Book Review: The Murder Complex

The Murder Complex: Written by Lindsey Cummings
Release Date: June 10th, 2014
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Format of Novel: Nook
Summary (From goodreads): Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?
Rating: 4.2/5 stars on good reads

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Normally I would post the cover on here, but the website or my mother's laptop is being odd so this blog is the first without a photo. Sorry in advance! I also know that I haven't been around to post reviews, work have been confusing and I got suck into the writing world for a few days. Now on to the review. The Murder Complex was fast paced, especially when I read it for the booktube-a-thon. I enjoyed the idea Lindsey Cummings came up with in terms of the world building and sci-fi elements that adapted into Meadow and Zephyr's world. The characters Meadow and Zephyr were pretty cool, but in a dystopian novel, they seemed pretty typical. Almost like in my eyes, Day and June from the Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu with Meadow being the trained assassin and Day being the 'rebel' so to speak.

The twists Lindsey had in the first book were somewhat predicable if you close read it in a way, but I enjoyed them. They were fitting for the corrupted world in the novel and executed very well. I also enjoyed the pacing considering that the chapters between the two narrators were very short. It was balanced and not really annoying to the point you just wanted to kick someone in the face. It matched the tone of the story and the action scenes that went on throughout the story.

This story was an interesting read overall, but it wasn't my top favorites of this year. Only because I felt it being very similar to the Legend trilogy (minus the world setting of the story). I will be continuing the series when I can, but this author is a sweet woman and her you tube video are hilarious if you are looking for something to watch when sitting around. Check out this book if you are just beginning to jump on the dystopian train. Happy howling everyone!

Book Review: Maze Runner series

The Maze Runner Series: Written by James Dashner
Release Date: October 6, 2009 (when the series began)
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format of Novels: Paper back.
(Sorry for the no formal summary, I am doing the review on the entire series, not just this book. The website is being stupid so I couldn't post my box set of this series.)

Book order: "Maze Runner", "Scotch Trials", "Death Cure" and the prequel "Kill Order".
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I'm sure you guys had seen this series before if you are ahead of the reading world, but if you are like me and didn't find out about this series till recently-- then I welcome you to this review. So over the summer I had stumble upon this series and decided to get the box set for it. And after reading the four books in a single month, let me tell you-- what a quick ass read for all four of the books! I mean, other than the 'mystery' tone and the fast pace of the stories itself, I did enjoy the plot and a couple of the characters. (-pets Thomas and Newt's heads silently-). The story is literally about a young man name Thomas who has zero memory about his pervious life other than his name waking up on a elevator that leads to the maze and a group of weird dudes who built a life for themselves after going through the same process as him. Things are weird, confusing, and funny. The only thing that caught my attention was how the entire trilogy was based off a science experiment to fight off against this disease called the flare. Normally I'm not a fan of science fiction, but I enjoyed the suspense was nice and the characters were humorous. The only issues I had with the entire trilogy was how most of the characters were very bland while imaging them, the plot was to dry as well. I really wish Dashner added more to the series as whole because if it turned out the like the movie did, then readers would've been so much happier.

The prequel was different however, I read it first before I read the trilogy. I know what your thinking, what the heck right? Well my answer to you is that I rather read the prequels before the main series at times, especially if it is only one prequel novel.. The 'Kill Order' is takes place thirteen years before the trilogy starts. It follows a whole new set of characters like Mark, Trina, and DeeDee and how they are in the beginning stages of the flare disaster after it destroys the majority of the planet. To me personally, this story was a lot more exciting than the 'Maze Runner'. Like the trilogy, I did have the issue plot wise. I felt as so Dashner needed to make the plot twists more dramatic, and he should've focused on the point of view. Instead of focusing on just Mark (who was one of my favorites), he could've focused on the other characters, it would've given us readers a better view of what's going on in the story and see how the impact of the other major characters.

Above all, I found this series to be a decent one. It was fun to read it during these stressful times at school and I really loved watching the movie as well. Sure it wasn't one of my favorite series, but the good part of it all was the characters and man the boys are funny as hell. Gotta go for now, I'll be back to discuss NaNoWriMo and give you all more reviews.

Happy Howling fellow wolves!

Book Review: Champion

Champion (Legend#3): written by Marie Lu
Release Date: November 5th, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format of Novel: Hardback
Summary (From Goodreads): He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion? 

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position. 

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. 
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~Warning: The following review will have some fan-girling and spoilers. If you have not read this book, please read the other two books before reading this review.~

After receiving this book for the holidays by my awesome roommate, I finally gotten the chance to read it after making a goal to read the first novel to "Game of Thrones" completely. In the end I'm glad that I waited to read this book because this novel was a really good end to the entire trilogy. The plot was fast paced after eight months from Prodigy, and we got to feel more emotional depth between the two focused characters, June Imparis and Day Wing. With the sudden rebellion from the Colonies, Day and June are also facing a difficult challenge to stop the new found plague and to somehow bring all countries together as a whole instead of going against the Republic. Minus the fast pace of the sudden battles between Commander Jamieson and the leader of the Colonies, I did enjoy the romantic moments we got to see with Day and June, which made it so heart wrenching to see the actual effects of Day's disease taking over him slowly.

I also enjoyed the way June was becoming more humane and going back to her roots as a soldier instead of a odd politician. It shown that while she did care for her beloved country, she did wanted a normal life and she wanted to be with the people she truly cared about and avenging her brother Metais. The other characters grew on me as well, but not like Day and June since they were more in the background instead. I was glad that Tess and Eden made it out of the testing and plague okay and that they were able to help out in the battle after all.

What really killed me was the end. I couldn't believe how Marie Lu created the emotional feels between June and Day. I'm really grateful that the author included the epilogue because if she didn't, then I probably would've cried like I did with Alex Bracken's Darkest minds trilogy. The epilogue gave a new start and a shine on how much everyone has grown and gained a certain peace in themselves and the world around them. All in all, Marie Lu's trilogy as a whole was fantastic and I truly recommend this series to you guys. It was well thought out, the characters were brilliant, and the story overall was memorable.

Happy Howling.

Book Review: Prodigy

Prodigy (Legend #2): Written by Marie Lu
Release Date: January 29th, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Format of Novel: Hard Cover
Summary (From Good Reads): ~Second book to the trilogy~
Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?
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~Warning: There will be a couple of spoilers for people that haven't read the book yet.~

In this exciting sequel, readers are left in the aftermath of Day and June's escape outside of the Republic's Los Angeles. With the older brother of Day dead in his place, he follows June as they search for a way to escape the military's hands. In a odd turn of events, they stumble upon a rebellion group known as the Patriots, the only group in their country with a deep desire to take down the Republic once and for all. In spite of joining them, the real question still lies within this story, can the duo trust the group or be alone in the upcoming war?

I read this book last year after buying it with the money I gotten from the holidays. Just like the prequel, Legend, I fell in love with this book. It was so fast paced and June and Day's character growth kept on moving along with the actions. Not only that, I also loved the new characters Marie Lu introduced like Pascao, Eden Wing, Commander Andrew "Razor" Desoto, and Anden Primo (the new elector). And the amazing return of Tess and Kaede. Each of the secondary characters had a specific growth to them and it really killed me when death lingered on some of them.

In terms of the plot, Marie Lu seemed to focused more on the political development between the people that were involved in it and the Republic as a nation. Regardless of the fact that Day's point of view was in this book, I felt as so this story was mainly about June and the discoveries she soon finds while trying to manuplate the new elector for the Patriots. I noticed right away that June's character growth was more focused since she shown deep signs of doubts and self yearning to heal and figure out her feelings for Day. I loved her as a character in this book because I had the need to hug the crap out of June since she lost her brother and her 'perfect' world kept crashing down all around her. I also felt the same way when it came to Day as well since he personally witnessed his older brother and mother murdered in front of him by the military.

All in all, this was a wonderful sequel and considering it took me just two days to wolf down the last book to this beautiful trilogy-- I will post a review for Champion tomorrow afternoon. Prodigy was quick, powerful, and all in all, crazy with a side of action and love. If you guys haven't read this book or Legend do so now, you will not be disappointed. Happy Howling!

Book Review: Legend

Legend (Legend Trilogy #1): written by Marie Lu
Release Date: November 29th, 2011
Publisher: Putman Juvenile
Format of Novel: Paperback
Summary (from goodreads): What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. 

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. 
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 This is the first book to Marie Lu's debuting trilogy and holy crow what a impact this thing had in late 2011 to now! This book is the start of the trilogy with an amazing plot, characters, and the world behind it all. I fell in love with the dual point of views and the characters, especially the two main protagonists were so emotionally wrenching, I think I will go bear hug their creator!

Legend begins with the concepts of getting to know the well know prodigy, June Iparis and the underdog (whose really a wonderful bad ass) of the Republic slumps Daniel (Day) Wing. Readers will see how crazy people like June and Day will go to protect the values and families they deeply care for so much. In terms of the story itself, the main plot of Legend is mostly focused on the developments of June and her realizing that her world is a crazed up one after she goes off to locate her older brother's killer. I liked that readers got to see both sides of the story because Marie Lu was able to deliver the emotional outage of how Day and June feel about the world around them and we get to see that these two characters are very similar to one another even though they were raised very differently.

What also makes this story really appealing in my eyes is the idea of the different diversity within the characters. I loved the idea of Day being half Mongolian and Kaede being one of the few Japanese women in the series. It brings a thought of races coming together in the worse of times and it made me smile to see them being really amazing characters that grow further as the trilogy progresses.

The plot sounds similar to the Divergent trilogy, but I'm so, so, so glad that it's nothing like it at all. Marie Lu knew what she was writing about, she knew the characters, and this book was a fantastic start to her debut trilogy. 

Happy Howling.