Tag Archives: series

The One Book Review

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theone

Title: The One
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: Book #3 in the Selection series
Publisher: HarperTeen – an imprint of HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Genres: Young Adult – Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 323
Format: Purchased Hardcover

“The One” by Kiera Cass is the third book in the Selection series. It’s the conclusion to Maxon’s and America’s story and oh my, did I love it. Obviously since this is the third book there will be spoilers so if you haven’t read the first two books, or checked out my reviews for them here and here, please do.

Thirty-five girls entered the Selection in the hopes of winning Prince Maxon’s heart. Six girls were left. Only one can be crowned.

In this book I believe that America grew so much as a person and her character really shined throughout. She made sacrifices and lost a lot in this novel, but she always came out strong in the end with her head held high. I think that she really grew as a person in this book not only for those losses and sacrifices, but that she finally realized what she wanted, how strong her love for Maxon was, and just what she was willing to do not only for him, but for Illea as well.

Throughout this book America has to make tough decisions: can she send a practically innocent man to jail for the rest of his life? Can she fully give up her love for Aspen? Can she admit, not only to herself, but to Maxon that she loves him? Can she be the new princess of Illea?

In many ways the way the plot lead up to her making the decisions based on those situations definitely proved to show her character. Not only did we learn more about the Northerners and their support of a change in the way the government is run, but we got to learn that America’s love for the people and how well she relates to them goes. She spared a thief who committed a petty crime for his family his life in prison by giving away jewels that Maxon had given to her as a gift, as well as the necklace her father had given her. She took all of the king’s threats in stride, though they scared her whenever they were delivered, but she never backed down. She allowed some girl who was an Eight on the street to work in the palace, asking Maxon for permission for her to do so, and he allowed it.

Overall I think America did pretty well in this book and I am so happy for her.

Maxon grew, too, I think, though I was upset that if he loved America so much that I didn’t understand why he just couldn’t say it. If he had before and she had sooner, they could have been happier a lot earlier, but I get that he was conflicted and couldn’t really understand her feelings. Though he was kind of a jerk a few times, he overall impressed me with how mature he was and how much he had to go through. The beatings from his father, learning about that, was probably one of the hardest. I really shouldn’t be surprised, but I was when I read about it. I think it made him a better man, though, because he stood up against his father, never backing down. His character really showed in this book, as well, and I’m glad that he grew.

Aspen grew, too, and he grew away from America. Both of them did, actually, in their own way and time. I’m glad he found happiness in the end and that he was always the protector.

Now, as for the plot, I enjoyed it. There wasn’t as much drama, in terms of the relationships and everything, but there was drama via the attacks and destruction at the palace. We got to learn more about Celeste and I really came to like her in the end. In fact, all four of the remaining Elite I came to like in their own way. We got to learn more about the Northerners and how they operate, as well as their goals, and I thought that they were respectable and kind.

Everything sort of became intense, in a way, especially toward the end. I was so peeved at Maxon for not giving America time to explain certain situations, but after that I think he redeemed himself. There are a few things I wish had been in the book, and a few things I wished hadn’t happened, but overall I am pleased with this third installment. It didn’t disappoint.

Really, overall, I highly enjoyed this book. I was mad, sad, super happy, and overall I loved it.

I rate this book 5/5 stars and highly recommend it.

Overall, this trilogy (since it originally was a trilogy) gets a rating of 4.5/5 stars.

Accompanying video: The Selection Trilogy Book Review

Divergent Series Review + Movie Review

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Titles: Divergent; Insurgent; Allegiant; Four
Author: Veronica Roth
Series: Books 1-3 + Novella bind up of the Divergent series
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books – an imprint of HarperCollins
Publication Dates: April 25, 2011; May 1, 2012; October 22, 2013; July 8, 2014
Genres: Young Adult – Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 487; 525; 526; 208
Formats: Purchased Paperback + Hardcovers

Hello all! Today I’m going to be reviewing the Divergent series by Veronica Roth. I’ve already done the various videos about each book in depth, so if you want to take a look, I’ll link them at the bottom of each review section.

Just so you know, any review I do on this blog will be spoiler free unless otherwise stated. Sometimes my videos will include spoilers, so fair warning now!

divergentDivergent Review

I thought that this book was very enticing. I will admit that I did see the movie before I read the book, and though I’m not a fan of doing that, I was still able to make comparisons and pick out my favorite parts from both book and movie.

So, when I read Divergent I wasn’t sure what to expect when I had first heard of it. I thought the premise of the story was a good one, and when I started to read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a fun, epic adventure that follows the journey of a 16 year old girl named Tris as she leaves her faction behind to seek the thrilling life of her new faction. She meets some interesting people along the way who help mold her into the person she becomes, including Four, who is a mysterious, and oftentimes harsh, guy who is not only her initiation instructor, but someone Tris becomes very close to.

As the story progressed I was surprised with how much time was spent talking about the Dauntless training and the various things that happened in Dauntless. It’s not necessarily a bad thing at all, but it was different from the movie, in my opinion. I actually enjoyed the book more because of it and felt that I got a really good feel of what living in Dauntless would be like.

The antagonist of the book, Jeannine Matthews, is a good villain. She has a goal she wants to reach and will get rid of anyone standing in her way, literally, including the Divergent – people like Tris. Jeannine is manipulative and cunning, making for a good villain that you can’t help but be mad at.

And then there’s Eric. I don’t like him.

The book is well written and the content can pull you in. As Veronica Roth stated in a Q&A in the book, she wanted to create a character that would cause the plot to keep driving forward. I believe Tris did just that.

The story left off with a cliffhanger and there was definitely room for a sequel to come into the mix, which I will talk about… now.

I give this a 4.75/5 stars.

Corresponding video: Divergent Book & Movie Review

insurgentInsurgent Review

As far as sequels go, I wasn’t completely disappointed with Insurgent. Some sequels are often lack-luster and can leave the reader feeling like it was just filler and didn’t need to be there, but Roth did a good job in presenting a sequel that followed the story line and didn’t disappoint.

It starts off with Tris dealing with a lot of emotional damage after the last book and it makes for a tough beginning for her as she and some of her friends have to lie in hiding from Jeannine Matthews and those that follow her. Though this doesn’t work out and the group has to run for their lives, they still manage to escape Jeannine’s clutches – for now.

The premise of this book focuses mainly on how much Jeannine wants to get rid of the Divergent. There’s a big secret surrounding them that isn’t discovered until the end of the book, but leading up to it there is a lot more action, bloodshed, and loss, but also a lot more budding romance between Four and Tris.

I don’t want to give away too much, but I will tell you that I do recommend this book and I give it a 4.5/5 stars.

Corresponding video: Insurgent Review

allegiantAllegiant Review

The third installment in the Divergent series let me down a little. I was expecting a different story, a different ending, and though the ending itself was heart-wrenching, it still made for a good ending. The premise of the story, though, felt off for the series as a whole. Let me explain why.

The premise of this book was following Tris, Four, and various other members of different factions outside of the fence lines. The point of view of this book changes, though, and is told from both Tris’s view and Four’s view. It surprised me and I questioned why Roth did it that way, but as I continued reading it did make sense for the story itself.

But that’s where it started to fall short.

The main plot to this last book was about genetic damage and how a corporation outside of the fence, known as the Bureau, was conducting experiments and watching them the whole time from outside the city limits. Our main heroes discover what they were really up to and try to stop them.

Now, this book had a lot of potential. I think if this were written for a different series, a different set of characters, it would have worked. But it didn’t seem to flow as well as Insurgent had from Divergent in terms of plot. In terms of story line, there was a continuous flow that occurred.

I give this book a 3.5/5 stars, but if you’ve read the first two books, you may as well read this one, too.

Corresponding video: Allegiant Review

fourFour Review

This was a novella collection of the Divergent series told from Four’s perspective. I enjoyed the collection and it was a fast and easy read as it told about Tobias’s past and how he joined Dauntless, flew through the ranks, and discovered a few secrets.

There were a few major continuity issues, though, and the parts that were included that made it that way really didn’t need to be and it took away from his stories overall.

I give this novella collection a 4/5 stars.

Corresponding video: Four Review

Divergent Movie Review

As stated above, I saw the movie before I read the book, but when I did see it I was hooked from beginning to end. I was rooting for Tris, I was rooting for her relationship with Four, I was captivated by the world of it, and I wanted Jeannine Matthews to pay for what she did so bad. The action scenes were enticing, the script was good, and the acting was well done.

Yes, there was one cheesy line at the end that really didn’t need to be there. Yes, the actor who plays Four, Theo James, is obviously not 18, but that’s okay. Yes, it was different from the book in the end.

If they had stuck with the original premise of the book at the end, I think it would have made for a much better lead into the next movie, but it’s obviously too late to change that. Overall, this was a well done book-to-movie adaptation and I rate it 4/5 stars.

So, there you have it! A bunch of reviews in one giant post. I probably won’t do this again unless it’s another series that I finish, but I will try to keep up with this blog, as well as my vlog, and I hope you all enjoy it.

Corresponding video: Divergent Book & Movie Review