Copy edits really slowed me down this month. They arrived mid-February and were due just this past Tuesday. I only got through a couple novels in the process, but they were good ones!
Here’s what I read in February:
I love a good fairy-tale retelling, so I was so very excited to get my hands on Marissa Meyer’s CINDER. In this version of the classic, Cinder is a cyborg mechanic working on the plague-ridden streets of East Beijing. She crosses paths with Prince Kai when he asks her to repair a broken android, and finds herself caught in the middle an inter-galactic struggle that involves many well-kept secrets. Oh, and she may or may not fall in love in the process.
I rather liked Cinder. She is tough and determined and a bit sarcastic. Her relationship with her youngest stepsister is endearing and it is hard to not root for her and Prince Kai. There were a few things I wanted more of in this novel though. Cinder herself is a cyborg, and I really wanted to hear more of her internal thoughts on what this means. Does she think of herself as human? What does being a cyborg mean to her? These topics were touched on lightly, but I guess I was holding out for some JENNA FOX-esque internal battles. And New Beijing. This city was so fascinating that I just wanted to lose myself in it, but I never felt like I saw enough of it to make this possible. Of course, there is a sequel coming out. Actually, CINDER is the first of four novels, so there is plenty of time to spend in this world. Definitely pick this one up if you dig sci-fi and fairytales.
A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis was a fantastic follow-up to an already fantastic debut! I really enjoyed ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, but the environment in A MILLION SUNS is even more claustrophobic and tense than ever. As Elder attempts to successfully man the ship, the enclosed society of Godspeed falls into chaos and discord. If you thought Godspeed was a bit of a dystopic setting in book 1, this sequel makes you feel a bit for Eldest, who slipped into gray areas with his methods of subduing the population during the first installment.
While Elder has his own struggles, Amy is left trying to unravel a mysterious string of clues left by Orion that may very well hold the key to Godspeed’s fate. I can’t say much else without spoiling the entire novel, but Revis weaves these secrets and clues into the overall plot flawlessly. Between twists and turns and the dual POV, it is hard to put this novel down. I’m so very excited for SHADES OF EARTH!
Kiersten White’s final book in the PARANORMALCY trilogy, ENDLESSLY, was such a bittersweet way to say goodbye to an amazing series. I will miss Evie and her tell-it-like-it-is attitude. I will miss the dynamic cast of characters that fill her life and storyline. I don’t want to say too much about this novel since it is not out for awhile (5+ months to be exact), but I’m just so pleased with how this story ended. The stakes are raised, hard decisions are made, and Evie kicks butt throughout the entire book. As fluffy and fun as this series often is, this final novel really hits home, subtly hinting at the depths of friendship, love, commitment, and how far a person will go for the ones they hold dear. Fans of Evie are going to be thrilled with this novel when it hits shelves in late July.
But my favorite read in February was hands-down UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi. I’ve already raved about this one already on the blog — I just couldn’t contain my excitement — and you can read the full review here.
But in short, this book is a fresh and unique addition to the dystopian genre. The world — from the Aether storms to the enclosed Dweller pods to the Outsider tribes — is fascinating and well thought out. The characters — Aria, Perry, Roar — are all dynamic and you can’t help but root for them. And the romance. It will make you swoon to no end. Cheer. Shout. I love this book. So much. I won’t be surprised if it ends up being one of my favorite novels of 2012.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up if you haven’t already. Especially if you’re a fan of action/adventure. You will not regret it.
That’s it for me! What was the best book you read in February?
