Review: The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon

Title: The Mime Order
Author: Samantha Shannon
Genre: Dystopia/Fantasy
Series: The Bone Season #2
Publication Date: 27th January 2015
Pages: 528
Book Source: Bloomsbury Publishing & NetGalley

Synopsis: Paige Mahoney has escaped the brutal prison camp of Sheol I, but her problems have only just begun: many of the survivors are missing and she is the most wanted person in London...

As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on the dreamwalker, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city's gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner. Then the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided.

My Thoughts:

I loved the complexity of the world in The Bone Season and was very excited to get my hands on The Mime Order, the 2nd installment in the seven book series set in a corrupt Scion controlled London. 

I have to confess I struggled at first, this book is a brick at 500+ pages. I'm not sure whether it was the re-acclimatising myself with the world or maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind but initially it was hard work. Then 150 pages in .... bam, addicted!!

In The Mime Order the focus turns to London and the syndicated underworld. After her escape from Sheol I, dreamwalker Paige Mahoney returns to mime-lord Jaxon Hall and the Seven Seals but her attention is concentrated on revealing the truth of the Rephaim race to the voyant community. Jaxon is that love-to-hate character. He's cruel, manipulative and fascinating in a creepy smiling-assassin kind of way, and the cat-and-mouse exchanges between Jaxon and Paige had my heart in my mouth.  

Paige is all you could want in a kick-ass heroine, she really comes into her own in this installment, tough physically and mentally and her voyant skills are freakin' awesome. And Warden, he's such a intriguing, enigmatic character, I missed him not being around for practically the first half of the book but I love Paige and Warden 'together' .... gotta love a slow burn.  

It's dark, intense and thoroughly immersive and builds to a shit-hot end.  

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Short & Sweet Review: Enmity by E.J. Andrews

Genre: YA Dystopia
Series: Enmity #1
Publication Date: 1st April 2014
Pages: 295
Book Source: Harlequin Australia & NetGalley

Synopsis: 

Love vs Life.

Good vs Evil.

War vs Warfare.

Which would you choose?

After a solar flare wipes out most of the world’s inhabitants, it leaves behind nothing but a desolate earth and a desperate population. Existence is no longer a certainty. And with factions now fighting for the power to rule, people start to become reckless with their lives. The world has become a dangerous place.

Amongst the ensuing chaos, Nate and Hermia — two victims of the new world order — are taken against their will to The Compound. Joined by eight other teenagers all chosen for a specific reason, Nate and Hermia are forced to train as assassins to overthrow the current president and make way for a new leader of the free world. Here, they learn to plan, fight, and most importantly... to survive.

Except, despite the casual cruelty of their new existence, both Nate and Hermia — two very strong but very different people — begin to form fragile bonds within the group. But they soon realize their happiness is short lived...because their training is just the beginning.

A war awaits...regardless of how ready or willing they may be.

My Thoughts:

I wanted to love this one, regular readers of my blog know how much I love Dystopia and Enmity held such promise. The synopsis sold me ... sadly the execution failed to live up to it.  

There was enough action to keep the plot moving but poor writing turned something that could have been amazing into a hot mess. It makes me sad criticising an author's 'baby' but I'm just one opinion so be sure to check out other reviews on Goodreads.

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Enmity by E.J. Andrews ~ Guest Post: The Enmity World

Title: Enmity

Author: E.J. Andrews

Genre: YA Dystopia

Series: Enmity #1

Publication Date: 1st April 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Pages: 295

Synopsis: 

Love vs Life.

Good vs Evil.

War vs Warfare.

Which would you choose?

After a solar flare wipes out most of the world’s inhabitants, it leaves behind nothing but a desolate earth and a desperate population. Existence is no longer a certainty. And with factions now fighting for the power to rule, people start to become reckless with their lives. The world has become a dangerous place.

Amongst the ensuing chaos, Nate and Hermia — two victims of the new world order — are taken against their will to The Compound. Joined by eight other teenagers all chosen for a specific reason, Nate and Hermia are forced to train as assassins to overthrow the current president and make way for a new leader of the free world. Here, they learn to plan, fight, and most importantly... to survive.

Except, despite the casual cruelty of their new existence, both Nate and Hermia — two very strong but very different people — begin to form fragile bonds within the group. But they soon realize their happiness is short lived...because their training is just the beginning.

A war awaits...regardless of how ready or willing they may be.

I'm pleased to welcome E.J. Andrews to The Eclectic Reader to share with us a bit about the Enmity world. 

An Introduction to the Enmity World

Quay used to be a small city with very few skyscrapers and residential areas were close to the city centre. Main Street runs through the centre of Quay and has every street connect from it – it is the epicentre of Quay.

60 years before our story beings, a solar flare hits Earth. Quay is the only known city to survive the devastation the solar flare inflicted: wide spread power outages, fire, earth tremors and change in climate are all effects that are felt from the flare even years after the solar flare itself. Quay was able to survive as it is situated on a peninsular with water surrounding the West, North and Eastern sides of the city and only a small amount of land area is off to the South out of town where the power plant that runs the city is based. There is a long bridge that is now basically useless as the water that used to run below it has almost completely dried up. There are now marshes and some swamp-like areas where there used to be a large river that runs out to the ocean.

The Caine’s base is nearest to the Northern side of the Peninsular whereas The Compound is off to the West. The Compound was once a large warehouse pre-solar flare and was abandoned until Darria decided to make it his base, whereas The Caine has used an old cathedral for their base.

A lot of the alleyways are home to the Old Walkers – elderly homeless people who have been physically affected by the solar flare – some suffer from effects such as reduced eye sight, lung capacity, and skin welts – even the second generation since the flare suffer from some of these symptoms.

Those who have housing with running power and clean water are also the ones who have access to schooling and hospitals. This group of people are classified as middle-class and are a significant minority. There is a huge disparity between the rich and the poor, and the gap continues to grow as the owners of the power plant that continues to run the city charge exorbitant amounts for the use of their power. The hospitals only give its resources to those who can afford it, which causes a large amount of deaths on the city streets to go largely unnoticed and accepted as the norm.

Quay used to be a very peaceful city that was inhabited mostly by the elderly because of its tranquil water surroundings. Now the average age of a resident of Quay is 32, as life expectancy has dropped radically; due to gang violence, lack of affordable health care and poor living conditions. 

Follow the Enmity tour and if you'd like a chance to win 1 of 5 copies of Enmity head over to the Enmity Goodreads Page. Aus & NZ Only and be quick it ends today. 

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Review: Champion by Marie Lu

Genre: YA Dystopia
Series: Legend #3
Publication Date: 5th November 2013
Pages: 369
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion? 

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position. 

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. 

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

My Thoughts: 

Now that's how you finish a series! I ran out of time to review Champion in 2013 and we can't have that ... after all I reviewed Allegiant, the disappointing conclusion to the Divergent trilogy.

So, back to Champion ... the action and suspense is still high voltage, the injustices and political badassery continue and Marie Lu's writing continues to evolve along with her cast of characters. June and Day grow; I love their courage and selflessness, Anden proves himself a worthy leader and Tess grows up in this installment; I didn't want to kill her ;) 

Marie Lu deserves a round of applause for maintaining momentum and integrity throughout the trilogy, it's seriously addictive from start to finish and overall one of my favourite dystopian series. I'm not going to gush and say this was the most brilliant conclusion ever but it felt right. And right is good. Right is great even.  

Recommend: Champion kicks ass

See my reviews of LEGEND & PRODIGY

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Pawn by Aimee Carter

Genre: YA Dystopia
Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion #1
Publication Date: 1st December 2013 (1st published Nov 2013)

Pages: 346

Book Source: Harlequin Teen Aust & NetGalley

Synopsis: YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country. 

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter. 

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

My Thoughts: 

I was introduced to Aimee Carter's writing with The Goddess Test which I liked but obviously not quite enough, as I didn't continue on with the series lol but I love Dystopia and the synopsis of Pawn had me intrigued so I jumped at the chance. 

And in that, it didn't disappoint, Pawn has a great premise, okay it won't win 'most original' dystopia but I liked the world building (more of it would have been good) it's pacy and entertaining ... controlled population, caste system, resources awarded according to worth, treachery and political corruption ... what's not to like?

Normally I wouldn't have much positive to say about a story where some of the main characters are dare I say it ... insipid. Don't get me wrong Kitty's likable enough, just flat, I never really established a connection with her, and Benjy ... Benjy who? Knox and Greyson had a bit more depth but once again not enough for me to feel a connection.

Where Aimee Carter does excel is with Prime Minister Daxton, the most vile, repugnant character I've read in YA this year, ughh what an evil piece of excrement! What I wouldn't give to see him strung up by his you know whats and I could probably be convinced to partake in a game of whack the pinata (with a baseball bat) ... *cough* gee where did that come from haha. and Kitty why, oh why??

Then towards the end the wheels fell off the bus and the story became a big messy ... mess. Maybe it was just me, let me know what you thought? I am a bit shocked I enjoyed this as much as I did, until the end, and I will read the next installment, yes I will!

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Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Genre: YA Dystopia
Series: Divergent #3
Publication Date: 22nd October 2013
Pages: 526
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: 
What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

My Thoughts: 
I was 100% invested in Divergent and Insurgent, I loved them both for different reasons, they made my favourite read list, fan-girl squealing, rave reviews, the whole kit and caboodle ... but Allegiant wasn't a victim of my expectations, I went in with hopeful anticipation but adjusted expectations and came out feeling ... disappointed.

Unlike many reviews I've read since, for me it wasn't so much the ending that gave rise to disappointment but the fact that Allegiant didn't hold my attention throughout. Okay I confess, there were parts where I was actually a bit bored. 

I want to avoid spoilers so all I can say about the world outside the fence is I liked Roth's take on the genetically pure and genetically damaged but the exploration of it fell short for me. In previous installments I've been blown away by the direction of the story so when plot development feels underdone, lacklustre or just doesn't make a whole lot of sense I feel ripped off.  

I didn't mind the path Veronica Roth took with the ending, it was in keeping with character and I wasn't expecting a happy ever after, it is Dystopia after all, life's tough. But I was disappointed with the execution, the ending seemed rushed, too easy in the scheme of things and the whole Tobias/Evelyn thing ... meh whatever, I just didn't buy it. 

I'm a fan of dual narrative and I enjoyed reading both Tris and Tobias' distinct points of view, but where was the Tobias I loved? ...  lost in weakness and whining I think :(

Whilst a disappointing conclusion doesn't take anything away from Divergent and Insurgent, I really, really wanted to say the entire trilogy was epic. Instead it has that anti-climatic feel (even more so than Mockingjay) I mean seriously, I'm a sook and I couldn't even push out a tear. 

That said, I'm still a Veronica Roth fan and will read whatever she brings out next. 

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Prodigy by Marie Lu

Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: Legend #2
Publication Date: 29th January 2013
Pages: 356
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

My Thoughts:

An amazing sequel to what is fast becoming one of my favourite Dystopian series and a highly addictive one.

June and Day continue to share narration, there's no holds barred action, assassination, conspiracies, break-neck pace, twists, turns and shock developments, exploration into the Republic/Colonies world and government badassery well and truly disclosed.  

Whilst this might sound like a plot heavy installment, characters haven't been overlooked. June's character shows a lot of personal growth, I particularly like her strong moral code and Day, well Day's not static either ... infuriating, erratic, but not static; gotta love him. Can I just confess I really don't like Tess ... anyone else feel like that? or am I just a mean girl?

Loyalties are tested, some characters die, and some that don't ... should. *cough* Tess oops did I just say that out loud ... I am a mean girl ;)

Anden the new Elector Primo is unexpectedly likable but I'm not sure I like where things are headed with June and Anden. However I will wait, impatiently, and trust that it works out the way I want it to ...   the right way lol

I was gutted *sob* at the ending of Prodigy, Ms Lu I hope you're going to make it all better in Champion or I will rescind my "addictive and favourite" status, throw a massive hissy fit or indulge in some serious ugly crying. 

November 5th 2013 can't come quick enough ... bring on Champion

See my review of Legend

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The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Genre: YA Dystopia/Fantasy
Series: The Bone Season #1
Publication Date: 20th August 2013
Pages: 480
Book Source: Bloomsbury & NetGalley

Synopsis: The Season Is Here.

The year is 2059. Paige Mahoney is working in the criminal underworld of Scion London, as part of a secret cell. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and under the law of Scion, she commits treason simply by breathing. 

When the authorities catch up with her, Paige is transported to Oxford, now a prison city that has been kept secret, ruled by an otherworldly race. These people, the Rephaim, want to control the clairvoyants for their own purposes. Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper named Warden. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to get close to him, to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

My Thoughts:

The first of a seven book series, The Bone Season was a completely absorbing read in a complex and fantastical dystopian world. Set in Scion ruled London in 2059 society is divided into Clairvoyant and Amaurotics. Clairvoyance is prohibited, criminal voyants imprisoned in Sheol I, a penal city controlled by the Rephaim race.   

There's a lot to digest and quite a bit of info-dumping but don't panic, it's not incapacitating, you're saved from overwhelming confusion and head implosion by a riveting and well paced delivery. Rather than trying to explain it and create more confusion let me just say there's bucket loads of intrigue and a complexity that has you almost frothing at the mouth for more, it's original and all the minutiae makes perfect sense ... in the end.

19 year old Paige Mahoney is a dreamwalker, one of the rarest kinds of voyants, part of an 'underground' syndicate called the Seven Seals until she's captured and imprisoned in Sheol I. Her Rephaim keeper is Warden, an enigmatic character that had me intrigued from the start. Paige and Warden's interaction is a highlight and as the story unfolds, I found my loyalties shifting and re-aligning. 

The Bone Season is dark, intense and complex, it definitely has cross over appeal for YA and Adult readers alike. There's much to love, I'm certainly invested now and after such a compelling start there's so much to look forward to in future installments. 

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Legend by Marie Lu

Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: Legend #1
Publication Date: 29th Nov 2011
Pages: 320
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

My Thoughts:

I'm a bit of a dystopian nut so while I'm knocking some sense into myself for waiting so long to read Legend I'm also happy to tell you it ticked all the boxes. 

• intense, dark and addictive
• action, action, action
• intriguing world mired in poverty and destruction - North America divided into warring nations, the Republic and the Colonies
• government badassery
• seriously kick-ass characters and I mean seriously
• enough violence to satisfy my bloodthirsty tendencies add authenticity ;)

The dual narrative alternates between rebel and fugitive Day and Republican protegy Jane; both smart as whips and tough as they come. I loved Day from the get go, a gutsy Robin Hood for the poverty stricken masses. June grew on me but kudos to the author for getting me rooting for both these characters, opposing sides be damned. 

I did see the ending coming and it may have pushed the envelope of plausibility and I may have even rolled my eyes just a teensy bit but it didn't bring me down from my Legend 'high' so ... who cares lol

Prodigy is up next and I can't wait, although the longer I leave it the closer I'll be to the November 5th 2013 release of the final book in the trilogy, Champion *fist pump*

Check out the playlist for Legend/Prodigy ... awesome music. 

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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Genre: YA Scifi/Dystopian
Series: The Fifth Wave #1
Publicaton Date: 7th May 2013
Pages: 460
Book Source: Penguin Books Aust & NetGalley

Synopsis: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

My Thoughts:

Alien invasion of earth and eradication of mankind is not exactly new, actually it's been done to death but The 5th Wave still felt new, or at least something I haven't read in a while. I read it blissfully unaware of reviews or hype and it's a pretty compelling number, just a little short of addictive. Move over zombie apocalypse ... the aliens are in town!

Cassie's resilient and she does get some kick-ass time, Evan I just didn't warm to and Zombie ... Zombie carried the story for me. I liked the ominous undercurrent topped with paranoia and a good helping of fear; lots of death, destruction and cruelty to small children ... what did you expect? It is the alien apocalypse. 

The trust-no-one mantra got a bit old (what else can you do when the enemy looks like you and not *cough* little green men) but it had me wanting to *head desk* when survivors tended to eventually ignore their gut instinct. 

I'm not gushing but minor issues aside I really liked The 5th Wave and the questions it raised regarding humanity. I'll definitely be reading the next installment ... good enough recommendation? 

Watch the trailer, it's pretty wicked.

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