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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

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Prodigy
Marie Lu
Series: Legend, #2
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publication date: January 29th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

*A copy was provided by Penguin Canada for review purposes*
It was great to be reunited with Day and June again after so long. I believe Legend was the very first ARC I ever read, before I even knew what an ARC was (I won it) so it’s a bit special to me. I easily found my way back into this story even after so long; a feat in of itself considering my lack of memory (it’s scary how much I forget by the time a sequel releases). Prodigy lives up to its predecessor, maybe even surpassing it with the incredible progress in the world development–which was something I was a tad disappointed by in Legend. We finally discover the reason for the current state of this world; we get to understand a lot more of what it now comprises of, both tangibly and politically. In consequence, the plot itself is a little slower paced than Legend, however I doubt this will lead to many complaints seeing as how much more we learn about the complexities of their affairs.

I remember thinking, while reading Legend, that this series was a perfect example of dual POV done right. I still agree with this fact; Day and June are two very different characters, reflected both by their voices and personalities. Switching from one character to the next is painless and never disorienting, nor did I ever lose track of which POV I was currently reading (many dual POVs tend to blend into one another). In this sequel, we observe a lot of character growth in which both Day and June are fighting against deeply rooted indoctrinated beliefs, not knowing who they should trust in this messed up world anymore. This inner turmoil is shown throughout the book, making it it’s easy to see and sympathize with their personal struggles. Day and June being separated for a large part of book means there is not a great deal of romance, though in my opinion this was greatly needed for them to be free to find themselves; to figure out where they belong in this broken system.

Assassination and conspiracy rule the plot of this sequel. Despite my mention that it’s not especially fast paced, there is plenty of commotion that advances the story. Besides character and world building, the plot takes on intriguing twists and turns, some predictable, but others that took me completely by surprise. Seeing more of the world means we finally visit the Colonies that we’re all dying to see. It’s only a glimpse, however. Just enough to make us crave for more, yearning to see every inch of this mysterious and talked up place. At least I’m sure we’ll get to see more of it in the third book, so it wasn’t too big a disappointment.

A sequel worthy of its name, Prodigy not only continues the story of our beloved Day an June, it strengthens and molds it, proving itself to be an essential part of this series.

4 Hot Espressos
This Legend Series:

 
Find my review of Legend, here!

Review: Sins & Needles by Karina Halle

Posted by on 01/21/2013 • 40 Comments

Sometimes when you finish a book, you loved it so completely, so thoroughly, that you don’t even want to give it a 5-star rating. Because then you start thinking of all the other 5-stars you’ve given, and it just doesn’t compare. You don’t want it to be compared. This was one of them. Having read a copy the minute it was made available, there were no reviews or feedback yet, giving me absolutely zero expectations, and I. Was. Blown. Away! (!!) I have both been dying to, and dreading, reviewing this book, because I want to just pour my heart out, but at the same time I’m afraid nothing I say can do it justice. So… it may not completely make sense, you have been warned.

First and foremost, this…

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Xpresso Weekly: Stacking the Shelves (39)

Posted by on 01/20/2013 • 44 Comments

Xpresso Weekly is my edition of Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews featuring the books I got this week, and I also mention blog news/happenings of the past week. This week at Xpresso Reads

Hi love muffins! How is everyone’s January coming along? I’ve been keeping busy so it’s flying by for me! Did you catch the new giveaway on the blog this week? 😉 You can win a copy of Perfect Scoundrels! Also, I don’t know if you heard about the new plagiarism scandal. You can read all about it here. It’s pretty crappy, and I think everyone should be aware.

Reviews on the blog this week:

New at Xpresso Book Tours

— Tour Sign Up: Robin in the Hood by Diane J. Reed — Tour…

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Fresh Batch (January 20th – 26th)

Posted by on 01/19/2013 • 13 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week.

Flavor of the week:

Boundless Cynthia Hand Series: Unearthly #3 Publication date: January 22nd 2013by HarperTeen

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed…

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Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Posted by on 01/18/2013 • 26 Comments

The Way We Fall Megan Crewe Series: Fallen World, #1 Publication date: January 24th 2012by Disney-Hyperion

When sixteen-year-old Kaelyn lets her best friend leave for school without saying goodbye, she never dreams that she might not see him again. But then a strange virus begins to sweep through her small island community, infecting young and old alike. As the dead pile up, the government quarantines the island: no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for the island’s dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings…

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Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Posted by on 01/17/2013 • 30 Comments

Scarlet Marissa Meyer Series: Lunar Chronicles #2 Publication date: February 5th 2013 by Feiwel and Friends

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they…

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Waiting on Wednesday (69)

Posted by on 01/16/2013 • 58 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine  and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  My pick this week:

Dirty Little Secret Jennifer Echols Release date: July 16th 2013 byMTV Books (S&S)

From the author of the “real page-turner” (Seventeen) Such a Rush comes an unforgettable new drama that follows friends-turned-lovers as they navigate the passions, heartbreaks, and intrigue of country music fame.

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that…

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Heist Society Exclusive! Excerpt + Giveaway

Posted by on 01/15/2013 • 25 Comments

In honor of the third Heist Society novel coming out next month, I’m doing an exclusive on the series so you can read all about it, and then enter to win something! 😉

Heist Society Ally Carter Series: Heist Society #1 Publication date: September 1st 2011by Orchard       

Kat’s got a deadline – two weeks to pull off the biggest heist in history…

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie travelled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own – scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind.

But now her dad’s…

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