Book #6: The Treatment (sequel to The Program) by Suzanne Young 

Rating: 4/5 
(Summary from goodreads) 
Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”
How do you stop an epidemic?
Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.
Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.
Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?

          Can I just first point out how beautiful this cover is? Let's take a moment of silence to applaud its beauty. 

          Okay, now for the real review. I thought the book was a great followup to its prequel. I absolutely loved The Program. First things first, we have been introduced to some new, vibrant characters- Dallas (former patient of The Program) and Cas (had never been a patient). This character analysis will be a bit different. A little of the new and a little bit of the old will be infused in this review. I hope you enjoy. 

          I feel like this book's predecessor had done a better job portraying the action and the wild conflict of the book. Although the book was probably just as action-packed and exciting as the first, it just didn't speak to me. Of course if there is going to be a third book, this book definitely intrigued me enough to pick that up.  
          In comparison to the prequel, I feel like the characters have gotten more immature and well, annoying at times. First things first, Realm was just a huge pain in my ass but of course, that is according to someone with such an intricate profile (like me). For one, I hate love triangles. This book, for me, was probably the epitome of "love triangles." So without further ado, here is the awaited character analysis. 

Character Analysis 
Sloane- Of all the books I've ever read where a female is the heroine/protagonist, Sloane Barstow is by far one of the most fascinating. In the first book, I saw her as, of course, a strong and unwavering soul. Her passion for James' love proved to the key to her recovery. Once again, she fought for James' heart even if she had to push away Realm to do so. 

Realm- Um, excuse me Realm... Who are you to get in between this relationship? I wish Sloane would've said these words to the next character I will be introducing, Realm. Realm, Realm, Realm. *tsk, tsk* YEAH, STOP GETTING IN THE WAY OF SLOANE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH JAMES! Realm was a rather diabolical character that totally screwed with my plans of Sloane and James ending up like Romeo and Juliet. He totally kept pining after Sloane when she was unmistakably taken. Sorry Realm, you don't appeal to me. But for all you girls (and guys, ahem) who are in love with Realm, take no offense from my words. 

James- The manliest character of the story... James. Nothing really new about him. He was just as cute as he was in the first book. LOL. Check out my last review of The Program for James' character analysis. Although.... he was a jerk at one point in the book but that, my friends, would lead to spoilers. 

Dallas- Most of the time, she got in the way of the story line. I don't know why but with her presence, she seemed to complicate the conflict. But nonetheless, she was a funny and exciting character to read about. 

Cas- I absolutely loved Cas! He was like a silent ninja on standby. Yes, you were cute... but not as cute as James. 

          All in all, I think I am obsessed... with James of course! Please check out this series if you haven't already. I promise you, it is one you'll love. Thanks for sticking around for this review! Comment down below for any books you would like for me to review next. Hasta la vista! 

Book #5: Time's Echo (A Kindle Novella) by Rysa Walker

Rating: 5/5 

(Summary from goodreads) 

Kiernan Dunne abandoned his family ties to help Kate fight the Cyrists, and he's never regretted that for one moment. But he doesn't understand why Kate can't remember that night in 1893 Chicago, when she turned back to face the killer chasing them through the smoky corridors of the World's Fair Hotel. Kate placed the CHRONOS key around his neck and made his eight year old self promise to wear it always, and that's a promise Kiernan has never broken.
When Kate suddenly vanishes after a Cyrist-engineered time shift, that hidden medallion is Kiernan's only hope for finding her. He returns to the Cyrist fold to look for clues, but his search will lead him back to the question that has haunted him for years--what really happened after he left Kate at the World's Fair Hotel?

Let me get one thing straight: I will always love Trey! But nonetheless, I thought the perspective of this novella was very peculiar (in a good way, of course) and interesting. In this book, we find out why Kate loses her memory of Kiernan and more about the wild and "pudgy" character, Simon. After reading this novella, I've grown familiar with the character Kiernan and as of now, I am totally rooting for him. Sorry Trey. 
I think the best part of this novella was revisiting the part where Kate (not Kieran's Kate) met Kiernan on the subway, and where Simon grabbed Kate's bag. In all honestly, you couldn't get away with just reading the first book. But if you're definitely a Kiernan and Kate lover, by all means. Even so, you should surely check out this little novella. 

Also for all you Trey and Kate lovers out there, this book definitely gives you a new perception on Kiernan. You might just like him a little better after reading this book. 

That's all for this review! Please check out this amazing novella. Rysa, you never cease to amaze me. Also check out Rysa's interview in the blog archives. 

The spectacular Rysa Walker-author of TImebound- has given up her time for me to interview her. I was ecstatic when she replied to my email! And yes, this is real so please don't ask. If you would like to know more please contact Rysa yourself at rysa@rysa.com. Now without further ado, please enjoy the interview where Rysa talks about
making it as an author and her upcoming Kindle novella, Time's Echo. 

Q. For anyone who hasn't read the series, why would you (the author) recommend it? What makes the series so riveting? 

A.      I'm delighted you found the story riveting!  It was definitely a joy to write.  I would recommend The CHRONOS Files series for anyone who enjoys science fiction or historical fiction, with a bit of romance and suspense added to the mix.  At one point, I would have added teens, but surprisingly, at least as many of my readers to date have been adults who like YA or science fiction.
          You mentioned to me earlier that Timebound made you love history. That's one of the primary reasons I started writing this series--history books can be *so* yawn-inducing! There are some good ones, but so many of them take all the fun out of learning about the past.  As a history professor, I really hated the fact that by the time students arrived in my classes, they'd already decided that history was deadly dull. I was usually able to overcome that by the end of the semester, but I thought it would be nice if younger readers were introduced to historical events in a more interesting and exciting way.  If there's something in the books that makes readers want to dig a bit, figure out what's history and what's not (hint: the time travel bit isn't history!) then I'm a very, very happy camper.

I'm also running a contest for younger writers at my CHRONOS Files blog, with a new Kindle Fire HDX as first prize for the best submission.   So if you know any young writers who want to "join" CHRONOS, send them over to http://www.CHRONOSFiles.com. 

Q. Without spilling, could you tell us what's in store for the future of Kate and Trey? 

A.  Hmm. That's a tough one.  Let me just say that it's not going to be easy sailing. Can you recreate the magic that made two people fall in love? And Kiernan has his own ideas about where Kate belongs, which could complicate matters a bit. I guess the best summary is that Kate and Trey have a few hurdles to get past before they can be happy--and the biggest one is bringing down Cyrist International.

Q. Do you ever base your characters off of people that are vital in your life (ex/ family members, friends, fellow authors)? 

A.      Not exactly.  I do think that several characters reflect the personalities of people I care about--Harry, for example, is sort of a mish-mash of every good dad I know.  And eight-year-old Mick has personality traits from all three of my sons.  Kate, Deborah, and Katherine each have a few of my personality traits--and probably Prudence, as well, if I'm going to be honest!  

I think the key issue is that the characters are in my head for so long that it's more like they remind me of people I know, rather than that they are based on people I know.  Once I start writing, they tend to take on a life of their own, and they often do things that I didn't exactly plan.  I was a little worried that fact might make me a candidate for a straight-jacket until I talked with a few other authors who said the same thing. I might still be crazy, but at least I'm in good company!

Q. When you were younger, did you ever imagine you would become such a popular author? 

A.  No. I was from a small town in the middle of nowhere and I never dreamed it would happen.  I enjoyed writing, but for a long time I convinced myself that I was better off writing academic non-fiction.  I had kids to support and put through college and I needed job security. A few key people believed in me, both before and after I wrote Timebound, but it took a while for me to get the confidence to move forward with my writing. I'm glad that I took a chance and entered the Amazon novel contest, because winning that award put Timebound in front of thousands of readers who would never have found it otherwise.

Q. What inspired the plot for Timebound? 

A.     The general idea for the series, as mentioned above, was rooted in getting teen readers to engage with history.  But I've been a science fiction geek since I was very young, so I always knew that the series would involve time travel.  Kate's jump to the Columbian Exposition was pretty much a given, since I'm fascinated both by that particular World's Fair, and by the 1890s in general. The fact that there was a serial killer running around the same area, as well as a political assassination, was just icing on the cake.

It's probably inevitable that the historical events and places that I find fascinating will make their way into the future books in the series.  Victoria Woodhull will definitely end up somewhere in the series, as will Houdini.  Having grown up in the Deep South near the end of the Civil Rights era, the struggle for racial equality, and for greater tolerance of differences in general will definitely play a role as well.

Don't forget to check out Rysa's website! There will also be a Facebook Launch Party on April 30- May 1st on her new book, Time's Echo. The links for both will be provided below. 
That's all for this interview! I hope you all enjoyed this interview. You better check out Rysa's books because they are worth reading. Remember to leave comments below on what you thought of her books. Are you excited for her new book? 

Rysa's website: http://rysa.com/
Facebook Launch Party: http://www.facebook.com/Timebound 

Book #4: The Benefactor by Erin Fry (NO SPOILERS INCLUDED) 

Rating: 5/5 
(Summary from goodreads)
         They come from different walks of life, with different problems and different hopes and dreams. But they have one thing in common: they need a scholarship to college. And they're ready to battle seven other contestants on a reality TV show to get it. There's Mei, a budding artist with a secret disability; Henry, not in it for the money but for the chance to follow his true dream; Lucy, a tough Texan from a new kind of family; Tyrell, an injured football star with a sick sister at home; Sam, a musician with no family to fall back on; Allyson, a devout Christian with a good reason to pray; Cassidy, a beauty with a secret; and Hiroshi, a varsity swimmer who left behind his true love. But only one contestant can win on The Benefactor. Who will take home the big prize?       

          This book tripped me up at the most unexpected times. Believe it or not, it is actually really challenging to have 8 main characters in one book. Nonetheless, the characters were not at all dull during any point in the book. Although, everything happened so fast! One second, you would be swooning and admiring one character and in an instant, that character would be eliminated from the game. The best aspect of the book was in the characters itself, especially Cassidy McGowan. Surely, you will read more of these very noteworthy characters in the character analysis. 
          I really have no complaints about this book. I'm so happy that I picked this book up! It is definitely a book worth reading. The plot was unique and exceptional, unlike any book I've read before. Now before I ramble endlessly, let us get into the character analysis- the most important part of the book.  
          All the characters in the books had some reason of winning , which in all it's entirety, intrigued me. They were all competing for something but in some cases, for someone. It was really mind-boggling to learn each of their reasons for wanting the scholarship so badly. 
          Overall, a fantastic read! Erin Fry grasps your attention and keeps you on the edge of your seat with The Benefactor. 

Character Analysis 

Cassidy McGowan- Of all the characters in my book, Cassidy was by far my favorite. Cassidy knew when to be on her A-game but at times, she could be compassionate and tender to her fellow competitors. I truly admired her personality. To be both competitive and compassionate, is not an easy thing. As the saying goes: One for all and all for one. Cassidy wanted to win for her daughter, Faith. Yes, she had a daughter at the age of 17. DON'T JUDGE!

Tyrell Young- Oh Tyrell. You really disappoint me! I can't really tell you the reason why this particular character gets under my skin because then, I would be spoiling the entire book. Tyrell had an interesting personality- cocky, manipulative, and irritating. I didn't really enjoy his presence in the story but oh well, what are you gonna do? 

Henry Stone IV- Henry was a rather sensitive character. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE ONE OF THE BOTTOM TWO IN ONE CHALLENGE, DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO DIE! He was overly dramatic at times- crying and whining when he was close to being eliminated. He wasn't a very noticeable and distinct character. Henry's parents wanted him to grow up to be a vet. Henry's father ultimately wanted Henry to lose. But no. Henry would prove them wrong. 

Mei Zhang- Mei was cunning. But... in one particular challenge, she made me suddenly fall of my chair! Mei, are you serious? I can't really tell you what happened without spoiling the book... Mei wanted to win the scholarship because she was basically tired of her parents reprimanding. She didn't want to be a disgrace to her family, which would totally happen if she lost. 

Sam Michaels- I LOVE YOU SAM <3 Sam was a hopeless romantic! (Spoiler Alert: Don't read on if you don't want to be spoiled) I am liking the ship name, Cam. Sam was intelligent throughout the entire book, finding the smartest ways to get in and out of the challenges. Sam wanted to win the scholarship to pursue his undying love in music. Yes, music. ROCK ON SAM! 

Hiroshi Yamamura- WOW DUDE! You sound Japanese. Yes, Hiroshi was indeed asian. Hiroshi was the privileged character in the book. He, in fact, didn't need the scholarship and was willingly able to pay for his own college. Actually, it was all for a girl! YES. A GIRL. YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY. 

Lucy del Castillo- Lucy was a tough cookie. But unfortunately, that tough exterior of hers was eventually broke. Yeah... not that interesting. 

Allyson Murphy- Wooowwww.... Allyson had such a huge advantage- her Christianity. O_O You see that face? That's the face of a true derp. Allyson was the luckiest contender! She basically had the game wrapped around her finger. 

That's all for this review! I hope you all enjoyed my review. Please check this book out if you have time because its definitely a must read. Remember to leave comments below on what books I should review next. 

Updates!

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Review coming in May- Vicious by Victoria Schwab 

(Summary from goodreads) 

          Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong. Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end? 

          In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn’t automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.'

Book #3: Timebound by Rysa Walker 

Rating: 5/5 

(Summary from goodreads) 

When Kate Pierce-Keller’s grandmother gives her a strange blue medallion and speaks of time travel, sixteen-year-old Kate assumes the old woman is delusional. But it all becomes horrifyingly real when a murder in the past destroys the foundation of Kate’s present-day life. Suddenly, that medallion is the only thing protecting Kate from blinking out of existence.

Kate learns that the 1893 killing is part of something much more sinister, and Kate’s genetic ability to time-travel makes her the only one who can stop him. Risking everything, she travels to the Chicago World’s Fair to try to prevent the killing and the chain of events that follows.

Changing the timeline comes with a personal cost, however—if Kate succeeds, the boy she loves will have no memory of her existence. And regardless of her motives, does she have the right to manipulate the fate of the entire world?

          From past experience, time travel is not an easy thing to write about. Nonetheless, Rysa Walker has nailed it with her book Timebound. Timebound by Rysa Walker was the best book I've ever read in my entire life. Congratulations Timebound! You have made the top of my favorite books list. 

This was the first book I've ever read by Rysa Walker, and I'm fairly impressed. Her style of writing was so fascinating and riveting. Throughout the book, I was glued to the page and couldn't keep my eyes away. As a result, I managed to finish the book in a day. 

The thing that really caught my attention in this book was the romance. You see, I normally hate love triangles- but this book was different. The love triangle had no affect on the central figure of the plot whatsoever. Trey and Kiernan- the two love interests- were quirky and loveable characters but at the same time, their love for Kate was not too irritating. The romance was probably the best part of the book! Overall, you would be an idiot if you didn't want to read this book! 

Character Analysis: 

Kate (Prudence)- Kate was the perfect female protagonist for this book! I really appreciated her heroism and courageousness throughout the ups and downs. I really had a close connection with her during the story. Her characteristics could not  just be described in one word. She is special! Because she was the narrator, the story had a clean and precise narration. 

Trey- Trey was the main love interest of the book. (SPOILER ALERT) I knew that Trey and Kate would end up together! After all they had gone through, it would be disappointing not to see them together. He was a very captivating character. 

Kiernan- Kiernan was the other main love interest of the book. Although he didn't end up with Kate in the end, he did have the satisfactory of seeing her happy. Kiernan was the sweetest guy you could ever meet in book with a love triangle. 

Katherine and Connor- I have decided to describe both these characters in a single analysis. To me, Katherine and Connor seemed to have merged into one character. They were very similar characters- they both wanted to protect Kate and loved history. Both very interesting but at the same time, very mysterious. 

This books should be on everyone's list. There is no doubt in my mind that this series will soon become very popular! I don't give out 5 stars for just anything but overall, this book had seemed to deserve it. I believe Rysa's next book in the series is coming out somewhere on October. But she is also planning to have a small novella for Kiernan coming out soon as well (spring). 

Please enjoy the review and the many reviews that are to come. Don't forget to comment below on what books you would like me to review, if any at all. I would recommend Timebound by Rysa Walker to just about everyone and anyone! Keep reading and enjoy  the book! 

Book #2: Doomed by Tracy Deebs 

Rating: 5/5

Beat the game. Save the world.

Pandora's an average teen, glued to her cell phone and laptop, until the day her long-lost father sends her a link to a mysterious site featuring photos of her as a child. Curious, Pandora enters the site, unwittingly unleashing a global computer virus that plunges the whole world into panic: suddenly, there's no Internet. No cell phones. No traffic lights, hospitals or law enforcement. Only Pandora's Box, a virtual-reality game created by Pandora's father, remains up and running. Together with her neighbors, gorgeous stepbrothers Eli and Theo, Pandora must follow the photographs from her childhood in an attempt to beat the game and track down her father—and rescue the world. Part The Matrix, part retelling of the Pandora myth, Doomed has something for gaming fans, dystopian fans, and romance fans alike. 

          As an obsessed gamer myself, I was drawn to this book from the beginning. The plot was simply riveting! Another aspect I loved was the cover itself (I'm a sucker for pretty covers :P). 

          This book obviously deserved a 5/5. It was too good for a 4. In all honestly, I felt that the story line was plausible. The world that Tracy Deebs had created  for her readers was believable and enticing. The action just leaps off the page from the beginning of the book. It was hard to stop once I started reading. After reading Doomed, I felt the need to discover more of the world of Tracy Deebs. As a result, I ended up buying the entire Tempest series. 

Character analysis: 

Pandora- Throughout the book, I think that she has grown the most. I have a real connection with her now. Tracy Deebs had the right amount of umph  in her character Pandora. Pandora was brave at times when she needed to be and fragile/compassionate at others. Unlike most female heroine characters, she was far from annoying of snobbish. I don't really know how else to explain her. She was just the perfect fit for such a perfect book! 

Theo- Theo was more like the bad boy of the two brothers. I absolutely loved Theo! He was such an interesting character with this mysterious attitude. Theo was totally the whole package- charming, smart, rebellious. He is dark at times but also, he is compassionate and is suddenly infatuated with Pandora. Don't forget the fact that he was hot! 

Eli- Eli was a real charmer in the book. Unlike Theo, he was sweet and well, always prepared. Both Theo and Eli had a sudden interest in Pandora but in the end, only one guy can win. I am so happy to announce that yes,(SPOILER ALERT!) it was Theo. Eli was a fun character as well.

Pandora's father- He was a total menace to the human population (LOL)! I had absolutely no understanding of his reason for screwing with the world. I have nothing more to say about him! 

Please check out Tracy's amazing Tempest series. I can assure you, you will love it! 

                                                             

Book 1: Program by Suzanne Young 

Rating: 4/5 

Book Summary: 
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

          In all honestly, I felt like this book had so much going on all at once. It was like the whole story flashed before me in such little time. I managed to finish the book in 2 days so that was pretty surprising. 

          I loved the book, and I totally ship the pair i now named, Joane. There is really nothing to be said about the book other than I recommend it to all you hopeless romantics out there. 

Character Analysis 

 Sloane- First off girl, I loved her name! What a beautiful name. Sloane was undeniably brave, kindhearted, and valiant. Although, I would've really loved if she fought harder for James. I mean seriously! You should have fought harder for him. I really don't have any other complaints about Sloane. She wasn't annoying as the female heroine in the story. I simply enjoyed her. 

James- Get ready for all you girls out there! I know all you girls will love James when you read this book. James was kind of an over the top character, but it never really bothered me. He kept saying "baby" to Sloane, which reminded me of a stereotypical bad boy image. Nonetheless, James was a sexy and charming character in this book. 

Realm (Michael)- Are you serious? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU! You know that Sloane has a boyfriend, who is the love of her life, and yet, YOU KISS HER? Something is seriously wrong with you. I hope you don't come back in the next book. All in all, I don't ship Sloane and Realm. YOU GUYS DON'T EVEN HAVE A CUTE SHIP NAME!!!!! And I don't want to talk about Realm anymore. 

Sloane's Mother- Sloane's mother is a serious psychopath. She called The Program on her own daughter. I totally understand the parent's growing concern for their child. Sloane's mother was just looking out for Sloane. After Brady's (Sloane's older brother) death, their family has never been the same. I think all the parents are stupid in this book! (Specifically Sloane's parents). I think that it should be the child's decision whether or not he/she is stripped of their memories. I agree with Sloane- her mother is a bitch (sorry for my potty mouth). 

I really enjoyed the book but the characters, not so much. 

Thanks for sticking around for this review. Comment on this blog post if you feel the need for me to review one of the books your're hesitant on reading. Happy reading everyone! Also check out the next book in the series, The Treatment. COMING SOON ON APRIL 29th, 2014. 

Welcome to      Book Buzz

Looking for a great book review? Well you've come to the "write" place! Tune in weekly for some wicked book reviews. 

Quick Q & A 

1. Q. What kinds of books do you review? 

    A. Depends. You can comment below for books you would like to be reviewed. All recommendations are considered! <3 

2. Q. Why do you review books? 

    A. I love reading. Why not review? Reviews make it easier for people like you to know what books to read. It's also REALLY fun. 

3. Q. How often do you post your reviews? 

    A. Every week, there will be a new review for a book. If I am able to finish a book before the week's end, it is possible for me to review two or three books in a week. 

4. Q. How do I recommend books for you to read? 

    A. You can always comment on the blog posts. I will read them. I am trying to get a suggestion box so look forward to that. 

Next review to come: The Program by Suzanne Young (I know I'm a little late. Oh well, what are you gonna do?)