Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

 You can read my review of Divergent here.

*Warning: May contain spoilers for Divergent.

Title: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #2
Finished on: October 31, 2012
Released: May 1, 2012 by HarperTeen
Source: Public Library ebook
Where you can buy: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | IndieBound
Add to: Goodreads
Book Trailer: http://bcove.me/euv92x91

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

With this second installment, I am now officially hooked on this series. With Divergent I couldn't understand all the hype; but now I can. Insurgent was so much more enthralling and intense and I ended up reading it all in one day because I was in so deep. The third won't be able to get out fast enough! The ending has me fascinated by where that's going to go.

This world! I am so intrigued by this world. And in Insurgent we get to learn so much more about the other factions and the factionless. Just like the summary says: this is a "thrill ride". I mean packed with action and the storyline and events are constantly going, going, going. I began to feel a little exhausted myself but not in a bad way. By the ending, I just need to give my mind a little time to process everything that just went on.

In my review for Divergent I mentioned that I didn't find myself caring about the characters very much. In Insurgent I do, I really do. Tris has really grown on me and her actions are understandable considering all that she's been through. Her relationship with Four had me wanting to scream at them half the time, but for the other half it was perfect. I don't feel like we saw enough of him, though. (And let me just mention that I really liked Fernando! I don't know why he stuck out to me but he did.)

So much backstabbing, so many lies, so many shockers, and so many "Oh, I knew it!"s. So much drama! I don't want to give too much away, however, so I'll just say that whether you loved Divergent or thought it was just okay, you should absolutely read Insurgent.

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Glass Heart by Amy Garvey

You can read my review of Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey here.

Title: Glass Heart by Amy Garvey
Series: Cold Kiss #2
Finished on: October 29, 2012
Released: September 18, 2012 by HarperTeen
Source: Won through EpicReads.com
Where you can buy: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | IndieBound
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Summary from Goodreads:

Wren can do things that other people can only dream of. Make it snow on a clear, crisp day. Fly through an abandoned tunnel. Bring a paper bird to life.Wren knows her abilities are tinged with danger--knows how easy it is to lose control--but she can't resist the intoxicating rush. And now that she has Gabriel by her side, someone who knows what she can do--what she "has" done--she finally feels free to be herself.

But as Wren explores the possibilities of her simmering powers, Gabriel starts pushing her away. Telling her to be careful. Telling her to "stop." The more he cautions her, the more determined Wren becomes to prove that she can handle things on her own. And by the time she realizes that Gabriel may be right, it could be too late to bring him back to her side.

I adore Amy Garvey's writing style. And this book had me literally laughing out loud many times. But I think Cold Kiss should have been left as a stand-alone. The only real purpose I found was to tie up the loose ends from Cold Kiss. We also see Wren learning about and trying out her magic a lot more. (Robin, too!)

I still love Wren and her two friends, Darcia and Jess, but something about how Gabriel is portrayed in Glass Heart made me like him a little less. We do get about three significant new characters in this on but since they are not mentioned in the summary, I'll leave you to meet them on your own. Let's just say I only like one out of the three. Robin, the mom, Aunt Mari, and Mr. Purrfect are still awesome, too.

Three stars because I really love the characters, the writing, and the humor. No more than that because I didn't connect with the plot. Cold Kiss was such and intriguing story, but nothing in Glass Heart really left an impression on me. However, it was a really quick read and it was nice to get a ton of questions answered.  Because of that, if you really liked the first one, please read this one!

I don't know if there is anymore about Wren, Gabriel, and their friends coming, but if there is I will read it. And I can't wait to read more from Amy Garvey.

RATING: 3/5

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Series: Divergent #1
Finished on: October 24, 2012
Released: April 28, 2011 by Katherine Tegen Books
Source: Public Library ebook
Website
Where you can buy: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | IndieBound
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Summary from Goodreads:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her

 

Warning: Read this on a day off. You won't want to put it down.

Divergent had all the usual qualities of a dystopian while still giving us a unique and engaging story. Roth did a wonderful, wonderful job with the world-building and anyone who knows anything about Chicago will easily be able to picture this new society and how it has changed. The only thing I could have wished for is some more background on the factions: the hows and whys. The writing and the descriptions are beautiful. This one is definitely action-packed and suspenseful with very little lag time.

I like the main character, Tris. However, she just had something missing. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I couldn't fully connect with her. She didn't become one of my unforgettable book heroines.
Not only did I not connect with the main character, but I didn't connect with any of the other ones either. I cared what happened to Tris and Four but I didn't find myself caring about any of the others. Out of all the characters, Four turned out to be my favorite.

I give Divergent a four out of five. The writing was amazing and the actual events that take place are intense and intriguing. I was super absorbed in every taking place.The plot alone would earn a five, hands down. The only reason it loses a point is my lack of connection to the characters. (Then again, I just came off of reading the entire Vampire Academy series. Six books to develop a bond to the characters.That could be swaying my opinion.) If you are a fan of The Hunger Games or Delirium, I definitely recommend this one. Though, I don't think it's fair to compare any of them to each other too deeply. They all have their strong and unique elements.

I would have gone deeper, but I think anyone reading this for the first time should go in not knowing the plot points too well. It's a wonderful experience just letting the twists, turns, and little surprises happen.

 

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

Book Info:

Title: Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
Series: Stand-Alone
Finished on: October 8, 2012
Released: January 1st, 2000 by Atria Books
Source: Public Library ebook
Website
Where you can buy: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | IndieBound
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Review: 

This is a story about 39 year-old lawyer, Ellie Hathaway, a young Amish girl, Katie Fisher, accused  of murdering her newborn baby, and the Amish community.

When a newborn baby is found dead and hidden in a barn on an Amish dairy farm, all signs point to young, unmarried, Katie Fisher. A police and medical investigation firmly prove that Katie was in fact pregnant and recently gave birth: a fact she adamantly denies.

Meanwhile, Ellie, who has just finished up a stressful case, is seeking rest and relaxation with her former Amish aunt (who also happens to be Katie's aunt!) By what eventually will seem like fate, Ellie has herself a new case to work on. This also means Ellie has to become apart of Katie's world. This creates a challenge for every person involved.

Writing: The writing, like Picoult's always is, was great. Everything flowed smoothly and was full of detail. She did a wonderful job writing about the Amish community and did it in a way that the reader should have no problem imagining themselves right there on a farm.

Plot: The plot wasn't entirely unique... it made Amy Efaw's After come to mind often, but the fact that it dealt with an Amish girl put an interesting spin on it. The first part is very psychologically and emotionally based; the hows and whys and theories. If psychology is your thing, this book is for you. The second half is more courtroom orientated, but not overdone.

Characters: Katie, even though she is accused of such a horrendous crime, is still written in a way that you can't help but still like her and hope she didn't do it. I understood her and sympathized with her the entire time. Ellie, however, there were times I did like her and times I didn't. It honestly didn't take away from enjoying the overall story.

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Title: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
Series: Cold Kiss #1
Finished on: October 9, 2012
Released: September 20th 2011 by HarperTeen
Source: Won from Epicreads.com

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Summary from Goodreads:

 It was a beautiful, warm summer day, the day Danny died.

Suddenly Wren was alone and shattered. In a heartbroken fury, armed with dark incantations and a secret power, Wren decides that what she wants--what she "must" do--is to bring Danny back.

But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy Wren fell in love with. His touch is icy; his skin, smooth and stiff as marble; his chest, cruelly silent when Wren rests her head against it.

Wren must keep Danny a secret, hiding him away, visiting him at night, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school, and Wren realizes that somehow, inexplicably, he can sense the powers that lie within her--and that he knows what she has done. And now Gabriel wants to help make things right.

But Wren alone has to undo what she has wrought--even if it means breaking her heart all over again.

I won this book, along with its sequel, Glass Heart, from Epicreads.com and I am so glad I did; otherwise I may have missed out on a really enjoyable read. I think this is definitely one that needs to get in the hands of more people! It's not very long and I was able to get through it in one evening. I was hooked from the first page.

The main character, Wren, has been capable of doing "strange" things for awhile now. The same things she's seen her mother do since childhood. However, there's an unspoken rule to never talk of these things- not to each other and not to others.
Wren is completely distraught after losing her boyfriend and first love, Danny, in a car accident. Not thinking about any consequences she uses her special "abilities" to bring him back. The only problem is, he's not really the Danny from before anymore. Wren now has to hide him away while he obsesses over her and only her... but then he starts to remember things...
In the meantime, a new boy, Gabriel, transfers in. Somehow he can sense Wrens powers and eventually figures out how she used them. All he wants to do is help her any way he can. All this does is confuse Wren more.

If you're looking for a happy book, I suggest running away. The emotions displayed here are so raw and heart-wrenching. Garvey does an excellent job of portraying falling in love for the first time, the loss of that first love, and the confusion of letting go and moving on. I was in tears the entire final few chapters.

I really enjoyed Garvey's writing style and the overall feel of the book. I'm really looking forward reading Glass Heart soon because there were some definite unanswered questions I have. (It'll have to wait until I'm finished with the last two Vampire Academys though!)

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Title: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Series: Stand-Alone
Finished on: October 2, 2012
Released: May 9, 2009 from Multnomah Books
Source: Local public library ebook

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Summary from Goodreads:

California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.

Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.

Then she meets Michael Hosea. A man who seeks his Father's heart in everything, Michael obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angel's every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.

But with her unexpected softening come overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husband's pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael does ... the One who will never let her go.
 

Absolutely beautiful. One of the most inspiring stories I have ever read. Portions of this book had me in complete shock, sometimes anger, and sometimes uplifting happiness. This is one of the greatest stories of unconditional love and forgiveness out there. The characters are unforgettable; ones that will stick with me for a long time to come.

Warning: this book deals with some pretty heavy issues [prostitution, rape, etc..] and may not be for everyone. Francine Rivers does an excellent job at allowing the reader to understand what is happening without becoming too graphic.

We get an excellent portrayal of a women [Angel] who is completely consumed by bitterness, hopelessness, and guilt. She believes that she is at fault for every terrible thing that others have inflicted on her just by being born. It is so amazing to watch how far she comes.

A timeless story of self-destruction and rebirth, betrayal and forgiveness, hopeless despair to deep faith, and the gain that can come from even the hardest sacrifices. I urge everyone to pick this one up, whether spiritual or not. There is something for anyone to gain from this one.