The Infinite (Book #2) by Lori M. Lee

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Published: March 10, 2015
Publisher: Skyscape
Pages: 378

Source: NetGalley
Synopsis:
The walls of Ninurta keep its citizens safe.

Kai always believed the only danger to the city came from within. Now, with a rebel force threatening the fragile government, the walls have become more of a prison than ever.

To make matters worse, as Avan explores his new identity as an Infinite, Kai struggles to remind him what it means to be human. And she fears her brother, Reev, is involved with the rebels. With the two people she cares about most on opposite sides of a brewing war, Kai will do whatever it takes to bring peace. But she’s lost her power to manipulate the threads of time, and she learns that a civil war might be the beginning of something far worse that will crumble not only Ninurta’s walls but also the entire city.

In this thrilling sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, Kai must decide how much of her humanity she’s willing to lose to protect the only family she’s ever known.

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

This second installment was just as good as the first book. Kai struggles with her new life now that Avan is a Infinite and how to stop blaming herself when things don't go the way she wants them to. Kai's world  grows larger as they find out about a new city to the north that needs help. In the last book I was wondering if they were going to find other settlements or if they were truly the only city left after the great war. This one answers that question and some others I had. I believe Kai goes through a lot of personal development in this story.

Avan has some set backs through out this novel. First he isn't really sure if he wants to remember his human life, the only thing that makes him stop and question it is Kai. Also since Avan is now an Infinite he has that darkness to contend with since he is Conquest. I think he really needs to remember I believe it would help temper the darkness with in him. I know he has some bad memories but he seemed to have learned from them and then if he remembered he would also know why he is so drawn to Kai and not question everything as I am sure he is doing.

I love the differences between this new city Lanathrill Kai goes to compared to hers Ninurta and I hope in the next book that we may even get to see Peshtigo. Peshtigo was mentioned a little bit as Kai figures out that Lanathrill is not what they seem. Vethe is kind of like the center or capital of their city, since Lanathrill is being attacked by Demons, which Kai comes to investigate, most of the villagers stay in Vethe which is located in a mountain basically. Lanathrill is where they do a lot of their farming, to make food for the city. Which Kai is amazed at since she is not used to seeing so much food being grown from the ground.

The description was wonderful and the flow of the story was pretty good through out the entire book. It was a bit on the slow side to start but once they started for Lanathrill it was a never ending roller coaster of action. I am looking forward to the next book and can't wait to see how she deals with Avan. I really think she should just give him back his memories and deal with the consequences of the fall out. She did seem to warm up a little to being an Infinite when she learns of the powers she has in the River but I don't want to see Kai become and Infinite or if she does make it where she remembers so she doesn't become god like and full of herself like the others have. 

May Update

So I have moved and gotten a bit settled into my new place but everything is still so hectic. I am learning with working downtown there isn't a lot of down time to read so I am trying to find another hotel job someo where else so that I can have my downtime back, otherwise I get like no reading time and no time to write my blog. It is also double hard that I am now working 10 hour shifts so the struggle is real with getting anything done it seems. But please be patient with me I will get back to getting more posts written and more reviews done soon hopefully.

I am loving the new area though and the heat that comes with it. I feel like I can be outside more now since it is warmer here than it was in Iowa. Marvin my little dog is also enjoying the weather and the long walks. We are still working on unpacking but that is understandable since we are both working and also we want to explore our new home as well. Living in a bigger city means lots of things to do and lots of resteraunts to try. So far though I am enjoying the Tulsa area so far but some of the crazy people and homeless people are a bit too much.

I think that is all I have to update you guys on so far. I can't really think of anything else that has been going on in my life other than watching the new Avengers movie and the second season of Arrow, as well as waiting for my birthday that is coming this Thursday. Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling
Published: June 9th 2015
Publisher: Dial Books
Pages: 400
Source: First to Read
Synopsis: 
The Kevinian cult has taken everything from seventeen-year-old Minnow: twelve years of her life, her family, her ability to trust. And when she rebelled, they took away her hands, too.

Now their Prophet has been murdered and their camp set aflame, and it's clear that Minnow knows something—but she's not talking. As she languishes in juvenile detention, she struggles to un-learn everything she has been taught to believe, adjusting to a life behind bars and recounting the events that led up to her incarceration. But when an FBI detective approaches her about making a deal, Minnow sees she can have the freedom she always dreamed of—if she’s willing to part with the terrible secrets of her past.

This debut novel is a hard-hitting and hopeful story about the dangers of blind faith—and the power of having faith in oneself.

My Rating:

★★★★☆

Review:

I received this book from the first to reads program for an honest review, all reviews and opinions are my own.

I do not usually like books based so much on religion but there are of course exceptions to that rule. When I read the synopsis of this book and found out it was about a cult and a young girl that grows up in said cult I had to read it and see what it was about. I understand that when you grow up in that sort of thing it warps your thinking and you can't know any other way especially when the cult keeps its people from learning any better. It is amazing though what some people will do for faith. 

Minnow is a very complex character she wasn't very whinny, she was just trying to figure out herself and how to fit into this world that kept growing each time she learned something new. When a young girl like herself is repressed and told basically to keep it in its no wonder that she lashes out at the nearest thing when something upsets her. Through this whole books its basically more about how she grows and comes to deal with her past to move past everything and deal with the emotions she has locked inside of her.

I loved the side characters as well I don't think Minnow would have gotten as far as she did if she didn't have Angel as a cell mate. Angel was down to earth and believed in science which helped steer Minnow towards bigger questions that can't always be answered by religion or science, it does open up her eyes to possibilities though where she starts to question things and find her own way in life. Jude I liked at first especially when he was the only one who was there for Minnow while she was still with the cult but as the story unfolds I can see how Minnow can grow out of a friend, by the end of the book if she kept him as a friend he would have held her back. 

This books is filled with enough mystery to keep it interesting and the flow of the story was point on. It switches back and forth from her current predicament where she is dealing with being in held in the juvenile detention center and then to her telling different people about her past and dealings within the cult. I also liked the fairy tale retelling part, I recently read some grim fairy tales and it reminded me of them. 

Be prepared if you read this book, it does have some gruesome parts that will make you question how people could do so many horrible things just because someone says it is in the name of God. No I didn't think Minnow should have gone to jail for what she did, the system should have helped her in other ways other than throwing her in jail for assault. I know our system isn't the best and she just seemed to be dealt a bad hand but they still could have helped her in other ways but I think it all worked out for the best regardless. The ending was cut short in my opinion I was wanting just a little more of the story but that is what makes a good book, one that keeps you wanting and makes you question everything.

This is Stephanie Oakes debut novel if you would like to see what else she has in the works please visit her site at: http://www.stephanieoakesbooks.com/