Review: THE VAULT OF DREAMERS by Caragh M. O'Brien

Title: The Vault of Dreamers
Author: Caragh M. O'Brien (@CaraghMOBrien)
Published: September 16th, 2014
Series: ?
Genre: YA sci-fi | dystopian | thriller
POV: 1st person
Pages: 432
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Format: Print ARC
Source: Publicist (accepted for review)
Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf

From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own.

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.

Peculiar and creative, this is a story unlike any other. Rosie Sinclair is on her way out of the prestigious Forge School – and consequently the Forge Show, a popular reality TV series that follows the students through their day life – unless she can get her rank up. But, she soon finds that there's more to worry about than her ranking, because strange things are happening while everyone is asleep. Secrets, lies, deceptions, and twists, The Vault of Dreamers is a wild maze that concludes with an astounding surprise. 

This is a story best described as intriguing and unnerving. There are elements that give me chills, simply because I see certain aspects of this story becoming true in a more technologically advanced future. Rosie's discoveries are horrifying, unnerving, and each time you feel as though everything is figured out and revealed, a new piece complicates the puzzle. Add in the intriguing futuristic technology and society to the already wonderful mystery, and you've got an incredible story. Thrilling and fascinating, The Vault of Dreamers is a page-turner that will haunt your dreams and stay on your mind long after finishing. 

Highlights: There are many twists and I was constantly debating what was true or false, who can or cannot be trusted. The Forge School was actually quite intriguing, and one of Rosie's assignments was hilariously creative and helpful to unraveling the truth. Rosie's new friends are great characters, and I only wish they had been given more page-time. The creativity of the story was fantastic, and I found it difficult to set this book aside (which is exactly what I want from a novel). 

Lowlights: A few questions are not answered, so that's frustrating. I didn't believe in the romance, and I feel it mostly developed off-page. I wish a few characters had been developed more. I feel like one part of the ending is unrealistic (regarding the guardianship). The ending is torture, I hope there will be a sequel because I need answers!

Rating: The Royal Library, Middle Shelf (4 out of 5). The Vault of Dreamers is fantastic, worth owning, and has earned a spot in the royal library. I enjoyed this story very much, despite a few small issues, and would recommend this novel to other readers.

Review: THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer

Title: THE HOST
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Published: May 6th, 2008
Genre: Sci-fi; Romance; Adult
Series: The Host #1 (?)
Publisher: Little Brown
POV: 1st person
Pages: 619
Format: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf

"Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.

Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love."

I reread this book in preparation for the film adaptation¹, and I was a bundle of nerves upon beginning the first few pages. I remember, in 2008, eagerly dropping by the bookstore to pick this novel up a few days after it released. I flew through those 619 pages, was sucked into another world, and enjoyed every second of it. I remember being so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, considering my so-and-so feelings toward the TWILIGHT series. I was so worried I would despise this novel now that I'm older, but I fortunately still found THE HOST to be thoroughly gripping and enjoyable.

Envision our world. Now imagine that we have been invaded, our bodies taken over by an alien species that is unnervingly kind and concerned about one another. Wanderer, our narrator, is one of these aliens. She's been given Melanie Stryder's body, but Melanie isn't giving up without a fight. The internal conflict between these two women could be challenging to portray, but Meyer makes it work. Meyer focuses only on a few select settings, but writes them so vividly with her descriptions that you cannot help but to envision them clearly. THE HOST gives readers a glimpse into humanity, raising questions regarding what it means to be human and what it means to be good or evil. The plot itself is nothing new for sci-fi fans, but I definitely believe this novel goes above and beyond Meyer's other works. 

Highlights: Meyer writes the love triangle/square work² perfectly. The setting is also nicely depicted, but it is the characters that take this story to another level. They are imperfect people: some angry and impulsive, while others are thoughtful and slower to act. More surprisingly, Meyer made me change my mind about them repeatedly. Characters I hated in the beginning eventually become ones I sympathized with (or even liked) by the end, and that's an impressive feat. 

Lowlights: This novel is slow moving, and it takes some time to get into the story. This is a very character-focused story, so if you don't like Wanderer, you probably won't like the novel. 

Note: This is an adult novel, but it has high crossover potential. I think the only aspects that make this book "adult" are the 21-year-old protagonist (Melanie's body is that age, Wanderer is older but sounds as if she is Melanie's age) and the intense, physical violence portrayed throughout the novel. Even the steamier scenes are tame in comparison to some that I've read in YA novels.

Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf. I loved THE HOST,  so it is going on the top shelves in the royal library where everyone can see it. I'd highly recommend THE HOST, but only to people who are willing to read a slower-paced novel that focuses heavily on characters. 

1 Which I never found time to watch in theaters, thanks to a crazy-busy college semester. I did finally rent the film, though. I have many thoughts - both good and bad! 
2 Don't freak out, it's not your typical love triangle/square. Upon rereading, it is obvious how the romance aspect will work out in the end. The only person with actual conflicting feelings for more than one person is Wanderer. To view my spoiler-ish comments, visit my Goodreads review.

Review: THE TESTING by Joelle Charbonneau

Title: THE TESTING
Author: Joelle Charbonneau
Published: June 4th, 2013
Series: The Testing #1
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Pages: 336
POV: 1st person
Format: e-ARC
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4 out of 5

"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust."

Only the best and brightest are selected for the Testing. Cia's father was selected as a teen, but no one from the Five Lakes colony has been deemed worthy for quite some time. But then Cia and three classmates are chosen, and are swept off to Tosu city for the Testing. As Cia struggles to pass and survive the Tests – mental, physical, alone and as a team – she also battles with her feelings toward her friends, and the warning her father gave her before Cia left home. In the Testing, sabotage is fair game, and no one can be trusted....

Gritty and even a bit disturbing at times, THE TESTING introduces a world that is attempting to rebuild itself by using only the best of the best as its leaders. But, the selection process is pure hell. Seemingly normal in the beginning, the tests quickly take on a sinister aspect and become downright deadly as the Testing narrows down the pool of candidates. While there is a small and realistic budding romantic subplot, THE TESTING's biggest strength is its eerie and disquieting world, along with Cia's no-nonsense, highly observant narration. THE TESTING is a fascinating story, and I'm eager to see what happens next in the sequel. 

Highlights: Everything begins innocently enough, before Charbonneu slowly reveals the deadly nature of the Testing. Despite the futuristic setting, Cia's narration keeps this story grounded in reality. She's a smart girl, and it's nice to have a heroine who is willing to think for herself, instead of relying on other characters to do everything for her. I'm always fascinated by novel's that delve into the crazy things people will do in order to win or survive, so I found that aspect intriguing. 

Lowlights: Parallels to THE HUNGER GAMES (strange and dangerous humanoid mutant creatures) and BATTLE ROYALE (kids killing other kids in order to win and survive in an arena of some sort, which is also an HG parallel), but that didn't really bother me. I'm mostly concerned about why – why do the officials allow so many candidates to die? Even ones who are exceptionally brilliant, but were fooled by more malevolent characters? Do they really want sneaky, evil people to control their families futures? While Cia speculates on this, the answers provided are not satisfactory or even logical - realistically, it's counterproductive to let your nation's best and brightest die. I'd also like to know more about the world. Hopefully the sequel will provide more answers. 

Received a digital advanced review copy from publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: SCARLET
Author: Marissa Meyer
Published: February 5th, 2013
Series: Lunar Chronicles #2
Genre: YA sci-fi / fantasy
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
POV: 3rd, alternating
Pages: 464
Format: ARC
Source: Publicist

"Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner."

All of the main characters from CINDER are back and ready for some dangerous adventures in SCARLET. Cinder and Kai are both struggling in their new, opposing roles as they try to become the leaders they need to become. And then there's Scarlet, a new character with a firecracker personality who isn't giving up on locating her missing grandmother, even if the lousy local police have decided it's a closed case. With a little initiative, she teams up with Wolf, a mysterious street fighter with a strange numbered tattoo who knows exactly where her grandmother is. Add in Captain Thorne, Cinder's new flirtatious and endearingly ridiculous accomplice, and you've got yourself a story that will make you laugh, gasp, and leave you eager for so much more.

I enjoyed CINDER, and remember thinking that this series had a lot of potential. So, I expected the sequel to be similar to the first book. Needless to say, I was blown away by the character development in old and new characters, the exciting bursts of action, the breathtaking twists, and the overall excitement that is present in every single page of this story. If CINDER was a good story, then SCARLET is a superb sequel that is fun to read from the first page to the last. Anyone who is debating on whether or not to continue with this series after reading the first novel (or debating on whether or not to start this series) should absolutely give this series a chance, because SCARLET is magnificent.

Highlights: I usually dislike alternating 3rd person POV's (this book had mainly 3, but went up to about 5), but Meyer made it work. Meyer's large cast of characters are likable, different, and sometimes a bit complicated. The story was more exciting this time around. There is so much more happening in this book, to the point where I felt satisfied at the end but still curious about the next novel. I love how fresh Meyer makes familiar fairytales, and I'm eager to see what she'll do in her next two novels. 

Lowlights: The romance formed between two characters is very quick (at least the couple even references the quickness). 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent 
Veronica Roth

May 3rd, 2011

496 pages (hardcover)

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Amazon Vine; Purchased

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

DIVERGENT is without a doubt the next best thing in the YA dystopian genre, and perhaps even the best YA novel of 2011. Tris, our narrator, may appear to be a weak tiny girl, but she is one fierce, intelligent, and driven young woman who will inspire. The world Tris lives in is unique and described in the right amount of detail. I loved everything about the world in DIVERGENT, especially the separate factions present in Chicago and the fascinating technology. Roth's portrayal of this different world is compelling and makes you eager to know more. There were so many "wow" moments in this book that I was constantly being surprised. 

The edge-of-your-seat moments may be gripping and exciting, but it's the character relationships drew me in the most. Moments of romance, friendship, tests of loyalty and betrayal fill the pages. The overall storyline is thrilling, and the ending blew me away. This book is easily one of my top favorites now. DIVERGENT is electrifying and bursts to life with every word. Veronica Roth's writing will easily enchant you. 

Highlights: Tris’s voice was realistic. Not many stories capture my attention so completely, and Roth's words spoke to me like so few stories do. It has everything you can ask for, and so much more to surprise you. I look forward to more of Roth's work! Even Roth's villains never come across clichéd - they are normal people who think they're doing the right thing, which makes them more intimidating. The ending is shocking, emotional, and I wish I had book two because I need to know what happens next! 

Lowlights: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the only "low" points I found are so minuscule that they aren't worth noting.  

Notes: If you like THE HUNGER GAMES, you'll love this book. I loved THG (despite having a few issues with it), but I love Divergent a bit more. Fighting and violence are largely featured parts of the story, but it's well-suited for the targeted audience (anyone 14+ is mature enough for this book and the content inside).

Update-Audiobook Notes: Emma Galvin is the perfect Tris. She has a nice tone and conveys the strength of Tris and excitement of the story wonderfully. Her "male" voices took a bit of getting used to, but I never had any trouble distinguishing between who was speaking in the story. All in all, this is an excellent audiobook that I would highly recommend. 

Rating:  

Waiting On Wednesday

WOW is hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine.

Book: Matched
Author: Ally Condie
Release date: November 30th, 2010
Summary (from goodreads): 
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. 

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.


Okay, I'm a sucker for futuristic/dystopia novels, and this one sounds fantastic!! Plus, that cover is brilliant. What are you guys waiting on? 


Lea