Book Blog #157: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Title: Landry Park
Author: Bethany Hagen
# of Pages: 400 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Madeline Landry is practically Gentry royalty. Her ancestor developed the nuclear energy that has replaced electricity, and her parents exemplify the glamour of the upper class. As for Madeline, she would much rather read a book than attend yet another debutante ball. But when she learns about the devastating impact the Gentry lifestyle—her lifestyle—is having on those less fortunate, her whole world is turned upside down. As Madeline begins to question everything she has been told, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana, who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty—her family and the estate she loves dearly—and desire.
Review: "I dug out an old book from my bag and held it over my head, but the rain was falling in sheets and curtains" (104).

WHAT?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

DON'T USE BOOKS AS UMBRELLAS!

~~~

When I began reading this book, my first instinct was to hate it. Everything – the dialogue, the setting, the people – seemed so fake. I wanted to feel like I was stepping into a world that had been developed two-hundred years ago. Instead, it felt as if everyone was as unfamiliar with the world as I was. 

I thought the society Hagen’s created was a bit peculiar. I love reading books with the components of the Regency era, and I love books from the science fiction/dystopian genre. But putting those two together? I’m not exactly sure if they mixed well.

The characters are hard to relate to. Madeline, (without giving too much away), makes choices that I can’t really understand. I can’t understand most of the characters’ way of thinking; I can’t relate to them and their problems (and not just because they’re freakin’ rich either). 

Nevertheless, this book was addictive, and the fact that I finished it in a matter of days showed me that (somehow) I actually liked something about this book. Perhaps Hagen’s writing style improved as the book progressed (after all, as I just noticed, this book is her debut novel). 

If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, then you might enjoy reading this book. But don't overestimate it.

Book Blog #156: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Title: My Sister's Keeper
Author: Jodi Picoult
# of Pages: 423 (paperback)
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate -- a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister -- and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.
Review: A long time ago, I saw someone watching a movie about, from what I could tell, a girl who does not want to donate to her sister anymore. I walked away without ever knowing how it ended and never expected to hear anything about it every again.

But then I was at my local library and saw a poster with a book recommendation on it. It caught my interest because the book's cover had JODI PICOULT in big letters on it. Although I have always thought it was strange when the author's name is bigger than the title, it is obviously effective because it caught my attention. I began to read the synopsis and then realized it was the same plot as the movie. I got my hands on a copy as soon as I could and cracked it open eagerly.

Only to be disappointed.

There are point-of-view changes. And not just between two people; it switches between Anna, Brian, Jesse, Sara, etc in first person. And to make it worse, Picoult threw in a few flash backs too. It's a terrible mix. I am beginning to question her writing style since the only other book I've read of hers is Between the Lines which she co-wrote with her daughter.

Nevertheless, I tried my best to enjoy it. It was pretty good besides the POV, but it didn't make a strong emotional connection with me until the very, very end (which, by that time, was too late). The writing was borderline sloppy, but not the worst I've seen as far as structure.

If you are interested in the plot, then yes, I recommend it.