~The Geneva Project: Lies by Christina Benjamin~

                Happy Friday readers!  Today I'd like to take a moment to announce the winner of the last giveaway: Bogdana.  Congratulations!  Next I'd like to share my thoughts and feels on The Geneva Project:  Lies by Christina Benjamin the third book in the series.  Also I should note this is not the last book in the trilogy as I initially thought, right up until the end that left me in shock as I had it in my head this was only a trilogy.  Probably that there are so many series that are in the form of trilogies.  Anyhow not the end.  There will be spoilers for the first two books in the series I've already reviewed, Truth and Secrets, and an interview I did with one of my favorite characters, Sparrow here.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Lies takes place just where we left off and it is true to the title.  There are an abundance of lies being told throughout the story.  Geneva and our gang try to sneak back into the orphanage to try and locate the other two pillars but things don’t go as planned.  They are caught as soon as they step inside and treated to a non to pleasant welcome.  The orphanage is no an Academy for all students orphans and Luxors to attend and learn funded by the new headmaster, Malakai aka also secret leader of the Ravinori, things are not as they remember.  The place is now clean and full of the finer things in life but the dangers inside are more real than ever. 

                We get to meet new characters and connect with old ones as well.  Loyalties are tested and new bonds are forged.  New mysteries are revealed and new schemes are put in place.  There is a constant black out of information as everyone is lying left and right for one reason or another be it justified or not.  The two biggest players in the lying game are Geneva and Jemma, though more Jemma since they all start with her.  The lies start to pile up quickly.  I did get a bit frustrated with them and how she was allowing herself to keep them when every instinct told her to be honest.  I think mostly because of Jemma, I don’t care any reasons why she should be given a chance or a benefit of the doubt since book one she has been nothing but a total bitch.  She has undermined the group and the mission at every turn with any way to put herself ahead.  She is selfish and I wouldn’t have taken her on the mission to begin with.  Jemma is a real piece of work and my opinion of her only plummets from in Lies.

                Geneva is stuck in a hard spot.  I didn’t understand this as much because of my personality, I’d rather watch the world burn than give someone the satisfaction of hurting me when I could flip things on them by telling the truth consequences be damned.  I’m a bit stubborn in that way.  Still I could see how Geneva struggled with it.   I also liked getting to know Kia even though I hated that as she got to know him, for the cause, it was hurting Nova.  Nova I still adore him and his hot temper.  It’s hard to get to know people and get them on your side when you have to be careful who you tell the truth too.  Plus all the tricks and trials they face all designed to confirm what the baddies already know and figure out a way to use her further. 

                I really liked this story and I look forward to learning what happens next even more since I was shocked with the ending.  I was convinced somehow that this was a trilogy and I was getting anxious as the pages dwindled and we were getting more and more into something and trying to figure out how it could be resolved in so few pages but then I find it isn’t over and many things are not resolved.  I NEED answers and I’m intrigued to see where things go from here.  As for why this book went down just a touch in rating for me is just a personal pet peeve of mine.  When lies play a big part of the story (hence the title) there is only so many times you can promise no more lies and follow it up with a lie before I hold it against you.  No matter the reason after you swear it you don’t break it, definitely not more than once.  Plus I wanted a certain someone to get maimed the whole story and I got no karma or retribution there, but I hope it will come in the next book.  Still I highly enjoyed the book and look forward to continuing on in the series. 

                Feed my happy feels and tell me your thoughts below.  What would make you tell a lie to those you love?  How many chances would you give someone who has wrong you time and time again?  I’d love to know. 

                Until next time…

The Geneva Project: Secrets

                It's Friday!  So that means it's time for another review here at Functioning Insanity Reviews.  Last week I reviewed The Geneva Project: Truth by Christina Benjamin here, the first book in the series, and today I'll be reviewing book two Secrets.  You know the drill this is book two so it will contain some spoilers for book one, sorry, but if you haven't read it yet go do so and come right back.  You have been warned. 

Rating:  5 Stars

                Secrets picks up where Truth ended.  Pretty much that same moment, we go right back into it not skipping a beat. Tippy now knows she is Geneva, the Eva, the one meant to lead the Beto people and all on the island back to a peaceful way of life.  The Book of Secrets gave her more than she bargained for with the whole destiny and a sister she never would have asked for.  Still this is not the end she has many more secrets to uncover, some dark and mysterious.  Geneva must decide who she can trust with her secrets and which she must keep to herself. 

                When we left Tippy, aka Geneva, in Truth she just found out her destiny and oh yeah Jemma, her enemy is now her older sister.  Shock set in now.  It's overwhelming to learn  all of this.  Add to that she had just put an end to an evil hunting them and she needed a moment.  Things quickly get into gear as the gang joins with the Beto people in the forest, constantly on the move to keep themselves safe.  My thoughts and theories about a couple things were in fact true, I'm that good.  Though I admit it happened in a different way than expected.  In Secrets we get to meet so many new characters while still learning new things about the ones we already love.  My favorite new addition was Jovi.  We found out more about the legends and history of the island.  This is important if they wish to change the past and not let history repeat itself.  

How I imagine the expanse of forest on the island, lots of places to still discover!

                Along with tons of character development and growth, because Eva has some serious stuff to cope with.  Sure she doesn't always make the sound decisions but she's young and she's overwhelmed and I had a hard time being upset about any mistakes or decisions she made based on flawed logic because of that.  I loved being in her head and seeing just what she was going through and how she came to her decisions.  Even when things are not explained to her fully or she is lied to and betrayed she still finds it in her heart to do what is best for everyone and not take a vindictive stance.  That shows me she is a good leader.  She has her moments and she may do some things against her personal desires and get a touch of payback in there but she at least feels bad after.  Heads up I didn't feel bad at all.  I'm not even going to try and describe the tension of all types between all the characters, lots of emotions and feels happening there.  I think it was best to experience it first hand so I don't want you to be expecting anything and ruin that ah ha moment.  I'll just say wow...some stuff is going down.  High drama levels done right.

                 Secrets also focuses on their mission.  They need to find the four pillars.   Eva believes that the best place they will be is back at the orphanage they escaped from.  They have to go back.  No one is excited at the prospect of course but it's a necessary evil they must work towards with the best plan possible.  The road is dangerous, more so as in this book we find out more of the other side, the evil group that are seeking out Eva and the pillars for a completely opposite reason than peace and unity. Seeing things happen from both angles and knowing how more than the other characters made it all the more intense.    

                There is so much happening in the book. Things never stop moving.  The continued world building is astounding and completely natural as they learn about the legends and at the same time it blends so easily into the characters stories it's perfect.  I really enjoyed this book and I'm beyond excited for book three: Lies to come out next month.  Which leads me into my next bit of news, to celebrate the release of Lies I had the pleasure of doing a character interview of Sparrow.  It was so much fun to put together with the author and I can't wait to share it with you all.  I'll be posting that on September 2nd so make sure to check back then for more.  Until then check back for more fun posts and reviews.  Share your thoughts and feels in the comments below they fill my heart :) 

The Geneva Project: Truth by Christina Benjamin

                Welcome back to Wednesday fun!  Review time.  Today I’m going to discuss a book I got while at UtopYA back in June.  I’m starting to catch up with some of the amply amount of books I came away with.  Seriously, more than a carryon suitcase can hold.  That and a huge tote bag full and some.  Yep lots of books!  Plus even more I got on my kindle while there or added to my wish list.  Anywho I’m starting to get into them and add them into my current TBR lists.  Today that book is The Geneva Project: Truth by Christina Benjamin, the first book in The Geneva Project series.

                Briefly Truth centers on an island that was devastated by the flood several years ago that left many orphans.  The orphans are trapped at the center and put to work scouring the islands flood zones recovering precious stones and things of value for the wealthy citizens of the still prosperous city Lux.  Orphans have no individual names only numbers affixed to John or Jane.  Truth focuses on Jane 65, she is different, the youngest orphan in the center found as only a baby. Her life is rather dull until one day she meets a John from the older year.  He handles himself differently and…he knows his name.  This sets her down a road that spirals her dull life into something completely different as she searches for answers to who she is, the legends of the island, and the magic within some of the orphans.  However, on this quest to self-discovery 65 and her new friends must navigate the new information and who to trust while keeping it a secret from the evil head mistress of the orphanage.

Rating: 5 Stars

                I was intrigued by this book from the start.  I looked up some of the authors for UtopYA beforehand hoping to get an idea of some of the books and to do some pre-orders to keep my budget in check.  Without a budget you could get in serious trouble at a book event.  Truth and the sequel Secrets were on my pre-order list.  The covers called to me, simple and mysterious, and the description or blurb I read for them made me want to know more.  When I went to pick up my books Christina had them all put together in a nifty bag and everything all ready to go including items for photo ops!  We took pictures and discussed her books for a nice little bit and it only made me want to read it more.  If you ever have the chance to hear an author gush about their books I highly suggest it.  Her enthusiasm and friendliness were contagious especially to someone like myself who was still feeling a bit shy at the beginning. 

                This book did not disappoint me.  The world building was done in a way that you don’t really notice it.  The world just comes to life around the characters.  You get to know the world along with Jane 65, ‘Tippy’, and the story unfolds.  The island seems massive with the glamourous city of Lux, the orphanage, the flood work zones, and the vast forest that scares people away, and who knows what else could be on the island we haven’t yet discovered.  Still it had the overall feel of an island like you see on movies or if you luck on vacation.  Also placing the story on an island lends to the seclusion of it all.  Isolated and no real ability to ‘run’ if one wanted as there is a limit to how far you can go.

                Everyone has numbers and not names.  That is a hard idea.  To be regulated as a number, not good enough for a name.  This book handled the idea of self-identity very well.  Some remember their names but you are unable to use it in public, others knowing is a luxury, a privilege almost.  Then you have 65 who is unable to remember anything being as she was too young to have any memories.  She has no idea who she was, she only has a number and no name to hold onto.  She gets a nick name, Tippy, which I find myself always wanting to use instead of something as impersonal as a number.   It’s easy to follow Tippy and root for her.  She is easily likeable.  She is a year younger than the rest she is housed with but always fits to be just as fast and smart as them.  Even more so as the powers come into play.

Telepathy could be very useful...also save $ on cell phone :) 

                Speaking of powers.  I liked that how different they were and how they came about.  Taking time to learn to use them and improve upon them.  There were so many different ones happening but I think one of my favorites was hearing and talking to the animals.  It was only touched upon but that just struck a cord with me. 

                While the powers of some of the characters are pretty spectacular and fit quite nicely with each of them I would love them without them as well.  Which means they are done well.  First I must say this.  I heart Niv!  I gushed over Niv.  Aside from Niv we have Nova, the boy who started it all but telling Tippy he knew his name.  He is friendly and sweet from the start, a year older but always treating Tippy the same as everyone else.  Tippy's best and only friend in the beginning is Remi.  They are the quite duo.  They both kind of keep to themselves and only talk to one another not having lots of friends.  Peas in a pod.  I have some theories about him and his character arc to come.  Then we have two who seem like opposites but are like family, Journey and Sparrow.  Even mean girl Jemma has some depth to her you want to learn more about. 

                I think the story was well paced and kept you wondering what is happening next.  You wanted to go on the journey and find the truth with the gang.  It went by quickly and I didn't want to put it down.  Everything flowed neatly into the next.  My only problem, and I am leery of even calling it that, was that I had with the age of the characters.  They are only thirteen, making Tippy twelve.  It just seemed a bit young for some things.  Maybe I'm dating myself but that may just be that when I was twelve boys were still kind of icky haha and I don't think my thoughts were that deep.  At least not on a regular basis.  I know things have changed in the recent years but mentally I kept aging the kids a few years.  It didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all, like I said my mind just mentally aged them almost without me noticing.  It wasn’t until the age is stated again that I’d pause for a moment like I just realized that. 

                I'm going to be starting the sequel tomorrow, or today depending on what time I wake up, and I look forward to continuing the series and finding out what secrets are waiting to be uncovered.  I look forward to sharing thoughts on it soon.  Also as an added bonus the third book in the series, Lies is set to come out on September 1st!  Which means a super short wait which is always a plus.  Share with me below your thoughts and feels on the book.  If you could have any of their powers which would you choose?  Or pick your own.  Comments fill my heart  with happiness J  Until next time.