Title: The Genesi Code
Author: Tristen Willis
Publication date: 1st September 2017

Synopsis:
Luka was only eight years old when her father, Christopher Foster, was murdered.
Christopher had been working on a cure for the Genesi Code, which has plagued the human race since the government began experimenting on human DNA in an attempt to create a genetically-advanced army.Luka has spent the last ten years training for the military’s elite taskforce, known as Delta Force, so she can uncover the truth surrounding her father’s murder. But along the way, she uncovers a truth about herself that she is not yet ready to face. Could the truth surrounding Luka’s past be the key to curing the Genesi and ending the war? In the end, is revenge all that matters?


Firstly, I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to review this. Not only do I love supporting new authors but Australian authors too. Tristen is the owner of Burning Pages Candles and along with the book she sent some candles, solid perfume and tea based on The Genesi Code as well as a badge that I'm incredibly tempted to buy a jacket solely to sew it on there (well I'd get my mum to do the sewing since I have no idea how).


The first few chapters felt a bit rocky to me, though that feeling quickly left me - I'm not sure if the writing changed or I just got used to it, and I was enjoying the story. After this initial stage I think you'll find it very easy to read.

The plot was very fast paced however, there was only about two moments (I think) in the book that I felt could've slowed down. Other than that, I really loved the story. I would say this was a dystopian novel, with sci-fi elements (Tris, correct me if I'm wrong!) and I love what has been set up here. The world, and especially the Genesi are so interesting to me and I'm looking forward to finding out more.



I would have liked for the other characters to be explored more - especially Ren, so I'm hoping for that in book two. I really liked Luka's character, she was badass and smart, but still real at the same time. I liked her thought processes and I really enjoyed reading from her perspective.

Overall, The Genesi Code is a fast paced and exciting story that absolutely left me wanting more. I wouldn't call the ending a cliffhanger but you'll definitely be excited to see what comes next. I feel like so much of the story was set up in this book to further continue and explore in the coming books.

3.5/5

*I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
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Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here

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*This book was sent to me by Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.




WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here

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Book: American Monsters (Book three in Demon Road trilogy)

Author: Derek Landy

Publisher: Harper Collins

Synopsis:
Bigger, meaner, stronger, Amber closes in on her murderous parents as they make one last desperate play for power. Her own last hopes of salvation, however, rest beyond vengeance, beyond the abominable killers - living and dead - that she and Milo will have to face.
For Amber's future lies in her family's past, in the brother and sister she never knew, and the horrors beyond imagining that befell them...



Review for book one here.
Review for book two here.


I was eager to jump into American Monsters right after finishing Desolation (or more honestly, I started it the next day). I also had the motivation that I wanted to finish it before the new year so I could include it in my 2016 book count, and I did! This is officially my last blog post of 2016 so enjoy!

My main problems with the previous two books in this trilogy was the fact that I felt it too much when it wasn't needed. I didn't feel that as much with this book, yes there were a couple of times that I was like "okay, get on with it" but it was literally only a couple of times and it didn't last very long (thank you Derek Landy).

I really liked the storyline/plot in this book. I felt like I was on track with what was happening throughout the whole story - something that wasn't always clear for me in the first two books. However, it just wasn't as interesting as Desolation but I definitely still enjoyed it. Does that sound contradictory?

As this was the last book in the trilogy, I was constantly trying to figure how all of it was going to play out. I felt I knew the final outcome in a way, but I really had no idea. I really liked the ending except for perhaps one certain aspect, but that's what the author wanted I guess *le sigh*.
There was one particular event that happened that was skimmed over even though it deserved a whole damn chapter, so that made me a bit sad (if you've read it I'm sure you'll know what part I'm talking about).

I enjoyed the range of characters in this trilogy. While there wasn't a whole lot of diversity in these books, there was a little and that made me like the trilogy more. I enjoyed Amber's character more so in books two and three, the fact that she is actually this crazy, strong demon was actually kind of cool. She gets overconfident a number of times but I really started to like it in book two and three.

Throughout the series, Amber's parents didn't really bother me until about halfway through American Monsters. A crazy event that took place really threw me back and I had to close the book for a short while to let my heart break a little (it's hurting now just thinking about it).

Overall, I enjoyed the author's concept for this trilogy. They are fun and sort of spooky reads that are great for teenage and some young adult readers. I haven't read his more popular Skulduggery Pleasant series and therefore cannot compare his series. An enjoyable read!

3.5/5


*This book was sent to me by Harper Collins Unsolicited in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here

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"What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?
What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?
Nine years ago, Mercer Corporation's M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.
Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.
Now, Maggie is ready. And Quentin Mercer - heir to the M-Corp empire - has become key to Maggie's plan. But as the pieces of her dangerous design fall into place, could Quentin's involvement destroy everything she's fought for?
In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking."


First of all, author Jessica Shirvington is Australian (woop woop!) and she's also the author to one of my favourite series, Embrace/The Violet Eden series so I was very much interested in starting this duology.

This is a young adult dystopian novel where the population must wear 'M-Bands' that are used in everyday life: used as ID, money and even used for ratings with other people to see if you could potentially have a future together. Though for some, they rate as negatives and are taken away to rehabilitation camps where they're never seen again. Maggie's father was a negative and she's on a mission to rescue him back and prove his innocence.

As soon as you pick up this book you jump straight into the story. You understand everything that's happening in the first few chapters which can be uncommon these days. It kind of feels like being in control and perhaps that is why I like it, though it seems ironic as M-Corp (the company that made this tech) wants to control the world with their M-Bands.

I'm very drawn to the main characters in this book. We get to meet the gorgeous Quentin Mercer, heir to the M-Corp industry and someone who Maggie has been keeping an eye on and brings him into her master plan to find her father. And someone you meet early on in the story is Gus, who just so happens to be my fave character so far. Gus and Maggie have this strange relationship that started with blackmail and their bickering is great, I love it. You obviously meet those other characters who you have to hate but they're necessary to the story and written really well.

While this story has a similar layout to many other dystopian novels, this is also like no other that I've read in this genre. I liked that it was to do with technology - while fictional, a possible realistic insight to the future? Probably not to that level but interesting nonetheless.

The flow of the story was spot on. There was action when we needed action, the aftermath of said action, the calm when we were allowed to be calm and the nerves. I found myself so immersed that I was feeling anxious when risky things were about to go down - this happened a lot. I was never bored and it was honestly hard to put down.

As I said earlier, I've read Shirvington's Embrace series which I absolutely fell in love with and so I wasn't really sure what to expect from this dystopian novel. Well she definitely doesn't disappoint and you should definitely pick this up. You might want to pick up the second novel as well, Corruption, while this first book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it'll surely leave you wanting more.

Keep an eye out

for my review of book two, coming soon!

4.5/5


*This book was sent to me by Harper Teen Australia in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here

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"Neve Knightly lives in an ordinary world. Where déjà vu is nothing more than a mind-trick. Where premonitions are dismissed as mere coincidence. Where no one thinks twice about the glitches in their reality.

Neve Knightly is living a lie.

But when her nightmare of a tragedy comes true the very next day, she can no longer seek solace in self-deception. The glossy enamel has been shattered, and she has caught a glimpse of what slithers just beneath the surface.

She now has the opportunity to decipher the enigma that’s been haunting her since childhood. But her quest soon becomes deeply entangled with the last two people she could have ever imagined: the love of her life, Dylan, who mysteriously vanished three years ago, and his estranged best friend, Romer, who seems to be guarding a secret of his own.

Romance, rancor, and redemption plummet as priorities, as their lives become riddled with peculiar happenings lying just outside the realm of science. And in search for salvation, they emerge at the brink of unveiling the best-kept secret in human history."

- Nelou Keramati

Upon reading the synopsis for this book, I was hooked and I hadn't even started yet. I've been reading a lot more science fiction this year and they've all been brilliant; The Fray Theory is no exception. The author writes beautifully throughout the entire book and it was so easy to read - I would have finished sooner had I not been so damn busy!

The prologue was a great beginning to the book after finding out Neve has been hit by a car and doesn't have any physical injuries. This drew me in immediately and I hated having to turn my kindle off to do actual work. This novel follows the concept of dreams and how they are not just dreams, but perhaps glimpses of other dimensions. The characters find out the situation they're in is a lot more complicated than dreams and nightmares and suddenly they're on the run - I'm still wondering what these people want with them!

I loved all the main characters in this book, especially Romer. He has the whole broody male thing going on but he's very loyal (and handsome!) This may not mean a lot to many but I loved that Neve was a college student and not a damn high school student. I loved her character; she let her heart take the lead when it came to Dylan (because who wouldn't?!) but she wasn't naive. I didn't connect with Dylan as much as the other characters but I think I just want to learn more about him first - which I am eager to do!

The end chapter was so damn intriguing and mysterious and I am so ready for book two.
I talked about this earlier but I could never say it enough: this book is written so well. The book was detailed and intricate, yet so easy to read. It flowed really nicely and you may found yourself fully immersed in this book not knowing what's happening around you.

The Fray Theory - Resonance is released later this month on August 31st. Do yourself a favour and add it to your TBR.

5/5

Head to http://www.neloukeramati.com for more info!

*This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.



WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here

Follow my blog with Bloglovin'!