Ruination by Amanda Thome

 

Worlds Apart: Ruination (1)

 

by Amanda Thome

 

Genre:  Dystopian

Pages: 338

Published: April 2014

 Publisher:  Athena Allie Press

Summary:  "What if everything came down to a single test? If your life was defined at seventeen, could you handle it? Could you accept your fate leaving the ones you love, or would you risk it all and stay?

One test stands between Vanessa and Central. One chance to make the leap across the walls to a better life. At seventeen, Central considers Vanessa an adult. Her labor role, marriage, and housing divisions will be dictated by her performance on the leap.

Dedication and unfaltering friendship has bonded Vanessa to Garrett as they fight for their chance to leap into Central. But what happens when love overtakes reason? When defiance in the name of love creates an unintentional fracture in their nation.

Without warning Vanessa is at the mercy of the nation that’s supposed to protect her. Exiled and abandoned she must fight but she find’s she’s not alone. With her heart divided she seeks her revenge, but will her stand be enough?"

 

 

Review:  Fans of Dystopian novels-here is a new book to check out. Fans of the Hunger Games and Divergent will be able to quickly relate to parts of this new series.

Nessa is a teen girl in a harsh world. The book starts off with her as a young girl and entails one of the saddest first chapters I have ever read. With her mother gone, she is forced to grow up quickly to protect her younger sister. She lives in s survivalist world where school lessons include things like how to make snares and track animals.

Skip Beat Vol 31 by Yoshiki Nakamura (review)

 

Skip Beat Vol 31

 

by Yoshiki Nakamura

Genre(s): Graphic Novels, Manga

Pages: 192

Published:  June 2013

Publisher: Viz Media

Summary:       "A bestselling romantic comedy!
Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous! Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!

     Ren is fighting to keep himself under control, but living as Cain Heel and simultaneously building the character BJ are really wearing him down. Kyoko is getting really worried, but even President Lory can’t do more than encourage her to support Ren. Can Kyoko’s own dark side give her the insight to help her friend, or will she be forced to watch as he self-destructs?!"

 

 

 

**On  a personal note- I was organizing my review index and noticed 31 was not there.  SO here you go.  Sorry about skipping ahead before!**

 

Review:       This series is starting to take a darker route. The summary concept: "A bestselling romantic comedy!" is not so accurate on the comedic side. While there is some humor, is is less a focus than past volumes. This really sets the stage for a more mature plotline.

Book Blitz- The Spirit Heir by Kaitlyn Davis- Giveaway, Free book links and Guest Post!

The Spirit Heir (A Dance of Dragons #2)

by Kaitlyn Davis

Release Date: 10/30/ 14

Summary from Goodreads:

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes the second book in the thrilling A Dance of Dragons series--perfect for fans of Throne of Glass, Graceling, and Game of Thrones!

Drenched in darkness and surrounded by the echo of screams, Jinji waits deep in the dungeons of Rayfort, haunted by the memory of the knife stabbing Rhen, plagued by a foreign voice whispering through her mind. A few floors above, Rhen rests trapped in a coma, about to wake to a changed world—a world where his best friend is a woman, his nephew is the king, and an enemy army surrounds him on all sides.

But human wars are insignificant compared to the darkness gathering unseen. Memories of lives she never lived flash through Jinji's thoughts, hinting at a past that cannot be repeated. A mysterious phantom visits Rhen, carrying cryptic messages of the future. And somewhere out there, the shadow continues to lurk in silence.

Uncertain of their relationship and tempted by new feelings, Rhen and Jinji must find a way to work together. The fate of humanity rests on their shoulders and the real battle has only just begun...

Buy Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble│iTunes│Kobo│Smashwords

Book One:
(Currently FREE!)

Children's Book Reviews- Sweet t and The North Wind & Mother's Love Ca Conquer Any Fear

Illustrated chapter book for early readers
Grades 1-4


Last time a powerful North Wind blew across the lakes, strange things happened. And the winter when Tara turns ten years old, the North Wind blows sharp, and the lakes freeze solid by Thanksgiving. Old-timers from the village warn everyone to take care.

Tara, or Sweet T as Grandma calls her, is tired of being cooped up indoors on this coldest winter day, and she tries to make the best of the situation.

But when Tara makes a wish that is dearest to her heart, T's ordinary afternoon leads to an hour of magic that takes her on a journey of discovery and a ride she’ll never forget.

This tale of a family across the generations weaves enough magic and whimsy to keep children turning the pages. It also gently raises real-life issues about aging. "Sweet T" entertains while opening the door for children to discuss, in age-appropriate ways, the illness of a beloved family member.

Review: A sweet read. I think this book can work for a good reminisce on happy times for adults, as much as be a good read for the kids.

Splintered by A.G. Howard (review)

Splintered (1)

by A.G. Howard

Genre(s): Retellings, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 371

Published: January 2013

Publisher:  Amulet Books

Summary:   "This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
     When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own."

 

Review:   I had mixed feeling going into this. I have been curious about it for some time but the feedback I kept hearing was very mixed. I ended up on the side to enjoy this twisted retelling, as additional telling to the story of Alice in Wonderland.

     We should, by now, all know the story of Alice in Wonderland (if you do not go read the book or watch one of the many renditions of the movie). What we do not know is how some of the points are a bit...skewed, to say the least. There is no White Rabbit. There is a Rabid White. Yes, I said Rabid..you know the crazy, foaming at the mouth, don't let it bite you... Yep. and that is only the beginning as Alyssa finds herself traveling further into Wonderland.