Book Review: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Title: Parable of the Sower

Author: Octavia E. Butler

Series/Standalone: Earthseed Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Pages:  345

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 1993

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"In 2024, with the world descending into madness and anarchy, one woman begins a fateful journey toward a better future.

Lauren Olamina and her family live in one of the only safe neighborhoods remaining on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Behind the walls of their defended enclave, Lauren's father, a preacher, and a handful of other citizens try to salvage what remains of a culture that has been destroyed by drugs, disease, war and chronic water shortages. While her father tries to lead people on the righteous path, Lauren struggles with hyperempathy, a condition that makes her extraordinary sensitve to the pain of others.

When fire destroys their compound, Lauren's family is killed, and she is forced out into a world that is fraught with danger. With a handful of other refugees, Lauren must make her way north to safety, along the way conceiving a revolutionary idea that may mean salvation for all mankind."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I was interested in this book as it was a book that came recommended after The Handmaid's Tale. I can see why people recommend it, it has similar narration styles, the dystopian aspects etc. That being said, this book wasn't what I expected. It spent a lot of time setting up the world, and then the end of the book felt a little rushed to me. That being said, I do plan to try the next book on audio. 

Sidny

Book Review: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Title: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Author: Matt Dinniman

Series/Standalone: Dungeon Crawler Carl Series (Book #1)

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Adult Fiction, Adventure, Humour

Pages: 464

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2020

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth- from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds- collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground.

The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe.

Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over. In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style.

You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big.

You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that 'it' factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive the game- with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy."

My Rating: 4/5

My husband and I have decided to do buddy reads once every couple of months. It keeps us reading, inspires conversation and helps limit our blue light before bed. This was his pick for this one, and I had heard a lot of the series from friends. I'm gonna say really quick that this book is geared towards video game players, which makes a lot of sense due to the title, description, etc. I would also say that it has a cruder sense of humour, which I appreciate. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would have liked to cut some of it back, maybe a little, but I did have fun reading it. We plan to read the next one as soon as we get a library hold in.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Pages: 391

Publisher: Scholastic

Year Published: 2009

Format: Paperback Copy (Own it)

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safely and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I forgot many parts of this book, which made this reread even more fun. Seeing how this crosses over with both Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Sunrise on the Reaping. The ideas in dystopian literature are often so disturbing, but also have an undercurrent of potential in an uncomfortable way. I'm looking forward to rereading Mockingjay and seeing how the two prequels overlay. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Ruins by Dan Wells

Title: Ruins

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Pages: 464

Publisher: Balzar + Bray

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"Kira, Samm and Marcus fight to prevent a final war between Partials and humans in the gripping final installment in the Partial Sequence, a series that combines the thrilling action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Blade Runner and The Stand.

There is no avoiding it- the war to decide the fate of both humans and Partials is at hand. both sides hold in their possession a weapon that could destroy the other, and Kira Walker has precious little time to prevent that from happening. She has one chance to save both species and the world with them, but it will only come at great personal cost."

My Rating: 4.25/5

It has never been a secret that I have a hard time coming to conclusions from any series. I always think I know how they're going to wrap up and while this did follow a lot of the stepping stones I thought it would, it didn't check all the boxes I hoped for. Mainly there were a few scenes that I thought could have gone further, or were going to end in different ways that just seemed to fizzle out. Overall I loved the series and I would highly recommend it. I can't wait to read the prequel novella.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

My Rating: 

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series/Standalone: The Hunger Games Series (Prequel)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Pages: 541

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He's been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined- every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute... and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes."

My Rating: 4.5/5

It's been so long since I engaged with the Hunger Games universe and this book brought me right back in. Of course, I was curious how this whole concept began, why it kept going and how people could get to this point. I will say if you want a likeable main character or you are hoping that the author gives Snow a redemption arc, I wouldn't say this is what that is. This book answered a lot of these questions but also felt a bit abrupt at the end for me. I would recommend the audiobook, but I'm sure the physical read may go by just as fast. If you want to go back to the first time you read The Hunger Games and revisit the things it made you think, I'd recommend it. I may end up going to watch the movie because I am reinvested.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Title: The Infinite Sea

Author: Rick Yancey

Series/Standalone: The 5th Wave Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 320

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile 

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben and Ringer are forced to confront the Others' ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven't seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate."

My Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this second volume I think it leant to how diabolical it is. I think that the cliffhanger was amazing and I was glad to continue the series. I've already started the final book in the series. The characters are decently dynamic as well as the plot being fast moving. I thought that it was super fun and would recommend science fiction throwbacks.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road

Author: Moira Young

Series/Standalone: Dust Lands Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 464

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Year Published: 2012

Format: Paperback Copy

My Rating: 1/5

DNF @ 70%

I won't bother wasting anyone's time with the description of this book. This book states that it is fast-paced though I've never been so bored. It says that the characters are smart and savvy though I've never felt that way. I guess some might believe it. There were no real plot twists and while there was the main goal, it didn't seem to be that urgent as our main character gets sidetracked frequently. The world is not well fleshed out. And it is completely two dimensional.

Needless to say not a fan.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Fever Code by James Dashner

Title: The Fever Code

Author: James Dashner

Series/Standalone: The Maze Runner (Book #5)

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Young Adult

Pages: 347

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Once there was a world's end.

The forests burned, the lakes and rivers dried up, and the oceans swelled.

Then came a plague, and fever spread across the globe. Families died, violence reigned, and man killed man.

Next came WICKED, who were looking for an answer. And then they found the perfect boy.

The boy's name was Thomas, and Thomas built a maze.

Now there are secrets.

There are lies.

And there are loyalties history could never have foreseen.

This is the story of that boy, Thomas, and how he built a maze that only he could tear down.

All will be revealed."

My Rating: 3/5

This was an interesting look into the backstory of The Maze Runner series. But it didn't show a ton that I didn't already expect or assume. I was curious about the relationships that the boys had before coming into the maze and whether they knew each other and that was answered. I also thought it was interesting after watching Theresa's entrance into WICKED in the fourth book. If you've finished the series and you are interested in what happened at the conception of WICKED this book is for you. It's fun and an easy read while still hitting with some interesting information.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Kill Order by James Dashner

Title: The Kill Order

Author: James Dashner

Series/Standalone: The Maze Runner Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 327

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook

"Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease.

Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there's something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it's mutating, and all the evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

Mark and Trina are convinced there's a way to save those left from descending into madness. And they're determined to find it- if they can stay alive. Because in this new, devastated world, every life has a price. And to some, you're worth more dead than alive."

My Rating: 4/5

I love a prequel that describes where the first book takes off. I think that this story did an excellent job of explaining the flares and the illness. Just how everything started out really. This was heart-wrenching and made me angry about how WICKED used people and their innocence to start a pandemic. That being said, maybe not the best thing to read during a global pandemic. I loved Alex's character and would have done anything for that sweet, gruff man. The plot of this book reinvigorated me for the last book in the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Sidny

Book Review: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Title: The Scorch Trials

Author: James Dashner

Series/Standalone: The Maze Runner Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

Pages: 362

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2010

Format: Audiobook (Library Copy)

"Solving the maze was supposed to be the end.

Thomas was sure that escape from the Maze would mean freedom for him and the Gladers. But WICKED isn't done yet. Phase Two has just begun. The Scorch.

There are no rules. There is no help. You either make it or you die.

The Gladers have two weeks to cross through the Scorch- the most burned-out section of the world. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Friendships will be tested. Loyalties will be broken. All bets are off.

There are others no. Their survival depends on the Gladers' destruction- and they're determined to survive."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book held a lot of intrigue for me as I was curious about where the story was going after the plot twists in the last book. This book was better for me and I do plan to continue on. The atmosphere was better for me, and I love a journey book. The characters just aren't what I hoped they would be. Thomas is not my favourite character to read from, and I find it hard to believe that women are throwing themselves at him. I'm still curious about what WICKED is working on and the backstory so I will be continuing with the series, but I doubt they will be new favourites.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

 Title: The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Series/Standalone: The Maze Runner Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 384

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2009

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air."

"If you ain't scared, you ain't human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers- boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless ever-changing maze. It's the only way out- and no one's ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run."

My Rating: 3/5

I thought upon entering this story we were going to be very lord of the flies style survival book. And it just wasn't that. It was more mysterious than that. I enjoyed the intrigue of getting back the memories of the boys who have memories missing, the idea of figuring out why they're in a maze, what's going to change and how they're going to get out. Those are the parts I loved. The characters themselves don't have huge personality traits just due to the fact that most of them only remember living in the maze these past 2 years. So there isn't anything to really know about them. I also thought the final plot twist was perfection. I am looking forward to continuing with the series and seeing where these characters go.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Broken Throne

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series/Standalone: Red Queen Series (Book #4.5)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 468

Publisher: Orion

Year Published: 2019

Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)

"Return once more to the deadly and dazzling world of Red Queen in Broken Throne, a beautifully designed must-have companion to the chart-topping series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard.

The perfect addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series, this gorgeously designed package features three brand-new novellas, two previously published novellas, Steal Scars and Queen Song, and never-before-seen maps, flags, bonus scenes, journal entries and much more exclusive content.

Fans will be delighted to catch up with beloved characters after the drama of War Storm and be excited to hear from brand-new voices as well. This stunning collection is not to be missed!"

My Rating: 4.75/5

I feel like this book really brought me back to what I love about the series. While it took me a long time to read through the separate novellas and bonus scenes it was exactly what I wanted from it. 

I had already read Steel Scars and Queen song as they were in a separate wrap up Cruel Crown. These two stories give great context to the world and characters we see/hear about in passing during through the first two books in the series. 

I thought that the novella World Behind didn't do anything for me other than mention sepearte characters that I wanted to hear more about in the future. I just wish that we had gotten Jon's backstory rather than this one. 

Iron Heart was a great novella and gave the insight that I wanted into Evangaline's mind and helped me understand the relationship she has with Elane. 

Fire Light is what I freaking needed at the end of the series.It brought back so many great memories of reading the series for the first time. The relationships between characters is just so fantastic to read. I loved the swoon worthy moments and the humour that was brought in by familiar characters.

The last section had me crying. I can't wait to read more from this author, even in a separate world than this one. 

Would recommend for fans of Red Queen Series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

Title: This Savage Song
Author: Victoria Schwab
Series/Standalone: Monsters of Verity Duology (Book #1)
Genre: Dystopia, Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 428
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)
First Line: "The night Kate Harker decided to burn down the school chapel, she wasn't angry or drunk."

"There's no such thing as safe.

Kate Harker wants to be a ruthless as her father. After five years and six boarding schools, she's finally going home to prove that she can be.

August Flynn wants to be human. But he isn't. He's a monster, one that steals souls with a song. He's one of the three most powerful monsters in a city overrun with them. His own father's secret weapon.

Their city is divided.
Their city is crumbling.
Kate and August are the only two who see booths ides, the only two who could do something.
But how do you decide to be a hero or a villain when it's hard to tell which is which?"

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book wasn't what I had at first expected. This is my first time reading Victoria Schwab's writing and I know that for many in the YA book community her work is a staple. That made me a little nervous going into it. I really enjoyed this novel overall. I think that the characters were lovable and interesting. That being said the plot was predictable for me. I assumed what was going to happen and who would be involved. I enjoyed the concept of crimes and wrongdoing becoming something that really terrorizes humanity. I also enjoyed the concept of different crimes resulting in different types of "monsters."
 I am curious about how the second and final book would be written and what the plot will be. I do hope to read this book once the local libraries reopen in my area! 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Sever by Lauren Destefano

Title: Sever
Author: Lauren Destefano
Series/Standalone: The Chemical Garden (Book #3)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance
Pages: 371
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Book for Young Readers
Year Published: 2013
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)
First Line: "In the atlas, the river still flows."

"Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughan's worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, through the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine's memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine's side, even if Linden's feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan's growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future- and about the past, her parents never had the chance to explain.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This is the final instalment in The Chemical Garden series. And I was a bit confused by the plot of this one. I felt as though this instalment went so many directions and I wish it just would have chosen one direction to go on. I was confused by some of the author's choices as I felt they might not have been the original plot but were thrown in upon editing. There is nothing wrong with that it just wasn't the direction I thought that this series was going to take. I will say that I love the characters and the growth they go through. I also enjoyed the plot twists and the world. Some of the twists just seemed to come out of left field for me and I wasn't at all prepared (especially when there were only 100 pages left in the series). 
All this being said, I plan to read more of Lauren Destefano's works. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Fever by Lauren Destefano

Title: Fever
Author: Lauren Destefano
Series/Standalone: The Chemical Gardens Series (Book #2)
Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 341
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Year Published: 2012
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)
First Line: "We run, with water in our shoes and the smell of the ocean clinging to our frozen skin."

"Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans wait for her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago- surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopefulness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine's twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous- and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can't seem to elude Rhine's father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion... by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren Destefano's harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price- now that she has more to lose than ever."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This series just continues to surprise me. It's not following every other formula that I've seen for dystopian books. I was so excited to see where this series would go and it really didn't do the expected. What I expected was that they would find her brother and set up a plot to attack the government or House Vaughan. Spoilers: That's not what happened. At all. We saw so many different aspects of this world and how people were surviving. Also, the changes in government and laws were extremely interesting. I can't wait to see where the story goes after the crazy conclusion.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Wither by Lauren DeStafano

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Series/Standalone: The Chemical Garden Trilogy (Book #3)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Pages: 358
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2011
Format: Hardcover (Own It)
First Line: "I wait."

"By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Genetics are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape-- before her time runs out?

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts toe scape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?"

My Rating: 4/5

This story is so fascinating. I love the idea of the world (and by love I mean I'm terrified, but it's creative). The writing in this book was well paced and well written. The characters were easy to fall in love with and relate too (as much as one can in this scenario). I was super interested throughout and I can't wait to continue the series. The one reason I decided to dock a star off my rating is because I know where the romance in this series is going and I just don't really care for it. To be honest I don't want the main character to fall for anyone, I'd rather there just be a friendship. But it's fairly obvious where the romance is going and why. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Homecoming by Kass Morgan

Title: Homecoming
Author: Kass Morgan
Series/Standalone: The 100 Series (Book #3)
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 345
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2015
Format: Audiobook

"Weeks after landing on Earth, the Hundred have managed to create a sense of order amidst their wild, chaotic surroundings. But their delicate balance comes crashing down with the arrival of new dropships from space. 

These new arrivals are the lucky ones- back on the Colony, the oxygen is almost gone- but after making it safely to Earth, Glass's luck seems to be running out. Clarke leads a rescue party to the crash site, ready to treat the wounded, but she can't stop thinking about her parents, who may still be alive. Meanwhile, WELLS struggles to maintain his authority despite the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and his armed guards, and Bellamy must decide whether to face or flee the crimes he thought he'd left behind.

It's time for the Hundred to come together and fight for the freedom they've found on Earth, or risk losing everything- and everyone- they love."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book was just ok for me. I think that because the other's were so addictive and so fast-paced that this one just felt a little slow. I don't feel like this story brought as many thrilling aspects to the table. Or maybe just things that I didn't see coming. I assumed most of the things that were going to happen in this one. That being said, I still enjoy the storyline and the characters it just wasn't my favourite book in the series so far. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Title: The 100
Author: Kass Morgan
Series/Standalone: The 100 Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction
Pages: 323
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook (Own a physical copy)

"No one has set foot on Earth in centuries- until now.

Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents- considered expendable by society- are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life... or it could be a suicide mission.

CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came toe Earth for the girl he loves- but will she ever forgive him? Reckless Bellamy fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And Glass managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.

Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their past, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope."

My Rating: 4.75/5

I was fully prepared for this to be corny and horrible. And get this... it wasn't. It was super enjoyable. We follow 4 characters (2 female, 2 male) after descent to earth. We also get to jump back into their lives on the station that humans have lived on for the past 300 years. We really get to see things from different perspectives and different ways of life on the ships. It's also interesting to see people experience things for the first time. Things that we easily take for granted. 
Now for the negative thoughts. I didn't like that there was a love triangle, but the fact that it was written in 2013 and was picked up by a tv network for a show should have clued me in that this would happen. I also hate Wells, with a fiery passion so there's that as a negative.

Overall I would suggest the audiobook to anyone looking for an addicting YA Science Fiction read!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Spoiler: Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

This series is so raved about in the book community. And I just don't get it. 
There let that shatter everyone's expectation of what I'd think. A few people told me after I didn't love Scythe that I just had to read Thunderhead and I would be so much more engaged. And I do think that this book was better for me, but I don't think that it was amazing. I enjoyed it overall. I love the idea of there being AI that is governing humans but refuses to kill them an live up to their fear. I also think the idea of different scythe followings is interesting as well. Should Scythes feel burdened by their responsibility or embrace it?
I still think that the romance is unnecessary, the characters could have remained friends and the story would have the same outlook.  I also find the length to be a problem. It's just too long for the content for me. 

Characters:

Scythe Anastasia: I really like her character and the way she chose to glean people. I was just disappointed that she seemed to still think so romantically about Rowan. There is no way that they were that in love. Maybe in friendship but I don't think that their romance is true or good... sorry for anyone who loves it. I do wonder if she will bring around a different belief system whenever her and Rowan are found.

Rowan: I think Scythe Lucifer was badass. I loved the name and the way he took the rules and made them his own. He was breaking the rules but for a good reason. I do wonder what will happen to him when they are found. I'm guessing he'll be sacrificed sooner or later.

Scythe Curie: This part really upset me. To finally have someone who would help the Midmerica Scythedom in charge and then loose her so suddenly it broke my heart. I was proud of her final actions as she stayed true to her beliefs and remained strong for those around her.

Scythe Goddard: This son of a bitch is back and as bad as ever. I do hate him and think that he is pure evil, especially now that he's snatched a new body for himself. I think that he would have thought of this idea for himself although Rand apparently did it herself. Will he take over the Scythedom or will it fall.

Scythe Rand: I think she regretted her choice as soon as he was back. She seemed annoyed with him more than anything throughout his inquest and arrivals. I wonder if she will turn on him.

Greyson: Greyson's character might be my favourite overall. His life before the Thunderhead truly intervened was sad, but he was making his way through the world before unforeseeable actions changed his life. I'm curious how the Thunderhead talking only to him will affect his life. 

Thunderhead: I think that it is a character and that might be debated by some people. I think that it's understanding of the world is always changing and now that Endura has sunk I wonder how it will change its rules and laws for the future. 

Farraday: Almost forgot about his mission and what they might have found I'm so super curious.


Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Title: Requiem 
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Delirium Series (Book #3)
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 391
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook

"Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway in Pandemonium has ignited into an all=out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the centre of the fight. After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven. Pockets of the rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of the Invalids. Regulators infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.

As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancee of the young mayor. Requiem is told from the perspectives of both Lena and her friend Hana. They live side by side in a world that divides them until at last, their stories converge."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This story was just overall such a disappointment. I already had lowered my expectations due to what I'd heard around the book community but this was just so frustrating to me. I wasn't connecting to the characters as much as I wanted to or to the story line. The only part that really made this story partially worth it was Hana's perspective. But even that didn't make much sense to me. I am planning on reading the short story collection from my library, but I'm not sure if that will be anytime soon. 
What were your opinions on this classic dystopian ya book series? Let me know!

Thanks for reading,
Sidny