Playing Catch-Up: World’s Largest Blog Post

Oh, the shame. It’s been more than two months since last I posted, and that’s not because I haven’t been reading. Life has been very…eventful of late. I have definitely been making time for books though, so this post will be full of random reviews, as October was with YA Dystopian Trilogy Book 3s.

Also, all book title links will take you to the Amazon Kindle book page, for the purpose of getting to the sample ASAP. I’m a huge fan of Kindle samples. But you’re still encouraged to consider your local bookstore (even if it’s a chain) like Nightbird Books.

House of Hades, by Rick Riordan – Heroes of Olympus Series (Series spoilers below)

I have no shame about loving all the Percy Jackson books. They are silly and fun and adventurous and magical. They are definitely written for a middle school audience. Riordan admits it, he writes for the audience he knows and taught for years. It pains me that now I’ve aged to the point where some of the middle school humor grates on my nerves. But despite that, the characters are growing up and the stories are gaining appropriate depth. In this story, as Percy and Annabeth journey through Tartarus, Percy is forced to look at his past in a new light. He has sent many monsters back there without a thought, and left a great many people behind out of indifference. Percy is forced to grow up a little and come to terms with some not-so-heroic moments in his past.

Allegiant, by Veronica Roth – Divergent Trilogy

If the ending of The Hunger Games upset you, this series is not for you. I’ve gotta give the author credit, she’s not afraid of making crazy/tough choices. In this YA dystopian world, future Chicago (I think) is divided into five factions. Each faction is constructed around whatever they think caused the war. Those who blame selfishness become the selfless of Abegnation, those who blame ignorance because the education-obsessed Erudite, etc. etc. Watch the movie trailer below if you want an extensive breakdown. Below the trailer there will be series spoilers.

In the wrap-up to this series, we finally get to read many sections from Four’s point of view, rather than just hearing from him in the bonus scenes Veronica Roth would write. Four and Tris are not on the best of terms with the new government, formed by a tenuous relationship between the Factionless and the rebels. Frustrated with the betrayals deals being cut, they decide to escape the city with a few friends, and go find the people who created their civilization. As soon as they step outside the city, they see people they never expected to see again, and learn that nothing is what they thought. New causes to fight for, new serums to disgust you, new twists to confuddle you, it’s an insane ride. …have a happy book lined up to read next.

Horde, by Ann Aguirre – The Razorland Trilogy

For additional background and a lack of series spoilers, you can check out my review of the first book, Enclave, from back in June.

Ann Agguire’s dystopian land is very enjoyable to me, because it’s based on as much fact as possible. She’s classified as a sci-fi writer, but she doesn’t rely on the type of science that powers Star Wars and lets the Millennium Falcon make the Kessel Run in under 12 parsecs. (I love Star Wars anyway.) In her acknowledgements she links to facts and resources she used to make fairly educated guesses at how life would be. Somethings in this one are a little more fantastical, in my mind, but it’s built on a rock so I don’t care.

We pick up right were Outpost left off, Deuce, Fade and crew are running from the outpost to a neighboring settlement to try and gain assistance against the horde of thousands of mutie freaks threatening to overwhelm them. They arrive just in time to save some of the villagers, but not all. In their new militant home, Deuce is once again treated like a child. Frustrated, she switches into beast mode and with Fade, Striker and Tegsn, she gathers a few allies to go out and take the fight to the Freaks. And epicness/chaos ensues. A good read. Good storytelling.

Champion, by Marie Lu (Series spoilers below)

Wrapping up the Legend Trilogy, I was very excited and anxious for this book. At this point, I had finished several YA dystopian trilogies (and re-read the majority of the book 2s), I cringed at the sight of love triangles, and worried how this one could end much differently than my first assumptions. Marie Lu does not disappoint. Day and June are getting pulled this way and that after Day makes the shocking decision to support the Republic’s government after their return from the Colonies. After not speaking for months, their relationship is forced and June has no idea about the serious medical problems threatening Day’s life. Peace negotiations with the Colonies fall through after a new plague begins sweeping through the front lines. The Elector begs Day to let his little brother Eden be used to help find the cure, but chaos ensues and time starts to run out as Day’s illness gets worse, the Colonies start to invade, and in general, all hell breaks loose. And Marie Lu’s ending is so artfully executed, it’s wonderful and to die for.

As for my general reads:

The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, by Libba Bray

Unlike the other trilogies above, which I was wrapping up, I hadn’t read any of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy before. I blame the cover art. It looks like a sappy teen romance. I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading these books. By the third book, I had gained enough will-power (and fear of the ending) to read it over multiple days, but not so for the first two. The story follows Gemma Doyle and the friends she makes at finishing school following her mother’s death. With some kind of magic brewing up in her, Gemma has to figure out right from wrong, who to trust, why to act and more as they journey into the realms and meet the tribes there. The girls make many stupid choices. Some that could not have been helped, and others that make you want to slap them. It’s an interesting cross between the serious decisions facing them in the realms, and the frivolous choices of their London-focused existence that will still define their futures. Throughout it all, the girls are all looking for their own form of power in the end of the 1800s world that wants them to have none.

Book1: A Great and Terrible Beauty
Book2: Rebel Angels
Book3: The Sweet Far Thing

Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine

Note: This book has almost nothing in common with the movie. Pretend the movie is called Edwin Enchanted. Ella Enchanted has been one of my favorite books since middle school, and it’s still a lovely read at 22. When Ella was born, a fairy but a curse on her that she would always be obedient, and obey every command given to her. After the death of her mother, her father (who knows nothing of the curse) sends her to finishing school and worse in his selfish pursuits. This Cinderella re-telling is delightful and gorgeous and everything lovely, with a heroine who is silly, headstrong, smart, and determined. I recommend this book to anyone, but especially any young princesses who need a story with gumption.

The Broken Empire Trilogy, by Mark Lawrence

I’m not going to say much about these books, except that they are dark and at times quite twisted. Make no mistake, the main character Jorg has evil to his bones. They’re well written and the story is well constructed, but I spent the first two books worried that certain redeeming events wouldn’t come to pass, and that I would have wasted so much time on such an undeserving and thankless character. I was not displeased when done, but what I’m trying to say is this is not a feel good story. This is dark fantasy, with a character willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and a few more evil things just because it pleases him. It’s definitely a departure from my normal reading, and an interesting look into a dark and twisted mind. Content considerations: violence, assualt, more violence.

Some basic plot details: At 14, Jorg has set out to destroy his uncle (for the murder of his mother and younger brother), and then anyone who stands in his way of being king and then ending the war of the Hundred (kingdoms). Set in a future Europe where nuclear war destroyed our civilization (we’re the Builders) centuries before, remnants of mankind go on living in the wreckage like medieval times with a whole host of ghosts, spirits, necromancers and the like as company. The story’s explanations of these things are nice, I assure you.

Book1: Prince of Thorns

Book2: King of Thorns

Book3: Emperor of Thorns

Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

I loved Stroud for the Bartimaeus books, about a snarky djinni and a young magician in training. It was delightful and thrilling, and kept me so very intrigued. Lightwood & Co. is not quite so action packed and thrilling. Don’t get me wrong, it has plenty of excitement, danger, and adventure, but it’s written for more of a potentially long series arc, whereas as most of the Bartimaeus books built to a big conclusion over just a few books.

In Lockwood & Co., over the last 50 years there has been a large number of ghost sightings and hauntings, including poltergeists. And who should be most sensitive and able to hear these spirits but children of course. As you grow older, your “psychic sensitivity” fades, and now strict curfews are enforced while tweens and teens act as security patrols and detectives, setting out to capture and release (from our world) the dangerous spirits. Lockwood himself is at times frustrating. Maybe too smart, maybe too stupid. At times Stroud uses him for dramatic reveals and information dumps. While they usually aren’t tedious, it would be nice to be able to figure out more of the information and pick up the clues ourselves, rather than find out Lockwood has known for chapters and chapters and withheld information that would help the reader draw their own conclusions. Still, the book was a great read that kept me up until 3, and I happily await the next installment.

That was exhausting. And now I have about 10 other books on my “Read ASAP” list. I’ll try to blog sooner rather than lady, but, by golly, Christmas is coming! So you’ll just have to wait and see.

Survival in the “Enclave”

Enclave, by Ann Aguirre

Rating: 7.5/10

Basic Summary: The world’s population has been decimated by some long-ago disaster. Deuce, as the main character comes to be known, lives in an underground enclave among the few survivors of whatever disaster ravaged the worlds many years ago. Her small home is ran by the elders, those lucky enough to make it into their 20s. You have three optional roles: Breeder (obvious), Builder (making anything from shoes to weapons), and Hunter. The Hunters are responsible not only for venturing out into the tunnels to find food, but also for protecting the enclave from the human-like feral Freaks. At 15, Deuce is now an adult, able to take her place among the Hunters. But when she and her outsider partner Fade, who somehow survived to join her enclave at age 9, encounter smarter Freaks outside the enclave things quickly spiral out of control. These Freaks seem almost to have an idea of strategy and memory. The elders refuse to take their news seriously, and Deuce begins to see her home in a whole new way. The rules and truth that have always dictated her life no longer seem certain, and she soon finds herself with no place to call home. She and Fade leave the Enclave, and attempt a journey Topside to find somewhere safe to survive.

My Thoughts: This book was well written. Ann Aguirre, the author, does a good job of describing the world. The enclave appears to be set in subway tunnels, although it’s hard to tell at times, because the characters don’t know what a subway is, or many of the abandoned items it holds, to describe things as we would. The world is well built, and the writing is solid. I’m excited to see how the series will continue. What I loved most about Aguirre’s writing style is how she moves the action along, and keeps the tension. She has a way of switching the characters goals and missions that flows very naturally. Whereas in some books the tension builds and builds only for the characters to realize they missed something obvious and that’s why everything must change. In Enclave, overall there is a very sensible development of the action. When there are twists and turns, it’s through gaining knowledge and making decisions. The characters choose to let the plot twist, it’s not just the author laughing maniacally and saying “THIS will make the story interesting!” as she throws in a handful of betrayal or a surprise invasion of people barely mentioned in the book. The characters are smart, they think about their choices and their implications. If they don’t, they know they won’t survive.

Bonus Section: If you want to read a sample of the first two chapters, go to this link, and scroll to the bottom. Here’s a bit of a breakdown of the characters:

• Deuce Her entire life has been spent in the enclave, she’s always worked and trained to become a Huntress. She lives to protect others and ensure order is maintained so the enclave can survive. She’s a strong character, though not perfect. She struggles at times between doing what she knows is best for the group, and making exceptions for one that could hurt them all. At 15 years old, she’s stronger than most modern 25-year-olds, and she could hold her own against almost anyone who tries to fight her.
• Fade Fade didn’t grow up in the Enclave. He claims he was raised by his father Topside, although no one believes him or the things he says about that. A party of Hunters found him in the tunnels when he was around 9, and because he seemed tough enough to fend for himself, he was allowed to join the enclave rather than being killed. He has never fit in with anyone at the enclave. He’s an outsider, a bit savage, and he doesn’t agree with their rules. But he has kept to himself and avoided raising a stink, because even he can only last so long alone and outside the enclave. He works as a Hunter, and is a fierce fighter, but life at the enclave has never sat right with him.
• Citizens of the enclave Roles are not questioned. If you are a breeder, you reproduce when told and care for the brats. If you are a builder or a hunter, you don’t dare thinking about anything that could produce a baby. Food is meager, and possessions are rare. Hoarding either of these is punishable by death or exile (which is really just a slower kind of death). Hygiene is mandatory, because being dirty is just another way to invite sickness and death.
• Citizens of other enclaves Other enclaves and groups in the tunnel are ran with similar rules, varying in severity. Some are less concerned with hygiene or less strict on security, or much more harsh in their “rule.” Relationships between enclaves are tense, and all are several days apart. There aren’t enough resources in the tunnels to allow them to live too close.

You can also view the book trailer down below. Honestly, I watched maybe the first 30 seconds of it before I closed it. Book trailers are a low budget thing. But maybe it got better, or maybe this will change your mind if you didn’t want to read it already?

Then, once you read the book (or get to this scene), you can read the scene where Deuce and Fade get separated from Fade’s point of view here!

The Wrap-Up: This is a well thought-out dystopian YA novel. In the author’s note at the end, she discusses the research she did on how various disasters would effect the world and society, including articles from the University of Ottawa and the BBC. If reading The Hunger Games, Veronica Roth’s Divergent series, or any other adventure/dystopian story has left you needing more, this is definitely a good series to check out.

Let me know your thoughts if you’re planning to read it! Leave a comment here, and hit “Follow” (above or below) to help make the site better!