Book Review: What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang

September 18, 2012 by 4 Comments

Title by Author What’s Left of Me by Kat Zhang
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: BEA 2012
Rating: ★★★½☆ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything. – Goodreads

Review:
Immediately after reading the summary for Kat Zhang’s What’s Left of Me I knew I wanted the book in my hands. Though the two souls in one body aspect reminded me of Stephenie Meyer’s The Host (in a good way — I actually really love The Host) I thought What’s Left of Me sounded like it would offer a darker twist within its pages because it was told from the POV of Eva, the soul with no control over her body. Yikes, right? It was easy to feel her frustration and confinement right away and I was eager to find out more about her world: one where every body has two souls until one ultimately fades away.

Though it’s in a dystopian setting, with the government monitoring that there is only one soul per body, I enjoyed that Kat Zhang focused on Eva and Addie’s personal struggles. I do wish that there had been more worldbuilding (see below), but I felt that it was necessary to really understand Addie and Eva as individuals and Kat Zhang did an excellent job with their distinctive personalities. They each had their own conflicts and fears and it was impossible to sympathize more with one over the other.

I also really enjoyed the subtlety of the romance storyline. It didn’t take over the story in any way, but Kat Zhang had the right amount of sweetness between the characters and I enjoyed the dynamic that was formed despite the limitations they have.

As I said above, I do wish there had been more background to the world Addie and Eva live in. Where’s the explanation for two souls inhabiting one body? Why should hybrids be viewed as dangerous? I did enjoy getting to know Addie and Eva, and experience all the highs and lows that come with their situation, but there’s still a lot to explore on a larger scale and I do hope Kat Zhang explores that in the sequels.

Overall, What’s Left of Me is a promising start to a new series and I’m looking forward to getting answers to all of my unanswered questions.

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Book Review: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

January 9, 2012 by 9 Comments

Under the Never Sky by Author
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 384
Source: Netgalley
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love – one that will forever change the fate of all who live under the never sky. – Goodreads

Review:
Although I was initially very excited to read Under the Never Sky, I had the hardest time connecting with the book at first. I started reading it about three or four times and, each time, I found myself moving on to something else after only a few pages. I just wasn’t into it! I finally forced myself to stick with it and, luckily, it ended up picking up quite nicely.

Aria and Perry are the leads for this book and they come from two completely different worlds: Aria in the Reverie with virtual realities and Smarteyes; Perry on the outside with heightened senses and the violent Aether. The two are thrown together on this journey and they gradually overcome their prejudices to become a good team. Aria came into her own during the course of the novel by refusing to let her weaknesses define her. I found Perry’s abilities to be really cool and I admired his devotion to Talon.

The romantic storyline was alright for me; I have no complaints about it, but I don’t feel super gushy about it either. The development between Perry and Aria felt natural and, as I’m a sucker for that initial “I really don’t like you but I will end up loving you” type of dynamic, I think Rossi handled their transition into something deeper really well. However, despite their growing feelings, my favorite part of their relationship was how they didn’t grow completely dependent on each other. They were able to focus on their separate goals and not lose sight of other important factors in their lives.

Though I really came to like Aria and Perry, I must say that Roar was the standout character for me. Not only is his name completely awesome (RIGHT?!), but he had so much energy and personality. There were only quick mentions of it, and the book didn’t go into depth about it, but I really liked how he had his own journey on the side. I won’t even lie, if he were to hypothetically get a spinoff series, I would probably read it before I read book two of Under the Never Sky because I liked him so much!

Overall, this was a solid read. After a shaky start, I found that the second half of the book really kicked things off and I will definitely be continuing on with the next book in the series. I think there is so much potential growth for both the story and characters and I can’t wait to see that realized.


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Book Review: Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver

October 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 307
Source: Purchased Copy
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable

Will’s mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey. – Goodreads

Review:
There are two things I know with absolute certainty about Lauren Oliver’s books:

1) I will read anything she writes.
2) She will always make me cry.

I don’t read much middle grade, but this book, along with A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, has definitely changed things up on my reading palate.

Liesl & Po was an enchanting and timeless story. Following the death of her father, Liesl has been locked away in the attic of her home by her stepmother. One day two ghosts named Po and Bundle appear and they offer company to her lonely existence. Soon after, a mix up involving an alchemist’s apprentice, Will, and two boxes, sets off a chain of events that brings them all together in an unforgettable adventure.

On the surface, the story is straightforward in the way that it has the essential evil characters and there are no real surprising twists along the way. However, the book also handles emotion in a palpable way: grief, loss, love, friendship and, ultimately, healing. It’s all very subtle, but there’s depth and so much hope to be found in these words and characters.

My favorite character of the story was, without a doubt, Po. Po, neither a he nor a she, along with Bundle, neither a dog nor a cat, was Liesl’s primary companion on her journey. Po’s character definitely had moments full of sarcasm — especially when Will came into the picture — but kindness and compassion peeked through as well. Liesl and Po’s friendship grew so beautifully and made my heart swell. And, yes, they did make me cry, too.

I have loved and adored each of Oliver’s three published books. Though they’re all very different from the last, each is filled with her gorgeous prose and wonderfully layered characters. Prior to picking up Liesl & Po I already considered myself a big fan, but now I’m finding myself even more eager to see what she does next. I know it will be amazing.


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