Lois Lowry - Gathering Blue

Release date: September 25, 2012

Series: The Giver #2
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
Format: Hardback
Pages: 256 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA Dystopia Magic 

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Synopsis

In her strongest work to date, Lois Lowry once again creates a mysterious but plausible future world. It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever. As she did in The Giver, Lowry challenges readers to imagine what our world could become, and what will be considered valuable. Every reader will be taken by Kira's plight and will long ponder her haunting world and the hope for the future.

This first companion novel to The Giver was definitely an ode to one of the most important elements in the previous book, namely the discovery of colors. Jonas is not present in this book and the new heroine is Kira, who was born with a crooked leg in the wrong place. Weakness is not tolerated and punishable by death. She's an orphan and has to face the ones that want to take her down alone. Fortunately, she's saved by a magical talent: a gift that reminds us of Jonas's. It doesn't work the same way at all but her ability is as important. 

This second book is breathtakingly beautiful. The world created by Lois Lowry is so vivid. The action is a little bit more fast-paced in Gathering Blue, only because there is the dimension of physical violence and decaying society and mortal lies going on. When in The Giver, the Community was pretending to protect society at any cost, here things are clearer. There is concealed corruption but the rotten state of the city they live in is a secret to no one. 

Kira is a little less acute than Jonas was - the character that may be reflective of the young Giver is the child Matty. Yet, she is a fine observer of life and turns out not to be a naive girl. The duo Kira/Matty is amazing in this book, adorable and powerful! They take us into their adventure to look for the blue color and lead us to poignant revelations.

When I read this book last year, I was well aware of the outcome. I absolutely adored the book even though there was no surprise at all. Again, Lois Lowry's writing was all it took for a complete mind blowing. But I guess it would have been even more remarkable when I was younger and less perceptive... haha. I definitely recommend you reading this one too (all the series in fact).

Lois Lowry - The Giver

Release date: September 25, 2012
Series: The Giver #1
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
Format: Hardback
Pages: 240 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA Dystopia Magic 

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Synopsis
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

The Giver is the other book (now series) of my childhood, one of those that got me into reading and writing. First published in 1993, the last book in the series Son was published on October 2nd, 2012. Almost twenty years separate the four books and still, the last one hasn't lost the essence of the first one. 

The Giver is one of my top ten favorite books of all time. I love dystopias and it was the first time I discovered the genre, though I didn't know what it was when I was 11. I re-read the book last year (I learned in 2011 that there was a sequel) and the read left me speechless again. Lois Lowry's world is amazing and extraordinary and both awful and hopeful. This book tells the story of a very special and outstanding young boy who has the gift to see beyond and is called to become the Giver of the Community. The Community, it's a place where love and colors don't exist, where birth and feelings are monitored and where children don't have a say in their future.

Jonas, the young boy in question, is witty and smart and mature and it makes the story even more interesting and captivating. The book may be intended for children but I couldn't feel, didn't note any bothering childish element. The innocence of the children bring to light the dystopian dimension even more and the contrast between good and evil becomes stronger as the book goes on. This dystopia is not the usual fast-paced action-packed story you all know, but it will give you goosebumps nonetheless. The breathtaking excitement is not so much in the rhythm - though it can't be forgotten - but in Lois Lowry's writing style. In her choice of words. 

Some details are really important for the next books in the series. They are said to be companion but it is definitely essential to read them in the right order and to read them all. I guarantee that you won't lose your time. The Giver is full of emotion and hope as Jonas figures the world and tries to find a way to do what he believes to be right. 

I definitely recommend this book for young and adult people! 

J.K. Rowling - The Harry Potter Saga

Release date: October 6, 2008
Series: The Harry Potter Saga
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback (adult)
Pages: 3407
Source: I own each separate book
Genre: YA Magic 

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Synopsis

A boxed set, including the titles 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone', 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban', 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire', 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix', 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'.

I could have written a review of each book but since there are seven of them and that I cherish them all, I thought I would do a review of the complete series. Plus, apart from a few people who haven't read Harry Potter (either by choice or because they live in a parallel world and have never heard of it), I think everyone knows the story of the 11 year-old boy who turns out to be a wizard and has to fight the evil forces of Lord Voldemort!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone must have been the first book I read. I was 8 when I decided to get into it. I will never regret it and it has definitely changed my life. I am a dreamer and therefore I dream about Neverland and Hogwarts and all those places where you can be the person you'd love to be but never will be because they unfortunately don't exist. Anyway, Harry Potter was a revelation to me. I grew up alongside Harry, Hermione and Ron and all the other characters I adore. 

There is even more to this series than a mere magical world: there's a psychological and moralistic dimension, with subtle (or not) criticisms of a certain British class, the lack of imagination in our society and its importance, the value of family and friendship and the significance of solidarity and asking for help. There is also a distinction between the Good and the Evil, which is a classical dimension in literature and philosophy. 

Each book has a proper storyline but all have the same action schemes. Some people were bothered by the repetitive structure but I didn't give it too much thought while I was reading the series and it apparently didn't strike me that much. The more the story goes on, the more it gets dark and creepy. The final installment broke my heart since the happy ending is tarnished by all the unexpected deaths of the most beloved characters. 

The whole Harry Potter series is breathtaking and awesome and wicked. Reading it was like an emotional roller-coaster and the feeling was so intense that I did it multiple times. I would recommend the series to anyone that is interested in magic and good/evil battles and school friendship dramas and society and EPICNESS. J.K. Rowling definitely is a hero, an inspiration! (I'm not such a big fan of the movies though...)

Stephenie Meyer - The Host

Release date: May 6, 2008
Stand-alone book
Publisher: Little Brown & Company
Format: Paperback
Pages: 829 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Dystopia Paranormal Romance

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Synopsis

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed. When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans, is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind. Wanderer probes Melanie's thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer's mind with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.

The Host was associated a lot with Twilight and I still can't see why. In my opinion, it was a lot different from the Twilight series. I know the book has been categorized YA but it was more of an adult book to me - more than other series at least. The story that Stephenie Meyer built in this novel is breathtaking and exhilarating and extraordinary.

The world in which the story is settled is a post-apocalyptic one and I love dystopian books. The realism is well mixed up with magic and fantasy. The host is a parasitic soul implanted in human bodies to make them better people. Those parasites are mostly transplanted against Men's will and some rebel against it. Melanie, the main character, eventually has to give in and welcome Wanderer. However, Melanie is stronger than expected and they both have to live together whereas to live as only one person. The female characters are impressive in this book and their battle for love, for trust, for family and friendship is amazing throughout the whole story.

There is so much going on in The Host that you really have to keep up, but in a positive way. It doesn't make you wish you hadn't started it. It makes you eager to keep on reading. I was incapable of putting the book down, though it's quite long and action-packed and both slow and fast-paced. I enjoyed all of the characters, which were not whiny or childish. There was a certain jealousy I wasn't much fond of but all in all, they were great heroes and heroines. My favorite ones definitely are Jamie, the little brother, Jeb and Wanderer. 

The book is filled with so many different emotions and imagination. I was immediately drawn to such a unique story and I would definitely recommend it. I can't remember it exactly as I read it so long ago but I know it had a striking impact on me. I was impressed by the grown-up style of Stephenie Meyer and how she led the fiction and where she led the characters in the end. It's one of those books that you have to read to understand the feeling and believe. 

Stephenie Meyer - Breaking Dawn

Release date: August 2nd, 2008
Series: The Twilight Saga #4
Publisher: Atom
Format: Paperback
Pages: 720 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA

Twilight #1 - New Moon #2 - Eclipse #3

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Synopsis

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to a werewolf Jacob Black, she has endured a tumultuous year of temptation, loss, and strife to reach the ultimate turning point. her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fate of two tribes hangs. Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life - first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse- seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed...forever? The astonishing, breathlessly anticipated conclusion to the Twilight Saga,Breaking Dawn illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

This fourth and last installment was both a pleasant surprise and a bit of a let down. I enjoyed the first part of the book, with the sweet and intense moments of the honeymoon. The landscape sounds amazing and matches the beauty of Edward & Bella's love and eternal engagement. I enjoyed the some bits of the second part, with Bella decaying and experiencing pregnancy and getting a taste at what being a vampire is and delivering the baby. I was less fond of Jacob's presence - though he wasn't as annoying to me as he was in Eclipse - as he couldn't keep thinking how right he was and how better Bella's life would be if she had chosen him. 

Three years after reading the book I still don't know what to think about the last part of the book. The war dimension between the Volturi and the Cullens/the wolf tribe/other vampires was awesome though I wish it had been more exploited. The gift thing was definitely cool but no fight really took place. That was such a pity! Though I was fond of the idea of a baby vampire, I have to say that "Renesmee" was too much weirdness and I still don't get how Edward was technically able to father a child - okay, it's fiction not reality but still, you got to be logical! Let's not even talk about Jacob's imprinting on E & B's daughter...

Breaking Dawn would have been much better if something actually happened in the end. It feels like the characters learn to attack and defend themselves for nothing. The gory childbirth and the vampire transformation/discipline were definitely the most exciting and gripping moments of the book. However, I also did find the search for other children like Renesmee very interesting. Alice tries to go find the origin of what they think to be a myth and leaves mysterious messages behind her. This was an aspect of the book I particularly enjoyed as well as the presence of other gifted (or not) vampires.

Not the best final installment ever but still a quite satisfying read!

Stephenie Meyer - Eclipse

Release date: August 4th, 2007
Series: The Twilight Saga #3
Publisher: Atom
Format: Paperback
Pages: 576 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA

Twilight #1 - New Moon #2 

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Synopsis

As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which? Readers captivated by Twilight and New Moon will eagerly devourEclipse, the much-anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga.

The third installment definitely was the one I less appreciated mostly because of the characters, which I found particularly annoying and whiny and childish (Bella and Jacob, I'm not pointing at you at all...). The way Bella acted after Edward returned was selfish and inappropriate. He made it clear that he left to protect her and that he loves her more than anyone else in his existence and yet she's not satisfied. I understand her feelings are messed up but her behavior was not forgivable to me and it made me even more angry at Edward who passively watched her get closer and closer to Jacob without even blinking. Plus, I usually hate love triangles so it was even worse as the book went on. 

Apart from that, I really enjoyed knowing more about two puzzling and cryptic Cullens, namely Rosalie and Jasper. As the latter was one of the main reasons why Edward left in the second book, I was glad to finally know his story. Both characters have a dark past and I think that the pain of it and of remembrance added substance to the book, which was going berserk with all the romantic dramas. The presence of the Volturi and the newborn vampire army made the story even more frantic. Whereas New Moon was slow and emotional, Eclipse is fast-paced and action-packed which is really awesome as well. I enjoyed both rhythms for completely different reasons. 

If the series had started with a book like Eclipse - with so many annoying characters, paradoxical emotions and childish behaviors - I don't think I would have recommended it. Fortunately it didn't, so I just figured it was a mistake. But it definitely was a let down for me though I enjoyed some aspects.

Stephenie Meyer - New Moon

Release date: September 6th 2007
Series: The Twilight Saga #2
Publisher: Atom
Format: Paperback
Pages: 512 pages
Source: purchased
Genre: YA

Twilight #1 review


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Synopsis

For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning... Legions of readers entranced by New York Times bestseller Twilight are hungry for the continuing story of star-crossed lovers Bella and Edward. In New Moon, Stephenie Meyer delivers another irresistible combination of romance and suspense with a supernatural spin. Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.

This second installment crushed my heart, period. As I told you in my Twilight review, I am Team Edward. Imagine my grief when the most thoughtful and careful and gentle - and.. well, you got the idea - guy vampire on Earth in my universe ditches Bella in the woods. And doesn't come back until the end of the book. I think I cried more than Bella did. I knew he would be coming back because what would the point be to two other books?! Yet, I was awfully saddened by his being gone. Plus, who joins the party when the Cullens depart? Jacob, yay... I was definitely not a huge fan of him in this second book and it annoyed be than he was trying to talk Bella into being with him. I knew he meant well but he just did not know anything and his ignorance made me boil inside. 

Other than that, I think Stephenie Meyer took her writing to a new level in New Moon. The emotions were powerful and excruciating. For those who had experienced a broken heart, it was easy to connect to Bella. Since the bond between her and Edward is so strong, the pain was even more vivid. The exploration of passion was a judicious choice as it complements the forbidden love dimension that is so dominant in Twilight. 

Yet, there was so much more to the story than only Bella's broken heart. The bizarre and twisted world in which Bella lives is expanded with the realization of the existence of more than one magical/night-ish creature. Characters evolve as they come to terms with their situation and I enjoyed that attribute. 

The end of New Moon is absolutely amazing - as soon as Bella meets with Alice (who is one of the most awesome vampire chicks in the whole vampire community) the story really awoke me (the same way it awoke Bella) and oh my, my heart definitely skipped a few beats while I was reading the last hundred pages. The Volturi (especially Jane) are bad ass and I enjoyed the way they were introduced for the rest of the saga. 

Though New Moon made me cry myself to sleep, it is my second favorite book in the Twilight series.