The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

YA Science Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars

In a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction, seventeen-year-old Gene has only managed to survive by painstakingly concealing his true species. If the bloodthirsty creatures surrounding him knew what he really was—a human—he would be devoured swiftly and terribly.

When Gene is chosen to participate in the government-sponsored hunt for the last remaining humans, it thrusts him into the fight of his life—and into the path of a human girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible. Now, he must learn the art of the hunt and elude his fellow hunters whose suspicions about his true human nature are growing. But most importantly, Gene and the girl he loves must find a way to forge a life together in a brutal world that’s bent on their destruction.

First Thoughts: I recieved this ARC from St. Martin's and I was very interested in it. The cover is very good and I love how the front in night and the back is day. Very cool. The thing I like most about this is from the synopsis you can tell that this is a vampire novel only it's different from the rest. He is a human who is trying to hide from the vampires but in plain site because the vampires in this novel aren't the good guys.

Writing Style: I loved this writing style. I have literally no complaints. The only thing I could say is the writing didn't feel very young adult to me. That could be explained away though, the writing was more mature because Gene had no choice but to be mature. Andrew is so good with his descriptions it's hard not to imagine what it looks like, even during those times you really don't want to.

Characters: Gene is a great character for this type of novel. He is supposed to fit in a world he clearly doesn't fit in anymore. My problem's with him are more personal that what fits for the storyline. My personal opinion is that Gene is a horrible person, his father too. Live with the vampries? Pretend you are one of those monsters because you don't want to die? Turn away from your own kind? I found it disturbing. I couldn't stand it. I wanted to throw the novel down and give up because my own reflexes to protect those I love and never pretend to be someone I'm not kicked in. I didn't though and I'm glad I didn't because my opinion of him changed a bit towards the end. I still have that feeling though.

Final Thoughts: I could not stand this book. This is completely personal. It makes me think too much. What if this really happened to us? What if everyone turned into to vampires and started killing everyone? I couldn't stand it! If this was a movie I would never watch it because I would have nightmares. It reminds me of I am Legend and I was forced to watch that movie and it scared the crap out of me. But looking past that this was a great novel. Those people who love science fiction would get a real thrill out of reading this. They won't be able to put this down. It has everything you need in a science fiction novel. Thrill, excitement, terror, and it keeps you tearing at the pages just to see what could possibly happen next. So, even though I personally didn't like it I rated this novel for what it was without my personal opinion. My own personal review would be a three instead of a four.

Ascend by Amanda Hocking

Ascend (Trylle Trilogy #3) by Amanda Hocking

YA Fantasy

Rating: 5 Stars

Ascend... The final chapter in the Trylle Trilogy.

With a war looming on the horizon, Wendy’s fate seems sealed. But everything she sacrificed might be in vain if she can’t save the ones she loves. Her whole life has been leading up to this, and it’s all coming to an end.

First Thoughts: Like the two before it, this cover is awesome. I love the swirls behind the title. I love swirls in general. But anyway, synopsis was just as short as the last one. They didn't need to be long though. If the right voice read this synopsis it would send chills down your spine.

Writing Style: This part is kind of useless to me right now because the writing style is pretty much the same as the last book. So, I'm just going to move right on.

Characters: If you look back Wendy has grown up quite a lot. She started out as the child who gets expelled from school and acts like a brat to become a mature adult who ends up queen. She makes choices no one her age should have to choose. Mistakes that can be pretty bad but she owns up to those mistakes. I may not agree with the choices of this particular character but in the end she owned up to them and that's what's important.

Final Thoguhts: There were parts that I was like "How could she?" Honestly, Amanda did such a good job covering up the end game it was completely unpredictable. I can go ahead and tell you what I expected to happen or what I wanted but that would spoil everything for those who haven't read the series. The series was not disappointing. I loved it! A great addition to my list of favorite books. Amanda Hocking deserves all the things she is getting. She is an amazing writer and has a talent for making great stories.

Torn by Amanda Hocking

Torn (Trylle Trilogy #2) by Amanda Hocking

YA Fantasy

Rating: 5 Stars

Torn - the second book in the Trylle Trilogy...

Wendy thought she finally understood who she was and what she wanted, but everything changes when the rival Vittra come after her.

She's caught between two worlds, torn between love and duty, and she must decide what life she is going to lead.

First Thoughts: I am so in love with this cover! Well, actually all the covers.They are all so beautiful. The synopsis is kind of small for this one but honestly that doesn't matter. If you have read the first one you know just whats this small synopsis means and know that it's all you need.

Writing Style: I have the same thoughts for the writing in this one like I did for Switched. This one is probably even better than the first one. You can see how much Amanda has grown through the writing, through how much Wendy grew. Just like the first one, I read the reveiws and came up with two solutions for the bad reveiws. 1. They are talking about the self published version and not the new edited St. Martin's printed version. 2. Maybe I get so absorbed in her world that she created that I don't see what those other people see.

Characters: Wendy has grown so much from the first novel. She managed to keep the real part of her though. The one who didn't fit in and wouldn't let anyone sway her from her beliefs. Starting to get annoyed with Finn though. I guess all that makes me annoyed with him is what makes him who he is. Amanda has a way to make her characters seem real and make you want to reach in the book and slap them for not doing what you want them to do just like people do to the TV when they watch sports or a horror movie.

Final Thoughts: UGH! I was literally jumping for joy when I got this ARC. I felt like I was waiting forever to read the next in the series. I am proud to say it didn't disappoint. Like I have said, it's nice to read something other than vampires. It's not just vampires for me anymore, it's also predictable books. More and more books are becoming more and more predictable and it bugs me. This was no where near being predictable. I can't wait to finish the trilogy and read Ascend.

Halflings by Heather Burch

Halflings (Halflings #1) by Heather Burch

YA Paranormal

Rating: 4 Stars

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret---and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys' powers, as well as her role in a scientist's dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

First Thoughts: Angels are big thing lately so when I saw it on NetGalley I had to request it. The cover is OK, not fantastic but interesting enough. I knew that I would like this one by the synopsis though. It's got mystery and of course the love triangle. Can't have a teen paranormal romance novel without the triangle.

Writing Style: Heather is a fantastic writer. She truly is. She is very descriptive. Maybe a bit too descriptive if you ask me. There were so many comparisons. I think there is a line between being descriptive in your writing and overdoing it. This was certainly overdoing it. There were moments I was like "can we get back to the story? I don't want to hear how beautiful he is in fifty different ways." It got restless.

Characters: Nikki is like the weak strong girl. Does that make sense? She is a normal person who doesn't try too hard to be something she is not and does normal things. Only not normal thing about her is the weird things happening around her. I have to say Mace seems adorable and Raven seems like the bad boy but I felt like it was trying hard to be that way. Like it was forced, like the whole love triangle was forced. I honestly think it wasn't needed to make the story.

Final Thoughts: I loved this. There was action at every turn. I am still thinking about the possibilities of who Damon is and why are they after her. I don't think I will be able to stop thinking about it until I actually find out. I hate cliff hangers but it's not so bad for a writer. A true reader can't just stop reading. They have to know everything before they can move on. Cliff hangers keep them coming back, finding out what happens next is important. Can't wait to read the next one. I did have a problem reading this book though, it doesn't work on my ereader. It kept freezing it and I couldn't even turn it off. Just gave up and read it off my computer.