Review: Dark Energy (Robison Wells)

Title: Dark Energy
Series: standalone
Author: Robison Wells
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 29, 2016
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Science Fiction
Told: First Person, Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (gruesome visuals, violence, violent alien attacks, kissing)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

We are not alone.

Five days ago, a massive UFO crashed in the Midwest. Since then, nothing—or no one—has come out.

They have arrived.

If it were up to Alice, she’d be watching all of this on the news from Miami, Florida. Instead, she’s the newest student at a boarding school not far from the crash site—because her dad is the director of special projects for NASA, and if anything is a special project, it’s this.

And there’s no going back. 

A shell-shocked country is waiting, glued to televisions and computer screens, for a sign of what the new future holds. But when the aliens emerge, they’re nothing like what Alice expected. And only one thing is clear: Nothing will ever be the same again.

*          *          *

In a Sentence: A thrilling and chilling contemporary sci-fi with quick wit, engaging characters, and a compelling story, despite a creepy alien element.

Dark Energy was a genre roller coaster that began a light contemporary sci-fi, plunged into horror at the middle, veered into a tense adventure before a thriller climax, and ended on a romantic note. From the first sentence I was instantly engaged by easy, witty writing with great banter, simple yet realistic settings, and a diverse and relatable cast of characters. Except for a few instances of rather vivid and unnerving horror, the story was fast paced and engaging with exciting and surprising twists, including an ancient mystery I found quite unique and interesting. 

Alice was a fun and, in spite of the horror upbeat viewpoint character thanks to her easygoing attitude and adventurous streak, and the posse of fierce friends she collected were smart and snarky and I loved every one of them. (I especially adored her NASA dad and their close yet liberal relationship.) The romance was cute and sweet in the face of the action and adversity, and I appreciated that it took its time to build over the entire book. Given all the tension I felt the ending was plausible, and the story wrapped up nicely.

Conclusion: A thrilling read that always kept me engaged with effortless banter, relatable characters, and chilling twists. Despite a few rather squicky bits, I really enjoyed the quick and exciting read and look forward to trying more by Robison Wells.

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

The #FridayReads Review (11/25/16)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (ARC)
I've been hearing such amazing things that I couldn't resist this any longer, but sadly I'm not enjoying it as much as others have. There is so much description, and viewpoint character Scarlett is so indecisive and frustratingly overthinks everything. But the world is imaginative and I'm enjoying the intrigue, so I'll stick with it to the end. 

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Dark Energy by Robison Wells (ARC)
4 Stars. A thrilling and chilling contemporary sci-fi with quick wit, engaging characters, and a compelling story, despite a creepy alien element. Review to come.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (ARC)
I think it's about time for a light contemporary, so maybe I'll finally give Matson a try.

So what are you reading this week?

The #FridayReads Review (11/18/16)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Dark Energy by Robison Wells (ARC)
This has been a thrilling genre rollercoaster! It started as a light contemporary sci-fi, plunged into horror near the middle, and then turned into a tense adventure as we neared the climax. I only have a chapter or two left and I'm itching to find out how it ends!

>> JUST FINISHED <<

My Lady Jane by Hand & Ashton & Meadows (ARC)
3.5 Stars. A humorous historical reimagining that was a bit slow and wordy at times but possessed great characters, fun fantastical twists, and adorable romances.


>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Ruined by Amy Tintera (ARC)
Feeling like a fantasy next so think I'll try Amy's latest! Really enjoyed her Reboot duology.

So what are you reading this week?

{Nerd Blast} THE DIABOLIC (S.J. Kincaid) + INT Giveaway!

Welcome to the Official Nerd Blast for 

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid!

Red Queen meets The Hunger Games in this epic novel about what happens when the galaxy’s most deadly weapon masquerades as a senator’s daughter and a hostage of the galactic court.

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for. 

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.

As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S.J. Kincaid was born in Alabama, grew up in California, and attended high school in New Hampshire, but it was while living beside a haunted graveyard in Scotland that she realized that she wanted to be a writer. Her debut, Insignia, came out July 2012. The second book in the series, Vortex, was released July 2013. The final book in the trilogy, Catalyst, released October 2014. Her standalone novel, The Diabolic, releases November 2016.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK

GIVEAWAY

5 winners will receive a copy of THE DIABOLIC + swag by S.J. Kincaid!
Giveaway is International | Must be 13+ to enter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ten Books (With Covers) I've Added To My To-Be-Read List Lately

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!

Ten Books (With Covers) I've Added To My TBR List Lately

1. Frogkisser! (Garth Nix) - This sounds like a ton of fairy tale fun, and I'm a big fan of Garth's storytelling!
2. Nova (Margaret Fortune) - I'm a sucker for sci-fi, and this looks unique and interesting. 
3. The Spirit Thief (Rachel Aaron) - I enjoyed Rachel's sci-fi Paradox series (released under the name Rachel Bach), so when I found this at a used book sale I thought I'd give it a try!
4. Traveler (L.E. DeLano) - A writer whose stories turn out to be real alternate universes that she travels to with a cute guy? Umm, yes please.
5. Romeo & What's Her Name (Shani Petroff) - I have a secret love of drama class, and as a "romantic comedy of errors" I just can't resist this.
6. Dividing Eden (Joelle Charbonneau) - I really enjoyed Joelle's Testing series so I'm excited to see her tackle fantasy!
7. Libriomancer (Jim C. Hines) - I'm sorry, there's an entire series about librarians who wield book magic? How did I not hear about this before??
8. The Ship Who Sang (Anne McCaffrey) - I discovered this sci-fi classic doing research for my Nano novel, and then a few weeks later found a ex-library copy at a used book sale! If that wasn't fate - really excited to read it soon.
9. Daughter of the Pirate King (Tricia Levenseller) - I'm take it or leave it when it comes to pirate books, but this one sounds really good! 
10. Frau Faust vol. 1 (Kore Yamazaki) - Okay so technically the American edition doesn't have a cover yet since Kodansha just announced the license last month, but I'm just so excited for this new series from the author of my favorite manga, The Ancient Magus Bride!! If the awesome Japanese cover is any indication, I'm in for another amazing read.

So what books have you added to your TBR lately? Have you read any on mine? If so, what did you think?

Review: Shadow Run (AdriAnne Strickland & Michael Miller)

Title: Shadow Run
Series: Kaitan Chronicles, Book 1
Author: AdriAnne Strickland & Michael Miller
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: March 21, 2017
Genre: Light Science Fiction
Told: First Person (Nev & Qole), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, gruesome death, experimental torture)
Format Read: ARC (won)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

"Firefly" meets DUNE in this action-packed sci-fi adventure about a close-knit, found family of a crew navigating a galaxy of political intrigue and resource-driven power games.

Nev has just joined the crew of the starship Kaitan Heritage as the cargo loader. His captain, Qole, is the youngest-ever person to command her own ship, but she brooks no argument from her crew of orphans, fugitives, and con men. Nev can’t resist her, even if her ship is an antique.

As for Nev, he’s a prince, in hiding on the ship. He believes Qole holds the key to changing galactic civilization, and when her cooperation proves difficult to obtain, Nev resolves to get her to his home planet by any means necessary.

But before they know it, a rival royal family is after Qole too, and they’re more interested in stealing her abilities than in keeping her alive.

Nev’s mission to manipulate Qole becomes one to save her, and to survive, she’ll have to trust her would-be kidnapper. He may be royalty, but Qole is discovering a deep reservoir of power—and stars have mercy on whoever tries to hurt her ship or her crew.

*          *          *

In a Sentence: An engaging sci-fi with a rough start and lengthy bouts of inaction but amazing action, unexpected twists, and great characters.

Sci-fi, especially what I've started to consider "Light" Sci-fi, is my go-to genre, so when I first laid eyes on Shadow Run's simple brown spaceship cover and intriguing title I could not get my hands on it fast enough. After winning an early ARC (sometimes giveaway stalking does work!), I couldn't help but read it ASAP.

To my disappointment, the first 50 pages were rough and rather slow - almost exclusively internal monologue with very little character interaction and movement, let alone action. The first chapter was also rather a mess of telling from a somewhat unengaging character, and the next wasn't much better. I struggled to make myself continue, but was convinced that it must get better.

And it did. After a shock of a twist I did not see coming, the writing, pace, and characters shifted for the better, and once we got our first taste of action I was hooked. Although the story was still prone to lengthy chunks of downtime and long conversations I didn't quite see the point of, the writing improved with every chapter as continual twists and thrills kept me reading late into the nights. I grew to love the entire crew of the Kaitan Heritage, and their struggles and horrors weighed on me as they fought a seemingly unwinnable battle. Their loyalty for each other was fierce, and even their occasionally misguided and conflicting actions were understandable.

The thrilling climax was occasionally a little confusing as the two viewpoint characters went separate ways for a time and their alternating chapters backtracked a smidge to overlap, but it was definitely exciting and engaging as I had no idea what to expect at every new turn. The end was a bit soft for me given all the violence and buildup, but it wrapped the book up nicely while still leaving me most definitely interested in reading the next book.

A Note on Classification: Going into Shadow Run I was under the impression it was an adult book, even though it was quickly revealed that Qole was under 18 and most of the crew were I believe under the age of 25. About halfway through though I got a hint of Young Adult, and poking around the ARC discovered it's actually being marketed by the publisher's children's department. Despite a pleasant lack of language and sex, for me it still had a distinct adult vibe that, while I would have no trouble recommending it to a teenager, I would just as easily recommend it to an adult without telling them to look for it in the teen section.

Conclusion: Although it had a rocky start and was prone to long bouts of inaction and conversation, the action was amazing, the twists unexpected, and the characters worth rooting for. I definitely recommend Shadow Run for light sci-fi readers, and look forward to the next book in the series!

For Fans Of: Firefly

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

The #FridayReads Review (11/4/16)

Welcome to The #FridayReads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week, and what I'm planning to read next! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own #FridayReads Review and leave the link in the Comments below, or just Comment with what you've been reading!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

My Lady Jane by Hand & Ashton & Meadows (ARC)
I'm typically not much for historical fiction, but once I found out how hilarious this was I just had to read it. The first chapter was a little repetitive, but by Chapter 2 I was engaged and I've been really enjoying the Ardagh-esque humor and characters!

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Continent by Keira Drake (ARC)

2 Stars. A sadly simple and twistless dystopian-esque tale with realistic and likable characters but too little action, too much contemplation, and a message that left me frustrated. Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

(subject to change with my ever-shifting reading whims)

Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini (HBK)
This FINALLY came in at the library so I think I'll be tackling it next! Seriously tempted to re-read the first two books beforehand, though...

So what are you reading this week?

Release Spotlight: The Diabolic (S.J. Kincaid) & Romancing the Inventor (Gail Carriger) + Signed Giveaway!

Today I spotlight a thrilling Young Adult and a sweet LBGTQ romance novella!

The first is The Diabolic, a standalone from S.J. Kincaid. I sadly have yet to read it, but it looks to be just my kind of read and having finally acquired an ARC I look forward to reading it soon! I'm especially excited because it's a standalone - there just aren't enough of them releasing in genre fiction right now.

The second is Romancing the Inventor, the first in the Supernatural Society Novella series from favorite author Gail Carriger. Miss Gail is on a novella kick right now, and fans of her Parasolverse could not be happier! This story involves series-recurring character Genevieve Lefoux, a favorite among fans and yours truly, so I'm especially excited to read it shortly. Want a copy of your own? Miss Gail has generously donated a signed softcover for one lucky reader, so be sure to enter to win it at the end of this post!

So have you checked out either of these reads yet? If not, do so below!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: The Diabolic

Author: S.J. Kincaid
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: 11/1/16

Red Queen meets The Hunger Games in this epic novel about what happens when the galaxy’s most deadly weapon masquerades as a senator’s daughter and a hostage of the galactic court.

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for. 

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.

As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | B&N | Indiebound | Book Depository

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: Romancing the Inventor

Series: A Supernatural Society Novella
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Gail Carriger LLC
Release Date: 11/1/16

Imogene Hale is a lowly parlourmaid with a soul-crushing secret. Seeking solace, she takes work at a local hive, only to fall desperately in love with the amazing lady inventor the vampires are keeping in the potting shed. Genevieve Lefoux is heartsick, lonely, and French. With culture, class, and the lady herself set against the match, can Imogene and her duster overcome all odds and win Genevieve's heart, or will the vampires suck both of them dry?

This is a stand-alone LBGTQ sweet romance set in Gail Carriger's Parasolverse, full of class prejudice, elusive equations, and paranormal creatures taking tea.

Delicate Sensibilities? This story contains women pleasing women and ladies who know what they want and pursue it, sometimes in exquisite detail.

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | B&N | Indiebound

GIVEAWAY

Author Gail Carriger has generously donated a signed copy of ROMANCING THE INVENTOR to go to one lucky reader - simply enter using the Rafflecopter form below!

DETAILS: 

US mailing addresses only | Must be at least 16 years old | Ends 11/8/16

a Rafflecopter giveaway