Book Review: Winter

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter by Marissa Meyer is the fourth and final book in the Lunar Chronicles series.  This story is a futuristic adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Snow White.  This book has a lot more action and is slightly more graphic with violence.  None that I thought would be inappropriate of the genre but the three previous books kind of gradually got to this point.  Because I felt that these books were aimed for older teens, the darker nature of this book wasn't to bad.

The novel becomes more of a focal point for Princess Winter, who all of the Lunar people admire her for her grace and kindness.  She refuses to use her glimmer which would hide the scars on her face.  And because of that, her mind is slowly going insane.  Because of the Lunar people's admiration of Winter, Queen Levana is jealous of Winter and tries to find ways to get rid of her (much like Snow Whites step-mother).  The crew: Cinder, Captain Throne, Cress, Wolf, and Emperor Kai come up with a plan to get Scarlet back and to destroy Queen Levana once and for all, but they must help the Lunars in a revolt so they can put the rightful Queen back in her place.

I loved this story and I was so sad to see the series end.  I fell in love with all of the characters, and they were very human despite being fictional.  The ending was quite nice but it was definitely a little open.  There is a resolution to the major conflict, including the characters minor conflicts, but you're left to come up with your own conclusion of Cinder and Emperor Kai.  I choose to believe that once all of the political things settle, they get their own happy ending between each other.  The action was intense, the personal story lines flowed well with the main story line and plot.  I had a very hard time putting this book down and I think I read this book in about a day and a half after I bought it.

The one thing that I hate about when I read books that I'm completely in love with is that I suck at reviewing them.  I seriously loved this book and this series.  And I'm definitely looking out for the next book and series that Marissa Meyer releases.  This would definitely be a series that I would recommend for my niece (who is almost 16).

RATING:
5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Fairest

Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Fairest by Marissa Meyer is a bridge between the books Cress and Winter.  This book is part of the Lunar Chronicles Series, and is a futuristic, young adult novel.  While the other four stories follow a fairytale theme, this book is more like a window into the evil step-mother life.  While this book isn't a part of the series, I felt that it was a great read and set up for the final book in the series, Winter.  This story was shorter, but explained and introduced other characters that play huge roles in the final book.

Queen Levana is known as the ruthless ruler of Luna and their people the Lunars.  Known for her glamour you follow Queen Levana as a young teenager up to her adult years.  You feel for the insecure girl who was badly scared from a fire when she was a child.  Verbally abused, she becomes obsessed with a palace guard who is older than her and happily married into another woman.  She soon realizes the power she has not just with her glamour (Which is where they can change their physical appearance) but also with other people.  With the ambition of being not only the most beautiful Queen, but also the greatest ruler of Luna, she isn't afraid to hurt, kill and destroy anyone who stands in her way.  Including family.

I loved this book.  While it wasn't necessary to the Lunar Chronicles series, I was a great way to understand the madness that is Queen Levana.  One thing that I loved about this story is that even though you find out what she went through and you start to understand how she became who she was, you don't change your opinion on her.  You don't in the end hope that she gets a happy ending.  You still want to see her get what she has coming to her in the final story Winter.  While it isn't necessary to read this book as part of the Lunar Chronicles, it was still a great read.  Yes, you can read the Lunar Chronicles book without this and they explain everything that you need, I found it was interesting to go deep into the character which is Levana.  Finding out how she became the loose cannon that she was, was interesting.  I loved every second of this book.

Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Darker by EL James, is the second book in the Fifty Shades series.  This book is an erotica romance that touches on the BDSM lifestyle.  I finished this book in August of 2014, so I apologize if this review seems not that great.

Fifty Shades Darker picks up where Fifty Shades of Grey left off when Anastasia Steele leaves Christian Grey.  But the two lovers can't avoid each other and end up back with a each other.  Wanting a career, Anastasia feels daunted by Christian's need to control everything in her life.  But she feels frustrated with the secrets that he's keeping from her.

So I have to be honest, I didn't like this book, nor the first one.  I don't have an issue with the BDSM lifestyle that the author has wrote about, but I do have issue with her lack of development that she seems to have with the characters.  This book opened up a lot of issues that never seemed to get resolved or have a conclusion to.  I felt that the characters were so polar opposites that I couldn't relate them.  Ana is a weak person that doesn't have a back bone, and Christian is a manipulative dominate.  I felt that Christian's disregard of Ana's opinion on things was a huge turn off.  One thing that irritated me in the first book and it followed through to this book, and that was the constant mention of Ana's inner goddess.  I seriously wanted that inner goddess to get hit by a bus or something.   There were a lot of issues with this book, but one of the major ones for me have been was Christian's relationship with Elena (who was commonly referred as Mrs. Robinson), their relationship turned intimate and was a BDSM relationship right from the beginning when Christian was 15 and Elena was much older.  Ana is clearly uncomfortable with this but Christian disregards her voice on this matter.  This was something that could have been discussed and it just never happened.  And in the end, Ana can't live without Christian so she says yes to marriage even though they've known each other for a short amount of time and they have a ton of issues.  I have to be honest, if Christian wasn't rich or good looking, any normal girl would probably run the other way.

In the end, I didn't like this book.  If it had stayed as a fan fiction that I could have read for free, I would probably enjoy it.  But it is mediocre at best.  It really didn't deserve the hype and I think it gave a false image to the BDSM culture.  If you're interested in reading books like that, and that are done properly, I suggest reading something by Jaid Black.  She knows what she's writing about.  I personally feel that I'm being too generous with a 2 out of 5 stars rating, but I think I gave it an extra star because of it's origin.  I've read a lot of fan fiction over the years, some have been horrible, some decent, and others spectacular!  I have to honestly say that this one would have been in between decent and spectacular, but as a novel, and a series, I just don't get the hype.  I really don't.

Rating: 

2 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Thumped

Thumped by Megan McCafferty

Thumped by Megan McCafferty is the conclusion to Bumped.  This is a dystopian, young adult novel set in the year 2036 and starts right after Bumped ended.  This book is geared more towards the older teens, but as an adult I understood that context, over and undertones of this book.

Thumped the sequel to Bumped, it continues the story of separated-at-birth twins, Melody and Harmony.  These sisters are now the most popular teen girls on the planet.  To their fans, they seem to be living ideal lives.  Harmony is married to Ram (a boy from her commune) and living in Goodside, the religious community that once meant everything to her.  Melody has the genetically flawless Jondoe as her coupling partner, which means money and status, and a bright future.  But both girls are hiding secrets, and both are pining for guys they can't have.  Telling the truth could mean losing everything.

Just like the first book, I really enjoyed this book, it was a fast read, and I couldn't put it down.  The issues that were touched upon in the first book get fully explored in this one.  Both sisters are trying really hard to find their own identity but also their back bone.  When Harmony is back in the religious community, she's a prisoner and under house arrest from escaping the first time but despite their displeasure in her previous antics, they are enjoying the fame and media attention that she is bringing to their community.  Melody is also a prisoner with the expectations that has happened from her "bumping" with Jondoe that may or may not have happened.  Compared to the first book, this one had more action and romance.  I really enjoyed how the events fell into place with this series.  While some could argue that the ending was cliche and typical, I really enjoyed it.  I do have to say though, a part of me wishes that this was a trilogy instead of a duo.  Even though the major issues were resolved, I couldn't help but feel attached to the characters and I wanted to see what happens next.  Again I really enjoyed this book and would recommend this book my friends.



Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Bumped

Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Bumped by Megan McCafferty, is a young adult, dystopian novel and takes place in Princeton, New Jersey in the hear 2036.  This book is the first in a duology.  While this book is geared towards the young adult audience, I feel that this is for the older young adult audience.  Megan McCafferty, is best known for her Jessica Darling series, and I found that like those books her writing was similar aiming for an older young adult audience and makes it some what enjoyable for adult readers.

Bumped starts off as a virus has swept the world, making everyone over the age of eighteen infertile.  Because of this teenagers are now the most prized members of society, and adults who wish to be parents desperately bid for "conception contracts" with the prettiest, healthiest, and smartest girls.  The teens receive things like cash, college tuition, and other favors in exchange for a baby.  At sixteen, Melody as scored a record-breaking contract with a rich couple and and she's been matched with the hottest "bumping" partner in the world, Jondoe.  Melody discovers that she has an identical twin, Harmony, whom has grown up in a strict religious community and believes that her calling is to save Melody from her sinful intentions.  While Melody is trying to come to terms what she has signed up for, Harmony has been mistaken for her and is now meeting with Jondoe.  

As I've already mentioned, due to the subject matter, I feel that this book and following book are better suited for older teens.  The book was published in 2012, so during that time, shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom were really popular.  One of the things that I loved so much about this book was how the brainwashing of these teens happened.  Instead of saying intercourse, they called it bumped.  Or instead of calling it a baby and forming an attachment they told to call it a bump or call it something like burrito.  They popularized and marketed selling teen pregnancy in order to fulfill a demographic of adults that can't have children.  I thought that Megan McCafferty writing was brilliant, and kind poked fun at the popularization of TV shoes like Teen Mom.  I also felt for both of the characters, both of the sisters, even though they weren't raised together, do feel a bond and both recognize how the other is being manipulated by their parents and society.  The one thing that I thought was very powerful was that how these two girls were willing to lose their individuality and self worth in order to belong and please others.  This book was a quick read, and I couldn't put it down.  With all of the different dystopian books and series out there, I feel that this book carved out its own little niche out where it stands apart from the rest out there.  There is humor, action, angst, romance, and a message that isn't shoved down your throat.  I truly enjoyed this book.


Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Cress

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer is the third book in the Lunar Chronicles series and it is geared towards the young adult audience.  The first two in the series are Cinder and Scarlet.  Just like the first two books in the series, Cress is a futuristic take on a classic fairy tale of Rapunzel.  

In Cress, the plot is a continuation from the first two books.  You follow the previous characters, Cinder, Captain Throne, Scarlet, Wolf, and a little bit of Prince Kai.  The four main characters, are plotting to overthrow the evil Queen Levana and her army.  They meet a girl Cress, who is a shell (which is a Lunar who can see through a Lunar person's glamour and doesn't have any of their abilities) and has been imprisoned on a satellite since she was a young girl.  She was forced to monitor and hack vital information of the people of Earth to help Levana.  The four decides to stage a daring rescue, but unfortunately it doesn't go as planned and they find themselves separated.  Cress finds herself alone Carswell Thorne, and they try to meet up with Cinder and the others.

So if you guys couldn't tell, I loved this book as much as the first two.  This book felt like there was more action and plot twists than the first two and I enjoyed every second that I read this book.  Of course, there was a bit of romance, but it didn't over power the plot and story line.  Which is something I appreciated.   You find out more about the characters involved and also there is hints of the future characters that will be major players in the final book of the series which is, Winter (Which at this moment I am patiently waiting for my book order.  I had a birthday gift card that I was waiting to use until this baby got released.)  I unfortunately find that with books that I love I have such a hard time talking about what I loved about them.  Because this series has had me hooked since I first read Cinder, I couldn't put it down.  As I said this was a refreshing change from the normal books that I normally read, and I also felt that this series stands out from the other young adult books that seem to get a lot of hype.  It has action and romance, with a fairytale and futuristic twist.  It's not quite dystopian nor is it quite science fiction.  I feel that it is in a genre on its own.

On a sad (or possibly happy) note, I've read a few articles that this series is going to be turned into a movie.  And for those of you who don't know, I have a love hate relationship with books that get turned into movies.  Especially if I really enjoyed it.  I just hope that who ever is writing the script, casting the actors and directing, gives this series the justice that it deserves.


Rating:
4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Scarlet

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer is a young adult fiction novel and it is the second story in the Lunar Chronicles.  It follows the dystopian idea with a classic fairy tale twist.  Scarlet takes a bit of inspiration from the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf.  The story introduces three new characters and also follows the main characters from the previous novel Cinder.  

The story starts with Cinder trying to break out of prison and ultimately has to ask the help of a fellow in mate as she is trying to break out.  The story soon introduces you to Scarlet Benoit who is searching for her missing grandmother.  When Scarlet encounters a street fighter, Wolf, who may have information on her grandmothers whereabouts she must ultimately try to trust the stranger that she is wary of.  They soon find themselves drawn to each other and as they start to unravel the mysteries, they meet Cinder and inmate, Carswell Thorne, whom is also a pilot.  Together the four will try to figure out a way to save humanity from the evil lunar queen Levana.

I have to be honest, I read this book last year, but I still remember a lot of details.  I loved this book and gave it a 5 out of 5 stars on good reads.  I loved the action, the plot twists, the bit of romance.  Yes this story has a little romance.  But I felt that the romance was appropriate and suitable for the age range the books are ultimately geared towards which I feel would be the older young adults.  I loved this book and the addition to the different characters.  I felt that the author has a clear direction in where she wants the series to go.  It's so different that a lot of the other young adult books because I feel that it has a unique take on a way of story telling and as an adult I enjoy it,  I didn't feel like the writing was dummied down in order to appeal to a younger crowd.  I honestly can't wait for the next book in the series to be released because I desperately want to know what happens to the characters that I've grown attached too.

Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer is a young adult, science fiction, romance book loosely based off of a the classic fairy tale, Cinderella.  This book is the first book of the Lunar Chronicles series and was published in 2012.  I read this book last year in March and I have to say, I loved it!  I'm completely hooked on this series and I'm going to state this now, I will be incredibly disappointed if they turn this into a crappy movie.  Yep I went there.

The story starts off when Cinder who is a android/human hybrid trying to offer her mechanical skills.  As a cyborg she is considered a second-class citizen and can't remember her past before her life saving operation.  In the market, someone suddenly take ill and you are introduced to the event that sets everything into motion, the plague that is ravaging the population of earth.  Just like every fairy tale there is an evil queen, Levana who is a ruthless leader to the lunar people who watch and manipulate those around them.  When Cinder's beloved stepsister becomes ill with the plague, her stepmother sells her to the Prince Kai's head doctor so that they can run tests on her.  But soon she finds that she is more important to the people of Earth and also important to Kai.

I have to say for a young adult novel, I thought it had the right amount of romance.  It was enough to make my heart happy, but not over done that I would have thought that this wouldn't be apporpriate for the age group that it was aimed at.  As someone who is in their later 20's instead of their teens I was thoroughly entertained by the book.  I felt the author did an excellent job of writing, it wasn't too mature but it also wasn't patronizing that I feel a lot of young adult books tend to be.  I immediately loved the character Cinder.  A lot of the time, I find that author's find that it is easier to make their main female characters to be weak and easily manipulated.  This is not the case with Cinder, she's confused, yes, and she also doesn't originally want the burden.  I found that all of the characters were intriguing and I couldn't put the book down.  The plot moved fast enough, but not so fast that it was hard to keep details straight.  I couldn't put this book down, and I immediately bought and read the sequel Scarlet and as soon as Cress came out I bought that as well.  And of course, I am patiently waiting for the next book to come out.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars because I couldn't put it down and this has got to be one of the first young adult books that I have been able to get completely en captured by.  As an adult sometimes books that are in the young adult genre are not very well written, and it is not the case with this book.  I loved it from cover to cover.

Rating:
5 out of 5