The Quiet Concert: Dystopian

Showing posts with label Dystopian. Show all posts

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title:The Jewel
Series: The Lone City #1
Author: Amy Ewing
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date:September 2nd 2014
Pages: ARC, 358 pages
Source: BEA 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Review

The Jewel, I had such I hopes for you. I thought what a beautiful cover and interesting premise, I could not wait to dive into the book. Unfortunately, the insta-love and main character were not for me. Violet started out being a very unique, strong-willed and sometimes stubborn strong female lead. As the story progressed I felt that her stubborn personality started to overpower her smart, strong-willed, intelligent decisions. By the end of the book, I just wanted to shake her silly. Her life choices were infuriating at times.

Right along side with Violet's stubborn and just plain not smart decisions was the overwhelming insta-love. On a scale of 1-10 of instalove, one being rather subtle but still insta-love, I would rate the relationship between Violet and Ash about an 8! I just could not stand behind it; after one encounter that was it, she was full commit.

Insta-love and Violet aside, I did enjoy the setting and the overall concept. The setting is a bit similar to The Selection, with different levels in society each with their own jobs and roles. The unique thing about The Jewel was the unique abilities the surrogates possessed and their role within that structured society. I am still intrigued about how the story will play out, especially after the ending. The ending took me by surprise in a good way, I was not expecting it; it is one of the main reasons I would consider picking up the next book.

Graduation Day (The Testing #3) by Joelle Charbonneau

Title: Graduation Day
Series: The Testing #3
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Pages: 304
Source: ARC, ALA

Summary from Goodreads:
In book three of the Testing series, the United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good. Cia is ready to lead the charge, but will her lethal classmates follow her into battle?

She wants to put an end to the Testing
In a scarred and brutal future, The United Commonwealth teeters on the brink of all-out civil war. The rebel resistance plots against a government that rules with cruelty and cunning. Gifted student and Testing survivor, Cia Vale, vows to fight.

But she can't do it alone.
This is the chance to lead that Cia has trained for - but who will follow? Plunging through layers of danger and deception, Cia must risk the lives of those she loves--and gamble on the loyalty of her lethal classmates.

Who can Cia trust?
The stakes are higher than ever-lives of promise cut short or fulfilled; a future ruled by fear or hope--in the electrifying conclusion to Joelle Charbonneau's epic Testing trilogy. Ready or not…it's Graduation Day.

The Final Test is the Deadliest!

Review

Graduation Day was the perfect conclusion to the The Testing series. Cia is tested yet again, but this time she isn't just trying to prove herself for the sake of her own life. This time, the future of the Commonwealth and that of future testing candidates, hinge on the decisions that Cia makes.

Exciting, suspenseful, unpredictable - these are just a few of the words I would use to describe this series. I have enjoyed it immensely. As I said in my review of The Testing, I love books with tests in them and I loved rooting for Cia throughout this journey. I think she is great. She is smart and strong, as well as grounded and good. And she is relatable. She questions herself, admits when she needs help, and stays true to her upbringing and true to herself. I loved watching the way her mind works, seeing how she comes to decisions, and watching her grow and rise to the occasion. My only reservation is that Cia can be so logical that sometimes the emotion doesn't come through.

In Graduation Day it is up to Cia to stop the rebellion. And to do that she needs to learn to trust. Cia is tested until the very end, therefore Charbonneau left me guessing until the very end. If you think you've got this book figured out, think again. Graduation Day is not without its share of surprises. You never know quite what the other characters are going to do or why. But things end well for this series, fitting even. And all loose ends are tied up.

Like the two books previous, there was never a dull moment in Graduation Day. I highly recommend this series to fans of dystopians, strong heroines, and gripping plots.

The Murder Complex (The Murder Complex #1) by Lindsay Cummings

Title: The Murder Complex
Series: The Murder Complex #1
Author: Lindsay Cummings
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Pages: 400
Source: Publisher, EW

Summary from Goodreads:
Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Review

The Murder Complex is a (very) fast-paced story with lots of action and intrigue that immediately captured and held my attention. The world that Lindsay Cummings created is terrifying and the roles that both Meadow and Zephyr play, with regards to both The Murder Complex and each other, made for a compelling storyline. Meadow was a total badass (my favorite kind of MC) and I loved watching her square off against any threat she faced, including Zephyr. I read in a state of nervous excitement as I rooted for Meadow to survive, but all the while I sympathized with Zephyr and the other MC assassins.

But what The Murder Complex lacked, and the ultimate reason for my slightly below average rating, was development. This story really could have benefited from more character development and world building in the beginning. I never felt like I really got to know Meadow or Zephyr, so my connection with, and feelings for them, could only go so far. Same goes for the setting in that I needed more. From what information we do get, I could sense that it was a dangerous and horrible place but I never fully grasped what it was like or how things operated so it was all a little lost on me. I never thought I'd say this, but I think the fast pace worked against this story. Don't be deceived by the 400 page count up there, the chapters are very short and this book reads VERY quickly. I flew through it.

I also had some (minor) problems with the second half of the story. Whether it was insta-love or a really strong connection - something formed between Zephyr and Meadow way too quickly for my liking. And then there was this uncomfortable interaction and exchange of feelings between Meadow and a certain character I cannot name, which I didn't get. And lastly, the ending was a bit info-dumpy and i'm not sure how I feel about the explanation that was given. But I understand readers will take to these things differently. I just wanted to explain what didn't work for me.

I thought The Murder Complex would be the perfect book for me, but what I liked about it was overshadowed by what I found missing. It had my attention while reading, but I finished feeling a little underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high, and in that case, hopefully this review will correct that for you. I can see fans of Sci Fi/Dystopian and lots of action liking this one more than I did. The story has promise, it just hasn't left a lasting impression on me.

Horde (Razorland #3) by Ann Aguirre

Title: Horde
Series: Razorland #3
Author: Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Pages: 432
Source: Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:
The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

Review

I am very very impressed by this series ender. I admit that I did not have high expectations, despite all the strong reviews. I really enjoyed Enclave but felt that Outpost was missing much of what I had originally loved in the story. But my fears were unnecessary because I saw in Horde what I loved in Enclave, even more so really. In fact, it was arguably one of the strongest series endings I have read to date.

I thought Deuce was the strongest she’s ever been. She’s grown up so much since coming to the surface and she behaves admirably. She is much more aware, both of herself and of her surroundings. She knows her strengths and weaknesses. She welcomes advice. She leads by example. She is confident, but not cocky. She was badass and powerful and motivating. She was everything I hoped she'd be.

I thought the progression of the freaks was so well done. Often times you see side plots like this not fully fleshed out and left open but this became a focal point of the story, was given the appropriate level of detail, and came to a nice finish. I loved the direction Aguirre took with their story. The freaks were a constant source of action, fear, and intrigue.

I loved the plot development over this last book. I think Deuce's army was such a wonderful touch and I loved the trials she went through and the success that was had. I think it sent an important message. And everything just concluded so nicely, which I can not often say for a series. I was invested in the stories of each and every main character and I think each of their stories ended as well as can be expected.

Again, I am so impressed by this last installment in the Razorland series and I highly recommend this series to fellow readers looking for a strong dystopian. I was so moved by this story and felt a lot of different emotions while reading, but ultimately finished feeling satisfaction. I loved this story.

REVIEW: Fractured (Slated #2) by Teri Terry

Title: Fractured
Series: Slated #2

Author: Teri Terry

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Release Date: September 26, 2013

Pages: 336
Source: Purchased

Summary from Goodreads:

Perfect for fans of the dystopian settings of The Hunger Games and Divergent, the gripping second installment of the Slated trilogy is a riveting psychological thriller set in a future where violent teens have their memory erased as an alternative to jail.

Kyla has been Slated—her personality wiped blank, her memories lost to her forever. Or so she thought. She shouldn’t be able to remember anything. But increasingly she can—and she’s discovering that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life and wants her help, she thinks she’s on her way to finding the truth. But this new knowledge lands her in the middle of a tug-of-war between two dangerous adversaries, and despite her misgivings about both of them, she’s forced to choose a side for her own protection.

I continue to like the premise of this story - rather than face a harsher punishment, difficult teens can be "Slated" aka have their memories erased and be inserted into a new home for a chance at a second life. But for some reason, Slating didn't work as it should have on Kyla and she is slowly recovering her memories and discovering the person she was before slating; who happened to play a pivotal role in the rebel movement opposing the corrupt and oppressive Lorder enforcers.

This second book is largely focused on Kyla and her past before Slating. I enjoyed the journey of self discovery that she went on as her memories were revealed to her. Her past is somewhat surprising to her and she can't help but question who she was and who she wants to be. She is torn between her past and present desires.

The ending of this book was fantastic. There were a ton of revelations, quite a few twists, and lots of action - a serious pick up in pace from the rest of the book and I couldn't read fast enough. The third book is looking really promising.

What really made Slated stand out for me was the emotion that I felt while reading. Kyla's fear, confusion, and uncertainty was palpable and I was highly involved in the outcome of the story. But I didn't feel the emotion in this novel to the same degree, at least not until the end. The stakes were just as high, if not higher, but I didn't feel the threat or the severity of the situation like I did in the first book.

Although I liked the journey of self discovery that Kyla went on, I would have preferred less indecision on her part - at least with regards to her back and forth over what cause she supported and what she believed in - it got a little repetitive.

I didn't like how Kyla had no strength of will against Nico or Dr. Lysander. I would say that with every interaction she had with either of these characters there was some mention of her inability to disagree, lie, or withhold information. It just didn't agree with every other situation in which she is extremely capable and smart. It was a small thing and I think it was just a tool to provide information but it was obvious and abundant.

I enjoyed Fractured and I think it had a great ending, but the rest of the book was not as strong as I had hoped it would be. I didn't have the same emotional connection as I did with Slated and some of the writing bothered me. But I will be reading Shattered for sure. I love the premise and the third installment holds a lot of promise.

REVIEW: Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu

Title: Champion
Series: Legend #3
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: November 5th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 369 pages
Source: Bought

Summary from Goodreads:
He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

Similar to the first two books, I continue to love the alternating POVs.
Loved the integration of Day's Brother Eden into the storyline. Shos and emphasizes Day's love for his brother and his caring side.
I am not a big crier when I read but those last chapters/epilogue definetly had me tearing up a bit. Lu's ending was heartbreaking, heart warming, good and sad all at the same time. Truly a well done series conclusion.
Champion was full of action with a fast pace plot. So much was going on in the Republic.
I loved the chemistry and dynamic between Day and June. It was full of love, sometimes hard love but truly great.
The love triangle/square faded away/was not a focal point in the story.

Some of Day's actions at the beginning of the book. They just made me angry with his decisions.
While I do love Day and June, sometimes their stubbornness was exhausting.

Champion is an action packed, emotional, fantastic ending to the Legend series. I definitely recommend both finishing or starting the series!

ARC REVIEW: Independent Study (The Testing #2) by Joelle Charbonneau

Title: Independent Study
Series: The Testing #2

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 7, 2014

Pages: 310, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

In the series debut The Testing, sixteen-year-old Cia Vale was chosen by the United Commonwealth government as one of the best and brightest graduates of all the colonies . . . a promising leader in the effort to revitalize postwar civilization. In Independent Study, Cia is a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas—and though the government has tried to erase her memory of the brutal horrors of The Testing, Cia remembers. Her attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government’s murderous programs put her—and her loved ones—in a world of danger. But the future of the Commonwealth depends on her.

I am just loving this series so much! I thought The Testing was super intense but in a fun, I-don't-want-to-put-this-book-down kind of way and Independent Study was very much the same! Cia passed The Testing and is now a student at The University, but the tests are far from over. She still has to fight for her spot and a lot of people want her to fail. The story was just so addictive!

I think Cia is just great. She is so easy to root for. She is super smart, but not just book smart, she's perceptive too. She's just as capable as everyone else, if not more so, and I love it. I love watching her kick butt and prove to everyone just how awesome she is. But I also love that she is an honorable person. She stays true to her morals and earns the respect of others.

Joelle Charbonneau knows how to engage readers with her writing. She sure got my attention. I was always anticipating what would happen next, constantly questioning the motives of other characters. You never really knew what was coming or how things would turn out and I loved that about this book.

I don't really have any complaints. I really enjoyed this sequel.

Independent Study is a nice follow-up to The Testing. Cia is in the thick of things at The University and must prove herself every day, keeping consistent with the fast-pace and high stakes of the first book. Meanwhile, readers learn a bit more about the government and the key players. I really enjoy books like this, and Independent Study was no exception. Can't wait for the next one!

REVIEW: Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Title: Allegiant

Series: Divergent #3
Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: October 22, 2013

Pages: 526, Hardcover
Source: Library, Audiobook

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

I am struggling to put my thoughts into words so I am not going to break up my review like I have been.

I started Allegiant with really low expectations. I was prepared to hate it. And when I didn't hate it, it knocked me off kilter. On the surface, I am not as disappointed in this book as I thought I would be. I did not get bored. I was always interested in what was to come. But if I were to be critical, this book has many flaws. It is not a great book, or a great series ender. But it's not terrible either.

This book was no where near as action packed as Divergent, but was more so than Insurgent. And instead of filling the pages with Tris's relationship woes, Allegiant focuses more on the world 'beyond the fence' and introduces new players. I don't know if I buy all the answers/ explanations given for everything but it definitely kept my attention.

I like the ending and I don't like the ending. But my reasons for like and dislike are probably opposite those of many readers. My main reason why I didn't like the ending was because it didn't actually end anything. The world is as it was. I don't feel like I have closure. I had a similar problem with Requiem. But the reason why everyone disliked the ending, I didn't mind at all. Call me crazy but it seemed rather fitting.

I could care less about Tris and Four's relationship now that I think about it. Or, I hate to say it but, even Tris and Four as characters. Tris redeemed herself a little from the Insurgent debacle but Four dimmed significantly. His POV didn't help matters any. But their feelings for each other were so not convincing.

Ultimately, Divergent was the shinning star in this series. It was a fantastic book but then kind of lost direction in Insurgent and now Allegiant. But Allegiant is definitely a better book than Insurgent and I think it still has some good to offer fans.

REVIEW: Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Title: Not a Drop to Drink
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: September 24th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 320 pages
Source: Bought

Summary from Goodreads:
Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.

It is refreshing to read about a strong female lead, while Lynn is frequently rough on the edges and on the stubborn side she is far from weak. She grows and changes through the story; the rough edges became softer and she learned to love more than just her mother.
The intense story line and society McGinnis created. I felt like there was tension through the whole story; constantly worrying about the water situation and potential enemies.
While I do not agree with all the choices she made, I really enjoyed that the author took quite a few risks. Some aspects like the romance were pretty predictable but then there was a curve ball. It kept the story fresh and it kept me wanting to read more and more.

While it is not a huge issue, I wish some aspects of the world in its deserted state were better explained. I did not feel like I had a complete picture of the world Lynn lived in. I could picture her house and its surroundings just not much past that point.
I was not the biggest fan of the ending. Parts of it felt unnecessary. My thoughts went along the lines of... "WHYYYY?!?!?!"

Not a Drop to Drink is a suspenseful post-apocalyptic book with a strong female lead that has surprises throughout the whole book. Definitely recommend it to those looking for a scarily realistic take on the future with subtle romance yet strong character growth and development.

ARC REVIEW: Relic (Books of Eva #1) by Heather Terrell

Title: Relic

Author: Heather Terrell

Series: Books of Eva #1
Publisher: Soho Teen

Release Date: October 29, 2013

Pages: 288, Hardcover
Source: ARC obtained at BEA

Summary from Goodreads:

The truth will test you...

For fans of Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games: high fantasy and dystopia meet in this high-stakes tale of a civilization built on lies and the girl who single-handedly brings it down.

When Eva’s twin brother, Eamon, falls to his death just a few months before he is due to participate in The Testing, no one expects Eva to take his place. She’s a Maiden, slated for embroidery classes, curtseys, and soon a prestigious marriage befitting the daughter of an Aerie ruler. But Eva insists on honoring her brother by becoming a Testor. After all, she wouldn’t be the first Maiden to Test, just the first in 150 years.

Eva knows the Testing is no dance class. Gallant Testors train for their entire lives to search icy wastelands for Relics: artifacts of the corrupt civilization that existed before The Healing drowned the world. Out in the Boundary Lands, Eva must rely on every moment of the lightning-quick training she received from Lukas—her servant, a Boundary native, and her closest friend now that Eamon is gone.

But there are threats in The Testing beyond what Lukas could have prepared her for. And no one could have imagined the danger Eva unleashes when she discovers a Relic that shakes the Aerie to its core.

I really really liked the ending. In the last 100 pages or so, Eva finds her relic and writes her chronicle. The Testors return to the compound and the Chief Achron is named. And readers get a lot of questions answered about the world and belief system. It's all very exciting.
I thought the very beginning was also good. The book starts with Eamon's death and the mystery surrounding it and it kind of pulls you in from the first page. And Terrell doesn't waste much time before the Testing begins so it's a pretty fast-paced start.
There's a bit of mystery to this story that kept me on my toes. You're not sure who to trust, as others' intentions are always in question. And there's some secretive identities and connections that you have to wait to be revealed. I really liked this

I have to praise to the stories within the story. I really enjoyed Eva's chronicle about the way things used to be before the flood. And I enjoyed getting snippets of Eamon's journal, even the few diagrams included. These little details gave me more personality than Eva herself did.

So I mentioned the beginning and ending were exciting but the middle of the book kind of fell flat even though this was pretty much the test itself. It lacked danger, suspense... something. And it was too easy.
I have to admit I was a bit confused at times reading the story because I didn't fully understand the dystopian references. I wish more information was provided throughout the story rather than saved until the end. The end was a bit of an info dump even though it satisfied my need for answers.
I kind of tired of Eva's internal dialogue. She was a bit too self-deprecating and clueless at timess.In fact, she probably could have been a stronger character all around. She was by no means terrible, but not exactly awesome either.

"For fans of Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games: high fantasy and dystopia meet in this high-stakes tale of a civilization built on lies and the girl who single-handedly brings it down." This is just completely false on all accounts.

Relic was very middle-of-the-road for me. I liked it, but it didn't completely win me over. It was a quick and interesting read, but I am not convinced it offers anything new to the dystopian genre. If you're a big dystopian fan, than I would give this one a try. But if you are selective, I would wait to see how the sequel pans out.

Template and Design by New Chapter Designs