Dystopian

Review: The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid

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The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid

Title: The Diabolic (The Diabolic, 1)
Author: S. J. Kincaid
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fantasy, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (1st November 2016)
Blurb:

Nemesis is a Diabolic. Created to protect a galactic Senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The girl who has grown up by her side and who is as much a sister as a master. There’s no one Nemesis wouldn’t kill to keep her safe. But when the power-mad Emperor summons Sidonia to the galactic court as a hostage, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia.

She must become her.

Now one of the galaxy’s most dangerous weapons is masquerading in a world of corruption and Nemesis has to hide her true abilities or risk everything. As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns that there is something stronger than her deadly force: the one thing she’s been told she doesn’t have – humanity. And, amidst all the danger, action and intrigue, her humanity might be the only thing that can save her, Sidonia and the Empire . . .

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
Review:

THE DIABOLIC is the first book in a new series by S. J. Kincaid. Diabolics are genetically engineered to protect an individual at all cost, and are considered too savage to be human. THE DIABOLIC follows the story of Nemesis, a Diabolic, as she tries to protect her charge Sidonia, the daughter of a galactic Senator. When the Emperor demands that Sidonia graces his court, Nemesis reluctantly takes the place of her master so that Sidonia does not become a hostage in galactic politics. The Emperor’s court is a deadly place, even for a Diabolic, and Nemesis must learn to navigate is quickly.

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Review: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

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An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (UK edition)

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (UK edition)

Title: An Ember in the Ashes (An Ember in the Ashes 1)
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Voyager (11th February 2016)
Blurb:

UNDER THE MARTIAL EMPIRE, DEFIANCE IS MET WITH DEATH

When Laia’s grandparents are brutally murdered and her brother is arrested for treason by the empire, the only people she has left to turn to are the rebels.

But in exchange for their help in saving her brother, they demand that Laia spy on the ruthless Commandant of Blackcliff, the Empire’s greatest military academy. Should she fail it’s more than her brother’s freedom at risk . . . Laia’s very life is at stake.

There, she meets Elias, the academy’s finest soldier. But Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined – and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
Review:

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES is the debut novel of Sabaa Tahir, and the first book in an intriguing young adult fantasy series with lots of potential. The book is set in a traditional style fantasy world. It tells the story of Laia, a young Scholar, and Elias, who is just about to graduate as a Mask. Their paths cross after Laia loses her family and desperation sends her to the rebels, who demand that she acts as a spy on the ruthless Commandant of Blackcliff the Empire’s military academy, the place Elias is receiving his training, and it’s not long before their paths cross.

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Review: End of Days by Susan Ee

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End of Days by Susan Ee

Title: End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days, 3)
Author: Susan Ee
Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (21st May 2015)
Blurb:

AFTER A DARING ESCAPE FROM THE ANGELS, PENRYN AND RAFFE ARE ON THE RUN.

They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: their own kind, or each other?

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

END OF DAYS by Susan Ee is the concluding book to the brilliant Angelfall Trilogy/Penryn and the End of Days. Penryn and Raffe’s journey continues, and they face many obstacles but as the apocalypse approaches they are faced with a tough decision.

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Review: In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin

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In the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin (UK edition)

Title: In the Age of Love and Chocolate (The Birthright trilogy, 3)
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Genre: Dystopian, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books (31st July 2014)
Blurb:

Anya Balanchine is a teenager with the responsibilities of a grown woman.

Now eighteen, her life has been more bitter than sweet. She has lost her mafia-boss father, her mother and her grandmother, and spent the better part of her high-school years in trouble with the law. Perhaps hardest of all, her decision to open a nightclub with her old nemesis, Charles Delacroix, has cost Anya her relationship with his son, Win.

Against the odds, the nightclub becomes an enormous success and Anya feels she’s finally on her way. Until a terrible misjudgement leaves her fighting for her life . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

IN THE AGE OF LOVE AND CHOCOLATE brings to a conclusion Gabrielle Zevin’s The Birthright trilogy. Anya Balanchine has made some tough decisions, and gone through some very difficult circumstances, but her journey isn’t over yet. In this concluding book, Anya has to decide what she wants for her future.

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Review: World After by Susan Ee

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World After by Susan Ee

Title: World After (Penryn and The End of Days)
Author: Susan Ee
Genre: Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (21st November 2013)
Blurb:

THE SURVIVORS OF THE ANGEL APOCALYPSE BEGIN TO SCRAPE BACK TOGETHER WHAT’S LEFT OF THE MODERN WORLD.

When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. As Penryn searches the streets of San Francisco looking for her, she’s drawn into the heart of the angel’s secret plans, where she learns the horrifying extent to which they are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them he can’t rejoin the angels, but when faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn to survive, which will he choose?

The sequel to the internet phenomenon, ANGELFALL

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

WORLD AFTER is the sequel to Susan Ee’s brilliant ANGELFALL (review), and the second book in the PENRYN AND THE END OF DAYS series. In this book Ee continues Penryn’s story from where is basically left off in the first book. Finally reunited with her family, things seem to be going okay for Penryn. Until they don’t. Forced to search for her younger sister once again, Penryn finds herself drawn back into the angels’ brutal world.

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Review: Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

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Frozen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston

Title: Frozen (Heart of Dread, #1)
Authors: Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston
Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Orchard Books (2nd October 2014)
Blurb:

WELCOME TO NEW VEGAS.

A city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. At the heart of it, Natasha Kestal is looking for a way out. Like many, she’s heard of a mythical land where the sun still shines and the waters flow. A place where she won’t be hunted by those who know her darkest secret.

Until Nat gets to the Blue, she will never be safe. Not even from the boy entrusted with her life – and heart.

The thrilling first instalment in a spellbinding new series about the dawn of a new kind of magic.

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

FROZEN is the first book in a new series from wife and husband team Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston. It follows the story of Natasha Kestal who wants to leave New Vegas and head to a place called the Blue. Unfortunately, leaving New Vegas isn’t an easy task – it costs a lot to get the help needed to get past government security – and you have to be careful that the people you hire to get you out aren’t going to sell you.

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Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

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The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song (A Blood of Eden Novel, 3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Dystopian, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Mira Ink (2nd May 2014)
Blurb:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

ALLISON SEKEMOTO ONCE STRUGGLED WITH THE ULTIMATE QUESTION: IS SHE A HUMAN OR MONSTER?

WITH THE DEATH OF HER LOVE SHE HAS HER ANSWER.

MONSTER.

Embracing her inner darkness, Allie is now determined to hunt and kill Sarren, the psychopath who murdered Zeke.

But the trail is bloody and long and Sarren is leading Allie’s dangerous fight to the one place she must protect at any cost – Eden, the last safe-zone on earth.

Forced into a battle that it may be impossible to win, Allie is about to face her darkest days.

And, if she succeeds, she could face surviving forever alone.

THE THRILLING FINAL INSTALMENT IN THE BLOOD OF EDEN TRILOGY

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

THE FOREVER SONG brings Julie Kagawa’s magnificent BLOOD OF EDEN trilogy to its conclusion. After the events of THE ETERNITY CURE Allie is determined to destroy Sarren and avenge Zeke. Allie’s journey to reach Sarren is not an easy one.

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Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

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Into the Still Blue UK cover

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Title: Into the Still Blue (Under the Never Sky #3)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Publisher: Atom (6th February 2014)
Blurb:

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.
DESTINY BROUGHT
THEM TOGETHER.

Outside the dome of Reverie, Aria and Perry are struggling to keep their people from tearing each other apart. Their situation is desperate and, with the Aether storms worsening, time is running out for them to rescue Cinder from Hess and Sable.

Cinder is both the key to unlock the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, so Aria and Perry assemble an unlikely team to attempt a daring rescue mission. They know that in a dying world, the bond of friendship is what matters most.

In this final book in the Under the Never Sky trilogy, the stakes are raised to the absolute limit and Aria’s love story is brought to an unforgettable close.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

INTO THE STILL BLUE brings Veronica Rossi’s UNDER THE NEVER SKY trilogy to its conclusion. The story of Aria and Perry continues in this stunning conclusion. Things are not looking good for Aria, Perry, and their friends. To make matters worse Cinder is being held by Hess and Sable, so Aria and Perry hatch a plan to rescue him.

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Review: Shadowlark by Meagan Spooner

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Shadowlark by Meagan Spooner

Title: Shadowlark (Skylark Trilogy, 2)
Author: Meagan Spooner
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Publisher: Corgi Books (3rd October 2013)
Blurb:

“They only come at night, when the Star fades”

Lark Ainsley escapes the Iron Wood to search for her brother, only to find herself captured and imprisoned in an underground metropolis.

Powerful magic protects the city of Lethe, providing sanctuary from the Empty Ones, monsters who hunger for human flesh.

But this magic comes at a terrible price, and the city lives in fear of their leader Prometheus and this gang of Eagles.

Danger lies in the shadows, and Lark must find the light . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

SHADOWLARK is the second book in Meagan Spooner’s SKYLARK TRILOGY. The book continues the story of Lark Ainsley as she continues her journey to locate her brother Basil. Having left the Iron Wood behind she travels with Nix and Tansy to the next place her brother is rumoured to have travelled to upon his escape.

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Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

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Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium (Delirium #1)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Publisher: Hodder (4th August 2011)
Source: Secret Santa
Blurb:

They say that the cure for love will make me happy and safe forever. And I’ve always believed them.

Until now.

Now everything has changed. Now, I’d rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years suffocated by a lie.

There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it.

Then, at last, they found the cure.

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver is the first book in the trilogy of the same name. It tells the story of Magdalena “Lena” Haloway, a girl who is less than a year away from her eighteenth birthday when she will receive the cure for “amor deliria nervosa” – love.

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