Truth (XVI#2) by Julia Karr

Goodreads Summary:
In this sequel to "XVI," Nina Oberon's life has changed enormously. After her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council-ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all 16-year-old girls have. But Nina won't be anyone's stereotype. Original.

My thoughts:
Of the books in this genre that I have read lately I like this one the best. I think I like the feminist POV that comes out more blatantly in this series than in others. I like Nina because she is so easy to relate to. She isn't perfect and she is okay with that. She is pissed off and she is okay with it. She doesn't need a man to take care of her, she takes care of herself.
All of the women we liked in XVI we love in Truth. They are all strong and resourceful just like women have always been. They are not made the victim, they are the heroes.

I would recommend this book to fans of the dystopian genre or anyone looking for a fast good read.

While writing this review I have FUN - Young stuck in my head.

Also I would like to throw a Happy Day to my personal blogger hero

Fever By Lauren DeStefano

Goodreads Summary:
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

My thoughts: KINDA SPOILER ALERT
I had a hard time getting into this book. I think I was just not grooving the way that the book started. Once I got into it I couldn't put it down. Overall I would say that I liked this book. I was frustrated along with the characters at the pace of things. Rhine and Gabriel can't seem to catch a break after they leave the comfort of the mansion. We learn that there is something different about Rhine and her brother Rowan but we already suspected that because of their eyes being two different colors.
I liked the new character Maddie they introduce but it isn't totally clear why they introduce her. I felt like there was something missing from the explanation of how everything happened in the beginning of the book. I don't feel like I was lost by the writing but I do feel like it was rushed and some story development fell to the wayside.
I am looking forward to the next book to see what has become of Rowan and if Rhine can finally find her way back to him.

While writing this review I was listening to the mucus in my lungs rattle. Being sick is awesome.

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads summary:
I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.


My thoughts: SPOILER ALERT!
I had this book on preorder and it finally showed up the other day in the mail. I wasn't going to read it until Spring Break but then it was looking at me and I had to pick it up. I loooooooved the first book in this series. This book I have not fully decided on how I feel about it. I liked how the story was told from the same person but in two different time frames. Then and Now. I felt like that way of writing kept me really wanting to read the next chapter. I felt bad for Lena for having to go through the grieving process of losing Alex (her boyfriend) all while trying to adjust and just survive the wilds.
One complaint I have about this book and others like it is the fact that they really reinforce the concept that you can't trust anyone. I wish there was less back stabbing or secret keeping between some of the main characters.
I am torn on how the book ended (SPOILER ALERT) with Alex coming back. Through out this book we go through the grieving process with Lena over Alex. As a reader I am happy for her when she finds someone else that she can connect with. I do not like that right as Lena is getting over Alex and with someone new he shows up, literally on the last page.
I can see why the book ended where it did. It creates loads of drama and anticipation for the third book. I do not like though that there is a love triangle in a book that really should be showing the good bits of love since that is what the Invalids are fighting for. I can't say what the third book will bring when it comes to this love triangle but I just hope it isn't sappy or lame as they so often are. I will be really disappointed if the third book sucks.
I do have high hopes for finding out more about Lena's Mom in book three. (SPOILER ALERT) since Lena had all of two minutes with her Mom (without knowing she was with her Mom) in this book. I want to learn more about the Resistant/ Freedom fighters and what their goal is.

I would recommend this book to those who read the first one and liked it. I would recommend the first book to anyone who enjoys odd stories that are well developed.

While writing this review I was listening to the Oingo Boingo Only a Lad which has been stuck in my head for days and my dog panting because she is getting hot from baking in the sun.