Review: Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Date Read: January 26th, 2013
Date Published: October 11th, 2012
Publishers: Corgi
Format: Paperback
Pages: 397
Blurb: 
For fans of Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.
Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.


Review: 
I really liked this book. It was definitely different and not like any I'd read before. I got into it right from the beginning and it kept me up until the early hours of the morning.

Aria lives in the Aeries above Manhattan which is flooded due to global warming. She has a great life and is to be married to Thomas, the son of her opposing family. The two families hope that their union will unite the two. Except Aria can't remember ever falling in love with Thomas and she doesn't quite believe the things that are being said to her. But when a Mystic shows up, beings with strange powers that live in the depths, she begins to realize that not everything is what it seems.

Right from the start I connected with Aria and who she was as a character. She was strong, both in mind and determination and she was different to her parents. I love characters that go against what's set out for them. If I had her parents I don't think I'd have the courage to stand up to them. They were scary at times, especially her dad.

Hunter, our beloved Mystic is oh-so-nice! I'd love to have a book from his point of view, even if it's just a novella, a prequel, because he is an interesting character. He'll do anything for Aria and it's sweet how connected they are. On the other hand we have Thomas who does have his moments but I don't want to give away too much.

I kind of guessed how the story would go but there were still some shocks in store for me. After the first 100 pages it really gets going and I found it hard to put it down. That's when you know a book is good. That you risk looking like a zombie for the rest of the day after a sleepless night.

Overall a great read that I would recommend to those who like the mystical and unique side to YA.

Review: Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Date Read: January 22^nd, 2013

Date Published: June 12^th, 2012

Publishers: Egmont USA

Format: Hardback

Pages: 325

Blurb: A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard was never supposed to be able to see ripples - cracks in time. Are his powers expanding, or is something very wrong? Before he can find out, Jonathan landers, the man who tried to murder is father, reappears. Why is he back, and what, or whom, does he want?

In the wake of Landers' return, the Hourglass organization is given an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the people who might carry the time gene, or time will be altered - with devastating results for the people Kaleb loves most.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Landers. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

Review:

NO! Books should not be allowed to end like that; it's it cruel because now I have to wait to find out how it ends. But that was amazing, just as good as the first, if not better in some ways. This not it isn’t Emma’s POV that we see the world from, it’s Kaleb’s and it was enjoyable. I feel that we got to understand him more as a character and I enjoyed it because I liked him anyway, now I love him. I know that everyone is obsessed with Em and Michael but Kaleb is just as big a character as they are.

It carries on where Hourglass left off and they’re in a lot of trouble. Everyone can now see the rips and they’re getting stronger. Everyone is scared and it’s all because of Jack Landers. They know they have to stop him but they have to find him first. Kaleb has a lot of questions and not a lot of answers but he’s about to find out.

Kaleb is a sweet heart. Yes, he’s your typical bad boy with the tattoos and muscle but underneath all that he a great guy who cares deeply about Em and her best friend Lily. From the start of this book we know something will happen with them and I like them together. She’s good for him and I don’t think Kaleb should be with Em anyway. 

Kaleb’s ability to feel emotions and take them is interesting and we find out more about it in this book, some of it is shocking indeed but that’s what I loved. That I didn’t know what was happening, who was good, who was bad, and now more than ever I want to find out some answers.

Lily’s amazing, I want her as a best friend. She’s confident, sassy and isn’t afraid to get what she wants. And when she’s with Kaleb we see her for who she really is and it was great. We find out a bit more about her background which was great and about her ability. Lily and Kaleb compliment each other so well; it was great reading about them.

I couldn’t put this down from the moment I started it. I kept wanting to read to find out more and I like the short chapters because it makes the pace quicken and I feel like I’m flying through the pages. I cannot wait to read Infinityglass, even if it is being rewritten and may have a later release date. I’m just as excited.