Welcome to this months #FantasySeries episode. This feature is where several times a year, co-host Casey and I select a fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, or paranormal romance series that we'll either read, listen to, or a combination of both. This time around Casey recommended a YA Dystopian trilogy...so it's a little off genre, but we're having fun with it. Afterwards we come together to chat about it on the podcast! This is a candid and spoiler-filled convo.  We also get to talk about this book during a live book club chat, so you'll want to join the group on Facebook or BookClubs for an invitation to the next book club! Read-Along with us, we do several series a year, so jump in at any time..
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Be sure to check out the video version of this pod and watch the exclusive After Show on Patreon.

Welcome to this months #FantasySeries episode. This feature is where several times a year, co-host Casey and I select a fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, or paranormal romance series that we'll either read, listen to, or a combination of both. This time around Casey recommended a YA Dystopian trilogy...so it's a little off genre, but we're having fun with it. Afterwards we come together to chat about it on the podcast! This is a candid and spoiler-filled convo.  We also get to talk about this book during a live book club chat, so you'll want to join the group on Facebook or BookClubs for an invitation to the next book club! Read-Along with us, we do several series a year, so jump in at any time..
​​
Be sure to check out the video version of this pod and watch the exclusive After Show on Patreon.

Ratings: 3/5 - Tamara | 3/5 - Casey

​What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Join Tamara and Casey from Heart Full of Ink for this candid podcast conversation about The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins and its. movie adaptation! Find out if it holds up all these years later!

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: April 26, 1993
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 180
Source: Amazon
Genre: YA Dystopia
Review Date: Recorded November, 2014
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back. 

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher via Goodreads First Reads
Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Dystopia
Review Date: Recorded October, 2014
Rating: 2 bookmarks

Synopsis: Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.

At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.

But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 416
Source: Amazon
Genre: YA Dystopian, YA Paranormal
Review Date: June 16, 2014
Rating: 3 bookmarks

Synopsis: Vengeance will be hers.  

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster? With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer. Monster.

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions - her creator Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost - the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie. 

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, her triumph will be short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

I'm sad to say that I'm a tad disappointed with this installment. I acknowledged that it's completely possible that I set the bar really high being that I loved the first two books so much. This in turn probably caused my disappointed when it didn't meet that expectation.  

This book had a slow start for me.  It took me much longer than I anticipated getting through the book. It wasn't boring by any means, but it wasn't a page turner like the first two in the trilogy either.  

There were two major plot twists that were the peaks of the story that caused moments of surprise, sadness and hope.  Beyond that, there were valleys where the moaning and groaning of several characters was a bit much for my taste.

Kane proved to be the glue that holds his offspring together, not only does he have to hold everything together while they are in pursuit of Sarren, but he then makes the ultimate sacrifice in stopping him. Jackal isn't as bad as he seems, apparently under that cold exterior he has a heart after all. Allie has clearly grown up even more, and has finally accepted herself as she is.  Good, bad or indifferent she's got bigger worries than to cry over than being a monster.  As one would think, trying to save the world, vampires and humans alike, from a deadly virus will put things in different perspective.

Hey Friends!

I have a mini review for you today!  A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book.  You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Format: ebook
Pages: 320 (Hardcover)
Source: Amazon Purchase
Genre: YA Dystopian
Review Date: May 12, 2014
Rating: 4 bookmarks

Synopsis: Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own

Pros: The first couple pages had me wondering if I would like it, then BAM, out of nowhere I found myself really enjoying it and caring about what was going to happen to these characters.  

The character development was on point.  How Lynn starts off in the beginning is night and day from what she’s like at the end.  The secondary characters really added a lot of depth to the relationships as well.  Lucy, Eli, Lucy's mother and the neighbor Stebbs are characters that influence Lynn on some level.

The story is YA Dystopian, yet it's so different from the other mega popular trilogies, Divergent and The Hunger Games.  McGinnis has her own voice and it stands out.  What really caught my attention is that the story is more character driven rather than action driven. Yes, there are action scenes, but the real focus is on the characters. Who they are, how they became what they are and what they will become.

I recently found out that this book will be on the big screen, which I’m excited about.  This book could be amazing with the right casting and screen writers.  

I enjoyed the realistic ending.  Yes, it's a bit sad, but there's nothing I appreciate more than a real end of things. I can't stand the happy go lucky, we're all great, and no consequence ending. Not only was it realistic, but it finished strong and set up the next book nicely.

Cons: While Not a Drop to Drink is a coming of age story, I wish that Lynn’s mom did her motherly duty and gave the poor girl a clue! How naive Lynn was about boys and girls was pretty dreadful!

Final Thoughts:  I'm looking forward to the second installment of this trilogy and reading about Lucy. Getting her take on the state of things as she gets older should be interesting.  I'm also excited to see how the other characters continue to evolve from Lucy’s POV. If you enjoy the YA Dystopian genre and characters with a lot of depth, make space on your reading list for this!

Happy Reading,
~Tamara