Mini-Review of Insurgent by Veronica Roth

 

If you know me at all you know that after reading one amazing book, I had to read the next in the series! So of course, shortly after putting down Divergent I ran out to my local Barnes and Noble and picked up the next book in the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth, Insurgent.

 In Insurgent, we continue the story of Tris Prior.  "[She] must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love." (Synopsis adapted from Goodreads.com)

The factions are on the brink of war, and with people she loves in all factions.  Tris has to decide whether faction really is more important than blood.  Even more importantly, she has to decide where she stands in the war and what she's going to do about it.

Insurgent was addicting and amazing and everything I wanted it to be.  It definitely left me wishing the third book of the trilogy was already out!  Until then, we'll have to be consoled with a scene from Four's point of view, Free Four.  

Alright, I can't give anything away, because I don't want to ruin it.  Just read it already!!!

The next book in the series,  which is currently untitled, is due out fall of next year.  Hopefully we'll get some sneak peeks along the way!  Keep your eyes peeled, people!

Get your copy of Insurgent RIGHT NOW at Barnes and Noble or Amazon!

And don't forget to check out what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Review of Divergent by Veronica Roth

As you know from some of my reviews (of The Hunger Games, Starters, and Article 5) I like dystopian stories.  I think the premise is really interesting and the fact that everyone has their own idea of what the world would look like is fascinating to me.  Of course, even though I'm 23 I really like the young adult genre, so I'll stick to dystopian young adult fiction for now!

So this week, I read the first two books in Veronica Roth's Divergent series. 

Divergent is all about choices and being different, and choosing to be who you really are--not who you ought to be.  "In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all." (Synopsis from Goodreads.com)

What's refreshing about this book is that it's not about love.  Although there is the YA mini-romance, it's more-so about Beatrice (Tris) figuring out who she is, who she wants to be, and who her family wants her to be.  She has to diverge from her family unit and go out and make her own way in the world.  It's interesting because it's not all about some silly romance and it's not all about action.  There's a great mix of family values, identity, growing up, action, conspiracy, and awesomeness all rolled into one beautiful 487 page package.  I loved it--every minute.

After earning 4 stars on Goodreads and being named the Goodreads Choice Award Favorite Book, I knew this was going to be a good choice.  BookPage says "You'll be up all night with Divergent, a brainy thrill-ride of a novel," and I've got to tell you.  They are so right!  This book was amazing.  It was a page-turner, and cliff-hanger, and an all-around fabulous use of my $10.  I highly recommend it.  This is probably my second favorite--only behind The Hunger Games in this category of YA fiction. 

Get it at Barnes and Noble or Amazon now.

And find out what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Review of Life Eternal by Yvonne Woon

Life Eternal is the second book in the Dead Beautiful Series.  In case you don't remember from yesterday, Dead Beautiful is the story of a young woman who is sent to an unusual boarding school after her parents mysteriously die. 

So I can't give too many details on the story of this book because doing so would give away important details of the ending of Dead Beautiful.  But I will say that Life Eternal was a lot better than Dead Beautiful.  After reading the second book of the series, I feel like the first book took too much time explaining things instead of just telling the story. 

The second book, Life Eternal, had a lot of plot!  Character -driven plot and it was awesome!  This book is a prime example of why I love YA.  It is a typical coming-of-age story with the twist of fantasy that I drool over.  The main character, Renée, is learning all about herself.  She's asking serious questions--Who am I?  Where do I fit?  Where is my future going?  These questions are all typical of any young adult--even some really old adults are still trying to figure this out!

 And then there's the love story between Renée and Dante.  And they're working together (and sometimes apart) to figure out what they want to be together.  And then there's the third side of the triangle (I'm not telling you who!) who perfectly confuses everything.  The story is compelling, interesting, heart-stopping, and gripping.  I literally started this and could not stop. 

Of course, Woon is trying to kill everyone by making us wait an entire year for the publication of her currently untitled sequel.  But, keep your eyes peeled people, because there will be news on it soon.  I hope.  When you get to the last page of this book, you will know what I'm talking about. 

Learn more about Yvonne Woon on her website!

See what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Pick up your copy at Barnes and Noble!

Review of Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon

Dead Beautiful is the story of a young woman who is sent to an unusual boarding school after her parents mysteriously die.  After living in boarding school for several weeks, she learns that the real reason for the school has nothing to do with classical methods.  But uncovering the truth of the school, Gottfried Academy, means learning more about herself and her boyfriend Dante than she is ready for.  Now she must choose what her love for Dante is really worth.

The main character, Renée Winters, is a believable but not incredibly strong character.  Because I tend to favor strong protagonists, she wasn't my favorite.  In certain parts of the story I felt I knew what was going on before she did and I don't like to be in that position.  I like to be "with" the character at all times, with the plot unfolding as "we" move forward.

That being said, Woon has created an extremely interesting world that these characters live in.  There is a lot of mystery behind Gottfried Academy, Renée's grandfather, the death of her parents, and even Dante. 

Overall the story is intriguing.  There is mystery, fantasy, and romance.  For me, these are all of the best components.  The story was intriguing enough for me to download the sequel, Life Eternal, onto my iPhone.  I'm interested to see what the world Woon has created will bring for Renée and Dante.

What to anticipate in Dead Beautiful?

Just what Publisher's Weekly said; "a Harry Potter start and a Twilight finish."

See what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Pick up your copy at Barnes and Noble

Mini-Review of Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Into the wee hours of this morning, I was up reading a fantastic new book by author Kristen Simmons called Article 5.  Article 5 is a post-apocalyptic story about a young woman's search to find her mother after they are both violently ripped from their home.

I picked this book up at Barnes and Noble as part of a display of books called "If you liked the Hunger Games…"  Simmons takes a totally different point of view of what government will be like after the collapse of America.  She perfectly creates a new government obsessed with opression, gender consistency, and an ideological moral code.  There were several instances where I literally got goosebumps and feared that the FBR were going to knock down my door for my own indescretions!  The whole "One whole country, one whole family" idea is petrifying to me!

After literally staying up all night to read it, I can safely say this is one of my new favorite books.  I've been thinking about it all day!  The story flowed seamlessly!  This is a great example of character-driven fiction; which is my favorite! 

The main protagonist in the book, Ember, is a strong character that will do anything it takes to find and save her mother.  When she reunites with her childhood love, Chase, they have to learn to work together even as they both fight the urge to run away.

At times this story is full of sorrow, hopelessness, and even anger, but then as if a light is turned on in a dark room, our heroine finds a sliver of hope and does what we least expected her to do. 

I 100% recommend Article 5 and I am highly anticipating the second book in the series, Breaking Point, which is due out in 2013.

Check out what others thought of Article 5 on Goodreads!  Plus snag your copy online at Barnes and Noble. 

Excited for news about Breaking Point?  Keep your eyes on Goodreads for new info, plus check out Karen's blog!

Review of Fifty Shades of Grey Series

I've just finished the entire Fifty Shades series by E.L.James, which includes Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed.  I have to say, it was pretty amazing.  I was quite skeptical at first because it is an erotic romance novel.  I've read some erotica and I've read some romance but this was absolutely the best of both worlds all wrapped up with some suspense, fun, and humor.  It was great!

If you're not familiar with the series, it's all the rave right now!  It took a week for me to find it at Barnes and Noble because they kept getting sold out.  So once I got my copy of the entire series I was thrilled!  There was, and still is, so much excitement around the series.  Even the news stations have picked it up, with interviews of the author.  Apparently, some people think the series' content is very controversial.  They clearly haven't read very much erotica--it's nothing out of the ordinary for the genre. 

The series has been compared to Twilight, but I don't think the comparison is fair!  This series is one of its own class.  It's the best of the romance, erotica, and thriller genres.  It's intoxicating, addicting, and one you'll go back to again and again.  I definitely recommend it for those readers who like romance and a little grime (if you know what I mean)!

It's rumored that Fifty Shades of Gray, the first book in the series, is to be made into a movie by Focus Features.  James is already at work on a new romance series.  Keep your eyes peeled folks, this woman is a force to be reckoned with (no pun intended).

I'd have to say my favorite of the three in the series?  The last one, Fifty Shades Freed.  Why?  Because this book shows how much the two characters, Ana and Christian, have evolved.  I love when characters grow.  Character-driven fiction is definitely my favorite! 

Laters, baby!

P.S.

Check out what other readers thought at Goodreads.com

Pick up your copy of the series at Barnes and Noble! (on nook) or in paperback here.

Review of Starters by Lissa Price

Starters is one of the best books I have ever read.  Readers of the Hunger Games, check this out!

In this post-apocalyptic world, nothing is as it seems.  At first glance, the world created in Starters is pretty strange.  But as the reader learns more and gets a closer look, everything is what we would expect it to be in a future collapsed United States. 

As a collapse researcher, I've read many books about what the future may hold after this world, as we know it, collapses.  But this is like nothing I've ever seen.  In this world, the bodies of the young are rented by the elite "enders" or old people!  These old people drive these young bodies around doing reckless and horrible things. 

But that is all about to come to an end when protagonist, Callie Woodland, discovers their secret with the help of her ender friend Helena.  In this fast-paced thrilling adventure, Callie and Helena must try to save their future from corruption and try to save the future of young people everywhere. 

Get your copy of "Starters" at Barnes and Noble.

Nothing is as it first appears, so keep reading!  The sequel to "Starters" is entitled, "Enders" and is due out December 4th, 2012. 

Check out what other readers thought at Goodreads.com