Aberrant by Ruth Silver

Aberrant by Ruth Silver 4.5 STARS

Synopsis- In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system. 
With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

Cover Pretty 
Rating: PG 13
Overall: Exciting New adventure romance 
Characters:  Joshua and Olivia
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.?  Yes 
Recommend if You Like...(Similarities to: Talented; Article 5, The Twenty )
Book Boyfriend: JOSHUA
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian 
Sex Scenes: Nope
Setting: Western US



Overall-
I really loved this book!! It was a quick read, but it had such great plot development that I couldnt put the book down. At first, this book reminded me of The Twenty, mixed with Matched mixed with Article 5 with a little Divergent in there... The plot isnt overly complicated or drawn out, but what makes the book interesting is the adventure that Joshua and Olivia end up going on. Its not that the adventure is crazy or unpredictable, but that it is interesting and brings them to into a place that is unusual. I think the set up for the next two books is very interesting and Im really looking forward to how things play out next. This book really has two pieces to it, the fertility issue and the government problem (a rebellion) combining these issues really worked in this case and I am intrigued! I loved the characters, their love for one another was really beautiful and sweet and I hope there arent too many complications for them!

Plot-
I was very surprised by the end of this book. There were a couple of loops in there that struck me. Im not really sure what to think just yet...depends on where things are taken, could be really good or not so good. I think what I liked the most about this book was that even though it had similarities to other books, the author worked hard at making itself different, to stand out. And so far it has. I was intrigued with the premise, and once I got to the post escape part, I worried I wouldnt like the book, but the author went in a different direction, brining in more action rather than drama and in those moments when you think you know whats coming, she was able to throw a slight curve ball out there. Im not saying there is anything crazy or wild, its still predictable as most are these days, but it has its moments. Especially towards the end, setting up the next two books, I am so eager to figure out how this new piece of information plays out.

The pacing of the book was good, nothing seemed to move too slowly, though there were times when the history got a little boring. But generally a great start! Cant wait for the others!

Olivia - Aimee Teegarden

Characters
Olivia- I love her. She reminds me of Zoe in Perception personality wise. She was willing to accept her surroundings until the unthinkable happened to her, and even then its so hard for her to let go of what she had known all her life. But her character developed over the course of the book to becoming someone stronger. While her determination and strife for life never faltered I enjoyed seeing her character grow by recognizing what she needs to do to survive and the lengths she was willing to go to for the survival. I especially liked that once she started questioning things, she didnt stop, specifically the first town that she arrives at. She didnt just accept what they offered she questioned it and I really appreciated that, and her continued efforts. I love her relationship with Joshua and the development of this relationship.

Joshua- Daren Kagasoff 

Joshua- What a great guy. Joshua seems like he would be the popular kid at school, that was nice to everyone. Good at everything and handsome no doubt. His affection for Olivia is extremly beautiful. I love their relationship, whether thats friendship or something more. He is dedicated and loyal to her and its so obvious that he is completely in love with her. I like that their relationship isnt very complicated, and that while their surrounding and circumstances provide complications at times, they always end up with each other and depending on one another. While Olivia grows more throughout this novel, Joshua's strength and loyalty certainly show through over the course of the book. He is certainly a keeper.

Im DYING for the next one!!!

InHuman by Kat Falls

InHuman by Kat Falls--4 STARS

Synopsis- In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit. America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral. Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught. Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy

*Review in exchange for copy by Netgalley


Overall-

This plot was different and intriguing and with the allure of a HGs feel to it, I was truly interested in reading this book. The HG appeal was the creativity and imaginative writing from Ms. Falls which is comparable. I felt like the book was action packed with great tension all around. The plot developed over time, as did the characters, especially Rafe and Lane. This book was different than any of the recent dystopian books I've read. I loved the action and the intense emotions that Lane had towards every creature she interacted with. Her compassion may have hurt her at times, but it also saved her. I cant wait to finish this series!!!

The Wall

Cover --Adventurous 

Rating: PG 13 

Overall: adventure romance dystopian

Characters:  Rafe, Lane, Everson

Page Turner: Yes

Series Cont.? Yes

Book Boyfriend: Everson and Rafe 

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Romance 

Sex Scenes: No

Setting = East Coast 

Arsenal Island

Plot-Lane is a naive 16 year old living in the West after a virus plague infects humanity. A wall was built to protect the lucky enough to survive, 100% human people, while the East is deteriorating with the mutating virus that turns humans into animals, and animals in hybrid animals, some of which are rabid. Lane is forced to venture into the East to find her father, along the way she learns that her father was not so innocent, and that life in the East is much different than she could have ever imagined, in good and bad ways. During her travels she is befriended by Rafe the hunter, and Everson the militant and humanitarian. (if those two things can go together in this time period!) Rafe is sarcastic and rude, hes had a hard life, while Everson has lived a life of the riches, they couldnt be more different, but they both care for Lane and her well being and tag along with her on her journey.

Liam Hemsworth as Everson

Generally speaking the story line seems fairly easy and straightforward. Its an adventure, action love story, possible love triangle though its unclear at this time who has feelings for who altogether...But what sets this book apart is the creatures that Ms. Falls creates and the characters interact with. Her imagination was inspiring and jaw dropping at times. The plot here isnt hard to follow, but I was impressed with the amount of characters and creatures and interactions in general that the author was able to create. I could actually picture the hybrids and manimals and I was so impressed with her ability to weave these ideas into her story as if they were so normal.

The story line moved at a great pace, nothing felt like it dragged on or moved too quickly. Each character served a purpose and every scene had meaning. The characters developed over the course of the book and the self discovery was easily seen. The different twists and turns kept me on my toes and kept me glued to the pages, dying to find out what would happen next. The ending was perfect. I couldnt have been happier, it was an ending but left plenty of openings for the next book in this trilogy.

Characters-

Everson- Wow. I loved Everson from the beginning. Even when he was missing I was thinking I miss him. I was pleasantly surprised by his character, in a different way than Lane and Rafe. He reminded me of Peeta from HGs in the way that he cared for people. He was a good guy, willing to stick his neck out to save the world, he wanted to help find a cure, and keep the girl (lane) safe. I found him to be interesting. I was not pleased that as the story carried on, it seemed that his relationship with Lane dissipated a little, but was pleased with his role in the end and hope to see him again in the other books. Hopefully with Lane. I cant decide though which team Im on. Im not sold on either just yet. Regardless, Everson was a great guy, but he started out that way, so we may be seeing him grow more in the future...

Rafe- Blair Redford

Rafe- Aw Poor Rafe. Rafe comes from a rough background on the East. With little family, and no luxury Rafe does what he has to, to survive another dat, even if that means having no friends and being alone. In the savage world, sometimes thats the best way to be. But Mack, Lane's father has always been one to dote on him, and help him, so when Lane travels East, Rafe owes it to Mack to help Lane out. At all costs. What he didnt expect was that he would learn compassion. Rafe started out so rough around the edges, so cruel, but as the book continued I could feel Lane's compassion begin to rub off on him, especially with Cosmo the fox/ape. He became more selfless over the course of the novel and I started to fall for him as a character. I do hope that in the next book we see him in a good light, he definitely holds a special place in Lanes heart.

Lane- Hannah Tointon

Lane- I loved Lane. Even when she was annoying, it was part of her character. There were definitely times when I thought to myself "oh gosh lane you are such an idiot." "I cant believe you did that!" But the author did these parts with a purpose, which I appreciated. Lane went from a naive, trusting and unsuspecting girl to learning, on her own terms that life is not always the way it seems, safe and happy dont always go together and sometimes, the easy way is not the right way. I think Lane developed so much through out this novel. She was blinded by her upbringing, but was able to really open her eyes and see the truth, and yet still live by her own standards. She didn't let anyone bully her, or force her into doing anything. Even though she wasnt always smart about her decisions, it was a growing period for her and that was quite amazing to read.

What I didnt like--
It was very confusing in the beginning, keeping track of feral, manimals, ferae and all the other weird/new terms the author came up with.
I was disappointed that there wasnt as much of a "love story" as there could have been.
It was a little short.
I also got confused with the various animal hybrids and keeping track of the good/bad.