Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

It's been a while, hasn't it? I promise I'm not dead, just dormant.

I have a bundle of posts to do, so without further ado, I present to you... Delirium by Lauren Oliver

They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. 

And I've always believed them. 

Until now. 

Now everything has changed. 

Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver
2.5 Stars

Genre: Dystopic romance
Series: Delirium #1
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Pages: 398
Additional Notes:
Been on my to-read list a while, pretty much since I joined goodreads. Will continue with the series, despite not liking this one as I heard that Pandemonium is amazing.
Goodreads
Amazon

Yesterday on the radio they were talking about scientific and psychological research done on the nature of love, through recent DNA and brain analysis.

Now whilst I was reading this, I questioned the plausibility of being able to simply cut out an emotion because as much as they try to pretend otherwise, love is an emotion, not a disease... and why they would even find it necessary. And why just love, not any other emotion, like jealousy or anger, like in The Giver? I know they say that anger and jealousy stem from love, but I still don't buy it. At least listening to this this has helped me along a bit, kind of demonstrating that it is possible, although I do question brain damage, because many of the brain parts which would have needed to be cut out to prevent love (as that is what they say they do in the book) are also essential to other emotions.

I know I should just accept it as sci-fi and move on, but my logical brain does not see how this could possible work. Maybe that is why you have to be over 18. It is obvious that Lauren Oliver has done some research into this, as her idea of a cure is, despite all, quite plausible. At least she hasn't tried to give them needles or something.

Onto the book.

This book comes up a lot when talking about Books Which Are Like the Hunger Games. Many people said it was like a better version of Matched. But I didn't really think so. To me the two are very similar, both set in a futuristic dystopic society where things are tightly controlled and two teenage girls, brought up obeying the rules, are now rebelling thanks to love.

The plot never really took off anywhere, plodding especially in the middle.

As characters, Lena and Alex both fall flat. Lena was especially irritating with her frequent claims that she is 'pain', 'ordinary' and 'nothing special.' More then once she wonders why Hana hangs out with her, when Hana is so obviously prettier and more popular then she is.

You have self esteem problems.

And of course despite all her complaints that she is not pretty, Alex still loves her and says she is beautiful, yada yada yada.

There are also quite a few world building flaws:

Sometime during the book, she says that she has never dared to say the wored love. Love is supposed to be this big forbidden concept. And yet right at the beginning of the book, when she and her carer are rehearsing her evaluation, she says "I like children" and, after her carer corrects her, she says "I love children.

I'm sorry?

This is probably a simple editing mistake, but it is quite annoying.

I also didn't understand why it was set in the future, yet seemingly without any advance in technology? They have mobile phones, which shows that they haven't decided technology is harmful or anything along those lines, but I would have liked either something like the tablets of Match to show advancement or an explanation as to why they don't use technology.

I would also have liked to know what happened to the rest of the world. They say that the USA simply put up borders, but does this not mean that the other countries are living uncured? Whats to stop people simply leaving the country if they disagree? Instead of staying and starting an uprising (I assume that's what they'll do), thus ruining the society that a lot of people are perfectly happened with? Is there something stopping them? If so, I would have liked to know. Maybe the rest of the world has been destroyed. It's not believable, but even so I would have liked something to explain why these people decided to stay and live in the Wilds.

I was also extremely dissatisfied with the ending. Honestly, I would have preferred if Lena hadn't been so stubborn and just undertaken the operation. After all, hadn't nearly the same thing happened to her sister, and after her sister had the cure she forgot all about the boy. I suppose it wouldn't be much of a story, but it would have been much easier for everyone if Lena had been cured, even if she tried to resist like her sister did.

Overall, I guess that it wasn't a bad book, it was just incredibly underwhelming and I had many issues with the premise. It is hard to like a book when you are constantly suspending disbelief at what is happening.

Nonetheless I can see why people would like it, and indeed its not terrible. I just had some... issues with it.

A Bit of Catchup

So, I haven't posted for ages, have I? To be honest, I haven't been sure if I want to continue blogging... I certainly don't have enough time for it.

But I think I will, only it will be less about reviews and more about bookish stuff - I want to take part in the daily memes hosted by other sites as well as some features

So yes, that's what's going on in the world of me

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL AND DEADLY

Trained as an assassin by the god of death, Ismae is sent to the court of Brittany, where she finds herself underprepared – not only for the games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make.

For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

A dangerous romance full of intrigue, poison, and ultimately finding one’s way.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

5 Stars

Genre: Historical paranormal (don't question - read the review)

Publisher: Anderson Press Ltd

Pages: 484

Additional Notes: In running for favourite read of the year

As a lover of medieval high fantasies, you could imagine how I excited I was to hear of this book about assassin nuns. Assassin nuns! As in, like, nuns who are ASSASSINS. But once I got my hands on this book, I was suddenly hesitant to read it. A lot of people had called this this book a disappointment, and I hadn’t realised that it would be a historical novel – I thought it was fantasy. And my local library had it classified as a romance, which I definitely wasn’t looking for. But an equal number of people were singing its praises. I was finally swayed by the positive reviews of the second book in the trilogy and decided to take the plunge.

Plotwise, this book definitely lags in the middle. The beginning was full of action, and the pacing definitely picks up at the end but in the middle I was able to take a long break from this book without being tempted to pick it back up. That being said, if you have the patience then the book definitely gets better. Whilst everybody else forsaw the ending, I, being as slow as I am, was taken completely by surprise. (But that’s just me.)

I loved Ismae as a character. She was strong, feisty, and quick witted. From the reviews I fully expected her never to use her skills outside a few situations carefully orchestrated by somebody else, but she definitely proved me wrong. She can use a sword, crossbow, dagger, poison and who knows what else. I loved Duval too, and I actually thought that they went well together.

I felt that Annith and Sybella didn’t play nearly enough of a role in this book. The three are supposed to be best friends, and yet Annith and Sybella were barely mentioned, and not developed at all. I understand that the three will each have their own books, but I would’ve liked to see some character development of Ismae’s two best friends.

 The ridiculous romance I was bracing myself for never came. There was romance, sure, but that shouldn’t be a surprise given that this is YA, so ridiculous, unnecessary romance should be the norm ;) I actually found the romance to be slow and believable, and was happy that it seemed to take a backseat to the action.

I wasn’t sure about the world building. Like I said, I had expected this to be fantasy but it was quite plainly a historical novel, with real events and real places. However, as far as I know the gods/Saints were invented by LaFevers, (could someone confirm?) and there was a decidedly paranormal aspect of the marques and talking to the souls. But whatever the genre, it was detailed and obviously very well researched. If only I hadn’t used up all my internet download space so I could find out how much of it was researched

The one thing I don’t understand: How was Ismae finally able to cure Duval? Was it her meeting with Mortain? Or did she suddenly realise what to do? That doesn’t seem very believable now, does it? Everything is over and so suddenly Ismae is turned into a human bezoar? Somebody enlighten me please.

Overall, this was probably one of my favourite reads so far this year. Tensely plotted, full of court intrigue and, in case you didn’t pick up on it yet, assassin nuns.

Review: The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny- one she never could have imagined…

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school…or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth – that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no creature dare face… and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead then let her touch his icy heart…

The Iron King by Jule Kagawa
4 Stars

Genre: Urban fantasy/adventure
Series: The Iron Fey #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 363
Additional Notes: Look at that font! So pretty! Pity the cover is green...

                                                                                                                       

The Iron King is like a classic Disney movie – predictable and unbelievable, but enjoyable all the same.

It’s been a long time since I read a traditional adventure novel – one that features the whole Hero’s Journey structure, with the protagonist going from one place to another to reach her goal. I can’t say whether I enjoyed it or not, as I had some mixed feelings.

My main problem with the book was that Meghan’s journey seemed a little too ‘easy.’ However, I do enjoy a good old-fashioned quest, and this book definitely doesn’t fail there. Meghan and her friends have a long way to go before reaching the realm of the Iron fey, and many bargains to make. It just felt like everybody was too willing to help – I wish somebody had caused some trouble which lasted for more than a couple of sentences.

Remember how I said that this was like a Disney movie? Yeah, that’s what I meant. The little conflict is resolved quickly – I just didn’t feel like anything bad ever happened to them. All was resolved nice and easily, and that was that. The plot never really develops, and the ‘climax’ felt forced - it was always obvious that Meghan would get her brother back in the end.

That’s not to say that I didn’t like it, because I did. The winners of this book were the characters – Grimalkin and Puck. Puck. Puck is absolutely amazing, and somehow Julie managed to give him lines which were so fitting for his character. Grimalkin was obviously based off the Cheshire Cat, right down to the disappearing act, but you know what? I didn’t mind. I love the Cheshire Cat, and Grim definitely does him justice. The two are by far the best characters I’ve read in a long time.

I could find so many good quotes, but I’ve got the feeling nobody would stick around to read everything Puck said, so I’ll go with a few.

“I’ve always wanted the IQ of a rock. No wait. That would be an insult to the rock.”

 “Oh, we’re playing nice now? Should we have tea first? Brew a nice pot of kiss-my-ass?”

“Bravo. The winter prince and Oberon’s jester agreeing on something. The world must be ending.”

Again with the Disney comparison – there are so many Disney characters that make me laugh every two minutes. Yes Timon and Puba, I’m looking at you.

The only probably with having such AWESOME minor characters was that they completely eclipsed the protagonist… I would ordinarily have found Meghan flat, but next to the complete, utter awesomeness that is Puck, Meghan’s boringness is just enhanced. I’ve heard that Meghan’s characterisation picks up, so that’s something to look forward to, but in this book she has absolutely no development whatsoever.

Ash is definitely a character I want to learn more about. This book barely touches on his personality, but in this case I feel like it was done purposefully, as if Julie is deliberately keeping us out of his mind.

                                                                                                    

I do wish though that Julie Kagawa hadn’t thought it necessary to throw in semi instalove just because everyone else is doing it. I really would have preferred if she just added in the romance in a later book, once their friendship had properly developed. The story wouldn’t have suffered and the relationship would feel more organic. I didn’t mind too much though, because the attraction didn’t interfere too much and at least the two weren’t declaring their love for one another after having known each other a week ;) *cough* *cough*

I would probably say that the world was a kind of collision of every traditional (and contemporary) fairy myth and legend; Oberon, Tatiana, Winter and Summer courts, binding contracts, reaction to iron, oracles, dwarves etc. etc. I do feel however that it was handled very well, and the world was  built up excellently. Though not too imaginative, it was well thought out, well-constructed and rich with detail. The fact that Julie Kagawa ‘borrowed’ most of her mythology didn’t bother me, because at least everybody acted like they were supposed to. Julie has obviously done her research, so snaps to her for that. I was completely sucked in by the world of the fey, and I love the concept of fey immune to iron.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book, despite the rather flat plotline and semi instalove. A well-deserved 4 stars. This is definitely an author I’ll be looking out for in the future.

Review: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

First Ever Review!


Clara has known she was part-angel ever since she turned fourteen two years ago, but only now is her purpose- the crucial rite of passage for everypart-angel - becoming clear to her. Clara's purpose leads her family to Wyoming, where, amidst terrifying scenes of a bush inferno, she finds the boy of her visions, Christian. He is everything she could wish for-so why does she also have feelings for enigmatic classmate Tucker?

Clara discovers that her purpose is only a small part of a titanic struggle between angels and their destructive counterparts, the Black Wings. And when the fire of her vision erupts and both Christian and Tucker are in danger, who will she choose to save?

From debut novelist Cynthia Hand comes a riveting tale full of supernatural powers, forbidden romance, and the choice between fulfilling destiny and following your heart

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

3.5 Stars

Genre: Paranormal romance
Series: Unearthly #1
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Pages: 432
Additional Notes: Whats with the cover? At least show a face...
Goodreads
Amazon

Here, for once, is a YA paranormal romance which didn't make me want to scream, or puke, or both.

Whilst the premise makes this book seem like every other PNR cluttering today's YA shelves, this book is surprisingly good especially when compared to the other angel books out there*cough* Hush, Hush *cough* 

Clara, for once, is a character who I *didn't* feel like strangling, in fact I actually quite liked her personality. Although she does spend an awfully long time mooning over Christian, which got on my nerves, at least she had a decent reason to be so.

Normally when characters flit between two guys I get insanely annoyed, however I actually didn't mind when Clara got together with Tucker whilst Christian was away. Their relationship felt natural and easy, and I loved their casual banter. Tucker for one is an amazing person. And Clara made up for it with her practical outlook. One of my favourite quotes was "Here they're all of 16 years old and convinced they've found true love."

The other characters we had here was her mother, who seems there just to supply information, Angela, another part angel, who makes up for all the curiousity Clara is lacking, Wendy, Clara's BFF and Tucker's twin, and Jeffrey, Clara's brother who I for one want to see more of.

I had a bit of a quarrel with the writing style. I just couldn't decide whether I liked or disliked it. Whilst it was easy and laid back, many of the scenes were skimmed over, only described in a few sentences where I would have preferred more detail. The language felt at time very chick-lit/realistic then PNR, which isn't necessarily a bad thing and some phrases were worded a bit awkwardly. "He lifts a strand of my hair (which has popped free of its ponytail) and inspects it in a sunlight. The brackets here seem out of place, unnecessarily interrupting the sentence. 

The plot was probably the weakest point. It wasn't bad, especially for a PNR. There were a number of unnecessary scenes, especially at the beginning involving Clara at school, where for about 200 pages Clara seems to do nothing but admire Christian and have the vision over and over. It was fairly obvious, from the blurb of this edition at least, what would happen Having read Hallowed before, I was glad to see that there was a good reason for that, and it was actually quite important for the larger story arc. 

The world building was actually very sound, and including Angela as a way for us to learn more about their world was smart. I for one would like to learn more about the 'Nephilim'

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot more then I though I would. Whilst lacking in plot, made up with good characters and sound world building. Proof that good PNR still exists in YA today.

Hello, World!

Soooo..... I now have a blog. Or what will soon become a blog once I've finished tinkering.
Not that I expect anyone ever to read it...
Will be a combination of my thoughts and book reviews

Mood: Bleh/Sick
Reading: Death Cure by James Dashner
Listening: Les Miserables soundtrack
Watching: Doctor Who
Eating: Medicines >-<
Drinking: Water