Book Review: Torn Away

Goodreads synopsis:
Jersey Cameron has always loved a good storm. Watching the clouds roll in and the wind pick up. Smelling the electricity in the air. Dancing barefoot in the rain. She lives in the Midwest, after all, where the weather is sure to keep you guessing. Jersey knows what to do when the tornado sirens sound. But she never could have prepared for this.

When her town is devastated by a tornado, Jersey loses everything. As she struggles to overcome her grief, she's sent to live with relatives she hardly knows-family who might as well be strangers. In an unfamiliar place, can Jersey discover that even on the darkest of days, there are some things no tornado can destroy?

My thoughts on the plot:
I have never read a book like this. The plot was what made me want to pick it up. It just sounded interesting and devastating at the same time. A natural disaster like a tornado, is something that I will never be able to fully understand how it feels like, because I live in a country where tornadoes never happen. But I wanted to read about it, to get a better understanding of what some really unlucky people actually have to go through. It sounded like a book that gets you're thoughts going, and I like that.

My thought on the character:
I liked the main character in the book, Jersey. And I felt sad, angry, devastated, happy along with her. I had absolute understanding for the times she freaked out or got really angry. What she had to go through was so sad, and I felt so bad for her.
Her little sister Marin was so funny and cute, and I loved all the fun things she did.
But OMG, her fathers family were awful. I hated them so much, and I really couldn't stand them. 
Her mothers parents on the other hand, was absolutely lovely, and I immediately became fond of them.

All in all:
This is a super sad book, but at the same time it also has a lot of great and beautiful moments. I can't begin to imagine how it would be to go through something as heart breaking as Jersey. I loved following her through all her ups and downs.
This book really makes you think about all the small things in life that we take for granted. You really don't know how lucky you are until you lose it.
But most importantly this book shows you how family and friends is the most important thing you've got, and how important it is to treasure this.
This book was very good, and I ended up giving it:

….

Elin

Book Review: Legend

Goodreads synopsis:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

My thoughts on the plot:
I love dystopian books, and I always find that their synopsis' sounds so interesting. The synopsis of legend is no exception. It sounded so good, but I have to say I was a little bit disappointed in the beginning. One thing I find very interesting with dystopian books, is the world building. Usually the world is totally different from the world we live in, and I enjoy seeing how the different authors choose to do it. In this book I felt like it lacked a lot of world building. I found myself wanting more.
But as I got through the book, more interesting stuff started happening, and more secrets about the world was revealed. Obviously those secrets couldn't be revealed in the beginning, cause that would just spoil the surprise, so as I got more into the book I could kind of see why Lu chose to do the world building the way she did.

My thoughts on the characters:
The two main characters, Day and June, was great. I also love to read from several peoples perspective, which you get to do here. They were pretty tough both of them, and I liked that. The love between them was a little bit boring though, but that might pick up in the next books.
The only thing I missed was like a funny character. Usually books contain a funny friend, and I always seem to really enjoy reading about them. So I wish a character like that was in the book. But who knows, maybe it will come later on.

All in all:
I wasn't super sucked into this book, and I did think it was a bit disappointing in the beginning. But with that being said, it really picked up throughout the books. Shocking secrets were revealed, and I found myself very interested in finding out "what's happening next".
I will definitely pick up the next book in the trilogy.
In the end I ended up giving this book:

….

Elin

Waiting on Wednesday #3

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. This is a meme where you can share upcoming releases that you are waiting for.

This week I chose Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Release date: October 14th, 2014

Goodreads synopsis:
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

My thoughts:
This just sounds like such an interesting book, with a mix of fantasy and dystopian. That has to be the recipe for success. It looks like this is going to be a trilogy, and who doesn't like a good YA trilogy. This is definitely high on my wishlist.

To discover more upcoming releases, click HERE.

….
Elin