Review: DiSemblance by Shanae Branham

Jason Tanner’s life has always been different from the ordinary citizen’s. It started when he was an infant and his parents were only teenagers. A computer science prodigy, Lloyd attended MIT but left a pariah in the eyes of the school’s dean—but a computer physics genius in the eyes of his primary investor. Then his theories and ideas created a holographic machine and their world shrunk as contact with the outside world became less and less frequent. A computer prodigy now himself, Jason is about to learn that the world never waits for you if you have the ability to change it: it will come for you.

Detective Bruce Durante has been handed the case of the Comfort Killer, a serial killer so named because he appears to abduct terminally ill patients before returning their corpses to their families in refrigerated coffins. When he picks up the trail, it leads straight to the home of Lloyd Tanner.

Jason has been living life through the world of Lloyd’s invention and wishing he could carry on a relationship with Boston, the beautiful girl next door. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, he is brought back to reality in a hurry. He is forced to destroy all of the planted evidence—and finds he is being targeted as the killer’s new fall guy. But the secrets of his father’s invention run deep and Jason, his brother Isaac,Boston, the Comfort Killer, and Detective Durante hurtle towards one another on a deadly collision course that leaves everyone’s life hanging in the balance.

***First off, I'd like to thank the author for giving me a copy of DiSemblance.***

DiSemblance is a fast paced, utterly suspenseful, thriller filled with a variety of exciting elements ~ murder, mystery, the incredible advancements of technology, and a hint of the paranormal. It’s nearly impossible to tell what world is real and what is merely a figment of the imagination or, more likely, the result of very talented software programming. A real brain scrambler, DiSemblance will keep your eyes locked onto each turning page until the very last word.

There is no denying the unbelievable pace this novel sets for itself. Reader’s are taken right to the middle of the action, which includes the whole murder/mystery aspect I’ve mentioned, leaving you searching to the next pages for more information. Who’s the killer? What does it have to do with Tanner’s invention? What the heck is going on?!? The fast pace was grasping, but for me, it also left something to be desired in regards to the characters and their relationships.

I’m a character driven reader, so maybe I’m a little more judgmental when it comes to character building, but I didn’t feel that connection to the characters ~ I want to know them to the point that I could carry on a conversation with them. Weird, I know, but that's the type of reader I am. There wasn’t much time spent on revealing the personalities and emotions of the character. I couldn’t feel the truth of their words and actions. And as for the relationships… The turmoil between Bruce and his wife and the budding attraction between Jason and Boston felt rushed. What led up to Bruce’s downward spiraling marriage? And where is that turning point that makes the relationship change direction? And how does Boston come to trust Jason so completely? He saves her from an atrocious situation, but is a complete jerk afterward ~ I don’t know as it merits the complete and unconditional faith that Boston seems to have in him.

I guess I like a lot of background when it comes to characters and how they relate to each other ~ conversations and inner-dialogue that allows you not only to get to know the characters, but to understand what they are feeling and who they are to each other.

Now don’t get me wrong, this really isn't a big deal when it comes to the story itself ~ the focus is on the storyline more than it is the characters… and the storyline ROCKS! The mystery is perfectly set, and the little clues and gradual revelations keep readers engaged throughout the whole novel. Totally has that "OMG" factor that we all love so much ;).

You never can tell what’s real and what isn’t, and it’s that question that is so freakin’ intriguing. Could you imagine being in a world you think you know so well, only to discover that what you’re seeing isn’t the truth? The lines of reality and lies are blurred until the end is revealed a little at a time. “Good books don’t reveal their secrets all at once…” :) It’s because of the holodeck that the author is able to create this world of alternate realities.. You know, Star Trek? You can create any kind of world you want in a tiny little room… Ahhh, technology...

I totally want one :)

All in all, very fun read.. As I said, there’s a little hint of paranormal, but you’ll just have to read it to find out what that is ;).. I know ~ it’s torture…but I have to give you something to wonder about :)… Great potential for this author ~ look forward to future endeavors!

3.5 out of 5 stars from this reader :)


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine in which we book lovers spotlight a novel or novels that have yet to be released (and that we are itchin' to get our hands on!)

This week's WoW:

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
Release Date: October 9th, 2012

For fans of Matched, The Hunger Games, X-Men, and Blade Runner comes a tale of a magical city divided, a political rebellion ignited, and a love that was meant to last forever. Book One of the Mystic City Novels.

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.  

What grabbed me first about this book is the cover... it's gorgeous!! I probably would have marked this "to read" just because of that little feature (sorry, my shallow is showing)... Don't bite my head off just yet ~ I did read the synopsis.. and I'm sold! That and the comparison to The Hunger Games and X-Men... O yeah :)


What are you waiting for??


Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Tuesday Tickle

Tuesday Tickle is a meme inspired by Should Be Reading's Teaser Tuesday. It's basically the same concept, I just always tended to give more than two sentences plucked out of a random page, so I thought I'd just go with it and give a more in depth look at a book I'm reading or recently finished.

This week, I'm choosing Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr. I purchased this as an audio book and finished listening in two days ~ couldn't press the stop button! It's an amazing tale of secrets, betrayal, and survival of the fittest. (Review to come soon!)

In a city of daimons, rigid class lines separate the powerful from the power-hungry. And at the heart of The City is the Carnival of Souls, where both murder and pleasure are offered up for sale. Once in a generation, the carnival hosts a deadly competition that allows every daimon a chance to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures--if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

All Mallory knows of The City is that her father--and every other witch there--fled it for a life in exile in the human world. Instead of a typical teenage life full of friends and maybe even a little romance, Mallory scans quiet streets for threats, hides herself away, and trains to be lethal. She knows it's only a matter of time until a daimon finds her and her father, so she readies herself for the inevitable. While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence and danger that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series and "Graveminder," comes a brand-new tale of lush secrets, dark love, and the struggle to forge one's own destiny.

The synopsis makes it seem that the story focuses on Mallory ~ and it does to a certain extent ~ but I felt there was  more spotlight on Kaleb and Aya... Aya in particular is one of my favorite characters.. complex and courageous, hiding a secret that would undoubtedly lead her to her demise.

Aya withdrew the knives and and slid them into the sheaths that hung from her belt. She was so far from class-appropriate behavior by now that one more stain wasn't worth the guilt that threatened. It was bad enough that she lived alone, that she wore her hair in a short, non-ornamented style more suitable for a soldier in Marchosias' army than an eligible ruling caste girl. Her behavior in the fights was an embarrassment to any ruling class family: noble women didn't engage in fights outside sanctioned clubs, and they certainly didn't kill for sport or gain.

I also came across an excerpt you might like, giving a bit of insight into the minds of Kaleb (a badass who's impossible not to love) and Aya (a kick-ass female who's unafraid to get her hands dirty), while also shedding some light on the type of world The City is.

Exclusive excerpt: 'Carnival of Souls' by Melissa Marr

Hooked yet? If not, check out the trailer.. C'mon... you didn't really think you'd be able to read one of my posts without coming across a trailer, did you? ;) The best part about it ~ Five Finger Death Punch.. :)

Hope I've convinced you of your need to read this book.... ALSO, check out the webpage
Enter the Carnival Totally fun interactive page ~ gives more insight to what's held between the pages of the book, including quotes, maps, and character introductions....  You should definitely check it out! And if that's not enough, Amazon has a sneak peek you can download  to your kindle ~ free! ~ so get clickin'! Sneak Peek Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

Trailer Love: What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

I should not exist. But I do.

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

Could you imagine being locked inside a body you had no control over? Gives me chills just trying to imagine it... Two souls? Interesting concept I'm definitely excited to explore...

And that cover?! w.o.w.

So here's the trailer ~ it's fabulous.. I love book trailers, but so many of them are... eh... This is not one of those trailers... #totallypumped ;)

Check it out....

I'll cut it short ~ give you some time to calm the goosebumps I'm sure have taken residence ;)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~ 

Monday Montage

Monday Montage is a weekly meme I cooked up in order to create a redeemable quality for my least favorite day. Pick a book you're reading or have recently finish and concoct a list of images, videos, songs... whatever you'd like... based on the characters and storyline of that book...

My montage this week is inspired by Enclave by Ann Aguirre:

Of course, none of the images are mine... just so ya know :)... I always wish I could find more!! So funny :) Hope that lifted your "Monday Blues" a bit.. I know it evoked a few giggles out of me this morning :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~