September- October readings

I haven't updated my reading reviews for around a month, my last one being 'From Page to Screen: Divergent"  And since then, I have read quite a few books. One of which is the second book of Veronica Roth's series, 'Insurgent:'
I thought it was a gripping read. I personally prefer the first book, enjoying the process of the initiation and the tests that Tris had to face, whereas this book has extended to outside the Dauntless compound and is about the whole of society living in revolt and unrest. The storyline is unpredictable, which is fantastic as you can't put the book down because you really want to know what is going to happen. There are twists and turns in the plot with so many surprises along the way. Tris is recovering from the traumatic events that occurred in 'Divergent' which I won't go into in case you haven't read the first book, but Roth's writing is engaging and you really get to understand Tris's mentality and see her situation through her eyes. Anyone who loves dystopian novels would love the series, and even though I am not as much of a big fan of this genre, I loved reading both of the books and am looking forward to reading the last instalment, 'Allegiant.' 


8/10

The Maze Runner:
I heard a lot about James Dashner's first book in the series, probably because of the movie that just came out. I was originally thinking of reading the book then watching the movie and then compare, however, because I just bought my iPod after saving up for a few months, I didn't get to see the movie, which I am interested in seeing so I'll wait until I can borrow it from the library. But in the meantime, I think I was so enthusiastic about the 'Divergent' series, that I thought I had entered a dystopian novel phase, but turns out I was wrong, because I didn't really enjoy 'The Maze Runner.' I think the book is well written and the concept is intriguing and I can appreciate it for what it is, however I just don't think it was the kind of book for me.The protagonist, Thomas, wakes up in this place called the Glade, with no memory of who he is or why he has woken up in this place that is home to boys who woke up the same as him. Surrounding the Glade is a maze, where 'runners' try to map out each day to find a way out before the doors close for the night.


Outside in the maze are horrific creatures called Grievers that can inject you that causes you to go through 'the change,' which means that the victim remembers snippets of their life before waking up. Thomas is different from the others, but we don't know why, and things start to change in the maze when he shows up, for one thing, a girl appears...

6/10

Last Sacrifice
I have now completed the entire 'Vampire Academy' series, reading the final book, 'Last Sacrifice' in three days because I just couldn't put it down (it has 594 pages). The previous book finished on a cliff hanger, so as soon as the next book came in, I started reading and I didn't stop. It is always sad when you finish reading a series that you have really loved, but it is also such a satisfying feeling. I was not disappointed with the proceedings of the novel and I certainly thought it was a good way of concluding the story. I don't want to say too much, but just encourage urban-fantasy-romance lovers to read Richelle Mead's series if you haven't done so, because it is an enjoyable, easy read with so much action and interaction with loveable characters.

9/10


Breakable
One of my favourite novels is 'Easy' by Tammara Webber. I love it so much because it is so intense and the relationship and interaction, which is so fragile, between the two main characters is just a beautiful thing to read. 'Easy' and it's companion book 'Breakable' are romance novels, that is about the same events, however 'Easy' is written through the eyes of Jacqueline, whose long term boyfriend has broken up with her even after following him to the same university to study, which results to her failing one of her classes, where she seeks the help via email from the student tutor, Landon. Amongst this, she gets assaulted by another student, but she is saved just in time by the dark and mysterious Lucas, and from that a relationship forms. 'Breakable' is written in Lucus's point of view of the same events while also having flash backs of his past, which allows the reader to understand how he got to where he was when meeting Jacqueline. I loved 'Breakable' so much! Both are just such a pleasure to read.

9/10

Life in outer space
It is always exciting reading a book set in your own city, especially when the book is exceptionally cute. Yes, it is stereotypical, about a nerdy guy who is used to his nerd-like routine until the new 'dream-like' girl comes to his high school and befriends his entire friendship group and he grows feelings towards her. They become such close friends: sharing movies, video-games, music and never running out of things to talk about; it is a book about friendship of the most beautiful kind. There are moments when reading this book when you are so overwhelmed by the utter cuteness, that your eyes do fill up a bit with happy tears. It is a nice book to allow you take a break from studying and just relax into the storyline, perfect for this time of year (if you are in the southern hemisphere) when the uni work load is taking it's toll.

8/10


Eleanor and Park
Another book that has such cute moments, is Rainbow Rowell's novel 'Eleanor and Park.' One of my wonderful friends told me about this book and let me borrow her copy because she said it was a must read, and I'm so glad I did, because I enjoyed every minute of reading it, and there were times when I had to message her saying which part I was up to and how beautiful that scene was. After finishing the book, we met up and had a full on discussion about this novel, and we agreed that Rowell's writing is so realistic, that you can really believe the relationship between the two protagonists. Written in the third person, the point of view switches back and forth from the girl, Eleanor and the boy, Park. Eleanor is the new girl at school with the frizzy red hair, and by chance,  sits next to the comic-reading Park, on the bus. They don't talk, but when Park notices Eleanor reading over his shoulder, he opens up his comic so she can read too (so cute!) and it goes from there. Eleanor doesn't have an easy life and Park is willing to be there for her and I just couldn't stop reading.

8/10