Book Review: Hit By Delilah S. Dawson

Publish Date: April 14, 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2339-7
Pages: 336
Series: Hit, #1
Source: ARC from publisher for honest review

From Goodreads:

NO ONE READS THE FINE PRINT.

The good news is that the USA is finally out of debt. The bad news is that we were bought out by Valor National Bank, and debtors are the new big game, thanks to a tricky little clause hidden deep in the fine print of a credit card application. Now, after a swift and silent takeover that leaves 9-1-1 calls going through to Valor voicemail, they’re unleashing a wave of anarchy across the country.
Patsy didn’t have much of a choice. When the suits showed up at her house threatening to kill her mother then and there for outstanding debt unless Patsy agreed to be an indentured assassin, what was she supposed to do? Let her own mother die?
Patsy is forced to take on a five-day mission to complete a hit list of ten names. Each name on Patsy's list has only three choices: pay the debt on the spot, agree to work as a bounty hunter, or die. And Patsy has to kill them personally, or else her mom takes a bullet of her own.
Since yarn bombing is the only rebellion in Patsy's past, she’s horrified and overwhelmed, especially as she realizes that most of the ten people on her list aren't strangers. Things get even more complicated when a moment of mercy lands her with a sidekick: a hot rich kid named Wyatt whose brother is the last name on Patsy's list. The two share an intense chemistry even as every tick of the clock draws them closer to an impossible choice.
Delilah S. Dawson offers an absorbing, frightening glimpse at a reality just steps away from ours—a taut, suspenseful thriller that absolutely mesmerizes from start to finish. 

My Review:

In this dystopian novel, we follow Patsy on her journey to eliminate debt and/or the people responsible for the debt, one by one.
When this book was brought to my attention I was intrigued right away. The premise, the character (Patsy) and the cover (which is different from the one I was expecting. The pic to the right is what I wanted. ). Also, I was desperate for another ARC to get back into reviewing them! This all made me eager to dive into Hit as soon as it arrived! (Thank you again Simon & Schuster)

Unfortunately, Hit was a book that I didn't really enjoy, but needed to know what happened next. It was the quality of writing that could draw me in that made it so I couldn't put it down. I wanted to love it, but I wanted more. Why Valor National has taken over everything? (We kind of know the reason why - they bought out the country and it's debt but I want to know deep down the reasons.) When? How could they? We're just thrown into Patsy becoming an assassin because of the astronomical debt the country is in and we're expected to just go with it. There were a lot of holes throughout Hit and unrealistic things happening (I get that it's a book, a world created by the author so it has a high probability to be that way, but some parts had me so unsure of the whole book.) But I kept going - as I mentioned I was drawn into the possibility that it would meet my expectations. 

We don't meet many characters, and I enjoy books with just a few key characters like Hit. It's nice to get to know them on a deeper level. Patsy, the main character is doing what she's doing because of her Mom. Her mom has been sick and the only way Valor National will help her is if Patsy signs up to either recruit 5 people, or kill them. Along the way we do meet other characters and while they are important to the overall book and entwine some way or another, they just don't stick around! Except Wyatt, who for reasons only he knows, sticks around with Patsy even though circumstances show that maybe the shouldn't. And because they like the same music, and both find each other attractive, along comes the romance.

Hit was not a "hit" for me. Maybe with some more back story to go with it, it could have been. Though the cliff-hanger ending we're left  leaves me thinking that I should probably read book #2 when it comes out. 

Book Review: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Publish Date: October 1st, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-1-4424-8061-2
Pages: 356
Series: The Internment Chronicles, #1
Source: From publisher for honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

My Review:

What an unusual book. Unusual in a good way though! I really wonder what does on in DeStefano's head on a regular basis, considering The Chemical Garden trilogy and now this trilogy.
I was a little confused at first, I wasn't sure if we were on Internment yet or if that was later on in the book but then I figured it out and it all made sense. (I was on vacation in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee when I started Perfect Ruin, so my head was literally in the clouds!)
As per Lauren DeStefanos previous work, we are first drawn to the cover. Simple but elegant with one women as the focus and then a few different sketches/pictures/details. From first glance, you're drawn to the book, and I hope that the cover follows the same theme. There is nothing that turns a reader off more than changing the cover art halfway through a series.
Internment is a world up in the sky. People live on it, they are born out of a queue, paired with their betrothal, live life then die at an age that the King has deemed fit, their ashes are released to the sky god and everything and everyone is okay with this. That's life on Internment.Wrong doings and bad situations are rare. Inhabitants of Internment don't get too close to the edge because they see the damage caused by this. Life is happy and people don't ask questions until a young girls body is found murdered and all of a sudden life on Internment isn't what it appears.
Morgan is curious and bored, she knows there is more to life and the ground below intrigues her. But she can't tell anyone for fear it will mark her as irrational. She has a lot riding on her shoulders as it is. But when the young girls murdered body is discovered, Morgan is adamant on finding answers and in turn will help unlikely foes, do things she knows are wrong and keep secrets from those whom she loves the most. DeStefano has gone and done it again, she has created this unbelievable world, but makes it so easy to believe. The stars, the train, the bugs all of it is painted so clear in the readers head. The characters in Perfect Ruin are written with so much care and passion. I was going back and forth between who was my favourite - Pen, Basil, Lex or Alice.
Pen because of her tenacity. She was fearless and funny and so focused on the History of Internment. She is Morgans best friend and they have been through a lot together and are like sisters. Their relationship was easy and fun. Basil because of his devotion to Morgan. His kindness and strength are his best qualities. He loves Morgan not just because they are paired together but because he sees Morgan for who she really is.
Lex because of his philosophies and the fact that he's seen things throughout his life that no one thought possible. And though he is blind, he can see the truth behind so much. And Alice for her love and devotion through thick and thin. Each character playing a key role in Perfect Ruin.
I enjoyed so much about Perfect Ruin, right down to the paragraphs before each chapter and the way they all fit together and pull the whole story together. The one and only thing that really bothered me was the one specific death (I wont give anything away) and the non-reaction we get, though I'm hoping that will be addressed in Book #2. If you were a fan of The Chemical Garden series, you'll enjoy this crazy world and love reading Perfect Ruin too.

Book Review: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Publish Date: June 4th, 2013
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
ISBN: 9780547959108
Pages: 336, hardcover
Series: The Testing Trilogy, #1
Source: ARC ebook from NetGalley

NetGalley Synopsis:
It's graduation day for sixteen-year-old Malencia Vale, and the entire Five Lakes Colony (the former Great Lakes) is celebrating. All Cia can think about--hope for--is whether she'll be chosen for The Testing, a United Commonwealth program that selects the best and brightest new graduates to become possible leaders of the slowly revitalizing post-war civilization. When Cia is chosen, her father finally tells her about his own nightmarish half-memories of The Testing. Armed with his dire warnings ("Cia, trust no one"), she bravely heads off to Tosu City, far away from friends and family, perhaps forever. Danger, romance--and sheer terror--await.

My Review:
Right off the top there are similarities to The Hunger Games. Essentially, there are different colonies and chosen young adults are to go through a Testing to deem them qualified to attend University. Once chosen they are swept away from their families, joined with the other candidates among the United Common Wealth and put through a series of tests. They are then eliminated with either poor marks and/or death and the others move on until you complete the final test. Sound familiar? 
The Testing, a first YA novel from Joelle Charbonneau was a very addictive read. I was always wanting to continue my reading to see the fate of each person, whether they passed the test or not. I was always on the edge of my seat awaiting the outcome of the tests. Would so and so succeed? Would they fail and if so, what would the consequences be. The Testing was full of heart-pounding moments and chilling details. 
Cia, the main character from the Five Lakes colony was chosen for The Testing but before she left, her father who was tested years before gives her some advice and tells her as much as he can about his experience. Once their conversation is finished and Cia is on her own, all she can think about is how pass and stay alive and hopefully see her family once again. But the one sentence that her father said will stick with Cia (and the reader for that matter) is "Trust no one". These words will haunt Cia in her most vulnerable state and question who she can really trust. Tomas, her childhood friend and fellow colony member surely is a good and trustworthy alliance but as the Testing goes into survival mode she starts to wonder if she can really trust him. 
There are so many great characters in The Testing and they all add something unique and meaningful to the novel. The Testing is written with great ease and has a story that needs to be told and I cannot wait until book #2 comes out to see where Joelle Charbonneau will take us next. For those who loved The Hunger Games, this will get your heart racing again, and if you haven't read The Hunger Games yet, you should give The Testing a go, you'll be sure to enjoy it.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a Meme hosted by Breaking The Spine, to showcase upcoming books that we are anxiously waiting for!

Divergent, Book 3 by Veronica Roth

expected release date is October 22, 2013

What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

Divergent and Insurgent were amazing. I couldn't imagine why book 3 wont be just as good, and I am so excited to read the conclusion! 

Book Review: Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publish Date: February 12, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0909-5
Pages: 384
Series: The Chemical Garden, #3
Source: From publisher for honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:
With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.
Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.
In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

My Review:
So much is revealed in Book #3, who Housemaster Vaughn really is, what Rhine was really running from and what happened to Linden's previous wives and so much more. We meet again with characters from the previous 2 books and we are introduced to some new and crucial characters.

We pick right up from Fever and get right into business. Rhine has escaped and has been through so much more, but isn't any closer to freedom, or so she thinks. Rhine is still set on finding her twin brother, Rowan and showing him that she is still alive. In order to do this, Linden gets the help from his Uncle Reed. He's an eccentric man who hates his brother, Vaughn. Together with his help and Cecily's, since she is adamant in staying with Rhine, work on finding the truth and discovering what is actually happening the the world that appears to be falling apart, and finally bringing Vaughn down. Along the way they will encounter fears from their past, reveal secrets for their future and learn the truths in the present moment.

Lauren DeStefano has created a world in which Rhine's time alive is getting shorter and shorter and she will stop at nothing to find answers and her brother. Cecily is slowly starting to discover the whole truth and is starting to feel the wrath of such a short life. With her new son Bowen, it's even harder for her and as a reader, I felt sorry for her. She's so taken with her son, but understands that his life is only just beginning and she will do anything to make his life a happy one. She will stop at nothing to protect him from the ones trying to hurt her family. Their relationship, while others are changing and developing, is probably the hardest to come to terms with because of this.

The cover of Sever is amazing, I really like how it fits right in to complete this amazing trilogy. The cover, along with Wither and Fever foreshadow so much and it was very interesting to look at the cover once the novel was finished and seeing what each picture revealed and just what it meant, Not only are the covers gorgeous, DeStefano is a great story teller. She can really pull you into the book, and hook you with her descriptive writing, and characters that are well developed and easy to connect with.

Though it's sad to see this series come to an end, it was relieving to get all the answers. Throughout books 1 and 2, there was so much happening and so many little secrets, and we finally get the conclusion that we have all be anxiously waiting for. 

Book Review: Surrender by Elana Johnson

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publish Date: June 5th, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-442-44571-0
Pages: 480
Series: Possession, #2
Source: ARC from publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:

Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…
Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father’s rules: He’s the Director. It’s because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent—a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.
All of that changes when Raine falls for Gunner. Raine’s got every reason in the world to stay away from Gunn, but she just can’t. Especially when she discovers his connection to Vi’s boyfriend, Zenn. Raine has never known anyone as heavily brainwashed as Vi. Raine’s father expects her to spy on Vi and report back to him. But Raine is beginning to wonder what Vi knows that her father is so anxious to keep hidden, and what might happen if she helps Vi remember it. She’s even starting to suspect Vi’s secrets might involve Freedom’s newest prisoner, the rebel Jag Barque....

My Review:

This is the follow up to Elana Johnsons's Possession. And it was just like Possession in the sense that it was confusing at times to keep up with what was going on and things didn't always flow together nicely. But there was enough interest in the book (like #1) that kept me reading. Maybe it was the characters, maybe the plot, I'm not sure but in the end I finished it anticipating the knowledge of what's happening and now awaiting book 3.

Surrender is told though the narrative of different characters for each chapter. It was interesting to see book 2 done like this. We're reintroduced to some old characters but are also introduced to new characters, new characters like Raine, who similar to Vi is a strong independent young lady who is willing to stick up for herself and what she believes is right. If you liked Vi in Possession than you wont be disappointed with Raine. Gunner is another character that we meet and he plays a crutial role in Surrender. He's flagged and because of this, his life as he knew it is instantly turned upside down. He's a strong willed and stubborn guy and adds to the story. We still get to follow Vi, Jag and Zenn so don't worry - our favourite love triangle is still hanging on but with some difficulty (You'll find out when you read this book - remember the cliffhanger at the end of book 1?)

Overall, Surrender was a good read especially if you read and enjoyed Possession. I just think that Elana Johnson has a different way of writing and it obviously works for her, her books have sold like hotcakes. I can't wait for book 3!

Book Reivew: Possession by Elana Johnson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publish Date: June 7th, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-442-42762-8
Pages: 416
Source: Bought

Goodreads Synopsis:
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My Review:
Possession is a book that I had wanted to get my hands on before it came out. Unfortunately, that never happened and because of my busy schedule, I never got around to reading it. It wasn;t until the lovely people at Simon and Schuster sent me a review copy of Surrender, book 2 that I decided to finally get around to reading it.
Possession is a very interesting book. It's a dystopian read that is all about technology and control. Everyone is used to being controlled in these techish ways. There are Thinkers, and Greenies and Goodies and Baddies and so much more. Everyone seems okay with the way they live, except Vi. Vi is the main character and she's strong willed and stubborn. She's been in trouble many times over her lifetime with the head techies, and isn't showing signs of slowing down. In this world, you are matched with your mate, Vi is matched with Zenn. They're best friends and Vi is caught her last time with him.
The first part of the book wasn't what I thought it would be. I found it a little unorganized, and all over the place. Things to me just didn't add up and make sense. The part that really had me was the whole escape of Vi and Jag from the jail. They were both locked in the same cell (which I'm still not 100% sure of why), the Thinkers knew their potential, it just doesn't make sense to lock them up together. And with all of the technology and being able to brainwash people, you'd think that they could guard a jail cell a little better. To me, it just seemed to "they needed to excape, let's write them escaping" instead of thinking of a logical way and explaination for their escape. And was it just me, or did the guards give up completely?
Once I got past that, and more than halfway done the book, I was hooked. I needed to know what was going to happen with our beloved Jag and Zenn. The love triangle between the characters kept things interesting as well. Though Jag and Vi have a knack for getting upset with each other. The characters in Johnson's books are memorable and likable and I think that's what kept me reading.
We are left with quite a cliffhanger at the end of the novel, and I was thankful that I had the ARC of book 2 so that I could jump right into the continuation of things.
Overall, the book wasn't what I was expecting, the writing was a little finnicky for my liking, but the storyline, plot and characters were enough to make up for it.

Book Reviewl: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins **SPOILERS**

Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Publish Date: August 24, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-439-02351-1
Pages: 390
Series: The Hunger Games, #3
Source: Bought

Goodreads Synopsis:
My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

My Review:
**Please be aware, this is not a spoiler free review, I couldn't write it without the spoilers, Sorry.** PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU HAVNE'T READ MOCKINGJAY YET (or book 1 or 2)
Thank You

So much as happened since book 1, Katniss had so much on her plate and in book 3 she has so much more. Her emotions are getting the best of her and it's too much for her to deal with.
What really bothered me about Mockingjay was that is felt rushed. It seemed like Collins just wanted to get it over and done with, and couldn't come up with an ending that worked for the book. The endng was terrible, and not just because it wasn't what I thought it should have been, but it was just written quickly, and contradicted so much of what the first 2 meant. In my opinion, Katniss and Peeta didn't end up together for the right reasons. I think that Gale and her could have (and should have) ended up together. From the first book, Gale was the guy I was rooting for.Their friendship was so strong and I thought it should have bloomed into so much more. Peeta tried to kill Katniss over and over when he was rescued. Who's to say that he is completely better and wont turn on her once again? To my understanding of the book, Katniss only ended up with Peeta is because he was there, and it was simple to write that into the story. I didn't feel the love between them like before.
The real Katniss would have never let Gale leave like she did. On the other hand, Gale could be considered one of the minds behind the bombs that killed Prim. Oh that's right...the whole reason behind these books, the fact that Katniss went to the Games in the first place, seems like a bit of a waste now that her little sister was killed. And not just killed really, killed and then never really thought of after that it seemed. I seriously would have thought that if the author was going to kill off Prim, it would be a bigger deal to Katniss. Apparently not.
The whole ending just seemed too inconsistent with the rest. Primrose doesn't go to the games because she meant so much to Katniss, and Katniss would do anything for her sister - she dies. Katniss doesn't want to kill people because that's not what she stands for - she kills Coin just like that.
I've had a very hard time writing this book review because of my mixed feelings toward the book. My biggest disappointment was the lack of character depth. These characters that we grew to love or hate just became names in Mockingjay. There was nothing to them, they fell flat and it's really hard to enjoy the book when you know the potential of them. I was disappointed, that's really the best emotion to descirbe what I felt once I put the book down. Will I read it again or recommed it? Probably. Do I wish Collins would have spent more time thinking about the series as a whole? Absolutely.

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Publish Date: October 31st, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
ISBN: 978-0-439-02348-1
Pages: 374
Series: The Hunger Games, #1
Source: Gift

Goodreads Synopsis:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My Review:
This is one of those books that you know you will read over and over and never get sick of it. The story is so fast-paced and well written that I flew through it in a few sittings. Ecspecially once the actual games begin, the book got so intense that I was holding my breath while reading.

From the first page, Katniss really pulled me in as a character. Her love for her younger sister, Primrose is so evident in everything that she does. Katniss takes care of her family and friends who mean so much to her. And when she volunteers to take Prim's place in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, it brought tears to my eyes to see her love go that far. Throughout the book, Katniss is such a strong heroine and I really liked her character.
Gale Hawthorne is one of my favourite characters in The Hunger Games. His friendship with Katniss is like no other. I loved reading about the two of them out hunting and sitting together talking and when Gake mentioned about the two of them running away, I was like "Go Katniss, this boy is the one to be with, just take off with him!" because I would. I like everything about Gale. He is kind, supportive, strong and brave. And together, Gale and Katniss could go a long way. I'm so glad that it wasn't Gale that became the tribute. I really had a lot of sympathy for Gale as the story went on. His feelings toward Katniss became so evident and he had to deal with her being hunted in the arena, and deal with the little change of events between Katniss and Peeta.
You can't help but fall for Peeta too. He has such innocence to him that made me feel sorry for him. He really doesn't seem like the tough, fighting, survival of the fittest type but he has no choice but to be thrown into the arena and try his hardest to win. I really liked Haymitch as well, he brought so much into the story and added some comic relief as well. Rue was another of my favourite characters. She was a sweet girl and really helped Katniss see the whole picture of what the Capitol was doing.

Collins is able to write a story and draw the readers in as if we are there for the horrible reaping, it's as if we are in the arena trying to survive. It's really amazing, her writing. She will make you feel one with the characters, you will feel their pain, physically and emotionally. Collins raw and intense scenes will leave you needing more, it's a page turner for sure. If you haven't read The Hunger Games yet, I highly suggest that you do. I can honestly say that I haven't run into anyone who hasn't enjoyed this book yet, it's that good.

The Hunger Games

I've had a copy of The Hunger Games sitting on my shelf for quite some time now. I've been meaning to read it but I just haven't had the chance. But I finally got around to it, and I LOVED it! I loved it so much, that I devoured the book in 2 sittings and then started Catching Fire and finished that too in record time. I've just started Mockingjay recently too!

But as many of you already know, The Hunger Games movie is set to release soon, March 23rd, 2012 to be precise.
Here's the trailer!



I'm really excited to see this movie when it comes out. It looks really great! Stay tuned for my reviews of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.

Book Review: Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Publish Date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Series: The Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book #2
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0907-1
Source: From publisher for honest review

Goodreads Synopsis:
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

My Review:

Gorgeous cover! I really like it and have liked it since it's reveal. I've heard some people say it looks "fan-made"... a) what's wrong with it being fan-made? b) even if it was, kudos to the fan because it's eye catching for sure! And everything, right down to the last detail plays a crucial part in the book.

For starters, if you haven't read Wither yet, stop reading this and read that instead! Seriously, it's a great book. You can read my review here (when you've finished Wither, of course). Right where Wither's awesomeness ends, Fever's begins! It picks up with Rhine and Gabriel and their journey to "freedom". I quote freedom because to Rhine that's what it is, but to Gabriel, it's something completely new and different. For Rhine, her escape is freedom from her husband, her sister wives and more importantly, freedom from her father in law, Vaughn. But for Gabriel, the escape is something he believed he wanted with Rhine. Though as the story goes on, we can see how things and feelings change.

As Fever progresses, we expreience the thrill of running away. And for Rhine and Gabriel it's not just thrilling. It's a never ending journey of escape...run...hide...escape...run...hide. So for them, it's not easy. Unfortunately, on their escape to Manhattan, they run into a circus of prositutes run by a mad women. The two of them have to endure things that are unimaginable all while trying to escape yet again. During this time, enemies are made, but more importantly, friends are made. One friend made among them is Maddie, a young malformed mute (DeStefano's character description - not mine) ,who is more than just that. Maddie is such a great character, and it was nice to see another character with such importance be introduced. Rhine, the main character has changed since Wither. Not changed so much I guess, as grown. With all that she has gone through, and the moping she did at "home" with her husband, she has had to grow up, and toughen up and be the fearless girl Gabriel pictured. Gabriel has changed since Wither too, he used to be the quiet, respectable house worker. Now on the run with Rhine, he's seen things he's never seen and had to toughen up too. He heard Rhine talking about Manhattan, New York and how wonderful it was there. Rhine also always talked about Rowan and how things would be once she was home with him, so Gabriel has this preconcieved notion and boy, is he wrong. You can definitely see the toll it's taken on Gabriel, all of this escaping and troubles they encounter.

DeStefano's dystopian world is not one that I would ever want to live in. The world she writes about it crazy, really. Women and men only living to 20 and 25, the women being "Gathered" and sold into polygamus relationships, and everything else in this world is a little unbelievable, but the way DeStefano writes is enough to make it a good story. The ideas are so far-strecthed, but the actual writing isn't. Plot lines, characters, and the fast pace make Fever a great installment to The Chemical Gardens series, and I cannot wait for book #3.

Top Ten Tuesday

Thanks to The Broke and the Bookish for giving ideas to us each week!

This weeks top 10 - Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to Someone Who Doesn't Read YA Dystopia

1. Wither by Lauren DeStefano

2. Fever by Lauren DeStefano (I haven't even finished it yet, but I imagine with the way it's been so far that I'd definitely recommend it)

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

4. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

5. Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

6. The Host by Stephenie Meyers

That's all I could come up with because that's all of this genre that I have read! I really wish that someone would have recommended this genre to me ages ago, becuase these books are fantastic and there are SO many others that I have on my list to read!

That's my top 10, er, top 6 for this week! What's yours?