This is a novel set in post-war Germany. The main character is a fifteen year old boy who fell in love to a thirty six year old wo...moreSpoilers everywhere!
This is a novel set in post-war Germany. The main character is a fifteen year old boy who fell in love to a thirty six year old woman. The first part of the book is mostly about their sexual relationship. It is pages and pages of sex after sex after sex. What makes it different from the books I've read before is that this is about a forbidden sexual romance of a young boy and a mature woman whereas in most books it is old man and young girl. The sex scenes are written pretty well and even if it is a weird and controversial one I enjoyed reading it from the boy's point of view. (I saw the movie trailer by the way and it felt gross and wrong to see Kate Winslet's touching a teenager).
The second part is about the meeting of the boy and the woman in a court room (they have been separated at the end of the first part). The woman was charged with murder because her past job was a guard of a camp. If you are familiar with the Holocaust these camps are where the German guards placed the Jews and then after some time they will kill the Jews using the gas chambers. So this is the woman's work, she was alleged to be the leader of the guards and the one who was responsible at the accident that happen. That night of the accident the church where the guards kept the Jews was bombed. The bomb caused the fire. It started on the church's roof. The Jews inside the church started yelling but the guards outside the church did not help them escape. The gates of the church remained locked. Then the Jews inside the church were burned to death. She confessed that she did not unlock the gate because she decided that it might cause panic and maybe they can't control the Jews if they open the gate. She also admitted that she's the one who wrote the report (the boy who is narrating the story will reveal that the woman can't write that report because she's illiterate). The woman chose to admit that she committed murder rather than blew her cover-up that she's illiterate.
Continuation...
It's hard to understand the character of this woman named Hanna. While reading it I tried to analyze why did she make that choice. I'm trying to put myself on her situation and I'm still wondering if I would do the same thing given that I love reading books. Would I chose to admit that I'm illiterate to prove my innocence? It's a hard decision but I think maybe the character believed that she will be charged guilty no matter what she say so she chose to at least retained her cover that she's literate.
I only gave it three stars because I felt that the idea of the book is excellent but somehow the author didn't execute it well. I wished there are more dialogues and the characterization is more in-depth. Sometimes the narration is too lengthy and I felt like I'm distanced from the character's feelings. The monologue of the narrator is too long it felt like reading an essay rather than a novel. The author will spoon-fed the reader with a lot of ideas it makes it boring and irritating. It seems like he wants to say something but I felt lost with his words. It is false eloquence, I think the author thinks the longer he explained something the better ;p. However, I still recommend this book or (maybe watch the movie.)
It have been a long while since I last watch the anime Claymore. It's one of my favorite anime series of all time. I really like it but I just hated t...moreIt have been a long while since I last watch the anime Claymore. It's one of my favorite anime series of all time. I really like it but I just hated the ending because it is a cop out.
Anyways, I really like this manga I downloaded from manga epub because the translations are really good unlike when I read Death Note and Doubt wherein I found the translations badly written.(less)
Comparing it to the movie the Battle of Helmsdeep is greatly visualized in the movie but in the book it was sort of anticlimactic since the battle is...moreComparing it to the movie the Battle of Helmsdeep is greatly visualized in the movie but in the book it was sort of anticlimactic since the battle is not given that much importance as it is written in the middle of the book. However, I really liked the Faramir parts in the book than in the movie because it was different than in the film. In the book Faramir was not even tempted by the ring and I don't know why they change that in the film maybe they just want to change things up.
There is little romance in the book compared to the movie wherein they focused on the Aragorn-Arwen-Eowyn love triangle but it's okay. What I liked about the movie is how the screenplay have been arranged so that the plot in the book will become more fluid and simultaneous. On the other hand what I liked about the book is that you will know more about the characters and their back story and also in this book the Shelob's lair is part of this one while in the movie they moved it into the Return of the King.(less)
How can I not give this 5 stars? How can I not? It was really amazing and this book really defines what epic fantasy is! It was just great, the world...moreHow can I not give this 5 stars? How can I not? It was really amazing and this book really defines what epic fantasy is! It was just great, the world (Middle earth), the characters (especially the hobbits) and the story itself. I have been a fan of the movie since I was in High School and I didn't even watch the Fellowship of the Rings first because I started with The Two Towers movie and then Return of the King and then The Fellowship (I sometimes watch movies this way). And even if a lot of my friends back then are hardcore Harry Potter movie fans (and I am also a hardcore HP fan) I always answer when ask what my favorite movie is, it's always Lord of the Rings (still it's my favorite movie I think).
So, my love for Lord of the Rings was already there when I started reading this one. I didn't have the chance to read it before because the copy in our school library was really thick and heavy. I also can't find an e-book copy online but thanks to one of my friend here in goodreads I've got the chance to finally read it. I must say if you're really into fantasy you've got to read this. This has been the greatest fantasy book ever written and it has inspired J. K. Rowling, George Martin and a lot of authors and it is also the inspiration to a lot of computer games like Warcraft. So yeah read it if you have the time.
The book was a little bit boring at first but once the characters were on Rivendell the pace will pick up. I also find the book better than the movie because I think Aragorn is more interesting in the book than in the movie. The story about the origin of the ring and the other rings are much clearly told. And a lot of the other parts that are missed out in the movie you can read in the book. My only complaint about the book is that it has a lot of song lyrics like I think for every chapter the hobbits or the elves will sing and it was just blah and then I skimmed reading those parts :). But, overall it's a great read can be a little bit purple prosey but it's tolerable and uhmm I just can't wait to read the next one.
The movie was okay. It was really boring at first and has a slow pace. It was really weird sort of that a movie with a g...moreMovie Review
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
The movie was okay. It was really boring at first and has a slow pace. It was really weird sort of that a movie with a great premise (clones being made as organ donors when they turned adults) was centered on a very contrived love triangle.
I'm just thinking it could have been better. However the ending was good. It was very depressing, the way it turned out for the characters in the end.
I'll just say if you're planning to watch it, just be patient because you might lose interest, just like my mother who actually didn't finish the movie.
Maybe I'll read the book since I have questions about the movie like why don't they just escape and what exactly was the purpose of the electronic band they're wearing. Or maybe not, I'll just read the wiki summary. (less)
I love this book. It's easy to read, straight-forward and memorable. I immediately fell in love with the story because of the characters. Atticus Finc...moreI love this book. It's easy to read, straight-forward and memorable. I immediately fell in love with the story because of the characters. Atticus Finch, Jem and of course Scout. It brings you back to your childhood when life is easy and you're always playing with your siblings, friends and neighbors. The time when you always look up to your parents and your parent/s will be your teacher, friend and role model. If you liked Tom Sawyer or the first half of The Book Thief you might like the first part of "To Kill a Mockingbird."
To be honest, reading the middle part becomes tedious and I just want something big to happen. So, I stopped reading for a while and watched Nikita (American TV Show). After I finished that, I resumed my reading and right then I couldn't stop reading because it became really interesting.
One thing that haunts me and angers me is that it doesn't end the way I liked it to be. Reading the first part, it felt like a fairy tale. I was really hoping that it will be a happy ending for Robinson. I felt like I was slapped by the author. This is the sad reality that she wanted me to read and to experience. I knew that it was obvious, the title itself is a foreshadowing. It's a tragic story of injustice and racial discrimination. I just felt really bad reading it especially the parts when a child read a current event about Adolf Hitler and what he's doing in Germany. In America the Whites discriminate the Blacks, in Germany the Germans discriminate the Jews.
This book is an eye-opener and I learned a lot of things. I hope that I'll be able to treat everyone equally without prejudice and discrimination. (less)
It was enjoyable and I did laugh at some parts but still nothing interesting is happening. I'm looking forward to the next volume because I wanted to...moreIt was enjoyable and I did laugh at some parts but still nothing interesting is happening. I'm looking forward to the next volume because I wanted to find out if Kyoko can make her debut in showbiz.(less)
It is really hard to rate this book since it seems that this is a mix of cheesiness and cliche but it is also unpredictable and thrilling. It has som...more
It is really hard to rate this book since it seems that this is a mix of cheesiness and cliche but it is also unpredictable and thrilling. It has some terrible parts but there are also amazing parts.
Pros: 1. I love the title 1st to die and my assumption to who will be the "1st to die" is wrong so I guess that is a plus point for the book.
2. I really like the murder scenes it is very grotesquely describe that it made me shiver just imagining them.
3. The twist in the end about who's the true murderer is something that I totally didn't see coming and I think it is a great twist, very shocking indeed.
4. Even the epilogue of the book is exhilarating, I thought it is all over but there's still some heart-stopping action at the epilogue of the book.
Cons: 1. The characters and their relationships felt very awkward and contrived for me. The dialogues are very cheesy that it actually made me gag a couple of times.
2. Even the Women's Murder Club thingy felt a little bit push, it is just there for the sake of a bad ass title for the series but it is really lazily written. The parts wherein they're talking or even when they first met each other is very unnatural. They're like BFF's all of a sudden.
3. Lindsay's "blood disease" is a little bit cliche even the coughing of the blood part.
"I coughed a raw, burning stinging in my chest, then I shook and coughed some more. Gradually, I felt the spell recede. I took a breath, opened my eyes. I shuddered. There was blood all over the sink."
--What I mean is that this is really cliche when you watch those drama series on tv, you'll always have this scene.
4. The romance is a bit cheesy too, especially at the beginning of the book. Even their first night together is written in a very cheesy way it just made me puke.
5. Also another thing that pisses me off is how the chapters are really short and guess what this book has a total of 126 chapters and one epilogue. I am so not kidding.
6. Here we go again with James Patterson's ridiculous deux ex machina. This is not my first J. Patterson book and I've read the first two books in his Maximum Ride Series and that's what I notice about both of these books is that he uses deux ex machina all the time to just move his plot.
Like for example in this book, Jenks was inside the van and he is there because he's already a prisoner and then he have these handcuffs and some police who were watching for him etc. Then a GOD DAMN EARTHQUAKE came and he's free. I mean come on James Patterson this is just too convenient isn't it?
Okay ranting over, all and all I did enjoy this book and I really am grateful that someone from The Filipino Group here in Goodreads gave this book to me last December. Though now I'm not sure who's the original owner since I just pick it up on the giveaway pile. Nevertheless thank you whoever you may be :).(less)
I love the movie and I watched it countless times already. Jim Carrey never fails to crack me up. Love the three kids, the inventor, reader and the cu...moreI love the movie and I watched it countless times already. Jim Carrey never fails to crack me up. Love the three kids, the inventor, reader and the cutesy biter. My heart is for the reader here.(less)
Movie Update I already watched the movie and it was better than the book. The romance was still gushy and mushy but at least the dialogues were a lot b...moreMovie Update I already watched the movie and it was better than the book. The romance was still gushy and mushy but at least the dialogues were a lot better in the movie. Also the movie was more fast paced and was action-packed at the end of the show. I think the dog was really cute and Number Six was really cool in the movie. Sam was also likable in the film. After watching Alex Pettyfer act on the screen for the first time I got to say he deserve and he's fitted for the Peeta Mellark and Jace Wayland roles.
This looks pretty bad-ass and WTH, why was there a kissing scene? Die Diana Argon DIE!!!
Movie Posters
Who's excited for the movie? (^_____^) *hyperventilating*
COMPLETE AND EDITED REVIEW
What the hell!
For the love of Alex Pettyfer, I will watch the movie and will read this book!
***Note: The post above are my insane thoughts before reading the book, pardon my fan girling obscenities. Book Review below. ___________________________
***Note: Pardon the fan girling(for the second time), the review will contains lots of it. Enjoy ^^
(I'm not going to review the book yet(book review down there somewhere)...you can skimmed through, this is just my craziness.)
Move over BITCHES! Alex Pettyfer is MINE, MINE, MINE . *attacks another fan girl* (Sorry I just have a manic episode, I forgot to take Lithium Carbonate this morning *evil laugh*.) _______________________ (Again fan girling craziness...*you can skimmed through*)
Now before I'm going to review the book I'd like to tell you a story about how I met Alex Pettyfer (yum yum). Story time now! --So I read this book City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Trilogy) by Cassandra Clare (If you haven't read this you're doomed!) and I was soooooooooo obsessed with it! Then I go to YOUTUBE and watch all this fan made videos of the book and I came upon this video wherein they posted their ideal casts for the movie something something something. Yeah and then Alex Pettyfer was the ideal cast for JACE WAYLAND *screams*. And when I see Alex Pettyfer "nalaglag panty ko" (translation: my panty falls off) figuratively . (Wait! What the hell did I just write, my panty falls off figuratively O_o????, forget I wrote that it's just my alter ego talking)
**Note: Okay I shut up for now, will continue tomorrow. The Mogadorians are attacking my house *panic, panic*. See you later, Alligater!
Fighting the Mogadorians OVER Now back to review...
IM BACK!!! Do you miss me? *nods* I miss you too! *VERY MOOCH!*
So where the hell are we? So as I was saying I love Alex Pettyfer from the moment I saw him I think he's the one I'm going to marry someday (Don't mind me it's my alter ego talking again). Nah I just think he looks like an angel that's all *scratch that I'm being cheesy*. _________________________ Okay fan girling over, I'm going to review the book now *I bet you're excited*
Dun Dun Dun Dun Ba Na Na Na
....BOOK REVIEW....
So Okay, The Book Started Like This:
THE EVENTS IN THIS BOOK ARE REAL. NAMES AND PLACES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE LORIEN SIX, WHO REMAIN IN HIDING. TAKE THIS AS YOUR FIRST WARNING. OTHER CIVILIZATIONS DO EXIST. SOME OF THEM SEEK TO DESTROY YOU.
My Reaction To That Was: *Epic Face*(please don't ask me what my epic face looks like) Awesome!!! *jumps up and down*
--Kidding, that didn't really happen ^^...Wait are you disappointed?--
My Real Reaction To That Was: ANAK NG TOKWA! ANONG KALOKOHAN 'TO
Okay wait I'll translate it for you Not Pinoy Folks *panic panic* (Translation: WTF IS THIS! .<) I'm not a translator 'kay *hides from Translator Nazis*>)
So my point is the book is ridiculous (Come on!!!), from the first page I know it will suck but I continue reading anyway *blame this on my fan girling*.
Okay to make this review somehow organize, I'm going to use Pros and Cons *sorry I'm that obsessive-compulsive*.
Pros (a.k.a the good stuff): 1. There is a scene wherein Alex Pettyfer Number Four will only be in boxers. (Sweeeet^^) 2. There is a scene wherein Alex Pettyfer Number Four will be on the shower. (Drools^^) 3. There is a scene wherein Alex Pettyfer Number Four will be shirtless because his shirt was burned. (DIE BITCHES!)
--Okay Pros over, on with the cons--
Cons (a.k.a the things I complained about) 1. The book is ridiculous (wait I already said that, sorry!). In fact this is so ridiculous I need to repeat myself, that's how ridiculous it is. Say it again -- RIDIKKULUS -- (using your Harry Potter voice) *too weird scratch that* 2. This is just overrated. 3. The story reminds me of Dragonball Z. 4. The book for most parts is booooorrrrrrriiiing. 5. Bombarded with cliches, it was predictable. 6. I can't really get into the story, the premise was great but after few pages I don't care about the story and the characters. 7. The author was also a character of the book (Pittacus Lore whoever you may be, Gimme a break!) 8. The romance is mushy!!! *is this MG book or something?* 9. When the plot moves the author uses ridiculous deux-ex-machinas. (again with the word ridiculous is that the word of the day? something something something) 10. The ending was like *Author: Wait I need to have some action now there are a few pages left*--put Number Six in (done)-- put the Scouts (done)-- put the Beasts (done)-- put the soldiers (done).....-- more beast more beast (done)-- change the dog to beast (done)-- add another superpower for the nth time (done)-- kill someone, got to kill someone (done) "Dunn'it!" 11. I lol at this (considered that an understatement!)
About the Author PITTACUS LOREis Lorien’s ruling Elder. He has been on Earth for the last twelve years, preparing for the war that will decide Earth’s fate. His whereabout’s are unknown.
Okay the book was OKAY. It wasn't that bad but I really didn't like Alien stories.
MENTAL NOTE TO SELF: Don't ever read something about ALIEN again
Wait there's more: Fan fiction: Alex: What two stars? Why? Self:I don't like alien stories 'kay, I just read it because of you. *winks at Alex* Alex: So aren't we going to watch the movie anymore? Self: The hell! I'm going to still watch it okay, you're there for the love of God! Alex: Okay stop being upset, come here.. **Note: Next scenes were deleted due to Goodreads censorship**
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