Review: A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time (Time #1) by Madeleine L'Engle

Published March 15th 1973 by Yearling (first published January 1st 1962)
Paperback, 211 pages
Source: Library

"It is a dark and stormy night. Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and their mother are in the kitchen for a midnight snack when a most disturbing visitor arrives.

"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger tells them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me sit down for a moment, and then I'll be on my way. Speaking of ways, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesserac."

Meg's father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?"

- From Goodreads

 

1/10

Well obviously I didn’t like this book if you look at my rating. Now let me tell you why:

What was going on? Is it just me or was it very confusing? Jumping from one thing to another? I guess it’s supposed to be like that. That the author was trying something new or trying to be different. But it didn’t work for me.

Meg was annoying and bratty, understandable though as she has to go rescue her father while traveling with her little brother that is a 40 year old in my opinion. And with Calvin the heartthrob… shoot me now.

Ah yes then the three witches? Can I call them witches? Who knows I lost interest in them the moment they arrived.

What was wrong with this book? It’s supposed to be a children’s book? Is this a joke? Did I miss it?

I felt the author was forcing details and events into places where they shouldn’t be. I honestly can’t name one thing I liked about this book.

It is easily the most overrated book I have every read. I wanted to gauge my eyes out by the end.

http://www.madeleinelengle.com/
http://www.facebook.com/wrinkleintime

“If you aren't unhappy sometimes you don't know how to be happy.”
― Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time 

A Wind in the Door (Time, #2) by Madeleine L'Engle
 

 

Review: Matched

Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie

Published November 30th 2010 by Dutton Juvenile

Hardcover, 366 pages
Source: Bought from Bookdepository

"Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

- From Goodreads

 

6/10

I think I went into this book expecting a little too much. At first it was going fine, then I found myself bored. The last 60 pages or so was really exciting though so it sort of made up for it.

I love the world Ally Condie created. The society, the officials, the rules.. its fascinating.

The romance felt a bit forced at times for me. Like the only plot...
I want to know more about the society, the background of it!

But as I said the ending made up for the boring bits in the beginning and middle.

Now for those who have read it:

I really liked Xander and felt really bad for him. But love triangles always leaves me a bit bitter. Do you think she should have stayed with Xander? Or maybe taken him with somehow?

The red pill scenario was really great, I love how everyone follows blindly but at the same times is happy with their lives.

http://www.allysoncondie.com/
@allycondie
http://matched-book.com/
http://matched-trilogy.livejournal.com/

"I came up on the screen, too, Cassia. But he was the one you chose to see."
 

"Our time together feels like a storm, like a wild wind and rain, like something too big to handle but too powerful to escape."

 

Crossed (Matched, #2) by Ally Condie

 

Review: Delirium

Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Published February 1st 2011 by HarperTeen

Hardcover, 441 pages
Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $16.19

"Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love."

 

8/10

Another brilliant novel by Lauren Oliver! Her written is flowing, magical and so effortless. I loved the little bits on the Chapter pages, and found myself looking forward to the next rhyme or extract from the book of Shhh.

I loved the concept of taking love out of a society and seeing what is left. The world that was created, was interesting, dark, safe and creepy.

I loved the characters, they all had such strong personalities and depth. Lena was once again the "I'm not really pretty" girl, but I looked past that.

The book might have dragged a bit for my taste, but hey I still enjoyed it!

If you haven't read Before I Fall yet, and you enjoyed this book, I suggest you do so, it is truly a great novel.

I will most definitely read the next two books in the series, and I'm sure Ms Oliver will wow me once again.

http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/

http://laurenoliverbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/laurenoliverbooks

http://www.myspace.com/laurenoliverbooks

http://twitter.com/#!/OliverBooks

"Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That's what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the center of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the wrold falls away on either side." 

"I'd rather die my way than live yours."  

Pandemonium (Delirium, #2) by Lauren Oliver
 

 

Review: Mockingjay

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

Published August 25th 2010 by Scholastic (first published 2010)

Paperback, 455 pages

ISBN: 1407109375

Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $9.21

"My name is Katniss Everdeen. Why am I not dead? I should be dead.

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost."

 

8/10

What a great trilogy and what a brilliant ending! Although I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the 2nd one, it was still a great read! Things happen in this book I didn't even think of or couldn't even imagine and to me that makes a great read.

I was surprised, thrilled, shocked and at times sad that the story had to come to an end. I do have one complaint, the end pages seemed a bit rushed but its only a minor thing.

This is definitely one of my favourite series and I will re-read it soon! I'm also excited about the movies coming out :)

*Spoilers*

I was really glad that Katniss ended up with Peeta and was really sad about Prim. I loved that Katniss shot Coin, she had it coming!

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

"Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear."
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay)

"Finnick?" I say, "Maybe some pants?"

He looks down at his legs as if noticing his outfit for the first time. Then he whips off his hospital gown leaving him in just his underwear. "Why? Do you find this" -- he strikes a ridiculously provocative pose -- "distracting?"
I laugh. Boggs looks embarrassed and Finnick looks more like the guy I met at the Quarter Quell"
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay)

"What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again."

— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay)

Spoiler

"You love me. Real or not real?"
I tell him, "Real."
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay) 

None :(
 

 

Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

Published September 7th 2009 by Scholastic

Paperback, 472 pages

ISBN:  1407109367

Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $9.22

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge."

 

9/10

Wow! This book had me hooked from the start and took my breath away several times. This is one of those rare books I will never forget and can only describe as being brilliant!

It definitely surpasses the previous book. I never once hoped for something else to happen and I loved all the great surprises! It was gripping, thrilling and has truly fantastic characters!

Suzanne Collins is a visionary!

I cannot wait to read Mockingjay!

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

 

"We star-crossed lovers of District 12, who suffered so much and enjoyed so little the rewards of our victory, do not seek our fans' favor, grace them with our smiles, or catch their kisses. We are unforgiving.
And I love it. Getting to be myself at last." 

 

SPOILERS:

 

"But I have to confess, I'm glad you two had at least a few months of happiness together."
I'm not glad," says Peeta. "I wish we had waited until the whole thing was done officially."
This takes even Caesar aback. "Surely even a brief time is better than no time?"
Maybe I'd think that, too, Caesar," says Peeta bitterly, "If it weren't for the baby." 

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins
 

 

Review: Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park #1) by Michael Crichton

Published 1990 by Ballantine

Paperback, 399 pages

ISBN: 030734813X

Source: Bought at Bookdepository for $7.89

"An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now, one of mankind's most thrilling fantasies has come true. Creatures extinct for eons now roam Jurassic Park with their awesome presence and profound mystery, and all the world can visit them- for a price. Until something goes wrong...."

 

9/10

What a brilliant novel!! I knew I was going to enjoy it, but wow it really was a masterpiece!

Science and a thrilling tale comes together in just the right way, and makes it a surprisingly quick read that you can't seem to put down.

The characters are so well formed, the dinosaurs so well described and the world that is Jurassic Park so vivid that you wish you were there, even if you have to deal with Velociraptors!

Crichton is a spectacular writer who leaves you intrigued, thrilled and wanting more!

I will pick up the next instalment as soon as I can. I can also see this becoming a regular re-read.

I'm off to watch the movie again :)

http://www.michaelcrichton.com/

"And that's how things are. A day is like a whole life. You start out doing one thing, but end up doing something else, plan to run an errand, but never get there. . . . And at the end of your life, your whole existence has the same haphazard quality, too. Your whole life has the same shape as a single day."
— Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park)

The Lost World by Michael Crichton