Jess’s #CRB5 Review #3: Legend by Marie Lu

Set in some undetermined future version the United States, the land west of the Rockies has formed its own country – the Republic. To the east is the Colonies.

As things go in dystopian societies, there is a major divide between the economic classes. June was been raised by a wealthy family and is a military prodigy. Day comes from a poor sector and, at 15 years old, has become one of Republic’s most wanted criminals (and he is, in a Robin Hood sort of way).

After a raid on a hospital for medical supplies, Day is accused of killing a soldier he thought he had only injured. That soldier is June’s beloved older brother. June makes it her mission to track down Day, but in the process learns that the Republic is willing to do just about anything to keep secrets from its people.

Marie Lu has created a fairly plausible future (though, I think we’re more likely to split North/South, rather than East/West. Also, are Biggie and 2Pac represented on the respective flags? Just wondering…). June and Day match well intellectually but they still make mistakes like any 15 year old. Aside from smarts, loyalty is a major defining  element of each character – June to the memory of her brother and (at first) her country; Day to Tess – his Little John – and his remaining family (only his older brother has a notion of what he’s up to).  Lu keeps things moving at a good clip, while introducing elements that should carry through the series. I’m all in on this one.

Caitlin’s #CBR5 #13: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Another sequel in another young adult series! I don’t like the Legend series as much as Under the Never Sky, but they are still a good read. The second installment has Day and June, the poor boy/rich girl couple, working with a rebel group to assassinate the President*, basically. It’s really action-packed, exciting stuff, and there’s some political backstabbing going on.
You can read my review here.

*Because the story is about the Western coast of the United States who have since formed their own country called the Republic, they don’t actually have a President. It just seems simpler to say “President” instead of “Elector Primo,” the correct term. Sometimes the dystopian terms make me cringe a little bit.

Caitlin’s #CBR5 #12: Pretty Little Liar’s #12: Burned by Sara Shepard

Now we come to the books that are almost a guilty secret. Yes, I have read every single book in the Pretty Little Liars series. You can see all the reviews on my blog, from the early spoiler-heavy ones to the one that was supposed to be the end of the series and I spent a lo-o-ong time writing in old-timey speak because I thought it was funny (If you are interested in seeing that, click here. I am actually really proud of the “pernicious gazeboman Billy Ford” line).

Here is the twelfth installment in Sara Shepard’s book crack series, Burned. I know that I could have spent my time reading something of more substance. I actually calculated, and these books were 3607 pages! I don’t have a good excuse, and I really shouldn’t make excuses anyway. For some reason, I like Pretty Little Liars and I will keep reading as long as this series lasts. It’s an addiction.

Caitlin’s #CBR5 #5 Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

A sequel in a series that I absolutely love. It’s almost as good as the first book, which is high praise considering how much I love Under the Never Sky. You can read my review and more gushing here.

Popcultureboy’s #CBR5 Review #10: Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill

 

Or it could have been called Flavia de Luce Grows up and Moves to Thailand. A crime reporter turns amateur sleuth whilst dealing with a family populated with highly colourful characters. Sound familiar? It’s not half bad though. Full review is here

alwaysanswerb’s #CBR5 Review 03-04: Foundation + Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov

I’m sorry SF fans. I’m well aware that the Foundation trilogy is classic, seminal, well-loved SF, and the Hugo “Best Series of All Time” and all that… but I didn’t like these books at all.

In a very quick summary, the trilogy concerns the establishment of the Foundation, which was apparently conceived as a scientific enterprise tasked with documenting all of the knowledge of the galaxy in a Galactic Encyclopedia. Shortly after its initial settlement on a remote planet, it is revealed to Foundation scientists that the true purpose of the Foundation is not, in fact, simply to create the Encyclopedia, but rather to develop into the new dominant political power that will supplant the current failing Empire. The majority of the books chronicles a series of “crises” that the Foundation must overcome in order to achieve the predicted political goals of the Foundation founder and lead the galaxy out of centuries of “barbarism.” Click after the jump to read the rest of my opinionatin’.