Review: Legend by Marie Lu

     

Legend by Marie Lu
______________________________

Series: Legend (#1)
Pages: 298
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: November 28th, 2011
IBSN: 9780141339412

Once known as the western coast of the United States, the Republic is now a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies.

Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a military prodigy. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country, she is being groomed for success in the Republic's highest circles.

Born into the slums of the Republic's Lake Sector, 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. Now, caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June tries desperately 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 to which their country will go to keep its secrets.

June is the Republic's military prodigy, and Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal. His latest crime resulted in the death of June's brother, and June makes it her personal mission to track down the criminal that has eluded the military for years. They're from very opposite sides of the tracks, but on meeting, they'll discover that they aren't so different after all.

I'm a sucker for the 'good' criminal, the Robin Hood. Day's crimes consist of stealing from the rich and powerful and corrupted and giving to the needy in the slum sectors. His latest crime, and the focus of Legend, is breaking into a hospital to steal plague cures for the family he takes care of surreptitiously and thinks he's dead. Day was immediately refreshing and exciting to read about, though I would have preferred more selfless feats shown rather than retold.

I find that with action novels, a fast and thrilling plot can't manage to sustain my interest for very long since they mostly sacrifice character depth. Legend combined them both, though. Our protagonists June and Day developed and grew and it didn't take anything away from the action -- it added to it. Caring for the characters and developing an emotional investment in their well being made the plot more suspenseful and each obstacle faced more concerning.

Marie Lu's ability to heighten drama through the prose so simply was skillfull. The writing style implemented was perfect for the genre and the story. Only her first novel, and she's up there with my favourite action writers. I very was impressed in particular with how she layered the plots. Legend opened the major plot almost immediately (but not so soon as to not know and care about June's brother at all), and what promises to be the series arc took over later, but without forgetting about the former like I feel happens too often.

My sole complaint was that it had the basic plot structure of almost every other dystopia out there. An obedient girl meeting a boy that shows her that the system she's had faith in isn't what she's always believed it to be. I'm waiting for a new dystopia to blow me away. Legend  features a very good storyline, but from all of the hype I expected it to have well and truly broken the mould.

Legend was a dystopian thriller featuring likable characters that draw you quickly through the fast-paced plot. If not exceptionally unique in the dystopia aspect, it was very, very enjoyable to read.

Review: Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Series: Heist Society (#2)
Pages: 304
Publisher: Lothian
Published: June 28th, 2011
IBSN: 9780734411938

Kat Bishop: Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. Or simply, the girl who robbed the greatest museum in the world...

Now she's been asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

Trouble is, not only is the gem elusive - it's cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head but help is at hand. She enlists the gorgeous Hale and the rest of the crew from Heist Society on a heart-stopping round-the-world search. But this time, Kat - who knows every trick and con in the book - is making up her own rules.

After a long stint of solo heists, Kat is back with the team -- Gabrielle, Simon, the Bagshaws, Nick, and of course, Hale -- to steal what even their legendary Uncle Eddie couldn't: the Cleopatra Emerald. But getting their hands onto the crystal may not even be the most difficult part of the mission.

Uncommon Criminals brings back the loveable cast from Heist Society, the heart-stopping action, and the cleverly built world that make you wonder if Ally Carter is a spy herself. This instalment will not disappoint fans of the first book.
The story was well-paced, without a dull moment, and constantly suspenseful. The plot took sharp turns and had unexpected twists, and before you could even finish thinking that you've got it figured out, something happened that threw you off. A fast, edge-of-your-seat read.

This exciting story is told in seamless omniscient third person narration. It informs us about the context and flits between different characters' perspectives smoothly, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the plot without giving away too much in suspenseful moments. Ally Carter skilfully pulled off a difficult narrative style that was very appropriate to the story.

The bonds between the characters are explored further in Uncommon Criminals. Kat's burgeoning romance with Hale grows, and more of her family dynamic is shown. Kat herself is developed further, too. Though the distance created by the third person narration between Kat and us was always minimal, we feel closer to her in this instalment as she struggles with where she fits into the thieving world.

An exciting and tense story of cat burglary, complete with a subtle romance and sense of humour.

I give Uncommon Criminals a 4 out of 5.

Review: The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan

Series: The Demon's Lexicon (#3)
Pages: 400
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published: June 14th
IBSN: 9781416963837

The Goblin Market has always been the centre of Sin's world. She's a dancer and a performer, secure in her place. But now the Market is at war with the magicians, and Sin's place is in danger. Keeping secrets from the market she loves, struggling with a friend who has become a rival, Sin is thrown together with the Ryves brothers, Nick and Alan - whom she's always despised. But Alan has been marked by a magician, to be tortured as the magician pleases, and as Sin watches Alan struggle to protect the demon brother he loves, she begins to see both brothers in a new light. But how far will brother go to save brother - and what will it cost them all?

A dramatic and stunning conclusion to the trilogy! The Demon's Lexicon series is one of my favourites, and Surrender definitely did not disappoint.

The stakes have risen with each instalment in the series. The plot was at all times either intense or foreshadowing, keeping me on the edge of my seat. There were so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. Sarah Rees Brennan's books are among the few that I can't predict the ending to, and I love them for that.

I love this kind of pacing: a series of smaller complications all adding up to the final, overall problem.

I wasn't overly intrigued by Sin in the first two books, but with this one from her perspective, I grew to like her in same way I did Mae when I didn't expect to in Covenant. She gave a whole new perspective to the setting, coming from a different background. The narration switches have definitely helped the amazing world-building. 

The relationships between characters are incredibly unique and interesting. I love reading about Alan and Nick's bond - actually, just the relationship between Nick and anyone else. Being unfeeling makes for relationships that are...different.

The romance in this trilogy has been subtle; definitely there, but not the main focus. It's developed realistically given the duress the characters are typically under, making them hesitant.

A perfect ending to the trilogy. I'll miss the characters, but I'm happy with them in the place they reached. I really can't wait to see what Sarah comes up with for future books!

I give The Demon's Surrender a 5 out of 5.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent (#1)
Pages: 487
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: May 3rd, 2011
IBSN: 9780062024022

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. 

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Before I picked up Divergent, I heard it likened to The Hunger Games so many times. But while reading, I failed to see any real positive similarities or parallels. Divergent, to me, felt like The Hunger Games if Katniss spent 80% of the book training to perform in front of the Gamemakers for her score.

From all of the hype, I had imagined Divergent as this edge-of-your-seat action/thriller with the main character kicking ass or leaping from buildings on every other page, but I was disappointed to find that most of the action was...fake (let me explain what I mean by that!).

Most of the book centers on Tris during initiation. She has to fight against other initiates for a ranking, and battle her fears through simulations. During the former, she wasn't fighting for any real cause but to get into the faction. And as for the latter, as much as I can appreciate psychological thrillers, it just  didn't feel like it hit the mark. The action only began to feel 'real' to me towards the ending, where there's an urgent cause and a consequence for failure besides a bad ranking. And that part only makes up the last seventy-five pages.

Beatrice was an intriguing enough character to read about. I could understand why she made the choices she did, but I didn't get where some of the changes in her came from. One minute, she's a passive Abnegation, and the next, she's as cruel and fearless as any other Dauntless.

Divergent was fun to read. It was exciting, and had a easy kind of writing style that allowed me to read chunks of the book in long sittings without getting bored. But it just missed that 'wow' factor for me.

I give Divergent a 3 out of 5.

Review: Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

Pages: 224
Publisher: Orion Books
Published: April 23rd, 2010
IBSN: 9781444000054

1910. A cabin north of the Arctic Circle. Fifteen-year-old Sig Andersson is alone. Alone, except for the corpse of his father, who died earlier that day after falling through a weak spot on the ice-covered lake. His sister, Anna, and step-mother, Nadya, have gone to the local town for help. Then comes a knock at the door. It's a man, the flash of a revolver's butt at his hip, and a mean glare in his eyes. Sig has never seen him before but Wolff claims to have unfinished business with his father. As Sig gradually learns the awful truth about Wolff's connection to his father, Sig finds his thoughts drawn to a certain box hidden on a shelf in the storeroom, in which lies his father's prized possession - a revolver. When Anna returns alone, and Wolff begins to close in, Sigs choice is pulled into sharp focus. Should he use the gun, or not?

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Revolver is a book that's both fast and slow: it took me just a few hours to read, but the pacing was slow (but the good kind of slow!). The events of the book span just a few days with little dialogue and a lot of tension.

What I really loved about this book was all the thought Sig put into what he was going to have to do. I've read so many action/thriller books where an antagonist is killed without thought. Sig spent a long time considering all the implications of shooting Wolff.

The prose was spare and captivating, and everything from Sig's emotions to the previous events that led up to the climax was explored in depth.


The final chapter put the events of the book into perspective, and gave a view on the events of the book from an older Sig.

I give Revolver a 5 out of 5. I recommend it for anyone looking for a short, intense read.

Review: Burn Bright by Marianne De Pierres

Burn Bright by Marianne De Pierres

Series: Night Creatures (#1) 
Pages: 316 
Publisher: Random House Australia 
Published: March 1st, 2011 
IBSN: 9781864719888

Retra doesn’t want to go to Ixion, the island of ever-night, ever-youth and never-sleep. Retra is a Seal – sealed minds, sealed community. She doesn’t crave parties and pleasure, experience and freedom.

But her brother Joel left for Ixion two years ago, and Retra is determined to find him. Braving the intense pain of her obedience strip to escape the only home she’s ever known, Retra stows away on the barge that will take her to her brother.

When she can’t find Joel, Retra finds herself drawn deeper into the intoxicating world of Ixion. Come to me, whispers a voice in her head. Who are the Ripers, the mysterious guardians of Ixion? What are the Night Creatures Retra can see in the shadows? And what happens to those who grow too old for Ixion?

Retra will find that Ixion has its pleasures, but its secrets are deadly. Will friendship, and the creation of an eternal bond with a Riper, be enough to save her from the darkness?


[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Burn Bright, contrary to its title, was extremely dark. In the dangerous world of Ixion, where everyone is solely in the pursuit of pleasure, Retra is trying to find her brother who ran away from their strict home. But Retra finds much more than her brother: friendship, danger, mystery.

Burn Bright is Marianne De Pierres' first book for teens, and the first book in the Night Creatures series. The book definitely had an almost adult vibe to it, the only thing convincing me that it's YA being the teenaged characters.

The world-building was extraordinary, Ixion completely intoxicating. I felt like I was in their world with the characters, on the edge of my seat as they traversed the eerie world.

Retra was definitely a memorable character who stood out from her backdrop. She was totally unlike anyone else in Ixion: innocent, modest, not in Ixion for pleasure but to find someone. Her personality juxtaposed those around her, helping to show us more of the subtle differences between Ixion and Retra's old home.

The writing style was vivid, every description giving me a clear image in my head of what was going on.

The plot was entirely unpredictable. I never could see what was coming next. But set in a place like Ixion, I wouldn't expect to have an inkling of what's around the corner. I was taken aback by the ending, if a little peeved at another cliff-hanger.

I give Burn Bright a 4 out of 5, and recommend it to anyone who's looking for something different.

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I read this book for the Aussie YA Reading Challenge.

Review: City Of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

City Of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare


Series: The Mortal Instruments (#4)
Pages: 424
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Published: April 5th, 2011
IBSN: 9781442403543

A mysterious someone’s killing the Shadowhunters who used to be in Valentine’s Circle and displaying their bodies around New York City in a manner designed to provoke hostility between Downworlders and Shadowhunters, leaving tensions running high in the city and disrupting Clary’s plan to lead as normal a life as she can — training to be a Shadowhunter, and pursuing her relationship with Jace. As Jace and Clary delve into the issue of the murdered Shadowhunters, they discover a mystery that has deeply personal consequences for them — consequences that may strengthen their relationship, or rip it apart forever. Meanwhile, internecine warfare among vampires is tearing the Downworld community apart, and only Simon — the Daylighter who everyone wants on their side — can decide the outcome; too bad he wants nothing to do with Downworld politics. Love, blood, betrayal and revenge: the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

The Mortal Instruments is one of my favorite series, and so I was pretty anxiously awaiting the release of City Of Fallen Angels. I went and got it on the day of its release, and read it quickly, devouring the pages, desperate to see how it ended.

Like all of Cassandra Clare's other books, City Of Fallen Angels was a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read.

My favorite thing about all of previous Mortal Instruments books was also in City Of Fallen Angels: a clever plot. Each character has their side plot, and they all tie together in the end for a huge complication. There's so much tension leading up to the end that I had to read the second half of the book in one sitting.

All of the old characters reappear, developed after the ordeals from City Of Glass. New, but old, characters also make appearances, like some from Clockwork Angel. I loved the parts that referred back to the prequel series.

Simon plays a bigger role in this book, and we get a lot of insight into Simon's anguish over becoming a vampire - with the Mark of Caine, no less. Clary and Jace's relationship is constantly strained. The Lightwoods mourn Max's death, in their own ways. And then all new problems arise.

I was happy to see that the events in the previous books tied into this one. I thought the second cycle of Mortal Instruments books would relate to the first only because of the same characters, and I was glad to be wrong.

I feel like I could rave all day about how much I love the Mortal Instruments and this new addition to the series, but really, if you are one of the few YA readers not already on the bandwagon, you should definitely jump on! I give City Of Fallen Angels a 5 out of 5!

Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

Red Glove by Holly Black

Series: Curse Workers (#2)
Pages: 320
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Published: April 5th, 2011
IBSN: 9781442403390

Source: Galley Grab

After rescuing his brothers from Zacharov's retribution and finding out that Lila, the girl he has loved his whole life, will never, ever be his now that his mother has worked her, Cassel is trying to reestablish some kind of normalcy in his life. That was never going to be easy for someone from a worker family tied to one of the big crime families and a mother whose cons get more reckless by the day. But Cassel is also coming to terms with what it means to be a transformation worker and figuring out how to have friends.

But normal doesn't last very long--soon Cassel is being courted by both sides of the law and is forced to confront his past. A past he remembers only in scattered fragments and one that could destroy his family and his future. Cassel will have to decide whose side he wants to be on because neutrality is not an option. And then he will have to pull off his biggest con ever to survive.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Red Glove is, like White Cat, set in a world where curse magic is illegal, and curse workers either become con artists or mobsters or hide their abilities from everyone. Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of criminals: his grandfather's a Death Worker, his mother's an Emotion Working con artist, and his brothers Work for a crime family. Cassel spent his whole life thinking he couldn't Work at all, and recently learnt that his brother was Working his memory so he had no idea he was the most rare kind of Worker of all, and no idea that they used him as an assassin.

After reading White Cat, I was expecting even twistier plots and higher stakes from Red Glove, and I wasn't disappointed at all. Red Glove's plot is clever, complicated and entirely compelling. There's a twist or new revelation around every corner, and I couldn't put it down.

Cassel was a dynamic character, with flaws interwoven into his personality that made him realistic. He was clever, brave, and I felt genuine compassion for him.

Cassel and Lila's relationship was complicated and difficult, yet I found myself looking forward to every scene they had together, hoping for the best.

The ending satisfied the major complications and opened new trials to be faced in Black Heart, the next book, coming out next year.

Holly Black's writing style is simple and dark and captivating. I give Red Glove a 5 out of 5 and recommend it to anyone who likes a paranormal mystery. Look out for it on the 5th of April.

Review: Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Series: Mistwood (#1)
Pages: 304
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Published: April 27th, 2010
IBSN: 9780061956997

The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwood. But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty—because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them. Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Mistwood was at first a little confusing, since I couldn't remember the blurb and had no inkling what it was about. But once I understood what was going on, I was captivated. I loved the premise: there's a Shifter living in the Mistwood bound by magic to protect the kings of Samorna. She resigns back to her woods when her work is done, but always come back when she's needed.

Mistwood is predominately about Isabel's - the Shifter's - struggle with her loyalties. The Shifter's entire purpose is and always has been to protect the king, but she's faced a dilemma: which one?

I loved Isabel - cold, distant, and kick-ass. That on top of a third person perspective, I can imagine some reader's would have trouble connecting with/feeling for her, but I love my heroines unsentimental and badass.

The plot was fast-paced and to the point. The book didn't as much focus on physical action as I thought it would, but was more about Isabel's slowly figuring out the mystery surrounding why she left last time. Something new is revealed in almost every chapter, and the final twist was so unpredictable yet explained so much.

Mistwood is also incredibly well-written. The author's style was tense and serious, and entirely compelling.

The ending was satisfying, foreshadowed by Isabel's angst about who to side with, and maintained the story's tone. It tied up all of the loose ends with a realistic denouement.

I give Mistwood a 5 out of 5, and recommend it to fans of Graceling and other epic fantasies.

Review: The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
Pages: 240
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Published: January 1st, 2011
IBSN: 978140224369

Welcome to a future where water is more precious than gold or oil - and worth killing for.

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. Timely and eerily familiar, acclaimed author Cameron Stracher makes a stunning YA debut that's impossible to forget. 

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

The Water Wars is a dystopia set in a futuristic world where water has almost run out. What little clean water there is left is fought over, stolen, and sold. If you can afford clean water, you're stuck with contaminated, desalinated ocean water. What makes The Water Wars so initially compelling is that the future it describes isn't unrealistic at all. It's completely possible with the way we're going. Reading it has made me nervous about how much water I use.

That said, I picked this book up because of its premise, and it was the premise that kept me reading.

I couldn't really connect with the main characters, Vera and Will. I didn't find myself caring for them. I felt like they didn't know Kai all that well to go off and save him because of their friendship. It felt more like they were trying to find him for selfish reasons. Also, their teaming up with Ulysses and Sula struck me as odd - in a world where water is power, why would they want help them and then share that power?

The plot was tense, though, which I liked. On their quest to rescue Kai, Vera and Will are confronted by water pirates and water-hoarding organisations. Their cruelty adds more depth to the premise.

Overall, though, The Water Wars was a fast, thought-provoking read. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Review of Only The Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Only The Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

Series: Gallagher Girls (#4)
Pages: 265
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Published: June 19th, 2010
IBSN: 9781423128205

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn’t know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. But that’s exactly what happened two months ago when Cammie faced off against an ancient terrorist organization dead set on kidnapping her.

Now the danger follows her everywhere, and even Cammie “The Chameleon” can’t hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent, Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers—or even her own heart.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Only The Good Spy Young is the fourth book in the Gallagher Girl series. The series revolves Cammie "The Chameleon" Morgan, a spy in training at Gallagher Academy - a school for spies under the cover of a boarding school.

The books in the series seem to be getting progressively more serious, from missions for Covert Ops class to being targeted by a terrorist organisation. Only The Good Spy Young had more action and suspense than the books before it, and was as captivating as the others.

When reading a series, I usually find the characters flat, with not much development past the first book. The Gallagher Girls series is an exception to that, with Cammie and her friends becoming stronger and more independent as the story progresses. They're all likable, loyal characters, each with their own quirks.

The mysterious Zach makes more appearances in this book, and we learn more about his background. Instead of just popping up to warn Cammie, he fights beside her and her friends. Cammie and Zach's relationship is tested but still grows, and it becomes more romantic in this installment of the series.

The plot, like the other books in the series, is compelling. It's unpredictable, suspenseful, and puts in the characters in all kinds of tight places that take no small amount of work to get out of. A lot of mysteries from previous books become clearer, and loyalties are tested.

This books ends on the biggest cliffhanger of the series, and also has the biggest wait so far until the next book. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I give Only The Good Spy Young a 5 out of 5.

Review of Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

Pages: 398
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: January 11th, 2011
IBSN: 9781595143976

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Across The Universe is Beth Revis's debut novel. It's part sci-fi, part dystopia, part murder mystery, and part awesome.

The premise straight away had me hooked. People are frozen cryogenically to be thawed and settle on a new planet when they land, but our main character - Amy - is woken early in an attempted murder. Though I was nervous that the execution wouldn't live up to the premise, it exceeded it.

The setting was vividly described and thoroughly planned out. The setting wasn't just the story's backdrop, but a major part of it. Living in the ship had a believable effect on everything and everyone inside it. The dystopian society was cleverly built, featuring completely different ethical priorities and hierarchies than the world we live in.

With the perspective alternating between Amy (a newcomer on the ship) and Elder (who's lived on the ship his entire life), you get to see the Godspeed from both an insider and an outsiders point of view. Amy was thus easy to relate to, learning things about how her new world worked just as we, the readers, did.

The secondary characters were also well written - especially Harley (God, I loved Harley). Their personalities were distinct (with the exception of the ship's thousands of drones) and compelling. Beth Revis also explored the gray area between good and bad in characters - showing that the good guys aren't all good and the bad guys aren't all bad.

The romance between Amy and Elder felt like more a subplot. It was subtle and for a while at the beginning, one-sided, yet reading from each of their perspectives - getting inside both of their heads - it was clear they made a great couple.

The plot focuses for a large amount of the book on both Amy and Elder uncovering the secrets and lies that the ship's system was built upon. The plot was fast-paced and never predictable, ending with a satisfying conclusion that still leaves room for sequels.


Turning the last page of this book, all I could say was 'wow'. Across The Universe was a fast and captivating thriller. I give it a 5 out of 5.

_________________________________

I read this book for the 2011 Debut Author Challenge.

Review of Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover by Ally Carter

Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover is the third book in the Gallagher Girls series, so this review will, of course, contain spoilers for the first two books. Proceed with caution.

When Cammie visits her roommate and friend, Macey, in Boston, where her father's being nominated for vice president, she expects an exciting end to summer break. Excitement she gets, when she and Macey find themselves in a kidnapper's plot.

Luckily, escaping is just one the things they do best, as students of the Gallagher Academy For Exceptional Young Women - a spy school in disguise. But soon they find out that it isn't over yet, and as more attempts are made, they wonder if Macey was the real target.



Like the Gallagher Girls book before it, Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover was fast-faced and fun to read. Written in a no-nonsense prose, there was constant action and mystery, and was completely captivating - so much so that I read it on Christmas morning.

There aren't a lot of spy books out there targeted to a young adult audience, and this series is the only I've read in the genre, but it's enough to make me want to branch out and find more books like it. A boarding school full of female spies-in-training - a premise so unique and exciting you can't help but pick it up.

Cammie is a strong, clever and loyal protagonist. She spends the majority of this book trying to protect her friend without a second thought, outsmarting secret agents, and unraveling mysteries. Though, in spite of all that, she's relatable. She worries about her friends, she has boy trouble, and misses her dead father. She's a dynamic protagonist that you can't help but feel endeared and sympathetic to.

The plot was cleverly constructed, with problems from past books weaved into the story and with new ones arising. It was at all times unpredictable - every time I think I can guess what's about to happen, something else entirely occurs.

The romance between Zach and Cammie was mysterious and compelling. The broody, mysterious stock character that always weasels his way into paranormal romances can't hold a flame to the enigma that is Zach. I mean, he's a spy. His intentions throughout the book aren't clear, but he still feels trustworthy.

I give Don't Judge A Girl By Her Cover 4 out of 5, and intend to the the next (already released) book in the series, Only The Good Spy Young, soon.

Review of Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Angelfire is Courtney Allison Moulton's debut novel, and the first in a trilogy. It's due for release on the 15th of February, 2011. I have NetGalley and HarperCollins to thank for the advanced reader's copy I received.


Ellie doesn't understand why she has nightmares of horrible creatures and far off times and places until she starts seeing the creatures in the real world. They're reapers - beasts that devour humans and send their souls to hell.
Ellie soon meets Will, who tells her she's the reincarnate of an ancient warrior - the only person who can wield angelfire and kill the reapers.
But with the reapers threatening to bring about the End Of Days, the apocalypse, she finds herself barely-trained and on the frontlines of a supernatural war.


Firstly, I want to talk about the non-paranormal aspects of this book. It was refreshing to just have a normal heroine: with friends, but not popular; average at school; average socioeconomic status; and with both parents alive and together.

And the paranormal aspect was unique to anything I've read before: reapers, angels, demons. The mythology behind it all was interesting and made the current situation and conflict believable.

The action scenes were well-choreographed, and the writing style created suspense and tension during dramatic scenes.

The romance played only a small role in the story, and was sweet and believable. Ellie and Will had chemistry, and separately, they had depth and unique personalities.

Angelfire was a fun read. It had humor, action, romance: something for every reader. I'd recommend it to anyone. I give it 4 out of 5.

Review of Outside In by Maria V Snyder

This makes two reviews in a row of books by Maria V Snyder. She is, of course, one of my favorite authors.

Outside In is the sequel to Inside Out, and this review will, naturally, contain Inside Out spoilers.

Trella thought her part was over. She led a rebellion and won Inside back from the Travas and Pop Cops. Now she's happy to give control over to a Committee.

But The Committee can't decide on anything, everyone still harbors Scrubs/Upper prejudices, Inside is practically in anarchy, and now something from the Outside wants In.

The Inside Out series is dystopia, a genre that's increasing in popularity. It's more science-fiction-y than I'm used to, but I read it anyway, and found myself glad afterwards for doing so.

I thought Trella was a great character from the beginning, but in Outside In, she just gets better. Initially, she's content to leave everything to The Committee. After all, she's just a air duct scrub, not a leader. Her hesitancy to take control made her feel more real. Then when she finally realised she had to take matters into her own hands, she became admirable. All throughout, she proved herself a clever and resourceful protagonist.

Maria V Snyder's writing is unique and descriptive - she manages to create a far-out setting and then write it so that I can picture it clearly in my head.

The plot was constantly twisting and turning. Just when you think you had it figured out, some development you never saw coming arises. The quick-witted characters did, however, manage to overcome each problem, with no small amount of difficulty.

The ending leads me to believe there won't be another book in this captivating series. Though I wish there were more, I can honestly say I feel happy for the characters who worked so hard for their denouement.

I give Outside in a 5 out of 5, and I give NetGalley a huge thank you for the opportunity to read this.

Review of Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

I've been waiting for Behemoth to be released since I read Leviathan earlier this year. Behemoth came out on the 5th of October, and just now I finally got to the top of my library's hold queue, two months later.




The Leviathan trilogy tells of an steampunk alternate World War I where the allies are Darwinists and the axis are Clankers. The Darwinists use genetically-engineered animals and the Clankers use advanced machinery as weapons.

Behemoth picks up immediately after where Leviathan ends. Alek, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, a Clanker, is on the run from the Germans on board the Leviathan - an airship made by the Darwinists. Deryn is a British midshipman posing as a boy who befriends Alek. They're on their way to Istanbul where the crew hopes to put a stop to the war.

Behemoth is also illustrated by Keith Thompson. Rarely do I find a novel illustrated, so that immediately was interesting. It helps people like me, devoid of imagination, picture the far-out creatures that feature in the book.

The premise of the Leviathan trilogy is extremely unique and simultaneously compelling. Westerfeld created lingo to accompany the setting, a la 'boffin' and 'barking', which adds to the believability of the setting. Behemoth is full of action, and the stakes have risen since Leviathan.

My favorite part about Behemoth is the romance, though a small part of the story. Deryn finds herself developing a crush on Alek, though she can't act on this whilst dressed as a boy. Also, the scenes between Lilit and Deryn are awkward and hilarious.

The ending of Behemoth solves the main conflict in itself, whilst introducing the conflict of the next book. Goliath, the final installment in the Leviathan trilogy, comes out in October of 2011.

I rate Behemoth 4 out of 5.

Review of Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

I heard about Ship Breaker in a vlogbrothers video where Hank recommends it. Soon thereafter it went onto my TBR list, and now, several months later, I've read it.





Ship Breaker is set in a post Global Warming dystopian future where resources are scarce and most people are left to scavenge what's left. Nailer, the main character, works as a child laborer in a ship breaking operation. He tears up apart old oil tankers, gathering old copper wiring to make quota and thus make a living, with no help from his violently drunk father.

The operation takes place in America's Gulf Coast, on the beach, where the scavenging is juxtaposed with extravagant 'clipper' ships which sail by.

After a 'city killer' of a storm rolls by, Nailer and his friend find a clipper shipwrecked and ripe for scavenge. They think it's their Lucky Strike, until they find the ship's owner, a wealthy young girl, still alive inside. For Nailer, she may well be his way to a better life, off the beach.

When he discovers the secrets that led her south he decides to help her, because how else will he get off the beach that means death to him?

The great thing about The Ship Breaker isn't its storyline - which isn't to say it isn't great - but the universe Paolo Bacigalupi creates to set it in. Unlike a lot of other YA dystopias, Ship Breaker tells of a future that isn't that unrealistic, of one that we may well be headed to. Global Warming has drowned cities, resources are all but used up. The author talks more about the setting in this video.

Nailer's point of view is also intriguing. He's young, illiterate, and doesn't know anything except for he's learnt on the beach he's always called home. The setting is described through the eyes of someone who doesn't know what it was like before crisis point.

The plot is fast-paced and never boring, but without be being overwhelming. The ending ties up the story yet still hints towards bigger problems coming.

Ship Breaker is currently released, and its sequel, The Drowned Cities, is due for release next year. I rate Ship Breaker 5 out of 5 and recommend to anyone, regardless of whether they typically like science fiction and dystopia or not.

Review of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

First of all, I want to talk about the cover. To the left, you see the British/Australian cover, and I'm unsure whether I like it better than the blue US edition or not. Your thoughts?






So, I want to let out all my non-sensical fangirl-type squees about this book before I write a serious review. Ahem.
ZOMG, BEST THING I'VE READ THIS YEAR, ZOMG, IT'S NOT WHAT I EXPECTED, ZOMG, I WANT TO DROWN IN ITS AWESOMENESS BUT NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ALIVE TO READ IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Mockingjay is, in case you did not know, the final installment in the Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. I daresay it's the most anticipated YA release of the year.
I made my sister, who goes to school in the Melbourne CBD, buy the book for me on her way home. I wanted to read this book because I like finishing series'. I wanted to read The Hunger Games, the first book in the series, because the synopsis just drags you in and FORCES you to read it.

So, The Hunger Games trilogy is set in a dystopian time period, where Northern America has after revolution become Panem, which consists of a governing Capitol, and 13 districts. Well, 12, since the 13th was obliterated when the districts tried to rebel against the tyrannic Capitol. Each year, the Capitol, on the anniversary of the rebellion, reinforces its dominance over the districts by taking one boy and one girl from each district, and pinning the 24 children against eachother in an arena, in a televised fight to the death. This event, to the citizens of the Capitol, is like us to the Olympics.
The protagonist is Katniss Everdeen, from district 12. Her sister is drawn for the Games, and Katniss volunteers herself to save her younger sister. The first book is based around her time in the arena.
Catching Fire, the next installment in the series, is about Katniss' life post-Games, and her trying to find her place again in her district. And then, on the Quarter Quell, the 75th anniversary of the rebellion, a Games is held where the participants are drawn from previous victors, and Katniss is thrust back into the arena.

Mockingjay is...heartbreaking, is the only word I can think for it. But in the best possible sense of the word. It isn't concluded cleanly and easily, but difficultly, as only to be expected.
In Mockingjay, Katniss faces less physical battles, and more emotional and psychological ones. Nothing in the rebellion is as black-and-white as it is in the arena, where the objective is simple: Survive. Be the last one standing.

From all the fan discussions I've read on Mockingjay, I've found it's pretty commonplace to hate Katniss after Mockingjay. Admittedly, she did irk me at times, but the reader needs to stop and think: who would I become in this situation? I contend that Katniss' bad decisions make her a great protagonist, a realistic one, that you could relate to, despite the entirely different circumstances she and the reader face.

I give Mockingjay a 5/5, because it makes you laugh, cry, and question frantically "where are all the other pages?!" when you reach the ending.