On Rereads: Science Fiction Series Ending in November and December

On Rereads is a monthly feature on My Thoughts Lit where I talk about the books I reread during the month. It's an opportunity to share some new thoughts on a book I read before and usually to prepare for a new release. For the foreseeable future I plan to do one reread a month so I want to share my thoughts on these books the second time around.

I wanted to reread six books in October which was a little optimistic although I did reread five in November! What! I mean I didn't read as many new books but that's cool. I got to reread The Lunar Chronicles and the Starbound Trilogy by the end of the month. The fact that I had a drive to Upstate to New York to see my family for Thanksgiving definitely helped with that. I could have squeezed in a book I hadn't read but I didn't want to and these next two months that's what I want to do. But here is my thoughts on the audiobooks for....

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Cinder -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Scarlet  -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Cress -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

I was both excited and nervous for the final book in this series, Winter, to come out. I'm such a fan of this series. It is one of my all-time favorite retellings, not to mention an all-around science fiction series with amazing characters and a thrilling plot. So with the final book coming out I had to marathon the whole series to refresh my memory and also experience it all together.

Once again, I really felt like this is a series that gets better and better as it goes on. Rereading it you can see how good Marissa Meyer's plotting is. Things mentioned in the first book come back in a big way in the third and final book. I was so glad I reread it too because I forgot so many details, especially in Scarlet. Plus I got to once again fall in love with these characters and swoon at the romantic moment.

But what I really liked about this reread was the audio. Rebecca Soler, the narrator does an absolutely brilliant job bringing these characters to life. She got Cinder's snark down perfectly, plus Thorne's charm, Scarlet's toughness and French accent, and Cress' awkwardness. Plus her Iko was just so spot on. I loved it so much that when I was reading Winter, I missed the audio and downloaded it so that I could listen to it too. Her Winter (the character) narration? Brilliant!

The Starbound Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars - (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
This Shattered World - (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

This series, ugh, you guys. I'm so obsessed. It might be my all-time favorite YA Science Fiction novel. It's so freaking amazing. These Broken Stars was one of my favorite reads of 2014 and I was a little nervous about rereading because what I loved so much about it was the mystery and the crazy plot twist but it was just as brilliant and emotional the second time around. That is the mark of a great read if you ask me. Then with This Shattered World, I wasn't totally blown away the first time I loved it. Honestly, the second time it was even better. Reading them back to back I was able to understand more and see more connections which made it so fantastic.

I also really loved these audiobooks. I like they have different narrators for the different perspectives and I think they captured the mystery and adventure with this series. I particularly enjoyed Jonathan McClain who narrated for Tarver, who I think captured his humor and fun personality, as well as Donnabella Mortel who narrated for Lee Chase in This Shattered World because she captured her toughness and vulnerability.

Now I am ready for Their Fractured Light, the last book in the series. I'm as usual excited and nervous about how it all end but I totally trust Aime and Meg to bring the feels and the mindblowing twists. Marissa Meyers totally did in Winter. These are both great Science Fiction series. I would definitely recommend them if you haven't read them yet.

Have you read the The Lunar Chronicles or the Starbound trilogy? Did you reread in preparation for their series conclussions? Have you done any rereads lately? What books? Do you like doing rereads or not? Tell me why.  Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: This Shattered World by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: This Shattered World Series: Starbound #2 Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Published: December 23, 2014 by Disney Hyperion (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.  Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the rebels.  Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. His sister died in the original uprising against the powerful corporations that terraformed Avon. These corporations make their fortune by terraforming uninhabitable planets across the universe and recruiting colonists to make the planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.  Desperate for any advantage in a bloody and unrelentingly war, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape base together, caught between two sides of a senseless war. As Flynn and Lee attempt to uncover the truth about Avon, they realize that there is a conspiracy on the planet that runs deeper than either of them could imagine, one that Lee's former commander Tarver Merendsen only scratched scratcehd the surface of two years ago. The stunning second novel in the Starbound series is an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness in a world torn apart by war.

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

These Broken Stars, the first book in this series was one of my favorite books I read this year. It had an amazing Science Fiction world, great characters, and a plot that completely blew my mind. Therefore, I had high expectations going into This Shattered World, and I was not disappointed. 

What Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner do so well is create characters that are well-rounded and interesting.  I was almost instantly connected to these characters and their struggle, and a lot of that had to do with the fact that the authors made them empathetic and complex. The revolutionary leader and tough as nails female soldier can easily become tropes but just like Lilac and Tarver, both Flynn Cormac and Lee Chase were more than they seemed. Yes, Flynn was tough, intelligent, and determined but he was also thoughtful and a peacemaker. Lee was tough and aggressive but she was also rash and sensitive. These strength and weakness, almost contradictions, make them so empathetic and likable. Plus I have good news for fans of These Broken Stars, myself included, will be happy to know that Lilac and Tarver not only make a cameo but are a bigger part than you would think for a companion novel. And that's just the start of the characters in this book. It is full of complex and interesting and interesting characters, first and foremost the main characters.

However, the romance in this one may have actually been my favorite part, and for me that is huge. But this was the perfect slowburn of the star-crossed variety. There was some definite Romeo & Juliet illusions in this book but it doesn't have the insta-love of that classic. Flynn and Jubille had a meet-cute that was full of adorable flirting but they began their relationship as natural enemies. They started with fighting and hilarious banter and I just wanted to smoosh their faces together! Then over time and their shared struggle it became so much more and I was giddy with joy. But even the romantic moments didn't come with confessions or even admittance of love until much later in the book. Oh and boy were those romantic moments great. For me romance is not something I typically love about a book. But these ladies do it so perfectly that if they were to write a Contemporary Romance, I would read it!

But I don't want them to do anything else, because Kaufman and Spooner do Science Fiction so well! The world they have created here is so interesting and enthralling. In This Shattered World we get to explore more of the galaxy that was created in the first book. And despite the fact that this was a different world entirely, with different problems, it really felt like it was a continuation of the previous book. It was like we were learning more and deeper things about the universe and the forces at play within it. Kaufman and Spooner has this great knack for creating places that seem both logical and illogical. I don't know what I thought I could figure anything out after the way the last one surprised me, but I still attempted to theorize about what was going to happen and spent most of the book trying to make sense of what was happening to these people and on this planet.  

And maybe it was because I knew what I was getting into, but unfortunately the plot of This Shattered World was not as much of a mind-fuck. Now don't get me wrong it was just as packed with action and mystery as These Broken Stars but it didn't leave me with quite the same feeling of confusion and shock. But it did keep me on the edge of my seat for nearly all it's close to 400 pages. And I think that was because the plot, like the characters were so multi-faceted. It started out as a basic story of two warring factions but it developed into so much more. And while I loved the story of revolution and those fighting for their freedom, the book didn't get really interesting until it delved deeper into the secrets of the planet and started exploring more of the larger plot lines that began in the first book and I'm sure will continue throughout the series. This is where the book me "huh face" and left me curious and confused, but I liked that.

But unfortunately for me, the length of the book and multi-faceted nature of the story did make the pacing an issue at times. It did start a little slow for me and I didn't truly start feeling interested in the story until about a third of the way in when the plot got more complicated. There seemed like things were a little disconnected and slow until them. In the end it did all make sense and really picked up but there were moments where I was waiting for the action, mystery, or even the romance to kick. Or maybe that was the fact that the plot was a little muddled with the inter-connected storylines that changed and evolved as the book developed.

But despite this minor criticism I really loved this book and it left me with my jaw on the floor desperately waiting for the next book in the series. Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have once again created an amazing and entertaining YA fantasy with amazing characters, a fascinating world, and a thrilling plot.

I give This Shattered World by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner a 9.5 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! This book is absolutely not to be missed for everyone. If you were a fan of the first book you will not be disappointed. If you like Science Fiction, Fantasy, or books that mess with your head and leave you both confused and entertained then this is the book for you. Get ready to fall for Flynn Cormac, Captain Lee Chase, and their romance as they hunt for the secrets of Avon!

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

Waiting on Wednesday - This Shattered World

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: This Shattered World Series: Starbound #2 Author: Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Published: December 23, 2014 by Disney-Hyperion Amazon Goodreads Synopsis: Jubilee Chase and Flynn Cormac should never have met.  Lee is captain of the forces sent to Avon to crush the terraformed planet's rebellious colonists, but she has her own reasons for hating the insurgents.  Rebellion is in Flynn's blood. His sister died in the original uprising against the powerful corporate conglomerate that rules Avon with an iron fist. These corporations make their fortune by terraforming uninhabitable planets across the universe and recruiting colonists to make the planets livable, with the promise of a better life for their children. But they never fulfilled their promise on Avon, and decades later, Flynn is leading the rebellion.  Desperate for any advantage against the military occupying his home, Flynn does the only thing that makes sense when he and Lee cross paths: he returns to base with her as prisoner. But as his fellow rebels prepare to execute this tough-talking girl with nerves of steel, Flynn makes another choice that will change him forever. He and Lee escape base together, caught between two sides in a senseless war.

Why I'm Waiting 

I read These Broken Stars in January and it blew my mind into a million pieces! It completely lived up to the hype with an amazing star-crossed lovers kind of romance, complex characters, and a unique and enthralling Science Fiction plot with a lot mystery! So so much mystery!

And while I would love to follow up with Lilac and Tarver, I'm also really excited to be introduced to new characters and new stories. I already love the prospect of Jubilee, she sounds a little bit like Starbuck in the Battlestar Gallactica reboot, who I love. I also love the idea of a kickass female character who can go toe to toe with a kickass male character. I am predicting quite a lot of wonderful banter.

And did you all know that there is a Starbound short story coming out in a few weeks called This Night So Dark. It has some Tarver flashbacks like how he became so famous and also connects the two stories, so if you need a Starbound and/or Tarver fix check it out, it's free for kindle!

I am just really excited to spend some more time in this world and to see where things develop. I'm intrigued that this is a companion to These Broken Stars. I'm interested to see how things develop in the world, especially the way that the last book ended, and I'm interested to see if they answer or resolve any of the mind-blowing questions the first book brought up.

Really I just want this book in my face immediately!

What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you as excited for This Shattered World as I am? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Feature and Follow Friday #38

A weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee's View

How it Works: 

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you visit the blogs of our illustrious hosts and leave your name on the post using using the linky tools, then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

This Week's Question: 

What book/series do you think would make a better TV show than a movie?

This Week's Answer: 

I love when books get turned into TV shows! There's so much more room to be true to the source material. I personally think These Broken Stars aka the Starbound series would make a fantastic TV show. And I'm not just saying that because there was talk of that happening back in the winter.

I love Science Fiction TV shows, space opera, and all that like Battlestar Galactica and Firefly. But also the format of These Broken Stars alternating narrators would be much better suited to a TV show format. With each episode you could switch to Lilac or Tarver (think Lost season 1). The atmosphere and mood of the book would be so good in the format of a TV show, again like Lost, where you are so confused and wondering what could possibly be going on here! Plus I think the mystery and big reveal would be a great cliffhanger to end an episode or season! It would be incredibly mean but it would be brilliant television!

How about you? What book would you like to see made into a TV show? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

 And remember this is a blog hop so take a look around and if you like what you see give me a follow and leave me a comment so I can follow back. I am indifferent to the manner in which you follow so pick your poison: GFC, Bloglovin, and/or Twitter. I'm also on YouTube now so you can check me out HERE and subscribe! I've been posting videos every Friday!

Thanks for dropping by, Happy FF and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: These Broken Stars by Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars Series: Starbound #1  Author: Aime Kaufman and Meagan Spooner Published: December 2013 by Disney Hyperion Amazon Goodreads Synopsis:  It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they're worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help

I was very nervous about reading These Broken Stars. For one thing there was a lot of hype. When this book came out last December I saw practically every blog I follow raving about how fantastic it is. I'm pretty sure it made a lot of people's best of the year lists. That was my first fear, that it wouldn't live up to the hype. Based on the synopsis it sounds like there is a lot of traveling around a deserted planet and trying to survive, which if you follow my blog you know I hate. My second fear was that it would be full of boring travel montages. Boy was I wrong. This book lives up to the hype and is so much more than a book about survival. 

Now don't mistake me, it is a book about survival. Lilac and Tarver get (space)shipwrecked on a strange planet after their postmodern Titanic is ripped out of hyperspace and they must complete usual stranded passenger tasks like finding food, shelter, and a way of communicating to get rescued. But this book is so much more than that. There is much more mystery than I expected. I thought that the main reveal was going to be what planet this was and I was convinced I had figured that out. Wrong again. The mystery was much deeper than that and about halfway through the book I began doubting my theory and completely shocked by the twists and turns that the authors were throwing my way. As the book winded down and the secrets began to be revealed I had my mind blown by one event and revelation after another. This book was one big mindfuck (sorry I swore, but I had to do it, that's the only way to describe the feeling). This book was a mystery, wrapped in a riddle, inside in an enigma! 

What also surprised me about this book was how much I enjoyed the romance. At first I expected a clichéd rich girl falls for bad boy from "the wrong side of the tracks" kind of story but again this book proved me wrong again. It was so much more than that even though, yes, that was the gist of their relationship. At the beginning I was annoyed at their inability to act on their attraction but as they spent more time together and got to know one another better my feelings for them as characters grew and my longing for them to get together as a couple grew. I appreciated the subtle moments of romance where their relationship wasn't shoved down my throat. Even though there was insta-attraction their actual relationship was more of the slowburning kind of romance which I love. 

Gaius and Number Six get it! Do you?

The only clichés here is an underlying theme of the book which completely sums up my feelings about it, "there is more than meets the eye" and "don't judge a book by its cover." This book was full of surprises and thrills. Just when I thought I had everything all figured out it would throw me for a loop with another shocking surprise. The plot was full of surprises but so were the characters. What was so interesting is that because the chapters alternated perspectives between Lilac and Tarver we got to see the characters through each other's eyes but we also got to know them on a deeper more personal level. It helped to connect with them and root for their survival. 

When the book was finished and my book hangover set in that I realized how fantastic and mindblowing this book really was. It is a great piece of young adult Science Fiction and I loved having my brain exploded in the process of reading. Never before have I been so glad that I was wrong about a book.

I give These Broken Stars a 10 out of 10

I recommend this book to anyone who likes Science Fiction, someone looking for a slowburning romance, or anyone who likes stories full of mystery and suspense. Definitely for people who are fans of Lost and Battlestar Gallactica.