Book Review: An Abundance of Katherines

 

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

After winning a game show for "Smart Kids", former child prodigy Colin Singleton (who has dated and been dumped by nineteen girls named Katherine throughout his 18 years of  life) and his best friend embark on a road trip with Colin's game show winnings.

Although this is an award-winning book, I'm really torn between liking it and disliking it. I really like John Green's writing style, and the story itself is, for the most part, entertaining and well rounded. But Colin is so whiny, and actually really annoying, especially with his anagramming everything, and trying to predict how long a relationship will last through a math theorem, that it's hard to get through at times.

I give this book a C+.

If you liked this book (or even if you didn't), I definitely recommend The Fault in Our Stars, also by John Green. It is a great book.

Book Review: Shatter Me

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Since birth, Juliette's touch has been lethal. After accidentally killing an innocent child while trying to save him, she in institutionalized by her parents. But when the new government, called the Reestablishment, find out about her, and want to use her as a weapon, it takes all she has to break free and fight back.

This is another one of those young adult dystopian series that have become so popular lately. It took a while to get used to Tahereh Mafi's unusual writing style, and although it's not in the same caliber as The Hunger Games or Divergent, it was still quite an enjoyable read with characters you connect to, and root for throughout the book.

I give Shatter Me a B-.

If you enjoyed this one, I suggest reading the next two books in this series, Unravel Me (#2) and Ignite Me (#3).

Book Review: Divergent

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Beatrice “Tris” Prior lives in dystopian Chicago, where, at the age of 16, children have to choose which of the five factions, or societies based on specific virtues,  they will remain a part of for the rest of their lives. Tris shocks her family by leaving her home in Abnegation, known for selflessness, for the brave and sometimes reckless ways of life in Dauntless. There she is pushed to her limits, finds a possible romance, and discovers a secret that could put her and many others in danger.

Being a huge fan of The Hunger Games, this book was right up my alley! I really enjoyed the story, even if it was a bit predictable. With Spring Break right around the corner, I recommend Divergent if you’re looking for something adventurous, yet quick to read.

I give this a B+.

If you liked this book, I suggest the sequel, Insurgent. The third book, Allegiant, is also out now, but I can honestly say it ticked me off like you wouldn't believe! My husband even said he wished Veronica Roth had never even written it. Not that it wasn't good, just not the direction I would have gone with the story.

Also the movie version of Divergent comes out in theaters next week (3/21). I'll be reviewing at after I see it with my book club, so stay tuned for THAT one, since we ALL know the movie is never as good as the book, and they'll probably completely botch this one...

Book Review: Paranormalcy, Supernaturally, Endlessly (A Trilogy)

Book One

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Evie is a very normal teenage girl. She just happens to be able to see through paranormals (Faeries, vampires, werewolves, etc.) "glamours" to the real monsters underneath, and she works for an agency that tracks these paranormals.

Book Two
 

 Okay, so these books are definitely geared toward the 16-year-old crowd. But I loved them. So much so, that I ran right out to the library for the second (and third) book in the series as soon as I finished the first. I like that Evie isn't the typical brooding teen girl (she's sort of an anti-Bella Swan, if you will.) She likes pink. She likes boys. She likes shopping. And she kicks butt.




Book Three

I give this whole series (Paranormalcy, Supernaturally, and Endlessly) a B+.

If you liked this book/series, check out Mind Games, also by Kiersten White,  who happens to be a San Diego County native.

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

After witnessing the gruesome death of his grandfather, 16 year old Jacob seems to be having a mental breakdown. His father takes him to the remote island his grandfather was from to help him cope, and while there Jacob discovers that his grandfather's seemingly tall tales of monsters and orphans with special gifts might actually be true.

Although the storytelling is a little slow at times, once you get into this book it's fantastic. I loved the X-Men quality to some of the characters, and I'm a sucker for time travel and mysteries, so this was just my cup of tea. And all the creepy photographs  throughout the book (which Ransom Riggs based the whole story around) are fascinating!

I give this one a B.

If you enjoy this book, Riggs just released the sequel called Hollow City. And if you liked the photography, he has another book full of the pictures he's collected called "Talking Pictures".