KayCee K. : Dystopia

The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Followed by: The Rose Society

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fantasy, Magic,

Adventure, Young Adult, Teen

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

The Young Elites I have to say I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book as I enjoyed Marie Lu’s other book so much. I have to admit that I did enjoy this book!
The family drama, while being a major part of the story wasn’t my favorite part. Once Adelina was away from home, the story really began for me . I found that it was fast pace but meant to be read slower than what I did.
Also, the fact that Adelina doesn’t look perfect is what made this story for me. I liked that she didn’t have a perfect face, that her hair was silver and that she isn’t 100% good. There’s was some things that, if they happened different, it would have changed the whole book. I like books that have the ability for the readers to think of the ‘what ifs’ and have millions of different outcomes playing in their minds.
Like what if she did show her father her abilities? Or what if she didn’t kill ‘that person’? (Not putting a name, don’t want to spoil it!!) There was so many ways this book could have gone but I believe the author wrote and plotted this book the way it was meant to be. Telling Adelina’s story, the way fate would have it. I love most of the characters and have the ones I enjoy not liking too. I think that Enzo might be my favorite just because, I don’t know why; there’s just something about him I like. While the book ends, just kinda drops me, making me want the next one, like now, need it get my hands on it!

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

The Selection is one that I’ve heard a lot but never read until last month & I feel in love with it. This is a world that I easily got lost into. At first I thought that I was going to just end up like this book, it just felt simple but I was wrong, a few chapters in and I was lost. American Singer is a ‘normal’ girl to the point where she thought she knew what her life was going to be until she meet Prince Maxon. (Plus I’ve always loved the name Maxon!) I feel like I have to say that Maxon really helps makes this story a whole. There’s something about him that pulls me in as read, makes me want to know what is going to happen between him and American. I also enjoyed how the plot wasn’t just this competition, but about the government and the ‘world’s’ history. There was little parts of this story that I adored, like the penny in the jar, the pulling of the ear and letters. The letters were sweet as I once had a pen-pal so I understand her feelings of read the words on a paper from someone she cared about. This story has its own ‘mean girl’ she brings that ‘now day’ feeling in to this book, I believe that’s important, to have things that the readers can relate to. One of the scenes I enjoyed the most was when America and Maxon first meet in the garden. Over all this books wit, leading characters and writing style makes this a must read for me!

Synopsis
Title: Shock Me (Book 1, re-issue)
Series: Shock Me
Author: Ashley C. Harris
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: June 23, 2015
Format: Digital eBook
ISBN: 978-1-30157-839-9

A promising gymnast, Donna Young is a shy, quiet nobody from the wrong side of town. The only exciting thing in life is her secret friendship with Ryan, her childhood crush. But after the accident—one that should have killed her—she discovers she has impossible powers! Why now, at sixteen, can she transform into something shocking and inhuman? Donna doesn’t know how to use her new abilities or who she can trust, but unveiling this mystery might lead to conclusions about Ryan that are deadly. Rich kid, Ryan Applegate is the most popular guy in town. He has a face that should be on a poster in every girl’s bedroom and dates the hottest chick in school. But ever since the big explosion at the town’s power plant, Ryan has been keeping secrets of his own that if revealed could force him to choose between his family and the girl he's forbidden to love. As their electrifying puzzle unfolds, so unfolds a town where friends become enemies, and enemies become unrecognizable and intertwined. Tortured heroes just might be the bad guys, and Donna discovers that her and Ryan’s secrets are powerful enough to destroy everyone... including themselves.

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Romance and intrigue set in supernatural world make the Shock Me series ideal for young adult and adult audiences. Readers of Paranormal YA and Paranormal Romance, and fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Pittacus Lore, Rick Riordan and Susan Collins will love this series. Originally published September 17th, 2013, this special re-issue is complete is a new cover and content from the author.

Also, in the Shock Me series: Sparks (Book #2), Collide (Book #3), and New Divide (Book #4) by Ashley C. Harris!

Praise for Shock Me:

“Memorable characters and plot momentum will keep the reader fully engaged right up to the pulse-pounding, dramatic conclusion with a stunning ending that I didn’t see coming!” ~ Lori Zalewski, Lusty Penguin Reviews

“Everyone can become a hero. That is what I got out of it. Well a lot more but that was a really powerful message. It keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what will happen next. I can’t wait for the next book and look forward to more from this new author!” ~ Kelly, Kindle and Me

“One of the best things about this book, is that it’s not like any other I’ve read recently. It’s absolutely unique. And, I loved that it was told in third person instead of first, because with all the things going on throughout the book, being able to know what more than one person was thinking was extremely helpful.” ~ Stacey Mosteller, Reading Rainblog

“Shock Me by Ashley Harris is a story with new, fresh premise and I believe that fans of paranormal young adult novels will be thrilled to read it. “ ~ Glass, Ja čitam, a ti?

Excerpt #1

Ryan

He looked through the clear glass window knowing where Spencer and Rebecca were Donna wouldn’t be far behind. After a second he spotted her walking inside the shoe store across the street, her eyes staring at the running shoes on the wall. “I’m gonna get some air,” he said as he got up from the table, taking his soda with him.

Spencer’s mom, one of the waitresses at the diner, handed Spencer some change from her pocket. It dropped from her hands causing her to bend over.

“Uh, yeah, me too.” Randy got up quickly and started moving behind him while staring at Spencer’s mom’s behind. She was probably the reason Randy had chosen to come eat here in the first place. Spencer’s mom was hot, very hot, and young too. She’d had Spencer when she was only a teenager. Randy practically walked into her as she stood up straight, her butt supposedly grazing his hands by accident. Spencer gave both brothers very pissed off looks, as if he was tough or something. Spencer tough? Ha, that’s a joke. Yet instantly Ryan felt on edge, watching his older brother closely, making sure Randy didn’t start something regrettable with this guy. Being the town hot head defined Randy in ways most people couldn’t imagine, and it was Ryan’s job to make sure everyone stayed under control.

They headed outside, both leaning against the restaurant wall as Randy pulled out a cigarette and played with his lighter. It was un-believable because their mom had died from smoking and here Randy was cutting years off his life. The butt of his cigarette caught on fire without him even pretending to flicker the lighter on.

“You need to be more careful and use your lighter,” Ryan told him. “Dad would freak.”

“I am a lighter, little brother,” Randy corrected him. “Chill.”

Ryan rolled his eyes. Lecturing Randy was like talking to a wall.

“So is this why you wanted to come out here?” Randy asked him, looking toward Donna as she lifted up different running shoes from inside the store; she was looking at the prices no doubt.

“I needed to chill before training.”

“Sure,” Randy said in disbelief.

Ryan ignored him, watching Donna, his once childhood companion, try on a pair of running shoes. They were black and white with one thin pink stripe. Girlie enough for Donna, where on the other hand Lynn, looking as herself, would never touch them.

Donna looked at the price on the box several times and then handed the shoes back to the sales girl and left the store. She was wearing old-fashioned baggie overalls on top of her blue gymnastic uniform. The blue lit up her eyes as the sun shinned down on her messy blond hair. Donna was the nice girl, the shy type of girl who is kind and often overlooked, but when you do look, you saw that she was incredibly beautiful.

Their eyes met as she came toward the restaurant door and she took a deep breath bracing herself. As if she needed the extra strength just to walk by and not embrace him like she used to when they were younger. Every time she did that, everyday when he had to see her at school and she took that “brace yourself” pose, it was like a punch to the gut. And every time he wished he could say something.

“If it isn’t little Donny,” Randy barked while breathing out more smoke. Donna gave a half sarcastic, half embarrassed smile and kept walking by. Years ago Randy used to antagonize and bully Ryan and Donna both with all his older friends. To try and escape him, they would run and hide in the woods for hours at a time, building forts and imagining dumb adventures. They had become so close back then, their bond was almost indescribable; up until right before the summer of Donna’s first trip to New York when something terrible had almost happened and it was all Ryan’s fault.

“It’s better this way,” his father’s words echoed inside his mind. “Just keep her away.” But he still always wondered what it would be like if he and Donna were dating. If he could be just like her. Normal.

Excerpt #5

Spencer

Spencer watched horrified as the driver coming down the road swerved into the wrong side of the lane, right where Donna was standing. He started to brake but it was too late.

Then the car wasn’t hitting her. It was going through her. Donna’s body had become transparent, see-through. She glowed like lightning. Donna … The car passed right through her like she was some kind of ghost. A ghost made of electricity …

And then everything they had ever known changed forever.

About Ashley C. Harris

Author and film director Ashley C. Harris resides in Florida. Ashley was first recognized for her edgy writing and unique film work when she wrote and directed the teenage film Lines. Lines was the first feature film in the world captured using only Mac Laptops. In 2013 Ashley teamed up with Barclay Publicity to release the first title in a new young adult series Shock Me. Ashley then went on to release the first of a new NA series, One Night In Heated Snapshots, that quickly reached Amazon's Best Selling top ten list for sports romances. When she is not dreaming up new books and working on film sets, she loves to spend time with her friends and family. Keep a close watch for Ashley's newest young adult books releases!

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In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Cress is simply put as a page turner! To the second book, Scarlet, I enjoyed but didn’t love as
much as I do this one. There was so much going on and I felt l
ike the characters were much more developed. Even though in this book you follow many plots at once I didn’t feel overwhelmed or that it was hard to follow. I like books that have mini plots within one, but this one was brilliant because each mini plot Marissa Meyer did a brilliant good on entwining all the mini plots into one! The writing in this book is easily some of my favorite writing from today’s authors. Her writing has this simple feel in a complexed world. For me Cinder has been my favorite female so far in this story but I think that Cress may have took her spot! It’s hard to say if that’s 100% true as I love them book. It could be the fact that Cress and Captain Thorne played a huge a role that I didn’t see coming. Overall this is an action packed story that I quite enjoyed. There is something about that I adore it maybe that it’s set it the start will a race that’s not human, the forbidden love, amazing writing & characters; I am not sure. But I can say I cannot wait for book four, Winter!