Divergent by Veronica Roth

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, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I distinctly remember a friend of mine telling me to read Divergent, as it was the "best book everrrr" in my grade eleven politics class, however, I said "naaah, I've read enough dystopians". I also distinctly remember being at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago and picking up Divergent in the 40% off bin, reading the summary, and putting the book back in the bin. I had also seen the trailer, which looked cool, but it didn't make me want to pick up the book.  It seems like for the past 5 years, dystopians have ruled the YA book world and I'm kind of starting to miss vampires (JUST KIDDING!). They've been the it thing for a while now, and I'm kinda over it. But...

If I could stare at me from the past, I would tap her in the head reminiscing "You coulda had a V8" commercial.  In all honesty, although I loved The Hunger Games books as a tween and couldn't get enough of them, I've been ready to move on since three days after Mockingbird came out. I laid to rest all my THG feelings as people were just starting to get obsessed with it since the movie had been announced. But this time, the tables are turned. Whaddup Divergent fandom!

Divergent's story is not one we've never heard of, a futuristic north-american setting where families are divided into fractions (Dauntless, Abnegation, Amity, Erudite, and Candor) that determine their ways of life and at the tender age of sixteen, a teen must chose whether they want to remain in the same fraction with their family or transfer into a new one, starting a whole new life. (This vaguely resembles figuring out your post-secondary studies).  Without giving away any spoilers, I wondered how Divergence was going to come into play all 400+ pages of the book and once it was finally a factor, near the end of those 400+ pages, we finally got to the actual meat of the story. There were a lot of predictable paths that the book chose to follow but  enough surprises to make up for it and to keep me reading.  A lot of the book is spent preparing for the actual story and in that time we learn more about how the society works, Beatrice, and those who surround her. Although many have said that the society is just so unrealistic and simplified (I agree), I've chosen to overlook that because its dystopian. Its a twisted futuristic world, and I chose to put aside my own ideas of how the world works ant to just let the book take over for me. But there's something about the book, maybe it's Roth's writing, her characters, or the idea of being Dauntless that gives it that little twinkle for me.

Divergent and all of its character, is the book I've been waiting for, for a very long time.  Beatrice is my favourite heroine in years. She is strong and sometimes vulnerable, smart, quick, and inspiring. I don't think I've ever loved a character as much as I love her, a strong female character with flaws, though none of them are due to her gender. Thank you Veronica Roth!

Divergent is not only well written, but inspiring. In the back of the novel, there were fraction manifestos, a breakdown of what each fraction stands for. It was easy to pick touching points from each fraction's manifesto, though I have to say that Dauntless had my favourite lines. 

We believe that cowardice is to blame for the world’s injustices.

We believe that peace is hard-won, that sometimes it is necessary to fight for peace. But more than that: We believe that justice is more important than peace.

We believe in freedom from fear, in denying fear the power to influence our decisions. We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.

We believe in acknowledging fear and the extent to which it rules us. We believe in facing that fear no matter what the cost to our comfort, our happiness, or even our sanity.

We believe in shouting for those who can only whisper, in defending those who cannot defend themselves.

We believe, not just in bold words but in bold deeds to match them. We believe that pain and death are better than cowardice and inaction because we believe in action.

We do not believe in living comfortable lives. We do not believe that silence is useful.

We do not believe in good manners.

We do not believe in empty heads, empty mouths, or empty hands.

We do not believe that learning to master violence encourages unnecessary violence.

We do not believe that we should be allowed to stand idly by. We do not believe that any other virtue is more important than bravery.

I can very much understand why the Divergent series has such a following and why it will be a feature film in 2014. It has a star potential. Talking about the film, I think the casting is pretty good and I'm very excited to see it. However, if you'd like to stay away from spoilers, I'd stay away from any comment sections...and any of Ansel Elgort's interviews for that matter.

What are your thoughts on The Divergent world, was it too unbelievable for you to enjoy?

My answer? Well, I'm off to pick up the sequel, Insurgent, from Wal-Mart's 40% off bin.

Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano

From Goodreads: 

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.  Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.
While reading the summary for Internment one might find themselves a little confused. What do these terms mean? What do you mean they're on a floating island in the clouds? Ummmm. That is also how I felt while reading the first few chapters of the book. I was slightly distracted and slightly confused which didn't encourage me to pick up the book while on the bus in favour of my earphones. However, that's what I did. And soon enough I was completely into the story and loving ever second of it.

Being completely honest, I didn't really feel like reading a YA dystopian novel, but something about Perfect Ruin pushed me to do so. I really loved the characters, the plot, and the book as a whole. It was fast paced, and fortunately, not showy or exaggerated like many of the YA dystopians today. It was smart and mature. BUT I did get increasingly annoyed about the possible love triangle that might be forming, because I find it so unnecessary at this point in the story.  Although I haven't had a chance to read the final book in the Chemical Garden trilogy, I know that DeStefano can write a good dystopian. That's for sure. And she did a great job with Perfect Ruin.

 As a reader, I  would have preferred that this were not a trilogy. I think it would have been much more fulfilling to  simply write a novella about this and conclude it.  But of course I don't know what DeStefano has planned for the series and I can only hope it keeps getting better, I am certain that it will be an epic series.  The conclusion to the first book definitely left me wanting more, it was the cliff hangers of cliff hangers, and I will definitely pick up a copy of the sequel.

You'll want to read this one, you'll be left in the clouds.

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (SAY THAT FAST FIVE TIMES)

So I guess my opinions on this book are slightly skewed and the reason they are is completely my fault.

Let me explain.

When I first saw this book at my local Chapters, I thought it was creepy and after looking through the pages a bit and reading like half the summary, this is what I concluded. MPHFPC is probably about this kid who goes to an abandoned orphanage and discovers letters or a book of pictures which documents the torture of these children with peculiar abilities. And y'know, he investigates. It sounded really cool in my head.

Which is why, once I was offered to review the newly released paperback version of this novel I said YEEs!>!?!???. The many acclamations by John Green also helped, because...y'know. John Green.

So thinking I knew what this book was about, I began my journey five minutes after finishing Project Cain and was ready to be creeped out. Man, was I wrong about pretty much...everything.

So what's this book really about?
After an unfortunate event, Jacob feels its necessary to visit a remote island near Wales where he discovers the abandoned ruins of MPHFPC.

So maybe it wasn't completely my fault, the summary offered by the publisher is slightly misleading. To set you straight, there are mentions of time travel, secret societies and yes, romance *sigh*. Three years ago, this would have probably been the Hunger Games of my life. Because although the story is a bit childish, make no mistake: the writing is excellent, the story is creative, and the inclusion of pictures makes the novel that much more magical. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. It is not nearly as disturbing or creepy as you'd think but it is exceptional. Perhaps it isn't the type of book I can relate to at this time of my life which is probably why I felt so disconnected. Not to say that John Green was wrong, he just wasn't speaking to me.

BUT, I do admit that the romance in the book did indeed creep me out, and felt slightly unnecessary.

I suppose it's all to say that, I am not the target audience for MPHFPC, but I can appreciate what it has to offer: genius, creativity, exceptional writing, and a lovely series for a young audience.

Pick it up, and see what you think of it.

Project Cain by Geoffrey Girard

When offered to review this novel by Simon&Schuester, I read the plot and thought that it sounded quite juvenile, however I then read the whole summary and there was a name drop: Jeffrey Dahmer's.
That's when it got spicy.

So basically, this novel covers the story of 16 year olf Jeff who discovers he was constrructed in a laboratory seven years ago as part of a top secret government project named Project Cain. Also, he was constructed by the DNA of serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer. Oh and there are a bunch more clones running around...and they don't just have Jeff Dahmer's DNA to work with. So...yeah.

Some people may find this story slightly sickening but I thought it was great, it's a story. Not only that but from an outsider's point of view, it seemed to me like the author payed great attention respecting the victims of these murderers, which is something you tend to forget when reading fiction. There's also a large discussion on conspiracies and Lord knows conspiracies fuel my imagination! God, I love a good conspiracy, its a good adrenaline rush.

Here are the two main reasons I enjoyed this novel much more than I probably should have

a) The story is twisted. This is a story about teenagers with an urge to kill, and not just kill peacefully. They want blood and at times, much much worse. If you don't have an a) tolerance or b) interest for any of those things, this will not be the book for you. However, being a big fan of Battle Royale and having the Hunger Games as one of the first books I reviewed for this blog, I really don't have a problem with that type of story. In fact, it's kind of my favourite breed. Sorry, not sorry.

b) I find it incredibly fascinating to learn about serial killers and their motives. Not to glamorize them, but to understand their psyche, much like this novel succeeded in doing. There were mini biographies for each killer mentioned which helped you understand various characters. After some time, I was able to recognize which killer manifested into which character. Educational? Yes. Fascinating? Even more.

ok, so what did I actually think about this book? IT WAS FLIPPING GOOD OK. Being completely honest, I have only read a handful of books this year (tsk tsk tsk) and I struggled to read many of them. But reading Project Cain brought me back to my prime reading time in grade ten and nine when I had all the time in the world. I would read in the bus, in class, and before going to bed (THIS IS A MISTAKE I DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL). This book was exactly what a YA novel should be. Gripping, fast paced, creative, engaging. My only bone to pick with this book would probably be that I felt the author took the easy way out at some points. Specifically, when dealing with the deaths of characters. It might be my new found love for Game Of Thrones, but I believe that there must come a time when an author should drop the axe once a character has outlived their believable lifeline. I feel like it is juvenile not to, which brings me back to the beginning of this post. But I will say this, this story is not for children (my 9th grade self just stuck her tongue out at me...she would have adored this book), it is much much darker than you think it is.

Interestingly enough, there is also a "mature" version of this book that you can pick up although I'm not sure whether or not the outcome would be the same.

If you find yourself agreeing with my points a) and b), you should definitely pick up a copy of Project Cain.

Note: After some GoodReads exploring, I've noticed some controversy surrounding Geoffrey Girard and a reply he made to a blogger who reviewed his novel. Not to get in the middle of things, but I read the post and I read his reply and I didn't see the big deal? Obviously, I wash't targeted so my opinion isn't actually valid but this is my blog and I felt like throwing my two cents in (DUH).

Follow me on Twitter I dont even make sense half the time I just hashtag things

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

So let me give you a play by play of my reactions while reading Invisible Sisters

"Okay..."
"Good imagery"
"That's a really good line!" *doggy ears the page*
"Exceptional writing, this is gonna be good!"
"Nnnnnnuuh I don't wanna go to bed, one more chapter"
"Where is this going?"
"I don't get it"
"I bet you..."
"Yup..."
"She did it."
"Well that was obvious"
"What the hell!"
"Wait"
"What"
"Ok."

And that is pretty much what I was thinking as I read the book. As you may have deduced from my play by play above, the best part of the novel was the beginning.  It was filled with fulfilling writing, beautiful lines and very much potential to be the next great YA book.  But as the novel progressed, the plot didn't.  I understood that Nova Ren Suma was taking her time to give the reader a clear view of Ruby, even though no one had a clear view of her.  Ruby was the character who was always blurring, lurking in a shadow but always in the spotlight. I loved that!  But my fondness for Ruby's character soon faded after the half way turn of the novel.  And although I ended up hating Ruby near the end of the novel, she still remained my favourite character, and in this book it's most likely either Chloe or Ruby.

It took too long for anything to actually happen, and once something did happen...it wasn't that great.  Imaginary Girls had so much potential to be a great story, but the end was predictable.  Something I would imagine happening at the season finale of Ghost Whisperer or some other paranormal related show.  It just didn't cut it for me.  Imaginary Girls...had a forgettable plot and quite a few plot holes.  I kept asking myself, "Why doesn't Chloe just ask Ruby to tell her?"  which probably would have saved quite a few chapters.
The solved mystery wasn't actually completely explained, which I didn't mind but once again it brought me back to the fact that it just wasn't worth the wait.

The few reviews of Imaginary Girls that I did read were either "hate it" or "bash it".  Although I won't bash it, I wasn't exactly amazed with it.  With Imaginary Girls, Nova Ren Suma has proved she has excellent writing qualities and has much success ahead of her.

 Haunting, creepy, beautiful, but predictable, Imaginary Girls did in fact leave an impression.  Her name is Ruby.  And Ruby gets the silver.