Dystopian Review: Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

Divergent (Divergent #1)
by Veronica Roth
Narrator for the audiobook: Emma Galvin


Description:
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.... or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series - dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.


My Review:
I jumped on the Divergent stories a bit late in the game, particularly because when I first became aware of them, everyone was already shouting their displeasure at the series’ conclusion. Still, I saw the movie for Divergent and figured I’d give the series a shot when I found the audiobooks available at my local library.

I’m glad I did. This was a blast. I can see why people loved this book. Tris’s world is just crazy. Having to choose a life focus before you’re ever out of school. Knowing that if you fail in your initiation, you’ll be relegated to the streets and an outcast life of poverty. Then adding in the revelation that you aren’t normal, and your abnormality could get you killed if you fail to hide it. All of this is Divergent.

The storytelling is engaging and entertaining, and it drew me along even though I had a good idea what would happen by having watched the movie first.

I must also say I thoroughly enjoyed the talented performance of the narrator, Emma Galvin, whom I’ve come to recognize in other stories.

Overall, I loved the story and would recommend it to fans of dystopian novels.


About the Author:

 

Veronica Roth is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series and Carve the Mark. She was born in a Chicago suburb, and studied creative writing at Northwestern University. She and her husband and dog currently live in Chicago.

You can find Veronica on Instagram (@vrothbooks), Facebook, or at her website (veronicarothbooks.com), or sign up for her newsletter to get book news and exclusive content here! eepurl.com/dcqzr1

Apocalyptic Review: The Indwelling (Left Behind #7) by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins

The Indwelling (Left Behind #7)
by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins


Description:
Nicolae Carpathia is dead. But who killed the Antichrist? The answer may surprise you. Book seven in the best-selling Left Behind series marks the beginning of the second half of the seven-year Tribulation period. In dramatic fashion, readers are exposed to the horrors of God's judgment and the hope of salvation. Rayford, Buck, Chloe, and the rest of the Tribulation Force find themselves at the center of heart-stopping action. Number one on the "New York Times" Best Sellers List for four weeks.

My Review:
I continued reading because I wanted to find out who actually took out Carpathia. I wouldn't necessarily call any of the action in this heart-stopping, particularly since it's similar to all the previous books.

I did enjoy how Carpathia's resurrection was handled, very creepy and sinister. Mostly, I loved the parts that featured David Hassid.

On the downside, this one had its moments, but got rather dialog heavy. My son actually stopped reading the series with this one. He couldn't get into it and said it was boring.

Overall, I enjoyed it, but I could totally see what my son was talking about. Christian readers will likely enjoy this story, but even they might find it a bit longwinded in parts. The next one ramps back up.

I borrowed this from a friend.


About the Authors: 

Timothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins. He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Timothy "Tim" F. LaHaye was an American evangelical Christian minister, author, and speaker, best known for the Left Behind series of apocalyptic fiction, which he co-wrote with Jerry B. Jenkins.

He has written over 50 books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as co-author of the Left Behind series of books with Tim LaHaye. Jenkins has written over 185 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as non-fiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Books in this Series:

MINI REVIEW: Instinct (Nick Chronicles #6) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Instinct (Nick Chronicles #6)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Description:
Zombies, demons, vampires, shapeshifters— another day in the life of Nick Gautier– and those are just his friends. But now that he’s accepted the demon that lives inside him, he must learn to control it and temper the very emotions that threaten the lives of everyone he cares for. Something that’s hard to do while trying to stay off the menus of those who want his head on a platter. And no one wants him more than the dark gods who created his race. Now that they know where he is, they will stop at nothing to reclaim him. And without knowing it, Nick has just embraced the one person he should never have trusted. The one person who will hand him over to his enemies to get back the life they lost.

Nick has finally accepted his fate, now he must learn to defy his destiny, and the dark, deadly forces that will stop at nothing to destroy everyone he loves so that they can again return to the world of man and own it.


My Review:
Nick’s a bit of an idiot in this one, still loved it! Absolutely love this series!

I miscalculated after the last book. This was the last one of the series in the library. I'm going to have to buy the rest.

Audiobook is just awesome!


About the Author:

Photography by Sheri Reno/Nashville.

 

 

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Author Webpage: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/
Chronicles of Nick: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/

MINI REVIEW: Illusion (Nick Chronicles #5) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Illusion (Nick Chronicles #5)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Description:
Be careful what you wish for…

You just might get it.

Nick Gautier is tired of his destiny. He doesn’t want to be the son of a demon who’s fated to end the world. Nor does he want to see another demon or other preternatural creature who wants to kill or enslave him. He just wants to be normal and have normal problems like everyone else.

But normality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. When he gets sucked into an alternate reality where his mother has married his mentor and his Atlantean god best friend has become a human geek, he begins to understand that no life is free of pain, and that every person has a specific place in the universe… Even the son of a hated demon.

Most of all, he sees that his powers aren’t the curse he thought they were, and that the world needs a champion, especially one its enemies can’t imagine rising up to defend the ones he should destroy.

Old enemies and new friends square off for a major battle that will either restore Nick to his real world, or end him forever


My Review:
Alternate realities, impending apocalypse, what could go wrong?

This one was fun and a bit of a surprise.

I thought the alternate characters were interesting, but will be glad to return the primary ones in the next book. Love the ending.

I absolutely love these audiobooks. Borrowed this one from the library.


About the Author:

Photography by Sheri Reno/Nashville.

 

 

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Author Webpage: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/
Chronicles of Nick: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/

MINI REVIEW: Inferno (Nick Chronicles #4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Inferno (Nick Chronicles #4)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Description:
The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?


My Review:
The threats ramp up in this one. Great story!

Highly recommended series.

I borrowed the audiobook from the library.


About the Author:

Photography by Sheri Reno/Nashville.

 

 

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Author Webpage: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/
Chronicles of Nick: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/

MINI REVIEW: Infamous (Nick Chronicles #3) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Infamous (Nick Chronicles #3)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Description:
The world has fallen in love with Nick Gautier and the Dark-Hunters.

Now Nick’s saga continues in the next eagerly anticipated volume...

Go to school. Get good grades. Stay out of trouble. That’s the mandate for most kids. But Nick Gautier isn’t the average teenager. He’s a boy with a destiny not even he fully understands. And his first mandate is to stay alive while everyone, even his own father, tries to kill him.

He’s learned to annihilate zombies and raise the dead, divination and clairvoyance, so why is learning to drive and keep a girlfriend so dang hard? But that isn’t the primary skill he has to master. Survival is.

And in order to survive, his next lesson makes all the others pale in comparison. He is on the brink of becoming either the greatest hero mankind has ever known.

Or he’ll be the one who ends the world. With enemies new and old gathering forces, he will have to call on every part of himself to fight or he’ll lose everyone he cares about.

Even himself.


My Review:
These are awesome, especially as audiobooks. Narrator is perfect for the story.

I highly recommend this book.

I borrowed the audiobook from the library.


About the Author:

Photography by Sheri Reno/Nashville.

 

 

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Author Webpage: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/
Chronicles of Nick: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/

YA Review: Invincible (Nick Chronicles #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Invincible (Nick Chronicles #2)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Description:
Nick Gautier's day just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he survived the zombie attacks, only to wake up and find himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul.

His new principal thinks he's even more of a hoodlum than the last one, his coach is trying to recruit him to things he can't even mention and the girl he's not seeing, but is, has secrets that terrify him.

But more than that, he's being groomed by the darkest of powers and if he doesn't learn how to raise the dead by the end of the week, he will become one of them...

My Review:
I am so hooked on this series. There is nothing I don’t like about it.

First off, audiobook is the format I’d recommend. I’m sure this would be great as a regular book, but the narrator they chose to perform all these books is perfect for this story.

That being said, this installment is even more sinister and engrossing than the first. The threat is identified early on, but the exact nature of it and how to defeat it is revealed in a way that kept me interested and made it extremely hard to stop listening.

I also really enjoyed the perspective of Nick, the kindhearted Cajun who’s destined to become a horrifying demon that destroys the world. Talk about the thread that holds the series together.

Overall, loved this book. Strongly recommended.

Borrowed the audiobook from the library.

About the Author:

Photography by Sheri Reno/Nashville.

 

 

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Author Webpage: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/
Chronicles of Nick: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/

YA Review: Infinity (Nick Chronicles #1) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Infinity (Nick Chronicles #1)
by Sherrilyn Kenyon


Description:
At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends. . .until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead.

But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he's next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough. . .now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?


My Review:
Absolutely recommended!

Loved Nick's character. He's lippy, good natured, and charming, but also good at getting into trouble. His mom's awesome, especially her mom threats. Mark and Bubba, so funny.

And, add in the threat of football player zombies, dark powers, and an evil that wants to turn Nick into something that threatens the future of the world and you have one fantastic read.

I loved this story. Strongly recommended for fans of YA paranormal with plenty of humor and danger.

I borrowed the audiobook from the library, and I must say that I would totally recommend this format if you can get it. I adored the narrator's performance. Every character is unique in the story and the narrator channels them perfectly, especially the ones I mentioned above. Love it!


About the Author:

Photography by Sheri Reno/Nashville.

 

 

New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon is a regular at the #1 spot. With legions of fans known as Menyons (thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her series and who travel from all over the world to attend her appearances), her books are always snatched up as soon as they appear on store shelves. Since 2004, she had placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga and graphic novels. Her current series are: Dark-Hunter, Chronicles of Nick and The League, and her books are available in over 100 countries where eager fans impatiently wait for the next release. Her Chronicles of Nick and Dark-Hunter series are soon to be major motion pictures while Dark-Hunter is also being developed as a television series. Join her and her Menyons online at SherrilynKenyon.com and www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrilynKenyon

Author Webpage: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/
Chronicles of Nick: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book-series/chronicles-of-nick/

Middle Grade Review: The King of Average by Gary Schwartz

The King of Average
by Gary Schwartz


Description:
James isn’t the world’s greatest kid, but he’s not the worst, either: he’s average! When he decides to become the most average kid who ever lived, James is transported to another world where he meets Mayor Culpa, a well-dressed talking Scapegoat who recruits him to become the new King of Average.

He’s joined on his quest by a professional Optimist and his grouchy companion, an equally professional Pessimist. Together, they set out on a journey of self-discovery that leads them all the way from the Sea of Doubt to Mount Impossible, the highest peak in the Unattainable Mountains. When James stumbles into a Shangri-la called Epiphany, he uncovers the secret of who he really is.

Follow James on his hilarious, adventure-packed journey to find self-worth in this heartfelt middle grade novel The King of Average by debut author Gary Schwartz.


My Review:
The King of Average is an adventure set in a world where the geography and its citizens are divided by just how above or below average they are. James, who is rather ordinary, gets pulled into the world when he decides he’d like to be the most average boy ever and then gets recruited for the job of King of Average.

For me, the humorous characters were the biggest draw. Mayor Culpa the scapegoat is great, always shouting out that whatever it is, it is his fault. The optimist and pessimist are also pretty funny the way they play off each other. Besides that, the story highlights the range of human nature and builds in some life lessons. 

I also enjoyed that the main character has to work for his goals and that he and his friends face real dangers on his quest. It makes for an exciting tale.
As for the puns, well, I think those might be more for the adults, though the author did a good job of paraphrasing and giving context so it’s not too over the heads of the younger readers. I liked them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I’d recommend it to folks who like adventure and humor. It not only seemed appropriate to younger readers, but also something I’d have liked to read at that age.

I received the review copy of this book from the publisher.


About the Author:

Gary Schwartz began his professional career as a mime at age 13,  performing up and down the Hudson River with Pete Seeger and the great folk entertainers of the 1960s. In the 1980s he appeared in numerous film and television projects including the Oscar-winning feature film Quest for Fire. Schwartz has lent his voice to hundreds of film and TV projects and is the voice of several well-known video game characters, including Heavy Weapons Guy and Demoman in Team Fortress 2.

Schwartz has written for two children’s television series in which he co-starred: Zoobilee Zoo, where he played Bravo Fox; and the Disney Channel’s You and Me, Kid.

Schwartz studied with and became the protégé of Viola Spolin, the creator of Theater Games, the basis for improvisational theater in America. He is a passionate, dynamic improv coach and facilitator devoted to carrying on Spolin’s techniques.

The King of Average is his first novel. To learn more visit:

Blog: http://gary-schwartz.com/
Acting Blog: http://www.improv-odyssey.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/improvmaven
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garyschwartz.writer
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/improvodyssey/
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14203127.Gary_Schwartz
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Gary-Schwartz/e/B016DTSL48/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_4?qid=1444430087&sr=8-4