Mini Book Reviews: Kindred Spirits, The Kill Order, The Last Star

Hey there! Today I decided it was time to sum up all the books I've read in the past few months, but haven't reviewed yet. Because some of them have been read quite a while ago and I don't have the best of memories, or I just don't want to talk too much about them because I didn't enjoy them quite as much as I'd have liked to, I'm starting a new kind of Book Review post. It's going to be a Mini Book Review series, where basically I just review a few books at a time in shorter versions.

Today I'm going to review the following three books: Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell, The Kill Order by James Dashner and The Last Star by Rick Yancey. The first two are quite recent reads and The Last Star I read rather further back in 2016. As always, if you click on the cover you'll get to the goodreads page.

  

Trilogy Tuesday #3: The Maze Runner

Trilogy Tuesday is a feature hosted here on my blog to talk about interesting book trilogies. Every now and then a Tuesday is dedicated to a trilogy series. Today's trilogy is:

The Maze Runner

  

ABOUT THE TRILOGY

The Maze Runner #1, The Scorch Trials #2 & The Death Cure #3
Author: James Dashner
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic
Published: October 6th 2009 (#1), October 12th 2010 (#2), October 11th 2011 (#3)
Read: 2015
Rating: ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★

My Copies

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: Hugendubel, Germany

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? (GOODREADS SUMMARIES)

The Maze Runner Summary

If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human. When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone. Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade. Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive. Everything is going to change. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying. Remember. Survive. Run.

Book Review: The Infinite Sea

Title: The Infinite Sea
Author: Rick Yancey
Series: The 5th Wave #2
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy
Published: September 16th 2014
Read: November 2015
Rating: 4.5 ★ 


My Copy

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: Casa del Libro, Madrid

Goodreads summary: The hugely anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling The 5th Wave, hailed by Justin Cronin as “wildly entertaining.” For Cassie Sullivan and the rest of Earth’s remaining human survivors, the situation was already desperate when the 5th Wave hit. It’s about to get worse. No one yet knows the depths to which Earth’s conquerors—the Others—will sink in order to rid the Earth of the human infestation, nor have they guessed the heights to which the human spirit can reach. Characters introduced in Book One will come to the fore—and others will face the ultimate test. Readers will watch in awe as the Others give their answer to Cassie’s defiance.

Other books in the series

 

The 5th Wave (#1) (review) & The Last Star (#3) (WoW)

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My Review

After being so impressed by the first book I was kind of scared of the second installment in the trilogy. But all worries were for nothing because the second book was just as good! The book was filled with suspense (that nearly killed me at times, I mean I just have to know if my favourite characters are alive or not and yes Evan, I'm talking about you). A major plot twist toward the end, although it wasn't the only one in the book just one that I really didn't see coming. It changes the entire perspective of the story and I need answers Rick! You better answer all of them in The Last Star. 

If your world would get invaded by aliens how would you react? And especially after losing so many people you love, wouldn't you seek revenge? I can imagine that every little bit of revenge I could get I would go after, even if it wouldn't change a thing. Now imagine falling in love with the enemy. What must that feel like? Although there are a lot of controversies about this subject I totally ship Evan and Cassie together. Yes, it's another dystopian bad-guy good-girl relationship with a lot of drama, but come on. I'm a sucker for these things. 

What I really like about this book is that there are so many characters. And at the same time, this is the thing that I dislike the most. I don't dislike the characters per se, but all the different point of view. Rick managed to change the pov every time things got interesting. When I wanted to know how Cassie handled a situation it would change to Ringer's perspective and then again back to Evan when Ringer was in an interesting situation and on and on. Also, it took too long to change from one person to the other, which made the book a little breath-holding and I wish that we could have read more about what Cassie and the gang were doing in the end of the book (not that Ringer's story wasn't worth telling, just that you didn't know what was going on on the other side of the country - okay, maybe not the other side of the country seeing that America is so large, but my geographical memory of the story isn't that great). 

Now I really need some answers. What will happen to Ringer? What does this huge plot twist at the end of the book really mean? How will the relationship between Evan and Cassie end? Will the world go under? And last but not least: Who are the real villains?

Book Review: Prodigy

Title: Prodigy
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #2
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Romance
Published: January 29th, 2013
Read: February 2016
Rating: ★★★★ 


My Copy

Publisher: Penguin Books
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: The Works, London

Goodreads Summary: Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

Other books in the series:

 

Legend (#1) (review) &  Champion (#3)

Book Review: Four

Title: Four
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: The Divergent
Genres: YA, Science-Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Adventure, Short Stories
Published: July 8th, 2014
Read: December 2015
Rating: ★★★★★

My Copy

Publisher: Harper Collins
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: WHSmith, Liverpool

Goodreads Summary: Fans of the Divergent series by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth will be thrilled by Four: A Divergent Collection, a companion volume that includes four pre-Divergent stories told from Tobias Eaton’s point of view. DIVERGENT – a major motion picture in 2014. Readers first encountered Tobias Eaton as "Four" in Divergent. His voice is an integral part of Allegiant. Readers will find more of this charismatic character's backstory told from his own perspective in Four: A Divergent Collection. When read together, these long narrative pieces illuminate the defining moments in Tobias Eaton's life. The first three pieces in this volume – "The Transfer," "The Initiate," and "The Son" – follow Tobias's transfer from Abnegation to Dauntless, his Dauntless initiation, and the first clues that a foul plan is brewing in the leadership of two factions. The fourth story, "The Traitor," runs parallel with the events of Divergent, giving readers a glimpse into the decisions of loyalty – and love – that Tobias makes in the weeks after he meets Tris Prior. Exclusive scenes included!

Book Review: Legend

 

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #1
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Romance
Published: November 29, 2011
Read: January 2016
Rating: ★★★★★ 


My Copy

Publisher: Penguin Books
Cover: Paperback
Purchase Location: The Works, London

Goodreads summary: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as mailicous as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 

Other books in the series

 

Trilogy Tuesday #1: The 100

  

I'd like to introduce you guys to a new monthly event (I guess a blogger would call this a meme?). Well, there are so many riveting trilogies out there and because I'm an absolute continuing stories lover I decided to create this label. Every last Tuesday of the month - like today - I'll be posting about a book trilogy. Careful: This segment is about the books only. If a book has been adapted into a TV series or a movie I might post something about that elsewhere, but here I will specifically only write about the book version. You guys are very welcome to join this meme. You can either pick the same trilogy as I did (I will always be posting the next post schedule at the bottom of the last post) or choose your own favourites. It would be great if you linked back to my blog. And now, without any further ado I present to you 

The Hundred Trilogy

Published March 18, 2014 ★★★★★

Goodreads Summary: No one has set foot on Earth in centuries until now. Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents, considered expendable by society, are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life... or it could be a suicide mission. Clarke was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. Wells, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves, but will she ever forgive him? Reckless Bellamy fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And Glass managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth. Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. [...] They may be mankind's last hope.

Published September 16, 2014 ★★★

Goodreads Summary: It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries... or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself. In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

Published February 26, 2015 ★★★★

Goodreads Summary: Weeks after crash-landing onto a rugged, nearly unpopulated planet Earth, the Hundred have managed to create a sense of order amidst their wild, chaotic surroundings. They work together to feed, shelter, and protect one another from countless dangers, including attacks by violent Earthborns. But their delicate balance comes crashing down with the arrival of new dropships from home--dropships carrying Glass and Luke, as well as the Vice Chancellor and his armed guards. Suddenly, Bellamy must flee transgressions he thought he had left behind in space, as Wells struggles to maintain his authority on Earth. And while Clark searches for clues about her parent's whereabouts, she finds herself torn between finding them and helping the injured new arrivals in camp. Lives hang in the balance, as the Colonists find themselves fighting not just attackers from the outside, but also enemies from within.

Being a huge fan of the TV series, I discovered these books after having watched the entire first season. Therefore, I had a total different view on what the books should contain. 

At first I was very suprised by the differences, but as I was reading chapter after chapter of The 100 I reallly started to enjoy the easy and fast paced storyline. The books are easy to be drawn in and not too dramatic, but still brought me to tears in different chapters.

The books have 4 different narratives focusing on the characters Clarke, Bellamy, Wells and Glass. While the first three of them go down to earth, Glass's story is still set up in spacec. The story follows their first few weeks on earth and a lot happens. They are taken by surprise by the earthborns because they didn't expect someone to have survived the cataclysm.

In my opinion the books don't explore enough the depth of these potential story lines as they could have. 

If you're a fan of the TV series be aware that the books are totally different, although most of the characters are the same. The setting and the pace have been changed and I believe Kass Morgan has done a lovely job telling the story of Clarke, Bellamy, Wells, Glass and the other characters in this trilogy. If you're a Bellarke (Bellamy/Clarke) fan as I am you should definitely read the books!

I'm a little disappointed that the covers have the pictures of the TV series' actors on them. I've never been a fan of books who bring out editions from the TV series or movies and specifically here they put a character on the cover who doesn't show up in any of the books (sorry Finn fans). 

Now it's your turn. I would be happy to read your comments about this book series. What are your thoughts? Have you read all of them or are they still on your TBR pile? Who's your favourite actor? And so on... 

Next scheduled post: Tuesday February 23, 2016 (The Infernal Devices)

Book Review: The 5th Wave

Published May 7, 2013 ★★★★★

Goodreads Summary: The Passage meets The Hunger Games in a gripping new series from Carnegie-shortlisted Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave. On a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, until Cassie meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be her only hope for rescuing her brother and even saving herself. Now she must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. Cassie Sullivan gets up. 

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey is a Young Adult Fantasy and Science Fiction novel. This book has made me think about our world a lot. What if we aren't the only ones in our universe? What if there are "other" living among us? A lot of questions that we can't answer, but we like to think about. And this dystopian novel showed us a world where we can answer some of these questions - although, I do prefer our world where we aren't being hunted down.