Rebel Nation by Shaunta Grimes (Viral Nation #2) Book Review | Blog Tour Stop

Rebel Nation
(Viral Nation #2)
Shaunta Grimes
Genres: Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalytpic
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st July 2014
Number of Pages: 320
Publisher: Berkeley Trade
Source: Received for review
Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

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Sixteen years ago, a plague wiped out nearly all of humanity. The Company’s vaccine stopped the virus’s spread, but society was irrevocably changed. Those remaining live behind impenetrable city walls, taking daily doses of virus suppressant and relying on The Company for continued protection. They don’t realize that everything they’ve been told is a lie… 


Clover Donovan didn’t set out to start a revolution—quiet, autistic, and brilliant, she’s always followed the rules. But that was before they forced her into service for the Time Mariners. Before they condemned her brother to death, compelling him to flee the city to survive. Before she discovered terrifying secrets about The Company. 


Clover and the Freaks, her ragtag resistance group, are doing their best to spread the rebellion and stay under The Company’s radar. But when their hideout is discovered, they are forced, once again, to run. Only this time, The Company has special plans for Clover, plans that could risk her life and stop the uprising in its tracks…

Shaunta Grimes has worked as a substitute teacher, a newspaper reporter, a drug court counselor, and a vintage clothing seller. No matter which direction she strays, however, she always comes back to storytelling. She lives in Reno with her family, where she writes, teaches, and perpetually studies at the University of Nevada. Viral Nation is her debut traditionally-published novel.

How to Connect with Shaunta:
Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Newsletter

First Book in the Series:-

Viral Nation
After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed.

Even more twisted and survival based than Viral Nation! This series keeps getting better and better with every book.

Rebel Nation seamlessly wove the story from Viral Nation (book 1) and reminded us readers of the main story developments from book 1 but without overkill - an element not usually done so efficiently, well done Grimes! I did however miss the time travel element from book 1 but I do fully understand and appreciate its non-existence due to the focus of the Freaks in the present and concentrating on rooting themselves for the Winter months as well as escaping Bennett's grasp.

Bennett's character in Rebel Nation was even more evil than book 1 - a task I didn't think possible! There was one scene in particular that was so craftily written by Grimes that I thought I knew what Bennett had done, but I wasn't sure - I was also hoping he hadn't - and it turned out he did! I still can't believe it! He's so evil!

I further continued to enjoy Clover's character in Rebel Nation, as I did in Viral Nation, and continued to feel that her autism made her character more interesting and her behaviour in certain situations added to the chaos of the post-apocalyptic world and the dystopian theme. Mango, Clover's dog companion, again was my favourite character, he didn't get as much focus in Rebel Nation but he continued to understand and help Clover's behaviour and thoughts. She's certainly building herself a good support system now with Mango, West and Jude - there was more development of the Clover and Jude relationship in Rebel Nation too which was sweet.

Overall Rebel Nation did not disappoint with its dystopian content, more details were presented about the Company and their evil doings, the Freaks rebellion as well as the world outside of Reno and other survivor settlements. This rebellion has officially kicked off and I guess we'll now have to until Book 3 to see how it all continues. Once again I've been left wishing I had the next book. Grimes writes a superb cliffhanger again!

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:
6/23/2014- A Book Obsession- Review
6/23/2014- Word Spelunking- Interview
6/24/2014- Reading with ABC- Review
6/24/2014- Pieces of Whimsy- Guest Post
6/25/2014- bookaholics anonymous online- Review
6/25/2014- Fire and Ice- Interview
6/26/2014- Cold Tea and Crumbs- Review
6/26/2014- Such a Novel Idea- Guest Post
6/27/2014- modern-assassin- Review
6/27/2014- Page Turner Blog- Interview

Week Two:
6/30/2014- Buried Under Books- Review
6/30/2014- Bookhounds YA- Guest Post
7/1/2014- The Demon Librarian- Review
7/1/2014- Library of the Seen- Interview
7/2/2014- Crystal in Bookland- Review
7/2/2014- the Windy Pages- Guest Post
7/3/2014- My Dear Bibliophage- Review
7/3/2014- The Book Monsters- Interview
7/4/2014- Books, Bones & Buffy- Review
7/4/2014- Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, and Romance- Guest Post

The Parts I Remember by A.K. Mills | New Adult Traumatic Life Event Story

The Parts I Remember
A.K. Mills
Genres: Chick-lit, Romance, Traumatic Life Event/Experience
Age Group: New Adult (Adult Themed Content)
Publication Date: 1st March 2013
Number of Pages: 246
Source: Author

Add to your TBR shelf:	Grab yourself a copy now:
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Act first. Think never. Remember nothing. 

Welcome to Kelly Rockport’s existence at Haysville University, where responsibility is just an elective. After all, fake IDs, alter egos, and one-night stands are all part of the college experience, right? So what if she blacks out from time to time? Memory is overrated. 

When freshman year lasts about as long as a one-night stand and is quickly followed by the Year of the Blackout, Kelly projects junior year to be nothing shy of amazing. But as shots, beer, cocaine and men mesh together in an intoxicating haze, Kelly’s reckless ways get her into serious trouble. The only problem is, she can’t remember what happened. 

As she hovers along the edge of consciousness, Kelly forces herself to think past her pain to piece together the shards of her life. This is her story, told in her words: The Parts I Remember.

The Parts I Remember was one of the first New Adult books I’ve read. I didn’t quite know what to expect but I’d been warned that the majority were similar to Young Adult books but with explicit language and behaviour. However, although this is true of The Parts I Remember, this story is also much more. The story is thought provoking and it’s recollection basis from Kelly’s perspective focuses on her learning a ‘lesson’ and learning the error of her ways.

The Parts I Remember begins when Kelly awakes from a car accident she was been involved in. She is severely injured and has no recollection of how or why she was in the car in the first place. The story then evolves into Kelly retelling the events of her life leading up to the accident which include hints as to what may have happened.

The alternate time periods in this book were enjoyable and easily distinguishable at the start of each chapter. As the story evolves more and more I was constantly trying to guess who may have also been in the car with Kelly and how the accident could have happened. Being a recent graduate myself, made Kelly’s character understandably and she certainly knows how to party! I don’t think I’d ever have kept up with her! Kelly’s character at times was also frustrating though and her complete selfishness had me yelling out loud at the book so many times. This however is not a comment on a poor character because I believe that these were all important traits to Kelly and they blended with the story well and added to the learning the error of her ways aspect.

Overall, The Parts I Remember was a thoroughly enjoyable read and something I would recommend to anyone looking for a New Adult read with a twist. I’ll certainly be exploring more New Adults books in the future and I hope to discover that more are similar to The Parts I Remember rather than just all about the explicit behaviour.

Take a Look at Me Now by Miranda Dickinson | Chick-Lit, Romance

Take a Look at Me Now
Miranda Dickinson
Genres: Chick-lit, Romance
Age Group: Adult (No Adult Themed Content)
Publication Date: 24th October 2013
Number of Pages: 390
Source: Netgalley

Add to your TBR shelf:	Grab yourself a copy now:
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How far would you go to make a new start? 

When Nell’s on-off boyfriend Aidan calls her into his office, losing her job is the last thing she expects. 

Heartbroken and unemployed to boot, she makes a radical decision to blow her redundancy cheque and escape to the untested waters of San Francisco. 

But is the glamour of the city too good to be true? And can Nell leave her past behind?

Take a Look at Me Now is one of those stories that I read at the right place and the right time. As my own feelings mirrored Nell’s at the beginning of this story, I felt fully connected to Nell and her mundane job and aspirations to start her own business. As an aspiring business-owner myself, I’d be lying if I said I hadn't dreamed about setting-up my own business whilst reading this story and all the little details involved. :-)

The story really takes shape when Nell is made redundant and spontaneously escapes her London woes and flies over to San Francisco to stay with her cousin, Lizzie for 6 weeks. Within the gorgeous setting of San Francisco (one of my favourite places), Nell re-discovers her dream of starting-up her own American Diner business and with Annie’s - the best American diner in the neighbourhood - just on her doorstep, Nell is inspired and starts to work towards making her dream happen.

The business start-up element of this story is probably the part I connected to most; however there are also a number of relationship and romance elements within this book which I also found enjoyable. Nell is in relationship chaos; in London she leaves her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Aidan (who’s actually the one who makes her redundant!), and then in San Francisco she enjoys a ‘holiday romance’ which may be more than Nell had banked for. Lizzie (Nell’s cousin) also has her own love life issues when business and pleasure appear to want to mix and there is also the heart-warming relationship of Saul & Esther Alfaro, who bicker and tease each other but after 50-odd years of marriage still love each unconditionally. These multiple romance elements add the drama to the story and keep it fast paced. I didn’t know where Nell was going to end up in the end but I obviously had my own ideas as to who was right for her! I’m not going to say whether that’s who she ends up with or not. :-)

Overall this book was super enjoyable and I’d recommend it to all chick-literature, contemporary fans. The story’s twist and turns are very predictable however I don’t think that ruined my enjoyment of this book as I was fully submersed in Nell’s dream. I’m even going to own up and say I cried at the end, even if I guessed the ending about midway through the story, Miranda Dickenson wrote the final chapter so well and undescriptive that it wasn’t until the final couple of pages that I realised my ideal ending was true. Great job!

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead | Paramornal Fantasy Romance Book Review - Video

Vampire Academy
Richelle Mead
Vampire Academy Series - Book 1
Genres: Supernatural, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 16th 2007
Number of Pages: 332
Source: Borrowed from my local library

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St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake | Paramornal Fantasy Romance Book Review

Anna Dressed in Blood
Kendare Blake
Genres: Supernatural, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Horror,
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2011
Number of Pages: 316
Source: Borrowed from my local library

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Cas Lowood, armed with his late father's athame knife, kills ghosts. In Thunder Bay, Anna, forever 16, drips blood on her white dress from throat slit in 1958, and rips apart anyone who enters her house - except Cas. He makes new friends - high school queen Carmel, jock Will, admiring nerd Thomas and Tom's voodoo grandpa Morfran - to fight this demon.

Plot

I really liked the synopsis for this book previous to reading it. It sounded similar to the Supernatural television programme which I adore, so of course it's something that intrigued me. 

Cas Lowood is a ghost hunter and supernatural killer, he is one of only a few with this ability and he is therefore tasked with carrying on his family's tradition after the murder of his father. His mother is a 'white witch' and helps Cas when needed by supplying healing lotions and other aids however she disagrees with his involvement in the family ghost hunting tradition. 

After a tip from a close contact raises curiosity in Cas, he heads up to Thunder Bay, Canada - with his mother and all their possessions in tow - to hunt down the 'Anna' ghost and stop her gruesome murders. However when Cas meets Anna all is not the same as his typical ghost killings and he starts to wonder what about Anna's death was different? 

Overall Impression

I was slightly disappointed in this story as the hype around this book from fellow booktubers was incredible. It was constantly described as chilling and scary but I actually found it bland in terms of it's supernatural content and the 'scary' bits were more gruesome that scary.

The best bits within this story were the aspects involving Anna. All the bits in between these scenes seemed irrelevant or long-winded for what was actually being discussed. The aspects involving Anna however were fantastic and I would have preferred discovering even more about her past and her life as a ghost.

I also didn't quite believe or feel for the romance within this novel which actually seemed secondary to the ghost hunting and father's death storyline.

The ending left me feeling bored. It all neatened up quite nicely and so knowing there is a second book in the series, I don't feel a rush to go out and read it. I would have preferred more of a cliffhanger ending which left me wanting more. I will be reading the second book however just not in a hurry.

Coralina (The Nine Princesses Novellas #2) | Book Review

Coralina (The Nine Princesses Novellas #2)
Anita Valle
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Publication Date: November 28th 2012
Number of Pages: 184
Source: Bought from Amazon Kindle UK Store

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Coralina Corissa, known as "Coco" to her eight sisters, is the prettiest princess of a hundred kingdoms. And she knows it. Her beauty has always given her anything she wanted... and any man she wanted.

Runa Realm is facing a new threat. Strange bandits, disguised as nobles, are attacking beautiful women to steal their hair. Coralina isn't concerned. Until Prince Luxley, her favourite (but not only) lover, gets clobbered by a peasant called Gord, who mistakenly assumed the prince was a bandit.

Outraged, Coralina plans to punish the peasant by deliberately breaking his heart. But Gord is nearly blind. For the first time ever, Coralina must rely on more than her looks to ensnare a man. But the harder she flirts, the more Gord seems to hate her. And the more her own heart (and hair) becomes endangered.

Coralina is such as enjoyable easy read just like Book 1 Maelyn. I loved the 'lesson learnt' aspect of this story and that Coralina learns that she cannot continue to string along men's hearts. Overall this book was a fantastic quick read and would be a great bedtime story for kids and also for us 'older people' as a quick enjoyable read. Took me about 2 hours to read and loved every moment. I cannot wait to read book 3 when it is published - Heidel. Check out Anita Valle's website for publishing date or description.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness | Book Review

A Monster Calls
Patrick Ness 
Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Fantasy
Publication Date: September 27th 2011
Number of Pages: 215
Source: Borrowed from my local library

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The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming... 

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. 

It wants the truth.

A Monster Calls was a fabulous children's book which discusses saddening issues. With Conor's mother suffering from cancer and receiving ongoing treatment, Conor is understandably worried about his mum and the direction of his life. One night as Conor sleeps, he is awoken by a monster at his window, not the one he sees in his regular nightmare but another menacing creature. This monster has come to help Conor but his help isn't quite the help that Conor was hoping for, the monster instead insists on sharing three stories and in return Conor must share one back which is truthful.

This story tugged at my heart strings, and as the story progresses and Conor's mother's illness worsens I really felt for Conor and the turbulence within his life. The monster character is what made this book for me as the story he tells to Conor really makes you think about right and wrong, as well as other moral dilemmas. These stories are obviously aimed at helping Conor to except his mother's illness and relate to events in Conor's life.

Overall this book was a lovely quick read and the artwork within the book was fantastic at illustrating Patrick Ness' words. As I read the book I could easily imagine reading it to a child and although it is a sober tale, the story is as lighthearted as possible and would make an enjoyable afternoon read to a child, especially as the monster isn't really a 'bad' monster.

Wither by Lauren Destefano | Book Review

This review contains no spoilers and no reference to events or character information that may ruin your reading pleasure.

Wither
Lauren Destefano

Book 1 - The Chemical Garden Trilogy

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape -- before her time runs out?


Recommended for those who enjoy:
dystopians, end of the world concepts, love, romance, blossoming love, challenging the law, fighting chaos, living in a 'lawless' world,

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★☆


My thoughts:
The world as we know it is no more, the US is all that is left after World War 3 but cancer and similar diseases now no longer threaten the human race. However in return, the subsequent generations only live until 25 (males) and 20 (females). No-one know why!

This story is incredible, the dystopian world is terrifyingly possible and the characters loveable, hateful and enjoyably annoying.

This book focuses on Rhine and her life as a sister wife within a wealthy mansion, a complete opposite to her previous life in Manhattan. Even though most of this story takes place within the same four walls, the story is gripping from start to finish. The clear focus for the series though, which I'm sure will be explored more as the series progresses, is the fight to find an anitdote for these early deaths.

Overall, a must for anyone looking for a more sinister version of 'The Selection Series'

Over to you:

Have you read Wither, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Who is your favourite character and what was your favourite scene?

Beautiful Redemption Book Review | Full Review for The Caster Chronicles Series

Please be aware that this is the fourth book in a series. I attempt to not include spoilers and references to events and important character information in any of my reviews, however it is recommended that you have read the first, second and third book in the series before reading this review. Check out my review for Beautiful Creatures (Book 1), Beautiful Darkness (Book 2) and Beautiful Chaos (Book 3).

Beautiful Redemption
Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Book 4 - The Caster Chronicles Series

Ethan Wate has spent most of his life longing to escape the stiflingly small Southern town of Gatlin. He never thought he would meet the girl of his dreams, Lena Duchannes, who unveiled a secretive, powerful, and cursed side of Gatlin, hidden in plain sight. And he never could have expected that he would be forced to leave behind everyone and everything he cares about. So when Ethan awakes after the chilling events of the Eighteenth Moon, he has only one goal: to find a way to return to Lena and the ones he loves.

Back in Gatlin, Lena is making her own bargains for Ethan's return, vowing to do whatever it takes -- even if that means trusting old enemies or risking the lives of the family and friends Ethan left to protect.

Worlds apart, Ethan and Lena must once again work together to rewrite their fate, in this stunning finale to The Caster Chronicles series.


Recommended for those who enjoy:
gothic teen novels, teen romance, supernatural becomings, blossoming love, 'coming of age' transitions, freedom from being stuck in one place, fantasy fiction

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  ★★★★☆


My thoughts:
The final book in The Caster Chronicles series. It's all over :-( This final book was once again slightly slow but the lack of 'things' actually happening built suspense and the ending was not disappointing. Tears were shed at the ending.

My full review of the series and more of my thoughts on the final book are discussed in the video below.

Over to you:

Have you read Beautiful Redemption, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?
Who is your favourite character and what was your favourite scene?
What do you think overall of The Caster Chronicles Series?

The Iron Butterfly Series | Book Review

This review contains no spoilers and no reference to events or character information that may ruin your reading pleasure.

The Iron Butterfly Series (Book 1 & 2)
Chanda Hahn

Book 1 - The Iron Butterfly

Imprisoned, starved and left with no memories, Thalia awakens to find herself at the mercy of an evil cult known as the Septori. Their leader has chosen Thalia as the test subject for a torture device of untold power, designed to change and twist her into something that is neither human nor Denai.

Escaping, Thalia finds an unwilling warrior to protect her and an unlikely Denai to befriend her. After find a home at the Citadel as a servant, Thalia's worst nightmare comes to life and she begins to show signs of power. Scared and unable to control her gifts, she tries to hide her past to fit in among the Denai. But the Septori want their latest test subject back and will stop at nothing to retrieve her, dead or alive.

Book 2 - The Steele Wolf

After finally settling into her new life at the Citadel, Thalia is reunited with her father, who is disturbed at the changes within her. Risking banishment, Thalia must work to prove to her clan and herself that she is still capable of leading them. The problem is, her memories haven't returned, and she cannot shake the feeling that she doesn't belong.

Thalia discovers that betrayal runs deep within her clan, just as she sets out to join Joss and Kael in doing the one thing she fears most: track the Septori to save Joss' kidnapped sister. Along the way, she must confront her own fears on a journey of self-discovery that will take her deep into the stronghold of Denai; as they travel to the ancient floating city of Skyfell.



Recommended for those who enjoy:
teen novels, teen romance, supernatural becomings, blossoming love, survival stories, fantasy fiction, discovering lost memories

Cold Tea and Crumbs rating:  The Iron Butterfly = ★★★★☆  The Steele Wolf = ★★★★★

My thoughts:

Over to you:

Have you read The Iron Butterfly or The Steele Wolf, what did you think of it? Enjoyed reading it or disliked it?