The Universe Versus Alex Woods

Gavin Extence

Summary:

A rare meteorite struck Alex Woods when he was ten years old, leaving scars and marking him for an extraordinary future. The son of a fortune teller, bookish, and an easy target for bullies, Alex hasn't had the easiest childhood.

But when he meets curmudgeonly widower Mr Peterson, he finds an unlikely friend. Someone who teaches him that that you only get one shot at life. That you have to make it count.

So when, aged seventeen, Alex is stopped at customs with 113 grams of marijuana, an urn full of ashes on the front seat, and an entire nation in uproar, he's fairly sure he's done the right thing...

Introducing a bright young voice destined to charm the world, The Universe Versus Alex Woods is a celebration of curious incidents, astronomy and astrology, the works of Kurt Vonnegut and the unexpected connections that form our world.

Plot:

This is one of the more original stories I’ve read, I’ve never seen a story that has two extremely unusual plotlines and yet make them both seem believable. It is very entertaining to read, and definitely not boring. However, I couldn’t really get into it. While the author managed this very unique storyline really well, I just wasn’t as drawn in as I would’ve expected to be by a story like this.

Characters:

The characters are all very quirky, unusual and some might even be slightly insane. I really like the main character, but I feel like he’s the only one you really get to know well enough to develop an opinion on. The other characters are really interesting and all, but I honestly don’t feel like I know very much about them. All you know is what Alex knows, as the book is written from his perspective, and so you get a limited view on what they’re really like. I found Alex to be quite relatable, even with his decidedly odd circumstances, but I don’t think everyone will be able to relate to him.

Who should read this:

13+, this is almost completely because of the use of language in this book. One character in particular curses in almost every sentence she speaks. The other topic that might disturb some people is death, I cannot say any more, because I don’t want to ruin the story, but it is a slightly different aspect of death that is seen in this story. Mr Peterson uses drugs, and there is some violence, although it is not extreme. There is very little to no sexual content, mainly because Alex is almost completely anti-social, and doesn’t know much about human contact in general. If you’re looking for something completely different and unique this might be the one for you, but I don’t know if it’s something I would personally recommend to anyone.

My rating:

While I found the idea of this book fascinating, and the storyline very original, it didn’t draw me in like I’d hoped it would. It took me way too long to finish this book, and that usually means something is off about it. I’ll give it a 3/5, I would’ve gone for a 2 if it hadn’t been such a unique read.

Quote:

There are so many to choose from so I’m giving you two:

‘A pariah is someone who’s excluded from mainstream society. And if you knew that at twelve years of age, you’re probably an inhabitant of Pariah Town.’

‘Despite its faults, my brain, I decided, was not the worst place to be.’

Brisingr

Christopher Paolini

The Inheritance Cycle #3

Summary: 

Oaths sworn . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices—choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

Plot:

I thought this was a very good continuation of a series that I’ve enjoyed a lot so far. While it kept the beauty and mystique of Eragon’s homeland, Alagaësia, alive, it is filled with all the horror a country at war has to endure. It answered many of the questions that arose in ‘Eldest’, although the answers may not be what you expected (I’m trying very hard to not add any spoilers here...). Paolini’s writing stays constant throughout this series. He writes in an old-fashioned, but not hard to read, style that compliments and authenticates his stories. I would suggest trying to create a mental image of the action and setting while you’re reading. It makes the book incredibly thrilling when you have a picture in your mind of a sparkling blue dragon, sweeping, soaring and diving through the air.

Characters:

It was very interesting to see how Eragon adjusts to his newfound powers (not saying more, read Eldest to understand!), however this is overshadowed by the dynamics between him and the other characters. These relationships are constantly shifting, changing and growing, and it is fascinating to see. The evil characters are also brought to the forefront and we learn a lot about them during the novel.

Who should read this:

13+, the violence are quite graphic and sometimes even slightly disturbing. Strange and sometimes scary creatures are also seen frequently. I also know people who may find the magic used throughout disturbing, so if that’s an issue for you, be warned. If you liked the previous two books, you will probably like this one, although many fans say this was their least favourite. Definitely not one for people who want a light, quick read.

My rating:

While I prefer Eldest with all its beauty and magic, I definitely enjoyed this story. I’ve said before that I’m not a huge fan of violence, but in this case I found it necessary and I wouldn’t have enjoyed the book nearly as much without it. It made the book thrilling and very hard for me to put down. 4/5

Quote:

”Always you get into trouble when I am not with you.” (Saphira)

His (Eragon's) smile widened. “And when you are?”

“I eat the trouble before it eats you.”

Read my reviews for the other books in this series that I've read, 'Eragon' and 'Eldest' here, as well as the review for the movie based on 'Eragon'.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You.

Ally Carter

Gallagher Girls #1

Summary: 

Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school-that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it's really a school for spies. Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she's an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real "pavement artist"-but can she manoeuvre a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?
Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she's on her most dangerous mission-falling in love.

Plot:

This first installment in the Gallagher Girls series is a pretty unique and very entertaining story. A boarding school with a twist might not be thát original, but this one is very well-written and interesting. A normal (sort of) girl who is studying to be a spy falls in love for the first time. With many funny moments and some sad ones this was a fun read.

Characters:

While the girls are all exceptionally smart and trained in combat, they’re still just teen girls. You have the ‘cooler than you’ ones, the ‘forgetful, hare-brained, but extremely smart’ one and the main character, Cameron/Cammie, whose nickname is chameleon, because she feels invisible. They’re all relatable and that makes it fun to read about their escapades and wonder how you would’ve handled the same situations. Josh, Cammie’s love interest, is also a very nice character, but since the book is written from Cammie’s perspective you don’t really get an objective view of him.

Who should read this:

10+, very mild violence, one mild curse word. Definitely written with younger girls in mind, although I'm not sure if this is YA, or a children's book, which is why it's tagged as both, this will probably bore anyone under 20. If you like romance, but are tired of the norm, this might be something you’d enjoy.

My rating:

I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and I connected with the characters. I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series. 4/5

Quote:

‘All these years I’d thought being a spy was challenging. Turns out, being a girl is the tricky part.’

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.”