Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

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Empire (In Her Name: Redemption)

Book Review: Four

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On August 16, 2015

In Book Review

Four: A Divergent Collection (Divergent, #0.1-0.4)Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth

My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

I really enjoyed the different perspective and the little bit of backstory about Four. You learn a little bit about why he left Abnegation, why he and Eric don’t get along, and what is going through his mind during the time he is Tris’ initiation instructor. Obviously that means this book does have portions from Divergent so you should at least read Divergent before reading this book.

There are some interesting plot points that, had Four decided differently, would have completely changed how the war would have begun. It may have even altered the fates of some of the transfers in Tris’ unit.

I probably haven’t read the other books since Divergent was in theaters so some of the conversations between Tris and Four are a little fuzzy. I feel like some of the things they say to each other were different between the two books but I could be mistaken. Honestly it doesn’t really matter, it was a fun read regardless.

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Book Review: Fairest

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On July 13, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles, #3.5)Fairest by Marissa Meyer

My rating: [rating=4]
(Go to goodreads to see this review there)

Although fairly short, this book was well worth the read. It gives you an interesting look into the confused mind of Levana. It also provides a little bit of interesting backstory to other characters from the series as well as some of the plot elements critical to the story.

Reading about Levana does create an emotional dichotomy for the reader because you almost want to feel bad for her when you realize why its so critical for Lunars to use their “gift” more wisely. Unfortunately by the end Levana has pretty much gone as mad as Ahab and will stop at nothing to get her “white whale”.

Reading this book does make me excited for Winter (which doesn’t come out until this fall). The chronological value of this books is 3.5 so I would read it in that same order. It’s not really a book that needs to be read as a prequel.

Oh, and if you haven’t read any of the Lunar Chronicle books, you need to get right on that now!

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Book Review: Clockwork Princess

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On July 5, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

My rating: [rating=3]
(See this review on Goodreads.)

I’m glad that I read this series, especially after having read all of The Mortal Instruments books. Honestly, the epilogue in this book is what really wraps the series up nicely. I think my biggest criticism about this book is there was a lot of the mushy romance, which isn’t really a theme that appeals to me.

I did enjoy discovering the source of Jace’s charming disposition and even the origin of Isabella’s necklace and Church the cat. Tessa’s use of her “gift” during the climatic standoff was pretty epic in-and-of-itself. It actually had me saying “wow” out loud; I love it when a book elicits an involuntary, audible reaction.

All-in-all I like the author’s integration of her “Shadowhunter” lore with the mythical lore of warewolves, vampires and fae. Again, as a guy reading these books, I didn’t find the sentimentality as appealing which I found was more what these books focused on. Needed more action, less romance.

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Book Review: Dune

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On June 25, 2015

In Book Review, Science Fiction

DuneDune by Frank Herbert

My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads)

How do you write a review for a book like Dune? I don’t think you can! I have seen the movie several times so it was time that I finally read the book. I have to say that I was surprised how different the book is compared to the movie (btw, I’m referring to the movie with Kyle MacLachlan as Paul).

As always, the book was better, however I was a little disappointed that a few of my favorite lines from the movie were not in the book (ex: “The sleeper has awaken”, “He is the Kwisatz Hadarach!” and the mentat creed).

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series (as soon as I acquire copies of said books) but its a nerd classic that I’m glad I finally got around to reading.

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Book Review: Clockwork Prince

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On June 9, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, #2)Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

My rating:[rating=3]
(See this review on Goodreads.)

I’ll admit that I was a little concerned about reading the second book since the first one was a little slow and the writing hardly held my interest at times. I honestly enjoyed this book more than the first one, however the writing still seems a little sub-par compared to The Mortal Instruments. I am finding myself feeling more vested into the fates of the characters regardless of the fact that I know some of the genealogical links to the characters in Mortal Instruments.

I still suggest that you read the latter before the former. There is still some mystery as to how certain relationships come about (although one relationship in particular seems to be a very familiar dynamic to Clary and Jace … in fact I might even go so far as to say its practically identical). In fact I think the knowledge you have from Mortal Instruments is probably what compels me to continue reading.

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Book Review: Clockwork Angel

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On April 28, 2015

In Book Review, Fantasy

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1)Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

My rating: [rating=3]
Click here to go to this review on Goodreads.

It was slow at the start but eventually picked up, however I found the story in The Mortal Instruments to be a much more compelling story. Granted Mortal Instruments was set in the modern world and Infernal Devices takes place some time in the 1800s, so perhaps the setting made it easier to enjoy the former.

Obviously, chronologically, Infernal Devices takes place long before Mortal Instruments but I would recommend reading the latter first. Infernal Devices does contain some origin stories and the main characters are the ancestors of the characters from Mortal Instruments, but I found this book far more interesting after having read the other series first.

I do hate to say it though, the writing seems a little weaker in this book than it did in the other series. Perhaps it was the slow start to the book.

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