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:
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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 Maze Runner by James Dashner | Amazing, Gruesome Survival Story

The Maze Runner
(The Maze Runner #1)
James Dashner
Genres: Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Survival Story
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 6th October 2009
Number of Pages: 371
Source: Bought

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When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade - a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there - or what's happened to the world outside.

Brooke Novella Review - Under the Never Sky #2.5

Brooke (Under The Never Sky #2.5)     Veronica Rossi Genres: Dystopia, Romance Age Group: Young Adult Publication Date: 26th November 2013 Number of Pages: 68 Add to your TBR shelf:

First book in the series

Set just before the events of Into the Still Blue, the conclusion to Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky trilogy, this breathtaking novella is a satisfying stand-alone for new readers as well as an exciting glimpse at favorite characters from the trilogy. Pulsing with romance and danger, Brooke will leave readers desperate for the conclusion to this epic and unforgettable saga.

The only fight she can't win is the one for Perry's heart. Following the stunning climax in Through the Ever Night, the Tides have been forced to seek shelter from the Aether storms in a dismal, secluded cave. But Brooke's memories of the cave go back much further, to when she and Perry used to come here together. That was before Perry fell in love with Aria and before Vale's dealings with the Dwellers altered the course of the Tides forever.

Now, with her sister back from a haunting year in captivity and Aria lying unconscious in the sick bay, Brooke struggles to put the pieces of her life back together. Without Perry, who is she? And what is her role in this frightening new world? As these questions swirl about her, an old threat to the Tides resurfaces, and Brooke is forced to put the lives of her people before her own. But in taking this step outside of herself, Brooke may finally discover what she truly wants.

Brooke’s character has been a bit of an enigma in both Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night. As Perry’s ex, she’s always been part of the story through her interactions with Perry and Aria’s weariness of her, however she’s never had a serious part to play in the development of the story. I therefore didn’t really know what to expect before reading this novella and wasn’t eager to read it. However, once I started reading Brooke’s POV and discovering more about her I actually found myself liking her character and addicted to the situations which were developed in this novella.

The Brooke novella is definitely a short story because of the elements that are wrapped up from Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night which are addressed within Into the Still Blue. In book 2, Wylan and other members of the tribe left the Tides after an incident and in this novella we discover the aftermath of that. I really liked seeing this aftermath as well as learning more about the brothers within the ‘Six’ and the flirting that ensues with Brooke. A definite read for all fans of the Under the Never Sky series – a novella that cannot be missed!

Get the Under the Never Sky series for yourself:-

Roar & Liv Novella Review - Under the Never Sky #0.5

Roar and Liv (Under The Never Sky #0.5)     Veronica Rossi Genres: Dystopia, Romance Age Group: Young Adult Publication Date: 30th October 2012 Number of Pages: 68 Add to your TBR shelf:

First book in the series

                                                               Before Perry and Aria, there was Roar and Liv.

After a childhood spent wandering the borderlands, Roar finally feels like he has a home with the Tides. His best friend Perry is like a brother to him, and Perry's sister, Liv, is the love of his life. But Perry and Liv's unpredictable older brother, Vale, is the Blood Lord of the Tides, and he has never looked kindly on Roar and Liv's union. Normally, Roar couldn't care less about Vale's opinion. But with food running low and conditions worsening every day, Vale's leadership is more vital—and more brutal—than ever. Desperate to protect his tribe, Vale makes a decision that will shatter the life Roar knew and change the fate of the Tides forever.

Set in the harsh but often beautiful world of Veronica Rossi's "unforgettable" Under the Never Sky (Examiner.com), this captivating prequel novella stands on its own for new readers and offers series fans a fascinating look into the character of Roar. Poignant and powerful, Roar and Liv is a love story that will "capture your imagination and your heart." (Justine on Under the Never Sky)

I was excited to discover more about Roar in this novella from his perspective because he was one of my favourite characters from the Under the Never Sky Series. As Perry’s best friend, Roar is a proper ‘lad’ and yet he’s loyal and loving - the object of his affections being is Perry’s sister, Liv, and she feels exactly the same way. However, Liv and Roar are not set to have the happy life together they expected after the Tides tribe leader/blood lord, and also Liv’s brother, arranges her marriage to another tribes’ blood lord in exchange for food and resources which the Tides desperately need.

This novella was a little flat and underwhelming for me as I wanted to learn more about Roar and further experience his witty humour but unfortunately, this doesn’t quite come across the same in the Roar & Liv novella as it did in Under the Never Sky. Overall this novella was an interesting read, especially regarding events that happen in Through the Ever Night (book 2) which this novella further helps provide background for. As novellas go, this was good and worth reading for another book set in this world.

Get the Under the Never Sky series for yourself:-

Book Review MASHUP - Under The Never Sky & Independent Study | Post-Apocalytpic, Dystopia

Under The Never Sky (#1)
Veronica Rossi
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st December 2011
Number of Pages: 384
Source: Bought myself

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Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered.

This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland--known as The Death Shop--are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild--a savage--and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile--everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.

Independent Study 
(The Testing #2)
Joelle Charbonneau
Genres: Dystopia, Post-Apocalytic
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st January 2014
Number of Pages: 383
Source: Bought myself

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For the attention of candidate Melncia Vale.

Congratulations, you have passed the Testing.

You have won a place at our prestigious university. After six months of preliminary classes, you will sit an examination. The results will be used to assign you to an area of study appropriate to your talents.

The united commonwealth urges you to consider your answers carefully during this examination.

Wrong answers will be penalised.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth | Divergent Trilogy Book 3

Allegiant (Divergent #3)
Veronica Roth
Genres: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 22nd October 2013
Number of Pages: 526
Source: Bought from Kindle UK Store

Add to your TBR shelf:	Grab yourself a copy now:
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The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Allegiant was one of those books I was super looking forward to reading and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. October came and I had issues though - I hadn’t realised my pre-ordered paperback edition, which matched my other copies, came out September 2014! Seriously, September 2014! Anyways, I cancelled my pre-order and bought the Kindle edition so that I could read it straight away – smart move publishers, make me buy 2 versions of the book! Anyways, once I had Allegiant in my grasp I started to notice that it wasn’t quite the comfortable fit that I had experienced with both Divergent and Insurgent.

Allegiant follows on from the exact point that Insurgent finishes. Tris has broadcast the secret that was hidden by the Abnegation faction - a world beyond the City’s walls which requires their help. The faction world of Chicago has been overthrown and everyone is now neutral, wearing multiple coloured clothing which doesn’t pinpoint their faction choice, and now the factionless are in power, policing everyone’s behaviour. However, not everyone is happy with this new non-factionless city and an unidentified group, the Allegiant, has emerged whose sole aim is to complete the actions given within the broadcast message - leave the city and bring as many Divergent outside as possible. With Tris and Tobias’ previous actions within the City’s recent events, it’s no surprise that they are targeted by the Allegiant revolt. With Tris and Tobias in tow, the Allegiant group leave the city to discover what is on the other side.

I had high anticipations for the final book in the Divergent Trilogy and in some ways my wishes and hopes were met and in other ways I was left feeling numb and slightly disappointed. I purposefully waited a little while to write this review as I wanted to take some time to collect my thoughts. I don’t say that often!

I believe that Allegiant is difficult to review in relation to the other books in the series due to the difference in direction that the story takes and the difference in writing style (dual POVs).

1) Story direction - The revolution in Chicago is over, Jeanine Matthews has been overthrown and the factionless have emerged and ceased control. In terms of anti-new establishment groups, the Allegiant are the only ones hyped up enough to really do anything but they are much more focused on leaving the city and discovering what is on the outside. Hence, the story isn’t concentrated within the world we’ve become accustomed to in Divergent and Insurgent, and in my opinion I missed this world. I missed the constant feeling that Tris needed to watch her every action and thought, and Allegiant just seemed a little actionless because of this. Don’t get me wrong Allegiant has its moments – explosions, attacks and characters to be weary around – but overall the story was just about discovery of the outside world, understanding the outside world’s motives for their experiments and how Tris, Caleb , Tobias and everyone else fits into the grander scheme of things.

2) Dual POV – The writing style of both Tris and Tobias’ POVs was also new to the series within Allegiant and I don’t think it made reading the story easy. Due to the lack of varying locations in Allegiant, being able to easily shift between character’s POV wasn’t simple. I fully understand why it was written in this style, which is due to the ending (coming back to this later), however I was constantly battling with myself and this actually stifled my ability to read and enjoy Allegiant. The dual POV just didn’t quite fit in my opinion.

Moving on to the ending of the novel, Tris’ death – this is main reason I’ve delayed my review for this long because I still haven’t quite decided where I sit with my opinion of the ending. I don’t hate the ending, I feel that it fit with Tris’ character perfectly and certainly provided me with the ‘surprise’ I was hoping for somewhere within Allegiant. I don’t even hate the fact that it was slightly predictable and certainly too heavily hinted at during the final chapters leading up to it. My issue is that I was hoping for a more powerful ending to the series e.g. something that affected the whole of Chicago and the factions. Once Tris’ death was certain, the book just seemed to lose focus and nothing was rounded up as to the possible future of Chicago and the outside world. I think my preference would have been for the book to end with Tris’ death which would at least have kept us guessing as to if she was actually dead or not. Although saying that I did like the Tobias zip line scene but I also could have lived without it. I guess even after writing this paragraph I’m still undecided about my opinion. I guess I’ll need more time and possibly a reread to decide.

Overall Allegiant was an ‘ok’ book to complete the Divergent Trilogy, it compares to Mockingjay in my opinion in the sense that it was my least favourite book in the series and just didn’t add anything new or different to the story. If you’ve read Divergent and Insurgent it’s certainly worth finishing the series but just lower your expectations beforehand so as not to be disappointed. Don’t forget to leave your thoughts below too.

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau | A Dystopia Thriller Book Review

The Testing (The Testing #1)
Joelle Charbonneau
Genres: Dystopia, Sci-fi, Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 1st August 2013
Number of Pages: 384
Source: Borrowed from my local library

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Sixteen-year-old Cia Vale is honoured to be chosen for The Testing – a series of exams set by the United Commonwealth that selects the brightest young adults to become leaders of their war- stricken world. But when candidates start disappearing and Cia witnesses unimaginable horrors done in the United Commonwealth’s name it becomes clear that these are no ordinary exams, and Cia is forced to realise the truth: this is no longer about winning, but surviving.

Fever by Lauren DeStefano | Dystopia Romance YA Book Review

Fever (The Chemical Garden #2)
Lauren DeStefano
Genres: Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy, Sci-fi
Age Group: Young Adult
Publication Date: 21st February 2012
Number of Pages: 341
Source: Borrowed from my local library

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Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. 

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. 

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

This series chills my core. I don't know exactly what aspect of this dystopian world throws my world off edge but this book in particular affected me so much that I actually lost sleep whilst reading it.

The struggles faced within this world are horrifying: definite death at 20 for females or 25 for males, no hope of a cure being found, only the United States of America's landmass survives and the rest of the world is just ocean, women are either sold into or stolen for a life of prostitution whether it be with many men or birthing new heirs for a wealthy housemaster, many children are left orphaned and the world in general isn't safe and secure. You try sleeping at night when your mind is processing all that!

Fever leaves straight off where Wither (Book 1) finished. Rhine has left the mansion but life is no more comfortable and enjoyable than it was before. In fact Rhine soon realises she might have let herself in for more than she expected. Captured by a circus, hunted down by Vaughn, having to take care of a mute little girl with a broken arm and a friend who's trying to defeat his addiction to a drug he was inflicted to. I definitely wouldn't want to be in her shoes!

This book was as good if not better than Wither in my opinion and although it has such a dark and depressed world, Lauren DeStefano writes with such ease and lightness that it's an enjoyable yet thought-provoking read. A definite for fans of dystopias.

The Island - A Dystopian Novella | Book Review

The Island
Jen Minkman
Genres: Dystopian, Sci-fi, Young Adult
Publication Date: June 1st 2013
Number of Pages: 138
Source: Bought from Amazon Kindle UK Store

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'I walk toward the sea. The endless surface of the water extends to the horizon, whichever way I look. 

Our world is small. We are on our own, and we only have ourselves to depend on. We rely on the Force deep within us, as taught to us by our forefathers. 

If I were to walk westward from here, I would come across a barrier - the Wall. Behind it, there are Fools. At least, that's what everyone says.

I have never seen one.'

Leia lives on the Island, a world in which children leave their parents to take care of themselves when they are ten years old. Across this Island runs a wall that no one has ever crossed. The Fools living behind it are not amenable to reason - they believe in illusions. That's what The Book says, the only thing left to the Eastern Islanders by their ancestors. But when a strange man washes ashore and Leia meets a Fool face to face, her life will never be the same. Is what she and her friends believe about the Island really true? 

Or is everyone in their world, in face, a Fool? 

This was a book I badly wanted to put down and leave unfinished but my stubbornness stopped me. I have never not finished a book and I wasn't going to start now. Had this book been more than 138 pages I may have been more likely to put it down but I persevered and finished it.

The constant references to Stars Wars in this book made me loath it. I'm not a big Stars Wars fan on a good day but namedropping a Dark Father and constant talk of a never explained 'Force' made me bored out of my brain. At times when I became intrigued about the truth as to why these people were on these islands and why some wanted to leave and others did not, I was then quickly bored again by constant talk and non-answered questions. Even though this book was free on the Kindle, please don't waste your time or money (if there is a charge in your country), it's about 2-3 hours of reading time you'll never get back!

COVER REVEAL | Darkness Watching by Emma L. Adams (Darkworld #1)

I have a fantastic cover reveal for you today from an author I have chatted to on twitter occasionally, fellow Brit, Emma L. Adams. The cover reveal is for Emma's first new adult, paranormal, fantasy novel and the synopsis sounds incredible, I cannot wait to read this book when it's published.

I absolutely love the colours used in the Darkness Watching cover - my two favourites, purple and blue - and I love the menancing purple eyes which look like cat eyes. I wonder what kind of demon or sorcerer these belong to. I also love the frost creeping in at each corner and I wonder if this is related to an aspect of the story? Looking forward to this so much.

Darkness Watching 
(Darkworld #1)
Emma L. Adams
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy,
Publication Date: September 30th 2013

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Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she’s losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere – little knowing that it isn’t coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world. 

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life – but demons still stalk Ash, and their interest in her has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she’s looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is.

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be..

About the Author
Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing fantasy and paranormal for young adults. She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also wrote various novels and short stories. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).

Now a reluctant graduate, she can usually be found in front of her writing desk, creating weird and wonderful alternative worlds. Her debut novel The Puppet Spell, published in 2013 by Rowanvale Books, is a fantasy tale for young adults and the young at heart, inspired by her lifelong love of the fantastical, mythology, and video games. Emma also writes supernatural fantasy novels for older teens and adults. Her next book, Darkness Watching, is the first in the upper - YA/New Adult Darkworld series, and will be published in September 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press.

More information about Emma L. Adams available from:
Website // Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Goodreads