Logan Byrne

This is a very predictable story, but it is still an interesting one. Theodore Quinn has lived next door to Bell his entire life. In fact, early on, their families speculated the pair would eventually marry. However, as time passed, they grew farther apart. Belle gravitated toward the “in” crowd at school, while Theo never did go that route. They reached a point where they barely said hi to each other in passing and moved in totally different circles. However, one night, after breaking up with her bully of a boyfriend, Belle and Theo rekindle their friendship. Theo, who has loved Belle since forever, is in seventh heaven once that occurs. Then, one snowy night, Belle is killed in a freak auto accident, devastating Theo. In his grief, Belle begins coming to Theo in his dreams. And life begins to have meaning for Theo once again. Theo finally faces perhaps the hardest decision in his life. Should he continue to live in his dreams, or should he move on to a life he can never really have with Belle?

I agree with the reviewers who bemoaned the fact that this book really had no suspense factor. You knew what was going to happen from the start. Al you got to do was follow it through. Like others, based on the book blurb, I fully expected the accident early on, and I not sure why it occurred so far into the story, unless the author wanted to build up the characters and their relationship before this tragedy. I did find a better appreciation of Theo after the accident, as his character and person really started to show through more. This is a good book and a fairly quick, easy read, though books with tragedies such as this one never really are all that easy to read. I enjoyed reading it, but would not place it in the top list of books I have read. Still, it will appeal to someone looking for something a bit different, as Belle’s appearance in Theo’s dreams after the accident was not something you normally read in a YA romance or any romance, for that matter. I received this through the Kindle Scout Program to read and review.… (meer)

Things I was going to say about A Million Little Snowflakes before that last chapter:

I was going to talk about how, in the beginning, I related to this book. I remember being like that as a teenager. Just kind of sassy and misunderstood.

I’ve never been suicidal, so Oliver’s feelings weren’t anything familiar to me. I’ve never been in a psych ward for depression. My mom was never a crazed, overbearing monster. (Although at times I felt like Oliver was just looking for something to bitch about involving her).

I was going to quote a part in the book where Oliver talks about wanting a “normal” family and a “normal” life and how I couldn’t see how his wasn’t. His dad was a freaking doctor and his mom was home cooking three course meals every night. Kid, you have it a lot better than a lot of other people do. This isn’t something to complain about.

Or how my reliability to Oliver quickly went away when he said “Things just don’t go my way and I’m sick of always being let down.” And at that point he became whiny and tiresome, and I couldn’t take him serious anymore.

And for some reason, in my head, Dr. Tiwari had a Russian accent and I kept thinking about Kino der Toten from Call of Duty and I wanted to play nazi zombies every time she came up.

How Oliver and Lacey’s relationship was beyond cheesy, but really adorable.

And how I loved that throughout the book, Oliver grew and started to understand that he didn’t have it so bad and things will get better. I love to see progress in a character.

After:

I have a note on my Kindle marking the last several paragraphs’ that just says “wtf”.

It completely took me by surprise, and I feel like I am overanalyzing it. Like maybe we, the reader, are supposed to just make our own ending. Kind of like Inception.

Mr. Byrne, thank you for that shock to my system and all the unanswered questions I have.… (meer)

This is a young-adult dystopian novel set in a future world where a failed revolution has caused the government to revert back to a highly controlled city state model that separates people into six zones based on their skills and traits. When children turn sixteen, they are sent to the headquarters where a computer analyzes them and chooses the most appropriate section for them to be trained in. People with physical strength are in Stalwart, those with mental acuity are placed in Astute, strong leadership skills are in Collusive, the beautiful are in Radiant, the dreamers in Quixotic and the helpers in Altruistic. After their section is chosen, you are banded, color coded and sent off to training. Kalenna Slater has just turned sixteen. She is banded and placed in Altruistic, away from her mother and sister in Quixotic. She can only take one item and her memories with her.

"You were placed where you fit in best. Your benefit to society was determined by your skill and your skill defined your life."

I enjoyed this book as a light, fun read; although, I could easily see where it was going at points and was fairly predictable. I was really interested in why society collapsed, how did the revolution fail? I was also very interested in the bands themselves. People are given 100 points on their bands and if you reach 0 points, you are injected with poison and die. The actions for point reduction as well as the number of points reduced seems arbitrary. Who is controlling it? The main character, Kal, grew on me throughout the story. At first she was a very scared and stereotypical 16 year old girl. She does find inner and outer strength throughout the story. The plot that involves Kalenna's father, who disappeared when she was 6, is the most interesting. This plot point did take a while to get to, but being the first in the series there was a lot of building to do. Also, Kalenna's roommate, Justine, at headquarters is an interesting character that could further the plot. I hope Justine makes a reappearance in the second installation as well as Kalenna's father.

There are many parallels between this book and other well known YA dystopian novels out there. You may love Banded along with them, or not.… (meer)

“All through life, we were told never to be different. We needed to fit in with the popular kids and follow all of these trends like our lives depended on it if we planned on having any kind of happiness or social life. But sometimes, being different was good, and it meant being human.”

For the most part, I enjoyed this plot. Following the experiences of a depressed young man put in a psychiatric ward is certainly a different kind of story thank I normally read. Filled with a contemporary sort of realistic fiction, this book is honest, funny, and inspiring.

The main character, Oliver, is certainly a person I can relate to, and would imagine a lot of people could relate to. Many teens with overbearing and smothering parents tend to feel depressed from time to time, especially if their best friend moves away. Oliver is an endearing and honest character, that is truly interesting to read about. Lacey stumps him and shocks him all the way through the book. The romance between them, and the love that grows from that romance, is sweet and innocent. First loves are intense, and these two show that kind of true love wonderfully.

Written much like a memoir, this book gives an inside look into the mind of Oliver. His humor, his jokes, his frustration, and his worries are all laid out and explained in an entertaining story. The ending was very much a shocker, and made me desperately hope there is a sequel with a positive story, to show what happens between Oliver and Lacey. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes contemporary romances, realistic fiction, or shocking endings.

*I received an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.… (meer)