I liked the first half of this book so much--it was pretty much a survivalist I Am Legend type story, with zombie-like aliens as the creatures in a poI liked the first half of this book so much--it was pretty much a survivalist I Am Legend type story, with zombie-like aliens as the creatures in a post-apocalyptic setting. I also liked the choice to make the creatures day-dwellers, instead of the usual nocturnal animals.
Once Amy and Baby are taken to the compound, however, the array of unmemorable secondary characters, somewhat limp romance, and over-prolonged mystery (there's a twist that's fairly easy to guess) weren't nearly as engaging as they could have been. As a result, the somewhat underdeveloped world-building became more apparent--and unfortunately for the book, the lab/testing/experimentation scenes will feel very familiar to anyone who has read a lot of YA science fiction.
Still, the twist is interesting, and I liked some of the descriptive action scenes and the beginning of the book enough to try another book by this author. I don't know if it will be the inevitable sequel to this one, though.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review....more
That should probably be the extent of my review, because you can pretty much tell by your reaction to those two words whether o3.5 stars
GIRL ANDROID.
That should probably be the extent of my review, because you can pretty much tell by your reaction to those two words whether or not this book is for you. If they get you nearly crazed with excitement (guilty! I'm raising my hand), you should probably just cancel your dinner plans for next week when the book is released.
If you read the freebie short entitled Origins: The Fire, you already know that a devastating fire has changed Mila's life. As she's trying to adjust to her life in a new home, she's also suffering from memory loss--not a great way to start off at a new school. It's not too long before Mila realizes that she's not like other girls, however, and the threat of having her secret exposed means she has to go on the run.
Mila 2.0 is one of those books that pumps you full of adrenaline because it's just so. much. fun. After a somewhat uneven first half, there are amazing action sequences in the second half of the book that had me on the edge of my seat to see what happened next. This book has been described as a Bourne-style thriller, and while I'm of the opinion that nothing should be compared to those films because that's just asking for trouble, I can see why that description was used. Between Mila's trying to figure out her past and the fantastic chase and fight scenes in the latter half, there's some truth to those claims.
There are, however, some things I think could have been finessed to make the book better. Aside from a couple of touching moments with Mila's mom, I didn't feel too much of an emotional connection to Mila herself. There is also a woeful overemphasis on romance in the beginning, too many references to Hunter throughout the story that don't pay off, and an annoying, annoying, annoying friend named Kaylee. Overall, better character development, more complexity and less predictability in the story, and a little more strategic thought would have added more depth and emotional stake to Mila's story.
But Mila's story is pretty darned fun, and I think that the things that could have been improved are outshone by the things that are spectacularly well done. This book is pure entertainment, and best enjoyed the way you'd absorb an action film--with popcorn and a big grin. Besides, come on! Remember the first two words I said up there? GIRL ANDROID. She got me right there.
A solidly entertaining debut. Recommended for: fans of action-oriented books such as Divergent or Blood Red Road.
This review also appears in The Midnight Garden. An advance copy was provided by the publisher.
Read our hilarious and informative interview with Buruu! THERE ARE MORE ARASHITORA. Ahem.
4.5 stars When a book arrives with a massive amount of fanfarRead our hilarious and informative interview with Buruu! THERE ARE MORE ARASHITORA. Ahem.
4.5 stars When a book arrives with a massive amount of fanfare, in the form of glowing advance praise and accompanied an agreebly affable author, it's necessary to take a step away from all the hype to ensure that a review isn't influenced by outside factors. Which I did--I avoided reviews, fled the country (okay, that wasn't just to read this book), and read it away from much of the joyful noise that surrounded the book's release.
After the promise presented by the author's description of the story as "telepathic samurai girls and griffins in steampunk feudal Japan," I'm happy to find that this particular novel proved to be an exciting and memorable a reading experience.Stormdancer is nearly operatic in its scope and grandeur, and young Yukiko's reluctant quest to find a supposedly extinct griffin--and her subsequent relationship with the fierce, noble beast--is both thrilling and moving.
The thing is, the reasons why this book is so fantastic are partly why I also had trouble with its beginning. The writing is beautiful, with strong world-building and a meticulous attention to detail that left me slack-jawed with awe at times. But there is far too much description in the first 100 pages or so, where the story plods along very slowly, weighed down with ornate descriptors and exhaustive detail. Reshaping the opening chapters and weaving the history and world of Shima into the narrative more seamlessly would have helped tremendously with tension and pacing.
There is a sincerity and purity in this prose, however, that I very much appreciated. Nowhere did I get the sense that the author was trying to flaunt showy words or to distract the reader with "purple prose" sleight of hand. Rather, it seemed to me that words just poured out in an intensely focused, if seemingly endless, stream in an earnest attempt to make us thoroughly understand this devastated society that Yukiko lives in. It's true that isn't until the thunder tiger Buruu puts in an appearance that the spark of imagination really catches fire. But oh, what a fire it is! The magnificent aerial battle as twenty men strain to contain this furious legendary creature is unforgettable--and Yuki's relationship with Buruu is definitely the strongest and most appealing facet of this book for me. It's impossible not to be touched when the proud, crippled arashitora says succinctly, FEATHERS GROW BACK. SISTERS DO NOT.
Other things I loved: the action and fight sequences. Chainsaw katanas. The scenes in which Buruu's humor peeked through. The dangerous politics of an empire controlled by ambitious and ruthless men. The (quite topical) cry of mercy for a dying land.
I do wish that I felt more for the somewhat under-nuanced secondary characters, however, and that the romance in particular felt more urgent and anguished and real. I've also seen, in passing, a number of reviews that have touched on inaccuracies in Japanese culture and customs. It seems perfectly reasonable and understandable to me that specific knowledge will influence a reader's review of this book; I am mostly and somewhat blissfully unschooled in that area, however, so I found nothing in particular that bothered me. I also tend to look on fantasy with a more lenient eye (true story: there weren't griffins in feudal Japan, either!), similar to the way I might indulgently overlook broad caricatures in martial arts films and the like--but it's fair to say that those who are intimately familiar with Japan may well find more sticking points than I did. Still, it seems worth noting that this is Shima, a place inspired by Japan, not the actual country.
This isn't a book that all readers will enjoy and it's certainly not a perfect one, but for many fans of traditional fantasy--or even occasional fantasy readers like me--this wildly imaginative adventure is lightning that strikes in just the right place. Remember the name Jay Kristoff, because this spectacular debut blazes a fiery trail across oft cloud-laden skies. I for one, cannot wait to be swept away with the next installment of the Lotus War. And I may even get to ride a thunder tiger next time...
This review also appears in The Midnight Garden. An advance copy was provided by the publisher.
This was pretty entertaining, if a bit sketchy on some of the details. Still, there's a very interesting twist at the end that I didn't see coming! AnThis was pretty entertaining, if a bit sketchy on some of the details. Still, there's a very interesting twist at the end that I didn't see coming! And I will definitely be reading the sequel. Review to come....more
I like the title...but is it wrong that for consistency's sake, I would have preferred a book with an ENT ending rather than an ANT ending? :PI like the title...but is it wrong that for consistency's sake, I would have preferred a book with an ENT ending rather than an ANT ending? :P...more
Wendy Darling
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Books:
dystopian-post-apocalyptic-utopian
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