Divergent by Veronica Roth- Review

This was in my stocking at Christmas which I was so pleased about! I literally wanted to start reading it straight away and after all the Christmas excitement, a couple of days later, I read this book in just a day and a bit. This was such an anticipated read for me and it was even on my Wanting to Read List which you can read here. And it didn't disappoint.

Divergent is set in a world where everyone has their own place in a faction. These factions are: Dauntless- for the brave, Abnegation- for the selfless, Amity- for those seeking peace, Candor- honesty and Erudite- knowledge. At 16, the residents of this dystopian Chicago have to decide which faction they will enter and therefore spend the rest of their lives devoted to. Beatrice has a tough decision because while she doesn't want to leave her family, she knows that Abnegation is not where she belongs. When she chooses her faction she is faced with an initiation that is tougher than she imagined she would be able to cope with. She also has a secret that she wants to keep, for her own safety.

The best thing about this book for me is the plot which is very strong and the whole story is so fast paced. There are no parts in it which I found boring and no parts in which I wanted to stop reading at. Action is on nearly every page. Also, I really liked the way that the book was written because it was easy to read but in a really great way with some lovely phrases and words that I want to use myself. I think that this book is everything a Dystopia should be- full of excitement and thrilling plots. This has definitely got to be one of my favourite books that I've read for a while.

For anyone who is prepared to fall in love with another book and who is prepared for the feels, this book will be perfect for you! The characters are likeable and- where appropriate- loathe-able. Also, I thought that the thing Veronica Roth did best was describe settings. With every new place the characters entered, I had the most clear image of it in my head and could imagine it being so real which I love to happen in stories.

I think that this book would be good for 13 ears and onwards because adults love Divergent too. Buy it here. P.S. if you enjoy it, but Insurgent (2nd in the trilogy) as soon as you can because you will want to carry on reading!

 5/5

Requiem by Lauren Oliver Review (Delirium Trilogy)

So, I finished the trilogy. And I miss it. I miss the adventure and the unpredictable story lines and the characters too.

In Requiem, the book is one chapter written from Lena's point of view and one from Hannah's, then one from Lena's, then one from Hannah's and so on. I liked this because it showed what was going on in different places and how the characters had changed and, in places, remained the same.
As with a lot of trilogies, I was worried that the final book would be an anti-climax or end somewhere that didn't seem right. But, with Requiem, I actually really liked the ending. I liked the message that it gave out and that small parts were left to be made up by the reader. It is the ultimate ending and throughout all three books there is a constant undertone of suspense- an always there question of what is to happen next. The last book didn't disappoint, containing a lot of action all the way through.

As always, Lauren Oliver's writing is brilliant and something that I think is really good for this book. It's not too easy to the point of being patronising as some YA books can be, but is also not too heavy or hard to read. Sort of like a perfect balance.

It's hard to write a review that doesn't give a lot away when writing about a book series, but I really wanted to review this because I enjoyed it so much. What I can say though, is that Lena, as a character, becomes even more likeable for me. She is no longer the weak girl that we met in Delirium, which is such a relief. The story continues from Pandemonium and stays with a strong plot, extending on from the last book but adding new things as well. It never gets boring and is likely to make you not want to put the book down.

I would recommend this book for ages 13 upwards and know that adults love the Delirium trilogy too. (My mum is reading it now.)

You can buy it on amazon here for £4.39 or from Waterstones here for £5.24.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness- Review

Firstly, I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but for some reason, I LOVE this cover. I don't know what it is but there's just something about it. Anyway, the story is one that I really enjoyed too, which is what counts the most.

At the start of the book, I struggled to get into it. I think this was because I wasn't sure where the story was going, but once I was past a certain point, I was fine and started to enjoy it properly. The story was started by Siobhan Dowd, who very sadly had time as an enemy and asked Patrick Ness to complete the story for her. Personally, I think he did a great job.

The story's main character, Connor, is immediately likeable and although to begin with you don't know a lot about him, he becomes more interesting as a character because of this. During the story- and at the very beginning- Connor has a nightmare. It is a recurring nightmare which seems so real yet so unbelievable that he worries about it a lot. It talks to him, grabs him, it happens almost every night. It is just him and his mum at home and he doesn't tell anyone about the nightmare. The way that the book is written in the third person, I was originally annyoyed about. I thought 'the story would be even better if we saw everything through Connor's eyes.' But soon I realised that in third person, I get to make up Connor's character a bit more which I enjoyed quite a lot.

Soon, the book starts to get quite sad. This is because Connor's mum is ill and reading it is upsetting because it shows just how much illness affects the people around the ill person. Even without meaning to, or without being able to stop it. The monster in the nightmare doesn't leave and gets more physical- an all consuming worry that is a permanent resident in the brain of Connor O'Malley. Lots of things have to change for him. As a reader, I thought that this was the best part of the book; a bit into the story where you're not quite sure what's going to happen but are desperate to find out. That is, I find, usually the greatest part.

Overall, the story and ending of the book is one that you will remember. It might make you sad but the greatness of the story will outweigh the sadness. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil what happens for you. Patrick Ness is a brilliant writer- that is all,
I'd recommend this book for people between the ages of 12- 16 but I know that my mum enjoyed this book too!
Let me know if you've read it!
You can buy it from Amazon here for £3.86 or from Waterstones here for £5.29.

Partick Ness has also written 'The knife of never letting go' which I started but never finished, for no particular reason. Tell me if you've read it and think I should read it again?

Delirium by Lauren Oliver- Review

My mum bought me this and straight away I wanted to read it because my English teacher had recommended it to me also. I really enjoyed it, especially when the story really started to develop and my craving for the sequel got huge.

Delirium is set in an America where love is a disease, and that is what you are taught and that is what is enforced. When you turn 18, you receive an obligatory procedure which 'cures' you from ever getting the disease of Amor Deliria Nervosa and basically from feeling any emotional attachment ever again. There are regulators everywhere who make sure that no dancing happens, that no sign of love or emotion passes between anyone. Boys and girls are separated until they are matched with someone after their procedure who they are made to stay with forever. They hunt out people who show signs of the disease and the consequences are horrific. But... there are people who go against the regime. People who believe love is good and natural and who disagree that it should be eradicated without choice.
The story is from the first person point of view of Lena, who is nearing her procedure and unashamedly cannot wait for the calmness that it boasts. For the end of the fear of catching the disease and the constant watchfulness that is placed upon the uncureds. Until, she meets somebody who might be able to change the way she thinks about the place she lives and the rules which she follows so robotically...

When I first started reading the book, I was sort of half doing other things at the same time because I was super busy then, so I didn't really get into the book properly until a few chapters in. But, believe me, when the plot really kicks in, you will be gripped and have to pay full attention. In fact, it will be hard for you to pay attention to anything else. I'm not sure if I didn't get into the book straight away because of my bad attention or because the book starts quite slowly. I'm not sue, but I do know that if you find yourself in the same position, carry on! The main character becomes even greater as the book goes on and it is such a gripping story in so many ways. I also really, really like the way everything is described in the book in such detail or with such great metaphors and similes. My favourite part is defintely near the end of the book where the action is unfolding and the story starts to get properly interesting. Not that the rest of the book is boring, just that at the end, the story gets so fast-paced and amazing! I would suggest that if you start enjoying the book and think you will want to read the sequel, order it straight away! I waited days after finishing Delirium for the package to arrive and wow, it was harder than it should have been.

I would recommend this book for anyone from ages 13- 18, because I think that it is written in a way that is suitable for a wide age range, but I know that a lot of adults really enjoy the book too, so I guess it depends on the sort of plot that you enjoy as well. :)
The sequel to Delirium is called Pandemonium, which I am currently reading and will review soon! If you've read it, let me know what you thought. Also-unrelated but oh well,- if you've read the Divergent series, please tell me, I'm thinking about reading it soon! The third in the trilogy is called Requiem

You can buy the book on amazon for £4.15:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delirium-Trilogy-Lauren-Oliver/dp/0340980931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383589273&sr=8-1&keywords=delirium
And at waterstones for £5.29 here: http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/lauren+oliver/delirium/8179635/

Wonder by R.J. Palacio~ Review

A book that you will remember for a very long time is Wonder. It is a book that teaches you kindness and equality like no person could do and it is written in a really beautiful way that I thought was quite unique.
August is the main character and right from the start of the book you learn that he looks different from others. If August was a real living human, I would want to be best friends with him because his attitude is amazing and his niceness comes in an abundance. His face is different and he was born like it, but my favourite thing is that- because it is a book- you don't judge the character by how he looks, but his personality. I know August is a character, but I feel like in the real world it should be that way too. That's the sort of thing you will think about after reading this book. If you thought you were morally a good person, this story will make you want to be better. Anyway, August has nothing wrong with his brain or limbs or anything and his face is the only thing that makes him different to others, and the story is mainly about how this affects his life (even though it shouldn't).
He has a sister, Via, who is protective of him and when he starts real school for the first time in fifth grade, his parents are protective too. Through the story, I found a lot of things really upsetting because I only just realised how horrible children can be, but how thoughtful and great they can be too. The whole book just makes you think about people more. I love a lot of the characters in the book, August in particular but others too like his parents, sister, and the friends who stick by him.
It's hard not to give the story away, but he meets a lot of nasty people and goes through a lot of nasty things before the end of the story. However, it is from the end of the story that I would like to share a poem that I really, really adore.
"Do all the good you can,
 By all the means you can,
 In all the ways you can,
 In all the places you can,
 At all the times you can,
 As long as you ever can.- John Wesley's Rule"
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is honestly so brilliant and it makes you think but it isn't a book that makes your head hurt because you can't do anything but think. It is written quite simply but in a way that is great and not patronising and is perfect for boys or girls.
I would say this is suitable for anyone from the age of 10-16. This is because it is written simply enough for a 10 year old to enjoy, but not too simply that a 16 year old would not enjoy it. The story, in my opinion, is perfect for any age, bit or small and the morals are even more suitable for everyone. Adults, I think could enjoy the book too because it is basically just great.
Sadly,I can't find any more books that are by R.J. Palacio, and this is bad because I would love to read more by her! If anyone can suggest any similar stories please, please let me know!


Wonder is available from Amazon for£5.24 with free delivery in the UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0552565970/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382551359&sr=8-1&keywords=wonder+by+rj+palacio

It is the same price in Waterstones with free delivery in the UK also.http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/r-+j-+palacio/wonder/9208412/

What I will be doing here...

I will hopefully post a new review every week or for a while maybe twice a week as there are a lot of books I really want to write about that I read a while ago. Once I've done them I can review the books that I'm currently reading. I want the reviews to be easy to judge so you will know from the review what I thought about the book and for you to be able to decide if this book belongs on your bookshelf. To make this happen I'll include these things in each review:

• A picture of the front cover (or one version of the front cover)- because although you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, it's okay to do that every once in a while!
• A link to where you could buy the book- I will try to find the cheapest place or give a few different options :)
• An honest and hopefully non-boring opinion of the book, with reasons and an idea of who might like this book (e.g.age groups it would suit)
• A few books that the book I'm reviewing is similar to <--- That was phrased really badly!
• And finally, other books by that author or in the same series

The reviews will go up every week on a Sunday and a Wednesday but this week, as I set this up on a Sunday, the first review will be up tomorrow. 

Everyone likes different types of books, and I guess I probably subconsciously stumble across the bookshelves ignoring certain genres, oblivious to the fact I may be missing out. So I will try to read books that I normally wouldn't. However, this could be difficult as I've kind of read all the popular, stereotypically teenager-ish books of our generation already. The Hunger Games (love, love loved it), The Twilight Saga (was slightly obsessed, now questions why), All of the Harry Potter books (amazing) and as a girl, I've read pretty much all of the popular teenagery, girly books. 

I'm now into a different type of books but I guess I would call it miscellaneous because there isn't really a name for it but as I'm reading the books there is a quiet and subtle likeliness between the current and the last. If I find a word for it, I will be straight here!