Review: Breathe

Breathe
Author: Sarah Crossan
Published: October 2, 2012
373 Pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Inhale. Exhale. 
Breathe. 
Breathe. 
Breathe . . .
The world is dead. 
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

Imagine The Lorax with a nice dystopian twist and more romance. This is what Breathe reminds me of. The world has no oxygen left since all the trees have been destroyed. Now, living in a pod in the middle of nowhere, society is trying to survive. The pod is separated into three sections, Premiums, Stewards, and Auxiliaries. Quinn is a Premium but his best friend, Bea, is an Auxiliary. This doesn't stop him from helping her out with oxygen tanks and promising her vacations outside the pod. Alina is part of the Resistance. She has been stealing tree clippings from the Botany room in hopes of getting them to the Resistance outside the walls. But she needs help and she plan on getting it from Quinn.

The pod life is very realistic. The Auxiliaries are only given a certain amount of oxygen to survive and they need to buy more if the need it. Similar to a hydro bill, they are billed for the amount they use and most can't afford to do anything other than sleep and eat. Lovers can't make out without fear of having to pay more and not being able to afford it. The underclassmen can't exercise unless they have a portable tank, which only the Premiums have access to. There is a clear line of upper and lower class and it's not hard to imagine a world where we are separated so drastically like this. 

This story throws you right in. We are shown the pod through the eyes of the upper and lower class and they both see the problem. The Pod Minister is up to something and Quinn is stuck in the middle of it. So when he and Bea are on their way out of the pod for a vacation, he takes Alina up on her ask for help. He gets the three of them out of the pod safely but things are not what they on the inside or out. Soon they see the Resistance and what they've been planning. Fighting for survival with only the oxygen on their backs, these three teens will stop at nothing to prove what is really going on in the pods.

There are three view points, one for each main character, and Crossan finds a way to make the transitions smooth. I knew exactly who was talking based on the scenario and voice. I was never confused or had to check back at the beginning of the chapter to remind myself who was talking. Each how such different views of the world and I got to see exactly how this world played out to each of them. 

Dystopians have become very predicable to me. Maybe it's because I've read so many, but everything seems to play out the same. I like the  concepts that these authors are coming up with. I mean, none of know how the world will end or what will cause an apocalypse, so plausible ones, like no more trees, sound very real. There is sort of a love triangle but it doesn't play out so much so that I want to scream at the book. (Have I mentioned I hate love triangles?) And the actual love story seems realistic enough. There were a few twists and I certainly couldn't put the book down, but I expect The Hunger Games or Divergent when I read dystopians now and this didn't quite live up to either of those. 

I allow myself to be right here, in the moment, savouring the peace. All the millions and millions of stars remind me, too, how small and fragile I am. And unimportant, really. If this branch were to creak and moan and break under my weight, and I were to plummet to the ground, the stars in the sky would continue to decorate the world. And even if the last tree disappears from our planet, the stars will still be up there. 

Top Ten Books to Get into the Halloween Spirit

This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is all about getting into the Halloween spirit. I love Halloween. It's my all time favourite holiday and I plan my costumes starting November 1st and then work on them all year. Yes, I'm a tad obsessed, but who doesn't love a night where you can be anyone you want to be and get free candy while doing it? So here's my list of spooktacular books to get you into the Halloween spirit!

 1. Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice

What's Halloween without some good old fashioned vampires. Rice writes them so normal that it's frightening. You just never know what's living in the shadows.

2. Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready

Imagine living in a world where you can see and communicate with ghosts? There is no hiding from them unless you are in a black boxed room. Smith-Ready downplays the scariness of this as it's not the main plot point, but it still gives me the creeps.

3. Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake

Cas is a ghost hunter. The thought of that is scary enough. And Anna is a vicious ghost that shows just how powerful spirits can be. This book might have given me nightmares.

4. Carrie by Stephen King

I Honestly haven't read this, but I wanted to include King on the list because he is the king of suspense and terror. His books are those of nightmares and he writes them flawlessly.

5. The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

Poe creates a frightening scene just with his words. Even in his short stories, he captures your spirit and crushes it. Other tales worth noting are The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart. Anything by Poe is perfect for a spooky night lit only by candles.

6. Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Griffin has taken Poe's dark tale and created a fantastic YA book of it. Living in a world where plague and disease has taken over, what is there to live for? Griffin transforms his world into her own with just enough of his terror to keep you thinking.

7. This Is Not A Test by Courtney Summers

An underrated zombie book of perfection. It's not really about the zombies, it's about surviving and it's perfect for teens and adults alike. The horror outside is downplayed but the thought of what's out there is enough to keep you reading to see if anyone will survive.

8. Dracula by Bram Stoker

This is one of the books that started it all. Along with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Stoker's Dracula captures the essence of the horror that lives on the streets with us. Dracula will steal your breath away and follow you even after the last page.

9. The Forest Of Hands And Teeth by Carrie Ryan

A zombie series with a fresh take. It's reminiscent of The Village and I think that makes it scarier. Everything is old and run down and the zombies are just on the other side of the dying fence. This series will stay with you and haunt your dreams.

10. Fear Street by R.L. Stine (or Goosebumps if you prefer)

Simple, easy, horror. These were the books I read in high school and couldn't get enough off. Each tale had a gruesome twist and the sheer, average, terror of it was enough to keep me up at night. Stine has a way with plots. His books are simple, yes, but they still leave you breathless.

Review: Hidden

Hidden
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: September 11, 2012
272 Pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning...

The thrilling finale to the Firelight series doesn't stop for a second. It picks up right where Vanish left off. Jacinda has escaped the hunters but Miram, Cassian's sister, is still being held captive. Jacinda decides the only way to make things right is to get her out of there and that means getting captured herself. But once in the enemy compound, where she knows her dad has once been, she fears that it may be harder to get out than she first thought.

Life is pretty complicated for Jacinda. Not only is she a draki, a descendant of dragons, but she has been bonded with Cassian even though her heart belongs to Will, the human hunter. She has already made her choice, it is forever Will, but she can't seem to find the strength to let go of her pride and live a normal life with him. Cassian's emotions flow through her like her own and she knows how he feels about her. Her inner dilemma stays on the back burner as she tries to rescue as many draki as possible and get out of the compound alive. 

The action is non-stop. From the first sentence, we'll pulled into the fight. As Jacinda is trying to find her dad and save Miram, she's also trying to figure out where her loyalties lie. Will doesn't let her off easy either. He tests her whenever he can and I think this is an important aspect to his character. I know some people may find him pushy, but he knows she loves him and he's trying to show her that she's more than her pride. She's wanted to escape that place since she was young, but with Cassian in her head and more information about her father being discovered, she can't find the means to do it. It's nice that Will isn't just a pushover love interest that just stands in the background and waits to be kissed. He is a strong character and I admire everything he does for Jacinda. 

Tamra steals the show. She has developed the most over the three books. She tried to fit in with the pride but feared she never could. When they moved to the real world, she fit in perfectly but soon discovered that she was a draki, a very powerful draki, and suddenly she didn't fit in anywhere. When she meets Deaghan, a primal draki, she seems to see new hope for her future. Their love story is quiet, but it's as important as Jacinda and Will's because it seems like Tamra has been through more than any other character has in this series. I'm very glad she got her happy ending. 

Uncreative cover aside, the story held its own and satisfied me as the conclusion to a series that has kept me breathless from the beginning.

“And I realize I’m both my strongest and weakest with him.  And I guess that’s love.  When you’re at your most vulnerable”

Novellas: A Perfect Companion

Novellas have to easily be my favourite extras to a series. They give the author a chance to dive back into their world in a new way. Most of the time the novellas are told from a different viewpoint and it gives us, the readers, the chance to see into the minds of other characters we love. It also makes the year long wait for the next instalment a bit more bearable.

Here are some of my favourite short stories. (All have been read in E book format as that is usually the only way they are available.)

Reaper by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers): Told from Tod's point of view and taking place before the actual series starts, we get the back story that changes everything. This was the turning point for me where my love for Tod became too much to hide.

Hana by Lauren Oliver (Delirium): Who wouldn't want to know what went through Lena's best friend Hana's mind during Delirium? Hana has been excited or the cure, desperate to stop the disease, but she soon discovers how intriguing love can be. Hana's adventures are just as intense as Lena's and we get to see another side to this emotional story.

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey): As much as I love Ash, Puck's story was so much fun to read. His quirks and puns make him so loveable and it's certainly interesting in this guy's head.

Never To Sleep by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers): Okay, I just love everything Rachel Vincent writes and she has made me like evil Sophie. She gets a real taste of what Kaylee goes through on a regular basis and it helps her understand her cousin a little better. There was no way I could hate her after reading her story.







And a few that I can't wait to read:

Breathless by Sophie Jordan (Firelight) A love story about Az, Jacinda's best friend, involving her falling in love with a human? Um, yes please!

Roar And Liv by Veronica Rossi (Under The Never Sky): Back stories are my favourite. You get to learn so much about characters and see them in a whole new light. I can't wait to read the love story between two of the minor characters in Under The Never Sky.

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me): Even though I'm not a huge fan of Warner, I'm still curious to hear his story.

The Legacies by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies): Though I still haven't picked up The Rise Of Nine, I'm still very interested in this series and would love to read about the other legacies.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite Authors In X Genre

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is: Top 10 Favorite Authors In X Genre

I'm going to break it up into two groups because this is a really hard one. I don't even think I've read more than 10 books that I've loved in one genre unless broaden it. So I'll do two Top Fives! These are my two favorite genres right now and it's pretty much all I'm reading. One is based off of worlds we hope never exist and the other is all too real. Dystopian and Contemporary YA. 

Dystopian YA. 

1. Suzanne Collins: I'm pretty sure The Hunger Games is what started this whole revival. It's the first series I read and it transformed me into a YA addicted book nerd. I loved the concept, the characters, and the heartbreak. I hope Collins comes out with a new series soon because I'd love to read more work from her.

2. Veronica Roth: After reading THG I needed more dystopian. So I picked up Divergent and fell head first int Roth's futuristic world. Vastly different from THG, Roth holds her on in this genre and I can't wait to read the final instalment!

3. Lauren DeStefano: Another greats series. Wither is scary and charming all at once. DeStefano paints a completely different world than the rest and it's refreshing. I can't wait to find out how Rhine's story ends.

4. Lauren Oliver: Delirium took my breath away. From the quotes at the beginning of every chapter to the love that doesn't exist in the world, I felt like I needed to be in that world just to prove that love is not a disease, that it is life. I've also read Oliver's Before I Fall and loved it! So I can't wait to read more from her.

5. Lissa Price: Starters is what I desperately hope the world does not turn into, but it seems the most likely. I loved the Cinderella story and I'm waiting with baited breath for the sequel.

Contemporary YA:

1. Courtney Summers: Hands down my favourite author. She writes such believable characters that you find yourself without even an inkling of how the story will end. She holds me from the first page and I'm still stuck in the book weeks after I've put it down.

2. John Green: Does anyone really need a reason why I love him? His books are epic and he captures adolescence perfectly. He is the king of this genre!

3. Hannah Harrington: Speechless blew me away. It didn't just focus on bullying, but it focused on how life goes on and that it isn't the end of the world. I can't wait to read her debut novel, Saving June, which is pretty high on my To Read list right now.

4. Candace Bushnell: When I read Sex And The City, I was a little disappointed because it wasn't enough like the series. But after reading The Carrie Diaries, I have a new appreciation for Bushnell. Carrie's back story is heartbreaking and fun at the same time and I love seeing where one of my favourite TV characters grew up. 

5. Ann Brashares: The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants made me smile, cry, and wish for a pair of magic pants. It shows friendship the way it really is. It's not always happy and as people grow up, things change. It's a good book to contemplate your relationships with your girlfriends to. It gives you hope for the future.

Both genres are different in their own ways but they both deal with the same issues: trying to figure out who you are in a crazy world.  No matter what the situation, teens (humans) feel the same emotions. I have a feeling I'll be reading these genres for a long time to come!

The Evolution Of Mara Dyer Teaser + Giveaway

If you haven't discovered the intense, mysterious and amazing novel, The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer, you're missing out. With the release of the sequel, The Evolution Of Mara Dyer, in 8 days, my excitement is amping up!

Here's the blurb for the madness that will indefinitely be The Evolution Of Mara Dyer:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?


Creepy? Suspenseful? Yes, and then some! The first book blew me away and I can't wait to dig deeper into Mara's story. I know there will be even more questions to answer and more mysteries to solve and I can't wait! Also, Noah Shaw is perfection and I can't wait for his snarky, British humour again!

And don't forget to enter the giveaway on Michelle's website to get some fun goodies! And if you haven't read Te Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer, I suggest you go do it now!

Review: Fall For Anything

Fall For Anything
Author: Courtney Summers
Published: December 21, 2010
230 Pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

My hands are dying. These four words start the beginning of an emotional roller coaster of a story. It is the perfect sentence for capturing the feel of the book. Eddie Reeves is not suicidal, though most of those who love her think she might be. Maybe it's because she haunts the old warehouse where her father committed suicide. Her thoughts drift her there every night because she wants to know the truth about what happened that day. Not because she wasn't there, because she was, but because she can't come up with any reason why her father would do this. Why? This is the question that plagues her brain everyday and there is no escaping it. And maybe Eddie doesn't want to.

Her mother doesn't leave the house and she wraps herself in her husband's housecoat daily. Eddie feels like she's alone in the world even though she has a best friend who may love her as more than that. Milo is always there for her, but he has secrets he doesn't want to share with her. Eddie keeps her questions locked inside, even from Milo, but she still wants him to tell her exactly what he remembers from that day even though she was there too. Every sentence about that night demands to be felt. Small pieces try to form a big picture as Eddie gets closer and closer to the truth about why her father ended his life. Enter Culler Evans, a student of her father's, who also wants to learn the truth. Eddie attaches herself to him because he actually understands what she's going through. And when the possibility of real answers appears, she will stop at nothing to answer her burning question of Why? 

Eddie's grief is palpable. The moments where she just stops moving. The moments she tries to remember what her father looked like before he jumped off that roof. The times she tries to use her hands and they fail her. Tears clouded my vision as I read her thoughts, knowing that if I lost my dad that way, I'd want to find answers too. Her actions are too realistic and she moves off the pages and into my life. She is spontaneous and mysterious but it is all for her father. She does things that she probably wouldn't do in regular situations and it feels so real. Grief takes a hold of us and refuses to let go. It crawls into our souls and waits, ready to creep up at the on set of any emotion. Summers captures grief as its own character, controlling Eddie's actions and guiding her through life. There was no holding back the tears that poured from my eyes on the last page.

Summers has taken a hold of me and I never want her to let go. Each book finds a completely unique character but each of them relates to each other with their pain. They are so real that they make real mistakes and all you want is for them to get their happy endings. But Summers is too real for happy endings. Instead she gives us what we get, what real life is really all about, just endings and maybe, just maybe, new beginnings that come after a journey of pain. You will not regret reading any of her novels.

“Sometimes I feel hunted by my grief. It circles me, stalks me. It's always in my periphery. Sometimes I can fake it out. Sometimes I make myself go so still, it can't sense that I'm there anymore and it goes away. I do that right now.”