Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury // The DYSTOPIAN of Dystopia

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
Publication: October 1, 1953, by Simon and Schuster
Genre: Fiction, Classic, Dystopian
Pages: 249
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed
Rating: ½

Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television "family." But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn't live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.
The sixtieth-anniversary edition commemorates Ray Bradbury's masterpiece with a new introduction by Neil Gaiman; personal essays on the genesis of the novel by the author; a wealth of critical essays and reviews by Nelson Algren, Harold Bloom, Margaret Atwood, and others; rare manuscript pages and sketches from Ray Bradbury's personal archive; and much more. Here, at last, is the definitive edition of a classic of world literature.

My Thoughts:

Listen friends: Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 seriously is the DYSTOPIAN of dystopia. Of the dystopian genre specifically. This is the book that began it all, that began the sudden influx and creation of hundreds—no thousands of dystopian novels like Divergent. I'm sure that somewhere, somehow, the topic of a deteriorating world, a somewhat 'utopian' society first originated from this story. This was, in fact, the first book that I read for my junior year English class, and it was the worst out of the six we read. I feel that my twelve-year-old self would have appreciated Bradbury's writing so much more, perhaps to the extent that I would've given this a five star rating. This isn't the right kind of book for me. I truly truly TRULY appreciate the fact that there is a big focus on books and literature (YAY) though the whole concept that Bradbury tried to get at—showing how one person rebelled against his society and was influenced by someone who saw the truth, was weak. I feel that so many books rely on the same topic or theme. Fahrenheit 451 definitely is a classic novel, as it was written during the Cold War era and was basically made to show fear, specifically nuclear fear and fear in the world when things are falling apart.

The major thing that annoyed me was the fact that this was written weirdly. I appreciate beautiful writing that incorporates a lot of imagery and whatnot, though this was written awkwardly. I felt the awkwardness as I read; I wasn't intrigued and many of my classmates weren't, either. This could have been because we were basically *forced* to read this book twice. Bradbury divvied up the protagonist, Guy Montag's story into three sections, and we had to read each section twice. Once for the actual content and understanding the story, and the second time for paying attention to themes, characterization and literary devices. Yay me. I was annoyed because I feel that the imagery I *paid attention to* was not really there for a reason. Yes, I put on my special English cap and pretended that the four walls represented the isolation of society. Yeah, I could see that, but I do not believe that Ray Bradbury wrote this novel, specifically implying that the four walls represented that. It was boring and really vague. Montag's world was the same; bland and vague, though I'm pretty sure that his novel wasn't supposed to feel that way. It did, however.

I love the concept of books and book burning. Bradbury played with the whole concept of firefighters and instead of them saving people's lives from hazardous fires, in this world, they actually start the fires. You might be thinking that I'm losing my mind or something, but honestly? They set fires to get rid of any books that people have, like the Bible for example. It's complete propaganda and censorship, and this highly reflects the issues Bradbury dealt with during the time he wrote this book. When reading this, we readers are immediately put into a situation where we are more conscious of our surroundings, or at least: I was more conscious. I realized that technology is deteriorating our society and that there is much more to life than our phones, or the computer I am using to type this up. Fahrenheit 451 has such a powerful message. I think it's always going to stick with me.

I especially loved Montag's character in the novel. You see, this middle-aged man is different from the rest of his society. For the longest time, he acted as if he fit in with everything: his job (he was a firefighter) and the technology around him. After he meets his neighbour, Clarisse, who is a young teenager who actually understands the world around her and its problems, Montag is influenced by this girl's views and realizes that he has always had it wrong: the world is imperfect. It's so interesting to see how an idea can stick in all of society's minds, and how quickly one can actually be influenced by a new idea. If you rarely read dystopian fiction, then this could certainly be for you.

Fahrenheit 451 is absolutely interesting and riveting, though it lacked some uniqueness that I haven't seen in other stories. I was bored for a big chunk of it and felt that it lacked a "WOW factor." You can easily, however, fall in love with the characters, like Montag, our protagonist, Clarisse, his neighbour and the 'villains' who make us realize that technology has the capability to influence people to the extent that they do not really feel that they have an identity. It makes me scared about what our society might turn into if we do not realize what is important in life.

What are some other 'classic' dystopian novels? What is your favourite classic novel, in general?

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff // Just As Good As Illuminae!

Gemina (The Illuminae Files #2), by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Publication: October 18, 2016, by Knopf BFYR
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Romance
Pages: 659
Format: ARC
Source: BEA/Publisher
Rating: 

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.
The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.
Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.
When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.
But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.
Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

My Thoughts:

HECK YEAH. Gemina by the fabulous best sci-fi-author-duo, Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman, is just as GOOD AS Illuminae. THAT IS A WONDERFUL HONOUR. Listen, folks: I am not the kind of person who admires high science-fiction with blasts of spaceships, weird technical terms, intergalactic fighting and communicating between different planets and ships. A few years ago before the idea of this series ever existed, I would have never wanted to pick this one up. NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS. Now? I admire these authors so much for putting so much difficult work into writing this series, and how they so intelligently mastered the format and characters. The Illuminae Files is one of my favourite series to read because of its super-awesome format and how every time, we are introduced to another batch of characters (who always do fall in love), emails, IMs and the coolest classified files that will make you feel as if you were a chief on the Hypatia or whatever space shuttle is flying through space, carrying a huge population of people whose lives are on the stake and in the hands of teenagers.

THIS SERIES IS SO DAMN COOL AND KICK-ASS AND *INSERT FIFTY THOUSAND ADJECTIVES HERE* I cannot help but fangirl. I have been waiting a year to read Gemina after Illuminae ruined my life (in a good way, obviously), and after waiting in that mega-huge line at BEA this year, filled with ecstatic fangirls such as myself, feeling doubtful that I would end up getting a copy, I HAVE IT IN MY HANDS. I honestly recommend this series to every sci-fi fan out there, even if you're sick and tired of the usual dystopian phase that many YA authors are still stuck in, even though the best, like Ally Condie, are done writing books like that. THIS IS JUST AWESOMENESS. I rather read the third book of this series than have pizza for a year. It's that big of a sacrifice for me. This is waaay better than many contemporaries that seemed promising, but ended up letting me down in the end.

For this sequel, things are better and badder when we are thrown into a new ship, called the Hypatia, where our previous protagonist (Kady)'s dad (Issac Grant) is on and is a chief. THANKFULLY WE GET TO HEAR FROM KADY AND EZRA AGAIN. This time around, we are introduced to a set of protagonists, Nik and Hanna, who, just like Kady and Ezra initially, have issues. In this case, Nik has this mega-crush on Hanna, who is the rich daughter of the station commander. Whenever Hanna wants something, she basically gets it. Nik, on the other hand, is orphaned, and the only family he knows of is his cousin, Ella. Their family is known for their previous crimes, and Nik is doing whatever it takes to clear that image of himself from the world, and especially from Hanna, whose attention he would like to catch. The thing is, Hanna is already dating someone, Jackson, who already has some secrets of his own. The romance isn't the worst issue of them all, though: THE HYPATIA IS INVADED.

DUN. 

DUN.

DUN.

Seriously, it gets chaotic from there. The BeiTech strike team is the most outrageous horrible team on the face of the universe. I hated every member with all the hate that I have inside of me. But don't fret, it was healthy hate. Hopefully. You guessed what happens from there—Hanna and Nik ought to join forces and save their home, alongside other characters who stunned me appearance after appearance, including Ella.

"Hurting she might be, but Hanna Donnelly was raised by a man who thought talking military tactics was a fun way to spend daddy-daughter time. And judging by the set of her jaw, she's ready to change the rules of the game" (161).

There is no way that someone could classify Gemina as a quick read. IT'S FREAKING HUGE. I never wanted Hanna and Nik's story to end, even after those 600+ pages of details and encryption. Although there was a mix of formats, many documents that I still am wondering how Kaufman and Kristoff were able to create, so much was happening all of the time. I occasionally get a little antsy when I realize that an author (or authors) is taking a long time to write a novel, but the wait is well worth it for this sequel. But seriously: HOW ARE KAUFMAN AND KRISTOFF ABLE TO WRITE THIS HUGE BOOK IN LESS THAN A YEAR? It is released in October, and I received a copy of it in early May. That means that it was probably written so quickly. I am shocked.

The best thing in this novel are the characters. Every character has a strong role in the story, and although Hanna and Nik are really the heroes, I would call everyone's addition something. I loved Hanna even more than I loved Kady in the first book, and guess what? We even get to see the two kick-ass girls communicate with one another as Kady tries to contact her father, who is with Hanna occasionally as they try to fight BeiTech. I really felt for Hanna and Nik, especially during the moments after page 505. THE PAGE 505. I THOUGHT... well, I won't spoil it, but your jaws will literally drop to the ground. What you think happened... well, it didn't, and the whole outcome of this book has to do with its title.

When Kaufman and Kristoff info-dump, it's not that they do it horribly. They do it wonderfully. I often get worried when reading sci-fi because I expect a ton of info-dumping in terms of the world that the characters live in and so on. Without the information given to us in this novel, I would have been so confused, because honestly? You need a huge attention span to read this story, as well as the first novel in The Illuminae Files. This isn't an easy book to read. I began reading it last week, but decided that it wasn't the right day for it because I would need a nice, quiet setting to binge-read it all, not small bits where I won't be connected to the characters and world-setting. We kept being introduced to new characters, new ideas that our intelligent "squad" came up with in order to save themselves, but it felt natural. I never was confused. I would seriously like to give Kaufman and Kristoff an enormous round of applause, because damn—it's so difficult to perfect information in science-fiction these days.

Just like Illuminae, I have to rate Gemina four stars for the same reason: occasional boringness. This was a heart-pounding novel, but the first hundred-fifty pages of the story were action-less. We quickly are introduced to characters who will play big roles in this story, like the BeiTech team, but it was all filler. I needed the deaths (sadly), I needed the heart-pounding moments where I began to wonder if I would even survive after finishing the book. It came, only after a few shockers splatted out at us. I still loved this, either way. We needed a good beginning, because Hanna and Nik are characters who did not have a place in Illuminae. Oh! And I wish The House of Knives (and everything about Nik) was explained better. *tear rolls down cheek*

"There's this moment, this tiny moment, in between the time you decide to pull a trigger and the time the death arrives, there's just you and it and everything you're about to take away. It's too big. It goes forever" (248, extracted from IM messages).

I just want to stroke the cover for the rest of my life, buy fifty copies of this series and send them to all of my friends who are non-book-nerds. Anyone could find something to love in this whole series. It is best that you read Illuminae first, but I loved how this is a continuation and not a direct sequel to Kady and Ezra's story slash romance. Thank goodness they got an appearance, or else I would have began to freak out. Literally. 

WHEN WE DISCOVERED WHAT GEMINA REALLY IS, I FREAKED OUT. It's so intelligent, so imaginative and seems so real. Brace yourself for parallel universes, interesting calculations that are not random in any way, MEANINGFUL ILLUSTRATIONS THAT ARE ACTUALLY PUT THERE FOR A REASON AND NOT FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT AND COOL ALIEN PREDATORS. If my parents really knew what this series is about, they would think that I'm nuts because I always refuse to watch sci-fi films like Star Wars or Star Trek, that have similar concepts. BOOKS ARE ALWAYS BETTER, WHOOPS. 

Hanna and Nik are destined to be the world's best fictional couple. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER SO MUCH. I have noticed that with this series, romance is not everything, thankfully, though it is a big part that makes the teaming-up-together work well for the characters. We see a romance bloom in the later part of the book, where things don't end well with Jackson and Hanna and she realizes the truth behind everything he has ever told her. I wanted to punch that guy in the face ever since we were introduced to him.

Gemina is seriously a beautiful addition to the YA fiction world. It's just as good as Illuminae, and although there is a minor bit of boringness in the plot itself, I would just fade that away and look at the bright side of things: everything else! Hanna and Nik had the most adorable relationship, and everything else was perfect. This is the most intelligent book you'll read this year. Pre-order it, enjoy it and let's make a club and wait for the third book all together! But most importantly, thank you Amie and Jay for this beauty. I STRONGLY APPRECIATE IT. 

*A review copy was provided by the publisher via BookExpo America in exchange for a honest review. Thank you so much!*

What have you heard about The Illuminae Files? What is your uttermost favourite sci-fi read?

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray // OVERWHELMINGLY AWESOME

Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird #2), by Claudia Gray
Publication: November 3, 2015, by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Science-Fiction, Romance
Pages: 424
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Rating: 

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.
Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.
The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

My Thoughts:

The utterly stunning (more stunning than all of the books that currently exist, to be honest) Ten Thousand Skies Above You has been awaited by me for ages. AGES. I read the first book in the Firebird trilogy, A Thousand Pieces of You, last year, and was more satisfied than I could have ever imagined because, finally, a book has mastered the concept of time-traveling and parallel universes so well that I was unable to think or really want to enjoy a book for a while after that. I purchased this sequel a few months ago, didn't think much of it, but I have only realized that at this moment, I feared second-book syndrome. I feared disappointment, confusion with the plot (because I actually read this more than a year ago) and most of all, I feared a let-down in terms of my favourite couples not being able to be together. Listen: I love my feels going out of control, but I strongly didn't want to cry or rage at Claudia Gray's newest masterpiece.

The Firebird trilogy is one of my most recommended trilogies. Every person, even if they are not a fan of science-fiction, would adore the focus on love in this trilogy. The story is not just a story or just a book—to me, it just means so much that this is not just about the science-fiction aspects, the physics of time-traveling and multiverses. This is surely a continuation to the first book, and I thank the BOOK LORDS FOR NOT CONFUSING ME WITH WHAT HAPPENED. Honestly, I would have loved to reread the first book and re-feel everything once more, but I have no time to do that. Thankfully, Gray just retold the ending of the first book to us in the beginning of this, and I suddenly remembered what happened again and how much I needed this sequel. And from there? Everything just began again.

There wasn't a moment in this story where I wanted to stop reading, take a look at my phone, go on Goodreads, read some reviews, write some reviews, or even take a breath. It's amazing and so much is happening every moment and every page of the story. I couldn't stop going crazy and obsessing over everything that was happening. The plot was fast-paced, and things got into the real very quickly. I was in legitimate shock at every corner, and especially during THAT ENDING WHERE I JUST NEEDED SO MUCH MORE, ENDLESS AMOUNT OF PAGES TO CONTINUE THEO/PAUL/MARGUERITE'S STORY. I was absolutely addicted to it all and I feel this absolute need for the sequel at this absolute instant.

At the start of the story, things seem well again, especially with Theo and Marguerite's relationship after everything that happened to the Caine family. All of the sudden, Theo gets sick after taking too much Nightthief (the addictive drug for travellers), Marguerite wants to meet with Wyatt, wherever he is, to find a cure for Theo, since she knows that doctors wouldn't have any cure whatsoever. When it seems that she has everything under control, Paul's soul is splintered, and split into four pieces that Marguerite must seek in different universes.

"I've come to believe that there really is something that flows through every version of us, one common identity that outweighs our different situations in the various worlds" (35).

Can we just chat about how smart, how intelligent, how powerful this sequel is, equal to the first novel? I rarely call books smart, because there has to be a true reason for it, whether it's terminology, explanations, equations—anything in that matter. Ten Thousand Skies Above You, like its previous novel, is all of that. There is so much thought put into the story by Gray, so much energy flowing through it that I just want to get up and create my own Firebird, travel to a different universe where Marguerite, Paul and Theo all exist and talk physics with them. Claudia Gray is the best author genius in the entire universe. This trilogy is why I enjoy science-fiction and seeking different books that are not your typical story about different societies or fighting until death. (You certainly know which books I am talking about). Instead, this is a book that takes readers to different settings, perhaps settings that they have never visited, but have heard tons about, all mixed with the mystery of "Where's Paul?" or "What is Marguerite's life like in this universe?" all throughout. The questions seriously never ended in my end, but they were not out of confusion, but out of curiosity, and some were answered, some I know will be answered in the last novel.

I still am in utter shock that these beautiful characters will be leaving us in the next book. I AM GOING TO THROW THAT IDEA OUT OF MY HEAD NOW OR ELSE I'LL GET SAD. This is such a complex, event-crazed story that I felt so overwhelmed after I finished reading. I began reading this late at night, had to stop at around sixty pages, and then finished it in a sitting the next day, today. Afterwards, my head was pounding, but sometimes these side effects do not matter at all to me. Especially when the book that effected me so much was astonishing.

I love rating books five stars, and this is one of the most stellar ones yet. I needed a refreshing read that will make me smile, because this certainly turned out fabulous. How is someone able to rate this less than five stars? *cries of shock* I wish I could reread it over and over again and go crazy and create an Instagram page and promote it fifty million times and... my dreams won't come true, hah. My dreams did come true when we travelled to San Francisco yet again (though in a dystopian setting, I'm pretty sure), Paris, New York City and Russia once more. Every step or universe that Marguerite took into consideration, she experienced something new and a thousand new secrets were revealed to her, things that she didn't even know about herself in her reality universe.

"Ten thousand skies, and a million worlds, and it still wouldn't be enough for me to share with you. Nothing less than forever will do" (421).

I've saved this bit to chat about the romance. Is there a love triangle? Kind of. I mean, we definitely did see it in the first novel, where Marguerite was torn between Theo and Paul for the whole novel, until she realizes who she really loves, but this book was a slight bit more complicated, only for the reason that Marguerite is eventually found in a situation where she is in a setting where she is in love with Theo, hilariously. They even travel to this world (the war-torn San Francisco) and end up in the weirdest situation when they get there. It was hilariously awkward, and it made the book ten times more entertaining, proving that even book fictional characters don't have it perfect from time to time. I DON'T KNOW WHOSE SIDE I AM REALLY ON AT THE MOMENT. My feelings are still all over the place because I ship Tharguerite and I also ship Parguerite. I CAN'T PICK. We see a lot of Theo in this one, since he is Marguerite's travelling companion, doing so much for her and showing her that he will always be there, waiting for Marguerite if things don't end up well behind her and Paul. But there's also the dedication that Marguerite has for her and Paul's relationship, and how she is willing to do just about anything to save him. It is truly obvious that he loves her with all of his heart, and I loved their intimate moments.

As usual, we are fortunate to be able to get appearances of Marguerite's parents and Josie. I love Marguerite's relationship with her family—it's truly important for the reason that she is making all of these sacrifices, going travelling and finding out answers for them. She loves her "parents," even in the other universes where they truly aren't... themselves. I could definitely admit that more than a few tears sprawled on my face from time to time, and I was strongly awaiting a reunion for the Caines.

THAT CLIFFHANGER, PLOT TWIST AND SECRET THAT IS REVEALED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT MARGUERITE HAS EVER KNOWN. WOW. HOLY MOLY FIREBIRDS. I don't know how I could wait any longer. Seriously, if you thought the last book was full of twists and jaw-dropping turns, wait for this one. Everything that you thought you knew about the anatomy of the world(s) that Claudia Gray created is absolutely inauthentic. Fake. Lied about. My stomach weirdly churns when I think about it all over again.

Ten Thousand Skies Above You is certainly the best title I have read this year. I constantly say that when I read five-star reads, but this is pure seriousness. Marguerite, Theo and Paul are going to sit with me in my dreams tonight, I know it. I NEED BOOK THREE WITH ALL MY MIGHT, AND I JUST CANNOT STOP GOING CRAZY OVER THIS. The cover is completely gorgeous, just as the novel is (which is even more prettier). From the first page, I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed, and I am still struggling with the fact that I waited this long to finally pick it up. This book deserves ten thousand stars. 

What is the best sequel you have read? Do you enjoy Claudia Gray/Amy Vincent's work?

The Fearless by Emma Pass // Dystopian? Ugh.

The Fearless, by Emma Pass
Publication: April 14, 2015, by Delacorte BFYR
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 368
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

The Deadliest Enemy feels no fear.
When the Fearless invaded, they injected everyone in their path with the same serum that stripped them of humanity.
Life became a waking nightmare.
Cass has the invasion seared in her memory. Seven years later, she and her brother, Jori, are living on Hope Island in a community of survivors. No one can enter, and no one can leave.
It's the only way to stay safe.
But when Hope Island's security is breeched and Jori is taken by the Fearless, Cass will risk everything to get him back.

My Thoughts:

I anxiously waited for this book to eventually appear in my TBR shelf. I anxiously picked it up, and hoped for the best. Sadly, my anxiety was correct in this case and I expected too much from Emma Pass's newest dystopian novel. I have outgrown this genre and it is too similar to others, practically equivalent to traits of Divergent and the rest of the "clan" of books that I once adored so much. Do not get me wrong, though. I have enjoyed dystopia in the past and some of my favourite novels are found to be classified in that genre. Ideally, this would have been the best thing to happen to me since the books that have turned into movies. At the moment, this book was practically a disgrace for me. This is not for me. 

The Fearless is not a book about fearless teenagers living in a post-apocalyptic world. Instead, it is simply about trying to rebel against the degrading government system and the teenagers that are caught in that situation. I have seen this millions of times and after this, I have even removed books from my wish-list that are similar to this. If you like these action-packed stories about an impossible survival that we have all heard about from others, great. Emma Pass will fulfill your expectations with this one, but I rather would rant about it because too many traits were flawed. 

It has been a week since I finished reading this, and I do not recall anything about it. I usually enjoy writing reviews as soon as I finish a book so I could remember all of the details that I liked or disliked, but because of time, I am writing it right now, and it is "pleasant" to see that there is another flaw; there is nothing quite special about this story after all. You will find many like it, and I promise that you will not miss out on much if you decide to pass from reading this. 2015's books were supposed to be about diversity, and being different from the rest, but I surely do feel like this is a flashback to 2009 or 2010. 

The characters are not what this book originally promised. I expected kickass-ness to be all around the place, in every chapter. Sure, there's action, but there is not quite a reason for there to be. The government system is degrading rapidly, and the characters are put in a life-threatening situation where they eventually could not have anyone there for them anymore, but that is it. The world building was horrible and the details were not there for me to receive a clear image of what Cass's world was like around her. I just pictured dirty factories. What is a book without the nice descriptions and characters who are just so bright and wicked? 

You see... it was beautiful at first. Readers ultimately suspected that this will be a story about survival, and something very similar to the likings of The Hunger Games and The 5th Wave. I like those family stories, because I could seriously relate to them and know that deep down, I would do anything to save my family. But soon after, all the beginning-hooking action dissipated and we were left in a puddle with no way to get out. Slow plots just bore the heck out of me, that's for sure. 

The romance was there, too. This was one of the only things that hooked me. Instead of the author focusing on that and how the two characters (Cass and Myo) will not be able to live without each other if they ever got separated, the romance was just one of the additional plot makers that I enjoyed. It was sweet madness, actually. And who cares about the insta-love in this case? (It worked. It certainly did.)

The Fearless was not the worst book I read in the span of 2015, but it certainly was not the best. One could definitely have mixed feelings about the way how uniqueness and the genre of dystopian fiction was portrayed through Cass's perspective as well as the world building. I had a lot of issues with it and if I had known beforehand, I would have skipped it. You should miss out because it is not pleasing. The writing is boring, not lyrical or special compared to the action-packed stories that have impressed me in the best written in the same kind of style. If you are a huge fan of family stories, the beginning of this would only apply to your likings, just saying.

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!*

Are you still a fan of dystopia fiction after the craze and popularity that went around? (Paranormal books also did this to me.) What is your favourite dystopian novel?

The Three by Sarah Lotz // Lacking Something Big

The Three (The Three #1), by Sarah Lotz
Publication: May 20, 2014, by Little Brown Books
Genre: Adult Fiction, Science-Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 471
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 

The world is stunned when four commuter planes crash within hours of each other on different continents. Facing global panic, officials are under pressure to find the causes. With terrorist attacks and environmental factors ruled out, there doesn't appear to be a correlation between the crashes, except that in three of the four air disasters a child survivor is found in the wreckage.
Dubbed 'The Three' by the international press, the children all exhibit disturbing behavioural problems, presumably caused by the horror they lived through and the unrelenting press attention. This attention becomes more than just intrusive when a rapture cult led by a charismatic evangelical minister insists that the survivors are three of the four harbingers of the apocalypse. The Three are forced to go into hiding, but as the children's behaviour becomes increasingly disturbing, even their guardians begin to question their miraculous survival...

My Thoughts:

The Three is one of those books that I just wanted to read so badly and what I fell in love with from the first sight after I saw the cover. Yes, it's racing, unique and a full-on thriller that might just knock your socks off, but more was expected. For now, let's just focus on the good stuff happening throughout the whole story, because even though there were a few cons, things turned out to be pretty good. I'll tell you this: I've never read an adult book with this much depth and a concept that is so well thought-about that I seriously wonder where ideas and life comes from. *giggles*

You may think that this book is about aliens. There are a few points that make this sound a little more clear and that this book is complete fiction. But it seems realistic. The story features characters whose lives have been torn apart, all by some mechanical force that no one has ever heard of or would even like to be hearing about. Four plane disasters in one day—three survivors who are only children. Doesn't that sound a little weird to you? At least, I know it sounds weird to me... it seems very science-fictionic, too. Basically, this is all about a weird apocalypse-like situation that is making the world fall apart. Lotz invites readers to read about the lives after and a little after everything of the people who were affected by this whole dystopian catastrophe.

The Three was lacking something big. Yes, it did have a format that was very interesting to read about; it was incorporated with text message/IM chats, news articles and chapter samples from "books published" about the event. That was my favourite part about this. But instead of it being just about the families affected, it was about solving the mystery behind it all but actually had become a novel filled with pages that will just waste time, you know? 

I wanted more from this. There were enticing characters and all, as well as a storyline and summary that I would like to see somewhere else. But almost five hundred pages of this? I don't really think that this amount of craziness was really needed. 

I would've enjoyed depth and research, but also with that class of fiction because this certainly wasn't just a bunch of real news stories put together. I'm used to reading YA fiction with dystopian classes that always have an explanation for the sci-fi issue with a group of characters who are willing to battle everything that is going on around them. This? Not so much. If you're okay with a slow pace and no explanation but minor details being stated about this apocalypse, then it may do you good to read this. At least I gave it a chance. *shrugs*

Do you enjoy books that are dystopian but seem too contemporary to be classified in that section?

Starters by Lissa Price // I Had Lower Expectations!

Starters (Starters #1), by Lissa Price
Publication: July 23, 2013, by Ember
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Gifted
Rating: 

You can’t get them out of your head.
Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie.
Callie’s only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man. He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie’s head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter.
Callie soon discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations’ plans are more evil than she could ever have imagined.

My Thoughts:

I've decided to be as honest as I can possibly can during this review, and we're all going to start off with this one sentence: I was ready to hate this book. It's one of those books that has been sitting on your bookshelf since who could possibly recall? It's one of those books that you once were ready to adore and hug with everything you have, but then you kind of grew out of the subject that it lights upon and you kind of set it aside. I couldn't stare at the cover of this book because it's been sitting in this tiny pile of books that I once was ready to read and then kind of displaced on the side of things.

Let me tell you: Starters was freaking awesome. I'm so glad I gave it the chance. It's like I've finally become so thankful for everything, and this book is one of those things. I'm so very glad that I enjoyed it as well because I've been having tough luck with reading interesting, unique dystopian science-fiction books, but this was definitely it. Keep that word "unique" in mind for a little bit, because it'll surely jump back at you and remind you of why this book actually shone and stayed excellent throughout.

This was a pleasure to read. It all begins with a horrible system, which is usually the government, but Lissa Price ended up spicing some things up a little and gave us a company that allows people to let their bodies be rented by some older people so they can experience what it's like to be young again. Callie, the main character, has lost both of her parents in a horrible war and is left with her younger brother, Tyler, all on their own. She decides to head to this company, Prime Destinations, where she lets her body be rented three times. The first two go as normal, but when the last rental takes place, which is supposed to be for a month, Callie realizes that she's now in the life of her renter, Helena, and basically has no way out.

Every dystopian novel contains lies. It's like it's practically written in the guidebook for science-fiction YA authors: Do make sure that you contain some kind of secret that will be discussed in the end of the book or be found out by the protagonist. I enjoy those secrets and vengeance stories, because it's either that us readers know the truth or we don't, we end up exploring through the whole novel trying to uncover the hints and clues and put the puzzle pieces together, you know? The lies in this book, those were some lies. Callie ends up being the person who discovers the truth behind the system of Prime Destinations, and how all Enders and Starters are so messed up. Make sure that you're mentally ready for some plot twists and suspense, my fellow friends. This one's going to be a shocker.

Callie's a super-cool protagonist who is a risk-taker. In science-fiction, I admit that she's the kind of person readers are looking to relate to: She would do anything to help her brother out and stay alive. And I bet that this whole storyline will continue throughout the next book as well, which I still am surprised that I'm ready to read. I NEED IT, NOW. But even if I am not able to purchase/borrow it as soon as possible, I conclude that Lissa Price is the kind of author who'll give the best recap in the world. I'm gearing up for that, honestly.

This has romance, okay? Of course, Callie meets a guy who she has to keep her secret from, and things get juicy. But it's not instant romance because the guy, Blake, isn't who Callie thinks he is, either. He's basically in love with a hundred year old woman who is rich and has anything that money can buy. I'm not sure if I'd want to be with a guy who's only looking for that in a girl... But back to the unique thing.

Price plays with science-fiction in a different, diverse way—I love the concept and world. It's like it's still modern day, today, but with more scientific technology and ways of living. Don't expect a world full of robots and androids walking around. This is what you may dream about at night, but not that you want something like this. Let's get to the virtual reality technology first before we dream of Starters and Enders.

This is the new dystopian book that'll shatter your heart once you finish it. I'm kind of late with reading it, but I hope that you have already by know, because it's utterly fabulous. Distinct and different of its kind, Starters has the perfect concept and not much I can complain about. I could totally see a film coming out of this. I NEED ENDERS now. My heart depends on beating for Lissa Price's writing.

Do you ever get sick and tired of a book when it's been sitting on your shelves for a long time?