The New Dark by Lorraine Thomson ~ Review

Title: The New Dark (The Dark Times Trilogy #1)
Author: Lorraine Thomson
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Length: 221 pages
Publisher: Bastei Entertainment
Release Date: November 1, 2017
Source: NetGalley
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

"She thought she knew who she was and where she came from. Then her home was destroyed. Her brother lost amongst the ashes. And the boy she loves vanished. She owed her own survival to a mutant — the very forces behind the destruction. Now Sorrel will never be the same again."

There is no "Before", there is only "Now". Because now there’s no internet, no TV, no power grid. Food is scarce, and the world’s a hostile place. But Sorrel lives a quiet life in the tiny settlement of Amat. It’s all she’s ever known ...

Until a gang of marauding mutants destroys the village, snatching her brother Eli, and David, her boyfriend. Sorrel sets out after them, embarking on a journey fraught with danger. Can she survive? The only thing that keeps her going is Eli and David. They are out there somewhere. They must be alive. And if she has her way, she will find them.

**********

The New Dark introduces an interesting, if confusing, world. A world where there is no technology and humans live in small villages working to survive. When a group of mutants attack Sorrel's village and kidnap those they don't kill, Sorrel follows them trying to rescue her little brother and David. This is a physical journey as well as a symbolic one. Sorrel will have to leave behind not just her innocent life in the village, but her prejudices and fears as well. When she arrives at the largest city she's ever seen, she will discover that not all humans are good and not all mutants are bad. The trick is trying to tell which is which.

This story was a bit of a mixed bag for me. At times very exciting and I couldn't get enough, others it began to drag and I feel like the pacing could have been spaced more effectively. While I enjoyed Sorrel's journeys, I feel as if she never actually accomplished anything in the first book. Every step forward, every ally made, meant one step back and an ally lost. I didn't have a sense of hope at the end of the first book to make me look forward to the second.

*I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book*

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The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood ~ Review

Title: The Handmaid's Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Genre: Adult, Dystopia
Length: 311 pages
Publisher: Anchor Books
Release Date: March 16, 1985
Source: Purchased
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now...

**********

I read this book a long time ago. With the recent rise of making mini-series for books on NetFlix, Hulu, and prime cable channels, book club selected it so they could read it before watching (at least most of them did). I loved having a chance to pick this incredible story up again. The TV show was quite different the further I got into it. It was a great way of highlighting things that I “liked” better or worse between the two and opened a whole new conversation about the events as well.

Most of you will know the basics of the story – a dystopian somewhat futuristic society that has reverted to extreme religious views (of a sort) and certain class of young fertile women are related to basically be breeding stock for the military higher-ups and the elite. Not a very pleasant situation.

I think what I enjoyed most about the book was the ending – so I won’t say too much other than it surprised me. It’s quite open-ended, which I usually don’t like. But in this case, it just seemed to fit. I highly recommend this book – and it seems to be a quite fitting read in our current political climate as well.

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Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine ~ Review

Title: Ash and Quill (The Great Library #3)
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Fantasy
Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 11, 2017
Source: Purchased
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Words can kill.

Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny…

Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.

Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library… 

**********

Out of the frying pan into the fire is what they say, and that's pretty much how Ash and Quill start. Rescued only to become someone else's prisoners. Leaving London, the group flees to Philadelphia, the home of the rebels. You would think they'd fit in here, but there is more than one way to rebel against the library and Philadelphia isn't doing it the right way.

Philadelphia is under siege by the Library, and has been for quite some time. This part of the story isn't pretty at all. Injuries abound, and the team is torn between doing what is right and doing what will get them out. Jess has to make some big decisions, but Morgan really stole the show for me. 

Morgan is really starting to understand her Obscurist powers and what they can do. And she is powerful. But that power comes at a cost that is really high. It also means she has to keep secrets, which doesn't sit well with the rest of them. But they have their secrets as well. I'm not sure what Jess and the group are going to do next, but I can't wait to find out.

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Defiance Rising by Amy Miles ~ Review

Title: Defiance Rising (Rising Trilogy #1)
Author: Amy Miles
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Length: 328 Pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: November 2012
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 2 Stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Illyria has never known a life without the Rebellion.

Instinct.

Survival.

Nothing else matters…until she ventures out into unknown territory and is faced with an enemy that proves even more fierce and determined than she ever thought. 

Bastien is infuriating, dangerous and annoyingly gorgeous. Eamon is familiar, comforting and turning into a man before her eyes. Both want her heart...but she is torn between duty and desire. When her choice affects all of mankind, how can she allow herself to be selfish?

There is a power within her that can change everyone’s fate…but she underestimated the most potent force on Earth—love. Illyria must discover if she has the strength to sacrifice her heart to save mankind.

I generally love a good sci-fi dystopia, but this one fell a little flat for me. It got off to a great start, but I quickly stopped enjoying Illyria's sarcastic attitude that seemed to pervade every conversation she had. Her first trip to the city left me tons of questions - in a good way - it was very well done. But I disliked Bastian as well. He became far too brooding and moody for my tastes. Eamon, on the other hand, just never seemed to get it. There was no development, and I felt very little emotion from him.

The love triangle seems neverending. I don't mind a little hesitation or conflict between what is confortable and what is new and exciting, but Illyria seems to choose wrong every step of the way. And what's worse is she seems to know it! But just keeps going anyways! I really couldn't relate to her at all.

The world building was a lot of fun. I loved the conflict with the aliens and the history that we learn as the story continues. It was quite fascinating. It's just hard to enjoy a story when you can't seem to like the main characters.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Sovereign Social Protocol by Bernadette Allen ~ Review

Title: Sovereign Social Protocol: Life and Death in the Council
Author: Bernadette Allen
Genre: Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Length: 109 Pages
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: December 29, 2015
Source: Review Request
Rating: 2 Stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Do You Believe That The Government Has Your Best Interests in Mind? This Dystopian Thriller Will Make You Think Twice!

In 2084, Aaron Trudeau is about to graduate college and enter the real world. As he learns that most everyone is blinded by the government's accomplishments, Aaron seems to have more and more doubts. He signs up to join the SSP, Sovereign Social Protocol, better known as "The Council," more out of defiance than a civic duty. As he treads deeper into the SSP, his covert plan derails as he discovers there are more horrific practices than even the SSP could imagine.

If you've been looking for an exciting new dystopian thriller, this is it! Sovereign Social Protocol will leave you so enthralled that you won't be able to put it down once you start.

Great world concept. This dytopia almost sounds like a utopia at first - but isn't that how they all seem to begin? With The Council in control of everything - no one really needs to do anything, except agree and fall in line. This book is about what happens when you don't quite agree, and you don't fall in line.

Unfortunately, the actual story just didn't live up to expectations. Aaron is almost childlike at times - ruining his college age character and the way I veiwed him throughout the story. Towards the end of this book I did see a bit of a more analytical problem solving adult start to come through, but it took a long time to get there.

The story line is a little jumpy, but it does move along nicely. There is action, sci-fi, and even some good family drama. It was a bit jumpy at times, it seemed like some scene breaks weren't included and it made some of the transitions a bit hard to follow.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Chosen Soldiers by R.H. Scott ~ Book Spotlight

Title: Chosen Soldiers 

Author: R.H. Scott 

Release Date: February 9, 2016 

Publisher: Harper Voyager 

Genre: YA Dystopian/Thriller 

After the missiles tore up the Earth, societies crumbled, leaving scattered patches of humanity struggling to survive. Slowly, a group came together, helping each other regrow a world worth living in.

And then the Others attacked.

Realizing the need to truly protect themselves, they formed the Academy: a place where young people could be built into an elite military force. The training is intense…and so are the consequences for failure. Sloan Radcliffe is not a failure.

In fact, she’s the best of the best—the girls’ Senior Champion—and the only one who can match her is matched to her: her betrothed, Jared Dawson. They are the perfect couple: exemplary fighters, pure leaders, and exceptional role models. But as their time at the Academy draws to a close, Sloan is starting to see signs that maybe their life is built upon secrets…and that secrets are never a strong foundation.

With the battlefront looming and whispers growing louder, Sloan is caught up not only between her loyalties to her people, but also to the man she loves.

 A combination of military sci-fi and dystopian thriller, R. H. Scott’s Chosen Soldiers is an intense look at a young woman’s world shattering under the weight of its own illusions.

Meet the Author:

R.H. Scott, born 1991, has spent the better part of her life travelling with her mother and sisters. Having lived on three continents by the age of 21, she developed a unique interest in differing societies and psychology. Scott completed a Bachelor of Arts Sociology & Socio-Legal Studies and is currently working on her MSc Experimental Psychology. The granddaughter of two published authors, writing has been a lifelong passion, and outside of her academic endeavors, Miss Scott writes full time, enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and reading.

 

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Tour Schedule

Monday, February 8 - Book featured at Reader Girls

Thursday, February 11 - Book featured at Born to Read Books

Friday, February 12 - Book featured at Hot Off the Shelves

________

Monday, February 15 - Interviewed at The Review From Here

Tuesday, February 16 - Guest blogging at Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

Wednesday, February 17 - Interviewed at Literal Exposure

Thursday, February 18 - Book featured at Bound 2 Escape

Friday, February 19 - Book featured at CBY Book Club

________

Monday, February 22 - Book featured at Rambling Reviews

February 23 - Interviewed at I'm Shelf-ish

February 24 - Book reviewed at Wishful Endings

February 25 - Interviewed at PUYB Virtual Book Club

________

Monday, February 29 - Book featured at A Title Wave

Wednesday, March 2 - Book featured at Ali the Dragonslayer

Thursday, March 3 - Book featured at Around the World in Books

Friday, March 4 - Interviewed at Voodoo Princess

The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent - Review

Title: The Stars Never Rise (The Stars Never Rise #1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Urban Fantasy
Length: 368 Pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago. 

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

Holy cow! This story line takes zombies, demons, and the church to a whole new level. Nina and Mellie are a bit of a mess. They try to blend in the best they can so the church doesn't notice them and punish them for one of many many sins. These aren't your typical sins - we're talking about curiosity and asking questions being major sins. And the punishments aren't pleasant.

But Mellie really messes up one day, and suddenly all eyes are on their family. Their family that is living in "sin". But that's not the only thing. Suddenly Nina is capable of doing strange things and demon-infested husks of people are trying to track her down. There definitely isn't a lack of action in this one.

The church plays a super important role in this story - and it isn't a typical church. The church is the government and rule with a iron fist. there may be a group willing to help, but first Nina has to survive on the run from all the powers that be.

One of the most unique world concepts I've seen in awhile. Pulling together a multitude of lore and weaving it seamlessly together to form something that you can't get enough of. There is a slight cliffhanger for an ending. Most of the ties are wrapped up, but there is one big one that will leave you hanging.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Astral Tide (Otherborn #2) by Anna Silver

Title: Astral Tide (Otherborn #2)
Author: Anna Silver
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: February 24, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

London and her friends are fugitives in a reprocessed world where anything New is illegal. But as Otherborn, they’re different. They can dream and create, which hasn’t gone unnoticed. After fleeing Capital City with an assassin on their heels, the Otherborn found nothing went according to plan. Now, they are down by two and on the run in the Outroads, but the Tycoons keep mysteriously gaining on them. And seven months later, London is no closer to her promise to go back for Rye, if there is anything left to go back for. But Zen is teaching London that there may be more to her heart than the pieces she left behind, and London can’t help but feel guilty about not looking back since they fled New Eden. Should she hold on to hope that Rye is more than just a memory, or embrace a new life and love with Zen?

In their race to outrun their enemies, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: they can only run for so long. Eventually, they’ll have to face what waits when the road runs out. Eventually, their fates will catch up to them.

This was a fantastic sequel.  The story picks up as London and her friends are on the run from New Eden, the tycoon paradise.  After discovering a betrayal, they are all a little out of sort and quite confused about what to do next.  There is tons of drama and excitement all the way through, and lots of development for the story line and the characters.

London's Otherborn skills need some work, but once she puts her mind to maxing out her abilities, she accomplishes some pretty amazing things.  The Otherborn "disease" of dreaming seems to be spreading, but the tycoons are dead set on stopping it and preserving their way of life.  London plays quite a key role and so much is going on that it's hard to really talk about it without giving away key parts of the story.

I love that the author isn't afraid to have her characters go through some pretty drastic changes.  It made them all so very real and at the end it gave me an enormous surprise (along with a cliffhanger)!!  Be prepared to read this book quickly, you won't want to put it down.

Review: Otherborn (Otherborn #1)

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Review: Otherborn (Otherborn #1) by Anna Silver

Title: Otherborn (Otherborn #1)
Author: Anna Silver
Source: Contest Win
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: April 4, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

London and her teenage friends live in a reprocessed world.

Confined within Capital City’s concrete walls, London has done the impossible and the illegal. She’s created something New- a song. But her mentor, club owner Pauly, is not impressed. Since the historic Energy Crisis forced everyone behind walls generations ago, the Tycoons have ensured there is truly nothing new allowed under the sun. Pauly warns London to keep her song to herself, if she knows what’s good for her. 

What he doesn’t know is that London is keeping an even bigger secret: she dreams. And she’s not alone. London’s band-mates and friends have begun dreaming as well, seeing themselves in “night pictures” as beings from another world. As Otherborn, they must piece together the story of their astral avatars, the Others, in order to save their world from a dreamless, hopeless future. 

When Pauly is murdered and an Otherborn goes missing, London realizes someone is hunting them down. Escaping along the Outroads, they brave the deserted Houselands with only their dreams to guide them. Can they find their friend before the assassin finds them? Will being Otherborn save their lives, or destroy them?

I really loved Anna Silver's idea of what a dystopian society would be like.  I couldn't imagine trying to live in a world where nothing was new.  Now I'm not just talking about physical items.  Creativity is gone - no new songs, new ideas, new books (perish the thought).  Then London writes a new song - this is the big turning point and all hell begins to break loose.  And she's not just creating - she's also dreaming (another thing that no longer happens to anyone).  She gathers a group of other teenagers that also dream and they discover their dreams are more than just that - they are connections to another place, time, and people.

There is a great mix of action and discovery in this story.  There is always something going on, but sometimes it's an internal realization or group conversation.  There is also a "high speed" car chase, a shoot out, and several instances of running for their lives.  A good combination to reach out to a variety of readers.

London is our main character and is very well developed.  She is constantly evolving based on what she sees in her dreams and experiences around her.  The rest of the crew does not seem to evolve as much, and I really wish I had seen a little more from them.  Maybe in the next book they will shine a bit more.  The Tycoons are the controllers of everything and a character unto themselves.  They are this ominous figure always looming in the background.  Their physical absence from most of the story only made them more mysterious and foreboding.

I love a unique dystopian story, and with the genre exploding they can be hard to find.  This one really fit the bill, and if those side characters had just had a tad more depth it would have gotten five stars.

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Review: Relic (Books of Eva #1) by Heather Terrell

Title: Relic (Books of Eva #1)
Author: Heather Terrell
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: October 28, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

The truth will test you...

For fans of Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games: high fantasy and dystopia meet in this high-stakes tale of a civilization built on lies and the girl who single-handedly brings it down.

When Eva’s twin brother, Eamon, falls to his death just a few months before he is due to participate in The Testing, no one expects Eva to take his place. She’s a Maiden, slated for embroidery classes, curtseys, and soon a prestigious marriage befitting the daughter of an Aerie ruler. But Eva insists on honoring her brother by becoming a Testor. After all, she wouldn’t be the first Maiden to Test, just the first in 150 years.

Eva knows the Testing is no dance class. Gallant Testors train for their entire lives to search icy wastelands for Relics: artifacts of the corrupt civilization that existed before The Healing drowned the world. Out in the Boundary Lands, Eva must rely on every moment of the lightning-quick training she received from Lukas—her servant, a Boundary native, and her closest friend now that Eamon is gone.

But there are threats in The Testing beyond what Lukas could have prepared her for. And no one could have imagined the danger Eva unleashes when she discovers a Relic that shakes the Aerie to its core.

This book was fantastic.  Have you ever imagines what people will think 100 years from now as they dig up our "artifacts" and study them?  What would they think of our culture and all the things we use - especially when technology no longer exists.  This is a glimpse into one of those possible worlds.  

The Aerie has become a refuge for those that survived the Cleansing - a great flood that destroyed the world.  Their laws and traditions are very strict - no one wants to fall prey to the same flaws that destroyed the previous civilization.  But when Eva leaves to go on The Testing - a search for artifacts and an understanding of them, her eyes open to new possibilies and she begins to question.

This wasn't an overly adventurous story - it had its moments of action and excitement, but it was a more thoughtful book than many young adults I've read.  The story line was very intriguing and captivating.  The characters were unique and stood out even amongst each other.  The big reveal at the end of the book was very very big!  It was something I didn't really see coming and has me anticipating what will happen in book two.

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Review: Uninvited by (Uninvited #1 by Sophie Jordan)

Title: Uninvited (Uninvited #1)
Author: Sophie Jordan
Source: Amazon Vine
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Comparing this book to The Scarlet Letter and Minority Report was spot on.  As the government begins testing for HTS (Homicidal Tendency Syndrome) and branding people with the syndrome that have reported done anything even slightly violent, Davy finds herself caught up in the net.  Kicked our of her private school because here DNA has tested positive, she is sent to "the cage" - along with 5 other carriers.

Davy's story was brilliantly written.  Her shock, shame, and confusion of her suddenly changed circumstances.  As she meets new carriers and discovers that there are others that are just like her - branded without reason - and others that have embraced their status letting their baser insticts take over.  Sean seems to straddle the line between the two.  A seemingly violent person, yet different than the others in his reasons for letting it out.

I was amazed at how quickly this book took over my day and I had a very difficult time stopping.  At the end we have a semblence of a resolution, but I can tell there is so much more to be told still.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

The final chapter of The Hunger Games doesn't hold anything back.  Katniss doesn't understand why she is alive and hiding out in District 13 while Peeta is held captive by the Capital.  The small underground rebellion that has been slowly building has only needed a figure head - and they have just the thing when Katness becomes "The Mockingjay".  With this boost of morale, what was once a small time survival operation turns into a full scale revolution - declaring war on the Capital and all it stands for, bringing the battle straight to their doorstep.

Not to stray from the theme of the games and the arena - Mockingjay keeps the tradition true in a very different yet even more deadly way.  The very streets and cities of Panem become a giant arena with tools designed by the Gamemakers set like booby traps.  With Mutts (animal/human mutations) on the loose there is a lot of death to go around.  With this setup there is non-stop action on every page, making it incredibly difficult to put the book down for any reason.

The relationship between Peeta and Katniss and Gale becomes even more strained times a million.  Katniss is lost enough trying to understand who she is not, let alone what each of these amazing men mean to her.   Don't worry romance fans, there is a HEA with one of them.  This was a stunning conclusion that I couldn't stop talking about when I was done.  This entire series will definitely be added to my must re-read shelf.

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Blog Tour Review: The Polaris Uprising by Jennifer Ibarra

Title: The Polaris Uprising (Polaris #1)
Author: Jennifer Ibarra
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia
Release Date: October 30, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

In less than seven years, eighteen-year-old Ryla Jensen will succeed her father as the president of Neress, a nation where all citizens are cared for from the moment they’re born. Fed, sheltered, even educated—every need of theirs is met. 

The only price they pay is their free will.

Groomed since childhood to take on a role she’s not even sure she wants, Ryla’s only escape from the pressures of duty is her sister, Alanna. But when her eyes are opened to the oppressive regime her father built, she begins to question everything she’s set to inherit—and finds herself at odds with her sister’s blind allegiance to their father.

Torn between loyalty to her family and the fight for freedom, Ryla must decide just how far she’s willing to go to make a stand and risk losing the person she loves most in the world: Alanna.

The Polaris Uprising is one of the best science fiction books I've read in a long time.  Ryla and Alanna were fascinating characters and I grew to love them both.  Ryla is set to inherit the role of President from her father.  She is being groomed to follow in his shoes and to make the tough decisions without looking back....but when she finds out the type of decisions her father has been making she has second thoughts.  She realizes how opressive her father's rule has been, and what people are being made to give up every day.

Alanna, on the other hand, is there to support her father (and by default her sister), but when the two collide her loyalties will be tested - she will have some of the most difficult decisions to make.  In an amazing and dystopian world full of just enough fancy technology to make it new, and just enough humanity to keep you locked into every page I finished this book in record time.

While the book does not end in a cliff hanger - I am eagerly waiting the next one so I can see how everyone's choices will play out.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Tour Schedue

February 17th

-Buried Under Books

-My Seryniti

-Laura in Bookland

-Never Judge a Book by it’s Movie

-Livingbetweenbooks

February 18th

-Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

-Word to Dreams

-The Book Addict’s Ramblings

-Booky Thoughts and Me

-Darkmotive’s Books and More

-Lily Pond Reads

February 19th

-Lost in Ever After 

-The Nighttime Novelist

-Leeanna.me

-Choc-o-Lit Chick

-Live a Thousand Lives

-Howling Books and Design

February 20th

-Gigi’s Book Blog

-Becky on Books

-Sleepless Reads

-Writer Person

-We Live and Breathe Books

February 21st

-Bookwyrming Thoughts 

-Oops! I Read A Book Again

-We’re All Mad Here

-Donnie Darko Girl

-Hot Off the Shelves

-Raizza’s Book Blogging Adventure

-My Full Bookshelf Reviews

February 22nd

-Suzy Turner, YA Author

-A Little Bit of R&R

-Simplistic Reviews

-Dalene’s Book Reviews

-Kerrie Ann S – Writing for Life

-Fabulous and Fun