Book Review: Replica by Lauren Oliver

Replica by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is two books ; one from Lyra's point of view, and then flip the book over and you get the same story but from Gemma's point of view. According to the note from the author you can read them as alternating chapters, or read one full POV and then the other. Cool, huh?
As I had an e-copy I read all of Lyra's POV first, and them Gemma's. At the end of Lyra's book I felt like something was missing and I was a bit disatisfied. So to then start Gemma's book, all of the pieces came together and I was totally enthralled and couldn't stop reading.

Lauren Oliver has a beautiful writing style, often descriptive without being "wordy", and at times even poetic. I didn't find this came through as much in this novel, but her imagination and creativity did. It is YA, so there is a bit of "insta-love" and some very convenient, but not quite believable, acts to keep the story flowing, but to be honest, it is such an easy and enjoyable read that this is totally forgivable.

A unique way to write a novel, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Review: Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Why I read this: A free download from Audiobooksync and I liked the synopsis

Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi

In a Nutshell: Dystopian without a love triangle

Would suit fans of: Grace McCleen, Patrick Ness

Vivian Apple at the End of the World by Katie Coyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the best kind of Young Adult book because it is asking readers to question the world around you, appreciate and cherish your friendships and be confident and true to yourself.

Vivian Apple lives in an alternative America where there are constant natural disasters and disease and the world is dying. Along comes a new religion, "The Church of America" which convinces people the Rapture is coming and will save them. Vivian doesn't belive, but her parents do, and on the night of the Rapture her parents and thousands of other believers disappear.

Although Vivian starts as meek and compliant, as the book progresses her character develops and she becomes a confident heroine who is easy to like. Her and her friend Harp, and later Peter, embark on a road trip across America trying to decide what is true. Is the world really dying in a few months? Should they have believed in "The Church of America"?

There is no love triangle and no whiny teenage monologues which already catapaults this above three stars for me. I really liked the theme of the book too, which really isn't about religion, per se, but about how and why we believe in things.

I was surprised to see when I finished that there is a sequel, because it could have ended with this book (although there is a little bit of a cliff-hanger ending which may have annoyed some!), and I will seek it out.

The audio narration is extremely good, thanks to www.audiobooksync.com for providing a free copy.

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Book Review: Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

Why I read this: I think I added this to my "to read" list back in 2012 based on a review in the weekend newspaper

Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi, Dysopia

In a Nutshell: 1984 for a modern audience

Would suit fans of: Deborah Install, George Orwell, Lois Lowry

Rating: 4 stars

Find more about this book on Goodreads here

Review:

I an alternate 1956, Standish Treadwell lives in a society much like today's North Korea. He and his Gramps try to eke out an existence in "Zone Seven" while the Motherland is set to attempt a moon landing to show the rest of the world how almighty and powerful they are.

This book just throws you into this world with no preamble or lengthy descriptions. The chapters are short, sometimes not even a whole page, and throughout the novel is a bit of a side story told with graphics of small insects/rodents at the edges of the pages. I found this novel, at times, a bit head-scratching, but also completely engaging. You will start and finish it the same day. I suppose dystopia that is well done never gets old, and this book is unique in its simplicity. 

There are some graphic scenes and foul language, so I would aim this more at older teens.