[Review] The Prey by Tom Isbell

Title: The Prey
Series: The Hatchery #1

Author: Tom Isbell [Twitter]

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopian, Thriller

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Run!!!!!!!

Immediately we kick off with folks hiding in caves and almost dying in deserts, oddly called the No Water. There's the potential for high action and we know there are some bad and suspicious people in this world. They're called Brown Shirts. They wear Brown Shirts. Be aware of the Brown Shirts.

Twists and Turns
Interestingly we have two POVs, one is first person past/present through Books who is an LT at a boy's camp, and the second is a third person present showcasing Hope. This makes things a bit hard to follow, despite the change in tenses, but more so the change in narratives. I'm really curious why Hope's POV isn't also first person. If there's going to be a third person narrative I'm looking for a lot more regarding world building and character development.

For the first half of the book the world building is laid out depicting a post-apocalyptic US in which the boys and girls have been separated, some people have defects due to, what I can guess is, radiation exposure.

The plot really is the driving force here. The concept of hunting people for sport and using the population for scientific testing is all very intriguing. Tell me more. How did this start? Once the boys and the girls come together in part three things really get moving and the action packed journey begins.

I made little attachments to the characters so when people died it was just a shrug. The character I enjoyed the most is Cat and the story does reveal some info about him that is interesting but he's mostly an unexplored character like the rest. Also Hope's father's past shows some potential to add character value so I'm waiting for more in book two.

Descriptive Disasters
The writing is really interesting here. Putting aside the tenses and POV issues. There are several times I snickered at descriptives such as "purpling," the act of turning purple. There's also the possibility of "masculine smells." At some point I started glazing over them because I found them to be more distracting than off-putting.

Um, no. That's a strong no.

But I stuck with it. Mostly because the plot and concept were still interesting to me and I was curious to see it all play out. Once the ending started creeping up I was excited and anxious to see how the set up for book two played out. Whomp, womp! I was extremely let down. I'm not going to spoil here but I will say it comes off as underwhelming.

I'm not sure I'm reading book two but if I do this is what I'd like to see...

By far to me one of the most interesting character's is Cat, who Books and his friends find in the desert, ahem, No Water. At this point Cat's POV is more interesting than Books' or Hope's. Overall more character development to make me invested in who lives and dies.

The ending was redundant. I really hope book two skips some pieces since this one was already a journey book. So I'm looking for lots of action! 

2.5 Stars – Good premise, but ultimately not for me.

[Review] Twisted Fate by Norah Olson

Title: Twisted Fate

Author: Norah Olson

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Thriller, Mystery, Contemporary, Social Issues

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Whoa... who am I supposed to trust?

Immediately we're introduced to Sydney, Allyson and a few other point of views. Right off the bat you know something is off as the sisters recount events with different versions. But who's telling the truth? Who's version is accurate? It's all really weird but I was totally roped in and the pages kept turning.

Honestly, everyone is kind of creepy just to varying degrees
One thing I think Olson nails is the fact that we're all flawed. While some may find the multiple POVs a bit much it is needed to show all sides of the story, reveal "evidence", and bring clarity as to what/who we're dealing with here. There's only two people I trusted in the whole story and that's the police officers.

Because there's always boys...
The story kicks off with gorgeous Graham moving in next door and taking a liking to Allyson. Sydney, her younger sister, is immediately skeptical of him and along with Becky, the BFF, and Declan, her sort-of-boyfriend, they begin befriending him and spying...

The writing is on the wall from pretty early in the story but I was still unsure how things were going to shake out. The ending did not disappoint but did leave one big question for me.

Spoiler

One of the main issues is that Sydney is mentally ill. This is NEVER addressed and for all these kids to be super smart (Declan and Syd are top of the class and Becky is a hacker/computer programming nerd) NO ONE notices this!!!!! I kind of get absent parents but she hangs with these people everyday and reveals her sickness but everyone just shrugs it off. Even the school guidance counselor.

If this question/issue/point been addressed then it would've been a five star read for me.

You'll like is if... and it may annoy you if...

You'll like this if you enjoy psychological thrillers without questioning too much. The only character development is revealed/forced by the plot so you may not find yourself deeply attached to any one person but it's not boring. I promise! Also, if you're looking for a lot of explanations as to why... prepare to lose sleep. The ending is with little explanation after the last conflict.

If you enjoyed Gone Girl, or enjoy the TV shows Snapped or Forensic Files this should please you. 

Random side note: I could find nothing on the author except that she wrote this book. This totally adds to the creepiness factor, even if it's just a pseudonym. ;)

4 Stars – I don't know who to be more afraid of...

[Review] Since You've Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne

Title: Since You've Been Gone

Author: Mary Jennifer Payne [Blog | Twitter]

Publisher: Dundurn Group

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller

Release Date: February 17, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country.
Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.

Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life." – via Goodreads

---

There was a girl...
I was not overly impressed with Edie as a character however I did appreciate some attributes of her personality. While many of her actions/reactions to things were not desirable I did find them human and a realistic byproduct of her situation. As the book would say, teenagers can be little twats. I did like in the end that Edie tried for redemption, another human like quality.

and a whole lot more plot.
The book weighs in at a little over 200 pages which was a way to short to delve into any sort of character development. On the other hand we are raced out of Toronto within the first couple of chapters and onto the busy streets of London. Within a few days the mystery of Edie's mom takes center stage. The pacing is great with each twist and turn keeping Edie on the hunt. There are a couple of points that I feel like could've been modified to really raise the stakes but alas, did not happen. There are a few writing inconsistencies that may be cleared up during the final editing stage but it was noticeable when the story is told in first person.

A great read for...
those looking for a quick and exciting story. I think the subject matter is important and handled with care but could use a higher page count to really flush everything out, not to mention character development.

3 Stars –  An exciting, quick read without all the nuts and bolts.

[Review] Panic by Lauren Oliver

Title: Panic

Author: Lauren Oliver [ Facebook | Twitter | Website ]

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Thriller

Release Date: March 4, 2014

Source: Library copy via Overdrive, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most. - via Goodreads

---

Well that escalated quickly...

In too deep. Our protagonist Heather decides to make the leap, literally, to join Panic in hopes that the prize will mean a start to a new life. Dodge takes the leap for revenge. Natalie, Heather's BFF, wants fame and Bishop stands by as Heather's faithful friend.

The story opens up with this action driven scene where each contestant is leaping off a ledge into water as their entry confirmation. What a way to really draw you in. In the audio you can hear the suspense which made me sit in my car in a parking garage until it was all over. 

The game, Panic.

There are a lot of games in YA these days but very few are realistic fiction and Panic takes the cake. You know what the stakes are for Heather and Dodge from the beginning which has you rooting for both. The game itself is dark, twisted and knows you... like really knows you. Challenges are customized and every round someone else is disqualified. 

The challenges are insane and scary, in other words... completely captivating!

Perspectives and secrets.

Told in third person, the story tracks Dodge and Heather's adventures revealing motive, intent and secrets just for the audience. This allows for a steady unraveling of all that must come undone. Like pieces of a puzzle the reader (listener) is able to see every piece slide in to place as each challenge gets crazier and crazier. Lives are at stake and so is everyones motive.

Each character is multi-dimensional with motives, families, dreams and must take risks. The character development is not lacking in a genre which is primarily plot focused. You'll become invested in at least one character and cheer them on til the end. 

Super real also crazy and totally fun to read.

The game of Panic is insane and hopefully nothing even comes close to it in real life, but it's also a testament to what someone will go through with the proper motivation. At the heart of it you can't help but root for Heather. 

3.5 Stars – The blueprint for teen reality competition tv series.

[Waiting...] There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This Week's Pick: 

Title: There Will Be Lies

Author: Nick Lake

[Twitter | Tumblr ]

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's

Genre: Young Adult Fiction – Thriller, Mystery

Summary via Goodreads:

In four hours, Shelby Jane Cooper will be struck by a car.

Shortly after, she and her mother will leave the hospital and set out on a winding journey toward the Grand Canyon.

All Shelby knows is that they're running from dangers only her mother understands. And the further they travel, the more Shelby questions everything about her past—and her current reality. Forced to take advantage of the kindness of unsuspecting travelers, Shelby grapples with what’s real, what isn't, and who she can trust . . . if anybody.

Award-winning author Nick Lake proves his skills as a master storyteller in this heart-pounding new novel. This emotionally charged thrill ride leads to a shocking ending that will have readers flipping back to the beginning.

Why I'm Waiting...

Car chases. Well possible car chases. Dishonest parents make for a bonus. Very curious to see what the plot is since the synopsis is very vague. 

I read Lake's Hostage Three earlier this year and loved it from beginning to end. A mixture of action, villain sympathy and mystery has resulted Lake's books being added to my TBR the moment they're announced. 

[Waiting...] Twisted Fate by Norah Olson

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,

that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This Week's Pick: 

Title: Twisted Fate

Author: Norah Olson

[Twitter]

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction – Thriller, Mystery

Summary via Goodreads:

When Alyson meets Graham Copeland, the new boy next door, she instantly feels like he’s a kindred spirit—shy and awkward like her, someone who has trouble making friends. It’s impossible to resist having a crush on him.

As usual, her sister, Sydney, sees things differently. In Sydney's mind, Graham's odd personality and secretive past scream psychopath, not sweetheart. Her gut is telling her to stay away from him, and to protect a love-struck Alyson from her own naïveté. But despite her instincts, Sydney is surprised to realize that a part of her is drawn to Graham, too.

And the more Sydney gets to know him, the more she realizes just how right—and wrong—she is about everything.

Why I'm Waiting...

This has been suggested for fans of Michelle Hodkin and E. Lockhart's We Were Liars, both of which I heart so I'm looking forward to this debut. Thrillers are also really in right now so I'm curious to see how Twisted Fate sets itself apart in a crowded field. 

Don't forget to check out the Secret Santa Book Exchange!

[Review] Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

Title: Black Ice
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick [ Facebook | Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Simon Teen

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Release Date: October 7, 2014

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally? - via Goodreads

---

The prelude, though!

Becca Fitzpatrick kicks off Black Ice with an intense opening prelude reminiscent of the opening scenes in horror movies. Quick moving with action and the set-up necessary to get the vibe of the serial killer.

Smart girls making bad decisions...

I can't decide if this is a good or bad thing, or maybe just a real thing. Best friends Britt and Korbie (really, really disliked this name) decide to hike a trail for spring break but there's an unsuspecting snow storm so things go south real quick and they have to worry about their survival.

They knock on a stranger's door and these guys are acting all sorts of sketchy! I felt like the guy in Scream who needs to explain all the rules of scary movies because we all know this trope except Britt and Korbie.

Britt is an 18-year-old college student who is looking to assert herself and upend some stereotypes about her female gender role and affluent upbringing, oh and make a boy jealous. As a result she has spent hours studying and practicing her wilderness survival skills. Unlike Korbie, Britt is tired of playing the damsel in distress and frequently mentions how much she relies on all the men in her life to get by. I don't want to spoil anything but lets just say her practicing and studying comes in handy a time or two.

Money and Masculinity...

Almost all of the key players have money!!! I'm not sure if this was done to help the plot in some places or if that's the population that usually has cabins in the mountains of Wyoming. I understand it as a characteristic for certain characters and on others not so much. I would've liked to see more diversity in this area because I feel like the in some way Fitzpatrick was tying in the theme of gender roles/views directly to affluence. While money can affect character I would like to believe there's not a direct correlation there... 

Gender roles became a much larger focal point than I thought possible for a mystery/thriller! Learning the character's back stories and relationships with their parents, siblings, friends, etc. played such a large role in how they've arrived at this point. Really looking at the expectations and stereotypes for each relationship revealed and how it has influenced the present day plot is disturbing and also so true. Definitely makes me rethink how I choose my words and how they affect my relationships. 

It's all in the details...

One of the things I really enjoyed is that even though the story is plot driven there are flashbacks that help build the character case. This way the reader is playing judge and jury as they're reading. 

If you're into details... it's all there! I called this towards the middle of the book but even then there were little bits 'o' information that kept popping up to surprise me. 

The romance...

I found it slightly awkward. I can't get into too many details but you know from the synopsis there are two boys Britt is involved with. I really struggled with the idea of being kidnapped and falling for one of my captors in three days and then wondering if it's Stockholm Syndrome or Lima Syndrome all the while I'm lost, cold, wet and hungry. I didn't hate the ending but I wasn't in love with it, I enjoyed the ride there much more! 

4 Stars - It's all in the details! 

Press Play Trailer Release + Giveaway!

Press Play

Author: Eric Devine

Release Date: October 28, 2014

Genre: Young Adult Fiction – Contemporary

Publisher: Running Press Kids, a member of the Perseus Books Group

Greg Dunsmore, a.k.a. Dun the Ton, is focused on one thing: making a documentary that will guarantee his admission into the film school of his choice. Every day, Greg films his intense weight-loss focused workouts as well as the non stop bullying that comes from his classmates. But when he captures footage of violent, extreme hazing by his high school’s championship-winning lacrosse team in the presence of his principal, Greg’s field of view is in for a readjustment.

Greg knows there is a story to be told, but it is not clear exactly what. And his attempts to find out the truth only create more obstacles, not to mention physical harm upon himself. Yet if Greg wants to make his exposé his ticket out of town rather than a veritable death sentence, he will have to learn to play the game and find a team to help him.

Combine the underbelly of Friday Night Lights with the unflinching honesty of Walter Dean Myers, and you will find yourself with Eric Devine’s novel of debatable truths, consequences, and realities.

  

Author Eric Devine

Eric Devine is the author of multiple works of Young Adult fiction, most recently Dare Me, with Press Play being published on Oct. 28. He is also a veteran high school English teacher who spends as much time teaching as he does completing field research for his novels. His work has been listed by YALSA and Booklist for reluctant readers and for Best in Sports. He is married to his high school sweetheart, and his wife and he have two wonderful daughters and two not-so-wonderful labradors.

Find out more at ericdevine.org, facebook.com/ericdevineauthor, or Twitter @eric_devine.

Must be 13+ To Enter | Ships in US only.

1 Winner will get a signed copy of PRESS PLAY and a PRESS PLAY phone case. 

(Winners chooses case size)

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[Review] Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant

Title: Messenger of Fear
Series: Messenger of Fear #1
Author: Michael Grant [ Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Website]

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Fantasy, Horror

Release Date: September 23, 2014

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

I remembered my name – Mara. But, standing in that ghostly place, faced with the solemn young man in the black coat with silver skulls for buttons, I could recall nothing else about myself.

And then the games began.

The Messenger sees the darkness in young hearts, and the damage it inflicts upon the world. If they go unpunished, he offers the wicked a game. Win, and they can go free. Lose, and they will live out their greatest fear.

But what does any of this have to do with Mara? She is about to find out . . . - via Goodreads

---

Well this is interesting...

Mara only remembers what the Messenger of Fear wants her to remember as she floats in some sort of between world doling out fear tests in exchange for justice. This is unlike anything I've ever read! 

The Messenger is perfectly broody and haunted by his sentence to his duty. While taking Mara in to train as the next Messenger he introduces her to two worlds. The world of being the Messenger and the Heptarchy, a group of seven gods whom all the messengers serve. The novel is relatively short with lots of plot driven action but I hoping for more world building in book two along with the vixen Oriax.

There's some spooky, grossness...

As a part of Mara's training the Messenger leads her on some jobs. The tests are a bit scary and even kind of gross. Most of all I just think about how real the scenarios are and that there's no justice like the Messenger to right all the wrongs of the world. This opened my eyes so much!

The various storylines keep it interesting and the plot dynamic. It has a Christmas Carol sort of feel to it alternating between the past and present.

On a 1 – 10 scale of spooks, I'd rate it around 5 or 6. Its actually milder than most Grant books but once again what scared me was the realism because you KNOW these things happen. O_O

Ugh, mean girls...

One of the main characters Mara and the Messenger observe is the suicide of Samantha after being terrorized by mean girl Kayla. This plotline becomes the one that Mara has little trouble with when it comes to how Kayla should be judged/tested. This is a 360 in comparison to the moral qualms Mara has when it comes to her training with other individuals who are visited by the Messenger of Fear. I would've liked to see her display the same doubts for this storyline too, versus the bullying outweighing all other wrongdoings. What's wrong is wrong.

But what the heck does all this mean...

As I stated earlier the world building and rules take the backseat to the action. It can be confusing at times but I'm holding out hope that this gets filled in during book two. Especially all of the gods and messenger business. It's almost random info dumps and I'm not sure I would tolerate it if the book was a standalone. 

Why I'll be reading book two...

I really loved the idea of the world, gods, messengers and Mara's conversion into becoming the next Messenger of Fear. The scenes were all spooky and totally drew me in. I want more because there's nothing else like this right now!!

4 Stars - Be good kids, be good.

[Book Blitz + Giveaway] A Vault of Sins by Sarah Harian

   

A Vault of Sins by Sarah Harian

(Chaos Theory #2)

Publication date: September 16, 2014

Genres: Dystopia, New Adult

Synopsis

In her stunning New Adult debut, The Wicked We Have Done, Sarah Harian introduced readers to the Compass Room: a twisted experimental jail where the guilty and the innocent suffer alike. But breaking out was only the beginning…

Even though she’s escaped, twenty-two-year-old Evalyn Ibarra is anything but free. She’s desperate to return to a life that no longer exists, but prying reporters continually draw her back into nightmarish memories, using the tabloids to vilify her. Bad press is the last thing she needs during the trial of the year: the case that she and her fellow survivors staked against the Compass Room engineers. A case that could terminate the use of the inhumane system forever…
But in her dreams, she is still locked in that terrifying jail.

When she wakes, someone is trying to communicate with her in secret, through strange and intricate clues. As Evalyn follows their signs, she uncovers a conspiracy that goes so much deeper than her own ordeal. A dangerous intrigue that only she can bring to light. One that will force her to work with the one person she doesn’t want to see.

The person who owns her heart…

Excerpt

In my dream, I’m alone.

The forest swells up all around me, warm and dark and moist. It’s a cocoon of comfort, if I didn’t know better. This is always the worst part of the dream—the feeling of entrapment, of loneliness. I’m lying on the ground, the underbrush of the woods spidering over my body, and I smell the Compass Room again. The wood fire, the soil, the sweat—and the blood, permeating above all the other odors.

It’s always night in the dream-Compass Room. Fog rolls through the air, thick enough to taste.

I hear the other candidates. Tanner and Jace scream the loudest. Shrieks of anguish, like their flesh is slowly being ripped from their bones. I shut my eyes to wait it out because I know that I can’t save them.

But then I hear Casey.

The underbrush ropes me to the ground, growing tighter as I twist and writhe, trying to free myself to get to him. His voice rips the night in half, and I scream to match his, back arching off the earth, the entire forest shattering into a thousand sharp pieces.

I jerk awake, lying on my back with my hand pressed to my chest, waiting for my heart to stop pounding. I inhale the cold air of my living room and hold it in my lungs as the terror dissipates. It’s like waiting for a brain freeze to end. I get up, flipping on all the light switches in the silent house, checking the shadowy corners for dream monsters.

Not dream monsters. Illusions. Nick or Meghan, a Compass Room test crawling from the darkness. There’s nothing in the house, but of course there wouldn’t be.

I peel back the curtain in the living room. Fingers of the dark trees sway back and forth with the wind and I want to throw up my heart. I let the curtain fall back into place, rush to the kitchen, and take a long pull from the tequila bottle. The good tequila bottle.

Returning to the living room, I flop back onto the bed.

The woods in my dreams are thick, always lurking with Compass Room devils. The woods around my home are nothing more than a scattering of sad little trees, but my mind doesn’t care.

Gemma and the division thought they erased Compass Room C from existence, but they can’t. It’s everywhere.

Author: Sarah Harian

Sarah Harian grew up in the foothills of Yosemite and received her B.A. and M.F.A. from Fresno State University. When not writing, she is usually hiking some mountain or another in the Sierras, playing video games with her husband, or rough-housing with her dog.

Twitter | Website | Facebook | Goodreads

This giveaway is set up and managed by author, not Xpresso Book Tours or Becoming Books. Eight winners will receive their choice of one of the following New Adult Scifi/Fantasy ebook titles (INTL):

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