Artemis Fowl. I can't say I love him. Couldn't say I hated him either. Though conscience should tell me that I must loathe him, because he's a schemin...moreArtemis Fowl. I can't say I love him. Couldn't say I hated him either. Though conscience should tell me that I must loathe him, because he's a scheming and manipulative bastard.
But anyway, this book has a unique plot, having a 12 year old genius / thief / criminal mind at our disposal. But Artemis Fowl has endearing qualities as well. He has a large heart (for family that is), but probably even our hero (or should I say villain) doesn't know yet.
Expect Artemis Fowl to be a treasure coming from a tiny package.
But I also have to tell you I wish Artemis Fowl has the martial arts skills to go with the huge brain of his. :)(less)
I fell in love with this book as soon as I laid eyes on it.
I'm 22 now, but I picked up this book when I was 12.
And love at first, grew into something...moreI fell in love with this book as soon as I laid eyes on it.
I'm 22 now, but I picked up this book when I was 12.
And love at first, grew into something more deeper. Everytime I turned the page, I was entering another dimension where I didn't want to get out. This book was a definite pageturner. I was in awe by the magnificent way J.K Rowling wrote this book. I was secretly wishing I was studying in Hogwarts too! It was silly, but I was simply enraptured by Harry Potter.
Here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what us essential is invisible to the eye.
The Little Pri...moreHere is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what us essential is invisible to the eye.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a wonderfully touching, awe-inspiring and eye-opening story about a little prince from a star and all his other journeys on other stars and on earth.
The little prince is a child, and to see things in his eyes would be a blessing.
His travels include, but not limited to: a star where there was a king with no subjects; a star where there was a businessman who claims to own the stars and never ceases to count them; a star where there was a drunkard who drunk for he was ashamed of drinking. He had plenty of travels, but did the people he ever meet knew their purpose? They had a task, but no purpose at all. Do adults really sound like this? We worry about the most trivial matters, but it only brings us loss, because instead of seeing things in different perspectives, we actually see things one-way. Like how a hat is actually a boa constrictor w/ an elephant inside. Where is the imagination? Life is dull, and we end up missing a lot.
We are longing for something, and we don't even know what we are looking for.
It is with the heart that one can see rightly. It is hard to do, but life would be easier to bear with, if one would just follow his heart.
I deeply regret that I have read this book at an untender age of 22, for after reading this, I felt I have wasted away my life. I regret that I haven't enjoyed my childhood as much as I should have. And at 22, I fully accept that I can no longer revert to being a child, and the most I can do is be child-like, which is an entirely different matter.(less)
Marked (House of Night, #1) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast.
Zoey Redbird is an ordinary girl with an ordinary life. But that was before she's been marke...moreMarked (House of Night, #1) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast.
Zoey Redbird is an ordinary girl with an ordinary life. But that was before she's been marked by a tracker. From then on, she became a vampyre fledgeling that has to reach House of Night, a vampire school, as soon as able. If not, she will suffer the consequence of death. Being marked, scared her so called best friend away, including her mother, but lured her hot-but-not-so-bright jock ex-boyfriend even closer.
So being shunned by people she thought would accept her, she runs to the comfort of her grandmother who has deep affinity to the spirit ways of her Cherokee roots.
In search of Zoey's grandmother, Zoey stumbles and hits her head. She then embarks on a spirit journey and meets Nyx, goddess of the night and vampires. Nyx embues her with magical powers and the next thing Zoey knows, she is at the House of Night, with a terrible scar, but alive nonetheless.
Zoey, having more access to vampyre physiology, discovers she's no longer ordinary, because even for a vampyre, she's way beyond an average fledgeling. She already has bloodlust, which is unheard of for new fledgelings; she has a fully covered mark, where all fledgelings has only an outline, and she has control of all five elements, which are air, fire, water, earth and spirit, which is unheard for all vampyres of all ages. Zoey's destined for something more. Of what, Zoey's not entirely certain.
House of Night is an okay book, with a totally different take on vampyres, not to mention vampyres is spelled with a Y against the common vampire with an I. I keep ignoring that red zigzagged line under vampyre, because this was how the book has spelled it. To become a vampyre, one must be chosen. Its more of being a disease, instead of being bit by one. It was interesting enough for me to reach the end of the book, but I certainly don't feel like dying if I don't read the next ones. I'm not sure if I would read them, but I'm open to possibilities :) (less)
There's nothing that attracts me more, than a genius without the glasses. Especially if the geek looks like this (For those who don't know this hottie,...moreThere's nothing that attracts me more, than a genius without the glasses. Especially if the geek looks like this (For those who don't know this hottie, he's Chuck/Zachary Levi) However, if the geek involved is 13 years old and is a criminal mastermind, plus fantasizing that he would grow up faster than a normal human being would, well thats just plain pedophilia. :))
Well it's not actually that bad, if you'll become an instant billionaire and with him you could rule the world together. But still it's no excuse to commit pedophilia.
I bet Artemis Fowl would look exactly like a younger version of Chuck, but take off the sneakers and make him wear loafers.
Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, is the second book of the Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer. The Artemis Fowl is more milder and more caring in this series. Well, he doesn't actually like death on his hands, but, the means were unavoidable to achieve the goals. Last book, his goal was to restore the family's billionaire status. However, this book, he just wants to find his father. Alas, an email arrives wanting five million dollars in exchange for his father. Well, him and Butler, his large and bulky bodyguard (he's no butler despite his name being Butler), devise a plan to go to Russia and save his father.
However, underground, the People (fairies) are being attacked by gremlims (who are undeniably very very stupid), who are armed with weapons energized by batteries. So Commander Julius Root, Holly and Foaly instantly suspect Artemis Fowl behind it.
They instantly bring Artemis and Butler for questioning. However, with the super-advanced techies the People have, they deduce that Artemis Fowl is really innocent. The People instead ask Artemis for his assistance to find the human behind all this. Artemis agrees, however, he asks for something in return. He asks that the Fairy People help him retrieve his father.
But just as Artemis and the fairy people reach ground, everything begins to unravel.
Artemis Fowl is a really good book. I believe if I have read this when I was a bit younger, I would have given this book 5 stars instead of 3. But unfortunately, I'm already 22. But still its good :)(less)
Unicorns. Fairies. Castles. Most of all, Prince Charming.
Ella Enchanted made me want to revert back to being a little girl, where it's easy to believe...moreUnicorns. Fairies. Castles. Most of all, Prince Charming.
Ella Enchanted made me want to revert back to being a little girl, where it's easy to believe that happily ever afters do exist. And yes, it reminded me that, despite my bitter self now, I at one point, believed in happily ever afters.
Who doesn't know Ella? I sure caught the craze when this was a movie with Anne Hathaway as Ella. The movie was spectacular, and the book was just as good.
Ella was bestowed the gift of obedience. Well, to the fairy who dared to give it, it was a gift. But to the other end who received it, it was definitely a curse. Ella made me laugh. But she also made my heart break. I could not imagine myself doing everything someone ordered me to do. Even the simple task of following parents seemed Herculean, when your heart had no desire to do it. But Ella had to do every blasted thing. Whether, she liked it or not, she had to obey. She could try delaying tactics, but in the end, the curse will always get the best of her.
But despite the crazed obedience, Ella was still a girl. Charming. Humorous. Intellectual. Unselfish. Patient. And courageous. And a prince could not help but notice her.
Prince Char, after having friendship with Ella, proposes. But Ella could not risk being the Prince's downfall. Once enemies knew of her affliction, one could not help but to take advantage. So Ella tricked the prince into thinking she had married another.
But true love could not be stopped.
As the town was to hold series of balls, where rumor has it, the prince would choose a bride, Ella could not help but rush off, and maybe see the prince once more. She poses as Lela, and again, she has caught the eye of the prince.
But just as Cinderella did, Ella had to leave, as soon as the prince found her true identity.
Ella could not even consider harming the prince, despite all the love she had in her heart for him. The prince orders her to marry him, but with the thought of his imminent danger, she manages to fight of the curse with an extreme amount of disobedience.
Well, of course, now that she's no threat to the prince anymore, evidently, they could now have their happily ever after.
This book makes me want to believe in happily ever afters once more. Maybe I will, but I would rather wait for it to come, and see for myself ♥(less)
Graceling. n. A person born with an extreme skill – called a grace. Identifiable by presence of mismatching color of eyes.
Seven Kingdoms. A place wher...moreGraceling. n. A person born with an extreme skill – called a grace. Identifiable by presence of mismatching color of eyes.
Seven Kingdoms. A place where gracelings are either laughed at or feared. But mostly, they are exploited and used for other’s personal gain.
Some gracelings are blessed with absurd graces, such as ability to hold breath for hours underwater. Some graced with practical skills such as cooking or combat skills. Some graced with powers to see the future. And one is blessed with the grace of killing.
Katsa. Gifted with the grace of killing. At the age of seven, she has managed to strike a powerful, killing blow to her cousin, who ended up dead on the spot. She is equipped with insurmountable strength, unbelievable agility and more than human stamina. With the years, Katsa has managed to control her grace. She has trained. She has been on the field as her uncle/ King Randa of Middluns’ deadliest weapon. She has been his assassin, always at his beck and call, to kill or punish anyone who displeases him.
Stories of the girl with one eye as green as the grass, and the other eye as blue as the sky, has travelled rampantly. Katsa is feared all throughout the seven kingdoms. Katsa is unbeatable. Until she met Prince Greening Grandemalion or Prince Po of the Leinids, who is graced with combat skills and has one silver and one golden eye. Katsa has met her match, or rather a “challenging opponent”.
Katsa and Po, both brought together by the need to uncover the truth about Grandfather Tealiff’s disappearance. They embark on a journey, ready to unravel the deceits planted by a graceling, far more vicious and powerful than Po and Katsa ever imagined. ___ Graceling by Kristin Cashore is beautifully written and highly imaginative. It is a unique and wonderful read. But why my lack of star?
1. Katsa and Po being okay with being casual f*cking buddies. (not really a good message to impart on the young readers) 2. Kristin Cashore presents clues, you think a little, but then you don’t really need to think, because a few pages later, you are faced with your answer. 3. Silly names. Really, Tealiff and Greening Grandemalion? Would you name your children that? 4. Bitterblue. A character who’s very young but then very wise. Really hard to believe. 5. The problems resolve themselves so quickly! Can’t she give us a little more heart pounding action?
Should I go on? Hmm, but despite my complaints, this was still a pretty decent read with a chance of being a blockbuster once it hits the big screens. (less)
It's unfair to compare this book to the Harry Potter series.
This book had a different tinge of magic in it. I watched the movie first, and the book tu...moreIt's unfair to compare this book to the Harry Potter series.
This book had a different tinge of magic in it. I watched the movie first, and the book turned out to be something very different. It was better compared to the movie.
I really, really liked the plot though. However, Rick Riordan's writing style wasn't very compelling. Blame it to my age of 22, or either to the fact that this is classified as a kid's book. So, it wasn't actually a pageturner. But reading it wasnt a torture either. It was just something in between. Something you could leave and not die of not knowing what would happen next. (less)
I had tons of complaints while reading the book. In fact, they're far too many. However, upon reaching the last few pages, the ending boggled me too m...moreI had tons of complaints while reading the book. In fact, they're far too many. However, upon reaching the last few pages, the ending boggled me too much that I just forgot about them.
One night, Clary had seen an attractive blue haired boy. Her eyes have been following him all night at Club Pandemonium. Then the blue haired boy enters a room, and other boys with weapons follow him. Feeling a sense of danger, Clary warns her best friend, Simon, that someone is going to get attacked. Clary rushes off to danger and is then initiated to the non-Mundane world. Mundane is Cassandra Clare's version of Muggle world. Series of unfortunate events happen. Her mother is kidnapped by Valentine. Pretty much like Lord Voldemort, because they were both good at what they do, then they ended up as bad guys. She gets attacked by a demon. So on and so on.
She asks for Jace's help. In the end she manages to find her mom, but the price she had to pay was too high for her sake.
___ If I concentrate a lot (no small feat, since I barely had sleep from all the reading), I could remember a few complaints.
(1) I want to like the protagonist, Clary, but it's hard. I find nothing special about her (aside from the fact that she sees the non-mundie world). And she likes barging head first into danger, and when things get awry, she just calls for a male help. How she killed a demon is a wonder to me.
(2) The dialogue is for too young adults, for me at least.
(3) Jace is likable in a way, but not the guy to swoon for.
(4) When a major, or even a slightly major character is at the point of death, they still don't die.
(5) The plot is achingly familiar (too familiar. Remember the story where a world beyond Muggles existed. It was there, but the ordinary eyes cannot see it. Same here. But romping around with humans are vampires, shadow walkers and demons.)
But despite my complaints, I give this book a solid four stars, since I always love a good twist. And the twist managed to keep me awake in the middle of the night, thinking of it for days. :\(less)
"Dragonfly in Amber" is a lusciously perfect way to continue Outlander. It couldn't happen any other way. It has to be this way. It is absolutely perf...more"Dragonfly in Amber" is a lusciously perfect way to continue Outlander. It couldn't happen any other way. It has to be this way. It is absolutely perfect in every way possible in my eyes, and I love it with sheer perfection.
Dragonfly in Amber, the second book of the Outlander series, continues with another amazing journey (or rather retelling) of Claire Randall/Fraser beyond time. But this time, Claire is back in her own time, year 1968, with daughter Brianna, already a twenty year old lass. Coming from America, Claire goes back to Scotland to hasten aid of Mr. Roger Wakefield, adopted son of Reverend Reginald Wakefield, (of whom we met in Outlander #1), to investigate what happened to the men of Lallybroch after the war at Culloden, to know if Jamie Fraser had carried out his final wishes to save his men & to reveal to Brianna the true nature of her heritage.
Claire shares her story of the battle to either stop the uprising or find victory for Bonnie Prince Charles Stuart, the Great Pretender.
But OMG! How am I going to narrate 752 pages of sheer perfection into something shorter, but something not too short of how perfect it was? It's hard.
But the next part is easy.
I LOVE JAMIE FRASER. JAMIE! JAMIE! JAMIE! JAMIE! I feel like a chit fresh from school. I'm resembling all the Edward Cullen fans/stalkers but with me, it's all about Jamie. I'm giddy. I'll end up a spinster if I don't find myself my own Jamie.
If you're not in love with Jamie yet, I'll make you fall in love with him too. Aside from his delicious and majestic body; he also has the sweetest and swoon worthy lines I've ever read in history. SPOILER ALERT! Coming up are my favorite Jamie Fraser lines from Dragonfly in Amber.
"I want to protect ye, sassenach- spread myself over ye like a cloak and shield you and the child wi' my body."
"Blood of my blood," he whispered, "and bone of my bone. You carry me within ye, Claire, and ye canna leave me now, no matter what happens. You are mine, always, if ye will it or no, if you want me or nay. Mine, and I wilna let you go."
"Claire. To feel the small bones of your neck beneath my hands, and that fine, thin skin on your breasts and your arms... Lord, you are my wife, whom I cherish and I love wi' all my life and still I want to kiss ye hard enough to bruise your tender lips, and see the marks of my fingers on your skin."
"I'm honest enough to say that I dinna care what the right and wrong of it may be, so long as you are here wi' me, Claire," he said softly. "If it was a sin for you to choose me, then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him for tempting ye to it."
And when Claire asked why Jamie agreed not to kill Jack Randall (a loathsome human who abused our dear Jamie) this is what he said: "...I want there to be a place for you; I want someone for you to go to if I am... not there to care for you. If it canna be me, then I would have it a man who loves you."
"Damn you, too, Claire Randall Fraser, while I'm at it!" he said. "Damn right I begrudge! I grudge every memory of yours that doesna hold me, and every tear ye've shed for another, and every second you spent in another man's bed! Damn you! You're mine, damn ye, Claire Fraser! Mine, and I wilna share ye, with a man or memory, or anything whatever, so long as we both shall live."
When Claire woke up in the middle of the night and Jamie wasn't asleep, Claire tells Jamie she loves him. Jamie replies: "I know it," he said quietly. "I do know it, my own. Let me tell ye in your sleep how much I love you. For there's no so much I can be saying to ye while ye wake, but the same poor words, again and again. While ye sleep in my arms, I can say things to ye that would be daft and silly waking, and your dreams will know the truth of them. Go back to sleep, mo duinne."
And just before Jamie sends Claire back: "I will find you," he whispered in my ear. "I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you - then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen, betrayed and broken trust. But there is one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I stand before God, I shall have one thing to say to weigh against the rest. Lord, ye have given me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well."
End of spoilers! I can swoon now. But I have to continue a little more. Are you in love with Jamie yet? If not, please pick this book and see how his every gesture is swoon worthy.
As usual, Diana Gabaldon is wordy. Not that I complain, because every word and every page is a necessity to make such a wonderful story come alive right in front of your very eyes (or rather imagination).
Also, the ending is the best and worst cliffhanger ever! Best because I'm verra verra anxious to read the next and worst because it made me figuratively feel why endings like these are called cliffhangers. I felt like I've been dropped from a cliff.
To ye, Diana Gabaldon, thank you for the gift of Jamie.
And to ye, dear reader of this review (or rather narrative on how obsessed I am with Jamie), do yourself a favor, try and give yourself some Jamie loving. ♥(less)
Klause poetically describes the violence and sensuality of the pack lifestyle, creating a hot-blooded heroine who puts the most outrageous riot grrrls to shame. Blood and Chocolate is a masterpiece of adolescent angst wrapped in wolf's clothing, and its lovely, sensuous taste is sure to be sweet on the teenage tongue. (Ages 13 and older) --Jennifer Hubert
Does this sound like a book for 13 year olds?
Was she Aiden's soulmate? Vivian wondered up in her room. Wouldn't she know if she were? Maybe if she made him the mate of her flesh first, then she would know.
Aside from that, there us also mentioning of biting off of buttons and searching for dark corners in the theater.
Doesn't sound like a book for young adults, right? And it is definitely not suited for anyone of 13 years old.
And overlooking the part where Vivian is presumably sixteen or a little older than that, we have a pretty decent love story.
Vivian Gandillon, is far from a normal teenager. She's a loup-garou/ werewolf. She's trying to fit in within normal society but fails, since she has zero friends. Until, she approaches Aiden, the poet/ meatboy. She feels the connection. She feels that Aiden understands her, despite not knowing what she is since he did write a poem about werewolves. They date. Vivian is in love. Everything was perfect.
Until she decided to tell Aiden the truth of what she was.
She thought she was beautiful in both her skins. Human and wolf form. But Vivian in her wolf form wasn't enough for Aiden to love her. ____
However, despite me not recommending this book to young adults, this book is enjoyable. At times, sweet like chocolate. And at times, bitter like blood (or rather coppery). But still, a book to be devoured by romance enthusiasts like me. :) (less)
WARNING: First part of this review (if this could still be called a review) will sort of be a homage/ temple for worship to my beloved James Alexander...moreWARNING: First part of this review (if this could still be called a review) will sort of be a homage/ temple for worship to my beloved James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, the most gorgeous and swoon worthy hero ever existing in literature!
♪♫♪ Ain’t no other man can stand up next to you Ain’t no other man on the planet does what you do You’re the kind of guy a girl finds on a blue moon You got soul, you got class, you got style in your bad ass Ain’t no other man, it’s true. -Christina Aguilera, Ain’t No Other Man
If I’d be singing a song about Jamie, it would honestly be the one above. And never had I thought that I could fall in love more with Jamie. But wow. I was wrong. And since I have to ease a bit off my chest, I am INSERTING A SHORT LETTER TO JAMIE.
Jamie,
Oh, how I love you! Where could I buy a seed that I could plant and and then grow into you? I want you so badly that I think I will become a spinster, unless I meet you. Or someone almost as you. Oh, how I wish to go to Scotland and go to Craigh na Dun and time travel to your arms. Blast your faithfulness to Claire! Unfortunately, I see yer faithfulness as a verra verra negative thing. But at the same time, it’s a verra verra good thing, since that makes ye verra honorable. I love you. Though you will never love me back. I swear I won’t go back in time and stab Claire. I love you so much that I would never want to see you hurt. But know this, as I think of you, I always have a smile on my face, though I know you would only make my heart break, since you can never be mine. I wish you the best in your travels.
Lovingly yours, Jasmin
PS: I LOVE YOU JAMIE! I WISH YOU WOULD LEAVE CLAIRE AND PICK ME INSTEAD!
OKAY. I AM STOPPING NOW, BEFORE ANYONE REPORTS ME AND SAYS I AM DELUSIONAL AND IN NO SHAPE TO BE IN HUMAN COMPANY.
Okay, Jasmin, relax. Breathe in, breathe out. Gather your wits and stop showing the people how stalker-ish you are.
Voyager is a masterpiece.
It is absolutely beautiful that it deserves more than five stars. Actually it’s even better than that. If I could just pluck real stars from the sky, I would offer all that I can carry and more to Diana Gabaldon’s feet. That is how marvelous this book is.
The book is well researched and vivid in detail. Still wordy and lengthy, but for me, it’s a good thing, because all those words help me see the bigger picture. This book isn’t just romance, though there’s a healthy dose of that. It’s also about loyalty, family and politics and so much more. And I could also feel so much more coming.
I would love to give a plot overview, but how? Where would I start when I see every word and every page important?
Diana Gabaldon, has killed me three times already! The endings she makes are fantastic cliffhangers that make me want to die! It is seldom that an author could make me thrash around my bed, due to sheer frustration, and clearly she is one of them. The ending made me want to smash things. But Diana deserves the honors of killing me, because what she gave me is priceless. She gave me Jamie. And she also gave me an epic love story. (less)
First and foremost, I would like to applaud Audrey Niffenegger, for the beautiful writing of The Time Traveler's Wife. The writing is implicitly exqui...moreFirst and foremost, I would like to applaud Audrey Niffenegger, for the beautiful writing of The Time Traveler's Wife. The writing is implicitly exquisite, and the plot is absolutely unique.
I bet everybody knows Henry DeTamble and Clare Abshire's love story and the miseries they share, since Henry clearly can't stay in one place in one time.
However, despite all these praises, this book just wasn't enough for me.
Why?
(1)The plot was interesting, but still I was bored, that it took me seven days to finish it. And when I say seven days, that is absolutely slow for me, since I am a voracious reader.
(2)There were some parts of the book that disturbed me. One example is when 35 year old Henry visited 13 year old Clare and noticed her
"breasts and legs and hips, all newly minted."
(3)The mention of cunt and cock, felt pornographic for me, this made me uncomfortable. It's not that I'm a prig, but the aforementioned words seemed inappropriate in this book, since Henry and Clare's love story was decent.
(4)I also appreciate Audrey Niffenegger's desire to sound really smart, using: monoaminergic antagonist blah blah. That does sound smart, however, I caught one detail wrong. The book says that agranulocytosis is the destruction of the body's ability to make white blood cells. granular white blood cells - neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils agranular white blood cells - lymphocytes and monocytes <-cytosis> - increased cell count therefore: agranulocytosis is the increased count of agranular white blood cells, mainly lymphocytes and monocytes. thus it could also mean decreased count of granular white blood cells, BUT NOT ALL white blood cells. *If we're talking about the body's inability to make white blood cells, in general, she could have said aplastic anemia instead, where the body fails to make red and white blood cells.
(5)Almost everybody knew of Henry's genetic disease but I would it a wonder that he wasn't made into a media freak show. Also, how was he able to keep his job, if he disappears in the middle of his shift and reappears in all his naked glory?
(6)Lastly, I failed to sympathize with the characters, which I think is vital for me to appreciate the book.
It saddens me, that despite the beauty of the words Audrey Niffenegger uses (with the exception of cunt and cock of course), this book failed to wow me. Somewhere along the way, it just didn't work for me, and I could say, it's completely my loss.(less)
Imagine a smaller version of me, roaming some busy streets, not quite lost, but I was looking for something. I really didn’t know what I was looking f...moreImagine a smaller version of me, roaming some busy streets, not quite lost, but I was looking for something. I really didn’t know what I was looking for, until, Charlaine Harris came along. We walked hand in hand, and stopped at a candy store. Then Charlaine buys me this really delectable lollipop that has this delicious filling inside, that I wanted to eat it on the spot. However, my buddy stops me, and takes me further for a walk. We see designer shoes and so on and so forth, but what I want is the candy she bought me. I say, ”Can I have the candy now, please?”. She gives it to me. I open it up, and put it eagerly in my mouth. I enjoy and savor it. However, just as I get the taste of really divine chocolate, Charlaine grabs the lollipop from my mouth and says “You had enough sweets for today.”
That is what I felt when I read Dead to the World. I felt that Charlaine Harris gave me this really sweet candy, only to take it away, when I was about to reach the best part of it.
If you haven’t read this book yet, you would probably wonder what I am talking about. However, if you already did, I bet you already see the picture.
In this instance, the candy I am talking about is, ERIC Northman, whom I picture as this:
See what I am saying? If he was the lollipop, would you be able to stop, despite the increased risk of Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity? Cause, I definitely won’t.
But unfortunately, Charlaine Harris had to take all the fun, and as the caption on the picture says: “It hurts so good."
So here’s where my real review kicks in.
Dead to the World is my favorite among the Sookie Stackhouse series. And if you haven’t guessed why, I have to tell you it’s all because of ERIC NORTHMAN.
Sookie is finally single! With Bill sort of out of the way, namely Peru, I'm celebrating. Yey! One night, as she comes driving from work, she finds arrogant Eric half naked. Not only that, he lost his memory and is tamer! He no longer acts as the proud sheriff of Area 5, but more of a scared man needing protection. Sookie contacts Pam, Eric’s second in command, and discovers that Eric is wanted by some evil wiccans/Weres, also intoxicated with Vamp blood, who want to take over Shreveport. Of course, Sookie, being good natured as she is, takes Eric under her care. But it’s not just Eric, who’s being taken care of. He also takes care of Sookie, and we see Eric as a compassionate person vampire. Sookie, as expected, has tons of problems. Aside from a giant supernatural battle that has to be fought, Sookie's only family, namely Jason, is missing.
Dead to the World, is a fun, quick, entertaining and unpredictable read. Though I honestly didn't like Dead Until Dark, book 1 of the series, and was disappointed by the writing, I believe the books become an "acquired taste". They get better over time, and I am definitely happy that I stuck with it.
When I started reading this book, I swore it was a book that couldn’t pique my fancy. I was overly bored and couldn’t...moreI am totally ashamed of myself.
When I started reading this book, I swore it was a book that couldn’t pique my fancy. I was overly bored and couldn’t flip anymore pages. I thought the writing was for too-young adults. I thought I would be generous and give it two stars.
But dang, I am eating what I said.
Betrayed (House of Night #2) by P.C and Kristin Cast started out slow, but, somewhere in the middle, I began liking the book. I can’t point to the exact page, but somewhere, things were becoming interesting. Despite the mediocre writing, the plot, I admit is good. I actually think of the authors as brave for having straying so much from the vampire norms.
Zoey Redbird, is still likable for me. She always has the best interests of everyone is heart. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t fail trying. Despite being advanced for a fledgling, she’s still struggling to maintain normalcy. She just wants to fit in. And experience the same stuff other normal teenagers do. Probably having a little boylet, here and there. Despite her having three love interests, I don’t take it against her. I even wish I had three boylets hunkering over me. But dah, I’m no Zoey Redbird.
Anyway, this book makes me want to pick up the next one, as in now. I’ve betrayed myself. I swore it couldn’t pick my fancy, but now, karma’s eating at me. (less)
So maybe twilight really is a young teen's book? And maybe Stephenie Meyer's writing really isn't compelling. Her writing is too easy to comprehend. H...moreSo maybe twilight really is a young teen's book? And maybe Stephenie Meyer's writing really isn't compelling. Her writing is too easy to comprehend. Hell, this book wouldn't really happen in real life. And I don't think a person as clumsy as Bella could actually exist!
But still I found this book a pageturner. I loved the plot.
Sorry people, but blame it to the hopeless romantic in me. :)(less)
I honestly loved the Twilight series. I honestly deluded myself that the characters are real, so an anime adaptation of them doesn't suit my fancy.
Ho...moreI honestly loved the Twilight series. I honestly deluded myself that the characters are real, so an anime adaptation of them doesn't suit my fancy.
However, the art was really good, but we all have our own tastes. (less)
Flaws. That’s what this book has. It is indeed not perfect. But I have loved it with sheer perfection.
The plot was spectacular and I felt the characte...moreFlaws. That’s what this book has. It is indeed not perfect. But I have loved it with sheer perfection.
The plot was spectacular and I felt the characters come alive, right before my very eyes. Yes, there are things I don’t agree with (such as the violence and the pain), but those moments of doubt made me certain that this book was more real. Even fairy tales isn’t just full of dreams and fluffy stuff, it has its fire breathing dragons or a wicked stepmother to slay, before it reaches the conclusion of a happily ever after. But the thing is, it wasn’t actually them coming alive, because they already were. It was me, hanging on the thin thread of life I barely had (my life depended on finishing this story, I might be exaggerating, but that was what I felt of in the moment), being transported to Scotland, back in time, to the 17th century.
Claire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in 1945, is enjoying another honeymoon with Frank Randall, a soldier of the WWII. Her husband, being quite scholarly, joined her to take a visit at Craigh na Dun. The standing stones were actually a portal of some sort, where Claire was making random motions in the circle, was suddenly transported back in time, to 1943. She has a disastrous encounter with an English captain, Jonathan Randall, her husband’s ancestor and complete look-a-like, but complete opposite, wherein Frank was kind and the captain vicious. She is then saved, or rather abducted, by the Scots.
Claire is hauled against her will to Castle Leoch, land of the MacKenzie’s, not as a prisoner, but as a “guest” and becomes a physician. Dougal MacKenzie (brother of laird) brings her along to the towns to collect rent. Claire, hastily obliged, seeing this as an opportunity to go back to Craigh na Dun and go back to her own time, back to Frank. However, her plans were thwarted by Captain Randall. The captain, had a hold on Claire, since she was clearly English. So, Dougal, instead of turning her up to the English, had arranged a marriage of convenience, to the young laddie, Jamie Fraser. Claire, apparently left with no choice, marries Jamie and they inevitably fall in love with each other. Some people consider this adultery, and I am against it too, however, what are the chances that one would get sucked back in time and find true love there? I believe even the most saintly of women would find it difficult to deny themselves of a chance of true love.
Och, Jamie Fraser. I feel like swooning. Despite him hurting Claire (it was once, and he promised he would never do it again), he is a true blooded hero. At first, I thought this was simple infatuation, but as the sweet virginal man that he is, (yes, he was a virgin before he married Claire. Claire deflowered him LOL) I could not help but fall in love with him. And I would like to quote him at his most memorable:
After Jamie knew of the truth of Claire coming from the present, he brought Claire back to Craigh na Dun, so that she could go back to her first husband Frank, and when Claire decided to say, this is what Jamie said: “I prayed all the way up that hill yesterday, not for you to stay; I didna think that would be right. I prayed I’d be strong enough to send ye away. I said, “Lord, if I’ve never had courage in my life before, let me have it now. Let me be brave enough not to fall on my knees and beg her to stay.”
Jamie is also a man who keeps his word, and he promised this to Claire: “You werena the first lass I kissed, but I swear you’ll be the last.” Isn’t this what all the lassies want?
Jamie had though that Claire was barren. This is the conversation they had: ”Perhaps it’s as well,” Jamie said slowly, as though to himself. “What’s as well?” “That you’re barren.” He couldn’t see my face, buried in his chest, but he must have felt me stiffen. "Aye, I knew that long ago. Geillis Duncan told me, soon after we wed." He stroked my back gently. "I regretted it a bit at first, but then I began to think it was as well; living as we must, it would be verra difficult if you were to get with child. And now"—he shivered slightly—"now I think I am glad of it; I wouldna want ye to suffer that way." “I wouldn't mind," I said, after a long while, thinking of the rounded, fuzzy head and tiny fingers. "I would." He kissed the top of my head. "I saw Ian's face; it was like his own flesh was being torn, each time Jenny screamed." My arms were around him, stroking the ridged scars on his back. "I can bear pain, myself," he said softly, "but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have."
When Claire had said sorry for not trying to do better to salvage Jamie’s hand, and saw him crying, Jamie replied: “I was crying for joy, my Sassenach, and thanking God that I have two hands. That I have two hands to hold you with. To serve you with, to love you with. Thanking God, I am a whole man still, because of you.”
This book has plenty of climaxes. At some point I was already at Mount Everest, but reading further, this book only made me go higher, until I felt I was reaching for the moon (despite the lack of love scenes). The love scenes are almost non-existent, and I need words, for I take almost everything literally. The almost non-existent love scenes made me feel like I was blind and groping in the dark (since mostly I was just assuming). But it isn’t the love scenes that are touching. It is what they do before and after which is poignantly arousing.
It actually scares me to read books which I would rate with five stars. Reading books I could give 5 stars would raise my standards up a notch. But this book raised my standards by two flights of stairs.
But I would gladly do it again, to experience Scotland for more a time, for this was well worth everything ♥ (less)
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