Place Your Heart in a Ringer: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Overall Rating:  5 stars

Addiction Level:  I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability:  The setting is believable.

~~~

Life is not fair; it never has been.  It never will be.  But life is what you make of it.  It is what you do with it.

The Fault in Our Stars is about Hazel who has cancer.  She will never be cured; her life will just be prolonged.  Her life changes when she meets Gus, a cancer survivor.  Gus is full of life and reenergizes Hazel.

Hazel’s favorite book is An Imperial Affliction, and Gus comes to love it too.  The book’s only flaw is it ends in mid-sentences.  Who would end a book like that?  Together Gus and Hazel seek out the author to discover the real ending.

What I loved:

·         John Green does not sugar coat long-term suffering.  His details are sometimes too overwhelming.

·         Long-term suffering and friends.  Green pegged people’s reactions to illness.  Most people disappear; most people cannot handle being the friend of a “sick person.”  Those that matter stick with you to the end.

·         The caregiver.  When people think about terminal very rarely do they think of the caregiver.  Is their whole life taking care of the ill, or is it something more?  Will they have a life after the ill is better/gone?

·         Gus.  He is a hilarious character full of life.  I can picture him driving in an abrupt stop-and-go manner with his prosthetic leg.

·         Van Houten.  He was a sad pathetic man.  Green does not sugar coat his pathetic state.  In fact I wavered between anger and pity.

·         Hazel.  I loved that she found life and the inner strength to go on. 

·         John Green’s accurate portrayal of characters.  I laughed.  I cried.  I lived through them.

·         Hope/support.  Though I long to be independent, I know that we cannot live life alone; we need each to survive.  I was happy that Hazel and Gus found each other to lean on.

What I questioned:

·         Eternal hope.  Though I partially depend on other people to help me through tough times, no one can replace my God.  The comfort and trust I have in Him is nothing to compared to human comfort.  “³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38-39).

Such a Foul Smell: Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Just the facts:

Overall: 3 Stars

Addiction Level: I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability: It was believable.

~~~~~

            In a purposefully undeclared past (or future?), a terrible plague has spread like wildfire and threatens the entire population. The daughter of the scientist who has created a mask that keeps the wearer safe from the plague, Araby Worth lives a life of luxury, known only to the wealthy elite. Since all daily life is pretty much at a stand still, Araby spends her time going to the Debauchery Club with her friend April, where April hooks up with whomever is available and Araby gets high on whatever drugs she can find.

            Enter the family man/bouncer at the Club, Will. Araby is drawn to the normalcy of his life, the way he takes care of his brother and sister, and his softer side. Ah, but what’s a YA story without a love triangle? So of course Araby also catches the eye of April’s brother, Elliot. Elliot is pretty much the opposite of Will. He’s the extremely wealthy nephew of Prince Prospero, is hell bent on rebelling against his uncle, and will resort to less than tasteful means to accomplish his goals.

 What will happen to Araby and her friends when the already dreadful plague develops into something worse? And who will save the people from Prince Prospero’s neglectful eye?

Although I liked the overall uniqueness to this story, I felt that it fell flat in many areas. My first and biggest disappointment came with this book being labeled as steampunk. I am certainly no expert when it comes to steampunk, but when you have an entire science fiction sub-genre to work with, I would think that you could come up with more than steam carriages and a fancy disease proof mask. I’m just saying, you have all of human history and then some to create some awesome steampunk machinery and the biggest thing you’ve got is a steam carriage?! Child’s play.

I also didn’t like the fact that Araby resorted to drug use to dull her feelings about life. Although I understood the reasons behind it, I didn’t feel like it actually fit Araby’s character. I think it could have been more believable if she actually displayed some attributes of an addict. She supposedly gets so high that she passes out on a regular basis, but when she goes for a stretch without drugs she doesn’t display any longing for it. She doesn’t have physical side effects, which she would if she was cut off from her supply, and she doesn’t have emotional effects from withdrawal either. Here is a girl who doesn’t care what she shoots up with as long as she doesn’t have to feel, but she can go without her fix no problem? I don’t buy it.

Lastly, by the end of the book, everyone Araby knows turns out to be full of deception. (And I mean everyone.) Why does Araby trust any of her friends, acquaintances, or family if she believes that they have all lied to her and used her? I dislike the idea of everyone being so deceitful and I dislike that Araby still chooses to be around them if they are indeed as they seem. Obviously, these are questions that will be answered in the second book, but it leaves a sour taste in my mouth as I finish the first. 

Upgrades & Anguish

We just finished some minor upgrades here at Apocalypse Reads. We wanted to make it easier for you to find books, so we've created a new page - Reviews by Rating - where you can find books based on the number of stars we bestowed upon them. Hopefully it will give you some ideas for books to check out (and which ones to avoid)! We also loaded our labels on the side of the home screen so you can find titles that are labeled similarly. Let us know what you think! Are our new upgrades helpful?

In between upgrading our site, I've started reading The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. Of course you know that I absolutely love Will Henry and have spent months pining away waiting for the last (Oh! It hurts to admit that!) installment of the Monstrumologist, so it only makes sense that I would pick up his newest novel which in some ways fits into the dystopian world (mostly in a post-apocalyptic way). Needless to say, I'm about half way in and so far it is living up to expectations. If you haven't gotten your hands on a copy, you need to! Check out this trailer and check out www.rickyancey.com for more updates!

Oh! I almost forgot! I've got a couple of reviews lined up for the first steampunk novels I've read, along with some others, and of course I'll post on The 5th Wave as soon as I finish!

Novellas that have you begging for more: The Fractured by Sarah Dalton

 

Overall Rating: 3 stars each

Addiction Level:  I read when I had time.

Believe-ability:  It was believable

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

~~~

The Fractured:  Elena (Fractured #1)

I am glad Dalton chose to explore Elena’s character more.  I wanted to know what happened to her after The Blemished, and I received more insight into her character.

Dalton did a good job of expanding Elena’s character.  It is interesting to see Elena live for the GEM society and sympathize with the Blemished.  Her encounter with Mina changed her to see that all people are people.  One “race” or “species” is not superior.

I disliked that there were a few cheesy and predictable parts.  I like that Elena’s confrontation with tragedy will make her stronger.  Elena’s final choice will change the future for everyone.

I cannot wait to see what role she plays in The Unleashed!

The Fractured:  Maggie (Fractured #2)

I enjoyed this novella. I felt like Dalton took a long time to set the stage, but once the stage was set I was ready to keep reading.

I was reminded of the importance of how one reacts to tragedy. You can let it get you down and destroy your world, or you can use it for the better good. Maggie lets an event destroy her world; she never recovers.  It reminded me to strive to overcome the difficulties in my life, because I do not want to be a bitter old woman!

My only criticism is that I wanted more! I know we will see more in The Unleashed!

~~~

P.S.  I am always in agony as I wait for the next book in a series.  Is this intentional on the part of the author?  Probably not.  I do my best not to stalk the authors.  Maybe it is because she is self-published, but I love that her work is published so quickly.

P.P.S.  I can’t linger any longer.  I’m reading The Unleashed!

 

False Advertising at its Best: Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Just the facts:

Overall: 1 Star

Addiction Level: I ignored the hubby and puppies until I finished the book. (It only took one sitting.)

Believe-ability: Some aspects were real; others were not.

~~~~~

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.

The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely—something not human?

As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want? (Synopsis taken from Goodreads).

            What would you think this story is about if you read the above synopsis and compared it to the cover of the book? Obviously something paranormal. Maybe some sort of spiritual battle. You probably wouldn’t think about werewolves. At all. But, then you would be stuck in the same boat as me, staring at the book with a dumbfounded look as you realized that is exactly what it’s about.

            If reading about werewolves doesn’t turn your smile into a frown then perhaps Emily’s character would. Quiet, geeky, keeps to herself-Emily almost instantly turns into trashy, slut-tastic, jump any male around-Emily overnight. Apparently, this is her alter ego. Right. I don’t know if this is a by-product of a male author writing from a teenage girl’s perspective (surely it’s not, right?), but it really irks me. Here’s a girl who seems pretty smart and level headed, but her alter ego is a tramp?! Of all the ways to go in a story like this, Sampson had to go there.

            The one thing that could have redeemed this story also aided in its downfall. The story is a written account of what had happened to Emily, including transcripts throughout of a verbal interview being held in the present tense. It works as an attention grabber leading you to believe there is more to Emily’s story than her discovering she’s a werewolf, but by the end there are illogical sequences thrown in. You can’t end a story by adding random connections and abilities. I realize the purpose it to create suspense and make me want to find out what happens next, but it just left me shaking my head in disapproval.

            A very superficial story at best, I’d pass unless you have some sort of hysterical love affair with anything werewolf related.

Go Volunteer: The Collector by Victoria Scott

Overall Rating:  2 stars

Addiction Level:  I read it every waking moment.

Believe-ability:  Some aspects were real; others were not.

Dystopia:  It’s a mixture of real life and paranormal life.

~~~

The Collector started out with great promise.  Dante, a smart-alec dead human turned demon, enters the stage.  He’s cocky and funny.  Do I want him to be my best friend?  No.  Nonetheless, I like his ‘tude.  His goal is to collect a girl’s soul for the Boss Man, aka Lucifer.  He’s got plenty of swag, and he struts his stuff.  The first section was funny.

After the first section the story plummets.  Dante begins to a gain a conscience as he realizes the repercussions of his actions.  He feels guilty for his actions.  The story becomes a sappy love story with a predictable story line and nice, neat ending. 

To add insult to injury Scott’s version of good and bad and heaven and hell are not fully developed and are wrong.  I was intrigued and impressed at Scott’s nod to Dante’s Inferno and Milton’s Paradise Lost.  However, she did not take either allusion far enough, and she did not successfully create her own world.  [Scott’s world does not have nine levels of hell as in the Inferno.  (See Cheryl Bentley’s Petronella & The Trogot for a modern Inferno.)  Scott was also not true to Paradise Lost.  Humans cannot become angels and demons.]

Scott’s theology is based on works where good outweighs evil.  She seems to believe that a little good can conquer a lifetime of bad.  Dante’s good act redeems him from a lifetime and afterlife of evil.  It is like a mass murderer saving a kitten from a tree and being pardoned for his life of crime. (Thanks Tina!)  Really? 

In reality there is nothing we can do to gain God’s favor.  There is no deed good enough.  This is why Christ had to die for our sins.  Those that believe in Jesus have eternal life. 

There is one redeeming quality of this book:  Charlie’s organization, Hands Helping Hands.  People help each other with the promise to help others.  For example, Charlie’s group did yard work for an elderly lady who then volunteered to answer phones for a crises center.  It is paying it forward at its best. 

Rather than read this book, go out and volunteer.  Help someone who needs help and ask them to pass it on.

           

Fantasy Friday: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Just the facts:

Overall: 2 Stars

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

Believe-ability: It was believable.

~~~~~

            The Thief is the story about a legendary treasure that allows the receiver to rule over the country and live an unnaturally long life. In the story, the King of Sounis allows his Magus to go on a quest to recover the gift which will then allow him to begin taking over the adjoining countries of Eddis and Attolia. Unfortunately, the treasure is in a location where only a masterful thief can retrieve it. The Magus enlists the help of such a thief, by the name of Gen, from the King’s prison and they set off on their journey with two of the Magus’s apprentices and a bodyguard.

            Before I go on, there are a couple of boxes that I like my fantasy novel to check.

-          First, there must be action and adventure. Fantasy novels should have their fill of swordplay, bows, bruises, and the like. Give me some fight scenes, maybe a surprise attack even.

-          Second, like all books, there should be characters that I can really believe in. They may not be “good” or likeable, but I should feel a connection to them and really know who they are.

Here’s the catch. The Thief didn’t really hold any of that. The story line almost entirely follows the quest that the characters make to retrieve the gift. I get that, many fantasy novels have lengthy traveling involved. They are usually walking or traveling on horseback across a country. And that takes a while. However, in this story, they are just traveling and telling stories around the campfire. No action. No adventure. No suspense. Eat, sleep, travel. Yawn.

So, you might think, that the traveling would be the part of the story where there is a lot of character building. Our companions are spending every waking moment together, so surely we should be learning about them in an intimate manner versus a very superficial manner. Not so. Everything that we learn is so obvious that the characters might as well be puppets or stick figures. No meat and bones. I never developed feelings for any of the characters and by the time I reached what many people call the “surprise” ending, I wasn’t surprised. (It doesn’t take much to figure out that the narrator isn’t telling you everything.) I could really care less.

Now, I’ve seen reviews that say that the story really picks up in the following books and maybe it does, but for once, I don’t think I’ll finish a series. I should at least feel invested by the end of one book and I’m simply not.