Bitten, Kelley Armstrong

I recently finished Bitten, a urban fantasy novel by Kelley Armstrong. This book had been recommended to me awhile ago and I finally got around to reading it. This book was not what I expected. It surprised me at almost every turn. The TV series is quite different.


Living in Toronto for a year, Elena is leading the normal life she has always dreamed of, including a stable job as a journalist and a nice apartment shared with her boyfriend. As the lone female werewolf in existence, only her secret midnight prowls and her occasional inhuman cravings set her apart. Just one year ago, life was very different. Adopted by the Pack when bitten, Elena had spent years struggling with her resentment at having her life stolen away. Torn between two worlds, and overwhelmed by the new passions coursing through her body, her only option for control was to deny her awakening needs and escape.

But now the Pack has called Elena home to help them fight an alliance of renegade werewolves who are bent on exposing and annihilating the Pack. And although Elena is obliged to rejoin her "family," she vows not to be swept up in Pack life again, no matter how natural it might feel. She has made her choice. Trouble is, she's increasingly uncertain if it's the right one.

Like I said, this book surprised me. I wasn't expecting it to be so outwardly romantic which in retrospect sounds ridiculous. Anyways, Elena's an awesome character and she changes so much throughout the novel which I loved. In the beginning she is constantly trying to shrink herself down -- something very much in line with what a lot of women do. With Phillip she gets to be normal but she doesn't get to be herself. That is something I found pretty disturbing but quite realistic. And then, when she is called away, back to Stonehaven, she almost does a 180. And ends up hooking up with her ex-boyfriend/ex-fiance--the first night. That I found was shocking and not what I was expecting after watching the series on TV. Personally, their relationship I found unsettling. Mostly because as you find out, he is anything but the perfect boyfriend.

I don't really like their relationship. Much. I don't like how fast it was for Elena to hook up with Clay. I was kind of disappointed in that. But at the same time it makes her more real--more imperfect I guess. And it is pretty clear right from the get go that she and Clay have a lot of history-Philip, though nice-ish is more a rebound than anything else. To be honest, I don't really like Philip, he's kinda controlling and when Elena's with him she's always trying to shrink down. I don't like that. It is sad to read.

Her hold in the human world was all but gone when she stepped foot into Stonehaven which was different from how she acted in the TV series. In the TV series she holds on tight to that part of herself and stays away from Clay for as long as she can. While in the book, it is more like she splits up her life; she lives two lives, and steps into the one at Stonehaven completely, almost seamlessly.

Kelley Armstrong is a really great author. I adored her clear and definitive writing style as well as I loved the way that the Pack is so accurately depicted as a wolf pack. The behavior of the individuals is so much like a pack, it is almost strange to read about because it is so well done.

This book was good--full of adventure and romance, a strong story and character growth.
I'm really curious to see how it turns out. What happens next.  

The Thinking Woman's Guide To Real Magic

The Thinking Woman's Guide To Magic
Emily Croy Barker

Also known as: where has this book been all my life? 

“It was one thing to read about a society obsessed with female purity—quite another to find yourself living in one.”

This book was epic, it was fantastic. It was impossible to put down. And it kept me up many nights until I was too tired to continue. It was smart and funny and I loved it. It was an epic fantasy.

There are so many reasons I loved this book. Nora was a great protagonist, she may not have been smart in regards to her love life, but it every other way she was savvy and very intelligent and honestly it made this book great.

Nora is smart, independent, savvy, and able, as a protagonist. She's a strong, human protagonist. Awhile ago on Tumblr there was this post going around about writing strong-female protagonists. In this little rant/post about strong females the writer said not to worry about writing strong-kick-ass female protagonists and instead write about interesting, complex, human female protagonists. Now while personally I believe that writing strong women and writing complex women are not necessarily seprate and excursive only to that, Nora embodies both ideals.
She is a strong protagonist in the unconventional way that she is herself--she is complex and human, she really effs up a couple times. So that is what I mean when I say she is human.

So this story begins in present day earth. We find out that Nora's has had a rough couple of months and things take a turn for the worse as she finds out her boyfriend, another professor, intends to marry another woman. Meaning he had been cheating on her while they were together. Nora is a professor at the local university, she's very intelligent but she's hit a dull spot in her life. Her life is far from perfect at home and it is far from what she imagined it would be. But, her life isn't exactly bad, but it isn't exactly outstandingly great.

On a weekend trip up to the mountains Nora stumbles into an alternate universe while going for a walk. She doesn't realize this at first, in fact, it takes a long time for her to realize that this new world is far from what she thinks it is.

But she is introduced to a fabulous new world that is vivid, imaginative, and becomes more startlingly real as the book progresses. And when she meets Illisa, she is enchanted.

Illisa is beautiful, perfect and graceful. And she takes Nora under her wing and introduces her to Raclin and this amazing new world that's full of glitz and glamour.

It is of course too good to be true.
Eventually the nightmarish truth about this new world is revealed. The further Nora is submerged in this world, the further it becomes clear that Illisa and Raclin are not who they appear to be. And then the real story begins. Nora is saved by Aurendiel after she finds out the truth about everything.

And then, she learns about magic.

Honestly, this book was fantastic. It was full of adventure, and though the beginning started off slow, it didn't last long and quickly captured my attention. As a protagonist I loved Nora. Even after all the horrid things she had been through, when she's finally safe in Aurendiel's manor, she is finally able to be herself again. Her curiosity returns and she begins to learn more about this new, fantastic world.

This is a great book that will make a great Christmas present.

Give it to anyone who likes fantasy, or adventure with a side of romance. And despite the tittle I believe this book would make a great gift for men who enjoy fantasy too because honestly the writing and the world building are fantastic.

Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice 

“I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.”

“The loss of virtue in a female is irretrievable - that one false step involves in her endless ruin - that her reputation is no less brittle than it is beautiful - and that she cannot be too much guarded in her behavior towards the undeserving of the opposite sex.”

After reading this book there is no doubt in my mind that Jane Austen was a pioneer in her time. Not just in the fact that she, herself lived an inspired life filled with her fair share of adversity but her books have been known to contain atypical, strong, and lovable characters.
Pride and Prejudice was an incredible novel--this story is a heartwarming story filled with the complexity of relationships in a Victorian era setting. This is more than just a typical love story, where boy meets girl, and girl falls in love. It is also a story about the love of sisters, fathers, daughters, and mothers. And that is what makes it a truly beautiful novel.

This is the first Austen book I have fully read. My decision came out of a desire to read more classics. Honestly, I adored this book.

Throughout Pride and Prejudice I laughed quite a bit, Elizabeth, I believe will forever be one of my favorite protagonists. She's witty, honest, intelligent, and very atypical. She's a strong woman in an era where it was not socially acceptable to be so. It was better to be docile, submissive, and lady-like. It was more important to follow the complicated social protocol and Victorian Morality.

Mr. Collins is the perfect example of Victorian Morality. When Lydia runs off with Wickham he states in a letter to Mr. Bennet that it would be better to see Lydia dead than unmarried and running around with Wickham. There is a perfect example of Victorian Morality.

Pride and Prejudice revolves around the two elder sister's Elizabeth and Jane Bennet. Elizabeth is witty, charismatic, intelligent, and the favorite of her father. Jane, would be the second favorite of her father; she is kind, beautiful, forgiving, and the favorite of her mother.

To thoroughly enjoy and appreciate this novel I suggest that you read about the Victorian and Regency eras. Because once you do, you will be able to comprehend just how incredible this novel is.
If you do not understand much about the Victorian and Regency eras you will have a difficult time picking up on Elizabeth's subtle acts of rebellion as it is woven throughout the novel subtly, which causes many people to miss it.

For me, after finishing this novel, it is easy to see how Elizabeth is one of the most beloved of all Austen's characters. Elizabeth, is a strong headed, atypical character, and she goes against the social mores of her time in many ways. From speaking her mind at a dinner with Lady Catherine, to refusing not only one but two offers of marriage. She does not settle. And she keeps to her values, no matter what. She does not blindly throw away what she deems to be important at the first offer of marriage, when many women in her time, would. And that is what is so incredible about her. She refuses to become engaged to Mr. Collins first, knowing she would not be able to stand him, and his quiet insulting ways. And then she refuses to marry Mr. Darcy, because it would contradict her beliefs and values. The fact that she refuses him is huge. He's wealthy and has status, all the things that women in her time are bred to love, adore and strive for. But, she refuses him.
I hope that future readers of this book can contextually grasp the hugeness of that.

I loved this book, for the story but also for the strength of Austen's characters, and the 'human-ness' of them. All their failings, strengths, prejudices, beliefs, values...it all makes them incredibly human, and incredibly real.

The Gospel of Winter, Brendan Kiely

A fearless debut novel about the restorative power of truth and love after the trauma of abuse.




As sixteen-year-old Aidan Donovan’s fractured family disintegrates around him, he searches for solace in a few bumps of Adderall, his father’s wet bar, and the attentions of his local priest, Father Greg—the only adult who actually listens to him.




When Christmas hits, Aidan’s world collapses in a crisis of trust when he recognizes the darkness of Father Greg’s affections. He turns to a crew of new friends to help make sense of his life: Josie, the girl he just might love; Sophie, who’s a little wild; and Mark, the charismatic swim team captain whose own secret agonies converge with Aidan’s.




The Gospel of Winter maps the ways love can be used as a weapon against the innocent—but can also, in the right hands, restore hope and even faith. Brendan Kiely’s unflinching and courageous debut novel exposes the damage from the secrets we keep and proves that in truth, there is power. And real love.

The Gospel of Winter is an incredible novel by debut author Brendan Kiely. The Gospel Of Winter is a book that shows you the destruction of family and perverse way that religion can be used against innocent children. This novel touches on a lot of troubling issues, for a lot of people this book will ring too close to home, but despite all that, it is one I'm glad I read.

This was a very difficult book to read because of the subject matter but one you should read if you want to better understand the mind of someone who has been severely abused. The first thing you need to know about this story is that it deals with some heavy issues. The clerical abuse scandals that shook the world have not been forgotten, and likely never will be. And this story masterfully manages to deal with the issue of power and trauma and sexual abuse but these themes do overpower the story at times. Which is why anyone who is going through the difficult healing process should probably stay away from this book until they feel comfortable enough to deal with a lot of triggers.


This book deals illustrates how a priest has power over people and how young children can be victimized by someone like this. This book also shows how an entire community can be completely blinded to the abuse that goes on under the guise of power and goodness. This novel showed how the mind can repress memories. But what is most important, is that this novel shows the toll that this form of abuse can take on someone. It shows the ramifications, it shows the emotional and physical toll it takes on the body and soul. And for that I say well done. This book is definitely worth reading. But as I said before, if you have any prior experience with traumatic abuse I would suggest thinking long and hard about whether or not you can handle this read.

This book makes you feel.
Though out this novel we are privileged with watching Adian change and grow. We watch how he deals with the trauma, how he represses it, and denies it, and attempts to ignore it. He goes through everyday motions, and he pretends to be okay--to be normal. But then, slowly, we watch how it changes him, and eventually we watch him accept it. Adian goes through exponential growth throughout this novel, as does his mother, while some characters end up falling, they rise. From surprises and the shocks, to the sad realizations that come with father Greg and James and Elena, this book will take you on highs and lows, at a rapid fire pace.


I was lucky enough to get a copy of this novel from the "Goodreads: First Reads" challenge, and though I love this novel, if I'm being honest, I also hated it. It is an emotionally driven novel dealing with a seriously heavy subject, one that hits very close to home.

This is the story of Aidan, a pill-popping, high schooler trying to cope with the dissolution of his an already flawed family. But there's something he's forgetting; something that lies underneath the surface of his mind. Something he's not saying. Something he can't say.
He's a mess.
And we watch him as he follows this self-destructive path and watch him as he attempts to deal with stuff way beyond the level that any human being, never mind a kid, should ever have to deal with.

There are really only two people in the world who he believes and trusts to understand him: Father Greg and Elena. But throughout the book these two people Adian trusted the most, fall in almost every way imaginable. I can't say that Father Greg and Father Dooley's betrayal surprised me at all, but Elena's did. By the end of the book we get some resolutions in regards to a few of the problems but a lot is left undone. All that we can hope is that per his last intentions, Adian does speak up and get help. I hope that the author will be writing a sequel to this book, it is something I'll be looking into. I would love for Adian's story to continue.

Destiny's Blood, Marie Bilodeau

Destiny's Blood

By: Marie Bilodeau 

Layela Delamores wants nothing more than to settle into a quiet, peaceful life, running a small flower shop with her twin sister, Yoma. But Layela is tormented each night by terrifying visions that she cannot remember when she wakes. When Yoma vanishes, Layela is certain that her nightly visions hold the key - but only her sister's thieving friend, one of the last survivors of the ether races, can unlock them. Layela suspects that her friend isn't telling her the whole truth, instead sheltering her from her own visions. 

Ripped from the safety of her flower shop into a universe of smugglers and assassins, Layela must pursue her sister across space in a desperate bid to overcome the destiny of destruction foretold in her dreams. But without full knowledge of her visions, Layela has no way to prevent them from coming to pass. And the fate of a whole world is on the line: the mythical First Star is on a path to self-destruction and the annihilation of all life. 

Unless Layela finds a way to stop it. But to stop it would mean sacrificing her sister. 

Or herself.

I think in some way we can all relate to Layela's desire to lead a normal, peaceful, and/or fulfilling life doing what something we truly love. Buying and opening her own flower shop is a dream come true, it's something her and her sister worked for and something that Layela believed they both wanted. But as Layela finds out, her twin sister has other plans. 

When Yoma goes missing, Layela finds her life in upheaval; her plans are altered and her life is changed. Yoma and Layela are joined on their journeys by their Breganda friend, Joshomere. As orphaned children they lived on the streets together, took care of each other, and fought to survive. 

Marie Bilodeau's rhythmic narrative is what drives this story. Her strong, inventive narrative pulls you in, and creates an engaging story.

She has a way of telling us stories that enables us see how and why each character behaves the way they do. She gives us the full scope of each character which is something I enjoy about this book. 

Each character is very human in the way they make decisions and react to what comes their way. But at the same time, in many cases her characters are stubborn and tend to stick to tradition. Even when they maybe shouldn't. 

This book was good; it was exciting, and Marie's descriptions of her worlds were clear and vivid. The details and imagery that Marie uses is my favorite part of this book. She manages to craft amazing landscapes and describe vivid war scenes. 

I think this was a character driven story in some ways--though I wasn't always fond of some characters, you ended up caring what happens to them. With a lot of changes in the point of view in which this story was told, it was kept interesting, though at times I found it distracting.  The setting, story, plot, and pace were so well done, again. Like, Marie's other books the story is always moving. I've learned to admire that about Marie's writing; her stories are very plot driven, they are fast paced, and are always filled with very distinct characters. 

So, these characters were awesome--at times, frustrating, considering the fact I didn't agree with them all the time, they're stubborn. As well, sometimes they felt somewhat flat, they didn't change or adapt much, instead stuck with some stereotypes--such as the captain goes down with the ship. Of course, eventually, you actually learn to like the fact that the characters do stick to tradition. Overall, I loved the characters, they were hilarious. And quite often, out of this world. 

The Breganda race was probably the most inventive and amazing race within this book. I absolutely loved their culture and beauty. I hope that in the next book we'll be able to explore and discover more of it. The Kilta were interesting, terrifying though. 

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the detail, the setting, the characters, and especially, the worlds that Marie created. This book was an adventure--exciting and, at times, heartbreaking. This book reads like a movie. Which, is a good thing. If you enjoy reading science-fiction or adventure you should pick up this book. It is a great summer read to be honest. 

Eve, Anna Carey

The cover is what drew to the book in the first place, I first found out about it on Inkpop, a old site Harper Collins used to own--a site I will never not miss. 

So this is book is going to be another in the Book Cross Over I'm doing with J.N. Cahil over on her blog.  

This is the same Book Cross Over we started back in 2013--hence the logo.

    The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus and the vaccine intended to protect against it wiped out most of the earth’s population. Little more then two percent of population remains. And, the virus killed more males then females; the males that are left, are vicious only wanting to use and abuse the young, impressionable girls. 

Eve owes everything to the King, for he is the one who, after the world fell, put it back together and established the wonderful School that protects Eve and her classmates. 

So the book starts the night before Eve, and her classmates graduation. Eighteen-year-old Eve is perfect, seriously, she is the golden girl. But, the night before graduation after witnessing one of her classmates desperate and successful escape, Eve finds out the truly horrifying truth about her intended future. 

With the help of one kind, yet sad teacher, Eve runs from the twisted safety and security, of the only home she’s ever known, leaving behind everything. 

And so, Eve begins her journey. 

Eve; she is the perfect student, the perfect friend, the golden girl. But this perfect girl has her sheltered world rocked when she finds out what happens behind the closed doors of her precious School. Women are bred to breed. And that is where this book starts. 

Eve finds out what really happens to the girls who graduate her school and after seeing the horror and corruption, she runs.  

The thing is, the odds against Eve surviving are slim. She's thrust into this wild, unpredictable world that she is not accustomed to. Think, Wall Street Girl thrust into the middle earth--that Eve.  

Cue, Caleb. 
Caleb is rough and he's strong, literate *surprisingly* and the most horrifying fact of all, he is a he. He, is a man. Men, the thing which Eve fears most thanks to some psychological brainwashing via. School.

Caleb lives in the wild with a small group of people and after saving Eve from her sad attempt at making a pet, they end up sticking together. Along with Arden, x school rival, Eve and Caleb attempt to make it through the wilderness.  

My Thoughts 

Eve, oh my, she is a difficult character to like in the beginning. She's pompous and rigid with the rules, she's judgmental. But at the same time it is hard to dislike her because she tries to do what is right and most times she doesn't know any better--this fact alone makes her a very relateable character. 

Eve is a very imperfect hero that so far does fall into the 'damsel in distress' category but you have to hand it to her, she does show impressive strength as well. She's been separated from everything her entire life, and she finds out that everything she has learned for the past eighteen years was all a lie. Her beliefs regarding men make being saved by Caleb more traumatic then almost being eaten by her 'pet'. 

Caleb is the opposite of Eve in every way imaginable and he is the one who is constantly challenging her past knowledge and bias. Eve rises to the occasion at times and falters to it many times. 

This book was hilarious, at times, thoroughly enjoyable. 


The book could be slow but it was such a vastly different book from other YA Dystopian-fiction books, I've read. Which is why I really did love this book. 

The problem is this one thing happens and Eve completely, utterly let me down. 
I am torn between wanting to read the next book and wanting to boycott Eve's decision by not buying this book. And yes, I realize how little sense that makes. 

I really liked this book, bordering on 'love' and I'll probably be picking up the next book in the series. 

I recommend you read this book if you are look for some light Dystopian, adventure, romance reading. 



Now to check out J.N. Cahill's review on this book follow the link below: 


J.N. Cahill's review of Eve

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky.

Also known as a book I've loved even before I read it.

Okay, sometimes books come into your life with such impeccable timing it is almost completely laughable--as if someone--or something just knew that you and this book needed to cross paths. I think that's the magic of books though, they can come into your life and save you or pick you up when you least expect it but need it the most.

This book did that to me.  

Of course, I should also say, it destroyed me first.








So I will be 'reviewing' this book very differently, then again, reviewing isn't exactly what I'm doing. Reviewing a book like this, is like reviewing art, confusing and difficult. Instead I'll be talking about it. 
I've broken it down into sections to have some form of organization here. So, to anyone who has seen the movie adaption this review will contain no spoilers, but to anyone who has yet to read this book or see the movie this is a warning this review/reflection will contain 

Style Points: My feelings on the writing style 

-This book is art 

-It's told through letters documented by Charlie, as he begins his first year of high school 

-There are many ways to tell a story, you can begin with 'once upon a time', or use 3rd person, omniscient or 'All Knowing'--1st, 2nd, ect, ect., basically this book doesn't feel like a book, it feels like a conversation between you and Charlie--he tells us what he thinks and what he sees, and in that a story is composed

-This book, is unconventional and unorthodox, it does not follow any preset pattern or plot line, it is new and different-I love that, it is an incredibly artistic book 

-Individuals wholly dedicated to the 'show, don't tell' mentality will most likely loathe the way his story is told--though I find it difficult for anyone to loathe this story (though evidently, people do)

-Charlie talks to us and tells us what he needs to, we listen, maybe even understand some things he may not--slowly we see what he sees, and it's captivating 

-Eventually you will get it

-Reading this is an experience 

Summing it up: 
5/5

I loved the style of this book--I loved the way Charlie spoke and the way the story unfolded. It is different, and it is put together with creatively which I really loved--Chbosky/Charlie know how to make a few words speak louder than a paragraph of flowery words and writing.

Narrator:

Charlie is a very real. As a freshman, he begins to write to us chronicling his life and the lives of those closest to him. He mentions M*A*S*H, (Alan Alda's Iconic and ground-breaking TV series that started back in 1972) 




I loved that. 


He's a wallflower, he's quiet, a bit shy but he sees things that most people can't, and he notices things that others won't. 

   

   He sees the world with fantastic muddled-clarity, and writes to us about what he sees. The mundane turns fantastic, and within heartbreaking sadness/confusion/anger/isolation he still manages to show us hope. 

   Everything that Charlie sees/feels/thinks/believes in this book is not only uniquely 'Charlie' but it is a startlingly realistic portrayal of the lives of most teenagers. 

    Chbosky has created a character so incredibly real it seems at times that Charlie could very well be walking around. He touches on some of the hardest and most painful situations/events/experiences, that I can guarantee have touched your life in some form or another. Yet, Chbosky *PRAISE TO LORD THOR* doesn't try to act all high-and-mighty, and present us with answers to every one of those painful problems this book touches on.

   You know what? Chbosky is an author who I feel, if/when I meet him, will be just like 'us' by 'us' I mean teenagers, even just regular people who recognize that they don't have the ultimate answer that will heal you from whatever you've gone through. He really ends up presenting us with the one and only solution there is: let go, and carry on.  

Story: 

   Charlie has experienced a great deal of loss in his life; his best friend, and his aunt (unfortunately he lost his aunt in more ways then one as we find out). Charlie's story mainly focuses on his present; as he begins his freshman year, but as it always does, the past comes back slowly. 

  There was always that sense of something bubbling up underneath the surface facade that Charlie held onto. There was always that foreboding feeling hovering just below the surface.  

   I love that this book touches on many difficult and controversial subjects, and that for once the problems aren't wrapped up with a quick-fix solution or even worse, ignored. 

   I loved that the problems were dealt with realistically and that the teenagers portrayed behaved how it is expected anyone would. The problems, and the effect they have on the lives of these characters aren't candy-coded. 

   The problems these teens encounter are very real and are very difficult. And they all struggle to deal with them-usually resorting to drugs/alcohol/gratification. 

   The solutions to said problems, aren't wrapped up in a bow--this isn't an open and shut book, though we are given some amount of closure and hope at the end of it. 

Example of the realistic problem:

During the Christmas party Sam takes Charlie upstairs to give him a present, where she tells Charlie that the first person who ever kissed her was a friend of her fathers. 

Chances are, if you're reading this blog you know how wrong that is and how much of an issue in society stuff like this is--then again, maybe you don't--who knows, really?  

The fact remains that issues, similar to the one above are brought up throughout the book. 

Relationship abuse, abortion, molestation, child abuse, sexual assault, even incest--all this is touched upon. But, there is no one and only answer/solution to these problems. The author doesn't pretend to know all the answers, he presents us with characters who deal with what they're given and then carry on, and this is what gives us hope. 

A slight warning and moment for Charlie. 

   The one thing I believe I should mention is that this 'story' for a lot of people isn't just a story. It mirrors the stories of many people/kids/teenagers...more than most of us know.

  Sexual assault is one of the main issues presented in this book; it is something that few people talk about, and it is something incredibly difficult to comprehend, deal with, and heal from. 

   This book, because of the content may have more of an impact on some people than others. 80% of sexual assault victims are under the age of 30. And half of that, under 18. (RAINN, 2010). It is needless to say that for some people this will bring up some issues. 

  Sexual assault occurs everywhere in society; in homes, schools, in hospitals even. Yet, so few people talk about it. This story has the potential to bring up some bad memories for anyone who has had to deal with any of the situations/experiences/events listed above, as well I believe it has a tremendous amount of potential to help anyone and everyone--regardless of your life story. 

   This book is sad, and hopeful, and comforting, and horrible. 

This story, is one that will make you sad--but it is the good kind of sad, the kind of sad that leaves you feeling hopeful. 

So to finish off this review/reflection on this book I leave you with these parting thoughts.

-This book is like art and a warm hug together, as well as a punch to the gut and a kick to the heart

-Reading this book will change your life

-This is one of those books that will stay with you; it is one of those books that will last forever 

-I recommend this book to anyone over a certain maturity level--as you know or can imagine it is a very painful book to read at times

-And, now I will sum up this entire book with a single quote

"She [the book] wasn't bitter. She [the book] was sad, though. But it was a hopeful kind of sad. The kind of sad that just takes time. ” 

[StatsFound: www.rainn.org/statistics]

An apology and finally a review of Pretties

First things first

Sorry! 
I've been so inactive lately. I know it sucks, I'm hoping that now since I've gotten into the swing of things, I'll be able to get back to this. The only problem?? Well, >.< school.  

And as promised, the review for Pretties.

Another book in the 2013 Book Cross Over

 

Gorgeous. 

Popular. 

Perfect. 

Perfectly wrong.

Tally has finally become pretty. Now her looks are beyond perfect, her clothes are awesome, her boyfriend is totally hot, and she's completely popular. It's everything she's ever wanted.

But beneath all the fun -- the nonstop parties, the high-tech luxury, the total freedom -- is a nagging sense that something's wrong. Something important. Then a message from Tally's ugly past arrives. Reading it, Tally remembers what's wrong with pretty life, and the fun stops cold.

Now she has to choose between fighting to forget what she knows and fighting for her life -- because the authorities don't intend to let anyone with this information survive

A recap of the Ugilies...

All through her life Tally had only ever wanted one thing. 

To be Pretty. 

The first book in this series was Tally's journey to find the Smoke. A city where people live as Uglies their entire lives. Of course, as we all remember, she was blackmailed into it. The Smoke is a place where nature is truly allowed to take its course and throughout the novel Tally is faced with two distinctly different sides of her world, we're caught wondering what she'll do but hoping she'll choose to stay 'Ugly'. After being out in nature for a while, and meeting David, and understanding. Tally decided to stay, but unforeseen circumstances made her decision to become Pretty almost noble.

By the end of the first book Tally had become a much stronger character, though I wasn't entirely happy about her throwing the locket in the fire, I did grow to like her. 

In this book, Pretties, has Tally as a very unpleasant character. 

***

So the second installment starts off with Tally's dream-turned-nightmare being realized. 

*Not that we all didn't see that coming...* 

Tally's finally pretty. 

*

*

Oh golly Miss. Molly, how perfect! 

*

Not only is she a mild-rule breaker, constant-party girl, and falling for the leader of the Crims (the elite group that she's accepted into), but everything, like Tally's perfectly straight nose and aligned cheekbones is perfect. Seriously, she has everything a shallow individual could possibly want.

She's apart of a very 'in' crowd, she has Shay back, a boyfriend, endless fame, ect, ect... she barely remembers the days she spent living in the Smoke; it's all a distant dream. 

A silly, Ugly prank. 

She's forgotten everything, even David. 

Tally's free from her ugly past for a little while until a series of events and appearances lead her to the clues to a letter. 

A letter written by her. 

She finds out about the Smoke again, struggles to stay "bubbly", and fights again with Special Circumstances. 

Tally's life becomes complicated when, with a split second decision, she and  her new BF are taking one pill each, said to be the cure to being "Pretty".

Of course it didn't work out. 

As the pills were meant to be taken together.

What did I think...???

Pretties pretty much met my expectations but that isn't exactly a good thing. It was disappointing in many ways. I've moved from liking Tally, to loving Tally, to really disliking her--if you've read this book you'd know why I dislike her so much at the moment. Scott Westerfield's writes in a very factual way--less descriptive than I like but I do like his books, he creates very fact-based worlds that are interesting and surprising. 

This book was okay--I'm not a huge fan of this installment. Tally changed--the first book I really did like--I loved the message and lessons in it. But this second book...well...you'll find out when you read it. The heartbreaking ending was mind-blowing. I liked Tally in the first book, she was a fresh, original character, very much an individual. 

I liked Tally a lot when she was an Ugly, because like her beauty, her character was more complex. And I felt the first book had more depth to it.  

By the end of this book I really didn't like her, and as a Heroine she let me down. 

She was conceited, she was annoying, and the fact that her and her new BF were always trying to stay "Bubbly", well there is not one thing about that concept that didn't bug me. And as for how it ended...well I am sorry, I do get why she did it, but I hated it. 

So to conclude: This book was alright

I didn't like Tally by the end of it. 

But I will probably read the next book. 

Let's see if Tally can redeem herself.

The Two Towers: J.R.R. Tolkien

The Two Towers is second installment of The Lord of the Rings, for those who don't know it is an amazing read.

In some ways this was sort of Everest for me, I found that I had a hard time focusing on the book because of the dense description and intense, complicated wording of it, it was a hard book to get through. But there comes a point after really focusing on it, you don't need to push yourself through it, you just read it and love it.

This book is written in older English which means it can be a little more difficult at sometimes but it was amazing; Tolkien is an amazing writer, he not only creates a vivid landscape but he creates worlds within each word that sticks with you. This book is so much bigger than it seems.

If you haven't already, read it.

I can safely say this is one of my favorite series so far.
Coming in second to Harry Potter though.

Problems you may find with this book:

• This book isn't the easiest to read (as I said)--J.R.R. Tolkien likes description--a lot. At times it could drag on and become hard to comprehend but it was worth it because eventually he painted this vibrant world with stomach clenching cliffs and freezing weather.
   
• And as I said, this book was written a long time ago so the English is very different from how we speak today. You have to actually have to focus on the book, it is a harder read than what you may be used to. 

But honestly this book was an intense ride through sickening landscape, terror inducing caves and sheer cliffs that dropped you into oblivion.

Seriously this book was intense. Full of so much adventure and adversity and vibrant characters, beautiful descriptions and an amazing world.

The book is very different from the movie though, it is longer and includes different characters and entire scenes that go differently.

Reading the book I've actually gained a new perspective on how well the movie was done--I have new respect for all the writers and the directors, they were up against when making the movies. And they had to condense it while keeping true to the story; which they really did.

In some ways I was at a disadvantage because I had already seen all the movies, and I always like reading the books before the movies, though I already knew what happened to Frodo and the ring and Sam, as soon as I was done the book I wished that I had the next book in the series.

This book is something I honestly think everyone who loves fantasy and exploring different world should read.

Murder Mysteries, Neil Gaiman

Murder Mysteries by Neil Gaiman is a short story I read in the Smoke and Mirrors anthology. The book is on loan from the library, but I wish I owned it. 

To reintroduce the book you can see the previous post and review on the entire anthology, but this story deserved an entire post on its own. Since I will be talking about it pretty in-depth there will be some spoilers.

 So, I didn't really like the beginning  as it started in an unfortunate way, that would (I admit) turn most people off. I should mention here that this book is definitely not recommended for any younger teens out there, mainly for people 18+ depending on the individual. But despite the distasteful opening, this story really REALLY struck me. 

It is a story that takes place while our universe is being created. 

(That enough should have you going '...um...cool.')

It is told by an old man, who swears it's true, as he tells a younger guy, in payment for a cigarette. 

We are led through the story by Raugel, (who's the old man), it starts when he is brought to life by Lucifer (Yes, that Lucifer) as the Vengeance of the Name. And he is instructed to find out who killed Carasel, another angel. We go through the story with him as he attempts to figure out who killed the angel. It isn't easy too really figure out who did it, this story kind of keeps you guessing for a while, and there are times when you think that it was either Lucifer or that Carasel just killed himself. 

Carasel turns out to be a workaholic, and he really throws himself into his work, and at the time of his death he was involved with creating emotions for humans. Being human, I know how messy those can get, and it is easy to see how he would have become overwhelmed by the emotions. 

So it was expected that Carasel would throw himself into the emotions he was working on, and we find out that Carasel, the angel that had died, convinced another angel to work on love with him, in a very intimate way, so together they work on love, and inevitably, end up lovers.  

The other angel falls for him completely, keep in mind, I'm saying he here but there is actually no gender in the angel world, you kind of just guess it by their actions and values, anyways, Carasel's lover turns out to be unable to handle the stress involved with love, and when Carasel begins to work on Death, he kind of just forgets about his lover. Causing massive heartbreak and pain, and his lover, therefore takes his life, hoping that the pain caused by Carasel's neglect will suddenly disappear if he's dead. 

 It doesn't of course.

Anyone who knows even the most basic information about Christianity should know that Lucifer turns into the devil by disobeying--or (as it is stated) disagreeing with god! 

So you may automatically assume that it was him who killed Carasel. The character of Lucifer is so utterly fascinating -I could go on and on about him.

The punishment for killing another Angel is death, which Raugel carries out, as he is the Vengeance of the Name, not many of the angels like it, most are scared of Raugel, even he doesn't like it, but Lucifer questions this! Lucifer is the only one that actually thinks about it. He feels it more wholly than any of the other angels, he believes that Carasel should have been helped, and yet, the Name (God, the Lord, I AM--whatever you wish to call him) the angels expect vengeance to be done, because Raugel, the Vengeance of the Name, was awoken, so it is apparent to the angels that Carasel being killed was just. But Lucifer doesn't believe so. And so starts his fall from grace. But God is there when it begins and when Raugel finds out about God being there, he says: 'Lucifer's journey will be the hardest of all.'

And yet, the character of god turns out to an angel that sits all day and dreams. I'm not joking. And to me it has always been that God as the Christian religion shows him is ludicrous, I've always believe that God was made in the image of man, not the other way around, and Lucifer was the most fascinating of all the characters. 

Raguel, though we're led through the story by him, functions mainly robotic until the very end, when he meets the Name. Lucifer walks outside the boundaries of the Angels Kingdom as we find out, but not because he communes with the voices of snakes that live within them, because he tests himself, everyday, to improve upon his strength and faith, but than at the end he hints at his changed attitude after watching the other angel (the Lover of Carasel) die in honor of the Name. It seems that each angel does what they believe they are supposed to do, yet, Lucifer thinks independently and the Name is just that, a name, an original idea that created all this life--yet it isn't God, in fact, it seems God is just as human as us. 

And, to bring me to the next point, this version of God, AMAZING! A million times better than anything I've read. He's not referred to as "God" (A concept I kind of hate due to many factors). He's referred to as the Name or occasionally Lord, but not as God. And the end version of him, basically as a supreme being, sitting and dreaming up the entire world is so almost humbling, and then when he sympathizes with Lucifer! WOW.

We've got Lucifer, treading the darkness to overcome it, yet we know he's going to fall. And even the Name knows that he will fall--but the thing is what the Name says, 'his path will be the hardest' is something that really struck me as wow. We all know people who have a harder life than what it is supposed to be, some of us, have it, some of us feel that our path is harder than the average person's. But it is also hinted that there is hope for redemption, there is hope as long as you don't loose yourself completely. Lucifer was the strongest of gods angels in folklore, but even the strongest can fall, its what happens after you fall that matters. 

Lucifer wishes to help Carasel's Lover and than questions the Name. 

Raguel, is swift judgement, robotic agreement.

Carasel, creative but oblivious.

Carasel's Lover, hurt, driven mad with pain, and a murderer--ill from pain--then dead.

And if you realize this, you may see that everything above is characteristics that any given person can have--we all have this possibility inside of us but what matters the most how we react to life--or the Name.

There is so much meaning within this story, surprising considering how short it was!

I loved it--so much. Maybe one of my favorites.

First of all, taken at face value, it is a story of archangels, the world they inhabit is as beautiful as it is fantastic  But there is so much more to it than that.

At times, especially since the story of the angels is told by a man asking for a cigarette, it makes you feel that this entire story really could go both ways, sure, it could be that this man was an angel, whatever, it's fantasy sort of, but at the same time, this could be an entire battle happening in his head. Okay, holy sh*t!! 

And, if you link that to what goes on inside an individual's head, you might feel that angel, god, heaven, hell, the devil, ect...all reside inside a human.

I loved this story.