A interesting short book about a small Native American Community adapting to the end of the world. I would recommend this to reActual Rating 3.5 Stars
A interesting short book about a small Native American Community adapting to the end of the world. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy post apocalyptic character driven stores. The characters were compelling but the plot moved too slow at times. The community described resiliently faced any challenges head on and used their past experiences of being without, as an asset to survive the future. ...more
A wonderful but depressing story. This novella is about a cult on a submarine who is determined to bring the end of the world. The people are mindlessA wonderful but depressing story. This novella is about a cult on a submarine who is determined to bring the end of the world. The people are mindlessly following a religious belief that by doing so they will be sent to heaven. Remy is a brave young singer who slowly unravels how things are not what they seem. Her drive and bravery was a dim hope in this claustropbic tale.
"It does not matter what you think, what you feel, how you act, so long as it is God’s work."
A very interesting premise, with a clear lesson on how destructive and evil blind faith can be. But while I enjoyed the story, the bleak experiences of the characters made me rush to the end. Beautiful prose that needed a bit more for it to stand out. A quick intriguing read for those who enjoy end post apocalyptic takes with unique takes....more
Onyesonwu is a fierce young women who sets out to face who she is and discover her destiny in the process. TFind this and other Reviews at In Tori Lex
Onyesonwu is a fierce young women who sets out to face who she is and discover her destiny in the process. The Nuru seek to oppress Okeke people, the violence and pain that they inflict on the Okeke was disturbing to read about. Onyesonwu's mother uses the pain she felt when she was raped to move forward and heroically rebuilds a life for herself when she survives. The well written descriptions of magic and African Spirituality made me want to learn more. The book describes female circumcision which is a practice that makes sex painful for most who receive it. There are initiatives to stop this practice in many countries but unfortunately it still persists today.
"We cried and sobbed and wept and bled tears. But when we were finished, all we could do was continue living."
While the book follows the lives of young people they deal with the complex issues of rape, sex, death and violence. The characters were well developed and the many different cultures that Onyesonwu encountered were interesting and engaging. She faces many barriers because despite her magical abilities most women are not allowed to study magic in her village. Onyesonwu persists however and fearlessly pursues justice for Okeke people and her family.
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I was engaged with the book the whole way through and connected with parts of this book emotionally. This book had everything I expected and more. Besides a complex magic system, there was surprise twists, action and humor. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
Recomended for Readers Who -enjoy Diverse Fantasy -want to learn more about African cultures -want to read about powerful female characters...more
I really wanted to love this story, but the enjoyable parts weren't long enough for me to stay invested with the characters. This book follows characters after a plague has killed off most people on earth. The premise sounded great and I was ready to read more about what happened after the plague and how people coped. Instead the book alternates between the past and the present, detailing characters lives that I could not relate to. The most engaging parts of the book happened in the present with characters who managed to stay sane and make a life for themselves the best way that they know how.
"...this collection of petty jealousies, neurosis, undiagnosed PTSD cases, and simmering resentments, lived together, traveled together, rehearsed together, performed together 365 days of the year, permanent company, permanent tour."
The Traveling Symphony only performs Shakespeare for small towns they encounter on the road. I have only read Romeo and Juliet, so was unfamiliar with the references and descriptions within. This was not a bad book, but the multi-genre approach to the narrative didn't work well for me. There were story lines that led no where and long descriptions of characters doing normal things. I wanted more mystery and there just wasn't enough.
"Hell is the absence of the people you long for."
The book focuses on the connections between people and had some surprising revelations along the way. Your enjoyment will hinge on whether your able to relate to the characters. The writing was great and made me thing of how much stake I have in modern technology. The many glowing reviews of this book means there is some magic here, I just didn't find it.
Recommended for Readers who -are familiar with Shakespeare -enjoy slow burn plot lines -enjoy post apocalyptic stories...more
"Mick Jagger crooned next to my ear, singing about war and peace and shelter-those kinds of lies."
I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the emot"Mick Jagger crooned next to my ear, singing about war and peace and shelter-those kinds of lies."
I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the emotional connections, and the sci-fi elements. The world building was clear, and not thrown together, and I appreciated the book that much more. All of the main characters were fleshed out, so I cared about them. And I was so grateful that I did not have to read about insta-love, or the love triangle cliche that are in most YA these days.
Everything worked together well, which made this a worthwhile read. I was attentive and interested throughout the novel, and no pacing threw me off at all. I also really like that there is enough in this world to continue with the trilogy, so I won't feel like its mostly filler.
I went through all the emotions with this book. I felt joy, sadness, confusion, anticipation. Read it I know you'll enjoy it (also kicking myself for not picking this up sooner)...more
I was disapointed where this whole series ended up. It took me so long to finish this book, when i did pick it up because I dActual Rating is a 2.5...
I was disapointed where this whole series ended up. It took me so long to finish this book, when i did pick it up because I did not like the plot, the pacing and logic. I wish this series would have given me alot more especially after the great start the first book was. But this book like the second was very mehh, I only finished out of some sort of obligation i feel to finish series even even when they arent worth it.
The only saving grace is that it wasn't completely horrible, and had some good parts, but I was overwhelmed by the things that were not answered in the book.
Find this and other Reviews at InToriLex 4.5 Stars
"They can kill us, even down to the last of us, but they can't kill- can never kill-what lasts in us.
Find this and other Reviews at InToriLex 4.5 Stars
"They can kill us, even down to the last of us, but they can't kill- can never kill-what lasts in us."
I was not expecting tears, I was not expecting genuine surprise at the way this plot progresses. But this book surpasses the first, because we see this empty, desolate, hopeless atmosphere through Ringer's eyes. Ringer the bad-ass I yearn to be.
Like other reviewers have noted the beginning of this novel drags until we reach the action, the plot twists and the characters who only emerge to break our hearts. That lag in the book, that plagued the beginning was the only thing that kept this from five stars and above. The action, the writing and the characters that leap off the page and visit you in your pondering thoughts, kept me plowing through every page. This book didn't even suffer the second book mostly filler syndrome that alot of trilogy's suffer. The perseverance of our characters, the fight that refuses to let up, even when there's blood pouring into eyes, danger in the instinct to help defenseless children, and fever wrapping around the senses as characters make decisions between life and death. While reading I felt more than a few times, that going Dorothy was the only proper response, losing it the only rational way to deal for Zombie, Dumbo, Poundcake, Cassie, Nugget, Teacup and Ringer.
"Vincit qui patitur." (Who Endures Conquers)
I was relieved Cassie's role was limited, and her romance with Evan was not overly rehashed. Mr. Yancey's writing continues to be engaging and sometimes so disarming, I have to take a breath, put the book down and come back.
"I don't think I'd heard my brother laugh since our mother died. It startled me like finding a lake in the the middle of the dessert."
If your wavering about continuing the series, if you feel like Cassie and Evan was a bit too much in the first book, don't fret. I barely read romance too much sugar and not enough spice, but this will leave your palate singed, unable to digest even the sweetness of Poundcake.
This book is here to entertain and make you hesitant to read the next chapter because your unsure whether you can take anymore, unsure whether the desperation in the pages will latch on to you until you can't shake them. But if your up for the tears, for the end of the world, unfiltered by convenient ways to escape, dive right in.
I almost made this a two star review, because it was not a cohesive conclusion to the series and left way too much unexplained and unanswered. There were butt loads of potential for this series to continue to be great, but along the way something didn't work. If you care about the plot that you've dutifully read through for two books before this, expect to be disappointed. Entire explanations of monsters and situations that propel the plot are only a few sentences long, and the same questions you had after reading book one continue to go unanswered.
Penryn and Raffe are involved in this romantic conflict, but the reason that Raffe feels conflicted about them being together becomes flimsy. The entire book Raffe and Penryn, kept conveniently being welcomed and helped by people who previously hated them, all in the name of survival. I really don't enjoy things working out conveniently just because, so that induced many eye rolls. This book was action packed, and the short chapter format keeps you engaged. But this book could almost work as a stand alone, because while new environments are introduced, nothing is ever fully explained.
“You seem to bring out new and unimagined dimensions from both me and Kooky Bear.”
I don't know how demons and Angels co-exist and interact. I don't know why the Earth became open season for the Angels rather than other places they could fight. I don't know why Penryn's little sister was modified to be special. I don't know why Penryn's mother has a mental illness that allows her to survive and know things about this apocalyptic world to use for her advantage.
I usually say finish a series if you enjoyed the other books. But if you did enjoy the series, you will likely be disappointed in how little is explained in this last book in series. This was an OK read, it had some great action sequences, and quirky elements like Tweedle Dee and Dum. Overall it was a let down, it seemed rushed and unfinished....more
I struggled, way too long to finish this book, but I enjoyed it the entire time. The description of Antarctica and the game as a society, intrigued meI struggled, way too long to finish this book, but I enjoyed it the entire time. The description of Antarctica and the game as a society, intrigued me alot, and I wish there was more explanation. June and Day find a way after all and I am happy for them. I'm just not into romance as much as all other YA lovers, so I always feel a little put off by it. But the series has grown with the reader, and sends a powerful message...more
This was a very entertaining action filled, book which made me feel for the characters. However I was slightly underwhelmed because when you say a booThis was a very entertaining action filled, book which made me feel for the characters. However I was slightly underwhelmed because when you say a book will be similar to Enders Game which is one of my favorite books of all time, and you don't give me epic we are already on unstable ground. My favorite character was Zombie, but I feel there's alot more to learn about the characters that will be in the next book.
So I like the pacing and how the plot progressed, although as others have mentioned this is not the most original plot. I really enjoyed the humor, which I don't feel comes off well in a lot of YA. But most importantly this book made me genuinely feel for what the characters went through, which is the BEST part of any book I read. The action scenes were also good and people weren't invincible but dealt with their injuries. The romance involved also didn't drag on forever which I appreciated very much. And ofcourse a overriding message of hope is always touching.
But this was not a five star book for me, because besides all the upside, until I have a better understanding of what the Others are and want, I'm going to remain unsettled. I also became annoyed with Cassie at times because as tough as she is, her inner monologue was sometimes very weak. While I liked the switching perspectives, I thought Nuggets came off as a little too mature for his age, but its hard to accurately express feelings of a toddler, so he did what he could. Overall the strong points outweighed many of the bad, and I enjoyed it all, so I would recommend this to those who enjoy sci-fi and YA....more
I really enjoyed this book, and it kept me interested throughout, with the use of action and badass Wren 178. The society is believable as well as peoI really enjoyed this book, and it kept me interested throughout, with the use of action and badass Wren 178. The society is believable as well as people reactions to reboots, who they cannot understand. I like the writing style and the pacing was good so I never felt like the story was moving too fast or dragging. I am not a big fan of romance, but this relationship in the book seemed genuine and helped Wren do what she thinks is right, so I was a fan.
The emotion was there, and there's enough important unanswered questions that I will be anxiously waiting for the sequel. Wren was a relatable MC because she had to come to terms with a rough past, and move forward as the person she is now. I liked that the society depicted poverty lines as well as drug issues, because too often dystopia's overlook a lot of the ugly that is likely to occur, when society's break down.
I would recommend this to others as a interesting read about coming to terms with yourself in a sci-fi setting. I know there's a lot more to this society and the major players to come, so I am refreshed by the authors approach to the dystopian theme that many other authors use unsuccessfully. The only thing keeping this from a five star rating, is I did have some real eye role moments with some of Wren's actions, but that didn't diminish the story. ...more
I felt that the pacing in this book was off more then in the first. While I enjoyed the plot and how it unraveled I expected alot more basReally a 3.5
I felt that the pacing in this book was off more then in the first. While I enjoyed the plot and how it unraveled I expected alot more based on the reviews for this book.
The story was pretty slow until about 60% in on my kindle, but I kept going cause I have hope.
Nevertheless I will be reading the next book, to see how the characters develop. But overall expecting alot more. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am excited for the 3rd book when it arrives. In this book you gain a much better understanding of what's going on,I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am excited for the 3rd book when it arrives. In this book you gain a much better understanding of what's going on, and I am intrigued to know more. Peryn is a resourceful and entertaining as always, and the writing was also awesome. If you havent read it yet you need to now!!...more
This book was awesome, a big improvement, considering my last review on The Moon dwellers, the first book in the series. I want to thank the author foThis book was awesome, a big improvement, considering my last review on The Moon dwellers, the first book in the series. I want to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book so I could give this series a chance in book two and I am glad that I did.
There was more action, more mystery, some twists and turns and believable romance. I was also engrossed throughout, meaning there were no slow parts that I was just trudging through to get to the better parts.
Characters: All of the characters here have grown, no one seemed overly immature and I finally like Adele, the MC that I was not too found of in the first book. Everyone in the book made a lasting impressing and I cared about their well being, so no one was a one dimensional waste of words.
Plot: I liked the pacing of the book, and the action scenes were memorable and believable which I also liked from the first book. The last chapters of the book led us wanting more, and with a direction of where the story line is going. However I do feel that this book did what a lot of second book in trilogies do, which is to be great for the series but not quite a great stand alone. I did enjoy this book, so this is just something I noticed rather than an actual criticism.
This story line and characters have intrigued me, and I do plan on reading the final book in the trilogy. The only reason why this book didn't quite reach a coveted five stars from me is because while I felt some of the emotion behind the characters thoughts and during critical times, nothing was especially memorable for me. To me five stars means the book made me feel, and have a emotional reaction, that I will associate with the book. Although Mr. Estes is a great writer, he hasn't quite found that spark that will push him to the amazing realm, but I trust he will....more
I changed my review up to 4.5 from a 4 considering the great thoughts I have about it. The only thing keeping it from a 5 is a more oActual Rating 4.5
I changed my review up to 4.5 from a 4 considering the great thoughts I have about it. The only thing keeping it from a 5 is a more of a emotional impact.
Disclosure I received this book as a Beta Reader in Exchange for an honest review.
The story of a tribe stuck in its own ways, that punishes others out of greed, fear and ignorance, was absolutely engaging. But this was also a story about a family,about sisters. About the oh so mysterious others and how we react and learn to deal with them. The Glassies, The Icers, the Wildes, the Marked all hold a lot more backstory and intrigue which I am excited to read and learn more about.
The heart felt moments came across as real, and not corny, but actually how someone on such tragic situations would react.
Character development. I cared about these characters and what happened to them. None of these people described seemed overly cartoonish and all of the characters, including the father were described in a three dimensional way.
The fight scenes: I like that people got hurt, really hurt, and afterwards they had to recover. Other books I have read have had characters recover very fast and ruined my stake that I held within the story. People died and that is part of war, and I'm glad the book included burying the bodies or burning them after such losses occurred, because it didn't just glaze over their deaths. The weapons used and way that they fought was something that I could imagine,which made me more invested in those scenes.
World Building: The way that the book slowly alluded to the many different things that are happening around fire country where Sienna is and allowed the setting to become it's own character was awesome. I hope there's more backstory to the spirituality once we learn more about the world this takes place in.
The Pacing: Everytime I picked it up, I didn't find myself stopping or taking breaks because of any slow parts of the story and I thought that was great.
I'm looking forward to what the sequel in this series explores...more
I liked the story line, characters, medical exploration and dealing with the others. But overall I felt like too many thinWell this was interesting...
I liked the story line, characters, medical exploration and dealing with the others. But overall I felt like too many things were rushed, and way too conveniently fixed. I get it we all like to have things work out for the better, but alot of the obstacles faced in this book were alot harder then anyone should have survived.
There is more mystery to figure out in the next books. But I felt like the little to nothing that was explained well, was more annoying then engaging. This was an OK read, and had some cool sci-fi elements, and action, but the sequel may not be worth it for me.
I know many other people really enjoyed this, but something about it just didn't hold my interest well enough. Now Im remembering, I didn't feel enough of the emotions that the characters were engaged in, and that's a big part of what I enjoy about books....more
AWESOME, READ IT. I loved this book, stayed up last night reading it, and am excited to read the next book. This is quality Dystopian YA and this is hAWESOME, READ IT. I loved this book, stayed up last night reading it, and am excited to read the next book. This is quality Dystopian YA and this is how all writers of YA should proceed.
The only criticism I have is that the story of where Raffe is going could have been developed more. Which is really just a need for more. But this is worth your time, for the quality world building alone. ...more
Overall I was thoroughly entertained by this book. The story's pacing was good, and the fight scenes were realistic.
But the romance(instalove) througOverall I was thoroughly entertained by this book. The story's pacing was good, and the fight scenes were realistic.
But the romance(instalove) throughout was something that annoyed me every time it was brought up. I was particularly annoyed by hand holding being compared to losing her virginity. Really?Really? I've read YA with realistic relationship building and it comes off a lot better to the reader.
The MC was annoying at times because she would explain why she shouldn't do what she was doing as she did it. I thought that her thinking would change, some of her behavior, but I was wrong. But she was tough and took care of herself, which I appreciated instead of a weak heroin that gets taken care of. I love Dystopian novels and this world is one I want to learn more about. But I may or may not read the sequel. This was good but nothing wowed me enough to recommend. I liked Cole and Tawni more than the MC, the MC just came off as very aloof to me. ...more
I enjoyed this, there were parts I couldn't put down and I will be looking forward to the sequel. This book had a lot of spunk and the romance didn't I enjoyed this, there were parts I couldn't put down and I will be looking forward to the sequel. This book had a lot of spunk and the romance didn't make me want to throw up which was nice. Theres still alot to explore in this world, and the Commander Jameson is a convincing villian. As a fan of dystopia's I enjoyed that the world was built slowly, instead of a incomplete info dump. The relationships seemed genuine and I was entertained, so I would recommend this book.
But this is not a novel worthy of 5 stars, because there were sometimes, where I was annoyed with the pacing and felt it took a little long to get the story going where we all knew it would. I also wanted to know slightly more about the Colonies, then I know now, but guess thats part of the next books intrigue....more
Tori (InToriLex)
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