Review ~ Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza

Mila 2.0 (MILA 2.0 #1)

by Debra Driza

YA Sci-Fi

Published: March 12th 2013

Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence. 

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past-that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do. 

Now she has no choice but to run-from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life. 

Mila 2.0 is Debra Driza's bold debut and the first book in a Bourne Identity-style trilogy that combines heart-pounding action with a riveting exploration of what it really means to be human. Fans of I Am Number Four will love Mila for who she is and what she longs to be-and a cliffhanger ending will leave them breathlessly awaiting the sequel. 

My Review: 

**3.5 Stars**

Mila 2.0 is a very unique story and unlike anything I have read before. Mila is an android, only she doesn't know it. We all know it from the cover and synopsis, but it takes a little bit for Mila to find out in the book. The beginning dragged on for me because I was just waiting for her to find out about being an android so I could really start the story. 

Mila's character is interesting as she is fighting to suppress her android side and fully embrace her human emotions. Even though she is more "human" than the other androids that were created, she still comes off pretty callous and cold at times. Her emotions are not fully there, and it is just another apsect she is fighting to change. Mila starts to fall for a guy, Hunter, in the beginning, but he soon takes a backseat in the whole story. 

I do plan on reading the next book, but it is not high on my list of "to-reads." While I did enjoy the unique plot, it wasn't quite enough to hold my attention through the entire book, and I drifted at times.

Review ~ Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland

Vengeance Bound
by Justina Ireland
YA Fantasy/Mythology
Published: April 2nd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen's quest for revenge... no matter how far it takes her. 

Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory's mind houses the Furies-the hawk and the serpent-lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.

Cory's perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can't figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory's finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work? As Cory's mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she's worked so hard to build.

My Review: 

**4 Stars**

While I can understand why some people did not like Vengeance Bound, I actually enjoyed it. I found the use of the Furies to be fascinating and interesting in how they have to be tied to a human at all times. They feed off desperation, anger, and violence.

The POV is from Cory's mind, and it is sad to read how much older she seems than her actual age. So much violence and vengeance has made her grow up faster than she ever should have. However, it has also saved her life. I do like how the author brought up this aspect of give-and-take. Normally, you wouldn't really see this in a book. Cory's need for salvation is what brings the Furies to her, and they save her life - just as she, in a sense, saves theirs.

Part of me wishes that there will be a sequel, but the book was left in a good spot. There isn't a need for another one. I do look forward to reading whatever Justina Ireland has planned next. She did a fantastic job integrating mythology into Vengeance Bound and I hope she does it again in the future.

Review ~ The Dragon Within by Cindy Lyle

The Dragon Within (The Creation Chronicles #1)
by Cindy Lyle
YA Fantasy
Published: October 22nd 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Deep within the mortal world of Eiddoril, war rages and the blood of innocents flows freely. Once protected by the four elements-Earth, Fire, Water and Air-Eiddoril was a peaceful, beautiful land. Now, after three hundred years of being ravaged by an evil lord and abandoned by their creators, the people and land of Eiddoril are dying. In the kingdom of Gareth, an orphan girl is raised as one of the royal family. But when she begins to have vivid nightmares it leads her to question where she really came from. Her questions lead her to Fitch, an old magic user, who helps her discover a shocking truth. Karah is not human, but instead part of a long-forgotten race. Desiring answers, she sets out to uncover the secrets of her past, and defeat the enemy wreaking havoc across the land. In this fantasy tale, Karah must somehow find the strength to fulfill a destiny that has been forced upon her and discover the dragon within. She cannot fail. The future of creation depends on her.

My Review:

**4 Stars**

I received a copy of this book for an honest review. 

Cindy Lyle has created a fantastic, large world with a rich history behind it. She has expertly woven the four elements into the tale, along with mythological creatures. The book is highly details, so it does take a bit to get through at points. However, the detail is necessary to the story and makes you appreciate all the work she has put into this creation.

Karah is a fantastic new heroine. She is strong, yet innocent, stubborn, yet foolish at times. It is a hard journey she takes to find out who she truly is, and one of her oldest friends raises more questions than she could have thought possible.

The end of the world is coming. Will Karah be able to save it? I don't know!!! The book ends with a huge cliffhanger and leaves you begging for more. I hope that Cindy Lyle is able to finish and release the next book soon. I cannot wait to read more.