Book Review: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

April 25, 2012 by 8 Comments

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 374
Source: Purchased
Rating: ★★★★☆ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

New soul

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies–human and creature alike–let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? – Goodreads

Review:
I read Incarnate by Jodi Meadows a few months ago, so I don’t completely remember all my thoughts on it, but I clearly remember thinking, “That was lovely!” The writing style is subtle, but lyrical and gorgeous and a perfect fit for this book about reincarnation.

The worldbuilding – Incarnate takes place in a world where souls are continuously reincarnated. They live, they die, and they’re born again in different bodies with all the memories of their past lives. There are only so many souls so everyone is familiar with each other, they have their attachments, etc. The cycle they’ve grown to be familiar with falls apart when Ciana dies and doesn’t return. In her place comes Ana, a new being all of her own. Upon reading the summary for the book, I was immediately drawn to its premise. Reincarnation? Yes, please! Reincarnation within a set number of people until someone new arrives, shaking things up? Double the yes, please! I think Jodi Meadows set the boundaries of her world very well. She was able to build a complex world without overcomplicating it — or watering it down — for me. OH, AND THERE WERE DRAGONS!

The characters – As far as leads go, Jodi Meadows managed to make Ana likable. It would have been very easy to make her into a whiny mess, especially considering the treatment she endured under her mother’s roof, but Jodi Meadows was also able to display her determination, bravery, and her willingness to grow. On the opposite end, it was easy to dislike the characters that shunned her or, in the case of her mother, abused her. Still, I was still able to see where they were coming from: they were used to living forever with certain companions, until one actually died for real and here’s this new girl who has taken her place What caused this? What does it mean for them? They were understandably terrified. Sam could have easily fit into that category, but he was willing to give Ana a chance and keep an open mind.

The romance – Sam and Ana’s relationship was a gradual progression. Their connection made sense and it was full of so much tenderness that it would be impossible not to find them sweet together. Sweetness and all the gushy stuff aside…um, that masquerade scene? HOT and swoonworthy, yowza!

Overall, I found Incarnate by Jodi Meadows to be a refreshing and unique read. Her world has a lot to offer, and there are still so many questions Ana needs answered, so I’m looking forward to continuing with this new series.


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Book Review: Insignia by S.J. Kincaid + Pre-order Giveaway

April 5, 2012 by 31 Comments

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 444 (ARC)
Source: Won from author (thank you, S.J. Kincaid!)
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible.

Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him? – Goodreads

Review:
I was going to wait to review S.J. Kincaid’s Insignia because, hey, July is still months away, but I figured there’s no harm in gushing over its brilliance a little in advance. Before I received my copy, I thought it sounded interesting and I liked that it gave me somewhat of an Ender’s Game vibe. Although I was a little worried that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations, I made it my first read of the year and the pressure was on! You guys… I loved this book!

There are so many sci-fi reads where the government and world building just doesn’t ring true to me, but the one here? Spot on: full of corporate greed, bribery, and corruption. It wasn’t difficult at all to make parallels to our economic situation today.

Secondly, Insignia includes so much technology and it was effing COOL. I was on board as soon as Tom first played in the VR parlor, but it only got better from there: plugging in to download data (homework!), the meal bars, programming and, of course, the simulations; the list really goes on and on with all of the awesome and I was always eager to find out what S.J. Kincaid would introduce next.

And then there’s the cast of characters. They were diverse and had different backgrounds which I LOVED. It’s a true testament to S.J. Kincaid’s writing that I feel that her characters are my friends. I feel like such a cheeseball saying that, but the level of comfort that I felt with them at the Pentagonal Spire is not something I often encounter in my reads. I love characters, sure, and I grow attached to them, but what I encountered here can only be compared to what I felt with the trio in Harry Potter: inside jokes, familiarity, and a sense of belonging. There were so many moments where I burst out laughing due to their antics (this book is FUNNY!) and even more moments where I began to dread the end of the book. Missing them was immediate, but I’m glad there’s still more to come.

While, yes, this is the first book in a series, another thing to admire about Insignia is that S.J. Kincaid offered a clear beginning, middle, and end to the book. I am dying to make my return to the Pentagonal Spire with these characters, but that’s because of my love for her story and characters, and not because she left me suffering with an evil cliffhanger. There’s still much to explore, but I’m glad that S.J. Kincaid was able to have a full story arc take place.

Come July I will be pushing this book into as many hands as I possibly can. It’s such a refreshing, humorous, and thrilling read that I really hope it blows up into something huge… I have a good feeling that it will!

Ah, yes, time for a giveaway! I can’t offer up my ARC because it’s signed, but I can offer a pre-order of the book! It’s open internationally as long The Book Depository ships to you (check here) and it will run through May 5th. You must be 13 years or older to enter and the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address. Extra entries are available. Fill out the Rafflecopter:


a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

April 29, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 496
Source: ARC from Lis*
Rating: ★★★★★ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her. – Goodreads

Review:
Where to even start? Divergent has been one of my most anticipated titles for quite some time now, so to say that my expectations were high would be an understatement. As it turned out, Veronica Roth packed a powerful punch in the contents of this book and I’m already feeling impatient for book two.

Right away, I felt an immediate connection with Tris. Despite any loyalty she feels for her Abnegation family, Tris takes the step to make a decision for herself. It was easy to fall into the guilt she felt for leaving her family behind, but equally liberating as she found her independence. Tris grows so much throughout the course of the story and, though she’s not always the strongest, she’s absolutely fierce and determined. I won’t give anything away, but some characters are absolutely horrible and I love that she finds a way to fight back.

Four has always been my favorite number and now I have another reason to love it thanks to this magnificent character. The silent and brooding type, right? Oh, but there’s more! His relationship with Tris is gradual, but one that easily shows the mutual respect they have for each other, a true and equal match.

The rest of the supporting cast made for some interesting dynamics as well. The friendship with Christina, the awkwardness with Al, the loathing of Eric and Peter… This book was such a roller coaster, carrying me through so many emotions. It kept me on my toes; just when I thought my heart couldn’t race any faster…BAM! Tris’s entire initiation process was intense but, believe me, things get even crazier with shocking twists and secrets along the way.

It’s been a few weeks since I finished the book and yet I find it so easy to dive back into this world during this review. I don’t think there are many people who aren’t anxiously awaiting its release on Tuesday, but I’ll just give a friendly reminder: PICK.THIS.UP.

Other related randomness:
• Faction Quiz – What are your results? I got Dauntless which is crazy because I honestly don’t think I’d make it.

• It’s probably a long time off, but after finishing the book I couldn’t help but think back to the movie announcement… Um, yeah, definitely looking forward to seeing this baby on the big screen. My imagination is already running wild with certain scenes, even to the point where I’m imagining a few of them being in 3D (*cough*Hancock*cough*).

* Many thanks to Lis for her awesomeness. ♥

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Book Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

January 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 464
Source: Netgalley
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository

First there are nightmares.

Every night Ellie is haunted by terrifying dreams of monstrous creatures that are hunting her, killing her.

Then come the memories.

When Ellie meets Will, she feels on the verge of remembering something just beyond her grasp. His attention is intense and romantic, and Ellie feels like her soul has known him for centuries. The dreams/memories and the fights in the Grim made my eyes glaze over On her seventeenth birthday, on a dark street at midnight, Will awakens Ellie’s power, and she knows that she can fight the creatures that stalk her in the grim darkness. Only Will holds the key to Ellie’s memories, whole lifetimes of them, and when she looks at him, she can no longer pretend anything was just a dream.

Now she must hunt.

Ellie has power that no one can match, and her role is to hunt and kill the reapers that prey on human souls. But in order to survive the dangerous and ancient battle of the angels and the Fallen, she must also hunt for the secrets of her past lives and truths that may be too frightening to remember. – Amazon

Review:
While Angelfire is a solid debut, it does not bring anything new to the YA paranormal genre.

There were points while reading that I felt like leaving the book unfinished. The main characters, Ellie and Will, are decent enough, but I’ve seen them before. It’s the normal girl with hidden abilities and the brooding and mysterious boy who is devoted to protecting the girl. For me, they never became more than that. Perhaps their past needs to be further explored, but the relationship between Will and present Ellie felt superficial and forced.

I did enjoy the fact that Ellie doesn’t automatically feel comfortable in her role as the Preliator. As a matter of fact, she’s freaked out! She feels insecure, struggles with her abilities, and fears what she has to face. Her confidence grows throughout the book, and while she understandably continues to have her moments of doubt, she also has moments where she is in complete control.

Unfortunately, many of the battle scenes, while easy to follow, felt like they dragged on for too long. Likewise, the memories and dreams had my eyes glazing over. I didn’t feel like any of them added anything to the story and took away time for building the Will and Ellie of now. I’m sure, however, that many readers will enjoy them — particularly the first encounter between the pair.

Despite my problems with the book, judging by the glowing reviews I’ve already seen, the series should have no problem building a loyal following. I think Moulton has good ideas going on here, but the execution just didn’t work for me.

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