Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

The Sowing Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop at "The Sowing" Blog Tour hosted my Giselle from Expresso Book Tours!
I can´t wait to tell you my thoughts on this, so keep reading, because at the end on this post you will find a Giveaway!

 The Book                                                            


Title: The Sowing
Author: K. Makansi
Release Date: August 19th 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopia
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥
Remy Alexander was born into the elite meritocracy of the Okarian Sector. From an early age, she and her friends were programmed for intellectual and physical superiority through specialized dietary regimes administered by the Okarian Agricultural Consortium. But when her older sister Tai was murdered in a brutal classroom massacre, her parents began to suspect foul play. They fled the Sector, taking their surviving daughter underground to join the nascent Resistance movement. But now, three years later, Remy’s former schoolgirl crush, Valerian OrleĆ”n, is put in charge of hunting and destroying the Resistance. As Remy and her friends race to unravel the mystery behind her sister’s murder, Vale is haunted by the memory of his friendship with Remy and is determined to find out why she disappeared. As the Resistance begins to fight back against the Sector, and Vale and Remy search for the answers to their own questions, the two are set on a collision course that could bring everyone together—or tear everything apart.

 My Thoughts                                                    
I dived into this book while being in a really frustrating and unnerving reading slumb. I knew I needed a really good and action packed book to keep me entertained, and out of sheer frustration - because I couldn´t find anything fitting for that in my shelf - I started reading The Sowing. And oh my god, that was really all I needed to get me back on the reading track! It was awesome and I couldn´t put it down!

I believe that the beginning of this book decided things for me. I´ve rarely read a more shocking and addicting first chapter of a book. The book doesn´t start of with the protagonist Remy Alexander, but with her older sister Tai. I don´t want to give much away, because I know I was thrilled, excited and overwhelmed by this very first chapter for the simple reason that no one  had spoiled me! I think as a reader you really have to dive into this story knowing almost nothing, it´s so much better this way!

Now let me just tell you how absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g the character development is! They are so real and full of life and most importantly: real! Every action and every move they make I could understand, because it was in no way forced, but natural! Let´s just keep in mind that 3 persons wrote this great story. Honestly,  you can´t tell by reading the book...that really says something about the harmony in that writing trio.

If I thought I liked Tai, then let me tell you that I adored Remy, it was a bit hard for me though, because the abrupt narrator change in the beginning made me feel very, very sad. Still, Remy is a wonderful young girl that wants the world to become a better place. Remy is part of a resistance group that is working against the government. The government is the sole authority when it comes to food and water, no citizen is allowed to grow crops and has to depend on the government. Not that anyone would be able to grow crops, because the DNA for those is known to be long lost.
It is very hard for me to describe the world that is shown in The Sowing, because it is so utter complex. You can really tell that the authors put a lot of thought and knowledge of DNA, molecules and helices into it. It is a true and very terrifying dystopia that has so much potential to become true.

Then the love triangle. I´m not a fan of love triangles, because I tend to always be part of the team that loses in the end. This love triangle consists of Remy, Vale and Soren. 
The point of view changes each chapter between Remy and Vale. Those two were in love when they were still in school together. Vale is the semi-villain in this scenario. Semi, because he just doen´t know better. The true villain in this story is his mother, who is willing to go very far in order to protect her perfect little world. 
I know that Vale is a good guy, I really do, but I can´t help myself that I´m part of Team Soren! He had a troubling past and had to give so much up when he became part of the resistance, but I loved him almost from the start. He really cares for Remy and always looks out for her, even if he acts like a total jerk. I was so happy when they finally got along and developed feelings for each other.
So please, please, please let this dystopia end well for Soren and Remy. I couldn´t stand if she ended up with Vale...I really can´t wait for the next book!

The Yearning Mermaid says:" This is the perfect fit for fans af dystopias, action and a well-written story! Pick it up!"

 About the Author                                           
K. Makansi is the pen name for the writing triumvirate consisting of Amira, Elena, and Kristina Makansi. Two sisters and their mother, the three women developed a passionate interest in science fiction as a way to write about issues of food sovereignty and food justice. Elena is pursuing a degree in environmental studies at Oberlin College in Ohio, and will graduate in May of 2014. Amira was a history student at the University of Chicago whose day job working in the cellar of a winery (and constantly being splattered with wine) keeps her busy when she’s not writing. And Kristy owns and operates Blank Slate Press, an independent publishing company based out of St. Louis, and is a partner at Treehouse Publishing Group, a company providing editorial and design services to aspiring authors. When not writing or reading, the three can be found having animated discussions around the dinner table, sharing a good bottle of wine, or taking long walks in the park eagerly plotting out their next book.

Author Links:

 The Giveaway                                                  
Thanks to K. Makansi I have an ebook copy of "The Sowing" to share with you guys! The giveaway ends on April 5th and all you have to do is follow the instructions on the rafflecopter! I will contact the winner at the end of the giveaway. Open internationally!
Please note that the winner must contact me back within 48 hours or I will select another winner!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Monday, March 3, 2014

Shattered Worlds Book Blitz

You all know that I´m an absolute fan of dystopian stories! So no wonder I jumped up at the chance to help promote a short story collection that is full of dystopias! You will surely find a review of this collection on my blog in some time! And can I just address this awesome cover real quick, please?! STUNNING!

    The Book                                                              


Title: Shattered Worlds
Publ. date:  February 26th 
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

Goodreads


Read these bestselling tales of survival against the odds, dark worlds, dystopian regimes and heroic rebels.

Shattered Worlds features six full-length novels from bestselling authors. Immerse yourself in post-apocalyptic civilizations and bleak near-futures where hope still lives.

Featured authors and books are:

Elle Casey: Apocalypsis
Shalini Boland: Outside
Zoe Cannon: The Torturer’s Daughter
Scott Cramer: Night of the Purple Moon
Sarah Dalton: The Blemished
Katie French: The Breeders

    The Giveaway                                                        
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

Read on to find out what I think about Legend by Marie Lu. This is a spoiler free review!
 The Book                                                            
Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Penguin

Source: Purchased
Age Group: Young Adult (YA)
Genre: Dystopia
Overall: ♥♥♥♥
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
 My Thoughts                                                    
It took me some time to pick this book up. It was standing in my shelf for quite some time before I decided to finally give it at go. Legend is a fast-paced story that lived up to my expectations, which were - honestly - pretty high, and I´m sure as hell picking the next book in the series up soon!

The Plot
The plot is actually quite simple. There is June, a young girl that is the top student/soldier of the government. She got a perfect score on her test, which granted her access to an elite school and a bright future. Then there is Day, the most wanted criminal in the whole world, who failed his test. In a fateful night Day breaks into a hospital to steal plague treatments for his family when he is stopped by a young soldier. At the end of the night this soldier is dead and it was June´s brother. June is determined to find her brothers´ killer and everyone is sure that is was Day. Now it is June´s task to catch the governments most wanted criminal and she is in the middle of her mission, when she starts to have doubts...what if the whole system isn´t so perfect after all? And was it really Day that killed her brother?
The Legend recipe: A crippled society, a disease, a top soldier, a criminal and an inevitable love. Tadaaaa!

The Characters 
Author Marie Lu did a great job with her characters. All of them are believable and well developed. The character that you will love instantly is Day. He is the bad boy, who does act on good intentions and gets punished for it. I liked him from the start.
Then there is June and with her this is a whole different story. I did not like her from the start, but instead felt a small resentment towards her. She is a protected and spoiled girl that acts just like that in the beginning. She is not a bad person, don´t get me wrong, but she is so focused on the things the government tells her that she doesn´t even doubt the system one bit before things go down. I began to like her when she finally meets Day and when she finally has the courage and will to look behind the lies everyone told her. 
What I truly loved about this book were the side characters. I adored Day´s family for their loving natures and their will to survive in a corrupt society. Especially Day´s brother is a believable character, because he truly acts like the big brother he is. 

The World-Building
In most dystopias it takes me a while to get to know the world and the rules the society plays by, but that wasn´t the problem with Legend. That is probably the case, because the world that is described is very similar to our world - with a few very imperfect qualities, of course. It could actually happen like that, I believe. A disease that keeps the common people in fear and check and a test at age 10 that decides which course your life will take. 
I´m aware that this is not a very unique idea at times like this, but it is a well-written concept that had me glued to the pages. 

Overall
I really enjoyed Legend, I really did. It was an entertaining read that I devoured in no time. Still, I missed something and I can´t really grasp what that is. Maybe it is the love story that felt a little forced or rushed to me... What I can say is that I will surely continue this series, because it is a really great dystopia with lots of great characters. 

The Yearning Mermaid says: "If you are a fan of dystopias then there is no way around Legend! The fast-paced story will keep you well occupied for a few hours!" 

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Book Blitz + Giveaway: The Star Catcher by Stephanie Keyes

I´m just a sucker for beautiful covers. It´s not any different with this Paranormal Romance series that has one the most beautiful covers I have ever seen! If you keep on reading you will find a teaser and a giveaway down below.

 The Book                                                              

Title: The Star Catcher (The Star Child #3)
Author: Stephanie Keyes
Publication date: November 10th 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance,  Young Adult

Magick and destiny intertwine as he fights to save his kingdom and the goddess he loves.

Her kiss…the feel of her skin…the beat of her heart…For seventeen-year-old Kellen St. James, each memory is marred by a single sentence on a lone strip of paper.

Cali has been taken…

Armed with an amulet that channels the ultimate power of Faerie, Kellen searches for his love. However, control of the amulet’s energy comes with a price, and Kellen soon learns that Cali’s captor has plans for the stone. With the threat of the Star Catcher’s evil looming above Kellen and his kingdom, he’ll have to free the Heart of Faerie and break the curse the binds the Children of Danu to the darkness. But before that, he has to find his real father, the king. No pressure, right?

Kellen and Cali will battle bewitched armies and unknown foes as they fight to stay together. Will Kellen embrace his immortal destiny? Or will his world, and the man he is fated to become, be destroyed by The Star Catcher?

  Teaser Time                                                     
 The Author                                                          
Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she's still doing the same thing, except now she gets to share those ideas with readers!

When she's not writing, Stephanie is also a graphic designer, international speaker, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she's best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.

Mrs. Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as a featured author in the global group of writers, Love a Happy Ending.com.

Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child (September 2012) and The Fallen Stars (April 2013), both released by Inkspell Publishing. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy, The Star Catcher.


 Giveaway                                                             

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Angelfall ( Penryn and the End of Days Book #1) by Susan Ee

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 The Book                                                          

Title: Angelfall
Author: Susan Ee
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Source: Purchased
Age Group: Young Adult (YA)
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

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.
 My Thoughts                                                    

I normally avoid YA angel stories at all cost. They often are too cliche and every now and then I end up being bored, which results in me being annoyed and not picking up any other book soon, because a bad reading experience can ruin it all for you. And thus a reading slump is born.

Still, I decided to give Angelfall a try, because the synopsis sounded awesome and a few really cool people on booktube were raving about it non-stop.

Penryn is trying to survive in a world that was destroyed by angels. Together with her sister Page and her mad mother she roams from one place to another in order to find food and shelter. When they happen to witness a few angels fighting each other, Penryn jumps in to help the angel whose wings were cut off, which results in saving the angel, but Page being kidnapped. Penryn will do anything to get her sister back, even if it means going directly into the angels lair. And there is a wingless angel, who is in her debt and can surely help her on her mission...can he?

I loved Angelfall. Every page, every sentence and every word of it. It was so utterly entertaining that even now I have to smile when I think about a few really funny scenes.
The writing wasn´t very flowery, which is really fitting, because the author describes a post-apocalyptic world. Flowery words would really feel out of place.

The characterization of Penryn and Raffee is outstanding! They are bursting with personality, which made this book so special for me. I especially enjoyed that there is no inst-love going on between those two. It was so different from everything I´ve read before!
Then there is the creepiness level. There are some really horrible parts and gruesome scenes that really made me flinch. But I loved even that, because damn, it made me flinch, which means I really felt it!

The story itself is fast-paced and full of action, which is probably the reason why I finished this rather short book in a very small amount of time.
The most mysterious character - with lots of potential - is probably Penryn´s mother. She fascinates me so much with her madness and I never know what she will do next. It adds another level of creepiness to the story when you get to know that maybe Penry´s mother is the reason Page ended up being crippled...

I ordered the second book in the series a few days ago and I can´t wait to dive back into this wonderful world fullof  mysteries and yes, brutality.

The Yearning Mermaid says:" If you are sick of the typical YA stories and want something a little bit different, then pick up Angelfall asap! I´m sure you won´t regret it!"

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Unravel me: My favourite genre

                                                                    Unravel me                                                                          

Unravel me is a meme made by myself that shows aspects of my life. Have you ever wondered what my favourite genre is? Yes? No? Then now is the time to find out, because I´m about to let you all know!

Three years ago my favourite genre would have probably been Adult Paranormal Romance. I can´t really say why, but this has changed over the last few month. First of all I drifted off from the Adult genre and settled on YA and I´m totally happy with that. There is something really fresh and innocent about this genre, which I really love.

And now the words you´ve all probably been searching for in this post: My favourite genre right now is the dystopian genre! Yes, you´ve read correctly! Nothing fascinates and thrills me more these days than this wonderful genre.
There is something really wonderful and intriguing about a world that is perfect in its imperfection! I´ve read my first dystopia when I was still in school. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was a nice read for me, but it didn´t overwhelm me like so many other new dystopias these days do. Still, this genre never really left my mind and I was thrilled when I discovered a few really awesome dystopias like The Hunger Games or Divergent in 2012/13.

I can´t wait to read more of this fantastic genre and I don´t think that I will ever get bored! There is just too much to discover and too much to learn from those thought-through worlds!

What is your favourite genre? I´d love to know!




Monday, January 27, 2014

Cover Reveal: Captivate Me by S.J. Pierce

When I read the synopsis of this book I knew that the cover would be awesome, and I´m really thrilled I was right! It reminds me style-wise a litle bit of the Vampire Academy series, only that this cover looks better...


    The Book                                                              

Title: Captivate Me
Author:
S.J. Pierce
Publ. date:  April 1st 2014
Genres: 
Paranormal Romance, YA

Goodreads
My mom had always told me – when you meet “the one”, you’ll know; they’ll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom’s words of wisdom were finite – if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering.”

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted – a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it’s always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can’t handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak – even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school – Levi. Everything feels normal again… or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she’s never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen – students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice – will she settle for ‘great’ Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across ‘amazing?’
From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.


    The Author                                                           

Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. 

Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to 'life happens', but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.

Author links
website
facebook
goodreads


I think I will pick it up when it releases...will you?

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Cover Reveal: Of Sea and Stone by Kate Avery Ellison

You all know that I´m a huge fan of mermaid stories and all books which are mermaid related, so it´s no surprise that I´m really into this book. And isn´t the cover just gorgeous?!

    The Book                                                              

Title: Of Sea and Stone
Author: Kate Avery Ellison

Publ. date:  February 2014
Genres: 
Fantasy, Young Adult


Goodreads
All her life, clever Aemi has been a slave in the Village of the Rocks, a place where the sea and sky meet. She’s heard the stories about the fabled People of the Sea, a people who possess unimaginable technology who live below the waves in the dark, secret places of the ocean. But she never dreamed those stories were true.

When a ship emerges from the ocean and men burn her village, Aemi is captured, and enslaved below the waves in Itlantis, a world filled with ancient cities of glass and metal, floating gardens, and wondrous devices that seem to work magic. To make matters worse, her village nemesis, the stuck-up mayor’s son Nol, was captured with her, and they are made servants in the same household beneath the sea.

Desperate to be free, Aemi plots her escape, even going so far as to work with Nol. But the sea holds more secrets than she realizes, and escape might not be as simple as leaving…


    The Author                                                           

I've been making up stories since I was five years old, and now I'm thrilled to be able to do it as a full-time job. I have an obsession with dark fantasy, dystopian futures, and Pride and Prejudice-style love stories full of witty banter and sizzling, unspoken feelings. When I'm not writing, I'm creating digital art, reading funny blogs, or watching my favorite shows (which include TVD and BSG). I live with my geeky husband and our two bad cats in Atlanta, GA.

Author links:
website
twitter
goodreads


What do you think about this book? And do you like the cover? Tell me in the comments!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Allegiant (Divergent Book #3) by Veronica Roth

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/2013/10/16/The-Allegiant.jpgTitle: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth 
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Santa
Age Group: Young Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

The whole Divergent series is by far my most favourite dystopian series and I really wished it wasn´t over yet. Especially Allegiant touched me deeply and in my opinion it was the perfect ending, but I will explain my reasoning if you read further on.

In Allegiant the world Tris believed to know doesn´t exist anymore. The factions are gone and the city suffers from violence and suppression. Tris wants to flee from this place in order to find out what lies behind the big fence, and she is willing to risk everything in order to get out. But what she discovers is not something she expected and Tris and Tobias are confronted with more lies and a devastating truth.

I came to love a lot of old side characters in the final book. Especially Christina and Uriah were one of my favourites, because they really are true friends for Tris and Tobias.
Tobias, however, makes a few really bad decisions in Allegiant, because he doesn´t know who he is anymore. I could understand his reasoning, but I also found it quite frustrating that he didn´t listen to Tris at all. I don´t know if I had been able to forgive him just like Tris did, but I guess Tobias was punishing himself enough.

The relationship between Tobias and Tris doesn´t get any easier in this book, quite the opposite actually. It even comes to the point where both of them doubt if there is any chance for them to trust each other again. It almost broke my heart, but it was also very refreshing. There is no easy love in Allegiant and there is no insta-love either. So many YA books focus too much on the romance part and it often seems like nothing that happens could make the protagonists loose their feelings towards each other.

This is a true dystopian series in every aspect:
  • The world is not perfect, and even the "solution" is not perfect either. It makes sense and that is the most important part. The reader has to realise that in a dystopian series nothing is even slightly perfect.
  • No easy love. Relationships are complicated and very emotionally depressing. That is real life. Love is not always about kissing and making out, standing up for each other etc. Sometimes love also means that you hurt the other person deeply and that to forgive is even harder than to forget.
  • No HEA. Yes, I guess there is no real HEA in Allegiant. But it was the perfect ending. It was a true dystopian ending. If you think about it, maybe you notice it, too. 
The Yearning Mermaid says: "I think it was perfect. I really loved it, but I can also understand that many people didn´t like it so much. I cried at the end and that is truly a sign that a book managed to move me emotionally. It. Was. Perfect."

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Insurgent (Divergent series Book #2) by Veronica Roth

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91QP5ptmg0L._SL1500_.jpgTitle: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Santa
Age Group: Young Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.
Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.
I wasn´t swept away by Insurgent in the same way I was while reading Divergent. It was more like a slow love that invaded my heart while I wasn´t looking. The next time I checked I was just as madly in love with the story as I was in the first book. Insurgent is a great sequel and the whole world-building is so thought-through that it surprises me every time I learn something new.

Isurgent begins where Divergent left off. It was super easy to dive into the story again, it was fast-paced and exciting. 
In Insurgent the world Tris has known doesn´t exist anymore. Her parents are dead and she killed one of her best friends while he was under the simulation. Dauntless is split in half. Some are following Jeanine's command, who put them under the simulation in the first place, and others are hiding within the other factions, planning to overthrow Jeanine's power she has over the city.
They must find a strong ally in order to achieve their goal and it seems like the factionless are more than they seem to be and may just be the key to success. Yet, Tris isn´t fully trusting the factionless leader, when everyone else is just so eager to...

So many things happen in Insurgent that I kind of have trouble writing a review. Each page was a surprise and a roller coaster ride in so many ways.
Tris has still trouble coping with the things she has done and the things she has seen and it was so hard to watch her struggle with herself. It was frustrating in some ways, but understandable and that is something only a well developed character can achieve in a reader. I fully understood Tris´ behaviour and it hurt me to see that she had no idea how to deal with the situation she is being faced with. Because of that she acts reckless in many situations, even developing a kind of death wish, which infuriates Tobias and their relationship suffers from distrust, and lying to each other. 

I also believe that this is a truly thought-through world building. With each book we get to know more about the world they live in and slowly learn how this kind of world is possible. I hope that we can expect more answers in Allegiant.

I honestly can´t understand why some people rate this book so low. What are they expecting? This is a dystopian series, which means that things are far from perfect. This book is a brilliant sequel that is good on its own and doesn´t suffer from the typical filler-book-syndrome. 

The Yearning Mermaid says: "A fantastic sequel that is almost as good as the brilliant first book in the Divergent series! This is a must-read for every true dystopian fan!"

  • This book is part of my Dystopian Book Challenge!

 

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZgGzaDQmmS3taahNijRXfbtpX8tNOBOM-pMIikPoMNuyOUCmNumaTCPmjOGMaaGtG98-mVjgB8EuMxq9fXgW-27YS0_HsXrqe4sk6mzafCaYVI8PiRLOo1lfUJV3Wk0LXCQzZAPpzI0/s1600/forbidden_by_tabitha_suzuma.jpgTitle: Forbidden
Author: Tabitha Suzuma
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Purchased
Age Group: Young Adult (YA)
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

Title: Kiss of Twilight
Author: Loribelle Hunt
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: NetGalley
Age Group: Adult 
Overall: ♥♥♥♥ - See more at: http://yearningmermaid.blogspot.de/#sthash.X1r0KzaZ.dpuf
She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.
Title: Kiss of Twilight
Author: Loribelle Hunt
Publisher: Carina Press
Source: NetGalley
Age Group: Adult 
Overall: ♥♥♥♥ - See more at: http://yearningmermaid.blogspot.de/#sthash.X1r0KzaZ.dpuf
I still don´t know if my review will be a review in the right sense. After reading this book I just have the strong feeling that I want to talk and write about it, because it deserves the attention. This book made me feel so strongly that even now, after almost two weeks after rereading this book, I cannot fully grasp the feelings that shook me so deeply. Tabitha Suzuma created a beautiful story that left me stunned by its cruelness.

Maya and Lochan have to take care of their three younger siblings, because their mother is mostly drunk or absent from home. After a while they fall in love, maybe they always have been in love, but never realiesed it. It is the story of a broken family, but the children will not let it fully break apart. They are desperate to appear normal to the outer world, because they are afraid that social services will take them away. I really despised their mother for her selfish behavior. Yes, she went through a lot and her ex husband left her, but is that truly reason enough to be such a lousy mother? Most time I wanted to slap her in hopes that she finally wakes up from her little fantasy world and starts behaving like an adult, taking responsibility for her five children. 

Maya is a sweet sixteen-years old girl that has to take too much responsibility too soon. She has the mind of an adult and that is probably why I liked her so much. She is not the typical girl you find in so many books that make mistake after stupid mistake. Maya knows that life isn´t always fair and that some people have it harder than others. She acts like the mother her younger siblings never knew, a mother full of kindness and worry, laughter and joy. Maya is willing herself to be strong for the kids and that is something that makes her truly beautiful to me. Most times I felt like she deserved a person that loves her for who she is...and who could actually know her better than her brother Lochan? Who shares the same burden like her?

Lochan is a seventeen-year old boy that suffers from extrem shyness. He is not able to speak to other people but his own family. Even the thought of speaking in front of a whole class makes him hyperventilate. Yet, Lochan is also very bright and is the best pupil in class. His grades promise him a bright future, but Lochan knows that he has to take responsibility for his little family and must support them when he is finished with school. His relationship with Maya heals him in some ways and I always had the feeling that without Maya, Lochan would fall apart. They steady each other and they need each other.

Of course I know that incest is illegal and before reading this book I always felt like incest was something disgusting and unthinkable. But I think that this book made me realise that people don´t choose such a love. Their circumstances may be the reason for it and who am I to judge two people in love, when I don´t know all the facts? 
This story made me feel helpless, because I realised that nobody can do anything to make this story have a happy ending. This love is against the law and thus forbidden. It felt so unfair, because I truly rooted for Maya and Lochan. I wanted them to be happy together forever.
I don´t think I ever cried as hard because of a book before. Shouldn´t true love be left alone? Even if it is against the law? I still don´t know...Maybe there is no answer.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Darkness Watching (Darkworld Book #1) by Emma L. Adams

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TsTc8Wrz0alULZ3B4MNIOTyvDzZGfxRW3lYGcWg50OIYTRDLzyFdzlF_JrCtxT4GNN9zxRL3fCv68YVNDJm0ZXUvnSYaa_n8oDmQMC76QGv6oXJS4GNOlJeD90IU4vyiKatA4A9VlvE/s1600/Darkness+Watching.JPGTitle: Darkness Watching
Author: Emma L. Adams
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Source: NetGalley
Age Group: New Adult/ Young Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...

It certainly took me some time to adapt to the story and at first I didn´t really feel like I would love this book. But I´m more than glad that I was wrong! I really ended up enjoying this book so much and I´m already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Ash is that ordinary girl in school that doesn´t really stand out and doesn´t have much friends except one. She has a huge fear of failing tests and university interviews and recently she´s been able to see demons.
As she moves out from home to the campus of Blackstone, Ash first thinks she is safe from the demons there. But she is wrong. Even more demons appear out of nowhere - targeting her - why, she has no clue. As she discovers her abilities more attacks focus on her. In order to survive, Ash must embrace her abilities and face the truth about her heritage.

I have to admit I didn´t feel it at first. I even disliked Ash a little bit, because she was so unbelievable scared of EVERYTHING. She was scared of tests, she was scared of interviews and she was scared of speaking her mind to her parents. It annoyed me, simply because Ash and I are so much unlike, I guess. 
As she moves to the campus, however, Ash transforms. Suddenly she isn´t this scared little girl anymore, but a young woman curious to find out about life at college. She also finally decides to know more about her abilities, which remain a complete mystery to her and the reader for so long. 
I love reading about protagonists that slowly learn to wield their power and are suddenly faced with so much strength and potential that it scares them! I just love it! It always gives me a sense of "everything is possible".

The story started off quite slow and the first few chapters were a drag for me, but after adapting to the pace of the book I couldn´t put it down. I simply devoured it. Adams manages really well to keep the suspense going, without confusing the reader in the process. Everything makes sense, even though there are more than a few mysteries that have yet to be solved.

It was also really refreshing that the romance part is not as dominant as in so many other books out there. I expected something different, and yet I ended up liking it the way it is.
 I also liked the side characters, especially Claudia was one of my favourites. I´m really curious to find out more about her and the Venantium. The latter is still one hell of a mystery to me.

And guys just look at this stunningly beautiful cover! Seriously?! If it wouldn´t have been for the intriguing synopsis, I would have solely picked the book up because of the cover!

The Yearning Mermaid says: "If you want a well written story about demons and magicians then this might be a book for you! The story is full of mysteries and strong characters that will keep you well occupied!"


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Divergent (Divergent series Book #1) by Veronica Roth

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91o13sPo7VL._SL1500_.jpg
Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: purchased
Age Group: Young Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

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.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I practically devoured Divergent in a couple of hours and that happens not with many books. This story cast a spell over me. By now I wished I had Insurgent and Allegiant already in my hands, but I guess I´ll have to wait until Christmas...

I think there isn´t much left to say about Divergent that hasn´t already been said, but I´ll try anyway. It´s hard to sum up the story without giving too much away and thus spoiling my readers. I just say that much: 
Beatrice was born into the faction Abnegation and with age 16 you get to make a choice. Either stay with your family in the faction you were born into, or choose another faction that you truly want to belong to, betraying your family and friends in the process. Beatrice does not choose Abnegation on the the choosing day, but instead decides to live a life of the Dauntless. Beatrice transforms into Tris, a brave girl that finds it hard to truly adapt to just one faction. And she has to hide her "flaw": she is a Divergent. A person that is able to think beyond the rules and lies that her society and her government has put her under. Being divergent is dangerous, and Tris has yet to learn what that truly means.

I liked Tris from the very first page. She is the kind of girl that asks too many questions, is curious of her surroundings and questions other peoples actions and motives. I even adored her for her courage to leave her old faction, even though she knew she´d hurt her parents by doings so. (I´m pretty sure I would have chosen the easy way, probably leading a life in regret, never knowing what could have been...)
I found the world that Roth created quite cruel and I wondered most times what "being brave" actually means. From the beginning it felt like the Dauntless have a wrong sense of "braveness". I don´t think it is brave to jump on and off a moving train, I don´t thinks it´s brave to jump from a building, I don´t think it´s brave to beat another person up. All the time I felt like WRONG WRONG WRONG. I was so glad that Tris and a few other characters realised that it was indeed a wrong bravery they were being teached, but in the end some of that teaching stayed with everybody. Yes, Dauntless is probably the coolest faction in my opinion, but the definition of bravery rubbed me the wrong way all the time.

My secret star of this book and maybe even the whole series will be Tris´ mom. It was one hell of a surprise to find out about her and I was so amazed by her hidden spine and bravery that it brought me to tears. Even her father managed to bring tears to my eyes and I was so touched as Tris realises what amazing parents she actually has.

I many ways Divergent reminded me of The Giver by Lois Lowry. I don´t know if this resemblance was intentional, but I certainly do know that Lowry is one of the favourite authors of Roth. In both novels there is a "choosing day", where a decision will define the future. I just love those kind of reads! 

All in all Divergent it a book suited for both Young Adults and Adults as well, and I enjoyed every single second reading it. Divergend ends with a huge cliffhanger, leaving the reader (and me) wanting more. 

The Yearning Mermaid says: "To those out there who haven´t already read Divergent: If you are a fan of dystopian worlds then pick it up ASAP! You won´t regret it!"

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