Thursday #Review - Ally (Nemesis #2) by Anna Banks #YALit #SyFy

Series: Nemesis # 2
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: October 3, 2017
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult \ Science Fiction 

The thrilling sequel to Nemesis from Anna Banks, the New York Times-bestselling author of the Syrena Legacy

Princess Sepora of Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria have formed an uneasy truce between their kingdoms since the deadly plague began to rip through Theoria. Since their feelings for each other are entangled in politics and power, they must use their own trusted resources to find common ground.

But when traitors with powerful allies arise from unexpected places, Tarik and Sepora face challenges that will change both of their kingdoms forever. Will they learn whom to trust―including each other―in time to save their kingdoms, their relationship and even their lives?

Ally, by author Anna Banks, is the second part of the Nemesis duology. One final time we dive back into the lives of Princess Sepora of Serubel and King Tarik of Theoria. Banks alternatives each chapter between the two characters, which pretty much means they get equal storylines. As the story picks up, Sepora has chosen not to Forge any more spectorium, but there are those who are eager for her to continue. Like her own father. Like Tarik. Both believe that with the pending war on the horizon, spectorium is necessary to win. But, that is only the tip of the iceberg.

At the same time, Sepora and Tarik are soon to be married, and marrying means a royal engagement procession through all of the neighbors both rich, middle class, and poor. But, obstacles stand in their way. Obstacles which include Sepora's parents being around and under foot and constantly grating on the nerves of everyone. If you really want to uncover the key player in this story, please focus your attention on Queen Hanlyn. 

One especially heinous truth is discovered during a key moment in one of the opening chapters. This discovery is like a wet blanket over the rest of the story which is really a shame. I do declare that Sepora's refusal to forge is at the very top of the reason why there are so many issues with this story. This one issue alone drives wedges between the couple because she can't find a way to tell the truth about what is really happening, or if she really feels the same way about Tarik. What's worse, is that they are both to blame, and not just one person. 

Yet, it is when Sepora herself is kidnapped that the turmoil really begins in earnest and you can say you either loved what the author does at this point, or get angry and toss your book across the room. This is when Prince Sethos shines like a bright light. Let's also add Princess Tulle to that equation as well. As the final chapters are revealed, and war is on the horizon, readers will really get an idea how absolutely perfect the two are for each other, and how they probably should have been given equal star power for not only what they accomplish, but what they bring to the story itself.

In the end, probably not the best finale I've read this year, but the final chapters are entertaining nonetheless. 

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#Tuesday Review - Nemesis by Anna Banks #YALit #Science Fiction @ByAnnaBanks @FeiwelFriends

Series: Nemesis # 1
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

The princess didn't expect to fall in love--with her nemesis.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.

Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?

Nemesis is the first of two planned books by author Anna Banks. Banks is probably best known for her Syrena Legacy series. It is a story that surrounds two main characters. Princess Sepora of Serubel, and newly crowned King Tarik of Theoria who has the ability to suss out the truth from lies. The story alternates between the two characters. Sepora escapes her father, and his desire for world domination. She flees to Theoria where she hopes to blend in with the lower class. Tarik, meanwhile, experiences a devastating loss thanks to a plague that is slowly making its way through Theoria.

While Sepora is being captured and sold at Market to become one of the Kings newest concubines, Tarik and Lyceum healers rush to find a remedy to the Quiet Plague. Sepora has a bit of a secret. She is the presumed last Forger in what is the Five Kingdoms and also a runaway princess. She is able to generate a special metal known as Spectorium and must do so regularly to keep sane. Spectorium is valuable not only to Sepora, but also Theoria which uses the substance to build pyramids to the dead as well as an energy source.

While Sepora is trying to remain incognito trying to stop a war between her father and Tarik's country and not letting on who she really is and what she is able to do, things become complicated between the two characters. Do I say that the romance is instantaneous? No, not really. Is there a bit of a triangle? Nope. Sepora is determined and has a goal of bending the new King's ear and finding a way to stop a war. While Sepora is feisty and may get away with things others can't, she truly makes an impression on the young king and his brother. The ending leaves a whole lot of room for what is to come in the presumed sequel. 

No folks, this is not a black face issue which seems to be distressing some reviewers. It is a case where in this world, Sepora and Tarik must paint their entire skin with various colors. For Sepora, it's silver. For Tarik, it's Gold. It's an upper class royalty thing and nothing more. It's hard not to like Tarik. He's known he would be the eventual heir to the crown, but not at 18 years of age. He has an entire kingdom now weighing on his shoulders, and if he can't figure out a way to save his people, they will revolt, or leave for greener pastures. There is plenty of fun banter between Tarik and Sepora, plus his brother Sethos.

Let's get this out of the way. I don't care that Sepora is presumably white, while Tarik is presumably of Egyptian descent. What matters to me is not the skin tone of the characters, but their strengths, their behavior when the chips are down, and their interaction with others. I don't waste time worrying about authors choosing to make their characters, white, or not. It is THEIR choice after all. Sometimes we get too uptight about things we have little or no control over.   

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*Book Review* Joyride by Anna Banks (YA Contemporary)

Series:  Standalone
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Released: June 2, 2015
Format: E-Book, 288 pages
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.

Joyride is a standalone novel that features 16-year old Carlotta "Carly" Vega, and 17-year old Arden Moss. The story is told in alternating narratives. Carly in the first person, Arden in the third. This is a story that takes place in Florida where the author calls home. It is a story that touches on two very politically and socially important subjects: Illegal immigration, and human trafficking. I dare say the author has her own opinion on these subjects, and perhaps we can agree that there needs to be further discussions, and less boisterous bluster on what needs to be done.

I really did feel for Carly. Her parents are illegals. They came to this country and didn't bother to apply for citizenship, or getting a license, or insurance to protect their family from things that could tear a family apart. In this instance, it backfires when one of the parents gets into an accident and they are deported back to Mexico. Carly and her brother Julio are forced to work their assess off in order to pay a human trafficker enough money to return them to the US. Carly goes to school and studies hard, while also working at a convenience story to save money. She truly believes that the harder she works, the more likely it is that she will get into a good college. 

There's a whole lot to be said about that last part. It is the parents' responsibility to raise, and protect their children. Not the other way around. I can see if the parents suddenly got really sick, and then the kids stepped up and took care of them. I can't imagine anyone paying a Coyote thousands of dollars to trudge through the desert in order to cross the US border illegally. There has got to be a better and safer way for immigrants to come to this country. Here again is where the discussion veers off track during political and social conversations. 

On the other side of the coin is Arden. Arden has everything that Carly wants, except for the fact that his father, the Sheriff, is a major tool, hot head, and many, many other things you can say about him. Arden lives to do crazy pranks while breezing through high school without a care in the world. Not since his sister and fellow prankster died has he truly cared about anything important. Carly and Arden meet after he plays a prank on someone where she works, and in a surprising move, she finds out that he's not at all like his reputation. In the end, the two become friends, Robin Hood and Will Scarlet pranksters, and end up finding more in common than not.

I did have a minor problem with the use of the word slavery. Carly truly believes she is a slave to the man in order to make enough money to bring her parents back to America. Perhaps that is true, but the image of slavery is not really the idea thing to be thinking about in today's politically incorrect environment where everything you say and do is being torn apart and put under a microscope. Perhaps it was the authors intention to make you think about how hard people really work, and how little they are able to show for the work they put in. 

**I received this book for free from Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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