Review: Zero Repeat Forever (G.S. Prendergast)

Title: Zero Repeat Forever
Series: The Nahx Invasions, Book 1
Author: G.S. Prendergast
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BYR
Release Date: August 29, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Science Fiction
Content Rating: Older Teen (strong language, strong violence, some torture, teen drug use and drinking, strong crude talk/innuendo, sensuality)
Format Read: ARC
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

He has no voice, or name, only a rank, Eighth. He doesn’t know the details of the mission, only the directives that hum in his mind.

Dart the humans. Leave them where they fall.

His job is to protect his Offside. Let her do the shooting.

Until a human kills her…

Sixteen year-old Raven is at summer camp when the terrifying armored Nahx invade, annihilating entire cities, taking control of the Earth. Isolated in the wilderness, Raven and her friends have only a fragment of instruction from the human resistance.

Shelter in place.

Which seems like good advice at first. Stay put. Await rescue. Raven doesn’t like feeling helpless but what choice does she have?

Then a Nahx kills her boyfriend.

Thrown together in a violent, unfamiliar world, Eighth and Raven should feel only hate and fear. But when Raven is injured, and Eighth deserts his unit, their survival depends on trusting each other…

*          *          *

Series: This is the first book in The Nahx Invasions duology.

Although Zero Repeat Forever is technically broken into four seasonal parts, for me there were really only two: before Raven and Eighth are forced together, and after.

Before: Before was a struggle for me, a long survival story of constant quiet tension that wore uncomfortably on my nerves punctuated by bursts of violent action that did little to animate the plodding and introspective travel saga. The writing style was choppy, occasionally confusing, and told the story crudely with a lot of language and sexual references that made it impossible for me to connect with or even bring myself to like Raven and her companions. It took all my willpower not to skip over her chapters for Eighth's as he and his mental struggles were the only bright spot in the first half, although even he had the occasional crude streak that made me just as uncomfortable as it did him. At about 35% I finally had to set the book aside for a breather and debated for a few weeks if I would pick it back up, but ultimately the mystery of the aliens intrigued me enough to continue my struggles.

After: And then, blessedly, halfway through, came the After. Once Raven and Eighth are finally forced together, despite all the brooding and screaming, I was thoroughly engrossed. Even repulsed by each other, Raven and Eighth (now Autumn) were amazing together, and their volatile loathe/love relationship kept me enthralled. They brought out a lot of darkness in each other but also a little light; were horrible to and for each other but also comfort and warmth. I finally came to care about them, and their journey together and apart sucked me in. After the first half took me over a week to read, and several weeks off to reassess my interest, for the second half I was reluctant to put the book down and devoured Part 3 in a day and the final Part 4 in a few hours (together almost 250 pages).

The End: While the alien mystery reveal was no surprise, the end twist was and with its somewhat cliffhanger finish I must admit I was left a little curious about the sequel. But skimming the reviews and weighing my struggles with this book, despite its second-half good points, I'm not sure I could take a 570-page crude continuation with, according to reviews, no saving grace Autumn until the second half. Still, perhaps one day.

Conclusion: Although not typically my kind of read with its crude characters, lengthy travel, and constant quiet tension, the mystery of the aliens held my interest just enough through the first half to reach the much more engrossing second half with its volatile relationship and surprising end. Would definitely recommend for those who love alien invasion survival stories with grisly violence and a crude streak.

For Fans Of: The 5th Wave and similar reads

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

The #FridayReads Review (9/27/19)

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 <<

The Mediator: Twilight by Meg Cabot (PBK)

After devouring the first five books I'm at the last of the teen years! With the addition of arrogant creeper Paul in the second half of the series I've become less enthused to read with abandon, but I will be finishing soon and will be curious to finally read the more recently released Book 7, Remembrance, which showcases Suze/Jesse's adult lives.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

A Bride's Story, vol. 11 by Kaoru Mori (HBK)

3.5 Stars. This was rather a transitional volume so I wasn't as impressed as I have been with the rest of the series, but I did enjoy following the cover couple's adventures and look forward to continuing their journey in the next volumes.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

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

The Mediator: Remembrance by Meg Cabot (PBK)

I'll be interested to see how Meg picked the series back up in their adult years.

So what are you reading this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Tweet Cute (Emma Lord)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Tweet Cute

Author: Emma Lord

Release Date: January 21, 2020
Publisher: Wednesday Books

Summary:

A fresh, irresistible rom-com from debut author Emma Lord about the chances we take, the paths life can lead us on, and how love can be found in the opposite place you expected.

Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming ― mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.

Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.

All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.

Add to Goodreads

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: How does a teen romantic comedy involving a Twitter war and grilled cheese - and MCs named Pepper and Jack - not sound like a deliciously fun read?

So what book are you waiting on?

The #FridayReads Review (9/20/19)

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 <<

The Mediator: Reunion by Meg Cabot (PBK)

Was feeling nostalgic so I decided to re-re-read the first of this teenhood favorite and haven't been able to stop devouring the series yet. Currently on Book 3 with serious plans to binge the entire six-book set and review. Despite violent ghosts it's a fun and breezy read with an authentic teen voice (at least for my teen years). Highly recommend for Buffy and Veronica fans. 

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast (ARC)

3.5 Stars. The first half was a serious struggle of quiet tension and crude characters, but the second half was intense and engrossing and I'm definitely glad I pushed myself to finish. Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

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

The Mediator: Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot (PBK)

The mediating continues...

So what are you reading this week?

Review: Reticence (Gail Carriger)

Title: Reticence
Series: The Custard Protocol, Book 4
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: August 6, 2019
Genre: New Adult Alternate Historical Paranormal Steampunk Romance
Told: Third Person Multiple, Past Tense
Content Rating: Adult (violence, innuendo, sensuality)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | Indiebound | BookDepo
Summary:

Bookish and proper Percival Tunstell finds himself out of his depth when floating cities, spirited plumbing, and soggy biscuits collide in this delightful conclusion to NYT bestselling author Gail Carriger's Custard Protocol series.

Percival Tunstell loves that his sister and her best friend are building themselves a family of misfits aboard their airship, the Spotted Custard. Of course, he'd never admit that he belongs among them. He's always been on the outside - dispassionate, aloof, and hatless. But accidental spies, a trip to Japan, and one smart and beautiful doctor may have him renegotiating his whole philosophy on life.

Except hats. He's done with hats. Thank you very much.

*          *          *

Series: This is the fourth and final book in The Custard Protocol series. Although they feature different point of view characters, the books follow the crew of the Spotted Custard and their consecutive adventures and really must be read in order. You can read my review of Book 3, Competence, here. This is also one of many series set in Gail Carriger's Parasolverse, the scope of which you can check out here.

After attending a shotgun wedding in London and catching up with respective (and disrespective) relations, the Spotted Custard is sent to Japan to (naturally) investigate a new rumored shifter and rescue a missing intelligencer. Parachutes, communal bathing, and broken custard ensue, along with an inevitable romance for eligible bachelor Percy and newest crewmember and resident doctor, Arsenic.

Gail's signature wit and playful style make for another delightful read that I quickly devoured and thoroughly enjoyed with laughter and wonder. The romantically addlepated Percy was absolutely adorkable as he navigated the exasperations of love, and it was interesting to view the paranormal elements from Doctor Arsenic's clinical perspective. Their courtship was also somewhat clinical but perfectly fit the couple and was extremely amusing.

I was thoroughly chuffed to visit beloved country Japan, and with its special shifters and exotic setting it did not disappoint. The new paranormal discoveries and discussions did get rather too technical and complicated for simple me to fully follow, but Gail showcased just how thoroughly she has thought out her historically fantastical universe and the little I did understand was most intriguing. A surprise third point of view added a very unique take on the shenanigans (I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it's a familiar face and favorite flyer) and was highly entertaining to observe so closely.

The end had its share of smiles and sniffles but was ultimately uplifting as always as the crew continues their adventures off-page. Although the series nicely wrapped I was definitely left wanting more, and I shall never give up hope that Gail someday gives in to popular demand for The Further Adventures of the Custard Protocol.

Conclusion: A thoroughly delightful read that was even better than expected, and I expected to be thoroughly delighted! Percy was adorkable, Arsenic gave Sophronia a run for her money as my favorite Parasolverse female, and the surprise third POV was such fun. If you enjoy reads by Gail then this novel cannot be missed, if only for the dozen or more catch-up cameos of previous Parasolverse characters.

Scribble Rating: 

4.5 of 5 Scribbles

Series Conclusion: While the Finishing School series remains my favorite of the Parasolverse, the Spotted Custard crew of delightful eccentrics is my favorite team. With Custard's globetrotting adventures and supernatural discoveries I enjoyed learning more about world history through a fantastical lens, and although it could get a little too intellectual at times for simple me the new supernaturals were fun and interesting. I can't wait to see what Gail's vast imagination creates next!

Series Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

The #FridayReads Review (9/13/19)

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 <<

Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast (ARC)

Giving this another try now that I've had some distance from it. I'm still really curious about the mystery behind the aliens so we'll see if I can put up with the crudeness for the answer. Re-starting at 34% in.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West (PBK)

4.5 Stars. A quick, engrossing and personally relatable story of self discovery and sweet romance. Review to come.

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

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

Anonymous Noise vol. 15 by Ryoko Fukuyama (PBK)

Catching up on the series. The love triangle drives me crazy but the drama is so completely addicting I can't stop reading.

So what are you reading this week?

Review: By Your Side (Kasie West)

Title: By Your Side
Series: standalone
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: January 31, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Told: First Person (Autumn), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (kissing)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary:

When Autumn Collins finds herself accidentally locked in the library for an entire weekend, she doesn’t think things could get any worse. But that’s before she realizes that Dax Miller is locked in with her. Autumn doesn’t know much about Dax except that he’s trouble. Between the rumors about the fight he was in (and that brief stint in juvie that followed it) and his reputation as a loner, he’s not exactly the ideal person to be stuck with. Still, she just keeps reminding herself that it is only a matter of time before Jeff, her almost-boyfriend, realizes he left her in the library and comes to rescue her.

Only he doesn’t come. No one does.

Instead it becomes clear that Autumn is going to have to spend the next couple of days living off vending-machine food and making conversation with a boy who clearly wants nothing to do with her. Except there is more to Dax than meets the eye. As he and Autumn first grudgingly, and then not so grudgingly, open up to each other, Autumn is struck by their surprising connection. But can their feelings for each other survive once the weekend is over and Autumn’s old life, and old love interest, threaten to pull her from Dax’s side?

*          *          *

By Your Side is a sweet teen contemporary romance about situational relationships and self-care. After accidentally getting locked in the library for three days, Autumn imagines her biggest worry will be explaining how she survived the time with the sullen and mysterious Dax. But as circumstances and obligations strain her secret anxiety disorder, she finds herself turning to him for comfort and more as she starts to question how she's been living and who she should be living for.

With its library setting I expected this to be my favorite Kasie novel yet, but due to the limited location, limited opportunity for action, and a lone boy with a limited desire to speak, there was little for the story to offer other than Autumn's reflections and flashbacks. Luckily the library was only a third of the book, and once they were outside of it Autumn and Dax's friendship and subsequent romance were engaging and engrossing. Realistically I'm not sure if they would last as a couple past high school, but despite a bit of volatility on Dax's part the fall was sweet and they were really good for each other in the moment.

The highlight of the book for me, which was imprudently missing from the cover summary, was Autumn's anxiety disorder. As a sufferer myself I completely related to her struggles, and especially her reluctance to tell her friends. Her journey to accept herself as she was and start putting her health first was one I really connected with, and [upon first read] it even helped me understand myself and my own condition a little better.

Conclusion: Although the surprisingly unfortunate library setting proved a little too limiting, I really related to Autumn's anxiety struggles and her relationship with Dax was sweet. As I do with all of Kasie's books I highly recommend By Your Side for contemporary romance readers, especially if you like them a little heavier on the contemporary.

Scribble Rating: 

4 of 5 Scribbles

Other Kasie West Reviews That Might Interest: 

The Distance Between Us

On the Fence
Love, Life, and the List

The #FridayReads Review (9/6/19)

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 <<

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West (PBK)

My last Kasie West re-read for review! I've always declared this my favorite, but while it's still one of her best, the unhealthy relationships are hitting a little too flinchingly close to home this read. Still the romance is so sweet and I really relate to Gia's journey.

>> JUST FINISHED <<

The Ancient Magus' Bride vol. 9 by Kore Yamazaki (PBK)

4.5 Stars. Re-reading the origin arc of this series was such a delight, although it was so good it completely ruined me for other manga this week. Look for my review of volumes 1-9 soon!

>> [POSSIBLY] READING NEXT <<

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

Barakamon vol. 18 by Satsuki Yoshino (PBK)

This has been such a quiet and sweet and fun series, I almost hate to see it finish. I'm extremely curious to see how it all ends, though!

So what are you reading this week?

Manga Review: W Juliet Series (Emura)

Title: W Juliet
Author: Emura
Volumes Reviewed: 14 (complete)
Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: November 9, 2004 - January 9, 2007
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Content Rating: Older Teen (sensuality, violence, kidnapping, sexual harassment)
Format Read: Paperback
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase: Azon | B&N | BookDepo | Indiebound
Summary (for Volume 1):

Sixteen-year-old tomboy Ito Miura has been chosen to play Romeo in Romeo and Juliet! The problem? She doesn't want the male role! So, who will be Juliet? The favorite for the part, beautiful and vain Tsugumi, must compete with the cute new transfer student, Makoto Amano. But Makoto has a secret, and if rival Tsugumi, or anyone in the school, finds out, it could ruin Makoto's life, dragging Ito down as well! 

*          *          *

W Juliet is the story of a boy who will do anything to be an actor, the girl who helps him, and the romance that develops between them as they both pursue their thespian dreams. Heir to the family dojo but determined to act instead, male Makoto accepts his father's challenge to secretly spend the last two years of high school as a girl to be able to control his own future. When tomboy Ito accidentally discovers Makoto's secret, she helps him maintain his female cover and the two fall for each other despite strong oppositions and many, many obstacles.

As can happen with a series based on a one-shot, Ito and Mako rather unbelievably fall hard for each other in the first chapter, but they ultimately take the series to grow closer and truly fall in love. Other interested parties naturally try to come between them, but through perseverance and a lot of running they find ways to deepen their relationship and follow their dreams. The 14 volumes cover many common Japanese teen contemporary situations including school festivals, club trips and summer training camps, holiday celebrations, family meetings, and secret dates, as well as a few fantastical plots involving kidnapping ghosts, mermaids, and violent bank robbers. As can happen with a long contemporary manga series a school year is blatantly repeated to stretch time, but the story does conclude with their eventual graduation and first steps into adulthood.

This was originally a favorite series of mine years ago, but with this re-read I found myself quickly becoming bored with the constant threat of discovery and repetitive plots it created. After only a few volumes I had to push myself to continue, dreading how long the series was, and only because I was determined to review it did I eventually finish. It wasn't until the last two volumes that I rediscovered why I had loved it so much, the ridiculous subplots falling away to allow for a more realistic conclusion as all the characters worked hard to create happy futures. While I feel the series dragged on way too long for such a simple premise, I did enjoy following Ito and Mako's sweet (and slightly steamy) romance as well as their familial interactions, especially with the other's siblings and parents.

A Note on Story Content: While most of the situations were warmhearted if fraught with revealing mishaps and close calls, there were also some unpleasant arcs involving several twisted individuals who tried to force their love onto Ito. This included an overzealous female sempai, a womanizing male sempai, and a masochistic fellow student, all of which continuously kidnapped Ito, caused her emotional and physical pain, never took no for an answer, and one even attempted to force himself on her. These chapters were a little disturbing for me, especially how easily their actions were brushed off and not reported to adults as clear sexual harassment and abuse. Although I understand that many elements of this series are blown out of normal proportion for entertainment purposes, that doesn't forgive the kind of permission it might be seen to give a younger audience in treating others.

Conclusion: While Mako's determination to follow his dream was admirable and his romance with Ito was sweet, most of the situations the couple found themselves in were repetitively dull or way too fantastical for me to fully invest in the long series. Some of the "normal" arcs could be relatively fun and many of the secondary characters were pleasant additions, but I found the harassing characters and their arcs discomforting. I am glad I re-read the whole series though, and the end was uplifting and better than I'd anticipated. I would recommend for true romantics who enjoy their love stories with a lot of hardship and kidnappings.

Scribble Rating: 

3.5 of 5 Scribbles

Other Reviews That Might Interest: 

Backstage Prince Series by Kanoko Sakurakoji
Strobe Edge Series by Io Sakisaka