The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Talk about drama! Even though the author's hints throughout about what happened to Jenna are about as subtle as a bomb exploding, I found my enjoyment for this one was less because of something else altogether. That reason is the cause for a lot of debate here in the US. It's our relationship with science. I don't feel that it's very spoilerish to say that science in the time and place of this story is looked at with extreme suspicion mixed with an a little bit of hope. Most of the arguments about nature vs science examined were moot points for me, so even though I could understand both sides, it wasn't really new territory.

My own sentiments aside, for some readers the author could raise somewhat valid (even if it's not very realistic) questions for a future where bioengineering has exceeded medicine's wildest expectations. Where do we have to draw the line? Who gets to draw it? Can there ever be exceptions? The author attempts to answer these questions in a very heavy-handed manner much to my disappointment. The last chapter was my favorite and I'd recommend just for that, but there were many things I thought could have been better developed.

Copy Source: Purchased Paperback

Die for Me (Revenants, #1) by Amy Plum

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

"If Vincent wouldn't tell me anything, maybe I could figure it out for myself." That's the one line that I wish Katie would actually listen to herself and follow. From the beginning she has to be spoon-fed the facts and doesn't seem to understand how to connect point a to point b. I would understand her utter disbelief in the beginning, that's only normal, but to continue the same way under the pretense that she wants to know everything, but then hide her head under a rock once she does is exasperating! She literally had to be held by the hand the entire way through this book. At one point she knows her sister is in danger and instead of calmly trying to explain herself, she goes to visit her 'lover' (ha!) and leaves her sister to her own devices.

On another note, I'm sure there might be some women or men that convince their significant other to leave the military or police force because of the dangers. It's understandable that the risks their partner takes may be too stressful for the other half. Yet there are men and women that bravely put their lives on the line for others every single day they step into uniform. The main difference between them and a character in this book is that this character will COME BACK, not just once by EVERY TIME. This character feels an immense urge to sacrifice their life so that others may live but Katie decides she would be too upset to see that happen because after her parents sudden demise it's too traumatic. It's true she doesn't suggest the character willingly not save lives, but she doesn't mind when they suggest something along those lines. Then the icing on the cake is that by the end, Katie 'bravely' decides she would sacrifice her life for this character. Give me a break! What's good for the goose isn't good for the gander, I guess.

Her immaturity leads me to another point. The fact that she didn't need to be in this relationship was obvious to me. The interactions between her and Vincent are so little before they decide they can't live without each other(ugh!). I'd believe it if it rang with any kind of true sentiment, but it didn't to me. Plus, at Vincent's age he should know better and at least leave her alone for a few years.

As you can probably tell this book hit some nerves. I know that many of the things that bothered me other readers would gobble up. In fact the romantic scene at the end reminded me so much of Twilight it was hard not to compare the two. So I can definitely say fans of that series would like this one. It's not for me.

Copy Source: Purchased

Dark Descendant (Descendants, #1) by Jenna Black

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I can say I was honestly surprised by how much I loved this story. I liked the author's other adult series, but it didn't really wow me and I haven't continued with it. When I heard she had a new story out related to mythology I was hopeful yet again because I'm a sucker for anything related to mythology (Greek, in particular). I'm happy to say this one hit all the right notes for me and Nikki Glass is now one of my fav UF heroines right up there with Kate and Mercy. She had the strength and courage to do what she needed to do, even if she did think she's a 'bleeding heart'.

I recommend this one if you like your UF a little on the grittier side (because honestly, where else should it be if you're playing around with immortals) if your playing around with the stuff of legends. I loved the basis of the plot and the world-building was superb. I will be hard-pressed to wait for the next in the series.

Abandon (Abandon Trilogy #1) by Meg Cabot

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was an okay book that could have been so much better. Abandon is Cabot's take on the Persephone myth. I liked the appropriately dark and mysterious tones she took with John and I sympathized with the way Pierce cared about others, even if it was a bit much at times.

The real drawback was while I enjoyed the idea of Cabot's Underworld, I didn't like the baddies she decided used the conflict. I have to admit I haven't brushed up on my mythology lately, but Cabot's Furies were dare I say it, boring. That's worse than being bad, because my interest level zoomed to nil once I saw the direction the story was taking.

I thought she was heading in the right direction as Pierce and John began to know one another, but even in that respect the story faltered. The flashbacks weren't interesting and made the story seem disjointed at times. I was glad her young age was acknowledged, but other poignant developments in their relationship were lacking as she grew.

Disappointing, but I may give the second a try from the library if I can get over the boring antagonists.

Copy Source: Library

Tithe (The Modern Faerie Tales, #1) by Holly Black

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I first discovered books by Holly Black after reading White Cat, which I loved. So it made sense for me to try her others. Tithe's world-building is based on faeries, the Seelie and Unseelie. I've seen this genre time and time again being a fan of fantasy, but I have to say Black didn't do too bad this time around, either.
Kaye has always felt like an outsider. When she was little she remembers playing with faeries and that they were anything but imaginary. Her mom fronts various unsuccessful bands which means that her life is often turned upside down when she's moved around in hopes that her mom can find her big break. After a bad incident, Kaye and her mom go back to her grandmother's and odd things start happening again.
For the most part I liked Kaye. There were a few moments when her quirky emo-angst was a bit annoying, but toward the end she found a lot of her own inner strength. This was a quick read and the story kept me turning the pages because Black managed to find the right balance in making the faeries inhuman, but still accessible. Her human relationships could have used a bit of work, because there were a lot of loose threads in that department.

Copy Source: Library

Burned by Ellen Hopkins

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I didn't like this one. It's the first I've read by this author, who has quite a following, but I've heard plenty about her controversial books. I guess this one wasn't really controversial, but I could see why some might think that.
Pattyn was a sad girl and even though the author tries to show the reasons why her life was so terrible, I never identified or felt like she was a fully realized character. The same can be said for Ethan and Aunt J. It felt cliched and a bit tacky in it's PSA lessons and as if she was bunching so many incongruous big life messages together for more shock and awe. Even if I'm in the minority with this one it was not for me.

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Have you ever read a book that you'd be hard pressed to describe to another person, but makes perfect sense within it's own pages? That'd be this book. Temple is only fifteen years-old and all she's ever known is a life filled with fighting, death and zombies. We join her in her travels and get intimate glances at what has happened to the world and the changes to what is left of humanity.
Temple fights a lot of her memories because nothing can be taken for granted. She hides herself and what she could have been because if she didn't she'd be zombie fodder. As people gather in clusters of form some semblance of a city or town she knows she'll never find a place among them. It was tough to read about her life and the snatches of memory she chooses to share. I wasn't a fan of the ending, but the interactions between her and another character had me shaking my head and hurriedly reading the next paragraph to see these two and their Old West-style showdown would unfold.
This was more than scary zombies and things that go bump in the night, but then again that's what all the good ones really accomplish.

Copy Source: Library