Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

Book: Rage Within (Dark Inside #2)
Author: Jeyn Roberts
# of Pages: 354 (Hardcover)?????
Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads Summary
Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael have survived the first wave of the apocalypse that wiped out most of the world’s population, and turned many of the rest into murderous Baggers. Now, they’re hiding out in an abandoned house in Vancouver with a ragtag group of surviving teens, and trying to figure out their next move. 

Aries is trying to lead, but it’s hard to be a leader when there are no easy answers, and every move feels wrong. Clementine is desperate to find her brother Heath, but it’s impossible to know where he’d be, even if he is still alive. Michael is still haunted by the memories of his actions during his harrowing struggle to survive. And Mason is struggling with something far worse: the fear that he may be a danger to his friends. 

As the Baggers begin to create a new world order, Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael will have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive.(

My Thoughts:
Things are steadily getting worse. The Baggers are more organized now. Rounding up the survivors and trying to rebuild a world that they rule. Michael is trying to help Clementine find her brother. Aries is doing her best to be a good leader for the other teens and she is starting to feel the stress. Mason tries to keep to himself, though it is not easy in a house full of people.

I really liked how we get to see what happens to a couple of the characters before all the madness started. It's getting harder for them to survive and arguments are occurring more frequently. Despite all the craziness, there is a little romance.

I liked Mason in Dark Inside and grew to love him more in Rage Within. And I knew Clementine was tough, but she really kicked ass in this book. I seriously think that she should be the leader instead of Aries.

I haven't seen anything about a sequel. But after that ending there surely has to be one. Does anyone know if there is going to be one?

Overall, Rage Within was a spectaular read. It was dark, gripping, and it left me with chills.

Endurance by Ann Aguirre

Book: Endurance (Razorland #1.5)
Author: Ann Aguirre
# of Pages: 62 (ebook)
Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary
When rebellion destroys the underground world in which Thimble and Stone have grown up, they take Stone’s son and try to escape the chaos. Along the way, they must evade the Freaks, beings who feed on human flesh. Leaving behind the roles of Builder and Breeder which they were assigned at birth, they wander the underground tunnels, looking for safety yet afraid to go “topside” where legend has it that the light and water will burn their skin from their bones.

Their journey takes them upward to an unimagined world of tinned food, comfortable furniture, and books. Away from their regimented society for the first time, and still facing imminent danger, Thimble and Stone acknowledge the forbidden attraction which both have denied for years.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Thimble and Stone. Thimble is smart and resourceful while Stone is strong and fast. Together they make the perfect team. They must survive a rebellion and the underground tunnels filled with Freaks in order to get topside. This novella was full of action and romance and I loved every second of it.

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Book: Dark Inside
Author: Jeyn Roberts
# of Pages: 329 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads Summary:
Four teenagers on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found. THE DARK INSIDE is a stunning, cinematic thriller: 28 DAYS LATER meets THE ROAD. 

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…. Now it’s our turn. 

Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even worse is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, hooking on to weakness, turning the unwary into hunters, killers, crazies. 

Mason: His mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground. Everyone he knows is killed. 

Aries: A school bus, an aftershock and a crash. Pulled out of the wreckage by a mysterious stranger, she’s about to discover a world changed forever.

Clementine: An emergency meeting at the town hall that descends into murderous chaos. Outside the rest of their community encircle with weapons. How can those you trust turn into savage strangers? 

Michael: A brutal road rage incident. When the police arrive on the scene they gun down the guilty and turn on the by-standing crowd. Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad?

My Thoughts: Other than works by Stephen King and Edgar Allan Poe, I have not come across a book that has actually creeped me out until now. I like how this story is told from four different POVs. After the earthquake everything changes. The power and Internet go out, there is no cell phone service, and the "ancient evil" has taken over many people so it is hard to tell who is a friend and who is an enemy. Mason, Aries, Clementine, and Michael each have their own obstacles to face and choices to make in order to survive.

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of suspense and amazingly written. I could not put it down. One of the things I like about it is the ending. No cliffhanger! Well, there were a few unanswered questions, but for the most part it could work as a stand alone novel. However, there is going to be a sequel (YAY!) coming out sometime next year. If you are a fan of creepy books, then you will definitely want to read this one.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Book: Enclave (Razorland #1)
Author: Ann Aguirre
# of Pages: 259 (Hardcover)
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads Summary

Deuce has finally become an adult in the eyes of the members of the enclave. After years of waiting, she has finally earned the title Huntress. This job includes gathering food and killing Freaks, zombie-like creatures that roam the tunnels of what once was the subway. Deuce's spirits are marred when she discovers that her hunting parter is going to be Fade, a mysterious loner who has had much experience in the outside world. As she gets to know Fade and his beliefs, Deuce comes to realize that the elders' decisions and rules are not always the right ones. When fate takes an unexpected turn, Deuce finds herself Topside, above ground, with Fade faced with danger and unfamiliarity.

One of the things that I really liked about this book was the names of the characters. Deuce, Fade, Twist, etc. They are just so unique, and the naming ceremony, the way the members of the enclave receive their names, is quite interesting. I know the Goodreads summary says that Deuce is fifteen when she gets her name and becomes an adult. I might have missed it, but I don't think the book mentions Deuce's age.

I also liked the Freaks. They are creepy and numerous and better than one singular villain. Though, who knows, Aguirre might introduce an even greater human enemy.

The ending was the one thing that annoyed me. It was so abrupt and I couldn't help thinking Is that it? The story was flowing so smoothly then, bam, it was over. But, other than that, I really did enjoy this book.