[Review] Vivian Apple and the End of the World by Katie Coyle

Katie Coyle
Vivian Apple at the End of the World
#1 Vivian Apple [YA dystopia]

You can buy it here:
Vivian Apple at the End of the World (Hardcover)

FTC: I received an eARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: (via Netgalley)
Sixteen-year-old Vivian Apple never believed in the evangelical Church of America, unlike her recently devout parents. But when Vivian returns home the night after the supposed "Rapture," all that’s left of her parents are two holes in the roof. Suddenly, she doesn't know who or what to believe. With her best friend Harp and a mysterious ally, Peter, Vivian embarks on a desperate cross-country roadtrip through a paranoid and panic-stricken America to find answers. Because at the end of the world, Vivan Apple isn't looking for a savior. She's looking for the truth.

My thoughts:
I am so torn with this novel! On one hand, I loved the story in general, but on the other hand, there were a few things that still bug me. I have questions about the rapture, about the New Orphans (the group formed after the rapture that opposes the teachings of the Church of America), and Peter... 

In the long run, though, I'm just glad that we have a YA without instant love, without a love triangle, with a kickass heroine who doesn't need a guy to save the day necessarily, and her Indian-American bff Harp, Harpreet! 

This book is also available for the Kindle as Vivian Versus the Apocalypse.
The series also includes:
2) Vivian Apple needs a miracle (paperback)

Rating:
4/5

[Review] Pawn by Aimee Carter

Aimee Carter: Pawn [YA dystopia]

You can buy this here via Amazon:
Hardcover
Paperback
Kindle

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (via Goodreads):
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:
This first book in the Blackcoat Rebellion series was absolutely thrilling! Kitty has a choice - live as a III as due to her dyslexia, she did not score well, and live in misery at the bottom of society, or be transformed into the Prime Minister's niece and live at the top of society as part of -the most powerful family. Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece died and she needs to be replaced. Due to her physical appearance, Kitty is a good choice to be transformed into Lila. What Kitty does not know is that Lila was at the head of the Blackcoat Rebellion, trying to bring down the class system and toppling her own family off their "throne". Kitty's job as LIla's replacement would not only be to pretend she is Lila, but to also bring down the Blackcoat Rebellion. This novel has some amazing storytelling and character building. The world Aimée Carter built comes to live and Kitty jumps off the pages. Her dilemma is described vividly, and it is wonderful to see how each character changes and reveals their true faces after time. This is certainly a series I need to continue reading. to find out how Kitty and her friends continue on.

Rating:
5/5

[Review] The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Kady Cross
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
[Steampunk YA]

You can buy it here:
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Amazon paperback)
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Amazon eBook)

FTC: I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: (via Netgalley)
What happens when someone you love becomes a weapon to use against you...

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her “straynge band of mysfits” have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade — the dangerous device Jasper stole from him... for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei’s neck tightens. And tightens.

From the rough streets of lower Manhattan to elegant Fifth Avenue, the motley crew of teens with supernatural abilities is on Jasper’s elusive trail. And they’re about to discover how far they’ll go for friendship.

More than ever, Finley Jayne will rely on powerful English duke Griffin King to balance her dark magic with her good side. Yet Griffin is at war with himself over his secret attraction to Finley...and will risk his life and reputation to save her. Sam, more machine than man, finds his moody heart tested by Irish lass Emily — whose own special abilities are no match for the darkness she discovers on the streets.

Now, to help those she’s come to care for so deeply, Finley Jayne must infiltrate a criminal gang. Only problem is, she might like the dark side a little too much...

My thoughts:
Let me get one thing out of the way: I love this series! I was reading The Girl in the Clockwork Collar on a university day and boy was I annoyed when my Kindle ran out of battery. I did not have all that many pages left and there the battery dies in the middle of a thrilling and suspenseful part. Oh my! I was very anxious to get home that day!

Finley is such a strong heroine, and this feeling did not let up in the least in this second book. She remains amiable, yet she kicks butt. She does not need the male characters to survive in a hard world, but she also does not push them away. In short, Finley rocks!

Seeing the friends in new waters was very interesting as they had to get used to new sets of rules in New York society. The characters' relationships with each other are ever evolving and kept me entertained. Their interactions remain fun in this installment and you will not be disappointed, however, the end may be a tad bit too obvious. This, however is my only complaint. Young Adult novels need stronger female leads and a broader cast, which Kady Cross sure delivered. As for me, I cannot wait to read The Girl with the Iron Touch, the next installment in this series.

Rating:
4/5