The Corridor by A.N. Willis

Book blurb:

" Stel Alaster has never known life without the Corridor. It appeared suddenly seventeen years ago, the only portal to a parallel version of our world—Second Earth. Everyone on First Earth fears Mods, the genetically modified Second Earthers who built the Corridor. They are too smart, too strong, and have powers that can’t be controlled. Any Mod found on First Earth is branded, then detained in the Corridor’s research labs. 

Only Stel has a dangerous secret. She has a power, too: She can open a portal to Second Earth . . . and several other parallel universes she’s discovered. If anyone ever finds out, she’ll be imprisoned, no better than a Mod or common lab rat. 

But when the Corridor starts to fail, emitting erratic bursts of energy that could destroy First Earth, Stel must risk everything to save the people and world she loves. With the help of an escaped Mod and an infuriatingly arrogant boy from a third universe, Stel sets out to unravel the mysteries of the Corridor and stabilize it before it’s too late. The fate of every world lies in the balance. . . . "

My review:

First of all, the Corridor is a Young Adults sci-fi story about Estelle or 'Stel', a young girl living on "First Earth" who loves her family: her dad and older brother Justin. Due to an accident with the Corridor a few months ago, she's now able to open portals to other worlds or other Earths. She doesn't really know how her power works and she's a little scared people might think she's one of the 'Mods' from the second Earth, so she hides her ability. 

Her dad is the former leader of her planet, he's also a scientist and has been trying to find out what is wrong with the First Corridor. The new (and manipulative) leader Sam ignores everything he learns and announces the building of another Corridor, the problem is, it will probably destroy and kill everyone on this Earth, like it happened on the Second Earth. Stel is determined to help however she can. 

I enjoyed reading this but it took me some time to read it because i had to put it down a few times. I liked the concept of the book, it was interesting and i liked the touch of romance in this. I didn't love it but it was enjoyable. I'm not sure I like the way it ended though. I am not sure yet if I will read the second book in the series, or not. 

***I wanted to thank Alloy Entertainment for letting me read and review a digital copy of this book.***

You can find it here on Goodreads. 

Salvage by Alexandra Duncan

Book blurb: 

" Ava is the captain's daughter. This allows her limited freedoms and a certain status in the Parastrata's rigid society-but it doesn't mean she can read or write or even withstand the forces of gravity. When Ava learns she is to be traded in marriage to another merchant ship, she hopes for the best. After all, she is the captain's daughter. Betrayal, banishment, and a brush with love and death are her destiny instead, and Ava stows away on a mail sloop bound for Earth in order to escape both her past and her future. The gravity almost kills her. Gradually recuperating in a stranger's floating cabin on the Gyre, a huge mass of scrap and garbage in the Pacific Ocean, Ava begins to learn the true meaning of family and home and trust-and she begins to nourish her own strength and soul. This sweeping and harrowing novel explores themes of choice, agency, rebellion, and family and, after a tidal wave destroys the Gyre and all those who live there, ultimately sends its main character on a thrilling journey to Mumbai, the beating heart of Alexandra Duncan's post-climate change Earth. "

My review:

Salvage is the first book by Alexandra Duncan. It is a Young Adult Science Fiction novel which I really enjoyed reading. At first i was a little confused by the author's writing but then after a while I got used to it and found it really original and interesting. The world building was pretty good and I liked getting to know these "crewes" even though the one she lived in was really unfair to women. I think the author wanted to give us a pro-female message. At least, there were some great characters I liked getting to know and the storyline was interesting. I wasn't bored so that is another good point. 

I do not want to give too much spoilers so I cannot really write what bothered me in this book because it is about what one of the main character do. It didn't stop me from liking this book but I don't like having the kind of feeling I had while reading a book. But, anyway, I also wanted to tell you about Rushil: he is such a sweet and funny character! I love him, and he has tattoos... which is just a bonus !

Overall, I liked reading this book but i still wish for an epilogue. I hope you guys enjoyed or will enjoy reading this book by Alexandra Duncan. 

You can find it here on Goodreads. 

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Book Blurb:

" Love burns. Worlds collide. Magic reigns. 

This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying many of the experiences that other teenagers take for granted...which is why she is determined to enjoy her first (and perhaps only) high-school party. But Lily's life never goes according to plan, and after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class Lily wishes she could just disappear.

Suddenly Lily is in a different Salem - one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruellest of all the Crucibles is Lillian . . . Lily's identical other self in this alternate universe. This new version of her world is terrifyingly sensual, and Lily is soon overwhelmed by new experiences.

Lily realizes that what makes her weak at home is exactly what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. It also puts her life in danger. Thrown into a world she doesn't understand, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone, and a love she never expected. But how can Lily be the saviour of this world when she is literally her own worst enemy? "

My review:

Trial by Fire was an okay read. I enjoyed getting to know this other world where witches rules. The pace was a little slow but luckily, it picked up during the last 30% of the book so that's okay. 

Without saying too much spoilers, I am going to try to explain what I disliked in this book. You will probably understand once you read this book, I hope. First of all, I disliked some of the characters. Lillian was a little too ruthless when it comes to her convictions. I didn't find Tristian to be a great character either. He was kind of a jerk to the main character, Lily. However I liked reading about the dynamics between the mechanics and Lily. I could have done without the Woven also, it was... weird at some moments.

I'll admit that i'm not particularly a fan of witches books but i had a good time reading this one and I'm curious to see what will happen next and to see Rowan's reactions. My long list of books I need to read might stop me from reading the next book. 

You can find it here on Goodreads.