Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent

Series: Divergent Series #1

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Date Published: February 11, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, romance, action, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy

Pages: 496 (hardback)

Age Range: 13+ (violence, mentions of sex, 1 suicide, death)



Summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

 Review

This book will keep you interested between the moments with Tris and Tobias, secrets, training, and fighting. It's the perfect combination of action and romance.

The characters are strong, tough, and brave, but some are cowardly. Christina is strong and sassy. Tobias (also known as Four) is strong, tough, and courageous, but also kind, though he still claims to be working on his kindness. Tris (Beatrice Prior) is hesitant, but confident and strong. I like how Tris evolves throughout the book, becoming stronger and more confident with herself. All the characters are easily lovable.

The writing is good, kind of bland in the beginning, but I think it matches the bland faction of Abnegation. The writing evolves as Tris gets used to her new faction, Dauntless. Her personality evolves to; she can let her personality flourish in Dauntless, though she must keep her Divergence a secret.

The ending was good; I liked the uncertainty in Tobia's words. I liked how unsure everything was actually--they don't know what is going to happen with the factions now, or what will happen to them, if any of the other factions will take them in, and who is dead and who is alive.
It's all uncertain.

I'm actually kinda stuck on how to rate this book, but I'd probably say it's a 3 1/2.

The Fault In Our Stars Soundtrack

The Fault In Our Stars soundtrack is out!

“All Of The Stars” - Ed Sheeran

“Simple As This” - Jake Bugg

“Let Me In” – Grouplove

“Best Shot” - Birdy & Jaymes Young

“All I Want” - Kodaline

“Long Way Down” - Tom Odell

“Boom Clap” - Charli XCX

“While I’m Alive” - STRFKR

“Oblivion” - Indians

“Strange Things Will Happen” - The Radio Dept.

“Bomfallarella” - Afasi & Filthy

“Without Words” - Ray LaMontagne

“Not About Angels” – Birdy

“No One Ever Loved” - Lykke Li

“Wait” - M83

“Tee Shirt” - Birdy


I'm very excited about Ed Sheeran being on the soundtrack!

The Fault In Our Stars Extended Trailer (trailer 2)

New trailer for The Fault In Our Stars!

It looks fantastic! Let's hope it stays true to the book!

To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before

Series: To All The Boys I've Loved Before #1

Author: Jenny Han

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Date Published: April 15, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, contemporary, romance, family

Pages: 368 (hardback)

Age Range: 13+ (Mentions of sex, drinking, and there is a bit of cussing, but only a few words).


Summary

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Review

First off, I love the cover! It's unique and pretty, and it stands out well on a bookshelf. I like the font for the title; it looks like someone wrote out the title with a Sharpie. (Though, I do question the disco ball that sits in the corner on top of the plant...).

The bond between the Song girls is strong, uplifting, and sweet. The family has a strong connection; they are all very close and loving.

Since their mother has died they all have leaned on Margot for support and guidance, but when she goes to Scotland, Lara Jean becomes the care-taker for her father and younger sister, Katherine (Kitty for short). Lara Jean expected things to be a little crazy once her older sister left, but she did not expect so many twists and turns.

The writing is good; it's a quick, easy read (another perfect book for summer reading again Jenny!). The storyline is fun and interesting. The characters are great; Margot the seemingly confident Song girl, Kitty is the bouncy, cute younger Song girl, and Lara Jean is the not-so confident, not-so realistic and easy going sister. And, of course, what's a teen girl book without a few hot guys? Peter seems like your classic, hot athlete, but there is more to him than just that. And then there's Josh, the cute boy next door with the fun, easy-going personality.

This book really brings to life the love between sisters, and a bond between a family. I was satisfied with the ending--I thought it was sweet--but some of you might not be. Hopefully there will be a sequel.

One of my favorites by Jenny Han is, The Summer I Turned Pretty.

if i stay and The Fault In Our Stars (Movies)

Two of my favorite books are being released as movies this year!!

 if i stay by Gayle Forman is one of my absolute favorite books, and it's been made into a movie! The story is moving, grounded and tragic, and soooo good! A book based on family, love, and a horrible tragedy that will change Mia's life forever...if she chooses to let her life continue.

I can't wait until it's released August 22nd.

 The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is another one of my favorites, and is also a movie that is to be released this year. This story is also moving and tragic. A love story that lasts a lifetime in only a short time.

I will be watching these two fall in love on the big screen June 6th.







The trailers for these wonderful movies:

 if i stay

The Fault In Our Stars

See you at the movies! ♥

Collide by Forever

Title: Collide (Special Edition)

Author: Forever

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Date Published: November 29, 2013

Genre: YA fiction, romance, fantasy, action

Pages: 430 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+ (abuse, language, suicide, and graphic violence)





Summary 


Fated to love. Fated to break. Fated to die.

As a loner his entire life, Shay Pearce feels abandoned and left for dead. Being stabbed in the back more times than he could possibly count has left his trust broken beyond repair. However, all of that threatens to change the moment he meets Avalon. She’s flawless, friendly, and incredibly talented at breaking through Shay’s defenses—which drives him absolutely insane. But there’s something alluring about her upbeat attitude and playful sense of humor, and before he can stop himself, he’s falling for her.

When things take a turn for the worst, Shay discovers more about his world than he could’ve imagined in his wildest dreams. There’s far more to his existence than meets the eye. He knows one thing for sure: he has to fight the evil that haunts him. It’s the only way to save Avalon and finally get the vengeance that was always his. But some things were meant to be set in stone. If the course of fate cannot be altered, can Shay be saved…

…from himself?


 Review


The writing is beginner level, though it is still good. I feel like things weren't illustrated professionally; Shay's thoughts seemed too random in some places, and some other things seemed random as well.

The characters are good. Nixon is spunky and fun and sarcastic. Avalon is sweet but there's something boiling beneath the surface. Shay is troubled, his scars go deep. The storyline is original and thought out.

Characters have sex but chapter ends before anything actually happens, lots of cussing, father abuses the main character, Shay, and there is a lot of violence toward the end of this book. Character also drinks and cuts himself.

I liked the epilogue--it was sweet. I thought the final chapter was rushed. It really didn't make sense to me how Nixon and Shay could be over such a thing so fast.

I think Forever has a wonderful talent for story-telling, and will be a great author someday. 


The 2 short stories that come in this special edition are good.

Echo: set in one of Shay's past lives and takes you through one of his love stories. This story ends in tragedy, as does all of Shay's past lives. There is a nice twist at the end of this short story though--when it jumps back to present-day Shay.

Shift: told from Avalon's perspective. Begins in tragedy and ends with the beginning of new love.

First Love by James Patterson

Title: First Love

Author: James Patterson and Emily Raymond

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Date Published: January 13, 2014

Genre: YA fiction, romance, contemporary, realistic fiction

Pages: 288 (hardback)

Age Range: 12+ (a character is given the finger, but no language otherwise or sexual content)




Summary


Axi Moore is a "good girl": She studies hard, stays out of the spotlight, and doesn't tell anyone that what she really wants is to run away from it all. The only person she can tell is her best friend, Robinson--who she also happens to be madly in love with.

When Axi impulsively invites Robinson to come with her on an unplanned cross-country road trip, she breaks the rules for the first time in her life. But the adventure quickly turns from carefree to out-of-control...

Review

A wonderful tale of first love. Robinson and Axi's journey is a loving and caring adventure. Their relationship is sweet and full of teasing.

After running away from K-Falls and everything there, the two friends go on a long car-stealing adventure--falling for each other along the way. They're glued to the hip throughout the whole road trip; teasing, cracking jokes, camping and sleeping in the cars they steal, singing, and their friendship developing into something more.

And then everything comes crashing down around them, and their road trip ends early.

The writing is good and simple, getting you through the chapters quickly. The plot is good, there's a nice, unexpected twist about half-way through Robinson and Axi's trip. The chapters are short--which I also liked. The characters are good. Robinson is certainly a charmer, but also an extreme teaser. Axi is cautious and, well, a good girl (but who wouldn't be edgy about stealing a car?), but loosens up along the way.

It really is a wonderful story about first love and how it can affect your life.

Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Title: Message in a Bottle

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Date Published: February 28, 1999

Genre: Romance, adult fiction, contemporary

Pages: 384 (paperback)

Age Range: 13+ (no swearing but mentions of making love).





Summary


Divorced and disillusioned about relationships, Theresa Osborne is jogging when she finds a bottle on the beach. Inside is a letter of love and longing to "Catherine," signed simply "Garrett." Challenged by the mystery and pulled by emotions she doesn't fully understand, Theresa begins a search for this man that will change her life. What happens to her is unexpected, perhaps miraculous-an encounter that embraces all our hopes for finding someone special, for having a love that is timeless and everlasting....


 Review


A tragic but beautiful romance.

The book will get you interested immediately, getting you hooked the moment Theresa finds a bottle on a beach with a letter inside.

The chapters are long but you read through them pretty quickly. I don't usually like the narration style of writing, but it suites this novel. It gives you a chance to experience the sides of Theresa and Garrett without jumping perspectives for every chapter.

The two main characters are and aren't your everyday couple; Garrett struggles with the loss of his wife, Catherine, making it difficult to have a true relationship with Theresa. But there is a connection between them, a strong one, one that draws them together quick and makes them fall in love in a matter of days. The way they interact with each other is sweet and so natural.

After reading the last chapter, you will sit there for a few moments and feel the loss.