The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin was definitely an intriguing read. I wasn't sure what to expect because I knew almost nothing about the story before reading it. It was a fast read because it kept me guessing and it was full of mystery and suspense.

It's about Mara Dyer who wakes up in a hospital, only to learn that she survived an accident that her friends did not. She is told that she and her friends were in an old building in the middle of the night when it collapsed on top of them, but Mara doesn't remember anything about why they were there or what happened that night. In an effort to help Mara recover from the traumatic event, her family moves to Florida so she can start over.

It is best to go into the book without knowing much about the plot, because the best aspect about the book is the suspense. The author definitely has you thinking while you read, because I was constantly trying to sort out what was going on. Reading from the narrative of someone with PTSD was interesting because sometimes you aren't sure of what is real and what isn't. I really enjoyed that aspect, and it's what made the book entertaining to read. While the whole story wasn't entirely fulfilling (as it's the first of a series), I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a suspenseful YA novel.

Rating: 8 out of 10

The Night Circus

Hello! I'm back again with a review on a book I recently finished; The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. This book was recommended to me by a friend, and after reading it, I have mixed feelings over it. First off, I'm just going say that this book isn't for everyone. It's lengthy, and definitely not for those seeking a story with a lot of action. But it is very descriptive and overall I enjoyed the slow-paced and mysterious aura that this book gives off.

This book is about a Le Cirque des Reves; a circus that travels the world, appearing and disappearing without notice. Unbeknownst to most, this circus is the venue of a competition between two talented illusionists. During their childhoods, their respective instructors have placed a bond on them that entitles their participation in a game against each other, a game that will last for many years, all the way into their adulthood. Due to the bonds placed upon them, their is no way to leave the game until a winner is declared, and neither of them were told clearly how the winner was supposed to be chosen. So without being told who their respective opponents were, they began to create incredible feats of magic for those visiting the circus to enjoy, taking turns to counter each other's moves. Once they first meet, they inadvertently begin to fall in love, learning too late that to end the game there must be only one left standing.

The book spans from 1873 to 1903, which is the duration of their entire competition, from the moment they are bound to it until the moment the game ends. I like how the book is set during this time period, because it adds to the mysterious setting and it fits the circus and magic theme very nicely. What really made this book worthwhile to read was the writing-style of the author; she really puts a lot of effort into describing the setting and characters in such detail, that it made this fictional world so much more magic. The description of the circus was so intriguing that I honestly wished it was real just so I could visit it and experience it myself.

I found the story about the two illusionists to be very heartwarming. The author had a pretty big cast of characters with different personalities that you get attached to, and I think it's very interesting that although the game is between the two illusionists, they didn't realize that there would be so many others that were involved as well. This enriched the story even further; the author made use of a great deal of description in order to make the reader grow really attached to the circus and the characters.

As much as I loved the writing-style of this book, this book had many flaws as well. As I mentioned, it's quite lengthy without much development at times, that it's easy to get bored, despite it's detail. Another thing that contributes to the slow-pace is the time period. Each chapter has a location and a date, and because it's not always in chronological order, it takes some time to realize that the events that are happening are often several months apart. It took me a while to realize that the book covered a period of 30 years, that although at the beginning the characters were young and reckless, they've progressed well into adulthood before the game has an end in sight. Also, because the chapters kept jumping from the past to the present, it's easy to get confused and make sense of everything that is happening.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book, as it was something a lot different than books I've already read. What sold this book to me was the writing-style, and although slow, the story line was also touching to read about. I feel as if I've been brought into a whole new world of magic since I read Harry Potter, and I think those with patience and time will enjoy this book as well.

Rating: 8 out of 10

City of Lost Souls

Okay! So the City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare is the fifth book in the Mortal  Instruments series. Which also means that if you haven't read the first four books, this review will have a ton of spoilers. (Hint, hint.) Ah, so now that everyone who didn't want the book to be spoiled for them has left, onto the review.

Recap: Basically, Jace is now "part" of Sebastian. Stab one, and you'll also have stabbed the other. Wonderful, considering that Sebastian has the whole Clave on his trail, his murder high on their priorities. Jace is just another Shadowhunter, so who cares if he dies in the process? Well, Clary, Isabelle, Alec, Simon, and Magnus are all naturally worried. And the rest of the gang.

So they have to track Jace and Sebastian down, and find a way to kill Sebastian without killing Jace, and they also have other things going on, and yeah. I feel like I'm doing a terrible job at this review. Okay... moving on.

This book was good. I enjoyed it, as I enjoy all of Cassandra Clare's books. They are just so well-written, and in such a fascinating world. However, somethings were just getting old after, what, five books? The romance thing was a bit annoying. There are 4 or 5 couples among the main characters, not counting the side characters. Plus, the epilogue at the end hinted at yet another problem for the next book. Not that cliffhangers and suspense isn't what I usually crave, but it's just too much!

Some people say that the author should've just finished the series after book 3, but I don't agree. I think it's still interesting to see the aftermath, and explore more of the various problems that pop up. I love this series. Yes, there are some things that annoy me greatly, but those are minor concerns. I love how it also ties in to the Immortal Instruments series, and can't wait to read the last books of both series. Same as always, great book.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Airhead

Airhead by Meg Cabot features Emerson Watts, who is the typical tomboy, and never paid much attention to teen sensations, including supermodel Nikki Howard. However she was forced to go to the Megastore grand opening to watch over her younger sister, Frida. But you can never predict when disaster will strike, and this time Em Watts won't be coming back.

The saying on the front cover says it all: It's what's outside that matters.

Okay, I had this book recommended to me. I was a bit hesitant at first because this genre wasn't really my type, and the first couple of chapters weren't exactly anything special, but by the time I got a third into the book, I was hooked. Basically, Em Watts, the tomboy, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. At almost the same time Em was crushed underneath by a TV screen, harming her body beyond repair, but leaving her brain still intact, Nikki Howard's brain shut down, leaving her brain-dead. What do they do? They transplant Em's brain into Nikki's body. The tomboy into a supermodel's body.

Get the idea?

In order for this to work, Em must let go of her old life, letting everyone declare Emerson Watts officially dead. She has to pretend to be Nikki, and make everyone believe that Nikki is still alive. Em is devastated. A tomboy, pretend to be a supermodel? No way. But if she refuses, the consequences are deadly. How hard can being a supermodel be anyway?

Much harder than Em would've thought. She instead discovers a very complicated lifestyle that she is not used to. But it begins to broadens her view of everyone in general. But she's still not ready to leave her old life behind.

The part I liked was when Em started to live like Nikki, and interact with the people in Nikki's life. The characters were what made me hooked to this book. Real, lively characters that make this story come to life.

And just when it starts to get really interesting, the bomb drops. Don't you hate cliffhangers?

Ah well. All in all, an amazing book.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

The Hunger Games

As most of you know, the Hunger Games movie just recently came out! Based off the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, it's full of action and is a great series.

In future North America, Panem consists of the Capitol as well as twelve outer districts. Every year they hold the Hunger Games, which forces one boy and one girl between ages 12 and 18 from each district to fight against each other, their efforts shown televised to the whole nation. To win is to be the last one alive. So when Katniss Everdeen from district 12 takes up the death sentence, she is determined to win using her hunting and survival skills.

This book is probably my favorite out of the whole series. I loved all the action and Katniss was definitely my favorite character. Her hunting skills, and her cunning personality fit in perfectly with the story. She uses all these characteristics to win the game and start a rebellion against the Capitol.

In Catching Fire, she comes home, a hero, signs of rebellion amongst the other districts popping out everywhere, which greatly angers the Capitol. As long as she lives, the rebellion will go on. Defying the rule that the winners wouldn't be forced into the games anymore, Katniss finds herself in the arena once more, this time with other past winning tributes. She finds herself making allies with several of them, of whom are determined to keep both Katniss and the rebellion alive, no matter what the cost.

This book I found captivating as the story continued to unravel. You meet new obstacles, new characters, and find out more to the original plot.

Mockingjay I just found really sad, as many loved ones go seperate ways. It was perhaps a great finale to the plot, yet I didn't like this one as much as the other two, which both took place for a great chunk of the story in the arena.

So overall, great characters, great plot. Hopefully the movies will be just as good, or better.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth introduces Beatrice Prior, whose time to choose her final path in life has come. There are five different factions she must choose from:

Abnegation: the selfless

Dauntless: the brave

Amity: the peaceful

Candor: the honest

Erudite: the intelligent

Each faction serves a different purpose to help keep the government in order. But soon she finds that she doesn't belong to any of them, and she starts to wonder where she truly belongs in this imperfect society.

I loved it. I read it in two days. Each faction was described in great detail, as were all the characters and settings. It was reckless, and fun all the way. Yet there were still some parts that I didn't really like. Especially the ending. It felt like it was in slow motion; there wasn't enough action, not enough description of what was going on. And the last part, which gave a quick hint of what was to come in the second book kind of ruined the whole mood. But overall it was great and I couldn't put it down.

My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Matched and Crossed

Cassia's whole life is controlled by the Society. What to eat, where you work, who you marry, when you die. The Officials decide everything for you, to provide you the best life possible. But when Cassia starts falling in love with Ky other than her designated match, Xander, she starts to wonder if the Society isn't perfect after all.

I thought this book was pretty good. Though a bit slow, it described how the Society worked really well. I liked the conflict between Xander and Ky, and Cassia having to choose one over the other. It was interesting to see how everyone reacted when they found out; her parents, Xander, and her Official. I thought the Society was pretty evil, not only to her, but to everyone. I enjoyed reading it a lot.

Crossed on the other hand, was a lot slower than Matched. Sequels almost never turn out to be as good as the first book. Ky was taken away to the Outer Provinces, and Cassia desperately tries to find him. You meet a lot of new characters, and learn more about Xander, Ky and the Society. Yet it was a touch too slow for me. It only got really interesting towards the end. Crossed by Ally Condie has you almost dangling on a cliff hanger, waiting to find out what happens next in the final book.

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Maze Runner

The Maze Runner by James Dashner takes place in a rectangular open expanse called the Glade. The Glade is surrounded by four stone walls, which opens up during the day to reveal an unsolvable maze behind it. Thomas wakes up to find that he can only remember his first name. He is greeted by other boys living in the Glade, the "Gladers", and tries to settle into his new home. But Thomas' arrival seems to have triggered a chain of events that cause the Gladers to wonder why they are here and how to get out.

I heard about this series from many classmates, some saying it was the best series ever. I slightly disagree. Don't get me wrong; it's a great book and I enjoyed it a lot. But I thought it could've been better. I liked the plot, and the suspenseful events kept me reading to the end. But I didn't like the style of writing. It was somehow kind of plain; although it was a fast-paced book, it felt kinda slow. I still had a lot of unanswered questions by the end of the book, which I hope will be answered in the next book. Overall, a pretty decent book, with a suspenseful plot that is brilliant enough for me to be willing to read the rest of the series.

My Rating: 7 out of 10 stars