Talk Nerdy Book Blog

TagDystopian

Wings of the Walker (The Walker, #1) by CoraLee June

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
February 15, 2018
W

Series: The Walker

Release Date: December 15, 2017

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Josiah Stonewell dug his hands into the filthiest parts of my soul and molded a perfect little Walker. I don’t know the exact moment I fell in love with him, but I do know that if anyone found out about our lingering stares, it would end his political career.

Josiah’s unexpected engagement has me squinting down the barrel of heartbreak, and to make matters worse; I find myself traded to Cyler Black and his leadership council in a distant Providence.

Soon, Cyler and his team of passionate leaders start to feel like family, and I’m promised freedoms I never imagined were possible; But Josiah’s not through with me yet, and war is on the horizon. Can I find happiness in my new home? Or will Josiah finally choose me?

This is a slow-burn reverse harem romance and the first book in the series.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Indentured servitude
• Fatal virus
• Death
• Abduction
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• Does have OW/OM
– Heroine is in love with her childhood best friend (and, now, owner)
– One of the Hero’s has an ex-lover who he’s still in contact with
– The sister of one of the Heroes is (unrequited-ly) in love with one of the Heroes
• Does have the Heroes and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Heroes and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

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Branded (Sinners, #1) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

By Sarah
In 1-star, Book Review
November 2, 2017
B

Series: Sinners

Release Date: June 27th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Fifty years ago The Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society.

To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
The heroine, Lexi, is branded and convicted of Lust which results in her continued victimization in the Hole, where she is faced with:
• Threat of Rape
• Attempted Rape
• Torture and violence
• Gaslighting
• Psychological abuse
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 1/5 stars

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Black City (Black City, #1) by Elizabeth Richards

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
December 6, 2014
B

Series: Black City

Release Date: November 13th, 2012

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tension between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-old Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable – they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed – but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their dreams.

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Drug abuse
• Oppression
• Torture
• Attempted rape
• Gruesome death
• Violence
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• Does have OW drama
– The OW is the true soulmate to the Hero–the Heroine had a heart transplant when she was younger… she received the OW’s heart, which made it seem like the Heroine and Hero were soulmates.
– The Hero is then confused whether he should be with the Hero or Heroine
• Kinda has cheating
– After finding out about the OW being the Hero’s true soulmate, he kisses the OW
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

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The Selection, A Series by Kiera Cass

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Series Review
October 3, 2014
T

About the Series

The Selection series has been an awesome adventure and started out as a girl already in love being forced to participate in a competition she wanted nothing with. But throughout these three books, we’ve witnessed America stand her ground for what she believes in, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and truly find herself.

The Selection is a series to read again, and lucky us, Kiera Cass is releasing a companion series, continuing America’s story through her daughter in The Heir.

The review of the series includes reviews on each of the following books (listed in order of release):

Note: The review of the second and third books may discuss spoilers from the first (and second) book(s).

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Reboot, A Series by Amy Tintera

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Series Review
September 25, 2014
R

About the Series

If you like reverse-gender roles (the heroine is the physical badass, while the hero is the one who possesses EQ) and complex heroines, this is the series for you!

The Reboot series uniquely employs the Romeo and Juliet trope by having the heroine be the most accomplished Reboot while the hero is the least impressive (and most human) Reboot. The action, conspiracies, and slow-burn romance make Reboot and its sequel, Rebel, page-turners.

The review of the series includes reviews on each of the following books (listed in order of release):

Note: The review of the second book may discuss spoilers from the first book.

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The Queen of The Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1) by Erika Johansen

By Sarah
In 5-stars, Book Review
September 24, 2014
T

Series: The Queen of the Tearling

Release Date: October 31st, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Kelsea Gylnn is the sole heir to the throne of Tearling but has been raised in secret by foster parents after her mother – Queen Elyssa, as vain as she was stupid – was murdered for ruining her kingdom. For 18 years, the Teraling has been ruled by Kelsea’s uncle in the role of Regent however he is but the debauched puppet of the Red Queen, the sorceress-tyrant of the neighbouring realm of Mortmesme. On Kelsea’s 19th birthday, the tattered remnants of her mother’s guard – each pledged to defend the queen to the death – arrive to bring this most un-regal young woman out of hiding …

And so beings her journey back to her kingdom’s heart, to claim the throne, earn the loyalty of her people, overturn her mother’s legacy and redeem the Tearling from the forces of corruption and dark magic that are threatening to destroy it. But Kelsea’s story is not just about her learning the true nature of her inheritance – it’s about a heroine who must learn to acknowledge and live with the realities of coming of age in all its insecurities and attractions, alongside the ethical dilemmas of ruling justly and fairly while simply trying to stay alive …

The Queen of the Tearling introduces readers to a world as fully imagined and terrifying as that of The Hunger Games, with characters as vivid and intriguing as those of The Game of Thrones, and a wholly original heroine. Combining thrilling action and twisting plot turns, it is a magnificent debut from the talented Erika Johansen.

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Slavery
• Torture (including that of a child)
• Murder
• Assassination
• Death
• Rape
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Allusions to sex
• Discussion of drugs
• Allusion to abortion
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 5/5 stars

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The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1) by Rick Yancey

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
September 3, 2014
T

Series: The 5th Wave

Release Date: May 7th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker.

Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother-or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Violence (Blood and gore)
– Weapon violence
– Gang violence
• Death (of parents and children)
• Death camps
• Separation (abandonment) from loved ones
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Cursing
• Allusions to sex, but (see below)
• Sexual activity doesn’t go beyond kissing
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

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The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
August 11, 2014
T

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 8th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world … if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time – a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated in a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking – and a must-read novel of the year.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Asian biracial main character
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Deathly mosquito virus
• Death
• Murder
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Sex
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

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