#bookporn

A stack of books – the first ones that come in for 2017! Aaah the good old days.

Still haven’t gotten around to reading any of them. See any you are eager to read?

#bookporn

Mixed feelings about starting this one – some of my friends have loved it, others simply said ‘meh.’ But it has an undeniably gorgeous cover. Let’s hope it’s as engaging as ‘Divergent.’ *crosses fingers*

Wrap up – The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

Started off with a pow… and ended in a fizzle.

There was a lot of hype around this trilogy, and I resisted picking up the box set for a few years after being disappointed with some other YA series released around the same time. News of a film franchise being kicked off is what finally encouraged me to start reading. Though I didn’t power through the books – I really enjoyed ‘Divergent’ and rated it for the experience I had, thinking this was going to be an amazing trilogy. I’m not a big lover of dystopian novels, so the subsequent sequels were spread out over the following two years, each spurned on by looming release dates of the film franchise.

Overall, it is a fun, imaginative and gritty series, but I would probably recommend some others in this genre to my friends before the Divergent trilogy. My satisfaction diminished with each volume. It has a great conclusion, but ultimately the narrative style is what dragged my rating down.

I’d probably rate the boxed set as a solid 3.5. It has become a big part of the YA reading culture, and with the films, hard to ignore. So while a phenomenal story, fantastic packaging and a strong female protagonist role model, it didn’t make the impact on me I’d hoped for… whether my expectations had been elevated by the hype, or that I did not gel with Roth’s writing style, it’s still an action packed journey worth a look.

On the whole I feel as though I have enjoyed the movie franchise a lot better than the books, especially the SPFX, and much of the superfluous story lines stripped away, leaving it compact and throwing a punch. Really excited to see the final movie, ‘Ascendant.’

To read individual reviews:

https://strokingfire.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/film-vs-novel-divergent/

https://strokingfire.wordpress.com/2016/03/12/book-review-allegiant-by-veronica-roth/

https://strokingfire.wordpress.com/2015/11/18/book-review-insurgent-by-veronica-roth/

© Casey Carlisle 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Big plots twists in this portraiture of Tris…

 Genre: Y/A, Science Fiction, Fantasy

No. of pages: 526

From Goodreads:

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered – fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningliess. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend to complexities of human nature – and of herself – while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

‘Allegiant’ was the first title I picked up on this year’s challenge to finish all the series I’ve started in the last few years, but failed to complete. Plus, with the first half of a film adaptation hitting cinemas, I did not want to be spoiled… However, this did not feel like an exciting read for me. In fact, around the halfway point I put it down and read another book.

I had heard some spoilery talk before going into the novel – but thankfully it did not uncover anything that ruined my reading experience. My assumptions of what was going to happen turned out to be wrong. Though, the conclusion of the novel was anything other than what was an expected and realistic outcome.

‘Allegiant’ didn’t seem to have the build up the other two novels did. Even though there was a lot at stake for Tris and Co. this novel fell flat. Quite possibly due to the slow first half and the time I spent away from the story. In my opinion the concluding novels of a series should be the ones bringing the rain. The most impact, twist and turns… They should never suffer from pacing issues, you’ve spent so many other books leading up to this point, there should be a lot to resolve. I think because I didn’t get the feels, or too many surprises, and put the book down so many times, it detracted from how unique this trilogy is.

Also there was a lot of Four’s POV that had me asking why it was even there – what did it add to the story?

Four felt whiny, Tris became less relatable, like she was being set up to be a martyr. Maybe it was the switching of POVs that detracted from being able to connect with Tris. We do get some valuable insight from Four, but there was too much narrative from his POV in my opinion.

I don’t get what all the hype about Four being such a dream boat is… maybe I’m dead inside? I’ve always found him a little flat. Even their intimate moments failed to raise my temperature. Oh crap! Have I turned into an old maid already?

I loved the events that went on in this conclusion of the Divergent trilogy, the reveals, the science, and landscape of the novel. It was the way it was delivered.

‘Allegiant’ is an okay book, but definitely nothing I will be raving about. It felt a little boring honestly. I enjoyed the series as a whole, but not about to turn into one of those megafans.

But I’m glad I got to read the book before watching the movie…

Overall feeling: AWWW Yay… aww no…

© Casey Carlisle 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Book Review – Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Wrap your brain around this…

Genre: Y/A, Science Fiction, Fantasy

No. of pages: 525

From Goodreads:

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

I’ve been slow getting into the Divergent series, but have managed to remain spoiler free so I can read the books before seeing the movies. After the shock and awe I got from the first novel, I was really looking forward to see what would happen in this second novel.

‘Insurgent’ really keeps you guessing and thinking. You get a sense of a bigger motive going on here which kept me intrigued. And thank goodness that Veronica Roth dropped so many bread crumbs into this second novel, because the pace dropped off around the half way mark – whether bogged down with too many facts, or including so much superfluous story arcs, I ended up putting down ‘Insurgent’ after reading 50% and took a break to read another book.

Luckily I was able to jump back into this quite quickly, and the pacing in the second half really picks up.

It still contains all that reckless gore and killing experienced in ‘Divergent,’ really adding to the sense of rebellion and desperation of the rebel faction members.

We learn more of the mythology behind the Divergent – which really threw me for a spin, and I can’t wait to find out what is going on in ‘Allegiant.’

It’s great to see Tris not only break and fall, but get even stronger at the same time. She has to dig deep and test everything, her physical strength, her relationships, her sanity… it is really amazing what this girl goes through all in the name of gaining her freedom and truth.

I loved seeing the dynamics of Tris’ relationships switch around again and again, it added to the tension and tone of the novel. So much of the unexpected happened that I was bombarded with information, but it all adds to the mystery as to why Tris’ community lives the way it does.

Many of my friends are heavily invested in the Tris-Four ship, but I am still yet to feel any pull for this coupling.

Roth still paints a marvellous and devastating dystopian world, and Tris’ narrative flows with ease through the highs and lows. The pacing felt a little stop-start in the middle, but considering the size of this book, it’s a relatively fast read. Further insight into the cast may have you changing you opinion of them, or your connection deepening. I really had no predictions for this, I was so busy working out what was going on and getting over one event to another, that I have to praise the way it is written. Pow. Bam. Boom!

A great follow up to ‘Divergent’ and will soon be picking up ‘Allegiant…’ let’s hope those surprises keep coming. If the writing style so far is anything to go by it’s going to be a rocky ride full of carnage.

Overall feeling: Well… that was unexpected.

© Casey Carlisle 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Film vs Novel – Divergent

Sometimes you get to chose who you are – and sometimes you just ARE.

After viewing the film, I decided it was about time to jump on board with just about every one of my friends, and everyone I knew – and dig into the Divergent series. Book to film adaptations have seriously lacked in translation in the past, but I felt this time, Divergent stood up to the test.

The biggest difference I got from the book to the movie was perspective… The novel explained more about the world and Tris’s actions, where in the movie I didn’t quite fully understand everything that happened. There was a distinct sense of humour coming through as well, and I would have loved to see Tris explore that more in the narrative – it could have increased the impact when leading into some of the more dramatic scenes. We  love wicked banter and irony…

While the film was superior with its pacing and kept the story moving forward, the novel tended to jump around a bit in location. Also the screen version left some scenes without explanation: such as the dream sequences – you get a full understanding of them in the novel, but did not translate as well to the screen.

I remember when I first viewed the film in the cinema, I was like… what tha? Are they going to explain all that? *mentally shaking my fist at the screen*

The real hero of the movie is Four – the film adaptation let’s a lot of his character seep through, and he seems so much more accessible on screen (and drool-worthy), where we only get Tris’ perspective and assumptions with the book. I can’t say the same about Tris – the film failed to do her justice. Maybe because too much exposition was left out. Shailene Woodly does a superb job in the role, but because much of Divergent is cerebral (in Tris’ thoughts), I found myself wanting more from our heroine. That, and I wanted then to kick her up a notch of bad-ass-ness… only because I love rampant, temperamental, kung-fu chicks. That said, I’m sure we’ll get to see more of that in the following movies.

Additionally, where many of the main ensemble were somewhat stereotyped in the novel (with some exceptions) the film allowed us to view them in a more subjective and well-rounded perspective, which I felt lent more colour and depth – particularly with the antagonists. If I could mash the better elements of both film and novel into one ‘thing’ my brain would have melted from its awesomeness.

You get a real sense of carnage and (graphic) death with the novel, where the film, bending to the rules of viewing classification sanitised these scenes (or brushed over them entirely). Where was the gag-worthy insanity we glimpsed in the novel… I want them too please!

If I had to choose which was the better experience – I’d have to go with the novel, simply because it made more sense. Yes, I loved the special effects and cinemaphotography of the film, but it’s story-telling lacked in comparison… So the book for the win.

Let’s see how Insurgent stacks up.

© Casey Carlisle 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Casey Carlisle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.