Book Review: Glitch

Title: Glitch (Goodreads)
Author: Heather Anastasiu (Website | Blog | Twitter)
Series: Glitch #1
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: August 7th 2012
Rating: 4.5/5 Noodles
Source: from publisher via netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | The Book Depository

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

** A copy was provided by St. Martin's Griffin via Netgalley ** 

Dystopian, superpowers and love. A book full of actions, romance and twists. A book with awesome characters. A book with a great story. A book with a beautiful world-building. If you're searching for a great book, then you should read this one. 

A community where secrets were forbidden. A community where people weren't capable of secrets. A community where people can't feel. It is really interesting, isn't it? 

Zoe was the perfect protagonist for this book. She drives the book so well. She was really strong and she is willing to do anything for the people in community. Zoe was the character that you will be instantly connected. But there are some moments that I feel annoyed with her. The moment where she was blaming herself for Daavd. But it doesn't affect my love for this novel, haha. At first, Zoe can't control her power, but as the story goes on, she became stronger and she can now control her power. 

And hello there Adrien! Adrien was the perfect love interest for Zoe. Nah, I don't like Max for her. Adrien was strong and willing to do to help Zoe and the other 'glitchers' and also the whole community. Adrien was the one who open the eyes of Zoe to see the truth about her 'perfect' community. And there was Max, the boy who was obsessed with Zoe. He wants Zoe to love him as he loves her. He was hungry for love and power. All I can say is that I HATE him! Heather Anastasiu made him perfectly annoying. XD

This book was full of actions from first page up to the last page and it was fast paced. All the twists and turns of this book made me a non-stop reader. The world was really awesome. All the creepy technologies added a beautiful touch in this novel. 

Overall, the book was really enjoyable. And the book was the right kind for me. Fantasy and dystopia? Well, I'm in with that one. It was really great, but the rest of the stories were the usual dystopian. Abusive government and the protagonist will join the group of people who were against with the government. But still it was really great and it was one of my best reads so far. :D


Cover: I really loved the cover. The colors are beautiful and the typography is really awesome. 5/5 for cover ;D

My actual rating is 4.5 but I rounded it off, haha. :D

Book Review: Fire Study

Title: Fire Study (Goodreads | Website)
Author: Maria Snyder (Website | Blog | Facebook)
Series: Study #3
Publisher: Mira Books
Published date: January 16th 2009
Pages: 441 pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5 Noodles

From Goodreads:

The apprenticeship is over
Now the real test has begun

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder — able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.…

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

****

Poison Study (Study #1) Review | Magic Study (Study #2) Review

This book is action packed! Adventures? Check! Magic? Check! Great characters? Check! Romance? Check! Villains? Check! This is better than Poison Study and Magic Study. This is awesome! 

Characters are still awesome. Snyder did a great job in making the characters better without changing their personalities. Yelena is braver and smarter in this book. Valek is still awesome. Yelena plus Valek equals awesomeness.

This book is full of twists. While reading this you'll be shocked because of the revelations of different characters and everything. There's no dull moment in this book. Oh,  thank you so much, Snyder for making this awesome series.

This is awesome book. This is a kind of book that will stay in my mind and heart forever. This really deserves a 5 out of 5 noodles. I will read the Glass Series by Maria Snyder soon. I hope it's good as this series or better. :)) 

 

Favorite Quotes:

“There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow.” 

“You asked how I can be so calm. I don't have time not to be. I would like to grieve and worry and carry on, but that doesn't achieve results.” 

“You should know what happens when you play with fire, Cahil. Eventually, you'll get burned.”  

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Book Review: Magic Study

Title: Magic Study (Goodreads | Website)
Author: Maria Snyder (Website | Blog | Facebook)
Series: Study #2
Publisher: Mira Books
Published date: May 16th 2008
Pages: 419 pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5 Noodles

From Goodreads:

You know your life is bad when you miss your days as a poison taster...

With an execution order on her head, Yelena has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of her birth. With only a year to master her magic - or face death - Yelena must begin her apprenticeship and travels to the Four Towers of the Magician's Keep.

But nothing in Sitia is familiar. Not the family to whom she is a stranger. Not the unsettling new facets of her magic. Nor the brother who resents her return. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her rare powers, a rogue magician emerges - and Yelena catches his eye.

Suddenly she is embroiled in battle of good against evil. And once again it will be her magical abilities that will either save her life...or be her downfall.

****

Poison Study (Study #1) Review | Fire Study (Study #3) Review

In Magic Study, Yelena arrives in the Zaltana Homestead to be reunited with her family. Being with her family is not easy as ABC, not all of her family accepted her. Her brother, Leif, accuse her that she's an Ixian spy and that's why the other clan members kinda hate her. Magic Study follows Yelena's journey to Citadel to learn her magical abilities. This book is not only about magic and adventures. It also shows to readers how important family is.

Firstly, Yelena didn't change. She's still strong and brave. I admire her because of her willingness to help Tula and Opal. Valek is awesome in different ways: (1) the way he disguised himself as another person and no one recognized him except Yelena. (2) The way he sneaked into Yelena's room. (3) Lastly, the way he pop in and pop out where Yelena is. Oh btw, Kiki is my favorite character. XD

The story is well-made! The magic, the soul stealing and other strange magical abilities make the book better and fun to read.

Overall, this book is better than first! Full of twists and revelations. Full of awesome characters. Full of awesome magic tricks. Full of awesome horses (LOL!). Hey, Snyder! I want to tell you that you made a perfect book. This is another great book I've ever read. This really deserves a 5 noodles rating!

 

Favorite Quotes:

“Living is a risk," I snapped at him. "Every decision, every interaction, every step, every time you get out of bed in the morning, you take a risk. To survive is to know you're taking that risk and to not get out of bed clutching illusions of safety.” 

“When I carved this, my thoughts were on you, love. Your life is like this snake's coils. No matter how many turns it makes, you'll end up back where you belong. With me.” 

“Don't feel ashamed for having those feelings and those memories. What happened in the past can't be changed, but they can be a guide for what happens in the future.” 

“Your fear remains strong. You are not ready to face your story, preferring instead to surround yourself with knots. Someday, they will strangle you.”  

Book Review: Poison Study

Title: Poison Study (Goodreads | Website)
Author: Maria Snyder (Website | Blog | Facebook)
Series: Study #1
Publisher: Mira Books
Published date: September 21st 2007
Pages: 409 pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 4.5/5 Noodles

From Goodreads:

Choose:
A quick death
Or slow poison...

Yelena has a choice – be executed for murder, or become food taster to the Commander of Ixia. She leaps at the chance for survival, but her relief may be short-lived.

Life in the palace is full of hazards and secrets. Wily and smart, Yelena must learn to identify poisons before they kill her, recognise whom she can trust and how to spy on those she can’t. And who is the mysterious Southern sorceress who can reach into her head?

When Yelena realises she has extraordinary powers of her own, she faces a whole new problem, for using magic in Ixia is punishable by death...

****

Magic Study (Study #2) Review | Fire Study (Study 3) Review

Poison Study is one of the best YA book I've ever read. This is awesome.

First of all, I love Yelena because she's like Katniss. She's strong and brave. Yelena is only one of the great characters in this book. There is Valek, who can fight 3 people even if he's drunk, Valek who killed many people. Valek is a great character because he's strong person but you can see his soft side. Ari and Janco are my favorite secondary characters. They are the one who teach Yelena how to become strong. Snyder is awesome to make this kind of characters. Oh, I hate Margg, by the way.

The story is unique, great and well-made. Full of secrets, revelations and twists. The book is addicting, if you started to read the book, it's hard to stop. The story of commander is really unique for me. I must say this book is really great.

Overall, this book is really awesome. My actual rating is 4.5, but I rounded it off and gave it 5/5 instead, hahaha. You should read this book!

 

Favorite Quotes:

“Everyone makes choices in life. Some bad, some good. It's called living, and if you want to bow out, then go right ahead. But don't do it halfway. Don't linger in whiner's limbo.” 

“Sieges weathered, fight together, friends forever.”  

“Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust, even harder,”

Book Review: Divergent

Title: Divergent (Browse Inside Divergent)
Author: Veronica Roth (Website/Blog | Tumblr | Twitter)
Series: Divergent #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Published date: May 2011
Pages: 487 pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5 Noodles

From Goodreads:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

****

If you love the Hunger Games Trilogy, then you should read this.

This book is really unique. The idea of different factions is new to me. I've never read any book with that idea. The idea of having different personality in each faction is unique. Each faction had different roles in the society (eg., Abnegation for government). My favorite faction is Amity, I like to live in this world peacefully like Amity. I think I can't live in Abnegation because they're so selfless. Hahaha. You can't talk while having dinner in Abnegation, I can't do that, I'm so talkative. Hahaha.

Characters are simply awesome. Let's start with Tris. Tris was another bad-ass character. She stands for what is right. She fights for what she believes. She faces all the challenges that were given to her. She can do anything, even it's dangerous, for her friends, for her loved ones. Four is another awesome character. He was strong, and he can do everything for Tris. I also liked Uriah. He was so funny, and he makes me smile if he's on the scene. I wish he had a little romance with Tris. Hahaha. 

The plot was unpredictable. When you start reading, you can't stop reading the next page, you will be shocked that you started reading on page 1, and you end reading on page 100. And the ending was perfect. You will end up reading with so many questions on your head and that questions will be answered after reading Insurgent. 

Overall, Divergent was a perfect novel. Breathtaking . Phenomenal. Perfect romance. All positive adjectives can describe this novel. If you haven't read this yet, I think you should run to your nearest bookstore and buy a copy of this book. :)

Favorite Quote/s: 

“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”  

“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.” 

“A brave man acknowledges the strength of others.”  

"Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”

 

Book Review: Catching Fire

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins ( Website )
Series: The Hunger Games #2
Publisher: Scholastic
Published date: March 2010
Pages: 391 pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5 Noodles


From Goodreads:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Suzanne Collins continues the amazing story of Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire, the second novel of the phenomenal Hunger Games trilogy.

****

Oh, I don't know what to say about this book. I'm speechless. This is one of the great books I've ever read. The story took after Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games.

The characters became more stronger and more amazing. I'm still in love with Katniss, she is so strong and everything. President Snow is more creepier than the first book. I hate Snow so much, I want to go in Capitol and kill him in front of all people. Haha.

The plot is simply amazing. Full of twists and all. When the Quarter Quell is announced, I was shocked and I can't move on on that part. President Snow is so @!#*!~

I liked Cinna in the first book and I liked him more in this book. The dress of Katniss during the parade is so amazing and her dress during the interview is fvcking awesome! In the 74th Hunger Games, Rue is my favorite tribute but here in 75th Hunger Games, Wiress and Mags are my favorite tributes.

Collins did a great job in making the idea of arena. Collins is super amazing! I'm excited about the upcoming Catching Fire movie. The ending is such a cliffhanger. This really deserves 5 out of 5 noodles.

Favorite quote/s:

“I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.”   

“My nightmares are usually about losing you. I'm okay once I realize you're here.”  

“The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol's plans. The symbol of the rebellion.”  

Book Review: The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins ( Website )
Series: The Hunger Games #1
Publisher: Scholastic
Published date: December 2009
Pages: 374 pages
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5 Noodles


From Goodreads:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

****

The Hunger Games is a fast paced book that brought me me back in being a bookworm. When I started reading this book, I can't control myself flipping the pages and continue reading. I am a slow reader but this book made me a fast reader. This is simply amazing!

I like Katniss because she's a girl with strong personality and all. She's willing to do anything for her sister and for her mother. She's brave because she takes her sister's place in the reaping. You can also see that she's a smart person because the way she played the game and all. I admire her for being strong, brave and smart. I also like Peeta, he has a strong personality also, I became crazy when he says that the girl her love is with her during the interview with Ceasar. All the characters have strong personalities. Oh btw, I also like Cinna, Effie and Rue. Rue is my favorite tribute aside from Katniss and Peeta.

In all, The Hunger Games is really amazing! I'm really excited about reading the next book, I'm excited to know what will happen to the star-crossed lovers during their tour. I'm so excited!

Favorite quotes:

“Remember, we're madly in love, so it's all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” 

“You don’t forget the face of the person who was your last hope.”

“Destroying things is much easier than making them.”  

Book Review: Across the Universe

Title: Across the Universe ( Website | Tumblr)
Author: Beth Revis ( Website | Blog | Twitter )
Series: Across the Universe #1
Publisher: Razorbill

Published date: January 11th 2011

Pages: 398 pages

Format: Paperback

Rating: 5/5 Noodles

From Goodreads:

A love out of time. A spaceship built of secrets and murder. 

Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. 

Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next. 

Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming. 

****

Oh my book! Sci-fi with a touch of dystopian and mystery! Wonderful book! The first chapter is horrible because I can't imagine how Amy and her parents were cryogenically frozen. It is also heart-wrenching because I can't imagine to wake up without my parents. Asking me to stay with them or leaving them. Watch them go through experience of freezing.

I like the idea of Godspeed, an airship floating in the universe searching for Centauri-Earth. Godspeed is really amazing. The technologies on the ship is really amazing! The wi-com, the floppies, and the holes where your can get your food, were all amaaaaaaazing. 

I like how the author put two different point of views in the book, because you can be in touch with their feelings and all. 

I like all of the twists and revelations in each chapter. I was puzzled by its secrets, lies, and betrayals. As I finish the book, all of the questions in my head is answered. I hate Elder because I thought that Elder was the one who's unplugging all of the cryogenically frozen passengers but as I reach the end, I like him because I know that he's not the one who's unplugging all of those passenger. I hate eldest because he's so insane. I hate  Eldest so much!

I really like this book! I like all of the ideas that the author put on this book, especially the Godspeed. Godspeed is really amazing! This book really deserves 5 out of 5 noodles. I frexing want to read the second installment of this book, A Million Suns. 

Favorite quotes:

“I never thought about how important the sky was until I didn't have one. ~ Amy”  

“Dreams are like that: they go in and out of memories and scenes, but they are never real. They're never real, and I hate them because they aren't." ~ Amy”