Allegiant by Veronica Roth - Review

 

 

 

 

★★★★★

"There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater.

 

But sometimes it doesn’t.

 

Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. "

 

 

 

✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘✘

 

BE BRAVE.

 

I thought I was. I thought I was brave enough to finally come to terms and stop stalling to finish the final book in this brilliant series, but I was wrong.

 

More or less an hour had passed since I finished reading Allegiant and my eyes still sting with the tears that unstoppably flowed all through out the last couple or chapters. Shaken? yes I am. Well...no, I guess that's an understatement. It's more like I'm still in a trance...still numb with the unexpected ending. I can't even repeat things in my head right now like I used to do play by play of things after reading a good book. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this isn't a good book -- Because, this is a very very good book! It's one of those rare books where you can't really tell or guess how will the story end...it's totally unnerving and just practically makes you shed tears all because you are too caught and absorbed in the world that the author created and what she wanted her readers to experience and see through her words.

 

I would find it really hard to believe if you'd tell me that you didn't shed even a single tear while reading on to Tris' and Tobias' story to come to an end. To be honest, I was on my guard long after this book was released and after seeing so many tweets and posts of those who have already read it, I was wary about the ending. I don't want it to be spoiled before even getting my hands on it, that I practically avoided going through timelines in order to not see anything that would give away stuffs. But then, my curiousity was even fueled by the time that I had wait on before actually reading.

This was supposed to be a story of a girl who had been brave enough to grasp change in her hands and conquering her fears in a new faction where she isn't limited by the thought of selflesness and inhibitions. It was supposed to be a story of her and her friends opposing the threats in their city as they're lead to face; of her facing the dangers with the one man she loves and who makes her stronger...braver.
But just outside of the city limits, outside the only world that they've ever known is the real world bigger than they can imagine, with still lots of people living their own lives.
Learning the truth that you weren't the last people in the world after escaping the dangers and chaos of the other world you left is mind blowing. Finding out that you are part of centuries old experiment to heal genetic damage is just too much for a sick joke. That you are a special case among the "genetically pure" and healed is even beyond astonishing. Finding out that many lives were lost, including your own parents' just because of some government regulated bureau sacrificing lives to attain genetic healing among the "damaged" is twisted sick enough that you want to kill with the anger that consumes you.
 

I felt for Tris, from the very beginning... I admired her strength, courage and moral sense. She is no perfect 16 year old but she was brave enough to sacrifice everything to cure a social illness, to give all that she has for the greater cause of correcting a twisted belief that has torn humanity apart and had it turn into a vicious cycle of mistakes and disorder. I love how forgiving and loving Tris is. It's kind of a rare trait at a very young age to grasp the deeper sense of selflessness and sacrifice that was born from love and compassion. As cheesy as it sounds, she's one of a kind. And that made me all the tear-jerkie that I am finishing the book with sobs and snot. And oh dear Tobias, my heart broke for him! 70% of the tears I've cried is for him; for Four. Read the books and you'll know why I ached for this strong and dauntless boy.

 

How could Veronica Roth end the story that way is truly admirable. It may be undesirable for some but for me, it's not about ending the story in such a way to please and impress readers. It's more of sticking with the reality of the world that you have created. As many possibilities for the kind of ending as there is, I don't think the author could have ended it up achingly beautiful and rivetingly real as she had. It was painful and unexpected but the kind of ending is what made the story real; it made sense to everything. It's not always rainbows and butterflies, right? Maybe endings aren't always meant to be happy but maybe some are meant to teach us life's lessons and remind us of reality.

 

I love dystopian stories and it began with The Hunger Games but I wouldn't hesitate to say that Veronica Roth's Divergent Series is definitely a notch higher in my regard. ✔

I could go on and on but I'd only end up spouting sad feelings and no one would like that. Not even Uriah. The rest of the characters are real good by the way. Sits well with me, though I was wary and hated a bunch of them. Only proves to show how effective a writer Ms. Roth is, I should say.

 

I have "what ifs" and "buts", probably as some of the readers also have, but it isn't important and it doesn't even matter. I've had my peace with every tear and every tug at my chest. Once again I am telling my self: BE BRAVE ツ and I qoute:

 

"Life damages us, every one. We can’t escape that damage.

But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. We mend each other."

posted from Bloggeroid

FRACTURE ME by Tahereh Mafi - Cover Reveal

Shatter Me series Novella 2.5
Hits e-readers : December 17th, 2013
Author : TAHEREH MAFI
















Finally!!! I've been hearing from Tahereh Mafi about a second novella a several weeks ago, and finally, today... she announces and reveals the cover for it!
Told from Adam Kent's POV - Fracture Me is novella 2.5 of the bestselling Shatter Me series. This novella bridges the gap between UNRAVEL ME and IGNITE ME :) *clapping*

Though I'd be very happy and I think many would agree for another Warner POV, it is also interesting to read something from Adam's POV. Hey, he's not a bad guy! *nods*
After all, in the beginning of the series, I am all swooning for him as Juliette's rescuer and love interest; add to that the fact that Adam's a main character and that he is an interesting one. As much as I am insane for Warner, and feels sorry for Adam in some parts of the story, it is but curiously fair to know what Adam thinks about everything that has transpired since Unravel Me, and how he feels about discovering the truth of his biological relationship with Aaron. haha (no spoiler there now, is there?)

I WILL NOT LOSE HER

 

Obviously, that line is from Adam. He can't lose Juliette when he searched for her for so long right? He can't lose her to Warner most especially. Her life and safety; and everyone else's is at stake in the looming war with the people behind the Re-establishment, what will Adam do to keep her? How will he make her stay? How and when he would reveal to Juliette his discovery of his and Warner's parentage?

 

So many questions and hopefully, some of it if not all, will be answered in this novella.

I can hardly wait for it! This is just a delightful treat from Tahereh while waiting for Ignite Me to come out. What a Christmas gift to bookworms like me!

 

Two brothers fighting over a girl? is this what awaits us all on book 3?

 

Oh heavens, I can only imagine the feels that everyone will have over this!

I'm kind of mulling over the title though, "Fracture Me" is quite a subtle one compared to Warner's "Destroy Me" huh?

Well, I guess we'll take the hint and just wait for the day (December 17th) to finally take a peek on Adam's thoughts.

 

WHO ISN'T EXCITED TO BE FRACTURED?!



The Blue-Eyed General by Rebecca Inman - ARC Review

 

The Blue-Eyed General

 

(Rating: 5 of 5 stars)

*Book One of a trilogy*

 

***WARNING: This review contains MAJOR SPOILERS*** 

 

How do I start? Well, I was given the privilege to an ARC, but before that I have already had the chance to read the first eight chapters like everyone else who has been given the link. To be honest, the title got to me the first time… because I am really partial to the colour blue. Uh huh… It sure is my favourite colour. So I went to read and man, I didn’t know what first to expect or what to make of it when I got to the prologue. I just knew it was a promising story. I instantly liked Tieve, that feisty 12 year old girl who’s charming yet stubborn and Jed, who seems to be her only friend in the world. As early as it is in the story, I felt it in my bones that these two could be something. I immediately thought that I want them to be together. Yeah, I ship them! *claps & giggles* I do!

 

“I love you Tieve Kedgewater,” he says, looking down on me, still sat half stunned and half in the sea. “And even if we never see each other again, I’m always going to love you.”

 

But, parting is indeed such a sweet sorrow… so, believe me when I say, I cried with Tieve the night they told her Jed…her Jed, is dead. Man, I can say the author did broke my heart at this point but as a bookie would always hope in her heart of hearts…I firmly convinced myself that Jed is not dead. He might still be alive. (Yep, I was making my own plots & twists) Who knows, I could be right, right?

 

In Gaia, as the world is known in this story, the place is ruled by an Emperor, a rather selfish and oppressing tyrant who rules from the Diamond City and dominates the Empiric state that’s composed of the  Crystal Cities govern by eleven Lords respectively. Selfish enough to obtain massive amounts of Rythium (a rare mineral, luminous blue in colour, discovered by the Empiric State a hundred years ago) that basically acts as the main power source for all there is in the world. A mineral that is dangerous as it is precious, corrosive as it is powerful – the key to a legend that can allegedly create a bridge to Utopia, the world of the Dead. 

 

 

 Revenge is indeed, only the beginning....

 

 

Needless to say, I find the author’s imagination and creativity really impressive. Delving deep into the story, I found myself hooked and submerged into the world of The Blue-Eyed General. I love the intrigue, the action packed scenes, and the whole plot the story is revolving around. Thinking that her best friend is already dead shortly after joining the Elite army, young Tieve ran away on a night and started her journey to the Diamond City with only one purpose in mind. REVENGE. She wanted to avenge Jed’s death that she so blatantly blames on Caleb – the infamous founder of the Elite Army whose purpose is to oppose and bring down the Emperor’s cruel reign. And that, she could do by joining the Empiric state’s army who is intent on crushing any one who dares to question the rule of Emperor Litek, a.k.a the Elite Army under Caleb’s command.

 

With 12 year old Tieve Kedgewater running away from their small coastal town of Aaquna (Oh yes, I do love the names of the places & characters. Yeah, no one better argue with me on that.), finding her way through hardships and eventually falling under the care of the Emperor after reaching the Diamond City, the real story is just about to start.

 

Now, I kind of had a problem in here…like how in Utopia can a twelve year old girl survive hunger, fatigue and predator attacks in the Firdawn Forest, on her own? Well, she’s brave and all but physically, how did she manage to kick down on their asses full grown men? Soldiers at that? I thought it’s just unrealistic and just doesn’t add up. But wait, there’s more!

 

Hmmmmm…I thought she was superhuman or something…I even thought of magic, but no. She’s just destined to become:

 

General Cecelia Rivermire

-         3^rd of the 5 Generals of the Litekian Empire Guard Squad

-         Commander of Division Two

-         Wielder of Scheherazade the Quick (1 of 5 legendary weapons)

-         Became a General at the young age of seventeen

-         Blonde haired, Blue-Eyed beauty

-         Beautiful and  lethal as she is ruthless

 

I really love what our heroine has turned out to be. Claiming a new identity and keeping her true self from the citizens of the Diamond City, making a name for herself for her incredible strength, ruthlessness in the battlefield and of course of her peculiar blonde hair-blue eyed beauty. I felt for her in every step of her journey, when she was accused a traitor to the state; a renowned general who fell from grace; down to her escape from the dungeons and General Valoel’s fondness and caring for her is indeed very endearing. And there came Brey, her rescuer, from a group of thieves working against the empire and leaning towards the Elite. And boy, did I sense a possible love interest. Brey’s a good character, his jolly, carefree, annoyingly charming persona almost reminds me of Puck. But no, my love-junkie heart still screams for Jed. However annoying and provoking he might get at times, I can say that Cici our heroine could passably like this new guy character, what with Jed only a memory… or so I thought.

 

            The blue-eyed ex-general turned fugitive is now in league with a band of thieves smuggling rythium powered weapons for Elite, and yes, my interest went up a notch higher at this. I can smell a twist. An adventure towards the greater part of the story. And voila! Cici learns so many things about the Empire she had loyally served for 5 years. With the help of Cassillas – Lord of Albehlia, who happens to be the benefactor of Brey’s little thieving group she came to realize how brainwashed she had been, not really seeing the bigger picture and not knowing the real situation of the world (with poverty and savagery among citizens) outside the Diamond and Crystal cities known as the Warren. She then encounters Caleb. Curses! He’s quite a character that kept me so intrigued. Blonde haired-blue eyed, he could almost be our heroine’s brother but stronger and faster, except he’s kind of mad.

            Reading into Cecelia’s attempt to kill Caleb to finally avenge Jed’s death, I was so carried away that I wish I have my own Scheherazade to summon. But man, was I frustrated when Caleb proved to be a very prominent semi-villain dude. He spoke of things that really rocked our blue-eyed general’s world. The Utopia Project for one, and the rationale for their beauty, strength, speed and peculiarness for they are so much alike. Finally, my earlier questions are about to get answered in this part of the story. Hah, I have no doubt that our heroine is special but I want to know how brilliantly brilliant our dear author is. J Curses! Secrets and intrigues are spilled and spewed incredibly. I was wowed, I couldn’t stop reading. This mysterious scientist/physician Derado guy who gives our heroine the creeps is the master key to all closets of secrets after all. Well, we can call it pods of secrets too, trust me.  And so, after all the mystery has been explained, our blue-eyed general finally knew who she is, not entirely Tieve Kedgewater, not entirely Cecelia Rivermire but a little of the supposed-to-be-dead Sophia Litek. The revelations just won’t stop right here and I tell you I wanted to know how puny, sickly little Jenson would squeak and how infuriating & maddening devil Devin would scream out the impossibility that dearest Sophia Litek, daughter of the late Emperor is very much alive. Jenson and Devin irk me to the max. *gritting my teeth*

 

            All these revealed after Cecelia couldn’t quench her thirst for curiosity and finds her way to Azgirth – the place Caleb claims to be where, they (Cecelia & Caleb), among hundreds were experimented with rythium to be the beings born of both woman and blue diamond in the old old legend. That explains our heroine’s almost inhuman abilities: strength, speed, faster healing, beautiful skin that doesn’t scar, and rythium-perks - white blonde air and bright blue eyes. (curses! Wouldn’t anyone, as in anyone love those?! Well…I do love those IF I can survive the process, that is.). The last fight scene between Caleb and Cecelia is the shocker of all shockers in this book. And I got really worked up when I thought Brey is going to die – not when I told myself “okay, He would have to be Cici’s love dude”. And Caleb is just utterly out of his mind, so intent to kill our heroine. (Yes, I did pray that Derado would come bursting the door and save the day, but that can’t be because it would ruin the scene. Haha) Oh no, Oh no…Cecelia can’t die! Of course, it’s just the first book! But well, bombs were dropped mercilessly and I was like “wow, just wow…really? I hadn’t thought of that! Wicked!” But wait! There’s more! Uh no… there’s just only one more, actually.

 

**pauses dramatically**

 

JED IS ALIVE.

 

The infamous new Elite general for the last 5 years or so when Caleb went AWOL, the famed protégeé’ of Caleb is none other than Jed. (So imagine me reading the last page with a goofy grin. I was right, right? The feels!)
 

All in all, I can only give praise to this wonderful and really promising YA work of fiction. If I ever thought that its story is similar to one of those already published, I was wrong. It’s well-made and well thought of. I love the choice of words; the names of characters and places, so apt when you close your eyes and imagine; the plots and twists; the setting which for me, resembles a mix of the old and the new; the idea of rythium itself is not so new but is very reviving & unique; the action, terror, suspense; the badassness of the heroine; a little sprinkle of romance, which I hope will take up a notch in the succeeding books; the intrigue and basically everything about this book I truly truly love and enjoyed. Sorry that I couldn’t seem to pinpoint a flaw here and there because it just doesn’t really matter to me. I was entertained, I found a whole new world to delve into, and really, I just can’t think of readers not liking this book. I would surely secure a copy of the printed material when it comes out in a couple of weeks and I would definitely recommend this to readers! Curses and all! ;)

 

 

Kudos Ms. Rebecca Inman! I would be one of your number one fans. That in Utopia, is for sure!

 

Thank you!

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa - Review

 "Its rider was tall and lean, garbed in silver and black. A dark cape fluttered from (his) shoulders. Through the rain, I caught the barest glimpse of a face: young, pale, strikingly handsome... staring right at me. My stomach lurched and I caught my breath." p. 46, The Iron King

 

***74,206 ratings and 6,848 reviews on Goodreads as of the moment ***

[ WARNING: Blogger's first ever attempt of doing this bookie stuff ;) you may proceed at your own risk.

YOU. have been warned. ]

       I have only seen the Iron Fey series early this year on Goodreads, and to be honest, my attention was caught by the beautiful covers and the titles respectively. Eventually, I got to sift through flashy bookcovers and put it on my To-Read shelf. I remember I had scheduled to start reading The Iron King on a Friday night, since I don't have to go to work on the weekend and I can stay up late. Of course, I kind of already had an idea what the book is about after having read teasers/overview and I went to reading, thinking it will be my first ever read about faery or the fey, so to speak. Since it's a YA novel, I have expected the heroine to be of the age of 16 or 17 or along those numbers... and well, I wasn't entirely hooked with the name "Meghan" at first. I was like, "wow, I've only seen "Megan" as a girl's name... but never with an H wedged into it and hmmm...it's kinda unique".

 Meghan Chase has a secret destiny-one she could never have imagined…

             From the first chapter, I have loved Meghan, she's simple...an ordinary highschool girl, a poor one from the swamp to be specific, a kind sister and a good daughter -- with a bestfriend who's happy-go-lucky nature masks a secret. Now, approaching her 16th birthday, things go a little weird for Meghan...she catches glimpses of things that no one but her sees, her little brother Ethan always telling him about the bogeyman in the closet and his stuffed rabbit -- Floppy telling him things. Going home on your 16th birthday (which no one seems to remember) to find your little brother missing isn't a typical occasion. Plus, knowing your bestfriend turns out to be none other than the famous Robin Goodfellow a.k.a Puck from A Midsummer Night's dream are one and the same is just whoaaaa... and how about knowing you are part fey? Meghan just turns out to be the daughter of the high and mighty Summer King, Oberon making her, half human - half Summer fey. But, lo and behold... she keeps having glimpses of a boy....

 "... a tall, lean figure dressed in silver and black. A boy, perhaps a little older than me, though it was impossible to tell his exact age. His body was youthful, but there was a stillness to him that hinted at something far older, something incredibly dangerous. (...) Thick, raven-wing hair tumbled to his shoulders, not quite covering (his) delicate, pointed ears. He wasn't human. He was one of them, one of the fey. (...) He was gorgeous. More than gorgeous, he was beautiful. Regal beautiful, prince-of-a-foreign-nation beautiful. (...) Still, it was a cold, hard beauty, like that of a marble statue, inhuman and otherworldly. His slanted eyes, beneath long, jagged bangs, glimmered like chips of steel. p. 81-82, The Iron King

              Transported to the Nevernever, she meets the caithsith Grimalkin who "guides" and "helps" her to reach her father and seek help to retrieve Ethan from his yet unknown captors. Things just get better and better knowing Titania, Oberon's Queen just hates Meghan to the core. Learning the ways of the Fey who are somewhat "tricky" and "shrewd" that a human should be wary and careful of doing and owing "favors" (You can't even be careless to say thank you), She also finds out about the Seelie and Unseelie courts. And Meghan finally comes to know who the beautiful dark boy is.....

 

ASH
Winter Prince, The third and youngest son of Queen Mab - the Unseelie Queen.


The dark gorgeous Winter Prince who
"Up close, was even more beautiful, with high cheekbones and dark tousled hair falling into his eyes."

 

 

I just can't help but be hooked in reading the book, with Prince Ash clearly as one of my ultimate fictional boyfriends. Really, I could go and on with the story but of course, anyone who would be reading this would be bored that they might as well just read the book. (Ooops...My apologies) Anyways, Any #IronFey fan would know all the fey stuff that I'm talking about. After Meghan falling for our Winter Prince and saving Ethan with the newly evolved kind of fey which is the Iron Fey (caused by the human world's modern technology), it seems that she still has a big role to play in the grand scheme of things. After all, she made a bargain with Ash to go back to Tir Na Nog with him, as a captive of Queen Mab in return for the favor of him helping her rescue her brother Ethan and with both courts - Summer and Winter still not believing that a new kind or breed of fey is existing.

As every bookworm and YA lover know and for future readers to know, The Iron King is just the first of a most amazing series by Julie Kagawa and I can honestly say that I am in awe with her coming up with this beautiful and unforgettable story. Hands down...she's one of the best storytellers out there, in this generation. Combining faery tale with the modern elements of this modern times, It is just unique in it's own way. It's refreshing to fictionally know that the fey, who are enchanting, magical and ethereal still thrives because humans still remember them in stories...making them immortal.  I have read alot of YA novels but never a faery story until The Iron King, I am so grateful to this being my very first faery-read so to speak. And I think with the Iron Fey series taking precedence to every faery-book/story that I will ever read in the future, the standard has been set HIGH. :)

Sooooo.....

 

For THE IRON KING