The Lost Code by Kevin Emerson

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The Lost Code
Series: The Atlanteans #1
Author: Kevin Emerson
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780062062796

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

What is oldest will be new, what was lost shall be found.

The ozone is ravaged, ocean levels have risen, and the sun is a daily enemy.

But global climate change is not something new in the Earth’s history.

No one will know this better than less-than-ordinary Owen Parker, who is about to discover that he is the descendant of a highly advanced ancient race–a race that took their technology too far and almost destroyed the Earth in the process.

Now it is Owen’s turn to make right in his world what went wrong thousands of years ago. If Owen can unlock the lost code in his very genes, he may rediscover the forgotten knowledge of his ancestry . . . and that “less-than-ordinary” can evolve into “extraordinary.”

Kevin Emerson’s thrilling novel is Book One of the Atlanteans series–perilous adventures in a grimly plausible dystopian future, fueled by high-stakes action, budding romance, and a provoc-ative question: What would you do if you had the power to save humanity from its own self-destruction?

MY THOUGHTS

I have read many books in the Adult Genre featuring the mystery of Atlantis or at least has some sort of premise of Atlantis in the plot.  So when this book appeared in my review list, I decided to give it a go and see how it would fare in the Young Adult Genre.

While I enjoyed the book and the character of Owen,  I did find the book lacking in some ways.  To me, it seemed that the other characters dragged the book down.  I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy them that much.  It wasn’t any one particular thing about them, it is just what it is.  I loved the lore and mythology that is included with the book.  I actually learned a few things while reading it.  The story does start off slow and you really have to commit yourself to the book to get the pay off at the end of it.  I think it is because the world needed to be established and it brought the story down in that regard.  Now that I have finished the build up, I am hoping that the next book in the series will take off at a better pace.  This is the one thing about new series that authors have to learn to balance out for the reader.  Too much info in the first book could lead to boredom and not enough can leave the reader confused.  A delicate balance that I hope is figured out by the next book.

While this wasn’t my favorite book,  I did enjoy the fresh take on the plot.  Mythology mixed with modern day and add some dystopia makes a great new series for the young adult genre.  One to keep my eye on for future installments while hoping it gets better with book two.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

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Unraveling
Series: Unraveling #1
Author: Elizabeth Norris
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780062103734

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed–as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows–with every fiber of her being–that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something–but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened–the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life–points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets–and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.

MY THOUGHTS

Wow.  Yep, that about sums up my experience in reading Unraveling.  With action that starts from the first chapter, the reader is in for a wild ride of excitement, suspense and love at first page.  I didn’t know what to expect from this book, but I am so glad that I gave it a chance!

I was first intrigued by the cover of this book.  Then I read the summary and thought that this one might be a little different then the normal and decided to order it for review.  What I found inside the covers was so much more than expected.  I loved the characters and the secondary ones were just as great.  The plot was different but well worked.  The romance was amazing and kept my interest.  The only flaw that I really had about this book was that there is so much happening in one book.  I figured that if it is going to be a series, the author should have spread it out more in the other books.  Even with everything that does happen in the book, I still didn’t feel too overwhelmed by it all.  I know most readers are wanting everything in the first book — and sometimes this frustrates a reader to no end — I fell that this book was one that needed it expanded to the next book instead of crammed into the 400+ pages of Unraveling.

On a final note, if you haven’t read this book yet, you are seriously missing out on a new read to add to your favorites collection.  Bring on the next one Ms. Norris because I am in love with your writing!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

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The Bar Code Tattoo
Series: Bar Code #1
Author: Suzanne Weyn
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 9780545470544

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Individuality vs. conformity. Identity vs. access. Freedom vs. control. The bar code tattoo.

The bar code tattoo. Everybody’s getting it. It will make your life easier, they say. It will hook you in. It will become your identity.

But what if you say no? What if you don’t want to become a code? For Kayla, this one choice changes everything. She becomes an outcast in her high school. Dangerous things start happening to her family. There’s no option but to run . . . for her life.

Individuality vs. conformity.
Identity vs. access.
Freedom vs. control.

The bar code tattoo.

MY THOUGHTS

After reading the summary on the back of this book, I was intrigued.  It seemed to me like it could be a cool new read in the Young Adult genre.

In the future, everyone is getting the new Bar Code Tattoo.  Every bit of information in your life is recorded in that tattoo.  Some believe this to be a good thing, while others are not on board with it.  With the hints of deception and suspense, I was excited to start this series.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t what I was expecting.  The plot and story wasn’t bad, but I think it is a better series for the younger adults then the older ones.  Adults who like to read young adult books might find this book just a little too “young adult” and not enjoy it as much.

There were some high points in the book though that kept me interested enough to finish the read.  I liked finding out the secrets and such through Kayla’s eyes.  The author did write at a great pace and has a unique writing style.  Again, it just felt as if it was too young for mature readers.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!