Review: The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson

Genre: Young Adult,SciFil
ScFi Element: Genetic Manipulation
Series: Jenna Fox #2
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter | Blog
Review copy provided by Amazon Vine program.

PJ's QUICKIE POV:

A very competent follow-up, The Fox Inheritance added a sense of anxiety and dark simmering violence that THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX lacked. The introduction of the two friends was a surprise for me, Jenna's book could have been a stand-alone, but I was still excited to hear that the world would be explored more. In the end I wasn't disappointed and actually thought that THE FOX INHERITANCE was a little more than the first and the characters better developed.

REVIEW:

Locke and Kara have been resurrected after 260 years of stasis - living within a black box where their mind downloads spun and spun. They were forgotten on a shelf and discovered by a scientist with dollar signs in his eyes. Crafted into perfect human beings, their minds uploaded into perfect bodies. They are expected to be grateful to their savior even when everything is so wrong. Centuries gone. Their families long deceased. The only living person they know is Jenna, who lives somewhere out of reach. Jenna, who is a long lost friend to Locke and the reason for their pain according to Kara...


THE FOX INHERITANCE was uniquely constructed. The world has changed since the time of THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX. Two hundred and sixty years is a long time and Pearson moved the setting along perfectly. Locke finds himself in an alien world and has to cope with what he has been given and the pain he went through "in the box". The book went from being very internal to a lot going on externally. It also broadened some interesting ideas that were expanded on that I'm pretty sure we might be faced with in the future. I think some of the ideas had a good basis but was wrapped in a quick little package, so I would have liked to see a lot more, but the book worked in this form. Yet, I do believe that as a longer adult novel these ideas could have been quite epic. Pearson has quite an imagination and her world building was well thought out and implemented. Locke as a character was highly enjoyable and Kara was rather creepy. Jenna was still a little stand-off-ish, but it fit the personality. Overall, excellent follow-up and I can't wait to read more from Mary Pearson.


RECOMMENDATIONS:

Recommended for fans of psychological dystopians, books like WITHER by Lauren deStefano and MATCHED by Ally Condi. Please read the first book because while it wasn't necessarily needed it will help you understand the world the books are based in. There wasn't much to be worried about as far as censorship is needed, should be safe for younger to mature teens and enjoyable by adults.









Like this Like That

1. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
2. Delerium by Lauren Oliver

Review: The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Genre: Young Adult,SciFil
ScFi Element: Genetic Manipulation
Series: Jenna Fox #1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter | Blog
Audible.com download.

PJ's QUICKIE POV:

For reasons unbeknownst to me I had put off reading this particular gem. Probably because in a world of heavy hitters that all had similar labels (dystopian, science fiction, young adult) it was eclipsed by flashier titles. And while I put it off for awhile, I did managedto finally get to it (the blame though lies solely on the the fact that I landed a Fox Inheritance ARC) and I’m so glad I did. THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX was a superb blend of mystery, intrigue and thought provoking topics. While not the best of the best of dystopian fiction, I do have to say that I’m still thinking about this one and am highly anticipating book two.


REVIEW:

Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year long coma and she can barely remember her name, much less how to put certain words together. Trying to regain her grasp on reality Jenna Fox is focused on putting together the pieces, remembering her prior life and making sense of the strange changes that her parents and grandmother have made after her accident. Jenna doesn’t know if it is because of her accident or something else more nefarious, but she is determined to find out the truth. Especially as mystery after mystery begins to surface.


The mystery behind Jenna Fox kept me stuck nose deep the entire time. I thought I might have had it figured out but then another loop was always thrown in. The book was excellently paced and drew me in word by word. The character of Jenna Fox was also solidly formed, her character went from 2D to three dimensional in a wonderful transition. What I did find confusing was that I couldn’t discern the authors meaning behind the story. I thought she was going a certain direction but then the ending threw me completely off. I guess maybe I have to wait for book two to see how the chips fall?


RECOMMENDATIONS:

Recommended for fans of dystopian and young adult books. Fans of Ally Condie, Lauren DeStefano and authors of great dystopian and science fiction should enjoy.








Like this Like That

1. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
2. Delerium by Lauren Oliver

PJ Review: CHILDHOOD’S END by Arthur C. Clarke

Genre: Adult, Sci-fi Apocalypse
SciFi Element: Aliens
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web  
Audiobook review, copy purchased from audible.com

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
Touted by some as Clarke’s best novel, CHILDHOOD’S END is a stunning picture of first contact and the repercussions of what might happen if we were to meet an alien race. Clarke who is the embodiment of what a science fiction author should be created a tale that was so ridiculously real that it’s underlying message will resonate through me. His thought process and the conveyance of his ideas are so precise, logical and scientific that you will believe that this is a truthful narrative instead of a work of fiction. There is no denying that Arthur C. Clarke is a genius and his works should be enjoyed by the masses. Yet, while I really do think this book is a work of genius - the message that it delivers saddens me, so it is not my favorite from Clarke. I want to read science fiction and believe man can touch the stars...not have our ignorance shoved in my face. I get that on an every day basis...I don't want to read about it.

REVIEW:
Above every major city a ship appears, Earth has made first contact. Humans dub them the Overlords and in hours they rule our planet, able to outmaneuver any hostile or benign rebellion. Earth quietly acquiesces and accepts the Overlords rule - they are a lenient dictator, they only ask for a few things. Because of the Overlords, Earth enters into a time of peace, a veritable Utopia. War, disease, famine, all gone, yet in it’s wake the human race stagnates. Creativity is lost and there is an underlying fear that the Overlords have their own road map and are not sharing it with the human race.

I do believe that while I enjoyed this epic science fiction work, this is probably my least favorite Clarke novel. An earlier piece, I think he learned a bit more mastery in later novels that were not implemented in this one. The novel did drone a bit and was more like a historical narrative than his later novels. You find no character interaction - but again this is typical in similar broad reaching scifi narrations. Don’t take this the wrong way, I recommend this book for everyone but I might push you towards the RAMA series, which I believe is Clarke’s best series work.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Definitely partake if you are a fan of Clarke, also for fans of Henlien’s and Asimov’s work you should definitely try out Clarke.







Like this Like That

1. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke 
2. The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov 

Similar but more modern

1. Ender's Game (Ender, Book 1)by Orson Scott Card
2. The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer

PJ Review: Dark Life by Kat Falls

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
SciFi Element: Underwater, Dystopian
Series: Dark Life #1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Facebook | Goodreads
Purchased audio book from audible.com

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
Prepare for a wild ride with this one! I was completely taken by surprise when on a whim I added this one to my library. DARK LIFE introduced me to a new world teeming with rich imaginings, mystery and fast-paced action. I fell in love with Ty and his underwater world from the moment I finished the first page. This is not one to pass by!

REVIEW:
After cataclysmic events raised the water levels of the world, a large portion of the human race has taken to live in stacked living areas, what seems to be high-rises. They cram into apartments and small living places, unable to farm or own land.  Pioneers and wanna-be land owners have found their new frontiers at the bottom of the ocean. You can own land underneath the ocean, have room to grow and start a family and even own livestock. Yet, like all unknowns, undersea dwellers are thought odd to the people that reside Topside. Their unknown world is suspect and they are lorded over by the Topside government, forced to provide food for the people above in exchange for oxygen.

Ty’s dream is to own his own plot of land and it is going to be available to him soon. In a few short years he will be old enough to strike out on his own and farm his own homestead. He was born under the sea, the first and underwater is his home. He can barely withstand surfacing for a few hours for trade. Especially when the Topside people look at him oddly, his pale glowing skin an oddity above, but normal below because of the diet they subsist on. 

During one of Ty’s explorations he comes upon a girl from Topside in search of her brother and his life will never be the same. They are quickly fleeing from a band of Outlaws that are threatening the underwater way of life, with their crimes and attacks. Together with his new friend, they must search for her brother and at the same time discover who these outlaws are and how they are tied to her brother before Topside government shuts them down permanently. 

Richly unique and captivating, you’ll be sucked underwater with this one and not want to break the surface until you are done. Ty and his world are a multi-layered mystery that you get to peel back bit by bit and savor each piece as you read more. I couldn’t get enough of DARK LIFE and can’t wait to read RIP TIDE.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for fans of young adult dystopian and science fiction. This is not similar to anything I’ve read in a long time so it is hard to do comparisons. 









Like this Like That

1. The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
2. Gone by Michael Grant

PJ Review: Outside In by Maria V. Synder

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
SciFi Element: Space, Dystopian
Series: Inside Series #2
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Goodreads
Review copy provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a review.

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
Just as good as the first, OUTSIDE IN plummets you into an alternate science fiction reality that is so believable, I just couldn’t get enough.  The way Synder’s mind works fascinates me. Her rich imagination and unique characterization is a gem among the writing world. If you have not read a book by Maria V. Synder do so now, you will not be disappointed.

REVIEW:
OUTSIDE IN begins where we left off with it’s predecessor. Trella has fought and won freedom for the people of Inside and a committee has been formed from the rebels. They are there to make the decisions, vote on topics and get things done Inside. But, unfortunately most of the decisions are taking too long as the members disagree and Lowers and Uppers still pit against one another. Trella is there as a consultant because she did not want to take as much responsibility as they wanted to give her and soon the committee position is too much also. The politics of the situation overwhelms her and all she yearns for is to get back in the pipes and away from all the bickering and decision making.

No one will let her do this though, the people around her know that she has the power within her and they keep pushing her to step up to the plate. Trella isn’t having it, even as a saboteur is on the loose and begins making serious trouble for the people of Inside. Will Trella have to do things over again? Rebel against the newly formed committee, against her friends? Or will they do it for her? Push her away because she will not take action? And as more and more accidents begin to happen, things aren’t looking good for the newly formed Inside government…

Sndyer’s work is so unique and I’m always so pleased after I read them. She has a unique way of portraying situations which draws you into her novels. OUTSIDE IN does the same and I was caught up in finding out who was behind the bombings and then the subsequent political maneuvering so much so that my head was spinning. I reacted with Trella to all her emotional scenes and I thought Synder did a wonderful job with her progression. The pacing was also well done but for a slight slowness at the start of the novel. This stems from the fact that there is a reintroduction to the events that never goes over well with me.

My distaste with some of the novel stemmed from personal opinions on how I WISHED things would have been done and would be a complete spoiler if I went into details. But, I did find that the end of the book felt rushed and thought that maybe this might have been better left for the third book. If there is going to be a third book and my mediocre searching on the internet has not garnered me a definite yah or nay about a next one. I'm thinking it is likely though, because who does a two book series?

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for fans of science fiction young adult novels, her writing actually reminds me of the novels I loved as a child from Madeleine L'Engle. There is a touch of romance for those that need this extra umpf and I recommend this for older teens for there are a bit of mature subjects that are hinted at, but nothing descriptive.










Like this Like That

1. Across the Universe Beth Revis
2. Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clark

PJ Review: Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
SciFi Element: Space
Series: Across the Universe Book 1
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Blog | Tumblr

Audiobook review, copy purchased from audible.com

PJ's QUICKIE POV:
I think I might have read the wrong synopsis on this book because it was nothing like what I expected. Yet, even though I was expecting an epic scifi romance the book was still enjoyable, slightly original and thought-provoking. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE was an extremely well-implemented political and mystery based-dystopian that had me stuck in a guessing game and highly anxiety ridden. Even though I was a little struck at the similarities with Synder’s INSIDE OUT, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE was a very enjoyable read.

REVIEW:

On a great adventure to colonize a far off planet, the GODSPEED is built and a select group of people are chosen to be frozen in time and shipped to the new planet to colonize. Amy’s parents are both chosen to embark on the journey and are able to talk the people in charge into allowing her to go as non-essential personnel. Her body is frozen and placed in a glass coffin. She expects to awaken in 300 years. But, her mind never goes to sleep. Fifty years before landing she is awakened by accident or malicious intent and is faced with the reality that is Godspeed and the support people that live aboard the ship.

It is a strange world of regulations, genetic manipulation and very odd behavior. The only people that act normal are the ones that live in the mental hospital and Elder, the boy destined to be the leader. The boy that might have been the one to unfreeze her and almost kill her. But, it makes no sense, especially when more people are being unfrozen and killed...there is a murderer on ship and Amy is scared that her parents might be next.

More a mystery than a romance --- I so got epic romance from that cover, so I was taken off track as that didn't unfold as I believed.  Though, I was disappointed there wasn't more kissing and angst, it did work. The book entertained me and had me doing the whole guessing game of “who-done-it” for awhile, until I figured it out before the time was right. There were a few similarities between ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and Synder’s INSIDE OUT. Colony ship turns unknowing dystopian world. Here comes a teenager to the rescue!!! Yet, even with the concept similar to the OUT books, this one was original in it's deployment and spoke of reality to me. Something like this could happen, all you have to do is feed people the wrong information. Beth Revis did a wonderful job and I look forward to reading more from the series.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
For fans of the INSIDE OUT books you should enjoy, dystopian and young adult SciFi fans also recommended for. I do recommend this for mature teens, there are some heavy topics, including an attempted rape.







Like this Like That

1. Inside Out by Maria Synder
2. Ultraviolet by RJ Anderson