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Blood Red Road by Moira Young: Audiobook Review
Book: Blood Red Road (Dust Lands #1) by Moira Young, Simon & Schuster Audio, June 7, 2011
Audiobook Info: Purchased from Audible, Audio length: 11 hours 17 minutes, read by Heather Lind.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
I read the book Blood Red Road upon its release last year and liked it a lot. It has a different vibe than the other YA dystopians on the shelf and it’s one I recommend frequently. With the sequel Rebel Heart’s forthcoming release, I wanted to get a refresher and listened to the audiobook. Good thing I did, because I forgot a lot about the book and even some of the characters. The author’s distinctive writing style translates well to audio, and I think I enjoyed listening to the book even more than reading it. The story holds up well and is as action packed and intense as ever.
Blood Red Road is the story of a girl named Saba whose life falls apart when four cloaked horsemen kidnap her twin brother Lugh. She sets out to rescue him, and much to her dismay her little sister is along for the ride. Saba and her family have lived in isolation in the sandstorm-stricken Silverlake, and now she has to venture into the scary unknown to try to keep her promise to her brother. On her journey she finds out what she’s really made of as her character faces several dangerous challenges.
Saba ‘s strength and determination made me root for her. She rises to every challenge and doesn’t back down from her chosen path – a true survivor. She’s not perfect, and she still has a lot to learn, but I liked seeing her come into her own and grow throughout the book.
Along the way Saba meets several characters on her journey, some more helpful than others. The secondary characters fill in some of the missing details in Saba’s knowledge about the politics of their world. Some of the characters are fairly mysterious and I hope to find out more about them in the sequel. I also liked the dynamic between Saba and her love interest Jack and am curious to see how that progresses.
One thing that tripped me up a little when I read it the first time is the writing style. Saba’s character can’t read or write and her character’s dialogue is written phonetically. I found it a bit of a challenge to get through initially, but eventually I was caught up in the story and appreciated the style choice. With the audiobook, Heather Lind narrates with an accent and makes it easier to get immersed in the story. She gives a distinct voice to all the characters and brings them to life. Lind does a nice job portraying Saba in her different emotional states, and also Jack sounds just about how I’d imagine he’d sound. In this case, I think the audiobook experience improves upon the book and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Though I like all the action and adventure of the entire book, the first half sticks with me more. Listening to it again helped me to fill in some of the holes in my memory from the second half, getting me up to speed for the sequel. Being the first book of a trilogy, there are a lot of mysteries left unsolved, though the book is still pretty satisfying on it’s own. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series, and think Blood Red Road has the potential to be a very cool movie.
Waiting on Wednesday- Struck by Jennifer Bosworth
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine highlighting upcoming books that we are eagerly anticipating.
This week I am featuring Struck, Jennifer Bosworth’s post-apocalyptic/paranormal debut.
From Goodreads:
Mia Price is a lightning addict.
She’s been struck so many times she’s lost count. She can’t sleep, she’s covered in veiny red “lightning scars,” and repeated strikes have even stopped her heart on occasion. Still, Mia can’t resist a storm.
That’s why Los Angeles, where it never rains, is the perfect place for her to find peace . . . until a massive earthquake devastates the city.
Now Mia finds herself struggling to hold her family together in a strange and terrifying new version of Los Angeles. The beaches have become massive tent cities populated by millions of homeless. Downtown is a wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the attendees drawn to the destruction by a magnetic force they cannot deny.
The blind prophet of a doomsday cult called the Church of Light, who predicted the earthquake with frightening accuracy, says a storm is coming to usher in the end of days, and only his Followers will be saved. Mia’s traumatized mom has become obsessed with the Church of Light, while her younger brother Parker is desperate to join a second doomsday cult called the Seekers. But Mia is the one both cults need.
The Seekers are recruiting people with an energy-based power they call the “Spark,” and Mia has it stronger than most. They claim the false prophet of the Church of Light will bring about the end of the world, and they are the only ones who can stand against him.
But without Mia on their side, they will fail.
Mia’s lightning addiction is both the key to saving the world . . . and destroying it.
Being a Los Angeles native, the massive earthquake aftermath story strikes a chord with me. The supernatural and religious aspects of the plot also set it apart from other dystopian/post-apocalyptic books. It sounds like a fascinating and exciting read. Hopefully nothing like this happens in 2012 though…
STRUCK is published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux/Macmillan and is due to hit shelves on May 8, 2012.
Review and Giveaway: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Book: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, HarperCollins, November 15, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Dystopia/Paranormal
Format/pages: Hardcover 352 pages
Format read/Source: ARC received at Comic-Con, read Sept. 2011
Series: Book #1 of a trilogy
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Preorder the Book: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble
More Info: Goodreads
Juliette spends her days locked up in isolation because of her deadly talent to kill with a single touch. She has been shunned her entire life by her classmates, and even her parents have given up on her. A tragic event was the final straw that led to Juliette’s solitary confinement where she has only her notebook to keep her company. 264 days later, Juliette is taken to meet with one of the leaders of The Reestablishment, Warner. He wants to use Juliette as a war weapon, but she wants to live on her own terms and is ready to fight for herself. She’s also fighting for an unexpected chance at love with Adam, the only one who has ever believed in her.
Shatter Me is a dystopian and paranormal blend mixed with a healthy dose of action and romance. The first thing of note about Shatter Me is that the writing style is very unique. The author uses strikethrough in the text quite frequently, and uses a stream of consciousness style of writing. It took me a little while to get used to this style, though I think ultimately that the style works well to convey Juliette’s frame of mind. The embellished prose is very lovely and there are quite a few examples of creative metaphors used in the book that I would have to stop and re-read throughout the book. The writing style will not appeal to all, but the author undeniably is very talented.
Juliette is a strong yet sensitive main character. She is kind and generous, even with those who have done her wrong in the past. She starts off very broken and socially awkward, but slowly finds her way throughout the book. She struggles with how to manage her powerful touch, and does not want to harm anyone if she doesn’t have to. Her powers are very interesting, and reminiscent of X-Men’s Rogue. I’m curious to see how they work and how they will develop in the future.
You would not expect much on the romantic side with the girl whose touch kills, but she does manage to have some steamy scenes with Adam. They do have some good chemistry and their shared history make for some emotional scenes. Adam has his own baggage that he carries and is handsome, driven, sensitive and protective.
And then there is Warner, the villain character who wants Juliette to kill for him. His father is the leader of the Reestablishment, and he’s only nineteen, and also very attractive. He is obsessive about Juliette and tries to convince her to partner with him willingly. He is the character to watch in my opinion, and fascinated me throughout the book. Not sure what that says about me that I favored the bad guy in the book, but he won me over.
There is a lot of action and excitement in the book, and along with the romance and the paranormal element my interest level was high. As a dystopian I was hoping for a little more world building though, and that it was shown rather than told. The ending also takes off in an unexpected direction that didn’t grab me as much as the rest of the book.
I will read the next book, especially to find out more about Warner, and I’m curious to see the direction it goes. Read Shatter Me if the writing style sounds intriguing to you, or for the romantic/paranormal/dystopian combo. Look for Shatter Me to hit shelves November 15.
GIVEAWAY: The giveaway has ended. Congrats to Angel! Thank you to all who entered the giveaway!
Related articles
- Book: Shatter Me (bookchelle.wordpress.com)
Legend by Marie Lu Book Review
Book: Legend by Marie Lu, Putnam Juvenile, November 29, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Format/pages: Hardcover 336 pages
Format read/Source: ARC won from the Legend movie Facebook page, read August 30 2011
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Series: Book one of a trilogy
Preorder the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound
More Info: Goodreads | Legend the series website | Read an excerpt
In a future plague and flood-ravaged Los Angeles, now part of The Republic, fifteen year olds Day and June on the surface couldn’t be more different. June lives in the affluent part of town and is the Republic’s golden child. She excels in school and is the only person ever to earn a perfect score in the Trial. She has a bright future ahead in the Republic’s military ranks. Day, on the other hand, is also extremely intelligent but grew up without June’s advantages. Raised in the slums, his family can’t afford the plague vaccine, and his rebellious antics have landed him at the top of the Republic’s most wanted criminals list. Although June grudgingly admires Day’s cleverness and resourcefulness from afar, he becomes her enemy when his latest exploit hits a little too close to home. The truth, though, may not be what it seems and they may be close to uncovering an even bigger plot.
Legend is a thrilling and fast paced dystopian, in the same vein as Divergent and The Hunger Games. It is full of non-stop nail biting action and suspense that kept me swiftly turning pages. The two protagonists Day and June share narration in alternating chapters, with Day’s chapters typed in gold ink. Day and June are like two sides of the same coin, and both are fearless, resourceful, and smart as a whip. The dual narration works well, and the character voices are distinct. Day has a confident swagger and uses slang in his speech, while June has a more guarded demeanor. Together they are a force to be reckoned with.
Violence and a corrupt government torment this future Los Angeles, and no one is safe from their wrath. The violence is shocking and excessive at times, but it does get the message across and makes it easy to join Day’s rebellious cause.
On the romantic side, Day and June are young and haven’t known each other long, so the romance side of things is very low-key. The chemistry is there and they have the potential to be an unstoppable duo, and they are strong characters individually as well.
I see Legend appealing to both genders, as the romance is not over the top and is well balanced with a compelling and exciting story. It should be an easy transition for fans of The Hunger Games, and like that book Legend is also heading for the big screen. The writing is very cinematic and I can easily envision it as a movie. Hopefully it will be filmed in Los Angeles so we can see all the landmarks described in the book. I found Legend to be very engaging and one of the most exciting dystopians I’ve read this year.
Legend is the first book in a trilogy, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Look for Legend to hit shelves November 29th.
I like the US cover of Legend and think it’s striking and powerful and represents the book well. But, I’m also kind of in love with the UK cover. Which one do you prefer?
Related articles
- Latest News: CBS Films acquires Marie Lu’s LEGEND (yabookscentral.blogspot.com)
Waiting on Wednesday- Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine highlighting upcoming books that we are eagerly anticipating.
This week I am featuring Pandemonium, book two in the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver. I have wanted to have this book in my hands ever since I finished the first installment. I adore Lauren Oliver’s writing and Delirium’s powerful love story set in a world where love is considered a disease. After the emotional ending of Delirium I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Lena.
From Goodreads:
Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free.
Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again.
Full of danger, forbidden romance, and exquisite writing, Lauren Oliver’s sequel to Delirium races forward at a breathtaking pace and is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes action of The Hunger Games and the bittersweet love story of Romeo & Juliet.
I am definitely intrigued by that summary and curious to follow Lena’s journey to the Wilds. The romance teaser is a bit surprising but I’m curious to see how it plays out. This series has had a cover re-design and I think the new covers are a big improvement. Pandemonium’s cover is very striking and seems to suit the series better with the image and color scheme. Just wish I had the new cover of Delirium to match Pandemonium.
PANDEMONIUM is published by Harper Teen and is due to be released on February 28 2012.
UPDATE: You can read chapter 1 of Pandemonium now here. I may just wait to read it until I have the book in my hands though!
What are you waiting on this week?
Book Review and Giveaway: Dark Parties by Sara Grant
Book: Dark Parties by Sara Grant, Little, Brown, August 3, 2011
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Format/pages: Hardcover 320 pages
Format read: ARC
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Review:
Dark Parties takes place in a dark future world where the Homeland inhabitants live inside a protective shield called a Protectosphere. The government claims this shield is necessary to protect from the uninhabitable toxin infested outside world. Sixteen-year-old Neva and her best friend Sanna are distrustful of the government and have started keeping a list of people who have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Neva’s own grandmother vanished, and The Missing members are multiplying recently. The government is getting desperate about the dwindling population problems and is managing the news feed to maintain the illusion that things are under control. Neva and Sanna organize a “dark party” to enlist their peers to take part in a revolution.
Dark Parties is a suspenseful dystopian from debut author Sara Grant. Social injustices are stacking up with girls going missing, frequent interrogations, and citizens fitted with tracking devices by the government, and society is turning a blind eye. The protagonist Neva is someone who fights for what she believes in, even when her friends back away from the cause. She has even more at stake with her father holding a high profile government job. Neva is driven to fight for what she believes in for herself, her friends, and her beloved grandmother. Along with the rebellion, she’s also managing a complicated love life, with a boy looking for a long-term commitment and an infatuation with another unattainable boy.
The dystopian world is dark and believable. I like dystopian books like this that make me think about the future and how we may or may not go down this road. The controlling government, dwindling resource supply, fertility issues and the fight for freedom provide food for thought for today’s world. The injustices served by this manipulative government had me rooting for Neva to succeed in her rebellion.
Neva’s relationship with her family, best friend Sanna, and love interests also play a part in the book. The character relationships are not explored as fully as the dystopian elements, but provide an interesting backdrop into Neva’s world. One of the characters I was most interested to learn more about is Neva’s grandmother.
I read through this engrossing book in one sitting. The world building, strong female lead, action and surprises kept my interest level up. The book is evenly paced with a high intensity finish that had me wondering if there are plans for a sequel. Recommended for dystopian fans of books such as Matched, Birthmarked, and Delirium. Look for Dark Parties to be released on August 3.
For more information:
Dark Parties on Facebook | Read the first two chapters (pdf download) | Sara Grant’s website | Amazon | Goodreads
The resistance has staged its first Dark Party. Listen in now and share with it your friends. Join the resistance!
Dark Parties Giveaway has ended! Thanks to all who participated.
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Book: Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young
Published by: Margaret K McElderry, June 6 2011
Genre: Young Adult Dystopia
Format/pages: Hardcover 512 pages
Format read/Source: eGalley via Simon & Schuster
Date read: May 26 2011
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Blood Red Road is Moira Young’s debut and is the first book in the Dustlands series trilogy. This book has been getting a lot of buzz and in fact Ridley Scott recently picked up the movie rights. I found the story to be gripping and fast paced, and one of the best of the new crop of post-apocalyptic books.
18-year-old Saba grew up on a desolate, sandstorm plagued, dusty land known as Silverlake with her twin brother Lugh, younger sister Emmi and their father. One day, a huge sandstorm hits, and four horsemen arrive and kidnap her brother. As twins, Lugh and Saba have close ties and her brother means everything to her. Saba vows to rescue Lugh and sets off immediately on her dangerous mission. She does not have many clues to go on, and leaves with only her red-hot intense drive to find her brother.
Saba is out in the wilds on her own for the first time and faces treacherous conditions and predators on her journey. She finds herself literally fighting for her life, similar to Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. Saba begins her quest with the single minded goal of finding her brother, but along the way gets caught up in a scheme with the band of rebel girls the Free Hawks to take control of an out of control society. She also meets up with handsome adventurer Jack, and tries to fight her intense feelings for him so she can stay focused on her mission.
Blood Red Road has a unique voice that sets it apart from other dystopian works. The first thing you’ll notice when you start reading is the first person narrative style used for the main character Saba. The written dialogue lacks quotation marks, and the words are spelled phonetically. This story telling device helps set the tone of the book and brings Saba’s voice alive. It does take a bit of getting used to, but after the initial distraction I grew to appreciate this stylistic choice.
As the protagonist, Saba is strong and fierce and riveting to follow. Her story is compelling because she is so focused on her goal to find her brother. She finds, though, that she is resourceful even without her brother and that others look to her as a leader. She is tough and can appear to be heartless at times, especially with regards to her treatment of her younger sister Emmi. Saba does show growth in this coming of age story and it’s gratifying to see the walls start to come down.
The pace of the book moved quicker for me in the second half. That’s when Saba starts to interact and build relationships with other characters. The supporting characters in this book are so colorful and inject a burst of energy in the story. The romantic interest Jack is charismatic and contrasts nicely with Saba. Emmy the younger sister is sweet, yet tough for her age. The Free Hawks are resourceful and help tell the revolution side of the story. Jack’s friend Ike is another like-able character and he and young Tommo round out the group nicely. There are some creepy villains as well of course to keep the tension level high.
The book has some fantasy elements in the story that remind me of the works of Maria V. Snyder and Kristin Cashore. There is a whiff of magical mystery surrounding Saba. For example, Saba has a pet crow named Nero that is very clever and human-like in his behavior. Saba also has a mysterious heart stone necklace that has a special gift. There are other unexplained magical instances in the story that perhaps will be addressed in the next book.
Blood Red Road has a fast pace, with plenty of action and a healthy dose of violence. The story has a unique voice, compelling story and characters that should appeal to fans of dystopian books such as The Hunger Games or Divergent. It is a great beginning to the trilogy, and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book.
Edited to add: The sequel has a title! Rebel Heart publishes Summer 2012.
