Cynetic Wolf by Matt Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In a dystopian future where science has created enhanced, hybrid, and animal-like humans (wolfish, apish, etc.), a young man discovers his uniqueness after he's lost everything he's ever known. I'm giving this story a 3.5, maybe a four... and here's why.

Plot: Immediately you're thrown into this version of our future where terms and labels are thrust into the story that only as you read further, do you begin to understand what "they" are talking about. It took me a minute to catch on, and even then, there were still bits of the world that didn't make sense as far as history/backstory & just how stuff worked, in general. But, the main plot- was very Divergent-esque (finding out you're different in a pretty much illegal kind of way) and Mockingjay-ish (being the rallying point for an oppressed group of people), only the M.C. is a boy (16y/o), not a girl. Putting aside the basics of exactly how the biology worked, the plot/story was enjoyable to read.

Characters: Raek (M.C.) tells the story from his 1st person POV. The author didn't go easy on him as far as problems go, however, he (Raek) is also armed with some pretty convenient genetic quirks that make it possible for him to rise to a leadership role in the span of just a few short months. That's not to say he isn't clever in his own right- he is, I think at this point though (in my life) I would've liked to see the main character REALLY fail at something... rather than a "circumstance" that was unavoidable being what ends up causing him "pain".

The Writing: After I got past the terms etc. that I wasn't familiar with, the writing style of this author made the story flow well and I was able to read it in a day.

In case you wanted to know/overall: There is violence and language, and also implied sex, but nothing too graphic. I enjoyed this novel enough that I'd be interested in reading what comes next. Especially if the "how they became this way" in the 1st place is more elaborated upon.

**I received a free copy of this book for my honest opinion.

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The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As the daughter of a twin who shouldn't have been born

I usually do much lengthier reviews, and I'll end up coming back and adding more to this, BUT... let me just say, that my mom and her twin sister were both born in China during WWII. In a small village in Manchuria, twins were still uncommon. Their mother was called every manner of insults, most notably animal names that denoted the kinds that bear litters. Women in their village did not have twins. If multiple pregnancies were suspected, the mothers took measures to have only one baby. Meaning, my mom, the second born, wasn't supposed to be here. But, my grandmother's love and tenacity put the wheels in motion that eventually brought me here. My mother has told me stories of walking to school when she was older and they'd moved to Hong Kong, and seeing orphaned children in the streets, and worse, dead babies thrown away in dumpsters... products of China's One Child Law. The reality and terror these two brilliant authors captured was mesmerizing and had me blow through this book in a couple hours. From the beginning the story that alternates between Ava and Mira's POV, moves fast and doesn't stop. These ladies took the idea of making your characters really go through it, to heart. While some slight details of the future are iffy, they are completely plausible seeing where we are already heading technology, government, fertility laws-wise, etc... And only near the last quarter did I feel the timeline might have a small error; but that doesn't affect the overall story, IMO. I absolutely lived this story, I only put it down to potty twice and take the dogs out, twice. I couldn't wait to jump back in. As a sister, I'm so thankful that these ladies didn't sugarcoat the deep seeded loathing that we sisters go through for one another. I felt their emotions... the resentment, the love, the guilt... this story resonated on so many levels for me, I just wanna say thank you, to the Saunders Sisters for an excellent read!

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Marked by Sarah Fine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love futuristic, dystopian America novels. I think it’s just the abundance of coverage we see in our modern times, where global disaster appears to be imminent that makes me devour stories in this genre, like crazy. “Marked” is a wonderful addition to this brooding obsession of mine.

Plot: Based in Boston, many years into the future, after economic collapse and global changes that have turned Boston into a Venetian waterway; sprinkled with ancient Greek mythological veins, this story follows the Ferry Family- escorts to the afterlife, in a clever, fast-paced, detail-rich, action, romance, mystery- adventure. Whew, super run-on sentence, I know! But this book has it all. Ms. Fine has done a remarkable job combining so much of what I love to read. I like to escape my life and get swept into a story that engages my senses with a bit of intrigue; let me read about someone else’s family burdens, sexual tensions, and impending doom for a while, so I forget mine- ya know?

Characters: That’s what was accompanied with “Marked”. If you’ve ever read Sherrilyn Kenyon’s “League Series” (maybe her others do as well, but I haven’t read them yet), the books at the beginning of that series (I haven’t read past book #5) have a romantic subplot, mixed in nicely with the main conflict, and you have to get quite a ways into the story before the sexual tension that is almost unbearable, is consummated. Well, that sums up Cacy and Eli’s relationship (the two MCs), nicely. Both characters had developed backstories, and the supporting characters were given proper roles and purposes that made sense.

The Writing: The writing was flawless. There was no waste of space describing too much detail. “Marked” is told in 3rd person POV, alternating from Cacy and Eli’s viewpoint mostly, and then some of the minor characters.
In case you wanted to know: Yes, there are detailed sex scenes, some violence, but not nearly enough to be problematic. Again, think of S.K.’s League novels, and that’s about right where this novel lands. Violence too, but in the realm of supernatural creatures and events… so I’m not sure how that would be classified.

Overall: I chose “Marked” back in December 2014 as my 1st Reads choice. It’s been sitting in my Kindle since. The design of the cover had me assume it was a YA novel, which is fine, but I just was never in the mood to read it; based off of the synopsis. I am so glad I changed my mind and just read it anyways.

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The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Maybe it’s the raving reviews and the hype that put my expectations higher than necessary? Maybe I’m just too old to appreciate it with 5 stars? I mean, Dystopian America? Heck yeah… sign me up! I LOVE Dystopian Novels, YA ones included. But throw in some Cinderella-esque themes into it and uh, nope. Not for me.

This was a nice little mash-up of Hunger Games (i.e. the televised competition; remnants of society such as technology, left over in a Dystopian America; the class systems of the well-off/well-fed vs. the destitute & starving; the girl with an “I don’t wanna” & “I’ma go against the rules” & “I’m only doing it for my sibling” attitude… all while on her way to becoming the hero) and Cinderella/Beauty & the Beast (where a somewhat middle-class girl just “be’s herself” around the Prince and thereby ends up winning his favor).

Still, it was a pleasure to read. It read smoothly and I got through it quickly. I just feel from this book 1 of the series, that the tone set for the rest of the story will remain ultimately, light. I could be COMPLETELY WRONG. I have not gone on to read the synopsis for the rest of the series, other than figuring out the obvious which is the girl gets the guy. Maybe it gets darker and more struggles that are aligned with what ‘appears’ COULD happen, do in fact, happen. Again, I don’t know.

The “threats” in the book were not nearly as menacing (or didn’t feel like they were, at least) as I’d imagine them to be… meaning, I wasn’t at all scared or anxious for the main characters. I’m assuming calling this a “Dystopian Fairytale” would be fair; a good book, just not for me. I need my characters to go through a bit more hell and heartache, especially when they’re living in a world where the world we know now, doesn’t exist and the rules have (mostly) all been rewritten.

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