Love & Decay, Episode 2

This weeks installment of Rachel Higginson's new zombie series takes place one week after the events in Episode 1, and our crew has settled into a (somewhat) comfortable routine of southward migration. Comfortable, that is, until they come across a road block of zombies... Of course, they're used to zombies.

What they aren't used to are settlements that use zombies as a blockade AND test for would-be visitors (or passers-through). Settlers that have very particular ideas on the role that a women should play in this new world. And it's not a role that sits right with Reagan, Haley, OR the Parker brothers.

It especially doesn't sit well with Hendrix. He of the smoldering eyes and not-so-subtle hints of feelings that are far too inappropriate for an apocalyptic setting. While his brother may be fine with elementary-style flirting his way into the heart of Haley, Hendrix is willing to wait for Reagan to realize, what in his mind, is inevitable...

But, while Reagan in unequivocally drawn to Hendrix despite his infuriating attitude and over-evolved sense of protection, his older brother Vaughan is making a confusing situation even more difficult with his easy jokes and genuine good-guy attitude...

Who knew that the end of the world would have so many hunky bachelors to choose from?

Fun facts

• This is the second installment, and is due to release the weekend of July 26th
• episode 2, like the first one, will only cost $.99
• This series is modeled after t.v. shows.... 12 total episodes (novellas), one released every two weeks, and a small hiatus after all 12 are 'aired' before the next 'season' starts. So you don't have long to wait until the next installment.

Divergent Book Review

click the pic for more
info at Amazon.com

Selflessness, Bravery, Honesty, Knowledge, Peace. After the fall of modern civilization society has  split itself into five factions, each with their own ideology on maintaining peace and preventing war. Upon maturity each person must be tested to find out where they truly belong. But there are some who belong nowhere, or everywhere; they are Divergent and Beatrice has found herself among their secret ranks. When she leaves behind her Selfless faction to become Dauntless, she must hide what she truly is on the threat of death. Tris soon finds herself fighting for a place in her new faction while trying to ignore her confusing feelings for a boy named Four, but when rumors of a faction war reach her ears she must choose who and what she really is, selfless or brave; Beatrice or Tris... and is there really such a difference between the two?

Let me just say that I loved this book. Veronica Roth did an amazing job in creating a new, yet recognizable world. This is a YA dystopian and thanks to The Hunger Games (which I love btw), it's a genre that is producing a LOT of new stuff, but Divergent still manages to stand apart. Yes, the main character does seem to fit into the well used 'small, yet badass girl underdog' archetype, but Roth doesn't make her a super woman that can somehow beat up people twice her size with similar training. Tris manages to be relatable, even though she lives in an imaginary world that's been decimated by war. 

The ending definitely leaves us reaching for the next book, but not in an obnoxious cliffhanger that makes you want to throw the book across the room.... not that I would ever do that... 

Fun Facts

• Divergent is book 1 in a trilogy. Book 2, Insurgent, is already out, and the last book should be released sometime this year.
• A movie is in the works, set to release in 2014, starring Shailene Woodley as Beatrice/Tris
• There is a romantic subplot, but it isn't overwhelming and only adds to the story
• this book IS age appropriate for all YA readers, featuring some graphic violence but not anything age 13+ can't handle
• Divergent is Veronica Roths first novel, and hit the New York Times bestseller list (so did Insurgent)