Thursday, February 02, 2012

Review: Article 5

Book: Article 5
Author: Kristen Simmons
Release Date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 384
Source: Raincoast Books (Thanks so much, RCB!!)
Stars: 5/5
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The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.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.


(summary taken from Goodreads)
MY THOUGHTS:  

HOLY WOW. If all dystopian books were like this one, I don't think there would be any complaints in the world! Article 5 was everything I expected and more: brilliantly written, complexly crafted, and containing characters that made my heart ache constantly. 

This is one of those books you love so much that writing a review for it is scary because you don't want to let it down. Article 5 is so packed with action and twists and turns that it's sometimes hard to breathe. The dystopian world, filled with its cruel laws and even crueler people, is one that sucks you in and makes you SO thankful that you don't live there.

I loved everything about Ember and Chase! They were both realistic, intelligent, and so much stronger in those awful situations than I would ever be. You can see how much they grow and change from even before the first chapter to the end after everything goes to hell. You love them and hate all the terribly people who try to hurt them. It's a flurry of emotion! 

And Ember and Chase together were just PERFECT. Childhood romances have always been a favourite of mine, but the way Kristen Simmons wrote this one where they've been wrenched apart and thrown back together years later, having to learn to trust all over again just stole my breath away. Watching them reconnect was so achingly beautiful.  

Intensely heart-pounding, original, and action-packed, Article 5 was a debut that gripped me from the first page and left me breathless until the last! It's everything that an amazing dystopian book should be. A definite must-read! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: Do you even have to ask??? Definitely a book you need to buy!! You won't regret it! :)  

-Mimi

33 comments:

  1. Fantastic review! So many high praises for this book . . . I'll definitely need to check it out then. I can't wait to meet Ember and Chase! They sound like great characters!

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  2. AHHH, I'm even more excited for this book now! I'll be reading this one today and I couldn't be happier to do so, especially after your phenomenal review!!

    "Childhood romances have always been a favourite of mine, but the way Kristen Simmons wrote this one — where they've been wrenched apart and thrown back together years later, having to learn to trust all over again — just stole my breath away." OH MAN. I want, I want, I want.

    I'm definitely anxious to learn more about what's going on. This sounds so intense I feel like I'm going to snap at some point. *lol*

    - Asher (from Paranormal Indulgence)

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  3. I NEED to get this one soon! I've heard so many good things about it. I'm so happy to read that you loved it. Great review!

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  4. Awesome! I have an ARC of this to start reading in a few days and I hadn't seen much buzz yet. Can't wait to dive in now!

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  5. Awesome. I've been hoping to hear rave reviews on Article 5. It sounds like a true dystopian and one I would like.

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  6. HOLY HOLY HOLY HELLLLLLL, MIMI!! This is one of those times when I'm grateful you didn't post this ARC review before the release date because I don't think I would've been able to wait any longer to get my hands on this book! I just love the names "Ember" and "Chase," so them together as a perfect couple makes it sound even more appealing to this girl! (;

    Fantabulous review, Mimi-Doll!! <3333333333333 You sure know how to sell them! (:

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  7. I was kind of lackluster towards this book but you make it sound AMAZING! I'm a big fan of childhood romances too and hearing this one has it makes me want to pick it up! I especially love that you used "achingly beautiful" to describe it. I loved reading this review, Mimi! XO

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  8. Ooh Mimi I love this review so much because I loved it too and agree with it all! This world was SCARY!! So happy you enjoyed this it was SUCH a heart pounding story!

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  9. SO EXCITED MIMI!!!!! The last sentence of the synopsis just gives me chills, and I'm so glad the romance is well done! I can't wait to meet Ember and Chase and watch them reconnect! MUST HAVE MIMI, MUST HAVE! Lovely review:)

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  10. Great review, Mimi! I really want to read this one!! I love that Ember and Chase knew each other when they were kids. It sounds like it won't be insta-love, which is great! Now all I need to do is go hunt down a copy, can't wait :)
    Krista - Nawanda Files

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  11. OH MY GOSH, I've heard great things about this book and CHASE <3 AAAA, this sounds so amazing. I've been dying to read this book A LOT. Well, if Mimi tells you to buy a book, then I BETTER BUY IT! :P Awesome review, Mimi! ♥

    Celine @ Forget-me-not

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  12. I'm about half-way through it and I am totally hooked! I agree, Ember and Chase are so great together, whether they are getting along or not. And this world is a scary place. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :0)

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  13. YEAAAH! :) I'm so glad you enjoyed this! *dance* I know Giselle liked this and I've heard great things about this one - actually, I got the ebook copy from one of my friends the other day so I'll probably read it as soon as I finish my review books. It sounds like such an amazing story, a real page-turner! And aren't childhood romances just sweet?

    Vicky
    Books, Biscuits & Tea

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  14. YAYYY!!! You know how much I love this book, Mimi (and Chase!). I'm so, so glad you liked it, too! I completely agree with you that the way Kristen Simmons wrote the romance between Chase and Ember was achingly beautiful. We are going to have to wait AGES for the next one now! :)

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  15. This one sounds so amazing. I read the first chapter awhile back and was immediately hooked. I definitely need to pick up a copy of this one as soon as possible. Awesome review :)

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  16. I swear I'm going to go broke from wanting to buy everything you all suggest. Looks like another one to put on the dystopian TBR list. I love that this list keeps growing. This one sounds amazing. I'm loving the fact that Ember and Chase were childhood sweethearts who were separated and then thrown back together. I've always loved those types of stories because I prefer the friends first type of love in books. Anyways, great review...I'll definitely have to get this one soon.

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  17. I'm not big on dystopians but I like ones that are full of action so I've got Article 5 on my wishlist. Plus, Giselle compared it to Divergent and Legend, two books I highly enjoyed.

    I love it when characters are realistic, develop throughout the book and make you care for them so I'm looking forward to meeting Ember and Chase. Childhood romances are usually very sweet so I'm excited about the relationship too.

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  18. Omg!!! I was totally and completely dying to read this before, and now I'm practically salivating at the thought!!

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  19. OH MIMI! I've always loved your reviews, but this one really takes the cake. So so awesome. I'm so glad my copy is coming in today! I can't wait to start it. I love childhood romances too! Oh man, I should read this soon so we can discuss! <3 :]

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  20. BUY or BORROW?: Do you even have to ask??? Definitely a book you need to buy!! You won't regret it! '' lol totally
    i loved your lines ;where they've been wrenched apart and thrown back together years later, having to learn to trust all over again — just stole my breath away. Watching them reconnect was so achingly beautiful.

    awsome job mimi /i can't wait 4 book2

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  21. Childhood romances have always been my favorite too! YES! I'm glad you told me this had one. Now I'm gonna read it for that reason alone. ;)

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  22. Wooow Mimi!! It looks so good!! I will definitely read it! After reading this review, how could I not?! Aaaa I like it :) <3 Awesome review Mimi! <3

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  23. After Legend and Under the Never Sky, I've been looking for a good dystopian book to read. And now, I think I just found the book I'm going to read next. Thanks for the review!!

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  24. I have this one on my Nook. It's KILLING me that I have other books I have to read first, because I WANT this one, now. I keep hearing how amazing Ember/Chase are, so I'm psyched to read this one. The world-building sounds great, and if you like it, I know I'll like it, too!

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  25. I adored article 5 too- the two mains, Chase and Ember, were terrific!

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  26. OMG this sounds AMAZING!! I was only mildy curious about this one until I read your review but now I'm kind of dying a little every minute that goes by without me having it! Amazing, amazing review, Mimi! :)

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  27. Awesome review! I think I've found another dystopian book to read. I love characters who grow up during the story. Thanks for the review!

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  28. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG THIS SOUNDS AMAZINGGGGG <33333 I've been DYING to read this ever since I heard about it last year, and now your review's making me EVEN MORE EXCITED! Awwwww...childhood romances are ALWAYS so sweet <3 So cannot wait to meet Ember and Chase! Eeeee! So glad this is action-packed and heart-pounding :D It sounds EXACTLY like my kind of book <3
    Fantastic review Mimi <3 I'm seriously DESPERATE for this now:DD

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  29. Oh my god. Mimi. Mimi MIMI!!!! I NEED THIS BOOK!! I have been dying to read this for months and the reviews coming in are just a-freaking-mazing. I thought I was doing okay with the patience thing, until I clicked on this in Google Reader and ASAHFDFKDF. THANKS A LOT! :P You have me 146742 times more excited and impatient to read this now!

    I love dystopians and THIS sounds like it smashes a great number of them out of the ballpark. And oh how I adore childhood romances. My heart is already breaking and fluttering for Ember and Chase <3

    BRILLIANT review!

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  30. Ohhhh I got a copy of this from Tor for review and I'm SO EXCITED to read it :) Great review!!!

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  31. Awww...I need to buy this one TOO?!?!? How am I ever going to afford food and rent? lol. I love the whole childhood romance continuation thing that you mentioned. That always seems much more realistic to me than insta love. Can't wait to read this one for myself!

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  32. I've read so many mixed reviews of this, and I just couldn't decide. On the one side, I always enjoy a well-built dystopia, but on the other, I'm a little fed up with the genre altogether, so it really needs to be something else to pull me in. (Case in point: Starters didn't work for me at all.)
    Anyway, I swear this confession is going somewhere: you totally helped me decide about this one. Must read.

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  33. I have a copy of this book waiting to be read! I was planning on reading this book during February, but I think I can only read it once it gets to March. You have me so excited for this book! I cannot wait to see if I love it as much as you did, Mimi. :) Thanks for the review!

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It's really nice to meet you!