Top 5 Sundays #37 – Favorite Dystopian Worlds!

Hey there my dear readers! =) My favorite time of the week has arrived, Top 5 time!

I have to say that even though there are some themes that make me want to pull my hair out trying to come up with 5 items, I LOVE doing this and I love seeing what you all come up with as well! =)

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

This week’s results:

Favorite Quotes! = 8 (44%)

Favorite Dystopian Worlds! = 10 (55%)

 

The theme for today is:

Favorite Dystopian Worlds!

  *thanks Fiktshun for the theme!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

 

This week’s theme is Favorite Dystopian Worlds!

 

According to Answers.com Dystopia means:

An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror.

I had a hard time with this one because I realize I haven’t really read many books or series that fit into this category, but I’ll do my best =D

*in no particular order

Inside Out Series by Maria V. Snyder

 

ENVY Series by Joss Ware

The only Adult series representing in this list LOL

 

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

 

Across The Universe by Beth Revis

 

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

 

 

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

*Thanks everyone that submitted their ideas last week! You guys rock! =)

 

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Favorite Dystopian Worlds!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

 

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Author Interview & Giveaway w/ Joss Ware!

Hey Everyone!

Let’s welcome today to My Bookish Life, the author of the awesome ENVY Chronicles series, Joss Ware!

Don’t forget to check out the Giveaway deets at the end of the interview!

Enjoy…

 

- When did you first start writing?

I've been writing since I was eleven years old! I've always had a story to tell, and there's nothing more fun that listening to those voices in my head and going for it!

- Have you always been interested in Romance?

Yes, I am a big romance reader and always have been.

- What about in the Paranormal?

I honestly don't read a lot of paranormal romance, even though I write both the Envy Chronicles and historical vampire romances (as Colleen Gleason). I think I generally prefer to stay away from the genres I write in. I do, however, love a good ghost story, which is why Barbara Michaels is one of my all-time favorite authors.

- The sex scenes in your books are amazingly hot. Where do you get your inspiration?

Heh. I have a really good imagination!! :-)

- Do you find it hard to write them?

I definitely have to be in the mood to write those scenes, because while they are supposed to be emotional and titillating, they are also always integral to the story. Something in those scenes has to tie into the plot, character development or their relationship...so the scene has to be just right for those characters and setting.

Favorites:

- Favorite Paranormal themed Movie? Harry Potter

- Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show? Buffy

- Favorite Paranormal themed Book? anything by Barbara Michaels

- Favorite Author? Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters, J D Robb, Susan E Phillips, Kylie Brant, Robyn Carr

- Favorite Genre that is NOT your own? Historical mystery

- Favorite one of your Books?  The one I just finished is always the favorite of my books! ;-)

- Who is your favorite of your own characters?

Oh, I can never pick a favorite character. It's like picking a favorite child. But...Max Pesaro of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles is one of my favorites...maybe because I got to write him for five books. ;-) Although I really adore Theo (Night Betrayed) because he is just so funny and geeky!

- Which was the hardest to write?

The book I'm currently working on is always the one that makes me crazy! It's fun to have written, but writing is tough!!

- What would you be if not a writer?

I'd probably be dead. I couldn't live without writing, even if it was just for myself.

Quickies!

- Coffee or Tea? Tea. Always.

- Up or Down? Up.

- Virtual or Real? Real.

- Right or Left? Left.

- Day or Night? Both have their benefits.

- Here or There? Dr. Seuss.

- Sooner or Later? Sooner.

- Reading or Writing? oooh....tough one. Both!

- What is your favorite part of the writing process? Typing THE END. Honest.

- What is your least favorite part? The words that come after "Chapter One"

- The ENVY series in your own words? Walking Dead and LOST  meets Suzanne Brockmann.

- What is coming up next for you?

I just finished Fence's book, which will be released in September...and I also have three historical vampire romances coming out in March, April, and May (writing as Colleen Gleason). This is a busy year for me, with five releases!

- What are you working on right now?

I just finished the fifth Envy book and am just getting ready to start the 6th.

- Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Thank you so much for your support! Make sure to sign up for my newsletter so you get updates and chances to win early copies and other prizes!

- Thanks so much for being here!

Find Joss Ware Online:

Website | Twitter | Blog

Goodreads | Facebook

Buy Joss’s Book:

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Book Depository

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Check Out My Reviews:

Series Review {Books #1 - #3}

ARC Review of Night Betrayed

 

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ARC Review: Night Betrayed {Envy Chronicles, #4} by Joss Ware

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Change that devastated the earth made Theo Waxnicki something more than human-eternally young and beautiful...but not immortal. When he dies on a mission against the Strangers, he is lost to the darkness...until a miraculous healer brings him back.
Born as the world fell to ruins, Selena has dedicated her life to easing others' pain. Her tender touch awakens new life in Theo-and new desire. But joined together in a world of terrors, the lovers' secret pasts make them vulnerable to danger. And love is the deadliest trap of all.

From Goodreads.

 

• Publisher: Avon

• Release Date: January 25th, 2011

• My Copy: eGalley received from NetGalley.

• Pages: 384

• Series: Envy Chronicles

• Genre: Paranormal Pos-Apocalyptic Romance

• Author's Website

• Pre-Order This Book:

Night Betrayed

  *Contain minor spoilers if you haven’t read the previous books in the series

Ever since I read the first three books in the series I have been looking forward to reading more and finding out more about the mysteries surrounding this series. I am really happy to say that Night Betrayed not only met, but has easily surpassed my expectations. I’ll be honest and say that since it had been a while since I read the previous books in the series, I had a little hard time getting situated and remembering what was going on in general. See, that’s what happens when you are following over 50 books series LOL

Night Betrayed takes place a little after the events of  Abandon The Night. Theo has been shot in the chest and we meet up with him her a woman that people call the Death Lady, is taking care of him. She has a powerful crystal that performs a miracle, and brings Theo literally back to life.

Theo is heartbroken after Sage chose Simon over him, so he has been trying to get lost in the Resistance's mission. Being the freak who has barely aged since the Change, that destroyed the world he knew 50 years ago, is taking its toll on him and he is simply tired of it all.

Selena has had the burden of knowing when people are going to die for a long time. She was born during the Change and by a miracle was able to survive it, however that was not without its side effects. She is able to the see a Death Cloud around people that are going to die, as well as the guides that come from the other side to help them through the journey. Selena also has in her possession a powerful crystal and with it she carries the most heavy burden of all, save the souls of the Zombie-like gangas that have terrorized and killed so many people since the Change.

Theo and Selena’s romance is one full of obstacles. Selena has trust issues because of what she believes is her mission and the fact that when she has disclosed it to people before, no one seems to understand. Theo has just had his heart broken and though he believe he has found in Selena the woman he is meant to be with, he can’t quite bring himself to tell her that he and the 78-year-old Lou are Twins.

I really like this series. I love the premise and the pos-apocalyptic world that Joss has created. The characters are very rich and the romance is sizzling hot. The best of all is that she is able to balance all that out with a great and intricate plot full of mysteries that kept me glued to the book, page after page.

The only thing that bothered me was Selena’s obsession with the apparent age difference between her and Theo. I can understand her reticence in getting involved with a younger man, but before apparent age I believe in taking in consideration what’s inside and Theo was far from a young pup. I felt that she was a bit annoying about that sometimes, but over all she was a great leading lady!

Nonetheless, Night Betrayed is an awesome read! Full of answers about the mysteries raised in the previous books, but it also asks many more. I LOVE that and I can’t wait for the next installment in this amazing and original series! 

   

 

Next in The Envy Chronicles:

NIGHT FORBIDDEN

Coming Out on September 2011!

 

Previously in The Envy Chronicles:

Check Out My Review of The First 3 Books in The Series HERE

or Click on The Covers above!

 

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Lala's Book Corner: The Awakening Heroes Series by Joss Ware

“Everything they knew is gone.
From the raging fires, five men emerge with extraordinary new powers. They must learn how to survive this dark, ravaged world . . . but they cannot do it alone.”

• Publisher: Avon
• Release Date of Book #1: January 12th, 2010
• Release Date of Book #2: February 9th, 2010
• Release Date of Book #3: March 9th, 2010
• My Copy: eBooks purchased by me.
• Author's Website

"A man with no future...
When Dr. Elliott Drake wakes from a mysterious fifty-year sleep, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are now desolate, and civilization is controlled by deadly immortals. Stranger still is Elliott's extraordinary new "gift" – he has the power to heal, but it comes with fatal consequences.

A woman with a past
Jade barely escaped the immortals and is now hell-bent on revenge. She trusts no one... until Elliott. His piercing gaze and tempting touch shatter her defenses, but the handsome doctor seems to have dangerous secrets of his own. Is it safe to trust him with her heart?

If they are to survive in this dark new world, Jade and Elliott must work together to fight the forces that takes them beyond danger."

"Simon Japp will never forget his violent past. But when civilization is all but destroyed, he sees his chance for redemption. Blessed with a strange "gift," he's determined to help the resistance against the Strangers, the mysterious force that stalks them at every turn. He can't afford to get distracted, even by the stunning, soft-spoken woman fighting by his side . . . Sage Corrigan has learned to be careful where she places her trust. But she sees something good in Simon, even if he can't see it in himself. Posing as lovers to infiltrate a group key to their fight, they find that their staged affection soon develops into a desire that will leave them fighting for their lives in the night eternal."

"Quentin Fielding had everything. Money. Power. Women. But now that civilization is all but annihilated, Quent wants only one thing: revenge. Harnessing a strange new "gift," he embarks on a deadly mission to find the man responsible for the chaos and destruction, the man he should have killed years ago: his father. Only one thing stands in his way—a mysterious, arrow-wielding beauty . . .

ZoË Kapoor is on her own quest for vengeance, searching for the monstrous fiends who murdered her family. Soon she and Quent join together, journeying through the ruins of the world they once knew as a desperate desire builds between them. Drawing closer to an enemy they never imagined, ZoË and Quent must abandon all fear, abandon all regret, abandon the night . . ."

I can't even remember where i found our about this series, I think i saw some reviews around in January and even more in February. It looked so interesting that i had to check it out and I thought it was great that the three books were coming out in three consecutive months. Not having to wait forever between books was definitely a plus =)

I loved the post-apocalyptic concept of 5 men passing out during a earthquake whilst exploring a cave in Sedona, U.S. and waking up as if only little time has passed, to a world completely devastated and finding out that 50 years had passed and they hadn't aged a second.

In the first book we fall right into the action with our heroes saving some kids from the Zombie like creatures named "Gangas" that prowl during the night. We get to meet Elliot, Quent, Fence, Simon and Wyat only a few week after they have woken up and on the move to find the biggest known settlement, called Envy.

Each one of the books tells the love story of one the heroes and so far there has been Elliot and Jade's, Simon and Sage's and Quent and Zoe's story. I really enjoyed the romantic elements in this books and the smexing was wicked hot. I actually really liked all of the heroes and heroines of these novels and was pleasantly surprised that the smut did not overwhelm the plot and there was enough action and intrigue to keep you on your toes throughout all 3 books. The only thing that dragged a little in Joss Ware's writing was her descriptions, I dont know how to explain, I just found myself wanting to skim over them a lot of the time, specially when it came to describing the environment.

The over all plot was quite interesting and went much beyond being a "simple" apocalypse. Fifty years before, in June 2010, there were a series of alarming natural disasters, earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and so on... after all that was over the survivors started trying to find each other and get together, but after a few weeks, over two thirds of them simply fell dead. After a while the "Gangas" started showing up at night and small settlements started being built. The largest one being where Las Vegas used to be and it was called New Vegas, N. V. for short and it evolved to being called Envy.

Some strange people started showing up with these glowing crystals embedded on their skin started showing up and asking questions. They are really creepy and evil, though not everyone sees that, they're called Strangers and are immortal. The most disturbing thing for me was finding out that a select group of wealthy men and women were responsible for The Change and the great plot of the series is out heroes inclusion into the resistance against the Strangers, their search to find out what caused the physical change of the planet and their struggle to end their rein of terror.

All in all, I really enjoyed this series but i can't say it was exceptional. There were times that I wanted to just put down the book, though what kept me going was my curiosity and my investment in the main characters. They were pretty great and the smexing was def hot =) 

My Rating:

Smut Level:

4/5

My Least Favorite Book in The Series: Book #2 - Embrace The Night Eternal

My Favorite Book in The Series: Book #3 – Abandon the Night

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