Tangled 'N' Books: Science Fiction

Showing posts with label Science Fiction. Show all posts

Friday, May 18, 2018

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid (The Diabolic #2)
Published October 31st 2017 by Simon & Schuster Books
Genres: Sci-Fic, Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia
Page: 378
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

It’s a new day in the Empire. Tyrus has ascended to the throne with Nemesis by his side and now they can find a new way forward. The ruling class, the Grandiloquy, has held control over planets and systems for centuries - and they are plotting to stop this teenage Emperor and Nemesis, who is considered nothing more than a creature and certainly not worthy of being Empress.

Nemesis will protect Tyrus at any cost. He is the love of her life. But she cannot protect him by being the killing machine she once was. She will have to prove the humanity that she’s found inside herself to the whole Empire - or she and Tyrus may lose more than just the throne. But if proving her humanity means that she and Tyrus must do inhuman things, is the fight worth the cost of winning it?

Thoughts

My heart is breaking. What an emotional journey.

The scheming, the manipulating, the agony. I was going through a rush of emotions chapters after chapters.

Frustration at the hopelessness, heartbreak at Tyrus and Nemesis' torn love. I wanted to grieve with them, scream at the indignity, wish for things to ultimately set right. But this isn't that kind of story.

S.J. Kincaid is a mastermind at breaking into the complex human psyche. What drives us, rages us, makes us break. This brutal story won't give me a satisfying happy conclusion. I'm left feeling raw and quaking.

Full review can be found on goodreads (Here)

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Monday Reviews: Prism by Nina Walker

Prism by Nina Walker
Published August 17th 2017 by Addison & Gray Press
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fic, Romance, Dystopia
Page: 388
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

What if color held the secrets to powerful magic?

Forced to move into the palace, Jessa begins training as a Color Alchemist under the direction of the kingdom's most eligible bachelor, Prince Lucas. As an alchemist, Jessa must capture and harness the color of living things. Every color has a unique purpose, except red. Red is the untapped magic no one can access—until Jessa.

Prince Lucas is running out of time. His mother is deathly ill and healing magic hasn’t worked. When Lucas suspects someone is using alchemy to control her, he sets out to discover the truth, no matter the cost.

PRISM is the first installment of a unique young adult romantic fantasy series where a dystopian world with a Victorian flair meets the dynamic magic of color!

Review

Thank you to Addison & Gray Press/Book Review 22 for sharing a copy of the first book in The Color Alchemist series.

The story begins in a nuclear middle-class family set in a dystopian society of normals and color alchemists. The Royal Officers are questioning the children over the discovery of a recent bloodwork done for an accident that occurred six months ago. Unable to find proof that the family are harboring color alchemists, the Royal Officers left. That night, during a Royal Ballet performance, Jessa accidentally triggers the separation of purple, the color in her ballet outfit, into blue and red. This startles the Royals and she is immediately captured.

Color alchemy doesn't manifest immediately until an event triggers the power, usually found in young children. In this case, Jessa's first reaction occurs at age sixteen. Colors from everyday life can be taken and used in intricate ways. Green, for example, is the power of healing. Blue is used to enhance listening. Orange allows the alchemist to move heavy objects. Color alchemists can access purple, blue, green, yellow, and orange, while black, red, and white are a mystery.

Thoughts

The story is cleverly written and the idea of using colors as a power source is very creative.

What I find fascinating is that no one is particularly innocent. Each person Jessa meets has an ulterior motive. What I find distracting is the romance blossoming between Jessa and Prince Lucas. They are each fighting for their idealism but they are unable to work symbiotically. Lucas withholding necessary information to appease Jessa's fears annoy me. And Jessa's antagonistic feelings over his protection of her also bothers me. Their interactions are frustrating to read, it seems their emotions are getting in the way of the story.

I really like the short inside look into the Resistance. Not much is revealed and they are a mystery player. It will be fascinating to see what role they play in the next book.

Monday, September 4, 2017

Monday Reviews: Secondborn by Amy A. Bartol

Secondborn
Written by Amy A. Bartol (eBook)
Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Page: 321
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

On Transition Day, the second child in every family is taken by the government and forced into servitude. Roselle St. Sismode’s eighteenth birthday arrives with harsh realizations: she’s to become a soldier for the Fate of Swords military arm of the Republic during the bloodiest rebellion in history, and her elite firstborn mother is happy to see her go.

Review

This was such a delightful find. It was listed under Goodreads' new August releases and wow am I impressed with this dystopian take. The first chapters pulled me into a tragic society of secondborns, who are disposable, used, and unwanted. Many of the lower class children are sent away by their families to become soldiers at ages 10-18. Roselle, a high society aristocrat, isn't any different. Raised unloved and under the watchful televised eyes of society, she eats when they tell her, sleeps when they tell her, dresses how they want her, and does everything she is told.

It was so heartbreaking to witness her "secondborn" treatment, yet she grew strong and no one can anticipate how much her soldier training prepared her for the brutal violent world she's entering at the age of 18.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Friday 56! June 23, 2017

Happy Friday Everyone! I'm so happy it's the weekend, it means I get to read more! :) Hope you enjoy this Friday 56!

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Grab a book, any book. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. Post it.

"Monty had been tracing my grandmother's path for so long, he was Walking between worlds at random, searching for a hint of the frequency that meant she'd been there. He'd never found one."

From: Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke

Have a safe and fun weekend
Happy Reading

Xo,
Wendy

Friday, June 9, 2017

Friday 56! June 8, 2017

Happy Friday Everyone! By the time you read this Shon, Tina, and I will be in Disney California Adventure! Enjoying some awesome rides, food, and shows! SO I hope your weekend starts off as good as ours!

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Grab a book, any book. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. Post it.

"The blood-eyed man grins, his teeth gleaming and straight. He stands over Cal with relish, enjoying the sight of a prince at his feet. Enjoying the power it gives him. But I am the lightning girl, and he knows nothing of true power."

From the book Glass Sword

by Victoria Aveyard

Have a safe and fun weekend
Happy Reading
Xo,
Wendy

Friday, May 12, 2017

Friday 56! May 12, 2017

So glad it's Fri-Yay! I'm in desperate need of the weekend to catch up on some reading. Hope you guys enjoy your weekend by reading and soaking up sun!

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice. Grab a book, any book. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it. Post it.

"I realize I'm staring and glance away, heat rising in my cheeks. Suddenly, the looks he's been getting from the younger women in the cavern make sense."

From the book An Ember In The Ashes

a novel by Sabaa Tahir

Have a safe and fun weekend

Happy Reading

Xo,

Wendy

Friday, April 21, 2017

Friday 56! April 21, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice.

1. Grab a book, any book.

2. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.

3. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.

4. Post it.

"I tell myself, as sternly as possible, that is how things work here. We do dangerous things and people die. People die, and we move on to the next dangerous thing. The sooner that sinks in, the better chance I have at surviving initiation."

Goodreads: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Have a great weekend!

Xo,

Wendy

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

"Waiting On" Wednesday #26: Defy the Stars

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Defy the Stars
Author: by Claudia Gray
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Expected publication: April 4th
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction

She’s a soldier.

Noemi Vidal is a seventeen years old and sworn to protect her planet, Genesis. She’s willing to risk anything—including her own life. To their enemies on Earth, she’s a rebel.

He’s a machine.

Abandoned in space for years, utterly alone, Abel has advanced programming that’s begun to evolve. He wants only to protect his creator, and to be free. To the people of Genesis, he’s an abomination.

Noemi and Abel are enemies in an interstellar war, forced by chance to work together as they embark on a daring journey through the stars. Their efforts would end the fighting for good, but they’re not without sacrifice. The stakes are even higher than either of them first realized, and the more time they spend together, the more they’re forced to question everything they’d been taught was true.
What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comment section below.

-Shon

Friday, March 31, 2017

Friday 56! March 31, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice.

1. Grab a book, any book.

2. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.

3. Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.

4. Post it.

"That was all he had to say, when the last time they'd seen each other was naked in a hot tub, halfway across the world? 'So where were you?'
Atlas blinked. 'I took a gap year, traveled around.'
'Don't give me that bullshit.' She crossed her arms. 'I know the truth, okay?"

From: The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Have a great weekend :)

Wendy

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

"Waiting On" Wednesday #16: Carve the Mark

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Title: Carve the Mark
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Expected publication: January 17th
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Sci-fi

On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favored by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not—their gifts make them vulnerable to others’ control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?

Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra’s currentgift gives her pain and power—something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother’s hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows.

Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive—no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra’s world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive—or to destroy one another.

What's your "waiting on" pick this week? Let us know in the comments below.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Friday 56! January 6, 2017

The Friday 56 is a weekly blog meme hosted by Freda’s Voice.

1.] Grab a book, any book.

2.] Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.

3.] Find any sentence, or few, just don't spoil it.

4.] Post it.

"You asked to see what I was capable of," I reminded her, slowly releasing my grip and lifting up an arm, balancing on a single palm. Though I wasn't so strong as before, my body was lighter, compensating for the muscular changes. "Should I have lied to you about my capabilities?"

From the book:

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

Have a safe weekend

Xo,

Wendy

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Wendy's Review: Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5)

Title / Author: Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5)
Pages: Paperback, 222 pages
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Dystopia, Retellings, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Adventure, Teen
Source: Bought
Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story—a story that has never been told … until now.

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed this easy to read book! I'm glad I didn't skip it, as it gave me an insight to Queen Levana's life. How she came to be and what happened that made her the way she is. It's always nice to know both sides of good/evil :)

Happy Almost New Years Eve!

Happy Readings!

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Tina Reviews: A Thousand Pieces of You

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
Published November 4th 2014 by Harper Teen
Genres: Sci-Fic, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Page: 360
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes—and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite's father is murdered, and the killer—her parent's handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul— escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Review

My first thought is Ruby Red.

However, that's where the similarity ends. Instead of jumping from time to time, three characters from this story jump from dimensions to dimensions. These dimensions are also known as multiverses.

Marguerite discovers there are worlds out there, some similar to her own, some with different cultures and time periods. Not only is the story exhilarating but full of intrigue. Love the little plot twists and discoveries of the vast possibilities of one's self, career, taste, and love.

Thoroughly original story. Highly recommend.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Tina Reviews: The Thousandth Floor

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee Published August 30th 2016 by HarperCollins
Genres: Sci-Fic, Young Adult
Page: 448
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina

Synopsis

A thousand-story tower stretching into the sky. A glittering vision of the future where anything is possible—if you want it enough. Welcome to Manhattan 2118.

A hundred years in the future, New York is a city of innovation and dreams. Everyone there wants something…and everyone has something to lose.

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Fantastic buildup. I especially liked the flow of the story and the way the characters are depicted. I love how each are such complex characters yet they are all tragically flawed. The author moves you to care about each of their lives and I enjoyed watching how each one is connected to another's story.

Loved the tech world the author built. Laughed at the "gummy buddies" scene. And love the capability of installing a quant inside your head.

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Prediction (Spoilery)
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Can it be possible that no one will be spared? Will none of them be able to find their happy ending? The author is ruthless :D

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Tina Reviews: Onyx and Opal (Lux #2 & 3)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genres: Science Fiction, Aliens, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review by: Tina

Review

The lovely Gennifer Eccles convinced me to continue with the series. And I have to admit I was a bit curious how the story will proceed.

Onyx continues to remind me of the tv show Roswell. In Obsidian, Daemon heals Katy and now she's showing similar alien abilities (how similar is that to one of the storylines in Roswell?). A new love interest is introduced. He explains to Katy about her new abilities and helps her develop her "hybrid mutated" powers. While Katy is busy training every day with Blake, sparing no time for her friends or mother, Dee is growing closer in her relationship with Adam, and Daemon finds out Beth and Dawson are still alive. 8 months time go by and we're seeing Katy stronger in her Lux abilities. Alas, all good things come to an end. The discovery of implants and hidden motives end the book on a big cliffhanger.

Opal - So the last book left us with Daemon trying to rescue Dawson and this book Dawson rescues his girlfriend Bethany. The plan behind the rescue is not bad. It just took them a long prep time; another 8 months time. With Blake back in the picture, you sense some kind of betrayal will happen. I'm liking the strong romantic side of Daemon which makes reading this book worthwhile. The big shocker is realizing none of Katy's classmates are safe. One by one, they disappear or fall ill. And I think we will slowly find out what happens to them later in the story.

Blog Tour: Flicker by Melanie Hooyenga + Giveaway

Flicker by Melanie Hooyenga
Series: Flicker
Published November 13th 2012 by Left-Handed Mitten Publications
Pages: 390
ISBN: 1480200845
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Paranormal | Romance | Science Fiction
Source: Review Copy

Add to Goodreads

Available for Purchase:

Amazon // Barnes & Noble // iTunes // The Book Depository

Biz is a perfectly normal teenager except for one minor detail: she uses sunlight to jump back to yesterday. She takes advantage of flickering by retaking Trig tests, fixing fights with her boyfriend (or reliving the making up), and repeating pretty much anything that could be done better. Trouble is, flickering makes her head explode from the inside. Or feel like it anyway.

No one knows about her freakish ability and she’s content to keep it that way. Guys don’t stick around because she refuses to let them in, but all that changes when Cameron, her best friend, starts looking oh-so-yummy. Suddenly she’s noticing his biceps, his smile, and the cute way his eyes crinkle when he—gah! This is her friend!

But the butterflies come to a screeching halt when little girls start disappearing, then take a nosedive when the police link the kidnappings to Cameron’s sister, who vanished years earlier. As the police grasp for clues, Biz photographs a strange man lurking in the shadows and realizes that her flickering can help more than just herself.

EXCERPT:

Prologue

Sunlight pulses across the dashboard—light, dark, light, dark—and catches the dust dancing on the imitation leather.

My eyes stutter, but I blink it away. My heart jumps around in my chest. I stroke the grainy piece of cement stuck between my back teeth with my tongue.

The orthodontist swore he got it all, but that was as true as his promise that it wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable. Right.

A tingling sensation pricks the tips of my fingers. I press them together, watching the blood shift beneath my skin. The tingling turns to those sharp needles that remind me of anything but sleep.
I press harder and my toes start tingling too. What the hell?
The dancing on the dashboard gets faster. The trees here are taller, straighter, and the sunlight strobes through the branches. My breath catches and a sudden heaviness pushes me deep into the seat.

I glance at Mom but she’s concentrating on the road, humming along with golden oldies or whatever the hell it is she listens to, oblivious to the fact that something very weird is happening to her daughter.

To me.

I close my eyes. The heaviness lifts. Too much. Now I’m floating and—

“But Mom, I’m fine.”

Mom crosses the kitchen and leans against the counter. “Biz, you’re going. The dentist said your face will change if you don’t get braces. Your entire face could look different…”

A sense of déjà vu slams me over the head. I’ve had this argument. Next Mom is gonna grab the stack of mail that Dad left on the counter and toss it in the basket.

She does.

“Biz?”

The words tumble out of me. “Mom…” The déjà vu doesn’t lift. This isn’t a memory. I’m not in the car anymore.

I’ve gone back to yesterday.

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My Thoughts...

This book had a very slow start but, once you get into the story thing start to pick up. This was a interesting read, it had a little bit of everything. It had drama, romance, science fiction, time travel and murder. With all those different elements somehow it all work together nicely.

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About the Author:

Melanie Hooyenga is the author of the YA trilogy, the Flicker Effect, about a teen who uses sunlight to travel back to yesterday. The first book, FLICKER, won first place for Middle Grade/Young Adult in the Writer’s Digest 2015 Self-Published eBook awards. When not at her day job as Communications Director at a local nonprofit, you can find her wrangling her 7-year old Miniature Schnauzer Owen and playing every sport imaginable with her husband Jeremy.