The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

JULIE KAGAWA + VAMPIRES + DYSTOPIA = OMG PERFECT!!!
 

First, let me tell you that I’m a huge Julie Kagawa fan so please bear with this a little bit biased review. lol ;)

In this new novel, Kagawa ventures into two worlds fans of YA novels are raving about. Imagine a dystopian world filled with bloodsucking vampires. What do you get? The Immortal Rules! Well, freakin’tastic!

Allison Sekemoto is a human. She hates and despises vampires for their sheer cruelty. They treat humans as nothing but bloodbags from whom they could feed on whenever they want. But what if something terrible happens and she’s left with no choice but to be one of them? To be like those ruthless monsters that everyone fears?
 

“Sometime in your life, Alison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. Accidentally or as a conscious, deliberate act. It is unavoidable. The question is not if it will happen, but when.”

The first time I read about the synopsis, I thought how would the author make this kind of story work? I mean I was having a post-Iron fey hangover so I didn’t want to read anything outside of the fey world. But actually, she pulled it off pretty well.

Yep, it was ominous and dark. But hey, Vampires and Dystopian, what are you expecting?? Despite that, I loved the engaging story. It’s new, refreshing and cool. The story is some kind of an “I am Legend” progeny with references to the bible. The concept is new and unique.

Moreover, I am truly fascinated by the characters, especially, Allison Sekemoto. I’ve never admired any vampire girl before her. She’s an incredible kick-ass heroine and I love that about her. She’s a vampire but her heart is definitely human through and through. And of course, Ezekiel. Zeke is a real gentleman. He sees the good in everyone. I just hope they’d be together in the end. When I reached the end, I am torn and my heart couldn’t accept their fate. Nevertheless, I liked it. I liked the concept, the plot, the characters,  and that there were still many unanswered questions. I’ve been anticipating this book for so long and I am just glad that it lived up to my expectations. Anyway, I'm lovin' that beautiful cover! The blood tear is really cool and suits the story so well.

 I recommend it to all Julie Kagawa fans like me. 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars!

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I was so excited to read this one because so many people already told me it's an awesome book. So I'm glad it didn't disappoint me.


 Shatter me, the debut novel of Tahereh Mafi, introduces a dystopian society struggling to survive the brink of destruction until the Reestablishment takes over. However, the poeple found themselves even more doomed because of the wicked treatment of tyrannical leaders. In the midst of this turmoil, Juliette is imprisoned. She's locked up for 3 years without any knowledge or communication from the outside world because she's considered lethal, a threat, an outcaste. For her touch could kill and suck the life out of anyone. This predicament has always been her life. A life devoid of love, acceptance,and happiness. But everything changes when she discovers what she's truly capable of, that it's her choice whether to create life or destruction.


 Undeniably, Tahereh Mafi is the new author to discover. The plot is well-constructed, and the strike through concept is a genius, it contributed a great deal in exploring the depths of Juliette's mind. The romance between David and Juliette feels genuine. And the other characters are great. I don't know why but I like James and kenji, I was entertained with every conversation they have.


Also, I was amazed at how a simple act or event can be made beautiful and believable just by the author's perfectly strunged words. The writing is so poetic that you'll feel the words moving out of the pages into your heart.  It has enough action, romance, and surprises. Although the ending lacks the intense action scenes some are waiting for, it's worth it because it's so cool that it will make you more excited for what's coming in the second book. It will be one of the books I’ll recommend to my friends as well as to those who are a fan of dystopia and superheroes.


My rating: 4 of 5 stars!

Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

"A million ways to die. One way to live."


Veronica Rossi's debut novel "Under the Never Sky" is one amazingly exciting dystopian fiction that would surely leave you wanting for more. 


One of the things I love about dystopian novels is the way a whole new world is introduced but at the same time, it does not feel so out-of-reach because yeah! we're  talking about post-apocalyptic time, Hello future! So i'm glad to say that this one is a cool new society. 


From the very beginning, I became so fascinated by the Realm. There's no pain, no risk, no problem in this society. They have their smarteyes that could take them wherever they want whenever they want. Their life is the literal definition of aversion to the dark realities people often face. It may seem like the an incredible utopia, but a closer look would make you see otherwise.


 The heroine, Aria is very likeable as well as Peregrine a.k.a. "Perry." He has this spirit in him that never gives up, fights for what he believes in, and protects the ones he love. The ending, however, was the kind of cliffhanger I didn't want to read about. I was dumbfounded when my eyes caught the acknowledgement part because I was expecting and wanting it to be more. Well, I cannot tell details any more than I want to because that would spoil the story. So let me just tell you that this is a worthwhile read, I enjoyed every bit of it. My eager hands can't wait to grasp the next book!




My Rating: 4 of 5 stars!

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

I'm so proud to say that Lauren Oliver is one of the most talented authors! Her writing is pure, heartfelt and awesome!




I admit I was sort of disappointed reading the first few pages because nothing important is happening, I got so irritated with the shifting in time. But give it about 100 pages and the story gets better and turns into something exciting! 


I liked how the plot changed but in a good sense. And of course I liked Julian, somehow I understand what he's going through and how he's very much like what Lena used to be. I'm starting to like him for her.
 But then there's ALEX....  Every time Lena and Julian start to show their feelings to each other I think "Awwww!! they're so sweet! but no. no. no. no. no BIG NO! You love Alex remember? Don't let yourself get confused!" I don't know what to think anymore!


The ENDING... it's the ending I didn't want to read... because I was left hanging, thinking, speculating, fearing what will happen next. I just can't believe it has to end that way. Oliver sure knows how to make a cliffhanger! 

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

After reading this...OKAY is the first word that comes into my mind. SIGH is the the first thing I did. This may be an addition to the long list of novels in the highly anticipated and popular dystopian genre. But there's something quite different with the the characters and the story that I cannot precisely put a finger on. I am not saying that it's not good. It was mediocre to say the least. I'm just not fond of the story's atmosphere. It's gloomy and oppressive that you'll feel longing and sadness of the characters. However, there are some things that kept me reading despite the strange plot. The characters, though they all seem to have their griefs to deal with, how they handle them seem different. The main character, Rhine may have been overly sentimental but I liked her anyway. I should probably say how baffled and intrigued I am of Linden's personality. I wanted to hate him, to feel hatred whenever his name is mentioned, because he's the reason for their agony, for their lost freedom, for their miserable lives. But then I realized in the end that he's does not deserve the blame. He's as innocent and trapped as they are. I pity him. I just don't like the fact that he has three wives and spends his night alternately with them. It feels... ugh... you know what I'm talking about! And of course Gabriel, I'm not that convinced with his relationship with Rhine. It lacks development and the story put little emphasis on it so I wasn't that moved. So this is pretty depressing story, but it's not a bad one. 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

I've read enough of dystopian novels to know which society is believable or not, which is likely to happen in the future or not. I can say that Uglies is one that is impossible to happen, far-fetched even. I mean how in the world would we find solution to the world's biggest problems by merely turning pretty. After reading the first few chapters, those are my thoughts. The main character may have contributed a lot to my lack of interest. Tally is so vain that she feels being pretty is the only thing that matters and without it your life is miserable being ugly. I admit I was kind of annoyed by her shallowness and also her longing for Peris whom I also dislike because he's not a true friend with his we-could-friends-again-only-if-you-turn-pretty attitude. So I was hesitant to continue, but thankfully I gained interest as the story progresses. I realized that this attitude that i hated at first are the doings of the authorities. They are the ones who manipulate and control the people. It gets interesting when Tally changes her outlook. That even though a person doesn't have the perfect symmetrical features, he/she could be beautiful inside, as in the case of Tally and David. I think this moral is what makes the book interesting. Indeed, true beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Bottom line is the story is good with an insightful lesson we often deny but we become victims of for so many times. It's slow and boring at first, but it gets better afterwards.The ending went quite well that it will surely leave the readers anticipating the next book.


I give this book 4/5 stars!

Unwind by Neal Schusterman

This book is CAPS LOCK AWESOMENESS! 


The first time I read the synopsis, I thought it would cause sheer boredom and end up wasting my time. But a lot of reviewers praised it so i decided to give it chance. I'm glad i did, because it turned out great. Yes it's dystopian just like any other famous novels out there but what made it different is its unique plot and the engaging way it is told. I was already hooked while reading the first few chapters. The shifting point of views makes everything so exciting. 


I also like the characters, how they first met, how they managed to fight and survive their predicament, and how, in the end, they all got what they've been wishing for. The realities of life and the injustice acts and laws that they are facing during their era disturbed me so much. In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system. Who would want to sign a petition that entails their son/daughter's death? Who would be willing to donate their son/daughter's body parts? I guess it's unthinkable in our time. But during dire circumstances, you'd probably think otherwise. 


For this, I commend Neal Schusterman. He was able to tackle a very sensitive issue yet an interesting one. Being a teenager myself, I was horrified by their doomed fates at the same time sympathized with them. I wanted them to resist, to fight, to survive, and to thwart the law that everyone thinks is right. That's why I was satisfied with the ending. In fact, the author nailed it pretty well. I was happy with what happened to Connor, Risa and Lev. I also came to admire the admiral, I didn't like him at first but i realized how he feels as a loving parent of an unwound. 


Unwind by Neal Schusterman is a great novel that has a lot to offer. It's complete with action, romance, drama, humor, revelations and surprises. How I wish it has a sequel. It's no doubt I’ll recommend this to my friends...


I give this 5/5 stars!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I finally read Divergent after hearing quite a buzz about it. It was often compared to the Hunger games so I got even more excited. Although I would still consider HG as the best dytopian novel, Divergent missed by a few points.

The society Veronica Roth pictured as dystopia was strange at the same time genius. The atmosphere seem oppressed and dark. The five factions: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless,Erudite and Amity are great representations of what personalities of people in the real world are. I liked the heroine, Tris, because she is fearless and doesn't act like a damsel in distress like someone I know. Four or Tobias( Tobias sounds funny and weak for his personality btw) was cool though he's not even trying to be overly heroic. The other characters have great attributes as well, it's exciting to watch them interact. There are times when it gets too violent you'd think "Was that even necessary?" but Roth  was just probably doing something new that we don't normally read from a YA novel. 

The ending was okay but I wanted more action scenes because that's what I was expecting. I also liked the look of the society.  The way I imagined it is believable, how the dauntless rides their trains and how each person acts according to their chosen faction. Anyway, it's a great book and I can tell why so many people compared this to the Hunger Games. 

I give this 4/5 stars!