Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

Author: Koushun Takami
Published November 17th 2009 by VIZ Media, LLC (first published February 26th 2003)
576 pages
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Summary:

In an alternative future Japan, junior high students are forced to fight to the death!

Koushun Takami's notorious high-octane thriller is based on an irresistible premise: a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill one another until only one survivor is left standing. Criticized as violent exploitation when first published in Japan -- where it then proceeded to become a runaway bestseller.

Review:

I first heard about Battle Royale when I recommended The Hunger Games to a friend. They said The Hunger Games is a rip-off of Battle Royale. I totally disagree with that! I think the only similarity is that teenagers kill each other and the one who will survive will become the winner. That's it! Okay, I don't mean to compare the two but these days when you talk about The Hunger Games, Battle Royale will be mentioned.

I didn't expect that I will like Battle Royale very much. Although there are lots of gore and violence (so warning! This book is not for the faint-hearted), the novel still able to dwell deeper on the story of the major characters and their effects on the novel as a whole. I salute the author for bravely telling us of a story like this. The book is not all about killing but more on how people naturally react when in danger or there are threats, and how one can trust other people to survive. Also, it tells how a certain kind of government, such as the Republic of Greater East Asia in the book, can affect people's lives and how they make decisions in their lives.

Battle Royale is such a thrilling read! I recommend this book to those who want to read a darker and bolder book about teens killing each other, a cruel government, and how to survive the inevitable.

P.S.

I don't want to compare the two books like the others because just like what Mr. Takami said, "every novel has something to offer," and that if  "readers find value in either book, that's all an author can ask for." And I love both books! :)

 ♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Wildefire by Karsten Knight (Wildefire #1)

Author: Karsten Knight
Published July 26th 2011 by Simon and Schuster
400 pages
Review Copy from Simon and Schuster Galley Grab
Series: Wildefire
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

Summary:

Every flame begins with a spark. 

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. 

Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

Review:

I decided to read this because of the cover. Looks really intriguing right? Just like the title, it's pretty much a "wilde" read.

The book is about sisters Ashline and Evelyn Wilde. Both have some violent streaks that they sometimes couldn't control and worse they are born with it. Eve is the runaway sister and won't leave town until Ash goes with her. Ashline, after transferring to Blackwood Academy, discovers her true identity and finally gets explanation of what she and her sister had become. Ash will try to protect people she cares about and prevent people from dying due to Eve's inescapable rage.

I did enjoy reading this. I think it's because it has a unique concept of the usual gods and goddesses in young adult books. It's take in mythology is interesting that would keep you reading til the end. Not to mention the action-packed scenes that may show extreme violence. The characters are likable and have their own identity that won't keep you confused. There's mystery in the story which I really like and that I had lots of questions about. I thought this isn't a series until I saw on Goodreads that there would be a sequel. That's good because the ending is very intriguing and I'd love to read the next books.

Wildefire is an engaging read. The author managed to get me hooked on the story because of the clear narration and witty lines.

 ♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Wildefire