Divergent official illustrated movie companion - Review

Divergent: Official illustrated movie companion by Kate Egan

Available now

harpercollins.co.uk 

What's it about?

With never-before-seen photos; personal interviews with the directors, actors, and writers; and exclusive extras, this lush, oversize volume is a true behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Divergent.

Review

The illustrated movie companion for the Divergent movie is full of beautiful images from the movie and behind the scenes. It also has some really interesting insight into what went into making the movie, like building the sets and even how much difficulty they had casting Four, I for one can say I'm glad they waited until the found the perfect actor because I couldn't imagine anyone other than Theo James playing him.
I definitely think this book would make the perfect little extra for fans of the movie and/or books who want to know a little more of how making Divergent into a movie became a reality and its amazing to see just how dedicated the whole team were in being true to the book and the lengths they went to, to make sure the sets were perfect. It makes you realise that they didn't just make the movie for themselves but for the fans too whom they also used as extras in some scenes, something I didn't know.
So, if you're looking for something to tide you over while you're waiting for the DVD release so you can watch Divergent again, I 'd recommend picking this up, if for no more reason than there are full page pictures of Four in it!

Inside Divergent; The intiate's world - Review

Inside Divergent: The intitate's world by Cecilia Bernard

Available now

www.harpercollins.co.uk 

What's it about?

This eye-catching volume takes you inside the film version of Divergent. With more than 100 photographs—many never before seen—Inside Divergent will immerse you in the thrilling dystopian world of futuristic Chicago, where you'll meet the initiates and discover the factions.

Review

This is a nice little extra for fans of the movie, although if you've read the books then don't expect to learn anything new as it only covers the basics about the factions and main characters. But it comes with some lovely glossy pictures from the movie and is still worth a look through. I particularly liked the pictures in the last section which is about Dauntless because you get to see up close some of the extra little details that went into the set for the movie and its all as I imagined. I liked the little character profiles and what's not to like about a full page picture of Four?
So I'd certainly say give this a peruse even if you're a huge fan and know all the details, it won't take long to read and will sit pretty next to your collection of the books. Its also a great intro into the world if your not familiar with it or if you need reminding of  a few facts if you haven't read the book in a while and want to brush up before watching the movie.

Allegiant - Review

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Divergent book three.

Available now.

www.harpercollins.co.uk 

What's it about?

What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?

What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

 The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

 But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

My review

This has to be one of the hardest reviews I've ever had to write! It's taken me three weeks to gather my thoughts after reading Allegiant and I still don't know how I feel about it. For the most part I did enjoy it, I wasn't outraged by the end like a lot of people were, the ending was actually the least of my worries, I thought it fitted the story and if that's the way the author felt it going, then good on her for being brave enough to write it that way. The whole series focuses on bravery a lot after all! I even teared up and had to take a few breathes after turning the last page before I could do anything else.

For me, it was more the fact it didn't live up to its predecessors. Both Divergent and Insurgent were constant thrill rides of action and shocks, neither book let off until the end. In comparison Allegiant felt tame, okay I was expecting some talking, being the last book in the trilogy we were certainly owed some explanations, but there was just too much talking along with a secondary rebellion that didn't feel completely necessary to the story and made everything more complicated. A big chunk of the book was spent on this, lots of talking and plotting but no real action, which is something I've come to expect from Veronica Roth's books after the example of her first two novels. So I did enjoy the book, I just think Roth could have done so much more, she's already proved she has the talent to. But it certainly hasn't put me off any of her future work, while I've loved Tris and Four and I'm sad to see them go, I'm excited to see what the author can do next.

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Insurgent - Review

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Divergent book two.
Available now. 

http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/

What's it about?
War looms in sixteen-year-old Tris’s dark dystopian world as disputes between the factions grow. Tris must now fight against all odds to discover the truth that can save her and the people she loves. Sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge – and the choices she makes will have devastating and unexpected consequences.

My review

(Read my review for Divergent, book one.)

If I could get away with my review as just being 'it was friggin amazing, read it right now!' then that's pretty much what this review would say bacuse it's exactly how I feel.

I read book one, Divergent, last year and absolutely loved it so I've been eager for the release of Insurgent and it didn't disappoint. If you haven't picked up Divergent yet I strongly recommend that you do and grab Insurgent whilst you're there because you'll want it for after.

Book two picks up right on the tail of book ones ending, literally and didn't fail to entertain me all the way through, some middle books can feel like a bridge to the end one but that's not the case with this, so much happens I could hardly put it down and we find out plenty of new information with a particulalry amazing ending that's left me pining for the next one.

After the events of book one, Tris is in a bad place emotionally in this addition to the series and her relationship with Tobias suffers because of it, this was all really interesting to read, it gave the book a new dimension that the first didn't have, which made it feel different and I can't tell you how glad I was that there wasn't a love triangle in sight, another thing that often happens in second books. 

I also liked that they spent time in the other factions during their journey, it really gave a great insight into how each Faction lives and what they are about, it was a great bit of world building that gave me the feeling of being immersed in world.

Roth has really broken the boundaries with Insurgent and written an explosive, emotional sequel that turned my knuckles white from clinging to it as I read. This is easily one of my favourite reads of the year and the wait for the next one might just kill me!

My thoughts on the cover

These covers have really grown on me and I quite like them, I love the purple colour of this one and the long road signifying Tris' journey and the Amity tree far off in the background, I like the burning leaves to and the ctachy tag line.

Favourite quotes

'In the moments before I drift off to sleep, I hear him whisper, "I love you Tris."'

'I think we cry to release the animal parts of us without losing our humanity. Because inside me is a beast that snarls, and growls, and strains towards freedom, toward Tobias, and, above all, toward life. And as hard as I try, I cannot kill it.'

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Team Erudite - Win Insurgent

So I now have the official line-up of who is in Team Erudite!

Hooray

For your following pleasure here they are!

ME! -Leader

Jodie - Leader - Books for company

Becky - The bookette

Niall - Scots spec

Nina - Death books and tea

Stevie - Sable caught

Nat - Besotted with books

Mazz - Words on the shelf

Susan - Susan K Mann

Amber - Books of Amber

Carly - Fiction fascination

Emma - Book Angel booktopia

Ryan - Empire of books

Go #TeamEruditeUK!!!

And now for the bit you actually clicked through for!

I am personally giving away a UK paperback copy of Insurgent to celebrate this awesome book!

Deets

-Open to anyone the book depository ships to.

-Giveaway ends on the day of release (May 1st)

-Your free entry is the only mandatory way to enter, the rest are optional but will get you extra entries and more chance of winning!

-Fill in the form!

Try it Tuesday (5)

'Try it Tuesday' is a weekly meme hosted here at Bookaholics where each week me and Ninfa take turns to recommend a book we think you should try and why.

This weeks pick is

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Divergent book one.

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
 
Why I’m choosing this book
With the hype of the impending release of book two, Insurgent this last couple of weeks, I couldn't not recommend Divergent to you guys this week! I'm actually currently re-reading it right now and loving it as much as the first time. The first time I read it was about six months ago and I was hooked from the first pages because it's brilliant, it has great story and great characters. It is simply one of the best Dystopias I have read.
 
Five reasons I love this book
1. Tris is a really interesting character with a dark side, she won't let anyone bully her and can stand-up for herself.
2. Four! I've read plenty of books where I've fallen in love with the love interest right alongside the protag, but when the book is finished, I forget about them, not Four though, he still sticks with me now, he's honest and is never patronising to Tris, he's confident in her abilities and would never make her hide to protect her but would have her fighting by his side.
3. The whole book is gripping, I didn't feel bored at any moment.
4. The whole idea of the factions was great, I loved Tris' journey in her new faction and learning about her old one, seeing how different each faction is.
5. It's wonderfully written and described and so imaginative.

Who I think will love this book
Certainly fans of Dystopia should enjoy this but so should anyone who likes strong female leads and exciting plot twists! I know everything is being compared to it right now but I think fans of The hunger games should love it.

I hope this inspires you to pick up the book, and if you do

Let me know what you think!

Team Erudite - Grab a button

I'm extremely excited and honoured to be the leader for the Erudte faction!

I've made a few buttons for anyone that would like to add one!

I've only found two of my faction members so far and I've heard there are two leaders for each faction, so if you're in Erudite, tweet me! @BookaholicsBkCl and use the hashtags!

#TeamEruditeUK

#INSURGENTUK

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/Misty_Price/Erudite-1-1-1.jpg"/></a>

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/Misty_Price/Erudite.jpg"/></a>

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb343/Misty_Price/Erudite-1.jpg"/></a>

Insurgent cover reveal

You might have already seen this, it's the UK paperback edition of Divergent by Veronica Roth, due for release 2nd Feb 2012. if you haven't read Divergent I can tell you it is brilliant! My review.

Well the UK publishers have decided to stick with these covers for the release of the second book Insurgent in April, and if you haven't seen it already, here it is!

So what do you think, pretty awesome right!

I do love the US covers but I think these covers have something unique of their own and will stand out in the crowd in bookstores!

Divergent review

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Available now

What's it about?

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

My review:

5/5

This book is truly deserving of it's 100% rating, I loved it so much! New author Veronica Roth quickly sets up the world without info dumping, I found it easy to understand the different factions and the weight of Tris' decisions.

Speaking of Tris, I loved her to, we watch her take a journey and grow up, I liked that she stood up for herself, she asked questions and she also used people's underestimation of her to her a favour but most of all I liked that she wasn't perfect and she wasn't selfless, she was honest and had an evil streak, she didn't want to understand her enemies or pity them she just wanted to see them burn!
I loved smouldering Four as well, I don't easily get big literary crushes but I had one on Four, he's strong, fearless and protective.
I could feel the sexual tension from the start and it didn't let up throughhout, I was dying for them to get together!
As for the story itself, it was fresh and different and had lots of twists that kept me excited and desperate to get to the end whilst not actually wanting it to end, if that makes sense.
There is a lot of action and the end just left me breathless with tears in my eyes, I cannot wait for Insurgent to find out what happens next!

My thoughts on the cover:

Well the first thing you notice about this cover is of course the big ball of fire, I was really curious about this and am glad  I know now what it stands for. It took me a while to even notice the two people in the bottom right corner! Although I should mention they aren't on the US cover. I like that they are away from the city in amongst the marshes, I think it represents well Tris and Four's indifference to the faction world they live in and the fact that they don't really fit, and it real life the cover is all shiny and glittering which earns it extra brownie points with me.

Favourite quotes:

I am brave. - Tris

I like that. Because there might come a day when there is no flashlight, there is no gun, there is no guiding hand. And I wan to be ready for it.  Tris

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What I'm reading?

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Blurb:



Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.

My thoughts:
You guys seriously have no idea how excited I am to finally be reading this book! When I heard about it I was dying to get it and then once I got it I've been dying to read it ever since but so many books have gotten in the way and it's been taunting me on my shelf with all it's shiny prettyness, well not anymore cuz I'm finally reading it hooray! I've heard from everyone that it's amazing, I certainly hope so after all this build up! And I've just read three adult books in a row so it'll be good to get back to some ya lol I'm starting it a bit later than planned which means I need to finish it by the end of the weekend which I can't see happening but I'll try lol

What are you reading?