Sonorous Words : November 2012

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Review: Reached, by Allie Condie

Summary:

Cassia’s journey began with an error, a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect façade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

One young woman has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most—family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution is about to explode into full-scale rebellion.

With exquisite prose, the emotionally gripping conclusion to the international–bestselling Matched trilogy returns Cassia, Ky, and Xander to the Society to save the one thing they have been denied for so long, the power to choose.

Review:

Going into REACHED, by Allie Condie, I was expecting a lot. I'm sad to say my expectations were far from filled. In fact, this book took me over a week to read, which is really rare when I have time to sit down and read. I found myself rereading old books and watching movies instead of sitting down and getting through this one. I thought the story was very exciting, but the execution of telling the story was lacking in interest-peakers. It's sad, really, because REACHED has SO MUCH potential. Xander's character was wholly disappointing, and Cassia's even more so. Ky was stagnant and didn't change at all from the last book...which makes for boredom. The love triangle was spread so thin over different communities that there is hardly any romance or action between its members at all. Cassia actually made me really mad, because she didn't continue on her path of strong heroine and had a few too many weaknesses in there. Don't get me wrong--no character should be unstoppable. A character should have flaws, vulnerabilities, and strengths. Cassia seems to have lost her strength and disregards everyone and everything except for Ky. I know this all sounds really harsh, but it's just so frustrating when a story could be sooo amazing...but just, isn't. I'm still a big Allie Condie fan, but for me, REACHED was a hit and a miss. I give it 6 out of 10 stars.

~Anna

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Review: The Goddess Legacy by Aimee Carter

I'm usually not a huge short story kind of gal, but THE GODDESS LEGACY gives you so much insight into the lives of the characters you only get to glimpse in the other installments of this incredible series. You get to venture into the life of Hera, or Calliope, where we witness a soft, vulnerable, and maternal side to her. Though my opinion of her hasn't changed completely--I still categorize her as a selfish beyotch--I at least understand the motive behind her murdering madness now. I also saw the life of Persephone, who was forced into a life she didn't want by her parents. She was made to love all things bright and lively, as we see with her love for first humorous Hermes and then shining Adonis. Instead, Demeter and Zeus didn't even take this need for life and light into regard when they arranged a marriage with Hades, king of the Underworld. Though Hades is devoted, loyal, and admirable, he was a choice Persephone never had, and for that she resents him and his dark kingdom. I absolutely loved her story, because when we meet Persephone for the first time, we are shown a somewhat haughty girl who seemingly doesn't care about Hades' tormented heart. THE GODDESS LEGACY lets us see that her hear is tormented, too. Along with these stories, we are also privy to the lives of Hades, Hermes, and Aphrodite. THE GODDESS LEGACY is a MUST READ. Go forth, and buy it immediately!
Latah,
Anna