By Camille Picott
Genre YA Dystopian
Pages 296
Recommended by Camille
First sentence "Mom!"
Synopsis
Math Prodigy, Sulan, lives in a future world where people live there lives in Vex (a virtual world) Ever since the US declared bankruptcy corporations have taken over running things plagued by a group known as the Anti-American League who destroy anything they consider a national resource. Scared and determined to learn to protect herself, Sulan starts going to a virtual fight club to learn to fight, but when Imugi, the leader of the Anti-American League attacks her family, Sulan must put her training into action.
What it has going for it
Holy Crapola, people! I've been in desperate need of a book that made me actually want to use any spare time I had for reading and, boy, did I find it. I'll admit I was skeptical that I'd really like this one...independently published books can be scary, but I should have known Camille was incapable of writing anything that wasn't amazing; I read and LOVE her blog, for heaven's sake! Sulan was filled with memorable, lovable characters! Sulan, herself, was amazing. She's incredibly book smart but when things start getting scary instead of just sitting around and accepting it, she wants to learn to fight and protect herself. She's fiercely loyal to her friends which I found delightful considering she hasn't actually ever met them in person, and she kicks butt! I loved it! The world building was so dang creative. I could imagine (as can we all) this future world becoming our reality. I loved the biotech creations too but I won't say more or you won't get to discover it yourself. And now to gush about Taro! See, I thought I'd like Gun, and I did, but then we met Taro and I fell hard! He was immediately loveable. I can't wait to learn more about him...and all the other characters as well. ;) Ugh, I've been dreading writing this review because I just knew I wouldn't be able to do this wonderful book justice. It was exciting, fast paced, and refreshing. Just go and buy it and read it and see for yourself.
What's lacking
If anything is at all it's that the next book isn't out! I was so mad I had to leave this world Camille created. There's just something so depressing about closing a book you loved and having to read "something else" *shudders* ;)
Favorite moment
Oh, so many! When I found out what Riska is truly capable of. When I met Taro for the first time, when Gun saves Sulan and her friends...I could go on and on.
Yea or Nay?
Yes, yes YES! And don't forget, you can enter my giveaway for your chance to win a copy of this one HERE. Don't tell me you don't want to read it, I know you do. ;)
AH!!! Now I'm going to enter your giveaway. I love a good dystopian. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's soooooo good!
DeleteI don't read self-published books very often...but with such a glowing review from you how could I possibly pass this one up!
ReplyDeleteI know, the self published ones scare me but this one was awesome!
DeleteI can tell you really like this book! I'll have to put it on my list. I'm not even worried that it's an indie like I normally would be. :) So, how much I trust your opinion?! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, you should have heard me at book club guhshing. I'll push it on everyone if I can
DeleteThank you for taking part in the tour. I'm so glad you loved Sulan!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and thank you. I loved this one!
DeleteThanks for the review, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thanks so much for letting me read it...I would have anyway but I'm glad I got to read it for the tour.
DeleteSometimes, authors self-publish for a reason and it's not because they suck. For reals! Sometimes, they are awesome, after all. ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, I like when they're awesome.
DeleteJenny, just want to say thank you for you Sulan review. It really captured the way I felt the first time I read the book. I loved Taro, too!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I couldn't quite put my feelings into words with this one so I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteI'm glad you finally found a book you liked. I know what it's like to get into a book slump. I'll have to check out this book since you praised it so much!
ReplyDeleteI know! I needed something desperately!
DeleteYay for a good book! To be honest, I probably wouldn't have given this book a second thought... self-published kind of scares me, and I couldn't tell if the title was a person/place/thing/noun of some sort. But your review has swayed me. I know you don't rave about just anything. Off to the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteYou should give it a go. I loved it. The title and cover don't give much away, do they?
DeleteI particularly love it when you LOVE a book. It makes me want to go out and read it right now. And this is no exception.
ReplyDeleteWell, it happens so rarely. ;)
DeleteI was curious to know what you would think of Sulan! Glad you enjoyed it. Strange as it is, I actually think Gun gets less actual page time than Taro so I feel like Gun is the underdog. So for now, he gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteI liked Gun too and I can't wait to get to know him better. I'm afraid I won't know which one to like better, though.
DeleteI'm glad we agree on this one. I felt EXACTLY the same way you did (how often does THAT happen?) -- I was skeptical, figuring SULAN would be another terribly written self-published book, and I ended up loving it. I can't wait to read the sequel!
ReplyDeleteWasn't it amazing? I really want more! I can't wait for the sequel.
DeleteI'm going to return my other book and borrow this one instead. Okay? Yep. I'll let you know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteOkay! Sounds like a plan. I think you'll love it. Yep!
DeleteDUDE. This world sounds AMAZING!!!! I totally want to visit it (in books, not in real life)!
ReplyDeleteYeah, just in books. I get that. ;)
DeleteWow you are totally gushing here! I like it! :)
ReplyDeleteI seriously couldn't help it and I still feel like it was too mild of a review.
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