Book Review: What Remains (Dead World #1) by Kay Holland

Project Fed. It was supposed to be the answer to hunger, but instead, it was the destruction of the world as we knew it. The growth of chemically enhanced "super" fruits and vegetables began in unmarked farms across the Nations, as well as their distribution in small towns. Within hours of Project Fed's first delivery and primary consumption, something far beyond expectancy was unleashed. Something far beyond what anyone could help.

Four months later, seventeen year old Max Cade is trying to survive amongst what remains of her old life. In an effort to escort an awry "Doctor" from one camp to the next, she will have to reintroduce her two young friends to the horrors beyond their shelter that she so badly wanted to shield them from. Getting there was supposed to be the easy part, but when travelling through a world of ruin, sometimes the undead have other plans

I really wanted to like this book, but I just didn't.  The title is good, that's about all.  The book is full of typos, incorrect grammar, misspelled words, and sometimes the wrong word entirely.  Ignoring that, the writing style was awkward  and choppy in some places. The characters were flat and uninteresting.  The zombies in the book are a little bit different than the usual ones you read about or see in movies.  While they were always around in the story, I felt like they could have been emphasized a little more.  What Remains by Kay Holland is not a book I would recommend.

 I give this book 1 Bookworm.

Book Review: The Keeping Place (The Obernewtyn Chronicles #4) by Isobelle Carmody

After a kidnapping, Elspeth Gordie and the Misfits are forced to join the rebellion against the oppressive Council, using their extraordinary mind powers. But Elspeth must also seek out clues left by the long-dead seer, Kasanda, vital to her quest to destroy the Beforetime weaponmachines. One clue is lost in the past, forcing Elspeth to travel the Dreamtrails, stalked by a terrifying winged beast, with the cat, Maruman, as her guide and guardian. Only there can she learn more of the Beforetimer Misfits and their enemy, Govamen.

Gradually Elspeth realises her quest is intimately linked to the Misfits' refuge, Obernewtyn - its past and its future.

The Keeping Place is the fourth book in The Obernewtyn Chronicles series by Isobelle Carmody, originally published in 1999.  This one was a bit of a disappointment to me.  All the books in the series so far have had ups and downs in the pacing, but this one was slow most of the time.  The Dreamtrails parts of the story were not very exciting, even felt a little silly to me.  Dragon, the wild little girl, was kept out of all the real action in the book, which I think was a mistake as she's a great character and I missed her.  I've noticed that the books were published four-five years apart, so I expect more from the stories.  I still like the series, and I'm hoping for better in the next installment.

Here are links to my reviews for the first three books in the series:

1.  Obernewtyn 
2. The Farseekers
3. Ashling

 I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Book Review: Ashling (The Obernewtyn Chronicles #3) by Isobelle Carmody

Elspeth’s adventures continue as she tries to seal an alliance between the secret Misfit community at Obernewtyn and the rebel forces rumored to be hiding in the capital, right under the noses of the dreaded totalitarian Council.

Elspeth travels from the mountains reluctantly, for at any moment the long-awaited summons may come to find and destroy the dormant weapon machines left by the Beforetimers. Her journey takes her far beyond the borders of the Land, across the sea and into the heart of the mysterious desert region of Sador. Here she discovers that she cannot destroy the weapon machines alone—she needs the help of the Sadorians. But before her dark quest can begin, Elspeth must learn the truth of her dreams: she must understand why the Beforetimers destroyed their world

Ashling is the third book in The Obernwetyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody which was first published in 1995.  I'm really enjoying this series.  Elspeth is becoming a young woman in Ashling.  She is slowly learning and very slowly accepting her fate of being the savior of Obernewtyn and the animals.  It's a lot for someone only about eighteen to take on, but Elspeth takes on the necessary responsibilities and grows ever stronger as a result.  She knows she can rely on help from her friends, human and animal alike.  It's a good series for older children through adults to enjoy!


Here are my reviews for some other books in the series:

1.   Obernewtyn

2.   The Farseekers

4.   The Keeping Place

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

Through the Ever Night is the 2nd book in the Under the Never Sky series by Veronica Rossi.  It continues the story of Aria and Perry trying to survive in the outside world with its violent storms.  Aria and Perry, from two different worlds, fell in love in the first book, Under the Never Sky.  They were apart for a long time as Aria went home.  With the beginning of Through the Ever Night, they are set to be together again.

Perry is now leader of the Tides, the people who live out in the wild.  They don't trust Aria's people, the Dwellers, so Aria has a hard time fitting in.  Perry must keep his people safe, even if it's against their wishes, plus he and Aria still need to save his little brother.  How do they keep their relationship alive if they must separate again?

There's a lot of tension and in-fighting in the story.  The people must learn to work together and accept help from outsiders in order to survive, and they may not be able to do it.  The action never stops in this exciting sequel to Under the Never Sky.  It's a must read series for dystopian lovers!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: The Farseekers (The Obernewtyn Chronicles #2) by Isobelle Carmody

In this powerful sequel to Obernewtyn, young Elspeth Gordie-possessed of extraordinary mental powers-has united with others Misfits for refuge on the remote mountain keep of Obernewtyn. Yet the threat from the totalitarian Council to their safety is ever present. Their only defense is to work hard to develop their mental powers before an inevitable confrontation.

But when Elspeth is lured off the mountain in a dangerous quest to rescue a powerful Misfit, the fate of the Obernewtyn colony will hang in the balance.

The Farseekers by Isobelle Carmody is the second book of The Obernewtyn Chronicles.  It was first published in 1990, three years after the first book Obernewtyn.  That was back when books in a series weren't cranked out  year after year.  Readers nowadays are more impatient.  Yes, that includes me!

For me, The Farseekers was a good bit better than Obernewtyn.   It's set two years after the end of the first book, Elspeth is now 17.  Being older opens Elspeth's character to a lot more possibilities.  All the characters in this book were better developed.

I love the animals being sentient and how each animal has a distinct personality.  It's true in real life (the personality part) and it's great to see it in the book.  It's fascinating how the bonds form between the humans and the animals.

The story pace picks up more in The Farseekers and is even more enjoyable to read. 

Here are my reviews for other books in the series:

3.   Ashling

4.   The Keeping Place

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Obernewtyn (The Obernewtyn Chronicles #1) by Isobelle Carmody

For Elspeth Gordie freedom is-like so much else after the Great White-a memory.

It was a time known as the Age of Chaos. In a final explosive flash everything was destroyed. The few who survived banded together and formed a Council for protection. But people like Elspeth-mysteriously born with powerful mental abilities-are feared by the Council and hunted down like animals...to be destroyed.

Her only hope for survival to is keep her power hidden. But is secrecy enough against the terrible power of the Council?

Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody is the first book in The Obernewtyn Chronicles.  It was first published in 1987, but still holds up today as a well written dystopian novel.  The book starts off a little slow for me, though I'm sure it's hard to build and describe a dystopian world.  Today's books usually start off with more action, but Carmody took her time to give us a true sense of the world.

The story is told in first person narrative.  Quite often that made things more passive.  Instead of relating what was said in exact words, Elspeth will tell us that she told them such and such and they said okay.  I'd rather the actual interaction was played out.  Also, dialects were used in some of the characters speech such as, "Dinna worry 'bout 'er."  That was hard to read. Characters could have been more well rounded, but as it's a series, I hope that happens as the books progress.

The world and storyline were well written.  It helped me to overlook the other minor annoyances and keep me reading.  I do want to know what happens next!

Here are my reviews for some other books in the series:

2.    The Farseekers
3.    Ashling

4.   The Keeping Place

 I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Worlds kept them apart.

Destiny brought them together.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi is the first book of her three book (so far) Under the Never Sky series.  It's dystopian setting is two worlds, one in secluded domes where everyone lives through virtual realms and they can do just about anything that can be imagined, the second world is outside exposed to the elements including violent storms.

The story is told alternately through Aria and Perry.  They come from different worlds, but slowly build a trusting relationship.  They realize they each have the same goal of finding loved ones and need each other to make that happen.  I appreciated the fact that it wasn't love at first sight, they had to work together and learn about each other for the caring to develop.  

If you're a sci-fi geek, don't expect the technology and realms of Reverie to be explained in depth.  It's not, but really isn't needed to fill out the storyline.

Rossi has built a great dystopian world in Under the Never Sky.  The characters are believable and the plot is intriguing and paced well.  I'm looking forward to reading the whole series!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms

Book Review: Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank

It’s about keeping the faith.

Growing up poor in 1953 in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia doesn’t bother Lydia Hawkins. She treasures her tight-knit family. There’s her loving mama, now widowed; her whip-smart younger brother, BJ, who has cystic fibrosis; and wise old Gran. But everything falls apart after Gran and BJ die and mama is jailed unjustly. Suddenly Lydia has lost all those dearest to her.

Moving to a coal camp to live with her uncle William and aunt Ethel Mae only makes Lydia feel more alone. She is ridiculed at her new school for her outgrown homemade clothes and the way she talks, and for what the kids believe her mama did. And to make matters worse, she discovers that her uncle has been keeping a family secret—about her.

If only Lydia, with her resilient spirit and determination, could find a way to clear her mother’s name...

Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank is a wonderful book narrated by a young girl from the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia.  It's written in her southern dialect, but that only adds to the richness of the story. Set in the '50s, the hard mountain life is shown.  Lydia's immediate family is taken away from her through death and jail.  She goes to live with her aunt and uncle who pay little attention to her, and supply her with barely what she needs.

Lydia tells her story, remembering the past and updating the present.  Through all the sorrowful things that happen, we see her steely resolution to survive and save her mother.  I wish the mother's personality had been fleshed out more.  Gran and Lydia's brother BJ were good strong characters, easy to connect with.

This is a beautiful southern story by a debut author.  I can't wait to see what she writes next!

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

Book Review: Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?

Fire & Flood is the first book in the series of the same name by Victoria Scott.  I knew when I started reading it that people would compare this (badly) to the Hunger Games.  I understand the comparison, but I think there is enough good stuff in Fire & Flood to let it stand on its own as an enjoyable dystopian novel.  

Firstly, there's the Pandoras.  I admit I'm a sucker for animals, and I liked how they were used in the story for the most part.  I didn't like the last requirement to get into the second base camp - which I won't mention because of spoilers.  It was kind of harsh and I didn't quite see the point of it.

I liked seeing the Contenders group up for support and helping each other get through the challenges.  This also brought some interesting tension as they know only one of them can win and they are all playing for loved ones.  Those relationships were portrayed well, but I felt the potential romantic relationship between Tella and Guy was a little lacking.  The ways Guy was stand-offish, then suddenly holding her while she slept seemed contrived.

The novel was an easy read, I finished it in one afternoon.  Over all, I enjoyed it and will probably keep reading the series.  It's marketed for Young Adult, but if YA is considered as 13-21, I would say this skews more to the younger end, and maybe into the older Childrens' level. 

 I give this book 3 Bookworms.

Book Review: Sunrise (Ashfall #3) by Mike Mullin

The Yellowstone supervolcano nearly wiped out the human race. Now, almost a year after the eruption, the survivors seem determined to finish the job. Communities wage war on each other, gangs of cannibals roam the countryside, and what little government survived the eruption has collapsed completely. The ham radio has gone silent. Sickness, cold, and starvation are the survivors' constant companions.

When it becomes apparent that their home is no longer safe and adults are not facing the stark realities, Alex and Darla must create a community that can survive the ongoing disaster, an almost impossible task requiring even more guts and more smarts than ever — and unthinkable sacrifice. If they fail . . . they, their loved ones, and the few remaining survivors will perish.

This epic finale has the heart of Ashfall, the action of Ashen Winter, and a depth all its own, examining questions of responsibility and bravery, civilization and society, illuminated by the story of an unshakable love that transcends a post-apocalyptic world and even life itself.

Sunrise, by Mike Mullin, is the third and final chapter of the Ashfall series.  I reviewed the first two books, Ashfall and Ashen Winter as they were published and have been a fan from the beginning.  One of the best parts of the whole series is the relationship between Alex and Darla.  They had to mature faster than teenagers usually do, and the love and caring between the two feels very real.  The relationship grows even deeper in Sunrise.

The ingenuity of the characters in building greenhouses and lodging, and how they go about things like watering the plants is astounding.  Though, for myself, a little less technical explanation of the processes would have made for more enjoyable reading.

Sunrise is an action-packed fight for survival in a world turned harsh and uninviting.  Post-apocalyptic thrills for teens and adults!

I received Sunrise from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 I give this book 4 Bookworms.

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: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

This is the second in the Steampunk Chronicle series by Kady Cross.   This series is some of the best steampunk that I have ever read.  It's got the clever machinery, some magic, great heroes, very evil villains - and a little romance!

Finley, the heroine, is more secure in herself than she was in the first novel, The Girl in the Steel Corset.  She seems less afraid to get out there and kick some evil-doer's butt, yet she is still learning how to work her "talent."  She is a character that is very easy to like and root for throughout the story. And of course, the book would be nothing without her gang, who are right there to help out... or make fun of her, whichever is more appropriate at the time.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar is a fun romp through New York City at the turn of the 19th century.  If you like steampunk, you'll definitely want to read this, but start with the first book.  If you've never read any steampunk, start out with this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

I give this book 4 Bookworms. 

Book Review: Ashen Winter (Ashfall #2) by Mike Mullin

It’s been over six months since the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. Alex and Darla have been staying with Alex’s relatives, trying to cope with the new reality of the primitive world so vividly portrayed in Ashfall, the first book in this series. It’s also been six months of waiting for Alex’s parents to return from Iowa. Alex and Darla decide they can wait no longer and must retrace their journey into Iowa to find and bring back Alex’s parents to the tenuous safety of Illinois. But the landscape they cross is even more perilous than before, with life-and-death battles for food and power between the remaining communities. When the unthinkable happens, Alex must find new reserves of strength and determination to survive.

Ashen Winter is the second book in the series;  I reviewed the first book, Ashfall, last year.  The Ashfall series is a powerful view of a post-apocalyptic world.  It's chilling to read how humans can react when world order is destroyed.

With the start of Ashen Winter, we see a more mature Alex.  All the softness of his youth was chiseled off in Ashfall. The author, Mike Mullin, does an excellent job with the characters.  They each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and grow as the story unfolds.

The book is full of action and is a very entertaining read.  Ashen Winter can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend reading Ashfall first.  You have time to grab it now, Ashen Winter will be available October 16.   There is a good bit of violence in the series, so it may not be appropriate for younger kids, but young adults and adults who enjoy post-apocalyptic settings should definitely read this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tanglewood Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

I give this book 4 Bookworms. 

Book Review: The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale (Stormy Gale #2) by Christine Bell

London, 1841

There I was, retired from time pirating, enjoying a full if somewhat conventional life as a wife and mother. Then a chance encounter with a stranger drew me back into a world I'd thought I'd left, quite literally, in the past. From his odd behavior and even odder answers to my questions, I knew Phineas Grubb was up to something. I should have trusted my instincts—before he pulled out a time-travel mechanism and dragged my brother, Bacon, back with him...

Salem, 1698

The infamous Witch Trials may have ended a few years earlier, but the people of Salem are still pretty touchy about outsiders that appear in town as if by magic. Thanks to Grubb, my brother's been accused of witchcraft and thrown in jail. Now it's up to me and my husband, Dev, to save Bacon's bacon before the hysteria starts up again, and the course of history is altered forever...

This is the second book in the Stormy Gale series, the first being The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale which I reviewed last year. I find that this is one of the rare occasions that I enjoyed the first book in the series better than the second. 

The Bewitching Tale of Stormy Gale still has the same wonderfully witty tones that the first book did.  I enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Stormy and Dev, her husband, has developed.

Then they ended up in 1698, in Salem.  The time travel to the past put a large damper on the steampunk aspect of the story, as obviously there was little to no machinery in that age.  I thought it could be interesting seeing Stormy, Dev, and Bacon interacting with the major players in the Witch Trials, but there was little of that.

In all, it was really great reading about Stormy and her family again.  They're great characters and fun spending time with.  I just wish the plot had been stronger.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for allowing me to read the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms. 

Book Review: Whispers from the Grave by Leslie Rule

When Jenna discovers the diary of a girl who was murdered over 100 years ago, she is startled by how much they have in common. Rita looked like her, acted like her, and faced the trials of high school while experiencing the thrill of first love. As Jenna reads of Rita's tragic past, she fears for her own future. Because Rita's history is repeating itself--in Jenna's life.

Whispers from the Grave by Leslie Rule is a time travel mystery.  As time travel literature goes, this one was fairly easy to keep up with.  There weren't so many jumps back and forth that can leave the reader thoroughly confused.

This book was first published in 1995 and it's nice to find a good Young Adult book that isn't paranormal or dystopian - though I love those genres, too.  I was a bit disappointed that the majority of the book was set back in time, the '70s.  As it started in the future, 2070, I was hoping for more about the world in that time.   

Jenna was a good protagonist, though overall, I felt the characters could use more fleshing out.  I found it hard to connect to them.

I think Whispers from the Grave is a good Young Adult time travel mystery.  Although, it probably is better suited to the younger readers than older young adults and adult readers.

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms. 

Book Review: Crave by Melissa Darnell

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.
For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Crave, by Melissa Darnell, is one of those books that I really wanted to love, and hoped it would be better than it actually was.  It had an interesting premise, an almost Romeo and Juliet type tale, as Savannah's family tells her to have nothing to do with anyone in the Clann, and Tristan's family and the Clann tell him to have nothing to do with Savannah.  But they were friends as children and Savannah doesn't understand why that had to stop; she's the only one who doesn't know the reason.

As most love stories go, the two can't keep apart.  Savannah learns who/what she is and unable to handle it alone, she allows Tristan in.  Will true love prevail, or will it end in tragedy?  You'll have to read it yourself to find out!

What I will say is there seemed to be no shock on Savannah's part upon learning her true heritage.  I expected some anger, denial, frustration, and fear, but found very little there.  However, she was a strong character despite her young age, and easy to like.  

It took a lot of pages to get this story as far as it went.  I thought it could have gone farther.  I know this is just the first book in a series, but I felt the story could have been tightened up a little and this book could have been given some more action.  

Crave is a solid paranormal fantasy that young adults will enjoy.  The series has limitless possibilities!

 

I give this book 3 Bookworms. 

*I was allowed to read this book with the permission of Netgalley and the publishers for an honest review.*