END OF THE WORLD SPECIAL

Inspired by Channel 5's End of the World Weekend. If any other bloggers would like to take part and create an end of the world post of their own, send your links to me and I will feature your posts within this one. 

This List is made up of Goodreads Recomendations of some of my favourite Apocolyptic and Dystopian books so I have not read any myself and it is a kind of End Of The World TBR. All of these books are the first in their series. Happy Reading!

THE LEVELLER
Julia Durango

Nixy Bauer is a self-made Leveller. Her job? Dragging kids out of virtual reality and back to their parents in the real world. It’s normally easy cash, but Nixy’s latest mission is fraught with real danger, intrigue, and romance.
Nixy Bauer is used to her classmates being very, very unhappy to see her. After all, she’s a bounty hunter in a virtual reality gaming world. Kids in the MEEP, as they call it, play entirely with their minds, while their bodies languish in a sleeplike state on the couch. Irritated parents, looking to wrench their kids back to reality, hire Nixy to jump into the game and retrieve them.
But when the game’s billionaire developer loses track of his own son in the MEEP, Nixy is in for the biggest challenge of her bounty-hunting career. Wyn Salvador isn’t some lazy kid looking to escape his homework: Wyn does not want to be found. And he’s left behind a suicide note. Nixy takes the job but quickly discovers that Wyn’s not hiding—he’s being held inside the game against his will. But who is holding him captive, and why?
Nixy and Wyn attempt to fight their way out of a mind game unlike any they’ve encountered, and the battle brings them closer than either could have imagined. But when the whole world is virtual, how can Nixy possibly know if her feelings are real?
Gamers and action fans of all types will dive straight into the MEEP, thanks to Julia Durango’s cinematic storytelling. A touch of romance adds some heart to Nixy’s vivid, multidimensional journey through Wyn’s tricked-out virtual city, and constant twists keep readers flying through to the breathtaking end.

ROT AND RUIN
Johnathan Maberry

 

  

 

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

 TUMBLE AND FALL
Alexandra Coutts

 

 

The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.

 
TWINMAKER
Sean Williams 

 

 

 

High-stakes action combines with issues of friendship and body image in this timely and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of technology and identity. 

You can be Improved....

In a near-future world in which technology can transport you anywhere instantly, can a coded note enable you to change your body—to become taller, stronger, more beautiful? Clair is pretty sure the offer is too good to be true. But her best friend, Libby, is determined to give it a try, longing for a new, improved version of herself.

What starts as Libby’s dream turns into Clair’s nightmare when Libby falls foul of a deadly trap. With the help of Jesse, the school freak, and a mysterious—but powerful—stranger called Q, Clair’s attempt to protect Libby leads her to an unimagined world of conspiracies and cover-ups. Soon her own life is at risk, and Clair is chased across the world in a desperate race against time.

Action and danger fuel Sean Williams’ tale of technology, identity, and the lengths to which one girl will go to save her best friend.

BLACKOUT
Robison Wells

 

 

 

Laura and Alec are trained terrorists.
Jack and Aubrey are high school students.
There was no reason for them to ever meet.
But now, a mysterious virus is spreading throughout America, infecting teenagers with impossible powers. And these four are about to find their lives intertwined in a complex web of deception, loyalty, and catastrophic danger—where one wrong choice could trigger an explosion that ends it all

 

REPLICA
Jenna Black

  

Breathtaking new YA SF from the author of the Faeriewalker series
Sixteen-year-old Nadia Lake comes from a high-class Executive family in the Corporate States. Her marriage has been arranged with the most powerful family in her state, which means she lives a life of privilege but also of public scrutiny, followed everywhere by photographers, every detail of her private life tabloid fodder. But her future is assured, as long as she can maintain her flawless public image — no easy feat when your betrothed is a notorious playboy.
Nathan Hayes is the heir of Paxco — controller of the former state of New York, and creator of human replication technology, science that every state and every country in the world would kill to have. Though Nadia and Nate aren’t in love, they’ve grown up close, and they (and the world) are happy enough with their match.
Until Nate turns up dead, and as far as everyone knows, Nadia was the last person to see him alive.
When the new Nate wakes up in the replication tanks, he knows he must have died, but with a memory that only reaches to his last memory backup, he doesn’t know what killed him. Together, Nadia and Nate must discover what really happened without revealing the secrets that those who run their world would kill to protect.

  

STUNG
Bethany Wiggins

 

 

 

There is no cure for being stung.
Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she awakens, her world no longer exists. Her house is abandoned and broken. Her neighborhood is barren and dead. And there is a tattoo on her right hand. A tattoo Fiona doesn’t remember getting…but somehow she must conceal at any cost. Because humanity has been divided.
Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded, while a select few live protected inside a fortresslike wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.
And Fiona has awoken branded, on the wrong side of the wall, and…normal.
From the author of Shifting comes this remarkable reimagining of Sleeping Beauty, where the sting of a bee, rather than the prick of a needle, can destroy the world.

 

THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM
Mary Gray

 

A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.
At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die. 

 

 

PAWN
Aimee Carter

 

 

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.
If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.
There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.
Previously titled Masked.

 

ABERRANT
Ruth Silver

 

 

 

In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.
With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

 

THE DISSAPEARED
C. J. Harper

 

In a future where children are segregated into institutions that range from comfortable 'Learning Communities' to prison-like 'Local Academies', 17-year-old Jackson is an academic high flyer, living in a top Learning Community and destined for a position in the Leadership. But when he is sent with his best friend Wilson to deliver a package to a factory block, the two boys are attacked leaving Jackson badly beaten and Wilson dead. Confused and upset, Jackson returns to his Learning Community only to be dismissed by his teachers who claim not to know him. Sent to an Academy, Jackson finds himself immersed in a world that couldn't be further removed than the one he's used to. 

 

 

REVOLUTION 19 

Gregg Rosenblum

 

 

 

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.
Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.
Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

 

Review Special - The Blood Of Olympus

WARNING: THIS REVIEW IS RIDDLED WITH SPOILERS

Title: The Blood Of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus #5)

Author: Rick Riordan (From Website: Pronounced Rye'-er-dan. (Rhymes with fireman, sort of.)
About the Author:
Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling
author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults.
For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honoured him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.
While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children's fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.
Today over forty million copies of his Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus books are in print in the United States, and rights have been sold into more than 37 countries. Rick is also the author of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, another #1 New York Times bestseller. 
Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in Boston with his wife and two sons.
Author Website: http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx

Publisher: Puffin
Genres: Fantasy, YA, Adventure, Mythology.
Release Date: October 7th 2014
Pages: 514
Where Acquired: A Birthday present from my Parents
Buy at Amazon Here
- Best Book Price: £6.37 Kindle Price: £5.99 (as of when posted)

Book Merchandise I Love from Etsy.com:

A Heroes of Olympus Necklace. You can buy it for £10.52 HERE

A Very Festive HoO bauble for £8.53 that you can buy HERE

A Camp Half Blood Necklace for £9.86 that you can buy HERE

A Camp Jupiter Necklace for £9.86 you can buy HERE

A Camp Half Blood T-Shirt for £8.54 you can buy it HERE

A SPQR Camp Jupiter T-Shirt for £9.85 you can buy it HERE

UK Cover:


Covers From Elsewhere:

USA

Indonesian

Dutch

Goodreads Description:
Though the Greek and Roman crew members of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

My Review:
Rick Riordan is by far my most favourite author. I own all of his YA books minus a couple of the graphic novels and I will continue to buy all of his books for as long as he keeps writing them. He is a sassy and witty author who is not afraid to put his characters in difficult situations that are both heart-wrenching and exciting at the same time. He is one of those authors you can love with all your heart but hate at the same time for the evil cliffhangers and heart pounding scenes.
The Blood Of Olympus was not an exception to these traits i have written above. It was stock full of drama, excitement and scenes that made me cry - from both sadness and laughter. Some scenes I was laughing so much that I think my family probably assumed I was just crazy. 
I am going to spilt this review into parts; first I am going to comment on each of the main characters. The first image is the official artwork released for the books and the second image is the fan art I think looks most like my idea of the character.
Percy Jackson

Percy Jackson has always been there from the beginning even though he did have a smaller role in this book so the other characters can stand out a little more but his sass and wit still managed to come through. I love his and Annabeth's ending when they get to stay together and live monster free at camp Jupiter. Percy is powerful and cute a great combination and he will always been one of my favourites. I love all the percybeth moments in this book especially when they both reach Athens and kiss to prove a point that children of Poseidon and Athena can be together. However Percy's reaction to Nico's confession of having a crush on him just killed me though, literally killed me I was laughing so hard! It had to be my favourite Percy moment of TBOO
Annabeth Chase

Annabeth has also always been there since the beginning so I love her for that. She grew so much as a character in this book especially when she was in Sparta fighting with Piper when she had to forgo knowledge for emotion. She is so wise, smart and clever; a great role model for girls all over the world. She did take a back seat a little in this novel again however to help the other characters stand out. I loved her ending but I was really really wishing for a percybeth wedding as I ship them both so much! The scene where Annabeth and Percy accidentally woke Gaia broke my heart but I was so glad when no one blamed them for what happened. I really love Annabeth's friendship with Piper and at the end Reyna it was very sweet!
Jason Grace

Jason is a powerful character, I loved the scene when he first met his father in his greek form. He wasn't afraid to stand up to his father when he needed to either and that made me love him more. Jason did take a back seat in the novel letting characters like Nico, Leo and Piper to take charge but some of the action was written from his point of view still. The scene where he had to face his mother was so heartbreaking it nearly broke me right from the start!
Jason's ending was one of my favourites, he got the position of a priest and got to go between camps making sure all gods are worshipped and no one is left out - it is such a noble cause and he can then go between camps and see all of his friends still. And he is still with Piper and they can live happily ever after aww!
Piper McLean

Piper has to be one of my favourites! She was an underrated character before but now as she came into her powers she became incredible! Her charmspeak was one of the best weapons used in the novel - maybe other than her horn of plenty. Piper was the source of most of my laughs in the battle scenes, some of her fighting tactics were just hilarious and random and this made me love her! She became one of the best characters in this novel and one of the most powerful.
Hazel Levesque

Hazel wasn't in this novel as much as she was in the others but it was her relationship with Nico that stood out so much. I love Nico and it's lovely seeing that he has some family again. Hazel was Incredible when she grew into her powers however, her control of the Mist helped with the quest more than she realised.
Frank Zhang

Frank also took more of a backseat but his ability to turn into an animal was used in the most hilarious ways. All I can now think of when his name is mentioned is him as a Rhino knocking 20 foot Giants over! Haha! I was glad him and Hazel had a happy ending going back to Camp Jupiter to live their lives out, leading the Roman legions together.
Leo Valdez

Leo has always been my favourite character in HoO his Witt and bravery made me fall in love with him. He was one of the main characters in this book and his plans were near enough worthy of Athena and his bravery worthy of a Hero. His sacrifice had me crying my eyes out, I honestly believed he had died in his quest to save everyone and this made me love him more. I was devastated seeing his friends all miss and cry for him and thinking of Calypso left alone on the island waiting for Leo to return. However I was screaming for joy when Leo's name appeared above the next chapter and it had turned out that Festus had saved him!! I was even happier when it turned out that he rescued Calypso and was going to return to his friends - I would have loved to have been able to read a chapter about his return. He is so brave and lovely and ahhhh *dies*
Coach Hedge

Coach hedge is there for amusement mostly - especially when Buford the Table was set to imitate him. I found it so sweet that he had to race home for his wife though to get home in time to see his son being born awww. And just the thought of Clarisse as a birthing partner/godmother just left me laughing.
Nico Di Angelo

First off I hate the official art work of Nico, wrong hair colour, wrong eye colour and that expression *shudders*. I love Nico, he is so full of pain and anger but deals with it so well, he is strong and courageous and always knows when to get involved or when to stay away. It was his growth of characters that I noticed most in this novel. He discovered more he could do with his powers and he overcame the feelings he had for Percy. His confrontation with Percy regarding his feelings was hilarious and I am really shipping him and Will - I would love a novella surrounding them both! I have always liked Nico and always will, like all of Riordan's characters he is very well developed and my heart ached along with his for the majority of his chapters. When Nico decided to stay at camp half blood it really warmed my heart - seeing he was wanted and loved and seeing him more open to having friends; even letting people hug him just made me melt!
Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano

Reyna surprised me in TBOO, She never used to be my favourite but in this book I begun to like her a lot. She is strong, very, very strong and courageous. I loved reading about her history and relationship with her sister and her friendship with Nico made me like her even more! When she fought Orion towards the end is when my feelings for her solidified even more however. I would love to read a Novella centred around her as I am really intrigued to find out who she will fall in love with as she was told it would never be a demi-god, that would make a great read.

The enemies in this book were formidable, I had no idea how any of the heroes were going to pull through - I mean how do you destroy the earth, dozens of 20 foot tall Giants, hundreds of earthborn and legions of monsters at the same time as uniting warring camps, overthrowing a crazy roman, carrying a statue half way across the world and all without the help of the gods who were too busy fighting themselves.....Hmm.... This book is nothing but full of drama!
The massacre of the Amazonians and Hunters of Artemis killed me slightly though, I was so sad as I always appreciate a strong, independent woman in my books! However this book had enough humour to counter the dire and desperately sad plot lines therefore being very well balanced and making it an incredible read. I couldn't have loved the ending of this series more - i was hoping beyond hope that the camps never merged and stayed separate; my wish came true with the bonus of regular holidays between camps which I loved as it meant all the main characters in the book could continue to see each other and continue to be friends. I also appreciated the idea that everyone could chose what camp they live in and swap camps at any time to get the best of both worlds. This series has always been incredible, and will be one i re-read time and time again. This is a Goodbye to both the old Percy Jackson series and a Goodbye to heroes of Olympus I will truly miss it - but at least there are the crossover novels and mythology guides from Percy's point of view to still look forward to! But it is still very sad to see it end, I grew up on these books...
Goodbye - I will miss you - you will forever be in my heart!

Quotes:

Buford The Table “The intercom crackled. Buford’s Mini-Hedge yelled over the speakers, “PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!”

Coach Hedge “I have orders to bring Reyna in alive to stand trial for treason. I have no orders to bring you in alive, or the faun.” “Satyr!” the coach yelled. He kicked a skeleton in its bony crotch, which seemed to hurt Hedge more than the redcoat. “Ow! Stupid British dead guys!”

Nico “For a long time,’ Nico said, ‘I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know.’ Percy looked at Nico. Then at Annabeth, as if to check that he’d heard correctly. Then back at Nico.
‘You –’
‘Yeah,’ Nico said. ‘You’re a great person. But I’m over that. I’m happy for you guys.’
‘You … so you mean –’
‘Right.’
Annabeth’s grey eyes started to sparkle. She gave Nico a sideways smile.
‘Wait,’ Percy said. ‘So you mean –’
‘Right,’ Nico said again. ‘But it’s cool. We’re cool. I mean, I see now … you’re cute, but you’re not my type.’
‘I’m not your type … Wait. So –’
‘See you around, Percy,’ Nico said.”

Reyna “This is for Pheobe,' she snarled in his ear ' for Kinzie. For all those you killed. you will die at the hands of a girl.' Orion thrashed and fought, but Reyna's will was unshakable. The power of Athena infused her cloak. Bellona blessed her with strength and resolve. Not one but two powerful goddesses aided her"

Frank "Frank run out of arrows. He changed into a rhinoceros and leaped into battle, but as fast as he could knock down the giants they got up again"

Hazel “Oh, no!" Hazel wailed. "Popcorn! Our fatal weakness!”

Jason “We were surrounded by thirty-foot-tall giants who were about to kill us. Then the sky opened up, and the gods descended."
"Grandad," the kids said, "you are full of schist."
"I'm not kidding!" he protested.”

Piper “And why shouldn't Piper intimidate them? Aphrodite was the most ancient Olympian, born of the sea and the blood of Ouranos. She was older than Poseidon or Athena or even Zeus. And Piper was her daughter.”

Percy “So this is where the rivalry started," Percy said.
"Yeah."
Percy pulled Annabeth close and kissed her....
When Percy pulled away, Annabeth looked like a fish gasping for air.
"The rivalry ends here," Percy said. "I love you, Wise Girl.”

Annabeth "Annabeth, I never ignore your advice.' Piper kept her voice soothing. 'But this time I have to. We can't defeat this place with reason. You can't think your way out of your emotions."

Leo “Leo smiled nervously. Maybe he and Percy did share something else – a stupid sense of humour. ‘Yeah, I bet that would totally be against her sponsorship deal. THOSE ARE NOT THE OFFICIAL SHOES OF THE OLYMPICS! YOU WILL DIE NOW!’  

About Leo "Hazel rolled her eyes. ‘You’re both impossible.’

“Commander Tool Belt" Jason said.
"Bad Boy Supreme" Piper said.
"Chef Leo the Tofu Taco Expert."
They laughed and told stories about Leo valdez, their best friend. They stayed on the roof until dawn rose, and Piper started to believe they could have a fresh start. It might even be possible to tell a new story in which Leo was still out there.
Somewhere...”

About Gaia “That is correct," Zeus said. "The blood of Olympus was spilled. She is fully conscious."
"Oh, come on!" Percy complained. "I get a little nosebleed and I wake up the entire earth? That's not fair!”

Rating:

However It is not truly devastating that HoO is finished as coming next Autumn is Magnus Chase!
 

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword Of Summer!

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he's never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

 

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-The Reading Rose