Earth ending asteroid meets Russian scienceboy. Dystopian sequel. September 11 and its aftermath. Saying these have nothing in common would be a gross understatement. But one is an April book, one is a July book, and one is an August book so… there you have it!
Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy
Strike by Delilah S. Dawson
All We Have Left by Wendy Mills
Learning to Swear in America by Katie Kennedy
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on July 5th 2016
Pages: 352
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley 
Brimming with humor and one-of-a-kind characters, this end-of-the world novel will grab hold of Andrew Smith and Rainbow Rowell fans.
An asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. A big, bad one. Yuri, a physicist prodigy from Russia, has been called to NASA as they calculate a plan to avoid disaster. He knows how to stop the asteroid: his research in antimatter will probably win him a Nobel prize--if there's ever another Nobel prize awarded. But Yuri's 17, and having a hard time making older, stodgy physicists listen to him. Then he meets Dovie, who lives like a normal teenager, oblivious to the impending doom. Being with her, on the adventures she plans when he's not at NASA, Yuri catches a glimpse of what it means to save the world and save a life worth living.
Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe, and have your mind burst open with questions of the universe.
“So he had two problems. He had to save the world. And he had to save himself.”
This quote sums up Yuri’s situation. He’s kind of a mess because he is a boy genius, sent from Russia to save the damn world. So no pressure. Anyway, I have some mixed feelings about this, but let’s start with the positives, as you do.
The good:
- This book is funny. Like, I laughed out loud, even though the apocalypse looms. Yuri is a piece of work. He’s obsessed with science, of course, and has some pretty serious culture shock. Because aside from being from another country, he also hasn’t exactly had a “typical” childhood. Being Science Boy will do that to a person, I guess. Anyway, it’s fun to watch him navigate California- and Dovie, especially!
- Yuri is endearing, and I also enjoyed Dovie, though I wish we got to know more about her. I liked that even though Yuri knew all kinds of stuff, Dovie had to teach him so much more! Their relationship was sweet in general!
- Obviously I wanted to know how the world was going to fare! Yuri was lacking both Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, not to mention that no one was playing any Aerosmith whatsoever. (Armageddon reference, anyone?) So he had to rely on science. And no one wanted to listen to him cause he was some random kid. Which, I get. But I liked how he had to struggle with a lot of real moral dilemmas while working to save the planet.
The not as good:
- Why was the U.S. keeping Yuri again? It was explained but I didn’t buy it, at all. It seemed like a rather… arbitrary reason to keep someone from their home and family- especially a kid!
- No one did anything until the tech guys came into play. Yuri talked about all his “work”- how he had been working all day and night in the office, all the work everyone else was doing… but I had no idea what it even was.
- Some of it, of course, was a bit unrealistic. I didn’t exactly check the science facts, so I have no idea from that point of view, but Yuri sneaking out to play with his friends doesn’t sound like something anyone would do when they were in charge of saving the planet.
- I was a bit underwhelmed by the conclusion. I won’t say anything more than that, of course. I just hoped for something a bit more… moving, maybe? I didn’t have nearly as many feels as I’d hoped to.
Bottom Line: It’s a fun story, and certainly a unique one! Worth the read for Yuri, Dovie, and some very enjoyable humor, but not as riveting as I’d hoped.
Strike by Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Hit #2
Published by Simon Pulse on April 12th 2016
Pages: 480
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Edelweiss
The hit list was just the beginning.
Time to strike back.
After faking her own death to escape her term as an indentured assassin for Valor Savings Bank, Patsy is on the run with her boyfriend, Wyatt. All she wants to do is go home, but that’s never going to happen—not as long as Valor’s out to get her and the people she loves.
Left with no good choices, Patsy’s only option is to meet with a mysterious group that calls itself the Citizens for Freedom.Led by the charismatic Leon Crane, the CFF seem like just what Patsy has been looking for. Leon promises that if she joins, she’ll finally get revenge on Valor for everything they’ve done to her—and for everything they’ve made her do.
But Patsy knows the CFF has a few secrets of their own. One thing is certain: they’ll do absolutely anything to complete their mission, no matter who’s standing in their way. Even if it’s Patsy herself.
Delilah S. Dawson brings anarchy and high-octane drama to the next explosive level in this sequel to the “practically movie-ready” (Kirkus Reviews) novel, Hit.
So I read and reviewed Hit last year and it was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, it was entertaining and exciting, but some of the world building stuff didn’t make a lot of sense to me. In this book, not only are some of my questions answered, but since I already knew that there was some strange stuff going in, it wasn’t a problem at all.
A lot of the book is pretty realistic feeling- they worry about normal things (such a win for me- girls worried about period supplies, because of course they would be!), and daily living stuff. This isn’t to say that the book was slow or anything, it just included things that made it feel far more plausible. I also liked the turn the story took in the sequel, which of course I am not expanding on because spoilers.
The characters are witty and entertaining, and I enjoyed the new characters that have been added to the story. I do hope there is a third book (though there is no indication of one at this point) because it wrapped up a decent part of the plot for this book, but it seems like there is more to the story. I hope one day we get it!
Bottom Line: Overall, it was a solid installment, but I will have a serious case of the sads if there is no third book. I kind of became attached to Patsy and company!
All We Have Left by Wendy Mills
Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on August 9th 2016
Pages: 368
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
A haunting and heart-wrenching story of two girls, two time periods, and the one event that changed their lives--and the world--forever.
Interweaving stories from past and present, All We Have Left follows two girls, Alia and Jesse, who discover that hatred and love have the power to reverberate into the future.
Then: Alia is a proud Muslim, even if it makes high school more difficult. Grounded for a stupid mistake, Alia decides to confront her father at his Manhattan office, putting her in danger she never expected. When the planes collide into the Twin Towers, Alia is trapped inside. There she meets a boy who risks everything for her.
Now: Jesse is haunted by the past. Ever since her brother died in the September 11th attacks, her dad's rage and grief has overshadowed their lives. When one hate-fueled decision turns Jesse's life upside down, the only way to make amends is to face the past and find out the truth of her brother's last day.
I saved the best for last, friends! Wasn’t that nice of me? Anyway. This book is a must read, basically. It’s incredibly thought provoking, and deals with a lot of difficult issues. Frankly, this is one hell of a brave book to write, and I think Wendy Mills handled it beautifully and with a great amount of respect and reverence.
This isn’t an easy book to read, because while the characters are fictional, the events very much are not. They’re real, they’re haunting, and this book does not sugarcoat them at all. Nor does it sugarcoat the present, and the hatred that Muslims experience because of their religion on a regular basis. I loved Alia as a character more than Jesse, but Jesse’s story was powerful and needs to be told. You won’t like Jesse, especially at first. You won’t like her family, you won’t like a lot of her actions. If you’re anything like me, this book will make you sad and angry- and that is a very good thing. We should be sad, and we should be angry, and I think this book does a phenomenal job of explaining why.
Jesse’s brother Travis was my age. We were a month apart in age- he even was ahead a grade in school like me. There was a passage in this book that hit home, something I have asked myself many times:
“I wonder why it’s so important that people recount their own story whenever the subject of 9/11 comes up. I want to yell ‘What does it matter where you were? People were dying, my brother was dying, and you were home safe in bed!'”
And the book talks about this. Why it actually is important. This book is basically full of fabulous lessons across the board, all intertwined in an incredibly moving story about how the past and present collide; how these two young women, across religion, ethnicity, and time are ultimately connected. It even debunks myths about Islam as a religion, which I think is incredibly important.
“Close to three thousand people died in pain and terror while the world watched in horror. I thought about what it must have been like that day, to be watching on TV as the towers fell. How could you bear to watch?
How could you bear not to?”
Indeed, Jesse. Indeed.
Bottom Line: I’m not saying any more about this because I think you need to read it for yourself. Whether you have memories of that day like I do, or whether you’re a bit too young, you need to read this. All We Have Left reminds us why now, more than ever, we need love and acceptance in place of intolerance and hate.
**Quotes taken from uncorrected proof, subject to change.
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I was dyinggg to read Learning to Swear In America. I obviously heart the cover 😉 but physics confuse the heck out of me. Ahhh, funny book is funny!! I love the cover of Strike, and it seriously makes me wanna begin that trilogy. lmaooo what you said about spoilers in that review is so me. I cut out so many spoilers when I get the final review to my blog. Great mini reviews!! 😀
If it helps, there isn’t really a ton of actual science stuff in it? I mean, there is, in a sense, but you don’t really have to follow it very much haha. The funny parts do make up for it! And seriously, some books are SO hard to review without spoilers! I am trying to write one now and I just… I can’t! Oops??
Rashika was telling me about Learning to Swear in America and as much as I like that the book is funny and features scientists, but I don’t think it would be for me at all.
Now, All We Have Left sounds amazing. It sounds very relevant given the topic it explored. And all those lessons sound terrific. I must get my hands on a copy of this one when it releases.
Great reviews, Shannon!
Yep, basically. It was funny, but I don’t know if that made it worth it? I guess it depends on your tastes, really. All We Have Left is SO GOOD. And yes, INCREDIBLY relevant. I really hope you do read it when it comes out, it’s a very important sort of book. And thanks, love! ♥
I’m intrigued by All We Have Left, and your review makes me wanna read it even more. Thank you for the recommendation love <3
Aw thank you so much! I really hope you enjoy it!! 😀
Soooo, I kind of want to read Learning to Swear in American now! I DIDN’T REALISE IT HAD A RUSSIAN DUDE IN IT. I have an unreasonable interest in Russia. Idek why. Just I DO. *nods like this makes sense* Also I’m curious about All We Have Left and also kind of terrified of it.? I don’t remember 9/11. I mean, I probably should have? I was…7? I think. (Don’t ask me to math.) But yeah, I think I was a very oblivious child and tbh I suppose my parents probably didn’t exactly make a big deal about it around we small children. So I haven’t honestly read many 9/11 stories. I DID read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close though and that was so super sad and hard. But this one sounds like a different perspective and I’m curious. I’ll consider it for the maybe pile because you’re always so very convincing Shannon. EXCELLENT REVIEWS AS ALWAYS!!
I know you love Russia, but Russia is ZERO percent in this book. Like, not a drop of Russia. So… don’t come for the Russia.
As for 9/11, I don’t think at 7 you’d have had many memories. I was 7 when… the Berlin wall came down (thinking of something newsworthy bwhaha) and I definitely don’t remember. Plus, parents wouldn’t exactly be showcasing such an event to a 7 year old, I presume. It was a bad time. I was a sophomore in college, and it was the ONE day I had early classes- otherwise you know I’d have been sleeping- and I was on the phone with my mom, as you do. And she was at work and a coworker was like, telling her to tell me to turn on the news (since I was still in my room, and she was at work). It’s one of those unreal sort of things.
Honestly, I think it’s especially important given our current climate of unrest and uncertainty. But it’s also a hard thing to read about. So there’s all of my thoughts on all the things ?
Learning to Swear in America is one I feel like I have seen a lot lately. I love a funny book so that is awesome. I hate disappointing conclusions though! I have no idea how I missed All We Have Left. I haven’t heard a single thing about it. Definitely adding it to my TBR though. Great reviews!!
Aw thanks! And yeah, LTSIA wasn’t like… a BAD conclusion, just… lacking a bit I guess? And All We Have Left was so, so moving- and REALLY important!
I already had How to Swear in America on my radar, but All We Have Left sounds like a MUST-read. I will have to hunt down a copy for myself. Thank you for letting me know about it! Wonderful reviews 🙂
Aw thank you SO much! I really hope you enjoy them both!
I LOVE that you raved about All we have left. I have that ARC too and will be reading it later this week I think. It sounds like an amazing book. I was so excited when I got the ARC and now I’m even more excited!!
Oh YAY I hope you love it! I mean… I hope you are as impacted by it as I was. It’s a hard thing to love, but you know what I mean 😀
Oh wow that last book, All We Have Left, sounds incredible. Especially that quote. Because why is that question even a thing? Why should we care where we were when others died during it? It’s sad that I didn’t even THINK of it that way until now. Wow.
Learning to Swear In America sounds like a fun apocalyptic book. Sad that it was only three stars from you though. Also you NEED GOOD CONCLUSIONS FOR THOSE TYPES OF BOOKS. The heck!
All We Have Left really was incredible. And very, very thought provoking. And yeah, LTSIA was fun enough, but it didn’t blow me away, sadly. Not terrible though, so there’s that 😉 Also, why is there a donut in your tub? ?
Because I was hungry
I’ve heard some really great things about Learning to Swear in America, so I’m so glad you enjoyed it – even if you didn’t completely love it. It kind of reminds me of The Martian in the way that it balances science and humor, so I’m definitely going to have to give it a try.
And WOW. All We Have Left sounds so raw and realistic. Especially with the recent tragedies that have been happening, we need more books that promote kindness and acceptance. Definitely putting this one on my TBR.
Thanks for sharing Shannon and, as always, fabulous reviews! <3
OOOOH see, I did not know that The Martian was FUNNY! Now I really want to read it! I steered clear of reviews because, spoilers, but now you have sold me! And you nailed it in regards to All We Have Left- it was the perfect message at the perfect time! I hope you find it impactful too! Thanks so much!!
I’m so curious about All We Have Left. I believe I have the eARC, so I’ll definitely have to check it out. The cover is so gorgeous too!! 🙂
I hope you love it! And I totally agree, the cover is so lovely! At first I didn’t think it “fit” the book, but it really does after reading it!
All We Have Left sounds so good – I’m addding it to my TBR! Always good to have books that debunk myths about Islam and other cultures, especially nowadays. Thank you for sharing, Shannon! 🙂
Oh yay, I really hope you love it! And I agree, it is SO necessary, and I think now more than ever! The author did an awesome job too- and explains very well that while she can’t cover EVERY Muslim person’s experience, she tried her best to speak to as many people and do as much research as possible, and I really think it showed! 😀
All We Have Left and Learning to Swear in America sounds SO GOOD. The first sounds so heartbreaking but also like it’s an important book that should be read and the latter sounds funny and interesting and AH I NEED THEM. Great reviews!
Aw thanks! I totally agree about All We Have Left- one of those books that you just NEED to read because it’s so important- and so REAL. I really hope you love them both!!
Great mini reviews! I hadn’t even had All We Have Left on my radar but after reading your reviews, sounds like I need to change that! The message sounds incredible and important!
Aww thank yoU! It really is SO important, and very, very timely too! I hope you enjoy it if you do end up reading it!
I came across learning to Swear in America somewhere else recently (can’t remember where… my 40-something brain strikes again) and the premise just sounded so crazy original. I’m willing to overlook some of the less than realistic factors but the fact the ending was rather underwhelming kinda gives me pause. I’ll have to mull this one over. And All We Have Left… wow. Must read this one. I kind of get chills just thinking about it.
Hahha I can never remember anything, so you aren’t alone 😉 And it IS very original, which is great! The underwhelming ending was kind of a bummer for me too but it wasn’t like, BAD, bad- just not as good as I’d hoped? And I do hope you love All We Have Left!!
Swear in America seems like a fun book to read. I liked the premise of All we have left. The cover looks very very familiar. I cant remember which other book it resembles.
Great reviews
Thanks so much! LTSIA was definitely fun! I agree with you about the cover for All We Have Left, there is another similar one that I have seen, but I can’t quite recall either! Now I want to scour Goodreads for the cover ?
I’m putting All We Have Left on my TBR immediately. It sounds like a very thought provoking and heartfelt story, I can’t NOT read it! Thank you for introducing it to me. 🙂
Aw you’re quite welcome, I hope that you enjoy it!!
All We Have Left sounds amazing! I don’t usually read contemporaries, and I tend to shy away from anything 9/11 related, but I might have to make an exception for this one.
Serena
http://poetreeandbooks.blogspot.com | http://www.serenaedits.com
Aw if you do, I really hope you enjoy it! It’s definitely not an easy topic to read about, for sure!
I hadn’t even heard of All We Have Left, but now I feel like I must read it! Thanks for telling me about that one!
Aw of course! I hope you enjoy it!! 😀
I love the title and cover for Learning to Swear in America! I don’t know if I would actually pick it up since I feel like I’ll be confused throughout it. I’ll be reading All We Have Left in August and I’m so beyond excited!!!