The Originals, by Cat Patrick

Okay, so my sci-fi obsessed brain automatically screamed SO MUCH POTENTIAL when reading the synopsis because it's basically about human cloning! And human cloning is like the sci-fi hook in any book realistically. But, unpopular opinion time, I didn't think this book filled its potential. Feel free to boo and hiss.

But I do want to make it clear, I did enjoy this book, I just think it could have been a million times better.

Let me start by explaining the premise of this story. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsy look exactly alike, but aren't triplets. Nope, they're clones. Instead of just pretending to be triplets (that's too mainstream/it's actually fully explained in the book), they live as one person, each having their own time of the day that they're responsible for. Lizzie has the first half of school, Ella has the second half, and Betsy has after school cheerleading and college course. Complicated, I know. But then, Lizzie screws up a math test and suddenly, her mother makes her and Ella switch times, which of course leads to her meeting a boy (doesn't it always?). But then, they still have to pretend to be one person. Add in that Ella also starts to like a boy. I told you it was complicated. Dating in high school is hard enough, but when you're three different people and two of you want to date different boys, someone is going to get caught and it ain't gonna be pretty.

So that's the gist. But wait, there's more. Did I mention the psychotic mother?

That woman cray. She helped clone them and yada yada yada she controls their life and makes all their crucial decisions and yada yada yada she lies and it just gets more convoluted as the story continues. So basically, you're ready for a ginormous showdown of epic proportions and crazy secrets to be revealed, but that's not really what you get. The ending's easy and doesn't really involve danger (like you would expect). I hate using the word cop-out, but that's the only way I can think to describe it. Not to mention, the end end of the book is weird. It's just so unrealistic that I had a hard time remembering what I liked about the book. Oops.

But I did like the book, I really did. I'm just picky and like to complain. The characters were awesome, and you all know how much I love me some good characters. What I liked most was how even though the girls were clones, they each had a very distinct personality so it was easy to tell who was talking. I also love the idea of human clones, not in a way that I want it to actually happen right now, but the possibility of it entices me.

It was a light, sci-fi read so if that's what you're looking for, then look no further. The skeleton of the story was there, I just wish there was more meat on the bones. And coming from a long time vegetarian, that really says a lot.

-Annie

Takin' Care of Business

And I hope you sang that title in your head like I just did.

So today is the day where I give you the Coming Soon post that says what I'm reading right now and what book you should expect the next review to be over. But today, I really wanted to change it up. See, I like posting on Thursdays. There's just something so wonderful about Thursdays and I'm hoping to continue to post on these days. But, I can't read a book a week (I mean, I physically can, but life is busy, man) so there's this awkward Thursday in between reviews.

Basically, I want to do something fun on the Thursdays that I won't post a review on and I'm looking for suggestions! So let me know what you guys think you'd want to see, because really, it's all about you fantastic people! Comment with ideas and I'll check them out!

So now:
Coming Soon:

A review on Cat Patrick's book, The Originals (released on May 7, 2013). Here's a quick synopsis from Amazon. Expect the review next Thursday, June 27.

17-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets... until they discovered a shocking family secret. They're actually closer than sisters, they're clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mindset has always been a de facto part of life...

Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created. 

-Annie

The Moon and More, by Sarah Dessen

Warning: This is a book that will leave you with that "only one more chapter and then I'll go to bed, wait how is it already 3 A.M.?" feeling!

Now, since this is a Sarah Dessen book, I wasn't too concerned about whether I would like it. I'm a big fan of Dessen's and have pretty much loved everything she's ever put out (right now, my favorite is Dreamland, if you haven't read it, do that now!). The Moon and More definitely did not disappoint! I'd like to start this review by commending Dessen on such an accurate depiction of small town life. I can't say anything for small town beach life since I haven't lived that yet, but the entire "everyone knowing everyone and all of their business" was well executed. The setting brought the story to life and every character had a distinct personality that I found charming in this novel. In one sentence: this book will make you want to pack up and head to the beach for the summer.

Okay, now for the critique on the story. Emaline is a very likable character and I think a lot of people will be able to relate to her story. Maybe not the exact family situation (dad vs father is just the beginning of explaining that), but definitely the personal struggles she faces. She just graduated high school and is dealing with the last summer before she goes off to college, the disappointment of broken promises, and relationships that are trickier than she thought they would be, all while undertaking all these crazy responsibilities at work. Actually, I think I have had a summer like that! But Emaline handles it with grace and maturity, and I really enjoy seeing that in a character. Add in the fact that she can be quite funny and you've got a great, well-rounded character.The secondary characters are just as unique. There's the secretive and private Clyde, the lazy but loyal Morris, and Big Dreamer Theo. They all have their own voice and you can't help but get attached to them.

Story wise, the plot didn't go as I expected (in a very good way) but did justice in showing us Emaline's life and the people she interacted with. The love triangle was definitely a triangle of sorts, but it was done well without being too predictable in the end. In the end, everything works out in the best possible way and you'll be completely satisfied (unless you just don't like people to have a happy ending). It's a classic Sarah Dessen ending.

In the end, I loved this book, as I do with most of Dessen's books, and recommend it to anyone who is a fan of hers, and if you're not already, it's time to become one. It's a nice, light read and it came out just in time for the beginning of summer and thank goodness for that: it's the perfect summer read.

Up Next

Check in on Thursday, June 13 for my review of Sarah Dessen's new book, The Moon and More. And get excited about this one, it shows a lot of promise!

-Annie

5th Wave, by Rick Yancey

When I started this book, I had extremely high expectations because of all the publicity and excitement that surrounded it. People were even calling it the next Hunger Games. No pressure, Rick Yancey. Just kidding, pressure on. 5^th Wave was a wonderful story and it had a very Zombieland-esque feel to it that I was completely obsessed with. Cassie, short for Cassiopeia (one of the best names in the world imo), has a very clear, spunky voice. She’s so incredibly real that you can’t help but connect with her. I especially relate to her when she talks about her high school crush, Ben Parish. We all had a Ben Parish so don’t even pretend otherwise. Ben was the person that we loved from afar who never knew we existed. It’s the tragic love story from our high school imaginations, and Yancey does a great job at bringing it to life. Anyway, here’s where I think the Hunger Games comparison begins (and ends, really). Cassie is quite similar to Katniss in some aspects. She was forced to grow up and learn how to survive on her own. Her relationship with her little brother is all she has left and when he’s taken away, she’s willing to literally do whatever it takes to get him back. She’s in that awkward stage of not being a complete adult but having passed childhood a long time ago when the first wave hit. But I think that Cassie is a bit more likable because her situation is less far fetched than what Katniss had to face. We can relate just a bit more with her.

Now, I’ve got to talk about the waves, which were terrifying. Since I happen to have an overactive imagination, I can just visualize all of that happening. Yancey might as well have called the book How to Destroy Earth, Have Fun Aliens. The waves were very realistic and that’s what’s fascinating about the book as a whole. To be a bit clearer, the waves are basically the stages of some kind of Earth destroying tactic, whether it be power outages or disease epidemics.

As great as it was, there was something about the book that I had a problem with. For the first chunk of the book, the entire thing is done in Cassie’s point of view. Great. Awesome. But then, it suddenly changes to a completely different person. That’s all fine and dandy, but it’s never explained who that other person is. Eventually, you find out when it switches back to their POV again (I’m not going to spoil that for you), but it’s just so out of nowhere that I have a hard time buying it. Maybe it wouldn't have bothered me if Cassie’s beginning story wasn’t so long. Instead, it could have been more effective if it switched more quickly. Be warned, there was also a lot of twists and turns that, though I always appreciate a well done plot twist, might be too confusing at times. It’s hard to keep track of who’s the good guy and who’s working with the aliens. But that’s just a tiny detail.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed 5^th Wave, and would definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a book with a strong female protagonist, science fiction features, a little bit of romance, and a lot of fighting to stay alive. It was well written and the world that Yancey built is impressive and realistic in the most adventurous ways. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel whenever it comes out and I can’t wait to see what happens to Cassie and the other characters.  

-Annie

Coming Soon

A review on 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. Look for it on May 30, 2013.