Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth


Book: Insurgent
By: Veronica Roth
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen

Description: 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.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.
 
My Thoughts: So I've finally read insurgent and I'm so excited. When's the next one coming out? I cant wait.

In this book, Tris is dealing with the aftermath of Divergent's end. There is a war brewing, and the entire book makes you feel like you're walking on pins and needles. Tris and Tobias's relationship advances a lot, but we finally get to the real stuff. No relationship is all "hearts and flowers," (Fifty Shades reference for all those who have read it) sometimes you dont agree and sometimes you have to do something you dont want to do because its the right thing, and not the easy thing. That seemed to be the theme of the book.

That said, Tris is a strong freaking heroine. I'm not just saying it because she can keep fighting in the midst of a few bullet wounds, perhaps a few gashes or broken bones when all hopes are lost, but because she keeps going. When odds are stacked against her, and things happen that would make even the the strongest person in the world fall to their knees in defeat, she keeps fighting. I love that about her. She knows how to do one thing well, and thats think of ways to survive, even when she's trying to survive herself. I love it.

This book took you farther in their world than Divergent and answered a bunch of questions including the common question of how they got into this situation to begin with. Why has the world changed so much! The answer is a bit confusing, but it makes sense.

I had one issue with this book. I didnt feel like re-reading the first book because I felt I remembered the jist of what happened. Then, as I started to read this one, I realized I remembered nothing, so a lot of it was confusing. This book didnt give me enough of a refresher. It also didnt suck me in quite as much. Although it was great and I finished it in a day, I didnt feel the all consuming compulsion that I usually feel for other books. That was okay though. I was still happy with it.

All in all, Insurgent was a great read. I will definitely read the next. I give it 4 stars.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

PROCRASTINATION: The eighth deadly sin

Hello Everyone!!!

I just want you to know that procrastination is evil and should probably be categorized with the deadly sins. I'm sure it goes along with one of the deadly sins somewhere, maybe sloth? Nonetheless, I am hereby making it it's own, and stating for the world to see that I, Sherre Leach, am an excessive a bit of a procrastinator.
Okay it's not as bad as you think, I don't procrastinate in everything I do, just the stuff I don't want to do, or am not getting paid for immediately. I don't procrastinate at work, because, frankly I'm terrified that If I get caught slipping, I may never ever move up in life, besides, what else do I really have to do but what they tell me to do.

That same rationale doesn't quite work for things outside of work though. First, lets discuss school. I am here, on blogger (obviously) writing this non-essential blog post, instead of doing a very essential analytical paper due tonight. It has to be 2500 words, so roughly 10 pages double spaced. I have JUST gotten started, and only have an introduction and title page completed. Don't get me wrong, I will have it done on time, writing papers is easy for me, but still. Why on earth couldn't I grasp the motivation to at least start this on Sunday. I tried, but it was like my brain wouldn't fire up good words on Sunday, and today, words are shooting all around my head, waiting for some order.

The same goes for my novel, which I have still only written 2 chapters of. It seems every time I begin to head back to it in order to write again, something else super fun comes up, like blogging, or reading a book or my other obsession, TV, and before I know it, the day is gone and I'm exhausted. I know for a fact that in this case, the issue is my fear that my writing actually sucks when it's not done for school. Therefore, I just don't write to save myself the embarrassment. I think I'll sign up for NaNoWriMo this year. It may help by giving me an actual goal instead of these soft deadlines in my head that I break constantly.

I even procrastinate with things like eating, and going to the bathroom (No, that person standing in front of you in the line to the restroom doing the "potty dance" is not a child, it's me. Problem?!?!) and that's just plain ridiculous.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one like this (I'm taking to you "potty dancer #2," and you "last minute final exam studier") nonetheless, I'm accepting comments from fellow Procrastinators Anonymous members, and even those belonging to that tiny group of excessive planners. Are my habits really that bad? Do I need a change? Are you the same way? Any thoughts are welcome....

Now...back to blog stalking and continued procrastination on this paper. I'll get back to it in a hour........

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Review: Rot and Ruin Jonathan Maberry

Book: Rot and Ruin
By: Jonathan Maberry
Publication Date: September 14, 2010
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Description: In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn’t want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash—but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.


Acclaimed horror author Jonathan Maberry makes his young adult debut with this detail-rich depiction of a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has fallen, the dead have risen, and danger is always imminent.

My thoughts: I don't have much to say except WOW. Okay I'm done!..................................................

You're still here? Guess you want more? Okay but really. This was a great book. The cover said something about how the book was full of heart, they just don't beat anymore and I thought, well that sounds stupid. How can a zombie novel have heart? So I put the book off over and over thinking the book would be stupid despite the raving reviews. Besides, I don't even like zombies. I don't even see the appeal. That would never actually happen so whatever. Nonetheless, I (begrudgingly) started the book. The first few chapters made me want to put it down. It took me a while to read it, although it was only like 15 or so pages. I didn't really want to like the book. I didn't like the young age of the main character and I couldn't relate to him for some reason. Probably because I never liked trading cards, but still he seemed too juvenile for me to read. Then, everything changed.

I cant really explain this book. All I can really say is you should read it. That statement about it being full of heart? It is!!! It makes so much sense now. I loved it. It was still hard to relate to the young-ish boy but after a bit it didn't matter. I still loved it. I'll stop here because If I continue my review is going to sound more and more ignorant because my brain cant effectively come up with words for the feelings that I feel about this book. I give it 4.5 stars and I will be buying the next book in the series. It was a pleasant surprise

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Review: On Demon Wings by Karina Halle


Book: On Demon Wings
By: Karina Halle
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: May 13, 2012 (ARC copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review)

Description: When the life you wanted has crumbled beneath your fingers, there’s nothing left to do but pick up the pieces and soldier on. You’ve done this before.
But what happens when you no longer feel like yourself anymore? When fires spontaneously start-up around you, when you hear growling coming from underneath your bed, and you no longer recognize your face in the mirror. What happens then?
Ghost-hunter Perry Palomino doesn’t have much time to find out. Now, the evil she used to hunt is a lot closer to home. It’s inside of her, taking over her life bit-by-terrifying bit, and there’s only one person who can help her.
If part of her doesn’t kill him first.

My Thoughts: I'm just going to get to the point. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! It made me feel so alive, and dead, at the same time. (that doesn't make sense does it? Oh well)

This book began right where the last book left off. I wont send out any spoilers but just know, we get the aftermath of the destruction that was the ending of the last book. I began thinking...It can only go uphill from here right? WRONG! It can go wayyyy wayyy farther. Poor Poor Perry Palomino....she's by far the best heroine ever. She's real and amazing and I swear I wouldn't be surprised if I saw her walking down the street. I wish we could be best friends, only I actually don't because I'm sure I'd be stuck constantly picking her up from the floor during one of her spells.

I must admit that I initially planned on criticising Perry. A lot of her thought processes made me mad. I mean come on. You deal with a different supernatural occurrence every chance you get. Ghosts seem to follow you everywhere and you've seen almost every type of horrible thing imaginable....and some how you cant accept ghost possession? But then, when I thought more about it and put myself in her shoes, I felt the same same way she did. How can you accept something like that that's happening to yourself. You don't and you fight against it. Perry did the same thing any sane person would. You deny it and ask friends if they think it's possible. I'm convinced Perry is a real person.

This book kind of frustrated me at times. Not because i didn't like it, I loved it. I was frustrated because I just wanted everything to turn out better...and it just kept going further downhill....past downhill and into the fiery bits of hell itself. There were enemies everywhere you turned...and not even perry's own mind was safe. I wanted to yell at people and cry and hug perry and tell her it would be okay and fix her, but I had to sit back and watch  helplessly....like a car crash you know is going to be horrible but you watch anyway.

Her parents? I hate them. Maximus? I hate him too. Ada and Dex...I love them...even though Dex was pretty nonexistent most of the book. Creepy clown Lady? I loved her too. The ending? HOW DARE THEY END A STORY LIKE THAT AND JUST RUIN MY LIFE THAT WAY? IS THERE NO RESPECT FOR MY FEELINGS AT ALL?.....What on earth could happen now?

This was by far the best book of the series. I am truly in love with it. Those of you who would like to experiment a bit with terror, I suggest you give the Experiment in Terror series a shot. (see how I did that?...haha! Ahhh I crack myself up!) I can't wait for the next installment. Or the author's new adult novel "Lost in Wanderlust." I am a dedicated stalker fan. 5 Stars.