Frozen - Melissa de la Cruz & Michael Johnston

::Post by Jackie Lindert::

Synopsis: Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.
At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

I went into this book cold (get it? Frozen-cold? ha!), having heard nothing about it. I didn't know what to expect other than another dystopia, but this book wiggled it's way into my heart. I saw a not too pleasant review of this book, which made me want to post my review even more because this book was great. Maybe I'm just the only person not burned out from dystopias, but I thought this book was original and well-written. The characters were my favorite part of this book, as usual.

I think this book had some great complexities. There were paranormal aspects, which didn't even seem paranormal because the post-apocalyptic world they live in makes it seem so plausible that such things have come to exist. There's adventure, political unrest, creatures, pirates, a fascinating new world, and the dream of something better-a place called "the Blue." It all mixes together and ties in so well, that this book made for a great mental escape for me.

The reason the characters are my favorite part in this book is because it might be the first time I've ever read scenes where characters are flirting and thought, "Oh my God! Someone finally nailed it!" It's absolutely perfect. I feel like that is the exact same way I used to flirt when I was in high school. And for Melissa de la Cruz to have made me relate to a book about a frozen world completely unlike my own, bravo. It's the perfect mix of cocky and shy. Nat and Wes are so wonderful. I want to hug them both. She is selfish and brave and he is a selfless, strong leader.

What makes this book fantastic, I think, is that people suffer, die, and fail. Lovely way for me to think, right? But seriously. I'm sick of books where every escape is a little too convenient. There wasn't just action to fill pages. These characters faced challenges that forced them to change their plans and their strategy, which seemed so much more realistic, and made Wes and Nat stronger and smarter protagonists.

If you are into dystopias, definitely give this one a try. There's a lot going on, but it's all pretty great. And it's going to be a trilogy! So I'm pretty excited to see what comes next, especially after how it ended. So let's give this book tons of love because it is very deserving. 

Star Cursed - Jessica Spotswood

Synopsis: With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate's friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers—if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.
Cate doesn't want to be a weapon, and she doesn't want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood's schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she'll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.
In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess's quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternate history of New England.

This book...this series...I can hardly put into words what it puts me through. I'm shocked and awed. I was meeting Jackie for dinner and I got there before she did, so naturally I take out my book and read until she shows up. Well, I had about 20 pages left of Star Cursed and I figured things were winding down, but just before Jackie got there something switched and my heart started pounding. I was astounded, and I made Jackie sit and wait for me to finish the book because I just couldn't put it down.

I just don't know what's going to happen and I'm so worried for Cate and I just want to cry for her. I want so badly to slip into the pages and help her in any way I can. She's just so brave and strong and smart. I can't believe how she takes the time to step back and examine her options and to make the hard decisions when she has to. I also really like that she's one of the few heroines who's straight up like - I want to get married and have babies AND still be a bad-ass witch.. Normally, I'm all - ugh, babies and marriage - but I just want her to have everything she could ever want. And when getting married (to FINN, I mean, yeah...he might persuade me to marriage too) seems like the hard choice, it's somehow more appealing.

In Star Cursed all the characters seem so different, just because their circumstances have all changed and they've all grown. Finn is still perfect. Like, seriously, perfect. I was worried there wouldn't be enough Finn in book two, given how the Born Wicked ended, but I'm satisfied. There can always be more, but the page-time balance between Finn and Cate's sisters is right on. I'm loving watching Tess grow and come into herself. She surprised me in this book. Maura, on the other hand....goodness gracious.She has some serious Jan Brady issues, except she has powers and she's not afraid to use them to make people pay attention to her. She terrifies me. I want to sympathize with her, but I just can't. She's stubborn and dangerous and in this book she just seemed to make everything more poisonious.

The tension between the Brothers and the Sisters is so much more overwhelming in this book, especially since Cate is now in the middle of it and being groomed to lead the Sisters. The Brothers are revolting, but some of the Sisters have some pretty evil plans as well. There's no black and white in their struggle for power and everything is so complicated. I just love the way this book kind of spins on the Salem Witch Trial hysteria and creates its own sort of world. It's just awesome.

I almost wish I would have waited to read this book, though, but only because I can't believe I have to wait this long until I can read the next one. This book left me with a sore heart. I'm still wavering between furious and sad. I can't help but feel completely connected with these characters and their emotions. This is an incredible sequel in a beautiful series, which I highly recommend reading.   

White Lines - Jennifer Banash

::Post by Jackie Lindert::

Synopsis: 

A gritty, atmospheric coming of age tale set in 1980s New York City.

Seventeen-year-old Cat is living every teenager’s dream: she has her own apartment on the Lower East Side and at night she’s club kid royalty, guarding the velvet rope at some of the hottest clubs in the city. The night with its crazy, frenetic, high-inducing energy—the pulsing beat of the music, the radiant, joyful people and those seductive white lines that can ease all pain—is when Cat truly lives. But her daytime, when real life occurs, is more nightmare than dream. Having spent years suffering her mother’s emotional and physical abuse, and abandoned by her father, Cat is terrified and alone—unable to connect to anyone or anything. But when someone comes along who makes her want to truly live, she’ll need to summon the courage to confront her demons and take control of a life already spinning dangerously out of control.
Both poignant and raw, White Lines is a gripping tale and the reader won’t want to look away.

After reading that this book takes place in the drug-induced, 1980s NYC, I knew I had to give it a chance. I was nervous, though. I have been told numerous times by a few trusted friends to avoid books that take place in the '80s. I am a HUGE fan of the that decade. I was born at the end of it, the music rocks, and the styles were amazing. So, I wanted to give this book an opportunity to prove everyone wrong. I'm pretty glad I did, too, because this book touched my soul a little bit.

Cat is amazing. I love how she changes so much not only from night to day, but throughout the whole book. I can't even express how badly I just wanted to hug her and tell her how awesome she was. When I finished the book, I literally held it to my chest and cuddled it a little bit. Hannah saw it happen. It might seem strange that I wanted to snuggle a book about a girl who does a bunch of cocaine and totally badass things, but it was just perfect. I think it reached me because I've been a little emo the past few weeks, and this book is a little emo (in an awesome way), so we just clicked.

Another thing I really liked, besides the amazing characters who you will adore, was the writing. Jennifer Banash is spectacular! The descriptiveness and the detail that she wrote with were out of the box and totally captivating. I swear, she could find a way to redescribe a clogged drain pipe and make it sound fantastic in a way you never knew possible. 
The relationships in this book were what absolutely made it great for me. Cat and her parents, Cat and each of her friends (who are all SO different), and a certain boy, obviously. It just all really spoke to me as being true and interesting.

Lastly, I felt like this book wasn't trying to be in your face with, "I take place in the 1980s!" It just talked about the clubs, the drugs, and the music, which made it accurate, but not over the top. Plus, I like a book that leaves out cell phones and internet life. Let's stick to reality. But really, this book is awesome, and if you're hesitant to read it, don't be! It's been my favorite among the last few books I've read, and I'll definitely be checking out Banash's other books ASAP.

The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey

::Review by Jackie Lindert::

Synopsis: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.
Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

I have to admit, this was the first book I've read about aliens. I hadn't gone out of my way to avoid the subject, but I certainly wasn't searching for a good "alien" book. Having said that, I don't know if I will search for another one because this book set the bar! It was incredible and mind-blowingly real.

From the very beginning, The 5th Wave freaked me out (in a good way!). The details the author comes up with make the possibility of alien invasion not only seem real, but it's so creative. I've seen movies with alien invasions, but I've never thought of the tactics they use in such freaky ways. I kind of want to call everyone I know and come up with a just-in-case-of-an-alien-apocalypse plan.

You never know what's coming in The 5th Wave. Just when you are convinced to trust no one and be skeptical of everything, the book STILL manages to throw a twist or two at you; each which blew my mind.

I love getting the different points of view in this book. At first it threw me for a loop, but it is done so well that I can't picture it any other way. Yancey is a genius. His characters are also kick ass. What I love about Cassie, the main character, is that she starts out as just any shy, high school girl, but toughens up and becomes so brave. Guys and girls are equal in this book. They save each other. There are no damsels in distress left because they have been wiped out. Only the strong are left, and they are teetering on the line between crazy and courageous.

Another great part about the book is that all the characters start to really question what it is to be human. It's pretty trippy reading their thoughts. Like I've said repeatedly, it seems so real. The humanity question goes beyond a philosophical thought...they are literally unsure if they can hold on to what makes them compassionate human beings while trying to stay alive.

The last thing I'll say about The 5th Wave is that the humor and sarcasm balances out a lot of the morbid parts. It keeps you somewhat sane and grounded during your trip through a chilling world, and it's all perfectly timed. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book! Seriously though, even if you've never thought about reading a book with aliens, read this book. It will blow your mind.

Legend - Marie Lu

Synopsis: 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.Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. (from Goodreads)


I wasn't really sure what to expect with this book. It's dystopian, so it called to me. I also read that Marie Lu based the story loosely on Les Misérables, a musical I've always wanted to see but for whatever haven't gotten around to. Reading Legend makes me want to change that.


The story goes back and forth between the points of view of June and Day, two kids from the opposite sides of the track in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. June has grown up in a wealthy, military family while Day comes from a more working class/slums area. He's also a criminal mastermind while June is a child prodigy at the top of her class. It was interesting to go back and forth between their two voices because they have different views on the world they live in and definitely different values, but in a way they are almost the same person. June believes in the militaristic society shes grown up in. Day, on the other hand, knows the truth behind the utopian front of the Republic. They complement each other well and when they meet, each move is calculated. It's funny because they don't know how smart each other is.


This is the second dystopian book I've read in a short time that includes a "plague" element. A horrible disease has broken out in parts of the Republic. The rich get vaccines while the poor do not. I don't know if that's becoming a trend, or already was one, but it does add a new factor...it's the driving force behind some of the characters actions. And it becomes the symbol of the Republic's secrets. It kinda serves as the link between their society and ours. Bio-terrorism is something we've definitely had to worry about in the last few decades, and is still a true threat. 


All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who reads dystopian, but it just didn't send me over the edge. I think it's a slightly different take on dystopia with one character being an insider and one being an outsider (kinda ambiguous who's who) which was fun to read, but it didn't leave me blown away. However, I did care about June and Day and I want to find out what happens to them next.