Book Review–Reached (Matched #3) by Ally Condie

 

 

This is the 52nd book from my 114 in 2014 Reading Challenge.

Picture Source: Goodreads.com

Reached (Matched #3) by Ally Condie
Published November 13th 2012 by Penguin

 

After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again.

 

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After listening to the first two books on audiobook to refresh my memory (I haven’t read them since they first came out), I was excited to find out how the series would end. I liked Matched pretty well and while I liked Crossed, it was also a really slow book.

Overall I liked Reached fairly well. Not as well as the first book but better than the second. Things went in a completely different direction than I was expecting. While the beginning drags some, when things began moving, the plot got way more exciting.

I think what I like most about these books is how the characters feel about choices, freedom, and art (visual, written word, songs, etc). The three POVs were interesting though at times I felt one would have sufficed. Though I guess it was nice to see more into different areas that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen.

The love triangle has gotten old, though. Actually, it got old in the last book, too. While I don’t really feel too strongly one way or another at this point, I was just ready for it to finally end. I figured Cassia would end up with the person she did at the end. At least unlike other series, the guy left behind also found someone to love though the relationship didn’t have as much development as I would have liked.

I liked how the first and second books were tied into this one and how things didn’t end up perfect at the end. It was realistic. Though I have to admit that I was pretty sad about Indie’s fate. She’s one character I found very interesting.

I’d probably give this one a 3.5, putting it between my rating of book one and two. Overall I enjoy the series and would probably re-read it again in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review–Panic by Lauren Oliver

 

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. Had a computer malfunction. Still struggling to get everything restored so until further notice, I will only be posting Book Reviews and What I’m Working On. Thank you for your patience!

 

This is the 45th book from my 114 in 2014 Reading Challenge.

 

Picture Source: Goodreads.com

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Published January 1st 2014 by HarperCollins

 

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn’t know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

 

 

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I really wanted to like this one. The overall concept sounded neat and I like Lauren Oliver’s writing, but I just couldn’t get into this one. It was hard to connect to the characters and to the story, even though there were times where I felt bad/could sympathize with what was going on. Some scenes, like the opening, were hard for me to picture.

This book dragged for me most of the time, though there were parts that perked my interest–mostly toward the end or any scenes with Anne and the tigers.

The overall idea was cool, but I just didn’t care enough about the characters or the plot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review–The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald

 

This is the 31st book from my 114 in 2014 Reading Challenge.

Picture Source: Goodreads.com

The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald
Published March 8th 2011 by Candlewick Press

Three unlikely allies team up for a night of rebellion, romance, and revenge in a high-stakes dramedy from acclaimed young author Abby McDonald.

They’ve spent years at the same high school without speaking a word to one another, but that’s all about to change. Popular Bliss was having the perfect prom until she found her BFF and boyfriend making out in the back of a limo. Bad girl Jolene wouldn’t be caught dead at the prom, yet here she is, trussed up in pink ruffles, risking her reputation for some guy – some guy who is forty minutes late. And shy, studious, über-planner Meg never counted on her date’s standing her up and leaving her idling in the parking lot outside the prom. Get ready for The Anti-Prom, Abby McDonald’s hilarious, heart-tugging tale about three girls and one unforgettable prom night.

 

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I wasn’t expecting to like this one as much as I did. Especially after reading the first chapter, which is from Bliss’ POV. While I felt bad for her, I also didn’t really like her too well. But then I met the other two characters, Jolene and Meg, and it started to get better.

Meg is my favorite of the three girls simply because I could relate much better to her. Next I liked Jolene, who was interesting, sassy, and had a big chip on her shoulder. Bliss is my least favorite but I ended up liking her much better toward the end.

This is a fun read with a scavenger-hunt like feel. It’s always impressive to find a book that only takes place within a day or two, and this one did a great job. The plot was fun and fresh. But the girls also had some issues so there was also some emotion to what would have otherwise simply been a “fluff” read.

The romances were really cute, too. At least the two that worked out, anyway. Especially Scott.

If you’re looking for a fun read involving prom, revenge, unlikely girls becoming friends, and a night of wild and possibly illegal activities, this is the book for you. I’d love to see what happens to the girls after the night is over.