Tag Archives: simon and schuster

2016, ARC review, Book Review

[Review] Scythe – Neal Shusterman

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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, Book Review, Robot Week

[Review] Boy Robot – Simon Curtis

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Book Title: Boy Robot (Trilogy?)
Author:     Simon Curtis
Number of pages:  432

Synopsis:

boy robot - simon curtis - book coverThere once was a boy who was made, not created.

In a single night, Isaak’s life changed forever.

His adoptive parents were killed, a mysterious girl saved him from a team of soldiers, and he learned of his own dark and destructive origin.

An origin he doesn’t want to believe, but one he cannot deny.

(re: Goodreads @ Boy Robot by Simon Curtis)

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

– Plot reads like a cat-and-mouse thriller; lots of running away and downtime for self-discovery, followed by more traveling
– Multi-POV through vignettes used to world build and give historical [robot] context
– Explosive action that drives the conflict-driven narrative
– Diverse and intersectional characters; although the lead protagonist was underwhelming in framework
– While there is romance, it does not take precedence to the plot

Initial Thoughts

Though I have heavily promo’d this book on Twitter (and in passing conversations with people about a killer vagina), I’m still going to critically assess this book as I would normally.

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

Continue reading [Review] Boy Robot – Simon Curtis →

2016, blogging events, Robot Week

[So, You Want To Be Human?] – The Sound of Robotic Sex: Electronic Music From My Playlist

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“So, You Want To Be Human?” is the promotional event and blog tour in association with Simon and Schuster Canada.

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Table Topic:
The Sound of Robotic Sex:
Electronic Music From My Playlist

Since Boy Robot by Simon Curtis has this one scene that feels like a rave while everyone is riding at a high, I thought I’d feature some 2016 tunes that are on my playlist queue. Many of you probably don’t listen to this genre of music but that’s okay!

FYI: robot sex totally sounds like beeps and boops and unce, unce, unce. Maybe.

Continue reading [So, You Want To Be Human?] – The Sound of Robotic Sex: Electronic Music From My Playlist →