Review - Lifer by Beck Nicholas

Lifer by Beck Nicholas
Published: December 2014 by Month9Books, LLC
Source: eARC
Rating: 5+ Stars

Asher is a Lifer, a slave aboard the spaceship Pelican. A member of the lowest rung of society, she must serve the ship’s Officials and Astronauts as punishment for her grandparents' crimes back on Earth. The one thing that made life bearable was her illicit relationship with Samuai, a Fishie boy, but he died alongside her brother in a freak training accident. 

Still grieving for the loss of her loved ones, Asher is summoned to the upper levels to wait on Lady, the head Official’s wife and Samuai’s mother. It is the perfect opportunity to gather intel for the Lifer’s brewing rebellion. There’s just one problem - the last girl who went to the upper levels never came back.

On the other side of the universe, an alien attack has left Earth in shambles and a group called The Company has taken control. Blank wakes up in a pond completely naked and with no memory, not even his real name. So when a hot girl named Megs invites him to a black-market gaming warehouse where winning means information, he doesn’t think twice about playing. 

But sometimes the past is better left buried. As Asher and Blank’s worlds collide, the truth comes out - everyone has been lied to...

This was a novel that crushed the depths of my soul and I'm still trying to glue it back together. Asher is our main character, a strong young woman who is in a forbidden love affair with Samuai, a boy born of a higher social class. Samuai loves Asher despite her social status and even wants to help bring down the walls of oppression that the Lifers have lived behind for many years. Everything changes when Asher's brother and Samuai are pronounced dead. Asher is quickly summoned to be the Lady's servant. Lady is the equivalent of say... the first lady of the United States, power-wise anyway. Lady also just happens to be Samuai's mother. While trying her best to do as she's told without sarcasm (which still slips every once in a while), Asher mentally maps out every detail she can remember to relay back to her mother, who is in charge of an upcoming rebellion against the upper class, AKA the Fishies. 

Then there's Blank. He's named Blank because he woke up on a planet and has no recollection of who he is. He quickly learns about The Company, an organization who recruits and brainwashes people to join their cause. Blank may be well... literally blank when it comes to the details of his past, but he still knows the difference between good and evil. He rather quickly sides with the people who are against The Company and does whatever he can to help the cause. 

Asher and Blank's worlds collide in way that leaves you dizzy. I truly cannot wait to read the next novel in this series. 

Review - Wool: The Graphic Novel by Hugh Howey

Wool: The Graphic Novel by Hugh Howey
Published: June 2014 by Jet City Comics
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 Stars

Wool as you’ve never read it before: The New York Times bestselling novel is now told in graphic novel format. This contemporary dystopian classic—hailed by Justin Cronin, New York Times bestselling author of The Passage, as “an epic feat of imagination”—will captivate readers both familiar and new.

This is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside.



I am already a HUGE fan of Hugh Howey's Silo Series, so I decided to dabble in the world of graphic novels and see what I'd come up with. 

I'll admit, I'm still not a graphic novel fan, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this one. The pictures/paintings/sketches were just perfect for the book's bleak environment. I LOVED when at just the right moment, every picture was tinted different shades of red for a particular scene. These graphic novelists have perfect timing. 

The story follows the book fairly well in my opinion. I think I only remember one or two differences that weren't a big deal. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys graphic novels... especially if you also like the dystopian or post-apocalyptic genres. 

Review - An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 
Published: April 2015 by Razorbill
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 Stars

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.

I did a buddy read on this book with some fantastic ladies I met on Instagram. We all had the book and had kept putting it off and so we banded together to tackle this one. I really enjoyed this book. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is because of Laia. She has done everything so she can save her brother, but at the same time she kind of half-asses it. If you're going to spy, then spy. Don't tip toe around it. 

Other than that, the world building aspect of the novel was on par, as were the characters' personalities. I could easily understand and feel the emotions that each character portrayed, which is something I think every book needs. I do wish I could've known more about Helene. She isn't mentioned in the summary of the book or even in most reviews that I've read. She is not one of the two main characters, but I believe she had a HUGE role in this book and overall... she was just badass. She's like the female equivalent to Braveheart's William Wallace. 

This was a wonderful debut and everyone is excited that this will not be a stand-alone novel. I admit.. I'm excited too. I just know I'll forgot everything and have to re-read this before the sequel comes out. This gets taxing, but more often than not.. it's worth it. 

For the Love of Everything Dystopian

Last month I posted of my first love, historical fiction. Now I have to show my affection for my second love, everything dystopian/post-apocalyptic. I still remember years ago, slowing filling my bookshelves with stories of survival, bleak skies.. characters enduring hardships that make me feel brave by just reading about them. Here are a few dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels that stole my soul.

Wool by Hugh Howey

An epic story of life, love and survival at all odds and one of the most-talked and anticipated books of the year. In a ruined and hostile landscape, in a future few have been unlucky enough to survive, a community exists in a giant underground silo. Inside, men and women live an enclosed life full of rules and regulations, of secrets and lies. To live, you must follow the rules. But some don't. These are the dangerous ones; these are the people who dare to hope and dream, and who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple and deadly. They are allowed outside. Jules is one of these people. She may well be the last.

I cannot express how much I loved this entire series. Wool is the first installment that kept me awake many nights. The world-building aspect of the novel is absolutely amazing. There are many characters to keep up with, but damn it was worth it. This is a lengthy novel, and so are the other two installments.. but I loved all the detail. It just made everything more realistic and believable. I urge EVERYONE to at least check out Wool, but I know if you do, you'll have to read the entire series!

The Passage by Justin Cronin

An epic and gripping tale of catastrophe and survival, The Passage is the story of Amy - abandoned by her mother at the age of six, pursued and then imprisoned by the shadowy figures behind a government experiment of apocalyptic proportions. But Special Agent Wolgast, the lawman sent to track her down, is disarmed by the curiously quiet girl - and risks everything to save her. As the experiment goes nightmarishly wrong, Wolgast secures her escape - but he can’t stop society’s collapse. And as Amy walks alone, across miles and decades, into a future dark with violence and despair, she is filled with the mysterious and terrifying knowledge that only she has the power to save the ruined world.

This was another lengthly novel that I admit was a bit sluggish at times, but was once again worth it. I love how one of the main character completely changes his course halfway through the book.. and it felt completely genuine. A man decides to stake his entire life for one little girl. She may be the most special girl in the world, but to him, she was just a little girl in need of an adult. This story will always stay with me.

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland

Set in the near-future, Into the Forest is a powerfully imagined novel that focuses on the relationship between two teenage sisters living alone in their Northern California forest home. Over 30 miles from the nearest town, and several miles away from their nearest neighbor, Nell and Eva struggle to survive as society begins to decay and collapse around them. No single event precedes society's fall. There is talk of a war overseas and upheaval in Congress, but it still comes as a shock when the electricity runs out and gas is nowhere to be found. The sisters consume the resources left in the house, waiting for the power to return. Their arrival into adulthood, however, forces them to reexamine their place in the world and their relationship to the land and each other.

I remember reading this book years ago. Two sisters stay in the same house hoping and waiting for the power to come back on, for people to show up alive and well.. for anything normal really. Years and years pass and the sisters learn to live off their small garden and stock of dwindling supplies. The world is bleak and honestly, this book is as well. I think the realism and how the author didn't force a happy ending or any kind of "coincidences" of good fortunes for the sisters on us.

Review - Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Published: January 31th 2012 by Katherine Tegen
Source: Purchased at Amazon

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.  Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame? Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? 

This book totally enthralled me. I don't even know how to explain how epic this book really was. But... I must try. Incarnate had every single element that a good YA book needs - romance, action, mystery, and of course.. the kick ass outcast girl.

When someone dies, they are reincarnated. Each time. Except for Ana. She was born brand new. The others are afraid of her and what her existence might mean for them. Will there be more newsouls? Ana tries to fit in and then here come Sam. This dude knows exactly what to say and when to say it. As their friendship grows into something more, we discover more about their personalities and I felt really connected to them.

The world-building was phenomenal. I thought to myself several times while reading, "How in the hell did the author come up with this?" It is amazing, well written and enjoyable. There were monsters to dodge, people who have lived hundreds of lives, a city to defend... the list goes on. Basically, go buy Incarnate. And you can thank me later.

Review - Pure by Julianna Baggott

Pure by Julianna Baggott
Published: 2012 by Grand Central Publishing 
Source: Around the World Tours

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . . There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

This has literally been my favorite dystopian book of the year. Pressia is an amazing character who sees the world as it is and wishes to conquer it. And not in a "I'm the king of the world" kind of way.. more like a "I make my own destiny" kind of way. She is the voice inside us all.. the voice that tells us to push on and to acknowledge our faults and disabilities and to never let those bring us down.

The plot, the characters, the world building.. everything in this book mesmerized me. The mutated humans/animals, the people who were fused to objects when the world exploded... how did the author come up with these things?! Pressia was holding a doll in her hand when the skies erupted. She will bear the brunt of that little mistake forever. The dolls head fused with her hand and at the beginning she would always cover it up with a sock and would pull her sleeve over it. Others were fused to much worse. Or they had radiation poisoning so bad that they weren't really human any more. The children of these people are forever tainted with disabilities, but that it just a part of the world in this book. It is the norm. If you are a perfect specimen, then you are a pure, a person from the dome.

The dome was a safe house against a nuclear war, a natural disaster.. anything that could wipe out humans. But of course not everyone was allowed in when it was time. There was no pushing and shoving to get in, or special admission tickets. You were chosen or you weren't. The dome promised to reunite with those still on the ground, but none truly believed this. But some still harbored hope. Some like Pressia.

I don't want to give away even an ounce of this book to you. It is that near and dear to me. I can't wait for it to hit the stores so I can buy myself a brand new copy and send some to the people I know will appreciate it.

Review - Prized by Caragh O'Brien

Prized by Caragh O'Brien
Published: 2011 by Roaring Brook Press
Source: Around the World Tours

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Birthmarked. Gaia is such an amazing girl who is steadfast in her beliefs and is very passionate and protective when it comes to family. In Prized, we encounter another dystopian world that is very different from the one in Birthmarked. In Sylum there are few women and even fewer babies being born female. The women rule the town and the families. When a couple marries, the man takes the woman's last name. The woman own all of the property. And the big rule... no man can touch a woman. Crazy world, huh?

So we continue Gaia's journey to safety and we hope that the ravishing Leon whom we all know and love will find a way to return her. Gaia doesn't abandon her midwifery skills in Sylum, even though at one point, I thought she would. She had to give up a part of herself in order to find herself again. Yeah... mull that one over.

Overall, I was quite pleased with the second book in this series. The world that Caragh built was so well thought out and I literally felt like I was there... walking the dusty roads in my heavy boots, visiting the townsfolk. I was captivated until the last word. I can't wait to read the next book.

Review - Possession by Elana Johnson

Possession by Elana Johnson
Published: 2011 by Simon & Schuster
Source: Around the World Tours

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn... and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them... starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

Another beautifully written dystopian novel. This makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. :) Vi is such a strong, passionate and determined girl. She fights for survival at every moment and actually THINKS before she does something. I hate the stereotype of girls just acting and not thinking of the future. And Jag.. hmmm.. I liked Jag. He's not your typical bad boy. Sure, he has spiked hair, but so does Vi. And sure, he's a little overconfident of himself, but what guy isn't? I loved how he responded to almost everything with a shrug of his shoulders. At first I thought, "Dude.. what?" But then I saw it as a little mysterious and kind of cute. And Zenn? I didn't think much of him because we didn't really get to connect with him much throughout the book, but that's ok. This is a series and because of how this book ended, I'm sure we'll see a lot more of him in the next one. 


Vi's dad disappeared when she was young. She always believed he was still alive and she remembered him as a hero. Maybe this is what caused Vi to have a slightly rebellious side. But I'd like to think if I lived in a world where I couldn't stroll through the park with the boy I loved legally, then I'd rebel at bit as well. 


I loved the dystopian world that Vi lived in as well. It certainly wasn't post-apocalyptic, as some dystopian novels are, but the messed up society definitely perked up my interest. So many things in Vi's world is illegal. Things that are at the basis of our human nature. Who are the thinkers to believe that they can and should control that? I will open up a can of whoop ass right here on my sofa, in my socks. But to me that's what makes a great dystopian novel.. the villains! Without them, the world would be a pretty boring place.

Review - Salvation City by Sigrid Nunez

Title: Salvation City
Author: Sigrid Nunez
Published: 2011 by Riverhead Books
Source: Crazy Book Tours

Written in Sigrid Nunez's deceptively simple style, Salvation City is a story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness, blending the deeply affecting story of a young boy's transformation with a profound meditation on belief, heroism, and the true meaning of salvation. In an American landscape devastated by a flu pandemic, orphaned thirteen-year-old Cole is rescued by an evangelical couple. Adjusting to a new life, he struggles with memories of the past. As other survivors become dedicated to their own vision of utopia, Cole imagines a wholly different future for himself. 

The flu pandemic has swept away so many lives and has drastically hindered the lives of the ones still breathing. Thirteen year old Cole's parents pass away from the pandemic and he is left orphaned in a hell on Earth sort of shelter. Cole is then adopted by a pastor and his wife, who live in Salvation City, Kentucky. Well there's one thing the book already has going for it.. I live in Kentucky. Then we watch how Cole struggles within himself whether or not the world is black or white, good or evil. Or I guess I should say whether Salvation City is is good for him and the outside world is the bad.

I had a few problems with Salvation City, all of which revolve around how the Christians are portrayed. I am not in anyway debating Christianity or Theology or any beliefs. I just want to voice how some of the Christians that Nunez describes in this book are startling. A pastor whose life is dedicated to God, but who is also an alcoholic? I understand being a Christian does not mean you are holier than thou and perfect, but that specific part of the book bothered me. It just didn't make sense.

Overall, Salvation City has beautifully written prose emphasizing the emotions, thoughts and lastly decisions that a thirteen year old boy has made in a world full of turmoil. I expected this book to be more focused on the dystopian aspect rather than the character connection, but alas, I enjoyed it.

Dystopian August

This has to be my favorite book blogger event of the year. Dystopian August is hosted by Lenore over at Presenting Lenore. She is flipping amazing and her first dystopian novel, Level Two, is in the works! So for Dystopian August, I saved up some books to read. Bad idea. I ended up saving way to many for me to read all in one month! But, I am doing my best and staying away from my laptop and movies as much as possible. So we'll just see how it goes.

These are some of my top dystopian picks for the month.

I'm sure I won't get all of these read this month, but these are on the top of my tbr pile. I will be updating this post frequently throughout the month with the books I've read. I hope you guys enjoy and you should definitely hop on over and check out Lenore's blog post here about Dystopian August! There will be lots of giveaways, interviews, and sneak peaks of new dystopian novels to be released! At the end of the month, I will also be doing my own dystopian giveaway, so be sure to check back!

Review - Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Grace by Elizabeth Scott
Published: Dutton, 2010
Source: Library

Grace was raised to be an Angel, a herald of death by suicide bomb. But she refuses to die for the cause, and now Grace is on the run, daring to dream of freedom. In search of a border she may never reach, she travels among malevolent soldiers on a decrepit train crawling through the desert. Accompanied by the mysterious Kerr, Grace struggles to be invisible, but the fear of discovery looms large as she recalls the history and events that delivered her uncertain fate.

I enjoyed this book. It was very short and I finished it in maybe an hour or two. Definitely a YA book if you're just considering the length. But I had to wonder, why is this even considered a YA book? It had a couple of scenes that were much adult, but the author didn't go into detail much at all. You just assumed what happened, but I wonder what a 13 or 14 year old might assume? 

Grace was definitely a character I could relate to. She is torn between what she has believed in her whole life (which is death) and what else might be lurking in the world for her (life?). I have been in a pickle during many situations where I had to weigh the cons and pros. Grace's choice to not sacrifice herself for a cause that she believed in startled me at first. I believe in a lot of things and it made me wonder which ones I'd be able to sacrifice for. 

After Grace chooses to live, she endures a pretty hectic train ride for the entire book. She had dyed her hair and worried about it fading away because it was so hot, she had changed clothes to look like a typical girl, and she had even perfected smiling when she normally couldn't and crying when she should. She had been told her whole life that she lived to die honorably by setting off a suicide bomb. She obeyed orders and always prayed. But now she makes her own decisions. She makes the ultimate decision to live.