The first of a three book series, the other two of which are soon to be released, Divergent is the best book I’ve read since the Hunger Games Series. To put into perspective for you, I haven’t read a collection of books that I have enjoyed so much since I was in grade school and obsessed with Nancy Drew. I know everyone remembers Nancy Drew! Oh, and Goosebumb, let’s not forget Goosebumps!

Divergent is an awesome read. I would classify it in the same genre as the Hunger Games and I would say that the feelings of suspense, anxiety, and emotional connection to the characters are very similar. Veronica Roth did an amazing job with this book. I’m having trouble waiting for the next book. At this point, now having read it, I’d like to see what inspired the book and how she came up with the idea. That’s one of the most intriguing pieces of the Hunger Games novels is that is was inspired by reality TV. I love the twist that gives the book because it literally makes you say, “oh wow, ya I can completely see that!”

I love new authors! It is always an interesting experience reading one of the first books from an author, it seems to me that the first book is always amazing… or horrible. Of course the first book for an author is a defining experience and moment for them. I month or so ago I finished Dividing Dark by Melissa Swaim, her first novel, and loved it! The first night I started reading, I emailed Melissa to tell her how excited I was about her book, it was so good.  I loved the twists. Dividing Dark is a young adult science fiction novel that was unlike anything I’d read before. The teenage girl in me ate it up, it was extremely unique and enjoyable.

I WANT TO BUY DIVIDING DARK

The main character is a girl… not really a surprise. She meets a boy who is automatically attracted to her and driven to protect her… still a common characteristic. But you’ll never guess the twist of the paranormal that exist in the story, it’s pretty cool.

For anyone who knows how I feel about this series, love it! It should be no surprise that I was anxiously awaiting the release of this novel. I pre-ordered my books, waited at the local bookstore until midnight to pick it up, took this morning off so I could stay up all night and read it. We were the second people in line, and were back at my house by 12:20 to start reading this book. I was absolutely riveted and amazed at where Suzanne took the story. It was worth staying up until 5 am to read the whole book.

I won’t make this a long review. The book is amazing, but it is so complex that I don’t want to accidentally say something I shouldn’t.

The biggest thing is that this book is much more violent then the last two. This seems surprising as the last two are focused on children killing children. But this is an all out civil war, and the are causalities are high. Characters we care about, and have devoted our time and energy are both wounded physically and mentally. The intensity of the book surprised me, and I caught myself tearing up at parts that were especially overwhelming.

I WANT TO BUY MOCKINGJAY

The second book of the Uglies Series, Pretties, was excellent! The young adult science fiction series, started off a little slow for me, but picked up at the end of the first book Uglies and I’ve been hooked ever since. Tally, the main character, has entered the next phase of both the society (which is to become cosmetically beautiful and mentally vapid) and the next phase in the espionage of the society as well. It suits Tally to be fighting for something, but her character is also a little too young to understand many of the implications her actions have on those around her; she’s easiliy taken in and easily forgetful of her friends/family. She forgets Shay and David, but I didn’t fault her for it, although I did feel that it shows her immaturity and need to grow up. However, this aspect of her personality is extremely appealing to younger readers and easy for them to read and relate.

Unlike most of the stories that we read and review this story is not fantasy or really even science fiction. It is a fictional story following 16-year-old Miranda. She has 2 best friends who recently buried one of their other best friends. She wishes that she could ice skate professionally, and that she had a date to prom. During the spring of her senior year an asteroid is projected to hit the moon. No one expected what would happen next, of the moon moving into orbit closer to the earth. The world as Miranda knows it.

One thing that I do not like about the style of this book is that it is written as a journal.

I want to buy Life As We Knew It

If I told you there was a post-apocalyptic world that existed in a scientific world where cosmetic surgery was normal to make everyone in society become beautiful, what would you imagine? Now imagine that there are people who don’t agree with the way that beauty has taken control and don’t want to get the mandatory surgery. What do you imagine now? Some runaways right?

This young adult science fiction story by Scott Westerfeld, is fabulous for the younger generation. Because of my previous reasons, where I felt I already knew the plot, I had a tough time getting into it. I had the plot nailed, or so I thought. To be fair, it’s a little predictable to start, and I didn’t feel a strong pull to the main character, Tally, so it took me a long time to finish. I actually read several books in between sections of this book.  There are supporting characters though that I found myself extremely interested in, and this made me speed read through the last half of the book.

I WANT TO BUY UGLIES

Since you are reading my blog I am going to assume that you know my feelings on the Twilight series. I felt a little duped by Stephanie Myers with her previous books. Due to those feelings I held off on reading The Host for a very long time.

Well, one Sunday night was at my sister’s house while everybody was taking their Sunday afternoon naps. I was bored, and wanted a book to keep me occupied. This book was my only option, so I decided to bite the bullet and read it.

Within a few chapters I realized how wrong I was to judge The Host by another books cover. Stephanie Myers was able to bring all of her best attributes to this book, with out any of the shortcomings. You can see the progression of her writing in each of the Twilight books, and this book definitely reaped all the advantages of that. I have always thought her writing was descriptive, and this book was no different.

It is difficult to describe the plot of this book without giving away too much. This is a story about an invasion, but instead of a land being invaded it is our bodies. The invaders take over lives and continue to live the way the humans did before them.

My first question to you is, have you read the Hunger Games? The first novel of this three book series, the third to be released summer of 2010. If you have, then you understand the passion I am going to be relaying to you over this sequel. If you haven’t, by all means, do yourself a favor and go read it!

Catching Fire was the perfect addition to the story cast in the Hunger Games. I am in love with Katniss, the main character. She is strong, capable, instilled with passion, and she’s what many girls aren’t… logical. I love that about her. This novel also helped me to fall in love with Peeta. Their relationship, although created by a suppressive, powerful government has become something that, although fake on camera, is real behind closed doors.

I am deeply impressed with this book! I can’t think of reality TV, media, or celebrity culture in the same way. It’s a great eye opener and a perspective that all our minds should be introduced to. I got caught up in the rebellion, I got caught up in Katniss’s passion, I got caught up in the fire of the games. The title of this book is perfect. You have to know what it’s like, you have to read this book!

I love this book, it is so amazing.  It’s a science fiction novel meant for young adults, but I would recommend it to anybody!

Hunger Games is very much a social commentary. Suzanne Collins has stated that part of the story is based on the TV show Survivor. Ever since then I have not been able to watch any reality TV without thinking about this book. Even watching the Olympics, with the opening ceremonies remind me of the opening ceremonies of the Hunger Games.

Yes, it is another post apocalyptic, revolutionary novel. It’s another great post apocalyptic, revolutionary novel. It will have you captivated within pages. I fell in love with the independent, smart, and quiet lead character Katniss in moments. Her name comes from the name of a plant, one that her dad used to gather in order to feed their family. Katniss’s family lives in one of the 12 remaining districts ruled by the Capitol. In her district, they are the coal miners, and one of the poorest of the 12 districts.