Book Review: Divergent

Synopsis

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—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating 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 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.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

If you enjoyed the "Hunger Games" series and you are looking for something with the same edge and excitement, I think you will enjoy this book. I had this book on pre-order for a month and had been anxiously awaiting it's arrival last week. I was so into the story I made short work of it in a day or two. I am so excited this is a series, just disappointed I will have to wait so long to read the next one. There is a lot of buzz surrounding this new "young adult" story, and I think it lived up to the hype.

I loved the whole concept of the new society being split into particular virtues -- it made me think throughout the book which one I would have chosen had I been in the main characters shoes. Not only do the 16-year-olds choose a particular virtue that they will devote their lives too, but the people of that "faction" become their new family and they all live in their own separate communities where they are responsible to perform tasks and jobs specifically assigned to their group. They basically have to give up the life they knew before and leave their families behind if they choose to transfer to a new "faction". The main character Tris grows up in Abnegation, the faction in charge of the government of the other factions. They are the most peaceful and selfless group which is never allowed to think of themselves before others, look at themselves in the mirror because that would be vain, or wear anything but the simplest of clothing, but she always feels like she does not quite fit in and there could be something more out there for her. Like all of the other 16-year-olds, she undergoes the testing that will help them decide where they should be placed except for her results are anything but normal, and can be very dangerous if anyone else finds out. After her choice is made, there is no going back. During her initiation into her new faction, she discovers the city gates are locked not from the inside like she had always believed, but on the outside. As if they are trying to keep everyone IN. The story continues to unveil the rivalries and politics between the factions and plans for a war that could wipe out one of the factions forever. The plot just keeps building and building and building.

I thought this was an interesting, fast paced, intense, and well written book. I can't wait to read where the rest of the series will take the characters. I think you will be hearing a lot about this author and this series in the months and years to come.

******If you'd like to have a chance to read the first 100 pages to see if you want to keep reading and get the book (which I'm sure you will), you can go to this link from the Harper Collins website and check it out.

Book Review: "Juliet" By Anne Fortier

Everyone is familiar with Shakespeare's epic drama "Romeo and Juliet", where two feuding families, the Montague's and the Capulet's  are corrupted by rivalry, power, and tragedy in Verona Italy. But what if instead of two families there were actually three, and what if the real story took place in the lovely and magical Siena where young Giulietta Tolomei met a young hero named Romeo Marescotti.

Six centuries after the most famous love story of all time,  25 year-old Julie Jacobs receives a key after the passing of her beloved aunt who raised her and her twin sister. This key was once carried by her mother on the day she herself died and opens a safety deposit box in Siena, Italy. Feeling betrayed that all that was left to her in her aunt's will was this key while her sister inherited the entire estate, Julie sets out for Italy to discover what importance lies in the safe keeping of the box that is hidden away in a bank in Sienna. What she finds will change her life forever and connect her to the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei who was smuggled into Siena after her parents were murdered, whereupon she would meet young Romeo who instantly falls in love with her and vows that they will be married. The events that would follow their ill-fated love would cause much grief and destruction for medieval Siena which in turn inspired many poets and artists and finally Shakespeare's most famous tragedy.

Now in present day Siena, hunting a long hidden treasure, Julie begins to feel like the past and present are starting to intertwine. Meeting old relatives and crossing paths with the descendants of the other families, she begins to understand that the notorious curse -- "A plague on both your houses!" was taken very seriously by the families and may still be at work.  The more she researches and learns about the history of Siena, the personal vendetta's, the family rivalries, and the curses and superstitions surrounding the tale of their tragedy, the more danger she realizes that she could be in and that the story is still unfinished. Julie learns that her fate has always been tied to Romeo and Giulietta, literature's most famous star-crossed lovers.

This was a beautiful and totally captivating story. From the historical references and the archeology and landscape, to the lovely descriptions of present day Siena, I just could not put this book down. The author Anne Fortier packed in almost everything I love in a good book - mystery, intrigue, clues, long lost letters, genealogy, local historical data, romance, danger, and lots of twists and turns. I can honestly say, I did not know how the story was going to unfold and that was really refreshing. I do not like to be able to figure out the end of the book in the first few chapters. There are so many traditions in these ancient countries and cities that we do not have here in the United States, and it was fascinating to read about the family pride and symbols that adorned many houses and parts of the city in the story and to imagine the way of life and the politics that were involved in just trying to get married and join families together. And sometimes you find that history truly does repeat itself.

This is a perfect book to read with Valentine's Day approaching, but you might have to clear your schedule if you can't seem to put it down. If you can't reserve it at the library, I think it is worth buying. As for myself, I think it is safe to say I will never look at the story of Romeo and Juliet the same way again.

Overall rating:

4 1/2 out of 5 bookmarks

Kendle's Favorite Books

In Kendle's downtime, I can almost always find her reading a book. I am glad there are so many wonderful children's books out there to choose from that are not only fun to read, but also sneak in lots of educational tidbits. If you asked her who one of her favorite fictional characters is, she would tell you she loves Geronimo Stilton. The Geronimo Stilton series are all she wants to read right now and luckily for her there are a lot of them.

Geronimo Stilton is a mouse who happens to be editor in chief of The Rodent's Gazette, the most famous newspaper on Mouse Island, but his true passion is to write books which all happen to become bestsellers. He likes to read books, listen to classical music, play golf, and collect antique 18th century cheese rinds. He hates to travel because he gets sea sick, car sick, and air sick but somehow still manages to get involved (through friends and relatives) in extreme adventures and travels all around the world. The books are written as though they were autobiographical adventure stories.

The series originated in Italy and have become the most popular children's book series in that country (even besting Harry Potter). They have now been translated into more than 35 languages. Although the series credits it's title character as the author, they are actually written by Elisabetta Dami. They are intended for readers in the 9-12 year old range, but if you have an avid younger reader they would enjoy them as well  as a read along or a read together at night type of book.

The books incorporate a lot of famous world landmarks and geography which have sparked many conversations between Kendle and I as she wants to learn more about those places and countries. The stories contain mystery, adventure, comedy, and problem solving as well. I would say they could be compared to some Indiana Jones and/or National Treasure type journeys. There are also some fun holiday themed stories in the series for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. They are so cleverly written and the supporting characters are just as charming and interesting as Geronimo.

*Fun Facts:
-Geronimo Stilton must have cheese with every meal
-Geronimo loves one thing more than cheese -- books! He also loves hot showers and clean sheets.
-Geronimo prides himself on filling his books with plenty of humor and cheesy capers, but also with friendship, sincerity, love, respect, peace and hope.
-His favorite activity is reading to his nephew Benjamin.
-His younger sister is Thea Stilton, who accompanies him on many adventures. She is gutsy, adventurous, a black belt in karate, and has violet eyes. She is a special correspondent for the Rodent's Gazette. 

These are really witty, entertaining and well written books for children filled with the "cheesiest" puns ever. I highly recommend them.

Fall Books

With the crisp fall weather and the chilly nights that accompany it, fall is the perfect time to enjoy some good book reading. I don't know if there are many things that can top cozying up with a blanket and a new story that's waiting to be delved into. Here are a few of my picks for some cozy (and maybe a little spooky) fall reading:

The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
If you haven't read them yet, what is stopping you? They are honestly some of the most genius, intriguing, and entertaining books ever written. They are the epitomy of cozy book reading and definitely not just for the younger crowd.

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan
This book is set in Niagara Falls during the World War I era. The main character Bess experiences a family tragedy and after her father loses his job, a fall in social class. She must make decisions that will affect her life forever. Everything changes when she meets the rough and fearless Tom Cole who is a master river man and who has a mysterious connection to the falls. I enjoyed this book, it was one that I could take my time on and not feel rushed and gave me an interesting look at the social classes and domestic life of the times.

The Passage by Justin Cronin
I was ready to say goodbye to Twilight and take on this grownup vampire thriller. This story centers on a new virus testing to create a super soldier staged by the military gone horribly wrong. With the world nearly destroyed, all hope rests with a 6 year old girl who is the only chance the survivors may have of saving what's left. The story follows the aftermath and destruction of the "virals" and spans forward into many, many years into the future and the new civilization the survivors have carried on with hoping that one day the military will come to save them. It was a mix between "I am Legend" and "The Road". I could not put this book down, it's definitely one you might not want to read if you're home alone at night. There are some instances of strong language and violence, so be forewarned. This is rumored to be a trilogy and also being made into a movie.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The first chapter or so of this book I thought, what am I reading? But after settling in and getting used to the letter writing style that makes up the meat of the book I was totally captivated and intrigued. Set on the English island of Guernsey just after World War II which was under German occupational rule, this story follows the lives of the inhabitants and a writer who is receiving letters from them about their experiences during the war and their book club they formed. I was expecting this to be a sad and dreary tale of war, but instead was pleasantly surprised at what a heartfelt and cheerful feel it had to it. This was such a sweet story and one you could recommend to friends, parents, and grandparents alike.

So there are a few of my picks.

Feel free to comment about some of your favorite reads for fall as well.