Reached, Ally Condie

Title:  Reached
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Dutton
Publishing Date: 2012
Length: 512 pages
Summary: (from book) Cassia's journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect facade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.
The wait is over.
One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matter s most-family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.




My Thoughts:  Aaaaauuuuugggh.  This is the last book the Matched Trilogy. I loved the first book, wasn't much of a fan for the sequel, and the third one....mmm....not so sure what I think. I've met the author, she's fantastic. It was a fun book signing event; we got buttons with the Society logo and book quotes printed on them, and even pill vials to mimic the ones in the book. One thing her reviews always rave about is her poetic, beautiful prose, which to be honest....I find a little irritating after awhile. Cassia always goes on and on about creating and art and stuff, and I was to the point where I wanted to skip her chapters and just read about Xander and Ky.

(I'm on Xander's side, just so ya'll know)

The plot for this book was interesting....I wish there had been more subplots, but I can understand not wanting to create more story lines while trying to wrap up a series. It was a nice conclusion, and I am quite happy that Xander got where he needed to be.

Cassia and Ky? Eh. :)

Things To Be Cautious Of:  The word 'dang' used like five times throughout the book.  Mild dystopian stuff, plague related death. Some patient sabotage.

What I Learned: The power to chose is always worth fighting for.

Review: Skyship Academy, By Nick James

Title: Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars
Author: Nick James
Publisher: Flux
Publishing Date: September 8, 2011
Length:  376 pages
Summary: (From book) A devastated earth's last hope is found in pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities. Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers-political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth's stratosphere-and the corrupt Surface government.
Jesse Fisher, a Skyship slacker, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls. Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable-and dangerous-abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess. 
Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn't know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls.
*Major Spoiler Post*
My Thoughts:  Well....the cover is cool. The one for the sequel looks even better. This book was depressing. Just downright sad. I felt awful for Cassius who will need some serious counseling and repulsed at the idea of his fake mother, 'Madame' who did nothing but use him for her own twisted ideas.
The switching from first person to third person narrative I thought to be wonderfully done and is a technique I haven't seen before. I might have to try it.
The book would have been alright, sadness aside, this is dystopian after all, if it wasn't for what you find out at the end. *Spoiler alerts*  
The Pearls are actually people.  They have been killing people for their power source to fuel their stupid cities. Granted, they didn't know, but still the idea does not settle well for me. The Pearls are actually a form of transport for those from another planet to come to Earth and the boy, Jesse, is responsible for freeing them.
All I could think about was the millions of lives they'd lost.
I don't think I would have read this one if I had known what it was about.  I guess the sequel will about the two boys going out to beat the system and free the aliens.  But  I don't think I want to read it-way too depressing.  Here's what the cover looks like; he's quite dashing. Kind of like a Charlie Mcdonnell.

Things To Be Cautious Of:  Swearing. Nothing extreme, just your usual television usage.
Violence: Mention of fighitng, playing  a role simulating kind of thing, guns, one man is killed, a train with passengers explodes.
Psychological Weirdness: Madame's bizarre control over poor Cassius. Someone please get that boy to therapy.
Awkward Content: One oddly placed scene for a quick kiss, one guy cracks a joke about a guy's manhood.

Review: Cinder, By Marrissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marrissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel And Friends
Publishing Date: January 3, 2012
Length: 387 pages
Summary: (From book) Sixteen-year old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits though: Cinder's brain interface has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.
Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger step sister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating the Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.
But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.
My Thoughts: *Squee!* This book was brilliant! I loved it so much. I don't read a lot of YA fiction mainly because I am constantly disappointed by the lack of character depth, the kissing scenes and clichéd male characters...lack of plot, lack of values, blah, blah, blah...But this was amazing. Cinder is a strong willed character with deep, emotional interest and I found myself instantly sucked into her story. Prince Kai was dreamy in a real, believable sort of way and as always, I am a sucker for the chivalrous gentleman.
This book combined a lot of fabulous medical angst which, given my bizarre fascination with the medical field, was just the perfect dose for my obsession. The doctor/scientist guy was even a gruff old man with secrets and a Newsie cap. Can you say love?
The plot of this story was just beautiful. The way the author writes was so poetic without being flowery and I couldn't put the book down. I picked this novel up to read on a long flight across the country and was down to the final pages that I just had to read while walking through the airport. I'm afraid I was a little spacey for awhile being A) confused  on time zones and B) completely lost in Cinder's world.
I find myself endeared to the author as she is after my own heart in the fact that she is a fellow Fanfiction geek and lover of all things nerdy. And of course, I must thank her for writing such a clean, enjoyable novel when so much of the world focuses on the dirty. I seriously cannot wait for the rest of the Lunar books. I can't believe I have to wait until next year for the sequel.