Year One by Nora Roberts

Title: Year One

Author: Nora Roberts
Genre: Post-apocolyptic, Fantasy, Dystiopian

Pages: 430

Publisher: Hachette

Format: Paperback

Synopsis: 

With one drop of blood, the old world is gone for ever. And in its place, something extraordinary begins...

They call it The Doom - a deadly pandemic that starts on a cold New Year's Eve in the Scottish countryside. There's something mysterious about the virus and the way it spreads. As billions fall sick and die, some survivors find themselves invested with strange, unexpected abilities.
Lana, a New York chef, has the power to move things and people with her will. Fred can summon light in the darkness. Jonah, a paramedic, sees snatches of the future in those he touches. Katie gives birth to twins, and suspects that she has brought fresh magic into the world, along with new life.
But The Doom affects people differently. Along with the light, a dark and terrifying magic will also rise. As the remaining authorities round up the immune and the 'Uncannies' for testing, Lana, Katie and others flee New York in search of a safe haven. The old world is over, and Year One has begun. (Goodreads Synopsis)Review: 
Nora Roberts is not an author I ever thought I would read... her books just aren't my cup of tea. I work in a bookstore so I get to go to these publisher events and I got an advanced copy of year one. The first thing that caught my attention was that part of the book was set in the "Scottish countryside" and Scotland is in my top 3 of places I want to visit. Also fantasy is my favourite genre so I decided to give it a go and boy was I surprised. This novel read so well, I couldn't put it down. The world building is phenomenal, I could see the world so vividly and I honestly think this would make a great tv show! Basically the premise of the book is that there has been a virus outbreak which has killed billions of people and those that have survived are either normal or have developed these supernatural abilities. I love the multiple p.o.v's and how their stories intertwined. The next installment can't get here soon enough, if you like fantasy then this one is for you. 

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Dystopian/Fantasy/Young Adult

Pages: 444

Publisher: Harper Teen

Date Released: February 9th 2016

Format: Hardback

Synopsis:
If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.
Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. 
The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.  (Goodreads Synopsis)

Review:  
*There are a couple of spoilers in this review so if you have not read Red Queen or Glass Sword I suggest you don't read this and come back once you have :) 

So when I started this, I could not remember for the life of me what happened in the first book Red Queen .... oops. So I will admit that it was a bit hard to get into this one which was really frustrating because I quite liked the first one. I think it was about 150ish pages in that I really started getting back into it. I certainly got more invested in the story as I remembered things. Mare was A bit annoying at times, some of the choices she made were not always the best and she can become a bit whiny.

 I love Cal, there is just something about his character that makes me swoon haha, though there was one point where I was like seriously Cal why would you not comfort Mare after Shade's death, she needed you! There were definitely some intense scenes thrown in there that had me on the edge of my seat. I was honestly quite shocked that Shade died, he got brought back at the end of Red Queen only to be killed. That just seemed so unfair! There is this one line on the end of page 250 "If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter" I just love the sound of that and I have a feeling that this line inspired the title of the book. After finish Glass Sword I can still say I really hate Maven with a passion, he is so awful I can't stand him but I guess thats what makes him the perfect villain, he is truly evil even though he "tries" to hide it from his people.

One thing that is constantly brought up is Mare's lack of trust, it frustrated me a bit because not everyone is out to get her honestly I felt she need to grow up at times and pull on her big girl pants. Another Character that I started to love was Shade, he was not in the first book very much and we get to see a lot more of him in this book which was awesome. I do hope in the next book we will get to see more of Mare's other brothers. Also the way this ended makes me wonder what the fate Mare will have. Having her chained like a dog my goodness I wanted to punch Maven right in the face. Hard. I will definitely be re-reading Red Queen and Glass Sword again before the release of the 3rd book in Feb next year. 

Overall: I liked this one, I can't say I liked it as much as Red Queen but I enjoyed it. I would still recommend this series to anyone who loves fantasy as the good outweighs anything negative and it doesn't help that at the start of the books I wasn't really into it. :)

Cover art: 5
Plot:4
Characters:3
Writing:4
Level of interest:3
Total rating:4

Happy Reading Everyone!! :D
- Jordan

Pawn Review

Title: Pawn

Author: Aimee Carter

Pages: 347

Genre: Dystopian, young adult

Publisher: Harlequin TEEN            

Date Released: November 26th 2013         

Format:  e-book

Synopsis:YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Previously titled Masked.
Review:I will admit this book took me a couple of chapters before I got into it but once the story got going I couldn't put it down. I like that the story wasn't like other books I have read before, it brought something different to the table. There were a few negatives I found with this book such as there wasn't really a reason for why the world was as it is now. Also i'm sorry to say this but I did not like Kitty's Boyfriend Benji. There relationship just didn't do it for me. He is the first and only guy she has loved so of course she wants to be with him because that's all she knows.

“I’m never better off without you,” he said. “We’re in this together. I love you, and that’s never going to change, all right? I’m yours no matter what your rank is. You could be a I, and I would go Elsewhere just to find you.”
 Although as this quote shows he is very loyal and he is a wonderful boyfriend towards her . I kind of want to see her get together with Knox because I can see their friendship growing into something more and they have chemistry. I found the bad guys to be really believable and just when you think that they are not that bad they go and prove you wrong. There are a few unexpected turns which is great because I love when the Author keeps you guessing.
.
Overall:
I really enjoyed reading this and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good dystopian read. There were a few flaws but they are easy enough to look over and see the potential for this series. I look forward to reading book 2 Captive.

Cover art: 4
Plot: 4
Characters:5
Writing:4
Level of interest:5
Total rating:4

Happy Reading Everyone!! :D
- Jordan

The One Review

Title: The One (The Selection #3)

Authors: Kiera Cass

Pages: 217

Genre: Dystopian, young adult

Date published:  May 6th 2014

Publisher: Harper Teen

Format: e-book

Synopsis:
The highly anticipated conclusion to Kiera Cass's #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series, The One will captivate readers who love dystopian YA fiction and fairy tales. The One is the perfect finale for fans who have followed America's whirlwind romance since it began--and a swoon-worthy read for teens who have devoured Veronica Roth's Divergent, Ally Condie's Matched, or Lauren Oliver's Delirium.
The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen--and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.
Find out who America will choose in The One, the enchanting, beautifully romantic third book in the Selection series! ( Goodreads synopsis )

Review: SPOILERS ALERT
If you have not read The Selection or The Elite then I recommend you read them and come back so that you do not get spoiled :)This is one of those series where the main character is really frustrating at times but there is just something about the books that keep you coming back for more. Throughout this series America has been very annoying with her decisions and more than anything in this book. She could have just told Maxon that she loved him and it would have been all over but instead she plays games ugh. I was quite surprised to find out that America's dad was a Northern rebel and that the Northern rebels wanted to work with Maxon and America to take away the casts. When she goes home for her fathers funeral I get really frustrated with Kota, he so rude. I also got very annoyed that America didn't tell Maxon about Aspen, that was obviously what was going to cause problems. I did wish that there was a chapter or two of America as Queen but all in all I am happy with how it ended :)

Overall:
If you like dystopians, I do recommend you read this, you may get a bit frustrated with America but there is something still that is intriguing and addictive & it will leave you satisfied :)

Cover art: 4
Plot: 4
Characters:4
Writing:4
Level of interest:4
Total rating:4

Happy Reading everyone! :)
- Jordan

Review coming soon...
Chasing Prophecy

The Only Boy Review

Title: The Only Boy

Author: Jordan Locke

Pages: 268

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Romance

Publisher:  CreateSpace

Date published: December 17th 2013        

Format: e-book

Synopsis:
Mary is stuck in Section One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent her from exploring the vacant city to find out.

Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed.

Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him.

Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries. ( goodreads synopsis )

Review:
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, Thank you Jordan! I really appreciate it! :)This books had a very different vibe from most of the dystopian novels that I have read, in this world they believe that there are no boys, that they all died out with a disease. I found that really intriguing and unique. I think that some of the story was a bit fast paced and  I liked how even though they had these feelings about each other the book wasn't all about the romance, it was just a little part of it. I quite enjoyed this and I thought that the world building was really good because I could imagine it all quite clearly in my head. I was really surprised to find out the matriarch's secret and it made me wonder if that was the reason for being so cold hearted.

I have never read anything like this and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read this. I loved that the story was told in both perspectives of Mary and Taylor, I think that it worked really well. I also really like the cover, and I just found out that Jordan Locke designed it herself, how cool!

Overall: I recommend this to anyone who loves the YA Dystopian genre and is looking for something a bit different to your normal Dystopian.

Cover art: 4Plot: 4

Characters:3

Writing:3

Level of interest:5

Total rating:3

Happy Reading Everyone, I hope that you all have a fantastic week :)
-jordypaigebooks 
 

Quantum Entanglement (Interchron #2) Review

Title: Quantum Entanglement (Interchron #2)
          
Author: Liesel K. Hill

Pages: 400

Genre: New Adult/Dystopian/Fantasy

Publisher: Create Space

Date Released: September 17th 2013

Format: e-book

Synopsis:
Five months after traveling to a post-apocalyptic future where collectives reign supreme and individuals have been hunted to the verge of extinction, Maggie Harper was returned to her own time until the threat to her life could be neutralized. She thought Marcus and the others would return for her within a few weeks, and now she’s beginning to worry.

When travelers from the future finally show up to collect her, it’s not who she expected. With the return of her memories, she wants more than ever to see Marcus again, but a snake-like woman whose abilities are a perfect match for Maggie’s, an injured Traveler, and decades of civil unrest to wade through all stand in the way of their reunion.

Meanwhile, Marcus and Karl traipse through the countryside, trying to neutralize Colin, who’s promised to brutalize and murder Maggie if he can get his hands on her. When a collective woman is left for dead, Marcus heals her, hoping she’ll be the key to killing Colin and bringing Maggie back. But she may prove as much a hindrance as a help.

The team struggles to get their bearings, but things happen faster than they know. The collectives are coalescing, power is shifting, and the one called B is putting sinister plans into action. If the team can’t reunite and get a handle on the situation, their freedom and individuality—perhaps their very identity—will be ripped away before they can catch their breath.

Review:
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, Thank you Liesel! I really appreciate it! :)I am just going to right out and say this, don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this but I think that the I liked the first book better. There were some things that were a little predictable but there were also some surprises that I did not see coming. I'm not really sure why I didn't like this one as much as the first novel and I was surprised to find that there is a 3rd book coming out but there's no date on goodreads yet but I will definitely keep checking to find out when its going to come out and I am excited to find out what happened next.

I'm not really sure if I like David or not because he is so sweet with Maggie but its his brother's girlfriend, just ugh.. I feel as though in the next book he might try and get in the way of their relationship... and I like Maggie and Marcus as a couple.

Like how I said in my Persistence of Visions review , this was very well written and enjoyed diving back into this world. I usually do not like books with time travel but I truly liked this and I am so happy to have read this.

Overall:
If you are looking for something a bit different and you love dystopian and fantasy novels you should most definitely check this series out because its really good and I can guarantee you will enjoy it! :)


Cover art: 4
Plot: 4
Characters:4
Writing:4
Level of interest:4
Total rating:4

Where can you buy this:
Physical copies
Amazon

e-book
Amazon - Kindle

Happy Reading Everyone!
- jordypaigebooks

Unravel Me Review

Title: Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Pages: 461

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date Released: February 5th 2013

Format: e-book

Synopsis:

tick

tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life. ( Goodreads Synopsis )

Quotes:
“I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend. The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body.

I want to know where to touch you, I want to know how to touch you. I want to know convince you to design a smile just for me. Yes, I do want to be your friend. I want to be your best friend in the entire world.”  

“Hope.
It's like a drop of honey, a field of tulips blooming in the springtime. It's a fresh rain, a whispered promise, a cloudless sky, the perfect punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. And it's the only thing in the world keeping me afloat.”  

“On the darkest days you have to search for a spot of brightness, on the coldest days you have to seek out a spot of warmth; on the bleakest days you have to keep your eyes onward and upward and on the saddest days you have to leave them open to let them cry. To then let them dry. To give them a chance to wash out the pain in order to see fresh and clear once again.”  

"It's raining. The world is weeping at our feet in anticipation of what we're about to do"

Review:Like I said in my Shatter Me Review, how amazing is this cover, I can't express how good they look!! Not only is the cover fabulous, the content inside is just as good. Tahereh Mafi has such a unique writing style and I love the way that she describes things. I have to admit that I didn't like Warner so much in Shatter Me but after reading Unravel Me I can't help but like him. You see another side of him that you didn't get to see in Shatter Me.
There were many intense moments through out the novel and I felt like I enjoyed this a even more that Shatter Me. I swear at one point in the book my jaw literally dropped. Also Juliette really developed throughout the story, she starts to realise she has to embrace who she is and she really grows. At some points I would get really annoyed with her decisions but I think that was important because it showed her character really change as a person.

The ending was pretty intense and do not worry I am not going to give any spoilers. I just really need to get my hands on Ignite Me!! I honestly have no idea what is going to happen next and I cannot wait to find out.

Overall:I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good YA, dystopian. You will not regret buying it, the writing is incredible and you will not be able to put it down and if you have not read Shatter Me you should definitely go and get it now... like right now haha :)
 

Cover art: 5

Plot: 4

Characters:4

Writing:5

Level of interest:5

Total rating:5

 

Where can you buy this:

 Physical copies

• Fishpond (NZ wide delivery)
• Amazon
• Book Depository (worldwide free shipping)

 e-books

• Amazon - Kindle
• kobo

Happy Reading Everyone! I hope that you have a fab weekend!
- jordypaigebooks :)

Shatter Me Review

      Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Pages: 340

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopian

Publisher: Harper Collins

Date Released: October 2nd 2012

Format: e-book

Synopsis: No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans of her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever. ( Source: Goodreads )

Quotes:
"I always wonder about raindrops.
I wonder how they're always falling down, tripping over their own feet, breaking their legs and forgetting their parachutes as they tumble right out of the sky toward an uncertain end."

"All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart.”  

“The moon is a loyal companion.
It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human.
Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.”  

“I've been screaming for years and no one has ever heard me.”  

Review:

Let me just start of with how beautiful this book cover is, like oh my goodness. So I had heard so many good things about this book and I've had it on my tbr pile for quite some time so I decided to pick it up and I am so glad that I did. The way that Tahereh Mafi presents her world to you is so beautiful, the world building made me feel as though I was actually there. At the start of the novel I could almost feel Juliette's aloneness (is that even a word haha?) not having uttered a single word for so long and finally having someone to talk to. That someone being Adam. After that first night together, I kind of thought he was a bit of a dick but that was soon forgotten when he became so sweet towards Juliette.

When we first meet Warner I instantly do not like him, not only did he kill without a second thought, he kept Juliette like a prisoner/trophy not like a person with feelings. He was merciless but I think there could be some part of him that's good. Adam's brother James seemed so sweet and I couldn't help but wonder if he was like Adam immune to Juliette's touch. On that note I felt bad for Juliette because before Adam she had nobody, no one cared for her, her own parents sent her to The Reestablishment without a second glance and I couldn't imagine how alone she must have felt.

Overall:

I recommend this to everyone. If you love young adult, romance and dystopian novels this books is for you! The writing style is so unique and poetic and I haven't read anything like it. I will definitely be purchasing this in a physical copy to re-read.

Cover art: 5
Plot: 5
Characters:4
Writing:5
Level of interest:4
Total rating:5

Where can you buy this:

Physical copies
- Amazon
- Fishpond (free shipping worldwide)
- Book Depository (free shipping worldwide)

e-books
- kindle
- Kobo


Happy Reading Everyone!
jordypaigebooks