December’s Quick Catch Up Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archangel’s Shadows by Nalini Singh
At first I was worried that I didn’t care enough about Janvier and Ash, and while that may still be true after this book, it was ok. Archangel’s Shadows wasn’t focused entirely on them, it embraced being a book with many characters. It let us catch up on the events after the previous book, probably giving us time to adjust before the next one is out and more chaos ensues. I enjoyed this a lot and wish other authors reintroduce certain couples to just let readers catch up on all their favorites character past.

 
MoonBound Clan Vampire Series by Larissa Ione
Bound by Night  & Chained by Night
What can I say about this series so far, if you like Larissa Ione then this series isn’t any different. It’s new, it’s refreshing but I’m not entirely sure I’m won over by the premise. Vampires. Again. But this time as slaves to humanity? I suppose it’s possible – we do have a way of oppressing people we see as different but .. yeah, not sure.

Undivided by Neal Shusterman
Honestly, I have never read any of Neal Shusterman’s other books only because what could live up to the Unwind series?  There are no words for how much I love this series. No. Flaws. Ok, maybe there are – but I’m never one to analyze too much into books. I’m not looking for loopholes. I’m looking for a throughly engaging story. If it’s unique and memorable, well that just takes the cake.  This one – I cannot recommend it enough. The characters, their growth, their journey, the story. So much of it is so good. Then I could get all analytical, write comparisons to any sort of situation where we have social unrest (currently – this could prove a parallel to unrest that our country is, my city is facing in light of Mike Brown and Eric Garner that sets the backdrop of where and how unwinding could have come about).  But the series isn’t about that for me. It’s about how the story is woven together like fine tapestry – we get so many distinct personalities, stories within stories that well, I think I might just buy a physical set of the books.

By the way, this is totally not the review – I must, must review this one day… one day.

Talon by Julie Kagawa
We all know who Ember is going to end up with. I enjoyed it! Someone mentioned that no, we don’t always want a love triangle but to my knowledge I don’t believe Kagawa has ever really written one so I think this gets a pass. Plus, I like triangles! Heh. What this book lacks is probably a better look into a life of a Dragon. Ember is like any other teenager, so does this mean that Dragon’s are not as different as humans?

If you like Julie Kagawa’s work, you’d enjoy this but I don’t think it’s as strong as The Immortal Rules.

The Darkest Touch by Gena Showalter
Sadly, what happens when you like a character so much, you kind of envision them a certain way and it’s just not how he is… then it’s a little weird. Is it me, or is Torin all of a sudden not the smart-assy character we’ve read about. Wasn’t he always the one who was the lighter one? More fun, even if he was angsty? Did his personality change or did I just make that all up in my head?!  Ok so even without the personality transplant, this seemed a little uninspired. The Red Queen is mighty powerful, so… I guess that makes her cool? I don’t know. I really don’t. It just wasn’t that great and Torin just seemed like another macho alpha male. He’s no longer different.  I suppose, the problem now is that the series has been dragging on, overlapping and getting too big for its own good. This universe created is just too much.

Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake
The idea behind this series is wonderful, the mortality of beings who’ve never had to worry that their lives only gave them a limited amount of time here on earth. I’m not quite sure about the execution yet though. I like Athena. I’m not sure about Cassandra. I’m also not sure about their mythology to really tie in the relevance their characters had to one another. So while I enjoy reading this, it isn’t exactly one of those books that I have to read. I don’t find myself rushing to finish it. It’s nice… not great, yet (hoping it will be).

Immortal by J.R. Ward 
Turns out this is the last book in the series. What I like? That this wasn’t a drawn out series. We’ve reached the end!  Am I sad to see it go? No, not really. Surprised, yes. I’m not sad to see it go because it came to a conclusion, the “game” they played was done. It wrapped up nicely. Everyone got their ending, be it happy, continuing on in another series, or sad. I wouldn’t say the characters are enjoyable per se but they definitely are characters. Certain characters stuck out, and I particularly enjoyed Devina. She’s one of the best and unique villains I’ve read so far in any paranormal romance. She’s layered and shows motive and depth. Spinoff? Please?

October: The Glorious Month of Releases

I am stoked that October brings so many releases for series that I’ve been following. Not only series I’ve been following but a few of my favorite ones and favorite authors!

October
07 Immortal by J.R. Ward: Fallen Angels 6
14 Undivided  by Neal Shusterman : Unwind 4
14 Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake : Goddess War 2
28 Kanin Chronicles by Amanda Hocking : Kanin 1
28 Talon by Julie Kagawa : Talon 1
28 Archangel’s Shadow by Nalini Singh : Guild Hunter 7

EDIT
Unfortunately, it seems Kanin Chronicles by Amada Hocking has been pushed to January 6, 2015.

Unhinged after Unwind – GAH

Book Review: Unsouled by Neal Shusterman
Rating: 4.5 /5

As always, unsettling but in a good way.

Someone had said that they thought this would have been a trilogy and felt cheated out of a definitive ending. Personally, I’m glad that this journey will continue. The series could have ended with the first book, the story was that complete and well rounded but we got in deeper with the second, learning about the hidden truths behind unwinding.  Now with the third, we follow on a journey and we learn about the light at the end of the tunnel. Unlike recent young adult trilogies that end too quickly with a loud bang, squeezing in new discoveries and tidying up loose ends, this third book is really the beginning of the end. I for one am glad that it’s not rushed.

What I enjoy most about this series is the effective use of narrative in each characters’s personal point of view. It gives such great depth and understanding that would have been otherwise missing from a straight one person POV. Not only that but it gives their stories a wonderful layered effect.

Plot wise I can’t say there is anything different. The unwinds have the same goals as they’ve always had except they have uncovered a new means to an end. Cam, who was introduced in the last book continues his self doubt and we discover a possibility of his future and of other rewinds. Though with this book and the rest, we are constantly reminded of certain societal flaws that are our own, humanity and empathy don’t always go hand in hand as it may seem.

If I were to ever recommend a book whole heartedly, this would be it.

Book Review – Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Get the kindle edition of Unwind on Amazon

Overall
If you read the summary you might think: what. the. fuck? It’s a suspension of disbelief when you come to accept that parents would be able to make the decision to unwind their child. I might be able it fathom the idea if I have an unruly teen but my kids are nothing little bursts of sunshine and temper tantrums now.

I loved the book. The characters and how their stories were layered and woven together to create this story was compelling and for a lack of a better word, awesome. It became less of a dystopian future about unwinding itself and more about the main characters and their story of courage, fears, confusion and growth when thrown into an incomprehensible situation. This isn’t a book where immediately they form a bond – there is mistrust, fear and anger but eventually and not always at the same time – they become friends.

One of the more poignant parts of the book is when we follow (character name) as he’s being unwound and it’s devastating to read. For him, it’s the end as we might know it but for the surgeons it’s just another day at work. It degrades his life and it really makes you think of the new world they live in. 

Plot
In the future parents have the ability to “unwind” their teens. What does that mean? It’s almost like a retro-active abortion. Whoops, I made the wrong choice- don’t want him anymore! The act of unwinding is like a live organ donation program where ALL of their parts are donated.

We follow the lives of Connor, Risa and Levi who are all about to be unwound for different reasons. We follow their journey as they escape the system to create a new life. We follow them as they discover an entire underground system for unwinds who’ve escaped.

Characters
Connor
I suppose he is similar to every protagonist that’s a teenager – trouble but with a good heart. Throughout the book he’s trying. He’s trying to escape, he’s trying to do the right thing, he’s trying to cope, he’s trying to be a leader, and he’s trying to be a better person. I think what’s so great about him is his own self-doubt, his internal struggle to BE a better person. Because who hasn’t ever been at that point where they realize I could have done it differently but didn’t.

Risa
She’s a state ward; jaded and street smart. She’s not tough but she knows what she has to do to continue living. I enjoyed her character enough but I’m not sure there’s enough of her in the book to merit more comments than she’s not annoying. She isn’t the female character who’s trying to save everyone and she’s not this self-less Mother Theresa type. She’s watching out for herself and people who eventually become important enough for her to care about.

Levi
He starts off as the ever optimistic tithe and slowly develops into a scared lost boy and ultimately to a bitter and angry boy by the end of the book. His character transforms at every step of the book. He is literally shaped and developed with each new experience he goes through.

Roland
The sub-antagonist that’s a thorn by Connor’s side and a real threat to Risa. He’s a jerk and that’s just how he is. Sometimes that’s all there is to it, no need to explain a jerk. I like that.

Book Cover
A little bit creepy and a little bit lost boy on the milk carton. The idea is perfect the execution… I’m undecided- the visuals don’t appeal to me.