Series Recap: Black City Trilogy by Elizabeth Richards

Reading Order: (sort by date)

Black City (Book 1, Published on November 13, 2012)
Phoenix (Book 2, Published on June 4, 2013)
Wings (Book 3, Published on June 12, 2014)

Click on the titles to check out the reviews.

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Synopsis recap:

Set in the future, The United Sentry States is a country intolerant to non-human residents. Natalie is the daughter of the Emissary, Ash is the rare half-Darkling with no heart-beat. They're on opposite sites and they're supposed to be enemies. But against all odds, they find themselves falling for each other and there's a connection between them. Meanwhile, a dark force is rising - a force that can destroy the non-humans and humans who help them. The Sentry and the non-human forces has to join together in order to defeat it and have a future that is not full of blood and war.

***

Thoughts recap:

Black City is not the brightest and most powerful series openings I've ever read. It's got some issues. However, despite some problems with the book, I still like it because of the innocence and the romance between Ash and Natalie, which is by all means, sweet and real. They have really great chemistry between each other and they truly care for each other. It's one of the reasons why I decided to read the sequel
.
And Phoenix is beyond awesome. For a book that's not even reaching 300 pages yet, it's certainly dark and twisted enough to be called crazy. There's a lot of character improvement in the book and I love that. It's more emotional than the other two books in the series. There are a lot of angst and ache, which is written really masterfully. Though I'm usually not a person with emotions pouring from every orifices, I admire the writing.

Wings is action-packed, and a truly impressive conclusion for a dystopian series. Besides the weirdness I feel when I read some certain scenes, which is not exactly a bad thing, but I don't know how to process it, it's mostly good. The triple point of view is fascinating and it gives us a insight of how the future world has come into being. Truly mesmerizing.

Overall rating: 8/10

Do I recommend this series: Yes

Series Recap: Sense Thieves by Corrine Jackson

Reading Order: (sort by date)

Touched (Book 1, Published on November 27, 2012)
Pushed (Book 2, Published on November 26, 2013)
Ignited (Book 3, Published on May 27, 2014)

Click on the titles to check out the reviews.

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Synopsis recap:

Remy O'Malley is different. She can heal people, but only by absorbing their injuries into her own body. Only when she arrives Blackwell Falls does she realize just how unique she is. She's hunted -  both by Healers and Protectors, because she's half of both and she's the best of both worlds. She needs to be exceptionally strong -  both physically and mentally - if she wants to acquire a stable life. This is her story.

***

Thoughts recap:

Contrary to popular opinion, Touched is actually my favorite book in the trilogy. It's very calming and I can be sure that I won't get into major mental breakdown or have my systolic pressure rising too high. It's mostly because of the sweetness of this book, though, the fiery first love between Asher and Remy. It's easy to think about them as the ultimate HEA. The whole introduction of the concept of Healers and Protectors is fascinating. Yes, Pushed and Ignited are also about them, and probably more fascinating because... well, no spoilers. But it's a good introduction and I'm soaked into this trilogy because of this book. It has a special place in my heart. I can't bear to re-read again though, because of Ignited.

Pushed is a little different. It is a thorough demonstration of just how dangerous Remy is, and just how dangerous the world around Remy is. It has an edge of excitement that I really appreciate. It's a turning point of a lot of stuff. I'm actually torn about this book because on one hand things get crazy and I love crazy personally, but on the other the atmosphere of innocence is fading fast and I miss that a lot (which is one of the reasons why Touched is my fav book, by the way). And of course, I'm torn between two Blackwells, which is not a good feeling.

Ignited is a thrilling conclusion. But it also left me emotionally exhausted. I don't take bitchiness well unless it's heavily mixed with reason and wit. And there are a lot of that without those two crucial factors. Which is why I keep cursing reading the first half of it. The second half is awesome though, with all the action and power display. Watching someone kick some ass makes my day. The biggest problem is, I can't watch Touched again after reading Ignited.

It's a nice trilogy though, and I think everyone should give it a try.

Overall rating: 8/10
Do I recommend this series: Yes

Series Recap: The Syrena Legacy by Anna Banks

Reading Order: (sort by date)

Of Poseidon (Book 1, Published on May 22, 2012)
Of Triton (Book 2, Published on May 28, 2013)
Of Neptune (Book 3, Published on May 13, 2014)

Click on the titles to check out my reviews.

***

Synopsis Recap:

Emma thinks she's just a normal Florida teen girl... until she meets Galen, the prince of Triton. Turns out she's not that normal at all... she's a Half-Breed herself, and she possess powers that are really rare. She's thrown into wars that she doesn't even know existed or she doesn't know how she's involved. Those were ignited a long time ago. And Emma is determined to stop them, even if she doesn't need to. Even if she doesn't actually have a right to.

Thoughts Recap:

My views are very different towards the three books.

Of Poseidon is actually my favorite book of the trilogy. It seems like the whole idea is very original and the wits Emma possesses are very real and funny even if they're not always artfully hilarious. The whole thing seems so cute to me. And while sometimes there are tension between characters (not the real battle-tension), they're still humorous and it makes me giggle. It's kind of hard not to like Of Poseidon.

Of Triton is okay, I guess. There are a lot of times where Of Triton is better than the first book. Like the fact that there are actual risks and their lives are really at stake (for once). Emma gets pretty badass in this book too, which is one of my favorite things in the book. However the humor part falls short and that's a little disappointing because I really look forward to that part. Generally, though, I still like this book.

As for Of Neptune... I kinda wish this series is a duology (aka no Of Neptune whatsoever). It's like everything falls short in this book. And I mean EVERYTHING. Not just humor, not just cuteness, not just edginess of fighting for their lives, even the romance between Galen and Emma (which, while it's not my favorite thing in the series, is still awesome nonetheless). I'm pretty disappointed. And the ending is so rushed that I feel like everything is just "what the hell is going on exactly?". Pretty bipolar, huh?

Due to the extreme bipolarity of my views (that sounds like I'm suffering from schizophrenia or something), no overview this time. Yeah.

Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Do I recommend this series?: How about I only recommend the first two books only?

Series Recap: Reboot Series by Amy Tintera

Reading Order (sort by release date):

Reboot (Book 1, Published on May 7, 2013)
Rebel (Book 2, Published on May 13, 2014)

Click the titles to check out my reviews.

***

Synopsis recap:

Reboot starts with Wren, who has died and Rebooted after 178 minutes because of KDH virus when she was twelve. Now seventeen, she's the perfect soldier that HARC has. She always thinks that she barely has any human emotion at all. But when Callum, who is practically still human (because he Rebooted after only 22 minutes), demands her training, she finds herself that maybe she's not as emotionless and inhuman as she thought. And then there's another threat. Some Reboots are turning vicious, bloodthirsty creatures, and Wren has to set out to rebel against HARC and find the origin of these problems before someone she really cares about dies because of this.

Rebel picks up after Wren and Callum escaped HARC and find a place called Reboot Reservation, only the place isn't the haven for Reboots like others claimed. A vicious leader, a bunch of scared Reboots, violent actions, and trying to do something drastic on the whole human race (I'm not going to reveal what's the big move), and the threat from HARC, Wren and Callum has to find a way around that if they want to stay together and build a life together.

***

Thoughts recap:

Three words to describe the series: Unique, interesting, but not very... dynamic

The concept of Reboot is mentioned in the first book, Reboot. It's kind of a twist of zombies. Only the "zombies" (aka Reboots) are far more intelligent and physically superior. I like that the Reboots are not just creatures that the government can't control (because zombie apocalypse is really an old epidemic, even though I like The Walking Dead). They're under far too much control, and they're (mostly) not that happy about it. The world in Reboot is pretty well-developed in this case, because there's the whole outline of the KDH-infected world in the book. The characters... well, I guess most of them are average characters, except maybe Wren. She's a pretty cool girl. Not only she can kick some ass, she's logical. But other than that there's nothing really significant about other characters. The plot is a bit slow, though. And a little bit predictable. But it's nothing intolerable.

Rebel is better. In this book Wren and Callum has to fight for their lives. Constantly. The character improvement is a thumbs-up, especially on Wren and Micah. Wren is no longer the emotionless Reboot we met at the start of Reboot, and she finally gets in touch with the human side of her. Micah's character is portrayed well. The vicious and cruel side of him is a little terrifying. The plot is much more fast-paced and complicated, because of the multiple threats coming from all sides, which is another thing I really like. There might be some flaws concerning Callum and other minor parts, but overall Rebel is a fine book.

Overall rating: 7/10

Do I recommend this series?: I'm not against people reading it (obviously), but I'm not actively recommending this series.

Series Recap: The Selection Trilogy by Kiera Cass

Reading Order: (Sort by date)

The Selection (Book 1, Published on April 24, 2012)
The Prince (Book 0.5, Published on March 5, 2013)
The Elite (Book 2, Published on April 23, 2013)
The Guard (Book 2.5, Published on February 4, 2014)
The One (Book 3, Published on May 6, 2014)
The Queen [Not shown in here] (Book 0.4, Not yet published)

Click the titles to check out my reviews.

***

Synopsis recap:

It's the futuristic America... um, Illea, where people are divided into eight caste. The Ones are royals, while the Eights are the unwanted ones. America Singer is a Five. And she's about to join the Selection -- a public event of The prince choosing one of the thirty-five girls as his wife and be a princess -- almost against her will, because of various reasons. However, things get different when America gets to the palace and sees Prince Maxon truly for the very first time. Hearts are divided. Along with the journey, America discovers just how dark and twisted her country really is.


Thoughts Recap:

(Beware of harshness)

This trilogy is probably one of the most overrated I've ever read.

The first book is actually pretty interesting. No one has ever attempt to do this before (at least to my knowledge). And it's fun and witty. America is pretty amazing in the first book. So I had high hopes after I read The Selection. Yet my hopes were totally damned after I read The Elite because it just annoys the hell out of me. The One is slightly better, but still, I don't understand why I keep reading it in the first place.

Yes, annoying. You heard me right. Why? Duh, girl fights. Epic girl freaking fights, which is probably one of the most exhausting thing known to mankind. Especially in The Elite, where everything just goes to hell (according to my spiked-up temper). The next big frustrating part is the insecurity, which there are plenty of it. If you are not sure, just be brave and confront it! Don't go, "I still have time so I'm just gonna drop it for a little while.". No wonder there are so much drama. Unnecessary ones.

Of course, there are positive sides of the series. Like the first book, which I mentioned above. The rebels, which is awesome. And it will be better if the rebels play a bigger part in the story. King Clarkson, seriously. I hate this guy, but he still makes a good villain nonetheless. And Marlee, actually, who is defiant and loyal to her friends. But unfortunately the positive sides can't outweigh the negative sides.

So, basically, I'm not sure why all the hype about this series. It's not even that good.


Overall rating: 5/10
Do I recommend this series?: Not really, no.

Series Recap: Shatter Me trilogy by Tahereh Mafi

Reading order: (sort by release day)

Shatter Me (Book 1, Published on November 15, 2011)
Destroy Me (Book 1.5, Published on October 2, 2012)
Unravel Me (Book 2, Published on February 5, 2013)
Fracture Me (Book 2.5, Published on December 17, 2013)
Ignite Me (Book 3, Published on February 4, 2014)

Click the titles to check out my reviews.

***

Synopsis Recap:

Juliette's journey starts with Shatter Me. She has an unimaginable power/curse. She can kill with a touch. And she's locked in an asylum for 264. When Adam, the boy from her past, brings her to Warner, the leader of Sector 45, her life is about to take big twists. She fear Warner's inhumane methods. And she has to escape. With Adam and Kenji's help, they're about to find a rumored place called Omega Point, an organization trying to overthrow the Reestablishment.

Destroy Me is told in Warner's point of view. After Juliette's escape, he has to heal from his wounds. He's still obsessed with Juliette and he's determined to find her and bring her back. But along with this problem, he faces others as well. When the Supreme Commander, who happens to be his father, come to the base, Warner simply can't follow his demands.

Unravel Me is a turning point of the story. Juliette, Adam and Kenji is in Omega Point. But things aren't as good as she imagined. She has problems with just about almost everyone and everything there, including Adam. She needs to control her abilities before she can safely touch others and go to battle. But the bigger problem emerges. One that they can hardly stop from happening. And it will change everything.

Fracture Me is told in Adam's point of view. After the devastating events in Unravel Me, their goal, their only goal, is to stay alive. With all the things come crashing on him, he's in a mess. The odds of the Reestablishment killing everyone Adam cares about, is high. And he has no idea how to solve this big problem.

Juliette is ready to battle in Ignite Me. But she has to rely on a person she never thought she could trust: Warner. Things have changed a lot. The Omega Point, Sector 45, Warner, Adam and even herself, are not the same anymore. Together, they must find ways to overcome all the prejudice and hatred before they can take down the Reestablishment. It will be anything but easy.

***

Thoughts Recap:

Three words to describe the series: Intense yet frustrating

Shatter Me is a unique book. Mainly because of the strikethroughs. And how Juliette's mind works. I have mixed feelings about this book. While I think the plot is nice enough, Juliette pisses me off a little with her utter vulnerability. In her eyes everything is black and white, and so the book is a little like that. Black and white with no grays. It might not be the nicest start of a series, but it's nice enough for me to continue.

Destroy Me is one of the better books in the series. It's nice to know what Warner, the supposedly villain, truly is. It's very intense and endearing. There's no way you can hate him for being a villain after reading Destroy Me. This is a main reason why I keep reading the series.

Unravel Me... well, again I have mixed feelings about this book. The plot is nicer than Shatter Me, that's true. And Juliette is significantly stronger. But she's also more whiny... along with Adam. The countless melodramatic scenes between Adam and Juliette is exhausting in more ways than one. But there are also scenes with Kenji and Warner that salvages almost all of my negative feelings. If I am to be completely honest, this book is better and worse at the same time.

Fracture Me is one of those books that I don't even know if I want to talk about for ever. After reading this book my view towards my previously favorite character changed a lot. While I admire him for caring about his family and his so much, I'm also irritated that he doesn't even think about trying to save his love. I can't deny that this is an important book though, because it kind of helps to understand some things in Ignite Me. And it finally gives me a view of the real Adam.

Ignite Me is pretty epic and a little frustrating at the same time. Frustrating, because of those melodramatic scenes (again!). Epic, because of everything besides the frustrating part. I'd say it's a beautiful conclusion for the series. Though I have to admit that I'm not sure if I will re-read it again. I won't talk about much concerning the plot in the book here. That's up to you to discover it. But Ignite Me is definitely one of the better conclusions I've read about so far.


Overall rating: 8/10
Do I recommend this series?: I think everyone should read it, even though I think not everyone will buy the story.

Series Recap: Under The Never Sky trilogy by Veronica Rossi

Reading Order (sort by release date):

Under The Never Sky (Book 1, Published on January 3, 2012)
Roar and Liv (Book 0.5, Published on October 30, 2012)
Through The Ever Night (Book 2, Published on January 8, 2013)
Brooke (Book 2.5, Published on November 26, 2013)
Into The Still Blue (Book 3, Published on January 28, 2013)

Click the titles to check out my reviews.

***

Synopsis recap:

Under The Never Sky is an unforgettable trilogy written by Veronica Rossi. The trilogy starts with Aria being cast out of Reverie, a Pod where Dwellers live and has to depend on Perry, an Outsider and a race she's taught to despise, to survive. She has to search for her mother and the Still Blue, a place rumored to be safe from the threat of Aether storms. Only then does she uncover a bunch of secrets that leaves her belief shaken forever.

In Through The Ever Night, Aria and Perry are together -- but for how long? The tribe doesn't accept her as one of their own. Aria has her own issues to deal with as well. As Aria travels to the Horns with Roar, she discovers the sinister plans of the Pod's... minister? (I can't remember his position) which can put everyone she loves in danger.

In Into The Still Blue, Aria and Perry's love has been tested. Their loyalty and leadership has also been tested as well. Now it's time to fight for their survival. They have to defeat a notorious enemy and get through their worst nightmares in order to have a safe future in the Still Blue. But can they do it, when nothing is certain... under the never sky?

Roar and Liv is set before the events in Under The Never Sky, which sets the stage for Through The Ever Night. It centers Roar and Liv's relationship and their love for each other. Except... it wasn't that meant-to-be because food supply is running low in the Tides and sacrifices has to be made to safe the majority. But can Roar do it when doing so can cost what you love most?

Brooke is set between Through The Ever Night and Into The Still Blue. It's about the self-discovery of Brooke, a girl you will meet/have met in Through The Ever Night. Brooke is confused about what she wants. But a series of events not only strengthens her, it might be the only chance for her to realize what she truly wants.

***

Thoughts recap:

Three words to describe the series: Epic, dynamic, unstoppable

Overall, Under The Never Sky is a great start of the trilogy. It might be a little bit slow at first, but if you read carefully, you can sense a storm brewing beneath the sort-of calmness. The characters are well-developed, a trait rarely seen in new series nowadays. The plot is pretty good and epic. Although there are a few flaws, It has the potential to be a really great set-up for the following books. And it does.

Through The Ever Night is a great twist in the trilogy. Unlike other sequels, it's not boring or filled with love-triangle angst. No, Through The Ever Night is a pre-storm of Into The Still Blue and a storm itself. It's unpredictable and will leave you breathless. Emotions are a lot intense in Through The Ever Night. Threats are higher than in Under The Never Sky and more obstacles are in Aria and Perry's way, which of course only makes the book way more interesting. Through The Ever Night is a sequel that will not disappoint.

And now the grand finale, Into The Still Blue. Dynamic and heart-stopping, Into The Still Blue is an ending none can ever forget. Set in a world where their safety is at stake, Aria and Perry have to race their enemies in order to make a future with their friends together in the Still Blue. The fact that nothing is certain in Into The Still Blue is what makes the finale earth-shattering. Digging deep into our dear characters' hearts can totally grip yours. Emotions you get from the book is unlike those in the previous two books. It's a glorious sprint that can stay in our hearts for a long time, if not ever.

Roar and Liv and Brooke are the two novellas centering three secondary characters who make quite a contribution to the trilogy. Although they're not a must to read, I highly recommend them to those who love Under The Never Sky trilogy. It helps us understand the stakes in the trilogy much better. They may not be as epic as the three main novels, but they're not something you want to miss just because they're not the main ones. Exceptionally likable and beautiful, these are the novellas most will like.


Overall Rating: 9/10
Do I recommend the series?: Hell yeah!