The first book was good. The second book was great. This third book was holyeffinbatmanfreakinamazing!! Soo...moreSPOILER FREE - HAPPY HAPPY, JOY JOY REVIEW!
The first book was good. The second book was great. This third book was holyeffinbatmanfreakinamazing!! Sooooo, if my calculations are correct (and if you don't take into account that I'm terrible at math), I'm guessing that just touching the next book in the series should result in a violent, arms-flailing, dance-inspiring joygasm!!!
I have Dreamfever around here somewhere, let's test out my theory. jwjueu^{*]!jiekebg sk^{wgsfs^{+ssgs bdjeue%]*^shbsu bsuygd%*ihdhjdb^*]%%uhebh enehe^]*]%usby egy^]^%beyg!!!! Sorry, my mind wasn't able to comprehend real words there for a second..... What were we talking about? Oh yeah, Faefever.
First off, let me say - Best first four words of a book ever! I'd die for him. Those four words sent my mind reeling. I really thought I knew exactly what she meant and I thought for sure I knew what it meant, and is that really what it is? And then no, it really is something soooo completely different and you don't find out til much later and what the HELL????
I know, I know. Just add a few "like"s or "and um"s in there and I would have sounded like Miley Cyrus.
Hey y'all, I'm Miley Cyrus! And that's preeta cool!
So, it got off to a great start, but KMM's answers are just never simple, are they?
Barrons just oozes sensuality. I expect if I ever came across such a man, I would act similarly to the way Mac did initially around V'lane. But I wouldn't be quite so restrained.
See, Barrons represents everything we women have been trying to train out of men for the past hundred years. The restless masculinity, randomly throwing women against a wall, expecting a woman to do as you say just because you asked her to, stalking, interrogating. But I don't care because he is effing hot.
I hate KMM! I hate her for making me love someone I should hate. I hate her for not giving me exactly what I want. I hate her for ending her books the way she does and for giving me goosebumps at said ending.
The way I hate her for all these things that I love so much reminded of the movie "Ten Things I Hate About You". So I have composed a horrifically cheesetastic poem about Barrons and Mac inspired by (okay directly ripped off from) the poem in the film.
I hate the way Barrons talks to Mac, and the fact that he's HOT with long hair. I hate that he let's her drive his car, and I really hate his brooding stare. I hate that he never ever laughs and the way he reads her mind. I hate how the Sinsar Duhb makes her sick, and how it makes her lose time. I hate the way he won't give her insight and I hate that's he's one big lie. I hate the way he only calls her Mac when he thinks she gonna die. I hate it when he's not around and that he doesn't answer to her call. But most of all I hate the way that I can't possibly hate him, not even a little bit, not even at all.
Cheesy? Yes! But not as much as this:
Now that's just dangerous!
My review for the first book, Darkfever. Spoiler FREE.
YOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high...moreYOU. ARE. THE. DEAD. Oh my God. I got the chills so many times toward the end of this book. It completely blew my mind. It managed to surpass my high expectations AND be nothing at all like I expected. Or in Newspeak "Double Plus Good."
Let me preface this with an apology. If I sound stunningly inarticulate at times in this review, I can't help it. My mind is completely fried.
This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. The world-building is so fully fleshed out and spine-tinglingly terrifying that it's almost as if George travelled to such a place, escaped from it, and then just wrote it all down.
I read Fahrenheit 451 over ten years ago in my early teens. At the time, I remember really wanting to read 1984, although I never managed to get my hands on it. I'm almost glad I didn't. Though I would not have admitted it at the time, it would have gone over my head. Or at the very least, I wouldn't have been able to appreciate it fully.
From the start, the author manages to articulate so many of the things I have thought about but have never been able to find a way to put into words. Even in the first few chapters I found myself having to stop just to quietly consider the words of Mr Orwell.
For instance, he talks about how the act of writing itself is a type of time travel. It is communicating with the future. I write these words now, but others may not discover them for hours, weeks, or even years. For me, it is one time. For you the reader, it is an entirely different one.
Just the thought that reading and writing could one day be outlawed just shivers my timbers. I related to Winston so much in that way. I would have found a way to read or write.
The politics and psychology of this novel run deep. The society in the book has no written laws, but many acts are punishable by death. The slogan of the Party (War is Peace...) is entirely convoluted. Individuality is frowned upon and could lead to being labeled a traitor to the Party.
I also remember always wondering why the title was 1984. I was familiar with the concept of Big Brother and wondered why that wasn't the name of the book. In the story, they don't actually know what year it is because so much of the past has been erased by the Ministry of Truth. It could very easily have been 1981. I think that makes the title more powerful. Something as simple as the year or date is unknown to these people. They have to believe it is whatever day that they are told it is. They don't have the right to keep track. Knowledge is powerful. Knowledge is necessary. But according to Big Brother. Ignorance is strength.
1984 is written in past tense and has long paragraphs of exposition, recounting events, and explaining the society. These are usually things that distance me from a book and from the characters, but Orwell managed to keep me fully enthralled. He frequently talks in circles and ideas are often repeated but it is still intriguing, none the less. I must admit that I zoned out a bit while Winston was reading from The Book, but I was very fascinated by the culture.
Sometimes it seems as though the only way to really experience a characters emotions is through first person. This is not the case with this book, as it is written in third person; yet, I never failed to be encompassed in Winston's feelings. George manages to ensure that the reader never feels disconnected from the events that are unfolding around them, with the exception of the beginning when Winston is just starting to become awakened. I developed a strong attachment to Winston and thrived on living inside his mind. I became a member of the Thought Police, hearing everything, feeling everything and last but not least, (what the Thought Police are not allowed to do) questioning everything.
I wasn't expecting a love story in this book, but the relationship between Julia and Winston was truly profound. I enjoyed it even more than I would have expected and thought the moments between them were beautiful. I wasn't sure whether he was going to eventually betray Julia to the Party or not, but I certainly teared up often when it came to their relationship.
George has an uncanny ability to get to the base of the human psyche, at times suggesting that we need to be at war for many different reasons, whether it's at war with ourselves or with others. That is one thing I have never understood: why humans feel the need to destroy and control each other.
It seems that the main and recurring message in this book is about censorship and brainwashing. One, censorship, is limited and little exposure to ideas of the world; the other, brainwashing, is forced and too much exposure to a certain ideas. Both can be extremely dangerous.
Inside the ministry of Truth, he demonstrates the dangers of censorship by showing how the Party has completely rewritten the past by forging and abolishing documents and physical evidence. We also spend quite a bit of time with Winston in the Ministry of Love, where the brainwashing takes place. Those who commit thoughtcrime are tortured until they grow to love and obey Big Brother and serve only the interests of the Party.
A common theme occurred to me throughout the book, although it wasn't necessarily referenced consistently. The good of the many is more important than the good of the one. There are so many variables when it comes to this statement and for the most part it seems natural to say, "Of course, the many is more important than the one", but when inside Winston's head, all that I began to care about was his well-being and not if he was able to help disband or conquer the Party and Big Brother. I just wanted him to be at peace.
Whether or not the good of all is more important than that of the one, I can't answer. I think most people feel their own happiness is more important than the rest of the world's, and maybe that's part of the problem but it's also human nature. I only wish we could all accept one other regardless of belief and culture and not try to force ways of life onto other people. Maybe I'm naive for thinking that way, but so be it.
I almost don't know what to think about this book. I'm not even sure my brain still works, or if it ever worked right at all. This book has a way of making you think you know exactly what you believe about everything and then turning you completely upside down and making you question whether or not you believe anything at all about anything. It's the strangest thing. Hmmm. Doublethink? Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Everything about this book is captivating. It's groundbreaking yet at the same time, purely classic. Ahead of its time, yet timeless. From Big Brother to the Thought Police, I was hooked and wanted to know more about it all.
Basically, I think everyone should read 1984 at some point. You really have to be in the mood to work at reading it, though. But it's all worth it in the end. It's absolutely incredible and I loved it. I don't re-read many books but this will definitely be one of them. It is a hard read, but more importantly, it is a MUST read.(less)
Considering how often Yelena was injured, captured, and beat-to-a-pulp in this follow-up to Poison Study - I felt this picture summed it up best:
There...moreConsidering how often Yelena was injured, captured, and beat-to-a-pulp in this follow-up to Poison Study - I felt this picture summed it up best:
There are considerably more DOH! moments in this book, as opposed to the zero in the last book. Quite a few times, I felt myself wanting to smack some sense into Yelena. Especially toward the beginning of the book, she didn't seem to be her reliable calculating and resourceful old self.
Instead of reading, like I did with Poison Study, I listened to the audiobook for Magic Study. The narrator was good, although not the best. She had great inflections and tone to her voice and never became tiresome.
However, I found her choice of individual voices a great source of amusement. Some males had a distinct femininity and some females sounded much too masculine. There wasn't always consistency with accents as well.
Two of the side characters, Bain and Reyad had what sounded like a mix of Irish and Scottish accents with Bain sounding much too feminine. I actually thought he was a woman for quite a while. Valek, Yelena's love interest, had a slight female sounding voice as well with a mix of a British and Australian accent. Cahil, Yelena's frenemy, came off as a surfer-slash-stoner. The student Gelsie sounded just like the horse Kiki. That's right. A talking horse!! (who I love!) But it's not what you might think. She's no Mister Ed. And Irys, Yelena's mentor - Well, she had about as feminine a voice as Al Green. Like a Russian body building Cher (now that's a mental image). Ari and Janco, however, sounded exactly how I felt they should. In fact, it made me want to listen to Poison Study just to hear some of their hilarious exchanges.
The voices also got me thinking about how the narrator decides who gets what voice. Do they consult with the author or just make it up as they go? Do they even read the book first? If memory serves me right, it seems like she started out pronouncing Dax as Dox, then switched halfway through the book. Was she corrected or had she just forgotten how she pronounced his name before?
In this book, Yelena refers to her tactics against her foes as her "rush into a situation and hope for the best" method, but I don't think she gives herself enough credit. As her relationships with various new characters progress, she takes on a new role. Team member. Often, she at least seems to be thinking ahead but mostly she relies heavily on others, as opposed to her old self, who trusted and counted on no one. This doesn't come off as a strength or a weakness, she just tends to find herself in need of help more often. All of that is an inevitability with the expanding cast of characters and friends.
Valek wasn't in this book nearly as much. I felt their relationship went from "summer lovin" to "you're the that I want" a little too fast. In the Poison Study, their relationship developed slowly. It seemed they were a little too connected in this one. A little more than I believed, at least since it's common knowledge that he would easily kill her if asked to by his Commander. "Oh my love, you're the only one for me. Now come closer, so I can slit your throat because I was commanded to." I didn't get that part of it.
I really wished the storyline with Ferda had been completely wrapped up. I was looking forward to a new big bad in Fire Study, because this guy creeps me out. That's the mark a good villain, though.
Overall, Maria's prose is lovely. No out of place descriptions or metaphors this time. The character development was decent and mostly believable. This one just didn't draw me in the way the first one did. I felt a lot of disconnect. I am still looking forward to the next, mainly in hopes of more Ari and Janco time!
First off: I am not generally a thriller/suspense reader. I love it in movies and TV, but I have yet to find an amazing suspense author capable of kee...moreFirst off: I am not generally a thriller/suspense reader. I love it in movies and TV, but I have yet to find an amazing suspense author capable of keeping me fully-immersed in a crime story and it's characters. Though, I do plan to read the books by "Richard Castle" whether they are any good or not, just because I love him so much. I'm not sure what that says about me.
I watch quite a bit of crime TV and perhaps I have become way to accustomed to the fast pace at which the episodes progress. This book moved too slow for me, slower than I would have preferred. The characters were interesting but didn't blow me away. I will say that the ending caught me off guard and I thought it all came together very well, which says a lot. I definitely think that American mystery lovers would enjoy the change of culture offered by The Devotion of Suspect X.
If not for the ending, this would have been a 2 star. Mainly just because of the pacing. The fact is that this was just really not my thing.
I received this book free as an ARC from the Goodreads Firstreads program. Thanks!(less)
This book is told from the perspective of a computer system that develops an unnatural obsession with its owner. At least I assume it's a computer sys...moreThis book is told from the perspective of a computer system that develops an unnatural obsession with its owner. At least I assume it's a computer system. It was never quite clear if it was a computer, a network, a security system, a house, or all of them.
So, I have a theory of how this book came into existence. Miss Romance novel just went through a bad breakup with Mr Horror novel, so she got drunk and slept with Mr Science Fiction novel, then whoopsie, Miss Romance novel's pregnant!! Who's the father?? How the hell should I know! On so many levels, this book failed to be either frightening or intellectual. It was just plain cheesy.
The attempts at poetry in this book are irritating. There are many comparisons that I just don't see a computer making, especially one whose thoughts are so fragmented and repetitive. Some sentences were too disturbing and ridiculous for anyone to make, much less a computer system.
This is just the first example of many: She was a bewitched Beauty lying on her catafalque, waiting to be awakened by the kiss of a prince, lovely in the darkness.
Uh, barf! A computer wrote that sentence? A computer who stalks and does many other unmentionable things to the woman that he speaks of? This is supposed to be a science fiction thriller. Not a cybernetic, nonsense version of a romantic fairytale. The computer tries to rationalize some of these cringe-worthy comments by saying that it is trying to tell the story from her perspective because it KNOWS her. I'm a hopeless romantic and even I wouldn't use a sentence like that to describe myself or anyone else, at least not in a sci-fi thriller!
And that is only the beginning. It endlessly talks about how marvelous and wondrous she is. To the point of even repeating "She was so beautiful" over and over and over again. Double barf. I constantly found myself sitting alone reading, yet rolling my eyes, making gag gestures, and lots of loud sighs.
The endless pleas from the computer that it really is a person and it just wants live become old very fast. I understand the concept and I have certainly related to artificial intelligence before. I mean, did someone say Battlestar Galactica? (So say we all!) But please don't shove it down my throat. I hear you. I want you to show me why you are capable of real emotion, not just endlessly repeat that you are "a real boy". Prove it, Pinocchio.
To sum it up, the "entity" doesn't show that it is capable of real emotion, just a screwed up, programmed version of insanity. It also basically tells us what is going to happen within the first couple chapters. After repeating how beautiful she is, it also goes on a tirade of "I never meant to harm her." Hmmm, I wonder what happens. Remember Hal 9000, anyone? Even though the entity mentions the previously stated crazy computer and how he is not Hal, I still couldn't help the comparison.
Oh, and apparently there's a movie. I wasn't aware that it had been made into a movie until after I read it. Maybe the movie is better; however I cant imagine why, of all the good science fiction books, they chose to make this crap. I mean, where are The Giver or Ender's Game movies? They've had plenty of time to get those produced, yet still nothing? But they make THIS?
Like many books I've read lately, cool concept, but poor execution. I will say that things didn't go exactly as I assumed they would. It actually took a turn for the weird, but the thought process and viewpoint of the computer was absolutely unbearable.(less)
This is basically the quintessential teen comic. What teen wouldn't love to discover that their parents are actually evil, confirming all the natural...moreThis is basically the quintessential teen comic. What teen wouldn't love to discover that their parents are actually evil, confirming all the natural suspicions that come at that age?
Well, enter the Runaways. A group of kids who's parents meet in secret at regular intervals throughout the years. These supervillian adults, who call themselves The Pride, keep a not-secret-enough hidden passageway, where they clad themselves in tights and leather and are discovered by their adolescent children in the midst of sacrificing a young girl.
Each character is distinct and memorable in their own way and it seems there may be a couple budding romances and many, many family secrets to be discovered. One involving a telepathic velociraptor! SCORE!
It's a quick and easy read, with many more, presumably and hopefully just-as-good if not better, volumes to come. Including one written by Joss Whedon! Hell to the yeah!
I usually like more intense graphic novels, but I must have been in the mood for a lighter read. It was fun and slightly fluffy, but who can't use a little fluff every once in a while?
I am very much looking forward to reading the sequels (and gazing at the pretty pictures). Actually, the art isn't breath-taking, but I dare say it's "cute", which is most likely what the publishers were going for with the intended age group.
Oh, the rights have optioned for a movie as well. It's a shame they aren't doing a tv series though, especially with the coming absence of Smallville. :((less)
Buhwahahaha! This woman is easily the funniest woman in the entertainment industry. Yes, she's rude and crude, and definitely not for the prude. But I...moreBuhwahahaha! This woman is easily the funniest woman in the entertainment industry. Yes, she's rude and crude, and definitely not for the prude. But I just can't help it. I love her. She brings out the evil maniacal laugh in me, if case you didn't already notice.
Since her other book is entitled "My Horizontal Life : A Collection of One-Night Stands", you can be fairly certain this book will also include sexual content as well as a lot of adult language. So if those make you uncomfortable, don't read this. At least not while others of a prudish nature are around.
She does have a deeply dark sense of humor. It seems to be all in good fun, though not necessarily good taste. I like to believe she's a softie at heart, just with a hard exterior. Nevertheless, she's entertaining to say the least.
I really recommend listening to the audio book. A sheet of paper just cannot capture the brilliance of her wit and sarcasm. Her voice can be slightly overwhelming at times, but if your feeling down, her stories will bring you, if nothing else, hilarity.
What are you going to do tonight, Chelsea Handler? Same thing she does every night - Try to take over the world. The entertainment world at least. *Evil laugh* For those of you lucky enough to afford cable television (I resort to the Internet, it's cheaper), her show is just as disturbing and just as funny.(less)
The Sky Inside reminded me a little bit of the Giver, but with more technology and not as much finesse. The majority of the story takes place in a cit...moreThe Sky Inside reminded me a little bit of the Giver, but with more technology and not as much finesse. The majority of the story takes place in a city built under a large metal dome and all the mysteries that come with such a location.
I felt that there was a bit too much time spent on half hearted attempts at world-building (that didn't quite do it for me) and not enough time spent actually answering the questions about the world. There is a big spiel at the end explaining the world, but I would have liked to see more of that worked into the plot somehow. It ended up feeling like a recap for the kid main character who wasn't exactly getting it.
I also wonder why this is considered young adult. I guess because of the age of the main character, who is a teen, but it just felt like it should have been geared toward a younger audience. Anything this teenager did in the book could have, in context, been pulled off by a ten year old. To me, it just seemed like something I might have read around that age.
The reason I say this is because there was no romantic storyline, which is extremely prominent in most young adult, and there wasn't really violence, gore, or other intense scenes that are usually aimed at the teen market. There was no suspense to speak of either.
Overall, I'd give an A for concept. But a D for the execution of it. Great premise, just not very exciting or enthralling.(less)
Be warned. Spoilers abound. As well as Major Ramblings. *salute*
Odd tidbit of information: Recently, I had a teeny, tiny silverfish (I almost typed c...moreBe warned. Spoilers abound. As well as Major Ramblings. *salute*
Odd tidbit of information: Recently, I had a teeny, tiny silverfish (I almost typed catfish, which would have made this story much more interesting) that just chilled on my bathroom floor for days, in the same spot. It had to have been at least three or four days.
I know it was alive because it would half heartedly scurry out of the way of much-too-close feet, a stark contrast to the usual lively and feisty personality of the creature. Other than those few movements, it would just lie there. Like it had given up. I found myself being careful not to step on it. The poor thing just seemed so pathetic and zoned-out.
So, I started referring to it lovingly as Katniss. The similar sound might explain why I nearly typed catfish, though a catfish lying on the bathroom floor would be very odd indeed. Come to think of it, it would be even stranger if the actual Katniss had been lying on the floor in my bathroom. Although, it wouldn't be unusual behavior for her, based upon this book.
The little silverfish eerily reminded me of how Katniss acted in Mockingjay. Defeated.
Well, I tried to allow her to live out her short life in peace and let her continue stumbling incoherently out of the way only when imminent danger reared it's ugly head, but danger's head turned out to be the not-so-ugly face of my dog, who gobbled up poor little Katniss and her six nearly defective legs.
So the moral of the story is? Uh.... Don't give up or you could be killed by an adorable fluffy giant monster? Anyway, onto more of my ramblings...
Do not read this review if you have not yet read Mockingjay. Pretty much any spoiler you could imagine will be here.
I pre ordered this book and got it the day of release. I started it right away but halfway through the book, I put it down and didn't pick up back up for a couple months. I do this sometimes, but I have NEVER done it with a series that I love so much, never even considered it. I just found myself so uninterested. I almost wish I hadn't picked it back up. My imaginings of what happened were so much better and more entertaining, more emotional.
I love this series and the world so much. I love the main characters and the side characters, especially Finnick. But literally 8 of them die over a matter of pages. And I knew they would, but I wanted more. I wanted flowers and a song for them, like what she did for Rue. Oftentimes, I would be like "Wait. What happened to so-and-so?" Then, I would flip back through and try to figure out when they died or disappeared.
There were a few tear jerker moments though. They were mainly towards the beginning of the book and most of them had to do with memories of the past, like reliving the greatest hits of Katniss.
One thing that really bothered me: What's with all the passing out? It seemed like every few chapters, Katniss was waking up in medical or having long fits of mindlessness. It just didn't seem like she was there for a majority of important plot lines. She would just have a conversation with someone like "Oh, I'm confused. What happened?" And then they would narrate it to her. Even the biggest battle at the end. Oh yeah, by the way. President Snow is in custody. Oh, you're cleared of all charges. It's all over. Go home.
And the biggest "What the hell?" moment for me was when Katniss actually voted in favor of having another Hunger Games? I'm sorry, what? We are supposed to believe that this girl who has fought in and despised the Hunger Games twice, would do this? The girl who had almost everything taken from her because of the them. The girl who volunteered to go to die in place of her little sister would willingly condemn more little girls to death within the Games, and do it in honor of her sister? Have more Hunger Games- for Prim? Huh? Did I miss something?
I've heard people say that it was to trick Coin, so that she could kill her later, but that doesn't make much sense either. If Coin sees that now she's willing to kill children when she never would have before, wouldn't that make her more suspicious?
And most of all - if that was her big plan, we needed to see her mind reeling and see the wheels turning like we usually do. Hear the plan unravel inside her head. I, personally, desperately needed that moment of pure clarity, where Katniss figures out what her purpose in all of this was. But no, all we got was: kill all those kids, for Prim.
That leads me to another point. I wanted to know more at the end. I wanted some kind of showdown between Katniss and Coin where Coin admits her guilt. How was she proven guilty? Who else was involved? How was Katniss cleared? What were Coin's real motives? Did Peeta know about Coin somehow? Is that why he told her not to trust them and to "find out what was going on"? Did Coin stage any of the other attacks? And did Katniss even care to ask any of these questions?
I kept expecting Katniss to have some revealing AHA moment where she gives an inspired speech at the end before or after she executes Coin, or Snow, or whoever the hell she wanted to execute. As long as she did it with flare. I wanted true conviction. I expected her to be courageous and say "Hold me accountable if you want, but they did this." Or just do something brave. Not run away and try to commit suicide.
I wanted the ending to feel the way it felt when she yelled, "If we burn. You burn with us."
Then there's the issue of the so called love triangle, that falls completely on it's face and gets laughed at by all the rebels. Well maybe not laughed at, but the rebels are always bringing up and commenting on this love triangle that, at least in this book, we don't see much evidence even exists. Katniss never chooses Peeta. Gale just stops showing up, even after Katniss had the most traumatic experience of her life. He doesn't call. He doesn't write. And the confession of love for either one of them pretty much never happens, except for in a passing remark at the end. I do think she should have ended up with Peeta.
I love Peeta and I found the tortured Peeta infinitely interesting. There is so much that could have been done with that. I wanted so much for her to uncuff Peeta and for him to just go crazy, like he was about to hurt her but instead kiss her with a frenzied passion, as if there was nothing he wanted or needed more in the world than to be close to her. Nothing like that ever happened. That's what I wanted but didn't get from this book. Passion. It wasn't there; Katniss didn't have it for Peeta or Gale. It just wasn't in Katniss this time around.
The passion wasn't there for me either. I wanted to care. I wanted so badly to care. The only person I really didn't want to die was Peeta. But even that faded after all the talk about killing him, which Katniss was completely fine with? At the end, I couldn't care less who died. I didn't really even care that Prim died and I should have cared. I almost think it would have been more poetic for Katniss to die for Prim at the end.
At least give us some real raw intensity, but all we got was indifference. Katniss was indifferent to who she ended up with, what happened with the Capital or the Games, and even to her own children. I wanted some emotion.
She could have at least said, "Her life ended when they spoke her name, but now a new life begins with that name. Primrose." With Peeta and Katniss standing over their new little bundle of joy daughter that they named for her sister. Or some gushing love story about how Katniss and Peeta finally got together. Always.
Or for her to be by herself, leading a life of meaning. I find it hard to believe she would just give up and not want to be involved in her own life or other people lives and just fade away. Or even Katniss and Gale, if the love was really there. But No. He just fades into the background. Just gone. No poetic or heroic ending. Yes, life can be like that. But this is fiction! Fiction should make you feel powerful, like you can rise against all in your path. Like anything is possible. I did feel like anything could happen, but unfortunately I just didn't care what that particular "anything" might be.
My biggest gripe is not necessarily with the events that happened but with the lack of conviction that they happened with, in addition to the fact that I didn't feel any of the closure I was hoping for. Not with Peeta or Gale, or President Snow, or Prim or Katniss's Mom, or the Capital and worst of all not with the Hunger Games.
I think that the only closure I felt was with the cat, Buttercup.
I definitely would have liked a happily ever after, but I can't say I was expecting one. But whatever happened I wanted to see the ever after. Watch it unfold. Feel the emotions, whether good or bad. Live it all with Katniss. But I didn't. I'm sure some people did but not me, unfortunately. I felt as detached as she did.
Out of tremendous respect for the series and characters, I couldn't bring myself to give less than four stars. Even though this was more of a three for me. I just loved the first two sooo much. I just can't stand to admit that this book was pretty much a disaster for me. Not when I think about Peeta. Ahhhh. Peeta.
I also feel like I gained a lot from reading this. Even though I don't agree with some of what Collins did with the characters, I still feel like this was a valuable read. Learning from what you read is one the most important aspects of the reading experience. I certainly learned a lot from this book, even if it was moreso about myself than about the characters in the book. That's what I strive for with reading. Sure, I want to be entertained, but that isn't always my only corcern. Sometimes, I want to be changed and this book and the entire series changed me.
And it did actually gave me a lot to think about, which is usually how I judge books. Sometimes, I'm satisfied in the dissatisfaction. I like having things to ponder. However, I would have liked a little more closure. So despite my issues with this particular book, I still love the Hunger Games and Suzanne Collins.
Just in a little bit of a jaded kind of way.(less)
If you can get past the ick factor, the story itself is captivating. With just a touch of fantasy (a really really slight touch), the author conveys s...moreIf you can get past the ick factor, the story itself is captivating. With just a touch of fantasy (a really really slight touch), the author conveys so much with very little. She weaves words in such a way that you get what she is saying without her actually ever saying it. It makes for a fascinating read, but I did feel that something was lacking.
However, I liked that fact that it was slimmed down from your usual fantasy or romance. It only took about an hour and a half to read all the way through. I was in the mood for a novella, and this one really told a strong story in a short time.
I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers as the subject matter is somewhat disturbing. Don't expect a high fantasy setting with this one though. Like I said, the characters never actually confirm any sort of paranormal goings-on, they just hint at it.
I definitely would have liked more closure on the fantasy part of the story. I guess I would just like to know if my assumptions are correct. That's the difficult thing about how she chose to tell her tale, you are never really sure. I think maybe a prologue or an epilogue would have been just enough to tie it all together.(less)
I was really really in the mood for a novella and I just happened to pick this one up off the shelf. I really wanted to like it with such a killer con...moreI was really really in the mood for a novella and I just happened to pick this one up off the shelf. I really wanted to like it with such a killer concept, but unfortunately it just didn't hit the spot for me.
This is such a controversial subject, but there was just nothing riveting at all about this story or how it was told. The best way I can think of to describe it: it felt like it was happening miles away from where I was. As if I was watching through a pair of binoculars and didn't care to get any closer. There was no immediacy to what was going on and a lack of insight or philosophical questions that seem so central to these themes.
It needed a lot of refining. There was too much exposition that didn't advance the storyline or show character development, which is unusual is a so-called short novel. It felt much longer than it was.
For a much better read try Genesis by Bernard Beckett. I really can't recommend that one enough.(less)
Aden has four souls living inside his body, not to mention his own. Sound confusing? Well, it is. But also strangely engaging.
There is so much going o...moreAden has four souls living inside his body, not to mention his own. Sound confusing? Well, it is. But also strangely engaging.
There is so much going on in this book. Within the first couple chapters there was foreshadowing, red herrings, background stories, and multiple subplots. If your looking for something quick or easy, this isn't the one. It is definitely not a skimmer.
Towards the end, it became a bit of a supernatural orgy fest with ghosts, goblins, zombies, witches, psychics, empaths, werewolves, vampires and demons (or rather half human/demon hybrids and their even more complicated spawn). Shall I go on? Because I could probably think of more. Oh yeah, time traveler!
As much as reading that list makes me think "awesome!", it also sometimes causes an involuntary "wait, what??".
The world building is decent. It offers a new version of vampires (Really? There are more versions?), but not a lot else is new. Warring factions of supernatural beings who all suffer from megalomania and want to rule the world. Why cant the pretty monsters all just get along? It seems like no matter what, they are always hating and fighting each other. Is it too much to ask for something different? This isn't a gripe about this book in particular, just the massive amounts of fantasy novels that seem to rely on the same formula. There's just too much of the same.
I prefer updates of classic mythos, and some would probably say this falls into that category. But the supernatural part of the story just felt like "Okay, I've heard it all before". Maybe because i actually watch too much of CW's Supernatural, but who can say?
The thing that most impressed me was the main concept. Five souls inhabiting one body. When I first read that, I thought that there was no way an author could pull that off. But she certainly did! The characters really all seemed unique and mostly genuine. It became fairly easy to separate them from each other, and I could almost picture what I think they all would look like if they looked like anything or anyone. What do they look like to Aden, I wonder? Maybe glowing balls of light inside his mind? I wonder if he even has an idea of what they are supposed to look like.
As it went on though, I started to care less and less about what happened. I still liked the characters but I just felt like the story got way to complicated and too far out there. It needed to just get on with the main storyline about Aden.
I am excited about the sequel, I just really hope that she focuses more on the main plot about the souls and less on the war of attractive beasts.(less)
Considering this book is called Spook, I was expecting a little more "spooky". I appreciate that she focused on what could be called the more scientif...moreConsidering this book is called Spook, I was expecting a little more "spooky". I appreciate that she focused on what could be called the more scientific side of the afterlife, but I assumed there would be at least some discussion about paranormal activity, namely ghosts or other supernatural occurrences. There wasn't much involving those, except for the chapter on Mediums.
I would have liked to see her investigate claims of hauntings, demonic possession, or angel encounters, because in a sort of round about way, that would prove the concept of an afterlife or at least some sort of spirit world. Then again, there are so many claims and frauds out there. It would have been difficult to sort through, but certainly would have been interesting.
For me, there was a little too much in between chat, little bits of discussion in between the necessary paragraphs, that I could have done without. Other than that, the book was laid out very well. I like how each chapter represented a different investigation.
Though the "evidence" is slim, this book was strangely calming with what it did hold. I'm glad to see that she mostly had an open mind and her opinion changed slightly as she uncovered more information. I certainly look forward to reading more of her work.(less)
This book really should have been exciting but I actually would have had a much better time had I just blared Monster Mash from my stereo and danced a...moreThis book really should have been exciting but I actually would have had a much better time had I just blared Monster Mash from my stereo and danced around like a zombie with chicken skin pasted to my face.
I feel like this was probably really cool in the 90's and if I had read it then, as my pre-Harry Potter 10 year old self. I probably would have loved it. But now, my brain has descended into different forms of oblivion and I laugh voraciously at danger.
Ah shiznit - I just used a Disney movie to demonstrate how "grown up" I am. Not to mention, I said shiznit.
I'm going to give you my (bored face) half-hearted summary because the story is way to convoluted to go into much depth without lulling myself into a coma.
Sabriel is told from the third person perspective of a young girl, named Sabriel (what a co-inky-dink), a necromancer whose father disappears into the realm of the dead. She tasks herself with going to retrieve him because she believes he's still alive. Blah, blah. Monster, monster. Magic, magic.
Our heroine, Sabriel, who I probably would have thought was the kiss-ass queen of kick-ass when i was younger, seems to know exactly what to do all the time without any internal dialogue, insight, or even advice. Not to mention - training! How did she know all this stuff? Because she was destined to become the Abhorsen? Maybe that would have worked for me when I was young, naive and believed that I was going to marry Han Solo. But now, I need to see the character work and earn the right to their abilities. I need to see them struggle and angst over it like young Harry.
The overall tone of the book was chilling. And I think if I was younger, I would have been thrilled and frightened during this book but now it just didn't phase me. I wasn't even all that interested. I just felt kinda 'meh' about the whole thing.
Action scenes abound in the book; however, every single one felt completely contrived and many were repetitive. Sabriel meandered about with unclear goals and even more unclear talents. It wasn't easy to distinguish her allies from her enemies but I didn't get the impression that this was done out of poetic symbolism, merely from indistinct plotlines and story progression. I wasn't captivated by much of anything in this book. Although, I did like the cat, Mogget.
Oh, and I'm saying its slow even though I was listening to it in audio. Usually I can tolerate slower books in audio form but this one really left a lot to be desired.
The narrator was very good at distinct voices for each character but some of them, namely the monsters, were unbearable, with gasping and hissing and gurgling. He also has a teensy bit of a pretentious tone, which is understandable since he is the illustrious Tim Curry of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. But sometimes, it became annoying.
The writing was good. The world-building was good. The narration was good but I never felt invested. I wasn't blown away or engaged in the story or characters. I was majorly bored. And it was loooooong.
The scale of the book is huge, though. If you love sweeping epic fantasies that offer destiny as a solution to every problem with nothing to back it up (which, let's face it, is alot of fantasy), then you'd probably love this.
I really do think that this would be great for a younger audience. I think it was good, just absolutely wrong for me at this age. And if I'm being completely honest, I would much rather do the Monster Mash 100 times than go through this again.
Dubiously. Squick. Ninny. Blisters! And Barking Spiders! All these are some of Westerfeld's favorite words. Fortunately, I grew to like them as well a...moreDubiously. Squick. Ninny. Blisters! And Barking Spiders! All these are some of Westerfeld's favorite words. Fortunately, I grew to like them as well and they fit well with the fun tone of the book.
Although it took a while for me to get invested in the characters (especially Alek), I found myself a bit giddy when the two leads met for the first time. That's when I knew that I really cared about what happened to them. For me, that's a necessary part of any book, I have to feel that connection in order to keep my attention focused.
Up until the point where they met for the first time, I found my mind wandering every once in a while, curious about if they ever would meet or under what circumstances and how it would all come together. But it was worth the wait. It's unusual for the characters to be so separated for so long especially in a young adult book, but in this instance it worked.
The action scenes that happen after the big crash seemed somewhat contrived. One in particular was very hard to follow (the stormwalker and the chain thing).
Overall, great characters and world building. I love Deryn. She is hilarious and she has a crush! That's adorable. I can't wait to find out how everyone will respond when they find out her big secret, too.
This was actually my first official alternate history read. I expected to like it, but I ended up loving it. I'm not sure whether I'm frustrated or thrilled with the wanna-be cliffhanger ending, though. But I'm excited for the next one!(less)
You know when you see yourself in a picture and think, "Ahhhhhhhh! Is that me?"
You just don't look right because you're used to seeing yourself from a...moreYou know when you see yourself in a picture and think, "Ahhhhhhhh! Is that me?"
You just don't look right because you're used to seeing yourself from a different angle in the mirror. That's how this entire book felt because I thought I was seeing it all wrong. Something just seemed off. But more on that later *long drawn out dramatic pause*............ Dun, dun, duuuuuuun.
Beware! Minor Spoilers are afoot (and tagged). That's if you can spoil something that's already 'Rot'ten and 'Ruin'ed to begin with. Haha. Oh, and Major Ranting *salute* runs wild, crazy, and naked all over this review like a mad man on a football field.
Let me start off by saying that this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year so perhaps I went in with much-too-high expectations. I went into it expecting to LOVE it, but often found myself rolling my eyes at what felt like preaching and dumbing-down to a younger audience.
So, the first couple chapters of this book were the most tremendously creative and in depth look at what it takes to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Benny and Chong just turned 15, and it is time for them to start looking for their zombietown survival-related jobs. The jobs were highly original and realistic, well as realistic as you can get for a book about people with Mad Human Disease. As far as this part of the book goes, I was as twitterpated as squirrel with a huge mug of coffee.
Well, Benny ends up becoming a zom hunter. Big surprise there, right? Because a book entirely about a boy who makes his living bottling dead-flesh scent for the hunters to use as zombie repellant would have been awesome! Too bad Benny didn't go for that job. It's also too bad they didn't have a factory for making this drink:
Right from the get go, the characters come alive. Even the dead ones! Har har. But, I suppose that's the point of a zombie book, after all. There are so many intriguing supporting roles in this story. There's a big problem though; they're stagnant characters. They change by the end but only because we are told they've changed, not shown. I didn't feel it, and it didn't seem genuine. They don't have much chemistry together, and the beginning is as good as it gets. At first, I was excited about the characters, but very soon I became annoyed with them.
Thing is: we are introduced to two charming yet ignorant characters, who Benny sees as heroes. You start out convinced to really like these guys and then it's all turned upside down when they become the center of a vast network of crime and villainy. As unintelligent as they are, simpleton zom hunters Charlie and Hammer are, at first, hilarious side characters/antagonists. I found this part at the beginning with Charlie and Hammer very funny:
"You boys have to be rich as Midas by now." "Midas?" asked Hammer. "Who's he?" "I think he sold mufflers," offered Norbert, one of the traders who used armored horses to pull wagons of scavenged goods from town to town, "and then bought a kingdom." "Yeah," said Charlie, nodding as if he knew that to be the truth. "King Midas. Definitely from Detroit. Made a fortune outta car parts and such."
Kinda funny, right? Unfortunately, it's also the only funny part I actually remembered.
Here I was, thinking these guys would be the Ari and Janco (from Poison Study series) of Rot and Ruin, but Noooo. Soon after, we are supposed to hate them and want them dead as quickly as our protagonist does.
Benny's older brother, Tom, is the zombie hunter who begins training him. But for these guys, it isn't about the gore or adrenaline. It's about closure. People hire them to slay their zombified loves ones so they can rest in peace at last. A good twist on the usual zombie slayage but I missed the massive mayhem usually associated with zombie books. Plus, A LOT of the book was told after-the-fact with other people relating stories to Benny through dialogue. Looooong stories.
Within the stories told to Benny by his brother is another fascinating concept that I actually wish the story had been centered around. There's a place called Gameland where mercenaries pit people versus zombies arena-style, or have them compete in other horrific zombie-themed games and mazes.
The storytelling, namely how much "telling", was really taking a toll on my psyche. Tom would start an important story and ramble on about slightly related things and then say "let's save the rest of the story for later" or "I'm not sure I'm ready to tell you that yet" or "maybe if I trusted you more". Oh my God! Shut up and talk!!! The banter between the two was ridiculous, in a very very bad way that made me want to spank myself just so I could hit something!
This is an embellished version of a conversation between Benny and Tom. Remember, Benny is the whiny younger brother. And Tom is the self-righteous zombie killer.
Benny: I effing hate zoms. I want to kill them!!!! Tom: But why do you want to kill them, little brother? Benny: Because they are EFFING zoms and I hate them! Waaah! Tom: Okay kiddo, but WHY are they zombies? Benny: Because they EFFING died!!!! Gahhhh! Tom: And what, little man, were they before they died? Benny: They were people, you EFFING idiot! Tom: And knowing that they were once people do you still want to kill them, little brother? Benny: EFFING yes I do! Ahhhhh! Idiot! Tom: Are you sure about that, buddy? Benny: Yes I'm EFFING sure? Why are you all up on me like this? Tom: Don't you at least want to kill them nicely, little bro? Benny: EFF Yes! As long as you will shut the EFF up! Tom: That's not very nice, Benny! Don't you want to be nice? Benny: Why the EFF are you so EFFING mean to me?!
Yeah, annoying isn't it? Okay, so Benny never actually uses the "eff" word but that was just for dramatic effect.
There are also alot of scenes involving main characters and chaos where all the characters can do is scream each others names. They go a little something like this: TOM! Miscellaneous mercenary mayhem. BENNY! Zombie Mayhem. NIX! Mercenary and zombie mayhem. TOM! Mayhem. BENNY! Mayhem. NIX! You get the picture. We don't really get any inner dialogue or see any foresight from them in these situations, whatsoever. Yes, theres some bashing and slashing. But way too much yelling out names.
I think part of the problem is that my brain is descending into sexual tension oblivion. Almost to the point that I just can't read something where there are no characters who have some sort of underlying physical chemistry together.
This book was interesting, funny at times, and tried to be action-filled but for at least the first half, pretty much ALL of the main characters were male. With the exception of the one girl, who all Benny does is talk about how he doesn't look at her THAT way, while at the same time mentioning how tight her t-shirt is. Huh? How does a teenage boy not look at a hot teenage girl who fills out her shirt in THAT kind of way? Whatevs. Oh, then after all the talk about him not liking her as anything but a friend for what seemed like 3/4 of the book, (view spoiler)[by the end, they are making out. ??? No real build-up, no tension. Just kissing. (hide spoiler)]
And every once in a while, the perspective would jump to a completely random character for like two paragraphs with unnecessary passages. Why? I don't understand.
Among the stories told to Benny, most center around a mysterious kick-ass character called the Lost Girl, whose heart-pounding stories are all related to Benny in past tense and involving way to much hearsay. It's like what the movie Kick-Ass would have been if Hit-Girl was just always talked about in passing by the characters and then didn't show up until like the last 15 minutes. Who wants that?
There were countless incredible ideas in Rot and Ruin. It just never seemed like we were getting the story from the right perspective. I'm not even sure that Benny was necessary to the story at all. All the backstories would have been better experienced first hand. I would have much rather have seen the story told from the perspective of the Lost Girl starting from the time she was two years old, (view spoiler)[watching her mother die on First Night, up until she is taken captive by mercenaries planning to put her in the games at Gameland (hide spoiler)].
There were a few really good quotes though, and this was one of my favorite:
"People need something to blame. If they can't find something rational to blame, then they'll very happily blame something irrational."
I also really like this one:
"There are moments that define a person's whole life. Moments in which everything they are and everything they may possibly become balance on a single decision. Life and death, hope and despair, victory and failure teeter precariously on the decision made at that moment. These are moments ungoverned by happenstance, untroubled by luck. These are the moments in which a person earns the right to live, or not."
I'm still rating higher because I liked the concept and loved the beginning. But by the end, I hated the fact that I didn't love ANY of the main characters.
I'm really torn up over the fact that I didn't like this more. But not too torn up. As far I can tell, all my limbs are still attached and my flesh isn't hanging off, so that's a good sign. I haven't officially been a victim of zombism yet as far as this book is concerned. The story itself just didn't grab me as much as I expected. I was hoping for the Hunger Games of zombies and I think I got more of the Matched of zombies.
So, after all this frustration, I really need something to cheer me up. And all I found was this.
Truthfully, I think that is more unnerving than is it awesome - and a lot like Rot and Ruin now that I think about it.
Ahhhhh, much better! Now I can rest easy knowing that if zombified felines exist, at least some of them are ADORABLE! (less)
For such an intriguing concept, this book should have been way more interesting. The main word I think of for this book is- eh. That's it. Eh. I reall...moreFor such an intriguing concept, this book should have been way more interesting. The main word I think of for this book is- eh. That's it. Eh. I really couldn't care less. I didn't care about the characters at all. The only thing that kept me going through this book was to find out why Eve was important (and the reason isn't exactly awe-inspiring).
There was too much flat description and not enough imagery. The thing I love most about these kind of books is the enchanting imagery. I actually started reading Poison Study by Maria Snyder while I was halfway through Pastworld and literally after just a few pages I was infinitely more invested in that story than this one. I had to force myself back to it so i could return it to the library. I generally like to take a book in slowly, ruminate on every word and breath it in. The only way I got through this one was with a quick inhale. I prefer not to speed-read, but this one was begging for it.
Eve, who is kind-of the protagonist, is seen at first only through pages of her journal. These pages are in a terrible font that made me dizzy just looking at it, not to mention trying to read it. These were usually the most interesting parts of the book though, which presented quite a dilemma. Pastworld's villain, the Fantom, was an uninteresting cardboard cutout of a character. I had no interest in what he was doing or why. Don't even get me started on Bible J. I'm sorry but how am I supposed to see a man with that name as a love interest. Whether or not you read the Bible regularly, I don't think any woman would find a man sexy if he was named Bible J. Ugh. Come to think of it, most of the characters were "as thin as the paper they were printed on"; and funnily enough, that phrase perfectly describes them, for this book is "filled to the brim" with cliches. Hah, went a little cliche crazy there.
I really hate to give out any less than 3 stars, because usually if I didn't particularly enjoy a book, I at least feel like I learned something or expanded my horizons. Unfortunately with this book, I didn't feel any of that. In the end, it just didn't seem to be worth the effort. But that's just me. I'm sure others might enjoy it. Maybe I've just been reading too much YA fantasy. Hm, that's a thought.... Nah. Sorry. I'm not convinced that's the problem. (less)
This book was great. Very campy. Alot of superhero/supervillian jokes, but even non-comic book fans could relate. Damien Locke is hilarious and I woul...moreThis book was great. Very campy. Alot of superhero/supervillian jokes, but even non-comic book fans could relate. Damien Locke is hilarious and I would love to be best friends with Renegade X. Not to mention, read another book about him. Here are just a few great quotes from the book:
I've been kidnapped by a madman in tights and a cape.
I explained that I'd been homeschooled but that didn't help. She must have been picturing cavemenlike supervillians in capes grunting and showing me how to rub two sticks together to make the pretty fire stuff.
The last one really made me laugh and also reminded me of a Buffy quote: Fire bad, tree pretty.
The author seems like a really cool chick. She mentions rewatching old Buffy episodes in the back of the book and I find her writing style refreshing. There's not constant romance like alot of female authors but just enough to keep you involved. And lots of laughs. I look forward to more books from her.(less)
These thoughts are mine and no one else's. They exist nowhere else in the universe but within me. When is a cell finally to small to hold our essence?...moreThese thoughts are mine and no one else's. They exist nowhere else in the universe but within me. When is a cell finally to small to hold our essence?
These are just a few of the musings of the adored Jenna Fox. I personally loved the "gray" pages and think that they beautifully represent the most inner workings of the human mind.
Don't read to much about this book though. It is so much better to have no idea what's coming in the storyline. I love books like this where you never would have guessed what's going to happen.
When I first heard about this book, I judged it by it's title. I thought "Here we go again. Another book about a teenager who complains about their perfect life." I was so wrong about that. This book was incredible and completely not what I was expecting. Plus, I had no idea how it was going to end and I love that! Even though it isn't heavy on description, it feels so alive and vivid. There are many parts of this book that have stayed with me. Definitely recommend this one.
Arrrrrg. This one thing was really getting on my nerves and I just couldn't enjoy the book the way I should have.
When certain characters are speaking,...moreArrrrrg. This one thing was really getting on my nerves and I just couldn't enjoy the book the way I should have.
When certain characters are speaking, their accents are demonstrated in the most frustrating way. For example: Dinna ye ev'n think 'bout gon' roun' thar an' all.
Uh, What? Exactly what I was thinking. It's not so much the visual indicator of their speech pattern that bothered me; as it definitely helped me to "hear" their accent, but it was the frequency with which it was used that was infuriating. I kept looking down and seeing a hundred damn apostrophes in a paragraph. Really?
I know it's a nit picky thing, but I think I'm entitled to not getting an apostrophe headache every time I turn the page. It was so bad in parts that I was tempted to not finish the book, but I really did want to know what happened next. I settled for putting the book down for a while so I could reboot my brain.
Then eventually I got sucked back into the storyline. Dang you intriguing misfits and your mad skills!
Other than that gripe, I really liked it. Great storyline which works well as a standalone, even though I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I don't know why, as they are completely different, but it sort of reminded me of the Dumbledore's Army part of Harry Potter. Just reminiscent of it and not as good, though it did get exciting toward the end. Overall, a great start to the series. (less)
Almost every single paragraph in this book seemed to introduce some strange new intriguing information. It was somewhat predictable but also felt like...moreAlmost every single paragraph in this book seemed to introduce some strange new intriguing information. It was somewhat predictable but also felt like anything could happened, especially when it came to the father in the story. It really seemed like he was capable of unspeakable horrors.
The story was very original. It actually made me think of the underground vaults in the game Fallout. And there is a scene in the book with a hatch and someone banging on it and yelling Nooooo. That made me laugh even though it was supposed to be serious. I only laughed because of the whole John Locke hatch thing in Lost. You either know exactly what I'm talking about or you have no clue, but it was great. I wondered then if that scene in Lost was what caused the author to come up with the concept for this book. That would be amazing. Hey, it could happen.
I also love how when talking about his dog, Eli describes being able to feel her warmth at his feet even though he knows she's gone, and proceeds to call her his phantom limb. I don't know why but I thought that was so beautiful. I guess because I'm a dog owner and I can completely relate.
I'm not really sure what classification this book would fall under. Could it really be considered dystopia or post-apocalyptic? The compound itself if a sort of dystopia, but is that enough for it to qualify? I don't think it really matters but it was just something I was pondering. Hmmmmm. Whenever I say the word pondering, it makes me go "Hmmmmm". Strange.
I listened to this one on audio book and I have to say that the reader did an amazing job after the first few chapters (where he sounded a little monotone), but then he really got going and made the story come to life. Each character really sounded like their own person with a unique voice and mannerisms. His portrayal of the father was at times terrifying. I'm not sure if I would have felt differently about this book had I read it, because the audio was just so well done. I found myself wanting to drive around more just so I could listen longer. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend the audio book.(less)
There is one thing that's really been bothering me about this book. I read it a while ago but not so long that I shouldn't be able to remember. I reme...moreThere is one thing that's really been bothering me about this book. I read it a while ago but not so long that I shouldn't be able to remember. I remember the characters and storyline but even after racking my brain, I can't remember any of the characters names or most importantly how the story ended. I have always thought that the ending is the most important part of a book and this one was just not memorable. I know that it was entertaining in parts and mildly suspenseful but it just didn't really make an impact on me. I also remember thinking that it reminded me of Crichton but in no way did I think it was better. I find it hard to compare authors in general though, so if you do enjoy Crichton then Preston is not too far off.(less)
I felt like there were just a few too many stereotypes in this book. It became tiring after a while. Actually, I take that back. It became tiring almo...moreI felt like there were just a few too many stereotypes in this book. It became tiring after a while. Actually, I take that back. It became tiring almost immediately but filtered out as story progressed.
If you can look past the stereotypical characters, the character interactions and dialogue was good. My main problem was that I actually read the dust jacket blurb for the sequel before I even started the first one, so I had a good idea of how this one ended up. I highly recommend NOT doing that. My preconceived notions definitely affected the way I perceived the story.
Apart from that, there were a ton of horrendously cheesy lines. Many of which came from the male lead character. Most of the time it was obvious that a woman had written it and that really took me out of the story.
I did start to fall for Alex, just like Brittany did. I really looked forward to their scenes together. They really do have great chemistry. Although not the most riveting romance, it was overall a fairly entertaining read. But I'm not sure yet if I will read the next one.
The best thing about the book was the message, however. There's always hope for a better future no matter where you're from or what you've done. Cheesy, yes. But also very, very true.(less)
This book completely reaffirmed my fascination with the beautiful land that is Australia.
But the people who live there seem to want everyone to think...moreThis book completely reaffirmed my fascination with the beautiful land that is Australia.
But the people who live there seem to want everyone to think it's a lot like this:
Or this:
Or even this:
Gemma, just a regular 16 year old school girl, has been captured by a handsome and alluring young Australian man named Ty. Although Gemma seems to think so, it never feels like she's in any imminent danger, from Ty at least. From the environment - yes.
The stakes and suspense don't seem that high, as I fully believed that he never intended to hurt her. Regardless, the author managed to draw me in with every single word.
The story itself is incredible, as is the the writing and character development. I just worry that it's glorifying kidnapping. Cause really, how many child abductors are 20-something sexy Australian men with supermodel looks and a hot bod, who only want to be loved? If I was Gemma, I can't say I would mind.
I mean, I picture him looking a bit like this:
Whoopsie!! Not the right picture! That's from my secret stash... *blushes*
Here the right one:
But our girl is very stubborn and never seems to be giving up on getting away from him. She's resilient and strong and everything you expect the heroine of a young adult novel to be.
And whew! The male lead character Ty, our captor, is really hot. Come on, Gemma. The scene with the paint where he leans in and asks (referring to the paint of course) "Do you want some?" I couldn't help but think heeeeeeeeck yeah.
I imagine if any other girl in the world had been there, she'd be jumping up and down with her hand raised saying "I do, I do."
Ty is extremely charming and a bit of a paradox. He is multiple layered character, who although seems unsocial and outdoorsy, is good with words and can completely make you swoon.
Though most of this is a result of brilliant writing, a lot it also comes from the talented narrator of the audio book.
I know the book alone is amazing, but this one is really worth listening to on audio.
It is the most well read book I have listened to in a long time, probably EVER. The voice of Ty isn't even noticeable as being read by a women. The narrator and the author are both on the exact same wavelength and both nail the complex nature of our male lead as well as the strong willed Gemma.
I do wish things had gone a little differently in the end. I'm not sure that what Gemma did is fully representative of what a normal 16 year old would do, but I guess that what happened is what HAD to happen for the story. The romantic in me just wanted things to be different. I also think I'm suffering from Stockholm Syndrome even more so than Gemma was.
I know that a lot of people won't sympathize with Ty at all. But I'm a sucker for a man with a hot bod and an Australian accent.
Definitely, this is another of my favorite books I've read lately. And my favorite audiobook so far!(less)
This one was really difficult to decide on a rating. Like the others, I definitely don't think it lives up to the hype.
If you aren't a dog person then...moreThis one was really difficult to decide on a rating. Like the others, I definitely don't think it lives up to the hype.
If you aren't a dog person then I wouldn't really recommend this for you because it was my interest and attachment to the pups, not to Edgar himself, that got me through this book. I started to read it but it just didn't hold my attention well and I ended up finishing it as an audiobook.
It's been a while since then, and I've actually grown to appreciate it more than right after I finished. It's one of those endings that stays with you even though the plot wasn't exactly wrapped up nicely with a bow on it. If you are interested, then I would really only be able to recommend listening to the audiobook. The reader was somewhat monotone but still more engaging than just reading it in the book.
The ending scene has really haunted me and is strangely redeeming to the less than stellar execution of the plot, but I only felt that way after it had been a while. At first, I felt a little jilted over the ending. Hopefully others can appreciate it more right away.(less)
Well, one of these things does not belong in a fantasy novel. Hint - it is small, electronic, and blue!
More o...moreOne of these things does not belong here:
Well, one of these things does not belong in a fantasy novel. Hint - it is small, electronic, and blue!
More on that later. So this is another one of many books...
A story about an orphaned girl, whose been tortured and basically given a rotten hand that's full of all jokers, most likely dealt by some sort of sleight of hand magician or something. Rough life. Blada-blada-blah. After mysteries are introduced and back stories told, she encounters a mysterious character who reveals she is "special" and, imagine that, has a unique power.
So as much as I hate to admit that this a FORMULA novel, I don't mind admitting that I LOVED it.
So yeah, it's AWE-some!
The reason these durn formulas exist is because they work. We like to read about special people, because we all like to hope that we are special too. The reality is that, while everyone is unique, we aren't all special. We don't all have superpowers or magical inclinations. Damn! It sucks. But we have to deal with it. What we don't have to do is read about it. Because let's face it, it dull to read about boring people. So I prefer not too.
Yelena and Valek are anything but dull. I'm was very impressed with Yelena. She nev-er plays the damsel in distress card, expects anyone to rescue her or even to just help her. She takes responsibility for her past and future actions, accepting punishment when she has to and planning ahead when she begins to have options.
When Valek enters the story, it isn't blatantly-hit-you-over-the-head-obvious that he will end up being a love interest. The relationship develops slowly. It simmers. He isn't the perfect boyfriend, over-achiever type. Yet he isn't the unpredictable and unreliable bad boy. He's mysterious and inscrutable. Makes you wonder what he's hiding with that quiet confidence. In other words: mmmmmm yea-ah!
The technology and culture can be confusing. There is talk of a 10 tiered wedding cake, switchblades, and even a TRAMPOLINE. But they use candles and covered wagons? Like a mish mash of culture. Can you even make a trampoline without modern equipment? Then again, they do have magic.
I realize this is just nit picking. However, unrelated metaphors or descriptions bother me because it takes you out of the story, out of the fantasy realm, and brings you back to Earth. And Earth is all well and good when I'm here. But when I'm reading, I prefer the blissful ignorance of the fantasy world.
The main reason I brought this is up is because I was happily reading along, despite the 10 tiered wedding cake and switchblade references bothering me; I stuck with it until the trampoline. I was so confused about whether or not they would actually be able to MAKE a trampoline with their level of technology, that I felt compelled to stop reading and look up the history of the trampoline, which by our standard wasn't actually invented and named until 1936, after the onset of automobiles and electricity. Regardless, I think a more accurate description for the culture would have been a trapeze tight net, if the passage was even necessary at all.
It disturbed me so much I actually had a dream about it. The characters in the book all had modern equipment like lightbulbs and cars but they completely ignored all of it and went about their business. Sorry about the long gripe but I have OCD when it comes to literature.
I don't like anything in my books that isn't supposed to be there, including names written inside the cover, book plates, highlighting, and trampolines in fantasy novels!
Imagine if Samwise and Frodo had stumbled upon a trampoline on their journey!? Uh, no. It's funny to picture but it just doesn't work in the context of the book.
Why not just give Frodo a gold medallion, some extra bling, and put him on a professional basketball team? Well, what do you know?
Anyway, there are already too many factors measuring into my reader's ADD. I get pulled away easily enough as it is, and I shouldn't need to worry about whether or not they should have trampolines. It was a completely unnecessary and distracting fiasco. But there is still a bright side: I feel like I learned something new.
Despite my gripes, I loved it. The characters really got into my head. It is actually unusual for me to dream about characters from a book. Usually, my mind is inventing it's own bizarre hogwash, so the dream is actually a compliment to the author and her character development.
Maria's prose is concise and creative. Apart from the aforementioned, her descriptions and metaphors are usually spot on and beautifully constructed. The characters are fully developed, each with backstories, subplots and their own unique quirks.
There's Janco, a military man who trains Yelena. He also rhymes while fighting - and I mean it. Anybody wanna peanut? And then there's Ari, Janco's best bud who also helps with the training. I really loved the scenes with these two. They're a breath of fresh air. There's also Rand, the gourmet chef addicted to gambling. I felt for him...at first. There's Reyad, resident jerk, whose apparent weakness is (view spoiler)[the phrase "Be gone". Really? That's it? Also, I saw the antidote mystery coming, but not the one involving the Commander. Never would have guessed! (hide spoiler)]
I'm excited for the sequels and will probably be going to get Magic Study very soon! I really hope all her books are as good, because they all look so damn interesting. Definitely will keep reading them. And I apologize for both my OCD and ADD. Great combo, huh? Fortunately, they both seem to apply mostly to reading and not necessarily all aspects of my life. *mischievous grin*
And now, I can't get the image of Frodo and Samwise bouncing on a trampoline out of my head!!!! Aaaaaaaah! Oh, the humanity! Or rather, hobbitmanity!?! ROFL.
When I first read the description for this book, I thought "Here we go with the werewolves again." We're werewolves. We like to run. We like to hunt a...moreWhen I first read the description for this book, I thought "Here we go with the werewolves again." We're werewolves. We like to run. We like to hunt and we like to kill vampires. Thankfully, there was pretty much none of that in this book. No vampires? Amazing!
Recently I've been in a bit a of a rut, and despite picking up some really interesting books, nothing lately has been holding my attention. I find my mind wandering to other completed series. Hmmmm, I wonder what Peeta is doing right now.
But finally! Finally, something held my interest and had me itching to find out more. I just love that feeling! When a book gets under your skin. When you start daydreaming about other things going on in it's world, searching for sub-text and insight into the characters minds.
As much as I hate to admit it, I couldn't wait to find out what Ren would do next. Don't get me wrong, I love my hero types; but sometimes, just sometimes, I love some bad in my boys a little bit more. I mean I'll take Han Solo over Luke Skywalker any day.
And Ren is all the best kinds of bad. To put it eloquently, he has the perfect combination of not giving a crap and at the same time giving a crap. That is really hard to even out with many characters. Many male characters tend to be either too chauvinistic or way too bleeding-heart. Ren is the perfect wicked combination. Maybe not the perfect match for Calla, but I LOVE him. Don't get me wrong: I love Shay as well, just not in THAT kind of way.
I also really appreciated that this book was not all about warring factions of supernatural creatures like so much of YA fantasy, although it pushes toward a future of war. This first book of the series was more about a single faction establishing peace amongst themselves and unravelling the mysteries of the past.
Also, alot of first person young adult books tend to either have to much dialogue or too much inner dialogue. This had it just right, and the tone and descriptions were very nice.
I was glad to see that they got a lot of answers to questions raised about the union and such, instead of stringing us along with endless cliffhangers and no resolution in sight. And yes, it ends with a cliffhanger, but it is the best kind. The kind that opens up a whole new realm of possibilities.
The plot is simplistic and primarily romance driven, but it is an easy page turner, which is what I happened to be in the mood for. Yeah, this book may be full of taboos. Werewolves (Those are in right now?) A love triangle (Haven't read one of those in a while!) So what? It just does it all so damn well.
If you're looking for a plot heavy book with an in-depth and sensible story, then this might not be for you right now. But if your looking for a romance and tension-filled read with that addictive quality, and don't mind a love frustrating love triangle, then go ahead give this one a try.(less)
You may not find yourself inside the world like in an "escapism...moreKindle edition is on sale for about $5 HERE!!
This is what I call an "experience" book.
You may not find yourself inside the world like in an "escapism" story, instead you feel as if your viewing it from the outside. It's intent is to help you reflect upon and experience your own life, not necessarily that of the characters. Another more well-known example of this type of book would be 1984.
You breath on your own instead of with the characters. You are able to see the story more objectively, without having unhealthy attachments to the characters. You don't think "If something happens to the this character, I will never forgive the author." You are still invested, but not so much so that it clouds your judgement.
An experience novel asks you to logically consider the story and it's implications. It asks you to experience. It asks you to think.
Genesis is truly incredible! You will probably either be completely put off by it or you will be blown away by it. I was one of the latter. Either way, it WILL make you think about why we exist and the implications of that existence.
Here is a partial synopsis from the publishers:
Set on a remote island in a post-apocalyptic, plague-ridden world, this electrifying novel is destined to become a modern classic.
Anax thinks she knows her history. She’d better. She’s now facing three Examiners, and her grueling all-day Examination has just begun. If she passes, she’ll be admitted into the Academy—the elite governing institution of her utopian society.
But Anax is about to discover that for all her learning, the history she’s been taught isn’t the whole story. And that the Academy isn’t what she believes it to be.
I usually go for longer books or series books, but this is a unlikely exception. It makes me wish that there were more of these well thought-out, groundbreaking novellas. If anyone has a recommendation of something similar, well plotted short books, I would love to hear about it.
I really think everyone should read it, especially considering it's a meager 150 pages and manages to raise philosophical arguments and tell a complete dystopian story in those few pages. You'll either love it or hate it, but either way, it will make your brain melt.
I wouldn't exactly call this book fast-paced, but that is why it's short length is perfect! The overall experience of a book is sometimes what makes or breaks it's rating. And a lot of times the ending can make all the difference.
I just want to make perfectly clear that the ending of this book is, without a doubt, the most impactful ending I have EVER read in any book. I am not exaggerating.
Ever since finishing it, I have been aching for a book to send my mind spinning as much as this one did. I so want to experience another read like this or go back in time and experience this one again.
Edit: It has been well over a year since I read this book and I still think about it constantly. It's so so memorable and it should only take a couple hours at most to read.
If you are discouraged by the state of so-called dystopian books lately, I beg you to read this book. I don't care if you buy it, borrow it from the library, or sit down in the store and read it (which is totally fine, right?) - just READ it. Add it to your "must read now" bookshelf. If you don't have a bookshelf called that, create it now. :-) You know you want too.
This book is only 150 pages long, but well worth those few pages. If you think that you'll like Genesis, it may be a great investment for you.
I cannot say enough about this book and give it my highest possible recommendation. Yes, I know that I'm really pimping this book hard, but I can't help it. It is incredibly profound and really captured my attention and hasn't let go. But now, it's up to you...
And please, please, please. If you are even a tad interested in this book, don't read anything else about it. Just go read it. It is so much better if you have no idea what to expect.(less)
I started this one a while back and took a long break before coming back to finish it. I had forgotten how intensely and wonderfully creative this boo...moreI started this one a while back and took a long break before coming back to finish it. I had forgotten how intensely and wonderfully creative this book was. I had forgotten the beauty of the language used in it. The mysteries of Matt's relationship with El Patron. The nickname he is called, mi vida - my life - which has so much more meaning than even he realizes.
The subplots of this book are extensive and diverse. Scientific experiments, drug dealing, juvenile espionage, child imprisonment, and family power struggles just to name a few.
At first, eejit is used as a derogatory term and I thought that was just their term for idiot. But it runs much deeper than even that. I don't want to give anything away but it is certainly an interesting take on the human experience. In fact, everything in this book comes back to the question: What is it that makes us human?
I can't say for certain whether all the questions are answered, so you'll just have to find out for yourself. But I can certainly say that I had a great time attempting to find answers for myself inside this wildly imaginative book.
My only disappointment with this book was that I didn't feel the emotions as strongly as I would have liked. And I did kind of expect a twist and the end, but the ending was beautiful none the less. Loved it.(less)
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