Bogormen

Title: Son (The Giver, #4)
Author: Lois Lowry
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 393
Date read: October, 2012

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn't exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.

"The Giver" is still my favourite in the series, but this comes in as a clear number two - ahead of both "The Messenger" and "Gathering Blue". I liked the way the story was structured - in three clearly separate parts. Admittedly, each time we finished one part, I was sad to leave it behind, but fortunately I soon got caught up in the next part of the story.

A fascinating story and I loved how it tied together all the particulars of the other three books. Brilliant end to the quartet.

Title: Among the Free
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Rating: 3/5
# pages:
Date read: July, 2012

Luke Garner is a third-born in a restrictive society that allows only two children per family. Risking his life, he came out of hiding to fight against the Population Police laws. Now, in the final volume of Margaret Peterson Haddix's suspenseful Shadow Children series, Luke inadvertently sets off a rebellion that results in the overthrow of the government. The people are finally free. But who is in charge now? And will this new freedom be everything they had hoped?

As the final book in the series, it was actually a bit of a let-down. Everything seemed to happen so swiftly, with no real rhyme or reason. It seemed as if Ms. Haddix knew she needed a resolution of some kind, but couldn't figure out how to make it happen. Rather disappointing, after having waited 7 books for this.

Title: Among the Brave
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Rating: 3.5/5
# pages: 240
Date read: July, 2012

Trey may have saved Luke's life, but he still thinks of himself as a coward who can barely stand to be outdoors. Now Trey finds out Luke has been taken prisoner at Population Police headquarters. Trey is terrified, but he knows that if he doesn't rescue his friend, no one will.

At police headquarters, Trey impersonates an officer to try getting to Luke. But just when it looks like he's close, Trey suddenly finds himself in danger of exposing not just himself but all shadow children.

Gotta say that even though I prefer the books where Luke/Lee is the main character, Trey is growing on me. He showed real character development in this one. Glad Mr. Talbot's back - I liked him.

Title: Among the Betrayed
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: Dystopian, YA
Rating: 3/5
# pages: 160
Date read: July 2012

Nina Idi was arrested for treason for supposedly trying to trick the Population Police into arresting other students she said were illegal third children. Now she faces torture or death -- unless she agrees to betray three other imprisoned third children. Her dilemma intensifies when she meets the prisoners -- who are only ten, nine, and six.

This had rather a surprising start. At least, I hadn't seen it coming, but then how could I? Anyway, still good, but not quite as fascinating as the two first. I don't know if that's because I just like Luke/Lee better than Nina or because the world building is mostly over now.

Title: Among the Hidden
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 153
Date read: June, 2012

Luke has never been to school. He's never had a birthday party, or gone to a friend's house for an overnight. In fact, Luke has never had a friend.

Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Police. He's lived his entire life in hiding, and now, with a new housing development replacing the woods next to his family's farm, he is no longer even allowed to go outside.

Then, one day Luke sees a girl's face in the window of a house where he knows two other children already live. Finally, he's met a shadow child like himself. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows -- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan? Can he afford "not" to?

I read about this book through a "25 Books/Series to read if you love The Hunger Games" list. It sounded fascinating, so I thought I'd give it a try.

It's... troubling. A lot darker than I had expected from a childrens book. A quick read and actually a rather thought-provoking one. In some ways it reminded me of Nancy Kress' Beggars in Spain - in atmosphere more than in plot though. I liked it very much, though I'm not sure I'll be reading the rest of the series. As far as I could tell they're more a series of companion novels than actual sequels, and I'm more interested in reading about a resolution than about other Shadow Children.

I might very well change my mind if this book ends up haunting my mind though.

Very well written and atmospheric.

Title: Insurgent
Author: Veronica Roth
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 544
Date read: May, 2012

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.

The problem with most dystopian/post-apocalyptic series is that it is really the world building that makes the story so interesting. Once that is established, it often falls back to being an 'ordinary' series, and more is required to keep it interesting.

This was one of the reasons I was a bit hesitant to start "Insurgent". I had loved "Divergent", and thought it one of the best books I read all last year. Would "Insurgent" really be able to live up to it?

Unfortunately, not quite - as reflected in the slightly lower rating I've given it. But it certainly tries. It picks up exactly where "Divergent" leaves off, and races on, full speed ahead, from the very first page. Since less page-time is dedicated to the world building, more space remains for developing the characters and furthering the plot. Veronica Roth surprised me very pleasantly by managing to write a second book in a trilogy that doesn't just come across as a placeholder/transitory book. The plot doesn't just exist to bring the story to it's natural conclusion in the third book, but works in its own right as well. It'll be interesting to see where she takes it in the final book.

Title: Fear
Author: Michael Grant
Genre: Dystopian
Rating: 4.5/5
# pages: 509
Date read: April, 2012

It's been one year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.

Despite the hunger and the lies, even despite the plague, the kids of Perdido Beach are determined to survive. Creeping into the tenuous new world they've built, though, is perhaps the worst incarnation yet of the enemy known as the Darkness: fear.

Within the FAYZ, life breaks down while the Darkness takes over, literally—turning the dome-world of the FAYZ entirely black. In darkness, the worst fears of all emerge, and the cruelest of intentions are carried out. But even in their darkest moments, the inhabitants of the FAYZ maintain a will to survive and a desire to take care of the others in their ravaged band that endures, no matter what the cost.

I think this most recent installment of the Gone series may actually also be the best since the first one. There's a lot more plot and not just non-stop action (though there's plenty of that as well). I like the new relationship between Sam, Astrid, Caine, Quinn and Lana. I want to know more about Petey though, although I do appreciate all the questions that got answered now.

Shades of "Breaking Dawn" with Gaia.... or is that just me?

As far as I know this is the second-to-last book which seems fitting. It's clear that things are drawing to a close - the end game, so to speak - and spinning it out longer would be doing a disservice to the intensity of the story.

Title: The Other Side of Dawn
Author: John Marsden
Genre: Dystopian, YA
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 333
Date read: December, 2011

Informed by Colonel Finley that the military is making a move that could be compared to the D-day attack of WWII, the outback teen guerillas know that the end of the bewildering war that changed their lives is drawing near. Armed with plastic explosives and grenades, courtesy of the New Zealand Army, they have been instructed to "spread chaos and confusion behind their (enemy) lines in every way, shape and form." For Ellie and company, this means targeting a hostile refueling station and train tracks. Of course, nothing is ever easy. There are still the feral kids to worry about and the dismal discovery that soldiers have infiltrated Hell, their only secured hiding place in the bush.

No joke, I literally sobbed my way through much of the second half of this book - much to my husbands bemusement and concern. For a minute there I was very worried that the series would end up with an open ending after all, but in the end John Marsden tied everything together very nicely.

Somehow the resolution of the war did offend my sense of justice though. I know it's probably a very realistic resolution though, so even if I don't like it much, I can understand why John Marsden didn't tie everything up in a neat little bow in the end.

I'm glad I've finally read this series. I've heard so much about it for ages, and it deserves its hype. Now all that's left is to figure out whether I should continue with the Ellie Chronicles next ;) Recommendations, anybody?

Title: Burning for Revenge
Author: John Marsden
Genre: Dystopian, YA
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 272
Date read: December, 2011

The journey to Stratton isn't an easy trip, especially when the enemy's headquarters lie somewhere along the way. And that's exactly where Ellie and her friends unwittingly find themselves. With only five of them against hundreds of armed soldiers, escape seems like a suicide mission. But Stratton is where Ellie's grandmother lives, so the journey must be made -- even though the odds aren't good.

I loved that the kids finally got revenge! Not at all in the way I had expected, but I was very gratified that something finally went their way. I can't even begin to imagine what they must be going through and was very glad that they finally experienced something they could be pleased about.

I couldn't believe Lee's betrayal though. That infuriated me!

Title: The Third Day, The Frost
Author: John Marsden
Genre: Dystopian, YA
Rating: 4/5
# pages: 278
Date read: December, 2011

The anything-to-survive existence of Ellie and her friends has sharpened their senses and emboldened their plans. They aren't merely on the defensive anymore; they're also striking back. Their strategy? Attack the enemy not just on land, but also on water. If they have any hope of sabotaging the formidable container ship at Cobbler's Bay, then stealth is a must, but so, too, is one very big explosion.

And if they fail, they may face a whole new kind of terror - imprisonment.

Probably the most chilling book of the series so far. I literally had tears come to my eyes when the kids got in contact with New Zealand. And then the end... but I won't spoil it for the rest of you.

I wasn't quite as satisfied with the closing of the Major Harvey incident as I had hoped to be, but then I always prefer bad guys to recognize the error of their ways... yeah, I'm ridiculously naive that way.

Glad Kevin's back. I hope we'll hear more about Corrie soon too.