I wanted to like this more than I did. I just felt like in our current social culture, it was another you-don't-know-who-to-trust and everyone-who's-not-like-you-is-to-be-approached-with-caution and look-what-we've-done-to-our-world... I know that's what dystopian fiction is, but this wasn't unique enough to wow me. Noni did her best to make the reader flip flop as to 'who's to blame,' but it was too easy to figure out, which made me lose a little sympathy for our hero (victim?). I'm no longer a YA, so perhaps YA readers will enjoy the challenge more of deciding which side deserves their loyalty. Characterizations are diverse enough to get to know them as individuals - this is a plus. In spite of my critique of the thematic premise, the plot was interesting enough that I do plan on reading the next book in the series. My curiosity is piqued.
Dystopian (8)
Undivided by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, what a great ending to the Unwind Dystology! Each chapter in Undivided was narrated by a character or broadcast. This final book was suspenseful, horror filled, and sad as Nelson captures Connor and Risa, Lev becomes a member of the Arapache tribe and Grace continues to surprise and amaze me. Despite Roberta using nanotechnology to wipe Risa from Cam's memory--he still remembers he loved someone and must help the cause of the unwinds. But the book ends on a positive note with many surprises! Highly recommended--and if you haven't read the other three books---Run to your local library or bookstore and grab them, Shusterman is a master!
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Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read this Prince Honor book as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and oh did I like it! The world that Miles Standish lives in is scary, bleak, and brutal. Miles is different and for that reason he has no friends and is bullied constantly by students AND teachers. Miles has one blue eye and one brown eye and "can't read, can't write, Miles Standish isn't bright." One day a family moves into Zone 7, the burned out, bombed block aptly named Zone 7 where only the ostracized live- and this family, Hector and his mom and dad, The Lushes, have a secret. The Lushes become like family to Miles and his grandfather. Hector stops the bullies in school from their constant assaults and provides the only light, true friendship, in Miles life. It is Hector who helps Miles stand up to the Motherland. The chapters are short, I couldn't stop turning the pages, and even more disturbing are the illustrations of maggots, flies and rats appearing on the pages with their own story.
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Champion by Marie Lu
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, I loved the ending to this series! Marie Lu has written a moving novel where there is heartbreak, pain, suffering, plague(s)in a dystopian world where the Republic (once mighty) fights against time with the Colonies exhorting Day to come to their side or else everyone he loves (Eden, June, etc.) will be executed. If Day will tell the people of the Republic to surrender, there is hope, but Day and June and others concoct a FAKE surrender, fighting against time for a cure, and seeking military aid from Antarctica. What I liked about this final book was the way characters like Anden, June, and Day worked together (throw in Eden, Pascao and Tess) against evildoers like Thomas and Commander Jameson who escape right before they are due to be executed--thriller!!!June and Day's relationship is still strained but they are deeply committed to each other; it was gripping when Day begs June to either tell him she loves him or just release him of all his heartache and nightmares by revealing she doesn't love him. But we all know they love each other and once June finally speaks from her heart, what follows is awesome. This book is a wild ride that will not disappoint and the ending is hopeful, redemptive, and all those positive things we sappy readers want to see between June an Day.
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Insurgent by Veronica Roth
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
Well I think I enjoyed this just as much as Divergent! I was hanging on to every word, I wanted to just grab any free moment to read what was going to happen next, each chapter a thrilling adventure in Tris' divergent world. There were so many surprises (Caleb and Peter)and I really loved the Four/Tobias and Beatrice/Tris relationship as it continued and Tris' awareness of her surroundings was very visual and she seemed to like the smell of "wet pavement". I have some favorite quotes- this one sums up Tris "Sometimes I feel like I am collecting the lessons each faction has to give me, and storing them in my mind like a guidebook for moving through the world. There is always something to learn, always something that is important to understand." And the definition of Insurgent; "A person who acts in opposition to the established authority, who is not necessarily regarded as belligerent." Finally, this book was all about choices and how those choices could define you, destroy you and free you. I found Tris and Tobias to be so brave in the face of such an uncertain world; but they were forging ahead for a good world. Soooo good, I highly recommend this book!
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Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This follow-up to Delirium has Lena struggling in the Wilds with little food, stamina, and the only way she survived is by keeping her memories of Alex alive. In The Now chapters, Lena is a resistance fighter spying on Julian and later imprisoned with him. Lena survives the lies, the torture, and falls into forbidden love with Julian (who has not received the cure). Oliver’s writing was lush, fast paced, and totally suspenseful; I already have the third book, Reqiuem, on order!
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The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This companion novel to
is totally gripping and as much as I totally loved it, the torture many of the characters went through was beyond what any child or adult during a time of war should have to endure!!! I disliked thoroughly what Mahlia, Mouse and any of the child soldiers were put through minute by minute, never knowing if they could be killed even by their own friends, war maggots and/or leaders. Seeing Tool back in this book was awesome, he is so unbelievable and there were many times you just were not sure he would survive this time. The characters of the doctor, Mahlia, Mouse, Tool and Ocho were very well drawn and author Bacigalupi did a terrifyingly good job with the evil characters and there was never a short supply of them. I lost hope alot, can you imagine what it was like for the characters in the Drowned Cities. Mahlia's hope was always being buoyed by recalling her Chinese mother and her teachings about survival because if she didn't constantly think about a better way; she could just abandon hope with all the violence she sees surrounding her. Mahlia is now one of my favorite heroes and so is Tool (I loved him in Ship Breaker too!) with his augment status and his allegiance to no one but himself. Two of my favorite quotes, Dr mahfouz is explaining why the troops keep fighting, "Whe people fight for ideals, no price is too high, and no fight can be surrendered. They aren't fighting for money, or power, or control. Not really. They fight to destroy their enemies. Soeven if they destroy everyhting around them, it is worth it, because they know that they'll have destroyed the traitors."
The boat man they took captive on being forced to take Mahlia, Mouse and Tool down river. "Children with guns, We aren't even people to you."
Highly recommended, just know it is very difficult to read...you will keep thinking about this book again and again and cringing again and again. Unfortunately the author did his research on the child soldiers and what they are forced to endure...
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Divergent by Veronica RothMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Roth's first dystopian novel is thrilling, packed with suspense as it tells the story of Beatrice (Tris) whose society is comprised of five factions and with arrival of her 16th birthday, she will need to choose where she wants to spend the rest of her life. The five factions are Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless, this is the faction Beatrice has been in), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent. Beatrice has two loving parents and a brother and she has never quite felt right in the selfless way of life. She angers quickly, questions where she belongs, and is curious, none of the Abnegation attributes. It is at the choosing ceremony that she makes the decision to leave her family and join in the initiation to become Dauntless. the process is grueling and now Tris (she renames herself) questions if she made the right decision, who her friends are and who can she trust. I really liked the Beatrice/Tris character; she was vulnerable yet prickly. She underestimates herself, thinking she is selfish and weak, when she has proved to others that she is selfless and brave. When Tris meets Four, one of the instructors of the Dauntless initiates, she waffles between anger at him (he has shifting moods)and interest in him. What will happen to them evolves with purpose and their romance is unexpected but key to what Divergent really means and what kind of threat being divergent holds. The dystopian world that Roth crafts is so interesting with the Abnegation, self denial, controlling the government, food and luxuries. But there is an undercurrent of evil that manifests itself and Tris and Four will have to choose how to stop the forces that want to betray their faction. A must read!
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