ARC Release Day Review: Sweet by Emmy Laybourne

Sweet (#1) by Emmy Laybourne (June 2, 2015)
288 pages
Genre: YA/It's a surprise.
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: I snagged a free ARC at ALA Midwinter. This didn't affect my honest review. Thanks Feiwel & Friends!
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Rating:

Goodreads Summary: Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 trilogy, takes readers on a dream vacation that goes first comically, then tragically, then horrifyingly wrong!

The luxurious celebrity cruise launching the trendy new diet sweetener Solu should be the vacation of a lifetime. But Laurel is starting to regret accepting her friend Viv’s invitation. She's already completely embarrassed herself in front of celebrity host Tom Forelli—the hottest guy ever!—and she's too sick to even try the sweetener. And that's before Viv and all the other passengers start acting really strange.

Tom knows that he should be grateful for this job and the chance to shed his former-child-star image. His publicists have even set up a 'romance' with a sexy reality star. But as things on the ship start to get wild, he finds himself drawn to a different girl. And when the hosting gig turns into an expose on the shocking side effects of Solu, it's Laurel that he's determined to save.

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My Review

Right After I Finished Reading: I seriously can't believe what I just read. What did I just read? Seriously. How do I even begin to rate this book? Ahhhhh!!!!

My dear friends, obviously this review is going to be a little crazy. I both liked and disliked Sweet a great deal. It was brilliant and a little dumb and frustrating all at the same time. Let's start from the beginning.

When I first started reading Sweet I was intrigued. I thought the author did a nice job at tackling body image issues in a unique way. Then the book also starts touching on issues that celebrities face. Okay, that is cool. The next big issue talking point? Big corporations doing what they want. Anyway, I didn't mind all of this because it was central to the story, but at times I also felt like it was a lot of messages thrown at us all at once. It was all just a little bit too in your face at times. It wasn't a big deal though so let's move on.

I liked the characters a lot. It was an interesting bunch of famous people and non-famous people on the cruise of a lifetime, and the ones I got to know were pretty sweet. The only problem I had with the characters was the lack of character development. I understand that with the book taking place on a cruise that there is a limited amount of time for character development, but I was still sad that it was lacking. I still liked the characters though (even if slightly stereotypical), especially Tom (the hot celebrity) and Laurel (the average girl that isn't average at all), our dual POV narrators. 

What about the plot and setting of Sweet? For the most part it was spot on. I loved the cruise setting, and I loved the exciting plot, even if it was a little unbelievable. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I just had to know what was really happening on that ship! From the slow build to the crazy ending, I was hooked.

The Bottom Line: Do I recommend this book to others? You bet. BUT I will say that it is a pretty unique book so not everyone is going to like it, and I'm not even sure I can predict in advance who will or won't like it. I liked Sweet. It was a horrifyingly awesome page-turner for me. My biggest complaint... THAT ENDING!!! I had to rush online just to make sure there was a sequel. Thankfully there is.

ARC Review: Savage Drift (Monument 14 #3) by: Emmy Laybourne

Savage Drift by: Emmy Laybourne (Monument 14 #3) (May 6, 2014)

306 Pages

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Genre: Young Adult/Survival

Source: I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Feiwel & Friends!

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon

Goodreads Summary: The stunningly fierce conclusion to Emmy Laybourne's Monument 14 trilogy.

The survivors of the Monument 14 have finally made it to the safety of a Canadian refugee camp. Dean and Alex are cautiously starting to hope that a happy ending might be possible.

But for Josie, separated from the group and trapped in a brutal prison camp for exposed Type Os, things have gone from bad to worse. Traumatized by her experiences, she has given up all hope of rescue or safety.

Meanwhile, scared by the government's unusual interest in her pregnancy, Astrid (with her two protectors, Dean and Jake in tow) joins Niko on his desperate quest to be reunited with his lost love Josie.

Author Emmy Laybourne reaches new heights of tension and romance in this action-packed conclusion to the Monument 14 trilogy.

My Review

When I heard there was going to be a third book in the Monument 14 series I was pretty darn excited. For some reason, I guess because I found enough closure in the second book, I just didn't expect there to be a third book, I didn't know it was a trilogy apparently, but I’m sure glad there was. I missed these Monument 14 kids. (Now sit back and enjoy my somewhat all over the place high praising review of Savage Dirft.)

There is one 100% true statement I can say about Savage Drift with complete confidence, it is NEVER boring.

From the first page to the last, Dean, Josie, and the other kid survivors are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat during their last large act of survival before their journey finally comes to an end.

The Monument 14 trilogy is a unique survival story about a group of kids, all ages, and I really think more people should give it a try. I’m not saying it’s the best out there, but it is gripping, entertaining, funny, dark, and heartwarming, especially this last book.

Savage Drift was exceptional in every way. The effects of the original chemical release are still being examined and even more so in this last installment. I loved it. I enjoyed seeing the main character, Dean, finally really start to grow into a man. (At the beginning of the book he is still kind of really frustrating/annoying.) I too loved getting Josie’s view point, and getting to see how the government is handling the people with blood types that have violent reactions to the chemicals that were originally released in the first book, it isn’t’ pleasant. There is so much more to Savage Drift than meets the eye. Not to mention, there is also no lack of action. 

The ending was perfect. It brought tears to my eyes. Laybourne really did a great job in this third and last installment of The Monument 14 trilogy. It may have even been her best.

Next time you are searching for an interesting survival story about a group of kids take a chance on The Monument 14 trilogy. As an added bonus, all three books are pretty quick and easy reads, so none of your time will be wasted if you don't end up loving them.

Here are my reviews of the other two books in the series.
Monument 14 (#1) by: Emmy Laybourne
Sky On Fire (#2) by: Emmy Laybourne

Review: Sky on Fire by: Emmy Laybourne

Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2) by: Emmy Laybourne (2013)

212 pages

Genre: YA/Survival

 Source: The Library

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary: Trapped in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, including a monster hailstorm and terrifying chemical weapons spill, brothers Dean and Alex learned how to survive and worked together with twelve other kids to build a refuge from the chaos. But then strangers appeared, destroying their fragile peace, and bringing both fresh disaster and a glimmer of hope.

Knowing that the chemical weapons saturating the air outside will turn him into a bloodthirsty rage monster, Dean decides to stay in the safety of the store with Astrid and some of the younger kids. But their sanctuary has already been breached once. . . .

Meanwhile, Alex, determined to find their parents, heads out into the darkness and devastation with Niko and some others in a recently repaired school bus. If they can get to Denver International Airport, they might be evacuated to safety. But the outside world is even worse than they expected. . . .

       

My Review

Things get even more crazy and some new characters emerge in Sky on Fire, the sequel to Monument 14. Sorry this review is so short but this is what happens when I write a review a long time after I have finished the book. I apologize, I’m trying to get back in the blogging game. (I really need to make better notes.) I can tell you that I enjoyed this book and that it was a quick and intense/exciting read.

Sky on Fire held my attention from the very first sentence to the last page, it really was a page turner without a dull moment. Alex’s opening letter was depressing yet funny, and having both brothers’ point of views was awesome, they were done really well. Both situations, the one at the super store and the one on the bus, were equally horrible and equally captivating. I don't think the older brother, Dean, always speaks or acts like the older one, which was sometimes annoying, but it did make sense a little since his younger brother is the genius. There are also a few stupid moments where I felt like the kids were not thinking before acting and should know better by now, but overall that didn't keep me from enjoying Sky on Fire because there was enough action and other insane things going on to hold my interest. The ending was non-frustrating, which was rather nice, but it did leave it open for a possible third book. I’m not sure what the author plans to do, but if she wrote another one I would probably read it.

Major cover love again for this book, it is just as good if not better than the first one.

In the end, if you read the first book and enjoyed it then you should go ahead and read this one, it will be worth it. Sky on Fire is a suspenseful survivor story. So take a second to consider reading it if you are a fan of survival stories. If you have yet to read the first book you can check out my review here to help you make your decision.

Waiting on Wednesday #2: Monument 14: Sky On Fire by: Emmy Laybourne

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Monument 14: Sky on Fire by: Emmy Laybourne

Release Date: May 28

Goodreads Summary: In this sequel to MONUMENT 14, the group of survivors, originally trapped together in a superstore by a series of escalating disasters, has split in two. Most of the kids are making a desperate run on their recently repaired school bus for the Denver airport where they hope to reunite with their parents, be evacuated to safety, and save their dying friend. 

But the world outside is dark and filled with dangerous chemicals that turn people into bloodthirsty monsters, and not all the kids were willing to get on the bus. Left behind in a sanctuary that has already been disturbed once, the remaining kids try to rebuild the community they lost. But when the issues are life and death, love and hate, who can you really trust?

I read the first book Monument 14 and the cliffhanger ending has me anxiously waiting for the sequel. Side note: I love the cover!

What books are you waiting for?

Review: Monument 14 by: Emmy Laybourne

Monument 14 by: Emmy Laybourne (2012)

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

294 pages

Genre: Dystopian/ YA/Survival

Summary: The year is 2024 and a horrible hailstorm, a tsunami, earthquakes and a chemical spill tears the nation apart. Fourteen kids ranging from kindergartners to seniors in high school are stuck in a superstore. They must work together to stay alive. Dean, one of the high school kids, is a writer and this story is his journal of what happens inside the store.

Review: From the very first page of this book I was captivated. If you haven’t read this book yet then you absolutely need to. It isn't perfect, but it reals you in. I really enjoyed it and will be reading the next one.

“I expected the story of our hailstorm to be all over the news. It wasn't. Our little hailstorm was nothing.” (pg. 33)

Warning: Once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down. Even the cover is captivating. You will also start to wonder what your response would be, and how you would act, in this situation of survival.

Let’s talk about the characters. I have a mostly love with a tiny bit of hate relationship with the characters in this book. At first I was concerned that the age of some of the children would annoy me, it is hard for me to read books where the main characters aren't at least 17. I was dead wrong to be concerned. Every kid in this book makes you feel for them in some way or another. They are in no way annoying; they are interesting, cute, funny, and heartbreaking. The author not only created wonderful memorable characters, but she made them believable. These kids are trapped without their parents in a superstore when the world around them is crumbling and their actions make them seem real, from screaming for their mothers, to being so tough that you would never guess how young they are.  Alex, Dean’s younger brother, is my favorite character and I promise you will love him too.

There is only one problem with this book and yes it deals with the characters I just raved about. This book doesn't do a great job at portraying women. They are kind of cliched and somewhat stereotyped. The strong boys fight it out to be the leader of the group, but what about the girls? They are usually portrayed as the weaker ones. I also want to note that I do realize that this book reads a little like the breakfast club, which is a little annoying, but this divide between cool and uncool kids is still present in our society. Therefore that part didn't bother me that much, especially because in the end the kids show us that it isn't about who is popular and who is not. What is really nice is that Dean is the main character of this novel and he is just an average kid.

I don’t want to say anything else about the plot and the actions the kids take to survive. I want you to be surprised like I was. All I will say is this; the chemical spill is interesting and a twist that I thoroughly enjoyed. I know I have some negativity in this review but this is still a really good book. 

I do have some good news. If you read this book now, you only have to wait until May to get your hands on the next one. Trust me when I say that you will be waiting impatiently. The one thing this book doesn't give you is answers to all  of your questions.

Rating: 5/5   BUY Monument 14