Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts

05 July 2012

(ARC) YA Book Review: Insignia by SJ Kincaid

Release Date: 10 July 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format: ARC
Source: Won from EpicReads.com

Get a copy! Amazon | B&N

Goodreads description:
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 Three. 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?
My Thoughts...

07 June 2011

YA Book Review: Possession by Elana Johnson



POSSESSION by Elana Johnson
© 7 June 2011 by Simon & Schuster


Buy It!

Goodreads description:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play...

My Thoughts...

Have you ever read a book that you just couldn’t stop thinking about?  I mean, seriously, days go by and you read other books, but this one book just sticks in your head and won’t leave you alone? Yeah, POSSESSION has been that book for me ever since I finished it last week.Well, actually, started and finished it last week…in maybe 2 sittings…and while at work…(*shhhh*)


In the current YA landscape, there are a lot of books that seem the same when you read them.I think “Wow, this reminds me a lot of _______,except for this one difference, __________.” When I started Possession, I thought it was going to be like that.  I mean, doesn’t the description remind you a little of something else you’ve  probably read recently? (*cough* MATCHED*cough*)  However, it’s not. Take it from me—it’s not like anything else I’ve read recently.

Elana Johnson took a storyline that many of us have become relatively familiar with in the past year plus and gave it a new spin and voice that pulled me in like…WOW.When the book starts, there are some bumps in the road that I had to get over. I found myself getting confused at times and wondering where it was going and if I could really stick with it.  However, about 100 or so pages in, I found myself hooked on this world where the Thinkers dictate your actions and its “good” to follow what they say and “bad” not to.

The biggest “hook” for me with this book was the blurring of good and bad. This is definitely the type of story where the line isn’t drawn for you. The “good” guys do some “bad” things and the “bad” guys do some “good” things. You are tossed around emotionally and never sure which way to turn. Vi, the main character, is along for this ride with you—never quite sure which decision is the “good” decision and forced to reconsider former beliefs and even new beliefs as they come along.

I don’t want to give too much away, but the ending of this book will leave you….speechless. Seriously. This book was stellar. Now, I will also admit at this point that there were definitely some confusing moments throughout.  You almost just have to keep reading and get through it because things will make sense later (as much sense as they can/are meant to make). I cannot wait for the companion novel to come out in 2012 because I just need to be immersed in this world again.


Other reviews and things to check out!
[Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab]

Book Birthday Shout Out (1)


"Book Birthday Shout Out" is a meme hosted by The Bewitched Bookworms where bloggers can share books that are being released each week (because there are so many that it's tough to keep up!)


This week, I'd like to wish a wicked awesome Happy Book Birthday to....





POSSESSION by Elana Johnson
© 7 June 2011 by Simon & Schuster


Buy It!

Goodreads description:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play...


POSSESSION is Elana Johnson's debut novel! According to her blog, in between all the smiling, she blogs for theLeague of Extraordinary Writers and helps to organize WriteOnCon.
She also teaches, watches reality TV, and drives too fast.
This book ROCKS!  Stop by the blog later in the day for my full review because I LOVED this book!  No, seriously, this book keeps me up late at night and I can't stop thinking about it...



Also, Happy Book Birthday to...



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