Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Nov15

Nora Dearly is currently trying to adjust to her once empty home becoming overrun with the undead. But in the nice cohabiting way, not running and screaming kind. With the Siege over and a vaccine found it seems there is finally hope for the living to move and rebuild alongside the dead. During a public execution however, a zombie becomes out of control and bites others. Some who have had the vaccine, but now are infected…

This is new strain of the Laz could ruin everything Nora’s father has worked for. It’s only the start as masked vigilantes start parading around town kidnapping zombies that never return. To continue a peaceful world Nora’s father is going to have to discover the root of this new infection and take down the zombie-harming group. As is those were the only problems. A gathering group of zombies called the ‘Changed’ continue to increase and they want the dangerous zombie that is somehow the beginning of answers to this undead puzzle.

My first reaction: Too long, just way too long for my taste. Perhaps it’s because I’m not huge fan of Steampunk, but I like my YA’s way under 500 pages. For those that do love zombies, romance and everything that is Steampunk, you’ll not be disappointed by Habel’s amazing continuation of her Gone With the Respiration series. What I did enjoy was the chance to see the world through previous antagonists’ Michael Allister and Vespertine Mink’s eyes. New character Laura is also gives a fresh perspective outside of the Z Corp world from the debut book and I praise Habel in her voicing talent.

Whereas the first book is about discovering and mystery, this second continuation focuses on politics. It wasn’t my cup of tea, but that’s not to say others won’t fall in love with the story further. Characters grow and relationships deepen. The cruelty of living and breathing humanity against those that are different is frighteningly current. Although set in the future, this is a modern piece of work underneath the fictional pretence. I did feel that this book left me wanting something different, but that’s me and others looking to venture back to New Victoria you will be welcomed back with open (and sometimes undead) arms.

Buy it now! (US only)

Many thanks to publisher Random House Publishing Group and author Lia Habel for providing this ARC!

Released Today Refuge by Carole Rummage

Nov13

17-year-old Laney Lowell has lost everything. During the national gymnastic qualifications meet, her world flips after learning her family has died in a car accident. As she moves from Salt Lake City, Utah to Columbia, North Carolina, Laney tries to move forward with an aunt and uncle whom she barley knows. It’s her memories of the outdoors with her family that pulls her to the Refuge, a wildlife preserve where she meets Gabe Randall, who’s rumored to be infected with a serious disease. Ignoring warnings Laney can’t help but fall in love with him, finding light in her world of dark grieving. As she gets closer to discovering his secret, their love will be put to a test she can’t prepare for.

I loved the cover of the book and the premise of the story, but after reading it I personally found it a bit of a disappointment. It gave me the impression it had potential as an adult crossover, but this is not the case. After researching the publishing company Cedar Fort, it made more sense. I appreciate that a religious publisher can publish a book that’s not consumed with religious themes. I felt that faith had an appearance in the book but it didn’t take over, which I enjoyed. However, Laney’s story isn’t anything new and I guessed at the ‘twist’ right from the first chapter.

Regardless, this book is full of love and secrets. I’d recommend this book for younger readers, around the ages of 12+. It’s a YA on a younger scale and for that I think Rummage did a wonderful job. She covers good values, has easy to relate to characters and describes a beautiful setting with some slight mystery and suspense. It’s well written for its market that has the opportunity for religious and non-religious exposure. For young readers that are looking to read something full of heart, Refuge is a great start.

Cedar Fort gave this book as an ARC for an honest review. Many thanks to the publisher and Carole Rummage!

Comes the Night by Hollis Hampton-Jones

Nov8

Nineteen-year-old twins Ben Ho and Meade live in Paris funded by their parents. Ben Ho is an artist living the dream, his sister Meade a waif contradiction studying cookery as she struggles with an eating disorder. Tied to Ben Ho, Meade lashes out at herself when he finds himself a pretty girlfriend and ignores her. As she spirals out of control with drugs, lust and lack of calories, can she find the will to pull her life back to together?

I was not impressed with this book. I found Meade to be a whiny, spoiled little brat. Constantly craving her brother’s attention for absolutely no reason other than she’s unable to be alone. I kept reading hoping there would be a turnaround, something or anything that would make me sympathetic to Meade.

I didn’t find anything. At nineteen one can be dramatic, but I felt it was over the top with Meade. She’s in Paris! Money isn’t a concern! Ben Ho and his ignorance to his sister’s pain was smart, but I don’t think he could have helped her if she had let him. At least the book is short. Perhaps those that enjoy reading about endless black holes of one’s soul will find more enjoyment from this piece than I did.

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

Nov6

The world has changed and life as one knows it has reverted to a futuristic time mixed with the beauty and grace of the Victorian era. Fancy dress and high tech gadgets are the norm for seventeen-year-old Nora Dearly. The term at her finishing school has come to an end and she awaits her aunt’s carriage with patience and slight dread. Orphaned from the recent death of her father, Nora finds comfort through best friend Pamela as they venture home to New Victoria.

It was supposed to be a quiet first night back. Determined to find comfort in one of her favourite war films she shared with her father, a commotion outside derails her thoughts as the walking dead burst into her home. As Nora scampers to the roof, strangers rescue her but she’s horrified that even the handsome Bram is dead as well. Alone and surrounded by zombies, Nora must find strength within if she’s going to escape and return home.

I’ve never read anything steampunk before and I found myself pleasantly surprised how well this YA romance with zombies worked. Zombies aren’t all hungry monsters, but some have been given five years of an undead kind of life before succumbing to the final death. The idea is well executed and for those that need depth within a YA, look no further for Habel has thought of everything!

Steampunk fans will enjoy this book, and for those that don’t understand the genre will enjoy it just as must. There are excellent settings, cool gadgets and zombies falling in love. It was an exciting read that didn’t have my heart beating in fear but thrilled as I turned the pages in wonder about the fate of the characters. I can’t wait to read more from Habel and the next installment in the series.

Contact by Chris Morphew

Nov3

Contact begins minutes after the first book ends, with Peter as the narrator.

Peter’s life continues to get worse. Sure moving to Phoenix was great at the beginning, but ever since the latest community member Luke arrived everything’s spun out of control. Now he’s discovered that the leader of the town, Shackleton has created ‘Tabitha’, a plague that will destroy the world’s population in 80 days.

As Peter fights for his feelings against Luke over Jordan, the adults in power are ordered by Shackleton to place the three under strict watch. Regardless, the trio are determined to find the source of the ringing phone. If there are working phones in Phoenix, they just need to find one to be able to contact the outside and call for help. The stakes are raised as the teenagers engage in a dangerous tug of war against Shackleton. They’ll have to decide what’s more important, saving the world or saving their lives…

He’s done it again! Morphew’s ability to continue with the thrills and the mystery is executed brilliantly. I loved his idea of switching point of views with the three characters. I found Peter to be more likeable than Luke, and his sense of humour in trying to be romantically involved with Jordan was an engaging touch.

This book has more action, and some gore that jars the readers back to the seriousness of the world coming to an end. Perhaps the best part about the second book is how there are still many more questions to be answered. Why are all the people brought to Phoenix? What truly is Shackleton’s point of exterminating the rest of the population? What if the project doesn’t goes accordingly to plan? The only criticism I have is that I want the disaster to happen already, but at the end of this book there’s still 70 days to go. I’ll keep reading, because Morphew has stepped up the game in book two, so I can only wonder what’s to come in book 3 Mutation…

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Oct30

There is a house that rests nearby an ancient graveyard. One night the man named Jack enters the house and murders the family living there, all except for a little baby that unintentionally escaped to the graves. Too young to know his own name, the ghosts of the graveyard adopt him and christen him ‘Nobody Owens’ or Bod for short. Shielding the baby from danger, the ghosts become his family, his friends and teachers.

With a guardian to provide food and teachings of the world, Bod grows from a baby to a boy then teenager. But the graveyard isn’t what it seems and there are dangers that Bod can’t understand that coexist with the friendly haunts. As the years pass and Bod grow restless for knowledge about himself and the world, he’ll have to rely on his wit and ghostly friends as the man named Jack is still on the hunt for him…

Beautifully illustrated and decorated with in depth characters, alive or not, Gaiman is the master at creating environments that readers just accept. The ghosts are hauntingly intriguing and the setting of the graveyard with its secret nooks and creatures is beautifully crafted to lure the reader in.

Although a bit long for my taste, The Graveyard Book is still a wonderful adventure to behold. Gaiman is a talented writer and nothing is lost throughout this book. What Gaiman excels at is providing settings and characters that don’t need a full explanation, but are better left up to the discretion of the reader. The beginning is shrouded in mysterious, the middle full of complex lessons and adventures, but the ending is exciting and before you know it the book has ended. Like Stephen King, Gaiman is able to create constantly new material each book, nothing repeats and it’s never boring. The Graveyard Book is a great YA novel for those looking for something with a bit more depth and mystery.