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March 31, 2018

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir: A ARC Review

Title: The Final Six
Author: Alexandra Monir
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: March 6th 2018
Pages: 345
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository | iBooks

When Leo, an Italian championship swimmer, and Naomi, a science genius from California, are two of the twenty-four teens drafted into the International Space Training Camp, their lives are forever altered. After erratic climate change has made Earth a dangerous place to live, the fate of the population rests on the shoulders of the final six who will be scouting a new planet. Intense training, global scrutiny, and cutthroat opponents are only a few of the hurdles the contestants must endure in this competition.

For Leo, the prospect of traveling to Europa—Jupiter’s moon—to help resettle humankind is just the sense of purpose he’s been yearning for since losing his entire family in the flooding of Rome. Naomi, after learning of a similar space mission that mysteriously failed, suspects the ISTC isn’t being up front with them about what’s at risk.

As the race to the final six advances, the tests get more challenging—even deadly. With pressure mounting, Naomi finds an unexpected friend in Leo, and the two grow closer with each mind-boggling experience they encounter. But it’s only when the finalists become fewer and their destinies grow nearer that the two can fathom the full weight of everything at stake: the world, the stars, and their lives.

This was a fast paced sci-fi dystopian book. It roped me in from the beginning and had me page turning every step of the way to find out what happens next. I really enjoy this authors writing style and I can't wait to read more of her books, as this is the second book by Monir that I have had the chance to read.

In this one we have two perspectives, but it wasn't confusing, which was a nice change. Leo and Naomi. Leo seems very genuine and Naomi is head strong. And they both embark on this mission for different reasons. While Leo is gun hoe about going since he has nothing left for in his flooded Rome, Naomi is resistant and a bit hesitant about going due to leaving her ill brother behind. These two unlikely teens share a bond and you can see that right from the start.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm hoping for a sequel as this ended on a cliffhanger. If you like dystopian and science fiction and space travel, then this book is just for you.

Alexandra Monir is an Iranian-American author and recording artist. Her debut, Timeless, was a Barnes & Noble Bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of the Month and was followed by its sequel, Timekeeper, as well as Suspicion, The Girl in the Picture, and The Final Six. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Find Alexandra: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free from Miss Print to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

**Book info obtained through Goodreads.

***Book Cover Obtained through Goodreads.

****Author photo obtained through author website.

5 Star Review: Survival Colony 9 by Joshua David Bellin #4Star #bookreview @TheYAGuy #giveaway

By Erin N 5:00 AM // 3 comments

Title: Survival Colony Nine
Author: Joshua David Bellin
Publisher: McElderry Books
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: September 23rd 2014
Purchase: Amazon

In a future world of dust and ruin, fourteen-year-old Querry Genn struggles to recover the lost memory that might save the human race.

Querry is a member of Survival Colony Nine, one of the small, roving groups of people who outlived the wars and environmental catastrophes that destroyed the old world. The commander of Survival Colony Nine is his father, Laman Genn, who runs the camp with an iron will. He has to--because heat, dust, and starvation aren't the only threats in this ruined world.

There are also the Skaldi.

Monsters with the ability to infect and mimic human hosts, the Skaldi appeared on the planet shortly after the wars of destruction. No one knows where they came from or what they are. But if they're not stopped, it might mean the end of humanity.

Six months ago, Querry had an encounter with the Skaldi--and now he can't remember anything that happened before then. If he can recall his past, he might be able to find the key to defeat the Skaldi.

If he can't, he's their next victim.

Wow, talk about an amazing book. It's the ultimate survival against a new paranormal unworldly enemy. Never before have I read about an enemy like these. The writer definitely had no problem writing and developing these ghastly creatures so the reader could envision them.

This story revolves around Querry Genn. Querry is a fourteen year old boy trampling around with one of the last, if not the last, survival colonies the world has. His father is the leader of this colony. The survivors all range in age from the very old (who remember the times before) to the very young who are about 4 years old. But Querry isn't like the rest of the survivors in his colony. He lost his memory of himself six months prior. He doesn't remember who he is or what had happened to him to make him lose his memory. All the training techniques to help him regain his memory are failing. As he tries to remember who he is, he feels a little bit of an outsider of sorts. Always being tormented by Yov, an older boy of seventeen, who is always calling him "Space Boy".

But things aren't always as they seem. And even though I had a pretty good assumption as to what was going on and who Querry really was, I really wasn't prepared for the twist in the ending that threw all my assumptions straight out of the window. Who doesn't love a book with a good twist at the end?

I highly recommend this book to everyone!

Joshua David Bellin has been writing books since the age of eight (though his first few were admittedly very, very short), and Survival Colony 9 is his first novel. When he’s not writing, he spends his time drawing, catching amphibians, and watching monster movies with his kids. A Pittsburgh native, Josh has taught college English, published three nonfiction books (one about monsters!), and taken part in the movement to protect the environment.

Find Joshua: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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5 Star Review: The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson #BookReview @marypearson #5Star

By Erin N 5:00 AM // No comments

Title: The Heart of Betrayal (The Remnant Chronicles #2)
Author: Mary Pearson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Release Date: July 7th 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Intrigue abounds in this hotly anticipated sequel to The Kiss of Deception!

Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape. Desperate to save her life, Lia's erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komizar that she has the gift, and the Komizar's interest in Lia is greater than anyone could have foreseen.

Meanwhile, nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to Lia, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom Lia always believed to be barbarians. Now that she lives amongst them, however, she realizes that may be far from the truth. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her sense of self, Lia must make powerful choices that will affect her country... and her own destiny.

This was a great sequel. In true sequel fashion, this was a little less action and a bit more story and romance. But it was well proportioned. The reader gets to see quite a bit of Venda, it's nasty Komizar and we get to see more of Kaden and Lia's relationship.

While we already saw a slightly softer side of Kaden in the first book, we get to see a deeper look into his life and world and how much he really isn't in control of the majority of his actions. I started to instantly like him and hate him all at the same time.

Rafe was also in this one. He was supposed to be the valiant rescuer, to save Princess Lia from her fate as prisoner of Venda. However, he managed to get himself caught as well and they both had to pretend they didn't have feelings for each other, just to save the other.

All in all, this is a great book, with a fantastic, nail-biting ending. And while I'm torn now between Rafe and Kaden, I think everyone should run out and buy this series (so you can decide who is better) if you haven't already, and if you have and haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? Go read it....now!

Mary E. Pearson is the author of bestselling, award-winning novels for teens. The Miles Between was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, and The Adoration of Jenna Fox was listed as a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, an IRA Young Adult Choice, NYPL Stuff for the Teen Age, and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She is also the author of A Room on Lorelei Street, David v. God, and Scribbler of Dreams. Pearson studied art at Long Beach State University, and worked as an artist before earning her teaching credential at San Diego State University. She writes full-time from her home in Carlsbad, California, where she lives with her husband and two dogs.

Find Mary: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Book Club: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson @NYNBC #BookReview @marypearson #4Star

By Erin N 6:00 AM // No comments

Title: The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1)
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publisher: Henry Holt
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: July 8th 2014
Purchase: Amazon

A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

I didn't know what to expect from this book. When my book club picked out book 2 to read this month, I decided to pick up this book and read it so I wouldn't be lost. Needless to say, this one threw me for a loop towards the end, which made me go back and re-read some chapters so I had a better understanding.

When you first start to read this book, you are going through Princess Lia's POV. And while some people may think that she is a stuck up snobbish girl who is selfish and only does things for herself, you can't help but to blame her. I realize times were different back when you had kings and queens. You were married off to the highest bidder or forced to marry someone you didn't love, just to form an alliance between kingdoms. But Lia didn't care, she followed her heart and her best friend, and fled the confines of a convenient marriage for a chance at true happiness and true love. If I were in her shoes, I would have done the same thing. But that's because I have always had a bit of a stubborn streak, just like Lia.

Next you get thrown into two different POVs. We are introduced to the Assassin and the Prince. In each of these perspectives you get to glimpse into their feelings and worlds. They are both on a quest to find the runaway Princess, but for totally different reasons. When they both arrive at a tavern at the same time for a chance encounter of the Princess, things start to get pretty interesting.

However, words can be deceiving. As I found out towards the end of the book. Once these two men introduce themselves as Rafe and Kaden the chapters POV change from Prince and Assassin to Rafe and Kaden, leaving you to guess which one is which. When things are revealed towards the end of the book I was shocked and confused because I had gotten the two mixed up and had to go back and re-read a few key scenes to fix my confusion.

This one does end on a bit of a cliff-hanger, but I have a feeling that it will be well worth it. We will soon find out, as I'm about to pick up the second book, The Heart of Betrayal, to read.

Find Mary: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Book Club: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir #promo #5Star #BookReview @NYNBC @sabaatahir

By Erin N 1:01 AM // No comments

Love Reading?

Well come join the online book-club over on Facebook called Not Your Normal Bookclub!

We read 1 book a month and then discuss and share it on twitter and Facebook!

This month we read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir and The Taking by Kimberly Derting. However, since I have been on two separate vactions this month alone and am taking a short break from reading until my daughter goes back to school, I decided to just tackle the one and read An Ember in the Ashes.

Title: An Ember in the Ashes
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia
Release Date: April 28th 2015
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon

Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

This was a pretty great read. It did start off slow from the start however. Each chapter you are alternated between Laia and Elias perspectives, which I honestly didn't mind. However, you are left questioning how long it will take for the two to cross paths, as it takes almost halfway through the book or more for them to finally meet.

I really enjoyed the fact that both the main characters are from totally opposite worlds. It was a nice change that the girl came from "the wrong side of the tracks" rather then the boy. But I also enjoyed that they both are dealing with the fact that they want to break free from their lives and escape into something better. I think in that sense, they are a perfect pairing.

I can't wait for the second book to come out, which of course, has yet to be named. With action, adventure, budding romance and being dystopian, this book is sure to please almost anyone.

Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.

Find Sabaa: Website | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads

Book Club: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard #promo #bookreview @NYNBC @VictoriaAveyard #5Star

By Erin N 1:30 PM // No comments

Love Reading? Well come join the online book-club over on Facebook called Not Your Normal Bookclub! We read 1 book a month and then discuss and share it on twitter and Facebook!
This month we are reading Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard!

Title: Red Queen (Red Queen #1) Author: Victoria Aveyard Publisher: HarperTeen Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopia Release Date: February 10th 2015 Purchase: Amazon

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Oh. My. God! This book was seriously amazing! I absolutely loved it and I so wished that it never ended! But, alas, it had to come to an end, but not without leaving you with a cliffhanger.

The story was absolutely awesome. I really enjoyed the contrast between the two different types of people. You have the Reds, who are normal people, who struggle everyday to make ends meet, are forced into battle if they aren't placed with a talent. They are like the working class of the everyday world. And then you have the Silvers. They are the gods. The elite, the rich and famous type people. Politicians and Royals. And they also possess special abilities that the Reds don't and can't possess. They are the type that look down their noses at the working class, who think they are above them. And all of this is set in a Dystopian world.

The characters were also amazing. I think the author captured the essence of each and everyone quite well. I really liked how Mare was witty and cunning, I didn't like how gullible she was and quick to judge people though.

The story became predictable early on, but even with that, I was still pleased with the ending and the direction the story went. And I won't go into too much more of this, because I don't want to spoil it for you if you haven't read it.

I recommend this book if you are a fan of The Selection by Kiera Cass or Match by Ally Condie with a little bit of a fantasy/paranormal twist.

Victoria Aveyard recently graduated from USC, where she majored in screenwriting. She has sold several television pilots and feature-length screenplays, and is currently represented by the Hollywood management company Benderspink. RED QUEEN is her first novel. She currently lives in Los Angeles. Find Victoria: Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter

DNF Review: The Fire Sermon by Francesca Haig #DNF @FrancescaHaig #Giveaway

By Erin N 1:31 PM // 1 comment

Title: The Fire Sermon (The Fire Sermon #1)
Author: Francesca Haig
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Teen, Science Fiction
Release Date: March 10th 2015
Source: Night Owl Reviews
Purchase: Amazon

When Zach and I were born our parents must have counted and recounted: limbs, fingers, toes. We were perfect. They would have been disbelieving: nobody dodged the split between Alpha and Omega. Nobody.

They were born together and they will die together.

One strong Alpha twin and one mutated Omega; the only thing they share is the moment of their death.

The Omegas live in segregation, cast out by their families as soon as their mutation becomes clear. Forced to live apart, they are ruthlessly oppressed by their Alpha counterparts.

The Alphas are the elite. Once their weaker twin has been cast aside, they're free to live in privilege and safety, their Omega twin far from their thoughts.

Cass and Zach are both perfect on the outside: no missing limbs, no visible Omega mutation. But Cass has a secret: one that Zach will stop at nothing to expose.

The potential to change the world lies in both their hands. One will have to defeat the other to see their vision of the future come to pass, but if they're not careful both will die in the struggle for power.

I had such high hopes for this book. When reading the synopsis it sounded absolutely amazing. The idea of people being born into pairs and then being split into different societies after birth really had me. But when I started to read this, the words and writing just couldn't seem to grab my attention and pull me in. I really tried and tried to get into this, but with no luck. I may try to read this again at a later date, but as for now, it just is not for me.

Disclaimer: *I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Francesca Haig is an author and academic. Her poetry is widely published, and her novel The Fire Sermon (the first in a post-apocalyptic trilogy) will be published in February 2015 by HarperVoyager (UK) and March 2015 by Simon & Schuster (US and Canada), and is being translated into more than 20 languages. She gained her PhD from the University of Melbourne, and her principal research area is Holocaust literature. She grew up in Tasmania, and currently lives in London.

Find Francesca: Twitter