Published: 2013
Author: Veronica Roth
Genres: Novel, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
''Allegiant'' is the final book in the ''Divergent'' trilogy.
After the death of Jeanine Matthews and the victory of the factionless, Evelyn takes up the duty of leading the city and the people, and abolishes the faction system, much to the displeasure of many people. Evelyn also declares that nobody will be allowed to go outside the city, defying the instructions found in the Edith Prior video at the end of ''Insurgent''. However, members of a rebel group, led by Cara and Tori, known as ''Allegiant'', defy the tyrant Evelyn's authority. Instead, they plan to go outside the city and discover how the people outside the city's borders need their help. Tris, Tobias, Christina, Peter, Caleb, Cara, Uriah and Tori decide to go outside the city's border, and they manage to do so. Outside the city, they come across shocking revelations: the greatest secrets about their entire lives, about their city. They come to know that what they had seen, their lifestyles all along were nothing but lies and made-up things. Throughout their lives they had believed, they had known certain things, but after leaving their city, they come across such strange revelations that makes them realize the truth behind everything, the truth behind the city, the confinement, the factions, and above all, the truth about themselves.
''Allegiant'' contains revelations, extremely important revelations. We come to learn the backgrounds of everything in the series in this novel. We come to know about the background of the city, the background and history of the things in the trilogy.
''Allegiant'' is indeed a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. While I really liked it, I didn't exactly love it in the way I loved it's predecessors. There are important revelations in this one, and it was wonderful to know get an insight on the past of the city, the real reason the city was formed, and the truth behind the faction system. The romance between Tris and Tobias is great in this one as well, with nothing becoming sappy, but is really emotional. The character development is excellent like it's predecessors.
I have loved the ''Divergent'' series. I really admired the storytelling, the character development, the excellent emotional depth, the endless secrets and mysteries and the revelations! The ending of ''Allegiant'' was really good- I was in tears several times while reading the book. Overall, it is a good conclusion to the wonderful series. I really liked it.
3.5 out of 5
Author: Lewis Carroll
Published: 1865
Genre: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Oh well. Who doesn't know about this book? When I was little the story of Alice in Wonderland was read to me, and when I got a bit older- perhaps when I was seven or eight years old- I read the abridged version of the novel. I have always enjoyed the story, and read the abridged version a lot of times. This is the first time, however, that I have read the original novel, ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''.
As a child, when I used to read the different abridged versions, I used to think that ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' is simply a children's fantasy novel. I didn't know it is this nonsensical, this weird, this fantastical until I read the original novel! ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' is quirky, it is weird, it is strange. It has got many funny and interesting characters like the white rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Hatter, the March Hare, the Gryphon, and the Queen of Hearts, among others. And there is little Alice, who finds herself amidst such quirky and interesting characters when she reaches the Wonderland after following a Rabbit into a rabbit hole. Many things happen there, many strange things that simply make no sense, and this is the fun of it, isn't it? I The characters, the things they say, their stories, their poems and songs- are all so hilarious, so captivating! loved this one!
4.5 out of 5
Author: Veronica Roth
Published: 2011
Genres: Novel, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
So I have finally read it. Finally. And I was simply so overwhelmed- needless to say, I LOVED ''Divergent'', I really, really, really loved it. While reading it I was like, ''Why did it take me such a long time to start reading this!?'' ''Divergent'' is a book that made me thrilled, that made me smile, that made me think, that brought tears to my eyes. It was an intense, emotional, thrilling, action-packed ride, it was! I would easily recommend it to anyone!
A dystopian novel, ''Divergent'' is set in a post-apocalyptic future where Chicago is divided into five different factions having different characteristics. Years ago, these factions were formed to protect humans from their adverse qualities that lead them to their destruction. The factions were formed to make sure that human stick to the good qualities only: the selfless people belong Abnegation, the truthful and honest people belong to Candor, Erudite consists of people who value knowledge above all, Amity consists of peace-loving people, while Dauntless consists of dauntless, brave people. Every person should choose a faction once he/she reaches the age of sixteen. After choosing, the people need to stick to the values and qualities of the faction they have chosen.
The protagonist and narrator, Beatrice Prior, was born to parents belonging to Abnegation. Her father is one of the people entrusted with the task of running the city: most of the people running the city belong to Abnegation for their selfless nature. Beatrice just cannot accept the Abnegation lifestyle. She cannot think of spending the rest of her life making compromises and sacrifices and sticking to selflessness. The time has come for Beatrice and her brother, Caleb to choose the faction in which they will spend the rest of their lives. They have to go through an apitutude test, where it will be tested which faction is suitable for them. Beatrice's reports are problematic: the person who conducted the test, Tori, explains to Beatrice that she possesses the characteristics of being in Abnegation, Dauntless, and Erudite. Such a person who can belong in different factions are known as ''Divergent''. Tori explains that being a divergent is a dangerous, extremely dangerous thing. She does not explain why, and erases the result of Beatrice's test.
Beatrice is faced with a difficult dilemma: she does not want to spend the rest of her life being selfless and making sacrifices, but she feels hesitant to leave her parents. On the other hand, she is attracted to the brave lifestyle of the Dauntless faction. In the Choosing Ceremony, however, she ultimately chooses Dauntless, thereby abandoning her parents.
Beatrice, along with the other initiators, has to go through three training phases- three difficult, extremely difficult and torturous phases. To Beatrice, these seem cruel. These seem dangerous. These seem extremely cruel and torturous. But at the end of the third phase, only ten initiators will be allowed to be Dauntless, all the other initiators will become factionless and live terrible lives in the streets. Beatrice, who renames herself as Tris, has to go through all these phases, all these cruelties. Slowly, she comes to appreciate, she comes to love the Dauntless way of life. It is a hard life, it is a difficult way, but she comes to appreciate it, she wants to belong in it. But for that she has to survive the difficult phases...
And she falls in love with one of her trainers, Four...
And there is a danger, an unknown conspiracy lurking behind...
Words will not be enough to describe how much I loved ''Divergent''. It was fascinating. I couldn't put it down. It kept me reading, it kept me expecting, it kept me thrilled, it kept me predicting what might happen next. I loved the storytelling and the character development. I loved the setting, I really did. I loved Tris. I loved Four. And I appreciated all the other characters, their development. There were parts in which I cheered for Tris. I was overjoyed when Tris achieved something. There were emotional scenes in which I cried with Tris. There were scenes that made my heart pound, that made me anxious.
I would like to conclude saying that ''Divergent'' is a must-read for everybody. You want dystopia? Sci-Fi? An adventure-filled and action-packed novel? Romance? A novel filled with thrilling as well as heartbreaking and emotional moments? ''Divergent'' has it all. For me, it was a wonderful ride, a wonderful, thrilling, emotional, beautiful, heart pounding ride. I look forward to rereading this one soon!
5 out of 5
Author: Rick Riordan
Published: 2006
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
The Sea of Monsters is the second book in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series.
I read the first book in this series, ''The Lightening Thief'', a few weeks ago, and I had really liked it. I also liked ''The Sea of Monsters'', perhaps not as much as the first book in the series, but enough to recommend it.
''The Sea of Monsters'' starts with Percy and his mother living happily, after the incidences of the first book. Percy has weird nightmares about his satyr friend, Grover, and one day, guesses that something wrong, something bad is happening at Camp Half Blood. His mother doesn't tell him anything clearly, but however, after reaching Camp Half Blood, he gets to learn that the camp's security charm has broken, as the tree of Thalia, that had protected the camp, has been mysteriously poisoned.
Percy learns through his friend that his satyr friend, Grover, has been imprisoned by the Cyclops Polyphemus. He also gets to know that Polyphemus has the Golden Fleece, the only thing that can cure Thalia's tree and bring back the camp's security. Along with Annabeth, and his newly-made friend Tyson (who is a good Cyclops and a son of Poseidon), Percy sets off in an adventure to rescue Grover and the Golden Fleece.
A lot (well, most of the) of the characters from the first book return in this book, and those that get important roles are: Annabeth, Chiron, Grover, Clarisse in supporting roles, and Luke in a negative role. Luke is the primary antagonist of this novel. A few new characters are also introduced, and remarkable among them is Tyson, a homeless boy whom Percy befriends in his school. Tyson turns out to be a Cyclops and a son of Poseidon; thus, the half-brother of Percy.
The book had interesting twists and turns and humor, and often startling revelations. There are several things that I liked about this book: the flow, Rick Riordan's storytelling, the characters, the twists, the humor. I also found the references to mythology extremely fascinating! Among the humorous parts, I found Polyphemus's wedding plans really amusing; they made me burst into laughter.
Overall, I liked this book. It was charming and entertaining; maybe not as much as it's predecessor, but still, it was good enough.
3.5 out of 5
Author: Rick Riordan
Released: 2005
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
While reading this book, I kept asking myself why it took me so long to start reading this series! It was such an AMAZING book that I could not put down, that was so fast paced, with such a lot of twists, turns, and surprises! I really loved it!
Percy Jackson is a teenager who has always struggled in school and has been expelled from several schools. In the boarding school where he stays at the beginning of the novel, his best friend is Grover, and his Latin teacher is a kindly man, Mr Brunner, who expects a lot from him. Several strange and dangerous incidences bring Percy across a lot of unexpected revelations about himself: he is in fact the son of Poseidon, the god of the Sea in Greek Mythology. Grover is, in fact, a satyr who was assigned to the job of protecting him, and Mr Brunner is actually a centaur (whose real name is Chiron). Percy is taken to the Camp Half Blood, where demigods, the children of Greek gods and goddesses, reside. Percy slowly comes to love the camp, but then...
It is revealed to Percy that the lightening bolt of Zeus has been stolen, and Zeus believes that Poseidon has stolen it. A terrible conflict may arise if the lightening bolt is not found and returned to Zeus. It is thought that Hades has stolen the lightning bolt, and Percy is given the task to find the lightening bolt from the Underworld, and return it to Zeus, so that a destructive conflict can be avoided. The companions of Percy in this dangerous adventure is Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, and Grover.
''The Lightening Thief'' was an amazing book! With such a lot of humor, surprises, twists and turns, mystery and suspense, it is certainly a wonderful, engrossing book with a great pace! It has it all: suspense, mystery, humor, some emotional depth, twists! Some of the plot twists and revelations came so absolutely unexpected that it left me shocked.
The adventures are really suspenseful, and some are very twisted. I really liked the developing friendship between Percy and Annabeth.
Such a wonderful book! I think I will definitely love the whole Percy Jackson series!
4 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1956
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
''The Last Battle'' is the final novel in C. S. Lewis's ''Chronicles of Narnia''.
It is set in the ''last days of Narnia''. The novel starts with an ape, named Shift. His friend is a donkey, Puzzle. One day, Shift and Puzzle come across the skin of a lion. The cunning Shift suddenly gets an idea: Puzzle will dress up as a lion, and Shift will tell the Narnians that Aslan has returned to Narnia. Then he will use this for his evil purposes.
The reigning king of Narnia is King Tirian, a descendant of King Rilian, whom Eustace and Jill had rescued in ''The Silver Chair''. Tirian gets to learn that Aslan has returned, and shockingly, he is ordering the cutting down of trees, talking trees. It shocks him. Why would Aslan order such a thing? He comes to know, after some time, that this is all a plot for the Calormenes to take over Narnia.
And then... Eustace and Jill come to Narnia once again, to fight against the Calormenes, in the last battle of the last king of Narnia.
I have mixed feelings towards the book. While I certainly didn't hate it, I certainly didn't love it. I didn't think that it was enchanting, something that the previous novels were. It didn't have the excitement, the feel-good elements, the beauty of the previous novels. In fact, until Peter, Lucy, and Edmund arrive, only then did the novel becomes a little enchanting and gets some beauty.
One of the things that I loved about this book is that so many characters in the previous novels return in this one. There are so many, so many old characters. Characters whom we loved and had missed. Some of them last appeared in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardobe, some in Prince Caspian or Voyage of the Dawn Treader. (Edmund and Lucy had had brief appearances in ''The Horse and his Boy''). Many characters from each of the previous novels appear in this one.
And
now... One of the most disappointing things about this book. The
children who had had adventures in the previous books appear in this
one: Peter, Edmund, Lucy, Eustace, Jill, Digory and Polly. Did you
notice any name missing? It's Susan. She doesn't appear in this novel.
According to Peter, she is ''no longer a friend of Narnia''. I was
shocked at this. Susan, one of the major characters of the series. I
kept hoping that maybe she will appear, through some way or other. But I
was disappointed. Susan doesn't appear in this novel. She is mentioned
only once, when Tirian is startled to see that Susan is not present
among the humans who came from their world. Then Peter tells him that
Susan is ''no longer a friend of Narnia''.
I
don't exactly know what to feel about the ending. It felt beautiful.
The descriptions were beautiful. The presence of so many old characters
made me overwhelmed. I think I was quite satisfied with the ending.
So what do I think about The Last Battle? I think it was good. Just good. But it was neither excellent nor enchanting. I didn't feel it was wonderful, magical like the other books of the series. The reunion of the characters were really good. And some of the battle description were good. As the ending to the magical series, ''The Last Battle'' was quite satisfying.
3 out of 5
Author: Stephen King
Published: 1995
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
This is the first Stephen King book that I have read.
The protagonist of ''Rose Madder'', Rose Daniels, is the domestically abused wife of Norman Daniels, a cop. Rose faces domestic violence for fourteen years. And one day, she decides to run away from Norman. She takes his bank card, and runs away. She arrives in a distant city, and is sheltered by an organization, Daughters and Sisters. Eventually, she moves to a little apartment, and gets a job as an audiobook reader.
However, Norman is still following her, and using his methods, he locates the city where she is living in.
Rose comes across a painting, named ''Rose Madder'', at a pawnshop. She is strangely attracted to the painting, and buys it, in exchange of her cheap wedding ring. Shortly after that, strange things start happening centering the painting... the objects in the painting start changing their positions, and not only that, new things start appearing in the picture...
Norman is looking for Rose. Rose is being troubled by the creepy things about the painting...
''Rose Madder'' was such an intense, compelling and engrossing read! Rose is an excellently-developed protagonist. At first, she is really well-portrayed as a domestically abused, meek woman who has to run away from her abusive husband. And over the course of the novel, Rose's mind is explored in various ways. The things that happen over the course of the story makes Rose a protagonist with a lot of depth.
Norman was an excellently-developed villain. He was developed in such a way that the readers start to hate him.
The idea of the novel was itself very interesting. The other world, the world of Rose Madder, was so vividly described, and it became quite fascinating reading about the world of Rose Madder.
At first, I did think that the novel was a bit too slow paced. However, from the time Rose discovers Rose Madder's world, I was really fascinated by the story! I think the slow pace and vivid descriptions were really wonderful!
''Rose Madder'' is a suspenseful, fascinating, extremely engrossing novel. I really liked it. I know that this is not perhaps the best introduction to Stephen King, but I am looking forward to read his other novels like ''Carrie'' and ''The Shining''.
4 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1955
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Magician's Nephew is the sixth book in the Narnia series, and is a prequel to the Narnia books. ''The Magician's Nephew'' describes how Narnia was founded. It tells the story of the very beginning of Narnia. It was really a wonderful experience getting to know about Narnia's past, it's history and background.
So the novel's protagonist is a boy named Digory (he is the person who was the Professor who sheltered the Pevensie children in ''The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe''). In this book, Digory, of course, is a young boy. He is living with Uncle Andrew and Aunt Letty. His Uncle Andrew is an eccentric, strange and mysterious man, perhaps a little mad.
Digory becomes friends with a girl of his age, Polly. One day, a prank leads Digory and Polly to Uncle Andrew's room--- and they come across the secret of Uncle Andrew. Andrew tells them that he has found out there are other worlds, besides our own world, and that he knows how to get to those worlds. He tricks the children into going to such a world, just as a part of his experiment.
This leads Digory and Polly to a lot of adventures: seeing a desolate, destroyed world named Charn, coming across a cruel, ruthless Witch (who has got her own interesting background), and finally, meeting Aslan and witnessing the foundation of Narnia, and many other adventures and fun and dangers.
I really loved ''The Magician's Nephew''. I thought it was one of the most magical, fascinating books of the series. It wasn't exactly my favorite though. My favorite is either Prince Caspian or Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I enjoyed reading about the characters. The characters are well developed. Digory and Polly are wonderful protagonists! The supporting and minor characters--- and the antagonists--- are well developed. It was really a pleasure knowing about the very beginning of Narnia. There are also explanations of several things seen in the previous books.
4 out of 5
