Symbiont by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont
Author: Mira Grant
Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery-Thriller 
Series: Parasitology #2 

Hardcover, 518 pages
Publication: November 25, 2014 by Orbit

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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THE ENEMY IS INSIDE US.

The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts turning them into a ravenous horde.

Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped.
 

In Parasite, Grant introduced us to a very realistic world in which SymboGen, a multimillion dollar company bioengineered a tapeworm for every single person worldwide (well, practically everyone). Tired of getting sick, feeling fatigued or nauseous, or having any aches or pains? Well, thanks to SymboGen you can say bye-bye to all that. Having tailored made tapeworms was suppose to change the world, and it did…just not for the better. Readers have seen the calm before the storm in Parasite, and now in Symbiont we get a bird-eyes view of the storm and all the aftermath when scientists try to play god.

Symbiont picks up a couple of weeks after the events in Parasite, Sal has solid confirmation on what she unconsciously already knew; that she (tapeworm) fully integrated the moment she woke up from the coma. Most of Symbiont read like the usual zombie apocalypse book/movie. People aren’t in denial anymore and the government is finally taking the matter seriously as the outbreak has spread far and wide and there no way to contain it. There are four main groups at play: Dr. Cain, Dr. Banks, Sherman and The Governemnt (General Mitchell, USAMRIID). They all have different perspective on the outbreak, and eventually we learned everyone’s true motives. However, what is clear from the start is that Sal is extremely important and everyone wants her. Everyone believes that she is a crucial part to their master plan and the key to winning the war.

Symbiont is set up exactly like the first book, with the book divided in various stages (Part 1,2…). In addition to the usual excerpts from the children’s book, magazine, audio/visual transcripts detailing Dr. Cain and Dr. Bank’s experiment, readers also get to glimpse short journal entries from most of the characters. I really like the journal entries from the secondary characters. It gives us an in-depth look at what they’re doing and thinking even if they don’t get much page/scene time thus still creating a fully realized and developed character. The pacing of the book was pretty consistent, there’s a lot more happening in terms of action since everyone is trying to kidnap Sal and Sal trying to escape. And then there are the hordes of sleepwalker on every corner. I still find it creepy whenever Sal encounters a sleepwalker group all hissing her name. Many reviewers said that this book suffered ‘second book syndrome’ and while I liked the book, I can agree on some parts. The book is very lengthy with it clocking out at a little over 500 pages. I agree that there were a lot of unnecessary scenes and the author could have tone down on not describing every little thing. But for the most part I enjoyed it, and didn’t care too much as the story and characters kept me engaged.

In the first book I wasn’t really a fan of Sal, I said that she read like an adolescent; needing to relearn everything again when she woke up from her coma. However, I’m happy to say she doesn’t anymore. Sal grasps the gravity of the situation now and came to the realization that she isn’t human and she embraces it. For a tapeworm, Sal has a really big heart. She’s more caring and shows more humanness and compassion than the humans around her. There were a couple of unintelligent things that Sal did in the book, many people might get annoyed by it but again I blame it on her caring too much. Example, Sal’s dogs are still at the apartment and the area is swarmed by sleepwalkers. Most people wouldn’t risk their lives to go get the dogs, but not Sal. She never once contemplated on leaving them.

Overall, Symbiont was an enjoyable read. Grant is a master when it comes to characters and world-building, and if you haven’t checked out any of her work (also writes under Seanan McGuire), you’re sorely missing out! Symbiont is a blend of Science Fiction, Horror and Medical-Thriller and I still can’t help feeling how realistic the plot is. It may be a post-apocalyptic novel and all but oh so plausible and possible…that it’s downright scary. I highly recommend checking out this series, starting with the first book, Parasite. The third and final book, Chimera comes out next year; can’t wait to see what happens next!

Another One Bites the Dust by Chris Marie Green

Title: Another One Bites the Dust
Author: Chris Marie Green
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Jensen Murphy, Ghost For Hire #2

Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Publication: November 4, 2014 by Roc

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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I was an ordinary eighties California girl, dead before my time, until psychic Amanda Lee Minter pulled me out of the time loop where I was reliving my death over and over. Now I’m Jensen Murphy, Ghost for Hire. I decided to put my spooky talents to use in helping Amanda Lee track down bad guys and killers (including my own).

It’s taken time to figure out exactly how that will work (our first case was definitely a learning experience for all involved), so when a young woman asks Amanda Lee for help convincing her best friend to leave a dangerously hot-tempered boyfriend, I’m ready and willing to use our collective powers on her behalf. But some people are dangerous not only to the living—especially when there are darker forces involved...

Jensen Murphy is back at work on another case in Another One Bites the Dust. Instead of a murder mystery like the first book, Jensen’s newest case involves a potential for domestic violence. Wendy Edgett’s online friend Heidi believes that her friend Nichelle’s boyfriend, Tim is one spark from exploding. Tim is so possessive and controlling to the point that Heidi thinks Nichelle’s life is in danger. Heidi has done everything she could yet Nichelle confuses possessiveness as love; so Heidi last efforts brings her to seek assistance from Amanda Lee and Jensen.

Since Tim’s case is pretty straight forward, it’s not as interesting since there’s nothing much to solve but thankfully we get some mystery with Jensen’s case which is explored deeper in this latest installment. Amanda and Jensen not only digs into Tim’s background but also into his mind using Jensen’s ghostly abilities. And what they find in his head and files all point to a seriously disturb and violent young man. And Amanda finally keeps her promise to Jensen as she actively looks into her death. Along with Jensen, readers learn of new evidences about the night Jensen was murder, and talk to those there that night in the Elfin Woods. Jensen also starts remembering bits and pieces of her murder which is as horrible as you can imagine. But every clue the duo discovers puts them one step closer to finding out who killer is.

Jensen has definitely grown in the short time since she was pulled from her time loop. She’s gotten the gist of being a ghost and everything that comes with it. Green expands on the ghost abilities with Jensen being able to create hallucinations that evokes a specific emotion she wants the person to feel…and in Tim’s case, who is always full of rage…a little tranquility does the trick however temporarily. And she’s kind of like a mind reader and lie detector. Jensen is able to see into people’s mind and read/see their thoughts as they’re thinking, which was how she was able to learn if people were telling the truth about her case. I really enjoyed discovering more of Boo World; what the ghosts are capable of and what happens after ghosts are called away by their wranglers (reaper). Green did a great job in building her ghost world and spinning a new take on any stereotypes or preconceived notions we might have about ghosts. Because I for one, will not look at ghosts the same way after reading this series.

I pretty much liked everything about this book, except for the romance part. For some reason, I just can’t get on board with it. You’d think with the plethora of supernaturals: vampires, faeries, and werewolves dominating fantasies and with a romance subplot…that this would be another of the same thing, except it inst. I just cannot picture a ghost in a relationship (I have an issue with Zombies too). Jensen has the hots for Gavin Edgett, whom readers met in the first book and was a murder suspect. And the thing is, I think Gavin is obsessed about Jensen too…he draws pictures of Jensen and stalks her by investigating her murder and contacting her old best friend from high school. While they’re not in a relationship, just seeing Jensen drool over Gavin and Gavin obsessing over Jensen’s case is just odd. Then there’s Fake Dean who wants Jensen, to own her because she amuses him (but obviously he has an ulterior motive). He is disguised as her high school boyfriend, and I swear he’s always trying to seduce her or something. Again, I just can’t see it and therefore it’s not believable. There were moments that I just wanted to skip over all these scenes…but then that would be a big chunk of the book.

All in all, Another One Bites the Dust was a good installment in the Jensen Murphy series. I hope we get more details about Jensen’s case in the next book, solving it would be even better! If you like ghosts, and a little mystery and suspense, then I recommend checking this series out. The books can be read as a standalone, but like all series to get full understanding on the background/characters, start with the first book, Only the Good Die Young. 

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Series: The Hunger Games #3

Hardcover, 390 pages
Publication: August 24, 2014 by Scholastic Press

Source: Purchased for my own reading.

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Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

With Mockingjay being the final installment in The Hunger Games series, I was expecting it to be great; if not better than the previous books in the series. There were some parts I enjoyed, but overall the book left me feeling meh and disappointed.

What I enjoyed were the actions scenes but the main plot and outcome of the book, not so much. From the start of the book till the very end all Katniss was doing was complaining and crying about the situation. She never wanted to be the Mockingjay, yet she was forced to be it anyways. She went from being President Snow’s pawn to President Coin’s pawn. Nothing changed. I think my opinion of the book would have been different if she actually wanted to be the face of the rebels. But the biggest disappointment was the end. Again, at the beginning of the book Katniss told everyone she was going to kill President Snow. She’s definitely capable and everyone believes it too. People risked their lives for the cause and for Katniss so she can complete the mission. Complete what she was set out to do from the very beginning…to kill Snow. However, the last scene was Snow was so anticlimactic, I felt cheated. And the big twist everyone was so shocked about was whatever to me.

I really liked the first two books in the series, but with Mockingjay it felt like a filler book to complete the trilogy. All of the events in Mockingjay built up to a poorly executed and abrupt ending. It as if everything leading up to the end from book one was for nothing. In my opinion the author just got plain o’ lazy and totally gave up on this series and its characters. Mockingjay had none of the qualities of the first two books and now I wish I stopped at Catching Fire. This could have been an amazing series, but with the addition of Mockingjay it just ruins it. What a shame.

The Big Keep by Melissa F. Olson

Title: The Big Keep
Author: Melissa F. Olson
Genre: Mystery Fiction
Series: Lena Dane Mysteries #1

Trade Paperback, 344 pages
Publication: June 20, 2014 by Westmarch Publishing

Source: I received a review copy from the author/publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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Former Chicago cop Selena "Lena" Dane has been going through the motions at her private investigation agency for years now. But then Lena learns that she's unexpectedly pregnant just as she takes on a heartbreaking new client: Nate Christianti, a fourteen-year-old boy in search of his biological father, Jason. Jason's disappearance isn't as clear-cut as everyone had thought, and Lena will need to follow his path of destruction halfway across the country to find Nate some answers. Along the way, however, Lena attracts the attention of a killer who's willing to stalk her all the way back to Chicago to make sure she drops Nate's case. To protect the boy, the baby, and herself, Lena must find the killer - or die trying.

 

I haven’t read a mystery or non-paranormal book in awhile, so it was a nice change when I picked up The Big Keep. The Big Keep is centered on Lena, an ex-cop turned Private Investigator after a horrible incident involving a team member on the police force. At the start of the novel, Lena discovers that she’s pregnant. But not wanting to quit working Lena keeps the pregnancy a secret from her husband Toby. Lena doesn’t think it’s much of a big deal as the case she ends up accepting involves helping a teenager, Nate find his biological father. No biggie right? What should have been a quick and easy case turns dangerous as Lena is stalked by an unknown person hell-bent on stopping Lena from finding Nate’s biological father.

The Big Keep started out a bit slow. It wasn’t till I was a few chapters in, that the book got my attention. As with cases, Lena had to research and dig to find Nate’s dad, Jason’s whereabouts. But once Lena got going and discovered more about Jason, that’s when all the action starts. I am a big fan of Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series, so it came as no surprise that I ended up loving these characters just as much. Olson has a way of creating very real and relatable characters that just leap off the pages; from the main characters to the secondary and tertiary characters…every single person was fully realized and developed. I really liked Lena, she’s definitely a tough chick that does what she wants and isn’t afraid to put others before herself (or her unborn child). When Lena works on her case, she isn’t just working to make money but she literally throws herself into it and takes every case personally like they were family. 

While it’s admirable to be determined and brave (Lena working on Nate case regardless of someone pointy telling her to stop or they’ll go after her and her baby/the family). It was reckless and selfish at the same time. I didn’t like the fact that Lena didn’t tell Toby right off the bat she was pregnant, especially when she knew how much he’s dying to have kids. Yes, readers do find out the reasoning behind it and I understood the why. The reasoning is so traumatic for Lena, it’s still affecting her year(s ?) later. But I still couldn’t get over it. Lena knew what she was doing every time, not only is she putting herself in danger but that of her unborn child. I wasn’t cool with that. So every time Lena knowingly put herself in harms way, I just cringed while reading it which inadvertently pulls me from the story. Lena is very stubborn woman, and while I hoped she’d be more careful after the first dangerous situation, she wasn’t. Other than that, overall…Lena was a good-likeable heroine.

Bottom line The Big Keep was a very enjoyable read and I found myself liking it more than I expected; regardless of my little problem with Lena’s choices. The mystery was well done, so well, that when the big reveal came I was totally shocked. Let me just say I didn’t see that one coming! Love the story and the all the characters. Lena’s family is just too wonderful and adorable and Nate is such a smart and lovable kid. His story was all sorts of heart-breaking but everything turned out great in the end…yup, I was very happy with how it wrapped up (case and story wise). I highly recommend The Big Keep! If you’re a fan of Olson’s Scarlett Bernard series then you won’t want to miss this new series!

Gratitude Giveaway Hop [INT]

Welcome to my stop on the hop! I would like to thank the lovely hostess, I am a Reader, Not a Writer for putting this hop together. 

The Gratitude Giveaway hop runs from November 15 - 30

I can't believe it's been three years since I started this blog! Boy, does time flies. I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful readers that has supported the blog over the years. I love and appreciate all the times you've stopped by and commented on my post/reviews. I still get that happy-surprise feeling like the first days of blogging when I see a comment!

This blog would be nothing without you guys, the authors and publishers.
so, THANK YOU!
I am grateful for each and every one of you.

One (1) winner

Choice of $15 (USD) Amazon GC or $15 (USD) worth of books from the Book Depository.

INTERNATIONAL, open to anywhere The Book Depository ships.

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Click here to see all the blogs that are participating in this hop!

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray [Excerpt + Giveaway]

AVAILABLE NOW!

Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

For a history lesson, this is almost interesting. Maybe it’s the way he talks with his hands, like an excited kid. But right when I might actually get drawn in, I see Paul walking swiftly up the side aisle to the exit.

Theo’s hand closes over my forearm, tightly, in warning. He whispers, “You see him too?”

I nod. He rises from his seat—crouching low so we don’t block anyone’s view and create a disturbance—and I do the same as we slip out to the side of the auditorium.

A few people give us annoyed looks, but the only sound in the room remains Conley’s voice. “For generations now, people have dreaded World War Three. But they’re making a huge mistake. They’re expecting war to look the way it looked before.”

Nobody much is milling around in the corridors outside, except for a few harried assistants trying to prep for some kind of follow-up reception. So Theo and I go unnoticed as we try to figure out where, exactly, Paul might have gone. In a building this old, nothing is laid out quite like you’d expect.

“Through here, maybe?” Theo opens a door that leads into a darkened room, one empty of chairs or tables.

I follow him inside; as the door swings shut behind us, darkness seals us in, except for the faint glow of the tech we wear—our holoclips, or my security bracelet. We can hear Conley’s speech again, but muffled. “The next challenges humanity will face are going to be fundamentally different from any we’ve faced before. New threats, yes—but new opportunities, too.”

Then we hear something else. Footsteps.

Theo’s arm catches me across the belly as he pulls us both backward, until we’re standing against the wall, hiding in the most absolute darkness. Adrenaline rushes through me; my hair prickles on my scalp, and I can hardly catch my breath.

The steps come closer. Theo and I look over at each other, side by side in the dark, his hand firm against my stomach. It’s too dark for me to understand the expression in his eyes.

Then he whispers, “The far corner. Go.”

We break apart. I rush into the corner, like he said, while Theo walks straight toward the steps . . . which turn out to belong to a tall man in a uniform who doesn’t have a sense of humor.

I knew somebody like Wyatt Conley would have security.

“I only wanted to get an autograph afterward,” Theo says as he keeps going, leading the guard farther from me. “Do you think he’d sign my arm? I could tattoo the autograph on there forever!”

Probably Theo meant for me to get out of here while he distracts the guard. Instead I creep around closer to the stage, and to Paul.

From onstage, Conley says, “The dangers we have to fear aren’t the ones we’re used to. They’re coming from directions we never imagined.”

Theo protests as the guard backs him out of the room, “Oh, come on, no need to overreact—” The door swings shut again, and I can’t hear his voice any longer. I glance over my shoulder, as though looking for Theo would bring him back again—

—which is when Paul Markov’s hand clamps down over my mouth.

My father’s killer whispers, “Don’t scream.”

Due to shipping errors I ended up receiving two duplicate copies of A Thousand Pieces of You. And with permission from the publicist, I am giving these copies away to two lucky readers! To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter below!

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[Review] A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You
Author: Claudia Gray
Genre: Sci-fi, Young Adult/NA
Series:  Firebird #1

Hardcover, 368 pages
Publication: November 4, 2014 by Harper Teen

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher and Kaye Publicity in exchange for a honest review.

Buy|Amazon|Book Depo|

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

There’s been a lot of alternate/parallel books cropping up, many with intriguing synopsis but the few that I’ve read fell into two categories: good or bad. None of them had that ‘wow’ factor that blew me away…till I read A Thousand Pieces of You. Most alternate/parallel books play with the idea of another world, one other world to be exact. But A Thousand Pieces of You exceeds that idea by exploring multiple worlds, where the worlds are either freakishly similar to our own just somehow slightly tweaked or extremely different, advance (or behind in terms of technology).

Marguerite,Theo and Paul are constantly jumping dimensions, thanks to a nifty invention called Firebird, a device (necklace) that Marguerite parents’ created. The Firebird enables the wearer to jump to parallel dimensions and temporary inhabit their ‘other self’ for a short duration. Gray’s world building was incredible and the concept for this book extremely unique. I don’t think there’s any book like this, nor as well done. The science behind the idea of alternate/parallel multiverse was very in-depth; the information was explained in a way that’s easy to understand and made the idea/story believable. I loved all the different dimensions that the characters ended up in. Each dimensions had its own elements that made them standout which also made it easy to differentiate one from another. My favorite, like the cover is alternate Russia; which happens to be where Maguerite and Paul were at the longest. I thought the incorporation of the Tsar family and Maguerite as a princess during the second imperial dynasty was a fun play on the Romanov family history.

I really liked all the characters. For one thing, they’re older. Early twenties I believe, which makes this book more NA than YA in my opinion. Marguerite is an artist living among a family of scientists, trying to carve a different path from her physicist family. For the most part Marguerite is a strong, smart, and likeable heroine. I liked that she always listened to her gut, and never let what others say influence her thoughts/feelings. Then there are the two men vying for her heart, Theo and Paul who is both her parent’s assistant. Both men are also likeable and wholly different. Theo is more laid back, always making jokes, and has this confidence that borderlines being cocky. And there is Paul who is quiet, shy, extremely smart but isn’t so great on being social or expressing his feelings. And the thing they have in common is how much they love-care for Marguerite. With that said, there is a love-triangle in this book (not my favorite) but it doesn’t last long thankfully. Marguerite does make a definite choice midway and I was glad to see she didn’t flip-flop back and forth between guys or lead anyone on.

Like many reviewers stated, A Thousand Pieces of You is heavy on the romance. As someone who isn’t all that crazy about romance (I’m more of an action kinda girl), I actually loved the romance aspect of the novel. LOVED it! It might have overshadowed the importance of Marguerite finding her father’s killer but I mean once readers get to the end, and find out the truth…no one can really get mad lol. The love story was so sweet, it literally made me feel all mushy inside (and again, I never get all swoony about this stuff!). While the book explores multiverse dimensions, it also explores the topic of destiny/fate (which is what one of the character proposes, that there IS a scientific explanation behind the idea, and that it’s real). And readers will get to see that idea in play throughout the book, as two characters find themselves together regardless of time, space or dimensions.

A Thousand Pieces of You is hands down the best young adult sci-fi book I’ve read all year. I’m a big fan of Gray’s Evernight series, but I gotta say I love this book more and am excited to see where it go. I highly, highly recommend this book; words aren’t enough to express how much I enjoyed it. There’s a little something for everyone, mystery, action, romance, historical, and sci-fi. Pick up your copy of A Thousand Pieces of You NOW, you will not regret it!