Young Adult Review: ASSAULT by Brian Falkner

ASSAULT
Author: Brian Falkner
Series: Recon Team Angel (#1)
Publication date: November 1st, 2011
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Number of pages: 365
Date read: June 19th, 2014
Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Suspense
Source: Borrowed from Library
Format: Paperback
Add on Goodreads



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(Description source: Goodreads)

The first in a high octane sci-fi adventure series by best-selling and award-winning author, Brian Falkner.

It is 2030, and the world is at war with an alien race. The Bzadians. The battleground: Earth. 

Recon Team Angel, made up of teenagers from around the world, has been training for years. They have learned Bzadian languages. Learned how to operate their weapons. How to work, eat, and think like them. 

Now it is time to act. Recon Team Angel must slip behind enemy lines, work their way into the top-secret alien facility under Uluru, and uncover the truth. But what they discover will shock not just them, but all of humanity.

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What drew me to this novel was the name of the series (Recon Team Angel) - it just sounds so cool, and the cover - it's so intriguing.

Set in the year 2030, Earth has been invaded and what is left of humanity is at war with an alien race: the Bzadians - a race of ugly, vomit-coloured beings who have no care for human life, other than the desire to eradicate it.

Recon Team Angel is a group of teenager of multiple nationalities joined together to go undercover, infiltrating the enemy to learn their secrets and report back.

Disguised as their enemies, a team of six "Angels" goes behind enemy lines to learn truths, but their mission is compromised from the get-go: there's a traitor.

Not every Angel is going to make it out alive...

Very interesting introduction, it surprised, but then again I probably should have actually read the blurb before I started reading the actual book...

There is also a glossary that helps you to understand some of the language the characters in the story use.

Chisnall is brave and easy for anyone and everyone to under-estimate. Seargeant Holly Brogan is tough and icey, "Phantom" Price is awesome (one of my favourite characters) - she's fast and determined, Monster likes to talk about "The Monster" in third person which is amusing, Wilton is funny and skilled, and Hunter is a smart-arse.

They all come together to make one hell of a team. The story os told from Chisnall's point of view, with a few scenes evry now and again from the view point of a Bzadian.

The author does reiterates the meaning of words that are included in the glossary at the start of the book, throughout the novel for the first time each of the words is used, which is useful as it means you don't have to keep racking your brain to remember the definitions or keep flipping back to where the glossary is.

There is suspense throughout the novel as you are kept genuinely wondering who the traitor is, I did have a feeling about who it would be but it wasn't even slightly confirmed until about halfway through part two of this book.

The story only reveals small amounts of information pertaining to the plot at a time, and only as they become relevant - this allowed the story to continually hold my interest as I had no idea what was coming next.

Assault sticks to a steady pace and has an incredibly interesting concept.

I thought some of the names/labels in the novel were a little juvenile, but they add some fun to the story, especially when paired with witty and sarcastic banter and general teenage antics.

Intriguing, pacey, funny and action-packed - definitely an enjoyable read.

I don't know how I feel about the epilogue, it seemed not very happy, and a little too final, plus it made me a little sad,  and it made it so I really, really want to read book two: I have to know what happens next, I need to know everything!

....just ordered book two.

I rate ASSAULT Four out of Five!!

Blog Tour: PEACEFUL GENOCIDE by J.A. Reynolds

PEACEFUL GENOCIDE
Author: J.A. Reynolds
Standalone
Publication date: November 24th, 2013
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Number of pages: 282
Date read: February , 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Source: Review copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Add on Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon

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(Description source: Goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old Mitzi and Deuce can recall how many drops of water were on a leaf from a rainstorm five years ago and conversations from last week, month, or year. They have the ability to remember every second of everyday—since birth. 

This gift has blessed Mitzi with a history of being sexually assaulted by researchers and abused by her own parents. She trusts no one. Likes no one. Deuce, however, is a high school standout. His gift has made him a superstar on the football field and his memory promises him endless opportunities. 

When they both end up at an Alzheimer’s research facility under false proviso, they quickly realize this place isn’t what it seems to be. They endure crazy military-style tests, are forcefully drugged, and complete real-life simulations that haunt them. 

Mitzi and Deuce have no idea what the researchers want to do with them or their memories. But one thing is clear: the researchers will go to any lengths to get what they want.

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Peaceful Genocide sounded so intriguing just going from the blurb which translates well as a representation of the story - you will want to know what is happening once you start reading.

Mitzi has been a part of many a research study as a result of her extraordinary memory - her ability to recall everything she has ever seen or experienced in her life, in detail, this "gift" has lead to nothing but trouble and mistrust for her. She does not want to be a part of yet another study.

Whereas Deuce's capabilities with his memory have helped achieve so much in his life that he can see it resulting in no harm, and he's happy to join a study of his memory to help cure Alzheimers.

This study is strange though, and they are only just beginning to find out how strange it is...

Peaceful Genocide is told mainly from Mitzi's point of view, interspersed along the way with Deuce's view point, giving extra insight into what is happening and how the story seems to be progressing.

Mitzi has been used and abused so much in her life that her first instinct is to shy away from people and definitely not trust them. She has inner strength and compassion, while she is also intelligent, determined and feisty.

Deuce is a decent guy, he's smart enough, very athletic, and generally trusting. He's prefers to believe things are innocent and honest, however, he does look out for other as best he can.

Paisley is adorably loyal and energetic, while you kind of want to give Ralph a hug.

Peaceful Genocide does start out a little confusingly, but the confusion clears up quickly, only lasting the first page and a bit. Mystery and suspence are a seemingly inherent part of the story, building up suspicions in your mind from the get-go and hooking you to finding out what is going on.

This story is fast-paced and well plotted, giving readers clue as to what might be happening, while keeping the answers slightly elusive until the right time.

The characters are believable in their personalities as are the relationships that develop, while the story-line is clearly thought out and incredibly clever, somethings that happen in this story prey upon your fears, making you concerned for the main characters and hoping for the best for them.

Peaceful Genocide is a truly fascinating read!

I rate Peaceful Genocide Four out of Five!!

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Tour Schedule!

AUTHOR BIO:

JA Reynolds lives in the Midwest with a normal family, raising a normal daughter, with some abnormal pets. It’s extraordinarily ordinary.

Blog:  http://www.jareynoldsbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaauthor

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/JA-Reynolds/430107783757165?ref=hl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18499632-peaceful-genocide

Tour wide giveaway

Prizes - open to US and Canada:

-A Kindle Fire and 10 signed copies

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251339/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!

TRIANGLES by Kimberly Ann Miller

TRIANGLES
Author: Kimberly Ann Miller
Standalone (but will have a companion novel)
Publication date: June 18th, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Number of Pages: 175
Date read: June 14th, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction
Source: ARC from Spencer Hill Press
Format: Paperback
Add on Goodreads


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(Description source: Goodreads)

A cruise ship. A beautiful island. Two sexy guys. What could possibly go wrong? 

In the Bermuda Triangle—a lot.

Hoping to leave behind the reminders of her crappy life--her father's death years ago, her mother's medical problems, and the loser who’s practically stalking her--seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor hops on a ship with her sister for a little distraction. When she wakes up in the Bermuda Triangle, she fears she's gone nuts for more than one reason: that loser’s suddenly claiming they're a happy couple... a hot guy is wrapping his arms around her and saying "Happy Anniversary"... and suddenly, she’s full of bruises, losing her hair, and getting IV medication. Autumn visits the ship's doctor, hoping for a pill or a shot to make the craziness go away. Instead, she's warned that these "alternate realities" could become permanent.

She just has to ask herself one question—how the hell is she going to get out of this mess?

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I have been dying to read Triangles since I very first found out about it when participating in the cover reveal! Th cover is simply gorgeous, but that's not the only thing gorgeous about this - in fact there are a lot of gorgeous aspects to Triangles: the location! the two guys! and the writing style!!!

Triangles is the story of seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor (by the way, I love her unique name: Autumn Rayne Taylor), who has just recently quit school and is desperately searching for a way out of her hometown. Autumn feels responsible for the fate of her parents and carries the guilt around with her, it especially comes to the surface when she and her sister, Jessica, go on a cruise to the Bermuda Triangles which was organised by her mother years earlier. What makes Autumn more reluctant to go on the cruise? The fact that her shadow, a work mate who has a crush on her, ends up on the very same cruise.

Autumn thinks her vacation can't get much worse... that is, until she starts waking up confronted with alternate realities involving family, boys, secrets and choices. She is also confronted by the possibility of any one of the realities becoming permanent.

Autumn is a very stubborn character, very set in her ways of thinking and seeing things, she has let her grief consume parts of her - the more optimistic, carefree parts of her, and it really shows in her interactions with other people, specifically her interactions with her sister and Joey. But Autumn is also strong and smart, as she lives the alternate realities, she holds tight to her morals and comes to several realisations that you can see giving her the potential to become a better person and someone who makes better decisions.

The plot is very well paced and it is so easy to forget to put this book down, the characters, the storyline, they all serve to pull you in and bring YOU to the realisation that there are some things that mean more, that should be a priority despite more often being pushed aside, and that no matter what you might think, there is always more to people than meets the eye.

Triangles is an absolutely amazing novel and it has made it impossible for me to not read any future books by Kimberly Ann Miller! Triangles definitely has a place on my list of all-time favourites, it teaches you to always look on the bright side of life, it is so insight and heart warming with hidden depth, an absolute must read!!!

I rate TRIANGLES Five 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!!!

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!!!

ORIGINS: THE FIRE by Debra Driza

Prequel to the Mila 2.0 Trilogy
Publication date: January 8th, 2013
Publisher: 
Date read: April 9th, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Mystery, Suspence
Source: Bought
Ebook


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(Description source: Goodreads)

Heart-stopping and electric, MILA 2.0: Origins: The Fire contains a short prequel story and an excerpt to MILA 2.0, the first book in a riveting Bourne Identity–style trilogy by Debra Driza.

Mila can't remember anything before the fire that took her father's life. It's normal to have some memory loss after traumatic events, but Mila doesn't remember if she's ever learned to ride a bike, or if she's ever been in love. Nothing.

What she doesn't know is that she isn't supposed to remember—that she was built in a computer science lab and programmed to forget. Because if she remembers, she might discover her true identity.

The question is: If she relived the fire, what would she see

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I decided to check out Origins: The Fire because I'd heard a lot of mention of MILA 2.0 and what better way to see if you like an authors writing style, than to read a short story by that very author, especially if it links in with the story you wish to read?!

Despite the fact that The Fire was incredibly short, it gave enough information and revealed enough about the main character Mila to make you want to read MILA 2.0 by showing a bit about her value and the kind of person she is, and the information given in this story is what kind of novel the first book in the series will be.

Origins: The Fire was chilling in its descriptiveness and mysterious in the abrupt ending. I definitely want to check out MILA 2.0 and I recommend anyone thing of doing the same to read this short story first, it only take a few minutes to read all of, plus there is an intriguing excerpt of MILA 2.0 that isdown right amazing. NEED BOOK NOW!!!
Oh, and I definitely want to find out more about Hunter, who is introduced in the excerpt...

Origins: The Fire is the prequel to MILA 2.0

(Description from Goodreads)
Mila 2.0 is the first book in an electrifying sci-fi thriller series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is an experiment in artificial intelligence.

Mila was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was a girl living with her mother in a small Minnesota town. She was supposed to forget her past—that she was built in a secret computer science lab and programmed to do things real people would never do.

Now she has no choice but to run—from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology. However, what Mila’s becoming is beyond anyone’s imagination, including her own, and it just might save her life.