Tag Archive | 13+

Book Review: Gates of Paradise By Melissa de la Cruz

Please note this is the seventh book in the Blue Bloods series. If you haven’t read any of the books you may not want to read this review.

This is the epic conclusion for the half blood Schuyler Van Allen. Left with only a clue as to how to save the world of the Blue Bloods. Oliver and Schuyler must again travel the world in search of answers. Jack and Mimi, traitors to their kind must mask their true intentions from the Lord of the Underworld. Whilst Bliss, now one with the hounds of Hell must claim her birthright and fix the broken fissure of time.

Three different paths that will all lead to the finale battle for the survival of their kind. Who will end up on what side? Schuyler is destined to lead her people back to Paradise, but she’ll have to make a sacrifice to do so. Filled with questions will she be able to find the answers before Lucifer re-enters the Gates of Paradise?

I was thrilled that my library had a copy of this freshly published book! Oh joy! Such rapture! I’m a very empathetic person and although I was excited to sink my teeth (hehe) into this finale, I was also so sad to lose such a comfort of an engaging series. I’ve been following since it began in 2004 and it’s been hard to keep the facts straight as the books have been published every few years. One of the things I loved about this series is that it’s intelligent and smart, delving into ancient history and roman mythology. This book is no different and I am so impressed with Cruz’s ability to blend historical fiction into the modern age.

I gave the book four stars because although I was happy that Cruz took care of the cat (writer’s term), I do feel as if everything happened a bit too neatly. However, this is a personal taste and I believe that how Cruz ended her loved filled destiny series is perfect for her loyal fans that have been pouring over her books for the past nine years. The send off is just what it needed and because of this I would love to own the entire series and reread it when the mood strikes me. I’m very sad the journey is over, but praise Cruz for a job well done. I’ve been there since the beginning and you’ve never disappointed.

Book Review: The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Mar12

Annah has been waiting over three years for Elias to return to the Dark City. She’s survived alone, taking care of herself but never forgetting about her twin sister Abigail. She’s never forgiven herself for leaving Abigail behind in The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Her twin, her other half, her only family left in this Unconsecrated filled world. When finally Annah decides to leave the Dark City, on that day she sees her again, Abigail.

There’s also a horde of Unconsecrated and they’re coming and they’re unstoppable. Fighting against the dead Annah is saved by Catcher and taken to an island. It’s the only safe place left in the world. Reunited with Abigail – now Gabry, along with Elias, Annah is faced by the overwhelming notion of being trapped on the only space left not taken over by the dead. Her sister and Elias are now strangers, and Catcher is a force not to tempt despite mutual feelings growing between them. In a world where the dead don’t stay that way, how can Annah see the light in living?

I have to be honest; I wasn’t a fan from the first half. It is so much grimmer than the other two books. There is almost no hope left in this world. The fear is frightening. To imagine being stuck on an island that is a façade of safety. Where being a woman is more dangerous when it should be a blessing.

However, as I progressed through the book and pushed through the blah romance (I’m a bit over it, it’s just too…easy I guess.) I saw the bigger picture. I saw how much stronger of a character Annah is than her sister Gabry from the previous book. She’s an excellent role model. She’s brave and fights for what’s right and stands by her morals no matter what others say. She never stops going, moving, trying to survive and at the end of this series that’s the best lesson we can learn from what Ryan has written.

This series is not for those that are easily scared or hate romance. There’s so much more to these stories of characters interconnected through love and loss. I wanted to be scared by these books because I hate zombies and Ryan is brilliant at always making sure I never forgot that they will keep on hungering. For a series that will keep you turning pages wondering how everything will end, this series will keep you up at night.

Prized by Caragh O’Brien

Feb5

Gaia Stone has escaped the Enclave with her newborn baby sister Maya. Out into the wasteland she ventured, but with little food, water and baby formula, they’re doomed to die if they don’t find help soon. Days pass and just when death looms near, a hero on a horse rescue Gaia and takes her and Maya to Sylum.

Sylum is a community where the women are in charge. Something is happening to all the newborn babies, they’re always male. Females are in high demand and marriages are a battle. Kissing is outlawed and when Gaia joins the people of Sylum she doesn’t understand why everyone isn’t equal. Sylum isn’t better than the Enclave, it’s almost worse.

Gaia is determined to figure out the mystery of Sylum, but her heart is distracted. As a new female she gathers the attention of every eligible male. When a familiar face returns Gaia must look inside her heart and trust what she feels if she, Maya and the people of Sylum have any chance of continuing their existence.

I loved the first book in this series, Birthmarked. I was looking for something that would grab my attention like The Hunger Games and Birthmarked filled all that criteria. However, once I leaped into Prized, I found myself disappointed. It started off great, and finally here is a scenario where women have all the power and treat men like they have treated us for thousands of years! Power to women! What a fantastic choice to move the story I originally thought.

Instead I found myself being embarrassed to keep reading. The women in power were just as bad as stereotypical male lead characters and it was a huge disappointment. What had the potential to be a great story line got somehow lost. My disappointment grew as the lack of originality progressed. I still want to read the last instalment in the series. The ending at least in Prized wasn’t a disappointment and I’m happy O’Brien captured my attention. I’m excited to see how things end for Gaia in Promised.

Matched by Ally Condie

Jan29

Cassia Reyes has been waiting seventeen years to attend her Matching ceremony. A right of passage event when eligible teenagers receive their chosen matched partner. The officials have worked everything out. Each citizen is prepared to have the maximized proficiency for their life: Food is fuel, not taste, activities are for body performance, not enjoyment and life moves on with peace.

Cassia receives her match and her life is scheduled to be everything she had hoped. Until the day when there’s a flicker of doubt on her tablet screen. Suddenly someone else replaces, if only for a brief second, her match’s face. This doubtful seed gives birth to a love Cassia is not supposed to feel. A strict follower of the rules Cassia begins to see them for what they are. In a world full of control can there be room for freedom?

I’ve been so excited to get my hands on Matched. I loved the premise of the story and I can’t wait to continue Cassia’s story. I see it as a Young Adult version of Orwell’s 1984. I was struck by the sadness of the loss of physical writing. It’s such a simple little detail, but it’s a relevant one that goes unnoticed today. The passing of Cassia’s grandfather is also more emotional than most YA’s go.

The emotion that is engrossed in the pages gives the book a broader audience, meaning that younger readers will enjoy the love and romance, whilst older ones will see the deeper meanings. Condie has got more than just a romance on her hands and I thrilled that the final instalment in the series, Reached was published last month. If you’re not a fan of romance there is other interesting aspects to this book so please don’t be thrown. Matched is not a traditional romance Young Adult!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Dec27

Lena Haloway is less than six months away from getting the procedure known as ‘The cure’. In a world that is surrounded by the all-knowing government, people receive the cure as soon as they are eighteen. Love is a disease that makes one crazy, dangerous and out of control. Everyone is fearful of catching ‘deliria’. Her mother committed suicide because of it; her sister nearly suffered the same fate. Lena is determined to stay in line, receive her cure with accompanying marks and be paired for immediate marriage after college graduation. It’s just as life is supposed to be.

It’s during her evaluation that something changes in Lena. Unable to vocalise her practiced answer, she nearly loses everything, but an unforeseen distraction causes her test to be invalid. It’s also when she meets Alex: a nineteen-year-old boy that bares the mark. He’s cured, providing Lena with a security blanket for their friendship. If he wasn’t, she could be hauled away to the Crypts for being seen with him. Being too busy following all the rules, there’s to more to Lena’s world that she’s never noticed. As the bubbles of her life gradually pop, she’s going to have to make a choice: To love, or to die.

I have to be honest, I much preferred Delirium to Oliver’s Before I Fall. Lena is an excellent example of how effective brainwashing can be. I see this book as a spooky foretelling of America’s future. Living in a country that’s known for its ‘Big Brother’, I found myself wondering how far is too far for a society to be looked at? I can’t imagine a world without free speech or the freedom to love whomever you want. And yet, there are many passages where this easily could have taken place in a modern day America.

This is a story about growing up, falling in love and discovering what is important in life. People are different; a large population cannot conform to one simple ideal. History has proven this and Delirium takes advantage of human nature the right way. What would the world be like if we weren’t allowed to love? What would happen to a society if they found a way to love again? A fast paced read with a love story of Romeo and Juliet, I’m really hoping my local library will have the second book available! (Just checked – it’s a disappointing no.)

Many thanks to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton for sending me two copies from their social media campaign!