ARC Review: Zodiac by Romina Russell

Title: Zodiac

Series: Zodiac

Author: Romina Russell

Publisher: RozorBill

Publication Date: December 9, 2014

Source: Goodreads First Reads Program

At the dawn of time, there were 13 Houses in the Zodiac Galaxy. Now only 12 remain….

Rhoma Grace is a 16-year-old student from House Cancer with an unusual way of reading the stars. While her classmates use measurements to make accurate astrological predictions, Rho can’t solve for ‘x’ to save her life—so instead, she looks up at the night sky and makes up stories.

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens—including its beloved Guardian—Rho is more surprised than anyone when she is named the House’s new leader. But, a true Cancerian who loves her home fiercely and will protect her people no matter what, Rho accepts.

Then, when more Houses fall victim to freak weather catastrophes, Rho starts seeing a pattern in the stars. She suspects Ophiuchus—the exiled 13th Guardian of Zodiac legend—has returned to exact his revenge across the Galaxy. Now Rho—along with Hysan Dax, a young envoy from House Libra, and Mathias, her guide and a member of her Royal Guard—must travel through the Zodiac to warn the other Guardians.

But who will believe anything this young novice says? Whom can Rho trust in a universe defined by differences? And how can she convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac?

Embark on a dazzling journey with ZODIAC, the first novel in an epic sci-fi-meets-high-fantasy series set in a galaxy inspired by the astrological signs.

My Review:

Romina Russell's debut novel, Zodiac, is both out of this world fantastic and stellar. Trust me and the bad puns - you don't want to miss this book. Ms. Russell creates a new kind of world in the science fiction genre that both teens and adults will want to explore for years to come.

In the first book of the proposed trilogy, Russell introduces readers to a futuristic world whose inhabitants are descendants of the people from our world. Parts of this story are revealed in the book, and Russell definitely proves to her readers that she didn't just dream this world up in one night. There are allusions and references to stories that we know, but they've been altered so that they now belong in this futuristic solar system named after the Zodiac.

Ms. Russell's world building is fantastic. I truly believe that people are going to compare her to some of the top names in YA, like J.K. Rowling, with this book just because of all of the details that she includes in her books. It's so full of new and original vocabulary that describes not only simple devices to all kinds of new planets and moons. She even includes a glossary on her website so that readers can look up these terms.

The characters in Zodiac are also creative and innovative. Even though they represent people from a future society, they still hit close to home. Readers can pick up on how far this society is removed from Earth, but still relate to how human they remain. 

Rho Grace, the novel's protagonist, has faced a lot of adversity in her young life, and it truly shows. Her rise to power is quick, and she faces it the way that any teen would. She's a little scared and confused. She is a unique character that will leave readers wanting more after they finish the last page. Rho is supported by two great groups of supporting characters - her friends and the people with whom she journeys through the far reaches of the Zodiac.

Yes... there is a love triangle in Zodiac. If you're one of those people who choose not to read books because of the inclusion of love triangles, I'm asking you to give this book a chance. The inclusion of the love triangle in no way takes away from the impressive plot.

The many twists and turns in Zodiac will leave readers wishing for more. Sometimes you find a book that's predicable, but that is not the case with Zodiac. I was shocked and surprised multiple times while reading. I know that I'm already waiting on the sequel, and this book isn't even out yet!

I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

Recommended for fans of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles.

Review: Cress

Title: Cress

Series: The Lunar Chronicles

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: February 4, 2014

Source: Purchased 

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever  had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

My Review

 

Oh my stars!

I have to start my review off by stating that the third book in The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer is, in my opinion, the best one yet! I can only hope (and I truly expect) that more amazing things are on the way in Fairest and Winter.

Once again, Meyer's stellar use of dramatic irony had me hooked. I did not want to put this book down! I couldn't wait to see what happened when the characters found out information that I already knew. It was almost addictive to keep reading just for their reactions.

The newest main character, Cress, is by far the most adorable naive character I've ever come across in a YA book. Her story is so captivating and entertaining. I wouldn't have cared if Meyer wrote over a thousand pages for this book. I would have read it just to learn more about Cress because she is just that cute and quirky.

I also love how Meyer perfectly entwines Cress' story with those of the other characters, like Cinder, Thorne, Scarlet, Wolf, and Kai. It was wonderful to see how she was connected to them and how she can work with them. I truly hope that we see Cress grow and mature a little more in the next book like we've seen Cinder grow since the beginning of the series.

Now... the ending! I'm so happy. I loved the ending. It was the perfect cliffhanger, and I've been waiting for Cinder to say those words since the end of Cinder. I'm so glad that she is finally confident enough to reveal her secrets, and I cannot wait to see how this unlikely group of heroes will use that to their advantage in Winter.

 

August 2014 Wrap-Up

Okay, so August is officially over, and September is here. It's Labor Day here in the United States, so it's the unofficial end to summer. The pools close, and everyone is back to school. But to remember the true meaning behind the holiday... Labor Day is really about the celebration of the American Labor Movement. I'm a firm believer in labor unions. They built this country that I love, and I'm very proud that they protect their workers. I'm also very proud to have grown up in a family with many ties to many labor unions in the area.

This is the start of one of the most beautiful parts of the year. The sun casts a certain kind of light in the mornings and evenings that I just find to be so completely beautiful. The leaves will begin to change. The air is crisp and has a cool bite to it, and the scents of fall are amazing! Apples, pumpkins, cinnamon. I just can't get over it, and so much of it really begins to change in September.

Late August and September also mean that it is back to school time, and for me (at the moment), it is back to work time. As a sub, more and more work days will become available at the end of September.

But before I say hello to September, I need to say goodbye to August. A lot of good things happened this August for me both personally and for my reading and the blog.

I turned twenty-five. I still don't know how I feel about this because I feel like I should be married or at least in a serious relationship by now. Oh well. I also babysat a lot, and made some money that I wouldn't have made, so that was fun. Exhausting, but fun.

I was asked to review quite a few books. I won quite a few books, and my blog really started to pick up this month, so I want to thank each and every one of you who reads my posts and takes the time to comment. It means the world to me. Also, the six Liebster Awards that I've won make me extremely happy. An extra special thanks goes to all who nominated me. I also bought a lot of books in August. Check the book haul and Stacking the Shelves posts if you're interested in seeing what I bought.

Now for my August Wrap-Up

Books that I read:

• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - I didn't really enjoy this book, despite all of the praise I've seen for it. You can view my full review if you haven't seen it yet.
• Mister Teacher Person by J.M. Varner - Jason and I had a few college classes together, and we recently found one another on Goodreads. He asked me to read and review an ARC of his book, and it was thoroughly enjoyable. My review is spoiler-free for those of you who would like to read it. P.S. It is for free this week for Kindle. You should go check it out.
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer - I think everyone who reads my blog knows that I am binge-reading the released books in this series. My full review can be found here.
• Scarlet by Marissa Meyer - Shortly after finishing my ARCs and Cinder, I read Scarlet. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Cinder, but it was very cute and adventurous. My review can be seen here if you'd like to read it.
• The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson - Surprisingly, this is the only book the twins have asked me to read to them while I've been babysitting them this month. When I worked as an after-school care assistant at their preschool, they were always asking me to read to them. Anyways, the book is completely adorable, and it's written in poem form. I'll buy this if I ever have kids.

Looking Forward

• Susan Srikant is sending me three of her books. I'll be reading and reviewing them this month and in October.
• I am participating in an ARC Tour for Damsel Distressed, so you'll be seeing an advanced review for the book on my blog soon. I'll pass along more information when I get it so you can follow the other reviewers involved with the tour.
• I'm anxiously waiting on some September releases, so keep your eyes peeled for "Stacking the Shelves." I'll probably be buying a lot of books this month. 
• Books I plan on reading in September include:
  • Cress by Marissa Meyer
  • Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern
  • The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
  • The Disappearance of Lars Wellingsworth by Susan Srikant
  • The Remedy by Susan Srikant
  • The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey