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The (really messed-up) Future of Chicago

madamedesarcasm — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 01:20:43 +0000

Sorry if the title throws you. I had so much fun reading this book, it was like a sleepover, pillow-fight, kitten-in-a-bag, cherry-on-top party!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Before I begin to paint my opinion on this book, I’ll preface it with something you should say to yourself before reading any book. “I can focus on how much this book ultimately sucks more than a Chanel commercial with Brad Pitt, or, I can focus on how much fun it is reading this.”

Divergent is set in futuristic Chicago, where (apparently) society has carved themselves into five factions, each who sets one virtue above all else.

Abnegation values selflessness, Amity praises friendship and happiness, and Candor worships honesty, spawning brutally honest walking lie-detectors. Dauntless supposedly serves as protection (but from what?), valuing bravery, and the Erudite pride themselves on intelligence, while the other factions see them as evil. (Corrupt, arrogant intelligence is the only kind that exists).

At age 16, every citizen of this (unnamed) society must choose a faction in which to live for the rest of their sorry, dystopian lives. They make their choice at the cleverly-named ‘Choosing Ceremony’. Beatrice Prior’s results are inconclusive, meaning she is “Divergent”, and could be killed.

The next 400 pages of the novel consist of Beatrice’s initiation in her new faction. The initiation is chockfull of jumping off moving trains, jumping off rooftops, jumping off tall buildings (lots of adrenaline), UFC fighting (not really) and psychological torture methods. The meat of the story appears around page 415.

Remember Hunger Games, where everything had a place? Each district belonged somewhere, and you could imagine yourself in the dusty District 12, or in the shiny Capitol, or even in the deadly Arena. You understood the dynamics of Panem and its history.

Divergent is not like that. Instead, imagine a board game, with absurd rules, but nobody really questions them, because, well, you’re playing a game on a cardboard square. (Why are you the automobile, and I’m the thimble? Why am I going to jail?) This book displays very poor world-building. Seriously, it makes as much sense as nailing Jell-O to a tree. Get over it.

The book’s salvation is in its ability to produce seriously heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping scenes while giving you a heroine who would make mincemeat of Katniss in a fistfight.

Logic aside, Veronica Roth is a pioneer in her brand-new (but seemingly drunk) story ideas. Her writing was invisible, neither detracting from nor adding to the story.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether or not you’ll enjoy Divergent as I did.

B - Beauty and the Bad Boy

lvoisin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:01:56 +0000

The Dark, Mysterious Appeal of a Bad Boy: Are We Really Looking for Bad? It’s a common theme i

Rex Rising (Elei's Chronicles) by Chrystalla Thoma

rachelmmarks — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:47:19 +0000

Format: Kindle

Publisher: Amazon.com

Published Date: August 11, 2011

Pages: File size 919 KB 300 pages

Description from Amazon.com: In a world where parasites create new human races, Elei leads a peaceful life — until a mysterious attack on his boss sends him fleeing with a bullet in his side. Pursued for a secret he does not possess and with the fleet at his heels, he has but one thought: to stay alive. His pursuers aren’t inclined to sit down and talk, although that’s not the end of Elei’s troubles. The two powerful parasites inhabiting his body, at a balance until now, choose this moment to bring him down, leaving Elei with no choice but to trust in people he hardly knows. It won’t be long before he realizes he must find out this deadly secret – a secret that might change the fate of his world and everything he has ever known – or die trying.

My Review:

I found this book because Chrystalla Thoma contacted me directly for me to review it here on YA Novel Reader. From her description I was completely intrigued because the story sounded very unique and because it was a YA science fiction. Though I do watch science fiction movies, I never read science fiction books, especially young adult ones, and I have to say I am so happy Chrystalla contacted me because otherwise I would have never read this amazing story.

Rex Rising will keep you on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out what happened to Elei after the attack on his boss and why he is being chased by huge military fleets. Rex Rising has a lot of suspense and mystery that keeps you guessing who you can really trust until the very end.

What I like most about this book was the originality of the story and the well rounded, extremely likeable characters. Normally in YA adult fiction, the trend has been to go with paranormal characters like vampires, werewolves, and witches. Rex Rising provides a much needed break from the paranormal and takes you into a world where parasites can control humans and their actions. While I know parasites taking over humans has been done before in other science fiction books and movies, Thoma provides such an interesting take on it. I also liked that I didn’t feel overwhelmed by all the scientific elements about the parasites. Thoma explains perfectly while you are reading the world around Elei so you are not starting off the book with long descriptions about the world.

The characters in Rex Rising are likeable because they seem real. Their reactions to situations are realistic, and instead of the trend of the whining main character that is full of teen angst we have a very strong, bad ass Elei who can kick the bad guys butt and then melt you heart in the same sentence. I honestly cannot wait to read Rex Cresting which is the sequel. Thoma has also published Hera which is the start of Hera’s story for Rex Rising.

If you like science fiction, or if you are looking for a new genre in YA fiction I highly recommend Rex Rising. Go get it now!!

YA Fiction - What About It?

lvoisin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:07:30 +0000

Considered the fastest growing genre in the literary industry, Young Adult (or YA) fiction is actual