The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb

The reviews are coming slowly but surely. I’m disappointed that there aren’t as many page views coming in as in the summer, but I know it makes sense. In the summer months I was finishing a book a week. Just wanted to give a shout out to all of my readers: THANKS! You make me seem popular. Here is a novel I read in my Creative Writing class.

Tu is a young tour guide working in Hanoi for a company called New Dawn. While he leads tourists through the city, including American vets on "war tours," he starts to wonder what it is they are seeing of Vietnam--and what they miss entirely. Maggie, who is Vietnamese by birth but has lived most her life in the U.S., has returned to her country of origin in search of clues to her dissident father's disappearance during the war. Holding the story together is Old Man Hung, who has lived through decades of political upheaval and has still found a way to feed hope to his community of pond side dwellers.

 

 

The beauty of humanity doesn’t always show, especially in this novel. There is great contrast between the horrific past events that went on during the Vietnam war compared to the country in the present, which is where the story is set. The bits and pieces of the country’s cruel past are brought to life by Hung’s memories. Transitions to and from the past and present are written very well by Gibb, she brings out the past at precise moments throughout the plot.

One of the strongest parts in this story are the characters. Written in third person point of view ensures that the reader gets to know each main characters well and Gibb has you rooting for all of them as they make their way through the plot.

Many people in my class commented on how they didn’t enjoy the ending but I thought that it tied up many things very nicely. This is one of those hit and miss novels, either you like it or it’s a big disappointment. If you’re looking for a fiction that is focused on Vietnam history then don’t pick this up, there is more focus on Pho than the details of the war. This novel is also pretty slowly paced so don’t expect super exciting things to be happening all the time, like I mentioned it’s focused on the characters and a deeper concept of people as a whole.

I would recommend The Beauty of Humanity Movement to somebody who is looking for a quick and light read. I’ll give it a 3 OUT OF 5. Here is her website http://www.camillagibb.ca/

Later biznitches,

 

-MRR

The Secret by Rhonda Bryne

Wow. It’s really been a long time since I posted anything on here. Although I have been reading certain books for class (which I will also do reviews for), there hasn’t been much time for me to sit down and write a review. I’m working full time at Chapters  now, which is a blast, and I’m also taking 3 courses at Douglas Collage. Even though it’s Dougy Daycare, my time is totally swamped. My favourite class that I have this semester is creative writing, I’m shitting stories out of my ass, which I’m SUPER proud of. Anyway, lets get to this review of a mediocre book.

Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it. In this book, you'll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life -- money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You'll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that's within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life. The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers -- men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

As you can probably tell by reading the summary, this novel focuses on a certain way of thinking that can help out any person and ultimately (according to Rhonda Byrne) get that person whatever they want out of life. I’m sure you’ve heard repeatedly that positive thinking really works, and your mind set is what decides what happens in your life blah blah blah. If you think theories like that are bullshit, then I don’t suggest reading The Secret.

The reason I’m giving this books such a low rating is not because of the subject matter. I personally agree with a majority things that are written in this book, and many of the doctors and philosophers quoted really add to the subject that is at hand. I think that Bryne does blow some of the ideas out of proportion, making things sound mystical and spiritual when really a simpler explanation would have been more effective.

The writing style made me think I was reading a textbook, with summaries at the end of each chapter and way too much repetition throughout the entire thing. I would have liked to have read more details in the stories about people that turned their life around with ‘The secret’. Instead of a paragraph written just to ensure the reader that everything being talked about is absolutely real.

Again, the concept is brilliant. More people should focus on their goals wholeheartedly, and stop focusing on what they don’t want. When you focus on what you want, and you believe that it will happen. It will! That is the point of this novel, and it’s a point that I agree with completely.

Still, 2.5. Sounds too much like a religious person preaching their faith onto everybody else.

Seeya’ll later.

- MRR

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

Making the transition to Kobo today, I think I could get used to an eReader. Pretty damn cool that my reviews could get me something for free. This week was my first week of collage, and I’m liking it so far. I’m most excited for my creative writing workshop. Finally I can get some constructive criticism.

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing. But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army. Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

Brace yourself for a world full of unnaturals: criminal clairivoyants of future London. The first page of this book thrusts the reader into a marble swirl of paranormal and fantasy.

The vocabulary might be a bit confusing at the start of the story, there are many new words that take a stretch to get used to. The slang used is supposedly based on language from historic London, I recommend having a peek at the glossary found at the back of the book before getting started.

There isn’t much character development for the majority of this novel, but I have a feeling that it will come later on in the series, which will consist of 7 books. It takes quite a while for the full story of Paige’s background to emerge, and that might have made her character seem a bit flat. She does go through a change near the ending.

I appreciated the fact that there wasn’t a rush when it came to romance. The tension built throughout the story between the two characters was interesting, it kept me guessing about what their relationship really was about.

Shannon is a fairly new and young writer and she’s doing well for her first novel. Thinking back I still feel like there is something missing, but I know that I enjoyed this book and will definitely put faith in the author and read the next book. I’ll give her  3.5 OUT OF 5, check out her blog here http://samantha-shannon.blogspot.ca/

Later cheese graters,

-MRR

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Starting collage in 3 days, I’m starting to get bored of summer so I guess you could say that I’m not that upset about going back. I managed to get into my fiction writing class, and I’ve also lucky enough to have won a Kobo Glo because of my book reviews! Obviously this is perfect for a bookworm like moi. That’s all for the Megan’s Life Update.

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin. Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.

The Kitchen House is a very engaging story and I couldn’t put it down. I would be at a friends house about to watch a movie when the other couch and my book would beckon to me, and I would go read instead. There isn’t very much happiness to be found in this book, for any of the characters.

It reflects on the 19th century problems of racism and social status while breaking the heart of the reader through and through. The author continually allows you to get comfortable after a tragedy in the plotline only to have another one lined up and ready. The continuous rape, and the chaos that proceeded when a child was born got a bit repetitive. Much drama happens all throughout the story, and  it can get tiresome but all the same I kept wanting to read on.

I was reminded of the classic movie Gone With The Wind, a tragic story with too many tragic twists. Of course those qualities are what make the story realistic and almost addicting, as well as giving readers a look into history. Well done Grissom. http://www.kathleengrissom.com/thekitchenhousebook_004.htm I’ll give her a 3.5 OUT OF 5.

Later alligators!

- MRR

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

GOT MY JOB AT CHAPTERS! I’m super excited, my first day was today and I had an awesome time. There is some competition though, for now I’m only in a seasonal contract so I have to have an exceptional performance if I’m going to stay there long term. Other than that the only thing happening is me going to Douglas in September. Hooray for more school, study, and papers.

In 1925, the legendary British explorer Percy Fawcett ventured into the Amazon jungle, in search of a fabled civilization. He never returned. Over the years countless perished trying to find evidence of his party and the place he called "The Lost City of Z." In this masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, journalist David Grann interweaves the spellbinding stories of Fawcett's quest for "Z" and his own journey into the deadly jungle, as he unravels the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century.

Reading a non-fiction is a first for me, or at least the first time in a long time, and I admit that I thought it was fascinating. This book is a true story that is filled with real adventure, mystery, and suspense. This and the fact that the author get’s caught up in the obsession over Z just adds to the realism.

After a couple pages I was excited to follow Fawcett throughout several of his journey’s all the way through till the end, but this is not the case. Because it’s a non-fiction the author has to piece together the story from tidbits like Fawcett’s journal, letters written by people close to him, and accounts from other important people in the story. This makes the it less focused on adventure and more informative instead.

If you’re a history buff I recommend this novel. I think that after reading this I’ll have to browse the same section in Chapters more often. Despite it seeming like there were no more twists that could happen, the very ending proved that wrong. The Lost City of Z is a beautiful story of english explorers, amazon indians, and the quest for an ancient city.

I adored this novel, its  4 OUT OF 5. http://www.davidgrann.com/ Visit his website to check out his other book, The Devil and Sherlock Holmes

Until  next time,

-MRR

World War Z by Max Brooks

Spent the weekend in Osoyoos and most of the days we were there it was cloudy, which is rare in that city. Oh well I finished WWZ today while tanning on my trampoline, enjoying the cold water from the sprinkler placed underneath. The reading contest going on at my local library is treating me well, I got a coupon for a free pizza which I ordered today. I’m just relaxed!

The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time. World War Z is the result. Never before have we had access to a document that so powerfully conveys the depth of fear and horror, and also the ineradicable spirit of resistance, that gripped human society through the plague years.

I didn’t have high expectations for this novel before I cracked the first page. There were many different things being said about World War Z and from what I could tell it was either a hit or miss with the readers. After finishing I could tell why, the novel is full of interviews from survivors of the war which is a unique way to write the entire book.

Because of this way of writing, WWZ might throw quite a few people off. There is no following a character through a secured plot while reading this book. I remember complaining about Soulless by Christopher Golden, which also was about zombies and had different viewpoints. I was surprised that by the time I reached the ending of this one I appreciated the overview effect given from the random perspectives.

Another thing about the writing that bothered me at the beginning was all of the technical terms that had to do with the military, including things like weapons, aircraft, vehicles etc. I got so lost in the intricate terms that it pulled me away from the story sometimes. After finishing the last page though I felt that brought more to the story than it did take away. I was won over in the end especially with the realism despite it being fiction. Brooks took many things into account like the different countries’ cultures, political leadership, and past wars. This book is very complex, I can admire that.

Check out Max Brook’s website http://maxbrooks.com/ he is a bit obsessed with zombies apparently. I’m going to give this one a 4 OUT OF 5. Thanks for another good read Alannis! I heard the movie sucks though.

Chow,

-MRR

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson

Summer is halfway through and already I’m not looking forward to the end of it. All there is to do is make the best of it though! I recently won $25 to chapters for one of my reviews, and I finished my 3rd interview at chapters today. I’m so exited to be working there! Wish me luck in getting hired. Back to the books:

On a burn ward, a man lies between living and dying, so disfigured that no one from his past life would even recognize him. His only comfort comes from imagining various inventive ways to end his misery. Then a woman named Marianne Engel walks into his hospital room, a wild-haired, schizophrenic sculptress on the lam from the psych ward upstairs, who insists that she knows him - that she has known him, in fact, for seven hundred years. She remembers vividly when they met, in another hospital ward at a convent in medieval Germany, when she was a nun and he was a wounded mercenary left to die. If he has forgotten this, he is not to worry: she will prove it to him. And so Marianne Engel begins to tell him their story, carving away his disbelief and slowly drawing him into the orbit and power of a word he'd never uttered: love.

I borrowed this lovely novel from my friend Alannis, and when I asked for her opinion on it she said it was so slow she didn’t even get past the first couple chapters. I feel sorry for my dear friend Alannis. Even though there isn’t a great deal of excitement until you meet Marianne, the first part introduces the character thoroughly, it’s where you get to know him.

After Marianne butts her way into the plotline, the reader feels the same fascination with her as the main character does. Her stories to him in the hospital are what weave the novel together and also what kept me intrigued. The writing is very descriptive, especially near the end when things are wrapping up. Some might find parts of the book graphic, but I enjoyed the intense imagery.

The best part about The Gargoyle is the constant tipping of a scale. On one side the possibility that Marianne is not insane and her realistic stories were real, on the other side an inevitability that her schizophrenia was the only truth behind them. While reading I found that I believed Marianne whole-heartedly, but Davidson might find points to push you to think otherwise.

The first half is definitely not as gripping as the second but I know I made the right choice in picking this up and reading start to finish (Unlike poor Alannis). I’ll give it a 3.5/5.

Learn more about the author here http://www.quillandquire.com/authors/profile.cfm?article_id=10235

And check out my tumblr as well! http://spasticmooseful.tumblr.com/

Chow,

-MRR

419 by Will Ferguson

Summer has been great so far for me, I’ve been super busy which I like. I just got back from Victoria, my softball team was participating in the provincials there. We didn’t do so well but I still had a great time, softball will always be one of my favourite things alongside reading.

A car tumbles through darkness down a snowy ravine. A woman without a name walks out of a dust storm in sub-Saharan Africa. And in the seething heat of Lagos City, a criminal cartel scours the Internet, looking for victims. Lives intersect. Worlds collide. And it all begins with a single email: "Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help." When Laura Curtis, a lonely editor in a cold northern city, discovers that her father has died because of one such swindle, she sets out to track down-and corner-her father's killer. It is a dangerous game she's playing, however, and the stakes are higher than she can ever imagine. Woven into Laura's journey is a mysterious woman from the African Sahel with scars etched into her skin and a young man who finds himself caught up in a web of violence and deceit. And running through it, a dying father's final words: "You, I love."

419 is a captivating suspense novel that is unique because of the several viewpoints and characters. The author introduces these characters slowly and descriptively, some not developing until later in the story but all important to the plot. Some readers may find jumping back and forth between settings and characters confusing. My advice is to just keep reading (sung in Dory voice) everything comes together.

Something I admire most about this story is the descriptions of the cities in Africa. It takes a talented writer to completely transport a reader into another world and have them understand it, Ferguson managed this with ease. After reading this novel I feel like I know exactly what Nigeria is all about. The setting was just as important as the characters, being immersed in the different culture made the story.

The foreshadowing spread throughout the chapters really helps the build of anticipation, as well as the phrase ‘something is coming’ repeated by several characters. 419 isn’t the type of fiction to read if you want to get lost in la la land, it shows a harsh reality. I’ll give it a 4.5 OUT OF 5 because although I thought it was brilliant, it still didn’t make the favourite list.

Until next time,

- MRR

1984 by George Orwell

Summer has started and I’ve really thrown myself into the world of reading and books on the internet. I have two other review sites one on chapters online: http://community.indigo.ca/profile/%D0%BC%D1%94gg%CF%83/445991.html Another on tumblr if you use that: http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard Been reviewing like crazy! My goal is to get a job at Chapters and Indigo in the next two weeks so we’ll see where I’m at. There is a writing contest going on for teenagers from Canada, mostly BC if you’re interested. You could win an iPad, and if you post reviews on this site you could win a Kobo book reader. Check that out as well: teenrc.ca

Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth in London, chief city of Airstrip One. Big Brother stares out from every poster, the Thought Police uncover every act of betrayal. When Winston finds love with Julia, he discovers that life does not have to be dull and deadening, and awakens to new possibilities. Despite the police helicopters that hover and circle overhead, Winston and Julia begin to question the Party; they are drawn towards conspiracy. Yet Big Brother will not tolerate dissent - even in the mind. For those with original thoughts they invented Room 101...

Nineteen Eighty-Four is George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian future in which everything and everyone is slave to a tyrannical regime.

Most people have to read this novel as a study in high school, and I’ve heard several great things about 1984 although I really had no idea what it was about. From the first page the writing style hooked me in, the descriptions of a drab sort of lifeless world emerged right away. The fact that the protagonist was so anxious about writing in his diary set the reader into the reality of Winston’s world.

The fact that Orwell has created such a society and government that is not similar to anything we have in modern day makes the story captivating and completely unique. Not only does he go into detail about the governmental issues and the inner workings of Oceanic politics, the novel has its own language and a completely different mind set.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a story which I thought showed as much originality and creativity. Not only that, but the story makes the reader think, I was trying to grasp all the ideas the party was trying to force into Winston’s head as the story rounded the ending.  The words used to actually tell the story matched the world in which Orwell was describing. Drab, dirty, dark and full of hatred.

AMAZING. A 5 OUT OF 5. I would recommend this book to any young reader, especially somebody interested in political theories and even psychology. Just brilliant. I’ll be back next with some awesome fiction,

Chow for now

- MRR

out.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

As you are all not aware of, I have been pretty ill for the past 2 weeks. I thought I would make you aware now! I haven’t really read anything even though Animal Farm isn’t really the most difficult read around. Being sick right after I graduated isn’t anybody’s dream start to the summer, and it’s definitely not mine.

Mr Jones of Manor Farm is so lazy and drunken that one day he forgets to feed his livestock. The ensuing rebellion under the leadership of the pigs Napoleon and Wellington leads to the animals taking over the farm. Vowing to eliminate the terrible inequities of the farmyard, the renamed Animal Farm is organized to benefit all who walk on four legs. But as time passes, the ideals of the rebellion are corrupted, then forgotten. And something new and unexpected emerges...

Animal Farm - the history of a revolution that went wrong - is George Orwell's brilliant satire on the corrupting influence of power.

 

And what a satire it is. I could tell right off the bat from the style of writing what kind of novel Animal Farm was going to be. The story starts hopeful, but that reality slowly rots the farther you get in.

It is well known that Animal Farm reflects on the Russian Revolution in relation to it’s characters and events. I can say for myself that I was constantly readying myself for something GOOD to happen in the plotline instead of the complete and utter corruption that takes place on the farm.

While reading my mother looked at me and sarcastically said “A nice light summer read for you eh?” Light in terms of an easy read? Yes. But in all seriousness if you want a book that will bring up your spirits and take you away on a hearty adventure… then don’t read Animal Farm.

I quite liked this novel it was different from a lot of other books I’ve read. I didn’t have to study if through school so that made it more enjoyable. It was a nice change from the usual fiction. I’ll give Orwell a 4 OUT OF 5 on this one. Only because I’m not in love with it. I have more Orwell coming up next.

Later gaters,

- MRR

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

My goal this summer is to complete a first draft of a book. I think if I’m going to seriously pursue being a writer in life I need to start now, get in the habit of MAKING time for that.  My friend Gabi said to me today that she heard people get less busy when they go to college. WE’LL SEE BOUT THAT. I hope she’s right heehee.

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams. After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

What makes Warm Bodies so loveable, is the idea of being in the zombie’s mind instead of on the outside and R – oh boy does he have a heart. The writing in this book uses lots of cacophony at the beginning, but as the protagonist develops and slowly falls in love, the lyrical paragraphs turn from gruesome to appallingly romantic.

There are several underlying themes that I think make the book, for example the focus on  hope. There are two characters that strongly contrast their views on the current zombie apocalypse, one bitter about the world, one who is a beacon of hope to everybody – especially a certain zombie boy.

Even though R can’t express himself much to other characters in the book, his mind is as colourful as Julie’s heart and reading his thoughts are what make this novel so pleasurable. You’ll never care this much for a zombie ever again!

Loved it :) As well as the last half of the movie I saw. I recommend this book, a 5 OUT OF 5.  Took me a couple days to finish because I was glued to the pages. http://www.isaacmarion.com/ There is a link to Marion’s website.

-MRR

out.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Grad dinner and dance is finished! I am done with high school. Not much else to say, nothing else is going on in my life right now other than getting a $50 dollar gift card to chapters woooo! I bought 3 books that are outside the genre that I normally read so it will be fun.

In order to develop a secure defence against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender” Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut-young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training. Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders.

Ender’s Game is witty, exciting and has you hooked  in from the very start. Thrust into the future, the reader gets snippets of what is going on in the setting but the most vital thing is the buggers: the alien’s that invaded earth twice and almost won. Ender - who is only 6 years old when he is sent off to battle school -  has the weight of his entire planet on his shoulders as he is expected to win the last battle.

As he grows up in space, training every day of his life, Ender is tested until it seems he will break. But he is the smartest and most capable, no matter what his age, and no matter how many other older soldiers underestimate him. Orson Scott Card was imaginative in describing the games between armies and his writing really pulled me along. The characters are what really make the story.

The ending comes before you realize it, and even after the climax there is a nice twist. PROPS TO CARD, he did a splendid job once again. I’ll give Ender a 5 OUT OF 5. The movie is coming out soon with Harrison Ford http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SRizeR4MmU and if you want to check out Orson Scott Card’s website, there you go: http://www.hatrack.com/

Until next time!

-MRR

The Droughtlanders by Carrie Mac

I am SO VERY busy so sorry about the slow reading, usually I can get these suckers done in a day or two if I feel like it. Graduating and softball are taking up my time recently, its quite exhilarating. Speaking of exhilarating, lets talk about this lovely book.

Twin brothers Seth and Eli Maddox are Keylanders brought up within the privileged and protected Eastern Key. Keylanders, the boys are told, must keep within their walls to avoid the filth and disease spread by the Droughtlanders-those who struggle to survive on the parched land between the Keys. But when Eli sees their mother helping one of the wretched Droughtlanders, a chain of terrible events begins to unravel the life they've all known and will pit brother against brother in a life-or-death struggle between two worlds. The first book in the Triskelia trilogy, The Droughtlanders is a brilliant blend of futuristic fantasy and gritty social realism, with unforgettable characters and a compulsively readable story.

The first thing that I noticed and appreciated about this novel is that right on the first page, you are thrown into the story and left to figure out what’s going on. I thought that the protagonist was younger than 16 in the first couple chapters because of how he was acting, but there was good character development throughout the plotline for both Eli and his twin Seth.

There are many parallels between the world of the Droughtlands and of our current society, Mac reflects on these in her futuristic fiction. The rebels of Triskelia are trying to fight for their people, the Droughtlanders – who are stuck in poverty and sickness because of the Keys.

Overall this was a very compelling story to read, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the vocabulary and slang the characters had, and I could keep up with it without being confused. I think the best part about this novel is the contrast between the two brothers, and how different they turn out in the end.

Mac leaves you on a cliff-hanger so be prepared for me to reviewing the second one! Visit the website for the trilogy here http://www.triskelia.ca/books.html . I’m giving this one  5 OUT OF 5. I really couldn’t put it down.

Until next time, Chow!

MRR

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

The true story of a thief, a detective, and a world of literary obsession. Sorry that it has been a while since the last post, I’ve been quite busy with graduating and being Megan. Those two combined are more time consuming than I had hoped. Any doodle. Lettuce tart.

People have been collecting-and stealing-books since before Gutenberg invented the printing press. Internationally, according to Interpol, rare book theft is more widespread than fine art theft. Although dealers will tell you "every rare book is a stolen book," the stories of these heists have remained quiet, shielded by an insular community of book dealers and book collectors that prefers to keep its losses secret.

In The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, Allison Hoover Bartlett takes us deep inside the world of rare books, and tells the cat-and-mouse story of two men caught in its allure. Here we meet John Gilkey, an unrepentant, obsessive book thief, and Ken Sanders, the equally obsessive self-styled "bibliodick," a book-dealer turned amateur detective. While their goals are at direct odds, both men share a deep passion for books and a fierce tenacity-Gilkey, to steal books; Sanders, to stop him.

This novel starts off with a compelling description of an old book and instantly the reader is pulled in. Why would they be reading if they didn’t have a love for books? That is why this story was destined to become popular, what bookworm wouldn’t love an adventure about a man who loved books too much? Frankly you can’t go wrong with this one.

Compared to the other types of books I usually read, this non-fiction was refreshing. I liked the narrative style, and some of the footnotes held some interesting information. The style of writing is simple and to the point, but also includes Barlett’s thoughts as she unoticingly weaves herself into her own story.

The motive for the story is simply to understand what makes a collector’s hunger for books grow, and how far will some people go to get their precious paperbacks? I would say from this point that if you want to find out, then get reading!!!

This one will be a 3.5 OUT OF 5, I enjoyed the easy read and gained some knowledge into the Rare Books wooooooooorld. Oooh laa laa. Check out Bartlett’s website: http://www.allisonhooverbartlett.com/

And have a good weekend!

MRR - out

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Sometimes doing novel studies in school is pretty beneficial. Now here I have a bold CANADIAN writer for my sad (and small) audience, and I have to say that I really enjoyed reading and studying this cryptic novel. Enjoy my fellow bookworms.

  The narrator of Atwood's riveting novel calls himself Snowman. When the story opens, he is sleeping in a tree, wearing an old bed sheet, mourning the loss of his beloved Oryx and his best friend Crake, and slowly starving to death. He searches for supplies in a wasteland where insects proliferate and pigoons and wolvogs ravage the pleeblands, where ordinary people once lived, and the Compounds that sheltered the extraordinary. As he tries to piece together what has taken place, the narrative shifts to decades earlier. How did everything fall apart so quickly? Why is he left with nothing but his haunting memories? Alone except for the green-eyed Children of Crake, who think of him as a kind of monster, he explores the answers to these questions in the double journey he takes - into his own past, and back to Crake's high-tech bubble-dome, where the Paradise Project unfolded and the world came to grief.

Now here is a writer that is not afraid to challenge the path that humanity may be heading in the future. This dystopian novel is set in an apocalyptic world, with a juicy plot told through a series of flashbacks. Using a great amount of satire Atwood takes what she sees as problems in our current society, and shows what the consequences will be in the future.

There are several themes that emerge in Oryx and Crake; for example the constant battle between the importance of arts and sciences. In Atwood’s world the humanities and the tantalizing power of believing in the unknown has disappeared. She reflects on sustainable resources, the growing gap between the rich and poor, as well as what living in a world ruled by corporations would be like.

All of the parallels between this fiction world and ours effectively proves Atwood’s point that there needs to be change. Even though the novel is an interpretative fiction,  the beautifully dark story holds you right from the beginning.

5 OUT OF 5 for this one. This is the first book in a trilogy. http://www.margaretatwood.ca/ I will get to reading the second one `Year Of The Flood`when I can.

Next is a story about a man who loved books too much!

MMR - out

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Well hello everybody, another long week in Megan Rempel’s busy life. I guess everybody has busy lives though. About to head to a softball tournament in Kelowna. GO CLASSICS! I’m proud to say I’m the loudest centerfield that a team probably has ever had. Anyway, go team, lets get on with this lovely review.

The hero-narrator of THE CATCHER IN THE RYE is an ancient child of sixteen, a native New Yorker named Holden Caulfield. Through circumstances that tend to preclude adult, secondhand description, he leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days. The boy himself is at once too simple and too complex for us to make any final comment about him or his story. Perhaps the safest thing we can say about Holden is that he was born in the world not just strongly attracted to beauty but, almost, hopelessly impaled on it. There are many voices in this novel: children's voices, adult voices, underground voices-but Holden's voice is the most eloquent of all. Transcending his own vernacular, yet remaining marvelously faithful to it, he issues a perfectly articulated cry of mixed pain and pleasure. However, like most lovers and clowns and poets of the higher orders, he keeps most of the pain to, and for, himself. The pleasure he gives away, or sets aside, with all his heart. It is there for the reader who can handle it to keep.

This novel is written from a character’s mind that at times can be very difficult to understand, especially with Holden’s capability to always get lost in his thoughts. The style of writing lets you get lost in the never ending, subject changing abyss of Holden’s mind and emotions. I have read other reviews, and listened to comments on Catcher in the Rye and people say it’s a book that you either love or hate. I didn’t really love it or hate it honestly. Holden is unpredictable and doesn’t make too much sense most of the time, and there isn’t really a point to the story that I could find. That isn’t to say that there isn’t poetry throughout the story.

According to me, Holden is just a depressed guy that wanders around trying to weed through his sadness. He is also a very hypocritical character which I found entertaining seeing as he does the very same things that he hates about other characters in the novel.

To be honest, I don’t really know how to feel about this one, as well as I don’t understand how you could study this book in school. Then again, there is lots for a reader to interpret any which way you want. I think I’ll give Salinger a good 3 OUT OF 5 on this one. I enjoyed it but it’s not one of my favourites. Still, Catcher in the Rye is a classic, I think everybody should read it if they have a chance its not a heavy read.

ANYWAY, I’ll be off to play some softball now.

Toodles

MRR

Blood On My Hands by Todd Strasser

Another couple days gone in the life of Megan the book review writer. It always surprises me how much I read every time I get back to writing one of these for you guys. Whatever, you know what the young people say these days ‘YOLO’

All it takes is one second. One stupid move. One click of a cell phone. When Callie Carson discovers ice queen Katherine Remington-Day sprawled on the ground one night, she bends down to help her. It's only natural-the party's been a bit wild, after all. And it's only natural for her to pull out the fake knife she discovers, irritated at one more example of Katherine's callous disregard of  other people's feelings. But the knife is real . . . and bloody. And then Callie hears the click of one cell phone, followed by another, and another. In minutes, images of her holding the bloody knife have gone viral. Now wanted for murder, Callie is on the run from the police. All the evidence points to her guilt, but she's determined to prove her innocence, which would mean . . . the real killer is still out there.

Seeing as I’m a strong believer that you can never tell how good a books is by its cover, I chose Blood On My Hands randomly from my school library. Its easy to say though that this was not the most brilliant book I’ve read. It’s slightly boring actually with all of the teenage drama and the bitchy girls. I didn’t find anything particularly surprising or grabbing about this book. The genre is mystery and its about a murder so I expected a little more suspense.

The main character Callie is great at running away from the police, everything pretty much goes her way even at the end. I don’t know, maybe I’m grumpy maybe I’m not but say this book was special: I cannot.

A great big 2 OUT OF 5. As it its still a book with a storyline but by just a bit. :D Just kidding! Not really.

MRR – out.

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Good evening for anybody in Pacific Western Time, and greetings to anybody else. This novel was recommended to me by my friend Antony. I haven’t seen the movie, and I’m glad because seeing as the book was pretty amazing, the movie probably sucks compared. Anyway, no paragraph for this book its just something you have to READ.

“You are not special. You're not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else. We're all part of the same compost heap. We're all singing, all dancing crap of the world.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

The first thing I noticed when I opened this treasure chest of a book up was the writing style. Palahniuk uses plenty of repetitive writing throughout Fight Club’s entirety. The way he phrases everything really lets you absorb what’s happening, as well as capture your attention from the first chapter. As you go through the beginning there several parts that are hard to understand because you don’t know the full story, but the repetitive writing keeps you focused and wanting more.

Next thing that made this book unique was how the author wove the story together. As a reader, you are thrown into random settings which keep you guessing but still wanting more. I was dragged through this book by the continuous thread of dark poetry. Unlike anything I’ve ever read really.

So there you have it folks, add this to your to read list. It’s a classic. 5 OUT OF 5.

THATS RIGHT.

BE PREPARED.

FULL MARKS FOR THIS GUY.

Aaaaaaaaaand next week on insubstantial we have Mr. Todd Strasser and “Blood On My Hands”  Never heard of it? Yeah neither have I.

MRR – out.

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Whew, it has been a while. I have been absent on here due to my wonderful trip during spring break to Austria and Spain, as well as being deathly sick for a week as soon as I returned to my country. Now that I’m half caught up on homework I’ll take some time to do some bloggin’


Despite starting a relationship with Patch, her guardian angel (whose title is the only angelic thing about him), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking good for Nora Grey. Aside from fearing her boyfriend is interested in her nemesis, Nora is haunted by images of her father and becomes obsessed with understanding his disappearance. As Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, she begins to wonder whether her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it. And since Patch isn't answering her questions, Nora has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch-or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?
I haven’t ever held this series as important to me, there isn’t anything that stands out greatly about the story or anything.


When I started reading Crescendo I didn’t really remember what happened in the first book but it was still enjoyable. Let me tell you though, all of this reading I’ve been doing especially in the young adult section makes me realize how very alike most of the stories are. I’m just going to categorize this one with the rest haha.

The protagonist in this book is extremely childish, which I guess some teens can relate with. I found it sort of annoying to read about her relationship problems at most points in the novel. Patch also needs to start showing some flaws at some time or another. So far he is the perfect boyfriend and person and he does everything right which is kind of boring if you ask me. When Nora was getting upset and jealous of Patch and the other girl I knew the entire time she was wrong which as a reader is kind of boring.

There was a good twist though at the end that is sure to surprise the readers because there is no hints whatsoever to what is going to happen. I think there is another book out in this series, maybe in that one we’ll actually know what’s going on instead of being stuck in naive Nora’s shoes. http://www.beccafitzpatrick.com/

A 2.5 OUT OF 5 for Crescendo. Taaaaa daaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Fight Club is next, and some Canadian writing from Margaret Atwood sometime in the future.

MRR

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green & David Levithan

Well here we go kiddies, another book gone and done. Read this one because of a recommendation from a nice lady at Chapters, and it was interesting enough. It got a lot of attention apparently, but I don’t see what makes it super special honestly.

 One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, Will Grayson crosses paths with . . . Will Grayson. Two teens with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, and culminating in epic turns-of-heart and the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high school stage. Told in alternating voices from two YA superstars, this collaborative novel features a double helping of the heart and humour that have won them both legions of fans.

The best part about this story is the characters, especially the contrast between the two Will Graysons’ personalities. They are very different people despite having the same name. All of the characters are very realistic in how they interact with each other. Tiny Cooper was the most amusing person to read about and I liked viewing him through Will’s point of view, it took his enthusiasm to the extreme.

The writing style was funny, I loved the depressed (I don’t know what else to call him lol) Will Grayson’s attitude towards life and how he bluntly swore at people. I laughed out loud more than a couple times while reading this book, and if not that little giggles to myself. Through the humour though are very common problems not only teens but probably adults face as well. The ending didn’t sugar coat everything, two people didn’t end up together in a super romantic fantasy ending. It was real.

So I guess I have to give some credit to that, and to this duo of authors right here. http://johngreenbooks.com/ & http://www.davidlevithan.com/ . Ill give this one a 3 OUT OF 5. Not bad you guys, a funny story with some funny twists.

Chow for now,

MRR

Legend by Marie Lu

Nothing new happening since my last post, it’s only been a couple days because of how quick to read this book was (which was very refreshing by the way). So I suppose I’ll get right to it then.

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’ death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

The first thing that I have to comment on are the characters. Day and June – the two characters that are focused on – would be invincible if they didn’t have the weakness of their loved ones holding them back. Characters that are too perfect bother me because even the best soldier has their flaws. Flaws do not include a limp, or a family that could be used against them. Saying this though I realize this is the first book, and there will probably be lots of room for development as the story continues.

Although similar to other novels I’ve read like the Hunger Games or Divergent, Legend was still a captivating story for me nonetheless. The similar theme that I’ve seen in other novels made Legend less alluring than I think it would be if I read this one first. There were things that stood out as original. I liked the fighting in the bars and being able to see the street life, then flashing back to fancy uniforms and military protocol. The contrast in the story is obvious and keeps you wondering what is going on with Day as you read about June.

The romance between two characters that are complete opposites but seem to have quite a few things in common is adorable, and personally I wanted to see more of it. I guess they were a bit more intent on saving lives and defeating the government and all that stuff. Gets busy I suppose.

ANYWHO. Check out her website http://marielu.org/ . The second book came out January, greaaaaaaat gottta get on that. I’ll give this one a 3.5 OUT OF 5. A good book and fun to read, but not outstanding in my eyes. Toodles,

MRR

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

I wanted to get this done yesterday, but alas I didn’t finish the novel until 1:30 in the morning. Things going on with my life: applying to universities for next school year, trying to keep up with the current school year, and on top of all that liking a guy that butted his way into my life. Asshole, who does he think he is making my like more busy? ;)

A powerful secret. A dangerous path.Rigg is well trained at keeping secrets. Only his father knows the truth about Rigg''s strange talent for seeing the paths of people''s pasts. But when his father dies, Rigg is stunned to learn just how many secrets Father had kept from him--secrets about Rigg''s own past, his identity, and his destiny. And when Rigg discovers that he has the power not only to see the past, but also to change it, his future suddenly becomes anything but certain. Rigg's birthright sets him on a path that leaves him caught between two factions, one that wants him crowned and one that wants him dead. He will be forced to question everything he thinks he knows, choose who to trust, and push the limits of his talent…or forfeit control of his destiny.

Science fiction has never been one of the main genres that I’ve focused on when reading, but my first thought as I reached a couple chapters in was: This guy knows how to WRITE. I was almost immediately intrigued and surprised at how realistic Card managed to pull together the story from the start. When the characters in the story debate about how the  rules  of time travel works and what the effects, are I did seem to get a bit lost; I had no idea what was going on while they were experimenting. That is not to say that it impacted my reading negatively, it made me pay more attention as I tried to understand their speculations.

My favourite part of this book was the main character, Rigg. He was so real to me, and as you learned his character and read his thoughts on the page it felt like you could gain his knowledge, like you knew it too. Explaining Rigg’s thoughts as he analyzed and went through the story gave you a strong attachment and understanding of him. Everybody knows that characters in a book can only be as smart as the author and in this case it was obvious how well thought each part of the plot was.

This book is a fantasy mixed with sci-fi, and with the second story at the beginning of every chapter there is an air of mystery as well. VERY GOOD. Definitely deserving a big 5 OUT OF 5. I will recommend and recommend again. Check out his other books, because I know I will http://www.hatrack.com/

Have a good month of March everybody, I’ll be back with another review soon. Bye,

MRR

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Busy busy busy busy busy busy. Why did I decide to start this up again? I realize I start every review with complaining about how stressful my life is. I promise it isn’t for absolutely no reason. I have many projects on the go. What is something exciting that is coming up in my life? Well in March I am travelling to Spain and Austria with my school and we get to stay with host families there, it will be super fun. The night before I go I have decided to go see Billy Talent at the Coliseum in Vancouver, should be a blast! Anyway, back to books.

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

 

 

 

This is not the type of book where you need to read the first book in the series (Graceling) to get a lot out of the story, even though the first one was what caught my attention and brought me to Fire. Based on the land on the other side of the mountains, a land full of beautiful monsters and kingdom that is trying to fight off rebel armies Fire is an interesting book that includes romance, adventure, medieval politics and tragedy.

The idea of the monsters in the land being beautiful and enchanting was very unique, seeing as that is not what we picture when we think monster. In a way, the beauty of the Fire in the book brings out the monsters in normal people – a concept I haven’t read about before.

The pain that Fire experiences throughout the story after certain events was something I enjoyed, making the story seem more rocky even if you know it will end happy (I would call it more of a ‘bittersweet’ ending though.) Even for escape fiction Cashore’s writing did include realistic things of that time, and what a girl of Fire’s age had to deal with.

I recommend this book, well actually this author. I will read Bitterblue as soon as I can. Lots of books lined up as usual. Visit her website http://kristincashore.blogspot.ca/. I give this book a 3.5 OUT OF 5. Remember guys if you live in Canada to check out the chapters online store, very useful website. I also post my reviews on there.

Toodles for now, I’m currently on hold for 2 books at my library. BAI

MRR

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This one I read quite a while ago, but I think I remember it clearly enough to still share my input on it. So, here we go then a nice review on the adventures of Elizabeth Gilbert.

‘In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern American woman was supposed to want--husband, country home, successful career--but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.’

 

Some people that read this book found the main character (the author) quite annoying. I, on the other hand didn’t find this was the case. Her character is what made the story interesting whether people realize that or not. Because of her flamboyancy and the way she handled things, as well as how she ranted on about things.

I started this book not really having any idea what it would be like, and I found reading Gilbert’s story was very inspiring. Travelling is something I have always wanted to do so learning about the places she went was pretty cool. The fact that it’s divided into three separate parts each for one place and one task – as you can see by the title – sat well in my mind.

Even though I do more eating than praying or loving, each section I felt I could connect with in some way. Because the novel is realistic it was more appealing to me, especially the parts in India where Liz was meditating. Overall it was an interesting life story about a curious woman, who finally got the happiness she wanted in the end. I think I’ll give it a great 4 OUT OF 5. I had fun with the story.

It is just me or am I wrong in thinking this blog is fantastic? Followers, flock to me this instant. Okay. Bye then.

MRR

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

This one was a shorty, but that didn’t make it any less enjoyable. There was a move made about this book, but I haven’t seen it yet. I don’t doubt that it would be good though, even if this book is just about life. Charlie’s life.

  ‘This is the story of what it''s like to grow up in high school. More intimate than a diary, Charlie's letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating. We may not know where he lives. We may not know to whom he is writing. All we know is the world he shares. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it puts him on a strange course through uncharted territory. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite.’

Not much to say about this little bookie. Its short, sweet and all the while very enjoyable. Even though Charlie is just a normal teenaged boy going through normal high school problems, his character makes the story unique. Charlie doesn’t really think like the normal high school kid, and I continued to read because of his perspective on life.

One of my favourite quotes was from the beginning of the book: ‘We accept the love we think we deserve.’ It really meant a lot to me, and there were lots of meaningful quotes throughout the entire novel it was written beautifully. The reason it connects with so many people is because its about something we all have to go through in life; which is growing up.

I liked the diary format for the book, and I there isn’t one thing that I could pick out about not liking about it. Some people may get bored when Charlie just talks about things that happened to him that weren’t so exciting, but I think its important that those are included because its his life – with the exciting and boring parts.

I’ll give this a 3.5/5 I mean it wasn’t my favourite genre, but it was still worth the read. I likey. Chbosky doesn’t have his own website/blog but you can read more about him here http://authors.simonandschuster.ca/Stephen-Chbosky/1843916 Hope you enjoyed, I’m going to have a review for Eat Pray Love maybe, and coming up after that is Fire (Second to Graceling) Should be good.

Anywho. I think I should get started on some homework, new semester and a new beginning. Oh and GRADE 2013 WOOT WOOT

Bye  X)

CHiP by Aviva Bel’Harold

Surprised how quickly I managed to finish this one, its the final week for this semester it’s been quite busy, but this is one of those books that you can’t really put down. Even though I’ve never heard of this author, the cover caught my eye and its been a great read, so here we go!


With enhanced eyesight and an uncanny ability to know the future, Tia is not your average 17 year old girl. But neither is Teig: Genetically altered to look the role, he is sent from one school to the next in search of the perfect recruits for his company. Discovering Tia creates a dilemma for Teig – report her to the company and she might be destroyed, or risk the same fate happened to him if he doesn’t. Will Tia’s premonitions let her see the future in time to change it?

I was surprised when this random book that I picked up off the shelf was very interesting, even from the first page. The fact that its almost 50 years in the future captures you’re attention, and gets you wondering as to what the author envisioned society would be like at that time. I thought the touch contract thing was a very possible idea as well as the schools and how they watch the games, it was all very realistic and made the story more interesting.

One thing that I didn’t like at points was how it switched from Teig and Tia’s point of views, but it was always in the same time frame for both of those chapters, and reading through the same dialogue I’d read through Tia’s eyes was not very fun the second time around, I had to fight the urge to skip past parts of it.

FINALLY at the ending they revealed everything and explained the things you’ve been waiting for the entire book, though it did keep me intrigued and reading more i wasn’t bored very often. After I was finished the book though, I did have an sort of unsatisfied feeling, this may have been that I wanted the romance to develop a bit further, or that Bel’Harold left so much open to happen after she finished the novel. I was unsatisfied with the ending, something was just off about it.

Either way, I enjoyed this very much so I’ll give it a 3/5. If you would like to visit the author’s website here it is http://www.avivabelharold.com/ she has 4 other books i believe. Hopefully a second one will come out for this one, there are a lot of things that could happen next.

that’s all for now, until next book -

MRR

House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

Oh hey, its hasn’t been too long! Surprised that I finished another book so fast with how busy I am lately. Work, softball, school, graduating, writing, art and having a social life is a challenge I must say. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into starting up this blog again! (But tis for your enjoyment)

Much to his disappointment, Xander’s family moves away from his city – leaving all his girlfriend and friends behind – to a small town called Pinedale. There he and his family come across an old Victorian house in the woods. His family instantly falls in love, but Xander has a weird feeling about the place. Suspicious footprints are in the house, sounds come from the wrong direction, and the house has a gruesome history making sure nobody had lived there for over 30 or 40 years. Soon he and his family are caught up in the house’s dark magic, but then again Xander did always admire adventure.

 

Very interesting book, and not at all what I was expecting when I was first checking it out. I like the combination of genres that happens in this book, there is the horror part of it and then Liparulo mixed in some fantasy as well.

Another part I liked about this book was how it featured the two brothers, they were accomplices and very close which was fun to read about, especially because it was so realistic! I would treat my sister the same as he had in their situations haha.

The twist at the end was good, I didn’t quite expect it and I usually can predict things like that in books, with this one I only HALF did. I also like how it kept you wondering so much at the end of the book. There was so much unexplained, they only scratched the surface of the story and the mysteries of the house leaving you wanting more.

Seriously what the fuck is going on at this house, I really have no idea. I’ll give this one a 3.5 OUT OF 4. And yeah I’m stopping with the pictures of the ratings, I think they got deleted a long time ago.

Next book is thicker and longer, so who knows how long I’ll be. Chow!

MRR

A Mission From God by Vienna Lovett

Why hello there. I know, its been a while, but I decided I need to do some sort of writing activity, back to reading and keep up with my pretty little blog even if I’m still trying to figure out this new layout. I hope I can keep up this stuff a little and maybe my blog will get some attention, it looks wayyyy cooooler now >:) Anyway lets get on with this.

Jakob Jones, ordinary teenager, meets his guardian angel who presents him with a mission from God: get the world praying! To accomplish this task, he is given a large, old Bible that enables him to travel back to Ancient Israel and ask any of the Bible characters for help. Jakob experiences hair raising escapades as he meets and talks with some of the great patriarchs of the Bible. Jakob's best friend, Eli, tags along as a bodyguard, and the two of them dive head over heels into some wild and crazy adventures together.

Going to have to admit that at the beginning I was getting a bit bored, it does drag it out quite a bit there is a lot of extra dialogue than needed, but as soon as Jacob starts to use is Bible he gets caught up in dangerous situations, twists are happening all over the place.

The introduction of new characters at the end helped, and even though from what I can see there isn’t too much detail or development in the main characters you can tell that will happen in later books in the series.

It ended with a bang and finally plot got pretty exciting in the second half. Really enjoyed this book even though I’m not religious, the adventure is just the same. To me the power of prayer can be translated to instead just thinking of others and wishing good upon other people and I agree that could change the world. Guess its how you look at it.

I’m going to be giving this book a generous 4 OUT OF 5. I have faith in where this series is going, even if it’s meant for a younger age group then a young adult such as myself.

There is no website for this novel seeing as it was just published and its by a new author, BUT you can visit the authors other site here. She also writes her own music which she is publishing too. Check it out!

Any doodle, I’m reading a horror next I have to switch it up a little,

laterrr.

MRR