October 16, 2011

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Matched (Matched #1)
Author: Ally Condie
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: November 30, 2010
Pages: 366
Source: Paperback/Own

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 with complete certainty that 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.

Review: So I told many bloggers I was gonna get this book and read it before Crossed comes out. I succeeded! Another amazing dystopian!!! If you don't know already dystopians right now are my fave genre in young adult so I've been all over reading them. This one definitely didn't disappoint! I loved the idea behind the Society choosing who you love, where you work, when you die etc. I never read something much like it before. 

Ok, Cassia, Xander and Ky. I really liked all of them. I'll admit though I am more of a fan of Cassia and Ky right now but i still like Xander. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Ky and even Cassia as the book goes on. I did want to learn more about Xander but I'll have to settle for what I have right now until Crossed comes out. I loved the whole thing with Cassia and Ky. I loved them getting closer as the book went on. It sucked for Cassia though with her feelings for both men. It's never fun to end up hurting one because of the other in some way. I cant wait to see what happens in Crossed with these three!

The Society. Just wow! The pills, the officials, the matching, all that stuff. Just wow. It was interesting how the Society picked your perfect match. The whole thing that went down with Cassias card that started the whole thing though. That surprised me though when you find out more about that in the end then you can see it making sense a little in some way. It was also interesting the ages when certain things were to happen. The Society just had everything worked out for the very best. I also found the classifications interesting and what could cause them interesting too. I could go on and on with all that I liked about the book but I'll just stop here. Lol. 

I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially if your like me and like dystopians! I found it a very good read! And if you haven't read it I suggest you go pick up a copy ASAP! :)

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September 17, 2011

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade (Nightshade #1)
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: SPEAK (Penguin Group)
Publication Date: October 19, 2010
Pages: 454
Source: Paperback/Own

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she’ll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters’ laws by
saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Review: This book had me hooked from the start. Not many books hook me on the first page, even the first sentence but this one did. Now, this book wasn't what I thought it would be. I was expecting something different but what I got was so much better. It is a great book and the twists kept you on the edge of your seat. At least for me it did, sometimes I'd finish a chapter and have to put the book down for a couple mins to prepare myself for what was about to happen next.

Calla is a very strong main character. She's a very likeable character but she's also tough and cares about her pack. She also is her own person even though being her own person got her close to breaking the rules sometimes. I liked how even when things started falling apart she still tried to stand up for what she believed in. I also liked most of the other characters like Ansel, Bryn & Ren. I'm gonna say it right now. I'm Team Ren all the way. I just don't like Shay. I didn't like how Calla fell for him so easily and in all honesty I just feel Ren is a better match for her. If Shay were just a friend I might like him. I'd like to learn more about Ren personally; I feel like there's still so much we don't know about him. I'd also like to learn more about both Calla and Rens pack mates.

The packs. Theres the Nightshade and Bane packs. I really liked both packs honestly but I felt if say there was one that you'd have to be friends with I'd go with the Nightshades. They seemed a little more nicer than the Banes. I also felt more of a connection to the Nightshade pack because they were talked about more and it just seemed like they were more open to different ideas.

The wolf politics. Some of it was just wow. I found it so weird that Ren was able to date whoever he wanted but Calla had to stay pure until the union. I also just found the rules in general depressing. Not really being able to choose who your with, male dominance. It all seemed depressing to me. I wanted Calla to stand up more to Ren but she did what she could when she had the chance. I loved the information Calla and Shay found that turned Calla's world on its head. It showed just how many lies were told to her and gave you so many questions.

I loved the ending, it was a great cliffhanger and I cant wait to read Wolfsbane. I'd definitely recommend this book to others. It was amazing!!!!!

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