iRead - LIBRARY

What I'm Reading Wednesday

10/10/2018

Ink by Alice Broadway

Synopsis: ‘Every action, every deed, every significant moment is tattooed on your skin for ever. When Leora's father dies, she is determined to see her father remembered forever. She knows he deserves to have all his tattoos removed and made into a Skin Book to stand as a record of his good life. But when she discovers that his ink has been edited and his book is incomplete, she wonders whether she ever knew him at all.’

What an idea for a new world, where everything you achieve both good and bad is etched on your skin. When you die, your skin becomes your story and is weighed up with good against evil. If you have led the majority of a good life, then your family receives your story to keep forever and will remember you forever. But is this just another way to control people, to make them behave in a way suitable for those in charge?

In dystopian worlds control is everything for the leaders and this is a different way, a different religion to use as a control measure.
An exciting read and the first in the series. Not to mention the cover is brilliant.

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What I'm Reading Wednesday

29/8/2018

Crazy House by James Patterson
Synopsis:’There were no charges. There was no trial. There will be no escape.
Seventeen-year-old Becca Greenfield was snatched from her small hometown. She was thrown into a maximum-security prison and put on Death Row with other kids her age. Until her execution, Becca's told to fit in and shut her mouth... but Becca's never been very good at either. Her sister Cassie was always the perfect twin.
Becca's only hope is that her twin sister will find her. That perfect little priss Cassie will stop following the rules and start breaking them, before it's too late. Because her jailers made a mistake that could get them both killed:
They took the wrong twin.’

This is a fascinating dystopian story, with a twist in the ending I did not see coming. I enjoyed the emotions this book evoked; the horror, the suspense and the devastation. I liked the characters, their strength and their faults. I also liked the setting and the world in this book. I did not enjoy the romance, that seemed like it was written in because someone suggested there be a love angle. It was out of place and seemed to come from nowhere. That aside, ‘Crazy House’ is an exciting read.

Spoiler alert: This is not a series.
It so deserves to be. I certainly would like to know what happens next. It feels like the ending is the beginning of something bigger.

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What I'm Reading Wednesday

22/8/2018

The Disappeared by C.J Harper

Synopsis: ‘Jackson's life is perfect; he's top of his class, wants for nothing and is destined to be part of the Leadership that runs the country. But when a violent incident leaves Jackson badly beaten and his best friend dead, everything changes. Suddenly his teachers claim not to know him, his records are deleted...Jackson doesn't exist anymore. Dumped in an Academy, where teachers are kept in cages and being a good fighter is all that matters, Jackson realises that to survive he needs to adapt, and fast. And, as he learns the Academy's terrible secrets, Jackson discovers that his whole life has been based on lies; the Leadership is corrupt to the core and they're coming after him. But time is running out. Can Jackson destroy the man at the heart of it all before he makes Jackson disappear for good?’

Open the first page and jump right in. The action starts immediately and it isn’t long before the reader is racing to the finish. Sadly, I now have to wait for book 2, but as the saying goes, good things come to those who wait.
This is an easy to read book with many twists and turns. There is so much action happening, I found it hard to put down and it only took me a couple of days to finish. The characters develop as the story moves along, though a couple of times I found the interaction between the main characters Jackson (Blake) and Kay a little tedious and childish. But that may have been the point from the author as Kay has had little or no education and would appear to be childish at times. The plot is moved along smartly and the mystery is revealed and resolved with good timing.
This is definitely a page turner and I cannot wait for book 2.

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What I'm Reading Wednesday

1/8/2018

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin

Synopsis: ‘Set in the future when teenagers are monitored via camera and their recorded actions and confessions plugged into a computer program that determines their ability to succeed. All kids given a "score" that determines their future potential. This score can get kids into colleges, grant scholarships, or destroy all hope for the above. Scored's reluctant heroine is Imani, a girl whose high score is brought down when her best friend's score plummets. Where do you draw the line between doing what feels morally right and what can mean your future? Friendship, romance, loyalty, family, human connection and human value: all are questioned in this fresh and compelling dystopian novel set in the scarily foreseeable future.’

This is a great premise for a story. Not too far from what the education department requires from students today. And the idea of arranging for the main character to argue the opposite of what she believes is a wonderful way to explore both sides of an argument or belief system. It also helps the character change their point of view.
That said, I think the author was too quick with explaining everything away and settling for a nice ending. There were multiple opportunities for the author to create problems for the characters to resolve and to cause tension and suspense for the reader, but this did not happen.
This could have been a complicated storyline, but instead the author has opted for a simple outline.
If you would like a quick easy read, then by all means have a read of Scored.
Reserve your copy today.

Trailer Tuesday

12/6/2018

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Braken

Synopsis: 'When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.But when the truth about Ruby's abilities-the truth she's hidden from everyone, even the camp authorities-comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. On the run, she joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp: Zu, a young girl haunted by her past; Chubs, a standoffish brainiac; and Liam, their fearless leader, who is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents.While they journey to find the one safe haven left for kids like them-East River-they must evade their determined pursuers, including an organization that will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. But as they get closer to grasping the things they've dreamed of, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.'

Reserve your copy today before the movie comes out.

What I'm Reading Wednesday

23/5/2018

The Silent Invasion by James Bradley

Synopsis: ‘It's a decade from now and the human race is dying. Plants, animals and humans have been infected by spores from space and become part of a vast alien intelligence.
When 16-year-old Callie discovers her little sister Gracie has been infected, she flees with Gracie to the Zone to avoid termination by the ruthless officers of Quarantine. What Callie finds in the Zone will alter her irrevocably, and send her on a journey to the stars and beyond.’

This is book one of a trilogy and it barely scratches the surface of this dystopian world. There are still many questions left to be answered, which means a long wait between books. Hurry up Mr Bradley, I would like to read the rest of this story. ‘The Silent Invasion’ is a fast paced novel set in Australia, (though why does Queensland always end up being sacrificed) with a great premise of climate change and alien DNA taking over the world. Callie is a great protagonist and her journey is fraught with danger. The world building Bradley accomplishes feels real and frightening.
I am waiting with baited breath for the next installment.

Reserve your copy today.

What I'm Reading Wednesday

21/3/2018

Grimsdon by Deborah Abela

Synopsis: ‘Grimsdon is in ruins. Three years ago a massive wave broke its barriers and the sea flooded this grand city. Most were saved, some were lost and some were left behind. Isabella Charm and her best friend, Griffin, live with three other children in the top of an opulent mansion. They've survived with the help of Griffin's brilliant inventions, Isabella's fighting skills and their vow to look after each other. But what will happen when a newcomer arrives in his flying machine? Grimsdon is full of hidden perils, from bounty hunters to sneaker waves. Could Xavier's daredevil risks put all their lives in danger?’

I attended a writers festival and was lucky enough to hear the author Deborah Abela speak. After listening to her describe this book, I just had to read it. You may be surprised to realise this was a stand alone book, but Ms Abela received so many messages about a sequel and what happens next that she decided to write ‘New City’, sequel to ‘Grimsdon’.
This novel is a fantastic adventure, with great characters and an exciting plot. I read the book in one sitting and enjoyed every second. It is well paced, well written and very enjoyable.
Reserve your copy today.

Trailer Tuesday

21/3/2018

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Synopsis: A dark, gripping and witty thriller in which the only thing humanity has control over is death. In a world where disease, war and crime have been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed ("gleaned") by professional scythes.
Citra and Rowan are teenagers who have been selected to be scythes' apprentices, and despite wanting nothing to do with the vocation, they must learn the art of killing and understand the necessity of what they do.
Only one of them will be chosen as a scythe's apprentice and as Citra and Rowan come up against a terrifyingly corrupt Scythedom, it becomes clear that the winning apprentice's first task will be to glean the loser.

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Trailer Tuesday

6/2/2018

Replica by Lauren Oliver

Synopsis: 'Replica is a flip book that contains two narratives in one. Turn it one way and read Lyras story; turn it over and read Gemmas. The stories can be read separately, one after the other, or in alternating chapters. The two distinct parts of this astonishing novel combine to produce an unforgettable journey.'

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Trailer Tuesday

7/11/2017

Show Stopper by Hayley Barker.

Synopsis: 'Our country has turned its back on inclusion: the descendants of immigrants have been denied status and security and must sell their children to a travelling circus to perform at the mercy of ravenous lions, sabotaged high wires and a demonic ringmaster.
The ruling class the Pures visit the circus as an escape from their structured, safe, high-achieving lives to experience pure entertainment with a brutal, bloodthirsty edge.
Ben, the teenage son of a draconian government minister, attends on opening night and falls under the spell of Hoshiko, a tightrope walker and the star attraction.
But as he steps beyond the sparkle and spectacle of the circus, to reveal the horrors that lurk beneath, can he find the courage to resist, to rebel, to help end the cruelty and the carnage?'

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