Les Petites Revues [#12]

Another week and another set of mini reviews coming your way! This week we've got twisty grim reapers, boring historical fantasy, and a fast-paced con scheme. 

Amber Reads Her Shelves: December 2018

Amber Reads Her Shelves is my attempt to actually read the books I read. Every month I will choose 3 books that have been on my shelves for at least 6 months. Voting will be open until December 18.

Book Review: Dry

Title: Dry
Author: Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
Genre: Young Adult | Dystopia | Survival
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 2, 2018
Source: ALA Annual
Format: ARC

The drought—or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it—has been going on for a while now. Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers.

Until the taps run dry.

Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbours and families turned against each other on the hunt for water. And when her parents don’t return and her life—and the life of her brother—is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she’s going to survive (goodreads). 

Dry was hard to put down. 

Dystopian Futures and New Opportunities: An Evening with Neal Shusterman

Earlier this week, Neal Shusterman made a stop at Anderson's to promote his new release, Thunderhead. Since the event took place at the smallest Anderson's Bookshop, I assumed it would be a smaller event - boy was I wrong. 

My Favorite 2017 Reads (so far...)

I feel like I've read some really great 2017 releases this year, and we still have the Fall 2017 books to go through! Check out my favorite reads of 2017 SO FAR, and let's see if we have any in common!

Book Review: Scythe

Title: Scythe (Arc of Scythe #1)
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: Young Adult | Dystopia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
Source: Library
Format: Physical

Thou shalt kill.
A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.
Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own (goodreads).

 

Wow. Scythe asks a lot of great questions and explores many shades of gray. 

First Thoughts [#119}

First Thoughts is a feature where I give my initial impression of my current read.

Book Review: Unwind

Title: Unwind (Unwind Dystology #1)
Author: Neal Shusterman
Genre: Dystopia | Young Adult | Thriller
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 6, 2007
Format: Physical
Source: Purchased

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive (goodreads). 

Unwind is brutal. Downright brutal. I just wish that the characters spoke more to me. 

Amber Reads Her Shelves: Results

Thanks to everyone who voted in this month's edition of Amber Reads Her Shelves. You all have spoken! This month, I'm reading..

Amber Reads Her Shelves: March

Amber Reads Her Shelves is my attempt to actually read the books I read. Every month I will choose 4 books that have been on my shelves for at least 6 months. Voting will be open until March 16.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman [GoodReads]

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler [GoodReads]

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon [GoodReads]

Earthbound by Aprillynne Pike [GoodReads]

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