MORTAL ENGINES by PHILIP REEVE (2004)

Title: Mortal Engines

Author: Philip Reeve

Series: The Hungry City Chronicles #1

Pages: 373

Published: Sep 1st 2004

Publisher: Harper Collins US UK

I read this book because I found myself in the unusual situation where my boyfriend recommended me a book and not the other way around. It also just so happens that Peter Jackson is coming out with the film adaptation next month so it felt like the perfect opportunity to read the book now so I can go see the film.

This book follows two 15-year-old people in a futuristic dystopia where cities and towns are constantly on the move, devouring each other and then reusing all their materials. It is a little bit weird, and new, something I have not read before. But it is an action filled book, which is beautifully written with very subtle but cleverly interwoven descriptions of this new world. Descriptions that makes the world what it is are mentioned in by-passing, so casually and low-key that one almost misses them. Reeve does not make a big deal about building up a world for the reader but rather places the reader in this world and lets them explore it for themselves. It's very relaxing and easy to read and get immersed this way.

Despite being written for the Young Adult audience, the reader is introduced to the grown up characters as well and their mind-set. This was very refreshing and one followed the stories from different points of views, but to a limited amount. There were not too many to follow and remember and enough to keep up with but still enough to understand the whole of the story - good and evil. We follow Tom (and through him the story of Hester and Anna Fang and Shrike), Katherine (including Bevis Pod and the historians) and Magnus Chrome (the rest of London and the politics). This creates dramatic irony in the sense that the reader always knows more than any of the characters but it creates suspense and anticipation. 

The book is not the most exciting in sense that it is not an action filled page turner. At least, not for me. But it is captivating and you somehow keep reading. Reeve's writing doesn't let you finish the book unfinished.

Seeing the film bringing this story to life will be incredibly exciting and to finally be able to see things that I may have struggled to picture while reading will be incredibly satisfying.

Plot Summary:

London is hunting!

The great Traction City lumbers after a small town eager to strip its prey of all assets and move on. In the not-so-distant future, mobile cities consume one another to survive, a practise known as Municipal Darwinism.

Tom, an apprentice in the Guild of Historians, saves his hero from a murder attempt by the mysterious Hester Shaw - only to find himself thrown from the city stranded with Hester in the Out Country. As they struggle to follow the city, the sinister plans of London's leader begins to unfold...

My Rating:

7/10
An enjoyable book definitely.

Other Books in this Series:

Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles #1)

Predators Gold (The Hungry City Chronicles #2)

Infernal Devices (The Hungry City Chronicles #3)

A Darkling Plane (The Hungry City Chronicles #4)

The Traction Codex (The Hungry City Chronicles)

Traction City (The Hungry City Chronicles novella)

Night Flights (The Hungry City Chronicles prequel)

The Illustrated World of Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles)

Other Books by Philip Reeve:

Fever Crumb (Fever Crumb #1)

A Web of Air (Fever Crumb #2)

Scriveners Moon (Fever Crumb #3)

Larklight (Larklight #1)

Starcrossed (Larklight #2)

Mothstorm (Larklight #3)

Railhead (Railhead #1)

Black Light Express (Railhead #2)

Station Zero (Railhead #3)

Oliver and the Seawigs (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #1)

Cakes in Space (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #2)

Pugs of the Frozen North (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #3)

Carnival in a Fix (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #4)

Jinks & O'Hare Funfair Repair (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #5) 

Pug-a-Doodle-Do! (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #6)

Roly-Poly Flying Pony: The Legend of Kevin (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #7)

Goblins (Goblins #

Goblins vs Dwarves (Goblins #2)

Goblin Quest (Goblins #3)

Night of the Living Veg (Buster Bayliss #1)

The Big Freeze (Buster Bayliss #2)

Day of the Hamster (Buster Bayliss #3)

Custardfinger! (Buster Bayliss #4)

Here Lies Arthur

Isaac Newton and His Apple

Horatio Nelson and His Victory

No Such Thing as Dragons

Doctor Who: The Roots of Evil

THE HANDMAID'S TALE by MARGARET ATWOOD (1985)

Title: The Handmaids Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Pages: 311
Published: 1985
Publisher: Anchor Books

I did not read this book in school as I know some people did but I did know of it and I heard even more of it when the TV series came out. Eventually I got it on audible and listened to it. I highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator is so pleasant to listen to and really expresses Offred's feelings well.

When first listening to the book I must admit I was confused. I had not read a synopsis, I had not heard what it was about. I had no idea. The word 'handmaid' I felt implied that it took time in the past and knowing it was a classic it must have taken place in the past, right? This was highly confusing. as I was wrong. The book takes place in the future. In fact, it's a dystopian future, which I did not expect at all. It is in fact a very interesting future Atwood paints for the reader. A future which isn't actually that far fetched. That although it seems absurd it could somehow be possible. And that is scary.

Especially in such a pro-feminist culture as we are currently living in. Where feminism is a movement that takes part of a lot of people's everyday life. It is a constant battle. In The Handmaid's Tale, women are diminished to an unspeakable level. They are not allowed to read, they cannot dress as they wish (in fact they've gone back to dresses), they are locked inside their city and they are only allowed outside the house at certain times. The later especially applies to the Handmaids. It is such a bizarre world, that we would never consider to be possible today. Yet, in Atwood's book it is exactly what has happened. Although the Handmaids have no power, and many have been close to brainwashed they still think for themselves, they still attempt to talk of the 'time before' and a rebellion is coming.

Although this book shows a world where women have been brought down it is such a pro-feminism book. It is incredibly interesting to read about and to speculate over. It provides for seriously interesting conversations and debates.

If you have not read the book I highly recommend it, and even if you don't read it, consider the TV series which is available on Sky. The second season is currently out which is will be fascinating as there is only the one book. However, the book does finish on quite an unfinished note that begs for more, so I'm very intrigued to see what else they've got in their bag as they did develop a lot of the characters from the book that the first person narration didn't allow for.

Favourtite Quote:

“Ignoring isn’t the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.”

My Rating:

7/10

Although slow at times it is very thought-provoking.

Plot Summary:

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...

Other Books by Margaret Atwood:

The Blind Assassin
Alias Grace
Cat's Eye
The Robber's Bride
The Heart Goes Last
The Penelopiad
The Edible Woman
Hag-Seed
Stone Matress: Nine Tales
Surfacing
Lady Oracle
Moral Disorder and Other Stories
Wilderness Tips
Bluebeard's Egg
Bodily Harm
The Tent
Lie Before Man
Dancing Girls and Other Stories
Negotiating with the Dead
Good Bones
Good Bones and Simple Murders
The Circle Game
The Door
Up in the Tree
I Dream of Zenia with the Bright Red Teeth
You are Happy
Happy Endings
Morning in the Burned House 
Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth 


and more.

If you liked DIVERGENT...

Divergent was published in 2011 and got its film adaptation in 2014. There's no doubt that this book and its trilogy was amazing. I loved it as many other people. But despite its awesomeness  

Throne of Glass was published in 2012 and has not seen the screen but the series is not yet finished and if you had any interest in Divergent you should totally check out the Throne of Glass series.

Divergent features a group of young people who have to go through different tasks or auditions if you please. If they do not pass, they are thrown out. Although Throne of Glass is not a dystopian book, but a high fantasy, the book is focused on a competition to become the King's personal assassin. If they do not pass, or come last they are thrown out. This book is like a high fantasy version of Divergent, in relation to the layout and what drives the story forward, the competition.

However that's where the likeness stops. The Throne of Glass series has a bigger story. The Series has seven books with a much greater plot and subplots. 

If you are a fan of Divergent, or even The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and want to explore a new genre I suggest you check out Throne of Glass. It will gently introduce you to high fantasy with a theme that you feel comfortable with. 

For my review of Divergent you can check that out here. And if you want to find out more about Throne of Glass, head over here.

If you liked THE HANDMAIDS TALE...

If you haven't watched MGM Television's TV series adaptation of The Handmaids Tale I suggest you head over and do that on Sky Atlantic. If you have watched it I suggest you sit down and read the book. If you've read the book I suggest you sit down and read The Jewel by Amy Ewings.

If you've read The Handmaid's Tale you'll know that the handmaids are used to reproduce babies for the people of the higher social standards that are unable to have children. This is because they are fertile and their 'gift from God' needs to be used for the greater good. It's set in a dystopian world with a strange new social system. The Jewel is actually quite similar. In fact is features the same themes. In a dystopian city called The Lone City, where the people living in the centre of the  circular city are the aristocracy young girls are used to produce babies for these people. But don't worry. This book is not a copy and it featuresThe Jewel is a Young Adult version of The Handmaid's Tale with new elements of magic, fantasy, royalty, romance and social intrigue. And best of all, it's a trilogy. There is a greater story behind all of this.

There are also many more exciting factors. The girls have magical abilities, this is why they've been chosen to reproduce. And they are not simply chased down by the new government, they are taken from their families at a young age and then, when ready, auctioned to the higher society members.

For my review of the The Jewel by Amy Ewing click here. For the review of The Handmaid's Tale click here. 

If you liked THE INVASION OF THE TEARLING...

Yep, I'm not mentioning The Queen of the Tearling but the second instalment in the Tearling because this is where a theme is introduced which is very to similar to... The Handmaid's Tale.

Spoilers ahead. If you've read The Invasion of the Tearling you know of the references to Lily and the time before the Crossing. These flashbacks fit into quite a dystopian theme. Personally I found it hard to get accustomed to this at first but very much enjoyed it further into the book. If you were a fan of this dystopian element to the book then I suggest you take a look at The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood that includes flashbacks to a time before the dystopian current setting of the book and the crossover to between the past and the present. 

I personally listened to audiobooks of both of these books and highly recommend the audiobook versions from Audible. If you are interested in my full review of The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen you can read it here. A review of The Handmaids Tale is coming soon.

DIVERGENT by VERONICA ROTH (2012)

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #1

Pages: 487

Published: Feb 28th 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

I was at my friends house on a sleepover when I wanted to read something. We were three other people on a sleep over at her place and she and I decided to have a read. I always enjoy looking at her bookshelf. It's cramped. Having forgotten my book at home, I picked up Divergent and got to bring it home to finish it.

After that I borrowed the second book at the library and the third book I got to read on a friend's Kobo account because the library didn't have it available.

I love Tris' first person narrative (if you think about it The Hunger Games are written by a female first person narrator). It is very personal and her description of the events are crystal clear. The characters are very well developed and carefully picked out for a reason.

The idea that society would be divided into sections scares me and that other people would use one another like that. Not just manipulate them or brainwash them, but skipping that step and only injecting them with serum just to force them without even telling them, without warning. It scares me a lot. Just absolutely terrifying. Because they turned on each other. The fact that Tris had to go to the point and kill her friend, hurting other friends in turn - for not having another choice.

Plot Summary:

She turns to face the future in a world that's falling appart.
Three Flying Birds... One for each member of the family I left behind.
Sixteen-year-old Tris is forced to make a terrible choice. In a decided society where everyone must conform, Tris does not fit.
So she ventures out alone, determined to discover where she truly belongs. Shocked by her brutal new life, Tris can trust no one. And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to booth threaten and protect her.
The hardest choice lies ahead.

Favourite Quote: 

Be brave.

My Rating:

10/10
I was hooked from the first page.

Other Books in This Series:

Divergent (Divergent #1)
Insurgent (Divergent #2)
Allegiant (Divergent #3)
Four (Divergent novella)
Free Four (Divergent novella)
The Transfer (Divergent novella)
The Initiate (Divergent novella)
The World of Divergent (Divergent novella)

Other Books by Veronica Roth:

Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark #1)
The Fates Divide (Carve the Mark #2)

HOLD BACK THE STARS by KATIE KHAN

Title: Hold Back The Stars
Author: Katie Khan
Pages: 304 (hardcover)
Published: Jan 6th 2017
Publisher: Doubleday


This book was given to be for free as an ebook via NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are honest and my own and I do not intend to offend anyone or claim that my opinions are right. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this prior to the release date.

This book had such an intriguing cover that just shouted Young Adult Contemporary and I got the feeling that the star filled cover may just be pretty. Turns out I was wrong. The cover is very literal. Carys and Max are stuck in space with only 90 minutes left worth of oxygen to live and while they try to save themselves they also express their feelings and the reader finds himself going back in time to Carys and Max's time together on earth.

I didn't finish this book. It took my ages to try to get into it and in the end I managed to get through 40% of the book but had to put it down. I wasn't enjoying it at all and I didn't look forward to sitting down and reading it. I aim to finish all the books I receive from NetGalley but I couldn't make myself do it. I never bonded with the characters and even though it was a very character dependent narrative I didn't feel like they truly blossomed and it truly bothered me.

I didn't really see the point of the narrative. Here are two people stuck in space with 90 minutes to live and they look back at their life together. As tragic as and emotional this sounds I couldn't be less interested. I only felt like I was intruding on their moment together.

Furthermore what truly bothered me was that I couldn't decide on which genre this book belonged to. It felt like it was written young adult/new adult but the characters were in their 20s which confused me. It is clearly set in the future Europe where it has been improved and people live and move to different Voivodes during their lives for different jobs but don't appear to have a say in where they're going. Love is banned until the age of 30 ish when one is meant to consider having children. Seeing as Carys and Max are also in their 20s but out alone in space (Max with very little education in the astronaut field) this gave me a strange feeling that it was a sic-fi book but it was so clearly a love story and it didn't give me the epic sic-fi/fantasy feeling. I was confused and this battle was going on in my head while reading. I felt like it wasn't giving me enough context to the world they were living in and it left me hanging, uneasy.

Despite this there were few odd moments when the narration on the book kept me reading and it had nothing to do with plot and characters but simply impressive authorship and talent. Similar to Kazuo Ishiguro who had me reading 'The Remains of the Day' even though I was uninterested in the plot. Even if I was unimpressed by the characters and the plot I would have liked to see more of this and if Khan had been able to grasp my attention more often I may have given this book another try.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me as I could not immerse with the plot and felt constantly confused. I hope others get a different, more positive reading experience.

Plot Summary:

Carys and Max and ninety minutes of air left.

None of this was supposed to happen.

But perhaps this doesn't have to be the end...

Adrift in space with nothing to hold onto but each other, Carys and Max can't help but look back at the well-ordered world they have left behind - at the rules they couldn't reconcile themselves to, and a life to which they might now never return. For in a world where love is banned, what happens when you find it?

- GoodReads

Favourite Quote:

'First love can break you. But it can also save you'

My Rating:

2/10

This is the first 2 I have ever given a book and it breaks my heart.

THE FATE OF THE TEARLING by ERIKA JOHANSEN (2016)

Title: The Fate of the Tearling

Author: Erika Johansen 
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #3

Pages: 478

Published: Nov 29th 2016

Publisher: Harper, Bantam Press


The finale to the Queen of the Tearling trilogy was truly interesting. I was listening to this while painting our gate at home and I can truly say that it made it far more enjoyable.

Many secrets where revealed and questions answered. Who knew about Kelsea's mum? Or her dad? The visions got more and more interesting. I did miss listening to Lily's story but I understand that her story was told and we had to learn Katie's story. Katie's story made me question my initial interpretation of the Tearling. In my review of The Queen of the Tearling I said that I had chosen to imagine the Tearling in a Victorian style world. But I know started to question this. Katie's world is after the crossing and as far as I understand (although their lack of technology) it is very similar to our world today. They wear our type of clothes, live in our style of houses etc. And there's only a matter of years between Katie's tearing and Kelsea's Tearling, where no incredible advances in technology has been made (as far as I understand), so why should it be any different. And (SPOILER ALLERT) at the end, when Kelsea has changed history, her world seems to be very similar to today's world, but happier. I need to reread these book with a new look at the world I built up for myself.
Although I was happy with the ending, and it was satisfying as the issue was resolved and the Tearling was saved. Kelsea saved it. I still feel like there is more to tell. What happens now? Sure, Kelsea is no queen anymore (which is heartbreaking because no one will know how she saved the Tearling) but she has a new life and I feel like there could be more. The last line broke me. It gives the idea that not all is lost (when she's lost everyone she knew and loved) and I need to know what was said after "where have you been?" Give me more!! I understand why the book ended where it did, and as a plot, this was satisfying, but as a story I CRAVE MORE!!

This trilogy was such a unique take on fantasy and one of the best audiobooks I've read, even though each book was narrated by a different lady. Strongly suggest this if you crave fantasy but need something beyond castle, knights and dragons.


Plot Summary:

In less than a year, Kelsea Glynn has grown from an awkward teenager into a powerful monarch and a visionary leader.
And as she has come into her own as the Queen of the Tearling, she has transformed her realm. But in her quest to end corruption and restore justice, she has made many enemies - chief among them the evil and feared Red Queen, who ordered the armies of Mortmesne to march against the Tear and crush them.
To protect her people from such a devastating invasion, Kelsea did the unthinkable - naming the Mace, the trusted head of her personal guards, Regent in her place, she surrendered herself and her magical sapphires to her enemy. But the Mace will not rest until he and his men rescue their sovereign from her prison in Mortmesne.
So, the endgame has begun and the fate of Queen Kelsea - and the Tearling itself - will be revealed...
- Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in the Trilogy:

The Queen of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #1)

The Invasion of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #2)

The Fate of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #3)

The Boy (Queen of the Tearling novella)

THE INVASION OF THE TEARLING by ERIKA JOHANSEN (2015)

Title: The Invasion of the Tearling

Author: Erika Johansen 
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #2

Pages: 515

Published: Jun 9th 2015

Publisher: Harper, Bantam Press

Having a certain love for the audiobook of Queen of the Tearling I was quite disappointed when I found out that it wasn't narrated by Katherine Kellgren. Instead it was performed by Davina Porter and I was pleasantly surprised that she was just as good. These audiobooks are truly amazing.

This sequel is taking The Queen of the Tearling Trilogy one step further. This series is different from the usual high fantasy with its references to 'The Crossing' and a Land referred to as New England, New London and Europe. As if though England as we know today once existed.

And it did. In this book we get to see more of Kelsea's visions, about a young woman called Lily who lived in the United States, pre-crossing. At first, I wasn't too keen on these sections of the book, but I quickly got hooked. The bigger picture started to make itself clear and I wanted to know more and more. This is such an interesting take on fantasy where a new dystopian sci-fi sub genre is introduced and one can almost relate to the world, because it is becoming more and more similar to our own.

Kelsea herself is growing as a character as well. Strong as a queen, brave and her visions make her more interesting. It is slowly changing her appearance, strangely, and I am not quite sure what it adds to her characters apart from the fact that it doesn't change people's initial opinions of her (no matter how beautiful she becomes). Apart from visions, the sapphires have also allowed her powers which she is now experiencing - pain. And it makes her scarier to read about as it is a part of her that I do not enjoy as much - the Queen of Spades. The enemy of the Red Queen. I will leave it at that as I do not wish to spoil anymore for you.

All in all, this series has truly developed and as more things are revealed of the Tearling the more I want to know. And also, who doesn't like Pen? I quite like their relationship as it adds a subtle romantic interest but Kelsea stays true to her throne rather than love.

Plot Summary:

Kelsea Glynn is the Queen of the Tearling. Despite her youth, she has quickly asserted herself as a fair, just and powerful ruler.

However, power is a double-edged sword, and small actions can have grave consequences. In trying to do what is right - stopping a vile trade in humankind - Kelsea has crossed the Red Queen, a ruthless monarch whose rule is bound with dark magic and the spilling of blood. The Red Queen's armies are poised to invade the Tearling, and it seems nothing can stop them.
Yet there was a time before the Crossing, and there Kelsea finds a strange and possibly dangerous ally, someone who might hold the key to the fate of the Tearling, and indeed to Kelsea's own soul. But time is running out...

- Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in the Series:

The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1)
The Invasion of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #2)
The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #3)
The Boy (The Queen of the Tearling novella)

THE READER by M.K. HARKINS (2016)

Title: The ReaderAuthor: M.K. HarkinsPages: 260 (eBook)Published: Aug 25th 2016Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

This Galley was given to me for free in the form of a Kindle Book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This paranormal sci-fi read got me hooked from page one. I absolutely loved it. The plot and idea was very intriguing and it got off to a very exciting start with action right at the first chapter. I loved the concept of the Readers, the Hijackers, and the Seers. I think it was original and had some very interesting history to it. I enjoyed the prediction of the Lost One and the Soul Mate, however I thought the repetition of the term 'Soul Mate' made it sound slightly silly towards the end. Nevertheless I loved the concept of the Soul Mate and the bonding between Ann and Devon. Furthermore, the compound was absolutely lovely with the waterfalls, the hub and the storm and how it worked together  as a home for the Readers. What I would have liked was a bit more time to read about Ann's time in  the compound. The storyline moved so quickly and Ann adapted to her new life so fast that everything felt almost unbelievably quick. I would have enjoyed another hundred pages where the life in the compound could have been developed. It had so much potential, yet I felt that it almost rushed to the end. I would have enjoyed some more reading with a plot this good. A little too short for me personally.

I adored Ann and her abilities and powers. The book was very successful through the use of first person narration and concerning the topic of the book I do not think that it would have been as good if was written in anything else than first person. When Ann wakes up and doesn't even remember her name Archer accidentally addresses her as Ann before she has gained that piece of memory herself. When I first read this I was shocked that the lack of name for the main character had not bothered me. Since it was written in first person I was not concerned about this at first and when her name was announced I realised what an important factor that was for one's personality. There were some great characters and personalities that also could have been developed. Personally I would have enjoyed a little more feud between Archer and Devon regarding Ann, and even Markus. I was team Devon from the moment his name popped up on the page, but I did not catch on the hinting at a plot twist and fell for it completely. There could have been a very successful love-triangle that I think could have been explored even more. The relationship between Ann and Devon went very quickly from hating each other to extreme love. It may have to do with the Soul Mate concept but a longer transition would have been very exciting and perhaps more realistic. Reading from Ann's point of view I learnt a lot of Ann but not as much of the other characters. I would have loved to bond a little more with Lucy and the quarrel between Ann and Susie to be expanded. I think if the book had been longer all the relationships could have been developed and explored more to its full potential. 

Overall I absolutely loved this book. I was glued to my phone. The genre of sic-fi and paranormal was perfect and the original idea had such potential. I think this could have been developed through another hundred pages because I would have loved to read more. I could not judge from the ending whether there will be a sequel or if it simply ended there. Since it resolved as it did I find it hard to see a sequel but I would love to read anything that may suggest that something more happens. After all, they are immortal and anything could happen in their lifetime. 

Plot Summary:


Hunted, shot, and without her memory, eighteen-year-old Ann Baker wakes in shallow water on a deserted Pacific Northwest island. She is soon approached by two young men claiming to be her friends. Something isn’t right, but when gunshots sound, Ann is left with little choice but to allow Devon and Archer to help her escape. Soon she finds herself in their North Bend mountain compound, where the higher evolved humans claim to be mind-readers. While Ann heals, she realizes they believe her to be one of the last and most powerful of all – The Lost One.


Favourite Quote:
'"Things are... things are showing," he said as his hand swept up and down.' - The Reader by M. K. Harkins


My Rating:
8/10
I did love this book, but I think a a greater length would have improved it massively. I couldn't put it down.


Other Books by  M.K. Harkins:
Intentional (Intentional #1)
Unintentional (Intentional #2)
Breaking Braydon
Famous by Default
Taking Tiffany

THE GATHERING by K.E. GANSHERT (2015)

Title: The Gathering

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #3

Pages: 379 (Kindle)

Published: Jul 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

I downloaded this book as soon as I finished the previous book, but took a break in between for an unknown reason. But the finale did not disappoint. Again, theres the pattern that I see a lot in sic-fi and dystopia. Where there is a broken society, the main characters seem to want to start a revolution, and though they seem to only be a couple of teenagers to start with they always end up being this huge organised group at a specific headquarters. Did The Gathering have this? You bet it did, and damn it was good. More things were revealed of the organisation and the people wight the Gift and it just got better and better. Action filled and so gripping.

There was death, betrayal, and in that sense realistic. The ending was happy, as happy as it can get when you're in this situation, but satisfying. The book got very complicated and if I think back at it I'm not sure I remember everything or can recall exactly the roles of different people. I suggest you pay attention while reading this book. The complicated bits were introduced in The Awakening but it doesn't stop there. This book appears very thought through however and there's an answer to every question, if you read carefully.

Absolutely amazing trilogy, and I have now found out that they are officially available in physical paperbacks (rather than just the kindle versions that I read). How amazing is that?! And the covers are the same, and gorgeous. Want to get my hands on them.

Plot Summary:

"Darkness is a tricky thing. Especially when it cloaks itself in light." Luka isn't dead. He's not beyond saving. Tess knows because she saw him with her own eyes. After what she saw, she's sure of one thing: If they don't rescue him soon, Luka won't be Luka anymore. If only she could convince the other members of the hub. They're not sure Tess saw what she claims she saw. And they're preoccupied by the fact that their kind is being systematically eradicated. Answers lie in an ancient prophecy, one that revolves around a seventeen-year-old girl who never asked for any of this. K.E. Ganshert's final installment in The Gifting Series brings readers on an action-packed journey through loss, sacrifice, betrayal, and the impossible choice between what we want most and what we know is right.

- Goodreads

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books in this trilogy:

The Gifting (The Gifting #1)

The Awakening (The Gifting #2)

The Gathering (The Gifting #3)

THE AWAKENING by K.E. GANSHERT (2015)

Title: The Awakening

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #2

Pages: 314 (Kindle)

Published: Jul 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Okay, so I bought this book as soon as I'd finished the first one. This book is thought through so well. I was really hooked. The hub is amazing and the characters are so interesting. I love the development between Tess and Luka and how Tess keeps on looking for her grandma.

The background stuff about the gifting is so cool. The Shields, The Linkers, The Cloaks and the Keepers along with the Fighters is really clever. The dream space is such a good idea and how they startle to get out of dreams. I'm so happy that Tess is special in the way that she is a Linker and a Fighter and that Luka is her Keeper. Could it get anymore perfect?!

I'm so grateful I even found this book, and the first for free on iBooks! It is to the same quality as Divergent and The Hungergames. No, I'm serious. I think it could be a really cool film, for real. It's real film material.

I have this feeling about trilogies and please feel free to comment, because I think it is a very interest concept (whether it is intentional or nor not it is a continuous pattern). Trilogies always start nice which a disequilibrium that is disturbing. Tess thinks she's mad and tries to make it through high school as she goes to her therapist and meets Luka. Tris is divergent and goes to get trained as a dauntless. Katniss gets selected for the Hungergames and makes her way through. However in the second book things get out of control. Tess and Luke escape. Tris and Four are on the run. (All these four letter names!) Katniss' war with Snow starts with the 75th Hungergames. And then in the third book is kind of just the same as the second in a way that it continues on this war. This is were the trilogy has totally moved on from the first book. It is nothing like the first book. Tess will never go back to high school. Tris will never go back to abnegation. And Katniss has no District 12 to go back to. I get this feeling of loss for the first book. Kinda miss the "cozy" feeling of Tess at high school, Tris in Dauntless training and Katniss in the regular Hungergames. Do you get me? Of course this is all part of the trilogy and it has to go this way or we would get bored and things develop and so on. But I was reading the third book of the Gathering (the book after this) and I realised that some characters will never show up again. They've moved on. And it's this strange feeling of for boding because you can never go back and nowadays books end pretty badly (and realistically I guess). Anyone who agrees or disagrees? Please feel free to comment. I don't know why I brought it up here of all posts but there you go. Might repeat it again separately some other time.

Plot Summary:

Tess Eckhart isn’t crazy. She’s not suffering from psychosis. She and Luka Williams are part of The Gifting. Before they can find out what that means, the man with all the answers turns up dead. The only thing he left behind? A few patient files that lead to the nation’s most lawless city.

With authorities chasing them, Luka and Tess escape into the very heart of peril and against all odds, find an underground community of people just like them. They aren’t gathered together for the sole purpose of survival, either. They have a plan and a purpose—to awaken as many people with The Gifting as possible. It’s dangerous and deadly work. Tess wants to help. Luka is desperate to keep her safe—a task that proves increasingly difficult as Tess’s gifting comes to light.

Is Tess Eckhart the One they’ve been waiting for? The One who can save them all?

Favourite Quote:

"A person can choose not to believe it, but that doesn’t make their soul go away. It’s there, whether they want to acknowledge it or not. The supernatural realm is just as real as the physical one, only you can’t see it. It’s the realm of good and evil, light and dark. From everything we can gather, these two forces are at war, and in order to join the battle, passageways are required." - Link

"That last option should make me rejoice, but I am a selfish creature." - Tess

"It’s true when they say knowledge equals power. After what I learned in the cafeteria, I feel like I have a handful of it in my back pocket.

And I want more." - Tess

My Rating:

10/10.
I cannot stress enough how much I love these books.

Other Books In These Series:

The Gifting (The Gifting Book 1)
The Awakening (The Gifting Book 2)
The Gathering (The Gifting Book 3)