Audio Book Review: The Darkest Minds

Ali Listens is my new review title for Audio book Reviews.  I wanted to start splitting up my reviews into categories.  Something I've been wanting to do for awhile, just haven't had the chance.  More categories coming soon, but this is the one I wanted to start with. 

 

Title: The Darkest Minds

Author: Alexandra Bracken 

Audio Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Date: 03-08-13

Read From: Jan 1st 2016 - Jan 27th 2016

Narrator: Amy McFadden

Length:14 Hours

Reading Challenges: 2016 TBR Challenge

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America’s children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control. Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.' to.

Have you ever had a book stay with you even after you put it down or in my case stopped listening to it? Well The Darkest Minds has done this to me.  I can't stop wondering what's going to happen to the characters and where Ruby is going to go next? Seriously not sure why it took me so long to read this book, but I know one thing for sure, I can't wait to read more of this series.

Author Alexandra Bracken's way with words had me in tears at times and grasping for what was going to happen next.  The characters are so well thought out and as you read/listen you can see their growth as they go through each trial that they go through.  Nothings ever easy for this group of kids, I will say that for certain, but for the main character Ruby, there were times I just wanted to pull her into my arms and hug her or at least I had wished Lee would do so.

My favorite plot part in this whole story isn't really the love story that's intertwined throughout and yes I must say I love that part, but I really loved how each of their, let's call them abilities, are different.  The author has a great way of explaining them as well through out the whole book.  It's almost as if she painted a picture with each word that she wrote.  Oh and I must say that I loved it every time he called her darling.  I smiled every time I heard it!

The world she created is a dystopian one I guess you would say, but at the same time it's also something more, at least for me it was.  I mean how would you feel if you woke up on your tenth birthday or even before that and knew that you would either die or have something wrong with you? I'm not sure how I would have handled that.  As the story unfolds and you get bits and pieces of what actually happened to Ruby, Lee, Zu, and Chubs, each detail of their stories, just makes you as the reader love these characters even more. 

I could seriously go on and on about this book and I assure you I have to anyone that will listen.  So much so that I now have my mom reading this book.  If you haven't read The Darkest Minds and you love dystopian books or even books with magic or super hero type characters, then this is the book for you.


Audio Book Review: 

I enjoyed listening to this story so much so and that has to do not only with the authors words and story, but also with the narration of the book itself.  Amy McFadden's voice worked perfectly with the ton of this story.  I hope she narrates the whole series because I'm already getting ready to start the next book.  The way she changed her accent for certain characters was something that I really enjoyed as well.  I could always tell which character was speaking.

 I have found my new favorite line in a book and it's from The Darkest Minds.  It's a quote that is both daunting and beautifully dark at the same time. 

“The Darkest Minds tend to hide behind the most unlikely faces.” 

I'm pretty sure you all can guess what kind of rating I'm going to give this fantastic book! 

Book Rating: 5 Puppies 

Audio: 5 Puppies 

Characters: 5 Puppies 

Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The audio book above I bought for myself.  It wasn't a review book, but liked it enough to write a review.  We do use affiliate links here on Ali's Bookshelf, the one above is from Book Depository.

 

 

Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave 

Author: Ann Aguirre 
Series: Razorland #1

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Pages: 259 pages

Format: Hardcover

Published Date: April 12th, 2011

ISBN #: 0312650086

Genre:  Young Adult/ Dystopian

New York City residents, decimated by war and plague, live underground in Enclaves, barely past age 20. Deuce 15, trained as Huntress, pairs with odd Fade, who was boy Topside. Elders ignore warning, exile both. Monster Freaks, more organized, killed nearest Enclave. Guided by old memories, in gang-infested ruins, pair face apocalyptic world with new dangers and feelings.

First off, I want to mention that I haven't been reading Dystopian books in awhile mainly because I was burnt out on them, but for a TBR challenge, I picked this one up because it had been on my shelf for a long time. As I was reading, I was pulled into the world right away and that was mainly because of the authors way of describing the way the people in the book had to live. 

My favorite character throughout this book has got to be Deuce.  She's braver than she thinks and even gives herself credit for.  She's strong and I love that about a female lead character.  Yes, Fade is fantastic and I love him as well, but Deuce is still my favorite.  I'm actually really excited to read the next one in this series, mainly because I want to know what happens to her. 

The world author Ann Aguire built for this book is fantastic, they end up living under ground because they were told that the world above was a waste land full of monsters, that to me seem more like zombies, but that's probably because I love zombies right now.  There are many other strong characters in this book and I loved the friendships that Deuce has in the beginning and the ones she builds throughout the story.  I'm really not sure I could live in the cave like they did though or follow the rules that they had to follow.  No touching and no matting unless that was your job.  In that part this book kind of reminded me of The Giver, but there is so much more action in this book than most dystopian books I've read.

Another thing I really loved about Enclave is that the romance isn't the center of attention, the action in this book is and the story about Deuce herself.  Time after time I get really annoyed by how romance is always the most important thing in young adult books, in this one that isn't the case. 

The twists and turns of this book are just another great reason why I couldn't put this down, I wasn't sure where the author was going to take it till the end of the first book and if I'm being honest I have no idea where the second will go. I do know one thing I can't wait to find out.

My favorite line from this book is simply that...one line.

“I never belonged anywhere until I met you.”

Recommendations:

I would recommend this book to anyone that likes dystopian books or anyone that loves a lot of action in the books they read.  If you want a book that will pull you in right away, this is the book for you.

If you don't already know what rating I'm going to give Enclave just by the review above, let me show you...

Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above though I bought for myself at a bookstore signing. We also use Amazon Affiliate links at times

Review: Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons

Title: Breaking Point
Author: Kristen Simmons
Publisher: Tor Teen
Published: Feburary 12th, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 400 pages
ISBN: 076532959X
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series. After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed. Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion…. Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself. Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways. With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

First thing I must say about Breaking Point is something I'm beginning to say a lot when it comes to squeals and that this one I loved!!  I'm loving that I'm not dreading reading the second book in some series. A few years ago I couldn't say that and it just shows you how much that books have evolved and become better.  

With that being said, I want to talk about the plot for this book and the whole series.  I thought the first book of this series was fantastic and that I honestly wasn't sure she could top what she did in the first.  But author Kristen Simmons does it again and makes this series even better than I thought it would get.  This plot and the way the main characters love story grows just made me sigh.  I really love and am attached to the characters in this story.  Ember and Chase are two of my favorites when it comes to YA right now. 

I can't wait to see how Kristen Simmons will tie everything together in the next book and will tie up all the loose ends.  I really don't want this story to end, but I know it has too. The pacing of Breaking Point is perfection and if you would like to read a great dystopian, this series is the one you should read if you haven't already.  

Article 5 is a series that I could read over and over again! Not sure what else I can say about this book and this fantastic author that I haven't already said.  

I know you already know what I'm about to say, but I give Breaking Point an Ali's Bookshelf...

Plot: 20/20

Writing: 20/20

Creativity: 20/20

Characters: 20/20

Ending: 10/10

Cover: 10/10

Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. However, the book above was one that I bought and decided to review. We also use Amazon Affiliate links at times.

Did Not Catch Fire While Reading

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire 

Author: Suzanne Collins 

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Published Date:  September 1st 2009

Format: Hardback

Pages: 391 pages

ISBN #: 0439023491

Sparks are igniting. Flames are spreading. And the Capitol wants revenge. Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.