ARC Review: Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Blurb:
In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.


In some ways, I thought that BLACK CITY was a totally predictable YA dystopian, but in others ways I thought it was a fierce kick-ass vampire young love/coming of age story. What? you ask. How can that be? Yeah, I'm not sure either, but there you go. I really struggled with writing this review because my bullet points were basically:

• Typical post-apoc esque YA
• Somewhat dystopian world with us and them dynamic
• Vampires, really? (Even at the height of the vampire craze, I've always always preferred shapeshifters/werewolves)

My notes in my head sounded vaguely critical, but when I would actually try to translate them into thoughts via typing, mostly praise and accolades would spill out. Wait? I would say, what just HAPPENED here? And so I would start over, but the truth is, I DID like BLACK CITY. I think that Elizabeth Richards did a fine job crafting a NOT typical post-apoc, dystopian, vampires versus humans, ruthless YA world. Spinning everything on its head, the vamps were not at the top of the food chain at all.

In fact, I found the most interesting part of the plot line to be the vampire (or Darkling situation). Living in a ghetto, reminiscent of the Jews in Poland (and other places) during WWII, the vamps are starved, treated poorly, and dangerously isolated. One of my bullet points about the post-apoc world makes this a typical set-up, but it is usually the humans who suffer from this type of treatment, by a government or group that is evolutionarily or anatomically superior. There were scenes that I could predict were coming and situations that I earmarked as set-up for a future event, but predictable or typical is only negative when the book becomes boring as a result of this. And BLACK CITY was anything but boring.

The social commentary and resultant actions that come about because of the Darkling situation, is skillfully handled by Richards in a way that echoes the wave of rebellion that sweeps the Districts throughout THE HUNGER GAMES series. In the end, what I thought might sound like a critical review is not. Richards kept me on my toes, even when I thought I had the upper hand. This is a world that I will definitely return to, and relish the thought of continuing adventures. Brava.

Book Rating:
12.5/15
4 stars
A-

I acquired this book at Book Expo America 2012, with no other compensation but the hope for an honest review

ARC Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Book: THE SELECTION
Author: KIERA CASS
Genre: YA FANTASY/DYSTOPIAN
Published: April 2012, HARPER TEEN

Series: The Selection #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Around The World ARC Tours, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Review:
I'll start off by saying that I am not a big fan of ___ meets ___ book pitches, and I had heard that THE SELECTION was THE HUNGER GAMES meets The Bachelor. I hate The Bachelor. Did this deter me? The fact is that, whatever the book was pitched as, I had read the blurb and was intrigued. It sounded like more than a fight to the finish with the winner gaining a husband. Other controversy and a few trusted people saying it wasn't great aside, I really wanted to read THE SELECTION.

There was one major thing that didn't work for me, and I've got to get it out before I burst. I DESPISE the way the book ended. So what if this is just the beginning of a story? I still expect some kind of payoff after making it through more than 250 pages. Leave me in suspense about who Prince Maxon takes to wife? Fine. But, this book did not end. It paused. And that's one of my pet peeves about YA series (particularly trilogies). In fact, it's more likely to make me NOT wait with bated breath 10-12 months until the next book comes out, UNLESS I really super adored it. That's my little rant done.

Truthfully, I liked THE SELECTION. I think that Cass has a way with creating a world where everyone has to fit into an extremely rigid caste system that offers no upward mobiity and has a majority population that is at or below poverty level, where parents do without food to feed their children. AND YET, if there is a prince in the royal house, one girl of his approximate age might be lifted out of her caste and become royalty. It is like THE HUNGER GAMES, in that hope is the only thing that keeps the population from a complete revolution.

In the end, THE SELECTION kept my interest and explored some of the issues that should be brought to light in a good YA dystopian. Despite my dislike of how the novel (didn't) end, the journey there was interesting.

3.5/5 for plot
3.5/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language

My Rating: 10.5/15 (3 stars) Recommend


Find the author at:
Website | Journal | Twitter | GoodReads

ARC Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Book: LEGEND
Author: MARIE LU
Genre: YA DYSTOPIAN
Published: November 2011, PUTNAM

Series: Legend #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Publisher via Book Expo America 2011, no other compensation given for honest review

From Good Reads:
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:
There are many books that catch my attention from the first page. Perhaps a lesser amount will keep my attention through the first few chapters. While I read through almost every book that I start (DNF is kind of a foreign phrase to me; I very rarely dislike a book so much that I just can’t finish it), there are a select few that stand out in my mind once I’m done. I’m talking about the books that stay with me in my dreams. The books that I want to talk about immediately with anyone who will listen. The books that ruin the next book after, because nothing can compare. LEGEND is one of these books.

All of the issues I’ve had with YA dystopian - the continuity issues, the suspension of belief lasting from start to finish, the love triangles and sometimes insta-love - all of that is missing in LEGEND. This is the first YA dystopian novel that I have read in a while that blew me away, right away. Even THE HUNGER GAMES took a while for me to get. But, Marie Lu found that secret combination of elements that just did it for me from start to finish.

LEGEND contains dual narrative from Day and June, the diametrically opposed characters in the Republic. Lu starts off the book with Day, and I think it was one of the reasons I was pulled in so quickly. With Day’s narrative, the government’s treatment of the average citizen is revealed. The plagues and the violence from the police are normal occurrences, and Day is a sympathetic character. He’s a modern-day Robin Hood, subverting the Republic to help his family and fellow citizens.

But then Lu throws in June, who lives the high life being the Republic’s golden girl. Somehow, she becomes a sympathetic character also. For me, the beauty and greatness of Lu’s writing is that she doesn’t just tell the reader about June in the narrative. There is a real immersion into her life. June is a smart character, not just intelligence-wise, but she can also hold her own in a street fight. Far from being the character that walks around with rose-colored glasses, June grows so much during the course of the novel. Yes, she believes the Republic’s hype - from her sheltered place at the top of the pyramid, why shouldn’t she? - but it doesn’t last, and once her eyes are opened, watch out.

I blew through LEGEND, because for every page that I read, I wanted to read more. I liked that Day and June didn’t meet right away, that their lives were separate for a while, and as a reader I was able to really see the differences in life under the Republic. I liked the inclusion of the war against the Patriots, which seemed to pit the citizens against, not the government, but this other enemy. I liked that June experienced life through Day’s eyes when she was tracking him.

Honestly, if you have been looking for a YA dystopian that is mind-blowing and spectacular, that wraps up a story line, while not leaving the reader standing on a cliff, and that doesn’t read like candy floss, LEGEND is your book.

5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14.5/15 (5 stars)

Must Read, if you liked:
The Hunger Games (trilogy) by Suzanne Collins
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Challenge Participation:

Book Review: The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

Book: THE WATER WARS
Author: CAMERON STRACHER
Genre: YA FANTASY/SPECULATIVE FICTION/DYSTOPIAN
Published: January 2011, SOURCEBOOKS FIRE

Series: none
Source: Publicist, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Vera and her brother, Will, live in the shadow of the Great Panic, in a country that has collapsed from environmental catastrophe. Water is hoarded by governments, rivers are dammed, and clouds are sucked from the sky. But then Vera befriends Kai, who seems to have limitless access to fresh water. When Kai suddenly disappears, Vera and Will set off on a dangerous journey in search of him-pursued by pirates, a paramilitary group, and greedy corporations.



My Review:
I read the premise for THE WATER WARS and it basically hit every spot that I like when I think about reading a dystopian or post-apocalyptic YA. What really caught my eye was that, although the girl meets boy was there, it seemed as if it would be more of an adventure story as opposed to a romance, that inevitably would introduce some kind of love triangle. I’m over love triangles, just for the sake of bad boy versus good or best friend that’s been ignored for years. But, I digress from my review.

This book started off really well. Cameron Stracher sets up a world that has experienced catastrophic environmental change, and now water is the most valued commodity. I liked the included inherent friction of humanity that occurs when something that everyone needs is in short supply. The government and even private citizens were not above damming rivers to the detriment of other citizens, and even clouds are taken from the sky for the water they hold.

One thing that went wrong for me was the convenience of rescue that Vera, Will and Kai encounter during their adventures. I don’t want to include any specific spoilers here, but it just seemed as if there was too easy an out whenever they were in danger. In this type of story, I don’t mind if the protagonists and her (or his) companions get a little hurt; in fact it helps with the idea that they have to really overcome some terrible obstacle. I like to see them work their way out of the problem, not just miraculously have a savior.

I liked Kai, the boy that seems to have an unlimited supply of water, know the government’s secrets about the water shortage, and gets himself kidnapped, which sets off Vera and Will on their journey. Kai was an interesting character, but unfortunately Vera was not as captivating. Something was missing with her, that I was just unable to connect fully with her as a character. There was no defining event that made me want to care whether she survived the trials, and perhaps because there was always a convenient rescue, I didn't need to entertain the idea that she might be in real danger.

I read this whole novel in just under 3 hours. I’m a fairly fast reader, but even for a moderate or slower reader, the action sequences keep the book moving. As well as the pace, the chapters, which are just long enough that I found myself reading more pages than I thought, but just short enough that I kept saying, “I’ll just read one more”, make this a book that I would suggest for a reluctant reader. THE WATER WARS is kind of science-fiction, dystopian, and post-apocolyptic lite.

While THE WATER WARS seemed like it just missed being a great book for me, I also think that there are plenty of readers who would enjoy it. There are pirates and government conspiracies and a great journey with a brother and sister relationship. The premise posits a future that we could all be facing sooner rather than later, and as a YA it is appropriate for younger teens, as well as opening up a contemporary fantasy world to readers that doesn’t have the world-building over taking the plot.

3.5/5 for plot
2.5/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language

My Rating: 9.5/15 (3 stars) Worth Trying


Challenge Participation:

Advance Review: Enclave (Razorland #1) by Ann Aguirre

Book: ENCLAVE
Author: ANN AGUIRRE
Genre: DYSTOPIAN/POST-APOCALYPTIC FANTASY
Published: April 2011, FEIWEL AND FRIENDS

Series: RAZORLAND #1
Outpost (Razorland #2) (Published: 2012, FEIWEL AND FRIENDS)
Source: Publisher via Good Golly Miss Holly Book Tours, no compensation for an honest review

From Good Reads:
In Deuce's world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed 'brat' has trained into one of three groups-Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms.

Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember. As a Huntress, her purpose is clear--to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She's worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing's going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade.

When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce's troubles are just beginning. Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn't like following orders. At first she thinks he's crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don't always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth.

Her partner confuses her; she's never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as to using his knives with feral grace. As Deuce's perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival...

My Review:
I'm not sure that I can point out why ENCLAVE resonated so much with me, but I'm going to give it a good try. Because this book wowed me from the very first page, to the very last, and it left me anxiously awaiting the next installment, which won't be out for more than a year. *Weeps for a moment, at that realization*.

Anyway, the book introduces the heroine, Deuce, to the reader at her naming ceremony. If you didn't already know that this book was going to be a dystopian, here's the first big clue. In a somewhat barbaric ritual, Deuce is indoctrinated into her society, taking the scars of a Huntress. This is a job that she wants, though it seems much more dangerous than any other that is "allowed" by the ruling members of her enclave.

Deuce is an amazingly strong character, not in stature, but in spirit. I actually kind of pictured her as a somewhat small, wiry girl that would probably be mistaken for a teen or early 20-something well into her thirties, if she had the opportunity to live that long. Alas, her world is one that doesn't even name their children until the teens, because a high percentage of "brats" don't make it to adolescence.

Though Deuce and her partner, Fade, who has to follow her into exile, do encounter their share of danger, the novel is fairly sparse in high action. It moves along at an average pace, certainly not quite as quickly as I've come to expect from many YA novels, but the story is solid, very solid. It also comes with its fair share of excellent writing.

Ann Aguirre entranced and entrenched me so well into her plot that I read it in one go in the very late night hours, when I should have perhaps, been getting some well-needed sleep. And, when I emerged from the pages at the end, it left me kind of dizzy and disoriented. ENCLAVE is the first book of 2011, where I wasn't sure what to do when it ended. I wanted to go back immediately for a re-read, just to make sure that I had really gotten the whole story. This is one of those books that I will have to have for my bookshelves, and for myself.

4.5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14/15 (5 stars)

Must Read, if you liked:
The Hunger Games (series) by Suzanne Collins
Feed by Mira Grant
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Links for the author and books:
* Website
* Twitter
* GoodReads
* Facebook

Purchase at:
* Barnes and Noble
* Book Depository
* Amazon


Available formats: Print (Hardcover)

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