Ruin and Rising Review

Ruin and Rising

 

Publisher : Henry Holt and Co
Published : June 17, 2014
Page Count : 432
Authors Blog : http://www.leighbardugo.com/books/ruinandrising-2/
Series : Grisha trilogy

Blurb

The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne. Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives. Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

Review

 

Ruin and Rising started off slow in a confusing place. There wasn't much action for the first few chapters as Alina was being held in the white chapel and under the guard of a priest. Thankfully the reading didn't stay uneventful for long. This book was centered around seeing the prominent changes that had accrued in Alina and in Ravka throughout the series. It had a wonderful ending that more than made up for the terrible beginning. Alina learns to except what may become of her, her friends, and her country. She fights for what she believes is right and learns to except the help that she desperately needs to finally beat the darkling. The final installment of the Grisha trilogy is a bit more depressing then others, but it was an entertaining read. 

 

I would give the book 3.5 stars out of 5 for entertainment, a well constructed world, and an amazing ending to the entertaining series that has kept many of us on our toes.  

 

 

If you would like any teasers or extra knowledge let me know. 





 

Wake trilogy by Lisa Mcmann

Publisher : Simon Pulse
Published : March 4 2008
Page count : 225
Series : Wake Trilogy

Blurb

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody- notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

 

 

 

 

Review

Wake by Lisa Mcmann was an entertaining read with a new idea to draw in young adults. I love the idea of being able to manipulate dreams and I'm interested to see where the trilogy will lead. It was a new idea and wasn't the typical cliché story, so I have continued reading into the next book.  Wake was and incredibly quick read, I finished in five hours, and I had many interruptions, so its not very long all together if your avoiding a book commitment. I was entertained while reading the book but I found it to lack a strong plot.  The books written in a journal format which creates gaps in the plot or prevents the story from flowing for me. I understand some people enjoy that style of writing and if you do this book may be for you. The only other time I found it difficult to read was when Janie, the main character, was in a dream. At the beginning this was my main confusion. I never did fully understand what Janie was thinking or where the plot was going until I started reading Fade, the second book in the trilogy.

 

I would recommend this to young adults around the age of 14 and 15 that is looking for something a bit more relatable and yet still unique in its own way.

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. - Does anyone else think that cover looks like Adele?

 

 

 

 

Fade

Fade is the second book in the Wake trilogy and while I believe its better then Wake I'm not interested in the story so I only made it half way through the book. Perhaps one day i'll continue reading it, but its turned into a crime solving book which i've never found enjoyment in reading. If you enjoy crime solving books with a twist then perhaps this book is for you, so check it out.

 

 

 

The Young Elite

 Publisher : Penguin group

 Published : 2014

 Page count : 343

 Series : The Rose Society

 First line : I'm going to die tomorrow morning.

 

Blurb

Adelina amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the affected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina's black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family's good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of  the fever's  survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars- they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. as leader of the inquisition axis, it is his job to seek out the Young elites, to destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elite to be dangerous and vengeful, but it's Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young elites seeks out other like them before the inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they've never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side and that Teren is the true enemy. However, the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that don't belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare cross her.

 

 

Review

I grab this book off of a library shelf because I had seen it so many. I didn't know what it was about or who it was by, but I needed a new read. Thankfully I did because "The young Elite" Is an incredible book for young adults. Its full of thrilling twist and sad betrayals. The way its written does lean towards a dark more dangerous tone, but I don't believe that its depressing. Adelina Amouteru has alot to think about. No matter her choose she'll end up betraying someone. The question is does she have a big enough heart to try to save them all. She's already been through a hard life being a malfetto. Her face, forever scared from the illness. Will she hand over the luxury of the life she's always craved or will she choose to be with someone who has shown her a kindness she has never received? These are all questions to answer when you read.
Is the book going to become some classic story forever remembered and read in school? Is a teachers ever going to use a line from the book to display perfect sentence structure? NO, but for Marie Lu's intended audience its perfectly written. Its a creative idea with fine details that put you into the world that Adeline lives in. I give the book four stars, and highly recommend it to teens needing something different and a bit more dangerous to read.

Tyger, Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Publisher : Clarion Books
Published : 2010
Page Count : 307
First Sentence : PLEASE. Teagon Wylltson's fingers curled in American sign Language as she spoke

Blurb

What would you do if the stories of your childhood suddenly began coming to life?  Teagan Wylltson’s best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures—goblins, shapeshifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty—are hunting Teagan.  Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn’t worried.  Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives, with his killer accent and a knee-weakening smile.  Either he’s crazy or he’s been haunting Abby’s dreams, because he’s talking about goblins, too . . . and about being born to fight all goblin-kind.  Finn knows a thing or two about fighting.  Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby’s right.  The goblins are coming.

 

 

 

Review

Tyger, tyger is a book i've walked by a milllion times in the library withthe intnet that I would read it the next week. I had never bothered to read an excerpt because I was determined to read it because the title reminded me of my favorite poem. Its a little out of my comfort zon of what I normally read, but it's still fiction and all fiction is within my spectrum.

Tyger, Tyger is about two teen and a six year old boy who have to find their father because of bad blood.  These kids families have been facing goblins since the beginning of time. Now that job has been past to them when a girl sees a murder that no one else can. Tyger, Tyger isn't the most entertaining book in the world. It didn't captivate you with suspense or keep your heart beating for action. I was able to distinguish what would happen fair before I did, but I read on. I enjoyed the old Irish legends , but didn't understand some of the connections that were trying to be told in the book.
As for the characters they weren't my favorite. Finn was an arrogant male whom you wanted to kiss and slap which was good, but Teagon was a pansy who relied to much on Finn and other people to help her. While she stood up for what she believed she also backed down when  danger was present. Aiden was adorable. He was six and was eventually responsible for more than most adults would be able to handle.  All in all I would give this book  a star and a half.
 

Dark Flame by Alyson Noel (review)

Publisher - St. Martin's Griffin
Published - 2010
Series - Immortals
Pages - 320
First Line - "What the fug?"

Blurb

Ever is trying to help Haven transition into life as an immortal. But with Haven drunk on her new powers and acting recklessly, she poses the ultimate threat--exposing their secret world. As Ever struggles to keep the Immortals hidden, it only propels Haven closer to the enemy--Roman and his evil companions. At the same time, Ever delves deeper into dark magick to free Damen from Roman's power. But when her spell backfires, it binds her to the one guy who's hell-bent on her destruction. Now there's a strange, foreign pulse coursing through her, and no matter what she does, she can't stop thinking about Roman--and longing for his touch. Frantic to break the spell before its too late, Ever turns to Jude for help, risking everything she knows and loves to save herself--and her future with Damen…

Review

I've stuck with this series for four books and this is by far the worst of the so far. I've really enjoyed reading about Ever's journey and her struggles with finding herself, but it's getting drawn out in my opinion. It started to drag by the end of the third book and continued through Dark Flame by Alyson Noel. I still enjoy the creativity of Immortals and magic combined, but its not enough to keep you interested through the slow parts which you have to admit are many. I've also decided that Ever is a bit a baby. It actually reminds me of how big of a baby Bella from twilight was. Ever complains about all her problems and how evil her enemies are, but she creates more problems using the exact same evil she's trying to avoid. This is actually what the conflict in Dark Flame is. I may be judging it harshly, but I didn't enjoy this book and can't find any reasons for people to read it.

Atlantia by Ally Condie

 Publisher : Penguin Group

 Published : 2014

 Page count : 298

 First Line : My twin sister, bay, and I pass underneath the brown-and-  turquoise banners hanging from the ceiling of the temple.

 

   Blurb

 For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamed of the sand and   sky Above- of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a    single moment, all Rio's hopes for the future are shattered when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected choice, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio's true self- and the powerful siren voice she has long silenced- she has nothing left to loose.
Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother's death, her own destiny, and the corrupted system constructed to govern the Divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long- hidden truths.

Review

Atlantia by Ally Condie is beautifully written. The story between two sisters fighting to save and protect one another is absolutely heart breaking and inspiring.  Watching Rio, the main character, grow from this girl that lost her mother and her sister to having to save her whole city. I'm not going to lie it was difficult to keep interest in this book and its definitely not meant for everyone, but if you can get threw the slow parts and get over there being absolutely no real action then you'll love it. I give this book three stars.















 

Scored by Lauren Mclaughlin

Publisher : Ember
Published : Reprint edition (October 23, 2012)
Page Count : 240









Blurb

Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score can get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily forseeable future.

 

Review


 Scored by Lauren McLaughlin starts out slow and ends slow, at least for me. After I got into it though I didn't put the book down.  It put an interesting thought on life and opened my mind to the world which is incredible for such a small book.
 I don't recommend this book to people wishing for action packed romance but if your looking for a little romance a little law braking and one big lie then you'll like this book. I didn't mind the slightly slow pace of the book, but I did mind the ending. I felt it was incomplete though it wrapped up loos ends. I suppose all books must end, but this one has so much more left unsaid that I found it very unsettling. I hope to see a new book in this series but I doubt it will come. I will most certainly keep an eye out for other books by this author.
In all I give this book three stars. ***