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: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas

Read from July 21 to 22, 2013

THE BURNING SKY
Expected Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 464 pages
Source: ALA
Series: Elemental, #1

It all began with a ruined elixir and an accidental bolt of lightning…

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation—or so she's being told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of The Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the greatest mage tyrant the world has ever known. A suicide task for anyone let alone a sixteen-year-old girl with no training, facing a prophecy that foretells a fiery clash to the death.

Prince Titus of Elberon has sworn to protect Iolanthe at all costs but he's also a powerful mage committed to obliterating the Bane to avenge the death of his family—even if he must sacrifice both Iolanthe and himself to achieve his goal.

But Titus makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the Bane closing in, he must choose between his mission and her life.

She can deny her powers. But she cannot deny destiny. 

The Burning Sky is an electric, soaring novel that captures the essence of a strong protagonist and beautiful writing. This is how fantasy should be done.

I had major, major expectations for The Burning Sky, and I was so pleased and astonished to find that not only were they met, they were exceeded greatly. I'm a huge high fantasy junkie, and this novel is such an incredible fantasy. Deception, betrayal, and magic all come together to create a masterful arc of a story; I can't even begin to tell you how truly blown away I was by The Burning Sky. If you love fantasy, historical fiction, and deadly, dazzling magic, The Burning Sky is for you without a doubt. The writing style is gorgeous. We are thrust into this world head first, and I felt like I was along side Iolanthe, training to defeat the Bane. Sherry Thomas has woven together an incredible, marvelous novel that shouldn't be missed. This is a true gem amongst YA.

The characters are what makes The Burning Sky stunning. Iolanthe has had no training to defeat anything, let alone the greatest evil in her world; but she's been told that she is the most powerful and greatest elemental Mage, so she must defeat the Bane. The evolution and growth that Iolanthe endures in this novel is incredible. She starts off naïve and weak, but she becomes strong, fierce, and determined, willing to take on anything. Thomas did an exceptional job with her character development. And Prince Titus! He seems cold and stone-hearted in the beginning, but as The Burning Sky progresses and the reader sinks further down into this rich, epic story, we learn his past and get a true feel for him. When Iolanthe and Titus collide, the world could either shatter, or the world could be redeemed. I loved these two characters as a duo, working alongside each other; they compliment and contrast each other so well. Needless to say, I absolutely loved everything about The Burning Sky.

The Burning Sky is so climatic and thrilling! There is a never a dull moment, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This book was contagious: I couldn't enough of it and I always wanted more, more, more! It'll have you looking over your shoulder, wanting to harbor magic yourself, and make you feel like you're standing with Iolanthe on the battlefield. The Burning Sky is, simply put, phenomenal. Definitely a new favorite book of mine!

Overall, The Burning Sky is an incredible gem that shines out. Deeply rich and compelling, I never wanted The Burning Sky to end! Sequel now, please!

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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: Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff

Read from August 31 to September 1, 2013

KINSLAYER
Expected Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martin's Press)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 432 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: The Lotus War, #2

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

Kinslayer is a powerful, satisfying follow-up to one of the best fantasies I've ever read. Jay Kristoff's phenomenal series packs a punch and never lets up. A must-read for fantasy fanatics!

Let me explain this series in a nutshell: dystopian Japanese steampunk. A girl with a thunder tiger fighting against the government. Who in the world wouldn't want to be invested in that world?! And Jay Kristoff builds upon the already awesome world even more in this epic sequel. I always talk about the dreaded "Sequel Syndrome" - in which, a sequel falls flat compared to book one - but I am thrilled to report that it passed over Kinslayer's head! It packs a hard punch, and the action scenes are superb. With so much mysterious and tension, Kinslayer is impossible to put down. Jay Kristoff has done it again!

Let all us talk about the awesomeness that is the duo of Yukiko and Buruu. They have quickly become one of my favorite pairs in any book; they compliment and contrast each other so perfectly, and they work together so well. Their bonds are really tested in Kinslayer, but Kristoff does a phenomenal job at giving each character their own spotlight, then merging the epic duo together on the battlefield. They're honestly my favorite part about the Lotus War series; they're some of the best characters ever written. Absolutely phenomenal!

That ending. I can't even process it! If you thought the ending of Stormdancer was crazy, you haven't seen anything yet. When I said that this sequel packs a punch, I mean it so much. There are so many twists and turns you will never see coming in Kinslayer, and after I read the last chapter, my mouth was hanging open. It tormented me, fractured me, and completely shattered my reading world. Definitely one of the best endings I've ever read. More please!

Overall, Kinslayer is a revolutionizing story in the fantasy genre that will leave fans begging for more. Epic beyond belief! So amazing!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Tumble & Fall by Alexandra Coutts

Read on May 10, 2013

TUMBLE & FALL
Expected Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 384 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings 
 
The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand. 
 
Alexandra Coutts's TUMBLE & FALL is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.

The end of everything is filled with beginnings.

Tumble & Fall is an electric, dazzling read that shouldn't be missed. Not only is it one of the most original novels I've ever read, it's one of the most heartbreaking and tragically beautiful stories out there.   Stunning!

I'm sure we've all read at least one post-apocalyptic book. But have you ever read a pre-apocalyptic novel? Where the characters knew that the end of the world is coming to an end and only have one week left to live? And frankly, how do you live your last week on earth? That's definitely my favorite part about Tumble & Fall - how uniquely incredible it is. Also, you would totally expect the characters to be in a frenzy, rushing and panicking around and scared to death. While fear is there, the tagline shows the true beauty about Tumble & Fall: the end of everything is filled with beginnings. With one week left to live, our three protagonists are exploring everything - new and familiar - that they can. While it is a bit strange that everybody is relaxed about the world coming to its darkest finale, it worked perfectly for me in this case. Original and dreamy, Tumble & Fall shines!

I'm a huge fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, so reading a book about the coming of disaster was quite the read. Plus, Coutts's writing style was exceptional - each character had a fantastic vibe and tone, and I loved following every single character along through this journey of exploration. The characters unite together to stand with each other during their final week, and I loved the way Coutts demonstrated not only the blooming romance, but also the ever-growing friendship that has arose. The characters is what makes Tumble & Fall such a diverse and phenomenal book that radiates away from other books. Tumble & Fall is a must-read for lovers of catastrophe!

Another great thing about Tumble & Fall is how it's not always climatic. There's not always a crazy action scene or time of panic; again, it's all about living your last moments so preciously. Each character is after something to accomplish, and I fell for this book so hard. Alexandra Coutts is a very promising author to watch; with this marvelous debut, Coutts has quickly become one of my favorite debut authors of this year.

Overall, Tumble & Fall is a fresh take on catastrophe, dimming the effects of panic, and shining bright lights upon love and unity. Readers will devour it.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Read on May 16, 2013

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE
Expected Publication Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: FSG (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 288 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together.

“Sometimes people think they know you. They know a few facts about you, and they piece you together in a way that makes sense to them. And if you don’t know yourself very well, you might even believe that they are right. But the truth is, that isn’t you. That isn’t you at all.” -from This Song Will Save Your Life

This Song Will Save Your Life is a stunning and marvelous masterpiece that made me smile, made me think, and made me reevaluate the effects that actions can have on people. I can't stress how important this novel - this beautiful, heartwrenching novel - truly is. Absolutely one of a kind.

Bullying and suicide has became a major epidemic in our world, and Leila Sales plays upon that topic in This Song Will Save Your Life in such a fresh, original way. Our main character, Elise, is contemplating ending her life, but finds relief and emotion in something she has a burning passion for: music. The music makes her take her mind off of the social and emotional problems she's having, and Sales brings light upon one of the darkest, yet most important, topics in our society. I truly appreciated how Sales handled the situation and how it was flawlessly executed. Rarely ever does a contemporary grab me like This Song Will Save Your Life did. This Song Will Save Your Life is a must-read! 

I love music, and I loved seeing music interwoven throughout the book! Not only do we have lyrics at the top of each chapter (which pertains to the chapter's situation in some way; so cool), but we have music references, Elise is a DJ, and the music in This Song Will Save Your Life has a deeper message far beyond what meets the eye. Plus, bullying and friendship tie in together as a huge factor. Elise has been betrayed and hurt, redeemed and love, and Leila Sales definitely wasn't afraid to tackle her character development head on. This Song Will Save Your Life is a powerful, incredible novel that moved me and shook me - and I loved every moment of it.

And the writing style - don't even get me started! Lyrical like a favorite and familiar song, and ground shaking like an earthquake, Sales is a phenomenal and brilliant voice in realistic fiction. It flowed off the page and played like a melody. Short and sweet, everything about This Song Will Save Your Life is utterly beautiful. One of my favorite books of the year, no doubt.

Overall, This Song Will Save Your Life is an incredibly fantastic and absorbing novel that shines out in the YA market. Groundbreaking and riveting!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake

Read on September 2, 2013

ANTIGODDESS
Expected Publication Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 333 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Goddess War, #1

The Goddess War begins in Antigoddess, the first installment of the new series by acclaimed author of Anna Dressed in Blood, Kendare Blake.
 
Old Gods never die…

Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god. 

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning. 

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out. 

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

The Goddess War is about to begin.

Antigoddess is an action-packed, sizzling, and explosive whirlwind that completely captivated me and never let me go. Kendare Blake's Antigoddess is absolutely epic and impossible to put down. One of the best books I've read in a long time.

I've wanted this book so badly ever since I first heard about it. So when I got my grabby hands on a copy, I dived in immediately. You know when you anticipate a book so hard, and then you're let down by it? That is totally not the case with Antigoddess. This book not only met my expectations, it blew it out of the water. Everything about this book - the characters, the writing, the pacing, the plot, the twists and turns, the development, the war - everything is phenomenal. Kendare Blake was quickly become one of my favorite authors. I was astonished by how truly amazing Antigoddess was. The pacing... oh boy, I couldn't put this book down. I was so wrapped up and absorbed in this world, I never wanted it to end. If you're needing some action-goodness and amazing plot-lines in your life, Antigoddess is the way to go.

The. Characters. Could they be any better? I have no clue. Athena was a phenomenal protagonist. Something is eating away at her life - literally - and she doesn't have much longer to survive. When you're on the run and in search for answers, it makes for such an awesome book: it did just that with Antigoddess. She's strong, fierce, loyal, and one of the best female leads I've read about. Hermes was also great! Sure, he may gossip quite a lot, but he sticks by Athena through thick and thin. And Cassandra! While I was a bit confused by her character in the beginning, she becomes such a vital and important piece to the Goddess War puzzle, and I can't wait to see where her character goes in the second book.

Speaking of the sequel... I want it so bad. That ending. I can't even. Talk about fast-paced! So much war and betrayal goes down in Antigoddess, and it's just one little piece in such a fantastic novel. I love last lines in books, and Antigoddess has one of my favorite last lines. It's such a cliffhanger and leaves you with your jaw dropped, begging for more - and that's exactly what I was like seconds after finishing this stunning beginning to a very promising series. I can't even explain to you how much I loved this book. Highly recommended!

Overall, Antigoddess is an incredible start that begins with a bang and never lets up. One of my new favorite books - Kendare Blake has created a masterpiece!

M Y   R A T I N G