Lock and Key

Cover art for
Lock and Key

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen is the story of a girl named Ruby. She lives with her mother, who obviously abuses drugs and alcohol, until a few months before she turns eighteen. One day Ruby returns from school to find her mother gone. She attempts to live on her own, and get by until she can legally live by herself. Soon after her mother's disappearance their landlords learn of Ruby's situation, and notify the social services. Ruby then goes to live with her older sister and her husband. At first Ruby is completely against living with Cora and Jamie. She feels that Cora abandoned her and her mother; she constantly refuses to accept this new life. Ruby meets new people who are in ways like her and can help her, but also need help from her.

Personally, I did enjoy Lock and Key. The characters are really well developed and the plot has those twists that make you want to keep reading at the end of each chapter. As the reader you want Ruby to accept the help that is offered, but you also see her perspective of things. You see her battle against drugs and alcohol as well as her feelings. As the book progresses she begins to accept the people around her and the things they do to help her.  I felt sometimes annoyed at Ruby for not noticing how people were just trying to help.

There are a lot of drug and alcohol references as well as some child abuse. The drug references are mentioned very casually.

What did you think of Lock and Key? Comment and discuss!




For more books by Sarah Dessen go to: http://sarahdessen.com/

The Mortal Instruments

The Mortal Instruments  series by Cassandra Clare is about people who  fight demons. They are called Shadowhunters. Clary Fray is a young girl who witnesses the Shadowhunters in action and is pulled into their world. The series follows Clary and her friends, Shadowhunter and mortal, as they fight against the evil Valentine.

Book one, City of Bones.

I have not finished the series so I feel bad posting about it. But it's just so good I had to write something about it. I have read the first two books, but have been reading a book for school which has prevented me from reading the third and fourth. Now to my review. I really like this series. All of the characters are so well developed and you become so connected to them in the way that when they are in danger you feel nervous for them. Clary is so brave and determined. I love the plot so much. It is full of twists and turns so you have no idea what is coming next. Jace is that combo of annoying, sometimes sweet and just good at what he does, so you don't know weather to be mad at him for not being nicer to people or happy with him. 

I really love the books so far. Once I finish the series I will post about each book individually.


Check out the Mortal Instruments website!

Thoughts about the series? Jace? Clary? Simon? The Lightwoods? Valentine? What about the plot twists? Comment and discuss!

The other Mortal Instrument books!

The second book.
 City of Ashes

The fourth book.
 City of Fallen Angels

The third book.
 City of Class

Divergent

Cover art for
Divergent by Veronica Roth.

Divergent by Veronica Roth is a book that takes place in future North America (common theme in my book posts). It is about a society that is broken up into five factions each representing a different trait of humans; something that the members of the faction is important. When the citizens turn sixteen they are forced to choose to stay in their birth faction or change factions and leave their family. The story follows a sixteen year old girl, Beatrice,  who struggles with her choice between factions and problems within the factions.

I really liked this book! (Like the other post apocalyptic I have read and posted about.) But this book really puts personality into perspective.  People are forced to choose one trait that they want to pursue, but they are limited to that trait. Thinking otherwise (meaning wanting to be more that just one thing) is considered dangerous because the government is scared of rebellion. I really love the characters and plot. Beatrice/Tris is the strong daring protagonist that fans of The Hunger Games will love.

What did you think about Divergent? Which faction would you choose? What do you think of Four? The other characters? Comment and discuss!




There is not yet a sequel to Divergent. But Veronica Roth is working on it! Insurgent does not yet have a release date, but it might be out around May of 2012! Check out Veronica Roth's blog for more info!

Catching Fire

Spoiler alert if you have not read The Hunger Games!!!!!!






Catching Fire is the sequel to The Hunger Games and Katniss and Peeta are forced back into the Arena. She now must face the terrors of the Hunger Games for a second time. She makes new alliances and relationships grow.

I don't want to give away a lot so that will conclude the summary. I really like Catching Fire (well I love the whole series so...) and  Katniss is once again so heroic. I really like the blossoming romance between Peeta and Katniss (I am Team Peeta all the way) and all the other people in the book who help her (Cinna...so great!). Anyway very surprising ending but good good good. If you have read The Hunger Games and have not read this yet, you must read it!


What did you think of Catching Fire? The ending? Peeta and Katniss? Comment and discuss!
Next book in the Hunger  Games trilogy:

Mockingjay is the last
book in the trilogy.

Matched

Cover art for Matched

Matched by Ally Condie is a story that takes place in the future in a similar way to The Hunger Games. The book is about a society where the members of the community are matched when they are sixteen with their future spouse. Cassia is a girl who is matched with her best friend. At first she is completely certain this is meant to be. But then she sees a different face flash on her computer screen. She is now forced to choose between perfection and passion.

I really enjoyed Matched, like The Hunger Games it involves a very controlling futuristic society. But it is more romance than adventure. She  has that same idea as Katniss to defy the overpowering government, but it is not the main focus of the book. It seems that Cassia's main focus is figuring out who she is and who she wants to love and spend the rest of her life with.  It's a great book and interesting to see a romance novel set in the future as opposed to the past or present.

Happy Reading!

What did you think of Matched? Xander or Ky? Are you excited for the next book? Comment and discuss!

Companion book to Matched:

Crossed is not yet out but
will be coming this Fall (2011)

Graceling

   I really really like this book and it's companion is really great too. There is going to be a third book but the release date is not announced yet.

   Graceling  by Kristen Cashore, takes place in what appears to be the medieval time period in a land where there are seven kingdoms. In this land there are special people called gracelings. They are different because they are gifted with a certain skill and are identified by their appearance: two different colored eyes. The gracelings are sent to work for the king, in order to give him the best food, music and defenses.

Cover art for Graceling by Kristen Cashore.

Katsa  is a the niece of the king and is a graceling. But Katsa is graced with killing. Katsa soon meets another misunderstood graceling, Po, and her view of her own grace and the kingdoms as they go on adventures through the kingdoms.

I recommend this book for someone who likes adventure novels as well as a strong lead female characterand a blooming romantic relationship. It has a historic side as well as a fantasy theme.



What did you think of Graceling? The plot, characters and more. Leave comments and discuss.

Companion book to Graceling:

Fire  by Kristen Cashore.
Companion book to Graceling.

The Hunger Games

As many of you probably know The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is being made into a movie. Personally I am very excited for this movie (as well as many of my friends)! Anyway here is my post (or beginning of many) about The Hunger Games.

Cover art of the first book of the trilogy. 

 I love this book. At first I was hesitant because of the whole children killing each other thing. But it is so much more than that. There is adventure and drama and romance and of course a female hero!!
Katniss shows her strength and commitment to her beliefs throughout the entire book.

It takes place in the future in the North America. There are twelve districts and they are all under the control of the Capitol. Every year a boy and a girl from each district are selected randomly,and they participate in the Hunger Games a televised fight to the death. When Katniss takes her sister's place in the games she is forced to put her strength and willingness to kill to the test. As she bounces between alliances, enemies and confrontations with the boy from her home district, Peeta.

I recommend this book to a person who likes science fiction and "what will the future be like" books. There are three books in the series: The Hunger Games  Catching Fire  and Mockingjay.

Stay tuned for more Hunger Games posts.

Happy Reading!

What do you think of The Hunger Games? Leave your comments discussing the plot, characters, and of course Team Peeta vs. Team Gale!






Other books in the Hunger Games trilogy:

Catching Fire  is the second
book in the Hunger Games trilogy. 

Mockingjay is the third and
final book in the Hunger Games trilogy.