Wednesday, May 13, 2015

5 TO 1 by Holly Bodger: Review & Giveaway!!!


Given my love for this book I was more than happy to be part of the blog tour, and although I was not selected for the official blog tour, Hannah sent us all the info and the giveaway so we could share it too!

Today I'm sharing my review for this amazing book and don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end of the post!


Review


This book first captured me when I saw its gorgeous cover, because I absolutely adore the lovely mehendi art. And then when I read its summary, and how it promised a bit of dystopia with a sharp look at gender inequality and mixing prose and verse? I knew I had to get it!

I was beyond lucky to get an eARC thanks to the author and I ordered Indian food and started reading right away! I was extremely captivated by the narrative and I was once again surprised by how easy it is to read verse.

Having dual alternating POVs work if both sound distinctive and separate, so you could tell who are you reading about without having to read the header, and that's accomplished not only by having one in verse and the other in prose, but Sudasa and Kiran both have such distinctive voices! They come from opposite sides, but unknowingly to each other both disagree with the current state of affairs in Koyanagar.

The world building had a very interesting premise and one that works more brilliantly as a way to make you stop and think about the current state of affairs, and even more when we're presented with a society completely different, based on a big change and taking power and reversing it. And how power can affect and change the best intentions we might have... Absolute power corrups absolutely, and how sometimes reasons are not as good as we thought they were, when we bend them to serve other interests.

Although the main two characters are Sudasa and Kiran, there are other characters, some that we get to know by interacting with them and others that we just get to know by hearing about them, but all have substance and more to them than we would have expected at first.

One thing I loved that maybe not everyone will get so easily is how immersed we get to an Indian-like culture, since Koyanagan was part of India, and it was done so well, it made me feel like I was back in India! I can understand that without a glossary of some sort you might be confused about some terms and customs, but for someone that has spent quite a few months in India in the past, it was like meeting an old friend and it felt so very genuine.

I adored this book because it was told beautifully, it's full of food for thought and it's full of diversity anywhere you look! Diverse, beautiful and feminist... my only complain is that I would have wanted to continue reading more many more pages, so I am hoping we'll get a sequel!

Very much deserved 4.5 to 5 stars and one of my absolute favourite debuts of the year!




 5 TO 1 by Holly Badger

Publishing date: May 12th 2015
Knof Books for Young Readers

In the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, India now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, making women an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of marrying off their daughters to the highest bidder and determined to finally make marriage fair, the women who form the country of Koyanagar have instituted a series of tests so that every boy has the chance to win a wife.

Sudasa, though, doesn't want to be a wife, and Kiran, a boy forced to compete in the test to become her husband, has other plans as well. As the tests advance, Sudasa and Kiran thwart each other at every turn until they slowly realize that they just might want the same thing.

This beautiful, unique novel is told from alternating points of view-Sudasa's in verse and Kiran's in prose-allowing readers to experience both characters' pain and their brave struggle for hope.






 About Holly Bodger:


HOLLY BODGER has a BA in English Literature and has spent her entire career in publishing. She is an active member of RWA and is a 2013 Golden Heart finalist in the Young Adult category. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.










Giveaway



a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 comments:

  1. I'm not usually for verse in books, but I'm definitely going to try this!
    Jen at YA Romantics

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    1. Glad to hear that, Jen! The book has alternating verse & prose, so I hope it'll work well for you!

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  2. I think I'll definitely be one of the people who would benefit from a glossary, but other than that this book sounds absolutely outstanding and I can't wait to read Pili. Glad her portrayal of the Indian culture made you feel like you were visiting an old friend. That's the best:)

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    1. I don't know if the finished book has a glossary or not, but if you need help with any terms as you read, I'm just a tweet away! ;)
      I hope you'll love the book Jenny!

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  3. Great way to read it, while eating Indian food. :-)

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    1. I knew I was gonna have a craving for it!

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  4. I keep seeing that everyone is loving this book. I've been really nervous to pick it up because I'm not usually one to gravitate toward verse, but...you all are changing my mind!!

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    1. I haven't read much verse either myself, but loved this one! I do hope you'll give this one a chance Andye!
      Thank you for visiting the blog!

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  5. I've never been to India myself, but am familiar with it a little as I've spent time with Indian expat families in Oman. All I can say is that you're right - while this really doesn't spend a lot of time with the world-building, you can still feel the feel of India through the narratives of both characters alone. That's an awesome feat right there!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Agreed! I am only hoping for a sequel, so we can continue to spend more time with them!

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  6. As I mentioned before, novels in verse are always such huge risks for authors to take, but when they work, they can be spectacular. I've been hearing nothing but praise for this gorgeous book. I'll make sure to read it as soon as possible.

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    1. I do hope you'll give this one a try, Maja!!

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  7. I'll be reading this very soon and your review makes me that much more excited to start it!! I don't usually read novels in verse but I read the first chapter out of pure curiosity and DAMN.

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    1. IKR?? The writing is both evocative and addicting!!

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  8. So glad you loved this one! I doubt I'll have time to read it anytime soon but I know you and several other bloggers have LOVED it. Excellent review, Pili!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. Maaaaybe I should add this one to the Pili Pushed list! ;)

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  9. I only heard about this book because of you, and I'm glad to hear that it lived it to your expectations. I'm picking it up from the library next week.

    I love that you went all out and made an Indian meal to eat while reading!

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    1. Well, I ordered one more than make it myself, I was too keen to start reading! ;)
      And I do hope you'll love this one Steph!

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  10. Amazing post Pili. <3 I'm so glad you liked this book :D I do think it sounds pretty unique and awesome looking. But yeah, probably not a book for me. Sigh. But hopefully one day :D I do like the cover. <3 Thank you for sharing your amazing review about it sweetie :) You have made me curious. <3

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    1. Thank you sweetie! I do hope you'll give this one a try at some point!

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  11. Very interesting review, thank you :) I was already interested in this title, the summary and lovely cover have drawn my attention... After reading your opinion about it, I have to say it will definitely be on my TBR pile!

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    1. I do hope you'll give it a chance and love it, Cindy! Thank you for visiting the blog!

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  12. Yess I love the sound of the Indian characters in a dystopian world, I wonder if it would amplify the issues presented there? Anyways, definitely an interesting book that I can't wait to read! Lovely review Pili!

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    1. I really hope you'll get to read this one soon, Jeann, it is both poignant and beautiful! Cannot wait to hear what you think of it!

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  13. This book was so good! Beautiful cover, writing, and verse style, just, ahh.

    Mandy's Books and Beauty

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  14. WOOO! So happy to hear that you've also enjoyed this gorgeous debut, Pili! (Awesome review, too!) I simply adored almost every bit of it, and I SO agree with your opinions on the dual perspectives and Indian culture. Never have I ever read such a unique, diverse novel like this! EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. NEEDS. TO. PICK. IT. UP! :D

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    1. It is amazing indeed Michelle! And I agree that is a book that must be read for as many people as possible!!

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¡Muchas gracias por vuestros comentarios, leerlos me alegra el día!/ Thanks a lot for all your comments, reading them brightens my day!!