Article 5- Kristen Simmons

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
Published by Tor Teen
pages- 368
Release date- 1/31/12
genre- Dystipian
(amazon) (shelfari) (goodreads)
rating- 2

17-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different.

In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings… the only boy Ember has ever loved.

article 5 was weird... I thought it would be great, based on some of the praise it got and the interesting premise. I love dystopian, and this seemed really interesting. The book its self is extremely inconsistent, and the entire first half is extremely boring. I skimmed the first 150 pages thinking to myself "when will the story begin?" 

after that the book wasn't too bad but was ultimately forgettable, the government was unrealistic, and i don't understand why Embers mother didn't get arrested years before. The world in article 5 wasn't clarified, and the characters weren't completely solid. The love story was sweet, but still, it didn't save the novel.

 I don't think ill be picking up the sequel when it comes out...

dana

Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed by Ally Condie
Published by Dutton Juvinale
Pages- 367
Release date- Nov. 11 2011
Second book in the Matched  series
Genre- Dystopian
(shelfari) (goodreads) (amazon)
Rating- 2

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. 

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

 I quite liked match when I read it last year, despite the amount of dystopian overload that had been pushed my way at the time, I found that matched was creative, and although it was a familiar story, there was enough unique content to keep me wondering how events were going to fall out. The setting was interesting enough, and it reminded me a lot of The Giver. Matched was actually better then i thought it would be, the characters were independent and although they were at times needy, their intentions were usually good, and for the most part they were the ones who controlled the story. I finnished matched satisfied, and although there was no dying urge to immediatly read crossed, i kept my eye out for it.

Crossed was entirly diffrent. Its from both Cassia and Ky's povs and although all of matched was sort of setting up for crossed, the deliverince of the book was horrid. The begining was slow moving, and even after Cassia and Ky meet up, verry little happened after. I feel as if the novel is a place holder between Matched and the last one.

Of course some things happen, Three new characters are introduced, Vicks, Eli, And Indie. Vicks who has lasted as long in the work camps as Ky, and just wants to fish and return to the girl who he used to love, Eli is young and although there is really no reason to have him around other then the fact that Ky feels sorry for Eli, and takes him under his wing mainly because he looks like Cassia's brother, and Ky misses Cassia. Finally Indie, who covers for cassia and tries to help her find Ky, and wants more then anything to find and join the rebellion.

and although i liked all three and Ky certainly came out much stronger of a character in Crossed then Matched (where as Cassia turned into a vapid, ky crazed girl. or... was she always like that? ) Crossed lacked plot, and the end sort of depressed me.


although crossed just wasn't for me, ill still probably read the third book in the series... :]

Legend Marie Lu

Legend By Marie Lu

Published By G.P Putnam's Sons

301 pages

Genre- Dystopian

(Shelfari) (goodreads) (amazon)

rating- 4

June and day couldn’t be more different, or more similar. Born in completely opposite ends of the spectrum, but both the best at what they do. June is Military royalty, and at fifteen she has already graduated from college, and passed her Trials(a placement exam) with a perfect score. (something that has never been done before) Day was born in the plague ridden ghetto of the republic, and despite his good odds, scored a record low in his trials. Now at fifteen, he is the most wanted criminal in the republic, he can to things that no one else can, and he’s never been caught, or seen for that matter. Meanwhile June has secured a very coveted job in the top of the republic. Her first mission?

Tracking down Day.

Right away legend drew me in, although there was something achingly familiar about it. (that I just cant put my finger on...) It was totally fresh and new. And I loved it. June and day were amazing and I was blown away by not only their physical talents but the depth to each of their characters. From their supporters to their enemy's I don't think their was one "shell" character. Each person had complex emotions and a complex way of thinking. I could see things from every perspective.

In the plot there were tons of small things that propelled the story, so there wasn't a boring moment. and I loved all the little details. There was tons of imagery and there wasn't a single confusing moment. The story was entertaining from cover to cover. and i liked every aspect of it.

Even the cover is gorgeous with a simplistic manor that is lost in many books. I'm tired of all the covers of girls in vintage dresses standing at a lake. The legend cover totally reflects the book, in a simple intriguing way. and i don't know if its only in the ARC version, or in the printed copy too, but for me Days point of view was in gold, while Junes was in silver. and I'm just realizing now that Its the cover color scheme that is being reflected throughout the book. I could even go as far to say that June is a silver person where as Day is more golden. (If that makes any sense to you at all) ( I suppose you'll just have to read the book to see)

The ending made me cry. But it was really good. In a world like that of Legends, You take your happy endings with a side of sadness.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Merry Christmas!
Dana

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

published by Harper Teen

338 pages

Genre- dystopian, supernatural

(Amazon) (goodreads) (shelfari)

Rating- 5

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

 

Shatter me was definitely different. In a good way. although I'm not sure I would compare it to the hunger games, lol. (the dystopian-ness was more like that of The Quillian games, which I read way back when) Non the less it was very good. I was reading it in history during a free time, and my history teacher asked what it was about, after i told him he was like "LIKE ROUGE!" Then went into a xman tangent that took up 15 min of class time. needless to say my classmates were pleased.
 And so was I. The book was written with a unique perspective, almost like were reading Juliette's journal. Her inner most thoughts are displayed blatantly, and my heart went out for her. She honestly thought that she was a monster. Her emotions were a roller coaster throughout the novel. Before she got moved to the asylum her parents hated her. her classmates were hostile, although she was nothing but nice. Everyone told her she was a monster, and after the accident and the three years in the asylum with out any human contact at all, Juliette's mental stage was quite fragile. However she grew increasingly stronger as the novel progressed. The entire novel was through Juliette's perspective, and it was amazing to see her grow as a person. And Mafi did this really int resting thing where Juliette would strike through her thoughts or words and change it from what she was really thinking or wanting to say, to what she felt she was supposed to be thinking or saying. (its hard to explain unless you've read it.)

Adam the second protagonist (and love interest) was great to, although at first he was quite mysterious. He was like Juliette's rock. A tie to her old life and a promise for the future. although he seemed almost too perfect, or just maybe lovestruck.... although I still love him non the less.

Warner was my fave definitely. He reminded me much of Cain from the Gone Novels (and i very much love Cain also)  He seemed the most genuine of them all. even if he was slightly evil.

Solid plot, good ending, steady writing style, and great characterisation. It gets a 5 from me! I cant wait for the next!


Embrace the awesomeness!
Dana

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

bumped by Megan McCafferty
published by Balzer + Bray
323 pages
genre- dystopian
book one in the bumped series
(amazon) (goodreads) (shelfari)
rating-4

Its 2036, and the worlds officially over. Well not really. things are just... different. and mainly that's because no one over the age of 18 can have children. No one knows why, they just can't. and society's driven into two different directions. Some live in super religious society's, where they get married at 13 and pump out as many kids as they can before its too late. Others pay teens 6 figure amounts to have children for them, and to "bump" with a person of their choosing, based on intelligence, beauty, fitness, skill, and genetic material. Melody, and Harmony, Identical twins separated at birth, end up on opposite ends of the spectrum. Things go a bit out of hand when Harmony leaves her religious haven, Godside, to try to convince Melody to get out of her commercial bumping contract. Harmony finds out that maybe she left Godside for a completely different reason than saving Melody's soul.

Bumped was ridiculous. Halfway between the best and worst book I've ever read. It was so far fetched that it was laughable, but the cruel reality and strangeness of this new world was completely captivating. although the everything was completely different. From computers, to slang, to the whole bumping biz going on in just over 20 years is a bit far fetches, but whatever. The writing style was good, the story was just so strange. I honestly cannot decide on a rating. Ive read some other reviews, and either people love it or hate it, its strange... balancing on that middle line...

On another note I loved the characters. Harmony was so innocent, the bride to a man that can never love her, living in a world that she can never love. and Melody was almost more innocent then Harmony, I think that shes thrown into a world that she doesn't really want to be a part of. (even though shes trying really hard) Zen was awesome. There has to be a Zen in every novel, (every good one at least) and this Zen pulled off his job flawlessly. and Jondoe was probably the strangest one of all. I honestly cant figure out if hes just an amazing actor, or certifiably insane (probably both).

And the story line was good too, although it was a bit strange that Harmony could never speak up, or change things... and i really want Zen and Melody to end up together, they would be so cute!

I think bumped is something that everyone has to experience for themselves. and although I can't decide where I stand, I would still recommend it. because it really was a good read and i am very interested to see what comes next. (In Thumped, April 2012)

See yall!
Dana

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Ashes Ilsa J. Bick
Published by Egmont Usa
464 pages
Genre- Dystopian

(Goodreads) (shelfari) (amazon)

Challenge- 365+ pages
Rating- 5

Its been over three months since Alex's last Chemo session, and its her last change to make the trek up to lake superior in honor of her parents. Its something shes always wanted to do, and it seems like the last chance that she's going to be able to do it, what with a monstrous tumor chewing up her brain and all. About 6 days into the hike she meets a man Jack and his grand daughter Ellie, who are hiking also along with their dog Mina. (Ellie's about eight and lives with her grandfather ever since her father was KIA in Iraq, and her mother left when she was a child) While their talking something happens that changes practically the whole world as they know it. An Electromagnetic Pulse sweeps over all of America. whipping out all of the electricity and knocking everyone out, killing most people, including Jack, on impact. sparing only a few, driving animals insane, and changing all the teenagers, into.... well not teenagers. It becomes a fight for survival greatly aided by Tom, a soldier on leave from Afghanistan. with no electricity and no communication the trio doesn't know much about the world outside their campsite. But they know its going to be bad. Not only that but Alex can feel a change inside her. After the pulse her hands stoped shaking, and for the first time since the chemo killed her sense of smell she was able to smell the forest, taste food. Not only that but her sense of smell seems... Heightened. almost like she can smell what people are feeling, Fear, anger, love.





I wasn't sure what to expect when I started. It had gotten a raving review from a girl in my book club, and I snagged a Yalsa copy from my school library. But still, Its a zombie book, and I was like ehh? but it was an optimistic ehh, don't get me wrong. I think it helps that my ARC had an awesome cover helped a lot. I'm an admitted cover judge and the black/white one just doesn't cut it for me. BUT OH MY GOD! I was sucked in from practically the first page. Everything about Alex drew me in. How strong she was in a body dying on her. It was tragic and unbelievable. and not what the stories about. Elie was great, and like stable, not bipolar changing emotions half way throughout the book. Ellie's scared kid nature was completely realistic. (at least as realistic as you can be when the girl lives in a zombie Apocalypse) and Tom was cute. I am a complete Tom fan. He has the whole strong army man image, but the innocence of someone who went to war and saw things he wishes he would forget. The makeshift family of him, Alex and Ellie was adorable, but that was soon to end as all good things must. Once they started learning about what happened in the pulse was when Bick got really creative. And I don't want to go to spoilerly, but i really really want to talk about rule....(a kind of like safe town that their heading to) But arg I cant think of a way of doing it without ruining the whole Ashes experience for you. Just know that some crazy stuff happens there. and the plot that Bick created was so tightly knit and, well crazy. I loved rule though, although it was quite different from living on the road.

in a movie prospects, its like going from say,Zombieland, to The Village. (But like also compleatly diffrent lol :D)
Alex's super smelling senses were really cool, adding a touch of paranormal with the thriller/adventure/mystery of the whole book. quite amazing really. Oh another thing. The romance was really good. Not a lot (practically none at all) but it was good cause it didn't draw away from the story. but there was enough to keep you going.The only thing I didn't like was the extreme difference from the wilderness to Rule. I guess it was supposed to be like that but still, very different.

AND THE CLIFF HANGER ENDING! I want to turn Bick into a zombie for doing that to me. I want to know what happens next. RIGHT NOW! arg. Its like the type of book i want to read again and again and again and again, and then give it to someone else so they can do the same thing. Its just that kind of book.

So go see for your self! till then, Happy reading!
Dana

Divergent By Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Published byKatherine Tegen Books
496 pages
genre- dystopian
1st in the Divergent series
(Shelfari) (goodreads) (Amazon) 
(blog) (Fansite)
Debut author challenge
Rating- 5!!


Beatrice Prior is selfless. Or at least thats how she is supposed to be, she's part of a faction called Abnegation, one of five factions in the futuristic dystopian city of Chicago. Each faction prides themselves on having only one virtue: Abnegation (selflessness), Candor (Honesty), Erudite (Intelligence), Dauntless (Bravery), and Amity (Peace and love). Every year the 16 year olds from each faction gets to pick a new one, only once you change factions (if you do) there is no going back. If you're going to be selfless you have to be 100% selfless, and Beatrice just doesn't feel all that selfless.


So she makes a choice. One that changes the rest of her life, hopefully for the better. 


As she tries to adapt to her new lifestyle, and undergoes the most rigorous training of her entire life, and with 18 initiates compete for 8 spots (the remaining ten end up homeless and factionless) no one is on anyones side. Tris is determined to end up on top and she has an edge, a secret, that can both save her life and destroy it, she is divergent. As the tension between Abnegation and Erudite gets stronger, it's the only thing separating her from sudden death, and saving those that she loves.

Divergent was Fresh. Even though Dystopian novels are all the rage at the moment I get why this one is so different, and good. It definitely brings something new to the table. Lots of people have compared it to the hunger games, and I get that , But Divergent was definitely different too. Much more friendly and reasonably  less bloody. Hooking me from the first sentence, and following through the entire novel. Its funny i was reading the reviews off goodreads, and its about half rave, half hate. The things that the haters well um... hate, I love. The detail Roth goes into with the society, the in depth  initiation the (cheesy?) love between Four and Tris. It was fast passed at times and slower at others, but I was never bored. I read the entire 500 pages in a day and a half and am endlessly curious as to what happens in the next two books. 

Laughing and crying and staring so intently at the book i didn't know my sister was sitting in front of me staring for over 2 minuets until she burst out laughing. It was refreshingly good for the string of crappyish books I read directly before and after.

The only thing i wish was different is that you don't really get to know Tris's brother all that much, I'd say he's pretty important to the story, but he's only in like 5 scenes. Hopefully in the next 2 books well see more of him...

But till then Great Job and thanks much Veronica Roth!

Night,

Dana