Monday, July 31, 2017

Review: This is Not the End by Chandler Baker

Title: This is Not the End
Author: Chandler Baker
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Disney-Hyperion (August 8, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 3 Stars



Book Description:
I wonder if for the rest of my life, I’ll be haunted by beautiful days.

On one cloudless, radiant summer afternoon, Lake Devereaux lost everything. The car crash claimed the lives of her best friend and boyfriend, the people who had become her family after her own fell apart. But she doesn’t have to lose them both.

The development of resurrection technology has changed the world. Under the new laws regulating the process, each person gets one resurrection to be used or forfeited on their eighteenth birthday. Mere weeks away from turning eighteen, Lake faces an impossible choice.

Envisioning life without one of the people she loves most is shattering enough, but Lake carries an additional burden: years ago, under family pressure, Lake secretly—and illegally—promised her resurrection to someone who isn’t even dead yet.

The search for answers about her future draws Lake more deeply into the secrets of her past until she begins to question everything about those closest to her. Betrayals and hurts both new and old threaten to eclipse the memories she once cherished.

Then Lake meets a boy unlike anyone she’s encountered before, who unflinchingly embraces the darkest parts of her life . . . and who believes that all resurrections are wrong.


Which path is the right one? And how can Lake start to heal when she can't move on? 










This Is Not The End is one of those books that from the very first page, from the very beginning, the prologue, jumps out at you and grabs your attention. The kind that urges you to keep on reading, keep turning those pages because you need to know the before just as much as you need to know the after of the events that took place. The start and maybe even the end, of it all. 

It is so hard to describe this book without giving something away so I will try to keep this short and to the point. This book was fun. It was different and it was full of things I didn't see coming. Twists that were unexpected. Some added to the story and others, I think didn't but were there more for the sake of added mystery ad drama but nonetheless still worked. 

The whole concept of the story, resurrection was something you don't see very often and that more than anything else, made me want to read this story. And while it did focus on that, I felt that it could have gone so much further with the story if a bit more was explained and compounded but otherwise this was a very engaging story and something different from the norm, especially for this genre that is full of the generic. 





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

44 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard about this one. I have to say even though you had mixed feelings, I'm actually quite curious about the premise. It does sound unique. I'll check to see if my library has the book!

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  2. I like that this story's concept is new and unexpeted. Glad you had fun with this! Sounds like a winner :)

    Sarah @ A Weebish Book Blog

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    1. It was fun and different so that definitely counted or something. ;)

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  3. Hmmm, I haven't seen you review a YA for a while Kindlemom. Thanks for this one! Happy Monday

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    1. I know! I haven't been reading them as much so it was kind of nice to pick one up again. ;)

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  4. I think it's great that Disney is releasing so many YA books. Not only do they look amazing, but it's a great way to get young adults reading.

    Simply Angela

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    1. I couldn't agree more! And truly most of them that I've read, I've really liked.

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  5. Oh this one is new to me! Sounds interesting even if it didn't explore as deep as you hoped. Great review!

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  6. Love the resurrection concept, too bad it wasn't more in depth.

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    1. I know it was a great concept, just wish there had been a bit more explanation, there was some but it didn't explore it like I thought it would. ;) Still, a great story!

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  7. I can't think of the last time I read a book with resurrection that wasn't zombie based. I am interested in that aspect, but I wish that it had more impact on you.

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    1. I know, I think that is what I really liked about it. It wasn't bad, just wish it would have been a bit more.

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  8. Oh you had me at different and unexpected twists. It also has an interesting premise. Yep, you made me curious! Brilly review.

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  9. While I'm definitely interested, I'm curious. If was so different and engaging. Why give the book 3 stars?

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    1. There was some unnecessary drama with the boyfriend and best friend and just because it didn't focus so much on the resurrection part as it did who to choose part, which was a bit disappointing. ;)

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  10. This does sound interesting, but it appears you had some issues.

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  11. Hmmm, I'm curious to see how this pans out since it's so different from everything else out there and, as you said, not generic at all. Thanks for putting this on my radar--resurrection wasn't something I thought I wanted to read about until this!

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  12. The whole resurrection angle has me really curious, and the premise is so unique that I'm really tempted to give this a try!

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  13. I love the sound of the premise. But only 3 stars makes me wonder. And the fact that there's not enough explanation etc. Interesting review! Thanks 🤗

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    1. It was good no matter what, just not quite what I was expecting. ;)

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  14. Seems like an intriguing one, regardless. I find the story and cover fascinating. Thanks for sharing and greetings!

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  15. I hadn't heard of this one. Thanks for the great review.

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  16. Hrm, I'll check this out on Goodreads, but it's a pity you didn't like it more. Usually, I like what you like!

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    1. I bet you will still like it, it wasn't a bad read at all!

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  17. I am bummed that it only got three stars, but it still sounds really interesting. I wish I had a Resurrection I could use :).

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    1. I know! I love the idea and concept behind it, I just wish it would have delved further into it. It was still a good storyline though.

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  18. Sounds pretty good. Always nice when there are some good twists you didn't see coming.

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  19. So true! I don't think I've read a resurrection book before. Characters revived but not where it's the focal point. Great find, Ali!

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  20. I haven't heard of this book before but I love the idea. And you're right, there's not a lot of books about resurrection and stuff so it sounds really promising. Plus, the main character has the same last name as of my book crush hehe.
    I hate stories were your questions weren't answered especially that it's not in a series. But overall, I think this one's good

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    1. That is funny about the last name thing. ;) Hopefully you like this one.

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  21. nice review ! sounds insteresting. I will going to read it too :)

    https://bunnyawn.blogspot.co.id/

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  22. I'm still not sure if I want to read this. It might be too out-there for me!
    Jen Ryland

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