A Review for Article 5 (Article 5 #1) by Kristen Simmons

Posted by Donna
Published Date: January 12, 2012
Finished Date: February 8th, 2012
Publishers: Tor Teen
Source: For Review
Format: Hardback
Pages: 368
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The Blurb from Goodreads: 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 The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.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.
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The Review: Wow! Article 5 is undoubtedly one of my favourite reads of 2012 because it had everything I could have wanted from a book and MORE! From page one, I was sucked into the cruel and harsh world that Kristen Simmons has created and was taken on a thrilling and heart-stomping journey – one that only made me want more!
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Ever since the soldiers took over parts of America, Ember Millers life has changed drastically. She now lives in a world where being compliant is mandatory and civilians have to follow the 5 Article rules. When Ember’s mother is arrested for noncompliance of Article 5, she is taken away to trial leaving Ember to be taken into custody. While there, Ember finds her life under rules even harder than she ever imagined - all she knows is she needs to rescue her mother and she cannot do it inside the rehabilitation centre. It’s only when Chase; a boy from Ember’s past comes to her rescue - but once he does, Ember can’t help question if he is the same boy – the one  that she once loved or if he is the solider that he has been trained to be?

It’s safe to say Article 5 completely surpassed my expectations! I heard it was good but I didn’t realise it would be this good - that its left’s me longing to be back with the characters already. And now I know, 2013 is going to be an even longer wait because I’m dying to know what happens next.

Kristen Simmons has created a master piece with Article 5 and she has truly been able to capture the intensity of Ember’s world. It’s dangerous, scary and brutal and without the right people there to save her, she is truly doomed. Kristen Simmons has also managed to create the perfect blend of excitement, suspenseful and intense scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat and let’s not forget the romance. Oh the romance - It will make its way into your heart and leave a trail of butterflies in your stomach. Yeah, it was that good!

My favourite thing from this book was the characters. I adored both Ember and Chase! They were both head-strong, independent and my god stubborn. Their scenes together are so intense that you can honestly feel the sparks fly off the pages and their romance will not leave you disappointed. Not convinced yet? Well here are some amazing quotes that will surely change your mind……………

“He was my anchor in the hurricane, yet at the same time, the hurricane itself, so that I nearly always felt safe and afraid simultaneously. There was nothing in the world as confusing and powerful as being close to him.” – Ember

“Ember, you're the only piece of me I have left. Everything else-my family, my home, my soul- they're all gone. I don't know who the hell I am anymore. If it weren't for you... I don't know.” – Chase

 “Don't do that again! Not ever again!" I told him. "I should say the same to you," he said. I could feel his breath, warm on my neck. "Promise me!" I demanded.

"I... I promise." "I can't lose you.” - Ember & Chase

“It was you," I say softly. "It's always you I think about."

The intensity in his gaze took my breath away. I could feel him. Every part of him. His soul was sewn to mine. His heated blood flowed through my veins. I'd thought that I had been close to my mother, and I was, but not like this. Chase and I barely touched- our hands, mouths, knees- but there was no part of me that was not his.” - Ember

Overall, Article 5 is one the best dystopian novels I’ve read by far!  If you’re a fan of this genre, then this book is for you and even if your not – I urge you to pick up it up because I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

A huge huge thank you to Tor Teen for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.