Review Legend

Legend by Marie Lu

First Book in Legend Series

Bookologist Analysis: This book was a typical dystopian  novel, but instead the characters were a lot more interesting (hehe).

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

Day... don't they have the coolest name in sci-fi books, I mean seriously. The name is killer. Each day is twenty four hours, in a moment you live, in a moment you die (paraphrase of Day). This guy is a “criminal” (he’s more like a sci-fi Robin Hood) mastermind who supposedly failed his Trials (a test that decides your life with a physical, interview, and written test aka extreme SAT).  I just really connected with Day because he has this undying devotion to his family, despite what he could accomplish. He’s loyal till the end even if it means sacrificing himself for the greater good.

June... or Junebug as Metias (her brother) calls her. She’s a genius prodigy. On her Trials she got a 1500/1500- the only person to ever do so. She’s at Drake the best university in the Republic at 15, and oh, by the way she also graduates early with flying colors (straight As). June actually despite some smart people stereotypes loves her brother. I mean because of supposed murder is how she meets Day (really they were meant to be). She is strong and connects the dots. Getting through your brother’s death with his murderer, being so close to you, is something to be proud of. 

I felt the book was almost a cliché. The one thing I loved though is the characters. It is not every day you get to read about two geniuses both in FIRSTPERSON (my favorite person). The only other books like this I can think of is Artemis Fowl, but that is more fantasy. The climax I felt was a little fast. It could have been a more twisting plot. I mean I predicted the ending halfway through the book. Overall however I like the book with the tension (romantic and killer and socioeconomic) between Day and June.

The author did a complex job of building this world up. The poor sectors and ultimate testing were nice broad things. I fell head-over-heels-in-love with the little details. The different types of knots people use, where their meat comes from, and special gun types – these are the types of things that make you feel like you are there in person.  This book is over all a good one. This is going to become one of the required fantasy/sci-fi books like the Hunger Games and Harry Potter.

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Sorry, it's short! I have a lot going on with school and the holidays coming up. I might get another post up by 2014, but I'm not sure. However, comment, read, and follow. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year!

Review Inside Out & Back Again

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Stand Alone

Bookologists Analysis: This book pulls your heart out at the sight of war then mends it back together as you see Ha’s journey through America.

For all the ten years of her life, Ha has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by, and the beauty of her very own papaya tree. But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Ha and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope.

This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.

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So, sorry I haven’t been around for a while because I was rereading the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead. I can’t review them because I’ve already read them and it goes against my morals to review books then I couldn’t give my honest reactions on the plot, character, and writing….

I might get in a filler post in soon though; I’m not sure. This was a real simple book that I read on the side. It’s a bit more juvenile, but it’s still great.

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Imagine living in a world where you have fresh papaya in your backyard, you could buy 999 grams of pork from an outdoor market in your city, and your country was in a war against Communists in the north.  Now get back in that hole of imagination you have created, now your dumped where you get fried chicken, can’t communicate with your class, and are in the rolling hills of Alabama.  Wham, your life is changed inside out (ha-ha, get it; it’s the title of the book).

This is what happens to Ha (like the laugh, it’s a Vietnamese name). She’s ten years old and her biggest sins are putting her big toe on the ground first and pinching the girl who sits next to her in class. Does she have anything to do with her country being at war with North Vietnam (Communists)? No, but this story is about how war affects everybody and how those changes can affect those people.

Bravery spans all ages and times. Ha is brave because despite being a transplant in a foreign country and land she decides to persevere. Her arm hair is being pulled at school yet she stills stands up to the boy. Family is there for everyone (despite Father who was MIA for about the last seven years). Brothers are there for sister, mother there is for her children. It is heartbreaking to see this story affect the story. The ultimate moral though is that change can help you.

 I just love how this book is written how a ten year old would remember the story (this is based on Thanhha’s experiences). The writing however sometimes is confusing because it is such a juvenile writing style. Though, if your look for an honest book about the Vietnam War from a non-military perspective in a YA/juvenile look this is the best.

Review The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Available Now

Stand Alone

Bookologists' Analysis: The horses of water are starting the season of the highly dangerous and somewhat intoxicating book The Scorpio Races.

A spellbinding novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

Some race to win. Others race to survive.

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.
Some riders live.
Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition - the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.
As she did in her bestselling Shiver trilogy, author Maggie Stiefvater takes us to the breaking point, where both love and life meet their greatest obstacles, and only the strong of heart can survive. The Scorpio Races is an unforgettable reading experience.

The Scorpio Races took a while for me to get through, the book was structured delightfully, but you couldn't throw off the feeling that something was missing. The action was all but absent except in the end scene featuring the actual Scorpio Races. This book is all about relationships that each character has, a reputation everybody knows, and the culture of the isolated island of Thisby.

Puck and Sean switch first person narration (which I prefer over third person because you then really know what is going on with them) in the book which lets you see the push and the pull between them. Puck is the first woman in the Scorpio Races, being a race for men on blood thirsty horses. She breaks these unspoken rules to ride as a woman on regular horse (not pony). She has a wild side that shines through her. Sean is a quiet four year reigning champion of the Scorpio Races who is the trainer/groomer at the local stable called Malvern Yards. They meet each other as enemies, which we all know creates perfect chemistry. They have a bittersweet slow relationship that build from acquaintances to partners.

This book would be a wonderful book for a book club because this book is all about relationships and reputations. On the remote island of Thisby you know everybody’s reputation and who they are, you know what they are, and who knows who. Here are some questions:

How does Sean Kendrick’s reputation precede him when he meets Puck Connolly for the first time?

Gabe is planning to leave the island, how does that affect how Finn and Puck view him?

How did Puck Connolly's parents death affect her?

Sean Kendrick is a relatively quiet person, how does Puck lead him out of his shell?

This story is about never giving up. To quote the old saying, “If there is a will there is a way.” That if you keep on going something great will happen. For example, Puck wants to win the Scorpio Races to save her home with the prize earnings, despite being the first woman to compete, she does. Second, Gabe wants to leave the island that is haunting his nightmares, having his sister compete in a highly dangerous event doesn’t stunt that passion. The book The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater has similar lines.

The writing of this book tells a wonderful detailed story that is the hallmark of Maggie. Another bad hallmark though is slow books the plots are too intricate or too hard to follow. The language was beautiful and the action was minimal. This is a great slow book.

The book will remind of you of slow waves that pound the island of Thisby lulling, but at any moment waiting to crash on the beach to signify the blood wavering scream of the capall usice. This is one of Maggie Stiefvater's earlier reads.

Review Fiery Heart

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead

Available Now

Book Four in Bloodlines

Sequel to Bloodlines (#1), The Golden Lily (#2), The Indigo Spell (#3)

In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

Lately, I find that not a lot of books are grabbing my attention, but boy did this book. I mean look at that cover (despite the fact I thought Adriana had more hair) could it not be hotter. This book left me undone and it was a lot more serious than the other Bloodline books.

The Fiery Heart is about how Sydney is starting to grow up and not take everything she has grown up with for granted. I mean the Alchemist are starting to look a lot more different (brainwashing and over exaggerated). Magic is not something that is necessarily evil if it can help you. Moroi aren't soulless evil creatures that are damned.  For those who have read Vampire Academy, Sydney was this insecure goody two shoes, now she this ultimate rebel to the Alchemist. Her brain is working to her advantage in most cases.

How could we go one without talking about Adrian Ivashkov party-boy, spirit user extraordinaire.  Adrian is creeping in to your heart with his wit and devil-may-care attitude. He despite being twenty-twoish has now only started to take on responsibility. He's curbing his drinking and smoking. Sadly though spirit is starting to catch up on him. No one is safe in this book.

Now to other characters, Jill-the one person who know EVERY little thing.  I mean seriously who would want a teenager getting involved in a highly illicit relationship that is not even her own? Eddie Castile is thrown in the back, that's sad this guy has had his best friend killed, a suckish romantic interest and is just forgotten; that disappointing to me.  Trey and Angelina are also put on hold with bad excuses about Warrior of Light beliefs, trying to be good, and 'oh I don't know if he/she is interested'. 

This book's plot took a different turn with Zoe. She wants here sister, so badly because her mother and father are getting in a divorce battle. I mean Mr.Sage views everything as a tool, even his own daughters; I mean seriously, who comments if their daughter gains 5 pounds and still looks great. Her mother on the other hand isn't stable with jobs or education, but wants to salvage a normal teenhood for Zoe despite the Alchemists' and their ideas. Who is the better choice to support?

Now, drum roll please..... the main plot. This book is about maturity. That sometimes you have to get older to live.Life moves on and so do you, that way the problems that are shot at you don't hit the center of the target. We have to learn that not everything we believe, do, or accept is the best. Sydney ends up in the place she least wants to be, but she know that this is the consequence to her actions with Adrian. That she has to be strong for love.

This book was heartbreaking. I mean Sydney and Adrian definitely brought the romance, hotness, and steaminess up a notch. But you could see that things were sacrificed in the process, such as Zoe, Jill and Eddie, and Syd's human friends who were not mentioned at all.  The main characters were developed very much, but the minor characters could have been more. Plus, I loved the  changing first person narration with Adrian and Sydney.Still Richelle managed to keep Bloodlines fresh.

Hey comment and tell me what you think!