An Interview with the Ladies of Apocalypse Reads: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

The ladies of Apocalypse Reads thought we would change it up a bit. Instead of a normal review, we have reviewed These Broken Stars interview style.  Enjoy! Let us know what you think in the comments!

How would you best describe These Broken Stars to someone who might be interested in reading it?

Rebecca:  Mysterious love story on an alien planet.  Can they and their love survive the harsh conditions they find themselves in?  Will love triumph overall?  It is also a story of perseverance and test of character.  What will harsh conditions reveal about Lilac, the heiress to the LaRoux empire, and Tarver, a young war hero?

Esso: It has been pitched as a "Titanic in Space", but I certainly disagree with that statement. Yes, there is luxury space liner that inevitably "crashes", a clash of societal classes, and the potential for a budding romance, but it is also so much more. I would describe the book as more of a survival story than a romance.

What did you like or dislike most about this book?

R:  I disliked how disconnected I felt with the characters.  I wanted more.  I also have mixed feelings about the big confrontation at the end.  While it was appropriate because of the bad guy’s lying and manipulation, I did not like the dynamics and lack of respect between parent and child.  I like the additional story line progressing in addition to the story.  The dual story lines kept me reading and made me anxious about the ending.
E: For some reason, this is a hard question for me to answer. Overall, I really enjoyed the story, but if I could name one thing that bothered me it would be that the characters didn't feel "alive" enough. I would have liked to build a more solid connection with them. One thing I did end up liking was the turn of events. I never saw it coming!

What was your experience with this book?

R:  I enjoyed reading it; I could not put it down.  I immediately read book 1.5 to get further into the series. 
E: Initially I thought that there were going to be definite spoilers because of the interrogation pages before each chapter. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that was not the case. Also, this was the only other book, aside from The Monstrumologist series, that gave me the heebie jeebies. I actually had a hard time reading it before bed. Embarrassing, but true.

Who would you recommend this book to?

R:  I would recommend this book to someone who likes survival love stories. 
E: I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a science fiction read coupled with a survival story. Also, someone who doesn't mind a little bit of the supernatural in their stories. 

Are there any other thoughts you'd like to share with the readers of Apocalypse Reads?

R:  I wanted to keep reading this series.  Unfortunately I had to wait for it become available at the library.  I still have This Shattered World in my possession.  For some reason because I was not able to read it immediately I have yet to read it.  I would recommend all three books being available, so one can read all three at once.
E: After finishing These Broken Stars I did go on to read the short story in between books 1 and 2. I thought it shed some light on the characters from the book and was worth the read. (It's also free as an ebook!) I'm sure I will go on to finish the series.

Wishing for Change: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Just the facts:

Overall:  3 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability: It was believable. 

~~~~~

     The Young Elites is the newest book from author Marie Lu and is set to be another series. It follows a young Adelina Amouteru as she runs away from certain death and into the hands of the Dagger Society, a group of gifted young adults who would use their powers to protect others like themselves and change the negative attitudes toward them in their native kingdom.

My Experience 
     I had been really looking forward to starting this new series since I loved the Legend books. At first I had a little bit of a hard time getting involved in the story because the setting was not matching up with what I had expected in my mind. I continually struggled with it throughout the story, but I will say that I think that was my problem and not Lu's. I also had a hard time dealing with the fact that this story is an origin story for a villain. It is such a fresh concept that even though I started the book with that in mind I couldn't help but constantly think that Adelina was going to make a wise choice and save the day. It was really hard to remind myself that was not likely to happen.

The Book's Structure
     The book is told from alternating points of view, which was clear while reading. It also is told mostly in present tense with periods of flashbacks throughout.

Additional Thoughts
     Overall I loved the uniqueness of this story. The ending was satisfying while also leaving you wanting more. I think I will definitely have to reread this book before I read The Rose Society so that I can hopefully straighten out some of the kinks that I have in my mind. (Again, I think this is my fault, not the author's). 

 This is a sure recommendation for me, especially for those who want to read something a little darker.

Why the Hype?: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Just the facts:

Overall:  2 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: Eh. It’s “normal” life.

~~~~~

            I’m not sure where to start with this book. It seemed to have rave reviews and since I’ve been reading a little bit of realistic fiction I thought I’d give this a try. I was aware that there was quite a bit of colorful language (over 200 swear words, according to this article. It also includes an interview with Rowell on the subject.) before I started and that it was being accosted by those who find joy in banning books. (This, regardless of the way I feel about this book, is not something I support at all.) What I found, however, is that first impressions stick with you, even when you try to lay them aside.

            My first impression of Eleanor & Park was disgust at the amount and variety of vulgar language. (Rowell supports her use of profanity in the above mentioned article, but as a reader I don’t really agree with all she has to say.) I really hate it when authors use profanity and particularly a lot of it. I find that it distracts from the story. Every time I came across string of curse words I was immediately pulled out of the story world and I had to try to force myself back in. It felt like I was involved in some stupid tug of war. Story world versus reality. Reality was pretty strong, by the way.

            After I got past the constant tug of war (which nearly made me quit the book) and finished the story I was mostly dumbfounded at the praise Eleanor and Park’s love story had received. Honestly, I didn’t find it that wonderful. There are plenty of amazing depictions of falling in love in young adult literature. This was not one of them. And that’s saying something – I’m a bit of a sucker for a good love story. (I’m very happily married to my high school sweetheart, at that.)

            What I found most enjoyable about Eleanor & Park was actually Park’s family. (Not the aim of the story I’m sure.) I really enjoyed the relationship that Park’s parents have. Park may have found them embarrassing, but what would the world be like if more parents were in love like they were? Children need the example of their parents to show them what love really is. And it’s good for children to see their parents show affection towards one another.

            Lastly, I will say that there was one scene in the book that really moved me. About half way through the book, Park’s mother comes to him seeking his forgiveness for how she had been treating Eleanor. I loved how, even though it was difficult for her, she realized that her behavior toward Eleanor was not what it should have been and it pains her to realize this. She is very open and honest during this exchange and it quickly became the best part of the book for me. 

Breaking the Usual YA Conventions: Infinityglass by Myra McEntire

Just the facts:

Overall:  3 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: Eh. It’s “normal” life.

~~~~~

            Like I said in our Best Books of 2013 post, Rebecca and I actually did read our share of books last year. I wasn’t the most consistent with posting, but I would like to share my reviews for some of the books I finished, especially those that I’ve reviewed previous books in the series.

(Need to catch up on this series? Check out our reviews for Hourglass or Rebecca’s review for Timepiece.)

I had been anticipating this book and the conclusion of the Hourglass series for a long time. I also had been not so secretly hoping that McEntire would return to Emerson as narrator. However, it was not meant to be. Infinityglass is actually narrated by Dune and a new character Hallie. (Insert sad face here.) This was an instant dilemma for me. I didn’t care for Timepiece as much as Hourglass because of the change in view point and Infinityglass started off on that path as well. This brings me to my main point.

I think YA readers have come to expect a certain framework in their novels. An integral part of this framework is that we expect to be given the “starting lineup” of characters that will be telling the story. Once those characters are established we tend to be comfortable and happy to keep it that way. McEntire, however, has purposefully chosen to upset the contentment of her readers by giving us a series that does not follow this convention. What, then, is a reader to do?

This equates to my problem with the series (note: not McEntire’s problem). I absolutely fell in love with Emerson in Hourglass. I loved her snark and was looking forward to living in her world for a while longer. Then, along came Kaleb and my biggest feeling from Timepiece was disappointment. I know that some would argue that Timepiece suffers from Second Book Syndrome, but I would disagree. I think that it is easier to get hung up on what I wanted from Timepiece and Infinityglass than to appreciate the stories for what they are. Just because we as readers expect our narrators to stay consistent does not mean that they actually have to. It’s our job to read the books, not write them.

 I do think that Infinityglass has some things going for it. I loved that the overall story encompassed so many people. Typically YA novels rely on one or two characters to solve the dilemma of the story (see above: elements of YA framework) but McEntire creates an entire team of characters that have to work together to fix the problem. It really is a great reminder that no one person has it all together. There is no fantastic hero/heroine who can do it all on their own. Plus, McEntire uses all three books in the series to tell the story. I don’t think that any of the books are redundant or could be removed from the story. And although we don’t get all the details from the characters I love, we do learn about other interesting characters. I really enjoyed getting to know Poe a little bit better. Had I not read Infinityglass, I would never have known that I actually like Poe.

Lastly, I will say that upon reading Timepiece for the second time I was better able to enjoy it. I surely hope that happens when I reread Infinityglass. And perhaps, I need to remember that I do not control the plot or characters from my favorite books. I just get to go along for the ride.

Surviving an Alien Invasion: The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey

Overall Rating: 5 stars

Addiction Level:  I ignored the husband and puppy until I finished the book.

Believe-ability:  I daydream about the created world and know I would have died in the first wave.

Dystopia Factor:  The world has been turned upside down, all hope is lost, but maybe our hero and heroine can save it.

~~~

What can I say about this book?  It is awesome!  Aliens have come to our world, invaded our lives, and are trying to extinguish us.  If you like Falling Skies, you will love this book!

Cassie is a strong female character.  It is not hard to root for her.  She is trying to survive the invasion and find her brother.  Both admirable goals.  She has moments of doubt, but she succeeds more than I would have in an apocalypse. 

Evan is a mystery.  He is both a good guy and a bad guy.  Like Cassie I have my doubts about him, but I cannot place my finger on what is off about him.  In the end he redeems himself beyond doubt, and I love that about his character.

Zombie is a mess.  It is inspiring to see him leave his old life behind and embrace his new life.  He is a great example of how to overcome hardship.  His real identity is both shocking and expected.

I love the following quotes, because they are so poignant: 

“One day I was outside,” he says, “hanging up some sheets to dry on the clothesline, and this weird feeling came over me.  Like something had popped me in the chest.  I mean, it was totally physical, not mental, not a little voice inside my head telling me…telling me that Lauren was gone.  It felt like someone had punched me hard.  And I knew.  So I dropped the sheet and hauled ass to her house…” (Yancey, p. 271).

“I’ve decided to trust him, but like somebody once said, you can’t force yourself to trust.  So you put all your doubts in a little box and bury it deep and then try to forget where you buried it.  My problem is that buried box is like a scab I can’t stop picking at” (Yancey, p. 340).

“There's an old saying about truth setting you free. Don't buy it. Sometimes the truth slams the cell door shut and throws a thousand bolts.”

I think the picture Yancey paints is pretty accurate.  I am little nervous for the sequel, but I cannot wait to see where the story goes next.  Who will survive?

Follow the Bread Crumbs: Shades of Earth by Beth Revis

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 ½   Stars

Addiction Level: I read it when I had spare time.

Believe-ability: I daydream about the created world and wonder how I fit in.

Dystopia Factor: The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost!

~~~~~

             If you want a recap of previous books in this series check out our reviews for Across the Universe & A Million Suns.

            Shades of Earth continues Amy and Elder’s story as they prepare to leave Godspeed forever and begin a new life on Centauri-Earth. With their arrival on Centauri-Earth come new complications. For one, the time for the frozens to be reanimated officially arrives and all of the warnings and doubts of Orion fester within Elder. Add to that two very different groups of people trying to work together, a hostile environment, and the possibility of alien life forms and things aren’t really working in Elder or Amy’s favor.

            I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised by books lately. It seems as though we need to come up with some sort of quirky name for the third book that redeems the series. And Shades of Earth does just that. Revis craftily creates a new world outside of Godspeed, and having been stuck on Godspeed for two whole books sure makes you long for a new world (imagine being stuck there for centuries)! The new world is exciting, slightly dangerous and makes you start to question the authority and trustworthiness of many of the characters. Of course, Revis sticks to her mystery-style plot, but Centauri-Earth gives it a new feel.

            I mostly liked Shades of Earth, but I felt that the trail of crumbs was a bit too evident. Even from the start, I kept thinking, “There’s something up with _______”. And then it progressed to “__________ is definitely a _________ and __________”.  (Obviously, you get the idea that I’m trying not to spoil it, right?) But, through it all, I enjoyed the read and felt that there was a sufficient ending. I, however, don’t recommend reading it before bed because you might suffer from dinosaur related dreams or, in my case, dreams about too many embryos being created at once. Weird.

A Sad Day in Space: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 Stars

Addiction Level: I ignored the hubby and puppies until I finished the book.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

Dystopia Factor: The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost.

~~~~~

   At long last, my review for A Million Suns! (Sorry it took so long!).

   A Million Suns picks up right where Across the Universe left off. Elder is in control of Godspeed, phydus is no longer in use, and the ship is losing steam as it’s headed for Centauri-Earth. Unfortunately, because people can finally think for themselves, chaos starts to break out and Elder needs to step up to be their leader. More people are dying and Amy stumbles on a new set of clues, left by none other than Orion (dun, dun, dun!). Revis keeps the tone of the book similar to Across the Universe and the murder-mystery-set-in-space plot is more of the same.

   As far as the dystopian world goes, there isn’t much to go on. A few elements are there – population control, lack of parental guidance, and a controlling government, but the book keeps a neat package without pushing the reader beyond the point of comfort. The characters seem to lack growth and the plot twists fail to impress. Overall, A Million Suns is completely forgettable, which makes me very sad. It seems to be a book that bridges the beginning and end of the story but does little for the middle. I hope that Shades of Earth can redeem the series.

Can’t Wait Books of 2012 Completed: 2/5

Masterpiece Failure: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Just the Facts:

Overall Rating: 2 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability: The setting was believable.

Dystopia Factor: The world is starting to disintegrate.

~~~

As a child I would spend a lot of my time with my neighbors doing really cool family-like-type things. One of those activities was creating Pysanky eggs. It is a cooler way to color Easter eggs than the traditional dying. It is a tedious process of applying color and wax to create designs and artwork. The final step is poking a small hole to release the egg innards and sealing it up with an ornament hanger. Once you are done you have a beautiful, delicate masterpiece.

The Pledge reminds me of Pysanky eggs. It is obvious that Derting took great care to construct her novel and the world it exists in. Her world consists of female tyrants, and she plays around with the strong/weak female stereotype. It leaves you wondering who is in control: the female or her circumstances.

I am not sure if a love triangle romance is a requirement for dystopian novels with female protagonists, but The Pledge did not leave it out. There are times when I suspended disbelief. Many more times than I am willing to admit. Heck, I spent three days reading it. Will they get together? Can they make it work? Will true love triumph over evil? Of course you’ll have to read to figure out which characters I am talking about.

There is something else I must remind you about Pysanky eggs. They are very fragile and should be handled with care. If someone had carelessly dropped my egg, no matter how flawed, when I was a kid, I would have been crushed. For me it would have been worse than dropping the last piece of Grandma’s precious china. It would have been the end of the world!

Derting did this with The Pledge. In an effort to tie up all the loose ends to have a happy ending, she did just that. The first book in a series should have a resolution but not a conclusion. She left one loose thread, but it is not enough to convince me to read book two. She took my egg and did the Mexican hat dance on it twice.

However, we do have options. 1) We can try to glue our Pysanky egg back together. 2) Fan fiction people can reconstruct the ending. 3) Walk away…far, far away.

Mole Meets Savage: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Just the Facts:

Overall Rating: 4 Stars = I really liked it.

Addiction Level: I ignored the hubby and puppy until I finished the book.

Addiction Level: I daydream about the created world and wonder how I fit in.

Dystopia Factor: The world has been turned upside down and all hope is lost, but maybe our hero and heroine can save it.

~~~

As our world becomes more technologically advanced, more dystopian novels are published. I like dystopian novels, because they focus on what is important: survival and relationships. Under the Never Sky is no different.

The story takes place in a world where being outside is dangerous and deadly. The sky is filled with aether, which strikes and wreaks havoc at will. As a result society split into two groups: those living in indestructible pods above and below ground and those living out in the dangerous landscape.

Perry and Aria’s worlds are very different. Perry is a “Savage,” and his world is all about survival. Every action is meant to help one another survive. Aria is a “Mole,” and her world is full of virtual video games, fun, and relaxation. The story begins when their worlds collide.

For those action lovers Under the Never Sky is for you. Immediately the story starts with nonstop action and soon survival is questioned. The action never stops. Rossi fills in the gaps about her created world as the story progress; there is never an information dump.

My favorite part of the book is the main characters: Perry and Aria; they kept me reading. Their stories are told in alternating points of view. As they get to know each other, we get to know them. I kept reading to know what happened. Will they survive? Will they complete their mission? Can they save the current world?

What would happen to us as a society and individuals if our technology suddenly failed or were yanked away? Perhaps mass chaos would erupt. It almost makes me want to become a doomsday prepper…almost. My husband thinks we should become doomsday prepper stocking up on frozen carrots. I think carrots would serve us well in a Zombie Apocalypse. Make sure to read Under the Never Sky to find out if they survive and the status of their mission.