Allegiant by Veronica Roth
I have a tendency to read reviews on Amazon about books I read. I seldom read the good reviews because I don't need to know why people love the book, I want to know why they didn't. Where I screwed up with the review for this book is that I read the review before I started the book, and it tainted the whole experience for me. With that in mind, I, as always, won't reveal too much about plot.
One thing I wholeheartedly agreed with the reviews on was the way the author used dual narration. Some of the chapters were Tris, some were Tobias. Normally, I like books written this way; 13 Reasons Why was one of my favorites. The problem in this book is that we are used to seeing things through Tris' eyes, which is great, but Tobias' voice is damn near the same. I found myself double checking the name chapters so I could keep it straight when I was reading.
Also, Tobias is a bit of a douche in this book. I found myself not liking him nearly as much as I did in Divergent and Insurgent. He also gets a bit whiney toward the end. I guess it is to be expected, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
Loved Tris, but then, how could you not love Tris? Definitely a good role model for girls. She's strong, she's smart, and she gives of herself whenever possible. All good traits to have.
I won't sugarcoat it: there's some tragedy in this book. You had to know it would be that way; it always is.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
More From the Factions
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
What is nice about this book is that it picks up right where Divergent left off. There may be a lapse of a few hours, but that's it. I like that in a sequel.
So much happens in this book. There are secrets that are uncovered, people alive that were presumed dead, and traitors close to home. More Divergents pop up, and it is neat to see who some of them are. We also learn more about the other factions, as well as the factionless in this book.
I am sorry I can't include more in this blog, but I really don't want to give anything away. Every time you turn the page, something exciting, good or bad, happens, and I can't ruin that for anyone considering reading this book. But, you should definitely read this.
Now, on to Allegiant, which I hear will piss me off.
What is nice about this book is that it picks up right where Divergent left off. There may be a lapse of a few hours, but that's it. I like that in a sequel.
So much happens in this book. There are secrets that are uncovered, people alive that were presumed dead, and traitors close to home. More Divergents pop up, and it is neat to see who some of them are. We also learn more about the other factions, as well as the factionless in this book.
I am sorry I can't include more in this blog, but I really don't want to give anything away. Every time you turn the page, something exciting, good or bad, happens, and I can't ruin that for anyone considering reading this book. But, you should definitely read this.
Now, on to Allegiant, which I hear will piss me off.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Stoney Made Me Read It.....
Divergent by Veronica Roth
My husband doesn't read very often, but he wanted to read this before the movie came out. I wasn't in a hurry to read it, but Stoney told me I needed to for a couple of reasons. The first, of course, because I would probably like it. The second? Because it would be weird, to him, if we went to a movie based on a book and he'd read it but I hadn't. So, I took a break from the TAYSHAS list to read this.
Beatrice is sixteen. She has a brother, Caleb, who is a little less than a year older. They were born into the Abnegation faction. They are of an age where they are tested, and then have to choose a faction. Caleb chooses Erudite, which surprises Beatrice because he seems to embody what it means to be an Abnegation. Then there's Beatrice. Her results indicate that she is a Divergent. Not entirely sure what that means, but it could mean an early death for her if people find out. She chooses Dauntless.
After getting her ass kicked in training, and nearly killed, Beatrice makes it through initiation. That's when all hell breaks loose. The Erudite decide to use mind control on the Dauntless to try to eradicate the Abnegation. Will they succeed?
Not sure why the world has decided to get all dystopian on us. I have read a ton of dystopian novels lately. I suspect it's because many people are unsatisfied with the status quo, and can see the merits behind the notions presented in these books.
This book was good. Definitely as good as, if not better than The Hunger Games, and I feel like that is saying a lot.
My husband doesn't read very often, but he wanted to read this before the movie came out. I wasn't in a hurry to read it, but Stoney told me I needed to for a couple of reasons. The first, of course, because I would probably like it. The second? Because it would be weird, to him, if we went to a movie based on a book and he'd read it but I hadn't. So, I took a break from the TAYSHAS list to read this.
Beatrice is sixteen. She has a brother, Caleb, who is a little less than a year older. They were born into the Abnegation faction. They are of an age where they are tested, and then have to choose a faction. Caleb chooses Erudite, which surprises Beatrice because he seems to embody what it means to be an Abnegation. Then there's Beatrice. Her results indicate that she is a Divergent. Not entirely sure what that means, but it could mean an early death for her if people find out. She chooses Dauntless.
After getting her ass kicked in training, and nearly killed, Beatrice makes it through initiation. That's when all hell breaks loose. The Erudite decide to use mind control on the Dauntless to try to eradicate the Abnegation. Will they succeed?
Not sure why the world has decided to get all dystopian on us. I have read a ton of dystopian novels lately. I suspect it's because many people are unsatisfied with the status quo, and can see the merits behind the notions presented in these books.
This book was good. Definitely as good as, if not better than The Hunger Games, and I feel like that is saying a lot.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
T List #18
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Elise is a sophomore in high school. At the beginning of the school year, she decides to reinvent herself so that she will fit in. This does not go so well, and on the first day of school, she decides to kill herself. As she is preparing to do this, time runs out, so she just cuts herself a few times to see what it would feel like. She calls a girl from school, who she tried to befriend earlier in the day, and this girl call 911. After that, Elise is put on lockdown, more or less.
While she is at her mother's house one Thursday night, she sneaks out of the house, like she frequently does, to walk and relieve stress. She meets two college girls, Vicky and Pippa, and they take her to an underground dance party. Finally, Elise feels accepted. She is also introduced to Char, the dj, who feels and instant connection to her.
Char teaches Elise how to dj, and gives her spot every week while he is working. They hook up sometimes. Elise finally has friends, but then finds out that someone has started an online journal about her. Actually writing as if they are Elise. It becomes a problem when Elise's parents find out because they think she is trying to kill herself again.
Honestly, I was not terribly impressed with this book. It seemed whiny, and when it wasn't whiny, it wasn't very interesting.
Elise is a sophomore in high school. At the beginning of the school year, she decides to reinvent herself so that she will fit in. This does not go so well, and on the first day of school, she decides to kill herself. As she is preparing to do this, time runs out, so she just cuts herself a few times to see what it would feel like. She calls a girl from school, who she tried to befriend earlier in the day, and this girl call 911. After that, Elise is put on lockdown, more or less.
While she is at her mother's house one Thursday night, she sneaks out of the house, like she frequently does, to walk and relieve stress. She meets two college girls, Vicky and Pippa, and they take her to an underground dance party. Finally, Elise feels accepted. She is also introduced to Char, the dj, who feels and instant connection to her.
Char teaches Elise how to dj, and gives her spot every week while he is working. They hook up sometimes. Elise finally has friends, but then finds out that someone has started an online journal about her. Actually writing as if they are Elise. It becomes a problem when Elise's parents find out because they think she is trying to kill herself again.
Honestly, I was not terribly impressed with this book. It seemed whiny, and when it wasn't whiny, it wasn't very interesting.
Friday, February 7, 2014
T List #17
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
This is the third book in a week and a half that has taken place at a boy's boarding school...
Rafe is from Boulder, CO. He is gay. He came out when he was in eighth grade. He has the parents that, I imagine, most gays salivate over. They are so open and understanding, and just want him to be happy as he is. Rafe is reasonably happy at home, but he feels like he wears this label of being gay. He has spoken at other schools about gay tolerance. His teachers ask him for the gay perspective on everything, as if it is different than the straight perspective. So, Rafe ends up in Natick, MA, hoping to be himself without a label. He doesn't necessarily lie about being gay, but he doesn't necessarily tell the truth either.
While he's at school, he meets Ben. He likes Ben, as a friend, at first, but on a much deeper level too. The problem is that Ben is straight, and thinks Rafe is too. Rafe takes Ben home for Thanksgiving, and things happen. Rafe ends up telling Ben that he is gay and it messes things up. Ben feels like he's been lied to, which is valid because he has been lied to. Rafe is hurt because, even if Ben's feelings aren't the same, he is losing his best friend.
Rafe ends up coming out all over again, and decides it's best to be who you are. Doesn't matter whether who you are is gay or straight.
That's the key people: be who you are.
This is the third book in a week and a half that has taken place at a boy's boarding school...
Rafe is from Boulder, CO. He is gay. He came out when he was in eighth grade. He has the parents that, I imagine, most gays salivate over. They are so open and understanding, and just want him to be happy as he is. Rafe is reasonably happy at home, but he feels like he wears this label of being gay. He has spoken at other schools about gay tolerance. His teachers ask him for the gay perspective on everything, as if it is different than the straight perspective. So, Rafe ends up in Natick, MA, hoping to be himself without a label. He doesn't necessarily lie about being gay, but he doesn't necessarily tell the truth either.
While he's at school, he meets Ben. He likes Ben, as a friend, at first, but on a much deeper level too. The problem is that Ben is straight, and thinks Rafe is too. Rafe takes Ben home for Thanksgiving, and things happen. Rafe ends up telling Ben that he is gay and it messes things up. Ben feels like he's been lied to, which is valid because he has been lied to. Rafe is hurt because, even if Ben's feelings aren't the same, he is losing his best friend.
Rafe ends up coming out all over again, and decides it's best to be who you are. Doesn't matter whether who you are is gay or straight.
That's the key people: be who you are.
T List #16
Winger by Andrew Smith
I actually finished this a couple of nights ago, but forgot to write about it. I loved this book, and then it broke my heart.
Ryan Dean West is a fourteen year old junior in high school. He plays rugby. He thinks nearly all females are hot. He is away at boarding school, and is in a dorm for troublemakers. He plays poker, gets drunk, kisses girls, and makes amazing friends. He is also tormented by two jerks from the football team.
I really can't say much without giving this away at all. Great book, just be prepared for some tears at the end.
I actually finished this a couple of nights ago, but forgot to write about it. I loved this book, and then it broke my heart.
Ryan Dean West is a fourteen year old junior in high school. He plays rugby. He thinks nearly all females are hot. He is away at boarding school, and is in a dorm for troublemakers. He plays poker, gets drunk, kisses girls, and makes amazing friends. He is also tormented by two jerks from the football team.
I really can't say much without giving this away at all. Great book, just be prepared for some tears at the end.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
T List #15
The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Having never read the HG Wells book, or seen the movie about Dr. Moreau, I really didn't know what to expect. I mean, pretty much everyone knows he was a sick individual, but I didn't know to what extent. Technically, I still don't know. This book is told from his daughter's point of view.
Juliet is left in London with her mother after the scandal of Dr. Moreau breaks out. She has no idea where he is, or whether he is alive or dead. Her mother dies, then Juliet is left to fend for herself. She works as a maid at King's College in order to survive. One night, she sees something that belonged to her father, and tracks down his assistant. She convinces him to take her with him when he goes back to her father.
They get to the island, and Juliet finds just how horrible the things her father does are. Not to mention that she finds herself in "love" with two men. It becomes apparent that her father's creations mean to do harm, and they decide to leave.
This was ok, but the ending was a disappointment.
Having never read the HG Wells book, or seen the movie about Dr. Moreau, I really didn't know what to expect. I mean, pretty much everyone knows he was a sick individual, but I didn't know to what extent. Technically, I still don't know. This book is told from his daughter's point of view.
Juliet is left in London with her mother after the scandal of Dr. Moreau breaks out. She has no idea where he is, or whether he is alive or dead. Her mother dies, then Juliet is left to fend for herself. She works as a maid at King's College in order to survive. One night, she sees something that belonged to her father, and tracks down his assistant. She convinces him to take her with him when he goes back to her father.
They get to the island, and Juliet finds just how horrible the things her father does are. Not to mention that she finds herself in "love" with two men. It becomes apparent that her father's creations mean to do harm, and they decide to leave.
This was ok, but the ending was a disappointment.
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