Gilded Cage by Vic James | Re:View

Imaginative and dark, Vic James explores a new dystopian fantasy world that will leave you shocked and craving more.

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As per my usual, I didn't know anything about this book before diving in. I mean, I knew I liked the cover, knew it was a "hot topic" floating around the YA community, and probably knew it was a fantasy, but other than that I was flying blind. I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Following the perspectives of several different characters throughout the story, we see the dismal future of a modern-day world divided by magic and no magic. A strange happening called "the slave days" causes all non-magic users to offer up ten years of their life in service to the elite. Those with magic. The political tone of the book is evident as well, creating a very real feeling atmosphere in a world not too different from ours, and yet worlds away.

The concept is creative and well executed, though it definitely has left me craving more information on the magic and what will happen to the characters. Twists and turns abound in way that will have you flipping pages quickly to the end!

I did find the timeline a little frustrating at times. Due to the multiple viewpoints, the reader is transported through weeks/months at a time per viewpoint. It can become a little jolting because things happen that we don't see (due to another characters involvement) and then the next character reacts to something we didn't experience with them. For the sake of the book and the events that transpire, I can see why it was done this way, but it left me feeling a little "left out" at times. I also had some serious trouble with the characters names haha. Not all, but some were just very difficult to wrap my reading brain around (likely a personal issue 😉).

I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing on in the series. It does get dark, just as a "warning". This is not a light and fully fantasy read. I recommend it to fans of urban fantasy, YA dystopian/fantasy, and dystopian.

*A note to my clean readers: There is use of language and some rather violent descriptions in a few parts of the book. Probably a 16+ read (with parental interaction) in my opinion.

My rating: 4*
Purchase: Gilded Cage

Book Description
(from Amazon)

MAGIC RULES. WE SERVE.

In a darkly fantastical debut set in modern-day Britain, magic users control everything: wealth, politics, power—and you. If you’re not one of the ultimate one-percenters—the magical elite—you owe them ten years of service. Do those years when you’re old, and you’ll never get through them. Do them young, and you’ll never get over them.

This is the darkly decadent world of Gilded Cage. In its glittering milieu move the all-powerful Jardines and the everyday Hadleys. The families have only one thing in common: Each has three children. But their destinies entwine when one family enters the service of the other. They will all discover whether any magic is more powerful than the human spirit.

Have a quick ten years. . . .

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I received this book for free but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.  

The Choosing by Rachelle Dekker | Re:View

Spend any time on my blog and you'll know I'm a not-so-secret Science Fiction and dystopian fan. I may love romantic suspense and many other kinds of fiction, but give me a great dystopian future or perhaps some special power/gifts set in another, future world with some sciency stuff (technical term) and I will be a happy camper.

Fast forward and here we have Rachelle Dekker--daughter of one of my favorite authors Ted Dekker--writing a Christian dystopian and it was a no-brainer. I had to read it. Now, to be fair, I've had this book for a while and really didn't go through it as fast as I thought I would. That has some bearing on my review because if I'm not hooked enough to put aside things I *should* be doing to read, then it's not going to be my favorite book. That said, I was also very busy so that accounts for this late review. Ok, I'm done with the preamble though. Here's my review: 

In my mind The Choosing is one part Matched meets one part Ted Dekker, meets one part crime drama, meets one part YA Dystopia. I know, that's a lot of parts but I feel like that was the different waves of thought I had for this book.

I'll start off by saying I wasn't sure what to expect. Per usual, I didn't read the back cover or blurbs about the book. I knew it was dystopian and I knew it dealt with identity, but that was about it. I dove in with anticipation and a little bit of wariness, unsure of what I'd find coming from such high expectations of Ted Dekker's writing and what I'd heard others say about the book.

To start off, I initially got a good feeling for the world. Ok, I thought, this could be interesting. I'm always curious to see how other authors create their dystopian worlds. But, the more I got into the book the less I discovered about the world. I am a huge fan of rich description and I didn't really find that here. I need something to help shape my mental images of the world and characters and, though I had some clues, I wished for a more. For total immersion.

Carrington Hale (first off, awesome name--and while we're on that subject, awesome names in general!) was a mellow chracter to me. I understood her plight and felt sorry for her at times, but I felt as if I couldn't get a firm grasp on who she was beneath the fact that she wasn't chosen. Granted, that's a large part of the book, but it felt a little like I wanted to shout at her and say do something. She was not brought into sharp contrast to me and instead kind of floated through the book and her relationships. Speaking of relationships, I really liked Remko! I won't spoil anything, but, though he doesn't say much, he was a firmer character to me. Though I would have loved to see even more of him!

As for the plot, I would say it was interesting yet understandable. That's where the Ted Dekker/Crime Show feelings came in. The villain was very "Dekker" in my opinion (not that this is a bad thing). I can appreciate a really bad guy doing bad things. Not that it was too graphic, but part of me always wishes for more from villains. They are often times too weak to really be "bad" and then you have to wonder, why were we scared in the first place? I digress...

The romance was...eh. I mean, the parts where the romance was described were great but the foundation to it was slightly contrived in my opinion. I personally didn't feel like they were on the page together enough to make it believable.

The rest of the cast of characters was well chosen (no pun intended)--with exception to Carrington's family. I just really didn't get a read on them aside from mom=bad and dad=nice, but both very weak in their roles. I did like Aaron's character (again, he felt very Ted Dekker-ish if I can use that as a descriptor). Obviously, I approve of Aaron's message and the way in which it's delivered was...interesting.

All in all, I'd have to say this book didn't wow me. I was easily distracted from it and wished there had been...more. More action, more compelling plot movement, more emotion, more feeling, more tension. Oh, and less name usage--maybe I'm just being nitpicky but I felt as if there was an overabundance of first name's used throughout the novel which made the writing feel stiff and choppy in points.

I will say I am interested in reading the second book because I'd like to see what Rachelle decides to do with the series. If you like YA Dystopian and are looking for a good message, I would recommend it to you--it may go over well with teen readers, though there are hints of violence to be aware of. Oh, and the cover is lovely. You all know I can't help but notice amazing covers!

Rating: 3.5*
Purchase: The Choosing

Book Description
(from Amazon)

Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’d spent a lifetime preparing for―her Choosing ceremony―to end in disaster. Ripped from her family, she’ll spend her days serving as a Lint, the lowest level of society. She knows it’s her duty to follow the true way of the Authority.

But as Carrington begins this nightmare, rumors of rebellion rattle her beliefs. Though the whispers contradict everything she’s been told, they resonate deep within.

Then Carrington is offered an unprecedented chance at the life she’s always dreamed of, yet she can’t shake the feeling that it may be an illusion. With a killer targeting Lints and corruption threatening the highest levels of the Authority, Carrington must uncover the truth before it destroys her.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

Cynthia Ruchti & Nadine Brandes | New Novel News + GIVEAWAY

An Endless Christmas
by Cynthia Ruchti

October 13, 2015
Worthy Inspired
Purchase: An Endless Christmas


On the way to Christmas with his family, Micah Binder asks Katie to marry him. She says no, but there is no getting out of Christmas now. The Binder family celebrates every Christmas as if it were their last. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it's Christmas.






Get to know Cynthia...

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? Monterey, CA

Favorite dessert? 
Crème brulee…with a chaser of cheesecake!

What's one chore you hate doing? 
Taxes. That was too simple. :-)

A Time To Speak
by Nadine Brandes

October 16, 2015
Enclave Publishing
Purchase: A Time To Speak

What happens when you live longer than you wanted to?

Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she's being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.

The Council uses Jude's Clock-matching invention to force "new-and-improved" Clocks on the public. Those who can't afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council's purposes.

Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Get to know Nadine...

If you were a superhero, what would be your super power?
My power would be to be able to jump into and out of storyworlds! It’s pretty much the best superpower ever. Seriously. I’m going to Hogwarts first. Then Narnia.

Favorite place you’ve traveled to? 
I’m addicted to traveling. So far, my favorite place is Russia. 1) Because I love the people and the language. 2) Because hubby and I do ministry there and it’s just…meant for us. :D 3) Much of my writing reflects some of their culture.

Would you rather go to the future or go to the past?
Well, as long as I didn’t have to stay there forever, I think I’d probably want to go to the past. I’d go there with my super-hubby and we’d learn how to dance like pros. Plus…hubby looks good in a fedora. :D

Go join Nadine's awesome Facebook Party TOMORROW (October 20th)! There will be some awesome prizes :D
https://www.facebook.com/events/1121961131167200/ 

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::WINNER::

It's time to announce the winner from last week's New Novel News about Vannetta Chapman and her new release, Anna's Healing! Congratulations to...

Susan Fletcher


I'll send you an email Susan! And everyone else, if you didn't win I'd recommend coming back often. I love giveaways and, speaking of, I will be hosting a fall giveaway at the end of the week!!! You heard it first here :D Thanks for being faithful readers!