Review: Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

by Veronica Roth

Caution: Should only be read if Allegiant is at arm's length away. You will want more immediately.

Leaving off shortly where Divergent ending, this book does not shy away from doing what it takes to get the job done. Due to this, half of my reading experience was spent with me yelling at the characters. They took turns doing stuff that made me aggravated or pissed me off. Tris, Tobias, Marcus, Peter, friends, foes; you name it, I yelled at them. Despite my aggravation, I liked Insurgent. If a book can get me to speak explicitly by the surprises or turn of events, then it is doing its job.

Tris’s journey builds on the events in Divergent and reveal more about the Erudite’s whole plot that not even she could have guessed. Every event is meaningful in one sense or another. The world-building is less than Divergent but that is because their world is shifting so much that what they thought to be true days ago, would not be so anymore. However, there is still a lot that we do learn about their society. Insurgent gives more information about the factionless, who come to play a big part later on. We also do learn more about Amity. When looked at in small sections, it does not appear to give you much information as you expected. But in a way, it does, much more than you initially believe.

The character development, minor and major, therefore, has improved. There is a vulnerability to Tris that we did not see as often in Divergent that we do witness now. The circumstances are unfortunate. Not only does she grow, but so does Tobias. The events that take place have as much to do with him as it has to do with her. The settings and circumstances allow us to see a part of Tobias’s past, who he was before he became Dauntless. I grew to love him more.

On the other hand, while I still cannot relate to Tris, I do like her. Though I can understand some of her motives, and her personality, at times she feels sort of heartless or reckless. I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this. She constantly said so herself. The moments she was supposed to feel something, “she felt nothing.” She does have good motives, though, and that is enough reason for me to care about her and support her endeavors.

To anyone who has not had the opportunity to read the sequel, I recommend you do. Be warned, though, you will be yelling. Characters are going to surprise in some ways you did not even consider. You will jump off your feet and start questioning what you knew. You may even put the book aside long enough to rethink the events leading up to then. But is that not part of the adventure of books?

While I was agitated about how the book left off- cliffhanger, if you had not already guessed it- I cannot think of any other way this book could have ended. Now, I am currently trying to get my hands on Allegiant.

Rating: 4 wands

Will I read Allegiant? Of course. Cliffhangers are my weakness.

Recommended for: Dystopian lovers; Divergent fans

Buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Insurgent-Divergent-Book-Series/dp/0062024043

Check out more of my reviews Jinxed Reviews.

Review: Of Poseidon (Of Poseidon #1) by Anna Banks

It's been a long time since a book was good enough to make me sit down and read all day but that's exactly what Of Poseidon did.

OF POSEIDON started off in a very creative way. Not at the action yet not a long back story. Just right. Emma's story starts when she bumps into Galen, hot Syrena prince in search of a an alleged Syrena on land. After an embarrassing (and typical high school student reaction), the mood switches. What was supposed to be a fun, before-college summer break in Florida turns for the worst. Killed in a freakish shark "attack", Emma's best friend, Chloe dies. Though the initial conflict was sorrowful and definitely heartbreaking, it definitely set the stage for future conflicts and arguments and sparked Emma's journey.

     Leaving Florida behind for her home in New Jersey, Emma hopes to escape everything surrounding Chloe's death and move on. Is she in for a surprise when Galen goes to her school!

     Considering the genre and past disappointments, I expected Emma to be the typical heroine: smart, strong yet too soft a spot for that special guy. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Emma wasn't the wimpy "heroine" that summits to the guy and I loved her for that. She's a strong female lead who doesn't take any crap, even from her beloved gorgeous violet-eyed prince. She was confident and willing to do what she had to. Unlike many other MC's, she actually acted on it. This made it appear that it was really how she was and not just an attribute the character wanted her to have but really didn't.

     On the other hand, she did act all puppy-like at the beginning- just like all those other girls. In her place, I wouldn't have worried about making a fool of myself in front of him, as much as trying to stay away from him. I mean, come on. Having a guy as hot as Galen track you down from Florida to New Jersey may sound romantic in theory. Having it actually happen to you- not so much. Almost as bad as having a stalker- which he is, in a way.

     She slowly grows closer to Galen. After throwing herself and Rayna into a hurricane-proof window (that's has got to hurt) she finds out that she's a Syrena.

     I won't spoil the rest of the book; it's one of those books which is best when you read it on your own, with no one's version of what happened, distorting yours before you have a chance to read it.

     Bank's use of setting was well down. It was correlated and benefited the story. (You know, with the whole Syrena living in oceans and whatnot.) This story wouldn't have been as half as good if it had taken place in the middle of Texas or in Tennessee. That would've only made it confusing. Why would Syrena live in land with no easy access to the ocean anyway?

     Any unresolved mysteries or questions nagging from beginning to middle are solved at the end. All but one- which was intentional.

     From the cliffhanger, I assume there will be a sequel. I will definitely be at the bookstores when it releases.

     Over all, OF POSEIDON used all its resources and made it a well-structured story.

Rating: 4.5 Wands

Will I be reading the rest of the trilogy? Yes

Recommended for: Anyone who loves fantasy or mermaids 

Buy the book here.
Add to your shelf.

Review: I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader (Cheerleader Trilogy #1) by Kieran Scott

Quirky and funny. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon after a hard day.

Annisa Gobrowski is just an ordinary brunette, who transferred from New Jersey to Florida during the middle of the school year. There, she starts attending a Sand Dune High School, where every female- except one- is blond. That's right, they have every type of blonde imaginable: natural, frosted, bottle, highlighted. Not only does she stick out like a sore thumb from the beginning, but she unites with the only non-blonde at school. But from breaking the most popular girl's nose, starts to like her neighbor who is the boyfriend of the cheerleader who already has it out for her, Annisa is off to a bad start.

     Annisa's transfer begins to look like a positive when learns about an opening in the school's competitive cheerleading squad that is in the running for a national title. From the title, it's obvious she made it. Annisa, the only non-blonde cheerleader of San Dune High! Hurrah!

     In that aspect, it is very much similar to the other new-girl-trying-to-fit-in type of books. But it does differentiated itself from the rest. It was similar to Bring It On in the characters and plot. The characters in I WAS A NON-BLONDE CHEERLEADER however, have their own individual personas and you actually get to explore them. They are not just secondary characters who purpose it to make the main character seem like the greatest person in the world. Their bickering and relationships make them relatable- even if you aren't a cheerleader.

     Though some cheerleading moves are mentioned (and I only understood half of them based off movies), it's not all about the girls trying to win the Nationals or Championship. It's a lot about their friendships and their interactions. Like when you start to think your friends don't understand you and how to deal with it. When two of your friends are fighting and no one knows why or how to deal with it. You know, the usual friend issues.

     Not exactly the next Grammy Award winning novel but worth reading.

Rating: 2 Wands

Would I read the rest of the trilogy? Yes.

Recommended for: Someone who needs some laughter and eye-rolling; anyone who understands cheerleader lingo/stunts
If you would like to purchase the book, click here.
Add to your shelf.