A Dream Within A Dream: Avery Hastings

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for TORN, being hosted by Paper Lantern Lit! Today I have my review of the book to share with you. Enjoy!

Torn (The Feuds #2)

Author: Avery Hastings

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopia/Romance

Release Date: July 21, 2015

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Description:

In an America split into the genetically superior and inferior, a fiercely ambitious ballerina and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks must stop a deadly virus that is spreading quickly.

Determined to escape from TOR-N, a corrupt Narxis research center, Davis meets another recovered patient, Mercer, whose sweet smile and quirky sense of humor give her hope in humanity again—and a way out. As they make a perilous journey seeking clues that could lead to a cure, Davis and Mercer's friendship begins to evolve into something more... but she's still struggling to let go of her feelings for Cole, whom she believes is dead.

Meanwhile, Cole has plans to change his identity in order to compete in the Olympiads—where Imps have now been invited to compete against Priors. He begins training with Mari, the intense and rebellious daughter of a retired fighter, but through trials and tests that are both exhausting and exhilarating, he finds himself in over his head—literally.

Will both Davis and Cole have the strength to resist temptation? Will they have the courage to face the answers they're seeking? Will their love survive across the divide?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23014695-torn?ac=1

Torn is the conclusion of the young adult science fiction/dystopian romance series, The Feuds. It continues to follow our two main characters - Davis and Cole - as they fight to find a cure for the deadly Narxis virus that's killing the majority of the Priors, like Davis. Cole and Davis are separated - with Davis believing that Cole is dead. When she meets another Prior who didn't die from Narxis, they set off together in search of a cure. Mercer is just what Davis needs - a fun and quirky guy with a great sense of humor - and they find that their friendship is turning into something more serious. Davis doesn't know what to do about the situation - she's still heartbroken over Cole, whom she believes is dead. Meanwhile, Cole is training to fight in the Olympiads - where it's now legal for Imps to compete against Priors. He teams up with Mari - the rebellious daughter of a retired fighter - who helps him prepare and train for the event. Cole faces tons of obstacles and tests that both beat him down as well as leave him exhilarated - and he finds himself in way over his head. Will Davis and Mercer be able to find a cure for Narxis? Will Davis and Cole be reunited? If they are, will they have the courage to fight alongside one another and let their love finally win?

I have to say right off that I'm so sad and disappointed that this was only a duology - only because I wanted MORE! More books, more Cole and Davis, more suspense - more of everything! But the two books that we did get have to be enough, and I'm glad that I got to read them - even if there are just two - instead of not having read them at all. That being said, I have no idea where to start this review or what to say. There was so much happening in this book that it would take forever to talk through it all. Obviously, you need to read the first book before you read this one. Without doing so, you will be pretty confused and lost and there's just no way you could connect as deeply with the characters otherwise.

Ah! The characters! Cole and Davis - a Romeo and Juliet type of relationship where she's the genetically enhanced Prior whose father is a politician; and he's an underground fighter in the FEUDS and an Imp - star-crossed lovers the whole way. Their relationship was incredibly emotional for me for some reason. I'm not sure if it's the way the author wrote each of their characters and their relationship with one another - or if I'm being a giant romantic sap. Either way - this was a huge emotional roller coaster for me. I don't usually react viscerally to books - at most, I might get a bit misty-eyed. Not for these books. I was completely swooning one minute, then absolutely sobbing later on - and every emotion in between. (For those of you who have read these books, you'll know which parts I'm referring to.) Honestly, I don't know why I reacted this way. I am a big romantic at heart and I guess I have a soft spot for the whole star-crossed lovers idea. I'm literally sitting here trying to come up with the right words (or any words) to help describe what I felt and why it all effected me like it did. I just can't do it. All I have are adjectives or images (now would be the perfect time to start using GIF's!) - like soaring high, absolutely shredding my heart into teeny tiny pieces, trying to put said pieces back together in some resemblance of what it was before all of this, hesitant smiles and hope, tears of both grief and joy - to name just a few. There just aren't the right words to express it and whatever I tried wouldn't nearly do it justice. Like now, as I ramble on about it and just go in circles without making much sense. SO. That's all I can say about that part of the story.

The plot was original and truly unique - aside from the whole "star-crossed lovers" part. I loved the way the author took so many different concepts and blended them together to create one intricate story. There's so much that's going on during the book - the Narxis virus and trying to find a cure, the whole Imp versus Prior issues that effect the entire world they live in, the Olympiads, and - of course - Davis and Cole, with their own personal stories along with their relationship. There wasn't a dull moment during the book - I found myself devouring each page as fast as I could just to see what would happen next. The author uses a quick but natural flow for the story, which made it a fast read for me. The book is written in the third person point of view, alternating between Cole and Davis. I'm always remarking on point of view and it's importance, and this book was no different. I really wish that it was told from the first person POV of the two main characters. We would've gotten an inside look at each of their inner thoughts, emotions, fears, and their perspective on what was happening. It would have made a much more personal experience for the reader and would have allowed a deeper connection to the characters. Although it's done in third person POV, the author did a great job of bringing the characters and their world to life. By using vivid descriptions and imagery, I was able to easily slip inside the world the author created and found myself alongside both Davis and Cole and all the situations they encountered. The only thing I can really think of is how effected I was by Davis and Cole's relationship in the story - and what it would've been like if it was written in the first person instead. I can't even begin to imagine what that would've been like - although I desperately wish I could experience it.

Overall, I loved this book. There are things I hate - like the fact that the series is over and there were only two books. But the rest - the things that matter - were fantastic. Like I mentioned - my emotions were all over the place, and I didn't even talk about how the tension and suspense built up to the point where you could practically feel it. Davis and Cole's relationship throughout both books was nothing short of mesmerizing. I very highly recommend this book - and series - to fans of science fiction, dystopias, fantasy, suspense, and - of course - romance (especially the Romeo + Juliet type). It has a bit of something for everyone.

Avery Hastings is an author and former book editor from New York City. Avery grew up in Ohio, graduated in 2006 from the University of Notre Dame and earned her MFA from the New School in 2008. When she's not reading or writing, Avery can usually be spotted lying around in the park with her affable dog. Like her protagonists, she knows how to throw a powerful right hook and once dreamed of becoming a ballerina. In addition to New York, Avery has recently lived in Mumbai and Paris, but is happy to call Brooklyn home (for now).

Author Links:
https://twitter.com/AveryEHastings
https://plus.google.com/u/0/113395644099408541481/

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Indie Bound

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for FEUDS! Today I'm sharing my review of the book with you! Be sure to check out all the other stops on the tour!

Feuds

Author: Avery Hastings

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopia

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Description:

For Davis Morrow, perfection is a daily reality. Like all Priors, Davis has spent her whole life primed to be smarter, stronger, and more graceful than the lowly Imperfects, or “Imps.” A fiercely ambitious ballerina, Davis is only a few weeks away from qualifying for the Olympiads and finally living up to her mother’s legacy when she meets Cole, a mysterious boy who leaves her with more questions each time he disappears.

Davis has no idea that Cole has his own agenda, or that he’s a rising star in the FEUDS, an underground fighting ring where Priors gamble on Imps. Cole has every reason to hate Davis—her father’s campaign hinges on the total segregation of the Imps and Priors—but despite his best efforts, Cole finds himself as drawn to Davis as she is to him.

Then Narxis, a deadly virus, takes its hold--and Davis’s friends start dying. When the Priors refuse to acknowledge the epidemic, Davis has no one to turn to but Cole. Falling in love was never part of their plan, but their love may be the only thing that can save her world...in Avery Hastings's Feuds.

Feuds is a compelling mix of science fiction and romance that will have fans of both genres begging for more. The story is told in alternating points of view from our two main characters - Davis and Cole. They are the typical star-crossed lovers - the ones from opposite sides of the track that fall for each other despite the odds. Only in this version, their story takes place in a dystopian future where most humans have been genetically modified to near perfection (they're called Priors) - the world that David lives in - as well as the terrible and gritty part of town that Cole and the other "Imps" (or Imperfects) live. When Davis and Cole cross paths, both are thrown out of their comfort zone. Davis is confused by the mysterious Cole and doesn't realize that he wants to ruin her father's political platform for total segregation between Priors and Imps. He's also a major contender in the FEUDS - an underground fighting ring where rich Priors bet on Imps. Despite his hatred for her father's plan and all the implications it has on his world, Cole finds himself drawn to Davis just as much as she is to him. Davis - who's father is obviously the politician that wants to segregate the Imps and Priors for good - has been training to become an Olympiad ballerina, just like her mother. Even though Cole is gorgeous and intriguing, she must focus all of her energy on her dancing. Things get even more complicated when the virus named Narxis is unleashed and begins to kill people - even the Priors who are supposed to be immune to everything. With her father and the other Priors refuse to acknowledge the danger the virus is becoming, Davis has to turn to the one person she never thought she would - Cole.

I loved both Davis and Cole as main characters for the book. Since it's told from alternating points of view between the both of them, we get an inside look at what they're thinking and feeling throughout the story. In that way, the reader gets to know them and connect with their characters in a more personal way. Davis is smart, determined, and dedicated - especially when it comes to dancing. Cole is street smart, strong, and opinionated. He's forced to fight in the FEUDS just to bring in money for education and living expenses. Like I mentioned above, the story becomes a bit predictable after we're introduced to Davis and Cole. I immediately knew it was going to be a star-crossed lovers type book, but it had unique aspects that made it original and fresh. I loved the world that the author created for the book. The dystopian future is incredibly detailed and has lots of vivid imagery so I could easily slip inside the story. One of the things I liked the most about the setting was that it wasn't far-fetched or inconceivable. All of the things talked about in the book - from genetically engineering humans to touch screen walls and where basically everything is technically advanced - but not to an extreme. I could see this actually happening to our world in a not so distant future, which is a creepy thought, but one that helped me to lose myself in the story. Overall, this was a richly imagined dystopian romance story with defined characters, a very well written plot and a quick pace. I highly recommend it for fans of various genres - including romance, science fiction, dystopia, and fantasy.