Book Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Genre: Young Adult (Dystopian)

Matched is a New York Times Bestseller written by Ally Condie. It is never specified if the setting is in the future or in an alternate reality, but Society is set up to control everything in a person's life such as where you work, who you'll marry, and even when you die. Cassia has attended her Matching banquet where she will find out who she is to marry. Once she is home looking up information on her match his face leaves the screen and is replaced by the face of another for a moment before disappearing. She is told this is some rare glitch, but she can't help wondering just how perfect her "perfect" society really is.

There's something intriguing about the controlled World Ally Condie created in Matched, and there was something even more intriguing about watching the characters fight to maintain what little freedoms they have with passive resistance that will more than likely turn less than passive in the coming books. This book has a different atmosphere to it than some of the other books out there right now that revolve around dystopian societies, and it did have slow moments, but it seems to be leading up to some good old action and excitement for the next book in the series. The next book in the Matched series is scheduled to come out in Fall of 2011.

To read more about this series and the author, visit the Matched website.

You can also find this review on Examiner

Check out my reviews of other books by this author.

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Genre: Young Adult (Dystopian)

What's all the fuss about? I wondered the same thing before I read The Hunger Games. I was told over and over again by people to read this book. So, I read the summary: a dystopian-ish society. A fight to the death held every year. Ehh. Not really my cup of tea. Finally, after hearing such wonderful reviews and being endlessly nagged, I broke down and read the darn thing. Let me just start by saying wow! From page one; this book does not let you put it down. It made me laugh and cry. The non-stop action and teasingly written romance reels your imagination into the pages so much you feel like you are one of the characters. You feel what they feel. Whether they are intentional or not, many messages and examples of symbolism can be found within the story and applied to our lives today. This book is a coming of age story taken to a brutal new level. It has the perfect combination of savagery, drama, and romance to keep you entertained from start to finish.

Fans will be excited to know that filming is in progress for The Hunger Games motion picture starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth.

Visit Suzanne Collins' website to learn more about the author and this amazing trilogy.

Book Review: A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers

 

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction, Romance 

Synopsis:

In this compilation of the five books in the best-selling Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers, we meet the five women whom God chose—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Each was faced with extraordinary—even scandalous—challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. Each was destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.

This book told the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary from their point of view. It was amazing to see what these women went through on a daily basis just to survive. I can't imagine the strength they had, to withstand the treatment they received from society, men, and even other women. The author's writing is powerful and engaging. The book shows you different aspects of their lives, both good and bad. You get a true sense of how these women felt, and you will feel for them. It put their stories into perspective. We don't know each and every action or happening in their real lives, but the author fictionally filled in the blanks nicely. Francine Rivers has another book called Sons of Encouragement. After reading this book, I'm curious about the male perspective as well. It's easy to look back now and say they could have done this or that, but to be in their shoes is another thing entirely. A Lineage of Grace is encouraging and inspirational.

To learn more about Leanna Renee Hieber and her books, visit her Website. You can also find her on Facebook. 

Why Im Blogging.

Reading a great book and not telling others about it is worse than not reading it at all. When I started writing for Examiner as a Young Adult Fiction Examiner, I thought it might be fun to share the books I enjoyed reading with others and it is. In fact, it created a monster. At Examiner, I write about young adult fiction only, but I enjoy reading many different types of fiction. Even though Young Adult books are my favorite,  I like variety when it comes to books. And, Sometimes I want to talk about those other books too. While a great portion of my reviews here will probably be about Young Adult books, this blog gives me that outlet to talk about whatever I may be reading.

I'm a sucker for a pretty cover.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you come back again and again. If you have questions about Examiner, any of my posts, or just want to chit chat,drop me a line.