felt as if I was exploring nature and the city alongside the characters, and that's a great trait for a book to have. I was also smitten with her descriptions of the aliens. They sounded so beautiful and mysterious, I wanted to get a glimpse of them for myself.

I also really like the idea of a dystopian involving a romance between a surviving human and an alien. Call me old fashioned, but the forbidden romance plot never gets old for me. Especially when, like in Broken Skies, there is no insta-love, and the protagonist is a strong female who has no intentions of becoming an obedient housewife any time soon.

I started off really liking Jax, the main character, but as the book continued I grew less fond of her. In my opinion she grew less strong and less pleasant. However I loved Lir, the alien romance, from beginning to end. I was intrigued by him and his people, and wanted to learn more about his kind.

Another thing that sort of irked me was the cliffhanger ending. Don't get me wrong, it's a great way to ensure that I'll continue on with the next book in the series. But, I was not prepared for it and felt a bit let down by it.

This is a book that paints a vivid picture of a future after a collapse of the human world as we know it. It has a little something for everyone. Whether it be romance, aliens, dystopia, or female leads, you can pick your poison when it comes to Broken Skies. I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

The only person she knows who had a subscription to Writer's Digest at eleven and was always excited to write research papers, Theresa has been putting words to paper since a young age. She writes predominantly in the sci-fi and urban fantasy genres. Residing in central Virginia, she juggles two kids, a husband and a full-time job in addition to her writing and in her free time she reads almost anything she can get her hands on.
Website | Facebook

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Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent (Divergent #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Format: Paperback, 487 pages
Pub. Date: April 25th 2011
Source: The Babbling Reader blog

★★★★★

Five stars.

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In dystopian Chicago, the population has been divided into five factions. For each sixteen year old, the choice is a life changing one: you can choose which faction in which you will serve and live for the rest of your life. There's an administered test that guides your answer- but it doesn't work on Beatrice. This is more dangerous than it seems, and Beatrice must decide who she really is, what she will fight for, and what she holds most dear in order to save not just her skin, but the lives of others.

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I don't know why I waited so long to read this book. I've been hearing about it for what seems like lifetimes on various book blogs I follow. I was a little hesitant to read it, since so many people loved it. I didn't want to be disappointed, and I definitely wasn't.

I think what I loved the most was the setting. Being a Chicago girl, of course I was excited when street names and landmarks that I'm familiar with were integrated into the story line. But it gave the book a scarier, more "true dystopian" feel for me as well. It was unnerving to think about my beautiful city becoming such a thing, and the haunting tone that Roth writes into the story definitely stayed with me after I put the book down. I love the society and technology that she created within this series.

The spacing and pace were also better than expected. I didn't find any lulls or times where I was bored or wanted to stop reading. I started this book on a train from Chicago to southern Illinois, and I was finished before I was at my destination. I didn't want to put it down.

I loved the characters, and I love the Dauntless. It's more often than not that I dislike female leads, but the struggles that Tris faced- both mental and physical- amazed me, and I was cheering her on from cover to cover. Not to mention Four. I was really emotionally invested in their lives, hating some and loving others.

I am SO glad that I picked this up (finally) and now I'm dying to read the rest of the trilogy, and to see the movie too. I recommend this for fans of YA dystopian books with a touch of romance: people who liked Matched, The Hunger Games, or Swans & Klons- this means you!

Thank you to The Babbling Reader blog for my copy.

Review: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

Title: You Are Mine (Mine #1)
Author: Janeal Falor
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 6 2013
Source: Netgalley & Chardonian Press

★★★★

Four stars.

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When Serena is tested and found to be of good stock, she knows that the rest of her life is written. She will be married off to a warlock and become his, his property. To serve him and do as he pleases, no matter how cruel or pointless, and produce his children. And if she disobeys, she will lose it all. She will be shaved, tattooed, and barren- and perhaps even sacrificed- and worth nothing to society. Her ownership is won by a man from another country, who lets her get away with a little rebellion that no one else had ever tolerated. But how much is she willing to chance in a society that sees her only as a material good?

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I have to say, I was very much impressed with this story. It uses a few of my favorite things: dystopia, magic, and romance, and wraps them up into a unique package.

I loved the cast of characters in this book, namely the heroine Serena. She was strong in her principles, even when she knew the consequences of daring to have an opinion. At the same time, she knows when enough is enough. I never questioned her fighting back to be over the top, as I have in other books with "strong" characters. I also loved Zade, the "barbarian" who wins her hand. The land that he's from differs from hers, to a better degree. I enjoyed their light romance throughout this book.

I liked the magical societies that Janeal Falor created. At the beginning of the book there is a tournament in which many lands come together, and that helped to draw me in from the get-go. I'm a sucker for fantasy novels, and I loved the blending of the horrors that are associated with a dystopian society (such as abusive and inequality) and more fantastical elements of spells and magic. I was a bit afraid of this merge, but Falor definitely pulls it off with her writing.

This book is definitely one that sucked me in from the beginning, and the action only tapered off at a few minor points for me- it was hard to put down as a whole. The tarnished, or the no longer useful women of society were a really interesting, creepy element of the story that reminded me of the Avox from The Hunger Games series.

I will for sure pick up the next book in this series (assuming from the #1 after this title that there will be more installments!) and I'd advise fans of dystopian young adult as well as fantasy YA fans to do the same.

Thanks to Netgalley and Chardonian Press for my copy.

Review: Inhuman by Kat Falls

Title: Inhuman (Fetch #1)
Author: Kat Falls
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 24th 2013
Source: Netgalley and Scholastic

★★★

Three stars.

Inhuman is a dystopian novel in which a virus spreads across America. It causes those afflicted to develop animal-like traits, morphing them into feral half animal creatures. Sixteen year old Lane is sent on a mission to save her father, even if it means going into the Savage Zone. She risks it all in order to accomplish it, and meets a few characters who may be more dangerous than she'd ever imagined.

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Meh.

I give points to the author for her creativity when writing this book. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that there wasn't zombies in this book. It was a cool take on a spreading virus, having DNA altered and creating these savage animal-like people. Unfortunately, I just didn't really get the "creepy" factor that's needed for a dystopian novel to ring true. I know that this is a fiction book, but part of what makes dystopian or post-apocalyptic books so disturbing or powerful is the fact that they could very well happen. I didn't feel that connection to this book.

Another thing that made me disconnect from this story were the characters. The protagonist wasn't all too awful, but she definitely isn't a strong enough character to stand out in my mind. She just kind of... Exists. I was never really cheering her on, nor was I hating her so much that I wished her to fail. She was just there. It's hard to really explain. Now a character that I did have feelings for, though negatively, was Rafe. Rafe is one of the love interests- yes, one of. Because there's a triangle. Joy.

Rafe is a jerk. The fact that Lane is interested in him at all only furthered my disinterest in her story. The dialogue between them is blunt to the point of forced or fake. I just really didn't want to read more about them at parts. The more this interest/love triangle went on, the more that I just, didn't care.

This book did have positives though. The writing, forced dialogue aside, was actually pretty good. There were a lot of concepts and parts of the plot that I liked, and that held my attention well. I think that if the triangle were removed, this book would have had an entirely different rating for me. For me, that was the main reason why I didn't enjoy this book. Everything else was fine. I especially enjoyed the setting, which had a creepy hospital-like feeling, due to the medical/virus themes of the book.

I also love the cover. It'd definitely get my attention, and I'd pick it up if I saw it on a shelf. I love the color scheme.

All that being said, that book gets three star, average rating from me. I'm still not really sure how to feel about it, to be honest. I understand that this is the first book in a series. Despite my issues with this first book, I would pick up the next one to see how things progress and if my feelings for it improve.

If hot jerks who are inexplicably adored and love triangles are not your thing, Inhuman should be skipped. But, if the premise of a dystopian book free of zombies with a new twist on the virus intrigues you, this might be worth your time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Scholastic for my copy.

Review: Tumble & Fall

Title: Tumble & Fall
Author: Alexandra Coutts
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 17th 2013
Source: Netgalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

★★★★

Four stars.

The end of earth as we know it is coming. An asteroid named Persephone is headed towards the Earth, and there's only a week of time left. An impending doom such as this reveals a lot about a person, and raises so many questions. What do I believe in? What will I do with my last remaining time? Who will stand by me as the world comes crashing down?

Tumble & Fall follows three such stories, which are loosely entwined; Zan, whose dead boyfriend leaves a mystery behind for her, Caden, whose family is keeping secrets that he hadn't even imagined, and then there's Sienna, who struggles to come to terms with herself, and the changes she's missed in her time spent away from home.

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There's something in the prose of this book that's so haunting that it sticks to your thoughts even after you've closed it.

The first thing, admittedly, that drew me to this novel is the cover. It's stunning, and I think is a subtle way to connect the design to the plot of the story. I also like that this book is on a fairly topical subject. Of course, there's no asteroid headed for Earth in a week. But NASA funding is being cut, and that's what leads to the ultimate trouble in this book.

I like the way that this book is organized. It's divided into days, helping the reader remember just how much time is left on the clock. This book also follows three different points of views. I often have a problem switching between characters, but that wasn't the case for me in T&F. Because the characters' personalities were so different, and because the chapters were labelled with their names, I had no problem weaving their stories.

This book does have its cheesy moments, and has kind of a rushed happy-ever-after vibe. Normally this would bother me too, but it's a book about a limited time. Of course things are going to feel a bit rushed- there's only a week left. The writing itself was beautiful and fluid, and conjured up great images of the Massachusetts setting.

My favorite plot line was that of Zan, and my least favorite was Caden. Caden's story came off a bit strange and almost uncomfortable at times. Zan's story made me cheer for her, and I hoped for her sake that she'd find the closure that she was searching for. I think the end scene was a great way to pull the stories together, and to leave an ending open to the reader's interpretation.

I recommend this book to those who don't mind a bit of teen/young adult summer romance or happy endings. If you don't like insta-love or open ended books, then this might not be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for my copy.

Swans and Klons by Nora Olsen

Title: Swans and Klons
Editor: Nora Olsen
Format: egalley edition
Pub. Date: May 14th 2013
Source: NetGalley & Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

★★★★

Four stars.

In the future of the planet Earth, there is no longer a need for males. No longer are women subjected to the disgusting man creatures, and they don't have to go through the awful, painful, barbaric ritual of child birth. There are only women, chosen to be descendants of 300 superior females, and only from those 300. And then there are the Klons- the lesser minded, not-quite-humans that serve the Society and do the jobs that no one else wants to, like cleaning and driving. Light on rules and fairly peaceful, Rubric wasn't one to question the ways of Society, until together with her girlfriend, Salmon Jo, they uncover a disturbing truth- Klons may not be different from humans at all. The girls must decide where they stand, what they will risk, and how to unravel the knitted lies that they have been fed all of their lives.

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I have to say, I'm quite impressed by this book. It falls in two of my favorite book genres- dystopian and LGBT. Though this book isn't without faults, I would definitely recommend it.

+ I love the combination of blending the two aforementioned themes. I am a huge fan of dystopian fiction, and this is the first book I have ever encountered with such a strong queer theme. It gave the novel a very unique plot line, and will make it stand out in my mind.

+Because of the lesbian motif of Swans and Klons, I found it more relatable than most other books of the same genre. I was able to more vividly experience Rubric's emotions- from love to separation and grief- since they were emotions directed at a female. I often thought of my own girlfriend and myself in their place. Like Salmon Jo and Rubric, one of us is very practical and no nonsense, and the other is artistic and almost too imaginative.... I won't divulge which of us is which!

+As with other dystopian novels, I like this book because it was disturbing. Books with futures that are almost utopias scare me more than horror books ever could, and this one was no exception. The unique twist of genetically identical people being created only to be slaves is creepy, at the very least, though I mean it in the best way possible.

-My faults with the book were few, but still hindered my reading experience. The first was the lack of romance and affection between Salmon Jo and Rubric. Often times they seemed blatantly cold and plastic towards one another. I wish there would have been more sweetness, so that I could dive deeper emotionally into the plot.

-The only other problem that I had with this book was a few word redundancies that got old really quick. The words "thicko" and "veruckt" were used with an alarming abundance. I'd definitely switch up those words now and then.

I sincerely hope that Swans and Klons is the first book in a series, or at least a two-parter. Nora Olsen has made a new fan in me with her new, queer-friendly take on dystopian fiction. Fans of books such as Beta or Uglies should check this book out. If gay themes or relationships offend you, than this is NOT a book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for my e-copy.