Pretty Big Fail 

Pretty Little Liars - Game Over Charles

After 5 and a half seasons we have finally come face to face with A and it was a twist no one saw coming. A is Charles DiLarentis who is CeCe. Congrats to the writers, producers and cast for going in that direction. But even with all the answers that were revealed there were too many plot holes, unanswered questions and just ridiculous story lines for it to be a good reveal. Let's go over all the problems shall we?

1. Mona killed Bethany and CeCe "killed" Ali...

In the finale it was revealed Ali was knocked unconscious because CeCe believed she was Bethany. Mrs. Di saw the whole exchange and buried Ali alive because she thought Ali was dead. Then Mona admits she killed Bethany that night because she thought she was Ali and she was tired of being bullied by Ali. Seriously?!? What are the chances Ali and Bethany would be murdered in the same night but they were both mistaken for the other? That's just stupid. And why was Bethany wearing Ali's clothes anyway?

2. Carla Grunwald saves the day...

When Ali is revealed to be alive and she explains everything to the girls she explains that Carla Grunwald saved her life by digging her up after Mrs. Di buried her alive. But how did Mrs. Grunwald know any of this was going on?

3. What happened to the moms anyway?

So the liars are uninvited to their prom and graduation but most importantly prom so their moms being concerned for their daughter's safety set up their own private prom where the moms could supervised. Being the concerned parents they are because their daughters have been being terrorized they get drunk, leave the house and then get trapped in the basement next door. Also they don't notice their daughters actually went to the prom they were protecting them from. Obviously Rhys locked them in the basement he was the only one in the house with them and Jason and Mr. Di were unconscious across town but what happened to them? Are they still down there five years later? 

4. Seriously Wilden knew everything the whole time?!?

If Wilden knew everything why was he still around? Why didn't he just pocket the money and then split why did he have to continue stalking the girls trying to convince everyone they killed Ali when he knew she was alive. I mean he did end up dying at the hands of A but that's really his own fault because he stuck around. Also did he really get Ali pregnant?!? 

5. How did no one notice?

According to the finale Mr. DiLarentis though Charles was dead. So how did Mrs. DiLarentis justify the monthly? yearly? Radley payments or the large sums of money that went missing when she paid people off to keep CeCe a secret? I'm guessing that wasn't a cheap secret to pay off. 

6. Sara Blake how did she get involved?

How exactly did Sara Blake and CeCe know each other? And why did CeCe think she could trust Sara? Weren't Sara and Bethany friends and didn't CeCe hate Bethany? Sara claimed she ran away from home was kidnapped by Charles and trapped underground only to be found when the liars were recovered. Where was Sara hanging out all that time? Was she living with CeCe that can't be because CeCe was in and out of Radley, she went to the Cap with the DiLarentis's what was Sara doing?? House sitting for CeCe while she was away?

7. Who killed Mrs. DiLarentis?

CeCe found her dead, and earlier Spencer admitted to thinking her father killed Mrs. Di but that was never confirmed were we just to assume it was Mr. Hastings?

8. Who killed Garrett?

Garrett promised Spencer all the answers then died in the same episode poor Aria was traumatized in the processes. So did CeCe kill him too? 

9. Where does Leslie Stone fit in?

Leslie shows up to defend Mona when Ali is on trial for murdering Mona but that's really all she does. Was she even necessary to the story?

10. Twins or not twins?

Throughout season 6 the liars are trying to figure out what happened to Jason's long lost twin Charles. The liars know Charles is A but we haven't come face to face with him/her. Charles turns out to be CeCe Drake. Okay fine that's all good but everyone is missing a key point to the story. Does anyone remember when we found out Jason was Spencer and Melissa's half-brother? Which means he's also Ali's half-brother was well. Mrs. Di had an affair with Mr. Hastings and the result was a nice little bun in the oven. Why is this important you ask let's do some genetic math. If Jason and Charles/CeCe are twins and Jason is Spencer, Melissa and Ali's half-brother that me Charles/CeCe is too Spencer, Melissa, and Ali's half-brother/sister. Why is that not discussed? Why is CeCe obsessed with her sister Ali but not with her sister Spencer? And seriously Spencer is so smart why hasn't she put all of this together?? This is one of the most important story line and they didn't even talk about it!

The Liars have been in high school for way too long, this five year time jump couldn't have been a better idea. But we still need answers, let's hope we get some answers this winter. Maybe they'll even tell us what happened to CeCe. We can only hope.

A.B. 

Fifty Shades of Shame 

There are no words to explain how disappointed I am. My expectations were already low because every true romance novel, book lover knows the film is never comparable to the book. But this movie could possibly be the worst book adaptation ever. I mean EVER people!! The sad part is I really liked Fifty Shades of Grey, Christian and Ana's love story was twisted and unorthodox but it was love not just kinky sex. The first book shows Christian's rough side and his way of coping (hello SEX) but it sets up the next two books whereas the film focused on sex. Focus Features you wasted a whole lot of potential not to mention $40 million. Let's get it all out into the open. 

Chemical Imbalance 

First of all where was the heat? The chemistry between Dakota and Jamie was like waiting for a pot full of water to boil without turning the stove on. Book Ana and Christian couldn't stay away from one another, film Ana and Christian not so much. It was awkward, so very awkward. 

Plain Jane

Ana describes herself as a pale, brown-haired women with blue eyes too big for her face. She is described by Christian as beautiful, and alluring. Dakota's portrayal was slim, pal, scruffy and awkward. Anyone sensing a theme here? Dakota's a pretty girl why couldn't they have worked with that? Yes Ana should have been plain but she should have been naturally pretty and there was none of that. 

Mistakes

Not everything can be added in the adaptation I get that but there were a few key moments that were definitely missed. Ethan for one. How will Mia ever find love? How will Christian realize he's extremely possessive over Ana at graduation? Also Ana's break down in her room after the first spanking, when Kate yells at him and Christian realizes he cares for Ana more than just his sub. That's a key moment in the story he's breaking his own rules! What about all the times Ana and Christian sleep together in his bed, Ana only spent one night in the sub bedroom but it was in a whole other context. It also happened to be in a whole other book, Fifty Shades of Freed. Maybe the most important detail for the second and third book plot was over looked as well. Ana doesn't start her new job at SIP which means she doesn't meet Jack Hyde, who is the main antagonist in the next two books. How's that going to work out?

Complex Christian 

The biggest flaw by far is Christian's lack of character. At least Robert Patterson knew Edward wasn't just a sparkly immortal vampire. Christian is a haunted man who keeps his distance for fear of being hurt like he was once before. He lives his life the only way he knows will cover his pain, controlling his surroundings. Until he meets Ana. Throughout the first book Christian's hard exterior softens as he spends time with Ana, he starts to question everything he knows until he comes to terms with his feelings and love when Ana eventually leaves him. Jamie looked board, confused and maybe a wee bit angry, but that's about it.   

Wait one more thing! What's his name I can't remember? Who was Ana in love with again because I never caught his name, I don't think Ana said it enough times. Seriously Kelly Marcel? 

We should make a drinking game out of it!! It would sure make the experience a whole lot more enjoyable. 

To all my Fifty Shades fans, I'm beyond sorry. 

A.B. 

Revenge 

Winter Break is good for two things relaxing but more importantly catching up on TV shows you've abandoned while putting your crucial and very expensive college education first. Which by the way is honorable and totally depressing when you hear people talking about up to date episodes, and all you're thinking is "LA! LA! LA! I can't hear you!" The hardest part is where to start, first on my list is ABC's Revenge. 

If I'm honest I was so sick of this show relatively early in the third season. I was thinking it should have been over in three seasons, I was sick of the back and forth between Emily/Amanda and Daniel, the war between Emily/Amanda and Victoria was getting old and more than anything else I just wanted Emily to embrace being Amanda Clark and run with Nolan, Jack, and Aiden and leave her past behind. Plus I was beginning to hate everyone. But after my sisters insistence I am currently catching up on all the episodes I missed. I'm currently on episode 5. 

The fourth season has brought forth some interesting turn of events. David Clark is alive but I'm not sure he's mentally stable, does he seriously believe Victoria's bullshit? I've never particularly liked Charlotte but she has just gotten more and more annoying with every season. Did she really try to kill Emily when she found out she was Amanda Clark, she needs to pull her shit together because her spoiled brat, junkie attitude was past interesting two seasons ago, characters need to grow she's only gotten worse. Victoria should have stayed in the nut house because she is the most manipulative character I have ever come across my applause to Madeleine Stowe. Jack has seemed to find the straight and narrow now as a police officer still trying to bring justice to the Hampton's after all the crimes he's seen. I used to like Daniel way back in the first season and a little bit of the second when I thought he could possibly be different than the rest of his family but he's not and now he's dating Margaux who I thought was looking for justice but is just like the rest of the Grayson family. Are people really like this? Because if this is based on any type of reality I would never want to meet these people I'd rather stay in my middle class home in a town where the biggest scandal is a college drug bust. 

The start of this season has started off well and I can't help wanting to keep watching more hopefully I'm not let down. If you stopped watching I recommend you jump back on this fast moving train. The only thing I'm really confused about is why Louise Ellis is so obsessed with Victoria Grayson only time will tell. 


A.B.

Let's Talk Finals

Today marks the start of finals for 95% of college students. In my opinion the semester should have been down two weeks ago when we left for Thanksgiving break. I mean seriously who left for a four day weekend and was prepared to learn for two more weeks and then take six tests? Not me that's who! And did we even get taught anything in the last two weeks, because I sure didn't learn anything that's for sure. So to commiserate with all my fellow college students here is how I feel about finals weeks in memes. 

Let's face it I spent the weekend doing anything but actually getting anything productive done. I cleaned the toilet and shower for Christ's sake. And trust me I'm not the only one, you know who you are!

But if you have been studying like a good little college student I'm sure your brain feels like mush. Mine does and I spent over half the weekend procrastinating. We've been forcing unwanted and uninteresting information in our brains for three and a half months come on professors give us a break! Remember when the last day of classes were reserved for parties and movies? Yeah I miss middle school too, even if we all looked gross.

Sleep isn't a thing during finals weeks. You have the all-nighters who stay awake finishing all the work they didn't get done earlier. Or the parties who just don't care. And then you have my subcategory the restless sleeper, I'm not actually nervous for my speech final but let me have a nightmare about it and get a horrible night sleep. Because that'll make me do better on my finals. Good plan body, way to betray me now!

Why didn't we go to that stupid speaker worth ten points of extra credit??? I mean we could get ten more questions wrong and our grade wouldn't suffer! But next time it's offered we won't go because we don't think we'll ever be in this position come the end of the semester. We're always wrong.

Even if you study your heart out the chances of studying the correct material is slim to none. The professor says the test is based solely on the class lectures, turns out it's all based on the chapters in the text book propping up your dresser. Ever look at a test and think, "What does that even mean?" Don't worry you're not the only one.

Here's to passing grades to you all! 
Then sleeping all winter break and coming back for more!

A.B.

Have you ever had a book rip you’re heart in two? And you know if you discussed this with any sane non booking loving person all they’d say is the characters aren't real and they wouldn't understand how much your heart hurts at that exact moment. I could compare it to having your heartbroken by a loved one but in some part of your mind you know it’s not actually happening to you, but the pain doesn't fade away. At least not until you pick up your next commitment and lose yourself all over again in another time, in another place.

Call me a hopeless romantic but I do believe there is someone out there for everyone. True love; I've read about it all my life. I've even seen movies where the happy ending always finds its way to light. Because that’s what love is light, it helps you fight the darkness that would otherwise consume you, if only we could bottle it up and take a sip when we have those offal days that only real life can bring. Maybe that’s why I like books so much. I can lose myself in a place and forget about the world around me even if everything around me is crumbling.

I had a friend recently tell me that she doesn't believe in one true love. She said you have to work to love. You must consistently put effort in a relationship to make it work; love doesn't concur all. I didn't tell she was wrong to her face because in some ways I believe she’s right. When you get married you have to work on staying on the same path, it must always be on your mind what your other half wants and how your choices will affect them. With that being said I’m not giving up hope for my one true love. That on person who consumes your ever thought or never stops giving you butterfly’s. There has to be a person out there for everyone, a person who sets your skin on fire with just a touch or who can calm you when you get a little crazy. I don’t think we’re only meant for one person because I think every relationship that touches us has a way of getting us to wear we’re meant to be. But I still believe that all-consuming love exists. Maybe I’m naive, but that’s how I want to feel when I eventually settle down and get married, and I don’t think anyone should settle for less.

Alright, that’s my rant. It’s taken me four months to find something worth talking about and sharing with all of you. Okay that’s a lie, I've had things to talk about, opinions to share, but with school and work it’s been hard to find anytime to breathe let alone write down my thoughts and share them with you. So this post is to the start of getting back to Book Sense, and preparing to deliver all my lovely opinions to the world.

Releasing Kate by D. Kelly is what brought on my heart ache if you wanted to join in the emotional roller coaster.  

To all my fellow hopeless romantics. I believe it’s really out there,

A.B.

Pandora Box Set book blast

 

20 exciting, bestselling, and award-winning authors for $0.99 

Twenty Full-Length Novels and Novellas by twenty outstanding authors!

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Pulitzer Prize Nominee

The Water Wolf by Thomas Sullivan

A global quest by a cynical adventurer searching for links in a colossal subterranean network he has
stumbled upon lead him from the ancient fortress at Cuzco, Peru, to the Pyramids of Giza to a dangerous churchyard in Connemara, Ireland, where he falls in love with a woman of more than mortal roots and encounters the strange magic of a small village.

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Amazon Best-Selling Author 

What Truly Knows by Louise Caiola

She was born with the Magical Knowing – a gift, some said. A curse, said others.
But for Truly, it was the very thing meant to save her life. If it didn’t kill her first.

 Enjoy!

A.B.

Book Review

With This Heart by R.S. Grey

 

 

If someone had told me a year ago that I was about to fall in love, go on an epic road trip, ride a Triceratops, sing on a bar, and lose my virginity, I would have assumed they were on drugs.

Well, that is, until I met Beckham.

Beck was mostly to blame for my recklessness. Gorgeous, clever, undeniably charming Beck barreled into my life as if it were his mission to make sure I never took living for granted. He showed me that there were no boundaries, rules were for the spineless, and a kiss was supposed to happen when I least expected.

Beck was the plot twist that took me by surprise. Two months before I met him, death was knocking at my door. I'd all but given up my last scrap of hope when suddenly, I was given a second chance at life. This time around, I wasn't going to let it slip through my fingers.

We set out on a road trip with nothing to lose and no guarantees of tomorrow.

Our road trip was about young, reckless love.

The kind of love that burns bright.

The kind of love that no road-map could bring me back from.

**Recommended for ages 17+ due to language and sexual situations.**

 

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I have a new favorite book y'all! Serious though I'm in love with a boy named Beck and a a book called With This Heart, and I recommend it to everyone!! So I'm guilty of buying a book without reading the cover....oops. This time it paid off! I'm currently in day 3 of my 30 day free trial of the Amazon Kindle Unlimited, so if this book shows what my next 27 days will be like I can not wait!

I struggled through the first few pages, I wasn't into the young girl searching for urns in a funeral home. It also felt a little similar to The Edge of Never, two strangers meeting decide to go on a rode trip, one terminally ill, then they fall in love. But as I flipped pages I found that I was more and more intrigued and I wanted to know where the story and characters would end up. And boy am I glad I did.

This story was heart wrenching and emotional and yet heart warming and funny at the most important of times. I found myself laughing on one page and on the next I would break out in a giant smile. Abby has every right to be cynical about life after living in a hospital and on borrowed time. But while on her trip Beck changes something in her, he helps her live her new lease on life to the fullest.

Although I can't relate to having a major health problem I can relate to not feeling as though you have truly lived you're life to the fullest, not knowing what life will bring, being unsure of yourself with the opposite sex, or knowing what I want to do for the remainder of my life. As the story progresses Abby opens up to Beck and they both experience life together. This book has serious plot contents with the best quirky comic relief. Beckham Dilan Prescott has gone to my top five book boyfriends.

Seriously this book contained the best qualities a book requires. You will not be disappointed.

A.B.

Movie Trailer

Mockingjay Part 1

 

There are officially 114 days until the Mockingjay Part 1 premiere. I seriously cannot wait. To be honest I could watch The Hunger Games and Catching Fire every day until Mockingjay comes out. Although the camera work on The Hunger Games was rather shaky they raised the bar during Catching Fire. Because of that I am more than excited to see what Mockingjay Part 1 and 2 has to offer. The casting was phenomenal throughout the movie series, and each actor plays their part perfectly. I am glad to see Phillip Seymour Hoffman was in the teaser trailer after his untimely death. I hope they have enough footage to keep him in the next two movies as Plutarch Heavensbee. So many great things to come and this teaser just shows it. 

Have you seen it??

A.B. 

Book Review

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan

 

"No one tried to get involved with me, and I kept to myself. This was the place where everything was supposed to be safe and easy. How could Evan Mathews unravel my constant universe in just one day?"

In the affluent town of Weslyn, Connecticut, where most people worry about what to be seen in and who to be seen with, Emma Thomas would rather not be seen at all. She’s more concerned with feigning perfection while pulling down her sleeves to conceal the bruises - not wanting anyone to know how far from perfect her life truly is. Without expecting it, she finds love. It challenges her to recognize her own worth - but at the risk of revealing the terrible secret she’s desperate to hide.

Reason to Breathe is an electrifying page turner from start to finish, a unique tale of life-changing love, unspeakable cruelty, and one girl’s fragile grasp of hope.

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Spoilers Ahead:

Heed my warning now, this book will rip your heart out. This book is filled with abuse, love, friendship, unspeakable action, and loyalty. Powerful and emotion evoking, it's a captivating read. 

I think the worst part was how Emma's Aunt's cruelty was directed solely at her. She was a great mother to her own two children but Emma was abused. In no case is abuse justifiable, but in Emma's Aunts case it's was random acts of cruelty for no other reason than she resented and hated her niece. 

I don't personally agree with Emma's rationalization for why she stayed but at the same time not being in her situation I can't pass judgment. I understand she wanted to keep her cousins lives as normal as possible but I don't believe living in an environment where your mother is abusing your cousin is a healthy place to grow up. In any case Emma's actions were brave and selfless. She forced herself to live a lonely life waiting until the day she can leave for college. Until she meets Evan. 

This book isn't all pain and sadness, it's not. Evan was a ray of sunshine in Emma's painful life and he fought to save her even when things got hard. They didn't fall instantly in love, Emma pushed Evan away with all her might but Evan kept working to bring down the walls Emma put up. Emma and Evan's relationship slowly builds from distant acquaintances, to friendship, to love, they struggle to get through a lot of tough situations and in the end they become closer. To be honest Evan is my dream guy, he doesn't care his parents have money he rather they didn't. He's a gorgeous, kind, endearing guy who clearly thinks the world of Emma, and is willing to do anything for her. Even when Emma did everything to keep him away he kept fighting. He truly understood what Emma needed without being told. He's an amazing guy.

As the story progressed a giant cliffhanger loomed over. The closer I got to the end, the dread and anticipation that built inside makes your heart bleed. At the end of the book I couldn't wait to start the second and see where Emma and Evans relationship would take them. I have finished all the books and I must say the second and third are just as emotional and powerful as the first. This trilogy is definitely a gripping page turner that you want to continue reading until you've come to the conclusion. Donovan's writing style is perfect; the descriptions and flow of the story suck you right in. This is story that makes you emotionally involved with the characters' lives and makes you need to know what happens next.


A.B.

Book Review

Driven by K. Bromberg

 

Rylee Thomas is used to being in control. But she’s about to meet the one man that just might make her enjoy losing it…

I am the exception to the rule.

In a world full of willing women, I’m a challenge to the roguish and achingly handsome Colton Donavan. A man used to getting exactly what he wants in all aspects of life. He’s the reckless bad boy constantly skating that razor thin edge toward out of control, on and off of the track.

Colton crashes into my life like a tornado: sapping my control, testing my vulnerabilities beyond their limits, and unintentionally penetrating the protective wall around my healing heart. Tearing apart the world I rebuilt so carefully with structure, predictability, and discipline.

I can’t give him what he wants and he can’t give me what I need. But after a glimpse beneath his refined exterior into the dark secrets of his damaged soul, can I bring myself to walk away?

Our sexual chemistry is undeniable. Our individual need for complete control is irrefutable. But when our worlds collide, is the chemistry enough to bring us together or will our untold secrets and battle of wills force us apart?

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Spoiler Warning:

I always wondered if opposites attract really works with relationships, and in the case of Cotlon and Rylee it does. Colton and Rylee are polar opposites but who are repeatedly drawn together. I liked both Colton and Rylee and Bromberg did a great job developing the characters as the plot progressed. Right away Colton seems like an arrogant, cocky manwhore, while Rylee is a feisty, unintimidated, kind hearted woman. Rylee meant more to Cotlon more than anyone had before and Rylee brought out a new side of him. What I loved about Colton was that he wanted to change and he wanted to be better. He may have made mistakes and his actions may not have always lead the reader to believe he wanted to change but Rylee made him want to act differently. 

Rylee was a good person over all but she also started an organization whose goal was to help orphaned children. I found this really cool and I'm glad Bromberg added this; it was interesting how The House and the boys helped Cotlon change his behavior. He connected to the boys and as he helped them the boys showed him the away to letting go of his past and looking to the future. 

What I liked about this story was it was never slow moving; there were no dull spots to the plot. Every situation contributes to overall situation. Colton's and Rylee's story moves along at break-neck speed only to come crashing to a stop with a cliff-hanger ending. The plot ends with loose ends and unanswered questions which allows the reader to move straight on to book two in the Trilogy Fueled. Fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, and The Crossfire Series will enjoy this book. Although there are similarities in the plots there are great differences to the overall tones and characters of the stories.

A.B.

Official Trailer

Fifty Shades of Grey

I'm still  not sure how I feel about Dakota Johnson as Ana but if anything the trailer is promising! I shake the chills watching the trailer left me with. Jamie Dornan was an excellent choice for Christian. I've read some spoilers and I'm excited to hear that the story focuses on the love story between Christian and Ana with the added details of the Kinky Fuckery. To me that's what I love about the trilogy. Ana heals Christian and helps him find peace with his past. She also allows him to open up, and that's what he needs. Judging by the trailer the soundtrack will be fantastic. I must say this trailer made me extremely excited for February 13, 2015.

Here you go, the official trailer. Enjoy!

A.B.

Book Review

Kiss This by Hadley Quinn

 

 

(This book includes mature content, including sex and language)

22-year-old Camryn Jacobs lost the love of her life once and vows to never kiss another guy unless she's in love with him. When she meets Teague, their attraction to one another is off the charts, and for the first time in two years, she wants to disregard her rule.

But Camryn makes a bet that he can't go just one week without kissing her. She's protecting her own fragile heart, but her wit and smart mouth end up driving Teague crazy.

When Teague is equally skilled at her challenge, their friendship turns complicated. He's not at all what she assumed, and he makes her feel things she never expected to feel. But sharing her true reasons for the no-kiss bet hurts too much and she keeps him in the dark.

Teague has his own secrets to hide, starting with his last name. It's the reason he left town--to lick his wounds until he can piece his life back together. His time with Camryn proves that it might actually be possible, but with the threat of his family and his past ruining all that he's finally gained, can he really take that risk again?

Loving might be easy; learning to trust again could be too difficult to achieve...

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Spoiler Warning:

Family drama means nothing until you read this book. Teague is such a good guy and he keeps getting the worst out of the people who should love him. Camryn and Teague help each other heal from the pain their lives have brought upon them, and they up the on another find happiness again. 

Although I liked this story I didn't like that Teague kept stuff from Camryn. I understand why he has trust issues with the family he grew up in but any relationship has to start with honesty and Teague went about it the wrong way. It was stupid how long Camryn was left in the dark when Teague's family constantly brings up what she doesn't know by name. I feel like we missed out on things Teague would confront his family or say he was buys doing something but we wouldn't know what was truly going on. Readers are given the general idea of what was going on but I wish we could have seen it all. 

I enjoyed this story it was fresh and romantic. It had intriguing and realistic characters and a good plot even if there were minor character flaws.

A.B.

Book Review

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons  

 

 

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

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Spoiler Warning:

Imagine a world where it's against the law to hang out with the opposite sex after curfew unless you're married. A world where if you don't follow the right religion, you'll never be seen again. A world where being born from an unwed mother can get you killed - or worse. Simmons did a fantastic job creating this world and making it vivid for the reader. I love that you can step into this dystopian plot and get observed and overwhelmed with the emotions and characters. 

There is barely any room to step back and breathe during the story. I've read many dystopian novels but this story brought out a new twist to a very popular genera of novels. It's not a fun or light hearted plot like Divergent or Uglies it definitely learns toward the realistic dark side of a post-apocalyptic life. This story starts, and ends with the characters running for their lives. You are scared and intrigued from beginning to end. 

It's really hard to write a female heroine and do it right. But Ember matures tremendously throughout the novel. She starts off timid and blind to the cruel intentions of the world around her and is forced to grow into a strong woman who can survive on her won. She does tend to self-blame which is a little over the top. I enjoyed Ember's relationship with Chase. From the beginning you think you know how their relationship is going to play out, but you're wrong. Their relationship is awkward and rocky but that adds to the story. Chase is a fantastic character, he's been broken by what he has seen and been through during the war and Simmons did an incredible job writing his character. 

This book is intense, heart-pounding, and brilliantly written. The post-apocalyptic world Simmons created is original and well thought out. It had just the right balance of love, pain, sorrow and fear. I know there are two more books that piggyback this novel but I have yet to read them. I'm worried they won't be as good, plus this is a book you have to been in the mood for, it's not a light hearted anytime read.

A.B.