Book: Into The Still Blue

As many of you know I did not like this series when I started it. But I found myself over the moon with happiness when I got a E-Galley of the book.
And while this book has it's many ups and downs -which I will get into in a moment- I have to say that this was the strongest book in the series all around. The story did nothing of what I thought it was going to do and it was over all very well planned and played out.
I loved how much the characters have changed and grown from start of the series. And how natural all the changes really feel. It's not forced or quick. it comes as it should.  I loved watching how things slowly changed between the characters. And the little bits of deep insight that I found with in their thoughts and feelings.
Also something that must be noted as a high light of the book was the use and attention payed to deal. Something that so many writers either over do and make their plans way too clear to the reader or something that is under done, leaving you going " huh?".
The only thing I had a hard time with was how rough the book was to read at times. For many reasons which I will not go into for fear of giving even the smallest of spoilers.
This book really was an epic ending to the series and on that I feel every author should look at for how you wrap up a series. Tight strong and fat free!
Over all it was a wonderful read that had me dreading putting the book down.

( YA - 15 and up)
Stars:  * * *  3.8       LEVEL: NIGHT CRAWLER



I was given a copy of the book by the publisher. This did not in anyway effect my review or thoughts on the book

Book: Divergent

I have heard so many wonderful things about this and read so many great reviews about it. But I never felt like it was my kind of book. I thought that like the hunger games I would find it to violent to like it or enjoy it. But when I saw the the movie trailer I knew that I had to read the book.

Reading the book I found myself torn right down the middle. As a reader thought I found it violent and hard to read I still fell in love with the book. As a reviewer I had a hard time looking past how violent the story was. I know that I should not be both reader and reviewer but I feel as a reviewer I can not look past the way that the book seems to justify violence. As a reviewer I always think about how I like the book and how others will like the book. And in doing that I always find myself thinking about how it will affect other people and their lives. A great book should make you want to do good and make you think about something you never have before. 

Where as a reader I'm not thinking about anyone else but myself.  I might think of a friend who would love the book but that's it. I never stop to think if it will change someone for the worsted. 

But as both reader and reviewer I really loved the setting and the world building of the story. I was able to get lost in it fully without every questioning things that the author did ( I only questioned the normal things is what I'm trying to say here).

Tris.I found that I really liked Tris. She was strong but not because she could fight but she was strong because she was willing to give to others. And when she would break she always got right back up again. For me that is what a strong character does. Tris is in many ways the ideal YA main character - female or otherwise. As for the other characters they were all good and added to the story nicely.  But the one character  I did not care for was Jeanine.  There was nothing that made her stand out and I felt like we were never told anything about her. It made a lot of scenes about her and with her fall flat.  

Again as both reader and reviewer I also would have liked the love story to either be cut out or had the timing on it be better. The one of the most important part of the book is happening and all Tris can think about is how hot this one character is! I was like are you joking? If I or anyone I knows was there we would be way to busy thinking about anything but how hot that guy is. It drove me crazy. 

Another think that bothered me as a person was the almost rape/murder scene. Without going in to detail about it pissed me off.  What really got to me was how little was said about it. It was like it was no big deal. No matter if they were only going to kill her. It felt like there was going to happen to her first. This is a really big problem in YA for me. Everyone wants to do a rap scene but they never want to really deal with the problem. People just get over the rap or almost rap the next day like nothing happened.Whatever it is that writer is trying to do is not helping the reader understand what a terrible thing rap really is.   Sorry for the rant there but I feel like this is something that needs to be addressed. 

Over all I really did like the book. It was hard to put down. I got lost in easily, and fell in love with many points to it. I felt like the flaws with this book are never talked about. I know that this review seems like I did not but I wanted to point out the flaws in the book. Because I did feel that those things stopped me from giving it a higher review and from wanting to tell some of friends to read it. 

( YA - 14 and up - for violence) 

Book: * * * 3.8           Level: Read With A Thoughtful Mind

Book: Under The Never Sky

I have heard many really good things about this book. Things like finally a girl in YA who can hold her own. A love story that did not over power the story.
These to things I am happy to say are very true. Aria was a strong main character that also had a soft side. She was a very well thought out character with many layers.  Her character development was very well done and one of the best that I have seen from a YA author in a long time.
I also  liked how it was not love at first sight. The love story and friendships took a lot of time.  They came from two different worlds and they did not like one other at first. But they slowly had to learn to be open to the other one and their different ways  of life.  And the love story for one had a more natural feel to it. Things went a little fast at the end, but worked with story I felt.
So as far as the characters go the book was really really well done.
As for the story I was much more mixed and let down over all.  The idea and the setting were good. As for the way things played out and how much gore there was I was not happy. Yes, I did say gore. I got every tired of the killing and fighting.  The savage ways that many of  the characters had or gain through out the course of the book. I would have liked it toned down or not as harsh. At times many of the savage actions over powered the characters and at times even seemed a little out of character.
Over all I felt that the book is strong read as far as characters go. As for some of the actions or  choices the characters make, I did't like them. But I feel that fans of Graceling and Breathe will love this Dystopian novel.
Also I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

( YA 14 and up )
Stars: * * * 3.4