Review : DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Beatrice Prior is one of the Abnegation faction, one of the five factions in dystopian Chicago. Every 16 year-olds are given a choice to choose their faction, and family for ever : Dauntless(the brave), Amity(the peaceful), Candor(the honest), Erudite(the intelligent) and Abnegation(the selfless). Before they choose, the teenagers are given a test to help them decide which faction they're supposed to be in. Beatrice's results shows that she's a Divergent, something rare and dangerous. She is warned to keep the secret to herself, just to keep herself safe. In the end, Beatrice chooses Dauntless and leave her family behind. At Dauntless compounds, Beatrice is known as  "Tris" and makes new friends and try to survive brutal tests during Initiation, all the while feeling drawn to a quiet Four who seems to have a past. Can Tris survive Initiation? Who is Four? And most important, why must Tris keep her test results a secret?

     Again, another dystopian which gripped my heart. Divergent is moderately paced, speeding up in the last 100 pages or so. Slightly predictable, but with a few interesting twists I didn't foresee. Good, vivid language that made me fell in love with the Dauntless community (the better part of it, at least). The world Roth painted is so clear, I yearned to be a part of it and yet fear that those described in Divergent will become our future. Let's hope I'll be long gone when that happens.

     The main character, Tris, and also the narrator, is strong, brave, intelligent, loyal and self sacrificing, even if she doesn't know it. She is not blinded by new found love with you-know-who, a quality which made her practical and mature and is willing to look only for the good side of people, something people in real life needed badly. Tris is with potential and flaws, which made her a very three dimensional and lively character. She resembles Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games (my review here), only a little more braver, less calculating and minus the love triangle. She is the kind of friend I would love to have, though sometimes I want to knock her head for not seeing the events that are coming her way.

     Four is another favorite. I love him far better than Peeta or Gale(The Hunger Games), and even Stefan from The Vampire Diaries (my review here). I love his no nonsense tone, his figure, his sense of justice and everything that comes along with the package. He felt real and compassionate. Again, his flaws accentuates his admirable qualities, not that he has many flaws. And his phobia of heights is a little funny. Sign me up for a date with the man! ( I sound like a boy-crazed girl, right? Ah, very well.) The other characters are very lively as well, especially good ol' Christina.

     The romance between Tris and Four is full of chemistry and quite convincing. Both of them are attracted to each other by their strength and bravery. The way Tris got hurt and jealous is cute, and is essential to add realism to the relationship.Four is just as quick to protect Tris, even when he's risking his own life. Oww, how sweet. Can you find a couple as on par with each other as Tris and Four are?

     I would like to read more about the locked fence, Four' relationship with his father and the Prior family, but I don't think that's quite possible with some major events happening to the 'rentals. Beautifully crafted, and humorous and times, Divergent is one dystopian you do not want to miss.

     The cover is simple and elegant, though I like the UK cover more, especially the tease line in beside the ravens.

Divergent book jacket UK edition

Ratings : 4 stars (I would love to give a 4.5 if the novel isn't so predictable in parts)

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Review : THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

* courtesy of  Simon and Schuster Galley Grab program

Charlaina "Charlie" Hart tries to keep her daily routine while rebels are trying to overthrow the ruler, Queen Sabara in violent Ludania. She seems to be a normal girl in the Vendor class, but she is not what she seems to be, and neither is her little sister, Angelina. Charlie can understand Englaise, Pashon and other languages she shouldn't be able to understand, and if anyone finds out about her secret ability, it could mean not only her death, but also her family's. When she is unreasonably drawn to a handsome guy who seems to know her secret, the very fabric that builds her life starts to dissolve, while her parents wants to keep she and her sister hidden from the truth that will shatter life as they know it.

     I love The Pledge. Love. It. A little dystopian and a little fantasy. The idea that languages can separate you into classes, and you can't change which class you're born into is quite interesting. Harsh, I know. Too bad Derting didn't create new languages like what Christopher Paolini did in Eragon.

     The novel is well paced, there wasn't a page lacking of suspense and thrill. Language flowing and descriptive. It's told in Charlie's voice and the all-knowing narrator, since some of the moments crucial for understanding the plot doesn't happen to Charlie. I couldn't flip through (or rather, click through) the pages fast enough.

     Charlie strikes me as a very protective sister, and she has a very strong and clear voice. She's brave with very few flaws. She's in love with the prince, but I don't find the immediate irresistible draw to a stranger convincing. And I don't get why the prince likes her so much, even when he barely knows her. Perhaps a few more scenes from Derting could explain the romance. Charlie just wasn't as lively as Katniss Everdeen in the The Hunger Games (my review here). Angelina is just lovable, and honestly, I like her a little(just a little) more than the older sister. I would like to see Charlie's magical power develop in the sequel, since her power is so limited in The Pledge.

     The ending is sort of a closure for The Pledge, but written in a way that you're sure that there will be a sequel. Precise and gripping, I just can't wait for the next novel in the trilogy(yes, you heard me right : it's a trilogy!). 

     Overall, The Pledge is a decent novel. However, I read the novel because of it's plot instead of the characters.

     The cover is so dang gorgeous! Black, my sort of cover! Just the image of Charlie wasn't the one I imagined and there's no mention of a dress with hood made out of black silk.

Ratings : 4 stars

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** Check back on 14 October for an interview with Rhiannon Paille!

** Upcoming reviews of Passion and Divergent!

Review: MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins

Katniss has survived the Capitol for the third time. Now she's at District 13, with her friends and family, and a whole lot of scars and heartache. She thought she had freedom, but District 13 were only using her to take down the Capitol. When the Capitol sent a destroyed Peeta home, Katniss broke down. Then they attacked the Capitol, and finally the Capitol was taken down. Katniss finally had her own life, though sore and broken.

The highly anticipated end to the Hunger Games trilogy doesn't disappoints. Collins continue to build suspense and action, giving you this page turner. The ending though, leaves both Katniss and the readers crying and smiling. Thumbs up for Collins.

The cover is fiery red, selling the image of girl on fire, Katniss. Simple and nice, but I couldn't say I fell in love with it on first sight.

Ratings : 4.5 stars

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Review: CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen had escaped the Hunger Games once, and now she's to save herself from the Capitol's wrath. Now the Capitol's held a new Game, requiring two of the former Hunger Games winner from each district to participate. Last time Peeta was to sacrifice himself for Katniss, but this time Katniss wanted to save him. They continue to play their star crossed lovers' part and form allies with a few of the former winners. But Katniss was seperated with Peeta when a blow went off and hot Katniss unconscious.

Collins did a great job, as usual, and had me reading the book for several hours non-stop. The suspense was thick and actions incredible. A lively portrayal of survival and a cliff hanger at the end of the book. Perfect!

The cover of my version of paperback is light colored with a mockingjay at the front. Plain, but eye catching nontheless.

Ratings : 4.5 stars

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Review : THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games is set in the perspective of  Katniss Everdeen, the main character of the book. The story took place at North America, where the Capitol holds the Hunger Games every year, choosing 24 contestants from 12 districts, the only rule is you lose, you die, and only one is to be the winner. 16-year-old Katniss from District 12 was chosen, along with Peeta Mellark. They were shipped to the arena, fighting to survive. Survival was second nature to Katniss, but she still couldn.t escape the terrible aftermath of killing people and seeing people getting killed. During the games, Katniss teamed up with wounded Peeta and played the part of two star crossed lovers. Finally, when it was down to the two of them, Katniss took two poisonous berries out, one for Peeta and one for her. The capitol lets two of them off of the hook, knowing that the games had to have a winner.

The Hunger Games is a breathtaking thriller that will keep you awake in the night. The plot is fast and thrilling, going from one scene to another. Collins' writing fully conveys the life and feelings of the 16-year-old Katniss. As Stephen King had said " Constant suspense and couldn't stop reading. "

The cover is in line with the adventurous story within.

Ratings : 4.5 stars

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