Review: Fast Forward by Juliet Madison

Fast Forward 

by Juliet Madison

Published February 1st 2013 

Publisher: Escape Publishing

eBook, 218 pages

Aspiring supermodel Kelli Crawford seems destined to marry her hotshot boyfriend, but on her 25th birthday she wakes in the future as a fifty-year-old suburban housewife married to the now middle-aged high school nerd.

Trapped in the opposite life of the one she wanted, Kelli is forced to re-evaluate her life and discover what is really important to her. Will she overcome the hilarious and heartbreaking challenges presented to her and get back to the body of her younger self? Or will she be stuck in the nightmare of hot flushes, demanding children, raunchy advances from her husband, and hideous support underwear forever?--Goodreads

Awesome book! 5 Stars! 

Review

I accidentally came upon this book while on Goodreads and I ended up purchasing the novel and finishing it in one sitting!

Kelli comes off as conceited and a bit rude at first, but she grows on you! She was actually really funny. I laughed at her freak outs :) She tends to exaggerate a lot, especially when she went bungee-jumping with her son. Kelli's overly active imagination made this book a fun and light read. Thank goodness I didn't read this in public or otherwise people would think I'm a lunatic since I was smiling like a lunny for most of the book.

Since Kelli was sent to the future, there were tons of new technology. The technology were really cool! There was a built-in coffee maker in the car!!! The car had auto-drive! And it talks to you! I for one can not wait for the future :)

The novel was funny, but it also taught an important lesson. Reading this novel just made me appreciate life and all it has to offer. I'm the kind of person that constantly wonders what if? What if I turned in that assignment on time, would I've gotten a better grade in the class? What if I splurged and got that cute shirt? I'm also a huge planner. I have a plan for my future and intend to follow through with it. I also get stress out when things don't go according to my plans. The funny thing with life is that you never know. The only thing you can do is live your life and have fun doing so. As the kids would say, YOLO. (you only live once!)

Purchase this novel at: Amazon (Kindle)  / B&N (Nook) / KOBO

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch (Glitch #1)

By Heather Anastasiu

Published August 7th, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Paperback, 308 pages

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. -Goodreads

3.5 Stars

Review

Glitch started out and seemed to be a promising read, but it was sort of disappointing. It was one of those books that lost its potential.


Okay, on to the main character, Zoe. She begins the novel with her V-chip (I never understood exactly what it was) glitching, causing her to feel emotions. She is, understandably, very confused,  because she has never felt emotions before and she doesn't know what to do and is all alone. With that said, I found her ability to comprehend emotions varied, sometimes she wouldn't at all get some emotions while somehow being able to pick other emotions up very quickly, like her insta love for Adrien (I will get to him later). What also annoyed me was how she didn't really even use her  power until it was suggested by someone else, you think if you had an awesome new power you would experiment with it a bit.


I think my biggest issue was with the romance. Normally, I don't mind love triangles too much, but this one wasn't even a love triangle, it was very obvious that Max was just thrown in there, and that Zoe would never end up with him. Also, Max is a possessive and creepy person, basically only wanting Zoe for a physical relationship. I understand that Zoe wouldn't know what to do with Max and wouldn't want to hurt his feelings, but she doesn't have any romantic feelings for him and he just keeps pushing himself on her. I get it, but really, come on. JUST PUSH HIM AWAY. My theory about Max is that Anastasiu, the author, intentionally made him an extremely dislikable person so he could then become a villain.

The other love interest is Adrien. Insta love between them? Yes *groan*. Besides the immediate connection/love he and Zoe share (which is slightly more understandable as Adrien already knows about Zoe from his visions, therefore could fall in love with her quicker) he is an average character. It is insta love, yet not, because of an unfortunate event, Adrien does have to start over and work for Zoe's love. Except his weird swearing did annoy me at first, but I eventually got used to it.



The writing was okay, nothing much to day about it. So all in all, I will probably go on to read the sequel if only to find out what happens (stinky cliff hangers), and I hope the sequel might redeem Glitch.

Purchase at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

Review: Epic by Conor Kostick

Epic (Epic #1) by Conor Kostick

Pulished: April 5, 2007

Publisher: Viking Juvenille

Hardcover, 384 pages

Generations ago, violence was banned on New Earth. Society is governed and conflicts are resolved in the arena of a fantasy computer game, Epic. 

Everyone plays. 

If you win, you have the chance to go to university, get more supplies for your community, and fulfill your dreams; if you lose, your life both in and out of the game is worth nothing.

When Erik, seeking revenge for the unjust treatment of his parents, dares to subvert the rules of Epic, he and his friends find themselves up against with the ultimate masters of the game: the Committee. If Erik and his friends win, they may have the key to destroying Epic's tyranny over New Earth. But if they lose . . . --GoodReads

Three and a Half Stars

Review

To begin with, this book is kinda old, slightly cheesy, and somewhat cliché, so you ask, “Why review/read it?” Well. It wasn’t exactly a literary masterpeice. Plot wise… it could be better. BUT! I simply cannot help but like it. Why? Well, the story begins with Erik, a boy in a poor out of the way farming town that struggles to get by. His character died fighting some dragon and has to make a new one to start his game over again. Good old Erik then decides to use all his attribute points on beauty, and picks the swashbuckler class which lacks in strength but makes up in je ne sais quoi, which probably means (use snooty voice here) “to be completely awesome.” 

In a world where the lives of the people depend on their status in Epic, this first rate idiot decides to waste all his attribute points on beauty..... Though actually, I would do the same. Not that I’m calling myself a first rate idiot or anything like that. Christened Cindella, she gets through the game by pure charisma. You gotta admit, thats pretty cool. Imagine walking through the mall, and that guy that mans the Aunty Annes pretzel stand gives you a free pretzel because you’ve (insert your best trait here). So yeah, I gotta respect that. It's one of the reasons I like this book.

Now as for the second thing, do you know that feeling you get when someone challenges you to something that they’re really good at (such as a video game or a sport, etc.)? They’re boasting and gloating about how good they are, and then you come in and WHAM! Royal straight flush. 193 kills. 8 touchdowns and counting. Y’know, that awesome feeling. This book has a large healthy dose of it, spread nicely throughout, which made me flip pages like there was large amounts of gold and the answers to the next math test hidden in the back cover.

Third, I love video games and anything that can pass for a video game. Hell, I’d still be playing the violin if I had a level gauge and a new fancier instrument every time I finished a song. Like, “Congratulations, your bowing skills leveled up! New bow available!” Or maybe if my teacher was a goomba and I could stomp on her for coins. Yes. YES. That would be amazing.

Yeah. So basically, this is a average book. To be frank, its childish, the characters are meh, the plot feels meh. It just happened to be in line with my personal preferences. Or maybe it’s because the story itself has a bit of je ne sais quoi(google it). Maybe because I got so used to reading crappy books *coughcontemporaryromancesuckscoughcoughcough* that this contrasted in a good way. Its a book that you should read if you got time, but not something you should put on the top or near the top of your reading list. 

Order Epic at: Amazon/ B&N/ TBD

Review: Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Crewel (Crewel World #1)
By Gennifer Albin
Published October 16th, 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Hardcover, 368 pages

Enter a tangled world of secrets and intrigue where a girl is in charge of other’s destinies, but not her own.

Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die.

Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls.  Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power.  Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it. - Goodreads

Review

Wow. I went into this book intrigued, weaving reality, huh. Although you might think that this is a typical dystopian novel (and in some ways it is), but it is so different and original. I love it!! Don't worry, if you aren't a fan of dystopians, this could still be the book for you, as it is way above the pack.

First, similarities to other dystopian novels. Yes, this happens in the future, where there was some ginormous war to end all wars, resulting in the current society. Everything is strictly controlled by the government, including your job, your spouse, how many kids you can have, and where you're allowed. From then on it gets interesting.

 Adelice is the main character, someone who was brought up to hide her ability to weave reality, the very fabric of the world, so that she wouldn't be taken away to become a Spinster. She is different from most girls because everyone greatly desires to be a Spinster, only seeing the glamorous side to it. She isn't one of those really badass heroines, but sometimes that's ok. She is flawed, but that makes her seem more normal, and she goes through great character growth as she tries to understand this new world she was suddenly thrown into when she became a Spinster. Her character is very realistic, and is easy to sympathize with.

I give you warning, this book has a love triangle. Yes, the atypical love triangle. If you for one are someone who is tired of this, then turn back now. Although the book isn't solely focused on the romance, it is a sizeable part.  However, the romance does add more to the plot.


I, personally, am someone who likes world building right at the beginning, however Albin's style is to give you it to you piece by piece, so you really have to pay attention. By the end of the book I didn't mind, by slowly giving bits and pieces of information, I actually think it made me more responsive and absorbed. The more that is revealed, the more interested I become, to the point where I cannot fathom more, and yet it comes. My mind was blown by the end.The world that Crewel is set in, Arras, is complex and futuristic. Everything is well described, and is beautifully written. 


I would highly recommend Crewel, it is over flowing with creativity and a wondrous world for you to imagine. The writing is impeccable, adding to the brilliance of Arras and all of the characters there. The ending is a major cliffhanger, leading to so many different possibilities for the series, making me die from anticipation. I will have to wait. 

Purchase this book at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository