ARC Review: Parallel by Claudia Lefeve

Parallel by Claudia Lefeve

Paperback: 264 pages

Release date: August 26th, 2011

Publisher: Sugar Skull Books  

Source: Author

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary: Destiny has a way of catching up.

Saddled with powers she doesn't understand, Etta Fleming's world is turned upside-down the day she meets Cooper Everett, the man who transports her to an alternate reality. A reality she was meant to be a part of.

One minute, she's an orphan living at Dominion House for Girls, an institution for delinquent foster kids, then finds herself attending the exclusive Dominion Hall Academy.

Plucked from the only world she's ever known, Etta now has to deal with an aunt she never knew, a boyfriend she doesn't know, and a best friend who can't know.

PARALLEL is the first book in the Travelers Series.

 Review: 

   
   I believe each one of us had already given the thought of the possibilities of Time Traveling or Psionic Abilities, but what if one day a boy you just happen to met for the first time explain these things on you and claim they're all real? I'll wager you would think he totally lost it, but again what if he divulge that its absolutely real because both of you has the abilities and deep inside, somehow you also think its true? I guess you'll reconsider your thoughts. These are one of the ideas I have come across while reading PARALLEL and maybe they were already usual topics of discussion to others but putting them all together to make up a whole story is something new and no ordinary.

     The characters have their own identities that distinguish them from others and my favourite would be Etta Fleming, not because she's the protagonist but for the reason she's strong-minded, brave and has that self-confidence (that in my opinion) every girl must possess although it'll be hard to gain. Oh! I won't definitely forget to add Cooper Everett, the gorgeous and witty 'Coop'.

As for the plot, I may say I'm truly drawn. Honestly, this is the first book I've read depicting Time Travelers having Psionic Abilities because most of the books I've recently read were mostly about Vampires, Werewolves or other Paranormal fantasies so I wanted to discover new books with new characters and conflicts so I'm really grateful I have read this book because it didn't let me down. Well, the story is like a conundrum; bits and pieces of the puzzle were gradually lifted from every page you turn and the 'pieces' of that puzzle with different shapes were surprisingly suited to one another then a grand portrait was presented and it was the impression that this book leave to its readers: Beautiful and Brilliant, making its readers to wish for more.

     Everything about this book is great---talking about Physics, Telekinesis and all that incredible plot and characters---however, I'm not attracted to its book cover. I find it lacklustre and I don't see its relation to the story although I think the girl was supposed to be Etta Fleming but I just don't see it as her. Regardless of the cover, this book has everything it has to offer to all the readers who wanted to take on a new journey of reading with the Travelers. Absolutely Fascinating! Two Thumbs-up!

~Have I told you this is a total cliffhanger and I can't wait to read for more? Well, be on the look out for Book 2 in the Travelers Series, PARADOX this Fall/Winter 2011

 

On My Wishlist (11)

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It’s where we list all the books we desperately want but haven’t actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It’s also an event that you can join in with too – If you want to know more, click here.

How to Save a Life

Hardcover: 341 pages

Release date: October 18th, 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: Jill MacSweeney just wants everything to go back to normal. But ever since her dad died, she's been isolating herself from her boyfriend, her best friends--everyone who wants to support her. You can't lose one family member and simply replace him with a new one, and when her mom decides to adopt a baby, that's exactly what it feels like she's trying to do. And that's decidedly not normal. With her world crumbling around her, can Jill come to embrace a new member of the family?

Mandy Kalinowski knows what it's like to grow up unwanted--to be raised by a mother who never intended to have a child. So when Mandy becomes pregnant, she knows she wants a better life for her baby. But can giving up a child be as easy as it seems? And will she ever be able to find someone to care for her, too?


Critically acclaimed author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr delivers a heart-wrenching story, told from dual perspectives, about what it means to be a family and the many roads we can take to become one.

The Gray Wolf Throne

 Hardcover: 528 pages

Release date: August 30th, 2011

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Goodreads Summary: Han Alister thought he had already lost everyone he loved. But when he finds his friend Rebecca Morley near death in the Spirit Mountains, Han knows that nothing matters more than saving her. The costs of his efforts are steep, but nothing can prepare him for what he soon discovers: the beautiful, mysterious girl he knew as Rebecca is none other than Raisaana’Marianna, heir to the Queendom of the Fells. Han is hurt and betrayed. He knows he has no future with a blueblood. And, as far as he’s concerned, the princess’s family killed his own mother and sister. But if Han is to fulfill his end of an old bargain, he must do everything in his power to see Raisa crowned queen. 

Meanwhile, some people will stop at nothing to prevent Raisa from ascending. With each attempt on her life, she wonders how long it will be before her enemies succeed. Her heart tells her that the thief-turned-wizard Han Alister can be trusted. She wants to believe it—he’s saved her life more than once. But with danger coming at her from every direction, Raisa can only rely on her wits and her iron-hard will to survive—and even that might not be enough. 


The Gray Wolf Throne is an epic tale of fierce loyalty, unbearable sacrifice, and the heartless hand of fate.

What's on your wishlist for this week? 

The Hunger Games' Official Movie Trailer

Here's The Hunger Games' theatrical trailer if you haven't seen it. 

What a great morning. I was waiting last night for this and finally gave up when GMA's livestream doesn't work for me. Well, THIS IS FREAKING FANTASTIC. No reason to doubt the movie's awesomeness anymore! I loved everything from the district's scenery to the training grounds and arena. The cast is perfect, especially Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. March 2012 can't come soon enough.

What do you think about the trailer?

Review: Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young

Paperback: 459 pages

Release date: June 7th, 2011

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Source: Bought

Amazon ││The Book Depository ││ Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Summary: Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

I had a vague knowledge about this book. All I knew was it has a post-apocalyptic story (which made it a must-read for me) and rave reviews on blogs and other sites. I’m not surprised to love it, and that is not just because of my gravitational pull towards Dystopia. It was also because of this strong and independent and stubborn heroine that riveted me into reading it. 

Blood Red Road goes straight up to my list of favorite Dystopia books, or better yet to my favorite reads this year. It was everything that I hoped for and more. It was fast-paced with an outstanding and gripping plot and I just loved every single bit of it. It also held a resemblance with Chaos Walking because of the misspelled words and funny accent. There were also elusive descriptions about the world before it became the way it is in the book. But I have no problem with that since it made the story unique with the other dystopias. 

I realized that I loved Saba, the heroine, just after reading the book. It was because I didn’t always like her because of the way she treats her little sister at the beginning ‘til about halfway through. She improved and developed so much throughout the novel. Determination and love for her twin brother drives her to embark on a journey, with little knowledge of how much cruelty transformed the world and made it dangerous. She survived it all and even met people who can be really trusted along the way. 

Anyway, it is the characters I loved the most about the story. Emmi, Ike, Tommo, the Free Hawks, and of course, Jack. I liked all of them and their relationship with each other. Jack’s a very lovable and funny guy. He’s exactly the kind of person Saba needs and I definitely agree with the heart stone. ;) There’s more to him than meets the eye and I can’t wait to know more about him and his past. 

Moira Young is the kind of author who knows how to bring the book alive. I was deeply immersed in the story and everything in it. It was an action-packed and adventure-filled book that will leave you wanting for more and searching for novels similar to it. 

This was such a wonderful debut from an author that I’m excited to read more from! I definitely recommend it to all my fellow Dystopia buffs.