Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott

Pure (Pure #1)
by Julianna BaggottPublished by Grand Central Publishing
Date Publication  February 8th 2012

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

my thoughts

Cover:One of the pretties out there.Thank goodness no girl in dress one.A bit symbolic if you ask me.A dainty fragile life[the butterfly] above a rough bizarre ruthless dangerous earth has become.

Book: I requested This one because of its cover[I the color scheme.]It was good but not a complete hit for me.

A normal day, normal life, normal earth.But than it happened, The Detonations and everything changed.A perilous blistered earth emerged.Pressia found safety in the Dome but not many were that lucky.Things merged,fused,humanity has altered.If you can call it human.Partrige resides there , out side and one of them.There meeting, a pure and a wretch will change everything.

In my opinion Pure is not a YA but more of a Crossover like the night circusby Erin Morgenstern.The writing style was earthy[if that makes sens]The story is told in two main pov's. partridge and pressia.

The world building was bizarre, strange, gruesome, wild, weird and vivid One of the main reasons i kept reading.Imagine a picture when reading these words; meltlands, rubble fields.Pure is more post apocalyptic than dystopian.Liked that the before was still known to have existed but steadily fading away and forgotten.

the deathy houses all fell down
the deathy houses all fell down
the sick souls wander'round and 'round
watch out! they drag you underground.

Did not feel attached to the main characters although i got pretty darn close.But still looking forward to the sequel

If you 're into post apocalyptic and exotic wold building give it a try.Maybe the characters will "speak' to you.

Thanks to netgalley and to y Grand Central Publishing approving request

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Review: Rapture by Phillip W Simpson, A hell blazing Apocalyptic Earth

Rapture (Rapture Trilogy #1)
by Phillip William Simpson

Published by Pear Jam Books Ltd

Date Published: October 1st 2011
Rating: 6/5[never done that b4]

Synopsis:The Rapture has occurred, just as the Bible predicted. The faithful have risen up to Heaven. Those left behind are in a living hell. 
Earth burns, hell-like in its oppressive heat. Every volcano in the world has erupted, and tsunamis and earthquakes continue to devastate the planet. Clouds continually rain ash onto the scorched landscape, sparking fires all around. Plants and animals are dying. Food is scarce. The night sky is devoid of stars, and the moon - when it can be seen - is the colour of blood. 
The remnants of humanity fight for survival. Most have fled the cities and now hide in caves deep in the mountains. By night, demons stalk the Earth, capturing the remaining humans and killing them - if they're lucky. The less fortunate are converted to worship of the Devil, and ushered into endless hell. 
Eighteen year old, Sam (short for Samael) was raised in the town of Jacob's Ladder, Utah. It is appropriately enough near to a place of natural scenic beauty called Devil's garden. He finds himself alone, unable to rise up with his family because he is half demon. His mother, a devout Christian, was seduced by Satan and conceived his child. She smuggled the boy to an old friend Hikari, a Japanese sword master and demon expert. Since then, Hikari and his daughter, Aimi, have been all the family Sam has known. 
Now they're gone, and Sam must set out on the mission Hikari charged him with long ago: to help all the humans left behind. Armed only with his beloved Japanese swords and his wits, Sam wanders the post-apocalyptic world alone, separated forever from everyone he loves. Cursed by his demonic heritage, he must now embark on a quest that will take him across the US to the City of Angels. 

My thoughts

Cover: Love the flames and background. That’s how I imagined Samael. He looks fierce and concentrated. Don't mess with him ,lol. Is it just me but those red eyes are blazingly hawt.


Book: I saw a book ad on a blog I frequently visit. I immediately added it to my wishlist on goodreads [reshelved it and book 2 is currently on my wishlist] The author asked me to review’’ Rapture’’. My reply was yes, yes yea. Lol. When it finally arrived from New Zealand. I read in two days flat. Monday and was done the next day amidst my midterms. Not a smart thing I know. But I could not put it down

The rapture has happened, the tribulation has begun. And we meet Sam, short for Samael, our leading male and taken in , adopted at a early age. He is a half-demon ,18 years old, alabaster skin and living in the mids of a devoted catholic Japanese sensei and daughter,Aimi [Hikari’s daughter]

You immediately start to feel affection towards Sam and to care for him and taste his sorrow and loneliness at times. His family is gone, gone with the rapture and he is left behind to defend the innocence left behind. And those who need to protected are cautious of him.Honestly I would be to ,he is a half demon but still one for Pete’s sake

In Ya parental figures are almost not in the picture. But in the moments that Hikari is there is a model father figure. A REAL parent.

Love appearsin Rapture,between friends,parental love and little bits and pieces of romantic love between him and Aimi. But the latter is not the main plot in the book. I like that however maybe in book 2.

Every chapter begins with a bible verse.It looks somewhat religious but not preachy at the same time.The use of bible verses is new to me.It is told in 3th person perspective and told in time slots, before the rapture, after it and the present. And it’s not jarring at all or confusing. It all fits perfectly. I read it at free periods, while doing a doo doo on the toilet, yes even there basically everywhere I could. Not the bathroom, ha ha.

Not a single scene felt like a drag or filler. WOW, the fighting scenes felt fresh and not repetitive at all. The monsters are… you guessed it's demons. I’m no expert but I lke to add Phil did his research. The plot twist, the betrayal , I honestly did not think that person who’d be the betrayer . The bad guy was a Baddie, lol.

I encourage everyone to get this one and read it. He all you’re in luck a blogging comrade has got Phil for a interview and giveaway on her blog Realm of fiction

Eagerly awaiting book two called Tribulation of the trilogy and wishing Phil all the best with his family, baby son and his writing goals

Thanks Philip for this review copy and this is 100 % honest review


Songs that fit perfectly with this book and they do generate a atmosphere

fits with the entire novel

(I imagined Sam trudging along, alone in the desolate wasteland)



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