The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi (Review Tour)

The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi

Book Stats:  

Reading level: Adult
Genre: Science-Fiction
Paperback ARC:  336 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release date: March 21, 2017

Series:  The Interdependency

Source: For review

Reviewed by:  Stéphanie

Order: Amazon | Book Depository

The first novel of a new space-opera sequence set in an all-new universe by the Hugo Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Redshirts and Old Man's War.

Our universe is ruled by physics and faster than light travel is not possible -- until the discovery of The Flow, an extra-dimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transport us to other worlds, around other stars.

Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It’s a hedge against interstellar war -- and a system of control for the rulers of the empire.

The Flow is eternal -- but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it’s discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster than light travel forever, three individuals -- a scientist, a starship captain and the Empress of the Interdependency -- are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.

The Collapsing Empire is the first book in a new series by Hugo Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, John Scalzi. Personally, I've only read a couple of his books, but he's gained at least one new fan with this most recent novel. This novel will certainly be creating waves in the coming months because it's something completely new, accessible and despite being science fiction, it actually has some relevant present day themes.

When it comes to interstellar travel, the author doesn't try to go into too much scientific detail. Actually, he states in the beginning of his novel that most people wouldn't even understand it. In short, something called the Flow allows a ship to ride a "stream" from one location to another without the need for light-speed travel, something that still doesn't exist, even in this post-Earth civilization. Some streams take months to travel, and they aren't always the shortest or most logical routes.

Streams are also one way, like the only one leaving the planet End. The planet is called End because many streams lead to it, but there's only one that leaves it to go back to Hub, the seat of the Interdependency because most streams lead back to it. Curious enough, End is the only planet humanity has discovered that is suitable for human life, all other planets needing special habitats or rotating space stations for survival. However, End is not a very desirable place to settle because it's so far away from everything else. It isn't called End for no apparent reason. Personally, I love this concept of space travel because even though it's fiction, it's still believable. There's still a lot we don't know about our universe and John Scalzi makes it easy to believe in the Flow.

The author also introduces us to a wide range of interesting characters, including a physicist named Marce Claremont who believes something drastic is about to happen to the Flow, and actually, already happening. Many of his peers believe the Flow is something stable, however, Marce and his father have studied the Flow extensively and data shows what can only be called the collapse of the Flow. Since trade and the economy depend heavily on Flow routes, business and political tensions arise in forms of rebellions, piracy and political trickery. The newly crowned emperox of the Interdependency, Cardenia, now Grayland II, has to deal with feuding business families, assassination attempts and news about the shifting Flow.

Funny enough, the author mentions in his afterward that the plot line is not based on the current american situation, that in fact, the book was plotted and written before the 2016 american election. However, one can see how anything as unpredictable can create tension, fear and violence. Many businesses and families capitalize on this fear and I think the author demonstrates very well how some people crave power and money, and will do just about anything to have both.

As a relative newbie to John Scalzi's work, I'll definitely have to read his previous books to see how this new series compares to career building series, Old Man's War. The Collapsing Empire deserve much attention and is one of my new favourites of the genre. It's an epic and grand introduction to a new sci-fi universe and I'm really looking forward to what happens next.

------

JOHN SCALZI is one of the most popular and acclaimed SF authors to emerge in the last decade. His massively successful debut, Old Man’s War, won him science fiction’s John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times bestsellers include The Last Colony; Fuzzy Nation; Redshirts, which won 2013’s Hugo Award for Best Novel; and Lock In. Material from his widely read blog, Whatever, has also earned him two other Hugo Awards. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.

Follow the rest of the blog tour:

March 14: Bookwraiths

March 15: Just A World Away

March 16: Bookworm Everlasting

March 17: It's All About Books

March 21: Books Bones & Buffy

March 22: Ageless Pages Reviews

March 23: Lynn's Books

March 24: Culturess

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Posted by Tynga at 03:55

 John Scalzi, Publisher, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, The Collapsing Empire, Tor  3 People left their mark

A Million Worlds With You by Claudia Gray

A Million Worlds With You is the the third and final book of the Firebird trilogy. I got hooked on this series a couple years ago and I finally got around to finishing the trilogy. Quite honestly, I was a little disappointed in the conclusion but the actual story was still gripping and exciting. I love the idea of corporate conspiracy through different dimensions and Claudia Gray delivers an intense man hunt through different worlds. She also delivers a touching love story that spans through different universes, uniting Marguerite and Paul time and time again.

Marguerite is chasing after another version of herself, a broken and angry Marguerite that is willing to destroy other worlds to achieve the ultimate goal of saving her sister. But the main Marguerite, the narrator of the book, can't justify destroying other worlds, killing billions of people to save the life of only one person. The only way Marguerite can save these other worlds is by travelling to these different dimensions, save her other selves, and neutralize the plan threatening those dimensions. Marguerite not only travels to different dimensions, but she also finds herself in different places like a futuristic London, a primitive Roman civilization, an antiquated Egypt, a space station, a soviet Russia and many other. Honestly, I love reading about all these different worlds. It's almost like reading short stories, mini adventures that fit into a much larger one.

What I love the most about the book is Marguerite and Paul. Their lives seem intertwined in all the universes they visit, which proves to Marguerite that there's a force uniting them time and time again. Their love literally span dimensions, however, her version of Paul isn't convinced that they're meant to be together. His soul was actually fractured into many pieces, and although Marguerite was able to put him back together, he still feels broken and unfit for Marguerite's love. Their relationship might be complicated, but it's also a captivating one. I love the small intimate moments they have together and you can't help but hope for the best for these two.

The main issue I've had with this series is the use of the Firebird, the device that lets the holder travel through dimensions. The author sort of explains the idea behind dimension jumping but doesn't fully describe the actual device. She doesn't say if it has buttons or a digital display to let you know which world you might have entered. It seems that Marguerite takes a chance every time she jumps dimensions that she'll end up in the right one and we don't really know how she manipulates the Firebird to accomplish the jump. I'm a very visual person so I always enjoy descriptions. It seems the author took the easy way out and chose the least scientific character and made her the narrator. Everyone one else seem to be science geniuses but Marguerite blanks whenever they try to explain anything "too complicated for her artistic brain." I'm sure if she took the time to learn she would understand, but I guess for the sake of fiction, Marguerite ignore the math and the science bits.

I highly recommend this series to anyone that enjoys a thrilling science fiction story. However, a fair warning: the novels can't be read on their own. They really need to be read one after the other. Because each novel spills into the next one, I would actually recommend reading them one after the other. Nothing better than binge reading a great series!

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Posted by Tynga at 01:34

 Claudia Gray, dimensions, Firebird, Harper Collins, HarperTeen, Review, Science-Fiction  Leave your mark

Found by Evangeline Anderson

I read a few books from this series a couple years back and I'm really glad I decided to get back into it. I love a good science fiction novel and the way the author blends romance into her stories is wonderful. The love scenes are pretty erotic and not for the faint of heart but as a whole, the novel isn't just about the romance. There's an actual actual story that involves dangerous situations, multiple characters and many storylines.

The main storyline is about Lauren, a Florida native who was abducted by an evil alien race called the Scourge. It was prophesied by the AllFather, the leader of the Scourge, that she was the future of their dying race. Luckily, she was saved from a grave future of rape and torture by one of her captors, Xairn, whom she falls for romantically. At first, she attributes her feelings to a sort of Stockholm Syndrome but the more time she spends with Xairn, the stronger her feelings become. Xairn promises to keep Lauren safe but his duty doesn't come easily, especially when the AllFather still wants her. Also, Xairn feels he must protect her from himself and his dark sexual urges, so he represses his feelings, which annoys Lauren immensely.

They try to create a life together but Xairn's finds controlling his sexual urges difficult, especially with a very affectionate Lauren. The more Xairn shares about his past, the more Lauren realizes where his fears come from. Xairn's childhood was an abusive one which has shaped him into the cold warrior that he is. When the AllFather threatens someone he loves, the cold warrior facade might be the only thing that saves both of them.

The author made the right choice with Lauren. She could have made her the hapless female that is mentally scared by her abduction but instead Lauren has turned out to be a strong female lead. Xairn might be afraid of hurting her, but at this point, the only thing that could possibly hurt her is leaving. They've gone through so much together, including DNA modification, escaping the AllFather and a horrible market trade on a strange planet. I can't help but cheer for this couple, even if they are the most unlikely pair.

Space travel, psychic abilities, medical advances and alien technology are present in this novel, but the one thing I wish the author could have done is spent more time on is elaborating these aspects. Evangeline Anderson has created a wonderful and strange world and I can't wait to learn more about it and its remarkable inhabitants. Found is a compelling science fiction romance that is leading this series in a great direction.



 

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Posted by Tynga at 04:08

 aliens, Brides of the Kindred, Erotica, Evangeline Anderson, Purchased, Review, Romance, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Self Published  Leave your mark

Arabella of Mars by David D. Levine

Arabella of Mars is clearly an original take on sci-fi. I was blown away by the details of the story, despite the fact that everything about space travel was fictional and unrealistic. David D. Levine was able to merge science fiction, fantasy and steampunk effortlessly in this epic space adventure.

I'm usually a stickler for facts when it comes to space and science in novels, but in this case, because everything was done purposely, I really don't mind the way the author reinvented space travel. The ships that fly between Earth and Mars are very similar to the airships often seen in steampunk. Clearly the author thought long and hard about space travel and I love how much detail was included in the novel. The native inhabitants of Mars, with their insect-like lifeforms, are obviously fictional, but the way they're described and their detailed culture makes them almost believable. The tension between the Mars natives and humans is one of the many conflicts in the book, despite years of a somewhat peaceful co-existance.

Arabella is a wonderful character. In my opinion, she's the perfect new settler of Mars. She adventurous, inquisitive and obviously has tremendous respect for the Mars natives.  She's also a tomboy, and her mother blames this on her being raised on Mars. To make sure Arabella grows up to be a proper Englishwoman, her mother forces Arabella to move to a completely different world: London, England. She clearly isn't cut out for Regency England. As soon as she realizes that her brother, back on Mars, might be in trouble, she leaves everything behind and joins an airship crew under the guise of a boy in order to head back to her home planet. With no experience as an airman she quickly learns her way around the ship.

When the captain of the ship, Captain Singh, discovers her aptitude for automatons and navigation, he takes her under his wing and teaches her how to use the navigation automaton. The relationship that develops between Arabella and Captain Singh, is at first a professional one, but slowly, Arabella starts to develop strong romantic feelings for her Captain, especially while caring for him during a coma. When it comes to romance, the book was clearly written by a man because it felt really awkward and inexperienced. The two of them make a great pair, and despite the clumsy almost non-existant romantic scenes, I still love the direction in which the two characters are heading

This book is a blend of many genres, including steampunk, science-fiction and fantasy. It has pirates, automatons, space battles, a mutinous coup, a siege on Mars, a little bit of romance and so many other great things. Arabella of Mars can definitely be read as a stand-alone but I really hope to see more of Arabella and Captain Singh in the future. They make a great pair and I think their story has only just begun. A must read!

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Posted by Tynga at 21:21

 airships, automatons, BEA, David D. Levine, Fantasy, Macmillan, mars, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Space, steampunk, Tor Books  2 People left their mark

The Claiming by Jayne Faith and Christine Castle

I was quite disappointed with this fourth and final book of the Sapient Salvation series. What started off as a good story in book one and two, turned into a mediocre and predictable ending. I felt rushed throughout the book and like I was being led nowhere.

The characters, while we see emotions control most of their actions, never mature or evolve. Maya remains the innocent and timid girl we met in the beginning. While the authors would have us believe she has grown into a fierce woman with her interest in BDSM, it all seems fake and forced. Maya's interest in whips and floggers are simply to please Lord Toric and I just can't see it. Maya is too much of a submissive herself to dominate Lord Toric, the way he needs to be dominated. If the roles were reverse, I think I would believe that so much more, but as it stands, it just doesn't feel authentic. We never really see much in terms of bed play since the book is aimed more for the young adult and new adult crowds, but in my opinion, what's the point in brining up BDSM if you shy away from vanilla sex?

The whole series has been about the Calistan return to Earthenfell. The prophecy says that the time is near, however, as Lord Toric begins the steps for the return, the High Priestess is suddenly against him. For someone who truly believes in the prophecy, Lord Toric is quick to dismiss the leader of his faith, the one who is supposed to guide him through the process. For an alien race who is so advanced technologically and intellectually, you would think faith would be secondary instead of ruling their actions and emotions. In Lord Toric's case, his love for Maya is more important than his faith and while he still follows the steps of the prophecy, he is quick to dismiss everything else about his faith. For a leader to reject almost everything in the divine books, you have to wonder how his subjects will react to this. Personally, I'm not a religious or spiritual person, but the way everything played out with the prophecy and the Calistan faith, it's not right. You can't pick and choose what you like and ignore what you don't like.

I'm glad the characters did get their happily ever after. Lord Toric and Maya love each other, and even though they seem like the oddest couple, it's nice that love can triumph through difficult times. As I said, I was disappointed with the conclusion of this series. I think I was expecting something bigger and grander but it's almost as if the authors simply took the easy way out. My expectations were too high, but I'm glad I got to finish the series and that everything ends positively.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Christine Castle, Faith, Fantasy amp; Magic, Jayne Faith, Prophecy, Purchased, Review, Sapient Salvation #4, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Self Published  Leave your mark

Starflight by Melissa Landers

I absolutely loved this book. It has everything a good sci-fi needs: a derelict ship with a group of outcasts for a crew, a space government conspiracy, space pirates and two young adults running away from the government and those space pirates. Fans of the TV show Firefly will love this book, and while it has many similarities, the actual story is very different.

The protagonist of the book, Solara Brooks, will do pretty much anything to get on board a ship that will bring her to one of the new colonies, on the outskirts of space. And that includes becoming a servant for Doran Spaulding, her high school bully and nemesis. Their servant/master relationship doesn't last very long as Solara cons her way out of it, in a very genius way. Solara is very clever and mechanically proficient, so fans of Firefly will compare her to Kaylee. As an orphan, she really didn't have many chances in life, and when she was just about to graduate from high school, she got into trouble and convicted for crimes she helped commit. In this world, every felon gets tattoos on their hands, advertising their crime and making it very difficult to find a job or be trusted. Solara hides her hands out of shame but the crew members of the Banshee slowly start to trust her, despite their knowledge of her shady past.

Solara is a survivor and a fighter. She will do just about anything to succeed in life, and she's not afraid to take chances. Doran Spaulding was born into an easy life. His father owns a very wealthy oil company and he's always taken advantage of his status to get what he wants. Solara turns his life upside down, and honestly, it's probably the best thing that's ever happened to him. Especially now that he's wanted by the government, Solara's street smarts come in handy quite a few times. Solara and Doran are the most unconventional pair, but for some reason, they work well together. They started off as enemies, became "cohorts" (their word, not mine) and then developed strong romantic feelings.

Honestly, the world the author created isn't crazy original. There are no alien life-forms--just humans traveling in space. However, the way it was executed was genius. Her story, the action and her amazing characters make Starflight stand out from the crowd. I really enjoyed the slow build and the fact the details were only revealed when they were absolutely necessary.

Fans of science-fiction will surely enjoy this one. It's an easy novel to read and it has just enough romance, action and science to make it a well rounded novel. The author will surely explore her universe a little bit more since she left quite a few questions unanswered. In the few hours that I spent reading Starflight, I fell in love with these characters so I definitely want to know what happens next.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:58

 Disney-Hyperion, Library, Melissa Landers, Review, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Starflight, young adult  1 Person left their mark

The Awakening by Jayne Faith and Christine Castle

Jayne Faith and Christine Castle hooked me with their first book in this series. I think it's the cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor that makes things really exciting. I'm a big fan of The Hunger Games, but quite honestly, I hate the flakiness of The Bachelor. I think it's the terrifying idea of losing your life if you don't win the competition that makes things way more compelling than the fake TV show. In my experience, self-published books can be pretty hit and miss, but in this case, I really think the authors are on to something.

This book is so much more than a game of survival and a love story between the two main characters. It's also a story about two races coming together, despite their very different cultural views, and fighting for Earthfell's freedom. Maya is from Earthenfell and she is one of the Obligates fighting in the Tournament of the Offered. Toric is the Lord of Calisto and the Sacred Texts say that no Calistan can step foot on Earthenfell until the prophecy says so. The whole idea behind the Sacred Texts and the Calistan religion is a little bit confusing. I hope more is revealed in the upcoming book so that things may be clearer and complete. The authors may be holding back purposely, but either way, I'm sure more is to come.

The attraction between Toric and Maya is really sweet. I really hope we see their relationship grow, despite their differences. Toric's dark past and sexual needs shocked Maya but she's not that innocent anymore. The Tournament has hardened her and she's now ready to fight for her life, even if that means taking advantage of Toric's obvious infatuation with her. The newest challenge in the Tournament will be difficult for Maya, and I honestly didn't see this twist coming. I hate the fact the authors announced what the new challenge will be and ended the book on a cliffhanger. Since the next book might be coming out next month, I'm not too annoyed, but I'll still be waiting impatiently.

The rest of the characters add a lot of antagonism and mystery to the story. Akantha, the Mistress of Tournament, is a ruthless and jealous woman. Engaged to Lord Toric's brother, Jeric, she's jealous of Maya who seems to have enthralled both brothers. She's out to get Maya, and is willing to do whatever it takes for her to fail. Jeric is confused, and doesn't know his place anymore. As Toric's younger brother, he was once named heir when Toric was considered dead after being kidnapped for years. Now that Toric is back, he seems wandering without a path. I kind of feel sorry for him, even though I don't agree with some of the things he's done or said to Maya. Toric's mother is another player in the political game. We don't know much about her, and she hasn't really had a prominent role in the story yet, but I anticipate her having a bigger role in the coming book.

Overall, I think this was a decent sequel. I hate the cliffhanger we were left with, and quite honestly the book could have been a little longer. Many questions were answered, yet many more have arose. The series so many different genres, including romance, young adult, science fiction and paranormal that I'm sure it will please many reader. As a fan of all these genres, I think the authors have created a wonderful mix.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Alien, Christine Castle, future, Jayne Faith, Purchased, Review, Sapient Salvation, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Self Published, young adult  2 People left their mark

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray

The second book in the Firebird series by Claudia Gray, Ten Thousand Skies Above You is as confusing and as thrilling as the first book. It's not just a book about travelling and exploring different dimensions but it's also a love story and a mystery-thriller all at once. The first book of the series caught my attention because of it's amazing world-building and great story. This second one has me hooked because of all the new details added to dimension traveling and to the to the characters.

Often, book lovers tend to be disappointed with sequels because the first books always seem to be better. Everything is always so new, and fresh in the first book, that we can't help but be disappointed  with the sequel because the new factor isn't there anymore. In Ten Thousand Skies Above You, because we're constantly travelling in different worlds, and meeting new versions of the same people, things are always new and thrilling. I can't speak for everyone, but I love reading scenes where two characters meet for the first time. In this sequel, there are countless "new" meetings, and even if it makes things a little bit confusing, it's still very engaging.

This book follows Marguerite Caine through seven different multiverses (including her home world) where she takes "possession" of different version of her own body. Her main goal is to locate Paul Markov in four of these worlds since her "original" Paul Markov's soul was splintered into four different parts. This splintering was done purposely so that one of her enemies could blackmail her into doing  some of his dirty work. Because she loves Paul, Marguerite would do just about anything in order to save her version of him. By travelling in different multiverses, she discovers darker versions of her boyfriend, which leads her to guess some of Paul's dark secrets that he never talks about.

Despite very few scenes between Marguerite and her own version of Paul, I would definitely classify this book as a romance. Travelling through different worlds in order to save your boyfriend is pretty daring and courageous. Marguerite encounters many different problems, such as a medieval world, a war-torn America, Russian mobsters in New York and a dog-eat-dog futuristic world. However, the worse verse is probably the safest one where Marguerite's family hates Paul for what he's done to her. Despite the difficulties in each world, Marguerite is even more determined to make her relationship with Paul world. In every world, fate always seems to bring her and Paul together, and Marguerite is sure that this means they're destined to be together.

Despite Marguerite and Paul's relationship, Marguerite spends the whole book travelling with Theo, Paul's best friend and fellow PhD candidate. He also happens to be in love with Marguerite too, but would do anything to bring back Paul. However, his travelling with Marguerite isn't entirely selfless since he is also trying to gain access to a cure from from his condition that was caused by a drug called the Nightthief. That drug is used to help the multiverse traveller stay in charge of the host body, instead of having the original consciousness take over.

I love how the author created this world as if it's completely possible. The scientists that created the Firebirds, the devices that allow to travel between worlds, are very realistic. These scientists just happen to be Marguerite's parents. They're not your cold, heartless scientists, but wonderful and caring parents. They might not be the ideal role models with their eccentric parenting methods and ideas but they have a strong presence in Marguerite's life. It's nice to read a book where there's no angst between teens and parents. It's actually quite refreshing.

Overall, this sequel was wonderful and well written. Sure, it might be a young adult novel with a dreaded love triangle, but honestly you really can't make assumptions based on those two things. The storytelling is great, and obviously, with the seven multiverses in this book alone, the author has spent a great deal thinking and detailing her worlds. Any geek interested in alternate realities or fans of science fiction will enjoy this series. Incidentally, I'm not a big fan of the cliffhanger at the end of the book, but I can look passed that little annoyance...

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Posted by Tynga at 01:36

 Claudia Gray, Firebird, Harper Collins, Harper Teen, HarperTeen, Multi-dimension, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, young adult  3 People left their mark

Accidental Abduction by Eve Langlais

I wasn't sure if I should review this book for the blog or not, but honestly, since I got hooked in the first few minutes, I decided it might be worth sharing. For a sci-fi romance, it's highly entertaining and has so many laugh out loud moments. The characters are very enjoyable with their intense chemistry and snappy conversations.

It all begins with Megan about to drown in the open water, who was left there by her boyfriend, planning to kill her for her money. At first, she thought the bright light was heaven calling her, but then she quickly realized that she was being abducted by an alien ship, along with many fish and marine life. Actually, Megan doesn't seem too worried about being abducted. In her place, I guess I wouldn't be either since the only other option would be death. But to her benefit, her open mind and accepting personality, helps her survive something that could have been really traumatic for someone else. I love her initial description of her captor as "Han Solo on crack" and her multiple one-liners.

It wasn't Tren's intention to abduct the "barbaric female" from planet Earth. As an ex-mercenary turned acquisition specialist, his intention was to acquire some of Earth's marine life since the planet's barbarians were killing off some of their species with their destructive ways. At first, he decides to sell her off in the first available auction but her snarky mouth and curvy body makes him want to keep her all for himself.

Their sexual chemistry is definitely palatable. Tren might have purple skin and a few different body parts but he and Megan prove that their species are completely compatible. Both physically and emotionally. It doesn't take time for Tren to sample what Megan has to offer (it's not his fault since she's the one always bringing it up). Apparently all it takes is a few sips of a very potent wine to get things started.

It's only when Megan is abducted by someone else that Tren realizes he truly has some feelings for his barbaric human. Despite their differences, they do fit as a couple. Their intense chemistry and entertaining banter only proves their compatibility. Even though the story is primarily an erotic romance, it still has enough sci-fi elements and a good storyline to satisfy my need for a good story to go along with the rest. Literary wise, it's nothing amazing but overall, the novella length story was so  entertaining, I started reading the second book of the series immediately. Eve Langlais is definitely on to something with her purple aliens because they are definitely sexy and skilled (as warriors and lovers).

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Posted by Tynga at 02:30

 abudction, Alien Abduction, aliens, erotic, Eve Langlais, Purchased, Review, Romance, sci-fi, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Self Published  4 People left their mark

Crucible Zero by Devon Monk

As much as I enjoyed the other two books in the series, Crucible Zero managed to be so much better. Time travel and alternative realities are not always easy to navigate but Devon Monk does it seamlessly. Her characters are also incredible, especially Matilda who, as a heroine, isn't a know it all and admits she needs help to attain her goal. Matilda and Abraham's relationship, although different in this reality, continues to be entertaining and steamy.

At first, it was a little confusing as to why Matilda ends up in an alternate universe where she didn't even exist before, but at least all her loved ones and some of her family members are alive in this one, unlike in her original timeline. In Infinity Bell, Matilda had to travel back in time in order to save billions of people from a 300 year old experiment, but obviously not everything goes according to plan. The time travelling did change the future, in some capacity, but more specifically changed the course of Abraham's long lived life as he waits for the reappearance of Matilda Case, the mysterious future girl who saved him three centuries before.

The galvanized, like Abraham and Matilda, live extra long lives because of the ramifications of that long ago time travel experiment called Wings of Mercury. In order to survive, they sometimes need to be patched up and stitched so they are quite often recognized by their patchwork of skin and stitches. Living for a long time can get quite lonely and in the previous books, I was glad Matilda and Abraham found each other. However, in this new reality, they meet again for the first time and Matilda is the only one with memories of their time together. The chemistry between the two character is definitely still there and it's quite interesting to see them fall for each other a second time.

After the time travelling, Matilda still isn't done saving the world. This time, she plan to prevent a tyrannical leader from taking over the world. However, killing another galvanized isn't that easy so she'll need all the help she can find. In this new timeway, she also has to deal with new obstacles such as a plague, deadly ferals and mercenaries. I really like Matilda as a character. She has a strong mind and isn't afraid to do what she thinks is right. When she sets her mind on something, she tries her best to accomplish it but she's not afraid to ask for help. Physically, she's quite strong but she knows her limitations. However, physical limitations may not be what prevents her from attaining her goal. She admits multiple time that she's never killed anyone, yet her ultimate goal is an assassination. It's quite interesting to see Matilda go through various emotions. As a galvanized, her kind aren't always seen as human, but there's there's nothing more human than Matilda.

In my opinion, this series has reached a new height with Crucible Zero and I have no clue if Devon Monk will be able to surpass it. Honestly, I have no clue if there's going to be a next book because the story felt quite finished. No cliffhanger ending for this one. I don't want the series to be over because it happens to be one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series lately but I wouldn't be surprised if it is. Crucible Zero, like the other two books in the series, is exceptionally written and highly recommendable.

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Posted by Tynga at 03:45

 Devon Monk, Dystopian, Futuristic, House Immortal, Immortals, Penguin, Purchased, Review, ROC Fantasy, Science-Fiction, time travel, Urban Fantasy  1 Person left their mark

Vitro by Jessica Khoury

I picked up this book less than a week ago, and I'm really glad I decided to read it. (Funny story: While browsing my local library, I found it on the wrong, and instead of finding its rightful spot, I decided to check it out.) At first, I didn't realize it was the second book of the Corpus series because it's not really part of a "series." The author calls them companion books. I read the first book more than two years ago, but both can be read as standalones. In Vitro, the author introduces us to completely different characters, yet the scientific atmosphere and mystery is very similar to the first book, Origin. Also, instead of working on immortality, the scientists in this book are working on human beings that are grown in labs in order to serve a specific purpose.

Sophie Crue never really understood what her mother's work on Skin Island was, but she always suspected it was something cutting edge and extraordinary. When she receives a cryptic email from her estranged mother, she flies from the continental US to the island of Guam, the island where she spent most of her childhood growing up. With the help of her childhood friend Jim, she finds a way onto this top secret island, worried that her mother is in real danger. However, the person who's in real danger isn't necessarily her mother. Someone wanted Sophie on this island.

I like how unexpected every chapter is. I definitely predicted some of the things that happened in the story, but most of it was really surprising, one twist after another. While I had a few reservations about the science in Origin, the science behind this story seems a little bit more realistic and plausible. As a science nerd, I like it when things hold up in reality. If not, then I like it when things are explained in order to create a better foundation for the story. In my opinion, Jessica Khoury did a better job with this in this second book. With a title like Vitro, one can only expect human beings grown in labs, and even if this is a recurring theme in many books, the author did a great job in putting her own spin on it. The book is based enough on modern reality and society that I have a hard time qualifying it as a true science-fiction novel, however, it does have enough technology and futuristic science to categorize it in this genre.

Jessica Khoury is definitely a fan of exotic settings. Her debut book, Origin, was set in the Amazon Rain Forest. Now this second book is set near the island of Guam, a US territory in the Pacific Ocean, for those who didn't know (I sure didn't). At the end of Vitro, we mention something going on in South America linked to Corpus, the cooperation that funded the Vitro project. It seems Corpus has roots in many scientific experiments, and we've only began to learn its power. In the summary of the next book, it looks like Corpus also has ties to the Kalahari desert in southern Africa. I'm curious to see if all three books will be tied together. Like I said earlier, these books don't seem to be part of a series. They are simply linked by this big cooperation and its scientific experiments that go on for years.

I definitely liked Vitro better than the first book. It feels like the characters and the story were more thought out. There was a slight lag in the middle of the book, as the characters were trying to figure out what was going on, but all in all, I think it was a good science/adventure book that will please many science nerds like me. It's not Orphan Black, but it definitely draws on some of the same themes and ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMnICjb7V8Y

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Posted by Tynga at 01:34

 Cloning, Corpus, Jessica Khoury, Library, Penguin, Razorbill, Review, Science, Science-Fiction, young adult  2 People left their mark

Infinity Bell by Devon Monk

This series is full of surprises. It's turning out to be more than I anticipated and it's all been great so far. Infinity Bell is only the second book in the series and I'm hooked on these characters, the story and the writing. Honestly, I had no clue what I was getting into when I started reading this series but it's so original I have a hard time classifying the series into a specific genre. The book is set a few centuries in the future so it definitely qualifies as science-fiction, but it also has paranormal elements and a dystopian feel. Basically some of my favorite genres all wrapped up in a neat little brown package.

Book one kind of left us on a cliffhanger but now as events unfold, the treaty between the houses and the galvanized (a group of immortal people created after a botched experiment) is crumbling and creating tension throughout the different houses. Matilda Case, her fellow galvanized Abraham, her brother Quinten and her farmhand Neds are on the run right from the start of the novel, and don't stop running until the very end of the book. This creates a wonderful pace for the story and definitely keeps you on edge throughout the whole thing. The urgency to get back to the Case farm is always present because countless lives depend on fixing time.

Now, this is where things get complicated (but in a good way). Apparently time was "broken" by Matilda and Quinten's ancestor when he tried to manipulate time in an experiment, a few hundred years ago. It's this experiment that unknowingly created the galvanized, extending the natural life of 13 humans by a few hundred years. Now, the hours are counting down to some time event that could be the end for Matilda and so many others, unless the time rift is fixed. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the whole time thing but just go with it because it's definitely worth it.

The human race has always been fascinated with time. Early civilizations taught themselves to measure time with the sun, the moon and the stars. Modern time physicists are still trying to explain time and relativity with mathematics and physics. But one thing is for sure: time has always found a way to slip through our fingers, despite humanity's quest to find a way to live forever. That's why I find this series so fascinating. Not only is it about immortality, but it also tries to explain it with time and science. As a science geek, I'm hooked on this series for sure, even if it is pure fiction.

While book one was more about introducing the characters, this sequel was more about answering questions about the time experiment that started it all. However, we do learn new things about the characters, like Quinten's secret life that he hides so well from his sister. We also learn more about the galvanized's pasts, before they were revived. Abraham and Matilda's relationship also progresses despite the gloomy outlook. In my opinion, the author revealed just enough to keep us interested, without pestering us with too much information.

On a final note, the last chapter is infuriating. I still can't believe that's how Devon Monk ended the book. Reading the sneak peek for next book does very little to appease my frustration with this cliffhanger. It's maddening, but also sad because I don't know what it means for the characters and their relationship. I don't want to reveal anything else, but you'll definitely know what I mean once you read it.

A poignant sequel, Infinity Bell is action-packed, captivating and thought-provoking. I'm really glad the next book will be published in about six months from now. I don't want to wait too long to know what happens because it looks like Matilda will have a lot of explaining to do...

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Posted by Tynga at 03:48

 Devon Monk, Dystopian, House Immortal, Immortal, Penguin, Purchased, Review, Science-Fiction  Leave your mark

Fairest: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer

Fairest has been one of my most anticipated books of 2015. That and the final book of the series which is coming out fall 2015. Marissa Meyer keeps wowing me with every new book she writes. Although Fairest is more of a novella than a novel, it's longer than most novellas and long enough to give us a good analysis of Levana, the lunar Queen that reader love to hate.

As far as antagonist origin stories go, this one is pretty toxic and twisted. It introduces us to a sad and pathetic Levana, and honestly, after reading all those awful things about her in the other books, I never thought I would actually pity her. Her loveless childhood is probably the reason she is the way she is now. Being raised with no real affection from her parents is probably the reason why, as a queen, she wants the love of all her people. We see her transition from a pathetic teenager looking for love in the wrong places, to a Queen that wants the be the fairest of them all.

As Queen, she really wants the best for her people but in trying to achieve too much, she's running out of resources. That's why she turns to earth and we finally learn the origin of letumosis, a deadly disease the people of Luna are immune to but that is deadly to the people of Earth. The beastly soldiers the scientists are building for Luna are also introduced, but we don't actually get to meet any of them. As far as Evil Queens go, Levana's probably not the worse one out there. She really thinks she's doing the right thing for her subjects, but she's definitely going about it the wrong way. She wants to be loved by all her subjects, probably because she suffers from low self esteem and is trying to compensate by getting what she never got from her parents. I get that she suffered a horrible accident as a child that left her scared and disfigured but frankly, she is very good at glamour and can look like anyone she wants. Still, the illusion of beauty isn't enough for her. The things she does are truly evil, but to her, they are just means to an end. I shiver at all the evil things she did. In a way, I understand why she did them all, but I still don't agree with her reasoning

Timeline-wise, this story begins before Cinder was ever born so I guess it can be seen as a prequel to Cinder but honestly, I think everyone should read this after the three full length novels that were published prior to this one. I think the author made the right decision in not sharing too much information about Levana in the previous books, keeping her a mystery as long as possible. Now is the perfect time to publish Levana's story, right before the full length novel about Winter, Levana's stepdaughter, is released in the fall. I can't wait to find out more about Winter and to see how all the other characters live's unravel.

Read an excerpt

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Posted by Tynga at 01:37

 fairy tale retelling, Fairy Tales amp; Folklore, Feiwel amp; Friends, Macmillan, Marissa Meyer, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, The Lunar Chronicles, YA, young adult  3 People left their mark

The Atrocity Archives (A Laundry Files Novel) by Charles Stross

Here is yet another of my more odd-ball choices.  I found this on sale and thought it was the blend for me: spies, tech and magic.  How could I go wrong.  Even the main character's name is Robert, what could be better.  Bob is an IT professional who gets himself drawn into the darker side of the spy game.  This side has demons, monsters and magic.  As the story begins, Bob not only wants to be part of the agency he was coerced into joining, now he wants to do field work.

The setting for the story is London, which was another draw for me.  There something special about having a story about monsters and magic taking place in a city that old.  It brings to mind old castles and towers haunted by history.  Unfortunately, this book didn't take too much advantage of that and at points almost could have been set in any city.  This book is actually two separate stories both of which are set primarily in London.   Both stories are well rounded enough and have good pacing.  It's easy to tell from a tech standpoint that the story is a few years old as some of the references quite dated but, most hold up well enough.  The book seems to set out to explain the fundamentals of it's magic system.  This results in the use of a lot of terminology that mixes magic and mythology with modern tech and tech theory. I thought that the main character of Bob was well developed but, then again, this is told in first person so, that was easy enough to handle.

Most of the characters are well placed and seem to have purpose In the story.  Many lack any significant development but, it's hard not to attribute that to the fact that most are spies or operatives.  I never got an accurate enough picture of Bob's roommates.  I'm sure they were described at some point but, it left no lasting impression on me.   This is the first book of the series so, maybe there was more done with these in later stories. This was a book that when I saw it, I thought I may have found myself a new series to follow (I've passed the halfway point of the Dresden Files).  Unfortunately ,  I don't think this is it. The first thing that struck a wrong cord with me was the use of a lot of heavy tech-terms.  For me, if overdone, it makes it difficult to follow and stay engaged in the story.  Some of the second tier characters could have used a bit more build up to give the story a little more fullness.

Overall, this was just okay for me.  I truly wanted it to be more than it turned out to be.  Maybe, it the second book goes on sale, I'll pick that one up.  If you decide to pick this one up be aware that it's definitely in the R rating zone for the violence and a mediocre sex scene.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Ace Books, charles stross, Fantasy, Purchased, Review, Science-Fiction, spy, The Laundry Files, Urban Fantasy  1 Person left their mark

Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson

What do you do once the bad guy is gone.  How do you teach a population to take charge of their own destiny.  How do you convince them they should?  These some of the questions that are brought up in this, the book between the  books.   Mitosis also gives us an opportunity to spend a little time with David and the team of Reckoners he is a part of while they deal with yet another Epic.  Can you guess the Epic's name? Yep, Mitosis.  This winds up being more than just a story of how to rid a city of an overbearing super-human.  This story is a beginning.  This is the beginning a new city and a new society.

Brandon Sanderson, as always, does a masterful job of not just telling the story but, bringing it to life.  Like making the perfect martini, blending science-fantasy with real world concepts to the point of near believability is more than art, it's a craft.  Mr. Sanderson uses one of my favorite devices in this endeavor: anecdote as allegory.  Some book series do an excellent job of illustrating that world's political intrigue with nuanced conversation and clever manipulation.  Sanderson uses things like a hot dog.  It may not be the most elegant way to impart information but it does start to pin point some of the problems and supposed solutions to the situation David finds his city in.

Most of the characters we loved from Steelheart are back.  There wasn't much need for development.  For me, it was like seeing how an old friend was doing.  The one who does show a bit of maturing is, of course, our hero, David.  The rest of the crew is a bit older than he is so, for him to be on the steepest learning curve only makes sense.

I think this is a very worthy addition to the franchise.  More than that, I believe it helps the audience transition from Steelheart to Firefight.  The series reads well without it but, it reads much better with it. This is a YA book and I won't hesitate suggesting it to my teenage son.  There is some violence and some relationship discussions so, it is still in the PG-13 range.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Action amp; Adventure, Brandon Sanderson, Dystopian, General, Publisher, Random House Children's Books, Reckoners, Review, Science-Fiction, young adult  1 Person left their mark

The Body Electric by Beth Revis

I'm writing this review a full week after finishing the book because I needed time to let it all sink in and process.  This is one heck of a story!  Beth Revis spins a complex plot with very 3D characters in a beautiful, realistic world.

Through the eyes of the main character, Ella, the reader is transported to New Venice, a sparkling futuristic city where humans and androids coexist.  Everything a person does is linked to a device called a CuffLink, worn around the wrist.  This CuffLink allows purchases and monitors health.  Ella's dad has developed a new medical technology in which nanobots are injected into a person, or inhaled, to cure any manner of illnesses.  These nanobots can also be used to strengthen or improve people.

But not all is as it seems in New Venice.  Ella's best friend Akila is acting weird, and there's a guy, Jack, who claims to know her... but she doesn't remember him at all.

What follows is absolutely nonstop action and mystery.  The chapters are short and pack a real punch.  From one chapter to the next, I couldn't tell what was going to happen.  By the middle of the book, nothing seemed out of the realm of possibility.  And it was all believable!  The author skillfully immerses us, the readers, entirely into the world of New Venice.  There are no breaks in the plot for descriptions of the setting; instead, we see and hear it all through the eyes and ears of Ella.

Ella is quite the complicated character.  She's not easily likable, and may not even be a reliable narrator.  I usually don't enjoy books where I don't care for the main character, but the story here was definitely addicting and kept me wanting more, regardless.  Ella wasn't mean or evil; she was just cold.  Jack, on the other hand, felt much more human and likable.  I admired his character; his willingness to stick with Ella and help her even when it wasn't easy.  He shows a lot of courage, going against the status quo to help his family and friends.

The Body Electric has a complex plot that will keep you on your toes.  This is not a light beach read; it's a book to get completely involved in.  I would recommend this for fans of Vanilla Sky or Inception.  This book is one that teens and adults alike will read and enjoy.  Cerebral and fast-paced and exhilarating.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Beth Revis, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Scripturient Books, young adult  2 People left their mark

PHE - A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray Book Review + Giveaway

Today we're so excited to bring you a review and giveaway of Claudia Gray's newest novel, A Thousand Pieces of You!  Claudia is not new to writing, with her very popular Spellcaster and Evernight series, and her new Firebird series (of which A Thousand Pieces of You is the first book) promises to be just as fantastic.

  What follows is our take on the book (Marie and Stéphanie). How excited are you to read A Thousand Pieces of You? Don't forget to check out the giveaway.

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Marie's Thoughts

A Thousand Pieces of You is really multiple stories all in one:  Marguerite’s coming of age; space travel between dimensions in a multiverse; a love story.  And yet, somehow, the book manages to never feel unwieldy or overreaching.  Amazing.

The main character, Marguerite, is a pretty awesome young woman.  As the only artist in a family full of scientists, she isn’t afraid to independently chase her dreams.  And although her physicist parents may not fully understand her tendency toward the liberal arts, they are always supportive of her.  So often in YA, parents are missing, or completely unimportant to the plot, or even “bad guys.”  It’s so refreshing to find books like this one, where the parents are not only present and awesome, but they play an integral part to the plot.  Because of their support, Marguerite is able to truly shine.

When Marguerite’s beloved father is killed, she and Theo (a grad student who had been working closely with her parents, and who cared about her father like his own) embark on a journey across multiple dimensions in pursuit of his suspected murderer.  This aspect of the novel was so exciting!  The author does a fantastic job in having another character explain the multiverse theory to Marguerite early on so that the reader understands the “rules” of interdimensional travel.  After that point, I had no trouble figuring out what was happening whenever they jumped dimensions.  While the traveling characters were able to move between dimensions, they were not able to move through time, which added a little stability to the storyline.  However, different decisions made in the past greatly influenced the “present” in any given dimension, so sometimes the characters were in America… and sometimes not!  Sometimes they traveled dimensions and found themselves only a few miles apart; sometimes they were half a world apart.  I didn’t find any passages where any major questions were left lingering as to how a character was able to do something or why something happened to a character.

Speaking of things happening to characters…. A Thousand Pieces of You is also a love story.  A love triangle, in fact.  As Marguerite and Theo travel through multiple dimensions together, the questions are asked: amid infinite possibilities, can one love endure?  Does love for one person in one dimension translate to love for that person in another dimension?  I won’t tell you where, but there is a rather steamy moment in one of the dimensions!  What’s more romantic than a love that spans dimensions?  I swooned, I’ll tell you.

Overall, A Thousand Pieces of You was an exciting journey through multiple dimensions to bring a killer to justice.  Along the way, Marguerite also comes into her own strengths and finds love.  I understand that this is the first book in a projected trilogy, and I’m already looking forward to Book 2!

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Stéphanie's Thoughts

This book is amazing on so many levels. I love how many layers and details Claudia Gray was able to include in this novel, without making it too confusing. You can never go wrong when you combine a love story with muti-dimension travelling and action/adventure. I find it really hard to put my thoughts into words and I think Marie nailed it perfectly with her review.

At first, the book was a little bit confusing because you get thrown into the action right away, with very little information. The first time you meet Marguerite, the main character, is when she arrives in a different body after jumping into a different dimension. The information about how she gets there and why she has traveled this far comes later, little by little in the way of flashbacks. Honestly, I'm not too fond of flashbacks because in most novels I find they deter from the actual story. However, in this case, Claudia Gray does it seamlessly and they tie in perfectly into the plot.

Marguerite is desperate, to say the least. She will do almost anything to bring justice to her father's killer. She would even travel into a different dimension in order to follow the most likely suspect, Paul Markov, even if that means using untested technology her genius parents designed. The firebird, is a dimension jumping device that has been created by her brilliant mother. She and Theo, a grad student studying under her parents, follow Paul Markov another grad student, in another dimension that is very similar to ours, yet so different at the same time. As Paul jumps from dimension to dimension, Marguerite and Theo follow him. With them, we travel from California to London, Russia and even a water world! I'm really glad Theo is Marguerite's travelling partner, because as her grad student in physics, he is able to explain the intricacies of dimension jumping to Marguerite so that we, the readers, can better understand the details. The author doesn't really go into details on how the firebird device works, and I think she relies on our imagination to fill in the blanks.

I guess you can say this story is a love triangle, but it's a little more complicated than that. Marguerite has always had an eye out for flirty Theo, but Paul's wise and soulful presence has the ability to draw her in. What if you have feelings for a person in one dimension, and then start falling in love with that "same" but totally different person from another dimension? As many lives from many different dimensions converge, we're left with one of the most existential questions out there: can love survive time and space?

This is definitely a YA book because the main character is still of high school age, but since the other leading characters are grad students, I think it's also aimed for an older youth audience. Like Marie pointed out, many YA books tend to ignore the existence of parents, but in this case, parents and adults are very present. For all those close-minded people that believe YA books are only for children and teenagers, this book may just change your mind. It deals with real life problems that aren't about high school or vampires. I loved the fact that the author assumes her audience is intelligent enough to follow her detailed space/dimension travelling theory. Her concept on multiverses is not only original but very rational. It's obvious she put a lot of thought into it because any dilemma or problem you may have with multiverses are explained and make sense, from a fictional point of view.

The Doctor Who fan in me loved visiting new worlds through Marguerite's eyes, however, like the characters in the book often mention, they are only travelling in space and dimension, not time. The story is also being compared to the amazing TV show, Orphan Black. If you didn't know, the show is about clones, so I guess the comparison is being made because we see different lives through the "same" actor. Both also have seedy scientific corporations that play major roles in the plots. Whether you're a fan of these two TV shows or not, you don't want to miss A THOUSAND PIECES OF YOU! Already, I don't know what I'll do if I don't read the next book soon!

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About the author

Claudia Gray is a pseudonym. I would like to say that I chose another name so that no one would ever learn the links between my shadowy, dramatic past and the explosive secrets revealed through my characters. This would be a lie. In truth, I took a pseudonym simply because I thought it would be fun to choose my own name. (And it is.)

I write novels full-time, absolutely love it, and hope to be able to do this forever. My home is in New Orleans, is more than 100 years old, and is painted purple. In my free time I read, travel, hike, cook and listen to music.

Connect with Claudia:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr 

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HarperCollins is giving away one copy of A Thousand Pieces of You to one lucky winner!

Giveaway end on November 7, 2014. Open to USA and Canada only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted by Tynga at 03:31

 Claudia Gray, Firebird, giveaway, Harper Collins, HarperTeen, Multi-dimension, Paranorm'All Hallows Eve, PHE, Publisher, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, young adult  35 People left their mark

House Immortal by Devon Monk

HOUSE IMMORTAL is a dystopian book like you've never seen before. It mixes science and politics wonderfully, and this futuristic world is so original, I have nothing to compare it to. The world is now separated in groups called Houses that govern things like water, agriculture, medical, technology, etc. Countries have ceased to exist and the world is led by eleven House leaders. I admit, the breakdown into groups like these is definitely something we've seen before. One can simply think of the Hunger Games or Divergent and think that it might have some similarities, but the concept is completely different. However, what truly makes this a novel original is the galvanized, a group of people from a failed experiment that have been turned into stitched up humans that are in essence, impossible to kill. They live forever because the experiment that was trying to manipulate time somehow offered them an unlimited amount of time to live out their lives, and turned them into immortals.

Immortality isn't a new concept and because as human beings, we're always trying to extend our lives, this book will appeal to many people even if they aren't fans of science fiction. Freedom is another powerful theme that people will be able to understand. The idea of being contracted out to someone or in this case a House, unable to choose what you will do with your life, is definitely a scary thought. I think the author did a wonderful job in showing us how this dystopian world is full of flaws, and how power and politics can turn your life upside down.

HOUSE IMMORTAL without a doubt pleases the science fiction nerd in me, but it also appeals to me for more simple reasons. For example, I sympathise with some of the characters, although they might not be human. Matilda, the newest galvanized, has been hiding out on her parent's farm her whole life, afraid to announce to the world that she's someone that's alive, only because she's literally been stitched back together with a special kind of thread. Although she want to see herself as a human, she describes herself as a monster, time and time again.

When she meets Abraham, a galvanized that has been alive for more than 300 years, her life is completely altered and for once in her life, she fears what the future might bring. She understands she cannot trust Abraham because he represents House Grey, the house that governs humans, but they form a bond that might just become something more than just friendship. It's this bond that convinces her to leave her farm and venture into the world in order to find out if her missing brother is safe and unable to contact her or if he's being held captive by a House leader. Neds is another wonderful character that might not be considered human because he's a mutant with two heads. Right Ned and Left Ned don't always see eye to eye, so their presence offers comic relief when they don't agree with what to do with their body.

Amazing and brilliant are words that comes to mind in order to describe this novel. HOUSE IMMORTAL might just end up being one of my favorite novels of 2014. The first in a series, I can only hope Devon Monk stays on top of her game and brings us an awesome sequel, and hopefully many more books after that. Honestly, this is the first book I've read from this author and if her other series are as wonderful as this one, I'm definitely going to check them out.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:55

 Adult, Devon Monk, Dystopian, House Immortal, Immortals, Penguin, Purchased, Review, ROC Fantasy, Science-Fiction  Leave your mark

Under the Dome: Part Two by Stephen King

I reviewed Part One of this book a few weeks ago, and I'm really glad I read both parts one after the other. They really should be read together, the way the book was originally published as a hardcover. If it weren't for the sheer size, the paperback would have been published in one book, but I assume that wasn't physically possible. Part Two starts off as if Part One never ended and overall, I enjoyed the second part as much as I enjoyed the first. I might have like Part Two a little bit more, because we finally get to know what is going on and where the Dome comes from. Personally, I find the origin of the Dome a little too far fetched but still a pretty good idea.

Obviously what comes out of the mind of Stephen King is usually pretty far fetched. He's the type of writer that forces you to think outside the box as he pushes the boundaries of your imagination. He's definitely a great storyteller and I'm sure generations to come will know who he is, and his books will probably stay in print for a long period of time. His ability to mix so many themes and genres in his writing is incredible and if I was an aspiring author I could only dream to be able to do what he does so well. Under the Dome might not be Stephen King's masterpiece but I think I would consider it pretty high on the list.

It's really difficult to review this book without giving away any spoilers. Dale Barbara is still at the center of the story but his plans to help the people of Chester's Mill are put on hold when he gets imprisoned by the police force that is now more or less controlled by the "dictator" Jim Rennie. When I picture Jim Rennie, one of the town selectman of Chester's Mill, I know it's pretty awful to think but I think of the Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford. For the physical appearance, not for the faults in personality.

One thing's for sure, time is running out for the people inside the Dome because while nothing can enter the Dome, nothing can get out either. That mean exhaust fumes, generator fumes, soot from fires and cigarettes, and basically everything is polluting the air. The simple act of breathing is getting harder and harder, and life inside the Dome is becoming less and less possible.

One thing I'm never crazy about is multiple point of views. In this case, when I say multiple, I mean lots (probably 20+, and I'm not kidding)! In order to make his readers understand how many lives are affected by this Dome, Stephen King used point of views of many citizens of the town. It definitely widens your view of the small town and it makes you realize how people can react differently in times of stress and when faced with unknown dangers. As the story goes on, many point of views are loss because of the high fatality rate inside the Dome. Some people die of natural causes because of the lack medical resources and personnel inside the Dome, some are murdered, while others commit suicide. Overall, you can say the book is pretty gruesome, with all those fatalities, but I think the main themes and lessons of part two makes the story a little less dark. There's definitely hope for Barbara and his gang in the smog inside the Dome but freedom definitely doesn't come easy.

Despite the length of this novel, I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing how this mysterious Dome affected people so differently, but at the same time, it really made me ponder how human nature leads some people to make the wrong decisions "for the good of the people." Under the Dome proves that dictatorships don't work. Humans are not made to be controlled under strict rules and blind trust. So many lessons can be pulled from this story while still being entertained by a great story. Because of its length and dark themes, UNDER THE DOME won't be for everyone, but I would recommend it to anyone interested by the storyline.



 

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Posted by Tynga at 02:08

 Dystopian, Pocket, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Simon amp; Schuster, Stephen King, Thriller, Under the Dome  Leave your mark

Under the Dome: Part One by Stephen King

There's a few reason why I wanted to read this book. First, I attempted to read a library copy of UNDER THE DOME when it first came out as hardcover but because it was so large, I gave up on it because it was so intimidating. I think the publisher did the right choice in reprinting them as two parts when it came to releasing them as paperback. 640 pages is a little less intimidating than 1074. Another reason I wanted to read it is because I'm hooked on the TV series based on the book, and season 2 will be airing in about a week. I figured I would review the books before the new season began in anticipation for the TV show.

Within the first few pages of the book, you immediately realize that despite some similarities, the stories are quite different. Some of the characters are recognizable, but not quite the same, while others are completely different or are non existent in the TV show. Also the woodchuck in the book is replaced by a cow in the TV series. While there's a murder in the beginning of the book, there is one in the book too, but committed by someone else, killing someone else. One thing that is definitely the same is the confusion created by the dome and the tense atmosphere in the small Maine town. People are frightened and when people are scared, they can act defensively or in some cases, can turn aggressive and hungry for power.

The idea of the dome is quite original but the fact that everything goes crazy once people realize what's happening is typical of human nature. A sociopathic cars salesman turned politician, Big Jim Rennie becomes obsessed in controlling everything and holding the power in the small town of Chester's Mill. Everything under the dome turns upside down, and rules of civilization aren't really followed anymore. An Iraq soldier doesn't want to be a hero, but under the circumstances, the town needs one and he is more or less dragged into the role of protagonist. Dale Barbara's military training comes in handy for controlling unique situations and I find it interesting to see his military and analytical thinking coming into play. Julia Shumway, the town's newspaper publisher is another character that takes a leadership role in trying to figure out the mystery of the dome. There are so many different characters that sometimes it's hard to follow, but the book wouldn't be what it is without the town, and the town wouldn't be anything without its townspeople.

Overall, I really enjoyed part one but I must warn you, reader, it's a very slow novel. The first 30 min after the dome hits takes about 100 pages to describe. I guess that's the magic of literacy. It can take so many words to describe a short amount of time. It also allows you to be omnipresent in so many different places all at the same time. The author takes the time to describe what happens to many different characters when the dome hits. The chaos of dome day arrises from the many crashes into the invisible wall, whether it be by plane, car or tractor. If you want a fast read, this is definitely not the book for you, but if you have the time to take it all in, and the concept intrigues you, I say go for it.

This long but detailed thriller is worth it, if you have the time to absorb all the details. Personally I don't read many Stephen King novel because his writing is unique and detailed but now I feel like I should be reading more of his novels, even if they aren't my usual genre. Since it's available, I'm diving right into part two. I don't want to forget any details, especially because there's so many characters to follow. I'm also very happy the new season of the TV show will be airing soon so I can keep comparing the two very different, yet similar stories.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:42

 Adult, Dystopian, Pocket, Purchased, Review, Science Fiction, Science-Fiction, Simon amp; Schuster, Stephen King, Thriller, Under the Dome  Leave your mark