Having read enough books by Jay Kristoff to know, I was a bit worried going into this third and final book in his Lifelike series. And, yup. I was rigHaving read enough books by Jay Kristoff to know, I was a bit worried going into this third and final book in his Lifelike series. And, yup. I was right to worry. Dang you, Kristoff!
Truelife starts out where Deviate ended, with Lemon Fresh as a captive of BioMass, and Eve as a captive of Daedalus Technologies. To be honest, at this point I didn't care a bit where Eve was or what she was going through. All I cared about was Lemon and if she'd survive. And in a surprise twist, I finally realized this series was really Lemon's story, not Eve's and I couldn't have been happier.
Kristoff tends to give us heroes and heroines who we absolutely adore. With that said, I want Lemon as my own bestie! And I want my own squad of Grimm, Diesel, Crickett, Zeke, and Abraham!
The squad separates to try to save both Lemon and Eve, and in the midst of non-stop action that follows, we even get a few kissing scenes. The gang then pulls out all the stops to prevent insane Gabriel from wiping out the human race and populating what's left of the world with Lifelikes and robots. Even more action ensues culminating in the final battle.
Yes, there are tears. It wouldn't be a Kristoff book without them after all, but I can honestly say that I was very satisfied with the ending.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for the advance copy!*
Merged review:
Having read enough books by Jay Kristoff to know, I was a bit worried going into this third and final book in his Lifelike series. And, yup. I was right to worry. Dang you, Kristoff!
Truelife starts out where Deviate ended, with Lemon Fresh as a captive of BioMass, and Eve as a captive of Daedalus Technologies. To be honest, at this point I didn't care a bit where Eve was or what she was going through. All I cared about was Lemon and if she'd survive. And in a surprise twist, I finally realized this series was really Lemon's story, not Eve's and I couldn't have been happier.
Kristoff tends to give us heroes and heroines who we absolutely adore. With that said, I want Lemon as my own bestie! And I want my own squad of Grimm, Diesel, Crickett, Zeke, and Abraham!
The squad separates to try to save both Lemon and Eve, and in the midst of non-stop action that follows, we even get a few kissing scenes. The gang then pulls out all the stops to prevent insane Gabriel from wiping out the human race and populating what's left of the world with Lifelikes and robots. Even more action ensues culminating in the final battle.
Yes, there are tears. It wouldn't be a Kristoff book without them after all, but I can honestly say that I was very satisfied with the ending.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for the advance copy!*...more
Noumenon Infinity continues with Convoy 7’s story to learn more about the alien structure that looks like it could be a Dyson Sphere. The author contiNoumenon Infinity continues with Convoy 7’s story to learn more about the alien structure that looks like it could be a Dyson Sphere. The author continues with the storytelling by focusing on a certain clone and then later in a different chapter, we may get a big time jump and a different clone (either the same clone or an entirely different person) but generations later.
In addition, she intersperses stories of Convoy 7 with Convoy 12, although she starts at the beginning of Convoy 12’s story.
Where 7 is on a generational journey of thousands of years, 12’s convoy stays in earth’s star system playing with SD bubbles. During one of the tests, an accident happens, and 2 of the 3 ships find themselves far far away and surrounded by alien ships. In fact, when they finally figure out where they are, they also realize that 100,000 years have passed.
This second book in this series was just as mind boggling as the first. Once again, the science hurt my brain, but this is what I expect from well done epic sci-fi!
I have an advance copy of Noumenon Ultra and can’t wait to jump in to see what the author does next!!
Merged review:
Noumenon Infinity continues with Convoy 7’s story to learn more about the alien structure that looks like it could be a Dyson Sphere. The author continues with the storytelling by focusing on a certain clone and then later in a different chapter, we may get a big time jump and a different clone (either the same clone or an entirely different person) but generations later.
In addition, she intersperses stories of Convoy 7 with Convoy 12, although she starts at the beginning of Convoy 12’s story.
Where 7 is on a generational journey of thousands of years, 12’s convoy stays in earth’s star system playing with SD bubbles. During one of the tests, an accident happens, and 2 of the 3 ships find themselves far far away and surrounded by alien ships. In fact, when they finally figure out where they are, they also realize that 100,000 years have passed.
This second book in this series was just as mind boggling as the first. Once again, the science hurt my brain, but this is what I expect from well done epic sci-fi!
I have an advance copy of Noumenon Ultra and can’t wait to jump in to see what the author does next!!...more
I watched the TV show and binged 2 seasons in a week. When I headed on vacation, this seemed like a good book to take to the beach with me. And wow. II watched the TV show and binged 2 seasons in a week. When I headed on vacation, this seemed like a good book to take to the beach with me. And wow. I finished this in one day. I couldn’t stop reading.
This was an addictive read and as soon as I got home, I ordered Hidden Bodies to continue stalking Joe.
I’m not sure any of these characters weren’t bonkers. Obviously Joe, but Beck was a weirdo in her own right. And especially Peach and Benji.
Joe felt like a Dexter, except Joe didn’t kill other serial killers, just anyone who interferes with his perfect Beck. There are many disturbing scenes in You, including a few too many sex scenes for me.
But overall, when I can’t stop reading a book and finish it in one day, it’s a 5 star read for me....more
This was a cute rom-com about enemies Alex, the son of the President, and Henry, Prince of England, falling in love. Much of this was about U.S. politThis was a cute rom-com about enemies Alex, the son of the President, and Henry, Prince of England, falling in love. Much of this was about U.S. politics, which overall I did enjoy, and some of it (too much) were explicit sex scenes, which I wasn't expecting at all and skimmed through.
It was definitely a feel good story and I did enjoy it....more
Jon is an American academic professor attending a conference in Switzerland. He’s staying at an older hotel when a nuclear war happens.
For the first Jon is an American academic professor attending a conference in Switzerland. He’s staying at an older hotel when a nuclear war happens.
For the first half of the book, I was really intrigued to find out how the group of 20 who stay works to survive and how they handle the loss of their family and friends. They really have no outside contact as there’s no electric to charge their phones, and almost no internet they can connect to.
While working on their water issue, they find a young girl’s body in one of their water towers. Jon becomes obsessed with who the girl is and how she died.
The apocalypse portion of the book is almost forgotten as Jon tries to solve the murder mystery.
Even when they connect to the internet, there’s really no mention of how or why the nuclear bombs were sent to all the major cities. And throughout the story, I found it odd that the group just sat back using up their supplies with no thought as to how they’d continue to survive in the future.
At first I kind of liked Jon, the protagonist, but the more I found out, the more I disliked him.
And then the end was just odd. The murder was kind of solved unspectacularly and with no lead up to it. It was kind of out of left field.
I didn’t dislike the story, but I didn’t love it. It was ok. A bit meh....more
I typically love space operas and have read some really good hard sci-fi books.
With that said, for most of The Last Human, I had no idea what I was reI typically love space operas and have read some really good hard sci-fi books.
With that said, for most of The Last Human, I had no idea what I was reading. There were some really good parts about Sarya the Daughter and her adopted mother, and Sarya with her friend, Eleven, the spacesuit. But that’s really all that stands out. The rest was nonsensical to me.
I started wanting to DNF this at about 1/3 in. But I just didn’t want to admit that I didn’t get it so I kept trudging through. At 50% I took a break and thought that maybe it was my mood. Nope. It wasn’t. At 73%, I had put too much of my time in that I was determined to finish and hope the end would make it better.
The end did make it a little bit better which is why this got 2 stars instead of 1.
The cover pretty well shows the variety of aliens in this book. Notice that the lone human is the only species with a danger sign. That was interesting, but there were so many species that I couldn’t really keep track of who was which species of alien.
I see that many people are giving this book great reviews, so I’m guessing that it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I do prefer to not have to work to understand a book I’m reading. I love the science of my sci-fi books. But this one was just a bunch of nonsense... Not really science to me.
Honestly, I’m relieved to be done!
*I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Del Rey Books.*...more
Well that was a fun listen for the most part. R.C. Bray and Julia Whelan’s performances are what really made this book exciting.
The entire populationWell that was a fun listen for the most part. R.C. Bray and Julia Whelan’s performances are what really made this book exciting.
The entire population of humans AND animals on earth ALL disappear! Angela was on the space station and Vaughn was in a NASA experiment and wasn’t technically “on earth” so these two are the only survivors. Unfortunately, Angela is starving to death on the space station. Can Vaughn figure out how to rescue the lone astronaut?
This was an action packed book with lots and lots of NASA science. Although I love the science, there were times where it was a little tedious.
But... the narrators made it completely worth it! And for about the last half, the book really took off and I couldn’t get enough.
This story was reminiscent of The Martian as far as everything that could go wrong did, and how can we get past it and build something else? Angela and Vaughn were not as amusing as Mark Watney, though. Oh, ok... maybe Angela and her pets were. Loved those bits!...more
4.25 stars. In this sequel to The Deceivers, believe it when the synopsis says "The stakes are higher. The cons are riskier. And nothing is what you t4.25 stars. In this sequel to The Deceivers, believe it when the synopsis says "The stakes are higher. The cons are riskier. And nothing is what you think it is."
The story continues with Brynn at Vale Hall, an elite high school which is really a school for con artists. The gang is back and I was thrilled to get more of Brynn, Charlotte, Henry, Caleb, and Sam. But Grayson is also back (not so thrilled about him, and neither is Caleb!)
The twists and turns are crazy and, dang, I need book 3 right now!!
For much of the book, I wanted to throw something at Brynn for not seeing the truth. But... The book would have been much shorter and not as fun had that actually happened. All in all, very worth it.
*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Teen for the advance copy!*...more
Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have quickly become favorite authors in the world of psychological thrillers. I loved their 2 previous books! And nGreer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen have quickly become favorite authors in the world of psychological thrillers. I loved their 2 previous books! And now this 3rd book definitely did not disappoint.
Shay watches a woman throw herself in front of a subway train. She becomes intrigued with learning about the woman and attends her memorial where she meets the friends. In particular, the Moore sisters are glamorous and beautiful and seem to be interested in Shay. Shay wants nothing more than to become part of their circle of friends.
The authors did a great job at keeping me guessing at what was going on. The twists and turns were perfect to keep me glued to the pages and flipping them as fast as I could.
The story is told from the point of views of Shay, Amanda (the woman who committed suicide), the sisters, and the rest of the “friends” of Amanda. I was quite blown away over the big twists near the end. I’m a sucker for great twists! Well done, ladies!
*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy!*...more
I own all of Kristen Simmons books and have read all but one. It's on my TBR and I really need to get to it sooner than later. I adore her writing.
ThiI own all of Kristen Simmons books and have read all but one. It's on my TBR and I really need to get to it sooner than later. I adore her writing.
This book was very different than Kristen's usual genre, dystopian, and I loved it. In fact I finished it in one day. I had to! And I absolutely can't wait to jump into book 2 of the Vale Hall series, Scammed.
In The Deceivers, Brynn tries to earn college money by doing cons. She lives in a horrific part of the city and her mother's boyfriend is a big time drug lord, who abuses Brynn's mom. Brynn wants to escape her life and make something of herself.
Brynn is sought after for her con skills and is invited into an elite private school where the main curriculum is learning to be a con artist.
I thought this story was intriguing and the pacing was perfect. I loved Brynn, and Caleb, and Henry, and Charlotte... I couldn't get enough, actually.
I can't wait to see what's next for the students of Yale Hall....more
I’ve read every book Mary Kubica has written and The Other Mrs. was, by far, my favorite!
Sadie, a Doctor, and her family move to an island town in MaI’ve read every book Mary Kubica has written and The Other Mrs. was, by far, my favorite!
Sadie, a Doctor, and her family move to an island town in Maine due to the suicide of her sister-in-law. Sadie and her husband, Will, become the guardians of their brooding, disturbed 16 year old niece, and take over the old house to make it easier on Imogen (the niece). When a murder of a married woman takes place at the house across the street, (she’s found by her young stepdaughter), Sadie becomes convinced that Imogene could have done it.
This story is told from the POVs of three characters; Sadie, Camille (Sadie’s previous roommate who is having an affair with Will), and a 6 year old little girl named Mouse whose stepmother is extremely abusive to her.
While reading this book, I was pretty sure I had figured out the twist early on. Well, I’m also naive, because Mary Kubica doesn’t give up her twists that easily! Mary got me! Again and again! Those twists!! Well done, Mary!
I could barely put this book down and read it in two sittings. This psychological thriller is going to be one of my all time favorites.
*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin, Park Row for the advance copy!*...more
When I read the synopsis of The Final Six, I was immediately drawn to the premise. The keywords for me were Space Training Camp, establish colony on JWhen I read the synopsis of The Final Six, I was immediately drawn to the premise. The keywords for me were Space Training Camp, establish colony on Jupiter’s moon Europa, cutthroat atmosphere, Earth is dying... Yea! All of my favorite things to read about!
And I was NOT disappointed! In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact that I had to put the book down to sleep (finally at 2ish am), I would have read it in one sitting.
24 teens are chosen from around the world to begin training for a colonization mission to Europa. The teens are all brilliant in some way and each have something to contribute on this mission. But they are in competition to be one of the final six who are selected for the actual mission.
The story is told from the POVs of two of the selectees, Naomi (the Iranian/American science wunderkid from the USA) and Leo (the Olympic championship swimmer from Italy).
During this first book, we get the Space Training Camp which, for me, was so very cool (picture The Right Stuff with teens) along with “some” science. And just a tiny bit of romance.
Was it perfect? No. Everything was rushed and a little bit unrealistic as to how it could be possible to train for such a mission in weeks. But, it didn’t matter to me as it is "fiction". I loved the storyline and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Also, Sony has optioned the book to make into a movie! Can’t wait for book 2!!...more
I’ve been such a huge fan of Jonathan Maberry’s Benny Imura series for years. In fact, his Rot & Ruin series were the very first zombie books I’d everI’ve been such a huge fan of Jonathan Maberry’s Benny Imura series for years. In fact, his Rot & Ruin series were the very first zombie books I’d ever read and is what started me on my love of the genre. Who knew?! I’d stayed so far away from anything zombie related until then.
Thanks Jonathan for writing characters that I absolutely adore. And I still hate you for the heartbreaks along the way. (Just kidding. It’s a love/hate relationship.)
Lost Roads is the end of the road for the characters I love so much that appeared in two of Maberry’s series; Benny Imura, Nix, Chong, Lilah, Riot, Morgie, and now in this new series - Gutsy, Spider, and Alethia. Or is it really the end of the road? Maybe Maberry has something up his sleeve... But if not, this book was a very satisfying ending to this aspect of the post-apocalyptic world created by Maberry.
Also appearing in both series is Joe Ledger and Sam Imura. Both of these characters are in Maberry’s extremely popular Joe Ledger series. I have a feeling there’s more to come for Joe and Sam.
I listened to Ray Porter perform both books in the Broken Lands series. I now have a Ray Porter hangover. He’s just so brilliant.
I highly recommend these books if you enjoy the zombie or apocalypse genres, even if this particular series is YA and you don’t read YA. If nothing else, just do it for more Joe Ledger....more
I’ve had The Fire Sermon on my shelves for several years and my best book friends who know me kept telling me to read it already. Well... I finally diI’ve had The Fire Sermon on my shelves for several years and my best book friends who know me kept telling me to read it already. Well... I finally did. And once again, as usual, they were right. They knew I’d enjoy it.
Cass is an Omega twin. Her brother is the Alpha twin. Everyone in this post-apocalyptic world has a twin and one is Alpha and one is Omega. Alphas are born perfect, and Omegas are born deformed in some way. Most have a major deformity easy to see like no eyes, or a missing limb, or an extra limb... Those twins are branded and sent away to live with other Omega twins in the dregs of this world. You see, if one of the twins dies, or are hurt, so is the other twin. So Alphas keep their twins alive but really only enough to ensure their own survival.
Every once in a great while, an Omega is born with no visible defects. They are seers and have the ability to see the unknown whether it be the future, the way, the emotions, or thoughts, etc.
Cass’s twin rises to great power and kidnaps Cass and throws her into captivity to keep himself safe from his enemies.
I found this book to have a unique storyline in the dystopian post-apocalyptic genre and that’s a favorite genre of mine. I’m definitely moving on to book 2, The Map of Bones....more
Karen’s Library
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