Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Yes
Pages: 525
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads

Fighting for survival in a shattered world… the truth is her only hope.

The thrillingly dark sequel to No. 1 New York Times bestseller, DIVERGENT.

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 must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.


Feelings:  
This book picks up right were the last one left off. The ending of the first one felt like an ending in someways but at the same time it was a bit of a "what happens next?" I felt like this one started right after the first one finished. I have a feeling that the third book will also pick up almost exactly where the second one ends. I like that about these books. I'm not left wondering what happened between books and trying to fill in the blanks.

I find it a bit hard to say much about this book without giving away what happened in the first book. This book is more political than the first book. Following The Hunger Games model for post-American dystopian young-adult books. I have noticed that after The Hunger Games went big there have been a lot of books that have a similar feel to them. By far I think that The Hunger Games series was probably the best of the ones I have read so far. They are all different in some ways but they do have the first person narration with some kind of post-American world in which things are very different from what they are today but it isn't really explained how we got there nor does the narrator seem to know what it was like before.

I enjoyed reading Insurgent. It is really the characters that drive this story. The reason behind the society and the different groups is finally explained a little more in this book. I appreciate that since it does bother me going along and not knowing why things are the way they are.

I would recommend this book to those that enjoyed the first in the series and to those that enjoy dystopian settings and lots of adventure.

The Willful Princess and The Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb

Title: The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince
Author: Robin Hobb
Type: Novella
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Farseer prequel

Pages: 184
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: Subterranean Press

Rating: 2.5 out of 5


Summary: from Amazon.
One of the darkest legends in the Realm of the Elderlings recounts the tale of the so-called Piebald Prince, a Witted pretender to the throne unseated by the actions of brave nobles so that the Farseer line could continue untainted. Now the truth behind the story is revealed through the account of Felicity, a low-born companion of the Princess Caution at Buckkeep.

With Felicity by her side, Caution grows into a headstrong Queen-in-Waiting. But when Caution gives birth to a bastard son who shares the piebald markings of his father s horse, Felicity is the one who raises him. And as the prince comes to power, political intrigue sparks dangerous whispers about the Wit that will change the kingdom forever...

Internationally-bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Robin Hobb takes readers deep into the history behind the Farseer series in this exclusive, new novella, 'The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince.' In her trademark style, Hobb offers a revealing exploration of a family secret still reverberating generations later when assassin FitzChivalry Farseer comes onto the scene. Fans will not want to miss these tantalizing new insights into a much-beloved world and its unforgettable characters.


Feelings: 
I enjoyed reading this novella in two connected stories. However, I didn't think this was as strong a book as the others that I have read by Robin Hobb. I think for me it was because the narration was first person from Felicity and I didn't find her to be the most interesting narrator. I know that she was writing in the style she did because she was instructed by her son to write only the truth and no speculation. I have to admit though I was expecting more from this book that was it was.

It wasn't a bad story it just wasn't that interesting to me thus I'm giving it 2.5 stars. I'm not sure I would have stayed with the book if it had been a longer story. At less than 200 pages it was easy to sit down and read. I haven't read the Farseer books which this is supposed to be a prequel to. Maybe if I had read them I would have liked it more. I do intend to read the Farseer books if I can find them at my library.

I would only recommend this book to those that have read and enjoyed other works by Robin Hobb. The title is wonderful isn't it? That alone was enough to get me interested in reading it.

The Mapmaker's War by Ronlyn Domingue

Title: The Mapmaker's War

Author: Ronlyn Domingue

Type: a legend (Novel)
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Yes, Keeper of Tales Trilogy #1 next is The Chronicle of Secret Riven

Pages:226
Copyright:2013

Publisher:Atria books

Rating: 4.5 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads



This will be the map of your heart, old woman. In an ancient time, in a faraway land, a young woman named Aoife is allowed a rare apprenticeship to become her kingdom's mapmaker, tasked with charting the entire domain. Traveling beyond its borders, she finds a secretive people who live in peace, among great wealth. They claim to protect a mythic treasure, one connected to the creation of the world. When Aoife reports their existence to her kingdom, the community is targeted as a threat. Attempting to warn them of imminent danger, Aoife is exiled for treason and finds refuge among the very people who had been declared her enemy. With them, she begins a new life surrounded by kindness, equality, and cooperation. But within herself, Aoife has no peace. She cannot share the grief she feels for the home and children she left behind. She cannot bear the warrior scars of the man she comes to love. And when she gives birth to their gifted daughter, Aoife cannot avoid what the child forces her to confront about her past and its truth. On this most important of journeys, there is no map to guide her. In this tale; her autobiography; Aoife reveals her pain and joy, and ultimately her transformation.

The Mapmaker's War is a mesmerizing, utterly original adventure about love and loss and the redemptive power of the human spirit. Watch for its epic sequel, The Chronicle of Secret Riven, in 2014.

Feelings:
This book felt like one of the most original books I have read in a long time. I was startled to find that it was written in second person, the narrator refers to herself as you, making it seem as though the reader is the main character. I wasn't sure if this was going to work for me or not but in the end I really enjoyed the non-conventional style. The story itself was also different than expected in a good way. I'm not sure it really fits what I consider legend but I can't say I went out and read any legends recently so who am I to say what the writing style for them is. I can tell you that the story, even if it were first person, feels different than your typical story. Dialogue is not in "quotes" but is just on a new line, this does take a bit of adjustment as well, but it does make since.

You called Wyl up to join you. 

The tower is wondrous. I could kiss you, you said.

Yes, you could, said he.

So literal, Wyl.

Then I'll wait until you mean what you say. 

You felt a sting. For the first time a joke on him barbed you back You watched him stare afar and wondered why he went to such lengths to please you. Perhaps there is more to this boy I once knew, you thought. You linked your arm with his and leaned into him, both swaying groundless. (p. 9)

 Aoife is not the typical woman who is what I would consider a typical mid-evil house wife. She is a mapmaker. When she thinks about this as an older woman she knows that she only got where she was because of what was allowed of her by men.

Now, tell the truth. You were not so different from other women. Your life depended on the favor of men. Your freedom was an illusion that you dared to dream. (p. 34)

Having a myth, legend told from the point of view of a woman was refreshing. The new take on legend was also something I liked. This is not a legend of this world but another world. There was not a lot of time spend on world building, but it wasn't needed. We learn of the world as we traveled it with Aoife. The language and descriptions are beautiful and flow from one sentence to the next.

I know this isn't a novel for everyone but the mythical quality and the superb writing make it worth giving a try. If you don't like experimentation and the non-conventional this is not the book for you. I was surprised by how much I liked it. I have to admit that it took me finishing the book before I formed a complete opinion of it. I knew the writing was good and I liked the story, but I wasn't sure if it was going to be a book I would continue to think about after I finished it. There is much to look back on in the novel though and it is worth the read. I highly recommend it.

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Title: The Elite

Author: Kiera Cass

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Selection #2

Pages: 323
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen

Rating: 3 out of 5


Summary: from Good Reads.

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Feelings: 
I liked this book more than the first book. The world got explained a little more. I can see why some might not like this as much because it has a more political side. While it still isn't clear was Illea is the way it is and the idea around why America feel is a bit wobbly I did appreciate that the history was fleshed out more.

Let the love triangle continue. America still hasn't decided between Maxon and Aspen. No surprise there. Aspen knows that he is trying to win America back but Maxon doesn't even know that he has competition in the castle. I can see why America might waver back and forth between the two when they seem to be there for her all the time and then suddenly gone.

There was more characterization of characters that were peripheral in the last book. The King suddenly seems like your typical oppressor and the Queen like the perfect lady. Even the Rebels have more of a role in this book. I'm hoping that maybe we get to see them as characters in he last book. I think they hold potential. Besides the love triangle can only be interesting for so long before we need something else that we focus on. Hence the politics and history that American finds herself wondering about and searching out.

I have a feeling that the last book will be the most political of the three and that the post-American Illea will be explained so that we understand why things are the way they are and why the rebels are doing what they are doing and why there might be a desire for change.

I would recomend this to those that enjoyed The Selection with a note that this book is a bit more political. 

Splintered by A. G. Howard

Title: Splintered

Author: A. G. Howard

Type: Young Adult Novel
Genre: Fantasy

Series: Yes, Splintered #1

Pages: 371
Copyright: 2013
Publisher: Amulet Books

Rating: 2.5 out of 5


Summary: from Good reads.

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
 
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Feelings: 
This book had purple text. That bothered me. I understand why the would choose to have the text in this book be a color other than black, but really why do that? I first saw this book as a debut author on Good Reads. I thought it looked interesting and I enjoyed reading Alice in Wonderland years ago, so when I saw it at the library as I was scanning the shelves I checked it out.

It was an interesting idea for a book and I enjoyed the story. I just didn't think it was all that great. The cover is bright and catches they eye but I don't really care for it that much. The story inside is about the same.

I've been collecting bugs since I was ten; it's the only way I can stop their whispers. Sticking a pin through the gut of an insect shuts it up pretty quick. (p. 1).

This is the opening of the story which is interesting. Talking bugs implied and bugs collected and killed to stop them from talking. Alright so why do they talk? Well that is a good question and Alyssa doesn't know, something left over from her great-great-grandmother (to many greats to remember correctly) Alice's visit to Wonderland. Eventually we do find out why the bugs talking can be heard. I have to admit that the only character I really liked was Jeb and he wasn't the narrator so I didn't see as much of him as I would have liked. The  story was interesting and held my attention but I felt like the characters were hard to like and that wasn't a good thing.

I know there are people that would really like this book, it just wasn't me. I'm trying to decide if I will read the next in the series or not. This book stood on it's own well and there really isn't the urge to find out what happens.