The Avid Reader

Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

I purchased this book from Amazon after reading good things about it on other book review blogs.

Goodreads Summary:

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 really, really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a wonderful dystopian romance with swoon-worthy love interests and an interesting love triangle. The characters are richly drawn and intensely likeable. I loved her family, each member of which finds their own small form of rebellion. It's easy to see where Cassia gets her fire, and it's nice to see that Cassia isn't the only member of this society who questions things.

I found the love triangle of the story to have a similar dynamic to The Hunger Games, in that the heroine is torn between someone she has been close to all her life and someone who has always been on the periphery of her life. Both Xander and Ky are extremely likeable and make compelling choices for different reasons. Although I loved Ky almost immediately, there were moments throughout the book where I felt genuinely torn between the two. Xander is a genuinely good person and it is clear that he truly loves Cassia. He cares deeply for her, is willing to take risks for her, and in a lot of ways he would make a wonderful match for her. And yet, there is an immediate spark between Cassia and Ky. I definitely sympathized with Cassia's struggle to choose between the two of them.

The world that Matched's characters live in is richly drawn and supremely frightening. While reading the book I felt fully immersed in this terrifying world. Watching Cassia's growing awareness of the cage in which she lives is horrifying and really makes you long for her to find some sort of escape. It is chilling to learn how little true regard this society has for the people within it. 

The writing in Matched impressed me. It is a tightly woven novel filled to the brim with well-developed characters and taut action sequences. Cassia's character feels very real and I enjoyed watching her and other characters grow over the course of the novel.

I finished this book and immediately ordered Crossed, the next book in this trilogy. I think Matched is a wonderful addition to anyone's personal library. Fans of dystopian young adult literature will not be disappointed.

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

I purchased this book from Amazon, and I can't believe it took me so long to do so. Much like I was with The Hunger Games, I am way behind the curve on this one.

Goodreads 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.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series--dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

You guys. I loved this book so hard. I flew through it in two days and the first thing I did when I finished was to jump on Amazon and see when the next book was due out. (Answer: May. Too far!) I've been thinking about it since I finished reading it. This is a book that grabs you at the start, draws you in deep and keeps you there. I wanted to be Tris. I swooned over Four. I cheered at the victories and wept at the betrayals. I was completely in the story from beginning to end. 

The pacing is fast and tense, the characters are layered and the story is rich and detailed. I was fascinated by the world that Roth created, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the next book in the series!

Veronica Roth is a powerful new voice in fiction. I was shocked to realize that this was a debut novel. I can't wait to see what else she has to offer us in the future.

Run, don't walk to buy this book! (And then pre-order the next one in the series, Insurgent.)

Book Review: The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

I ordered this book from Amazon after reading great reviews for it.

Goodreads Summary:

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much---if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.

But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle---who already has six wives---Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever.

I really, really loved this book. It got to me on a gut level, and I very quickly became hugely invested in Kyra. I so badly wanted everything to work out for her. I was also a big fan of Joshua - he impressed me as incredibly strong and courageous for someone so young.

I flew through this book in a single sitting. Between the subject matter and the fast pacing, I just couldn't put it down. At times this was a hard book to read - there was a scene with baby Mariah that had me near tears - but I think it is an important read nonetheless.

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What I'm Reading (2)

Last week was an epic fail for reading. I had lofty expectations of reading five books, and I only managed to get through two! I had a big paper due for one of my classes, so I'll go ahead and blame the paper and hope that this week will be better.

Last week, I read:

  

This week, I'm hoping to read:

    

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard - I'm actually about halfway through this one right now.

Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski - Ditto.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Matched by Ally Condie

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Have you read any of these? What did you think?

Book Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

I purchased this book from Amazon after reading some excellent reviews.

Goodreads Summary:

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back. Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival.

As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest. Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Megan Crewe crafts a powerful and gripping exploration of self-preservation, first love, and hope. Poignant and dizzying, this heart-wrenching story of one girl’s bravery and unbeatable spirit will leave readers fervently awaiting the next book in this standout new series.

I can't say enough wonderful things about this book! I absolutely loved it and I was so ecstatic to discover that it's the first in a series. I can't wait for the next installment!

I really connected with Kailyn's character, and I thought her love interest was pretty swoon-worthy too. The changing dynamics of Kailyn's relationship with Tessa were perfect and I became really invested in their friendship as the book went on. I'm really interested to see how Kailyn changes in the next book after all the tradegy that has surrounded her for months.

Crewe does a fantastic job portraying the islanders' varied reactions to the tragedy that has befallen them. The characters are real and flawed, and the author does a nice job depicting the very best and the absolute worst of the human spirit.

The book ended on a cliffhanger and I am anxious to see what happens with Drew! I don't know when the next book is due out but for me, it can't come soon enough.

4.5/5

Book Review: Zombie Love: The Outbreak

I received this book directly from author Eric Sobolik for review.

Publication Date: August 6, 2011

Goodreads Summary:

Zombie Love is the story of a widespread virus, in a way that has never been done before. As people lose loved ones, some decide that sometimes the people you love are the only ones worth fighting for. As factions form, and the world crumbles, people must choose sides. Help or destroy.

When a virus is developed as the ultimate cure all by reversing death itself, the world is plunged into a crisis of faith, dedication, and love.

In book one we meet Summer Strom, a normal high school teenager who is thrown cruelly into a set of circumstances that nobody should have to deal with. She has to fight back against everybody she knows as she battles for the only thing worth fighting for. Love.

I had no idea what to expect from this book. I've never read anything like this before, but I've recently become obsessed with The Walking Dead, so I'm kind of in zombie mode right now. When the author contacted me and asked me to review this book, I was thrilled to dive into this genre.

In short: this was a really great book. It's totally different from what I normally read, but that made for a nice change of pace for me.

The characters in Zombie Love: The Outbreak really make the book. Summer and her crazy mother kept me cracking up as I was reading. The Romeo and Juliet-esque fued between Summer and Daniel's families added a nice touch of humor too.

Author Eric Sobolik offers a really fresh take on the zombie story. I loved the idea of the zombie outbreak being a virus, one that Summer hopes can be cured somehow. I'm anxious to read the next installment to find out if she's right!

4/5

Top Ten Tuesday (2)

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday, created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is:

Top Ten Books That Would Make Great Book Club Picks

1. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins - There's just so much to discuss about this one. It's also a wonderful read!
2. Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell - This is one of my favorite books, and I think it's a great choice for a book club. Scarlet O'Hara is such a strong character and there's so much that can be said about her.
3. The Way We Fall, by Megan Crewe - A compelling look at human nature in times of strife.
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling - Hey, these books are beloved for a reason. Choose any one of them and there's a ton of great avenues to persue for discussion. This just happens to be my favorite. :)
5. The Stand, by Stephen King - I think Stephen King is a master at depicting real human nature, and this is a great look at how various people react to the end of their world.
6. Summer Sisters, by Judy Blume - This is a great look at friendship and relationships. I loved reading it, and I know that I'll read it again in the future.
7. Delirium, by Lauren Oliver - I just flat out adore this book. There are plenty of things to discuss in a book group, and it's a fantastic read to boot. This is a book that kept me thinking long after I finished it.
8. Good in Bed, by Jennifer Weiner - I love books where the main character isn't rail-thin and gorgeous, and there aren't nearly enough of them.
9. On Writing, by Stephen King - I'm reading this now and every few pages I torture my husbannd with a running commentary of my take on the book. If I were reading this in a writing group, he'd be spared.
10. Backseat Saints, by Joshilyn Jackson - Joshilyn Jackson is easily my favorite author, and any one of her books would make for a great discussion.

What books would you recommend to a book club? What do you think of these?

 

Book Review: Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

I bought this book on Amazon after reading some great reviews that really peaked my interest.

Publication Date: June 14, 2011

Goodreads Summary:

'As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me ...' Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine's life.

In a word? Chilling. This book was a taught, suspenseful journey through the mind of Christine Lucas, a woman who starts every day with a clean mental slate. Unable to remember much of her past or create new memories that last more than a day, Christine struggles to put together the pieces of her life.

I really empathized with Christine's character. Her whole ordeal just horrified me, all around. I can't imagine waking up to the world that she lives in every day. Her strength and resilience impressed me and made me root for a positive resolution for her.

I thought this was a great read all around. It was different, which I enjoyed. The subject matter and plot were compelling. The pacing was perfect - I finished each chapter desperate to get to the next one, and as I read on I felt a building sense of dread for Christine.

This one is definitely a page-turner, so don't pick it up until you have a chunk of time to devote to it!

4.5/5

What I'm Reading

I've decided that on Sundays, I'm going to post what I hope to read in the upcoming week. Hopefully this will help keep me organized and on track.

This is what I've got lined up for this week. If you've read any of these, let me know what you thought of them!

    

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Matched by Ally Condie

Ten Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski

Pretty Little Liars by Sarah Shepard