Monday, May 21, 2012

Review - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #3)

Picture from Goodreads.com
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Format: Hardcover (390 pages)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Publication Date:  August 24th 2010
Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Amazon
 Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary From Goodreads:

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plains--except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost
.

What I think (Contains minor spoilers):I also apologized if the review seemed to a bit off compared to my other review. The review was written the moment I finished the book and I am still pretty teary and emotional about the ending =(


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Review - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #2)

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Format: Hardcover (391 pages)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Publication Date:  September 1st 2009
Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Amazon
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol-- a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

What I think:

Wow. Just… Wow. I am definitely speechless after reading this book. Catching Fire was both amazing and thrilling. I enjoy every single moment while reading. The plot of The Hunger Games' sequel can be summarized in one word: INTENSE. After Katniss and Peeta were crowned victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games, one might think that all their misery are finally over and that they can enjoy a luxurious life. However, with the Capitol still in power, Katniss realized that this luxurious life is actually another death sentence.

I felt like Catching Fire did a neat job in further elaborating Katniss' personality. I mean, yes, Katniss is not a “nice” person, but there are reasons behind it. I personally love how the characters are questioning themselves and battling their inner turmoils which didn't happen in the previous book. For Peeta, I felt like there could be more character development, however, I am happy with the amount of attention devoted to him in this book. Although new characters were introduce into the plot, I didn’t feel as connect as I did with Rue. However, I  particularly enjoyed reading about Finnick Odair (swoon worthy...).

Catching Fire has less action in comparison to The Hunger Games. A good 2/3 of the book was dedicated to Katniss’ problems and her thoughts on how to escape the Capitol’s grasp (not much is said on Peeta and Haymitch except some crucial parts). The last 1/3 of the book was where all the actions are and those scenes exceed my expectation.

Like The Hunger Games, Catching Fire was a fast paced book yet you can still feel everything even though details were left off. The emotion that Suzanne Collins created with her words were vivid especially the feeling of betrayal, hurt and confusion. Each chapter flowed really well and the sentences were beautifully crafted. The ending was perfect as cliffhanger and it was really unexpected!

Rating:

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Review - Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Format: Paperback (390 pages)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Publication Date:  August 1st 2009
Rating: 4/5
Source: Bought from Costco =)
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes & Nobles

Summary from Amazon:


For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf - her wolf - is a haunting presence she can''t seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human - until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It''s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears and the temperature drops, Sam must fight to stay human or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Book Order - The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

It's currently 1 am and I am STILL debating whether or not I should order The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. I've been debating for a while now (since early April) because I want to borrow from the library first , however, there is already 50+ hold on the pre-order copy. REALLY?! And... so I finally ordered it (because le bf is annoyed with my indecisiveness and urge me to press that "pay" button on Amazon)

Anyways, I can't wait till September 27th! Please come sooner! I can't wait for another...four months!

Summary from Goodreads and Chapters:
 
When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.
Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.
And the empty seat left by Barry on the town''s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?


[insert fangirl excitement and giddy-ness here] Even the summary sound epic! Off to sleep. Good night everyone!

Review - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Format: Hardcover (372 pages)
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date:  December 2nd 2010
Rating: 5/5
Source: Library Loan
Get the book at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

 Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

What I Think:

Anna and The French Kiss was an adorable and cute novel. I felt so giddy and bubbly after finishing the book. Yes, it was THAT heartwarming.

The story start off with Anna being shipped to Paris, France for boarding school by her Nicholas Sparks-like father in hopes for her to acquire experience with other culture. On her first night at her new school, Anna was discovered by Meredith (dorm room neighbor) when she was having a homesick crisis/breakdown in her room. Later, she bumped into Étienne St-Clair, perfect “French” boy after leaving Meredith’s room and that’s when the all firework started.

Stephanie Perkins’s writing style definitely reminds me of Meg Cabot. It is charming, funny, clean and light. Each chapter were beautifully crafted and flowed really well. The characters were intriguing and realistic yet not too cliché and corny compared to most contemporary romance that I have read. I especially love the small drama that occurred with Anna and Étienne as it did not went overboard. The amount of teenage angst is the story is appropriate and carefully place in the right place.

I really enjoy how Stephanie Perkins described Étienne, such typical and stereotypical French boys. It is realistic in a way because most Parisians are dressed and act like that. I felt like the author did wonderful job in researching about the lifestyle of France. Anna's French teachers at her school totally reminds me of my teachers at my French elementary and high school. They act so similar! Also I can't help but relate Anna's father to Nicholas Sparks and his work such as The Notebook and A Walk To Remember. Is it only me?

Overall, Anna and the French Kiss was definetly a good and quick holiday read. I recommend to everyone that is interested in lifestyles of France.

Random Rambling (click below):

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Review - Chime by Franny Billingsley

Picture from Chapters.ca

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Format: Hardcover (361 pages)
Publisher: Dial
Publication Date:  March 17th 2011
Rating: 5/5
Source: Library Loan
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Summary from Goodreads:
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

What I think:


Review - Crossed by Ally Condie (Matched #2)

Picture from Chapters.ca
 Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance
Format: Hardcover (367 pages)
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date:  November 1st 2011
Rating: 4/5
Source: Library Loan

Summary from Goodreads:

Rules Are Different Outside The Society

Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky--taken by the Society to his sure death--only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. 
On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of a rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices every thing to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.
Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's point of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to Matched will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double crosses make their path more twisted than ever.

What I Think:

I was a bit skeptical about the seuqel when I read the first three chapters because of the way the chapters were presented. In contrast to the first book of the trilogy, Matched, Crossed was written in both Ky and Cassia's point of view and the chapters alternated between the two POVs. So the writing was a bit inconsistent in comparison to the first book. I do enjoy this particular style of literature, but it only works efficiently if the two POVs is completely different in ideals (for example Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen). For the first couple of chapters, I got lost in which POV that I am currently reading, which forced me to  flipped back to the beginning of the chapter to look. However, I did get used to it after five chapters or so and I am super glad that the author made the chapters the way they were as they elaborated Ky's character.

Crossed picked up where Matched left off, where Cassia is sent to a camp so the Society can finalize her future and that Ky is sent of to Outer Provinces as a pawn of the Society. Cassia met a girl named, Indie, in whom she befriended and escape with to find Ky. In Ky's POV, the audience learned that he is able to find friendship in Vick, whom he met at his work camp and Eli, whom remind him of Cassia's brother. I really like the new characters, especially Vick and Eli. I was sadden and upset of what happened to Vick. Also, perhaps it is only me being weird, I felt that Cassia's and Ky's reunion was a bit...forced in the way Ally Condie portrayed (still beautiful and heartwarming though!). Indie, however, I felt like she is starting a love-square in some ways.

Although Cassia and Ky's POVs were interesting to read. I didn't enjoy both character as I did in the first book. I felt that the confrontation part was a bit late in the novel and the climax did not do justice. In addition, both character development was intriguing until the very end, they were still clueless about what they really want. The important decision making part was a bit rushed.

However, I like how Xander was put back in the story even though there was a brief appearance of him in the beginning but his existence was not lost at all in Crossed. Flashbacks of him were pretty much all over the book. I have hoped to know more about his character and his intention which I was not disappointed but I felt there were more things about Xander that should have been put in the book (he wasn't a big focus in Matched either). Overall, I hope to find answers to the questions I have in Reached (sigh...6 more months....).

After reading Crossed, I understood Ky's character more since he was pretty much an enigma in Matched.  Overall, Crossed was beautifully written. I especially enjoy how Ally Condie used poetry to tie everything together. The cliffhanger in the end was definitely intriguing, even more so than in Matched.  I look forward reading Reached when it comes out.

Rating:

Random Rambling/Rant --> Contain Spoilers: Click below to read


Friday, May 4, 2012

Review - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #1)

Picture from Goodreads
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Format: Hardcover (374 pages)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Publication Date: October 31st 2008
Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Amazon
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon |

Summary from Chapters.ca

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the-death on live TV.

One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor tohis or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games.

But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

What I think:
 
I love this book. To date, The Hunger Games is still my favorite of all the Young Adult, Dystopian novel (although, Delirium is closely behind :) ). The plot was amazing and easy to follow. Although the story was told in the point of view of Katniss Everdeen, the audience can easily follow the development of secondary character. The pacing of the book was consistent all the way through. There weren't any filler or any unnecessary scenes. I thought it was well written and edited.


First time I read this book was in 2008, and back then I didn't really like Katniss' character at all. But reading it the second time, I can start to understand Katniss' feeling. Everyone kept on asking me if I was on Gale or Peeta's side. Honestly, I think there weren't any romance between Katniss and Gale. To me, their relationship is a more of a really close friend/family relationship that those two displayed (aside from the movie that push the idea the other way).


I don't have many bad things to say about this book. However, I thought maybe, Cato should be mention a bit more. I really love Rue and I actually cried during the scene. The book, itself is amazing and breathtakingly beautiful.

Overall, I really really really, love this book! Suzanne Collins is one amazing author

Rating:


Side Notes (about the movie):
 
I thought the movie really complemented the book. For example, there were more scene about Cato (not much with Rue though =( ). In addition, there are some character that showed up in the movie, yet not mentioned in the book --> Senaca Crane. But anyways, I recommend the movie to everyone and anyone =).

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Review - Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli (Stargirl #2)

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Teen, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Format: Paperback (288 pages)
Publisher: Random House Teen
Publication Date: April 28th 2009
Rating: 5/5
Source: Library Loan

Summary from Goodreads:

Love, Stargirl picks up a year after Stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of Stargirl. The novel takes the form of "the world's longest letter," in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a year's time. In her writing, Stargirl mixes memories of her bittersweet time in Mica, Arizona, with involvements with new people in her life.

In Love, Stargirl, we hear the voice of Stargirl herself as she reflects on time, life, Leo, and—of course—love.

What I think:


Oh my goodness. Words cannot describe how much I adore this book. I read the prequel, Stargirl, ten year ago in English Lit class back in elementary school. I didn't know there was a sequel until couple days ago, when I saw this book on the shelf at the local library. Anyways, Love, Stargirl continues where Stargirl left off, except with a year gap between the prequel. The layout of the book is in diary/letter format, similar to The Princess Diaries series. Over the course of a year, Stargirl (real name Susan Caraway) wrote about her adventures in her new town to her old boyfriend, Leo. It was a bit odd seeing everything in Stargirl's perspective to be honest (prequel was in Leo's perspective). In the prequel, Stargirl was an enigma, a bit mystery. However, in this book, she is just a normal girl which is a big contrast to her character in the previous book.

All the characters mentioned in the book is important and I felt that they each have an important role in the story. I loved every single one of them. To me, they were all real. The important message that Spinelli is conveying is that, no matter what age you are, it is perfectly acceptable to be to be different which a lot of us forgets. I can relate to this story based on personal experiences and I guess that is why I felt so connected with the protagonist. In a way, it is hard to be different in today's society because we are "programmed" by the media on how to act, think, and dress.

The thing I love about Spinelli's writing is that he shows, but not tell. Thus, it was very easy to imagine the scenes that Spinelli has painted with his words such as the "Enchanted Dessert" to the "Calendar Hill".
Everything in book was magical, enchanting and inspiring. The ending was extraordinary and everything wrapped up in a nice, big and shiny bow. Spinelli, you never ceased to amazed me with your words.

I wish I can write more about the book, but like I said, words cannot describe how breathtaking this story is. You just have to read it to feel the magic. I recommend everyone to read the first book, Stargirl, first before reading this book because it will certainly make your reading experience that much better.

Rating:

Review - Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies #2)

Picture from Chapters.ca

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Format: Paperback (370 pages)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: November 1st 2005
Rating: 4/5Source: Library Loan

Summary from Amazon:

Gorgeous. Popular. Perfect. Perfectly wrong.

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive
.

What I Think:

Right after I finished reading Uglies, I immediately started on Pretties. The beginning is intriguing as the heroine of the story has turned into a "pretty" like she always wanted before she met Shay (Shay is also a Pretty now; read the first book to find out what happen). But here's the catch, Tally's memories have been tampered with and cannot remember in detailed about the days when she was an Ugly. Now, with her new look, she is best friend forever with Shay and of course, Peris. Somehow, during one of her wild parties with all the new Pretties, she met up with an old acquaintance. From then on, she start to regain her memories of her betrayal and the real purpose why she turned into a Pretty. Zane, a "flawed" Pretty. just like Tally, is ready to help her with the mission. However, the Special Circumstances (soldiers of the strict society of the Pretties) are one step ahead of her as her friends all fell into the grasp of authorities.

Again, Scott Westerfeld did a marvelous job describing everything, yet not to put too much detail. He also emphasize the important points such as the dialect of the Pretties (which can be annoying at times). There were more character development focusing on Tally and Zane, but not so  much on Peris. I thought it was funny how Peris seemed to inserted in the story again, even though he seemed to disappeared from the face of earth in the first book (I have yet to figure out his purpose in the story). Shay, on the other hand, was exactly like in the first book, going from all giddy, friendly, mindless girl into a mean person. This time, she has a reason to do that so her personality change was not that annoying compared to her change in Uglies. Dr. Cable (leader of the Special Circumstances) came back to mess with Tally once again so she is still alive from the first book.

Pacing and plot wise, I thought it was a bit slow in middle of the book, but picked up again towards the end. Similar with the first book, it takes a bit of time to get use of the inconsistent pacing. Surprisingly, I really like the twisted ending. It's not opened but with closure that you just have to read the next book.

What I don't like about this book is the love triangle. Towards the end, the story re-introduced David and Tally made up her mind to be with Zane rather than David as she has more things in common with Zane. I felt the whole break up was rushed because in the first book she was super attached to David. Honestly, I don't think Romance is Scott Westerfeld's forte.

Overall, it seems like Scott Westerfeld is making this trilogy a very big cat and mouse chase. At first, I'm not sure what to make of Shay, other than hate her, but towards the end, Shay is like a big bait to lure out Tally and that Tally is a whole experiment thing designed by Dr Cable and her Special Circumstances. That is my guess so far. I think everyone that read the first book should read the second book. There are so much twists and turns that would surprise you!

I am definitely rushing to the library tomorrow morning to grab the last book!

Rating:

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Review - Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies #1)

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia
Format
: Paperback (425 pages)
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 8, 2005
Rating: 5/5
Source: Library Loan
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Author's Website: http://scottwesterfeld.com/

Summary from Amazon:

Everybody gets to be supermodel gorgeous. What could be wrong with that? Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there.
But Tally's new friend Shay isn't sure she wants to be pretty. She'd rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.
 
What I think:

A friend of mind recommended this book way back in high school (to help with an essay), but back then I was not interested in dystopia genre. But when I saw this book at the library I just HAVE to borrow it.

The story follow a young girl, Tally Youngblood, about to turn sixteen, a moment she's been waiting forever. Ever since her best friend, Peris, turned sixteen and received his "pretty" surgery, Tally is more anxious than ever to join her friends in The New Pretty Town where all the new "Pretties" live. However, she met a girl, with the same birthday as her and befriended her. As the summary says, will she risk her new founded friendship for a simple, selfish dream?



I really love how Scott Westerfeld describe everything vividly without telling too much. The character development was impressive as most protagonists and antagonists were describe with appropriate details. Even those who are not mentioned as much, there are various subtle hints scattered in the book so the readers can pick out the clues to figure out. However, my biggest peeve about this story is how Peris is introduced with full detail at the begining, he seemed to be disappeared from the face of earth after Tally set up her mission to find Shay. Also, Shay seemed to be a nice girl at first, but after that, she was mentioned much after Tally found her. I absolutely despise her when Tally found her. To me her change was so drastic that that the author doesn't need to describe her. I just hate her until the end when something happened to her AGAIN. Oh and the romance thing between Tally and David is way too sudden.


What I love the most about the story is that, even though Uglies is a trilogy, Scott Westerfeld still managed to put closure at the end to set up for the next book. In some series that I have read in the past, the ending of any book of a series tend to be too open or a frustrated cliff hanger.

Somehow, I connected to this story more than other dystopian novels I have read so far. Perhaps the theme goes so well with what is occurring today with teenagers all over the world undergoing plastic surgery (although, not as extreme as described in the book) to become the ideal image of what the public perceive as "beauty". The whole cosmetic surgery process symbolize the coming of age, similarly to a new beginning and to make everyone equal. 

I could NOT put this book down once I opened it. It was just that entertaining even with the inconsistent pace!


Rating:

Review - Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me #1)

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
Format
: Trade Paperback (338 pages)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: November 15th 2011
Rating: 4/5
Source: Bought at Chapters
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Summary from Amazon:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.


The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.


Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.


What I think
This book clearly have its ups and downs. The first 50 pages pulled me in the story as they are full of mystery and I wanted to know more about Juliette. However, when the romance kicked in, I thought it was plot from then on is a bit predictable and cliché. Thanks to the twists, they motivated me to continue reading and no judge the story until I have completely done with it.

So the story follows Juliette, a mysterious girl with powers to fear. She was locked up in the beginning due to the potential danger normal people associate her with. One day, she got a cell mate, a boy around her age who is not what he seemed to be.
  
Nonetheless, Shatter Me was a great fast-pace book that I enjoyed. I really like the ending because it was all happy. 

The whole story sorta reminds me of the show Smallville.... 


Side Notes

For people living in Vancouver area (in Canada), the Chapters at Robson is selling signed copies of Shatter Me at the book regular in-store price. Last time I went there (yesterday), only 7 copies were left.



Review - Hana by Lauren Oliver (Delirium #1.5)

Picture from Chapters.ca

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia
Format
: eBook (64 pages)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 2012
Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought at Chapters
Get it at: Chapters


Summary from Goodreads:

The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.

But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.

In this digital story that will appeal to fans of Delirium and welcome new admirers to its world, readers will come to understand scenes from Delirium through Hana's perspective. Hana is a touching and revealing look at a life-changing and tumultuous summer.


What I think:

Hana is a companion story to Delirum  and even this is a short story, it still blew me away. The story was told in Hana's point of view and her jealousy towards Alex as he spent so much time with Lena. Although I did see that coming, the relationship between Hana and Lena, did in fact, reflect real life situation. Friends grow apart due to the process of growing up and jealousy is an unwanted feeling if one person start drifting apart in a group of very close friends. In addition, this short gave me insight on Hana, as she sort of disappeared from Lena's life a good half in Delirium to be a teenage rebel.

The ending was a bit rushed and I thought that the author would end Hana's perspective about the same time frame as in Delirium. I really wanted to know what Hana think and whether or not she is feels guilty after Lena and Alex were captured. I also wanted to know if Hana went through the surgery and what she thought of her best friend after. I guess I need to read the sequel to find out.

Review - Delirium by Lauren Oliver (Delirium #1)

Picture from Chapters.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia
Format
: Trade Paperback (470 pages)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 7th 2012
Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought from Chapters
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

My Thoughts:

The story is about Lena, a seventeen years old girl that is anxiously waiting for her eighteenth's birthday for her surgery in which all teens get on their birthday. This surgery is said to be mandatory in order to permanently remove Love from a person, to make society equal. Love is regard as a disease in Lena's society as it can make someone mad or worse, death. However, after meeting with a certain government regulator, Alex, or so Lena first thought, she begin to find herself facing the new, forbidden emotion. Perhaps the what she heard about Love is not what it seems anymore.

Delirium was such an enchanting and astounding book. Few books have yet to touched me deeply, however Delirium did the job just find. The story was very well written and I can imagine every single details as I read each pages. Lauren Oliver did such a great job convincing me that "Love" is actually a deadly thing since, at first, I thought that there is no way one can live in a loveless world.





I particularly love how the layout of the chapters were set up. . Each chapter begins with a quotes to help the readers understand how Lena's society works. These quotes are from well known fairy tales or nursery rhymes that we all have heard when we were little but they are all twisted. This reminds me of "Ring around the Rosies", something that I sang practically all the time while playing with other kids when I was younger. Something with such a happy tune that literally means the Black Plague. The ending was heartbreaking and I don't know if I ever read something like that before. 

Overall, Delirium was  hauntingly beautiful.

Review - Matched by Ally Condie (Matched #1)

Picture from Chapter.ca
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia
Format
: Trade Paperback (369 pages)
Publisher: Penguin Young Reader Group
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Source: Bought
Rating: 3.5/5
Get it at: Chapters | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander''s face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham''s face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it''s a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she''s destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can''t stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society''s infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she''s known and a path that no one else has dared to follow

Side Notes:

Matched was one of the first Dystopian story I willingly read. Don't get me wrong, I love to read but I was forced to read many dystopian and utopian back in High School. So I guess with all the forcing in English class, I tend to associate this genre back to all the unpleasant English classes... That is why I avoid this genre until now because a lot of people recommended good novels and they are all dystopian themed. 

What I think: 

Matched was definitely an interesting story, however, I thought that the plot was a bit unoriginal as it very similar to A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and The Giver by Lois Lowry. However, it was a good fast read. 

The story follows Cassia Reyes, a normal teenage girl about to enter a ceremony that determines her future, to find her lifetime partner - her matched. The society in which she lives in is highly controlled by government - hobbies, poetry, fasion school, marriage as well as death days. Despite all the unpleasant things Cassia still looked forward to her Matching ceremony, in which is the only time she get to wear a extravagant dress. To her surprise, she got matched with Xander, her best friend and neighbor. However, the next day, Cassia learned that she has another matched, a mysterious boy named Ky. Cassia begins to doubt the perfect and flawless society in which she lives in. Why would a perfect society make mistake?

The beginning was certainly intriguing, however, as I read on, I can help to think about the whole love triangle because it seems really similar to Twilight - a confuse female protagonist and two male side characters.  I felt really bad for Xander, helping Cassia achieving her goal yet Cassia does not give him anything in return. 


Character development wise was a bit disappointing as author didn't specifically went into details about the protagonists as much as I hope. There was a LOT of  of guesswork going on, in particular with Xander's case.  But after all the twists, Ally Condie finally explained everything towards the end.


The plot was okay, I mean, with all the young adult dystopian story, the protagonist has try to change the government's cruel ruling right? Anyways, the plot has some potential, although it was not original, the twists and turns made up for it.


I look forward reading Crossed.