Review: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Cloud Atlas // David Mitchell
2004 // Hodder
Paperback
5/5 stars!

A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation—the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.

In English Class, we got the assingment to read a book. You were allowed to choose what book you wanted to read yourself, as long as it was literature.
It was a difficult choice for me, because there are so many books I want to read, but in the end I chose Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, because I knew deep inside that I'd not simply pick it up. You all should know that this is a very thick book, with 529 pages.
The thing that attracted me most about Cloud Atlas was that there were 6 stories, and all of them were intertwined and told in the book. First time you meet them, and the second time, further in the book, you are reunited with the stories, that were simply ended earlier, sometimes mid-sentence.
Also, I heard that it was made into a movie. The movie trailer looked amazing, and I always want to read the book prior to watching the movie, so that's exactly what I did. And I loved it!
In the beginning, I was scared by it, to be honest. The first part was written 1850s style, and to me that was incredibly hard. I am not a native, and English is not my mother tongue, so I have some minor problems with some parts of the English language, one of them being that it takes me long to understand some terms that I am not familiar with.
So the first thirty-something pages scared me off, yet I kept on reading, fascinating by the story. Then quickly I was thrown into the next part, letters this time, and 100 years later, so much easier for me to understand. and it just went on and on and I fell in love with the novel more and more!
Historic, Contemporary and Futuristic stories, all included in one thick and magnificently written novel. All genres mixed and matched. Never thought I'd like a mystery novel, combined with political drama, as much as I did. David Mitchell; you are one of the finest writers around!

A half-read book is a half-finished love affair

Lots of books,
Mar

Review: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

title: The Ask and the Answer

written by: Patrick Ness

series: Chaos Walking #2

genres: Young Adult, Dystopian

page count: 519

publication date: May 4th, 2009

rating: 5/5 stars

We were in the square, in the square where I'd run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her - But there weren't no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men...

Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode...

I already reviewed part 1 of Chaos Walking last year. A link to the review [HERE]. Don't read this review if you haven't read the first book in the series, or it will all be spoiled!

 The Ask and the Answer was in one word: SURPRISE! Seriously, so many plot turns in one novel is epic! (Although it also was quite confusing at some points...) The story continues with Todd and Viola, seperated, in New Prentisstown. It is like hell there, or at least it is like that for Todd, who is locked up inside a church tower.  He has got to work together with his biggest enemy and has to let the 'spackle' do horrible things. Numb by his inside emotional pain he abides.

First of all I must say I really missed Manchee. I really came to love that dog, and when he died in part one my heart was broken! The other characters changed so much between book 1 and 2 I was unable to believe it at the first. Viola has become all Katniss-like kick-ass, while Todd has become an emotional wreck, numb from the inside. Some parts from Todd's point of View literally broke my heart, just because they were so depressing. Paper towels are needed while reading this! Also, Davy really impressed me while reading this book. I was really confused when I was halfway through the book. I had come to like him, even though he was kind of evil... Why do I always like the evil guys?!

The plot of this novel was full of suspense. I can describe it as The Hunger Games' Mockingjay from both Katniss' and Peeta's point of view. It pretty much describes the first part. Only I liked this book better than Mockingjay! Some parts of it just blew my mind, and I had to read them multiple times just to believe them.

I adore the way Ness describes everything that happens around his characters, I am in love with the way the parts from Todd's Point of View are written, with grammar errors that were meant to be there (infection-infectshun etc.), and I really like it how of  the 519 pages of this novel 0 bored me!

An amazing sequel full of suspense for anyone who likes dystopia and doesn't mind a big book, whatever age or gender you are! Please keep in mind that there are extremely touching moments, paper towels needed!

Love and books,

Mar

Legend by Marie Lu

title: Legend
written by: Marie Lu
series: Legend #1
genres: Young Adult, dystopian
page count: 305
publication date: November 29th, 2011
published by: Putnam Juvenile

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.


From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

"I'd once been fascinated by his legend - all the stories I'd heard before I met him"

I am in love with this book! Seriously, why haven't I read it earlier. It's a perfect mixture of romance, suspense and mystery, set in the future. How can anyone not like that?! And isn't that cover gorgeous?

Set in the Republic, a dystiopian version of the western US, we meet June and Day. They were born in different families, and raised in different ways, as different as possible! June was the Republic's soldier, one of the smartest of them all. And Day was a rebel, always fighting for his families' lives and health. Day hides his true identity, and he has some good reasons for that. His own mother doesn't even know that he is alive. That's how the book starts: "My mother thinks I'm dead". This really sucked me into the story, and I couldn't put it down. I was even reading while having dinner. Isn't that crazy? (well, to me it isn't...)

The plot of this book was full of suspense, and interesting at all times. I wanted to know about Day and June, and what they had to do with each other. And I wanted to find out what really happened. The most interesting thing about this book was the Plague. Plagues always make me interested in books, and this plague was so horrible and terrifying I just wanted to read it more and more and more! Also, the book was dystopia, and I'm a total sucker for that genre. This book is actually worthy to be called dystopia. Some 'dystopian' books out there just aren't worth that title. 

Day and June both were amazing characters. They were both extremely complicated, and their lives had been a mess. Then they meet, and BOOM! But they don't know who the other one is. Then June finds out that Day is the boy that killed her brother. The way Lu wrote that extremely emotional part is just amazing. It really made me think, how would I react if some guy I kind of liked supposedly killed my sister (since I don't have a brother). 

This story is told in 2 POV's. June's and Day's. That definitely added something to the book. Following to characters that were so different, yet so alike. Their ways of reacting to things that happen to them are so alike, although their lives are so distinct. I honestly have no idea if I'd have liked this book if it was written from only 1 POV. 

Just a quote I wanted to share with you guys. It really shows what I love about this book and the amazing way it's written: 

"Each day means a new twenty four hours. Each day mmeans everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time."

Prodigy, the next installment in this series, definitely is worth the wait. I just want to know what happens to all characters, including Day, June, Kaede and Tess. I honestly have no idea if Prodigy can be as good as Legend, but I will pray for it to be just as awesome. All pray to the lord of awesomeness *bows*

my conclusion: 5/5 stars!
A book every sucker for YA dystopia will love, a must-read for 'the Hunger Games', 'Divergent' and 'Chaos Walking' fans that are looking for new books and above all a great novel all audiences will love.

Love,

Mar

The Selection by Kiera Cass

title: The Selection
written by: Kiera Cass
series: The Selection #1
genre: dystopia, young adult, romance
pages: 329
publication date: April 24th, 2012
publisher: HarperTeen

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.


But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.


Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

First of all, this review was NOT influenced by childish behaviour of anyone, nor was it by all the bad publicity it got. It's just me being honest. Secondly, if you read this book and liked it you might will not like this review... Just thought I should let you know.


The cover really tricked me into reading this one. I read some negative reviews of it, and there was a lot of commotion around this book. I wanted to know what they were really talking about, so I decided I should read this book. And I did. And I think I should get a price for finishing it, because it was horrible, aweful, eye-bawling bad.


Also, I wanted to read this book because it was "The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games" Well, Hell no it wasn't! How dare they call this book anything like The Hunger Games. I'm not the #1 Hunger Games fan, but this book certainly wasn't anything like it. I don't really like the Bachelor, but I have watched some episodes. Maybe even an entire season. It had no rose ceremonies or something, and that's the thing that I really like about the Bachelor.


I usually like dystopian books, and this one was referred to as dystopian. While reading it, I was getting more confused by the page. Where was the dystopian bit of this book?? I was looking for it. But it was nowhere to be found. That really sucked. Cass made some poor attempts, a caste system, which doesn't seem dystopian at all. It's just today's reality, only a little bit exaggerated. Then there is this new country, Illéa, which is the new USA. There have been 2 more world wars. It is extremely strange, after the 4th world war, it would be strange if there was anything left on this world, right? But well, no way I will call this book dystopian.


The main character is called America Singer. What a stupid name is that! All other character names were 
'normal', which is pretty strange, considering this book was meant to be dystopian. 
Also, America was a very flat and stupid character, and a very disappointing female protagonist. Let me explain it by the means of a random quote: "Would Maxon want me to change? Was that why he was off kissing other girls? Because there was something not quite right about me?" Quotes like me just make me want to bawl my eyes out, multiple times. Girls should be strong and independent, not whiny and stupid. I will not even start talking about Maxon, just to keep this nice and prevent me from having to censor this review... :l


The plot of this book -series?!?!- didn't amuse me at all. I was so glad I finished it. And how on earth does the author manage to write so many words about so little?! She can write a whole trilogy about NOTHING AT ALL!


The way it was written was very immature and basic. Something happened, a thought popped up, it gave me  a feeling, I did this. This made the book even worse to read.


So, please, if you want to try this book you should check it out in your library or borrow it from someone, but please don't buy it for your own sake. And remember, this is just my own opinion, I am all right with you if you like it. I'm just being honest. 


I give this book 1 star, because I can't give it negative stars... :$


xo Mar

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

title: Insurgent
written by: Veronica Roth
series: Divergent #2
genre: Young Adult, dystopia
pages: 525
publication date: May 1st, 2012
published by: HarperTeen

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.


Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

“Insurgent,” he says. “Noun. A person who acts in opposition to the established authority, who is not necessarily regarded as a belligerent.”

I had been smart, and had kept my expectations of Insurgent very low, so I wouldn't be utterly disappointed in it. It was a completely unnecessary thing to do, I found out while reading. Insurgent is one of these books that completely blew my mind. I just finished it 5 minutes ago, and I still am kind of speechless. I liked Insurgent even better than Divergent, and that was one of my favourite books of 2011. 


Tris and the other characters show a lot of development. Only, character development is not a very accurate way to describe it. I could better day that it was a whole character transformation. The way the title of this book describes Tris 2.0, it's amazing. I can imagine Veronica Roth reading through a dictionary searching for a perfect name for this book, then stumbling upon the word Insurgent. I can almost imagine her squeeing and doing the happy dance. It's something I would do if I were her... :) 


Tris's character has grown from a little girl into a full-grown powerful independent women. Even though she still is very small looking from the outside, which btw really adds something to her character. She isn't Beatrice anymore. Tobias 'Four' also showed a lot of charcter development. The most important to me was a change in his fears, about which I can't talk without spoiling the story... Then there are some new characters, and some old ones who, sometimes very unexpectedly, returned.


Immediately after the ending of Divergent, Insurgent started. This was pretty hard for me. It had been over 4 months since I'd read Divergent, and I had forgotten lots of character names, and quite a lot of the plot. After a few chapters I was completely sucked up by the story again, and all my questions about what happened to who in Divergent disappeared. The story continues, but there are some massive changes in the structure of the soceity. War between the Factions if luring around the corner, and friends aren't who they seemed to be. Tris reminds me of Katniss a lot, and the plot of Insurgent reminded me a lot of Mockingjay's plot. They weren't really the same, but they just shared some similarities I couldn't avoid seeing. The story kept me interested from the title until the very last word.


The ending  already has me craving for the next -and final :c- book in this series. It doesn't even have a title :o! I wish I had it right now. Accio Divergent #3! Does anyone have the blueprints for a time machine? I really need one at the moment.


What did you think of Insurgent? Share it in the comments below :)
rating: 6/5 stars :) -Yeah, to me that seems completely possible-


xo Mar

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

book: The Immortal Rules
written by: Julie Kagawa
series? Blood of Eden #1
genre: dystopian, young adult, paranormal romance
pages: 485
publication date: April 24th, 2012
publisher: Harlequin Teen
source: ARC from Netgalley


first thoughts:
First of all I want to thank Harlequin Teen and Netgalley for giving me to oppotunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review. I devoured it! I had never read any of Julie Kagawa's books before, but this book made me realise that I seriously needed to start this series! Beautiful cover!

the book:
In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.


Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.


Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.


Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.


But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

my review:

This book was definitely worth the anticipation! I couldn't really find anything I completely disliked in this book. Great characters, great plot, great writing style, beautiful cover. Oh, now I know what I didn't like. The wait for the next book... Cliffhanger alert!

Allie is a new YA heroine. She kicks butt and is a hot vampire chick. Amazing, right? She has to become the thing she despises most, or die. And her choice to become somthing she hates shows that she's a fighter, she won't give up. Also, it shows that she is a survivor. Allie is a great role model, smart, great sense of humor, very human -even though that's impossible for her- and no fear of what's coming. The other characters were amazing, too. They're looking for Eden, the 'holy' city where you can live without the vamps, and are very religious. They believe in a world without vampires, a better world. I loved Zeke, even though some of his actions really pissed me off...But everyone makes mistakes, right?

The plot with had many interesting turns to keep it a nice and anything-but-boring read, even though it was almost 500 pages. The dystopian world displayed in this is horrifying. A world ruled by vampires, and with  crazy zombie-like monsters with vampire powers lurking around every corner of the abandoned streets, trying to grab you and eat you? No thanks! Then I'd prefer to live in a world like we live in now! I start to see a pattern in all YA distopia I read, Lots of horrible futures in which the way of living seems to be returning to the way the people lived around 1700-1900. Lack of technology, lack of food and a huge gap between the rich and the poor. Not that I don't like it, just that I always thought dystopia should be great, and amazing, so that people want to live in the future, or invent the future. *I was a few years younger and many books earlier when I thought that way*

Vampires get a whole new image in this book. They are displayed as kings, rulers of the world, but also as nice people, who don't like to drink blood, but just have to do that in order to survive. These new vampires were very interesting, altough they didn't win it from Stoker's dracula. No vampire can win it from Dracula.

A wonderful new series filled with action, romance, hard decisions and blood-red tears, with a new heroine that every reader will love. 

rating:

5 stars - highly recommended!

xo Mar

Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi

book: Shatter me
written by: Tahereh Mafi
series? Shatter me #1
genres: paranormal romance, young adult, dystopian
pages: 338
own / library / borrowed
publication date: November 1st, 2011
publisher: HarperCollins


first thoughts:
I have been waiting so long to read this book. Finally, I started reading it. And I didn't stop. I read the whole thing in one sit, while I had no time at all. Not the best decision I have ever made, but it was definitely worth it :D

the book:
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.

My review:

Wow. This book lived up to my expectations! This was not another whiny-girl love story. This was actually very good!

The story that was told in this book was about Juliette, who can kill someone by touching him/her. How cool and horrible is that? Never being able to touch anyone should be terrible. Not being able to shake hands, or help someone when they need it. But, you can't be touched by anyone either. So when a tiny, little accident happens, and a little bit of your bare skin and someone elses bare skin are involved, you might just end up killing someone...

Juliette, the main character, is unique. Not only because of her 'gift', but also because of the way she acts and reacts to things. Juliette might always do something unpredictable, just to keep the story interesting. She will not obey orders from someone she dislikes. Actuall, she just won't obey orders, because she has her own will, one of the few things that still is hers.
The world this book was set in reminded me a little bit of the Hunger Games. Mainly that was because of the Reestablishment, they were like the Capitol. Also, the world is destroyed. Then there was Juliette, who was in the same position as Katniss was in in Mockingjay. Fight for them, or fight agains them. I didn't mind the tiny things they had in common. Actually, I liked those things, and I loved the Hunger Games.
The writing style of the author was great, easy to get through and a normal pace. This made the book even more enjoyable!
And oh my god the romance in this book was so awesometastic. Usually I am not the girl who loves the romance books. Of course, I like romances, but it shouldn't be a book only about romance. Tahereh Mafi combined romance and action in this novel, and she totally nailed it. I didn't lose my concentration once while reading this book. I didn't even look on facebook or twitter, which is a total miracle!
Only one thing, don't start reading this book on the evening before you've got to take 3 exams! I hope I didn't fail any :S I just couldn't put this book down, and well, then my study schedual was messed up :$ But whatever, it was totally worth it!


A book I'd recommend to every girl that loved the Hunger Games, or any other dystiopian series that contains romance. Full of romance and action, Shatter me really is a read you should be checking out!


I honestly can't wait for Unravel me, the sequel to shatter me. Too bad it'll take so long until it releases...


rating: 5 stars


xo Mar

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

book: Fever
written by: Lauren DeStefano
genres: Dystopian, romance, young adult
pages: 341
own / library /.borrowed
release date: February 21st 2012
series? The Chemical Garden #2
publisher: Simon & Shuster


note: OMG I loved Wither, #1 in the series, and couldn't wait for part 2 to release. When I borrowed it I wanted to start reading it immediately, and actually I did do that :) this review is a spoil for Wither. Sorry.

the book:
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.


Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.


The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

my review: 

This was... not what I expected. Not that it wasn't good, just that it was completely different from Wither. Again, that's not a bad thing. I liked Wither, and I liked Fever, too.
Some characters are lost, while new ones come in. Rhine and Gabriel are on the run, and they end up at all places they never wanted to be. Their life at the mainsion probably was better, even with Vaugh around. On their way to New York lots of unfortunate events happen, sometimes so unfortunate it seems unthinkable and unrealistic, but since it's dystopia it doesn't really matter :) Some of the characters (Rhine, most of all) developed a lot, and became complete different persons. Also, some of my facourite characters completely disappeared, which made me sad.
The dystopian world where Fever is set is so cruel, with everybody dying so young, after a short life they barely lived. The young girls becoming mothers, and the old people having so much power that it seems unthinkable. The selling of women as if they are nothing, and, above all, the normality of death. When someone dies you are expected to get over it immediately, or at least in a few weeks. Then you should just forget the dead, as if they never were there. This seems unthinkable to me...
The pace of this book was slow sometimes, but not annoyingly slow. I will understand it when people say that they found it slow, because it wasn't full of action or something. It were the small things that happened that mattered to me!
The writing style of Lauren DeStefano is not very special. It's nice but not new. I like to read it, it's easy to read and you can read it without having to repeat full paragraphs. Still, I prefer different writing styles, that are new to me. It doesn't really matter, but the writing style is one of the things that annoys you when it's bad, and you remark when it's good, but when it's normal you don't remark at all.
And now I'm going to talk about the plot *spoiler free*. It was pretty interesting, but I didn't fall in love with it entirely, probably because my favourite characters were not in this book. The thing I loved most about Wither were the love 'triangle', but there was no 'triangle' in Fever. It had been a long time since I'd read a book without a love 'triangle' in it, and it showed me that an author can write a good book without using the love 'triangle' btw, I put triangle in quotations b/c I don't really think there was a real triangle, but there were 2 love interests, so triangle seems like the best word to describe it...
And after looking at the cover, and before reading the blurb, I wanted to read the book. It's beautiful! The cover is worth the book!


You will not be disappointed by the story, characters or romance inside it. A must for all young adults that love dystopia


rating: 4 stars


xo Mar

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

book: Pandemonium
written by: Lauren Oliver
genres: young adult, dystopian, romance
pages: 375
own / library / borrowed
release date: February 28th, 2012
series? Delirium #2
publisher: HarperCollins


note: I have reviewed Delirium. click HERE for the review. Don't read the blurb or review if you haven't read it, because it'll be very spoilery if you haven't read Delirium. I will try to review it spoiler free, but it seems like a impossible thing to do... *sigh*


the book:

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

(via GoodReads)

my review:

Oh. My. God! This book is awesome! 

1. The characters developed a lot. There were new characters, and old ones disappeared... Sometimes I missed them, it seemed like I wasn't reading Delirium #2 but Pandemonium #1... Still, the new characters were as good as the 'old' characters.

2. The story was great. It was told in Now-Then style. I had to get used to that, because you were reading 2 stories at once, but once I got used to it, it was easy to read, and it kept the stories interesting. 

3. The writing style is great. In all of Oliver's books you can see that her writing style is great. It's easy to read, but it doesn't make you feel like you're reading a MG book. There weren't lots of mistakes and editing errors it in, which was super because they always keep on annoying me...

4. The ending is torture! I need to read Requiem NOW! This is the worst type of cliffhanger, the time I have to wait is so long. I might need to invent a time machine...

5. the cover is gorgeous! It represents the book very well. But I can't really explain it, because that'd be too spoilery
6. page was superb! It wasn't too quick so I did not have to re-read parts of the book, but it wasn't too slow either. 


It's not easy to find a book you love as much as this one! A page-turner filled with romance, action, friendship and lots of problems. 

I will stop reviewing this book right now, because I just can't really tell you about it without spoiling... *sigh*

Go read this book now. It's worth your time!!

rating:

5 stars!

xo Mar

Crossed by Ally Condie

book: Crossed
written by: Ally Condie
genres: young adult, dystopia, romance
pages: 367
own / library / borrowed
release date: 1st of November, 2011
series? Matched #2
publisher: Dutton Juvenile


note: I did not really like Matched, but I decided to read this book, mostly because of the gorgeous cover. I did not love it, so if you are a Matched-lover you might not want to read this review...

the book:
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.


Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever. (summary from GoodReads)

my review:
I did not like this one as much as matched! The characters got worse than they already were, the story was boring and I just wasn't interested in it. I have no idea why I opened this book, and most of the times I kinds have an idea why, so that's a bad thing! Also, I wanted to finish this book ASAP, so I didn't read it very well, just well enough to get an idea of what was happening, which wasn't really much.
Cassia and Ky are both runaways, while Xander is just working - he has a mysterious secret which isn't interesting at all IMO, but still I won't spoil it for you - And they are still fighting for Cassia's heart, altough you don't see much of Xander in the book.
You know, this book keeps on tricking me into reading with its beautiful cover. Seriously, it represents the book so well, I keep on asking myself how on earth such a book has such a cover. I wish every book had got a cover like this!! But enough abt the cover art :)
The characters showed no development at all, and if they did the developments were not positive. I think that there was not put enough effort in writing this book, with a little bit more it could have been epic, since the idea of matched is great! It could have been like THG with a little bit more effort, I think...
The 'romance' in this book is not great. Actually, it is not even good... *sigh* maybe I am just not the 'perfect love' kind of girl but to me it's all very unrealistic and unromantic... *double sigh*
The story of this book could have been told in 100 pages, tops, but it was told in 367, which made the story boring. There just wasn't enough happening, and everything that did happen was together with a few questionmarks, because you just did not know what it meant, and why it had to happen.
So I did not like this book, but still, I'm sure there are tons of girls *and boys?* out there who'll love it...


rating:
2.5 stars


xo Mar

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

book: Extras
written by: Scott Westerfeld
genres: Dystiopian, young adult
pages: 417
own / library / borrowed
release date: January 1st 2007
series?  Uglies #4
publisher, version I read: Simon Pulse


note: I already read and reviewed the other books in the series, Uglies, Pretties and Specials. Click on the titles and the links will take you to the reviews :)


the book: 

Aya Fuse is just an extra, someone who's not important and has a very low rank of popularity. She has to work for her 'merits' (money) and has to find a way to boost her popularity rank, which is 451369. One of the ways you can boost your rank is by kicking  a story. You kick a story when you spread gossip and/or trends via the city feeds. There are no more bubbleheads, and Tally Youngblood has become a legend. She is the most famous person in the city, but nobody has ever seen her in person. Then Aya meets the Sly Girls, and she sees a great story that will make her famous. But then she finds out something far more important and dangerous than the Sly Girls. But will kicking that story put her in danger?

my review:
The series is getting more of the same. But at least this was a new main character and a new city. Also you were introduced to one more type of people with strange brain surge, the other Extras. I did not like this city, because now it was not about who's pretty and who's ugly, but about who's popular and who isn't. When you have an average face rank, and meet someone who's pretty famous you should bow for them and use all this names to show them that they are better than you are, and to me that's horrible. It's like the whole world is one big episode of gossip girl.
Luckily, Tally Youngblood did return. She was still a very interesting character, with her own problems and own way of thinking. And she was saving the world, again *her saving the world did become kinda boring, but still* Girls rule the world :)
The cover of this book is the best cover of the whole series, I love the eyes :D She is an ugly, but looks pretty to me. Only a big nose, which makes everyone call her Nosey :)
We are also introduced to Frizz in this book. He seems awesome, because he has this awesome type of brain surge, Radical Honesty. That means he cannot lie. I think it would suck if you could not lie, but also I think it is a very good way to stop lying. I would call this a great invention which can cause a lot of trouble...
But this book was not as good as Specials, some parts bored me and wanted me to give up reading this book, while other parts of this book were great, which made me feel very confused.


so total:
2.5 stars for Extras!

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

book: Delirium
written by: Lauren Oliver
genres: dystiopian, romance, young adult
pages: 394
own / library / borrowed
release date: February 1st, 2011
series?: Delirium #1
publisher: HarperTeen


note: Omigod why did I wait this long to read this book. I fell in love with it while reading the synopsis. Which is very early, even for me O.o But I was not disappointed, at all! And I love this cover. It displays the book as it is!


The book: What if love were a disease? In the future it is! Life without this horrible disease is way better, but you cannot be cured until your 18th birthday. Lena's mother died due the illness, and Lena doesn't want to be infected. She is counting off the days until she gets cured. But then she does the uthinkable, and becomes infected. And the strangest thing about that is that she does not mind it. At all. He is all she can think about. The pain this disease brings is like everyone said. But the pain is good pain, pain she does not mind. Only now the date of the cure is approaching way to quick. There is no way to continue living without being cured, is there?


my review:
The future displayed in this book is in one word horrible. People are made to believe love is a disease. People stay away from the people that are 'infected' and the government matches you with the man you have to spend the rest of your life with. And to make it all worse, there also are the people from outside the city, who are attacking the government from the inside. 
I loved this book so much because of the strong characters, the great 'quotes' out of the kind of Bible of the future  government and the story in general. The characters were so good because they were really thinking as if it was not a book but just real life. I think that if it all really happened, there must have been people behaving exactely like Lena. I loved this quotes because they fitted each chapter very well. It must be difficult to make up a whole amout of quotes like that.
And above all, I loved the story! The story was influenced by other YA books and series like Uglies, The Hunger Games and Matched. But still, the author made it her own story, which I think was a perfect mix of the series and herself.
Lauren Oliver's writing stile is great, I love the way she makes her characters think, and the way you can relate to the characters she creates. Also, I love the creativity of this story. I have never read anything like this. Love is a disease. Wow...


total:
5/5 stars, shining in the sky!


one more thing:
Are you saying you haven't read this book yet?! Run towards the bookshop/go to amazon/whatever and get this book. Read this book. Love this book!


xo Mar

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hellowz everyone


First of all: happy 2012! <3
now here's a review for y'all ;)


book: Divergent
written by: Veronica Roth
genre: young adult, dystopian, fantasy
pages:  487
own / library / borrowed
release date:  May 3th 2011
series?:  yes, Divergent #1
publisher: Katherine Tegen Books


note: I feel very stupid for not having read this book before. I loved this book, and it's one of the best I've read this whole year. (and it's the last day of the year, so it means a lot when I say it's one of the best of the year) I do totally get why this is the book of the year on goodreads. This is my last review of the year, and I think that it's a good closer of the year, or however you say that :)


the book:
It is the future. Beatrice is just a normal girl, 16 years old. She looks younger, but doesn't know that because she can not watch into mirrors. That's because she belongs to the faction Abnegation. People in Abnegation are selfless. On her sixteenth birthday Beatrice has to choose which faction she wants to belong to. Amity, for the people that blame agression. Erudite, for the people that blame ignorance. Candor, for those who blame duplicity. Abnegation, for those who blame selfishness. Or Dauntless, for those who blame cowardice. One day before the choosing cermony, she has an aptitude test, which gives unusual results. Beatrice (later 'Tris') 's  life will not be the same after hearing the results. Which faction is she going to choose. With her choice she surprises everyone, including herself. Then she has to do the initiation tests. But they are harder than they seemed, will she make it to the Faction. During her initiation period friendship and romance play a big role in Tris's life.  But she has to keep her secret, no matter what price.


the book:
OMG I loved this book. Since it's the last day of the year, and the last 4 hours of the year and the last review of the year I will not review the book the usual way... (Okay, I'm just too lazy at the moment but I have to finish this review because it was AWESOME!)
Immediately when you start reading this book, you are sucked into Tris's life. Her life is very interesting, and first you want to be like her. Then you find out that she has a secret, and her life changes because of it. But she stays this awesome character, a strong female, even when everyone picks on her because she is from Abnegation and she looks younger than the rest. She kept on surprising me until the end of the book. 
Then there are the other characters, and some of them were evil, some were not what they seemed. Some were both. All of them were interesting. I want to know more about everyone! But I am most interested in Four. (Yes, his name says enough, it's very interesting, right?! Because you can choose your own name and stuff...) 
the book was beautifully written, not annoying at all, and I loved it, so much! I started reading this book in the middle of the night, and I couldn't put it down, so I read until 3AM. Then I had to stop but the next morning I finished it. In the end I saw it were 478 pages, and I felt like it were only 200. I want more. NOW!!!
The story was very interesting. I want to live in a world like that. It somehow reminded me of the history of the Italian city Siena, and it's history. That city was divided into factions (12 or something) and everyone belonged to a faction. You were born in a faction, and there were old friendships between the factions. Also there were the enemies, that would never be friends... This book with the factions reminded me a lot of that.
Then you have the love in this book, which was awesome. I cannot tell you much about it without spoiling, but I love love loved the romance in this book. 
This book also somehow reminded me of the Hunger Games. If you've read the Hunger Games and loved that series you will love that book!
This book was super interesting and I cannot wait till may for the sequal, Insurgent. 


more:
I feel like answering a question I asked myself when I started reading. 
To which faction do I want to belong?
I do want to belong to Dauntless. The people in this faction seem fearless (almost fearless) and I want to be like them. Only, I know I will never be like them. I think I belong to the Erudite. Intelligence means a lot to me. I would not fit into Candor because I lie to easily, and I do not belong to the Abnegation because I could never be as selfless as them. I do also not belong to Amity, they are never fighting, even when I think they should fight, they won't. They seem weak to me. 


the ending:
I did have it all figured out before finishing the book. I figured out who Four really was. I figured out what would happen. But I did not care that I had it all figured out. It did not make this book less interesting. And there were still things that kept on surprising me :)


rating:
this book gets 5 stars (adôh) and I will call this one of my favourites of 2011, what a great honour ;)


xo Mar


and again, Happy new year! My brains hurt because of the lots of booms of the firework O.o 


(hey, this review did not turn out shorter but longer than usual. YAY :D the book was worth it!!)

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

Yo peeps, it's review time :D *puts on awesome face*




book: Specials
written by: Scott Westerfeld
genre: young adult, dystopian
pages:  my version - 372
own / library / borrowed
release date: may 9th 2006
series?:  Uglies #3
publisher:  Simon and Shuster


note: 
I did review the other parts of the series: Uglies and Pretties
click here for my review of Uglies , #1
click here for my review of Pretties, #2


the book:
the story continues. Tally is a Special now. She belongs to a special clique, the Cutters. They are special Specials, a special unique unit of people that were Crims. Tally, Shay and Fausto all belong to this groop of Specials. Tally is still in love with Zane, and he has survived his brain damage. Only, after seeing him again she cannot love him anymore, he is too different. Is her brain messed up again? She has her new Special powers, but she has to watch out and gain control over them, or she will destroy the world. While she and Shay trick Special Circumstances, they start a world-changing series of events, which should have never happened. While everyone Tally loves is in danger, she has to find herself again, but will she be able to do so...?


my opinion on:

• the story in general: to me the story had gotten all of the same old. The same storyline kept on returning. First book she was ugly, then she met Shay and became Pretty. Then she was Pretty, but somehow Shay turned Special and Tally was forced by Shay (again) to become Special. Now Tally is Special, and the story is somehow the same, only she acts a little bit different because she is a different kind of 'thing'
• the characters: Damn, The last 2 pages made me want to meet Tally, hug her. Made me want to be her best friend. She seemed so strong, all the way through the book. In the beginning of the book I kind of liked Shay (well, not like but not dislike, you know..) but later I started to hate her. Like, real hate. Then there are Zane and David and I cannot say much about them without spoiling, but the author really surprised me...!
• the way it was written:  Very OK! easy to read, a quick read, almost perfect. Not this annoying american speaking language (no offense) all the time...  c:
• the developing of the main character: Tally has gained even more of my respect during this book. She's had to make terrible sacrifices, had to suffer lots of pain and had to heal a broken heart, but she conquered the pain and survived, and came out stronger. She is a true warrior of her own battle! 
• the end: This made me speechless. I still am speechless after reading this. I hate cliffhangers, and this was a cliffhanger, but also an ending of a trilogy. You can imagine this as the end of a series, and it kind of is because Extras (#4) has another main character...

some other things I wanted to say:

Dear Scott Westerfield, this series you've written rocked my socks. I do not want to leave it behind. I want to be best friends with Tally. I want to live in the world you created, as horrible as it may be. I want to have my own hoverboard instead of a bicycle and I want to have a bungeejacket. I want to thank you for writing this awesome series, and there are many other people who want to do that, I'm sure!

total:

this book gets 4.8 stars, not 5 because it was a little bit repeating, but the rest of it was just perfect to me 

xo Mar who-is-still-crying-over-... *character*