Mini Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter 
(The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Winter is the final installment of the Lunar Chronicles. After finishing Cress I was so anxious to get my hands on this story that I bought it immediately. Winter is the retelling of Snow White with a twist. In this tale Winter (Snow White) lives on the moon and is going insane with Lunar sickness. Marissa Meyer does an outstanding job with this retelling! There are enough elements from the original story that it’s noticeable that it’s Snow White, but the story is definitely different. Normally, I am afraid to read the final book in any series and have a number of unfinished series to prove it; but Winter was everything I look for in a final book and more. I love how all of the stories intertwined in this final book.

Winter is full of suspense and excitement. I was always on my toes not knowing what to expect next. Winter and Jason balance each other in a great way. Winter has a quiet strength to her that is admirable. Jason is stoic, but has a soft stop for Winter. I had fun getting to see all of the characters interacting with one another. I loved how all of the characters stories ended up. Winter is another great addition to an already amazing series!

Review: The Epidemic by Suzanne Young

The Epidemic
(The Program #0.6)
Author: Suzanne Young
Release Date: April 19, 2016
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: ARC given by friend
Review by: Jenn

Can one girl help others find closure by slipping into the identities of their loved ones? Find out in this riveting sequel to The Remedy and companion to the New York Times bestselling The Treatment and The Program.

In a world before The Program…

Quinlan McKee has spent her life acting as other people. She was a closer—a person hired to play the role of the recently deceased in order to give their families closure. Through this process, Quinn learned to read people and situations, even losing a bit of herself to do so. But she couldn’t have guessed how her last case would bring down her entire world.

The only person Quinn trusts is Deacon, her best friend and the love of her life. Except Deacon’s been keeping secrets of his one, so Quinn must set out alone to find Arthur Pritchard, the doctor who’s been trying to control her life. The journey brings Quinn to Arthur’s daughter, Virginia, who tells Quinn the truth about Pritchard’s motives. The former closer will start to see that she is the first step in fighting an epidemic.

But Quinlan doesn’t want to be a cure. And with all the lies surrounding her, she realizes she has no one left to rely on but herself—even if she doesn’t know who that is anymore.

4 stars out of 5 stars

Good Lord, Suzanne Young always gets me with her books. I am always nervous as I read her books because I never know what is coming towards her characters. But unlike the other books in the series, The Epidemic doesn't kill me with the feels like the others did in the sense that I wasn't paralyzed with fear and sadness. However, I was still nervous for Quinn because she seriously put herself in danger's way in the worst possible way.

After already experiencing The Program and The Treatment, I know what is coming. And while I hope for the best and wish that Quinn, Deacon and everyone finds their way out of the clutches of the grief department, I know that my hopes are futile. With the way The Epidemic ends, I wonder what Quinn and Deacon were up to during the The Program/The Treatment story line because Suzanne piqued my curiosity.

Also, with the way The Epidemic end, I'm in the mood to reread The Program and The Treatment so I can see how everything progressed now that I know how The Program initially started. I might reread considering that Suzanne is treating us with a new book set after The Treatment called The Adjustment. If you haven't already picked up this series, I really hope you do because they're so good and deserve some more love.

Mini Review: Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Emerald Green
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: Oct. 7, 2014
Publisher: Square fish
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is.
     She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

       I was so anxious to start Emerald Green after the ending in Sapphire Blue; so much so that if it weren't for my book buying band I would have bought it on the spot just to find out how the story continued. Emerald Green continued in the same manner as the previous stories; full of adventure and mystery. Although in this installment I finally got some of the answers I was looking for.

      There were some very funny scenes in this story; particularly one with Charlotte at a party (jejeje). I enjoyed imagining the dresses Gwyn would wear on her time traveling adventures. My heart raced as the book was coming to an end and everything was unraveling and I couldn’t figure out how everything would turn out.

      The ending was a little anticlimactic. Everything was wrapped up a little too nicely and open ended for my taste. Otherwise I really enjoyed Emerald Green.

Mini Review: Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Sapphire Blue (The Ruby Red #2)
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

It was great getting back into this world again! Sapphire Blue picks up right where Ruby Red leaves off. Sapphire Blue is literally the middle section of the trilogy there isn’t a solid beginning, middle or ending. Gwynn learns a lot of information about what is going on but there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

There are a lot of wonderful character additions this time around. Xemurius is hilarious, his comment are sarcastic and made me laugh. I also felt like someone was actually on Gwynn’s side; although it still not clear who she can trust. Gideon’s brother is also an interesting addition to the story.

Gwynn’s relationship with Gideon is hot for a millisecond then cold like a blizzard for the rest of the time. Her relationships with the other characters are all suspect. I still don’t like Charlotte any better. The mysteries continue and keeping track of the different meetings in the past certainly kept me entertained. I’m dying to get my hands on Emerald Green to see how this story ends!

Mini Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Ruby Red 
(The Ruby Red #1)
Author: Kerstin Gier
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Publisher: Square Fish
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars 

Kerstin Gier creates a world that is easy to get lost in. Ruby Red is so entertaining that I felt like I couldn’t get enough of this story. There is so much going on throughout the story that at times it is difficult to keep all of the details straight. The historical and time travel aspects of this novel keep the story really interesting. I kept trying to wrap my brain around the different outcomes of past and present and the time continuum. This was really one of my favorite aspects of the story.

I will say though that the plot is predictable in respect to certain aspects of the story. I had a love hate relationship with Gwyneth, because she can be so dense sometimes. On occasion she was really self-deprecating which is really annoying. I felt bad for her because she was thrust into this strange situation with no preparation or warning what so ever.

Overall the Ruby Red is really interesting and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress 
(The Lunar Chronicles #3)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Even in the future. there are damsels in distress...

In the third installment of the Lunar chronicles, Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem. She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress a great hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes as a high price. Meanwhile, Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

5 stars out of 5 stars 

Cress is one of my absolute favorite books of this series to date! Every time I think that I can’t fall in love with this series anymore, I read the next book and I fall in love all over again. Cress follows the same format as the previous two books but adds the perspective of Cress a Lunar shell that has been locked away in a satellite in order to hack earthen systems and spy for Queen Lavana.

Cress is fast paced and more of an emotional rollercoaster than the previous two installments. There is so much happening in Cress that I couldn’t finish fast enough! Experiencing life through Cress’s eyes is great because she is experiencing everything for the first, and has a sense of wonder that isn’t often depicted in novels.

It was fun getting to know Carswell Thorne and Cress. Carswell reminds me of Flynn Ryder from the Disney movie Rapunzel.  He adds a lot of the comedic relief during some of the more serious moments of the novel. Cress is brave and really comes out of her shell as the story progresses. She goes through some major personal growth throughout the novel and comes out stronger at the end of it. There are some major plot twists thrown at us in Cress, which left me speechless. I need to get my hands on Winter ASAP!
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Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

5 stars out of 5 stars 

It was a wonderful surprise to find out that in Scarlet we still get the povs that were in Cinder! Although the focus of the story is Scarlet and Wolf we still get to read about all of the other great characters too!! There was so much going on in this story, that it made my head spin. I really loved this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Scarlet is fast paced and full of action and intrigue. You never really know who you can trust. Also it’s heartbreaking as well. Holy moly towards the end I was in tears for Scarlet.

Scarlet is a kick ass character for so many reasons. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and does what needs to be done even if it takes her shooting someone to accomplish her goal. I love her character so much! She is kind, trusting, but fearless and the same time. Her relationship with Wolf is odd. In the beginning I get that she is using him to get information about her grandmother, but as the story progresses it turns to more.

Wolf is hard to get a read on. He is good looking but aloof and I wanted to trust him but I couldn’t let myself trust him completely. His relationship with Scarlet is interesting in the sense that there are mixed signals coming from him. I didn’t really get a firm understanding of his character until the very end. There were definitely some very shocking moments for me where Wolf is concerned.

Scarlet is action packed and full of plot twists that will leave your head spinning and you itching to get your hands on the next book Cress.

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder 
(The Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg.

She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Leydy from Once Upon a Twilight recommended the Cinder audio book to me and I am so glad she did! I'm obsessed with the story! Rebecca Soler did a fantastic job with the narration. In the beginning I was a little skeptical because I am not a fond of retellings. I've had some bad experiences in the past, but this was definitely not the case with Cinder.

There are parallels throughout the book that are reminiscent of Cinderella but the story really takes a life of its own. I love this book from beginning to end but there are some elements in particular that I would like to single out. The book is separated in sections and in the beginning of each section is a quote from the original story, I absolutely love that! It sets the tone for the next sections of the story. The pacing and the plot twists really set the story a part from the original story and that is partially why I love the story so much.

The characters… I adore that Cinder is a damn good mechanic and that she is beautiful but not perfect. She is a cyborg which means parts of her are metal and that she has a computer in her head, which I find, would be useful all the time. Her friendship with Iko a droid is heart warming and strange at the same time. I love Iko’s quirkiness; she is such a funny character. Prince Kaito I am on the fence about him after finishing the story. I love all of his and Cinder’s interactions together, and I get where he is coming from there at the end but I still wanted him to act differently.

Cinder is emotional at the end and man I definitely can’t wait to get my hands on Scarlet which is the next book in The Lunar Chronicles.