Book Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . .

Very interesting plot that fits right into today's world of technology and gaming. The dystopian setting isn't too unique, the protagonist Callie lost her parents in a war and she has a younger brother to take care of.  She's desperate and has to resort to renting her young body to seniors.  The whys and hows of this renting bodies and complications thereof kept me reading.

It's not a bad book, it can really get you thinking about youth and aging.  This book is marketed for "young readers."  I'd suggest it would be better for a bit older readers, maybe young teenagers because of some of the subject matter.

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Book Review: Brainrush by Richard Bard

When terminally ill combat pilot Jake Bronson emerges from an MRI with extraordinary cognitive powers, everyone wants a piece of his talent--including Battista, one of the world's most dangerous terrorists. Thrust into a deadly chase across Europe and Afghanistan to save his love and her autistic-savant daughter, Jake discovers that his newfound talents carry a hidden price that threatens the entire human race.

An original weave of current events bound by colorful locations and cutting-edge technology, Bard's novel is a must-read for fans of Michael Crichton, James Rollins, Clive Cussler, and Brad Thor. A dynamic mix of fast-paced action and thought provoking soul, this book challenges the reader to keep pace with every sharp turn and shocking twist. Acclaimed by fans of action, sci-fi, and political thrillers alike, Brainrush is one of the most innovative and entertaining books of the year.

Brainrush intertwines reality, medical mythology, and science fiction into a very exciting tale of a man whose brain is too efficient.  There is no "getting into" this book, from the very first it grabs you and keeps going.  You're caught up until the very end.

The characters are believable with interesting personalities.  It's the exploits that are questionable, even considering its science fiction tag.  Still, it was enjoyable to read.

The ending was not satisfying at all.  It was obviously written to provide a basis for the author to launch a second novel, which I believe has already been published.

 

 

Ralph gives this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

With so many versions of the Cinderella fairy tale floating around out there in the literary world, I was hesitant to read this one.  Would it be the same old story all over again?  Well, yes there's an evil stepmother.  Yes, there are stepsisters.  Of course, there's a prince.  Naturally, she's a cyborg..... wait.  What?

From there, dear reader, the story turns on its end.  This Cinderella is a strong, go get 'em type, with no need for a fairy godmother!  She jumps into the palace intrigue with little hesitation, willing to sacrifice herself to cure the plague, save her stepsister, and defeat the enemy.

As Cinderella is about a young woman growing stronger and breaking free from her old life as well as meeting her Mr. Right in an incurably romantic way, I was disappointed in the relationship between Cinder and Prince Kai.  Yes, everyone was dying and the enemies were trying to take over, but any story worth its salt must make time for romance!  Ah well, maybe in the sequels.

Cinder is an engaging and entertaining story.  Young girls who enjoy some science fiction should particularly enjoy it.  However, it also can capture the imagination of us older young girls, too!

 

 

I give this book 4 bookworms.

Reading level:  Ages 12 and up

Hardcover:  400 pages

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends (January 3, 2012)

ISBN-10:  0312671893

ISBN-13:  978-0312641894

Ebook Sold by:  Macmillan
ASIN:  B005KJJ4F8

Book Review: Tempest by Julie Cross

The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world.

I thought Tempest was an ok book.  Anything with time traveling in it will always grab my interest.  Unfortunately, my interest waned quickly with Tempest.

There really wasn't anything new or unique in the story, no surprises to pique interest.  I didn't feel any emotional ties between Jackson and Holly at all, even though she was supposed to be the main reason he was doing all the time jumping.

The one saving grace in this book for me was the relationship between Jackson and his twin sister, Courtney.  He visits her a few times in the past and their meetings are so sweet.  I wish there had been more with them than with Jackson and Holly.

Tempest may be enjoyed more by younger adults.  It may also hold interest for those who have a love for time travel.

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Reading level:  Ages 14 and up

Hardcover:  352 pages

Publisher:  St. Martin's Griffin (January 17, 2012)

ISBN-10:  0312568894

ISBN-13:  978-0312568894

Ebook:  350 pages

Sold by:  MacMillan

ASIN:   B0051O9MJ0

Book Review: Unearthed by C.J. Barry

Life on Earth was just getting interesting for Tess MacKenzie. She’d postponed her singing career to support the family business and after eight long years, she finally earned her chance to shine. Her band was hot, her songs were rocking and Tess was on her way to becoming a star. Things were definitely looking up.
That is until Cohl Travers, alien extraordinaire, swoops out of the night sky and snatches her off her planet. When he says he desperately needs her voice for a dangerous cosmic mission and the fate of two planets hangs on her song, she figures one of them is in for some serious therapy. Tess soon finds herself up to her neck in smelly bad guys, a robot with a superiority complex, an ancient Amulet that could end her singing career permanently, and a man who can burn her from the inside out.
Cohl Travers thought he was free and clear of his destiny to become the next ruler of his planet. But when the warring Trakas abduct his father and hold him hostage for the Amulet, Cohl is dragged back to a fate he does not want with a woman he cannot ignore.

Unearthed is a fast, fun, romping space adventure.  It's space opera in a good way.  Tess is the fiery-haired heroine who is abducted by the devastatingly handsome alien Cohl.  Only Tess can save Cohl's father and his planet. 

The story is written with an upbeat pace that kept my attention.  The characters are engaging and quick-witted.  I loved Cohl's robot bodyguard!  Wish I had one of my own!

This is not a high brow science fiction novel.  Don't look for minute details on quantum space theory or black holes.  This is a feel good space adventure romance that doesn't take itself too seriously.  Grab a copy and enjoy the ride.

Thank you Carina Press and Netgalley for allowing me to review Unearthed.

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Paperback:  320 pages
Publisher:  Love Spell (March 28, 2003)
ISBN-10:  0505525402

ISBN-13:  978-0505525406

Ebook:  489 kb
Publisher:  Carina Press (October 3, 2011)
ASIN:B005JSJZUY

Book Review: Heirs of Mars by Joseph Robert Lewis

The dream that was Mars has become a nightmare for the children born there.

Asher roams the vast canyons of Mars in search of dying souls ready for digital reincarnation. But his strange profession has its perils. Those who fear the newborn clones have hunted Asher and his friends for years, claiming the lives of countless innocents, including his daughter.

Claudia hosts the two most popular shows on two worlds, exhausting herself to educate the children of Mars and risking her life to raise the morale of the entire population. But when one of her cohosts is brutally murdered, she'll stop at nothing to avenge his death and make Mars safe again for everyone.

Across frozen deserts and over raging volcanoes, Asher and Claudia lead a group of scientists, clones, and bikers on a high-octane charge to end the first war on Mars.

Heirs of Mars follows the lives of six men and women (not all of them entirely human) from the dusty wind farms of the Valles Marineris to the shining city of New Troy, and from the ancient tunnels beneath the Noctis Labyrinth to the sandy highways where daredevils race on single-wheeled motorcycles for a fleeting glimpse of fame and freedom.

Heirs of Mars is an interesting science fiction tale.  I like authors who take an old idea and put a new spin on it, as I think Joseph Robert Lewis did with digital reincarnation and the colonization of Mars.

I was a little confused at the beginning, couldn't quite figure out what was going on.  There were so many characters on so many different sides, it was hard to keep everyone straight.  Plus, there were some pacing issues, it would speed up and slow down like a bad driver on a freeway. 

All in all, it's a fun science fiction romp that was enjoyable to read.

*Disclaimer:  I was given this book by the author through LibraryThing.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Ebook:  484 KB, 273 pages

Publisher:  Joseph Robert Lewis (October 28, 2010)

ASIN:  B0049H94G6

Book Review: Tankborn by Karen Sandler

Best friends Kayla and Mishalla know they will be separated when the time comes for their Assignments. They are GENs, Genetically Engineered Non-humans, and in their strict caste system, GENs are at the bottom rung of society. High-status trueborns and working-class lowborns, born naturally of a mother, are free to choose their own lives. But GENs are gestated in a tank, sequestered in slums, and sent to work as slaves as soon as they reach age fifteen.

When Kayla is Assigned to care for Zul Manel, the patriarch of a trueborn family, she finds a host of secrets and surprises—not least of which is her unexpected friendship with Zul's great-grandson. Meanwhile, the children that Mishalla is Assigned to care for are being stolen in the middle of the night. With the help of an intriguing lowborn boy, Mishalla begins to suspect that something horrible is happening to them.

After weeks of toiling in their Assignments, mystifying circumstances enable Kayla and Mishalla to reunite. Together they hatch a plan with their new friends to save the children who are disappearing. Yet can GENs really trust humans? Both girls must put their lives and hearts at risk to crack open a sinister conspiracy, one that may reveal secrets no one is ready to face.

Tankborn is a dystopian novel that is set on a different planet, although it seems much like Earth.  It's also science-fiction-ey with the genetic engineering as a predominant part of the society.

There are a lot of interesting elements to this book.  There's genetic splicing of animal DNA to human DNA to make new GENs with special strengths, tattoos used to hook up datapods to the GENs, a strict caste system, and hover cars!  I've always been a fan of hover cars!

There's an obvious social message in this book, told through the caste system.  The highborns and lowborns are differentiated by their eye and skin color, as well as the clothing and jewelry they wear.  The GENs have no status at all as they are not even considered human.  These ranks and issues mirror the problems our society has/has had with different races, religions, and economic levels.  While I embraced the idea of exploring these issues in the book, I felt like I was being hit over the head with it.  There was so much exposition on it from each character, over and over, saying the same things, it got old very quickly for me.

Overall, it's an interesting book and worth a read if you enjoy dystopian and/or science fiction novels.

*Disclaimer:  I received this book for review from the publisher through Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Reading Level:  Young Adult

Hardcover:  384 pages

Publisher:  Lee & Low Books (September 15, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1600606628

ISBN-13:  978-1600606625

Ebook:  1,172 KB

Publisher:  Lee & Low Books/Tu Books

ASIN:  B005ODGZDY

Book Review: Changers' Summer (Changers' Trilogy #1) by Mike Lewis

Tom is twelve and all he's ever known is a world with acid rain and constant cloud. His world is a place where people try to scratch out a living; surrounded by the wreckage of the past.

One hundred years ago a group of mysterious scientists took charge of the Earth's weather in order to control climate change. They burned the planet and in the ensuing chaos they disappeared.

When one of the "Changers" appears on Tom’s farm, his life changes and he is forced into an adventure where he must choose between his family and helping the Changers repair the damage they have done.

But can the Changers be trusted this time?

This book started out slow for me.  I hate to say that because there was an event that was so totally creative at the beginning, it held a lot of promise.  However, I felt the writing of it did not hold up to that promise.  I won't say what it was because I hate spoilers!

The adult characters were a bit too two-dimensional for me, but as the story was meant to be focused on the children, it was fine.  Tom was a great young protagonist, ready to jump in and get things done. 

Some things I absolutely loved in this book:  Bess, the talking dog (should have used her more!); rats that build tools; colored rain; and time travel!  Mike Lewis, the author, did a good job with his editing.  Many authors I find tend to write books that are too long, fill them up with a lot of "stuff" that doesn't really need to be in the book. 

This is a good book for young adults.  I think their natural curiosity and creative minds will find the story fascinating.

*Disclaimer:  I received this book from the author through Librarything.  I was not required to write a positive review.

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Reading level:  Young Adult

Paperback:  178 pages

Publisher:  CreateSpace (July 27, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1463577052

ISBN-13:  978-1463577056

Ebook:  216KB

ASIN:  B00545629E

Book Review: Wired by Douglas Richards

Kira Miller is a brilliant genetic engineer who discovers how to temporarily achieve savant-like capabilities in all areas of thought and creativity. But what if this transcendent level of intelligence brings with it a ruthless megalomania?

David Desh left the special forces after his team was brutally butchered in Iran. Now he has been reactivated for one last mission: find Kira Miller, the enigmatic genius behind a bioterror plot that threatens millions. But when Desh learns that the bioterror plot is just the tip of the iceberg, he is thrust into a byzantine maze of deception and intrigue, and he becomes a key player in a deadly game he can't begin to understand. A game that is certain to have a dramatic impact on the future course of human history. . .

Wired is a fast paced thriller from start to finish.  It's got a bit of science fiction thrown in with the genetic manipulation creating super intelligence.  Sure wish it wasn't fiction, I could use something like that!

The characters were ok.  Desh and Kira were likeable, though maybe not 100% believable as real people.  Kira seemed a little too good at the action stuff for a scientist.  Desh did have a soft side to counteract his tough soldier qualities.

The story was written well and paced just right.  It kept my attention throughout, and I think it will keep yours.

*Disclaimer:  I received this book for review from the author through LibraryThing.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Ebook:  506 kb, 302 pages

Publisher:  Paragon Press (July 12, 2011)

ASIN:  B005C4XVYG

Book Review: Rowena Through the Wall by Melodie Campbell

 

When Rowena falls through her classroom wall and lands in an alternate world, she doesn't count on being kidnapped―not once, but twice. Unwanted husbands keep piling up, but that doesn't stop her from falling for the wrong brother. Good thing she has the ability to go back through the wall. Or can she?

Warning: This book is not a 'sweet' romance - it is a sexy, funny, rollicking adventure with a spunky heroine and the medieval 'men' of her dreams!

Rowena Through the Wall does not disappoint.  It is exactly as described, funny, lots of sex, adventurous, and one feisty heroine.  Melodie Campbell takes us on a wild ride from the present right back to medieval times.  This book is not for the feint-hearted, there's a lot of sex and some blood and gore.

In this alternate world, there are almost no women, so Rowena is much sought after.  Maybe I'm a bit of a prude, but I had issues with her bouncing around to different men and not hesitating to jump into bed with all of them.  I'm a one man kinda girl and I prefer my heroines to be the same.  At least she finally decides on one, not that it's easy to get to him!

The story is thoroughly entertaining, I was laughing all the time.  It kept me interested, I read it through in one day.  The characters, as a whole, were well done; although, some of the men chasing Rowena felt a little two-dimensional at times.

If you like your books a teensy bit on the blue side, a strong wise-cracking heroine, and knights in shining armor - literally, then you'll love this book!

I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Paperback:  224 pages

Publisher:  Imajin Books (June 16, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1926997131

ISBN-13:  978-1926997131

Ebook - 360 KB

ASIN:  B00557Z2QU

Book Review: Convergence (The Ordinals) by Joseph Gellene

How do you stop a killer who remembers everything you're about to do?

John Smith greatly enjoys his unusual life. He's wealthy, long-lived, and very well traveled. He jumps to the 21st century expecting to be reunited with his daughter but finds she has been brutally murdered. Under normal circumstances it was a simple matter to undo an untimely death but, in this case, the killer remembers multiple fact patterns and easily thwarts John's attempts. To save his daughter, John must overcome shifting fact patterns, a determined detective, and three versions of the killer. His research shows that he fails, but facts can be fluid.

First let me say that I'm a sucker for time travel books.  I love to read them even though they inevitably confuse the heck out of me.  Convergence was no different.  I'm not sure I ever came to a full understanding of what happened in this book.  There were just so many time changes, so many different versions of the timeline with small variations. 

One problem I had reading this story was that new terms were not explained until late in the book.  Things like "multiple fact patterns" were mentioned several times before actually defined.  This took away from my enjoyment of the book. 

The characters were so busy hopping timelines that there was little time for truly learning about the characters themselves and seeing how/if they changed.  However, I did find it fascinating that there was three different "versions" of one interacting with himself.  Watching the older one try to figure out how to keep the younger self from knowing what he would do was mind-blowing.

The plot is a very intriguing one.  If you can keep up with all the time shifts, I think you'll enjoy this book.

*Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the author through LibraryThing.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

 

Format:  Ebook

File Size:  463 kb

Sold by:  Amazon Digital Services

ASIN:  B004TMCRPG

Book Review: Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

 

 Once upon a time there was a girl who was special. This is not her story.  Unless you count the part where I killed her.
Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

It's difficult to fully review this book without giving anything away, but I'll try.  Ultraviolet was one crazy ride.  (pun intended)  Alison is in a mental institution, she thinks she's killed someone, but doesn't quite know how.  She sees strange colors, tastes sounds, hears lies.  Too much stimuli sends her running for solitude.  

The first part of the book where Alison is in the institution is interesting.  Alison tries to hide her "peculiarities" as she learns to interact with the patients and medical staff.  She starts out hiding within herself, but begins to relate better as she meets a medical student who diagnoses her problems. 

The story seems to be moving right along throughout, when suddenly it takes a huge curve.  I can't say what it is for fear of ruining the ending, but I will tell you that I just didn't care for it.  There were no hints, subtle clues, nothing that would pave the way toward this revelation that comes.  It was just too out of the blue for me, with an abrupt ending that left me feeling unsatisfied. 

Still, I think the first part in the institution is probably good enough to give this a read.  Also, I see other reviews, where people loved the whole book, so this decision will have to be up to you.

 *Disclaimer:  I received this book for free from the publisher through NetGalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Hardcover:  306 pages

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books; 1 edition (September 2011)

ISBN-10:  0761374086

ISBN-13:  978-0761374084

Paperback:  416 pages

Publisher:  Orchard Books

ISBN-10: 1408312751

ISBN-13:  978-1408312759

 

Book Review: Cel and Anna: A 22nd Century Love Story by Lindsey Edmunds

You are about to enter the Middle Machine Age, where good citizens of the Reunited States are either Outsiders or denizens of the UnderWorld. Things are in uneasy balance, like a fantastic house of cards that grows ever taller.

Anna Ringer knows something about uneasy balance. She is a troubled employee of a mysterious company called Lighthorse Magic. Her computer, Cel, develops self-awareness and decides he loves her. She meets a shy young computer genius named Taz Night, who ALSO falls in love with her.

When Cel orders a thousand lillifleurs to be delivered to Anna's apartment, he inadvertently unleashes a datastorm called the Emperor Worm. This vortex of electronic garbage smashes everyone's house of cards.

Anna is falsely accused of terrorism in connection with the storm. With Cel in a backpack, she runs away with Taz deep into the country. In close pursuit is Public Eye, the amoral enforcement arm of the government.

"Whole-souled, full-circled folks come home," an old song says. With their former lives in ruins, Taz and Anna find that the road home takes some surprising turns 

Cel and Anna is a delightful science fiction novel.  The premise is George Orwell-esque from his novel 1984 where "big brother" is watching everything you do - without the overwhelming darkness. 

The synopsis tells you everything you need to know about this book.  It starts off a little slow for me, but the pace picks up and then continues at a good clip.  The concept of a computer falling in love with a woman is pretty unique; thus, enjoyable to read about.

The characters were well-written, even Cel, the computer!  I found the most change in Anna as the story began, she was rather shy and didn't interact with live people very much.  Through the story she grew and changed until she was very comfortable around people and capable of making friends.

Cel and Anna is a breath of fresh air in the science fiction genre.  It flows smoothly and reads fairly quickly.  It's definitely worth your time!

*Disclaimer:  I received this book free from the author, I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Paperback:  310 pages

Publisher:  CreateSpace (February 25, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1453839992

ISBN-13:  978-1453839997

Format:  ebook

File Size:  342kb

ASIN:  B004PLMJEU

Book Review: The Postmortal by Drew Magary

The year is 2019 and a cure for aging has been discovered. After much political and cultural debate "The Cure" is made available to populations worldwide. Through fast-paced journal entries and blogger-style news story roundups compiled by an ever-watchful New York lawyer, John Farrell, readers experience a world where age-related diseases and deaths disappear altogether.  But there are residual effects and THE POSTMORTAL forces us to rethink our idea of marriage if rendered indefinite and the allocation of precious resources in a world with exponential population growth. Ideological divisions manifest themselves in chilling ways in this new environment, introducing "pro death" anarchists who inflict ghastly punishments on those who dare to remain young.  With the apocalypse on the horizon and regret creeping into everyday lives, living forever, as it turns out, isn't all it's cracked up to be.

The  Postmortal is a powerful book.  Magary takes an honest look at society's reaction to not aging - constant partying, marriages fall apart, the earth's resources are dwindling.  We see John Farrell, a wise-cracking lawyer, who's life changes markedly throughout the book as he gets older without aging.  His optimism turns to skepticism, even on to hopelessness. The storyline is very dark in this book, but Magary manages to add humor and lighten the mood in just the right places. 

It's an interesting novel, showing how society slowly disintegrates just as it is granted one of its biggest wishes.  The government begins to take total control of everyone's life...and death.  This story really makes you think, even as you're being entertained.



 I gives this book 4 Bookworms.



Pages:  384
Publisher:  Penguin (August 30, 2011)
ISBN-10:  0143119826
ISBN-13:  978-0143119821

Book Review: Vallar by Cindy Borgne

 

Ian Connors struggles to save the girl of his dreams and escape the corruption surrounding him - otherwise there is no future for either of them. He must take charge of his life or he will remain a pawn and forever separated from those he loves.

The story takes place in the future about a hundred years after the people of Earth decided to abandon the colonies of Mars. This happened due to Earth’s population problems and a dwindling of their own resources. Over time, the scientific colonies evolved into military factions. The leaders of Marscorp believe that by conquering smaller organizations they will be able to gain enough power to force their way back to Earth. They seek to use Ian for his psychic ability in order to complete their mission. 

Vallar is a good, solid science fiction story.  It's the age-old struggle between the power-hungry leaders and the common man.  This novel would have been enjoyable set in any genre, as it covers the basics of a good tale.  There is the powers that be in the corporation using the talents of a young man, Ian.  He is loyal to the company that has raised him, until his talents show him there are other people out there.  Companies that treat their workers and the planet better.  There's romance, loyal friendships, betrayal, an underdog to root for.  The book is about the struggle of mankind to survive, but to do it under humane circumstances.

As for the characters, the protagonist was well written.  Ian grows in maturity throughout as he learns life isn't quite what it seems in the corporation that controls him.  The rest could have benefited from a little more work to make them more three-dimensional, but still they were easy to like, or hate as the case may be.

Vallar is an enjoyable read, and if you like science fiction, give this one a try.

*Disclaimer:  I received this book from the author through LibraryThing.  I was not required to write a positive review.

I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Paperback:  380 Pages

Publisher:  CreateSpace (April 14, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1461024544

ISBN-13:  978-1461024545

Format:  Ebook

File Size:  434 kb

ASIN:  B004SHTNEU

Book Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfield

Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.

 Uglies by Scott Westerfield is the first in his The Ugly series.  This is a young adult book, but the issues raised are good for adults to think about as well.  Little children are considered so ugly they are cute, but when they are around 10 years old, they are sent away to a boarding school and called, "the uglies."  At 16 they receive an operation that turns them into the society's version of pretty.  Big eyes, small nose, tall, thin, etc.  This operation is not an option, everyone must have it.

Westerfield has taken today's societal norms of what is considered beautiful and taken it about as far as it can go in his novel.  If you're not pretty, you are not anything.  This is the same thought that too many people have today and Westerfield shows how it's not the ideal.  That looking and being different is what true prettiness is.  His main character Tally learns this as she experiences life outside the society in which was raised. 

This is a good story that makes you think about life's ideals as well.  There are some twists and turns that keep you on your toes as you read.  Give it a try!

I give this book 4 Bookworms!

Pages:  432

Publisher:  Simon Pulse; Reprint edition (May 3, 2011)

ISBN-10:  1442419814

ISBN-13:  978-1442419810

Book Review: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I'd been seeing this book recommended everywhere.  I read the synopsis and I was hooked, I had to read it.  It was a great book!  The only negative thing I could say about it is that it was written and marketed as a young adult book, but I worry that the subject matter is a little too violent for the younger of the young adults.  Teenagers forced to kill each other for other's amusement isn't the greatest storyline for children to read.

I loved everything else about this book.  It's one of those page-turners that won't let you put it down until you've read it all.  Katniss has had to take on the responsibility of taking care of her mother and little sister since her father was killed in the mines.  She's 16, but already an adult.  Living such a harsh life has forced her to bottle up her emotions, so she finds being partnered with Peeta especially difficult. She slowly learns to open up and evolve through the trials in the story.

It's a great story that leaves you wanting more.  And there is more, 2 more books in the series.  Look for those reviews here soon!

  I give this book 5 Bookworms!

 

Paperback:  384 pages

Publisher:  Scholastic Press; Reprint edition (July 3, 2010)

ISBN-10:  0439023521

ISBN-13:  978-0439023528