REVIEW: Runebinder by Alex R Kahler

*Thank you to Netgalley & Harlequin Teen for an ARC in exchange for a review*

When magic returned to the world, it could have saved humanity, but greed and thirst for power caused mankind's downfall instead. Now once-human monsters called Howls prowl abandoned streets, their hunger guided by corrupt necromancers and the all-powerful Kin. Only Hunters have the power to fight back in the unending war, using the same magic that ended civilization in the first place.

But they are losing...

Tenn is a Hunter, resigned to fight even though hope is nearly lost. When he is singled out by a seductive Kin named Tomás and the enigmatic Hunter Jarrett, Tenn realizes he's become a pawn in a bigger game. One that could turn the tides of war. But if his mutinous magic and wayward heart get in the way, his power might not be used in favor of mankind.

If Tenn fails to play his part, it could cost him his friends, his life…and the entire world.

Runebinder is an exciting trip into a post apocolyptic fantasy world steeped in magic, cruel villains and one young man's journey to learn more about himself and his role within this tumultuous new world. Teen readers will find this fast paced with intriguing characters and an identifiable LGBTQ male protagonist. 

Excellent world-building. If I had to find one fault, it would be in some of the transitions. On one hand, the disconnect could mirror the jarring world presented; however, I wanted a bit more fluidity during certain parts.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Dogs of War by Jonathan Maberry

*Thanks to Netgalley & St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Robots are no longer science fiction. Autonomous, programmed to react like animals: fast, relentless, deadly. From microscopic nanobots to massive self-guided aircraft. This technology is here, it’s accessible, and it’s dangerous. What’s even scarier is that almost anyone can get their hands on it.

A freelance terrorist uses the latest generation of robot dogs to deliver WMDs into cities across America. Sophisticated military weapons systems turn on their human masters. A technological apocalypse is coming and we may be too late to stop it.

Joe Ledger and a newly rebuilt Department of Military Sciences square off against this new and terrible threat.

Dogs of War is another pulse pounding, action packed bio-terrorism thriller in the Joe Ledger series. What is not to love:

NANOBOTS!

RABIES TURNED BIO-WEAPON!

EXPLOSIONS!

FIGHT SCENES!

DARK, SARCASTIC HUMOR!

CREEPY VILLAINS!

I loved everything about the book, both in print and in audio (seriously Ray Porter is a narrative genius!). Predator One and Kill  Switch were heavy and the fallout for the characters is still very real. None of them are on their game when this new threat comes into play.

Maberry is a fantastic action writer and excels at pacing, character building, dark humor and just general great storytelling. His villains are legendary as are his heroes. My only problem now is that I've gobbled up this new release and have to wait for another!

Final rating: ALL THE STARS!!!

REVIEW: Dark of Night by Jonathan Maberry

Please excuse my squeals of excitement after finishing another amazing tale by Maberry in which he has paired with debut author Rachael Lavin!

I'm an uber fan of Maberry's writing with special love of the Joe Ledger and Rot & Ruin books.  I've thought the Dead of Night series particularly captivating since they bridge the gap between Ledger and Ruin, providing the important details into the outbreak and pretty much the why and how all hell broke loose leading to the 15 years later in which we meet Benny Imura and friends in Rot & Ruin.

Dark of Night is story 2.5 in this series following the intensely painful end of Fall of Night.  In this story, readers follow the perspectives of three key players as the novella brings together all three series.  Captain Joe Ledger (Joe Ledger), former cop Desdemona Fox (Dead of Night), and Rachael Elle (Bits & Pieces) have all been doing everything they can to survive fighting an endless onslaught of living dead until their stories unexpected converge.

This novella is an in your face adventure full of heart pounding action, compelling characterization and some pretty terrifying zombie action plus the struggle for survival in a chaotic world where the survivors much face not only undead monsters but also those who while still human have embraced the evil, dark side of human nature.

The audiobook narrated by doesn't disappoint and adds a whole new facet for how to experience the story. For me, it was pretty much perfect in every way except that I am always left wanting MORE, MORE MORE!

Bravo to Maberry and Lavin! Now, please go write more :)

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author and narrator on Twitter: @jonathanmaberry @Ray_Porter



#darkofnight #joeledger #deadofnight #rot&ruin #zombies #horror #books #audiobook

REVIEW: The Last Star by Rick Yancey

The Last Star is the final book in Yancey's 5th Wave trilogy. Here's what readers know so far:

• The end of world came in waves as Others (let's call them aliens to simplify) sought to paralyze life on Earth.
• 1st wave - lights out (EMPs to knock out machinery and electricity)
• 2nd wave - surf's up - huge tidal waves knockout coastal cities
• 3rd wave - Pestilence - eliminate the bulk of the population through illness
• 4th wave - Silencers - the Others appear on Earth and plan to wipe out the remaining human population. Important lesson: not all 'humans' are human.
• 5th wave - The Fifth wave is where the Others plan to bomb every city on Earth via the mothership.
• Teenage Cassie Sullivan, Other with a Conscience, Evan Walker, and Squad 53 leader, Ben 'Zombie' Parish plus others including Cassie's little brother, Sam, and snarky and now Other enhanced Ringer have gone AWOL and are the only ones to know the End Game of the 5th wave.

This crew has to work together to thwart the Others and quite literally save the world and the human race. The primary theme is that of humanity and what traits make us human. Emotions run high and there is significant drama about making sacrifices and so on. 

Honestly, this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2016. I adored The 5th Wave and its sequel, The Infinite Sea. But the magic was snuffed out and I found myself underwhelmed and more than a little confused by how all this culminated to a conclusion.  I pretty much hated all the characters with the exception of Evan who was by far the most human but wasn't entirely human at all. The ending is downright depressing and left me feeling pretty blah.

Final rating: 2 out of 5 stars



#laststar #5thwave #YAlit #teen #scifi #book #letdown

REVIEW: Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall tells the tale of the apocalypse with a surprising twist. Angels arrive on Earth, wreaking havoc and demolishing the modern world.  Seventeen year old Penryn is determined to protect her family--her mentally ill mother and her paralyzed little sister--but when warrior angels fly away with the helpless little girl, Penryn will stop at nothing to get her back.

This quest forces her to ally with Raffe, a warrior who lies broken, defeated and wingless on the street. Nursing him back to health, Raffe agrees to assist Penryn in reaching the angels' stronghold in San Francisco to find her sister and for his own chance to reattach his wings.  They encounter many obstacles on this journey but surprisingly grow closer, each breaking down stereotypical barriers from being on opposite sides of the war.

I enjoyed the story and original premise even if the audiobook wasn't amazing. After so many post-apocalyptic books that feel all too similar, Angelfall sets itself apart with a unique perspective and a fierce, if at times terrifying, alternate envisioning of angels.

I found the well developed characters and gradually growing trust and understanding between Penryn and Raffe compelling.  There is a hesitant trust, respect and then progression toward deeper emotion that entices readers forward. Without providing spoilers, I will say that the culminating events provide some shocking development which hint at great implications for the subsequent books in the trilogy. I do wish Penryn wasn't quite as impulsive as she is portrayed but I do see character progression and expect she'll continue her journey in the other books.

Overall, I recommend this for middle school and up who enjoy dystopian or apocalyptic stories with hints at fantasy and some potential romance.  There's great suspense and this book really goes outside the typical box of similar novels.

Final rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @Susan_Ee




#Angelfall #Penryn #apocalypse #angels #YAlit #bookreview #urbanfantasy

REVIEW: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

The first in a series, Under the Never Sky is a futuristic twist on post apocalyptic and dystopian fiction. Aria has spent her entire life in Reverie, one of several enclosed pod communities where remaining humans are kept 'safe' from the dangerous outer wasteland filled with savage cannibals and deadly electrified energy storms. Taught that even the outside air could kill her, Aria is devastated when she learns her entire world is a lie. Exiled from home, she meets an Outsider, Perry, and quickly accepts he is her only chance for survival.

Perry is a hunter for his tribe despite the earth's bleak landscape. He, like some other Outsiders, possesses an inherited gift which enhances the senses--his sense of smell--a keen enhancement in such dangerous terrain.  Perry views Aria as troublesome and fragile but also as a valuable asset as he seeks to find his nephew, kidnapped and held captive in Aria's former home.  These two must form an alliance that blossoms into more if they hope to learn the truth and change their fates.

This is one of those YA series that I've eyed for several years but never had the chance to read. Overall, for me this was just a so-so read.  I have no major complaints; however, this particular book blends into the sea of similar post apocalyptic/dystopian titles that flooded the market over the past several years.  There is good world building, character development and dialogue.  While Aria starts off a bit doe eyed and naive, she adapts and grows throughout the book.  The same can be said of Perry as he learns to broaden his horizons concerning Dwellers and the role he must play for the future of his tribe.

Even though I'm not powerfully enamoured with the series as an immediate must-read, I am intrigued enough to continue on with the series.  I'd like to get more answers to the main plot arc and see secondary characters (i.e. Roar and Liv) get some resolution to their story.  I did listen to this on audio as narrated by Bernadette Flagler who does a nice job; however, I wasn't bowled over by the performance as I am with some of the more dynamic audiobook productions.

Final rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars



#undertheneversky #veronicarossi #dystopian #futuristic #YAlit #teen #books

REVIEW: Don't Eat the Glowing Bananas by David D. Hammons

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review*

In the post-apocalyptic wasteland of what was once the United States of America, all Hank Rosetta wants is to experience 5 star dining and find the answer to why the bombs were dropped, thus ending the world as we knew it. Sure, he'd also settle for not being eaten by cannibals or attacked by any other sort of radioactive mutant.

His quest for knowledge leads him to New Dallas where his hopes for answers just might be found.  Too bad the tyrannical dictator claiming to know the truth isn't exactly trustworthy. Hank finds allies in some unlikely candidates, namely Lewis, a regenerating, tentacle armed mutant and a Zoe, a katana-wielding assassin hellbent on revenge.  This trio has some hilarious adventures battling against pirates, dancing zombies, and more.

When I saw this book cover, title and description, I knew that it was one I just had to read.  It's unique and has the kind of humor where you bust out laughing.  I liked the great message regarding the state of the world and how easily it could all go awry as well as the commentary on why it's important to have and uphold the quest for knowledge.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @DavidDHammons




#DontEatTheGlowingBananas #Humor #Apocalypse #FoodCritique #Netgalley

REVIEW: Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Set some 14 years after the zombie apocalypse that ended the world, 15 year old Benny Imura has lived within the protected fences of Mountainside nearly all his life.  Benny must now find a job within town or face the reduction of his food rations.  When other opportunities don't pan out, he reluctantly agrees to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his brother Tom, whom Benny sees only as boring and cowardly.  However, their first trip outside into the Rot and Ruin begins to open his eyes to just how dangerous the world still is and that Benny knows little about his older sibling.

Violent events inside Mountainside lead Benny and Tom on a crucial rescue mission.  During this high stakes operation, he learns some truths, meets others who will impact his future and ultimately begins to discover more about himself and how he wants to fit into this world. Will he stay within Mountainside's fences and pretend everything is fine? Or, will he take a stand and acknowledge that he and others can stop more innocent people from being hurt?


What I liked...

Everything!  But to elaborate:

• Characters - Benny is a well developed but evolving teenager.  He, like all the other protagonists, come across as memorable and authentic.  I absolutely adore Tom! What a multi-layered mentor.  Nix is also a force to be reckoned with and her continued development throughout the series always holds my interest.  There are plenty of others but I have to mention Lilah. I'm awestruck by her each and every time. The fierceness. The pain. I think she might be one of the most fascinating characters written in any genre that I've come across. Maberry is also top-notch at developing memorable villains.  They come to life and nearly jump off the page with their diabolical plans.

• Story - the premise is just plain awesome.  What do you do when you are are teenager who has grown up after the zombie apocalypse? Get a job, of course! I love Benny's and Chong's failed job attempts.  The story builds beautifully. As readers, we watch Benny mature with the rise and fall of the major plot points.  The story is very much a coming of age, just with zombies and some truly unique challenges! I love how easy it is to get swept up in the humor, the action and the emotion.

What I didn't like...

Absolutely nothing!  This is my second reading of book 1.  I am a self professed Maberry fangirl.  I first read his adult Joe Ledger series. However, these are entwined with the Rot & Ruin and Dead of Night books. So, to get the true reading experience, you'll have to read them all as a before, during and after commentary.

Maybe what I don't like it that it is over. I want the series to go on and on and on.  Don't get me wrong. I thought the ending (Fire & Ash) was poignant and a fantastic conclusion but I adore these characters so much that saying goodbye makes me want to re-read them again and again. One bright spot is the 2015 publication of Bits & Pieces, a short story collection that fills in more of Benny's adventures. I'm still waiting (not patiently) for the audio of this since Brian Hutchison does a phenomenal job.

If you haven't read these yet, please do! I know some readers sigh and say, "I'm not into zombies!" However, like watching The Walking Dead this series is only partly about the presence of 'zoms' in the post-apocalyptic world and more about the evolution of the survivors and the choices they make to uphold the principles of their former society or spiral into lawlessness or fanaticism. The characters are so well developed and authentic that this is a great reading recommendation, especially for reluctant readers. There's a significant amount of humor offset but bigger thematic issues and fantastic fast-paced action.

You will laugh AND you will cry.  The ending wrecks me EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Follow the author on Twitter: @JonathanMaberry

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars



#jonathanmaberry #Rot&Ruin #YAlit #zombie #bookreview #teen