What's with the Dystopian Obsession?

Miss Remmers over at Miss Remmer's Review recently posted a challenge for bloggers to answer these questions:

1. Write a post explaining why you think Dystopian fiction is so addicting. Why is everyone reading it? What does it say about our society that we want to read about WORSE societies? Are there any implications dystopian fiction's popularity has on our own society? What say you!!
2. What is your favorite dystopian novel to date? Why did you like it? How does it stand apart from all the other countlessly recent dystopian novels? Why would you recommend it above all others in this genre?

And since I am a huge fan of dystopians, I had to answer (plus the prize she's offerring is pretty damn awesome).

1. I think people have embraced the dystopian genre because it shows a world more flawed than the one we live in. It makes you, on some level, appreciate what you have and remember that things can always get worse than what you have now. In a twisted way, it's a morale booster.

2. As cliche as it probably is, I think my favorite is the Hunger Games trilogy. I think this series the is eptiome of dystopian novels and it's the one all other dystopians are compared to. Although, I started "Incarceron" and that one is rapidly growing on me.

Giveaway of the Week!

I'm going to try something new because I know I love giveaways, and so do a lot of other people. That being said, I can't do a giveaway every week (wouldn't that be awesome?), but I can direct you to a really cool giveaway.

So, without further ado, this week's giveaway :

A Royal Wedding Treat

Hosted by Girls Without A Bookshelf

Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Title: Bumped

Author: Megan McCafferty

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: 4.26.2011

Pages: 336

Genre: Dystopian

Series: Yes; Book #1 (Bumped)

Rating:  D-

Summary (from Goodreads):

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

Review:

I’m honestly at a loss for what to say in this review, so I’ll keep it short and simple. As you can tell by my rating, I didn’t like this book at all which I found immensely disturbing. Since reading the first Jessica Darling book, I have adored Megan McCafferty. I found her writing style fun and refreshing and honest. That’s why I almost feel like another author wrote this book.

I found the characters of Melody and Harmony to be grating. Melody was so concerning with bumping and pregging and cute maternity clothes that she immediately turned me off. On the flip side you have Harmony who annoyed me to no end with her overly religious ranting and judgments. The book flip-flops perspectives every other chapter as to allow the reader a better insight into the minds of both Melody and Harmony. This only served to make me question which one I disliked more.

The jargon of the book is tedious and confusing, and had the characters evolved into people I could potentially like, that might have saved the story. Instead, I was ready to jump ship by the time Melody was trying on “FunBumps” around page 50. I skipped ahead to see if it got any better, and sadly it did not.

I will say that the plot itself is dynamite. As far as dystopian novels go, this is one idea that truly pushes the boundaries as to what is socially acceptable. A world where teenagers are vying to get pregnant and adults encourage it? Freaking amazing idea. I just feel this book poorly executed it.

I went into this book excited and came out exhausted—and not in the fun kind of way. For fans of McCafferty’s Jessica Darling series, this book is most assuredly not that. I recommend reading this one with caution.

***I will say that for every one negative review there are at least 2 good ones. Just because I didn’t like this book doesn’t mean you won’t. I read reviews for this one myself to see if I was the only one not feeling it, and I was surprised by the amount of people who loved it as much as I didn’t love it. I recommend you read more reviews if you’re unsure before buying this book.***

Review: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Hex Hall

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Publication Date: 3.2.2010

Pages: 323

Genre: Paranormal

Series: Yes; Book #1 (Hex Hall)

Rating: A-

Summary (from Goodreads):

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Review:

I know a book is special when it has me giggling aloud by the close of the first chapter.  Rachel Hawkins keeps the reader delightfully amused and eager to read more with her quick wit and energetic story. The pace does not relent, and Hawkins does not tease her readers nor bog them down with unnecessary details.

Sentenced to spend the remainder of her high school years in Hecate Hall (appropriately nicknamed “Hex Hall”), Sophie Mercer is on her own. From her first encounter with a werewolf that greets her by charging at her to Sophie realizing her true place in the Prodigium society, I never stopped loving this character. Sophie is such a fun, genuine girl that I was rooting for her before I finished page one. Rarely have I read a book where I so thoroughly felt like I knew the main character.

Sophie is such a magnificent character that I honestly felt like all the other characters paled in comparison. While I loved Jenna , the “Trinity” and the staff of Hex Hall, I wish I knew more about them. The only character I felt like I had a good sense of was Archer Cross (who I desperately hope to see more of in future books—I think there’s a lot more to his story than meets the eye). My only critique is that, with the exception of Archer, the rest of the cast sometimes came off as fluff filler. I felt no real emotion towards them because I didn’t feel Sophie had a very strong bond to them.

I’m typically a romance fan first. I grab a book looking for that magical melding of soul mates. I’m a sap, and I know it. While Hex Hall dabbles in the romance department, I never once felt cheated by the lack of a storybook romance. This book is breath of fresh air in the paranormal fiction department. If this book is any indication, Rachel Hawkins is a name YA fans need to familiarize themselves with. With this smashing debut, she’s definitely here to stay.

And the winner is.....

I actually have 2 winners to announce:

Congratulations to Blakeley McC. for winning Wither by Lauren DeStefano!

Blakeley also has a blog I recommend y'all check out: http://thebookbell.blogspot.com

Congratulations to Cody (evrythngzen) who was the winner of the Fools For Books giveaway! Cody won Nevermore by Kelly Creagh!

Thanks to everyone who participated! Keep checking back to The Irish Banana for more reviews and more giveaways!

Fool For Books Blog Hop!

I'm incredibly excited to be participating in the Fool For Books Blog Hop this year, hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and The Bookish Snob. As of now more than 200 hundred blogs have signed up for this awesome, 2-day giveaway event.

Once you're done here, hop on over to the next blog on the stop. The more you enter, the more prizes you may win! Good luck!

The Prize:

A hardback copy of Nevermore by Kelly Creagh. An fans of paranormal romance, gothic literature, and classic romance definitely need to check this one out.

"Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game.

Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind.

Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.

His life depends on it."
-summary from Goodreads

The Rules:

1. Must be a follower of The Irish Banana
2. Must live in the US or Canada
Extra entries:
+1 for following me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/irish_banana
+1 for tweeting/posting about this giveaway
+1 for friending me on Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4806374-hannah
+1 for commenting to this post

Total possible entries: 5

The Form:

Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

Title: Die For Me

Author: Amy Plum

Publisher:  HarperTeen

Publication Date: 5.10.11

Pages: 352

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Series: Yes (Die For Me #1)

Rating: A+

Summary (from Goodreads):

DIE FOR ME is the first of three books about Kate, a sixteen-year-old American who moves to Paris after the death of her parents. It introduces a new version of the undead with revenants, beings who are fated to sacrifice themselves over and over again to save others’ lives. Kate finds herself falling for Vincent, who she discovers is not the typical French teenager he appears: he is something else entirely.

DIE FOR ME presents a new supernatural mythology presented in a city where dreams are sometimes the same as reality.

Review:

I’m not sure what I expected when I first delved into this debut by Amy Plum, but whatever it was certainly wasn’t this refreshingly romantic story. It reads like a fairytale; beautiful and magical that makes you wish you could fall into the world of Kate and Vincent. Very rarely has a debut novel so captured my adoration and attention the way Die For Me has.

When Kate arrives in Paris following the deaths of her parents, she’s in a numbing freefall. It was painful to see the way she had so completely tucked into herself and was starting to shut down … until Vincent. I think the romance of Kate and Vincent will go down as one of my favorite novel romances of all time if for no other reason than their love wasn’t easy.

When Kate discovers Vincent is a revenant and what that entails, she actually walks away. It seems like authors are so quick to get to the romance nowadays that they forget the reality. The reality is most teenage girls wouldn’t jump at the chance for a supernatural boyfriend. Most would be freaked as hell and would need a few weeks (as Kate does) to fully accept the implications of what that means. I love that while Kate was sweet and innocent she was also insecure and scared enough to admit that maybe she was in over her head. I love Amy Plum for letting the readers see that weakness.

I’ve read dozens of paranormal romances and mostly the reaction to finding out one’s significant other is not-so-human is either the immediate “that’s OK, I love you anyway even though we’ve only known each other for a few days” or an initial hesitation only to be replaced by wondrous ardor the next chapter. Plum doesn’t take the “easy” way out and her characters are all the richer for it.

No matter how epic the love, nor no matter how earth-shatteringly awesome the hero/heroine is, no story is complete without a dynamic cast of characters. Allow me to assure you that this book has that covered in spades. From Kate’s whimsical sister Georgia to Vincent’s enchanting kindred (I could seriously devour an entire series for each of these characters, and I may stage a riot if I don’t see some Ambrose/Charlotte in the next book), there is never a dull moment to be found.

Plum’s time spent in France clearly shows as the novel is rife with lush description that literally puts you in the scene with the characters as they walk the Parisian streets. I could almost smell the buttery crescent rolls baking and the warm aroma of cappuccinos as I turned the page. Her in-depth knowledge adds an extra layer that is as fantastical as the lights of Paris.

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve fallen head-over-heels for this novel to the point where I’ve already pre-ordered it. I recommend anyone reading this review go and do the same. I promise you won’t regret it. I certainly don’t.

Review: Stay by Deb Caletti

Title: Stay

Author: Deb Caletti

Publisher: Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)

Publication Date:  4.5.2011

Pages: 352

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Thriller

Series: No

Rating: B-

Summary (from Goodreads):

Clara’s relationship with Christian is intense from the start, and like nothing she’s ever experienced before. But what starts as devotion quickly becomes obsession, and it’s almost too late before Clara realizes how far gone Christian is—and what he’s willing to do to make her stay.

Now Clara has left the city—and Christian—behind. No one back home has any idea where she is, but she still struggles to shake off her fear. She knows Christian won’t let her go that easily, and that no matter how far she runs, it may not be far enough....

Review:

The premise of Stay is interesting enough, and sadly enough, very relevant to teens today. Clara falls fast and hard for Christian. After a few months of dating, Christian’s intense jealously and controlling ways push Clara to her breaking point. After a messy breakup Clara’s father takes her and they head to a small beachside town for the summer.

Deb Caletti does a wonderful job of making your heart break for Clara. Unfortunately Clara’s situation is all too realistic, and I’m certain most reader will either identify with Clara or know someone who acted just as impulsively as she did. Clara is a rich character, complex and fighting to make sense of where things went wrong and what role, if any she played, in Christian’s downward spiral. Watching her try to make sense of their relationship was heartbreaking; I just wanted to hug her.

The biggest problem I had with this book was the format. Every other chapter switched back to past tense while the others were present tense. It was too jarring for me. I would have much preferred to read about Clara and Christian’s relationship, and then gone through the breakup with Clara leaving the city for the beach, finishing up with her quest for self-discovery. I’ve read several books where the author constantly switched back and forth in time and it didn’t bother me, but this one really did. Maybe it was because the present tense chapters would really get rolling and then they would end abruptly as you were forced to travel months back in time and then be lurched forward to the present again. After an entire novel of this, it got tiresome.

I also didn’t like all the footnotes. The novel is told entirely from Clara’s point of view, but there were footnotes to add detail. I didn’t understand why the detail couldn’t have just been put into the paragraph. I would be reading at the top of the page and have to skip to the bottom to read an explanation of something and then go back up and find the sentence I was reading. This book seemed part essay and part novel.

While, again, most of my issues were just the way the book was compiled, it is a beautiful story about how desperate young love can be to the point of blindness. I think this is also a very important novel for teens to read because it shows that abuse in a relationship isn’t strictly physical. I loved the premise and the characters Caletti brought to life, I just wish she would have done it in a more flowing way.

In My Mailbox (3)

Hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren, I thought this would be a great way to share the reads I got this week by purchasing, trading/swapping, or for review. All links lead to Goodreads. This is two weeks' worth of books since I didn't post last week.

Bought:
Steel by Carrie Vaughn
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Balefire by Cate Tiernan

Swapped:
Boys That Bite by Mari Mancusi
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright


Presents:
13 to Life by Shannon Delaney (thanks Mariah!)
Fallen Angel by Heather Terrell (thanks Mariah!)

Borrowed:
Ruined by Paula Morris (thanks Mariah!)

Don't forget to enter to win a free copy of Wither by Lauren DeStefano!

Book Blogger Hop! (2)

Hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy-for-Books!

This week's question comes from Mina who blogs at Mina Burrows:

"If you could physically put yourself into a book or series…which one would it be and why?"

The Witch Wars series by Andrea Cremer. After reading Nightshade and becoming totally addicted to her fantastical world of werewolves and witchcraft, and of romance and adventure, there is no series I would rather be in. Besdies, with Calla off with Shay, I could make a play for Ren.




 

Give us five BOOK RELATED silly facts about you.

1. I have a book buying addiction. I honestly have over 100 books sitting on shelves or piles in my room that I haven't read, but I'm already wondering what to buy next.

2. I'm a book hoarder. Very rarely do I get rid of a book, hence why I currently own around 500 books. Hey, I still have my Little Golden books from childhood. Yeah, it's that bad.

3. I slept with a nightlight until I was 13 because I could angle the light at my bed and read until 1 am on school nights.

4. I'm absolutely fanatical about the conditions in which I keep my books. If they aren't in pristine condition I have no problem shelling out more money for a replacement.

5. I make soundtracks for books I really like. I have playlists on my iPod dedicated to my favorite series/novels.

Don't forget to enter to win a free copy of Wither by Lauren DeStefano!