Try it Tuesday: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Hey Free Hawks! I'm writing this post about 15 minutes before midnight, so this might be the closest-to-not-tuesday Try it Tuesday ever!

Today I thought I would recommend 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth because the teaser trailer for this book's film adaptation was just released and it sparked some enthusiasm towards it in me. I was a huge fan when I first read the book and those feelings are starting to come back again!

We mention 'Divergent' on this site way back in March when we did a post about what you should read after BRR but I wanted to do a more in depth overview.

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
(Synopsis from Veronica Roth's blog)

This book gets lumped together with Suzanne Collins' 'The Hunger Games' quite a bit and I can see why. Usually, I don't like books that when you read you can easily name another book off the top of your head that reminds you of it, but I loved this one. 

I'm a sucker for YA Dystopia books (which you faithful readers probably already know) so naturally I was intrigued about this one. Also, it seemed like this book sent out a lot of hype before it came out and that's always something to be weary about. But alas, as soon as I started it all my doubts went away. 

I love this book because although it is YA Dystopia, and there seems to be a never ending abundance of those types of books, it is very unique and I found it had a lot of qualities I don't see in other books. 

This book I feel is about finding yourself and I really enjoy the way the characters show that. I recommend this book to any Dustlands fan in a heartbeat! 

Click here to watch the new teaser trailer for the movie! (Not until you've read the book though :P)

See you guys,
~Jake
xx

3 DAYS LEFT! Submit Your Short Story Now!

Hey Free Hawks! You only have 3 days left to submit a short story taking place in the Dustlands for our 1st Annual Dustlands.net Fan Fiction contest! Click the link below to submit a short story!

~Jake

Open Ended Question: How will it all end?

Welcome back Free Hawks! Not only to our site, but to this segment! It's been very long since I've done it, so I feel now would be a great time.

Today's open ended question is VERY open ended; How will it all end?!  You've read Blood Red Road, you've read Rebel Heart, and the third installment 'Raging Star' releases next year. What do you think will be the outcome of our favorite story at the end of Raging Star? Leave your comments to this post because I am very curious as to what you think! Be as absolutely crazy and original as possible. 

Also, if you have an idea for a scene in one of the books, why not write a short fanfiction story? We're currently holding our first fan fiction contest! Click here to learn more about it! The deadline is July 31st!

I can't wait to see what you guys say. Later, Free Hawks!

~Jake

Raging Star

The name of the highly anticipated Book #3 of the 'Dustlands' trilogy has been revealed by author, Moira Young!

RAGING STAR!

We've compiled a list of reactions below as well as the opinions of our admins! If you'd like to tell us what you think, leave a comment or tweet us at @DustlandsFans!

Poll Results Are In: No place like home!

In last week's poll, the question was; "What biome would you prefer Saba's story to be set in?" The choices listed on the poll were forest, jungle, Arctic tundra, desert, grasslands, rainforest and mountains/ mountain range. What did you Free Hawks decide?

Desert! It seems that voters either can't see Saba outside of her element, or think that's simply just the place for her! Stay tuned for this week's poll Free Hawks.

~Jake

Try It Tuesday: Weeds

Weeds was Showtime's longest and most successful running television show they've had on their network. Weeds first season aired in 2005 and it's 8th and final season aired in 2012.

*Spoiler Alert!*

Weeds is about a mother who lives with her two sons in the fictional town of Agrestic, California, Nancy Botwin. Judah Botwin, Nancy's husband dies of a heart attack before the show starts. Judah made a good deal of money, and the whole family was living in a very nice house, in an even nicer suburban neighborhood. After Judah's death, with no other options to support their affluent lifestyle, Nancy begins to sell marijuana.

I cannot tell you how much I love this show. Or why, even. I love the fact that this show is simply about a very flawed woman who does everything in her power to support and protect her two sons (and eventually 3.)  A few episodes into the first season, Andy Botwin (Judah's brother) visits Nancy and the boys and stays with them for the rest of the show. The show is filled with Nancy's determination, drama, sex, comedy, and more that I just can't explain.

I find things in everything nowadays that remind me of Saba's determination and willpower in Blood Red Road. Nancy's determination to provide for her family, and be the best mother she can-under the circumstances- reminds me of Saba's to find her brother.

All eight seasons are currently available on DVD and Netflix! I recommend this show to anyone who loves a dramatic show that will make you laugh, cry, and think about your life! And although Weeds is one of my favorite shows on television, it still deals with topics such as drugs and sex, so be precautious!

Check out the clip from the show below! This clip takes place right after Nancy and her family go through just one of the MANY ordeals they endure during the show. Enjoy!

 

~Jake

Poll: What if Saba didn't have Nero?

We all know and love Saba's 'pet' crow, Nero. We talk about him a lot in fact! But what if Saba didn't have a crow? What other animal companion do you think would suit Saba? Cast your vote in this weeks poll! Fun fact: Moira Young originally had a wolf-dog set to play Saba's animal friend! 

Open Ended Question: How did Nero come to be?

Hey Free Hawks! So when I was younger I found a baby bird at the side of the road. It's leg appeared to be broken and the little chirper couldn't fly. I scooped up the bird and brought it home. I wanted to keep the bird as a pet so bad, I fed him sun flower seeds and set a bowl of water for him to drink from. My parents and I both had no idea how to care for a bird, so we went to the local pet store and bought a cage, bird feed, and toys for him to use.

(Attractive bird right? Although this isn't the one I had when I was a child)

I was thinking about this really cool experience early when I started thinking about Blood Red Road- as I normally do. And I started to wonder; How did Saba actually 'domesticate' and some-what 'train' Nero, her crow companion? Did she have a similar experience to mine? Did her and her family find Nero as a baby? Did Nero come swooping down one day while Saba's family was picnicking in the garden and never leave? In a perfect world I imagine Saba's mother finding a baby Nero in her garden and Saba and Lugh nurturing the crow.

So how do you fair Nero entered Saba's life? Leave it in the comments below, I'm very curious to read your thoughts.

~Jake