Divergent (Katherine Tegan Books, 2011) by Veronica Roth is one of those incredible books that holds you tight to itself.
Beatrice has been raised in a very self-abasing faction, but now has to choose which faction to belong to. Her tests were . . . inconclusive . . . a fact she must keep to herself. Choosing another faction will mean she will be separated from her parents and her brother, but how can she stay? Abnegation doesn’t really fit her.
Veronica Roth has created such a strong and believable world that it’s hard to imagine this society doesn’t exist. I’m not alone in admiring her work–today I found out there’s going to be a movie! And I came across a fansite for the trilogy. I, too, am really looking forward to the next few books, although I was very satisfied with book one–it truly could stand alone.
If you like The Hunger Games, I bet you’ll like Divergent.
Read more abut Veronica on her website.
Tag: scifi
Invasion
We all know the comics aren’t real . . . don’t we?
That’s what 16-year-old Colt is about to find out in the first C.H.A.O.S. novel, Invasion (Thomas Nelson, 2010), by Jon S. Lewis.
Summer vacation in Washington DC, but the building Colt’s dad has stopped in front of doesn’t look like a tourist place. Nor does it look like a camp. Inside he’ll find out all kinds of secrets about his world, but then not be able to remember them or even whom he met. Later while surfing at home in San Diego he gets attacked by a sea monster, but who’s going to believe that? It sounds like something out of a nightmare. Unfortunately, Cole’s going to experience worse in the days to come.
I enjoyed the humor in the book, and the relationship between the kids. It felt a bit comic bookish itself, so should appeal to comic book fans. As it should since the author has written comic books as well. Check out the series website.
Note: This is definitely not your stereotypical “Christian” book; in fact, there’s no preaching at all!
Jon S. Lewis is also the cowriter of the Grey Griffins Clockwork Chronicles.
I’d love to give this book to a boy who likes comic books. If you have a son, nephew, grandson, who’d enjoy the book, comment on this post with your email address, and I’ll draw from the comments and contact one lucky person to win this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X
I recently discovered The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (Little, Brown and Company, 2008) by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. It reminds me of Men in Black except the aliens are dangerous and must be destroyed. Especially the ones who assassinated young Daniel’s parents. Yet Daniel, the Alien Hunter, himself is an alien, who has special powers.
The next book in the series is Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson and Ned Rust. I plan to read it soon. Then I’ll follow up with the third book, Daniel X: Demons and Druids by James Patterson and Adam Sadler.
James Patterson has a site called ReadKiddoRead to encourage kids to become readers for life. The site includes these categories:
– Illustrated Books
– Transitional Books
– Pageturners
– Advanced Reads
and also offers many other resources.
Read more about co-authors Michael Ledwidge, Ned Rust, and Adam Sadler on these sites.
The Hunger Games
Imagine a time in the future where not only do you struggle to survive, but each year you must face the Hunger Games lottery. Each young person from 12 to 18 years old is a tribute candidate. If you’re like Katniss, you are in for more than once for each year you’ve been eligible; you’re also in for the times you purchased grain and oil to feed your family. At age 16 Katniss has 20 entries for the reaping.
When her 12-year-old sister is chosen as tribute, Katniss volunteers to go in her place. She and Peeta, the chosen boy from their district, are taken to the capital to prepare for the Hunger Games. The 24 young people are put in a situation where they must fight to the death until only one remains.
Suzanne Collins has created a scary and believable world in The Hunger Games (Scholastic Press, 2008). It’s a book you won’t want to miss.
Check out the interview on her website.