Waiting on Wednesday - February 13, 2013

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To join in, share the book or books that you are currently drooling over as you await their release and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. The gorgeous badge above is brought to us by Lindsay at The Violet Hour!

I know, a day late and dollar short, but I just had to fit this one in. This series was actually a tough sale for me. I loved many of the characters, but the main heroine needed some guts. Finally, towards the end of Glitch, she started to get them. That's why this book is probably in the top ten of my "waiting for" list for this year. :)

Override by Heather Anastasiu

Paperback, 320 pages

Expected publication: February 12th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

From Goodreads:

Zoe is free. She has escaped the enslavement of the Community, disconnected from the hardware that had controlled her every thought and emotion, and evaded capture by the Chancellor intent on killing her. She is finally free, but she is far from safe.

Zoe and Adrien hide themselves from detection at the Foundation, an academy that trains teen glitchers to fight in the Resistance movement. Together, Zoe and her new team of superhuman fighters must risk their lives to rescue other glitchers and humans from the Chancellor's control. Challenges abound at every turn, and Adrien, who has become silent, distant, and tormented by his visions of the future, only adds to the growing certainty of defeat. But worst of all, as Zoe's team fights against impossible odds, distrust and betrayal leads to the terrible discovery that their greatest threat could already be lurking behind the safe walls of the Foundation.

Full of high-adrenaline action and shocking twists, Heather Anastasiu's Override is an exciting continuation of this popular young adult trilogy.

Review: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Paperback, 371 pages

Published August 7th 2012 by St. Martin's Press
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Here were meet Zoe. Typical, standard daughter until she starts to glitch, or disengage from the source that the community uses to control their members. Now, at first glance this premise is awesome. Love the idea and the continuing concepts that are spread throughout the book. However, it is Zoe herself that drags it down. She's never had to be strong, think on her own, or simply accept things that she cannot control. It takes some very hard lessons for her to learn some of these things. Even then she does not do them well, but I think she has very strong potential from just what I have seen so far.. Especially after she learns of glitchers' special talents and what can be done with them. Adrian was by far my favorite character. I liked him instantly for some reason and it broke my heart when he gained and almost simultaneously lost Zoe in so many ways. Teenage love story short, I'm rooting for him all the way!  
I am hoping that the story will pick up going at the same pace as this one ended. It is because this one started out extremely slow. You have to learn along with Zoe through her experiences. As I said before, this is a vicious cycle to have to deal with. After she starts getting her feet on the ground though the story starts to fly by and you are finished before you know it. This one is definitely a keeper and I can't wait to see where it goes next!

Review: Soul Thief by Jana Oliver

Soul Thief by Jana Oliver

Paperback, US, 339 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by St. Martin's Press
Source: Giveaway Win
Buy the book:  Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Riley Blackthorne is beginning to learn that there are worse things than death by demon. And love is just one of them…

Seventeen-year-old Riley has about had it up to here. After the devastating battle at the Tabernacle, trappers are dead and injured, her boyfriend Simon is gravely injured, and now her beloved late father’s been illegally poached from his grave by a very powerful necromancer. As if that’s not enough, there's Ori, one sizzling hot freelance demon hunter who’s made himself Riley’s unofficial body guard, and Beck, a super over-protective “friend” who acts more like a grouchy granddad.  With all the hassles, Riley’s almost ready to leave Atlanta altogether.
But as Atlanta’s demon count increases, the Vatican finally sends its own Demon Hunters to take care of the city’s “little” problem, and pandemonium breaks loose. Only Riley knows that she might be the center of Hell’s attention: an extremely powerful Grade 5 demon is stalking her, and her luck can't last forever… 

 Yep, I dove right into this one immediately after finished book one. Oliver's world really opens up in the latest escapades of Riley and the Guild.

We enter in right at the point that Demon Trapper's Daughter ended and the Guild's world is turning upside down quickly. Everything they've known is slowly disappearing right before their eyes and their insecurities begin to show. All the characters struggle with this in some form or fashion in the book. Oliver does an amazing job writing and organizing the sequence of events. We get to see and learn about more the world and processes that rule Riley's life. The necromancers addition to this book is definitely a welcomed plus. And if you think the ending to DTD was enough to make you want the next book, this ending will show you levels of that you've not reached yet.

 Riley shows us that even a tough chick can have moments of weakness. However, it is usually the ways in which you deal with these issues is what defines you. This is definitely the case for Riley. Sometimes it is difficult to remember that she is a teenager, until something breaks her and she wants hot chocolate!
A slew of characters take action in the book. Some we have met before, but only in passing. Peter gets to stand up and put his "big boy" britches on this time. I liked getting to see him grow up in these situations. Ori. Oh dear, Ori. There is trouble and temptation in its greatest form, but he sucks you right in and you will love his scenes. Especially those between him and Beck. Beck was again my favorite part of the book. The story could be told solely form his POV and I would be happy. I had hoped to see more interactions between Beck and Riley in this book. Unfortunately, I understand Oliver's path for them at this time and they just need to deal with their issues before anything can grow. I did come to like a couple of other characters that I had not expected to. Mortimer, the necromancer, reminds me of Alfred from Batman. The man just has class.
Oliver holds true to form with the second book of the Demon Trappers Series. I can't wait till I have time to read the third and then anxiously await the release of the fourth!

Review: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Paperback, US Edition, 340 pages

Published February 1st 2011 by St. Martin's Griffin 

Source: Giveaway Win

Buy the book: Amazon : B&N : Goodreads

From Goodreads:

Demon Trapper Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself—and that’s exactly what Lucifer is counting on…

It’s the year 2018, and with human society seriously disrupted by the economic upheavals of the previous decade, Lucifer has increased the number of demons in all major cities. Atlanta is no exception. Fortunately, humans are protected by Demon Trappers, who work to keep homes and streets safe from the things that go bump in the night. Seventeen-year-old Riley, only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing attraction to fellow Trapper apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving citizens from Grade One Hellspawn. Business as usual, really, for a demon-trapping teen. When a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood, she realizes that she’s caught in the middle of a battle between Heaven and Hell.

 I won this book as a set with the second book in a giveaway. I am glad I won this version with the original cover. I am not overly fond of the new prints, even though I will have to get the third and fourth books in them. I was curious about the premise and had honestly doubted I would not care too much for the book itself. The awesomeness that I discovered in this book cannot be explained in words. Buy or borrow it, you won't be disappointed!
You walk right into the meat of the story on page one. I immediately got an understanding of Riley and the unfortunate luck that she has. I believe this is why I connected with her so well, we have similar luck and I could almost predict what would happen to her next. It was hilarious and horrible for her at the same time. Her relationship with her father will warm and hurt you heart at the same time. He is such a source of strength for Riley in so many ways. This girl knows how to take a beating and keep on kicking!
Beck. Oh wow, Beck. He is my favorite character in the book, especially his drawl. You will love him in one minute and then physically shake him in the next. I really love the fact that we get to see things from his POV as well. Really adds a quality to the story, his personality and their relationship that we wouldn't otherwise have. He has to deal with a lot of issues within himself. 
Simon. Meh. I could do with or without him I think. He is just there for me a lot of the time and really needs to slapped with good dose of "anti-naive" medicine. 
While there are few small speedbumps along the way that slow it down, the world Oliver created will hold you till the very end. It is really surreal to read about zombies in this perspective. Could our society actually go that direction? Hmm.... I'll leave it at that. I'll admit that sometimes the demon appearances are very predictable. And yes, you will probably know the results of the incidents with the demons. BUT. You will love every minute of it and keep turning the page to see what happens.