Chelsea T

I loved this book.

I remember remember reading it in school and watching the movie and they were both good.

I loved the relationship between the brothers and the close knit gang that Ponyboy is in. The ending is tragic, but it didn't distracted from the story and actually had an impact on it. The names are weird like Ponyboy, Sodapop. Who came up with these?

Nonetheless, this book worth checking out at least once in your life.

I was into it at first but then after they got down the zipline, it just kinda dragged and got boring for me. It didn't help that I lost interest in reading it.

Although, I love the concept of this book and the representation of Chinese culture and Deaf people. Although it didn't really feel like I was in China and how she got her hearing back was pretty weird, plus I still don't get why or think it's fair that the painters we're praised and awarded more over the miners and servants. Kinda reminds me of our world, though.

Awesome concept, dull execution.

A Thousand Pieces of You

☆☆

Status: DNF

Type: Duology

Series: Firebird

Maguerite is the daughter of two famous brilliant scientists, who have invented a device named the Firebird that transports you between parallel universes. Everything is well, until Maguerite dad is murdered, allegedly by their assistant Paul. Now, Mauguerite, along with Theo-another assistant of theirs-have to take the Firebird and jump across dimensions to find Paul-who jumped across dimensions also-and kill him, to avenge her father's death. But when the truth comes out, it arises more questions than answers.


This book got boring to me. It was nice at first, until it became all about love, love, love. And don't even get started with the love triangle. It was just unnecessary. It's clear from the beginning that she likes Paul, Theo is just someone she flirts with. They don't like each other, they just flirt just because. She is also Mary Sue. Like at a club, all the boys were falling all over her. In one of her alternative universes, she's a Russian princess, everyone seems to favor her, even her AU father, Vladimir, over the other kids. Another thing, I feel like Paul is more stoic than shy and I'm was concerned how Mag was soo determined to just straight murder this guy, not thinking of the consequences. And I hate how she gets so hype about killing him but the moment he says "I didn't do it", she just believes him right away, with like, no evidence or anything. He could be lying for all she know. He could be a good actor and know how to hide it. Just like the Selection, this is a romance, not science fiction. You know, why couldn't this be about Maguerite and her sister, Josie? All in all, I may skip this one, read the sequel, and give the series a second chance. Stinkin' pretty covers!

Pros:
•The cover is pretty
•I like the whole jumping into alternate universes thing
•Maguerite is artsy and barely knows anything of science, unlike the rest of her family.

Cons:
•Dull
•All about romance
•I think Paul and Mag have sex, I dont know, I didn't get around to that part.

No favorite or least favorite characters

I rate A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray two out of five stars.

The Jewel

☆☆☆☆

Status: Finished

Type: Trilogy

Series: The Lone City

Violet Lasting is a surrogate for royalty in The Jewel, a place that “guarantees” honor and glory to the surrogates. After being bought by the Duchess of the Lake at The Auction, she realizes the Jewel is darker and dangerous than it's described to be. Now, she on a mission to escape the Jewel and save all the other surrogates.

I was skeptical of this book when I first read it, but now I like this book. The cover is sooooo pretty. It has a glitzy and glitter feel to it that reminds me of Keira Cass's The Selection. The way the royalty treat the surrogates is so crazy, they act like the surrogates are pets or experiments. It's literally like a competition to the royalty.
This book deserves way more recognition than it has.

PROS:
•I like the idea of The Auction and the Auguries, powers that allow the surrogates to change the shape, color, and growth of things.
•I also like Violet's loyalty to her tough best friend, Raven. I think that's the best part about the book to me, Violet's and Raven's friendship.
•I like Violet's love for her family. You can tell she loves each and every member of her family, dead or not.
•I like how unique the world is set up. The Lone City is shaped into an oval with five going from richest to poorest. Farm is my favorite.
•Forbidden love between Ash and Violet.

CONS:
•There also the cliché of forbidden love and insta-love in this book.
• Ash is kinda whiney and has a “woe is me” attitude.
•This book deserves way more recognition than it has.
•It can be a little slow paces at times.

Favorite Character: Raven

I like that she's tough and tries to defy the rules. Like I said, I love and adore her loyalty to Violet. I loved how reassured her when she was angry and comforted her about going into the Jewel.

Least Favorite Character: Countess of the Stone

Raven was her surrogate. She doesn't take care of Raven and instead uses her as an experiment. She is cruel and has something dark under her sleeve, and the worse part is that she's not working alone.


Overall, I rate The Jewel by Amy Ewing, four out of five hearts.

Matched

☆☆☆

Status: DNF

Type: Trilogy

Series: Matched

Cassia Ryes have always trusted The Society on everything, from what job she has, what she watches, and now, what guy she will call her husband for the rest of her life. At her Matching Banquet, it is revealed that her Match is none other than her best friend, Xander. Cassia receives her microcard with Xander's info on it, but when she tries to view it, the intro is cut short and presents another familiar face that is not Xander. This face is Ky, Cassia knows him and is falling for him. Now, she is conflicted between the two boys, her Match and best friend, Xander Carrow, or the mysterious and cool, Ky Markham. She also begins to question the true purpose of The Society.

I thought I would like this book when I first bought it, but it turned out I was wrong. The action is little to none and it just boring to me. On the bright side, the cover is very unique and I like how it symbolizes how trapped Cassia feels and the green dress she wearing is pretty. I don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it etheir.

Pros
•I like how The Society is set up. I like the way The Society controls everything from what they read, when they die, what job they have, what music they listen to, what activities are available and who they love.
•The idea of the pills. The Society gives everyone to carry three different colored pills with them. The green one calms people. The blue one provides nutrients. The red one erases memory. I thought the book covers colors of the series would correspond will the color of the pills.
•The Matching Banquet. I like the idea, it's cute.


Cons
•VERY WEAK AND ONE SIDED TRIANGLE. What's even worse than having a love triangle is having a weak and predictable one sided triangle. It was clear when they first met that she chooses Ky over Xander.
•Extremely slow paced. It takes forever to get from point A to point B.
•Like I said, little to no action. Barely anything happens, expect for bits and pieces, other than that, it's just Cassia obsessing over Ky. It makes the story a bit bland and boring.
•Characters are okay. I didn't fall in love them, but they're not bad. The boys are cliché though, especially with Ky being the cool, tough, mysterious guy.

Favorite Character: The Ryes Family

I like Cassia family, especially cute little Bram.

Least favorite Character(s): Everyone Else

Beside Cassia's family, everyone else I didn't really care for.


Overall, I rate Matched by Ally Condie, three out of five hearts.