Book Review : The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse

Synopsis :
As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

A lot of people say this book is similar to Divergent and Hunger Games. I will say yes, it does, but don't worry! The similarities are just a few. Really! At the beginning, the story starts every child, one by one, sits on a reclined chair and ends up stay in U.N.A or The Wheel. That! The similarity to Divergent. Just it.
And The Wheel is the similarity to Hunger Games. It is the arena that the story takes place. The plot and the story itself are different inside the arena.
The story starts a little bit slow, made me kinda bored. But in the middle of the book, I can feel the suspense and got hooked up.
The Wheel takes plenty of people to be sacrificed. 

Rate 
★★★★

Book Review : Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Synopsis :
One choice will define you.

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.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

I think I expected too much from this book.
The story is quite boring and not really necessary.
What's with the fuss, everybody in Allegiant?
I keep reading it because of my favorite characters, Tris and Tobias.
I wish they had a happy ending after all the struggles they've been through.
Too bad.. The author wants it another way.
I don't know whether I should be happy or not with the ending.
Too many sacrifices in this book..
Tris always sacrifices herself and prioritizes someone else first. I respect her decisions. She did it because of love.
I love Tris. She is a very likeable heroine for me. I will miss you, Tris........and Uriah.
[Uriah is my third favorite character]

Well, I didn't really understand the point of the story. But I understand now!
Someone explained to me in goodreads's forum. Perhaps some of you don't understand too, here's the explanation:

"The way I understood it in the book was that a long time ago, people got the idea that they could improve people by messing with their genes.
The plan backfired and resulted in what they now call the genetically damaged (GD) people. Which is who they blame for the Purity Wars that wiped out over half of the world's population.

The Divergent people are the ones they think are the genetically pure people - like the original people who's genes weren't altered.

They look at the GDs as a lower class of people and say that because of their bad genes, they can't help the bad things they do. But they also don't really care if they live or die since they aren't what they want in terms of genes to pass on to the future generations in their goal to attain a perfect humanity again.

I don't really get it. It's not really necessary I think.

That's the whole point of the last part of the story when they want to change things by erasing the scientist's memories. Tris and the people who want to rebel against the system don't believe that the GD stuff is true. They blame bad things on human nature and think that the experiments are cruel and unnecessary. And result in a lot of unnecessary death."

And I will be good enough to rate this 4 stars because I love the first two books so much!

Favorite Quote
“You don’t believe things because they make your life better, you believe them because they’re true.” - Veronica Roth, Allegiant

Rate 
★★★★

Book Spoiler : Fast-Tracked by Tracy Rozzlynn

Synopsis :

Study hard, do well on your assessment, and you’ll be rewarded.

The phrase had been repeated throughout Alexandria's life. A person’s ranking on the assessment test determined everything. Their job, where they lived, and even who they could marry. At least that’s what Alexandria though before she received the results.

Everything Alexandria believed was a lie. Fast-trackers run the country. Anger one of them and your whole world could fall apart. Anger one of them and the people you love would suffer.

Alexandria was elevated to fast-tracker status while her best-friend turned true love was plummeted to the lowest possible rank - a guaranteed life of hardship and misery. She plunges herself into the fast-tracker’s world in hopes of helping Byron. But can she help Byron before she completely loses herself to the allure of their lifestyle?

Alexandria got the highest society status, gold. She is fast-tracked.
Meanwhile, Byron got red. He became a garbage man.
Not only Byron who live in misery, Alexandria too because Byron is not with her.
Alexandria met Avery at the air-tram. Avery was totally a nice guy. I loved him! However, Alexandria did not like him. She keep insisting she is not interested in romance right now. Her mind still thinking about Byron, Byron, and Byron!
Her goal is to rescue Byron to get his proper status. She is in the advantage position and situation because Avery's father has the power to arrange the status. If any one messes up with his father, get ready to be sent to low status. Well, it is so unfair. Byron's father did have a problem with Avery's father at work.
I got mad with Alexandria. Like, seriously?! I was at lost of words. How can she be that selfish after all Avery's sacrifices for her? Avery does everything to help her. He always pampers her with luxury dates.
Fortunately, she did not choose Avery.
At the end of the book, oh my.....gawd! I can't believe it, Avery!
He is the baddest man tantamount to his father! Like father, like son. It broke my heart.
I was wrong. He does everything not to help her but to win her heart even if it has to hurt her. Such an evil bastard. I thought he had a healthy battle with Byron.
The twist in this book is very unexpected!
I am sorry Alexandria, I judged you too fast. I like her a lot now. She is a very strong character, independent, and loyal.
The flaw of this book is too many narratives. The author is too detail and I do not think that all of the things she stated was very necessary. I like more conversation in a book.

Rate 
★★★★

Bag Review : Michael Kors' Jet Set Travel Tote

I bought this bag earlier than Coach's Mini Tanner.
It's neverfull style!

 

I was hesitating about what size should I buy, small or big?
Ended up bought the big size! This color is called Zinnia Pink.

The flaw of this bag is.. there is no zipper closure!
It's quite dangerous to use this bag.
It provokes 'naughty hand' action when you are not aware of your surrounding.
For me, I use it to go to campus since I can put all of my necessity inside. Like macbook's charger, mobile phone's charger, scarf, bottle, hair roller, and miscellaneous.

I'm thinking to buy Coach's North South City Tote because it's slimmer and has a zipper closure. Safer, right?

So, what do you guys think?

Bag Review : Coach's Mini Tanner

This is my very first time reviewing a bag.
So..I bought this bag by myself from my pocket money and I'm proud of it!
Well, this is not the first bag I bought by myself though, but I want to share it because I love it so much!
The model looks a little bit similar with Celine Mini Luggage.
I want Celine Mini too!
Due to the expensive price, I can't afford it yet by myself since I still am a college student and haven't worked.
And...this is it! Mini Tanner by Coach.
I love blue, that's why I picked this color! This color is called Robin.

Well, this bag is quite spacious for a "mini"

See what I can put inside it

I will take 'em out from Mini Tanner

Those are things that I carry all the time : Band-aid, make-up poach, wallet, wet tissue, power bank or portable charger, and 2 mobile phones.

Lastly, here is the close-up picture of my baby♥

See you in the next post!

Book Review : The Disappeared by C. J. Harper

Synopsis :
In a future where children are segregated into institutions that range from comfortable “Learning Communities” to prison-like “Local Academies”, seventeen-year-old Jackson is an academic high flyer, living in a top Learning Community and destined for a position in the Leadership. But when he is sent with his best friend Wilson to deliver a package to a factory block, the two boys are attacked, leaving Jackson badly beaten and Wilson dead.

Confused and upset, Jackson returns to his Learning Community only to be dismissed by his teachers who claim not to know him. Sent to an Academy, an institute set up to train factory workers, Jackson finds himself immersed in a world that couldn’t be further removed than the comfortable life he’s used to; a harsh, violent, semi-articulate society where the students have created their own hierarchy based on fighting ability.

Using his wits to survive, Jackson starts to realise that his whole life has been based on half-truths. And in order to survive he needs to expose the lies that surround the Academy and find out the truth about who he really is. As he builds alliances and begins to educate those closest to him, a plan for rebellion and escape gradually comes into shape...

Fast-paced, page-turning, moving, yet with a streak of dark humour, The Disappeared is a very British dystopia, with shades of Orwell and Huxley.

Bumped into another mediocre novel again. The romance in this book is meager.
In The Academy, all the students are called Specials.
They have their rank based on how they fight in the arena on friday night.
The highest level for male is called Rex and for female is Dom.
They get extra food and Specials respect them.
Below them are Red and Hon Red.
Out of all that just normal Specials and of course all of them strive to get into one of the category above.
The Academy is a very dirty, horrendous, and uneducated place.
They are not taught how to read and write,
they are allowed to have sex and babies, moreover the enforcers encourage them,
the food given have drug in it, and
they will be punished with a little bit of electric shock and for the worse case, they will be sent out to the Wilderness.
Wilderness is a deserted place with feral boys in there. They hunt you, they eat you.
I can't imagine if that place did exist in this world!
But basically, the suspense in this book is not high, just mediocre.
I feel nothing towards the characters too. I don't know if I really need to read the second book or not.

Rate 
★★

Book Review : Fractured by Teri Terry

Synopsis :
How do you know where to go when you don't remember where you came from?

Kyla's memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

Or so she thought.

Kyla shouldn't be able to remember anything. But she can - and she's beginning to realise that there are a lot of dark secrets locked away in her memories. When a mysterious man from her past comes back into her life, she thinks she's on her way to finding the truth. But the more she learns about her history, the more confusing her future becomes...

Set in a disturbing future world, FRACTURED is an engrossing, fast-paced read that establishes Teri Terry as a master thriller writer.

This is the second book of Slated Trilogy and yeah.. I don't read the first book. Based on some people's reviews, I bet the first book will make me bored. The first book is all about Kyla goes amnesia and she has to learn every single thing from the very beginning again. From the synopsis of Fractured, I guess the suspense starts from here.
This girl, the main character, has three names. She was Lucy until when she was 10, she was Rain when she was 14 and now her name is Kyla.
What I dislike from Kyla/Rain/Lucy (whatever you call her) is she is very obedient to a man, she is like a puppy and a puppet for that man.
This man is indeed mysterious, I have no idea who he is. I think I will get to know this man in book 3, Shattered.

Rate 
★★★

Book Review : Aberrant by Ruth Silver

Synopsis :
In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.

With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

I love the cover! Isn't she beautiful?
However, behind the beautiful cover..the story is too mediocre for me. It does not catch my interest. I expected there would be some actions in this book, but there is none. This book is just filled with romance. Boring for me. I am quite sure, in the book 2, Moirai, there will be some actions! I will not blurt out the spoiler here, but after you read the end of the book, you will agree with me. A war is waiting in book 2 and so do I!

Rate 
★★★

Book Review : The Elite by Kiera Cass

Synopsis:
The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

I prefer The Selection's cover over The Elite's. Much better.
And again the story still mediocre, but I look forward to The One, the conclusion of The Selection trilogy. Hoping a good result!
I'm a little bit dislike Maxon here. Maxon is not loyal to America anymore. He is waver with his choice. So, he is trying to get closer with other contestants rashly because his choice is lesser.
As for Aspen, well.. he will always be there for America after he regrets of what he had done. It seems like Aspen learns from his mistake very well. Ha! He decides to stay with America. 

Favorite Quotes
"It turns out I'm absolutely terrible at staying away from you. It's a very serious problem.”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite  

“You know that you’ve found something amazing, and you want to hold on to it forever; and every second after you have it, you fear the moment you might lose it.”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite  
  
“Love is beautiful fear”
― Kiera Cass, The Elite  

Rate
★★★

Book Review : The Selection by Kiera Cass

Synopsis:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

As you can see, the cover is so appealing. A princess with gorgeous blue gown. At first, I did not want to read it since it is romance. Not so my kind. But, due to I don't have books to read anymore, I borrowed my friend and read it eventually. It is okay to be read, mediocre. It is not boring and not very good either.
I'm kinda irritated with Aspen, America Singer's secret love. He insisted America to sign up for The Selection. I know it was for America's sake, her happiness. But then, after America fell a slightly in love with Maxon, he doesn't want to give up on America. After he let her go easily, then he wants to catch her again? Ludicrous!
As for Maxon, he is okay. Nice and sweet. He can control his temper quite well. He did not mad when America was harsh and scolded him when they first met. America was a stranger after all. Who doesn't mad when a stranger being harsh and scold you after you treat them nicely? Maxon can kick out America from the palace immediately, but he did not.     
If you like medieval-kind-of-things mixed with romance, you'd most probably like this book.

Favorite Quotes

“Is this a good time to pat your shoulder?”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection 

“Do you think, that I could still call you 'my dear'?”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection 

“Castes never meant that much to me”
― Kiera Cass, The Selection

Rate
 ★★★  

Book Review : Prodigy by Marie Lu

This is the second book of the Legend Trilogy.
If you like Legend, you definitely will like Prodigy better.

Synopsis :
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.


There is something sad at the end of this book :(
I re-read it again with my eyes and mouth went widen. I was like "Nononono, Ms.Author! Please!" inwardly.
It makes me crave for the next sequel. Marie Lu did a great job.
In this book, Day's part is Blue and June's part is black in all of 3 books in this trilogy I guess.
So, only Day's part that keeps changing color.

Favorite Quotes
“He is beauty, inside and out.
He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.
He is my light.” - June

“Love is illogical, love had consequences--I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it.”

“We're in this together, right?" he whispers. "You and me? You want to be here, yeah?" There's guilt in his questions. "Yes," I reply. "I chose this." Day pulls me close enough for our noses to touch. "I love you.”

Rate 

★★★★★

This book continue to --------------------------------> CHAMPION

Book Review : Legend by Marie Lu

I just read Legend by Marie Lu and I love it!
It is a dystopian thriller story. If you crave for dystopian story, try read this one!
It is fast-paced. Great! I really dislike slow-paced, isn't it boring?

Synopsis :

A New York Times bestseller!

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Legend is based on two POVs. Day and June.
Day's part is gold and June's part is black.
I found it fascinating to read. I don't know you will like it or not because you might be feel annoyed due to that.

Favorite Quotes
“Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time. -Day” 

“You're brilliant,"he says."But you're a fool to stay with someone like me."
I close my eyes at the touch of his hand."Then we are both fools.” 

Rate 
★★★★ 
This book continue to ---------------------------------> PRODIGY
 

Divergent Nation world

I just read Divergent novel by Veronica Roth and that novel is so damn awesome!
It is about everyone who enters their sixteen years old, must take an aptitude test to determine what class should they enroll.
Since they were born, they had been learning their own faction.
Entering sixteen years old, they can choose any faction to enroll.
If they change their faction, it means they forsake their family
and
If they fail the exams for entering the faction, they will become a factionless.
What is the use of every faction for?
It is for train them and determine what job they will do in the future.
Here are the factions :
Abnegation : the selfless, the person who likes to live in simplicity.
Amity : the peace, the person who does not want to be involved in things and discuss dissent until they reach an agreement.
Candor : the honest, the person who talks frankly and can detect other people's lies.
Erudite : the intelligent, the person who likes to study. They can be a professor or else.
Dauntless : the brave, the person who is fearless to protect the world or almost everything. They can be a policeman, etc.
What about the factionless?
They can just be a bus driver, street sweeper, etc.
If our world had and used all of that factions..
I definitely will be born in Candor. I appreciate honesty although sometimes honesty might be hurt and I tend to seek the truth if something fishy.
Therefore, I will not change my faction and stay in Candor.
Okay, so what is your faction? ;)
NB : If you suit in more than one faction, it means that you are a Divergent

[UPDATED] There will be a movie for Divergent and it will be released on March 2014. The main casts are Shailene Woodley and Theo James. 2014 is Shailene Woodley's year. She definitely will be superb famous. Why I can say that? Because she is going to play in Divergent which is #1 New York Times Bestseller book, The Amazing Spiderman 2 as Peter Parker's new girlfriend (Mary Jane), The Spectacular Now based on novel but I don't read it, and The Fault in Our Star which is #1 New York Times Bestseller book too. She got all of it as the main cast. Wow.
-Unfortunately, Shailene Woodley is cut from The Amazing Spiderman 2.

Anyway, if you are looking for a SUPERB FANTASTIC dystopian book, I highly recommend Divergent!

Favorite Quotes

“Sometimes, the best way to help someone is just to be near them.” ― Tris Prior

"It's easy to be brave when they're not my fears" ― Tris Prior

“I am his, and he is mine, and it has been that way all along.”―Veronica Roth, Insurgent

“I’m not going anywhere without you.” — Tris Prior

“I’m not important. Everyone will do just fine without me,” I say. “Who cares about everyone? What about me?” ― Insurgent

“Can’t pay respect when you don’t have any.” ― Divergent

"Sometimes I forget that I can hurt you. That you are capable of being hurt." —Tobias