Mini Reviews: Ruined by Amy Tintera, The Chapel Wars by Lindsey Leavitt, and Maid of Wonder by Jennifer McGowan

Title: Ruined
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Ruined #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 3, 2016

Review

I had a lot of fun reading this book! I love plots that involve infiltrating enemy territory and Em was a total badass despite her perceived weakness among her people for having no power. I love how Tintera proved that there are more ways to be useful and powerful besides what is expected. I was also a total sucker for the romance. It might not have been THAT moving and sure, it was a trope that I had seen before but it just worked for me. I liked Em, I liked Cas, and I liked Em and Cas together. I also loved the ending to this book. Like LOVED. The last third was non-stop action and holy hell, Em’s sister is a force to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what mayhem she causes in the next book.

Title: The Chapel Wars
Author: Lindsey Leavitt
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release Date: May 6, 2014

Review

The Chapel Wars wasn’t quite the book I hoped it would be but since I had been meaning to read this book for over 2 years now my expectations probably got the best of me. I expected MORE from it – more laughs, more playfulness, more war, more romance – so what I got fell a teeny bit flat. Sure, it had it’s cute moments and I think it was interesting. I also think Leavitt handled some important topics well – like divorce and first love and all the fun growing up that comes with those teen years. But it didn’t leave that strong of an impression on me. And while I appreciated the honesty of the ending, it kind of let me down at the same time. Points for uniqueness though! The Vegas Wedding Chapel premise was a great idea!

Title: Maid of Wonder
Author: Jennifer McGowan
Series: Maids of Honor #3
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 25, 2015

Review

Unfortunately for Maid of Wonder, it is the 3rd book in a series and the previous two books are, what I consider, some of the best YA Historical Fiction has to offer. So while Maid of Wonder had its merits, it paled in comparison, impression-wise. I enjoyed learning more about Sophia and her Seer abilities. And I enjoyed being back in this world and diving even deeper into the bigger picture. But unlike the previous two books, the mystery wasn’t quite as captivating, the romance wasn’t quite as shippable, and the overall emotional response I had to the writing wasn’t quite as strong. Also, Sophia herself just wasn’t as dynamic of a character as Meg or Beatrice. So this is why I didn't love it, only liked it. But I do still hope that S&S publishes the final book about Jane or I am going to be PISSED.

Rebel (Reboot #2) by Amy Tintera

Title: Rebel
Series: Reboot #2
Author: Amy Tintera
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Pages: 352
Source: EW

Summary from Goodreads:
After coming back from death as Reboots and being trained by HARC as soldiers, Wren and Callum have finally escaped north, where they hope to find a life of freedom. But when they arrive at the Reboot Reservation, it isn't what they expected. Under the rule of a bloodthirsty leader, Micah, the Reboots are about to wage an all-out war on the humans. Although Wren's instincts are telling her to set off into the wilderness on their own and leave the battle far behind, Callum is unwilling to let his human family be murdered. When Micah commits the ultimate betrayal, the choice is made for them. But Micah has also made a fatal mistake . . . he's underestimated Wren and Callum.

The explosive finale to the Reboot duology is full of riveting action and steamy love scenes as Wren and Callum become rebels against their own kind.

Review

"'Do you really think you killed her by handing her over to a few humans?' ...
 'There's no way Wren is dead,' ...
'I'd be scared, if i were you.'"

Last year Reboot took me by surprise. It had a unique premise, a badass female lead, a charming male lead, a sweet romance, and a gripping plot. It was funny and exciting. It had great plot development AND character development. Basically, Reboot was everything I could hope to have in a book.

Rebel is very much the same.

This book is non stop action from page one. One of the perks of being a duology is that there is no need to fill the pages with unnecessary drama, angst, sideplots, (you name it) just to stretch the story out. Every moment in this story was relevant and for the good of the plot. This book has rebel movements, rescue attempts, survival stories, revenge plots and more! And there is a whole lot of tension between and  among the reboots, humans and HARC officials to make for one exciting read.

Wren and Callum are as awesome as ever, especially Wren. She can give the best heroines a run for their money.  Their relationship didn't have that newness that it did in Reboot but they were a solid pair and that is something great in and of itself. And there was still character development - just of a different sort. The focus wasn't on Callum feeling too much and Wren too little, but more of Wren accepting herself as a leader and her and Callum wanting the same thing. There are some new character introductions as well - some you will root for, and others that will make your blood boil. 

Rebel is a great follow up to Reboot and if you haven't read either- they make a great pair. I definitely recommend these when in the mood for an action packed, science fiction story with strong characters and plot. I really enjoyed them!

REVIEW #124: Reboot (Reboot #1) by Amy Tintera

Title: Reboot

Series: Reboot #1
Author: Amy Tintera

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Pages: 365, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

 

Reboot is one of those books that is fast-paced and packed with action. Something was always happening and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what came next. You tell yourself, just one more page, one more, and before you know it you’ve finished the book because you just couldn’t put it down.

The synopsis does a good job introducing this story so I’ll skip right to what I really loved about this book - which was Wren mostly, but Wren and Callum together too. Wren, as a 178, is one of the deadliest Reboots. And let me tell you, she is totally badass. She is also considered the most inhuman. But Amy Tintera did an amazing job making Wren appear logical and matter-of-fact as opposed to cold and unforgiving. This portrayal was perfect because it left room for her to show emotion later and have it be believable. Wren might not be easily controlled by her emotions, or as quick to feel and show them, but with the right Trigger - Callum - she can feel as the others do.

And I say can because she wasn’t sure she could in the beginning. Everyone believed she was just a mindless shell and she started to believe that about herself too. It was amazing watching Callum slowly bring out her humanity and her slowly give in to it. I was happy to see her realize she wasn’t as dead as everyone thought. And it was a great moment when she stopped listening and started making her own decisions.

The relationship between Callum and Wren was both sweet and exciting and I loved watching it deepen. Humans are naturally scared of Reboots but even Reboots are scared of Wren. Very few Reboots engaged her and she really didn’t know how to handle Callum at first, who was all sunshine and rainbows and not afraid of her in the least. The stark contrast in their behaviors and mannerisms created an interesting dynamic and was a joy to experience.

So even though I’ve focused my review on Wren and Callum, there is other stuff going on, more or less involving restlessness and rebellion among the Reboots. This is where the action and adventure comes in and it’s good stuff. That’s all I’m going to say.

I expected to like this book. Even so, it exceeded my expectations. Wren and Callum are the type of characters that stand out. Kind of like how Day and June stand out in the Legend series and make it all the better. If you like that series, I expect you will enjoy this one. 

Favorite line:

"'Do that thing where you look blank, like you have no feelings at all.'

'I think that's just my face.'"