Book Review: Hunger by Michael Grant

Hunger: A Gone Novel by Michael Grant
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Publication date: May 2009
ISBN: 9780061449086
Source: Library

Three months after all the adults disappear, things are far from normal in the Fayz.  Food has pretty much run out and kids are not willing to do anything about it.  When tension begins to break out between the supernaturals and those without powers, chaos seems to reign.  But there is a bigger problem - the monster in the dark who is calling to the kids.  What does it want and will they be able to stop its sinister influence before it is too late for them all?

Things I Liked:
Just like the first book Gone, this one was once again nonstop action.  There is always something horrifying or deadly happening.  I got angry and frustrated at the kids for their unconcern about having enough food, just like I got mad last time.  I loved how realistically it shows Sam, the leader who is still just a kid.  It is a fairly accurate account of what might happen with no adults and no one to assume responsibility.  It definitely keeps you wanting to know what happens next and also what's coming in the next book!  And what a surprise that ending was - definitely unexpected.

Things I Didn't Like:
There was a lot going on in the book.  It almost suffered from having too many plots and characters to keep track of and what each was experiencing.  I again found it to be pretty gruesome for me, but I'm sure many wouldn't be as bothered.  I admit I'm pretty conflicted about how much I "like" these books.

Read-alikes:
Read the first book in the series Gone by Michael Grant
Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Maze Runner by James Dashner

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !@
a few, none very strong

mrg-factor: X
mostly just talk and kissing

v-factor: ->->->->
quite a bit, some of it gory

Overall rating: ****

Do you have love-hate relationships with lots of different books?

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First Impressions: Cover Sillies 2

Though the response to my first Cover Sillies post was not stellar, I am still interested in noting some strange first impressions I have on book covers.  My comments are not what I'd call criticism, more of strange or odd reactions to the covers.  Many covers I highlight are ones that I really love.  This collectin of covers is what I like to call the Awkward Bodies edition. 

Tell me I'm not the only one who thinks this position is awkward - it literally makes me uncomfortable to look at it.  Maybe I'm just seeing it wrong or something. 

Now I know this is odd on purpose, but I honestly think to myself "Don't try this at home, folks!"  It makes my back hurt imagining the model standing like that for any length of time.

 

I really love this cover, but since I've been experiencing neck problems recently, I cringe when I think about her neck pain. Hopefully she doesn't have to lie there for long (and is this a zombie or the main character?)

Now, I really really love this cover, but when I first saw it, I thought again of how painful her head position looks. Maybe it's just the placement of it in relation to his body, but it looks otherworldly. Probably part of its charm.

Do you notice these kinds of things or am I alone?

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Book Review: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Publication date: March 2011
ISBN: 9780547482477
Source: e-book provided by NetGalley

 

Amelia van den Broek is visiting Baltimore for the first time - leaving behind her small town secluded life to find a suitable match.  But when she starts seeing the future in the twilight, things become a lot more complicated than she expected.  Especially when she sees something horrible in the future that just might change all their lives.

Things I Liked:
I really enjoyed the interesting and unique nearly-paranormal mixed with historical fiction details.  I liked the way Mitchell described things so vividly.  The somewhat spooky, gothic and historical feel of the setting and atmosphere were my favorite things.  The relationship between Amelia and Zora was fun and I loved how they interacted and had so much fun together.  I felt like there was something missing from it at the end that should have been there (yeah, trying to be vague and avoid spoilers).  I also really liked the ending, since it was pretty unflinching and different.  Definitely not what I expected in a historical fiction or even a historical fantasy.

Things I Didn't Like:
I wish there was a little more historical detail.  It felt like there wasn't quite enough to make me feel like I was there.  At the beginning I really had a hard time following what was happening - it jumped around a lot from one thing to another.  Once I adjusted, it was easier to follow.  I wasn't too impressed with the romantic element either.  Definitely was too much like love at first sight.  Amelia acted a bit nauseating at times, but they did have some interesting interactions - up and down.

Read-alikes:
Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox
Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
Everlasting by Angie Frazier

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a very few

mrg-factor: X
a little sensuality

v-factor: ->
not much

Overall rating: ***

I do wonder if my discontent at the beginning was a result of reading the ARC - anyone read the published edition and found the same thing?

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