Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

 Goodreads Blurb

Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).
'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.'
Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.
Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Why hello you interestingly beautiful book.

The thing about Level 2 that surprised me was that it was balanced somewhat between fantasy and sci-fi, mythology and religion. It was...impressive, yet odd at the same time. It seemed sci-fi because of the "hives" and the gases, the reason why these rebels had had "powers", and all that, but at the same time it was fantasy because, well, angels. That is all I'm saying because you'll just have to read and find out for yourself! The religious/mythology thing is because the gases? They're from the rivers of Hades which is only mentioned in Greek Mythology--the Lethe, Acheron, and some others I can't remember, while most of the memories we see with Felicia take place in a church and we contemplate if there really is a Level 3 (i.e. heaven) or...down there. So honestly? This book is almost a contradiction in itself!

Speaking of contradictions, Julian and Neil. Oh. My. Gosh. I'm not sure if I should dislike both of them, or love both of them! I mean, they were both pretty adorable love interests (Forever Team Julian. Seriously. I seem to always be pulled toward the bad boys!), but...well Julian? Oh, he's a liar. I really wanted to kick his ass sometimes and the one time he decided to be honest was when I didn't want him to (near the end, with...hmm. I can't say.), but that made me love him more if anything! I just can't believe how Julian had played Autumn and I hurt for her, I really did. 

Neil, on the other hand, was perfect. Too perfect. A guy like that doesn't exist! I discovered no faults whatsoever and he always greeted everything with a smile and said the perfect things and he was just...flawless. And I really do hate when a girl thinks she's not good enough for a guy. If a guy thinks that way, then obviously he's not worth you. Oh my, did that just sound like one of those lines in a booklet?

And, I just want to say, there isn't really a love triangle at all! So anyone who was shying away from this book because of that, no fear! But I can't say why though, in case of spoilers!

I loved the memory flashbacks. Period. They were engaging and I loved how important they were to everyone in Level 2, not only because of credits. When reading them, I couldn't set the book down because I absolutely needed to know why this particular memory(ies) was important and why it was included. This is also how we mainly get a feel for Neil's character. 

I loved getting more in depth with the characters, and I think the way Lenore Appelhans wrote Level 2 gives us more...feeling for Felicia's character. I can't explain it, but I felt like I understood Felicia more than I have other characters. Not to say she wasn't annoying a few times, she was! But I think that's more my fault than the book's--for some reason I've been having trouble with characters lately...

The plot was sometimes overridden by the memories and it was a bit slow in the beginning, but it was still an enticing read that I almost read in one sitting (two, only because I realized it was midnight and I had school!) and couldn't get enough of! It was fast paced after a certain point and the ending!

Oh. My. Gosh. PLOT TWIST. I did not expect that...though I realize now I really should've!

Pages:288

Genre: Sci fi/Fantasy

Series: Level 2#1

Publisher: Simon and Schuster BFYR

Release Date: Jan 15, 2013

Rating: 3.5--->4 stars

False Memory by Dan Krokos

Goodreads Blurb

Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn’t at all surprised by Miranda’s shocking ability.
Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn’t easy—especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can’t remember loving.
Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn’t seem to matter... when there may not be a future.

To say I was surprised by this would be understatement. I honestly didn't have high hopes for this. Another love triangle? Lost memories (no matter how much I love those stories)? A guy who knows her past? Puh-lease. But False Memory was all that, but raised to an amazing level that's more original than cliche. It asks the question: Who are we if we're not who we thought we were?

Since the romance was one of the main things I was worried about, let's start with that.There was no annoying, cliche, obvious love triangle where you knew who Miranda would end up with.And I still have no idea! Peter was honestly the one I was rooting for. He was the most supportive, he sported feeligns for her before (but she was always with Noah.), and he didn't care...errr...after the plot twist. On the other hand, there was Noah who was her old love, the one she can't remember. And honestly, they were both cute and sweet. But Peter's feelings seemed less shallow, honestly. Noah just liked Miranda for who she WAS. Not who she IS.

The world-building and the construction of this were simply amazing. Actually, I'm not sure. The terms were so scientific, but they sure sounded smart. So I'm guessing that the science made sense to smarter people. What I also found intriguing was that they each had the same power, feeding fear into others' minds. Usually, we see things like healing with a touch, flying, telekinesis, etc., but fear? Never. That's what makes this book so fascinating! Things were properly explained and it was just amazing how all our questions were answered!

Miranda was such an amazing heroine! She had her flaws, honestly, but that's one of the things amazing about her. She may have been, well, I can't say, but she sure was one of the most real characters I've seen. She was calm and collected, and she was never annoying or a Miss-Know-It-All either. She was a relatable character and I loved finding little pieces of myself in her! Definitely a great MC!

Plot-wise, is there any doubt that it could be anything but amazing? It was so action-packed (I say that a lot! But I'm glad there are so many books that ARE action packed) and completely badass with the fighting! There were tons of twists I couldn't fathom and it was just amazing! i'm a bit worried as to whether or not False Sight will be just as amazing, but I've heard wonderful things about it so far, so I'll still hope for the best! :D

It was so amazing, my school library got it, and they rarely get ANY good books. Also, that's where I read it, and, even though I've read it, I think I should get my own copy. And that rarely, very rarely, ever happens! So, duh, you should read it! It was simply amazing!

Pages: 327
Series: False Memory #1
Genre: Sci-fi/Romance
Publisher: Disney hyperion
Release Date: August 14, 2012
Rating: 5 stars