Review: The White Lilac by Christina J. Adams

3.5 stars

Love the opening of this book! This is the kind of book that starts with a bang. Caryn, the heroine of this book, has to win a competition to become The White Lilac. In general, The White Lilac’s job is to gather the cure to save humanity and they will sacrifice themselves in the process. When Caryn wins the competition, she is offered to have three free days out in the city. Caryn has been living in laboratory all her life, so she’s very excited to go see things. She’s allowed to spend these three days in any way she likes with a companion, and she chooses Kai.

Kai isn’t supposed to be in the same room with Caryn when she chooses him. He has to get Beta-Earth’s ruby in few days or he may never see the sun anymore. Caryn promises him a ruby if he agrees to accompany her exploring the city. Both are soon to uncover the conspiracy behind the cure and the lab Caryn has always trusted before.

I think the setting of this book is very fascinating. I haven’t read many science fictions so I’m really glad that I read this book. I like the relationship between Caryn and Kai and how easy conversations flowing between them. Their friendship seems very genuine and it’s wonderful to see Caryn and Kai care for each other as friends first. I was surprised by how little romance in the story, reminded me of the kind I usually see in Middle Grade books. Thankfully, the little portion of romance works for this book.

Some grammar errors and typos dampened my reading experience a bit. Run-on sentences annoyed me and I think an editor would help a lot in this case. The first few chapters of this book are flawless so I was disappointed to see more and more spelling and grammar errors as I flipped through the pages. This book has promise and thorough editing would polish this book into something brighter. In overall, The White Lilac is a fun read and I think Sci-fi lovers would have great time reading this book!

For the first time I begin to doubt that I can win. How can I make it a second longer? The ceiling lights dance on the surface above and want to pull me up to them. I have to think of something, anything to distract myself. Anderson’s last words to me come back.

“You were born for this.”

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I rate this book: 

 Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

3.5 stars


It has been two months since Zoel started glitching. Whenever she glitches, her senses become sharper. She can see colors in things, tastes food, and feel emotion she doesn’t know what to call. Zoel knows that she has to report herself, but she keeps delaying it. She doesn’t want to be deactivated yet. She will hide her glitching, although it means that she has to betray her community.

When an aquamarine-eyed boy, Adrien, saves her from deactivation, Zoel follows him to his home and learns the truth about her community. Adrien told her that he has vision of Zoel leading the rebellion, but will his vision come true? Will she still remember her mission when her memory is wiped again?

Without the Link and its constant instruction, I was completely lost. This boy had offered me escape, but I had no idea what came next. He did.

I like the science-fiction aspects in this book. It’s kind of cool reading about the arm panel and access port in the back of the neck. These people are half cyborg, and it’s very interesting to know that they actually have heart pumping blood to every part of the body. Children are made in laboratories, carefully selected features from compatible mates. People in Zoel’s world are treated like slaves, incapable of any human emotions like love or beauty, and they don’t even have choice. When they’re old and not in the ‘productive’ age anymore, they’re simply deactivated. It’s impossible not to feel any pity toward this community.

Zoel, or as she prefers to be called Zoe, is a very interesting character. I think it’s clear that this book is intended for younger audience. She has overwhelming urge to save the day, and she wants to save everyone, even the villains, in the process. I expected to see more ruthless side of Zoe, but I like her naïve and kind side too. She’s the kind of heroine you would love if you’re more into strong yet compassionate heroine.

The love triangle is very strange and a bit messy. I don’t think that Max ever has any chance to get into Zoe’s heart. I usually feel sad for the guy whom the heroine doesn’t choose but in this case, it’s very hard to feel sympathetic toward Max. He’s possessive, selfish, and forceful. Zoe doesn’t feel the same way Max wants him, but it’s not the reason for him to shout at her or act like a child. Max does have some positive points, but most of the time these qualities are overshadowed by his dark side.

Glitch might not offer you something provoking, but you may want to read this book in your spare time. I did quite enjoy this book and look forward to read the continuation of this series. I hope I would get more attached to Zoe and learn more about their powers in the second book.

“Fell in love?” I frowned. “Love makes you fall?”

He laughed a little. He paused, looking up toward his brain, something I noticed he did when he was thinking. “It’s just a saying. It means that two people start loving each other. I guess because it can feel really sudden and because it’s powerful. Like gravity— an unstoppable force.”

“Love is like gravity?” I was still puzzling out the concept. “It sounds violent.”

He laughed and nodded. “But in a good way.”

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I rate this book:

Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.