PODs by Michelle K. Picket Tour Stop

PODs (Pods #1)

by Michelle K. Pickett (Goodreads Author)

 

 Paperback, 312 pages

Published June 4th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press 

 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

 

 Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

When I first read the description of PODs, I thought - Without any sarcasm - Great! Another post apocalyptic / slightly dystopian tale! I love these kinds of stories. Seriously, it's a genre for me that I will never get enough of. What I didn't expect, was for PODs to punch me in the face and tell me " I am NOT like all the rest!" Ya know.. if books could punch people or talk. 

Yes. PODs has alot of similar elements as other Post Apocalyptic Dystopians. " oh my gosh! A VIRUS- WERE ALL GONNA DIE!" The kicker with PODs is, you pretty much know from the get-go WHO is going to die. A raffle determines who gets into the pods and ultimately has  significant chance of survival, and who gets left out in the open and doesn't really stand a chance. 

For me this is where PODs stands with the smaller crowd of P.A authors. Too many stories drop you in the middle of the aftermath. All death and destruction and 90% of the S**t has already gone down. PODS give readers a chance to experience the "before" aspect. The semi normal times, the shock and the heartbreak. Then the inbetween- The life in the PODs. 

I was really worried that it would simply flash forward to 1 yr later and everyone leaving the PODs. Thank you Michelle k. Pickett! Not only am I happy that I wasn't just Thrown into the Post Apocalyptic world, but life inside the PODs was really interesting!

Getting to spend a year with the characters was wonderful. You really get to know them and what they are like and watch the relationships form. There were also some SERIOUSLY intense scenes that really help shape the characters into the stronger selves we know they need to be. 

Outside of the PODs is a mixed can of worms. Stay inside the community. Be safe, but controlled and overall unhappy. Or leave the community, be with the man you love, but fight for your life every damn day. 

Overall, I really enjoyed the unique perspectives given in PODs. Sometimes it isn't about prepping for survival. Sometimes it's just about getting lucky. It was thrilling and intriguing, with just enough romance. I would highly recommend it.

Rating: 4.5/5

Cover Lover (2)

 The Meme name explains itself.

The Chaos of Stars 

by Kiersten White  

 

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all

  

OMG THE TYPOGRAPHY. And the amazingness and the colors and the EVERYTHING. 

Seriously. This is gorgeous. Even if I didn't already love Kiersten White, even if I hadn't glanced at the description- which is pretty freaking awesome in itself. I would pick this up. Just for the gorgeous cover. I mean come on.. wouldn't you!? 

What are your thoughts!? Share in the comments. :) Love it/hate it? Have you read anything by Kiersten White before? Will you be adding The Chaos of Stars to your TBR pile?

Saved at sunrise ( Shadow Falls 4.5 ) by C.C. Hunter

Saved at Sunrise

(Shadow Falls #4.5) 

 

by C.C. Hunter (Goodreads Author)

ebook, 100 pages

Published April 2nd 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin 

 

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own* 

 

Nestled deep in the woods, Shadow Falls is a secret camp where teens with supernatural powers learn to harness their abilities and live in the normal world.  But Shadow Falls is facing a problem that could finally expose them to the rest of the world.  Humans are showing up dead, and rogue vampires may be to blame. 

Camp resident Della Tsang, who’s still coming into her own vampire powers, is assigned to help find those responsible. If she succeeds, maybe she’ll even land her dream job: working for the F.R.U., the enforcers of the supernatural world.  But when she sees that her new partner is a hunky shapeshifter, things get complicated.  Steve, too gorgeous to be trusted and capable of seeing through her tough-as-nails exterior, knows just how to get under her skin.  And only hours into the mission, Della realizes rogue vampires aren’t the only threat she’s facing. If she’s ever going to complete her assignment, she’ll need his help…but learning to trust him will be her hardest challenge yet.

Della has always been a favorite of mine when it comes to the characters that C.C. hunter has created in the world of the Shadow Falls Series. Yupp. I even like her more than Kelsey sometimes. Then again Miranda also sometimes beats them both... I think I am getting of track. ALL OF THEM ROCK MY SOCKS. But Della's character is one I have always wanted to learn more about. 

These novellas have been my savior in between the main Shadow Falls books. Giving readers a deeper look into Della's world and getting to watch her grow as a person through her own eyes rather than Kelsey's. 

Della kicks ass. No doubt about that. She is Snarky, sharp witted, Bitchy in the- you still can't help but love her kinda way- and just plain awesome. 

In Saved at Sunrise readers get to see a whole new side to Della. a softer side. Though she would kick me in the shins for saying so! Oh Della, Della. JUST GIVE IN!

 This story gave me just enough to hold me over till the Final installment of the series.. and yet. I will still always want more. I guess it's a good thing there is a freaking awesome Della related surprise at the end of the series huh ;) Oh wait.. some of you may not know about that yet huh? ... muahahahaha. 

Basically, if you like Della's character, you are going to love these novellas!


Rating: 4/5 Stars! .. Though this may just because one thing I wanted to happen.. hasn't happened... yet.

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, 

that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

 

Frozen (Heart of Dread #1)

by Melissa de la Cruz (Goodreads Author), Michael Johnston (Goodreads Author)

Set in 111 C.D., one hundred and eleven years after a Catastrophic Disaster has wiped out 99% of humanity and left the earth covered in ice, this new series introduces readers to a ragtag group of friends and the dawning of a new time. The world of reason, of mathematics and science, is ending, and a new civilization is being born from the ice: a world of magic and mayhem, sorcerers and spellcraft.

FROZEN is the first in a trilogy and is set to release in September of 2013.

I'm seriously drooling right now.. there is a puddle by my keyboard.. I think I should start growing a fear of electrocution. I mean really! A new ice age? Magic in a world that had grown used to science ? * Nods head yes * Bring it on! I have to admit. I haven't read anything by either of the authors * yes, I feel your glares * But I have heard great things and am really looking forward to this one! 

Will you be adding it to your own TBR pile? Have you read a book by these authors?

Override by Heather Anastasiu

 If you have not read Book #1 Glitch - proceed with caution. Some spoilers are impossible to avoid. To read more about Glitch #1 click HERE.

Override (Glitch #2)

by Heather Anastasiu

Paperback, 320 pages

Published February 12th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

Zoe is free. She has escaped the enslavement of the Community, disconnected from the hardware that had controlled her every thought and emotion, and evaded capture by the Chancellor intent on killing her. She is finally free, but she is far from safe.

Zoe and Adrien hide themselves from detection at the Foundation, an academy that trains teen glitchers to fight in the Resistance movement. Together, Zoe and her new team of superhuman fighters must risk their lives to rescue other glitchers and humans from the Chancellor's control. Challenges abound at every turn, and Adrien, who has become silent, distant, and tormented by his visions of the future, only adds to the growing certainty of defeat. But worst of all, as Zoe's team fights against impossible odds, distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation.

I could not have been happier with Heather Anastasiu's continuation of this series. Book # 2 took me for a crazy roller coaster of a ride, and like any good roller coaster will do to you; I gripped the book and held on for dear life!

The great thing about Override is that the story really moves forward. I have read far too many sequels where I felt like they were pointless, just filler until they could move on to the finale in #3. I want story, I want action, new characters and new adventures that help work up to the finale. Override gave me just that. 

New characters are brought into the story that really added to it. I loved getting to meet new Glitchers and see what their powers were, as well as meeting some of the REZ fighters that have to fight to prove to the rest of the team that they are in control of their minds. It was really interesting to see the ups and downs and see how they all made each other better. 

I still Loved Zoe like crazy. She was just so real. You see her break down, and fight to get back up. Heather Anastasiu didn't create a character that just hid everything away. Or who could take care of herself. She created a character that admitted that she needed help. That accepts it's ok to cry and be scared. Because of that it just makes it have so much more impact when she fights back. 

There are some insane twists in this story, and I can happily say I did not expect any of them! There is one moment.. I was in such shock. I dropped my book. It just sat in my lap like " yupp... that just happened." 

Basically; Override Kicks ass, takes names, and still leaves you eager to come back for another round! I cannot wait for #3 !  

Rating: 5/5 Stars!