Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Review: Project Paper Doll: The Rules by Stacey Kade

The Rules (Project Paper Doll, #1)
Project Paper Doll The Rules by Stacey Kade
1. Never trust anyone.
2. Remember they are always searching.
3. Don’t get involved.
4. Keep your head down.
5. Don’t fall in love.
Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”
But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…
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Publishes in US: April 23rd 2013 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: YA Dystopia
Source: Disney for review
Series? Project Paper Dolls. The 2nd is untitled and releases in 2014

Buy it:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble   Book Depository

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    I really enjoyed this first book, the pacing was great, and there was character growth as well as a romance that I cheered for. 
    The Rules sucked me in right away. Even though I was a bit confused on the whys and hows of Ariane's condition, as well as who she replaced and how exactly that worked, I still immediately liked what I was reading, and I wanted more. Though I will say that I expected something different from this book based on the synopsis, but I wasn't disappointed in what I got. 
    Ariane is a mixture of human and alien DNA, and I really like how that gives her strengths, but also weaknesses. Big ones, that she has to deal with. As her back story is revealed little by little, I learn why the Rules are in place, and more about her connection with her "dad" Michael Tucker. Who, for the record, I really admired. I liked how much he cared for her, and his reasoning for taking Ariane in the first place. He is so protective, and their relationship seems so authentic. 
    I connected with Adriane and her feelings of not belonging. That yearn to fit in. It was so sad how she really couldn't get too close with anyone because she doesn't want to draw attention to herself or else the lab she escaped from could notice her. But even though she has the different DNA, it really begs the question what makes a human. She shows the full range of emotions, from anger, protectiveness, and love in its different forms. She has special abilities, so I know that sets her apart, but at her core, how different is she really? 
    And I don't know if having someone as a narrator makes me more susceptible to like someone, but being in Zane's head did that for me. I don't think that I would normally fall for someone in the "in crowd" like him. But seeing that he had some deeper emotional value behind the pretty face, and that even though he was friends with people like Rachel, the "it and mean girl" of their high school, he didn't support all that she stood for or did. As I learned more about his home life, and the more I was in his head, the more that I liked him. He had pure a pure heart underneath the tough exterior and the things that he did to fit in. 
    The romance between the two is sweet, and I really enjoyed those moments. I love how it started out of revenge and then evolved into something else. 
    The twist near the end really got me. I was expecting one part but DEF not the other. I guess I should have read Rule 1: Don't trust anyone more closely. It makes me want to retract one of the statements above that I wrote while in the middle of the book and had started jotting down my thoughts, but it is true for that part in the story, so I will leave it.  I am eager for the next book, and sadly can't find much else about it, but I will certainly be watching Ms. Kade's blog and goodreads for more info. 
   
Bottom Line: Sweet and fast paced story from two characters that I rooted for.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could follow Ariane's rules to stay free? Which would you have the hardest time with?

30 comments:

  1. I wasn't too sure about this one but now I think I must give it a try! Thanks for sharing! :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  2. I think the "Never Trust anyone" rule would be the hardest for me to follow right now just because I feel like I want to trust people, to give them the benefit of the doubt, to believe that they will do the right thing and will treat me well in return. Looking forward to reading this one!

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  3. I agree with Bookworm. "Never trust anyone" would be hardest for me to follow! I'm so easily trusting, it just wouldn't work for me!

    I'm glad that you liked this one, Brandi! It looks really good-- I'm looking forward to reading it. Ariane sounds like a really complex character, and so does Zane! Fabulous review, girly! (:

    Loves,
    Megan@The Book Babe

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  4. Ooo I love that the twist at the end got you..always nice when that happens, awesome review!

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  5. I'm just starting this one. I haven't gotten really into it yet, but I think I'll like it. Curious about the big twist.

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  6. Love your review of this one, Brandee! Of course, the name Zane always grabs me since it's my son's name so I love seeing it around so much now. The story line seems very interesting. As far as the rules go...I think I would have the hardest time with not getting involved. I tend to speak my mind pretty often. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

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  7. I actually just finished this about an hour ago :) And I really enjoyed it! I really liked being in both Zane and Ariane's head. It really helps to get to know both characters. Awesome review!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  8. I've been excited to read this one. A character a mixture of human and alien DNA is intriguing. With a great romance too I can't lose. I love when the end is surprising!

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    1. I know! I hope the next talks a bit more about that

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  9. I plan to read this one really soon! It sounds really good and I'm ready for a good scifi book!

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  10. I read a review of this one and felt all no, some things I would like but other things no

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  11. I wasn't interested at all by the summary (in fact, somewhat turned off!) but your review convinced me to give it a try. Thanks for making your review long, I really detest short reviews.

    Marie @ Marie's Bookworm Blog
    http://www.mariesbookwormblog.blogspot.com

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  12. This sounds like a book I would enjoy, though I think I'm going to wait until book two in the series comes out (so many books to read in the meantime!). I'm glad you had a good time with this. I definitely think the hardest item on her list would be #5. Especially with someone like Zane around. :-) Lovely review!

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    1. That's smart. I keep telling myself I won't start at beginning of series because I hate waiting, but never works out

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  13. Aliens, DNA alteration, this book sounds so cool and awesome! I have to read this. What makes aliens different? Having powers, is that the only thing or is it more than that? This is exciting. I guess the hardest one would be don't fall in love, the others you have full control but with this one. You don't control that, what if it happens when you least expect it or if it's with the wrong person.

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  14. I am very excited about this one. I have seen some reviews for it and people generally seem to enjoy it, and I am very much intrigued by the premise so I will definitely be checking this one out. Aliens and humans and romance....it's like the perfect book for me! I'm glad you enjoyed this and the ending surprised you. I love when that happens! :)

    Awesome review, Brandi! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair

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  15. Oh, yes, I think thatZane's POV helped a lot, I doubt I would have liked him otherwise. Some things, including him, were great, but it bothered me that the mean girl trope was so strong. Otherwise, this was an excellent first installment.

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    1. Being in someone's head usually helps me like them more because I understand motivations

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  16. I have this one on order and didn't know if I should cancel or not. Not! You made me want to read it right away. I can only imagine who betrays her because of rule number one. I'm thinking about that, but not sure. I also love that we get a boy's point of view. I always love that! Great review Brandi!

    Heather

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    1. I wouldndn't have guessed, but I am not good at that anyways

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  17. Maybe "Don't get involved" would be hard to follow.

    This sounds interesting. I love books about characters that are mixed races.

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  18. I have seen this book around but haven't read it. I really like that pacing is good...cause mostly with dystopian books I have a problem with that. Great review :)

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  19. I really want to read this book. I haven't seen this book in any other bookstore here. errr. should I order it online? Kkk.

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  20. I'd heard of this book and it sounded interesting, but didn't really grab my attention. But reading your review, I think this is one I'd really enjoy--it sounds like the kind of books I love! :)

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  21. This sounds like a good read. After reading your review I want to read it even more. Thank you for your great review.

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