Faith Adeline Reviews

The Princess Bride by: William Goldman

2010-10-15T22:43:00.001-05:00

Synopsis:

What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams?

As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the "S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears.

Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere.

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex.
In short, it's about everything.
[as stated by the publisher]

The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies. Ever. I love it! So, naturally, it was bound to happen that I would pick up the novel somewhere along the way. Now, this is an abridgement of sorts from the novel by S. Morgenstern. As stated in the synopsis, Goldman removed anything all the parts that didn't entail to the fairytale/adventure story he loved that his dad read him as a child.

In the book, Goldman explained to the reader what was happening during the parts he got rid of. While some of the parts seemed sort of interesting (like seeing how Buttercup trained to become a princess), most of them seemed as boring as Goldman made them out to be, so I'm glad he left them out.

That said, I loved the book. The movie definitely stayed true to the story! I loved the characters and all the delicious satire and wit that's sprinkled throughout this novel. It's wonderful. One of the best "fairytales" I've read. I also love the interactions between Fezzick and Inigo and the interactions between Buttercup and Westley. So amazing!

I think this book has something for every sort of reader. It has adventure, it has wit, and it has romance. I would recommend it to anyone who likes fable sorts of stories, but also loves to laugh.

I will definitely be rereading this book at some point in time. I loved it!

Overall rating: 9/10

Pariah by: Bob Fingerman

2010-10-15T22:29:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

The world is in chaos. A zombie plague has devoured every nation on the planet. New York City is no exception. Imagine eight million zombies. Shoulder to shoulder. Walking ...

[from barnesandnoble.com]

With Halloween coming up right around the corner, I thought I would dip in to some of the more scary books that are waiting to be read on my shelves. I'm so glad I picked Pariah up first.

Pariah, amongst the problems it may have with it, is a horror novel. The zombes in this book are not pretty. They are decaying, flesh-eating, zombies. And that's what I love about it. Nowadays I've seen authors try to beautify zombies. You cannot make a zombie pretty. They eat people; devour them limb from limb. That's what zombies do, whether they have a slow walk or run (but, that's another debate entirely). Fingerman portrayed zombies just the way I love them, wildly gory and gruesome. I loved being able to get back to the old school horror.

Now, the characters left something to be desired. I liked them (most of them; Eddie got on my damn nerves), but I felt they were a little two-dimensional. I know that when an author has so many main characters, it's hard to put a lot of background into each character without dragging on and on, but I just felt like they weren't as strong of characters as they could have been. They served their purpose, but I kind of wanted more. I really wish we had gotten some explanation on Mona. At least a background on her! But, we got nothing. Which, I understand to a point. I think he wanted to let the audience decide for themselves if Mona was just a regular girl or if she was more of a Jesus figure.

And I wish we had gotten a more solid ending! The end really left me wanting more. It was kind of anti-climatic.

All in all, it was a pretty solid book. I'll definitely reread it, if only to get a shot of zombie goodness.

Overall rating: 7/10

Lockdown by: Alexander Gordon Smith

2010-09-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Furnace Penitentiary is the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. Alex Sawyer is the “new fish.” Convicted of a murder he didn’t commit, sentenced to life without parole, he knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to death in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries. The prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below.

Escape is Alex’s only option. But it’s not just about saving his own skin. The more he discovers, the more he understands that he is going to have to do whatever it takes to expose this nightmare hidden from the eyes of the world.
[from B&N.com]

Lockdown is the first in the Escape From the Furnace series by Alexander Gordon Smith. I picked it up on a whim when I saw the awesome cover and the back made it sound interesting enough. I'm glad I bought it, it was a really good YA novel.

The plot of this novel is really interesting and really scary at the same time. I mean, this is a prison designed for children and some really gruesome, terrible things happen to them in this place. There are these dogs with no skin that will just tear them apart, and these really weird creatures known as "wheezers" with these old gas masks sewn onto their face. Some of the things were creatures you might see in a Stephen King novel.

Alex, the main character, is a very complex character. He isn't some innocent that's framed, he actually is a thief and a pretty bad kid. But, once he gets into the prison, you see that he also has some good qualities to him. I felt really bad for him at times, because he is just a kid. He's only fourteen years old and thrown into this truly horrible place.

There were also some good secondary characters. I really liked Donovan, he was a great character. And Zee was a lot of fun. I'd like to know more about the warden. He's really creepy and I'd like to maybe get some back story on him. Which might be hard, because the story is told through Alex's POV. There are supposed to be five books in the series, so hopefully we get some background on him.

There are very disturbing images in this novel, so I would say it probably isn't appropriate for younger teens. It's really surprising that something so dark is a YA novel. Which I like, because the reader isn't going to be expecting it. I know I wasn't!

All in all, I liked the novel. It was an entertaining read and I'll definitely be checking out Solitary when it comes out. I'm intrigued as to where Smith is going to take this series.

Overall rating: 8/10

Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins

2010-08-30T21:54:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.
[from B&N.com]

Mockingjay is the final installment in the Hunger Games triology by Suzanne Collins. The first two novels of the series were positively addicting, so I was really excited to read this when I picked it up. Which is why it didn't gather dust on my TBR list for long, ha.

Mockingjay has its ups and downs. I'll start off with the things I liked first.

Beware, here be spoilers after this point.

The characters were still really well written, even if we didn't get as much background on some of them than I would've liked. There were some new character introduced that were really interesting and some of my favorite old characters. The plot was pretty solid. The writing was solid. I think Collins has some of the smoothest first person narration I've seen in a while. It's really easy to feel what Katniss is feeling through the style of writing Collins has. Collins, once again, proved herself in the "author not afraid to kill off characters" aspect. I know with some writers (coughStephenieMeyercough) have problems killing off their characters. Collins doesn't. And I love that. Some of the deaths made me sad, but I love that she pushs the boundaries of young adult novels like that. And the violence in this book is really apparent, but really well written. As a fan of horror and gore, I loved those scene. But, they also made me cringe. Which is very hard to do. So props to you, Collins.

I was really scared what would happen when Peeta was brought back and was hijacked and all crazy. But it worked out in the end between them (thank God!), and had some really cute interactions when he wasn't trying to kill her and was trying to figure out what was real and not real. He even had a game called "Real or not real?" I thought that was a nice touch.

And, of course, I loved Haymitch. He was an awesome character, and I thought he was great in this novel, as in the first two.

Now for what I didn't like.

I didn't like all the fast forwarding Collins did in the novel. I think it made the pacing in the novel off, and maybe it would've been better to split the last books into two so we could really get everything. Like, some parts would be pretty slow, and then all of a sudden we'd be weeks into the future. That didn't really sit right with me.

I didn't like that she killed off Finnick. That made me sad. It's more of a personal thing. I loved his character and his interactions with Katniss. And he just got married! I felt that wasn't fair. But, again, just a personal thing. I also think it was unnecessary to kill her sister. Just because that's why she got herself into this whole mess in the first place. Again, just a personal thing.

I think it may have been overkill to have Coin be an uber bitch, too. It kind of felt like it was just thrown in there to have some last minute drama. I think this would've worked out better, too, had the last book been split into two. Because then we could've had that situation built up more, instead of set up and ended in one novel.

As I said with the first two novels, the love triangle thing in this series was vastly unneeded. The books probably would've been better without them. And then Gale is a douche in this novel. He has his moments, but it's kind of like the Gale from the first novel and the Gale in this novel are two different Gales. I get that he's even more angry and full of rage because of the things that have happened, but I don't think that's an excuse to just make him an asshole to someone who is supposed to be his best friend. And then he gets shipped off to distract 2 at the end of the novel and we never get a resolution with Katniss and him. Does she just keep hating him? Do they ever talk again? This is something I want to know!

Which brings me to the epilogue. I liked it but didn't at the same time. I like that it's a happy ending but with scars, that's cool and all, but I still think it was a tad unneeded. Even though I loved the last line.

So, I wasn't jumping up and down at the end of this novel like I was at the other two. But it was still a fairly solid read. Was it a completely satisfying end to a great triology? Sure. I wish there was some things that were developed more, but what can ya do? I love the series, I'll definitely be re-reading the books. Collins is a good writer, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

Overall rating: 8/10

Changeless by: Gail Carriger

2010-08-27T22:26:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.
But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.

She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.
[from the barnes and noble website]

Changeless is the sequel to Soulless, and it just so happens that the third book--Blameless--comes out soon. Which I'm really excited about. This series is probably one of my favorites at the moment. I love Carriger's style of writing and the atmosphere of the books is straight up awesome. I've never really ventured into the realms of steampunk before, but these books definitely make me want to read more of the genre.

Alexia is as witty a character in Changeless as she is in Soulless. I love her. She's headstrong, stubborn, sarcastic, and an overall solid character. I think her relationship with Conall is adorable, they're so great when they interact! I did kind of get sick of people always mentioning that Alexia married Conall just for political reasons and to recieve better social standing, instead of for love. It got old. And from the way they interact together, I think it's ridiculous. Clearly, they care about each other. Even if she is soulless.

We were introduced to a new character in this book, Madame Lafoux. Now, she was interesting. I really hope to see her in the next book. We were given a fair amount of background on her, but I'd like to see more. And my other favorites were in the novel, Lord Akeldama and Professor Lyall. Although there weren't in it for more than a couple scenes, they were still amazing. Her friend Ivy was also in the novel. She flirted the line between funny and "I want to throw her off a balcony" a couple of times, but I found the tiff between her and Felicity (Alexia's half sister) pretty hilarious.

I thought it was cool Carriger brought them to Scotland, it was interesting to see Conall's former pack and gain some more insight into his character. And it seems like the setting changes once again in the next book, with Alexia heading to Italy, so that should be interesting, also.

I was not a fan of the ending. It made saddened me. I hope the situation gets rectified in the new book. So I shall be reading it as soon as possible.

Overall, this was a great book. The writing was well done, the plot well done, and the characters well done. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!!

Overall rating: 9/10

Kitty and the House of Horrors by: Carrie Vaughn

2010-08-23T20:37:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:
REALITY BITES

Talk radio host and werewolf Kitty Norville has agreed to appear on TV's first all-supernatural reality show. She's expecting cheesy competitions and manufactured drama starring shapeshifters, vampires, and psychics. But what begins as a publicity stunt will turn into a fight for her life.
The cast members, including Kitty, arrive at the remote mountain lodge where the show is set. As soon as filming starts, violence erupts and Kitty suspects that the show is a cover for a nefarious plot. Then the cameras stop rolling, cast members start dying, and Kitty realizes she and her monster housemates are ironically the ultimate prize in a very different game. Stranded with no power, no phones, and no way to know who can be trusted, she must find a way to defeat the evil closing in . . . before it kills them all.
[found on barnes and noble's website]

By now, it should be pretty well known that I love the Kitty Norville series. I think Kitty is a great character who has grown so much from the first novel, and Vaughn always manages to keep me interested in the plotlines and story twists.

That said, this is probably by far my favorite out of the series. Maybe that's just because I just got done reading it, but I really freaking loved this book. It had one of my favorite side characters in it, which is Grant (I really hope we get to see more of him, I love his character). When I saw he was in this I did a little cheer. He was awesome in this story, I love the interactions between him and Kitty. And one of my other favorite side characters comes back at the end (which excited me, might I add, because I've missed him. I won't say who, because I don't want to ruin anything for the people who might not have read this novel yet but want to).

The premise was awesome. A bunch of supernatural creatures holed up in a cabin in Montana? Now, there's a reality show I'd watch. But then all the fun takes a turn for the worse and people start dying, plus they're trapped because there's thin wires of silver closing them in. This book is a basically an Agatha Christie novel with supernatural creatures. I loved that whole air of mystery and darkness to it. It's a blend of horror and mystery, which was new to see in the Kitty series. And, surprisingly, I really felt for the characters when they died. A lot of times, characters aren't developed enough to really make the reader feel emotional when they die, but in this novel, even though some of the characters I hadn't known for long, I was really sad to see them go. You get to know them and when they're suddenly ganked out, it's sad. You really feel for Kitty and what she's going through.

The writing in this novel was strong, the characters were strong, and the plot was strong. Vaughn has definitely grown as a writer since the first Kitty Norville book. And as long as she can keep the tales new and fresh, I'll be reading.

Overall rating: 9/10

The Scent of Shadows by: Vicki Pettersson

2010-08-20T21:11:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:
When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert.

By rights, she should be dead.

Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset—a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow—seeking answers to whom or what she really is . . . and revenge for the horrors she was forced to endure.
But the nightmare is just beginning—for the demons are hunting Joanna, and the powerful shadows want her for their own . . .
[from barnes and noble website]

This is the debut novel in the Zodiac series by Vicki Pettersson. I actually picked the novel up a while ago, just finally getting around to reading it. And I'm so glad I did.

I loved, loved, loved this novel. It's quirky, dark, violent, and just a wonderful tale. I was a little hesistant at first about the whole "superhero" things, because it just sounded silly, but after a while I got used to it and loved it. I especially loved the whole comic book store scene, that was just priceless. I think that whole quirky take on the supernatural was really interesting and something I haven't seen before. I mean, these people are actually being written about in these superhereo comic books. Though it wasn't explained how the people writing them knew what was happening, so I hope that gets touched on in the later novels.

I love the main character, she's a witty badass who has had a hell of a life. She definitely changes throughout the novel, which I thought was awesome. The bond between her and her sister was touching, and I loved how she interacted with everyone. All around, she was a pretty well rounded character. Pettersson also wrote some interesting secondary characters, like Warren, Hunter, Ben, and the other superheros. I do think the romantic story side to Ben and Joanna was kind of unneccessary, especially with what happens about a third of the way into the novel. Their reunion was short and Ben wasn't really in the novel a lot, so it was a side plot that kind of detracted from the overall story. I do hope he doesn't just disappear, though. He was a pretty cool character. I liked him.

Ajax was an awesome villian. I loved him. He was creepy, disgusting, killed people for the fun of it, and was just a horrible person. But he was awesome, because he had motive for what he was doing, and he was a genuinely bad person. He wasn't a villian who suddenly sees the light at the end of the tunnel at the end of the book. He was evil through and through, and I loved it.

The setting of the novel is great, I think having it take place in Las Vegas is really cool. I liked how the author portrayed the two sides to Las Vegas: the glitzy strip and the more torn down, shady alleyways.

I absolutely devoured this book. Once I got to the middle of the novel, I just did not want to put it down. The action scenes were well written, the touching scenes weren't cliché and trite--they were truly touching, the dialogue was good, the interactions between the characters were good, and the storyline was good. It was refreshing because it's an urban fantasy that is less about the romance and more about the supernatural and the whole good vs. evil. Definitely a great debut by Pettersson, and I'll be checking out the next novel as soon as I can.

Overall rating: 9/10

New Contest from The Eclectic Reader!

2010-08-01T19:23:00.001-05:00

There's a new contest going on over at The Eclectic Reader that everyone should check out.

The books up for grab are:

Mockingjay by: Suzanne Collins. Mockingjay is the third and final installement to The Hunger Games triology!

By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

and The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson.

If you're interested, click on this link and enter!

The competition ends on the 31st of August, so be sure to head over there before the end of the month and get your entry in to win one of the fabulous books up for grabs!

--Faith Adeline

Waiting On Wednesday # 2

2010-07-29T01:28:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted over at breakingthespine.

This week, I'm waiting on Mockingjay, the (sure to be amazing) third book of the Hunger Games triology by Suzanne Collins. Ever since I finished Catching Fire, I have been waiting to read the third book. And it's release is coming so soon.

Here's the synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

It sounds absolutely amazing. I cannot wait. There's also a book that I've seen floating around a couple blogs I watch called Forsaken by Jana Oliver. Like my pick from last week, I'm hoping to see a good angel/demon type of novel. I'm not a huge fan of love triangles, but we'll see how it's played out.

Riley has always wanted to be a Demon Trapper like her father, and she's already following in his footsteps as one of the best. But it's tough being the only girl in an all-guy world, especially when three of those guys start making her life more complicated: Simon, the angelic apprentice who has heaven on his side; Beck, the tough trapper who thinks he's God's gift, and Ori, the strikingly sexy stranger who keeps turning up to save her ass. One thing's for sure - if she doesn't keep her wits about her there'll be hell to pay...

Plus, I think the cover to Forsaken is pretty gorgeous.

Night Shift by: Lilith Saintcrow

2010-07-29T01:12:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Not everyone can take on the things that go bump in the night.

Not everyone tries.

But Jill Kismet is not just anyone.

She’s a hunter, trained by the best--and in over her head.

Welcome to the night shift…
[found at barnesandnoble.com]

I came across the Jill Kismet series on a whim one day at my local Barnes and Noble. The premise of the story seemed really cool and it seemed like I was going to get an edgy, gritty urban fantasy novel, so I purchased the novel.

So, when I finally picked up the book this past week, I was pretty pumped to read it.

My hopes of this being the next dark, edgy urban fantasy find of mine were quickly squashed. In a brutal, bloody way.

There were good parts to this novel but there were equally bad parts, also. I’ll start off with the bad first.

First of all, Jill was like the mash-up of everything people assume these urban fantasy hunter characters should be. She wore a long trench leather coat (cliché), wore leather pants (for the reasons much like Kim Harrison’s main character Rachael), hated herself, constantly reminded people around her that the only way to stay sane in this clearly insane world was to booze it up and sleep around, hated herself, and had a cool car.

Jill annoyed the ever-living daylights out of me. Between her constant whining about herself and the “vulnerability” the author tried to give her, it made it really hard for me to like her. I’ve seen the self-hating hunter main character many a time. I was hoping to get a badass chick who didn’t hate herself for a change.

Besides, what badass chick says “frocking” when she so clearly has said fucking in the novel? There were other major out of character moments in this novel. Like, who says their knife “left [their] hand with a glitter” (157)? What does that even mean? And on page 311, after an entire book where Jill is sort of talking to the reader but not really, she pulls this, “And I don’t want to talk about that anymore” out of her hat. I think that’s a huge no-no and something that should’ve been caught by someone along the editing process.

There were some things just straight up annoyed me, like the silver charms in her hair always tinkling. Every other page the charms were tinkling away in her hair. And why were they there anyway? I mean, I think Saintcrow’s reasoning was that Jill’s mentor (more on him in a minute) gave her the charms and she just tied them in her hair. Why? That’s a reasoning I would really love to have, because it just doesn’t make sense to me. And then Saul starts doing it, for reasons unbeknownst to me.

Now, I could not get the image of Mr. Miyagi out of my head whenever Jill mentioned her mentor. I don’t know why, especially because the teacher was Russian. I just couldn’t. Except he was everything I would never want Mr. Miyagi to be. Apparently he beat Jill (to make her stronger, of course) and then talked her into this whole having a hell breed mark her for reasons that weren’t stated. With Jill’s past (she was an abused prostitute, which I think the author just threw in there to make her seem more vulnerable) I could easily see why she would be stupid enough to just trust what her teacher was saying instead of rationally thinking about the huge mistake she might be making by having herself marked. But I still wanted to know why he wanted her to have it done. And I want Jill to wake up and realize she was in a hell of an abusive relationship with this guy. He seemed like a grade A douche.

I also really hated how the glossary was in the back of the book, because right away these words were thrown at me and I had no clue what they meant and it wasn’t until I paged through the book and saw the glossary that I knew what they meant. I think it’s the Black Daggerhood books where the glossary is in the front. That’s a hell of a lot more helpful. But that could just be a personal thing.

Now, there were some good parts. Some. Not a lot. But some. I think the gore in this was well written. I thought that aspect was good. There was plenty of blood and guts and disgusting images. Which was cool, because you don’t get a lot of that sometimes in urban fantasy novels. I also loved Perry. I thought he was awesome. I want to know more about him. Hell, I want a book in his POV. He was deliciously evil, who apparently just makes Jill beat him to a bloody pulp as payment for being marked. That doesn’t sound like too bad of a trade-off to me. Supernatural abilities and the only payment is beating the crap out of the ‘breed that did it to you? Okay, sure. Could be worse. In short, I think Perry stole every scene in the book he was in and I’d love to see more of him.

I also liked Saul. Once I got past the whole domestic werewolf thing (I kept imagining a big strong werewolf with a pink apron on), I started to like him. Sure, he’s clingy and possessive of Jill for no reasons that are stated, but he’s sweet. I’d like to know more about him. And I liked Harper and Dom.

So, overall, I don’t think it was a strong start to a series. There were a lot of cliché urban fantasy moments, a whiny bordering on pathetic at times main character, and a lot that wasn’t explained to the reader. But there were some parts that might be enough for me to check out the second book. I haven’t decided yet.

Overall rating: 4/10

Alice In Wonderland: Movie Review

2010-07-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Alice in Wonderland
Directed by: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter

I liked this movie. It wasn’t the best Tim Burton film, but I thought his vision of Through The Looking Glass was pretty damn cool. Wonderland looked awesome and I thought the costumes looked great.

Mia did a pretty good job as Alice, though she was a little bland at times. Johnny was wonderful as the Mad Hatter (though his Scottish brogue got to be a bit much), and I loved the Cheshire Cat. He’s always been my favorite character, and I thought he looked fantastic and Stephen Fry did great. Alan Rickman as the caterpillar was cool. And Helena made me laugh with her portrayal of the Red Queen.

The plot was pretty decent. I liked how it was about Alice’s journey in trying to find her name and who she really was. I think a lot of people can relate to that journey.

I thought the settings and how everything looked was really well done. I liked the overall atmosphere of the movie and how all the characters looked. Some were outlandish (like the Red Queen's big head) but it just works.

Definitely a movie I would rewatch. It wasn’t drop dead amazing, but it was well done.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Sherlock Holmes: Movie Review

2010-07-20T23:58:00.000-05:00

Sherlock Holmes
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downing Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong

Oh, Robert Downing Jr. How adorable you are. I loved him in this movie. I thought he played a really good Sherlock Holmes (hopefully that doesn’t change when I get around to reading the stories). Him and Law had great chemistry, I loved their little duo. They played off one another well and I after watching them together I cannot imagine another Holmes/Watson act. Loved the humor between them.

That said, the movie wasn’t amazing. It seemed to drag a little in times and the plot wasn’t as strong a mystery as I would’ve liked. The villain was kind of the static evil character, with no real motive on why he was doing what he was doing (aside from selfish “I want to dominate all” reasons). And Rachel McAdams character might have been better played by another actress. I didn’t hate her, but I didn’t love her as the character, either.

The setting was well done, I thought that aspect was really good. They did a good job recreating London.

All in all, it was an enjoyable movie. I’ll definitely watch it again and I’ll be watching the sequel when it comes out.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Waiting On Wednesday #1

2010-07-20T23:53:00.001-05:00

So, I want to get more involved with this blog and try to have a set number of blogs a week, even if they're just filler stuff like this.

I've seen "Waiting on Wednesday" at a lot of the book review blogs I follow, and I think it's an awesome idea that focuses on upcoming releases. It's hosted by: breakingthespine and this week I'm actually looking forward to a book I found over at Dead Book Darling called Fallen Angel. It's by Heather Terrell and looks really good. Here's the synopsis:

The first book in a dark, edgy new angel series about a girl who finds herself forced to choose sides in the battle between fallen angels, even if that means going against the boy she loves.

When Ellie Faneuil first sees Michael Chase she feels an instantaneous connection. But she does not realize how much they have in common, including the ability fly and to see what others are thinking - not to mention a taste for blood. Reveling in their new powers and their growing feelings for each other, Ellie and Michael are determined to uncover what they are, and how they got this way ... together.

But the truth has repercussions neither could have imagined. Soon they find themselves center stage in an ancient conflict between fallen angels that threatens to destroy everything they love. And it is no longer clear whether Ellie and Michael will choose the same side.

In this electrifying novel Heather Terrell spins a gripping tale of soul-mates, supernatural powers and a truth that will change Ellie and Michael‘s world forever.

It's due out December 28th. Right after Christmas, so I know what my Christmas money might be spent on, haha.

I love books that focus on Angelic beings. Especially if they're bad ass. I'm hoping this one is a bit more darker and more edgy than Hush Hush was.

Let The Right One In by: John Ajvide Lindqvist

2010-07-19T20:29:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

It is autumn 1981 when the inconceivable comes to Blackeberg, a suburb in Sweden. The body of a teenage boy is found, emptied of blood, the murder rumored to be part of a ritual killing. Twelve-year-old Oskar is personally hoping that revenge has come at long last---revenge for the bullying he endures at school, day after day.

But the murder is not the most important thing on his mind. A new girl has moved in next door---a girl who has never seen a Rubik’s Cube before, but who can solve it at once. There is something wrong with her, though, something odd. And she only comes out at night. . .
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I saw the movie to Let The Right One In a little while ago, so one would think I knew what I was getting myself into with this movie. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Lindqvist had so much more in this novel than was shown in the movie. I loved all the storylines in this story, and how each character we were introduced to somehow tied into all the others. It was great and seems like quite a job to accomplish.

Eli is probably one of the best vampires I've seen in modern literature, I really liked her. I wish we could've gotten a bit more background on her. And Oskar was a really cool protagonist. You feel for him, but you know that he's probably a little crazy. In a sea of Mary Sue/Gary Stu characters, Oskar was a breath of fresh air to me. He was different. The two characters were also really good together. I loved the whole Morse Code thing. They had that childlike innocence but were mature, too. They had a great relationship that I thought Lindqvist did a great job with.

Even the side characters were given proper time to develop. I really felt for Virgina and Lacke by the end of the novel. They all got enough time to have good backstories and become three-dimensional.

There were a couple style things that I didn't like. Lindqvist used ellipses like they were going out of style, and by the end of the book, I just wanted to start crossing them out. It got really annoying to see unneeded ellipses smack dab in the middle of a sentence. And he didn't put commas in front of names, so that kind of bugged me a little. Maybe it's just a cultural thing?

Now, this novel does have parts that might upset some readers. There is some gore. Lots of blood and inner organs and brains. So, if you're not a fan of that, you might not like the novel. And there are some touchy issues with prostitution of young boys and things like that.

I liked the setting of the novel. All the snow and ice and darkness. It really played well with what was happening in the novel.
And I loved the end of the novel. The last fifteen pages were just awesome.

So, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes the vampire genre and can handle the more mature aspects of the novel. I'd also recommend the movie. It follows the novel really well and the main actors who play Oskar and Eli were great. I'm kind of nervous to see how the American version is going to be.

Overall rating: 10/10

Say You're One Of Them by: Uwem Akpan

2010-07-06T19:53:00.000-05:00

It's hard to give a synopsis for short story collections, so I'm just going to go through each story, give a brief background on it, and say what I did and didn't like.

The first story of the collection is "An Ex-mas Feast" which is about an eight year old boy (the narrator) whose sister starts working the streets to pay to fund his schooling and such. I think it was a good way to open the story, because it eases the reader into the cultural differences better than any of the other stories might have. It's definitely a touchy subject, seeing as how his twelve-year-old sister is prostituting herself to take care of the family and her brother, but it's not as graphic or mind jarring as the rest of the collection is. The story was okay. A good opener but not my favorite.

"Fattening For Gabon" is the next in line. It's a novella that just seems to go on forever. There were so many times I just wanted to quit reading it, but I made it to the end. (I saved the novellas for last, which was a good thing.) The writing was dry, the whole story seemed to drag, and the ending was kind of anti-climatic for me. The main subject was about an uncle trying to save his niece and nephew from slavery, which is a horrible, very powerful subject, but I just didn't enjoy the story. The chopped language really broke me from the flow of the story all the time. I understood the French, but the other language just went completely over my head, and it's used throughout the collection, so I was constantly being pulled from the story, trying to figure out what it might mean. I really wanted to like the story, but it was probably the one I disliked the most.

"What Language Is This?" followed, and this one was a short story about two friends (one of them being "you") who are told they can't be friends anymore because one is Christian and one is Muslim, and these two religious groups got into it and just were completely at war with each other. It was a good story, I really liked it. I liked seeing these two young friends trying to understand what was happening to them, it was really realistic and offered an interesting point of view. It was another story that used the POV of "you" well.

"Luxurious Hearses" is another novella about a sixteen-year-old boy named Jubril who is traveling from North Nigeria to South Nigeria because of the religious conflict between Muslims and Christians (he's both). It also dragged in times, and I felt some of it was confusing and just went right over my head at first. I'd have to put the book down and ponder it or reread the passage to get it. I liked the main story line of this boy trying to figure out who he is in this really huge, horrible war of sorts going on. There was a lot of violence in the novel and it's culturally jarring. I liked that about the story, it really immersed me in this different culture. But it had dry writing, too, and had the confusing language that sometimes pulled me from the story. But it was easier for me to read than "Fattening For Gabon."

The last story in the collection is "My Parents' Bedroom." I think that story was the most emotional of the pieces. I read it and was just shocked at what was happening. It was my favorite of the collection, I really liked it. Definitely violent, so not for the light of heart. But it definitely helps the reader see just exactly what some of these people went through and how very horrible it was. And I think it was the best style wise.

So, overall, this collection disappointed me a bit more than the others I checked out. Sometimes it was hard for me to relate to the characters, which wasn't the case in the other two collections I read. And Akpan's writing definitely doesn't flow as well as theirs does. I just don't think the collection had the heart like the others did. It was more techincal, very distant. It was like seeing these horrible things on the news and not being directly immersed in them. Which, he's from Nigeria so I can understand why he might distance himself a bit, because I don't know what he saw or went through. But I think "My Parents' Bedroom" was a gem of a story and worth reading.

My Rating: 5/10

Fledgling by: Octavia E. Butler

2010-06-28T17:59:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

This story opens with Shori Matthews awakening in a cave, very injured, with no memory of who or what she is. As the story continues, we find out that even though she appears to be around ten years of age, she's actually a 53-year-old genetically altered vampire, and that she is the only one to survive a massacre against her family. The rest of the novel is not only about Shori trying to relearn the ways of her people, but also about Shori trying to get justice against the people who killed her family.
[synopsis in my words]

Fledgling is the first novel I've read by Octavia E. Butler. I've been meaning to check out some of her work for a while, so on my last trip to the local library, I picked up Fledgling. I'm glad I did. It proved to be a very good story, with strong characters. It ended on a good note, but I do wish there had been more stories about Shori and the people she grew close to.

Butler had a very interesting take on vampires. The Ina were very different from the classic view of how vampires should be. I have seen some of the ideas in other novels, such as vampires have venom in their saliva that makes their bites pleasurable, but in other stories it sometimes seems unrealistic or just plain weird. But it works in this novel. Everything Butler writes about the Ina community and people is realistic. Never once did I think, "Now, that couldn't happen," like I have in other books concerning vampires in the past. She delves into more scientific explanations without it being overly confusing. It all just works nicely together.

Shori was a strong lead character. I liked how some of the themes of the story were learning how to live with your differences, joining and living in a community, relearning who you are, etc. These are very human struggles that many people can probably relate to, which helped make Shori a likeable character.

There were also strong secondary characters. I like Wright, Brook, Celia, Joel, Martin, Daniel, and Theodora. There wasn't an overload of information on their backgrounds, but enough to make them good, rounded characters. Even the villains were well rounded because they had a motive for doing what they did, and it's a motive that is another human struggle many of us could relate to. I really liked that Butler didn't just make them bad for the sake of being bad; their motive was clear and defined.

There were a couple things I could see as being offensive to some people, especially the fact that Shori has sexual partners and she appears to be just a young girl. So, I wouldn't recommend this to someone who wouldn't be able to get past that. There is also some violence, so people who aren't fans of any gruesome details (such as having someone's legs sawed off completely as a punishment) might not like it.

While the book was easy to read, there were some parts that didn't necessarily drag, but they weren't very action orientated. I think there was a pretty good mixture of action and information, but sometimes it just felt like you were getting the same information over and over again (which, in one case, you were, but that was intentional).

All in all, I was really pleased with the novel. It was written well (there were some errors I caught, but not enough to completely throw me from the flow of the book as I read) and had a strong narration by Shori. I'll definitely be checking out more of Butler's novels.

Overall rating: 8/10

Dream House by: Valerie Laken

2010-06-24T18:26:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

One terrible night. One outraged act. What price will people pay to hold their homes and dreams together?

When Kate and Stuart Kinzler buy a run-down, historic house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, they're looking for a decent remodeling investment and a little space in which to rekindle their troubled marriage. Instead they discover that their home was the scene of a terrible crime many years ago—a revelation that tips the balance of their precarious union.

When a mysterious man begins lurking around her yard, Kate—now alone—is forced to confront her home's dangerous past. Hers is not the only life that has crumbled under this roof. But the stranger who has returned to this house—once his own childhood home—is in search of something Kate may never fully understand.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I had the pleasure of meeting Valerie Laken earlier in June when she came to my school for a writer's conference we had. She talked some about the novel, such as what research went into it and how she got the idea. It was pretty cool to see those ideas she had been talking about at the conference in the novel.

I think Laken told a really good story. It was an entertaining novel with some strong, solid characters. I felt for all of them, and could really relate to each of them. I've read a couple of Laken's short stories and have noticed that she always has really strong characters in her stories, which is a major plus. And the house was a character itself, which was really cool. I liked the way Laken personified it and made it a living, breathing thing.

I also liked the setting. Ann Arbor just fit right with the story. It helped make the novel as realistic as it was. Reading it, you can almost believe that these characters are real and that this happened.

It's a strong debut novel, and I hope to see more from Laken in the future. I think she's coming out with a short story collection in the fall, which I'm pretty excited about. (One of the short stories she read at the conference; it was amazing.)

All in all, a very enjoyable read. It had that "man, I wanna know what happens next" quality to it that kept me interested until the end. I would recommend it to fans of strong character novels, who like a little mystery thrown in there, too.

Overall rating: 9/10
Cover Commentary: I love the cover. I think it's very striking, and even if I hadn't known about Laken prior to reading the novel, if I had seen it on a shelf somewhere, I probably would've picked it up. Works well for the story.

Behind My Eyes by: Li-Young Lee

2010-06-20T01:19:00.000-05:00

On my latest trip to my local library I picked up a couple poetry collections that I've had my eye on for a while. This including Li-Young Lee's collection Behind My Eyes. I haven't been reading Li-Young Lee for long, but after reading this collection, he's steadily making his way to becoming a favorite. Some of his pieces are so heartfelt, so emotive, you can feel them. Some of my favorites in this collection include, "Immigrant Blues", "Hymn to Childhood," "Have You Prayed," "Virtues of a Boring Husband," and "To Hold."

The collection's main themes include: childhood, life, death, being an immigrant (Li-Young Lee was born in Indonesia to two Chinese parents), and Lee's father.

There were some poems I didn't care for in the collection, but not becase they weren't written well, just from personal style/prefereces.

I would recomend this collection to anyone looking to broaden their horizons concerning poetry.

Overall rating: 7/10

Interpreter of Maladies: Jhumpa Lahiri

2010-06-19T00:41:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Navigating between the Indian traditions they've inherited and the baffling new world, the characters in Jhumpa Lahiri's elegant, touching stories seek love beyond the barriers of culture and generations. In "A Temporary Matter," published in The New Yorker, a young Indian-American couple faces the heartbreak of a stillborn birth while their Boston neighborhood copes with a nightly blackout. In the title story, an interpreter guides an American family through the India of their ancestors and hears an astonishing confession. Lahiri writes with deft cultural insight reminiscent of Anita Desai and a nuanced depth that recalls Mavis Gallant. She is an important and powerful new voice.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I picked this collection up along with The Thing Around Your Neck at my local library, and I enjoyed it about as much as I enjoyed that collection. The stories were well written, I think Lahiri has a wonderful style to her writing. Each of the stories were realistic, with real situations and characters. I liked getting the chance to see and learn more about Indian culture through Lahiri's characters. Her descriptions painted a clear picture of the settings and characters. She put just the right amount of detail into her work.

As I said, I enjoyed every story in the collection. They each had an interesting tale to tell. I'd have to say I enjoyed "Sexy" and "The Third And Final Continent" the best.

I will definitely be checking out Lahiri's novels. If they're anything like her short stories, I know I'll enjoy them.

Overall rating: 10/10

Follow My Book Blog Friday

2010-06-18T19:10:00.001-05:00

Hello! Because my blog is pretty tiny, I joined in on the fun of blog hopping because of a post Parajunkee made. So, hello to any new followers I might get! Leave a comment and tell me a little bit about yourself! (: And, of course, thanks so much for following! I hope you like what you see!

<3
Emily

The Thing Around Your Neck by: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2010-06-14T21:51:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:
These twelve dazzling stories from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — the Orange Broadband Prize–winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun — are her most intimate works to date.

In these stories Adichie turns her penetrating eye to the ties that bind men and women, parents and children, Nigeria and the United States. In “A Private Experience,” a medical student hides from a violent riot with a poor Muslim woman, and the young mother at the centre of “Imitation” finds her comfortable life in Philadelphia threatened when she learns that her husband has moved his mistress into their Lagos home.

Searing and profound, suffused with beauty, sorrow and longing, this collection is a resounding confirmation of Adichie’s prodigious literary powers.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

There was not a story in this collection that I didn't enjoy in some way. Each was well written and contained individual tales that shown two completely different cultures. It was interesting to read the stories where the characters came to America, I liked seeing the differences between the cultures.

Her style of writing is simple but strong, and her descriptions are very vivid. She's a wonderful writer. Her stories were realistic; that's what I think made them so powerful. Her characters were people I could relate to, even though I come from a completely different background. Her characters were selfish at times and completely human.

If I were forced to choose, I'd say the first story was the weakest. I think the stories I enjoyed the most were probably the title story and "Tomorrow Is Too Far". But I liked all of them for separate reasons.

Adichie is also one of the only writers to write a story using "you" as the narration that I think works. Usually I'm not too fond of those sorts of narrations, but she made it work.

I'll definitely be reading more by her. If her novels are anything like her short stories, I know I'll love them. This was a great collection I'll definitely be re-reading.

Overall rating: 10/10

Japanese Literature Challenge Four

2010-06-14T21:22:00.000-05:00

I'm really excited to be participating in the fourth Japanese Literature Challenge, hosted by the wonderful Dolce Bellezza. This will be the second year I have participated. Last time around I got the chance to read some amazing books, and it really opened my eyes to Japanese Literature. I cannot wait to delve into some more wonderful stories!

Care to join? You can go here to read a little bit more about the Challenge. And simply go to the review site to add in the link to your reviews! There is also a wonderful list of book suggestions that I know I'll be taking advantage of!

The challenge lasts from June 1st, 2010 until January 30th, 2011.

<3

Fire In The Blood by: Irène Némirovsky

2010-06-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

We hear the voice of Silvio: a man getting on in years who has returned to the village of his youth after a long time abroad. He lives by himself, enjoys his wine and his solitude. But a visit from his cousin Hélène and her husband François, with their future son-in-law in tow, begins to draw Silvio back into the life of his family and of this insular community, toward the revelation of secrets he and others have guarded for decades. As the novel unfolds, we are given an intimate picture of the web of marriage and infidelity, loyalties set against love, trust and betrayal, scandal vying with reputation, evils petty and potent, youthful passions and regrets of age that tie Silvio to both his past and the unexpected events of...(the present).

[from barnesandnoble.com. the end was cut off for some reason, so I added what I assumed they meant to be written after the elipsis.]
This is the first novel I've read by Irène Némirovsky, and I know it won't be the last. It was a well crafted story, taking place in a small French town, where everyone knows everyone, but doesn't like to get involved in anyone else's business but their own. It made for the perfect setting for the novel, especially when all the secrets from the past and the secrets in the present are unraveled.

At the core of this novel is youth and the passing of time. How when you're younger you have that "fire in your blood" that sometimes disapates when you get older, and how it's missed once it's gone.

I liked the main character's voice and how we get to see him change throughout the novella, and I liked the tiny glimpses into his past that we were shown, especially the ending bit.

All in all, a good story. Very easy to finish, but something that makes the reader think.

Overall rating: 7/10

Beloved by: Toni Morrison

2010-06-12T22:29:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Staring unflinchingly into the abyss of slavery, this spellbinding novel transforms history into a story as powerful as Exodus and as intimate as a lullaby. Sethe, its protagonist, was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. She has too many memories of Sweet Home, the beautiful farm where so many hideous things happened. And Sethe’s new home is haunted by the ghost of her baby, who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved. Filled with bitter poetry and suspense as taut as a rope, Beloved is a towering achievement.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

This is a story I'll have to read again to fully understand and appreciate it. There are so many layers to Beloved and so many messages, it's hard to grasp each theme and idea the first time around. It definitely focuses on aspects of guilt, living with our pasts and trying to move on, defining ourselves as humans (there's a point in the story I loved where the main character, Sethe, is told that she has two legs, not four. It was a really powerful moment), and family.

The descriptions and ideas Morrison uses to paint a picture for something is so beautiful. The style of this book, much like The Bluest Eye, flows well and has a heavy poetic feel to it. The story is both raw and real, while also being dreamy and kind of like the state between being awake and asleep. Sometimes you don't really know what's going on until she hits you with an image so powerful you're left almost breathless, wondering how you got to that point without realizing what was happening.

I really liked the story. The characters left me wanting more at times, but they were well written. I could feel their pain, especially when they were talking about their past as slaves. Very emotional. The whole book is emotional, especially considering when it takes place. I liked how in the end Denver was stronger and became more independent. I really, really wanted to know what had happened to Halle though! I think not knowing worked for the novel, though. There were some aspects that were left to the reader's imagination, and I liked that.

I liked the supernatural aspect to the novel, and how it felt so realistic. It was well written.

All in all, this was a very good book. Not for the light-hearted, because it's very dark at times.

Overall rating: 8/10

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by: Kim Edwards

2010-06-08T02:25:00.002-05:00

Synopsis:

On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret.
But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that long-ago winter night.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

“A moment was not a single moment at all, but rather an infinite number of different moments, depending on who was seeing things and how.”
                    --The Memory Keeper’s Daughter; page 214-215

On of the first things to draw me into The Memory Keeper’s Daughter was the story. The second thing that drew me in was Edwards’ style of writing. It’s very poetic and flows together to create beautiful passages and moments. I loved the imagery and descriptions she gave (though some become a bit redundant at times); everything just sounded so beautiful, even if she was describing a great tragedy.

I also liked how all of the characters in this novel were selfish, because it made them realistically human. Each one of them made mistakes. David wasn’t the only character to make a wrong decision, though his was, obviously, the climax of the novel.

Speaking of the climax of the novel, I liked how it was right in the beginning of the novel, and how the rest of the novel was the resolution. This story was about consequences and living with a secret and how it can tear people apart. I like novels that show that aspect of human life. It’s always interesting.

"This was what his father had believed: that each person was an isolated universe."
                  --The Memory Keeper's Daughter; page 381

The characters were written well. The reader can sympathize with them all at one point, and at one point want to shake them and ask them to wake the hell up. I felt bad for Norah, started to dislike her a bit during the middle of the novel, and towards the end of the book I understood. Even though she made some bad decisions, I understood why she made those decisions. Just like I understood why David made the decision he made. It wasn’t the best decision, but I understood. And that was a fulfilling moment.

All in all, I really liked the novel. It’s probably one of the best pieces of literary fiction I’ve read (I would consider it literary fiction, not genre fiction, per say). The characters are completely realistic and it has a beautiful tone of voice to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and tried to soak in as much as I could. This is a novel I can definitely see myself re-reading.

"He imagined the notes falling into the air like stones into water, rippling the invisible surface of the world. Waves of sand, waves of light: his father had tried to pin everything down, but the world was fluid and could not be contained."
                         --The Memory Keeper's Daughter; page 401

Overall rating: 9/10

Marmaduke: A Film Review

2010-06-05T02:10:00.000-05:00

Directed by: Tom Dey
Starring: Lee Pace, Owen Wilson (voice), George Lopez (voice), Judy Greer, Emma Stone (voice).

Oh, Marmaduke. Now, I love the comic strip (sentimental reasons), so I was interested to see just how they were going to translate a comic as simple as Marmaduke into a 90 minute film. And I adore Lee Pace. He's one of my favorite actors. So getting to see him was definitely a plus.

In all, this was a kids' film. Don't go to the show expecting some grand message like in some of the children's films we've seen lately. There's very cliche parts, and jokes that probably only kids will find all that funny. Lot of slapstick comedy.

That said, I did enjoy the film. There were parts that made me laugh, and it was a cute film. It had the whole, "stay loyal to your friends and family feel to it" that a lot of other kids' movies have. It didn't have that big of a plot or anything, but it kept me entertained the 90 minutes. And Lee Pace was adorable, as usual.

So, if you're babysitting or have any young kids, I'd recommend taking them to see the film. There were some children in the audience that were just cracking up at some of the jokes. It was cute.

Overall: 6/10

Tempest Rising by: Nicole Peeler

2010-05-31T00:54:00.002-05:00

Synopsis:

Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.
It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever-rub the genie's lamp.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

The first thing that drew me into this novel was the cover. I thought it was really original and pretty cool looking (I admit to being one of those who do judge a book by its cover). And I'm glad I gave it a shot. For a debut novel, Tempest Rising was really entertaining, and had some really strong characters.

Jane True is a pretty solid main character. She has flaws and she's indepentdent but vulnerable at the same time. She's relatable, and had a great voice. I especially loved the parts when she argued with herself. It's something I'm guilty of doing at times, and it made me laugh. She was sarcastic and witty, and all around the type of girl that I would probably want to be friends with.

Her relationship with Ryu, like in most paranormal novels, gets heated up pretty quickly. They do have good chemistry together, but I wish we could've had a bit more time to get some more tension in and then have them finally do the deed. But that might just be me. And I wish we'd gotten to know more about Ryu's background. I was surprised that Jane never asked him about his life. What he's seen and done. If I learned that the guy I liked was 270 years old, I was certainly ask him a few questions. I think without that bit of a background, Ryu isn't going to be as developed as he could be.

A side character that I absolutely loved was Anyan. Even though he only had a few moments in the novel, he was great. I can't wait to get to know more about him. I think he's going to be a really strong character.

The plot was decent enough and it stayed constant throughout the novel. And the amount of supernaturals she put in this was good. It wasn't just vampires and other "normal" supernaturals one sees these days. There was incubi, succubae, elves (though they're called Alfar), dryads, genies, selkies; a whole slew of supernaturals. I liked that. It showed a lot of variety from what we've been seeing lately. And I like that she lives in a small town.

One thing I really liked was the allusions that Peeler made. From Dostoevsky to Edith Wharton to Angela Lansbury playing Mrs. Fletcher in Murder She Wrote (that allusion particularly made me laugh, because right before I read it, I had been thinking about how the novel paralled some aspects of the show). Those were great.

So, all in all, I liked the first book enough to want to pick up the second. It was a fast read, entertaining, and had great characters. So I'll definitely be picking up Tracking The Tempest.

Overall Rating: 8/10

The Edge Of Love

2010-05-28T21:59:00.000-05:00

Director: John Maybury
Starring: Kiera Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys

I'm a sucker for movies set during WWII. So, due to that and the fact that the movie starred both Keira Knightley and Cillian Murphy (two of my favorite actors), I knew I had to see it. And I wasn't disappointed.

To start off, I loved the scenary in this novel. From a war-torn London to the beautiful Wales countryside, the setting was perfect. Really helped set the tone for the movie.

I also liked that the characters were horribly flawed. It made them more realistic. (Cillian Murphy wasn't that flawed, he just had a little PTSD at the end). The actors all did a great job. I don't know if the Director wanted us to hate Dylan Thomas, but I did. The actor played a great asshole. He was so selfish. I don't really understand why both Caitlin and Vera put up with it. He definitely wasn't worth it.

I liked seeing the friendship between Vera and Caitlin grow. They had some great moments together, and the ending between them was really well done. I liked it.

I was surprised to find that Kiera can actually sing. Sure, she's not fabulous, but she was good enough to play the part well. And Cillian looked amazing in uniform. I wish he had gotten a little more screen time, because I liked his character. Out of all of them, I felt the most for him.

There were some parts in the movie that dragged a bit, but all in all it was a decent film. I enjoyed it enough. I would watch it again.

Overall rating: 7/10

Agnes Grey by: Anne Brontë

2010-05-28T21:14:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Written when women—and workers generally—had few rights in England, Agnes Grey exposes the brutal inequities of the rigid class system in mid-nineteenth century Britain. Agnes comes from a respectable middle-class family, but their financial reverses have forced her to seek work as a governess. Pampered and protected at home, she is unprepared for the harsh reality of a governess’s life. At the Bloomfields and later the Murrays, she suffers under the snobbery and sadism of the selfish, self-indulgent upper-class adults and the shrieking insolence of their spoiled children. Worse, the unique social and economic position of a governess—“beneath” her employers but “above” their servants—condemns her to a life of loneliness.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

This is the first novel I've read by Anne Brontë, and I think there's only one other novel of hers that's been published. I was excited to see what the differences between her and her sisters were in their styles of writing. There are some distinct differences, but they all have sort of the same voice at times. Agnes, in my opinion, was pretty reminiscent to Jane in Jane Eyre when she was talking directly to the reader, and when she was describing how she felt for Mr. Weston (although she was much more conserved than Jane was). I thought it was funny how Weston's first name was Edward and Rochester's first name was Edward. I know it was a common name at the time, but the fact that it was used in both Agnes Grey and Jane Eyre for love interest of the main character was funny to me. Agnes Grey didn't parallel Jane Eyre, though. It was a much different novel. Agnes had a pretty rough time with the kids she taught and watched. They were spoiled little brats! I felt very bad for her. Whereas Jane got along really well with her pupil.

I think Agnes was a pretty strong character. Even though she could've ran home at any time and admitted defeat, she didn't. She stuck it out for her family through all the difficulties (and there were many). I do think this novel was probably a bit more realistic on the aspect of being a governess than Jane Eyre might have been.

I do wish, however, that there had been more scenes between Agnes and Mr. Weston. I wanted to see more interaction between them. Just to make the romance a little more believeable. I don't think we were given enough of a reason to believe they could love each other.

But I did like the end and how they met on the beach. That was pretty cute. Weston was pretty witty, which is why I would've liked some more scenes with him!

One thing Anne Brontë did well was create utterly unlikeable children. I wanted to throw them. Repeatedly. And the parents she created for these children were great. Definitely very realistic.

All in all, it was a good novel. Good enough to make me want to read her other novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The novel isn't quite up there with Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre, but it was worth reading. I'd recommend it to people who like the other Brontës, and to people who like novels that reflect the time period.

Overall rating: 7/10

Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins

2010-05-23T15:53:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

As most are aware, I loved the first novel, The Hunger Games, so I was very excited to finally get around to reading the sequel, Catching Fire. It definitely didn't disappoint! It was so entertaining, that I finished it in one day! I literally could not put it down.

Katniss was, once again, a strong main character. I liked getting to see the changes in her life after the Games, and getting to see more of the townspeople.

There was a lot of tension in this novel, especially in the beginning with President Snow. It worked well, at some points I was holding my breath, unsure of what was going to happen.

I was glad to see more of the secondary characters that were great in the first novel: Peeta (of course), Haymitch, Cinna (I still adore him, probably more than I did in the first. He's amazing), Effie, etc. And the addition of new characters, like Finnick, was great.

The plot was a little shaky, up until near the end, when a huge twist is thrown in. I don't really want to give it away for those who haven't read the novel, but it's great. Right at that moment, the novel picked up, and I read it possibly faster than I had been reading it before.

Now, I'm also not a fan of the love triangle. I adore Peeta. I think he's great. (I do love how both Haymitch and Katniss know she doesn't deserve him; that was a great moment in the novel). The whole love angle with Gale just seems forced. I think the novel would be far stronger if Gale just remained a friend. We haven't gotten enough of their relationship together to feel like they would be a great couple. But, we get some great moments with Peeta and Katniss, like when he sleeps with her to keep the nightmares away. That is so well written, and it works better than any moment between Gale and Katniss. I just think that with all the other love triangles in young adult books, this one didn't need it. That's one premise of the novels that just don't sit well with me.

The action in this one was good, too. Especially when they were watching the video of the year Haymitch was in the Games. That was great. We get an ax in the head, an empty eye-socket...it's wonderfully gruesome.

So, all in all, the sequel was good. I wouldn't say it's as good as the first, but it's entertaining, and definitely a great read. I cannot wait to read Mockingjay, especially with the way Catching Fire ended. (Cliffhanger alert, guys.)

Overall rating: 9/10

Graceling by: Kristin Cashore

2010-05-20T22:23:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.
When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely loved this novel. I thought it was well written, the voice and tone of the story was well developed, and the characters were awesome.

I loved the idea of people having certain Graces, and that if they're Graced they have two different eye-colors. I thought that was pretty cool. I also liked the fantasy setting Cashore set the novel in. The seven kingdoms and all. It worked well. Sometimes when people try to write fantasy it just doesn't turn out right, but I thought this brand of fantasy, for this novel, worked well.

Katsa was a strong main character. I liked her. I would've liked to have known a bit more about how she grew up, but all in all, she was a solidly developed character. She had flaws, which made her realistic. The reader can easily look past the fact that she can kill a man with her bare hands and relate to what she's going through. And I loved her Grace; I liked that it turned out to be a bit different than originally perceived in the beginning.

I also liked her relationship with Po. They had good chemistry and worked well on the page together. Their energies seemed to feed off each other. I think Cashore could've shown more interaction between them in the beginning, so their relationship didn't seem so rushed. Maybe that was just me. I kind of just wanted a bit more of a development between them.

Some of the secondary characters were great also. I loved Bitterblue and Raffin. They were great. And the villain was cool, too. I'd like to know why he did what he did, because no explanation was given (for obvious reasons) and with no indication of his motive, he isn't really as developed as he could be. He's just "the bad guy" with no reason why he's the bad guy, except because he's needed for the plot.

So, I loved the novel. For a debut, it was great. The characters Cashore set up are awesome, and I'm hoping they make an appearance in Bitterblue, because I know they're not in Fire. The ending? Amazing. I loved how she ended it. It left me, as a reader, highly satisfied, and as a writer, I appreciated the route she took to end the novel. I thought it was well done. And, Graceling isn't just a novel for young adults. I think plenty of adults could appreciate and love the novel, especially because the main character is an adult herself.

And the cover is gorgeous. Not as pretty as Fire's cover, but still pretty in its own way.

Overall rating: 9.5/10

Legion: A Film Review

2010-05-19T17:40:00.000-05:00

Directed by: Scott Stewart
Starring: Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson

I had high hopes for this film. I really wanted to like it. It looked interesting enough, and I'm a sucker for an Apocalypse movie, especially when there's badass angels to go along with it. However, it wasn't a strong movie. The plot was shaky at best, and even though there were some pretty good actions scenes, they weren't enough to save the movie.

It was never brought up just why the child was so important to the fate of mankind, and what would happen if he were to die. And it was never brought up just why God was so angry. I mean, using that he was sick of the bullshit just doesn't seem like a good enough excuse.

The acting also seemed really forced. Some of the lines just came across as cheesy and didn't seem as natural as they could've been. The most natural actor was probably Paul Bettany. And some of the characters were by far developed, and some were pretty cliché, with no original twists to help give them a fresh outlook.

All in all, what looked to be a pretty good film ended up falling a little flat. The angels' wings were pretty damn cool, though.

Overall rating: 5/10

The Reader: A Film Review

2010-05-19T16:35:00.001-05:00

Director: Stephen Daldry
Starring: Kate Winlet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross

This is one of the times when I'll have seen the movie before reading the book it was based on. So, there will be no comparisons, just a straight shot review.

I really liked this movie. I thought it was shot beautifully, each scene flowing well into the next. It never seemed choppy and there were never any breaks that took away from the story. The scenery was great, too, the buildings and such all looking authentic for the time period.

The actors, I thought, were well cast. Kate Winslet did an amazing job as Hannah, and I liked David Kross. He did a good job with the character.

The premise of the story is what drew me in. The sordid love affair and the role of having to deal with consequences for one's actions. The relationship between Kross and Winslet was believable. It was realistic. I think the two actors worked well together; it worked. The vulnerability of Hannah was played extremely well by Winslet, and the naivety was played well by Kross (and Fiennes did a good job of playing an older Michael). I loved the scenes where he read to her. It was well done, and I really enjoyed them.

I also loved the court scenes. Not only did Winslet play the part convincingly, but whenever the camera would capture Kross, the viewer could see the pain in his face at what was happening, and the viewer could see what touch decisions he was tossing back and forth in his head.

There were some tiny plot holes, such as why Hannah's lawyer didn't know her secret, unless she never had to sign anything in front of him, which I find a bit unlikely. But, all in all, the film worked. It was realistic and believable.

The Reader is a movie I would watch again, though I'll probably try to read the novel first.

Overall rating: 8/10

Letters To Juliet

2010-05-16T20:10:00.000-05:00

Director: Gary Winick
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Egan, and Gael García Bernal

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a good chick flick. But, it has to be a good chick flick. Not one of the countless movies out there that claim to be a feel good movie but just come off as overly sentimental and cliché. So, I was skeptical when it came to see Letters to Juliet. I didn’t know which one it would be, an actually good chick flick, or one of those overly sentimental ones.
In the end, I ended up liking it more than I thought. Most of the plot is something that we’ve seen before, but I loved the idea of Seyfried finding this letter about a lost love in Juliet’s wall in Verona. It was interesting, and in a sea of contrived plots, I thought it was pretty original. And I liked the journey that came next, of Claire, her grandson Charlie, and Sophie trying to find Claire’s lost love Lorenzo. It was cute. It had some great humor, and wonderful moments. By the middle of the movie, everyone knows how it’s going to end, but that’s okay, because it’s still entertaining. The characters are pretty well developed, I loved Redgrave’s character. She was hilarious. And I loved the interaction between Sophie and Charlie in the beginning, and I wish that quick wit between them had stayed constant throughout the whole film. I liked how their relationship developed (though it was sort of cliché) but I do wish they had kept that initial spark in there. Charlie kind of diminished from that cocky, funny character that he was in the beginning, and ended up quite like every other man in a romantic comedy.

I loved the scenery in the film. It made me want to jump on a plane to Italy immediately after the movie. It was beautiful.
So, all in all, it wasn’t a horrible film. It had some great lines, and the message was cute. It’s definitely something one could go see with a group or friends, a family member, or significant other. I’d recommend it to people just looking to have a good time and see a movie where you don’t have to think much, you just have to sit there and enjoy the character interactions and overall theme.
Overall rating: 7.5/10

I Am Legend by: Richard Matheson

2010-05-16T19:29:00.001-05:00

Synopsis (for just the novella I Am Legend, not any of the other stories):

From out of the night come the living dead with a single purpose: to destroy Robert Neville, the last man on earth.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I watched the movie I Am Legend a while ago, and was excited to see the similarities and differences between the movie and novella. There were definitely more differences than similiarities. I really liked the novella, I think it had a cooler message in the end, and I liked how the main character wasn't really someone the reader could fully love or fully hate. It was easy to empathsize with him, but he wasn't a very likeable character. He had flaws. And I liked that. He wasn't a kind-hearted survivor like Will Smith was in the movie, he was rough around the edge. So, I think the novella was a stronger story. I liked how the vampires communicated. The creatures in the movie didn't really communicate like the ones in the novella did. And I liked the scientific explanation that was given in the novella. It was definitely an interesting take on vampirism.

So, while I loved the movie, I think I liked the novella a bit more.

The other stories in the collection were interesting. I wasn't fond of "Buried Talents" or "Dance of the Dead".

"Prey" was okay, as was "Witch War", although I would've liked more on "Witch War". I think Matheson could've gone farther with that story. It was interesting. I would've liked to have known more about the seven girls. The end of "Dress of White Silk" was creepy, and I liked how he wrote it in the perspective of a little kid. That was cool. I liked the premise of "Mad House, but hated the main character. I didn't feel bad for what happened at the end of the story at all.

"The Funeral" was cool, but it's another story I would've liked to read more about. "From Shadowed Places" was all right, interesting enough. "Person to person" was probably my favorite in the collection, after the novella. I loved the ending, it was pretty awesome.

All in all, the stories were entertaining, but it's not a collection that I'll be going back to anytime soon. For some, I would recommend checking it out from the library first.

Overall rating: 6/10

Rebecca by: Daphne Du Maurier

2010-05-15T01:20:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:When the dashing Max de Winter finds a new wife while vacationing in Italy, he feels happy for the first time since Rebecca, his first wife, died. However, de Winter's grim housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is obsessively devoted to the first Mrs. de Winter and won't let the newlyweds forget Rebecca. As the tension escalates, Mrs. Danvers grows more desperate — and more deadly.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I loved this novel. I should just get that out of the way. It was really good. It had a very Victorian feel to it, even though it was written in the late 30's.

I thought the characters were great. The main character (I really don't think we ever learn her name) gets a tad annoying in about the middle of the novel, because she is afraid of standing up for herself, but then she finally does, and it's a great moment. I know I was cheering for her. And Mrs. Danvers is a great creepy housekeeper that everyone would probably be a little scared of. Maxim wasn't really in the novel as much as I would've liked him to be. He was more prominent in the end of the novel. He was there in the scenes, but he was a stoic, kind of off-standish character. I liked seeing more emotion in him at the end of the book.

I loved Manderley. The descriptions were great, there were some great images I could see clearly. What's a suspense novel without a big house, after all?

It should be clear that this is an old novel, so there isn't a lot of action or drama. I mean, it's there, but it's mostly about the characters and setting up for whatever drama there is. Much of Du Maurier's writing reminded me of Agatha Christie's writing.

The one thing that sucked was that there were quite a bit of errors in my copy of the novel, so that broke the flow sometimes. I don't know if it's just my edition, or if it's all of them. An editor should definitely go through the novel and fix them, if that's the case. Hah.

But, I loved the book. It's great for a rainy day.

Overall rating: 8/10

(500) Days Of Summer

2010-05-15T01:05:00.001-05:00

Director: Marc Webb
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel
Synopsis:
Mark (Gordon-Levitt) is an aspiring architect who currently earns his living as a greeting card writer. Upon encountering his boss' beautiful new secretary, Summer (Deschanel), Mark discovers that the pair have plenty in common despite the fact that she's seemingly out of his league; for starters, they both love the Smiths, and they're both fans of surrealist artist Magritte. Before long Mark is smitten. All he can think about is Summer. Mark believes deeply in the concept of soul mates, and he's finally found his. Unfortunately for Mark, Summer sees true love as the stuff of fairy tales, and isn't looking for romance. Undaunted and undeterred by his breezy lover's casual stance on relationships, Mark summons all of his might and courage to pursue Summer and convince her that their love is real.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

"This isn't a love story. This is a story about love."

I've wanted to see this film for a long time. Basically ever since it came out. I finally got around to renting it from Netflix and watching it last weekend.

Overall, it was a good movie. I liked the strong differences between Mark and Summer, and I liked how they changed throughout the film. At the end of the film, they weren't the same characters as they were in the beginning. Some of their scenes together were really cute and well done, like when they were in the bar, and when they were in the furniture store. I loved those scenes. I think they picked good actors for the lead roles, Joseph and Zooey did a great job in their parts.

I also loved the music in the film. It's definitely a great soundtrack!

I think that the sister should've been in more of the film, but that's just because I thought she was hilarious.

I thought the movie was well-shot, it flowed pretty well, and kept me interested until the end. There were some great lines and moments. I liked how the days were all out of order and you got day 500, then day 5, then day 45. It was cool.

This is definitely a movie I'd recommend to people who are more into character-driven movies and not plot driven movies.

I don't really have anything negative to say about the film. It wasn't absolutely amazing, but it wasn't horrible. It had a good message, good acting, some great moments, and was a great way to pass the time. I would definitely watch it again.

My rating: 7.5/10

The Picture of Dorian Gray by: Oscar Wilde

2010-05-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

The Picture of Dorian Gray highlights the tension between the polished surface of high society and the life of secret vice. In this updated version of the Faust story, the tempter is Lord Henry Wotton who lives selfishly for amoral pleasure; Dorian's good angel or conscience is the portrait painter Basil Hallward whom Dorian murders. Although sin is punished in the end, the book has a strong flavor of the elegantly perverse. Wilde asserted in his Preface to the expanded edition: "There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book. Books are well written or badly written. That is all."
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I loved this book. It's been sitting on my shelf for a while, waiting to be read, and I'm glad I finally got the chance to pick it up. Wilde's prose is beautiful, it flows wonderfully, painting clear pictures in the reader's mind. I could see everything vividly, as if I were in the story.

The plot was awesome, I loved the idea. And the dialogue is well written, especially the dialogue between Lord Henry and Dorian. There's a lot of philsophy in this novel, it's definitely a novel to make you think. But it's entertaining, too. There are some very funny moments. It's a novel that reflects Wilde's viewpoints of society at the time, much like most of his writings do.

The characters were great, too. I loved Dorian, he was so flawed it was easy to hate him, but you kind of loved him, too. Lord Henry was interesting, as was the Duchess. The moments between them were hilarious, I kind of wanted to see more between them. And Basil was interesting, too. I liked the way that the three main characters were distinctly the same, yet different at the same time. They played off one another well.

Along with the amazing descriptions, the dialogue was well written, too. There were a lot of great lines that make awesome quotes in this novel.

All in all, it was an amazing novel. Definitely one I would recommend to those who love British literature. Wilde was a great writer, one of my favorites. There were some parts that dragged a bit, but they were few and far between.

Overall rating: 9/10

The Time Traveler's Wife by: Audrey Niffenegger

2010-04-23T18:46:00.001-05:00

Synopsis:

Audrey Niffenegger's innovative debut, The Time Traveler's Wife, is the story of Clare, a beautiful art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous, his experiences unpredictable, alternately harrowing and amusing.

The Time Traveler’s Wife depicts the effects of time travel on Henry and Clare's marriage and their passionate love for each other, as the story unfolds from both points of view. Clare and Henry attempt to live normal lives, pursuing familiar goals — steady jobs, good friends, children of their own. All of this is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control, making their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I had really high hopes for this book after hearing some of the awesome reviews people had given it. So, maybe it's my fault for placing it on such a high pedestal. I really should learn to stop doing that.

Not to say I was completely disappointed with this book, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. I think the layout of the story was really confusing and disorganized at times, I had to frequently check back for dates and just trying to keep everything straight was sometimes difficult. And I didn't really like that it was in present tense. It read less like a story, and more like a diary at times.

I also didn't like how Niffenegger would introduce a character, and then we wouldn't hear about them for one hundred plus pages. I think some of them were just tools for her to develop the character. Like, there was really no point to Ingrid or Celia in the story (although I thought Ingrid was one of the more interesting characters. I wanted to know more about hers and Henry's relationship). I also think that alternating POVs, while I can understand why Niffenegger did that, I do think it delayed developing the characters big time. I didn't really start caring about the two main characters until more than two hundred pages in. They just seemed like characters I'd seen before. The girl who is always waiting on a guy, and the guy who is crazily fucked up who gets "saved" by this girl.

The plot was also lacking a little. It wasn't strong. This was definitely a character driven story, not a plot driven story. I think after a while it was just a story about how these two people cannot seem to overcome all these horrible things being thrown at them. And, really, a lot of horrible things happened to them. At one point in the story, I wondered if Niffenegger hated her own characters for everything she put them through.

That said, Niffenegger knows how to write. Her prose was really well done. Details were spot on. She had very clear concise pictures. So that was definitely well done. At times, the writing was a little cheesy, like the note Henry wrote to Clare at the end of the novel. That was just unrealistic to me. Here's this guy, librarian or not, who drinks and is quite fond of drugs and punk music, the tone of the note just seemed completely out of character. The note was more unrealistically written than him time traveling.

In all, this isn't a sweeping romantic tale. At least not in my opinion. It was a well written novel, with sort of developed characters that had somewhat shaky motives for the things they did, and an interesting premise. Worth a read, but I'd recommend you borrow it from the library before buying it.

Overall rating: 6/10

Cranford by: Elizabeth Gaskell

2010-04-11T15:40:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

With a series of sketches, the novel lovingly describes the "adventures" of middle-aged ladies in the quiet country village of Cranford in the 1830's. Despite their poverty, residents of the village are kind, decent, and thoroughly proper.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I had to read Cranford for a class I'm taking. It was a pretty pleasant read. It's slow and hard to get into at first, but about halfway through the novel the overall quaintness of the town and its inhabitants kept me interested. Miss Matty was just a sweetheart, and I liked the main character (though I didn't like how you don't learn her name until the end of the book). The novel is written almost as a series of short stories about the town, instead of a continuing plot. There are continuing themes throughout the novel, but each chapter is, essentially, its own story. I liked that. I think that was partly due to the fact that Cranford was a serial publication.

If you're interested in British literature, I would definitely recommend Cranford. It contrasts with a lot of the ideas in society at the time, but reflects some also. And the atmosphere of the small town works to the novel's advantage.

In all, I didn't hate the novel, but I don't know if I'll ever reread it. It's pleasant enough for one read through.

Overall rating: 7/10

The Great Gatsby by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

2010-03-26T19:44:00.000-05:00

Synopsis:

The mysterious Jay Gatsby embodies the American notion that it is possible to redefine oneself and persuade the world to accept that definition. Gatsby's youthful neighbor, Nick Carraway, fascinated with the display of enormous wealth in which Gatsby revels, finds himself swept up in the lavish lifestyle of Long Island society during the Jazz Age.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

The decades surrounding the roaring 20s have always fascinated me, which is part of the reason I love Fitzgerald's work so much. They're always very character-driven. Less about the plot and more about the people. While I don't always love that style of writing, I think Fitzgerald makes it work.

His details are often spot on, able to put you right in that moment, so you can hear the parties and the music. His settings always appropriate, and often a character in itself.

I've wanted to read The Great Gatsby for a while now, and I'm glad I was finally able to. The characters you might have been rooting for at the beginning are the ones you hate at the end, and there's a sad sort of complexity to Gatsby's character that just makes the reader feel sorry for you. I know I did.

The ending threw me, I loved it. It was not what I was expecting at all.

If you're a fan of the 20s, then this is a great novel to read. It breathes the decade, and the characters are enough to draw you in.

My rating: 7/10

Contest Over At Blog With Bite

2010-03-21T18:11:00.001-05:00

There's an awesome new contest at Blog with Bite, all information can be found here. A copy of Evolve is up for grabs. It's a new anthology with 23 new vampire tales from writers like Kelley Armstrong and Tanya Huff.

Rules and Regulations include:

Must be 13 or older

Must be US or Canadian resident (Mailing address)

Please no PO Boxes

You must be a follower of Blog with Bite

Contest Ends March 30th Midnight CST

And there are ways you can get extra enteries, such as by blogging! Be sure to check it out!

--Faith

Hush, Hush by: Becca Fitzpatrick

2010-03-20T13:42:00.003-05:00

Synopsis:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

After reading all the reviews of this novel, I had pretty high expectations for this novel. While it was far from a horrible read, it wasn't as good as I've heard. It was plenty entertaining, taking me only two days to read it. The dialogue was well written, and the scenes were pretty clear and detailed.

A couple things I had problem with was her punctuation in parts. Most of the ellipsis only got in the way of reading, stopping the flow of the story. And some of her em-dashes just seemed out of place.

Some of the ideas from the story have definitely been written before. The way the plot was delivered seemed pretty reminiscent of a lot of YA books out there I've read. I think this novel would've been better at a college setting. Almost all of the characters seemed older than sixteen, aside from the while Marcie Miller thing, and I think that was just thrown in to give the book more of a high school feel.

There were a couple characters I didn't really think needed to be in the story, like her mother. Her mom just seemed to be someone to add to climatic moments. Sort of a, "Man this horrible thing is happening, but it's going to be even worse if I don't get home before my mother does." Their relationship wasn't as developed as it could've been, so it left me just wanting the mother out of the story completely. Hopefully that is something Fitzpatrick works on in later books in the series.

I also think the change in Elliot's character was just odd. It seemed weird to portray him one way and then completely flip it over. I know what she was going for, but I don't think it was presented in the best way possible. It seemed like two different characters.

I liked that she waited to reveal what Patch was to Nora until later in the story, instead of throwing it out in the first fifty pages. The delay really made me want to keep reading more until I got to the point when Nora finds out. The pacing was pretty good. I do think there may have been too much happening, I kind of wanted more scenes to be built on, instead of continuous action happening throughout the novel. It was like one thing happened, and then something else happened, and then something else happened. It seemed a bit forced and rushed. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is the writing was paced well and such, but the action scenes were rushed and forced.

The relationship between Patch and Nora was pretty cliche. But I loved the end. I thought it was definitely sweet as hell. And Patch was a pretty original character. I liked the way he was written. Definitely something I enjoyed about the story. I also really liked Vee. She added to the story.

What really drew me to the novel was the aspect of fallen angels and all that. I think she delivered it pretty good. It kind of seemed like there was going to be this epic fight between the fallen and the regular angels, but that didn't happen. So I wouldn't say that Nora is caught between an "ancient battle". I don't know. The inside jacket just made it seem like I was going to be reading a different story than the one I read.

So, I haven't decided if the characters and the storyline about the angels is enough to make me read the novels next in the series. I might, I might not. There's plus sides and negative sides to the story. But I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking to kill a few hours, it's an entertaining enough story.

Overall rating: 7/10

Cover: I love the cover. It's gorgeous.

The Disappeared by: Kim Echlin

2010-03-18T18:37:00.003-05:00

Synopsis:

A love story set against the background of the Cambodian killing fields, Echlin’s novel is a Romeo and Juliet for our time. Sixteen-year-old Anne, raised by her widowed father, attends a proper young ladies’ school in Montreal. But Anne has a secret – she sneaks into blues clubs with her tutor, and one night, she meets Serey, a sexy Cambodian musician who plays the songs of his people as well as blues and rock.

Serey was in Canada when the Cambodian government fell, and his father begged him not to come home. The sheltered girl and the accidental refugee fall passionately in love; between them “everything was animal sensation and music.” They play the role of a gorgeous, exotic couple until the borders reopen, and Serey’s yearning for home and his family pulls him away.

Eleven years later, Anne flies to Phnom Penh to search for Serey in the chaos left by war and famine, following in the footsteps of the biblical heroine Ruth, who declared, “Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” Her love is undaunted by the obstacles she faces – from a merciless government to a people so desperate and downtrodden they’ll do anything to survive.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

This book was just a random pick I made. I saw it on the shelves, liked the description and gorgeous cover, and bought it.

In a way, I'm glad I did. The book wasn't a huge epic tale, the messages and points of the novel were given subtly at times and bold at times. Set in a war-torn country, it's definitely got a gruesome and sorrowful backdrop. The words the author uses paint a clear picture in the reader's heads.

The characters weren't as developed as I think they could have been. I wanted more. I wanted the boundary to be pushed and a line to be crossed. In some parts, they just didn't feel real to me.

But the writing was beautiful. It was poetic and flowed very well. Some of it was breathtaking, some horrifying.

The conclusion wasn't as strong as I think it could've been. I know what she was going for, and I think it could've been persented a little better. It was still touching, though.

All in all, this is a book to be read by those who enjoy novels that are meant to show the terrors and horrible things that happen in countries like Cambodia. The writing alone is enough to keep the novel standing on its own two feet, but the backdrop gives it a little extra something.

Overall rating: 7/10

Shutter Island by: Dennis Lehane

2010-03-13T19:29:00.005-06:00

Synopsis:

The year is 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, have come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Multiple-murderess Rachel Solando is loose somewhere on this barren island, despite having been kept in a locked cell under constant surveillance. As a killer hurricane bears relentlessly down on them, a strange case takes on even darker, more sinister shades—with hints of radical experimentation, horrifying surgeries, and lethal countermoves made in the cause of a covert shadow war. No one is going to escape Shutter Island unscathed, because nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is remotely what it seems.
[from barnesandnoble.com]

I ordered this book a while ago to read before seeing the movie, and I just got around to finishing it up.

I loved this book. Right from the start it's a mystery that captures the reader, especially with the isolated environment. His details about the Hospital and its surroundings are amazing, very well written. As were the characters. I loved the little backgrounds into Teddy's past with himself and Dolores. They not only added depth to the character, but they were very well written. Teddy was, all around, a really well written main character.

This read like a good ol' mystery at first, but soon turns into a totally mind boggling story. It's definitely a psychological thriller.

I can't say a lot without giving something away, and that would definitely take away from the experience of reading the novel. But the combination of a great setting, awesome characters, and a plot that just twists and turns in the greatest of ways, makes for a great novel. Definitely one I'll be reading again, only to see if I can catch clues and hints that I missed the first time around.

Wonderful read. I'll definitely be checking out more by Dennis Lehane. Hopefully the movie does the novel justice!

My rating: 10/10

The Bluest Eye by: Toni Morrison

2010-02-21T17:42:00.003-06:00

Synopsis:

Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl, prays every day for beauty. Mocked by other children for the dark skin, curly hair, and brown eyes that set her apart, she yearns for normalcy, for the blond hair and blue eyes that she believes will allow her to finally fit in.Yet as her dream grows more fervent, her life slowly starts to disintegrate in the face of adversity and strife.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I picked The Bluest Eye and Beloved by Toni Morrison up a while ago, not only because I'd heard she's an amazing writer, but because the synopsis of each story really drew me in.

I decided to read The Bluest Eye first, and I'm glad I did. Morrison's writing isn't just prose, it's a poetic sort of prose that leaves you breathless with some of the descriptions. But, at the same time, it isn't just the dreamy sort of poetic prose, it's the sort that makes everyday things sound beautiful but realistic. Morrison has a way of drawing the reader in, not with her characters, but with her beautiful writing style. That can be detrimental to the characters, though, because while they sound good they can seem a bit two-dimensional. I think that may be because she jumps from character to character without really finishing up the life she's giving each individual character.

My favorite character was probably Piccola. But that could be because I just felt so bad for her. She was the sort of character the reader roots for, and hopes that something good will happen.

The story is real, though, and very heartwrenching. It's definitely not a happy story, but it is a real story. Something that many others may have gone through.

In the end, I think this is a very good novel and one that should be read by anyone who enjoys a story about real people.

My rating: 8/10

Avatar--Film Review

2010-02-14T19:40:00.004-06:00

Avatar
Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Joel Moore

Let me start off by saying I'm going to sound like a complete fangirl. I loved this movie. Adored every minute of it, even the sort of tedious beginning. The moment Sully became his Avatar, I was completely enthralled.
I saw it in 3D, which I highly recommend. It definitely added to the experience. But without it, the movie still would've been great.

The graphics in Avatar are gorgeous. Seriously. They're like another character. Beautiful imagery, I loved the different sort of creatures there were, I loved how at night everything glowed...it was amazing. The graphics in this film are probably the reason to see it.

The acting was really well done. Sam Worthington (aside from being gorgeous) was spot on. I loved his portrayal of the character and feel he did a great job. Sigourney was awesome, I liked his character. I loved Neytiri, I think Zoë did a wonderful job with the mannerisms and such of the character. And Stephen Lang played a great asshole. I really wanted to shoot him by the end of the film. So, kudos, Lang (:

Another thing I liked about the movie was the different layers it had. There's, of course, a religious layer and a layer that focuses on how humans tend to just take whatever they want with not thought to who they may be hurting. I've heard people call it "Anti-War" and I think even "Anti-American", but I don't think that's what Cameron was trying to portray.

Now, the storyline wasn't some complex entanglement. It was simple. But that's okay, because I think it had enough to carry it throughout the whole movie. I thought it was a well written script, and while cliché at times, a great plot. I really felt for the characters and the Na'vi (who else adored their language, by the way?). Ugh, the scenes near the end, like the one with Neytiri and her father...amazingly well done.

There are some things left to be desired, such as why this rock the Americans want is so sought after (aside from it making them lots of money). Although, I have seen some people question why Sully could walk in his Avatar state, when I think the answer is pretty obvious. First of all, it's not his body. It's a clone, basically, of his brother as a Na'vi. And all they did was connect the brains, which wouldn't affect the Avatar's legs. Sully's paralysis was on his body, not the Avatar's, in other words. Hope that makes sense XD

All in all, amazing movie. One I'm definitely going to buy and watch over and over again (:

My rating: 9/10

Soulless by: Gail Carriger

2010-02-02T09:32:00.004-06:00

Synopsis:

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire — and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

This review is way behind, I just now finished the novel because of schoolwork and such. It was intended for review at Blog With Bite. Obviously that didn't happen. Now, onto the novel.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, the way it was written kind of annoyed me, but I came to love it by the end of the novel. It was hilarious, the tone of voice that Carriger gave Alexia was, in my opinion, great. It really worked for her character, and made me laugh.

The supporting characters I really enjoyed were Lord Akledama and Lord Maccon. Both were equally interesting. I liked the flamboyantness of Akeldama's character and I liked how Maccon was basically an ass, but a Mr. Darcy sort of ass. In other words, oh so attractive. I haven't come to a decision about Ivy Hisselpenny yet, so hopefully she's in the second book.

I really liked the relationship between Maccon and Alexia. It was pretty realistic, and they complimented each other in ways that worked for the novel.

The action in the novel was interesting, the vampires and werewolves had their own little twist. I probably enjoyed it as much as I did because of the historical backdrop.

Cover: I don't really like the cover. And the cover for the one coming out in March probably won't tickle my fancy. They don't, however, take away from the story.

My rating: 9/10

MegaGiveaway Number Two

2010-01-28T17:20:00.003-06:00

There's an awesome contest happening over at Teens Read and Write and can be found here.

There's an awesome list that's being added to as followers are added. Here's what they've said about it:

First Place Winner - First Choice of 4 Books

Second Place Winner - Second Choice of 3 Books
Third Place Winner - Third Choice of 2 Books

Fourth Place Winner - Fourth Choice of 2 Books

The best part is that WE'LL ADD MORE WINNERS!

As we

get more followers we will add more winners and books. We have 500 followers as of now but...
- When we hit 525 followers, we'll add more books and 2 more winners (who can choose 1 book each)- Then for every additional 25 followers that are added after that, we'll add more books and 2 more winners.For instance - at 525 Followers, we'll have First, Second, Third, and Fourth place plus 2 winners of one book each.
- at 550 Followers, well have First, Second, Third, and Fourth place, plus 4 winners of one book each
- at 575 Followers, we'll have First, Second, Third and Fourth place, plus 6 winners of one book each.

As you can see, there's a lot of winners, and a lot of books to be won!

Here's the initial list:

1) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
2) The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
3) Fallen by Lauren Kate
4) Darklight by Lesley Livingston
5) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
6) City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
7) Wish by Alexandra Bullen
8) Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
9) Sceptor of the Ancients by Derek Landy
10) Candor by Pam Bachorz
11) Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley
12) The EverAfter by Amy Huntley
13) Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser
14) Invisible Lines by Mary Amato

There are some great titles on there, so be sure to enter now!!!

Inglourious Basterds: Movie Review

2010-01-22T20:21:00.005-06:00

Inglourious Basterds
Directed by: Quenten Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, and Diane Kruger

Synopsis:

A group of hardened Nazi killers stalk their prey in Nazi-occupied France as a Jewish cinema owner plots to take down top-ranking SS officers during the official premiere of a high-profile German propaganda film. As far as Lt. Aldo Raine (aka Aldo the Apache", Brad Pitt) -- is concerned, the only good Nazi is a dead Nazi. Raine's mission is to strike fear into the heart of Adolf Hitler by brutally murdering as many goose-steppers as possible, or die trying. In order to accomplish that goal, Lt. Raine recruits a ruthless team of cold-blooded killers known as "The Basterds" which includes baseball-bat-wielding Bostonian Sgt. Donnie Donowitz (aka "The Bear Jew," Eli Roth) and steely psychopath Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz (Til Schweiger), among others. When the Basterds' secret rendezvous with turncoat German actress Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) goes awry, they learn that the Nazis will be staging the French premiere of "The Nation's Pride," a rousing propaganda film based on the exploits of German hero Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl), at a modest theater owned by Jewish cinephile Shoshanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), posing as a Gentile after the brutal murder of her family by the ruthless Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). As the Basterds hatch an explosive plan to take out as many Nazis as possible at the premiere, they remain completely oblivious to the fact that Shoshanna, too, longs to bring the Third Reich to its knees, and that she's willing to sacrifice her beloved theater in the process.
--Jason Buchanan

This movie was awesome. I loved it. The scenary and detail that Tarantino put into this film were really good. He showed the smallest details, which I adored.

Now, this movie isn't for everyone, and it's not supposed to be historically accurate, so don't watch it thinking it's going to be like your regular WWII movies, because it's far from it.

Brad Pitt's character made me laugh, but I think the two that really stole the show for me were Laurent and Waltz. They were fabulous. They delivered their dialouge perfectly, their postures and physical timing was great. Without these two actors, I don't know how the show would've been. They were both just perfect for their characters.

This movie is pretty long, running at two hours and about thirty minutes, but it doesn't feel that long. Tarantino is great at keeping the audience entertained and wanting more. I'm definitely going to be buying this movie, and highly recommend it. It's not even the plot that sold me, it was how he filmed it. The end product is just...dazzling, almost. A great movie I'm definitely going to be buying.

My rating: 8/10

New Contest From Book Bound!

2010-01-19T18:21:00.002-06:00

That's right, there's another awesome contest going on, and it's happening over at Book Bound. You can find all the information here, like how to enter. Here are the list of prizes so far:

1. The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
2. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
3. Fallen by Lauren Kate
4. The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate
5. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
6. Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act I by Lisa Mantchev
7. The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger
8. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
9. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
10. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
11. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
12. Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins
13. The Awakening (Darkest Powers, Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong
14. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
15. City of Glass (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare

And this is how it works:

1st Prize: Five (5) books of choice
2nd Prize: Four (4) books of choice
3rd Prize: Three (3) books of choice
4th Prize: Two (2) books of choice
5th Prize: One (1) book of choice

Go check it out as soon as possible and be sure to follow, because it's a great blog (:

--Faith

Frenchy Contest

2010-01-17T20:11:00.004-06:00

I've found an adorable new blog to follow called The Book On The Hill.

There is an awesome contest going on, with great prizes. See for yourself!

Prizes:

- 2 books (1 stack)

- Bonus Book : My Life in France by Julia Child (see below for information)

- 1 bookmark (Editions de Mai – French artist Anne Laval)

- 1 badge (La Marelle en Papier – French designer Miss Clara)

- 1 notebook “Le Chocolat élimine tous mes tracas” (French artist Anne Laval)

- 2 magnets (Le Chat Noir and Moulin Rouge)

To enter, simply go here and fill in all the necessary blanks! And while you're there, be sure to click the follow button (;

--Faith

Book Bag #2

2010-01-14T16:01:00.018-06:00

I got quite a few new books yesterday, I’m excited to read all of them!!

I’ll start with the classics first:

Agnes Gray by: Anne Brontë

Synopsis:
Agnes comes from a respectable middle-class family, but their financial reverses have forced her to seek work as a governess. Pampered and protected at home, she isunprepared for the harsh reality of a governess’s life. At the Bloomfields and later the Murrays, she suffers under the snobbery and sadism of the selfish, self-indulgent upper-class adults and the shrieking insolence of their spoiled children. Worse, the unique social and economic position of a governess—“beneath” her employers but “above” their servants—condemns her to a life of loneliness.

Villette by: Chartlotte Brontë

Synopsis:
Charlotte Brontë’s last and most autobiographical novel, Villette explores the inner life of a lonely young Englishwoman, Lucy Snowe, who leaves an unhappy existence in England to become a teacher in the capital of a fictional European country. Drawn to the school’s headmaster, Lucy must facethe pain of unrequited love and the question of her place in society.

Madama Bovery by: Gustave Flaubert

Synopsis:
The novel tells the story of Emma Bovary, a doctor’s wife bored and unfulfilled by marriage and motherhood. She embarks upon a series of affairs in search of passion and excitement, but is unable to achieve the splendid life for which sheyearns. Instead, she finds herself trapped in a downward spiral that inexorably leads to ruin and self-destruction.

The Great Gatsby by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Synopsis:
The mysterious Jay Gatsby embodies the American notion that it is possible to redefine oneself and persuade the world to accept that definition. Gatsby's youthful neighbor, Nick Carraway, fascinated with the display of enormous wealth in which Gatsby revels, finds himself swept up in the lavish lifestyle of Long Island society during the Jazz Age. Considered Fitzgerald's best work, The Great Gatsby is a mystical, timeless story of integrity and cruelty, vision and despair.

1984 by: George Orwell

Synopsis:
Orwell's final novel, 1984, is the story of one man's struggle against the ubiquitous, menacing state power (“Big Brother”) that tries to dictate nearly every aspect of human life. The novel is a classic in anti-utopian fiction, and a trenchant political satire that remains as relevant today as when it was first published.

Fahrenheit 411 by: Ray Bradbury

Synopsis:
Guy Montag was a fireman whose job it was to start fires...

The system was simple. Everyone understood it. Books were for burning...along with the houses in which they were hidden.

Guy Montag enjoyed his job. He had been a fireman for ten years, and he had never questioned the pleasure of the midnight runs nor the joy of watching pages consumed by flames...never questioned anything until he met a seventeen-year-old girl who told him of a past when people were not afraid.

Then he met a professor who told him of a future in which people could think...and Guy Montag suddenly realized what he had to do!

Now for the more modern books I got:

Beloved by: Toni Morrison

Synopsis:
Staring unflinchingly into the abyss of slavery, this spellbinding novel transforms history into a story as powerful as Exodus and as intimate as a lullaby. Sethe, its protagonist, was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. She has too many memories of Sweet Home, the beautiful farm where so many hideous things happened. And Sethe’s new home is haunted by the ghost of her baby, who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved.

The Bluest Eye by: Toni Morrison

Synopsis:
Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl, prays every day for beauty. Mocked by other children for the dark skin, curly hair, and brown eyes that set her apart, she yearns for normalcy, for the blond hair and blue eyes that she believes will allow her to finally fit in.Yet as her dream grows more fervent, her life slowly starts to disintegrate in the face of adversity and strife. A powerful examination of our obsession with beauty and conformity, Toni Morrison’s virtuosic first novel asks powerful questions about race, class, and gender with the subtlety and grace that have always characterized her writing.

I really can’t wait to read Toni Morrison’s novels. They sound amazing, and have definitely been on my to read list for quite some time.

This next novel just happened to catch my eye. I thought the cover was gorgeous, and the inside sounding promising, so I picked it up!

The Disappeared by: Kim Echlin

Synopsis:
Across the smoky jazz club, Anne spots Serey, who has been glancing her way for most of the evening. Of course, Anne really shouldn't be in this Montreal nightspot, as she is only 16. Serey is a Cambodian student studying in Canada, having escaped his country during the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime. Anne's mother died when she was only two, and, while her father has done a good job of raising her, the love affair she strikes up with Serey tests their familial bonds. When the borders of Serey's country are reopened, the couple faces challenges, and Serey has to choose between his past and future.

Hush Hush by: Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis:
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

This was another novel I just happened to pick up. I love the cover, it’s simple and eye-catching. I really think I’ll like it!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by: Jamie Ford

Synopsis:

In the opening pages of Jamie Ford’s stunning debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families,left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol.

This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry’s world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While “scholarshipping” at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship–and innocent love–that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept.

Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that the parasol belonged to Keiko. In the hotel’s dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of the Okabe family’s belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now a widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice–words that might explain the actions of his nationalistic father; words that might bridge the gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront the choices he made many years ago.

Set during one of the most conflicted and volatile times in American history, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. In Henry and Keiko, Jamie Ford has created an unforgettable duo whose story teaches us of the power of forgiveness and the human heart.

Just After Sunset by: Stephen King

Synopsis:
Who but Stephen King would turn a Port-O-San into a slimy birth canal, or a roadside honky-tonk into a place for endless love? A book salesman with a grievance might pick up a mute hitchhiker, not knowing the silent man in the passenger seat listens altogether too well. Or an exercise routine on a stationary bicycle, begun to reduce bad cholesterol, might take its rider on a captivating -- and then terrifying -- journey. Set on a remote key in Florida, "The Gingerbread Girl" is a riveting tale featuring a young woman as vulnerable -- and resourceful -- as Audrey Hepburn's character in Wait Until Dark. In "Ayana," a blind girl works a miracle with a kiss and the touch of her hand. For King, the line between the living and the dead is often blurry, and the seams that hold our reality intact might tear apart at any moment. In one of the longer stories here, "N.," which recently broke new ground when it was adapted as a graphic digital entertainment, a psychiatric patient's irrational thinking might create an apocalyptic threat in the Maine countryside...or keep the world from falling victim to it.
Just After Sunset -- call it dusk, call it twilight, it's a time when human intercourse takes on an unnatural cast, when nothing is quite as it appears, when the imagination begins to reach for shadows as they dissipate to darkness and living daylight can be scared right out of you. It's the perfect time for Stephen King.

I also got some new movies. Black X-mas (I love this movie. It’s hilarious XD), Wind Chill, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Orphanage, and Requiem for a Dream.

What I'm Reading: Monday, January 11th

2010-01-11T21:56:00.005-06:00

This is a meme I've seen on quite a few blogs I enjoy that I'm going to start taking part of. You can find it over on J.Kaye's Book Blog.

I am currently reading:

Soulless by: Gail Carriger

Books I've finished in the past week:

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by: Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Raises Hell by: Carrie Vaughn

--Faith

Beautiful Creatures Contest!

2010-01-11T10:25:00.002-06:00

Synopsis:

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that's what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.
There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

Two copies of Beautiful Creatures by: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are up for grabs over at Blog with Bite!

Details about how you can enter can be found here.

Hurry and enter now because the contest ends January 22nd!!

--Faith

Kitty Raises Hell by: Carrie Vaughn

2010-01-09T19:01:00.004-06:00

Synopsis:

Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. Kitty and Ben flee The City That Never Sleeps, thinking they were finished with the dangers there, but the sadistic cult of lycanthropes and their vampire priestess have laid a curse on Kitty in revenge for her disrupting their rituals. Starting at the next full moon, danger and destruction the form of fire strikes Kitty and the pack of werewolves she's sworn to protect.

She enlists the help of a group of TV paranormal investigators - one of whom has real psychic abilities - to help her get to the bottom of the curse that's been laid on her. Rick, the Master vampire of Denver, believes a deeper plot lies behind the curse, and he and Kitty argue about whether or not to accept the help of a professional demon hunter - and vampire - named Roman, who arrives a little too conveniently in the nick of time.

Unable to rely on Rick, and unwilling to accept Roman's offer of help for a price, Kitty and her band of allies, including Vegas magician Odysseus Grant and Kitty's own radio audience, mount a trap for the supernatural being behind the curse, a destructive force summoned by the vengeful cult, a supernatural being that none of them ever thought to face.

[taken from barnesandnoble.com]

I loved this story. It was fast-paced, full of action, well written, with just the right dash of humor in it. It was so much better than the previous novel, which was a huge set up to this one.

It had some awesome returning characters, such as Cormac (my personal favorite) and Odysseus Grant (who is a great character). We also were introduced to five new characters that I hope to see in future novels. Three are from the Paradox PI team--Gary, Jules, and Tina. The fourth is the brother of an earlier character, whose name is Peter.

And then there's Roman. I can just tell he's going to be a big part of the future novels. I won't say much, though, because I don't want to give anything away. All I know is that he is a very interesting character, and I can't wait to learn more about him.

I loved Rick in this novel, but that might be because I'm biased and love his character. I love how Vaughn gives us tiny tidbits into his life in each novel. We're learning about him just as Kitty is, and I really like that. As he starts to trust Kitty more, we get more information!

All in all, I loved this novel. The supernatural baddy that was the main focus of the novel was a twist I had no idea would be introduced. I really liked the spin Vaughn put on it, and think it was well written.

This book sucked me in, and like most of her books, kept me wanting more with each page. I cannot wait to read Kitty and the House of Horrors, which is the latest installement that just came out this month.

If you're a Kitty fan, pick up this book immediately.

My rating: 9/10

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by: Carrie Vaughn

2010-01-04T03:51:00.004-06:00

Synopsis:

HONEYMOON IN VEGAS?

Already the alpha pair of Denver's werewolf pack, Kitty and Ben now plan to tie the knot human-style by eloping to Vegas. Kitty is looking forward to sipping fru-fru drinks by the pool and doing her popular radio show on live TV, but her hotel is stocked with werewolf-hating bounty hunters. Elsewhere on the Strip an old-school magician might be wielding the real thing; the vampire community is harboring a dark secret; and the irresistible star of a suspicious animal act is determined to seduce Kitty. Sin City has never been so wild, and this werewolf has never had to fight harder to save not only her wedding, but her very life.

[plucked from barnesandnoble.com]

This definitely isn't my favorite in the series. I think it was really weak compared to her other books. A lot of repetitiveness (I now hate the word froufrou), but it was all right. Certainly not a bad read, but not up to par with the others in the series.

I stand by my opinion that Kitty is a good character. I like her. I feel for her. She's strong-willed, and the voice that Vaughn gave her is reminiscent to Laurell K. Hamiliton's early Anita Blake novels (which someone points out in a blurb). She has that sarcastic kind of voice, and I love that. It certainly works for who she is supposed to be.

I'm still not crazy about Ben. Cormac all the way! Haha.

I loved Evan and Brenda, though. I kind of would love a spin-off featuring them. They're interesting.

I also liked Dom and Grant, they were both pretty strong supporting characters.

The plot was so-so, the ending kind of fell flat until the very last sentence (am I glad I have the next book, or else that cliffhanger would've left me pissed that I had to wait to see what would happen).

All in all, it was an okay read. Didn't take me long to finish, and it was exciting enough. I definitely can't wait to see what happens next in Kitty Raises Hell!

My rating: 7/10

Resolutions

2009-12-31T15:12:00.004-06:00

Personal Resolutions:

1) Get a job
2) Learn to drive
3) Complete one of the many novels I've been working on
4) Edit either TAOF or FTA
5) Start a new journal and stick to it
5) A picture a day---0/365
6) Try five new flavors of coffee--0/5
7) Organize better!
8) Start working out
9) Perform one of my spoken pieces!
10) Ask someone I like out on a date, no fear of rejection
11) Watch ten international movies-- 0/10
12) Go to five new resturants/cafes--0/5
13) Work harder for the Rangernews
14) Love myself more, stop being so hard on myself
15) Take a chance at something.
16) Learn to leap without looking what's beneath me.
17) Let go of the past...holding onto it is getting me nowhere. So...forgive and forget.
18) Write five new short stories--0/5
19) Brush up on my French!!
20) Go to an art gallery/museum

Book Blogging Resolutions:

1) Get a better design
2) Start commenting more on all the blogs I adore
3) Get more involved in the book-blogging community
4) Finish those challenges I signed up for!

Here's to hoping for a great 2010!

--Faith

Martyrs: A Movie Review

2009-12-30T19:13:00.004-06:00

Martyrs
Directed by: Pascal Laugier
Starring: Morjana Alaoui and Mylène Jampanoï

Synopsis:

The Brotherhood of the Wolf director Pascal Lauguier follows his 2004 thriller House of Voices with this relentlessly brutal tale of a girl who suffered unimaginable abuse as a young child, and the unspeakable horrors that unfold when she arrives at an isolated cabin in the woods fifteen years later. The story begins as the young, badly battered Lucie (Mylène Jampanoï) -- obviously the victim of inhuman abuse -- is hospitalized after somehow managing to escape her sadistic captors. Nearly catatonic after her life-altering ordeal, Lucie only manages to become functional again as a result of her friendship with Anna (Morjana Alaoui), a fellow abuse victim who selflessly reaches out to the badly damaged girl. Fifteen years later, Lucie guns down an entire family in cold blood. Is Lucie seeking belated vengeance against the people who tortured her as a young girl, or has her fragile psyche finally snapped, resulting in the bloody demise of an innocent family? Later, when Lucie calls on her old friend Anna, the truth about Lucie's traumatic early life experience slowly comes into focus. Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

[from barnesandnoble.com]

Let me start off by saying this movie was amazing, to me. I'm sure there are many people who won't be able to get through either the violence or graphic images, but the beauty about the movie is that it's supposed to be gruesome and make the viewer a little sick to their stomach. It's a hard movie to sit through, beccause it transcends the horror genre. The acting was amazing from both Morjana and Mylène, both of whom I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for. Their performances took the movie to a higher level than it might have been with another cast.

The first half was just nonstop, I loved it. The second half, while I liked the cult and how they were presented and tied into the film, it dragged a little. Still good, just a little slower paced than the first half.

I wouldn't recommend watching this dubbed, you have to watch it in French. And I wouldn't recommend it to people who have a light stomach. Some of the scenes may be hard for you to handle.

Overall, it's one of my favorite horror movies. It's intelligent, it leaves the viewer with an open and questioning mind, and it has great acting.

My rating: 8/10

Bookbag

2009-12-28T22:37:00.019-06:00

I went shopping today with a friend and spent a good 3/4 of my barnes and noble gift cards from relatives (: So I have lots of new books to read, which means I've got to stop borrowing them from the library!!

Night Shift by: Lilth Saintcrow

Not everyone can take on the things that go bump in the night.

Not everyone tries.

But Jill Kismet is not just anyone.

She's a Hunter, trained by the best - and in over her head.

Welcome to the night shift...

This sounds like an awesome series, I cannot wait to start it. I'd also like to check out the Dante Valentine series, which sounds equally awesome!

Gracling by: Kristin Casshore

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug. When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

I've seen a lot of promising reviews about this novel, and the back blurb makes it sound like a pretty wild read.

Let The Right One In by: John Ajvide Lindqvist

It is autumn 1981 when the inconceivable comes to Blackeberg, a suburb in Sweden. The body of a teenage boy is found, emptied of blood, the murder rumored to be part of a ritual killing. Twelve-year-old Oskar is personally hoping that revenge has come at long last---revenge for the bullying he endures at school, day after day.

But the murder is not the most important thing on his mind. A new girl has moved in next door---a girl who has never seen a Rubik’s Cube before, but who can solve it at once. There is something wrong with her, though, something odd. And she only comes out at night. . . .

Sweeping top honors at film festivals all over the globe, director Tomas Alfredsson’s film of Let the Right One In has received the same kind of spectacular raves that have been lavished on the book. American readers of vampire fiction will be thrilled!

I loved the movie, so I'm really excited to read the book. (:

Soulless by: Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

This just sounds like a really fun read.

I am a beyond huge Supernatural fan, so when I saw there were three novels out based on the TV show, I picked them up. They look awesome!

Witch's Canyon by: Jeff Mariotte

Sam and Dean have set out on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, but this is no vacation for the brothers. On a stretch of deserted ranchland just beyond the canyon's stunning vistas, mysterious murder sprees have occurred every forty years. The area's inhabitants have been few and far between in years past, but a nearby mega-mall is about to celebrate its grand opening—and attract thousands of fresh victims.

The Winchester boys are determined to protect locals and shoppers alike, but they never anticipated they'd be fighting a group of killers this vicious, this vindictive, this . . . dead. A deadly horde of animal spirits and human ghosts has arisen to terrorize this tiny corner of the Arizona desert. If Sam and Dean can't figure out why, the wide-open spaces of the West will once again become a desolate frontier . . . and the witch's canyon will be the brothers' final resting place.

Nevermore by: Keith R.A DeCandido

Sam and Dean have hit New York City to check out a local rocker's haunted house. But before they can figure out why a lovesick banshee in an '80s heavy-metal T-shirt is wailing in the bedroom, a far more macabre crime catches their attention. Not far from the house, two university students were beaten to death by a strange assailant. A murder that's bizarre even by New York City standards, it's the latest in a line of killings that the brothers soon suspect are based on the creepy stories of legendary writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Their investigation leads them to the center of one of Poe's horror classics, face-to-face with their most terrifying foe yet. And if Sam and Dean don't rewrite the ending of this chilling tale, a grisly serial killer will end their lives forevermore.

Bone Key by: Keith R.A Decandido

Sam and Dean are headed for Key West, Florida, home to Hemingway, hurricanes, and a whole lot of demons. The tropical town has so many ghouls on the loose that one of its main moneymakers has long been a series of ghost tours. But the tours are no more, not since one of the guides was found dead of an apparent heart attack . . . his face frozen in mid-scream. No one knows what horrors he saw, but the Winchester brothers are about to find out.

Soon they'll be face-to-face with the ghosts of the island's most infamous residents, demons with a hidden agenda, and a mysterious ancient power looking for revenge. It's up to Sam and Dean to save the citizens of Key West . . . before the beautiful island is reduced to nothing more than a pile of bones

Tempest Rising by: Nicole Peeler

In the tiny village of Rockabill, Maine, Jane True—26-year-old bookstore clerk and secret night swimmer—has no idea that her absent mother’s legacy is entry into a world populated by the origins of human myths and legends. It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: vampires are not quite what we think; dogs sometimes surprise us; and whatever you do, never—ever—rub the genie’s lamp. For Jane, everything kicks off when she comes across a murder victim during her nightly clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean. This grisly discovery leads to the revelation of why she has such freakish abilities in the water: her mother was a Selkie and Jane is only half human. With this knowledge, Jane soon finds herself mingling with supernatural creatures alternately terrifying, beautiful, and deadly—all adjectives that quite handily describe her new friend Ryu. When Ryu is sent to Rockabill to investigate the murder, he and Jane fall hard for each other even as they plummet into a world of intrigue threatening to engulf both supernatural and human societies. For someone is killing half-humans like Jane. The question is, are the murders the work of one rogue individual or part of a greater plot to purge the world of Halflings?

I actually picked this one up because I loved the cover, but the back of the book sounds really cool, so I think I'll like it (:

All of the synopsis are from barnesandnoble.com aside from Tempest Rising, which is from the author's website (:

I also picked up the movie Martyrs, which I will be watching and reviewing very soon.

I've got about thirty dollars left, so if there's anything you guys think I should check out, I definitely wouldn't mind the recommendation!

--Faith

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist: A Movie Review

2009-12-27T21:51:00.001-06:00

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Director: Peter Sollett
Starring: Michael Cera and Kat Dennings

I liked this movie. It was cute. Something to watch that both entertains you and makes you think. I loved Michael and Kat’s performances, I thought they both did really good. I loved the setting of the film, also. New York was practically a character, also.

The plot was simple. It wasn’t so much about the end point as it was about the journey, which I liked. I’ve seen a lot of reviewers say the movie was “aimless” and basically just wandered about from plot point to plot point, but I think that was the point of the movie. As things happen, the characters have to change their destination, that’s just how the movie is. It isn’t about the future, it’s about the present, that one night.

The best thing about the movie was the music. I loved every song they used, I think they picked them well according to the scenes. Definitely a soundtrack I’ll be buying.

All in all, it was a fun movie to watch. Not the best I’ve seen, but I’m glad I got to see it.

My rating: 7/10

The Uninvited: A Movie Review

2009-12-27T21:49:00.001-06:00

The Uninvited
Director: Charles Guard, Thomas Guard
Starring: Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel, and David Strathairn

I have mixed feelings about this movie. I haven’t seen the Korean film it’s based on, which is A Tale Of Two Sisters, though I desperately want to, but I’ve heard this movie isn’t exactly a remake it’s more of an…inspiration from the film.

I loved the backdrop of the movie. The little town was a good setting, and I loved the house Emily Browning’s character lived in. It was amazing. So the settings were definitely up to par with this film.

The horror level of the movie wasn’t as high as I’d hoped it to be. Some of the scenes, such as the ones with the mother’s body dragging across the floor, were really cool, though. You can see the Asian influence in the way the horror is presented, it isn’t really in your face gore. This was definitely a movie that made you think and you actually had to pay attention to understand it. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming at the end, it threw me for a complete loop. I liked it, but it wasn’t the best ending I’ve seen.

This definitely wasn’t the best horror movie I’ve seen, but it wasn’t the worst, either. It was just…all right. There was nothing really bad about it, but there was nothing spectacular.

So, while this is a movie I’d suggest, I can’t see myself buying it in the near future.

My rating: 7/10

Holiday Book Swap

2009-12-25T19:52:00.004-06:00

I got my gift in the mail a while ago, but I wanted to wait until I was able to get the pictures onto my computer before I talked about it on here.

The lovely Natalie, from Book Line and Sinker was my Secret Santa (:

Everything was wonderful. Very nicely put together and practical! A wonderful eccolo journal, a set of memo pads that have already come in handy, a memo mouse pad, some amazing chocolate...I can't thank you enough!!!

--Faith

Happy Holidays!!

2009-12-25T00:24:00.002-06:00

Happy Holidays everyone! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you guys have a great weekend!!

--Faith

Dawn Of The Dead: Movie Review

2009-12-23T16:44:00.003-06:00

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

Directed by: Zack Snyder. Starring: Sarah Polley, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Kevin Zeigers, and Ving Rhames.

Oh, how I love zombies. I went into this without seeing the original, which I really didn’t want to do. I wanted to be able to compare it to the original, but I guess I’ll have to do everything backwards!

Anyways, I loved this movie. I thought it was amazing. It was comical at the right points, had awesome action scenes, and the characters were so well developed I really started to care about them towards the end. My favorite in the whole movie was Michael. I love the actor, he plays Joe on the show Medium. He’s just awesome, and he was awesome in this movie. I also liked Terry (he was cute), Kenneth (I loved the bond he formed with Andy, it was very realistic), and Anna, in most parts. She was a strong lead female.

I think this showed a very humanistic side to the whole zombie plot. There wasn’t a lot of gore, because the zombies weren’t in much of the movie. It was about how they connected trying to survive this ordeal.

I can’t say how this is as far as remakes go until I see the original, however, I already think it’s probably one of the best I’ve seen.

And the music! How the interspersed it with what was going on was awesome, and each time it was the right kind of song to use. Johnny Cash in the beginning? A definite plus!

I loved the movie and will definitely be buying it on DVD! Every horror buff should watch this. It was great.

Oh, and I will be amazingly girly and say the ending made me tear up a bit. Just a bit.

My rating: 8/10

Teeth: A Movie Review

2009-12-23T11:28:00.002-06:00

Teeth (2007)
Directed by: Mitchell Lictenstein. Starring: Jess Weixler, John Hensley, and Hale Applemen.

I’ve been wanting to see Teeth for some time now. When I first saw the trailer, I was like, “I have got to see that.” I finally got to tonight.

The beginning was slow, and the acting was shaky at best. However, as soon as the midway point hit, I started to love it.

It’s a comical movie, and I think some viewers might not grasp that concept. It’s not a horror movie and it’s not supposed to be a horror movie. It’s satirical, and literally made me laugh out loud. I loved how as the movie progressed, Dawn (the main character) started to change her persona a little. She wasn’t the shy, innocent girl she was at the beginning. It was a subtle change, though, which was a better deleopment than if she had just gone completely badass in a short period of time.

I haven’t decided if I’m going to buy this movie or not. I’m still kind of torn. I can see myself watching it over again just to get to the middle, but the beginning is enough to make me think twice.

My rating: 6/10

13 Bullets by: David Wellington

2009-12-22T12:04:00.004-06:00

Synopsis:

All the official reports say they are dead-extinct since the late ’80s, when a fed named Arkeley nailed the last vampire in a fight that nearly killed him. But the evidence proves otherwise.

When a state trooper named Caxton calls the FBI looking for help in the middle of the night, it is Arkeley who gets the assignment-who else? He’s been expecting such a call to come eventually. Sure, it has been years since any signs of an attack, but Arkeley knows what most people don’t: there is one left. In an abandoned asylum she is rotting, plotting, and biding her time in a way that only the undead can.

Caxton is out of her league on this case and more than a little afraid, but the fed made it plain that there is only one way out. But the worst thing is the feeling that the vampires want more than just her blood. They want her for a reason, one she can’t guess; a reason her sphinxlike partner knows but won’t say; a reason she has to find out-or die trying.

Now there are only 13 bullets between Caxton and Arkeley and the vampires. There are only 13 bullets between us, the living, and them, the damned.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I loved, loved, loved this book. It was fast paced, full of action, fantasically gory...just everything I love in a horror novel. The plot was interesting, and the twist at the end? I'm sad to say I did not see it coming. Maybe because I was flipping through the pages so fast!

Not only was the main character, Laura Caxton, surprisingly strong (and wonderfully human, which is something that's hard to come by in these types of books), but the secondary characters were built well also.

The one thing I hated? The ending. Not because it wasn't well written, but because it left me wanting to pick up the second novel immediately, and I didn't have it. While it's not a cliff-hanger persay, it's enough to make the reader go, "Oh, come on!"

I'm definitely going to be reading the rest of the series, as well as David Wellington's other novels. From what I can tell, he's a great writer.

My rating: 9.5/10

Quarantine: Movie Review

2009-12-20T19:48:00.005-06:00

I adore, adore, adore, movies. Especially horror movies. So, I figured why not start reviewing the movies I see? (:

So, for my first movie review, we have Quarantine, which was directed by John E Dowdle. Some of the stars include Dexter's Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, and the oh-so-cute Jay Hernandez. It came out in 2008, and I've been dying to see it since.

I'm glad I did. It has to be one of the better horror movies I've seen lately. Not the best, of course. The acting was decent, and I liked that it was from the point of view of the camera, though when the action starts the camera got really shaky, which kind of annoyed me a bit. The plot was a little weak, but I liked the idea of it. It was very interesting.

The only thing I was really disappointed in was the end. There was no satisfying answer. You're just supposed to piece it all together yourself, which isn't hard to do, but still, it's nice to have a cleanly wrapped up ending.

The gore made up for that, though. I loved the gore in this. Very cool. It was pretty simple, just some [or a lot] blood and blacked out eyes, but it looked pretty damn good. It was enough to make you cringe.

I will probably end up buying this eventually (I watched it on HBO). It's definitely worth having if you're bored and just want to watch a movie where you don't have to think too much.

My rating: 7/10

I'm definitely getting geared up to see [Rec], which is the Spanish movie that "inspired" Quarantine. [Don't let them fool you, Quarantine is a remake. Inspiration just sounds better.] It's probably even better, seeing as how it's the original.

The Better Part Of Darkness: A Contest

2009-12-17T15:06:00.002-06:00

The awesome Parajunkee is hosting a contest where the winner will recieve a brand new copy of the book The Better Part of Darkness by: Kelly Gay.

Synaposis of the novel:

Atlanta: it's the promised city for the off-worlders, foreigners from the alternate dimensions of heaven-like Elysia and hell-like Charbydon. Some bring good works and miracles. And some bring unimaginable evil....

Charlie Madigan is a divorced mother of one, and a kick-ass cop trained to take down the toughest human and off-world criminals. She's recently returned from the dead after a brutal attack, an unexplained revival that has left her plagued by ruthless nightmares and random outbursts of strength that make doing her job for Atlanta P.D.'s Integration Task Force even harder. Since the Revelation, the criminal element in Underground Atlanta has grown, leaving Charlie and her partner Hank to keep the chaos to a dull roar. But now an insidious new danger is descending on her city with terrifying speed, threatening innocent lives: a deadly, off-world narcotic known as ash. Charlie is determined to uncover the source of ash before it targets another victim -- but can she protect those she loves from a force more powerful than heaven and hell combined?

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I know I cannot wait to read this novel, it sounds awesome. I love that the main character is a single mom. As Parajunkee mentions in her review of the book, that isn't something you see often in UF novels.

Be sure to enter the contest right away!

New Blog

2009-12-13T15:18:00.002-06:00

Hey (: I'm not only a fan of literature, I also really like photography. So I just created a new blog to show off some of my favorite photography!

Check it out here at Simply Beautiful

If you have any pictures you'd like to share, let me know! (:

--Emily

Challenges I'm Joining

2009-12-12T19:27:00.008-06:00

There's a lot of awesome challenges going around, so I figured I'd dip my fingers into some (:

First off, we have the Women Unbound challenge.

*Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
*Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
*Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

I'm going to try for Suffragette level. I think I can do it. The challenge runs until the 30th of November 2010, you can enter anytime (: Click the link for more information!!

I've decided that I don't read enough YA (because there are some good books in that genre I'm sure I'm missing out on) so I'm joining the Young Adult Reading Challenge over at J. Kaye's blog.

There are four levels:

*The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

*Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

*Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

*Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

I'll probably end up doing something in between the Mini and the Just My Size categories (:

Ones I definitely want to read are:

Fallen by: Lauren Kate

Hush Hush by: Becca Fitzpatrick

Beautiful Creatures by: Kami Garcia

Evermore, Blue Moon, and Shadowland by: Alyson Noel

Shadow Kiss and Blood Promise by: Richelle Mead

Need by: Carrie Jones

Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, and Fragile Eternity by: Melissa Marr

Wake and Fade by: Lisa McMann

Immortal by: Gillian Shields

Catching Fire by: Suzanne Collins

Diamond Secret by: Suzanne Weyn

Winter's Child, Belle, Before Midnight, and Wild Orchard by: Cameron Dokey

Midnight Pearls by: Debbie Viguie

There's the What's In A Name challenge.

The rules are: Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories:

1) A book with a food in the title: Clockwork Orange, Grapes of Wrath, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2)A book with a body of water in the title: A River Runs through It, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, The Lake House

3)A book with a title (queen, president) in the title: The Murder of King Tut, The Count of Monte Cristo, Lady Susan

4)A book with a plant in the title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Wind in the Willows, The Name of the Rose

5)A book with a place name (city, country) in the title: Out of Africa; London; Between, Georgia

6)A book with a music term in the title: Song of Solomon, Ragtime, The Piano Teacher

I'm pretty excited for that one (: It's very interesting!!

Here's what I have so far:

1) Clockwork Orange by: Anthony Burgess

4) I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by: Joanne Greenberg

5) Shanghai Girls by: Lisa See

6) Song of Solomon by: Toni Morrison

This is one I'm really excited for!! It's the 2010 Historical Reading Challenge. I'm so pumped for this one, you guys have no idea. I love historical books XD hehehe.

There are four levels to this one also. There is:

*Curious – Read 3 Historical Fiction novels.

*Fascinated – Read 6 Historical Fiction novels.

*Addicted – Read 12 Historical Fiction novels.

* Obsessed – Read 20 Historical Fiction novels.

I'm shooting for Addicted. I figure that's not bad, seeing as how I'll have a year to complete it (:

And last but not least, there's the GLBT Challenge which I think is awesome (:

There are three levels to this one:

*Lambda Level: Read 4 books.
*Pink Triangle Level: Read 8 books.
*Rainbow Level: Read 12 or more books.

I'm shooting for the Pink Triangle level (:

You can read books with GLBT topics, or books by GLBT authors (: Like Oscar Wilde! (I adore him).

Al righty, that's all I've got for now. I received my Secret Santa gifts in the mail from the Holiday swap. I'll have pictures of that soon (:

Hope everyone's doing good! More reviews to come (:

Frankenstein by: Mary Shelley

2009-12-09T09:58:00.003-06:00

I had to read Frankenstein for history, and I'm glad we did. I've been wanting to read the novel for a while, being the classic and horror buff I am.

Frankenstein wasn't really what I would consider horror, it was more of a thought provoking novel. I can understand why people in Mary Shelley's time might find view it as a horror novel, though.

The writing is very good, with crisp details and easy to picture images. Sometimes the plot drags, but I think everything that is said is needed to really understand the novel. You need Victor's story and the creature's story to really get all sides of the story. The way that Shelley wrote it shows that she really wanted to get everything across and portray how everyone thought. She showed Frankenstein's side and then flipped everything around and showed how the creature felt about everything.

The story revolves around people playing God. The main question is: if you could create life, would you? And what would the consequence be? If you read the story, you'll understand there is a lot of consequences to Frankenstein's decision to make the creature.

There's a lot of religious symbolism in this novel. God, the angels, Lucifer, all of it. Which made the story interesting.

In the beginning I wasn't sure if I'd like this story, because it started off kind of shaky. But when the creature started his story I kind of started getting sucked in, because I liked getting to see the different points of view, as I mentioned before.

In the end, I think anyone who likes philisophical novels or novels that make you think should read this.

My rating: 7/10

Another Awesome Giveaway

2009-12-02T16:29:00.002-06:00

There's an awesome giveaway happening over at Parajunkee. Be sure to check it out! There's some awesome books that are being given away. They include (but aren't limited to) Hush, Hush by: Becca Fitzpatrick, The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins, Blue Moon by: Alyson Noel, and Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill. There's a lot more, so head on over and see for yourself!!

--Faith

The German Wife by: Paul Griner

2009-12-01T18:26:00.003-06:00

Synopsis:

This riveting war story introduces us to the beautiful Kate Zweig, the English widow of a German surgeon, and Claus Murphy, an exiled American with German roots—two lovers with complicated loyalties.In 1918, Kate and her husband, Horst, are taken for spies by Russian soldiers and forced to flee their field hospital on the eastern front, barely escaping with their lives. Years later, in London during the Nazis’ V-1 reign of terror, Claus spends his days making propaganda films and his nights as a British spy, worn down by the war and his own many secrets. When Claus meets the intriguing Kate, he finds himself powerfully drawn to her, even after evidence surfaces that she might not be exactly who she seems. As the war hurtles to a violent end, Claus must decide where his own loyalties lie, whether he can make a difference in the war—and what might be gained by taking a leap of faith with Kate.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I saw this book at the library as I was scanning over the new titles they got. From the inside jacket flap, it sounded like a great novel. The only thing that saved this novel, however, was the writing. It was written beautifully. The plot wasn't that strong, though, and neither were the characters. They weren't as developed as they could have been. The storylines were a bit confusing at times, leaving me wondering if I'd somehow skipped a page. So, while the writing was good, the rest was just average.

My rating: 5/10

In My Mailbox: One

2009-11-29T15:52:00.007-06:00

I love this idea, and even though I don't get books every week, I'm still going to start it (: So! This week I got three new books.

Under The Dome by: Stephen King

On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester's Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener's hand is severed as "the dome" comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when — or if — it will go away.

Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens — town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician's assistant at the hospital, a select-woman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing — even murder — to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn't just short. It's running out.

Bride Of Pendorric by: Victoria Holt

Favel Farrington meets Roc Pendorric on the idyllic Mediterranean island of Capri, where she was raised and lives with her father. Roc sweeps her off her feet, taking her from her home by an emerald sea to the ancient family home of the Pendorrics, in Cornwall. His sister and her family await them with open arms, welcoming young Favel. She is the much anticipated Bride of Pendorric, a name that amuses and flatters her.

The castle is beautiful in its way, but the atmosphere is foreboding. Roc’s twin nieces begin watching her carefully; even the stones in the courtyard seem to have eyes. On the walls hang portraits of two other Brides of Pendorric—one of them Roc’s mother—who died both young and tragically. Favel’s fear increases as Roc seems to be growing more and more distant. Has her courtship and marriage been just a deception?

Soon Favel can no longer dismiss as accidents the strange things happening to her. Someone is trying to kill her and she must confront the very real dangers that surround her.

Shutter Island by: Dennis Lehane

The year is 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, have come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Multiple-murderess Rachel Solando is loose somewhere on this barren island, despite having been kept in a locked cell under constant surveillance. As a killer hurricane bears relentlessly down on them, a strange case takes on even darker, more sinister shades—with hints of radical experimentation, horrifying surgeries, and lethal countermoves made in the cause of a covert shadow war. No one is going to escape Shutter Island unscathed, because nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is remotely what it seems.

Utopia by: Sir Thomas More

2009-11-29T15:44:00.004-06:00

Oh, Utopia. I had to read this for history class. The book has a great premise, the main character listening to a traveler explain about his time spent in a place called Utopia, where everything is perfect. Everyone is happy, life is good and fair to everyone [aside from the slaves]. In the sixteenth century, it would've been the best place to live. Nowadays, a lot of things would have to be changed to make it desireable, but the term is still used quite openly.

I didn't hate this book, it had some great ideas, especially for being written centuries ago. I didn't love it, either. Mostly because the whole novel is like one big monologue. There isn't a lot of dialogue or plot, so it dragged in some parts.

This is a book I would recommend to anyone with an English or Philosophy major. It raises some good questions, the main one being that if you could live in a place like this, would you? Can a place like this exist? Things like that.

My rating: 5/10

New Awesome Contest!

2009-11-25T23:40:00.002-06:00

So, there's another contest in our midst! Book Bound is hosting an awesome contest, where four winners could have the change to win twenty dollars worth of books from the The Book Depository

Check out all the information here to find out how you can enter!!

--Faith

The Angel Maker by: Stefan Brijs

2009-11-09T18:42:00.004-06:00

Synopsis:

The village of Wolfheim is a quiet little place until the geneticist Dr. Victor Hoppe returns after an absence of nearly twenty years. The doctor brings with him his infant children—three identical boys all sharing a disturbing disfigurement. He keeps them hidden away until Charlotte, the woman who is hired to care for them, begins to suspect that the triplets—and the good doctor— aren't quite what they seem. As the villagers become increasingly suspicious, the story of Dr. Hoppe's past begins to unfold, and the shocking secrets that he has been keeping are revealed. A chilling story that explores the ethical limits of science and religion, The Angel Maker is a haunting tale in the tradition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Frankenstein. Brought to life by internationally bestselling author Stefan Brijs, this eerie tale promises to get under readers' skin

[from barnesandnoble.com]

The Angel Maker was a book I just picked up at the library on a whim. I fell in love with the cover and when I read the back blurb, I knew I had to read it. I'm glad I did. The book, very subtlely written, was a great read.

It's broken up into three parts. The first part focuses on the children and Charlotte, the second on Victor and his past, and the third tied them both together. It's written in third person, which helps the reader get points of view from many characters, which turned out to be quite important for the story.

The basis of the story really depending on both science and religion, and how they intertwined. It raised a lot of questions to the characters and the readers, it really makes you think, which I love in books. It's a twist on the mad scientist, one that I really liked. I really liked the children, and how their names tie to the title of the novel. It's all very closely related, and you've got to read the whole story to get all those litte things to make sense.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes philisophical books, ones that make you think.

My rating: 8/10

2009-11-08T22:23:00.002-06:00

I love this idea, I think it's amazing. Id you love giving gifts and meeting new people, you should definitely join this!

Here's the site: http://holidayswap.wordpress.com/

Go join now!

--Faith

Rosemary and Rue by: Seanan McGuire

2009-10-29T17:52:00.002-05:00

Synopsis:

October "Toby" Daye, a changeling who is half human and half fae, has been an outsider from birth. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the Faerie world, retreating to a "normal" life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world has other ideas...

The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening's dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and renew old alliances. As she steps back into fae society, dealing with a cast of characters not entirely good or evil, she realizes that more than her own life will be forfeited if she cannot find Evening's killer.

[from barnesandnoble.com]

I first heard of this book from a blogger I enjoy, BookLoveAffair, who reviewed it a while ago. I quickly added the book to my list, and I'm not disappointed.

Rosemary and Rue is a strong debut novel, and I hope the rest of the series lives up to it. October "Toby" Daye is a strong character, because she's not a strong character. She's vulnerable, weak, and can't always take care of herself. But she's also got a lot of mental strength locked within herself.

The supporting characters are well written. I love Sylvester, Luna, Dare, Manuel, and Tybalt. They're all amazing characters, in my opinion. And the atmosphere that this world is built around is also well written. She combines the San Fran streets with the Faerie world really well, so it was very believable.

I loved the little sayings they had, such as "oak and ash", I thought it was a great touch.

One thing I didn't really understand, persay, is why her family turned her away after she turned up fourteen years later. I'd think they'd be glad she was alive, so I was a bit confused on that part. I hope we learn more about the decision on Cliff's and Gilly's part to turn October away.

To be honest, I wasn't sure how the plot was going to wrap up at first, because there are many major fights in this novel. Toby's always getting her ass kicked, and I wasn't sure how it was all going to work in the end because the novel wasn't really moving. She'd get in a fight, get hurt, be healed, get in another fight, get hurt again, heal, repeat. However, in the end, I understood why McGuire wrote it that way.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading the sequels, I'm sad the next novel doesn't come out until March! I'd definitely recommend this novel for all fans of UF.

My rating: 8/10

Dark Water by: Koji Suzuki

2009-10-21T14:54:00.005-05:00

Anyone who has been following this blog knows that I adore Koji Suzuki. So, naturally, I picked up his short story collection from the library! Dark Water consists of seven stories, along with a prologue and epilogue. This review is going to be a bit different, I'm going to go through each short story and give my opinion on it.

Floating Water: This was a good short story. The Americanized movie of it sucks, I hated it. But it's much better written down. It's still not my favorite in the collection, but I do think it was suspenseful and I liked the gloomy atmoshpere.

Solitary Isle: This book was creepy. Downright weird. Which I love. However, I didn't really see what it had to do with the water aspect, aside from them being on an island. I also really couldn't get into the characters. In the end, it's a forgettable story.

The Hold: This was a really good story. I loved the premise of it, and I thought it was well written. The ending of this story is amazing. I thought it was a great twist, and that the character really deserved what came to him. One of my favorites of the collection.

Dream Cruise: This was a great, you get what's coming to you, story. Kind of creepy, kind of left the reader with some questions. I loved the image at the end, it was very dramatic and just in your face. This story would definitely make me rethink swimming in the ocean at night, where you can't see anything.

Adrift: I loved Adrift. I love the idea of a haunted ship, it's just always been one of my favorite ghost stories. A phantom ship looming through the fog. Another one of my favorites. The ending had a great twist, that I was definitely hoping would happen. Great story.

Watercolors: Watercolors was the weakest story of the bunch. I didn't really understand why it was in the story. It was written well, but I just don't think the plot was up to par with the others. Very much the odd story out.

Forest Under The Sea: All I could think of while reading this was the movie The Descent. In the end, I wasn't in love with this story, but I liked it. It wasn't so much the water aspect that scared me, it was being trapped in a cave. Very scary situation! I liked the ending and how it went twenty years ahead in time. Very cool aspect. The switch in perspectives was nice. Overall, it was a decent story.

Prologue and Epilogue: At first, I had no clue what the Prologue and Epilogue would have to do with the stories. And then, ended up being tied together with the ending story, which I thought was really cool, and very much a Koji Suzuki thing to do.

Overall: I liked the stories, and it's a must read for any Koji Suzuki fan. The Ring trilogy is far better, but I enjoyed Dark Water.

My rating: 6/10

Just found another awesome contest!

2009-10-19T19:00:00.004-05:00

Head over to The Eclectic Reader and figure out how you can enter! Some of the awesome books include On The Edge by: Ilona Andrews and Intertwined by: Gena Showalter. She seems like a great blogger who I'm definitely following now. You guys should, too!

So, why are you still here reading this? Go check it out!!

New Contest!

2009-10-19T18:36:00.004-05:00

There's an awesome contest happening over at Teens Read and Write! They're giving away some amazing books, like The Summoning by: Kelley Armstrong, Shiver by: Maggie Stiefvater, Hush Hush by: Becca Fitzpatrick, and more!

Head on over there to get all the information on how to enter! While you're there, be sure to click the option to follow the blog, they're awesome!

--Faith

Immortal: Love Stories With Bite

2009-10-17T15:04:00.003-05:00

There's an awesome giveaway happening over at BookLoveAffair! One winner will receive a copy of Immortality: Love Stories With Bite, which features seven awesome stories (I'm sure XD) by seven awesome authors, like Richelle Mead!

Head on over to the site to learn how you can enter!!

Succubus Dreams by: Richelle Mead

2009-10-15T01:12:00.003-05:00

Synopsis:

Some days, a girl just can't catch a break ... especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there's her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It's not just that they can't have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge. Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block.

Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused-especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge-rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again.
[from barnesandnobles.com]

Succubus Dreams is probably my favorite book of the series so far. Richelle definitely didn't make the relationship between Seth and Georgina perfect and just able to conquer anything. She made it realistic, she gave them problems, which I loved. In many supernatural/romance type books, you see the main couple kind of able to take on anything and survive. Richelle gives us the realistic point of view in her books.

I also loved the new characters she introduced, like Vincent, Yasmine, and Dante. I loved the relationship between Vincent and Yasmine, another realistic relationship, and Dante just made me laugh (:

The fact that we're starting to see more into Georgina's past is another thing I liked with this book.

It's well written, entertaining, and a very fast read.

My rating: 10/10