S.J. Kincaid – Wonderfilled Reads

Recommendations Series #3: Science Fiction

Hi y’all! Today I’m back at it with some recommendations, but this time focusing on science fiction novels! I will admit that I’ve been slacking on this genre over the last year or so and I would like to apologize to all of the amazing looking science fiction books currently staring at my with annoyed faces from my TBR bookshelf. I see you, babies! I’m coming for you soon!

The Firebird Trilogy by Claudia Gray

This isn’t your typical science fiction novel, as it’s not set in space. However, there is cross-dimension travel involved and non-stop action that I promise you won’t be able to get enough of. Also, a swoony romance to warm your heart. Can we also agree how gorgeous these covers are? Um yes!

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A fairly well-known book, and soon to be movie directed by Steven Spielberg, this one is an epic adventure that is chock full of pop culture references from the 80’s. If you love video games and science fiction movies, you should enjoy this one!

The Diabolic (The Diabolic, #1) by S.J. Kincaid

This story is definitely a great place to start if you’re looking for a YA science fiction novel. It’s got political intrigue, a socially inept MC (who kills me with her social skills), and a completely engrossing plotline. It was originally going to be a standalone but is now being turned into a duology with the sequel due to release this fall. TW: Death of a LGTBQA+ character.

The Illuminae Files Series by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

To say that I’m obsessed with this series would be an understatement. Illuminae may actually be one of the most original stories that I’ve read. The first novel also contains a character who will always be the greatest character that I’ve read. If you don’t become obsessed with AIDAN too, I’ll be very surprised.

Starflight Duology by Melissa Landers

Now don’t go into this series thinking that it will blow your mind, because it probably won’t. However, you will have buckets of fun and will fall in love with this adorable crew of outcasts. Pick this one up when you’re just looking for a good time! TW: drug addiction (Starfall)

Red Rising Trilogy by Pierce Brown

Oh, I’m sorry, did you really think that I wouldn’t list my all-time favorite series (with the exception of HP, of course!)? HA! The joke is on you, my friend, because I will never not recommend this series to someone. Also, the first book in a new trilogy set 10 years later is being released in January! My body is probably going to spontaneously combust with excitement. TW: violence

Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park, #1) by Michael Crichton

A classic, to be sure. The book actually delves quite deeper into the science behind the park that the film wasn’t able to cover. So if you like that sort of stuff, then you will appreciate Crichton’s writing. I haven’t read any of his other novels but I do believe that’s a common trait with his writing.

Across the Universe Trilogy Beth Revis

I will admit that it’s been quite a while since I read this series, but I do remember really enjoying it. I haven’t seen the movie but I assume based on what it was about, that this series is kind of like a YA version of the movie Passengers. Except better. Because I definitely heard that that movies was awful. Also, yes there was a cover change in the middle of this series. WE DON’T TALK ABOUT IT.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I don’t tend to hate on the Twilight series because we all read it when we were teens and devoured it. It’s okay to admit these things, instead of acting like we were too mature for that. With that being said, this book is FAR superior to Twilight. I honestly wish more people would read this and see for themselves. I actually think I’ll be rereading it this fall! Also, there was a movie adaptation of it starring Saoirse Ronan.

Star Wars: Aftermath Trilogy by Chuck Wendig

Like I would do a science fiction recommendations post and not include something involving Star Wars! But seriously, I thought this was such a fun series, that just got better with each book. I know some people don’t like that Wendig writes this series in the present tense but I didn’t even notice it after the first book. If you like Star Wars, then these books are a must!

P.S. This post might have been written while listening to the Star Wars soundtracks.

What are some of your favorite science fiction novels? Which ones would recommend? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what did you think of them?

Hype or Like Friday – December 23rd, 2016

Woohoo, it’s Hype or Like Friday again! This meme and Goodreads group were created by myself, Jill @ Rant and Rave Books, and Britt @ Geronimo Reads. To join our group and find out more information about what it’s all about, please go to our Goodreads page HERE.

The December BOTM is A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird, #1) by Claudia Gray.

RULES:

Answer the weekly discussion topic.
Optional: Discuss your chosen hyped book of the week.
Optional: Talk about your progress on the BOTM.

TOPIC OF THE WEEK: Best Reads of 2016 – Tell us your top favorite books that you’ve read this year!

Best Reads of 2016

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid – The book was definitely a fun read. If you’re looking for a fun, stabby read a la Red Rising, then this book is the one for you! Full Review
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman – I seriously just really love this book. The main character is one of the most badass heroines that I’ve ever read about. She’s one cool chick. Full Review
Morning Star (Red Rising, #3) by Pierce Brown – I can already tell you right now, that any book this man writes will be favorite. It’s just a given. Now I only have to wait until September for Iron Gold to be released! Full Review
Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1) by Rachel Caine – I’m become kind of obsessed with this series, honestly. I don’t know how I’m supposed to wait until the finale is released in July. That’s just too long from now! Full Review
A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2) by V.E. Schwab – The first book was alright, but I loved this sequel. Lila Bard wasn’t annoying me anymore and I really loved how the scale increased sooo much with this one. I am so excited for the finale to come out! Full Review
Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff – While I did love Gemina, this one was just sooooo freaking good that there was no way they could top it. It’s just impossible. Full Review
A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird, #1) by Claudia Gray – I am soooo glad that we chose this book for the Hype or Like Friday BOTM. I love a good science fiction and this one was the perfect blend of sci-fi and romance. I highly recommend it if you haven’t picked it up yet! Full review will come next Friday!

What were some of your favorite reads of 2016? Have you read any of mine? What did you think of them? Leave a link to your Hype or Like Friday post in the comments below!

WWW Wednesday – November 23rd, 2016

Welcome to WWW Wednesday which is currently being hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World of Words. It’s really just a place to do little update on what all you’ve been reading lately. Anyone is welcome to join, just leave a link to your post in the comments and be sure to give the appropriate credit to Sam!

The Three W’s are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading?

The Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns, #1) by Kendare Blake
Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4) by Sarah J. Maas

I’m still currently making my way through Three Dark Crowns but I hope to finish it by tomorrow. The action is still pretty lacking at this point, but I am seeing a gradual build finally so I’m hoping that means I’m getting close! I wanna see some murder! Preferably Joseph’s, but I’ll take what I can get at this point.

I actually have yet to read any actual pages in Queen of Shadows, as I’m trying to finish up the other book first. I know that once I start, it’ll be incredibly hard to put down to read something else. My Tome Topple Read-A-Thon is slowly going down the drain. I’ll be lucky if I can finish even two books at the rate I’m going. For all of you younglings out there, never become an adult and get a real job because it totally cuts into your reading time.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Diabolic by S.J Kincaid – full review HERE
Wolf by Wolf (Wolf by Wolf, #1) by Ryan Graudin – full review to come

I really enjoyed The Diabolic. It was a fun and brutal read, with lots of murder and mayhem. However, there were lots of similarities to the Red Rising series that kept me from rating it higher. I mean, it’s tough to live up to one of my all time favorite books so it’s not really a big deal. I still highly recommend it to everyone!

I buddy read Wolf by Wolf with my one of my blogging partners in crime, Britt @ Geronimo Reads (go check out her awesome blog!). We both really enjoyed it, though we did have some issues with the main character, Yael. I do plan on reading the sequel and I hope that some of those issues are addressed. I wasn’t really sure if I was going to like this book when I first bought it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yay for my first buddy read!

What do you think you’ll read next?

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5) by Sarah J. Maas
Moon Chosen (Tales of a New World, #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Once I finish Three Dark Crowns I will officially be able to dive into my Tome Topple TBR all the way. I plan to finish up the ToG series and then start on the new release P.C Cast novel. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she wrote the House of Night vampire series. I used to love those books when I was in high school so I’m interested in seeing how her new book turns out. You can read all about my Tome Topple Read-A-Thon TBR here.

Have you read any of the books from my WWW Wednesday list? What are you currently reading? Are you participating in the Tome Topple Read-A-Thon too? Leave a link to your WWW Wednesday post in the comments below!

Book Review: The Diabolic

I have to say that I’m a little partial to science fiction novels. I think it runs in the family as that’s basically the only genre my dad and brother reads unless I force a book on them. It’s also a genre that’s not really popular in YA, though I do think it’s gotten a lot more popular recently. So when I first heard about The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid, I knew I had to get my hands on it.

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.

As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.

The Good

Action – Yep, there’s killing and stabbing and poisoning and breaking necks happening all over the place in this book. AND I LIKE IT! I need more women in YA just kicking ass and taking names. Yes, it’s probably mean and ruthless but I don’t care, sue me!
Nemesis – I loved the character development that her character went through. She spends most of the book thinking that her only purpose is to protect someone else and that she is incapable of having any feelings or the ability to sympathize. However, as she continues her mission, she is able to develop new emotions and recognize that there is more to her than just being a Diabolic. She’s an actual human being, even if she is genetically modified.
Political Intrigue – I’m a sucker for it. Give me a book that’s full of backstabbing and power hungry people, and I’ll fall in love. It’s amazing what kind of psychological insight you can learn from reading books that use this as a major plotline. But maybe it helps just a little that I think I’d be pretty good at playing the game. Does this make me a bad person?!
Tyrus – Oh man, I think we’d be a match made in heaven.

The Bad

Ending – The climax felt a bit rushed and messy for me. I would’ve liked to have seen even just about 50 pages more to bring it all together. I also didn’t like how the “twist” happened that was the catalyst for the ending. It didn’t really make sense in that Nemesis had been a very skeptical and critical thinker for the entire book, so this seemed a bit out of character for her.
Similar to Red Rising – There was quite a bit of similarities to the plot of Red Rising, more so than what I originally thought when I read the synopsis. And let’s be honest, you can try to imitate that book but you will seriously fail at it. It’s far too good for any of that!

I’m gonna give this book 3.75 stars. It’s a really fun read and very entertaining, but because I have read Red Rising and it’s probably my favorite series ever, this book just can’t get a higher rating from me. It probably deserves it but I’m biased on this one, sorry! I do highly recommend it though to anyone who’s interested in reading some good YA science fiction or is just looking for a fun ride!

Final Verdict: 3.75 Stars

Have you read The Diabolic? What are your thoughts on this book? Do you like to read science fiction?