R.H. Ali's Blog, page 9
May 24, 2014
My Review: The Casual Vacancy by J K Rowling
Heartbreaking. Devastating. Reality in a nutshell.
This is J K Rowling you don’t know. Our favourite fantasy author has taken a new twist in this novel with her revelation of the ugly truths of life where social mobility is as difficult as knowing how many stars there are in the night’s sky, in this tragedy.
The novel is about an idyllic gossiping town in which some greet the death of Barry Fairbrother, a Parish Councillor, with great welcome, whereas others find it difficult to move past his demise. The story involves the election process to fill the casual vacancy left by Barry Fairbrother upon his death. It traces the ups, downs and all arounds of everyday living within familial, work and school relationships. Issues like discrimination, depression, addiction, abuse, rape, drugs, sex, violence, love, lust, emptiness, regret and so much more are touched on by Rowling through the deep development and characterisation of all her characters.
A central character in the novel is Krystal Weedon, a young girl of sixteen who lives in the poorest area in the novel. She is intermittently violent, rude, crass and opinionated. Krystal seemingly has no redeeming qualities when we first meet her in the novel, but as the novel progresses, we see the deep love she has for her little brother of three years, Robbie Weedon and the extents she is willing to go to protect him from their heroin-addicted mother. Barry Fairbrother, who coached the girls’ rowing team, seems the only supporter of Krystal in all of Pagford. Upon his death, Krystal knows that Nana Cath, her great grandmother believes in her, but for how long?
It seems to me that the entire novel is balanced on Krystal Weedon. She represents the typically inevitable situation where children become the product of their circumstances and their outcry for society to accept them – to give them a chance – is snuffed out. Through Krystal Weedon, J K Rowling explores the attitudes towards persons similarly circumstanced and to me, demonstrates that society as a whole needs to do more to ensure that social mobility becomes more accessible.
The Casual Vacancy is not just a novel to me, but an eye-opener to the much larger issues our societies face daily. This tragedy truly has the depth of thought of a person who is appalled by the attitudes of some and their reluctance to help those in need, even when they have the means and power to do so.
Admittedly, it took me a while to fully delve into the world J K Rowling created in The Casual Vacancy. The first time I tried to read it, I was less than 100 pages in when I lost patience with it and set it aside. However I was determined to finish it and upon my second try, I dragged through the first hundred pages with pure determination to get to the end. It came as a surprise to me that I got so wrapped up in the inner workings of the lives of these characters and I couldn’t wait to see what happened at the end. Finishing the novel was an extremely satisfying experience and I now understand that the first hundred pages might have been necessary in order to prepare us for what was in store. I still however, took off one star from my rating due to the late start of capturing my full attention.
However, I must comment that even while the plot may have been slow in the first hundred pages, Rowling’s writing style was as eloquent as ever and I was amazed as usual with her writing style; the way things and people are described or the way everything flows into each other so effortlessly is mind blowing and is the mark of a truly fantastic writer.
I would definitely recommend The Causal Vacancy to everyone because the issues Rowling raises should be at the forefront of our minds if we are to really make a difference in this world.
I rate this novel four out of five stars.
February 21, 2014
My Review: I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Five stars for Malala’s courage.
‘I am Malala’ brings forth numerous religious and political issues with an intriguing perspective from a girl who was a victim of the group called the Taliban in the book. She consistently stands up for girls’ rights to education; something which some of us take for granted.
The first word which was ever revealed from Allah in the Holy Qur’an was ‘Iqra.’ It means ‘read.’ This is undoubtedly significant. Allah wants us all to read and educate ourselves. We are commanded to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. Allah did not command us to teach our men and not our women – He commanded ALL of mankind to seek knowledge.
This books demonstrates clearly that those who are referred to as the Taliban in the book, in no way reflects the majority of the Muslim world. Islam teaches peace; something the Taliban seems to forget.
People often get mixed up about what Jihad is as well. Malala touches on the issue and it is clear that the meaning in today’s societies is twisted to such large proportions so that it just may have abandoned it’s original intention and meaning. Originally the term Jihad referred to a struggle or inner battle one has with oneself to stop the wrong things which one does for the sake of Allah.
It’s always said that Islam is perfect and it is the acts of Muslims which are imperfect. In other words, you can’t judge Islam based on what a certain sect of the world does.
Not all Christians, Jews, Hindus etc are good people, and likewise, not all are bad. To base your perspective of an entire religious following on what few people do, seems vastly incomprehensible. This is the message I hope Malala brings across with her book.
Malala’s perspective on death is really inspiring for me as I believe that what she says is true. At page 224, Malala says, “My feeling was nobody can stop death; it doesn’t matter if it comes from a Talib or cancer. So I should do whatever I want to do.” I absolutely love they way she put it – the moral here being that you must live life to the fullest and do the things that make you happy while helping people and doing the right thing no matter the adversaries you may be facing.
As a young Muslim woman myself, I am truly inspired by Malala and her family for their unwavering beliefs in what is right and wrong taken directly from the Holy Qur’an. That is an example I wish to follow.
Malala undoubtedly needs to be congratulated on taking this step and allowing us all into the intimate thoughts of her mind and bringing us the insight only a girl in her situation can bring us.
I hope this book brings with it all the good that was intended for it and may Allah guide us all.
Allahu Alam (Allah knows best).
January 28, 2014
My Review: Jaded Youth by A G Chambers
FIVE STARS FOR ADRIAN!
Epic. Mind blowing. Emotional.
Jaded Rein was even better than the first book! I was glued to it from the beginning.
The dynamics of Jade’s team changes drastically in ways that were unexpected and that made it so much better! I love the unexpected.
The relationships which A G Chambers creates are all unique in their own way and each character has their distinct personalities which all mesh effortlessly in Chambers’ writing.
When the team realises that they are being played, a new comer proves himself and helps the team prepare to fight a new battle which they did not even know was going on. Everything that happened previously, they discover was planned and merely part of the bigger scheme of things to get rid of Jade and her team for good.
The book closes in one of the most heart wrenching scenes of the series yet; and it left me mind blown.
I feel both a sense of excitement and depression when I think about reading Book 3. I’m excited because I want to see how the characters deal with this newest disaster; but I’m also depressed about it because it’s too sad.
That’s exactly why I’m hooked. They always said if you give your reader a good emotional experience they would be hooked; and that’s exactly what A G Chambers did so far!
I definitely recommend this series so far!
*I was given a free e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review; and this is what I truly think about the book.*
January 17, 2014
My Review: Jaded Rein by A G Chambers
FOUR STARS for A. G. Chambers!
Thrilling, breathtaking and heart-wrenching!
Jaded Rein is a really intriguing novel about doppelgängers and the awesome skills the various types can achieve. Jade is the team’s leader has had a more dramatic past than she ever let on. Her mindset is such that she has to do everything to perfection and by hand-picking the members of her team she forms a deadly force to be reckoned with.
When the Prime Minister calls on Jade’s team to do a ‘job’ for him, Jade realizes that she needs an addition to the team to complete it. The well-known Rein, who was supposed to enjoy working alone and who basked in solitude, finds himself agreeing to join Jade’s team as he finds her to be extremely persuasive.
Their journey through training, falling in love and execution is a tumultuous one with numerous twists and turns, some you’d expect, and others you won’t even see coming. The author did a fantastic job with the descriptions of each character, especially how each person becomes our friend and we can visualize their facial expressions and reactions to situations to the T.
I truly cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this series, Jaded Youth.
This is definitely a highly recommended novel for anyone wishing for something new and unexplored to devour.
*I was given a free copy of this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review, and honest is exactly what it is.
January 8, 2014
My Review: King Cave by Scarlett Dawn
FIVE DEFINITE STARS!
Amazing. Endearing. Addictive.
King Cave definitely did not disappoint!
Scarlett Dawn’s second book in this series blew me away. Lily Ruckler is back; bigger, better and fiercer than before. The trials she goes through and the lengths to which she is willing to go for true love is extraordinary. She may be Prodigy and soon-to-be Queen Shifter, but she sure is not one to follow the rules and laws blindly. Together with the other Prodigies, Lily’s story takes winding twists and turns which definitely makes a fabulous page turner.
Dawn definitely does a superb job with the writing of this novel. I am completely hooked and I cannot wait to see how Lily’s story plays out.
I received an ARC copy of this novel in return for an honest review and this in no way impacted my opinion of the book.
November 29, 2013
Year of Free Books Giveaway from CTP!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
November 20, 2013
Finding the Right Girl by Violet Duke Promo
Finding the Right Girl (A Nice GUY to Love spin-off)
© Violet Duke
Blurb
From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author who brought you the Nice Girl to Love trilogy, comes a Nice GUY to Love spin-off…
Brian Sullivan has been in love twice in his lifetime. He lost his first love to early-onset Huntington’s, and he lost the other more recently…to his brother. And somehow, his heart has managed to heal itself after both. Amazingly, without therapy. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten more wary along the way, however. In fact, he’s been thinking lately that maybe his brother’s now retired nothing-but-flings rule isn’t such a bad idea. Unfortunately, being the nice guy poster boy and all, Brian isn’t exactly versed in the fine art of flings. So he looks to the outrageously ‘unique,’ provokingly button-pushing Tessa Daniels for a crash course.
There’s absolutely no way he’s falling in love with this one…right?
Tessa has no idea what she was thinking telling Brian that she was some sort of fling expert. She’s never been flung before and she sure as heck doesn’t know where or how to begin flinging a guy like Brian. It was a temporary lapse in sanity, really—no doubt because of the can’t-help-but-fall-for-him brain fuzz that hits her whenever he’s around. Not only does the man have her being more herself than she’s ever been in her life, but he’s the only person she knows who seems to have as many demons and skeletons in the closet as she does. What’s more, he’s got her thinking of the one thing she stopped letting herself even hope for years ago.
A happily ever after.
Author Bio
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English Education who is ecstatic to now be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romance novels. When she’s not arguing with her story characters or feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, she enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools while trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first and cooking ‘special edition’ dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. Violet lives in Hawai’i with her two cute kids and similarly adorable husband.
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EXCERPT:
The door slammed shut behind him, cloaking them in darkness.
“You drive me crazy, you know that?”
God, his voice had dropped even lower, to a sexy thunder down under rumble.
“Crazy in a good way or a bad way?” Tessa managed to ask as her eyes adjusted to the lack of light.
“Both.” He circled slowly around her as if she were a dangerous animal…he was getting ready to pounce on. “You have no filter whatsoever. Not with what you do or say, and especially not with how you react.”
“That’s not my fault. You can just point that finger at yourself buddy,” she grumbled back before snapping her mouth shut.
Alright, so maybe he was right about the filter thing.
“What?”
Man, if looks could strip. She’d never felt this naked before, this out of control. Inwardly, she sighed. The guy just brought out the uncivilized in her.
Oh well, she came this far, may as well see where this ride ends. “You heard me.” Her chin came up defiantly. “I can’t think when you talk in that ridiculously sexy voice. Or when your biceps suddenly double in size in the middle of even the simplest of tasks, like lifting a coffee mug. And don’t get me started on your eyes. My god, I almost walked into a wall the last time you smiled and your eyes went from that soft ocean blue to deep turquoise. I mean who does that?!”
It was like she just couldn’t stop talking.
When he came to a standstill and simply stared at her like she’d lost her mind, she huffed, “It’s simply not reasonable to expect a girl to have a filter with all that steamy-eyed, bicep-popping, talking-like-a-wet-dream-voice-over madness going on!”
Silence.
Huh, so where might one buy one of these filters, she wondered.
With a quiet curse, he stomped toward her and picked her by the waist, not even pausing in his stride as he kept right on walking to the bed. Well, if he going to take her for a ride…she speared her hands into his thick, tousled waves and nearly purred with pleasure.
“Stop being so damn open,” he rasped, sounding like a man about ready to do the unimaginable, his lips a whisper away from hers.
“Stop being so damn irresistible,” she threw back, digging her heels into the carpet until his body ran flush into hers and bulldozed her straight back, flat onto the bed.
The air wedged in her throat as she watched the outline of his granite-etched jaw clench and release. He was so beautiful. Oh to hell with it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and touched her lips to his throat. The quiet male hiss she heard shot her attention down to the fact that he was more than a little happy to see her. Impressively so. And her sigh of pleasure against his throat served as a live current of electricity that she felt run through him…everywhere.
Giveaway
Click HERE to enter the giveaway to win gift cards, signed paperbacks, or the Right Girl Box set!
November 19, 2013
November 14, 2013
Finding the Right Girl Blog Tour Coming Soon!!!!
November 13, 2013
Finding the Right Girl by Violet Duke
BLURB:
From the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author who brought you the Nice Girl to Love trilogy, comes a Nice GUY to Love spin-off…This can be read as a stand-alone.
Brian Sullivan has been in love twice in his lifetime. He lost his first love to early-onset Huntington’s, and he lost the other more recently…to his brother. And somehow, his heart has managed to heal itself after both. Amazingly, without therapy. That doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten more wary along the way, however. In fact, he’s been thinking lately that maybe his brother’s now retired nothing-but-flings rule isn’t such a bad idea. Unfortunately, being the nice guy poster boy and all, Brian isn’t exactly versed in the fine art of flings. So he looks to the outrageously ‘unique,’ provokingly button-pushing Tessa Daniels for a crash course.
There’s absolutely no way he’s falling in love with this one…right?
Tessa has no idea what she was thinking telling Brian that she was some sort of fling expert. She’s never been flung before and she sure as heck doesn’t know where or how to begin flinging a guy like Brian. It was a temporary lapse in sanity, really—no doubt because of the can’t-help-but-fall-for-him brain fuzz that hits her whenever he’s around. Not only does the man have her being more herself than she’s ever been in her life, but he’s the only person she knows who seems to have as many demons and skeletons in the closet as she does. What’s more, he’s got her thinking of the one thing she stopped letting herself even hope for years ago.
A happily ever after.
Enter HERE for your chance to win a Microsoft Surface Tablet!!!!
Don’t forget to add Finding The Right Girl to your TBR pile on Goodreads!
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