Brad About Books: Horde by Ann Aguirre

Read from May 17 to 18, 2013

HORDE
Expected Publication Date: October 29, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 432 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Razorland, #3

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't started this series.

Check out my reviews for the first two novels in the Razorland trilogy:

Enclave • Outpost 

The horde is coming.

Horde is an epic and highly satisfying conclusion to one of the best, well-done post-apocalytpic series out there. Brutal, addictive, and wholly original, Horde is a fantastic finale that will have readers hanging on tightly for this wild ride to never end. 

I already knew that this series is filled with tension, scandal, betrayal, and all that fun stuff, but Horde takes the circumstances to a whole new level. As the Freaks grow rapidly, Deuce must stand strong with her army against this harsh wasteland. The best - and I do mean, best - part about the Razorland trilogy is Deuce, simply put. Her character development, her kick-butt ways, her defense for the ones she loves, everything that Deuce is and stands for is phenomenal. Ann Aguirre has done a tremendous and fantastic job with developing Deuce from the moment we first see her as a Brat to becoming a hero for this crumbling world. If you love a strong, fierce protagonist to fall in love with, Deuce is the way to go.

I just have to talk about the world-building in Horde. We have got to see so many sides of this world, but it all comes down to this final moment in this electrifying conclusion. The tables have turned, and Deuce is on the run to save herself from the massive horde. Getting to see even more of this Freak filled world was great, and I loved how Aguirre managed to build even more layers upon the world in each novel. Also what's great? Each novel is better than its predecessor. The characters and world evolve more, the writing becomes more lush and brutal, and everything about these books are great. Needing a book to emerge yourself in and never want to be taken out of the world? The Razorland trilogy is fantastic in every way possible.

Though I was so sad to let this series go, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. All the loose ends (and I'm talking questions that were raised back in book one and never brought up again) were tied up so nicely, and this ending was highly satisfying. Aguirre did a brilliant job with tying everything together in Horde; if you couldn't have guessed, I loved Horde so much. Definitely the best of the trilogy!

Overall, Horde is a phenomenal, masterfully done finale that will have readers chomping at the bits, zooming through pages as fast as they can. Ann Aguirre has done it again!

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Brad About Books: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Read on June 20, 2013

THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: ARC
Page Count: 480 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Alice in Zombieland.

Gena Showalter nailed it with this sequel! Not only was Through the Zombie Glass even better than its predecessor, it blew it out of the water! Woah. This book was awesome.

I absolutely love the way Showalter bends the classical and timeless Alice in Wonderland and makes it her own. While the series isn't a direct re-telling (it doesn't always follow the essential plot of AiW), it has the lyrical and epic twist on it that draws the reader in and never lets them go. Who doesn't love a good zombie story now and then? The White Rabbit Chronicles has rapidly become one of my favorite paranormal series. With a tough and awesome heroine, vicious zombies that can't be controlled, and just the right amount of romance, Through the Zombie Glass is phenomenal!

Such a clever plot twist, Gena Showalter! I didn't expect the turns and twist that this novel took, and page after page, something continued to shock me and made me read even further on into the book. I couldn't control myself from flying through these pages! The zombies in this book aren't your typical zombies, which I absolutely loved. Through the Zombie Glass veers away from the norm of supernatural creatures and molds it into its own vivid, awesome creation. I applaud Showalter for that - it's stunning, unique, and all-around epic. Also, the stakes are so much higher in Through the Zombie Glass. There were times that I was on the edge of my seat and had my stomach in my throat, just because Showalter masterfully weaved together a high suspense that left me hanging and consumed me whole. I still think about this book to this day. That dreaded "Sequel Syndrome"? Totally passed right over this series's head! So good!

Two letters: ZA. OH MY GOSH YES.

Endings are very important to me with a book - I love a fast-paced, thrilling ending that will make the story complete. And I totally got that from Through the Zombie Glass. While I did enjoy Alice in Zombieland, I definitely could have used some more action and zombie-goodness in it. However, Through the Zombie Glass absolutely made up for it. The scenes are quick, and you feel like you're on the battlefield with Alice and Cole. Such a fantastic sequel! Even better than book one!

Overall, Through the Zombie Glass is a brilliant and daring sequel - and I loved every moment of it. Sure to be a mega hit!

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Brad About Books: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Read on June 19, 2013

ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND
Published: September 25, 2012
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 404 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles, #1

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies…

Off with their heads.

Alice in Zombieland is a fresh and chilling read that had me creeped out and the sudden urge to fight some zombies. This is the zombie story I've been waiting for!

Let me begin by saying this: this book was not what I was expecting. I was expecting an Alice in Wonderland re-telling where our beloved heroine tumbles down the rabbit hole, finds the magical and dark world of Wonderland, and must stop the Queen of Hearts from taking over the land. That is not what I got from Alice in Zombieland. But you know what's the craziest thing? It actually worked. AiZ is more of a zombie story than anything else - but honestly, it's addictive! I couldn't dare set this book down at any time, because I was so intrigued and enthralled by the world that Showalter wove together. A new gem in YA!

Ali is such a great character. I loved her right from page one, and she never let me down. I was so happy to go on this haunting and out-of-this-world creepy journey with her. I mean, come on! Fighting zombies with Alice? Yes please. And the whole entire ensemble was great! A character that sticks out, of course, is Cole. I didn't trust Cole in the beginning (I just KNEW something sinister was swirling around him), but as Alice in Zombieland progresses, his character development skyrockets. Showalter puts Ali and Cole's bond to the test (I mean, how could it not when fighting zombies?), and I really appreciated that! 

Woah! Talk about a crazy ending! I was literally on the edge of my seat for the last 50 pages - they were insane! I tore through the last portion of the book, and I was devastated after I turned the last page. I need more right then and there! My only question is: why did I wait so long to read this?! I loved it so much!

Overall, Alice in Zombieland is a unique and enthralling take on the timeless story, but with a dark and haunting twist that seemed almost impossible to pull off. But Gena Showalter totally does. Absolutely loved this book!

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Brad About Books: Outpost by Ann Aguirre

Read on April 26, 2013

OUTPOST
Published: September 4, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 317 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Razorland, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read Enclave.

Outpost is a stunning and sizzling sequel that gripped me in its clutches and never let me go! What a pulse-pounding, thrilling, and addictive book!

Now, I thought Enclave was good. I had some issues with it, but looking back now, it was a very enjoyable read. Ooh, man! Outpost totally made up for any doubts I had in Enclave! The Freaks (A.K.A. zombies) got even freakier, and the world-building grew and expanded even more than I could have possibly imagined. Aguirre ran wild with this sequel, and I loved every minute of it! Plus, who wouldn't love getting to see both the safe side and the dangerous side of a zombie-plagued world? If you're a zombie fanatic, the Razorland trilogy is most definitely for you. Fast-paced, ultimately fascinating, and above all, wicked cool, Outpost breathes new life into the undead.

The only problem I came across Outpost was the beginning. It just seemed a bit slow, but due to Enclave's ending (no spoilers here), things had to be re-set up. So I totally understand why it was a bit slow in the beginning. Around the forty-page mark, things started getting interesting and the pace picked up - which was great. And after that, it was nothing but epic characters and crazy zombie attacks! Woohoo!

The characters are what really makes this trilogy come to life. Deuce is such a fierce and heroic character. You will never find a character as strong, loyal, and insanely tough character as Deuce - she's one of the main reasons why I love this series! And I can't forget the other characters. Fade seemed a bit distant in Outpost, but given the circumstances, I totally understand. He's a great character, nonetheless! And Stalker grew so much in Outpost - Stalker is one of the biggest parts of the Razorland trilogy! If you thought Enclave was good and insane, you haven't seen anything yet! Outpost shines bright in a world full of darkness. Love.

Overall, Outpost is a climatic and spectacular expansion to this ever-awesome world. I was biting at my nails the entire time - and I adored every minute of it.

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Brad About Books: The End Games by T. Michael Martin

Read from May 7 to 8, 2013

THE END GAMES
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 369 pages
Source: Amazon.com

It happened on Halloween. The world ended. And a dangerous Game brought it back to life.

Seventeen-year-old Michael and his five-year-old brother, Patrick, have been battling monsters in The Game for weeks.

In the rural mountains of West Virginia, armed with only their rifle and their love for each other, the brothers follow Instructions from the mysterious Game Master. They spend their days searching for survivors, their nights fighting endless hordes of “Bellows”—creatures that roam the dark, roaring for flesh. And at this Game, Michael and Patrick are very good.

But The Game is changing. The Bellows are evolving.

The Game Master is leading Michael and Patrick to other survivors—survivors who don’t play by the rules. And the brothers will never be the same.

T. Michael Martin’s debut novel is a transcendent thriller filled with electrifying action, searing emotional insight, and unexpected romance.

The End Games is mind-blowing. Fast-paced, electric, and amazing in every way possible, this debut novel is powerful.

You guys don't even understand how much I was anticipating The End Games. A) Fantastic cover. B) The plot sounded awesome. And let me say that everything about The End Games worked for me. I want to start with the world-building - oh my gosh, is it terrifying. It took me a bit to figure out what was going on and what happened to our world, but once I did, I got a perfect picture in my head. The Bellows are these eerie and creepy freaks that roam around, and the first chapter of the book starts off with an attack from the Bellows. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. In fact, I don't think there was a moment when I wasn't on the edge of my seat. T. Michael Martin did a brilliant job at crafting his world together. 

A thing I love the most about The End Games is that it doesn't focus just on the world and the Bellows, it also focuses on the characters and how this world changes them. Michael and Patrick's brotherly relationship was awesome. Sometimes you read books about two sisters, but I don't think that I, myself, have ever read a book where two brothers are together the entire book. And seeing as that I have a brother, it was a really nice change. Michael was the strong, I'll-always-protect-you kind of big brother, which was great. I connected to his character instantly, and he never let me down. Patrick is the naïve, silly little brother, and he knows that his brother would always keep him safe. I just really appreciated the change that The End Games brings to the table - not only is it a male POV, the main characters are two brothers. 

Talk about twists and turns. At the end of every chapter, my mouth had fallen open. Seriously. Michael did a phenomenal job at plotting out the story so perfectly so he could put in plot twists. And man, there are loads! Lots of things I didn't even expect or see coming happened, and once they did, it always boggled my mind. It's so amazing. It's only May, but I can definitely see The End Games on my Top 13 of 2013 list. The End Games is definitely the best debut novel I've read all year!

Overall, The End Games is truly, truly a must-read. If you haven't started it, what are you waiting for? This novel is marvelous, and I can't wait to see what T. Michael Martin writes next!

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