Journey to Territory M (Extinction of All Children #2) by L.J. Epps

Its more like 3.5 stars but I still enjoyed it enough to push to 4. The story is still following Emma and her rag tag group trying to force equality throughout the territories. This installment was more real. Emma is still infuriatingly stubborn but she seems to be starting to think about things before acting. 

There is more mystery, more death, more action in this book. If you liked book one you will like book two plus some. It's entertaining, it's exciting, it makes you want to keep reading. The relationships between the characters are developing well. I still don't like the "love triangle" LJ is implying but I get it. It creates drama and jealousy. 

I liked it enough to keep trucking on to book three. I need to know what is going on. Why is craigluy separated from the rest of the nation? Why is it three territories? What happened??? Why is the president such a jerk?!?! Who thinks "yes lets kill babies"?!?!

Thats my take. I think if you've made it this far you HAVE to read book three. Plus it is entertaining. 

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.

Extinction of All Children - L.J. Epps

I'm undecided how much I like this book but it did catch my attention.  It is very reminiscent of another book with fight to the death game with kids, except that isn't the concept here.  Here it is another tyrannical leader making decisions for the populous that aren't very fair.  Our lead, Emma, is the last child of her territory who just turned 18, there are 3 territories and she lives in the poorest.  Don't worry, I'm not spoiling anything.  She is a strong willed, take nothing from anyone type of chick.  She knows inherently that the situation in her territory is wrong even though they try to brainwash them into thinking its for the best.

Its a quick read and it is interesting.  We follow Emma and her fight against the President.  She meets some new people along the way, many of whom seem to immediately fall for her.  Its the beginnings of teen love triangles, a rebellion, and bringing a family back together.  I think if I was a teen or early 20's I may have been more into it.  I liked it but Emma is so bull headed and young, its frustrating.  She is learning though so I do want to continue the series.  Its 3.5 stars form me but only because I am still deciding if I like Emma enough to deal with her immaturity and the boys just falling at her feet.  It's not really believable for me...yet. 

I will move on to book two because I kind of want to see where the story goes.

I got this book for free from Net Galley to read and give my honest review. (spoiler in the jump)

**SPOILERS**

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon

This is an entertaining story about a couple who gives up their "boring City life" to build a home in a small town.  Except things aren't all what they seem.  They are a normal loving married couple.  Its relatable but sometimes a little much.  I've not built a house from scratch but I've gutted and rebuilt from that.  And while we did it, it was hard!  I cannot imagine two DIYers building a house from bottom up.  No matter how much the wifey knows from her dad. 

Moving on, it was an interesting story.  You have this cute couple, a rogue high schooler, small town gossip, a mystery, oh and a ghost.  I'm not spoiling anything don't worry.  The dynamic between all of the characters was built upon as the story went on.  I like that.  It's not thrown in your face from the start.  You grow and learn with them.  While it was slow at times, and annoying others the story was good.  It got really good as all the pieces started to fit together.  I'm glad I read it and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery with some history, and  a touch of supernatural.

I got this book for free from Net Galley to read and give my honest review. 

A Hideous Beauty: Kingdom Wars I - Jack Cavanaugh

I give it three stars but only because its ending was redeeming.

I have mixed feelings on this one.  On the one hand I like the premise.  Its Supernatural meets West Wing.  Actually there was literally an entire season of Supernatural dealing with a not so good President and meddling angels but I digress.

We are following the mishaps of Grant Austin.  Pulitzer Prize winning author for his book on the President currently in office.  What he doesn't know is he is just a pawn.  Forces are in control and he played right into their hands.  He apparently is an attractive man with a weird sense of humor.  He sounds like someone I would like but he is written in a way that I almost couldn't stand him.  Women weren't represented well at first either.  I mean the first thing I do when I meet a new female friend is not have a girl power pow wow about our mutual ex and talk about clothes but whatever.  Nor do I fly off the handle easily, actually I don't know many women that actually do.  But maybe me and my friends are different and other females would get unexplainably jealous and irrational because of a complete misunderstanding.

Moving on, once we know Grant's purpose in this wondrous world it got better.  Too bad that was 3/4 of the way into the book.  But once we see the whole crazy situation laid out it got way more interesting.  I really don't like how Grant handles everything but I was rooting for him in the end.  I felt for him.  How could someone as insignificant as him be so important in the grande scheme of things.  How can a normal guy be so important to the war between good an evil.  How can one man change the world?  Grant is going to find out.

I liked the book eventually but getting to the better side of Grant took forever.  I know he is written to be a sarcastic butt but its a bit much.  I will probably read book two because of the ending.  So if you like a twisty Good vs Evil book, give it a try.  Just be forewarned the main character can be a beating at times.

I got this book for free from Netgalley to read and give my honest review.  

**SPOILERS**

Lifel1k3 - Jay Kristoff

Wow.  This is a fascinating coming of age story.  I mean who doesn't want to read about a rebellious teen in a future where we almost destroyed all of life on earth.  That isn't sarcasm, I'm serious.  We are following the life of Eve.  She lives what used to be California but it broke off and is an island now.  She poor and scrappy. She has a cybernetic eye and a memory chip in her head.  She has her gramps, BFF named Lemon, robot sidekick named Cricket , and a robo dog with a real dog brain.  

Its not all what you think.  There are non humans out there.  They look like us but they aren't human.  They are called Lifelikes and they rebelled against their maker.  Don't worry, I didn't spoil anything you don't read in the first few pages.  Imagine that!  You get this much insanity and its only the beginning.  This story is full of adventure, heartbreak, friendship, and betrayal; all with a sci-fi base.  Its a captivating read that has more surprises than I thought possible.  The author did a wonderful job of creating characters you love.  Even with their flaws you love them.  That is why all the twists and turns are such punches in the gut  You are learning along with Eve which makes this story even more intriguing.  All leading up to the final showdown that completely blew my mind, and its only book one.  I would definitely recommend it.

SPOILERS in the  jump

All These Perfect Strangers - Aoife Clifford

What did I think...hmmmm.  Well I thought it was a decent book.  I really did.  I even waited 24 hours to write my review to think on it and make sure my thoughts didn't change.  And they didn't.  I still want to throw this book out of a window....or off of a roof...and possibly stab it with a screw driver.  But I won't because its a digital book on my iPad and I like my iPad so no violence to the book. 

With that said this book had its ups and downs.  I love a good mystery but this one almost took it to a frustrating level.  Its a flash back story.  Meaning it starts in a present day type scenario and flashes back to the past.  But the whole book takes place in 1990...flashing back to previous events to move the story forward.  There are a few characters to keep up with but the main focus is Penelope as she is telling the story.  She has been in trouble and got in more trouble and is trying to make her life right. 

I will say it is a relatable story. Not because I got in trouble but because we have all had to make difficult decisions to protect ourselves or fit in.  Pen is troubled, that is evident.  She makes STUPID decisions, that is also evident but you can't help but be understanding.  She is damaged and scared, of course she doesn't always choose the right path but she is a good person...right. 

It was a little twisty...slightly turney and very frustrating.  It does keep you guessing for the most part which is nice.  I did have my suspicions but the author did a decent job of distracting me so that I didn't focus long enough to say "AH HA!".  I couldn't give it more than 3 stars because of a certain reason I can't reveal...SPOILERS.  It was interesting enough but I wouldn't go out of my way to read it. 

SPOILERS

What the hell was that ending?!!?!?  I mean the entire book I wanted to slap Pen and say STOP LYING! Stop being deceitful.  You are getting a fresh start...STOP!  But she always hid things.  She trusted the wrong people.  She hurt people.  I got pissed as a college student but I would NEVER purposefully drug someone.  That is some sociopath level stuff there.  I also wouldn't have trusted Rogan.  He was pretty but something was off from the start.  I just never thought, oh stand up guy.  I also didn't trust Michael...he screamed "I'm going to be a mass murderer one day"...very creepy.  Rachel was conflicted but not all bad.  I really liked Toby, he was a good friend. 

Pen just chose wrong all the time.  I never got why she lied to EVERYONE.  I know her and Tracey did some bad things but I really think Pen was the bad influence. She is a manipulator.  She had some redeeming qualities but she lied SO MUCH.  I mean I get your friend is embarrassed about being almost raped but you tell someone.  You don't save her...then lie about everything and let her take the fall for a death.  You don't see something bad happen and go quiet.  You don't have your SLEEPING PILLS stolen and not report it.  You don't like about how someone died.  Michael was going to kill her...why lie and say he jumped.  Why not say "he was trying to kill me and I pushed him by accident".  Its a much more believable story...more truth.  After all of that I really started to distrust Pen...WHY LIE!?!? 

That is why the ending made me insane.  What the frick happened???  She is in the interrogation room.  They have her diary and...she flashes back...way back to when she first met Tracey.  To the last time she was sort of happy and it ends.  What?!?!  Sooooo its left open to interpretation...I guess.  She was clearly guilty of something.  Maybe she was the murderer all along and she fooled us, the reader.  I don't know and I'll never know because it freaking ended!  So was she really mental?  Tracey is dead and can't help her...plus she LIED.  Rogan wouldn't help her.  Michael 7 Rachel are dead.  Toby is probably traumatized.  I don't know...maybe I'm over thinking it but I really feel like the whole book was a ruse.  A ruse told by Pen.  its her skewed version of reality.  There was way more to it than what we are told...right?!!?


I received this book for free from House Party, Random House, & Net Galley to read and give my honest review.