Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1)
Author: Laini Taylor
Release Date: September 27th 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source: Bought
Goodreads

(This review was originally posted at My Library in the Making.)

As I type this, it’s been more than three hours after I’d wiped away my tears and put down this book, but only one word resonates in my mind to describe it: WOW. Beautifully unique and moving, Daughter of Smoke and Bone is the best book I’ve read so far this year, and I totally regret not picking this up sooner.

Right from page one, I was entranced by Laini Taylor’s exquisite writing. I knew I should’ve prepared myself for severe writer envy. Her prose was solid but lyrical, and the way she described everything and everyone made it very easy to immerse myself in the story. With just a few adjectives and native handicrafts or landmarks, I was transported to Prague and Elsewhere and everywhere Karou’s journey towards discovering herself had brought her to, and I actually felt like a tourist. I’d give up my own teeth for a bruxis if that would mean being able to write like her.

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Title: The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden #1)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads

(This review was originally posted at My Library in the Making.)

As I’ve mentioned in this review, I didn’t enjoy the prequel novella to this book, but thank heavens The Immortal Rules, although not as good as I’d hoped it would be, was still better.

The Immortal Rules was divided into four parts. The first dragged on with some clutter which I found hard to get past—like, I get it, Allie has a hard life, let’s get a move on. Thankfully, the reprieve came in the second part, when Allie Turned. This triggered more action and suspense, and honestly, I had no idea where the story would go after this part, which was very good because I love unpredictability in my fiction.

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Reading this now!

Title: The Selection (The Selection #1)
Author: Kiera Cass
Release Date: April 24th 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Bought
Goodreads

(This review was originally posted at My Library in the Making.)

I’m not so sure anymore because I bought this last June, but I think I picked up The Selection because of that gorgeous cover. Perfect model for the main character, perfect shades of blue, and perfect dress. *drools* Seriously, though, kudos to the Harper team for that.

But to those who heed the words “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, no need to worry because what’s under that cover was equally mesmerizing. I read this in two sittings, and it became two only because I didn’t want it to end yet. America’s voice hooked me in from page one, and I didn’t realize I’d already gone through almost the entire book until fifty pages from the last.

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Title: The Bane (Eden #1)
Author: Keary Taylor
Release Date: March 5th 2013
Publisher: Self-published
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads

Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won’t stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn’t need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance.

(This review was originally posted at My Library in the Making.)

I really wanted to love this book, if only because I loved What I Didn’t Say by the same author. Sadly, like most of the sci-fi/dystopian/post-apocalyptic books that I’ve read before, I had a hard time getting into The Bane and in the end, I was underwhelmed.

I love kickass female characters so it wasn’t a surprise for me to like Eve from the start, what with her strength, ferocity, and determination, but even though the book was written in first-person from her perspective, I just couldn’t connect with her because she was so… mechanical. An explanation was given for that, though, so I just ignored it and focused on the other parts of the story.

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Check out my first-ever series review, for the Beautiful series by Jamie McGuire, here.