18. That's how many days I have left to find a way out.
DAI, trying to escape a haunting past, traffics drugs for the most ruthless kingpin in the Walled City. But in order to find the key to his freedom, he needs help from someone with the power to be invisible....
JIN hides under the radar, afraid the wild street gangs will discover her biggest secret: Jin passes as a boy to stay safe. Still, every chance she gets, she searches for her lost sister....
MEI YEE has been trapped in a brothel for the past two years, dreaming of getting out while watching the girls who try fail one by one. She's about to give up, when one day she sees an unexpected face at her window.....
In this innovative and adrenaline-fueled novel, they all come together in a desperate attempt to escape a lawless labyrinth before the clock runs out.
Disclaimer: Sometimes you read a book and you NEED to discuss all of your spoilery feels surrounding it. The spoilers in this review are clearly marked with asterisks, so you may skip over those sections if you do not want to be spoiled. Background & Backstory?
I had heard a lot of prepublication buzz about this book and loved the simplicity of the cover, but hadn't considered reading it until one of my best book BFFs of all time Nath from Codes and Writes raved about it. I respect her opinion surrounding books quite a lot and she talked so highly of this book that I made my parents get it for me for Christmas during our trip to Strand Books in NYC.
What Was My Reaction Upon Finishing?
I'm not sure how I feel about this book.
Plot - Premise - Originality | 98% You have to admit that this book has an awesome premise. At a glance, it seems like The Walled City is a brilliantly crafted dystopian science-fiction novel, but in actuality, the publisher considers it realistic fiction because of the different elements of the world that are perfectly legitimate to consider in our present day 21st century state. The way a brilliant premise is executed is usually what I criticize most in a novel, but Graudin did it flawlessly. Not once did I feel as if I had read this kind of story before, and I enjoyed the asian elements the book possessed as well.
Characters | 90%The Walled City had some of the most complex, unique characters I have ever read about that could rub heads with character of Legend by Marie Lu. We had Dai who I described to Nath as "A Day-like character with a June-like upbringing," which means that was sarcastic, intelligent, athletic, and had a mysterious past. He was my favorite as well as the strongest character during the story as well as the instigator during most of the story. Then there was Mei Yee who was such a broken character forced to survive extreme circumstances no human should, and she came out of the experiences without her soul being crushed. And finally there was Jin who was stubborn and determined and hadn't let her truly crappy life get in the way of her light.
Relationships | 70% Something Nath brings up a lot in our frequent Legend conversations is the value of family and how strong a sibling-siblings or parent-child relationship can be. Jin's desire to be reunited with Mei Yee was truly tangible and I enjoyed this element of the story so much.
***Spoiler Alert***
Nevertheless, I thought it was an odd decision to make it Mei Yee and Dai who were romantically attracted to each other. They didn't seem like good candidates for togetherness and their personalities clashed a lot in my mind when you thought about their relationship from a more statistical point of view. However, Dai and Jin would have made a much more believable couple because their passion for life would have been at the same level. Yet, Dai needed the motivation to rescue Mei Yee and what better motivation is there besides love?
***End Spoiler***
Writing Stye | 80% Everyone knows that I am an absolute sucker for multi-POV books and this book would not have wowed me half as much if it the three characters hadn't given me such a panoramic view of the story from three very different stances in society. In a dark world of drugs and crime, there was the vagrant, the prostitute, and the upperclass criminal which ensured the fact that I was in for a wild ride.
Ending | 70% It is rare that I will find a dystopian/fantasy-esque novel that is a standalone and most of the time, I am left wanting more from the author. I honestly don't know how Graudin did it, but she wrapped up all the loose threads into this neat little package. While I disliked the events themselves that happens, I loved the buildup to them.
How Likely Is It That I Will Read Another Book By This Author? 70% There was something so unique and individual in terms of the feelings The Walled City gave me that I want to feel again, so I most definitely will be picking upGraudin's other works such as All That Glows.
Conclusion: An exhilarating, vivid, and fascinating standalone told from three unlikely perspectives that is the epitome of a story.
Goodreads Synopsis: Winning what you want may cost you everything you love
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.
I already have.... the image of the book is from my Instagram -*shameless self-promo @sslluvsbooks & Marie Rutkoski RTed it on Twitter also @sslluvsbooks*- I bought it for $2.50 from BookOutlet's Boxing Day Sale. To my disappointment, I ended up not loving it and am glad I didn't splurge too much. From my peer book bloggers, this is either a love it or hate it novel, and I would advise borrowing a copy from the library or some other means of book obtaining unless you are CERTAIN you will love it, just in case you feel the same way I did.
Background & Backstory?
Spring 2014 was a HUGE new release season in publishing and The Winner's Curse was the most hyped, most anticipated Macmillan Series Debut. Even if you didn't know what this story was about, you head ALL of the bloggers rave about the gorgeous cover and it's even prettier insides.
I was one of those ravers. I was a baby blogger (still am, but at least I know more about upcoming releases) and if everyone else was raving.... it HAD to be good, right? I actually encouraged one of my greatest twitter BFF's Nath to read this book, and she ended up not loving it (for these reasons). I also borrowed The Winner's Curse from the library 50 billion times and I never read it and ended up returning it to the library ANOTHER 50 billion times.
Finally, I bought The Winner's Curse in eBook form when Fierce Reads was having their holiday eDeals AND I bought the hardcover off of BookOutlet. Can you say putting all of your eggs in one basket?
And now I shall proceed with telling you my unpopular opinion for this novel that everyone and their mothers seemed to adore. I hope I can show my face later on Twitter.
[I saw this video in my subscription feed a few days ago by Thoughts on Tomes about dealing with Hype and Disappointment and I HIGHLY recommend you check it out because she does a better job than I ever could with explaining my disappointment because of the Winner's Curse]
What Was My Reaction Upon Finishing?
Suspenseful ending! It tipped the rating to 3 stars, I want to read the sequel. But.... the overall story was a huge, boring disappointment ;(
Con | Political Intrigue Promises: *imagine I'm 2 years old for this sentence* I was promised political intrigue and I didn't get it! *stomps foot indignantly*
Yes there was political dealings with the military and Kestral's father was a general, but when I hear the two magic words, my expectations are sky rocketed to LEGEND status. Aka the queen of making politics actually sound like fun. We got a bit of an idea of how the military worked and the expectations for females in this world, but there weren’t any dirty dealings pertaining to a plague or swoon-worthy, well-meaning Elector’s sons who want to change the way things are run…. so I would say that this book did not fulfill that particular expectation.
Pro | Tacticians for the WIN!: While I disliked the two protagonists as characters themselves, I adored the characteristics the were given. Arin and Kestral have extremely intelligent minds built for leadership and the military. The book would have been awesome if the ENTIRE thing was the two of them being presented with various problems/battles and them attempting to find a solution together. I loved how they were quick-thinking, and witty at times, Arin knew he had to push to envelope, but knew how to do it in a way so that it would gain him respect and not a beating. In these aspects, they were a lot like June and Day…. my favorite power couple of all time.
This is going to sound like one of the most unusual statements EVER for someone talking about The Winner's Curse but my favorite character in this novel was Kestral’s father. The intimidating, powerful, rich, and vicious general of the emperor’s army. This goes along with my borderline-unhealthy obsession with loving psychopaths in Young Adult literature. He reminded me immensely of the Commander (Warner’s father) in the Shatter Me Trilogy. I loved how ruthless and unapologetic he was, and the word “regret” wasn’t even in his vocabulary…. like every all-powerful, life-ruining psychotic leader should be.
Con | Romance: A lot of people loved the way that the developed and cheered for Arin and Kestral whenever an external factor pushed them together. I’m not sure how this could scientifically happen (if book writing is in the least bit scientific), but even though nothing physically happened between them until around 60% of the book had passed, it felt entirely too rushed, insta-lovey, and out of no where. Of course I knew this book had romance in it…. that’s one of the biggest attractions for the reader. Of course I knew they would eventually fall in love and there would be chaos ensuing because slave/master love affairs are taboo. Yet, I could not wrap my head around them. There was no foreshadowing, in terms of chemistry and the dynamic between them. If anything, they seemed more suited to a parabati relationship than a romantic one. There was sincere mutual respect… that’s why Kestral purchased Arin in the first place. Yet, there were no electrifying touches, sarcastic remarks, or other indicators that proved they were attracted to each other or would make a good couple.
Neutral | Would anyone like to explain to me the kind of world/genre are we in?: On the world subject, I felt as if I was reading a novel set in Ancient Rome, set in Pompeii. Yet, this was a completely made-up world. There were slaves, an emperor with generals and province-like locations. There was a strong focus on military and protection. Women were expected to marry or join the army at age 20 (that one was unusual). All of the usual parties, galas, and overall frivolity that comes with being rich was present. So let me break it down for you - I felt like we were in Ancient Rome (historical fiction), but the world was made up (high fantasy), and there was a somewhat corrupt government slaves were determined to overtake (dystopian). What does this mean? What genre do I classify this as? *cries and collapses from confusion*
Con | Pacing: *We resume Sofia’s two-year old rant with this statement* I was told this book was fast-paced! *sits on ground to pout* but I was able to tear myself away for the sake of twitter. A good book should NOT be able to let Twitter get in my way. The entire novel, I was thinking, “When are we getting to the big climatic scene?” Things started happening around the 60% point, but once they did, they weren’t able to hold my interest very well and I grew bored quickly.
Pro | Writing Style: As an author trying to please Sofia Li, the number one thing you can do to boost your star rating is writing well. There isn’t a magic recipe or equation for greatness, but readers can just sense good writing when they read it. It wasn’t so much the way Rutkoski told THE story, but how she TOLD story. Her word choice was exquisite and (as odd as this may sound) the arrangement of her words was flawless. This mostly shone through with her descriptions/metaphors when painting a beautiful picture of minuscule details. She made exiting a room eloquent and playing a game lyrical.
How Likely Is It That I Will Read Another Book By This Author?
40%
There is so much pre-publication hype from a ton of bloggers I know, love, and respect their opinions. I'm obviously not going to purchase the hardcover at full retail price, but I am considering borrowing it from the library because Rutkoski could have a wonderful sophmore novel in this series. But it is most definitely not at the top of my list. (On top of putting too much faith in hype, I keep coming back for more.... no wonder I'm not in a romantic relationship with anyone)
Conclusion:I let the hype surrounding this novel get the best of me and didn’t enjoy the story or romance as much as I could have, but the way it was told was exquisite.
Let's Discuss~ Did you read/enjoy The Winner's Curse?
Was your reading experience spoiled for you because of hype?
Who was your favorite character?
Did you think this novel was fast-paced?
Do you ship Kestral & Arin together?
What do you think will be in store for us in The Winner's Crime?
Goodreads Synopsis: The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.
Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.
Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.
Disclaimer: I received this book from HarperTeen as a giveaway prize from Aly @ My Heart Hearts Books and the fact that this was an ARC copy did not effect my honest opinion in any way.
Who Would I Recommend This Book To?
Fans of the Selection (Kiera Cass)
Would I Buy It?
35%
Because I was not in love with the novel, I don't think I would purchase it at full price, but I would definitely ask for The Jewel as a gift because I did enjoy it and the cover is simply gorgeous enough to want to own the finished, hardcover copy.
Background & Backstory
As you may know, The Jewel is probably THE most anticipated Young Adult Dystopian debut release of September. I had put the book on hold at my local library so I could be on of the first readers when they ordered it in, but I won a giveaway and had the book sent to me instead. I mean, how could I pass up an opportunity to read The Jewel?
What Was My Reaction After I Finished This Book?
I had three thoughts: first, that was a cop-out; second, I knew I liked that guy; third, sequel, NOW!
The Jewel was marketed as "The Selection meets The Handmaid's Tale" while I have not read The Handmaid's Tale, I have read the entire Selection Trilogy (in terms of all the books out to date), and that series was marketed as "The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor." I understand where the publicist got both pitches for The Jewel, but I sincerely think it should have been pitched as, "The Hunger Games meets pretty dresses and an intriguing dystopian premise." Then again, I am not, nor do I claim to be a book marketer.... so some might disagree with that statement.
There were so many indirect Hunger Games references and parallels to a point where it got on my nerves. The most prominent (and most annoying) parallel between the two was Lucien who is Violet's prep artist before the auction took place. And guess what? He chose to be her prep artist AND helps her throughout the story AND says some cheesy line before the auction, proving that he believes in her. That doesn't sound at all like Cinna from the Hunger Games and "I'm still betting on you." I know there was reason I was so hyper-aware of the similarities, but it got to a ridiculous point where so many the customs, preparations, and guidelines of The Jewel's world was like THG.
I can take a lot from a story before I get annoyed, my taste is not on par with the classics. Yet, the poor excuse for a "relationship" between Ash and Violet was the most insane form of insta-love I have EVER seen. I've read books where the two protagonists have an instant connection or some kind of bond between them that immedieatly draws the two of them together. However, it's even more pathetic than Shatter Me, where Juliette falls in love with the very first guy who ever talks to her, because at least they have a childhood connection. In The Jewel, Ash talks to Violet for a page and she's already talking about being in love with him. In terms of chemistry, I felt Violet cared more about characters we saw for a single chapter, rather than a large portion of the story.
I know this comes from me being a teenager who has not experienced all the world has to offer, so she doesn't have the respect for great works of literature (look, I'm talking in 3rd person), but fast-pace is one of the most enticing elements of writing, as well as one that will make me stay in the long run. The Jewel's pace was break-neck, and I could have read it in one sitting.... you know, if I didn't have that pesky thing called school.
The best, defining quality of The Jewel was its premise. In terms of dystopian, this one outshone all of the others. It was extremely innovative and the execution followed through. The ending, on the other hand was predicable and the one time I wasn't loving the story (besides the romance).
How Likely Is It That I Will Re-Read This Book?
20%
As I described it, The Jewel, is a lot like The Selection Trilogy in terms of my enjoyment, pacing, and engagement as a reader. With that said, I don't think I will be re-reading it any time soon because of the aggravating characters (What book does that sound like? *hint*), I think I may have to so I can read the sequels.
How Likely Is It That I Will Read The Sequel To This Book?
80% The Jewel was a fun, exciting, light, suspenseful read that left off with a cliffhanger ending. My brain will certainly crave a "guilty pleasure book" such as the sequel to The Jewel in a year or so when I need some comic and stress relief after starting school.
Conclusion: If you're in the mood for a fast-paced, intriguiging, innovative dystopian read, The Jewel will not disappoint.
Rating: 8/10
Series: Shatter Me #8
Genre: Dystopian, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction,
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 5, 2014
Page Count: 461
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis: tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.
Disclaimer: In this review, there will be spoilers for both Shatter Me and Unravel Me. I am also trying out a new-ish review format where I respond to things said in a BookTalk done by Christine @ polandbananasBOOKS. If you don't know, a BookTalk (commonly posted on BookTube) is a spoiler-filled review in a style that feels more like the YouTuber is having a Talk about a Book, rather than meticulously critiquing aspects of the story. It's almost as if the YouTuber was just sitting down for coffee with their friends (us viewers) and discuss the book. In my response to Christine's BookTalk, I will agree/disagree with Christine, answer her questions, and basically ramble on whatever comes to mind in response to what she says. The reason I'm trying out this new format is because I want to know what other people think, and it is just so awesome having other people (such as BookTubers) discuss books and spark conversations.
Backstory: I thought I finished Shatter Me fast. *claps hands slowly for self* Boy, was I wrong. While reading Unravel Me, I broke ALL TIME reading records (because people totally record those) in terms of pace. Let me walk you through it: I borrow the book from the library around 2:30 in the afternoon. I run a few errands, talk to the folks, etcetera until 4:30 which is when I start the book. In an hour and a half, I fly through 150 pages of the book. This would mean that I was averaging around 35 seconds for each page. Even though I would normally consider myself a fast reader, I am never THAT fast. After a run (which went great), dinner (with fries that were waaay too salty), and chores, I picked the book up again at 10:15 and finished it by 12:15. In TWO FREAKING HOURS, I read over 300 pages. Don't ask me how I did it, and I know I will never do it again (except maybe for Ignite Me), I don't have a clue as to how I absorbed everything that went on in the story. All I know is that my brain had this rabid, feral hunger to read the book.... so I read.
0:35 ~ XTINE: I definitely enjoyed [Unravel Me]more than Shatter Me.
Sofia: I have to be honest, I was kind of on the fence after I had just finished Unravel Me, as to which novel was better. Twenty-four hours later, however, I agree with Xtine that Unravel Me me was better, but the reason I was so on the fence was because there were definitely some aspects *cough* Juliette's whining/moaning *cough* that made me dislike the book.
0:55 ~ XTINE: You have to read Destroy Me, which is the novella, which comes in between Unravel Me and Shatter Me.
Sofia: Guess who failed at that? *points thumbs at self* This girl! I wanted to read Destroy Me, I really did. I wanted to get inside Warner's psychotic head, and try to understand him more. (Remember, he's ANDEN on steroids). But when I went to the library yesterday, I wasn't even sure if they had Unravel Me, but when I found at that they did (and it was checked in) I borrowed it and immediately read it. Going back, I really would have liked to read Destroy Me, because of the way Xtine describes it, and everything that had gone on -like character development. Tonight, I may actually buckle down and buy it, with that hefty $2.99 price, even though I had wanted to purchase the bind-up of Destroy Me and Fracture Me.
1:42 ~ Xtine: We open back with Juliette being frustrating again.
Sofia: Frustrating? Frustrating is an understatement. Juliette is a whining, moaning and groaning b*tch for so long in Unravel Me and the levels of self pity that go on during a majority of the book make me want to slap her so she can return to reality. Thankfully, Kenji does that for me. Thanks Kenji! I owe you big time.
2:12 ~ Xtine: It's really frustrating to see a character with so much potential to be strong, act so helpless, and weak, and irritating. It's so frustrating, when in the beginning of the second book, one person in the couple will be hiding something from the other, and the other person is just like, "Oh, I'll ask later."
Sofia: Get your freaking act together Juliette. You're in a world where you could be killed any moment just because you are who you are. Aint nobody got time for you dragging your feet. As Xtine so eloquently states, "Hold him down until he tells me."
3:04 ~ Xtine: She purposefully made these names unshippable.
Sofia: Heck to the yeah! When I have an OTP I want a ship name so I don't have to spend the extra time saying both their names. Yet both Juliette and Adam AND Juliette and Warner have names that CANNOT be shipped. Do you know how frustrating that was?
3:26 ~ Xtine: He's been hardened into this creature by his father.
Sofia: Pumps fist! While Xtine goes off on a tangent comparing Warner to Sebastian and Jace from the TMI series, it gives me a chance to go off on my tangent with the parallels with Anden from the Legend Trilogy. Anden isn't a hardened creature, but he has been taught to hold back all emotion (as politicians have to do), and I just love how both June and Juliette have to break down walls in order to find out who the real person is.
4:56 ~ Xtine: Juliette is weaker with Adam.
Sofia: Xtine goes off on a long spiel, better than I can, on how Juliette is when she is with Adam. Now, I never liked him in the first place. For some reason, I didn't trust him, and he seemed too "pretty boy" to me. When he flips out because of multiple people, on multiple occasions, he becomes his possessive jerk that I want to punch in the face. I never liked the two of them together, and they are SOOO bad together on so many levels.
5:00-6:00 ~ Xtine: [She basically talks about how Juliette and Warner challenge each other, and make each other better people when they are together]
Sofia: Hell yes! I love the two of them together. They're basically a dynamic comedic duo. They play off of, and buffer off of each other, being better when they're together versus when they're apart. They play to each other's strengths and weaknesses, and create one heck of a show for us.
6:15 ~ Xtine: Do we think Adam will learn to control his abilities and they will get back together in the final book.
Sofia: If Adam does, I will throw a hissy fit. The whole reason he is out of control (besides it being an interesting factor in the plot), is so that Juliette can end up with Warner. I don't ask for much in this world, but Tahereh, "PLEEEEASE don't make that d****e learn to control his abilities."
7:30 ~ Xtine: Anderson is a really attractive psychopath.
Sofia: I'm beginning to question my taste in men, but I oddly liked Anderson. I don't know how to describe it, but I almost respect and admire Anderson for what he's done and created in such a short time. The way he seems so calm, cool, collected, and in control of the situation even when everyone else is running around, saying things have gone to hell. He's a villain that I adore to hate, he's also, as Tahereh describes, quite attractive in the 45 year-old-man kind of way, sort of like George Clooney.
7:56 ~ Xtine: Adam comes in and says, "That's my dad."
Sofia: I have to admit, I was a bad girl, I read to the synopses of the books ahead while I was in the middle of Shatter Me. *holds up hands to shield face* I had to add them to my Goodreads TBR. In the process, I already knew that Adam and Warner were half brothers, so I didn't drop the book and gasp, wondering what my life had come to. In fact, I was surprised at how understated Mafi made the scene. I expected some mystery, some intense process showdown of a scene where we find out that they are half brothers. In no way am I saying that the scene was bad, it is actually quite shocking and abrupt for someone who didn't know. Yet, for me, as someone who did know the spoiler, it seemed so blatant, and the information was just lain on the table all at once.
8:43 ~ Xtine: Both [Anderson's] kids have abilities.
Sofia: I wanna know *rocks on balls of feet* Just like Xtine, I wanna know if Anderson has some subtle ability that had helped him take over. There has to be something -like reading other people's minds- that help him, or maybe he has some way to detect emotion like Warner. Whatever it is, I NEED to know what other secrets that attractive man is hiding.
9:10 ~ Xtine: Murderer on my lap!
Sofia: LOL
9:40 ~ Xtine: Warner's real name is Aaron.
Sofia: I have NO idea what I expected. What I did expect was something more. Warner is such a strong, bold character, and for his name to be Aaron? What the heck! Aaron Warner doesn't quite flow in my mind - I think it's the two "n's." Aaron Anderson also sounds like he is a goody two shoes, so I don't know what to think.
11:06 ~ Xtine: She says the wrong name. He's spilling his soul and the one girl who he opens up to, calls him the wrong name.
Sofia: I didn't understand what the heck went on with Juliette in this scene. Tahereh might have just inserted it to make us all go batsh*t crazy, but seriously. Why call him Adam? It's not like Juliette thought Warner was Adam, or mistook him for Adam. Why did she have to screw everything up like she always does?
12:21 ~ Xtine: I want her to run away with Warner
Sofia: Yes! Yes! Yes! Life would be so much easier, if the two of them ditched everything, and ran away together to live happily ever after. If they can just forget about the war, Anderson, Adam, and everything else. Now that, would be a good ending to their trilogy!
12:40 ~ Xtine: I don't want the whole focus to be on war. That's not what's interesting in this story - it's really these messed up characters and how they interact.
Sofia: Xtine is so right. I don't actually find that much appeal, at least in Unravel Me, in the whole war and government aspect. That is not what I'm coming back to read, I'm coming back for the astounding characters and their interactions. Tahereh Mafi has spent two books, and two novellas, creating and developing these characters. I don't want to say that this book is a romance novel. I really don't want to say that, but it's the relationships between Juliette, Adam, and Warner that truly drive the plot make it a good story.
13:08 ~ Now Juliette is strong and she knows how to use her abilities
The number one thing that people have said, and it's actually gotten annoying, is that Juliette develops as a character. I for one, haven't seen that much of her growth and development, but she sure as heck is better than she was the beginning of the book, and I can't wait to see who she and what she does as the new Juliette in Ignite Me.
Quotes 10/10:
“On the darkest days you have to search for a spot of brightness, on the coldest days you have to seek out a spot of warmth; on the bleakest days you have to keep your eyes onward and upward and on the saddest days you have to leave them open to let them cry. To then let them dry. To give them a chance to wash out the pain in order to see fresh and clear once again.”
I could spend all day talking about Tahereh Mafi's writing style. There are certain passages, such as the one above, that sound like poetry, beautiful threads woven into an even more glorious tapestry. Despite Juliette's whiny and overal b*tchiness, the kinds of quotes above and below are the ones that I was read ing Unravel Me for.
"Do you like Shakespeare?" he asks me.
An odd segue.
I shake my head. "All I know about him is that he stole him name and spelled it wrong."
When Warner and Juliette have some alone time together in Warner's prison cell, and I nearly laughed out loud when they started talking about William Shakespeare and how he stole Juliette's name and spelled it incorrectly. The literary reference was just priceless, and hilarious especially in the situation they were in
Random Comment: The whole [insert verb here] Me thing: SHATTER. DESTROY. UNRAVEL. FRACTURE. IGNITE.
I think the only reason this was an issue for me was because I was conscious of the the [insert verb] Me thing that went on with all five works. At times, especially in Shatter Me, it felt like Tahereh was inserting as many "Shatter Me...." and in this book's case "Unravel Me...." sentences/phrases as possible to a point that it was overkill. This was just minor pet peeve that bothered me during both Shatter Me, and Unravel Me, and absolutely did not distract from my enjoyment of the book.
Continuation 100%: Ignite Me is already on hold my library, and I think I may burst, because it isn't due back until around the 30th. I have the two novellas to satisfy me, but I need a satisfying conclusion, and closure on these characters. I have also heard from everyone, that it is the best book in the series because of how much Juliette has changed and developed into a kickass character.
Conclusion: Unravel Me is a strong sequel with complex characters, an intense love triangle, and a heart stopping plot.
Rating: 8/10
Series: Shatter Me #1
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Dystopian, Young Adult, Fiction,
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Page Count: 338
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Goodreads Synopsis: I have a curse
I have a gift
I am a monster
I'm more than human
My touch is lethal
My touch is power
I am their weapon
I will fight back
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.
The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.
Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.
While this wasn't the BEST book I have ever read (*applauds* Congrats Sofia for having such a positive first sentence), it certainly is one of the most exhilarating, romance-filled, yet fast paced novels I have ever read. My first, pre-first point is that Shatter Me has had a lot on controversy surrounding it and people who have read it have either loved or hated the book. Personally, I was one of the ones that loved it.
Backstory Time: It's past midnight on Monday, the 14th of July. Sofia (yes, it's third person time) has already finished two books in the time she has been awake that day. And instead of going to bed, what does Sofia do? She starts a new book which happens to be Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. *Fun Fact* Sofia had been wanting to read Shatter Me for a while now, and had borrowed it from the library, but she was not intending to start this specific book. Yet, she literally reached down to the floor (where the pile of books are *flips hair* obviously), and picked it up on a semi-whim. So then Sofia reads until almost 4 am and would have liked to keep reading, but was too tired to continue doing so, and promptly leaves off at 238 pages so she will have an even 100 more. The very next thing she does later that day (because it was past midnight) is pick up the book, and continues reading until completion at approximately 11:30 am.
Writing Style: This is unlike any book I have ever read before. The text itself was crossed out in certain places for either a word, or a sentence, or even an entire page. I have only ever seen striked through text in Every You, Every Me by David Levithan, and the same rules applied in Shatter Me. Crossed out text is what the narrator truthfully thinks/wants to say versus what is actually said and done. On top of that, the phrases and quotes were beautifully lyrical, and the writing just flowed and almost gave off a whimsical feel.
Romance: There are two things most people in the bookish community hate. Number One - Instalove. Number Two - Love Triangles. Shatter Me.... had both of them. Yet, I personally think they made the story better. The romance played a huge part in the novel, and was one of the factors that drove the plot without Shatter Me being A. annoying or B. over-bearing. There are two love interests, Warner and Adam. Warner is the over-bearing obsessive and possessive 19 year old leader of Section 45. Adam, on the other hand, is the secretly rebellious soldier who works for Warner and has an instant connection with Juliette because of his connection with her because of her somewhat tragic past. Warner:As Sofia, 95% of the time, I gravitate towards the main character, and more commonly if the MC is a girl. Yet, that is not the case with Shatter Me. My favorite character in the book, as well as one of my favorite male characters of all time (he's seriously up there with Peeta, Day, Percy, etc). Don't ask me why I like him so much either. He is actually an extremely psychotic person, who is borderline creepy at times. If I were to try and compare him, I would say he was a much rougher and gruff Anden from the Legend if Anden were in the head of the military instead of the head of a country. *Sidenote: I do not count being a pilot as part of the military* Warner is a very.... twisted person that is twisted in an almost stalker-ish way. Then again, you really have to read the book in order to see his appeal, because the way I'm describing him to you.... is making him seem like the LAST character you want to read about.
World-Building: I am aware from some reviews that people had the impression that the world-building was poorly done. I loved the world that Tahereh has created. While it was a standard dystopian premise, I appreciated all of the details she gave us, and the intricate background. Occasionally, it felt like there was info-dumping, but I still enjoyed hearing about the rich structure and everything that had gone to hell.
Pace:In my personal reading experience, Shatter Me was one of those books where you open page one, and all of a sudden you look down and see that you are on page 67. I know that some might say it was too romance driven, or not enough political intrigue, and a number of other complaints, but something about Shatter Me made me feel like I was on an insane rollercoaster that was going 100 miles an hour (yet I didn't throw up which can be a huge downer). There just seemed to be event after revelation after plot twist after intense making out session.
Continuation 90%: I have already reserved the other two books in the trilogy and cannot wait to dig into them. I have heard that the series just gets better and better and that Ignite Me is one of the most explosive finales some people have ever read.
Conclusion: Shatter Me is a gorgeous novel with beautiful prose, detailed world-building, breakneck pace, and swoon worthy protagonists.
Rating: 7.75/10 Series: Sinners #1 Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Romance, Publication Date: Publisher: Page Count: Format: eBook Source: Netgalley from Mark My Words Publicity Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N Goodreads Synopsis: Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win. The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.
Interview
What was it like co-authoring your debut novel? Now be honest here, Abi and Missy, I know you say you're best friends, but there had to be fights over scenes/characters/descriptions. No, we never fought over scenes, characters, or descriptions. We talked about them ahead of time, listing what we wanted, and went from there. But no, there weren’t any arguments over that. As far as co-authoring, it has pros and cons. For us, it was mostly pros. Most people probably wouldn’t want to share their work or allow others to touch or change it, but we’re pretty selfless when it comes to allowing each other to edit and/or rewrite sections. We definitely know each other’s strengths so it’s easy to pass off specific scenes to each other. And if one of us is in a rut, the other person can pick up the slack. It can be hard to coordinate schedules, but I’d say that’s the only difficulty for us. We definitely both enjoy writing together.
When can we expect the sequel to Branded, and what can we expect? Will it be focused more on their life outside of the Hole, on why the Hole exists in the first place, Cole's intense swoonworth-iness/yumminess factor? We’re currently writing book 2. You can expect to see more of the outside world. We’ve got some surprises up our sleeves that we’re dying to share!
How long have the two of you known each other, and what made you decide to write Branded together? When did you begin writing, and what made you decide to self-publish? We’ve known each other since 1999! Abi & I used to meet up to talk about books we were reading and we decided to write our own. She came up with the concept, and from there we built a gritty, violent, unfair society. It just came to life! Honestly, when we first wrote it, it was just for us. After reading through it though, we agreed we should publish it.
Was there any particular reason that Lust was the deadly sin that Lexi was accused of?
I think it’s one of the easiest things to accuse someone of, sadly. Otherwise, not really. It was just what we wrote and we ran with it.
If you committed one of the sins, which one would it be? We all know there would be one. Would you lust after fame and fortune? Indulge yourself in that cute pair of shoes you saw at the mall? Fail to go to church? Break something out of anger? Not share your toys with others? For me (Missy), it’d be wrath. Haha. That’s why I have a nice, big punching bag in my basement. For me (Abi) wrath. I work out like crazy to get that all out
Disclaimer: I received this book from Mark My Words Publicity which does not affect my honest review in any way.
Were you afraid of writing what could have easily been turned into a cliche novel? The girl falls in love with the enemy, they have to hide their love, or risk dying painful deaths.
Not really. We knew our society was different than what others have created. We have no sci fi elements. We have a fun-loving dog as a main character. There were just a few things that we feel set it apart. Plus, the Branding itself, is a unique concept.
Pro: The Premise. Like Missy and Abi said, this is a concept that has never been done before. I have never read a book that mentioned the 7 Deadly Sins, and to be honest, I didn't even know the specific sins when I started reading the book. The general structure of the novel, with an oppressive government, and a girl falling in love with her captor, and then them wanting to run away is a classic arc for a lot of dystopian books. Yet Missy and Abi made it all their own. The idea of the Hole is quite terrifying, especially because of how often people were banished to it. It would be one thing if only hardened criminals were thrown in, but Lexi was a one-time offense case.... that didn't actually do anything wrong.
Pro: The Pacing. Oh my gosh, the speed of this book. It didn't let me become bored for a single moment, and I was captured by the different events happening and being described. This was the best part of the book in my opinion, because even when books have characters, romance, and other elements that you dislike, you generally hang on still if there is a good plot.
What inspired the fact that the seven deadly sins were the supposed downfall of humanity? Abi came up with the concept of branding sinners with their sins. From there, we built an entire world around it and it only made sense to make that the downfall of society. (in their eyes) In all reality, there are some sects of people that believe these things today!
Pro: The World Building. I absolutely adored the ingenuity of the Hole, and uniqueness (not the reasons why characters were in the hole or the conditions), kind of like the characters own personal hell. There were some painfully vivid descriptions that teach you one lesson. Do NOT commit any of the 7 Deadly Sins, because you will not survive being in there.
What/Who inspired the character Alyssa? Was she just someone the two of you thought of, or was she more symbolic, as a beacon of hope, and a ray of sunshine for the story. Alyssa is a character of hope in the book. She brings a lightness to the story despite her situation. As far as who she’s based off of. For me (Missy), I thought of a friend of mine I used to babysit, who passed away from cancer when she was only 10. Alyssa reminds me of her in that she carries hope & faith and gives it to others despite her sickness. Abi- Before I had my daughters I was a hospice nurse, and when I was working with a child. Sometimes their strength inspired me, and I couldn’t help but admire the way they were dealing with their illness. I love Alyssa. She is an inspiration to me.
Pro: Alyssa. I hate to say this, but I think Alyssa was my favorite character in the book (sorry Lexi). In the world of darkness that is the Hole, she is the symbol of innocence, purity, and hope -and us readers always need an Alyssa to lighten the story up. for those of you that haven't read the book, she is basically the Primrose and Rue of Branded. Alyssa is a 13 year old girl that has been dying of a deadly disease for months now, and is in constant pain. Then Lexi shows up and the two of them help each other. Lexi provides comfort and reassurance. Alyssa proves to be a much needed anchor for Lexi.
Pro: Cole. I honestly don't know how you can be a guard (like he is) without being totally swoon worthy and hot. The chemistry between the two of them is immediately visible to readers, although I know I can't be the only one when I say that I wish I had Cole to myself. He pulled off the "gruff guar that doesn't want to fall in love with you for the sake of both our safety" without seeming too untouchable. And (this helped me a lot) he reminded me so much of Four from Divergent, more specifically, Theo James. I need not explain myself any further.
Con: Writing Style. While the story was fast paced and the plot kept me going, the writing style itself was not the highest quality I have ever encountered. The general voice of Lexi Hamilton (who the story is told by) isn't very unique. There are also quite a few descriptions that seemed cliche, "bloodcurdling scream. blood-red object." Lastly, when Cole professed his love for Lexi, I felt like I was reading a script for a cheesy soap opera. Don't get me wrong, I loved the fact that they were in love, but the way he did is seemed almost like the speech you would make when building up to a marriage proposal.
Con: Characters. I didn't feel like Cole and Lexi were really one-of-a-kind characters. I credit this to my slight dislike of the writing style. Even if Abi and Missy described them, I didn't feel a very strong connection with Lexi and Cole. I didn't get the sense that they were real people, with desires, needs, and values.
Conclusion: Branded is a perfect quick read if you want your taste of action, adventure, and swoon-worthy romance.
Goodreads Synopsis: Mary is stuck in Section One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent her from exploring the vacant city to find out. Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed. Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him. Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries.
Okay, I have to be honest with you guys. Honesty is the best policy right? I did not enjoy The Only Boy by Jordan Locke very much. I have several reasons for this. The first is that I had wanted to read TOB a lot every since I first heard about it and read the synopsis. The second reason I wanted to is connected to my first. It was too hyped up. I know this is a really weird statement to make about an Indie novel, but Jordan Locke really did put a lot of effort into publicizing his book, which is completely fine and the right thing to do, especially in his position an an Indie author. He had book blitzes with Xpresso Book Tours and I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, a blog tour with I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and a review opportunity with Xpresso Book Tours. And those are just the promotional methods I can think of off the top of my head. Anyway, I had heard about it originally from Xpresso Book Tours, and jumped at the opportunity to review it.
The Only Boy is a science fiction novel, about an anomaly that would be killed if discovered by all the people that are all the same. A little risk of being overused, but still the foundation of what could be an amazeballs story. I know Indie published books have a bed reputation sometimes due to the fact that they are -Indie published. I have heard complaints about grammar, structure, characters, and you name it - someone has complained about it. I for one, while wary with my Indies, am still aware that there are some wonderful gems like Peaceful Genocide: J.A. Reynolds, Clan: Realm Lovejoy, and How to Say Goodbye: Amber Lin, and I had hoped that The Only Boy would be one of those gems. Sadly, it was not.
My first statement about The Only Boy was that the premise had so much freaking potential. I am in love with science fiction, throw in everyone being the same, add somebody different in a unique situation (like being the only boy in a society of all girls), a pinch of genetics and overbearing government, and I am ready to go. This could have been a breathtaking novel that made me tap through my Kindle, and clutch it to my chest when the sparks flew. What I would like to establish was that it wasn't. I have many complaints throughout this review, but the bottom line is that I didn't like the book.
I felt like I had absolutely no connection with the characters. Mary and Taylor were very underdeveloped, and I felt like they never truly felt things. For example, there is a large portion of the book where Mary and Taylor are separated. Sure they said they missed each other, and wished they hadn't parted ways (I'm trying not to spoil the book with word choice), but did they ever really prove it? As a reader, I don't think so. It's not like I wanted to read an epic love story between the two with flowery language, and the promise that they would die without each other, but I did expect a heck of a lot more emotion than what they gave.
"It's the little things that count....."
Thank goodness that quote wasn't used in the book, otherwise I really would have disliked it, but it serves as a transition into my next complaint. Part of what makes a character feel real is the little details and subtle nuances about them. I don't want to read an entire paragraph describing what Mary was wearing, or why Taylor loves the color blue. But I do want to know about them. I want to know what makes characters tick. I want to know the body language of a character when they're sad. I want to know what their values are. And what I want to know really isn't that demanding. It doesn't require an entire novel in and of itself to describe why somebody values trust above everything else. I just want a few sentences here and there that gives me all of this information.
I would also like to put in my little Legend plugin and say that the dual point of views in The Only Boy had SO much potential. This is where Jordan Locke could have let us into Mary and Taylor's head, develop a connection with them, and then I would have cared more about what was happening to them than the newest tweet from Christina Grimmie. When two people tell a story, you are able to completely be immersed with different opinions, and it's constant stimulation because there are two different people. Instead, I would have enjoyed the story better if it was in third person, which is something I rarely ever say.
Next up in this review.... the romantic dynamic. I am sorry for my next statement, and I know it is extremely sexist, but I have to say it because I keep seeing it over and over again in male, science fiction authors. They can't write romance. Indie, big publishing house, young, old, teacher, police officer (okay, I haven't actually read a book authored by a police officer), all of them can't seem to right a good romance. I'm not asking for swoon worthy guys and a sonnet explaining two people's love for each other. What I do want is something that isn't overdone or emotionless.
This is a tad bit of a spoiler, but (come one, who didn't guess this one) Mary and Taylor "fall in love." I say this statement with quotation marks because I felt NOTHING between the two of them. It was as if it were a "right time in the right place" situation, and Taylor could have fallen for anybody else. I mean, he had an entire compound of girls to choose from considering he was the ONLY BOY.
Another perfect transition into how the world building of The Only Boy lacked in a lot of departments. It didn't really make a whole lot of sense. There is a whole explanatiion as to why he is the freaking ONLY BOY in the ENTIRE compound, but it still doesn't seem realistic. You might be thinking, "Well gee Sofia, it's FICTION" But fiction is supposed to at least make sense. It was explained how people were created without any men, and it was explained how Taylor got to be the only boy. Yet the explanation was extremely vague, and didn't make a lot of sense to me. Anyone can sit there and tell me about the science of genetics, but you have to keep my interest and explain it in a simple way.
Also, you know all that "Show, Don't Tell" business ELA teachers love to shove down your throat? Well, it might have helped Locke if he had done a little of that. I don't need the descriptions to be distracting, I just need them to be there.
What really ruined everything for me was the stinking plot. The first chapter was good, but as soon as Mary found out Taylor was a boy (way too soon in my opinion), everything went downhill. I could have bared everything else if the plot kept me interested. The undeveloped characters, flimsy world building, and uninteresting romance would have all been forgotten if The Only Boy had been a page turner. Sadly, on my part, the author's, and Xpresso Book Tours, this was not meant to be. If you asked me to give you a recap, or one of those fancy plot graphics, I probably couldn't even though I'm writing this review the same day I finished the book like a good little book blogger.
Conclusion: What could have been a wonderful story, and a gem in a pile of Indie rocks, was not meant to be and left me utterly disappointed.
