My TBR List Review ~ June ~ World After ~ Susan Ee

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. 


World After by Susan Ee
Penryn & the End of Days #2
Release Date: November 19, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia, Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchased paperback
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #MyTBRList, #ShelfLove, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

Confession: I wouldn't have thought I'd have enjoyed this as much as I did knowing Raffe wasn't as big a presence. But there you have it.... :D

For me, World After was fantastic! It was fast-paced, gritty, and enthralling. I'm overly anxious to see how it all ends so it's a good thing book 3 is already on my shelf.

What Worked

• The anticipation. Ee kept me glued to the pages and on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.
• The thought-provoking actions of both humans and angels. Seeing how the humans reacted to and in situations, their fear of the unknown and of the "different". It was at times gut-wrenching. Would I react differently? Hmm... And learning more about the "why" behind all that's going on - the angels' appearance on Earth and the destruction they've wrought - was rather chilling. We see angels as benevolent beings and these angels are far from that description.
• The detail. Ee deftly crafted this "world after" with San Francisco as its focal point. Her description of the landscape, the buildings, the people left following the attack is gritty, brutal, and terrifying. She doesn't shy away from the violence wrought by either side.

What Could Have Worked Better

• More Raffe *sigh*

Okay, okay so there's not really much of anything I'd change. I think the actions of the characters is so realistic and I find it fascination to see how far both side - human and angel - are willing to go for what they want...what they're willing to sacrifice - be it to save themselves or those they love. Like I said, I'm overly anxious to see this to the end.

New Release Review ~ Anarchy Missing ~ JA Huss (@JAHuss) #2017NewRelease

Anarchy Missing by JA Huss
SuperAlpha #2
Release Date: March 14, 2017
Genre: Adult, Superhero/SuperVillain Romance
Source: I received an eARC from the author. This did not affect my rating and I voluntarily provided a review.
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
Everyone wants justice.
That's what Assistant DA, Lulu Lightly, tells me.
"Cathedral City needs you to set things right," she says. "To rid this place of corruption once and for all."
I'd like to rid Lulu Lightly of her clothes. And maybe her moral superiority. But mostly her clothes.
"I want you to fight the good fight with me," she says.
Hell, yeah. I'm always up for a fight.
"We should stand up and be the voice of the people," she says.
Sur, I hear voices. Sometimes I even listen to them.
"Figure out what's good for the City and put it first," she says.
Oh, honey...what's good for the City is bad for the people. Trust me, I know. I'm Case Reider - insane Alpha, nerfarious inventor, and I understand this town better than anyone.
Cathedral City needs me all right. Just not the way you think.
I'm not the justice you're looking for, Lulu Lightly.
I'm still the same villain you left behind.
Only now... there's something very, very wrong with me.

It's been awhile since I visited Cathedral City with its mountains and spires and corruption and... superheroes. Or are they supervillains? Whichever category they fall into, Huss had me falling for this next Alpha almost immediately - despite his valid concerns about his sanity.

Reading Anarchy Missing is akin to watching a Marvel movie - riveting and exciting from the get-go. I was immersed in this world from page one where we're able to see how our Alphas attain their uniqueness, watch them acquire their girl, and deal with a crisis... all they while planning for the thing that they're really intent on accomplishing. In Anarchy Missing we meet Lulu (I LOVE her name!!), someone Case was involved with years ago. She comes back to town with a purpose - that being Lady Justice. I adored Lulu. She's intelligent and strong, and even though she wants to serve up justice, she's not so hellbent on it that she can't look deeper - consider all sides. Case is this super-talented high-tech designer/developer. He's the same loyal guy we met in Anarchy Found, yet different. He still has strong feelings for Lulu but believes he isn't good for her - especially since he keeps having this feeling...that something is wrong with him. And there just might be.

All the Alphas are very present in this installment - banding together to figure out what the latest evil invading their city is. They can't be villains, can they?!? Molly and Sheila are also present which makes the story that much more gripping because the entire cast is well-developed - even AI Sheila - and that development along with the dynamics between them all gives the story more depth.

This world Huss has created with all its unique high-tech gadgetry and medicine, its evil villains and superheroes who might be supervillains is so entertaining and fascinating. Huss is still in the building phase and I'm hopefuly we get another Alpha book this year so we can get a better idea of where the Alphas are leading Cathedral City. Plus, I want to see Thomas get his girl. *wink*

Only Huss could take me out of my comfort zone genre-wise and make me grateful for the experience. I haven't gotten my paperback yet (book buying ban) but I'm hoping it has all the hand-drawn art to complete the comic book feel. The art was a real bonus in the first installment so I hope it's carried throughout. As for the story, there are questions, of course, but I know in the end all will be answered. And so I'll anxiously await my next trip to Cathedral City.

Review ~ Red Rising ~ Pierce Brown #2017HW #ShelfLove

Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Red Rising #1
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Purchased hardcover
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017HW, #ShelfLove
Goodreads

Synopsis
"I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them."

"I live for you," I say sadly.

Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.

Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow--and Reds like him--are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

Since I'm late to the party - story of my life - I'm not going to recount all that went down in Red Rising... because y'all probably already know. I'm only going to explain why, even though there was a point where the story dragged a bit for me, I still loved the heck out of Darrow and this story!

• the setup for the story. I was immediately gripped by the world Darrow inhabited, his clan, his being a HellDiver, Eo. Especially Eo. She served as the catalyst for all that came after and even though what she did was shocking, it had to be done. The shock is what set the wheels in motion.
• the detail and world building. We've colonized the moon and Mars?!? The detail of the tunnels and homes as well as the jobs of Darrow's people had me feeling the heat and the sandy grit from deep within Mars. The world on the surface, the Institute, the castles, the woods, the animals - Brown did an incredible job at drawing all the images in my mind. He also realistically portrayed not only the conditions the kids had to live and fight in - the lack of food, the lack of water, the stench of unwashed bodies and human waste - but also the emotions they felt. The things these kids were asked to do in order to survive caused fear, loathing, hate, but also camaraderie, loyalty, and love. I felt it all.
• Greek and Roman names, deities used. I found it ironic that Society would use these names - herald them - when those societies failed...especially since that was the objective.
• the colors - highColors, lowColors - this is how classes are created and distinguished. Society created a complex hierarchy and despite the elevation, the evolution, of the Golds, not much has changed in the future.
• the parallels I could draw between our world and Darrow's. It speaks to the problems of our current political climate and makes me sad to think humanity hasn't evolved...at least in fiction.
• the atmosphere. Even though the characters are primarily teens (late teens), the feel of the story is mature. The politics, the tactics of war employed, the subterfuge...it all lent to a sophistication not typically found in young adult literature. Watching as these kids adapt to the world they've been thrown into, strategizing for battle and survival, deciding how to best motivate your troops, etc., was fascinating.
• the characters. They're all very well developed. I loved and/or hated them all. All is fair in love and war as the old adage goes and these kids certainly learn that lesson. But Darrow sits atop the heap as my favorite. He's sacrificed much for a dream that wasn't even his. He felt denigrated. He felt rage and the need for vengeance. He felt pain and betrayal He felt exalted. But I think as he continues his mission he may learn that things aren't always simple. Black and white. Or Gold and Red in this case. And I'm eager to be a part of his learning, his continued evolution.

The only reason this isn't a 5 Bookworm read is that the middle dragged a bit. It fit in the story, of course, but it didn't hold me hostage to turning the pages like the rest did. I very much look forward to continuing Darrow's story though.

Audio Review ~ Pirate ~ Eve Langlais

Pirate by Eve Langlais
Space Gypsy Chronicles #1
Narrated by: Chandra Skyye
Release Date: May 24, 2016 (audio)
Genre: Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Source: Tantor Audio sent me a complimentary copy
Rating: 3 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
Earth: a space pirate's dream when it comes to booty, but not a good place to hide when bounty hunters come looking. Pulling up stakes means Rafe must leave his vintage trailer behind, but in the process he acquires a passenger, a mouthy female who seems to think she's calling the shots. She'll soon learn who's the captain. And it isn't Annabelle, his sassy ship.

A true red-blooded male, Rage does his best to teach Emma her place in the universe, but her human attitude gets in the way. So why doesn't he sell her when he gets the chance? Damned if he knows, but despite his motto of "the universe revolves around me", he finds himself putting his life in peril to save hers. But that doesn't mean he's letting her in on all his secrets. Some things a man has to carry alone, and some revelations a pirate will kill to keep.

The universe might be out to get him, but he's not giving in without a fight.

Pirate isn't my first read from Langlais, but it is my first listen. It's also the first in a new sci-fi series and while the characters and the world building were interesting, it didn't always hold my attention.

Emma, or "Wench", as Rafe lovingly? refers to her, is a delivery truck driver. She's been delivering to Rage for awhile and he's also apparently been trying to score with her. Despite the fact Emma is rather charmed by him, she's continually refused him. This would actually turn out in her favor when she's essentially kidnapped by Rage and removed from Earth.

See, Rafe is a space pirate and as such he often angers powerful people, meaning he's a wanted man. He's also an alien, um, Romani. They're travelers and Rafe gained a traveling companion in Emma when she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As Langlais developed these characters, the spaceship, and world they now inhabit, we learn that the Romani are quite chauvinistic in their treatment of women. There are also hints at Rafe's and Emma's feelings towards on another - especially Rafe's - as being "special". There was some sarcasm and sexually-charged banter - I particularly liked Rafe's AI, who runs his spaceship, being so snarky with him. But honestly, I was bored for a lot of the book. At about 75% in, more hints were dropped about where this story might be going, the romance amp'd up, and the suspense tightened. From there, I was eager to put my earbuds in and listen to what happened next.

Is it the narrator, the story, or just me? I don't know. I felt Skyye did a fairly good job with narrating but her delivery in places was slow and that didn't help keep me engaged. I really think this is a case of me having certain expectations of Langlais and those not being met. Not as much humor and not as many sexy times. She did hook me in the end though and I will continue the series.

#OctobeRecFest Review ~ Saga ~ Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
Illustrated by: Fiona Staples
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Genre: Adult Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Source: Purchased in paperback
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Recommended by: Kristen @Metaphors and Moonlight
Goodreads

Synopsis
When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

From bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan, Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.

Collect Saga issues #1-6

I don't typically read graphic novels. There's nothing wrong with them - I've just never been a comic book girl. However, Kristen reviewed the first few in this series and I was intrigued. When I saw a copy while at Powell's with my daughter, I felt it was meant to be and I grabbed it. After finishing it that afternoon, I decided it was serendipitous, indeed.

First off, the illustrations are incredible. They're brilliantly drawn and colored and the detail is so well done. This could be a television show!

Secondly, the story is compelling. We're introduced to a couple who fell in love despite society saying they shouldn't and they're in hiding and on the run. With a newborn in tow.

Thirdly, I like where this story is going. The statements being made against prejudice, blind loyalty, duty to your family and country - well, I liked all that quite a bit. 

Lastly, the story is actually being told from the infant's, Hazel's, POC. And it seems she's going to have a pivotal role in history - being a bi-species girl. And I'm eager to see how her life progresses.

I was impressed with how well this graphic novel was able to pull me in and get me invested in these characters. I need to get my hands on the next installments.

Jax Reviews ~ The Last Continent & Going Postal ~ Terry Pratchett

The Last Continent
Discworld #22
Release Date: February 1, 2006
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms

Synopsis
'Anything you do in the past changes the future. The tiniest little actions have huge consequences. You might tread on an ant now and it might entirely prevent someone from being born in the future.'

There's nothing like the issue of evolution to get under the skin of academics. Especially when those same academics are by chance or bad judgement deposited at a critical evolutionary turning point when one wrong move could have catastrophic results for the future. Unfortunately in the hands of such an inept and cussed group of individuals, the sensitive issue of causality is sadly only likely to receive the same scant respect that they show to one another...


Going Postal
Discworld #33
Release Date: September 27, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5 Bookworms

Synopsis
Arch-swindler Moist Van Lipwip never believed his confidence crimes were hanging offenses - until he found himself with a noose tightly around his neck, dropping through a trapdoor, and falling into...a government job?

By all rights, Moist should have met his maker. Instead, it's Lord Vetinari, supreme ruler of Ankh-Morpork, who promptly offers him a job as Postmaster. Since his only other option is a nonliving one, Moist accepts the position - and the hulking golem watchdog who comes along with it, just in case Moist was considering abandoning his responsibilities prematurely.

Getting the moribund Postal Service up and running again, however, may be a near-impossible task, what with literally mountains of decades-old undelivered mail clogging every nook and cranny of the broken-down post office building; and with only a few creaky old postmen and one rather unstable, pin-obsessed youth available to deliver it. Worse still, Moist could swear the mail is talking to him. Worst of all, it means taking on the gargantuan, money-hungry Grand Trunk clacks communication monopoly and its bloodthirsty piratical head, Mr. Reacher Gilt.

But it says on the building Neither Rain Nor Snow Nor Glom of Nit...Inspiring words (admittedly, some of the bronze letters have been stolen), and for once in his wretched life Moist is going to fight. And if the bold and impossible are what's called for, he'll do it - in order to move the mail, continue breathing, get the girl, and specially deliver that invaluable commodity that every human being (not to mention troll, dwarf, and yes, even golem) requires: hope.

*****Jax's Reviews*****

(Discworld series books can be read standalone)

This summer, the libraries in Jeffco (Jefferson County, Colorado) are holding a “Read 1,000,001 Minutes!” thing (for all of Jeffco, not for each person). As of now, we have surpassed 3 million, and the library hurriedly came up with a “Great! Now go for 10,000,000 Minutes!” To do my part, I decided a library would be a much better method of reading books I haven’t read before in bulk without buying them; not to mention that my bookshelves are so crowded I had to forgo alphabetization for fitting them on double sidedly. This turned out to be a very easy way of reading more Terry Pratchett.

I loved Douglas Adams when I was in, oh, probably third to sixth grade - so three years, but by then I had read the five-part trilogy so many times that I needed something new. And I found Terry Pratchett. The world was exciting and new, with a different twist in the voice. Also, and even better, there was a live author that could write more! (Of course, not anymore; RIP, Terry). I read the first book: The Colour of Magic, and fell in love. Later, I was enchanted by the ever twisting and connected plotlines of Unseen Academicals, and got Dodger, which takes place in Victorian London, for summer reading.

Seeing as I’ve rambled long enough, I got two books I hadn’t read yet, The Last Continent and Going Postal. First, I read the former. It’s basically a parody of Australia: Rincewind the Unlucky Wizard, the protagonist of so many of the Discworld books, somehow got to the continent of Ecksecksecksecks, mercifully known as Fourecks, where it never rains, no plants grow, and the liquor is rather, er, unstable. Back at Unseen University, the leading educational center in Ankh-Morpork, the most loved professor, the librarian (who happen to be an orangutan), is sick, and the sickness is disrupting his magical field, causing lethal instability. The only way to cure him is to find his name, and that secret resides in Rincewind. The bumbling wizards venture off to find him, but end up in a rather different millennia, and enter one of the strangest oxymorons ever: the region of the god of evolution.

Rincewind doesn’t think of escape until he gets to that part. He’s stuck on the island, but one thing at a time: he needs to survive first. Besides being out in the desert where nothing grows, a mob of policemen are out to hang him for “stealing a sheep”. And to solve every problem he’s been having, he just has to make it rain for the first time since the creation of Fourecks, which won’t be easy, as he’s the worst magician that magic ever produced.

Death keeps Rincewind’s hourglass in a special spot on his desk. Strange tubes and curves come out everywhere, and sometimes the sand flows backwards. But he knows it’s coming...

A delightful blend between two different plots, each affecting the other, makes for a great read!

Now for the second one: Going Postal. It stars the character Moist Von Lipwig, who lives a life of playing off people’s trust, hope, and general stupidity. He never thought that he could be hanged for them--they were just petty crimes!-- until he found himself being hanged, and promptly thrown into a government job. Specifically, he becomes postmaster of the Ankh-Morpork post office. Being head of the post office means a lot of things, from challenging the giant “clacks” business (something like telegraphs, but faster) to finding a way to deal with the disturbing employees, to delivering the piles and piles and piles of letters stacked everywhere in the office. Finally, he must find out who he is, while juggling a huge amount of tasks--getting the girl, fighting the monopoly, staying alive, keeping everyone happy, and making sure the letters don’t get mad at him. Oh right. The letters, little slices of history that they are, are talking, and only delivery can silence them.

A magical blend of the classic Discworld and something that hits closer to the “real world”, Going Postal contains everything from Wizards to large corporations, from orangutans to golems, and everything in between.

**Sky Reviews ~ Clutch ~ JA Huss**

**********************************

Clutch by JA Huss
I Am Just Junco #1
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Genre: New Adult Science Fiction
Source: My mom was gifted a copy
Rating: 5 Bookworms

Synopsis
How long can you lie to yourself before it all comes apart?

In 2152 the avian race is on Earth looking for something stolen from them decades ago – their genetics. At the center of the search lies the Rural Republic; a small backwards farming country with high hopes of military domination and a penchant for illegal bioengineering.

19 year old Junco Coot is the daughter of the Rural Republic’s ranking commander. She’s the most foul-mouthed, wildly unpredictable and ruthless sniper the Rural Republic has ever trained. But when her father’s death sparks a trip into forbidden places, she triggers events that will change everything she knows to be true.

As an elite avian military officer, Tier’s mission is to destroy the bioengineering projects, kill Commander Coot’s daughter, and return home immediately. There’s just one problem. Junco isn’t who she claims to be.

With no one to trust, not even herself, Junco must confront the secrets of her past and accept her place in the future, or risk losing herself completely.

CONTENT WARNING The I Am Just Junco series is NOT YOUNG ADULT. This series contains foul language and graphic violence.

***Sky's Review***

Hopefully everyone knows just how much my mom loves Ms. Huss’ books; I’m here to say that she is absolutely justified in her veneration. Having just trudged through Schindler’s List and The Bluest Eye for school, I desperately needed a break from the super deep, dark, and disturbing realms of literature, and picking up Clutch was the best decision I could have made. It was the perfect balance of action, mystery, suspense, adventure, and, romance for me, and it made me want to keep reading like a book hasn’t in over a year. I haven’t really made the time for independent reading for probably a year now, and it was so refreshing to have a book that I actually couldn’t put down. This book really brought the concept of reading for pleasure back into my life.

Junco Coot is such an exciting character, and she really keeps the story driving. There is a whole lot of mystery surrounding her and her family, which is made apparent from page one, and I have a feeling that we still don’t know everything. I admire Junco because she doesn’t let anything stop her, no matter how formidable the obstacle is. She’s been through much, much more than the average person could even imagine surviving -- although, of course, Junco is no ordinary human.

Tier is an alien of questionable motives, and he and Junco’s relationship is built off of hesitant trust and healthy skepticism from Junco. In the end, though, I suppose he was a “good guy;” he helped Junco out numerous times. I’m excited to see him develop in the next books. Beyond Tier, there was a whole cast of side characters which are woven well into Junco’s adventure. For the most part, they serve to enhance Junco’s journey of self-discovery -- and the majority of them factor into plot twists throughout the story.

Overall, the book was fast-paced and eloquently written, incorporating cool sci-fi elements and fascinating avian mythology to add the the many plot twists. Clutch was fun to read because Ms. Huss made it basically impossible to gather any sort of idea of what was going to happen next; any and all conceptions are proved incorrect time and time again. I join my mom as a member of the J.A. Huss fanclub and highly recommend her books, as reviews are insufficient to describe her incredible writing capabilities. As I said, this book was important for me, and I wish to share the experience with other readers.