Inside Out - Maria V. Snyder - Review

Book: Inside Out

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: Mira Ink

ISBN : 9780778304111

Rating: A+

"Keep your head down. Don't get noticed. Or else. I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it's all that dangerous - the only neck at risk is my own. Until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution..."

Two Words: Literary Genius! I absolutely loved this book from start to end. It kept me interested, thrilled and engaged the whole time. I have to admit with the first two chapters I was slightly sceptical but soon I was hooked and everything started to make sense.

I hadn’t actually read any of Snyder’s books before this one, but I heard a lot about the ‘poison study’ series, so when I read the blurb of this, it looked good and I was raring to read it and Snyder didn’t let me down.

The book is about a time in the future where there is a system. Upper and lowers. Rich and Poor. There’s this girl called Trella, who knows the pipes of a spaceship and travels around in them. They have been kept inside this spaceship but some people want out. Basically someone convinces herself there is a way out and soon she finds herself head of a revolution against a certain brand of evil uppers.

The book is full of action every chapter and full of unique ideas. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book were someone travels by pipes and I found this book very enjoyable in that way. I think Snyder has really explored a new type of future based on the concept of history repeating itself. I mean when I found out this whole book was based on a dream it blew me away because Snyder must have an amazing imagination!

The plot is amazing and think Snyder kept it just the right size. I think if it had been any longer it would have dragged in which case I wouldn’t have liked it but it was a nice whole size that was well pace and well written. They way it was written was very good as well. The first person style was very different as in there was very little show of emotion, and thoughts. It was very blunt and to the point of what was happening. Surprisingly I like this and this was also good because it is a very complicated plot in general so it was complicated with thoughts and emotions.

My favourite character would have to be Trella. She was just so upfront with everything and so strong but come on... eventually you have to break, right? No, not Trella. She can go through losing her friend, getting outside, hacking into a computers getting injured like a thousand times and still come out of it all shiny and new. She is strong.

Of course there is a love interest, but I’m not giving names. It’s a very intense one and dark and surprising secrets are uncovered, lies are told and a victory is taken. Inside Out was amazing, now I guess its time for me to read Outside In, and I’m sure it won’t disappoint me. Five Stars.

HERE LIES BRIDGET - PAIGE HARBISON - REVIEW

Book: Here Lies Bridget
Author: Paige Haribson
Publisher: Mira Ink
ISBN: 9780778304999
Rating: B


"They say that before you die your life flashes before your eyes. You think it's going to be the good stuff - every kiss, every party. Don't count on it. I was Bridget Duke - the uncontested ruler of the school. If keeping the wannabes in their place meant being a mean girl, then so be it! I never thought there'd be a price to pay. Until the accident. Now, trapped between life and death, I'm seeing my world in a new light: through the eyes of five people whose existence I've made hell. And I've got one chance to make things right. If I don't, I may never wake up again..."

I have to admit this was a good book. From the moment I read the blurb I was drawn in and it didn’t let me down. It’s a very different novel but a better word would be Unique. I mean I did like it, and it slots into the same genre as Before I Fall and If I Stay.

The plot follows Bridget Dukes and she is the most popular girl at school. She is and will stay at the top of the triangle even if that means being the mean girl as well. Basically another girl comes along and she feels threatened and she has a car accident and she gets stuck in Limbo where she has to spend time in the life and mind of five people’s lives she made a misery. It’s a very light plot for something relatively deep. It focuses in on the sort of things that matter to teens and the sort of issues they can have because as well as being worried about popularity the book also focuses on self consciousness about the way people look, bulimia and anorexia and hints on bullying.

The plot was relatively good but I did feel that was slight too much repetition in it, but who cares about that. The point is that I enjoyed the book. I mean after all the mean (some may say EVIL) stuff Bridget does the lesson or message is a good one. I mean the book has some really good messages in it for anyone. Also the emotions are very good. I mean when Bridget is mean to her Step Mum you can really feel her Step Mums hurt.

As far as favourite characters go I liked Michelle. She should’ve have been in Bridget’s Place was kept on being put down by Bridget and the rest of the school after the crush incident. I found that I didn’t particularly like Bridget. I found her very cold and very shallow. I mean was she so apparent she couldn’t she any fault or wrong in her actions. She was horrid until the end where I suppose she learnt.

The writing was very light and airy I suppose. It was very fun and easy to read, and I finished it within a two hour car journey. It’s definitely a debut novel; there’s no denying that. Now you see what I want to know is will there be a sequel, but I wants one! Honestly though this was an amazing book so, go read it!