DATA RUNNER by Sam A. Patel

Book One in the Data Runner series
Publication date: June 25th, 2013
Publisher: Diversion Books
Number of Pages: 231
Date read: , 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Source: ARC from Netgalley
Format: Ebook





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(Description source: Goodreads)

In the not-too-distant future, in what was once the old City of New York, megacorporations have taken over everything. Now even the internet is owned, and the only way to transmit sensitive information is by a network of highly skilled couriers called “data runners” who run it over the sneakernet. 

It is a dangerous gig in a dirty world, but Jack Nill doesn’t have much choice in the matter. A brilliant young math whiz and champion of parkour, Jack must become one of these data runners in order to get his father out of a major gambling debt. But when a mysterious stranger loads Jack’s chip with a cryptic cargo that everybody wants, he soon becomes the key figure in a conspiracy that could affect the entire North American Alliance. 

Now it’s all up to Jack. With the help of his best friend, Dexter, and a girl who runs under the name Red Tail, Jack will have to use all his skills to outrun the retrievers and uncover the truth before they catch him and clip him for good.

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Jack is a genius at maths and is incredibly tech savvy, as well as a quick and agile member of the Dragons parkour team. Living in a future where megacorporation are in control and vying for power, the only way to transport valuable and priceless information is via a specialised courier service, where "data runners" run their cargo over the sneakernet whilst avoiding terrible dangers - like those who wish to intercept of eliminate cargo...

Jack Nill takes an opportunity to become one when his father runs them into a very large debt, but there is a conspiracy surrounding one of Jack's jobs that could change the world as he knows it, and everyone, it seems, is after this cargo...

Well written, Data Runner is a slightly more complex read than I think most young adult readers are used to, this does not detract from the story, but rather means that you have to pay attention to the story and to everything the main character is saying to understand what is happening at your current moment and what is happening in upcoming events.

Jack is an intersting character, he is incredibly intelligent, whilst also athletic. He is not without fear but he does what he believes is right and is stubborn in his determination.

Dexter is Jack's best friend, he looks out for the people he cares about and does what he can to help. While Red Tail is mysterious and absolutely kick-ass, though not without her limitations.

The conspiracy and the mystery of everything that was going on and how events and information was connected kept you on your toes and wondering what was going on and what was going to happen next.

Reasonably paced, Data Runner holds a unique and well-built world that was easy to visualise. My favourite aspect of this novel was the friendship it showed, how they developed and the lengths that people went to for each other.

Data Runner was definitely left very open ended and Jack's story in no way felt like it was over, I'm curious to see what another installment would hold.

There are no limits, only plateaus.

I rate Data Runner Four out of Five!

LIFE BEFORE LEGEND by Marie Lu

Prequel in the Legend trilogy
Publication date: January 15th, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Number of Pages: 38
Date read: June 4th, 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopia, Romance, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Source: Bought
Ebook



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(Description source: Goodreads)

Find out more about June and Day in this never-before-seen glimpse into their daily lives before they met in Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND series. 

As twelve-year-olds struggling to survive in two very different worlds within the Republic’s stronghold, June was starting her first day of school at Drake University as the youngest cadet ever admitted, and Day was fighting for food on the streets of the Lake sector. 

LIFE BEFORE LEGEND contains two original stories written by Marie Lu that give readers a sneak peek into the lives of their favorite characters in a thrilling new context.

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"You think I like going hungry?"

The girl laughs at me. "Listen to you, Tough boy. You're so adorable, I could pinch your cheek right off."

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I bet the Republic hasn't seen the last of you.

I smile. No, I sincerely hope that they haven't.

Life Before Legend is two short stories giving an insight into June and Day's lives a few years before they meet in Legend. In these stories, both characters are twelve years old and just finding their way with there recent changes in lifestyle, June being a prodigy starting college and Day being a young and injured fugitive trying to survive.

Day's story is the first of the two and you can't help but love it. It's all about Day's first kiss but it also shows his bravery, his incredible skills and his knack for working against the republic, giving readers a look as to why he made some of the decisions he did. Life Before Legend also shows how much Day really misses his old life, where he had his mother and brothers and a home, how he desperately wants to be a part of a family again.

While June's story shows her relationship with her brother better, how much they love each other and how sweet Metias is, as well as how June became a known troublemaker from her very first day at college. This story helps to add an explanation as to June's behaviour that isn't really covered in Legend, how June struggled to find friends because of her status as prodigy, as well as how she was bullied and not acepted.

These stories are fairly short but they are sweet, fairly action packed and incredibly insightful. If you loved Legend, do yourself a favour and read these stories, they give a small taste of the world you are dying to get back to. Life Before Legend is a cute read that won't take you long but will make you smile!

"Love you," I say.

Metias smiles back at me. "Love you too. Keep at it Junebug - someday, you'll shake the republic to its very core. You'll be absolutely unforgettable. I know it."

I rate Life Before Legend Five out of Five!!!

UNDONE by Elizabeth Norris

An Unravelling Novella (Book #1.5)
Publication date: March 5th, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray 
Number of Pages: 120
Date read: June 1st, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopia, Romance, Contemporary, Short Stories
Source: Bought 
Ebook



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(Description Source: Goodreads)

Before the accident. Before their universes collided. Before they fell in love.

Riveting and romantic, Undone: An Unraveling Novella contains three short stories set in the world of Unraveling, the first book in the gripping sci-fi duology by Elizabeth Norris.

Before Ben Michaels saved Janelle Tenner’s life, Janelle saved Ben when he stumbled through an interuniverse portal into a completely new world. That day, he fell in love with the girl of his dreams. And he never forgot her.

Through three stories told from Ben’s point of view, learn how Ben and his friends discovered their ability to travel between worlds, how Ben first met Janelle, and how he pined for her for years before he actually got the chance to meet her, save her life, and capture her heart. And find out what happens to Ben between the cliff-hanger conclusion to Unraveling and the beginning of its heart-stopping sequel, Unbreakable.

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“The pivotal moments in your life are always made up of smaller pieces, things that seemed insignificant at time, but in fact brought you to where you needed to be.” 

Undone is a novella that further explains events in Unravelling, while also bridging to the sequel, Unbreakable. This novella is told from Ben's point of view and helps to expand on his and his friends back story. Undone begins with Ben leaving his home world through an accidental portal and landing in the ocean to be saved by Janellle. He covers how he and his friends try to assimilateto the new world they find themselves in.

Ben's point of view is interesting, you get to hear his internal dilemmas as well as his inner thoughts. Getting to know Ben's character better is pretty awesome, you learn about how responsible he feels for his and his friends' situation, how he pines for Janelle and his friends are all to aware of it.Ben has difficult decisions to make and they are easier  to understand.

The best part of this novella is the part set when he is back in his home world, what his family is really like compared to how he remembers them, what happened to Eli's family as well and the state that their world is now in.

This novella, comprised of three stories, is amazing and leads into Unbreakable so, so well. It is entertaining, explanatory and also has some action in it.

“Certain moments in my life are imprinted in me memory.

They're easy to recall with perfect clarity, whether I want to remember them or not. Any small thing can trigger them: a phrase, a smell, a thought. It brings everything back like I'm reliving that moment, a brief scene in the movie of my life, complete with how horrible I felt at the time. And I usually felt horrible in those moments that I want to forget that stick around.”

I rate Undone Five out of Five!

LEGEND by Marie Lu

Book One in the Legend trilogy
Publication date: November 29th, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Number of pages: 305
Date read: May 18th, 2013
Genre: Dystopia, YA, Romance, Adventure, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic
Source: Bought




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(Description source: Goodreads)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

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“You should have taken me with you," I whisper to him. Then I lean my head against his and begin to cry. In my mind, I make a silent promise to my brother's killer.

I will hunt you down. I will scour the streets of Los Angeles for you. Search every street in the Republic if I have to. I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place, and chase you until you have nowhere else to run. I make you this promise: your life is mine.” 

Legend is phenomenal! It has to be the best dystopia novel that I've read so far this year. The story line is beyond words and the characters are exceptional, each and every one of them.

Day has to be one of the most beautiful characters I have ever read. Day is gorgeous, brave, rebellious, kind, loyal and protective.

The descriptive style and the amount of detail add so much to the story, taking it above and beyond any expectations I had going into this novel. One of the amazing aspects of the story is the way Marie Lu depicts the horror of what blind obedience can lead to. Legend will make you feel like more things should be questioned.

Legend is full of deception, secrets, lies, and betrayal and romance, and it is absolutely action-packed. Add to that the fact that it is also so heart-wrenching and bittersweet and this novel has the ability to appeal to anyone and everyone on some level.

A truly gripping read that left me stunned, obsessed and dying for more, I swear I am so ready to just run out the door to go order Prodigy (the sequel) RIGHT NOW! An unforgettable read that draws you in and will make it so that you are the one who won't be able to let go of it.

“Tess," I say. "I'm going to head down to the water.I'll be back in a minute."
"You sure you can make it by yourself?" she asks.
"I'll be fine." I smile. "If you see me floating unconscious out to sea,though-by all means,come and get me.” 

I rate Legend Five out of Five!!!

2012 Dystopian Challenge

I love dystopian books, so I love the idea of this challenge, which is hosted by Book Journey.

Levels:

1-3 Dystopia Books read in 2012:  Beginner

4-6 Dystopia Books read in 2012:  Intermediate Post World Trainee

7-10 Dystopia Books read in 2012:  Leader of Your District

11+ Dystopia Books read in 2012:  SURVIVOR!

I am going to try for the SURVIVOR level! I will keep track of my progress through the levels by colour-coding the list below of dystopian books that I have read so far this year.

 1. Divergent by Veronica Roth - 24th January
 2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 22nd March
 3. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel - 19th April
 4. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi - 13th May
 5. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 5th July
 6. The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina - 19th September
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10.
11.