10 Things I Loved About Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Davy has everything. A cute and attentive boyfriend, good friends, a loving family, and a full ride to Juilliard as soon as she graduates from high school. But the world around her is starting to crumble. Violence is on the rise and people are frantic to find a way to protect themselves and the rest of society from anyone who could harm them. Testing for the "kill gene" is becoming mandatory and is something Davy hasn't really thought about until her results come back positive. Suddenly she is a threat to her family, her friends, her classmates, and anyone else she might come in contact with. She's uninvited from her prestigious school, loses her scholarship, and is placed in a classroom with other kill gene positive teens where the concern is more about locking them up than letting them learn. The only bright spot, ironically, is Sean - the boy who wears his kill gene tattoos proudly but seems filled with contradictions. Can she ever accept her fate the way he has? As her entire world falls apart, Davy struggles to understand who or what she is. Could she really be the monster everyone suddenly sees? And what will she have to do to keep herself alive?

And if you want to see a really cool book trailer you should totally watch this before jumping into my spoiler filled 10 things list.

1. The premise. Scary and way too close for comfort. This kind of gene testing is pretty much already here. This is set in a near future and with many of the things going on in our society, the paranoia against people with a specific gene or background is something we see every day. To see it play out in Davy's world is chilling.
2. The age-old question: Nature vs. Nurture. Are people born killers or do they become killers because of circumstances or both? This kind of question has been discussed for hundreds of years. Davy's situation brings this to light in a way that cannot be ignored. You care about her and, therefore, are forced to take a look at this question.
3. Davy. I loved the way she was this great girl. There was absolutely nothing about her to make you believe she was a killer. Which made it so much more terrible when everyone changes their behavior toward her. She's strong. And she has to make horrible decisions, particularly toward the end of the book. Yet despite everything that she's going through, she manages to hold on to the person she was - or at least the most important parts.
4. Mitchell. Davy's brother could have been just a throwaway character. And to some extent he kind of was, but in the very little amount of time that we do see him he's so strongly developed that I have a real soft spot for him. He's so protective of Davy and he's literally the only person from her past life who truly believes in her.
5. Sean. He's really not what you expect him to be and I loved that. I was kind of rolling my eyes when he was first introduced, but his character is developed so well and with so many nuances that my eye rolling stopped pretty quickly. I love the way his relationship with Davy develops.
6. Gil. From the first moment he's introduced I just knew I was going to like his character. And I did. He's so sweet and harmless and adds to the element of frustration that these people are being judged based solely on this one gene.
7. Sabine. I was so excited that Davy went back for her. She rounds out the little group nicely and I'm dying to know more about her.
8. The dilemma. After the "exercise" when Davy is presented with an absolutely impossible decision, I was amazed and intrigued by the decision Jordan made. There was obviously nothing else Davy could have chosen but to shoo the other carrier, but it is not an easy decision and...
9. The ramifications of that decision will haunt her. I really liked the turn this made with Davy becoming the killer she's been told she is, but in the most manipulated way possible. But even though in a lot of ways her hands were tied, she's still living with the fact that she shot a man in cold blood. A man who was tied up no less. A man who has been diagnosed with the exact same gene she has and whose main crime is trying to escape - something she is actively planning at that moment. I can't wait for the next installment.
10. There's more! Yeah! I'm so intrigued by this world and by Davy and Sean and Gil and Sabine and I want to know what happens next!

10 Things I Loved About Tahereh Mafi's Ignite Me

 Yesterday on my personal blog I may have raved a bit about Tahereh Mafi's writing style. And next week is technically my week to post. But then I kind of stayed up until 2 am to finish Ignite Me, finishing it in less than five hours, and I was breathless the whole time so here goes. 10 reasons I loved the finale to the Shatter Me trilogy.

If you haven't read the book then I would suggest stopping at the end of point 3 as I simply couldn't say what I wanted to say without SPOILERS. You have been warned.

1. I really didn't know what to expect from this third installment. I had some vague ideas, but overall it was a revelation. I loved that it was so unpredictable.
2. Everything made sense. So even though I didn't know where everything was going or how it was going to play out nothing felt uncomfortably surprising. Everything really made sense in the world Tahereh had made and with the characters she had developed thus far.
3. Each character developed realistically. Based on what they had gone through both in the books that we've seen and in the things we've learned and learn about their lives I thought that Juliette, Warner, Adam, and Kenji acted and reacted in a way that made sense.
4. KENJI. Oh my goodness Kenji. I would have to say that he was my favorite character in this book. If Shatter Me was about the relationship between Juliette and Adam and Unravel Me was about the relationship between Juliette and Warner, then Ignite Me, in a lot of ways, was about the relationship between Juliette and Kenji. And no, there is no quadrangle so shut up. But the way their friendship developed was so sweet and made so much sense. The moment when Juliette calls Kenji her best friend had me getting teary-eyed. Really. And their shared moment on the roof. And when Kenji opened up about how hard it can be to be the "funny" one. And when James tries to hook Kenji up. And everything.
5. Aaron. Or Warner as I will always think of him. I loved that he was broken down throughout this book. He didn't change the core of who he was, but he had to shatter and unravel in order to fully ignite into the full potential of the person he could be. It honestly made me think of a line from the song "Fixer-Upper" from Disney's Frozen: "We aren't saying you can change him / 'Cause people don't really change / We're only saying that love's a force that's powerful and strange / People make bad choices if they're mad or scared or stressed / But throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out their best." If there were lyrics that described the way Juliette and Warner's relationship develops during this book I think this would be it - for both of them.
6. James. Oh James you are the sassy adorable heart of the group in so many ways.
7. The brother moment. When Warner finds out that he and Adam are brothers? SO MANY TEARS. The way he reacts. And the way Adam reacts. And the way they both just look at James. And it was just so wonderful and perfect.
8. Action! The plan and Juliette and Kenji's attack on the supreme commander's ship and blowing up things and learning to fight and ... if the emotional development wasn't enough, there was plenty of action to keep things moving and intense.
9. Juliette. Seriously. Her character developed so perfectly. I have a feeling some people will say that there's too big a difference between who she was in the previous book and who she was in this book, but personally I think (and I just reread the entire series in less than a week) that her character arc was paced very well. She is still dealing with a lot of the things that she has been dealing with throughout, but she is learning how to deal with those things and finding strength in herself. I was cheering every time that she said that her decisions were about more than who she was in love with or not in love with or who wanted her more. She began to be able to see the larger picture, and I applauded the fact that, although she does make a decision, she waits until she can make it on her terms and she is sure that it is what she truly wants and not just based on lust or physical attraction or even emotional baggage. And how amazing is she when she learns how to use her powers? Because I really want to see that in movie format. When she throws all the men off the ship!? Love. It.

   

   Brava Tahereh!

10. The ending. At first I was disappointed with the ending - not because I didn't like it, but because there are SO many things left open. I want there to be like five more books. ha. But the more I have thought about it (in the whole 9 hours since I finished it) the more I like it. I like that it's a beginning more than an ending. I like that there are all of these possibilities and challenges ahead of them. It doesn't feel like the characters' story is over this way. And I can think about all of the things that could happen. The things that needed to be resolved were resolved and everything wasn't wrapped up with a pretty bow. I also was immensely grateful that there was no epilogue of like "ten years later" or something. Tahereh leaves that up to us to imagine and I LOVE her for that!

November Book Club: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Since one of our very first book club selections was Divergent we have always had a special place in our hearts for this trilogy. We reviewed Insurgent last year and decided to round off the trilogy with our November book club.

Tris, Four, and her friends have risked everything and lost much. Now they hold some of the truth and it's only fed their desire to know more. And the answers they want only exist outside. But what they find there will shake them all to the core and raise even more questions about who they are and where they belong. As Tris and Four seek for the truth and try to grapple with how things have changed their perceptions of each other can they fight their way to a happy ending or will everything crumble around them?

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Allegiant was certainly a doozy of a trilogy ender and we've decided to depart from our usual spoiler free reviews because the ending is just too big not to talk about. So if you don't want to be spoiled about the end of the book, then read no further!

Grammy T: The ending was awful! I mean it was good, in that it made sense for her character and for ending the book, but it was just awful. I can't believe it happened. It was an interesting ending to the series.

Jenn N: I thought this was a fantastic but very surprising and shocking conclusion to the trilogy. I loved learning more about the experiment and the aftermath. I often worry that our society's apparent obsession with perfectionism will one day lead to a crazy dystopia like the one Roth has created in this trilogy. So, the horrors Tris and her friends face is terrifyingly possible to me. What really shocked me was - spoiler alert - that Tris dies!! I thought this was a really bold move but true to the realism that I love in this series. Tris sacrificed herself to save her friends, family, and society as a whole. This was an act that was totally true to her Dauntless nature and Abnegation roots.

Rebecca T: This book got off on a bit of a rocky start for me. The writing felt choppier and less polished and things were a little scattered. It did improve as the book progressed and the ending blew me away. I did like learning more about the world and the reasoning behind the factions. As well as learning about the other experiments going on across the country! I wanted more about the reasons behind everything, but I understand that there's only so much that can fit into one book. I thought the choice to alternate between Four and Tris was a good one and it played out fairly well. I just wish the two of them had spent less time fighting and more time together. I felt a little cheated out of their relationship, particularly considering the end. The end. It was actually my favorite part of the book. It was totally true to Tris' personality and the journey she'd gone through to get there. There was literally no other way for her to end. She is not designed to live in this world and her sacrifice, to me, was more fitting than any other ending to the book. I've heard people complain about the book having too many unnecessary deaths, but I thought Roth handled this aspect well, building in the appropriate amount of chaos and destruction to stay true to the turmoil of the society. Overall I was satisfied with this conclusion to the trilogy.

So what did you think? Love it? Hate it? Mixed feelings?

This month we're reading Lauren DeStefano's new book Perfect Ruin for a totally different spin on utopian/dystopian societies. So read along and chime in on our next book club post!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," the second film based off the best-selling trilogy by Suzanne Collins was the #1 film in America the past two weekends and is on track to make be #1 again this weekend.  Everyone involved in the blog is a huge fan of the books and the first film but did "Catching Fire," meet our expectations?

I finally got a chance to see the movie this week and it was definitely worth the wait and the $10.50 ticket price.  The film was approximately 2.5 hours long so you definitely get your money's worth despite the length, the film didn't lag at all.  The action was non-stop. The film, just like the first one stayed very close to the book. Despite having read the book, my pulse still raced when Katniss and Peeta were fighting for their lives in the arena.  While I pictured the horrors of the Games in my head, nothing compares to seeing the craziness on the big screen.  I also loved the continuation and allusion of the Tributes and the Games coverage to the spectacle of reality and tabloid reporting that seems so popular today.  I love Jennifer Lawrence and her performance here showcases why she's an Oscar award winning actress.  I also loved seeing Jena Malone, the young girl from the film "Stepmom," all grown up as Katniss' fierce competitor Johanna Mason.  The scene with her in the elevator with Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch is priceless and provided a moment of comic relief in this heart-wrenching action packed dystopian tale.  The film's ending sets up for then next film, "Mockingjay: Part 1" and I can't wait!

Naomi: "I really enjoyed this movie. I liked it much better than the first one. I liked the director [Francis Lawrence] better, how it was filmed better. I don't know what else to say, because I just liked it and would gladly watch it again. I thought the casting was great. Quite pleased." 

Rebecca T. "I loved Catching Fire. I also cried through pretty much the whole thing. I thought that it was paced well and I thought that it held more closely to the book than the first one. What was added was added well (such as the PTSD episode Katniss experienced right at the beginning). I loved the casting for everyone, but especially for Finnick, Mags, and Wiress. I was also very happy for many of the things that were left in like Katniss' nightmares and the comfort she and Peeta found in each other over the course of the movie and the development of all the characters. I am beyond excited for the next movie."

So, if you're like our Rachel and haven't made it out to see the film yet, what are you waiting for?  Go see it!  If you have seen it, please share your reviews below but try to keep them spoiler free.  And, "may the odds be ever in your favor." 

Happy with the Hunger Games

Planning on going to the movies this weekend?  Perhaps you haven't seen "The Hunger Games" yet or maybe you enjoyed it so much you're planing on seeing it again.  Read on for our review but be warned, SPOILERS AHEAD !!!

For those living underground who may not have heard much about "The Hunger Games," the film is based of the best-selling series of the same name by Suzanne Collins.  It's set in a dystopian future where teenagers living under a totalitarian regime are selected by their government to participate in "The Hunger Games," a televised battle to death.  This battle is designed as a penance to the citizens for a decades old rebellion against the government.

Once again, anyone not looking to read SPOILERS, click away now.  You've been warned.  Now, on with the reviews, "Happy Hunger Games."

Albert: "I think the costumes and lighting were amazing. The audience could really see the huge disparities between the districts and The Capitol. I think if someone did not read the book he or she would be confused by parts of the movie."

Stanley Tucci, as Cesar Flickerman

Eileen:  "I set my expectations for this movie much lower than they should have been. In spite of time limits they managed to get much more of the story in than i expected. The casting was great. My favorites were Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman)and Amandla Stenburg (Rue). Exactly how I pictured them when reading the books. My biggest surprise came from Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), I did not expect much from him as I am used to him being the bratty teen-aged kid without much depth. But he really picked up Peeta's emotions from the book and completely convinced me that he was indeed Peeta Mellark. I could go on forever about aspects of this movie but I wont. Costumes and music get a 9 out of 10 in my book. photography was a disappointing 7 out of 10. Overall the movie was much more than i expected, however, if you want to get the most out of it, go read the books :) "

Jess B.  "Honestly, I loved it. I was so afraid when I heard they were turning it into a movie that they would destroy it like everything else they touch. But I was quite satisfied. I cried through the entire movie and nearly took my boyfriends hand off when I knew what was coming next and he who never read the book had no idea. There are a few things I wish they had kept in the movie like Octavia, Venia, and Flavius. But other then that 95 out of 100 :D"

Rachel: " I thought the movie was the best book adaptation I've seen. Yes, even better than Harry potter. I thought the movie captured the tone of the book so well and I loved the subtleties, like when the tail of Prim's shirt was hanging out during the reaping. Even though they changed some things, I felt that the authenticity of the book was preserved. I can't wait to go see it again."

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark

Rebecca:" For me they completely nailed the tone of the books in the movie. Are there things I wish they had included? There always are, but overall this movie was a fantastic adaptation. I love the fact that Collins was so involved and I think it really showed in the integrity of the film. I too loved the little details - even really small things like showing Peeta breaking every twig as they walk through the woods. Every casting choice that I was hesitant on before melted away. Each part was played amazingly well. I especially loved seeing into the gamemaker's room and the scenes with President Snow. It added a nice depth to the world that we don't really see in the books since everything is from Katniss' perspective. I was so excited to go to the midnight release and I loved it so much that I'm planning on seeing it again today!"

As for me, I was really impressed.  I agree with Rachel that this was the BEST adaptation of a novel into a film that I have ever seen.  I think the fact that the author, Suzanne Collins, also worked on the screenplay was what kept the film so true to the source material.  

Banks (l) as Trinket and Lawrence (r) as Katniss

I also agree with Eileen that the casting was perfection.  I didn't read the novels until a few months before the movie was released but all while reading, I could picture Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss.  Lawrence, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in "Winter's Bone," had Katniss' tenacity down pat.   Also, Elizabeth Banks, best known as the beautiful girlfriend to JD on "Scrubs," or Jack on "30 Rock," was unrecognizably wonderful as Effie Trinket. 

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch

I also could not have selected a better actor to portray Haymitch than Woody Harrelson.  I loved that this film included some scenes not depicted in the novel.  I've read some criticism that Harrelson's Haymitch wasn't "drunk" enough.  When I read the novels, it's clear that Haymitch is a drunk but when necessary he could pull himself together to accomplish the task at hand and to me this was made quite clear in the film during the scenes where he manipulates Seneca Crane and helps Katniss get items necessary for her survival.  It was also clearly early on in the film that he really likes to drink.  I also have to note, I found him to be much more attractive than I pictured when reading the books. Harrelson also added a little snark and swagger to Haymitch that I loved.  I seriously wanted to drink some scotch with him.


I found the cinematography and artistic direction incredible.  I loved the stark contrast between the bleakness of the districts and the outward beauty of The Capitol.  At times during the scenes of The Games, it seemed the camera was shaky or they used a handheld.  To me that just added to the gritty realness of this film.  It was as if you were watching this unfold before you on some horrific TV reality show or documentary which is exactly what the citizens in the districts were forced to watch !  I also loved the subtle commentary both the books and the film make of reality television.  What is entertainment for some may actually be exploitative.   

The costumes, as Albert noted were amazing especially those worn by the citizens of The Capitol.  Beautiful outsides but not beautiful insides.  Albert also mentioned that people who hadn't read the book may be slightly confused by some parts of the film.  I went to see the movie with my mom who hadn't read the books and knew very little about the concept.  After the film she had a just a few questions about how much control The Capitol had over its citizens but she told me it was the best movie she had seen in a long time and she really wants to read the books.  My mom is not a reader so for her to want to read something, she must've really enjoyed it.

So, it seems like we all agree that "The Hunger Games," certainly lived up to its hype.  It's an excellent film that does the novel justice.  However, if you haven't read the books, please do, it will certainly add to your appreciation.  

Finally here is one more "review," that I would make Cesar Flickerman chuckle, Alan said "I didn't read it, and haven't seen it, but I do enjoy games, and am frequently hungry, so it must be pretty good."
 
I'm seeing this movie again this weekend and I can't wait. This movie is well worth the $10.50 or more that your local theater may be charging.