May Recap

If you haven't been obsessively keeping tabs on our blog, I must say I'm neither surprised nor upset. So here are some posts of note from May, just in case you missed them ;D

Gabbi's review of A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty

Charlotte's review of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Gabbi's review of Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Charlotte's review of Sam Cruz's Infallible Guide to Getting Girls by Tellulah Darling

Charlotte's review of Falling Fast by Sophie McKenzie

Gabbi's review of The Bane by Keary Taylor

Gabbi's review of School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Charlotte's review of Slated by Teri Terry

Gabbi's review of Golden by Jessi Kirby

Top ten books when I need something light and fun.

That's about it. Been a crazy month. I (Gabbi) finished up my junior year. AHH! I'll be a senior in high school next year! I've developed a new obsession with Doctor Who. And, oh yeah, I'm leaving for New York on Thursday! When I get back, I start this summer school volunteer program where I help elementary kids that are considered "at risk" for falling behind. 

Don't worry, though. This month will still have lots of goodies on the blog! 

Book Review: The Bane by Keary Taylor

The Bane by Keary Taylor

Series: The Eden Trilogy #1

Genre: YA Apocalyptic

Publication Date: June 6, 2011

Publisher: Independently Published

Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Source: Received for review via Netgalley

Before the Evolution there was TorBane: technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter. It had the ability to grow new organs and limbs, to heal the world. Until it evolved out of control and spread like the common cold. The machine took over, the soul vanished, and the Bane were born. The Bane won't stop until every last person has been infected. With less than two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction.

Eve knows the stories of the Evolution, the time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. But she doesn't need memories to know this world is her reality. This is a world that is quickly losing its humanity, one Bane at a time.

Fighting to keep one of the last remaining human colonies alive, Eve finds herself torn between her dedication to the colony, and the discovery of love. There is Avian and West – one a soldier, one a keeper of secrets. And in the end, Eve will make a choice that will change the future of mankind.

The Bane is The Terminator meets The Walking Dead with a heart-twisting romance.

Previously published as Eden, due to reader demand it has been revamped and rereleased as The Bane: book one in The Eden Trilogy. (Summary from Goodreads.com)

I'll admit, I was definitely hesitant to read this book at first, despite the fact that I requested this on NetGalley. I know that the whole apocalypse angle is one that needs to be approached carefully. And naturally, I'm weary of independently published books--I'm never really sure what to expect. But the concept sounded interesting, so I jumped in. I really am glad I did. Taylor has created a great book with a non-stop plot and fleshed out characters.

Though she blacks out quite a lot, Eve is a pretty tough girl. Okay, really tough. And she's always eager to throw herself into dangerous situations (if she thinks it will be beneficial to those around her). I'm not saying she's perfect. There were quite a few things about her that annoyed me, but all in all, I enjoyed being inside of her head. I liked that alongside the boy dilemma, she faced a moral dilemma. She knew that trying to juggle 2 guys wasn't right and she told both of them there could be no fraternizing until she made a decision. Avian and West are both great guys, and I was legitimately unsure at times who she was going to pick. There were different things about both boys that made Eve like them and I wasn't sure which she actually loved. I was pleased with her decision.

I think everything in this story was really thought-out. The characters' histories, the plot, the Banes. It was definitely an interesting world and I loved seeing how different the people in other areas lived.

And what good would an apocalypse be without some action? I really only like action when it is written well. Otherwise, my eyes just kind of skim the words and my brain floats off to a faraway land of unicorns and daffodils. Taylor writes some pretty epic stuff. The kind of action that carries the weight of the world on its shoulder, the kind with tension and fear and blood. There were certainly no unicorns or daffodils in my head while reading this.

Basically, this is a book that I enjoyed and I think you will too--if you're not completely worn out by apocalyptic and dystopian books.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Liked More Than Expected

1) Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - Okay, I've loved the ID series since the first word but I never, and I mean never, expected to be flipped so up, down, diagonally by this book. 

2) Don't Let Me Go by J.H. Trumble - I feel like this book is on almost all of my TTT posts. I can't help it; it's amazeballs. I read it almost 2 years ago and I'm still gushing about it, so that must tell you something. You can read my (very old) review for elaboration on my love for it.

3) Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen - Going into this book (and even still) I wasn't very informed on the tale of Robin Hood, but boy did I fall in love. Once again, I read this over a year ago and I have not lost my love for it. My review (another old one).

4) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - I'd heard amazing things about this book, but I'd never experienced John Green before and all the hype made me want to dislike it. I could have never anticipated the profound love of this book I acquired. My review.

5) Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Oh my. I remember I was on a really bad reading drought. I just couldn't find anything I loved, but Cath Crowley did more than give me a book to love, she allowed me to fall in love with reading all over again. I didn't even like contemp novels at that time (funny, because I ADORE contemp now), but this book...The outpouring of my love.

6) Hushed by Kelley York - This is different than the typical YA book, that is for darn tootin'! My review.

7) The Bane by Keary Taylor - This one is actually a pretty recent read, as in I read it last week. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by a very interesting plot.

8) Zero by Tom Leveen - This book was so authentic. From awkward first-meetings to stupid mistakes and hulking insecurities. The review.

9) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez - Tons of people said this book was AHMAZING but it didn't sound like...super fantabulosa. Well it was. It was emotional and had GREAT characters. In which I demand people read it.

10) The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace - This is another recent read, and therefore it is still an open wound. It sounded interesting enough, but I never ever expected to feel so connected to the characters and their story. ALL THE FEELZ are still with me even after about a week or two after reading it. 

1) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - The blurb does it no justice and I didn't think I'd enjoy it at all but so many people recommended it and now I'm OBSESSED!

2) Star-Crossed by Rachael Wing - It's in second person, short and sweet, sooooo good!

3) Blood Red Road by Moira Young - I was put off by how it was written at first and was worried I wouldn't enjoy it but I reeeeeeally did!

4) Forsaken by Jana Oliver - I dislike third person but adore this series!

5) Shadows by Paula Weston - It just didn't appeal to me but I can honestly say I enjoyed it.

6) Hollowland by Amanda Hocking - The blurb is LAME! It should NOT exist!!!!!!! The book (and sequel) is amazing!! A must read!

These are all I can think of for now...

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Finished: 

That Time I Joined the Circus by J.J. Howard - Gabbi

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

The Bane by Keary Taylor - Gabbi

The Truth About You and Me by Amanda Grace - Gabbi

Masquerade by Cambria Hebert - Nova

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Nova

Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton - Nova

On the chopping block: 

The Blood Keeper by Tessa Gratton - Gabbi

A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty - Gabbi

Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari - Nova

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - Nova

Waiting in line: 

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler - Gabbi

All of The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare - Nova
Defiance by C.J. Redwine - Nova