A Simply Enchanted Life

Revolutionary by Krista McGee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
★: Didn't Like it
★★: It was Ok
★★★: Liked it
★★★★: Really liked it
★★★★★: It was amazing

Suggested Age:12+ Genre: Dystopian, Christian Fiction

This series is really good and I think this book is the best out of the series. I admit that I was a little disappointed in book two because of how similar it was to The Hunger Games but now that it’s all over with—I’m pleased with how things turned out.  If you’re a fan of dystopian but you’re looking for something that is a bit less—dark, then this would be a great series for you.   Christian themes are woven into this book seamlessly. It's a very good alternative for younger Folks who have been wanting to read The Hunger Games and the parents are worried about the content.
 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Suggested Age: 16+
mild language/violence
Genre: Dystopian

This book was “alright” I liked it well enough but I thought there were a lot of gaps in the story line.

What happened to the rest of the world? What’s the true point of the factions—how did it get to that point. These are questions that should have been addressed.

I felt there were times where the story relied too heavily on the "hot-factor" of Four and less on the story line.

This isn’t the worst book I’ve ever read but after hearing a spoiler of how it ends I think I’m ending with this one and saving myself the book angst.

This book follows Beatrice Prior as she learns that she is a Divergence, as she chooses a faction and her reinvention as the edgy dauntless Tris.

Being dauntless means that she must learn to have courage, how to face her fears and essentially, how to survive initiation if she wishes to avoid being factionless.

During her initiation she meets an interesting guy named Four. Why is he called Four? Well, that is for Tris to discover. I assure that his presence in the story is what makes this book worth reading. Tris is rather boring, to be honest. In my opinion, Four is the story and without him there’s no point in reading. I don’t say that because I’m some crazed fan-girl desiring after a book-boyfriend. I say that because I really think there wasn’t much of a story to tell without him.

Passing initiation is only half the problem. Shortly thereafter is when the real story begins to emerge and the factions are plunged into war. The first book pretty much ends at such point so I will leave off at this point and point out just a few note-worthy things

• This book is YA genre but it is geared more towards the upper end of the YA bracket. There’s a bit more innuendos and violent situations are a bit more graphic in my opinion than something like The Hunger Games which I would say is fine for the younger age brackets of the YA genre.

• Where is the rest of the world and why exactly are there factions. This wasn’t explained well enough. I want to know why only Chicago exists and how did it get to the point of having to have factions? Yes, I know the spiel about qualities and traits but what initiated this train of thought?

• There seems to be an age discrepancy as the author states that Caleb is a few months into being 16 and Tris is turning 16. If they have the same parents, how are they only a “few” months a part. Pregnancy lasts 9 months typically so even if their mom became pregnant again right away, if he is 16 for a couple of months then how is Tris also turning 16 at the same time? I totally get the “irish twin” thing but she totally didn’t explain it well. Shoot, she might as well have just made them twins so it would be less confusing for everyone reading.

This book was an okay read and I liked it well enough. From what I hear about the ending, I don’t like this book well enough to continue the series.
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Veronica Roth is from a Chicago suburb. She studied creative writing at Northwestern University, and wrote DIVERGENT (Katherine Tegen Books, May 2011) and INSURGENT (May 2012). The third and final book in The Divergent Trilogy, ALLEGIANT, will come out on October 22, 2013. In the meantime she will spend endless hours browsing Wikipedia in her pajamas as she eats corn flakes. (Or some other kind of bland breakfast cereal.)

Luminary by Krista McGee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I was so excited to read this book. I really enjoyed book one and so did my daughter!

I actually submitted a short story for a chance to win an autographed book and my submission won so it was even more exciting to read.

I gave this book a solid 4 stars, I really wanted to give it 5 star rating but I couldn’t help but feel as this one was a little too similar to The Hunger Games in certain parts.

Similarities to The Hunger Games:

Mutated Animals-Muttations
The State-The Capitol
love triangle-love triangle
Berk is the Peeta of this series with his accidents and love for Thalli.
The King of Athena is the President Snow of this series.

Don’t get me wrong, the series is great so far and I noticed much less redundancy than with book one but I just felt it was very similar to the HG series.
Thalli has escaped from the State with a small group of friends. While they think they have outsmarted the scientist it is really Thalli and her friends that have been duped.

The scientists want to lure the remaining scientists that left the State back so that they can cure oxygen problem that threatens to kill them all.

My autographed copy of Luminary!

When Thalli arrives in New Hope she makes new friends but she also discovers that there are scary things in the world such as war and theft. A neighboring pocket of survivors is ruled by an evil king who wishes to dominate the world (well, what is left of it)

Coming July 2014!

From there the story spirals into mind control and twisted secrets that Thalli must either expose or escape. Things began to look pretty grim from that point on and to be honest I don’t know who to trust as I look forward to the next installment.

I did enjoy the story and I look forward to the last book, Revolutionary. Despite a few instances where I felt that the story derived too much from The Hunger Games the story is still well worth the read.
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When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of "Anomaly", "First Date", "Starring Me", and "Right Where I Belong".

Connect with Krista http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com

Anomaly by Krista McGee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Anomaly is one of the best YA books I’ve read since The Hunger Games! It is in the same genre (dystopian) but it is also very obviously a Christian book as well.

After I finished reading I gave it to my daughter to read and she pretty much devoured it in a day!

We are both eagerly awaiting book two in the series! There isn’t much that I didn’t like about this book—really, the only thing that bugged me was that one of the character’s soap smell was mentioned a few too many times. Other than that this was a fantastic (and quick) read!

This story is your typical post-apocalyptic dystopian tale but it is unique in that it is also Christian fiction. Honestly, I think it is the first time I have ever seen a Christian-Dystopian book so the author has definitely hit a niche!
Thalli is an Anomaly—she has the ability to feel emotion in a world where scientist have learned to remove this trait. As a matter of fact—all remaining life is genetically engineered to be void of emotions.

“Anomaly” iPad Mini Giveaway from Krista McGee

Generations of humans are taught one skill from birth and their goal is to benefit the surviving community through their chosen skill. Aside from the “scientists” they are not allowed to question why—that is the trait of an anomaly!

The story really begins when Thalli is removed from her “pod” for showing emotion over an ancient piece of music. It is then that she meets John—a father of one of the ten original scientists that preserved and genetically modified the human race.

John is hidden away from the pods and from the public. He is kept in seclusion because of his dangerous belief in the great Designer—the creator of all life and emotion.

Thalli also reconnects with a childhood friend who is now a scientist and the two of them start to develop feelings for one another which is considered primitive and is strictly forbidden.

I really enjoyed this story so much that I don’t want to spoil it anymore or spill too much. This is very much a Christian tale so if you’re offended by saving grace then this is NOT the book for you!

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games and you’re looking for something in that genre and you like sci-fi/Christian tales then this one needs to go on your “to be read” pile!
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When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of "Anomaly", "First Date", "Starring Me", and "Right Where I Belong".

Connect with Krista http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com
I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. To view other reviews and learn more about the blog tour for Anomaly please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here

Afloat by Erin Healy

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I was really excited to read this book. It sounded sort of sci-fi/dystopian and it grabbed my interest.

However, I found that I quickly lost interest within the first four chapters of the book.

The story line was a great concept and I wanted to love it but it just couldn’t hold my attention.

I felt that some of the catastrophe and chaos was so over the top that it was hard to follow exactly what happened and though I have finished the book I am not entirely sure if it was a bomb that caused the problem or if it was a volcano or earthquake.

As a reader who grasps allegory and comprehends books quite well it isn’t often that I feel such loss and confusion. Perhaps such feelings came from not falling in love with the characters or maybe it was something else but I just didn’t really connect with this book. I couldn’t really fall in love with the characters nor did I feel particular loss when something bad happened to them.

In addition to my other complains; I think for me the multiple character views were a big hindrance in my ability to form a bond with the characters. I think this will be one of those books that you either love or hate depending entirely upon personal tastes in writing styles so I would still probably suggest the books for others who love action and sci-fi.
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Who will you trust when dark waters rise?

Eagle's Talon is an architectural marvel-shining residential units afloat in a protected cove of the gorgeous Rondeau River. The project is nearly complete, partially occupied, and ready to make investors rich when a sinkhole gives way. Then torrential rains and a flood leave a ragged collection of builders, investors, and residents stranded in one floating building, cut off from the rest of the world.

They're bitterly divided over what to do next.

Architect Vance Nolan insists they should sit tight and wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single mom Danielle Clement, desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, struggles to hold their motley band together.

Power failure, a pall of unnatural daytime darkness, explosions in the distance, then a murder ratchet tensions to a boiling point. But Danielle's young son, Simeon, has spotted something strange underwater-beautiful, shifting lights in the dark water below.
In this watery world where everyone's secrets will eventually come to light, salvation may mean more than just getting out alive.
Giveaway




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Erin Healy is the best-selling co-author of "Burn" and "Kiss" (with Ted Dekker) and an award-winning editor for numerous best-selling authors. She has received wide acclaim for her novels "Never Let You Go", "The Baker's Wife", "House of Mercy", and "Afloat". She and her family live in Colorado. Erin can be contacted through her website ErinHealy.com or through Facebook at erinhealybooks.

Find out more about Erin at http://www.erinhealy.com.

I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. This giveaway is being sponsored by Litfuse
as part of a blog tour for Afloat. To view other reviews and learn more about this tour please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’ve come to the end of this trilogy and I honestly thought I wouldn’t like it. As I said in my other reviews—it took a little bit of work on my part to get used to the first person perspective but the lack of knowing what others were thinking was less taunting in books two and three. I like that the books made me think about who was good and who was bad and perhaps that both sides had issues they needed to clear up before their future could become better.

In my review below I’m also going to explain why I thought this book was a five-star book when a lot of my friends were disgruntled with the ending. I will address those issues and hopefully some of my readers who have expressed their thoughts to me will be able to see it from a different perspective now. We’re all entitled to have our opinions and we should all rate honestly but I thought this would allow me a bit of a chance to connect with those of you that have expressed certain feelings about this last book.

Katniss has agreed to be the Mockingjay for the rebellion and is now living in District 13. I had mixed feelings about District 13—well, obviously we were meant to. Coin oozed of corruption from the minute I read about the conditions in the District. Much of the conditions are a necessity but the rest—something just didn’t sit well in my mind with that character and I think the extent of her corruption and power-lust only becomes more evident towards the end. I’ll not mention “the situation” with Prim since some of you may have not read the story yet but I felt that little mishap was the very pinnacle of her power trip. About said situation—some of the comments from friends and fellow readers is that it was unnecessary and cruel. Cruel? Oh yes, I’d agree with that one. Unnecessary? Not by a long shot. It was an integral part of the story that tipped the scales for Katniss. Without it the ending would have been every bit as bleak as the content matter of the story. Book four would have found us right back at The Hunger Games. I thought it was the only way to turn the tides and open the eyes of Katniss.


The second complaint that I’ve heard is about Katniss ending up with Peeta (I didn’t figure this was much of a spoiler) and I’m honestly just shocked when I hear people pull the team Gale card. Sure, he was Katniss’ friend. She loved him even. She could have been with him but Gale was too much like Katniss. Only Katniss chose to do things on a "need to" basis only—Gale ran in with guns blazing. She needed a soft place to land. Peeta offered that mental cushion for Katniss in a way that Gale couldn't. Had she ended up with Gale her PTSD would be more than she could have handled. Gale was right, when he said that Katniss would choose the one that would insure her survival. She could handle herself physically—no, she didn’t need physical protection. She needed to survive the mental onslaught that she would be forced to live with for the rest of her life. So—that’s it, my thoughts on some of the biggest complaints my friends have provided me.


As for the rest of the story, most of it revolved around the war effort and it honestly wasn’t a pretty thing—war never is! There was some funny moments with Finnick that really made me laugh and I really kept pulling for him and Annie through the entire ordeal. Aside from the wedding though—there wasn’t a lot to celebrate in this story. It was fairly bleak. Which then brings to the matter of the ending—I thought it was fantastic. It was realistic but bittersweet. For those that wanted a beautiful ending without any emotional consequences of war—I have to ask, could you go to an arena, kill people that you don’t even want to kill—lose people you care about and then live through the horrors that this young woman lived through and not display any sort of emotional trauma? I think not. Katniss and Peeta both likely suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder—the nightmares and anxiety—normal considering all they have endured. The important thing is that they found love and freedom to make their world a better place for their children. I’m rather glad that Katniss found her dandelion. I really can’t say it any better than Katniss herself

“I know what I need to survive isn't Gale's fire, kindled with rage and hate, but what I need is the dandelion in the spring. The promise of life instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on no matter how bad our losses. And only Peeta can give me that.”

In the end Katniss plays the repetitive game to know what is "real" and reminds herself that there are far worse games to play. She is musing and her worries are about to what extent will her children know of her involvement in the war and in the games. Not her fear of them in the games themselves. There was an unwritten worry of what her children must think of her. YES they learn about the games and the war but will they understand her? That is what I read into the ending that made me connect with Katniss as I too am a mother and I worry about what my children will think about choices I have made in my life.

With that—I am done reading this trilogy and I would like to thank my daughter, my nieces and my husband for encouraging me to read a series I really struggled to pick up and I hope that my review encourages some of you that have been on the fence about reading to go ahead and pick the series up for yourself! Thank you for reading and may the odds be ever in your favor!
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Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days. The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.

You can find out more about this author by visiting her website at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After reading The Hunger Games I quickly jumped in and read "Catching Fire" I find the title of the book to be ironic as the books have caught on...like fire. I suppose like Katniss says “Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!” I really enjoyed this second book; I think a bit more than the first. I've really had to work on getting over my dislike for first person perspective but it helps now that I'm getting use to Katniss' voice and her persona.

Katniss defied the Capital and won the Hunger Games along with Peeta Mellark—the first time there has ever been two victors in the arena. Returning to life in district 12 hasn’t been that easy however. President Snow has let it be known that Katniss has unknowingly sparked a rebellion and if she can’t convince the world that her rebellion was out of love for Peeta rather than out of spite for the Capital—her life and the lives of her family will be in danger.

At the end of the Victors tour in which Katniss and Peeta travel the other districts and meet with the families of those that participated in the Hunger Games—it is announced that for the first time in history the reaping will come out of the list of surviving Hunger Games victors. This means that Katniss, as the only surviving female victor for district 12 is going back to the arena. Of course this is a way to punish her for stirring up rebellion, even though she wasn’t trying to start a war! When Haymitch’s name is drawn as the second contender—Peeta steps up and volunteers so that he can protect Katniss.

And so it is that the pair makes their way back to the arena. Only this time they have surprising allies that seem willing to die for them—though neither Katniss nor Peeta can figure out as why that is. I think one of the tributes I enjoyed the most was Finnick. At first he seemed like such a cocky jerk but that was before I knew his entire story—of course I wouldn’t know his story until later on but really—he was a great guy. Finnick cared deeply about the woman he loved but also about doing his part in undoing a great injustice in his world. He put his own wellbeing and the selfish desires of his heart aside to do what he thought was the right thing.

I won’t go into any more detail than this because I really think it’s a book you should just read for yourself. I think this book had a lot more depth to it and insight into the other characters than the first book had. I was really pulling for some way for the majority of the tributes to remain alive whereas the first time around I nearly sighed in relief every time one of the careers died. I am so glad that my daughter kept bugging me to read and I hope that my review convinces a few friends who have been “on the fence” so to speak about this series to give it a shot!
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Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.

While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles.

Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.

The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award
You can find out more about this author by visiting her website at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finally picked up this book—much to the delight of my daughter who is practically obsessed with The Hunger Games. I mean—obsessed to the point that her friends call her Katniss. She has read the book at least three times and she’s been on my case to read them. I failed the first time I tried reading because of the first person perspective—it’s just so hard for me to read that perspective for some reason but I was determined to make it through and read it for her and because I was sure it had to be better than the poor acting in the movie that I was not at all pleased with. So—here is my review (finally) and I’ll try to put into words what I thought.

I’m sure that I’m wasting my time really typing up what this story is about since I’m probably the only person in the world that hasn’t read this story up until now. I’ll give it a go anyway just in the off chance that you haven’t read the book yet. This story is narrated by Katniss Everdeen and she is from post-apocalyptic America which is now known as Panem. There was once a rebellion and now the Capital punishes each of the twelve surrounding districts with “The Hunger Games.” Each year two children, ages twelve to eighteen, are taken to fight to the death in a massive outdoor arena. Katniss steps forward to take her young sister’s place as a tribute for district twelve and the rest of the story follows her fear and agony through the games. There are plenty of bittersweet moments in this story that I could touch on—a budding romance that is doomed from the start and a friendship not meant to be—but I’ll leave my little summary at that since I’m sure that most everyone has already read this story and I don’t want to ruin it for those that haven’t!

This story was so hard for me to rate and it’s largely due to the fact that I have a hard time reading first person perspective. I will say this—the story was fantastic and the only reason that I’m giving it four stars is because of the perspective it is written in. This is simply personal preference when it comes to reading –don’t let it sway your decisions to read (or not read) the book based on my personal preference on a writing style. I think with first person I miss a lot of detail—the descriptions that make colors and characters jump off of the pages and paint a picture in my mind. I didn't feel my heart racing when I read like it does with other fantasy/adventure stories. I get caught up in the descriptions that make it play a movie in my head and I miss that when reading first person. For example—I can’t really picture what the characters look like from the Hunger Games and have to just visualize the movie characters instead. For that reason alone I give a four star rating—no other. The story was really interesting and I look forward to doing a bit more research into the author and getting to know all the symbolism in the books that I am sure exists. I am glad I made myself read this book even though I’m not a fan of the perspective and I would definitely recommend the book to friends.
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Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.

While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.
Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles.

Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.
She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.

The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.

You can find out more about this author by visiting her website at http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/