Book Review: The One by John Marrs

The One

by John Marrs

Published:
March 1, 2018

Publisher:
Hanover Square Press

Source:
Audiobook
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Book Summary:

How far would you go to find The One?

A simple DNA test is all it takes. Just a quick mouth swab and soon you’ll be matched with your perfect partner—the one you’re genetically made for. 

That’s the promise made by Match Your DNA. A decade ago, the company announced that they had found the gene that pairs each of us with our soul mate. Since then, millions of people around the world have been matched. But the discovery has its downsides: test results have led to the breakup of countless relationships and upended the traditional ideas of dating, romance and love. 

Now five very different people have received the notification that they’ve been “Matched.” They’re each about to meet their one true love. But “happily ever after” isn’t guaranteed for everyone. Because even soul mates have secrets. And some are more shocking than others… 

A word-of-mouth hit in the United Kingdom, The One is a fascinating novel that shows how even the simplest discoveries can have complicated consequences.

Purchase At:

Amazon | Audible | B&N 

My Thoughts:

The One was an enthralling story with a unique and intriguing premise!  What if a DNA test could detect our perfect match or soulmate?  I listened with Audible to this highly entertaining, fast-paced, light science-fiction thriller.

We get five main characters, each telling their unique story in relation to Match Your DNA.  It was difficult at first keeping track of five different characters, their perfect matches, as well as secondary characters in each of their stories.  I usually prefer no more that three points of view in a story. However, I liked that each character had their own narrator, and each track was a different character.  The author gave us five different stories, which he rotated in a specific order, and eventually, I was able to keep track of everyone.

We learn early on that everything isn't as easy, happy, and cut and dry as you would think it would be, when finding your perfect DNA match.  Some of these characters are already in committed relationships.  What if your "one" is much older or younger than you, deceased, terminally ill, a serial killer, or the same sex as you are, when you don't consider yourself gay?  These are scenarios that play out with our characters, as well as thought provoking questions about morality.

The pacing of this story was super fast, which I appreciated!  This was due to short chapters, with a mini cliffhanger or exciting revelation at the end of each chapter.  The One was not a character driven story, as we don't really delve deep into who each character is.  The information we get about them is very surface level.  I would instead classify this story as plot driven.

The One was not my typical read, but it was chosen as my book club's read for the month of March, and I was excited to venture out of my comfort zone.  I ended up enjoying this story so much, and was excited to learn that it's coming to Netflix!  If you enjoy light science fiction thrillers, with a lot of excitement, and entertainment, I would recommend checking out the audible book of, The One, by John Marrs!

About the Author:

John Marrs is the author of The One, The Good Samaritan, When You Disappeared, Her Last Move and Welcome to Wherever You Are. 

A former freelance journalist based in London, England, he spent twenty-five years interviewing celebrities from the world of television, film and music for national newspapers and magazines until becoming a full-time author in 2018. 

He has written for publications including the Guardian’s Guide and Guardian Online, Total Film, Huffington Post, Empire, Q, GT, the Independent, S Magazine and Company. 

His books have been translated into twenty different languages and The One is soon to be a major new Netflix series.

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Book Review: The Sound of the Stars by Alechia Dow

The Sound of Stars
By: Alechia Dow
Release Date: February 25, 2020
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Source: eARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review
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Don’t miss this spectacular debut novel… Can a girl who risks her life for books and an alien who loves forbidden pop music work together to save humanity? This road trip is truly out of this world! A beautiful and thrilling read for fans of Marie Lu and Veronica Roth.

Two years ago, a misunderstanding between the leaders of Earth and the invading Ilori resulted in the deaths of one-third of the world’s population.

Seventeen-year-old Janelle “Ellie” Baker survives in an Ilori-controlled center in New York City. Deemed dangerously volatile because of their initial reaction to the invasion, humanity’s emotional transgressions are now grounds for execution. All art, books and creative expression are illegal, but Ellie breaks the rules by keeping a secret library. When a book goes missing, Ellie is terrified that the Ilori will track it back to her and kill her.

Born in a lab, M0Rr1S (Morris) was raised to be emotionless. When he finds Ellie’s illegal library, he’s duty-bound to deliver her for execution. The trouble is, he finds himself drawn to human music and in desperate need of more. They’re both breaking the rules for love of art—and Ellie inspires the same feelings in him that music does.

Ellie’s—and humanity’s—fate rests in the hands of an alien she should fear. M0Rr1S has a lot of secrets, but also a potential solution—thousands of miles away. The two embark on a wild and dangerous road trip with a bag of books and their favorite albums, all the while making a story and a song of their own that just might save them both. 

  

My Thoughts:

When I saw the beautiful book cover for The Sound of Stars, I knew this was a book that I wanted to read!  

When aliens invade earth, one-third of the population is killed, while the other two-thirds are rounded up and contained under the strict surveillance of the Ilori labmades.  Music, Art, and books are illegal.  People are not allowed to come and go or socialize with one another, except for during designated times and under careful surveillance.  The Ilori labmades are preparing the earth for the true Ilori to be able to land and survive in the atmosphere's conditions.  A vaccine is being prepared for humans, that will allow for the true Ilori to use their bodies as a way to "vacation" on earth.

MORr1S "Morris" is a labmade commander that has been tasked with the creation of the vaccine. He doesn't have any true power, as the Ilori labmades are second class citizens and the true Ilori are their masters.  Ilori are not suppose to have emotions.  Morris is different, because he was raised by a mother who encouraged him to embrace his feelings. 

Janelle "Ellie" Baker has a passion for books, and hid all of her family's favorites.  She has an illegal library, where she smuggles books to other humans with the help of her best friend, Alice.

Morris discovered music when he came to earth, and when he discovers Ellie's illegal library, he enlists her help in rounding up more hidden music for him to discover and enjoy.  He promises Ellie that he will keep her, Alice, and her family safe, if she helps him in his endeavor.  As these two connect over their passion for music and books, they find themselves in a dangerous predicament, and while they're racing against the clock to save humanity, they might just discover what it means to fall in love...

I loved the strong characterization of both Ellie and Morris.  I got a good sense of who they were, as well as what their hopes and fears were.  Ellie was courageous, resilient, a little awkward, and very intelligent.  I loved and connected with her passion for books, as well as her love and loyalty towards her best friend Alice, and her parents.  Morris was a wonderful character in his own right.  I enjoyed the way that he evolved as the story went on.  He realized that emotions weren't something to be ashamed of, but rather, were a sign of strength.  He was compassionate and caring, and I loved his excitement, exuberance, and passion for all types of music, as well as for Ellie.

It was a lot of fun reading about various musicians, and their songs.  David Bowie, The Beatles, Cold Play, Queen, and Beyonce were a few mentioned, and I got excited over each new artist/song mentioned.  I also loved hearing about different authors and stories, such as Pride and Prejudice, Corduroy, The Hate U Give, and Harry Potter.  Important societal issues were addressed such as climate change, and civil/human rights as well as racial inequality and discrimination.  

Where I struggled a bit was with the pacing of the plot.  The prologue was amazing, and had me so excited to delve in to the story.  Each new chapter has an interview or article about Ellie's favorite band, The Starry Eyed.  I was confused at first, because these excerpts didn't fit with the story and were distracting.  However, at the end of the story, the author connected and explained everything.  I think the plot needed more suspense and action to move the story along at a faster and more exciting pace. The ending was great and flew by!  We are left with a to be continued ending, but we get a few answers and aren't left with a crazy cliffhanger.

If you enjoy science-fiction, stories about aliens, romance, pop culture, and relevant societal issues, you might want to check out, The Sound of Stars by Alechia Dow!

Purchase At:

Amazon | Google | IndieBound | TBD

About the Author:

Alechia Dow is a former pastry chef, food critic, culinary teacher, and Youth Services librarian. When not writing about determined black girls (like herself), you can find her chasing her wild child, baking, or taking teeny adventures around Europe.

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Book Review: The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

The Future of Us

By:
Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Published:
Nov. 21, 2011

Publisher:
Razorbill

Source:
Purchased

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Goodreads

GR's Summary:

It's 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long—at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail, his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they're automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn't been invented yet. And they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future. 

By refreshing their pages, they learn that making different decisions now will affect the outcome of their lives later. And as they grapple with the ups and downs of what their futures hold, they're forced to confront what they're doing right—and wrong—in the present.

My Thoughts:

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler was such a fun story!  Those of you that were in high school during the 1990's need to read this book.  It is the perfect read if you're feeling nostalgic and want to reminisce about your teen years.

Josh and Emma grew up next door to one another.  They had always been best of friends, but six months ago everything changed between them.  They still casually hang out in a group at school with their good friends Kellan and Tyson, but they aren't as close as they used to be.  

Then, Emma gets a new computer from her father, and  Josh's mom sends him next door to give Emma an AOL CD to receive 50 hours of free internet.  However, when Emma logs on to her new computer, it takes her onto a website that she's never heard about before; Facebook.  On Facebook, it is no longer 1996, but 2011.  At first, Emma and Josh think someone is pranking them.  However, after further investigation, they realize that Facebook is not a prank, and is indeed revealing fifteen years into their future.  

Soon after, Emma becomes obsessed with having the perfect future.  Josh and Emma realize with every action, there is a ripple effect or consequence.  As Emma keeps doing things to try to improve her future, she only seems to be making it worse, while Josh is excited to see that his appears to be everything that he could possibly want.  As Emma and Josh begin to change their present circumstances, they learn what is most important in their lives and how to live in the present.

The Future of Us took me back to the days when I was living at home with my siblings and parents, and dreaming about becoming an adult.  What would my husband be like?  What career would I have?  Would I be happy?  The future was bright, and the possibilities were endless.  It's ironic that now, I look back on my teenage years and feel nostalgic.  I think about my innocence, lack of responsibilities, and my friendships.  As I get older, I find myself reminiscing about the good ole' days.  As a teen, I was in such a hurry to grow up, but as an adult, I realize how special and fleeting  youth was. 

Mr. Asher and Ms. Mackler did an excellent job of taking me back to the 90's.  So many pop culture references made me feel as though I was traveling to my past.  These authors nailed the technology, music, and general lifestyle of the late 1990's.  I appreciated the two main themes in the story.  One was to live in and appreciate the present, and the other was that sometimes we take the most important things in our lives for granted.  We need to appreciate what we have, because if we don't, we just might lose it.   

Josh and Emma were both great characters.  The authors nailed the teen voice perfectly.  Josh was a sweet heart.  I thought he was a wonderful friend, and I loved reading from his point of view.  Emma came off as a bit self-centered, but she didn't mean to be.  I think she was unaware of how her actions effected others.  I enjoyed watching her mature and grow as a character.  I also loved the secondary characters Kellan and Tyson.  Kellan was optimistic, bubbly, loyal and kind.  Tyson was goofy, fun, a very loyal friend, and a typical teenage boy.

My Rating:

The Future of Us was a quick read, and a really fun book to get lost in.  I recommend it to those of you who grew up in the late 1990's, and would like to take a walk down memory lane.  This story was unique, and I really enjoyed the fresh concept.  I give, The Future of Us, by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, 4 A Glimpse into the Future, Best Friends, Growing Up, and Learning What's Most Important Filled Stars!!!  

  

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

About Jay Asher:

Except for six months in Wyoming, I've lived my entire life in California. It was during those six months in Sheridan, Wyoming that I came up with the idea for Thirteen Reasons Why. I've worked at an independent bookstore, a chain bookstore, an outlet bookstore, and two public libraries. Before those jobs, I worked at a shoe store, a trophy shop, and an airline. My very first writing award earned me a free fruit smoothie every day for a year. I've won a lot of awards since then, but that one tasted the best!

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About Carolyn Mackler:

Carolyn Mackler is the author of the popular teen novels, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (A Michael L. Printz Honor Book), Tangled, Guyaholic, Vegan Virgin Valentine, and Love and Other Four-Letter Words. Carolyn’s novel, The Future of Us, co-written with bestselling author Jay Asher, received starred reviews and appeared on several bestseller lists. Carolyn’s novels have been published in more than twenty countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Denmark, Israel, and Indonesia. 

Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two young sons. Her seventh novel for teens, The Infinite in Between, will be published in September 2015. Her first middle grade novel, Best Friend Next Door, will be published in May 2015.

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Blog Tour: The Next Together (The Next Together #1) by Lauren James

The Next Together

By:
Lauren James

Published:
Sept. 3, 2015

Publisher:
Walker

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Source:
ARC from the publisher for a honest review

Purchase At:
Amazon

Book Summary:

How many times can you lose the person you love?

Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again, century after century. Each time, their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated. 

Spanning the Crimean War, the Siege of Carlisle and the near-future of 2019 and 2039 they find themselves sacrificing their lives to save the world. But why do they keep coming back? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace? 

Maybe the next together will be different... 

A powerful and epic debut novel for teenagers about time-travel, fate and the timelessness of first love. The Next Together is told through a mixture of regular prose, diary entries, letters, "original" historical documents, news reports and internet articles.

My Thoughts:

The Next Together was an excellent debut by author Lauren James.  This story flew by, and I didn't want to put it down for even a few minutes.  The author used a variety of written media to give the story an authentic feel to it.  We get everything from diary entries, maps, and notes, to emails, blog posts, and descriptions of audio and video.  The way that Ms. James broke up the story was brilliant!  She alternates with short passages the stories of four different lifetimes where Katherine and Matthew co-existed, fell in love, and strived to make the world they lived in a better place.  

The four time periods that we read about are Carlisle England in 1745 where the "Jacobites" are trying to overthrow England, The 1854 Crimean War, 2019 where Matthew and Katherine are trying to destroy biological weapons, and 2039 where that are both University students.  In each of these time periods, initially Matthew and Katherine aren't aware that they lived before.  However, they experience deju-vu, dreams that feel like memories, and feel like they've known and loved each other forever.  While each of these stories alternates, they are all told chronologically from beginning to end.

Regardless of what time period Matthew and Katherine were in, their personalities shined, and as the reader I got to know the essence of what made them who they were.  I loved both of these characters.  Matthew was conservative, serious, sweet, dependable, big-hearted, and not much of a risk-taker.  Katherine was outgoing, cheeky, fun, liked taking risks, and was really good at getting Matthew to loosen up, joke around, and do things that he wouldn't normally do.

The Next Together brought parts of history to life, and made me contemplate the future and the mysteries of the universe.  It is a story that will make you think about the possibility of soul mates, as well as if there is a larger reason for why we were put on this earth.  This story was vastly entertaining with its many plot-twists, conspiracies, high octane suspense, and sweet and tender romance.  

My one critique of the story was that I had questions at the end that were not answered.  However, since this is a series, I am hoping they will be addressed in the next installment.  I can't wait for book #2!!!

My Rating:

I give, The Next Together, by Lauren James, 4.5 Endless Love, Tender Moments, Destiny, Exciting, Pulse-Pounding, Suspense-Filled Stars! 

About Lauren James:

Lauren James is a scientist by day, writer by early hours of the morning. She graduated in 2014 with a first class Masters degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Nottingham, where she studied Chemistry and Physics. She now lives in the village of Berkswell in the UK. 

You can find her on Twitter at @Lauren_E_James, which she mainly uses to fancast actors as her characters and panic about all of the overly ambitious plans she has for her PhD, or her website at http://lauren-e-james.tumblr.com. 

She likes strong, intelligent women, Dylan O’Brien, and things with plants on them. 

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*Prize: Win (1) of (2) signed copies of THE NEXT TOGETHER by Lauren James (UK Only)

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Book Review: Kalahari (Corpus #3) by Jessica Khoury

Kalahari
Corpus #3

By:
Jessica Khoury

Published:
February 24, 2015

Publisher:
Razorbill

Add to Goodreads

Source:
Purchased

GR's Summary:

Deep in the Kalahari Desert, a Corpus lab protects a dangerous secret… 

But what happens when that secret takes on a life of its own? 

When an educational safari goes wrong, five teens find themselves stranded in the Kalahari Desert without a guide. It’s up to Sarah, the daughter of zoologists, to keep them alive and lead them to safety, calling on survival know-how from years of growing up in remote and exotic locales. Battling dehydration, starvation and the pangs of first love, she does her best to hold it together, even as their circumstances grow increasingly desperate. 

But soon a terrifying encounter makes Sarah question everything she’s ever known about the natural world. A silver lion, as though made of mercury, makes a vicious, unprovoked attack on the group. After a narrow escape, they uncover the chilling truth behind the lion’s silver sheen: a highly contagious and deadly virus that threatens to ravage the entire area—and eliminate life as they know it. 

In this breathtaking new novel by the acclaimed author of Origin and Vitro, Sarah and the others must not only outrun the virus, but its creators, who will stop at nothing to wipe every trace of it.

Corpus Series:

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My Take on This Journey:

Kalahari, by Jessica Khoury, is the third novel in the Corpus Series.  Ms. Khoury is at the top of her game in this dynamic, sensational, journey of a lifetime.  Not only has Ms. Khoury created a fast paced, and adventurous timeline, but she has also painted a phenomenal setting with a water color tapestry of vivid imagery.  The reader can  easily visualize these real life characters, and animals, who are sensationally brought to life.  

Ty has gone after poachers, but doesn't return.  Sarah, now realizes, (to her horror,) that she has to take these four quirky, melodramatic, sarcastic, overly pampered kids, through the Kalahari and all it's dangers using her lifelong survival training, in place of Ty.

Sarah is the daughter of famous Zoologist, and head researcher at Camp Acacia, Ty Carmichael.  As Sarah ventures in to the Kalahari, along with the four students, they don't realize, it will be a journey filled with brutal lessons in futility, starvation, dehydration, danger, and self preservation.  Each individual growing up a little more with every new obstacle that comes their way.

As Sarah is trying to get these students safely to Ghansi, so they can catch a plane and return home, she is also trying to track down her missing father.  Secrets are revealed in succession, answers to open-ended questions come full circle, until the catastrophic realities for the Kalahari, and entire world, are brought to the forefront.  Along the way, there is a budding romance that evolves between Sarah and Sam. (one of the students)

This was a phenomenal novel, written by a talented author with an amazing imagination, and it is obvious that Ms. Khoury has done her homework!  She describes every animal, bird, tree, reptile native to the Kalahari desert.  I do not usually read dystopian novels, but she has sold me now!  Don't miss out on this amazing  journey!  You will be rivited from the first page on.  I could not put this novel down.

I give Kalahari, by Jessica Khoury, 5 Outstanding life lessons, Thrilling, Mysterious, Magically Mystical Imagery filled Stars!

My Favorite Quote:

"People are like stars, but it's stories that turn us into constellations.  If we don't tell our stories, we burn alone in the dark." (Kindle, Pg. 205)

Casting by the Author:

"Sarah"

"Sam"

Book Teaser:

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | BAM!

About Jessica Khoury:

Jessica Khoury wrote her first book at age 4, a fan fic sequel to Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, which she scribbled on notebook paper, stapled together, and placed on the bookshelf of her preschool classroom. Since that day, she's dreamed of being an author. 

When not writing, Jess enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and traveling the world in search of stories and inspiration. 

Jess currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina. She is the author of Origin, Vitro, and forthcoming Kalahari.

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