Book Review: All Our Yesterdays

Title: All Our Yesterdays

Author: Cristin Terrill

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 368

Source: Netgalley/Publisher ARC

Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Action, Time Travelling, Young Adult

Rating: 4.5/5

The world was changed forever, 4 years ago.

Em and Finn, two teenage time travellers, have been held captive in a secret military base for the past 4 months. The only thing keeping them alive is a piece of information their captor, a deranged scientist, desperately needs, a piece of information only these two teenagers know. But everything changes when Em finds a note hidden in her cell. The note says:

“You have to kill him,”

There is no doubt that “him” is their captor, who has created the time machine that has torn the world apart. And Em has to do what the note says. Em and Finn now have a chance to change the terrible world they are living in. Now she and Finn will have to go back in time to the moment when the world’s fate was sealed. Otherwise she will have failed, like the others who were sent back in time before her.

James Shaw, the brother of a famous politician, has always been, well, a tad bit eccentric. A genius in academics, this teen is capable of many things that can change the world. But just when things were going well, James’s life is irreparably damaged when his brother is shot. James isn’t who he was before. He’s changed, and no one knows how to help him. His brother wasn’t the only one who was being hunted, though. Someone is trying to kill James, and his friend Marina will do anything to protect him. She just doesn’t expect that her attackers will reveal a secret that could change the world – a few years too early.

Even though James wasn’t the character who was explained the most, he is my favorite character in this book. After suffering through the traumatizing death of his brother, James has changed and not in a good way. This science prodigy will stop at nothing to find a way to get his brother back, even if it includes flirting with death. But the reason I liked him so much is because his one goal was to make the world a better place. Throughout the whole book, his heart was in the right place, even though some of his actions might speak against that.

This book is just, wow. It is definitely one of my favorite books I have read this year. So to start off with, this isn’t a book I would typically read. I mean, yeah its science fiction, but I’m not always too excited about time traveling. It’s just been done way too many times – in books and movies. But wow, I definitely don’t feel that way about this book. Told from Marina’s and Em’s perspectives, this book is amazing, has lots of action, and is beautifully constructed.

My favorite part – to my surprise – of this book would be the time travelling. And I know I’ve already said this, but WOW. ‘All Our Yesterdays’ definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. The whole time travelling explanation – just amazing. It was written in a captivating way, that I could literally just read over and over again. It made perfect sense, but still was a little confusing. And yes, the explanation I gave is also a bit crazy/confusing, but the time travelling and the theory of the world were just so interesting to read about. That itself made reading this book worth it.

But on the other end of the spectrum, this book did have a couple of faults, one of them being the pace of the book. At times I just felt that some events could go by a lot faster, while at others I felt that there should be more of an explanation. Another thing I didn’t like about this book was how at times the adventure, action and suspense could have been built up a bit more. Sometimes, I knew that what was going on in the book was blood chillingly dangerous, but it didn’t always seem that way when I read it. But otherwise this book is absolutely perfect.

‘All Our Yesterdays’ by Cristin Terrill is a must read. Full of romance, adventure, action and time travelling, this book is definitely one you don’t want to miss if you love reading sci-fi books. Join Em, Marina and the rest of their friends on an adventure that will change the future – that is, if they succeed. Other books in this series includes the sequel, yet unnamed, releasing 2014.

Book Review: False Sight by Dan Krokos

Title: False Sight

Author: Dan Krokos

Pages: 336

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication Date: August 13, 2013

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 4/5

In this second book of the False Memory series, Miranda North and her friends, Peter, Noah, Sequel, and Rhys are in for an adventure that readers will enjoy tremendously.

After waking up on a park bench, Miranda had no memories of her past. But she soon realizes that her old life was anything but normal. With this new knowledge, Miranda’s world takes a definite turn for the strange when she realizes she has a unique power and is a clone.

Now Miranda just wants to fit in. Be a normal girl, and forget about her strange life. But how is that possible when there is a chance the people who created her, will attack? Yet, Miranda along with her friends, are willing to try. Things seem to be going well, but when one of her friends turns rogue, Miranda is faced with a problem that she never could have imagined.

My favorite character in this book would be Miranda. She’s brave, loyal and overall a very interesting character to read about. When things start to look difficult, Miranda never backs down and pursues what she believes in, a quality that is admirable. When her friend turns traitor and disappears, Miranda is on her tail, constantly trying to figure out what happened to her. And when the fate of the world rests in her hands, this heroine is never hesitant to act.

I believe that this story was more interesting than False Memory, its predecessor. Krokos fills False Sight with much more adventure, action, twists and turns compared to False Memory. As the story progresses you think you know what is going to happen, but the whole story changes with one simple turn of events.

For False Memory, I felt that the action sequences were not needed, but I felt the complete opposite for this book. With the new, surprising enemy, all action sequences were detailed and to the point, giving the readers more information of what the characters were going through. But, I have to say I loved and hated the ending. Full of action, suspense, and nail-biting decision it’s a conclusion that readers will never be able to forget, False Sight was finished with skill and precision that left me itching for a possible third book.

The only thing that I didn’t like about this book was how long it was. Honestly, the story could have bee 20-25 pages shorter and still carried the same details and emotions. The fact that it was stretched out, totally dragged out the middle part of the book, and I was left waiting for the conclusion to hurry along.

Overall, I really liked this book. I don’t reread books often, but this is one that I definitely will. Read False Sight by Dan Krokos and join Miranda North and her friends on an amazing journey to fight for what is right. If you love sci-fi books, this is definitely one you will like to pick up. I recommend reading the False Memory before False Sight to get a good understanding of the characters and previous action.

Book Review: False Memory by Dan Krokos

Title: False Memory

Author: Dan Krokos

Pages: 336

Publisher: Hyperion

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 3.5/5

In this first installment of the False Memory series, Dan Krokos writes a tale of science, love and friendship.

When Miranda North woke up on a park bench, she couldn’t remember anything besides her name and age. But when she released energy with her mind that created terror in everybody around her, only one person out of the whole room didn’t react: Peter. Miranda knows she is anything but normal, and with no one else to confide in, she must trust Peter, a complete stranger.

Little does Miranda know that she was raised with Peter and other teenagers who have the same powers as she. But when Miranda and her friends realize that there is another group of people who share their powers, and look exactly like them, everything they know is put to the test.

My favorite character would be Miranda, seeing as she is the character who is explained the most in this book. Some main things I like about this character is that she is brave, stubborn and funny. But besides those details of her character, the only other thing the reader knows about her is that she is trying to recover her memory. Because of this lack of detail, it is hard to connect with the heroine, disrupting the beginning of the story.   

I enjoyed the plot line of this story tremendously. The action, the adventure, it was all fun to read. But my favorite part would be the flash backs mixed in with Miranda’s mission. This helps reveal more of Miranda’s character – as well as her friends’ - as the story progressed.

But, there were some parts I didn’t like. One example of this would be the love triangle. Love triangles can be entertaining but are used so often that they become boring. In some books, love triangles are interesting, but in my perspective this one didn’t really add anything to the story. The action scenes were also something I didn’t really enjoy. Yes, they were clever, interesting and at times engaging, but they were so common that after a while I just skimmed over them.

Overall, I have to say this was a good book. Good enough that I could read it again. Read False Memory by Dan Krokos and join Miranda on a journey to regain her memories. If you like science fiction, this is definitely a book that you will enjoy. Dan Krokos has also written ‘False Sight’, the sequel to this book.

Book Review: Double Crossed by Ally Carter

Title: Double Crossed

Author: Ally Carter

Pages: 60

Publisher: Hyperion

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 3.5/5

When characters Macey McHenry and W.W.Hale – people from 2 series written by Ally Carter – meet at a party, things are definitely strange. But when burglars take everybody at the party hostage, the truth about both characters is revealed. Now faced with danger where it was never expected, both characters must act quickly to outwit the burglars.

With chances of survival steadily decreasing, Kat Bishop (another character from the Heist Society), Macey and Hale start making a plan to save everybody at the party. But that’s easier said than done. With twists and turns that nobody can see coming, this Heist Society short story is one that readers will enjoy.

My favorite character in this book was Macey. She’s always being underestimated, yet she continues to stand strong and prove that she is a unique girl. Never expecting to use the knowledge she learned at Gallagher Academy, Macey learns what it is like being a true spy.

Double Crossed has some of the qualities that make it as enjoyable as the other books in the Heist Society and Gallagher Girl series: twists, turns, an enjoyable plot, funny and interesting characters. And the conclusion was excellent, making me wonder if there was going to be another book that combines the Gallagher Girl characters and the Heist Society characters.

But, the reason I gave this story the rating I did, is because it was very brief. That might be the point of a short story, but even short stories should include more details. I felt that this story had great problems and solutions, but there weren’t enough details to describe what was going on. This lowered the books ranking in my eyes. Adding more details to what was occurring would have made this book better.

Read the book “Double Crossed” by Ally Carter and join Macey, Hale and Kat on an incredible adventure to stop the burglars. I recommend this book to fans of Ally Carter or people who have read any of her other books, which includes the Gallagher Girl Series and the Heist Society.

Book Review: Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Title: The Warrior Heir
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Pages: 426
Publisher: Hyperion
Genre: Action, romance, fantasy fiction
Rating: 4/5

In this, the first book of Cinda Williams Chima’s series, ‘The Heir Chronicles’, Jack Swift is forced into a decision that he never thought he would have to make. Enemies are approaching, and Jack is thrust into a life that he knows nothing about.

After spending his whole life in Trinity, Jack never thought he was anything out of the ordinary. Yet, all the truths he has recently been told, point to that being the only option. And if that isn’t enough, it turns out he is a warrior, a magical fighter. The most shocking part is that he is the only one in the whole world, and is being hunted for it.

The enemies are coming, and it is all Jack can do to hone his powers; they will be the key to his survival. With his wizard teacher Leander Hastings, a mysterious man of many secrets, and the threat of a battle approaching, Jack’s survival is on the line, but he must do everything he can to save the ones he loves – even if it means dying.

My favorite character in this book is Jack Swift. His whole life has been one big lie, and he knows things will never be the same again. As he is pushed into this new situation, he fights literally and figuratively knowing that if he gives up, it’s all over. Jack feels ready for the upcoming events, but things are not as they seem. Together with his friends and family, Jack must find a solution to the problems that threaten to destroy everything he knows before it is too late.

“The Warrior Heir” seemed to be all about fighting and violence, but it wasn’t, much to my surprise. I had been expecting blood and gore splattered on every page, but Chima entertains her readers with a deeper, more interesting story. Her protagonist Jack is sketched in a story where he must strive hard and fight long to attain his goal. Though the story does seem a tad bit fantastical, Chima draws in Jack’s characteristics - good and bad, and graces her readers with a story that’s mixed in with witty banter, hilarious lines, and a furiously exciting plot to entice readers.

Read ‘The Warrior Heir’ by Cinda Williams Chima, a book that no one will ever be able to put down. Join Jack, his friends, family, and enemies on a journey that requires grit, determination and strength to accomplish the impossible. With a stunning conclusion, this book is one that readers will always remember. Other books in this series include ‘The Wizard Heir’, ‘The Dragon Heir’ and ‘The Enchanter Heir’, coming out in October, 2013. Other series written by Cinda Williams Chima include the Seven Realms Series which consists of ‘The Demon King’, ‘The Exiled Queen’, ‘The Gray Wolf Throne’, and ‘The Crimson Crown’.

Book Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Spell Bound
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Page: 327
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Genre: Adventure, action, romance
Rating: 4.5/5

In this amazing final book of Rachel Hawkins’s Hex Hall Series, Sophie Mercer is forced to make decisions that will decide not only her fate, but the world’s as well.

Sophie never thought that she would be the most important person in the magical war. But there she was. Being the only demon fighting for the protection of other magical creatures, was never her intentions. It’s too late to say no, though. And now, the fate of the world depends on what she does.

As the evil Casnoff sisters continue their plan to create an army that will forever change the world, Sophie realizes that everything she had been told about her enemies was false. Now, coming to terms with the cold brutal truth, it seems that all her facts were lies, and Sophie must repair the damage that has been done. Filled with romance, adventure, and a heart-breaking end, Spell Bound will leave readers astounded.

My favorite character in this book is Sophie Mercer, the protagonist of this story. With her stubborn refusal to give up, and her continuously trying to solve her problems, she’s a character that many will enjoy reading about. Together, Sophie, Archer, Jenna and Cal will have to fight their enemies, and give it all they have if there is to be any hope for them to win the war.

Rachel Hawkins writes an amazing ending to the Hex Hall Series in Spell Bound. With the stakes higher than they’ve ever been before, everything is on the line and nothing is certain. But, throughout all of this, Hawkins still manages to show the hope the characters hold close to their hearts, and the readers are still given a taste of the wit and sarcasm that have entertained them throughout this series.

Finding out that this was the last book to the Hex Hall series, I was happy and sad. Happy because the solution to this enjoyable adventure was sure to be a stunning one, and sad because it would be the end to a great series that I had thoroughly enjoyed reading. And I was right. This book has twists and turns that nobody can see coming, and an adventure that nobody can resist. But with the completion of Spell Bound, the Hex Hall Series is finished, and Rachel Hawkins’s series is over. Hawkins has done a truly outstanding job with the finale to this magical series, one that I am sure readers will treasure.

Read the other books in the Hex Hall Series, including the first book Hex Hall, and its sequel Demonglass. The first book of a new series, School Spirits, will be released in May, 2013. I recommend this book – and series – to anybody who loves a good adventure, along with a compelling romance. To get a sneak peak at what life is like after the battle, read A Very Hexy Valentine’s Day, a Hex Hall Extra.

Book Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Demonglass
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Pages: 359
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Genre: Adventure, Romance
Rating: 9/10

If you’ve read ‘Hex Hall’ by Rachel Hawkins, you might remember Sophie Mercer. Sophie has had a hectic first year at Hecate Hall, otherwise known as Hex Hall. Being the odd girl out is nothing, seeing as she has had experience being one her whole life. But having a murderer going around who’s sucking people’s blood is a bit strange even for Sophie, one of only 2 demons in the world. She’s not even human – she’s a monster. But the worst part is that she might just destroy everybody and everything with her powers. Maybe even the whole world.

Now, during the summer, Sophie is traveling with her father and friends, Jenna and Cal to a new home, where she will learn the importance of her powers, and the truth about being a demon. Things are strange at her new home. There are two other teenagers living in the same building as Sophie and her friends, and the strange part is that they’re both demons. But that’s surprising, seeing that Sophie and her father are supposed to be the only two in the world. The worst part is that a mysterious group of people are hunting Sophie down, and won’t stop until she’s dead.

My favorite character in this book is Sophie Mercer. Making the right decision isn’t as easy as people say it is. Faced with dilemmas at every stage of her adventure, Sophie knows that staying out of danger might not be a possibility anymore. And that’s why reading Rachel Hawkins’s stories about Sophie’s adventures is so enjoyable. With Sophie’s heroic and hilarious attitude, reading about her is one heck of a ride.

Hawkins has written a fast-paced book in which readers are thrust into adventure and mystery. As I continued the book, putting it down was no longer an option. With her character in a difficult situation, the author entertains readers with witty and serious dialogue, to the point where rereading this book is a choice I’m sure I won’t regret. Throwing in a surprising turn of events, and a difficult decision or two, makes this book a must-read for teens of all ages.

When I read the excerpt for this book, I just knew I had to read it. Being a sequel to a book like Hex Hall (which I absolutely loved), I knew that it could not be a disappointment, and suffice it to say, I was right. This book is full of action, conflict, confusion and romance. The feelings of love Sophie has for Archer shine through, and help her figure out the solution to her problems. Along with her friends and family, will Sophie be able to differentiate between right and wrong in the messed up, magic-drunk world she is living in?

Rachel Hawkins leads the readers and Sophie through a dangerous, magical world, in which the truth is not what it seems, and true love always prevails. Read Demonglass and join Sophie Mercer on an epic ride of twists and turns to find out the truth about her life and the mystery it holds. I recommend the book Demonglass to all people who love adventure, mystery and romance. The third book in this series, Spell Bound, is also out, and a new upcoming book called School Spirits is releasing in May, 2013.