Book Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

So I read some really good reviews about this book. And I was not disappointed.

Title: Article 5
Author: Kristen Simmons

Synopsis: 

Ember Miller has learned to keep her head down and hide from the soldiers--in her world, there are no fines, just arrests and trials. When her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5, because she was a single mother, Ember is sent to rehab. But the worst thing is, one of her mother's arresters is Chase Jennings, the boy she loves. 

Review:

Just read the synopsis. Read it. That synopsis serves the book no justice. At first I just didn't read it. But there were really really amazing reviews for this book so I decided to give it a try. 

Well.

Well.

I agree with what people said. This book was amazing. The action was brilliant and the characters were incredibly well developed. Like all the characters, even the minor ones, had their own motivations and feelings, and their own backstories and insecurities. It's the kind of thing you hope for in most books but you very rarely get--minor characters who actually seem human instead of being just two-dimensional and flat just because their character development isn't important to the plot. I mean, it's fine. But having all these wonderful layered characters to support the main characters was just brilliant. The action was non-stop too. The fight scenes were elaborate, with detailed descriptions that really bring you into the moment. The plot is constantly moving, enough to keep you reading but not too much that you start panting (not that it's a bad thing, but it can make you want to take a break.)

*this might be a bit spoilery*

Unlike most reviewers of this novel, I actually had some points that I didn't like about this book. Throughout the book, they reference the "war", which Ember apparently lived through. But what exactly happened to create such a sever society isn't explained and it was a bit frustrating. However you are able to guess at what really happened based on the rules of the society. A lot of the backstory isn't explained either, and it gets really frustrating at times. (*spoiler* for example Chase. What the hell happened with him? was he forced to join the soldiers or something?) But I hope we'll find out more in the next book. 

Grade: A- Good, but with a few things that should be cleared up in the next book.