Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

The Divergent series is another series of the dystopian genre. The writing style was simple and the reading level was somewhat young, but overall it was a great, quick read. The story takes place in a dilapidated city that is populated by five different factions of people, and then the factionless. Each faction has it's own beliefs on how to bring peace to the city, the reasons for the factions to begin with. There is candor which only ever tell the truth, abnegation who are selfless, erudite who believe knowledge will bring peace, amity who are kind, and dauntless who are fearless. You are born into a faction and until you are sixteen, you stay with that faction. At the time, you take an aptitude test that tells you which faction is best for you. The day after your test, you have to decide what faction to become a member of- and its faction before blood. You may never see another member of your family again. You might become factionless. It is all part of the plan to keep the peace in this city. Then there is Tris. Tris doesn't have a faction that is just right for her; she is divergent. But she must lie about this truth or be killed by the political leaders of Erudite. The stories follow her journey through faction choosing, and then her initiation through her chosen faction. Along the way, she makes friends, a love, and enemies. She loses people and struggles to keep her ideals and her life. She discovers the secrets of her city and her family. Tris as a character is both strong and weak. She is definitely a sixteen year old girl, and at times this will get on the readers nerves. But, in the end the story and plot are interesting and the need for something mindless to read will win over. Soon, the reader won't be able to put the series down.

The Chemical Garden Trilogy

SO I started this blog back in November with the idea that when I finished a book or a series, I would write a quick write up of my opinions about the books, the plot, the writing, and the like. Well, I started it and then promptly forgot about it. So let's try this again. We'll begin with the last series I finished (Sunday night at around midnight): The Chemical Garden Series by Lauren DeStefano. These stories were pretty interesting, to say the least. The books are of the dystopian genre and are for the young adult crowd. The writing is simple, with good amount of writer's privilege in the writing style. It is a good series for in between the more complex novels or such. I will admit, the plot was pretty unique for this genre. The premise of the series is that there has been a third world war and between the war and global warming, the only continent left is North America. The only country is the United States and there are only 48 states left. The government is more of figure head for a country that is falling apart with a population that is in shambles. The scientists of the period have created the perfect human genes. There is no more disease and the people grow to be very old. That's the first generation. The new generation, the children of the first generations, are not so perfect. Yes, they don't have any diseases and they seem to be perfect on the outside, and they are until they reach their twenties. Females die now at the age of 20 and males fie at the age of 25. Shocking, right? The book follows Rhine as she is captured, escapes, and attempts to find her brother. The people who know her believe she might be the cure for this genetic problem, but does she want to be? Her life is now a constant battle to figure out what her life really is and what she is meant to do with it. Rhine is somewhat an obnoxious girl in that she one minded, and doesn't think about what the consciences of her actions will be for herself or others. And then she can be somewhat wimpy and indecisive and then turn around and be fearless. Overall, I enjoyed reading this series. There was enough twist to make this story not as predictable. If you just want a quick, easy series to read, I would suggest these books.

The Beginning

I am writing this for my own purpose, to gain a sense of accomplishment, but also to primarily keep myself busy when I am not working.  I work at a museum, but it is the offseason at the moment, and with BA’s and not enough money to pay for grad school at the moment, I spend a lot of my time crafting and reading.  One day, when I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with all my free time in the month of December, I realized that I should start writing reviews of the books that I read, then maybe I would not feel like I was wasting my time.  Of course, it would take away from house work, but I find that I am perfectly content with that notion. 

I hate to admit it, but I have read so many books throughout my short lifetime that it would be insane for me to attempt to back track and write reviews on them.  I have decided to start with the books that I have read in the past few months and then continue on from there each time I finish a book.  If, of course, I feel the need or by some odd chance someone actually reads this and wants me to write a review of a certain book, then I will back track and write on it or read it and write on it.  I will attempt to write as analytically as possible, not be too harsh or too lax with my opinions, and above all I will make sure that I am open to discussion with any readers I might obtain.

This is for fun, but also for fulfillment.  My degrees are not in literature or English.  They are in history and anthropology- a far cry from reading Dickinson or Bronte.  Yet, I do have a love for all things written, and will read almost anything that is placed in front of me.  I believe that literature is an important part of the human experience and that it is a glorious way to express our ideas and thoughts with others.  Through this blog I hope to just express my opinions on the books; what I write is just my own, no one else’s.  I must say, I do not write this to please others or to appease.  I will be blunt: if you, the reader, do not enjoy my reviews then do not read them.  My mother always told me, “Miss Congeniality is not something the women in our family aspire to be”- and I would have to say that is true for these reviews.  I write in my own words and in my own truth and if people do not like that- tough.  These are my convictions and they will stay as I see fit.  With that being said, I am not saying I will be unappreciative of negative or constructive criticism, I will, but know that it is not my intentions to please y'all.

With these thoughts out on “paper” and my mind ready to read and review, I will leave this here for today and finish reading my book to review.  Have a blessed day!

 K. Alyse