The Paper Critic

[Movie Review] - The Mockingjay: Part 1 by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 1 by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
Director: Francis Lawrence
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release Date: November 21st, 2014
Rating: 8.0 Out of 10

When Katniss destroys the games, she goes to District 13 after District 12 is destroyed. She meets President Coin who convinces her to be the symbol of rebellion, while trying to save Peeta from the Capitol.

From the Book:

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

My Review:

I was rather surprised at this movie and while the rating is rather low compared to how well it could have done I don't think it's misplaced. I love how well Katniss swaps roles in this movie. She is just one of those characters that even as the broken leader for the rebels. However there is more to her in this movie than meets the eye, which shows through in this movie.

First, I want to come straight out and explain why I gave it an 8.0 out of 10. I hate two part movies. However, in this case I think it works with the exception is it builds up the second part entirely. So if you don't see this one, chances are you won't understand any of the next movie. I really wished this would be a one part movie, mainly because of where the cut would happen and I was a bit too far ahead really to get that right, but it was close. The cut works great though, but I am worried about the content in the second half.

Now Jennifer Lawrence shows her acting range in this movie. She is strong and courageous, and has this natural leader trait that shows up more so in this movie than the others; however, at times in this whole weak and estranged personas. I love the whole dichotomy of her character in this movie and it makes her character believable and lovable. She's the one that stands out, but it's through the help and support of the other characters.

The supporting characters, mainly Finnick and Heimick are the life of this movie. There really isn't much else to say. I want to comment more on them,but they hover around Katniss and build her character immensely. Prim is her own character and there are times in which she will touch your heart and at the same time stands up on her own feet and proves she's growing. These characters are worthy, but frankly they are not anything like they have in the past movies.

This movie is a standing ovation to the series and how much it does build up the series. However, go into the movie knowing that it's just a simple build up to the next, otherwise it will let you down.

[Waiting on Wednesday] - #87

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

See something you like here?
Click the book title to add it to your Goodreads TBR List!

Title: Captive
Author: Aimee Carter
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 25th, 2014

For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever.

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape.

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?

My Stance:

First of all what is with the whole bit of "are they willing to pay the ultimate price?" I see it everywhere now and everyone is asking the same question in nearly the same way. Of course if the reward is better than what the price is, the person will go for it, or just how they believe the reward would be. It's not hard, and rankly I find it rather annoying to see it; there has to be better ways to address a plot objective.

Sequel to Pawn here is another book I haven't read. I want to don't get me wrong, but there are just too many books, and from looking at the cover I'm assuming Kitty is the girl on the cover who looks bald. The face just looks awkward and maybe it would have been hard to kind of convey the hair. Either way while I don't completely understand the whole gist of the story, there are parts of the book that to me don't make any sense. I am looking forward to the book.

While I haven't read the book and it's not immediately on my TBR list, this book has me intrigued. I am not sure if it's going to be good or bad. I am more interested in seeing if either is that case. I look forward to diving into the novel and experiencing the story. I should really read Pawn before hand and make a better assessment there, but hey, this is half the fun.

Title: Insignia
Author: S.J. Kincaid
Series: #1 - Insignia
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: July 10th, 2012
My Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0

The earth is in the middle of WWIII in Insignia, the first entry in S. J. Kincaid's fast-paced sci-fi adventure trilogy perfect for fans of Ender's Game.

The planet's natural resources are almost gone, and war is being fought to control the assets of the solar system. The enemy is winning. The salvation may be Tom Raines. Tom doesn't seem like a hero. He's a short fourteen-year-old with bad skin. But he has the virtual-reality gaming skills that make him a phenom behind the controls of the battle drones.

As a new member of the Intrasolar Forces, Tom's life completely changes. Suddenly, he's someone important. He has new opportunities, friends, and a shot at having a girlfriend. But there's a price to pay...

My Review:

Insignia is one of those books that rather surprised me. I thought it would be one of these great space/sci-fi novels that would have blown my mind years ago. Well while it may have done that years ago, this just didn't do so at all. I wanted to to, but frankly this book just had some over the top, almost want to be immortal assumptions that just just ruined the book for me. I wish it didn't, but there were too many liberties taken for me to enjoy the book.

The world is realistic, sort of, the whole big corporations of the world are what hold everything together. In doing so most of the governments around the world have crumbled and the corporations are what divide and define regions for the most part. There are still countries, but that's almost irrelevant, almost. I can see that happening now that I am older, had I been younger that sort of dystopian would've been rather hard to follow and really just comprehend.

Tom Raines being the protagonist isn't your typical hero-child, and that's what I enjoyed the most about the book. He's a rather nerdy-gamer whose appearance is rather lacking. He knows it and while it does bother him some, he's more of the kind of guy that tends to follow the flow However when he's sought out to be on some interstellar force in which the large corporations fight over resources in space, he takes it openly. I think it's mainly to escape his father and the needless gambling he does, but at the same time he wants to do what suites him and makes him happy to.

Where I had issues with the book were the "soldiers." They were teenagers nearly all of them, but they go through a process in which a computer chip/processor is implanted in their brains. It allows them to connect to a network and download their "homework," but it also changes their appearance and ages them faster. They almost instantly go through puberty or the whole growth bit, but lack the mental capacity to fully understand what's going on. I found it hard to radically change the character that much in such a short time span. I like the notion and the whole idea, but it just seemed so radical.

What the teens get out of the whole bit is they can than link into the computer and interface with some ship in space and use that to battle or command an entire fleet. The virtual world was rather great and probably brought the best part of Tom and his rival to the forefront. He's great and whatnot, but combine that with the Vikram is the best part of the whole book and how they're friendship works. I loved Tom and Vik's interactions together, and while there were times where they were a bit much, ti worked.

This book while was only decent, surprised me. I wasn't sure it what to really expect, but this wasn't it at all. Tom while he does seem to be a well rounded character, there was just parts of him that I couldn't get past. The whole soldier transformation was just too much too quick, I wanted to get to know the characters prior to the whole change. Further, the ending was a bit lackluster, I just got into the book and got into the characters, when the book ended. It was just a hard book to get into, I loved the small time I did get into the book though.

[Teaser Tuesday] - #37

Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Take your Current Read.
Grab 2 Teaser sentences from the book (please be sure to avoid spoilers)
Post it on your blog with the title and author, so other Teasing Tuesday participants can add it to their To Be Read list.
When visiting other Teasing Tuesday participants, leave a link with your current TT in their comments.

Title: Exquisite Captive
Author: Heather Demetrios
Release Date: October 7th, 2014

Quote: "Jodif stared off into the distance. 'She was a cute little thing. Had this' - he waved his stubby fingers across his cheek - 'mark on her face, but I didn't care. She hated it, though. Didn't believe all that stuff about it being a sign of the gods' favor, but was too afraid to cover it up in case she was wrong about that.'"

--- Page 177

[Stacking the Shelves] - #81

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your bookshelf, be it the physical one or your digital one!

Exquisite Captive	Loop	Delirium Stories: Hana, Annabel, and Raven	Born of Illusion
Bewitching	The Thing About the Truth	A Temptation of Angels	Illuminate

Shelf Additions:

Title: Exquisite Captive
Author: Heather Demetrios
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 7th, 2014

Forced to obey her master.
Compelled to help her enemy.
Determined to free herself.

Nalia is a jinni of tremendous ancient power, the only survivor of a coup that killed nearly everyone she loved. Stuffed into a bottle and sold by a slave trader, she’s now in hiding on the dark caravan, the lucrative jinni slave trade between Arjinna and Earth, where jinn are forced to grant wishes and obey their human masters’ every command. She’d give almost anything to be free of the golden shackles that bind her to Malek, her handsome, cruel master, and his lavish Hollywood lifestyle.

Enter Raif, the enigmatic leader of Arjinna’s revolution and Nalia’s sworn enemy. He promises to free Nalia from her master so that she can return to her ravaged homeland and free her imprisoned brother—all for an unbearably high price. Nalia’s not sure she can trust him, but Raif’s her only hope of escape. With her enemies on the hunt, Earth has become more perilous than ever for Nalia. There’s just one catch: for Raif’s unbinding magic to work, Nalia must gain possession of her bottle…and convince the dangerously persuasive Malek that she truly loves him. Battling a dark past and harboring a terrible secret, Nalia soon realizes her freedom may come at a price too terrible to pay: but how far is she willing to go for it?

Inspired by Arabian Nights, EXQUISITE CAPTIVE brings to life a deliciously seductive world where a wish can be a curse and shadows are sometimes safer than the light.

Title: Loop
Author: Karen Akins
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: October 21st, 2014

At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels…at screwing up.

After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teensy snafu), she stands to lose her scholarship. But when Bree sneaks back to talk the kid into keeping his yap shut, she doesn’t go back far enough. The boy, Finn, now three years older and hot as a solar flare, is convinced he’s in love with Bree, or rather, a future version of her that doesn’t think he’s a complete pain in the arse. To make matters worse, she inadvertently transports him back to the 23rd century with her.

Once home, Bree discovers that a recent rash of accidents at her school are anything but accidental. Someone is attacking time travelers. As Bree and her temporal tagalong uncover seemingly unconnected clues—a broken bracelet, a missing data file, the art heist of the millennium—that lead to the person responsible, she alone has the knowledge to piece the puzzle together. Knowledge only one other person has. Her future self.

But when those closest to her become the next victims, Bree realizes the attacker is willing to do anything to stop her. In the past, present, or future.

Title: Delirium Stories: Hana, Annabel, and Raven
Author: Lauren Oliver
Format: Paperback
Release Date: March 5th, 2013

For the first time, Lauren Oliver's short stories about characters in the Delirium world appear in print. Originally published as digital novellas, Hana, Annabel, and Raven each center around a fascinating and complex character who adds important information to the series and gives it greater depth. This collection also includes an excerpt from Requiem, the final novel in Oliver's New York Times bestselling series.

Hana is told through the perspective of Lena's best friend, Hana Tate. Set during the tumultuous summer before Lena and Hana are supposed to be cured, this story is a poignant and revealing look at a moment when the girls' paths diverge and their futures are altered forever.

Lena's mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery--a ghost from Lena's past--until now. Her journey from teenage runaway to prisoner of the state is a taut, gripping narrative that expands the Delirium world and illuminates events--and Lena--through a new point of view.

And as the passionate, fierce leader of a rebel group in the Wilds, Raven plays an integral role in the resistance effort and comes into Lena's life at a crucial time. Crackling with intensity, Raven is a brilliant story told in the voice of one of the strongest and most tenacious characters in the Delirium world.

Title: Born of Illusion
Author: Teri Brown
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: June 11th, 2013

Anna Van Housen has a secret.

A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920’s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.

But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?

From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, and the temptations of Jazz Age New York—and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.

Title: Bewitching
Author: Alex Flinn
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: February 14th, 2012

Kendra Hilferty, the witch who curses Kyle Kingsbury in Beastly, tells about her immortal existence-how she discovered she was a witch and the various ways she has used her powers to help people throughout the centuries. (Unfortunately her attempts have often backfired.) As it turns out, Kendra has actually had a hand in "Hansel and Gretel," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid"-but these are not the fairy tales you think you know! Kendra's reminiscences are wrapped around a real-time version of "Cinderella," except the "ugly" stepsister is the good guy. With dark twists, hilarious turns, and unexpected endings, Bewitching is a contemporary read for fairy-tale lovers, fantasy fans, and anyone looking for more Alex Flinn.

Title: The Thing About the Truth
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: July 10th, 2012

In this humorous love story from the author of "Two-Way Street", an unlikely romance is the best sort of surprise—but the wrong secret can ruin everything. Kelsey’s not going to let one mistake ruin her life. Sure, she got kicked out of prep school and all her old friends are shutting her out. But Kelsey’s focused on her future, and she’s determined to get back on track at Concordia High.

Isaac’s been kicked out of more schools than he can count. Since his father’s a state senator, Isaac’s life is under constant scrutiny—but Concordia High’s his last stop before boarding school, so Isaac’s hoping to fly under the radar and try to stay put for a change.

When Kelsey and Isaac meet, it’s anything but love at first sight. She thinks he’s an entitled brat, and he thinks she’s a stuck-up snob. So it surprises them both when they start to fall for each other. Kelsey’s happy for the first time in months, and Isaac’s never felt this way about anyone before. But nothing’s ever completely perfect. Everyone has secrets, and Isaac and Kelsey are no exceptions. These two may have fallen hard, but there’s one thing that can ruin it all: the truth.

Title: A Temptation of Angels
Author: Michelle Zink
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 20th, 2012

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Title: Illuminate
Author: Aimee Agresti
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 6th, 2012

Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.

As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?

Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.

[Update] - 11/16/2014

I wanted to thank everyone for the visits and the attention I got over the last few days. I had a rather large amount of visitors. I am not sure where they came from or what exactly happened, but I thank everyone for showing up and visiting. Further I am still working on a few changes from last week, but they'll happen, just not sure when with the holidays and work keeping me busy now. Yea work, we have new computers and it's just touch-and-go at the moment, should work better though.

Ahead of time I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Holidays. I couldn't do what I do now without everyone so Thank You. Further, I will be posting an Amazon and link to my wishlist if anyone of you would like to see what I am wishing for. I strongly suggest letters or just let me know what you're up to, I don't need gifts or anything. Thanks!

[Flashback Friday] - #78

Flashback Friday is a weekly event, hosted here, that highlights a past release that we're dying to get our hands on...

See something you like here?
Click the book title to add it to your Goodreads TBR List!

Title: Rebel Belle
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: December 31st, 2013

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him—and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

My Stance:

So I was looking for a book to present this week, I didn't have anything ready and had to dig for a book. It took me a few hours of searching, mainly cause I was searching through a lot of books that I have already, and I don't want to feature something I have, but a book that I'm looking to get myself. When I saw this book, it was a quick decision. I knew this book was just destined to show up here. The cover to me is all girly and maybe just isn't something I would normally pick up and I have seen it around but didn't really give it the time of day.

I will admit I never read the whole synopsis, and I should have. The reviews have been rather good, least from what I saw. I love how the story just exploded, it looks great and I love how it sounds. Harper is one of the few female characters that, ahead of time, I'm looking forward to reading. The romance in this book is something that's a bit unexpected, and I love that the most. It shows just how much a good or decent relationship just comes out of nowhere, it's that sort of thing I look for in a book. Some sort of reality or realism in the whole thing that brings it down to earth. This book has it, and I hope it contains it.

Title: Asylum
Author: Madeleine Roux
Series: #1 - Asylum
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: August 20th, 2013
My Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

My Review:

Asylum wasn't what I thought it'd be and while it was a great thriller this was something I thought missing from the whole novel. I thought was going to be this scary sort of novel that would jump off the page and scream in my face, the typical normal jump scare most movies play into nowadays. However in this case the novel is far more sinister, it's what will keep you up at night and make you question how cruel/sinister or twisted the world really is. I loved the novel and I can't wait for the sequel to enter my long list of TBR books.

Dan Crawford is the protagonist and while he's not all that interested, it's what makes the book spark and give it life. The thrills prey on his characterization and weaknesses to make him look more human. It's done so well, I found it hardly noticeable until after the book. In fact, which part of me dreaded Dan's personality, I don't think a stronger more apt character would have made the story better. The lack of character in Dan though did hurt the book, he just didn't seem to fit the novel at all, and made the experience a bit awkward. Maybe I'm too grown up or just expecting something different from a thriller/horror novel.

The sanatorium or asylum in this case was magnificent. I enjoy how demented and twisted the underbelly of the building was. It made you curious to want to go further but you knew in the back of your mind that you shouldn't. Roux does a great job with the world building and I would have to say it brought the thrill more than anything. The photos that went with the whole bit, just brought the whole thing together and made up for the fault in Dan. It's just jaw dropping, but if you want to be cynical, it's not the best and you are probably asking for too much out of this novel. I enjoyed it because of what it was, I didn't expect the whole scenery to be the best I've ever read, but it was unique and original and that satisfied me.

Now Abby is sort of a romance figure of sorts, but while I see it, frankly it was there just to kind of blind the whole thrill or distract you. I thought it was rather clumsy and needed more depth to really understand what was going on. Abby though was a great character who had depth and curiosity, frankly she was the one that probably got them into the most trouble or awkward positions. She was a breath of life into the characters.

Now Jordan is a friend of Abby and slowly finds his way into Dan. Jordan is confusing to be honest, I understand that he's gay, but he's so bold and rash upfront. But underneath everything he's the one that cowers or flees in fear first. He nevers really leaves the two's sides, but he's the one that's chickening out the first. I didn't quote understand his tough exterior and soft interior, it made for a rather clumsy and awkward character. I found myself more confused, and trying to understand Jordan more than the others, it just didn't come natural.

Now the antagonist wasn't really a surprise and I figured pretty much a third the way into the novel who it was. It wasn't hard, and that did take away from a bit of the thrill, but the surroundings made up for it. It's not the fear of what's around the corner, but what could be or what they will find. The asylum was used for a dissection or meddling in the brain of end-of-the-line convicts. So the surgeon or warden would operate and try to fix the broken, it was really weird and while that did really happen, the photos just packaged it so well. I loved it, I cannot wait for the sequel.

[Waiting on Wednesday] - #86

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

See something you like here?
Click the book title to add it to your Goodreads TBR List!

Title: Stolen
Author: Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 18th, 2014

Who is Eliza Wesson?

Months after Nat and Wes said good-bye on the shores of the Blue, Nat is learning how to control and use her new power. She and her drakon are the last of their kind—and she’s risked her life for their reunion. When she receives a mysterious distress call, she races to help, soliciting the guidance of her new friend, the beautiful and aloof Faix Lazaved of the Blue.

Still heartbroken over losing Nat, Wes is racing cars on a New Vegas racetrack while his team is scattered and lost. When he finds out that his sister, Eliza, is being held in the golden domes of El Dorado, he does what he’s best at—running to her side—and gambles on luck to see him through one more time.

Magic, romance, and danger collide as Nat and Wes become entangled in a dark new adventure that leads right to the heart of the mystery of their frozen, broken world. They soon discover that the answer to both their quests lies in the same question: Who is Eliza Wesson—what is she capable of, and why was she stolen from her family so long ago?

My Stance:

I know I missed a Waiting on Wednesday last week, but there wasn't anything new that gave me an interest. However, this week we have Stolen which while I haven't read the first book brings a sort of joy to me. I enjoy sci-fi novels that lend themselves to a romance and more. This novel does just that, but also more, The whole bit or reality mixed with what looks to be dragon just seems great, I need to read the first book though. I mean a human romance with a dragon of sorts makes me all tingly inside, I sort of have a thing for dragons so what can I say.

I can see though why dragon/human romances would cause some to turn away, but in this case I am turning to it. I am leery on how the story will play out, cause the romance in the first book should be pretty good based on this synopsis. I hope it is, but at the same time, I wonder if the whole plot and sorrow if this novel will eat it alive. I understand that this novel will be sort of a mystery, and by so gives me some doubt as to how well that mystery will play out. I hope it goes well, the authors are fantastic; I am curious to read the novels. Thanks!

Title: Salvage
Author: Alexandra Duncan
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 1st, 2014
My Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0

Salvage is a thrilling, surprising, and thought-provoking debut novel that will appeal to fans of Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, and The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. This is literary science fiction with a feminist twist, and it explores themes of choice, agency, rebellion, and family.

Ava, a teenage girl living aboard the male-dominated, conservative deep space merchant ship Parastrata, faces betrayal, banishment, and death. Taking her fate into her own hands, she flees to the Gyre, a floating continent of garbage and scrap in the Pacific Ocean.

This is a sweeping and harrowing novel about a girl who can't read or write or even withstand the forces of gravity. What choices will she make? How will she build a future on an earth ravaged by climate change?

Named by the American Booksellers Association as a Spring 2014 Indies Introduce Pick.

My Review:

Salvage, this book wasn't what I had thought it'd be at all. While it was good and I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, there was something off that took away from the uniqueness of the whole experience. I enjoyed how it took a space odyssey and twisted it to something far different and whole worldly. However there was something that kept nagging me for more. I wanted to know what happened to Ava, I wanted more out of the novel and frankly I was hoping for more for Ava.

The story picks up with Ava and her sisters or possibly orphans, not sure really, but Ava is the head of a group of them. She is in charge of the animals on the whole ship, it isn't that ideal but she wants to learn something different. She wants to be an engineer or fix things as they say, but at the same time, she isn't allowed to. Only men hold certain jobs, and so out in the open there's a whole big sexual repression or segregation. Further Ava is told she may be bride to an ally ship and a possible friend. However things don't end up the way they are supposed to.

What caught me off guard was in the book the women were okay with be pretty much mothers for multiple children and being part of a polygamous relationship. I mean, one captain of a ship could have tens of wives, and his whole ship could be his children or slave labor of men and women. I figured some angst or notion to speak out more than what was there. I mean one person felt sorry for Ava and helped, but the rest were more than happy to obey the orders (even if it did make them sad). I didn't understand why that was.

When Ava scapes she happens to board a ship with a postal worker of sorts. Kinda like galactic UPS, however the force of gravity causes her whole body to feel like it's constricting and dying. I love that portion of a book, the gravity sickness is something I never really thought about. If you are born in space and have no concept of what gravity is or have ever felt it, I can only imagine the first reaction of feeling that force pulling you down.

After that the whole story is Ava's growth. Which I don't understand completely. She is used to being catered to and knowing her place, so when she's faced with a similar choice or a family and friends that started to worm their way into her heart, she makes a rather foolish choice. While I don't think it would be easy to try to merge both lifestyles, and try to keep both, and yea it's probably too much to ask of the person, but that's how the novel ends, and it literally baffles me. Had she gone, asked for help, and asked to keep her friends and family, the book would have been a good deal shorter.

The world building in this book was exceptional, and while at times I reread portions to fully understand all the detail coming in, it was just great. I applaud Duncan for that. While the world is earth and whatnot, there was enough different and futuresque that it made it all new again. I didn't understand how the city worked or functioned, it was more of a mess trying to follow it at times, which isn't saying much aside me being picky.

I have to say I am happy with how the book went, but I was looking to see how her story ended. Just as you start watching her grow and mature, and a budding romance starts the book ends. I know that frankly it's a decent ending, but there are so much more that could be there, it's almost like a sequel was supposed to go there but got removed. I curse you duncan for that. I am not saying it's a bad book in that aspect, just something that got me a little disappointed, but overall I was happy with the book. It's a great unique read and I love how it was told and the growth.

[Teaser Tuesday] - #36

Hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Take your Current Read.
Grab 2 Teaser sentences from the book (please be sure to avoid spoilers)
Post it on your blog with the title and author, so other Teasing Tuesday participants can add it to their To Be Read list.
When visiting other Teasing Tuesday participants, leave a link with your current TT in their comments.

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Release Date: October 18th, 2007

Quote: "See, when Marcus came into Rosie's, he wasn't alone. No Marcus came into Rosie's with a plan. Part of that plan was to move us away from the counter to a booth near the back. Near the pinball machines. With me on the inside."

--- Page 140

[Stacking the Shelves] - #80

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your bookshelf, be it the physical one or your digital one!

Side Effects May Vary	Steadfast	Death Sworn	No One Else Can Have You
The Lair	The Rules of Attraction	Bloodrose	Catherine

Shelf Additions:

Title: Side Effects May Vary
Author: Julie Murphy
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 18th, 2014

What if you'd been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, who she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her archnemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger). But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she's said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she caused irreparable damage to the people around her—and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy's Side Effects May Vary is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.

Title: Waterfall
Author: Claudia Gray
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Nadia, Mateo, and Verlaine have saved Captive's Sound from the dark Sorceress Elizabeth...or so they thought. Despite their best efforts, a crack opened and a new, greater evil seeped through. With Mateo as her Steadfast, Nadia's magic is magnified and she is more powerful than ever. But there is still so much she doesn't know about the craft, leaving her open and vulnerable to a darker magic...which has begun to call Nadia's name.

Title: Death Sworn
Author: Leah Cypess
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: March 4th, 2014

When Ileni lost her magic, she lost everything: her place in society, her purpose in life, and the man she had expected to spend her life with. So when the Elders sent her to be magic tutor to a secret sect of assassins, she went willingly, even though the last two tutors had died under mysterious circumstances.

But beneath the assassins’ caves, Ileni will discover a new place and a new purpose… and a new and dangerous love. She will struggle to keep her lost magic a secret while teaching it to her deadly students, and to find out what happened to the two tutors who preceded her. But what she discovers will change not only her future, but the future of her people, the assassins… and possibly the entire world.

Title: No One Else Can Have You
Author: Kathleen Hale
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 7th, 2014

Small towns are nothing if not friendly. Friendship, Wisconsin (population: ~~689~~ 688) is no different. Around here, everyone wears a smile. And no one ever locks their doors. Until, that is, high school sweetheart Ruth Fried is found murdered. Strung up like a scarecrow in the middle of a cornfield.

Unfortunately, Friendship’s police are more adept at looking for lost pets than catching killers. So Ruth’s best friend, Kippy Bushman, armed with only her tenacious Midwestern spirit and Ruth’s secret diary (which Ruth’s mother had asked her to read in order to redact any, you know, sex parts), sets out to find the murderer. But in a quiet town like Friendship—where no one is a suspect—anyone could be the killer.

Title: The Lair
Author: Emily McKay
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: November 5th, 2013

In the battle against the vampiric Ticks, humanity was slowly but certainly headed for extinction. For months, twin sisters Lily and Mel had been “quarantined” with thousands of other young people being harvested for their blood—food for the Ticks. Finally escaping with a few friends, the twins are separated—and must continue the fight on their own . . .

After making it to a resistance base camp in Utah, Lily learned to survive at all costs. But when a Tick attack decimates the fighters, Lily and her pregnant friend, McKenna, decide to make the hard trek north to Canada—and safety.

Meanwhile, Mel is being taught how to survive by the very vampire that turned her. Living without her sister is hard, but dealing with the fact that her autism was cured by the vampire bite is an even bigger challenge.

But when a monstrous betrayal places Lily in mortal danger, Mel must set out to find her, save her, and begin to unravel the empire of destruction that the Ticks have built.

Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simone Elkeles
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 13th, 2010

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Title: Bloodrose
Author: Andrea Cremer
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 3rd, 2013

Calla has always welcomed war.

But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. In this remarkable final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, international bestselling author Andrea Cremer crafts a dynamic novel with twists and turns that will keep you breathless until its final pages.

Title: Catherine
Author: April Lindner
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 2nd, 2013

A forbidden romance. A modern mystery. Wuthering Heights as you’ve never seen it before.

Catherine is tired of struggling musicians befriending her just so they can get a gig at her Dad’s famous Manhattan club, The Underground. Then she meets mysterious Hence, an unbelievably passionate and talented musician on the brink of success. As their relationship grows, both are swept away in a fiery romance. But when their love is tested by a cruel whim of fate, will pride keep them apart?

Chelsea has always believed that her mom died of a sudden illness, until she finds a letter her dad has kept from her for years—a letter from her mom, Catherine, who didn’t die: She disappeared. Driven by unanswered questions, Chelsea sets out to look for her—starting with the return address on the letter: The Underground.

Told in two voices, twenty years apart, Catherine interweaves a timeless forbidden romance with a compelling modern mystery.

[Update] - 11/9/2014

So this week I feature No One Else Can Have You by Kathleen Hale on Stacking the Shelves. I wanted to comment on that before people questioned or started flaming me for supporting her. I don't agree with what she did, and I am not supporting her actions either, but I want to read her book. I don't think because of her actions she needs people to outright ignore her book, it frankly puts her out of a job and is just rather ignorant. Because you read her book doesn't mean you agree with her or what she stands for, it's a book. Yeah, I guess some argument could be made that some part of her is left in the book from when she wrote it, but frankly it's not like it's entirely her. I dunno, I am interested, and I know that some of the reviews are rather scaldingly bad.

On a side note, tomorrow and Tuesday I am going to be working on updating the list of books in my collection. If you would like to see my library head over to pinterest, most of what is there is current. However, I am going to work on an updatable table/tab file that will show just what is in my collection and what I've read and haven't read. In doing so, I hope to do a better To-Read list and maybe something better. I am not sure, it's something that has me thinking and wondering what would the best alternative be. Another alternative is my To-Read list over at Goodreads, but I'm not sure if that's anything particular or how many really follow that. I thank everyone for the support. and everything that's came in, in the last week. Thanks!

[Book Haul] - #7

Book Haul is an event in which Bloggers and Readers alike showcase their weeks/months pickups and purchases. This showcases new books and older books alike. Feel free to share your books with viewers alike by posting in the comment section with your video or blog. Thanks!