Star light, star bright

Glow

by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Author Website:

http://amykathleenryan.com/

I won an ARC of Glow on another website and the book has been in the top of my “to be read” list. I finally have a little time off to catch up on reading. So I spent the last two days in my cozy, warm abode snuggled up with a cupo'java and Glow. This book had many of my favorite components—action, dystopia, pseudo love triangle, an independent female protagonist, and space travel. I was impressed with how the book is split between the two protagonists, Waverly and Kieran. I was drawn into their separate stories and adventures and I eagerly devoured each chapter in anticipation of the intergalactic reunion between Waverly and Kieran.

Seth's character complicates things for Waverly and Kieran, yet I find that I am intrigued and almost routing for Seth. I wish the novel provided more back story on Seth's life with his domineering father. For that matter, I wish there was more back story on the main characters and the members of both spaceship crews. I wanted to know more about life on the Empyrean before the conflict. I am left wondering what happened on Earth to cause life threatening droughts and loss of resources. At times the novel felt rushed and more detail was needed to make the story richer.

I also enjoyed the new spin that Ryan put on several familiar scenes from other literary stories. The power plays between the boys on the Empyrean is reminiscent of a Lord of the Flies scene and the girls fight for freedom on New Horizon reminded me of an Amazon uprising. I loved the author's ability to skew the idea of utopia and how humanity, at times, is its own worst enemy.

Four reasons I hope there is a sequel or companion novel to Glow:

1. I can't wait to see what New Earth is like and I am so curious about how many light years away it is from Earth.
2. Seth needs the opportunity to prove he is a good guy.
3. What happens in the confrontation between the two ships?
4. Who will Waverly choose or not choose?

Let's Rate It!

The Cover:

Those graphic artists know what they are doing. I like both the ARC cover and the official hardcover designs. They both have a ethereal quality.

Page Turner Worthiness Factor:

I demand a sequel. I did not think this initially, but with each chapter I knew there had to be a sequel in the works.

Coming to a Theatre Near You:

Worth the price of three gallons of gas. I think this movie would have the feel of a YA Battle-star Galatica.

Better than a bowl of ice cream:

Chocolate with sprinkles. This novel has potential, but I am hoping that the sequel(s) are even better and exceed expectations.

Savage Garden

Wither

by Lauren Stefano

Author Website: thechemicalgardenbooks.com

Book one of The Chemical Garden Trilogy

This novel was so surprising. I loved the premise behind the story: scary and intriguing to think that mankind could mess with DNA to the point that they begin to cause their own demise. I was horrified at the thought of children losing their parents at a tender, young age because of some disastrous virus/genetic mutation that causes men die at age 25 and women at age 20. I wonder where the author will go with the story given the fact that Rhine has less than two years before she succumbs to the illness.

I was in a constant state of conflict over characters—liking ones I should hate, and disliking ones I should like. Case in point…I really enjoyed Linden. I thought that DeStefano was masterful in the way she told his story through the main character Rhine (love her name and the history behind it) and how Linden’s personality really drew me in. I wanted to rally for him. In the back of my mind I kept thinking that he and Rhine would run away together at the end of the novel. Perhaps this is the type of feeling that the author wanted readers to experience. In Rhine’s world, people’s motives are not always clear and this is the case with Linden. You hate him one minute and really like him the next. On the same token, I just did not like Gabriel. I wish that the author would have fleshed him out a little more. He is almost unemotional and disinterested in how Rhine fights for her life and her freedom. A small part of me thinks that he was not necessary for the plot. I whole heartily support the idea of Rhine being a strong woman and fighting her way out on of her prison on her own.

Five intriguing devices that make this a really good read:

Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde: Linden’s father just gives me the cold shivers when he walks onto a page. I know we have not seen the last of him in this trilogy.

I got all my sisters with me: Cecily and Jenna, Rhine’s sister-wives (read the book description on author page and you will understand this term), really help to give depth to the story. Kudos to the author for writing three very distinct and engaging characters that are a true reflection of their age, backgrounds, and personalities.

Glided Cage: The governor’s estate is filled with watchers, secret passages, luxuries, and technological wonders. I especially enjoyed the references to super hurricanes that hit the estate in Florida. They reminded me of growing up on the Gulf Coast.

Rowan: Rhine’s twin brother is a source of intrigue and mystery. Surely the author will allow him some face time and a stronger story line in the remaining two novels. Please…

Dystopia!: I love a good one and I hope that the questionable and missing parts of how this society arrived to the point of destruction will be answered.

Let’s Rate It:

The Cover: A shimmering mirage in the Sahara of books. – Where, oh where can get my hands on a frock like the one on the cover? (here)

Page Turner Worthiness Factor: Oh no, it’s the last page! – O.k. so there is a sequel (due out Feb. 2012).

Coming to a Theatre Near You: Worth the price of three gallons of gas. – Hmm…yep, I would go see this one.

Better than a bowl of ice cream: Chocolate with sprinkles. – Crossing my fingers that the next two novels will earn Haagen Dazs status.

What you can expect in the near future...

Yes once again I am behind in my posting, but not my reading!

I have finished the reading and I just need to write about the books. Over the next few weeks I will be posting my thoughts on the following novels:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ( :( last novel in series)

Girl in the Arena by Lisa Haines

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Matched by Allyson Condie

and for my next reading pleasure I am picking one of the following novels by L.K. Madigan

Flash Burnout or The Mermaid's Mirror. I just can't make up my mind which one I want to read (maybe both). LK...you are in our thoughts during this challenging time. Stay strong and positive.