Regina Shen: Vigilance by Lance Erlick

Title: Vigilance

Author: Lance Erlick

Series: Regina Shen #2

Source: For review

MY RATING: 5 STARS!!!!

Abrupt climate change melted ice caps and flooded coasts. Outcast Regina Shen has unique DNA that the World Federation believes can prevent human extinction. Not trusting them, Regina jumps the barrier wall into the Federation to hunt for her sister, kidnapped two years earlier. She reaches the well-guarded university near where they’re holding her sister. Two rival inspectors close in on her. With time running out, can she escape campus and rescue her sister from an obvious trap?

~ MY THOUGHTS! ~

So, I loved this book! I think this is quickly becoming one of my favorite series of the year. It's so much fun, and it packs a punch. 

This book talks place a few years after the last one ended. I loved that this book was unpredictable. I have become weary of dystopian books because of the almost formulaic setup of most of them. But this series has proven to be unlike the rest. And, I would like to add, that this book didn't suffer from sophomore book syndrome. It was just as engaging and fast paced as the first one. I didn't feel as if this one was filler in the least. 

I loved the character development Regina underwent in this book. And I can see that she will continue to grow as a character throughout the series. I love the setup the author has given her for the future books, and hasn't let her growth be set aside for plot and shock value! Kudos to you Mr. Erlick for giving us a well rounded character that doesn't fall flat! :) I also liked the introduction of new characters, and look forward to seeing how they flesh out in the later books. I love when more characters are introduced in addition to the ones we already know and love and not just to replace them. It makes the world and series more full. 

I can't wait to get to the next one because the ending of this book was, just WOW! I highly recommend this series! 

Regina Shen: Resilience by Lance Erlick

Title: Resilience

Series: Regina Shen #1

Author: Lane Erlick

Author's Website

Amazon  (only .99!!!!)

Goodreads

RATING: 5 STARS!!!!!

Abrupt climate change melted ice caps and flooded coasts. Regina Shen is an outcast condemned to live on the seaward side of barrier walls. A hurricane threatens to destroy Regina’s world, tearing her from sister, mom, and home.

The World Federation’s notorious Department of Antiquities polices barrier walls and suppresses knowledge from the past. Regina thrives on salvage from sunken cities, including illegal print books from before the Federation. With photographic memory, she defies Antiquities by reading books not available in the Federation. Antiquities claims Regina has unique DNA that could single-handedly stop human extinction. It's too bad she doesn't trust them enough to barter fairly, let alone with her life.

As the storm worsens, Antiquities and their allies doggedly pursue Regina. Does she have the resilience to survive the storm and avoid capture while hunting for family?

~ MY THOUGHTS! ~

I knew instantly that this was going to be a favorite series of mine. I loved Regina straight from the get go, and the plot was seriously made for me. This covers many buzzwords for me, a few being DNA, environmental collapse, climate change. When I got the email asking for sign ups, I didn't even hesitate, because it had it all. And I am so glad I was chosen! I honestly haven't read a book from this iRead Tours that I haven't liked, so I'm pretty happy about that.

Regina was such an awesome character. I felt that she portrayed so much that many authors like to hide about characters, the human side. She was a young teenager, living in a tough time, and she rose to the challenge, but at times you could still see that 15 year old shining through. And I loved that aspect. It's nice, and it brings the story to a grounded level, one that as a reader I can connect with. So that small writing of Regina made this story click in so many ways. I just loved it that much more.

The plot of this book was perfect. It has Regina on the run from a Department of Antiquities officer due to Regina's special DNA. This entire part of the book had me completely enthralled, and I can't wait to find out more. It's a storyline that, personally, I haven't seen done. And done this well. Lance Erlick really knows how to keep the story moving, but at the same time giving the reader enough information that they aren't fumbling along.

This book takes the much used dystopian trope and gives it a new set of wings. I think Lance Erlick did a fantastic job spinning a unique tale, and once that I can't wait to continue one with. I am so glad I have book two waiting and ready to be started!