ARC Review: Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Title: Retribution Rails Series: Vengeance Road #2 Written by: Erin Bowman Published: November 7, 2017 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece's path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle. In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at ALA in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. *****

I loved Vengeance Road. It was one of many YA Westerns a few years ago that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a rare fad that when it's passed I still want more and that is Westerns for me. I still can't get enough of them and so I was super excited to here that a companion to Vengeance Road was coming out. And seriously, it was just as good.

One of my favorite things about this book is the way that it explored the historical setting. In this book we are taken ten years into the future where the "Wild West" is a little less wild and a little more settled and technologically advanced. But it was no less interesting. There was just as much great historical fiction feels to it as we were immersed in a world of train robberies, outlaws, and homesteaders. I could perfectly visualize everything and see it in away that made the setting and book really come alive. Plus once again Erin Bowman included slang and the manner of speaking that was used at the time which not only helped with characterization but also helped build the world and develop the setting. That's what this book did really well. As a fan of historical fiction, I really enjoyed the setting of this book.

The plot of Retribution Rails was just as immersive and interesting. The Old West is such an interesting period of history and you almost can't go wrong as far as the plot goes because there is bound to be plenty of exciting things like shoot outs, train robberies, narrow escapes, and many more. But I think a lot of times the stories can feel like it's the same old same old. And while this one was little bit more on the traditional side as far as Westerns go, it was still really interesting. The plot really developed in a way that had me always guessing. It kept me on the edge of my seat and surprised me more than once by the end. It was definitely a thrilling and engaging read.

But that being said, I do think that the pacing was a little slow. I feel like I'm constantly saying that books take their sweet time before getting interesting so maybe this just comes down to a personal preference thing. But for me, I want a book to really hook me in the first 50 pages or so. And while I was interested in finding out what would happen next I wasn't really hooked until halfway through the book. I feel like the beginning was just a lot of exposition and I wanted to get more into the plot. Because the plot was really good.

The best thing about this book, however, was the characters. I LOVED the characters in Vengeance Road so finding out that this was a companion novel had me a little nervous. With companions you really need to be able to connect with the new characters so you don't find yourself missing the original ones, unless they are all involved in the book. Erin Bowman was able to do both in this book. The first half of this book we got to know Charlotte and Reece. For both of them things have not been easy. But Charlotte has big dreams despite what is expected of her and I respected her for that. She is determined and smart and I really wanted her to succeed. Reece however wants to change his situation for other reasons. He is an unlikely outlaw who isn't about that life. It made his incredibly empathetic and I wanted him do just that. They both have great developments throughout the book. Erin did a good job in balancing character driven and plot driven in Retribution Rails.

On the whole, this was a fantastic read. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as Vengeance Road and that is exactly what I did. It had a fantastic historical setting, a thrilling plot, and likable characters that you wanted to succeed.

I give Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you liked the first book in this series then definitely check this one out. You will not be disappointed by what is next and you will love the new (and old) characters. And if you haven't read this series and you like historical fiction or want a thrilling book with an interesting setting then check this one out.

Have you read Retribution Rails? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Retribution Rails Series: Vengeance Road #2 Author: Erin Bowman Published: November 7, 2017 by HMH Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece's path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle. In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.

Why I'm Waiting:

I absolutely loved Vengeance Road. It was such a fantastic piece of historical fiction. I was all about the YA Westerns a few years ago when that book first came out and I don't think I have gotten any less interested. It was a trend at the time but it still isn't something you see very often so I still get really excited about them when I see them. Plus Erin did a really great job in immersing the reader in that world and historical setting so I am excited to return to it.

But this is a companion to Vengeance Road so it doesn't give us the same characters which frankly I am a little disappointed about because I loved Kate so much. But I'm sure the new characters will be just as good. Bowman wrote a very complex strong female protagonist is Vengeance Road so I am sure that will happen here as well. Plus come on, the synopsis says that they manipulate each other toward their own end so I'm on board.

I am expecting another supper thrilling and fast-paced read with lots of action and adventure because that's what Vengeance Road was. Plus how could this one not be like that based on the synopsis. It has mysterious gold coins, botched train robberies, threats of the noose. You have my attention, book.

I have a copy of this book from Netgalley and I am super excited to read it when we get closer to release date. I'm so pumped for another YA western. It's going to be great!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Retribution Rails along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Title: Vengeance Road Author: Erin Bowman Published: September 1, 2015 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: When Kate Thompson’s father is killed by the notorious Rose Riders for a mysterious journal that reveals the secret location of a gold mine, the eighteen-year-old disguises herself as a boy and takes to the gritty plains looking for answers and justice. What she finds are devious strangers, dust storms, and a pair of brothers who refuse to quit riding in her shadow.  But as Kate gets closer to the secrets about her family, she gets closer to the truth about herself and must decide if there's room for love in a heart so full of hate.  In the spirit of True Grit, the cutthroat days of the Wild West come to life for a new generation

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at BEA in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. **** 

I'm so glad YA westerns are becoming a thing because they are just so fantastic and I have loved the last few I have read. Vengeance Road was no exception. I was a little nervous going in because the synopsis could very easily go into cliche territory but instead it stayed in a place that was both interesting and engaging. (I wanted to try and make an Wild West joke there but nothing came to me). It was a thrilling read with complex and interesting characters that was creative and so entertaining.

One of my favorite things about this book was the world. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and while I wouldn't say that this is really the traditional kind of historical fiction that I love, it had an old world feel to it. Erin Bowman does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in the world of the Wild West and the legends were rooted in the time period and lasted until today. It took the reader right to Arizona in 1877. Her descriptions were visual and set the tone but it was more than that. It showed the reader what it is was like to live during the period. One of the best example of this was the slang and manner of speech the characters use. It could have been really frustrating but it wasn't at all. It drew you in and gave the book a really authentic feel. Furthermore, the attitudes of the characters felt authentic to the period. It was vigilante justice and a time when prejudice was normal. It all worked to create a fascinating and engaging world.

But my favorite thing was probably the characters. They were all really complex and interesting. I hate when characters are single-minded in their search for revenge and I really feared that here but Kate maintains her vulnerabilities. She's a kickass female protagonist but she is multi-faceted too, which are always my favorite type of women. You empathize with her throughout her journey and she has a great character arc. But she wasn't the only character that was more than they seemed and had some great character arcs. Erin also created some really interesting and likable secondary characters. I liked the Colton Brothers a lot and grew attached to them and even characters who were only a small part of the book made an impression whether they were quirky or villainous. The biggest surprise for me though was that I even liked the romance and the way that all resolved. You know me, I'm romance-phobic but here it really added to Kate's character instead of taking away from it and I wanted there to be a good resolution to that part of the story as much as the general plot. That is the sign of good character development, if I am just as invested in that as I am in the plot. With Vengeance Road, I was.

Which is even more of a big deal because the plot too was really fantastic. It flowed so beautifully and while it was a quick and fast-paced read it was deliberate and well-plotted. I was nervous there would be a lot of travel montages and tropes I don't love but Vengeance Road never fell pray to them. It could very quickly could have turned cliche but it was creative and engaging from beginning to end. Throughout the book there were tons of action scenes and it all really built to a thrilling conclusion that had a great resolution. My only criticism is that I would have liked a little more mystery. I knew there was going to be some kind of left field twist so when it occurred I wasn't totally surprised but it would have worked a little bit better if it was more purposeful and with clues to solve. Maybe that is because this was part of my mystery theme and the synopsis mentions a mystery but it just did feel like a big part of the books plot. But in general the plot was really great and had me on the edge of my seat.

But on the whole this was definitely a great read and I am a bit surprised just how much I liked it. If you are looking for an action-packed read with a tough but vulnerable female protagonist pick this up.

I give Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you are a fan of historical fiction or you are just looking for an action-packed and engaging story that will take you on an exciting ride then pick this book up. If you are like me and loving the trend of YA Westerns then you will not be disappointed by the drama and the exciting world Erin Bowman has created.

Have you read Vengeance Road? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Frozen by Erin Bowman

Title: Frozen Series: Taken #2 Author: Erin Bowman Published: April 15, 2014 by Harper Teen Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: The second book in Erin Bowman's gripping dystopian sci-fi series, this exhilarating sequel to Taken is perfect for fans of Incarceron by Catherine Fisher and Variant by Robison Wells. Gray Weathersby has escaped Claysoot and uncovered the truth behind the Laicos Project and the Order's twisted plans. Determined to fight back, his small group of rebels is on the hunt for more answers and more allies—a search that will take them on a harrowing journey across a frozen wasteland, and even deeper into a world built on the Order's lies. In Frozen, discover more of the nonstop action and riveting plot twists that made Marie Lu, New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy, call Taken "an action-packed thrill ride from beginning to end."

Because I typically don't like first books in a trilogy I usually give the second book a try if I found redeeming qualities in the first. While I didn't love Taken it was enjoyable so I decided to read Frozen but sadly it still quite work for me.

What I didn't like much about Taken was the characters. In Frozen they were actually much better. In Taken I did not at all like the MC, Gray because he was reckless and frankly a jerk and didn't seem to care about the poor consequences for his actions. In Frozen he had a bit of an "aha moment" and is developing and learning that he needs to think things through more. He is kind of growing on me. But I also felt similar about the secondary characters. I like characters like Bree and Clipper much more than I like Gray but the fact that I didn't have a favorite is very telling for me. They all just seem very similar and more easily identifiable by their negative qualities over their positive. I didn't hate them but I didn't quite like them either.

That also how I felt about the pacing. It was totally better in this book. It didn't feel as much like a disconnected series of moments. In the case of Frozen everything flowed a lot better and the chapters connected to make a more connected story. It was however a bit of a slow rise and took a little while to get interesting. This was the kind of book where I would pick it up the next day and have to take a minute to remind myself what was going on. But when it did get interesting it was very engaging.

What I liked most about Taken was the action packed plot and the mystery. Frozen was just as full of adventure with tons of daring escapes, fights with a shady government entity, and more than one battle scene. It definitely read like an action movie and had some very thrilling moments. But what it wasn't full of was mystery. It seemed to ask more questions than it answered but there was a lot of info-dumping and telling about the world rather than showing. And for me the twists in Frozen were quite predictable. Many of them I predicted back in Taken. It did manage to surprise me a few times though and keep me engaged and curious. I honestly kept reading to prove that I was right more than anything else.

But while the plot was interesting and engaging at times it was a little confusing. Frozen picked up right where Taken left off and developed the larger world of this universe even more but what I didn't quite get from the series is the connection between all these storylines. There seems to be the main plot line of the series and then lots of smaller storylines that I thought were independently working within this universe. These varying storylines felt like pointless distraction from the larger problem and "villain" of the series but then I realized the themes of the book and that I was completely misinterpreting them. I realized it's more Hunger Games and less Divergent. More about the political intrigue and a shady entity suppressing it's people and less about finding the truth behind this world. I did eventually get there but I had to work to make the connection between where the series began and where it is now. When I finally made the connection I enjoyed the book so much more.

I give Frozen by Erin Bowman a 7 out of 10

Despite my criticism I am invested in finishing this series. I want to see how it ends and the conclusion of the larger story. I feel like I misinterpreted the themes of this book and know that I have made the connection to everything I will enjoy it much more. Have you read this series? Leave me a comment with your thoughts? Am I being overly critical because I have misinterpreted the themes? Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: Taken by Erin Bowman

Title: Taken Series: Taken #1 Author: Erin Bowman Published: April 2013 by HarperTeen Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone. They call it the Heist. Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive. Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

I received a copy of this book from the fabulous Lynne Matson as part of the NILtribe giveaway in December. I decided to read it as part of my dystopia month. That definitely seems to be a major trend in Young Adult fiction these days to imagine the most crazy and unique future. Sadly this one did not quite do it for me.

It started out very strong. There is so much mystery and intrigue as the books start. You know things are not quite right with the Heists in Claysoot and that the leaders are hiding something. But as Gray tries to discover the truth I started to lose interest. A lot of the clues were so obvious that the mystery became a little predictable. When the big payoff occured and we learned the truth it didn't seem like that unique a world or story. There were still a few shockers though and I did want to keep reading to find out what happened if for no other reason than to get validation that I had figured things out.

As far as the plot goes it was definitely action-packed. There was one exciting moment after another as the characters found themselves in life-threatening situations or very close to finding the truth. I usually like a lot of action but in this case there was too much and I could have used a little less. While this sort of plot kept things interesting it also led to some weird pacing issues. Especially in the beginning the book felt like nothing more than a series of instances or stories strung together without a segue. Each chapter was a different moment and when the chapter was over we were quickly on to the next moment. As the book went on things calmed down a little and the moments seemed to have more or a logical progression and things didn't feel quite so disconnected.

As far as the MC goes, I was not really a fan. The main character and narrator Gray was not at all likable. I often don't like main characters but I can usually get past that and empathize with their struggle. In this case I just felt like he was being exceedingly petulant. Like I get it, things are are hard out there, but there is no reason to be an outright jerk. He was also rash and reckless a trait that I usually like in my dystopian heroes but in this case it made him seem like a complete idiot. Being reckless was also his main character trait. We were constantly told that he does things without thinking and it didn't at all endear him to me as a character. Over time he did relax a little bit and started to actually realize he should do things differently. By the end of the book I didn't totally hate him.

But what I did hate is the romance. This book was lousy with insta-love. First is Emma, who were are introduced to as Gray's crush since childhood. She, like me as the reader, finds his recklessness stupid and is not into it. Then they have one converstaion and she changes her mind and is totally in love with him. I liked her as a character at first but that sudden shift made her so wishy washy and I ironically quickly changed my mind about her. Then he meets another girl who is bold and reckless just like him, Bree. Suddenly he's in love with her and doubting all her feelings about Emma. That's right an insta-love triangle.

But as problematic as the book was it had a lot of potential. I'm interested to see where the series goes. There are so many questions and theories left unanswered and I have to see how everything ends. The next book in the series Frozen came out this week and I plan to read it this weekend. With all my dislike of first books I will wait to pass complete judgement on this series until I read a little more.

I give Taken by Erin Bowman 7.5 out of 10 stars

I'm not sure I would recommend this book to people who are big dystopia fans or people who want try a little more of the genre. It's a quick and easy read so if you're looking something reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Divergent but a little less complex then check this book out.

Have you read Taken? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!