The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Title: The Unwanteds

Author: Lisa McMann

Publisher: Aladdin (Simon & Schuster Imprint)

Rating: Two and a half stars

In the land of Quill, once in a year, thirteen years old kids must face Purge, to decide whether they're Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Alex Stowe is Unwanted while his twin brother Aaron is wanted. That meant Aaron will stay in the society and Alex will be sentenced to death. Or so he thought, until he and other Unwanted kids arrived in Artime where he was allowed to draw, spoke what was on his mind, and snacked in the middle of the night. But Alex missed his twin brother and wanted to contact him. Would he do it even though it might jeopardize Artime?

In the beginning, I was a bit annoyed because there's no explanation why the world turned out like that. For me good dystopian has to have a logical reason why the world became that way. But I decided to keep reading in case the explanation is located in the end of the story. It did have explanation, but it made me think this isn't supposed to be called as dystopian...

Anyway the plot was interesting and idea was great. basically the stoy is good enough to keep me reading until the end; the kids with creative traits were banished from tight and strick society? twins separated and must fight against one another? I'm on it. Plus the strange creatures are amazing as well, I like Simber a lot.

The characters, however aren't so interesting for me. Alex is okay, Lani is a bit bratty, Megan and Samheed a bit typical. Mr. Today also just okay, remind me a bit about Dumbledore but definitely not as awesome as him.The romance part was weird and it just didn't click at all; it felt a bit forced for me.

Then in some parts of the story there are several sub chapters where the narration voice shifted uncomfortably, at least for me. For example there's one that shifted from Alex to Samheed even to Mr. Today while it was supposed to be from Alex POV or another sub-chapter where the narration shifted from Alex to Samheed to Lani. Seriously, it's annoying and confusing. How Alex could possibly know what's Samheed or Mr Today's thought?

So overall the story is good and worthy to read although a bit predictable but the characters were just okay and narration was a bit annoying.

Lynossa

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books

Rating: 4 stars

This is the second book of Chaos Walking trilogy. If you haven't read the first book I suggest you to not continue reading this. You can read my review on The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) instead.

My hearing's still gone so I feel it more than hear it, feel the rumble thru the dirt, feel the air pulse with three hard vibrashuns, one right after the other, and I see the Mayor turn his head suddenly back toward the town, see Davy and all the Spackle do the same.
More bombs.
In the distance, toward the city, the biggest bomb that've ever exploded in the history of this world.

Trapped in Haven, Todd would do anything to keep Viola alive, including followed everything Mayor Prentiss asked him to do. Meanwhile, separated from Todd, Viola was under the care of Mistress Cole. When Mistress Cole decided to stand up against Mayor Prentiss and re-created The Answer, Mayor Prentiss replied back with The Ask. Todd and Viola wedged between the feud and had to decide which side they were on. Until they realized no one on their side, and they had to stand up from themselves.

After reading the first book, the weird misspelling no longer bother me. I'd also made several mental preparation of what I might encounter in this book. I must say the preparation worked because the book is bleak and depressing. It wasn't bad or anything, it just very depressing because everytime there was a hope, it was crushed over and over again. Most of the time I felt annoyed with Todd; he seemed couldn't decide what he should do and he couldn't control his temper all the time. However it was quite understandable as Viola is his anchor and when she's not there with him, he was lost. It was sad how he insecure he was; how he constantly worried that Viola left him . But I get it that underneath all that, he was a sweet boy and he was hurt as much as he hurt others.

I wish the last book will be brighter and give me some happy ending because it was just depressing despite still being awesome. For those who have read the first book and wonder whether you should read the second or not, I think you should but prepare yourself for the emotion ride that Mr. Ness seems to be good at creating it.

Lynossa

The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher:

Rating: 3 stars

All these years Jonas believed that he lived in a perfect community. The orders and rules are there for their own benefit; children are assigned to special family who will nurture them, each year they will received similar treatment so there wont be any differences. Jonas believed it was for the best. But when he was assigned into be The Receiver, he discovered the dark truth about his community, and his world never be the same again.

Honestly I would give higher rating if only the story was longer and had clearer ending; I hate cliffhanger. However I have to be honest, this is a good story; albeit too short for my liking. I like how Jonas reacted toward all the new things he learned about his community. The shocking truth behind the orders that he trusted as the best for him and his community. Also the devastation he felt when he couldn't tell the truth to his friends; how his view had changed completely from them.

This is good for people who just start reading dystopian but for dystopian lover like me, it leaves unsatisfied taste in my mouth.

Lynossa

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road
Series: Dustlands #1
Author: Moira Young
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Expected publication: June 7th 2011
Pages: Hardcover, 512 pages
Rating: 4.5 - Almost Perfect!

Source: Simon and Schusters Galley Grab

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Review:

Blood Red Road is an book full of adventure. The adventure start right after Saba’s twin Lugh was taken away by the Crazy King. She sent off to search for him. But It didn’t stop just right there. She encounters many obstacles. She was captured and was forced to fight in the arena. Meet a lot of people who she thinks will only slow her down and encounters a feeling she's not familiar with. Gigantic Worms with claws. And many more.

Saba is fierce fighter. She was force to become independent when she went searching for her brother who she previously depends on. Smart and fearless. Despite her lack of experience in fighting nor knowledge about it. She surprisingly handles everything that was thrown at her. She’s pretty stubborn too. That you as reader would may feel irritated sometimes just like me. Her sister Emmi is exactly like her. Brave, stubborn and fighter she refused to be left alone without a fight. I love each characters here. They are all not the one who complain. They just go and always ready for the worst. I love how mature they are.

The romance and the action are well balanced. They kick ass and even kids do too. That maybe is the thing i like about this book. The gender is never a problem as long as you do know how to fight. Be it old or young. Their adventure just never stops. The plot is well planned. The book is well written Mrs. Young made sure that her readers are well inform. She describes every bits of action and every bits of emotions that flows in the book. To the point that you can’t contain your excitement and then suddenly you want to join Saba in the book and help her. It’s like you are watching a movie inside your head.

The setting. It’s a world where civilization hardly ever exist. People don’t know how to read nor write and how to speak fluently or use the right words or know the right grammar. That said I think it also effects Saba's narration throughout the story. People will do everything to survive their world. Even sell a girl and force them to fight in the arena. The pace is fast. You can never be bore while reading this. Though as the story progresses I come to terms that the first part of the book is more exciting. The rest was..well exciting as well but not much as the first part. As I was able to know how determined Saba was to save her brother from the people who wants to get him. But as her story goes and as she faces more obstacle even though her real goal is to save Lugh. The action was lessen. As the author was focused on building the plot and the setting and as well as the other supporting characters.

The dialect of the book might be a uncomfortable for some of you who wants to read it. As for me, before I could even decide to drop the book it was too late because I am already hooked and all I can do is to continue reading or continue regretting why I didn’t read it. And sooner before I know it I became comfortable with the dialect.

Over all. The plot. The Characters. The adventure. The monsters. The Crazy Villains and the dialect. Wow I never thought I’ll be able to read this all in one book. It gives me a heck of a crazy ride there. I’ll be sure to read the second book.

Kay-c

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books

Rating: 4 and a half (my maximum score!)

"But a knife ain't just a thing, is it? It's a choice, it's something you do. A knife says yes or no, cut or not, die or don't. A knife takes a decision out of your hand and puts it in the world and it never goes back again. "

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee - whose thoughts Todd can hear, too, whether he wants to or not - stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden - a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought? (from Goodreads.com)

---Warning: Contains lots of spoilers---

Dear Mr. Ness,
When I first decide to read your book, I have no idea what I will encounter. I thought it will be another awesome story with awesome action and awesome characters. And it is true; The Knife of Never Letting Go is an awesome story with awesome action and awesome characters. But apparently it wasn't just that. It didn't stop at being awesome, it went further more beyond awesome, I couldn't even find the right word to describe it. How could you? How could you made me care and abandoned me? how could you made me love and broke my heart? How could you gave me hope and stole it away?

I couldn't even remember when was the last time I felt this way. I've read many great books this year but most of them I could see things coming and I've prepared myself for what will come; but not like this. You've wretched my heart, Mr. Ness.

I always have a thing for loyal non-human sidekick and Manchee was my favorite character and you've made me love him and then you took him away and shattered my heart. You've given me hope when Ben opened his arms and embraced Todd, only to be separated again and also when Todd and Viola finally reached Haven, only to find Aaron on their heels as well.

So thank you Mr. Ness for making me looked like an idiot for shedding tears on the train, for not giving me a warning that this is NOT a train novel, or airport novel, or any public-area novel; that this is the kind of novel that will consume all my mind and attention. And after all that you've done to me, you can guarantee two things for sure, the first one is that I'm going to read The Ask and The Answer PRIVATELY and the second one is you got yourself one devoted fan right here because even after you wretched my heart, just like Todd and Viola, I still have hope.
Though I'm not sure you'll consider yourself lucky or what for that.

Lynossa

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Theories of Flight by Simon Morden

Title: Theories of Flight (Samuil Petrovitch/Metrozone #2)

Author: Simon Morden

Publisher: Orbit Books

Rating: 3 and a half stars


This is the second book of Metrozone/Samuil Petrovitch series. If you haven't read the first book and don't want to be spoiled, I suggest you read it first. You can check my review on the first book of this series, Equations of Life in HERE.

Sam Petrovitch is back on his second adventure! After saving Metrozone from the AI that invaded Metrozone's system, now he's married to Maddy and dedicate his life to work on his theories and inventing anti-gravity. But just like before, people wont leave him alone. Chain showed up and told him that CIA is after those who were active involved in the bloody Long Night and wanted to get a hold on the AI. Not interesting to give up the AI nor letting CIA do whatever they wanted, Sam must put aside his research and once more do something to save the falling Metrozone.

On the second part of the series, we met new enemies; The Outies, the people who weren't allowed to enter Metrozone due to plenty reasons, and CIA, working on behalf of American government who were afraid of the AI capability in destroying Metrozone, thus want to 'keep it save', the term they use though the truth was they wanted to be able to control it.

The CIA managed to kill several people close to Petrovitch and while he still busy dealing with them, The Outies broke into the city and caused destruction everywhere while Petrovitch and Maddy was separated miles away. Dying to save Maddy and as much as people he could, Petrovitch crossed the city with the help of The New Machine Jihad and his friends. Petrovitch wasn't the guy we met in the first book - albeit still happy in spewing curses in Russian, he has more concern about other people, and despite the fact that he killed so many in order to save Metrozone, he's not happy about it and admit that he committed homicide.

Only one word to describe this book: crazy! Yes, that's right, if you think the first book is crazy enough, wait until you read this book. Blood spilled, gun trotted, bodies were piled up everywhere. The pace was even faster that the first book and I just can't stop reading it. If you like the first book, you'll like this as well and if you haven't read the first book (but somehow still ended up reading this review), and like fast-pace science fiction with a lot of action, you'll buy this book.

Lynossa

Theories of Flight by Simon Morden

Equations of Life by Simon Morden

Title: Equations of Life

Author: Simon Morden

Publisher: Orbit Books

Rating: 3 and a half stars

He had one more chance. He could turn his back, make good his escape, disappear into the crowd. She could work her own salvation out from here.
Petrovitch reached out a hand, and hers slapped into it, palm against gritty palm.

Samuil Petrovitch is a survivor. He survived the bombs falling on St. Petersburg and made it to the London Metrozone-one of the last free cities. He's lived this long because he's a man of rules and logic. For example, getting involved = a bad idea. But when he stumbles into a kidnapping in progress, he acts without even thinking about it. Before he can stop himself, he's saved the daughter of the richest man in London. And clearly saving the girl = getting involved. Now, the equation of Petrovitch's life is looking increasingly complex. Russian mobsters + Yakuza + something called the New Machine Jihad = one dead Petrovitch. But Petrovitch has a plan-he always has a plan-he's just not sure it's a good one.

A combination between gun-shooting, self-operating car, advanced technology, run-for-your-life across the streets and Russian curses, you got Equations of Life by Simon Morden. This is a fast-paced, page-turning, full-with-action kind of story about a Russian young man who hid himself from his past in Metrozone - formerly known as London - in post-Armaggedon world. Sam Petrovich preferred to lay low and concentrate only on working on his equation and his passion for science, until he saved a girl who happened to be the daughter of a business/mafia tycoon. Suddenly all eyes on him and everywhere he went, he stumbled upon either Japanese tycoon's man, cops, or Ukraine's gangster.

Reading this felt like watching an action movie, the one that somehow Hollywood able to pull it off and not butchered it into a mediocre action-flick. A smart action movie. Petrovitch is a smart and witty guy; sometimes he can be too bold but I guess that's a right formula for action main character. From the outer world's eye he is just a regular student. He's not the typical of your hero, but not exactly anti-hero either. One thing that add more interest to the story is that Petrovitch has heart problem (literary) so on the brick of dying because of heart failure, Petrovitch had nothing to lose to go all out saving Metrozone. Because I have no knowledge on science the way Petrovitch does, I barely understand all the geek talks, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book. Though there's one thing that bothered me; sometimes Petrovitch talked in Russian and because my ability in understand Russian is lower than mine in understand cat's talk, I pretty much clueless. I read the egalley so I hope they will add the translation in the finished copy.

This book will appeal to sci-fi lovers, action lovers and dystopian lovers, but if you expect something romantic will happen in this book, you will be disappointed. There's a minor romance but really minor, this is a YA that was written by male author so no mooning and love struck, focus of the book is on saving Metrozone and the author stick with it till the end. This is part one of the series. I'm going to read the second book soon (I have the egalley in me) and will review it. I can't wait to read another Sam Petrovitch's adventures!

In this book, Morden didn't give explanation about the Armageddon; if you're curious and want to know more, you can read for free in here: http://www.bookofmorden.co.uk/stories/tkc.html
The book is released on April 1st, so mark your calendar and buy it right away at your favorite bookstore or you can click the link in the title and it will lead you to amazon!

Lynossa

Equations of Life by Simon Morden

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Rating: 4 stars

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.  

I must say when I started  reading this, I was skeptical. I read several highly anticipated YAs before this and disappointed when those books turned out not as good as I expected. But this one is different; I was glued to it from the start. I finish this book in 4-5 hours and now I'm wanting for more, I want to know what's going to happen to Rhine and whether she'll be free or not. 

I consider this as mini scale dystopian; not that the problem isn't big or something like that, but compare to The Hunger Games or Delirium where the main characters must fight against the government who rules basically everything, Rhine's enemy is his father-in-law in his 'mini-world'. Of course things might change in the next book but for now, that's how I see it. 

Even though I like Rhine, my favorite character is Jenna; I think I would react the same way as she did if I was in her shoes. If you got nothing to lose, nothing you loved anymore and the time bomb in your body is ticking faster, better end it the best way you could. At least, that's how I see it. The other characters are also interesting; I think the author did a good job in creating a believable characters. My main concern with first-person POV was subtle in this book because of it. 

There were some parts where I considered a bit out-of-logic, but not that much to annoy me and made me stop reading it. Rhine and Gabriel's connection is nice; not too overwhelming, simple and nice. Thus being said, I'm looking forward for the next book!

Lynossa

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Lies - Michael Grant

Title: Lies
Series: Gone series #3
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: Hardcover, 447 pages
Rating: 4.5 Almost perfect!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:


It's been seven months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.


It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness—or so they thought.


As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

REVIEW:

Lies is the third installment of Gone Series by Michael Grant. So for those who haven’t read the two first books and doesn’t want to be spoiled. I suggest you to read my first Reviews. Here and Here. And Go buy the book! It’s a kind that you wouldn’t want to miss!

WOW. Again. WOW. Everytime I hear or read “gone” word all I could remember is the Gone series. And then my heart will starting raising to excitement. Michael blow my mind for the third time.But!
I have good news and bad news regarding this installment. Good News is the hunger/food was sorted out (yey!) and the bad news is Drake is back (booo!) plus his immortal (booo!2x2x2x2x throws all the things she can grab to Drake) anyways.

Things are getting tougher for Sam and rest of the Council. More action scenes and more problems to that needs to be resolved ASAP!!

After many incidents that happened aka Worms in a farm fields, Caine’s attact, Human Crew, And Death of some kids in the FAYZ and Drake Merwin’s death.

It has been half a year since the children are forced to live everyday inside the FAYZ scared and hungry. Sam and the council are moving on and trying to live in FAYZ. Hunger was sorted out. More kids discovering their powers yet more kids suffered from the Human Crew’s hands as they continue to roam around the FAYZ freely and hurt those mutants/freaks bad or not. Sam is getting mad at this yet Astrid is stopping him as she wants to make a system out of her leadership. In addition to that Orsay claimed that she is able to see the happenings outside the Fayz wall (which Mr. Grand, had given us a slight Idea of what is outside the wall - Which I still have a hard time believing due to fact that: 1st duh...LIES, 2nd is its orsay. Who knows what Nerezza had put into her mind) not to mention that someone saw Drake walking around the Beach.

New and interesting/scary Characters have been introduced yet again! could they be an ally or eneme? It’s for you to find out! Anyways, Nerezza who turned out to be the ‘darkness’, Sanjit and virtue who are the celebrity children who lived across the island. Old Characters have are crueler and crazy. You wouldn’t really imagine that we are talking about kids here. They all think like adult already. Some would do for the common good and some would do things for their own selfishness and evilness.

Why Lies? Well throughout the story all things revolves around the truth and lie. As I may have mentions above that Orsay claims to see what is happening outside the FAYZ wall and telling every kids that she can talk to their parents outside using her power. That said many have believed and some doubted. Many have taken her word and happily faced their death when they turned fifteen. The council themselves doesn’t know whether to believe or not but they don’t the kids to commit suicide. So they covered up the lie with another lie.

You know the reason why I stick to this book. I want to know what humans esp. kids their age wanted to do in order to survive and live the world where death and life matters. Well that’s a bit confusing aint it? And also the story is a realistic yet fictional. Of course the obvious fiction here is the gaiaphage and the powers that the kids have gained though out the series and the cruelty of the kids, Which I think had gone worst. What I say about realistic is how kids react, would do and feels while inside the FAYZ and who and where should they hold on to? When there are kids like Caine, Drake and Zil who all wants to lead or face them and let them threatened you using this --> "I'll Kill you If you won’t let me rule" I also laugh of some Michaels remakes about the things. Like how Sam would tell Astrid how hot he is. Or what is Sam’s reaction after seeing Brittney sitting in the couch in Howard and Orc’s living room. <-- opps. As always the writing style and plot matched perfectly to that point that you’ll end up gaping to the unpredictable scenes and get mad at those ruthless kids in the story. Every page is a must read as it contains important information regarding the next scenes.

Gawd I can't wait for the fourth installment! I kept on wondering what will happen next and what are those new characters will contribute on the next series. Plague seems a sad title esp. that many kids have died in this series alone. I wonder what will Caine do next in order to defeat Sam? I kept on hoping that someday along the series. Caine and Sam will team up against all odds to fight for someone like Drake? Darkness? Zil? whoever?. And! I had the feeling it will come SOON!

Kay-c

Lies - Michael Grant

Hunger - Michael Grant

Title: HUNGER
Series: Gone Series #2
Author: Michael Grant
Pages: 590
Publisher: Harper Teen
Rating: 5 out of 5

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

IT'S BEEN THERE MONTHS SINCE EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF FIFTEEN BECAME TRAPPED IN THE BUBBLE KNOWN AS THE FAYZ.
THREE MONTHS SINCE ALL THE ADULTS DISAPPEARED.
GONE.
Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from t...moreIT'S BEEN THERE MONTHS SINCE EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF FIFTEEN BECAME TRAPPED IN THE BUBBLE KNOWN AS THE FAYZ.
THREE MONTHS SINCE ALL THE ADULTS DISAPPEARED.
GONE.
Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers.
Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It's the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous.

But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.
The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

Review

Is the second book installment of the Gone novel by Michael Grant and If you haven’t read the first one and doesn’t want to be spoiled. I strongly suggest to back away or go read my first review. Here.

It's been three months since the FAYZ started. All things have gone from bad to worst. All kids are facing Hunger, having little food left in the grocery store plus more kids complaining. Sam can feel the pressure of being a leader to these little kids. Having forced to answer all their questions repeatedly. Having asked to solve some little/minor problems such as who will own the pet they both kids named? Not to mention the faces who looked out for him to answer all the things. Several months before after the adults had gone ‘poofed’ children had gone wild taking all they can have for free in the local grocery store, not minding that doing it might reflect a huge crisis in the future events : Starvation. That said children have gone joking about cannibalism. Eating the pets they once own, or their neighbors pet or hunt an animals that is available just to survive the starvation.

The book as title hunger not only revolves around the hunger in the beach kids but also the hunger of their main protagonist who called itself: darkness. As it calls whoever get in touch with it aka caine, drake, lana. Caine has spent months in bed fighting gaiaphage or the darkness. And Lana who silently is fighting the darkness is calling her back to the gold mine where they last encountered with coyotes’ are having this thought to face and finish it on her own.

Many kids are introduced in this series: Zil, Hunter, Harry, Brittany, Duck and many more. Who have a very big role in the entire series and might as well in the next ones.

For me this is not as good as the first book. Sam and Astrid only share small portion of spotlight despite their main role in the story. Caine and Diane get to enjoy their spotlight here as they both fight and plotting another war against Sam who had a breakdown after all things that happened. Astrid on the other is annoying me, she doesn’t seem the Genius anymore. Maybe she’s too smart to the point that she can't see smaller things like what Albert is planning. Saving batteries and tissue paper are indeed a good idea who knows they might need in the future. Yet she opposes it.

Also in this series. Human crew was made. As the title of the groups says they are a group of humans who does not have the power. As Caine went to the power plant and Diana winning Computer Jack’s favor using his weakness against computers and technology to prove his worth. He decided to go after them for the plan of getting the Beach electricity cut. Zil on the other hand had made a sudden attack in the beach, vandalizing, destroying some houses and even hunting kids that have power and that includes Duck who has the power over his own density and Hunter who has the power to boil the brain of his enemy or someone. Some kids favored him saying that Mutants are failing and selfish people who only cares for their selves.

Caine and Diane get to have my favor here even though I’m not really on their side. But seeing how twisted couple they are? and how they made the series more likeable and interesting. Even though Caine’s plan fails Diana will always have a backup plan making them a perfect tandem. Drake is getting more scary and ruthless.

This book is getting better as we go further. I can't wait to set my hands on the third installment.

Kay-c

PS: REVIEW - Book 3:
Lies

Hunger - Michael Grant

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publisher:
Pages: 335 pages
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Amazon |Book depository| Goodreads

Summary:

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights.
The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment the
conception until age Thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen to
eighteen, however, parents can have their children “unwound,”
whereby all of the child’s organs are transplanted into different
donors, so life doesn’t technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not talented enough to kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together they may have a chance to escape – and to survive.

Review:

Unwind blew my mind away. And that said, I had to pick up my brain again to make a review. I have two words to describe the "book". Scary and disturbing.

There is one obvious argument I found and realized while reading the book: The legality of abortion.

Parents get to choose whether to eliminate you or to let you live.
Through chapter one and half of the book all I ever felt was anger. In a world where the authorities and your parents are the most powerful people through out your teenage years. The world that Neal created is so scary. I don't want to live here, that's what I first thought and really. I won’t. Never.
In Unwind, children have no choice but to follow or death will be the consequence. And if you do make a choice you'll be run out of options and you'll be the enemy of the authorities.

These people have the thing called Unwind in their bodies and it comes out naturally from them literally like talking They can easily say that "Unwound is JUST a process where you'll be divided and donated to different donors in the world! But you'll live" and I was so really mad about that.
At first I kept shoving the book away but somehow it's pulling me, tempting me to read and finish it. But temptation won. -.-;

Life here are like toys. Once the parents are fed up with their children they just have to sign up the unwinding paper and let the authorities do the thing. it's like tasting a food and spitting it out if they didn't like the taste and get rid of it. Easy right? Of course the parents who willingly sign the contract will be happy to know that you'll be gone soon. And some would even celebrate. Children in the age of 13-18 do not own their life. It all depends on their parent’s decision. It's either you have to force yourself to be somebody else to please them or make a choice. But prepare for the consequence.

The parents view their children as a tool, a material which they can easily get rid of if they want to; donate if they need to; pass or give away. Why not, right? its legal anyway. They can just make love and make many more like their son or daughter who might be better than the other.

Teenagers like Connor who cant be controlled And where trouble seems to follows him. So his parent suddenly had enough of the troubles his bringing and wants him out of their life.

If you are like Risa. A ward of the state. Where no one thinks she's talented enough plus her existence herself is just a waste of money because she does not bring any good results to every little things she's doing.

Lev on the other hand is a tithe. He was born to be unwounded. He's parents made him in order to donate him and thinks it’s a good will for their god. I don't know whose god they are talking about.

These teenagers are the main characters of the story as they all choose to runaway and fight for their lives.

There are disgusting scenes here. But I have to keep moving on. Anyways I just want to warn those who haven't read the book to brace yourself and prepare for the mind blowing plot.

Kay-c

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver (ARC)

Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #1
Pages: 440 (Hardcover)
Source: ARC from NetGalley
(Goodreads)

Publishing Date: February 2011
Published by: HarperTeen

Review:

If I were suddenly thrown into a world where people think that love is a ‘deadly’ disease that they must protect themselves from, like taking love vaccines, I would’ve raised my eyebrows and laughed at their faces for being completely and utterly ridiculous. That was exactly how I felt like doing when I was first introduced to Delirium. And until now, after reading the book, part of me still feels that way.

After Lena’s mother was killed by armor deliria nervosa, there was nothing more she wanted than to get the cure that would rid of the possibility of her contracting the deadly disease. Her mother was infected with the deadly disease, and when her dad died, she suffered so painfully it caused her death. So all her life, she’d been looking forward to the procedure. Several days before her procedure though, her life was turned completely upside down when the least of all her expectations happened and she fell in love with a boy named Alex.

“Love. The deadliest of all the deadly things.”

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver (ARC)

Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games

The first book in the Hunger Games series was the first ever book to have blown my mind away - and so far, the only one. I was never big with love triangles, so each time I stumble upon its Goodreads page and read its summary, instead of being tempted to read it for the otherwise interesting description, my automatic response was to take a step back and look for other interesting books.

I wouldn’t have bought the first book if it weren’t for my dementia, really. As I was browsing the books in my local bookstore, I accidentally stumbled upon The Hunger Games. I felt like I saw it before, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I decided that it was among my wishlist – the ugly cover aside - and single-blindedly bought it instead. I didn’t recognize it to be the book I kept distancing myself from until I finished it.

The Hunger Games was a lot like Battle Royale. Both were thrilling, exciting and asthma-inducing – some of the reasons why I came to heart the two so much. The most apparent thing that separated this two though, is that THG has a lot more into it than just kids killing each other off. THG flowed smoothly despite of its complicated plot. The characters had a lot of flaws but in a way, it just contributed to the genius of the book

Catching Fire

I loved Katniss's voice. I never found her annoying. I loved how smart and strong and yet, naive and vulnerable she is. She was only 16-years-old when she was forced to a killing spree against other kids. And at age 17, she was forced to take upon a lot of responsibilities even an adult would have an impossibly hard time to meet. Responsibilities that when not handled properly, will cost the lives of thousands. So with that, I understand why her character seemed a bit unstable. She was a teenager who wanted nothing but to bring food to her family's table. She hated the Capitol, but never thought of rebelling against it. She only wanted a normal life. But one thing led to another and before she knew it, Katniss was doing exactly those things. She was used without her knowledge; lied to by the people she trusted. I give her credit for not going deranged.

Review: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Gone - Michael Gran

Title: GONE
Series: Gone series #1
Author: Michael Grant
Pages: 558
Publisher: Harper Teen
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE.

Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened.

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else..

Review:

The Gone introduced us to a scary place they call FAYZ (FALLOUT ALLEY YOUTH ZONE) where no 15 yrs old and above exist. Where kids are the one left behind with a question mark on their heads. Asking and hoping that the adults will be back in a few hours or days. Just a few hours ago Teachers and some other were just around then suddenly with the blink of an eye they are gone. Gone as in nowhere to be found. Then a mysterious wall appeared in nowhere that separates them from the other side which they speculate as the real world. Children who are scared and frightened looks for someone they can trust and found Sam who is known to be school bus Sam –the hero who helped the driver as he suffered from being heart attack while driving saved the bus who is full of children and the driver himself.

They soon started asking Sam questions that he, himself couldn’t even answer and have no clue of what’s going on. Sam was born as a natural leader but still reluctant to accept it as everyone looks up to him for an answers and help. He wants to run away and be someone they think he’s not. He doesn’t want to lead these kids. Afraid the things that are happening might be his fault. Having this strange ability to turn his hands to some light beam that endangered his step father and the reason why he left them behind. Afraid that he might put them in danger as well because of it. Until the handsome and charismatic Caine together with his other Coates academy crew arrived and took over. Making things worse, having all these bullies rule and hurting helpless children. Sam has no choice but to fight for the greater good.

This book blew me away for the first time. The plot aren’t predictable, the writing style is fantastic. You’ll get to know how and what the characters are doing and thinking but of course the obvious mystery is still unknown, even to us readers. Characters are awesome and scary, ruthless, cruel (you name it.) for their kind. I can’t believe they are children at 15 below of age. Can’t believe they can actually do that. I mean realistically…can someone really do that? You will pity and feel mad about all they’ve done in order to rule the village.

Right from the beginning my mind is filled with questions, “what happened?” “how did this start?” or rather who started it. And then they are isolated inside this creepy bowl like think that whenever you touch it you’ll feel electricity flowing strong inside your skin. You can’t put the book down because the further you go on reading the more interesting the story become and the more mystery unravel.

You will be shocked, you'll feel pity, mad and all the bad vibes you could feel is I think I felt while reading this book. I love Sam though I sometimes hate his reluctant side but understand him. He will get to lead this bunch of children in one moment, when he, himself is still considered one. Just like everyone in the FAYZ, he too, Needs guidance. I dislike not hate Quinn, despite his bigness compared to Sam. Quinn is a coward and by that instead of him standing in front and defending Sam, he is the one being protected, he'll easily breakdown in a fight. And because of this he made a mistake and sold Sam in their enemy but I can't really be mad at him esp. when you are in this place where people have this scary powers and bats, and guns? Plus a psychopath kids who wouldn’t have a second thought to kill you, you'll definitely be scared. Astrid on the other hand is known as “Astrid the Genius” who is friend with Sam and Quinn and their classmate for I forgot how long. She has an important role in Sam’s life, not only because she is Sam’s crush but because she’s only one who can keep Sam sane, not that Sam is insane but suddenly having this huge responsibility? Astrid may be a great help, helping Sam make good and right decisions throughout the story. And I think that having them together is perfect like a sidekick and hero relationship.

I can't wait to read the the second series. And I can't wait for another mind blowing plot.

Kay-c

PS: REVIEW for book 2 and 3:
Hunger
Lies

Gone - Michael Gran