Once We Were by Kat Zhang

Goodreads Blurb

"I'm lucky just to be alive"
Eva was never supposed to have survived this long. As the recessive soul, she should have faded away years ago. Instead, she lingers in the body she shares with her sister soul, Addie. When the government discovered the truth, they tried to “cure” the girls, but Eva and Addie escaped before the doctors could strip Eva’s soul away.
Now fugitives, Eva and Addie find shelter with a group of hybrids who run an underground resistance. Surrounded by others like them, the girls learn how to temporarily disappear to give each soul some much-needed privacy. Eva is thrilled at the chance to be alone with Ryan, the boy she’s falling for, but troubled by the growing chasm between her and Addie. Despite clashes over their shared body, both girls are eager to join the rebellion.
Yet as they are drawn deeper into the escalating violence, they start to wonder: How far are they willing to go to fight for hybrid freedom? Faced with uncertainty and incredible danger, their answers may tear them apart forever.

I was definitely excited to read Once We Were since there was such a cool setup for it in What's Left of Me, but I ran into a lot of the same problems I had in book one.

The plot, while there were explosions, rebellions, and secret meetings at midnight, still seemed a bit dull to me. I got bored easily, mainly because instead of focusing more on the plot line, we seemed to focus more on Eva's relationship with those around her, similar to how What's Left of Me was written. Not to say I didn't love it, but I do wish we had more twists. The last 20% of the book was pretty action packed though, with a twist or two I really didn't expect!

Eva annoyed me about 75% of the book. She was just so selfish and didn't seem to think about how others felt about her actions. She also seemed a bit naive and very...eager to please, I guess. It's understandable, what with her just recently being able to control her body, but it still irritated me to no ends.
What I found funny was that even though Eva was supposed to be the recessive soul, she was more fiery and more determined than our soft-spoken Addie who seemed to follow Eva's lead. I loved their relationship though, and how they were closer than sisters. They didn't always agree with each other, and yes, they fought, but don't all siblings? It was fun seeing their relationship grow and seeing them grow as characters too.

The writing is something I absolutely have to point out because it was just beautiful. It's absolutely gorgeous prose with stunning descriptions that I loved! And while I didn't love Once We Were as much as I'd have liked to, there's no denying that Kat Zhang wrote a sequel that was even better than the first!

I absolutely love the romance because guys. Ryan. I just love him so much and I ship Ryan and Eva to the end of time. That is all.

Fans of What's Left of Me will definitely love Once We Were, an even beautifully written sequel that surprises you in the end with it's twists and gives you a deeper look inside Eva and Addie's relationship. I'll definitely be continuing the series and I can't wait to see what's next for our characters!

Pages: 352

Genre: Dystopian

Series: What's Left of Me #2

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: Sep 17, 2013

Rating: 3.5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

Zoe and her best friend, Olivia, have always had big plans for the future, none of which included Olivia getting sick. Still, Zoe is determined to put on a brave face and be positive for her friend.
Even when she isn't sure what to say.
Even when Olivia misses months of school.
Even when Zoe starts falling for Calvin, Olivia's crush.
The one thing that keeps Zoe moving forward is knowing that Olivia will beat this, and everything will go back to the way it was before. It has to. Because the alternative is too terrifying for her to even imagine.
In this incandescent page-turner, which follows in the tradition of The Fault in Our Stars, Melissa Kantor artfully explores the idea that the worst thing to happen to you might not be something that is actually happening to you. Raw, irreverent, and honest, Zoe's unforgettable voice and story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

OH MY GAWD. THIS BOOK SOUNDS SO HEARTBREAKING AND JUST MY KIND OF BOOK. I especially like the part where she falls for her friend's crush because I'm mean like that. This book really does sound absolutely heartbreaking though and I can't wait to read this! <3 I feel like I'm going to be needing a box of tissues for this! I've been aching for a heartbreaking read lately!

Blackout by Robison Wells

Goodreads Blurb

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.
Jack and Aubrey are high school students.
There was no reason for them to ever meet.
But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all.

Blackout was a bit disappointing, I'll admit, but it was still a good read! 

A couple of chapters into the book, all teens are being collected by the army and tested for the Erebus virus, a virus that seems to alter a teen's brain growth and give them supernatural powers, some useless, some dangerous, but each with the risk of other disease-like symptoms such as fatigue, kidney failure, brittle bones, etc. And...that's really all we learn about the virus. The basics. As a person who holds worldbuilding above pretty much anything else, I was disappointed by the fact that we don't learn much more about this virus. I suspect we'll learn more in the sequel, but this first book felt more like an introduction most of the book until the halfway point.

Because that's where things get kickass. This book made me think "Crap" way too many times and there were so many times I wanted to crush something. And I mean that in a good way. Wells definitely built the suspense, but the subplots were so quickly resolved that it got a bit annoying and there were definitely a lot of filler chapters that didn't seem to add anything, though that may just be because this book seemed to flash by in 2 seconds! It was definitely an intriguing plot, though, that neatly sets the scene for the sequel which is definitely going to be amazing. I can just feel it.

I'm not a giant fan of the 2+ switching POV kind of books, and I'm afraid this was no exception. While each character clearly had a distinct personality, but we never really got to know the characters that well because of the switching POV and the third person view. It was one of the better 2+ POV books I've read, though, and I loved to read from Aubrey's view the best! Plus? Her power was super cool.

The romance was also a bit..quick considering Aubrey had "betrayed" Jack before and the fact that they fell back into their old rhythm in only a day wasn't very...believable. 

But Blackout sounds perfect for people who've read and loved Robison Wells's Variant series! It wasn't a favorite of mine, but it was definitely an entertaining read that was a fun adventure! 

Pages: 352

Genre: Apocalyptic/Sci-fi

Series: Blackout #1

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: Oct. 1, 2013

Rating: 3.5 

The Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney

Goodreads Blurb

Prima ballerina Anthem Fleet is closely guarded by her parents in their penthouse apartment. But when she meets the handsome Gavin at a party on the wrong side of town, she is immediately drawn into his dangerous world. Then, in a tragic accident, Anthem falls to her death. She awakes in an underground lab, with a bionic heart ticking in her chest. As she navigates her new life, she uncovers the sinister truth behind those she trusted the most, and the chilling secret of her family lineage…and her duty to uphold it.
The Dark Knight meets Cinder in this gripping and cinematic story of heartbreak and revenge. From Alloy Entertainment, this inventive new superhero story is sure to captivate any reader.

The Brokenhearted isn't one I would really recommend and, quite honestly. Which really disappoints me since The Brokenhearted was one of my most anticipated books of 2013. And the cover was gorgeous, not to mention--superhero ballerina? Yes please! Unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations at all.

Anthem was a very...irritating character. She was naive, impulsive, and didn't really think about the consequences of her actions. I couldn't relate to her at all and couldn't get over the fact that she was so...gah. I wanted to smack her around pretty much the entire book. She was a weak character who basically cried, whined, and screwed up for about 3/4 of the book.

And this was pure insta love at its finest. After exactly one meeting, Anthem couldn't stop thinking about Gavin. And when they meet for the second time, Anthem basically spills everything about her life to him, despite the fact that she's never told anyone else about them. I basically pulled my hair out at that point, and it was pretty early on. The rest of the book, she's pining for Gavin despite knowing him for only maybe...a week? Two?
Also, there was a love triangle.

There was absolutely, or at least, barely, any worldbuilding. I was confused over exactly where we were or when we were. Was it steampunk? Dystopian? A completely different world? And what exactly caused the South Side to become so desperate with such a (admittedly brilliant) gritty atmosphere? We don't know and we don't learn.
On the subject of worldbuilding, I'm confused as to how a bionic heart would change her appearance and make her gorgeous. Or give her super speed/strength and healing. It was never explained why she got all these powers, but it obviously had something to do with her heart--but...how?

As for the plot, I really don't think much else happens besides Anthem crying and whining until 3/4 into the book where she finally decides to do something about the criminals. Then it got pretty kickass and I loved seeing her in action. The twist was rather predictable, if not unique, but I guessed it maybe a quarter in. But the end? It was absolutely cliffhanging and I think I may end up reading the sequel anyways!

Disappointing, I honestly cant' say I enjoyed this book, though it does have a decent setup for a sequel so I may read that just to find out what happens. Who knows? Maybe my questions will be answered then!

Pages: 336

Genre: Steampunk (?)

Series: Brokenhearted #1 

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: Oct 8, 2013

Rating: 1.5

Week of a Fiction Freak

HEY GUYS! Sorry I didn't do a book haul last week, but I was super busy with 8th grade which is actually quite a lot more work than 7th. And? There is so much drama going around in my little circle (not so little circle) of friends. SO MUCH. It's quite interesting. 

ALSO I GOT AUTOAPPROVED FOR HARPER ON EDELWEISS! Unfortunately, I don't have much time for eARCs besides the ones I already requested, so I can't go on an Edelweiss binge. TOO BAD

AND?! I GOT QUOTED IN A BOOK Y'ALL

Anyways I couldn't find time to do a blog, so here are all the books I've gotten in the last 5 weeks:

Bought/Preordered

Deception by C.J. Redwine

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (SIGNED)

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Leap of Faith by Jamie Blair

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis

Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Endless Knight by Kresley Cole

Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Review

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (ARC)

Antigoddess by Kendare Blake (Hardback)

Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray (ARC)

Deception by C.J. Redwine (ARC)

Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White (x2 ARC)

Radiant Sky by Jocelyn Davies (ARC)

Hideous Love by Stephanie Hemppill (ARC)

Blackout by Robison Wells (ARC)

Twinmaker by Sean Williams (ARC)

Unhinged by A.G. Howard (ARC)

Death and the Girl He Loves by Darynda Jones (Paperback)

Parasite by Mira Grant (x2 hardback)

Afterparty by Ann Stampler (x2 ARC)

Desert Tales by Melissa Marr

Brokenhearted by Amelia Kahaney (Hardback)

eARCs

Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

Perfect Lies by Kiersten White 

The Last Forever by Deb Caletti

Broken by CJ Lyons

Gifted/Won

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

Nil by Lynne Matson

Blog Tour: Find Me by Romily Bernard

Hey guys! Super excited to be interviewing Romily (who's such a sweetheart!) I loved Find Me so you guys should definitely get your hands on a copy ASAP! 

Fiction Freak: On a scale of 1-10 what are the chances of you being investigated by the FBI because of Google searches? (Or for any other reason. I'd LOVE to know.)

RB: Oh geez, I worry about this one for reals because I Google the most inappropriate stuff. Things like, how many months does it take a body to decompose? Or, how do you make a bomb at home? That one was the best because I also learned how to make homemade napalm. Is this useful information to have when you’re doing spreadsheets at work? No. Is it useful to drop into casual conversations with coworkers? Absolutely. Their expressions are priceless. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah, I totally worry about being investigated, but, on a scale of 1-10, I’m probably a 3 on their radar.

FF: How did the idea of FIND ME come to you? Was it the plot first, was it the character, or the situation? 

RB: Man, I have the worst inspiration story ever. FIND ME was written as agent bait. In fact, I think I even titled it, Agent Bait, for a while. You see, the literary agent I wanted expressed interest in YA thrillers so I decided I would write one. Makes it sound easy, no? I probably spent a week staggering around trying to think of interesting ideas. For people who know me that mostly looks like muttering, staring into space, and eating frosting directly from the tub. Anywho, I finally got this idea for a hacker who’s trying to get some work done while a cop sits outside her house. People who read the first chapter were like, “So why’s he there?” I had no idea. Thinking I had a clue, readers would press on, “So who’s the bad guy?” I didn’t know, but I kept writing until I did.

FF: First thought when you saw the cover?

I squealed like a three-year-old hopped up on red drink.

FF: What is the worst question you've ever been asked when you said "I'm a YA writer"

RB: Haha! No one knows what a YA writer is so I usually say I write techie thrillers and, almost always, people give me the stink eye and say, “So are you, like, a hacker or something?” I am not a hacker. I will never be a hacker. I’m not even qualified to type the word “hacker” because until a year ago I thought my television was powered by hamsters running reeeeaaaalllly hard on a wheel behind the screen. Okay, that’s not true either. I know it involves electricity and the hamsters have to plug stuff in. I just like talking about hamster wheels because it makes the blood vessel on Boy Genius’s forehead pop up when I tell people we’re rodent powered.

FF: Would you freak out like me if you were in Wick's situation or would you be badass like your fabulous main character? 

RB: I’m not sure I would be bad-ass, but I’m pretty sure I would get myself killed. For someone who’s only 5’3” on a good day, I run my mouth like I’m as big as anyone. Case in point? I was hit by a car once and, technically, it was kinda sorta possibly my fault. Okay, it was totally my fault, but I was still furious as I went skidding across the guy’s hood and I loudly mentioned the driver’s mother and another rude verb…or two. He came out of that sedan like someone launched him from a cannon and, to my utter surprise, he had to be pushing 6’6”. Part of my brain thought: “Gee, you really can fit a lot in a Fiat.” The rest of me thought: “I don’t know the Spanish words I’m going to need to describe this to the paramedic.” So I ran and Big Foot ran after me. Luckily, he got tired of chasing me way before I got tired of running. You’d think I’d exercise some restraint after that. Yeah, you’d think.

FF: Whats a weird thing about Wick that isn't mentioned in FIND ME?

RB: If Wick were a real person, I don’t think she’d have any use for me. I’m not sure what that says about me as a writer if I create characters that would never, ever hang out with me on a Saturday night. Actually, I’m pretty sure I know exactly what that says about me and I’m refusing to think about it.

FF: Speaking of upcoming books, can you give us a little teaser of the sequel?

RB: Hmmm, a teaser for REMEMBER ME…how about explosions, dead bodies, more hacking, and the truth behind Wick’s mother’s suicide?

FF: If you could do a spinoff of ANY book or series, what book/series and which character?

RB: Definitely R.L. LaFevers’s HIS FAIR ASSASSIN series. Ismae was so wounded and yet so incredibly strong. She’s someone I’d love to see a great deal more of.

FF: What's one book you can't wait to get your hands on? 

RB: I can only pick one?! HER DARK CURIOSITY…wait, no, THE DREAM THIEVES…or ANTIGODDESS. Um, can I just say ‘yes?’

FF: What is your absolute favorite suspense/thriller? 

RB: Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL. You want to talk about an author who’s so amazing she gives me shame spirals? Flynn is just…yeah, there are no words.

Huge thank you to Nikki at Fiction Freak for having me. Hope you enjoyed the interview and I hope you enjoy FIND ME!

Find Me Blurb
"Find Me." These are the words written on Tessa Waye's diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa's just been found...dead.
Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target. Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick.
Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick's deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?
Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.
But she's going to find this killer no matter what.
Because it just got personal.

Author Bio

I graduated from Georgia State University with a Literature degree. Since then, I’ve worked as a riding instructor, cell phone salesgirl, personal assistant, groom, exercise rider, accounting assistant, and, during a very dark time, customer service rep.So don’t let anyone tell you a BA degree will keep you unemployed.

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