Book Blog #149: Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne

Title: Sky on Fire
Author: Emmy Laybourne
# of  Pages:
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Trapped in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, including a monster hailstorm and terrifying chemical weapons spill, brothers Dean and Alex learned how to survive and worked together with twelve other kids to build a refuge from the chaos. But then strangers appeared, destroying their fragile peace, and bringing both fresh disaster and a glimmer of hope.

Knowing that the chemical weapons saturating the air outside will turn him into a bloodthirsty rage monster, Dean decides to stay in the safety of the store with Astrid and some of the younger kids. But their sanctuary has already been breached once. . . .

Meanwhile, Alex, determined to find their parents, heads out into the darkness and devastation with Niko and some others in a recently repaired school bus. If they can get to Denver International Airport, they might be evacuated to safety. But the outside world is even worse than they expected. . . .
Review: I'm as surprised as you are that I actually got to reading the second book so quickly (especially since the first book wasn't exactly what I would call "stellar").

I wanted to read at least one more book this year, and I felt that this would be the best choice. I was not disappointed it. It's a short, fast-paced read (I finished it in a matter of hours). And the ending bit was suspenseful.

However, I was shocking and discouraged when I realized there was POV switching. It wasn't as bad since most of the events did not overlap in the chapters...but I still didn't like it. And, although I wasn't paying as much attention to the writing style as I should have been since I was in a rush, I did notice in the beginning (during Alex's chapter) that there was some redundancy...

Another aspect of the POV switching that bothered me was certain parts of one POV would affect the other POV. For example: How could Dean possibly suspect there was a "rubber shortage outside?" (80). The reader knows that there's some weird white substance eating away at the tires, but would Dean immediately assume something was happening to rubber specifically? It would be more likely for him to suspect that so of the tires were deflated and that people were (for some reason) unable to re-inflate them.

If you enjoyed the first book, then yes, read this one. I might read the third book, but I am still unsure since I am quite satisfied with the ending in this book.

Book Blog #148: Partials by Dan Wells

Title: Partials
Author: Dan Wells
# of Pages: 528 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Synopsis: Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to find a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war's origin that she never knew to ask.
Review: I almost threw this book out of a window.

I wanted to quit reading this book so bad...but I was determined to finish it so I wouldn't have to pick it up ever again. Seriously...it was torture. I had to force myself to read even ONE page and then I would become preoccupied with some other task. The world was not developed enough and there is WAY too much fluff (which is probably why this book is longer than it should be!). For example:

"She bathed, brushed out her hair, and chose a bright-colored outfit from her 'flirty' section: a silk shirt with Chinese embroidery, a pair of high-heeled sandals, and a pair of jeans just short enough that she paused to worry about the weather. It was summer, but a cold one, and another rainstorm could really make her wish she'd gone with something heavier. She killed over the decision, comparing the jeans with a longer pair, and finally decided to go with the shorts. They looked better with the shirt, and better on her, and she needed the boost. She could risk cold legs to feel like a normal person again for a while." (Wells 82). 

Yes, I did just re-type that whole paragraph. It's fine if you didn't read it all; I just need you to understand how much unnecessary description is in this book. I'm SURROUNDED by preppy teenage mind in real life, and I've heard this thought processes way too many times. The reader DOES NOT need a full description of the character's outfit; it's not an important part of the plot AT ALL. No wonder why this book is so long.

Not recommended.