The Cage #2 The Hunt

Presenting The Cage #2 The Hunt by Megan Shepherd.

Here is the summary of the book:

They’ve left the cage—but they’re not free yet.

After their failed escape attempt, Cora, Lucky, and Mali have been demoted to the lowest level of human captives and placed in a safari-themed environment called the Hunt, along with wild animals and other human outcasts. They must serve new Kindred masters—Cora as a lounge singer, Lucky as an animal wrangler, and Mali as a safari guide—and follow new rules or face dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, Nok and Rolf have been moved into an enormous dollhouse, observed around the clock by Kindred scientists interested in Nok’s pregnancy. And Leon, the only one who successfully escaped, has teamed up with villainous Mosca black-market traders.

The former inhabitants of the Cage are threatened on all fronts—and maybe worst of all, one of the Hunt’s Kindred safari guests begins to play a twisted game of cat and mouse with Cora. Separated and constantly under watch, she and the others must struggle to stay alive, never mind find a way back to each other. When Cassian secretly offers to train Cora to develop her psychic abilities—to prove the worthiness of humanity in a series of tests called the Gauntlet—she’ll have to decide fast if she dares to trust the Kindred who betrayed her, or if she can forge her own way to freedom.

REVIEW ==

They may be out of the enclosure but Cora, Lucky and the misfits are still a long way from escaping the station and finding their way back home. The Hunt by Megan Shepherd follows closely behind the first book 'The Cage'. Beginning just where the first book ended. The group has now been scattered across the station in different areas as punishment for their destroying the previous enclosure. And somehow I still got bored.

Although I liked Cora a bit better this time. She is resourceful, quick on her feet and knows when to grasp the opportunity coming her way. Cassian still felt weird to me .... I definitely liked Lucky a lot better this time as well. In the first book, he caves under pressure and thinks the aliens are right with their rules but he stands taller this time. Makes decisions by himself. Definitely good. Leon, Nok and Rolf too try to rebel against the aliens in their own ways.

They all may have been separated throughout the station but are more than capricious and lucky enough to find ways and keep in contact. The book is paced really well and liked how the author explores newer aspects for all of her characters. The twists & turns were really well positioned throughout the story .... particularly the ending cliffhanger .... Yup there is a cliffy! But somehow I still got bored with the story. Just feel that the first book was much better in my opinion.

"A well written sequel packaged with the necessary elements to take the story to farther reaches of space"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopia, Romance

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Release Date: 24th May, 2016

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Other Books by the author (review links):
              The Madman's Daughter #1, #2, #3
               The Cage #1

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Cage #1 The Cage

Presenting The Cage #1 The Cage by Megan Shepherd.

Here is the summary of the book:

The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughtertrilogy.

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

With such big names like The Maze Runner and Scott Westerfeld mentioned how can you not give this is a chance. The end of 'The Madman's Daughter' series comes the beginning of something new from author Megan Shepherd. Call it a mellowed down version of The Maze Runner and you will know what I am talking of. Was expecting much more action but the flow of words was nicely paced and the plot unhurried.

Intelligent Aliens putting humans in a cage-like zoo environment. This is the story of Cora, Lucky, Rolf, Nok and Leon (there was another there but she died). All of them paired off and the aliens only want them of live peacefully, cooperatively and procreate. A weird situation for the teenagers in itself. Rolf & Nok hit it off quick, Leon was aggressive and Lucky most appropriately fell for Cora but she won't stand for this forced confinement or the rules set by the aliens and does all she can do to finds a way out.

Not sure if anybody put those elements out as a story. Kudos Ms. Shepherd for thinking something original and giving it enough details and background to build and assemble on. And then Cora goes and develops the hots for the alien caretaker, Cassain. I think there is a term for it somewhere, not sure I remember it at the moment but really feelings for the alien, by that I mean very very huge and black eyes (irises & pupils missing) and telekinetic powers. Although i'm not sure i'm phased by it anymore what with more than enough alien-human YA romances these days.

I didn't quite like the humans too really. They felt suspicious and paranoid but I suppose you would too if you are held captive in as cage and been told to react and live according to the rules of the captors ..... And that's what really came off of the story by the author's impeccable words. Classified as a sci-fi dystopia, it felt more like a psychological thriller to me and it kept me vested in the story trying to find out what happened next.

Everyone deals with captivity in their own ways. Some turn complacent, some aggresive, some trying to ingrate themselves with everyone for safety, some go in denial and some rebel and find a way out. Every character here is different, from their looks to their personalities and that adds to the spices to it all. They try to band together, they argue, get violent and turn into a jealous herd if one gets more than the fair share ..... So their interactions were real unpredictable. The pressure of the cage actually makes them into zoo animals in some instances .....

Which was pretty cruel. The playing field is never really constant here. The humans may have their secrets but so does Cassian but to find out more we have to wait for the sequel. Of course I state again, I was expecting more action but the author has set a good pace here in this mellowed beginning. So we keep our fingers crossed for the future and what it brings.

"A human zoo with it vibrantly clashing inmates. If you liked The Maze Runner then you will enjoy this"

Genre :      Young Adult, Gothic, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Release Date: 26th May, 2015

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Other Books by the author (review links):
              #1 The Madman's Daughter
                     #2 Her Dark Curiosity 
              #3 A Cold Legacy

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Madman's Daughter #3 A Cold Legacy

Presenting The Madman's Daughter #3 A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd.

Here is the summary of the book:

After killing the men who tried to steal her father’s research, Juliet—along with Montgomery, Lucy, Balthazar, and a deathly ill Edward—has escaped to a remote estate on the Scottish moors. Owned by the enigmatic Elizabeth von Stein, the mansion is full of mysteries and unexplained oddities: dead bodies in the basement, secret passages, and fortune-tellers who seem to know Juliet’s secrets. Though it appears to be a safe haven, Juliet fears new dangers may be present within the manor’s own walls.

Then Juliet uncovers the truth about the manor’s long history of scientific experimentation—and her own intended role in it—forcing her to determine where the line falls between right and wrong, life and death, magic and science, and promises and secrets. And she must decide if she’ll follow her father’s dark footsteps or her mother’s tragic ones, or whether she’ll make her own.

With inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, this breathless conclusion to the Madman’s Daughter trilogy is about the things we’ll sacrifice to save those we love—even our own humanity.

I stand corrected maybe their is a cure. After a dismal sequel in the form of 'Her Dark Curiosity', Megan Shepherd produced a knight-in-shining armor finale, albeit a golden one in the form of 'A Cold Legacy'. In a way I would always love the first book the best but this one comes a close second with the second book coming in last. A decisive battle, even more horrors of the third degree and a 'dark' cold legacy that might just make or break it all.

Having read the whole series we see some strong classic representations. The 1st book bases on the H.G. Wells story 'The Island of Dr. Moreau', the 2nd one takes queue's from Jack the Ripper legends and the 3rd, if you have been following the story on Frankenstein. Decisively less darker than the first two books the author presented her re-imaginings perfectly enough to make it her own and not sounding like a copy .... wrapping up everything beautifully in the end.

The character development is one of the strongest suits of this book. Juliet and Montgomery remaining steadfast in his faith in his lady love and fiancee and still very much in love. Juliet, who came far from the whinny girl she was in 'Her Dark Curiosity' much more world weary, she battles constantly with her darker side. Be like the madman who was her father or take after her mother. The pull of science or that of serenity .... of course her new guardian Elizabeth von Stein and her Manor full of oddities don't make that battle easy.

Lucy & Edward too played quite the role in Juliet's inner struggles. Lucy is a flighty, sometimes hilarious and aggressive when she wants to be and can piss us of too by way of her attitude. Edward meanwhile pretty much remained the same trying to fight his beast,taking poison to try and kill himself and fight this excruciating pain to stay sane. His are resolved rather quickly. I would have loved to have seen a bit more detailed execution to his problem, as he remained a problem since the first book though.

But it was the secrets of the Ballantyne manor that had us turning pages. The ancient, creepy and cold walls of the above mentioned manor hides in its walls a secret that has the makings of sending shivers down to our cores. A mastery over science never seen or experienced before. And Juliet (& us) finds herself more curious than she would have given to believe. Questions and concerns raised. Horrible acts committed. Freaks of nature awoken. Perpetrators defeated and unwitting acts of murders commenced. Horrible past left behind and promises of peaceful and hopeful new beginning realized. .... Where to draw the line ..... follow the madman father, the tragic mother or blaze her own path .....

'A Cold Legacy' in a way surmounts to a great end for the series. An almost standalone, much happens in the conclusion to give it a miss. Helped along by Shepherd's immaculate prose and the creepy cold atmosphere of the Scottish moors, great plot and character development balancing this third act brilliantly. The Terror, the horror, the science, and of nature ... all of them mixed together give this series its own personal touch. Of course the 2nd book was a disappointment but the conclusion pretty much makes up for it. Give this series a chance, you will be thoroughly amazed.

"A cold, dark and breathless page-turner"

Genre :      Young Adult, Gothic, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Release Date: 27th January, 2015

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 The Madman's Daughter
                    #2 Her Dark Curiosity

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Madman's Daughter #2 Her Dark Curiosity

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! Presenting The Madman's Daughter #2 Her Dark Curiosity by Megan Shepherd.

Here is the summary of the book:

To defeat the darkness, she must first embrace it.

Months have passed since Juliet Moreau returned to civilization after escaping her father's island—and the secrets she left behind. Now, back in London once more, she is rebuilding the life she once knew and trying to forget Dr. Moreau’s horrific legacy—though someone, or something, hasn’t forgotten her.

As people close to Juliet fall victim one by one to a murderer who leaves a macabre calling card of three clawlike slashes, Juliet fears one of her father’s creations may have also escaped the island. She is determined to find the killer before Scotland Yard does, though it means awakening sides of herself she had thought long banished, and facing loves from her past she never expected to see again.

As Juliet strives to stop a killer while searching for a serum to cure her own worsening illness, she finds herself once more in the midst of a world of scandal and danger. Her heart torn in two, past bubbling to the surface, life threatened by an obsessive killer—Juliet will be lucky to escape alive.

With inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, this is a tantalizing mystery about the hidden natures of those we love and how far we’ll go to save them from themselves.

Not a bad sequel, this one but slight traces of second book syndrome could be seen. It even works almost as a standalone but if i am to compare the first and second, i'd definitely declare the first best of the two. The reason it gets 2 rates less.

I admit the prose was good, Shepherd's writing style was good, the mystery, the dark side of science, London of that era and the atmosphere & the way the consequences of book 2 were explored and new evils wrought out..... But the thing is..... The major point where it all fails.... The characters.... or rather the characters and that wretched love triangle.

Juliet, Montgomery & Edward. Frankly this is one one love triangle that is not needed at all in any way. In the first book where everything was being layed out, using it there actually did well there but this time it was plain annoying. Edward is just his usual beast self and when not then seducing Juliet. Montgomery was just plain Montgomery.

Juliet on the other hand felt plain and simple annoying. She whines the entire time. About Montgomery. Just because Edward was there when Montgomery wasn't doesn't mean you jump in the sack with him, for GOD's SAKE he is literally a beast and just had had killed somebody before she decides to do the deed with him..... Just how thick can someone be.

Another factor, she is rather naive for her own good. OK her condition isn't that serious, so a cure could be formulated. But she thinks that just cause she got cured, then there could be one for him too, when it is evident enough that he is beyond help.

But other then that I had no other problems with this book and enjoyed the mysteries, tragedies and sciences explore. I am surely checking the next book out, the conclusion here provided some too good to pass story arc coming in the series and I am excited for it.

"There is darkness and a curiosity but not the sequel to date"

Genre :      Young Adult, Gothic, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Release Date: 28th January, 2014

My Copy: publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Books in the series (review links):
              #1 The Madman's Daughter

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Madman's Daughter #1 The Madman's Daughter

Presenting The Madman's Daughter #1 The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepard.

Here is the summary of the book:

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

Based on H.G. Wells' famous gory saga, The Island of Dr. Moreau, this dark and immensely creepy representation from Megan Shepard definitely does it justice..... I had heard of the original tale but haven't had a chance to go through it yet so I can't compare it but from where I am standing The Madman's Daughter does its dark and sinisterial work perfectly.

I've read a fairly less number of the horror genre, so the one's that do find themselves to me are definitely enough to give me the goose-flesh and i'm adding this one in that category. Definitely.

Juliet Moreau's story and her character really won me over. She is a girl born in riches but for whom fate had dealt a heavy hand and must now work hard to stay off the streets. With a dead mother and a mad scientist for a father, and no living relatives or money what so ever, she maintains a stubborn disposition. And that dark side, it takes over when you least expect it. It is this side of her that gives her a dynamic character and the strength to put a live cut open rabbit to rest when even the boys were finding it very difficult to.

And then there were two. Montgomery and Edward. Two love interests. A love triangle. The former a childhood crush and the servant of her father and the latter a mysterious castaway found drowning in the waters as they neared the island. The former able to get her warm and tingling to her core and the latter part of her cold, dark and sinister dreams upon that cursed island...... I don't think I need to explain more. I was already rooting for Juliet and Montgomery since he entered the scene. There is an undeniable and passionate chemistry there that can't be missed.

And then there is Dr. Moreau and his island full of creatures. This was definitely the heart of the story. "Science leads" our resident time lord, the Doctor said. But science is just the tool, it is how you use it that matters. The hunchback, the beastlys', the horned one and the animalistics. That island is filled with enough dark and mangled creatures to fill a lifetime. While yes Dr. Moreau is definitely a madman to experiment on humans and animals and the chaos is enough to keep us interested, but there is order too. An almost dictatorial order. Somehow all these creatures stay focused on track and maintain an almost sense of peace.

Got to hand it to Shepard, her way of presentation and ghostly environment of the book is what sets this thing off. But the beauty of it all..... the evident character building seen throughout the entirety of the book. There is no clear cut good and evil here, just the gray. Almost all of them have a dark side and there are secrets shrouded among layers and layers of soot. Good on to the author, your Gothic thriller sure gave me the creeps. Excited to begin the next leg of this creepy and dark journey with 'Her Dark Curiosity'.

"Dark and sinisterly creepy with a disturbingly graphic plot-line to keep you on the edge of your seats"

Genre :      Young Adult, Gothic, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Release Date: 29th January, 2013

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository