Review: Oppostion

Title: Lux #5: Opposition

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: August 5, 2014

Formats Available: Hardback, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

My Review;

The Lux series has been a long time favorite of mine and it's taken me entirely too long to finally get around to finishing this last novel. After how much I loved the previous one I had high hopes for this book and I couldn't wait to watch the romance develop between Katy and Daemon and finally watch the conclusion of the series unfold. Unfortunately, while this novel was still fantastic, it just wasn't quite all that I had been hoping for. 

First of all, the plot was exciting and action packed, but it didn't have the same level of excitement that I was expecting. The Lux have come to earth looking to take over and this novel has a bit of an apocalyptic vibe to it, however despite all the danger surrounding them it felt like Katy and Daemon were sitting around doing a lot of talking, rather than taking part in the action. Of course there were some moments, like when Katy goes home to see her mom, but overall I just found myself getting a little bored during the parts where everyone was talking rather than doing. 

The one thing I really missed was the romance between Katy and Daemon. In previous novels their romance was so sweet and heartfelt, but in this one it just fell a little flat. Because they were already married it felt like less effort was put into their romance and I missed the silly banter and romantic moments that I'd grown accustomed to in previous novels. It felt like their romance mostly centered around them having sex rather than having a deep and meaningful connection. Even though the romance hadn't quite lived up to my expectations I really enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives and the few moments they did have were absolutely fantastic.

Even though there were a few things I didn't like Opposition was still a great conclusion to the series and a wonderful read. Armentrout tied everything up nicely and I didn't finish this novel feeling unsatisfied or with any lingering questions. I loved watching Dawson and Beth finally get their happy ending and see how much everyone has changed since the very beginning of the series. Daemon was still the bad boy we've all come to know and love and Katy was still her sweet self, just with a lot more character development. I'm going to miss them!

Finishing up a series is always difficult and Armentrout did it with a lot of grace. Though it wasn't my favorite Opposition was a great conclusion to a fantastic series that I can't recommend enough. The first four books are some of my favorites of all time and Opposition doesn't fall far behind. One of my favorite YA series! 

4/5

Review: Parasite

Title: Parasitology #1: Parasite

Author: Mira Grant

Date of Publication: October 29, 2013

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.

We owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune system - even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a SymboGen tapeworm living within them.

But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.

My Review:

When I saw that Seanan McGuire had written more books under a different name I was absolutely thrilled to read them. I've never read a book by McGuire that I didn't like and I had a feeling that Grant wouldn't be any different. Even though I don't generally like books with more of a focus on the science than the fiction, I had a feeling that Grant would turn this novel into something I would undoubtedly enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would, in fact I disliked it so much that I read about half of it before I couldn't go on anymore.

The hardest part of reading this book was the pacing. For the first 150 pages or so absolutely nothing happened; we're introduced to the main character, Sal, and then we're given a play by play of her entire routine with no variation or excitement what so ever. Normally this wouldn't bother me but as the book went on even the moments that were supposed to be exciting were weighed down by so much science and the bland characters that I couldn't get caught up in what was happening. Maybe as the book went on the plot more exciting but I just couldn't force myself to read another 200 pages or so after reading, and being bored to death by, the first 250 pages.

After reading the October Dayes books and being introduced to a cast of beautifully developed characters with unique and striking personalities I expected the same from this book. However, Sal had a dry personality and lacked the spark that would have made her a relatable character. She had an interesting story but her personality just  didn't do it for me. Likewise her boyfriend, Nathan, bored me to tears and I couldn't feel any chemistry between them at all. Maybe it was because the book started with them already knowing each other, so we never got to see the development of their relationship, but the lack of spark between them was driving me insane. The secondary characters, like Sal's family, barely stood out and I forgot about them almost immediately after being introduced to them. Characters are what make books worth reading and the characters in this novel just didn't have the personality needed to draw me into the story.

At the end of the day I'm sad to say that I can't recommend this novel. Bland characters and a slow moving plot made this novel impossible to get into and though Grant is a good writer this just wasn't one of her best. Fans of science and science fiction may enjoy this one but the technical descriptions, paired with the other issues, just didn't hold my interest.

2/5

Review: Apocalyptic Moon

Title: Apocalyptic Moon

Author: Eva Gordon

Date of Publication: January 24, 2013

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Dr. Dora Adler's life has been in disarray since the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, but when she gets bitten by one of the undead, her whole world is turned upside down. Held captive in a secret underground lab, the tall, muscular hunk in the next cell is her only hope for salvation. Unfortunately, he claims to be a werewolf. Yeah, and she's supposedly a witch.

Dirk Gunderson is an alpha Arbor pack werewolf. Captured and collared, he's sold to the zombie lab in hopes his blood serum can create a vaccine. He needs to escape, but not without the hot little brunette witch.

In the midst of enemy werewolves and the hordes of undead, Dirk and Dora's sexual tension ignites a blaze hotter than the desert highway. Along their journey, they battle the inevitable: a werewolf must never take a witch as a mate.

My Review:

Apocalyptic Moon is one of those novels that starts off a little rough but once the story gets good it gets good. As soon as the action started to pick up and Dirk made an appearance I found myself completely entranced by this novel, unable to stop reading until I raced to the last page. Apocalyptic Moon is truly a diamond in the rough, the cheesy 80's looking cover hiding one of the best zombie novels that I've ever read.

Gordon does a absolutely fantastic job creating a zombie apocalypse; it's gory, its scary, it's terrifying. I've never been a particularly big fan of zombie novels but Gordon made the zombies intro true monsters, brainless, unthinking, and on the verge of taking over the world. Likewise Gordon did a great job creating the villains of the men holding Dora and Dirk captive, even though they played a smaller role in the novel they were just as well developed as both Dora and Dirk.

Even though I wasn't a huge fan of Dora and Dirks names (I just can't take anyone named Dora seriously after watching the cartoon so much as a kid), I was definitely a fan of their personalities. Dirk was a little rough around the edges and had a bit of a gritty attitude, but that was part of what made him so great. Gordon did a wonderful job developing his character and I absolutely loved how quickly he became protective of Dora. Even though I wasn't sure how I felt about her at first I ended up really liking Dora as well. Just like with Dirk, Gordon did an amazing job creating her personality. I loved how magic was incorporated into the novel and how Gordon managed to take character stereotypes and make them work for the characters instead of making the novel feel cheesy.

The romance between Dora and Dirk was also fantastic. They suited each other so perfectly and Gordon masterfully created just enough sexual tension between them in the beginning to keep me wondering when their relationship would really take off. I loved the steamy romance scenes alternating with the heart pounding action scenes and how Gordon included everything else in between. Even though there were a few slip ups here and there Apocalyptic Moon was a very well written novel and even though the beginning starts off a little rough Gordon quickly hits her stride.

I would highly, highly, highly recommend this novel to fans of zombie novels or paranormal novels in general. With plenty of romance, great characters, and a gory and terrifying take on zombies this novel had it all. Definitely one of the best zombie novels I've ever read and I can't wait to read more by Gordon!
5/5

Review: The Eden Trilogy #1: The Bane

Title: The Eden Trilogy #1: The Bane

Author: Keary Taylor

Date of Publication: March 5, 2013 (Originally March 1, 2011)

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

My Review:

From page one I knew that The Bane was going to be an absolutely fantastic read. The first page instantly drew me in and by the end of the novel I was already eager to get my hands the on sequel. Keary has created a compelling world with a whole new spin on the world wide plague idea. With great world building, interesting characters, and a sprinkling of romance this novel had everything it needed to be a hugely entertaining read, and it did just that.

I absolutely adored the dystopian world that Keary created. The idea of technology combining with DNA to create a race of brain-dead monsters intent on infecting the whole world fascinated me and Keary executed the idea perfectly. The majority of the first half of the novel focused on the day to day workings of Eden and introducing the Bane; while it wasn't necessarily action packed Keary's writing kept it interesting and I loved learning about the world and immersing myself in the terrifying landscape the characters found themselves in. As the novel progressed the plot got more exciting and by the end of the novel I was absolutely riveted. The world building in this novel was absolutely fantastic, I felt like I was living there right along with the characters and I think that's half the reason I got as into the story as I did.

Eve was a great main character; I was intrigued by her past and I enjoyed her personality. She was tough without being heartless and I really admired her dedication to protecting Eden and everyone who lived there. The love triangle aspect was a little annoying and before long I got sick of Eve's constant back and forth and slightly whiny attitude between Avian and West but thankfully the fantastic plot distracted me a little from all that. Avian, without a doubt, was my other favorite character (there was never a question who I was rooting for in the love triangle), I always have a little bit more respect for boys who aren't afraid to cry or let their emotions show and unlike West Avian wasn't afraid to let his emotions show. West always had a bit of an untrustworthy air about him and I just didn't feel the connection with him that I felt with Avian.

The only reason this novel didn't get five stars from me was the love triangle. The wonderful plot and world building distracted me a bit from how annoying the love triangle was but that doesn't change the fact that it was there. A love triangle of epic proportions I was constantly waiting for Eve to finally make up her mind so we could get on with the actual romance instead of all the back and forth between Avian and West. I felt like the love triangle took up a bigger part of the novel than it should have and, while fairly well done, I feel like the novel would have been stronger if the love triangle hadn't stolen so much of the spotlight. The only other complaint I would have was the few typos in the novel, while they weren't hugely noticeable and didn't make the novel hard to read they were just a little annoying and made the novel feel a little less professional than it deserved.

Even though I was a little irritated by the love triangle I still definitely recommend The Bane to fans of dystopian and post apocalyptic settings. Readers who dislike love triangles (like me) may be a little put off at first but I'm happy I stuck it out, besides the love triangle is over now and I have a feeling the next books in the series will be just as great as this one!

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher/publicist via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review and received no monetary compensation for this review.

The Forsaken Review

Title: The Forsaken

Author: Lisa M. Strasse

Date of Publication: July 10, 2012

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book

Synopsis: Alenna was ten years old when the UNA, the combined countries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, arrested her parents and dragged her out of her home into a government run orphanage. When Alenna fails the government test to determine the likelihood of criminal activity later in life she is sent to the wheel, an island of teenagers who have also failed the test. With a life expectancy of 2 years Alenna is determined to find a way off the island before she is killed by rival tribes or illness. With the help of her new friend Gadya and Liam, who she feels a growing attraction toward, Alenna and a small band of teenagers travel to the most mysterious part of the island looking for answers. There they find out shocking truths about the government and the real reasons they were sent to the wheel.

My Review:

After I saw the awesome cover and read the summary online I was extremely excited to read this novel. I absolutely love dystopian novels and with the popularity of The Hunger Games there has been a huge influx into the genre lately. Unfortunately while The Forsaken was an interesting novel with an original plot, it was a little predictable and a tad forgettable.

The thing that annoyed me most about this novel was the immature romance. The interactions between Liam and Alenna reminded me of middle schoolers asking each other out for the first time, it just didn't fit with the tone of the novel. Even though Gadya and Alenna are struggling to survive they have time to fight over Liam, who is barely present in the first three fourths of the novel.

I really did like the plot though; exciting and original Stasse came up with a fascinating plot. The first half of the book was a little slow but as soon as Alenna and her friends went on their expedition to escape the island the story quickly picks up. The constant danger from rival tribes and the mechanical mechanisms, called feelers, that kidnap members of the island kept me on my toes and left me wondering who would be taken next.

Despite the childish romance, The Forsaken is an interesting dystopian novel that will definitely appeal to fans of the The Hunger Games. The shocking conclusion and exciting journey to get there will keep readers turning pages. A bit forgettable but still a great read high school fans of science fiction will love this book.

4/5