Book Review: Florence by Ciye Cho

Title: Florence

Author: Ciye Cho

Series/Novel:  Florence Waverly Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 240

Publisher: Studio Amazepop

Year Published: 2012

First Line: “I positioned the rifle against my left shoulder.”

“Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverly is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight the sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand and find out where she belongs—Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart and her very soul.”

My Rating: 4.5/5

I would like to start with this book was requested by the author for a review. That being said it doesn’t change the fact that this is still an honest and opinion based review. Those who have read frequently know that all my reviews are based on opinion.

Now onto the serious stuff. This book surprised me in many ways. First off the way the setting was described as well as the passing of time. The way that the characters look and were portrayed throughout the book. These two things along with how the plot itself played out.

To start with, the setting in this story is really untouched territory for me. I think I have read one other mermaid based book but that was probably about 7 years ago. It is completely up to the author how the city of Niemela looked and how it was described. It’s up to the reader to envision the authors words. Ciye Cho did a lot of describing in this book and that helped me as a reader to understand the world he was creating. This was a very interesting idea and the idea of how the city was versus the darkness outside of it was both interesting and terrifying. The only thing that made me upset about the setting and timing was the timing itself. The days seemed to long in the book. I realize that this is something that is difficult for authors to use as the characters are made to pass through the days. This reason alone is why the book lost .5 points for me.

The characters were another untouched area. What a mermaid looks like is really up to your imagination. And once I got used to how the author described the mermaids and mermen, I enjoyed the creativity. The colours themselves were at first hard to comprehend but after given time a delight to imagine.

Lastly, the plot. This book had many unexpected twists and turns which I did not anticipate. That’s what I love to read about. At the beginning I was sceptical as I thought this book was on a sure path but as I read I became increasingly intrigued.

THANK YOU CIYE CHO FOR BUILDING A WHOLE NEW WORLD IN SUCH VIVID COLOUR!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Florence by Ciye Cho

This book is once that was requested by the author and I’ve finally had a chance to read it. As mentioned above although it was a request all things stated are honest opinions of my feelings towards the book.

This book was unmarked territory for me. I have read one other mermaid series, around when I was 12 so that’s while ago….. And it definitely captured my attention. At the beginning I thought that this book had a set path, but by the end I was intrigued and left wanting more. My favourite part of this novel was the way things were in such vivid colour in contrast to the darkness. It was both interesting and hard to comprehend. After I was able to imagine the characters, their personalities helped to keep my interested ignited.

♥Characters♥

♥Florence: As usual, the main character grows and changes throughout the book. I’m happy she didn’t change to much though. She was able to stand up for herself by the end and what she believed in but she still had an interest in photography and reading as far as I could tell. I was also happy to see that she made her wait out of the love triangle, at least I hope she did. Who knows… there is a book 2!!!!!!

♥Kiren: Ok so I thought she was going to end up with him for sure. He seemed the obvious choice for her to be with. Sociable, charming and easy to look at. I was pretty surprised when we see him talking to the Wise Ones, ok surprised isn’t quite the right word, I was angry. Anger and shock are emotions so good, but also made me put the book down and go for a walk. Hopefully even though he survived the Darkness he doesn’t give over to the Wise Ones.  I believe he thought he was doing the best for his people.

♥Rolan: I thought he would be such a tool. I’ll be honest, I judged immediately. But then he turned out to be guarded, but sweet generally. His anger came from trying to protect his own. And who can blame him with the past he had. I do hope that he can protect the kingdom, but the odds aren’t really in his favour, are they?

♥Yolee: I wonder how old she would be and whether or not she had ever considered the thrown? I don’t believe she had, but I believe she will stand behind Rolan through the war that has erupted.

♥Serillico: She is a heartless piece of work. I can’t say I wasn’t happy when she died. In fact it didn’t bother me in the least. If anything I may have celebrated with a tiny bit, like a small dance around my dorm room.

♥Iriego: He seemed like a heartless man at first, but I warmed up to him. He does what he believes best for his people. Even though that almost meant putting Florence down like an animal.

♥Dorsimer: I guess not everyone can live during a war, but it would be nice if he could have.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 46

“I recognized Malachiro and Pahlo. Yolee pointed out the others: Haralo, Juren, Piriko… it sounded like she was reading from an Ikea catalogue.”

♥Pg. 63

“‘They’re beautiful,’ I whispered. Maybe a little dangerous too, I thought. But then again, the words beauty and danger seemed like synonyms in Niemela.”

♥Pg. 82

“I was the only girl from a faraway world. Unique. Maybe even interesting.

 I could be exotic, ethereal, graceful…

Alas, that was when my toe bumped into a barnacle on the whale’s tail. I lost my balance and yelped.”

♥Final Line: “That… and the distant roar of Rolanama.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Book Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Title: Allegiant
Author: Veronica Roth

Series/Novel: Divergent (#3)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fiction

Pages: 526

Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books

Year Published: 2013

First Line: “I pace in our Erudite headquarters, her words echo in my mind: My name will be Edith Prior and there is much I am happy to forget.”

“The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shatter- fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known. Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature- and of herself- while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.”

My Rating: 5/5

Today/tonight I am going to be reviewing the final official book in the Divergent series (I say that as there is a few more books that have short stories and such). This book follows both Tobias and Tris through a new found government and allows them to explore what’s outside the fence. It is truly an interesting read and for those who have read the other books I would strongly recommending continuing reading through the series. The ending is marvelous. As frequent readers know, I love a book that can make me feel. If you can make me fall in love with characters and feel something throughout the book, I usually enjoy the book even more. Allegiant did not disappoint. It had action and feeling to it as well as a sense of mystery and suspense. I hope to be able to read some of the short stories that Veronica Roth has also published featuring the Divergent characters.

THANK YOU VERONICA ROTH FOR MAKING ME REMEMBER WHAT IT IS TO TRULY FEEL AND REMINDING ME WHAT MAKES US HUMAN

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

So let’s start of with the fact that if you are an emotionally challenged person, reading this series probably isn’t good for your mental health. Some of us find this out the hard way. That being said I loved this trilogy. It reminded me of so many things that make us human and for the most part kept me excited, wondering what was coming next. The change of setting was slightly unnerving, but in a good way. The way that Veronica Roth took time in both the city and the Bureau was interesting and by the end I understood why. I wasn’t overly impressed with the idea of the city being an experiment but now that I think about it, it makes sense considering the series as a whole. The part that really got me about this book was the ending. I’m sure that’s how most people who have read it feel (comment below).

♥Characters♥

♥Tobias: Now normally I would start with Tris, but I think the fact that the chapters in this book switch between Tris and Tobias is important so I’m going to start with him this time. In this book I think that Tobias truly broke down for the readers and made it so we could see how his life as a child and in the city in general. The way he reacted when told he was wrong and how his mind seems to work. I was interested in that and happy to see behind his walls. Although there were some things I didn’t want to hear. I was very upset with Tobias for acting with Nita. You shouldn’t be doing something you aren’t comfortable with your significant other knowing. When Tris dies I felt for Tobias. I didn’t believe it and cried same as he did. If anyone deserves true love in this series it is Tobias, but I’m uncertain if he will ever find that given how this great romance ended.

♥Tris: Here is where things get all emotional. I didn’t think that I actually felt for Tris that much until she died. And when she went into the chamber for Caleb, I strongly believed that she would make it through. I couldn’t see the author killing of her main character, but that’s exactly what happened. Tris was someone to me that I would try to model myself after, she was selfless and brave. She had a good judge of character and wasn’t afraid to stand for what she believed in by the end of things. She also knew how to love ferociously. This series to me was about what it is to be human and feel.

♥Uriah: Because one death is never enough apparently, this guy didn’t make it either. He would have enjoyed the new world that Tobias is now living in. With his jokes and quick smiles, he easily wormed his way into my heart.

♥Evelyn: I was surprised when she gave into the truce that Tobias offered, but then again she is his mother. It’s horrible that Marcus couldn’t change, but I don’t believe that people like that never really do. I hope that she finds something she enjoys in the city. I could see her being an advocate. I was expecting her to say something about Tris, like an open ended apology, especially after how she treated her.

♥Christina: A strong character throughout the ability to forgive and not hold grudges for a long period of time makes her loveable. I do feel bad that she has seen so many people die around her. I hope that she finds true happiness in the city.

♥Caleb: This is a difficult part to write as I hated him after the second book. The way her agreed with the obvious evil was interesting but horrible. I wish that he had had a chance to talk through what exactly happened, but when the alarm went off they lost their chance. I hope that he lives the best life possible as his life was returned to him by Tris. Something I’m still unsure if he deserved.

I’m going to leave the characters there for the moment. I think that it makes sense to include those. If you would like to discuss more about the characters, comments are open.

♥Moments to Remember♥

♥Pg. 25

 “‘Yes, well, I realized that we’ve never been on an actual date.’

  ‘Choas and destruction do tend to take away a person’s dating possibilities.’

   ‘I would like to experience this ‘date’ phenomenon.’”

♥Pg. 380

“‘It’s very strange that a persons genes would make them so resistant to mind manipulation of any kind.’

 ‘Maybe it’s not her genes,’ I say, shrugging. I switch feet. ‘Maybe it’s some kind of superhuman stubbornness.’”

♥Final Line: “We mend each other.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo