Book Review - Feed by M.T. Anderson

How did I come into possession of this book?

I bought this book at a Lexington Public Library book sale.  It was a good thing I attended the sale just before they closed, otherwise I might’ve come away with many more than just four books (it was held in a huge warehouse).  The title of this book sounded familiar and it had won many awards as a young adult book so I thought it might be a nice read.

First Line:

“We went to the moon to have fun but the moon turned out to completely suck” (Anderson 3)

What is it about?

This book takes place in a very futuristic society.  A time when traveling to the moon is like traveling to Cancun for spring break, and most houses are built underground or in domes.  Everyone is tied into a computer, and the computer becomes part of them so anything they could want to know at any point is at their fingertips as part of their feed.  A group of more privileged youth head to the moon on spring break and meet someone who comes from a different walk of life.

What did I think?

I think many of the ideas in this book were great, and I could see many of them possibly happening in our future, especially the overload of technology.  I think I would’ve loved seeing some of these ideas put into an adult book because there are many ways it can be taken and this book felt particularly young.  This is one of my frustrations with young adult (YA) books, there are so many YA books out there that can be enjoyed by adults without giving up some of the ideas, but books like this one bring the writing down a level.  I really wanted to know more about the world they lived in and everything Violet always talked about.  I was very frustrated with most of the characters and that they didn’t seem to know anything about their world, and it is a scary possibility that this could actually happen in our future. 

Who would I recommend it to?

You have to enjoy YA novels written with a young feeling voice.  If that sort of thing bothers you, I’d steer clear.  However, it makes for a very quick read.  If you are looking for another futuristic YA novel, this is one of those.  This book focuses more on a futuristic society than a dystopian society, which is what a lot of YA books out there tend to focus on.  I’ve heard this book classified as a cyberpunk novel which is basically a different look on the dystopian genre, but worth a read if you are hooked on the genre and looking for something a bit different.

Check out other reviews on this book from fellow bloggers:

If You Like Books

Opinions of a Wolf

The Readventurer

Erin Reads

Did you read this book and review it on your blog? Let me know in the comments and I'll add your link!

Book Review - Outpost by Ann Aguirre

How did I come into possession of this book?

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I guess I didn’t realize it was the second in a series (of which I hadn’t read the first book), but I thought I’d give it a try anyway and if I got too lost I’d go get the first in the series from the library.

First Lines:

“I woke to the cold kiss of steel on my throat.”  (Agiurre 1)

What is it about?

Being the second book in the series this book takes place after Deuce and some others have escaped to a place called Salvation.  Salvation is a safe place where they have patrols to keep away the Freaks (monsters) and seem to have a more normal way of life.  Deuce is having a hard time fitting into this new community and just being a regular teenage girl. So she decides to try and help and use her huntress instincts in any way she can.

What did I think?

I was a bit nervous since this was the second book in the series and I didn’t read the first.  But this book seemed to read separately of the first and didn’t rely a lot on you knowing exactly what had happened.  The author did a good job on catching you up with relationships and giving you a good background without it cutting into the story too much.  There wasn’t a lot of action at first but you could almost feel like something was going to happen, and then it did.  I really enjoyed this book, it had some different ideas than some of the other dystopian books, and I can’t wait to see where it heads in the third book.  I don’t feel like it’s necessary for me to go back and read the first book, but I will definitely be reading the third!

Who would I recommend it to?

Even though I didn’t, you should have probably read the first book in the series, from what I can tell it seems even more action packed and would lead you right into this book.  I haven’t heard much talk about this series but its right up there in the ranks of Divergent, Delirium, Matched, and the Chaos Walking trilogy.  I think it might even read better than some of those, and not feel quite as young adult.  If you like dystopian this is a good series to read!

Did you read this book and review it on your blog? Let me know in the comments and I'll add your link!

Book Review - Divergent by Veronica Roth

How did I come into possession of this book?
This book is part of the Semi Charmed Book Challenge I’m participating in. This fits the category of reading a book in one day. I knew it would have to be some sort of young adult or other page turner of sorts. I had also heard really good things about this book (again, young adult dystopia, it’s my favorite and the hot topic right now). I did have to wait about a week and a half for one of the 35 copies to be available from my local library, but once I got it I put aside a whole afternoon, evening, and next morning to read this 500 page book.

First Lines:
          “There is one mirror in my house. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs. Our faction allows me to stand in front of it on the second day of every third month, the day my mother cuts my hair” (Roth 1)

What is it about?
In a futuristic world, in the ruins of Chicago, you are divided into 5 different factions and during your 16th year you decide which faction you want to be a part of. Most chose to stay with the faction they were raised in but when Beatrice decides to choose a different faction she surprises everyone, including herself. This starts her on a competitive initiation process and she starts to learn disturbing things about her new and old factions and the world they live in.

What did I think?
I really enjoyed this book, and it was a perfect book to read in one day because it was a page turner that kept me very interested. I love that a lot of these new young adult books have strong female characters (some adult books should take note, cough cough 50 shades cough ) and Tris is a very easy character to relate to. I do have one complaint about it though and I’ll try to keep it as un-spoilery as possible. Towards the end of the book things take a big turn and this happened suddenly in a frustrating way. I wish there had been a bit more buildup to it or maybe just have the events take more time, it was like suddenly everyone was an enemy and I really didn’t enjoy that. I guess the ending as a whole left me a bit disappointed. But, of course, it left with a cliff-hanger and everything is going to change in the next book and I will be excited to read it!

Who would I recommend it to?
If you liked the Hunger Games this would be another good young adult book to read. It’s not quite as well written as the Hunger Games (or even Delirium), the writing is more straight forward and simple, giving it a younger feeling. But the story is great, the world that Roth created is intriguing and makes me want to know what else she has in store for us in the next 2 books!

I’ve included a new section in my reviews, First Lines, in hopes to get some of you hooked enough to read it, too! Also, check out what else I’m planning to read (and what I've read so far!) for the book challenge and let me know if you have suggestions!

Audio Book Review - Delirium by Lauren Oliver

How did I come into possession of this book?
I had heard a lot about this book as a young adult, dystopia book. Of course this is one of the most popular genres right now and of course I was very interested in reading it. When I saw it available in audio form at my local library I didn’t think twice about getting it to listen to!

What is it about?
This book takes place in a future where they have found the “cure” for love. It was determined that all problems in their society could all be traced back to love and so by eliminating it they are a much more orderly, content, and safe society. The story follows a teenager who is set to accept the cure in the next few months. All her life she has awaited this and known the reasons for it, but (of course) she meets someone who turns her whole world upside down and makes her question her society.

What did I think?
I’m a sucker for these books so I read listened to it quickly and couldn't wait to get in the car so I could find out what happened next. But since I have read a lot of very similar books in this genre they all seem to meld together and have a very same feeling. This one felt very similar to Matched, and I feel like they could all be derived from The Giver (one of my favorite books of all time). Even though I eat these books up, I really want to find something new and good in them. This one didn’t seem to offer that, but don’t get me wrong I still thoroughly enjoyed it!

Who would I recommend it to?
If you read and liked Matched or any other YA dystopia with an emphasis on relationships you will like this book. It does feel very young adult, and I know that turns some people off, so avoid it if you don't usually like YA books because they feel juvenile. This one with the lack of love and then suddenly finding it can feel at times like a teenage romance. One thing that everyone can enjoy is the writing, even though the story might feel young it is written beautifully and you really won't be able to put it down once you start!

Book Review - At The End by John Hennessy

How did I come into possession of this book?

This was another book I received in exchange for a review over at Jagged Edge reviews.  The author, John Hennessy, left me a personal note in the book which I thought was a great touch!  I offered to review this book since it’s a post-apocalyptic young adult book, one of my favorite genres.

What was it about?

Most of the human race is taken over the course of three consecutive nights.  The story starts with three young, somewhat geeky, teenagers trying to find out what happened and how to fix it.  They decide the best course of action is to head from Washington to Southern California and the JPL labs where they know there was research going on about extra terrestrial life.  Along the way they meet up with others and encounter what they soon find out are the creatures that have taken their families and friends.

What did I think?

I liked how this was a short quick read and it wrapped up the whole story by the end.  The glimpse you had of the world they were living in before the abductions was also really good and I felt like it some of it could actually be in our future.  I also enjoyed the narration switching between two of the main characters.  I wasn’t as big of fan of Darrel, but I really liked Maggy and always enjoy seeing a strong female character.  Also, almost all of the leaders mentioned in this book, whether it was the president or an army sergeant were all women which definitely wins points with me.  I do think it started a bit slow, but one I got into the meat of the story I finished it in one sitting.

Who would I recommend it to?

If you like YA dystopian or sci-fi and want a quick read that won’t throw you into a long epic saga, this is the book for you.  And make sure to give it a chance past the first couple chapters because the story seems to wrap up pretty quickly as soon as you are into it.

Audio Book Review: Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

How did I come into possession of this book?
I had bought Bacigalupi's book The Windup Girl for RoB while we were in Tahoe for Christmas (at a super aweosme local bookstore called The Bookshelf).  But let's be honest, I really just wanted to read it and it was nice to use him as a guinea pig and it kept him busy.  Soon I will read that book but I happened to see his young adult book on audio at the library so, of course, I borrowed it!

What is it about?
It takes place in the future when global warming has really taken a toll on our country.  The main character, Nailer,  is somewhere near the gulf of Mexico and works as a ship breaker, someone who dismantles old oil tankers for scrap metal and any other worthwhile commodities.  There are crazy storms that happen (called city wreckers) and one of these brings in a ship that will eventually lead them on an adventure.

What did I think?
I really like the premise for this book, the world that Bacigalupi creates is eerily realistic and very intriguing.  The problem I had was the story was very simple.  I know it is a young adult book but I think it might be meant for younger adults than what I am used to reading.  They go off on a adventure but it is all straight forward and then it ends as expected.  I wanted at least one twist or something else to make the plot more interesting.  I think there is at least one sequel in the works, but because of the simpleness of the ending I don't feel like there needs to be one.  It almost makes me think that the author was trying to dumb down the story for a younger audience when that really isn't necessary.

Who would I recommend it to?
The biggest problem with this book is that it is too simple.  For someone who is not sure about reading YA books for this reason should avoid this book.  However, if you enjoy most YA books and can appreciate all the interesting points of the book and hope that more depth is added as the sequel (an maybe more?) is released.  Its well written and makes me interested in reading his other work that isn't meant for younger audiences.

Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale

How did I come into possession of this book?
I think I picked up this book at a thrift store in Tahoe.  I figured I should read some of the classic dystopian books, since it is one of my favorite genres.  I've also been given a couple other of Margaret Atwood's more recent books, so I guess I should start with her best known novel.

What is it about?
It takes place in a future after many things have gone wrong with the government.  It takes a while to actually figure out how the world is and how they got to where they are.  It is a society where women have a much different place in the world, a much lesser place.  The story follows one handmaid and how she fits into this society.  There start to be flashbacks of her life before the world changed and you can fit the puzzle together a little to see how she got to where she is now

What did I think?
I really enjoyed the way you don't know how the society works off the bat.  Details are revealed here and there and the flashbacks help with that.  A lot of the book is learning how the world is now functioning which can lead to some slower reading, but still held my attention.  I wasn't a big fan of the main character, she just seemed so passive to everything going on in her world, but I guess that's a product of what she has experienced.  I also wish there had been more to the ending, but I'll try not to get too spoiler-y about it.

Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone who enjoys a good dystopian novel or anyone who just enjoys good literature.  It is very well written and doesn't get to far out as far as some dystopian novels will.  So it's a good book for pretty much any reader, if you like books you should probably read this one.  It would also be a great book to discuss, so if you enjoy that sort of thing, this is a good book to read.

Sidenote: My copy of the book is pretty old, but it said that it was now a major motion picture.  Has anyone seen this movie? Is it any good? I had no idea it existed!