Erasing Time

Review by Curry

Erasing Time

by C.J. Hill

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Mild Violence

Summary:

Identical Twins, Sheridan and Taylor find themselves transported into the future and what they find is a very different world. Animals are extinct, religion is banned and almost no one speaks their language. Worst of all, they are stuck there with no way home and no one that they are sure that they can trust.  

Personal Review:

This book was quite enjoyable. It had things that I really really liked and others that I didn’t care as much about. What worked for this book is the world that the author created. It is fascinating and intriguing. I know that heyes loved that part too. I liked how the language had morphed over the years and now is a mixture of not quite english or spanish. I also liked the relationship between the sisters, it was realistic and sweet. This book also had some pretty funny parts. My favorite thing was probably how the sister’s spoke in sayings to confuse Jeth and Echo (That was super clever C.J. Hill!) I was also really drawn in by the girl’s convictions. I love a main character that has strong beliefs and holds firmly to them. That was very appealing to me.  The only thing that I did not care for very much was the romance parts of this book (which is usually something that I love.) However, I did not think that it was developed very well. It just kind of happened really fast, like: “I know we just met but... can I be your boyfriend?” (not an actual quote from the book) Haha. But other than that Erasing Time was really quite pleasant and fascinating. I recommend it.

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Echo in Time by C.J. Hill

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

Matched by Ally Condie

Divergent Series

Review by Felicity

The Divergent Series

by: Veronica Roth

Genre: Dystopian

Rating: Y-14 (at parents discretion)

Content: Violence, Sexual content and discussions, tattoos, homosexualtiy of minor charatcters

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Divergent:One choice can transform you. Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times bestselling debut is a gripping dystopian tale of electrifying choices, powerful consequences, unexpected romance, and a deeply flawed "perfect society."

Insurgent:  Continues the dystopian thrill ride. As war surges in the factions all around her, Tris attempts to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Allegiant: The explosive conclusion to the Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Personal Review:

These books portray the morality found in our world today, tattoos are very much encouraged, reference to homosexuality of minor characters, sex is talked about but I would not say it is taken lightly, some of the kissing scenes can become somewhat steamy, and of course the violence that comes with war. Although these books do not live up to our definition of clean I say its still worth reading.

Here is why: Like most dystopian novels this author examines human nature and is very thought provoking. There are twists and turns in this story I never saw coming. All of Roth’s characters have flaws as do all of us. I was impressed with several of the characters who were able to forgive and to learn and become better through their trials. Also I respect and completely agree with Roth’s portrayal of love in Allegiant, it is a choice you make everyday to stay in love and you help each other to become more than you could ever be alone. I would not put this book on my top ten, it might make my top 100 . I say well worth the read. Definitely if your children are reading this series, I would make sure to read it as well so you can discuss the issues the books bring up both positive and negative.

-Felicity

*See Curry's review of Divergent here

If you like this you may also like:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Starters by Lissa Price

Matched by Ally Condie

The Hunger Games

Review by Curry

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult

Rating: Y- 14

Content: Violence (involving Children,) Substance abuse (in a side character.)

I’m sure by now you have all heard something about The Hunger Games good or bad. When I first read this book I had not heard anything about it except that it was really good from my boss. After I read it I absolutely could not wait for the 2nd and 3rd books to come out. Here is a summary:

Summary:

In this futuristic dystopian society there are 12 districts controlled by a power hungry capital. To remind the districts of the Capital’s power every year each district must send one boy and one girl tribute to fight to the death in a televised event called The Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen’s sister is selected as tribute Katniss desperately volunteers to take her place knowing that she will most likely die. In the games Katniss thrives off of her natural instincts to survive.

Personal Review:

I love this book. It is one of my all time favorites. However, I must warn you that this book is very violent. One of the main themes of this book is that the capital is abusive and heartless to it’s districts and this is shown by the horrible things that the capital puts the districts through. However, the violence is shown as horrific and the good characters never kill just to kill. This book is well written and the characters are amazing. There is not one character that I disliked. From the end of the first chapter I was hooked to this book and just had to know what happened next. I was also emotionally invested in this book which meant that I cried and laughed (at appropriate times.) I could go on and on about this book, which probably means that we will have a discussion page about it :) Overall, an excellent book! (Parents be cautious in letting your children read this)

-Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Divergent

Review by: Curry

Divergent

by: Veronica Roth

Genre: Young adult, dystopian

Personal rating: Y-13 (at the parents discretion)

Content: Violence, Sexual situations and discussion but no sex, the main characters get tattoos.

I first heard about divergent about 2 years ago and it sounded interesting. With all of the buzz about the movie going around I finally decided to read it here is my review:

Summary: (From the back of the book)

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

Personal Review:

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was interesting enough but I felt like it did not hook me like it should’ve. This book is packed with information and action and yet I never really found myself needing to know what happens next.  Although I enjoyed this book, there were also some things that I definitely disliked about it. The main character kind of bothered me. At times I just felt like she was kind of selfish. The other things that I disliked were some of the things that I felt like this book was trying to make “cool” like getting tattoos and thrill seeking or reckless behaviour.  Even though there is not any actual sex in this book the fact that it was mentioned a couple times leads me to think that there will be in the sequels. Overall I liked the book, but it definitely did not leave a lasting impression.

- Curry

If you liked this you may also like:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Matched by Ally Condie
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld