PODs by Michelle K. Pickett

Genre:Dystopian, Sci-fi

Paperback: 312 pages

Published: June 4, 2013

Series: PODs

            1. PODs

            2. TBA

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul. 

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters. 

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure.

My Review:

Personal note: This is my first review in over three months. I was in school and dealing with finals so writing this review was exciting and refreshing. I apologize for taking so long to post another one, but life just gets in the way sometimes.  I can't believe I went three months without reading a book!! (well for fun that is) So lets get to the review shall we?

Yet another sci-fi dystopian novel that didn't capture my attention. Honestly, lately every single book that I have read has the same story line and it's starting to get boring. The girl in distress, it's the end of the world, prince charming comes to save the day and bla bla bla... I have yet to read a book that has truly captured my attention and made me jump with joy!

Reasons why I didn't enjoy this book and some things I just didn't get!

1. The book talks about a virus. Okay... what virus?? What is the name? How did it start? How was it created? Why is it affecting certain people and not the rest? I mean c'mon! How does a virus not have a name!? I mean we live in a society where we name our cars and we can't come up with a name for a virus! That is outrageous in my opinion. The book talks about lots of highly educated scientist and doctors and they can't come up with a name!? Pshhhh okay!

2. The main character wasn't someone I saw myself connecting with at all. At times  she felt very emotionless to me and I just didn't find that attractive in a main character. I mean she was part of a world that wasn't going to be there in a few days. She was leaving her family, friends, school, and everything she loved behind and she couldn't express her sadness. Plus her just accepting everything that was happening just didn't make sense. If I was in that situation I would definitely have been angry, sad and probably would have cried my eyes out.  

3. The POD system didn't make any sense to me. I mean why have all these underground PODs for kids who were smart and could run the world after the current world died. Why force these kids to be separated from their loved ones in order to keep the world going. Let the kids make the choice for themselves. If they are old enough to chose what to wear I definitely think they are old enough to decide if they want to sped their last moments with their loved ones.

Overall, this novel had an interesting promise, but for me it just left too many questions unanswered. The idea was good, but the execution fell short. I know this book is part of a series, but I will not be continuing on just because I honestly don't have any patience to see what happens next.  

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Genre: Apocalyptic 

Hardcover: 369 Pages

Published: October 2, 2012

Series: The Arcana Chronicles

            1. Poison Princess

            2. Endless Knight

            3. Dead of Winter

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

She could save the world—or destroy it.

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline "Evie" Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they're still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can't do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can't totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it's not always clear who is on which side.

My Review:

This is such a tough book to review because there is so much to like. I really liked the idea of the book, but the execution was poorly done. I loved the characters, but they became boring towards the middle of the book. And I loved watching the puzzle pieces fit together to get the entire picture of the plot. However, there were many problems that I faced while reading this book.

            First off, the idea as I said was mind boggling. The problem I had with this is that it got confusing. The setting is in a post-apocalyptic world with characters trying to survive by taking out each other. The parts about the Flash (before and after) were jumbled up that it took a while to figure out where the story was headed. 

            Secondly, the characters were fascinating. They each represented one of the major players in a deck of cards. I really liked this idea of jokers, queens, and kings and trying to figure out which character was what. This got me super interested in this book. However, the plot fell for me when some more characters were entered into the mix. In the beginning the characters were entertaining, but towards the middle they just got boring and bland. Another thing that annoyed the hell out of me was the love interest: Jackson. He was an arrogant, repulsive, whiskey drinking, abusive stalker who couldn't make up his mind on what he wanted. He was all over the place, from being nice to being a total douche bag.

            Overall, I think I would have really liked this book, but towards the middle I just lost interest. I didn't have the desire to want to keep reading. I find that if a book can keep my attention till the last half of the book then it definitely deserves more than three stars. However, this book only deserves two. 

Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Genre: Zombies

Paperback: 310

Published: July 2009

Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

            1. The Forest of Hands and Teeth

            2. The Dead-Tossed Waves

            3. The Dark and Hollow Places

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

            In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

My Review:

            This was my first time reading a Zombie book and I have to say I was not a happy camper. Basically, sometime in the future, the world is overrun by zombies called the 'Unconsecrated.' Mary lives in a village surrounded by the Forest of Hands and Teeth, where these unconsecrated are held and the village is ruled by fear to keep the people in check. However, when Mary discovers a very dangerous secret that should not be known things start to get interesting. Plus there is a romantic love interest that complicates Mary's life and adds a fascinating character to the mix.

            Although this book sounds promising and has a mysterious plot, I felt the beginning dragged on. The writing was okay, but lacked detail. So much so, that there were times when I wasn't sure where the action had oriented. I never felt like the setting was real or had any depth. I also found that I did not give a rats ass about the characters. Usually, when I read a book I like to feel connected to the characters at some point in the story. Instead I felt the characters lacked depth and the plot was all over the place. By the end my questions weren't answered and therefore, I have no desire to find out what happens to Mary. 

A Beautiful Evil #2 by Kelly Keaton

Genre: Mythology

Hardcover: 285 Pages

Published: February 21, 2012

Series: Gods and Monsters

            1. Darkness Becomes Her

            2. A Beautiful Evil

            3. The Wicked Within

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Myth and mayhem inhabit a richly reimagined New Orleans in this sequel to Darkness Becomes Her.After the epic graveyard battle at the end of Darkness Becomes Her, Ari and her friends know what they’re up against: Ari is facing the Medusa curse and is haunted by the image of what she will become. To make matters worse, the heinous goddess Athena has kidnapped young Violet and is threatening to destroy Ari. 

Ari, along with the superhot Sebastian, is doing everything she can to learn more about Athena and to get Violet back. But the battle of good and evil is bigger than she realizes, and she’s about to be pulled into a world more horrific than she could ever imagine....

My Review:

A Beautiful Evil picks up right where we left off. Ari, who is cursed to become a gorgon when she turns 21 is training to tap into her dormant powers so she can face Athena and rescue her friend Violet and her father. Ari has been fighting the Novem--the supernatural families that run New 2-- to let her research in their secret library to find a way to Athena's secret realm to break her curse.

            TBH, this is a very frustrating book to read. I was iffy to begin this book, given my conflicted thoughts about the first book and my low rating. All of my issues with book one have transformed to book two. The book started with an interesting beginning and captured my attention, however towards the middle I lost all interest. The characters seemed dull this time around and I had a hard time connecting with each of them. Like I said before a mix of supernatural and mythology is something I don't have a taste for and even though this book has an excellent idea the execution was done poorly. Overall, it was egh and I will not be continuing with this series.

Of Triton by Anna Banks

Genre: Mermaids

Hardcover: 246 Pages

Published: May 28, 2013

Series: The Syrena Legacy

            1. Of Poseidon

            2. Of Triton

            3. Of Neptune

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half-Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen's points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.

My Review:

This book did not please me at all. I was bored to death while reading this book and I can't help by compare it to the first one. The thing that annoyed me was the alternating point of views which didn't do the book any favors. The characters seemed to have lost their depth and weren't as interesting as they were in the first book. I was very indifferent towards the characters and their thoughts seemed to be all over the place. For example, after Emma's encounter with Mark she was thinking one thing then after she was thinking another. She wasn't analyzing the situation, but instead she was changing her mind all together.

            The story it self turned out to be complicated and uninteresting. I read the first book because of the topic of mermaids. I haven't read many books on mermaids and I was very excited to read this one. However, my expectations hit the floor after reading the first book. I read the sequel because I wanted to give this story another chance, but that didn't work out. If you like books that are simple and don't have a lot of depth then this is definitely a book for you. However, I just wasn't into it. 

Dreaming Awake #2 by Gwen Hayes

Genre: Mythology

Paperback: 336 Pages

Published: January 3, 2012

Series: Falling Under

            1. Falling Under

            2. Dreaming Awake

            3. TBA

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

She fell for him in a nighttime world. But the time for dreaming is past—and the here-and-now can be just as fragile their love…

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

Now Theia has returned to Serendipity Falls, and she finds herself struggling with the same deadly hungers that have tortured Haden. When students at their high school fall prey to a mysterious illness, Theia can’t help but wonder if Haden’s control is slipping—and how much longer she’ll have a grip on her own.

And still the nightmare realm of Under won’t let them go. Someone from Haden’s past is determined to destroy Theia from the inside out, starting with those closest to her, forcing Theia to choose between family and friends and a love that may have been doomed from the start…

My Review: 

To be honest I don't really know why I continued with the second book in this series since the first book was an epic fail for me. I'm sad to inform you all that I felt the same this time around. I don't know maybe I was bored or just needed something to read, but I read this book and I'm not really surprised at the lack of originality. I know many people liked this story, but for me the entire problem was in the originality of the story. There wasn't any.            

            First off, the story is based off of Hades and Persephone which I think is very much over used. The concept is pretty interesting and can be turned into something epic, but there has just been too many young adult books that are trying to pull this unique story off and just failing. Secondly, the female lead is a ditz. At times I was surprised at how stupid this girl was. You can't fall in love with someone in an instant. It takes time and patience to make a relationship work, but this chick was ridiculous. 

         Mostly my problem was with getting interested in this book. I tired my best to keep my eyes open and the story did get interesting about half way through the book. However, by that time I didn't feel like continuing with this series. Overall, it was just eghh. From what I have heard many people liked this series and I read some good reviews. So if this is the type of book you are interested in then definitely give it a try, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Paperback: 324 Pages

Published: March 1, 2011

Genre: Mythology 

Series: Falling Under

            1. Falling Under

            2. Dreaming Awake

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Review:

            There are four things that make a book good in my opinion. The storyline should be interesting enough to keep me hooked. The characters should be strong and independent willing to stand up for themselves. The writing style should be written to target the audience the story in being written for. Finally, the addictiveness of a book can basically make or break a story for me.

            In Falling Under, the storyline was catchy enough to get me to read the first book. I was hooked on the idea of dream sequencing and being able to meet the mysterious man that comes to me in my dreams. That is a pretty cool topic and definitely got me interested. The writing style is where things started to go downhill. The author used a lot of Jane Austen references and the story seemed like it was written for an old lady. I honestly didn't like how the writing was not written for the targeted audience, but instead it was complex and got confusing at times.

           

             The characters were a pain in the ass. They had no depth or creativity and because of this the book was a fail for me. I couldn't muster up any enthusiasm for the characters when they were acting like idiots. For example, when  Theia was suddenly in the underworld she wasn't surprised at all. She didn't freak out or get scared. Um...the initial reaction of someone who is magically taken to another dimension should freak the hell out and possible poop in their pants. But Theia just blinked her eyes like she was expecting this to happen. I found this to be ridiculous and that's why I give this book only two stars. 

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Genre: Mermaids

Hardcover: 324 Pages

Published: May 22, 2012

Series: The Syrena Legacy

            1. Of Poseidon

            2. Of Triton

            3. Of Neptune

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

My Review:

            It's official I am NOT A FAN OF MERMAIDS. So far I have read about two series with mermaids and I gotta say, "it ain't my cup of tea." The concept of mermaids is interesting, but the execution is done poorly. So far I am less than impressed with these sea creatures not because of the story, but because the author failed to keep the reader hooked.

            Of Poseidon tells the story of Emma, a girl who possesses a few mermaid traits, and is targeted by Galen, a Syrena (mermaid) Prince, who attempts to unravel her secrets. As the story continues Emma discovers that she has the gift of Poseidon (kind of like Dr. Dolittle's ability to speak to animals) but she cannot turn into a Syrena. So Galen and Emma start to spend time together to train and we all know what happens next: they fall madly in love and the two kingdoms don't want that to happen, there are fights, a jealous girl, and useless drama. So basically the usual Romeo and Juliet love affair. Overall, I give this book only two stars because of its lack of originality. I would have liked to see the story go a different way, but I was disappointed.  

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Genre: Contemporary

Paperback: 470 Pages

Published: October 25, 2010

Series: None

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

With this stunning debut novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver emerged as one of today's foremost authors of young adult fiction. Like Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Gayle Forman's If I Stay,Before I Fall raises thought-provoking questions about love, death, and how one person's life can affect so many others.

For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12—"Cupid Day"—should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is…until she dies in a terrible accident that night.

However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

My Review:

I have heard many good things about this book so I decided to give it a shot. After reading I'm a little disappointed at the ending. I didn't expect the ending to turn out the way it did because I was hoping for more of a happy ending. But I guess the author had other things in mind.

Samantha is a young high school student who is a total bully. She is one of those popular girls who don't care about hurting others feelings and think they are the best since they are on the top of the pyramid. One day all of Sam's glory, popularity, and life is gone in the blink of an eye when she has a terrible accident. In the accident she dies, but when she wakes up the next morning alive and breathing she dismisses the accident as a dream. But when she realizes she's reliving her day, her reality suddenly changes. As she relives her day, she tries to change certain situations to prevent herself from dying that night. Instead she dies again and wakes up the next morning. This cycle continues for the next seven days until Sam learns her lesson and accomplishes what fate has planned for her.

Overall, this book was ok. Not amazing as I thought it would be and the hype for this book was over exaggerated. One thing that annoyed me was how I had to read about her day over and over again. Everyday it was the same and the story got really boring. It wasn't until the last few chapters where things started to pick up. However, the ending was bogus and I ended up not liking this book since it seemed like I wasted my time reading when I already knew how the book would end.

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Genre: Sci-Fi

Paperback: 272 Pages

Published: May 14, 2009

Series: None

Rating: ★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

With a past too terrible to speak of, and a bleak, lonely future ahead of her, Aerin Renning is shocked to find she has earned a place at the most exclusive school in the universe. Aerin excels at Academy 7 in all but debate, where Dane Madousin, son of one of the most powerful men in the Alliance, consistently outtalks her. Fortunately Aerin consistently outwits him at sparring. They are at the top of their class until Dane jeopardizes everything and Aerin is unintentionally dragged down with him. When the pair is given a joint punishment, an unexpected friendship and romance begins to form. But Dane and Aerin both harbor dangerous secrets, and the two are linked in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. . . .

My Review:

            Academy 7 is a sci-fi/space opera kind of book. I have never encountered a book that is filled with space airplanes and interstellar alliances, rebellions on planets, beaten slaves, fierce generals, politics, tragedy, and arrogant girls. I would have never picked up this book had it not been advertised in such a manner that it seemed interesting. It's not really a good example of a young adult sci-fi novel, but it does include some sci-fi aspects.

Aerin Renning is an orphan girl with a mysterious past who is suddenly accepted into this prestigious institution (Academy 7). As she settles into her life she encounters Dane Madousin, the cocky son of a military general. As Dane and Aerin become sparring partners they realize they don't get along. Spending time together causes them to throw verbal blows as well as physical blows at each other. This is clearly just a set-up for a sad love-hate affair. They had no connection what so ever and I honestly didn't believe their fondness towards each other. To be honest, I don't really remember what the plot was about either. Actually I don't even know why I read this book. Overall, it could have been better, the romance could have been written realistically, and the characters were dull.

Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Hardcover: 416 Pages

Published: October 18, 2011

Series: None

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

My Review: 

            To be honest Scorpio Races was a very boring book. Don't get me wrong, the concept and the characters were interesting, but the book it self was just boring. Basically,  nothing happened. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. A third of the way through the book I was bored to tears because the plot wasn't going anywhere. It was building up to the actual races that takes place in the last 15 or so pages of the book. Ahhh. There was nothing in the plot to keep me interested, yet I continued to the end of the book.

            I couldn't even remember the main characters names or why they were so determined to participate in the Scorpio Races. The relationship between the two main characters seemed very off. I didn't buy the reasoning behind Sean's participating in the races and there wasn't a lot of romance. Since I am a huge fan of romance and there wasn't that much in this book, I didn't connect to any of the characters. Although this book wasn't it for me, I do know that there are others who really enjoyed this book. So if this is something that interests you as a reader then by all means I say give it a shot. Hopefully, you'll enjoy reading this book more than I did. 

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Genre: Magic

Paperback: 317 Pages

Published: November 8, 2011

Series: Magic Most Foul

1. Darker Still

2. The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie       Stewart

3. The Double Life of Incorporate Things

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

I was obsessed.

It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.

There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.

I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still.

My Review:

            What the heck!? The titles for the second and third book are preposterous!!! I mean its a mouth full: The Twisted Tragedy vyasdskjdslkjf'kdjfwijf... That right there is the first thing that makes me not want to continue reading this series! The first book was bad enough, but the titles just ruined this book for me! I don't even...I just.. WHAT!?

           

            Darker Still was fascinating for the first couple of chapters and then it started to go down hill for me. I liked the idea of a mute girl (an idea you don't see often so props for that!) who can jump into pictures and is able to speak. She meets a guy who has been trapped in a painting for hundreds of years and he finally has a chance to be free with her help. But of course life gets in the way and the bad guys ruin things. Bla...Bla...Bla.. However, I was totally turned off by the fact that the two main characters instantly fall in love. Like WTF!? How is that even possible? "Oh look a very handsome guy. I'm in love with him, yay let me merry him!" Um. No.

           

 (Thank You Elsa! The only Disney princess who actually has brains!)

      I am honestly so tired of this insta-love thing that all these authors are pulling. It is unrealistic and unappealing. I can't believe it has come to a point where I drop a book like its a dang hot potato because the main characters instantly fall in love. I would rather see cute scenes between characters and give them a little time to get to know each other, before they confess their undying love for each other. *Insert eye roll* Overall, this book was an okay read. If you look past the issues I guess you can eventually love this book, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. 

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Genre: Sci-fi

Paperback: 374 Pages

Published: February 7, 2012

Series: Under the Never Sky

            1. Under the Never Sky

            2. Through the Ever Night

            3. Into the Still Blue

Rating:★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

  

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

My Review:

            Let me start off by saying this is not a bad book. I think this book has a lot of potential and will appeal to a lot of people, but at the same time it turns me off. I was interested for the most part. The beginning started off to a good start, but after a few chapters I was struggling to keep up. I had no idea what the plot was leading to and I was loosing interest fast.

            Aria is living in a world where her people live in pods and fear the outside world. Her people spend most of their time in virtual reality Realms and one day Aria is exiled from her pod city, Reverie. She embarks on a journey with an outsider named Perry, to find her way back to her society. The premise is based on a futuristic approach where people are too busy to go out to the real world and explore. Instead they stay in virtual realms and waste their lives away. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this book isn't really a dystopian novel ( like most people are saying), instead it's more of a sci-fi kinda book. So if this is something that interests you then I suggest you check it out.