I knew even before I cracked open HUSK- it was going to be a challenge for me to review it without soundJust because we can...does it mean we should??
I knew even before I cracked open HUSK- it was going to be a challenge for me to review it without sounding preachy. I am a person who is usually the last one on board for anything new...or modern. I was one of the last people I knew to hop on board the internet train...buy a DVD player...get an e-reader. I didn't cave to Blu-ray until I got one last year for my birthday... I refuse to buy anything "i."..ipod....iphone... I use homeopathic remedies for almost everything. I live a simplified life, and for the most part (other than my obsession with buying waaaaay too many books) I ask myself...do I need this to be happy? Just because I can...is this something I should do? And more often than not- the answer is no...
Do I like cats? Yes...Do I live in a world where it is possible to look like a cat???...Yes. Should I? No.
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See how easy that was?
HUSK- asks some tougher questions...
When will we know that we've taken technology too far? What will the future look like- when so many live lives of excess? What boundaries should never be crossed?
...What if those who could afford it...could choose to live forever?
London:
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A beautiful woman is having a drink in a pub- when a young boy approaches her. He is beyond upset. He loves her...he can't understand why she did this to him..."Why?" he asks- before he falls to the pavement.
Paris:
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At an outdoor cafe- an older woman throws scalding coffee at a man- disfiguring his handsome face...in return- he beats her to a bloody pulp.
..and in
Manhattan:
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At an upscale strip joint, a man lashes out at the staff- killing one- and then smashes his own face repeatedly against the table...
Three different cities. Unexplained violence and death- with no obvious connections...or is there?
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Rhodes- sees the connection- but can he fix what is broken before it is too late for him....or the woman he loves?
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I would like to thank J. Kent Messum for thinking of me, when he was handing out copies of HUSK for review!! This book was amazing!! And *hint hint* Jamie ... please think of me again when you write your next one...and the next one...and the one after that.... :D...more
Before reading THE HERE AND NOW, I hadn't really thought about it...but after recently reading numerou 3.5
What is the most dangerous creature on earth?
Before reading THE HERE AND NOW, I hadn't really thought about it...but after recently reading numerous articles and watching a BBC documentary on the spread of disease over the years- I found out, it very well could be the -ever so annoying- mosquito.
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Mosquitoes and the diseases they spread have been responsible for killing more people than all the wars throughout history. Transmitting diseases to millions, killing millions, debilitating millions by a host of mosquito-borne diseases, including Filariasis, Yellow fever, Malaria, Dengue and Encephalitis- and the newest scare- the Zika Virus. The First ever mosquito-borne STD.
Sooooooo when you are sitting on your deck this summer, covering yourself with bug repellent, basking by your citronella candle, and waving away the pesky things- just think- one day they could be responsible for the end of the world as we know it.
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April 2010 Haverstraw, New York - While fishing at Haverstraw Creek- Thirteen-year-old Ethan Jarves sees a girl that seems to appear out of nowhere. Naked, confused, cold and wet- Nathan is only able to give her his sweatshirt, before she runs off- leaving him to wonder about who she is. Two and a half years later she walks into his pre-calculus class. Her name is Prenna James.
2014- Four years ago, 17-year-old Prenna James- her mother- Molly- and just under a thousand others- immigrated- from the future- where plague, food shortages and global warming have brought about an environmental catastrophe- The Dama X Virus also called the blood plague. Terrified of ever being discovered- 'The Community" follows very strict rules and guidelines set out by their leaders- to blend in with their surroundings, always fearing what would happen if their true identities are revealed . Twelve rules- the last- the most important. 12) NEVER, under any circumstances, develop a physical or emotional intimate relationship with any person outside "The Community".
Ethan Jarves is not a member of "The Community"..but the more Prenna and Ethan get to know each other- the more Prenna starts questioning alllllll the rules.
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THE HERE AND NOW discusses some very serious and important subjects- first and foremost the issue of Global Warming- and what we are alllllll doing to this world of ours- but it does so for the most part without being too preachy. Compared to other apocalyptic/dystopian YA novels that I have read, I would call this apocalyptic/dystopian- LITE. It really is for a younger demographic. Mixed within the tale of a bleak future- is a sweet love story and there is very little violence or action. So those of you looking for hardcore science fiction/fantasy entertainment- you should probably steer away from this one...but I think as a pre-teen/young teen- I would have loved it!
I read ASHES by Ilsa Bick a year ago- when I was on this "YA post-apocalyptic" rollllllll. I couldn't get enough of them!
Noooow not that I am tryi4.5
I read ASHES by Ilsa Bick a year ago- when I was on this "YA post-apocalyptic" rollllllll. I couldn't get enough of them!
Noooow not that I am trying to ruffle any feathers, but after reading some reviews of ASHES, I kind of had to chuckle. Quite a few people gave it low marks for various things being "unbelievable". I don't have that opinion. In fact I rarely have that opinion when reading fiction...because it is after all...fiction- this is horror YA to boot. Maybe I should be more judgmental, but I tend to suspend disbelief when opening fiction of any kind, but I especially do with horror or science fiction. It just makes it so much more fun! And in a world where:
-George Bush got elected into office...twice. -Kim Kardashian is still able to stay relevant. -One of the number #1 comedies on TV is The Big Bang Theory. -...and there really are people who call themselves Beliebers.
I can belieb/believe almost anything.
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An electromagnetic pulse zaps every electronic device and kills billions. Spared for reasons unknown- are the very old and the very young (with some exceptions). Teens are spared as well but at a cost. They become "the changed" -zombie like creatures who feed on human flesh(with some exceptions).
One of the "spared" -exceptions to the rule- is Alex a 17 year-old girl living with her aunt, after both her parents were killed in a helicopter accident three years earlier. If that wasn't bad enough, Alex is also living with a terminal brain tumor, which has screwed with her memory and taken away her sense of smell.
Before the zap- Alex has decided to finally spread her parents ashes in a favorite spot in the Michigan wilderness. She has also brought her father's glock just in case she decides to opt out of life altogether.
After the zap- Having passed out, Alex wakes feeling different. Returning is her sense of smell...and then some...and what she smells isn't goooood.
What a gross, disgusting, roller coaster ride of a book. And I loved every minute of it! Ashes is the first in a series of three, and I have one word of advice- If you can, read them as close together as possible- There are a lot of characters and a lot of details that can be easily forgotten in between.
I have to admit- I can be quite stubborn at times, and for some reason I have stayed away from extremely successful YA fantasy trilogies/series. My avI have to admit- I can be quite stubborn at times, and for some reason I have stayed away from extremely successful YA fantasy trilogies/series. My avoidance started with the whole Twilight extravaganza and stayed with me through The Hunger Games, City of Bones, and...well you get the idea.
I can honestly say I have seen the error of my ways!! I was w-w-wr-r-wrong. DIVERGENT was fantastic!
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Setting: Chicago in the near future.
Main Character: Beatrice Prior- Sixteen-year-old Beatrice was born into an Abnegation family, but she has never felt like she belonged- not like her brother Caleb who is the epitome of selflessness.
The Factions: [image][image] Abnegation-Their clothing is grey and plain. They believe in selflessness, and their leaders form the Government for all the factions. [image][image] Amity-They dress in yellow and red. They are kind, loving, free-spirited and the peacekeepers. [image][image] Candor-Their colors are black and white. Very outspoken- They believe in truth and do not lie, ever. [image][image] Dauntless-They wear only black, and like tattoos and piercings. They are bold, daring, and fearless. They value bravery and courage. They are the protectors. [image][image] Erudite- Must wear at least one blue article of clothing at all times. They are serious and focused. Mottoes- a calm mind is a clear mind and knowledge is power.
Plot: Chicago is divided into 5 factions: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and Erudite. Each year -on "Choosing Day"- all sixteen year-olds take an aptitude test that tells them which faction they are best suited. But it is up to them to decide whether to remain with their family or transfer to a new faction.
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DIVERGENT is the only book -I can ever remember- that actually made me gasp out loud while reading it (much to the dismay of my sleeping boyfriend). Never a dull moment, and soooooo much fun! Who knows maybe I will even cave and read Twilight some day...Naaaaaaaaaaaah. ...more
I have to say I was kind of disappointed with SHADOWS- the second book in Ilsa Bick's Ashes trilogy. BookThis was such a hard book for me to review...
I have to say I was kind of disappointed with SHADOWS- the second book in Ilsa Bick's Ashes trilogy. Book one- Ashes -was told only through Alex's view. SHADOWS is through multiple points of view: Alex, Tom, Lena, Chris, and Peter. There are soooooooooo many people to keep track of- the main characters are split apart at different locations trying to find one another, or thinking the other is dead. It is aaaallll veeeeeeeeeery confusing.
There is so much going on in SHADOWS:
Alex- has left the Rule, and is being held captive by Wolf, Acne, Spider, Slash and Beretta- a group of "changed"
Tom- is being hidden and cared for by Jed and Grace- a lovely older couple living in Wisconsin.
Lena- is still in the Rule and feeling sick.
Chris- has been injured after going into the Zone in search of Alex.
Peter- is being shot at.
...and that is just the beginning.
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I said this in my review for Ashes as well. Do yourself a favor and read the trilogy all at once...or make sure you at least go back and skim Ashes before diving into this one. It is impossible to keep everyone -and where they are- straight without some sort of refresher.
This also may be helpful to you. I unfortunately didn't find it until after I read SHADOWS.
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