If I Stay - Gayle Forman

Synopsis: In a single moment everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck..

If I Stay follows the story of seventeen-year-old Mia as she relives the best and worst of her memories when struck with the agonising decision of staying or going, following a tragic accident that takes everything away from her.

The novel begins with an explosive start that dives straight into the narrative and, perhaps fortunately for the reader, the tragedy that unfolds for Mia isn't quite traumatising enough to create much of an emotional impact as you barely know the characters involved. You do however instantly connect with Mia on a certain level as you imagine what it would be like if you were in her shoes, as well as leading you to constantly question what you would do if you could see your body being taken from a wreck, knowing you've lost everything, but with the the ability to decide if you stay or go.

Within such a short period of time you come to know and love the characters of If I Stay, particularly Mia. The novel centers around Mia bouncing between the present and her view of everything going on around her and the choice she has to make about herself and the loved ones she's lost and kept, and some of her favourite and worst memories, which often relate to her boyfriend, Adam, and her best friend, Amy, in some way. The concept of reading past and present provides an interesting route for character development and adds layers to the narrative that allow you to know exactly what you would do if you were Mia.

As it is with any main character in a first person narrative, it's easy to become fond of Mia simply because you're seeing everything unfold from her eyes. Yet it is not that that leads you to become connected with her character; it's the beauty of the strength and willpower she maintains. She's so young and unfortunately loses so much in such a short space of time and yet she soldiers on and takes the time to come to terms with what has happened and the decisions she has to make. She's an admirable and independent character that doesn't let anyone influence her. Everything she does is her choice and she's willing to accept any consequences that come with those choices. It's so refreshing to read a YA novel (that isn't dystopian) with such a strong female protagonist.

Overall this novel is a great philosophical YA read that deals with a contrast between light-hearted and dark themes that pose the question of, "do we really have a choice in everything that happens in our own lives?"

I give Gayle Forman and If I Stay ★★★★

I'll be back in the new year!

Not that I expect many (if any) of you have missed me, you'll notice that I haven't posted here since the start of September due to various reasons which include school, masses of procrastination and just not having the time or desire to sit down and read a load of books. I've started two books since September and I haven't finished either of them yet.

So in January I'm hoping to be back to my old reading ways with regular updates and reviews posted, although saying that I've got exams in January so I don't expect I'll be around much then, but by January 17th I'll be free so who knows what will happen. I've got so many books to catch up on with so many new ones coming out soon (I haven't even bought Allegiant yet!)

I hope that you all have a lovely Christmas and a great new year, I'll see you all in 2014!

Insurgent - Veronica Roth

Synopsis: "Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future. Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead."

Following the disastrous events that unfolded at the climax of Divergent, sixteen-year-old Tris finds herself taking refuge in the Amity (the peaceful) compound after the residents of the Dauntless (the brave) compound were hijacked by the Erudite (the intelligent) via a chip that was inserted into their brains, in order to take control of the government controlling the world they live in. But things are far from over as Tris, a Divergent individual, finds herself in more danger than ever in a world that isn't what she thought it was and doesn't celebrate difference.

The story of Insurgent as a whole is fast-paced and action packed to read and even the slowest of chapters leave you on the edge of your seat, begging you to find out what happens next. The plot is addictive, adventurous and unrestrained and creates a truly remarkable sequel to Divergent.

Roth's telling of this riveting and complex world is so enjoyable to read as she begins to unravel the web she so tightly formed in this superb work of fiction. The themes of control, rebellion and capitalism become more poignant, the politics and power struggles are more fierce and the development of key characters and the world as a whole are simply fascinating and oh so very shocking to read.

However it goes without saying that the exploration of each of the five factions - Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless and Erudite - is what stands out most about this novel. Divergent saw a lot of exploration of Abnegation and Dauntless which lead to the remaining three factions to feel almost insignificant to the world Roth has so admirably created. However Insurgent spends a lot of time exploring the remaining three as well as The Factionless, creating a greater story for this futuristic Chicago. The exploration of these other factions also allowed Roth to explore and highlight a lot about Tobias'/Four's past and his family, which was something I felt the first book was missing.

Although a feisty character in Divergent, Tris becomes a lot stronger and determined to protect the few people she loves most in the world and isn't afraid to put her neck on the line and participate in scenes of brutal violence, becoming an all-round superb heroin. Saying that however I did find myself disliking her greatly at various points in the book as she just kept shutting Tobias/Four out and I don't understand characters that blatantly don't know what they're doing or can't handle the stress of keeping it all in, yet choose to do so.

Again, although on the rocks at times, the romance of Tris and Tobias/Four remains very much a pleasant side to the story, only coming to light now and again and when it's needed, as opposed to popping up in every possible moment. The novel is in no way defined by the romance and remains very much a background conflict.

Finally, the climax of the novel was truly fantastic. What is revealed is explosive and gives Roth so much to work with in the third and final book of the trilogy, Convergent, and gives me high hopes for it, especially as it suggests that we'll learn a lot about the world outside of the focal location, which promises to be a refreshing read as novels rarely do this.

I give Veronica Roth and Insurgent ★★★★★

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling

Synopsis: "It is Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. As Voldemort's sinister forces amass and a spirit of gloom and fear sweeps the land, it becomes more and more clear to Harry that he will soon have to confront his destiny. But is he up to the challenges ahead of him?"

Although Rowling's writing in the previous books of the series is skilful in telling the story of Harry Potter, it is within Half-Blood Prince that she begins to unravel the complex web she has created. The story as a whole becomes far more darker to read as it steps on the line between children and adult literature, yet continuing to make it just as enjoyable, suitable and magical to read for all ages.

The start of the novel has a much fresher start than those before it as it doesn't begin with Harry broadcasting his teenage angst over having to stay with the Dursley's over the summer. Instead Rowling uses the start of the book to branch out to other parts of the wizarding and muggle world, enlightening the reader of terrible events and frightening truths that do not relate to Harry. The first chapter is followed by an explosive second as we learn where Snape truly resides within the war on Voldemort and why Dumbledore had always turned him down for the sought after Defence Against the Dark Arts post. Together this highlights to the reader that there is more to the world of Harry Potter than just Harry himself.

Yet again Rowling manages to bring a great deal of character development to the story as we learn a lot about Salazar Slytherin's family tree, which ultimately branches out to Voldemort and his closest relatives in particular. The knowledge of who Voldemort's parents were, where he spent his childhood and how there was always an essence of darkness in him is very insightful and important to the story and it's fantastic to finally, after all this time, learn more about him.

Furthermore, there is finally knowledge of how Voldemort had survived all those years after being defeated by love, the one thing more powerful than any spell, hex or curse. This adds a lot of suspense to the story, as does the secret mission of which Draco Malfoy has been set by Voldemort, creating a gripping read despite the lack of action that occurs for the most part. There are clues and plot twists trailed throughout the story that creates a truly chilling read.

Ultimately the story becomes even more of a gripping and fast paced read at the explosive and emotional climax of the story, which is far more powerful than that of Goblet of Fire. Truths are revealed, disaster strikes and the wizarding world unites as one as they finally realise what they are up against once again.

Overall this novel is an exciting, dark and gripping story that begins to give answers to the questions we've all been dying to hear and creates a fantastic lead into the final book of the series.

I give J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter and the Half Blood-Prince ★★★★★

Divergent - Veronica Roth

She turns to face the future in a world that's falling apart. For sixteen-year-old Tris, the world changes in a heartbeat when she is forced to make a terrible choice. Turning her back on her family, Tris ventures out, alone, determined to find out where she truly belongs. Shocked by the brutality of her new life, Tris can trust no one. And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to both threaten and protect her. The hardest choices may yet lie ahead..

Divergent is set in a futuristic Chicago where society is split into five factions, each of which uphold a particular virtue of humanity: Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave) and Erudite (the intelligent). At sixteen years old, Tris Prior is faced with a choice that will either transform her or lead her to feel trapped in a part of society she believe she doesn't belong. However Tris soon finds out that discovering where she belongs is the least of her problems. She's Divergent, which means she doesn't fit into one particular faction and is therefore considered dangerous. So Tris, along with the mysterious and gorgeous Tobias (Four) Eaton, must do all she can to hide her true self in a world that doesn't celebrate difference.

Overall, the pacing of this novel is brilliant, the suspense and action is never tedious, the chapters are of a great and enjoyable length and you find yourself sucked in from the get go as Veronica Roth's portrayal of this world is so realistic and thought provoking.

On a large scale, Divergent is very much a reflection of how difficult it is for any person to feel like they belong and fit in. The protagonist, Tris Prior, feels as if she doesn't quite live up to anyone's expectations, least of all her selfless family. She's a very conflicted character who struggles to decipher where she belongs when she doesn't even fit into an area of society that she has remained in for the last sixteen years. As a result of this she's a very likeable character, particularly to teenagers, as it's easy to connect with and understand her struggles and the expectations she faces. Saying that however, she is also a very focused and relentless character who will fight for everything she believes in when challenged to do so, making her yet another excellent YA heroin.

The story is an enormous eye opener to the world we live in and how easily capitalism can take anything and everything away from us in the blink of an eye. The political struggle present in this story is easy to read and understand and presents the idea that a uniform mass can be controlled if they aren't allowed the freedom to think outside the box in which they have been contained, theoretically and literally as Chicago has been separated from the rest of the world for an unknown reason, creating a lot of suspense throughout the story.

Unsurprisingly to this dystopian, there is a romance. However the story is not once defined by said romance, nor is it in any way whatsoever part of a love triangle, which is what makes it so enjoyable to read alongside the other and much darker themes present in the story. Tris and Four's relationship is based on equality, mutual admiration and respect for the other's strengths and weaknesses, which are so admirably heightened when in the presence of each other.

The only aspect of this story that I found a little bit disappointing was the last chapter of the book. Although the build up to the climax is exceptionally tense and action packed, I felt as if the last chapter was too 'lived happily ever after as they rode into the sunset' for my liking. Of course, it isn't at all like that and leaves a fantastic lead into the next book, Insurgent, it's just how I felt when reading it because of what was happening in the chapters before; the story seemed to halt so suddenly.

Ultimately, this is a debut novel that leaves you breathless and begging for more from a world so different from any before it.

I give Veronica Roth and Divergent ★★★★★