Series: Eve #1 Publication Date: August 12, 2015 Publisher: Jenna Moreci Genre: New Adult, Sci-Fi Page Count: 547
Eve is an outcast. A chimera. After years of abuse and rejection, 19-year-old Evelyn Kingston is ready for a fresh start in a new city, where no one knows her name. The esteemed Billington University in sunny Southern California seems like the perfect place to reinvent herself—to live the life of an ordinary human. But things at Billington aren’t as they seem. In a school filled with prodigies, socialites, and the leaders of tomorrow, Eve finds that the complex social hierarchy makes passing as a human much harder than she had anticipated. Even worse, Billington is harboring a secret of its own: Interlopers have infiltrated the university, and their sinister plans are targeted at chimeras—like Eve. Instantly, Eve’s new life takes a drastic turn. In a time filled with chaos, is the world focusing on the wrong enemy? And when the situation at Billington shifts from hostile to dangerous, will Eve remain in the shadows, or rise up and fight?
Series: Eve #1 Publication Date: August 12, 2015 Publisher: Jenna Moreci Genre: New Adult, Sci-Fi Format: eARC (from author) Page Count: 547
Eve is an outcast. A chimera. After years of abuse and rejection, Evelyn Kingston is ready for a fresh start in a new city. The esteemed Billington University seems like the perfect place to reinvent herself—to live the life of an ordinary human. But Billington is harboring a secret of it’s own. Interlopers have infiltrated the university, and their sinister plans are targeted at chimeras—like Eve. Instantly, Eve’s new life takes a drastic turn. In a time filled with chaos, is the world focusing on the wrong enemy? And when the situation at Billington shifts from hostile to dangerous, will Eve remain in the shadows, or rise up and fight?
My Review
My expectations: A thrilling science fiction novel following a girl that wields a unique power and goes on a quest of some sort to save the universe all wrapped into an amazing plot. (Let's just say, I set the bar was high on this one)
Reality: A Sci-Fi novel that was engaging, action-packed, and emotional all at the same time with a great main character and great supporting characters all wrapped into one dynamic (*wink,wink* book reference) plot. So basically, that translates into AMAZINGNESS!
I had a lot of faith that Eve: The Awakening was going to be great, but HOLLY BALLS (*wink, wink*)! It was even better then I expected. Eve, the protagonist, is a chimera who has had a rough life due to her "special" condition and a cycle of tragic events she keeps finding herself in. She starts attending Billington college in hopes she can turn her life around for the better, but when her new safe haven becomes threatened by Interlopers (aka nasty, evil aliens), she is forced out of her comfort zone and her talent was put to the test.
I knew I would like Eve from the very beginning because of all her sarcasm and spunk. She is a very admirable character in the way she still stays put together even after all the hardship she has been through and continues to go through. Her love interest was not a stalker, (Thank God!) but a genuine, likable, and not over-controlling character. These traits are actually hard to come by in books, especially if you read YA novels. Thank you Jenna for not making your characters bland. I liked the inclusion of Asians and people with different sexualities.
I found myself becoming so emotionally invested in many of the characters. Jenna created so many lovable and hateable (I don't even think that's a word) characters. Eve creates her own little interloper fighting crew in the novel and I adored them all! The relationships they had with each other and their teamwork against the interlopers was all just perfect. I also loved the concept of being a chimera and wielding the power to move objects with your mind (so basically telekinesis). It is so sad how chimera are treated like evil creatures in this futuristic society when really, chimeras hold this amazing power that can be so helpful. Low key, I kinda wish I was a chimera now, but....only for their talent.
The pacing was spot-on in this book! The action just kept on coming and I was NEVER bored of the plot. It had me hooked until the very end. It was hard to yank my eyes off the page because I was so eager to see what was coming next. On top of all this, I very much enjoyed the writing style in the book. It was descriptive enough for me a to paint a picture in my mind, but not overly descriptive and it gave the book a nice tone. Even though it was told in 3rd person, I was still able to feel connected to the main character's actions and feelings. The romance between the protagonist and the love interest actually felt real! It did not just come out of no where and it had a steady build up. I just wish the book had given a little bit more background information on how the chimera's and interlopers emerged and their origins, but hopefully we will get a little bit more information in the next books,
Conclusion: Eve: The Awakening was an amazing start to a Sci-Fi series I know will continue to be amazing. This book will definitely be added to my list of favorite books of the year and I am dying to get my hands on the sequel. I recommend this book to everyone!
Publication Date: September 22, 2015 Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
A world battered by climate shift and war turns to an ancient method of keeping peace: the exchange of hostages. The Children of Peace - sons and daughters of kings and presidents and generals - are raised together in small, isolated schools called Prefectures. There, they learn history and political theory, and are taught to gracefully accept what may well be their fate: to die if their countries declare war.
Greta Gustafsen Stuart, Duchess of Halifax and Crown Princess of the Pan-Polar Confederation, is the pride of the North American Prefecture. Learned and disciplined, Greta is proud of her role in keeping the global peace — even though, with her country controlling two-thirds of the world’s most war-worthy resource — water — she has little chance of reaching adulthood alive.
Enter Elián Palnik, the Prefecture’s newest hostage and biggest problem. Greta’s world begins to tilt the moment she sees Elián dragged into the school in chains. The Prefecture’s insidious surveillance, its small punishments and rewards, can make no dent in Elián, who is not interested in dignity and tradition, and doesn’t even accept the right of the UN to keep hostages.
What will happen to Elián and Greta as their two nations inch closer to war?
Hold on a second. Can we just take a moment to appreciate how AWESOME this synopsis sounds? I mean if that right there does not explain why I am so excited for this book to be released, I do not know what will! Mark your calendars because it comes out in a little less than 2 months from now! Wow I didn't realize how long that actually is *tear*
Audience: Young Adult -Genre: SciFi, Paranormal -Format: E-book and Paperback -Publisher: Donnielle Tyner - Cover by: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs - Editor: Jessica Nelson of Rare Bird Editing - Pages: 208 -ISBN-10: 069243299X - ISBN-13: 978-0692432990 - ASIN: B00YFPW3N8 - Date Published: 6/19/2015
During WW1, a meteorite crashed, releasing a mist that changed the DNA of all who were exposed. One hundred years has passed and society is divided between the Norms and the Caelians, whose changed DNA awakened dormant gifts, called Talents.
Sadie is over it!
She’s an orphan, her boyfriend was murdered, and she’s the only Caelian at St. Vincent’s without a Talent. Once she turns 18, there will be no place for her in the world. That is, until a chance encounter with Kian, a Caelian boy who makes her feel uncomfortable and alive at the same time.
Secrets of her past are uncovered and Sadie’s latent, rare Talent is exposed. With great power comes the hunters, hired by an egomaniac who wants to use Sadie’s power to establish Caelian dominance. On the run with Kian and her friends, Sadie will have to decide: hide or fight.
Will Sadie accept her new reality or will she stay lost?
My Review
Lost was the story of a girl named Sadie who is a Caelian. Caelians are descendants of those who experienced a change in DNA during an event in WW1 and most of them carry a talent of some sort. Except Sadie, she cannot find her talent and has become depressed due to the loss of her boyfriend to Caelian violence. She runs into trouble while discovering the secrets of her family and her abilities. I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did, but I am definitely so glad I did!
This book's plot holds your attention and keeps you engaged. There was never a time I felt like the story was just dragging on and the plot never got boring. Donielle Tyner paced the book beautifully all the way until the end. It keeps you on your toes! I never had a clue where the plot was going and I enjoyed this aspect of my reading experience very much. The ending was no cliffhanger, but I am still eager for the next book. Thank you Donielle for sparing my heart some ache with a decent ending for a first book in the series.
Now the plot was great, but I believe the characters are what really played a key part in my enjoyment of this book. Sadie was a great protagonist who was strong yet flawed enough to be believable. Kian (the love interest) was creepy at the beginning in the way he followed Sadie around, but he had his reasoning and at least Sadie did not pretend being stalked was all fine and dandy (like some YA novels I know). All of Sadie's friends were really great supporting characters. It made me wish I had friends similar to them. Lost by Donielle Tyner really had the full package. It was a quick and satisfying read.
I put my phone back in my back pocket. Crossing my arms, I looked up at the stars again. The night was devoid of clouds, unusual for spring. Golden stars glittered across the heavens, winking at me from the endless arch of the void and transporting me to a place of tranquillity. The peace of space poured into my soul.
“What’s a Liam moment?” Kian’s gruff voice whispered. I felt his hot breath caress my ear. His closeness both startled me and sent a shiver down my spine. I straightened my back.
“I thought I told you I wasn’t interested.” I attempted to make my voice sound forceful, but it came out soft. I felt the heat from his body as he stepped closer to me.
“What’s your name?” Kian asked. The gruffness of his voice from earlier had left. This new voice was smooth and flowed like poetry. My heart sped up and I heard the blood pulsing in my ears. I was sure he could hear it. What kind of Talent was he using to cause me to react this way?
“Quit using your Talent on me,” I hissed.
“I’m not. If I was, you’d know it,” he replied with a chuckle.
“Oh.” I didn’t understand what was happening. He placed a hand on my waist and the warmth was searing. I was sure it would leave a mark. My eyes closed and my breath deepened. Tingles flowed from his hand, spreading throughout my body and stirring something in my soul. I released a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding. “Take your hand off me and back away before I break your fingers.”
Kian snickered. “Spunky.”
“Creepy,” I replied.
Kian chuckled again, his hot breath shooting sparks right to my stomach.
“Don’t make me ask again.” I felt his hand tense. His fingers increased their pressure against my waist right before the coldness swept in as he removed his hand. I released the breath I was holding.
Donnielle Tyner has held down many jobs, but never found satisfaction until she became a freelance writer and stay at home mom. She began writing in junior high when a teacher gave her a book of poetry. Ever since, she found a deep passion for reading and writing. Donnielle is from North Texas and enjoys her chickens, garden, and most of all her children.
What was once the western United States is now home to the
Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite
family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is
a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles.
Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted
criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to
cross paths—until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes
the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a
race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But
in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really
brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep
its secrets.
My Review
I know what you are thinking. "Oh look great! It's ANOTHER review of Legend. I have NOT seen a review of this one about a million times." *rolls eyes and reaches for the X in the top corner of the computer screen* Well just try to hear me out a minute before you click out of this post. I know everyone and their mom has reviewed this book and had nothing but good things to say about it. I also know that whether you have read this book or not you know/assume it's good because EVERYONE SAYS SO. I too enjoyed the book, but I think the hype got me expecting a little too much of this book.
Let's just get one thing straight. This is pretty much your normal straight of the shelf YA Dystopian novel. It has a protagonist who lives in a messed up society and at the same time also happens to be different from all the rest in his/her thinking and abilities. The book switches perspectives between a boy named Day who is basically a "notorious criminal" and June who is a child prodigy. They both live in the Republic and the Republic is at war with the "colonies." I guess what disappointed me the most was the lack world building and backstory. I finished the whole first book and I do not see the point of the society's system. Why are they fighting with the colonies? I can't even explain to you who the colonies are other than saying they rebel against the Republic (but I am sure you could have already guessed that). Hopefully the next book or novella will give me a better understanding.
Nothing much happened in the first about 180 pages of the book and everything that did happen was pretty predictable. I got a bit bored, but continued on because I knew it would get better. After those uneventful pages the book did pick up into the action. The story then became very engaging and suspenseful. It is interesting to me that the trend for many YA Dystopia books recently (except for the Hunger Games) is that all the major action goes down within the last 50 pages of the book. The same goes for Legend.
At first I was not too keen on any of the protagonists, but I grew to like them by the end of the book. The romance was not my favorite. It felt a bit like insta-love, but it was not unbearable. The supporting characters though, were very well done. I was able to develop strong feelings towards many of the characters whether they were dead or I disliked them. Oh and that ending...that ending hurt! It left me so heartbroken and wanting the next book. Hopefully I can continue on with the series very soon.
Legend as a whole was a good book and I see why many people love it even if it was not my favorite YA Dystopia book.
FTC Disclaimer: Books specified to be in the "ARC" or "eARC" format were sent to me for free by the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. How I acquired these items does not have an effect on my opinions and thoughts on them in my reviews. Everything written on this blog are my honest opinions only unless otherwise stated!
All book cover photos and synopses used in my posts were either sent to me directly by the author/publisher or gotten directly off of Goodreads and/or Amazon.
I currently do not get paid money for anything written, posted, or hosted on this blog!
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