Future Release Review: Holding on to Zoe by George Ella Lyon

Title: Holding on to Zoe

Author: George Ella Lyon site

Format: eARC, 174 pages

Release Date: 7/07/2012

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux BYR (Macmillian)

Source: Netgalley

Challenges: Ebook Reading Challenge (hosted by Workaday Reads), Standalone Reading Challenge (hosted by Icey Books), and the Completely Contemp Challenge (hosted by Chick Loves Lit)

“After sixteen-year-old Jules has her baby, Zoe, it doesn’t matter anymore that her mother thinks she’s a drama queen, or that her father left them years ago, or even that Zoe’s father is gone, too. She and her baby make a family now; she doesn’t need anyone else in the world except Zoe. Though it's tough being a new mom, balancing Zoe’s needs with working at the Toyota factory and thinking about how to finish school, Jules is sure she’ll figure it out. Still, she wonders, why can’t anyone be happy for her and Zoe? And why does her mom refuse to believe that Zoe's real?”

-Goodreads

Basic Synopsis:

I don’t think I can top the Goodreads one.

Characters:

Jules is someone who doesn’t have many people to lean-on or turn-to. Her mother is extremely cold to her and she’s had to become very independent. That’s why she’s so happy to have Zoe, to have someone in her life for her to love and be loved by.

I’m kind of at a loss for describing words for Jules. All I can think to say is that she’s a good person and very likable.

Plot and Story:

I was drawn in from the first chapter and read it in one sitting. Even though this book was only 174 pages long, it wasn’t too short. The whole premise of Holding on to Zoe is unique to anything I’ve read before. It’s very interesting how the story evolves and changes as it goes along.

Overall:

This book wasn’t what I’d expected, but in a good way. It was short, but isn’t lacking plot in the least. I’d highly recommend it for someone looking for a short and different read. I give Holding on to Zoe 4 of 5 stars.

Review: Infinity by Rachel Ward

Title: Infinity

Author: Rachel Ward site

Format: Hardcover, 256 pages

Published: 5/01/2012

Publisher: Chicken House (Scholastic)

Source: Library

**Spoiler Alert** Infinity is a sequel and may spoil the rest of the series for you. You have been warned.

“Because everyone wants to live forever.

No matter what it takes, Sarah's desperate to escape from the numbers.

Always numbers. Sarah loves Adam, but can't bear the thought that every time he looks in her eyes, he can see her dying; can see her last day.

It's 2029. Two years since the Chaos. Sarah and Adam are struggling to survive. She knows he always envisioned them together "'til death do us part." But will a child come between them? The child she loves. The child he saved.

Little Mia was supposed to die that New Year's Day. The numbers don't lie. But somehow she changed her date. Mia's just a baby, oblivious to her special power. But ruthless people are hunting her down, determined to steal her secret.

Because everyone wants to live forever.”

-Goodreads

Basic Synopsis:

It’s 2 years since Adam went on television to warn people of the Chaos and London is in shambles. The survivors are living in tent cities across England, forced to fend for themselves. Adam and again pregnant Sarah are preparing for another tough winter for their family. But everything changes when government workers on motorcycles snatch Adam, Sarah, and Mia away to an underground government facility. They want Adam to tell them peoples number, to decide whether some refugees are worth bringing aid. Or so they say. Saul, the head of the facility seems to want something else from Adam.

Characters:

One of the reasons I was disappointed reading this book is that there’s not really any character development. There aren’t really any new characters, and we’re left with the exact same characters from The Chaos. In all honesty, the characters left me bored. I didn’t find out anything new about them; nothing about them changes.

The only kind of new main character is Mia, Sarah’s biological daughter. There’s a lot of speculation on Adam’s part about whether Nan had given Mia here number or if she somehow stole it. It’s meant to be a kind of mystery throughout the book, but it’s never really answered.

Plot and Story:

I feel like Infinity was a wasted opportunity. I was really disappointed, because I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, Numbers and The Chaos. I didn’t see anything special or new in this book. There were a couple of surprises in the ending, but nothing “mind-blowing” as described.

Overall:

Well, I’m sorry to say that overall Infinity was unsatisfactory. As far as disappointing books go, Infinity is second only to Crossed by Ally Condie. ‘Nuff said. I give it 1 of 5 stars, because I know this one could have been so much better.