BOOK REVIEW: State of Nature: Book Three of The Park Service Trilogy

Title: State of Nature -- Book Three of The Park Service Trilogy
Author: Ryan Winfield
Publisher: Birch Paper Press
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Type of Review: Personal
Kara's Rating: 5.0 Kicks to the Heart

Blurb:  After leaving the Isle of Man, Aubrey and Jimmy return to the Foundation to confront Hannah about her betrayal and to free the people of Holocene II only to find themselves facing new and more difficult challenges in a world where nothing is as it seems.



Kara's Review: Wow. It is so bittersweet when a series you love comes to an end. But before I get started, if you haven't read these books, you might want to take a moment to go read my reviews of Book One and Book Two. 

Okay, so, I have some mixed emotions about this book, mostly with the ending, the epilogue specifically. We'll get to that a little later. Overall, I LOVED this book, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone because I'm a huge fan of Ryan Winfield!

As usual, Mr. Winfield's descriptions are vivid, beautiful, and a bit long at times. (I think I've said this with every single book of his I've read and reviewed. lol) That's not necessarily a bad thing, but personally, I don't care for that much description. His prose is always so moving, poetic at times really, and it's hard not to become engaged in the story and the world he's built. 

Now, I'm going to attempt to write this review without giving any spoilers, which is going to be extremely difficult because it seems like everything I want to say, everything I want to point out, will spoil the book. lol. But, here goes...

This final book in The Park Service Trilogy seemed to focus more on the characters than the action -- unlike book two, which was packed with action. Don't get me wrong, I'm still reeling over book two, but a true character driven story gets me every time. So, let's take a look at the characters, shall we?

Aubrey -- He's the main character and the hero. Right from the start he's been likable, if not a bit gullible at times. Throughout the first two books, Aubrey was finding his way, discovering new truths he never knew existed, and he was fighting to survive. He is befriended by Jimmy, and they become inseparable. I'm so happy this didn't change in book three. If anything, their relationship matured and grew. It was really heartwarming to see unfold on the pages.  What really stood out to me, though, was the role reversal we saw in this book. In the first two, Aubrey allowed Jimmy to take the lead on everything. Aubrey looked up to Jimmy, aspired to be like him in every way. However, in this book, Aubrey really stepped up and took the leadership role we've all been waiting for him to take. And although some of his decisions made me want to smack some sense into him, I could understand why he felt the need to make them. 

There was a scene where Aubrey is reunited with someone (can't say who because it will spoil the surprise) who eventually tells him exactly who he is, why he was "chosen" in book one to go to the Foundation, and what is true heritage & legacy is -- and let me tell you, I didn't see this one coming! That shock was a great twist to the story as a whole; however, I felt his reactions to learning the truth were a little underplayed. I would've liked to see him get angrier, yell, scream, rage, rebel. Something. But he seemed to sulk for a couple of days, and then was easily over it. 

Jimmy -- Oh, poor, poor Jimmy. My heart broke for him. There were several points where my heart was pounding, and I was on the verge of tears. He endures so much throughout this story, and there were several places where I *thought* he was going to die. I'd already made up my mind that if he did die in the middle of the story, I was going to stop reading. Thankfully that didn't happen. Jimmy really is the perfect best friend and companion to Aubrey. They offset each other very well, compensating for each other's weaknesses and magnifying their strengths. And can I just say, I totally called what was going to happen in this relationship! ;)

Hannah -- I haven't liked her since the moment I met her and that hasn't changed. In fact, I dislike her even more now. She's a vile person and deserved what she got. Some other reviewers have said that Aubrey's final actions toward her weren't justified. Personally, I was asking myself why he hadn't done it sooner. 

Jillian -- She was a new character that we hadn't seen before. In the beginning, I was kind of rooting for her because she was on Aubrey's side. But some of her actions had me questioning her motives. And by the end, she's firmly in my "dislike" category right below Hannah. Jillian didn't do anything horrible or mean per se, but she is way too much like Hannah for my comfort, and with the way the book ended, I'm left wondering if there will be a spin-off series, because it was left wide open for one with Jillian at the helm. 

So, now the epilogue -- As an author and editor, I can appreciate what Mr. Winfield did here, but as a reader it infuriated me! And here's where it's so hard for me not to give anything away because I just want to rant and rave about it. lol. Now that I've had a couple of days to digest it and think about it, I can see it for what it is -- a true happily ever after -- even though it's not your traditional HEA, and it had me in tears, it was the only logical conclusion to this series. So, bravo, Mr. Winfield, for staying true to your characters and not taking the easy way out. (Although that probably would've made a lot of readers much happier.) 

All in all, this has been a FANTASTIC young adult series, and I highly recommend it to everyone. It's a series I will read over and over again. 

Amazon buy links:
The Park Service (Book 1)
Isle of Man (Book 2)
State of Nature (Book 3) 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Ryan Winfield

I'm beyond excited to welcome the super talented Ryan Winfield to the blog today. Before we dive into the interview, let's catch up on my history with Mr. Winfield.

First, I read and reviewed his debut novel, South of Bixby Bridge. Then, having been a tad bit annoyed, I called his bluff--which, much to my surprise, he answered. Later, he released the first two books in The Park Service Trilogy: The Park Service and Isle of Man. I also reviewed both of them here and here. And most recently, he released his newest novel, Jane's Melody, which, of course, I also reviewed.

It was this last book that prompted me to actually formally interview Ryan. Why? Well, because Jane's Melody is an adult romance, and I love romance. I knew before I even read this book that I was going to have some questions for Ryan. So, here they are...

1. Where did you get the idea for Jane's Melody?

I’m never entirely sure where a story comes from when I write. Jane came to me one night in a dream and I woke knowing her history and her pain and what she needed to heal it. But how that healing might find her was still a mystery when I began writing.

 

2. Did you find this harder to write than your other books? If so, why?

I never find it particularly difficult to write. It usually comes natural to me once I start a story. However, this was a very emotional book for me and it did sometimes take a toll on my heart. In the end, it was a cathartic and uplifting experience finding peace and love along with Jane.

 

3. First there was South of Bixby Bridge, which isn't really genre specific. Then there was The Park Service Trilogy, which is young adult dystopian. And now there's Jane's Melody, which is romance. What made you decide to branch out into yet another genre?

I didn’t decide. And I can’t imagine ever making that decision. I don’t consider myself a genre writer. In fact, I couldn’t really tell you what genre a story belongs in until it’s finished and someone needs to categorize it for readers. When a story comes to me I do my best to tell it the way it wants to be told. I would imagine that if I spent any energy at all considering genre when I write then other forces would creep in and tinker with the story’s structure or style and I’d end up with something that wasn’t pure.

 

4. Did you do any sort of research for this book? If so, what? Did you read any romance novels before writing this book? If so, which ones?

Yes and no. I’m always researching and sketching characters, often without knowing what story they will inhabit. Jane had been with me for a while, and Caleb too, through songs and poems I had been writing, and then their story presented itself and I had very little research to do outside of small bits of fact checking after I had written it. I did not read any specific books to prepare for writing this one.

 

5. I know the final Park Service book will be out later this year, but what else can we expect from you?

I wish I knew. I’m working on several things now but I never know which of them will take over and become the story I have to tell. I have some manuscripts hiding in drawers that I don’t think are ready yet to publish, and some of these other stories I’ve started might keep me from returning to them to make them ready, at least for now.

 

6. Is there a certain story or type of story you want to write, but haven't yet? If so, why haven't you written it yet?

I’m fascinated by the mind and how it works and how it sometimes works against us. I have a character that I love and continue to get to know and his story deals with mental illness from an insider’s perspective. I really hope to someday finish it.

 

7. Your books have been widely popular. Has this success changed you or anything in your life in any way?

I hope not. I’m still just as tickled when anyone reaches out to let me know that they enjoyed something I’ve written. I don’t think I’ll ever get over that. I feel a very personal connection to my readers—maybe because I spent so many years working without them and I had to imagine a friend that I was writing for. I think every reader I come across embodies that friend somehow. If anything, my work finding some success has made me more appreciative of the process. I can take very little credit outside of doing the work. The stories come from somewhere else entirely and I hope to never lose contact with wherever it is they’re born.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Ryan =) Be sure to check him out on Facebook and Twitter.

BOOK REVIEW: Isle of Man: Book Two of The Park Service Trilogy

Title: Isle of Man -- Book Two of The Park Service Trilogy
Author: Ryan Winfield
Publisher: Birch Paper Press
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Type of Review: Personal
Kara's Rating: 5.5 Kicks to the Heart

Blurb:  After discovering the horrific truth behind the Park Service, fifteen-year old Aubrey Van Houten has overthrown its leader with the help of his best friend Jimmy and his girlfriend Hannah. But their victory has left all three parentless and alone in a world where drones still hunt humans. And while the Park Service founder might be dead, he's far from gone. Now, Aubrey's quest to free his people will lead him even farther into a world where nothing is what it seems.


Kara's Review: Let me start by saying that I've been waiting so long for this book and it was well worth the wait! If I only had one word to describe this book, it would be FANTASTIC! Thank goodness I have a lot more than one word though ;)  

If you haven't read my review of The Park Service: Book One of The Park Service Trilogy, then I suggest you take a moment to go do that. You can find it here. And before anyone points it out, yes, I gave this book 5.5 Kicks to the Heart, that isn't a typo, and this book deserves many more Kicks than that, but I don't want to be accused of going overboard or anything.

Okay, so now that we're all on the same page, let's get started.

I was hooked from page one--and not because I'd been waiting so long for this, but because of the opening line: "I never meant to kill Hannah's family." (Is anyone else's jaw hanging open like mine is?) I absolutely love it when an opening line jumps off the page and punches you in the gut. What a way to come out swinging, Ryan. Nicely done.

And it only gets better.

This second installment of The Park Service Trilogy takes us on a roller coaster ride full of plot twists, secrets, betrayals, and emotions. There was only one scene in the entire book that I guessed what was happening before it actually happened. (The scene in the cave with Aubrey & Hannah & the serum.) All the others--totally shocked. I did not see any of it coming, which just made it so much more enjoyable.

In the first book, Hannah's character was portrayed as a sweet, innocent, slightly naive girl who was Aubrey's potential love interest. I liked her, but I was a bit skeptical of her. Now I know why. Hannah did a complete 180 in this book, and by the end, I despised her. She's a lying, manipulative, sneaky little traitor who doesn't deserve Aubrey's affections. At this point, I'm not sure she's reedemable. She's going to have to do something really remarkable to change my opinion of her and even then I'm not sure I will be swayed--especially after that little stunt her and the professor pulled on the Isle of Man.

I'm still a little weirded out by the relationship between Aubrey and his best friend, Jimmy. There has never been any outward sexual attraction or any implication that there is any, but I can't help but feel as though it's brewing just under the surface. I get that they've been through a lot together, and that they've saved each others lives more than once, but...I don't know...I get the feeling there is a little something more than just friendship between these two. I could be completely wrong. Then again, I had a feeling about Hannah, which turned out to be spot on. Regardless of how this friendship plays outs, I'll be happy as long as neither of them die.

As usual, Ryan's descriptions are vivid (still a bit too long for my liking in certain spots), often times gruesome, but always handled tactfully and in a way that wasn't offensive. I still have an issue with the whole animal theme in these books, but that is just my own personal hang-up. I don't think I'll ever get over it, but I'll tolerate it for the sake of these books because they really are that good.

And O.M.G.! I'm rendered speechless with this ending. All that keeps going through my mind is: "I can't believe they did that!"


So many times, sequels fall short of the first book. That is NOT the case here. If anything, book two is miles better than book one. And I have very high expectations for the final book. Please don't disappoint us, Ryan =) Now if I can just figure out a way to make October get here faster...Oh, and while I'm at it, I need to see if there's a way I can get a signed copy of this book for my collection. Yes, I have a collection of signed Ryan Winfield books. Don't judge. ;) 

Be sure to stop by Amazon and pick up  your copy of Isle of Man. Grab The Park Service while you're there, too. Trust me, you won't regret it.