Breed of Innocence by Lanie JordanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
P.S. Sorry for my unigraphs, I have a lot to write and not enough time to think through my paragraph breaks. ;)
What an awesome read! I went into this book hesitant as to if I would like it because I have never really been a fan of demons and all that stuff and I was also hesitant from the very short summary on Goodreads, but it had good reviews so I was willing to give it a chance. I open up the book on my iPad Mini. I was fairly hooked on the first two pages, and then after that I was absolutely, positively hooked on it and was ready to read the entire thing. I was enjoying it whole-heartedly. This book was definitely different than most books I have read in the YA/childrens genre, mostly because it is written differently and has a plot that isn't all that original, but still feels like it is. It was definitely a refreshing change for me. The writing style reminded me a bit of Skulduggery Pleasant, which I did not like. I think that is part of the reason when I began to read the book, I got the feeling I wouldn't like it. Luckily, this book did not dissapoint!!
The plotline starts as soon as you begin reading. The usual chapter or two of introduction is gone from this story. You get maybe a page before the action begins. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing because I'm sure it's a relief for impatitent readers who like to get to the action. I, however, ususally like a little more intro in my books. Though, I guess in life we don't get to choose when the car crash/death/major event happens in our lives, it just does.
People:
Jade. It's a very, ah, charming name. It has a rough, yet pretty edge to it. I don't really know if it fits her though. Jade is similar to another character I love. Maximum Ride, anyone? She has the disinterested sarcasm and manipulative abilities. She also has the snide, cutting remarks that she uses as a wall between her and others she doesn't like. It seems to be characteristic of girls on the run/girls who are homeless/girls in group homes in YA literature. However, this is my favorite kind of female character because I find them the most relatable and just laugh-out-loud funny!! Anyways, back to Jade. I like how responsible she is. She shows a lot of maturity for her age, as I do, so I like when a character shows that. She's down to earth, business like, but yet still fun and relaxed. She's definitely a balance of responsibility and carefree-ness. This ties into her being an awesome student. She really motivates me to be a better student and work hard because of the mature dedication and drive she shows. I'm starting a new semester in school, so it's really gotten me in the mood and motivated me to work harder this semester. To be willing to pull all-nighters to study?? I'm not willing. Only if I really have to. AND NOT EVERY NIGHT. THAT SHE HAS THAT DETERMINATION AND DEDICATION IS INCREDIBLE!!!!! I just use her as a role model or example when I want to procrastinate. =)
Mr. Greene
Mr. Greene is like a modern-day, James Bond version of Dumbledore or Gandlaf. Him and Jade were like equally favorites in my mind. The other characters- ehhhh. He is really a funny guy. You can tell he loves Jade like a daughter, and I love that about him. He's kind of like Jade's dad, or a parent, to make up for the loss of her two parents. It makes their relationship and his actions on her behalf that much more profound and deeper. Their relationship made you love his character.
Linc
Linc was...so-so for me. I mean, I think he was a great character, but I found it hard to connect/develop a relationship with him when the author mentioned him a lot and didn't actually include that many scenes after the beginning to middle where it was him and Jade. I would like to see more of him in the next book. Otherwise, I thought he was super-sweet and just a great guy. =) The obvious love that he has for Jade is so sweet! And how much he cares for her, wants to protect her, and help her, it's just so hot and cute and so incredibly sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, gushing. *sheepishly relaxes*
Felecia
First off, I never really liked the name Felecia. It's just so ugly and awkward. Second off, I HATE HER GIVE ME CROWBAR NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW *pants while darting eyes about searching for a weapon* Felecia was just awful. She isn't your usual "girl bully". With her, the whole "girls bully with words, guys with fists" is totally blown out of the water!!!! Felecia would kill Jade if she could. She's like Satan in human teenaged girl form. She's bad, bad, bad news.
Places:
CGE
One of my favorite fictional schools! If you have ever read the Gallagher Girls series(I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You), it's like the Gallagher Academy, but more realistic, mature, and co-ed. And way less awesome, but that can't be helped. Anyways, it is still a stupendous and awesome school! After the Gallagher Acadmey (if I didn't get accepted there), I would want to go to the CGE! I fell in love with a lot of things about the place. First off, I like the very organized training and classes system. It's really cool because of the fact that they're all, like, demon-oriented. Also, the running of the place was super cool. It was like working for the CIA, but still going to school there at the same time. That sort of atmosphere. If that made any sense. Thirdly, I really liked how kids are treated like adults, with responsibility. It's kind of like college for teens. Except even a little bit more hard core than that. And more fun. And it tests your physical capacity as well. Again, I just fell totally in love with the school/company/institution/consortium/whatever it is.
My Other Thoughts/Ramblings:
It was so incredibly, incredibly hard to put this book down. Every chapter made you want to just keep reading and reading and reading and reading! It was so easy to just keep reading, all that was really separating it was the little "Chapter _" thing....
There were a lot of awesome plot twists in this book! They were exciting and well placed. Really made the book for me! And the action was amazing! I just loved reading it because every page is something epic and awesome and SUPER COOL!! I'm starting to spazz now. Sorry. ;)
What's really interesting about this story, even though it sounds not that original, is that it's like a boarding school to train kids to fight demons!!!! You're probably thinking, "Yes. That was explained in the book summary you idiot *shakes head*," but it's so much more than that. When you read about it it becomes a lot more cool than when it's in the summary, a lot more real I guess.
One super weird thing was how in the book, demons are new beings. What's weird is, they're in the Bible and have been a staple of Christianity/Catholicism for a long time....
One thing I think it is easy for the reader to miss is that this story is set in the future. Yep, folks. I hope you caught that, because it helps make the story make more sense. How I do know? Well, here. First of all, what we the reader assumes is Orlando, is referred to in the book as New Orlando. Why, we don't know. It is definitely still near where Orlando is/was and in Florida because of references to the "old Kennedy Space Center". Which brings me to my next piece of evidence. The fact that it is called the "old Kennedy Space Center" and that it is explained that hurricanes destroyed the whole area fifteen years ago and no one really goes there anymore. It can be confusing, because since the author hasn't exactly told you it is set in the future, you are sort of wondering in the beginning if it is set in present day and the author is just making up events (which usually doesn't happen unless it's fantasy set in modern-day times....). However, you realize the setting is in the future because of some information that is given to you about the discovery of demons and a few years and then time frames given to you in regards to that. This places the time-frame of the story a little or a long while (though most likely a little while) after 2040. Complex, I know.
Another thing I appreciated about this book was how the author totally got the use of technology in the classroom thing, which is awesome. In most books set in "modern high school" the authors write about how high school was when they went, which isn't really their fault. But they forget to include the new technological aspects that are used, such as SMART Boards and iPads. As a student, it was nice to actually see a classroom you would be in in a story instead of a stale, outdated, stereotypical classroom. Another realistic aspect the author added was how one of Jade's teachers said, "You may or may not have a test next class." I mean, that's nothing new, but a lot of people portray teachers in a boring, predictable light, when really they're always looking for an opportunity to mess with you and switch things up.
I really liked Jade's Demonology teacher! He needs to come to my school! His personality and teaching style really hooked me from the few lines he speaks.
I was wishing for the longest time that Jade would find a friend who was a girl, because I wasn't really liking how there was only one (nice) female character in the story. But, that made it interesting and I think was part of the appeal, so I'm not really complaining.
One thing I really did not like was the overuse of the phrase "made a face". There was twenty-one uses of it in the book. It got annoying.
I can totally see Jade growing up to be one of the top demon-hunters in the world. She's just so incredibly smart and kick-butt. ;)
I had to look up the word consortium on Dictionary.com and so for anyone still wondering here's the definiton: (n) any association, partnership, or union. It's origin is the 1820-1830's. Interesting, huh? I had no idea it was a new word!
I drove by a consortium one day and was like, "Breed of Innocence!!"
Sorry for all of those random thoughts about my apparent fascination with consortiums. *hangs head*
Random SPAZZ/Meaningful Thoughts I Had While Reading (in bulleted format):(view spoiler)
So why did I give it four stars? Well, as I said, I am not a big fan of demon stuff for some reason (I'm actually sort of repulsed by it) and the writing style wasn't really my cup of tea. It just didn't really hit that 5 STARS OMG I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK HOW DO I EXPLAIN MY FEEEEEELLS mark for me. I think it will for most people, as it is a marvelous and superb book, but it just didn't get there for me personally.
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