Review: Starters by Lissa Price

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Title:  Starters

Author:  Lissa Price

Series:  Starters

Publisher:  Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books

Publication Date:  March 13, 2012

Source:  ARC

HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER

Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . .

I love when I’ve passed over a book quite a few times, thinking it’s not going to be my cup of tea, only to finally give it a chance and find out that not only is it my kind of read, but it’s absolutely phenomenal and I need to scream about it from the rooftops.  That is exactly what happened with Starters.  If the publisher hadn’t sent me an ARC for review, I probably never would have read it, and I would have been missing out on a terrific debut.

I know dystopian novels are all the rage right now, and I have also jumped on that bandwagon.  I’m always on the lookout for something new and different in this genre, though, and I found that in Starters.  The story didn’t grip me from the first page, as it apparently did for some, but it didn’t take long for me to become enthralled.  At around 50 pages in, I was hooked.  I didn’t want to sleep.  I didn’t want to eat.  I *almost* missed taking my daughter to see The Lorax because I was trying to finish the last 20 pages or so before we left.  Seriously, my husband had his keys in hand and was headed to the door as I was closing the book, letting out that final sigh.

Every part of this novel was handled so well that I don’t know where to begin praising it.  The concept, the writing, the dialogue…they were all really well done.  I had no qualms giving this novel a full five stars.  This book had everything I want in a good “this-is-what-the-world’s-come-to” story, and I’ve seen many touting it as this year’s Divergent.  I suppose that’s a fair assessment, though the plots are very different.  But as far as being books that keep you reading till all hours of the night, they are both very much in the same playing field.

For me, the premise of Starters really boils down to this one question:  What WOULDN’T you do to protect your last remaining family member, your younger brother, the last life line to your past?  That’s the dilemma Callie Woodland faces.  After the Spore Wars took their parents and anyone else between the ages of twenty and sixty, all Callie and Tyler have is each other.  They’ve managed to become allies with a “friendly” named Michael who lived down the street from them before the war, but Callie knows that the only person she can expect to better their situation is herself.  Callie is afraid to become a renter for Prime Destinations, but after the only home she had left is taken from her, she doesn’t really have any other choice.  But even when things seem the most dire, they can always get worse.

And as is always the case, things are never what they seem.  Callie believes some rich old Ender woman will be gallivanting around L.A. in her body, but she really doesn’t have a clue what’s about to transpire now that she’s lent her body to Prime Destinations.  The evil behind this company knows no bounds.  The Old Man is secretive and keeps his identity a mystery, but despite his calm and composed demeanor, he is one of the most awesomely creepy villains I’ve met in a book.  Through many twists and turns in Callie’s story, we find that he has much more at stake in Callie’s welfare than even the employees of Prime are aware.

The other relationships in Starters were all well-addressed, though at times it may have seemed like they went from one extreme to another.  Give them a chance, though.  I’m not a fan of insta-love, but having practically inhaled this novel, I promise you that things will make more sense by the end.  Sort of.

So much happens in the span of this novel, but even so, I don’t think we are anywhere close to finding out the mysteries of the Old Man and Prime Destinations.  The ending of Starters is proof enough of that.  There are cliffhangers and then there are “Holy geez! WHAT THE WHAT?!?” endings like the one in Starters.  I read it three times over, and I’m still not convinced I know what’s going on.

You’ll forgive me if this review doesn’t come off as polished as others.  I read through this novel so quickly, and was so engrossed in the story, that I failed to take any notes.  That’s a sign of how much I enjoyed this book, but it also means I may have missed evaluating some of the nuances and more important details that might strike someone else’s fancy.  Even so, I heartily recommend this novel to fans of Divergent, Blood Red Road, and yes, The Hunger Games.

Rating: 

Here's a short trailer for Starters, but I think it gets the point across rather well:


  

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Labels: dac 2012, dystopian, recommended reads, starters

In My Mailbox #22

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a weekly meme where we all get to brag about the books and swag we got in the mail, for review, won in contests, etc.

I'm behind on posts, including this one, because my baby girl turned FOUR yesterday and I've been dealing with birthday plans, plus I'm on vacation this week, so work was extra hellish last week in preparation for my absence.  But, without further ado, here's what I found in my mailbox this last week:

For Review:

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, ARC from the publisher

Starters by Lissa Price, ARC from the publisher

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, ARC from the publisher (this one doesn't have the finished cover)

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, ARC from the publisher

Won:

ARC of Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver from Book Loving Mommy

Purchased:

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (rec'd by Andrea & April)

Torn by Amanda Hocking

ebook deals:

The Dark Devine by Bree Despain ($1.31 at B&N)

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain ($1.31 at B&N)

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore ($5.03 at B&N)
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep ($4.25 at B&N)
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep ($4.99 at B&N)
First Frost by Jennifer Estep ($.89 at B&N)

 

All those ebook deals were thanks to my friend Jess pointing out to me that the first two books of The Dark Divine series are currently on sale.  I couldn't keep myself from browsing for more deals while I was there.  :(

So, what did the book fairy bring you this week?  Any deals?  Any much-coveted titles?  Do share...

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Labels: amanda hocking, blood of eden, ebook deals, his fair assassin, in my mailbox (imm), lauren oliver, mythos academy, recommended reads, steals/deals

Interview with The Immortal Rules author Julie Kagawa + Giveaway

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dog trainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full-time. Her third novel, The Iron Queen, became a New York Times bestseller and her debut novel, The Iron King recently won the RITA award for best young-adult fiction novel of 2010.

Julie now lives in La Grange, Kentucky, with her husband, two obnoxious cats, one Australian shepherd who is too smart for his own good and the latest addition, a hyperactive papillon.

 

I absolutely adore The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, so when I was offered the chance to read and review The Immortal Rules before its April release, I responded with a resounding "YES!"  Check back soon for my thoughts on what is sure to be an epic read.  Also, after the interview below, enter for your chance to win your own copy of The Immortal Rules!


After writing the Iron Fey series for so many years, how difficult was it to immerse yourself in a futuristic world filled with vampires, rabids and an enslaved human race?

JK:  It was...very different. I think the hardest thing for me was the fact that this story does take place in the real world -- a futuristic, vampire-infested world, but the real world nonetheless. Things had to make sense, for example: how far can a large group walk in a single day if there were no roads, they were going through thick woods, and there were children in the group? I had to have logical reasons for everything; I couldn't just make something work "because of faery magic," lol.

Just like Meghan Chase in the Iron Fey series, the main character in The Immortal Rules, Allison Sekemoto, is a “take charge and kick butt” kind of girl. Is this intentional? What woman – real or fictional, alive or deceased – do you look up to or admire?

JK:  Yes, Allison comes from a very different world than Meghan Chase. Meghan's upbringing was pretty normal; Allison grew up among vampires and monsters, where every day was a fight to live, so she couldn't afford to be weak. While Meghan had to learn to "take charge and kick butt," Allison's first impulse is stab first, talk later.

As for female role models, the first that comes to mind--when it comes to kicking vampire butt, anyway -- is Buffy Summers. Thank you, Joss Whedon, for making me love feisty, snarky, heroines who can dust all sorts of nasties but who also look good in a cheerleading outfit. ;)

You mention in your acknowledgements in The Immortal Rules that at the beginning of your writing career you promised yourself you wouldn’t write a vampire book. What changed your mind?

JK:  Well, there were already so many really good books about our favorite bloodsuckers, so many stories and ideas, I thought I didn't have anything new to add to the masses. I was actually toying with a post-apocalyptic YA novel when my agent mentioned I might want to try writing a vampire series. I wasn't intrigued with the idea at first, but then I thought about combining vampires with the post-apocalyptic novel and then rest sort of fell into place.

Allison claims she hates vampires and believes they are monsters yet when faced with a choice of die or become one, she becomes a vampire. Would you have made that same decision?

JK:  Me personally? No. I'm like Zeke in the belief that there is something better waiting for me beyond this life, and I just have to do my best until it’s time for me to go. Besides, I love pizza and Mountain Dew too much to give it up.

Who do you think the most complex character is in The Immortal Rules?

JK:  Probably Kanin, Allie's sire. He's a vampire who has made his peace about being a monster, yet chooses to live by his own set of moral rules. He warns Allison about getting too close to humans, yet he does not kill unless he absolutely has to. He is tormented about something in his past that he refuses to share with anyone. He is certainly the most mysterious of all the characters, if not the most complex.

How many books will be in the Blood of Eden series? When will the next book be coming out?

JK:  At the moment, there are three books planned, with the second coming out sometime next spring, after the release of the new Iron Fey series this fall.

Before you starting writing full time you were a professional dog trainer. Do the professions share any similarities?

JK:  Lol, well you have to think on your feet a lot. And some of the small dogs could be compared to tiny snapping goblins, but writing requires less dodging skills, though perhaps the same amount of creativity and problem solving.

When starting a new series, like Blood of Eden, do you have the entire series mapped out in detail or do you let the story develop book by book?

JK:  I have a high point that I write toward in each story; I know this and this has to happen, but getting from point A to point B usually develops as I go along.

And for the speed round:

What book have you read and re-read, and read yet again?

JK:  Any of the Harry Potter books.

Favorite song to play when writing a fight scene?

JK:  My "favorites" change daily. Right now its "Awake and Alive" by Skillet.

Worst job?

JK:  Working a kiosk in the mall during Christmas. It sold glass figurines, and the maneuvering space around the hundreds of very breakable merchandise was quite small. I was like a bull in a china shop.

Best vacation spot?

JK:  Walt Disney World

Sweets or salty?

JK:  Sweet.

One thing most people don’t know about you – and would never guess!

JK:  I used to play the flute when I was a kid. I was really good at it too, but my instructor stopped teaching to have a family, and I never went back to it.

A big thank you to Julie Kagawa and Karen Wadsworth at Media Masters Publicity for putting this together!


Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Harlequin



You will kill. The only question is when.

In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.

Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.

Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

And now for the contest!  This giveaway is for one finished copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa in hardcover.  The contest will run from now through the release date of the book. On April 24th, one winner will be selected via Rafflecopter, and I will provide the winner's shipping info to the publisher, who will then ship the book directly to the winner.  The prize will not be sent prior to the book's release date of April 24th.

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Labels: author interviews, giveaways, julie kagawa, the immortal rules

In My Mailbox #21

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.  It's a weekly meme where we all get to brag about the books and swag we got in the mail, for review, won in contests, etc.





For Review:

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama, courtesy of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via Netgalley
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris, ARC from HarperCollins
Slide by Jill Hathaway, ARC from HarperCollins

  

Purchased:

Audible had a BOGO sale this past week, so I picked up the audio for a couple of books that have been on my shelf since their release.  I've really been wanting to get to both, but I just haven't found the time, so I figured I can get to them this way.  Also, just in case you were wondering, it's not uncommon for me to purchase more than one version of the same title.  I have a problem.  :)

Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, audio
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick, audio

Ebook deals & novellas:

Evernight by Claudia Gray, 1st book in the series is currently free from B&N

Hana by Lauren Oliver, Delirium #1.5 told from Hana's perspective

The Goddess Hunt by Aimee Carter, Goddess Test #1.5

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter

Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  

Did you get any surprises in your mailbox this week?  Or did you do like me and buy a second copy of something you already had?  :P

 

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Labels: audiobooks, dac 2012, ebook deals, freebies, in my mailbox (imm), steals/deals

Uncovered - 3/2/12

Oh, the pretties!!!

Reached by Ally Condie, due out 11/13/12
Starling by Lesley Livingston, with a release date of 8/15/12
Rift by Andrea Cremer, scheduled for release on 8/7/12

I think out of these cover reveals, I'm most excited about Reached.  Crossed, the second book in Ally Condie's dystopian trilogy took a little while to grab my attention, but once it did, I was enthralled.  I can't wait to see what's in store for Cassia, Ky, and Xander.

Starling has piqued my curiosity.  I haven't read anything by Lesley Livingston, but I've been told that her Wondrous Strange series is one I should pick up.  Thoughts?

I'd like to say I'm super-excited about Rift, the prequel novel to the Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer, but after someone ruined Bloodrose for me on Goodreads, I'm finding it difficult to even pretend to be interested.  I liked Nightshade, then I forced my way through Wolfsbane, but because of the spoiler, I haven't even cracked Bloodrose open.  Some tell me I shouldn't even bother.  Would you?

So...which one of these cover reveals has you most excited?

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Labels: beautiful covers, matched, nightshade, starling, uncovered