A Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth 
Genre: YA Dystopian

"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. 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."

Who wouldn't immediately go out and buy this book with such an enticing description? If you haven't already done so, please do; this novel is well-worth the money and time. Divergent measured up to all the good things I have heard about it from friends and family. It has plenty of action, but also is very character-driven. The main character, Tris, is very straight-forward and often blunt, which can be a bit irritating at times, as well as her brusqueness and stubbornness, but she recognizes that she has faults and desires to change them throughout the novel. I love that this character is so self-reflective and sensitive to her faults, because it causes the readers to be as well.

Veronica Roth does a good job of exploring and developing the characters (mainly Tris), while also moving the novel along at a good pace. I also love the deep questions she brings up about bravery and fearlessness. The whole premise of the novel, a society divided up by different values, is just fascinating to me, and Roth explores the pros and cons of them well, especially in the sequel, Insurgent, which I will probably expound upon in another blog post.

I couldn't find much, if any, fault with this novel. I find the characters intriguing, and Roth is not afraid to show life in all its brutal, yet hope-yearning reality. This novel will definitely keep you on your toes with the action and societal/character mysteries. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 and recommend it to 16 year olds and up because of a few violent/graphic scenes.

What I learned: Bravery is about moving on even when you don't want to. Bravery encompasses self-sacrifice and honesty.

My favorite quote: "Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it, that's the point."

-There's a movie coming out soon (March?) based on this movie, so make sure you read the book first! If you want to read more about Veronica Roth, her books, or the movie, check out her blog: http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/  

A Review: Ender's Game

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Genre: Science-Fiction 

Summary from the back: "Intense is the word for Ender's Game. Aliens have attacked twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses-and then training them in the arts of war...The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of 'games'...Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games...He is smart enough to know that time is running out. But is he smart enough to save the planet?"

I heard a lot about this book and have wanted to read it for a long time. And now that I graduated college, I have the time :). I haven't read a lot of sci-fi books, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this novel, and it wasn't  what I thought it would be like. But according to the author's supposed plan (I read his intro), the book is excellent and his story-writing skills are superb. 

I found the way the children are trained fascinating and the sad way that they are treated true even in our world today, albeit to a lesser degree. The harsh treatment of the children and the idea of war as a 'game' reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games, although this novel is completely different in many ways from that series. The author knows much about how power and leaders work and this was very enlightening. I came to know and love Ender, the main character, and could see parts of myself in him, which I believe is the trait of a good creator: to show a reader him/herself in the characters to that she can come out of the novel changed. 

I'm a visual person; I like descriptions and clear images when I read, and there wasn't much of that in this novel. So it was difficult at times to picture the ships and rooms that the soldiers live in. I was also confused at times about what was happening politically on earth. Orson Scott Card could have explained some of these things more clearly for the reader. 

Overall though, the novel was well-written, thought-provoking, and interesting, so I give it a 3.5 out of 5. I recommend it to 16 year-olds and above because there is some language and graphic images. With every book that becomes a movie, I advocate reading the book before watching the movie, so you can truly comprehend/understand what is happening. But that might just because I love books so much. This novel is also a series, I believe, and I most definitely want to check out the others. You can learn more about this author and his books at his website here. 

What I learned: War/fighting is most definitely not a game. An important quote that's made me think about love and hatred (don't worry, it's not a spoiler) that I'm still chewing on: "In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves." What do you think about this idea?

Merry Christmas, by the way! Let us remember the truest, greatest story of all this season!

I

A Duel

It's been a long time since I have written. Classes have been horrendous, and I'm surprised my eyes are well enough to look at this screen from all the reading I've done this semester. But only 24 days and then I'm done with college-hopefully forever! Here is a duel as I imagine it between Alexander Pope and J.K. Rowling. Who are some other contemporary and classic authors/critics it would be fun to throw against each other? And do you prefer classics or contemporary works/authors and why?

“How dare you insult my work of art!” J.K. Rowling screeches, raising her sword high.

            Alexander Pope straightens his shoulders and lifts his gleaming saber high. “It cannot be a work of art, as you say, if it doesn’t point to the ancient writers.”

            “And why not? They had their faults. My novels have the same unity found throughout the early works of fiction such as Joseph Andrews and Clarissa, without wandering in the woods of endless detail and ranting like Fielding and Dickens.” She gives a quick flick of the hand holding the wand, and images appear floating over the clearing: Harry Potter’s tale flashes before their eyes, from his delivery to the Dursley’s to the defeat of Lord Voldemort.

            “That may be so,” Pope replies once the images vanish into the cool mists of the evening, “but the early writers desired to teach virtue to their readers so that they could become better people. Today, however, authors merely wish to entertain and please their audience.”

            “All writers to some extent want to entertain their readers, be it through comedy or tragedy, or a mixture of both.” Rowling waves the hand without the wand in the air. “I mean, look at Shakespeare. He had his audiences usually either rolling on the floor in laughter or weeping rivers.”

            “He used the old forms,” Pope says.

            “Samuel Johnson didn’t think so. Shakespeare’s plots and characters were more complex than those of the Greek’s, and he didn’t stick with the categories of comedy and tragedy.”

            “And,” Rowling places a hand on her hip, “There may be many authors today who merely wish to make money with their writing and just cater to the crowds, like the book Shades of Grey,” (here she gags), “and those Amish romances, but most books teach us something, whether the author intended it or not.”

            “Yes, but the ancients wrote their books with the purpose to teach people, not just to let the reader learn whatever they will. And most authors today do not hold the same truths of beauty and order as the ancients did.”

            J.K. Rowling frowns.“There are people in every generation who hold a different standard than what nature says is beautiful. And yes, our society may have wandered from this more than the rest, but you could argue that Shakespeare’s works are too bawdy and coarse. Authors today could write more openly to teach, but if it is too bold, the readers would abscond. Also, some people today do manage to point to truths in their novels.”

            Rowling flicks her wand, and an image of Harry’s mother, Lily, dying for him pops into the air, with the whisper of words, “Your mother’s sacrifice protects you.” Then the scene changes to Harry giving up his life to Lord Voldemort to save his friends.

            In the silence that follows these visions, Rowling says quietly, “What is more truthful and good than the theme of sacrificial love?”

            Pope shifts, then says, “Your books may have more beauty in them than others. But they cannot show human nature realistically since they take place in an unrealistic, fantasy world.”

            Rowling stares at him, then chuckles softly. “What about the monster in Frankenstein? What about the Cyclops in The Odyssey and the other creatures Odysseus fights? The vampire in Dracula? These tales all have elements of unreality, but they are considered classics. And many people exalt Tolkien’s works, which most definitely are ‘fantasy.’ But his works are so deep that even reading them three times one can’t take in all of his truths about power, good and evil, friendship, loyalty, nature (creation), love, and art."

            “Even fantasy depicts human nature," Rowling continues, "for authors of this genre must base their characters, even non-human ones, on humans, for that is all we know. People can often learn better and more from fantasy than realism because they are relaxed and not expecting to learn. And if we do not show the exalted, how can we know what to strive for?”  Rowling flips her wand around in her hand. “Tolkien also has some great essays on the subject, but I can’t recall them at the moment.”

            Pope opens his mouth to reply, probably in some melodious poem, but Rowling waves her wand. “I’m weary of this.”

            A large, dark blue dragon appears in the middle of the clearing and stalks towards Pope. The man fights valiantly, but alas, in the end the beast eats him. 

A Review: Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Genre: Mystery/Gothic Thriller

Incerpt from the back of my edition: "Frankenstein tells the story of devoted science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering 'the cause of generation and life' and 'bestowing animation upon lifeless matter,' Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts; but upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein."

I adore this book; I read it in high-school and again this year. I think it might one of those novels I read every year. I'm not even sure why I like it so much. It could be the eerie, suspenseful tone, the well-crafted depictions of nature to mirror the moods of the characters, the deep subject matter itself, or the fact that I read it in the majestic season of autumn (it makes a great 'ghost' story).

This book is not that difficult to read and raises great questions about the nature of life, the role of science and God, and the pride of man. I've never watched the movie, but the portrayal of the monster on the covers makes me weary of them. Whether you've seen these movies or not, you must absolutely read the book. It is deemed a classic for a reason and is worthy of that title in my opinion.

I give this novel a 4.5 out of 5 for its depth of content, lovely, eerie language, and how nature becomes a character (and it takes place in Switzerland!). I recommend it for people around 16 years old and up.

Lovelace's Point of View

-This entry is for a class. I have to take a letter from the novel, Clarissa, and make it into a blog entry.  I have taken Lovelace's letter from pg. 177 (the last section of his letter) and tried to make it modern.

Making Progress

I am doing well now with my honey, Clarissa. I'm sure that she will increase bountifully in her feelings for me every day from now on. I was rude to her at first because I wanted to show her that I have a backbone and to earn her fear. So if I'm kind to her from now on, it will heighten her feelings of me.

My next goal is to make her like me more than all other men, and then my main purpose will not be far away; soon I will be the happiest man alive! If she tells me she loves me, then this opens the door for all kinds of freedoms which can only grow over time.

If my little petunia continues to call me names (like an uncaring jerk), I'll just say that she is cruel. Women, for some reason, loved to be described as this; it makes them feel powerful or something. So, many times I have complained of her rudeness to her face so that she feels like she has some kind of hold on me (which is clearly untrue).

I also want to let Clarissa know that she is very wise so that she will hold me in higher esteem than she currently does.

I just love making traps for people and watching them fall in while not even realizing they are being duped. I will peer at my sweet, virtuous beauty over the cliff she just tumbled off and ask her how she managed to be down so far. (Aren't I clever and creepy?)

A Review: Joseph Andrews

Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding
Genre: Dramatic Fiction (?)

This novel was written in the 1700s as a satire to Samuel Richardson's novel, Pamela, where a very moral young woman is always sought after by not very moral young men. In Joseph Andrews, Joseph (Pamela's brother) is a supremely handsome young man who is loved by many women but himself loves one beautiful poor girl. This novel follows his travels with Parson Adams and this young woman across the British countryside.

I read this novel for my History of the Novel class, and I found it hilarious. The characters, which are more like caricatures, are just hilarious and very dramatic. They main characters are naive and get into very funny situations. Also, Henry Fielding just has a witty writing style and makes fun of many different things (hence the satire aspect).

Since this is a very early novel (some argue it is the first one), it's a little difficult to read sometimes. The narrator is very intrusive, which can be irritating at times, as well as his random tangents. He is like a character himself, and can be funny too.

Joseph Andrews is a very entertaining, funny, and exciting novel, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading, since it is an important part of the history of this genre. I give it a 3.5 out of 5.

What I learned: It is important to read people truthfully so one will not be taken advantage of, and see people for who they really are.

How I've Missed You, Colorado!

Some nature pics of the beautiful area near Denver:

Aragorn's Song

I haven't had time to finish the novels I'm reading yet, so here's another poem. It's one of my favorites that Tolkien wrote, and interestingly, he put it in the mouth of Aragorn (from Lord of the Rings), a mighty warrior and would-be king.

"Song of Aragorn"

By J.R.R. Tolkien 

All that is gold does not glitter, 

Not all those who wander are lost; 

The old that is strong does not wither, 

Deep roots are not reached by the frost. 

From the ashes a fire will be woken, 

A light from the shadows will spring; 

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

Black and White

"Tableau" 
By Countee Cullen
From Poems to Learn by Heart by Caroline Kennedy    

"Locked arm in arm they cross the way,
The black boy and the white,
The golden splendor of the day,
The sable pride of night.

From lowered blinds the dark folk stare,
And here the fair folk talk,
Indignant that these two should dare
In unison to walk.

Oblivious to look and word
They pass, and see no wonder
That lightning brilliant as a sword
Should blaze the path of thunder."

Isn't that such a sweet, lovely poem? Never underestimate the power of poetry.

A Review: Prodigy

Prodigy by Marie Lu
Genre: YA Dystopian
Sequel to Legend

"June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request-June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It's their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she's haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood- what if the Patriots are wrong?"

How epic does this novel sound?! And it truly is. I loved it just as much as Legend. The tension is higher, the suspense greater, the action more intense, and of course, the romance is not forgotten, although at times it seems like the love between June and Day is not real or will not last. What will happen between them? You must read it to find out.

There is also more twists in this novel than in the first one, which really took me by surprise. The ending was sad and leaves you hanging, especially since the third and final novel, Champion, does not come out until November. Why do authors do this to readers?! (Actually, I can't complain because I plan on doing the same thing in my own writing). I think it shows that the author has pulled you into the character's world when you cry or laugh when something happens to the characters, and I was definitely tearing up at the end.

Prodigy has a couple of cuss words and hints at homosexuality, and for this I recommend it for fifteen-year olds and up. But it is just as well-written and exciting as Legend, and I give a 4. If you enjoy adventure and action (or even if you don't), you must pick this series up and read it.

What I learned: Relationships and love is messy and difficult. A hero is someone who can relate to the people and is fighting for their hopes and beliefs. Most countries don't need collapse or confusion, they need change.
 

A Review: Arrow of God

Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe
Genre: Dramatic Fiction

There is no short description of what this novel is about, and I'm not exactly sure how to explain it, for I am not entirely sure myself, but I shall do my best.

In a part of early Africa, Ezeulu is the chief priest in his tribe for the god Ulu, just like the father before him. He is good at interpreting the will of the god and listening to the people, but he has a jealous enemy in another tribe who is determined to destroy him and his family. The white people nearby also change the people's cultural values and the meaning of their god and Ezeulu's position as a humble leader.

Okay, so that was a really bad description. Sorry! But I read this novel a few weeks ago, and even I didn't know what the main point of the story was; I should have paid more attention, but who wants to read a difficult book for a class next semester in the last few weeks of summer? (This novel was also for my World Lit class).

I think what made this novel particularly difficult to read was the major cultural differences to ours that I just didn't get like the moral stories, tribal history, and sacrifices. Once again, it will help a lot to have this story explained more in a class. Also, it was very challenging to keep up with characters because their names sounded so similar. For example, in just Ezeulu's family you have Obika, Oduche, Ojiugo, and Obiajeli. Whew!

I did enjoy learning about this culture and their ways. I liked this book much better than Achebe's book, Things Fall Apart which I read in high-school, because it was not nearly as depressing. But I think I need to read this book at least one more time to understand the importance of all that transpired.

I give this book a 1.5 and recommend it for sixteen-year-olds and up.

What I learned: "If my enemy speaks the truth I will not say because it is spoken by my enemy I will not listen."

A Review: Legend

Legend by Marie Lu
Genre: YA Dystopian

"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 one of 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 love this book. I've read it twice and plan on reading it many more times in the future. It has practically everything I enjoy in a good novel: excellent writing, intriguing, realistic characters, and an intense, action-filled plot. And although there is a lot of action in this novel, I like how Marie Lu doesn't just focus on that aspect, but also fills her characters with dreams, pain, and fears. I especially enjoyed Day's flashbacks and the obvious differences between him and June. Their relationship is highly interesting, and with this thrown into a futuristic world where the government is not what it seems, the novel is riveting.

I also liked that the romance aspect in the story is not the main focus, like it is in many YA books. The plague idea in this novel is in several dystopian books I've read (Reached and Cinder, for example) so it's not that unique, but everything else is different and the novel definitely keeps the reader on his toes. I give Legend a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for older middle-schoolers and up.

What I learned: People are not always what we expect them to be and we should live in the day-to-day because we never know if we'll have tomorrow.

A Review: The House of the Spirits

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Genre: not entirely sure, perhaps Dramatic Fiction

"The House of the Spirits is both a symbolic family saga and the story of an unnamed Latin American country's turbulent history. Isabel Allende creates a spirit ridden world and fills it with colorful and all too human inhabitants, including Esteban, the patriarch, a volatile and proud man whose lust for land is legendary and who is haunted by tyrannical passion for the wife he can never completely possess: Clara, the matriarch, elusive and mysterious, who foretells family tragedy and shapes the fortunes of the house and the Truebas: Blanca, their daughter, soft-spoken yet rebellious, whose shocking love for her father's foreman fuels Esteban's everlasting contempt, even as it produces the grandchild he adores; and Alba, the fruit of Blanca's forbidden love, a luminous beauty and willful woman."

I had to read this novel for a World Lit class I will be auditing this fall. There is so much that happens in it (it does cover three generations of women, after all), and is a highly complex novel, so I will be glad when we discuss it in class. Much of what I didn't understand has to do with the politics and revolution occurring at the end of the novel. I understood the gist of what happened, but would like to know if it it was true and more details of the political turmoil at the time. So if you read this novel on your own, be prepared to do a little research, or perhaps you are more familiar with Latin American History, and if you are, then this will be a highly enjoyable/easy read.

The characters were exceptionally unique, especially Clara, with her abilities to see the future and move things with her mind. But because of these such highly individual and strong personalities, it was hard to relate to the characters and care for them. I was often annoyed and frustrated with Esteban, one of the main protagonists, because of his stubbornness and selfishness, but Alba, his granddaughter, softens his character towards the end.

There were also a lot of heated love scenes, which the novel could have done without (or at least less vivid descriptions), and most of them occur outside of marriage. There is also rape, prostitution, torture, and violence in this novel which I cannot shake out of my mind.

Despite these difficult elements, I'm glad I read this novel. Sometimes it's good to be forced out of your comfort zone and read things you wouldn't ordinarily choose because you learn things you wouldn't, and your view of the world is broadened. And I definitely learned more from this novel than I can even guess at. I enjoyed reading about the culture of Latin America, the clash of very different personalities and how they are resolved or not, and how people react when their lives and beliefs are in jeopardy.

What I like most about this novel is the symbolism of the house and spirits (life is fleeting and temporal), the repetition that the characters viewed their lovers just as beautiful as they always had even after many trying years, and the steadfastness of family seen in the Truebas' relationships with each other.

The rating: 2.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it for 18 year-olds and up.

What I learned: I already mentioned this, but more specifically I'd say that anger drives people away, and being triumphant over one's enemies and being rich is worthless if it's at the cost of losing the people one loves.

*Isabel Allende's website

A Review: The Iron King

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Genre: YA Fantasy

"Megan Chase has a secret destiny—one she could never have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth—that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face…and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart."

From the first words on the page, I was drawn into this story. Mysterious, dangerous, funny, and full of attitude, this novel gripped me and would not let go. The characters are interesting and very real. I also enjoyed seeing the Faery characters, how different they are from mortals, and how Megan changes in that world. Yes, at the beginning she is the woman in distress, (wouldn't you be distressed to find yourself suddenly thrown into a world where every creature would love to eat you?), but by the end she is standing on her own two feet and discovering her own fey powers. I also loved Puck, who was probably my favorite character with his humor and innocence, and how the author contrasted him with Ash, the serious dark Prince. 

The only thing I didn't particularly like about this novel was the language; there is cuss words every few pages, which always feels like an unnecessary pinch in my side. And for this reason, I give the novel a 3 out of 5. I'm not sure if I'll read the rest of the novels (there's at least 3 more); the story and world is very interesting and Megan is a like-able character, but I'm not fond of long series, especially with that much cussing.  The Iron King should probably be read by sixteen year olds and up. 

What I learned:  Making deals in the faery world is highly risky. It's important to know one's weaknesses, and holding grudges can be very painful to the person simmering with anger and other people they know. 

*Check out Julie Kagawa's website to see other books she's written. 

A Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Genre: YA Fantasy

"Harry wants to get away form the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving tow other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal-even by wizarding standards.
        And, in his case, different can be deadly."

This is my favorite novel of the Harry Potter series, and I'm not quite sure why. It could be the exciting competition and danger inherent in each event, the nail-biting exciting game of Quidditch at the beginning, the mysteries woven into the novel, or that this novel is less depressing/dark than the later ones, and Harry is becoming a great wizard. Most likely it's all of the above.

I love how creative this novel is; I've read it probably three times before, but as I listened to it again, there was much I had forgotten. Rowling is the best author at world building that I have encountered thus far. She fills her novels (especially this one), with details that bring the reader right into the protagonist's life, as if the idea of a wizarding world is as natural as the dirt on the ground. All these tidbits, like the kinds of candies the wizards eat, the classes they take and what they learn, the games they play, etc. fascinates me and makes me feel as if I've stepped right into the wizarding school of Hogwarts and not want to leave.

I understand why people don't let their children read these books, but they are some of the cleanest novels I've ever read and full of fun. Yes, they get darker toward the end, but good always triumphs, and readers learn that life is not all peaches and cream, and love is worth fighting for. I give this novel a 4.5 and recommend it for middle-schoolers and up.

What I learned: Constant Vigilance! (gotta love Mad-Eye Moody.) Friendships are invaluable, and fretting over the future does no one any good.

A Review: Pirates!

                                          

Pirates! by Celia Rees

Genre: YA Historical Fiction, Adventure

 "Thrown together by chance, ambitious for adventure by nature, Minerva Sharpe and Nancy Kington defy the expectations of everyone around them and take to the high seas on the pirate ship Deliverance." 

This novel was interesting and a lot of fun to read. There's always something going on, and the characters are very likeable. Although, I liked Minerva better than Nancy, even though the story was told from Nancy's point of view. In my opinion, the main protagonist should be the 'strongest' character; the one who changes the most and directs the story. It would have been interesting to read some of this daring, pirate tale from Minerva's p.o.v, but I still enjoyed hearing from Nancy. 

This story has some great imagery, and seemed (as far as I could tell) fairly accurate about slave plantations and early life in England as a woman, which I found highly interesting. I wish the ending was a bit more specific, but it was still a satisfying ending. 

This was an excellently written novel and highly enjoyable to read, and my complaints about it aren't major. I give it a 3.5 out of 5 and recommend it for older middle-schoolers and up. 

What I learned: Men who go on the account (become pirates) were usually plain old sailors at first, and pirates have their own rules that can't be broken. I also learned the importance of a good, true friend who sticks to you no matter what. 

*By the way, I believe this novel is based on a true story. Thus, you must most definitely read it!

A Review: Lost Voices

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
Genre: YA Fantasy

"Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?" 

I am obsessed with ocean/mermaid stories; I'll read nearly almost any I can grab my hands on. I think this is partly due to the fact that I live a long ways from any sea (or water) and have always been fascinated by the sea. So, when I saw the cover of this novel and read the back of it, I was immediately interested, although wary of the siren/singing kind of mermaid it portrayed. Why do authors all of a sudden think mermaids have to be some kind of evil creature that lures young men to their deaths? 

I've read several books in the last few years about this kind of mermaid, and Lost Voices was unique from the other stories I've read and seems more real (yes, I know it's about fantastical creatures). The mermaids who have become mermaids in this novel have changed because humans were horrible to them, which I think is a fascinating and poignant idea. 

I also like how the main character struggles with who she is now, but the author doesn't solve the problem by just turning her back into a human at the end. I also love how the singing is described in this book, in a way where I could almost actually hear it. 

However, there is a lot of drama between the girls in the main character's mermaid tribe, which I found a bit irritating, the mc's lack of action also bothered me at times, though I suppose she had a good reason for being like that. There is also some cussing and saying God's name in vain, which bothered me more than anything. For these, I give the novel a 2.75 out of 5. 

I started reading the sequel, Waking Storms, which looked promising, but it cussed several times in the first pages, which made me decide not to continue the story. Mrs. Porter is an excellent writer and the plot is really interesting, but why do young adult authors think that they can just throw in cuss words whenever they want? Oftentimes it distracts the reader from the story and is just plain uneeded. Sigh. 

What I Learned/was reminded of: Humanity is messed up. Material possessions do not solve anything or bring happiness. 

ImagineDragons!

My sister and I went to an ImagineDragons concert this weekend in Kansas City, MO, and it was awesome!   Most people I've asked haven't heard of this indie(ish)-rock group, and I only began listening to them a little less than a year ago, when they popped up on my Spotify radio channel when I was listening to another group.

I like this band because they don't only sing of one topic, like love, and their songs are clean. The main vocalist, Dan Reynolds, has an excellent, unique voice, and the other members of the band are very talented. ImagineDragons' lyrics are deep, unique, and make you think. This band is fairly new; this tour is their first one ever, but they are doing an excellent job, and the seats at the Starlight Theater were sold out. This group's music is similar to One Republic, if you're curious, and here's their website if you want to learn more about them or watch some of their music videos.

Some pics of my sis and I in beautiful Kansas City (and I tried to flip them, but couldn't figure out how w/ my inferior technological skills) :

A Review: Extras

Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Genre: Dystopian Sci-Fi
#4 in the UGLIES series

"It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. 'Tech-heads' flaunt their latest gadgets, 'kickers' spread gossip and trends, and 'surge monkeys' are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol.Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance to escape extra-land is to find a big story to kick-something wild and unexpected.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. But the Sly Girls are hiding something bigger-an explosive that may change the face of the brave new world forever. If Aya kicks this story, she'll be propelled into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for."

Fame. Danger. Surge-Monkeys. How cool does that sound? And this is a great read. It took me a while to get into, possibly because the main character, Aya, was obnoxious at first. But she realized her flaws and tried to change, and once I was half-way, whoosh! I couldn't and didn't want to put the book down.

Extras has some great plot twists and excitement, and continues to address deep issues like the other novels in the series do. I didn't like this novel as well as Uglies, Pretties, Specials, but I still enjoyed this novel. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 and recommend it for older middle-schoolers and up.

What I learned: Sometimes you have to lie to find out the truth. Fame isn't always (usually) as good as it sounds/looks.

A Review: The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Genre: Dramatic/Realistic Fiction 

Quote from the back: "'This powerful first novel...tells a story of fierce cruelty and fierce yet redeeming love. Both transform the life of Amir; Khaled Hosseini's privileged young narrator, who comes of age during the last peaceful days of the monarchy, just before his country's revolution and its invasion by Russian forces. But political events, even as dramatic as the ones that are presented in The Kite Runner, are only a part of this story. In The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini gives us a vivid and engaging story that reminds us how long his people have been struggling to triumph over the forces of violence-forces that continue to threaten them even today.'"

This was a beautifully written book and I was in tears several times throughout it. It was definitely not a 'light' read; there is a lot of violence and tragedy. But there is deep love and forgiveness and it opened up my eyes to the suffering people had to face during the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan, how important love is between right and wrong, and that people's actions can affect their children.

I was frustrated with the main character, Amir, a lot in this novel, but he grows and changes at the end, which I believe is similar to real life, for no one's perfect. Other than that, the characters were mostly like able and I really loved learning about the Afghanistan culture. There are also many great motifs and lovely symbols throughout the novel (look at the title, hint, hint). I liked A Thousand Splendid Suns better, but I still loved this book and give it a 4 out of 5. I would recommend it for older high-school students and up.

What I learned: What a kite runner is, how dramatically life changed during the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul, and what a Hazara is.

A Review: Mere Christianity

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Genre: Non-Fiction

Incerpt from back: "One of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written, Mere Christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide. The book brings together C.S. Lewis's legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to 'explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times." Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, Lewis provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. It is a collection of scintillating brilliance that remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C.S. Lewis's reputation as one of the leading writers and thinkers of our age."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was pretty easy to read, more so than the other novels by him that I have read, and the arguments made a lot of sense. Also, it was funny in places. I know, who thought that scholarly, dead men could be funny in their non-fiction novels, right? This one definitely was in places, and gave the brain a brief respite. Lewis also uses quite a bit of similes/metaphors/descriptions to prove his points, and they really clarified his ideas and pressed them into the reader's mind.

And don't fret about the 'Christian' content. Lewis doesn't hit you over the head, and this novel is sensitive to all kinds of audiences. It actually seems to be more for those who don't hold to the Christian beliefs than those who do, although both can gain new insights from it. This is a great read for anyone (no matter the spiritual beliefs) who is interested in the deeper aspects of life, like morality, faith, and the concept of God. I give it a 5 out of 5 because it was so well written and tackles great topics. I recommend it for anyone around late high school age and up.

What I learned: So much! But here's two: Sometimes you must act like you love someone so that you actually will; feeling follows action. Morality is different than our human instincts (like motherly love) because it is often what tells you which instinct to act upon.

Tigers and Rhymes

It's poetry time! People in our culture don't read poetry much (unless it's in school), which is a shame, because it can be so beautiful and meaningful. This is one of my favorite poems because of the imagery and rhyme scheme.

The Tyger by William Blake

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright                                    
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?                                            
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Ale or Mead?

It's always important to do research for a novel, especially for a historical novel. A few weeks ago, in one of my writing classes, my professor was reading a chapter of my current writing project, a YA novel that takes place in a medieval-type world.

My professor noticed that I had said that my main character took a swig of mead, and kindly informed me that more than a few sips of mead would knock a normal person out. Who would have thunk? Not me apparently, because I don't live in the middle ages, and didn't do enough research. Since I didn't want my character to get drunk, (it is YA, after all :), I changed the mead to ale. I probably have more cultural oddities like this in in my novel, but now I'm on the hunt to get everything right, even the drinks, because readers will catch it, and then will want to kill me!

Some other interesting things I learned while researching/editing parts of this novel:
    -They don't say 'okay' or 'alright' in the middle ages. What else can you use for those expressions?!
    -People back then used animal skins (bladders) to hold water while traveling. Yum
    -Peasant houses were made from straw and mud.
    -Nobles didn't eat raw fruit; it was seen as unhealthy and unsanitary. No wonder they didn't live long...
    -The crossbow was invented in the early-ish middle ages period.
    -"You dried neat's-tongue" is an insult Shakespeare used. Your guess is as good as mine of what it means.    

Happy Memorial Day!

In honor of our soldiers and veterans, here is a poem about how we often take their lives for granted: 

Buttons
by Carl Sandburg

I have been watching the war map slammed up for advertising in front of the newspaper office.
Buttons-red and yellow buttons-blue and black buttons-are shoved back and forth across the map.

A laughing young man, sunny with freckles,
Climbs a ladder, yells a joke to somebody in the crowd,
And then fixes a yellow button one inch west
And follows the yellow button with a black button one inch west.

(Ten thousand men and boys twist on their bodies in a red soak along a river edge,
Gasping of wounds, calling for water, some rattling death in their throats.)
Who would guess what it cost to move two buttons one inch on the war map here in front of the  
         newspapter office where the freckle-faced young man is laughing to us?

A Review: The Scorch Trials

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
Genre: Dystopian, Adventure, YA
#2 in the Maze Runner Series

Summary: "Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated-and with it, order-and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity" (yum!) "by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim... and meal. The Gladers are far from done running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them."

Zombie-like creatures, silver death balls, super-hot lightning: this book will definitely keep you on your toes. I liked watching how Thomas and his friends responded to the crazy things that the organization known as WICKED threw at them, and the creativity in these things. I also enjoyed the flashbacks Thomas had; they helped clear some things up and were good pictures into his personality and how much he has changed.

But this novel was more violent and depressing than the first one. I also didn't like a particular plot twist in the middle of the novel and how it changed Thomas' relationship with one of the characters and thus, how the reader sees that character. And personally, I'm not much of a zombie person, and they creep into this novel, and are pretty creepy :) For these reasons among others, I give The Scorch Trials a 2 out of 5. Sorry, Mr. Dashner.

If you like action though, you should definitely try this novel, because there's plenty of it.

What I learned: People are not always what they appear and it might take a long time to know who they are. And the thought-provoking question: how far would you go to save someone's life? Would you go so far as to make them think you hate them?

A Review: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Genre: Dystopian, Adventure, YA

Incerpt from the back of the novel: "When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is empty. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open,Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as anyone can remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, for just as long, they've closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the Maze after dark.

The Gladers weren't expecting Thomas's arrival. But the next day, a girl is sent up-the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might find their way home... wherever that may be. But it's looking more and more as if the Maze is unsolvable. And something about the girl's arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers-if he can only find  way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind."

So, I have been wanting to read this novel for a long time because it's dystopian, and for some reason, I really like end-of-the-world, not-everything-is-as-it seems books. And be forewarned, this novel is a series, and you have to keep reading them to understand everything. I liked how it pulls you into the world pretty quickly, and there is a lot of action to keep you hooked to the story.

It was a little frustrating, however, that there are so many things that the characters, and thus, the reader, doesn't know. I spent most of the book asking what was happening, just like Thomas. But there are some answers toward the end, although only enough for the reader to feel a little satisfied, and nothing is fully answered in this first novel.

The plot reminds me a lot of The Hunger Games because other people are playing with the characters' lives, except that these characters know nothing about what's going on. I felt sorry for them because such horrible things were happening to them and they didn't know why, but it's amazing how tough they are and how much they long to survive. I give it a 3 and recommend it to highschool age and up and for anyone who likes action and dystopian novels.

And check out James Dashner's website. It's really cool.

What I learned: Humans have a strong sense of survival, and true loyalty and love is being willing to lay down your life for a friend (which sounds a lot like what Jesus did).

A Review: The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary by Ted Dekker
Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Christian

Incerpt from the inside cover: "The Sanctuary is the gripping story of vigilante priest Danny Hansen, who is now serving a fifty-year prison term in California for the murder of two abusive men. Filled with remorse, Danny is determined to live out his days by a code of nonviolence and maneuvers deftly within a deadly prison system.

But when Renee Gilmore, the woman he loves, recieves a box containing a bloody finger and draconian demands from a mysterious enemy on the outside, Danny must find a way to protect Renee while at the same time Renee enacts a plan to free Danny from incarceration.

They are both drawn into a terrifying game of life and death. If Renee fails, the priest will die; if Danny fails, Renee will die. And the body count will not stop at two."

So, sometimes I think I'm crazy and morbid for reading Dekker's thrillers books since they are about someone wanting to kill someone else, and there is always some kind of violence or torture involved that I don't enjoy reading about. But I think the reason I like them is that Dekker uses killers and their prey to explore the deep recesses of the mind and the beliefs that people hold to motivate them to act the way they do.

The Sanctuary was a very intense ride and difficult at times to read because of the things that happen in the prison known as the sanctuary and what the characters are forced through. But I love the themes that Dekker explores in this novel: violence/non violence and justice/injustice and, in all of his novels, love. I also like how he points to God without saying it very explicitly. All of his novels also end happily/hopefully, which is awesome after all they have gone through!

I believe The Sanctuary is the sequel to The Priest's Graveyard, which I didn't read before I read this novel. I could still understand what was going on and had a clear image of the characters, even though I read this one second.

Overall, I give this novel a 3.75 out of 5 (and yes, decimals are allowed!) because it wasn't as good as some of his other thrillers, like Boneman's Daughers or Three, and because it tended to be didactic in places. Be warned, there is some torture and killing, and rape is hinted at. I recommend it to 18 yr olds and older.

What I learned: Love/mercy triumphs and is more powerful than punishment. And prisoners often come out of prisons more tough and dangerous than they entered because they had to toughen up in order to survive prison.

P.S. If you didn't notice, I like to review all different kinds of novels. So if you don't like a specific genre I've reviewed, stick around and it'll likely switch soon. Also, I'm going to try to write more about writing fiction itself, but it'll probably be random ramblings since I'm learning more about that all the time. Thanks for visiting, and I hope you have a lovely day!

A Review: The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Genre: Historical Fiction

Incerpt from inside cover: "Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeeth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. Sh is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost to yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to now her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed."

Whew! That was a mighty long book summary. So, I saw the movie, The Help, before I read the book, and it intrigued me enough to want to read it. And I'm so glad I did! Most books are better than movies, but there was so much more depth and personality to the book and the characters in it than in the movie.The book is from all three women's perspectives (Skeeter, Aibileen, Minny), which I really enjoyed. It added so much to the story, especially in giving each of their perspectives and motivations.

The content is also just very unique and interesting to me. I haven't read any other stories that dealt with black maids and white people uniting, and the story kept my attention throughout its entirety. Mrs. Stockett also put real historical events in the novel, which brought me even more into the tale. I laughed out loud and cried in this story; the author did an excellent job of making the characters real. They felt like a family to me, and I was sad to leave them at the end. I give this book a 4 and will definitely return to this story because it's so rich and so many different kinds of people are involved. There is some cussing, which is fine, but the author probably could have taken some of it out while still keeping some for the effect. But I have no other critiques of this book; it was very well written.

What I learned: Obviously what it was like to be black and white (as much as possible from a white author) in the 1960s in the South. I also learned how much the black maids truly impacted the white children they raised and how important the job of a mother is, as well as many other things.

Click here to find out more about this wonderful book and author.

A Review: The Fortelling

The Fortelling by Alice Hoffman

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction (kind-of)

 

"Rain is a girl with a certain destiny, living in an ancient time of blood, raised on mares' milk, nurtured with the strength of a thousand Amazon sisters. A girl of power, stronger than fifty men, she rides her white horse as fierce as a demon. Rain-Dream Rider, born warrior, and queen-to-be. But then there is the fortelling. The black horse. In truth, Rain tastes a different future in her dreams. She is touched by the stirrings of emotions unknown. She begins to see beyond a life of war... and wonders about the forbidden. And about the words that are never used... mercy, men, love, peace."

 

I love the uniqueness of this book. It has a dream-like feel to it, and the rare dialogue is in italics. It also has a unique subject matter; tribal women warriors who fight for freedom and do not like men. But don't worry, men are regarded as slightly better later in the book. It is just interesting that there could have been women who lived and thought this way early in the history of the world. The culture, especially how it revolves around horses, made me think of Mongolia, which was pleasant for me personally.

 

There is a little homosexuality in this novel, but it isn't a main focus, and the society is much different than ours. This novel is written in a beautiful way, especially with all of the nature and dream imagery. It has good themes and the characters are intriguing. I wish Mrs. Hoffman would have elongated the story (it's a super short read), and I would have liked to have seen more of two of the characters, who disappear at the end. This novel was like a taste (a good one), but now I want a meal. I didn't like it as much as one of her other YA novels, Aquamarine, but that could just be because I'm obsessed with mermaids. Overall, I enjoyed this short read and give it a 3 out of 5. Visit Alice Hoffman's website to learn more about this talented author and other novels she has written (she writes adult books as well, but as yet I have not read any of them).

 

What I learned: People must see more than sorrow in others and the world, or there will be lasting repercussions on themselves and others. A woman must be filled with peace and mercy as well as strength if she wants to lead others well.

 





A Review: Shards and Ashes

Shards and Ashes

Edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong

An Anthology of Dystopian Short Stories

Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci-Fi (Young Adult)

 

 

"The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Suvivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, an one another; their resources are few and their courage is tested."

 

I have a weak spot for dystopian stories, especially ones that are exceptionally creative and offer some hope at the end. Dystopian stories are about the end of the world, so most of these stories were depressing, but nearly all of them offered a glimmer of hope at the end. I also liked the deep issues these stories tackled, and the exciting way in which they did so. My favorite stories were "Branded" by Kelley Armstrong, "Necklace of Raindrops" by Margaret Stohl, "Dogsbody" by Rachel Caine, and "Love is a Choice" by Beth Revis, although I'm not sure if I like how that one ended or not. Some of the stories could be elaborated on, and some were just downright strange/creepy, like "Pale Rider" by Nancy Holder. I also grew tired of the similarities in some of the stories, so it might be good to read other things in-between them. But overall, the characters and plots were intriguing and well thought out. This is the first anthology I have read for fun, so I have nothing to compare it to. I give the whole thing a 3 out of 5.

 

All of the writers who contributed to this anthology were: Veronica Roth (author of the Divergent Series which I have yet to read), Kelley Armstrong, Margaret Stohl, Rachel Caine, Nancy Holder, Melissa Marr, Kami Garcia, Beth Revis and Carrie Ryan (author of the The Forest of Hands and Teeth series). I recommend this anthology obviously to anyone who enjoys dystopian novels, and anyone who likes reading about unique worlds and creatures and darker subjects.

 

What I learned from this anthology: Even in the darkest of times, there is hope. Love and life is always worth fighting for, family impacts who a person is and behaves, and when fighting zombie-like creatures, it's always good to have a teammate to bail you out of trouble!