Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Summary

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangles loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

• Number of Pages: 526

Review

I write to you now in mourning of this series, a series that lived a great life in the dark of my room and through my most vivid imagination. I travelled along this city and beyond its walls with a girl with a love so great and the courage to preserve that love for all, no matter the cost. I mourn because there is no more for me left to follow and these characters must now move on with their untold stories.

Consider me melodramatic if you will, but do not think me insincere. I disclose complete honesty my book reviews, so believe me when I tell you that I finished this book five minutes ago and I still can’t stop crying. This book was the wrap up that no one wanted yet was inevitable. I will not give away any information for those of you who want to start the series of Divergent.

I created a joint review of the first two books in my previous post. I wrote of how great it was, out of the norm, and completely believable in its characters. What was true then is true now. But here is where I write less with emotion and more with facts.

Fact one: This is a great series.

Fact two: This book is slower paced than the rest. (Patience is required)

Fact three: The end is inevitable, but leaves you—the reader—knowing for certain how all the beloved characters end, which is a comfort. 

I remember starting this book with immense anticipation, but was slowed down to a duller pace in the beginning. There is a lot of information given and a lot of planning where there is less action taking place. But once you start this series you need to see how it ends, and the ending is what makes it all worth reading whether it be the ending you wanted or not. I really enjoyed the dual perspective between Tris and Tobias. The first two books are completely under Tris point of view, so it is interesting to see how the author manages to change voices without disrupting what the reader is already use to. In total it was a series worth reading, and I recommend the series to you all. Stick it out in the last book. From 1-10? I give this book a 6, but the series in all is an 8.

The Siren by Kiera Cass

Summary

“You must never do anything that might expose our secret. This means that, in general, you cannot form close bonds with humans. You can speak to us, and you can always commune with the Ocean, but you are, essentially, a weapon. I won’t like to you, it can be a lonely existence, but once you are done, you get to live. All you have to give, for now, is obedience and time . . .”

The same speech has been given hundreds of times to hundreds of beautiful girls who enter the sisterhood of sirens. Kahlen has lived by these rules for years now, patiently waiting for the life she can call her own. But when Akinli, a human, enters her world, she can’t bring herself to live by the rules anymore. Suddenly the life she’s been waiting for doesn’t seem nearly as important as the one she’s living now.

• Number of pages: 276

Review

The Siren was a new kind of story, with some flair of the usual. I can’t say it was the average story either because the plot line was very interesting to follow along. It’s the story about Kahlen’s sentence as a siren. She takes you through each of the biggest episodes in her 100 years as siren, and how, along the way, she discovers a person who she is willing to risk anything and everything for.

Like I said, the story was interesting, but I couldn’t help but get tired eyes as I read the book. It was long and it was monotonous at times. It’s not that the story was boring, only that many parts were extended and it made me tired to read it at times. It’s like she kept ranting in her head or something.

Something that I found extremely great was how the author gave life to the Ocean. She was real, and She felt and loved and thought as well. I can’t really explain it, only that I felt connected to the Ocean. I thought that was just amazing. So adding all the qualities together, from 1-10? I’d say The Siren gets a 6. 

Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer

Summary 

Two climbed up. Two fell down.

One woke up.

Robin Saunders is a high school sophomore with an awesome best friend, a hard-working single mom, and a complicated relationship with a sweet guy named Reno. She's coasting along, trying to get through yet another tedious year of high school, when Em suggests something daring. They live in Florida-- tourist central--and Emily wants to sneak into a theme park after midnight and see what they're made of.

When things get out of control, Robin wakes up in a hospital bed and Emily doesn't wake up at all. Just getting dressed becomes an ordeal as Robin tries to heal and piece together the details of that terrible night. Racing to remember everything in the hopes of saving Emily, Robin writes a series of notes to herself to discover the truth.

• Number of Pages: 158 (estimated)

Review

This seemed like a huge heartfelt novel the moment I read the summary. I pictured a book where the heroine goes through something and grows from the experience. That is exactly how I can sum it up. Robin isn’t really a heroine, just a regular girl who did something stupid with her best friend and is living with the consequences. This is a coming of age book, where real feelings come to light and how the character deals with these emotions. Once Robin wakes up, she is once again confronted with her usual problems with friends, family, popularity, etc. The difference is that this time she starts to see it from a different perspective. She sees it with new eyes.

It was great seeing how her memories took me back with her, and then brought me back to the present with how she now feels about that moment in time. It was very sincere and genuine. From 1-10? I give it a strong 6.

Fearless by Francine Pascal

Summary

Gaia Moore is brilliant and beautiful. She’s trained in three kinds of martial arts, has a reflex speed that’s off the charts, and can break codes in four languages.

She’s also missing the fear gene.

All Gaia wants is to be like everyone else. Instead, she’s left wondering about her past, her missing family . . . and the unavailable boy she’s falling for. But everything changes when she learns that someone is hunting her down for her special skills, and they’ll do anything to get her to.

But Gaia isn’t worried.

She is FEARLESS.

• Number of pages: 856

Review

Definitely not your average girl, that’s for sure. Gaia, pronounced “guy-uh”, is a rational, badass character that really knows how to fight  . . . mostly for good. She’s cranky, judgmental, and a bit of an outsider. She’s badass. I said that already, but I’m just trying to make sure you understand how badass she is. She kicks butt and is too cool to take names, if that makes any sense. While she may have only one friend and no family that she can call her own AND is constantly a target of some kind.

This was definitely not your average book. The story was a complicated and complex story that rotated from many, many different points of view. Off the top of my head I would say there were at least 8 different characters’ points of view that you jump into, but guaranteed there are a few more that I forgot to mention. I have to say it was pretty cool sensing the whole story from basically everyone’s point of view, but there were time that it was tricky to handle, namely when it jumped from one seen to the scene before but with a different character. Make any sense? Of course after a while you see the connection, but there were some frustrating times where I was just like “Whaaaaaat?” You definitely just have to try to keep up, and not let yourself get lost.

Now you are probably wondering how this whole “no fear gene” works. I wont give up any details because you will probably want to read about it yourself, but I will say that you see her feel every emotion except fear. The lack of fear doesn’t mean there is a lack of emotion in this book. In fact, there were times where the lack of fear constituted a stronger set of emotions. It was interesting to see how the author wrote about it like that. The plot was interesting as well. There were many different conflicts, but the main conflict didn’t come up until the second half of the book, way way off near the end. Through the first half, though it was entertaining, I sometimes felt like I was waiting for the real to take place, you know? It was just a restless feeling I had when something was prolonged a bit. The way it was written was highly entertaining as well. There were some very funny LOL moments for me  . . . actual laughing out loud.

Something I feel like I should definitely warn you about is how this book can get a little graphic. Everything was on overdrive and there was some talk that I felt was unnecessary and a little inappropriate. Some fighting scenes as well were a bit graphic and sometimes were disturbing. It kind of made me a bit uncomfortable.

This is a very big book, but it also turns out to be the first book in a series! So if you do decide to read this book, do not be surprised when you see that it did not end completely. Expect another book accompanying it! From 1 to 10? I give FEARLESS a 6.

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Summary

Eighteen-year-old Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. By Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously . . .

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

• Number of pages: 325

Review

The story of the Titanic is one of the saddest and most interesting tales I’ve ever heard. It’s just one of those things that have always interested me (like the last Grand Duchess Anastasia or the Victorian Era). If you didn’t notice from the synopsis, this story is a little different from your average historic tale about the almighty Titanic. Or did you not get that from the werewolf part? In that case I tell you now, this isn’t your average historical fiction. I’d have to say it’s like 60% paranormal, 25% historical fiction, and 15% mystery. That sounds like an interesting combination doesn’t it? Well, it is. I thought that this book was not only interesting, but also easy to read. There weren’t any part where it felt tedious to keep going, or any parts when I want to skip ahead. I was in the mood for an easy read like this that kept me hooked till the end.

The one thing I was fooled at was the actual historical part of the story of Titanic. I thought that a good chunk of the book was going to happen during that horrific event. Turns out that it’s actually just a little part of it, maybe 1 or two chapters I think it was. That’s all I’m going to say on that. It was great to learn little things about the boat that I never knew about, like the 3^rd class living conditions or the events that happened during their week stay on the most magnificent vessel up until the iceberg. It’s funny how I kept picturing Rose and Jack to come up around the corner, or thinking to myself, “While all this was happening, Rose and Jack must have been doing this.” I guess that’s just one of those things that I always associate with Titanic.

Tess was a great, easy protagonist to follow. She had her goals set, and she was practical till the end. That’s sometimes fun to read in a character, especially when things start to turn out a little differently than what she planned . . . kind of like werewolves appearing out of no where and her ship sinking. That kind of stuff can mess up anyone’s agenda. The other characters were good to read as well, for instance, the lady she Tess worked for was a pompous woman about to lose all her money with a messed up son and a daughter that only defends herself when things are already too late. Alec was ok to read, he was pretty temperamental most of the story, but then again with his situation it is to be expected. It wasn’t that bad anyway. All around the story was pretty good, and I thought that the ending—though pretty incredible—was also something that summed up all the lose threads pretty well. So from 1-10? I think a 6 is in order. 

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner

Summary

As the French Revolution descends into nightmare, Yann Margoza, a mysterious and extraordinary practitioner of magic, uses his skills to help spirit refugees out of France. If he fails, their fates lie under the blade of the guillotine. But the question of Yann's true identity and the kidnapping of his true love, Sido, expose him to dangers that threaten to destroy him. With Paris on the verge of collapse, Yann must summon all his strength and courage to rescue his beloved Sido and outwit the devil's own--this time for good.

Number of pages: 362

Review

My dear Sally Gardner has done it again with this amazing and extremely vivid telling of the French Revolution. Last time we left Yann and Sido to those times of Terror, Sido was safely deposited in England while Yann used his super duper gypsy powers to smuggle all kinds of people from the bloody lands of France into England. So it seems Yann has a secret reputation as the Silver Blade, but he doesn’t take much notice after mooning over Miss Sido who it seems isn’t answering his latest letter. Of course many of the original characters are in this new story. It really does complete the story of Yann and Sido. I was really excited to read it, though I find it hard to say which book is better The Red Necklace or The Silver Blade. Very tough decision indeed.

You do need a good attention span, though, because there is a very good chance that you might get lost a bit. There are so many twits and turns in this novel, and while those are what make a good story, there are times where getting “lost” in a story might not be a good thing.

The history part was very interesting. I can’t say that I know much of the French Revolution, but from what I read here I think it was accurate. It was really intriguing especially about how people escaped the country. The measures they took were incredible. But hey, to find out the tricked their way out, you’ll just have to read the book. So taking all that into consideration . . . from 1-10? I give The Silver Blade a 6.

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Summary

Before he knows about the roses, sixteen-year-old jack lived an unremarkable like in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before, and it feels great until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts.

Soon, jack learns the startling truth about himself: he is Weirlind, part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At their helm sits the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the Whir Rose, whose power is determined by playing the Game—a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death, the winning house rules the Weir.

As if his bizarre heritage isn’t enough, Jack finds out that he’s not just another member of Weirlind---he’s one of the last of the warriors---at a time when both houses are scouting for a player.

• Number of pages: 426

Review

I chose to read this book because I felt like I was reading too many girly books with female leads. I needed a good guy character to change things up a bit! This book was just the story to read for guys mainly. The whole concepts of magical people and such have become popular of late, but The Warrior Heir is completely different and original from all others. Granted, it was difficult to wrap my mind around all the terms and follow along without confusing a "Weir" with "guilds" and such. It slowed considerably in the middle of the story, but the ending was satisfactory enough. The Game and what it stands for is quite unsettling and gruesome. This book was interesting for the most part has bursts of good fast-paced action and from 1 to 10? I have to give this a 6.

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees

Summary

Young and beautiful Violetta is of noble blood, but her country is in shambles. She and her comic companion, Feste, have just arrived in London on a mysterious quest. Their journey has been long and their misfortunes many, but it is not until they encounter the playwright William Shakespeare that the whole story is reveled. Violetta and Feste are in search of an ancient holy relic-her country’s greatest treasure-that the evil Malvolio has stolen. Malvolio’s plot seems complex and wide reaching, but it’s not clear who else is involved . . . until Violetta’s childhood love, Stephan, enters the scene. Is this remarkable story a comedy or a tragedy? Spun from Shakespeare’s unproarious, Twelfth Night, Celia Rees has crafted a wholly original adventure that stretches from the shores of Illyria to the Forest of Arden, where romance and danger go hand in hand.

Number of pages: 287

Review

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is not a play I am actually familiar with, but this book kind of makes me want to know more about it. This book is like a “what-happened-after” story with Viola’s noble and beautiful daughter, Violetta. When her country’s most holy relic is stolen as well as her country, and she goes and tries to get it back. Because obviously the female lead needs some spunk and this one has it. Now add the really handsome boyfriend and a mischievous Fool and this story gets interesting. The plot was good, but I got confused at times. Rees wanted to make it seem like you never know who you can trust, but it got to the point where I was like “whaaaat???” I did really like all the characters. Especially how Rees incorporated Shakespeare (“Will”) in the whole book that helped to save the day. I never really thought to give Shakespeare a personality before, but I loved how he turned out here knowing how this loyal and, to be honest, stressed out guy really becomes extremely famous. The ending came suddenly. I was reading and was surprised to see the pages thinning when at the time it seemed like the story was going nowhere. It was a good ending, though a bit predictable. From 1- 10? All around I would have to give this a 6.