Author: Lauren DeStefano
Published: February 12th 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Read synopsis at: Goodreads
Sever is the last and final book of the Chemical Garden trilgoy. In here I was finally able to get answers I have since the first book and learned more of the characters. Though there's a lot that I have liked about this book I think this is quite the weakest of the trilogy.
While I can say that I was fairly satisfied with how everything turned out I still felt that some of the revelations weren't really that conclusive. Particularly, the explanation about the virus. It was like the answers just walk through me and for the most part it felt quite anticlimactic. I was actually hoping for something that is more thorough and detailed. The other part though was Rhine's feelings about Linden and Gabriel - which I have to say was very confusing and formless. I didn't get what it really was she felt about the two. Plus, it really disappointed me how undeveloped Gabriel's character was. I've been rooting for him since the first book and I was really looking forward to see more of him here yet I barely see him until the later part. Although I was happy that he still end up with Rhine I'm not really satisfied with how their relationship developed.
I am split on a half on this one. I don't really know what are my exact feelings about the conclusion of this trilogy. I'm pretty satisfied with how things turned out but whenever I think more of it I kinda wish that there should have been something more with it. It felt like there were some things missing or that it wasn't completely delivered to us. Still, I think the majority of what had happened on this book had been very intriguing, there were twists and revelations that manage to surprise me and most of the questions were answered.
3.5 stars
Title: Chasing Brooklyn
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Published: January 5th 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Read synopsis at: Goodreads
This is the second time I've read a work from this author
and it still didn't fail to leave me at awe especially since this is a verse
novel.
When I started this I realized that this is much more intense
and emotional that the last book I've read of this author so I was a little doubtful
if it would be able to connect and affect me deeply since it was written in a
verse form. But lo and behold because it did! I was surprised to find myself
tearing up on some parts and some making my skin filled with goose bumps. I
fascinating how those short verses was able to contain such powerful emotions
and feelings. It was very captivating and entrancing.
Nico and Brooklyn are characters that are so easy to like. I
felt instant connection with them and felt the sadness and the struggles they've
been having since the death of someone they both loved so deeply. The comfort
they found through each other and how both of them had helped to let go and
move on was very heartwarming and poignant. Their story was such a lovely and
touching one that it made its way easily on my favorites shelf.
4 stars
