ARCHETYPE by M.D. Waters

ARCHETYPE
Author: M.D. Waters
Publisher: Dutton
ISBN: 9780525954231
Hardcover: 384 pages
Genre: fiction, sci-fi, futuristic, suspense

About the Book:

Introducing a breathtakingly inventive futuristic suspense novel about one woman who rebels against everything she is told to believe

Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this, but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself.

Suppressing those dreams during daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters.

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which. . . .

The first novel in a two-part series, Archetype heralds the arrival of a truly memorable character—and the talented author who created her.

My Thoughts:

Emma is a woman who has powerful and pulling dreams. They, at times, seem more real than the life she leads with her husband, Declan. These dreams are disturbing and bother Emma, yet she is reluctant to divulge these dreams with anyone. Until she meets Noah. He could be the key to what is really going on in Emma's life. Or is he?

ARCHETYPE is a novel that kept me quite intrigued to the end. The reader only finds out information when Emma does, so this keeps one wondering and trying to figure out what is really going on. I love this style of writing. As each piece of the puzzle is revealed, the story picks up to a heart-pounding bittersweet ending. Well, ending for book one of the series anyhow. The ending is satisfying enough that you could walk away from the series with closure, but you still have the type of ending where you want to go on to see where things go from here.

I enjoyed Emma's character. She's strong and smart and she's a ... oh well, you'll have to read the book to find out exactly what she is - that's part of the intrigue of the story line.

Make sure you add this to your must read list today. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves sci-fi, dystopian, or futuristic type novels. While you're at it, you may just want to pick up the second one, "Prototype" as well!!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Vault of Dreamers
Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
Publisher: Macmillian Children's Publishing Group
ISBN: 9781596439382
Genre: young adult, dystopia

About the Book:

From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own. The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the ridges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.

My Thoughts:

Rosie Sinclair is a student at the Forge School - a school where you are voted to stay or go (much like American Idol or other reality shows). Everything is televised and nothing is private. The more that is disclose to the audience, the more votes a student may receive. At night, each student goes to sleep in a pod after taking a sleeping pill. This pod is designed to subliminally help the students become more creative.

Rosie is a rebel and doesn't take her sleeping pill. This allows her to stay awake and be "normal" for a bit. She wants some alone time and can only find it at night. Then she starts discovering what happens at night when everyone is asleep and as time goes on, Rosie finds out too much information...

This is a fantastic story that keeps the reader both interested and guessing. Not the run-of-the-mill dystopia, "The Vault of Dreamers" has an interesting premise and the characters as well as the ending aren't predictable. Being the beginning of a series, the book ends leaving the reader with questions and wanting answers - but not in a frustrating way.

Great start to a new dystopian series! I can't wait for the next installment!!!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

"Sneak" Book 2 of the Swipe Series by Evan Angler

Sneak
Book 2 of the Swipe Series
Author: Evan Angler
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781400318421
Paperback: 288 pages

About the Book:

In a future United States under the power of a charismatic leader, everyone gets the Mark at age thirteen. The Mark lets citizen shop, go to school, and even get medical care—but without it, you are on your own. Few refuse to get the Mark. Those who do . . . disappear.

Logan Langly went in to get his Mark, but he backed out at the last minute. Now he’s on the run from government agents who will stop at nothing to capture him. But Logan is on a mission to find and save his sister, Lily, who disappeared five years ago on her thirteenth birthday, the day she was supposed to receive her Mark.

Logan and his friends, a group of dissenters called the Dust, discover a vast network of the Unmarked, who help them travel safely to the capital city where Lily is imprisoned. Along the way, the Dust receives some startling information from the Markless community, opening their eyes to the message of Christianity and warning that humanity is now entering the End of Days.

When the Dust finally arrives in the capital, it seems that all their careful planning is useless against a government that will do anything to bend its citizens to its will. Can the gentle words Logan has found in a tattered, banned Bible really stand against the most powerful military the world has ever known? Can Logan even sacrifice his own freedom, choosing to act through faith alone?

My Thoughts:

" Sneak" is Book 2 of the "Swipe Series", a young adult dystopian series that will hold the interest of both young adults and adults alike. Picking up where "Swipe" (Book 1) ended, this is not a book that one can pick up and totally enjoy or appreciate without starting at the beginning of the series.

As Logan gets closer to the truth and his goal to find Lily, the Dust is also coming closer to what they are working for. This novel will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat as things happen that you never saw coming. People who were introduced in "Swipe" return in "Sneak" and their roles may surprise you as things unfold.

"Sneak" is as good as or possibly even better than "Swipe" was and now I'm impatiently waiting for the next in the series, "Storm" to be published. May 7th, 2013 cannot come soon enough!

I received this book through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

"SWIPE" by Evan Angler - Tour

SWIPE
Author: Evan Angler
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781400318360
Paperback: 288 pages

About the Book:

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet it getting the Mark is such a good thing, why does it feel so wrong?

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago…and never came back.

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers?

My Thoughts:

This suspenseful dystopian will keep you wondering exactly who is to be trusted and who is delusional. With a government that now uses a Mark that is given to a child that turns 13, they appear to give people a wonderful sense of freedom, but is it really freedom?

Logan lost his sister when she went to take the Mark, and now it will soon be Logan's turn. What should be a time of excitement and happiness has turned Logan into someone who questions how safe the Mark really is. He is considered paranoid and the feeling of being watched all the time doesn't help.

This suspenseful and action-packed novel will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next and will surprise you with the conclusion! Being the first in the SWIPE series, it ends on a note that leaves you wanting to read the next book to find out what exactly is in store for Logan, the Dust, and DOME.

This is a great beginning to the series targeted to tweens and young adults, but it can also be enjoyed by adults that like dystopian or apocalyptic type novels. Make sure you add this one to your summer reading list. The next book, SNEAK, is due out this fall and is a must for my TBR list!

Make sure to visit the tour page to see what others are saying about SWIPE

I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher for this tour. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.