YA Book Review: Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
© 2010 by Harlequin Teen

Goodreads description:

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Buy It: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository


My Thoughts...

For me, Inside Out was a book that really had a little bit of everything: a likeable heroine, attractive boys, rebellion, romance, tragedy...everything!  I know that I am a major sucker for dystopian novels but this one was seriously awesome. I can't believe I didn't read it before!

Trella is a scrub, destined to spend her life in the lower levels as one among many doing the 'dirty work.' From the beginning, she presents herself as someone who doesn't want you to like her.  She keeps her head low and doesn't make friends. She has an attitude that doesn't allow her to get close to anyone--the only exception being Cog, a boy she grew up with who everyone likes.  However, I found it hard not to like her, despite her attitude--or make "like isn't the right word: RESPECT.  She's definitely a tough chick with her head and her heart in the right place when it counts.  She may be standoffish in the beginning, but she definitely grows throughout the book and it's fantastic to watch her personality develop and her attitude shift (slowly but surely).

We've got a couple of awesome male characters alongside Trella throughout as well.  First, there's Cogon (or Cog, as everyone calls him).  Cog is Trella's only friend. They were birth mates and he's always been there for her, even as she tries to push everyone away.  I loved Cog (like everyone else I suppose!).  He was so genuine that I think you couldn't help but love him! And then there's Riley, the Upper who Trella meets by accident when she's (illegally) exploring the upper levels.  The two of them are quite the pair! I loved it as they try to get to know one another and uncover the myths that each side has been fed about the other. Trella is so untrusting of people and Riley has to work so hard to earn her trust.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was a great addition to all the dystopias that I've read lately and I thought that the society was developed superbly.  It really captivated me--enough that I really want to go buy my own copy!



Some other reviews of this book you might check out (if you still need convincing to read this!):

• Parajunkee's View
• Read Me, Bookmark Me, Love Me
• Candace's Book Blog
• Reading Teen

Cover Crazy (3)

 

"Cover Crazy" is a meme hosted by The Book Worms to gush over talk about cover designs that we love!

This week, I wanted to feature some of the awesome cover releases that I've seen in the past week or so! It seems like the cover designers have really been on the ball lately because some really cool things have come out!

 Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Beth got to show off the new paperback hardcover of AtU this past week (left). Isn't it awesome? (HC cover on the right) Actually, I ordered the HC version just two days before they announced the paperback cover and I kind of wish I had waited!!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

I am absolutely in LOVE with the special edition cover of Delirium that is coming out this fall (left).  I own the HC version (right), which is also pretty cool, but the new version is just stunning.  I mean--BEAUTIFUL! Below the HC cover is the full spread of the special edition from Lauren's blog. Isn't it awesome?

Also recently released....and pretty awesome:

 Everneath by Brodi Ashton

January 2012 from Balzer + Bray (HarperCollins)

Summary:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. 

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's... 

How AWESOME is this cover?! Seriously.

Dark Passage by M.J. Putney
September 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin

Summary:

The Irregulars return home to 1803 England safely, but their worldview has changed.  Not only have their heroic efforts at Dunkirk given them pride and confidence but their dangerous mission has increased their magical powers.

Then the Irregulars are drawn into a dangerous attempt to rescue a vitally important French scientist from Nazi-occupied France. Tory and Allarde must work together because countless lives are at stake. Disaster strikes and not only is their mission threatened, but their very lives. Can magic and their loyalty to each other help them survive to return home?

I haven't read The Dark Mirror (yet), which this is the sequel too, but I find this cover and description way more compelling for some reason so I suppose that will force me to pick up the first book so that I can read this one!

Which ones are you favorites? Let me know!

In My Mailbox (9)

"In My Mailbox" is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren where we can show some love to all the books that we got in the mail or otherwise!

It was a slow week here, even though I did place an order with B&N! (Hubby found gift cards while cleaning!!!) So, next week I will have a few more books to show. :-) This week, I just have a few review books. :-) 

For Review:

From NetGalley & EgmontUSA:

Blood by K.J. Wignall

Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

That's all for now! 

What's in YOUR mailbox?!

:-D

On my Wishlist (3)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

 Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Inside Out Summary:

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution...

I just finished this book last week (from the library) and I really want to add it to my personal collection.  It was a really great read! (Review coming next week...hopefully)  However, the cover shown here is the UK version, which I would prefer to buy. That or the Australian cover...

 Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

Outside In Summary:

Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion - between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

I am just starting this one, but after reading the first one, I already know I want to buy this one eventually! But again, the UK cover is way cooler. :-)

What's on YOUR wishlist?

HarperTeen July!

So, when I saw Chelsey @ Starry Sky Books' post about doing a "Harper Teen July" event, I took a gander at bookshelves and realized that I totally had to participate! I mean, seriously, I have more than a couple of books from Harper's YA imprints. So, here, at the last minute, I've decided to participate in her event! At this point, I think I'm going to commit to the "Medium Level: 5-8 books."  Taking a close look at my bookshelves, here's a list of Harper titles that I own and have yet to read! I will draw from this list for my fun reading books between review books.

• Evernight series by Claudia Gray (own 1-4)
• Spells & Illusions by Aprilynne Pike
• Delirium by Lauren Oliver
• Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
• Entwined by Heather Dixon (audio)
• Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
• The Body Finder & Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan
• Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

As you can see, I should have plenty of choices for completing the challenge! (And I'm not sure that's everything because I'm not home right now!) If I can't pick up and read at least 5 of these, well, that would just be sad!

Do you own or want to read a bunch of HarperCollins' YA titles? Join in the fun @ Starry Sky Books!!

Hop & Follow Friday! (15)

Happy Friday, lovelies!

Welcome to July!!! (well, depending on when you read this, lol!)

TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReads where she poses a thought-provoking question to prompt some blogger discussion!

This week's question:

Mr & Mrs: Who are your favorite book couples??

Oooo....that is SUCH a hard question! I mean, if we're talking "classic" literature, then I'm a MAJOR sucker for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy!  Now, in more contemporary books (of the YA that I read), I'm not actually sure that I can name just one! However, I will say that I have a VERY SOFT SPOT for Anna and Etienne in Anna and the French Kiss because OMG HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!?!?! Seriously,  that book/couple was so fabulous.  I'm dying to read that book again...especially now that I'm thinking about it.  If only I had the money to just go buy it! :-) 

"Follow My Book Blog Friday" is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View where bloggers make new friends, including this week's featured blogger--Ericka @ Let's Talk About Books!  Pop on over to Parajunkee's blog and join in the follow fun!!  All you have to do is follow the featured blogger, write your own post answering this week's question, and then leave your link!  Oh yeah--and then follow some new peeps!

This week's question:

Q. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

I'm not sure I have an answer for this one! How sad is that? Let me think...

Okay, okay...I would pick Alice Cullen/Ashley Greene from the Twilight Saga because as cheesy as these books/movies are I really liked her character.

The "Book Blogger Hop" is a weekly bookish meme where you can get to know fellow bloggers! It's generally hosted by Jen @ Crazy for Books.  Stop by and join in the fun!

This week's question:

Q: What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?

Pacing! I know a lot of people would probably say the same thing (maybe?) but a story needs to set off at a good pace for me to feel drawn in.  I don't necessarily mean that there has to be a lot of action per se but that the story needs to move.  When a book drags (or feels like it is dragging), then I have trouble wanting to keep picking it up.  A well-paced book (for me) draws me in within the first 50 pages and a really well-paced book won't let me put it down until I'm finished.  My number two "thing" is probably character development, although I'll definitely let it suffer for the former!

**Don't forget to check out my 200 follower giveaway!**