Book: Shades Of Earth by Beth Revis

Published January 2013 by Penguin Group|359 pages

Where I Got It: Nook store

Series: Across The Universe #3

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopic

You can find Shades Of Earth on goodreads & Beth Revis on Twitter, Facebook and her website

Goodreads Summary: 

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship” Godspeed” behind. They’re ready to start life afresh–to build a home–on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn’t the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? “Godspeed”‘s former passengers aren’t alone on this planet. And if they’re going to stay, they’ll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who–or what–else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed–friends, family, life on Earth–will have been for nothing. 

FUELED BY LIES. RULED BY CHAOS. ALMOST HOME.

What I Thought:

What’s really interesting about this series is that while I really like the series as a whole, I also have found that I’ve liked each book less and less as it went on.  Don’t get me wrong, I liked Shades Of Earth, and it’s actually really interesting what’s going on in this version of earth, but I just didn’t get as into it as the previous two books.

Centauri-Earth is definitely a strange place, and everything that’s been happening on Centauri-Earth while Godspeed was hovering above the planet was unexpected.  But it’s one of my favorite parts of the book because they’re not the only ones on the planet,and everything they thought they knew is proven wrong.

I’m actually not sure how I feel about any of the characters.  I’m actually feeling pretty neutral about them, and I don’t really have thoughts on them either way.  Except for Amy’s parents, who we finally meet, and even then, I don’t have strong feelings either way.  I understand why Amy’s dad acted the way he did, but I really didn’t care for him.  And I wish we saw more of Amy’s mom, but as she was a scientist and not stepping in as a leader (like Amy’s dad had to), it’s to be expected that we wouldn’t see a lot of her.

Leadership: It’s to be expected that Elder and the military leaders (namely, Amy’s dad) are not going to get along.  I’m not surprised that the people of Godspeed and the people brought in had their share of issues, but something about it bugged me and I’m not sure why.

Still, I liked all of the different conflicts, and while they were explored just fine, I still wish there was a little more to it. Which actually leads me to the ending, which is pretty open as far endings go.  I don’t mind open endings (for the most part) and I’m glad it ended the way it did.  Given where they end up, things aren’t going to be wrapped up with a pretty little bow, and I like that they have to figure things out.  I’d actually be interested to see another book set in this world to see how things turn out after this book ends.  (Kind of like how the Uglies series had Extras, which took place a few years after the series ended).

I did like the descriptions of Centauri-Earth and how different but similar it is to the earth that we live on.  Sometimes things moved really fast, but there were other times when it felt like things were going really slow, and so the pacing of the book felt a little off.

Let’s Rate It:

I liked Shades Of Earth and found all of the different conflicts to be one of the more interesting parts of the book.  And it’s the same thing with everything that happened on Centauri-Earth.  I just couldn’t get as into it as I did with the other books. Shades Of Earth gets 3 stars.

Book: The Program by Suzanne Young

Published April 2013 by Simon Pulse|302 pages

Where I Got It: nook store

Series: The Program #1

Genre: YA Dystopic

You can find The Program on goodreads & Suzanne Young on Twitter, Facebook, and her website

Goodreads Summary: 

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program. Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories. Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

What I Thought: 

The Program is definitely an interesting book…I liked it, but it’s also a book that I have mixed feelings about.  There is something oddly unsettling (maybe even disturbing) about this book.

I mean, the book focuses on suicide as epidemic, with having to go into The Program at the first sign of a problem.  Teens get flagged in the system, and they have to fill out a questionnaire every morning, and you really have to show no emotion whatsoever if you don’t want to end up in The Program. Depression and suicide is stigmatized to the point of kids going through this horrible treatment, and I think that’s part of why it’s so unsettling.  Treatment for mental illness is good, but this treatment?  It definitely scares me.  This government’s way of dealing with suicide is horrible on so many levels, and totally not the best way to deal with it.  I think it’s also unsettling because it’s something I can also see happening.  If erasing someone’s memories means that they won’t commit suicide…I can see why parents agree to it, and why it could come up as a solution to deal with it.  But as someone who’s dealt with it…I wouldn’t want that part of me erased, no matter how painful.  Especially if I didn’t remember people who mattered to me.

The idea that depression and suicide are related to memories that need to be erased didn’t completely sit well with me. Depression and memories may be the case for some people, but it’s not as simple or as linked as the book makes it seem, because depression can be caused by so many things, and not just memories that need to be erased.  I just wish we knew more about why it’s considered an epidemic and how the treatment came to be.

Also: the idea that suicide/depression is an infection that can be passed around definitely makes me not happy.

The Program definitely reminds me of Delirium, and it’s definitely different than a lot of other dystopic books I’ve read. It’s definitely interesting, and I’m kind of curious about where things are going, especially with the epilogue.  I’m not sure how I feel about the epilogue, because it was totally unexpected, and I’m really wondering how we get from the last chapter to the epilogue that takes place 2 years later.

I think the first part of the book is definitely the most interesting, and I think it’s because it’s the part that deals with suicide the most.  I was still intrigued by Sloane’s time in the program and what life was like for after leaving the program.  I feel like the tension that we see in the first part of the book drop off in the rest of the book.

Let’s Rate It:

I know it seems like I didn’t like The Program, but I did!  There is something compelling about the program and how kids end up there, and why it only affects teens (but not adults) and so many details I feel like we didn’t get in this book.  I’m not sure if I’m interested enough to keep reading this series, but I might pick up the next book sometime in the future.  The Program gets 3 stars.

Book: Pandemic by Yvonne Ventresca

Published May 2014 by Sky Pony Press|216 pages

Where I Got It: Nook store

Series: None

Genre: YA Contemporary/Survival

You can find Pandemic on goodreads & Yvonne Ventresca on Twitter, Facebook and her website

Goodreads Summary: 

Even under the most normal circumstances, high school can be a painful and confusing time. Unfortunately, Lilianna’s circumstances are anything but normal. Only a few people know what caused her sudden change from model student to the withdrawn pessimist she has become, but her situation isn’t about to get any better. When people begin coming down with a quick-spreading illness that doctors are unable to treat, Lil’s worst fears are realized. With her parents called away on business before the contagious outbreak-her father in Delaware covering the early stages of the disease and her mother in Hong Kong and unable to get a flight back to New Jersey-Lil’s town is hit by what soon becomes a widespread illness and fatal disaster. Now, she’s more alone than she’s been since the “incident” at her school months ago.

With friends and neighbors dying all around her, Lil does everything she can just to survive. But as the disease rages on, so does an unexpected tension as Lil is torn between an old ex and a new romantic interest. Just when it all seems too much, the cause of her original trauma shows up at her door. In this thrilling debut from author Yvonne Ventresca, Lil must find a way to survive not only the outbreak and its real-life consequences, but also her own personal demons.

What I Thought:

I’ve been excited about Pandemic for a while- excited enough to start reading it when it came out.  I really liked it, and it’s one of those books I won’t forget anytime soon.

A horrible, horrible strain of the flu breaks out, which becomes a disaster as it spreads all over the world.  What makes this book frightening and terrifyingly real is that it’s a scenario I can see happening.  Especially since it seems like it really could happen any time now.

And the flu combined with all of Lil’s issues were a good combination.  Having enough supplies and worrying about things like global pandemic and infectious diseases seemed to be Lil’s way of dealing with the Mr. B incident months earlier at school.  I really felt for Lil and everything that was going on with the pandemic. There’s so much going on, and I was definitely interested throughout the entire book.  It’s a book where no one is safe, and I liked that you never knew who was going to die, and that it happened to people you got to know.  Ventresca didn’t shy away from that at all, which made the book feel so much more realistic.

I love that Lil’s good side really came through and that people came together to make sure people were taken care of.  The hope that people have and trying to get through hard, scary and uncertain times really came through and there is a definite sense of community in the book.  Which was nice.  There really is a good balance of hope and community along with uncertain scariness.

Let’s Rate It:

I really enjoyed Pandemic!  It’s action-packed and realistic…like, creepy, scary realistic.  Pandemic gets 4 stars.

Book: Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Published January 2014 b HarperCollins|Pages: 282

Where I Got It: Nook store

Series: Under The Never Sky #3

Genre: YA Dystopic Fantasy

You can find Into The Still Blue on goodreads & Veronica Rossi on Twitter, Facebook and her website

Goodreads Summary: 

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do–and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they’re using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn’t just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival–he’s also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

What I Thought:

Into The Still Blue is a pretty solid ending to this series.  Like the previous two books in the series, Into The Still Blue started off fairly slow, but before I knew it, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.  There’s definitely a lot of action, and it felt like it was non-stop.

So: Cinder comes to mind immediately.  Poor Cinder!  He’s a great character, and I wish his particular story had something more to it.  Especially with how things turned out for him in the end.  I did like that we learned a little more about the Aether and that we get a little more of Cinder’s story.

And we do meet Aria’s father!  It wasn’t who I was expecting, and I figured if we did meet him, it would be someone we didn’t know.  I’m still not sure what to think about it, and I wasn’t completely happy with it.  It still felt a bit too random to me, especially since there wasn’t a lot of interaction between them.

As for Roar, Perry and Aria: I really liked seeing how they were dealing with everything that happened in Through The Ever Night.  Especially Roar and Perry, and how things have changed for them.  I just love the relationships between them, and how Aria and Roar are such great friends, and how Roar and Perry have their issues after losing someone close to them, but still work them out, and how I’m still not sure how I feel about Perry and Aria.  They just never clicked as a couple for me.  Overall, I wasn’t taken away with the romance, and found them trying to survive in such a difficult world to be much more interesting than anything else.

I will say that I love Perry and Cinder as friends, and Perry really was there for Cinder.  All of the Still Blue stuff wasn’t what I was expected, and after all of the build-up towards getting to the Still Blue…it wasn’t as awesome as I was expected.  I think it’s a case of too much build-up that didn’t quite pay off.  At least, it really wasn’t there for me.  I did like the name of the city, though…

Let’s Rate It:

Into The Still Blue did wrap up all of the loose ends, even if I didn’t particularly like how certain things were tied up. There’s a lot of action once things get going.  I really liked it, but things also had me going, “that’s it?” I definitely expected the Still Blue to be a lot different, and I felt a little let down after all of the build-up.  Which is why Into The Still Blue gets 4 stars.

Book: Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Published May 2011 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers|197 pages

Where I Got It: Nook store

Series: None

Genre: YA Contemporary

You can find Moonglass on goodreads & Jessi Kirby on Twitter, Facebook and her website

Goodreads Summary: 

I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I’ve thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna’s life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It’s bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love–a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean’s tide means that nothing–not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna’s mother’s death–stays buried forever.

What I Thought: 

I loved Golden and In Honor, so I knew I would have to read Moonglass.  Which didn’t disappoint.  At all.

There’s something about Jessi Kirby’s books that just hit me emotionally, and I found myself relating to Anna so much. I can’t imagine going back to the place where her parents first met, and all of the memories that come back to her.  And her mother’s death, and what really happened being confirmed…I really felt for Anna.  I can’t even begin to imagine having how her mother died actually confirmed, and I couldn’t help but cry.

Anna and her father are still dealing with all of the pain of Anna’s mother’s death, and I was glad they were finally able to talk about it.  I loved the little tidbits we got about Anna’s parents and the memories that the beach hold for her parents.  I also loved seeing Anna explore the beach and learn about its history.  And I liked seeing Anna try to get used to a place that has a lot of memories for her family.  I do wish the book were a little bit longer because I just really wanted to live in Anna’s world a little bit longer.

I did like the relationship Anna has with her dad, and how they don’t have the best relationship…but it still works for them.  And the friends that Anna makes!  I really like Ashley, and Jillian’s pretty awesome.  I’m not sure how I feel about Tyler, but I’m glad he’s an important person in Anna’s life.  Same with Ashley and Jillian.  They’re all so different, but they are such good people for Anna to have in her life.

I also loved the stories of moonglass and mermaid’s tears, and how Anna and her mom used to look for it at night.  And how Anna still looks for moonglass.  Now it just makes me want to go to the beach and find some sea glass.  (Good thing I have a number of beaches to pick from for whenever I decide to do this).

Let’s Rate It:

I just love Jessi Kirby, and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.  Moonglass is no exception to this!  I loved how Anna and her dad came to terms with her mother’s death, and how being in the place where her parents met put things in perspective for the two of them.  Moonglass gets 5 stars.

Book: Out Of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Published February 2013 by Penguin Group|285 pages

Where I Got It: nook store

Series: None

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

You can find Out Of The Easy on goodreads & Ruta Sepetys on Twitter, Facebook and her website

Goodreads Summary: 

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

What I Thought: 

Out Of The Easy was such a great read for me!  After reading Between Shades Of Gray last year, I knew I would have to read Out Of The Easy.  Which, interestingly enough, I loved a lot more than Between Shades Of Gray.

There is such an assortment of really interesting characters.  They’re just so colorful, and they really brought 1950’s New Orleans to life.  I liked Josie a lot, and I could definitely relate to her wanting more out of life- actually, I think it’s something we can all relate to.  I have such a soft spot for Cokie and for Charlie.  And I ended up loving Willie too. Especially towards the end of the book.  It’s so clear that Cokie and Willie loved Josie, and they really seemed to have a great relationship with her.  Her being Josie, of course, but I think there were some great relationships all around.  Josie really did spend some time figuring everything out and deciding what she wanted her future to be.  And I loved that even though her family life was not so great, she still had a family in other people she knew.

Another great thing about Out Of The Easy is the setting.  1950’s New Orleans is such a great back-drop for the book, and I can’t imagine Josie’s story being told in any other city or during any other time.  I felt like the city and time period really brought Josie’s story to life, just as the characters brought 1950’s New Orleans to life.  There’s just something about New Orleans that works well as a setting for me, and I wish we got to see more of New Orleans in Out Of The Easy.  But I still loved seeing a part of New Orleans that I wouldn’t normally think about.  Especially during a time I wouldn’t normally think about.

Everything came together so well, and what I love about Out Of The Easy are the details.  Those details are what really brought everything together.  I know nothing about what New Orleans was like during the 1950’s, but I feel like I got a really good sense of what things were like.  It definitely feels like Sepetys put a lot of work into researching every little detail, and it really came through during the entire book.

Let’s Rate It:

Out Of The Easy is another great book by Ruta Sepetys.  She writes such colorful characters and I loved 1950’s New Orleans as the setting!  I couldn’t help but cry as Josie’s story unfolded, and I really felt for her and a lot of the other characters.  Out Of The Easy gets 5 stars.

Book: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy HIggins

Published April 2014 by HarperCollins|Pages: 278

Where I Got It: Nook store

Series: Sweet Trilogy #3

Genre: YA Paranormal- Angels/Demons

You can find Sweet Reckoning on goodreads & Wendy Higgins on Twitter, Facebook & her website

Goodreads Summary: 

It’s time. 

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

What I Thought:

I loved Sweet Reckoning so much!  It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve had strong feelings of love towards a book and it feels good to be excited about a series-ender!

There is so much going on, and I couldn’t ask for a better resolution to an awesome series.  I just love Anna so much, and she’s not the same girl we first met in Sweet Evil.  We is such a strong person because she has people who she can really on for help, and love and caring about people are her strengths that help her fight the Dukes.

And Anna and Kai!  I am so glad things worked out well for them!  I really was hoping that things would go in their favor. Which it did, with some surprises along the way.  I did not see that coming at all!  But at the same time, it really did fit with everything going on.

I really am going to miss a lot of the characters, who really are awesome.  Like Kope and Marna and Ginger and Blake.  And Jay and Patty!  I just have a lot of love for these characters, but one who really stands out is Patty.  She’s been so good to Anna, and she really is a big reason why Anna was the one who was able to free the Nephilim.  There were so many tears by the end of the book, with the battle and everything going on and what the dukes were up to…

Speaking of the dukes, I liked how confused they were by Anna’s ability to use the Sword Of Righteousness. It was slightly amusing, until they learned why.  Still, the dukes are pretty interesting characters, with not wanting to change wasn’t surprising.

Reviewing Sweet Reckoning while giving only minor spoilers is a lot harder than I expected!  But there are things that I don’t want to give it away since Sweet Reckoning came out so recently.

Still, Sweet Reckoning seemed to have a different feel to it than the previous books did.  On the one hand, I’m glad, because they have reason to want everything to be over and there’s hope and love and trying to keep everyone safe.  But at the same time, there wasn’t the huge battle I was expecting (because it does seem typical for this kind of story).  I mean, there was battle and everything, but it wasn’t the huge clash.  But the small battle that it was really fit.  So, basically, I’m not sure what to think about this.

Let’s Rate It: 

I LOVED Sweet Reckoning!  It’s such a good conclusion to one of my favorite series, and I loved how everything turned for almost everyone.  (There are a couple of exceptions, but it also fits them, so I can’t complain too much).  Sweet Reckoning gets 5 stars.