Origin - Jessica Khoury

*4.5 stars* 


For a longest time, the book sat in my To-Be-Read shelf and finally out of boredom I decided to pick it up. And what a book it was! I so did not expect what the experience turned out to be.

I don't like calling books perfect, after all 'Perfect is as Perfect Does'. There is no such thing as perfect, as Pia learned the hard way, but this was pretty close call. It had wild speculations on future-that-could-be, the role of morality and our inner selves, of growing up and disappointment, and moreover, the inner purity and goodness that cannot be suppressed. The surroundings was well built and lively, the peace set well, not once did  have a feeling of growing tired. The characters were human, meaning life-like, not all-good.

We meet 17 year old Pia, who her whole life has spent in Little Cam, a hidden science camp in the middle of Amazon. As a result of decades of experiments Pia has reached the highest level oh human evolution, perfection, immortality. A girl, who with her perfect memory has grown up reading about genetics and solving math problems, has no connections to the outside world. But with new faces in the tightly guarded camp and coincidences, Pias whole world is turned upside down.

I loved how Pia was struggling with the question of immortality, morality and the biggest question of all, what does it mean to be a human? It felt real, seeing her dreams and understandings changing with her. The characters were well established, and I could follow the mental struggles between what you have known your whole life to be true and that little voice inside whispering there has to be more. We see the cold-blooded scientist ready for everything in the name of science. How it destroys lives or creates lives.

And I just couldn't pass on commenting the awesomeness that were the natives. I might be over-romanticizing the 'noble savage', but as a vivid admirer or anthropology, I have a soft spot for the "traditional" people. I do think it describes well our society, when so much could be saved by accepting the simple truths that have been known for the natives for generations. But it is degrading for a highly educated scientist to take the local myths and stories as truth. So, somehow it becomes widely accepted for the name of science doing things that in other contexts might be completely unheard of. Again. Where do you draw the line? Just how far can you push the limits in the name of a greater good?

In conclusion, this book touched me, assuring that once again there IS hope for the future, even if it happens to be fictional assurance - we don't need colorful explosions, violent passion or loud music and alcohol for a book to be good.

Matched - Ally Condie (Matched #1)

*5 stars*

Finally! I've been waiting for such a long time to read it, I don't even know, what kept me so long.

For a starter, the only other Dystopian book I've ever read, was the Hunger Games, and let's just say they're vastly different. This world is designed to only undergo actions with maximized benefits for the society and through this, to individuals. For example, the amount of food you need to consume, in order to stay in your best possible physical state, is calculated and strictly observed. So is the amount of physical exercise and leisure time. You can't even go jogging if you want and your own time was non-existent.

The most fitting job for every individual is calculated and decided for them as is the person, you are to marry. All of it of course to assure an individuals maximal amount of happiness. Sounds blissful, doesn't it?
Yeah, right. Don't wear anything pretty in case your neighbors should feel jealous. I mean a world, were you can't even throw away your garbage in peace, everything will be recorded and all anomalies noted, sounds a bit paranoid. All the symbolism they had to use in order to not be discovered was a nice touch. It made them think outside the box and truly see things like they were.The way Kys story was revealed, piece by piece and through drawings was really sad.

Monday Morning Wishes #1

Mondays are the days I let you all know about a book I just can't wait to get my hands on! For the first of such Monday I chose a book, I'm dying to read. When the publishing date was moved forward I all but fell on my knees, yelling, "Whyyyy, Oh Whyy!?" Of course it's Onyx, from the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, with the expected publication date of August 14th. Just because who doesn't like the smokin' hot aliens? Even if I didn't before, I sure do now!

You can read my review of Obsidian here, I loved it to pieces. And now, when you've remembered all the reasons you loved it, you can take a sneak peak at the teasers Mrs Armentrout has generously posted on her site.

"You okay with all of this?" I whispered to Daemon.
He shrugged. "Not like I can stop her."
I knew he could if he wanted, which meant he didn't have a problem with it.
"Cookie?" he offered, holding a cookie full of chocolate chips.
Upset tummy or not, there was no way I could refuse that. "Sure."
His lips tipped up one side and he leaned toward me, his mouth inches from mine. "Come and get it."
Come and get...? Daemon placed half the cookie between those full, totally kissable lips.
Oh, holy alien babies everywhere...

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

 *2stars*

To write this review,I waited for a couple of days to pass, so I would be able to say someting at least moderately nice and all I could muster up is - What the hell just happened?

I mean, at first I was reading a totally amazing book and then in some point it turned out to be a most horrible and lame endings ever. I just can't express my disappointment in the latter half of the book. I enjoyed the first two books, loved them and now.... I just feel empty. WHYYY? There was so much potential, so much to love. *sigh*

I don't even want to waste my time, to give the book a lenghty review. I'd just end up cussing... However, I remember the feelings I had while reading the first two books and in the end, I guess it was worth it. I'll just have to pretend that the last book never happened.

Currently reading: City of Bones- Cassandra Clare

Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins

*4.5stars*

I finally finished the second book in The Hunger Game series and all I can say is, it's breathtaking!
I was listening to an audibook, and at the other half of the book I was just clinging to my headphones for dear life!

I loved the idea of them going back to the arena again. The moments of public unity and rebellion made me clutch my poor iPod tighter. Shivers ran down my spine, listening about the news about upsrisings and the idea of President Snow gnashing his teeth somewhere made me want to yell hooray in the middle of a bus!

The first half was somewhat slower. In times, Katnisses indescisiveness drove me crazy! Once she wanted Gale, then again Peeta. She clung to both of them, yet all the time reminding us, she won't accept neither of them.

I loved all the characters. Cinna was my personal favourite. It made me wonder, what his story was. I have a feeling, we might see him again in the 3rd book. The brute, Haymich. The sarcasm laced into his character makes him almost my 2nd favourite. How he manages to hide his sharp mind behind the drunkeness. Surprisingly, Plutarch Heavensbee is another character whom I seriously like!

The cliffhanger would have been the end of me hadn't the third book been out already. It was perfect! There were slower parts, which I might have done without, but it's amazing, how after such a magnificent first book, she manages almost as stunnig sequel!


On to the third and last book in the series - Mockingjay!

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

*5stars*

Oh. Wow.
I just finished with the first book in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. And even though I was listening to an audiobook I have to say the experience was breathtaking. It took me just two days to finish.

I picked up the book somewhat reluctantly. Bestsellers often tend to be too overrated and end up disappointing me. The beginning was nice, but nothing extraordinary. A rebellious girl trying to maintain and support her family after her fathers death. With her best friend she hunts in the forbidden woods etc.
And then, boom! The Reaping Day and on the the Capital and the Hunger Games. The readers are swiftly swept into a totally mesmerising and twisted world of the rich and poor. What is the right thing to do? The game over life and death in portrayed on the border of game and reality, keeping the readers totally captivated.

One of the issues I had while reading was the character of Katniss. She turned out to be quite an egoistic one, instead of the nobody-cares-about-me-and-doesn’t-even-know-I-exist type introduced to us in the beginning. The constant reminder of how everybody is watching her and “I’m definitely on the screen” kind of attitude tired me pretty soon.
Also, I would have loved to see more of Gale and Cinna - two of my instant favorite characters. Peeta was very sweet, but that’s kinda all there was. I see, why the overall romance was importad, yet still, I would have done better with less of it.

Still, the whole book was breathtaking. In some point I discovered myself gasping for air in the bus, while listening to the audiobook, sadly it doesn't happen often. Definitely recommend it to anyone up to a good action

Now, can't wait to get on the book two - Catching Fire.