Obsidio

From Goodreads:    Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they'll find seven months after the invasion? 

Meanwhile, Kady's cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza's ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha's past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. 

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved this trilogy! This was a great ending to the story. 

-    The story was so gripping, and I couldn't wait to get to the end, but then I was so sad when it was over. 

-    I'm not quite sure what to think of AIDAN. His character was so thought-provoking. I loved how poetic he was, and how he was so human, but not. His choices were scary, but were they the right decisions? It is hard!

-    I loved the rest of the characters as well. I love that they stood up and fought against something so huge! I don't know if I could take on a big cooperation like that. They never gave up though. Although they were young, they wanted their voices and their story told, I loved that! 

-    I know I keep saying this, but I can't get over it. These books are works of art! I love the format! 

-    I give this a resounding READ IT!! 

Previous Books:

 

Gemina

Goodreads Synopsis:    Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

My Thoughts:

-    I was blown away by Illuminae, and Gemina was just as good.

-    The format of these pages are beautiful. The book is a work of art. I love that Marie Lu was commissioned to do some artwork for this.

-    I really like the characters. Nik and Hanna are so much fun. They can kick-a, banter, and stick it to the man. They are also flawed teens, which I really appreciate. Human flaws are what make us humans. It made the characters more relateable. I also loved Ella, she cracked me up, but I could have done with a little less swearing from her. 

-    The story was great! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved how they handled the science and theoretical science. Not everyone can pull this concept off! 

-    Throughout the book, I was wondering when Kady and Ezra were going to make an appearance. They did towards the end, but I would love to see more of Kady and Hanna working together.

-    I am loving this series! 

Previous Book:

Champion

Goodreads Synopsis:    He is a Legend.


She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion? 

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position. 

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. 

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

My Thoughts:

-    OMG!! This was amazing!

-    The book was thrilling and exciting, and I could feel my heart beat quicken as I read. 

-    For those of you who were waiting for some action between Day and June, you won't be disappointed!

-    The ending! Oh the ending!!! Make sure you have tissues handy for the last couple chapters! Oh the emotions!!! I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending! I hated it, but I loved it! I'm not going to get over this for some time!

-    I really loved seeing a map! It was interesting to see the different land masses all in chunks.

-    The characters and their development were phenomenal!! I loved how Day and June have progressed through this trilogy. They were softened and hardened. It has been such a journey!

-    I enjoyed the Antarctican civilization a lot.  It was really awesome and intriguing. It reminded me of a live video game. I would love a new series that takes place in Antarctica. 

-    This is a series I'm going to want to re-read over and over again! I highly recommend that everyone read this!!

Previous Books in the Legend Series

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

Marie Lu

Last Thursday, I went to the Provo Library to see Marie Lu! She is the author of the Legend trilogy! If you haven't read them, DO! They are really fun!

Here is Gene introducing the author.

Marie decided not to use the podium cause it was too tall for her. Hooray for short Asians!

She had a lot of interesting things to say about her book. The idea behind the series started when she was watching Les Miserables. The dynamic between Jean Valjean and Javert intrigued her, and she wondered what they would be like as teenagers, so she decided to write a story about a teenage criminal and a teenage detective. Originally they were both boys, but her boyfriend said it would be better if one was a girl, and Day and June were born! 

Here is the signing table!

It was a fun event, but I'm sad that none of my blogger buddies were there to enjoy the event with me!! Shame on all of you!

Prodigy

Goodreads Synopsis:    June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

My Thoughts:

-    OH!! So much to think about!! This book was Brilliant!

-    I LOVE LOVE LOVE the different font and text color when switching between Day and June's point of view! It makes it super easy to know who you are reading about! Plus, it is just fun to read in blue!

-    There was so much going on in this story! I didn't know who was good or bad! I didn't know who was to be trusted, and I was scared about what Day and June were going to do!! It was a roller coaster of events and emotions! It was fantastic!

-    Each character is so complex and unique! I just didn't know what they were going to choose next, and I didn't know what the right choices were! 

-    The story is very complex as well, but I didn't get lost or anything. There is just a lot going on with the government and the characters. 

-    The ending is KILLER!!! OMG!! I wanted to scream!! I need the next book in my hands NOW!!

1st Book in the Series

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

Legend

From Goodreads:    What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

My Thoughts:

-    If you are a Hunger Games and/or Divergent fan, this is your next book!! It is awesome! It has just as much thrills, danger, and fun!

-    The story and characters are wonderful, and I couldn't turn pages fast enough!

-    I really like that the text changes color and font for each character. The story alternates between June and Day, and it is really easy to remember which character I'm reading about with the text change. 

-    The story was really clever and well thought out. I picked up on some things along the way, but putting the whole picture together towards the end was a thrill. 

-    The characters were so amazing. I loved the dynamic between Day and June, and I LOVE that it is based on Javert and Jean Valjean. I like how similar Day and June are. They are observant, athletic, and they keep each other on their toes. 

-    There were few side characters that were fun as well. I hope we get to see more of them in the next book cause I want to get to know them better, particularly Kaede and Tess. I am also curious about Thomas. What goes through that guy's head?

-    I kinda wish the author had delved more into why the United States is split. Hopefully there is more about that in future books. The whole idea that our country is torn and at war is very intriguing.

-    Great book! This is probably my favorite read so far this year! I highly recommend it!