Floor 21 Blog Tour: Review

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Floor 21 Blog Tour!  Make sure to check out everything going on during this tour by clicking the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: Floor 21

Author: Jason Luthor

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia

Purchase: Amazon 

As humanity lives out the remainder of its existence at the top of an isolated apartment tower, young Jackie dares to question Tower Authority and their ban on traveling into the tower's depths. Intelligent and unyielding, Jackie ventures into the shadows of the floors below. But will her strong will and refusal to be quiet—in a society whose greatest pride is hiding the past—bring understanding of how humanity became trapped in the tower she has always called home, or will it simply be her undoing?

About the Author

Jason Luthor has spent a long life writing for sports outlets,
media companies and universities. His earliest writing years came during his coverage of the San Antonio Spurs as an affiliate with the Spurs Report and its media partner, WOAI Radio. He would later enjoy a moderate relationship with Blizzard Entertainment, writing lore and stories for potential use in future games. At the academic level he has spent several years pursuing a PhD in American History at the University of Houston, with a special emphasis on Native American history.
His inspirations include some of the obvious; The Lord of the Rings and Chronciles of Narnia are some of the most cited fantasy series in history. However, his favorite reads include the Earthsea Cycle, the Chronicles of Prydain, as well as science fiction hits such as Starship Troopers and Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep?
   

My Review of Floor 21

Floor 21 is really unlike anything I have read in the past from the way the narrative is written to the plotline of the story itself. I will admit that reading the story in a recording style took a little getting used to as someone use to traditional storytelling, but almost immediately, the plot captured me and held my attention through the whole novel. Jackie has some complying arguments and insatiable curiosity, which is why I loved following her story. As a naturally curious person, I know that if I had grown up in the Tower, I would also be curious as to what was before, and why we as humans were there now. It is almost basic human nature to wonder about the past and the future and how they define us. 

Jackie is a naturally intelligent young woman on the brink of becoming an adult, and wants answers that the Tower Authority is strictly against giving. All she has to go on is old movies and music to get a sense of the life before The Creep took over the tower. She also wants to know how far down the tower goes and if maybe just maybe there are other people in other towers. These questions lead Jackie down a dangerous path that she documents by recording her thoughts on a personal recorder. This is how readers experience the story through those recordings. 

This story has its dark and creepy in way of the mysterious substance known as the Creep that wants to take over the tower and could wipe out the last survivors. This science fiction almost horror element plus the recording narrative makes this book feel like a found footage horror movie almost, except it is not quite so terrifying for the most part. Trust me there are defiantly some creeptastic moments during Floor 21. 

I am glad I had the chance to broaden my reading tastes by reading Floor 21 by Jason Luthor. I will be keeping an eye out to see if he continues his story from Floor 21 or anything else, he decides to write in the future. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**

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Frost Book Blitz: Excerpt and Giveaway

Welcome to Frost Book Blitz!  Today I have an excerpt from Frost and a chance to win your own copy for you!

About the Book

Title: Frost

Author: Kate Avery Ellison

Series: The Frost Chronicles #1

Publication Date: March 28, 2012

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, 

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In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person could end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone.
After monsters kill her parents, Lia must keep the family farm running despite the freezing cold and threat of monster attacks or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and failure just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest—a young stranger named Gabe—Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.
She saves his life.
Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in love with him.
But time is running out. The monsters from the forest circle the farm at night. The village leader is starting to ask questions. Farther soldiers are searching for Gabe. Lia must locate a secret organization called the Thorns to help Gabe escape to safety, but every move she makes puts her in more danger.
Is compassion—and love—worth the risk?

About the Author

I live in Georgia with my wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. When I'm not writing, I'm usually

catching up on my extensive Netflix queue, reading a book, giggling at something funny online, or trying to convince my husband to give me just ONE bite of whatever he's eating.

Learn more about my writing and books at my blog (http://thesouthernscrawl.blogspot.com/), find teasers for upcoming works on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kateaveryellison), and subscribe to my new releases newsletter to be notified of new novels as soon as they hit stores (https://tinyletter.com/kateaveryellison)!

EXCERPT FROM FROST

He came out of nowhere, hitting me hard from one side and knocking me over. We rolled together across the floor and he came out on top, his hands on either side of my head, holding my wrists down against the stones. His burning eyes bored into mine.

I couldn’t seem to find my breath. The whole world slowed down, and I realized with perfect clarity that he might kill me.

“Don’t scream,” he hissed.

I shook my head.

“How far is the village?” He whispered it, the words harsh and raspy in the air between us. I could see his mind working behind his eyes—was he calculating how long it would take him to try to struggle away on his own, how long before they found my lifeless body?

I was neither brave nor stupid. I told him what he wanted to know. “The village is less than a mile.”

He grimaced, and I realized he must be half-mad with the pain. Maybe if I moved suddenly, I could throw him off and get to the door...

He must have sensed my plan, for he pressed down harder on my wrists, keeping me pinned. “And the gate?”

“What gate? You mean the village gate?”

He didn’t explain. “The mountains, then.”

“The farm sits in its shadow,” I gasped. His hands were cutting off my circulation. “But killing me does nothing to help you. You are too weak to get far, and the Watchers fill the woods.”

His eyebrows drew together sharply, and he coughed. He was weakening—I could see it. “Kill you?”

His grip on my wrists slackened. I saw my chance, and I took advantage of it.

I slammed my elbow into his face. The Farther cried out, falling sideways like a puppet with its strings cut. I scrambled up for the door and yanked it open.

“Stop—wait—”

I turned. He was crumpled on the ground, his limbs shaking. I could see that he had no strength left.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” he gasped. “I just needed answers.”

I lingered, not running but not relaxing, either. “You would kill me for information, then?”

He pressed a hand against his side and wheezed a bewildered laugh. “I’m not a murderer of farm girls. Not even those who plan to harm me.”

“Harm you?” My words were sharp. “I’m sticking my neck out for you. I’m putting my family in danger for you. I’m sheltering and feeding you—and for what? It’s you who just tried to harm me.”

“I just needed information about my location,” he said, wincing at my words. He struggled up into a kneeling position and raised his dazzling blue eyes to mine. Blood colored his lip red. “I won’t try anything again, I promise, even though I know you want me dead.”

It was my turn to laugh, breathlessly. “You make no sense.” I grabbed the herbs from my pocket and brandished them at him. “I came to bring you these for your wound. I’m not going to kill you. I just want you gone before you can cause any more trouble.”

His expression turned inside out—the planes of his face softened in surprise, and his eyes widened slightly. But then they slitted shut, and I could tell he didn’t believe me. “You’re lying.”

“Why would I lie?” I snapped. “If I wanted to kill you, I’d have done it by now. I could have simply left you in the snow, or refused to clean your wounds, or refused to feed you.”

He was silent, considering this. Some of the wild terror on his face eased at the logic of what I’d said. “Why haven’t you? Left me to die, I mean?”

I didn’t answer that, because I didn’t know how to put my reasons into words. I didn’t even quite know what the reasons were.

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Book Review: Mockingjay

About the Book

Title: Mockingjay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games #3
Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: August 24, 2010

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian

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My name is Katniss Everdeen.
Why am I not dead?
I should be dead.
Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.
It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.
The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

My Review of Mockingjay

Out of all the horrible things that happened in this series, I would have to say Mockingjay took the cake. I knew with the darkness that surrounded the last two books, the final book was not going to be easy or full of sunshine and rainbows. Even with all the tragic events, Suzanne Collins still makes it another addicting read. There is a certain realism in all the darkness and loss, in a war, not everyone is going to survive unscathed. 

Katniss has escaped to District 13, but she is more broken than ever before. Peeta is in the hands of the Capital. To everyone in charge she is just a pawn in a war she never wanted to fight. Even treated as just a symbol, Katniss’s instincts are usually better than the Politicians who are running the rebellion. Katniss in Mockingjay is a realistic portrayal of someone who is suffering with PTSD from the events of the previous Hunger Games.  Those elements made this book seem more realistic and sadly direr. 

I loved the Hunger Games series and I am glad I finally finished it. I know that I cried while reading each book, but Mockingjay was in its own league of making me cry. I am sure, when I get to see the movies, I will cry all over again. I know that I am late to the game on this series, but it is truly well done. It is a book that I am sure will continue to be popular for many years. 

For those who have not started this series or have only watched the movies, I highly recommend reading this series. Even though the movies are very well done, the books have so much more to them that just does not fit into a movie format. It is defiantly worth your time. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf purchased this book**

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Mirror X Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Welcome to Unabridged Bookshelf's stop on the Mirror X Blog Tour! Today I have a review of Mirror X and a tour-wide giveaway to enter.  Make sure to check out everything going on during this tour by clicking the banner above. 

About the Book

Title: Mirror X

Author: Karri Thompson

Series: The Van Winkle Project #1
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: June 30, 2014

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction, 

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Cassie Dannacher wakes up in a hospital over 1,000 years into the future after her space capsule is retrieved from space. She soon learns that 600 years prior to her arrival, the earth was struck by a plague, killing over half of the world’s population. Naïve and desperate, Cassie, who longs for home and is having trouble adjusting to the new, dictatorial 31st century government, is comforted by Michael Bennett, the 20-year old lead geneticist at the hospital where she was revived.
But why is Cassie in genetics’ hospital in the first place, and why do several of the people around her seem so familiar, including Travel Carson, the hot and edgy boy she is fated to meet? Soon she discovers there is a sinister answer to all of her questions – and that they want something from Cassie that only she can give.

About the Author

My debut YA novel, Amateur Angel, was released May 1, 2012. The next book in that series, Hollywood
Angels, comes out September 1. The first book in my upcoming dystopian trilogy, The Van Winkle Chronicles, will be released by Entangled Publishing Summer 2013.
   

My Review of Mirror X

Mirror X is the type of book that would make a great addition to a teen or even adult book club reading list. There is plenty of topics to discuss, and it would probably lead to an enlightening discussion. I did not think when I started Mirror X that it would be a book that would stick with me, but this one got me thinking, and it is going to stay with me for a while. Although with Mirror X, I can see it becoming a book that either you hate it or you love it, depending out your own opinions, and the way you take in Cassie’s situation. 

I love when a storyline makes me feel connected to the main character, even if that shared connection is anger. This story made me feel outraged for Cassie, and maybe not everyone will feel that way, but that is the strongest feeling I felt while reading Mirror X. I do not want to get on the topic of the story, because I really do not want to give it away for other readers, and I tend to try to avoid spoilers if I can. I just warning you if you have a blood pressure problem, you may want to keep a supply of medication nearby during reading, mine was defiantly elevated from time to time. 

Cassie is a bit unsure of her new situations, and feels like everyone is keeping her hidden from the world for some unknown reason. This does make Cassie feel uneasy, and I will agree the her quick infatuation with her doctor was a little hard to take, but she is also a 17 years old woken up in the far future away from everything she knows, so I gave her a break. She also wanted to be a paleontologist when she grew up so that is a win in my book. While the first part of the story is bit slow as everything is being revealed, the middle to last half of the book is quite packed, and fast paced. The ending did feel kind of a bit quick, and easy, so I am hoping that book two show what happens next for Cassie. 

This may not be an easy book for some people to read, there is some upsetting scenes throughout the book. Mirror X really touches upon so tough topics that even we face in certain ways today, and it really got me thinking of what I would do in Cassie’s situation.  I like books that make me think in the end, so Mirror X was a remarkable book in that aspect. I will defiantly pick up book two, and see where Cassie’s story leads next. 

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book, in exchange for an honest review**

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Book Review and Giveaway: Nomad by J.L. Bryan

Publication Date: July 26, 2013

Length: 204 Pages

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction

Age Group: New Adult

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They took everything: her family, her home, her childhood.
By the age of nineteen, Raven has spent most of her life in the sprawling slums of America, fighting as a rebel against the dictatorship. When the rebellion steals an experimental time-travel device, she travels back five decades to the year 2013. Her plan: assassinate the future dictator when he is still young and vulnerable, long before he comes to power. She must move fast to reshape history, because agents from her own time are on her trail, ready to execute her on sight.

MY REVIEW

When J.L. Bryan asked if I was interested in reading Nomad When J.L. Bryan asked if I was interested in reading Nomad I knew I just had to read it. Described to me as a futuristic time travel dystopian with a twisted romance (his exact description) now how could I not want to read it. It paid off, Nomad is so much better than even I expect, and I expected something fantastic. The story told in Nomad took me completely be surprise is such a good way.

I was worried that the time travel aspect might be confusing, but it allows a marvelous story to take place. One section that discusses the ramifications of time travel and it did have my head spinning trying to process the idea but it is not confusing once explained. Raven is sent back in time to stop a great evil from taking place, but it is not as simple as she originally thought. Raven "wakes" up on the interstate with amnesia and no clue where she is or why she is there. To top it off, security agents from the future are tracking her down. As memories of the war torn and fractured future come back to Raven, she begins to understand why she was sent back from 2064 to 2013

While the mission is the central storyline, that does not mean there is no room for more. Raven concentrating on the mission is distracted by a possible romance interest. She is to interact as little as possible in the past otherwise risk changing everything, and one romance could change the world as Raven knows it. 

Fans of science fiction and dystopian will truly enjoy Nomad. Nomad is a New Adult with more mature content but has appeal for fans of mature YA. J.L. Bryan always seems to surprise me with his writing and I loved the experience of reading Nomad. I cannot wait to see what J.L. Bryan comes up with next.

**Unabridged Bookshelf received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

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