Banned Book Week: A Discussion about Divergent by Veronica Roth and Schools

Okay guys so since it is Banned Books Week, something we here are Better Read Than Dead find completely loathesome, we want to discuss some books that are banned or challenged or even some books that we feel might get challenged or banned in the future. For the first book of the week we chose Divergent because of the explosive message it has for young people of today. Some of you might not like the book but don't be discouraged into joining the discussion!

Why could it be banned or challenged in the future?

Kelly: Well in my opinion, I think firstly certain people will object to the whole 'rebel against authority' thing even though some of it may be wrong. Some people will only see it as a book that promotes rebellion in teenagers. Also the whole being separated from your parents when you are 16. Another reason...the violence and child soldiers, people probably will object to that because that is obviously something that will never happen <---notice sarcasm.

Kristin: After being bullied (okay, not exactly true) by my Starbooks girls to read Divergent, I immediately fell in love with Veronica's world, but what really pulled me in was how much it made me think of certain things in society today. Each faction fanatically believed something drastically different and they believed they were the only ones who were right. Sound familiar? Well, some might disagree, but it does to me. And when absolute beliefs are forced on people, they rebel, especially teenagers. If you aren't the parent of one, you might not understand this, but believe me, I have two. So yeah, people are going to complain because of the violence and teenagers rebelling against authority when in reality, it's the right thing to do. A lot of books are challenged because of violence, so I could completely see this happening in the future.

Why banning this book would be a serious disadvantage to everyone, especially young adults?

Kelly: This book has such an explosive message. It tells people to stand up for what they believe in and to not conform to what people expect them to be. It teaches people that it is okay to be different from your family, friends and the neighbourhood you grew up in. If you want to pursue a different path then you do that. You shouldn't fear what everybody would think of you. It also teaches you that if you think what people are doing is wrong, you should speak up in stead of just going along with it. If you aren't brave but want to be, Dauntless can help some people achieve that. They can definitely use Tris as a role model.

Kristin: So, Divergent contains so many messages to our young adults, I'm not sure I can list them all. I'm going to try to list them in the order of the book, if I can remember that far back. First, sixteen year old children are forced to make a life defining decision. And not one they can change without dyer consequences. I was horrified at the age of 18 thinking I had to go to college and choose a profession, one I could change any time I wanted to. And sometimes in making this choice, it meant never seeing your family again and going against everything you've ever known, but it taught you to think for yourself, and often outside the box. Next, know your morals and values. Know yourself. If you see or are asked to do something that is outrageously wrong, be strong enough to stand strong. And this one may sound terrible, but it's true, know your friends. Know who would lay down their life for you and stay loyal above all else. Tris's loyalty to Four saved him, many times over. Lastly, like Kelly mentioned, don't be afraid of change, or to change if that's what you want.

The only person you have control over is yourself, but the smallest change in you has a butterfly effect on the world around you - good or bad. Children should be taught to think outside the box, and quit being processed as squares, because people, they are our future, and we darn sure haven't done a good job with what we have, you better hope they're equipped with the skills to outshine and outlast.


Some Young Adult books should be considered for either high school or University curriculums, is this one of them?

Kelly: In my opinion I do believe that the whole Divergent series should be taught in schools, because honestly we need a bit of a sprucing up in our literature department. Why only teach books that are seen as classics. We need books that deal with the problems of today's age and children, because honestly, Middlemarch by George Eliot didn't relate to me at all when I read it for my assignment. Now I'm not saying every Young Adult book should be added but to be completely honest there are some literary master pieces out there right now, and teenagers would benefit learning the messages underlined in these books more than 'what to do when a man is more important than you are and you have to depend on him to care for you.'

Kristin: My mom and I have had this discussion on many occasions. As a high school English teacher, she tends to agree with me on my stance that there is updated literature that can teach the same morals the classics did, some might even teach better lessons. We're no longer stuck in an age where the man goes to work and the woman sits at home (excuse the cliche) barefoot and pregnant. Women are working beside men in every field. They're firefighters and doctors, serving on the front lines in the service and lawyers, mechanics and teachers. Girls no longer need to be taught to hope a man falls in love with their femininity, they need to learn that if a man can't fall in love with all of them, then he's just not worth it. And, how to cope tragedy and loss. People, Romeo and Juliet's coping mechanisms were seriously flawed and you think this is a lesson our children should learn? Um, no. With suicide being a prominent issue in schools today, why glorify it. Oh yeah... it's Shakespeare and it's a classic. Now, I'm not advocating taking every classic out of the classroom, but I am advocating updating the majority of the literature taught in schools. The world has changed in the last ten years, and the vast majority of what our children are being taught is from many decades, sometimes centuries, preceding that.

***Um, you'll notice one of us "rants" a little more than the other, please excuse the emotions.***

{Kelly & Kristin Discuss} Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures - Soon to be a Motion Picture

Title: Beautiful Creatures

Series: Caster Chronicles #1

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: December 1, 2009

Synopsis:

This edition features exclusive movie cover art!
Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

Our Little Discussion

1. It's been such a long time (4 years) since I've read this book, let's start by reminding everyone what it's about.

Kelly: Well basically it's about this guy who feels like he is drawn to the new girl who just moved to Gatlin, Lena. He then finds out that she is part of a family of Casters. They are like witches but different. Every Caster has a different ability and they can only do stuff concerning that ability. (Then maybe you can carry on?)

Kristin: As you get further along in the book, you see that the casters are divided up between light and dark. There's been many secrets held inside the Duchannes family and Lena may actually pay the price. She's haunted by a song about her "choosing" which happens when she turns 16 and she's justifiably scared.

2. There are so many great characters in the book, how would you describe the main characters?

Kelly: Ethan: Well to me Ethan is quite an awkward human, even though he is part of the popular crowd. He is also a complete Southern Gentleman, his momma raised him right as they would say. He is also very loyal and trust worthy. He goes beyond the limits for anyone he cares about.

Kristin: Ah, Ethan. He's everything Kelly said and more. We would all be lucky to have an Ethan in our lives. I love that Ethan doesn't let Lena and her weird ass family scare him away, because, honestly, I would've run for the hills.

Kelly: Lena: She is very secretive but is also a loving soul even though she gets bullied by the entire town for being part of the Duchannes family. She would do anything to protect the people she loves, but she isn't perfect. She is flawed just like everyone else.

Kristin: Lena: Most definitely she is flawed, but she's got her reasons. I love her because in my eyes, she is strong, even when she's at her worst. There are times when she's so overwhelmed and held down by her choices, that she hides from reality, but that is exactly why Ethan is so good for her. He drags her out and forces her to face life. Like Kelly said, he'd do anything to protect the ones he loves...even from themselves.

Kelly: Link: The awesome best friend of Ethan. I love Link. He is my favourite. He is strong in what he believes in and he may seem a bit thick in the head sometimes but that is not the case. He is very observative.

Kristin: Link: Honestly, there were times he got on my nerves, but he does have a strong sense of morality and helps Ethan and Lena even when he's not sure he should!

Kelly: Amma: I love this woman. Her crossword puzzles cracked me up. But she has a lot of secrets she has kept from Ethan, most of them I never agreed with. She is fiercely protective over Ethan. She is a strong character that makes decisions never to benefit herself, only those around her.

Kristin: Amma: Amma is simply awesome. She's raised Ethan and has been a positive influence on him always. However, like Kelly said, she's been keeping secrets from Ethan. Secrets he should have known. But isn't that how all YA books are, if someone would just tell the character what he needed to know, all the problems would be solved. But being a young adult is about discovery and making your own way in the world. I believe that's what Amma wanted for Ethan.

Kelly: Macon: The scary, intimidating uncle of Lena who lives in Ravenwood Manor who everyone fears. His only concern is for Lena. He is the father she never had. He tries to be as good as he can.

Kristin: Macon: He is the person with the most secrets in a world where no one is what they seem, least of all Macon. I admit that he was the most interesting for me to learn about. As his story line unfolded, my mouth continued to drop. So many shocking discoveries.

Kristin: Ridley: I love this lollipop sucking bimbo, except she's really not as ditsy as she appears. She's dark and pissed. She's jealous of Lena and Ethan, so she'll compel just about anyone to do her bidding. What happens when that person is Link? Well, I suppose you'll have to read to see.

3. What scene stuck out most in your mind from the book?

Kelly: I think the face off at the end with Sarafine and Hunter. It was beautifully written.

Kristin: I highly enjoyed the stand-off also. Sarafine is the darkness incarnate. I loved to hate her though. The entire scene, start to finish, enraptured me. I felt like I was right there with them, though I would have rather been anywhere but there.

4. Are you looking forward to the movie? And why?

Kelly: Of course I'm looking forward to the movie. I love book to movie adaptations. It's a different world with a very gothic feel to it. It's very unique. I think people will love it.

Kristin: Oh Yeah! I honestly haven't been this excited for a movie since Twilight (love, hate...I don't care, just allow me to have my opinion.) Yes, I know everyone ran to the Hunger Games, and I enjoyed the movie, but I think the special effects in Beautiful Creatures are going to be amazing, and the darkness behind the entire story draws me in.

5. With all book to movie adaptations, fans get anxious about whether the movie will live up to their expectations. What are some of your concerns?

Kelly: Oh Gosh I really do have a lot. Like what have they cut from the book? What did they add that wasn't part of the book? What did they change? It's quite scary to think about it. With the featurette I heard them call Macon a caster and I was like, uh that is not true. The dude's an incubus! Also I'm worried about how they made Ridley look so much older. Where is Lena's charm necklace? That ends up being very important in future books.

Also, they cut Marian? Seriously?? She plays one of the major roles. You don't just cut a major character. That's like cutting out Ridley. So yes I have a lot of concerns

Kristin: My main concerns revolve around the usual - what did they cut out of the movie, what did they change, and what did they add in. I've seen several shots of Ridley and it seems she changes her age from day to day. She is older than Lena and her crew, so to me it's only natural that she would appear a little older. And right now, since I've only seen the featurette which takes clips of the movie and blends them all together in order to capture the most dynamic moments so people will show up in droves. The thing is, on trailers and featurettes, they take things out of context and you never know, Lena may actually wear the charm necklace, just not in that scene. Who knows. I'm not making any snap judgments about the movie until I see it. I'm hoping for the best.

6. Let's talk about casting. I mean, they didn't just choose no name actors, there's some well known, award winning actors in this film. Do you like the casting choices? (I'm going to talk about each one as I answer.)

Kelly:

I love that they cast Jeremy Irons as Macon. It's perfect in my eyes. I think he will be able to capture the correct essence.
Alice Englert as Lena I never had a problem with. She has the right look I just don't know her acting.
Alden Ehrenreich as Ethan, yeah still not seeing it, maybe if he looked younger but the guy looks 27.
Viola Davis as Amma is perfect! They couldn't cast anyone better and from what I've seen I think she is going to be great.
Emma Thompson as Mrs Lincoln/Sarafine. Why they didn't get a separate actress for Sarafine I do not know. I mean she does make an appearance at the end. But I love her works so she will be great I'm thinking.
Emmy Rossum as Ridley. She is a tad too old for Ridley but I do think she will be able to portray her correctly.
Thomas Mann as Link. Yeah absolutely perfection!!!!!!!

Kristin:

Jeremy Irons: When I read he was going to be Macon, I thought, "Wow, could they have chosen anyone better. No."
Alice Englert: I'm not familiar with any of her acting, so I'm with Kelly on this one. She has the right look to be Lena, hopefully her acting will live up to the hype.
Alden Ehrenreich: Totally unsure about this move. He just doesn't live up to my "Ethan" standards. Sorry.
Viola Davis: She's going to rock Amma. She's been amazing in everything she's done and I can't see where this would be any different.
Emma Thompson: I'm okay with her playing Mrs. Lincoln and Sarafine. She's one of those people who can look completely different with a slight make-up change. I think we'll all be surprised on how good she'll be.
Emmy Rossum: Some say she looks too old, but as I mentioned before, Ridley is older than the rest of the gang, and even though Emmy is 26, the scenes I've viewed with her as Ridley, she's completely captured her character.
Thomas Mann: Nope. Not in any way, shape or form is he my Link! Just sayin' - Link's an athlete, he should have a little more muscle on him, not just skin and bones.

7. What's the scene you are most looking forward to seeing recreated?

Kelly: Honestly? Everything. I can't wait to see the whole story come to life!

Kristin: Ha! True, Kelly. However, I'm looking forward to the dinner scene where the house gets upset and everything goes wacko. I'm also excited to see the stand-off scene, but aren't we all.

8. Will you be sitting in the theater the very first night?

Kelly: Well I'll only get to see it on the 22nd of Feb since that's the day it will get released. But on that day, I'm there!

Kristin: I'm hoping to go on release day, but several things factor into that wish, so...

{Kelly M & Kristin Discuss} Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Title: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication Date: July 31, 2012

Goodreads   Website   Facebook   Twitter

Amazon   Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:


"I won't tell anyone, Echo. I promise." Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. "You didn't do that-did you? It was done to you?" No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

So wrong for each other...and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal. But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

Kelly & Kristin Discuss

(In light of all the Dare You To ARCs being released and the excitement surrounding its realease, Kelly and I decided to discuss Pushing the Limits today.)

First perception of Echo? Did she live up to those perceptions? 
Kelly: That she had something to hide and that no one really understood the real her. She had so much more to give than people originally thought. And she lived up to my perceptions and more.

Kristin: Echo drew my attention from the first page. It was obvious something horrific happened to her and she had few people in her corner. Ms. McGarry did an excellent job of letting Echo mature in a manner that seemed realistic throughout the book.


First perception of Noah? Did he live up to those perceptions?
Kelly: Obviously broken bad boy and that he had a dark past that he refuses to let anybody know. He was also a very angry guy. Yes he lived up to my expectations but I also learned so much more about him. That he is fiercely loyal and protective and loving and he has a big heart.

Kristin: Ah, Noah! I think by introducing each character via Mrs. Collins gave us early insight to some of the issues at hand. Noah appeared like a slacker who cared about nothing, but that was far from the truth. I'm going to be honest and say I connected more with his character than Echo's which is a bit odd, but true. Noah surpassed any and all expectations I had for him.


What were your feelings throughout the book? Did you expect the twists in Echo's and Noah's stories?
Kelly: Feelings, ha! I was a mess! I had tears in my eyes the ENTIRE time and I was seriously psychologically messed up throughout the entire book. I have never experienced so many emotions in one book. As for the twists? Honestly? Not at all! Especially Noah's! Like WTF how sad to keep such a huge secret that your little brother started the fire by accident that killed your parents! Wow!

Kristin: I read Pushing the Limits as an ARC (but had to buy the book as soon as it released) and I remember thinking...Wow! I haven't read another book which left me asking WTH with every single turn of the page. I literally fell into the story, feeling everything I imagined Echo and Noah must've been feeling. Like Kelly, I think Noah's story shocked me a little more than Echo's, though both were equally tragic.


How did the intense psychological trauma the book dished out affect you?
Kelly: Basically I felt like I wanted to crawl into a dark corner and cry until I dried out like an old sponge.

Kristin: Rereading my review, the one word that describes my feelings while reading Pushing the Limits is: overwhelming. There were so many emotions and crazy, awe-inspiring events happening, I had a hard time grasping everything.


What did you think of Mrs. Collins, the guidance counselor?
Kelly: LOVED this woman! She provided some relief from all the sadness! She made me laugh so much! Especially with her driving.

Kristin: As I said in my review, Mrs. Collins may be my favorite adult in any YA book ever. I loved that she didn't dwell on making Echo and Noah like her; she used actions, not words. I'm like Kelly...the driving thing was insane; an excellent use of comic relief.


If you were Echo's dad, how would you have handled the extreme trauma she'd been through?
Kelly: Honestly I don't know. Every person is different right? I do think he should have been there for her more though.

Kristin: Like Kelly said, every person is different but I would like to think I could be more open and honest with my daughter. I'm not big on keeping secrets, especially this kind of secret, but I also understand that there was a reason Echo's brain refused to let her remember what had happened, so maybe it was for the best. I think the part that upset me the most is that he led Echo to believe her mother was locked up when he knew she wasn't. Lies never bode well in the end.


Favorite scene in book?
Kelly: Every time Noah was with his brothers. I wanted to piss through my eyes every time.

Kristin: The scene that comes to mind every single time I think of this book is the award ceremony with Noah and Jacob. Jacob says "Noah is better than Batman" then Noah replies, "I love you, too, lil' bro." I bawled like a baby, not even going to deny it for a single second.


If you were Echo, would you have wanted to see your mom again?
Kelly: Yeah no. Not even a little bit.

Kristin: I'm a huge advocate on knowing both sides of the story, so I feel like I would want to at least hear her side. And, because I trust no one, I would have to see my mom in person, because I would need to see her face when she told me her story...partially to see if she was lying, partially to see if she was truly sorry.


Noah and his brothers, super cute! What did you think about the solution to Noah's problems?
Kelly: PERFECT!! It made me want to jump for joy and shoot confetti from my hands!

Kristin: Honestly, I prayed throughout the book that Ms. McGarry found an appropriate ending for Noah and his brothers. I kept thinking about how he must feel, how much he must have wanted them back, but in my heart, I didn't feel like that ending would have been in anyone's best interest. I think Noah, his brothers, and I all got our happily ever after ending.


Overall thoughts on the book?
Kelly: I am not one for contemporary as I have stated many many times, but this book was hands down the BEST contemp book I have EVER read! It also helped me get through a very difficult night. So this book means a lot to me!

Kristin: As previously stated, I connected with Noah and the way he handled his losses immediately. I'm in no way advocating these actions as ways to cope, but I've been there, and it's so easy to fall into the same trap Noah did. Trust me. Even as an adult.

And Now For Our Choice in Casting!

(Kelly did an amazing job picking out Echo and Noah)

What do you think? Be sure to leave us a comment telling us how you felt about Pushing the Limits. Answer one of our questions or make up you own!

{Special Feature} Kelly and Kristin Discuss Deity by Jennifer L Armentrout

Title: Deity

Series: Covenant Series #3

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Blurb:

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well the last time. "

Alexandria isn't sure she's going to make it to her eighteenth birthday--to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she's a goner... and so is Aiden.

If that's not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time "training"--which really is just Seth's code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time--she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome.

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she's caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed... and destroyed.

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate...

Kelly and Kristin Discuss Deity

 WARNING – SPOILERS ARE INEVITABLE! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT READ DEITY YET, THE SPOILERS WILL BURN INTO YOUR BRAIN AND IF YOU DO NOT PREFER THAT STAY AWAY BUT IF YOU LOVE SPOILERS THEN BY ALL MEANS. 

So Kelly, I read this book the other day – Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout? It’s part of the Covenant Series. You heard of it?

Kelly: Dude seriously, of course I’ve read it. Angela at ReadingAngel basically shoved it down all of us Starbooks girls’ throats hehe ;)

Kristin: Right…but that is why we call her the “book pimp.” Imagine how many awesome books we would’ve missed out on if not for Angela and her awesomeness.

Kelly: I know!!!!! Angela is made of awesome

Well, of course you’ve read it. We wouldn’t be doing this discussion if you hadn’t. So, in general, what did you think? We’ll get to the specifics in a moment.

Kelly: I really did love it, like all of Jen’s books, BUT I think I’m the only one who doesn’t view it as my favorite of the series.

Kristin: Well, personally…it’s my favorite of the series thus far, but I’m a sucker for anything that makes me go “Wait! What? WTF just happened?” and Deity did that more than any of the other books so far. A clever one, Ms. Armentrout!

Kelly: Yeah I get it but I missed Seth so much

If you could sum up the book in one or two words, what would they be?

Kelly: Satanic freakout

Kristin: And she’s not lying…she freaked the heck out. Major. For me, though, I think GAME-CHANGER is perfect.

Kelly: Yeah that is also perfect because so much is gonna happen in Apollyon O_O

We finally met a couple of gods, what was your first reaction to meeting Apollo? I mean, I completely know because you screamed in ALL CAPS on Facebook, but why don’t you tell our readers.

Kelly: Ok I reacted something like this: LEON IS APOLLO??????? WHAT???? THAT IS SO COOL!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE HIM NOW I GET IT!!!!!!!!!!! *jumps up and down*

Kristin: Haha…thank goodness she tamed her language because that is NOT what she said, but close enough. I happened to hear one of Jennifer’s live chats that she does every so often and she mentioned that the gods were always around, or something similar. My mind instantly went to Leon for so many reasons: unwavering bad timing, Alex always dissed on Apollo when she happened to be with Leon, and again…his precise timing in everything Alex/Aiden related.

Kelly: Haha, well yeah I had to tame it a bit! And I know that was so hilarious for me!!

Alex seems to have matured a little in this book, realizing that she may not like the rules, but to keep her friends and family safe, she has to at least try. What did you think of the way she handled things?

Kelly: In a way she kind of annoyed me. She is going to be the Apollyon, there is nothing she can do about it so please stop whining and accept it and focus on things that are more important. Other than that I thought she was quite awesome

Kristin: Okay, now here’s where everything gets interesting and you’ll see why in just a moment. While I don’t completely disagree with Kelly, I have to put in my two cents for Alex.  I find it easier to list the reasons I believe Alex has every reason to complain every now and then.

·         As a young child, her mom took her from the Covenant and hid her from everything she’d ever known because she was in danger.

·         Alex’s mom was attacked by Daimons and killed, leaving Alex to fend for herself.

·         She’s forced to run for her life, only to be saved and returned to the Covenant where her uncle and stepfather live. Both of whom she believed despised her.

·         She’s constantly threatened to be enslaved because she acts out.

·         She’s been lied to by everyone and has no idea who she can and cannot trust.

·         All her life’s decisions are taken away from her, not only because she’s a half-blood, but because she is destined to be the second Apollyon – which happens to be a complete freak of nature.

·         As the second Apollyon, she’ll be a source of power for Seth, the First, and his second-half, like it or not.

·         Also, the prophecies predict Seth will be a God Killer and he’ll drain her power to create chaos and evil…so there are plenty of people who want her and Seth destroyed.

·         BUT…because Alex hasn’t turned 18 and Awakened yet, she’s the one everyone is aiming for. Take her out, lessen Seth’s powers. The. End.

Now, all I’m saying is…if you handed all this to me at the age of 17, I wouldn’t hold up nearly as well as Alex has. I’d literally be a whining, balling, crying mess of a child, throwing constant temper-tantrums and retaliating in every way possible. No one wants their free will taken away, and in Alex’s eyes, hers is gone.  Now, throughout the book I saw Alex realize that things were far more dire than she believed and making appropriate, adult actions. She CHOOSES to go into hiding to keep horrible things from happening.

            Kelly: ok ok! I get your point! You totally make sense, Alex is now less annoying for me! yay J

Okay, now we’re to the sensitive issue. Team Aiden or Team Seth?

Kelly: TEAM SETH!!!!!!!!!!!! Like duh! Although I finally like Aiden, Seth will always be my baby.

Kristin: Until Deity, I was completely undecided. I loved both Seth and Aiden equally. Honest. But now, I have to say TEAM AIDEN!!!!!!!!!! Though Seth will always have a soft spot in my heart.

We see some major changes in all of the characters, and I think it’s safe to agree that Seth changes the most. Do you believe it is his destiny to become the God Killer or do you think someone is manipulating him?

Kelly: I do not believe in that. He is being manipulated. I know some people go around saying he is a big boy and needs to make his own decisions and shouldn’t be influenced by someone else. Ok really? If no one wanted you when you were a child, your mother hated you because you were a half blood and then suddenly this very influential man starts paying attention to you, gives you praise, treats you as an equal, gives you ‘love’, something that you have never experienced before in your life, are you telling me you won’t go out of your way to please that man? People are too quick to judge, they need to read between the lines. I don’t think Seth is evil or bad or whatever just seriously misguided and lost.

Kristin: OMG! I love you, Kelly. The funny thing about this answer is that she can completely reason Seth’s position but can’t reason Alex’s whininess and I can reason Alex’s issues but I cannot reason Seth’s side.

Yes, Seth is absolutely being manipulated, I will not deny that. The facts are in the books. Everyone should be able to see them, starting in Half-Blood, but Seth is no longer a child and he knows right from wrong. You can’t tell me he doesn’t. Sure he wants to please Lucien. Okay, I get that. And, if he were still a child, I might even forgive him for his neediness, but Seth is a freakin’ Apollyon for gods’ sakes. He has all the power and respect he needs to keep his gargantuan ego intact in his title alone. He needs to grow a pair and tell Lucien to kiss his @$$! He says he cares about Alex, and I believe him, or I believe he wants to. Now show me. Get over your daddy issues and, to steal a quote from Kelly, “focus on things that are more important.”

Hehe…I’m laughing so hard right now, because basically, Kelly and I are just alike in our beliefs, we just each use them to justify different things. Isn’t that how life always is!

Kelly: haha this is so funny! We are the EXACT opposite but the same! I love it!

Remember: Celebrate your differences!!! You’re probably more alike than you think.        

This statement made by Kristin above is so true, It’s fun to have differences and there is no need to get angry or fight each other because of it. Love all around people

There are so many prophecies included in all of the Covenant books, but one always stands out to me…

“Sometimes you will mistake need for love. Be careful. The road with need is never a fair one,never a good one. Much like the road you must walk down. Beware of the one who needs.”

To me, this prophecy applies to so many areas of the story? What do you think about this prophecy? Are there others that stick out in your head as eerie or especially important to the story?

Kelly: To me this applies to Alex and both Seth and Aiden. To me Seth needs Alex, but it’s deeper than just to overthrow the council, I think he needs her to save him and that is why he is so attached to her. He used her but he didn’t like it. Alex on the other hand needs Aiden because she is afraid of what she feels for Seth, so she needs him and his love to over shadow her feelings for Seth.  The other one that stuck out to me was about how Caleb was going to die. I think it is very important to the story because he made a reappearance in Deity. I don’t think that was the last of Caleb.

Kristin: Oh, I hope you are right about Caleb. I love him so much!

I agree that this prophecy applies to Alex, Seth, and Aiden, and I completely see Kelly’s point. She made it so beautifully, too. However, I see this in Alex’s relationship with Lucien and Marcus also, maybe even Seth’s relationship with Lucien. Lucien NEEDS both Alex and Seth. He always has, and somewhere that we haven’t seen yet, there’s a god who needs Lucien.  Lucien has tried to play at making Alex think he ‘wants’ her, but she’s smart enough to see through him. Marcus has always been all business-like and caring, yet firm with Alex. In Deity, we see him show how he wants her to be safe and to succeed.

Kelly: Oh wow! You are so right!!!!!

This was my favorite book of the series so far, but I know it’s not yours. If you had to pick your favorite book so far, what would it be?

Kelly: Favourite book was Pure because we got to see who the real Seth is. I’ve read Pure like 5 times whereas Half-Blood and Apollyon only once.

Kristin: What? You’ve read Apollyon and not shared. I’m thinking you mean Deity.Haha. Anyway…I love this one. I’ll probably eat my words, but I’ll go on record as saying Deity is my favorite of the entire series, even though Apollyon isn’t even released yet. All the pieces are in play now…let them fall where they will.

Kelly: Oh oops, yeah I meant Deity, Mah baaaaad!

Favorite scene in Deity?Favorite scene in series so far? (You’ll be surprised…I think ours might be the same here…LOL)

Kelly: Where I found out Leon is Apollo, I kind of lost my shit.Haha.Favourite scene so far, it’s a tie between the pool scene and where Seth wanted to kill that Master for hitting Alex and how only she could calm him down. I LOVED that scene

Kristin: My favorite from Deity is Alex finding out who Leon/Apollo really is and remembering her discussion with Leon about Apollo and his sexual proclivities. I laughed so hard I cried. And my favorite scene from the series so far…is the pool scene from Pure. Although, I did love the scene Kelly mentioned with the Master.

Three words to describe these characters:

                                  Kelly:                                                                                    Kristin:

Alex:                       Bad Ass Chicka                                                                  Girl on a Mission (‘a’ doesn’t count)

Aiden:                   Serious, Boring(sometimes), Intense                      Caring, Protective, Passionate

Seth:                       Vulnerable, Misunderstood, HOTTTTTT               Passionate, Sexy, Misunderstood

Deacon:                Awesome, Funny, Loveable                                       Awesome lil bro

Luke:                     Dependable, sweet and loyal                                      Deacon’s worse half (LMAO)

Leah:                     Entertaining, sad, Fierce                                              Trying to like (but failing)

Marcus:               Cutest uncle ever                                                             WTH? Cutest Uncle Ever?

Lucien:                NEEDS TO DIE                                                                   Kelly said it

Leon:                     Apollo fan boy ;)                                                              Are you serious? (Not you, Kelly)

Apollo:                 AMAZINGLY HOT GOD                                                 Oh My Gods!!!

Artemis:             Arrow wielding warrior                                                 Should be her

Hades:                  Dark, British, interesting                                               Intriguing and Still Deciding

Caleb:                   I MISS HIM                                                                          ME TOO!

Olivia:                  Was a bitch                                                                          Was not ;-)

Minister Telly: KARMA BITCH! HA!                                                     I’ll show you Akasha (Oops!)

Haha yes cutest uncle ever! He was just so awkward like

Regardless of which boy you choose, you have to admit that Seth messed up quite a bit in Deity. Which of his actions ripped your heart out of your chest and made you want to curl up in a ball and cry?

Kelly: To be honest the only thing that bugged me was that he pulled Akasha through Alex without her permission and that he made the marks appear faster.  I was just like, Seth….what are you doing? Please stop hurting Alex!

Kristin: Honestly, his taking her Akasha against her will is what killed it for Seth in my eyes, but I also could not believe he kidnapped Alex either.

Now, let’s flip that coin…you have to admit, beyond a doubt, that Jennifer has written the storyline so that Seth is redeemable. What one thing stands out, in Deity, that makes you believe he can be saved?

Kelly: Because of what Caleb said that Alex mustn’t believe what everybody tells her because things with Seth aren’t as they appear.

Kristin: I also believe Caleb had a point behind his words about Seth “not knowing,” but I think, for me,  it’s that Alex actually seemed to get through to the real Seth a couple of times. We see he’s in there somewhere; we just want him to come out and play nice now.

How do you feel about Alex and Aiden? Are you happy with the way Jennifer has made their relationship fall into place?

Kelly: Nope I do not like this at all. I’m glad because she had Aiden through this difficult time with Seth but other than that they are not meant to be in my eyes. I want lil Seth babies!!!! I think Aiden should get someone else, but I know that’s not going to happen. That’s why I’m so glad that I started to like Aiden.

Kristin: Yes!!! I’m a sucker for the underdog. Okay, I know, someone is going to say “Aiden has never been the underdog,” but, in my eyes he is. He’s the Pure who’s not allowed to be with a Half because the powers-that-be say so, he loves Alex because of who she is and not what she can do for him, and he isn’t her fated “other half.” (I love a character who beats out Fate and Destiny.) Seth has sex appeal, his bad-boy edge, and he’s the freakin’ Apollyon. Come on!

Kelly: Underdog my ASS

What made you love Seth or Aiden that made you decide to become Team whoever?

Kelly: Well for me Seth just had that something extra and I just knew that there was more to him than meets the eye. What made me Team Seth indefinitely was how he treated Alex in Pure. He was so sweet and awesome and you could see he really cares about her deeply.

Kristin: I’m not going to completely disagree with Kelly, but Seth does admit in Deity that he had multiple intentions behind gaining her trust in Pure. But, ultimately, I’m Team Aiden, and it’s because of everything I mentioned about being an underdog!

How would you feel if Jennifer took Seth to the place where he has to die to redeem himself?

Kelly: I would die, literally. I would cry for days and burn the books.

Kristin: Kelly McGeer!!! I cannot believe you went there! I know this is not one of my questions! I refuse to think of such a thing because I’ve boycotted one author’s books for this tactic. Okay…maybe not forever, but it’s been a while and I’m not over it…so, let’s hope this does not happen.

Kelly: Yeah I went there!! Cause I’m so scared it’s gonna happen!

These are the opinions of Kelly and Kristin and we’re okay if you disagree, heck, we disagree; we just ask that you keep your comments friendly and don’t be haters. In fact, any comment containing the word hate will be deleted. At Better Read Than Dead we celebrate different opinions and think the world would be just plain boring without them, but we prefer to promote what we love, not degrade what we dislike.