Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

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.

If you haven't heard about this book yet, where have you been?

I've seen people talking about it all over Twitter and in the blogosphere, and after reading it I know why! This is one of those books that sucks you in and doesn't let up until the end. Since it is dystopian, it's easy to relate it to The Hunger Games. There are a few similarities, but this doesn't feel like a copy. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who loved The Hunger Games, Delirium, or Matched. I recommended it even if you didn't like those books. 

On the official Divergent Facebook page, there's an aptitude quiz just like the one in the book. You can take it to see which faction you would be in. 

I got Erudite. ;)

Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

Curses and cons. Magic and the mob. In Cassel Sharpe's world, they go together. Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else. 

That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she's human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila's been cursed to love him, a little gift from his emotion worker mom. And if Lila's love is as phony as Cassel's made-up memories, then he can't believe anything she says or does. 

When Cassel's oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive. But where can he turn when he can't trust anyone—least of all, himself? 

Love is a curse and the con is the only answer in a game too dangerous to lose.

Yay Red Glove! Ever since I finished White Cat, I've been anticipating this one. It definitely lived up to the hype. Normally when I start a new book in a series, it takes a while for me to get back into the swing of the book. Even though it's been almost a year since I read WC, it was super easy to jump back in. 

I love, love, love the world Holly has built in the Curse Workers series. I also love the cons. I was kind of worried that with all the story threads going on that the cons would get pushed to the back, but that wasn't the case. I have so much love for this book and this series and I can't wait for Black Heart!

5/5