Pages: 296
Publication date: October 22, 2013

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

How I got the copy: from Spencer Hill Press for review (Thank you!)

Rating:  3 Stars
  

     
  

From Goodreads:

A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.

At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.

The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.

If they play it right, then they'll be safe.

But if they play it wrong, they'll die.

    I won't lie.  My first thought about rating this was one star.  But after really thinking about what I didn't like in this story I could only come up with one thing that would push me to rate it one star.  And that is the main character Cheyenne.  Oh how I wanted to shake her into reality.

Cheyenne had Bella Syndrome.  She's blindly in love and doesn't care about anyone else except her lover.  When she's kidnapped she's not concerned that he used chloroform on her.  When he pushes her she thinks she deserves it.  She doesn't even care about her mom dying from the virus or being eaten alive.  And sadly, I could go on.  I thought once she realized Teo was a bad person she'd stop liking him.  But no.  He still gave her the tingly swoons.  And I could have respected her if she still cared about him after he shows his true colors.  I mean they did sort of date(ish) for a year so of course she would want him to get better right?  Wrong.  She doesn't care about him at all, but yet she still wants to make babies with him.  Oh and now she wants to make babies with another character too. On top of that, the world has ended and all she can think about is who she wants to kiss more.  I tend to like character development more than plot development so when I don't like a character it makes me not like the book.  So while I recognize Cheyenne had to have these flaws for there to be conflict in the plot I just couldn't get past her personality.   

If Cheyenne hadn't been the main character I think I would have rated this four or five stars.  The plot was phenomenal.  The idea of each couple being a tragic literary couple was brilliance.  I loved watching their stories unfold like the original stories.  Zombies were reinvented in this story and the world was really creepy.  The only complaint I have is that the ending felt really rushed and like it was too convenient how it all wrapped up.  [Highlight for spoiler] plus why wouldn't their parents try to save them?  That didn't seem realistic.

Marcus was another part of the book that made me want to rate this higher.  He had a lot of layers and was sweet.  It was awesome to see the nice guy getting some attention for once (even if it's only after the hot one turns evil).  And he seemed realistic.  He had some skeletons in his closet.  

What I really loved was Teo.  He was so sick and twisted and unlike any other villain I've ever read.  I didn't love him like I love Warner from Shatter Me.  But it's more I was just shocked by his pure evilness.  Literally no character was safe from Teo's wrath and the anticipation and suspense of who he would attack next kept me on the edge of my seat.  

Pages: 365
Publication date: May 7, 2013

Publisher: Harper Teen

How I got the copy: Won 

Rating:  4 Stars
  

     

From Goodreads:

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).
Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.
The perfect soldier is done taking orders.

    There was this void in me ever since I read The Immortal Rules that was dying for another kickass heroine that didn't need saving from any guy.  Reboot finally filled that void and did it while providing laughter and suspense too.  

    Wren, One Seventy Eight, was such a fun character.  She's this short blonde thing, but she's also deadly lethal.  She was really complex because she was dead so long before she rebooted that she's hardly human anymore.  Yet when she does start feeling more emotions it was so easy  to connect with her and like her.  Although it was hilarious when she didn't get why Callum, Twenty-two, thought she was strange/funny at times.  Here's an example:

"Try not to scream when I break your bones. It bothers me. You can cry if you want; that's fine."
He burst out laughing. I didn't realize that was a funny statement.
"Got it," he said, trying unsuccessfully to cover his grin. "Screaming, no. Crying, yes.".  -Reboot

   Their chemistry was palpable.  Callum was adorable in a...I want to pinch your cheeks...kind of way.  There were times I wished he wasn't such a wimp, but I like that the author stayed true to his character.  He was from the richer part of town so it made sense that he might not have had to fight much in his human life. Their dynamic reminded me of Allison and Zeke from The Immortal Rules so much.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  

   The world building wasn't necessarily lacking, but I just wished there was more of it.  I wanted to know about what happened when the virus spread.  It seemed very rushed when it's explained and I didn't really understand how the world went from what we live in today to her world.  Hopefully book two goes more in depth.

    My only annoyance was that all the main reboots had different numbers and that seemed oddly convenient.  No one else woke up at the same time? I understand that would be confusing...just sayin'. 

   If you're looking for lots of action, a little humor, a strong chemistry, and an original concept this is definitely a book for you.  Even if none of that sounds appealing I'd still recommend it that's how much I enjoyed it.    

“Want to dance?" He scooped me into his arms before I could reply. "We have music this time. And I don't have to punch you when we finish."

"You don't have to. But if I step on your feet too many times you can feel free.” 
― Amy Tintera, Reboot

Pages: 336
Publication date: October 4, 2011

Publisher: Harper Teen

How I got the copy: Bought (Hardcover)

Rating:  3 Stars
  

     

From Goodreads:

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her. 

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Plot: 5/10

Characters: 5/10

Setting: 5/10

Pacing: 6/10

Style: 7/10

Cover:  The colors drew me to the book right away.  I especially love the font and the way that it looks like the girl is running.  But I'm confused why the bridge doesn't have cars on it.

28+50=78 (3 Stars)

     My first thought upon finishing this book?  Crap, now I have to buy the rest of the books in this trilogy.  I find this funny for two reasons. 1. I didn't even want to read/buy the first book. and 2. For the first 100 or so pages of this book I hated the main character.  But somewhere along the lines I became engrossed in this story and captured by the suspense.  I couldn't stop reading.  

     Eve is frustrating at first because she is so naive.  It makes sense and I'm glad the author was true to the character, but there were so many times I wanted to reach through the pages and shake some sense into her.  I was so relieved when she realized her mistakes and I even cheered when she finally grew some courage.  

     Caleb was a great addition to the story, but that's all he really was.  Just an addition.  I kinda wish it had been split POV between the two of them because I felt he had a lot to tell and I wanted to know him more.  I also thought it would be nice to see what the world was really like through his eyes since Eve is so sheltered in the beginning.

     The world building is really interesting in this one.  I was having trouble with it because I found holes in the logic of it, but once I got past that I realized it was an interesting idea and just let my hesitations go.  I liked that the author took literature examples and twisted them to fit what the king wanted the girls to think.  Like how "Romeo seduced Juliet and led her to her death" because he wanted the girls to fear all men.  I hope book two and three explain more about this world and how the plague started it's destruction.

     If you like Delirium, The Host, Uglies, or Article 5 you should try this book.  And the best part is that all three books are already out so we don't have to wait to continue reading!  This one definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath, and wanting more.