Divided Souls (#3 Darke Academy) by Gabriella Poole

Rating: 9/10

Summary: Cassie Bell attends her third semester at Darke Academy, who once again moved to an exotic location. From its first semester in Paris, to New York and now Istanbul, the scenery may be different but the dark secrets and the smell of death only follow the academy wherever it goes. With a more romantic twist mixed in this semester, Cassie continues to struggle between friends, the Few, and romance, without forgetting to watch her back with every move as a killer is ticking off the Few one by one.

My thoughts: The third book involved a more romantic side for both Cassie and Isabelle. I often feel like authors add in romantic scenes and storylines to fill more pages, however, Gabriella Poole wove the romantic threads so well that without them, the story would not have made much sense. Also, unlike many love triangles, I often choose one over the other for who I prefer, in this book I would jump from one to the other just to go back and root for the first one again.

As a series, I must admit this is one of the best series I have read in a long time. It was captivating, well written and different from many other YA novels out there.

Quote p.214: “Cassie knew how much Isabella loved Jake. She knew her friend’s ferocious, burning loyalty, and how violently she defended those she loved; it was just that she’d never been on the receiving end before.

But there was more. Isabella was hiding something.’’

Darke Academy series:

1. Secret Lives

2. Blood Ties

3. Divided Souls

Blood Ties (#2 Darke Academy) by Gabriella Poole

Rating: 9/10

Summary:  In the sequel, Cassie Bell returns to Darke Academy for her second term, now located in New York. She is no longer the innocent scholarship girl but one of the Few. She is strong, important, and very dangerous as she is the host to an extremely powerful spirit that needs constant feeding. Throughout the term she must decide whether she will save her friends which will ultimately destroy her, or vice versa.

My thoughts: This sequel is much darker than the last. With Cassie a member of the Few and host to a very malevolent spirit, we see her struggle to maintain herself and not let the spirit rule her body. It was refreshing to see the main character struggle with difficult emotions yet not appear whinny. I really felt for the character and kept wishing her the best. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed with the turn Isabelle took since she allowed Cassie to feed off of her quickly with no questions and not outweighing the consequences. To me she was just unnaturally over trustworthy.   

The characters where once again very well developed, and the change in city’s which the school does with every term does in no way hinder the flow of the story.

 Quote p.202: “‘No!’ Cassie scrambled back, pressing herself between the bed and the nightstand, and raised her hand, palm outward, to keep her friend at bay. ‘No, Isabella, don’t! I’m – I think I need to feed.’ Isabella hesitated, blinking at Cassie’s outstretched palm. Then she clasped it, hauling Cassie to her feet and gripping her shoulders.”

Darke Academy series:

1. Secret Lives

2. Blood Ties

3. Divided Souls

Secret Lives (#1 Darke Academy) by Gabriella Poole

Rating: 9/10

Summary:  Cassie Bell, is a regular girl chosen to attend a very prestigious and mysterious school that moves to a new city around the world every term. Unlike the rich that attend the school, Cassie is given a scholarship. She finds herself in Paris for the first term at this elite school. While she has a hard time fitting in, her roommate, Isabella, does everything possible to make her feel included and comfortable. Throughout the semester, she discovers that Darke Academy is more than just a school; it holds a dark and dangerous secret. Knowledge is power, however it can also be a curse, and Cassie has discovered a little too much about the secrets the Few are guarding.

My thoughts: With a slow start, this book still had the makings for a great story, after pushing through for about a third of it, I was pleased to see the story evolve and be a truly interesting read. Gabriella Poole has created a unique way of incorporating the real world with a little bit of fantasy, with a twist. Unlike the thousand vampire novels out there (don’t get me wrong, I do love myself some vampire books) this one was very unique with a well built plot with twists and turns as I haven’t seen in awhile.  Book 1 of 3, this is definitely a series that kept me enthralled and enjoying every moment of it.

Quote p.61: “Cassie studied him. So this was the legendary founder of the Darke Academy? The portrait was a modern one, his angular face defined in deceptively casual brushstrokes. His eyes burned with vivid intelligence, their colours melding into grey but glinting like mica in granite. His silver-streaked dark hair grew in a perfect widow’s peak, one stray strand of it curving down his forehead like a thin blade. He had been painted at his desk, a book open beneath his hand, and he was watching the artist with an expression of cold, probing curiosity. Cassie felt he was looking straight into her brain and soul.”

Darke Academy series:

1. Secret Lives

2. Blood Ties

3. Divided Souls

Catching Fire (#2 The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 10/10

**Spoiler Alert** Please read book 1; The Hunger Games, before reading on. 

Summary: After Katniss is back from the Hunger Games, she quickly learns that uprisings and rebellions have started in many of the districts. Many of the districts see her as the symbol to the rebellion, however, with this year upcoming Hunger games being the 75^th, the Capitol has an idea that to turn things into their favour. They host the Quarter Quell, where old victors from each district must go back once again to fight. Being the only girl victor, Katniss is automatically chosen. Alliances are formed with a few of the old victors, who are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to save Katniss.

My thoughts: Amazing sequel, the description of the arena, although different from the last is very well constructed. The characters have been extremely well developed, and Katniss’s character has lost little of her personality since the last book.

Having adored the first book, I could not possibly phantom how this author could keep this story captivating without repeating everything from the first book. To my surprise, Suzanne Collins is an amazing author capable of great things. Not only did she manage a way for them to re-enter the Hunger Games, but made the rebellion, which started at the end of the first book, remain the priority of the sequel.

Again I know this is a book review, however, I must mention the movie. While not released yet, I am once more petrified that the movie will not hold justice to the book. Gary Ross, the director to The Hunger Games, did a terrific job in keeping the movie as accurate and generating the right emotions at the right times. However, I do not know Francis Lawrence, the new director for the sequel, and can only hope that he will do just as well as his predecessor. 

Quote p.375: “My prep team. My foolish, shallow, affectionate pets, with their obsessions with feathers and parties, nearly break my heart with their good-bye. It’s certain from Venia’s last words that we all know I won’t be returning. Does the whole world know it? I wonder. I look at Cinna. He knows, certainly. But as he promised, there’s no danger of tears from him.”

The Hunger Games series:

1. The Hunger Games

2. Catching Fire

3. Mockingjay

The Hunger Games (#1 The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 10/10

Summary: Katniss Everdeen is a 16 year old who lives in district 12 of Panem, governed by the Capitol. Each year, the Capital hosts The Hunger Games, a televised battle in an arena where 26 contestants fights for their lives and only one makes it out alive. Each district is to send two contestants, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 to 18 who are chosen as part of a lottery; however one may volunteer himself for this dreadful position. Katniss is the only one in the history of district 12 to volunteer her self.

My thoughts: One of the best books I have read in a long time. This story portrays the world of child soldiers, who are raised and trained to fight, although the author blended this idea with the idea of a reality TV show. Part of our world still train children as soldiers and force them to fight for a cause they have yet to understand. The portrayal of the districts having no choice but to choose two contestants every year, shows the greediness and power of those in charge and how little the people affected by them can do about it all.  Not only has she toyed with this idea, Suzanne Collins, incorporated the idea of Reality TV shows, a form of entertainment our generation is so mesmerized by. Big Brother is watching!! By blending these two aspects together and weaving a story of courage and determination while staying true to your self, the author created a series that is both compelling, eye opening and very captivating.

I know this is a book review; however I must also mention the movie which recently came out. I must admit, I was extremely scared when I heard this movie was to be the next Twilight (don’t get me wrong, Twilight was interesting and true to the book), I was petrified that producers would turn it into a lovey dovey and fight for your honour movie and forget to include the horror and negative aspects this story is meant to portray.  Having loved the book so much, I knew I would never be satisfied until I saw the movie. I was definitely pleased with it, and feel that the producers did a wonderful job portraying the right emotions at the right time. Still, I would recommend reading the book, although for those you know who don’t read, the movie still holds a strong message and is worth seeing.

Quote p.281: “For a moment, the cameras hold on Peeta’s downcast eyes as what he says sinks in. Then I can see my face, mouth half open in a mix of surprise and protest, magnified on every screen as I realize, Me! He means me! I press my lips together and stare at the floor, hoping this will conceal the emotions starting to boil up inside of me.”

The Hunger Games series:

1. The Hunger Games

2. Catching Fire

3. Mockingjay

Also a movie!