[Audiobook Review] Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Darkest Minds
Alexandra Bracken
December 18th, 2012
Hyperion Books for Children


Amazon/Book Depository/B&N


 

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that's killed most of America's children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she's on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her-East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.

This is one of those books I had sitting in my TBL list on my audible shelf.  A few weeks ago I felt compelled to give it a go.  Boy Howdy, I can honestly say I don't know why I waited so because this book was amazing.  It had everything I love in a good listen:  dystopian society, psychic kids, and of course romance (hey you know I got to have the love). 

Darkest Minds is set in a very near future where the kids have gotten sick with a virus and are dying.  Those that have survived are left with side effects of a physic nature.  They are called Psy Kids because they are now genetically altered.  There are different types of Psy Kids some have mind control, some can control electricity, and some have telekinesis.  The best way I can compare it is like the Xmen.  The country is scared because their kids are dying the ones left have powers that can't be explained.  The president in an attempt to appease the people rounds up the Psy Kids and places them in rehabilitation camps.  For their own good of course but these camps are really nothing more than glorified prisons.   One girl, Ruby, has been in locked in a camp for six years and dreams of a way out.  So, when offered a chance at escape even if it comes with a price she jumps at it.  Soon she learns that the people who helped her escape are no better than her captors.  She runs away and meets up with three other kids on the run.  All they want to do is go home.  But sometimes you can't ever go home again and this is a lesson Ruby has to learn because she has a secret that could destroy everything. 

The first thing I loved about Darkest Minds was the world building.  I loved the idea of a United States that can't pay the national debt that society crumbles and falls while the government struggles to maintain control.  Of course, there will always be scapegoats aka the Psy Kids to distract the people while the government tightens its hold.  I have seen this before in history with other countries and it usually gets worse before it gets better.  It is always terrifying to think it about happening to you.  That is why I loved the world so much because it was scary but at the same time so real.  It's that fear that keeps the Psy Kids in camps, people living on the streets and the President in office for sixteen years.

I liked how Ruby never knew who the monsters were.    My heart broke in two for Ruby when her past is revealed and you find out how she ended up in the camps.  I am hoping more will be revealed in the next book because there were a lot unanswered questions.  Also, my heart broke again for her when in the end she had to choose between the lesser of two evils to save the boy she loves.  This book was filled with emotion and I loved every minute.  Most of all, I loved how Ruby grows from a scared girl into a warrior despite all the gut wrenching sacrifices she has to make. 

I highly recommend Darkest Minds whether you read it or listen to like I did.  If you choose to listen to it Amy McFadden does a great job as the narrator.  I think she really captures Ruby's emotions and really brings them home for the listener.  She does a great job with the different voices.  In the end, Darkest Minds had it all: romance, heart break, murder and mayhem.  I, for one can't wait to find out how events unfold in the next book Never Fade.  I am glad my wait is not long because it comes out in a couple of weeks.  I am giving Darkest Minds five laser pistols because it really is a supernova.

[ARC Review] Bound by Night by Larissa Ione

 

Bound by Night

The Moonbound Clan Vampires #1

Larissa Ione
September 24, 2013
Pocket Books 

ARC Provided by Publisher via Netgalley  

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

Nicole Martin was only eight years old when she narrowly survived a massacre: her family’s vampire slaves rebelled and killed everyone in her household. Twenty years later, Nicole now dedicates herself to finding a vaccine against vampirism…and eradicating the gruesome memories that give her nightmares.

Riker, a member of the wild vampire Moon Clan, is haunted by his own demons—his wife Lorraine had been captured and enslaved by the Martin family. It was during a botched escape attempt that she was killed, along with their unborn child. Still wracked with grief and anger, Riker is now fueled solely by the desire to rescue vampire slaves…and slaughter their owners.

When Riker stumbles upon Nicole in a chance meeting, he immediately recognizes her as a member of the Martin family that once enslaved his wife—and she recognizes him as the wild vampire she saw kissing a pregnant slave in the moments before her violent death—an image that has haunted her dreams for years.

When Riker kidnaps Nicole and they spend a night together in a cave on the way back to his clan, suddenly they begin to realize that they aren’t as different from one another as they may have thought—and they’re finding themselves drawn to one another…

Have you ever read a book that you can't put down? That is how Bound by Night was for me. This book was one of those books I picked up on my day off and got lost in the world. All I wanted to do was stay home and finish the story. I loved the world building of Bound by Night so much that it was that easy to immerse myself and not want to come up for air.

Bound by Night is about a woman whose family owns vampire slaves and her father, and later her half brother, run a company that does medical research on vampires as well. When Nicole is only ten years old her family's vampire slaves revolt, killing her family. She is lucky to make it out scarred but alive, or at least that is what everyone tells her. Now, years later, the vampires are after her again and they want one of their own back who has been kidnapped by her company. Nicole doesn't know anything about the missing vampire so Riker takes her as leverage to bargain with her brother.

So the story itself is nothing new, a woman scared of vampires and a vampire who hates humans. Can they put aside their differences to explore the attraction they both feel? Will they be able to heal the hurts of the past to let love in? I have seen the story before but what makes this book is the world building. I was fascinated by a world in which vampires existed and humans enslaved them. They defanged them, demoralized them, and gelded them like animals. They used them for testing to cure diseases and many humans forget that they used to be human. That vampires while scary just want what any creature wants: to love, live, and to be left alone. I liked that there are monsters on both sides and good guys on both sides. I liked that in this world everything isn't black and white. In this world vampires started with Native Americans. I loved the background and the origin stories explained. I liked that even years later in vampire clans the Native American roots still run strong. Even in Riker and Nicole's story I liked watching Nicole heal and become strong. Riker was able to let go and love again.

In the end I give Bound by Night four laser pistols. This book was fascinating, a little cheesy (but I loved it), and hot, hot, hot. It had everything I like in a good paranormal romance. The ending leaves it open for more books in this world and I can't wait to read it. This is my third Larissa Ione book I have read and really liked. I can honestly say I am now a fan and she is on my auto buy list now. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Sheeilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series or J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series because I know if you love these you will like Bound by Night as much as I did.

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[Review] Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

 

Against the Ropes

Sarah Castille
September 3, 2013
Sourcebooks Casablanca

Amazon/Book Depository/B&N

He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more...

Makayla never thought she'd set foot in an elite mixed martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it's these guys. Then again, at her first sight of the club's owner, she's the one feeling breathless.

The man they call Torment is all sleek muscle and restrained power. Whether it's in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when a soft touch is required and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he's about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined...

I just finished Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille and my first thought was, 'That was a light and entertaining read.' The book is about Mac, a young college grad who takes a job selling tickets at an underground fight club to get a little extra money. At this fight she meets the owner who runs the club, Torment, or Max to his friends. When they lock eyes it is insta-attraction and they start seeing each other. There are things in both their pasts that make it hard to move forward in their relationship. The book is about can they make it work.

For me there were parts of the book that made me laugh. Mac's wacky friends Amanda and the whole waxing part made me laugh. I loved that the fighters in Max's club became more like family to Mac and their antics made me smile. There are parts that made me cringe. Max's over protective side was sometimes too much. Mac didn't like being controlled so she would push and do the crazy things anyway, think Bella in New Moon. Max likes the kink in bedroom and the violence would be too much for Mac and she would freak out. Both of them got hurt feelings over this. At this point I remember thinking both of them just need to see a therapist and stop playing games. The whole part with the debt collector was unrealistic. Her friends were like just pay him because I know a guy who was stalked by one. Her friend Amanda the lawyer was like if he tries, then take him to court. Um, no, if he tries call the police then take him to court. I don't know any that comes to your house, it's unrealistic.

In the end Against the Ropes was entertaining. It ended up being a nice read. There were funny parts, sexy steamy parts, and parts that seems unrealistic. I give this book three laser pistols. While it didn't blow me away, I didn't feel like I wasted my time either. This is a good book to read when you want something light to read on a weekend afternoon.