Books Everyone Loved (Excluding Me)

I saw this post on Reading Teen and thought it was brilliant idea, especially making me feel like 'Oh so I wasn't the ONLY one to not like Book A'. Everyone is intitled to their own opinion especially something so varied like books or movies or music. The times people have judged because of your opinion on a certain band or song is silly and I find it sometimes a bit flustering if someone asks what bands I like or what books or films in case they judge my choices (FYI: a guilty pleasure of mine is Take That...I quite enjoy their music...). 

Let me know if you agree (or disagree!) with any of my choices. Really, I want to hear...

You Against Me

Jenny Downham

After all the raving reviews I've seen, I'm starting to wonder if I was reading a completely different book. I had read Before I Die a few years before this one, not particularly understanding it as I was only about 13. So when I started this at age 16, I thought 'Yep, I'll understand this'. And I did. But I thought the book was quite tedious and boring. In my review, I was desperately trying to pull out some positives and probably sounding more positive about the book than I actually felt as a result. I still don't quite understand why people like this book. 

(Review)

Numbers 

Rachel Ward

I rarely stop reading a book however much I dislike it or find it boring. But sometimes it's just too much. And this is one of them. OH MY FRICKING GOSH JEM WAS THE MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER EVER. And seriously, the male protagonist that we're all supposed to fall for is defined by smelling really, really bad?! This book seemed a little confused to me, like it couldn't quite decide on a message or genre and in the end I just gave up. One of the worst books I've read to be honest.

(Review)

New Girl

Paige Harbison

As much as possible I try to be positive about the books I read, even if I didn't particularly like them or are on the fence in my opinion. Yet I think my review for New Girl was the harshest I've ever written but entirely my own opinion. I was actually horrified by this book, why did people like it when it was so awful? Why take an absolute classic book (this is based VERY loosely on Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier), take the plot and characters and then just wreck it to shreds. I really did not like this book. (Review)

Matched

Ally Condie

Okay, so I know a few people would agree with me but it has to be said. Why did the whole blogosphere bow and absorb Matched as one of the best YA dystopians, comparing to the likes of Divergent or The Hunger Games? Because it really wasn't that special. I thought it was mediocre and I must have enjoyed it even only a little bit as I read the subsequent sequels (which got better as the series continued). I just hated Cassia. And Ky (everyone apart from Xander really). I thought the concept, although original, was a little bit confusing and even now after finishing the series, I still don't quite understand it. It was an okay book, just really, really definitely not one of the best YA dystopians. (Review)

Reached - Ally Condie (#3)

**There may be some spoilers for those that have not read Matched (review) or Crossed (review)**

With dystopian being a genre that I enjoy, this series was one exception that I wasn't crazy about, as many others I think would agree. I found Matched too slow paced and boring and then, Crossed was a tad better but still not as good in my opinion. So in reading Reached, I was literally only doing so to find out what would happen in the end, to satisfy my curiosity about why all the things in the first two books happened.
I wasn't one of those counting down the days until its released, although I was aware after a customer at work pre-ordered it telling me 'it was the best series she'd ever come across' (I'd also like to point out she was wearing a Twilight t-shirt). When I went into my local library and, like the other two books in this series, found this in the Teen section, I decided to pick it up even if I was expecting not to like it at all.

Synopsis: After leaving the Society and going into the Carving to find the Rising, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, in order to make a difference and stop the controlling Society. However, the two of them, and their friend Xander are apart from one another; Cassia is an undercover sorter in Central, Ky a pilot for the Rising with Indie and Xander is a medic, dealing with the increasing sick in the Society. They all wait and wait for the Rising to happen and then one day, all too soon, it begins.

Review: To say the least, I wasn't much at all from this novel. I disliked the last two books in the series so it's fair to say that I didn't think the last book would pick up. On starting this mammoth book, I knew this was going to take a long, long time to struggle through to find out the resolution for Cassia, Ky and Xander.

However, on starting the novel and after the first few chapters, especially when things started kicking off, I was becoming more and more engrossed in the story, I was starting to feel for the main characters and feel myself quicken the pace I was reading because I needed to know what happened in the end. It was a little bewildering really.
But it's true that after the disappointment of Matched and the boring parts of Crossed, that I came out of this series enjoying the last chapter where in my opinion, Ally Condie really picked her game up and writes some thrilling, beautiful stuff.

Differently to the last two books, this novel has alternating chapters from Xander, Cassia and Ky's point of view from their different locations within the Society. I thought this might make the writing confusing and that I wouldn't be able to realise who was narrating in a certain chapter but actually, I have to admit Condie did this incredibly well, keeping the pace and writing going yet not making the narration confusing and giving each character a personal touch. I remembered the cliff-hanger chapters, I knew who was talking from reading the first sentence of the chapter and overall, made reading this book a lovely experience.

In Matched and Crossed, I had a mediocre response to Cassia. I liked her take on life and her narration but her personality just wasn't interesting. In Reached, although I think Cassia is incredibly brave and strong, worthy of being the main protagonist, she still wasn't my favourite narrator. That job came to Xander who I was so pleased to find out had a part in this novel. In the last two books, he comes out as a bit of a background character who appears every so often so it was nice to have Xander the whole way through this book. He is the best character.
Being the male protagonist means that I should like Ky. But in the last two books, I really did not like him. He was annoying, did silly things and at times, did not seem like he cared for Cassia. Also, there was Xander and he was lovely. Yet in Reached, I started to really enjoy Ky as a character partly I think because of his maturation that has progressed in the trilogy. He is very level-headed, sensible really and it is clear he wants to do the best thing for Cassia. I ended up really liking his sensible approach as a character and felt for him when he keeps gaining and losing Cassia throughout. It was nice to end the series liking all the characters, especially Ky compared to in Matched.

Now. The writing and plot. Oh my, this book is epic! I didn't expect the main event to happen so early in the novel and Condie leaves you wondering what is going to happen for the read of the 500 page book which I liked. Although I anticipated the end, the main chuck of the story were totally unexpected as well as the secrets and mysteries revealed in this conclusion to the trilogy. Condie just keeps adding and adding to the drama and intensity of this book until the end to leave with, what I felt, was a satisfying end. The end ties up all the loose ends well and leaves a good picture of life for Cassia, Ky and Xander after closing the book.

The ending was well done although in some issues, I was left a little deflated, like 'Oh that's it?'. As I saw in one Goodreads review, the plot and end of this novel is fast-paced, jumpy and full of tension. Yet it's simple and pretty easy to follow, especially with all the sciencey stuff about The Plague (oh yeah that happens too...). Overall, I surprising enjoyed this book as I hope I've outlined. I understand a lot of readers like me disliked Matched and/or Crossed and are probably dubious about Reached then. My advice? Keep on reading, they only get progressively better throughout the trilogy to a lovely end for Cassia, Ky and of course, Xander. By far the best book in the Matched series.

I give this a 4 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.allysoncondie.com/
Pages: 512
Publisher: Penguin
Challenges: None

Related Posts: 
Book #1: Matched
Book #2: Crossed

Crossed - Ally Condie (#2)

*There may be some spoilers in this review for those who have not read Matched. To go to the first book in the series, click here*

Also, this is a really rubbish review because I wasn't entirely sure on what I thought of this book.

Last year I read the first one in this series, Matched (review can be seen here). The first book was good, but merely just good. I felt although I did enjoy the book and thought the plot and writing was good, but there was something missing about the book which made me not rave this book or enjoy this completely. So needless to say, I was not rushing to the nearest book shop when the sequel came out last year. However, when I was in the library the other day bringing a book back, I glanced in the Teen section (quickly as I was on my break) and noticed this - so I picked it up. I was intrigued to find out what happened next...

Synopsis: Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky--taken by the Society to his sure death--only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of a rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices every thing to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again. 

Review: So needless to say, I did not have high hopes for this book. Like I said in the Matched review, I would only be reading the sequel to simply find out some of the secrets in the first book and to see what happens next. 
Throwing myself into this book with low expectations, actually I think made me enjoy this book much more than Matched. I have read tons of reviews where people slate off the book, saying nothing happened, too much poetic language, more action, no Xander. 

I loved those parts and for pete's sake - so much happens that affects the future for both Cassia and Ky. The relationships, ideas and beliefs are very different by the end and we get any idea of the world outside of the Society in the Outer Provinces. I liked this change of setting and gave a nicer idea of the whole world that Cassia and Ky live in. 

The characters themselves were much more established and more engaging this time round. Yes, Cassia is portrayed weaker at times throughout this book, but honestly, I think here she is shown quite strong especially the dangerous and passionate thing she has to do - I know it would have been a hard thing personally for me to do. 
I hated Ky immensely in Matched. I loved the relationship of Cassia and Xander so when Ky intervened, I just did not like him. In this book, there were times where he made stupid mistakes that impact on his relationship with Cassia and I just thought that he could easily have prevented these and it would be easier for him just to tell her. SO MUCH EASIER.
Xander is hardly featured in this book - in fact, only in one scene early on. He was as lovely as usual - I guess it's because he's supposed to be perfect but Cassia, girl, I would go for him so much more than Ky. However, for all those Xanders-lovers (like me), some things are hinted at that I think may ruin the image of Xander for me, anyway. 
We also had some lovely new characters - Eli and Vick. Plus some odd ones where I can see mixed judgements like Indie.

The writing IS much more poetic here, but for me, it didn't bother me too much. HERE I AM SAYING I LIKED THE POETRY. I HATE POETRY NORMALLY. Therefore, I think those 'whiners' (I use that word lightly) that do love poetry can live with the poetry in this book. Yes, it is different to Matched lyrical wise, but it's hardly a radical change. The thing I don't understand is that novels such as Wither by Lauren DeStefano was raved by bloggers for her lyrical language - and yes, it was very nice. However, there were no horrible, rather rude reviews actually, slating the poetic language. The idea of the Rising is based around poetry and the events fit with that. In both of these books, it worked just in different ways. 

The book is very different to Matched so for those that absolutely loved the first book in the series, this isn't going to be the most enjoyable read I think. But for those that had mediocre thoughts on Matched like me, then, this is a sufferable novel that you may actually enjoy this more such as I. 
Those that are saying nothing happens - ignore them completely. There is much suspense, intriguing scenes and many many secrets both solved and created through this beautiful, sparkling narrative. 
Despite my linkness for this book compared to Matched, the ending was again not that fantastic. For me, it kind of just suddenly ended like Ally Condie just didn't know what to write next. I think ended in the right setting and situation but overall, it just was quite abrupt for me. 
Again, I had the problem once again that there was something really missing throughout the whole book - I enjoyed it partly from the things I have mentioned but I would not commit myself to say I absolutely loved it. Some of the reviews around have been way too harsh, judging this sequel on the both positive and negative thoughts on Matched. This was a more enjoyable read than Matched but nothing for me, too special. I'm definitely picking up the next book however, to see what happens once and for all.  
Verdict: Read Matched first before this one if you're intrigued. There is a lot of mention to past events that I had a struggle to remember. 

I give it a 3.5 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.allysoncondie.com/
Pages: 367
Publisher: Dutton
Challenges: None 

Related Posts:
Book #1: Matched
Book #3: Reached

Matched - Ally Condie

So I'm rushing around my local library frantically trying to find The Legacy by Gemma Malley WHICH I AM SO DESPERATE TO READ. And the library computer says 'Check Shelf'. SO WHERE IS IT?
I ask one of the librarians, who takes one look at my school uniform (this was after school) and decides that the book I'm looking for is about vampires and points at a display of them. Why do all people think teens only read about vampires? oh yeah. Twilight. Grr.
   So anyway. I wander over there and don't find it. I find this one though next to it in the display for 'New In'. I've seen some reviews for it on the blogosphere and it's on my 'to-read' list on Goodreads. So I thought I'd pick it up.
I never found The Legacy :(


Imagine a society where Officals decide who you will love and marry. How many children you have. Where you work. When you die. It's enough to make you rebel, feel isolated, controlled and watched where ever you are. Want to make your own choices. For seventeen-year-old Cassia, this is her life.


Cover: I like the cover. It's simple and interesting and very different. Although, I have no idea how the girl in the bubble has anything to do with the story. Green is repeated throughout but, this isn't obvious.

The synopsis is short because I will give too much away otherwise. The book goes straight into the action and continues from there. Whether this is a good thing, I'm yet to decide.
When I finished this book this morning, it felt like...nothing had really happened. Throughout the book you're getting nearer and nearer the end and you're waiting for that big, shocking event but really, it never happens.
However, afterwards when you think of what happened, so much does and some, you enjoy, some, you don't. From the middle to the end, it is very flat and this is of course where the main things happen. I'm just not sure.

  The writing and characters, on the other hand, were really well done. Ally Condie writes some beautiful stuff especially when Cassia goes hiking on the hills. Cassia, overall, was great. She had her moments where I was sitting there thinking 'What is she doing?' but mostly I liked her and her take on life. Her final choice at the end is obvious and so cliche. But, it fitted with the rest of the book and I would say the rest of the series. It gives you and her, hope.
Xander. Oh my. If he was real, he WOULD be my best friend. He is just so lovely and understanding. A little obsessive with the games perhaps but nonetheless, I love him as a character. He wasn't actually in the story that much but I liked that. I wanted him to come back in the story and then he would. Oh I love him!
Ky. He annoyed me. I have no idea why. But he did. One thing I don't understand is one of the napkins about the death. (if you've read the book, you'll understand what I'm saying) - I didn't get how and who did it. That might be the point though. I guess I just prefered Xander.

Overall, this book has some great characters and is writing so lovely. The ending was a little bit of a let down to the rest of the book but I still enjoyed it. It was different to what I expected but somehow, I enjoyed it still. Especially the mentions to present day, now e.g. Wedgewood plates. It's one of these books which could come true. Our lives could be like that in the future - controlled and where freedom of speech is seen as not necessary. It seriously does make you think.
I shall be probably read the next in the series, Crossed, which is being released later this year - if only to know what happens next.

I give this book a 4 out of 5

Author's Website: http://www.allysoncondie.com/

Related Posts: 
Book #2: Crossed
Book #3: Reached