Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Title: Starters

Author: Lissa Price

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Powerful and page-turning!

Summary (from Goodreads.com)

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders-seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party-and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined . . .

Starters begins with Callie walking into Prime Destinations, just checking out the place. She's just half-considering the idea but is amazed at their luxuries. Fresh, cold water at an endless supply. Clean, expensive seats. Supertrouffles given as gifts. What could be better? If they're willing to give her this just as someone thinking about it, the idea of renting out her body for loads of money is majorly appealing. But something her dad once said makes her pause. So she leaves, and notices how desperate and surprised everyone is that she left. 

She returns the next day, beat-up, and eager to sign the contract.

So, I did like Starters, but I was pretty disappointed. I had this big hope that, hey! This sounds amazing, I've heard a lot about it, and the cover is like nothing I've seen! Ahhh young me, stupid me... I have this horrible habit of judging... my dad likes to call me a judgmental recluse. 

In nicer words of course.

Anyways, you should try this out, but it's definitely a borrow/library check-out. The idea of the environment gained major cool points. The idea of body rentals gained major +'s. Callie's all-shall-bend-to-my-will attitude gained major Cassie points. But alas, the relationships were a big, red X. And then the lack of descriptions of the Spore Wars and overall situation were major -'s. So they sort of balanced out, but I must say it was a quick read.

Callie, our main character, was.... interesting. (Interesting and questionable are both words you'll find I use to describe things/people I don't have anything to say about but want to sound smart) Basically, we find that 1.) she's perfect. legit. Because, you know, totally Hunger Games style, she's buffed and made-up to perfection

2.) she's got a killer instinct. You know, from living off the streets. Kind of like Katniss, now that I think about it...

3.) she risks her life for money. Now, Katniss doesn't really do this, but Gale puts himself in a lot of danger for the food.

4.) she lives to protect her younger brother Tyler. Hmm, this sounds awfully close to Prim...

I found a few suspicious things like this but, I must continue. She's likeable I suppose, and definitely tough. She's a risk-taker, but still enjoys luxuries. Plus, she has a soft spot for an almost-perfect attractive young male. That'll make the story interesting ;)

The other characters felt a little flat to me, like they fulfilled a purpose and that's it. The only semi-interesting person I thought was the villain (of course) but I can't even say he's sexy 'cuz I don't know what the heck he looks like. But I like to imagine that underneath the mask he wears (oh yes, our villain wears a mask) he is extremely gorgeous and young and has smoldering eyes. *awkwardly coughs* So shoot me. I like myself a smolder. (Tangled reference anyone!!?)

And, ya know, if our villain looks like Ian SMOLDERhalder, so be it.

The plot was full of action, but the details were a bit questionable. (See? there.) I usually am not one to ask, Now how did THAT happen? But somehow this got me asking. Not in a good way. BUT. You will like the plot. I swear it.

I will probably read the next book (there better be one, otherwise I'm slapping someone) because I do want to happen to our villain (perhaps I shall call him Smolderhalder just for the sake of it) and I do want to know if he's as undeniably gorgeous as I hope he is.

Ta-ta for now lovelies, come back soon!

Cassie xoxo

REVIEW: Pure by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure

Author: Julianna Baggott

Reviewed by: Cassie

The Fairies Say: Dark and Exciting!

Summary (from BN.com)

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .

Those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his family is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

First off, I'd like to mention that on my copy of the book, it said that Fox already bought rights to make this into a movie. So, if that's your thing, maybe you'll love this! But before I get into it, I'd like to point out the summary has improper grammar. Everyone does not equal their/they. Big no-no.

Pure is different. I thought this was going to be a lot of different things; I thought Pressia and Partridge were quite possibly going to fall for each other (When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again); I thought she was going to go on some wicked adventure on a fight-to-survive non-stop adventure; I thought it was going to be some epic battle. I was, however, pleasantly (depends on how you view things) surprised. I say 'depends on how you view things' because I did not expect this extremely dark aspect of life. But it is. And it's a harsh darkness, not a dark beauty. But man, Julianna Baggott WORKS IT!

The story begins with Pressia's grandfather telling her the story of how things got to be how they were. Basically, somehow the U.S. was using bombs/detonations in defense and either we bombed ourselves on accident or the opponent bombed us. And from the Detonations, the world shattered. Humans and animals fused with each other molecular-ly and with the earth, metal, plastic, dolls... you get what I mean. Nine years later, Pressia's about to have to stay hidden from the OSR because she's about to turn sixteen. And that means they're going to come collect her either for training to kill, or to be killed.

The characters in Pure were definitely unique. Pressia: tough, but in an innocent way. She hasn't had to kill and she hasn't been hunted. As the story progresses, she matures. She's half-Asian (WOOT!) and she's not only on a journey to survive, but she's also trying to get memories and a sense of family. She wants to live live. Partridge: he's difficult to like at first, and also the 'outcast character'. You know, the one character the author creates so s/he is an outcast (even if for no reason) and we feel pity for him/her even though he might be annoying. However, he is cool in that surgically-enhanced-smart-thinker way. Bradwell: he is blunt and suspicious, and also a genius. He is a complex character and I must say, he was a success for me. The rest of the characters were important, yes, but there are so many and too many of them are deep to keep this post short.

Honestly, I don't think there were any issues. I just didn't take with it well because it's so blunt. It's layered, brutal, and fabulously new. The world is cruel, savage, and has a strange beauty to it. All of the characters are beautifully flawed and complicated. Pure doesn't do tea and biscuits; no, it pours the scalding tea on you and crumples the biscuits onto your burning skin. It's harsh and throws you into such a uniquely disturbing world that it's slightly stunning. As in, whoa-seriously-um-WHAT-WHOA-foreverdisturbed would be my train of thought. I admit, I began the book and wanted to put it down. I didn't think it was worth my time, but I stuck through it because I knew you fabulous readers would like a review. And then, eventually I was drawn in and I wanted to return to reading it.

Pure is a world where humanity's cruelty is really highlighted and elaborated. Unimaginable monsters pop out of the pages, countless strangers are murdered in cold blood, and the world keeps spinning despite these horrible things. It's definitely something that will stick with me, and if it does become a movie, I will probably go see it. But it might be rated R so I'm not sure if I really want to, knowing what happens on these pages.

Don't let the darkness of it scare you off though! And, don't forget to follow us! We have 0 followers and we always follow back and I will make sure it is worth your time!!

Cassie :)

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Title: For Darkness Shows the Stars

Author: Diana Peterfreund

Reviewed by: Cassie

Rating: 5 glass slippers

Summary (from BN.com)

It's been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Elliot North has always known her place in this world. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family's estate over love. Since then the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress, and Elliot's estate is floundering, forcing her to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth - an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliot wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she let him go. 

But Elliot soon discovers her old friend carries a secret - one that could changer their society... or bring it to its knees. And again, she's faced with a choice: cling to what she's been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she's ever loved, even if she's lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen's persuasion, For Darkness Shows the Stars is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

Whoo that was a mouth-full! But as you can see, it is one gobsmacking, astounding, close-your-mouth heck of a book. The cover- flat out gorgeous. The idea- simply wonderful. The truth?- it was the loveliest book I have ever read. 

I think I'm going to go rogue here and just tell you: this book is amazing. It's deep, it's thought-provoking, an emotional hurricane, and full of a bittersweet love. When I first picked it up, the most I was hoping for was a 3.5. I thought, well, at best it's a boring dystopian; at worst it's a horribly written historical fiction piece. Now I can honestly tell you I could not put it down, and even when I had to it was on my mind until I went to sleep. Mind you, I couldn't even go to sleep until a good half hour had passed because I was up thinking about the story.

The concept is written flawlessly- there was an apocalypse-like 'phenomena' in which humankind was basically wiped out because of its desire to be God. The survivors of the horrible war/epidemic came to be Reductions- humans who had backtracked mentally and had very little brain capacity. However, there was a second race, the Luddites, who shunned man's ways of trying to be God, and holed themselves underground. They emerged (after a sign from God) to be God's hand in guiding and leading the human race. They set strict rules for themselves so the epidemic never happened again. Yet sometimes the temptation is too good...

The plot (which I'm sure we have Jane Austen to thank for the main gist of it) is beautiful. And I mean no joke exquisite. We learn what happened to Elliot that put her into this position. It's heartbreaking and at the high points I seriously wanted to cry. That never happens to me. Strategically placed within the book are letters (in no particular order) that were traded between Kai and Elliot as children. We learn how they were best friends as small kids, which soon turned to love at age fourteen. These are extremely "aww!!!!" worthy and made my heart squeeze. The story is simply jaw-dropping : tears, morals, (seriously true) love, heartbreak, envy, hope, and so many different emotions. The emotions are weaved in perfectly and beautifully.

The characters are very, very good. They all have a history that you dive into (deeply or not) and you learn to feel empathy towards almost all of them. We get very well acquainted with Elliot's past and her mistakes/decisions. We learn somewhat of what is going on with the Cloud Fleet (and Kai). We find out what's happening on the North estate. At some points you may want to drop kick Kai or slap Andromeda, but in the end the reader learns to understand what makes these characters what they are.

What really made me like this book is the love. Elliot regrets her decision every day to not go with Kai. When Kai shows up, she's shocked. Immediately, however, Kai shows her he couldn't care less about her. Somehow, Elliot can't stop loving him though. Even when he's with a new girl and horribly insults her in public, her heart still yearns for her 14-year-old Kai from four years ago. This itself made me love the book, but also the author's ability to make the reader truly feel Elliot's feelings towards Kai. When her feelings change, the reader adopts this new aspect of Kai wholeheartedly. Next, I found it amazing that Diana Peterfreund persuaded me as a reader to enjoy Kai as a romantic interest. The reading lacked physical descriptions and especially any touching, but somehow my heart strings were pulled and I couldn't help immersing myself in this love. IT BLEW MY MIND. I just couldn't handle all the raw emotions. The last page is what really got me; I was just like...

yet also

This is an engrossing, entrancing, and unforgettable read. Agh! Diana Peterfreund- please do a retelling of Pride and Prejudice now!! Your world is magnificent!

I highly recommend, and there also is a prequel of Kai's POV called Among the Nameless Stars AND I MUST READ IT!!!

Go read them both!!! 

Cassie :)

Insignia by S. J. Kincaid

Title: Insignia

Author: S. J. Kincaid

Reviewed by: Cassie

Rating: (read on to find out)

Summary (snagged from BN.com)

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 III. 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?

Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid’s futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology.

So- I want to make something clear from the beginning: it's pretty much love or hate this book. For those who have read Ender's Game, I feel like you will LOVE this. Veronica Roth says readers will not be able to put this down. There you have another thing- if you enjoy Veronica Roth and her opinions, you should check out this book. This is die-hard dystopian with an all-out futuristic feel to it. For those who love these kinds of books (dystopian, futuristic, war, strategy, etc.) this books receives a five glass slipper review.

HOWEVER- those who don't enjoy that? I'd like you all to still try it out. Sure, it's may not be your cup of tea, but so? Just try it out- if you don't get hooked after the first few chapters, then you can go right ahead and be done with it. I'd say it's a 4 glass slippers book without the dystopian-love going on.

The protagonist-

Insignia is from the POV of Tom Reines- yes, you're definitely getting a guy's perspective in this one. He's arrogant, vicious, and has a "major attitude issue." Hmm, what's that? He sounds completely horrible? Ah, fear not. That's the side people with a stick up their butts think of him. Other people view him as a strong-willed genius-strategist who is huge on integrity. I'm pretty sure most will be able to relate to him in some way or at least cheer him on. He's the underdog who doesn't take crap- what's not to like? (plus he goes through this major transformation that's cool to read about)

The world-

Okay this futuristic world will ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF. So think of one of your favorite worlds- maybe awesome, magical Harry Potter World? Now imagine a slightly less awesome (what can I say, J.K. Rowlings set the standards high) dystopian world. Not a magical or paranormal world. The possibly-future-Earth-world. It's startling. It's impressive. It's amazing. The creativity needed to make this up? Astounding. There are so many details and so much information inserted along the storyline you can just roll with it! There's enough information and past-references so that you get a feel for it, but there is so much more and so much futuristic-ness to it that you're left staring.

The story-

Hmmm..... Great story. The only thing? You really have to like dystopian. (and have a good attention span) Otherwise you get a major headache, want to call it quits, and think "ughhhh". Not that I did that, of course...

As a reader, you really have to focus on it. You have to connect the dots and keep pace, otherwise you'll get real confused. I thought I could skip ahead and get a baby glimpse, eh? Not so much. It's a wonderful story but filled to the brim with details and action. It's quite a thrill to read and once you get into it, the pages just keep turning and turning.

The side characters-

I figured I didn't just want to do his BFF. Why? Because there are a lot of characters in Insignia that you learn to love. Wyatt, Yuri, Vik, Neil, and even Beamer and Elliot. A lot of the time, I found myself cracking up- but beware: it's definitely a nerdy sort of banter. And my inner geek basked in it. [funny image, that] These characters are literally the smartest teens out there, but they all play their part in Tom's life. Vik with his humorous Spicy Indian personality. Wyatt with her awkward, outcast, hacker self. (sometime's she's so awkward it's unbearably funny) Yuri in all his buff, android-like Russian glory. Neil as his gambling, loudly-opinionated father. Beamer because he is Beamer. And Elliot because you get to learn the guy behind the image.

All in all? Great characters.

Thumbs up if you like geeky/dystopian/strategy/gamer books. Thumbs up if you don't know what you like. Major thumbs up if you try this one out.

Much love-

Cassie

P.S.- did I mention Tom is a gamer? 

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver

Reviewed by: Rafia AND Cassie

Rating: five glass slippers!

Summary (from BN.com)

They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I’ve always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I’d rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Cassie here:

Let me start out with this- I really didn't want to keep reading this book. No, not as in "OMG LET ME BURN THIS!!" I mean, "This is too beautiful... I don't want to end the book!" Yes, the story is absolutely beautiful. Stunning. Dreamy. It's about Love as a disease and that one life-altering moment when someone finds love for the first time. Even though I just came back from vacation, I must review Delirium!

The girl-

Lena, which is a nickname for Magdalena, is a very normal girl. She's not this or that; she's in between in everything, she says. She looks forward to the cure because of all the hurt and pain she's seen and experienced from the disease. It's wicked and horrible. She counts down the days. She sticks to the rules and I can totally see her character. Whether or not we readers want to admit it, Lena is a very relate-able character. A lot of us don't want to take chances that could mean death, just for the sake of a scorned, disgusting 'something'. But Lena starts to change when she meets Alex. Beautiful and bright, he is just the thing to make her veer off course. Suddenly, she's questioning all of the rules and 'truths' her well-contained community has told her. She's really afraid yet exhilarated to do the unthinkable; fall in love. Her character really develops as the story goes on- she goes from "uptight, no-spirit girl" to "fighting, living, loving girl." And I must say, it was nice. I haven't seen a good turn-around recently.

The boy-

Alex. Let me just put this out there- if you are real and alive, CASSIE LOVES YOU BABY.

Okay I don't know how to do him justice. He is... the perfect first love. Sweet, compassionate, attractive, cute, thoughtful, wild (ha, if you read it, you'll understand), troubled, and rebellious. He sees Lena as someone really, really special. He just saw her one day and was drawn to her true self. He saw her as a beautiful girl, not just a normal girl. He watched the stars with her. He had picnics with her. He went swimming with her. He snuck out for her. He did a LOT for her. And he was uber cute, too. Like this. (AH ANDREW GARFIELD!!)

So... he's got hair the color of autumn leaves when they're turning. I thought of that as a like... sort of brown. With some nice fire to it. He has bright, intense eyes that are light, molten brown like liquid honey. His skin is tan. Now that is a nice lookin' guy. BUT HE IS SO SWEET YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH HIS PERSONALITY!! Oh... how I love him.

The best friend-

Hana. Tall, blonde, beautiful. Rebellious. She, really, is who began the new Lena. She freaked her out and helped her along. For that, she is awesome. She also helps Lena with issues. For that, she is awesome. She is all talk, no walk. For that, she is not awesome. I don't like people like that, even though I understand why she was like that.

The world-

Pretty cool, kind of very dystopian cliche though. But the Wilds was a very nice touch! The rules and lifestyles were an interesting read. Also, it was really creative to think of a world (scratch that, nation) that scorned Love! To think of it as a disease!

The adventure-

I don't know if you can tell, but this isn't an adventure kind of book. It's about falling in love despite everything being set against it. It's about escape from the life being lived. It's not about rebelling against the government or joining rebel forces. While I did get a Matched series sort of feel, like the matches etc., there was a unique look to this story. And the end adventure is well-written and so, so amazing. Beautiful, sad, and full of hope.

Go read it and love Alex with me. Go.

Rafia here:

Delirium. This book just blew me away! I read it while I was reading Matched (Ally Condie) and Divergent (Veronica Roth), so it had some tough competition. And yet, it still blew me away! Like Cassie put it, it was dreamy and just plain beautiful.

The romance:

I died...no seriously, I died! Now days, it is so hard to find a real romance, not any of that predestined attraction crap, because personally, that just shows how an author is lazy. Lena and Alex...it was just so beautiful! I melted...that is how amazing their romance is! They went on a picnic...read poems...watched stars...and just rivaled The Notebook! Yes I went there...

The characters: 
I didn't like Lena very much in the beginning of the book, but later on, as she kinda changed, she kinda grew on me. I have to tell you though, in the sequel, Pandemonium, Lena is definitely a better character. It was nice to see her develop as a character through both books. And now we shall come to Alex.

“Everyone is asleep. They've all been asleep for years. You seemed ... awake.' Alex is whispering now. He closes his eyes, opens them again.'I'm tired of sleeping.”

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I give you permission to fall in love with Alex. He's so sweet and gorgeously hot (!!), I love him! His hair is always described as a crown of autumn leaves, burning brightly. But really, its how he acts towards Lena that makes you love him. Just go back up and read the romance part. Ohmysweetgoodness, does it get better than that?? Yes, Alex is rivaling Ryan Gosling ;). 

The world:
Yes, as Cassie said, the dystopian worlds are kinda getting old, but it was really the concept of love being a disease that blew me away. They have a book dedicated to why love is bad! And a medicine to stop you from falling in love! Really interesting stuff. 

So there you go...enough reasons to read Delirium.And, the sequel Pandemonium is out! So go read it!! And comment and tell us what you think. Me and Cassie have a little treat for you in a bit, but until then, here is a picture of Andrew Garfield. ;)