Misfits and Heroes: West from Africa

Misfits and Heroes: West from Africa by Kathleen Rollins

Naaba begins it when he releases Asha from her bonds and they head off to the river, together, two misfits with a dark past and an uncertain future. But many others will become part of it before the journey is through: strangers and friends joining forces as they face their enemies, without and within, and the perils of the journey that will test them all, so that their actions, even their failures, will shape their new identity in a very different world, as friends, as lovers and as individuals.


Ramblings: When I started this book, I honestly thought, "This doesn't seem like something I am really going to enjoy.. and it's really long!" But I soon found that it IS something I am really going to enjoy and that the length disappeared as I was wrapped up in the story.


Characters: My heart soared with each of these characters. They face so many struggles--inside and out--and I just really connected with all of them. Characters were inventively brought into and out of the story and I could never be sure if someone would turn up again. I was definitely kept on my toes!


Plot: Set in 12,000 BC, this book has a very interesting plot! I loved being sucked into this world. It was such a believable world, I'm sure that Rollins had her work cut out for her when she was researching this era! And, this era was eerily similar to ours and I never thought it would be. I figured they were all cave men with no feelings to put it blatantly! Rollins did a wonderful job opening my mind up to this era.


Overall: I'm so excited that I picked this book up, and so upset that it took me so long to! Thank you Ms Rollins for letting me review your book! :)


Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Fever

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Pages: 341
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. 
Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. 
The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. 
In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.


Ramblings: I loved Wither (Book 1 in the Chemical Garden Trilogy) but I found it somewhat slow-paced. This book had the same feel to it and I'm not sure why. It had more action and adventure in that than Wither did, but something about it kept me from tearing through it. 


Characters: I love the characters in this novel! Gabriel and Rhine's romance flourishes while the villains become even more sinister! The characters are what saved the book for me, especially Maddie. She was my favorite character in this book I think despite her lacking words. I really hope to see more of her in the next book! Who I don't want to see more of? Vaughn. Yet, at the same time I know the next book is going to be an epic battle involving him. It's probably going to be my favorite in the whole series.

Plot: Alas, the plot dragged a little and I don't understand why I wasn't interested in it, there was so much going on! I loved the constant obstacles that never seemed to cease even at the end. And speaking of the end?? Oh my goodness! Okay, I finished this book right after I finished Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver (within about two hours of each other!) and I almost flipped my lid. They ended in almost the exact same way. I can't say anymore for those of you who haven't finished the book.. but yeah. Insanity!


Overall: I don't really know where I stand with this book, but I do know that I am really interested in what's going to happen next! I hope the great finale doesn't disappoint! 

Overall Rating: 3 Stars