Monday, January 16, 2012

Book Review: A Million Suns - Beth Revis

A MILLION SUNS:
Published: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 386 pages
Source: Amazon.com

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. 

It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.

But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart. 

In book two in the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it builds to one-mind conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

"Filled with action and suspense, Beth Revis has outdone herself again with her sophomore novel. I'm hooked on this trilogy."

I was one of those people last year who fell in love with Across the Universe instantly. In fact, I read it in one sitting. Literally. So when I finally got the sequel into my hands, I knew I would love. And, believe me, I did. 

On the spaceship of Godspeed, Elder is now the ruler of the ship. But people are starting to question his authority, and chaos is sure to brew all alone in the dark, deep vast of outer space. Amy was awoken three months earlier -- 50 years too early -- and she has to deal with the fact that her parents are still frozen.

Elder has officially declared Phydus -- a drug that makes everybody calm -- illegal on Godspeed. But with no calmness on the ship, the stakes begin to climb as people are attempting to throw Elder over his position and began a revolution on Godspeed. Along with Orion, a wicked man hidden in the ship, has saved clues for Amy to find out what the "truth" is on Godspeed. And she'll never believe exactly what it is. 

A Million Suns was an awesome book. I knew that Beth Revis' writing style was great, and she definitely proved herself as a great author in only her second novel. 

First, the characters. Amy, one of our main protagonists, can be just a bit whiny at times, but for the majority of the book, she's trying to save herself and the ship in general to find out just exactly what the "truth" is. I honestly felt bad for Elder at parts during the book. He technically is the ruler of Godspeed now, but because he's younger than everybody, nobody really looks up to him as a leader.

Next, the writing. Beth Revis can weave out words like it's nothing. The description of the mighty spaceship always blows my mind, and with all the situations that Revis forces her characters to be in, it makes for a great story.

Then, we have our climax. When I found out what the "truth" is in the book, I couldn't believe it. I had to put the book down just to take in what was happening in the book. My entire body was shaking because I couldn't believe what the "truth" was! Beth Revis swept me off my feet with this novel.

And finally, our ending. Why would you be so cruel Beth? Why? I don't want to spoil anything for you if you haven't read this novel, but let me say this: I now need the third and final book. It's not a want for the third book, it's a necessity for me to know.

Overall, this novel was great and even better than the first book. I'm still in shock of how great it was.

My Rating:


Sunday, January 15, 2012

In My Mailbox #2

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren!

Here's what I got in my mailbox!:


List:
A Million Suns - Beth Revis
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green *Signed copy* 

Leave the link to your IMM so I can check it out!

Happy Reading!

~Brad

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Blog Award!

BookYAReview has just received an award!


I was nominated by RJ over at RJ Does Books! Thanks RJ!

Links to his:

Here are the rules:

1) Thank and link to the person who nominated you
2) Share 7 random facts about yourself
3) Pass the Award onto 10 deserving blog buddies (Sadly, I only chose 3)
4) Contact those buddies and let them know

Here's my seven random facts!:

1) I have really horrible feet and I'm having surgery on them (one at a time). Blog post about the surgery coming up at the end of the month.

2) My favorite book of 2011 was Across the Universe by Beth Revis

3) There's snow outside my window :-D

4) Movie I can watch over and over and never get bored with it:
The Lion King (who doesn't love that movie?!) 

5) Current favorite songs:
What the Water Gave Me - Florence + the Machine.
Safe & Sound - Taylor Swift (song from The Hunger Games movie!!!)

6) I have two dogs:
Max - a cockapoo (mixture of a cocker spaniel and a poodle)
Ollie - a miniature dachshund (or weiner dog; whatever you want to call him) :-D
*pictures to come soon*

7) I love to do plays and musicals. I'm also dying to go to New York City and see a show on Broadway.

THE BLOGS I NOMINATE!:
*I chose people who I have not seen been nominated yet*

Misty @ The Book Rat

Friday, January 13, 2012

Brad's Favorite Covers of 2011

So today, I'm here to present my favorite covers of 2011!

Let's go!



Sweetly - Jackson Pearce

This cover is so unique and awesome. This book is a retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale, so of course, the cover should correspond with the story. We have the branches of the forest shielding the house, but then again, look at the branches...

IT'S THE WITCH'S FACE.

When I first saw this cover, I was like:

"Ohmygodfhgueghuhqawuhuhququh... wow." 

It's just awesome. Am I right or am I right? 






Hourglass - Myra McEntire

I'm fairly positive that you have seen this cover. But let's point it out once more.

When I first saw this cover, I thought that the brown part was sand flowing down, and she was being sucked in. But when I saw it in person, I realized exactly what it was.

Turn the cover sideways.

SHE'S WALKING DOWN A WALL.

It's so incredible. And if you hold the book in real-life, you know that cover is SO SOFT. I'm hoping that Timepiece's cover will be soft like it's predecessor. Example, Falling Under by Gwen Hayes had a very soft cover, but it's sequel, Dreaming Awake, did not. 



Fury - Elizabeth Miles


Two words: HER. HAIR.

It's like wind flowing off of her head! And again, it has a soft cover!

I'm very excited to see what it's sequel's cover (called Envy) will look like. I was discussing this with another blogger, H.D. at Reading Writing Breathing, and he thinks that it will be another girl on the cover with green hair. I can't wait for the cover reveal.









Wither - Lauren DeStefano


All I can say is that this is just a great book cover.




Enough said.











Those are just a few of my favorite covers!

I want to see what your favorite covers of 2011 are! Share your link in the comments!

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Book Review: Never Have I Ever - Sara Shepard

NEVER HAVE I EVER:
Published: August 2, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 309 pages
Source: Amazon.com

Sara Shepard, the author of Pretty Little Liars novels, has followed up those top-selling fictions with an even more artfully knotted series. As its center is a murdered narrator whose long-lost identical twin sister Emma is serving as a stand-in detective to find the killer. In the second episode of their hunt, the pair discovers new clues, but they know as they search for the killer, he or she is watching their every move, waiting for the right moment to end it all.
Never say never.


"Even better than the first book. I devoured it and I enjoyed every second of it."

Never Have I Ever was such a great sequel. Sara Shepard is known for her murder mystery novels, and every book of hers is amazing in some shape or way.

We're back with Emma, trying to piece together her long-lost twin sister's murder with the only person who truly knows who she is, Ethan, by her side.

First, the suspense in this novel is crazy good. When I got to around page 240, my stomach was churning with anticipation and fear. It was epic. She writes in a way that makes me turn page after page until there are purple lines underneath my eyes that force me to get some sleep. 

Next, we have our characters. I love Emma so much. She's the type of person that every guy would want to date. She doesn't complain about her life and how she got the short end of the stick -- she only worries about her sister and bringing justice to her. I hate Garrett. He's a jerk. And then we have, Charlotte, Madeline, and the ever infamous yet hilarious Twitter Twins, Gabby and Lili. All of the characters are either twisted or incredible in their own unique way. 

Then, there is just the actual storyline and Sara Shepard's writing style. I enjoyed every page of this book, mainly because it's suspenseful. It keeps me wondering and thinking what will happen next. And Sara Shepard's writing style is just... wow. That's the only word I can think of to describe it. It's current, fresh, and awesome enough to keep me up past midnight to read more of the novel.

Finally, the novel itself. I highly recommend this entire series to you. If you enjoy suspense, modern-day stories, and a writing style & storyline that will keep your eyes stuck to the pages, this series is right for you. I can't wait for Two Truths and a Lie!

My Rating:


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

YA Novels Coming Out This Week: January 10

Every Tuesday, I'll be showing you the novels coming out this week!

 The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

 Jessica Rules the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey
Book Two in the Jessica series

 Ditched - Robin Mellom 

A Million Suns - Beth Revis
Book Two in the Across the Universe trilogy

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Books To Pine For (1)

Books To Pine For is a post where you show off the books that you're most anticipating!

Dead to You
February 7, 2012
Simon Pulse

May 29, 2012
HarperTeen

January 31, 2012
HarperTeen

April 24, 2012
HarperTeen

April 24, 2012
Harlequin Teen

April 17, 2012
Balzer + Bray