ARC Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue

(Under the Never Sky #3)

Author: Veronica Rossi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: January 28, 2014

Genre: YA Dystopian/Fantasy

Source: eARC from HarperCollins via Edelwiess

~Synopsis~

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Timesbestselling Through the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

~Review~

I absolutely love this trilogy and Into the Still Blue didn’t disappoint me. I was sad when it ended because I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Generally the final book in a series will either leave you extremely satisfied or extremely disappointed. I am happy to say that I was left extremely satisfied with the end of this one.

Into the Still Blue picks up where Through the Ever Night left off and I will admit, it took me a few chapters to get back into it. This was mostly due to the fact that it had been so long since I’d read the last book that I kind of forgot what happened and who a few people were. I highly recommend a re-read or at list skim through of the last book before you start if you haven’t read it in a while. Once I got my bearings and everything started to come back, I was quickly immersed in the events that unfolded. Things are getting worse outside as the storms become stronger and more deadly and Aria and Perry are under a lot of pressure to find a way out before for their people before it’s too late.

I absolutely love Perry, I always have. He is strong and determined and an excellent leader. He truly cares about his people and he wants to protect them and lead them to safety. More than that, he truly cares about Aria. His love and need for her consumes him and I think that scares him a little and makes him hold himself back a bit. He also doesn’t allow himself to “feel” because he is afraid it will make him weak in front of his people. This definitely causes a few problems between him and Aria as well as him and Roar. I also really love his relationship with Cinder. He treats him like a little brother and the way he takes care of him and looks out for him is so sweet and one of my favorite things about him. He is fiercely loyal and honorable.

Aria is one of my favorite heroines. She is smart, caring, loyal and also a good leader. She and Perry are so much alike and that’s what makes them perfect for one another. They understand one another and together, they are strong and powerful. Aria has no doubts about her love for Perry and she will do anything to protect him. She has proven that time and again and it only makes me like her even more. She has been through a lot throughout the series and she is tested even more during Into the Still Blue. Her determination and fierceness to protect the ones she loves is one of the reasons she is one of my favorites.

There is a lot of tension between Aria and Perry that has carried over from events in the previous book and it worried me a little at times because I love them together so much and I hate to see them fight with one another and doubt each other’s feelings. However, that didn’t last long and they both proved their love and devotion. I loved their sweet moments together and I only wish that they could have had a few more. So much has happened to these two and they have come a long way from the savage and dweller that they were when they first met. Who would have ever thought that they would fall in love considering the way it all started.

I’m not in the business of giving things away or spoiling plots for others and this is definitely a plot driven book. If you’ve read the first two, you know where this book is headed. Just like the first 2, there will be deaths and there will be surprises and there will be villains to overcome. I was very happy with the turn of events that this book took and I loved the mix of action and romance. This book was another reminder of why I love the Young Adult genre so much. If I had one complaint, it would be that I felt like the ending was rushed just a little bit. However, this was only a minor issue and I was still very pleased with the book as a whole. Veronica definitely did a great job of giving me all the feels. My emotions ranged from joy to anticipation to nervousness and to heartbreak. It really ended up being everything I hoped it would be.

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

ARC Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Pawn

(The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Publication Date: November 26, 2013

Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian

Source: eARC from publisher via NetGalley

~Synopsis~

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

~Review~

 It has been quite a while since I’ve read a dystopian novel and Pawn was the perfect book to remind me why I love the genre so much. It was intriguing, suspenseful and chalked full of action. I really enjoyed the character development and idea behind the plot.

I really liked Kitty and found her to be a very strong heroine. In the beginning, I found her a bit self-deprecating and maybe a little whiny but she really came around and showed how strong she is. Above all else, the people she loves are most important to her and she never wavers on that, even when it comes to her own life. She is being pulled from two different sides, each trying to use her for their cause. I liked that she wouldn’t be manipulated and she didn’t take kindly to threats.

Benjy is Kitty’s best friend and it is obvious he really loves her and would do anything for her. He has always protected Kitty and I admired that about him. Knox is Lila’s fiancé and I was definitely questioning his loyalties and motives at the beginning. However, I ended up really liking Knox and I loved the way he helped and protected Kitty. Considering his upbringing and status in society, he could’ve been a real douche but he seems to be a genuinely nice and caring guy. I’m super interested to see where Kitty’s relationship will go with him and if this will end up turning into a love triangle. I kind of hope it does because I’m rooting for Knox right now. Celia, Lila’s mother, is totally batshit crazy but I think she has good intentions in mind. She hates her family and she wants to see changes that will better benefit all members of society. Daxton, the Prime Minister and Lila’s uncle, is truly an evil dude. Lila’s death would only further fuel the rebellion and he knows it so he needs Kitty to help him diffuse it but he uses threats and bullying, which is the wrong way to convince her.

I really enjoyed the plot in this book and I was riveted to the end. I found it to be a bit slow in the beginning but that didn’t last long. Once Kitty is transformed into Lila, I felt like it really picked up and flowed at a much better pace. This was when Kitty’s true personality and character started to shine through and I could see the tough girl there. As she settles into Lila’s life, she learns a lot of things about the government and the system she has always known and believed in. I think these revelations fuel her desire to make her own choices with regards to the rebellion and not allow any one to use her as a “pawn” in their games. Despite what Lila was fighting for, Kitty actually understands what the people have to endure because she was not on the top of the food chain in her previous life. Becoming Lila has its risks but Kitty understands the good and the changes she can make with the rebellion.

This book had several plot twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and Aimee really kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, she took me by surprise and threw a curve ball right at me. I would have liked a little more world building because I felt it was lacking just a little bit. I found the character development to be well done but I would have liked to know a little more about society as a whole. Overall, a very successful start to a dystopian series that has a lot of potential and I can’t wait to see where the author takes it.

~IPOD Picks~

“Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem & Rihanna

“Brave” by Sara Bareilles

“If I Lose Myself” by One Repbulic

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

*An eARC was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

Edge of Truth Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway

I am super happy to have the Edge of Truth blog tour here today. This was an intriguing book and I am excited to share a review with you today!

To check out the other tour stops, click on the tour banner.

Edge of Truth

Author: Natasha Hanova

Publication date: June 6th 2013

by Sapphire Star Publishing 

Genre: YA Dystopia

~Synopsis~

Citizens who report to work on time, obey the Overlord’s laws, and stay off the Synbot’s radar, live long lives. Long, dull, monotonous lives.

It’s not a bad plan for someone with a hidden, emotion-based ability to trigger earthquakes. In a world pitted against her, sixteen-year-old Rena Moon strives for a life beyond working herself to death at the factory. Seeing an alternative, she risks selling relics from the forbidden lands at Market. It becomes the worst decision she ever made. Someone kidnaps her best friend in exchange for the one thing that would end her oppression. 

Driven by loyalty, Rena and seventeen-year-old Nevan Jelani, soulful composer, green thumb extraordinaire, and the secret love of her life, plot to rescue her friend and reclaim her salvage. Still, the thought lingers whether Nevan is a true hero or another thief waiting for his chance at her loot. Events spin wildly, deepening Rena’s suspicions and pushing her limit of control. With more than her chance for freedom at stake, she must decide if she’s willing to kill to protect what’s precious to her. For once, the Overlord isn’t holding all the power, but can Rena live with being reduced to what she’s trying so hard to escape?

~Review~

Edge of Truth was a very intriguing and different kind of dystopian novel than I am used to reading. It actually felt like it had a little more of a sci-fi element to it but I think that it worked. There was a supernatural spin on this one that I really liked.

The main character, Rena, is a 16 year old girl who is considered an "other," which is someone with supernatural abilities. She must keep them a secret because the government would take her if they knew she had these abilities. She is able to feel vibrations within the earth and she can send vibrations back which can cause earthquakes. She convinces her best friend, Blaze, to sneak out into off limits territory where they find a bunch of old, valuable artifacts in some caves. They decide to take some back to sell at market. This is where all of their troubles begin when Blaze is kidnapped for the artifacts they find. Rena must find a way to rescue her before it is too late.

Rena is a pretty strong teenage character. She has been through a lot with the loss of her mother and the burden of having to help so much to take care of her brothers. Her family is from a poorer sector of the colony and she so desperately wants out of there. She is a very loyal friend and she would do anything to protect the ones she cares about. She has a secret crush on an older boy, Nevan and I really enjoyed her interactions with him. She seems to be the type of girl to say whatever is on her mind and sometimes she inadvertently does it with Nevan, causing her to make embarrassing confessions to him. I felt my cheeks get a little red with embarrassment for her with each slip of the tongue. However, she is also really witty at times and her banter back and forth with him is really entertaining. He knows how he affects her and he definitely plays it up.

"Sweet Mother Earth. I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't mean to sit on your bed. I mean, I always wondered what it would be like but..." She caught the flash of crinkles on Nevan's forehead adn the slackness of his jaw before she spun toward the door."

Nevan is clearly intrigued by Rena and I think the more time he spends with her, the more enamored he becomes. I love his protectiveness over Rena and his desire to fight for her and keep her safe. He risks his life to help her save Blaze and even though Rena questions his motives, I think her skepticism was mostly from insecurities that he may not have feelings for her. It was obvious to the reader that Nevan had feelings for Rena and in the end I think he proved it to her.

"When his lips touched hers, his breathing hitched. Rena's stopped altogether. He drew her face tighter, nose pressed against her cheek as his hands glided over her ears until his fingers touched the nape of her neck. He pulled back enough to gaze into her eyes."

The only thing I was missing from this book was more world building and development. A huge part of dystopian novels is the world that the characters are now living in and I wasn't able to picture the colony or the civilization. I don't really get a good feel for the society and the lives of the characters within this society. I would have liked the book to dig a little deeper into these details. It was a little slow in the beginning but once the story got going, I was very intrigued and sucked into the mystery. The author threw a little twist in there towards the end and it was definitely a shocker that left me reeling for a few minutes. In the end, I liked the way that it played out and the ending left it open for more but wasn't a cliffhanger to drive you crazy.

~IPOD Picks~

"Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons

"Iridescent" by Linkin Park

AUTHOR BIO 

Natasha Hanova is an award-winning author of young adult and adult dark fantasy/paranormal fiction. Her short stories are published in Undead Tales 2, October Nightmares and Dreams, and Once Upon a Christmas. She is a member of Novel Clique, YALitChat, and an Affiliate member of the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation, Inc. She lives in Kansas with her wonderful husband, twin boys, and daughter.

Links:
Twitter- www.twitter.com/natashahanova

Facebook- www.facebook.com/AuthorNatashaHanova
Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/584183.Natasha_Hanova

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*An eBook arc of this book was provided to me by the author for an honest review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own, unbiased opinions.*

Review: Aberrant by Ruth Silver

Aberrant

Author: Ruth Silver

Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing

Publication Date: April 17, 2013

~Synopsis~

In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system. 

With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

~Review~

I have spent the last few months mostly reading new adult and contemporary romance novels so Aberrant was the first dystopian I have read in a while and it was a nice change of pace. I really like dystopians and this book didn't disappoint. 

The beginning makes it seem as though it will be a romance dystopian as society requires them to get married at 18, right after graduation and their spouse is chosen for them. However, it quickly becomes action-packed and it is clear that it is more than just a romance. I am more of a fan of action dystopians than romance so I was hooked as soon as the action began. 

The book is written from the point of view of Olivia Parker and she is the main heroine. Olivia is very important to both the controlling government and the rebel cause. She is very unique and both sides desperately need her.  She wasn't afraid to speak out and let people know exactly what she was thinking or feeling. I liked that she wanted to control her own life and she doesn't really know who to trust but she knows she can really trust Josh.  Josh is not as strong of a character as Olivia. I liked him, then I didn't like him, then I liked him again. He was difficult to get a handle on but I liked that he cares about Olivia and will do anything to protect her. In the end, he proves himself to me and I like the direction and growth of his character. 

Overall, I felt like Aberrant started out a little slow but quickly became intriguing and action packed. It has a unique dystopian plot and I really liked the direction that the author took the story. It was very unpredictable and I really like the characters so far. I felt like a few parts may have been a little rushed and that the author could have added a little more depth and made it a little longer. However, this did not take anything away from the book and I was still very captivated to the very end. I am really excited for the next book to come out and to see where the author takes the story. I feel like this could become a little more new adult and I would love to see that because most dystopians are young adult and it would be interesting to read a more adult dystopian novel. It was not left on a cliff-hanger but there are definitely a lot of questions left to be answered. 

~Quote~

"My stomach shifted in waves, and my skin grew ashen and clammy. My hands trembled as I tried to stay strong, but I felt as though I was failing miserably. I let my mind wander as I did my best to calm my nerves. If I had the choice, who would I choose to marry?" ~Olivia (Aberrant by Ruth Silver)

~IPOD Picks~

"The Scientist" by Coldplay

"Leave Out All the Rest" by Linkin Park

"Iridescent" by Linkin Park

*An eBook copy of this book was provided to me by the author for an honest review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own, unbiased opinions.*

Sources

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Novella Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver

Hana (Delirium #1.5)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.

But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.

***********************

This was a great companion novella to the Delirium series. This is written from Hana's perspective and takes place at the same time as Delirium. It gives us a look into what Hana was going through during this time and gives insight into how she was feeling and what she was going through. Hana was one of my favorite characters in Delirium so I liked reading a story from her perspective, especially since I found her storyline in Requiem to be a little boring. She seemed so care free in Delirium but she was so much more conflicted than Lena knew. It was hard for her to be happy for Lena and Alex when her own experiences didn't turn out so well. If you read Requiem, you know how it all turns out. 

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Review: Prodigy (Legend Novel #2)

Prodigy (Legend #2)

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

******************************************

I was extremely impressed with the improvement in Prodigy after Legend. While I liked Legend, I found it simplistic and lacking depth and character development. However, Prodigy largely improved the story line. It was so much more detailed and better written. I felt like I was finally able to connect with June and Day and gain a sense of who they are supposed to be. 

June and Day are so different and through out the book and while they were separated and each on their own missions, they both doubted if they were doing the right thing and if they were right for each other. Even though June questioned her mission, she never questioned her feeling for Day. She gave up everything for him and sometimes I felt like he was ungrateful for that and only resented her for the things that he had endured. I also felt like Day allowed his emotions to dictate his actions and let others, especially Tess, get into his head and make him doubt June even though she never let him down. 

While the ending definitely left you wondering what will happen, it wasn't a huge cliffhanger and I liked that, especially since the final book won't be out until 2014. There were definitely some twists that I didn't expect and the revelation towards the end was a complete shock. I have to say that I was very pleased with Prodigy and the development of the story. 

IPOD Picks:
"Soldier" by Gavin Degraw
"Whatever it Takes" by Lifehouse
"Sober" by Kelly Clarkson

Sources

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Picture: Goodreads

Review: Legend

Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

*****************************************

The two main characters are June and Day and they are complete opposites. June is a wealthy Republic soldier and she is loyal to the Republic. Day is a wanted criminal and comes from a poor family. They are both very smart but June is very calculating and almost frigid where as day allows his emotions to dictate his actions and that causes many problems for him. They cross paths and both have an instant attraction but do not know the real identity of each other.

Together, they discover secrets that the Republic is hiding and turn from enemies to allies. Everything that June has known falters and she decides to help Day. Day has to trust June even though she is an enemy he would never trust before.

I enjoyed reading Legend and finished it quickly. The book was well written and the plot of the book was intriguing. There were a few parts that I wasn't expecting and there were a few heartbreaking moments. There was action and mystery along with a budding romance. However, I felt like the story was a little simplistic. I think the author could have added a little more depth to the story and a little more detail with regards to the characters. Overall, this was a great book for a debut author and I think she is an exceptional writer.

IPOD Picks:
"Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem & Rihanna
"Sweet Nothing" by Florence Welsh & Calvin Harris

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Review: The Prince (A Selection Novella)

The Prince (A Selection Novella)

By: Kiera Cass

Publisher: HarperTeen

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

Don't miss this thrilling 128-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.

************************************

The Prince was a great light read and was really interesting to read after already reading The Selection. It was great to get some insight into Maxon and what  he was feeling about the whole process as well as how he felt meeting America. He seems so cool and collected from America's eyes but he is actually quite nervous about the whole thing and the fact that one of these 35 women will be his wife. He is also immediately intrigued by America because no one has ever been as real and honest with him as she is. I think he also likes the challenge of trying to win her over since she expresses no true interest in being his wife. The Selection is written in America's point of view so it was great seeing a part of it from the other side. The second book in the trilogy, The Elite, comes out in April so if you haven't read The Selection yet, I recommend reading it and The Prince and then check out The Elite in April.

Sources: 

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Picture : Goodreads

Review: Requiem

Requiem

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

**********************************************

For me, Requiem fell in between Delirium and Pandemonium. It was better than the first but disappointing after the second. I really liked the progression of Julian and how he handled being in the Wilds and having Alex back in Lena's life. However, I wasn't overly impressed with the story line and found it very predictable. 

This book alternated between Lena's point of view and Hana's as she lives in Portland and has been cured. I loved Hana in Delirium but I found her story line in Requiem boring. I found myself wondering several times "What is the point of this?"

The biggest disappointment in this book for me was the ending. I really felt like it just ended and there was no resolution on several major parts of the story. I turned the last page and thought out loud, "That's it? That's the end?" It left me very disappointed and wanting more. 

Overall, I think Lauren Oliver is an excellent writer and I liked the idea of her dystopian world. However, I felt like the character and story development was a little lacking for me. I didn't develop a real attachment to any of the characters and the story was very predictable.

IPOD Picks:

"Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink
"Apologies" by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
"Belief" by Gavin Degraw
"One & Only" by Adele

Sources:

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Synopsis: Goodreads

Review: Pandemonium

Pandemonium

Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins

"So what was your name before?" I say, and she freezes, her back to me. "Before you came to the Wilds, I mean."

For a moment she stands there.

Then she turns around.

"You might as well get used to it now," she says with quite intensity.

"Everything you were, the life you had, the people you knew... dust."

She shakes her head and says, a little more firmly, "There is no before. There is only now, and what comes next."

After falling in love, Lena and Alex flee their oppressive society where love is outlawed and everyone must receive the "cure" - an operation that makes them immune to the delirium of love - but Lena alone manages to find her way to a community of resistance fighters. Although she is bereft without the boy she loves, her struggles seem to be leading her toward a new love.

****************************************

I was happily surprised by Pandemonium and how much more I liked it than Delirium. In Delirium, I didn't care for Lena and felt like her character was un-evolved. However, there was a complete turn around in Pandemonium. It begins several months after the escape and then alternates between now and then. We get glimpses of who Lena is now that she is living in Brooklyn, part of the revolution and disguised as a cured and then glimpses of what she experienced to become that person. She is so much stronger in this book and she truly transforms into a new character. 

There were also several new characters introduced, including Julian, who is the son of the head of the DFA (Deliria Free America). He is not yet cured and he and Lena are thrown into a dangerous situation that brings them together. I liked Julian and the fact that he was very similar to Lena before she met Alex. However, Julian evolves so much more than Lena did as an uncured who believed in the society before falling in love. It was obvious that Julian had his doubts to begin with and didn't truly believe in what he and his father were preaching. 

I wasn't surprised by the ending even though it was supposed to be a shocker but I did feel like it was a heavy cliffhanger that made me want to start reading Requiem right away to see how this all played out. Overall, Pandemonium was definitely a step up from Delirium and the author did a wonderful job of strengthening the characters, especially Lena, as well as the plot and theme of the story.

IPOD Picks:

"Broken" by Lifehouse
"The Fighter" by Gym Class Heroes
"Falling Slowly" by Nina Eder

Sources:

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Synopsis: Goodreads