Friday, April 26, 2013

Sever by Lauren DeStefano


I was nervous about starting Sever after having a so so opinion of Fever.  It definitely had middle book syndrome and I did not care for some of the events that took place.  Sever on the other hand, was equally as good as Wither if not better.  I actually considered giving it 5 stars but ultimately settled on 4. 

I enjoyed having Linden and Cecily back in the story.  While Vaughn is still conducting his research and influencing the lives of his son and his wives, Rhine starts to appreciate what Vaughn is trying to accomplish.  He has already lost one son to the virus and he will do anything necessary to save Linden. 

Once Cecily and Rhine help Linden see how he has been manipulated by his father all of his life, he begins to stand up for himself and his family.  He moves them to his uncle's house where they feel it will be safer.  He then offers to help Rhine find her twin brother.  I never imagined we would end up back at the "carnival", but there was a very interesting twist to the story that included Madame.  The story came full circle and I now appreciate that portion of Fever.

We can't forget Gabriel, but he has a minimal part in this story.  As far as Rhine is aware, he is still back in New York at Claire's orphanage and likely thinks she is dead.  In addition to finding her brother, she needs to get back to New York to find Gabriel.

I was stunned by the last 70 pages of this book.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I never imagined Lauren would take the story down the path she did.  I am not one for crying over books...well, with the exception of when Edward left in New Moon and there were numerous times Logan Keeley got the better of me...but that is about it.  I have to admit, I got a bit choked up over a few pages in the latter part of this book.  While I wish one scene could be altered, I understand why it had to be.  It impacted all of the events at the end of the book and is what ultimately provided a sense of closure and freedom for all of the characters.  Overall, I felt this was a very satisfying end to the trilogy.      

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Fever by Lauren DeStefano


I read Wither back in 2011 shortly after it was released and really liked it.  It wasn't quite 5 stars, but it was a solid four.  I was excited about the release of Fever and even pre-ordered the ebook.  It magically appeared on my nook on release day, but for some reason I never made it a priority.  I think this has a lot to do with the fact that I am on Team Linden and I knew he wouldn't have a huge part in this book.

I was a bit disappointed by this sequel.  Rhine and Gabriel were able to escape the mansion at the end of Wither, but they immediately land in an awful situation.  I did not care for the events that took place while they were at the "carnival".  That section drug on for me, but they eventually make it to Manhattan to search for her brother.  I started to enjoy the book once they were in New York and I began to appreciate her relationship with Gabriel.  I am still on Team Linden, but I am no longer disappointed that she chose Gabriel and her freedom over Linden. 

Linden does make an appearance at the end of the book, but it was not nearly enough for me.  I am hopeful he will have a much bigger part in Sever, the final book in this series.  I honestly have no idea what direction Sever will take.  Rhine was able to tell Linden the truth about his father and her feelings.  I hope they will be able to work together to find her brother and they will be able to live out their short lives with as much joy and happiness as possible.  They have both struggled through so much loss and are certainly due. 

The one advantage to waiting so long to read Fever....I will not have to wait to find out how this series concludes.  I already have a copy of Sever and plan on starting it this evening!!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Die for Her by Amy Plum


This Die for Me novella is 60 pages of content from both Die for Me and Until I Die told from Jules's perspective.  We discover that his feelings for Kate are more than just the flirtatious teasing they appear to be.  He has deep feelings for her, but he realizes Kate and Vincent are truly in love and that Kate does not feel that way about him.  Also, he would never do anything to hurt his best friend, so he keeps his feelings hidden. 

It has been almost a year since I finished reading Until I Die, so this was an excellent refresher before If I Should Die is released next month.  I also enjoyed seeing more of the interactions between Jules and Vincent when Kate was not around.  We get a lot more insight on what was happening behind the scenes in LaMaison and how everything that was going on impacted Vincent.  He is such an amazing and lovable character that I know for a fact there is NO WAY Amy could have done what we think she did at the end of Until I Die.  I am sure there is some sort of explanation and everything WILL eventually work out the way I hope.....A happily ever after for Vincent and Kate :)

We Book Nerds received an ARC of If I Should Die.  Flo and Mary have both read it already and it is currently on its way to me.  After finishing this book yesterday, I must have checked the mailbox three times before the mail finally came.  The book did not arrive, but I am dying to get my hands on it.  They both really enjoyed it and Mary said she LOVED the ending.  That can only mean one thing, right??? *fingers crossed*

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Alex by Lauren Oliver


At the end of Requiem, the final book in the Delirium trilogy, is a short story titled Alex.  According to the cover of my book, it is only available in the first printing of Requiem.  Consisting of only 27 pages...it is VERY short, even for a novella.  While Goodreads has it listed as 3.5 and it physically comes after Requiem... it actually consists of events from Alex's perspective that occur while he was a child as well as some events from books 1 and 2 in the series.

I was a bit disappointed by this novella.  I loved Alex's character in Delirium.  The way he was portrayed through his thoughts and feelings in this novella was not what I would have expected from him.  I was also hoping to get more insight on his thoughts AFTER book 2 and perhaps some added content about what happens in the future...post Requiem.  None of these things panned out for me, so I felt like I could have lived with or without this story.  It was okay...but I didn't really gain much from it.

I gave it three stars on Goodreads simply because I loved this trilogy and Alex.  I probably would have given it two stars if it weren't for these facts.  If you are a fan of the series, it is an interesting read and will not take up much of your time.  I wouldn't, however, go out of my way to get a copy if it isn't included in your copy of Requiem.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Requiem by Lauren Oliver



You all know that we Book Nerds like to select teams.  I was on Team Alex after Delirium.  Then I was on Team Julian after Pandemonium.  I was conflicted for most of Requiem, but I did settle on a team by the end.  I can't think of another series in which I bounced around like this.  I usually find my Edward and stick with him throughout the series.  No way would I join Team Jacob just because Edward left...so I have to give Lauren Oliver credit for creating two amazing characters both Lena and I couldn't help but love.

This book has duel narrators like Pandemonium, but I enjoyed it considerably more than the Then and Now chapters in book two.  Each chapter in Requiem alternates between Lena and Hana's story.  We get to experience life both inside and outside of Portland.  We get see what life is like for not only the invalids working with the resistance, but also the cureds.  I was just as enthralled with Hana's story as I was with Lena's and couldn't believe how the two stories ultimately came together.     

By the start of Requiem, Hana has been cured and is getting ready to marry her "match" Fred, who will be sworn in as Mayor shortly before their wedding.  He is working tirelessly to strengthen the borders and fight the resistance.  Hana is conflicted about what she should be feeling after her procedure.  While she feels different, she is still having dreams and feelings about the past...which cured aren't supposed to have.  Did the cure work? Is she defective? 

I was very surprised by many of the events that transpired in this book.  There is loss and struggle on both sides of the fence.  Neither side is perfect, but they are both fighting for what they believe in.  I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more closure to this series.  The ending was a bit abrupt and there were a lot of loose threads.  I was left thinking, really??? That is the end?  Am I missing a chapter???  I guess this is Lauren's way of keeping everyone happy.  We can all write our own perfect ending.