Unwind

Unwind
by Neal Shutterman

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away. -Back 'o the Book

This book was really easy for me to get into. With quick chapters that jumped around from multiple points of view, it was fast and engrossing. There was a whole world created that seems like it could be in the not too distant future. The characters were all real but I wish they had developed them a little more.

Sure it sounds kind of dark and it is a bit angsty, but wouldn't you be if your parents didn't want you anymore? I think a lot of people would love this story. I was particularly fascinated by the concept of unwinding and there is a very powerful scene where is describes the process of unwinding and the thoughts going through the kid's mind. Fantastic read. Can't wait for the next one!

-Recommended 

Angelfall

Angelfall
by Susan Ee


It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again. - Back o' the Book

I had heard a lot of hype about this book and it seemed to be on a lot of best sellers lists so I decided to give it a try. The blurb on the back was interesting enough. Although I did like the story line and the concept was awesome, there seemed to be something wrong with how it was executed. I think what turned me off was the last of detail in the surroundings and in transitions between places. It seemed like the story was moving forward with a white background and only dialogue and inner thought to give you a sense of where you are. I felt lost while I was reading it. 

I'm not saying it was a bad book. I did enjoy the intrigue and the slight romance but then again, the characters seemed very flat to me. The main character, Penryn (which is an awkward name to say aloud) din't seem to grow at all during the whole book. I knew exactly what she would do from start to finish and she seemed too much like a fiction character. The main guy, Raffe, was also flat to me. He didn't have much to say and his actions seemed bored and apathetic most of the time, like a hollow shell of the cliche "YA bad boy" persona. Even other characters in the book that came by only for a scene or two seemed very fake and empty.

I feel a little bad for being so critical but I wasn't as insanely impressed as I thought I would be and I could tell by page 1. However, I don't regret reading it. It was quick to get through and kept me interested the whole way through. I can say it was never boring. I know that the author is planning another few books in the same series and I'm willing to get the next one and see if she develops her characters more. Not super great but not a bad read either. Just my opinion anyway. 

Insurgent

Insurgent
by Veronica Roth


One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. -Back o' the Book

This is book 2 (and I believe it's the last of the series) for the novel Divergent. I really enjoyed the first book but was kind of unimpressed by the main character although I did see much room for personal growth. In Insurgent, I was not disappointed. The stakes were much higher, the plot deeper, and the characters more complex, especially Tris, our heroine. I enjoyed watching her develop a personality and how bad things seemed to pile up on her. Her rise to the call of bravery was also invigorating to watch. 

I thought the ending left a lot of questions but gave you enough to satisfy (if this really is the end). I think anyone who likes dystopian novels would appreciate this series as much as I did. It even has a tad bit of romance in it although it's not riddled with it.

-Recommended

Eona

Eona
by Alison Goodman

Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power—and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans... -Back o' the Book

So this is the sequel to Eon, the book I posted about previously. I really liked the first one but I liked the second even better. It kept building and building till the last few pages when it all came together. Like I mentioned before, I liked the way the author created the setting as well as the diverse characters. I loved the way the characters changed over the course of one book, it was very fun to read about their transformation.

Most books I can guess what's going to happen but this one held me in the dark most of the time, which is kind of refreshing, in a frustrating way. If you enjoy fantasy and strong characters, this is the book for you! (But please start with the first book.)

-Recommended

Ashes

Ashes
by Ilsa J. Bick

     An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.
     Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP. 
     For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human. -Back o' the Book

     This book had me gripped from the first page. I seriously did not want to put this one down. I was careful to try and not read it right before bed because it is a little creepy. I wasn't totally sold on the book description but once I realized what it was all about, I knew this was my kind of book!
     The main character was someone I could relate to and I liked the fact that she can really take care of herself (especially since her cop father taught her all the right things about guns and how to handle them). This is the first in a trilogy which I thought strange because most post-apocalyptic book don't have sequels for obvious reasons. I can say that I can't wait for the next book to come out in a few months because I really became emotionally invested in the characters and their story. One of my favorites!

-Recommended

The Reapers Are The Angels

The Reapers Are The Angels
by Alden Bell

     For twenty-five years, civilization has survived in meager enclaves, guarded against a plague of the dead.  Temple wanders this blighted landscape, keeping to herself and keeping her demons inside her heart.  She can't remember a time before the zombies, but she does remember an old man who took her in and the younger brother she cared for until the tragedy that set her on a personal journey toward redemption.  Moving back and forth between the insulated remnants of society and the brutal frontier beyond, Temple must decide where ultimately to make a home and find the salvation she seeks. - Back o' the Book
     If you're not really into zombies, don't worry, it's not super focused on them and if you are really into zombies, it has enough action to keep you interested. It's been described as a "Southern Gothic". I must say, I almost returned this to the library due to her slight southern accent (yes, that sometimes annoys me) but I stuck with it and I loved it! Temple is an interesting character, she has the body of a 16 year old but a mind that is mature beyond her years. She never knew a world before the dead walked the earth so she grows up focused on survival and going with the flow of life. She has very interesting perspectives on nature, God, and even the zombies that plague the earth.
     It has a little bit of mature content so I wouldn't suggest it to young folks, but this book is on my list of favorites. I wont ruin the ending, but I'll just say I loved it! This comes highly recommended.

-Recommended

Divergent

Divergent 
by Veronica Roth
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. - Back o' the Book

     To begin, I'd like to say this makes it onto my Top Favorites list! This booked sucked me in from page one and I had a very hard time putting it down. I spent a couple nights into the wee hours of the morning pouring through this but it was well worth the baggy eyes.
     The main character, Beatrice, starts out as this seemingly young, lost, indecisive character with tons of room to grow. I had a hard time creating what she looked like in my brain but then again, there was a whole lot more to be engrossed by. Beatrice makes a choice that changes her whole life and puts her through difficulties she could only imagine.
     My most favorite aspect about this book is the fact that the character makes a complete change. The girl she was in the beginning grows and blossoms in such a unique way. I'm usually pretty good about guessing the outcome of a character before the end of the book, but Beatrice took off in an unsuspected was and does not stop growing and surprising you till the very last page.
    This book is great for both girls and guys and the age group can be from young adult on up. I would categorize it as an "Action Adventure" type story with plenty of violence, humor, rising tension and just a tad bit of romance. Definitely, I recommend this to anyone looking for a great read!

-Recommended