ARC Review: Reboot by Amy Tintera

Release Date: May 7th, 2013
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

Reboot was a different kind of novel. Everything was balanced: the growing romance, the amazing plot and the drastic characters' development. While in many novels, the romance rather outshines the other aspects of the novel, in Reboot the romance only added charm to a mostly dark story.

Instead of zombies, Tintera introduces the Reboots. Teenagers who die and are rebooted and come back to life with abilities. Our main character, Wren, was dead for 178 minutes, which means that her humanity is almost nonexistent. While the government misuses the reboots as soldiers, the population rather fears them. Tintera did an amazing job introducing us to Wren's world. Authors often forget to tell us more about the world the characters live in, yet this was certainly not the case in Reboot.

Being dead for so long, Wren didn't retain much of her humanity. She is really cold, serious and determined. But it's Callum (dead for only 22 minutes) who brings out the real (or more human-like) Wren. Her change throughout the novel is palpable. The story with her best friend was also really touching. But I really enjoyed Wren as a main character; she was different from the typical heroine.

Reboot was entertaining and different, action-filled but romantic. The ending was interesting enough to make us yearn for the next novel. While some things did bother me in this novel like Wren's thoughtlessness (though understandable) or how everything turns out as expected. However Reboot was a good enough novel, that these slight problems were easily overlooked.

Thanks to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of Reboot for review!

Blog Tour: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Release Date: April 30th, 2013
Kindle Edition: 177 pages

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

So, the first surprise for me upon finishing this novel was the length; with only 177 pages, The Forgotten Ones was a quick read and yet an enjoyable one. I have not often read such short novels and I found myself enjoying it because it cuts right to the point. With some original ideas (Tuatha de Danaan) to refresh the YA genre, I look forward to the next one.

Even though the plot and the writing were things I really enjoyed, I was a bit let down about the romance. I know that Allison has some problems but she didn't have to push Ethan away so hard. I do hope the sequel will bring something more in this department. However, the world-building was enough to pick my interest and I really enjoyed her trip to Tir na n’Og. I really loved this mix of magic and real world.

The characters were likeable and realistic. But sometimes I had the feeling that there just too many side characters. I certainly forgot many of their names throughout the novel. Ethan was, of course, swoony and Allison a really likeable main character.

I do recommend this novel to anyone who likes the paranormal genre in YA. This novel is short and I'm sure you will enjoy it, and even if you don't (which I doubt it), there are only 177 pages! I was even a bit sad that The Forgotten Ones was so short. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel to this novel, even though there was no cliffhanger in the end.

Dream Cast:

With those piercing blue eyes and that "studious" vibe, Alexis Bledel would make the perfect Allison. I had her character in Gilmore Girls, Rory, often in my mind while reading The Forgotten Ones.

I know Ethan actually has longer hair and curls, but Taylor Lautner would be my pick for this character. He certainly is gorgeous enough for the role.

Kellan Lutz would be the perfect Sean. I always have him in my mind when I think about those "big brother"-type of character. He is a friend of Allison since they were kids and treats her like a younger sister.

Daneel Harris would make the perfect Rachel. I don't know if you've watched One Tree Hill but her character there was a bit unbearable in the beginning (just like Rachel) and coincidentally Daneel's character in OTH was also called Rachel! The perfect fit , right?!

Teresa Palmer is my pick for Nicole's character. Nicole is Allison's cousin and best friend. Teresa would be my choice because while she is blonde and pretty like Nicole, she still can be one fierce actress!







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Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

Release Date: April 23rd, 2013
Hardcover: 323 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

While The Selection was an enjoyable read, The Elite turned out to be a lot better. Many things that bothered me in the first one, were improved in this great sequel and made me look forward to the next one. Even though America still struggles way too much to make up her mind between Aspen and Maxon, the author could distract us from America's rollercoaster of feelings with a better plot and more character development.

This time, the storyline was more varied, not only focusing on America's love life, but also on the other girls, on the war and on the struggle to do what is right for the country. The rebels' attacks do make the novel a lot more interesting, making us question what they are really after. Furthermore I found myself asking what is really going on with the war, and hopefully that will come more into focus in the next one. America tries to be  less passive in this novel and actually tries to do something for a change, which is try to change that, which she thinks is unfair in her country. Certainly that didn't work so well but once I did like the idea of America as a princess, even though Maxon deserves someone better. Mauree's storyline was also a nice addition to the plot.

Furthermore we finally get to know more about the other girls in the competition, which was interesting and weird at the same time because I ended up liking the other girls more than I liked the main character! But anyway, America's indecision is the biggest annoyance. She is always changing her mind and never thinking before running to the next boy. I don't think she has any chemistry with Aspen but the author keeps pushing their storyline. However, I was glad when we got to see Maxon giving other girls more attention and I believe that America has some big competition in the selection.

Overall, The Elite was a surprisingly good sequel. With more world-building and the romance becoming less monotone, the plot turned out to be very refreshing and less like an episode of The Bachelor. The Elite also ends in a great note, making us want to get our hands on the next one. How will America's altercation with the king change her participation in the selection? And the big question will finally be answered: who will she pick?

Thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing me with a copy for review!