Review: The Pioneer by Bridget Tyler

Title: The Pioneer 

Author:  Bridget Tyler
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publishing Date: March 5th, 2019 

Pages: 368
Genre: YA Sci Fi/ Space Opera

Series:  The Pioneer #1
Source:  ARC

 

When Jo steps onto Tau Ceti E, it should be the happiest moment of her life. After all, she’s been training for as long as she can remember to be a cadet pilot in the International Space Agency. She’s dreamed of the day she and her family would leave Earth forever and begin life as pioneers on a new planet.

But now she can’t stop thinking of everything that has gone wrong on their mission: the terrible accident that nearly destroyed their craft, that set their voyage back years, that killed her brother, that left her unable to fly…

As Jo struggles to live with her grief and figure out who she’s going to be now, she falls in love with her new world. It isn’t hard. Jo’s team is camped out by a pristine, tumbling river at the base of a mountain range that looks like huge prisms buried in the prairie. The soring crystal peaks transform every sunset into rainbows full of colors human eyes have never seen before. And that’s just the beginning. Tau offers Jo and her family a lifetime of beauty and adventure.

Jo throws herself into helping her team, lead by her commander mother, establish their community on this amazing new world. But just when she starts to feel like her old self again, she uncovers a devastating secret her mother has been keeping from her people. A secret that could destroy her family’s pioneering dreams…if they survive that long.

With the fate of the pioneers in her hands, Jo must decide how far she’s willing to go to expose the truth — before the truth destroys them all.

I received this as a review book before knowing what it was about. Of course with it being a sci fiction with space exploration and planet colonization. I was all about reading it. The cover is really eye catching too. I didn't go into this book with any expectations, its easy to do when I haven't seen it around. I really enjoyed this book. If I had expectations before reading, it would have met them for sure. 

Earth is in trouble... as it is in most science fiction books. The people of Earth have been planning a way to find and colonize a new planet for decades. Jo grew up know one day she would go to a new planet. She trained to be a planet, her entire life was built for this. Today is the day... and it all went wrong. From the very beginning. They finally made it to the new planet and it is beautiful but it is also more dangerous than they imagined. Now Jo and her family, and the people of Earth have to decide if the colonize or have to leave the new planet. 

This book was good. It started out with a bang and the entire book was pretty much action and danger and good stuff. It was a very fast paced book with tons of depth. The characters were well developed and I loved them all. The world and the setting very well done. The book was well crafted and flowed very nicely. I didn't much care for the end..... will get to that soon. 

I feel that this story has been done many a time... Earth dying and humans must go and colonize and  new planet. There are many different kinds of sci-fi books and this is one of them... I feel that it hasn't been done too much is YA. Lately in the past couple of years it seems that YA is really venturing out into the world of space exploration and now planet colonization. Which I love. There is something to be said about this kind of read. The author can really do what they wish with the new planet and make an entire new world. Bridget Tyler did that. She made this planet beautiful. 

The setting was just gorgeous with new species, new colors and planet life and terrain. I just imagined it so bright and bold and I wanted to go there... well except for the new species... those are little worrisome... Another liberty that an author can take with a new planet. The species. There were two species that were a part of this read and both were just amazing and well done. I am not going to say much more about the species... they are a very important part of the read but they were just stunning and very interesting. 

The characters.... oh there were lots of them. The main ones were 5 kids. All ages and all so vastly different in personalities. Each with a specialty made for the mission. These 5 were the main focus of the book as they explore the planet and get into trouble. I really loved the main character, Jo. She had her moments of whiny... but only a few. She was very persistent and curious and very loyal to the mission. I enjoyed her. 

The relationships in this book focus on family, romance, and friendship. I love it when a story has all three. Jo and her sister Beth and the rest of the family are going through some stuff due to a recent tragedy. This tragedy also caused a rift between Jo and her best friend... whom is on the mission. Then of course there is romance. The romance isn't a main focal point..not even with the relationships. I think the main relationship focused on is the Friendship between Jo and Leela. But the romance is there and what is there is likable and sweet. 

Really there are so many layers to this book. There is action, there are secrets and discoveries, there are betrayals and there are moral debates. It's really good. The one part I had a hard time with was the ending. It ended to quickly for me. I felt I had so many more questions and there was a cliffhanger. ARG. Not a huge one but enough of one to make me very very angry. I just needed more. So on that note, I will be anxiously awaiting book number two!

Loved it, really good sci fi read! 

I grew up in Berkeley, California in a house filled with books. I started telling stories before I could read, so my mother took dictation until I learned how to turn the words in my head into words on a page. She knew I was going to be a writer when I grew up, but it took me a while to catch up.

THE PIONEER is about a young woman struggling to deal with the loss of her beloved big brother while her family fights to survive on a brand new planet. It will be published by HarperTeen in March of 2019.

These days, I live in Oregon with my husband, a Robotics professor at Oregon State University, and my daughter, a toddler who loves to sing.

Review: The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks

Title: The Lifeboat Clique 

Author:  Kathy Parks and Kathy 
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publishing Date: March 1st 2016

Pages: 336
Genre: YA Adventure/Survival/Humor

Series: Stand Alone
Source: ARC

 

Some people might say that Denver had a death wish. Why else would she have dared to sneak into a Malibu beach party where she’d be surrounded by enemies, namely including her ex-BFF Abigail?

Oh yeah. Croix. Denver never thought in a million years he’d ask her out, but who was she to question this miracle of fate? Well, that wasn’t the only surprise fate had in store.

During the party a tsunami hit the coast of California, wiping out everything in its path. Denver and a handful of others escaped death by holding onto the roof of the house and were swept out to sea. Of course, one of her fellow castaways was none other than Abigail, who could barely stand the sight of her.

Now that she’s floating in the ocean, stuck on a small boat with the most popular kids in school and waiting to be rescued, Denver wonders what might kill her first-dehydration, sunstroke, or the girl she used to think of as a sister?

A hilariously dark and twisted story that sparkles with a remarkably fresh voice, The Lifeboat Clique is Kathy Park’s irreverent yet insightful novel about how to survive in the most unthinkable circumstances.

I liked this book. It was not at all what I had expected but I did enjoy it very much. This book was a very quick read, a kind of twisted read. Full of dark humor. If you like dark humor, this is a good book for you. I do  like dark humor so I really enjoyed it.  

So this book is a survival story. A survival story that starts after a huge tsunami takes out part of the west coast and Abigail and her not so friends happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They end up on a boat together. Which is funny because Denver and Abigail hate each other guts. So this is the story of Denver and Abigail and a few others that hate each, used to be friends and now are not, thrown together, to survive in the ocean, on a small boat, with no food,water, or sunscreen. 

I really wasn't prepared for the book I was about to read. I really don't know what I expected. I did expect some funny, which I did get. I was prepared for survival, and that was there. What I wasn't prepared for was a but of journey of growth. There was that too. So all together, it was a well rounded read for me. I like my funny with my serious. 

The characters and the story together make this book a great read for me. The characters were pretty awesome and not always likeable. I will start with the star of the show, Denver. For the most part. I really liked Denver, witty, smart, snarky, she stood out and I liked her. She was the only one of the group that seemed to have some kind of brain. She had her moments of maybe not the best comments to throw out there but she was a survivor. 

Abigail was a real witch. Didn't like her but loved her character and what that character brought to the story. Typical mean girl with two loyal followers. She was once best friends with Denver and now she hated her. From the very beginning I didn't like her. In the flashbacks I didn't like her In the end I really still didn't like her but she was tolerable. She was the antagonist and she did it well. 

The other three on the boat. More likable than Abigail but only by a bit. The each had their redeeming moments and added some fluff to the story but  weren't really needed. 

There were three points to the story that kept me interested.. the survival aspect.. which Denver rocked... the mystery and back story of what happened between the girls, and the growth of Denver and Abigail. So three things I like in my story and I thought they were done well. 

The story flipped between past and present and I do like books that do that, when done well. These type of storytelling really keep me invested because I never get too much at one time. I can't wait to start the next chapter just to be left wanting more... but I can wait because the other part of the story continues from where it left me hanging last. It's like two stories in one. I don't get bored with either because I only get snid bits at a time. Really good for those ADD readers. 

The ending was a bit sappy but just a bit and it wrapped everything up nicely with a pretty but damaged bow. I was satisfied and smiling so it was a winner for me. The only thing that kept it from being a 5 star read for me.. I was a bit predictable with the girls, it was a bit cliche from the high school aspect, it was bit corny in end.... but those were minor. The writing was supurb and the main character was pretty awesome. The story was the icing on the cake. 

If you like twisted humor, snarky characters, and a good survival story. Try this one. I throughly enjoyed it. 

Hi, I’m Kathy Parks, author of The Lifeboat Clique. (Katherine Tegen Books, March 1 2016)
It’s about Denver Reynolds, an outcast at her high school, who ends up in a lifeboat with the popular kids who hate her.
It’s Mean Girls meets Life of Pi!
I live near the beach in Carpinteria, California with my husband and two cats.
I love questions and meeting other authors.
Hope you’ll check out The Lifeboat Clique!

Review: Lost Stars by Claudia Gray

Title:  Lost Stars

Author:  Claudia Gray
Publisher: Disney LucasFilm Press

Publishing Date: September 4th 2015

Pages: 551
Genre: YA/NA Sci Fi Fantasy/ Space Opera

Series:  Stand Alone? 
Source:  Audio

 

Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet in this epic YA novel that follows two best friends who find themselves on opposite sides of the war between the Empire and the Rebellion.

This thrilling YA novel gives readers a macro view of some of the most important events in the Star Wars universe: from the purge of the Jedi in Episode III, to the beginnings of the rebellion in Star Wars Rebels, and through the fall of the Empire in Episodes IV-IV. Readers will experience these major moments through the eyes of two best friends who grow up in these troubling times, and find themselves on opposite sides of the war.

As with other Journey to Episode VII titles, hints about the upcoming film will be included in the narrative, as well a original, post-Episode VI content that sets up the new film.

DUAL NARRATIVE: Chapters alternate perspectives between our two protagonists – one a Rebel pilot, the other an Imperial officer. By exploring these two different worlds, readers will experience many of the major moments in the original Star Wars trilogy – from the destruction of the Death Star to the battle of Hoth – through these two characters' eyes.

I don't think this book was highly advertised and I am not sure why. I was so super excited when I found this book and literally counted down til I could read the book. I am a huge Star Wars fan but have never read any of the books from the Star Wars world. I decided this would be my first and I really enjoyed it.It was fun and it was different but yet still Star Wars. 

This book takes place after the Empire takes over - about 8 years. The main characters are the same sage as the Empire (or that age of Luke and Leia) The story is about Ciena and Thane. Two kids who grow up wanting to be pilots in the Empire. We see them grow up together through age 8 all the way through their early twenties. Jest of it is.... One is on the rebel side and one is in the Empire. It's their love story and we get to see what Star Wars looks like from the outside.

What I loved about the book. It takes  place through all the major events and battles in Star Wars. We hear quotes from Star Wars... all through out the book. I loved it. We see events or hear about the events of Leia being captured. The Death Star being destroyed. The Battle of Hoth. We hear from minor characters from Star Wars. It was fun. Very very fun. Oh and the famous quote "I have a really bad feeling about this" is in the book. How AWESOME. 

I liked the characters. I liked Ciena enough. I liked her in the beginning, got mad at her in the middle, hated her at one point, then loved her in the end and hated her in the end. She was loyal, too loyal and it gave her beer goggles. I really wanted to slap her but had to remember.... I know how this story ends... she doesn't yet. 

I liked Thane. He was a bit on the stubborn side. Thought rules were meant to be broken. Was also loyal. Spoke up even when he shouldn't. He was the smarter out of the two when it came to street smart where as Ciena was smarter in strategy. 

The romance was sweet. It was very slow and as a a reader I could see it building for a very long time when the characters were pretty stupid about it. Started at a very young age... friends and slowly became more as they aged. 

The book was romance... I wouldn't call it Romeo and Juliet... but it was forbidden love. It was a nice part of the book but the parts that I enjoyed were the struggles. Where does the loyalty land and when should the loyalty end. Where should one's loyalty really lie... with country, with family, with friendship.... When is too much sacrifice of innocent lives too much. How does one know what is right or wrong and it is clear  cut. Lots of struggles in the book, inner turmoil, life changing decisions. I liked it. 

It very much had the entire Star Wars feel down and I loved that. I actually listened to the audio and all the great Star Wars music and sound effects were present. That added to the fun for sure. 

My only complaint... there were some slow parts. Not many but they were present.

I loved it and I think if you are a star wars fan grab and read it. If not a fan.. well just try it. 

Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.

Review: Eighth Day by Dianne K. Salerni

Title: The Eighth Day 

Author: Dianne K. Salerni

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publishing Date: April 22nd 2014

Pages: 320
Genre:  MG Fantasy Adventure/Arthurian Mythology

Series: Eighth Day #1
Source:  ARC

  

In this riveting fantasy adventure, thirteen-year-old Jax Aubrey discovers a secret eighth day with roots tracing back to Arthurian legend. Fans of Percy Jackson will devour this first book in a new series that combines exciting magic and pulse-pounding suspense.

When Jax wakes up to a world without any people in it, he assumes it's the zombie apocalypse. But when he runs into his eighteen-year-old guardian, Riley Pendare, he learns that he's really in the eighth day—an extra day sandwiched between Wednesday and Thursday. Some people—like Jax and Riley—are Transitioners, able to live in all eight days, while others, including Evangeline, the elusive teenage girl who's been hiding in the house next door, exist only on this special day.

And there's a reason Evangeline's hiding. She is a descendant of the powerful wizard Merlin, and there is a group of people who wish to use her in order to destroy the normal seven-day world and all who live in it. Torn between protecting his new friend and saving the entire human race from complete destruction, Jax is faced with an impossible choice. Even with an eighth day, time is running out.

I almost passed this book up and decided I would give it a go. I am so glad I did. This book was pretty amazing. I was captivated by the story from the very beginning and stayed that way throughout the entire book. The characters were pretty super, the pacing was well done, the writing was exciting, and I just enjoyed this book immensely. 

Jax celebrates his 13th birthday, goes to bed, wakes up in an abandoned world. He believes the apocalypse has come, but what has really happened is he is part of special group of people that can live in the eighth day. A day that exists between Wednesday and Thursday. There are others that experience this day and who live only within this day. Jax discovers all the secrets that surrounds this day and also the dangers. He unknowingly brings horrible danger to a friends front door, now its up to him and other Transitioners to save the eighth day and the world. 


This book was really really good. I didn't really know what I was in for, I thought the book sounded more sci-fi, time traveling, parallel universe. Nope its fantasy, magic, myths.... and I loved it. One of my favorite aspects of this book, the myth that surrounded the Eighth Day. Merlin, Arthur, and even the Knights of the Round Table had a bit to do with the Eighth Day. I have read many Merlin or Arthur retellings, inspirations, and renditions. This one was quite original. I was fascinated by the idea. It was well thought out and well done. The story was definitely the main focus for me. 

The characters were good too. It did take me a bit longer to connect to them than I like, but once I did the connection was strong. There was tons of story building, so the character building lacked just a tiny bit at first. In the end I fell for everyone of the characters. There is quite a variety of them too. The main character Jax, was my favorite. He was kind, brave, generous, and very true to doing what he felt was right. He was a normal 13 year old and generally acted first and planned after. He made some bad decisions but he was determined to make up for those choices. 

Evangeline was a bit harder to connect with. I liked what I knew. She was sweet. She was a loyal friend, and she had a bit of attitude. Riley was hard to like at first, a jerk at first site, but I loved him once I got to know him. He was very loyal and very protective over those he loved. He didn't think twice about doing what needed to be done and never failed to jump in when needed. I hope to see so much more of him in the next book. There was quite a bit more characters, but they weren't as major. They were all fun and fit well into the story, adding laughter and trouble. 

The story read well, started out running and ended with a bang. There was lots of action, thrills, humor, adventure, and discovery. The ending left me wanting more but also had some resolution. I closed the book with a smile on my face and hole that needs to be filled with next book. 

Awesome read. I would highly recommend this book for those that love MG books or wanting to dabble to see what its like. Also great for any kind of fantasy lovers or fans of Arthurian mythology. 

DIANNE K. SALERNI is a fifth grade teacher by day and a writer by night. She's the author of YA historical novels, We Hear the Dead (Sourcebooks) and The Caged Graves (Clarion/HMH), and a forthcoming MG fantasy series, The Eighth Day (HarperCollins 2014).

The Caged Graves is a Junior Library Guild Selection, and We Hear the Dead was the inspiration for a 10 minute short film, The Spirit Game, which premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.http://vimeo.com/64738099

In her spare time, Dianne is prone to hanging around creepy cemeteries and climbing 2000 year-old pyramids in the name of book research.

Review: Such Sweet Sorrow by Jenny Trout

Title: Such Sweet Sorrow 

Author: Jenny Trout

Publisher:  Entangled Teen 
Publishing Date:  February 4th 2014

Pages: 304
Genre:  YA Retelling/Mythology Adventure

Series: Stand Alone or Unknown Series
Source: Paperback

  

Never was there a tale of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo…But true love never dies. Though they’re parted by the veil between the world of mortals and the land of the dead, Romeo believes he can restore Juliet to life, but he’ll have to travel to the underworld with a thoroughly infuriating guide.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, may not have inherited his father’s crown, but the murdered king left his son a much more important responsibility—a portal to the Afterjord, where the souls of the dead reside. When the determined Romeo asks for help traversing the treacherous Afterjord, Hamlet sees an opportunity for adventure, and the chance to avenge his father’s death.

In an underworld filled with leviathan monsters, ghoulish shades, fire giants and fierce Valkyrie warriors, Hamlet and Romeo must battle their way through jealousy, despair, and their darkest fears to rescue the fair damsel. Yet finding Juliet is only the beginning, and the Afterjord doesn’t surrender souls without a price…

I was very excited to read this book. I haven't spent much time or seen many Shakespeare retellings so I thought this one would be a great one to check out. I was grabbed by the cover and by the title. Unfortunately the story and the characters did not grab me. I found it very difficult to connect to the characters or get caught up in the story. It had a great concept but I feel it wasn't carried out well. It was quite a boring read for me.


Romeo lost his Juliet and now he is on a mission to find her in the Afterjord and bring her back. Hamlet is out for revenge for her father's murder, he has been instructed he needs to find the gateway to the Afterjord. They team up together to work out their missions. Along they way they find Juliet and they are a fearsome threesome through the Afterjord fighting, surviving, and discovering.

I want to say that I loved the idea of the book. It sounded so intriguing. I though it would be really really good. I wish I could say I thought it was but I just didn't like the book. I had some major issues with the book that kept me from wanting to really finish it but I also wanted to know the ending, so I kept on reading. It didn't do me any good. The story does not have an ending. So I added that to my list of problems. 

So first... I didn't care for the characters, of course I didn't dislike them either. I felt non committal to any of the characters in the book. They all had their moments that made me giggle or made me feel they were honorable or good... but they were far and few between. I just didn't connect with them. '

Juliet had my attention the most but I can't say much other than she was fearless, loyal, and she had some pretty great ideas while in battle. Romeo had a few good qualities, but mainly he was just whiny and selfish. Hamlet was at least humorous. For the most part. He had the best one liners and I think, given a bit more time with him, I could have really liked him. There just wasn't enough character building or personal interaction to really get to know the characters.

The pacing was a bit off for me too. The beginning was very slow and even once the action began, it was non stop battling for their lives. I know that sounds like it would be great, but it wasn't. I felt there was too much fighting and too much detail in the fighting to be enjoyable as a book. As a movie it would probably rock. It just wasn't exciting for me at all. 

The writing was also confusing to me at times. They povs would switch between Hamlet, Juliet, and Romeo and was written in 3rd person. This would normally be fine, but the characters did not have a distinguishable enough voice for me to differentiate  between them. It took me a while to figure out who I was following at the moment. 

That brings us to the ending. It finally started to catch my attention... in the last 50 pages of the book, then the book ends with no real resolution. The ending felt as if it will be a series, but I am not positive of this. Either way I am not happy. The ending left me needing resolution... so if its not a series.. no resolution. If it is a series... I have to read more or no resolution. Either way no resolution. 

I feel awful for not liking this book. It happens rarely and I really wanted to enjoy this book. I just didn't care for it at all. I do think it will appeal to those readers who love a non stop action adventure book. The positive of this book, the action scenes were written well enough to picture it all in my head... like a movie. I just prefer more character development and interaction. More story. And an actual ending. 

This was a boring and detached read for me. 

Jenny Trout is a writer, blogger, and funny person.
Writing as Jennifer Armintrout, she made the USA Today Bestseller list with Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her novel American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online.
Jenny also writes award-winning erotic romance as Abigail Barnette.
When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping or otherwise incapacitated.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to murder her.