The Uprising by Lisa M. Stasse

Goodreads Blurb

Alenna escaped. It was expected that she would die on the wheel, the island where would-be criminals are sent as directed by the UNA—the totalitarian supercountry that was once the United States, Mexico, and Canada. But Alenna and her boyfriend, Liam, made it to safety. Except safety, they will soon learn, is relative.
In order to bring down the UNA, they must first gain control of the wheel. If the mission succeeds, the wheel will become a base of revolution. But between betrayals, a new Monk leading a more organized army of Drones, and the discovery of a previously unknown contingent, Alenna, Liam, and their allies might be in over their heads. One thing Alenna knows for sure: There will be a reckoning. And not everyone she loves will make it out alive.

Last year, I read and loved The Forsaken! (But please don't click that link, because my review was ugh, like all my 2012 reviews.) But when I got the copy of The Uprising...well, I sort of forgot most everything that happened in The Forsaken. And by then, I'd given my copy away. So you can bet I was a bit confused when I first started.
So if that's your situation, you do get a basic recap, but some of the details are just a little fuzzy. You start remembering why you loved certain characters so much, why your heart broke way back when, and why you absolutely died and begged for this book at the ending.

Oh. And by the way? Ten pages in, and they almost die.

So yeah, The Uprising is just as action packed as The Forsaken, if not more so! It's another desperate game of survival on the wheel (yes. You read that right. They're back on the wheel, and that always means trouble!) and it's just as cutthroat as before. The drones are out and about, as murderous as before, but now under the control of a new "Monk".
I was absolutely dying as I read The Uprising, aching to find out who the new Monk was, who we could trust, and who would die next. Because someone was going to die--you just didn't know who.

The sci-fi and worldbuillding was absolutely genius and was definitely well done! We're introduced to a lot more technology than in The Forsaken and I was fascinated by all the machines. A lot of thought and research seemed to put into it and I loved reading about them and how they worked!

The Uprising doesn't focus on the romance as much as The Forsaken did, and that's a relief considering I wasn't a big fan of it in the first place! I will admit that what cuddly moments we did see were adorable and, well, cuddly. They're a really cute couple actually and they balanced each other out what with Alenna trusting so many people and Liam's wariness around strangers at least.

We meet a ton of new characters, but I seriously disliked Cass, a former drone. She judged everyone quickly and made so many assumptions and was absolutely bloodthirsty. I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up betraying the group in book 3!

Pages: 400

Genre: Dystopian/Sci-fi

Series: The Forsaken #2

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: August 6, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

Starglass by Phoebe North

Goodreads Blurb

Terra has never known anything but life aboard the Asherah, a city-within-a-spaceship that left Earth five hundred years ago in search of refuge. At sixteen, working a job that doesn't interest her, and living with a grieving father who only notices her when he's yelling, Terra is sure that there has to be more to life than what she's got.
But when she inadvertently witnesses the captain's guard murdering an innocent man, Terra is suddenly thrust into the dark world beneath her ship's idyllic surface. As she's drawn into a secret rebellion determined to restore power to the people, Terra discovers that her choices may determine life or death for the people she cares most about. With mere months to go before landing on the long-promised planet, Terra has to make the decision of a lifetime--one that will determine the fate of her people.

Starglass completely and utterly destroyed my expectations. I wasn't quite sure what to expect--it reminded me of Across the Universe and it seemed a bit typical. But, it really, really, wasn't. 

I'm not quite sure where to start with this review! I loved pretty much everything about it, but I guess what stood out the most was the fact that we're never sure, exactly, who the good guys are until the very end. And I've been waiting forever for that kind of book. Usually we're always so sure of who's the good guy and who's the bad guy, but the lines are blurred in this book which definitely made the entire book more intriguing!

The plot was absolutely genius too. I EXPECTED NOTHING. And the twist in the romance. OHMERGERD. I NEVER saw that coming! The twists were so startling--I about died from shock. There were a thousand twists but nothing was ever too fast-paced or too sudden. It maintained a steady pace that makes readers desperate to know what happens next, but afraid to accidentally miss something.There were so many betrayals and losses that I actually teared up, too. I really am a crybaby!

I loved our main character, though she did tend to trust and judge quickly. She was such a wonderful kind of character who was so real. She had such a hard life and she developed a strong personality, but still managed to stay sweet at times, and understanding. She was a relatable character who's easy to connect to throughout the book and so completely lovable! She was looking for somewhere where she belonged, someone she belonged to. It was so bittersweet.

The romance was very...complicated. Very. There were two guys, yes, but trust me. It was far from a love triangle. And then, at the end...well. Let's just leave it at complicated. Let me just say that I love Silva! Sort of. He was such a, well, teen. And I can say no more. But where it concerns the romance, you're going to be shell shocked, trust me.

I loved the world of the Asherah! We didn't really focus on the world or the ship, but what we did see was well thought out and well detailed. The ship was vivid in my mind and I could see every little nook. I have to hand it to North--she knows how to show not tell!

There's pretty much nothing wrong with Starglass and I loved every second! I read this completely in one sitting from when I woke up all the way to dinner without stop! It was captivating, engaging, and a beautiful read I wouldn't mind reading over and over again until it's my turn to jump on a spaceship to a planet! Which I hope is a good bit from now.

Pages: 448

Genre: Dystopian/Sci-fi

Series: Starglass #1

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: July 23, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

Phoenix by Elizabeth Richards

Goodreads Blurb

Weeks after his crucifixion and rebirth as Phoenix, Ash Fisher believes his troubles are far behind him. He and Natalie are engaged and life seems good. But his happiness is short-lived when he receives a threatening visit from Purian Rose, who gives Ash an ultimatum: vote in favor of Rose’s Law permanently relegating Darklings to the wrong side of the wall or Natalie will be killed.
The decision seems obvious to Ash; he must save Natalie. But when Ash learns about The Tenth, a new and deadly concentration camp where the Darklings would be sent, the choice doesn’t seem so simple. Unable to ignore his conscience, Ash votes against Rose’s Law, signing Natalie’s death warrant and putting a troubled nation back into the throes of bloody battle.

First, I must squeal for one paragraph. I am sorry.

OMG. THIS WAS SO....ACK!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT AN ARC OF THIS. AND HOW GOOD THIS IS. WOW. THE WAY THIS WAS...ACK. BE STILL, MY HEART. THIS IS SO AMAZING.

That was like 1% of it, but I thought I'd better get on with the review, yeah?

Okay, I absolutely have to acknowledge the romance in this. The action and the rebellion were amazing of course, but the romance! Ash and Natalie and Elijah...and Giselle, but she appears and disappears quickly. (Thank God!) My heart broke so many times for Ash and Natalie. There's a giant twist that just changes everything between all of them, and I swear my heart dropped all the way through the Earth and made a beeline for China. I just...can't imagine. Natalie and Ash are so devoted to each other, every few pages I had to stop and smack a friend on the arm (whoever was closest to me. They can prove it.) and squeal! It was just so amazing, the way you could clearly see how in love they were. It's like a less messed up Romeo and Juliet! And Elijah. Elijah. How could you?!

Like I said, the action was definitely amazing itself. What Black City lacked, Phoenix definitely made up for it! There was definitely a lot more moving around than in Black City and there was definitely a lot more danger--and that's saying something! With President Rose a looming threat and both Sentry, Lupines, and citizens looking for them, Ash and Natalie were definitely in a fix. And yet, they somehow managed to survive it...until a giant betrayal I could never have expected!

Bringing me to another thing. There were a lot of betrayals I couldn't imagine, but with their lives' on the line, I guess some people forget to be selfless! But the first betrayal was a bit predictable. The second? Well. I think I may have died on the spot!
Phoenix was a book that while, at first was a bit slow, but quickly went uphill after the first few chapters or so! It's pacing was brilliant and I absolutely adored it!

Definitely not experiencing Sequel Syndrome or anything like that, Phoenix definitely surpassed my expectations and definitely beat Black City in the long run! Anyone who loved Black City will definitely adore this! Just like it's first book though, it's definitely one of those dystopias that the word dystopia perfectly describes!

Pages: 368
Genre: Dystopia/Romance
Series: Black City #2
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Blog Tour: Stung by Bethany Wiggins

Goodreads Blurb

There is no cure for being stung.
Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right.
Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.
Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall.

I'm so excited that I got to read this book early! I loved it! And who knew bees were so important?

The worldbuilding was just amazing! There are scientific explanations for this apocalyptic world and there were no questions I had that weren't answered one way or another. The world was thought out and well written and is definitely an original concept--the bee apocalypse! I loved the way it was realistic (well, you know what I mean!) and that it was a possible disaster for the real world.

Fiona's character wasn't the best, honestly. Sure, she had those typical qualities--determined, stubborn, loyal, but she was also pretty stupid. I mean, she shot one of her friends. Point blank. What? Not to mention that in the beginning, she assumes she's 13 year sold, when the world's clearly changed. I felt like she imagined all that happening in one night. It was idiotic. Also, she didn't seem to really understand why she had to be protected from men who haven't seen a pretty female in a long time at first. I don't want to sound snarky, but SERIOUSLY.
Bowen was a pretty awesome love interest. He was smug, a bit of a scowler, but the bad thing about him? Oh my lord, he said the cheesiest things. It was adorable, but I sort of cringed.

The romance was sweet and a little typical in the bad-boy-next-door way. Except, you know, after the world ends. Bowen used to make fun of Fiona, but truth is? "It was the only way I could talk to you." Which I so awwwwed at. I've always been a little I love with loving from afar stories!

This plot was epic in all the ways the word means. It was action packed, it was fast paced, it had me at the edge of my seat, it did all of that. Is it any surprise I read it in one sitting while my eyes were droopy? It made me forget the time until I realized three hours had passed. (Then again, that could've been Summer Saving. So technically, two.) But wow. I honestly expected none of that. *insert wide eyed stare*

STUNG is an amazing post apocalyptic/dystopian book that had my heart racing. It's an original idea and one that was definitely captivating!

Pages: 304

Genre: Dystopia/Post Apocalyptic

Series: Stand alone (for now)

Publisher: Walker childrens

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Rating: 4.5--->4 stars

Author Bio 

Bethany Wiggins has always been an avid reader, but not an avid writer.  She failed ninth grade English because she read novels instead of doing her homework. In high school, she sat alone at lunch and read massive hardback fantasy novels (Tad Williams and Robert Jordan anyone?). It wasn't until the end of her senior year that the other students realized she was reading fiction--not the Bible.Once upon a time, Bethany's sister dared her to start writing an hour a day until she completed a novel. Bethany wrote a seven-hundred page fantasy novel that she wisely let no one read--but it taught her how to write.  She is the author of SHIFTING, STUNG (April 2013), and CURED (2014).

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The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

Goodreads Blurb

A thought-provoking and exciting start to a riveting new dystopian trilogy.
As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

The Forsaken is like the Hunger Games. A really, really epic Hunger Games. Way better than the Hunger Games actually. Wow. Just WOW.

While the synopsis makes you think that Alenna is in the UNA for quite a while in the book and that it’s near the end that she makes her decision (or was it just me?), that’s completely false. The first two chapters ready the setting, giving us a bit of history on Alenna’s past, but immediately after(I meant it, Chapter 3) she’s thrown into Island Alpha, the most savage and primitive prison island there is with no escape. About ten minutes after waking up in that strange land, she’s attacked. Then rescued. Then attacked again. And rescued again. And attacked, then rescued. Exactly that many times, and all within a few hours. She’s taken to a village in the blue sector, the only sector untouched by the Monk, an unknown person who’s taken over each sector, one by one, a person who thousands of kids follow and worship. When she gets to the village she’s injected with  a “vaccine” which is, in actuality, a truth serum. After her interrogation, she meets a few villagers and immediately makes a group of friends to rely on. And in that, I’ve summarized about 2% of the book.

To say that it has a fast-action plot is probably the understatement of the year. You never really knew who you could trust (despite your friendships) and when you were safe. The attacks were epic and barbaric, fitting the story well. The feelers? Creepy! The drones? They’re so stupid! But that’s the point, I guess. Remember in my review of Black City where it was a true dystopian? Well The Forsaken fits that category as well! It had a twisted society and mixed primal ingredients with modern (or, future-modern) elements in, creating this incredible setting. The only difference is, that I felt like the things in Forsaken could actually happen. I mean, it’s not entirely probable, but the way things connected to the  “Old World” made me feel a bit..sick. Everything just fit so perfectly and made this prison island worlda place to be truly feared.

I felt as if Alenna was just too trusting sometimes, though. While she was a strong and independent character, she had this habit of seeing the best of others, even when her life depended on her trust. Of course eventually I became used to it and didn’t find it as annoying, but be warned. Otherwise Alenna’s the kind of character we love: independent, willing to risk anything, stubborn.

The romance was the one thing I had a problem with and I think it could’ve been better without. The romance seemed forced and too quick I guess. Alenna and Liam had met about what? Four times? And Liam risks his life for her when he’s always been indifferent to girls. It just seemed to far-fetched with me and I couldn’t buy it. But the relationships between all these other characters were amazing, definitely! This point was stressed but entirely true, teamwork was the key, as cheesy as it sounds. Without their teamwork, all of them would’ve died, from twenty warriors to nada. Zlich. Zero. But they fought for each other and that’s what kept them alive (For as long as they lived, at least).

Lisa M. Stasse makes a grand entrance with her debut, the Forsaken and I can’t wait for the sequel or anything else she throws at us. With an amazing setting, wonderful characters, and the strong bonds that kept them alive, The Forsaken is definitely a must read for all Hunger Games fans and even for those who aren’t, like me (I know, I know. Yell at me later.). It’s definitely something I’d recommend to anyone and everyone. Who doesn’t mind a few (a lot) of deaths, of course.

Pages: 375

Genre: Dystopian/romance

Series: The Forsaken #1

Publisher: Simon and Schuster BFYR

Release Date: Kuly 10

Rating: 4 stars!

"Sticking out of _____ chest, at the level of his heart, is a silver dagger. And Jump's hand is wrapped around the other end of it. "I sure got the jump...on you!" he says, cackling madly, bloddy saliva dribbling from his lips."