Ender's Game √- Orson Scott Card
Link to official site:
Hatrack
Number of Pages: 324 pages
Point of View: 3rd person, revolves around everyone.
How I got the book:
Well it was on my summer reading list one year, and the librarian made it SOUND good so i decided to try it. I bought this from my local bookstore.
What's it about?
Official book summary:
It's 2070, forty years since a devastating alien invasion was barely turned back, and the world is desperately searching for soldiers to lead them to victory when the "Buggers" come again. That's why they're drafting young children who pass a rigorous screening, and sending the best of them to the orbiting Battle School, where they are trained from childhood to be ready for war in the vertiginous reaches of space. Into the unending pressure of military training comes six-year-old Andrew "Ender" Wiggin, who struggles to keep his humanity even as the adult teachers, rivals among his fellow students, and the strange unseen influence of the alien invaders all threaten either to destroy him or to make him into someone he can't bear to be. His genius raises him to the top of the intensely competitive games in the Battle Room, an immense null-gravity chamber where armies of youngsters engage in mock combat. But his real struggles are off the playing field - with a dangerous older boy named Bonzo Madrid who is determined that both he and Ender cannot survive in this place; with his teacher, Mazer Rackham, who won the last war on a fluke and now is trying to prepare Ender to win the next one by skill rather than luck; and with himself, as Ender wrestles with his own demons, desperate to remain a decent human being even as he sees himself being transformed into exactly the same kind of monster as the buggers themselves.
Well thats what the summary said.
Alright i'm pretty into this stuff, you know aliens and things. But i was surprised to learn that while reading this book that it wasn't really about the aliens. They played a pretty small role in the book.
The book follows a boy named Ender. Yes yes, he gets into battle school, and he's exceptionally gifted. But the story was boring. I felt like for a lot of the time, i was skipping over the writing and going to the dialogue where something actually happened you know?
I know some people that loved this book, and cried at the end (for what reason i don't know. Not giving anything away, but i didnt think the ending was sad.) but i found it boring.
The idea was good, but Orson Scott Card turned it into something... not entertaining. In the book, the writing sometimes just droned on and on and had not been important to the story itself.
Although, the ending had a nice twist that i didnt see coming.
Overall:
I suppose i'll have to give it a 4 out of 10 (10 being the best)
The characters were not built very well and a lot of the writing just lacked purpose, it didnt really do anything with the story.
But, the plot was okay and the idea was interesting, and the ending was satisfying.
Faults:
At times this could be very confusing. You would often have to go back and re read to understand better.
XOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it in the library/bookstore?
Should be in the Childrens, teens/YA, maybe even horror or if your Li/bo (library/bookstore) has a special section for Orson Scott Card, it could be there too.
Here:
Fic Car
Want to read it? Here are some sites that will let you read the first couple chapters or so for free:
Google Preview
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner √- James Dashner
Link to official site:
Random House
Number of pages: 374
Point of view: 3rd person, revolves around Thomas.
How I got it:
I saw some review about it online so i did some research and read some excerpts and rented it from the library. Sadly, i don't own the book. Yet. I do, however, have the second book, The Scorch Trials, in my possession.
Whats it about?
Official book summary from Random House:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Link to official site:
Random House
Number of pages: 374
Point of view: 3rd person, revolves around Thomas.
How I got it:
I saw some review about it online so i did some research and read some excerpts and rented it from the library. Sadly, i don't own the book. Yet. I do, however, have the second book, The Scorch Trials, in my possession.
Whats it about?
Official book summary from Random House:
When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.
Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.
Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.
The book begins with Thomas, who doesnt remember anything. He discovers the Glade, and discovers about the maze runners who run through the maze, looking for a way out. When a girl arrives in the Glade, she claims she knows a lot of stuff, and she and Thomas can telepathically communicate. Then, everything seems to come crashing down.
Overall:
GREAT book. Really. It's gripping and mysterious and its a thriller that leaves you wanting more. What is the Glade? Why was Thomas sent here? It's awesome and the second book is even more amazing. Awesome book, really. I have to hand it to James Dashner for coming up with the idea, i mean its just so unique in it's own way.
Out of 10, 10 being the best out of the best, i'd give it a 9. I love it so much and it's definitely going to make my bookshelf when i buy it!!!
Faults:
Sometimes is confusing.
Really awesome book, go borrow/buy it!
XOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it?
It should be in the Teen/YA section.
Here:
Fic Das
Not convinced? Here's some sites that will give you a preview of the first couple chapters or so:
Random House (note: this is a PDF)
Just click on the one you want to see!
Mortal Instruments- City Of Bones
City of Bones ∆∆∆ √- Cassandra Clare
Link to the official site (just click on it):
Number of pages: 496 pgs (hardcover) 512 pgs (paperback)
Point of view: 3rd person, revolves around everyone's thoughts
How I got the book:
Online again, Yahoo Answers. At first i didnt want to read it, it sounded kind of fishy, but i wish i had read it sooner. I first rented it from my local library.
What's it about?
Official book summary, from Simon and Shuster
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City with her best friend Simon, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .
This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .
Lemme just say something first. The book is a lot better than it sounds. Its about Clary, and how she meets a guy named Jace. He's a Shadowhunter, half angel half man. Normal humans can't see him, so his interest, and everyone elses, is piqued when they discover Clary can see them, although she is a "mundane", a human. Then suddenly, Clary's mom disappears, and she finds out a lot of hidden secrets about herself and her family.
Overall:
Pretty good book. People who like vampires and werewolves will enjoy this book, and fans of Twilight will immerse themselves in this. Though, i never found myself reading these kinds of books, but City of Bones has definitely pulled me in, enough to make me read the next 3 books, and i am so pre-ordering the 4th, 5th, and 6th book that have been announced!!!
The characters are awesome. I love Jace, he's so hot and tortured, but i also love Simon, the geeky but sweet guy. I do like Isabelle, Jace's sister, she's totally independent and strong!
Out of 10, 10 being the best of the best, the first book of The Mortal Instruments receives a 7.5. It has it's faults, but this book makes my shelf!
Faults:
Sometimes Clary complains too much.
Some parts, very rare parts kind of make you cringe inside.
But its still a great book.
I wouldn't say to DEFINITELY go buy this at the bookstore IMMEDIATELY, but you should probably go borrow it from the library.
XOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it in the library/bookstore?
It should be in the Teen/ YA fiction or fantasy section.
Here:
Fic Cla
Not convinced? Read the first chapters or so here:
Just click on the one you want to read from!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Unwind
Unwind ∆∆∆√ - Neal Shusterman
Link to the official site:
http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html?animate=1
Movie Site:
http://unwindmovie.com/UNWINDMOVIE/home.html
Number of Pages: 352
Point of View: 3rd person but each "chapter" focus's on each character.
How I got the book:
Online. Honestly, i was so bored and i was in love with The Hunger Games but i needed something else to read. As sad as it sounds, i went to yahoo answers and asked about books like the Hunger Games. A lot of people said Unwind was awesome, so i decided to borrow it from my local library.
What's it about?
Book description:
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.
So basically kids are being sent to Harvest Camps for their body parts. CREEPY!
This is a really good book. It has a twisted ending and an open ended one but its okay because i wouldn't like the book any other way. It really leaves you wondering. What does it mean to be alive? If we are Unwound, do we still have souls? Do we even have souls now? Who knows?
This book explores these wonders, and may not answer the questions, but will definitely define them.
Overall:
BEST BOOK EVER. No joke. I said in an earlier post (The Hunger Games) that the Hunger Games book was my all time favorite but i am sorry Suzanne Collins, Unwind wins my favorite book by the skin of my teeth!
Here's why:
Yes i know The Hunger Games promotes thinking, but Unwind does an even better job. Would we sacrifice one life to save a good number of others in society?
Go buy right now. I don't even care if there's a blizzard, you have to read this book!!! Its chilling and wonderful!
Also, i personally think Neal Shusterman is my favorite author. Unwind was the first book i read, and then i read Downsiders, then Full Tilt. All of them were pretty good and i plan on reading more books by him!
XOXOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it in the library/ bookstore?
It should be in the Teen/ YA fiction section.
Here:
Fic Shu
Not sure? Here are some places you can read the first couple chapters for free:
Simon and Shuster preview
Just click on the preview you want to read!
Link to the official site:
http://www.storyman.com/books/unwind.html?animate=1
Movie Site:
http://unwindmovie.com/UNWINDMOVIE/home.html
Number of Pages: 352
Point of View: 3rd person but each "chapter" focus's on each character.
How I got the book:
Online. Honestly, i was so bored and i was in love with The Hunger Games but i needed something else to read. As sad as it sounds, i went to yahoo answers and asked about books like the Hunger Games. A lot of people said Unwind was awesome, so i decided to borrow it from my local library.
What's it about?
Book description:
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker. Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs. Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth, as part of his family's strict religion. Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed -- but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.
So basically kids are being sent to Harvest Camps for their body parts. CREEPY!
This is a really good book. It has a twisted ending and an open ended one but its okay because i wouldn't like the book any other way. It really leaves you wondering. What does it mean to be alive? If we are Unwound, do we still have souls? Do we even have souls now? Who knows?
This book explores these wonders, and may not answer the questions, but will definitely define them.
Overall:
BEST BOOK EVER. No joke. I said in an earlier post (The Hunger Games) that the Hunger Games book was my all time favorite but i am sorry Suzanne Collins, Unwind wins my favorite book by the skin of my teeth!
Here's why:
Yes i know The Hunger Games promotes thinking, but Unwind does an even better job. Would we sacrifice one life to save a good number of others in society?
Go buy right now. I don't even care if there's a blizzard, you have to read this book!!! Its chilling and wonderful!
Also, i personally think Neal Shusterman is my favorite author. Unwind was the first book i read, and then i read Downsiders, then Full Tilt. All of them were pretty good and i plan on reading more books by him!
XOXOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it in the library/ bookstore?
It should be in the Teen/ YA fiction section.
Here:
Fic Shu
Not sure? Here are some places you can read the first couple chapters for free:
Simon and Shuster preview
Just click on the preview you want to read!
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games ∆∆∆ √- Suzanne Collins
Dont know what the symbols mean? Look to the sidebar! ------------->
Link to the official site:
http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/
Pages: 374 pages
Point of view: 1st person in Katniss's point of view
Note: This book is a series! The other books are Catching Fire and Mockingjay
How I got the book:
My friend recommended it to me after reading it. She was in the middle of the second book already, Catching Fire, when she mentioned it to me. Well, not mentioned.
She, in fact, forced me to read it. We were spending time at the library and she forced me to check it out and I did. Having no idea what the book was about, i left it alone for a little while but then picked it up and read the first couple chapters. I stopped and thought about why i didnt read this earlier. I kept reading. I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. It was so gripping, so interesting.
So what exactly is the book about? Why the buzz about it?
The book takes place sometime in the future, in a place called Panem. It's inferred that this is the U.S. but something happened and Panem grew from its ashes.
Panem's government, the capitol, set up 13 districts, like larger than towns but smaller than states. When district 13 had an uprising, the capitol destroyed it and then The Hunger Games rose from it. The capitol wanted to prove how powerful they were so they forced every district to pick one boy and one girl and send them to the Hunger games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Everyone kills each other until there is one person left, and they are declared the winner.
The main character is Katniss. Her dad died in a mining accident. She lives in district 12. During the reaping of the names of the girl and the boy, Katniss's sister, Prim is picked out of 100's of other names. Katniss takes her place, as she loves her little sister a lot.
The boy's name is Peeta, and he saved her life once before, making their relationship awkward, considering Katniss and her best friend/hunter partner are kind of involved with each other. So Katniss and Peeta are entered in the Hunger Games, and they will both have to fight to stay alive.
Who will win?
Overall:
The book is amazing. It shows a world of hope. It shows how controlling the government can really be. It's a little gross and gruesome so if your really not into that you shouldn't read it, but its even the littlest bit so PLEASE READ IT!!!!
I am begging you.
This book is my favorite, and this is why i chose this to be my first review.
Read it. You will not regret it!
XOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it in the bookstore or library?
Its in the YA section! YA= Young Adult. It also might be under the "teen" section. Here:
Fic Col
Thats what it should be under.
Still not convinced? Here's a preview of the first couple chapters or so:
Scholastic Preview
Google Preview
Just click on the one you want to read!
Dont know what the symbols mean? Look to the sidebar! ------------->
Link to the official site:
http://www.thehungergames.co.uk/
http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/
Pages: 374 pages
Point of view: 1st person in Katniss's point of view
Note: This book is a series! The other books are Catching Fire and Mockingjay
How I got the book:
My friend recommended it to me after reading it. She was in the middle of the second book already, Catching Fire, when she mentioned it to me. Well, not mentioned.
She, in fact, forced me to read it. We were spending time at the library and she forced me to check it out and I did. Having no idea what the book was about, i left it alone for a little while but then picked it up and read the first couple chapters. I stopped and thought about why i didnt read this earlier. I kept reading. I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. It was so gripping, so interesting.
So what exactly is the book about? Why the buzz about it?
The book takes place sometime in the future, in a place called Panem. It's inferred that this is the U.S. but something happened and Panem grew from its ashes.
Panem's government, the capitol, set up 13 districts, like larger than towns but smaller than states. When district 13 had an uprising, the capitol destroyed it and then The Hunger Games rose from it. The capitol wanted to prove how powerful they were so they forced every district to pick one boy and one girl and send them to the Hunger games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Everyone kills each other until there is one person left, and they are declared the winner.
The main character is Katniss. Her dad died in a mining accident. She lives in district 12. During the reaping of the names of the girl and the boy, Katniss's sister, Prim is picked out of 100's of other names. Katniss takes her place, as she loves her little sister a lot.
The boy's name is Peeta, and he saved her life once before, making their relationship awkward, considering Katniss and her best friend/hunter partner are kind of involved with each other. So Katniss and Peeta are entered in the Hunger Games, and they will both have to fight to stay alive.
Who will win?
Overall:
The book is amazing. It shows a world of hope. It shows how controlling the government can really be. It's a little gross and gruesome so if your really not into that you shouldn't read it, but its even the littlest bit so PLEASE READ IT!!!!
I am begging you.
This book is my favorite, and this is why i chose this to be my first review.
Read it. You will not regret it!
XOXOXO,
Bubble Gum <3
Need help finding it in the bookstore or library?
Its in the YA section! YA= Young Adult. It also might be under the "teen" section. Here:
Fic Col
Thats what it should be under.
Still not convinced? Here's a preview of the first couple chapters or so:
Scholastic Preview
Google Preview
Just click on the one you want to read!
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