To intro a bit, these are the new version of “Books I’m Never Reviewing”. I kept feeling like the connotation was that I wasn’t fond of said books, when often, quite the opposite was true. Also, the name was clunky. The bottom line is this: These are considered legitimate reviews by absolutely no one. Why? I don’t feel like it, nor do I have to. But apparently, my ego dictates that I still think you care whether I liked them and/or I feel like shouting about them. And so, I shall.
Dry by Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on October 2, 2018
Pages: 390
Format:ARC
Source:ALA
The drought—or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it—has been going on for a while now. Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers.
Until the taps run dry.
Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbours and families turned against each other on the hunt for water. And when her parents don’t return and her life—and the life of her brother—is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she’s going to survive.
Neal Shusterman can do no wrong. There, I’ve said it. And now he’s bringing his son into the mix, in a move I wholly approve of. Fun fact: I got to meet them both and get this book signed which is straight up an item from my bucket list.
And of course it was awesome. And chillingly realistic, because you know that one of these days, we’re going to run out of water. And we absolutely will act a fool about it. It was super tense, and I basically could not put it down. Maybe a few plot points were a little easy but… for the most part it was great, obviously high stakes, and the character interactions and moral dilemmas were spot on. And I absolutely bought an extra case of water at Sam’s Club the day after I finished. You know… just in case.
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Neverwake by Amy Plum
Series: Dreamfall #2
Published by HarperTeen on August 7, 2018
Pages: 336
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased
Nightmare on Elm Street meets Scream in this thrilling and chilling sequel to Dreamfall—which Madeleine Roux, New York Times bestselling author of the Asylum series, called “remarkable, riveting, disorienting, and dark.”
For most people, nightmares always come to an end. But for Cata, Ant, and the others, there may be no escape from theirs. After an experimental treatment meant to cure their insomnia went horribly wrong, the teens were dragged into a shared dreamworld where their most terrifying fears became reality.
The six of them have no way of waking up. And they’re beginning to realize that if they die here, they might actually die in the real world. One of the dreamers is already gone, and anyone could be next. The only thing they know for certain is that they have to work together to survive. But as they learn the truth about one another’s pasts, they soon discover they are trapped with something far worse than their nightmares….
Perfect for fans of Madeleine Roux, Danielle Vega, and Kendare Blake, Neverwake is the final book in this spine-tingling duology full of action, suspense, and horror—and it is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.
I enjoyed Dreamfall last year, and was pretty eager to see how the series concluded. I read this for the Fraterfest Readathon, and it was quite addictive. And quick, which is always fun. I liked that the author didn’t shy away from making the characters truly and completely miserable. Or dead! I feel like that isn’t even a spoiler, because there are deaths in the first book, and you kind of assume someone won’t make it in this one, you know? But anyway, a few of the plot points were a wee bit predictable, but it’s such a clever little book in general that it didn’t bug me that much.
Also, can you imagine having to live in your actual nightmares? And the nightmares of some random strangers? Well, if that sounds like a concept you want to read about… you probably should. It gives the book a great psychological twist!
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Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake
Series: Three Dark Crowns #3
Published by Macmillan Children's Books on October 4, 2018
Pages: 432
Format:Paperback
Source:Purchased
One Crowned, Two Exiled, A Revolution Rising.
The battle has been fought, blood has been spilt and a queen has been crowned, but not all are happy with the outcome.
Katharine, the poisoner queen, has been crowned and is trying to ignore the whispers that call her illegitimate, undead, cursed.
Mirabella and Arsinoe have escaped the island of Fennbirn, but how long before the island calls them back?Jules is returning to Fennbirn and has become the unlikely figurehead of a revolution threatening to topple Katharine's already unsteady rule.
But what good is a revolution if something is wrong with the island itself?
Kendare Blake's Two Dark Reigns is the heart-stopping third book in The New York Times-bestselling Three Dark Crowns series.
Discover more about Fennbirn and the three queens in the thrilling start to the quartet, Three Dark Crowns, and its sequel One Dark Throne.
I like the world and the characters of this series. So that’s a plus. But look, does it need to be four books? After reading this one, I am going to go ahead and argue that no, no it doesn’t. I mean, this book isn’t bad. It’s just… a lot of set up. And some of the decisions that the characters (ahem, Jules) make didn’t fully seem believable to me.
That said, I do like the series enough that I won’t exactly complain. But damn, this final book better be epic. The setup for it is absolutely there, at least!
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Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Published by Tor Books on May 29, 2018
Pages: 371
Format:eBook
Source:Purchased
A hardcover run-on repackage of New York Times bestseller V.E. Schwab's Vicious, a masterful tale of ambition, jealousy, and superpowers which will include:
*A new cover by Wil Staehle, cover artist of the iconic Shades of Magic trilogy covers*Schwab's Tor.com short story set within the Vicious universe, "Warm Up"*A teaser for the upcoming sequel, Vengeful
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates--brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find--aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge--but who will be left alive at the end?
In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn't automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.
I bought this like 503 years ago, and probably would have never read it if not for Bookish Games, tbh. (Lot of good it did, I still have no freaking clue who Betty is.) Truth be told, I read it pretty quickly just to be ready for the Games. And I didn’t dislike it or anything. I love a morally complex sort of story and such. I just… sometimes I feel like I don’t connect to Victoria Schwab quite as much as the rest of the bookish world? Like, I like her books, but I don’t love them?
And that is what happened here. Yay for gray morality and complex relationships, but boo to the fact that I just didn’t care a ton. I felt so… disconnected, I guess. Maybe I’ll read the sequel one day, we’ll see.
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Have you read any of these? Want to? Know who Betty is? Let’s chat!
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I think maybe they did stretch the TDC series, because, you know, money, but I liked the direction it took, and Blake certainty kept that story going. Sorry you didn’t like it that much.
Bwhahah I feel like it HAS to be for money? Also- I think there at least needed to be a third book (I cannot imagine it ending as a duology) but that maybe a fourth was overkill? I mean, it was still okay, but I just found it a little unnecessary. Meh, it’ll look pretty with its sisters on my shelves at least hahah.
Dry is one that I might try. Not my usual read and I have never read Neal Shusterman but something about this one. Maybe how horrifyingly realistic everyone keeps saying it is. I mean could totally happen! Anyway great reviews!!!
Thanks! You really must read SOME Neal Shusterman book. If you want to stick to contemporary-ish, Dry is pretty much as close as you could get- it’s set very much in present day America. Also, Challenger Deep is really good- though a tough read in regards to mental illness.
I keep starting Vicious and then putting it down. For some reason I list can’t get into it and Schwab’s books are a hit or miss for me.
Dry was soo good! I’m happy that you got to check an item off your bucket list!
GAH I am SO GLAD that I am not the only one who feels that way about Schwab books! Like I didn’t think Vicious was bad or anything but… I don’t know. It was just… fine. Which isn’t exactly what I am looking for, you know?
AHH DRY WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. And just so…freaky?! Like it was so realistic I could SEE that happening which absolutely terrifies me. I kept stopping to read and feeling like I needed to go check all our taps. ?And I got SO THIRSTY reading. I have never been more hydrated than while reading Dry, so thank you, Shusterman & Sons because that’s a great way to get people to drink water and also want desperately to save the planet.?
Also I ADORED Vicious!! So only slightly sad you don’t like Schwab’s writing so much ?but at the same time I do understand!??! Also I wouldn’t recommend Vengeful if you didn’t adore Vicious haha. I LOVED Vicious to death (lmao…what a reference) but found Vengeful a little slow and kind of underwhelming. Shhh I’m still a huge Schwab fan. Don’t tell the fandom.?
YES that is what got to me too- like I could SEE how people would panic. I mean, you don’t have blizzards there, but probably other weather events which cause panic- like if they call for any significant snow here, people lose their MINDS- flock to the grocery stores, empty the damn shelves! So can you imagine if it was a REAL emergency!? (And let’s be real, if any author could save the world, it’s probs Neal Shusterman!)
GAH so objectively, I KNOW her writing is good. Like- if I were grading her, she’d get an A? But there’s just something that on a more subjective level I just don’t seem to connect to? This is good to know about Vengeful! I wanted to read it because I heard there were more badass women, but I do NOT like slow, so I will probably pass tbh! THANK YOU!
Aw that’s too bad that you didn’t love Vicious. I didn’t love it either but I really liked it. I don’t like weird timelines. I’m afraid it’s been too long, I haven’t a clue who Betty is. Vengeful is in the top 5 of my tbr list. Fingers crossed it’s good.
I liked it to the extent that I was not annoyed that I had to keep reading it? I think part of the problem is ME, tbh. I liked the concept though! And I hope you love Vengeful!!
So glad I’m not the only one who isn’t a massive fan of Victoria Schwab. xD I have nothing against her or her writing, and the concepts of her books SEEM really cool, but I just couldn’t get into it.
YESSSS! That is exactly me! Like I love the ideas, and I don’t HATE them or anything….. but I am just not blown away? So glad we are not alone hahah!
I liked Vengeful more than Vicious because we get Eli’s backstory, but I’m one of those people who’s crazy about VE Schwab, so maybe don’t trust me. I’m glad you liked Dry! I need to get my grabby hands on that one.
Bwahahha well that is how most people feel, I think! Maybe if it is on sale one of these days I will pick it up- I am going to keep giving her a try, though! And YESSS definitely get Dry! It’s so good!
I’m new to Schwab’s books, but I really love them. Of course, like any books, not everyone will like it! I’m glad you liked Vicious okay though. And I’m so curious about Dry – and even more now after this review! I need to read more Shusterman in general.
-Lauren
So true! I really WANT to like her stuff because the concepts are generally really good? And so is the writing so… what is my problem!? I really hope you enjoy Dry- and I will of course always recommend ALL the Neal Shusterman hahha
Great reviews as always, Shannon! I really need to give Neal Shusterman a try. Also Three Dark Crowns is FOUR books now? I still haven’t read the first book, but from the reviews I’ve seen even I don’t think it needs to be four books. Also you’re definitely not alone with V.E. Schwab! I’ve DNF’d everything I’ve tried by her, she’s just not for me.
You do, you do, he is the BEST! I love his books so much. And yes! Like- I guess Three Dark Crowns was going to be a duology, then suddenly it was 4 books with a bunch of novellas! And honestly, somewhere in the middle would be appropriate hahha. Oh WOW you have!? This makes me feel MUCH better about doling out the 3 stars ?
I haven’t read Two Dark Reigns yet, but I was already starting to find Jules to be a bit of an irritating character in One Dark Throne, so I’m not sure how I’ll feel about her in this next book if she continues making stupid decisions. And I feel kind of the same about some of V.E. Schwab’s books. I actually liked Vicious the most of all of her books, and I really liked the Darker Shade of Magic books, but I was quite disappointed with This Savage Song to be honest, so I haven’t yet read Our Dark Duet, even though I’ve owned the book for well over a year!
Yeah I actually used to like her (even in ODT) and MAN did she irritate me in this one! Like GIRL what are you doing!? So I hope it doesn’t make you *too* mad hahah
And oh my goodness, SAME! I pre-ordered ODD, despite feeling pretty apathetic about TSS, and then never touched it. Whyyyy do we do these things? ?
I’m getting a copy of Never Wake soon. I am a fan of thrillers and psychological twists so it will be fun.
Oh yay, I hope you love it!!
Dark Betty! That alone makes this post a win! Yeah I’m starting from the bottom. And I just don’t feel drawn to Vicious- in spite of the Games? Like I’ve said before, maybe because I’ve already read Fantastic Four lol. And I pretty much agree with Two dark Reigns- I liked it, but it didn’t grab me the way the previous ones have. I think the novellas were more gripping!
You have NO idea how long I searched for an appropriate Betty GIF. And the fact that even the most rabid Schwab fans have no idea who she is is leading me to believe she isn’t a thing. And Asti is just messing with us haahha. At this point, I’d skip it. I mean- I told you what happens, and it DOES sound just like FF. Which… is sad. But I really don’t think you’ll be missing anything. Have you read any of her other books?
I agree that the novellas were better! Or at least, the one. The Oracle Queen was fabulous I thought. The Young Queens was decent. And TDR wasn’t BAD or anything! I feel like people think I hated it? I didn’t, I just… didn’t have a ton of strong feelings either way!
I haven’t read any Schwab! Her stuff just doesn’t seem like my thing?
And yes The Oracle Queen was the bettr of the two, for sure. Same here- I liked TDR, it just didn’t wow me.
I did like Vicious and I’m looking forward tot he next one.
I’ll be reading Dry soon. I keep saying that but I AM! lol
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Oh yay, I hope you love Vengeful! And yessss you have to read Dry! If only to remind yourself to stock up on water ?
I liked Two Dark Reigns more than you did, but I can see where you’re coming from with the fact that it almost didn’t feel like the series needed four books. And I felt like some of this book came a bit out of left field. But I’m still 100% invested in the series as a whole.
Lovely reviews, Shannon! <3 Dry sounds really good, I love that synopsis so much and I'm glad you enjoyed the book! I haven't read anything by this author just yet, but I've heard great things about him and Scythe especially, too 🙂
That Vicious gif….too soon, man, too soon. 😀