Warcross is such a fast-paced, action-packed and addictive sci fi story, with fun and loveable characters and an amazing world-building. I loved the unique world that Marie Lu has created with the game play and how the in game and out of game worked so well and really drove the story on in such a fast and exciting pace. 

The main character, Emika, is absolutely amazing! She’s a rainbow-haired electric skateboard-toting badass hacker and bounty hunter, how badass and refreshing is that?! And the character development in the book was so good with the back stories on Emika and the other main character, Hideo, throughout the book. I also loved that the other characters were so diverse and simply accepted as they are. Like for example that the captain of Emika’s team (and combat lead) was in no way hindered by the fact that he’s in a wheelchair and that the two male teammates had a past love story with an awesome sexual tension still underlying. Can’t wait to see the development of that in the next book…

The only thing I didn’t like as much was the relationship thing with Hideo (in fact I didn’t really take to Hideo at all). But I guess that kind of was the point, considering the story twist at the end.

Rating:
​4 stars

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​Author info:
Marie Lu

I read Edenbrooke a while ago, and I’m still trying to understand why everyone seems to love it so much, as it was such an underwhelming read for me.

Picking up this book, I really thought I would love it. The cover is stunning and the story seemed like a sweet Jane Austen one. But sadly, it was not. Yes, it had a young innocent heroine and a handsome gentleman. And yes, it had a plot twist typical for a regency novel. But the execution was more like a fanfiction, the heroine was clueless, overreacting and not very likable, and she twirled like all the time (sorry, but that was just too annoying) and the romance felt forced.

For me there was nothing of Jane Austen’s complex characters, beautiful language, wit and historical accuracy in this book. But since the reviews rate this book so highly, there clearly must be something wrong with me…?​

Rating:
2 stars

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Julianne Donaldson

This sequel to The Young Elites was just as dark, addictive and twisted as the first book. It’s full of surprising twists and turns, new perspectives and characters that will make you question what you thought you knew and felt about them. For me personally, it was perhaps a little too dark and twisted at times, but it was nevertheless non-stop heart-pounding excitement reading this book.

The Rose Society was a great follow-up to The Young Elites, picking up where we left and taking the story even further in its wicked darkness. It was captivating with the constant fight between good and evil, all betrayals, fears and other emotions running high.

Already in the first book, Marie Lu set up Adelina as an anti-hero turning into a villain looking for revenge, but here she pushes Adelina to an all new level of darkness. I have to admit that at times it was a little too much. I did not wish for Adelina to go down that path and even though I rooted for her, her selfishness and anger made her hard to love completely. Some parts of the book just made me so sad.

But all in all, it was a thrilling and enjoyable read with complex characters, interesting dilemmas and a unique plot and world-building. Marie Lu has created a world full of surprised and characters that you care for even though they’re not very good and likeable, which is so impressive to pull off as an author. 

Rating:
​4 stars

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Marie Lu

Rules of Attraction is the second book in the Perfect Chemistry series following three brothers. I read the first book, Perfect Chemistry, a couple of years ago and totally loved it! Simone Elkeles sure knows how to tell a romantic story with all the right feels and I just love, love, love her bad boy characters who are such a bad asses with good hearts (aren’t they the best..?)!

What I love about the Perfect Chemistry books - besides that they are truly adorable, addictive, sweet and quirky and with characters that steels your heart - is that you get to know all of the Fuentes brothers. The story lines of both books are similar, but still unique for each book. Both books are kind of modern, urban Romeo of Juliet stories; both brothers get into trouble and fall for a girl from different sides of the track.

In Perfect Chemistry the eldest Fuentes brother, Alex, meets uptown, perfect Brittany, only to find out that she’s a real person behind the facade. In Rules of Attraction it’s the younger brother, Carlos, gets into problem with a drug lord and has to leave Mexico to go and live with Alex. There he meets Kiara, the daughter of his professor and a type of girl he normally wouldn’t fall for. Alex and Brittany from the first book are part of the story in the second books as well, but this is not a typical sequel, it’s more of a companion novel. I don’t think that it is necessary to read Perfect Chemistry first to appreciate Rules of Attraction.

The brothers are very different, but still really cares about each other as a family. At first I didn’t like Carlos as much as I liked Alex, but he grew on me when he started to show his more vulnerable sides. Kiara was wonderful from the start; so nervous and unsure and still so strong and true to herself at the same time.

​I cannot wait to read the third book, Chain Reaction, that will be told from the youngest brother’s point of view! So, looking forward to another romance rush and what I’m sure to be yet another addictive read by Simone Elkeles!

Rating:
5 stars

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​Author info:
​Simone Elkeles