Book Review: Allegiant {The Divergent Trilogy}

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Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

*Spoiler Alert! This is the 3rd book in the trilogy, so there will be spoilers*

Synopsis: Tris Prior, formerly known as Beatrice, has had her life change forever. The society she was raised in consisted of five factions, but now those factions are shattered. They have been destroyed by power struggles and violence between the factionless and those who believe in the factions. She is offered a chance to learn what is outside of her city, to explore the world, Tris is ready. She hopes that beyond the fence, she and her boyfriend Tobias can create a new life together: she hopes that they can live without lies and painful memories.

However, the world beyond the fence is more alarming than the city she left behind. Truths come into light that change the lives of people she loves. Tris has to find a way to comprehend human nature, and herself, in this new world that is forcing Tris to make impossible choices about life, love, and allegiance. 

My Review: I honestly don't even know where to begin. This book has left me a little bit numb, although I was not entirely shocked by the way that it ended. I just wish it ended differently, but then it would not have been true to the character involved. Anywho, I really liked the way the book started, with the people who believe in the factions forming a group called the Allegiant who are suppose to go figure out the purpose of their city in the grand scheme of things. But once we got out into the world, there was a ton of other issues and everything got muddled together. Too many ideas for one book, in my opinion. 

The book also switched back and forth between Tris' and Tobias' perspectives, and I feel that it would have been more powerful just to use Tris' perspective until the end. A bunch of people were extremely upset about the ending, as was I, but I think that it makes perfect sense. The end fit with everything the character had done up to that point. It is heartbreaking, yes, and I won't lie: I bawled like a baby. But I can understand the character's motivation, and I believe that she would sacrifice herself in order to save others. 

Overall, I liked the idea of the city, was not fond of the outside world, and was devastated but understood the ending. 

My rating: 3.5/5

xoxo

Book & Movie Review - The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis: Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray goes out to Pandemonium club and witnesses a murder. It's a little hard to report the crime, though, when the body disappears into thin air and no one can see the three tattooed, teenage murderers. No one but Clary, that is. This was her first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors committed to ridding the Earth of demons. One of the Shadowhunters from the club is named Jace, who looks like an angel but is a total smart-ass. In less than 24 hours, her mother and Clary are attacked by a demon, and Clary is pulled entirely into the Shadowhunter world. There are mysteries surrounding Clary: What would a demon want with mundanes like Clary and her mother? Why does Clary all-of-a-sudden have the Sight?

The Shadowhunters want to know.

My Review: This book was great. I knew that I wanted to see the movie, so I had to finish the book before watching it. I really felt like I understood Clary, her emotions, etc. and I felt like I could relate to her easily. Jace came off as an ass but there is good reasoning for it, and I really love him as a character. The other Shadowhunters were a little rough around the edges, but when you go around slaying demons all day, it is to be expected. The story was really gripping, it drew me in, and I want to know more. I'm glad that this is a series because I don't think that I would be satisfied with just one book! 

My rating: 4/5

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones movie

My review: I truly enjoyed this movie. Sure, it didn't match up with the book in several parts, but for the most part, the movie stayed true to the book. Some of the lines were an exact match, which I always love hearing! Casting was great, although a bit too old, considering they were all suppose to be teenagers. Not one of the "teens" looked like they were under age 20. 

But anywho, the story progresses much more quickly in the movie, so if you haven't read the book, I can see that it would be difficult to understand what was going on. I took my mom out with me, and she was really confused at certain points. My main problem was that they gave away a major plot twist right before the actual plot twist! It was very discreet, apparently, because while I knew it was coming and was looking out for it, my mom missed them giving it away entirely. So at least there's that.
Overall, it could have been handled with a bit more care and explanation for those who have not read the books, and I hope they do a little better with City of Ashes, which I'm currently reading.
My rating: 3/5 
Would recommend, but read the book first!

xoxo

Book Review: Twenty Boy Summer

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Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Anna Reiley is getting out of town with her best friend forever, Frankie Perino, for a twenty-day-long trip to sunny California. Frankie thinks that the trip to Zanzibar Bay will make it the "Absolute Best Summer Ever" (A.B.S.E. for short). According to Frankie, if they meet at least one new guy a day, it is likely that she will find her first summer romance. Even though Anna agrees to the game, there is a secret Anna's been keeping from Frankie: she has already had her summer romance. A year ago, with Frankie's brother, Matt, right before he died last summer.

My review: For starters, let me just say that the cover art is absolutely perfect. It's rare that the cover fits so perfectly with the content of the book. Moving on, the beginning of the book totally grabbed me by the heart, and then broke it (my heart, that is). It really gets you involved, right from the beginning, making you feel like a part of the story. When the pace began to slow, I will still so emotionally invested in what was going to happen to Anna and Frankie that I had to get through the book. Anna's emotions and thoughts/memories about Matt were sad but made it so easy to relate to her. While the story was filled with sadness, there was also rebirth: a new beginning in California, meeting new boys, etc. It was hard to Anna to stomach at first but even after everything, I did not walk away from this book feeling sad. I felt hopeful, and that is something that I rather like in a book.

My rating: 4/5

xoxo