Book Review - How Hard Can Love Be

Title: How Hard Can Love Be

Author: Holly Bourne

Series: The Spinster Club (Book 2)

Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

Release Date: 1 Feb. 2016

ISBN-13: 978-1409591221

Synopsis

All Amber wants is a little bit of love. Her mum has never been the caring type, even before she moved to California, got remarried and had a personality transplant. But Amber's hoping that spending the summer with her can change all that.

And then there's prom king Kyle, the guy all the girls want. Can he really be interested in anti-cheerleader Amber? Even with best friends Evie and Lottie's advice, there's no escaping the fact: love is hard.

My Review

I was a little bit hesitant about this book, the main character in this one is Amber, after reading the first book in the series, Amber was my least favourite character, constantly moaning because she is tall and ginger - like those are the worst things to be in life. You are who you are, and Amber needs to accept herself, but she seems to use it as an excuse or defense as to why things don't go right. I was worried this whole book would be her whining and moaning, but I wanted to give her a try.

These books can be read as stand-alone novels, but there are odd references to events from 'Am I Normal Yet', so I would recommend reading them in order.

Amber is 17, her mum left 2 years ago and she hasn't seen her since. Stuck in the UK with her dad, wicked step-mother, and younger step-brother from hell, Amber is desperate to have an adventure and get away. Her mum is now living with her new husband Kevin in America, they run a summer camp together and have agreed to let Amber come over for the summer. Amber is going to work at the camp teaching Art, but she is more excited to be able to spend some time with her mum. But nothing ever works out as expected.

Amber struggles with the fact that her mum still hasn't changed and doesn't seem to be that interested in her, she spends more time with her husband or surrounded by loud screaming camp children than with Amber, but seems to be happy with a 2 minute conversation. Amber makes new friends at the camp with the other counselors, finding an instant connection to Whinnie and an instant attraction to Kyle - your typical High School hottie, Prom King and all together smart guy, but the problem is, all the girls like him, so why would he ever look at Amber.

The actual plot and idea of this book is really good and I enjoyed seeing Amber grow and develop and experience the Summer Camp environment. She is a very realistic character in that she is very flawed, she makes stupid decisions, becomes irrational, angry, happy all at the drop of a hat. She has a lot of issues to deal with and she doesn't always confront them the right way - but that's what makes her human.

I really liked Kyle as a character, for once Bourne has written a male character who is not a jerk, but a genuinely nice guy. But I had to admit that he got on my nerves a bit, Amber would ask him questions about his life and he would just reply that he was 'boring', that there wasn't anything really notable about him and that he always just does 'what's expected of him'. I mean, what does that even mean!? It felt to me that he was hiding something or just trying to be annoying. He knew so much about Amber's life and past, but could barely talk about his sisters or upbringing. But overall he is a nice character and you can't help but want them to end up together.

The other characters at camp are just there to bump the story, they don't have much character development and are pretty forgettable, a bit like in the first book. They serve their purpose and then fade away.

Evie and Lottie still appear, but only over video chats and emails as they are still in the UK. I love how strong their friendship bond is and how supportive they are, but I have to admit the Feminist rants get on my nerve a bit. Now before you blast me and call me anti-feminist, I'm not. But I believe more in equality for everybody. Men and Women should be equal - that is true feminism, but a lot of the time, I feel like these girls only focus on how to make women better, how to boost women's rights, and yet they hardly ever focus on men's disadvantages. At one point, Kyle discusses male stereotypes and how 'nice guys' are never seen as a positive thing, that you have to be tough and strong to be a 'man', Amber agrees with him, calls Kyle a 'nice guy' but confirms that she still finds him attractive - then changes the subject. It just feels very one sided and a little bit like I'm being told off throughout Lottie's rants.

Overall though, the story-line is good and I definitely started to like Amber a lot more. If you want a good summer romance novel, then this ticks a lot of boxes. Although it's nearly 500 pages, it's actually quite a quick read.

My Rating

Book Review - Am I Normal Yet?

Title: Am I Normal Yet?

Author: Holly Bourne

Series: The Spinster Club (Book 1)

Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd

Release Date: 1 Aug. 2015

ISBN13: 9781409590309

Synopsis

All Evie wants is to be normal. She’s almost off her meds and at a new college where no one knows her as the girl-who-went-crazy. She’s even going to parties and making friends. There’s only one thing left to tick off her list…
But relationships are messy – especially relationships with teenage guys. They can make any girl feel like they’re going mad. And if Evie can’t even tell her new friends Amber and Lottie the truth about herself, how will she cope when she falls in love?

My Review

I have heard a lot about Holly Bourne and know her books have been very popular but I'd never read one before. I was in my local discount bookstore last year and they had this trilogy as a set for only £5. I thought it was worth a try at that price so I bought them, but never got round to reading them. As I still have a bit more time on my hands at the moment with lockdown life and now the summer holidays, I am still working through my shelves and happened to grab this one.

I like the title, thought it was quite funny, as many a time I have wondered if I myself am normal! I wasn't overly excited by the blurb, I wasn't really sure what to expect, it sounded like it could be quite serious, but I was willing to give it a go.

We are introduced to Evie, our main protagonist who is about to start college and get her life back on track. She is desperate to fit in and appear to be like everyone else. But her last few years have been anything but normal, Evie was diagnosed with OCD - and ended up in hospital and on meds to help her control her anxieties. She has been working with a therapist and is slowly starting to lower her dosage. But how simple can it be to try and start all over again, and not let anyone know that you went crazy.

I really like Evie as a character, she is funny and witty and smart. She knows what she does isn't normal or rational, but understands that she has an illness, something makes her act this way and it's hard to control. She hates it when people misuse the term OCD or crazy, and is hurt by the stigma that comes with it all, so much so that she tries to hide it from everyone. I understand that urge to appear normal to others, but whilst you are reading you can't help but will her to tell someone, reveal it to her friends.

Evie is in a lot of ways a very normal teenager, she likes to hang out with her friends and she has crushes on boys, quite a few boys overall - she isn't really sure what she is looking for or how she should feel - again, pretty normal teen!

I found her 'friend' Jane really annoying, obsessed with the lead singer of a band and changing herself to appeal to him whilst dumping Evie continuously - but I think you are supposed to dislike her, but at the same time Evie still cares about her, and the writing is so good that a part of you looks for redeeming features within her too. Hoping she will snap out of it and help Evie.

Evie's 2 new best friends are cool, Lottie and Amber. I preferred Lottie of the two - very smart and sassy. Amber I found a bit of a whiner, always moaning about the fact she is tall and that boys don't like her - like that is the most important thing in life to focus on (i suppose for some teens it is). But I really wanted her to just accept herself and mature a little bit.

I really enjoyed Evie's style of narration, she is very funny - it reminded me a bit of Georgia Nicholson books by Louise Rennison, that sort of quick-witted, light-hearted silliness with some serious issues woven in to make you think and increase your awareness without feeling like you're being preached to.

Although this book was over 400 pages, I read it in 2 quick sittings, it is so easy to get absorbed in and the writing just flows that you will be through 100 pages before you realise what you've done.

This is a great way of introducing some more serious issues, such as the OCD and the true effect it can have on people without feeling that you are being lectured.

This book is fun and interesting and definitely worth a read. One of the better contemporary YA's I've read in a while.

My Rating

Book Review - The Order of the Key

Title: The Order of the Key

Author: Justine Manzano

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Release Date: 9 July 2020

ISBN-13: 978-1684335046

Synopsis

Jacklyn Madison never expected to be attacked by a beast on an evening snack run. Add a rescue mission enacted by a trained regiment of teenaged warriors, and her night officially becomes just like a scene from one of her beloved comic books. Turns out, her parents were once members of the Order of the Key, gifted humans that protect humanity from creatures spilling through inter-dimensional rifts. Unable to control her newfound abilities, Jacklyn and her family rejoin the Order.
After an attack on their headquarters leaves Jacklyn questioning their leadership, Kyp--the boy who led her initial rescue--reveals a darker secret. The Order's leader may be corrupt, and Jacklyn's questions could put her family in danger. Drawn into the search for proof, Jacklyn must use her guts and magical brawn to protect her family, her friends, and herself from the monsters spilling from rifts, and those hiding within the Order.

My Review

I was given this by a family member to read so we could compare opinions on the book. I have never heard of the author before so was pretty open minded going in.

The blurb sounded ok, I like fantasy style books so it looked like it would fit my tastes, but I was surprised by how much was given away, it tells you straight away that the leader is corrupt - this is something that could have been used as a shock reveal within the book, but here you go into the story knowing that it's going to end up in fights and danger. This kind of ruined it a little bit for me, I like to figure out what a character is like from how well they are written, this was just handed across on a platter.

The book starts by introducing Jacklyn, a typical high school girl - a bit of a nerd but also quite athletic, someone who doesn't really fit in and wonders why, but also doesn't take any rubbish from others and at least has the courage to stand up for herself against the bullies - even if that does mean taking a few punches. Things then escalate pretty quickly - on her way home from school she gets attacked by strange monsters and mysteriously saved by a duo who seem to know everything about her. They save her, but not before she kicks a bit of butt herself, but with her new found powers acting like a beacon to every monster in the area, her family pack up and move to the 'Orders' headquarters.

Once there, Jacklyn is put through all sorts of tests and trained in the ways of the Order. But problems build up and there are plenty of fights between the members of the Order and the leader, and between extra monsters that seem to be able to break through the protection wards - 'i wonder how that could happen'? Oh yeah, the leader is corrupt!

There are a host of characters, Jacklyn herself who I feel has the potential to be quite a good lead heroine but just needs a bit more substance. We then have Kyp - the guy who rescues her, again he has the whole mysterious, broody teen thing going on and comes across quite interesting but I want to know more about him. You learn a little bit about their childhood but not a lot overall, it just leaves them all feeling a little bit 2-dimensional. Of course, we also have the traditional love angst, one minute Kyp and Jacks are madly in love, then they are arguing, then one of them is disappearing or giving the silent treatment or acting like an ass, and then they are in love again. It's a bit too much turmoil for such a short book.

I liked Cass as a character, she is Kyp's guardian, but unfortunately she doesn't feature that much which leaves you wanting to know more about her and a bit frustrated that she only appears when it's convenient for the story. It's pretty much like that for all the other characters, Gana, Juliana, Kylie, Ross etc.

The story is quite well paced for the first half, just revealing enough to keep you interested then throwing you into a bit of action. The second half of the story then seems to go into overdrive and suddenly everything is happening, people are dying, fighting and running. It was just a blur of action.

For the most part, I would say that the story was pretty predictable, I could guess who would die, who would run, who would return etc. Nothing about this book surprised me.

At only 220 pages it was an easy enough read and fairly enjoyable, but I think that it could do with some more background, more character development and more variety of pacing. Change the synopsis to take out the reveal of the leader being corrupt and this could be a winning story. Just feels like it needs a bit of work at the moment.

But if you want a really easy, quick fantasy escape this is still worth giving it a go.

My Rating

Book Review - Rebellion

Title: Rebellion

Author: Kass Morgan

Series: The 100 (Book 4)

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks

Release Date: 15 Dec. 2016

ISBN: 978-1473648883

Synopsis

The Colonists and the Earthborns are celebrating their first holiday together when, to everyone’s horror, they’re attacked by a group of strangers whose unusual battle cries fill the air. The newcomers kill scores of people, seize prisoners, and pillage crucial supplies. When hotheaded Bellamy and his analytical girlfriend Clarke discover that Wells, Octavia and Glass have been captured, they vow to get them back at all costs. But as they go after their new enemies, Bellamy and Clarke find themselves increasingly at odds, unable to agree on a plan to save their friends.
Meanwhile, Wells, Octavia, and Glass are being slowly brainwashed by their captors, religious fanatics with one goal: to grow their ranks and “heal” the war-ravaged planet… by eliminating everyone else on it.
But centuries of radiation exposure have taken their toll, forcing the cult to take drastic steps to survive. And unless the rescue party arrives soon, the teen captives will face a fate more terrifying than anything they could imagine. In this thrilling fourth installment, the hundred fight to protect the people they love on the dangerous planet they always dreamed of calling home.

My Review

So, I have been making my way through this series and feeling a little bit more disheartened with every book, the whole plot just seemed to be getting more contrite. I have never seen the TV show, so all of my opinions are about the book alone.

After reading book 3, I had mixed emotions, the story is still fast paced and the characters still likeable enough but there were quite a few things that irked me within the storyline. I actually thought the third book ended fairly solidly and could have been left as a trilogy, but i had the books in a box set and knew there was a fourth, so I was intrigued to see what could be added in to make another story,

I have to admit that I read the blurb of this one and immediately thought 'oh for goodness sake, help me'. But i wanted to give it a chance and see if the author could pull it off. The whole cult narrative is so overdone, i didn't have much hope, but we shall see.

***This review contains spoilers***

The 100 have overcome dangerous landings on earth, healed many injuries, fought off ferocious Earthborns and overcome Vice Chancellor Rhodes and his maniacal schemes, so what should they do next - oh yeah, have a party!

This book starts with them all preparing to have a great feast, Bellamy of course senses something wrong, but everyone ignores him. They elected him as a Chancellor on the new democratic council and supposedly put their trust in him, but as soon as he mentions danger, they basically say he is crazy. And what happens - they get attacked again!!!

Out of the four main narrators, Wells and Glass get taken by the attackers as hostages whilst Bellamy and Clarke get left behind to stage a rescue mission.

The Cult they get taken by celebrate the earth and have apparently been traveling across the world, infiltrating settlements and camps, killing people, stealing supply and kidnapping people - but yet no one has ever heard of them before. Their camp is only 2-3 days walk away from our 100's base - yet no sign or signal from them before this attack. Seems a little bit too convenient for them to just pop up now!

Well and Glass are taken along with a number of others from the camp, but they are put into rooms with each other (separating boys and girls of course), but there is nothing to stop them from talking or planning to escape to escape, on top of that - they are only in the camp for a couple of days before they are trusted enough to be given responsibility and even guns! Is it just me or did you think brainwashing usually took longer than that?!

Bellamy and Clarke are once again having thier ups and downs, playing the whole 'he/she doesn't trust me' thing that is getting really tiresome now. We also have 'Paul' introduced - a man who used to be a guard on the ship and now thinks he knows best and is gods gift. As far as I can tell, he is only there to be an annoyance and cause a rift between Bellamy and Clarke, as he continually flirts with Clarke.

The book itself is still fast paced and has plenty of action to keep the plot moving, but I just found a lot of it to be very unbelievable. I found myself getting frustrated with the characters and rolling my eyes at the ridiculous events and actions they were forced through. I was also hoping for Clarke's parents to play more of a part, as their return was really hyped up, but as far as I can tell, they are just more background players. You don't learn about anything they did in those few years they were wondering on earth or how they survived. They just fade into the background.

The ending is all neatly wrapped up, so hopefully it will be left there, as I really don't see anywhere else this could now go.

Overall, I feel quite disappointed with this book and I was hoping for more. Overall I think that book 1 is very good and enjoyable, but it slowly goes downhill after that. I just expected something that would wow me.

My Rating

Book Review - Homecoming

Title: Homecoming

Author: Kass Morgan

Series: The 100 (Book 3)

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks

Release Date: 26 Feb. 2015

ISBN: 978-1473610798

Synopsis

Weeks after landing on Earth, the Hundred have managed to create a sense of order amidst their wild, chaotic surroundings. But their delicate balance comes crashing down with the arrival of new dropships from space.
These new arrivals are the lucky ones—back on the Colony, the oxygen is almost gone—but after making it safely to Earth, GLASS’s luck seems to be running out. CLARKE leads a rescue party to the crash site, ready to treat the wounded, but she can’t stop thinking about her parents, who may still be alive. Meanwhile, WELLS struggles to maintain his authority despite the presence of the Vice Chancellor and his armed guards, and BELLAMY must decide whether to face or flee the crimes he thought he’d left behind.
It’s time for the Hundred to come together and fight for the freedom they’ve found on Earth, or risk losing everything—and everyone—they love.

My Review

This book starts exactly where book 2 ended. All these books feel like one long story that has been split into separate books, not sure why - maybe it just makes them more accessible to more people. Either way, the story is the same, and I must admit there is something satisfying about finishing another book.

Anyway, we are still with our four narrators - Wells, Bellamy, Clarke and Glass.

We have moved forward with the settlement on Earth, Wells is taking charge, Ballamy and Clarke are finally together and life seems to be ticking along, but this is all soon disrupted by the crash landing of the remaining ships carrying the few survivors from the evacuation from space. Hurtling Glass and numbers of civilians towards the earth.

As I say, we are straight back into the action and I like how the two groups are brought together. Showing the different dynamics between the 100 who have been on Earth a few weeks and actually adapted and survived in stark contrast to those fresh off the ship.

I actually ended up reading this in two sittings, the first I got about 100 pages in, then a few days later I sat and managed to finish the other 250 ish pages in one go.

I don't know what it was about this book, but I wanted to keep reading because I really wanted to know what would happen, but I was also slightly bored in places - this never slowed my reading down as it is quite an easy read, but there were certain things I would skim read slightly.

We are not supposed to like him, but I despised Vice Chancellor Rhodes, but not in a compelling 'what will he do next' way, but in a 'get over yourself and b** off' kind of way. I didn't see him as a legitimate bad guy or threat, just as an annoyance and it bugged me how much power he managed to have. And the way things ended with him annoyed me too, I mean come on. He was right there!!

I've always been on the fence with Glass, I liked her a lot more in book 2, but in this one, she is about as much use as a wet blanket, she becomes quite whiny and just an inconvenience, her and Luke are totally irresponsible and even when his life is at risk she can't quite take charge. I get her situation is over-whelming and rather extreme, but come on girl - pull yourself together.

Clarke is still growing as a character and I like her development, but her obsession with the radio got a bit out of hand, I didn't believe she would neglect her doctor duties to spend hours twiddling buttons.

Wells has his moments where I love him as a character and I'm hoping desperately things will work out for him, and I want him to get everything he wants and deserves. But at other times, he annoys the heck out of me, he becomes really self-obsessed and focuses on all the negative things he has done, and suddenly every problem in the world is his fault. We do find out in this series that he did a horrible thing, that yes was quite catastrophically bad, but he can't change it and really just needs to focus on making up for it with his actions from now on.

There were a few other things that bugged me, for instance Wells insists that Kendall is up to something, this then gets ignored for over 200 pages, then she reveals to be a bad guy - and Wells is shocked! Why is he shocked - he'd already worked this out and had tried to warn others. Trust me, it wasn't a shock to anyone.

There are also a lot of questions that are left unanswered in this book, I'm hoping they will be resolved in the fourth, final book.

This review makes it sound like I hated this book, but honestly I still enjoyed it overall, they are still very quick and easy reads and the characters are likeable enough. There is enough action mixed in to keep things fresh and exciting, and I am intrigued as to where this will go next.

My Rating

Book Review - Day 21

Title: Day 21

Author: Kass Morgan

Series: The 100 (Book 2)

Publisher: Hodder Paperback

Release Date: 25 Sept. 2014

ISBN-13: 978-1444766905

Synopsis

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.
It's been 21 days since the hundred landed on Earth. They're the only humans to set foot on the planet in centuries...or so they thought. Facing an unknown enemy, Wells attempts to keep the group together. Clarke strikes out for Mount Weather, in search of other Colonists, while Bellamy is determined to rescue his sister, no matter the cost. And back on the ship, Glass faces an unthinkable choice between the love of her life and life itself.
In this pulse-pounding sequel to Kass Morgan's The 100, secrets are revealed, beliefs are challenged, and relationships are tested. And the hundred will struggle to survive the only way they can -- together.

My Review

This book continues on exactly where book 1 finished, in fact it feels like it was one story that has just been cut in half. There is barely a breath between the events and it carries on exactly the same way.

We still have our four principle narrators, Clarke, Wells, Bellamy and Glass. Three of them struggling on earth with the rest of the '100', and one still on the ship.

The group on Earth are being attacked by a mysterious group - it is now clear that they are not alone as they thought, there is a group of people - 'earthborns' roaming around and they don't appear to be too friendly. The camp is now under threat but no one is quite sure how to deal with the problem. Bellamy just wants answers, and his sister back. He is willing to do anything to get her return, even if that means violence. Wells just wants to keep the peace, but try and do what is right. And Clarke is torn between the two, but should she follow her head or her heart.

Glass meanwhile is still on the ship, trying to make things work with Luke, but when the ship starts to lose Oxygen and danger is now a reality, she has to decide what she really wants, and who she wants it with.

This book reads much like the first, the pacing is very similar and there is still the mixture of character and world building, mixed with plot twists and action. I like that we get to see all the characters grow and we see more of their personalities emerging and the changing dynamics within the groups.

Events get a bit more tense and exciting throughout this book and I read it in 2 short sittings. I'm still really enjoying the series and I definitely want to know what happens next, so although I'm not blown away, it is compelling enough to make you want more. There is something about these books, they come across quite simple and easy, but they are tough to stop thinking about.

Definitely worth a read.

My Rating

Book Review - The 100

Title: The 100

Author: Kass Morgan

Series: The 100 (Book 1)

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks

Release Date: 29 Aug. 2013

ISBN-13: 978-1444766882

Synopsis

No one has set foot on Earth in centuries -- until now.
Ever since a devastating nuclear war, humanity has lived on spaceships far above Earth's radioactive surface. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents -- considered expendable by society -- are being sent on a dangerous mission: to recolonize the planet. It could be their second chance at life...or it could be a suicide mission.

CLARKE was arrested for treason, though she's haunted by the memory of what she really did. WELLS, the chancellor's son, came to Earth for the girl he loves -- but will she ever forgive him? Reckless BELLAMY fought his way onto the transport pod to protect his sister, the other half of the only pair of siblings in the universe. And GLASS managed to escape back onto the ship, only to find that life there is just as dangerous as she feared it would be on Earth.

Confronted with a savage land and haunted by secrets from their pasts, the hundred must fight to survive. They were never meant to be heroes, but they may be mankind's last hope.

My Review

I've had this as a box set series on my shelves for a couple of years, bought because I love Dystopian fiction but not really a priority. Again, whilst I have a bit of extra time during Lockdown, I decided to give this series a try, the books themselves are pretty short, just over 300 pages with quite big writing so I knew it wouldn't take me long to read.

I have never seen the TV show or heard anything about the series really so I was going in with fresh eyes, not expecting much but hoping for the best. I liked the sound of the premise of the story - radiation on earth has driven civilization to flee onto spaceships and live in space. But after centuries of orbiting, those in charge are trying to decide if Earth could be safe again. Deciding that a group of 100 juvenile prisoners are expendable, they are sent on a ship pod to Earth to test out the condition of the planet and find out if it could be made habitable again.

The book is split between 4 different narratives, something I have found is becoming more popular in books. I always struggle to get into these at first but but the 6th or 7th chapter I usually have the different characters in my head and start to notice their individual styles of talking.

Our first narrator is Clarke, a young girl who lived in the upper class part of the ship, her parents well known scientists. She is haunted by things she knows and has seen. But her secrets go far deeper than anyone knows and she is grateful for a second chance, even if it is likely to be a suicide mission. I didn't dislike Clarke, but i didn't particularly like her either. She is very self-centered at times, internalizing all her problems instead of asking for or accepting help. However as the book progressed and she took on more of a main role, I did start to warm up to her a bit more.

Then we have Wells - the Chancellor, so used to power. But he is not particularly like his dad. Wells tries to do the right thing, but it nearly always ends up in a disaster. He is the typical nerdy best friend that means well and will probably end up being more of a hero as the books progress, but at the moment he's just a bit hopeless.

Our third narrator is Bellamy, a rogue who wasn't supposed to be on the ship. He snuck on so he could protect his sister. They are the only siblings in the whole galaxy after birthing laws were introduced to prevent over-crowding on the space ships. Bellamy is the devil-may-care character that you can't help but like. He has an air of cocky assurance and can come across as a bit full of himself, but he really does care about his sister and those around him. He can hunt, he's well-built and he has charm.

Lastly we have Glass, she didn't want to go to Earth, she just wants to be back with her boyfriend Luke, so she sneaks of the Space pod back onto the main ship, but things are just as dangerous there, and true love never does run smoothly. I quite like Glass as a character, she has a bit of attitude and she isn't afraid to go after what she wants but I did find her chapters became a little bit slower than some of the others - I wanted to know what was happening on Earth more than her tangled love life on the ship. But this did get more interesting as teh book went on and she developed more of a stronger personality.

There are a number of background characters - obviously we are dealing predominantly with a group of 100 - but they don't push in too much or interfere and are only mentioned when it is necessary so it keeps the story fresh and alive.

I found the book to be very fast paced, but it felt like this book was still working as a set-up to the rest of the series. There are still a lot of things we don't know and a lot of secrets that will have to be revealed. However what we are given is quite gripping and certainly makes you want to read on.

I read this in 2 sittings, though almost 200 pages were done in one lot. Once I got into the story I wanted to keep going to find out where it would take me. The book ends on a cliffhanger right when things start to get properly interesting, so I will be going straight onto book 2.

If you want a fairly easy read, with some dystopian and sci-fi elements then this is definitely worth a read.

I wouldn't say that I loved the book but I certainly want to keep reading and I enjoyed what I read, so it's certainly got some true positives to it. I think you should definitely give it a try.

My Rating