Ship Breaker

Paolo Bacigalupi

Ship Breaker #1

Summary:

In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life...

In One Word: Original (Genuine)

Plot:

This is a very unique story with lots of action and suspense. I liked the idea of an almost futuristic world where there are half-human half-animal people and the humans are either in complete poverty or extremely wealthy. The writing was very good except for one thing that bothered me a little, which is the fact that the author kept repeating this way to describe pain (the pain always blossoms...). I really liked the setting and thought it was very original and unique, although it took me a little while to get into it, since there’s little explanation as to why circumstances are the way they are. Overall I found the story intriguing, different and action-packed.

Characters:

The characters were interesting enough. I liked the chemistry between the different characters, and I thought they complimented each other very well. The villian was not all bad, which I always find more interesting than completely evil villians, but he’s still evil enough to justify the reader hating him.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence, some language and references to sexual content. If you’re looking for something different with a lot of action you might like this. It’s not a particularly light read, but quite an exciting one. It’s also quite dark and at times a little disturbing, so if that’s not your thing, don’t bother with it.

My rating:

I liked this book, even if it’s not exactly the type of thing I really enjoy. The characters were good and the story stayed interesting. So 4/5.

Quote:

“Killing isn't free. It takes something out of you every time you do it. You get their life; they get a piece of your soul. It's always a trade.”

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Patrick Ness

Chaos Walking #1

Summary:

Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown.

But Prentisstown isn’t like other town. Everyone can hear everyone else’s thoughts in a constant, overwhelming, never-ending Noise. There is no privacy. There are no secrets.

Or are there?

Just one month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd unexpectedly stumbles upon a spot of complete silence.

Which is impossible.

Prentisstown has been lying to him.

And now he’s going to have to run...

In One Word: Haunting

Plot:

I’ve heard many great things about this series, but I never expected this. At first the writing was a little hard to get into, seeing as the narrator (and protagonist) is a little illiterate. The author writes his thoughts, exactly as he thinks them, which means run-on sentences, bad grammar and atrocious spelling, but strangely, this book wouldn’t have nearly the same impact without it. I loved the concept of the mind-reading, and it was executed very well in my opinion. The story is dark and dreary and frightening, but extremely compelling and there’s no way I could’ve put it down once I got into it. It’s a strange feeling, loving every minute of reading such a tragic story (as well as not minding the feeling of being punched very hard at some points while reading...)

Characters:

I liked Todd right from the start, his rebellious attitude combined with his naivity made him an extremely interesting character and the development is really great to see. He’s also not perfect in any way, but manages to learn from his mistakes, and gets to know himself better as the story progresses. Viola is also a very wise, and at times mysterious character. Then there’s the extremely lovable talking dog Manchee, who is the main source of some dry humor from our main character. The villians are also wickedly fascinating and horribly scary, and probably one of the best (and worst) parts of the book.

Who should read this:

13+, there is a lot of violence (some of it really scary and disturbing), as well as some pretty explicit language. There is some mild sexual content, but it’s not extreme or graphic. If you like dystopians, science fiction or fantasy, but you’re tired of reading the same story over and over again, you might like this. I don’t suggest this to anyone who likes happy ‘fluffy’ reads, because you won’t find it here.

My rating:

I loved this book. I didn’t know if I would at the start, but it was all so fascinating and horrible at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I cannot wait to start the next book in the series. 5/5

Quote:

‘Without a filter, a man is just chaos walking.’

172 Hours on the Moon

Johan Harstad

Summary:

There’s a reason we never went back to the moon.

It was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. Mia, Antoine and Midori had different reasons to enter NASA’s competition of a seat on the first shuttle to go to the moon in over forty years.

But while they all wanted to escape earth, they never realized there might not be a chance to come home...

In One Word: Tense

Plot:

This was an intriguing story that had me hooked from the first page. However, as the story progressed I felt like there were some things that weren’t explained very well (Example: (possible spoiler) Why did they even send the kids up there if they knew about the dangers? I get that they wanted to investigate, but why the teenagers?). I also felt like the ending could’ve been better, (again with the spoilers), I expected the author to do something like he did, which meant that the shock-value diminished immensely...However, with all of that said, I couldn’t put the book down and it really was very interesting.

Characters:

My favourite character in this book is probably Antoine (mainly because I’m a hopeless romantic, also...French dude...), but I didn’t really feel connected to the teens. Yes I worried that they might be in trouble, and I was rooting for them, but I didn’t have a very strong emotional response to anything that happened to them.

Who should read this:

12+, mainly because it’s really scary and creepy, also some references to sex and some language. If you’re interested in space and conspiracy theories, then you will probably like this. If you want an exciting, nail-biting, quick read then I’d recommend this one. If you want a happy story then this is definitely not for you...

My rating:

The weird thing about this story is that it’s the technical aspects that bothered me the most (usually I can overlook it). I did really like the way the author added actual space phenomena and unexplained events to make the story more realistic, but I felt like I was left hanging at the end. 3.5/5

Quote:

‘You’re going to the moon! You’re going to the moon!’

Forbidden

Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee

The Books of Mortals #1

Summary:

The world as we know it is unrecognisable.

Almost 500 years have passed since civilization’s brush with extinction. Perfect order reigns and humanity’s greatest threats have been silenced by the ruling totalitarian government.

There is no disease. No passion. No hate. No war.

There is only peace.

Until one man discovers the truth hidden in a secret journal: the human heart has been stripped of all emotion and exists only in a kind of living death. But when Rom became exposed to the vial of blood contained in the journal he was filled with uncontrollable passion. Only Rom is now truly alive, and only he has the knowledge that can reawaken humanity.

But the way is dangerous and the cost staggering...the way is Forbidden.

Plot:

I have to admit, the start of this story was not very promising in my opinion. It felt like the authors were having a bit of trouble explaining the premise of the story. However, I might have wanted something from the book that wasn’t what the author intended. I wanted the book to showcase how beautiful all emotions are, even the negative ones, but I realised about half way through that that wasn’t the point of this book. This story is about a saviour, coming to save the humans from death, and to teach them about love. I personally read it as an allegory to the life of Jesus Christ, but even if that’s not your cup of tea this is a really interesting and unique story.

Characters:

It’s kind of hard to fall in love with characters who can’t love, but Dekker and Lee manages to make them come alive, and you really start to feel for them. I didn’t have a favourite character, and that’s usually not a good sign, but this book didn’t need extremely good characters to make it special. The characters were flawed, although one was a little too good to be true, and the villian was extremely scary.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for violence, it’s not extremely graphic, but it is disturbing. There is no language and very mild sexual content. The story might also be a little hard to understand for younger readers. If you’re looking for a book that will make you think, this is a good choice. If you want something simple and lighthearted I don't suggest this one. Also if you don't like books that have Christian undertones this might bother you a little.

My rating:

I didn’t love the beginning of this book, I felt like the authors had a little trouble explaining exactly what was going on. I did however, love the rest, and I can totally appreciate the complex ideas that they tried to incorporate. Do I think it’s the best Dekker can do? No. Do I think it’s a good book. Yes. 4/5

Quote:

It's the sorrow you feel that allows you to crave love. Without the suffering, there would be no true pleasure. Without tears, no joy. Without deficiency, no longing. This is the secret of the human heart, Rom.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

Mary E. Pearson

Summary:

I used to be someone.

Someone named Jenna Fox.

A girl wakes from a coma following a devastating accident, her memory a blank.

One day she can’t walk; the next she can.

One day her right eyelid droops; the next it doesn’t.

Her parents call her recovery a mircale – but at what cost has it come? What are they hiding from her?

Who is Jenna Fox?

Plot:

This story is extremely intriguing, and had me captivated and interested throughout. It’s fast paced and never gets boring. The writing flows very well and is just descriptive enough to make it interesting. I liked the way the author used the different structures and so to create impact, some parts are structured almost like a poem.

Characters:

I liked that the main character is a teenage girl who is searching for ‘who she is’, but that the circumstances makes it more interesting and original than that. It keeps it relatable. The main character is very likable, but not in any way flawless. I also really liked her grandma, her parents were a bit one-dimensional in my opinion. Her friends at school were original and interesting without drawing the attention away from the main character too much.

Who should read this:

12+, there is very little violence and nearly no sexual content, but the themes might be a little dark and disturbing. The language is also kept pretty mild. If you want an easy read with an original plot and good writing then you might enjoy this one. If you want a simple, realistic story this might not be your cup of tea.

My rating:

I didn’t have any expectations for this book, I just picked it up by chance and I really enjoyed it. It kept me interested, the writing was interesting and so was the plot and characters. 4/5

Quote:

I don't want five hundred billion neural chips. I want guts.

Cinder

Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles #1

Summary:

A forbidden romance.

A deadly plague.

Earth’s fate hinges on one girl...

Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness.

But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

Plot:

This is a great story. I really enjoyed the way the author combined the traditional fairy-tale elements with the futuristic setting. The story kept me interested throughout, even though I saw the plot twist coming for most of the book. The fact that I knew what was going to happen, but was still intrigued by the story definitely proves that it’s a pretty good plot. I would have liked a little more explanation of some elements of this book, for example how Cinder’s mind works etc. I did, however really like the mild references to racism, which made the whole setting a feel a little more realistic.

Characters:

I like the characters in this book. I didn’t fall in love with them, but I rooted for the heroes and was scared for them at times. Cinder is very relatable, even though she’s half-robot, and that is probably what made this book good. Even though very little about the setting or the plot is relative to our current situation you still felt like you could understand the characters.

Who should read this:

10+, mainly for violence and scenes of people dying etc. If you’re looking for a fairy tale retelling that’s completely different from anything you’ve read before I would definitely recommend this one. If, however science-fiction isn’t your thing you might not like this as much.

My rating:

I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, which is probably why I wasn’t that excited for this book, even though the idea behind it is fascinating. However, I really enjoyed it and it definitely met the expectations I had after all the hype. 4/5.

Quote:

“Does your kind even know what love is? Can you feel anything at all, or is it just... programmed?”

The Rise of Nine

Pittacus Lore

Lorien Legacies #3

Summary:

In the beginning we were a group of nine.

Nine aliens who left our home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack from the deadly Mogodorians.

We scattered on Earth and went into hiding.

We look like ordinary teenagers.

We are not.

Until I met John Smith, Number Four, I’d been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive. Together we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to seperate.

They

Caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They caught me in New York – but I escaped.

I am Number Six. The Mogodorians want to finish what they started.

But they’ll have to fight us first.

Plot:

This story started out okay, but I lost interest after a couple of chapters. It just didn’t seem to be going anywhere and very little of what happened had a real impact on where the story ended up, except for the fact that the kids had to have a reason to develop more legacies. The story only really started getting exciting during the last few chapters. The writing also seemed a little choppy at times. I am intrigued by some of the plot lines in these books, but I just wish the author would get to the point sooner, or at least make it a little more exciting than he did.

Characters:

The characters in this book are just okay. There are some I like more than others, but I don’t dislike any of the main characters. The bad guy intrigues me and I’m hoping that the next book will give a lot more information on him. One thing that bothered me is the fact that during most of this book Four seems to completely forget about Sarah, while he wouldn’t shut up about her in the previous books, I didn’t really mind the quiet, but it just seemed out of character for him.

Who should read this:

13+, mainly for language and violence. If you enjoyed the previous books you might like this one, just don’t expect too much. I don’t know if I would recommend this particular series to anyone, but maybe if you enjoy sci-fi stories about alien teenagers who has to fight giant monster aliens you might like this one...

My rating:

I didn’t go into this book with high expectations and yet it still managed to disappoint me a little. I struggled to get through the middle part. Even though the others were easy and quick reads I just couldn’t get into this one. So I’m rating it 2/5.

Quote:

 “A normal life. Such a simple idea, but it's almost impossible for me to picture.”

Here are my review for the previous two books: 'I Am Number Four' and 'The Power of Six'

The Angel Experiment

James Patterson

Maximum Ride #1

Summary:

Six unforgettable kids—with no families, no homes—are running for their lives. Max Ride and her best friends have the ability to fly. And that's just the beginning of their amazing powers. But they don't know where they come from, who's hunting them, why they are different from all other humans... and if they're meant to save mankind—or destroy it.

Plot:

I thought this was a great story with an original and intriguing plot. I liked the narration and the writing style, it was unique and quirky. There was a bit of suspense, but I guessed some of the ‘surprise’ twists before they happened, which didn’t make the book bad, but i would’ve liked some more moments that surprised me completely.

Characters:

I definitely like the characters in this book. They’re unique and original (not just because they’re mutants with wings and superpowers), but I didn’t connect with any of them or feel emotional about them. I would like to read more about Fang in the next installments, he is the most interesting in my opinion.

Who should read this:

12+, there’s some language and mild violence, also the whole ‘experimenting on kids’ things might be disturbing for some readers. I like the fact that this book is not aimed towards a specific gender, I think both boys and girls will enjoy it. If you want a YA book that’s quick and easy and exciting to read, you might like this. Just don’t expect something profound.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, I went into it without any expectations and without even knowing what it was about and I really liked reading it. There were, however, some things that could’ve been better. 3/5

Quote:

“The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective.”

The Power of Six

Pittacus Lore

Lorien Legacies #2

Summary:

I’ve seen him on the news.

John Smith, out there, one the run. To the world, he’s a mystery. But to me...he’s one of us.

Nine of us came here to Earth. There are six of us left.

Is John Number Four, and is his appearance the sign I’ve been waiting for.

And what about Number Five and Six?

They

Caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They tried to catch Number Four in Ohio-and failed.

I am Number Seven. One of Six still alive.

And I am ready to fight.

Plot:

This was a pretty good story, there was a little suspense and it stayed interesting. Even though the romance was still a little forced and cheesy there were some moments in this installment that I actually liked. The action scenes were pretty good, and I really liked the way we got to see more of the Mogadorians. The dialogue was not very well handled in my opinion, it didn’t sound natural and the punctuation was a little confusing at times.

Characters:

The problem with this book is that I don’t particularly like the main character. I do like Numbers Seven and Six as well as Sam, I think they’re great characters with a lot more depth to them than Four/John. There were many moments in this book where you felt for the characters, but it’s not an extreme emotional connection, just a detatched kind of response.

Who should read this:

10+, mainly for language and violence. If you enjoyed the first book you should like this one, as I think it is better. If you want an easy to read YA story about aliens with a little romance mixed in you might like this one.

My rating:

I didn’t get bored with this book, but I didn’t fall in love with it so. 3/5

Quote:

“Where are you originally from?”

“The planet Lorien, three hundred million miles away.”

“Must have been a long trip, John Smith.”

“Took almost a year. Next time I’m bringing a book.”

Read my review for the first book 'I Am Number Four' here!

Across the Universe

Beth Revis

Across the Universe #1

Summary:

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder.

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules.

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next.

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming

Plot:

I thought this was a very good story, it was intriguing and really had me wondering what was going to happen next. However one thing I didn’t like was the descriptions and explanations of everything on the ship. I know some people might find them interesting, but I just couldn’t make myself focus on them and found it boring to read about all the technical stuff. I would’ve liked if these details had been more integrated into the story instead of a monologue explaining everything. Except for that the writing was pretty good, the story was well-paced and very interesting, although it got a little predictable after a while.

Characters:

I liked the characters in this book, but I didn’t connect or relate to them as much as I would’ve liked. They were all believable, some surprised me, while others were more predictable, but all of them had some bad and some good in them, which I really liked. My favourite character was probably Elder’s best friend: Harley. He showed the most emotion in my opinion, and I really liked that about him. The main characters are likable, but not perfect, and both have a lot of self-doubt, but still manage to make the right choices, most of the time. The chemistry between the characters were also handled pretty well, although the romance was a bit sudden in my opinion.

Who should read this:

13+, I definitely recommend caution with this one. There’s a lot of sexual content, but it’s not natural, so it may confuse younger readers. Also, some pretty scary scenes of violence. There’s very mild swearing, but on the ship they use a lot of slang terms so the swear words aren’t exactly what we’re used to. If you enjoy dystopian and sci-fi, you might like this, as it combines the two, but if you prefer them seperately or only enjoy one I’m sure there are better options.

My rating:

I thought this was a good story, with good characters, but some parts bored me. I might have expected a bit much, but overall I really enjoyed this book, especially the idea of combining sci-fi with dystopian 3/5.

Quote:

“This is the secret of the stars, I tell myself. In the end, we are alone. No matter how close you seem, no one else can touch you.

I Am Number Four

Pittacus Lore

Lorien Legacies #1

Summary:

They killed number one in Malaysia.

Number two in England.

And number three in Kenya.

John Smith is not your average teenager.

He regularly moves from small town to small town. He changes his name and identity. He does not put down roots. He cannot tell anyone who or what he really is. If he stops moving those who hunt him will find and kill him.

But you can’t run for ever.

So when he stops in Paradise, Ohio, John decides to try and settle down. To fit in. And for the first time he makes some real friends. People he cares about – and who cares about him. Never in John’s short life has there been space for friendship, or even love.

But it’s just a matter of time before John’s secret is revealed.

He was once one of nine. Three of them have been killed.

John is Number Four. He knows that he is next...

Plot:

This was a pretty good story. Some of the twists were pretty predictable, but it interested me enough that I want to read the rest of the series to see what happens next. It’s an engaging, easy read, with enough action to keep it interesting, but it’s not a profoundly intricate story that I’ll remember for a long time. Also, the romance in this story irritated me, it was sappy and unrealistic, and while it may appeal to some people I didn’t feel anything in regards to the characters or their connection.

Characters:

This is where my biggest problem with this book comes in. The characters were a little flat for my taste. Sure the main character is an alien with superpowers, but except for that the characters are all pretty one-dimensional and boring, to be honest. I would’ve liked some deeper insight into their feelings and thoughts, the only time you get this is when something very sad happens. This was the only part of the book that really captured my attention and made me feel something. I do like one of the characters that come in later in the story (trying not to spoil anything here), and I look forward to learning more about her in the next book.

Who should read this:

10+, mainly for language and violence. There is very little sexual content, mainly just two teens making out, but there is a bit of mild language, and some alien-fighting stuff going on. If you want a light, easy read with a bit of action you might enjoy this, but I feel like there are better options.

My rating:

I liked this book. I didn’t love it and it’s not perfect, but it’s an enjoyable read. It reminds me of why I like reading Twilight, no need for concentration, just relaxation. 3/5 (I’m also fascinated by the author’s name being included in the book, I really want to read more about that in the rest of the series)

Quote:

“When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope.”

If I watch the movie I'll link the review here!