False Sight by Dan Krokos

Series: False Memory (bk. 2)

Genera: Sci-fi/Dystopian/Action Adventure thriller

Subjects: genetic engineering, cloning, psychic ability, parallel universes

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 327 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Hyperion

Summary/ product description: “All Miranda wants is a normal life. She's determined to move past the horrible truth of her origin as a clone so she can enjoy time with her boyfriend, Peter, and the rest of her friends at school. But Miranda quickly learns that there's no such thing as normal - not for a girl who was raised to be a weapon. When one of her teammates turns rogue, it begins a war that puts the world in jeopardy. Now Miranda must follow her instincts - not her heart - in order to save everything she's fought so hard to keep. with the image of a terrible future seared into her mind, what will she have to sacrifice to protect the people she loves?

Dan Krokos's sequel to the tour de force False Memory is a mind-blowing thriller with high-octane action that will leave readers begging for the final book in this bold and powerful trilogy.”

My Review: I really, really, REALLY enjoyed this book!!! As sequels go, this was way more action packed with a ton of twists I never saw coming. I never expected this series to take the turn that it did. I don’t know if the author had it all planned out while writing the first book. False Memory was like the Maximum Ride series, and similar to Altered by Jennifer Rush, the Glitch series by Heather Anastasiu and other sci-fi books I love, and the show Dollhouse.

This second book reminded me of Fringe or Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris. It introduced a parallel universe. I never noticed that two of the Roses are named Peter and Olivia until I saw this similarity to Fringe. I bet you 50 bucks the author watches the show. At least he didn’t name his main girl Olivia or it would have been a dead giveaway. Miranda is kind of like Maximum Ride, and Sequel/Nina/other Miranda Clone is like Maya (Max R’s clone). Peter’s like Fang. Noah’s like Dylan, and Rhys is like a non-blind Iggy. I see the author have some definite influences. Even so, he creates a unique story.

There’s not as much romance in this book. There were fight scenes and adventure, and great world-building with cool technology. The parallel worlds were dystopian. Pretty different from our own, and one was ravaged by the Eyeless. I’m not trying to spoil the book. Just trying to get you excited. There’s never a dull moment in this series. It is non-stop awesome. I only wish it was longer. I really hate having to wait a whole year to get the rest of the story. I hated that cliffhanger at the end.

Cover Art Review: I liked the cover for False Memory better. The red is nice and the butterfly chip. Good typography.

The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Release Date: September 17, 2013

Series: The Elemental Trilogy (bk. 1)

Genera: Fantasy/Paranormal Romance/Historical fiction

Subjects: supernatural, magic, mages, elemental abilities

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: ARC page count: 449 pgs. Hardcover: 464 (?)

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen: Balzer + Bray

Summary/ product description: “It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.”

My Review: When I found out that this book was partially set in England in 1883, I didn’t want to read it. I’m not a fan of historical fiction. I hate historical dialogue and words. British words confuse and annoy me. And I don’t really like books written in 3^rd person. But when I received this book as an ARC, and when I heard good things about it on TeaTime with EpicReads, I had to read it. This book may have not been the most exciting book I’ve ever read, but for a hist-fic fantasy, it’s not bad. It took me more than 4 days to get through it, but I wasn’t bored or skimming.

I loved the magic in this book. I though it was going to be copying Harry Potter, because the wand and Latin spells, and the boarding school, but it was very different. (For one, the boarding school was not for wizards. It was just a regular boys boarding school). I really love stories in which the main characters can control elements. Like the House of Night series, Vampire Academy, or the show Avatar: The Last Airbender. Iolanthe, an elemental mage, could control Fire, Water and Earth, but not Air. And somehow she could make a lightning bolt come down from the sky.

There was also something called subtle magic. It’s spells and wand that can do thing like change you shoes and clothes, or make you see things far away. It’s for useful things. There’s also vaulting, which it teleportation. Titus is a master at it.

There’s also different realms. Mage realms. I’m not sure if the mage realms are a parallel world, or something like a hidden world or country similar to in the Mortal Instruments series. Maybe they’re cloaked islands? It mention Atlantis a lot, so maybe an island. There are a lot of magical creatures. Dragons, wyverns, and so many more. There’s just so much that I became confused. The world building could use a little work.

I felt like the main characters were a little flat. Iolanthe and Titus reminded me of Rachel and Logan from Defiance, but without the 1^st person narration, they don’t have much personality. I did love the humorous dialogue. Especially when Iolanthe was pretending to be a boy, Archer Fairfax. She was able to pull off a cocky boy attitude perfectly. There was a little romance between Iolanthe and Titus. Nothing too in depth. Some kissing and flirting. I’m hoping book 2 will have more. My favorite parts of this book were when Iolanthe pretended to be Archer Fairfax, or when she was turned into a canary. Also some of the scenes where they’re in that fairytale world.

This book is similar to other fantasy books, but I think it’s unique. I haven’t read many historical set fantasy, so I don’t have many to compare them too. I’d say this is kind of Harry Potter with a girl main character. But if you liked Definace by C.J. Redwine, Incarnate by Jodi Meadows, or Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, then you might enjoy this. Or even books like the Unicorn Chronicles series by Bruce Colville. This book is mostly fantasy with some very late 1800s British speech.

Cover Art Review: My ARC has a different cover than the hardcover. I like both versions. The hardcover has a beautiful fiery dragon/phoenix/wyvern on the front. I love the colors, and feathers. The castle is cool on the ARC. It’s upside-down. I feel like there should have been more lightning on the hardcover. Fire may be the main element that the character likes to use, but controlling lightning and air is the struggle. 

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Series: Between (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: supernatural, gothic, horror, Maine, seaside towns

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 360 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Penguin: Dial

Summary/ product description: “You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.”

My Review: This book was better than I thought it would be. It was more funny than scary. It had a kind of dark, gothic humor in the narration. Violet thinks of strange and morbid things, but it’s entertaining. And the insta-love wasn’t an issue because River was controlling her, making her feel like she was in love. So defiantly give this book a chance, and don’t put it down for its ridiculousness.

Violet is such an overused name in YA PNR. Violet White is a loner book nerd that doesn’t socialize much and like strange things. Her parents are painters and they went to Europe, and left Violet and Luke months ago to fend for themselves. Who knows when they’ll be back? Luke is Violet’s brother. He seems very mean and sexist, but he’s just you typical teasing brother. Violet is very unique in some ways. I would call her a strong female character, but she is dynamic. She reminds me of Pierce from the Abandon series by Meg Cabot. She’s not at all like Bella from Twilight.

River is not like Edward. He’s more like Damen from the Immortals series in appearance, but with a manipulative edge. He’s also kind of like Damon from the Vampire Diaries, and he can compel people, or create an illusion. He calls this the Glow. He’s also a compulsive liar, or maybe just a regular liar. He lies a lot to Violet. Violet still falls in love with him even when her instincts scream no.

Sunshine Black is Violet’s neighbor/friend. She likes to tease Violet, but also helps her out. She likes Luke, who already has a girlfriend.

I really enjoyed the setting and the atmosphere. There are so many YA book that I’ve read set in Maine (Need, Delirium, Hush Hush, Siren…). I’ve never been to Maine, but these books make me want to visit. This book is Maine in summertime, and is very descriptive of the town and their estate by the sea.

The story feels moody and magical, with creepy undertones. Like there’s a storm brewing. The writing is lyrical and beautiful. There are some things that feel juxtaposed, and maybe this book qualifies as magical realism. But it’s essential a paranormal romance about a girl who meets a guy with a dangerous gift. And there’s a lot of trust issues, and discoveries. I was hoping for something really big to happen, but I think I’m satisfied. But I seriously need to know what book 2 is gonna be about soon.

I recommend this book if you like stories set in seaside towns, in Maine, or gothic novels, or paranormal romance novels like the Fallen Series by Lauren Kate, or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. There are no angels or demons in this book, just so you know.

Cover Art Review: I love the typography! Swirly, yet legible. The photo background is nice too. Good colors. 

No Easy Way Out by Dayna Lorentz

Series: No Safety in Numbers (bk. 2)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: shopping mall, quarantines, viruses, diseases, survival

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 470 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Penguin: Dial

Summary/ product description: “It's Day 7 in the quarantined mall. The riot is over and the senator trapped inside is determined to end the chaos. Even with new rules, assigned jobs, and heightened security, she still needs to get the teen population under control. So she enlists Marco's help--allowing him to keep his stolen universal card key in exchange for spying on the very football players who are protecting him.

But someone is working against the new systems, targeting the teens, and putting the entire mall in even more danger. Lexi, Marco, Ryan, and Shay believe their new alliances are sound.

They are wrong. Who can be trusted? And who will be left to trust?

The virus was just the beginning.

Fans of Life As We Knew It and those who love apocalyptic plots will love this modern Lord of the Flies. The sequel to No Safety in Numbers is a pounding, relentless rush that will break your heart and keep you guessing until the end.”

My Review: This book was excruciatingly long. I probably picked a bad week to read it, it being the first week of school and work, but even if I did have more free time it would have taken me a while to finish. It took me a week. The first book was pretty good (No Safety in Numbers, I gave it 4 stars) and about half the length and had way more interesting things happen in it. Not much really happened in this book that was even notable. It was so dragged.

There was some romance between Ryan and Shy, and Lexi and Marco, but not enough to qualify it as sexy. It was awkward, and a bit unnecessary. The characters seemed very flat, even with their diversity.

I was looking for a sci-fi thriller. The fear that was in the first book. This one lacked the thrill. I always have a hard time with books written in 3^rd person, and even more trouble if the mind-jump. The first book was split up into chapters by the character’s perspective. This one was split up by time of day, and the chapters jumped between perspectives. It was confusing and annoying.

I did enjoy the setting still. A dystopia/quarantine in a mall? That would be way cooler than one in a school. This series does have similarities to other books. It’s most like the Quarantine series by Lex Thomas, but with a setting more similar to Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne. The Gone series by Michael Grant also shares some similarities. If you liked any of those books, I suggest you read No Safety in Numbers, the first book in this series, and try to read No Easy Way Out right after. Make such you have the time to get into them.

Cover Art Review: Boring cover. Too simple and I don’t like the colors or textures. It’s newspaper/magazine like. Cheesy, bad typography.