Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book Review:  Divergent by Veronica Roth

After much prodding by my 16-year-old, I relented and read this YA dystopian fantasy thriller.  I'm glad I did, though this novel initially strikes me as a cross between the sorting hat scene in the Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games--equal parts segregation and survivalist brutality.

Amid the typical teen identity crisis of much YA reading fare, there is a simplicity in this story that is hard to discredit.  And, it is this simplicity that commanded my attention.

Three Things I Like:
1.  Faction Manifestos:  The inclusion of the five factions' manifestos at the end of the novel was quite a treat.  In content and in form, these manifestos attempt to showcase the best of each faction's ideologies, containing a lot of virtue even as we have read of that virtue falling apart within the novel's narrative.

2.  Narrative use of setting:  Roth's use of the city's trains, the buildings, and landscape is compelling and dynamic.

3.  Rise of the Underdog:  Tris's empowerment through sheer determination, well and of course her "divergence," is part of the American desire for the underdog to triumph.

Three Things I Dislike:
1.  Things that feel "forgotten":  Although there are adequate explanations about why Tris's family disintegrates and what divergence is, I can't help but want to know more.  I feel like these are integral parts of the overall story and I sure hope they resurface in the following two installments of this trilogy.

2.  Fast pace:  I was going to list this as something I like, and the truth is I do like the fast pace of the novel. However, I cannot help but feel that part of the quick pace is due to the several times I skipped through narrative parts that weren't as compelling as other parts.

3.  Tunnel-visioned narrative:   Although we get hints of what is going on in at least three of the five factions, two are fairly well left out of the narrative.  I suppose I could have placed this comment in #1 above, but I felt that this was due to the fact that we really only see what is going on through Tris's eyes and engagements. Hints of what Amity and Candor are doing would have made for a richer sidestory, perhaps through a similar means as the Erudite newspaper Molly and Peter rub Tris with.

Overall, I am caught up in the Divergent fervor, although to a lesser degree than my son and his friends.  I've already stolen away from him the next installment, Insurgent, and am looking forward to reading time later in the day.  I'm not sure I will want to see the movie due out early next year, but I'm certainly going to read the entire trilogy.

Source:
Roth, Veronica.  Divergent.  New York:  Katherine Tegen Books, 2011.  Print.

Book Review: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Book Review:  Bitterblue by Kristin Cashsore

I stepped ahead of my daughter by reading this book and finished it before she has even had a chance to take a peek.  An interesting text, I'm not sure she's going to like this novel as much as she enjoyed Graecling or Incarceron and Sapphique.  Although there is intrique galore in this novel, this is a much more introspective text than Cashore's Fire or Graceling.  As a sequel to Cashore's Fire and  Graceling, this novel is  much more esoteric than the two other texts in the series, and it is in large part due to this fact that I enjoyed Bitterblue more than its predecessors..

Three Things I Liked:
1.  Language:  So many ideas about language and communication abound in this text, from ciphers, the importance literacy, and (dis)possession of one's own thoughts.  As a lover of language, the attention Cashore pays to the delights and limitations of language is quite a treat.

2.  Memories and Trauma;  If ever there were a text exploring memories and trauma, and the trauma of memory, this would be "it." The pain most of the characters endure and their efforts to suppress the pain of those memories depicts internal crisis in a profound and bittersweet way.

3.  Forgiveness:  A major theme in this text from beginning to end, by exploring forgiveness, Cashore also intimately explores the implications of failing to forgive others and oneself for transgressions and failings. Above all, the concept of forgiveness leading to new beginnings imparts in the novel a sense of refreshment.

Three Things I Disliked:
1.  Delay:  I expected, and was not disappointed, the tie-in with Fire and Graceling to be completed in Bitterblue.  However, it took far too long for that tie-in to manifest and then when it did manifest, Cashsore deals with it almost cursorily.  Perhaps exploring the budded relationship between Fire and Bitterblue is too much to ask without adding another sequel.  (I also note this was one of my issues with Fire.)

2.  Sudden eruption of awareness:  It is difficult for me to believe that "all of a sudden" Bitterblue has an awakening to the myriad deceptions her closest advisers have perpetrated until she turns 18.  This awareness that "something isn't right" develops over the course of the novel, but it's difficult for me to believe that an inquisitive, intelligent, articulate young woman would not have inklings of problems before she did.

3.  Confusion surrounding antagonists' actions:  It is incredibly implausible that Bitterblue's closest advisors who profess to love her despite their deceptions would attempt to have her murdered, not once, but several times.  It is further implausible that when she confronts them and "lays down the law" literally and figuratively by commanding them not to do it again, they acquiesce.  Really?  The motivations seem terribly flimsy in this respect.

Overall, I remain intrigued by some of the original story elements of this triad of novels.  The mind-rape Cashore narrates in these texts is a terribly and terrifying interesting focus for all three stories.  Further, the concept of monsters and Gracelings is surprisingly human and rich, reminiscent of all of the gifts, talents, and mystery of the human condition.  I recommend the Graceling trilogy for YA readers and would be interested in reading more of Cashore's stories in the future.

Source:
Cashore, Kristin.  Bitterblue.  New York:  Dial Books, 2012.  Print.

Book Review: Fire by Kristin Cashore

Book Review:  Fire by Kristin Cashore


Continuing the tradition of reading books my kids are interested in is paying off in some interesting ways.

This is the second novel in a YA trilogy by Kristin Cashore, although it is actually a prequel to the novel Graceling. 

Three Things I Like About Fire:
1.  Monsters:  The monsters are counterparts to the "natural" creatures in the world, and this concept is both wonderful and imaginative.  The idea of creatures that are amped up in terms of their beauty, ferocity, giftedness, danger and intrigue is captivating and drives much of the story. The concept also begs the question what makes a monster monstrous?  Such an idea kept me interested in how this characterization would play out.

2.  Morality:  Morality plays a large role in this novel.  When is it moral to murder?  What is the moral thing to do about an unplanned pregnancy?  Is it moral to co-opt someone's free will under dire circumstances?  Is morality even relevant?  Heavy thoughts for YA readers, but important conversations to be had.

3.  Agency:  I absolutely love the agency Fire commands in the story.  Although she concedes that it is her father who grants her that agency initially, there are numerous moments in the story when Fire presumes and demands agency.  Her strength and determination are commendable.

Three Things I Liked Less about Fire:
1.  Blending of Storylines:  As a prequel to Graceling, I was hoping for a more meaningful and seamless blending of the storylines of Fire and Graceling.  The glints offered about Leck's role in both stories left me with a lot of unanswered questions.  Perhaps Bitterblue will fill in those gaps...

2.  Final Battle Scene:  Without spoiling anything, the final battle scene was confusing:  Was it Leck's interference that turned the scene?  Was it simply espionage and treachery?  Too many unanswered questions that were not addressed left me wanting more clarity.

3.  Ending:  I like an ambiguous ending sometimes, but since this is a prequel, I expected a less "sterile" ending.  There is a touch of happily-ever-after at work here, and it is unsettling because, having read Graceling first, I know that is an illusion.  This illusion leaves too many questions.

I'm hoping that Bitterblue will fill in the gaps that Fire widened in the story arcs...

Source:
Cashore, Kristin.  Fire.  New York:  Dial Books, 2009.  Print.