The Chosen One Review

The Chosen Ones by Carol Lynch Williams was a interesting tale to say the least. I found it is most fitted for a middle grade audience; however, that did not mean I did not enjoy it. Overall, it's a 3 out of 5 stars.

Kyra comes from a big family: 3 mothers, 1 father, and tons of siblings. They live in a compound, secluded in the middle of the desert where the prophet rules with a heartless, radically rigorous fist. Kyra has obeyed all of the deeply pious rules implemented by the mighty prophet, but it's until he announces that 13 year-old Kyra will have to marry her 60-something year-old uncle!

Kyra's character stays true to her age. She is not unusually bright for her age, she rebels and has noteworthy persistence. As the narrator of this novel, her opinions and perception are not completely skewed by the absurdities of the religion that she follows and the prophet's crimes against humanity. Despite this, she is not overly unique, she sounds like mostly conventional tween.

The whole aspect of polygamy in this book is presented on its negative type of it. The women have no choice if they want to follow polygamy or not; in addition, they have no choice as to who they can marry. Their sole purpose is to serve their husband, have tons of kids and to raise them. Nothing else. Which, of coarse, leads to the misogyny in the book. Luckily, Kyra resists it passively at first, still believing she's committing sins and thus feels guilt over it, and then it leads to her eventual proactive forms of it despite tremendous, lethal dangers.

The romance in the novel is how it should be: puppy love. They meet at dark in secret places to talk, read, or make out. It's all very innocent in its essence. It's what is expected of a tween-teen romance, not some adult version with explicit actions being done. Again, acceptable for a tween, middle grade demographic.

The novel was mildly entertaining enough to keep me reading; I was not glued to the page. It wasn't until the end that I became more intrigued. Similar books include:  The Color Of Rain (link here) and The Registry (link here). 

The Registry Review

The Registry by Shannon Stoker was, admittedly, a somewhat dull story. It's a tale filled with adventure, escape, murder, and among others, so I'd understand if someone were to have a completely opposite opinion. I  generously give it a 1.5 out of 5. 

I just could not connect to the story, particularly Mia. Her ignorance is annoying, though perfectly understandable as she was purposefully raised that way. The book contradicts itself when despite Mia's ignorance (ex. not knowing basic math), she know's words like synapses and their function. Makes no sense. Although the story is what many would consider action packed, edge of your seat entertainment, it was instead just boring. I really had to force myself to read all of it; sometimes, I honestly wonder why I torture myself and waste my time with uninteresting books. I just skimmed the last 40 or so pages, only getting the basic details that confirmed what I already predicted what would happen.

Of coarse the future day, neo-America is a woman's nightmare, a land digressed to past ways before the women's rights movement. The government had programmed nearly every denizen to these radical, misogynistic beliefs, but at least Mia takes charge of her own destiny and attempt to escape by crossing the USA-Mexican border. Along their journey, they encountered a few people that aren't blinded by the stupid beliefs and possess more feminist views instead. In particular, I especially love Frank and Alex! They were one of the very rare decent characters. 

If you're one to detest love triangles, then this could still be an alright book, but be warned: there are multiple potential love interests. However, it's only towards the end. At least I didn't not feel too connected to the first, most obvious choice, so to someone who detests love triangles, it probably won't be much of a turn off. 

This book was painful to read. It lacks great depth, elegance, and rather literal- if that makes sense. I would not recommend this book to anyone, unless they want to easily fall asleep. You can tell the author really did try, but it just did not meet expectations. It had potential.  

Slammed Review

Slammed by Colleen Hoover was a somewhat new, interesting read. I had been waiting half a year to get my hands on this book, so one could say that I had high expectations. However, I wasn't really amazed with this book, instead I was a little disappointed. Overall, I'd give it a plain 3 out of 5.

I won't ruin the big surprise that will occur soon after you begin reading, though keep in mind not right away, but I personally wasn't all that taken aback by it. In fact, it's a somewhat common theme within the manga/manhwa realm, so it'd be likely for one to be familiar with it. Though it does add tension and that oh-so-desirable fundamentally forbidden element to the book, it just wasn't all that spectacular. Subjectively, I blame the relationship between Layken the heroine and her love interest Will. It didn't really have much of a spark, or in other words it didn't seem all too real and lacked that certain something. The jealousy thing did tick me off a bit when it occurred periodically throughout the novel. I, for one, am not a big fan of, "He/she won't/can't be with me, so I'm going to act immaturely due to my insecurity and potentially hurt a third party that probably didn't deserve this unjust treatment." Pah-lease! "Grow up" is all I have to say. 

Note: To somewhat refute this, I'm absolutely being a bit harsh on this book. Like a stated earlier, I waited half a year only to be disappointed! 

Back to the review! Family and sacrifice is a big theme in this book. I dearly loved the strong relationship between the siblings in the book! I completely admire taking up the responsibility to care for a loved one, especially when one is so young! They sacrifice so much freedom and what is deemed conventional for their age. Another thing, one can learn the lesson of just moving on, rolling with whatever conflict or life-altering event hits them. Truly admirable! 

The poetry within the book is phenomenal! I've never really been a big fan of it, especially having to create one myself -the horror!- , but this book has given me a new found respect for it. It pushes and pulls your emotions this way and that, hither and thither! I've learned that it's a very creative art form that allows one to really channel one's emotions and feelings, the love, turmoil, whatever is being experienced. It's official now, I'm truly a fan. 

The Bone Season Review

Reading The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon awarded me infinite pleasure, a pleasure so rare, so extraordinary, that I could not put it down. I purposefully stayed up, surrendering some of my precious sleep, in order to eagerly devour this book. Rarely do I ever enjoy reading a book this much, it is an uncommon pleasure that I wish I could experience more often. This book deserves a definite 5 out of 5. 

First off, world building in this book was rather unique and very detailed. You are forewarned, very detailed world building = lots of information = what some may consider info-dump. Honestly, this was not a problem for me, but according to others' reviews... it is. I was shocked to see all of the mixed reviews, so you'll either love it or hate it. Anyway, a world full of multiple classifications of clairvoyants that are in secret, organised crime or exile, full of danger, it was interesting. 

I loved the social dynamic and hierarchy! It was rather refreshing after reading numerous young adult paranormal romances. The heroine Paige is shipped off to "Oxford" where she becomes a slave for an alien race that dominates the city with other captured clairvoyants.  All of the slaves are assigned a keeper that is responsible for their slaves, and boy, they are extremely brutal and violent to their "property". Paige is assigned to Warder, which is the first time he has ever taken a slave. You can really feel Paige's initial, and just, loathing towards Warden; however, I thoroughly loved how despite Paige being treated like utter crap, she still remains humane and caring, even towards Warden. Their relationship is forbidden yet that only made me like it more, despite that trope being overly used! I loved how their relationship seemed more probable than the typical, cliche love-at-first-sight crap that I cannot truly believe! They gradually gained trust with each other, no instant "Oh my god! You're so hot! I believe every single word you say. There's no way you can actually be a serial murderer." Perhaps my judgement is a bit biased, clouded by my tendency to love the tsundere type of character for a potential lover. 

The action in this book will keep you on your toes. There is regularly some kind of action scene in most of the chapters. I must say, Paige can really hold her own when it concerns someone else besides her, furthering illustrating her humane and lovely character. The main antagonist may perhaps disgust you, which personally only awarded me more satisfaction when her eventual downfall arrived.  

I can genuinely say that I cannot really think of any flaws with this book. The only thing I can think of is the wait until the sequel -by the way, this series is projected to have 7 books total- hopefully it'll come soon. But as of early January, the author finished her first draft for the 2nd book. So, it's going to be a loooooong wait. Another thing I can think of is that fact that during the day, when I was not able to read it, I was constantly thinking about it! It completely consumed my thoughts during the day! Beware.