Book Review: The Replacement

Brenna Yovanoff

★★★★★

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Mackie Doyle is The Replacement - left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. He has been raised among us. But he is not one of us. Now, he must face the dark creatures of the slag heaps from which he came and find his rightful place - in our world or theirs.

This story made me smile, laugh, and at some point, I wanted to cry. Mackie is such a beautiful character, it made my heart hurt to see his predicament. (But then there would be no story). I loved this story of dark story with its unusual characters.

Unlike other books, this one reminded me of how teenagers actually acted. Mackie and is friends are funny and creative. This story teaches us that friends are not your friends by accident, but because they choose to be. I felt like Mackie kept whining about not fitting in, but it was worth it when he realized that he does and that his friends and family are true.

There is true meaning and love between the characters. Nothing false and out of the blue about it. This was a really sweet and strange story.

Book Review: Divergent

Veronica Roth

★★★★★

Reading level: Ages 14 and up

Hardcover: 496 pages

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

　

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.          During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

  I really enjoyed this novel! After all the hype about it, I bought the book, but I really did not expect all the book had to offer. I had my doubts about it being a thrilling dystopian, but I was proven wrong. With 2011 being the year for YA dystopian novels, some have fallen short. The book lagged in places and I felt at times that I knew what was going to happen (which turned out I was right about the things I guessed on) but Ms. Roth never failed in her writing.

The characters were fun and defiantly beyond the norm in YA fiction. I loved the concept the author portrayed and it showed how afraid people can be and how power is a ruling “drug” in a sense. The was fast pace and almost impossible to put down at times. I loved the heroic and brave qualities of Tris and just all in all the fact that she was no damsel in distress. Facing one’s fears has never been more enjoyable!

Ms. Roth created a world that made it so that I was not reading a story, but living and experience. I loved this story and I can’t wait for the next installment. Let’s hope the movie is just as great!

Book Review: Blood Red Road

Moira Young

★★★★★★/5

(The Extra star for being the best book I've ever read)

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher:Margaret K. McElderry (June 7, 2011)

At first, I did not think I would enjoy this book like I enjoyed The Hunger Games, which at the time was my leading book. The writing was defiantly not like other books with perfect grammar and quotation marks. It was a turn off for me at first. But it took only the first few pages before I was hooked. It turns out that the way it was written added to the glamour on the book. All I could think about were these characters and their journey.

Blood Red Road tells the story of Saba as she tries to get her brother back after he was kidnapped by strange men. I was a bit intrigued with the fact that this story wasn’t about forbidden love or whatever else the YA brand has been selling lately.

I’ve said this before, that some characters seem real to me. But it was unlike any I’ve ever read about before. Moira Young’s characters are smart, cunning, funny, and just plain awesome. Usually the main female lead is all love struck and a damsel in distress type. But Saba was a strong and fierce fighter who had one thing on her mind: getting back her brother. Some people would say that she went overboard with her obsession to finding him, but I felt that it gave her a sense of purpose and throughout the novel, that was her aim. She never let that stray. Jack was just delicious. He was funny and cocky and just plain sexy! (He actually reminded me of one of my characters in the novel I’m writing.) The Free Hawks were the bravest and most thrilling fighters. Ike was just hilarious and intriguing. Emmi was bold and daring. These characters were like real people. Each were dynamic and rounded characters that I instantly fell in love with.

The plot of the story was always held in front. This I especially like, because I hate when the main purpose of the story is pushed aside and then the character goes off on their little adventure to find themselves and then finish off the book in the last few pages with a bit of action and a happily ever after. This novel was not like that. The main purpose was always first and the characters grew from that. There was a bit of romance in here as well, but is didn’t get all twilight on us, which is just what I like.

Moira Young has defiantly written an amazing book! My favorite book. If I was ever so lucky to meet her I would bow at her feet. This books is just…perfect. A MUST MUST read!Now, all my life, I’ve never really found a book that was my favorite. There were defiantly those I treasure most and would read over and over, but never could I find one that was THE best. Until now. Blood Red Road is my perfect novel. It is a dystopian dream!

Book Review: Across the Universe

Beth Revis

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 416 pages

Publisher: Razorbill; (January 11, 2011)

As the spaceship Godspeed travels toward a new earth, the lives of 100 cryogenically frozen settlers hang in the balance after someone endeavors to quietly murder them. The other passengers aboard the ship have never known life outside its walls and are enslaved by the machinations of Eldest, their tyrannical leader, who divides them into three distinct classes. When Amy, a frozen settler from earth, survives being thawed in a murder attempt, she immediately bonds with Elder, Godspeed's lone teen and future leader. Amy’s individuality, her rebellion, and her fierce desire for freedom, inspire Elder to act on his own doubts and defy Eldest--his mentor and keeper--with shocking results. Eldest’s methods of twisting history and altering the lives of this captive community are a frightening echo of tyrants in our own history, and Across the Universe challenges readers to consider the impact of unchecked power, blind trust, and the ability of one dissenting voice to make a difference.

　

This story was very different from most YA novels that I’ve been reading. First: it was set on a spaceship in the future. I don’t read much sci-fi so I was a bit skeptical about this book. But it actually turns out I kinda liked it. The story started slow and the main problem of the story- trying to figure out who is killing the frozens- is pushed to the back burner as the “dystopian” aspect of the story kicks in. The author sends a lot of messages about differences and individuality. God is a fictional character to those on the ship and Sol-Earth’s history is changed to feel like Hitler was a great leader, and that all differences are bad.

The characters weren’t flat, but they weren’t my favorite. Elder is madly in love with Amy, while Amy is stuck in the past. Eldest is an evil tyrant. The entire ship is loony, and the loony ones seem to be the only normal ones. The only character I really liked was Harley.

And, maybe this was just me, but I kind of figured out most of the lot twists before the author told us in the end. I can’t say it was completely obvious, but I guessed most it…

All in all this book was rather different and I like different. Ms. Revis did an amazing job of creating a sci-fi- dystopian world. I would have liked to see more action, but it was a great book altogether. Creative and entertaining, you may experience a few nightmares of being frozen alive…

Critique Partners

Everyone needs a someone who will tell them what’s wrong with ________(enter problem here). Same is true when writing a novel! Now, I’m still just a writer. I haven’t actually finished a novel, least of all published one, but from some research I’ve done, here’s one thing I know to be true: Get A Critique Partner!

Critique partners are your best friend in writing. This might be someone who has a knowledge of writing or just someone who loves to read and can tell you what you might be doing right or wrong.

No matter what anyone tells you, your writing may be good or bad-people have different opinions. However a critique partner is that one person who can keep you on track.

It is a long and traitorous road ahead for young writers, so why not have someone to tag along?

Dear [Blank],

For those who make characters like Bella Swan: stop! Why is every female character in YA fiction seem just like Bella Swan? There is always something wrong with their appearance, when really everyone thinks they’re super hot! Or they have some stupid flaw, or that no one likes them, or they are new to town, or thay have "old souls", or they make really stupid choices, or they are really, really annoying!

Like really? Come on! Not every pubescent teenager thinks like that. Some actually think the world revolve around them-trust me, I know a few kids!

I’m just saying that maybe a character who, I don’t know, actually have a personality would be a great change from the ones I’ve been reading.

So for all you young writers, try techniques that make your characters more 3-d, rather then the flat paper kind.