ARC Review: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

MAGONIA

Author:  Maria Dahvana Headley

Pages: 320

Source: eARC provided for review. Thank you! 

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary: 

Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds…two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air. 

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live. 

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia. 

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

***

It took me one month to finish Magonia.

That doesn’t sound so good, I know. But I’m one of those people that never DNF a book, so I read (mostly) one chapter a day.

Magonia wasn’t bad. In fact, it had one of the most original and imaginative worlds I’ve ever read.

Many people compared it with Daughter of Smoke and Bone, because the creativeness of the “story” was that great.

The writing was good too, though since Magonia felt magical and fantastic I would’ve liked a writing style more lyrical instead of the witty POV of Aza. 

My problem with Magonia was that I couldn’t connect with the characters. I just didn’t care about them.

Aza, the main character reminded me of the main character of Side Effects May Vary, and if I remember well enough, she was the only sick character that I wished died in the end. Thankfully, after she discovers Magonia she becomes a better character.

There’s also a POV from Jason, the boy Aza’s in love with. I liked him better, but still, it wasn’t enough.

The plot twist wasn’t a surprise, so the ending didn’t add another star from me. 

I can say I liked Magonia, I enjoyed reading about this world and the ships in the sky and all the wonderful things from above, but the characters disappointed me.

I’m sad to say that if there’s a sequel, I don’t think I’ll read it.

I like the sky. It's rational to me in a way that life isn't. Looking at it doesn't suck the way you might think it would, given all the dying-girl-stares-at-heaven possibilities. I don't think of the sky as any kind of heaven item. I think of it as a bunch of gases and faraway echoes of things that used to be on fire.

 

 

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ARC Review: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Dissonance

Series: Dissonance #1

Author: Erica O'Rourke

Pages: 496

Source: Publisher

My rating: 3 stars

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

Delancy Sullivan has always known there’s more to reality than what people see. Every time someone makes a choice, a new, parallel world branches off from the existing one. Eating breakfast or skipping it, turning left instead of right, sneaking out instead of staying in bed ~ all of these choices create an alternate universe in which an echo self takes the road not travelled and makes the opposite decision. As a Walker, someone who can navigate between these worlds, Del’s job is to keep all of the dimensions in harmony.

Normally, Del can hear the dissonant frequency that each world emits as clear as a bell. But when a training session in an off-key world goes horribly wrong, she is forbidden from Walking by the Council. But Del’s not big on following the rules and she secretly starts to investigate these other worlds. Something strange is connecting them and it’s not just her random encounters with echo versions of the guy she likes, Simon Lane.

But Del’s decisions have unimaginable consequences and, as she begins to fall for the Echo Simons in each world, she draws closer to a truth that the Council of Walkers is trying to hide ~ a secret that threatens the fate of the entire multiverse.

Dissonance by Erica O’Rourke is a wonderful sc/fic story about the Walkers, people with the power to travel through parallel universes.

This is the story about Delancy, a walker in training… and a troublemaker.

O’Rourke created an amazing world where every decision we make creates a new universe, an Echo World, a copy of the Key World, the original.

The concept of this book is fantastic. I found myself in love with the idea of those parallel worlds. The world-building was well created, the dialogues were great and the writing was clean and enjoyable.

Sometimes the book has too many information and it was a little confusing, but if you put close attention, you get it. 

The big “but” of this book is Delancy, the main character.

See, the cover of Dissonance is stunning, the summary sounds dark and thrilling and it is… but Del was too reckless and immature. I found it hard to connect with her because voice was too young and I was expecting something darker and mysterious.

The rest of the characters were okay, but not memorable. I especially liked Montey, Del’s grandfather.

I also liked Elliot, the best friend. Despite the fact that this was the typical case of best-friend-wanting-more-than-friendship. Which was really sad because that developed in a love triangle, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of Simon, the love interest.

The cliché in the romance is something I didn’t enjoy either. The golden boy that finally notices the invisible girl, that wasn’t surprising or amazing. But I have to say that the love story grew slowly, which looked realistic and I’m really thankful for that.

I still find this couple immature, I wish I could tell you why, but that could a spoiler…

The ending however was unexpected and action packed. I loved the twist in the story and the last betrayal. This was the strongest part of the book.

Overall, Dissonance is a great story, and a new and original world that you’ll like to meet. If you like books about multiverse with young but entertaining characters, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. 

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Book Review: Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick

 

Finale (Hush Hush #4)

Author: Becca Fitzpatrick

Pages:

Buying links: Amazon/ B&N/ TBD

My rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

Will love conquer all?  

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch. Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.  But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated. As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.

 

 

 

I’m really sad I landed once again in another disappointing ending.
But don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate Finale, I didn’t love it either. I keep telling myself that maybe my taste in books changed too much since I started the series, and now I don’t like the same things.
It’s just that… well, I finally see Nora as the annoying character my friends kept telling me about since they started the series, I didn’t see it before, but in Finale it was so obvious. Nora lied, Nora had secrets, Nora did the wrong the most stupid things in the world and nothing really bad happened to her. Even Patch seemed blinded and like a puppy with her.
And talking about Patch… I loved him in the previous books, he was sexy, swoon-worthy, strong and smart, a badass, but in Finale Patch was like a lion turned into a cat. Too soft, too… sweet.
I am really, really sad it turned like that. I still think my favorite characters are Vee and Scott, but Becca Fitzpatrick ruined them in the end as well. It makes me want to cry and scream at the same time.

Anyway, aside from the annoying characters and the weak relationship among them, I enjoyed the story line and how the plot developed. There were unexpected twist and turns that I appreciated.
The writing was as addictive as in the other books, fast passed, and the descriptions were really good.
The things ended in an easy way, but it was good.
However, I think the ending was a little rushed and I felt like something was missing there, add to that the cheesiest scene in the world where “they” even forget they were in the middle of a lot of people dead.
This leads me to the worst Epilogue in the world.

Once again, I’m so, SO disappointed. But like I said, I also liked it. I think this is some case of love/hate relationship. It wasn’t as amazing as I hoped but I think some people will be happy with the way the story of Nora and Patch ended.
I, personally didn’t feel a thing. No happy tears, no sad tears, nothing.

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Book review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch (Glitch #1)

Author: Heather Anastasiu

Pages: 371

Goodreads AVG Rating: 3.67

Source: ARC provided by NetGalley

Summary: l Add here

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

 

My POV

Hallo readers!

Today, I wanted to post my review of Glitch. Maybe this won’t be the best review ever, cause I’m still in carnival time, and I don’t have a lot of time. But I really want to tell you about this last book!

Okay, Gitch is another dystopian book, it has a beautiful universe, full of technology and a government that reminds me a little of Delirium and Divergent… So, that’s really good, I loved those book.

The big problem comes here: This book was too simple!!!!

I mean, it was supposed to be this way, but I think the genre wasn’t truly “YA” It was more “teen” than anything, does it make any sence?

I don’t want to be rude, because I enjoyed the time while reading this book, the thing is that I didn’t feel anything, I wasn’t angry, or excited, or in love… I was just “Oh, so cute!” OR “Silly thing!”

I loved the idea of people acting like robots or zombies, but I don't get how everybody seems to think they're “happy”. PIus is obvious that the goverments has a lot of secrets… And the glitchers. Well, they’re special people with superpowers! Isn’t that awesome?

Everything was so much sharper without the Link fogging me--sights, sounds, smells. It was exhilarating and shocking and terrifying. I knew my emotions had grown too strong. They were dangerous to the Community. They were dangerous to me.

But still, I wanted color. I wanted to soar with happiness even if it meant dealing with the weight of fear and guilt, too. I wanted to live. And that meant that I couldn't give the glitching up. At least not yet. Just a little bit longer.

The heroine: Zoel was immature. But I accept it, and I agree because just some time ago she was a zombie, too! She didn’t know anything about feelings, or pleasure, or freedom. She didn’t even know about relationships or love. I understand her.

The love interest: Adrien! Oh my! I loved this guy, he worth all the time I decide to be reading this book, even though I didn’t like some parts, Adrien makes me want to continue. He is awesome!

The 3rd in the triangle: Max… I’m going to say this about him: I hated him! I understand him, too. But he was so selfish, so kiddo!!!! Hey, how could Zoe, not realized this boy was an ass???

Okay, maybe Glitch did make me feel!

“You've felt it, haven't you? Those feelings that seem to get so big in your chest, like something is so beautiful it aches?”

The book is good. You must have give it a try, but If you’re more than 20 years old. I don’t recommend it.

But I really want to try the next book because I know I'll have something better from the characters and maybe next book will be like its cover. AWESOME!

Read it, but don’t expect too much!
But as always, it has some good parts like the writing-style and the descriptions... they were really good. I loved some phrases and quotes. They don't dissapoint!

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Book review: My soul to save, Rachel Vincent

Title: My soul to save (Soul Screamers #2)

Author: Rachel Vincent

Status: Re-read

Goodreads AVG Rating: 3.99

Summary:

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies. So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can’t cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can’t possibly understand.

Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk...

My thoughts.
When I read My soul to take I was so happy I finally found a different series. I have to admit I just read it, because my dear friend Kelly is totally in love with these books. But then, I met Kaylee and Nash and Tod and I knew I could fall too.
Unfortunately, I didn't love this book the same way I love My soul to take. Maybe, because it was all focused on save Addison, but I can't help it. I wasn't sorry for her. She was too much stupid to be in that situation.
Anyway, I enjoyed to know a little more about Tod, I was Team Tod since the first book and now I'm sure about that. At the same time I liked the relationship Kaylee-Nash. It was better in this story.
Another thing I enjoyed a lot was the look into the Netherword, it was creepy and it feels like something for a mature book.
The characters were good. I just didn't love Addison, but the others were well created and realistics. I loved that Kaylee was brave enought to go the Netherword all alone, even though she new it was a dangerous place.
This was a fast reading after all. And I can't wait to read the others. I've just heard My soul to steal is nothing but amazing.
I really hope I can love the others like I love the 1st!
I want more Tod.
More Soul Screamers!
And more romance, but the kind of romance I love.
In the end, it was good. But not amazing!

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