Review: Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippert-Martin

Tabula Rasa by Kristen Lippert-Martin

Publisher: Egmont USA

Publication Dae: September 23, 2014

Rating: 3 stars

Source: ARC sent by the author

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Bourne Identity meets Divergent in this action-packed debut thriller with a Katniss-esque heroine fighting to regain her memories and stay alive, set against a dystopian hospital background.

Sarah starts a crazy battle for her life within the walls of her hospital-turned-prison when a procedure to eliminate her memory goes awry and she starts to remember snatches of her past. Was she an urban terrorist or vigilante? Has the procedure been her salvation or her destruction?

The answers lie trapped within her mind. To access them, she'll need the help of the teen computer hacker who's trying to bring the hospital down for his own reasons, and a pill that's blocked by an army of mercenary soldiers poised to eliminate her for good. If only she knew why . . .

What I Liked:

Sarah doesn't know who she is, her background, her past, her identity. Everything is being wiped from her memory - or so she thought. When the power goes out in her "hospital" compound, Sarah escapes - and she starts remembering. She stumbles upon a hacker genius about her age, and together, they try and get her the medicine that will allow her to remember everything faster. But there are many people that want to kill Sarah, but Sarah isn't giving up that easily.

I liked this book. I know that my three-star reviews usually seem a little more negative than positive (not my intention though), but I usually at least *like* the 3-star-rated books. I liked this one. It's a thriller, a standalone, and I'm happy for both of those things. There aren't enough standalone debuts. And there aren't enough good thrillers. I wouldn't say that this is the most spellbinding and remarkable thriller I've read, but I liked it.

The book starts with Sarah getting another procedure done in her head. The imagery is very vivid and almost graphic, but not to the point where a squeamish person will freak out. Everything is really well-described though, in terms of the surgeries and what's being done to Sarah's head, and Sarah's emptiness and confusion. Then Sarah escapes, and the rest of the book is spent with Pierce/Thomas and Sarah trying to figure out how to gain access to the medical locker, to get Sarah's pills.

The imagery and descriptions are very thorough, in the beginning of the book. I'm not sure about the rest of the book, but this really stood out to me in the first part of the book, before Sarah escapes. It really sucks you in. The writing is very simple and easy to read - so it's not unique and lush and gorgeous, but it's easy to read and helps the book go faster.

I liked Sarah, and I liked Thomas. I can't say I really connected with either of them, but I liked them. I liked following their story. I wanted to know who Sarah was before she was admitted to the "hospital", why she was there, etc. The mystery surrounding the protagonist was interesting. I wanted to know what was going - but this was a little frustrating, because I felt like the author wasn't explaining things fast enough. Read on!

What I Did Not Like:

I found the plot frustrating, because I felt like information wasn't being revealed fast enough, or at all, yet information should have been revealed. It was like the author was trying to show us things and she was trying to be tricksy and sneaky with it but it just wasn't working out for her. Like, something would be hinted at, but it wouldn't be explained, but this was frustrating! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case, it didn't really work. I mean, I wanted to know what would happen, and I kept reading, but I was frustrated while reading. Hints about Sarah's mother, father, past, potential criminal record, etc. were all dropped along the story, but I wanted to KNOW, not be teased.

I found Sarah's past to be annoying and frustrating as well. The author built up this epic character with a crazy past, but I felt like Sarah didn't live up to her past. Her past seemed like a legend's past, a rockstar, an actress, someone who mattered. But Sarah didn't seem that way. Like I said, this was frustrating.

The "big reveal"/climax was extremely anticlimactic, in my opinion. I'm referring to the big infodump, when the villain reveals his/her diabolical plan. So anticlimactic. I rolled my eyes several times. It was so cliche! And obvious! Couldn't it have been something more complex?!

Would I Recommend It:

Despite the fact that this book frustrated me a great deal, I liked it. I especially liked that it is a standalone, and so I won't have to "suffer" through another book (I liked this one enough to read a second book, if there would be another, but it wouldn't be a priority). I think you should read this one if you were already interested in it! It won't (necessarily) disappoint!

Rating:

3 stars. Not a bad debut at all! Not a favorite, but I'm glad I read it. I'll be keeping my eye on the author's upcoming novels.

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Stacking the Shelves (#87)

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, in which bloggers share the books and swag they've received in the past week!

So, what did I get in the week of Sunday, August 17th to Saturday, August 23rd?

(all links to Goodreads are provided!)

In the mail:

Zodiac swag from Romina Russell

I actually got this last Saturday but was feeling really lazy and didn't post it. Thank you, Romina!

A tote bag from Celeste at The Reading Nook Reviews! Thank you, lady!!

From Edelweiss:

The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle

Other than the fact that I think this cover is atrocious, I'm really excited to read this book!

Wednesday. I move back in at Hopkins on Wednesday. Thursday. Classes start on Thursday.

O_O

Review: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Book Three of the Ruby Red trilogy

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Publication Date: October 8, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

Source: ARC won from a giveaway

Summary (from Goodreads):

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.

She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.

This stunning conclusion picks up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate.

What I Liked:

Must. Be. Vague. It's always tricky, reviewing sequels, especially conclusion novels. I hate feeling like something I say isn't a spoiler but might actually be, especially to someone who hasn't read any of the books in the series. I shall endeavor to be vague, okay? Hopefully that explains why this review will basically be a bunch of flailing and exclamation points.

Gwyneth Shepherd must figure out, for once and for all, what the Count of Saint-Germain is up to, and who the traitor in the Lodge's midst is. At the end of Sapphire Blue, she finds out that the count put Gideon put to making her fall in love with him (Gideon) - or so she understands. In reality, that isn't the case. But that's what she hears the count say, and Gideon does not correct him. What a predicament! The prophecy is slowly being unraveled, and with or without Gideon, Gwen must save herself, and the secrets of the Guardians.

Wow! What a firecracker of a conclusion novel! I love how Gier writes. I love her writing style, her voice, her crafting of the story. I know this series is German, and that it's translated, but I feel like the voice and the writing style is SO UNIQUE, so distinctly not American, that it totally survived the translations. There is a distinct difference between American authors and European authors, I've noticed. The writing style is definitely different, for one, and in an very, very good way! 

One this (of many) that I really, REALLY love about this book (and series in general) is how funny the book is (the series is). Gwen is such a hilarious character to follow - her inner monologue is brilliant and awkward and funny. Less awkward and more funny, but she's so clumsy and silly and wonderful. I love how funny the characters are. It makes the subject matter - time travel and death and gloom - so much awesomer to read! We're pretending "awesomer" is a word.

The plot is magnificent! Through all three books, the series plot is brilliant. Each book has its own plot, but the overarching plot through the series is great. There is a traitor, and there is a diabolical count, and Gwen cannot trust anyone. There are so many secrets to be revealed, so many truths to be found out. I love how complex the books get (it's time-travel-related, things SHOULD be complex!), but you don't get lost. Gier has an amazing sense of story-telling, especially with subject matter that could easily get confusing, and she makes sure that her readers aren't lost.

The romance. DON'T WORRY. If you read the ending of the second book and was like, OMG NOOOO, it's okay! Don't worry! We all know better than Gwen, that Gideon really does love her. Gwen does wallow in self-pity for a bit (for good reason though - I mean, come on), but eventually, Gideon must tell her the reason why he started avoiding the relationship like never before. It's a very good reason, I promise.

I love the historical foundation of this book. It's so cool, how Gier weaves different pieces of history into this book. Gwen and Gideon travel to many, many different years in the past, and I think Gier does a brilliant job of crafting each historical world, and making them seem authentic. 

This book is the perfect conclusion to a fantastic series! I can't express my love clearly and entirely enough - I love this series. I've loved it even before USA rights were bought to have this book translated. I couldn't even physically read the books (they were in German only at the time), but I wanted to read them and love them. Definitely one of my favorite series of all time! 

What I Did Not Like:

I have nothing to say here ;D

Would I Recommend It:

YES! I would recommend the entire series! Seriously - time-travel isn't one of my favorite genres/subgenres. In fact, I dislike most of the time-travel novels I read (because usually, the authors do a poor job of handling the subject matter, and me who rarely gets confused about much ends up in a hopeless state of confusion and annoyance). BUT, I would highly recommend this series, for the time-travel, for the interesting historical basis, for the humor, for the romance!

Rating:

5 stars. So much love! I've read and re-read the first book (Ruby Red) so many times... and the second book (Sapphire Blue)... and I've already re-read this book a handful of times. Now that's love!

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Review: Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

Book Five of the Elemental series

Publisher: KTeen

Publication Date: September 30, 2014

Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

Michael Merrick is used to pressure. 

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way. 

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice. 

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war. 

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn't the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

What I Liked:

In this conclusion novel, blood will be shed. Patience will be tested. Sacrifices will be made. Michael Merrick has always been the glue of the family, the parent to his three young brothers... though he's barely an adult himself. With three brothers and a fourth teen - a Fifth (Hunter), things aren't a cakewalk for Michael. Throw in Guides and relationship problems and financial problems... well, let's just say that you always save the best for last. It makes sense for things to start with Michael (in Elemental), and end with Michael.

First thing to note: this book isn't 432 pages. Well, it is, but about 150 of those pages are from the novellas (Elemental, Fearless, and Breathless). It's okay, breathe, this book isn't one of those monster conclusion novels that are twice the length of one of the other books in the series.

The action never seems to stop in this book. As is the case in all five books and three novellas. Michael and his brothers never had an easy life - never will - and you can tell. The Guides hunt them ruthlessly, and couldn't care less who is in the line of fire. When Michael's brothers, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's child are threatened but someone, Michael knows that it's time to take matters into his and his friends' hands, and end things. 

It's hard for Michael to accept help, and in this book, he learns the hard way that he needs to do it. He needs to stop treating his brothers like they're helpless. He needs to learn that help offered isn't a threat or dangerous. He needs to rely on his girlfriend, trust his girlfriend, and stop blaming himself. Like in each book, I love the character development in the protagonist. Both protagonists.

Hannah isn't such an easy person as well. Knocked up at seventeen, she knows the difficult life. She's a mother, daughter, girlfriend, student, firefighter, soon-to-be paramedic. Her father, the fire marshal, has been cold and distant with her - but so has she with him. I love how their relationship in particular progresses. It's not just about Michael and Hannah, or Michael and his brothers. It's not just about the Elementals versus the Guides. There are a lot of relationships in this book, which adds a lot of depth to a paranormal series like this one. 

I love Kemmerer's writing. She really nailed the teenager thing in the first four books, and she did a splendid job of writing the perspectives of two "older" young adults. Like the other books, this book is written in alternating third person - which I love. 

The romance is pretty sparse in this book, honestly. Fine by me. I didn't exactly click with Hannah (though I understood her and liked her character's role), and Michael is a private guy. It just makes sense, with the nature of their relationship and their lives.

To be honest, I found the ending a little anticlimactic (especially after all the action in books one through four, and the majority of this book). However, I can kind of get past it, because now the series is over, and there is nothing to do about neither this book's ending nor the series's ending. 

What I Did Not Like:

Like I mentioned before, I didn't click with Hannah. I think she's irrational, impulsive, and selfish. Selfish in that she expects everyone to explain things to her because gee the world does revolve around her, eh? Because nothing is bigger or more important than her. Her knowing and protecting herself is EVERYTHING. Okay, b****. Whatever.

I don't like her very much. But that's okay. I like Michael a lot.

Also, in terms of the big ending... it was a bit of a letdown. I expected an epic showdown with the Guides. I expected repercussions and rules set for the future and some sort of Geneva Accord/Conventions or something. But the ending... it was anticlimactic. A good ending for a SINGLE novel, or a sequel, but not a conclusion novel to a series.

Would I Recommend It:

Despite a few things I didn't like about this book, I would still recommend this book, and the entire series, in general. Book one is, and always will be, my favorite. I've re-read that one so many times now... but not the other four. Book one <3

Rating:

3.5 stars -> rounded up to four stars. An adequate conclusion to a great series! I wanted more, but won't get more, so that will have to do. Awesome debut series, Brigid!

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Swoon Thursday (#82): Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer!

Hannah hadn't realized how much she missed Michael until she was pressed against him. She'd taken him by surprise with the kiss - but it wasn't long before he caught her waist in his hands and kissed her back. She loved the way he kissed - slow and strong and sure, nothing hurried, as if he needed to memorize each moment. 

- eARC, 53%

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Read my review of Sacrifice!

See my other reviews and posts of Brigid Kemmerer's books!

These tender moments were few and far between, so I just had to share this one :D This is the fifth and final book of the series! I've made it through and five-book-and-three-novella series, you all! And loved the series!

Waiting on Wednesday (#86): The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week, I'm featuring:

The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Publication Date: January 13, 2014

Summary (from Goodreads):

To fight her destiny as the missing heir to a powerful and dangerous secret society, sixteen-year-old Avery West must solve an ancient puzzle in a deadly race across Europe. Forbidden love and code-breaking, masked balls and explosions, destiny and dark secrets collide in this romantic thriller, in the vein of a YA DaVinci Code.

Avery West's newfound family can shut down Prada at the Champs-Elysees when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war. 

They are part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle of Twelve, and Avery is their missing heir. If they discover who she is, some of them will want to use her as a pawn. Some will want her dead. 

To thwart their plans, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the landmarks of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul and through a web of ancient legends and lies. And unless she can stay one step ahead of beautiful, volatile Stellan, who knows she’s more than she seems, and can decide whether to trust mysterious, magnetic Jack, she may be doomed after all.

Author Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Okay, yes, it's contemporary... but it's thriller-ish, and it sounds great! Europe! Forbidden love! Secret society! :D

Review: Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh

Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh

Book One of the Guardians of Tarnec series

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 23, 2014

Rating: 5 stars

Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lark has foreseen two things—she will fall for a young man with sage green eyes,and he will kill her.

Sixteen-year-old Lark Carew is happiest close to home, tending her garden and gathering herbs for medicines. But when her Sight warns her that monsters called Troths will soon invade her village, Lark is summoned on a journey to seek help from the legendary Riders of Tarnec. Little does she suspect that one of the Riders, Gharain, is the very man who has haunted her visions. Or that the people of Tarnec have called her there for another reason: Lark is the Guardian of Life, the first of four Guardians who must awaken their powers to recover four stolen amulets. Together, the amulets—Life, Death, Dark, and Light—keep the world in Balance. To take back the Life amulet, Lark will have to discover her true inner strength and give in to a love that she swears will be her downfall.

What I Liked:

It's been only two days since picking up this one to read, and I've already re-read it. GOSH, THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!! I was worried that it would be a little unoriginal, not fresh or different from other fantasy novels, but there was no need to worry. This book was interesting and unique, not cliche or typical at all!

Lark has been summoned to face her destiny: she is the Guardian of Life, one of four Guardians with incredible powers... but stolen amulets. Life is a balance of light and dark, and at the moment, the darkness - the chaos - has Lark's amulet. Lark had no idea what she was (a Guardian), so imagine her surprise at being summoned from her village, and told that she cannot return to save the village. Lark has the Sight, and she sees visions of death (her own), a beautiful man (a Rider and an aide of the Guardians), her village being destroyed... Lark must realize her fate and find her amulet, before everything is lost.

 I love this book! I love the story. This is fantasy at its finest, epic/high fantasy like The Lord of the Rings, or something. I love The Lord of the Rings. I don't know any series that can compare to that one, but let's just say this one may come close. 

Lark is an awesome protagonist. You can totally see her character development, from start to finish. At first, she is a bit naive and maybe a little timid, but when she is thrust into the dangerous world of Guardians and Riders and Breeders (the bad guys), she matures and understands. I liked Lark in the beginning, but I really liked her by the end of the book.

I love the male protagonist, Gharain. Oh, he is so swoon-worthy. LET ME TELL YOU. At first, he totally despises her (when they very first meet). And for good reason! He was fooled the last time (by a Breeder), and it resulted in the death of an important noble. But then Gharain falls in love with her... and she him... and it's lovely. I love it when the characters go from "hate" to love. Although neither ever really hated the other. Gharain is brave and loyal, fierce and intelligent. Loveeeeeee.

I thought the romance would be insta-love-y, at first, because Lark sees Gharain in a vision, before she meets him. He is killing her in the vision though. But she sees him, and he interests her. Mentally, I was like, groan, insta-love. But it wasn't so! I promise! I know it sounds doubtful, but there was no insta-love, in this book. I HATE insta-love, almost as much as I hate love triangles, so trust me, I would never lead you astray!

The writing. The prose. OH MY GOODNESS. I love the voice of this book. The writing is gorgeous and beautiful and so NOT modern and I loved it so much! Seriously, it was so lyrical and beautiful! I don't know how else to describe it - poetic, maybe. But NOT poetic, because this book read like fiction, not like poetry. It's hard to describe, but basically, the writing was very distinct and very WONDERFUL.

If nothing else attracts you... well, let me tell you that this book is all sorts of exciting and maddening and heart-tugging and fabulous! I definitely caught a case of the *feels* in this one, which is pretty rare, for me. Every scene with tender moments between Gharain and Lark (which were few and far between, but totally worth each one). When certain friends had to leave. When Lark had her second round of visions about Gharain. It was like Waugh was piercing my soul!

Basically... if you haven't understood by now, know that I loved this book! And I will shout about it from the rooftops! And push it on everyone, fantasy lover or not!

What I Did Not Like:

I have to wait for book two. Boooo.

Would I Recommend It:

YES! Oh my goodness, yes! If you didn't get that feeling from my review, then shame on you, because I WANT EVERYONE TO READ THIS ONE!! Epic fantasy lover or not, you can't miss this one! Go go go!

Rating:

5 (rare and very well-deserved) stars. I don't even know how to coherently and thoroughly describe my love for this book! Oh wait - be right back, going to re-read it, AGAIN!

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