Book Review: MIla 2.0 by Debra Driza

Jun3

Mila was just trying to settle in to her new life in rural Montana. Living with her overly protective mother, the new caretaker of horse ranch, fitting in at the local high school was a challenge.

Especially after discovering she wasn’t just a normal seventeen-year-old girl. Oh no, Mila is actually a robot. She’s not the first either, but version 2.0.

In a span of hours Mila and her mother are thrust from their calm existence to on the run from her creators, the government. What starts as a normal get together with a girlfriend bursts forth with a new sight on truly who and what she is. As secrets tumble, Mila is going to have to choose which she is more of, human or machine if she and mother are going to escape for a future of freedom.

So how do I feel about this book? I did like it but…Long, just way, way too long. The Matched series can get away with 500 pages, but for this premise I felt like it dragged. The focus is primarily on Mila, which as a character is interesting. The story is slow in the beginning, the reader is almost tricked into thinking it’s a clichéd YA book. Then BAM – the story hits sixty and it’s running, running, running and more running until the explosive end.

I wish I could have liked the story more but the length wavered my attention. However, I think it has great potential for a movie or TV series. It just has that feel when you’re reading the story. The author has done a great job of describing the picture and placing the reader right there to witness all the excitement and danger.

Mila 2.0 is great if one wants a break from the soppy, unrealistic romance, but they shouldn’t be afraid to devote time.

The amazing publisher, in exchange for an honest review, provided this book. Many thanks to the publisher and author Debra Driza for letting me review Mila 2.0! I am curious as to what is coming next!

Mila 2.0 was Freshly Publishing in March 2013 – so get your copy now and tell me what you think!

Book Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

May28

Addison Coleman is an extraordinary teenager. Gifted with the power to see the future outcome when making a decision, she is just your average teenager. Growing up on a compound with others just like her, she has a best friend, crushes on boys and is faced with a difficult choice when her parents announce they are getting a divorce.

Addie must decide to either remain on the compound with mother or she can leave to the normal world with her father. If she remains with her mother, Addie will grab the attention of the hottest guy in school. On the outside Addie learns that not all ‘Norms’ are as ignorant as she’s taught to believe. The choice should be easy. Two different choices like a fork in the road. Which one will she choose?

But Addie’s power comes with a difficult price, for she must choose one of the paths. When each present results with tragic results, she’s got to decide whom she can live with forever, or without.

I really loved this book! Such a great premise and it’s exciting right from the first chapter! Totally TV worthy and the only thing I’m disappointed about is the fact that it’s becoming a book series. I really liked this book as a single, but it’s very impressive so I’m not shocked that more books are on the way.

Anyways, the format is written as every other chapter in the perspective of each path. It’s best not to be reading other books whilst reading this one. There is so much to each story and they’re beautifully interwoven as alternate realities. This book will keep you up reading until the final chapter to see which future Addie chooses. Not heavy on the romance it’s focus is more on being an ‘average’ teenager (somewhat) and I loved how relatable the story was.

If you’ve ever wondered ‘What if?’ in your life, this book will make you think about choices. Now which point will you take?

Book Review: Of Silk and Fire by Allie Brennan

May21

Ella Olsen awakens starved to death and dirty on a moving train car.

She has no memories of how or when she got there.

Something is locked within her mind, a past full of pain.

There is a boy who can read her thoughts.

As Ella struggles to regain her strength and understand this world around her, the more she tried to remember who she is. Her memories were forgotten for a reason, could remembering ruin everything in her present?

This book really isn’t a book; it’s a novella, which Brennan states. However, I felt there was a lot lacking. It was over before it got anywhere and was riddled with clichés.

Nevertheless, there was some promise. Every couple of sentences I would find a glimpse of writing prose that sucked me into the story. I enjoyed the opening of the piece and Ella as a character. The world Brennan created with this short story could have gone places.

If you’re looking for a quick romantic mystery, this is perfect for a bus/train journey. It has enough to hold your attention and it ends before you’re too involved. It’ll make you think (either good or bad). Although I give props for the cover, I am such a sucker for a good cover. Bottom line, this is one of the better self published books I’ve read but I’m still looking for another as good as Angelfall (which has been freshly published in the UK this month!)

Book Review: Hooked: When Addiction Hits Home, edited by Chloe Shantz-Hilkes

May18

I don’t usually cover non-fiction, but I was interested when this title became available on Netgalley.

This is a moving collection from teenagers that grew up with a family member suffering from an addiction. Covering alcoholism, drug abuse and even workaholics, the fearless stories don’t shame their family but show the negatives of their situation. Not every story has a hopeful ending but the truthfulness is courageous.

Much like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books of the ‘90’s, Hooked is an excellent source of comfort for teens of today that need to know they are not alone. Well put together and executed right for its market, Hooked has been well worth the read.

Many thanks to the publisher Annick Press for the copy of the book, Chloe Shantz-Hilkes for doing a great editing job and to the authors that contributed powerful yet difficult stories. It takes a lot of guts to write about something so personal and painful.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review; Hooked was published on March 5^th, 2013.

Book Review: Promised by Caragh M O’Brien

May14

Gaia Stone has successfully lead the people of Sylum out of the dangerous fog and back towards her old home of the Enclave. As the new Matriarc, she plans to build New Sylum next to the unlake. All that’s standing in her way is the fear of the Protectorat.

Yet as Gaia pleads her case to the ruthless leader of the Enclave, she learns that the haemophilia has continued to spread out of control. Worse still, Gaia becomes a piece of a complicated puzzle. The struggle for a brighter future for everyone rests between Gaia and the Protectorat, a frightening situation for everyone involved.

I found Gaia to be strong but still naïve. Which is good when remembering she’s still only sixteen. A sixteen year old should never have to endure all the responsibility, guilt and hardships she faces in this book.

Gaia never gives up and is always trying to do the best for people. Yes she makes rash decisions and sometimes the pace of the book moves a bit swifter than I would have liked, but I enjoyed this conclusion overall. Gaia Stone stands for a determined and independent woman. My only criticism is how she loses the plot whenever Leon is concerned. There could have more to that relationship and I was disappointed to see how their love shifted instead of grow.

Overall the first book, Birthmarked has been my favourite. I’ve enjoyed reading this series as it’s moved in different directions for dystopian YA, but I’ve been left wanting more. Not more books, but more from what’s already been written. I wish the author had done some aspects different. I am sad the ride is over, but I look forward to reading what’s next in O’Brien’s writing future.

Book Review: Insomnia by J. R. Johansson

May9

Parker Chipp is not a normal teenage boy. He’s dying. Known as a ‘Watcher’, Parker is unique. He hasn’t slept in over five years. Instead of sleeping, every night he wanders, watching the dreams of whomever he’s last make eye contact with. The lack of rest is starting to take its toll until he meets Mia. New to town, her dreams are unlike anyone else’s.

But as Parker tries to befriend Mia, the more he frightens her. Someone is stalking Mia and posing the harassment as Parker. To make matters worse, Parker discovers that when he ‘sleeps’ sometimes he ventures out in the night doing who knows what.

As Parker tries to find Mia’s stalker he starts hitting walls of shock. With each step to keep Mia safe, he tumbles further into the Darkness. His curse is just that, but he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Mia is safe even if it’s from himself.

Initially I loved the premise of the book. I’ve only got to problems with it. 1. It was too long. 2. The ending is lacking motive. Those two points aside, I really enjoyed learning about Parker’s curse. There is some romance in the book, but it’s not the driving force, which can come as a surprise.

Although the book is too long, the ending is really abrupt. There are plenty of loose ends hanging for the reader to want more, but it was sloppy. Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the next book. There are loads of questions that I hope get answered and I want to know more about being a Watcher!

This book is being published in the USA on June 8^th, 2013. I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for honest review. Many thanks to Netgalley for the book, the publisher Flux and to J.R. Johansson for writing it!

Buy your advance copy today or put a hold request at your local library!