Book Review: Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #1) by Lauren Destefano

Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #1) by Lauren Destefano
Release Date: 6th December 2011

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 358
Rating: 4.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2013 OTS, 2013 ODY, 2013 GVR and 2013 BSR

Summary from Amazon:

"By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males born with a lifespan of 25 years, and females a lifespan of 20 years--leaving the world in a state of panic. Geneticists seek a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Yet her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement; her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next; and Rhine has no way to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive.

Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?"

Review:

I really liked the premise for this story. The dystopian future that the book was set in was really interesting to me, mostly because I thought that the future it presented could (at a stretch) become a reality. What with developments in medicine and scientific advancement, its not entirely crazy to think that one day, all the worlds health problems could be obliterated. But, of course, something goes wrong and now the children of the 'perfect race' are dying young - women die at age 20, men at 25 - of some unknown virus.

Enter Rhine, a 16 year old who has been forced to marry a rich 21 year old man. I didn't mind Rhine as a character, and I liked where her story took her, but I also found it a little predictable. Of course there has to be some sort of relationship with a servant, when really she should just be focusing on getting out of this forced marriage and getting back to her brother. Besides this, I did like her character development, especially in regards to her feelings about Linden (a bit of Stockholm syndrome going on there).

I've seen in some other reviews that Rhine has been criticised for not taking action, for taking too long to actually escape. Granted, it did take her about a year or so to actually get away, but there was a reason for this. She realised that in order to have a good chance of getting away, she needed to build trust first. She needed to find a way to be allowed off the wives floor, the only level in the house she was allowed on; then Linden needed to trust her enough to actually take her outside the compound, so she could get some sort of idea of where the gate, her only exit, was; and then she needed to figure out a way to get from the house to the gate without raising suspicions. It wasn't simply a matter of jumping out a window and running for it (disregard what happened during the tornado), because she would be captured and she would not have the chance to escape again. Rhine knew she only had one chance, she had to get it right. And in this respect, her plan of escape was a pretty solid plan.

When I came to end of the book, I felt like the story was pretty much resolved - I don't really feel the need to continue on with this series. Overall, I liked the majority of the characters, the setting, and the plot (albeit a bit predictable) - it was a good story, but I think it could have done better.

Book Review: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare
Release Date: 19th February 2008

Publisher: Simon and Schuster 
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 485
Rating: 4.5/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2013 OTS, 2013 ODY, 2013 BSR and 2013 GVR

Summary from Amazon:

"When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . ."

Review:
I'm not feeling over the moon about this book. Which is a shame, because I thought I would. But, from what I've heard, this book provides solid set up for the rest of the series, so I'll probably check out the second novel to see if it picks up.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm not in love with this book. I've tried thinking about different aspects of the book, but I can't pinpoint one thing that could have caused this. The plot was solid, the characters were likeable and the whole world of shadow hunters and demons was well set up. I just, I wasn't over the moon, and for that reason, I can't give it 5/5, which I was expecting to when I began with this book. Coming off from reading The Evolution of Mara Dyer probably doesn't help, because I loved that book so much. 

What I did like was that twist at the end (which I had in the back of my mind since about mid way through the novel, but it took me a while to actually put it all together). It changes your opinions about certain relationships. Well, at least, I hope it changes your mind about certain relationships, because if it doesn't, then I would be a bit worried. Overall, it is a good read, and I would recommend it. 

Book Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin

The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2) by Michelle Hodkin
Release Date: 23rd October 2012

Publisher: Simon and Schuster 
Format: Paperback 
Pages: 527
Rating: 5.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2013 OTS, 2013 ODY and 2013 BSR

Summary from Amazon:

"Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong."

Review:
OH. MY GOD. These books. I just. I can't. Words cannot explain how awesome this series is. And, astoundingly, Michelle Hodkin has managed to write a sequel that is better than the first instalment. And for anyone who has read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, you'll know that that is a BIG statement. 

Okay, so if you've read the first book (which you really should if you haven't), you know that it ends with a massive cliffhanger. Book 2 takes this cliffhanger and runs with the idea whole heartedly. Everything in this novel centres around this cliffhanger. All your questions about this won't be answered (some will, but more questions arise), and that just adds to the intensity of this novel.

Along with the intensity (which really, never stops), we get a lot of character development. We learn that Mara, our unreliable narrator, is not as crazy as we might have thought (she's still a bit crazy though, don't make the mistake of assuming that she's completely normal; she isn't), we get a bit of insight into Noah and his history (the story of how he discovered his power is just heartbreaking stuff), and Jamie is back! Honestly, he was one of my favourite characters in the first novel, and I was worried we wouldn't see much more of him. But, oh, I couldn't have been more wrong. Along with this, we get some new and interesting characters who (I assume) are going to play a big role in the 3rd instalment. And Phoebe. One of my favourite characters just because she is so damn creepy. 

And then that ending. If you thought the cliffhanger in the 1st novel was big, wait until you read the final chapters of this novel. Just as you thought it couldn't get any more crazy and twisted, it does. I honestly can't recommend this series enough. 

Book Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1) by Michelle Hodkin

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1) by Michelle Hodkin
Release Date: 1st February 2012

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 464
Rating: 5.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 Debut Author Challenge

Summary from Amazon:
"Mara Dyer doesn't believe life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed. There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through she can fall in love. She's wrong"

Review: 
It's been a while since I finished this book, so this review will be very, very short. But let me say this - this was the best book I have read so far this year - and I've read some really good books this year. What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it really surprised me. I didn't know that much about the book before I started reading it, only that a romance was involved. But the supernatural elements are definitely the best part of this book - Michelle Hodkin was very clever with what she did with her characters. I'm super excited for the next instalment in the series!

Teaser Tuesday (19)

Teaser Tuesday is a Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. Anyone can join in, as long as they do the following:

• Grab your current read. 
• Open your book to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• Warning:  Avoid spoilers in your teaser as not everyone has had the pleasure to read your current read
• Share the Title & Author so anyone can add your current read to their list if they wish to do so. 
• Note: links go to Amazon

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Release Date: 1st February 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Pages: 452

"The expression on his face melted me completely. I knew I had the goofiest grin plastered on my lips, and didn't care.

"There," he said as he finished tying the laces on my left shoe. "Now you won't fall."

Too late."

Book Review: The Red Queen (The Cousin's War #2) by Philippa Gregory

The Red Queen (The Cousin's War #2) by Philippa Gregory

Release Date:  19th September 2010 
Publisher:  Simon and Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 400
Rating: 2.0/5.0

This book was read as part of the 2012 OTS and 2012 ATS Challenge

Summary from Amazon:

"Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.
Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation.

Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.

In a novel of conspiracy, passion, and coldhearted ambition, number one bestselling author Philippa Gregory has brought to life the story of a proud and determined woman who believes that she alone is destined, by her piety and lineage, to shape the course of history."

Review:
I had high expectations of this book, because I had heard so much about Philippa Gregory's writing, and I'm a big fan of historical fiction. And I really enjoyed reading about the history side of things. Gregory did quite well to create an unstable England, with the House of Lancaster and the House of York fighting a 'cousins war' over the right to rule England. But that's where the praise for this book stops.
Unfortunately, my immense dislike for the protagonist of the novel, the Lady Margaret, tainted the entire novel for me. She was entirely consumed by greed and self righteousness, but apparently this was justified because her actions were the 'will of God'. Not only this, but she was depicted as extremely jealous of the Queen Elizabeth, and I just didn't find that trait attractive in a protagonist. The Lady Margaret was deceitful, untrustworthy and downright rude to anyone who she perceived as beneath herself, and I really didn't enjoy reading about this woman's story.
Not only did this book include a protagonist that I disliked, but it was also highly religious in nature. And I know that England back in the 1400s was a religious place, but Lady Margaret took that a bit further (she believed that she had 'saintly' visions). It was a bit too much for me to handle, and I really struggled to get into this book because the beginning was very focused on Lady Margaret and her religion. Overall, this was not a book I enjoyed. I will read Philippa Gregory again, but probably not in the immediate future. 

Teaser Tuesday (12)

Teaser Tuesday is a Meme hosted by Mizb @ Should Be Reading. Anyone can join in, as long as they do the following:

• Grab your current read. 
• Open your book to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. 
• Warning:  Avoid spoilers in your teaser as not everyone has had the pleasure to read your current read
• Share the Title & Author so anyone can add your current read to their list if they wish to do so. 
• Note: links go to Amazon
  

The Red Queenby Philippa Gregory
Release Date: 19th September 2010
Publisher: Simon and Schuster 
Pages: 400

"You would have to see it to believe it Margaret, but every city we go through pours out to celebrate his coronation. Everyone would rather have a strong usurper on the throne than a weak boy. And he promises to be a good king - he is the picture of his father, he is a York, and beloved"


"And yet there are many who would rise against him. I should know, I am mustering them."

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren 
*Note: all links go to Amazon

I wasn't actually expecting to buy any books this week, but when I walked into Dymocks and saw that two books I have been dying to get may hands on were on sale, then I really couldn't say no, could I?

 
The House of Silk (A Sherlock Holmes Novel)by Anthony Horowitz

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory