Sunday Favorites: Kricket Series by Amy A. Bartol

I didn’t do a Top 5 Wednesday this week because I couldn’t think of a list. The topic was Top 5 Hidden Gems in Your Favorite Genre. My favorite genre is split between sci-fi and fantasy so it must seem easy to be able to make up a list. It was not. All I could think about was this one book series that I absolutely adore and think others would love it just as much as I do, but no one but me seems to have read it. 

The series in question is The Kricket Series by Amy A. Bartol. It has so much to offer, adventure, action, a badass female protagonist, and a love triangle that I actually couldn’t choose who my favorite was. I know who I prefer her with, but I still really loved her relationship with this other character.

For curiosities sake, here is the synopsis of the first book:

Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home. 

Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go. 

Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own. 

When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?

Now I know there are actually almost 13000 people who've read this one Goodreads, but I have yet to actually talk to someone about this book who I hadn't made read it in the first place. Where are you 13000 other people who have read this book? I can't seem to find you.

This series also houses my favorite secretly good villain, Kyon. He is the king of misunderstood, everyone absolutely hates him throughout the first two books and then when you finally get to know him you know you’ve been wrong this whole time. He reminds me a lot of Warner from Shatter Me. We meet him and he has all the traits of a power-hungry soldier of a dystopian regime, but it turns out we completely misunderstood him the whole time. This is what I like to call good writing. 

Kricket is one of my favorite main characters of all time. She’s smart and tough, she knows exactly what she wants. She’ strong, but will let herself be vulnerable and is just full of compassion. Even if the story was shit I would still read it all just for her.

This series also isn't light on plot. We have a full-blown war going on between "countries" and rebel groups trying to overthrow those in power all while Kricket is trying to make her way back home. It's never boring. My only gripe about the entire series is that it ended right in the middle of the series. Supposedly it is only supposed to have 3 books, but the final book left so much to be questioned. I'm waiting for the day when the author finally decides to write more books in this series.

The entire series is so underrated and I 100% think it deserves some love.

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Pulse Spoiler Free Review

Pulse 
by Danielle Koste

Release Date: January 1st, 2017

Synopsis:

Rowan Platts is addicted to success.

When she's presented with the chance to work on a top secret project fronted by her idol, renowned virologist Dr. Margot Miller, Rowan signs her life away without second thought. The realization she’s gotten in over her head comes only after the subject of their study is revealed: a boy with a bad attitude and an uninhibited taste for human blood.

He's a medical anomaly. Having the ability to crush metal with his bare hands and hear a heartbeat from across the room, it would make Rowan’s career if she was the one to discover what made him so unusual.

Easier said than done, with a subject who prefers snapping necks over answering questions. 

My Thoughts:

I received a copy for an honest review

I gave this book 5 stars. It was one of those books I was unsure about but ended up not being able to put down. It was such an engaging sci-fi/new adult romance. I would highly recommend it.

Lyall was unexpected. I thought because of what he was, that he was going to be a basic brooding bad boy that was so moody that would be the only thing anyone could focus on. This was not the case. Lyall was such a little shit. Playing without protagonists emotions and just messing with her for fun. It was playful and I loved that.

As for the story itself, I was very pleased with how it played out. The story felt almost metaphoric at times. I don’t know how to describe it. It was very fast paced. The book was around 300 pages and I read the entire thing in two sittings (I decided to take a shower halfway through and then continue). This book will be done in no time.

I loved how his condition was never given a name. I know everyone thinks vampire right away, but I like how it was rationalized and how there was that scientific element to a classic myth.

The story felt edgy, almost like a plotline in American Horror Story but with a happier ending. The atmosphere of the story was creepy. It felt isolated because we only had about 5 important characters, the story was very contained to just a few of them. 

Overall, creepy and engaging, I would definitely recommend that you give this book a read. It’s refreshing and I think it adds something new to the genre.

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.

Stranger Things Book Tag

In honor of Stranger Things being back, I decided to do this tag!

I tried to track down the original post but from what I’ve gathered it doesn’t even exist anymore, so can’t link anything back. Anyway, I’m just gonna do the tag.

1) The Vanishing of Will Byers - the first book in a series that left you intrigued and slightly confused

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, you never really know what’s real or what isn’t, you don’t understand the powers and secrets and none of it really makes sense until later, but it’s a definite page-turner.

2) The Upside Down - a book with a setting you would never want to live in

The Hunger Games, I think the fuck not.

3) Eleven - a book you own that is somewhat damaged, but loved to pieces

I’ll Give You the Sun, I left it in the front pocket of my backpack while I was playing rugby and since I live where I live, it started raining an dry bag got soaked. Thankfully only the dust jacket got wet, but the cover is no longer as sunshiny.

4) Mike, Lucas, and Dustin - a trilogy you always go to whenever you need a pick-me-up

Shatter Me, but only because of Kenji and my OTP Juliette and Warner. So cute.

5) The Demogorgon - a book with a terrifying beast you wouldn’t want to face in a dark alley

A Court of Thorns and Roses, jeez, imagine having that asshole Tamlin “in love” with you, feel bad for Feyre.

6) Dr. Brenner - a book with a villain who is both manipulative and dedicated

Sebastian Morgenstern because despite everything he did I couldn’t hate him. He had us all convinced he had changed and then just stomped on our hearts, but I still love him.

7) Nancy Wheeler - a book you didn’t expect to love

Daughter of Deep Silence, no one seems to ever talk about this book and when they do it’s never very good, so I didn’t expect much going into it, but I fricking love that book. A+

8) Hawkins, Indiana - a book with a setting that’s just a little bit strange

This one I don’t even remember the name of, I just remember when I was in Elementary school one of my teachers read this book to me about this guy, I think his name was Mark, and he went out into the middle of the desert I think for an adventure and was transported to another world, there were cannibals and tribes and I think he ended up marrying the daughter of a chief. It was just really weird and the book that kept coming to my mind, I anyone knows the name of it please let me know, I would love to know because it’s driving me a bit crazy.

Feel free to also do this tag!

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