Friday 16 March 2012

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Add it: Goodreads
Source: Raincoast Books for review
Publisher: Tor Teen
Format: Hardcover, 364 pages
Release Date: January 31, 2012

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Standing at the top of its genre, Article 5 presents a compelling, emotional read that you won't want to miss.

The action begins to unfold from the minute this book is opened. The oppression and brutality of the new world is almost startling to read and I don't think I got quite used to it at any point while reading. That being said, it did feel remarkably realistic for a country ruled by violence and fear. There's something to be said about the fact that Kristen Simmons does not gloss over the harshness and yet still manages to evoke such hopeful feelings in me.

Those hopeful feelings were mostly thanks to Ember and Chase, the leading characters. Ember is everything I could hope for in a protagonist. She's strong in the face of danger and can stand her ground but still has that vulnerable side that's just desperate to find her mom safe and sound. Through all of the hardships Ember goes through, she remains resilient and gets only increasingly brave.

Right by her side for a good deal of the action is Chase, Ember's childhood sweetheart. Chase has been through his own share of traumatic experiences and is hardened because of them. That's why it's even sweeter seeing him with Ember where he's perhaps just a little softer, but it's a change that's noticeable. Watching Chase and Ember chip away at the wall that has come between them is a struggle (these two are way too good at keeping their emotions buried) but so definitely worth it.

This is the kind of book that you won't be able to put down. With constant action and characters that manage to worm their way into your heart, you'll want to keep reading until you've finished. At which point, of course, you'll lament the fact that you don't have the second book waiting for you to read. Article 5 kept me up late and had me thinking about it for days after - that's what I consider the mark of an excellent book.

Cover Comment: I don't have too much to say about this one. I think it fits the story reasonably well and it's cool to see Chase rocking that army wear. Nice!

5 stars

14 comments:

  1. When I picked up this book, I didn't know what to expect from it but judging by all the reviews it has gotten . . . I knew it was going to be awesome and awesome was exactly what I got. LOVED this book! Totally worth its 5 stars! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  2. If I could stamp your review with LOVE stickers and hearts and send it off to everyone I know who hasn't read this book (which probably wouldn't be very many because I already bugged most people into reading this LOL), I totally would!! <3

    This review was PERFECTION, Sonia! I love how Kristen Simmons didn't sugarcoat this book but still managed to make it hopeful too! And oh gosh, reading the way you described Ember and Chase's relationship makes me want to run out and read this book all over again -- they're one of my favourite couples because of how the author wrote them! You just have to have a weakness for childhood romances after this.

    Beautiful review, Sonia! :) <3

    P.S. I love seeing Chase rocking the army wear too LOL! x)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eeeee! I'm SOOO glad you LOVED this Sonia! I finished this a while ago, and while it didn't WOW me...I certainly liked it! Yes,yes! I LOVED the scenes with Chase and Ember..it was so great seeing him slowly change back to the guy he was before he left...awwww..I WANT THE SECOND BOOK NOW!<333 Fantastic review, Sonia!!

    P.S Chase is the HOTTEST guy ever, isn't he?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I actually went to buy this book yesterday but ended up coming away with Eve. I've only heard good things about this one but I just couldn't get past the blurb. It really didn't interest me.

    After reading your review, and a couple of others, I think I should check it out though. I'm in love with Dystopians at the moment so I'm not entirely sure why I put it back down every time I pick it up.

    ReplyDelete
  5. You have a really nice blog. Following back.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh it is my first time here, thanks for following me. I love the idea of commenting on the cover! Following you back!

    ReplyDelete
  7. YES. I LOVE that she didn't gloss over the brutality. It made is feel more raw... real... SCARY. I freaking loved Ember and Chase and the way Kristen progressed their relationship. You nailed every point I loved about this book. It's dark and heartbreaking, yet hopeful and so brilliantly crafted. AS IS YOUR AMAZING REVIEW!!

    You make me want to forget the fact that it's 2am and I'm tired and cold and want to curl up in bed. Instead, I want to suffer through pain and spend the rest of the night rereading. Damn you. This is why Canadians are evil.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a beautiful review! I haven't read any good Dystopian lately so I think I really need to grab this book ASAP! The characters seem very lovable, and I especially like it that Chase is sweeter when he's around Ember! He sounds very swoon-worthy! This book definitely make my wishlist! <3

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fabulous review, Sonia! I'm glad you enjoyed this one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. yaaay yaay yaaay u loved it
    i read a e-arc/need 2 phycial copy for my shelf
    i love this boook/<3 <3 <3 <3
    coool review

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ahh! I've been hearing so many great things about this book! I need to get a copy and read it for myself! :) Nice review!

    Thanks for stopping by my blow! I'm a new follower too :)

    Dominique @ The Book Vault

    ReplyDelete
  12. I want to read this so, so much. Ember sounds like an awesome protagonist, and the romance between her and Chase sounds sweet and compelling! I love the kind of books you just can't put down. Definitely looking forward to reading this one - fab review! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. "Standing at the top of its genre, Article 5 presents a compelling, emotional read that you won't want to miss."

    *cough*

    Dude. When you write a first sentence like that, how am I supposed to avoid adding another book to my TBR? EXPLAIN THIS TO ME?!

    Oh, Sonia, your review is PERFECT. I'm kind of slightly desperate to read it now...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gosh, this book undid me. It was how the story is packed with emotion and how Chase secrets his desire for Ember in his heart, afraid of what she'll do or say. She can have him on his knees with just a few harsh words. I loved reading about them. And their world was just the right amount of brutal to horrify and had a fabulous believability to it. All around loved this one as well! :D

    Asher

    ReplyDelete