the_ya_book_talk

     After the battle at Olympus, the gods have begun to pick up the pieces and move forward toward a brighter tomorrow. Everyone except for Sekhmet that is. Bearing the guilt of her sister's death, she has decided to travel into death's grip and save Bastet. With the help of some unlikely gods, Sekhmet will journey into Sheol, a land lorded over by the Beast. He has never let anyone who has received his marks return from death, but Sekhmet has never been the type to take no for an answer. The only question is: How far is she willing to go to redeem her sister?      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, the author sent me this book as a free review copy; however, this did not influence my review. This is 100% my honest opinion. Let's b...

    Kaitlyn Summers is heartbroken. When she receives an invitation to spend Christmas with her family on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, she feels it may be the perfect medicine. She throws herself into helping her sister's struggling art gallery, even taking a temporary job for extra money by looking after a little girl from her nephew's school. She also begins to paint again, something she's been unable to do since her breakup. It's tempting to stay on Kauai, but she has obligations back in Los Angeles. Life gets more complicated when circumstances keep putting her close to Leonardo Medici. Not only is he drop-dead gorgeous, he's a local celebrity. But Kaitlyn can't shake the feeling he's hiding something. Should she believe the rumors that he's romancing half the island's single women? Or is the random sound of wind chimes when he's close-by a sign that an angel is near and the secret to her happily ever after? (Taken from Goodreads)      Keep ...

     Brave New World is a dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 and published in 1932. Largely set in a futuristic World State, inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and classical conditioning that are combined to make a dystopian society which is challenged by only a single individual: the story's protagonist. (Taken from Goodreads)     Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:      I am running into the same issue here as I did with another classic, Fahrenheit 451 . They even have the exact same 3.99 / 5 average Goodreads rating. May...

     UC Berkeley Professor of Microbiology, Dr. Mira Wallace, searches for ancient life in the most extreme environments on Earth. While sampling an ancient subterranean lake, the US Army summons Mira to investigate a mysterious biological threat in a Southern Utah desert. SONA (Sudden Onset Necrosis Agent) is a new pathogen unlike anything known to science. Resilient and aggressive, it threatens Earth's entire biosphere, making Mira fear that she may have just found evidence of the ancient life she's been searching for.  (Goodreads)      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, the author sent me this book as a free advanced reading copy; however, this did not influence my review. This is 100% my honest opinion. Let's begin:   ...

     The Others are nowhere and everywhere, they are killing us to save us, and they want the planet but also don't. In all the confusion, there is one clear thing: everyone has been betrayed twice. First, the Others betrayed us. Then we betrayed ourselves. There is one last decision for the survivors to make: save themselves or save their humanity.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:     So, my hope that this trilogy would recover after the second book definitely didn't come true. The trilogy steadily went downhill even with the potential it had after the first book. It seems to me like Yancey had a great idea for a new type of alien book, wrote a good first novel, and then got lost and was unable to find the story and...

    Emberfall is torn between those who support Rhen and those who support Grey. Grey agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall. In this time, Rhen has shut out everyone, including Harper who wants to help him reach peace. Lia Mara is struggling to rule Syhl Shallow the way she wants to. Now used to the peace that not having magic has brought, some of her subjects are mad about a magical prince and scraver standing by their queen. This leads Lia Mara to doubt her ability to be the queen she needs to be. With the time for conflict drawing nearer, everyone must decide who they are loyal to, especially when an old enemy with the power to destroy everyone returns.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:     I continued m...

     Ava is a prisoner at a secret ISAN facility along with other rebels. While she works for escape, she must also keep in mind that her actions effect the lives of the other prisoners, including some she did not think still survived. Rhett and the team is in a desperate search to get Ava back before something terrible can happen to her. Meanwhile, a Remnant Council member partners up with a separate organization who is also trying to find Helix's creator. With Mr. Novak creating a CODE army, time is limited, and Ava and the rest of the rebels will be destroyed forever if they do not stop Novak.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, the author sent me this book as a free advanced reading copy; however, this did not influence my r...

     Falon's mind is no longer his own. Sarilla put his memories back, but the man he was before his memories were stolen and the man he became after are clashing, fighting to control him. He also has Sarilla to contend with since she put her memories inside him too. His mind wars between loving and hating her. Having her memories transformed his eyes into pure black, striking fear into everyone he comes across. This includes Dranta's new queen who is holding him prisoner and plans to eradicate the issue of the memoria, including him in her mission. Falon must find a way to save himself, but to do so, he will have to sort through the mess in his head and get all three people to come together.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, ...

     Inala has just risen to power as the leader of Cereba, but already her rule is under threat. Will she manage to steer her people into calmer waters or will the invaders and their strange ways prove too much for her? This is the second short story in the Cereban Tales, an alien invasion told from the point of view of the aliens.  *Description not in my own words*      I decided not to do a full review for this short story since I am having a hard time putting my thoughts together in a coherent way (something that tends to happen with short stories, sadly), but I did still give a rating and the basic information I always give in my normal reviews.  I will say, though, that I liked seeing a glimpse into the history of the memoria and what that initial attack on them was like. The idea behind this short story was really good. Rating:  3/5 stars Author:  Rachel Emma Shaw # of Pages:  17 Genre:  YA, Dark Fantasy, Thriller,...

     Aleta and Rigara are memori, a race with the power to control memories. They live in their underground city, leading very different lives until their paths cross one day in the crowded market of Cereba. Their story is of love and loss, but not everything is quite as remembered... *Description not in my own words*       I decided not to do a full review for this short story since I am having a hard time putting my thoughts together in a coherent way  (something that tends to happen with short stories, sadly) , but I did still give a rating and the basic information I always give in my normal reviews.   Rating:  3/5 stars Author:  Rachel Emma Shaw # of Pages:  24 Genre:  YA, Dark Fantasy, Thriller, Short Story Series:  Memoria Duology (Cereban Tales #1)

    Ava is working to find the ingredients to make a cure for HelixB88 in the black market, but while doing so, she discovers the location of a hidden ISAN facility. This information could be just what the rebels need to bring ISAN down once and for all, but they first must find the female citizens that are displaying powers without an injection of Helix before ISAN gets to them first. While the rebels keep working toward their ultimate goal, ISAN enacts their plan to end the rebel force by using someone inside the rebel base to cause the base to collapse on itself. Ava will be forced to make a decision that could potentially lead to recapture or maybe even death.     Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, the author sent me this book as a free r...

    In order to kill off the human population, you need to kill the part of them that make them human- their humanity. After the first four waves, Cassie found herself in a world in which people can't trust other people. Now, with the approach of the fifth wave, she, Ben, and Ringer must accept the true goal of the Others- exterminating the human population- and figure out how to survive. They don't know how far the Others will go to accomplish this goal; however, the Others don't know how much this group of humans is willing to fight.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:     I enjoyed the first book, but I didn't love it. I feel pretty neutral to this one. Many authors will say that the second book in a trilogy is the most ...

       The first wave left fear. The second wave left those lucky enough to survive. The third wave left those unlucky enough to survive. The fourth wave left the lesson of not trusting anyone. As the fifth wave approaches, Cassie is running from the Others- the invaders that appear to be human, but will kill you the second they find you. Cassie lives by the rule of stay alone, but then she meets Evan Walker. She realizes that teaming up with the suspicious Evan may allow her to save her brother. Cassie must make choices that could lead her to a quick death by the Others or could allow her to have her little brother back in her arms.        Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:     First I will give a little warning....

     Ava's memory is still fragmented, but determined to find her newly discovered twin, she returns to ISAN. Ava is on the lookout for information to help her in her quest, but the more she looks, the more lies she uncovers. She learns Helix may not be what gives her her enhanced abilities and that ISAN is suddenly recruiting a large number of male assassins even though Helix is supposed to be too much of a strain on them. Ava learning these secrets puts her in a dangerous position with ISAN. In order to survive, she may have to join the mysterious rebels she supposedly has a past with, but she has to be able to get out of ISAN first.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Additionally, the author sent me this book as a free review copy; howeve...

    After a young man was killed by one of Savannah's elite, a decade of unanswered questions and trials occurred. This piece of nonfiction tells the story of the death and its aftermath in a way reminiscent of a murder mystery novel from the viewpoint of the author who actually experienced everything as it unfolded. Combining the stories of society ladies, young debutantes, a redneck, a recluse, a Southern belle, a drag queen, a con-artist, and a voodoo priestess, this book also depicts the politics of the small, traditional town of Savannah.      Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:     My mom and I had just decided to take a girl's trip to Savannah, Georgia when she heard about this novel. Of course, we both decided that we ne...

     Keralie Corrington looks like an average girl, but she is really one of the most skilled thieves and liar. Varin is her opposite; he is honest and a top notch citizen of Eonia, a region of Quadara. Their paths intertwine when Keralie steals a package Varin is meant to deliver. Under threat of death because of Keralie's actions, Varin attempts to retrieve the stolen goods. Both end up entangled in a criminal plan that results in Quadara's four queens dying. In order to save both their lives, Keralie and Varin must team up. As they spend more time together, though, their forced acquaintanceship starts to turn into a romance. In order to be together and stay alive, they must solve the murder mystery of the queens.        Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely base...

     Elwood Curtis is a smart young black man. He should have everything in front of him- except that he is growing up in 1960s Tallahassee. He gets sentenced to a reformatory school, the Nickel Academy, unfairly. As the darkness and cruelty of the school reveals itself, Elwood only survives off of a few things- one of those being his friend, Turner. Both boys have different views on the goodness in the world, but their friendship grows strong. The tensions in their friendship caused by these differences ultimately leads up to a decision that will alter both boys' lives forever.       Keep in mind that everyone has their own opinion. This review is only  my opinion , and you may have your own, different one. I would take into consideration what I say, but do not make a decision about the book solely based off of this review. Let's begin:     I'll start off by saying the part of the book that was the best: the story. The plot is full of t...