Category Archives: dystopian

2014, ARC review, Book Review, contemporary, dystopian, romance, science-fiction, standalone, time travel, YA

[Review] The Here and Now – Ann Brashares

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Book Title:                  The Here and Now (Standalone)
Author:                          Ann Brashares
Number of pages:  288

Synopsis:

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

(re: Goodreads @ The Here and Now by Ann Brashares)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– Depicts the post time-travel life which reads more like a contemporary romance despite having elements of science-fiction.
– Various thought-provoking elements and themes presented in a very wishful way when regarding the plausibility of the future environment.
– Basically The Prenna Show, where events unfold in favour of the protagonist with no sense of urgency and tangible consequence.
– Unsubstantiated world-building necessary to set-up the dystopian-influenced Community; ultimately leaving gaps in the narrative that may lead to further questioning. 

Initial Thoughts

Dear desk, I have marked you with the blunt force from my head. For this I apologize.

I think I enjoyed the idea of liking the novel more than actually wanting to read it. Does that make sense? I hope it does because now that this one positive is out of the way, I can now detail everything that was very off to me about this read. This might be the angriest review yet.

Full disclosure: I received an advanced reader copy of The Here and Now through NetGalley for an honest review. I extend my thanks to Random House for providing me the opportunity to review this book.

Disclaimer: There may be spoilers inherent to this review from this point onward.

Continue reading [Review] The Here and Now – Ann Brashares →

2014, action, Book Review, comics: superheroes, dystopian, fantasy, mystery, post-apocalyptic, romance, science-fiction, series, YA

[Review] Mitosis – Brandon Sanderson

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Book Title:                   Mitosis (Novella, Reckoners Series #1.5)
Author:                          Brandon Sandersonbrandon sanderson - mitosis (cover)
Number of pages:   35

Synopsis:

Steelheart may be dead, but Epics still plague Newcago and David and the Reckoners have vowed to fight back.

(re: Goodreads @ Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– A reminder of narrative elements that we love/hate from Steelheart (world building, metaphors/similes, etc).
– Quick read that has finality but also slightly hints at the next novel, Firefight.

Initial Thoughts

There are no thoughts or reasons behind why I had to read this. It is what it is.

If you want to read my extremely long review of the first book, Steelheart, you can click here.

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Mitosis – Brandon Sanderson →

2014, action, Book Review, comics: superheroes, dystopian, fantasy, mystery, post-apocalyptic, romance, science-fiction, series, YA

[Review] Steelheart – Brandon Sanderson

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Book Title:                     Steelheart (Reckoners Series #01)
Author:                            Brandon Sanderson
Number of pages:     386

steelheart - cover

Synopsis:

There are no heroes.

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics… nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart—the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David’s been studying, and planning—and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He’s seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge,

(re: Goodreads @ Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– Reads like a comic-book-turned-novel with a cinematic feel in the writing.
– An information treasure-hunt in discovering an Epic’s kryptonite (a weakness, if you will).
– Lot’s of quirky metaphors/similes which readers will either love or hate.
– World building is materialized impeccably even during fast-paced action sequences.

steelheart-brandon-sanderson-scorecard-600x300

Initial Thoughts

Basically the “what-if?” situation if superheroes of the Marvel franchise turned baddie and there was a underground organisation of ragtag misfits banding together with dreams bigger than themselves. I gleefully ate this book and it was delectable for the most part – it wasn’t always perfect, nor was it an extremely refreshing idea (when you read and watch enough comics/mangas anyways…) but the writing and pacing drew me in and never let go.

Time to ramble:

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] Steelheart – Brandon Sanderson →