Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publish Date: November 29, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

The differences between June and Day are vast - much like night and day. June is a prodigy, being prepared for a high life in the military. Day lives in the slums as a common criminal, barely surviving day to day. Their lives become entwined in the senseless and heinous murder of Metias, June's brother. Day is accused, and so June becomes the hunter and he, the hunted. Determined to track down the only suspect in her brother's murder, capturing Day becomes her mission, but when June and Day discover the truth, their worlds will unravel around them, and it might be all they can do to stay alive.

Dystopian novels are known for their rich and debilitated worlds. It sounds like a contradiction and, truly, it is. There is the extreme wealth, and there is extreme poverty. But to be able to spin a world of dystopian fiction that masks the extremes and hides the true sinister nature of society is a task these days. Legend does so seamlessly, engrossing the reader in a story that's equal parts action and deceit, keeping one tethered to a story that won't let go. Author Marie Lu has crafted a thrilling, heart-pounding adventure that awes and terrifies at the same time. Legend is a glimpse into a world that could quite possibly be, and giving us an insider perspective, we see through the facade into the grim underbelly of a crumbling society.

Legend utilizes some of the most powerful tools to craft a great novel. First, it must be said that Day is an absolute breath of fresh air. He's painted as a villain in the novel, but there is a lighthearted nature to him that allows us to see he's really a kind soul. Plus, he's every bit the daredevil, which is absolutely captivating. Then there's June, who's presented as this beacon of hope for the society, but she's more of a puppet than anything. Legend let's us see her character build from the ground up as she begins to discover the truth about herself and the world around her. That said, Legend also utilizes a dual narrative, which can be rather tricky. While, for the most part, the transitions were clean and crisp, there were times that their voices ever-so-slightly became similar and nearly indistinguishable. That said, Legend features heroic action and dramatically woven conspiracies that continue to make the story completely captivating. Plus, Legend is a book that burns brighter with each passing page. Starting with the dregs of society and building to show us the darker nature of the master plan surrounding the characters in Legend, the story builds momentum and becomes nearly impossible to put down.

Overall, despite a few minor hiccups, Legend was a fabulous addition to the dystopian genre, and Lord knows I'm picky. I give it a strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Ada - Legend of a Healer
Author: R.A. McDonald
Publisher: House of Lore
Published: January 1, 2011
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 260
Source: Publisher

No sickness, No injuries, No pain, No limits. If you had the power to heal, what would you do? For fifteen-year-old Ada discovering that she can heal feels more like a curse than a gift. When she learns of the mystery surrounding her mother's disappearance, and sees the indifference of so-called friends, she sets out for Paris to find her.

The power to heal protects her, but also has her hunted by a man who sees her as nothing more than his fountain of youth. Ada realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping.

Ada hasn't grown up in a house with a white picket fence. Instead she was cast off and absorbed into the foster care system, quickly putting up a shield of hostility. Always knowledgeable of the sicknesses of those around her and never getting hurt just seemed like facts of life. Finally on her last strike of trouble, an estranged aunt comes to the rescue, giving Ada the knowledge of how to use her healing power. Now Ada, who up to this point has shunned the world, all of the sudden has the power to heal it.

Ada's lived her entire life in the foster system, knowing she has a gift, but is convinced it's more of a curse than anything else. After pulling her last stunt and being caught, Ada is fifteen and past the age that people and her caseworker can simply overlook her childish rebellion. It's either time for her to stay in a home for kids that can't be placed in stable homes, or she goes to Aunt Jessie, her mother's best friend. The two share similar gifts, but Ada resents hers until her unique ability is brought to light and the extent of her power is revealed. Now her gift is a fight between life and death, and the life hanging in the balance is her own.

I have to say this is a first for me. Healers in YA fiction is a nice, refreshing twist on magic and the paranormal, and it was truly a pleasure to lose myself in a world so vastly different than those I've seen. R.A. McDonald has created a world within Ada - Legend of a Healer that's dark and grim, all the while perfectly merging a delicate balance of human nature, the struggle to find oneself and a trippy world where Ada's gift has more than just the power to heal. With intricate details and clever artwork peppering the pages, Ada - Legend of a Healer was a rich world that one can easily lose themselves within.

I didn't know what to expect from Ada, herself, when I started the book, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite, or in spite of, her incredible gift, Ada is very much a normal teenager within Ada - Legend of a Healer. She's lived a difficult life outside of her gift, and her gift simply amplifies her struggle. Jessie was also a remarkable character. There were moments that I thought I knew her and loved her, and there were times I wanted to strangle her. Throughout it all though, it was apparent that she was doing the best she could, in her own way, to help Ada. The multiple settings, the search for Ada's mother, and the desperate desire to be someone Ada could come to terms with all made Ada - Legend of a Healer poignant and powerful. The only thing I would have specifically changed in the book was to have fleshed out the climax a bit more. I felt it was a bit rushed.

It's rare that I come across a book that so pleasantly surprises me, especially when the cover isn't my favourite (I'm a cover slut...it's no secret). I give Ada - Legend of a Healer a very strong 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to the YA audience, particularly those who enjoy paranormal stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Here are the rules: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page, and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The ashen, sickly color of her skin faded. Slowly, Madame Cornot loosened her grip on Ada's arms until she eventually let go and lay back against the couch with her eyes closed. 

Ada: Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teasers differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature two sentences (or more) of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my current WIP, RACE.

Brimming with blood and echoing with the screams of a thousand dead Racers, I wrench myself from the vivid nightmare, but the terror remains. I launch myself from my cot and crouch in the far corner, panting for a deep breath, feeling the icy cold sheen trickle lazily down my neck.

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Be sure to check out today's stop for The Long Weekend Blog Tour hosted by yours truly! The all-too-awesome Steph from Steph the Bookworm has a fabulous review/interview/international giveaway for all of you, so be sure to drop by and check it out!

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

FOR REVIEW

Ada, Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

(Thank you, House of Lore)

For fifteen-year-old Ada discovering that she can heal feels more like a curse than a gift. When she learns of the mystery surrounding her mother's disappearance, and sees the indifference of so-called friends, she sets out for Paris to find her.

The power to heal protects her, but also has her hunted by a man who sees her as nothing more than his fountain of youth. Ada realizes her true power is her will to survive, and that her only chance at freedom is to become the best at escaping.

FOR TOUR/REVIEW

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

(Thank you, Bibliophile Brouhaha)

Carly has dropped out of uni to spend her days surfing and her nights working as a cook in a Manly café. Surfing is the one thing she loves doing ... and the only thing that helps her stop thinking about what happened two years ago.

Then she meets Ryan and Carly has to decide ... Will she let the past bury her? Or can she let go of her anger and shame, and find the courage to be happy?

BOUGHT

Jersey Tomatoes are the Best by Maria Padian

Both Henry and Eva are New Jersey natives and excellent athletes: Henry's a master on the tennis court and Eva is a graceful ballerina. When opportunity knocks for both of them the summer before their junior year in high school they throw open the door: Henry sees freedom from her overbearing father and a chance to build her talents on the court.

Eva sees the chance to be the best as well as even more pressure to be graceful, lighter, more perfect on the dancefloor. But soon, Eva's obsession with physical perfection leads her down the path to anorexia.

WON

Proofs of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer...and this amaaaaazing art print!

(Thank you, Michelle Hodkin!)