science fiction

Book Review: Divergent

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Divergent
Book #1
by Veronica Roth

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: YA dystopian

Set in a fairly nebulous, dystopian Chicago, the people have split into 5 factions, each prizing a different character trait as most important—selflessness, bravery, intelligence, peacefulness, and honesty. Upon turning 16, each person must choose between staying in the faction in which they were raised or choosing a different one, leaving their family behind. Beatrice Prior has a difficult decision before her, which is made all the more complicated when she discovers that she is Divergent, which means she is suited to more than one faction. But she’s told that this information is dangerous, so she keeps it to herself as long as she can. Unfortunately, it makes her stand out more than she’d like.

My first reaction to this book is that the world Roth has built doesn’t really seem realistic to me: in a a war-torn world of the past, the people picked a character trait, like aggression or duplicity, that they thought was the biggest reason for all the bad and decided to focus on being the opposite of that trait, forming five separate factions. It seems like a pretty silly way to try to avoid war, and it made me scratch my head to start the world building on this foundation. However, that is the foundation, so I figured that I just needed to accept that to be able to move on and enjoy the story for what it is. Past that sketchy start, it was a lot easier to believe that what started with good intentions could devolve to something much less good, because, well…people aren’t good. Don’t let anyone tell you different—on our own (meaning without God), we aren’t truly good. So discovering as the plot unfolds that at least one of the factions has been corrupted to be less of a pursuit of that faction’s trait and more of a pursuit of power is not surprising.

I had to go through a similar self-explanation and acceptance of the Divergent factor, which I took to be a kind of commentary on conformity and control and an “us vs. them” mindset. There were some unnecessary plot elements and a bit more focus on the physical in the relationship that builds throughout, but outside of that, I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way. The melding of different childhood factions during initiation is intriguing and some of characters are complex and well-crafted. The climax was not at all what I was expecting, and in some ways, I wish it had gone a different direction. But in the end, I’m glad I read the book and look forward to seeing where the story goes. (I also would really like to know what on earth is going on in the world outside of Chicago? Will that come up later in the series? I hope so!)

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Book Review: The Final Spark

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The Final Spark
Michael Vey #7
by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 2 / 5
Genre: YA sci-fi adventure

Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the previous books in the series, starting with The Prisoner of Cell 25.

After Michael’s sacrifice, the rest of the Electroclan tries to go on without him. Hatch and the surviving Elgen are still a threat to the world and need to be stopped.

I was so disappointed in this book. Evans built Hatch up to be just about the most sadistic bad guy in history, which is something that’s bothered me about the series, yet I was still looking forward to the downfall of him and his people. I had my ups and downs with the series up to this point, intrigued by the plot while actually not being a fan of the writing and characters, but as I came to what was meant to be the final book in the series at the time it was written, and certainly still the wrap-up to the books-long plot, it’s not a stretch to say I was looking forward to seeing some Elgen butt being kicked by some electric teens. But that is not what I got. Instead, the electric teens are sidelined (yet again), there’s lots of military strategy filler from characters we just met in the previous book as well as some brand new characters (who are all just about as sadistic as Hatch himself), and there’s even suddenly supernatural abilities from characters that aren’t electric or teens. The two “nonels” in the Electroclan, Ostin and Jack, get a chance to bond in this book, which is probably the only good thing that came out of it.

It’s pretty safe to say that no reader is going to go into this book believing Michael to be dead (sorry if that’s a spoiler), but Evans still could have done something less predictable to bring him back than what he did. Michael is barely even in this book and only shows up to be one of the most boring, lazy tropes in writing. And murder lots of people who aren’t even Elgen, who are just following orders. And not even bat an eye or feel bad about it later. The ending was not just unsatisfying, it was completely saccharine and unrealistic, not to mention leaving us without any wrap-up for several plots and characters. I would echo comments from other reviews that I’ve read that say it seems like Evans was bored with the series by this point and just wanted to get it through it without much thought, except that 5 years after this book came out, he started the series back up! And you know what the worst part is? I know I’m going to read the newer books. I don’t know why, but I just can’t seem to help myself with this series—I know it has major flaws, and I have a hard time deciding whether or not I’d really recommend this series (it’s ridiculously brutal for the age group it’s meant for and way too angsty for adults), yet I can’t seem to help but want to see where it goes.

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Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
The Hunger Games prequel
by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: YA dystopian

Spoiler notice: The following review will contain some spoilers for The Hunger Games trilogy.

This is the kind of book that is difficult to rate and review, because it is a book that is meant to be at least somewhat disturbing, as we follow a major villain’s descent into the dark. I’m not normally one who’s interested in a villain’s origin story, and it was no different with President Snow, especially after reading the part in The Mockingjay about his ever-present floral fragrance covering up his rotting mouth. It made my disgust more literal. But I decided to read this book to finish out the series; it just felt like something would be missing if I didn’t. Keep in mind, though, as you read the rest of this review, that I only read The Hunger Games trilogy for the first time pretty recently. That almost definitely makes my view of this prequel different in some ways from those who’ve known and loved the series for a long time.

Through parts 1 and 2, I was invested in the story. I think Collins did a good job giving us a somewhat sympathetic protagonist who feels trapped by circumstances. And he’s really as manipulated in some ways as Katniss is in her story. I’m not sure I ever fully understood what gives Dr. Gaul so much power, but she’s Snow’s own version of himself to Katniss in some ways. The main difference, though, is that Snow actually does begin to see things from Gaul’s point of view, which is part of the indication that he’s beginning to lose his grip on morality. This book’s Hunger Games and the lead-up to them, while being totally primitive compared to those in the main series, provide a compelling backdrop to Snow’s beginning steps toward depravity—the deception, the cheating, his first kill—things that he can rationalize at first.

Part 3 took a large turn that involved a fairly steep drop-off in action and interest for me, but the psychology of the villain’s slide was still there. And while it looks like things could actually go well for Snow, of course we know it can’t end happily, because we know who he becomes later, and it’s not this family man he envisions himself becoming. In truth, I don’t think he ever had the capacity for a normal, happy life. I’ve read several reviews that say his downturn happened suddenly at the end, but I would maintain that those people weren’t paying close enough attention during the rest of it. Snow makes many decisions that he justifies as being out of love—for his family, for his tribute—but really, the most important decisions he makes are only for himself, for family pride, to maintain his standing in society, however you want to spin it, it’s all selfishness. I do think he cares about his cousin and loved his mom. But even his cousin he puts one over on in the end for his own selfish gain. Yes, there’s a turning point at the end of the book where he makes a more deliberate choice, but I can see the rest of the book pointing right to it.

So that’s why my rating is 4 stars. And when I re-read this series in the future, which I definitely will, maybe even soon, I will probably not always finish with this book, but I will read it again at some point, I’m sure. I don’t know that I ever felt the need to know what made President Snow the monster he is in the original trilogy, but I still really appreciated this book. It’s quite polarizing, though, so if you’re wondering whether you should read it or not…that’s up to you.

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Book Review: Dragon and Soldier

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Dragon and Soldier
Dragonback #2
by Timothy Zahn

My rating: 4.5 / 5
Genre: YA sci-fi adventure

In an attempt to help Draycos, the dragon-like symbiont that uses him for a host, track down who killed his people, Jack enlists as an indentured soldier for a mercenary group. After meager training, he’s placed into a perilous situation, along with other soldier children, and must stay alive while also trying to find the information Draycos needs.

The unlikely duo of the boy trying to overcome his con-artist upbringing and the noble poet-warrior of a morally superior race is one of my favorite things about this series so far. But the plot in this book, though I didn’t think I’d care much for the soldier aspect, was also intriguing. When it became evident that there was more going on than met the eye, I speculated about what might be going on. In the end, it might not have been quite as exciting as I expected, but there were a couple of revelations that still made for a great ending and left me with a desire to read more.

I appreciate Zahn’s writing style worldbuilding, maybe more so because it’s meant for teens, so it’s not too dry or serious. The overarching story set up in the first book and continuing in this one definitely makes me want to know what’s going on. I look forward to continuing this series!

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Book Review: Fall of Hades

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Fall of Hades
Michael Vey #6
by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: YA sci-fi adventure

Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the previous books in the series, starting with The Prisoner of Cell 25.

Along the way to trying to cripple Hatch and the Elgen’s, Michael Vey and most of the rest of the Electroclan are sent on not one, but two rescue missions.

I am absolutely baffled by my own reaction to this book, and to a greater degree, to this series. I struggle so much with some of the writing—the teen drama, the dialogue, the over-attention to food details, and the overabundance of facts that we’re supposed to believe are all in one kid’s head—and yet, I generally have enjoyed the series and want to know what’s going to happen in the next (but no longer final) installment. I do appreciate that this book has more forward motion than the previous, and it also has a killer ending. 

On the other hand, how on earth has Hatch not already been overthrown by his people when he leads like he does? He basically “makes an example” of everyone who looks at him the wrong way. I’m not sure it would be as easy as it’s portrayed here to keep the loyalty of as many subordinates as Hatch does. But I’ve said since book #2 that Evans has made his villain so over-the-top evil that it’s a little disturbing, and that hasn’t lessened…only worsened, really. On top of that, these “good guy” kids are starting to get way too cavalier about killing anyone that does them wrong in the slightest bit, which bugs me a little, especially in a YA series. There’s also an over-abundance of random thug-type characters (gang members, elk hunters) that are way too quick to jump to violence and even murder as well. 

I think that what I’m realizing is that I’m just not a fan of Evans’s writing, and I will most likely never re-read this series, yet there is enough intrigue in the overall plot that I want to see it through. So that’s something, even though I usually have more complaints than compliments. And though this review may not seem like a 4-star review, I felt like even 3.5 was just too low for what I thought of the book in the end. It’s the highest rated book in the series, which I suspect has something to do with the ending.

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Book Review: Storm of Lightning

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Storm of Lightning
Michael Vey #5
by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 3 / 5
Genre: YA sci-fi adventure

Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the previous books in the series, starting with The Prisoner of Cell 25.

Michael Vey and most of the rest of the Electroclan are faced with the loss of the rest of the resistance and, for some of them, members of their own family. While they try to find some answers, Hatch goes forward with the plan that the sinking of the Ampere only delayed, rather than stopping.

This isn’t the first book in this series to feel full of filler, but it is the one that seems to be most full of filler. There’s not really any one main quest, even the kind that doesn’t get started until far into the book. I suppose technically going back to help Taylor’s parents can be seen as the quest of the book, but it’s not set up until well into the book, so until then, all we get is Michael and the gang trying to get answers or get to safety. And they’re mostly led around by other people. The only powers that are really used are when Michael is (yet again) stupid and draws attention to himself. Add to that the wholly unnecessary format that Evans uses, which he’s probably always done but is just a lot more noticeable now, of starting a new “part” every time there’s a new perspective to show, and this book doesn’t really feel like action—it’s more like one long rest hold.

Other things in this book that would have been minor points if the rest of the book had been more interesting became bigger distractions. For example, why wouldn’t Quentin’s power that is basically an EMP knock out the locator beacon he’s been implanted with? How does he even have a phone that works? Since the first resistance base was kept super secret, yet Michael managed to reveal its location to the bad guys, why on earth do they tell him the name and location of the next one? And how are we supposed to take Hatch seriously as a super powerful (if not over-the-top) bad guy when one of his favorite methods of punishment is to lock his enemy in a cage with monkeys? I don’t really have a problem with the cliffhanger at the end, though the way it was written was maybe a bit unnatural-sounding. I’m still interested in the series, but while a filler episode in a TV show can sometimes be excused (especially if it’s enjoyable in its own right), my investment in a nearly 300-page book leaves me much more dissatisfied with filler (plus, it wasn’t particularly enjoyable in its own right). Though if you’re reading the series, you probably shouldn’t skip it, unless you find a recap somewhere that gives spoilers.

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Book Review: Mockingjay

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Mockingjay
The Hunger Games #3
by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: YA dystopian

If I were rating this book by just the story, I’d give it 5 stars like I did the previous books in the series. But the gratuitous violence and death that I feared when I started reading the first book came in full force in this book. Much more death and much grislier deaths than necessary were spread throughout the latter portions of this book, but especially in part 3. And the pods, though of course they had already been in the first two books, but to a much smaller degree, reminded me a lot of the bizarre methods of attack in The Maze Runner series—over the top and completely unnecessary.

The story itself, including the ending, though, I liked. I can understand why some people didn’t, but I totally got it. I always knew this wasn’t going to end in rainbows and sunshine for Katniss after all the horrors she’d been through and the terrible things she’d been forced to do. Her PTSD would have to be more extreme than anything most of us can imagine, which is exactly what I saw in her in those last chapters. Add to that the fact that she still wasn’t really free, and it’s really no wonder she had no real fight left in her. I was still hooked, reading it as often as I could come back to it, which has not been as common for me in recent months, so that must say something.

I still think it’s funny that I was adamant I’d never read this series, yet I ended up loving it. I haven’t watched the movies yet…I suppose I will try to get to that soon. I am already looking forward to reading the series again though.

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Book Review: Dragon and Thief

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Dragon and Thief
Dragonback #1
by Timothy Zahn

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: YA sci-fi adventure

On the run for a crime he didn’t commit, Jack Morgan comes across a dragon-like creature that can only survive 6 hours without being able to attach himself to a host—and Jack is the only suitable host nearby. Draycos is the sole survivor of a battle that destroyed 3 ships on their way to scout a planet to relocate an entire civilization. While destruction looms for Draycos’s people, he can’t go anywhere without Jack, and Jack can’t go anywhere without the threat of capture hanging over him. So together, they will work to clear Jack’s name, so that Draycos can try to stop the menace that wants to wipe out the rest of his people.

I was not entirely certain that this was the kind of book I’d like, as sci-fi this heavy and the space opera genre have not held a lot of interest for me in general. But this book caught my interest early on, once I got past the really confusing drop right into the middle of the world building, and I enjoyed it all the way through. Draycos and Jack make a compelling hero/anti-hero combo, and then you throw in the morally questionable Uncle Virge (though he isn’t around as much), and it’s quite a cast. I think that the book being meant for teens, which some people say made it too simple for them, might be the reason that I was able to get into it. The complexities of epic sci-fi and fantasy usually end up leaving me lost and bored. Though some of the descriptions of Draycos’s extra-dimensionalness did go over my head, I’m definitely the right kind of audience for this book, even as an adult. Being a book for teens and fairly short, only one plot line was wrapped up in this book, but I don’t mind that, as I’m happy to continue the series. 

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Book Review: Catching Fire

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Catching Fire
The Hunger Games #2
by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 / 5
Genre: YA dystopian

I did not know where this was going to go at all. At times, it seemed like not much was happening, which is a huge difference from the action in the first book. I don’t need all that action, though, and especially the violence, and the tension surrounding the aftermath of Katniss’s actions in the games was enough to keep me going. In case we forgot how much control the Capitol has, we’re reminded in the way Katniss is controlled through threats to her loved ones. 

This series so far has a different kind of a take on a love triangle. Katniss doesn’t even really have much in the way of control over her own love life, and it brings home the reasons she had for not ever wanting to have a family. Even that decision will be out of her hands, if President Snow has anything to say about it. He’s not happy, but I did not expect the way he would take it out on her. When the story takes its sudden turn, I worried it would be too reminiscent of the first book, but I found it pretty darn fresh.

For someone who never, ever planned to read this series, it’s amazing how much I’ve enjoyed it. This book took turns I never expected and left me really wanting to know what’s going to happen! Now it’s all the more important to me to avoid spoilers for a book & movie series that’s been around for long enough for people to not care about spoilers. 

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Book Review: Hunt for Jade Dragon

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Hunt for Jade Dragon
Michael Vey #4
by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 / 5
Genre: YA sci-fi adventure

Spoiler notice: The following review may contain some spoilers for the previous books in the series, starting with The Prisoner of Cell 25.

After a brief respite, Michael Vey and most of the rest of the Electroclan are off to Taiwan to try to rescue a young savant who is said to have discovered the secret behind the creation of the electric children. She is currently in the hands of Dr. Hatch and the Elgen, who have been unable to replicate the phenomenon themselves. The Electroclan will have their work cut out for them if they want to keep the Elgen from torturing an innocent girl and making an army of electric people.

The end of book #3 felt like the end of a major story arc. We have moved on from the original premise of this series, which involved Michael Vey just trying to save people he loved from the Elgen and maybe even stop them, but since all they really did was cripple the Elgen, they are still a menace that someone has to deal with. Though there is a question here about whether it has to be Vey and his friends or not, it’s clear from the fact that this book exists that it will be them. I thought this book would feel like a tack-on, but it didn’t. Some advancements are made and the stakes are still high.

Some of the things that bothered me about previous book are still in effect, like the clichés inherent in a YA story and the stereotypes of the strong, alpha males and the females who love shopping and cute things. This time, the pairing off of guys and girls that I noticed happening so cleanly in the previous books becomes much more obvious. And there seems to be a very heavy focus on food this time around, as pretty much every meal or snack was described in detail. Maybe it was like that in previous books, too, but if was, I didn’t notice. And something happened that I can’t give details on to avoid spoilers that at first caused me to shake my head and think of it as a flaw in the writing, but I soon realized that this was a much more realistic view of a teenager’s maturity than what I had been bothered by in the previous book. So in a way, it’s still a flaw, because the character has been shown to be better, smarter, more mature, than what is displayed here, but I prefer this to the way the teens handled a death of their own in the previous book that just felt so unnatural to me. Though this certainly isn’t a deep series, I have enjoyed the stories along the way and find myself able to overlook the little annoyances to want to keep going.

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