Review - Neanderthal Opens The Door To The Universe by Preston Norton

Neanderthal Opens The Door To The Universe by Preston Norton

Published: May 22nd 2018 by Disney-Hyperion

Number of Pages: 400 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: No

   Cliff Hubbard is a huge loser. Literally. His nickname at Happy Valley High School is Neanderthal because he's so enormous-6'6" and 250 pounds to be exact. He has no one at school and life in his trailer park home has gone from bad to worse ever since his older brother's suicide.

   There's no one Cliff hates more than the nauseatingly cool quarterback, Aaron Zimmerman. Then Aaron returns to school after a near-death experience with a bizarre claim: while he was unconscious he saw God, who gave him a list of things to do to make Happy Valley High suck less. And God said there's only one person who can help: Neanderthal.

   To his own surprise, Cliff says he's in. As he and Aaron make their way through the List, which involves a vindictive English teacher, a mysterious computer hacker, a decidedly unchristian cult of Jesus Teens, the local drug dealers, and the meanest bully at HVHS--Cliff feels like he's part of something for the first time since losing his brother. But fixing a broken school isn't as simple as it seems, and just when Cliff thinks they've completed the List, he realizes their mission hits closer to home than he ever imagined. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me with 

an eARC in exchange for my honest review *

   Neanderthal Opens The Door To The Universe is a marvelous read about grief, friendships, the struggles of high school and the ups and downs of life narrated with an authentic sounding teenage voice filled with pop culture references, funny but also heartfelt, thoughtful moments.

   Cliff and Aaron are fascinating and multi-faceted characters and their friendship was crazy and unique from beginning to end. Their conversations and the situations they get into together are hilarious but also scary at times, but luckily everything works itself out in the end, even if the way there is filled with twists and doubts. Their relationships with the other characters were interesting and watching them evolve over time was amazing. Cliff and Tegan were great together, the nerd squad with their love of all things geeky and debates about Apple were brilliant but also so true to life, Aaron and Lacy definitely had a lot of issues they certainly needed to work through but watching it all slowly happen over the course of the book was great. Nothing felt rushed or forced or unrealistic.

   As previously mentioned the voice of the narrator, being Cliff, was incredibly on point and perfectly represented a sixteen year old boy's thoughts and reasonings. They were a bit weird and wtf inducing at times, but that's how teenagers are, not every decision they make is perfect, or even reasonable at times. Honestly I loved Cliff as narrator and seeing him slowly grow, evolve, learn and change across the story was amazing, his character arc perfectly and realistically paced.

   I can easily say that Neanderthal Opens The Door To The Universe was one of my favorite 2018 releases and I'm really happy I got a chance to read it way earlier. It's one of those contemporary stories that, upon first glance, seem silly or just plain dumb, like some sort of comedy no one will take serious, but this story is so much more than that. I highly recommend it.

I give Neanderthal Opens The Door To The Universe by Preston Norton 5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
Expected Publication: April 24th 2018 by Wednesday Books
Number of Pages: 352 Pages (Hardcover)
Series: No

   OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.

   Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.

   Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.

   She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating. (goodreads.com)

* Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with 

an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion *

   That cover, along with the description and the fact that it's a viking inspired YA Fantasy story? I was immediately hooked, and very happy when I saw that I got approved for an ARC. I've never read a book like this before, one that stepped away from your typical fantasy setting of kings and castles and witches, and instead followed two different clans and their beliefs and mentalities.

   Unfortunately I didn't love this nearly as much as I hoped I would, which isn't to say that I disliked it, which I didn't, but certain parts just fell really flat for me. I enjoyed finding out more about the Aska and the Riki, about what made them different, why they fought each other, about Eelyn and the pain she felt over losing her brother, Iri, the bond between her and her clan and her god, Sigr. It was fascinating, and felt different from the stories I've read before this one.

   The world building was intriguing and lush, filled with little details that made the world feel full and lived in. The different rituals and traditions were interesting to read about, as well as the Scandinavian inspired setting.

   A problem I did have was that basically the first half of the story felt like the plot was just kind of happening around Eelyn and she was just kind of dragged along, angry and crying, wanting to do something but not really doing anything to achieve that. It simply felt very reactive. In the last 40% of the book that did change, at least to a certain extend, but something just didn't click for me about Eelyn and her character for a while. She was interesting, don't get me wrong, but there was just so much crying and anger that didn't really do anything much. Of course you can be a fierce warrior and cry, that's totally fine and normal, everyone has a wide range of emotions, but just the sheer amount of it kind of contradicted what she was trying to be portrayed as.

   Fiske was an interesting character, very stoic and hard, harsh and quiet. I liked the scenes between him and Eelyn, as well as Iri. Finding out about how Iri even ended up with the Riki to begin with, how he survived and what happened across the years, it was nice.

   I also liked some of the secondary characters, but most I really didn't care about or didn't trust because of certain signs, that ultimately didn't lead anywhere which was a bit unfortunate. The romance was subtle enough and felt fine, not really the type of romance I'd scream about and swoon but that's okay. The story wasn't about the romance, it was about the clans and fighting and action.

   Speaking of which, Sky in the Deep was very action packed with a lot of fight scenes and blood and chaos. I will admit that at some point I felt tempted to skim some of them because some of those fight scenes just stretched a little too much for my liking and to hold my attention, but I didn't do it. I still read them.

   The writing style was very nice and I enjoyed it a lot. I liked some of the language that was used in the story, the Scandinavian sounding names and places. It made everything come together nicely.

   All in all I enjoyed Sky in the Deep and I would recommend it, even though it wasn't quite what I hoped it would be. I read most of it in one sitting since it's not that long and a relatively quick read. So if you're interested in some YA fantasy with a viking setting, this might be for you.

I give Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Nexis by A.L. Davroe

Nexis by A.L. Davroe
Published: December 1st 2015 by Entangled: Teen
Number of Pages: 304 Pages (Paperback)
Series: Yes, #1 in the Tricksters Trilogy/Series (?)

   In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.
   Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.
   But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.
   And it’s been waiting for Ella. (godreads.com)

* Thank you Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC 

in exchange for an honest review *

   The second I found the e-mail from Entangled Teen sitting in my inbox saying that this book was up for request I knew I had to have it. I mean, how could you not want to read this book and dive straight into its futuristic, almost dystopian like world and lose yourself in the intriguing virtual reality game, Nexis? If you've been around a while you know I really like these types of books so I couldn't wait to dive headfirst time the story, even more after I interviewed the author (Ask the Author coming up December 5th 2015).
   In Nexis we follow Ella, a girl that looses both of her legs and her father and have to find her place in this futuristic world, her city called Evanescence, and find a life for herself. I really liked Ella, she left like a well rounded character with logical trains of thought and actions, which is always a plus in our Mary Sue flooded YA world, isn't it? The was also a dash of humor thrown in, which is always helpful to lighten up the mood a little or loosen up the atmosphere. I also really enjoyed how much of an development Ella went through throughout the entire story, which just added to her level of believability and lovability as character.

   The dialogues felt really natural and organic, not forced and stiff to make the plot go along or throw in some information. I really liked that, and just the author's writing style in general. She did an amazing job in describing the scenery and just how hi-tech the world is around Ella, but also the emotions she felt and the thoughts running through her, but at the same times Ella still sounded like an YA character and not like a very philosophical adult trying to disguise himself as teen, as seen in other novels.

   Lastly I definitely also want to mention the killer ending that A.L. Davroe was presented us with. I won't spoiler any of it, of course, but just prepare yourself. Now all I want is for the sequel just to magically appear or the author telling me all about it. I cannot wait to see how the story will continue and what will happen next.

   All in all I really enjoyed Nexis a lot. It was a very well written and well developed first book in a series/trilogy that will leave you craving for more. If you like sci-fi, futuristic and dystopian type of reads with virtual reality games mixed into it then you should definitely check this one out asap.

I give Nexis by A.L. Davroe 5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Retribution by Amy Rachel Thompson

Retribution by Amy Rachel Thompson 
Published: June 18th 2013
Number of pages: 280 (paperback) 
Series: Yes, #1

   Regan Edison has just moved from California, to enter her first year at Georgia Liberty College, the place where jacked up Chevy trucks and hunting are a way of life. Regan hopes to start a new life for herself and she thinks that Georgia is just the place to do it. That is until she meets an unexpected stranger.
   Colter Hayes is a member of the Collectors, a group of wrongfully punished lost souls. Colter and the rest of his team, Finn, Kaiden and Devon, work for the Requiem Council who pass judgment on those souls that are neither tagged for Heaven nor Hell. The Council has charged the Collectors with finding the lost in exchange for a chance at redemption.
   When an ex-councilmember known to pass Retribution on lost souls sets his sights on Regan, the Requiem Council dispatches the Collectors to Georgia to work as protectors for Regan. The Collectors must fight to save Regan from a fate they know all too well, but can they work to earn back their chance at redemption or are their fates sealed forever?
   Who is meant for Heaven?
   Who is meant for Hell?

   And who is just lost? (goodreads) 

   I received a free copy of Riot from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

 “Never, ever, ever, invite strangers into your room; they will be psychotic serial killers. You know what? Scratch that. Never, ever, ever go to college, apparently that’s where dreams, and young girls, go to die. Or maybe that’s just me.” (Regan)

   When I first read the synopsis of Retribution on NetGalley I was intrigued and knew I wanted to read it. I don’t know if it’s because of my expectations of this book or if other people feel the same way, but honestly I was kind of disappointed by it. Unfortunately. 

   I really didn’t like how ‘easily’ Regan accepted everything the guys told her, about the Collectors, the Exiles or Agro. She showed some resistance yet still accepted in relatively fast. Somehow that seemed very unrealistic and it somehow bugged me. And speaking of the whole business with the Soul business. I don’t know if I’m too stupid to understand it or what but I found it all very confusing and somewhat poorly and confusingly explained. At first I thought that it was done this way to underline how confused Regan was by it all, but even toward the end of the book I still didn’t quite get it, though the characters tried to explain it all a few times. Oh well, maybe that’s just me. 

   When it comes to the main characters, I liked Regan, at least most of the time, not always though. She seemed like an all right narrator and person, though she doesn’t belong to my favorites. Sometimes her train of thoughts just made me stop and ask myself, or rather the book, “are you serious right now?” because she just made weird decision sometimes and would jump over into being stubborn and reckless for no reason whatsoever. 

   Then there is Colter, who to say the least pissed me off constantly. His temper was extremely unnerving and straight out unfriendly. He was angry most of the times, to a point where it wasn’t even funny anymore. I mean, I understand WHY, because the book will eventually tell you why, but that didn’t change my opinion about him. 

   “After centuries together, I unfortunately have grown accustomed to Colt’s temper. I think anger is the only emotion he has, or at least knows how to express.” (Kaiden) 

   Then there the other guys, Finn, Kaiden and Devon. They all seemed like the opposite of Colter. They were very friendly, funny and helpful. I really liked them all and I did feel bad for them, more than I did for Colter. 

   No matter how I look at it, I never really came to like or really care about all these characters enough to really be sad or happy when something happened to them. For example, toward the end of the book something BIG and sad happens and I must say it rather annoyed me how much they were whining about it. I mean I understand why but yeah that was just my lack of caring for what happens to them, which I found very sad.   

   But, in general, at first I thought I would give Retribution 4 stars, because it started out quite good and interesting but, the further I read and the closer I got, the more my rating started to decrease. Somewhere around 75% through I was already at a point where I said I’ll only give it 2.5 Stars.

    All in all, maybe if you are more into the whole soul business reads, this might be a story for you, but for me personally it was a rather disappointing read. I enjoyed reading this book only up until maybe 50% in, the rest was rather a ‘continuing to read just to see how it end and be able to write a review for it’ type of thing.

   “Shit man, I think you broke my nose.” 

     “Yeah, well, you broke my patience.” (Colter) 

I give Retribution by Amy Rachel Thompson a 2 out of 5 Stars.

Review: Riot by Sarah Mussi

Riot by Sarah Mussi 
Published: May 1st 2014
Number of pages: 352 (paperback) 
Series: No 

   It is 2018. England has been struggling under a recession that has shown no sign of abating. Years of cuts has devastated Britain: banks are going under, businesses closing, prices soaring, unemployment rising, prisons overflowing. The authorities cannot cope. And the population has maxed out.

   The police are snowed under. Something has to give. Drastic measures need taking.

   The solution: forced sterilisation of all school leavers without secure further education plans or guaranteed employment.

   The country is aghast. Families are distraught, teenagers are in revolt, but the politicians are unshakeable: The population explosion must be curbed. No more free housing for single parents, no more child benefit, no more free school meals, no more children in need. Less means more.

   But it is all so blatantly unfair - the Teen Haves will procreate, the Teen Havenots won't.

   It's time for the young to take to the streets. It's time for them to RIOT: 

   OUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE, OUR BODIES, OUR FUTURE. (goodreads)

   I received a free copy of Riot from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

   Beware; if the introduction of Riot doesn’t scare you off and you get through it, a unique story awaits you.

   Riot is an action roller-coaster which definitely didn’t disappoint me, despite its rating on goodreads, which discouraged me for just a moment. But, I sat down and read it over a pretty short time span.

   In chapter one the reader finds himself in the middle of a massive protest where the protagonist, Tia Thomson AKA EVE, The Mother of the Future, is participating with her friend. The riot gets out of control and the action kicks off. The storyline had me on the edge of my seat, figuratively speaking, at a lot of times. 

"Shoot on sight. Check that bullet. This is Britain and of course we shoot demonstrators. And how typical of my father! Shoot first, legalise later.” 

   The topic of Riot is one, which scarily enough sounds like something which might just be likely to happen one day, considering the way todays governments are handling things. A new Bill is on the verge of being accepted which would force those without a “good future” to get the Snip which would stop them from being able to become parents one day. Tia and many others are trying to stop this Bill from happening.

   The plotline is as plausible as can be considering the short amount of time over which the story unfolds and the fact that Riot is a standalone novel, which means that there are no sequels during which the whole story could unfold. 

   The characters are likable and interesting. Tia is a ‘rebel’ which still has not lost the fear of consequences and, as I’ve seen many people say, she may or may not be a “spoiled brat” who still has a sense of what is right and wrong. She knows how much her father has wronged her mother and knows that he wouldn’t stop at nothing to get what he wants. I liked her. 

   And Cobain make me both like and doubt him. As we encounter him the first time I had my doubts as to what he really planned as he helped Tia but I soon came to the conclusion that I like him. 

“We are the spark that starts the wildfire. We are the lightning on the horizon.”

   I really liked the writing style of Sarah Mussi, though there were a few places where Tia’s thinking and evaluating was dragged out a bit too much for me, but that’s all right. I think Mussi has created a very intriguing and unique story in Riot which I am very happy that I read. 

   The initial reason why I decided to apply for reading Riot was the cover which I love. It immediately caught my eye and made me curious, which as we all know is the purpose, oftentimes, of a cover. 

   All in all I can honestly say that I enjoyed reading Riot a lot and was intrigued by the story. I can recommend it to anyone who likes action packed stories without the typical cheese love story woven into it.

 

  I give Riot by Sarah Mussi 5 out of 5 stars.