Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Collins (2011), 489 pages

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

I am awfully glad I picked this book up! I really hadn't heard anything about this book but I was in my school's library and saw that this was one of the new books we had got in and picked it up on whim. I didn't really have any expectations but if I had, DIVERGENT blew all of my expectations out of the water.

Fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DELIRIUM will LOVE this book. Oh my God. This book is so good that I just completely went through it in a day. The wonderful thing about dystopian novels is the fact that there are so many new and unique plots in them and in Divergent there were several of them to love.

Veronica Roth characterization of Beatrice "Tris" Prior is simply wonderful. In the dystopian Chicago, Roth writes about, there are five different factions the people live in. Abnegation (The Selfless) where Tris is born into, Candor (The Brutally Honest), Amity (The Friendly), Erudite (The Intelligent), and Dauntless (The Brave). When a person reaches age of sixteen, they must choose the faction where they will spend the rest of their life. For the most part, no one dares to leave the faction they were born into but Tris does; she leaves Abnegation for the Dauntless.

Okay, so when I was reading this, I immediately imagined a person who was born into a New York Yankee family switching allegiances and becoming a Boston Red Sox fan. Now, everyone knows that the Sox are obviously the better team to root for and you just can not help but feel sympathy for that person who had to endure those year under the wing of Yankee fans.* And so, as I was reading about Tris' life in Abnegation, I couldn't help but think how much I would hate it. I mean, in theory, that faction sounds wonderful but c'mon! You got to have a little time for yourself, every now and then. I, too, would've changed factions the moment I could.

That's not too say that Dauntless was perfect. But it did have Four! Wow, the parts with Four and Tris were my favorite. And that ending! Jeez. Talk about cliffhanger!!!! I need to get my own copy of this book so I can read it again and so I can see the wonderful cover on my bookshelf everyday. I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I MUST GET MY HANDS ON INSURGENT NOW!!!!!!! MAY 28th IS TOO FAR AWAY!! 

Yes that was necessary.

* Hey, as a diehard Red Sox fan, I just can't help but bring them up every chance I get. Especially if the chance allows for me to call the Yankees out…

Wicked Quote:

Peace is restrained: this is free. 

5 stars out of 5

Cover: B+ I love that most dystopian books tend to be gender neutral and look really cool. 
Favorite Character: Love Tris! Wonderful character, can't wait to find out more about her in the next book. 
Put-Down-Ability: 1 I didn't put it down! 

*Source: school library 

Review: Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
Push/2010/Young Adult/322 pages

Natalie Sterling wants to be in control. She wants her friends to be loyal. She wants her classmates to elect her student council president. She wants to find the right guy, not the usual jerk her school has to offer. She wants a good reputation, because she believes that will lead to good things.

But life is messy, and it's very hard to be in control of it. Not when there are freshman girls running around in a pack, trying to get senior guys to sleep with them. Not when your friends have secrets they're no longer comfortable sharing. Not when the boy you once dismissed ends up being the boy you wants to sleep with yourself - but only in secret, with nobody ever finding out.

Slut or saint? Winner or loser? Natalie is getting tired of these forced choices - and is now going to find a way to live life in the sometimes messy, sometimes wonderful in-between.

NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL was amazing. This was my first time reading one of Siobhan Vivian's book and oh my gosh, I could not put this book down. This year has been the most stressful year and when I have the rare few hours that I can spending reading a book, the book had better be a good one for me to get through it.

First things first. I love anything feminism, it's just who I am. Natalie Sterling reminds me of myself.. I mean, both her and I have that feminist thing going on but wow I loved her even though I know for some people she might come off as whiny or too much of an overachiever. Vivian created a very realistic female character, and I'll even say that she is one of the most realistic characters I've seen in a long time.  From the very first chapter, I was hooked. In the first chapter or two, I wasn't sure where it was going. A lot of times when I read–especially when reading young adult–my mind starts guessing on what's going to happen (probably because I've read so many clichés and all). When the first significant guy was introduced, I was worried that he was going to be the love interest and I just thought there was no possible way for me to enjoy that relationship. Luckily, when I found out who the love interest was, I was happy.

I loved Connor. He's on the football team, his family has a local business selling Christmas tress, and Natalie thinks of him as somewhat of a manwhore or at least, a promiscuous guy. Now, I'm wary of most high school football players, but Connor surprised me. I loved how the relationship played out. NOT THAT KIND OF GIRL is wonderful. Can't wait to get my hands on more of Siobhan Viavian's books.

5 stars out of 5


Cover: C+/B- Definitely the type of cover that I'm embarrassed to be seen reading with and definitely the type of cover that I usually hate (guy/girl face to face or kissing) but that is close to what I imagined the characters to look like and yea.
Favorite Character: Natalie. As I'm sure you got from my review.
Put-Down-Ability: 1. The only time I put it down was during swim practice. In fact, I almost didn't go to practice because I stayed up until 2 in the morning reading this book (and that's how good this book is because my practice is at 7am. I had to wake up at 6:30 guys!). :D

*Source: public library

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Hyperion/March 25, 2008/Young Adult/342 pages

Summary

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 14:

Debate Club.Her father’s “bunny rabbit.”

A mildly geeky girl attending a highly competitive boarding school. 

Frankie Landau-Banks at age 15:
A knockout figure.
A sharp tongue.
A chip on her shoulder.
And a gorgeous new senior boyfriend: the supremely goofy, word-obsessed Matthew Livingston.

Frankie Laundau-Banks.
No longer the kind of girl to take “no” for an answer.
Especially when “no” means she’s excluded from her boyfriend’s all-male secret society.
Not when her ex boyfriend shows up in the strangest of places.
Smarter than any of them.
When she knows Matthew’s lying to her.
And when there are so many, many pranks to be done.

Frankie Landau-Banks, at age 16:
Possibly a criminal mastermind. 

This is the story of how she got that way.

Review

Feminism, secret societies, and boarding schools are all things that I truly love and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau - Banks delivers all of this and so much more. I ADORED this book. It is going on my all time favorites list!

Frances "Frankie" Landau-Banks is a wicked good character. Often times, unfortunately, I find myself reading books where the main character (who's a girl) is dependent upon a guy, stays with some douche bag of a guy, and/or who is obsessed with looking the best, etc. Well, I don't know about you but I am damn tired of it. Imagine my surprised when Frankie turns out to be a girl that I would love to be friends with. She definitely reminded me of myself somewhat or at least someone who I would love to be like. There were times when I thought, 'whoa! that's what I would say!' and I've read some reviews of this book where some people hated it because it had a feminist mindset and well, maybe it's because I'm a feminist myself, but I loved that Frankie is this kind of person! 

The characters! Oh goodness. I really enjoyed them. *

• Zada - Frankie's older sister who graduated from HS the previous year and although she is only appears a few times in the book, I definitely enjoyed reading about her. 

• Matthew - His inner copy editor self is just awesome. 

• Alessandro "Alpha" Tessorieri - I don't know what to say about this Alpha. I really enjoyed this character. I like how we first meet him and yeah..

• Porter - Jeez. I really can't figure out who this character reminds me of and it's driving me insane! 

* I realize those was horrible descriptions. 

I really liked the guys in this book. Their loyalty and personalities impressed me and yet they....I don't even know how to explain it. Just read the book. 

Other little things I liked about TDHOFLB: The chapters were short. The way Frankie would make up words, kind of. 

On to the secret society part. In order to not give anything away, I will do my best to keep this vague... Oh, how I love secrets and societies. Secret societies are awesome. I really enjoyed reading about all the secret meetings and everything and what Frankie does. 

Had it not been 5 AM and had I not been so sleep deprived, I think I might've reread it. Something that I don't think I EVER done. In fact it's been a couple of weeks since I read it and I still keep looking at it and picking it up and rereading parts over because I loved it so much!

I'll admit there were one or two things that I didn't like about it.  The ending was okay–good. I guess it's more of a personal thing for me.. 

 /SPOILER/*****My heart ached for the guys after Frankie tells what she did and the book and all the society's history and pranks is discovered by the headmaster.  Because I am in somewhat of a secret group thing (I'm not going to say society but it has been around since the 1960s) with my school's theatre club and if our secret or whatever it is that we do got out or something I would seriously cry. And yeah, I know a lot of people who think its stupid but to me it's has been one of the best experiences with high school. But yeah, that's pretty much that only thing that I didn't like. The book being exposed like that.******/END/  

Also, the book is in 3rd person omniscient which, I have not read in an extremely long time and I definitely need to start reading more of. 

Overall: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is an enthralling and addictive  read that is so hard to put down. Everyone needs to read this book at least twice! 


(This long space is annoying the hell out of me. I can't fix it. UGH!)

RATING

Writing: 5/5

Originality: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Ending: 3.5/5

Overall: 5 stars!! 

Favorite character(s): Frankie, naturally. And you know, I'll have to say Alpha, too. 

Cover: A! Love the colors, the fonts, and I love the fact that it goes with the story. The dog is awesome. I hate the paperback version!!

Put-down-ability: 1 - Very hard to put down! I read the first 30 pages in the car or somewhere but when I finally sat down and read it, I could not put it down at all! I was up until nearly 5 AM finishing this book! 

*Source:  public library. Must buy my own copy ASAP! And even though, I prefer paperback over hardcover, I need the cover on the HC! 

Rules of Attractions by Simone Elkeles

Rules of Attractions by Simone Elkeles

Walker & Company/April 27, 2010/Young Adult/304 pages

Summary: When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

Review: After reading PERFECT CHEMISTRY and absolutely loving it, I had to get a copy of the sequel! I expected it to be good but I definitely didn't expect to like it more than the first book, as I almost never like sequels better than the first.

RULES OF ATTRACTION is just fantastic. I don't even know how to explain it. There were many similarities to PERFECT CHEMISTRY, so the originality was lacking a bit, but at the same time, there were different, unique things about it – which were the things that ultimately made me like it more than the first book; and believe me, I adored it.

Carlos Fuentes is sent from Mexico to live with his brother, Alex, in Boulder, Colorado. After getting into some trouble he finds himself living at living at the Westford's house. Kiara, their daughter, and Carlos don't exactly connect right away; There's the bantering, the pranks and so many other things. The romance is pretty amazing once they do. I loved this couple. (Warning: there are almost sex scenes)

I am always on the lookout for books that feature strong, independent girls and Kiara Westford is one of them. I wasn't sure what this character would be like but after reading just one chapter from her POV, she instantly became a favorite. I loved that she was sportive, knew how to fix cars, and had flaws such as stuttering. Elkeles writes characters with real qualities.

With characters like the two main characters and Tuck, Kiara's gay best friend, it was hard not to laugh. I enjoyed Tuck's personality -so funny and charming! If you are looking for an amazing, romantic and humorous book you should check this out! I can not wait until the 3rd book comes out. In the meantime, I'll have to get Simone's other books.

RATING

Writing: 5/5

Originality: 3/5

Characters: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Ending: 4.5/5

Overall: 5 stars

Favorite character(s): Kiara & Tuck. I really enjoyed their friendship and for reasons listed above. Cover: C+ I found myself absolutely loving the cover for PERFECT CHEMISTRY but this cover is only okay. I like the cars but other than that, I really don't care for it.

Put-down-ability: Very low! Probably a 2/10. The only time I really put it down was when I went to eat some pancakes at IHOP. Even then, I brought it in with me to read while I waited for my food! Haha

*Source: bought from B&N

As you can see, I kind of changed how I do my reviews around a little. If you would take just a few minutes, I would love your input on my reviews!

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

Publisher: Dial

Release Date: March 13, 2008

Age Group: Young Adult

Hardcover: 403 pages 

 Best friends and unofficial brothers since they were six, ninth-graders T.C. and Augie have got the world figured out. But that all changes when both friends fall in love for the first time. Enter Alé. She's pretty, sassy, and on her way to Harvard. T.C. falls hard, but Alé is playing hard to get. Meanwhile, Augie realizes that he's got a crush on a boy. It's not so clear to him, but to his family and friends, it's totally obvious! Told in alternating perspectives, this is the hilarious and touching story of their most excellent year, where these three friends discover love, themselves, and how a little magic and Mary Poppins can go a long way.

Review: UM. I believe this book is now going on my 'favorite books of all time list!' It was just that wicked good. I feel as if this book could've have been written for me. I swear. There is not a thing that I didn't like about this book, except, of course, I wished it could have been longer. 


In a school english project, the three main characters tell their stories through letters, emails, instant messaging, and regular format. I loved the three POVs! T.C. Keller, born Anthony Conigliaro Keller and Augie Hwong are not blood related but might as well be. When TC's mom died when he was 6 years old and Augie was there for him and ever since they have been brothers. I LOVE, LOVED reading about the relationship between the two. They called TC father, Pop and Augies parents Mom and Dad. It was really cute. Even, TC's aunts became surrogate aunts for Augie; they were that close.

There is a way to my heart and is easy to accomplish; talk about the Red Sox with me and you're in. In a matter of seconds, T.C. introduces the us to the wonderful world of Boston and The Red Sox. (Yes, I am obsessed.) I say that this book could've been written for me because not only do they live in Boston, there is the Broadway musicals and theatre elements.

Augie was SO fun to read about! From the start of the book, TC and their parents know that he is gay but . I'm so glad to read a LGBT book! Definitely a great addition. Augie was a Broadway junkie! And I absolutely loved it (sorry, that I'm being repetitive with the 'love it's'!) He would write letters to people like Liza Minnelli. He was also did many sports, which I found awesome. 2 more of my favorite things! Alejandra is the other main character. Her father is an Ambassador and so she knows many people with power. When she gets to the high school, TC knows he wants her. I thought all of the romance was really cute!

If you are looking for a humorous, diverse (of the 3 POV, one of them is Asian and one is Hispanic,) romantic, or if you like any of the different things I talked about, you will LOVE this book! I am now in love with Steve Kluger's writing and I love that he is a Boston fan. I am sad that he doesn't have a lot of YA books but I'll be checking out Almost Like Being In Love!

Rating:

Characters: 5/5

Originality: 5/5

Ending: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Favorite character(s): As I said, I enjoyed all the characters in this book. Which is very rare. But I LOVED the voices of each of the 3 main characters! And Pop & Dad.

Cover: B+ Loved the baseball bat and umbrella, which I'm assuming represents Mary Poppins.

Thoughts: A great, fun read! Not angsty at all, but may make you tear up. I need to buy my own copy of this very soon! AMAZING! 5 Stars

I also read this book for the GLBT April Mini Challenge! & because 2 of the main characters where POC, it will be going under that challenge, too!

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: December 23, 2008

Age Group: Young Adult

Paperback: 368 pages

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

Review: Everyone's heard of of the forbidden love between Romeo & Juliet and in the modern and urban twist, the two main characters are paired up in chemistry class.

First off, I absolutely loved how Simone Elkeles alternates between Alex's POV and Brittany's POV. Sometimes I might get annoyed at alternating chapters (I used to dislike books like that!) but I think it makes this book even better. Brittany is captain of cheerleading and to everyone, she is viewed as perfect, however that is not the case. Alex is in a gang but there is more to him than meets the eye, whose POV I especially liked reading.

I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did but luckily I was wrong! This has been one of my favorites books I've read this year (not that I've read a lot..will get on that!) because there were just so many things I loved about it! The writing, the romance, the forced partnership (LOVE THAT IN BOOKS!) and I haven't read a lot of books that deal with gangs and I thought it was a interesting change from the other books I read.

Epilogue = Win!

Rating:

Characters: 5/5

Originality: 4/5

Ending: 5/5

Writing: 5/5

Voice: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Favorite character(s): Isabel, Paque, Mrs. Peterson were all great characters!

Cover: A- I found myself looking at the cover numerous times while reading the book. Typically, I don't care for covers with people on them but jeez the cover is HOT! I can't even describe how much I love the people and their pose! The only thing I didn't like was the pink text for the authors name and how the back is a pink background.

Thoughts: FANTASTIC book! I want need to read Rules of Attractions ASAP! 5 Stars

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Release date: January 1, 2000

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Reading Level: Young Adult (but makes a fantastic MG novel, too!)

Paperback: 208 pages

Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Review: After reading this book, my only question is: WHY HAVEN'T I READ THIS ALREADY?! Stargirl is a book about individuality and NOT being like all the others.

The titled character, Stargirl, is unlike any other character I've read about. To say that she is unique would be an understatement. She wore clothes that most people considered outdated and way out there, she sung happy birthday while playing her ukulele to other students, she cheered for the other team at basketball games, etc. Stargirl wasn't afraid to be herself, she didn't care what others thought of her. While reading the book I wished I had half the courage she did.

The book is told in Leo Borlock's POV. I loved reading about his relationship with Stargirl. Although they do date in the book, the romance isn't over the top. It's just very cute and innocent. I hated how Leo cared what people thought of him when he was with Stargirl. But I can definitely understand where he was coming from.

Jerry Spinelli is a fantastic writer. I haven't read a book of his in years but I will be reading his others as soon as I can. After reading this book, it has inspired me to go to school and just be me. Well, for the most part, I am my true self at school (which has led a lot of others to call me crazy..no joke) but I want to not give a care in the world what others think.

Rating:

Characters: 6/6

Originality: 6/6

Ending: 4/6

Writing: 6/6

Voice: 6/6

Plot: 6/6

Favorite character(s): Stargirl, of course, for reasons stated above. I thought Archie a man who the kids in town went to for this club of some sort. I liked his wise persona, if that makes any sense...

Cover: B. It's pretty simple but I love how there is a picture of a star and a girl...Stargirl. It's cute.

Thoughts: I must get Love, Stargirl ASAP! 5 stars

Identical

Identical by Ellen Hopkins (August 26, 2008)

576 pages

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Summary: "Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical down to the dimple. As daughters of a district-court judge father and a politician mother, they are an all-American family -- on the surface. Behind the facade each sister has her own dark secret, and that's where their differences begin. For Kaeleigh, she's the misplaced focus of Daddy's love, intended for a mother whose presence on the campaign trail means absence at home. All that Raeanne sees is Daddy playing a game of favorites -- and she is losing. If she has to lose, she will do it on her own terms, so she choose drugs, alcohol, and sex. Secrets like the ones the twins are harboring are not meant to be kept -- from each other or anyone else. Pretty soon it's obvious that neither sister can handle it alone, and one sister must step up to save the other, but the question is -- who?" (from inside cover)

Review: I was so excited to finally get my hands on Identical. Having read Ellen Hopkins previous books, I expected nothing but a phenomenal story, and it did not disappoint. The two main characters, Raeanne and Kaeleigh are identical twins, they look exactly alike, but their is no similarity in their personalities. With their mom gone due to the election process and herself as a candidate, they only have their dad. Kaleigh is favored by their father and begins to experience things no one should have to go through; sexual abuse. She works at a retirement home and meets an elderly lady, Greta, who shares her secrets and tries to get her to open up about her dark demon. Ian, her faithful boyfriend also tries to help her. Raeanne is all about sex, alcohol and drugs. Although she knows Kaeleigh secret, she still wants to be love by their father. Throughout the book, we learn of family issues like what happened to their father to make him the man he is. Why they've never met their grandmother, and what happened the day of the car crash, years ago. Towards the end of the book, there is a major twist. I had to reread it a couple times, just to make sure I was comprehending it right! I don't won't to give it away, but I will say this: people are not always who they seem to be.

Favorite character: Ian. That guy remained faithful and stood by Kaeleigh's side through thick and thin. Such a sweet character!

Overall: I think this book deserves 5 stars. For the plot, characters and originality! Ellen Hopkins is a fantastic writer! I can't wait until her next book!