Tantalizing Trailers: Cracks by Caroline Green

I came across this one thanks to a fabulous review by Luisa on Chicklish (read it HERE)

Title: Cracks

Author: Caroline Green

Publisher: Piccadilly Press

Publication Date: 1 May 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Who do you trust when you discover your whole life has been a lie?

Cal thinks he's losing his mind when cracks start appearing that no one else can see. But his life splinters apart when he discovers that, far from leading an ordinary life in a northern town in 2012 as he thought, he has spent his whole life so far in a deliberately induced coma. The year is actually 2024 and a repressive regime is in force: it plans to brainwash the whole population. Set free by the local resistance movement, he finds himself drawn into their struggle; and he gets involved with Kyla, a girl who lives on the streets. But are they all just using him: is there anyone he can really trust?

A nail-biting thriller that never lets the reader relax!

Spotlight: Why I am DIVERGENT

You may be aware that this week UK Book Bloggers have been divided into Factions and have gone head to head to get their reviews for Insurgent ( you can see my review HERE ) As you can see from my review the book really got me thinking about human nature, the way we fit into society and how characteristics alter due to the challenges life throws at us. So I thought I would apply these questions to myself and examine the factions that make up the society in Divergent/Insurgent to my own place in society. Although we may be born into a certain sector of society this is not necessarily what defines us.

All information and pictures regarding the factions is taken from The Divergent Trilogy Fansite

ABNEGATION:

1. to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce.

2. to relinquish; give up

How does this fit me:

The biggest reason for being ABNEGATION is that I am a Mother. As a parent you go without things yourself in order to provide the best you can for your children. Even the smallest act of selflessness goes a long way. All parents, especially Mothers are Abnegation. Why especially Mothers I hear you ask, because we give our bodies over to what is basically a parasite [ ; D ] for 9 months. 

CANDOR: 

1. the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness.

2. freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality.

How does this fit me:

I value honesty, to be perfectly truthful [ ; D ] I value honesty a lot more than I used to. Having been through a form of personal hell at the hands of another person, with the lies told in order to protect themselves, believe me I truly understand and appreciate the need for honesty. A relationship built on lies is like a house built on sand, it will crumble to the ground quickly.

This does not mean at the expense at someone else's feelings, I do think that tact and diplomacy are necessary skills in life and they are a learned skill dictated by society's acceptance of certain things, situations and people. 

I try to tell my girls that honesty is always the best policy, lies will be found out in the end, just accept the punishment if you have done something wrong as the punishment will be worse if you lie. 

Lies have a habit of biting you in the bum when you least expect it, you need to have a very good memory if you are going to lie. Be warned [ : D ] 

ERUDITE: 

Characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly

The word “erudite” focuses on knowledge rather than intelligence– intelligence being something you’re born with, and can’t necessarily control, and knowledge being something that you acquire.

How does this fit me:

The biggest thing is probably that I am a Librarian and a Mother, I encourage the pursuit of knowledge all day, every day. In school and at home.

I covered WWII in YA Fiction during a library lesson last year ( you can find details HERE) during which we discussed Hitler's Book Burning, this is what I told my classes:

Books give you knowledge, knowledge gives you power.

The power I mean is the ability to question things, not accept what you are told blindly. Knowledge allows you to overcome any preconceptions about your place in society. Rich, poor, young or old  being able to access knowledge on any subject gives you the ability to achieve anything you want to.

I think that proves my point [ ; D ] 

AMITY: 

1. friendship; peaceful harmony.

2. mutual understanding and a peaceful relationship, especially between nations; peace; accord.

3. cordiality

It’s not just about banjos and apple-picking. It’s about cultivating strong relationships and trying to understand each other.

How does this fit me:

The key word for me with Amity is FRIENDSHIP. I am probably a really rubbish friend in the 'real' world, I forget birthdays, I never ring but if my 'real' friends need me I would be there like a shot. 

I value my on-line friends tremendously, without their support I probably wouldn't have coped with the past few years. I know that no matter what time of day or night, there is always someone there to talk to. FRIENDSHIP is an important thing in life, you never know when you're going to need your friends.

DAUNTLESS:

Fearless, undaunted.

Undaunted: courageously resolute, especially in the face of danger or difficulty; not discouraged.

How does this fit me:

Whereas I am certainly not fearless, I would say or rather other people tell me I am Undaunted. Why? My life got shattered into pieces last year, you all probably know the reason, it had been going on a lot longer than just last year but last year tipped the scales in my knowledge and understanding of the situation. Everything I believed in and worked towards from the age of 20 was turned to dust within a very short space of time. 

I have had to rebuild my life and re-evaluate a lot of things. Although at times it is very difficult there is no way I could let myself be discouraged.

This also involves AMITY as I wouldn't have coped with my friends and ABNEGATION as you can't give up when you have children.

DIVERGENT: 

1. diverging; differing; deviating.

2. pertaining to or causing divergence.

3. (of a mathematical expression) having no finite limits

Diverge: 1. to move, lie, or extend in different directions from a common point; branch off.

2. to differ in opinion, character, form, etc.; deviate.

3. Mathematics . (of a sequence, series, etc.) to have no unique limit; to have infinity as a limit.

4. to turn aside or deviate, as from a path, practice, or plan.

I have certainly deviated from the path I was on - BIG STYLE.

Proving I am
DIVERGENT.

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent

Series: Divergent #2

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books

Publication Date: 1 May 2012

Source: Review Copy 

Rating: 5/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

War looms in sixteen-year-old Tris’s dark dystopian world as disputes between the factions grow. Tris must now fight against all odds to discover the truth that can save her and the people she loves. Sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge – and the choices she makes will have devastating and unexpected consequences.

REVIEW

Bear with me as I am going to take a slightly different approach to this review. You will have seen a LOT of reviews for this book this week with all the UK factions going head to head to get their reviews up. Therefore, the something different as I don't have to recap the story. If you need an update Veronica Roth has put a fabulous recap post up HERE be warned it contains spoilers. 

If you remember my review of Divergent (HERE) I state that Veronica Roth's perception of human nature and the insight into the nature versus nurture debate is profound. Insurgent takes these underlying themes and blows them out of the water. I find myself days after finishing the book remembering little pieces that slot into the puzzle that is human nature, the role people play in shaping society. Mankind's insistence on dominating the things around him even other people. Are we just pre-programmed to annihilate everything in our paths even if it means our own destruction.

One person is not naturally just one thing, they are a complex mix of all the attributes of the factions, some will obviously be more dominant than others but it will still be a mix. When I joined Facebook I had to put in a caption for want of a better word. This is what I put, I believe it is my own words, if it isn't please let me know and I will credit the person who said it:

Like the ebb and flow of the tide change is inevitable. It is how we cope with the change that defines us.

This caption just fits so perfectly with Tris journey in this book. People may start out as one thing but during the course of our lives and the challenges we have to face alter our perception of not only the world around us but of ourselves. The saying 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger' is very apt. It is Tris's understanding and compassion gained from the challenges she has had to face that stands out within the narrative. Adversity can have the benefit of empathy and appreciation when viewed in retrospect. Obviously a little difficult to have that clarity of thought when you are in the process of experiencing the adversity.

The inclusion of fascinating insight into the workings of the brain within the narrative added to the nature versus nurture debate. The fact that certain chemical compounds alter personalities was engrossing. ( I am Erudite after all [ ; D ] ) the theory that society can be enriched by the use of chemical stimuli to alter brain chemistry brings its own argument.  Would it aid in making everyone equal, could utopia be achieved if we actually did this or would it just be another form of control?

Character interactions and development added to the underlying plot. I absolutely adore Tris and Tobias they evoke powerful emotions with their relationship. Their relationship isn't plain sailing but it is realistic in its portrayal, outside influences are bound to affect any relationship. Peripheral characters gained a lot more depth in this book, giving understanding to their actions and reactions as well as rounding out the plot.

Insurgent is a book that makes you question society as a whole as well as your place in it. Alongside high octane action, jaw dropping plot twists and one of the best fictional couples today. A fabulous and fascinating read.

Guest Review: Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Title: GLOW

Series: Sky Chasers #1

Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication Date: 7 Oct 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

Old World isn't going to last much longer, hundreds of people set off in 2 spaceships in search of a New World to live on. Waverly and Kieran are the first of a new generation born in space, they fall in love. Wrenched apart when Waverly is taken captive by strangers. They have to fight for their very survival.

As you can see the main characters a re Waverly and Kieran. Waverly is captured by strangers from the other space ship sent from Old World, the Ship of Liars. She has to find a way to escape. Meanwhile, Kieran hes been left to save the other ship, fight for his life and deal with cold-hearted rivals as many of the ships adults die or disappear. Waverly is my favorite character not only because she was courageous and clever but also isn't influenced by others, she makes her own decisions based on the things she finds out for herself. 

My favorite part of this book was when Waverly outsmarted the Pastor of the foreign ship. Secret messages hidden within poems was an extremely clever idea. After all the terror, grief and occasionally boredom she has suffered, it was exciting to see her overcome these problems and come up with a daring plan. Although I have to say I really disliked the way in which Waverly reacted to Kieran at the end of the book. I thought it made her quite selfish.

I would have liked to have seen Kieran act differently to Seth, it was a case of fighting fire with fire when they should have tried to be friends and overcome their differences.

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. Exciting and thrilling. 

Guest Review: Candor by Pam Bachorz

Title: Candor

Author: Pam Bachorz

Publisher: Egmont Books

Publication Date: 2 Aug 2010

Synopsis from Goodreads

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

The town of Candor is absolutely perfect, there is no vandalism, no trouble, everyone behaves impeccably. Yet Candor is not what it seems to be; there are encrypted messages hidden in the music, used to control people. Oscar Banks is the owners son, he know how to stop the messages but something is holding him back. When, a new girl Nia Silva, arrives in town, Oscars life changes, he needs to finally make that decision: does he let her become another perfect citizen controlled by the music or does he risk everything to let her be herself.

The story is focused around Oscar and Nia, deceiving everyone around them into believing that they too are controlled by the messages embedded into the music, in the hope that they can save their identity and escape from the grasp that the messages In Candor have them locked in.Nia is my favorite character as she is reckless and daring. She does what is necessary to be free of the controlling messages. She is courageous and has the inner strength to survive Candor. Although there is also a sensitive side to Nia and she accepts Oscar for who he really is rather than the 'perfect' drone he portrayed.

My favorite part of the book was when Nia and Oscar went outside by the pool. They were finally open and honest with each other, reveling the truth about themselves and deepening their relationship. Confiding in each other as they haven't been able to with anyone else. Enabling them to forget their worries for a short time and life in the moment. However, I have to say that the ending really spoiled the whole story for me. I really would have liked to see an alternative ending. I also found Sherman rather annoying but I think if he hadn't been portrayed in this fashion the book may not have been so interesting.

This book is definitely worth reading even if the ending wasn't to my personal liking. I found it interesting and exciting throughout but really would have preferred an alternative ending. 

Tantalising Trailers: Crossed by Ally Condie

You know I am WELSH right so I had to, simply had to put this trailer on. 

Title: Crossed

Series: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Publisher: Puffin

Publication Date: 24 Nov 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Loved Matched so much Review HERE I have had the sequel on pre-order forever!!!!

I just adore the use of the Dylan Thomas poem.

Review: Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

Title: Dark Inside
Author: Jeyn Roberts
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Publication Date: 2 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

Moments after several huge earthquakes shake every continent on Earth, something strange starts happening to some people. Michael can only watch in horror as an incidence of road rage so extreme it ends in two deaths unfolds before his eyes; Clementine finds herself being hunted through the small town she has lived in all her life, by people she has known all her life; and Mason is attacked with a baseball bat by a random stranger. An inner rage has been released and some people cannot fight it. For those who can, life becomes an ongoing battle to survive - at any cost!
Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen - now it's our turn!

REVIEW:

This book is a mixture of 1st and 3rd person narrative told from the focus of the different main characters: Mason, Aries, Clementine and Michael. All completely different, living in different areas but all affected by the terrifying events happening across the globe. At times the use of the 3rd and 1st person narration and the differing view points made the story feel slightly disjointed, yet its is a powerful technique to use in order to keep the reader (ME) compulsively turning the pages in an attempt to figure out the plot.

The writing is powerfully descriptive creating brilliantly atmospheric tension. There is some really creeptastic imagery at play. I was constantly wondering as to what linked the main characters and why they were not affected in the same way as the rest of the population. I have to be honest this was not resolved by the end of the book and a source of irritation for me. I like to know the ins and outs of the plot, lol.

This book was a lot gorier than the things I usually read but I have to admit that it aided the high tension feel to the narrative. The little gems of philosophical wisdom slipped into the story more than made up for the gore. The whole story has a zombie apocalypse feel to it which is ironically mentioned within the story itself. The whole idea of possession is terrifyingly brought to life within the plot. The situations faced by the main characters made me question my own moral code and had me wondering just what I would do in order to survive.

The use of current events, notably the London Riots, within the prose added to the sense of realism. A little too realistic and relatable in that case.

As the story progresses there seems to be a huge jump in the action leaving a lot of questions unanswered. I will be honest and tell you this really irritated me. The consistency and flow of the story seemed to disappear, this along with a very open ending left me frustrated. It all seemed a little rushed at the end.

On the whole a good story when you got used to the characters but the jump and inconsistency at the end of the book along with the open ending left me really frustrated.

Guest Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure
Series: Pure
Author: Julianna Baggott
Publisher: Headline
Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

GUEST REVIEW by SC Ransom

I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of Pure when I attended the Youth Librarians Group annual conference as a speaker. I had no idea that the publishers would be there giving away so many copies of so many books. In amongst the excesses my eye was immediately drawn to the column of pure white books; no name, no author, nothing which I could see from a distance. Next to them was an equally anonymous pile of black books. A white one fell into my hands and I could finally see the title in shiny white on the matt background. Of all the books I picked up, it was this one which drew me back first. Full marks to the marketing department!

The story is set in a future America, a few years after a hideous nuclear holocaust and where there are two types of people: the ‘Pures’, the ones who made it into the protection of the Dome before the event, and the rest, the ones who are hideously deformed by the frightening new horrors of nano-technology nuclear bombs. Pressia is one of these, fused to an old toy for the rest of her life, however long that might be. And with the life she leads, it doesn’t seem as if that is likely to be very long as all. Destined to be collected by the murderous local militia on her imminent sixteenth birthday, as is the rule, she is making her plans to run from the only comfort and family she has left, to find a way to continue surviving.

Running alongside Pressia’s story is that of Partridge, a boy in the Dome, a Pure with everything to be thankful for. But Partridge knows that something is wrong, and his questions to himself and those around him soon set him on a path from which there is no going back. Woven through their stories are the intertwined lives of others and the narrative continues from a growing selection of viewpoints.

Pressia and Partridge are well-drawn: the author quickly gets you involved in their lives and you become invested in them, wanting them to be OK, to win their fights, to figure it all out. As a result I was keen to read on with this book, eagerly picking it back up when I had the time to continue, and thinking about it at odd moments during my day. But as much as I liked the characters, I found the world in which they were living hard to fathom. In Pressia’s world there are mutations so awful that it is next to impossible to escape from them, but escape she did, time and time again, and in the end I stopped believing in it. There were a couple of clever little twists which made me applaud the author, but overall the plot and the descriptions of the horrors became unnecessarily complex, and I had to keep thinking hard about why people were doing what they were doing. The ending clearly points the way to a sequel (saying it is the end of Book One being the most obvious clue!) so maybe the complexity is necessary for the ongoing story, but I’m not sure I’ll be searching for it on the shelves.

Huge thank you to Sue for reviewing this one and letting me put it on my blog <3

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent
Series: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books
Publication Date: 3 May 2011

Synopsis: From Goodreads

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger.

REVIEW:

I have had this book on my tbr shelf for ages and was put off reading it by all the hype. Yes, it does have the opposite effect for me, instead of pushing it up the pile the more people raved about it I buried it until the fuss died down. I am now kicking myself for waiting for so long. Honestly, in this instance the hype is perfectly justified. This book is utterly awesome and I will probably gush like a geyser in my review so you have been warned.

I have specifically used the Goodreads synopsis in order to show the different factions that exist within this society and the virtue it represents. I couldn't help but picture each faction as a different religion, and if the conflicts depicted in the news daily are anything to go by, different religions tend to think that theirs is the only true religion even though they all have the same fundamentals. I am getting very deep and philosophical but this is exactly what was running through my mind at the time. And where does this lead us, to conflict. What really stood out for me within each faction there is no room for freewill, the depiction of the group/gang behaviour there is absolutely no individuality. Making a very volatile repressed society on the whole. The creation of the factions was supposed to being peace to the society yet the way in which each faction tries to undermine each other is vividly portrayed within the narrative.Bringing to mind the question - is it mankind's nature to continually try to assert its authority over all things via conflict.

Written in first person narrative form Beatrice's (Tris) perspective, at 16 she starts off as seeming so much younger due to her petite appearance and inconspicuous demeanour, always trying to blend into the background, this is probably due to her sheltered upbringing. Tris has a superb narrative voice and her inner monologues make her very relateable, we all question who we are and what it is we want from life at points. She is very conflicted (which does make her a typical teenager). Tris seems to be one of the only people so far within the story to realise that people aren't just one virtue or another but a mixture of all of them, making her very astute and perceptive.

I am not going to go into details about the plot as I think it will spoil your reading experience as just take my word for it YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. I will say that there are some thrill ride-esque twists within the plot. Revelations unfold dramatically I can only describe it like a cold bucket of water being poured over your head; shocking and bringing instant alertness.

The description of the tattoos was completely awesome. I read this book shortly after getting my own tattoo and can identify with the idea that the tattoo you choose is a visual symbol of who you are on the inside. Plus yes it is completely addictive, it is like having artwork on your skin. The adrenaline rushes were palpable via the narrative. The notion that being pierced and tattooed instantly makes you a Dauntless which in the eyes of the other factions is the equivalent of being a rebel made me giggle so hard, there is obviously no hope for me [ : D ]

I have always been a girl that goes for the bad boy, OMG, this bad boy is also a geek on the inside. So completely adorable. I am utterly in love with Tobias. *swoonarrific* More than that the relationship that blossoms is equal, they save each other in different and completely amazing ways. The scene from Pretty Woman comes to mind where at the end Richard Gere climbs the fire escape to rescue the damsel and she recues him right back. (Again I am showing my age in my reviews *sigh*)

Instead of telling you about the plot I will say this book is about finding where you belong. Although it might not necessarily be where you envisioned. It's about building friendships/relationships. It's about learning to trust other people; this can be one of the hardest things to do if you haven't had particularly good role models. It's about learning to work together and how important it is.

This isn't just one of those books that gets under your skin - it goes way beyond that. It made me question who I am and where I belong. For me, I think, I really am a mix of all the factions, obviously some are more dominant than others. Where would you belong??????

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium
Series: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Publication Date: 3 Feb 2011

Source: UK Book Tours




Synopsis: From GoodReads
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review:
I would first like to say that the idea of looking at love as a disease is ingenious and completely identifiable. Although love can sometimes be painful would a person really want to go through brain surgery in order not to be able to love. It really makes you think of how that would feel and this hypothesis is intricately woven into the narrative; providing an internal debate on the positives and negatives of love.

Written in first person narrative from Lena's perspective. Lena has lived under the shadow of having a Mother who was outcast for her unending capacity to love. Her Mother was truly wonderful but not seen as such in a society that classes love as a disease similar to the bubonic plague. Lena is afraid to feel, afraid to consider any other option until she meets Alex *swoon*. Lena's best friend, Hanna, provided a stark contrast to Lena in every way - looks/social standing/attitude - yet there is something about there co-dependent relationship that goes far beyond the surface. For me I think Lena and Hanna identified something in each other subconsciously, elements that come to the for as the story progresses.

The use of Mary Magdalene with Lena's name was particularly brilliant, the biblical link was well researched and added to the argument in favour of the cure.

I have to say that I didn't particularly like Lena, I found her self absorbed, judgemental and opportunistic. I had the same problem with Before I Fall but the protagonists path of self discovery redeemed herself in my eyes by the end of the book, I am hoping that Lena does the same in future books.

The similarities portrayed between the dystopian society and that in Matched developed the realism within my imagination. A society that controls music/books/movies, I do not think I would survive. My love of conspiracy theories was fueled by the portrayal of the divide between rich and poor. Government officials decide your place in society, who decides their place or is it a birthright like royalty. There are no restrictions placed on Government officials, they have every convenience and unlimited energy supplies whereas everyone else's is restricted. Unjust and corrupt, I was virtually climbing on my soapbox as I was reading.

The cure itself is completely horrific, akin to a lobotomy, as a reader I was left wondering who on earth would have discovered the way to remove a persons ability to love in the first place. Not only does the cure stop you from falling in love; it stops you loving at all, you cant even love your own children. Yet the ability to hate/be aggressive is left untouched. Personally I kept thinking why not remove the hate out of people rather than the love, wouldn't the world be a better place without hate and with love (stupid scientist). Aggression seems to be exaggerated without the capacity to love depicted vividly with the raids and the sadistic pleasure the actual raiders seem to take in hurting people and destroying things. I was almost sick when reading a particular action of the raiders (no spoilers). Imagine a world without compassion or sympathy; unfortunately it is all too easy to picture.

The writing style is wonderfully descriptive, encompassing beautiful use of similes. The description of feelings was astute and really got to the 'heart' of the matter. The merging of science and religion within the narrative along with the quotes used at the top of chapter headings added depth, dimension and impact to the basic storyline while providing additional insight into the characters and plot development.

I am not going to gush about this book as I know a lot of other people have, the reason behind this is that at the end of it I felt as if I had my heart ripped out then trampled on.

A haunting and emotional read, believe me it will stay with you for a long time.

MG Monday: Review: The Limit by Kristen Landon

Title: The Limit
Author: Kristen Landon
Publisher: Aladdin - Simon and Schuster (USA)
Publication Date: 7 Sep 2010

Source: Author/Publisher - Thanks  to Kristen for letting me stalk you for the book [ ; ) ]

Synopsis: From GoodReads

An eighth grade girl was taken today . . . With this first sentence, readers are immediately thrust into a fast-paced thriller that doesn't let up for a moment. In a world not too far removed from our own, kids are being taken away to special workhouses if their families exceed the monthly debt limit imposed by the government. Thirteen-year-old Matt briefly wonders if he might be next, but quickly dismisses the thought. After all, his parents are financially responsible, unlike the parents of those other kids. As long as his parents remain within their limit, the government will be satisfied and leave them alone. But all it takes is one fatal visit to the store to push Matt’s family over their limit—and to change his reality forever.

Review:
Written in first person narrative from Matt's perspective. Just your average tween math genius forcibly taken from his family when they go over their government assigned credit limit.
 
The scenario of over-spending and excess consumerism is so frighteningly easy to picture with today's society. A global economic crisis yet spending is encouraged even if it means going into debt to maintaining an image that cannot be afforded. Showing the emphasis placed on material possessions by a shopping fuelled culture. Excessive consumerism is actively encouraged in order to keep families in debt and therefore, the children working.
 
The reader is given the impression of a 'big brother' society, with the possible manipulation of credit limits in order to take the children with the highest IQs for their own nefarious purpose. Those with lower IQs were used as guinea pigs to test a form of subliminal messaging. My love of conspiracy theories came to live with this story, imagining a Government conspiracy regarding credit taking advantage of the poor/old/gullible for their own gain: hmmm sounds familiar.....
 
Visually arresting with the use of bar codes at the edge of chapter headings. Cleverly giving hints and parallels to the plot. Reinforcement of key words builds the tension while reiterating the plot. The descriptive writing style enables the reader to fully appreciate how deceptive looks and first impressions can be.
 
Conclusion: A fascinating psychological thriller for the Middle Grade category with multi-age appeal.

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Title: Matched
Series: ? although it is a trilogy (thank goodness)
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: 2nd December 2010

Thank you so much to UK Book Tours for the chance to read it



Synopsis: From Amazon
On her seventeenth birthday, Cassia meets her Match. Society dictates he is her perfect partner for life. Except he’s not. In Cassia’s society, Officials decide who people love. How many children they have. Where they work. When they die. But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy, she is determined to make some choices of her own. And that’s when her whole world begins to unravel....

Review:
Wow, just wow. This one really lingers in your memory long after you turn that last page. That's all I can say is thank goodness this is a trilogy as I have so many unanswered questions and feel as if I am personally invested in the futures of the main characters that I just don't want to let them go.

Shades of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. A society that controls every aspect of daily life. Watching all aspects of 'normal' human behaviour. Monitoring everything from interactions to dreams. Controlling what is grown, what is eaten and how much is eaten; what jobs people do and even who we are allowed to love. All this was just so frighteningly easy to picture in the imagination, even relate to on some fundamental level.

People's behaviour and actions are predicted; what would happen if we were given a choice. The power the 'officials' possess makes them think that they are 'gods' playing with peoples lives as if it were some kind of sadistic experiment. The monotony of 'the society' and the drabness of their lives probably provides the reasoning behind this behaviour. As I read my mind kept questioning the entire foundation of 'the society', like a domino effect one question lead to another;  how did it start, why did it start, who controls it, I could go on.

I found myself rebelling mentally against the idea of living in a world where nothing is created. There are only 100 poems/books/paintings that have been chosen for the population by an appointed panel. I just could not live like that. I wondered if this lifestyle would turn people into automatons, not really living but just going through the motions until the 'society' sanctioned euthanasia at 80. It would be like living in an ant colony only there to serve and provide a reproductive service in order to maintain 'the society'. The inspired use of Dylan Thomas's Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night added impact to the imagery; being welsh Dylan Thomas is one of my favourite poets. Plus the use of a Harry Potter reference for sarcastic purposes made me feel that Ally Condie is a kindred spirit. The tone is at times delightfully sarcastic which I totally adore.

All the characters are tremendously well rounded; their interactions and behaviour are revealed slowly throughout the narrative. The main point, I felt, was that we may not know the people close to us as well as we think we do.

The three main protagonist work beautifully together.
Cassia: initially a drone desperate to be a model citizen. Slowly realises appearances aren't always what they seem mainly due to her Grandfather's influence. Her personality and creativity goes from strength to strength as the plot develops.
Ky: wow my heart just ached for him. Such a wonderful character to imagine. Always the outsider on the fringes watching and learning as he is in turn being watched. Hiding who he really is in order to blend in. The weight of so many secrets weighs him down.
Xander: another multi-dimensional character. it seemed as if he was too different people, one in public and one in private. He too has his secrets.
This was one very difficult love triangle in which to pick a side. Normally I have no trouble deciding which male protagonist I would pick but this one left me baffled, both Ky and Xander are wonderful. I really didn't want to see anyone get hurt.

The whole idea of being Matched by a set of criteria and then the developing love triangle really brought to mind the whole question of how do we fall in love. If matching wasn't involved who would they chose to fall in love with.

A truly fantastic book with a fresh dystopian theme. I am just so happy that this is a trilogy but obviously not at all happy that I have to wait for the next installment. I just hope that at least some of my questions get answered.

If you have reviewed this book as part of UK Book Tours please leave the link to your review here:

Review: The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

Synopsis: From Amazon
Carrie Ryan's sensational new novel reveals more of the secrets of the world after the return of the Unconsecrated and introduces a new heroine who must tangle with her mother's secrets. Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known and, and all she needs for happiness. But life after the Return is never safe and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back. Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but, like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling. One night beyond the Barrier . . . One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery . . . One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry knows only one thing: if she has any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

Review:
I actually read this months ago and just haven't got around to writing the review *am dreadful*. I managed to pick up a copy shortly after finishing The Forest of Hands and Teeth in the library. I walked in for a browse, was just about to leave with nothing when I turned to find the book staring at me from a display stand. How excited was I. I never expected the library to have it the week it was published, you can imagine my excitement and seeing the library stamp go on that shiny new page *bliss*.

This time the book is written from the perspective of Gabry. Gabry is roughly the same age as Mary was in TFHT but a completely different personality altogether. She doesn't crave freedom from the barriers that surround the village in order to keep the 'mudo' out. Comparatively, she views them as a symbol of security, something which she embraces fully. All she wants from life is to feel safe. As the book progressed we discover the relationship between Gabry and Mary; I found myself comparing them finding they both had very selfish/self-centred traits, not thinking how their actions would affect others. I tried to put myself in their position to imagine how I would act, I wasn't successful.

She regards the other teenagers in her village with incredulity, finding their need to put themselves in danger in order to have fun as idiotic. She feels that they take their safety for granted. Of course, she is proved right.

Images of the movie I Am Legend kept running through my head with the comparison in the plot.

The storyline is dramatic, even shocking in parts; tying together the first book with the sequel seamlessly. There is no getting away from the fact that you have to read this series in order or you wont understand the intricacies of the plot. The descriptions are dynamic and sensory; I had the feeling I could feel/smell/touch/taste/hear all of the action (not necessarily a good thing when talking about zombies, lol). I was totally immersed in the narrative. At times my body would go rigid with the tension emanating from the pages. The tension was palpable making my heart race, I even held my breath in parts. My stomach literally flipped at the 'soulers' ceremony.

There are ingenious parallels within the narrative. The idea that nowhere is safe and maybe they should return to the forest (its the ocean every-time for me). Also the parallel imagery conjured by the description of Mary and Gabry in the waves compared to the photograph of Mary's Grandmother and Mother was inspired.

I particularly liked the philosophical debate between Elias and Gabry with regard to the soul and life after death. Including the retention of our memories and feelings. What happens to our memories when we die? \Do we carry them with us onto another life/ Do they no longer exist/ Or do they live on through others? The interpretation we can gain from this debate in relation to the 'mudo' is that the body is a vessel, upon death the soul leaves the body. the soul being the essence of who we are. Therefore, the 'mudo' are just empty (very scary, flesh eating) vessels that once contained a soul.

The inclusion of Shakespeare sonnets was brilliant, the death imagery was open to interpretation depending on the situation. Genius.

Overall a fantastic adrenaline filled book. I have to admit that at the time of reading this it had not been announced that there was to be a third book. Immediately upon finishing the book, I emailed Carrie Ryan asking if there was to be a third book. It was a compulsive need to have resolution of all aspects of the plot. I will be honest and I am a big fan of happy ending. Is there a chance that we could get a happy ending in a zombie apocalypse???

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Synopsis: From Amazon
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future - between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Review:
In complete contrast to The Beautiful Dead this book contains zombies that are truly terrifying. The ones that are only interested in eating you alive, the fresher the 'meat' the better. Chilling to the bone.  I was slightly concerned about reading this, knowing my dislike of gore and vivid imagination, the threat of nightmares imminent. Although the book does contain shudder worthy imagery and some heart pounding moments, it doesn't just contain that element within the narrative. What I found was a pleasant *maybe not the correct choice of word for a zombie book* surprise.

Written in first person narrative from Mary's perspective. A young woman who has grown up in a tiny village in the middle of a large Forest filled with zombies. Isolated from the rest of the world, raised to follow the rules of The Sisterhood without question. This has been the way of the village for generations. However, Mary has been told tales passed down through the family of how the world used to be before the infection took place. These tales make her questions their way of life and ponder the possibility of other villages beyond the forest. She is especially drawn to the thought of the ocean. In my mind I equated the ocean as symbolism for freedom.

The descriptions and imagery within the narrative are extremely vivid and detailed. The movie I had playing within my imagination had to be toned down to accommodate my dislike of gore.

The plot starts at the point where Mary losses both her parents at different times to the infection. The story deals with her relationship with her brother, which implodes upon her mothers death. I can totally relate to this. Due to my own experiences I found this aspect very upsetting, no way did I expect to be shedding tears when reading about zombies. I found Mary's treatment at the hands of her brother and the 2 male romantic interests, Travis and Harry completely appalling. I just could not understand why they would behave in such a manner when they were supposed to care about her.

I found the descriptions and actions of The Sisterhood very scary. I their own way they were just as frightening as the zombies. They ran the village as a dictatorship, allowing no freedom of thought or action. I could understand in part that this was mainly for the protection of the villagers; but it was taken to extremes with the Sisterhood justifying atrocious acts under the guise of protection. They appeared intoxicated with the power they held over the villagers. The snippets of the history behind the village really whetted my appetite to find out more about the causes of the infection and whether anything could be done to stop it.

The narrative was filled with heart pounding agitation. Adrenaline pumping tension seemed to jump right out of the pages. I had to force myself to put the book down in order to go to sleep. My stomach literally turned with panic at one point (no spoilers).

I had the feeling after getting to know Mary via the narrative, that she was one of these people that would never be truly happy. She would always be searching for something. For her the search for happiness would be as elusive as finding the end of a rainbow. By the end of the book I came to the conclusion that I just did not like Mary. I found her shallow and self-centred. I was left pondering as to how many people she was willing to sacrifice in order to achieve her own goals.

This book for me was a *pleasant* surprise as regards to the plot, not just terrifying zombies but relationships, family and the quest for happiness all woven together into a compelling page turning read.

Review: Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony

Synopsis: From Goodreads

The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.


 
Review:
Let me start by saying how much I love the word Dystopian; isn't it wonderful. It conjures up all these images of a post apocalyptic world even before you start the story.

Written in 1st person narrative; Molly is a wonderfully caring 16 year old, raised in a fashion of a by-gone era where families worked and played together, having a caring family is valued higher than possessions. As a result of this upbringing Molly appeared a bit naive and innocent to the other side of society when she first starts her journey. We soon discover that although Molly is naive to the ways of this particular world (for I felt as if her home was in fact a different world), she possess a wonderful strength of character and determination. Her openness draws people to her and she has a fabulously loving nature that rubs off on the people around her.

The writing is wonderfully descriptive, making the whole reality easy to recreate within the imagination. The musical descriptions felt as if they were reverberating from the pages (if you look at the trailer you can understand why I wish I had watched it before reading the book). Although not a gardener myself, I could fully appreciate the description and how tactile it felt. The description of Molly trying to walk in high heels had me in stitches.

The story is set in a future following a global economic collapse. *ponders, sounds familiar* The whole premise was so topical and thought provoking, plus quite frankly terrifying with the current state of the economy. I found the whole economics angle within the narrative surprisingly easy to relate to, it was like reading Economics for Dummies as I am not that hot on Economics. It was really interesting and helpful in understanding how the system works. For example, it showed how as a population we tend to put value on a small amount of things. Greater value is placed on possessions and shows of wealth rather than being content with having what you need. It also showed how a chain reaction can quickly occur, something I personally had not considered: unable to eat beef = collapse of fast food industry = mass unemployment. Paving the way for Organised Crime Syndicates to take over, the black market taking on a wider meaning. There is even a reference to Prohibition within the narrative and that is exactly the image I had in my head while I was reading the book. Making the divide between rich and poor even greater.

As you know I like the bad boys, so the introduction of Spill had me hook, line and sinker. A bad boy trying to be good, to get out of the life he has been forced to live. The budding romance/friendship between Molly and Spill was really cute and added an extra element to the plot.

This story really made me think about how as a population we need to readdress our values. To sustain society we need to go back to old values of putting family first and only having the things we actually need rather than getting into debt to have things that would be of little or no value in the future. It showed how much we take our resources for granted. At the moment it is easy to travel the world, how often have you heard the comment it is a small world; in reality it isn't. We have been fortunate to have the technology and resources with which we can travel but we need to keep in mind that without them this type of travel would not be possible. I especially liked that the story was not all doom and despair, it had an optimistic edge to it with a good dose of hope at the end. Making it a terrific topical, thought provoking read with a heart warming delivery.

If you have reviewed this book as part of UK Book Tours please leave the link to your review here: