Short Story Saturday

Hey guys! I bet you thought that I forgot, didn't you? It's okay sometimes I do that. I've decided to do monthly themes with my reading. July will be Anthology Month. So It will be a month full of short stories! I haven't decided if I am going to feature short stories throughout the week or do a big review at the end of the week. Either way, I decided to pause Short Story Saturday until August. But it will be back!!!



Always Shine
Starr K

Book Tour: Shutdown- Review and Giveaway

Thanks to Shane, from Itching for Books, for organizing this blog tour. To see other stops on the tour click here

 Shutdown by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch #3

320 pages- Fiction, Young Adult, Scifi/Fantasy/post-apocalyptic

July 2,2013

http://www.heatheranastasiu.com/

Facebook- Yes

Twitter-@h_Anastasiu

Source: Netgalley, and Itching For Books

Purpose: Review, Blog Tour

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

From Goodreads: The battle is all but over, and hope seems to be lost. Zoe and her fellow Resistance fighters are on the run, having lost their home, their protection, and their leader. They are outnumbered and outmatched by the powerful corporation that controls the world, and the cruel Chancellor is inches away from completing a scheme that would kill most of humanity. Zoe's only remaining option is to chase the impossible dream of upending the Link system, freeing the world from the hardware that controls their thoughts and emotions, and hope it will trigger a revolution.  The plot requires a nearly impossible mission to infiltrate the dangerous Community, and it is a task that Zoe must unfortunately complete alone. With challenges and surprises at every turn, nothing goes according to plan. Adrien's visions of the future now show two possible outcomes: one in which they succeed, and one in which humanity falls. It all lies in Zoe's hands. 

My Thoughts: 

                Have you been following my reviews? Have you been listening to my thoughts about this series so far? In case you haven’t, or if you want a refresher, here it goes. Glitch didn’t do it for me. I was excited about the series, but in the end was completely disappointed. In fact, I even considered giving up on the series altogether. Override was a lot better. Though it didn’t make me want to go out and purchase a copy, it did make me very grateful that I chose to continue the series. But then . . .but then I read Shutdown.  I am a fan! Finally. Okay, yes I still had my doubts. Yes I was still hypercritical and hyperaware of the pitfalls. Yes there were moments that I groaned because I felt that Zoe was regressing into her whiny naïve self. And perhaps she was, but she didn’t stay there! She grew and blossomed into a very flawed, a very human hero.  I couldn’t say for sure whether or not she would survive ‘til the end, but I was right there with her.

                I don’t want to make this super long, and go overboard with my happiness, but I will say this. I am even more grateful that I was convinced that I needed to continue the series.  Let’s rewind a bit, and cover the cons of this story. Honestly, they are minor and I can’t say that they lie in Anastasiu’s control. First, I am not sure if it was just the galley or if it effects the print edition, but there were quite a few areas where words were misspelled, words were left out or extra words were left in. It was distracting, but not too detrimental. Zoe was whiny, to the point that it got a little annoying.

                But here is the good. There was action, there was danger and doubt. There was hope, there was strength, acceptance and humanity. There was redemption, beauty and redefining.  Zoe turned out to be an awesome hero, one who carried the guilt and truth of things but also the hope and strength to push on. The things that didn’t make sense seemed believable. The romance… Finally it was believable and it didn’t read as being too much. The end came and it didn’t turn out the way that anyone expeted it to. I really liked the conclusion to this series; it may not be a favorite of 2013. But it does get the title of the most improved and I plan on buying this series-all because of Shutdown – the best in the trilogy.

4.5 Stars ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Always Shine, 

Starr K

From the Editor's Desk 6/23/13

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Books Received:
Again, I forgot some books on my post last week. This is a mixture of review, recent purchases, books that came in the mail this week as well as those forgotten. 

For Review:

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Thanks to Penguin Debut Author Challenge!

I also received for review: 

The Beginning of Everything byRobyn Schnieider

and 

Journey into the Flame by T.R. Williams

 Purchased:

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Unnatural Creatures anthology Edited by Neil Gaiman 

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Care

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 Death's Acre by Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson/ The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman/ Hidden by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast 

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Blue Diablo by Ann Aguire/The Undertakers: Rise of Corpses by Ty Drago/Fighting to Survive by Rhiannon Frater/White Horse by Alex Adams/Dark Matter Edited by Sheree R.Thomas

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The Bone Yard by Jefferson Bass

The Third Option by Vince Flynn

Dead Zero by Stephen Hunter 

Huntress by Malinda Lo

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2010 Odyssey Two/2061 Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke 

The Foretelling by Alice Hoffman

The Metamorphoses by Ovid 

Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke 

What am I reading:

Well, I have finished Override by Heather Anastasiu. I enjoyed that so much better. I am almost finished with World War Z, I will actually be finishing that up after I do some math problems. (Which I will get back to after finishing this post.) So this week's reads will be Shutdown by Heather Anastasiu, and Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon. I will be participating in the blog tour for Shutdown, and my stop will be Friday. I kind of stumbled upon this reading pattern, of reading a Kindle title and a print book for the week. it has also happened to be a review book and a fun book. I like this method so I will continue it. Finally, after how long of looking for an enjoyable reading system? 

What I will be reading:

Next week will be the first week of July, so my theme for that will be Anthologies. I have both print and electronic anthologies that I will be reading. I haven't narrowed the list, but I will do that this week. Though I haven't decided what I am going to partner with them. I know I want to finish some series, so it will either be the end of Kelley Armstrong adult Otherworld series, or Darby Karchut's Finn and Griffin Books (I have been dying to read these for so long). But since next week is the last week of classes, I may actually get through even more books without killing myself. 

What I wish I was reading right now:

I will probably go back to clearing my Goodreads shelf in August (if I don't get through them before then). I can't say that I am unhappy with what I'm ready, because I'm not. I can say that I have a lot of awesome books (Hunted by Kevin Hearne and the Escape from Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith jumps to mind) lined up for this summer. So I am hoping that it doesn't fly by so I can enjoy all of the books that I want to. 

Well, that's all from my desk! Leave a link or mention in the comments on what you're reading this week!!

Always Shine,

Starr
SKG Photo   taken by me,  and cannot be used or copied without my express written permission

Review: Override

Override by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch #2

320 pages- Fiction, Young Adult, Scifi/Fantasy/post-apocalyptic

February 12,2013

http://www.heatheranastasiu.com/

Facebook- Yes

Twitter-@h_Anastasiu

Source: Netgalley

Purpose: Review

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

From Goodreads: Zoe is free. She has escaped the enslavement of the Community, disconnected from the hardware that had controlled her every thought and emotion, and evaded capture by the Chancellor intent on killing her. She is finally free, but she is far from safe. Zoe and Adrien hide themselves from detection at the Foundation, an academy that trains teen glitchers to fight in the Resistance movement. Together, Zoe and her new team of superhuman fighters must risk their lives to rescue other glitchers and humans from the Chancellor's control. Challenges abound at every turn, and Adrien, who has become silent, distant, and tormented by his visions of the future, only adds to the growing certainty of defeat. But worst of all, as Zoe's team fights against impossible odds, distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation.

                Did anyone read my review of Glitch? Well, this is not going to be the same. I liked this Override. Did I love it? Almost, but not quite. I have learned a valuable lesson in keeping an open mind when continuing a series, and to finish all review books. Yep, it’ll be hard and irritating, but you never know what will surprise. Where I didn’t feel Glitch was worth reading, Override definitely was. I couldn’t put this one down. It still had it flaws, but they weren’t so in-your-face. I was able to overlook them and get into them. That’s something I can appreciate, since it is hard to write the perfect story for more than one person. Override was redeeming to the series. I am once again looking forward to this series.

                There are only a couple of minor things that I didn’t like, so I won’t talk about those. I will talk about the major flaws that I saw. Of course, the first one is the romance. I get it, I really do, but gag! They are teenagers so their hormones are going crazy. Their emotions are still fairly new so they are strong and overwhelming. But, really?  Come on! Is it really necessary to do some serious kissing and light touching, then sneak away and insinuate they’re going to have sex only to pull back at the last moment? At this point, either do it to get it over with or move on. Personally, the passion is too much for such young and naive people. I can understand the tension that’s being created, but there are much better ways to do that.

                The second major thing is the twist. Well, it sucked. It read as if it was thrown in there because Anastasiu didn’t know how to get to point A to point B with what was already happening in the story, so she just pulled something out of the air. What’s sad about the twist is two things. The first is the writing is better than that, she cut herself short doing this. The other is that this would have been an awesome twist, and an emotional pivot point in the story – had it been believable. I won’t spoil it, but if there had been an earlier clue to put the possibility out there this would have been amazing.

Now on to what I liked about it. This time, the characters had emotional depth. It wasn’t just because they were able to openly share and experience emotions. Each had a story and as it was shared, I was able to understand them a little better. With this understanding came a connection. There was a whole lot of action and second guessing. The pacing was strong and the storyline was engaging. Finally, Zoe. When I started reading and she was the same whiny, annoying glitcher I groaned and thought the books was doomed before I started it. But-she grew, she changed. She developed into someone who really stood a chance at being a hero.
3.5 Stars

Short Story Saturday 6/15: A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific Tunnel

A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific Tunnel by Ken Liu

Source: Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013 edition

What is it about?

Charlie tells the story about how the Trans-Pacific Tunnel came to be at the same time he tells of his growing relationship with Betty. It turns out that he's been keeping a secret. After spending time with Betty he learns that there is a balance between speaking too loudly and not speaking at all. 

I couldn't see where the story was going when I first picked it up. But the more I read, the more I wanted to read. This is surprising since there's no action -anywhere in the story. This read as someone retelling the events of their life. Which is fine, since this is what it's supposed to be. (At least that's how I read it.) There were parts that were a little dry, but once I got used to the character's voice it was much easier to read. I like the way that the issue of racial and class superiority is handled in this story. The best way to describe it would be fact, neither good not bad - it just was. That doesn't mean that the characters were okay with it, but it was a part of this world. Charlie's secret was powerful and believable. In the end, he doesn't go against the character that we have gotten to know, But, honorably, he decides to do something to make the secret a little harder to keep.

Always Shine, 

Starr K

From The Editor's Desk 6/16

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Books Received:
I realized too late that last week I focused only on the kindle books I purchased and not  the print books, so that is included in this week's post as well.

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The Histories by Herodotus

Another Faust by Daniel and Dini Nayeri

Twisted by Sara Shepard 

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

The Old African by Julius Lester

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The Enchanted World of Winnie the Pooh

Moon Over Star by Dianna Huts Aston

Inside Seal Team Six by Don Mann 

Gladiatrix by amy Zoll

Half World by Hiromi Goto 

Conversations with Octavia Butler by Conseula Francis 

The Dead by Charlie Higson

Lord of the Rings (set) by J.R.R. Tolkien 

Chronicles of Narnia (set) by C.S. Lewis 

What am I reading:

I have finished Glitch,and if you have been following along you know that I didn't like it. I did finish it though I wanted to give up on it. I have also made the decision to continue on with the series, Override and then Shutdown. I am going to keep an open mind on the last two books, but I will also be honest. I am hoping that the series picks up. I am also hoping to read World War Z by Max Brooks, and White Horse by Alex Adams this month. 

What I will be reading:

Well, I have a lot of books that I want to get through, some review and some for challenges. I also will not make the mistake of depriving myself of books that I just want to read.  So, stealing  borrowing an idea from a video blog I follow, The Readables, I am going to choose a theme and four to five books that fall within that theme. If I am able to throw in some other ones I will, but the goal would be to make it through the four books. I decided I wanted to focus on some anthologies for the month of July. I have tons to choose from, but I'm still narrowing the list down. 

What I wish I was reading right now:

Along with the themed books, I will be concentrating on clearing my Goodreads to-read shelf. I am making progress with On Photography by Susan Sontag. Not sure if I will continue to read it as I had been (more like a background book) or focus on it a little more to get through it quicker. I am enjoying it and it's definitely making me want to take my camera out more. But with school, and maintaining and developing this blog-well I need more time than what I've got. 

Netgalley Adds
Consume by Melissa Danell

Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson

Thomas Quick: The Making of a Serial Killer by Hannes Rastam

Well, that's all from my desk! Leave a link or mention in the comments on what you're reading this week!!

Always Shine,

Starr

SKG Photo   taken by me,  and cannot be used or copied without my express written permission

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch #1

308 pages- Fiction, Young Adult, Scifi/Fantasy/post-apocalyptic

August 7, 2012

http://www.heatheranastasiu.com/

Facebook- Yes

Twitter-@h_Anastasiu

Source: Netgalley

Purpose: Review

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this digital galley, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network. When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers. As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

                What can I say? I was very disappointed with this book. I was very excited about it, the premise sounded new and original and exciting. The execution was fair with a dash of mediocre. When I had read 30% (there aren’t page numbers on a Kindle) I put the book down, and debated on giving up on it altogether. The main thing that I hated about this story was the romance, it was juvenile and distracting. I get that everything was new to Zoe and to the other glitchers. But it didn’t have to read that way, so I consider it a writing flaw.  First problem was, Adrien and Zoe had only really known each other for a few hours (at the most) before they were liplocked and in love. On top of that, within three pages (three screens on the Kindle) they had stopped and kissed each other more than was necessary. Then something happens with Max later, and within minutes they’re in love. Though, he’s more in love than she is. 

                Usually when the romance in a story bothers me, I try to separate it and go on with the story. But in this case, the love triangle (which actually doesn’t completely form til the near end) takes forefront in the story. Zoe’s path from destination A t o destination B is travelled through the romance. The story plot was placed on the shoulders of the interactions between Zoe and Max as well as Zoe and Adrien.  To me Zoe was a very weak hero, and I didn’t like her. There was strength in her at the beginning that I thought might be the redeeming factor for the book. It wasn’t because she lost it somewhere around the third of the book. She didn’t get that back at all in this installment. She did get some strength towards the end when the truth and betrayals were revealed. Even then, it seemed to just appear in her character, there wasn’t anything internal clicking in place.

                Max, to me it was obvious the role that he played. He was too hot and cold. He was obsessive, selfish, abusive and an all-around jerk. He had nothing redeeming about him. I was not surprised with his decision at the end. Adrien, I liked a little bit more. Actually between all three of the main glitchers I liked Adrien the best. He was flawed but likeable. I think a lot could have been avoided if he was honest with someone about something being off with his gift. There were a couple of things that I liked: I liked that there was some diversity within the characters.  I can’t say that there was a lot, because not everyone was described.  The ending (I won’t give it away) was the best part, action and strength in the characters. I can’t say that they came into their own. I can’t say that the ending redeemed the torturous beginning and uncomfortable romance. I can say that I enjoyed it and I will continue to the next book to see what happens.

2 stars **

Always Shine, 

Starr K