Showing posts with label Rated - 4 STARS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rated - 4 STARS. Show all posts

BR: Wonder by R.J. Palacio



Note: I know Ive been a horrible commenter. Just wanted to let you know that I'll be catching up with your posts over the weekend. Also, i just reread SAVING FRANCESCA so expect a review of that and THE PIPERS SON very soon. Thomas and Jimmy <3

  

Rating:


Personally, I prefer my ARC cover. You like? :)  

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August has always known that he's different. But he's learnt to long accept that people will always stare at his face, and there's nothing he can do about it. So why not just live life the best way possible? With a loving family always by his side, although originally not at all happy about starting school, he soon starts to warm to the idea. Having been home-schooled for many years he is now more vulnerable than ever. Preview

Like any person that's a new student, August faces many mixed reactions from fellow students. Some are welcoming like Summers and Jack. Others not so much like Henry and Julian. But add to that something which will make you definitely stand out - and not in a positive way - and you are bound to have a rough few days. I just want to say this straight out. If I was August, heck no would I be brave enough to walk through those gates. He is just ten years old but his sensibility, ability to laugh at himself and his courage just blew me away. I think he is such a wonderful human being. I can't gush enough about him. 

What I particularly love about the book is how we are able to see August through others too. Of course this is Augusts journey, but it's interesting to see how others see him. Via, his sister, is the one I found most interesting. She's a teenager and at that age where she is still discovering new things about herself day by day. And although she adores her brother, she's grown up learning never to complain, to never want or expect anything from her parents. She's always known that August is first priority since her parents are so over -protective over him, but little by little, it's clear that she's starting to grow a little resentful. And she hates herself for it, because she loves her family so much. 

What really shined for me was not just August himself, but his loving tight - knit family. The kind that you see in cartoons or children's books. The bedtime stories, the hugs and kisses. It's so lovely to just watch from afar and see how supportive and sweet they are towards one another. 

And hey, when we get to the last few pages it's just full on inspiring. Some very touching, quotable moments there. ;) 

                   
PS: (It will be releasing on the 1st of March through Random House. )




Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 14:34 Comments
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BR - Dark Inside By Jeyn Roberts


Eventually they will come to all of us. The chaos they've created will transform to a new world order. Death will be a dream.

"What do we do now?" "We move on."

He was done mourning

"Craig?"  "yes?"  "You need to let go now"   "And if I don't?"

He didn't want to die. He was a little surprised to realise this.

We forget how truly fragile we are.


Hardcover: 368 pages Publisher: Macmillian Children's Books (2 September 2011) Age Range: Young Adult Genre: Dystopia/Horror  Source:  Publisher 

Rating:




My Thoughts -Well well, don't we have a bit of a stunner here. I started DARK INSIDE without any expectation, but I've been left completely surprised by just how wonderful this book is. And hey, it's hell of a fast read. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my fast paced reads? They totally rock my world, and DARK INSIDE is no exception.

After a series of earthquakes people completely turn on each other. There is no regret, no remorse. If the earthquakes haven't done you harm then these people will make sure they finish the job. All we know is that for some unexplained reason people have flat out started going on killing spree's. Sparing not even their own families or children.

Let me tell you now. Although I found it pretty bearable, this will not be a easy read for some. Many innocent people die, and it does get graphic at times. Basically it's far from pretty.

But it's more than worth it.

We are lead into the lives of four particular teenagers. Clementine, Aries, Mason and Michael. But there is a mysterious fifth under the name "nothing". Although it wasn't much of a mystery who this was. As we watch on, each will struggle with their own inner demons and guilt. Let's just say they haven't survived until now without having to kill a person or two. But this is the perfect example of survival of the fittest. You either hide in a corner and wait for a bagger to find you, or think quick and come up with a plan. 

What the four will go through is horrific. Each will face their own journey and battle to stay alive whilst the so called *baggers* roam the streets. The freaky thing about the baggers is that they aren't necessarily all easy to tell apart. Although many of them are sloppy in their killings, some are more intelligent than others and can hold a conversation without you even suspecting. These are the ones that you really need to look out for. With rations scarce, the majority dead, hospitals, doctors and policemen practically nonexistent, there is no choice but to solely rely on yourself. No one is to be trusted, not even yourself.

There were so many moments where my heart would be beating furiously and I would be an anxious mess. When I think of a premise like this, this is exactly what I expect from a novel. Something gritty, a little gory to add a touch of realism. I got that from DARK INSIDE, and the fact that there were so many creepy/horrific moments really helped build the perfect atmosphere.

The story poses a strong question. Are we our own greatest enemy? Will the day come where we have so much power that we get carried away? I mean isn't that the reality of today? Isn't it us human who do most of the killing. May it be the environment, animals or each other. Will the time come when things go so out of hand that we destroy each other completely? DARK INSIDE makes you ask this very question, and as questionable some aspects of the book may be, you can't help but wonder - what if? As the story progresses and each character faces their own struggles, they are forced to question what or who is evil or good. Can you determine either and does it even matter anymore?

Although I grew frustrated by some the characters reckless decisions and mistakes, I found myself feeling guilty for judging them, because, for example: as much as Michael' cowardly tendencies cheesed me off,  who's to say how I would have reacted if I was in their situation? Most likely, I would have not lasted as long as they have managed to. You see, each of them bring something important to the table, and it's enough at least to keep them alive, and that's what counts - no matter what their flaws. The ending is quite abrupt and leaves as many questions lingering as I had in the very beginning. Is there going to be a sequel? I would sure love one, but there is also something wonderful in leaving us readers with that big hovering question mark - in not knowing what happens to them in the world they are now living in.

For all you hopeless romantics, romance was pretty much non - existent. Oh there were feelings between certain characters, but it pretty much settled and stayed put around that line.  So yeah,  very tame and whatnot, and for some that may be a let down but it didn't bother me. It made sense actually and gave the book more of a realistic feel. I mean, where do you find time to make out/other things and such when creepy people are trying to kill you and the world is basically ending. So many books count on romance that it's refreshing to see that a book can hold it's own and the readers interest thoughout without it. Doncha think, eh.

Is is apparent that I loved this book? 

Some who have read the book may not share my enthusiasm, but I, for one, thought it was pretty darn fantastic.

I feel them. All of them. Their thoughts. Their voices whisper in my ears. I hear their prayers and their pain passes through my body like a million electric volts. I know their crimes. They will make sure I witness every last one of them.

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 04:46 Comments
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BR - REVOLUTION By Jennifer Donnelly



What happened to her? What went wrong? What changed her from a girl who was spinning around in circles in the Marble Courtyard, dreaming of her future on the stage, to someone with a price on her head, someone who wrote: I am seventeen years of age. I will not last much longer. Do I really want to find out?


"You are a ghost, Andi," she says. "Almost gone." I look at her. I want to say something but I can't get the words out. She squeezes my hands. "Come back to us," she says. And she's gone."


  • Paperback: 496 pages  Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (3 Oct 2011) Age range: Young Adult - Genre: Historical Fiction/Contemporary  Source: Publisher

  • RATING: 


"There is only one thing I fear now-love. For I have seen it and I have felt it and I know that it is love, not death, that undoes us."


Because in a small dark room, a broken child lies on a filthy bed and stares up on a high window. He waits for me, too. And I - I who have failed at everything and have failed everyone - I must not, I cannot, I will not fail him. 



REVOLUTION is a tough book to crack. It's not one of those where you can give an explanation and get on with it. There's a lot more to it than that. There's so much going on, but I suppose what I can begin with is music. Music plays such an important role. Not only are both MC' rather exceptional with the Guitar, but in this instance - music become a coping mechanism. It's one of the only things that in the midst of all the death, pain and hunger that they can really call their own.

Andi is filled with grief. She is haunted by the death of her brother, and ever since, her mother has never been quite the same. So if her mother painting her son over and over again - to the point where the house is covered with his face, then so be it. She would do anything to take her mother's pain away. Her father has always been in a world of his own. A place where science comes first, even before family. Love, lust, his children, wife. It has taken over his life, and it does not take long until his work starts to tear his family apart. It gets to the point where he hardly ever sees his children, so obsessed he becomes to finding "the key" that he seem to forget that he has a family back home that waits for him everyday. Unfortunately when his son passes away he delves deeper into his work, and instead, his daughter is left to carry the pieces of a broken mother when she can hardly cope herself.

Andi is slightly tricky to decide over. I actually really struggled with her. She's suicidal, yet she come across as so melodramatic that you don't know if you should feel sorry for her, or just slap some sense into her. She's spoilt for one. She's had a lot handed to her growing up. Private schools, the money for any prestigious University for her liking, uses her father's credit card -taking out ridiculous amount of money and is then confused when it is cut off. So although, sure, I felt sorry for what she went through - it was a little hard to sympathise with her at times. Especially when she was sent to Paris as a punishment! Heck, I'd take that as punishment anyday. 

It's whilst in Paris though that things take a turn. Although she still slips ups and is tempted to commit suicide and take more pills than needed, it's people like Virgil, Alex, Amade and Louis - Charles that show her why life is worth fighting for, that there is reason to live. During her stay in Paris she comes across a diary. Alexandrine' (Alex) diary. Although the diary holds the thoughts of a girl from over two hundred years ago, there is something fascinating about her account. It's during this time that the duel narrative sets in. It's interesting, yet wonderful to see both of these girls mature and change through the hardships they will both endure.

I've said this before, but I just loved how the author has this wonderful way of interweaving fiction and fact until everything becomes so realistic and fuzzy that you stop searching for what's what. More - so there is always this magical element to her work that I adore. As you become more and more engrossed nothing seems impossible anymore.

Our protagonists are two girls who have both had their share of a tough life. Andi may be privileged compared to some, and a tad annoying at times but her grief and ache -y voice rings true. It's raw, deep and hard - hitting to the point where at the most unexpected of times - she would say something with such feeling that I had to stop for a moment and take it in. Listen. I had to close the book more than once to collect myself and continue. What you have to understand is that she deals with this unbearable guilt due to her brothers death - she feels responsible. On the other hand you have Alex. This is a girl who on the flip side has been brought up surrounded by poverty. Whose life changes dramatically when she comes across a certain family. Greed settles in, want, and determination to never starve again.  

But there is this boy. To know that this part of the book is indeed not fiction is very hard. To think that this young boy was placed in this small space, in such horrific conditions, is just torture. It's stayed with me, and although I try to push it away I just can't - it weighs heavy on me, and I keep imagining this small boy, alone, scared, confused and so very helpless. It's enough to make anyone angry and question humanity. You know I have these moments. When there is death, cruelty and baseless violence. Every time there is  a war, an accusation, and so much death, I question where the good begins and where the evil ends. Is there such a thing of either? When I think of the Holocaust, when I think of this little boy who was innocent, a boy who shouldn't have had to endure such cruelty, who, no question, died a slow and painful death - this is when I question humanity.


I watched him go, then turned away myself. As I walked away through the night streets I saw that I would never free Louis - Charles, that there was nothing I could do. I loved him, yes, but what could love do in a world as black as this one?

Yes, I do think that the book was a 150 pages too long, but it just means that you will have to trudge through it. It flows at slightly slow pace, so I can imagine some not willing to go through it all  - which I can understand. However, I'm glad that I did though. There are some incredible scenes not to be missed towards the end, yet it's the ending itself which leaves me uneasy. I slightly cringed at the Epilogue. It was as if everything was so sloppily put together - tied up neatly as a ribbon, because there were things that ended a little too perfectly, which didn't add up when you looked at the book as a whole. It's something that shouldn't have been the case when you have a book that is well over 400 pages. Reading REVOLUTION required patience, so I would have appreciated for the ending to have been worthwhile as the book - up until then had been. Why not just spend a few more pages and take your time with the ending? I really think that this is one of those instances where an Epilogue just really did not work out.

I do, however, feel like I prefer this to A GATHERING LIGHT. Despite the length, pace, ending and my frustrations with the MC' at times, there is something very lovely about this book. It has its moments. A scene that comes to mind is when Virgil, Jules and Andi are rapping. I was just grinning like a fox. OH, did I forget to mention what an epic lyricist the author is -because she really is. Then there are these beautiful vivid scenes, those magical and enchanting moments where our MC is walking the streets of another time. The research that went into this book is apparent since the detail is just exquisite.

Quotes. I don't even remember the amount of times I bookmarked this book. Like I mentioned - there are some beautiful moments that I could not ignore. REVOLUTION is a tough one to sum up. I can imagine many becoming impatient and frustrated with it early on, whilst others - like myself - will find it worthwhile to stick with it and grow to enjoy as well as  appreciate the experience. It's a beautiful - if not - unique read.  Not the most easiest books to read since it requires patience, but it sure is worth it.    

=
It was dark and it was cold on those nights. The world was harsh and I was hungry. Yet I had such joy from the words. Such joy.  There were times when I lifted my face to the sky, stretched my arms wide to the winter night, and laughed out loud, so happy was I. The memory of it makes me laugh now, but not from happiness. Be careful what you show the world. You never know when the wolf is watching." 


I lift my face to the night sky. It's still dark. But I can see the stars
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Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 14:15 Comments
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