Review: Eden by Keary Taylor

Eden by Keary Taylor

Copy Courtesy of Keary Taylor
Already Released

Summary
The Fall, self-evolving tech took over almost all the humans in the world into robots. Eve doesn't know anything of the world before the Fall but she is working hard to keep her small enclave alive, but the Hunters (robots who used to be humans that are actively hunting down the remaining un-turned) are coming closer with each minute so she must fight for their survival.

Commentary
The fear of the machines taking over the humans has been around for a very long time, and this is yet one more story in that mix. I found this one to be lighter in nature and perhaps more fun because of it (not that I don't enjoy the grimmer versions).

There is a good amount of world-building although it doesn't get overwhelming since it comes in pieces. I do think that there was too much time spent on Eve's indecision between her two love interests, but I liked the way things turned out so I suppose I can't complain too much.

In some ways this book is reminiscent of many of the post-apocalyptic zombie novels that are prevalent now, but for some reason, I like robots better. This one definitely has its moments so you might consider picking it up.

Star Rating: 3.5/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for Eden at Amazon (The Kindle Edition is only $0.99)

Review: The Dead and the Gone (Last Survivors #2) by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

*Note, this is the second in the Last Survivors series, but you can read them out of order. If you haven't heard of this series, check out my review of Life as We Knew It (which is the first book).

Summary
Alex Morales is 17 when the moon is knocked off its previous orbit. When his parents fail to come home, he is left to try and keep himself and his two sisters alive in the heart of New York City.

Commentary
Alex's situation is really tough. His family was quite poor to begin with so he must struggle constantly to find supplies, and he was pretty ill-prepared to begin with as he doesn't quite believe the news in the beginning. I think this added an even more desperate edge to his story.

The post-apocalyptic New York City is really wonderfully described, and I really enjoyed the continuing sense of decay as all the wealthy people are evacuated while the poor scrabble to survive or die since they have no good way to get out. Those who read it may be reminded of the aftermath of Katrina.

I really liked this second installment although I think the first one was better, so if you really had to choose, you should read that one. If you've read the first one, you should consider reading this one too ^.^

Star Rating: 4.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for The Dead and the Gone at Amazon

Review: Enclave (Razorland #1) by Ann Aguirre

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

ARC borrowed from Debbie of Debbie's World of Books
Release: April 12, 2011

Summary
The world as we know it has ended. Deuce, who is now old enough to have a name, has become a Huntress to protect and feed her Enclave in the vast underground system which is just barely surviving. After her naming ceremony, she is partnered with Fade, a mysterious outsider to the Enclave and they are tasked with finding out why the Freaks (mutated mindless humanoids who eat any and all meat) are showing signs of intelligence.

Commentary
The story is not really a new one although Ann pulls off some interesting and mostly likable characters in Deuce and Fade. I enjoyed reading about Deuce in particular as she faces internal struggles between being a warrior who accepts losses and the human being who wants to save those she knows. Also, three cheers for a romance that grows rather than appears out of nowhere.

As for the world, we know that there was an apocalypse, but we are never told the details of how things came to be. A lot of the world is portrayed in broad stereotypes rather than delving into intricacies although we do meet several types of people along the way. In general there is an oversimplification of what could be a very complex landscapes. For example we have creatures who are likely mutations of human beings called Freaks of which there are really only 2 kinds, the new smart ones and the regular dumb ones.

Basically, I want more depth to the world that can support the depth found in the characters, more explanations of why things are the way they are, more evidence besides the changes in society that the world is different, and perhaps some of that will be found in the next novel. This was an interesting beginning, but it would not stand well on its own.

Star Rating: 3.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for Enclave at Amazon

Review: Life as We Knew It (Last Survivors #1) by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Summary
Miranda's worries about tests and the mundane world of high school life changes when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. As the weather takes strange turns she learns that surviving the winter without electricity and a dwindling food supply is a reality she must brave.

Commentary
I usually am not a big fan of books which are told as diary entries (it's just a personal preference sort of things), but Life as We Knew It really pulled it off. Miranda starts out sounding like your typical teen or at least what I've come to associate with typical teens in books, which is to say kind of annoying. Once the meteor lands though her voice gets less grating and the story shines through.

One point which is interesting is that the author got a lot of the weather changes right despite not having spent any time researching the scientific impacts of a meteor hitting the moon as it did in the book. There were a couple small areas which I had questions about but the small discrepancies didn't bother me much.

The characters go through a lot of emotional changes and learn to make tough choices in a believable way. What they face is chilling in its applicability to many natural disasters, and definitely made me want to start stockpiling in case of emergencies.

I'm really glad I got around to reading this book, and I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoy stories which are focused solely on everyday people.

Star Rating: 4.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for Life as We Knew It at Amazon

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Review: Thunder and Ashes (Morningstar Strain #2) by Z. A. Recht

Thunder and Ashes by Z. A. Recht

Copy Courtesy of Simon and Schuster
Released Already

Morningstar is a virus that turns its victims into zombies, and it has taken over the world. Sherman leads a band of survivors and soldiers towards Omaha to meet with a doctor who is trying to create a vaccine. Anna is the doctor Sherman's band is meeting up with, and she is also racing to Omaha while being chased by the remnants of the government.

This book reads like a video game. The battles seem like Left 4 Dead in story form. Granted I haven't actually played Left 4 Dead only watched it played so I could be a bit off. Regardless, there's a lot of action.

In a different book the pacing might have seemed too frantic, but in this book the frenetic pace is perfect. The world is devastated, and the groups of survivors we are following have what's left of the world to lose so the hurrying fits beautifully to keep the reader on edge.

There are a lot of characters, some of which them die moments after you meet them, but they are pretty distinct so it is not too hard to keep track of all of them. There is somewhat a lack of depth to the characters though which may be because this is the second book in the series rather than a lack on the part of the author.

I would recommend this to fans of zombies, action, and the post-apocalyptic. It's pretty well-written so those who aren't fans of the above should also considering picking this us (although perhaps starting with the first book Plague of the Dead rather than with the second one).

Star Rating: 3.5/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

**extra note**
The author passed away on Dec 10, 2009. His work is being continued by a ghost writer based on a partial manuscript written by Z. A. Recht before he passed away. The final book in the series is entitled Survivors. You can follow the progress of the final book in this thread.

Check out prices for Thunder and Ashes at Amazon