And Again

And Again Jessica Chiarella 3/5	Published January 2016 First Sentence "Maybe it's like being born."
Publisher's Description: In the spirit of Station Eleven and The Age of Miracles, this exciting literary debut novel imagines the consequences when four ordinary individuals are granted a chance to continue their lives in genetically perfect versions of their former bodies. Would you live your life differently if you were given a second chance? Hannah, David, Connie, and Linda—four terminally ill patients—have been selected for the SUBlife pilot program, which will grant them brand-new, genetically perfect bodies that are exact copies of their former selves—without a single imperfection. Blemishes, scars, freckles, and wrinkles have all disappeared, their fingerprints are different, their vision is impeccable, and most importantly, their illnesses have been cured. But the fresh start they’ve been given is anything but perfect. Without their old bodies, their new physical identities have been lost. Hannah, an artistic prodigy, has to relearn how to hold a brush; David, a Congressman, grapples with his old habits; Connie, an actress whose stunning looks are restored after a protracted illness, tries to navigate an industry obsessed with physical beauty; and Linda, who spent eight years paralyzed after a car accident, now struggles to reconnect with a family that seems to have built a new life without her. As each tries to re-enter their previous lives and relationships they are faced with the question: how much of your identity rests not just in your mind, but in your heart, your body?
Dear Reader, This was a unique read. I'm a science fiction fan and I love books that can delve into that genre without being TOO much sci-fi (if you know what I mean). This was kind of like that except it didn't go far enough, I'd categorize it as "Literary Fiction with a dash of Science Fiction". What was nice about the whole thing is that this book is one I can definitely see myself recommending to those readers trying science fiction out (pretty perfect for that). The story is all about this exclusive group of people who have been selected for a trial (think clinical trial) to test out being uploaded into a clone body. Each of the characters had a reason to be selected (some terrible illness) and each got a new purpose to live. How they decided to run with it was their own. I enjoyed getting to see all the perspectives of what would/could happen if you had a second chance to live your life. Each one of them was on the brink of such a terrible illness that this chance should have been entirely positive. That was not the case. What would happen if you got downloaded into a new body? Would you enjoy the youthful new skin or would it freak you out? The Author does an excellent job going over all the little nuances that might come up if/when this type of procedure comes about. We have the Artist who can't paint the same way... is it her or the new body? What about the woman who was stuck inside her body for years with no way to communicate except for blinking... how can she cope in the world after all that time shut up? Or the actress who wants to make a comeback after being hidden from the world from her illness... will she be able to pick up where she left off? The most complex of them all being the Congressman, the one who gets picked or did he buy his way in? So many questions and the Author addresses them each. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read "what if" tales... this fits into that category perfectly. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - Thank you Netgalley and Touchstone for giving me the opportunity to read and review this title.

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Slade House

Slade House David Mitchell 4/5	Published Oct 27th, 2015 First Sentence "Whatever Mum's saying's drowned out by the grimy roar of the bus pulling away, revealing a pub called The Fox and Hounds."
Publisher's Description: Walk down narrow, clammy Slade Alley. Open the black iron door in the right-hand wall. Enter the sunlit garden of an old house that doesn't exactly make sense. A stranger greets you by name and invites you inside. At first, you won't want to leave. Too late, you find you can't . . . A taut, intricately woven, reality-warping tale that begins in 1979 and comes to its turbulent conclusion at the wintry end of October, 2015. Born out of the short story David Mitchell published on Twitter in 2014 and inhabiting the same universe as his latest bestselling novel The Bone Clocks, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a dark and stormy night.
Dear Reader, This is the perfect Halloween treat for any David Mitchell fan. A question I'm sure many people will be asking is if you have to know or like Mitchell to read this? Not at all. I think it'll work great as a stand-alone as well. I'm new to the Mitchell fan group and with every book of his that I read, I'm starting to understand why he has such a following. Even though this book could be read without all the others, I felt a sense of glee when I came across a theme or character that deja vu'd me into his other novels. Not only was there clear hints from his most recent The Bone Clocks but he managed to write this shorter novella with that same structure. I don't know many Authors that would attempt to write a novella made up of shorter/connected stories. THIS is exactly what I'm not too fond of, short stories but maintain a tight connection or flow between them and I fall in love. Maybe that's why Mitchell is fast becoming a reliable Author to lean on. Getting down to the plot, it's spooky and gave me a few chills. With each story, the sense of what's happening begins to become clear. Slade House mysteriously opens up a certain time of year and swallows up someone in the process. Each section of this novella follows another person caught in the trap of this house. The best part is... Mitchell does it his style and spans each story nine years. This means we get characters and different eras from 1979 all the way to 2015.Here's the thing, this book can be appreciated by many... horror fans, definitely some creep factors for you... science fiction fans, without a doubt (now go back and read the Bone Clocks)... historical fiction fans, the multiple timeline stories will be your thing. I guess I don't have to state the obvious... David Mitchell fans... you know why you'd want to read this AND you should. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - I want to thank NetGalley and Random House for giving me the chance to read this in advance and review it.

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Cinder

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) Marissa Meyer 4/5	Published 2012 First Sentence "The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle."
Publisher's Description: 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.
Dear Reader, Everything about this book screamed "Amber, pick me! Pick me!", but I waited. I was reluctant to pick up something that seemed so perfect and be crushed by horrible it was. I let this one stew in the world for a little bit, glancing out the corner of my eye as others gave it great reviews. Finally, the last book will be published next year and enough praise has been sung, so I felt comfortable taking that leap. Now, mind you... at this point I was less excited, I thought to myself that even though it had so much "ME" in it... it wouldn't hold that goblet for me. It didn't, but at that point I was okay with that. What had me enthralled from the start was the premise (and THAT cover), a fairy-tale retelling but twisted with cyborgs, aliens with a futuristic apocalyptic world. Who wouldn't want to read that? Okay, so I was a smidge let down but I knew it was coming (just like I could predict the ending). However, all this isn't too surprising and perhaps I need to cut down my book snobbery but the writing had quite a few problems from time to time and I didn't like that the author stuck to the Cinderella tale a little too closely towards the middle. I wanted more of a change, which I got but only during the beginning and the end. Those parts became my favorite and at least the ending was done well (I did click over to buy the next book right away). Without all the nitpicking though, this is solid and I see why it caught on so well. I can't wait to see where the story goes, how the characters intertwine and how epic this all becomes. I'm sold... bring on Red Riding Hood (Cress). Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Lock In (Review by AmberBug)

Lock In John Scalzi 4 / 5	Published 2014 First Sentence "My first day on the job coincided with the first day of the Haden Walkout, and I'm not going to lie, that was some awkward timing."
Publisher's Description: A novel of our near future, from one of the most popular authors in modern SF Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselves “locked in”—fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. One per cent doesn't seem like a lot. But in the United States, that's 1.7 million people “locked in”...including the President's wife and daughter. Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, “The Agora,” in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can “ride” these people and use their bodies as if they were their own. This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse....
Dear Reader, I really needed this type of book, it filled a hole that has been annoying me lately. I've been so focused on all this literary fiction that I've neglected a few of my favorite beachy kind of books (sci-fi and horror). This book was perfect for that. To top it off, I picked this in audio format and one of my geek loves of all time, Wil Wheaton is the narrator. Thank you narrator gods for deciding he should be the one for this role. Have you seen his new show? The Wil Wheaton project? If not AND you like him, you must watch it. Pure geekdom at it's finest.  Enough Wheaton gushing... the book. Ahem. Lock In had so much going for it. The author created a tragic future that could have been terribly overdone... but it wasn't. You've heard it before, a flu knocks out a huge majority of the population. Here's the catch... it doesn't kill them, it "locks" them inside their body. Since this epidemic has touched almost everyone (including the president), a cure is sought for right away. The solution comes in the form of cyborg like bodies and wi-fi minds, really great stuff. That is where it all gets interesting. I think talking too much about where the book goes would give away the fun but I will say that many different readers could find things to like here. Not only is this chock full of sci-fi fun but the entire book is wrapped around a crime with the main characters being police detectives. I have to admit that I'm not as much of a fan of the crime genre but because the crime revolves around science and technology... it was fun. I also think this would be a GREAT book to pitch to readers who shy away from science fiction.  Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - Check out what Arianna thought.

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The Fold

The Fold Peter Clines 4/5	Published June 2015 First Sentence "'I just don't think it's that good,' said Denise."
Publisher's Description: STEP INTO THE FOLD.  IT’S PERFECTLY SAFE. The folks in Mike Erikson's small New England town would say he's just your average, everyday guy. And that's exactly how Mike likes it. Sure, the life he's chosen isn’t much of a challenge to someone with his unique gifts, but he’s content with his quiet and peaceful existence. That is, until an old friend presents him with an irresistible mystery, one that Mike is uniquely qualified to solve: far out in the California desert, a team of DARPA scientists has invented a device they affectionately call the Albuquerque Door. Using a cryptic computer equation and magnetic fields to “fold” dimensions, it shrinks distances so that a traveler can travel hundreds of feet with a single step. The invention promises to make mankind’s dreams of teleportation a reality. And, the scientists insist, traveling through the Door is completely safe. Yet evidence is mounting that this miraculous machine isn't quite what it seems—and that its creators are harboring a dangerous secret. As his investigations draw him deeper into the puzzle, Mike begins to fear there’s only one answer that makes sense. And if he’s right, it may only be a matter of time before the project destroys…everything. A cunningly inventive mystery featuring a hero worthy of Sherlock Holmes and a terrifying final twist you’ll never see coming, The Fold is that rarest of things: a genuinely page-turning science-fiction thriller. Step inside its pages and learn why author Peter Clines has already won legions of loyal fans.
Dear Reader, I feel like I just left an amusement park, this book was SO much fun. It was chock full of everything I love... science fiction, adventure with a twist of horror. Going into the book, I was under the impression that this was strictly Sci-Fi and would be a fun little romp through teleportation and what not. Not the case. This jumped over that into a story that became complex enough to keep the attention of the intelligent reader but brought the comedy and horror for those of us who crave a nice merge between the two. Clines does this seamlessly, the action doesn't really get going until the middle of the book and you won't see too much horror until the end, but I promise you... it's worth it. I love the main character, Mike, as unbelievable as he is. I'm not sure if someone like him actually exists out there but it was a very clever (or cop-out) device the author used to resolve many of the mysteries. Let me explain, this guy... he has more than a photographic memory, he has the IQ of Einstein and a unique ability to remember EVERYTHING he's ever learned, experienced and seen. I know somewhere in the book Clines mentioned a name for this *ability?* but I didn't note or bookmark it (bad Amber). I'd be interested to go back and look into it and see if he modeled it after a true case or just made it up from existing cases all rolled into one. No matter what, I think everyone will agree it gives the character something unique and will keep the reader curious enough to want to learn more (plus a little jealous, I know I was). Not only does 'Mike' have this crazy ability but he also has a great sense of humor, which is much needed in such a heavy scientific setting. I always find the inclusion of some comedic relief greatly appreciated in these types of books. I'd also say that "The Fold" is VERY accessible and would appeal to pretty much about anyone willing to give it a shot. It might be the perfect book to introduce a reader into the sci-fi genre. Peter Clines has done an excellent job keeping the setting within our time period by sprinkling tons of pop culture references throughout. I love when an author does that and it reminds me of books like "Ready Player One", "The Martian" and a few others recently published that could be compared (even though they fall into different genres). I appreciated all the geeky shout outs, Clines knows his readers and definitely gives them a little "somethin', somethin'". I'm super tempted to write more about what the book is about but I feel that the pace of the book stops me from doing so. You really don't get the reveal of how "The Fold" works or what it is until a good chunk of the way in. I was happy I didn't know, and I want my readers to have that same experience. However, I do want to caution those of you who don't like scary/messy bits - because this book has some of those. Not a ton... but maybe enough to shy away the easily scared. Other than that, I would definitely recommend this to anyone, Clines is now on my radar as an entertaining author who can be trusted to deliver an adventurous romp into the unknown. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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The Book of Strange New Things

The Book of Strange New Things Michel Faber 5/5	Published October 28th, 2014 First Sentence ""I was going to say something," he said."
Publisher's Description: It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter’s teachings—his Bible is their “book of strange new things.” But Peter is rattled when Bea’s letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea’s faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter. Suddenly, a separation measured by an otherworldly distance, and defined both by one newly discovered world and another in a state of collapse, is threatened by an ever-widening gulf that is much less quantifiable. While Peter is reconciling the needs of his congregation with the desires of his strange employer, Bea is struggling for survival. Their trials lay bare a profound meditation on faith, love tested beyond endurance, and our responsibility to those closest to us. Marked by the same bravura storytelling and precise language that made The Crimson Petal and the White such an international success, The Book of Strange New Things is extraordinary, mesmerizing, and replete with emotional complexity and genuine pathos.
Dear Reader, Another five star book this year! And yet, I was so reluctant to like this book. Why? Because the main character is a Pastor and the whole story follows him to another planet where he preaches the word of God to the inhabitants. I love anything spacey and science fictiony, much of this book screams "read me!" based on that but the other part went into this book with a weary eye due to the religious tones. All I can say is that NOT once did I roll my eyes or get too annoyed with Peter, the Pastor. It probably helped that Michel Faber is an excellent writer who can cover you with a soft 'word-blanket'. I felt so comfortable reading this book, to the point where I didn't want it to end. Most of the time, while reading a book, I find myself thinking of the next one (especially if the book dips into a low/boring section). My guess is that this book didn't have a boring part, can that happen?! I was captured from start to finish. Peter, the Pastor, has agreed (and selected) to undertake a mission on a strange planet leaving his wife Beatrice behind. What I liked about his character was that you saw him evolve during his journey, at first being the typical born-again Christian but developing into a man who opens his eyes a little more, becomes more inquisitive and takes a closer look at the unknown. I really loved that. I'm not sure if the Author is religious, but woah... was he able to write a transformation within a complicated human being. I would think that planetary travel and alien interaction are not usually the plot devices used to discuss a meaty topic such as religion. I think this might have been the only book I've read that took on the controversial topic of religion in a VERY different way, one that actually welcomed me and probably will/would many others who feel comforted by looking at things from a skewed perspective. The Book of Strange New Things brings up so many questions and I kept asking myself how I would deal with being on a planet light years away, far from home and family. The community surrounding Peter, both the humans and the aliens are examined with a very fine comb, with amazing intellect and writing. I know this will be a book I'll be raving about for a very long time. The aliens, dubbed "Oasans" by Peter, are so imaginative and realistic. I truly believe if another planet or aliens exist, this could very well be what they would look and act like. The interaction between the Oasans and the humans is really believable as well, even though I'd hope we'd be more apt to interact with a different intelligent species... I think too many deep fears and questions get in the way. It's not often you get a pairing of philosophy and science fiction combined with fantastic literary writing, this book is just a winner. I have to caution those who don't like weird, strange concepts though... you might not appreciate it as much as I did. I'd hate to send you down a yellow brick road when science fiction and fantasy don't tickle your fancy. Do I think that this could be mildly sci-fi? Yes, and maybe that could be enough to coax some weary folks to test the genre, maybe Faber is the perfect person to take you across that border into fantasy land. Happy Reading, AmberBug P.S. - Faber also thanks Marvel comics in the acknowledgements, which warmed my heart to him quite a bit. Who does that? He thanks an entire community of writers and publishers as a whole? I'll tell you who, Michel Faber and I love him for it.

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Left: Hardcover -- Right: EBook  

Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy #1)

Annihilation Jeff VanderMeer 3/5	Published 2014 First Sentence "The tower, which was not supposed to be there, plunges into the earth in a place just before the black pine forest begins to give way to swamp and then reeps and wind-gnarled trees of the marsh flats."
Publisher's Description: Area X has been cut off from the rest of the continent for decades. Nature has reclaimed the last vestiges of human civilization. The first expedition returned with reports of a pristine, Edenic landscape; all the members of the second expedition committed suicide; the third expedition died in a hail of gunfire as its members turned on one another; the members of the eleventh expedition returned as shadows of their former selves, and within months of their return, all had died of aggressive cancer. This is the twelfth expedition. Their group is made up of four women: an anthropologist; a surveyor; a psychologist, the de facto leader; and our narrator, a biologist. Their mission is to map the terrain and collect specimens; to record all their observations, scientific and otherwise, of their surroundings and of one another; and, above all, to avoid being contaminated by Area X itself. They arrive expecting the unexpected, and Area X delivers—they discover a massive topographic anomaly and life forms that surpass understanding—but it’s the surprises that came across the border with them, and the secrets the expedition members are keeping from one another, that change everything.
Dear Reader, This has been a book on my radar this year and I finally broke down and got myself a copy (probably after reading the umpteenth glowing review). I can't say I was super impressed after reading it but I also wasn't really that disappointed either. For the most part, It'll all come down to the series as a whole collection I think. I almost wanted to wait reviewing the books until I've finished them all, but thought giving my initial reactions might help other readers relate if they find themselves feeling the same way. The first book doesn't have many answers and throws out question and question which leaves you hanging off a cliff once you've finished it. Maybe that was the point, to hook the reader into running out and getting the second installment? Well, it worked. I had no plans on reading the books back to back (especially since I have a long list of required review books on netgalley and other galleys coming up in October). So I shake my fist at VanderMeer and blame him for putting off books given to me to review. Now I just have to read MORE and play WOW less... but the expansion is coming out soon and I still need to get my reputation up with SO many factions. Okay, so now you see where I'm going with this right? VanderMeer has me gripped, even though I wasn't entirely in love with this first book. So what exactly wasn't I happy with? I didn't like that I couldn't tell the sex of the characters (especially the main character). It's not that it doesn't get mentioned, it does, many times and the Author even throws in some background with the main character's "husband". I'm still not sure why I couldn't get my mind wrapped around the fact that this was a bunch of women undergoing this trip to Area X and it bothered me quite a bit. The Author made very little progress with the characters as a whole and I'm pretty sure this is due to the fact that the first book is super short. I'm hoping that this changes throughout the series. Despite all that though, the book was very intriguing and kept me tuned in the whole time. No commercial breaks here! Instead of giving you ANY information on the plot-line, I think it would be better if you experienced that yourself, I just wanted to give you my thoughts. The first book is so short that I can't not recommend those curious to definitely pick it up, but be warned... you might find yourself being dragged into the rest of the series, which has happened to me. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Saga, Volume 2 (Saga #7-12)

Saga, Volume 2 Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Illustrator) 4.5/5	Published 2013 First Sentence "<---This is my old man  back when he wasn't."
Publisher's Description: From award-winning writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN (Pride of Baghdad, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist FIONA STAPLES (Mystery Society, Done to Death), SAGA is sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and horrific monsters, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters her strangest adventure yet... grandparents. Collects Saga issues #7-12
Dear Reader, The magic continues! So, it's not a fluke... this really is a fantastic comic. Just look at the cover, look at that illustration!!! Just look at it. Amazing, right? Yes, even though Marko is covered in blood, it's still amazing. Yeah, thought so. Volume 2 continues where Volume 1 left off, we are thrust into the back-story of Marko and Alana, finally! We get to learn how they met, where they come from and what made them want to risk everything for love. All this while still being followed by assassins and trying to escape the grips of everyone who wants the baby, Hazel. More adventure, some mysteries are solved but more are added, the plot thickens, the characters develop and the quirkiness continues. Imagine a seal in overalls walking a walrus on a leash!?!? Since I don't want to give much away, the reviews of these volumes will be short and sweet... but... You haven't read this yet? What the HECK are you waiting for??? Start with Volume 1, which you can click to read the review here. Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Saga, Volume 1 (Saga #1-6)

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Saga, Volume 1 Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Illustrator) 4/5	Published 2012 First Sentence "This is how an idea becomes real."
Publisher's Description: When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.  From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.  This specially priced volume collects the first six issues of the smash-hit series The Onion A.V. Club calls "the emotional epic Hollywood wishes it could make."  Collects Saga issues #1-6.
Dear Reader, This might be one of the most intriguing Graphic Novels I've read in a long time. First, let me just say that Fiona Staples is an AMAZING artist. But what do you get when you combine an amazing artist with a really good storyteller? This addicting Graphic Novel that will make me broke by the time I finish it. So what is it about, you ask? It's a nice combination of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the creatures are very fantasy-like and the world is set in a very futuristic time. The characters had much of the same charm that the "Cowboy Bebop" characters have. I don't know why exactly but many of them have specific quirks that make then endearing right from the start. Don't get me wrong though, this is not cute or for kids. This Graphic Novel is all ADULT, as you can somewhat tell by the cover. The story follows "star crossed" lovers (literally, haha), that come from two families at war. Yes, very Romeo and Juliet but set in a fantasy futuristic world. Both of them soldiers from opposite sides, they meet while one is in captivity and the other is given the task to watch over him. We don't get to see the past that much (at least not in this collection) but we start the story during the birth of the main character (who we have yet to meet). The child/teen tells us her past as a recollected story (so we know she is alive and well, however we don't know the fate of the parents). Think this sounds too romantic? Think again! This has plenty of action, adventure, mystery, intrigue, drama and everything else that makes a story compelling. This will be a Graphic Novel I'll be recommending to just about everyone with a pulse (and maybe an interest in sci-fi or fantasy). Happy Reading, AmberBug

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Relic: The Books of Eva

Relic The Books of Eva Heather Terrell 2103 3.5/5	First Sentence "Eamon throws his axe into the ice above his head."
Publisher's Description: The truth will test you... For fans of Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games: high fantasy and dystopia meet in this high-stakes tale of a civilization built on lies and the girl who single-handedly brings it down. When Eva’s twin brother, Eamon, falls to his death just a few months before he is due to participate in The Testing, no one expects Eva to take his place. She’s a Maiden, slated for embroidery classes, curtseys, and soon a prestigious marriage befitting the daughter of an Aerie ruler. But Eva insists on honoring her brother by becoming a Testor. After all, she wouldn’t be the first Maiden to Test, just the first in 150 years. Eva knows the Testing is no dance class. Gallant Testors train for their entire lives to search icy wastelands for Relics: artifacts of the corrupt civilization that existed before The Healing drowned the world. Out in the Boundary Lands, Eva must rely on every moment of the lightning-quick training she received from Lukas—her servant, a Boundary native, and her closest friend now that Eamon is gone. But there are threats in The Testing beyond what Lukas could have prepared her for. And no one could have imagined the danger Eva unleashes when she discovers a Relic that shakes the Aerie to its core.
Dear Reader, I have to admit, I was a bit put off by this book's description. Yes, as Amber mentioned in her review of another YA dystopian-fantasy book: Here we go again, right?  This is like the spate of vampire novels we saw spawn off of Twilight, or the many imitations of Fifty Shades.  Enough already, right?! The thing is, though, I also have to admit that I kind of like these dystopian-fantasy books.  All of the ones I've come across since The Hunger Games have featured strong, smart, independent female protagonists whom the reader watches grow from child to adult over the span of the series.  I have enjoyed the authors' ideas of future worlds -- the things which just might actually happen if we continue to live our lives or steer our societies the way we currently do.  Some I like more (*cough* Divergent ) than others (*cough* Matched ), but whatever the book, they've all had that strong theme running through them all, and that can't be bad for all of those impressionable pre-teens and teenagers reading those books and identifying with such a good role model, right? So, to speak specifically to Relic, of course you already know the overarching premise: a girl who is forced to grow up, to test her own limits, in a dystopian society which was caused by the result of a cataclysmic societal reorganization.  She must break wide open the secrets and unreasonable rules which these seemingly-strong societies are, in truth, teetering upon.  Etc., etc., etc. But, this one was definitely its own take on the matter.  In the first place, it's set in the Arctic north, which radically limits its people to the protection their society can offer from the cold and the wild outside the city walls.  They are the only people left on Earth, following an epic flood.  They live austerely; they are Luddites, live off the land, and many cannot read.  And they believe society used to worship a false god called Apple.  This last point annoyed me to no end: clearly, Apple would not  be the company which every single person eventually "converted" to!  But, I did like how the biblical connotations (the apple with a bite taken out, the flood) were all interconnected, and the author sufficiently explained her choice of imagining a Steve Jobs-inspired empire later on in the book.  But I found that detail distracting for most of the novel, because I couldn't figure out if Terrell meant the company Apple, or the original-sin apple, and was confused every time she referred to it. In any case, the society that had been set up post-apocalypse fascinated me; I would have loved to have learned more about it.  Perhaps the other novels will reveal more of this society the author imagined.  Additionally, I was very intrigued by the prelude to the book, wherein Eva loses her brother.  A mystery is presented to the reader there which is actually never resolved by the end of the first book, and might be the one reason I'd sincerely want to continue reading the rest of the series. This book read quickly, and took me on quite a ride -- a journey over the tundra on dogsled, a perilous climbing and excavation expedition, and even a secretive flight through Inuit territory.  I enjoyed the constant exposure to nature all around Eva, and the survival skills that are touched upon.  There were some things I felt could have been a little more fleshed out, and the characterizations certainly weren't the best I've ever seen, but, all in all, this was a fun little adventure. Happy reading!, Arianna

The Returned

The Returned Jason Mott 3.5/5	First Sentence "Harold opened the door that day to find a dark-skinned man in a well-cut suit smiling at him."
Publisher's Description: Jacob was time out of sync, time more perfect than it had been. He was life the way it was supposed to be all those years ago. That's what all the Returned were. Harold and Lucille Hargrave's lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they've settled comfortably into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time ... Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep—flesh and blood, their sweet, precocious child, still eight years old. All over the world people's loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why this is happening, whether it's a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he's their son. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family finds itself at the center of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human. With spare, elegant prose and searing emotional depth, award-winning poet Jason Mott explores timeless questions of faith and morality, love and responsibility. A spellbinding and stunning debut, The Returned is an unforgettable story that marks the arrival of an important new voice in contemporary fiction.
Dear Reader, What a unique idea The Returned bring us. What would you do if a deceased loved one came back from the dead and returned home to you? And no, this isn't another zombie novel. These people are returned alive and well, exactly as they were. Jason Mott gives us a novel that really makes you contemplate that question, a question that hasn't crossed my mind too much. The story sticks with one family and one small town. This family is of a close knit southern kind, one that wouldn't have been my favorite pick but I can appreciate these characters none the less. The mother is extremely religious, where as her husband is borderline atheist. This was something that I greatly appreciated Mott for doing, giving us a complex relationship atop of a complex situation. When their son, who drowned in a river a decade ago, comes back to them as one of "the Returned", we see what happens when two different mindsets are given something one can only wish for. However, problems start to come up and we see struggle within society on how to deal with this, issues like overpopulation and even where to put the Returned? I think the Author really picked something unique to write about and I could see this as being a cross between being a blast and being emotional to write. Personally, I did find myself thinking about what I would do if someone I loved came back to me. I know it would be a strange situation indeed. However, since I haven't lost a parent, child or significant other... the characters were somewhat hard to relate to. I think this might have been the reason why I didn't give this a 4 rating. The book mostly touched on the emotional aspect of this situation and only skimmed the waters of what this might mean to the country or world as a whole. I really respect this Author for bringing us such a unique novel and writing it with a very strong voice, you just know he had lost someone recently enough to give us such a writing performance. If you read the very ending, you'll get a little blurb by the Author that shows you his loss and what sparked him to write this book. I would definitely recommend this book, especially for those of you who've lost someone close to you. Happy Reading, AmberBug

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories

Button, Button: Uncanny Stories by Richard Matheson 4.5/5	First Sentence "The package was lying by the front door - a cube-shaped carton sealed with tape, the name and address printed by hand: Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lewis, 217 E. 37th Street, New York, New York, 10016."
Publisher's Description: What if every time you pushed a button you received $50,000...but someone you didn’t know died? Would you still push the button? How many times? "Button, Button", which inspired a memorable Twilight Zone episode, is just one of a dozen unforgettable tales in this new collection by Richard Matheson, theNew York Times bestselling author of I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come. This volume contains a number of stories that were adapted for television, as well as a new introduction by Matheson himself. This collection of stories features "Button, Button," soon to be a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden.
Dear Reader, I started this book awhile back but only to read one of the stories, Button, Button, which was made into a movie The Box (I never ended up watching) and was based on a Twilight Zone episode (which I have also never seen). I read the story at Borders (R.I.P.) during my many casual trips to kick back, drink some coffee and browse/read through some books. Yes, I am one of those people... but before you judge, I did end up buying this book to finish it in the end. Although, this time I changed the format to audio-book and I ended up enjoying it that much more. I've never been a short story fanatic but I do love a REALLY good one and Matheson brings us a couple that really brought it. On the flip side, a few seemed a little lackluster. I think I'll break it down for you (hopefully staying clear from giving too much away). Button, Button: Matheson starts off with the story that this book is famous for, the one made into a movie. The premise is simple, a couple is offered a chance to obtain fifty thousand dollars but the catch is they have to push a button that will kill someone they don't know. Matheson does an excellent job creating a great short with huge psychological ideas behind it. What would you do? You would hope everyone would be the kind, non-greedy person that wouldn't even dream of pushing that button. BUT we all know the world isn't filled with unselfish, considerate human beings... there'll always be some that wouldn't blink, or more interestingly fight their inner self with what society tells us is the right thing to do. I think this is a story everyone should read, even if you don't read the whole anthology. Girl of My Dreams: This story also follows a couple, a woman with psychic powers through her dreams is involved with an abuse con-artist who exploits her ability for money. We see through the eyes of the con-artist how horrible and manipulative he is, which gives an excellent chill knowing that people like that are out there. Matheson really does such a great job creating nasty characters from the armpit of the human race. Another excellent story but really disturbing to read. Dying Room Only: Another story revolving around a married couple (some kind of theme starting?). I was listening to this on the way to work and let me tell you... it really got to me. By the time I finished, I had just pulled in the parking lot to my job and I had to sit in the car awhile before I went in. A couple on a road trip stop at a diner in the middle of nowhere when strange things happen. We've actually heard this story all before, without giving much away, but Matheson does such an amazing job with it... I would highly recommend this one along with the first two stories. A Flourish of Strumpets: Now we start to see Matheson definitely has a theme for this book because this story ALSO involves a couple. This went a little more into science fiction and the stories seem to be flowing that way, which is nice that Matheson thought of each story and placed them accordingly. One day, a couple is interrupted one night with a knock on the door. Who is it? I'll let you read this one to find out, this was another one I highly recommend because it had some humor and a cute little twist at the end. No Such Thing as a Vampire: Can you believe it? Another married couple, this time set in Romania (if I remember correctly). The wife wakes up one day to find marks on her neck dripping blood. Her husband realizes what this could be and tries to protect his wife at night whatever way he can. This story was solid enough but didn't seem to have that special something that the first three did. Pattern for Survival: Matheson finally walks away from his "couples" theme. This involves a writer who sends his new story out for publication. I wasn't a huge fan of this story and don't have much to say about it. Mute: This was the longest story in the collection and could be considered a Novella. A child is orphaned after a house fire, he is then adopted by a neighboring couple who had lost their own child awhile back. This child is very different, he doesn't speak. Why? Read the story because I know you'd NEVER be able to guess why. The Creeping Terror: A story so crazy you can only laugh at it. What if Los Angeles became a virus that started taking over the rest of the world? Yes, I know how that sounds and if you want to know more... you should read this story. If anything, he gives you such crazy detail on the stereotypes of L.A. that you find yourself with a belly ache from laughing so much.  Shock Wave: This story was unmemorable for me and I really can't even remember what it was about, that says something. Clothes Make the Man: Strange story about a man who couldn't function without dressing fully. This story was one of my least favorite, maybe a bit too bizarre for me. The Jazz Machine: Another unmemorable story, which is funny since it was towards the end and should be fresh in my memory. 'Tis the Season to be Jelly: See above. I wish I could tell you more but really the last few stories didn't really do anything for me. The other stories outshine these ones and if they didn't, my rating would have been lower. If you don't want to commit to this whole anthology, just pick up the book to read the first three stories, the rest starts to go downhill a bit and unfortunately the ending stories really take a slide. However, if you look at it this way... Matheson actually gives you a ride downhill and most of the stories are pretty excellent if not entertaining, even the worst story of this group isn't terrible. I did give this 4.5 stars which gives you an inkling of how excellent the "good" stories overshadowed the "okay" ones. Happy Reading, AmberBug