Insurgent

Image credits go to Goodreads

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Pages: 544

Book cover summary: One choice can transform you- or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves-and herself-while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choice swill become even more irrevocable- and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also haunting tried and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her new Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Review/comments: I have to say, I was pretty disappointed with Veronica Roth in this book. It was full of me skimming pages, and I was constantly thinking, Will there ever be a good part in this book? Divergent was so good, and when I read this book, I was like O.o What. the. heck. happened?
Positives: It was full of action. Tris was very brave in this book, which made me like her more. Veronica Roth made me positive that Tris and Four are a good couple.
Negatives: I was bored. That's the main reason I didn't like this book. I was bored so so much. (No offense, fans of Insurgent. I love the series, just.. Not this book. Remember, this is my opinion only.)

Rating: ★★ Unfortunately, 2/5
Recommended for: Middle school and up, people who loved Divergent

Divergent

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Title: Divergent

Author: Veronica Roth

Pages: 487

Book cover Summary: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago wold, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue- Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is- she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. 

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tri must determine who her friends really are- and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone else because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves... or it might destroy her.

Review/comments: This book was an amazing, entertaining read. You just have to finish it , or you can't fall asleep. I read this book in one whole day, it was so addicting. After I read it, I read it again. And again. Until I found a different book to read. XD
Positives: It's unpredictable, and fun. This book kept me interested at all times. A must-read. I was so eager to turn the pages and read what was going to happen next. It was just so frikin' FUN!! It was AMAZING AND COOL. The romance was steamy, and the action left me breathless.

Negatives: It has it's own voice, but the first thing that popped into my head while reading this books was: The Hunger Games. The main idea is almost exactly like it. The setting is in a futuristic place of North America, same for HG as well. They have 5 groups, and HG has 12 districts. Each year, 16 year olds have to choose their faction. HG: Each year, 12-18 year olds get chosen for the Hunger Games. And yeah.. The ideas like jumping off a train to prove their bravery, is kind of.. Stupid? (My opinion- Please don't take offense) And it didn't quite make sense- WHY did they have to choose their faction? WHY did they have factions in the first place? Perhaps I missed this part in the book, I'm not sure. Oh yeah, and for some reason, I don't like Tris. BUT, that doesn't' mean I don't think Four and Tris make a good couple! <3 Anyways, except for these parts, it was a fantastic, amazingly awesome read!

Rating: ★★★★ 4/5

Recommended for: Middle School and up

The Selection

Credits for image: Goodreads

Title: The Selection
Author: Keira Cass
Pages: 327

Book cover Summary: For thirty five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life load out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

   But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is a constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

  Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Reviews/Comments: This book was very interesting. It was an unusual topic- being chosen to be a princess. And I liked, no, loved- the characters. Especially America. I loved her strong attitude, and I could feel her confusion, her pain, and her uncertainties. I wanted to be America. This book deserves to be read. I recommend you to try it!
Positives: I never got bored, and kept reading and reading. It had an unusual topic, good characters, and I really really want to read the next book, The Elite, which comes out on April  23, 2013.
Negatives: From the characters, I absolutely HATE Celeste. What a brat. Although I guess she adds to the conflict, so.

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5
Recommended for: Middle school and up

Cinder

Image Credit goes to: Goodreads

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Pages: 387

Book cover summary: Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon a Time....
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl....
    Sixteen year old Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past and is reviled by her stepmother. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of the intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future. Because there is sometimes unusual about Cinder, something that others would kill for.

Review/comments:
When I first read Cinder, I was like I LOVE IT!!! Cinder is so unusual, so different from the stories these days. It's a perfect mix of sci-fi, fantasy, romance, action, found-adult, and fairy tales! It's perfect. Plus, I e-mailed Ms. Meyer and she is SO. NICE. She replied to both of my e-mails. SQUEE!!!
Positives: Cinder kept me interested at all times. I couldn't put it down. I read it ALL in one sitting. And the idea of a cyborg world with a Cinderella as the lost princess was just so creative and interesting! This whole world was just magical and I could imagine it. Riding in hovers instead of cars, androids and cyborgs serving us.. Isn't that just how you imagined the future? And the romance between Kai and Cinder was so natural and not too fast-paced. They had their awkward moments, and it wasn't perfect, which just adds to the beauty of it all. And the ending.. Cliff hanger! It was just so sad, Kai's disbelief, Cinder's guilt, her pain.. OMG. Love, love, loved it!
Negatives: Like I said, it was perfect. It could be a little complex for young readers to understand the sci-fi world, but.. Meh -.- I still loved it. :D

Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5!
Recommended for: Middle school and up