Brad About Books: The Rule of Three by Eric Walters

Read from November 24 to 26, 2013

THE RULE OF THREE
Expected Publication Date: January 21, 2014
Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 405 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

One shocking afternoon, computers around the globe shut down in a viral catastrophe. At sixteen-year-old Adam Daley’s high school, the problem first seems to be a typical electrical outage, until students discover that cell phones are down, municipal utilities are failing, and a few computer-free cars like Adam’s are the only vehicles that function. Driving home, Adam encounters a storm tide of anger and fear as the region becomes paralyzed. Soon—as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends—he will see his suburban neighborhood band together for protection. And Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government spy living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival, in The Rule of Three by Eric Walters.

The Rule of Three is unlike any other disaster story you will ever read! Unlike many in its genre, The Rule of Three bends the circumstances and focuses more on the regrowth of the world (with the rebels and trouble here and there) than putting its point of view more on the downfall of the world. I loved how unique this book was.

I've read many disaster stories but none quite like this one. The Rule of Three starts off casually, but Eric Walters doesn't leave the reader in the slow build up for long. Within at least fifteen pages of The Rule of Three, action is flying off the page, and it's impossible not to be absorbed into this world. Darkness is ruling over everything, and Adam is having to fight and struggle to live in this world. Our world is now entirely built on technology (and I admit that I am very addicted and hooked on technology), but it was such a cool spin to see the downfall of technology and how our generation has to rebuild the world by using methods that our generation doesn't practice that much anymore (planting crops, creating a fort for survival, etc.), and it really makes for a great, engaging story. The Rule of Three is unlike anything you will ever read!

Catastrophe lurks everywhere in The Rule of Three, and Walters did a stunning job with it. Most disaster stories have a climatic, foreshadowing feeling to them, but I have to say, I didn't feel that with the writing of The Rule of Three - and I really appreciated that it was different! I couldn't ever predict what was going to happen next, because if I would predict, Walters would throw something huge and unexpected into the story. Traveling with Adam and his mom through this perilous strike was so interesting and enthralling, and I loved how The Rule of Three was able to create a story that is both equally epic and dark. 

Adam is such a cool protagonist. What I liked most about his character was how he didn't always have the answers. He had to rely on others to manage during this shutdown, and to rebuild something, I believe that's what you to do. The relationship between all the characters felt authentic, and they proved to be a strong team together. If I had only one complaint about The Rule of Three, it would have to be the somewhat lacking middle. I felt that not a lot pushed the story along in the middle except for the characters, but by the end, the action was intense.

Overall, The Rule of Three is a marvelous, original story that will shock you, stun you, and hold you in its clutches until the awesome, mind-blowing finale. Irresistible!

M Y    R A T I N G

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!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Blackout by Robison Wells

Read on July 20, 2013

BLACKOUT
Expected Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: ARC
Page Count: 432 pages
Source: ALA

THE VIRUS HAS SPREAD.

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.

Jack and Aubrey are high school students.

There was no reason for them to ever meet.

But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Blackout is, simply put, epic. Divergent meets X-Men in this fast-paced, awesome story that always kept my eyes glued to the page and my pulse racing with these characters. Legendary!

I'm a huge sucker for post-apocalytpic, dystopian novels, and the fantastic thing about Blackout is that it brings something new and fresh to the table. Kids being infected with powers? Sign me up. I was invested into this rich and vast world right from page one and never wanted to leave. Not only is this world dark and strange, it's one of the most unique settings I've ever seen done. With superhumans and terrorists running around a plagued world, disaster and havoc will arise; Wells did a phenomenal job with this novel. Fans of Divergent will eat this book up. Blackout is one of my new favorite novels for the year!

What a marvelous cast and ensemble! Laura and Alec are a great contrast between right and wrong; is what they're fighting for worth the cost? And Jack and Aubrey are the shining light of innocent, but they might be turning rotten on the inside. I loved this contrast between good and evil! Robison Wells plays on so many levels of good vs. evil and the fight for power. If you love your books with the right amount of action and characters that will blow you away, Blackout is a must-read. I truly believe that this will be a new buzz book! It's rich in it's fast-paced, tension-filled moments, stunning with its flawlessly contrasted characters, and original with its storyline and writing style. So amazing!

That ending! Please tell me there's a sequel! Wells did an exceptional job with this ending. Even though there was never a dull moment within Blackout, that ending just knocked the book out of the ballpark. It's almost like a race against the clock - time is ticking, and you're not sure if you'll come out on the other side. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I absolutely fell in love with this book.

Overall, Blackout is a new, shining gem within the post-apocalyptic genre that shouldn't be missed. Wholly unique and brilliant, Blackout is an exceptional and astonishing new novel that captured me and never let me go!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Fallout by S.A. Bodeen

Read from May 25 to 26, 2013

THE FALLOUT
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 336 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: The Compound, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, The Compound.

The Fallout is an extraordinary and stunning sequel that had me on the edge of my seat and begging for more. A pulse-pounding and dazzling sequel to one of the most original and incredible post-apocalyptic stories out there.

I loved The Compound, and I was very eager to see where the story was going to be taken to in The Fallout. Since it sounded quite different than book one (again, no spoilers here!), I was sure what to expect, but S.A. Bodeen blew me away! Even though revenge and lethal tactics do play a major part in The Fallout, what I loved the absolute most about this sequel was that it was more about suffering and being traumatized from a haunting memory, but having to move on from it. Bodeen handled this situation masterfully, and I couldn't have asked for a more powerful, delivering sequel. Fans of Divergent and Gone will devour this series! Fantastic!

I was so happy to be on another journey with Eli. In The Compound, he was a naïve, yet tough, child, and he has evolved and matured in such a way that I couldn't even fathom. S.A. Bodeen did a phenomenal job with developing Eli's character even further. And with the ending of The Compound, I couldn't blame Eli for the things he done. I loved The Fallout even more than book one - it packs a punch and the action never lets up. The Fallout delivers a superb storyline that can't be topped; amazing!

With any Bodeen novel, the ending... oh boy, it had me in its clutches and never let me go! It was fast-paced, thrilling, and I honestly had no idea how it would end. If you're a fan of disaster stories with a fierce, awesome protagonist and an unique plot, this series is for you. The Fallout not only lived up to my expectations, they exceeded them. So, so good.

Overall, The Fallout is an incredible follow-up to a fantastic post-apocalytpic story, and S.A. Bodeen did a marvelous job with returning to Eli's shattered world. The Fallout is thrilling, wondrous, and unputdownable!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Read from July 5 to 6, 2013

FROZEN
Expected Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Putnam (Penguin)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 336 pages
Source: ALA
Series: Heart of Dread, #1

From New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston comes this remarkable first book in a spellbinding new series about the dawn of a new kind of magic.

Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

Ice deserts, and pirates, and dragons, oh my! Frozen is an utterly fantastic and epic adventure that was absolutely impossible to put down. This spellbinding start to a promising series has became one of my new favorite novels! I can't even begin to tell you how awesome this book is.

If you're needing something you've never read before: something so remarkably unique, something that will have you in its clutches, something that will get you invested into the world so much, Frozen is the way to go. Everything is iced over, pirates roam the seas, dragons lurk within the world, and Nat and Ryan set off on a lethal and deadly quest that will revolutionize the world. The adventures that Nat and Ryan endure in Frozen were phenomenal. From playing in a casino in Vegas to voyaging the seas, Nat and Ryan go on such an epic, heartstopping journey throughout this novel, and it's impossible to set down. I devoured this novel so quickly; I couldn't get enough!

World-building is my favorite part of a book. If an author(s) can craft together a brilliant, marvelous world, I'm sold on the novel. Oh boy, the world in Frozen is fantastic! Post-apocalytpic books are some of my favorites, but I don't think I've ever read a novel about an ice disaster. Frozen is a whirlwind of a novel that never let me go. I was enchanted by the fact of an ice desert with ice dragons roaming the world, and it's one of the key factors that makes Frozen heavily unique. Fantasy lovers, rejoice: you are going to fall so hard for the Heart of Dread series. I need the second book pronto!

The action scenes are phenomenal. Both Nat and Ryan are trying to find a way out of their miserable lives, and the only place left on this torn world for that is the Blue, only labeled a myth because it's a paradise where the sun shines bright. The journey to the Blue is treacherous, and Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston do a dazzling job at taking the reader on this wild ride to find the paradise. Everything about Frozen worked perfectly for me, and it has become one of my reads for the year. Frozen will melt any icy heart and give new light to the fantasy genre! A must-read, without a doubt!

Overall, Frozen is a fantastic beginning to the series and left me begging for more. Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston are a phenomenal and exceptional duo in YA. I want more of this world!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Read on June 23, 2013

STORMDANCER
Published: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martin's Press)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 313 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: The Lotus War, #1

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST 
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT 
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

"Feathers grow back. Sisters do not."

Stormdancer is a marvelous, phenomenal tale that blends together a dystopian world with Japanese steampunk - who wouldn't be intrigued?! Jay Kristoff has weaved together a fantastic story that captivated me right from the first page and never let me go. A new favorite book of mine.

Come on, guys. Japanese dystopian steampunk. If those three words don't catch your attention, I have no clue what will. Stormdancer is a highly addictive and unique novel that is impossible to put down. I have never read a book like this masterpiece, and I was tremendously blown away by it. I say it all the time, but world-building is everything to me in a book. The world of the Shima Imperium is toxic and enthralling, and I simply couldn't get enough of this book. This book, you guys. So good.

In a world that is dying of poison with such a unique setting and a fantastic writing style, what else could Jay Kristoff possibly add to it? Oh, that's right. An awesome kick-butt heroine and a thunder tiger. That's what. Stormdancer has everything a fantasy/dystopian lover could ever want, especially with Yukiko being an epic protagonist. In the beginning, while she's headstrong, she makes mistakes and is careless with her actions. But as Stormdancer progresses, she evolves into a strong, determined, and fierce warrior, and I appreciated Kristoff so much for creating such an awesome character. I absolutely fell for Yukiko. And Buruu! Who wouldn't want a tiger for themselves? He's been hurt, haunted, and banished, but when he joins forces with Yukiko, they become unstoppable. They're a brilliant duo, and they're one of the many reasons why I loved Stormdancer!

Stormdancer never, ever has a dull moment. The action scenes are superb; the writing style makes the reader feel as if they're on the battlefield with Yukiko and Buruu. But the writing style also has the lyrical, haunting aurora when describing the dying wasteland of the Shima Imperium. The world is beautiful, lethal, and something I've never seen done before. Seriously, if you love fantastic worlds with an epic protagonist and a one of a kind writing style, Stormdancer is a must-read.

Overall, Stormdancer is a phenomenal debut that leaves its mark on the YA genre. Amazing, fantastic, all the feels. I was enthralled by this gem!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block

Read from April 1 to 2, 2013

LOVE IN THE TIME OF GLOBAL WARMING
Expected Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 240 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

(Sorry, but I have to point out that this cover is amazing)

Seventeen-year-old Penelope (Pen) has lost everything—her home, her parents, and her ten-year-old brother. Like a female Odysseus in search of home, she navigates a dark world full of strange creatures, gathers companions and loses them, finds love and loses it, and faces her mortal enemy.

In her signature style, Francesca Lia Block has created a world that is beautiful in its destruction and as frightening as it is lovely. At the helm is Pen, a strong heroine who holds hope and love in her hands and refuses to be defeated.

Love in the Time of Global Warming is an original and vivid story that captured me with its beautiful prose and lush world-building. A stellar novel that shouldn't be missed!

The best part about Love in the Time of Global Warming? It's so unique! I have never read a book like this, and I appreciate Block weaving together a wholly original story that hooked me from the first page and never let me go. The entire concept of this novel sounds fantastic, and it lives up to the hype! A huge disaster wipes out the world, monsters roam the land, and darkness lurks around every corner. How could that not intrigue you? The world was so achingly beautiful and eerie - I never wanted to put  Love in the Time of Global Warming down!

World-building is a major part of the story for me, and this world has been ruined and destroyed - but it's so vivid and awesome! I loved getting to explore this world with Pen, and though she encounters many obstacles, she trudges through them; she's a fantastic character. While Love in the Time of Global Warming comes off as weird and odd, there's so much more to this story. I found that the farther I got into the story, I discovered layers upon layers to this world, characters, and concept in general. It was so, so great.

And the writing! Gah! It took me a little to get situated with Block's style, but after awhile, I sank deeper and deeper into the story - the writing was brilliant! It's lyrical and mysterious, yet at the same time, gorgeous and haunting. Love in the Time of Global Warming is one of the most original books I've read in a long time, and I loved it to pieces.

Overall, Love in the Time of Global Warming is a riveting, luminous read that unfolds with a deeper meaning and wonderful world. One of a kind!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum

Read from June 10 to 11, 2013

REVOLUTION 19
Published: January 8, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 265 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Revolution 19, #1

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.

Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

Revolution 19... oh, Revolution 19. I feel like we have a love/hate relationship, perhaps? I really, really wanted to like you, but I just can't get past some of the very slow, drawn-moments you provided.

I'll go ahead and start with what I did enjoy about this book. I'm a sucker for post-apocalytpic books - I'll admit it. I don't think I've ever read a robot invasion story, so I was very excited to pick up Revolution 19! And while the beginning was very intriguing, some of the middle (and the majority of the end) lagged in plot for me. I was very engaged in the story in the beginning, which was {in my opinion} the best part about the book. Robots invading earth sounds deadly and terrifying, and the robots in this book was killer! ...

...up until a certain point. The robots? They were no longer scary. I just KNEW that one of those robots  ("bots" as they are referred to in the book) would give aid to one of these characters, and I kept crossing my fingers that it wouldn't happen - I won't say if it did. But really. What happened to the laser-eyed, no-emotions bots that were totally epic in the beginning? It's like they vanished and were replaced with bots that were still a bit scary, but I felt like they had a little emotion! I say NO to that. I just... this book took a completely different turn from the beginning. And unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

Cinematic doesn't describe Revolution 19 well, to be honest. Yes, there are some tension-filled moments where you don't know if a certain character will make it out alive - which is awesome! I wish that more scenes like that were put in the book! But Revolution 19 isn't fast-paced - it's a bit drawn-out and redundant with a few scenes. 

But I did enjoy this book! Just not as much as I was hoping to. I'm curious to see where the sequel, Fugitive X, goes, so I'll probably check it out. Revolution 19 just let me down, to put it shortly.

Overall, Revolution 19 is one of those books you have to be in the mood to read. And I guess I wasn't. Slow-paced and robots-that-can-change-moods-in-a-heartbeat, Revolution 19 wasn't my cup of tea.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Read on July 2, 2013

FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS
Published: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 402 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Stars, #1

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is foundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth--an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go.

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret--one that could change their society . . . or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

For Darkness Shows the Stars is an absolutely fantastic and gorgeous tale that grabbed me and never let me go. Riveting and marvelous!

I'm a huge fan of anything sci-fi or futuristic, and For Darkness Shows the Stars has easily become one of my new favorite reads. The world-building? Phenomenal. World-building is a huge part of a story for me - it usually is the biggest part of a book for me. And the way that this world lives after the Reduction (where humans made perfect are wiped out after a malfunction) is brutal, terrifying, yet - in some weird way - beautiful. This world is a frightening place to live in, but Peterfreund's prose describing the world was absolutely excellent.

That's another thing! The writing? Gorgeous. I was immediately captivated by this novel, and I never, for one second, wanted to put it down. I was so enchanted and enthralled by For Darkness Shows the Stars - the concept was utterly unique and epic, and it's one of the most original books I've ever read. And even though this novel is inspired by Persuasion by Jane Austen (which I have not read), For Darkness Shows the Stars is one of a kind and a marvelous gem. I'm gushing about this book like crazy, and I can't stop! A new favorite book.

And the relationship between the characters is outstanding. Elliot and Kai have a love that soared once, was cut off, and is blooming once more. It was so interesting to see how they perceive each other years after they've been separated. And luckily, it's not insta-love. They don't fall in love immediately again, because they have both become different people over time. The chemistry and relationship between these two is unstoppable and fiery - I can't even with this book. It's fantastic!

Overall, For Darkness Shows the Stars shines bright among a dark world that had captured me wholly and  left me with so many emotions. Dynamic, explosive, and one of a kind, For Darkness Shows the Stars is the next big thing!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Read from June 26 to 27, 2013

THE IMMORTAL RULES
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 485 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Blood of Eden, #1

To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

Enter Julie Kagawa's dark and twisted world as an unforgettable journey begins.

The Immortal Rules is a brilliantly-executed and wholly-original story that captivated me into this dark and lethal world, and made me never want to leave! An epic tale that readers will fall in love with.

Vampires have been used over and over so many times, it's becoming redundant. However, The Immortal Rules takes vampires and puts a twist on it (one that I adore so much) - Julie Kagawa added dystopian/post-apocalyptic elements to this book. And she balanced both genres out so well! The post-apocalyptic and ruined wasteland was frightening and chilling, especially with the eerie atmosphere looming over it. Kagawa is fantastic writer, and this novel proves it. With all the hype surrounding it, The Immortal Rules definitely delivers. 

The Immortal Rules starts off with a bang and never lets up. We are thrust right into this world (with a huge action scene), and there is never a dull moment in this novel! There is a new twist and turn during every chapters, and you know what's the best part? The shockers feel authentic, not forced. Some surprisers seem like they're there to keep the reader interested, not to move the story forward. I don't know how in the world she did it, but Julie Kagawa moved the story forward with plot-twists while keeping me interested even more than previously. Absolutely stunning!

And I loved the unique spin that The Immortal Rules brings with our protagonist, Allie. She becomes the monster, the paranormal creature, instead of falling in love with one. It's so awesome! And Kagawa never veers away from the dark and monstrous Allie side. She has moments at times where you think she's going to go all out and become a ruthless killer. And while that's in her head, we get to see the last little bit of Allie's humanity left in her. I can't explain it, but it was just wonderful to finally get a fresh paranormal story. Move over Buffy, because Allison Sekemoto is a shining new heroine!

Overall, The Immortal Rules rocked my world and left me in complete and utter shock with its killer cliffhanger. But I loved every second of it. Dark and original, The Immortal Rules is a marvelous and phenomenal journey that you'll never want to end.

M Y     R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Read from April 18 to 19, 2013

THE COMPOUND
Published: April 29, 2008
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 248 pages
Source: Library
Series: Compound, #1

Eli and his family have lived in the underground Compound for six years. The world they knew is gone, and they've become accustomed to their new life. Accustomed, but not happy.

For Eli, no amount of luxury can stifle the dull routine of living in the same place, with only his two sisters, his father and mother, doing the same thing day after day after day. 

As problems with their carefully planned existence threaten to destroy their sanctuary—and their sanity—Eli can't help but wonder if he'd rather take his chances outside. 

Eli's father built the Compound to keep them safe. But are they safe—or sorry?

The Compound is a thrilling, one of a kind read that is one of the most original and climatic books I have ever read. Bodeen has weaved out such an epic story; one that I could not and would not put down!

I've read plenty of post-apocalytpic novels, but never one quite like The Compound. The world outside is destroyed, and Eli's father is keeping his family safe deep within a Compound that will save them for the next twenty years. Flash forward six years and we're still stuck in the Compound. I can't even begin to tell you how awesome this book is. It's definitely a nail-biting read, because I had no clue what in the world would happen! There's so much suspense, mystery and eerie-goodness spreading around this book like wildfire; it's contagious! This book is a true gem.

And the characters are just amazing. From Eli, to Eli's sweet mother, to Eli's possibly insane father, all the characters in this book shine out. Whenever you're trapped within a closed space for so long, you're going to start seeing different sides of people - and in The Compound, the characters have multiple layers of emotions and true feelings. It's haunting and disturbing at times, yet so great and refreshing to see that all the ensemble of characters are fantastic. And Eli's father is, like, the perfect villain. The reader is never quite positive if he's insane or not, or if he's doing the right thing for his family. The Compound is a mind-bending and twisted read that can only be described in one word: epic. 

And woah. Woah. Let's just all take a calm, deep breath and let the awesome and craziness of an ending sink in. That was just AWESOME! I zoomed through those final 50 pages - this book is too good to put down. S.A. Bodeen's The Compound is a book that kept me up late at night, flying through these pages to figure out what would happen next!

Overall, The Compound shines out among other post-apocalytpic books. Marvelous and clever, The Compound is unlike anything I have read or anything I will ever read. Brilliant.

M Y    R A T I N G :

Keep an eye out for my review to the sequel, The Fallout, in September!

Brad About Books: Icons by Margaret Stohl

Read from May 9 to 10, 2013

ICONS
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 428 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Icons, #1

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.

Words cannot even begin to describe how much I adore Icons. You know how some people say "I can't even", and some people don't understand it? Well, guess what. 

I CAN'T EVEN.

Everything about this book is phenomenal; everything. I was emerged into the world of the Icons immediately, and I never for a second wanted to put the book down. When I would, it was the only thing on my mind. And whenever I picked it back up, I would read 150 pages in one go. Icons is definitely a favorite of 2013 and of all time. I have been pushing this book onto everybody lately, and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. Seriously, if you haven't picked up Icons, you're missing out. It's wonderful!

Dol is such a fantastic main character. She's strong, loyal and fierce - everything I like in a protagonist - and she never let me down during the book. And Ro and Lucas were just great. What I love about this love triangle (I guess you could call it that) is that both loves feel genuine and real. The relationships aren't forced, and there are obvious reasons why Dol is attracted to both Rol and Lucas. Stohl did a stunning job with these characters and their development during Icons. Brilliant.

The whole concept of the Icons? Freaky as crap. They honestly scared me, even though we didn't get to see much of them (which I'm hoping we do in book two!). The fighting, the war, the struggle, the survival, everything about Icons worked for me, and this is easily one of the best books I've read. 

Overall, what else can I say about Icons except that I love it so, so, so much and it is mind-blowing?  Fast-paced and captivating, Icons didn't just exceed my expectations - it blew every book I've read in a long time out of the water.

M Y   R A T I N G

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!

M Y    R A T I N G

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!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Read from February 26 to 28, 2013

MONUMENT 14
Published: June 5, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 294 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: Monument, #1

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong. 

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

Monument 14 is an explosive and thrilling read that left me shocked, stunned and amazed. This book was purely epic!

I will admit that I had some trouble at the beginning of the book. I couldn't connect to the writing style and none of the characters appealed to me. Luckily though, I kept reading the book - the second half is so much better. But still, I had troubles with the characters. Maybe it was because there were so many (fourteen) at one time, I couldn't remember who was. All I remember off the top of my head are Dean, Caroline, Niko and Alex. And the only one I thought was manageable was Dean. All the others seemed whiny at times {I can understand the little kids, and at some times, the teens, but not always}. 

Monument 14 shines out in the post-apocolytpic genre, though. I mean, deadly storms, a chemical weapons spill and hugh hail? Yeah, Monument 14 is insane. Laybourne does a fantastic job at making these awful and tragic events realistic, scary, terrifying and believable. I hope they never happen, but I could visualize it all thanks to Laybourne's writing style!

And I really like the idea of being trapped inside a superstore. Think about it: you have everything you need. Food, clothes, even entertainment stuff like books (yes!), toys, etc. But then again, it's scary. After you run out of that stuff, what do you have left? It's terrifying, which is one of the reasons that I enjoyed Monument 14.

Overall, this was a quick read that was fun and fresh, but I do have to say that I much prefer the second half to the first. Brutal, shocking and fascinating, Monument 14 promises and delivers an action-packed tale of survival!

MY RATING