The Similars Spoiler Free Review

The Similars
by Rebecca Hanover

Release Date: January 1st, 2019

Synopsis:

When six clones join Emmaline’s prestigious boarding school, she must confront the heartbreak of seeing her dead best friend’s face each day in class.

The Similars are all anyone can talk about at the elite Darkwood Academy. Who are these six clones? What are the odds that all of them would be Darkwood students? Who is the madman who broke the law to create them? Emma couldn't care less. Her best friend, Oliver, died over the summer and all she can think about is how to get through her junior year without him. Then she comes face-to-heartbreaking-face with Levi—Oliver's exact DNA replica and one of the Similars.

Emma wants nothing to do with the Similars, but she keeps getting pulled deeper and deeper into their clique, uncovering dark truths about the clones and her prestigious school along the way. But no one can be trusted…not even the boy she is falling for who has Oliver's face.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC for an honest review

I gave this book 4.25 stars. I really enjoyed this book but decided not to give it 4.5 stars because I figured the rest of the series would be even better so I’m leaving room for higher ratings.

This book cut off so suddenly it surprised me. I mean, usually when there is a cliffhanger there is a lead up to that, but for this book, I felt like we were in between huge action scenes and this one just sort of ended.

There is kind of a big plot twist that happens in this book, but it isn’t completely a surprise. If you’re paying attention to what is happening in the novel then you could probably guess what it is pretty easily.

This book isn’t anything partially new to me, but it did bring me back to everything I love about Young Adult. This reminded me of the feelings I had about 5 years ago when I couldn’t stop reading anything and everything YA. There was excitement, plot twists, coming of age problems, even love life drama. It was everything I love in a YA novel.

This story follows Emma, who has just lost her best friend and is returning to her boarding school for the first time since his death during the summer. Emma is raw and understandably shaken after what has happened. We follow her as she tries to make sense of everything that has happened and the incoming of her best friend’s clone.

Overall, I’m generally not a big fan of dystopian, but I feel like this one was in the near enough future that the problems were very parallel to what is happening in today's society.  The prejudices shown against the clones are similar to what is happening to people of color and those in the LGBTQ+ communities. I think this novel is really suitable for the times.

The Bone Season Spoiler Free Review

The Bone Season
by Samantha Shannon

Release Date: August 20th, 2013

Synopsis:

The year is 2059. Nineteen-year-old Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, based at Seven Dials, employed by a man named Jaxon Hall. Her job: to scout for information by breaking into people’s minds. For Paige is a dreamwalker, a clairvoyant and, in the world of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing.

It is raining the day her life changes forever. Attacked, drugged and kidnapped, Paige is transported to Oxford – a city kept secret for two hundred years, controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. Paige is assigned to Warden, a Rephaite with mysterious motives. He is her master. Her trainer. Her natural enemy. But if Paige wants to regain her freedom she must allow herself to be nurtured in this prison where she is meant to die.

The Bone Season introduces a compelling heroine and also introduces an extraordinary young writer, with huge ambition and a teeming imagination. Samantha Shannon has created a bold new reality in this riveting debut. 

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 4 stars. This book was good, but I definitely think the series will get better so I won’t give it that fifth star just yet. From the reviews I’ve seen for this book, it’s been pretty hit or miss for everyone. I’ve been seeing either 5 stars or 1 or 2 stars and that’s it. there is definitely a divide and I feel that I lean more towards to positive side for this book. 

The author did a really good job of laying down stepping stones. She gave us so much information about the main character, where she lives, what her age is, what time period it is. She doesn’t give it all to us at once, she gives us small doses of our character’s past as to not overwhelm us with information. We really get to see how the world becomes what it is instead of having a brief mention of the world before. She did an amazing job with the world building. Despite the book being ginormous, I never felt like pages were being wasted. 

This book follows clairvoyant Paige Mahoney. Much like most books about characters with special powers, she’s different. It isn’t overly cheesy and doesn’t have the overdone “Chosen One” trope. She’s just a girl who has a rare gift that she doesn’t know how to use. She also isn’t the only one with a rare gift, there are also others that have equally rare gifts, just not the same as hers. It was reminiscent of a superhero group.

This book felt different from every other Dystopian novel I’ve read. It may have to do with this being written a bit older than what I’m used to as I’ve only ever read YA Dystopian and this one definitely feels more mature. It was almost like a dystopian fantasy novel. It was such an odd mix of genres that I have never seen before and I have to say I really love it.

I have a very strong feeling that Warden isn’t going to be present much if at all in the next book and that makes me very sad. I spent pretty much the entire book waiting for Warden and Paige to kiss because even though it was never outright stated, they had so much chemistry. I’m glad that I already have the second book so I can just start reading it.

Top 5 Teachers/Mentors

This was kind of a hard list to make considering how awful or unmemorable most teachers are in books. This is kind of sad because teachers have really important jobs, they are literally educating the future adults of this society and that says a lot about the characters in those books. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this post.

1. Dimitri Belikov

Dimitri ends up as a love interest but starts out as our protagonist's mentor, so he makes the top of this list. I love him.

2. Professor Mcgonagall

Probably one of the most badass characters out there. She is a hardass with a heart of gold. She protects the students while still being strict and earning their respect. I can't think of a single thing I dislike about her.

3. Joe Solomon 

He was the best teacher at the Gallagher Academy which is saying a lot considering it's a school for spies. He is such a mystery for the majority of the series and the little information you do find out is always incredibly riveting. 

4. Warden

I've only just finished reading the Bone Season, but I already love the Warden. He is considered our protagonist's mentor throughout the book. He's also incredibly mysterious and maybe not as evil as we think he is.

5. Haymitch

I can't beleive I almost forgot Haymitch. He would be so offended if he knew I almost forgot him. I can almost hear the sassy comments. Haymitch is snarky, cynical, and just plain unlikeable and those are the reasons I love him. He has that hard exterior but is really just a softy in desguise. 

Which teachers do you guys love?

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Sunday Favorites: Finnick Odair

Just to start off, in case you didn't know Finnick Odair is a character from the Hunger Games Trilogy who doesn't come in till the second novel, so if you haven't read the series yet, you probably don't want to read this post. In case you want to know a bit more, I will insert the synopsis of the first book below:

Winning will make you famous. 

Losing means certain death.

The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature. 

Many of you may already know, I love Finnick Odair. He's my book husband, and he was my very first book boyfriend. My love for Finnick Odair is what started this whole thing.

Finnick isn't present a whole lot in the series, he only has a handful of scenes in the books, but that doesn't leave those scenes with any less impact. He, in my personal opinion, stole the show. I never cared about the whole #TEAMPeeta or #TEAMGale thing. I was always on #TEAMFinnick.

Finnick really came crashing onto the scene with his net of a costume in the second book and stole everyone hearts. Finnick was portrayed as this sex symbol who was out to seduce everyone. This spurred on one of my favorite quotes from the entire series:

"He offered me sugar and wanted to know all my secrets," I say in my best seductive voice.

At the time of the release of Catching Fire, I didn't really think Sam Claflin was the best fit for Finnick, I had a very specific image of him in my mind, but now that I've had some time to think about it I actually think he's perfect for the role.

I was lucky enough to go to an advanced screening to Catching Fire with my best friend. Spoiler Alert, it was epic. I came prepared. I actually went out of my way to buy a box of sugar cubes which I munched on throughout the movie because I just love Finnick so much that I would eat actual cubes of sugar despite actually hating them.

Despite the front he puts up, Finnick is so much more than a slutty victor. He's so full of love and respect for others. He had a loving, compassionate marriage to Annie. Honestly, their relationship was so enviable, especially how they were together. He was so sweet to her at all times and she seemed to be a little less crazy whenever he was with her. Kinda makes me tear up just thinking about them together.

Let's end this off with some iconic Finnick Quotes:

“Finnick?" I say, "Maybe some pants?"
He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips off his hospital gown leaving him in just his underwear. "Why? Do you find this" -- he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose -- "distracting?"
I laugh. Boggs looks embarrassed and Finnick looks more like the guy I met at the Quarter Quell”. 

“Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear.” 

“Really, the combination of the scabs and the ointment looks hideous. I can't help enjoying his distress.
"Poor Finnick. Is this the first time in your life you haven't looked pretty?" I say.
"It must be. The sensation's completely new. How have you managed it all these years?" he asks.
"Just avoid mirrors. You'll forget about it," I say.
"Not if I keep looking at you," he says.”

 “Want a sugar cube?" he asks in his old seductive voice.” 

“Did you love Annie right away, Finnick?" I ask.
 "No." A long time passes before he adds, "She crept up on me.” 

Undone Spoiler Free Review

Undone
by Wendy Higgins

Release Date: December 5th, 2017

Synopsis:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins, brings you the gripping, sensual conclusion to her apocalyptic trilogy.

Amber Tate never dreamed their heart-wrenching escape from the enemy’s attack would lead them to the most beautiful place she’s ever seen, marred by one ugly fact; it’s under enemy control. Like everywhere else in the world, Elmendorf military base in Alaska has been captured, and it’s time to take it back—all of it—one base, one city at a time. After losing so much, Amber clings to the only precious person she has left, and vows to sacrifice everything to help save the Earth.

Remy Haines is a lover, not a fighter, so when she finds herself in enemy territory, expected to feign allegiance while gathering intel for the rebel cause, she’s never been more out of her element. Tensions only increase when her feelings for Jacob “Tater” Tate won’t go away, and the enemy’s leader takes an interest in her. She’s torn between what her heart wants, and what she knows she should do. As for what her body needs…well, it’s always had a mind of its own.

My Thoughts:

I received an ARC for an honest review

This series got better by the book. While the first was a 3.5 star book, the second was 4.5 and this third and final installment has finally earned that last half a star. Everything finally came together in this final book that was left open-ended in the past two installments and I have to say it feels really good to see it tied up so nicely.

One character I’ve had a pretty rocky relationship with over the past two books is Linette. She’s strong, confident, and kind of a shitty person. I don’t like her, but there is definitely respect for her. She does things that are questionable and a lot of the time I don’t agree with what she does and the way she treats other people, but at the same time, she does know what she’s doing. 

I loved how this novel was a perfect blend of relationships and plot. I feel like a lot of the time novels either focus more on romance or more on a boring used up plot. This had the romance and had the exciting plot, but it also had compassion. There were all these characters finding companionship and love in unexpected places. Those were some of my favorite parts, just the closeness of the characters.

The unique part of the series is the fact that I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this particular blend before. The entire first book was dystopian, there wasn’t even a hint of extraterrestrials and then we get to the second book and it completely transitions into a sci-fi novel. It was really bizarre when first reading it, but I have to say I started to enjoy it more after the shift happened. I’m not complaining.

I usually have an intense hatred of duel perspective books, I just don’t see how they are helpful in most books, however, in this one it completely worked. Since our core group was separated we got to see through the points of view of best friends Amber and Remy. We got to see how they were doing while separated and could see both of their efforts throughout the war. This is one of the rare occasions where I have in fact, enjoyed a dual perspective. 

It’s a fast-paced book filled with emotion and excitement. Would highly recommend reading the series and this their novel in particular.

Unknown Spoiler Free Review

Unknown
by Wendy Higgins

Synopsis:

In this first installment of NY Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins's debut New Adult series, a frighteningly realistic apocalyptic America is brought to life, entwined with searing romantic tension that will leave you eager for more. *** Amber Tate believes the worst thing she'll suffer in life is dealing with the unrequited love she feels for her brother's best friend, Rylen Fite. She also believes war is something unfortunate that happens places far, far away from her rural Nevada town. She's wrong on both counts. When an unknown organization meticulously bombs major cities in the United States and across the globe, a trickle-down effect spreads to remaining towns at an alarming speed-everything from food and water sources to technology and communications are compromised. Without leadership, the nation is split between paralysis and panic, but Amber isn't one to hide or watch helplessly. She's determined to put her nursing skills to use, despite the danger, even if it means working alongside the man she can never have. 

My Thoughts:

I received a copy for an honest review

I gave this book 3.5 stars. It was a good start to the series, definitely not my favorite, but it was a good place to start. As someone who’s read and loved Wendy Higgins’ books in the path, I was a bit harsh with the rating, just because it wasn’t quite up to the standard I hold her to.

I sort of jumped the gun and started the second book and almost finished the second book before writing this review. In my defense, It was only a couple hours later that I started writing this, I’m just a really fast reader, and the story was too good for me to stop.

I must address the elephant in the room. I got about 25% into this book and was just nauseated because, would you look at that, a wild love triangle appears! You know how much I detest them. It wasn’t that much about the love triangle as it was the situation it put the characters in. Our protagonist has been in love with this guy for a very long time and he seems to have feelings for her and we all know from the get-go that these two characters are going to end up together. So the fact that these two characters who obviously love each other start seeing other people it feels like their cheating. I know they aren’t actually but whenever I read s book where we know who the love interest is and then one of the characters gets into a relationship with another character, it feels wrong. It doesn’t matter if that other character is actually this person's significant other while the “Love Interest” is the one on the side, it just feels like cheating to me.

What I also didn’t like about this was that there really wasn’t any lead in to their relationships. Our protagonist sees this man for a while and they just sort of happen and we don’t get that much out of it, we just sort of meet him, get a description and how the protagonist feels about him and we are expected to feel the same even though we get no character depth. I really wasn’t feeling it and it actually made me nauseous at one point. This, however, is not the main love triangle I was referring to above.

The main love triangle of the story is a huge spoiler so I won’t get into that. I wanted to hate that other character so much as they were the one thing standing between our couple getting together. However, it is handled so well, this character is given a lot of depth and I grew to really care about them. I also really appreciated how our protagonist didn’t treat them terribly despite the situation they were in.

I really do love our protagonist, Amber, she is sweet and obviously smart. She makes really bad decisions sometimes, but it isn’t enough for me to hate her for it. It’s nice to know she isn’t a Mary Sue, she does have flaws.

As someone who has already pretty much finished the second book I can say that it is definitely worth it to continue reading the series and I’m intrigued by this world that the author has created. It has lots of potential for all sorts of cool twists and turns. I would suggest giving this book a read.