Brad About Books: Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne

Read on April 22, 2013

SKY ON FIRE
Expected Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 224 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Monument 14, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read Monument 14.

Sky on Fire is an insane, climatic and epic sequel! I thought Monument 14 was good, but Sky on Fire blew it out of the water!

The characters were simply great (even better than they were in book one)! What I love about Sky on Fire is that we get two different POVs on different journeys, which made the book thrilling and nail-biting. I could keep track of the characters more easily this time - maybe it was because I had previously met them in Monument 14 - and the character develop phenomenally. I hated to see them living in this wasteland of a world, but wow, it was such an experience to go through this journey with them!

And talk about action scenes. Laybourne is one of my new favorite fast-paced writers. She can put a spin on a scene and turn it from good to extremely and utterly horrific in the blink of an eye. Which is pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. I remember this one particular scene in Sky on Fire where new characters are introduced that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and my stomach up in my throat. And I adored every minute of it.

That ending... oh my gosh, that ending. I basically tore through the last 50 pages of the book. Sky on Fire is definitely on the most action-paced books I've read ever, with all its lethal characters, deadly air, and terrifying, yet great, scenes of climatic heights and thrilling suspense. I couldn't set this book down for a single minute, because if I did, it would be the only thing on my mind!

Overall, Sky on Fire is a brilliant second book to an epic series. Laybourne has managed not only to top her first book, but exceed it by many miles. Absolutely phenomenal. I cannot wait to see what'll happen in book three!

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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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Brad About Books: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Read on April 21, 2013

CREWEL

Published: October 16, 2012

Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)

Format: Hardcover

Page Count: 368 pages

Source: Amazon.com

Series: Crewel World, #1

Enter a tangled world of secrets and intrigue where a girl is in charge of other’s destinies, but not her own.

 Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die. Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls.  Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power.  Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it.

What a tangled world she weaves.

Stunning! Crewel blew my mind in every single way possible. One of my new favorite books!

The plot... oh my gosh, the plot of Crewel is fantastic. I have never read a book like this before, and wow, it was so good. A world where people can weave time? Yes please. There's one scene I remember so vividly from Crewel where it is described what time feels like and how to spin it - it literally gave me chills. It was haunting and beautiful, to say the least. I would love it if Crewel were made into a movie one day, because I so want to see time being spun! 

Adelice is such a unique protagonist. I liked her because she's not perfect, but she's thrust into a strange and dark world. I absolutely adored her character growth. She develops so much throughout the book, and it's incredible! But she wasn't the only great character. Erik and Jost were just as great. They were so kind and great to Adelice, and I honestly couldn't decipher who she would choose! And I love it when a book can shock me.

And there are tons are parts where I was shocked. Stunned, even. This book is so chilling; the atmosphere surrounding it emerged me into this evil, twisted and gorgeous world of the Guild, and wow, I never wanted to leave. To be honest, I have no idea what else to say besides "this book is amazing". I am truly, truly speechless. If you haven't picked up Crewel, do yourself a favor and read this masterpiece. It's become one of my new favorites of all time!

Overall, Crewel... oh man, Crewel was phenomenal. Luminous and worthy of all the hype surrounding, Crewel is a debut that shines out. It's brilliant! I am so excited for Altered!

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