Matched

Ally Condie

Matched #1

Summary:

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.

Plot:

I liked this book’s setting. I like dystopian settings to be relatable, but still contain many things that are different from our way of living. This book managed that very well. It was still Earth, but in a completely different way. However, the story wasn’t as good as I’d hoped it would be. Love triangles tend to annoy me, especially when the heroine or whoever is at the tip of the triangle can’t seem to make up her mind. I can excuse two guys being in love with one girl, but one girl loving two guys, and basically cheating on both just doesn’t seem right to me. The story also seemed a little melodramatic to me. Their lives aren’t that bad, not at the moment, and yet there seems to be little or no humour, except maybe for Cassia’s little brother. I would have liked some light-heartedness. The writing also seemed a little stilted at times, as if the author was trying too hard to sound good. It didn’t flow enough for me.

Characters:

I do like most of the characters. The problem is that, of the main characters, the heroine is probably my least favourite. I don’t dislike her, but the others are just better in my opinion. She’s not a bad character, but I couldn’t relate to her, and because the book is written from her perspective there are no mysteries like there is with Ky. I like her little brother, Bram, and both her love interests. Ky is a very interesting character, and I would love to learn more about him in the next books. Xander may be Cassia’s safe choice, but he’s also not afraid to break the rules and he’s incredibly smart.

Who should read this:

10+, this is probably the cleanest dystopian novel I’ve read so far. There’s very little, to no language or other mature content and the violence is not very graphic. If you like love triangles and dystopian books then you might like this one, but I feel like there are better options.

My rating:

Like I said, I feel that there are so many dystopian books out there that are better, I just don’t think this one is quite up to standard. But I didn’t dislike it. 3/5.

Quote:

‘I already know the person you’re going to marry? That’s so strange.’  ̴ Bram

Dairy Queen

Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Diary Queen #1

Summary:

When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D.J. can't help admitting, maybe he's right. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn't so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won't even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.

Plot:

This is a very cute, unique story. At first I wasn’t that excited about it, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. Murdock’s style of writing is very interesting, and quite humorous. While it probably won’t make favourites, simply because it is such a simple story, it is very enjoyable. The story keeps you interested, but it’s not fascinating. The ending is a bit sudden, but this is a series, so it's understandable.

Characters:

The main character, D.J., who is also the narrator of the story, is very funny. She has a habit of comparing everything that happens to her to the farm where she grows up, and some of her ideas are quite humorous. She is a little childish at times, but grows up as the story progresses. Her friend, Brian, is also likable, but since the whole book is written from D.J.’s perspective, you cannot really tell what he’s thinking. The same goes for all the other characters, we only see them through D.J.’s eyes. Still, they are quirky and interesting.

Who should read this:

13+, there are some references to mature content, including a gay character, which may make younger kids uncomfortable. There is also some language. There is almost no violence, and all in all it’s a very sweet story. If you’re looking for a light read with a bit of a different setting, this is a good one for you. Don’t expect a very deep book, although it does have its moments.

My rating:

I liked this book, but it’s not very memorable. I enjoyed it, but I don’t know if I would read it again. 3/5.

Quote:

‘Then I started thinking that maybe everyone in the whole world was just like a cow, and we all go along doing what we’re supposed to without complaining or even really noticing until we die.’

I'll be reading and reviewing the other books in this series if I can find them...

This Present Darkness

Frank Peretti

Darkness #1

Summary:

Ashton was not a big town, or important – just a name on the map. Yet it was here that three very different characters would face the hardest tests of their lives.

Marshall Hogan-an ex-city newspaper editor with an eye for a story and a nose for something rotten.

Hank Busche-the young pastor of  a small church in danger of tearing itself apart.

Tal-captain of the angelic warriors summoned to make a stand against an encroaching tide of evil and deception.

Each one fighting an enemy that was callous and clever, often hidden, never asleep. And each one needing the others more than any would dare to believe.

Plot:

This is an intriguing story. The little town and all it’s mysteries and secrets, now threatened by a force of demons, it’s all very interesting. The details and way the story comes together is wonderful. You can tell that the author really put a lot of thought into how his story will progress. It keeps you interested, answering questions and then posing new ones, keeping you guessing, but not to that annoying level some books tend to take it to. I would have liked a little more romance, or just chemistry between the characters, but I understand that that might have distracted from the actual story.

Characters:

The characters are all very interesting, but not the main focus of this book. They do develop, grow and learn, but the story is not about them, they make the story happen. I liked the ones I was supposed to like, and disliked the ones I should. There are a lot of characters, and it can be a bit confusing at the start, but you soon get to know them. I would have enjoyed some deeper insight into their thoughts and feelings, but they were all very good at making the story work.

Who should read this?

13+, there are some references to mature content, as well as quite a bit of violence, but none of it is very graphic. However, this is a Christian fiction book, and the whole demons vs. angels thing may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you find that kind of thing interesting, then definitely read this book. This is not a light, quick read, so be warned, it may take up a bit of your time.

My rating:

I enjoyed this book, and the idea behind it. The writing was good, the storyline interesting etc. But I don’t think I’ll be adding it to my favorites. This is because I enjoy getting to know characters, their emotions and thoughts, when I read a book. And although I can totally appreciate this style of writing, it’s just not my personal favorite style. So based purely on that I’m giving it a 3/5

The Last Song

Nicholas Sparks

Summary: 

Seventeen-year-old Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Miller’s life was turned upside down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York to Wilmington, North Carolina. Since then she has remained angry and alienated from her parents, until her mother decides she should spend the summer with her father.

Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church.

What unfolds is an unforgettable story about love – first love and the love between parents and children – that demonstrates the many ways that relationships can break our hearts...and heal them.

Plot:

This is a good story, it’s not a new concept, nor is it unique, but it’s beautiful and touching and sweet. It has its funny moments, especially with Ronnie’s younger brother, Jonah, who always has something to say. It is also incredibly sad at times, but it never gets depressing, it only stays realistic. The story asks all the questions many of us struggle with daily, including the question of life and death, how far to go for friendship, how to know when love is real etc.

Characters:

The characters in this book are very relatable. They all have problems they have to face, and how they face them will influence everything around them. You feel like you understand the characters’ motives and thoughts very well. The only character I thought was a bit underplayed is Marcus, a crazy, fire-loving bad boy, who is shown only as an evil person. I’ve said before that I don’t believe in completely bad people, and I feel like Sparks should have at least given a reason for Marcus’s insane behavior.

Who should read this?

13+, there are some references to mature content, some language and the topic of death is also discussed frequently. I would recommend this to younger people, as it is about first love, and teenagers, but I also think that adults will be able to enjoy it. Definitely a must for Sparks’ fans, and if you like sad, romantic stories you might like this one.

My rating:

I’ve read this book a couple of times and it still moves me. So I’m giving it a 4/5, the one point is only because of Marcus’ character and because this book isn’t one of my very favorites, not because there’s anything really wrong with it.

Quote:
“Life, he realize, was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile.”