Review: The Darkest Minds

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy crap...

I've taken a couple of days to digest this book and I still don't know if I can write this review. Only one way to find out I guess...

In The Darkest Minds we learn that IAAN is a "disease" that is killing children. The children that do not die discover they've developed an ability. Abilities that range from being able to crack complicated/secret codes, telekinesis, mind reading and mind control.

Ruby Daly learns on her tenth birthday that she has changed and something has happened, something so drastic that it causes her parents to send her camp Thurmond.

The government has created "rehabilitation camps" throughout the US; camps where they promise to try and "cure" your child. Upon entry to the camp each child is assigned a color based on their abilities (green, blue, yellow, orange and red). But we quickly learn that these camps are nothing more than a prison for these kids with PSFs (Psi Special Forces) guarding and forcing the children to complete menial tasks.

Six years later Ruby escapes Thurmond with the help of Cate, but quickly discovers that Cate may not be as friendly as she seems. As Ruby is running from Cate, she meets Liam (blue), Chubs (green) and Zu (yellow). Liam shares that they're in search of East River. East River is a place created by Slip Kid for children with abilities to seek safety. Their journey isn't without complications and trouble though.

During their journey we watch as friendships are formed and bonds are created. Zu becomes a little sister figure to Ruby and Zu wastes no time trying to play dress-up with Ruby :D

Chubs eventually warms up to Ruby, but thankfully he never loses his snark because if he did, he wouldn’t be Chubs!

"Thanks for stitching me up," I said. "I'm looking a little Frankenstein, but I guess it's appropriate, all things considered."
Chubs gave me a weary sigh. "Frankenstein is the name of the doctor that created the monster, not the monster itself."
"Couldn't let that one go, could you?"
"Don't get on my case about it. You're the one that doesn't know her classic literature."

I quickly developed a soft spot for Chubs.

Then, of course, there's Liam. Handsome, protective and loyal Liam. Ruby and Liam don't have the insta-love connection which I love more and more. But once there is a connection; Liam brings on the swoon.

Did you know...you make me so happy that sometimes I actually forget to breathe? I'll be looking at you, and my chest will get so tight...and it's like, the only thought in my head is how much I want to reach over and kiss you."

Or

"We want you," he said, his hand slipping through my hair to cup the back of my neck. "We wanted you yesterday, we want you today, and we'll want you tomorrow. There's nothing you could do to change that. If you're scared and you don't understand your crazy abilities, then we'll help you understand - but don't think, not for a second, that we would ever just leave you."

In The Darkest Minds there are twists and turns, hearts mended and broken, relationships developed, promises made and loyalties challenged. I really enjoyed the world Alexandra Bracken created. Her writing is amazing; the descriptions really have you believing that you are there. The ending though... ugh!!! I still can't believe it...I understand why it had to happen, but it doesn't make me like it any better. Thankfully I have book 2 waiting for me to begin... which will be immediately, of course :D



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Summer Lovin' Read-a-thon

Review: Golden

Golden by Jessi Kirby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Golden stars!

This book... *sigh*... it was amazing. The descriptions, the words, the relationships... all beautiful. This is the first Jessi Kirby book I have read, but after reading Golden, I definitely plan on reading more of her work.

Parker Frost is a 17 year old, high school senior. She's been a good girl; she's stayed on the course that her mother approves of. Parker is the TA for the high school's English teacher, Mr. Kinney. Every year after spring break he gives his class a black-and-white marbled composition notebooks (we all know the ones, right?) and their only assignment is to write in it. Then on graduation day, you return the notebook to Mr. Kinney and ten years later, he mails them back to their authors. And as Mr. Kinney's TA, Parker is giving the task of mailing out the notebooks that the students 10 years prior had written. As Parker is addressing the notebooks, she comes across Julianna Farnetti's.

Julianna and her boyfriend, Shane Cruz, were the town's golden couple and they died tragically during a winter storm that ended with Shane's jeep in Summit Lake.

Parker is curious what Julianna wrote in her journal and with a conversation she recently had with her best friend Kat about doing something "unexpected, worthwhile and big" she decides to take the notebook. Eventually she begins reading it and the entries she reads about Julianna lead her, Kat and her long-time crush Trevor Collins on a road trip to discovery. There are twists and turns and full circles completed.

During the story we learn about the friendship between Kat and Parker and I adore it. They have such a true friendship, one that I would want for my own daughter some day. They're honest and always there for each other, regardless.

We also get to witness the beginnings of a relationship between Parker and Trevor. *sigh* This boy... he's pretty great. Parker's been crushing on him for years and they shared playful banter many times, but she never acted on her feelings. When she finally does, it's tummy fluttering.

Golden makes you stop and think about this "...what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" regardless of how old you are. There are parts of the story that will have you questioning your beliefs in fate and destiny. There's some mystery, there's friendship and there's romance. What more could you want?

I highly recommend this book... to any and all age groups!! It's such a beautiful story and I absolutely loved it!


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Review: The Prelude

The Prelude by KaSonndra Leigh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 - 3.5 Stars

The Prelude begins with a tragedy - a tragedy that leaves Erin Angelo making a vow "Love, I have this to say to you: You tore open my heart. You made me feel pain when all I wanted to feel was joy. So now, I will remove your power over me. I'll never kiss anyone or trust in any dream that you can take away from me. I will never believe in you, ever again."

5 years later Erin is in Milan as a rising fashion designer. She's guarded and living with the guilt of the tragic events from her past. And she's kept her vow to never love again... until she meets Aleksandr Dostovsky.

Aleksandr (Alek) is a sexy, Russian maestro. Alek also has a troubled past that he continues to struggle with. He's an ex-gang member that lives a playboy lifestyle. But how quickly that all changes once he meets Erin.

There's an instant connection between Erin and Alek. Erin finds herself slowly letting her guard down around Alek (he's very persistent =)) Their relationship begins with a sexual arrangement; no strings attached. But Alek's past comes back to haunt them and Erin struggles to forgive what's happened in the past. Dramatic events take place and the story takes a twist; discoveries are made and decisions are changed.

The Prelude is told from both Erin and Alek's POVs. It helped detail each of their pasts and helped get inside their heads.

Overall I enjoyed the book, but there were parts that were predictable and parts that were cheesy and unbelievable.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The 5th Wave

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All the stars!!

The 5th Wave was so good! Amazing... Incredible... Wonderful... out of this world. You probably get the idea. It was that good.

The 5th Wave alternates POVs which isn't always a good thing, but it worked really well for this book. It really helped give more details as to what was going on. Throughout the first few parts of the book it alternates between past and present to help give the reader a better idea of what happened to who; what everyone witnessed, what caused so many deaths and what the living endure.

I don't want to give anything away because the twists and turns are one of the great parts of The 5th Wave; the mystery, the parts that keep you guessing.

We begin by meeting Cassie (short for Cassiopeia, not Cassandra or Cassidy); 16 year old girl that wonders if she is the last human left on earth after an alien invasion. An invasion that came in 4 waves - 1st wave: lights out, 2nd wave: surf's up, 3rd wave: pestilence, 4th wave: Silencer. Cassie witnesses more death than any person should ever have to; death of loved ones and death of strangers. While anyone could easily just give up, Cassie doesn't - she struggles of course, but she made a promise to her little brother Sammy that she is determined to keep. On her mission to reunite with Sammy, Cassie gets shot in the leg by a Silencer (alien hunter, assassin, finisher) and finds herself seeking cover in the trunk of a Ford during a blizzard. Next thing she knows, she's being nursed back to health by Evan Walker.

Ah, Evan Walker - I immediately fell for him. 19 year old farm boy who knows all the right things to say.

"I didn't save you," he whispers, lips tickling my eyelashes, "You saved me."

"I had it all wrong," he says. "Before I found you, I thought the only way to hold on was to find something to live for. It isn't. To hold on, you have to find something you're willing to die for."

Evan literally helps to get Cassie back on her feet and they continue to the mission to get to Sammy together. But there are twists and turns... and Evan Walker has a secret. (I still love him though)

Then there's Zombie - he is a 17 year old high school football player whose smile gets all the girls. But there isn't high school anymore; there's a war. Humans vs Aliens. And Zombie and his squad are being trained for war; under grueling and gruesome conditions. Children as young as 7 are being trained for war (ugh - sickening). Nugget/Sammy is part of Zombie's squad, but since he's only 5, when the squad is assigned a mission, Nugget has to be left behind. But Zombie makes Nugget a promise; that he will be back. During the mission, again you encounter twists and turns and start questioning who is who; what is what... who are the bad guys, who are the good guys! Zombie, too, finds himself on a mission to get back to Nugget.

The 5th Wave is filled with action, mystery, a tinge of romance and humor! I loved the sarcasm and witty comments sprinkled throughout the book. It helped lighten some of the heavy parts. It ends in the perfect spot for book #1 to end, but there is a slight cliffhanger so be prepared for that. This book... EVERYONE should read it!



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Review: Insurgent

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 stars and more!

I can't form the words right now, but GOOSEBUMPS... I have GOOSEBUMPS from that ending. Wow!!

Ok - so I've taken 24 hours to let Insurgent and all of its awesomeness sink in.

"Insurgent," he says. "Noun. A person who acts in opposition to the established authority, who is not necessarily regarded as belligerent."

Insurgent picks up right where Divergent left off; Tris, Tobias, Peter & Marcus on a train headed to Amity. (I think I want to live in Amity... they put a happy/giddy/peaceful serum in their bread!! Tris on this serum was one of my most favorite parts of the book! Too funny :D) From there the book is non-stop action, twists and turns, friendships (old and new), love and hate, death and learning/wanting to live.

Tris goes through some tough times; she's young and still learning about life, about herself and relationships. I found myself frustrated with her several times throughout the book, but overall, she continues to be a strong female MC.

Tobias continues to enchant me. His love for Tris is deep!

"We're all right, you know. You and me. Nothing else is all right. But we are."

"You die, I die too."

I really learned a lot about Tobias' character in this book; some different sides of him that we didn't get to see in Divergent - he is passionate; not just about Tris, but about everything! He's loyal, stubborn and just, amazing *sigh*. His strength and the power he carries really shines in Insurgent.

We get to revisit with many of the characters from Divergent, but there are several new ones that we meet in Insurgent.

The ending... just wow!! I'll say it again; it gave me GOOSEBUMPS!! Definitely leaves you needing/wanting more, but not in that way that it would ruin Insurgent. It was the perfect ending for book #2!



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Review: Unravel Me

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 amazing stars!

Let me begin by saying, again, that I love Tahereh's writing. It's so uniquely beautiful!

Unravel Me begins right where Shatter Me left off. Juliette, Adam and James learn to adjust to their surroundings at Omega Point.

I had such high hopes that Juliette would finally feel like she was somewhere she belongs at Omega Point; unfortunately she quickly begins to feel like an outcast again - like she's a monster that everyone is scared of. With a little help (shove) from her friends, she quickly learns that there's no time to sit around moping; the enemy is at their doorstep and there's no time to waste.

Juliette learns more about her abilities while at Omega Point. She begins to learn just how powerful she truly is; what an asset (or enemy) she could potentially be.

Thankfully Adam learns exactly what his ability is pretty early on in the book; why Juliette is able to touch him.

I'd love to tell you that Adam and Juliette's relationship blossoms in Unravel Me, but such is not the case. Their relationship (or lack there of) frustrated me several times throughout the book... COMMUNICATION PEOPLE!! It's important for relationships to work. But it wasn't all frustration, there were some steamy parts... well ok, I guess that's still frustration, but a different kind ;)

Kenji... I freaking love Kenji. I think I can dub him my favorite character in the books. He's so funny, but when its time to get serious, the boy can get serious (but keeps things light).

Then there's Warner... I haven't read Destroy Me and maybe that's why I don't love him. Because yeah, I don't. He's a killer, he's a manipulator and he's a liar (there are more "bad guy" qualities about him I'm sure, I just can't think of them :D) Fine, fine... when he's with Juliette he's pretty freaking hot and has his sweet moments, but HE'S THE ENEMY!!

I loved this book and I'm sure this review hardly does it justice. Just know that you should definitely read it. I'm anxious for the next book, of course!



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