In the End by Demitria Lunetta

Series: In the After (bk. 2)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi

Subjects: post-apocalyptic, survival, monsters, viruses

Setting: Fort Black Prison, Texas

POV/Tense: 1^st person POV, present tense: Amy

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 432 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover/Paperback

List Price: $17.99/$9.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “She thought it was the end of the world... But it was only the beginning of the end.

It's been three months since Amy escaped New Hope. Since she's seen Baby, or Kay, or Rice. And she's been surviving on her own, like she did before she was "rescued" and taken to what she thought was a safe haven. Then, in the midst of foraging for supplies, her former fellow Guardian's voice rings out in her earpiece. And in a desperate tone, Kay utters the four words Any had hoped she would never hear:

Dr. Reynolds has Baby.

Now it's a race against time, for Baby is in imminent danger, her life threatened by the malevolent doctor who had helped start the end of the world. In order to save Baby, Amy will have to make her way to Fort Black, a former prison-turned-survivor colony. There she will need to find Ken—Kay's brother—for he holds the key to Baby's survival.

But before she can do any of this, she'll have to endure the darkest places—and people—of the prison. And one small slip-up could not only cost Baby and Amy their lives, but threaten the survival of he people in the After.

Demitria Lunetta has created an utterly compelling conclusion to the story she set forth in In the After. Readers of the Hunger Games trilogy will not be able to pit down this book, which is gripping from beginning to end.”

My Review:  In the End is the sequel-finale to In the After. Amy goes to a prison called Fort Black to find Kay’s twin brother, who’s a doctor, hoping he can help save Baby. Fort Black may be safe from Florae (the monsters created by a disease, similar to zombies, but look like aliens), but inside it has all kinds of threat, such as the previous inmates that decided to stay for their own protection.

Amy has a run in with a convict called Tank, who only stops harassing her when the Warden’s nephew, Jacks, arrives. Jacks was an up-and-coming tattoo artist before the outbreak. He’s a pretty nice and protective guy. He’s different from Rice, who was Amy’s previous love interest. Jacks pretends that he claimed Amy as his own to protect her from sexual harassment from other convicts. She doesn’t like the idea of being a guy’s property, but inside the prison walls they’re not exactly feminists, except maybe Brenna, who’s the only female fighter inside their UFC-like fighting arena.

I thought that this was a pretty good sequel. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book. There was more mystery and scary-stuff in the first book. We were lead to believe the Florae were aliens, but that wasn’t the case. This book definitely has a unique setting. I don’t think I’ve ever read a dystopian set in a prison. A military base, a school, a mall, a superstore, but never a prison. It definitely would provide protection from outside threats, especially plant-like zombies with super hearing, but no eye sight.

If you have not read In The After, you shouldn’t have read this review because I spoiled stuff from In The After, but no spoiler for this book. I recommend this duology series to fans of The 5^th Wave, Rot & Ruin, Divergent, Ashfall, The 5th Wave, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and any other survival/dystopian novel. If you love dystopia and post-apocalyptic books, this is a great series.

Cover Art Review: Interesting use of textures. Feels gritty and creepy.

In the After by Demitria Lunetta

Series: In the After (bk. 1)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi

Subjects: post-apocalyptic, survival, monsters, zombies

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 455 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.
Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.
After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.
Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.”

5 Stars

My Review: One of the best post-apocalyptic/dystopian books I’ve read this year. It really surprised me. I had no idea what was going to happen. It started out in a silent, post-apocalyptic Chicago. And then moved to New Hope, an attempt to rebuild civilization located in Kansas. But, being from Chicagoland myself, I loved that she set at least of 3^rd of the book there. Demitria is a Chicago native, after all. And she mentioned Oz park, which I heard has Wizard of Oz statues.

At the beginning of the book there was only Amy and Baby. And they were living in Amy’s house, which has solar panels and an electric fence. It’s even got electricity and water, due to Amy’s father’s efforts at a self-sustained home. The electric fence was her mom’s idea. How convenient. And that’s why Amy’s been able to survive for the last three years. Also, her and Baby use sign language and don’t make any noise if they can help it. Because They (the monsters) have super hearing.

Some people have been comparing this book to The 5^th Wave, which I haven’t read. This book isn’t an alien book really. It mentions that they think the creatures are aliens, but are they? That’s the mystery. I was very surprised to find out. This book is more of a zombie book. But these aren’t the walking dead. These creatures have green skin and yellow eyes. They do eat people and their own dead. They are fast, and of course have supersonic hearing. Very different from any other zombie or alien book I’ve ever read.

This book manages to combine different things from dystopias and still be very unique. Of course, like any other dystopian, the main girl must get a haircut. Because you just can’t have long hair if the world is ending. I know I won’t want to be bald, though. There’s Twinkies, too. And other survival stuff. But sign language? No other dystopia has ever used that before.  

Amy, much later on in the book, reminded me of Tris from Divergent. She’s brave, a good fighter, and has strong character. She’s definitely dauntless. And she cares for Baby so strongly. I loved their sisterly bond.

While there are parts in which Amy is training to become a Guardian, there are also parts that happen 4 months later. The story in Part 2 & Part 3 switches between past (serif-typeface) and present (san-serif typeface). It’s an interesting way of unfolding a story. It became even most fast paced and exciting. I kept wondering how she would get to the point. What happened? And it was done way better than Lauren Oliver’s Pandemonium.

There’s also a love interest, but not much romance. Rice is pretty geeky and smart. I like him because he’s realist and still sound cute, with glasses and shaggy blond hair. He has to keep thing secret, so it’s hard to completely trust him, but he’s helpful. I wonder if book 2 will have more romance. I wonder what will happen next. There’s a lot of stuff I didn’t mention in this review because I don’t want to spoil the surprise.

I recommend this book to fans of Divergent, Rot & Ruin, Ashfall, The 5^th Wave, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and any other survival/dystopian novel. If you love dystopia and post-apocalyptic books, this is a must-read. And help spread the word about the shear awesomeness that In The After is.

Cover Art Review: I love the textured cover and embossment. The cracked pavement with the title is really cool. It scream dystopia novel. The green offsets it well.

 

~Haley G

Faerie After by Janni Lee Simner

Series: Bones of Faerie (bk. 3)

Genera: Post-Apocalytic Dystopian-Fantasy

Subjects: faeries, magic, supernatural, post-apocalyptic, Missouri

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 261 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $16.99

Publisher: Random House

Summary/ product description: “After a devastating war between humanity and Faerie, Liza’s world was forever changed. Plants and trees became aggressive, seeking to root in living flesh and bone, and newborn children were discovered to have magic powers. Liza was one of these children, and with her abilities she brought her mother back from the ruined Faerie realm and restored the seasons to her own.
Now there are signs of a new sickness in the forest. Piles of ash are found where living creatures once stood. Liza investigates and discovers the Faerie realm has continued to deteriorate, slowly turning to dust, and that its fate is inexorably linked to that of the human realm. To find a solution, Liza must risk crossing over, putting herself and all she cares about at risk. Will Liza be forced to sacrifice her life and the lives of her friends in order to save both worlds?
Here is the exciting conclusion to the Bones of Faerie trilogy, for fans of dark fantasy and dystopian adventure entranced by Janni Lee Simner’s unique vision of a magic-infused postapocalyptic world.”

My Review: A pretty good ending to this post-apocalyptic faerie series. It was a quick and easy read. I charged through it so quickly, that I probably have eye strain. I enjoy the creative world building. It’s very different from other dystopias I’ve read.

In the last book, at the end, Liza left hand was turned to stone. She has this handicap throughout the book. Her hand it frozen and pretty useless. She deals with it well though, and that makes her a strong character. Her abilities as a summoner are growing stronger, still.

I love all the different abilities that the characters have. Allie, is a healer, and Mathew is a shape-shifter/werewolf. There’s Karin, who’s a faerie and a plant speaker. Nys is a stone shaper. So many cool and unique abilities. The summoning ability Liza has reminds me of necromancy. She she’s shadows, which are spirits or souls, and can control them.

The setting of this series is unique. It’s mostly is St. Louis, Missouri, and sometimes in Faerie. The plants are man-eaters, as are most the animals. Deadly nature. Wild magic that made all of nature vicious and man-eating. Not the kind of dystopia you’d ever want to live in. This series will make you thankful that plants can’t eat people.

The end of the book wraps the series up nicely. There are resolutions, and a few twists along the way. This final book may have not been the most exciting book I’ve read, but it was good enough. I recommend this trilogy to anyone who’d like to read a dystopia with faeries. Or dystopian fantasy.

Cover Art Review: This cover it black, with lime green type and image. It’s very minimalistic. It looks like a bush or tree. I like the title type. But the cover is boring. It’s still similar to the previous two books’ covers.

 

 

Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Release Date: May 1st

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Laurel series (bk. 4: THE CONCLUSION)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Faeries, Trolls, Love, Fantasy, Magic

Length: 307 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/product description: “Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and she is working with Klea to conquer and destroy Avalon. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares for a fight she never thought she would have to face.
Filled with heart-pounding action, sweeping romance, and higher stakes at every turn, Destined is the series conclusion that readers have been clamoring for—with a twist that will leave them breathless.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: They weren’t joking when the said “stunning conclusion.” It really was. The only problem I had with it was that it ended. Why can’t there be more???? SPIN OFF SERIES PLEASE!!!!

The book begins with action, and continues throughout it. Lots of killing Trolls/Lots of Trolls killing. More awesome King Arthur related mythology (MAGIC SWORD!!!). I’m not even sure how to describe this book without spoiling it. Let’s see….some people die, others almost die, death, death…anyways, you’ll just have to read it to find out. I got the ARC, I read it early. Will Laurel choose between Tamani or David? Will Chelsea and David help Laurel save Avalon? Will they defeat Klea? Mysteries and secrets are revealed. What is their destiny? BA-DUM-BA-DUMMMM!!!!!

So, great conclusion. Awesome fight scenes. Tons of crazy awesome faery stuff. READ IT!!!

Cover Art Review: This is the most beautiful cover of the series! It’s supposed to be like a winter faery blossom. I love how the light plays on the petals. Watercolor rainbows. The only thing I don’t like is the outer glow on the title. It’s too thick. With that serif typeface, it look like a tacky bubbly. Everything else is great.

~Haley G

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: Laurel (bk. 3)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Faeries, Avalon, magic, potions, plants, love

Length: 375 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice. But just as life is returning to normal, Laurel discovers that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.”

My Rating: ê ê ê ê ê +

My Review: Another stunning book in this series! This book series has the best take on faeries, ever! I love the concept of a magical, advanced/intelligent plant being a faerie. And that the bad guys are trolls. And the season the faeries are born deciding their abilities. Just a wonderful, creative series.

I loved getting to see Tamani try to blend in with humans. He had an iPhone, and drove a car. I mean, seriously. He’s so good at pretending that he’s from Scotland. He make David very mad by being there and trying to get Laurel. This book really focused on the love triangle.

I finally got to read it. It came out in May. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to read book 4, the last book, Destined, which comes out next April (The day after my brother’s birthday….the 26^th) What a beautiful cover that one has!

Cover Art Review: Summery flowers! I love every one of these covers. The flowers and water, and the colors. But the title’s in a different font than the last 2 books.

~Haley G