Book Review: INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

3.5 out of 5 hearts

I had to read Insurgent after I read Divergent back in March.  The gut-wrenching ending of Divergent had me yearning to find out what happened next.

Tris only has her brother Caleb left.  Both of her parents are dead, sacrificing themselves to protect the secret information the Erudite and Jeanine Matthews are seeking.  To save her own life, she had to kill one of her best friends, Will, while he was under the simulation.  Tris is more than heartbroken; she is inconsolable.  She is Dauntless and can't muster the courage to even hold a gun again, knowing very well the power of murder.  Yet, it is not the time for grief because the Erudite are on a hunting mission to get rid of her, Abnegation, and all Dauntless loyal to their faction.  The Erudite want power and submission.  Tris must resist, run, and hide.  She thought she found a safe place at Amity but their resistance towards violence is helping no one, not even themselves   After the Erudite and traitor Dauntless (those who have sided and are helping Erudite) infiltrate Amity's campgrounds, the remaining Dauntless and Abnegation must flee.  Tris and her friends find themselves in the last place they ever though they would end up at - a factionless safe house.  

Tris and Four's relationship was put in the brink after all that has happened.  But, Tris has not told him about Will for fear of Four's rejection.  Their presence at the factionless safe house proves that Four has kept his own secrets from her, one to great to ignore.  Another thing realized while with the factionless is that the factionless have been ignored for far to long and are more organized than they seem - organized enough to for an army to overthrow Jeanine Matthews.  Tris has a gut feeling that the information her parents died to protect is too valuable to lose with this impending war.  And she knows Marcus, Four's conniving father, knows the secret.  Four is set on waging a war with the Erudite, with help of the factionless, but Tris isn't.  She must commit the ultimate betrayal against Four to expose the truth before it's too late.

Divergent was awesome.  Insurgent, not as great as its predecessor.  While it did have its good share of action, there was a lot of running around.  Everyone was just running around everywhere.  A good chuck of the story was Tris & Co. running around from one place to the other, to the point that it was pointless.  I felt that it took away from the story because it is supposed to be a very dangerous time and the characters were all up and through the streets like crazies.  For instance, some of the more important parts revolve around Tris and Tobias going to the Candor headquarters.  The entire time, I'm thinking to myself:  What was the point?  I figured Roth needed to demonstrate that all of the factions were in turmoil and she needed a way to bring in Candor.  Meh.  Had it been written that the Erudite used the truth serum (since they make it) onTris and Four finds out about Will that way....then that would completely eliminate the need to go to Candor and the single important thing that happened there.

Also the major death at the end was very flat.  It was supposed to be this tremendous moment and it was very matter-of-fact.  It was like:  "Person B stabbed Person A and she died."  I felt that it could have been built up more and Roth had the opportunity to build an emotional outpour from it - in Tris, Tobias, everyone else - and make you feel that way, too.  But it was very unmoving and since it was one of the moments I was waiting for, it made the entire book feel like whatever.  

With that being said, the Divergent series is entertaining and worthy of the read.  I just want to set the expectation that the first book was much better than the second.  And, the ending of this one will definitely encourage you to read the third, Allegiant, which is expected to be released on October 22, 2013.  Roth knows how to write a good cliff-hanger ending.  Hopefully, the series does not end like the Hunger Games series, which was very "wth".

-Mariela

“I have a theory that selflessness and bravery aren't all that different.” - Veronica Roth, Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Hardcover, 525 pages
Published May 1st 2012 by HarperTeen
ISBN 0007442912 (ISBN13: 9780007442911)
Edition language:  English

Book Review: TAKEN by Erin Bowman

3.5 out of 5 hearts

I read Taken as part of YA Book Club (Erin Bowman and the host of this book club are good friends).  This was the selection for April 2013.  However, I didn't finish it until after the discussion took place so I am posting this as a regular review instead.

Clay Weathersby lives in Claysoot, a small rural town named after the two materials that make up its landscape.  Claysoot is a piece of land surrounded by a mysterious wall - no one knows who put it up and no one can escape it.  If anyone attempts to climb over the wall, his body is thrown back over the wall by some unknown force, charred and unrecognizable.  To make matters worse, Claysoot is victim of the Heist.  In the midnight of every boy's eighteenth birthday, a blinding light fills the sky and takes him away.  The source is another mystery as is the final destination of these boys.  Are they taken to some other wordily dimension or do they meet an instant death?  That leaves Claysoot to be filled with females of all ages and only male children and teens.  Clay's brother Blaine turns eighteen and the Heist has claimed him.  Clay is all alone in Claysoot, no brother, no mother, and definitely, no father.

After an emotional outburst, he accidentally discovers a letter from his mother that is the first clue to the truth behind the Heist and Claysoot.  He pairs up with Emma, his unknowing first love, and they begin to hunt down the trail of clues until, ultimately, Clay decides to climb over the wall to seek answers he cannot find in Claysoot.  He thought he had an idea of the facts behind the Heist, but he has no idea at all.  This is way more than he bargained for.

I am probably one of the few people that the main protagonist is the opposite gender of the author.  I think it is something difficult to do, especially because males and females think differently, so you have to write them accordingly   I think Bowman did a great job in that area because Clay's character was very believable.

Another point is that I the synopsis for this book does not do it justice.  There is so much to it that does not revolve around the wall.  Then again, I guess it is a good surprise for the ready because the turn of events is unexpected.  However, it did leave me with some unanswered questions but I guess those were not the point of this book.

I personally and getting tired of reading the same kind of story over and over about dystopias and unjust governments, but this one was pretty decent.  I have a hunch that it will pull its way from other dystopian books after Frozen, the second book of the series, is released.

-Mariela

Taken by Erin Bowman
Hardcover, 360 pages
Published April 16th 2013 by HarperTeen
ISBN 0062117262 (ISBN13: 9780062117267)
Edition language:  English

Book Review: DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

4 out of 5 hearts

I checked this book out because I got caught up in the frenzy.  Everyone was raving about it and I had to find out for myself.  

Some time in future Chicago, its society is divided into five faction.  Each group is dedicated to the specific virtue it is named after:  Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite.  Each faction has its role in society and live in separate neighborhoods.  Children are born into one of these factions.  But as a rite of passage at the age of sixteen, they have the option to select which faction they want to be a part of.  They choose their faction and go through a rigorous initiation.  Failure to succeed in the initiation will strip them of all faction ties and are left factionless - homeless, hungry, and worthless.  

Beatrice Prior was born in Abnegation.  The day has come she has to make her decision - does she give into her selfishness or follow the laws of Abnegation.  She chooses, she follows, she lives.  She is free.  She changes her name to Tris.  But initiation just began.  It proves to be more extreme than she ever imagined, both physically and mentally, and it threatens to strip her of her sanity.  Is this how she wants to spend the rest of her life?  But nothing is worse than being factionless, so she pushes through.  Throughout the process, she has to figure out her friendships and the mystery begin Four, her trainer.  As soon as things start getting better, it all crashes down as her deepest darkest secret is revealed, but worse than that, the unimaginable happens:  “Together, they would watch everything that was so carefully planned collapse, and they would smile at the beauty of destruction.” ― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

I will admit that I was very skeptical about this book.  I didn't believe the hype.  I read it and it sucked me in.  I was absolutely adsorbed in it.  It is difficult for me to explain the reason behind its magnetism but there was always something happening.  In some books, you can tell there are "placeholders", but Roth manages to fill each page with action - an initiation ritual, Tris's psychological turmoil, a discovery of secrets.  She is able to do this without an overwhelming effect, even though a lot is happening, there is a balance of chaos.  It is definitely not a literary read, but the score I gave it was due to the entertaining factor of the action in it.  

Let me just say that Insurgent (book #2) is already on hold for me at the library.

READ IT!

-Mariela

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” - Veronica Roth, Divergent

Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth
Paperback, 487 pages
Published February 28th 2012 by Katherine Tegen Books (first published May 3rd 2011)
ISBN 0062024035 (ISBN13: 9780062024039)
Edition language:  English

Blog Tour: Review for THE UNDESIRABLE by S. Celi

4 out of 5 hearts

Contrary to popular belief, self-published e-books do not all suck.  There are some diamonds in the rough.  As a part of Young Adult Novel Reader's The Undesirable blog tour, I committed to reading and reviewing this ebook.  It took me three days to read it - only because I have to sleep, eat, and work.  Is that enough to demonstrate how hooked it had me?

The year is 2072.  The U.S. is in the middle of a brutal war against Canada, spurred by the vast depletion of oil.  Anne Phillips was elected as the first female president and was assassinated by a radical group led by the Speaker of the House, Maxwell Cooper.  Not only was she killed, two-thirds of her cabinet were annihilated, yet Cooper was never tried for his crimes.  Instead, he led a political uproar and became the Supreme Leader of the U.S., an evil tyrant and Commander In-Chief of The Party.  The Party's primary goal is to spread perfection over the United States by eliminating undesirables:  the old, the weak, the ill.  Innocent citizens are killed left and right if they do not fit the criteria set forth by The Party.  Those who live, live hungry and afraid every second of each day.  

Charlotte Walker is 18 years old.  She lives in a small town in Ohio with her alcoholic mom.  Things are only getting worse.  The invisible miracle of love finds it way to Charlotte as it magnetizes her to Faustino Sanchez, a soldier of The Party.  Charlotte does not approve of The Party, yet her bond with Faustino grows as they days pass, despite their opposing political views.  He is the only thing keeping her sane.  But, all good things must come to an end.  Charlotte finds out about a dreadful secret, which proves that she is the ultimate undesirable and becomes the most hunted person in the U.S.  If she thought her life was bad before, it is really bad now.  She must choose between her happiness and the hope of an entire country.  

I had a good time reading this.  It had a ton of action that had me glued to my ereader.  An issue I had, which separated this from a 5 heart to a 4 heart review, was that an important facet of this story was centered around Charlotte's relationships - with her mother, with Faustino, with her environment.  These relationships are very superficial, like they were brushed over.  I would've liked for Celi to dredge up Charlotte's soul; while I did understand how Charlotte felt, I felt that I was reading about her instead of reading through her.  So, I felt she was very detached, even though the emphasis of  these relationships and emotions built the plot.  One other thing was that there were two instances in which the suspense was given away.  In some of the dialogue,  upcoming situations were given away and caused the suspense to wither.  I would've enjoyed not knowing what was going to happen until it did.  

Like I said, I was hooked.  Celi is a great story teller and this book proves it.  It was like watching an action film through words.  It is the first of the Undesirable series.  I am soooo ready for book #2!

Buy it and read it!

-Mariela

The Undesirable (Undesirable #1) by S. Celi

Kindle Edition, 210 pages

Published January 28th 2013 by Kindle Direct Publishing

Edition language:  English

Blog Tour: Book Watch for THE UNDESIREABLE by S. Celi

The Undesirable by S. Celi, is a Mature Young Adult/New Adult book that released on January 28, 2013 exclusively through Kindle Direct Publishing.  It is the first book of the Undesirable series.

If you read and enjoyed Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me, this book is for you.  It has the love story, the action, the hard choices between good and happiness, etc.

Here's the official synopsis:

What if everything you knew turned out to be a lie?

Charlotte Walker knows how to live under the rule of The Party. She has managed for 18 years. She helps out her drunken mother and keeps life going at a familiar, steady pace. She doesn’t ask questions, even though she has many of them in her heart.

Fostino Sanchez knows how to live under the rule of The Party, too. For 19 years, he’s worked to be the perfect Party member. He knows what must be done to keep Maxwell Cooper in power, and how find the The Undesirables that threaten to take away everything that matters.

As the months go by, what matters most to Fostino is Charlotte Walker.

While their love blooms, danger comes to Charlotte and Fostino’s small hometown of Harrison Corners, OH. Threats they never knew existed could take away all that they care about. And just when these two teens think they know what will come next, Charlotte learns the truth about a secret she has long suspected.

What Charlotte finds out changes everything. 

EVERYTHING. 

THE UNDESIRABLE is Charlotte Walker’s story, from her point of view. It is a thrilling, suspenseful tale of love, curiosity, adversity, and maturity against the backdrop of a futuristic war.

Should Charlotte trust Fostino with what she knows? Can she trust anyone? Will she find it in herself to rise up against terrible odds? What if the ultimate Undesirable is her?

Still not convinced you need to read it?  Watch the trailer:

What are you waiting for?  Pull out your wallet and spend the $1.99.  Your Kindle is begging for it!  Get it here.

But if you are still hesitant, don't worry.  I am reading it myself and I will post a review on March 4th.  

-Mariela

The Undesirable by S. Celi

Kindle Edition, 210 pages

Published January 28th 2013 by Kindle Direct Publishing

Edition language:  English

Book Review: SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi

3 out of 5 hearts

I decided to read this book because it was all over the blogosphere.  Especially with the release its sequel Unravel Me earlier this month, everyone walk blogging and tweeting about Mafi.  I had to give in and give it a try.  

*Since the official synopsis is pretty vague, this may seem like a spoiler.*

We meet Juliette Ferrars, who is locked in solitary at an asylum because she is considered a danger to society.  It has been almost a year since she has seen or spoke to another person.  She is told she is getting a roommate but she never thought it would be a guy.  Her new roommate is Adam Kent.  Despite the situation, they pretty much fall in love while in captivity.  Suddenly, one day an army of soldiers barge into their cell and drag Juliette to meet Warner, who is a psychopathic leader of the Reestablishment.  Juliette has a special trait, which is that her touch is lethal.  Warner intends to craft her trait into a torture mechanism to use on rebels.  

Juliette and Adam are taken to live at Warner's headquarters.  It turns out that Adam is a soldier in the Reestablishment and he is assigned as Juliette's guard.  But, Adam is in love with her, which was obvious from the start.  He devises a plan and they escape.  From then on, Juliette and Adam are running for their lives and the twists emerge.

As soon as I started to read it, I was pretty hooked.  Mafi has an amazing talent in writing emotional descriptions and imagery that it sucks you in.  At first, I did think it was a bit over the top, but I had to remember that Juliette had never experienced acceptance, love, or touch.  Then, I felt it was most appropriate and Mafi conveys it beautifully.  I think there is a good balance between action and romance in this book.  I appreciated that Juliette was always written as a heroine, even when she thought her trait was a detriment. 

So why 3 out of 5?  The lack of a creative or original plot.  I am aware it is a dystopian book.  There were a few minor details that were unique.  However, the last 100 pages were the problem.  It became The Hunger Games meets X-Men meets Fantastic Four.  I love graphic novel and comics, so I know the stories and characters in X-Men.  As I was reading, I had the hunch that something very similar to the events in Mockingjay would occur and I was right.  Then, the other "special" characters were introduced that they were complete spin-offs of other comic/science fictional characters, even Juliette (Rouge from X-Men).  So, I was very turned off to the point I almost stopped reading.  But, I read it to the end and I thought the ending was cheesy.  

However, like I stated, Mafi creates amazing descriptions and I want to know what happens to Warner, so I will eventually read the following books.

This is book one of a trilogy.  Books 1.5 and 2 are already out.  The third will be out Fall 2013.

To each, their own.

-Mariela

"Laughter comes from the living."  I shrug, try to sound indifferent.  "I've never really been alive before." - Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Hardcover, 338 pages
Published November 15th 2011 by Harper
ISBN 0062085484 (ISBN13: 9780062085481)
Edition language:  English