Title: Remember Yesterday ( Forget Yesterday #1)
Author: Pintip Dunn Publisher: Entangled Teen Publication Date: October 4th, 2016 Genre: YA, Dystopia, Fantasy Format: Ebook My Rating: 5/5 stars Links: GoodReads . Amazon Blurb: The sequel to the sci-fi hit Forget Tomorrow is a twisting, turning roller-coaster ride—the perfect sci-fi futuristic read. Seventeen-year-old Jessa Stone is the most valuable citizen in Eden City. Her psychic abilities could lead to significant scientific discoveries -- if only she'd let TechRA study her. But after they kidnapped and experimented on her as a child, cooperating with the scientists is the last thing Jessa would do. But when she discovers the past isn't what she assumed, Jessa must join forces with budding scientist Tanner Callahan to rectify a fatal mistake made ten years ago. She'll do anything to change her past -- even if it means aligning herself with the enemy she swore to defeat. My Review: I received an e-Arc of Remember Yesterday from the publisher via NETGalley, in exchange with an honest review. A spellbinding sequel that will leave you begging for more with every chapter you consume I liked reading Forget Tomorrow, but I LOVED Remember Yesterday !!!! Once I finished the 1st 20% of the book, each chapter ended with me yelling "What !" & "OMG! " Not only does the plot thickens, but also the way how everything lines up by the end of the book is incredible. Anything that seemed vague by the end of book one played an important role in the events that take place in book 2. The romance in this book was very refreshing. The author switched how the typical girl likes boy,boy likes girl is represented in YA Literature. Every single character in this book has a great role to play, a chance to become more mature, a hard decision to take, and a memory to fulfill or let go off. All of that was shown perfectly . I really enjoyed reading it from Jessa's perspective Here are some of my favorite Quotes: 1) These people have lost their minds to a riot. We have no idea what they'll do, or not do ! 2) These are the casualties of War . 3) Time Passes. You take one breath, and then the next. The moment disappears and the next one arrives,and you're still here. There's an Honor in that. Simply enduring. I honestly can't wait for book 3. I am hungover over this amazing book !!! Pintip Dunn is killing it with this kick ass sequel. I can't wait to see how many awards this book is going to collect. I give it 5/5 stars
About the Author:
When her first-grade teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, Pintip replied, “An author.” Although she has pursued other interests over the years, this dream has never wavered. Pintip graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL. Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. She is a 2012 RWA Golden Heart® finalist and a 2014 double-finalist.
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Title: The Learn Author: Tony Halker Publisher: Clink Street Publishing Publishing Date: September 29th 2016 Genre: Dystopian, Historical Fiction Links: Goodreads . Amazon Blurb: Blending reality, history and legend, about a time when women were considered as important as men, taking power in an oral society that worships the Goddess. A whole Celtic Druid world is laid out before us, incorporating beliefs, technology and the natural environment. A Celtic boy, a beach scavenger, is pledged to the Learn, a life of endurance, a path to become sworn Druid: scholar and warrior. Young women and men progress, becoming Priests and Druidii. Friendship, affection, passion and care develop as novices mature, confidence emerging. Seasonal battles of winter and summer bring rich festivals when seeds of men are taken by women in pleasure to prove fertility. Small damaged, hurt peoples on the margins of Celtic society blend in and out of vision. At frontiers with Nature, dependent for everything on what the earth gives or takes, an emotional response to the natural environment defines who people are and the values they live by. A lyrical novel resonating with modern readers through portrayal of character, language and history; arising from a landscape of today, yet centred in the Celtic Bronze Age of North Wales. The Journey to Write This Book How many adults over middle age can remember with precision who taught them to read. I am not sure who taught me, yet I am so grateful now. I have come to writing because I have always loved to read and am in awe of those writers who create worlds that draw me in, let me escape into both characters and events. I was brought up in a crowded apartment, I probably never slept in a room alone until I was twenty years old. We had little space, constantly heard our own noise and that from the apartments downstairs and to left and right. I learnt to escape into books, the worlds there became my place, my room, somewhere to take a dream, somewhere to aspire to, yet I would never have considered that I could write or that it was a reasonable or sensible way for me to seek to go through life. My upbringing would have said there were many thousands of priorities much higher than the idea of writing: work at school, pass exams, get a job and help pay the rent were the priorities. That is the cultural reality and imperative for so many people; writing, or painting or music would have been considered frivolities that would not pay the rent or put food on the table; those messages reflect the hard lives of many of my parents generation, we were not an exception. The complexity of the books I read has grown, my taste has changed. I now allow myself not to finish a book, there was a time when the puritan in me, said that books are good, you have started and must finish. Books change lives and fiction probably contains more truths than much of the non-fiction we see published. It is interesting that it is called “non fiction” and not “faction”. I appreciate that the word is already used elsewhere, but perhaps there are few facts in some non fiction! I can still read a wonderful book, identify with the characters and almost feel a sense of bereavement when the books come to an end and I can no longer spend time with the people there, as their life develops and a new story unfolds. Those books I love the most I can read again and again years apart, finding something new each time I recently came across a pile of papers in an old computer case that were the first chapter of a novel I attempted ten years ago. I had forgotten my attempt to write that particular story but many times in life I have written things down, embryo novels, all have been discarded; most were started at a time of life change or stress as an outlet for a message or emotion. I am a lucky man who has now been able to make the time to write when I want to. I wish to be a story teller that draws the reader in, makes them want to be in the book; though the messages the book seeks to debate, consider and present are important to me. I hope The Learn does not dictate views but asks or poses questions. I know now I have always yearned to spend my time writing. I got to my first 48,000 words of The Learn and had many doubts about whether readers would like it. Kind people I could trust to be honest, accomplished readers, gave me confidence both to finish this debut novel and publish it. I will always be grateful to them and particularly to my wife and children, whose brutal honesty where they felt I needed to consider or look again made me think. It took me a year to write, six or more months to edit and six months to publish. I have learnt so much in the process that I hope has honed my craft and capability as a writer. About the Author: Born in London, Tony Halker studied geology at Leeds University after which he worked as a geologist, travelling extensively overseas. Following an MBA at Cranfield School of Management, he became a manager in hi-tec business and later a businessman and entrepreneur. His writing is inspired by powerful natural landscapes and his interest in the people and technologies emerging from those hard places. His two daughters were born in North Wales. He lives with his wife there and in Hertfordshire. Website . Blog Title: Forget Yesterday #1 Author: Pintip Dunn Publisher: Entangled Teen Publication Date: November 3rd 2015 Genre: YA, Dystopia, Fantasy Format: Ebook My Rating: 3.5/5 stars Links: GoodReads . Amazon Blurb: Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self. It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision―a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist. Or in Callie’s case, a criminal. In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo―a prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes the hellish prison. But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all. My Review: I have to say that the concept that lead to this book is amazing !! Maybe I am being biased , since my WIP is based on a similar world. This is a book that will grab your attention right from the start, and leave you wondering what is going to happen next all of the time. My favorite thing about this book is the world that it is set in. In a world where (who you become in the future, affects what happens to you in the present), a lot of things could go wrong. Which is exactly what happened to our protagonist. I got some Delirium vibes, which is more than okay because that book is amazing ! I found the romance to be very rushed, especially when it comes to Callie. She didn't show any signs of affection towards Logan until he started talking to her again after 5 years of no communication what so ever. I don't want to mention any spoilers, but some of the revelations towards the end of book didn't click for me. I am counting on the sequel to clear these up because the main story has great potential . There is too much that need to me explained !! The Cliffhanger at the end was simply, perfect ! Overall , this was a good read. I give it 3.5/5 stars About the Author: When her first-grade teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, Pintip replied, “An author.” Although she has pursued other interests over the years, this dream has never wavered. Pintip graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL. Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. She is a 2012 RWA Golden Heart® finalist and a 2014 double-finalist. She lives with her husband and children in Maryland. Title: Animal Farm Author: George Orwell Publisher: Secker and Warburg Publication Date: August 17, 1945 Genre: Dystopia, Classics , Literature Format: Paperback My Rating : 4/5 Links: Goodreads . Amazon Blurb: "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." Revolution is in the air at Manor Farm after old Major, a prize boar, tells the other animals about his dream of freedom and teaches them to sing "Beasts of England." Mr Jones, the drunken farmer, is deposed and a committee of pigs takes over the running of the farm. The animals are taught to read and write, but the dream turns sour, the purges begin and those in charge come more and more to resemble their oppressors. Orwell's allegory of the Soviet revolution remains as lucid and compelling as ever. In beautifully clear prose, he gives us a vivid gallery of characters and a fable that conveys the truth about how we are manipulated through language and the impossibility of finding heaven on earth. My Review: Animal Farm was one of my favorite reads in 2015. Not only was it enjoyable , but also very satirical . It is funny how history keeps on repeating itself, and we keep on finding ourselves pawns to vial actions covered in an eluding disguise of saints. One thing that really caught my attention was how those who were bad at memorizing were considered stupid. Since this was written in third person, I wasn't sure if Orwell was capturing the common stigma during that time, or simply stating his own opinion. My favorite quotes include: 1) "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." 2) “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.” This was an enjoyable, thought provoking read ! I give it 4/5 stars. About the Author: Eric Arthur Blair, better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English author and journalist. His work is marked by keen intelligence and wit, a profound awareness of social injustice, an intense opposition to totalitarianism, a passion for clarity in language, and a belief in democratic socialism.
Title: The Coupling (The Letting #2)
Author: Cathrine Goldstein Publication Date: February 15th 2016 Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Genre: YA, Dystopia My Rating: 3.25/5 stars The Letting on Goodreads Buy Links: Amazon│Barnes & Noble│The Wild Rose Press│Kobo Blurb: In Ronnie Billings’ dystopian world, surviving the Letting and breaking free of a corrupt government is less of a surprise than falling in love with Phoenix Day, the leader of the Peaceful Revolution… When the government sentences Ronnie to a Coupling under the guise of producing a coveted blood type, Ronnie discovers the one she’s slated to Couple with expects even more. Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves most, Ronnie devastates Phoenix with her impossible decision. Whisked away from her rebel life to another world ravaged by despair, Ronnie meets her greatest nemesis...her biological father. Steeling her nerves against the dangers of escape, she embarks on the perilous journey back. She is convinced she belongs with Phoenix and his revolution, but will her friends, and especially Phoenix, be ready to accept her when she returns? Because this time, evil is in her blood... My review: I received an eARC of The Coupling in exchange with an honest review. I have been anticipating this book ever since I have read The Letting ( Click here to read my review of book 1) , so once The Coupling blog tour was announced, I knew that I had to be a part of it. The book starts with the best prologue ever. It made me wonder about how the story will twist and turn for the characters to end up right there,since the 1st few chapters and the blurb makes it seem impossible. I was disappointed with the how some characters acted during the beginning of the book; it made the writing and the character building flake out a bit. However, the story's plot continues to intrigue me. Catherine has created a novel concept, with events that will keep you flipping through the pages. I will be waiting for the 3rd book in the series to see what happens next ! I give it 3.25 /5 stars Enter the Giveaway !
About the Author:
Given my love for cities and all that is gritty, my new obsession with trees really has me stumped. (Sorry.) Maybe it's because trees are the inspiration behind my new YA/NA novel, THE LETTING. Whatever the reason for my new infatuation, some things remain constant -- like my love for: coffee (although sadly, it's now decaf); yoga; Luna bars (I am petitioning for them to bring back Chocolate Raspberry!); running in my neighborhood; Hemingway; Bukowski... and, above all, my husband and my girls. I am the author of the bestselling novel, Sleeping With Mortals: The Story of a New York Mistress, and I'm also a playwright. I have my B.A. in English and my M.A. in Theatre. Author Links: Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook
The Coupling (The Letting #2)
Release Date: February 15th 2016
Summary:
In Ronnie Billingsâ dystopian world, surviving the Letting and breaking free of a corrupt government is less of a surprise than falling in love with Phoenix Day, the leader of the Peaceful Revolutionâ¦
When the government sentences Ronnie to a Coupling under the guise of producing a coveted blood type, Ronnie discovers the one sheâs slated to Couple with expects even more.
Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves most, Ronnie devastates Phoenix with her impossible decision. Whisked away from her rebel life to another world ravaged by despair, Ronnie meets her greatest nemesis...her biological father.
Steeling her nerves against the dangers of escape, she embarks on the perilous journey back. She is convinced she belongs with Phoenix and his revolution, but will her friends, and especially Phoenix, be ready to accept her when she returns? Because this time, evil is in her blood...
Book One (click on image for Goodreads link):
Trailer:
About the Author
Given my love for cities and all that is gritty, my new obsession with trees really has me stumped. (Sorry.) Maybe it's because trees are the inspiration behind my new YA/NA novel, THE LETTING.
Whatever the reason for my new infatuation, some things remain constant -- like my love for: coffee (although sadly, it's now decaf); yoga; Luna bars (I am petitioning for them to bring back Chocolate Raspberry!); running in my neighborhood; Hemingway; Bukowski... and, above all, my husband and my girls.
I am the author of the bestselling novel, Sleeping With Mortals: The Story of a New York Mistress, and I'm also a playwright. I have my B.A. in English and my M.A. in Theatre.
Title: Awakening (Awakening #1)
Author: Shannon Duffy Publisher: Entangled teen Publication Date: April 7th Genre: Dystopia,YA,Sci-Fi My Rating:4/5 stars (B+) Purchase Links: Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books Blurb: A thrilling, futuristic sci-fi novel set in a unique and thought-provoking world, from author Shannon Duffy. Desiree Six (because she was born on a Friday) believes in everything the Protectorate stands for. She likes the safety and security of having her entire life planned out—her career, her mate, even the date of her death. She doesn't even think to question when Darian, her childhood friend and neighbor, is convicted of murdering his parents. They had seemed like such a loving family. But if he was convicted, then he must have done it. Then Darian shows up in her room late one night. He has escaped from the Terrorscape—a nightmare machine used to punish all Noncompliants—and needs Desiree's help. What he tells her rocks her world to its core and makes her doubt everything she's ever been told. With this new information, will Desiree and Darian be able to escape the Protectorate before it's too late? My Review: I received an eARC of Awakening in exchange with my honest review during the Awakening Blog Tour hosted by YA Blog tours. Shannon Duffy mixes several popular aspects from the YA culture, and adds her own touch of individuality when she speculates the concepts of sleep,dreams,and nightmares to come with such an entertaining novel to read. In a world where the protectorate use Fate to decide everything for you, from how many years you live to who you marry ,the so called Utopian world becomes Dystopian ! I absolutely enjoyed reading Awakening. It was a fast read with many elements such as sci-fi technology and romance in it. The beginning of the book is dedicated to describe the world and a briefing on why has it evolved to become this way. We also follow Desiree, who believes that the system is right no matter what. Things become more interesting when Darian is added to the picture . What I really like about the romance that it wasn't rushed or overdone . It was just perfect. My favorite line is " I love it when you owe me" ! Tell me if you agree ! I really enjoyed visualizing the Terrorscape ; it was one of my favorite chapters to read. It displayed the author's creativity in the best way possible. There are some gaps in the story that may or may not be answered in the next book.I also thought that the character building and the ending was a bit rushed. A bit more elaboration would have served the story more justice, but it does not change how this story is a must read. The world building and the story Awakening has to tell is so thrilling that it might keep you up too late to finish it. Unfortunately, it ends with a cliffhanger. A very good cliffhanger that I hope will elaborate on the points that were not thoroughly discussed in Awakened! I really enjoyed Awakened ,and I can't wait to read the next book. I give it 4/5 stars and a B+ according to my own rating scale.
About the Author
Author of MG and YA books full of adventure. I grew up on the east coast of Canada in the province of Newfoundland and now live in Ontario. I love writing, reading, fashion, fitness, and traveling.
Awakening
Release Date: 04/07/15
Entangled Teen
Summary from Goodreads:
A thrilling, futuristic sci-fi novel set in a unique and thought-provoking world, from author Shannon Duffy.
Desiree Six (because she was born on a Friday) believes in everything the Protectorate stands for. She likes the safety and security of having her entire life planned outâher career, her mate, even the date of her death. She doesn't even think to question when Darien, her childhood friend and neighbor, is convicted of murdering his parents. They had seemed like such a loving family. But if he was convicted, then he must have done it.
Then Darien shows up in her room late one night. He has escaped from the Terrorscapeâa nightmare machine used to punish all Noncompliantsâand needs Desiree's help. What he tells her rocks her world to its core and makes her doubt everything she's ever been told. With this new information, will Desiree and Darien be able to escape the Protectorate before it's too late?
Buy Links:
Top Favorite Things Top 3 Favorite snacks while writing and why: Coffee, popcorn, and nuts because the coffee keeps me alert and the other stuff I love. Top 3 Favorite books that inspired you to write: Narnia, Twilight, and Hush Hush. Top 3 favorite techniques to overcome writers block and why: Take a break from writing, read, do CP work. These things help to press the reset button for me and get me back in the writing groove. Top 3 musicians/bands/groups and why Adam Levine, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguileraâbecause theyâre awesome! Top 4 favorite movies of all time The Notebook, Shawshank Redemption, The Matrix and Ace Ventura (SO many more awesome ones). Top 3 favorite actors/actresses and why Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, Ryan Gosling because they are really talented and always pull me in or make me laugh. Top 3 favorite dream destinations:Bora Bora, Australia, and Italy
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Title: The Letting #1 Author: Cathrine Goldstein Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Publication Date: December 15th 2014 Genre: YA, Dystopia Format: eARC My Rating: 4/5 stars (B+) Blurb: What if the Devil doesn't know he’s the Devil? This is the question Veronica “Ronnie” Billings poses to Phoenix, her sworn enemy, the leader of the Peaceful Revolution, and the one she loves. Kidnapped by Phoenix’s rebels, Ronnie learns how wrong she has been. She had no idea that her patriotism was wasted on a corrupt government. Ronnie was proud to be a Leader; taking hundreds of harvested girls to the Letting facility. After all, she was saving them from future Couplings and bringing them to the safety of the New World. Or so she thought… Confused, Ronnie realizes the only way to discover the truth is to trust her heart. Together, Phoenix and Ronnie devise a plan to stop their corrupt government and preempt the dangerous rebel coup which is approaching. But when their plan goes awry, will Ronnie be strong enough to save Phoenix, her country, and herself? My Review: I received an ARC of The Letting fro YA bound books in exchange with an honest review. This book is different than anything I have read lately. It is showing a darker, scarier aspect of how the human race might end up to be. The word Selfish is taken to a new level. This book is like the story of Elizabeth Bathory , who killed virgins for her youth , with some kick ass plot twist.The story fellows Veronica, who is a legend for sending the greatest amount of Lettings. What is a Letting? Something like getting blood withdrawal ! She used to think that she was serving the society, which turns out to be wrong. She is serving the government, yeah, but since it is a Dystopian novel, then it has to be a corrupted and serving its own agenda. The only thing i did not like is how Veronica was so desperate to please everyone. She bored out with how everyone who point her previous mistakes, she had the surge to apologize. However towards the end, she seem to have gone through some development in her character, making this book carry some great character development within it. The world building was great. The way the author captured how simple the camp was and how fancy the houses and people on the other side were is amazing. The story did not miss the element of Romance. Phoenix, who started as hating and despising her, ended up falling in love with her. However, he did not show it first. he was able to hide it under his previous disgust with what veronica has done in the past. On the Other hand, the person ruling this messed up society falls for veronica. Although he is supposed to be evil, yet the authors finds a way to make you like him at some points. I did not know that there was a second book until the last page! The book ended with a cliffhanger that haunted me for a couple of days. I absolutely loved this book and I am looking forward to read book 2 when it come out. I give The letting 4/5 stars and a (B+) according to my own rating scale. Title: Anomaly ( Schrodinger's Consortium #1 ) Author: Tonya Kuper Publisher: Entangled Teen Publication Date: November 25th , 2014 Genre: Sci-Fi, YA, Romance, Dystopian Format: eARC My Rating: 5/5 stars ( A-) Blurb: Reality is only an illusion. Except for those who can control it… Worst. Birthday. Ever. My first boyfriend dumped me—happy birthday, Josie!—my dad is who knows where, I have some weird virus that makes me want to hurl, and now my ex is licking another girl’s tonsils. Oh, and I’m officially the same age as my brother was when he died. Yeah, today is about as fun-filled as the swamps of Dagobah. But then weird things start happening… Like I make something materialize just by thinking about it. When hottily-hot badass Reid Wentworth shows up on a motorcycle, everything changes. Like, everything. Who I am. My family. What really happened to my brother. Existence. I am Oculi, and I have the ability to change reality with my thoughts. Now Reid, in all his hotness, is charged with guiding and protecting me as I begin learning how to bend reality. And he’s the only thing standing between me and the secret organization that wants me dead… My Review: I received and e ARC of Anomaly from Entangled Teen via NetGalley and YA Bound Blog in exchange with an honest review. Anomaly is a book that captures your attention just like that; when you are only a few pages in! Not only is the plot absolutely original, but also the character development is incredible . I found Josie always confused with the way she feels towards her mother. At first it was a bit confusing to read, but as the story went on, Josie became a bit stronger and started to have a bit more rigid believes. The way the author,Tonya, made physics rules an explanation of the characters' powers , which is making things appear and disappear by just thinking it , is just absolutely mind blowing. Although the setting is just a typical city, but the author's description of secret rooms and the way things appear and disappear is amazing. And now we come to the Romance part; I absolutely shipped Josie and Reid !! And the best thing is that the story was told from both of their P.O.V. So I was able to get a glimpse of what each one of them is thinking! With a story packed with humor,action, love, and trust, Anomaly is a book that I was not able to put down. Especially when each chapter left you hanging, not giving a complete closure to what happen. I loved Anomaly and I personally can't wait to read the second book in the series. I give this book 5/5 stars and an A- according to my own rating scale. Buy Links: Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Kobo Books│The Book Depository│iBooks If you have read and enjoyed Anomaly, then why not help it become a tv show/movie on iflist.com http://iflist.com/stories/anomaly# |
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