Monday, May 27, 2019

Reached by Ally Condie

I really loved this trilogy. I read this third book in one day, even though it's the longest of the three. It did not end the way I expected. I was expecting the big battle between the Rising and the Society. I thought "the Pilot" would be a big (shocking?) reveal. I was expecting more of a love triangle between Cassia, Ky and Xander. (There was a point in the Mockingjay that I really didn't know if Katniss would choose Peeta or Gale!) I was intrigued that it was very different than I expected.

I certainly didn't see the Plague coming! It was interesting that the Rising used the Plague to signal the beginning of the rebellion. At first I was shocked that Xander seemed excited that the two year old showed signs of the Plague. That seemed against his caring nature for sure! Then when we find out that there is a cure, it made more sense, but it's still an odd signal. The immunizations administered by Society; the modified immunizations administered by the Rising; the red, green & blue pills carried by all; the different effects these pills had on different people; the development of the Plague by Society in the first place to kill the Enemy (who was the enemy, by-the-way?) The development of the cure by Society; the suppression of the rebellion by isolating the Aberrations and Anomalies from Society; the mutation of the original Plague; why some people are immune from the mutation and some are not. I could go on and on. All of this (and so much more) are very different twists on a common theme: the pending destruction of a dystopian society.

I also thought it was interesting that the Society took creativity out of people's lives. No one knew how to print letters of the alphabet, much less write in cursive. No one knew how to dance or sing or write. Cassia's family stood firm in their beliefs, but they were different beliefs. Cassia's Great Grandmother was a Pilot; her Grandfather supported the Rising; her father supported the Society; Cassia was affected by the red pill, so she had to struggle to remember what she knew - and choose her own way. I said in my previous blog on Crossed that I thought the Rising would be just as "evil" as the Society due to an abuse of power and control. Who knew that they were one and the same! Very fascinating twist. And the end: a democratic vote!

Wendy's Rating: *****

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

The Graduation of Jake Moon by Barbara Park

This is a book written for 9-12 year olds, but I loved it. My 11 year old son and I read it together. Jake Moon and his mother, who live with Jake's grandfather, Skelly, find out that Skelly has Alzheimer's disease when Jake is in third grade. Skelly had taken in his daughter and her baby (Jake) after she was abandoned by Jake's father and she couldn't make it on her own. He was this wonderful, fun-loving, caring, boisterous man who made others feel good about themselves. This all changes as the Alzheimer's progresses. He has memory issues; his personality changes (he even swears, which he never did previously); he needs help with his hygiene; he says odd things; he forgets who people are; he forgets to put pants on - or underwear. Jake is responsible for "watching him" after school every day for the hour between school and when his mom gets home from work.

My son and I have lived through this experience already, when my own father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when my son was around 5 years old. By the time he was 9, my dad had forgotten who we all were. All of the things that Jake went through in this book, we went through. At one point I cried! It's a wonderfully written true experience of how Alzheimer's changes a person - and the effect those changes have on family members. Jake struggles with the changes in Skelly. He is embarrassed by him. He resents him. But in the end, he loves him. The story ends with Jake's 8th grade graduation - and with Jake figuring out that the most important thing is his love for Skelly.

I highly recommend this book for any child whose life is affected by Alzheimer's disease. Jake is the narrator and he shows all the emotions that a pre-teen would show - and he also has a good sense of humor. I laughed. I cried. I was affected by this book because of my own personal experience of course, but it's an excellent description of this horrible disease as told through a child's eyes.

Wendy's Rating: *****

Friday, May 17, 2019

Crossed by Ally Condie

Usually the second book in a trilogy can seem like a plateau in the overall story. I don't feel that way in this trilogy (or the Hunger Games trilogy!) It wasn't what I expected though. First of all, I thought Xander would be in it! Cassia does see him briefly, but for the most part, he is a very peripheral character. The main characters in this book are Cassia, Ky, Eli and Indie. Eli is 13 years old, but the rest treat him like he is much younger. (The rest are only 17, so I don't see them as much older!) Eli reminds Cassia & Ky of her brother, Bram, so they have a special affinity towards him.

Anyway, Cassia leaves Society to go to the Outer Provinces in search of Ky. Ky, who is in the Outer Provinces tries to get back to Society in search of Cassia. Indie wants to join the Rising. Eli initially just goes along for the ride (with Ky & Vick). Each character has their secrets; each character has difficulty trusting the others. Ky actually seems to know Xander better than Cassia herself does, which was interesting. Indie kept telling Cassia & Ky that Ky is the Pilot for the Rising. I really think that Xander may be the Pilot! I was happy that we started learning more about Ky's family background - and why he is so against Society and the Rising. I feel the same way. Like in the Hunger Games, the people who lead the "rebellion" are just as corrupt in their power as the Society (Capitol). Ky suspects this corruptness; the others do not.

Even though the cave/tunnel description is only a little more than one page, I was positively claustrophobic when Cassia was entering the cave through the very small tunnel. There is no way I could have ever done that! I thought that was really well written. I still want to know if Cassia is immune to the red pill - and why she was so deeply affected by the blue pill, but she didn't die. Is that because she kept moving? Is it because she was so focused on finding Ky? Was it because Indie gave her that apple to eat? Why are Xander, Ky and Indie immune to the red pill? 

As always, I was sad about the deaths. I was shocked about Vick's demise. I did not see that coming! It will be interesting to see what Cassia's role is back in the Society. I am assuming that Xander will be a key player in book 3 (Reached). I have a lot of questions and I am looking forward to them all being answered!

Wendy's Rating: *****

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Matched by Ally Condie

This book reminds me of The Giver! The perfectly controlled society; the older man who knows more than he is allowed to say; the teens who start picking up on clues that not all is what it seems; a renewed sense of purpose to break away from the "Utopian" society and move back to a society of choice. I really liked it. I love dystopian novels in general.

I wondered what the officers and officials knew at any given time. It seems to me that since most information was distributed on a "need to know" basis, many of them did not fully understand. This is probably why some of them seemed almost kind. The officer assigned to Cassia obviously implemented the "Matching experiment" by showing Cassia two faces after her Matching Ceremony and then privately talking to both Cassia and Ky about it. I'm not sure if she was testing the computer's analysis of Cassia's response or Ky's response or both. Why would she even care about Ky's response though, since he was an Aberration? So, probably it was all about Cassia. Did they keep testing her to see if she could be used for an important part of their controlled society because she was so intelligent (and a superior "sorter") or was it to determine if she would become a leader in the rebellion?

I loved how both her Grandfather and father broke the rules for the people they loved. Cassia's mother had her own way of keeping her family safe. I am happy that the love that Cassia's family have for each other is genuine. And they supported Cassia's desire to find Ky, despite the obvious danger. Xander is also awesome - and genuine. I thought it was interesting that it was mentioned two or three times that there were physical similarities between Xander and Ky. I wonder if this means something....? A connection there that we don't know about yet?

The portioned out meals; the blue, green and red tablets; the emphasis of staying healthy through exercise; the Matching Ceremonies; the Final Banquets; the poetry which connects to the story and sends Cassia messages from her Grandfather and Ky;  the love triangle (although Ky is certainly "winning" vs. Xander at this point!) I found it all fascinating. I am really enjoying this story and have already started the next book, which is also really good! ;)

Wendy's Rating: *****

Thursday, May 9, 2019

The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After: Happiness, a memoir, by Heather Harpham

This is one of those books that I would have never picked up to read if it wasn't a book club selection. As often happens in this situation, I was pleasantly surprised. I really liked this book. The author is honest: "Memory is stubborn, revisionist, and fickle. Everything I'm about to tell you is subject to persuasion, bias, and desire, as much as any history is. It is singularly one-sided." 

Heather shares the story of her first-born child's serious illness with honesty, love and humor. It's interesting that the serious illness of a child can often divide parents; divide a family. The opposite happens here. Brian did not want children. He loved Heather, but still couldn't accept being a father, so Heather was on her own for most of her pregnancy and early months of Gracie's life. I actually didn't know if Brian would come around or not. I am certainly glad he did! I am sure that Brian would have eventually accepted fatherhood if Gracie was born healthy too, but in this case, she was not. And once he met his daughter, there was no turning back. I can't imagine the heartbreak that Heather must have suffered when Brian told her that he could not be a father to their newly conceived child. I think she was incredibly strong through their "Brian-induced separation".

Gracie's recovery is a miracle. I truly believe that God had a plan - and God had a hand in her recovery. Heather & Brian decide not to have another child (in hope of saving Gracie). Then they find out Heather is pregnant. They have Gabe, and his cells are a perfect match. Of course Gracie endures a lot - more than any child should ever have to - but her little brother did save her life with his cord blood. Gracie was a strong child, who beat the odds. It's an amazing story. So many childhood illnesses do not end this way. My heart broke for Rayma and Deepak when Varun died. How difficult it must be for a parent to lose their own child and still be attentive to other parents whose children survive. What a testament to the kindness of Rayma and Deepak.

Wendy's Rating: *****

Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts

When I really love a book in a series - and all of the characters - I find myself reluctant to start the next book because I know some of the main characters will be different, and/or the focus will be different. Definitely the main characters were different in this book - and the focus was on the new main characters - but I loved it anyway! 

I loved the relationship between Fallon and Mallick. Mallick is a wise old man and he taught Fallon a lot. I was a little worried about his stamina at times! I was hoping that we would see him again after Fallon went back home, but I guess we have to wait until Book 3. (Hopefully). Obviously the budding love story is between Fallon and Duncan. They will make a powerful couple, to be sure. I think we just got a taste of what's to come. Fallon needs to grow up a bit before she has a full-blown love affair. ;) So, off Duncan goes to train with Mallick. That's a win-win.

Since this is the "middle book", I didn't expect Eric & Allegra to be a huge part of it. The story needs to build to the ultimate Good vs. Evil conclusion. I was actually surprised that Eric was killed! We really didn't see much of him at all. Good riddance. Since Petra was introduced as a child when she came to New Hope, I am pretty sure she was conceived after Eric had already killed Max. Petra seemed younger than Fallon. Her character was the big surprise for me in the book. She seemed so innocent. With Eric dead, that leaves Allegra & Petra to battle it out with Fallon I guess. I am sure both sides will have plenty of support when the time comes.

Fallon's focus was destroying all the nuclear weapons. She didn't want to just "disarm" them; she wanted to destroy them so that no one else could come along and re-activate them. Although it's part of her overall plan to beat the dark side with her light, I was surprised at that focus. I did think that the "battle" that reintroduced Eric & Allegra - and exposed Petra - was a little confusing. I picked up on Petra's cupcakes the same time Duncan did because of the "fruit and flowers" comment, but after that, things happened fast and furious and I wasn't sure what was going on! Even though we didn't know him that well, I did feel bad that Denzel was killed.

So, now we wait for The Rise of Magicks, due at the end of November 2019.  I hate waiting....

Wendy's Rating: *****