Ravenous

I don't know what to really say about this book. Honestly, I don't know what to say. I didn't really enjoy it. It's pegged as sci-fi, but the aliens are mostly just alluded to.

I guess it's supposed to be about this group of teenagers trying to survive this alien invasion that has resulted in most of the world frozen and then sucked dry. But really, that seems to be more of a subplot. The main plot seems to be more of a love triangle thing and a Bethany trying to figure out who she wants to be. It's disjointed.

The premise of the book that is presented on Goodreads made it seem like it would be this exciting adventure of this group of teens trying to survive, but it did not live up to that.

Hell, Bethany was making out with Cade (her not boyfriend in this love triangle thing) by the fifth chapter. And they were not long chapters. It was just a disappointing read.

The end gave me some hope, so I'll probably give the second book a try, but my expectations will definitely be lower for that one.

Divergent

Why did I put off reading this book for so long?

I think a lot of it came down to not wanting to read the "it book" of the time. Now it's not in the whole "you have to read this now!" stage, so I figure it's not just a fad. Anyway, I've finally read the first book (still have two more to go) and I'm mad that I waited so long.

I loved this book. Tris is a girl who is trying to find her place in the world. She's Divergent in a world where that's a bad thing to be. She's someone who can fully choose her own path in life without having it strongly suggested to her through the test that all children get when they're 16.

She chooses to follow a path that is dangerous. She goes Dauntless, the group that seems to have no concern for their own well-being. I mean, this is a group of people that jump from trains and off of tall buildings. I swear they all have death wishes.

But Tris does find herself. I think that's why I like her. She spends 16 years of her life feeling like she doesn't belong in the group she was born into because she isn't selfless enough, and then she finds she can go anywhere and she chooses the dangerous group.

I liked Tris's personal journey through this book. Her self-discovery and growth. It was impressive, while still being an appropriate book for young adults.

The Book Chat

I've been excited to experience The Book Chat over at The Tangerine, but when I started following her blog (rather sporadically), it had been put on kind of a long hiatus. That made me sad. But, she has started it again, so I'm able to take part in this!

This week's topic is "what are you reading?" This is one of those topics that I am interested in seeing what other books are being read right now.

I'm currently only reading one book.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I have had this on my to-read list for a long time. I've kept meaning to read it, and I've finally gotten to it. I'm not terribly far into it yet, but I'm already enjoying it. I find the main character - Tris - very intriguing. I am definitely looking forward to finishing this book and the rest of the series.

Part of the reason I'm only reading one book right now is because I'm taking a couple of poetry classes, so I'm spending a lot of time reading various poems for class. That isn't nearly as fun and exciting as reading for pleasure is, so I always make sure that I try to keep one pleasure book going during my classes.