Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

This review encompasses all three novels in the face-paced series; Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant.

Through this series, Ms. Roth creates a dystopian society that you can tell began with utopian roots.  Similar to other fictional societies, this one has undertones of revolution right from the beginning.  However, this society divides itself into five factions and allows individuals to choose their faction.  This change is important, and it makes the story unique from others like it.

At it's heart, this is a story about knowing what makes people happy.  Everyone is different, we all have different desires.  The people in this world choose the faction they believe will make them happy.  The contrast between factions, for me, illuminates how different humans are from each other. What makes one person happy often makes another miserable.  "I have never been carried around by a large boy, or laughed until my stomach hurt at the dinner table, or listened to the clamor of a hundred people talking all at once. Peace is restrained; this is free."

I felt this series opened up amazing conversations and thoughts about what society needs.  These are good conversations to have with each other.  What does a healthy government look like?  I was intrigued from book 1.  Each sequel picks up where the other left off, leaving only subtle reminders for people not reading them back-to-back.

"I have to find out what could possibly be important enough for the Abnegation to die for-and the Erudite to kill for."

"The truth has a way of changing a person's plans."

Among the story line of action that pulls these books forward at a lightning pace is the romance.  Our main characters have a love between them that feels very real throughout their challenges.  Unlike many classified young adult books (don't get me started on that again) it doesn't feel fake, new, or forced.  "...when he touches me like he can't bear to take his hand away, I don't wish I was any different."  The romance unfolds throughout the series differently than I was expecting and pulls at your inner romantic.

I have always adored books with strong female lead characters and men that aren't afraid of that.  This series delivers.  Tris grows ever stronger throughout the series and I love her for it.  The decisions she makes are calculated, but hard, and they force me to drop the book and catch my breath frequently.

In the final book of the series, unlike the first two, the story is delivered alternately between Tris' and Tobias' points of view.  The change is refreshing.  The reader is given a more complete picture of the story taking place.  I also believe it keeps the story from feeling stale, as you have another voice coming through.  It is in this third book that everyone, regardless of how you felt before, will fall in love with Tobias.

This is a work-of-art.  An amazing tale of a society that will begin to feel real to you by the second chapter.  A group of people who will make you feel every emotion on the spectrum.  A series that will keep you turning pages so fast you'll marvel at how soon you've concluded the 1,500 page tale.  HIGHLY recommended.

5 smiles and a wink for each book
A tear for Allegiant, which not only brought the salty drops to my eye but actually made them fall down my cheeks (readers of the blog will know how rare this is)

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

"This is a story about the meaning of time..."
"Man alone measures time."

This is a fantastic story full of lessons about appreciating the days we are given.  Mitch Albom, arguably one of the best authors for inspirational tales, brings us the story of Father Time.  With it we meet two people suffering, as we all do, with the idea of time.  More of it, less of it, hurry it up, slow it down.

The story also brings us a lesson about changing your destiny or your fate.  It is subtle, but the message resonated.

I highly enjoyed this quick read.

4 smiles.

Gone by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Michael Bennett, Book 6

I previously rated the 5th book in this series only 3 smiles for a few holes in the story (check out my review from January).

This was faster-paced than "I, Michael Bennett".  The military are brought in on a raid and set up some of my favorite scenes.  I felt too many similarites to "Cross my Heart" which I would normally adore, had it not been for the fact that they are the same author and shouldn't be similar.  I also noticed that when I read Michael Bennett books I am never truly afraid of anything happening to him or his family.  Despite the fact that this man constantly puts himself into dangerous situations and keeps telling the readers that his family is in danger, I just don't think James Patterson has the heart to seriously hurt any of them.  He certainly doesn't have the heart to kill one of them.  Once you learn that, the heart-wrenching twists aren't so heart-wrenching.  They actually felt a little weak.

Overall, two smiles.  (Sorry James)

Young Adult Books

Note: This is not a book review.  THIS is a rant.  You've been warned.

I recently read an article where someone claimed you should be embarrassed if, as an adult, you read YA (young adult) novels.  Bleh.

Here is my simple answer.  That is crap.  Never...EVER be embarrassed about a single thing you pick up and read.  What is wrong with our society?  First we begin to accept "I'm not a reader" or "I don't read" as excuses.  Now we believe it's our right to make others feel small for what they read?  Excuse my language but fuck that.

Read.  Read everything.  Read all genres.  BAN NOTHING.  Open up a book you've heard good things about and read it-no matter the age it was "intended" for.  Open up a book you've heard bad things about and read it-form your own opinions.  Then, read some more.  Talk about books.  Argue about books.  READ BOOKS!

NEVER be embarrassed for reading.  NEVER.

Thank you!

P.S. I have noticed a HUGE upswing in the number of people blogging or writing articles in response to this very same article.  Speak out people-and thank you for reading just one more!

Here's that original article, if you're so inclined.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

This is an excellent piece of writing that transports you to another reality, with children who are certainly exceptional...and peculiar.  I enjoyed the way Mr. Riggs explained things, his movie writing background shines through.  I personally found the ending to be a fantastic way to wrap up the book.  You were given enough closure to feel satisfied but still left with enough questions to find book 2.  The use of old photography made the story even more interesting and provided a level of enjoyment I wasn't expecting.  This was a great concept!

Overall 4 smiles

Artemis Fowl; The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer

Book 3, Artemis Fowl Series

Another great fairy adventure with the characters we adore.  Artemis continues to grow and struggle with adolescence, but the darker side of him we enjoyed in book 1 wrestles with his better side and begins to show through.  I continue to be a fan of this series and thoroughly enjoy the adventures.

Four smiles.

Dandelion Fire by ND Wilson

Book 2, 100 Cupboards Series

I previously rated book 1 of this series 3 smiles and a wink for a slow start but a strong finish.

Book 2 begins by personifying the entire state of Kansas as a wizened old man who has seen everything and is not impressed by your shenanigans.  I loved this beginning.

"Henry York had seen things in Kansas, things he didn't think belonged in this world.  Things that didn't.  Kansas hadn't flinched."

Unfortunately, that is where I stopped enjoying this book.  Too many characters often left me confused. Many times I felt as though I had missed something, forcing me to rummage back through old pages in search of a twist or fact I had somehow overlooked.  Oftentimes, there wasn't one, leaving me frustrated.

Overall, 1 smile (I still like Henry York as a character and the idea itself has merit) for a confusing plot I simply couldn't get into.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

"He wore his happiness like a mask and the girl had run off across the lawn with the mask..."

"There are too many of us...There are billions of us and that's too many."

I can see why this book is considered a classic.  Ray Bradbury's language is nothing short of brilliant. It is mesmerizing, painting a masterpiece of a society we should fear becoming through complacency.   Fifty years ago, Ray Bradbury thought up a world where people craved instant gratification so much they abandoned anything that required real complex thought, including reading. If you are like me, you will find shadows of our society in this scary version of a world.

I adored this shocking ending, the passion for literature I clearly share with Bradbury, and the idea overall.  I can and will use this with preteens readers to emphasize the importance of thinking and reading.  This is an amazing story.  Read it with your book club and digest the deeper societal issues together, fight against the future Bradbury saw.

"...the books were on file behind their quiet eyes, the books were waiting..."

5 HUGE smiles for this amazing work-of-art.

The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom

This is a pretty typical story from inspirational great Mitch Albom.  The story will get to even the hardest heart as you read about a town receiving phone calls from deceased loved ones.  Those who have read anything by Mr. Albom know that he will make you question your own beliefs and faith through the characters he carefully pens.  This book is no different, you will question whether you believe in a heaven after death.

This book also quietly brings a second lesson, which I absolutely loved.  The undertones of the characters reactions to the news of the calls spark riotous levels of news coverage and followers.  I found myself considering the insanity of "miracles" and our reactions to them as a society.  I had deep conversations with myself about whether this is right or wrong.  Fantastic job, Mr. Albom, of bringing that to the surface without attacking society.

I did feel like the twist in the ending was easy to figure out, but still good.  Overall, well done.  Three smiles.

Torment by Lauren Kate

Book 2, Fallen Series

First, let me say it had been a LONG time since I read Fallen.  I remember enjoying Fallen a little, enough to put Torment on my wish list.  When Torment became available at the library, I worried I had already forgotten important details of this series.  Lauren Kate, however, did an excellent job of bringing back subtle reminders of the original plot lines in her sequel.  I am not a fan of the take-the-first-two-chapters-to-completely-recap-your-original-plot idea, since that bores readers who are hungrily page turning through the series.  Kate did NOT do this.  She found ways to work it in  and force me to remember.  Brilliant.

I feel as though I've read entirely too many of the supernatural who-will-she-choose books (that cannot just be me who feels that way) but this falls toward the top of that scale.  I like the whole fallen angels/demons concept.  I like Lucinda and her strong personality; she has an independent streak, not often found in a damsel in distress.

I like strong female lead characters.  I will read the third one in this series.  If you like the supernatural genre, give this one a read.

Three smiles.

Faithful Place by Tana French

Like the first 2 books written by this Dublin author, Faithful Place is a work of art.  Tana French is a master of the written word, undoubtably.  Her aptitude for bringing the characters to life and wrapping you in their intriguing storyline is unmatched.  I highly recommend you find one of her books today!

This book, in particular, follows Detective Frank Mackey.  Frank is an undercover officer who left his family behind 22 years ago when he ran away.  Now he is faced with the only thing that could bring him back to them after all this time-the woman who stood him up when they were supposed to elope. In this daring story full of twists and turns Frank must try to find out what really happened that day, and figure out how tangled his family is in all of this.

The story will give you goosebumps with a few of it's twists, make you feel those pangs of emotion for Frank at certain times, and make you really appreciate your family.  Tana French only gets better with her 3rd novel-and I already thought she was great!

Read this one.  Seriously.
5 huge smiles and a wink.