Review ~ Deception by CJ Redwine

Deception (Defiance Trilogy #2)
by C.J. Redwine
YA Fantasy Dystopia
Published: August 27th 2013
Goodreads Link

Blurb:

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need-with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.

But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone-possibly inside their ranks-is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great-and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.

In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.

My Review: 

**3.5 Stars**

An interesting continuation to a story with a great deal of potential. We see a drastic change in how people are treating each other in this book, and women are getting more rights. Deception is all about the journey of the survivors from Rachel and Logan's perspectives. There are a few new characters who come to the forefront and make a large impact on your emotions.

We see a great deal of development in Logan as he is now in charge of leading this rag-tag group of people through the wilderness and, hopefully, to safety. Rachel on the other hand, cannot get over the fact that she killed someone (albeit in self defense) and her character really doesn't go anywhere. She is pretty stagnant through the book. There was a spark of potential at the end for what may come in the next book.

I do look forward to reading the next book and cannot wait to find out what happens to - I mean with - Logan. :) If you liked Defiance, you will probably enjoy Deception. 

Review ~ Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender's Game (The Ender Quintet #1)
by Orson Scott Card
YA Sci-fi Dystopia
Published: January 1985
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

Once Again, Earth is under attack. An alien species is poised for a front assault. The survival of humanity depends on a military genius who can defeat the aliens.

But who?

Ender Wiggin. Brilliant. Ruthless. Cunning. A tactical and strategic master. And a child.

Recruited for military training by the world government, Ender's childhood ends the moment he enters his new home: Battle School. Among the elite recruits Ender proves himself to be a genius among geniuses. In simulated war games he excels. But is the pressure and loneliness taking its toll on Ender? Simulations are one thing. How will Ender perform in real combat conditions? After all, Battle School is just a game.

Right?

My Review: 

**3 Stars**

I really struggled with the rating on this book. I wasn't sure if it was going to be 3 stars or 3.5, but I finally settled on 3. Having a child of my own has changed my perspective on some of the books I read. Ender's Game is all about little kids. I think the oldest one in the book is 14. These kids are having their childhood taken away and being put through a brutal military training regimen.

On a whole, I really enjoyed the story. If the kids had been teenagers, it would have made it a lot easier to read... at that age, I feel they would really have a choice to enter the school, rather than being practically forced.

As I said, I really did like the whole story line. The ending made me cry - even though I had a feeling that some of those revelations were coming. I do not plan to read any more in this series (as this felt like a stand-alone), but I do plan on watching the movie.

Review ~ What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

What's Left of Me (The Hybrid Chronicles #1)
by Kat Zhang
YA Science Fiction
Published: September 18th 2012
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

I should not exist. But I do. 

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else-two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren't they settling? Why isn't one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn't. . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she's still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

My Review: 

**1.5 Stars**

I was able to get about 150 pages into the book before I gave up. I did end up skimming a few parts to see if it got better, but it just didn't hold my interest. The two people in one body - and pretty much in one mind - made the book difficult to read. It was confusing at points and there was no character that I was able to connect with. Eva and Addie just didn't have a spark that drew me into their story.

Don't get me wrong, I applaud the author for trying to take that voice in the back of your head and make it into a story. It just didn't work for me. I also did like the author's writing style, it flowed really well, so I will look for more of her work - just not in this series.

ARC Review ~ Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Fire & Flood (Fire & Flood #1)
by Victoria Scott
YA Fantasy
Expected Publication: February 25, 2014
Goodreads Link

Blurb: 

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life-and her own. 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying-and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

My Review: 

**4.5 Stars**

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

Um... next book NOW! (Please) I don't even know where to begin. This book is an amazing must read. The story sucks you in right from the beginning and doesn't let you go... ever.

Tella's character is fascinating. On the outside she doesn't seem like the type of person who would risk her life to save her brother, but she is so much more complex on the inside. The one flaw I had with her is how she was able to survive on her own as long as she did. For someone who really wasn't that athletic and did not have much "outdoors" experience, she did really well.

The best.... and I do mean, best... character in the whole book is Maddox. The book is really all about him. Just kidding, but really, he is so cute and perfect! I love the connection he and Tella have immediately. I know it is engineered, but it just feels so much more than that.

If there is only one new release you read in 2014... make sure this is it!