Book Review: Imposter by Chanda Stafford

Imposter 

(Live Once #2)

by
Chanda Stafford
Genre: Sci Fi & Fantasy

Mira was supposed to die, but against all odds, she survived. Now forced to impersonate Socrates, the man whose soul should have replaced her own, she must face the government, the rebels, and the young man she loves in an attempt to forge a better future for herself and her people.

Will was supposed to save her, but he watched her die instead. Now, overwhelmed by grief and grappling with secrets of his own, Will must serve Socrates, protect him, and give his life for him if necessary.

Success could mean a new beginning.
Failure could end it all.

Too bad some secrets refuse to stay buried.

“I’m pretty sure we’re all monsters, every last one of us, and the key is figuring out who is worse.”

I would like to start by saying that Imposter was so much better than First, the first book in the Lived Once Trilogy. After that cliffhanger ending of First, I thought that the sequel was going to be promising and exciting. It was predictable if I must say, but if the reason of the cliffhanger ending was to make the readers rave for the next book, then it worked, atleast for me.

“The war for freedom is never over. It doesn’t matter how old you are, or how many speeches you’ve given, or how many fights you’ve fought, there’s always a new star to reach for, and some new horizon to sail toward.”

Looking back, I realized that First mainly focused on introducing complex and promising world building and character development that nothing exciting and kick-ass happened. First was told on a dual POV, Socrates, the first's of the first and Mira, the second he picked on one of the Texas farm. Imposter is still told on a dual POV, since Socrates is now unavailable, his place was taken over by Will, Mira's supposed to be love interest.

In Imposter, Mira is now living as a First and deceiving people around her. First are a selected group of people who get to leave for as long as they wanted so that their talents and knowledge wouldn't die when they do.

“Our purpose is to help mold the future while remembering the past so we don't repeat our mistakes.”

Immortality with purpose.

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Book Review: Imposter by Chanda Stafford

Book Review: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

The Book of Ivy
by
Amy Engel
(Website|Twitter)
After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.

Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…



The Book of Ivy was.. Unexpected. It was not bad, but it wasn't necessarily awesome like I thought it was going to be.

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Book Review: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

Book Review: Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway

Touch of Death
by
Kelly Hashway
(Website|Twitter)
Jodi Marshall isn't sure how she went from normal teenager to walking disaster. One minute she's in her junior year of high school, spending time with her amazing boyfriend and her best friend. The next she's being stalked by some guy no one seems to know. After the stranger, Alex, reveals himself, Jodi learns he's not a normal teenager and neither is she. With a kiss that kills and a touch that brings the dead back to life, Jodi discovers she's part of a branch of necromancers born under the 13th sign of the zodiac, Ophiuchus. A branch of necromancers that are descendants of Medusa. A branch of necromancers with poisoned blood writhing in their veins. Jodi's deadly to the living and even more deadly to the deceased. She has to leave her old, normal life behind before she hurts the people she loves. As if that isn't difficult enough, Jodi discovers she's the chosen one who has to save the rest of her kind from perishing at the hands of Hades. If she can't figure out how to control her power, history will repeat itself, and her race will become extinct.

I lost interest and attempted to DNF it on 40%,but i didn't. I thought 40% is a little bit unfair to judge the book, so it took me until 70% to say that I've finally read enough.

Seriously. I've read a lot of painful books before, hell, I even Managed to finish Fallen and Hush Hush, and even The Selection without hurting anyone. If you read touch of death, you'll be touched by death seriously, to think I already struggled through the book before 50%, this book has potential, and I am being sarcastic if you haven't realize yet.

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Book Review: Touch of Death by Kelly Hashway

The Selection by Kiera Cass

THE SELECTION
by
Kiera Cass
(Website|Twitter)
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


For some reason The Selection reminds me of The Red Queen and Hunger Games I know I'm weird, but with its caste system and royalty and all, I can't help it. I loved that book if you didn't know yet.. And I obviously hated The Selection. I hate the messed up attempt for the love triangle, well I hated the romance department of this book overall, it's freaking unbelievable and messed up. There was a lot of hole in the world building department too, thus the very low rating.

WARNING: FROM HERE ON, THIS REVIEW WILL HAVE A LOT OF RANTING. TURN BACK NOW IF YOU LOVE THIS BOOK.

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The Selection by Kiera Cass

First (Book 1 of Live Once Trilogy)

First by Chanda Stafford
My rating: ★★★

Goodreads Sypnosis:

Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.

When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.

With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.

My Thoughts:

Thank you to the author, Chanda Stafford for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Be patient. It was a good story, with unique plots and exceptional twists. However, it took me a long time to get over with some of the chapters, but I promise you that everything will get better..

Story:
I was excited to read this just by reading its summary. I've always love dystopian book for I am always fascinated of the possible horrible outcome of our society. Don't get me wrong, I don't really want our future to be horrible, but I believe that it is better to expect for the worst and be prepared..

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First (Book 1 of Live Once Trilogy)