Review: Divergent

Summary

Divergent by Veronica Roth is another dystopian novel that I loved. In this novel, there are five factions: Abnegation, Dauntless, Erudite, Candor, and Amity. Each child is born into one of the factions, but at the age of 16, each individual is free to choose their own faction, regardless of the test that determines which faction best suites them. Many choose to stay with their family and the faction they were born into, but Beatrice has always had difficulty fitting in Abnegation, and her test results are inconclusive. Inconclusive test results show that Beatrice is Divergent, but she has no idea why this is so important or so dangerous. As Beatrice decides which faction to join, and how to fit in to that faction, she will discover a love that makes her feel capable and the importance of being divergent.

Review

I have said before that traditionally, I have not been a fan of dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels. However, again, my views have been challenged. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was another novel that I could not put down. I think Roth did a great job of creating an interesting world full of competing factions. Some aspects of the novel were a bit transparent. Even before Tris meets the boy she falls in love with, I knew who it would be. However, I loved seeing Tris's (Beatrice) emotional growth and transformation throughout the novel. I also enjoyed the end when we find out how politically corrupt some of the factions are and about the manipulation that occurs, which was one thing I did not foresee. I would definitely recommend this book, and will have trouble waiting until May of 2012 to read the next book, Insurgent. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review: The Hunger Games

 

Summary

"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 districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen -year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place 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." --back cover of The Huner Games by Suzanne Collins.

Review

I absolutely LOVED this book. In the past, I have never been a fan of distopian/post-apocalyptic novels, but I could not put this book down. Collins does a fantastic job of creating real characters that survive in a harsh and cruel world. Collins also manages to weave a love story among all the fighting for survival. Katniss mentions that Gale is her best friend, and that there is nothing romantic between them. However, I can't help but think that Katniss has difficulty identifying what love is. I think that is one reason why she does not recognize Peeta's feelings for her. At the end of the novel, we are left wondering if Katniss will act on her feelings and who she will choose. I definitely would recommend this book, and I can't wait to read the next installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Review: Lover Unbound (BDB 5)

Summary

Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward focus on one of the brothers that readers saw very little of in the previous books. Vishous, like several other brothers, has a curse he must live with. Vishous must be careful not to touch anyone he cares about with one of his hands, as doing so will most likely kill them. In this novel, Vishous finds out he inherited his curse from his mother, the Scribe Virgin. He also finds out that she want him to be the Primale and sire children to propagate so that the vampire race will grow and become stronger. He has never particularly enjoyed sex, but the situation becomes even more complicated when he is shot and rushed to a human hospital. It is there that he meets Jane, the surgeon who operated on his heart. And a bonded male without his female is just an empty vessel.

Jane has had a difficult life. Her dearest friend and sister died when she was little. After Jane's sister passed, Jane was left alone with a family who no longer cared. Jane's life and her sister's death led Jane to become a surgeon. As Jane is working one evening, she receives an unusual trauma case. As she operates on the man's heart, she discovers that his heart is abnormal. Her patient's heart has six chambers, and she knows that he is not human.

Review

I love the way this books begins! It starts out with Jane consulting an ouija board and receiving an unsettling answer to the question of who she will one day marry. The next morning, Jane wakes up to find that her dear sister has died of a congenital heart defect. This trauma is quickly followed by Vishous being shot in the chest. I love the feeling the beginning evokes, adrenaline and despair. The rest of the novel progresses in a predictable manner consistent with the other books in the series. The novel resolves in several parts. I thought the first part of the resolution was a bit predictable. However, the second part of the resolution threw me. I have to say, I do not know if I like the final product. I think I will have to continue to read the series to know whether or not I am satisfied with this particular resolution. I have a feeling Ward has a few surprises in store for her readers. I do like the resolution between Vishous and his mother. The last scene in the books is a touching display of the love between a mother and her child.

Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Stephissa Event Giveaway

As The Pages Turn is hosting a great giveaway! The giveaway will be going on through November 12th. Each day there will be a set of books given away to one lucky winner! All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on the day's blog post. There are also extra possible entries for sharing the giveaway. Visit http://www.asthepagesturn.blogspot.com/ to enter!

Review: Lover Revealed (BDB #4)

Summary

Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward is the fourth installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This book continues the story of the unofficial brother, Butch O'Neal. Butch's character was first introduced in the first novel in this series Dark Lover. Butch is a no-nonsense kind of guy who is as tough as nails. He has to be to be able to live with the Brotherhood. It is ironic when he falls for the charming and very feminine Marissa. One night when Butch is out on the town, everything goes horribly wrong. Butch comes across several lessers and is kidnapped and tortured. The Omega  treats Butch to a special surprise that will change Butch forever.

Marissa was once Wrath's shellan. After renouncing Wrath of his obligation, she moved back home with her brother, Havers. However, as fate would have it, she has been disgraced by the glymera due to her now tarnished reputation. In an effort to protect her, Havers kicks her out of the house. With nowhere to go and only an hour until dawn, she is forced to rely on the kindness of the Brotherhood.

Review

I really enjoyed this book. After reading the previous three books in Ward's BDB series, I have gotten to know and like Butch. It is nice that his story is finally told. The beginning of this story is heart-wrenching and a bit traumatic. Butches kidnapping scene is just horrific, which makes for a very entertaining read. While things start off looking quite hopeless, it is nice to see how events conspire to work out for the best. What I particularly liked about this book was that while it was still a romance novel, there seemed to be a good bit of plot that drove the novel as well. Ward did not focus only on the relationship between Butch and Marissa, but also on the war between the vampires and the lessers. If you have not read this series, I definitely recommend giving it a try!

Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review: Lover Awakened (BDB #3)

Summary

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward focuses on Zsadist and his past. As the brotherhood continues to search for Bella, Zsadist's emerging feelings for Bella start to become evident. As Zsadist fights his emerging feelings for Bella, we start to see glimpses of his past. Throughout this book, Zsadist struggles to cope with his past and reconcile his personal beliefs with his unprecedented feeling of emotions.

Review

This was a beautiful book about personal change and redemption. I think that Zsadist's story is raw and emotional. Out of all the brothers, Zsadist is the most unpredictable and has the most potential for violence. It is good to finally know the details of his past and to understand what made Zsadist so numb and uncaring. At some points during Zsadist's exploration of his past, I wanted to scream at him. He lives his life stuck in the past, and it is frustrating when he refuses to accept himself. I think that is one of the reasons I like Bella so much. She knows when to push Zsadist and voice the frustration I feel, but she also knows when to stop. Ward also explores Zsadist's relationship with his twin brother, Phury. Reading the previous BDB books, I always thought that Zsadist was an enigmatic character. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering who Zsadist is and exploring the relationship he has with his brother and the one he develops with Bella.

Rating 5 out of 5

Review: Lover Eternal (BDB #2)

Summary

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward is about a woman who simply wants to lead a life free of complications. However, when her cancer returns, her life is turned upside down. The man who has been calling the hotline unwittingly entangles Mary into a life full of danger and desire. When she goes on a date with a man she doesn't remember meeting, she cannot believe that he could actually be interested in her. Despite the fact that he does like her, she has remain strong so she can deal with her illness, and that means keeping him at arms length.

When Rhage meets her for the first time, something magical happens. Her voice soothes him. In an attempt to get to get closer to her, he sets up a date. Things get complicated when they are attacked by lessers. The lessers know where she lives now, and he has to protect her. He goes against the command of his brothers when he brings her to his place. Rhage must pay a price for his disobedience. As things get steamy, they also get complicated. Rhage has a secret. He has a beast inside of him, and it wants her.

Review

Before I started reading this book, I did not know what to expect. It is the second novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward. As I started reading, I was slightly disappointed in the change in characters. After reading Dark Lover, I had really come to like Beth and Wrath. However, as the story progressed, by disappointment disappeared. While the story might focus on different characters, those character become just as enthralling as the ones in the previous novel. I especially love Rhage's acceptance of the beast inside of him and his commitment to the woman he loves, regardless of the consequences. I am anxiously waiting for the third novel to become available at the library. I heard great things about this series, and it is definitely living up to my expectations!

Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars