"Divergent" by Veronica Roth (C2)

It's Different

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

The Divergence Series, Book 1



# Pgs: 576

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Overview:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

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Review:

By now I'm sure you've heard of the book Divergent by Veronica Roth, and if not then you must be living under a rock (JK). But seriously, Veronica Roth's book is making some waves.

I've read plenty of post-apocalyptic books in my time, but Roth's book is set aside from most of the others from the very beginning. In a world where now-a-day's there seems to be about a billion types of apocalyptic books, standing out among them is a good thing. Especially since Roth's book is not composed completely of mindless, bloody violence.

Roth includes the political aspect that, lately, I've found ever so interesting. She exceptionally establishes a history and a people in this society that makes the reader believe that, if the world were to end, something such as this could happen. Where people are devided and sorted based on what their talents are. And, of course, there's the whole thing where throughout histroy people have always discriminated against those who were different from themselves. Roth plays with this in her book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth is a good read that I recommend to someone in the mood for a good post-apocalyptic story, and to those who like forbidden love stories (Roth carries a nice sense of sweet romance tangled with the need for what must be done). All in all, I give this book a five out of five, and I guarrantee that it'll leave you smiling and reaching for the next book in the series.

One more thing-like most good books today-this one is in the midst of becoming a movie. Don't hesitate about reading this book, because it's a thing where you MUST READ before you watch the movie.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1840309/ (Soon to be movie information)

http://www.divergentfans.com/themovie (Divergent fanpage)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXT0kcTI9Kk (Divergent movie trailer) -by the way, I think it's kind of funny and great that Maggie Q is playing one of the characters in Divergent since she was so awesome as an agent/spy in Nikita.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1840309/fullcredits (Full cast list)

Divergent the movie comes out on March 20, 2014, so get pumped and read the book before you watch the movie. Especially since this is bound to become another Hunger Games and/or Twilight massacre-y'know, full of obsessing fangirls screaming out the characters names as they watch the movie covered in Divergent memorabilia and then, inevitably, the sudden downfall of the entire series where things grow old and stale. It's better to enjoy the book and find you love it before finding it's too old now to read and like. Letting it go before giving it a chance is a wasted opportunity. In any case, thanks for reading, and leave a comment on what you think. Divergent the book, or Divergent the movie? I seriously hope they don't change anything much in the movie...

"Eona" by Alison Goodman (C1)

The End of a Series...

Eona

By Alison Goodman

The Dragoneye Series, Book 2

# Pgs: 637

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Overview:



Once she was Eon, a girl disguised as a boy, risking her life for the chance to become a Dragoneye apprentice. Now she is Eona, the Mirror Dragoneye, her country's savior - but she has an even more dangerous secret. She cannot control her power. Each time she tries, it twists into a killing force. And more destruction is on her trail - High Lord Sethon's army. She and her companions must find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power if he is to wrest back his throne. But to help him, she must drive a dark bargain with an old enemy, which could obliterate them all. Eona, with its pulse-pounding drama, unforgettable fight scenes, sizzling tension - and many surprises - brings to a close an epic story.

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Review:

Just days ago I posted about Goodman's first book in the series, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn. It's fitting, I think, for the second book in this short series to follow right after. It also helps that I just recently finished reading the book...

In Eona, it's a rush to get the final pieces of the puzzle and find out the truth before Sethon finds the Empire's rebels. But as more and more is revealed about the Dragoneyes, one begins to wonder just how far back the art of deception goes, and if it's in the Mirror Dragoneye's way to lie to protect herself, and to protect others. Isn't that what consciously making the decision to omit the truth is, still just a lie? And Eona seems to become more and more entangled in the greed for more power... But from where does this greed come from?

It's almost startling to watch Eona's progressively worsening change of character from the beginning of the first book to the end of the second. Once again, for patient readers, this book is recommended. Sometimes it's slow going, but it's ultimately fun to read when you get into it.

"Eon: Dragoneye Reborn" by Alison Goodman (B2)

Battle Grounds

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn 

By Alison Goodman

The Dragoneye Series, Book 1

# Pgs: 544

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Overview:

Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune.

But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured.

When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life.

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Review:

It's been a battle, this past week, with finding time to read on top of the piles of work left for me to do. With that said, every spare moment I've had I've spent trying to finish a book by Alison Goodman. Blessfully, I've just finished it about fifteen minutes ago. The book in question just so happens to be... Eona, the sequel book to Eon: Dragoneye Reborn.

In honor of having finally finished the sequel, I'm posting about the first book.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn initially has a slow pace, but impatience will cause readers to miss out on a good read. Goodman creates an intricate fantasy world. In this world, Eona is challenged to walk the thin line of deciet as a young girl posing as a man. Because in a world where women know their place, it most definitely isn't out breaking centuries old traditions by competing to become a Dragoneye apprentice, and for Eona the price to pay if she loses is deadly. The book is full of action packed adventure, intricate politics and an insight into what power can do to the mind.

Another book I reccommend to anyone interested in taking the time to sit down and read.

"The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight" by Jennifer E. Smith (B1)

Unexpected

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

By Jennifer E. Smith

 

# Pgs: 272

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Overview:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

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Review:

Jennifer Smith's book, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, is a book that normally I wouldn't read. If I had a choice, then normally I'd go for paranormal, sci-fy, or historical fiction. I like to read about things that don't normally occur in modern every day life.

With that thought, I had randomly grabbed this book off the shelf when I had done my work in the library and had time to spare. I didn't think anything much would come of it as I cracked it open and began to read...

Smith's book... I actually enjoyed. It was a better read than I thought it would be, and easy to get into. After the first couple of pages had gone and passed, I knew I had to check this out. Within the day it was finished. The banter between the Hadley and Oliver was easy and humorous. As the plot progressed and the depth of the characters was deepened, it became more relateable yet simple to follow.

If you're having a bad day, or just looking for a good mushy-gushy kinda book to read, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a great book to read. Purely romance and drama, but without the stereotypical storyline and overly pathetic romance. I give it a four out of five as stories go.

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak (A2)

Savior

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

# Pgs: 576

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Overview:

The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

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Review:

It was while I was volunteering in my school's library today that I found out that the library was going to toss a whole bunch of books. Being the charitable soul that I am, I grabbed five books that would've otherwise have been trash on my way out the door. To be honest, I have no idea what they're about. But that's why my curiosity exists, and I'm not just going to let my new books just sit there for eternity. Who cares that it's only now that I'm considering the fact that I have no shelf space left in my room?

In any case, the idea that my school, an institution, was going to be tossing out some perfectly good books reminded me both of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and of The Book Theif by Markus Zusak. Since The Book Thief made me bawl my eyes out, I decided to base today's review about that.

Zusak's book is told through the point of view of the Grim Reaper, or Death, during Nazi Germany 1933-1945. It tells the story of a young girl growing up in this period. At first I thought that Zusak's book was a little tough to get in to, just because Zusak's way of writing is a lot different than what I'm used to. It was after the first few chapters that I really started to get in to it, and then I was completely lost. Regardless of any restrictions that I might've had regarding school, I completed the book within a three or four day period. By the end, I was bawling my eyes out, and I had finally found a book I might consider as one of my favorite books of all time.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a tear-jerker, or even if you just like reading historical fiction works. I think, and I've also heard, that Zusak's book could someday become one of the classics.

Also I think that anyone even the slightest bit interested in reading this book should read it soon because I just found out that it's going to become a movie. For any literature lover, you should always read the book before watching the movie, and the book is always so much better.

Thanks for reading, leave a comment and let me know what you think!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816442/  (Soon to be Movie Information!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus  (Movie Trailer)

What do you think about The Book Thief becoming a movie? Expectations? Personally, I'm just a little worried since the book itself was so good. I wonder how the characters, like Death, are going to be portrayed and what about the book they're going to change. Seriously though, read the book first!

"Enchanted" by Alethea Kontis (A1)

Out of Shelf Space

Enchanted

By Alethea Kontis

The Woodcutters Sisters Series, Book 1

# Pgs: 320

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Overview:

It isn’t easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

     When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises. The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past—and hers?

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Review:

I found myself once again reminded about how little shelf space I really have last weekend when I came home from Barnes and Noble's with three more books to add to my collection. Unfortunately for the books I read, I don't ever seem to consider that factor when searching for something interesting to buy from among the shelves of B&N's. As a result, there are piles of books stacked wherever I can find space on the surfaces of my room.

To distract myself from this problem, I cracked open one of my new books and devoured it's words within a day.

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis is a clever knot of intricately weaved yet familiar fairy tales that are sewn together in a way that makes complete sense. I found the book to be cute and fluffy, with often a light tone that matched one of the main character's personalities perfectly. When Kontis made a character's perspective switch, the tone likewise seemed to change to match the character's personality. All in all, Enchanted was a warm comfort book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I anticipate buying the next book in the series by Kontis, Hero. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to imagine a world of great fantasy.

Let me know what you think!