Teaser Tuesdays - The Darkest Minds

They had burned so bright, and fought so hard to get free. But none of them had made it to sixteen.

(page 80, The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken)


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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Dread Nation - Book Review

Dread Nation (Dread Nation #1)
by Justina Ireland

What is it about:
Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems.

What did I think of it:
I confess: the cover is totally what put this book on my radar. Then I read there were zombies in it and I knew I had to get my trotters on this book. I even broke my rule that I shouldn't buy books over 10 Euro. I didn't want to wait for the paperback.

And this book is worth it!

I was hooked from the start. Jane is a really cool heroine. She learned to use all the tricks in her book to survive. Often she manages to get out of trouble by lying, acting, and more, but in a way that you admire her for her cleverness and survival instincts. Then there's Katherine, her class rival. I loved Katherine as well. She learned other ways to keep going in a world that's against them. When they're forced to work together sparks fly.

There are tons of other really interesting characters as well, and I had some favorites I rooted for.

The worldbuilding is excellent. Yes, there are walking dead - or deathless as they're called here by some - but the way it is written I could believe this could have happened. The setting and atmosphere felt realistic (and totally infuriating at times). Ireland manages to weave fiction and historic facts into a really cool story.

As for the story: it has it all! Intrigue, action, betrayal, zombies, friendship, heartache. There are some serious issues tackled as well: slavery, discrimination, racism. These themes are part of the story and as I mentioned before, some of the things that happened and were said were infuriating and made my blood boil.

When I started on this book, I expected it to be an entertaining read, but let me tell you: it exceeded expectations and had me totally engrossed. This is an awesome read! The ending left me both satisfied and hungry for more. You bet I'll get my greedy trotters on the next book once it releases.

Why should you read it:
It's a totally awesome Historical Zombie read.


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Shattered Souls - Book Review

Shattered Souls (Souls #1)
by Mary Lindsey

What is it about:
Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

What did I think of it:
This was an entertaining read.

I will confess I was glad that Zak was the starting boyfriend (and we all know what happens to relationships that are already established at the start of a YA book: they're doomed!), because let me tell you: Zak is a really unfortunate name when you speak Dutch. Let me say that it's an insult, and unfortunately enough for Zak, the name suited him. He totally was one!

Lenzi herself really should get her priorities straight. She finds out she's some sort of Ghost-whisperer, but is too busy with pining after Zak and thinking how hot Alden is, to actually try to deal with the ghosts. Still I had a good time with this story. When I started the book I had wanted a bit more ghost-whispering and less angsty hot boy drama, but once I figured out what the focus of the story was, I just sat back and enjoyed the drama.

There were some storylines that tried to make the story more suspenseful, but felt forced to me. Still I was entertained enough to finish the book. I won't pick up the next one though.

Why should you read it:
It's an entertaining Paranormal YA read.


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On McPig's Wishlist - Girls of Paper and Fire

Girls of Paper and Fire
by Natasha Ngan

Each year, eight beautiful girls are chosen as Paper Girls to serve the king. It's the highest honor they could hope for...and the most cruel.

But this year, there's a ninth girl. And instead of paper, she's made of fire.

In this lush fantasy, Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most oppressed class in Ikhara. She lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother snatched by royal guards still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this time it's Lei they're after--the girl whose golden eyes have piqued the king's interest.

Over weeks of training in the opulent but stifling palace, Lei and eight other girls learn the skills and charm that befit being a king's consort. But Lei isn't content to watch her fate consume her. Instead, she does the unthinkable--she falls in love. Her forbidden romance becomes enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens the very foundation of Ikhara, and Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide just how far she's willing to go for justice and revenge.


Expected publication: October 23rd 2018


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Crescendo - Book Review

Crescendo (Hush, Hush #2)
by Becca Fitzpatrick

What is it about:
Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's archenemy, Marcie Millar.

Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feelings that he is hiding something.

If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to figure out what happened, she puts herself in increasingly dangerous situations to get the answer. But maybe some things are better left buried, because the truth could destroy everything - and everyone - she trusts.

What did I think of it:
It has been awhile since I read the first book, but I remembered it as a nice read where the heroine is sensible, even though she has a bratty best friend.

Nora and Vee seemed to have switched roles in this book however...

Nora pushes Patch away to keep him safe from repercussions of the angels, but then starts angsting and acting totally whiny and irrational. Patch isn't helping things by staying silent and acting broody. If it wasn't for the fact that I have the complete series on my shelves, I would have DNFed after the first 25%.

To my surprise I started to get into the story despite Nora's behavior though. I was curious to find out what Patch was up to, how Scott fit into the whole mess, and what happened to Nora's father. I even wanted to know more about Marcie. As annoying as people were acting, the writing and storytelling were pleasant.

So in the end this turned out to be a nice read. It won't end up a keeper, but I will most probably finish the series.

Why should you read it:
It's a nice Paranormal YA read.


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TBR Orphans Update - March

I read two Orphans in March.
I even started a third, but DNFed it at 25%, so I didn't count that one.

Crescendo has been in my TBR pile since June 2014.
Shattered Souls since July 2016.

Reviews for both will come soon.


How did your challenges go?

Red Rising - Book Review

Red Rising (Red Rising Saga #1)
by Pierce Brown

What is it about:
Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.

Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

What did I think of it:
I will confess I had some trouble getting into this book, but after the first few chapters I connected and was hooked.

I loved the worldbuilding and must say that as devious as the lies are that have been told to the Reds, I thought it was a really smart ploy. So often in Dystopian books the oppressors aren't very smart about it. Here I could at least understand why the ruling class hasn't have to deal with a revolt or worse.

And the Institute!

I was expecting a boarding school situation, but instead it's a dog eat dog world. Teens having to battle it out to prove who's worthy of being a Gold. I loved how Darrow and the people he befriends try to stay on top of things. Hunger, betrayal, shifting alliances... There is a lot going on and Darrow has to keep his wits if he wants to survive, let alone win.

I liked Darrow, but I fell in love with some of the other characters. At one point I was rooting more for one of them than for Darrow I will confess. Luckily that character made it to the end of the book, something that can't be said about everyone. If things continue like this, it might be best not to get too attached to anyone.

That said, this is an action-packed and thrilling read. I will get my trotters on the next book for sure.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool Dystopian YA read.


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