Review ~ Humanity's Hope by Pembroke Sinclair

Title: Humanity's Hope
Author: Pembroke Sinclair
Copyright: 2017
Pages: 252
Series:
I believe so

Reason for reading: It was offered free for a review.

Summary:
Caleb, a 17-year-old boy, survived the zombie uprising, but he didn’t come out of the ordeal unscathed. He’s been scarred—both mentally and physically. The rest of humanity is trying to rebuild, to make the world normal again. Caleb is trying to return to a normal life also, but after all he’s seen, after the loss of his family and friends, the transition is difficult. The darkness that led him down a path of self-doubt and self-harm keeps trying to creep back into his mind.

Things only become worse when he discovers he’s immune to whatever makes a zombie a zombie. Fighting zombies was predictable. He knew what to expect. Fighting humans is volatile. They are malicious and treacherous. They won’t stop to get what they want, and Caleb has to figure out exactly what that is.

*Trigger warning: attempted suicide

Thoughts: I have to admit it took me a little bit to get into this story. It started off fantastic about zombies and 3 kids running from them (Very Walking Dead or The Girl with All The Gifts) and the action that happens. Then it abruptly switches to Caleb in a computer room with no real ending or what happened kind of moment. From there we are left to piece together how society would function after a zombie plague and what that would look like. And with rebuilding of society you always have a division. Those who think zombies should be saved and those who think they should be "dealt with". Because of this division you now have the main twisting point of the story. 

The book itself was interesting to a point. We get the story from Caleb's perspective and him trying to survive in the aftermath, attempting to be "normal" while suffering from massive PTSD. At the same point he could be humanity's hope. The twist weren't really twist and the plot at times moved very slowly. That being said it was a quick and interesting read to get an idea of what society might have to do in order to rebuild after something as devastating as a zombies uprising. I enjoyed it and at other times when it was slow I found myself skimming. I think that it is really hard to write something that is original in our zombie flooded society right now. 

I did find some unique things that I enjoyed and at other times I found myself comparing the storyline to previous read books or shows I have seen. 

Goodreads: 3 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend: If you are looking for a YA zombie book or our new to the zombie reading realm then this would be a good one to read. If however, you are a zombie reading and self-proclaimed zombie buff like myself this one might not be a read for you. 

*About Humanity’s Hope*

Caleb, a 17-year-old boy, survived the zombie uprising, but he didn’t come out of the ordeal unscathed. He’s been scarred—both mentally and physically. The rest of humanity is trying to rebuild, to make the world normal again. Caleb is trying to return to a normal life also, but after all he’s seen, after the loss of his family and friends, the transition is difficult. The darkness that led him down a path of self-doubt and self-harm keeps trying to creep back into his mind.

Things only become worse when he discovers he’s immune to whatever makes a zombie a zombie. Fighting zombies was predictable. He knew what to expect. Fighting humans is volatile. They are malicious and treacherous. They won’t stop to get what they want, and Caleb has to figure out exactly what that is.

*About Pembroke Sinclair*

Pembroke Sinclair is a literary jack of all trades, playing her hand at multiple genres. She has written an eclectic mix of fiction ranging from horror to sci-fi and even some westerns. Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming--the home of 56 nationalities--it is no wonder Pembroke ended up so creatively diverse. Her fascination with the notions of good and evil, demons and angels, and how the lines blur have inspired her writing. Pembroke lives in Laramie, Wyoming, with her husband, two spirited boys, a black lab named Ryder, and a rescue kitty named Alia, who happens to be the sweetest, most adorable kitty in the world! She cannot say no to dessert, orange soda, or cinnamon. She loves rats and tatts and rock and roll and wants to be an alien queen when she grows up.

You can learn more about Pembroke Sinclair by visiting her at:

Blog: http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/

Newsletter:  http://blogspot.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2968608462c588bb6b8bd7714&id=8de5dfd226

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicarobinsonauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PembrokeSinclai

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+PembrokeSinclair/posts

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pembroke-sinclair

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3522214.Pembroke_Sinclair

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Pembroke-Sinclair/e/B007RFYJ6W

*Find the Book*

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34039021-humanity-s-hope

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Humanitys-Hope-Pembroke-Sinclair-ebook/dp/B0744CQJ6R

Review ~ An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Title: An Ember in the Ashes

Author: Sabaa Tahir
Copyright: 2015
Type:  ya/dystopian
Pages: 453
Series: 

1. An Ember in the Ashes

2. A Torch Against the Night

3. A Reaper At the Gate

Reason for Reading: 

I heard on the Bookriot that it was an interesting read and I thought it was one I should check out. 

Summary:

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Thoughts:

This book did the typical where the girl is a Mary Sue and the boy is a bad ass this fits the thing I like about it is the girl remain who she is she stays true to her and yet she doesn't she grows. And the bad ass well he doesn't want to be a bad ass he wants to be different. I liked it oddly enough I really enjoyed it sadly enough I really did. I read it in 2 days and I was shocked at how it kept me interested. The school was fascinating the trails Elias had to go through was more so. Laia grows into who she needs to be while at the same time realizing that maybe she is being taking advantage of the whole time you can't help but wondering if you got the twist right or if you are wrong. I had to say this was one I enjoyed it. The real question though is will I continue the series?

Goodreads: 3 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? I have to say I enjoyed it enough that if I ran into someone who liked ya action themed books this would be a recommendation. 

Currently Reading

Title: Pretty Crooked
Author: Elisa Ludwig
Pages: 358
Genre: YA

Goodreads Summary: 
Willa’s secret plan seems all too simple: take from the rich kids at Valley Prep and give to the poor ones.

Yet Willa’s turn as Robin Hood at her ultra-exclusive high school is anything but. Bilking her “friends”-known to everyone as the Glitterati-without them suspecting a thing, is far from easy. Learning how to pick pockets and break into lockers is as difficult as she’d thought it’d be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are ostracized just for being from the “wrong” side of town, is way more fun than she’d expected.

The complication Willa didn’t expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, Valley Prep’s most notorious (and gorgeous) ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her-evening the social playing field between the have and have-nots. There’s no time for crushes and flirting with boys, especially conceited and obnoxious trust-funders like Aidan.

But when the cops start investigating the string of burglaries at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could he wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?

Challenges: 
Out Do Yourself Challenge
New To Me Author