Taking some of my favourite books and creating looks inspired by their covers & characters. For the first Book Look we're focusing on Divergent.
Showing posts with label Divergent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Divergent. Show all posts
Killing Our Heroes One Word at a TIme
THIS BLOG CONTAINS SERIOUS SPOILERS!!!
One of the most controversial things an author can do is kill off one of it's main characters. Whether it's a baddie or one of our favourite hero's, killing off a character can cause quite a riot. But, I think that sometimes it's a necessary evil, it gives the book that degree of believability - no matter the genre. I mean Zombie Apocalypse comes not everyone going to live! And if they are, then why the hell are we so worried?Bellow are some of the most controversial kills in YA books that I've come across. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm going to name some dead people. If you've not read the book I suggest skipping to the next one.
The Hunger Games Trilogy - Finnick Odair
Okay, first of all I think this is probably one of the sloppiest kills I've ever read in a book, period! It didn't seem to do anything for the story line or serve any purpose what so ever. I remember reading it and thinking what the hell just happened. It almost felt like Collins killed him just because she could, because she needed something to pad out the chapter a bit. I'm all for axing off a beloved character but this one just felt irrelevant.
On the plus side I've read - although it may just be a rumour - that they plan to rectify this mistake in the movie, as Collins herself also believed it was wrong to kill of Finnick!
Noughts and Crosses - Callum
AH! I read ahead with this one - last page first - and I wish I hadn't. Yes Callum's dead was well written and paramount to the WHOLE series but it was heartbreaking and I wish he hadn't had to die. Author's quite often kill off main character's but I've never known someone to kill off THE main character at the end of the FIRST book. And in all honesty, the other three never quite lived up to the first book.
The Divergent Trilogy - Tris
I'm on the fence with this one. I would have liked to see Tris and Four get their happy ending after everything they've been through but it did feel right. If Tris had let her brother die she wouldn't have been the girl we've comes to love. She's reckless and doesn't think past the now, causing destruction pretty much everywhere she goes. So, really, I don't think I would have been happy with any other ending. Damned if you do, damned if you don't with this one I'm afraid. Although, as far as the writing goes I did like the fact even with her death it wasn't what we expected, Roth still managed to sneak a little twist in there.
The Madness Underneath - Stephen
Okay so technically not dead, well he is dead but it's a book about ghost's so it's not like we're never going to see him again. I think what hurt the most with Stephen's sudden demise what just that, I didn't see it coming. One minute I was awwing at the relationship beginning to develop between him and Rory and the next he's brain dead and they want to turn off the machines. NOOO! I'm dying - no pun intended - to find out what happens in book three and I really hope killing him off was worth it and in some way beneficial to the story line.
Harry Potter - Fred Weasley, Dumbledoor, Dobby & Snape
Where to start... we go six books without having any serious issues with JK and her choice of kills - except maybe Cedric - and then from the last chapters of The Half Blood Prince and the entirety of The Deathly Hallows we're constantly reaching for our tissues. There are so SO many people to choose from with HP but I think that Fred, Dumblerdore, Dobby and Snape where the most heartbreaking.
The Weasley's are the heart of the books and to have one of them killed -for lack of a better word -sucked. I mean couldn't it have been Percy? Who would have really cared if it was Percy? Poor George, he looses his ear and his twin in one book!
Dumblerdore was upsetting, but I don't completely object to his death. You can see why he needed to die, and it was very cleverly done in reference to the elder wand story line. I can now, after a couple of years, accept my favourite bearded wizards death... just about.
Dobby was just... well there are no words for Dobby's death. It was unnecessary and all it did was make us cry. Would it really have hurt to keep him alive?
As for Snape, I think that was the most devastating for me because it wasn't until his death that you found out he wasn't such an evil prat after all. I'll ALWAYS miss him!
SO what do you think? Are there any character kills you wish had never happened? Or do you agree with the authors decision to stick our favourites in the printed graveyard?
From Page to Screen
The last decade has seen so many YA book make there way to the cinema screen. From Percy Jackson to Twilight, The Mortal Instruments to Beautiful Creatures. I think it's because they're so full of vivid characters and engaging story plots, not to mention a huge enthusiastic fan base! This year is no different with several YA books making there way to the big screen, with sequels and a couple of new faces.
Bellow are the two I'm most excited about. John Green's The Fault in our Stars, which I read at the end of 2012 after my flatmate recommended it and also Divergent, which by now you all know I'm a little obsessed with.
Bellow are the two I'm most excited about. John Green's The Fault in our Stars, which I read at the end of 2012 after my flatmate recommended it and also Divergent, which by now you all know I'm a little obsessed with.
Fault In Our Stars, book by John Green (4 out of 5)
Divergent, Veronica Roth (5 out of 5)
Allegiant
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Summary (From Back Cover)
What if your whole world was a lie?
The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered - fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's known, Tris is read. Perhaps beyond the fence she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties and painful memories.
But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature - and of herself - while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
Review
I don't know about you but I have a habit of reading ahead. Specifically, I almost always read the last page first. Now sometimes it makes me want to read more and most the time I want to slap myself for being an idiot, for example books not to do this include: Noughts and Crosses, The Madness Underneath, Gone Girl and most importantly Allegiant! DON'T shoot yourself in the foot, this is an epic book and reading ahead will just spoil Roth's dramatic, and quite frankly, heart breaking conclusion to - in my humble opinion - one of the best YA series around right now.
Okay now for the story, we left Tris in Insurgent after she managed to betray Four (again) and reveal the secrets that have kept her society together. Now the Factionless are in charge, but instead of giving the people of the city a choice in who they want to be they've ended up taking away the only choice they had. In this instalment we see Tris, along with Four, Caleb, Christina, Cara, Uriah, Peter and Tori all leave the city in hopes of finding what's beyond they're crumbling society. However, not everyone makes it. Outside the city they discover more than they ever thought they would, more than they wanted to, and have to come to turns with what life within the city walls actually mean. They have to decide what's worth fighting for and who's worth saving.
Unlike the past two books, this is told not just for Tris' perspective but also Four's. Personally I think I would have preferred it to have just been Tris (that's why it got marked down slightly), although I can see why the second point of view was important. It gives you a greater understanding of all the events unfolding within the book.
Being the last book in a series it's almost mandatory that the author kills off a couple of our favourites. Roth has had no problem with killing characters in the past. Divergent saw us loose both of Tris' parents and Will (some others too, but they're the important ones). Then in Insurgent we lost quite a few of our love-to-hate baddies like Eric and Jeanine, but it's the people we loose in Allegiant that are the most devastating. But unlike with *Spoiler Alert for Mockingjay THG* when Finnick dies, you're not left wandering why did that HAVE to happen? Every death fits within the story and makes it stronger, even if it does have you blubbering like a baby.
I feel like I've said it 100 times but I really do love these books and I'm sorry these reviews have turned into a bit of a gush-fest but once you read them I'm sure you'll understand. Allegiant in the perfect ending to a series I'll probably be re-reading for a long time. There are no unanswered questions by the time you've read the final page.
Enjoy the last Divergent book my lovelies and try not to cry too much.
Official Book Trailer for Divergent series, if you want to watch the movie trailer check out my Divergent review.
A Divergent Story
I've mentioned in a previous post that I don't particularly like eBooks. However, there are a few short storied that you can only get electronically these days. I shared The Bane Chronicles with you last time and now I want to make sure you know about Veronica Roth's eBooks, A Divergent Story.
In these short stories she follows Four, giving us as the reader an insight into his point of view. Also a much needed look at his back story - that's in the second one, The Transfer. There will be 5 in total, which you can buy separately. The first two are out now, the next three are out in July. You can buy the whole Four collection in one (I think it works out to be cheaper), but you will have to wait until July of this year if you want to do that.
I love the Divergent series and these are like the cherry on top. Enjoy reading them my lovelies.
Insurgent
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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Summary (From Back Cover)
I have done bad things. I can't take them back, and they are part of who I am.
Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.
Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she much be stronger than ever... because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.
Review
Okay first things first, if you've not read Divergent then stop reading this and go read that instead! This is one of my favourite series so I'm not going to hold back, so there may be quite a few spoilers. Okay, formalities out of the way, lets begin...
Insurgent starts where Divergent finished, there's no two week gap like a lot of sequels, throwing us straight into the chaos left behind from the attack on the Abnegation. The Dauntless are having to decide whether or not they accept their factions new affinity with Erudite, while Tris, Four, Caleb and Marcus are forced to flee the bodies they left behind in the Dauntless headquarters. But with both her parents being killed in the attacks Tris' world seems to be falling apart.
After a short and eventful stay at the Amity compound our rag-tag group of heroes make there way to Candor where the Dauntless that haven't sided with Erudite have set up camp. There, with a little help from some truth serum they are made to divulge everything they know about the Divergent and Tris is confronted with what she did to Will. Lets just say Christina and Will's sister Cara aren't best pleased to see her. Although no one can make Tris feel worse that she already does, after all, why didn't she shoot him in the leg?
The only reason I haven't given this book 5 out of 5 is because I thought the first instalment was better, even if ever so slightly! However, saying that the plot flows without not so much as a hick up and whole new levels of our favourite character's are revealed. For instance you'd think after the first book Eric couldn't get much worse, well you would be very wrong indeed! That's not even mentioning Caleb, dear lord that boy needs a good smack!
It's one thing after another with this instalment of the divergent series and will put you through your emotional paces. I will say though if you're planning on reading this make sure you have the third and final book, Allegiant, on hand because it ends one hell of a cliffhanger.
There really is no one left to trust.
Watch the book trailer bellow, for the movie trailer check out my Divergent Review.
Divergent
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Rating: 5 out of 5
Summary (From Back Cover)
One choice, decides your friends.
One choice, defines your beliefs.
One choice, determines your loyalties - forever.
One choice can transform you.
There are a handful of books that I will read over and over again and even fewer series that I will read more than once. However, I've read all three of these books twice, and as soon as I get them back off my friend I plan to read them a third time. The Divergent series is one of my favourites, it's thrilling and heartbreaking, it will make you laugh and the third book with may you cry so much you'll think you'll never stop. Then there's the fact I think I'm madly in love with Four, to the point where i'm worried no non-fiction boy will ever compare.
So here's the idea, when you turn sixteen you have to choose where you're going to spend the rest of your life. Who you're going to be. The cities divided into factions, each faction believes the key to surviving is different. The Dauntless believe you have to be brave and strong. The Abnegation's believe you should be selfless and serve others. The Erudite think knowledge with solve everything. The Amity values peace. The Candor tell the truth and that honesty is the key to survival. In this society it's not an option to be more than one thing, and if you are, your Divergent. If your Divergent your life is in danger, because the one thing all factions believe in is that the Divergent are unpredictable and above all else dangerous.
The story follows Tris, an Abnegation transfer now working her way into Dauntless. She's moved from her family, her home, into a violet and cruel faction. She has to prove herself as one of them and not the 'stiff' they all believe her to be. Because if they found out about her Divergent status, they would kill her.
There are so many twists and turns in this book you'll get dizzy. It constantly keeps you guessing and will shock even those of you who always know what's coming. The character's are vivid and real, you'll hate them and love them. You'll want to give them a hug when things are going badly and want to smack them right in between the eyes when they're being idiots. I have nothing but praise for this book and think that anyone who is into the YA genre would be missing out if they DIDN'T read it.
Oh and did I mention Four? AKA the man you'll fall in love with? He isn't the stereo-typical heart throb, he's broken, with a haunted past that makes your hearts ache. You know that he'll do anything to protect Tris, that he'll do anything that he believes to be right. He doesn't care about the chains that bind the fractions, he wants to be kind, smart, honest, brave AND selfless. But the question is, whether or not that's really a possibility. I think that's why he's drawn to Tris, he see's all these things in her. It should scare him, I think it might, but not because she's a threat but because she might just be the one person to see beyond his Four facade.
Official move trailer for Divergent:
Are you Divergent?
I'm not going to lie, I kind of love these things. Find out what Faction you belong in! Maybe you're Divergent like Tris... Click above to fine out!
Quote of the Week
"Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it."
- Veronica Roth, Divergent
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