Showing posts with label The Taking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Taking. Show all posts

Monday, May 4, 2015

The Replaced by Kimberly Derting: Review

Synopsis:

Romantic and action-packed, The Replaced is the gripping second installment in the Taking trilogy.

Kyra hasn't been the same since she returned from her mysterious five-year disappearance. Now, on the run from the NSA, Kyra is forced to hide out with others who, like her, have been Returned. Yet she is determined to find Tyler, the boy she loves who was also abducted—all because of her. When her group intercepts a message that Tyler might still be alive but is in the hands of a shadowy government organization that experiments on the Returned, Kyra knows it's a risk to go after him. What if it's a trap? And worse, what if the returned Tyler isn't the same boy she lost?

Perfect for fans of The Fifth Wave and the Body Finder series, The Replaced is both chilling and explosive, with creepy, otherworldly elements and twisty, psychological thrills that will have you questioning what exactly it means to be human.

***

Kyra has been going through a lot of things since The Taking. And stakes are not getting lower anytime soon. With her love gone missing, the truth about her genes, and a traitor lurking among the Returned, Kyra has to apply every survival instincts that she's ever had to get through it.

I was very excited for The Replaced. After the dynamic first installment, and with a cliffhanger that can kill, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. But then I read some early reviews of the book just before it was released, and I was not sure if I could go through with this anymore. Those reviews hinted some emotional wreckage which I was not sure I could handle. I read the whole thing (obviously) and it isn't bad. It's very good, actually. However... let's just say I have mixed feelings about a lot of things.

Kyra, for one, is one of the characters that I have mixed feelings about. The good side is that she's getting smarter. She has a better sixth-sense and can discern the situation more quickly than before. She can sense something fishy in a short time and respond to it in a second. That's very impressive. She's more observant in The Replaced, and more alert to the surroundings, which is decent for survival. However, some of her actions are questionable. The first half of the book is actually fine, because she sticks to her beliefs of, well, everything. Tyler, the whole messed-up situation and what not. However, the foundation is shaken badly in the second half, and she kind of just... gives up. I found myself yelling at her several times. What the hell are you doing, Kyra? I get that she's a teenager, but I just lost some of the respect for her while reading the second half of the book. Don't get me wrong, she's still a great character, but I can't relate myself to her in The Replaced

If you are asking me about plot development in the book, the answer will be "barely". Compared to The Taking, not much has happened in the second book, especially the first half of it. I was kind of bored while reading that part. But, I have to say that the few plot twists do count for a lot of things. Enough to make up for the fact that the first half is literally... not much of anything. The suspicion of a traitor among the Returned is really tense, because it's improbable to see it coming. The heartache that messed with my head for the rest of the day. The truth behind Kyra's return, and well, the ending. It ends in a note similar to The Taking, but more intense and nerve-wrecking. I don't even know how I survived that. I wanted to pull my hair out and scream. HOW CAN YOU DO THIS? AGAIN?! Anyway, what I'm trying to say it that the book is full of surprises, and while it made my head pound like crazy, I really like it.

Speaking of the heartache, there's a lot of it. It's a mild statement. I wanted to read the book so badly, but I had to take a lot of breaks so that I wouldn't explode on impact. I love the idea of Kyra and Tyler together because they are probably one of the most adorable couples I've ever read about. Tyler has changed a lot in this book. Not the center of his personality, so that's a huge relief. But well, something did happen to him. Not bad enough to destroy who he really is (which is being adorable and sweet and supportive), but enough to leave the reader depressed. I also feel bad of Kyra because of the stuff she had to go through. It's clearly not the end for her and she doesn't deserve such cruelty. I feel for her, even though she made some questionable decisions. It's a bad idea to read this book in between breaks at school, because your classmates might think you are getting crazy on caffeine. 

I'm super excited for the final book! Even more so because it literally ends with a bang. The Replaced may not be as powerful as the first book, but it's still potent.

Rating: 7.5/10

Saturday, March 29, 2014

TBR #12: April 2014

This April, surprisingly, is quite uneventful comparing to the last April. But still, there are good books!

1. Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) by Danielle Paige

Synopsis:

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened?
Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.
Steal the Scarecrow's brain.
Take the Lion's courage.
Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

Expected Publication: April 1, 2014
2. Gilded Ashes (Cruel Beauty) by Rosamund Hodge

Synopsis:

A romantic and fantastical reimagining of the classic Cinderella tale, Gilded Ashes is a novella by Rosamund Hodge set in the same world as the author's debut novel, Cruel Beauty.

Orphan Maia doesn't see the point of love when it only brings pain: Her dying mother made a bargain with the evil, all-powerful ruler of their world that anyone who hurt her beloved daughter would be punished; her new stepmother went mad with grief when Maia's father died; and her stepsisters are desperate for their mother's approval, yet she always spurns them. And though her family has turned her into a despised servant, Maia must always pretend to be happy, or else they'll all be struck dead by the curse.

Anax, heir to the Duke of Sardis, doesn't believe in love either—not since he discovered that his childhood sweetheart was only using him for his noble title. What's the point of pretending to fall in love with a girl just so she'll pretend to fall in love with him back? But when his father invites all the suitable girls in the kingdom to a masked ball, Anax must finally give in and select a wife.

As fate would have it, the preparations for the masquerade bring him Maia, who was asked by her eldest stepsister to deliver letters to Anax. Despite a prickly first encounter, he is charmed and intrigued by this mysterious girl who doesn't believe in love. Anax can't help wishing to see her again—and when he does, he can't help falling in love with her. Against her will, Maia starts to fall in love with him too. But how can she be with him when every moment his life is in danger from her mother's deadly bargain?

HarperTeen Impulse is a digital imprint focused on young adult short stories and novellas, with new releases the first Tuesday of each month.

Expected Publication: April 1, 2014

3. Rebel Belle (Rebel Belle #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Synopsis:

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

Expected Publication: April 8, 2014

4. Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3) by Laini Taylor

Synopsis:

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

Expected Publication: April 8, 2014

5. Frozen (Taken #2) by Erin Bowman

Synopsis:

The Heists were only the beginning.

Gray Weathersby escaped from the primitive town of Claysoot expecting to find answers, but what he discovered shook him to the core: A ruthless dictator with absolute power. An army of young soldiers blinded by lies. And a growing rebellion determined to fight back.

Now Gray has joined a team of rebels on a harsh, icy journey in search of allies who can help them set things right. But in a world built on lies, Gray must constantly question whether any ally—or enemy—is truly what they seem…

Expected Publication: April 15, 2014

6. Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Expected Publication: April 15, 2014

7. The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3) by Julie Kagawa

Synopsis:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Expected Publication: April 15, 2014


8. Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3) by Wendy Higgins

Synopsis:

It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

Expected Publication: April 29, 2014

9. The Treatment (The Program #2) by Suzanne Young

Synopsis:

Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”

How do you stop an epidemic?

Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.

Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.

Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?

Expected Publication: April 29, 2014


10. The Taking (The Taking #1) by Kimberly Derting

Synopsis:

A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

Expected Publication: April 29, 2014

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Taking (ARC): Review

Synopsis:

A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

***

The Taking is basically about a girl called Kyra who has been abducted by aliens for five years and then released with no memory of what's happened. The weirder thing is, she starts to discover that she has superpowers that she wouldn't dream of as well as hidden danger. Finding out what's happened to her is not her only problem. People are after her, and they'll stop at nothing to get their hands on her.

Alien abduction. An age-old story. There are countless reports about people claiming they've been abducted by aliens of all kinds, whether they're little green men or whatever they hell they are. There are something common about some of the stories. No memory of what happened during their "abduction", flashes of white lights, being partially or completely different in more ways than one after their "abduction", etc. I like the fact that this book is based on these seemingly ridiculous (yet some of them might just be true) stories. It's pretty cool and thrilling. 

After note: But there's one thing I don't understand about alien abduction. Be reminded that that has nothing to do with Kimberly Derting's writing skills. I've been asking the same question for a long time now. What the hell is the point of these aliens abducting humans? There are so many cases about those "previously abducted" humans being perfectly fine and no weird abilities are shown. If they're trying to take out the human race (that's my theory, otherwise why would they waste their time on us?), congratulations aliens, you fail gloriously.

Kyra is your typical girl. A girl whom you might know in high school. There's actually nothing exceptionally remarkable about Kyra, other than her newfound superpowers and her eagerness to save the ones she loves and find out the truth. But for some reason that girl brings some sort of comfort for me. She can be easily related. And I guess that's what many teens want -- they want to think that there's someone out there who are like us (of course we don't normally have superpowers, but that's besides the point). And then there's Tyler. It's official. I love that guy. Again there's nothing exceptionally remarkable about Tyler. But he's one big sweetheart. And he will protect Kyra at all cost and stay with her no matter what, even when being near her is putting himself in grave danger. He's the kind of boyfriend that your parents will totally approve (that is, if they don't get wary about his charming looks and dimples before they have a chance to really know him).

My favorite part? Besides various Kyra/Tyler scenes? I'd go for the ending. Ahh, the cliffhanger ending! You can't seriously end it like that! It's just completely acceptable! Okay it's actually perfectly acceptable. In fact if you ask my logical side, I'd say it's a pretty awesome ending for The Taking. But I just can't imagine waiting the next book for a year... no, more than a year. Because the next book will probably be released in April, 2015. The waiting! It's excruciating!

The Taking is a really nice book and I think everyone should give it a chance. Though I have some little problems with the concept of alien abduction, it's nothing major and the rest of the story is pretty good.

Rating: 8/10