Stacking the Shelves (2)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tynga's Reviews to share the books you've recently acquired. I haven't done one in a couple months, but I've really tried to cut down on the number of review books I request and books I buy.

For review:
Poor Little Dead Girls by Lizzie Friend - Thanks to Merit Press!
Camelot Burning by Kathryn Rose - Thanks to Flux and Netgalley

Bought:
World After by Susan Ee
The Gathering Storm By Robin Bridges
Star Wars: Scoundrels by Timothy Zahn
A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin -  This one was acutally a Christmas gift for the bf

Review: The Rule of Three

Info:
Title: The Rule of Three
Author: Eric Walters
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Publication Date: January 21, 2014
Source: ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: 
One shocking afternoon, computers around the globe shut down in a viral catastrophe. At sixteen-year-old Adam Daley’s high school, the problem first seems to be a typical electrical outage, until students discover that cell phones are down, municipal utilities are failing, and a few computer-free cars like Adam’s are the only vehicles that function. Driving home, Adam encounters a storm tide of anger and fear as the region becomes paralyzed. Soon—as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends—he will see his suburban neighborhood band together for protection. And Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government spy living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival, in The Rule of Three by Eric Walters.

Review:
I'm a big fan of post-apocalyptic and survival stories. I think morbidly enjoy imagining what I would do in the characters' situation. So when I got the chance to review The Rule of Three, I had high hopes.

As far as survival stories go, this one was not bad, but it didn't quite have enough going for it to propel it to a higher rating. Our hero, Adam, is a pretty average guy, nervous around his crush and fond of his best friend Todd. The major difference is that Adam knows how to fly a plane, which turns out to be pretty darn important.

My biggest turn-off with this book was the lack of answers. The true nature of the problems plaguing the world is never actually explained. Since I wasn't completely sold on the plausibility of the disaster, this lack of answers ended up being really frustrating for a science person like me. If someone else who has read this can explain things to me, I would be really grateful. There's also one major loose end that never gets tied up. Which is probably more realistic, but I want my ending tied up neatly please and thank you. Actually, I found the ending a bit sudden for me. Literally there is an explosion and then the next page is the last one.

I really think this book is aimed towards YA boys. The romance is pretty limited and straight forward. There's lots of explosions and excitement of that type. Not to say girls won't enjoy this one! But there is substantial violence, so if that's not your thing, I would steer clear of this one.

Overall, The Rule of Three is a decent survival-in-the-face-of-disaster story, but I don't think it will stick with me and I doubt I'll be able to recall many details a year from now. If you enjoy survival tactics and explosions, this one will be an enjoyable ride.

Find the Book:
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Find the Author:
Goodreads | Twitter | Web

Series Breakdown

You guys, I think I have a problem. I love to start a new series. Unfortunately, I'm less skilled at seeing it through to the end. As a result, I am very behind on many series. I know it. But then I saw this post by Jessi from Novel Heartbeat, where she bravely quantified just how behind she was (please give her credit for inventing this post, not me). Now I'm being brave too.


Completed - Not Caught Up
Anna by Kendare Blake - 1 book to go
The Witch Avenue by Karice Bolton - 3 books to go
Canterwood Crest by Jessica Burkhart - 19 books to go (including super specials)
Florence Waverly by Ciye Cho - 1 book to go **
The Frost Chronicles by Kate Avery Ellison - 3 books to go
Jessica by Beth Fantaskey - 1 book to go
As the World Dies by Rhiannon Frater - 2 books to go
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier - 1 book to go
Elemental by Shauna Granger - 4 books to go
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - 2 books to go
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins - 1 book to go
Riders of the Apocalypse by Jackie Morse Kessler - 3 books to go
Kandrith by Nicole Luiken - 1 book to go
The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - 2 books to go
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - 4 books to go
The Protector by M. R. Merrick - 1 book to go
Across the Universe by Beth Revis - 2 books to go
Solus by Devri Walls - 3 books to go

Total books to read: 54

Incomplete - Not Caught Up
The Oxford Trilogy by Marion Croslydon - 1 book to go
Bridger by Megan Curd - 1 book to go, book 3 releases 2013(?)
Penryn and the End of Days by Susan Ee - 1 book to go
Living Dead Love Story by Rusty  Fischer - 1 book to go, book 3 releases April 15, 2014
Gone With the Respiration by Lia Habel - 1 book to go
Vampire Born by Angeline Kace - 1 book to go
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne - 1 book to go, book 3 releases May 6, 2014
Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan - 1 book to go, book 3 releases April 8, 2014
Lily Drake by T. Michelle Nelson - 1 book to go
White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland - 2 books to go, book 4 releases July 2014
The Legend of Drizzt by R. A. Salvatore - 18 books to go, book 25 releases March 4, 2014
Lillith Straight by Michelle Scott - 1 book to go
The Cahill Witch Chronicles by Jessica Spotswood - 1 book to go, book 3 releases August 14, 2014
Annie Loves Cham by Sheryl Steines - 1 book to go
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer - 1 book to go, book 3 releases February 4, 2014

Total books to read: 33

Incomplete - Caught Up
Twisted Lit by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes - book 3 releases January 18, 2014
Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie Brennan - book 2 releases March 4, 2014
Finishing School by Gail Carriger - book 3 releases 2014
Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green - book 2 releases May 6, 2014
Socialpunk by Monica Leonelle
Acrania: Trial by Fire by Liz Maverick
The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater
Icons by Margaret Stohl - book 2 releases July 8, 2014
Emilie by Martha Wells - book 2 releases March 4, 2013

Completed!
Isis by Monica Hughes
Divergent by Veronica Roth

Not Continuing:
Unremembered by Jessica Brodie
Vampire Agape by Georgia Cates
Ava Delaney by Claire Farrell
Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Amerias Adventures by Amy Green
Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore
Pretty in Black by Rae Hachton
Madison Avery Trilogy by Kim Harrison
Counterattack by M. G. Higgins
Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Yesterday by C. K. Kelly Martin
Broken by A. E. Rought
Returner's Wealth by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
The Destiny Saga by Heather M. White
Imperfect Darkness by Kim White

Completely finished series: 3
Series I need to finish (all books published): 18
Series I need to catch up on (unread published books, unfinished series): 15
Series I’m caught up on (have books unpublished yet): 9
Series I don’t plan to finish: 15

So what have we learned? I don't finish series nearly as quickly as I start them. I've completed 2 series since starting this blog. Two! I also have a couple of huge series on the go. The Legend of Drizzt is up to book 25! Also, there's a surprisingly high number of series that I don't plan to continue. And I have 87 books to go before I'm caught up, not including the 14 books with releases dates announced in the new year (2 of which I have ARCs for already).

I'm planning to post an update in 6 months to see if I've made any progress. Wish me luck.

2014 Monster Reading Challenge Post

Rather than do individual posts for every reading challenge I want to participate in, I've decided to make one huge monster post for all of them.

TBR Pile Reading Challenge


My bookshelves are FULL of unread books that I want to read so bad but keep getting distracted by shiny new books.

Goal: 20 books


Review Pile Reading Challenge

My review list is way too long. I'm not sure if I'll even catch up on all those ebooks I requested when I first discovered Netgalley, but I definitely plan to catch up on my physical review copies this year.

Goal: 15 books

Prequel & Sequel Challenge



This one runs on a points system. If I read all the books I have planned, I'll end up in the Advanced category

Goal: 64 points

2014 Series Challenge

You guys, this has badges. BADGES! I'm in!

Goal: Silver (complete 4-6 series)

Dystopian Reading Challenge


Maybe this year...

Goal: Rebel (7-12 books)

The EPICest reading challenge ever...

Well, I'm all about this reading challenges this time of year, but I think it's time to embark on the EPICest of all reading challenges.

1 million pages!

It may take a few years, but I am commited. Bam! I'm starting this one retroactively to the book I'm currently reading. No takesies-backsies!

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays from Megan Likes Books. Unfortunately, I'll be working through Christmas this year, but I'm going to give the blog a bit of a break as well. I should have posts starting again on Monday!

Source

Review: Allegiant

Info:
Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #3
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: October 22, 2013
Source: Purchased.


Synopsis: 
The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories. 

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love. 

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Review:
I almost don't even know what to say about this one. Unlike a lot of people, my lower rating is due to the middle, not the end. I liked each book in this trilogy a bit less than the previous one. Divergent - loved it! Insurgent - pretty good, but the characters started to annoy me. Allegiant - I kind of stopping caring about the characters a much about a third of the way through, which is probably why I didn't mind the ending.

My main issue with this book was the characters. Tris and Tobias really got on my nerves in the middle. Like so many of their issues could have been solved by just talking to each other instead of shouting and walking away. I realize that they are both meant to be flawed characters, but that doesn't mean I don't get to be annoyed at them!

I also felt a bit bored through the middle part of the book. I'm not sure why, there were even explosions. Maybe that was part of the problem. The book went from one high action to the next and maybe I didn't have enough time to recover from one action sequence before the next and it all blurred together. I'm not sure on that one. But it took me like a month to read this one and I read Divergent is a couple days.

I also wasn't a fan of the alternating POV. I generally don't really like this, so nothing against Veronica Roth. Although I did think it was weird to suddenly switch to alternating POV in the final book of a triology. I kind of understand it now, but I can't say I liked it.

And the ending! I'm going to try to keep this spoiler-free. I can see why some readers were angry, but I actually wasn't. Partly because I was annoyed with the main characters and had started to feel an emotional distance from them. Partly because I was prepared. I didn't have it spoiled for me, but I knew something big and bad was coming, so I think I prepared myself for that unconsciously. And finally, I like books with sad endings. One of my favourite books I read in english class was Ethan Frome, which has one of the most depressing endings I can think of.So some combination of these meant no anger, no throwing the book across the room, no screaming and, amazingly, no tears. That truly is amazing. I cry during sad country songs I've heard a hundred times (like Holes in the Floor of Heaven and Don't Take the Girl).

Overall, I though Allegiant was ok. I definitely felt like this series slipped downhill as it progressed. On it's own, I didn't think Allegiant was anything that special, but the series overall is still worth reading. Divergent is still one of my favourite books.

Find the Book:
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Find the Author:
Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | Web

Don't Just Take My Word For It:
Burning Impossibly Bright | Novel Heartbeat | Happy Indulgence