Hover by Melissa West

Reading Level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 352 Pages
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Narration: First Person: Ari
Genre: Paranormal/Dystopian
Challenge: Paranormal/Dystopian
Source: Netgalley

The Taking Series:
Book One: Gravity
Book Two: Hover
Book Three: Collide (2014)

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                              Kindle
Order On Barnes and Noble:
Paperback and Nook

Author's
Goodreads  Website  Twitter

Goodreads Synopsis:

On Earth, seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander was taught to never peek, but if she hopes to survive life on her new planet, Loge, her eyes must never shut. Because Zeus will do anything to save the Ancients from their dying planet, and he has a plan. 

Thousands of humans crossed over to Loge after a poisonous neurotoxin released into Earth's atmosphere, nearly killing them. They sought refuge in hopes of finding a new life, but what they became were slaves, built to wage war against their home planet. That is, unless Ari and Jackson can stop them. But on Loge, nothing is as it seems...and no one can be trusted.

My Review:

I guess my expectations were just a little too high for this one. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't anywhere near hating it, but I definitely was no where close to loving it either. To me, this was just another unfortunate case to suffer from second book syndrome. I can't even put my finger on what I disliked about this novel, it just felt off in some way. It didn't have my pulse running or have me anxiously pressing the next page button on my Kindle. It was just a "meh" read that was lacking a lot of "oomph".

Hover starts off pretty much exactly where Gravity left off. If felt as if it was simply a continuation of the first novel, and that no time had passed at all, despite the year gap we actually did spend waiting for it. Usually, I have no problem with that, because authors generally take it into their interests to subtly recap the important events in the previous novel, but as you can already guess, that didn't happen here. If I had read both of these books together, I would've obviously remembered all of the names and the plot from the previous novel. However, since that wasn't the case, I was left floundering around, wondering what the hell was going on.

Throughout most of the book, Ari questioned herself as a leader and whether or not she was capable enough of leading a full-blown rebellion. Which to me, was understandable. I mean, if I was in her place, I'd be rocking back and forth in a corner, hardly able to function properly from the stress of being responsible for the lives of not one, but two freaking planets. Although she was a strong, unbendable character at times, there were also numerous times when I wanted to smack some sense into her thick brain. She's so smart, yet so unbelievably stupid and naive. Use your brain, girl!

There wasn't as much fighting as I was hoping for, however, there was just enough to satisfy my bloodthirst. xD But despite the fact that there was always something happening, I never felt emotionally involved or connected with the storyline. I was reading it and comprehending the sentences, but at the same time, it was just going through one ear and out the other. There was no substance to hold onto.

The part I was looking forward to the most, was surprisingly the romance, a topic I usually don't make a lot of fuss about. But something about the camaraderie and connection these two had in the first novel had me practically drooling for more. They were so perfect for each other! However, what I actually got in Hover didn't even come near to meeting my expectations. They were constantly switching back and forth between hating then loving each other. Enough to actually give me a headache and put down the novel a few times. I really hope Melissa is able to bring the relationship back to what it was in Gravity. Ari and Jackson have so much potential!

Overall, I'm just....disappointed. It was alright if you graded it independently, but compared to it's predecessor, Hover was depressingly lacking in every department. Will I still be reading the last book in the series? Of course. But I'll be more guarded for disappointment this time.

*An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest and thoughtful review.

Heroine- 3/5
Action- 3/5
Romance- 2.5/5
Writing- 3.5/5
Overall- 3/5

Rush by Eve Silver

Reading Level: Ages 13 and up
Hardcover: 361 Pages
Release Date: June 11, 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Narration: First Person: Miki
Genre: Sci Fi/Dystopian
Challenge: Dystopian/Debut/Paranormal

The Game Series:
Book One: Rush
Book Two: Push (2014)
Book Three: Crash (2015)

Order On Amazon: Hardcover
                              Kindle
Order On Barnes and Noble:
Hardcover and Nook

Author's
Goodreads  Website  Twitter  Facebook

Goodreads Synopsis:

So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

My Review:

Rush was something of an impulse read. I found it while scrolling through recommendations, thought, "Why the hell not," and checked it out of the library the next morning. (That's a bit of an exaggeration considering that I had to wait a whole grueling week on the waiting list, but hey, that's not the point.) I forcibly restrained myself from reading the synopsis or any reviews and decided to jump, head-first, into Rush with absolutely no expectations. Boy, was I happy that I decided to give this a try.

Rush was based on the most brilliant idea that I ever had the pleasure of encountering. After reading book after book of the same thing, recycled in thousands of different ways, over and over again, I've grown sick and tired of you're everyday Twilight/Hunger Games knockoff affair. Rush was a breath of fresh air that I desperately needed to get me excited about reading again. Although it definitely was not without its flaws, the premise and plot were so intriguing and enthralling that I found myself overlooking those pesky details and focusing on the wonderful world Eve created. After reading this, I eagerly logged onto my Goodreads account, and without thought, gave it a five star rating, because this awesome videogamey world made me forget all of the little things that annoyed me. So the premise? I give you a bajillion stars, because I'm 100% sure that Rush had the best theme out of the hundreds and hundreds of books that I've read. Kudos to you, Eve. Kudos to you.

I had no problems with the protagonist for the most part. For the first one or two chapters, I found her a bit slow in the head, but I was wrong and grew to like her fast-thinking and bad-ass Kendo (Sword-Fighting) skills. I literally jumped off of my bed and did a little victory dance when I discovered that Miki did not fall under the category of whimpering damsel in distress, but instead knew how to take care of herself and was a natural born leader, even if she had a hard time believing it herself. 

When she first got pulled into the "game," she was confused, as anyone would be, and asked tons of questions. One of the greatest feelings you get while reading a book is that moment when you ask yourself a question at the same time the protagonist does. It made me feel connected to Miki in a way I rarely connect with others, and it felt great knowing that we were on the same page, quite literally. Even though she was scared out of her wits when she met her first Drau monster, she still fought back with everything she had. Although she did freeze up a little at first, which in turn scared me out of my wits, she conquered her fears and did what was needed to survive.

As much as I hate to say it, there was a bit of an Insta-Connection between Miki and Jackson Tate. It wasn't a full on Insta-Love moment, but it was enough so that the romance progressed a little faster than realistically believable. Oh, and before I forget, there was a slight love triangle. However, it's no doubt who she's going to choose in the end, so I really don't see the point of it at all. But if you're able to overlook that, then I thought that the romance was wonderfully done. I definitely need me my own Jackson Tate in real life! 

Jackson was the leader of their little team and gave off this aura of mysteriousness. He never takes off his sunglasses, blames it on an "eye disease," and doesn't answer questions, except for Miki, and that's only when he's in a good mood. Although I did like the whole sunglasses tidbit, I also found it a bit unbelievable. His team has known him for months and they never question him about it? Miki asked the same questions, so I'm a little placated by that. Anyways, underneath Jackson's assholeyness, he was just a troubled kid with a tortured past. You know, now that I think of it, he kind of reminds me of Daemon from Jennifer Armentrout's Lux Series.

The action was non-stop! After I got through the first chapter, which sadly didn't pull me in at all, the pacing sped up, and sooner rather than later, I was clinging to every word exchanged and flipping pages so fast that I actually ripped one in my haste. The beyond engrossing premise did help, but even without it, I probably would've still been that anxious to finish it. There was never a dull moment, and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my time with Rush. The only part that nearly made me break out crying, was the ending. That. Cliffhanger. Nearly. Ended. Me. Even though I knew, without a doubt, that what Eve insinuated couldn't possibly be true, my heart still broke alongside with Miki's. I turned into a rambling mess for the better part of the afternoon, walking up and down the stairs, trying to deduce what would happen next.

Overall, I'm so overwhelmingly happy that I decided to grab this one from my recommendation tab on impulse. In fact, I might turn it into a weekly event, called "Impulse Reads" or something. (Not a very creative name, I know) The premise was the best I've ever read and will now have me scouring Goodreads for anything remotely similar to it. If you guys know any, then please do not hesitate to leave a comment or email me the title! I will be eagerly awaiting for the second installment! Meanwhile, I'll be trying to keep myself from going mad, trying to figure out what might happen after that cliffhanger.

Heroine- 4.5/5
Premise- 6/5 AMAZING Premise
Romance- 4/5
Progressed a little too fast.
Action- 6/5 Nonstop Action!
Comedy- 4/5
Trailer- 2.5/5
Didn't really tell me anything.
Overall- 4.5/5

Click to Watch Book Trailer

Blog Tour + Excerpt: Terra by Gretchen Powell

Reading Level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 286 Pages
Release Date: December 12, 2012
Publisher: Hopewell Media
Narration: First Person: Terra
Genre: Dystopian / Sci Fi
Source: CBL Book Tours

Terrestrials Series
Book One: Terra

Order On Amazon: Paperback
                               Kindle
Order On Barnes and Noble:
Nook

Author's
( Goodreads ! Website ! Twitter )

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two. The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon makes her living as a scav, scouting the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. While on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16.

Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Fueled by curiosity, her search for the truth ultimately leads her to Adam--a beguiling boy with a secret that has the power to change humanity's existence forever.

My Review:

When I first read the synopsis, I didn't think that Terra would be anything special. Let's face it. After The Hunger Games went viral, the majority of YA authors followed in Suzanne's footsteps in hopes of becoming the next big thing. And sooner rather than later, a whole plethora of Dystopian novels, with admittedly slight variations, were born. After reading so many copycats of the original dystopian novel that kickstarted it all, I wasn't expecting anything unique or innovative. I was so wrong! Although there were a couple of similarities between Terra and The Hunger Games in the beginning, Terra soon took a completely different path altogether! I immediately fell in love with the dangerous and desperate world Gretchen created, as well as all the characters surrounding it. 

As soon as we crack open the novel, we meet Terra Rhodon, a eighteen year old girl who scavenges for things such as recyclable plastic and metal parts for a living, in order to make enough credit to buy food, if you can even call what they eat food, for herself and her younger fourteen year old brother Mica. I have to say, the whole scavenging concept was the main reason why I enjoyed this novel. Although there are many people who think that this idea was stolen from The Hunger Games, I really don't see the connection whatsoever. Maybe I need to reread it, but from what I remember of The Hunger Games, the only part that was even remotely close to scavenging was when Katniss was searching for items in the arena. Anyways, so yeah, the whole idea was fascinating to me! After reading the first page, I knew that my butt was going to stay glued to my chair until I finished it. 

Although there were a few points in the novel when I got upset with Terra's actions or thought process, these moments were scarce, and the majority of the time I found Terra to be a very likable character. She was a strong, independent young girl, forced to grow up at a young age due to her mother's death and her father's incompetence to take care of his children. After she met Adam, the blue eyed love interest, she did some....questionable things. I understood why she took those certain actions, but at the same time I wanted to reprimand her for it. In the end, I finally concluded that although I wouldn't do what she did in the exact same way, her heart was in the right place, because she was thinking about the wellbeing of her brother rather than her own needs.

Adam was absolutely adorable. Even though Terra was snappy and feisty when they first met, he was nothing but polite and understanding. The romance they both kindled veered towards the sweet and cute side rather than the hot and steamy, which I'm totally fine with! Both types are great to read about, and since most YA novels curve towards the steamy side, it's refreshing to see a delightfully awkward yet undeniably sweet romance for once. There was this one particular scene when Terra was in the shower and Adam....well for those of you who read the novel, you'll know what I'm talking about. For those of you who haven't, you'll have to get the book yourself, because I'm not too keen on giving away spoilers. xD Anyways, just the way that Gretchen described how it happened induced a "Awwwww" moment from me. xD However, that one....secret that was revealed near the end of the book about Adam, was a bit out of place. I wish Gretchen kept up with the whole Dystopian theme instead of bringing Sci Fi into this.

The action was well paced, because as I stated several times before, I was interested with the whole idea of scavenging for a living. I never once felt bored, and since this book only spanned about 250 pages, it was a quick and easy read for me. The thorough descriptions and details Gretchen used made the novel more enjoyable to read and didn't detract from the pace at all!

Overall, if your looking for a intriguing dystopian to breeze through, Terra is a worthy contender. It's perfect for anyone who wants to be able to finish a book in a short period of time. Although I wasn't all too happy with the Sci Fi twist that was incorporated into Terra, I'm still interested in reading the sequel to see what happens next.

Cover- 5/5
Heroine- 4/5
Romance- 5/5
Action- 5/5
Comedy- 3.5/5
Theme- 3/5
Overall- 4/5


About The Author: 

Gretchen Powell grew up in far-off places. She is 24 years old, half-Chinese, and the owner of two adorable miniature schnauzers. They wear many sweaters.

By day, she types and types (and types and types) for personal, professional, and cathartic purposes.

By night, she binges on episodes of Doctor Who and sleeps fitfully.

Sometime in the mid-afternoon, she writes a blog, called "Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!" about food, fitness, and her life.

She loves words. And Harry Potter. And especially the words IN Harry Potter.

 Find The Author:

( Goodreads ! Website ! Blog ! Twitter ! Facebook )

 

Excerpt:

 

The crunch of multiple footsteps sounds in my ears, and I know the unseen speaker is not alone. With achingly slow speed, I bend my knees to pick up my bag and pivot in the direction of the voice.

 

Three huge men stand about a yard in front of me, lined up in a row. All three of them sport shaved heads, making them almost indistinguishable from one another, save for their differing skin tones. Their long brown coats hang open, revealing bare chests covered with tattoos that creep from below their waistlines all the way up to their chins.

 

Raiders.

 

The man in the middle has a chain of thick golden links hanging around his throat. As I watch it bounce against his dark chest, I realize I’ve never actually seen raiders up close before. All that time spent thinking about Lee’s final moments, what his murderers had looked like. Turns out I had it pictured all wrong.

 

How did I not hear them coming? I always hear them coming.
 

Sample Chapters

 

Enter This Giveaway

Gravity by Melissa West

Reading Level: Ages 16 and up
Paperback: 400 Pages
Release Date: November 20, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Genre: Aliens/Sci Fi

The Taking
Book One: Gravity
Book Two: Hover (8/6/13)
Book Three: Unknown (2014)

Order On Amazon: Paperback
                                Kindle
Order On Barnes and Noble:
Paperback

Author's
( Goodreads ! Website ! Twitter ! Facebook )

Amazon Review:

In the future, only one rule will matter:

Don’t. Ever. Peek.

Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.

Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

My Review:

The first thing I noticed about Gravity, was the motto, "Don't. Ever. Peek." It was probably supposed to aspire curiosity out of the reader, but in my opinion it sounded sorta cheesy. However, after reading the summary, I couldn't resist the temptation to open the book anyways. I was so happy I made that decision.

Gravity takes place in a futuristic America, during the year 2040. At this time, the world was in ruins because of the devastation left by World War IV, a war filled with nuclear bombs and weapons. Without food, humans could not survive, so they turned to the Ancients, an alien race with special powers, and asked them to help rebuild Earth. The Ancients, at that time, also needed certain nutrients that they could only find in humans, so a treaty was made. In exchange for there help, Ancients were assigned to a specific human, and every night the Ancients came at midnight to collect the nutrients needed for them to survive. There was only one rule that all humans were supposed to abide by. One rule that could never be broken. One rule, that if broken would cause dire consequences. "Dont. Ever. Peek."

Ari Alexander, broke that rule.

The night of the Taking, Ari couldn't find her patch. The patch was a device that was specifically designed so that a human would not be able to feel or see what was happening around them. She knew that she didn't have long until her assigned Ancient arrived, but she searched to no avail. Ari finally accepted the fact that she would just have to close her eyes and deal with it, and that's what she did. However, when her Ancient arrived and started the Taking, she couldn't help but open her eyes. Surprise, surprise, the Ancient that was assigned to her was none other than Jackson Locke, one of the hottest guys at school and her biggest competition.

Jackson explained to her that if she didn't help him, then life as they knew it would change. War was coming, and it was up to them to stop it. Will they stop the war before it's to late?

This is probably only the third Alien novel I have ever enjoyed. When I think of aliens I usually think of green martiany dudes with big black eyes that say, "Take me to your leader." Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout and I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore totally changed my perspective! I mean let's face it, with Alex Pettyfer as Number Four and Daemon with his infuriating good looks, Aliens are rather hot nowadays. Jackson Locke is no exception. The romance between him and Ari was believable and not one of those stupid Insta Love connections! I'm so happy about that! I think I can speak for all of us when I say that instant connections between the main characters are overused and very very annoying. Ari didn't immediately fall for Jackson's swoonworthy good looks. She started off rather skeptical about his intentions and wondered what he really wanted from her. She asked herself if what she was doing was right and if she was being played or not. Every single one of her reactions were believable and I feel like the author really captured the voice of a teenage girl. She was compassionate and hated death, but knew that it was neccesary in order to survive. Ari never ceased to amaze me with her bravery and kindness.

Jackson was a great character as well. I expected him to be some kind of arrogant ass that loved getting under Ari's skin, but he wasn't. Yeah he had his cocky moments but deep down he was a big softie. Jackson always thought about the well being of Ari first, and understood her in a level that no one else did.

The action and worldbuilding were amazing as well. It was fast paced and had my pulse racing at times. I was constantly entranced by the twists and turns of the story, and nothing ever fell flat. I ended up talking to myself alot, trying to figure out who the good and bad guys were. The worldbuilding was descriptive, but at the same time didn't bore you with overzealous details. If you enjoy hot aliens, believable romance, heart racing action, and two very stubborn and badass characters, you should definitely check out Gravity today!

Heroine- 5/5
Romance- 5/5
Comedy- 4/5
Action- 5/5
Writing- 5/5
Overall- 5/5