Review: Allegiant

Title: Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia
Details: Released October 22, 2013, 526 pages
Available Formats: Hardback, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
Source: School Library
Add to Goodreads: Allegiant



One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

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, tangled 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.

All right, so after waiting five months for this book to be published it was finally here, and on the 22nd my friends and I came to school early to get our copies of Allegiant. Needless to say I couldn't wait to open it and dive into the world of dystopian Chicago.

Tris is a fantastic character who is strong and takes challenges on for herself for the sakes of those she loves. She'll speak her mind, and she definitely isn't afraid of giving someone the cold shoulder, while Tobias is one of those male character's that everyone falls in love with. He's sweet, and tough when he needs to be. He always cares for Tris' safety.

While reading Allegiant, it took me a while to get used to the point of view switching between Tris and Tobias, but it was great being able to get inside Tobias' head and see how he dealt with situations when Tris wasn't around.

I really loved how the characters developed throughout the trilogy. There were so many happy moments, sad moments, and moments where I second-guessed how I originally felt about some characters.

The first half of Allegiant does a great job at tying up any loose ends that existed because of the cliffhanger at the end of Insurgent. I was really intrigued by what was outside the fence and how Tris, Tobias, and the others viewed it. I enjoyed how some character's completely disagreed with what was going on outside the fence while others felt that it was for the better. The conflicting feelings made everything feel more realistic.

I've noticed quite a few people talking about how they hate how Allegiant ended, but I really enjoyed it. I feel like it resolved the trilogy really well. Sure it was really sad, but that's what makes it all the better. In a way we all kind of expected the ending, but at the same time really didn't want it to happen. I mean I was crying for like the last six chapters and was wanting to yell, "What's going on?!"

What I liked even more was that the character's developed even further in the end.

Overall I give Allegiant 5/5 stars, and recommend the Divergent trilogy to everyone. And make sure you keep tissues close, because it will make you cry.

"I'll say it one last time: Be brave."

Have a great week everyone!

Review: Neverwhere

Title: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy
Details: Released September 2, 2003 (originally 1996), 370 pages
Available Formats: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
Source: Local Library
Add to Goodreads: Neverwhere



Richard Mayhew is a young man with a good heart and an ordinary life, which is changed forever when he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. His small act of kindness propels him into a world he never dreamed existed. There are people who fall through the cracks, and Richard has become one of them. And he must learn to survive in this city of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels, if he is ever to return to the London that he knew.

I'm not going to lie, the reason I picked up this book from my local library was because I had heard this clip of Benedict Cumberbatch singing. I'm really glad I did, as this book was a fantastic read.

In the beginning you follow Richard and his day at work leading up to his date with his fiancée. Everything seems normal until they come across a girl bleeding on the sidewalk. Richard wants to help the girl, while his fiancée, Jessica, insists that he leave the girl and call an ambulance, clearly more interested in getting to the restaurant to make a good impression on her boss. Richard takes the young girl back to his flat, giving her a place to stay for the night since she requested not to be taken to a hospital, fearing for her life.

"I'd watch out for doors if I were you."

 

At first I was confused by this quote, thinking to myself, 'Doors lead you places. You have to go through doors to get from Point A to Point B. Sure, doors could be like portals, but what could be so bad about something as simple as a door?' Not long after, though this quote began to make sense. Richard finds everything about his life changing. He is no longer noticed. In a way, he's not even alive. To London Above, he doesn't even exist thanks to the encounter with this girl. So he finds his way into London Below, where a majority of Neverwhere takes place.

 

In London Below, Richard is accompanied by the Marquis de Carabas, the Lady Door, and eventually Hunter. De Carabas is a very sly man; Door is what is called an 'opener' (an individual who can open doors and things that are not meant to be opened), while Hunter is a very talented woman. London Below tends to be a horrific place. Things that have fallen through the cracks over the years end up in London Below, and you do not want to linger in the darkness.

All Richard wants is to return to his London Above and the life he once held dear. But as he has been told many times, once you become one of London Below, there is no returning to London Above. You follow Richard, de Carabas, Hunter, and Door through their journey in search of the Angel Islington. Whether the journey is worth it or not, is another thing.
 

What I really like about Neverwhere is that it keeps you guessing. It makes you think one thing, and then it proves you wrong. At some points it will keep you on the edge of your seat. There were so many moments in this book that I went 'What. Is. Going. On?' because things happen that you really don't expect.

Overall, I give Neverwhere 5/5 stars and recommend it to those who like fantasies, science fiction, and stories with a sort of alternate universe. I look forward to reading more of Neil Gaiman's works and hope that if you choose to read this novel, you enjoy it as much as I did.

*After finishing this novel, I listened to the BBC radio play on YouTube, and it did an excellent job at staying true to the book. If you read Neverwhere and listen to the radio play, you will notice a few things are missing, but nothing too extraordinary.

 

Changes Coming Soon!

 

Hello everyone!

 

Sorry that we haven't updated in a long while now.

The 2012-2013 school year is drawing to a close, and we'll be getting around to review books for you! We'll also be making a few changes to the blog, such as our posting schedule. We'll have more pages so you can find what books we have reviewed, or if we have giveaways (if we get to that point with our blogging :) ).

 

We'll see you shortly!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

-Allysa

Hello and Giveaway Link

Hey everyone!

 

I know I haven't been around that much and didn't quite get a book review up when I said I would. I apologize for that. I will get one up as soon as possible though since I just got done with a couple school projects that had specific books that had to be read.

 

I also have a link to an international giveaway by Haley over at YA-aholic. You can win three of twelve of her favorite books of 2012.

You can enter that giveaway here.

 

I hope you look into this and I will get a review up for you guys soon!

Also, we will be doing a little updating to the blog in the near future.

 

-Allysa

Hello Everyone.

We apologize that we haven't posted anything in so long. Our schedules got a little out of hand and we 'bit off more than we could chew' so to speak. But we'll be changing up our schedules once this term has ended and we will hopefully have a lot more time to read on our own time and get reviews up for you! We'll probably minimize the amount of meme's we do for a little while. I'll try to get a review or two up for you guys over Thanksgiving break (Nov. 16 - Nov. 25)!

-Allysa

Allysa's Review - The Phantom Menace

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks
First in the Star Wars Series (based on movies)
324  pages - Released: April 21, 1999
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: Bought from Sam's Club
Genre: Science Fiction

Synopsis:

When casting about for an author to novelize the script for The Phantom Menace--the first in a series of three prequels to the eternally popular Star Wars saga--it's no surprise that creator George Lucas called on Terry Brooks to novelize the biggest science fiction movie of all time. After all, Brooks is a perennially bestselling epic fantasy author whose Sword of Shannara is a classic adventure story, not far removed from the swashbuckling exploits of our favorite Star Wars heroes.

Brooks handles the job of modern mythmaker well. He deftly juggles a hodgepodge of characters: a young stately queen (Amidala) and her handmaidens; a pair of Jedi knights (Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn); a bumbling amphibious sidekick (Jar Jar Binks); two Sith Lords (Darths Maul and Sidious) who add more than enough menace to the mix; a couple of familiar robots (C-3P0 and R2-D2); a teeming host of Senators, Chancellors, diplomats, warrior droids, and spies; and one young slave boy who aspires to be a Jedi knight (Anakin Skywalker). With cinematic prose, Brooks brings to life a number of epic battles, skirmishes, and dogfights in space--all the elements that we've come to expect from a rousing Star Wars installment. The Phantom Menace doesn't stray far from those expectations: there is a clear division between the good guys and the bad; good things come in small (and surprising) packages; and heroes lose battles only to emerge victorious on another day. But Phantom does illuminate in ways the other installments didn't. For the first time, we get a glimpse at the whys and wherefores behind the curtain; at times the book reads almost like a sociopolitical thriller as the emerging Federation shuffles for power with the waning democracy of the Republic. The Force is also further illuminated. Turns out it has something to do with "midi-chlorians"--microscopic life forms that live in the cells of all creatures.

The Phantom Menace is a fun read, sure to satisfy Star Wars junkies young and old. And don't forget: turn your light saber off before you enter the swamp or you'll fry your energy pack. --Tod Nelson

From Goodreads.com

Review:

I've heard many great things about novels that Terry Brooks has written and due to my obsession with the Star Wars saga, I finally got around to reading this series.

I really liked how in the beginning of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Mr. Brooks took a turn and wrote about the Podrace that happened a couple weeks before the one shown in the movie. He wrote about Sebulba's cheating methods and Anakin's ventures with his friends afterward to buy their ruby bliels (a special gooey drink) where they bump into an old "spacer." The spacer tells Anakin and his two friends the stories of his adventures and the many places he has visited.

After this, the novel reaches the points that are first seen in the movie. For those who have not seen the movie, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi go to speak with the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. I don't want to spoil too much for those who have not seen the movies, but they are there for a period of time before they wander out and come upon a swampy area, where Qui-Gon meets an amphibious creature.

Jar Jar Binks. Ah yes, if you've heard things from others, you'll find that they hated the prequels. One of many reasons people hate the prequels is this Gungan. Jar Jar. Sure the Gungan can be a rather obnoxious little guy, but he is rather helpful to the others over the course of the prequels. Maybe it's just me, but I found Jar Jar to be kind of cute and funny. I'm also one of those people who doesn't hate the prequels. I love all six movies and decided to read the books to learn the story behind scenes that weren't shown in the movies, or parts that were cut from the movies. I enjoyed reading the extra scenes and tid-bits that Terry Brooks threw in.

When Anakin Skywalker, my favorite character in the prequels (besides Obi-Wan) met with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, I was quite happy. I couldn't wait to see what things Qui-Gon would keep tellling his apprentice to get him to see that the training of young Skywalker had to happen. That this boy really was special and had to undergo the Jedi training even though he was far too old. The Council, of course, wouldn't hear of it; they didn't want Anakin to be trained, for things in his past were too strong and would interfere with his training. The Council probably knew that Qui-Gon would try with all his might to get them to allow him to train the boy. To his dying day even.

I really enjoyed this novel, but I felt that it moved a little slow. Maybe it's because I've seen the movies quite a few times (like, 5+ times). I was at the point where I could read the dialogue in the character's voice. I look forward to reading many more works of Terry Brooks and recommend this one to Star Wars fans especially. Overall I'd give this book a 8/10; this is a really great read. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, and you're a science fiction fan, or even a Terry Brooks fan, you should give this book a try. I enjoyed the detailed explanations of Podracing scenes, the fight scenes and extra scenes. I hope you do too if you choose to read it.

HEYY!

Heyy everybody,

My name is Hannah and i will be one of the bloggers on this site. I will be co-blogging with one of my besties Allysa over Young Adult books we have read. I love to read in any of the free time I have. The books i read are mostly fantasy but i also read mystery and romance at times too.

I'm a fan of Falling Skies, Twilight, Hunger Games. I enjoy entering in giveaways on Goodreads to rate their books and write reviews for them like I will here. I'm looking forward to writing reviews for Goodreads and for the books that i have read also.

Besides just reading, I like to hang out with my friends and I draw sometimes also. I play with my dog in the yard a lot and i just hang out with the family.