Cover Reveal: Perry Road by Emi Gayle

Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans! I am happy to share a cover reveal for Emi Gayle's newest novel Perry Road. I adore her paranormal series the 19th year and am excited that she is bringing us this New Adult Dystopian series. It takes place in the USA in the year 2132 check out the cover and synopsis, then add it to your Goodreads shelf. 

Perry Road
by Emi Gayle
Genre: New Adult Dystopian
Expected publication: September 3, 2013

In 2132, “We the people …” means nothing, and it hasn’t for a hundred years. Like all the citizens of the American Union, eighteen-year-old Erianna Keating is not to ask questions. She is not to believe anything except what the A.U. tells her. More importantly, she’s not supposed to know what she doesn’t know, nor that she’s a pawn. Like everyone else, though, she is, and like everyone else, she is a hundred percent oblivious to what’s going on. Or is she? Are they?Erianna thinks going to Perry Road and joining the national registration program is her next step toward adulthood; the 2132 candidates for adult-classification, though, are in for a big surprise. Especially Erianna. Thanks to Zane Warren, an awkward but hot guy who won’t shut up about a history that doesn’t—or shouldn’t—matter anymore, Erianna will know. Will learn. That includes finding out what actually happens after registration and doing something, anything, about it. Fixing what went wrong, what caused the U.S.A. to split into two countries, though, is not on Erianna’s bucket list, but as she faces her future, she must decide whether to fall in line with the American Union’s plan for her, or to consider that Zane might not be wrong, and the time for revolution begins now.

Doesn't this sound good?  

Other Books by Emi Gayle

Review: Imaginable by J. Meyers

Imaginable
by J. Meyers
Series: Intangible #2
Publication date: April 16, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source: Author in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon
*purchases through buy links support this blog
My review of book one: Intangible 

Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees. But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet. Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her. As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers. And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

Last year I read and enjoyed Intangible the first book in J. Meyers Intangible series and I found it to be a refreshing tale filled with Fae, prophecy, vampires and danger, so I was excited to dive into Imaginable book two of the series.  Imaginable quickly drops us back into this exciting world as our protagonists confront danger and move towards stopping the prophecy.  Three word review: captivating, magical and action-packed.

From the previous book we know that twins Sera and Luke possess special gifts. Sera can heal and Luke can see the future. Meyers wasted no time diving back into the action and for those who haven’t read book one, I fear you will be lost and confused at the onset. It took me a minute to recall characters etc. Word has spread about Sera’s previous healings and the unintended consequences. Soon a group of paranormal creatures want Sera to heal them, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want. Action packed and filled with danger, suspense, and a little romance this tale kept me swept up in the never ending action.

The tale is told from the POV’s of Sera and Luke with a few POV’s from Fey and Jonas allowing us a closer look at the characters themselves.  I like the twins, despite the fact that they tend to react rather than think things through. Of the two Sera sometimes grated on my nerves as she repeatedly ignored warnings from others.  Fey and Quinn were ever present and I enjoyed them. We learned more about Fey and I love how her character is fleshed out. I really enjoyed some of the more tender moments she shared with Luke.  We meet a new light elf, who I am oh so curious about and see old enemies and friends.  Ooh, and my favorite character, Jonas is back with a lot of face time! He is loyal, super cute and oh so deadly!  I am enjoying the interaction between Sera and Jonas from their banter to the delicious courtship that is developing. I am anxious to see how it develops, despite being forbidden it feels genuine. We see growth in abilities and character growth. In book two we get a closer look at how the characters develop and see relationships forming. Of course we have plenty of villains who add to the suspense.

Meyers knows how to deliver a fast paced tale with characters you easily connect with. Luke and Sera’s abilities along with the paranormal world she has created offer up not stop action. Several twists and subplots kept me flipping the pages. The world-building is one aspect I enjoy as we travel between realms, and learned about the prophecy but I didn't feel like this advanced the plot and it fell into that middle book syndrome. The descriptions were beautiful and I could clearly see the scenes before me. I consumed this in a few hours and enjoyed it but felt the plot wavered a bit and would have liked to see it be more focused. The romantic aspects are served as a side dish to the tale itself and Meyers does a wonderful job of weaving all of the threads together and making them feel genuine. As I closed the book, I was left wanting more and feel we have come around full circle and are ready to discover what happens next. 

Fans of Intangible will enjoy Imaginable the second book in this action-packed series. Want more Jonas, read the novella, Indomitable. At this time there is no news on the third books expected publication.

Three and half coffee cups out of five

Review/Giveaway: Shudder by Samantha Durante

Today as part of the Shudder tour I have a review, excerpt and author sponsored giveaway to share. Enjoy!

Shudder
by Samantha Durante
Series: Stitch Trilogy #2
Publication date: June 15, 2013
Genre:  YA Dystopian
Source: Author in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*: Amazon/Smashwords 
*purchases made through buy links help support this blog
My review of book one: Stitch 

It's only been three days, and already everything is different. Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood. And then there are the visions. The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...

Last year I enjoyed Stitch the first book in the Stitch Trilogy and was anxious to discover what was happening in this strange dystopian world. Samantha Durante's second book Shudder shows us the world beyond the walls of Paragon, and the engineers that designed Paragon. She does this all while revealing things that kept me turning the pages. Three word review: fascinating, suspenseful and enlightening.

The tale picks up right after Stitch ended as Alessa and Isaac travel the world beyond Paragon looking for a headquarters for the rebels. There is danger and something supernatural pursuing them. As they search Alessa experiences emotions and memories of the dead and the creatures that pursue them.   Lizzie is taken captive by the Engineers and we gain insight into their operations. Told from multiple third person perspectives that change with each chapter Durante reveals the characters and the engineers to us creating a suspenseful and fascinating read.

Alessa struggles in this novel with her emotions, the visions and the mission. Memories of Joe haunt her and she is unsure why, she loved him but loves Isaac. I like Alessa and find her to be brave and fearless even if she occasionally wants to escape her grueling reality. Isaac is sweet, and does things to protect both Alessa and his family. Phoenix  is brave and through her we learn more about the engineers, the past and Paragon. We meet #14 and #15 as they exchange notes through a hole in the prison cells and learn their identity towards the end of the book.  While the driving force of this tale is the world itself, I would still like to see the characters fleshed out a bit more. I wasn’t as emotionally invested in them this time around. I thought once they became unstitched I would feel more. The engineers *shiver* are diabolic and we are often privy to their plans. We see many of the original rebels and I am hoping they become more fleshed out in book three. I struggled with some of the characters behavior but the author slowly reveals information explaining it and I am anxious to see what develops.

While Shudder didn’t suffer from middle book doldrums it didn’t have quite the captivating affect that book one had on me. The author uses Alessa and Isaac in the beginning to recap events from book one through conversation and sadly it felt awkward. Once we got past that bit their conversations and connection felt more natural. While it is not the main focus, we see growth in the romance, despite a few hiccups. We have a several storylines running parallel to each other. The first is Alessa and Isaac as they travel outside Paragon. The second is Phoenix with the engineers and the third is the prisoners in the cells below Paragon. Each thread was interesting and gave us tremendous insight into the world while still maintaining an air of mystery and suspense. I actually like the way this was done, it kept things suspenseful. The tale moved at an even clip until the final chapters where I found myself turning the pages at a frantic pace as all of the threads came together and we moved to the climatic ending.  We as the reader are now privy to things the Rebels do not know and the set up for book three created suspense and anticipation. With its powerful world-building this tale has me excited to read the conclusion of this trilogy.

Fans of Stitch will find the world-building and events in Shudder fascinating.  I would recommend the Stitch Trilogy to fans of dystopians with a science-fiction edge to it. Stuck the final book is scheduled to release in 2014.

Four cups of coffee out of five

Excerpt 

The crunch of broken glass outside the dumpster broke Isaac’s train of thought.  Alessa looked up at him with alarm and he just held her tighter in his arms, his ears straining to track the movement of the sound.

The noise moved back and forth, back and forth, as if someone were pacing only steps away from the dumpster.  Isaac held his breath, his pulse pounding in his ears, his skin crawling with every snap reverberating through the empty dumpster.

And then suddenly the noise came faster, like more sets of feet tramping across the pavement in a violent rush.  His ears pricked at the intrusion of their snarls and growls, eerily raspy and shrill at the same time.  He couldn’t place the sound at all – it was unlike anything he’d ever heard.

Squinting in the darkness, he tipped his head back and strained the muscles in his neck, hoping for a glimpse through the crack in the lid of the predators beyond.

There was a quick flash as a hulking mass darted past the front of dumpster; Isaac jumped, quelling the gasp at his lips.  Alessa convulsed under his arms, her face still buried in the front of his coat.

For a moment everything grew quiet.  Isaac fought the tingling in his limbs and willed himself a statue, not daring to move or breathe, his senses prickling at the slightest hint.  Had the hunters left?

BOOM, BOOM.

The force of whatever had just landed on the lid thundered through the dumpster, the walls and floor ringing with an earthshaking rattle.  Isaac and Alessa flinched as one, him bearing down instinctively over her curled, trembling body as the center of the ceiling crumpled inwards under the weight of their attackers.

From above their heads, a magnificent piercing howl penetrated their hiding place, resonating off the walls of the hollow enclosure and chilling Isaac to his core.  Any sense of security that Isaac had felt was shattered with that nightmarish wail; whatever it was that wanted them was directly above their heads.

BOOM.

BOOM.  BOOM.  BOOM.

A series of crashes shook the dumpster from the sides, Isaac and Alessa lurching away from one thunderous bang only to be bombarded from the other side with the next.

BOOM.

Another jolt from above and a savage grating snarl sent Isaac jerking to the floor, his eyes wide with terror as he gaped at the buckling ceiling.  This was no wolf, and no cougar – this was something far more dangerous.

He seized Alessa in his arms and said a silent prayer for mercy.  The only thing they could do now was wait to live or die.

       

Author sponsored Rafflecopter Giveaway

Enter the Giveaway HERE!!

Stitch book one on sale for .99 cents 

Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked
by Jessica Spotswood
Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: February 7, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal
Source : Purchase
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchase made through by links support this blog

 Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave. Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra. If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Born Wicked with its beautiful cover sat in my TBR pile for way too long but I am glad that I finally immersed myself into the dark world of the Cahill Witch series. Jessica Spotswood created a dangerous world for witches and woman. She introduces us to three eccentric sisters who are all witches. I quickly consumed this tale in a single day and cannot wait to continue the story. Three word review: suspenseful, dark and captivating.

The tale is set in the late 1900’s in a dark, deeply religious period about two days travel from New London at the home of the Cahill sisters. Cate Cahill is the oldest and approaching her seventeenth year. When she will have to do one of the following: accept a marriage proposal, join the sisterhood or allow the priests of the Brotherhood to select a husband for her. Cate lives with her two sisters and absentee father. The girls are getting a reputation as bluestockings but the truth is they are witches. This is a dark period where woman are regularly accused of witchcraft. The judgment is swift, often unfounded and they are shipped to the asylum, a prison camp or mysteriously disappear. Some suspect they are dead. The girl’s mother died and upon her death bed made Cate promise to keep their secret and protect her sisters. A mysterious note, a lost diary and a newly arrived governess are about to set Cate’s world upside down and the tale that unfolds held me spellbound as Spotswood took me into this world.

The Cahill girls were all interesting. Cate doesn't embrace her magic and is very over-protective of her sisters. She fears their discovery. She is dealing with uncertainty and doesn't know who to trust. Clues left by her mother, and threats all have her confused. I admired her, wanted to hug her and found her to be level headed and intelligent. Tess is the youngest and the magic flows from her. She is sweet and eternally optimistic. Maura is the middle child and desperate to be noticed. She loves to read romances and wants to escape the small-town doldrums. She is constantly at war with Cate and sees her as overbearing. While I didn't like her I certainly understood her. The relationship between Tess and Cate was more mother/daughter and sweet. We see typical sister dynamics and as the oldest of four children, the first three being girls all eighteen months apart I understood the bickering, and shenanigans. The father is absent for most of the story immersing himself in business after the loss of his beloved wife. He does share forbidden books with his girls and has educated them despite the unpopularity of it with the Brotherhood. We have a little love triangle, but the heroine doesn't lose her head over it and instead loses her heart. While it’s a big part of the story it really reflects more on the many obstacles effecting Cate’s decisions. What occurred felt genuine and my heart broke a little. Ooo the villains of this tale the Brotherhood and Sisterhood added to the dark, ominous suspense and gave me the willies!

Spotswood’s world building was fabulous and I really got a sense of the dark period the girl’s lives in. Through Cate’s discoveries we learn about the dynamics of this world, its history and about a prophecy that has all parties involved. The author intertwines the daughters of Persephone into the tale and it was cleverly done and set the tone. We are slowly given details and ultimately they affect every decision Cate must make. The tale was well paced, with a mix of light and dark scenes that offset each other giving me as a reader a chance to breathe against the dark world and events. The last part of the book flew at a dizzying pace, had my heart racing and ended with a cliffhanger that made me oh so glad I waited till closer to the release of book two to read this.

Fans of witchy tales will enjoy the dark, suspenseful tale Spotswood delivers in Born Wicked. Star Cursed the next book in the Cahill Witch Chronicles releases on June 18, 2013. Be sure and look for my release day review.

Four and half cups of coffee out of five

Review: Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

Phoenix
by Elizabeth Richards
Series: Black City #2
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: June 4, 2013
Genre: YA Dystopian Romance
Source: Publisher in exchange for unbiased review
Purchase*:Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases through buy links support this blog
My review of book one: Black City 

Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum: vote in favor of Rose’s Law permanently relegating Darklings to the wrong side of the wall or Natalie will be killed. The decision seems obvious to Ash; he must save Natalie. But when Ash learns about The Tenth, a new and deadly concentration camp where the Darklings would be sent, the choice doesn’t seem so simple. Unable to ignore his conscience, Ash votes against Rose’s Law, signing Natalie’s death warrant and putting a troubled nation back into the throes of bloody battle.

I enjoyed Black City and Elizabeth’s Romeo and Juliet romance set against the backdrop of a dark and gritty dystopian world, so I was anxious to slip back into the series. Richards amped up the suspense, drama and delivered action-packed scenes in Phoenix the second novel.  I consumed this in a single afternoon and my three world review would be: intense, dramatic, heart-stopping.

We pick up a few months after Black City ended and Purian Rose is getting ready to hold the vote for Rose’s Law. He is determined to win. He threatens Natalie’s life if Ash doesn't vote in favor of the law. Ash has become a symbol for the movement against Rose’s Law and is referred to as the “Phoenix”. When Ash chooses to do the right thing all hell breaks loose and the tale that unfolds is fast pace, action packed and filled with romantic angst.

I struggled with Natalie and Ash a little in this book, not that they didn't feel genuine but rather their behavior. While I understood Natalie’s behavior it still made me want to scream. She thinks she is doing the right thing but I felt she was wrong, selfish and totally wanted to rip my hair out.  Ash is brave, confused, hurt, and I wanted him to just confront the issues head on. Elijah Theroux, the Bastet boy Natalie saved in her mom’s lab comes to her asking for help and offers a weapon to defeat Rose and his regime. He is an interesting character who aided them, added drama and at one point shook me to my core. Friends of Ash and Natalie are back and they make new friends as well. Each added to the overall tale. Sebastian makes appearances and ooh I loathe him. If Purian Rose doesn't make your blood run cold I don’t think anything ever will.

The suspenseful war between the people, darklings and government was thrilling and had me turning the pages as our heroes fought against unspeakable odds. There are dark moments, sacrifices and betrayals that had my heart racing. Total five star and exceeds the story of book one, however and this is a big however the character's romance made me totally crazy. They love each other; it’s clear to everyone and they have declared it to each other.  Something happens, and it’s a tearjerker, an earth-shattering thing but secrets, whispers, jealousy and lies blow it up and there are misunderstandings, pain, sorrow and  …ugh! It was frustrating and heartbreaking and eek gads people! Thankfully we get closure by the end of the book and I guess one could say the author had me full vested, rooting for them even as I wanted to slap them silly. The ending had my hear racing and loathing the idea of waiting a year for the final book.

Phoenix was emotional charged, intense tale that kept me immersed in its world. Despite my issues with the characters, Richards held me captive and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book which due out in 2014.

Four cups of coffee out of five from Mirror City

Release Day Review: Linked by Imogen Howson

Linked
by Imogen Howson
Series: Linked #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: June 11, 2013
Genre: YA Science-Fiction
Source: publisher for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases through buy links support this blog

Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere. Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes. Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.  Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world.

I was drawn to Linked by the cover and the concept of twins being connected enough that when one is harmed the other suffers too. Usually I have a good idea going into a novel what the story is about, and Linked surprised me. Yes, it’s about twins but its futuristic, we are talking Firefly here peeps!  Despite a few issues, I enjoyed this original tale and the creative world-building. Three word review: interesting, original and entertaining.

We meet Elissa at the hospital and are quickly given her back history. She has been suffering from phantom pains, unexplained bruises and horrifying visions or hallucinations. Medication and therapy have failed and doctors want to take the next step and remove part of her brain. The weekend before her procedure she discovers her visions are true and the tale that unfolds has Elissa on the run to save herself and the twin she never knew existed.

I had a hard time connecting to Elissa and Lin her twin. While the author shares Elissa’s fears and thoughts something about her just kept me from truly connecting. Lin was the same way, while I knew when she was afraid; I never truly connected with her. This isn’t to say that the girls aren’t likeable, I just felt they weren’t fleshed out enough. They bicker amongst themselves, struggle with who to trust and even doubt each other. Elissa’s parents made the events that unfold seem real and genuine. The captain and his crew added to the tale and helped raise questions. There is a romance and throughout the novel we get subtle hints about the attraction. Then suddenly near the end bam it’s in your face. While, I believed aspects of it the sudden leap from A to C made it feel seriously cheesy. I would have preferred a slower build or none at all.

While I struggled with the characters and the underdeveloped side dish of romance, what kept me reading was the world Howson created. She really gave me a panoramic view of Elissa’s home planet and an epic adventure in space. From the homes to identity cards I found the world fascinating. The thread on twins and the revelations that unfolded about the government and their use for them was disturbing and original. The author made them feel plausible, sick but possible. She also makes you think about cloning, twins, and scientific advancements in an unbiased way. I though the pacing was ok, we spend a lot of time running and in-between we have these intense, made for movie action scenes. I am a huge Firefly fan and the scenes in space reminded me of some of my favorite attack scenes. I honestly think this tale would translate better on the big screen as far as the characters. The ending was good, and I was glad to see we avoided the dreaded cliffhanger. Instead the author gave us an expectation of what’s to come. While not without disappointed, I do think this was an interesting beginning.

Fans of science fiction and world-building will find Linked interesting. Shattered the next book in the series releases in July of 2014. I am hoping that the characters are further developed. 

Two and half cups of coffee out of five

Review: The Registry by Shannon Stoker

The Registry
by Shannon Stoker
Series: Yes
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: June 11, 2013
Genre: NA Dystopian 
Source: ARC from publisher for unbiased review
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
*purchases from buy links help support this blog

The Registry saved the country from collapse. But stability has come at a price. In this patriotic new America, girls are raised to be brides, sold at auction to the highest bidder. Boys are raised to be soldiers, trained by the state to fight to their death. Nearly eighteen, beautiful Mia Morrissey excitedly awaits the beginning of her auction year. But a warning from her married older sister raises dangerous thoughts. Now, instead of going up on the block, Mia is going to escape to Mexico—and the promise of freedom. All Mia wants is to control her own destiny—a brave and daring choice that will transform her into an enemy of the state, pursued by powerful government agents, ruthless bounty hunters, and a cunning man determined to own her . . . a man who will stop at nothing to get her back.

Touted as New Adult the Registry is a fresh new dystopian by Shannon Stoker takes us to a dark and scary America. In my opinion there was nothing setting this apart from the YA genre, and while it’s dark at times it shouldn't hinder young readers from its pages. This was an easy read for me and despite questions, and a few issues I was thoroughly entertained. Three word review: suspenseful, unique, dark.

Mia Morrissey is almost eighteen and excited to finally be registered. In Stoker’s world girls grow up to be brides and sold to the highest bidder and sons are sent off to be raised as soldiers. When Mia gets a warning from her sister and her parents are eager to rush her contract, Mia decides to escape to Mexico. The tale that unfolds is filled with danger, a psychopath and a shocking glimpse at this ruthless new world.

When we first meet Mia she is obsessed with marriage, her hair, her drop dead good looks and I quite frankly didn’t like her, but we quickly realize this is how she was raised. She is intelligent, but her education beyond sewing, clothes and cooking are severely lacking. I enjoyed watching her transform, and while some of her behavior was expected it still made me cringe. She flipped a switch back and forth between whiny brat and brave kick-ass heroine. Whitney her friend isn't as pretty as Mia and only has a month left on the registry before she will become a ward of the state. She is strong, passionate about learning and her knowledge is broader than Mia’s. She struggles to accept the reality around her and plays a pivotal part in the plot. Andrew is almost nineteen and works on Mia’s father’s farm. With only three weeks left before he reports for his four years of military service he decides to travel. I liked Andrew, and watching him struggle with his upbringing and reality was fascinating. His feelings evolve for Mia but he doesn't know how to handle it. Grant is in my opinion a deranged psychopath who intends to have Mia for his bride and will go to any lengths to have her. The romance thankfully did not take center stage as I had some issues with it. Strangers along the way and government soldiers all add to the tale's suspense.

Stoker has created a dark world especially for woman. She does a good job of slowly filling in the details of what and how this Registry and US came to be.  It’s been a hundred years or more since the Registry began, and I understand why it was started, but why we would allow it to continue is beyond me. She touches on both feminism and sexism. The propaganda at the beginning of each chapter shows you the depth of this governments brainwashing. The tale can be dark and at times scary, but there is no real gore, and the freaky hair-raising parts are mostly implied. There is death it’s ugly but we are spared any details, making this read more like a young YA novel rather than for its intended target. Like in the big action movies we love, there were a few miracle escapes that made my eyes roll. I didn't really feel the romance. No I take that back, I started too but then Mia’s behavior was completely juvenile in this department and I dismissed it. The ending gives us some closure, and I was surprised to learn this is the first in a series or trilogy. I would have liked this tale to be grittier, and wish it had given us a more detailed glance at the world itself. It teased me with its dark side and I wanted more.  Despite some issues, the tale flowed well and I found myself caught up in their escape. 

Fans of dystopian novels will find The Registry interesting. This was an easy, gripping read that I enjoyed but don't know if I will continue.  

Two and half cups of coffee out of five

Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave
by Rick Yancey
Series: The Fifth Wave #1
Publisher: Penguin
Publication date: May 7, 2013
Genre: YA Post Apocalyptic  
Purchase*: Barnes and Noble/Amazon/Book Depository
Source: ARC provided in exchange for unbiased review
*purchases made through buy links support this blog

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

When I read the synopsis and saw “The Passage meets Ender’s Game” I knew I had to read Rick Yancey’s The 5^th Wave. I am not familiar with Ender’s Game but I am a huge fan of Cronin’s epic novel The Passage. This was an outstanding dystopian that gave me chills with characters I couldn't help but root for. At almost five hundred pages I quickly consumed this as I slipped into Yancey’s world. Three word review: epic, believable, genius.

The prologue set in 1995, gave me chills and immediately drew me into the story. Fast forward to present day when the planet is attacked. Through Cassie we get an account of the events that occurred leading up to the 5^th Wave and here our journey with Cassie begins.  When her little brother is separated from her she vows to find him. To survive she trust no one that is until she meets Evan Walker. To fulfill her promise, she may just need to take a chance and the tale that unfolds left me breathless.  

I love mankind's ability to lift ourselves up and survive when all seems lost. Granted not everyone does that. Some close their doors and wait for the end, others end it themselves. Then there are those who find a purpose and continue despite the odds and these are the characters that Yancey brings to life. Cassie is a strong character and her voice rang true throughout the novel.  She is a fighter, even when she wants to crumble and hide. She isn't a skilled survivalist, and heck she can't even shoot, but she promised her brother she would come and with a little luck and kick-ass persistence she sets out to find him.  Along the way she faces conflict and characters who make her question her own rules.  We see growth in her throughout the novel and I would be honored to call Cassie my friend.  From the squad team at Camp Haven to the boy at the first base camp Cassie encounters the other characters and perspectives are fleshed–out. Even the briefest of characters has their own distinct voices. There is a romance and the possibility of a triangle but these do not  take center stage and only deepen our understanding of the characters.

Told from multiple perspectives with outstanding, original world building I could not put this novel down. Yancey is an impressive storyteller and his weaving of events seemed so plausible it gave me chills. It blurred the line between fiction and reality. The pacing was perfect and the author gave me a panoramic view of the world through his characters. I didn't feel rushed nor did I feel we straggled. The details and world description flowed effortlessly from his pen to the pages and allowed me to completely immerse myself. His characters are strong, complex and believable. I found myself rooting for each of them. Yancey brings this tale alive on so many levels from the intense understanding and powerful emotions we feel for Cassie and her family to the horror of what is happening to our world. The waves that occurred are brilliant and the perfect road map for anyone looking to destroy Earth’s inhabitants. Trust, being alone, survival and humanity are all questions raised throughout the novel. Yancey even forces us to see the alien’s position. The tale can be dark and depressing at times but humanities will to survive uplifts you and compels you to read on. This novel positively blew me away. I could not put it down nor could I stop thinking about it and talking about it. It’s a book whose details you will remember a year from now. It’s one that will pop up every time you recommend a book. I lived it, consumed it and still I want more.

The 5^th Wave is an outstanding dystopian tales that will quickly distinguish itself from this flooded genre. Yancey has created a world and characters that I will want to visit again and again. This tale can be enjoyed by everyone from teens to adults and has excellent cross-over appeal for science-fiction lovers.

Five cups of coffee before the first wave out of five