Parable of the Talents picks up a few years after the ending of Parable of the Sower. Lauren and her Earthseed followers are living in a community theParable of the Talents picks up a few years after the ending of Parable of the Sower. Lauren and her Earthseed followers are living in a community they built called Acorn, safely and comfortably. Pregnant, Lauren faces questions for the future of where she wants to be and how to spread the word of Earthseed to a larger demographic. But outside forces see Acorn as a threat, and mean to cause it harm.
This duology is like nothing I've read before and I absolutely love it. I got full body chills when I heard the slogan "Make America Great Again" considering this book was published in 1998. There are actually a lot of parallels to modern day that were jarring to read.
This book was incredibly well written and well paced, I wanted to keep listening to the audiobook at times when I wasn't on my commute. It definitely wasn't an easy book to read at times, but I still loved it all the same. I'm really sad that Butler passed away before writing more books in the series, I would have loved to know where this story would have gone. But even if there aren't more it still ended on a high note. ...more
Published in the 90's, taking place in the years 2024-2027, Parable of the Sower is the story of teenage girl, Lauren, living in a post-apocalyptic AmPublished in the 90's, taking place in the years 2024-2027, Parable of the Sower is the story of teenage girl, Lauren, living in a post-apocalyptic America, in a small community where Pasadena/Glendale used to be. California is full of dangers, a water shortage, and monetary inflation and survival is hard. When her community is attacked and falls apart, Lauren must make her own way north for a chance for a better life.
I actually had tried to read this book in paperback format and was unable to get into the book initially, it has a slow start and is a bit confusing at first. I decided to try again on audiobook and ended up loving it. I do think the narrator is a bit older for the age of the character who is between 13-18 years old during the book, but it worked because it's mentioned repeatedly throughout the book that she seems older than her age. I also want to point out that just because the character is a teenager, it does not make this book YA, it's adult science fiction.
I thought this book was beautifully written and engaging. Similar to Handmaid's Tale (of which it is compared to a lot) the devil is in the small, everyday details rather than the big ones. We can piece together how this world really works (and the worldbuilding was incredible). It's also truly scary how a book written over thirty years ago about a post-apocalyptic America actually got some things right about our modern society today....more
It took me over 5 days to finish reading this book. I was actively reading this book as much as I could and it still took me 5 DAYS.
I love 3.5 stars
It took me over 5 days to finish reading this book. I was actively reading this book as much as I could and it still took me 5 DAYS.
I love this series, I was a big fan from the very first book. Pestilence was a 5 star read for me. War and Famine were 4 star reads that I thoroughly enjoyed. Death… it was too damn long. And repetitive. I found myself skimming a lot especially near the end just so I would finally be done. Which made me really sad, I’ve been reading this series since it began and I thought it would go out with a bang. It went out with more like a droop.
The first three books in this series were fantastic and I will always love Thalassa as an author and read her books. And while I mostly enjoyed this book, it was a flop....more
The third book in The Four Horsemen series, this installment follows Ana in South America. Right at the beginning of the book she crosses Fam 4 stars
The third book in The Four Horsemen series, this installment follows Ana in South America. Right at the beginning of the book she crosses Famine, and is left for dead. Filled with anger and vengeance, she follows him across the land in order to exact her revenge on him. But instead he catches her, and is intrigued by her.
I have to say I was curious what Thalassa’s concept for this third book would be and Famine wasn’t exactly what I expected. Ability to control and create murderous plants was something I never would have thought up and I thought it was a pretty cool concept. I loved that Ana was a sex worker, we don’t see a lot of heroines in romance in that profession. It made for great character development and added a little extra layer to the story.
I’m excited for book 4, Death, but who knows when we will get it. Hopefully soon! ...more
Laura Thalassa is an author I’ve loved for years, her Fallen World series is absolute perfection. When Pestilence was released I was on 3.5 – 4 stars
Laura Thalassa is an author I’ve loved for years, her Fallen World series is absolute perfection. When Pestilence was released I was on that book like peanut butter on jelly and devoured it. And then came the wait for the rest of the series. For some reason, I didn’t pick up War when it was released, despite loving the first book. I’m glad I waited because now I can dive right into Famine.
Let’s start with what I loved: Miriam. I love love love a strong female heroine who fights for what she believes in. Throughout the book she struggled with her feelings toward War and how he could do such horrible things. And I love that she basically sexually blackmailed him into doing good deeds. I also loved the world building in this book and that it took place somewhere other than the United States. While reading I felt like I was transported to a post-apocalyptic Israel and it was chilling to say the least. I also loved Thalassa’s writing style, I just click with it. I know she can wax on a bit with purple prose, but I never feel like I have to work to get into the story and I appreciate that about her.
I have two criticisms of this book. The first 15% for me, was almost a carbon copy of The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley. Right as I was about to be like, wtf, the story went it’s own way and I was glad because some of the similarities were starting to annoy me. I’m not saying Laura plagiarized, I would never say that. But this book felt heavily influenced, in my honest opinion. Secondly, I thought the pacing was off and some things repetitive. But these two things didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book....more
“First we only want to be seen, but once we’re seen, that’s not enough anymore. After that, we want to be remembered.”
In the aftermath 4.5 stars!
“First we only want to be seen, but once we’re seen, that’s not enough anymore. After that, we want to be remembered.”
In the aftermath of a global pandemic that kills 99% of the earth’s population, this book follows a traveling group of actors and musicians making their way through a post-apocalyptic landscape, fleeing a false Prophet. It also follows the life of an actor pre-pandemic, and those around him at different points in his life.
“Hell is the absence of the people you long for.”
What an incredibly compelling story! I was completely hooked from the beginning of this book. I listened to the audiobook which is why I think I enjoyed it so much, if I had been reading the hard copy I could see myself skimming or putting it down. But the audiobook, perfection! It’s a book that makes you think about MANY things, but for me it was about the importance of human connection, and what the world is like when we have lost much of that.
“A fragment for my friend-- If your soul left this earth I would follow and find you Silent, my starship suspended in night” ...more
I’ve been wavering on my rating since finishing this book. Ultimately, while I liked this book, just about nothing happened plot wise til the2.5 stars
I’ve been wavering on my rating since finishing this book. Ultimately, while I liked this book, just about nothing happened plot wise til the end. And after the first three books ended so perfectly (imo) I have to wonder if this book was really necessary? (No, it wasn’t). I’m debating reading books 5 and 6 to see if it gets better or quitting and forgetting this book happened....more
“If you want to rebel, rebel from inside the system.That's much more powerful than rebelling outside the system.”
I can admit this right n 3 stars
“If you want to rebel, rebel from inside the system.That's much more powerful than rebelling outside the system.”
I can admit this right now, if I had read this book when it was published, I would have loved it.
Legend is the YA dystopia about Day and June. Day is an outlaw rebel and June is the golden girl of the republic. When Day robs a hospital to save his family, it sends him and June on a series of events that rocks the country they live in.
“You're brilliant,"he says."But you're a fool to stay with someone like me." I close my eyes at the touch of his hand."Then we are both fools.”
I enjoyed this book for the most part, but there is nothing for me to differentiate it from the 5 billion other YA dystopias that was released around the same time. I read it because it’s on the Goodreads list of the top 100 YA books and I am hoping to read all 100.
Again, if I had read it in 2011 I probably would have loved it, but 8 years later I am a bit jaded. I also felt the romance was too instalove and came out of nowhere. The most interesting part was the mystery of one characters death and honestly, that was kind of glossed over. I won’t be reading the other books in this series.
“Forever and ever, kid, until you're sick and tired of seeing me.”
I honestly thought this series would pick up with this second book since Meyer's previous series I absolutely fell It's not bad but it's not great...
I honestly thought this series would pick up with this second book since Meyer's previous series I absolutely fell in love with the second book after being meh with the first. Honestly, I feel much of what happened in this book could have been condensed and added to the last book. It was a lot of plot points that didn't get to the point fast enough.
A solid series, as I said in my review of the first book I love the concept of this world and these characters. The idea of "good" and "evil" is probably the best aspect of these books. But the editors really need to reign Meyer in and not let her get carried away with extraneous details and action moments....more
Even though I loved The Lunar Chronicles, I have to admit Renegades was not on my radar at all. When a friend recommended the audiobook 3.5 – 4 stars
Even though I loved The Lunar Chronicles, I have to admit Renegades was not on my radar at all. When a friend recommended the audiobook to me, I went in with zero expectations.
It’s obvious that right now the trend is superheroes, and I don’t really mind that because I feel that genre has waited a long time to become popular instead of nerdy. I loved Meyer’s approach to this book, how we got the perspective of the “villains” and the “heroes” and the shades of gray from both perspectives. I think this book did a wonderful job of approaching the concepts of good and evil, and showing that both exist in two very different groups of people.
While I enjoyed this book very much, there didn’t seem to be much of the traditional story arc, there wasn’t a big climax at the end. Actually much of what would make a good climactic element happened in the middle of the story and an obvious plot twist thrown in at the end. Hence, a 3.5-4 star rating from me.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and I think Meyer is on the right track to a really good series. I always have to remind myself that I didn’t love Cinder but lost my shit over Scarlet and Cress, so I am hoping that the next book with be the same for me.
“It’s a cruel, cruel world. And the people are the worst part.”
I listened to this audiobook on the recommendation of a friend and I real 4 stars!
“It’s a cruel, cruel world. And the people are the worst part.”
I listened to this audiobook on the recommendation of a friend and I really enjoyed it. Dread Nation is a book that's been in the back of my mind and I am really glad I read it, especially because there's another book coming out.
Dread Nation is about a young woman named Jane about 15+ years after the Civil War. The twist is, the Civil War ended in this world because all the dead rose up and became "shamblers" or basically, zombies. In Jane's world, black girls are sent to schools by the government to learn how to fight so they can kill the dead. But in a world quickly being overrun by the dead and dirty politicians, Jane finds herself in places she never expected.
“My momma always said the best way to get what you want from people is to give them what they think they want. They expected me to be stupid, so I used that to our advantage.”
I really enjoyed this book, I thought the characters and world building were fantastic. Some of my favorite parts involved Jane and Katherine and their development from enemies to friends. There were some questions I had left unanswered, and I hope they are addressed in the next book. While I was listening I kept wondering when certain mysteries would be solved and then they weren't so that took away my enjoyment a little bit.
If you're into audiobooks I recommend you listen to this one, the narrator did an amazing job. And I recommend this book in general because I enjoyed it very much and think many other readers will too.
“Sometimes you have to live down to people's expectations, Kate. If you can do that, you'll get much further in life.”
“How can she expect her children to dream as big as the stars if they can't lift their heads to gaze upon them?”
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This was, dare 4.5 stars!
“How can she expect her children to dream as big as the stars if they can't lift their heads to gaze upon them?”
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This was, dare I say it.... EXCELLENT. I watched Bird Box the movie (along with 45 million other people) when it came on Netflix and loved it. When this book went on sale I snatched it up and finally got around to reading it. I knew I loved the movie, I just hoped I would love the source material.
I love the dystopia/end of the world kind of stories. In this book some creature has somehow invaded earth; we are not sure if it's an alien or something else. When people see these creatures they go mad and/or kill themselves and others. This book follows Malorie between the past and present, trying to survive with a group and then trying to survive alone with two children.
I devoured this book in one sitting, I was completely enthralled by the story. I think the horror genre it's placed in is fitting because it makes the reader question a lot of things and the characters did truly find themselves in horrifying situations. If I woke up in a world like this, I'd think I entered a horror movie for sure.
It's hard not to compare this book to the movie since I saw the movie first, but I can say I think while similar, each is it's own. There are enough differences that it wasn't boring for me, but any changes between the two aren't irritating. I wish there had been more closure in one aspect of the plot but otherwise this was a fantastic read and I am dying to read the sequel.
“It's better to face madness with a plan than to sit still and let it take you in pieces.”
The Fever series (1-5) is one of my all time favorite urban fantasy series, it's darkly original and so 3 stars
I HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS BOOK
The Fever series (1-5) is one of my all time favorite urban fantasy series, it's darkly original and so compelling. I even LOVED Iced, Dani is my favorite character.
But then people had to go and whine about how annoying Dani was and blah blah blah and Moning caved to them, and then we got stuck with this disappointing hybrid of a spinoff series.
I just wish the last three books were Dani like it had originally intended to be. Her parts of this book were the parts I loved and ate up and wanted more of. Instead, we got boring repetitive passages of the book with WEIRD CAPS ALL THE TIME RAGE DIE DIE. <----- No me gusta. I found myself skimming all of the parts with the Book POV and Mac POV and only thoroughly reading the Dani ones.
I gave this a three because the parts I enjoyed I really loved. Near the end I was sobbing over what happened to a beloved character. But honestly this book was sloppily done with random character deaths that didn't seem necessary and Dani having a weird three way romance that was kind of resolved?
I saw Moning announce on Facebook that she will be writing another Dani book. I am so ready for that book, I will be buying it on release day because I love Dani and Ryodan. Fingers crossed she sticks with it....more
"It's easy to love the dream. It's much harder to love the reality."
What an epic seri 4.5 stars!
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^^^That's what sums up this series for me!
"It's easy to love the dream. It's much harder to love the reality."
What an epic series. I am floored by how quickly I read all three, I loved them all so much. I can't think of much more to say other than what I have said in my reviews for book 1 and 2. Basically I loved this series, it's unique and thrilling. The characters aren't perfect but they are raw and they are real.
If you are intrigued, take a chance on something new. And for all you KU readers, all three books are on kindle unlimited!
"I didn't marry you because you were a pretty thing. I married you because you were a wicked one."
All I gotta say is I am so glad all the books in this series are done or I would be losing my shit right now.
I don't want to get too 5 stars!
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All I gotta say is I am so glad all the books in this series are done or I would be losing my shit right now.
I don't want to get too spoilery, but this book picks up where we left off at the end of the first book. Some things are cleared up fairly quickly and we resume the everyday struggle it is for Serenity and Montes to survive. Serenity seems to be quite the target for attacks and I was completely riveted the entire time I was reading this book. A part of me wants to say "fuck it" and stay up until dawn finishing the last book but you know, life and stuff. And work. And sleep. Gosh darn those things.
It's been a LONG time since I have found a series that sucked me in like this, and I can already tell that this book hangover coming up will possibly kill me once I finish the series. Hold me.
And to book 3, I am coming for you, SOON. [image]...more
“Once upon a time we were innocent, and then we were not.”
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In the future the world is at war and America is losing the fight again 5 stars!
“Once upon a time we were innocent, and then we were not.”
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In the future the world is at war and America is losing the fight against the king. Serenity has only known fighting and horror since she was a kid, and is among the soldiers in the WUN army. Her country is losing the war, and Serenity is sent with her father to make peace agreements with the king. From there it becomes clear she is meant to be an offering to the king, and he likes what he sees.
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“What you choose to do with all that anger is your business. But you can’t control the world; someone will always be there to wrong you. It’s your choice to let it go.”
This is a book I've been meaning to read forever (sorry I took so long Christine) and now finally did. I loved it! An incredibly compelling story, I fell in love with this book right away. It’s just so refreshing to read something different than everything else that’s out there. I had been in a huge book slump before reading this, and this wonderful book pulled me out of it!
It’s rare when you find a near future dystopian romance that completely sucks you into its world. I felt like I was really there, in the barracks, in the palace. Like a movie playing before my eyes. Giant high five to the author for world building, it’s not an easy feat and she completely nailed it.
And now I get to the man who makes me and Serenity question our morals and sanity. Montes. The King.
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But like seriously, I do. Ruthless, cunning, evil. And yet the compassion he showed Serenity, the love he had for her. Damn I wish I could marry this crazy messed up dude LOL.
Anyways, this book was amazing and unlike anything else I have ever read. If you find yourself intrigued, take the plunge and read this book!
“It should never have been this way. My comrades turning on me, my enemies saving me. But worst of all, I should never have felt anything other than hatred for this man, the king, Definitely not this, this warmth that thaws my soul. I stare into the king's eyes. I am Isolde, I am Juliet, I am Guinevere. I am every one of those idiots because I've fallen for the king.”
Steelheart is about a boy named David who watched his father murdered by the Epic named Steelheart. Epics are advanced beings that ca 4 stars!
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Steelheart is about a boy named David who watched his father murdered by the Epic named Steelheart. Epics are advanced beings that came to earth and took over, like super villains instead of superheroes. Now ten years later Steelheart rules Newcago and the city remains in a constant state of darkness. David has thought of nothing but revenge for the last decade and needs the help of a group named the Reckoners to carry out his plan.
David is tentatively accepted by the Reckoners, but he must convince them that he is useful to their group.
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“Sometimes, son," my father said, prying my fingers free, "you have to help the heroes along.”
I really enjoyed this book, the prologue was just phenomenal and mind blowing. Reading that I knew this would be a good book. To me this book had a very Watchmen feel to it, but instead of the Epics being the center storyline it's the humans fighting super villains. I definitely want to know more about how the Epics came to be and see more shades of gray in that area.
The only reason I didn't love this book and simply really enjoyed it, was there were some information overload moments that went a bot beyond my comprehension. I know it all had meaning to the plot and I was definitely wowed by the end with how some things came together. But those parts I kind of set down the book and walked away for a bit.
Anyways, the end of this book just left me wanting more, so I am off to start the next one!!! Yay!
“I know, better than anyone else, that there are no heroes coming to save us. There are no good Epics. None of them protect us. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” ...more
4/11/16 Update! This story is no longer for free online but is published at the beginning of Burned (Fever #7) for those who have not read it yet.
Takes4/11/16 Update! This story is no longer for free online but is published at the beginning of Burned (Fever #7) for those who have not read it yet.
Takes place 11 months before events in Burned, most likely in Fever #1 timeline.
Merged review:
4.25 stars!
“Temptation isn’t a sin that you triumph over once, completely and then you’re free. Temptation slips into bed with you each night and helps you say your prayers. It wakes you in the morning with a friendly cup of coffee, and knows exactly how you take it.”
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Burned is the continuation of the Fever series. I'll warn you right now, if you haven't read the previous books in the series there will be spoilers in my review. That being said, my review should be spoiler free for those who have read the series.
With the exception of a previously free online short story at the beginning (which is necessary to read), Burned picks up where Iced left off. Dani and Mac are in a confrontation that has been waiting to come for a long time. Choices are made and consequences doled out, the future is changed forever for one of these two characters.
In the meantime, power struggles for control of the city ensue. Many characters feel they should be in charge or left alone in their own sectors. The issue of Christian needing rescueing is one on almost everyone's mind as well as aftereffects from the iced areas in the previous books leaving black holes.
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“I want to tell her revenge is a devil you don’t want to worship. In destroying your enemy you become it.”
Well first things first I'm going to gripe a bit about something I knew but still am a bit miffed about: we no longer have Dani's POV. Even thought this was supposed to be the O'Malley series (that title is now changed back to Fever) we are given the perspective of Mac. Who I love, but she already had 5 books to herself. Give us back the Mega!!!! Grrr.
This book had less of a coherent plot than Iced did, it was a bit more political intrigue than set action and adventure but it was still enjoyable. Mac and Barrons are still together yet at odds. Mac is dealing with having the Book inside of her and the effects on her being. Mac's struggle for this book is mostly her struggles with the Book and past issues with Barrons that come to the forefront. There was a lot going on with side characters that I am intrigued to see develop in the next installment or so. Crossing my fingers for a new couple to ship so we will see.
Not much else to say. While a lot happened, not anything noteworthy happened, know what I mean? I definitely wish to see changes in certain characters in the next book and hope for a more solid plot to read. Otherwise I really enjoyed this installment in the series, but it seems as if its role is filler.
“You are what you are. Find a way to live with it.”
“Dude, the bush is ready. Why you still beating around it?” “I’ve lived a long time, kid, and I’ve never heard anyone mu 4.75 fecking stars!
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“Dude, the bush is ready. Why you still beating around it?” “I’ve lived a long time, kid, and I’ve never heard anyone mutilate the English language quite like you.”
Well, I went into this one with low expectations and ended up loving it!!! I'm on a real PNR kick right now and it's working for me! Iced is a continuation of the Fever series, so it IS necessary to read the previous 5 books before reading this one.
So after the events of Shadowfever, we see the world from Dani's perspective. Dani spends her time freeze-framing (superspeed) around Dublin, putting up the Dani Daily News and killing as many Fae as she can with her sword. Getting herself in a wee bit too much trouble, Ryodan steps in and forces Dani into a contract to work for him.
Together, Ryodan and Dani investigate a mysterious occurrence throughout the city. Areas and people are getting full on iced, within seconds before shattering. As it happens more frequently, Dani and Ryodan are pressured to stop it before it takes over the entire city.
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“The more excited I get, the more I vibrate." "Now there's a thought," Lor says. "If you mean what I think you mean, you want to shut the fuck up and never think it again," Ryodan says.”
So, I fecking loved Dani. After having read so many complaints about her I expected to hate her, but it was the total opposite. Yes she's young, but she's a kickass heroine with a mission: to kill as many fae as possible and to keep humans safe.
There's something so engrossing and enthralling about Moning's writing style, I was completely lost in this book from the moment I cracked its pages until the very last page. She's one of those authors I could read anything from, it's just that addictive. Her descriptions are incredible. Seriously there was some messed up gory stuff in this book that made me sick to my stomach in many parts. But also lots of feels from the author.
I think it's weird that when I bought this book, they had it in the romance section. Um, there is no romance in this book. There are possibilities, but honestly this was just pure urban fantasy! As for the romantic interests for Dani: Christian was super freakin creepy. I totally agree with everyone else on that. I kind of want him to be killed off. Ryodan I frickin loved!!! Yes he's ancient but he never made a move on Dani. He recognized what a brilliant woman she was going to become so he wanted her in his life. Some may call that creepy but I disagree. In this book their relationship was platonic and I loved all of their interactions and verbal sparring. Best part of the book.
"He smiles faintly. “I’ll be damned. You have a crush on Barrons.”
“I do not have a crush—"
“You do, too. It’s all over your face. Anybody could see it.”
“Sometimes, boss, you’re just wrong.”
“I’m never wrong. You might as well take out a billboard. ‘Dani O’Malley thinks Jericho Barrons is hot.’ My offer to teach you is still open. Save you from future embarrassment. If I can see it on your face, he can, too. ”
Most of all the tidbits of character development for Dani were pure gold. In tiny flashbacks and information from other people we see the trauma she's been through and how her fierce personality is just something she hides behind. She doesn't let anyone close, the closest was Mac before that fell apart. Her friends do try to get closer to her but Dani doesn't want to open up. Like her friend Dancer, it's obvious Dani is like family to him, but when he tries to convey this she pushes him away. The same she would do with others like Jo and Ryodan. I want so desperately for someone to break through her walls!!!
I'm not terribly excited about reading the next book. From what I deduced/understand Karen Marie Moning caved to all of the criticism and made the book from Mac's perspective. What the hell? Isn't this Dani's series? Like I am for real pissed about the change, I was really looking forward to the continuation of the Dani story/perspective. We already had 5 books with Mac, why does she need another one? So basically I am going into the next book with extremely low expectations and with a little bit less respect for this author.
“You’ll never be just anything. A tsunami can never be ‘just’ a wave.” “Get off my chin.” “I like that about you. Waves are banal. Tsunamis reshape the Earth. Under the right circumstances, even entire civilizations.” I blink. “You’re going to be one hell of a woman one day, Dani.”
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