Tag Archives: science fiction

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Scythe – Neal Shusterman

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scythe-neal-shusterman-review

Book Title: Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #01)
Author:     Neal Shusterman
Number of pages:  448

Synopsis:

scythe - neal schusterman - book coverIn a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (“gleaned”) by professional reapers (“scythes”). Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythe’s apprentices, and—despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation—they must learn the art of killing and come to understand the necessity of what they do.

Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe’s apprentice. And when it becomes clear that the winning apprentice’s first task will be to glean the loser, Citra and Rowan are pitted against one another in a fight for their lives.

(re: Goodreads @ Scythe by Neal Shusterman)

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

– Citra and Rowan are cinnamon rolls; the romance is a bit too spoon-fed for my tastes (e.g. lacks chemistry over and beyond friendship)
– World building is a bit on the thin side; remains thematically relevant to young readers re: philosophical/morality
– Third person alternating POVs separated by journal entries of Scythes; stylistic storytelling choice to encourage world-building
– Twists and turns are a hit/miss depending on reader’s skepticism

Initial Thoughts

Holy shit.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of SCYTHE from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] Scythe – Neal Shusterman →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] A Darkly Beating Heart – Lindsay Smith

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Book Title: A Darkly Beating Heart (Standalone)
Author:     Lindsay Smith
Number of pages:  272

Synopsis:

a-darkly-beating-heart-book-coverNo one knows what to do with Reiko. She is full of hatred. All she can think about is how to best hurt herself and the people closest to her. After a failed suicide attempt, Reiko’s parents send her from their Seattle home to spend the summer with family in Japan to learn to control her emotions. But while visiting Kuramagi, a historic village preserved to reflect the nineteenth-century Edo period, Reiko finds herself slipping back in time into the life of Miyu, a young woman even more bent on revenge than Reiko herself. Reiko loves being Miyu, until she discovers the secret of Kuramagi village, and must face down Miyu’s demons as well as her own.

(re: Goodreads @ A Darkly Beating Heart by Lindsay Smith)

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

– Fluid transitions between contemporary/historical Japan.
– First person narrative feels as though information is withheld from the reader
– Cultural inclusion include English romanization of Japanese phrases and popular items that you would typically see through the eyes of Westerners who are interested in all things “Japanese”

Initial Thoughts

I read up to 60% before marking this book as DNF.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of A DARKLY BEATING HEART from Raincoast Books.

Continue reading [Review] A Darkly Beating Heart – Lindsay Smith →

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] The Diabolic – S. J. Kincaid

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the-diabolic-sj-kincaid-review-graphic

Book Title: The Diabolic (Standalone)
Author:     S.J. Kincaid
Number of pages:  416

Synopsis:

the diabolic - s.j. kincaid - bookcoverA Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her.

(re: Goodreads @ The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid)

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

– The Diabolic is a trilogy condensed into a standalone featuring an antihero in Nemesis
– Futuristic space-opera lite with dystopian themes while also weaving modern technology (kind of an Easter Egg effect)
– Though an expansive setting is introduced, it is also hardly developed and/or lacks context in some situations
– Romance can/does feel as though it pushes the conflict a bit more than it should; the ending can feel a bit too neat and easy
– There are pet feels

Initial Thoughts

I want a Diabolic of my own. Or to be one…

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of THE DIABOLIC from Simon and Schuster Canada.

Continue reading [Review] The Diabolic – S. J. Kincaid →